Production study of Fr, Ra and Ac radioactive ion beams at ISOLDE, CERN.

The presented paper discusses the production of radioactive ion beams of francium, radium, and actinium from thick uranium carbide (UC x ) targets at ISOLDE, CERN. This study focuses on the release curves and extractable yields of francium, radium and actinium isotopes. The ion source temperature was varied in order to study the relative contributions of surface and laser ionization to the production of the actinium ion beams. The experimental results are presented in the form of release parameters. Representative extractable yields per µ C are presented for 222 - 231 Ac, several Ra and Fr isotopes in the mass ranges 214 ≤ A ≤ 233 and 205 ≤ A ≤ 231 respectively. The release efficiency for several isotopes of each of the studied elements was calculated by comparing their yields to the estimated in-target production rates modeled by CERN-FLUKA. The maximal extraction efficiency of actinium was calculated to be 2.1(6)% for a combination of surface ionization using a Ta ion source and resonant laser ionization using the two-step 438.58 nm, and 424.69 nm scheme.

Half-life determination of 215At and 221Ra with high-purity radioactive ion beams.

At CERN-ISOLDE, high-purity radioactive ion beams of 219Fr and 221RaF were investigated with α-decay spectroscopy at the CRIS and ASET experiments in the course of three different experimental campaigns. The half-life of 215At, α-decay daughter of 219Fr, is measured to be 36.3(3)[9]µs, and that of 221Ra was determined to be 26.2(1)[6]s, both of which are well in line with the trends in this region of the nuclear landscape but at odds with some of the reported literature.

Anxiety as a predictor of the age of initiation of tobacco and cannabis use in adolescents and young adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown important links between anxiety and the use of tobacco and cannabis. However, it remains unclear whether anxiety leads youth to start using tobacco and cannabis at an earlier age. METHODS: Data were drawn from Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System for the years 2019-2021(Waves 9-14). Participants were in 10th-grade, 12th-grade, and two years post-high school at baseline. The outcomes were the age of first use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis. Interval-censoring Cox proportional hazards models were fit to examine the differences in the estimated age of initiation of tobacco and cannabis use by anxiety. RESULTS: Among the 10th-grade cohort, participants with anxiety had an increased risk of an earlier age of cigarette [AHR = 2.29(1.63-3.23)], e-cigarette [AHR = 1.53(1.17-2.00)], and cannabis [AHR = 1.59(1.23-2.05)] initiation. Among the 12th-grade cohort, participants with anxiety had an increased risk of an earlier age of cigarette [AHR = 1.52(1.21-1.90), e-cigarette [1.25(1.01-1.60)] and cannabis [AHR = 1.35(1.09-1.67] initiation. Among the post-high school cohort, the only significant association found was for cannabis initiation [AHR = 1.33(1.11-1.58). Between ages 18-to-19 years in the 10th-grade cohort, and between ages 20-21 years in the 12th-grade cohort, cumulative incidence of each of the three outcomes initiation doubled among anxious youth. CONCLUSIONS: This study's findings show that anxiety symptoms can increase the risk of substance use initiation at an earlier age, especially among the youngest adolescent cohort (∼15-to-16-year-olds). These findings highlight the importance of early screening and treatment of anxiety symptoms as a preventive measure to delay or prevent the onset of substance use initiation.

Depressive symptoms and the age of initiation of tobacco and marijuana use among adolescents and young adults.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated important associations between depressive symptoms and tobacco and marijuana use. However, to date, it is unknown if depressive symptoms predispose youth to tobacco and marijuana use at earlier ages over time. METHODS: Data from the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System (TATAMS) for the years 2019-2021 (Waves 9-14) were used. Eligible samples include individuals who had never used cigarette (n=1776), e-cigarette (n=1353), or marijuana (n=1505) at basline and had complete data on covariates. Interval-censoring survival analysis was used to examine the differences in the estimated age of first use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and marijuana by depressive symptoms. RESULTS: 10th-grade cohort participants with depressive symptoms had increased risk of earlier age of first use of cigarette [AHR=1.45; 95% CI=1.02-2.04)], e-cigarette [AHR=1.65(1.27-2.15)], and marijuana [AHR=1.56(1.20-2.01)]. 12th-grade cohort participants with depressive symptoms had increased risk of earlier age of first use of cigarette [AHR=1.41(1.11-1.82), e-cigarette [AHR=1.35(1.10-1.87)] and marijuana [AHR=1.25(1.01-1.55)]. However, among the two-year post-high school cohort, depressive symptoms predicted the age of first use of marijuana only [AHR=1.34(1.13-1.60)]. Between ages 18-to-20 years, the estimated cumulative incidence of initiation almost doubled for all three products among depressive participants in 10th and 12th-grade cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Among 10th-grade, 12th-grade, and 2-year post-HS students, those with depressive symptoms initiate tobacco and marijuana use at earlier ages than peers without depressive symptoms. Early screening and management of depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults may be a promising target for preventing or delaying the age of first use of substance use.

The Association Between Tobacco and Cannabis Use and the Age of Onset of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: Among Adolescents and Young Adults.

INTRODUCTION: No studies have prospectively explored the association between the use of tobacco or cannabis use and the age of onset of depressive or anxiety symptoms, and no studies have identified the peak ages and ranges of onset of these symptoms among tobacco and/or cannabis users. AIMS AND METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System data, waves 9-14 (2019-20121). Participants were in 10th grade, 12th grade, and 2 years post-high school (HS) at baseline (wave 9). Interval-censoring multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were fit to assess differences in the estimated age of onset of depression and anxiety by tobacco and cannabis use while adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: We found that lifetime or ever cigarette, e-cigarette, and cannabis use had an increased risk of an earlier age of onset of depressive and anxiety symptoms across the three cohorts, and the youngest cohort was the most differentially impacted by substance use. Between ages 18 to 19 years in the 10th-grade cohort, between ages 20 to 21 years in the 12th-grade cohort, and between ages 22 to 23 years in the post-HS cohort, the estimated hazard function (or cumulative incidence) for reporting depressive and anxiety symptoms almost doubled among lifetime cigarette, e-cigarette, and cannabis users. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco and cannabis users should be screened for mental health problems at an earlier age, especially those aged 18 years and younger, and provided with age- and culturally appropriate resources to prevent or delay the onset of anxiety and/or depression symptoms. IMPLICATIONS: The study's findings indicate that tobacco and cannabis use is directly linked to the early onset of depressive and anxiety symptoms among youth. This highlights the significance of early screening and substance use interventions, particularly for youth aged 18 years and younger, as they are disproportionately affected by both substance use and mental health problems. School-based interventions that are age- and culturally appropriate hold promise as they enable youth to seek professional help early, and in a supportive environment. Intervening early in substance shows promise in reducing the likelihood of developing mental health problems at a young age.

Association of tobacco and marijuana use with symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents and young adults in Texas.

INTRODUCTION: Young people with depression and/or anxiety may self-medicate with tobacco or tobacco with marijuana to reduce their symptoms. This study sought to differentiate between the use of tobacco products as intended and tobacco products modified to accommodate marijuana, and to explore their relationships with symptoms of depression and anxiety among youth and young adults. METHODS: The study is a secondary analysis of Wave 9 (Spring 2019) data from the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance (TATAMS) (n=2439, N=274030). Anxiety and major depressive symptoms were measured by GAD-7 and PHQ-9, respectively. RESULTS: The odds of reporting current use of e-cigarettes without marijuana (adjusted prevalence odds ratio, APOR=2.34; 95% CI: 1.30-4.21, p=0.005) and current use of combustible tobacco without marijuana (APOR=2.99; 95% CI: 1.26-7.09, p=0.014) were significantly higher among those who reported depression/anxiety comorbidity compared to those who reported no symptoms of major depressive symptoms (MDS), anxiety or comorbidity. The odds of reporting ever use of e-cigarettes with marijuana (APOR=3.68; 95% CI: 1.69- 8.00, p=0.001), current use of e-cigarettes with marijuana (APOR=2.76; 95% CI: 1.28-5.97, p=0.01) and ever use of combustible tobacco with marijuana (APOR=3.99; 95% CI: 1.66-9.58, p=0.002) were significantly higher among those reporting only MDS compared to those who reported no symptoms of MDS, anxiety or comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings can have implications for intervention planning, as interventions need to address marijuana and nicotine use in tobacco products and address anxiety and depression.

Emotional symptoms and sensation seeking: Implications for tobacco interventions for youth and young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Although emotional symptoms and sensation seeking are recognized as important risk factors for tobacco use among youth and young adults, to date, their joint influence on tobacco use has not been examined. METHODS: Data used in this study are from the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance study, a population-based cohort. At baseline, in 2014, participants were in the 10th grade. Mixed-effects logistic regression models examined associations between emotional symptoms and sensation seeking in 2014 and odds of past 30-day cigarette and e-cigarette use in 2018. Interactions between emotional symptoms and sensation seeking were examined to assess whether one modifies the effect of the other on cigarette and e-cigarette use. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, school type, and ever use of cigarettes or e-cigarettes at baseline, adolescents with high emotional symptoms (AORcig=1.97; 95% CI:1.07-3.60, and AORe-cig=1.68; 95% CI: 1.06-2.66) and with high sensation seeking tendencies (AORcig=2.05; 95% CI: 1.03-4.10, and AORe-cig=1.68; 95% CI: 1.02-2.76) had significantly higher odds of past 30-day cigarette and e-cigarette use four years later compared to adolescents with low emotional symptoms and low sensation seeking tendencies. The interaction was significant (p=0.01) for e-cigarette use only; among low sensation seekers, adolescents who reported high levels of emotional symptoms were at increased risk for past 30-day use (AORe-cig=3.43; 95% CI: 1.38-8.51), and among adolescents with low emotional symptoms, high sensation seekers were at increased for risk for past 30-day use (AORe-cig=3.50; 95% CI: 1.54-7.91). CONCLUSIONS: It is important for tobacco use prevention programs to consider both behavioral risk factors - sensation seeking and emotional symptoms - in an integrative way, to target high risk subgroups and thereby increase the efficacy of existing effective intervention strategies in order to curb tobacco use among youth and young adults.

Are comorbidities associated with long-term survival of lung cancer? A population-based cohort study from French cancer registries.

BACKGROUND: Survival rates of lung cancer remains poor and the impact of comorbidities on the prognosis is discussed. The objective of this study was to assess if the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was associated with 8-year survival rates by histological type. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted using randomly selected cases from 10 French cancer registries. Net survival rates were computed using the Pohar-Perme estimator of the net cumulative rate. Three Cox models were independently built for adenocarcinomas, squamous cell and small cell cancers to estimate prognostic factors including CCI grade. RESULTS: A total of 646 adenocarcinomas, 524 squamous cell and 233 small cell cancers were included in the analysis. The net 8-year survival rate ranged from 12.6% (95% CI: 9.8-15.4%) for adenocarcinomas and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.1-16.7%) for squamous cell carcinomas, to 3.7% (95% CI: 1.1-6.3%) for small cell cancers. Observed and net survival rates decreased for CCI grades ≥3 for all histological group considered. After adjustment for sex, age group, stage and diagnostic mode, CCI grades 1 (HR = 1.6 [95% CI: 1.1-2.3]), 2 (HR = 1.7 [95% CI: 1.1-2.7]) and ≥ 3 (HR = 2.7 [95% CI: 1.7-4.4]) were associated with lower survival rates only for small cell cancers. CONCLUSION: After adjustment for age, sex, stage and diagnostic mode, the presence of comorbidity based on CCI grades 1-2 and ≥ 3 was associated with lower survival rates for small cell cancers whereas no differences were observed for adenocarcinomas and squamous cell cancers.

Baseline radionuclide concentration in selected marine organisms around the coastal areas of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, west coast of Maharashtra, India.

The present work deals with assessment of baseline radionuclide concentration in marine organisms around selected coasts of Maharashtra, India. This baseline study highlights concentrations of natural and fallout radionuclides in finfish and shellfish species found in the surrounding seawater. Water and fish samples were collected, processed, and analyzed for 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs by high-resolution gamma spectrometry. 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs concentrations were found to be in the range of ≤1.5, ≤2.0, ≤0.4, ≤1.5, ≤8.0 to 258, and ≤0.2 Bq/kg, respectively. The seasonal study revealed the maximum concentration in premonsoon season. Activity concentrations were higher in pelagic fish than those in demersal fish. A higher concentration factor was reported in shellfish than in finfish.

Merkel cell carcinoma in France: a registries-based, comprehensive epidemiological survey.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. Owing to its low incidence, epidemiological data are scarce and have never been analysed in France to identify the main epidemiological trends. METHODS: Data from MCC patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2010 were obtained from 11 French cancer registries in the FRANCIM network. The main epidemiological characteristics of MCC were investigated between 2006 and 2010 because comprehensive data were only available for this period. The main focus was tumour incidence and mortality over time. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2010, 562 cases of MCC were reported in the registries. From 2006 to 2010 (290 cases), European- and world-standardized incidence rates were 0.26 and 0.43 per 100,000 person-years in men and 0.24 and 0.38 per 100,000 person-years in women. MCC is more frequent in females in France (56.9%) with male/female ratio 1.1. Relative survival rates were 84%, 56% and 42% at one, three and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MCC clearly increased over time in all areas under focus. The standardized incidence in France was comparable to the incidence observed in other countries for the same period, but French data are too recent to conclude on an increase in MCC incidence. Prognosis remains poor in all countries in which data are available.

Oral cancer characteristics in France: Descriptive epidemiology for early detection.

Despite the frequency and lethality of oral cancers in France, there are no detailed general population data regarding the characteristics of these patients to fuel the public health authorities' reflections about early detection policies. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine, in the general population, the characteristics of both patients and tumours at the time of the diagnosis. A high-resolution, population-based study using 13 French registries was conducted on 1089 tumours diagnosed in 2010. Men accounted for 75% of cases. The most frequent sites were tonsil (28.4%) and oral tongue (21.1%). The median age varied from 56.7 years for floor of mouth to 66.4 years for gum. The lesions were mainly diagnosed on pain and those diagnosed after routine clinical examination were scarce (2.6%). There were 65.5% stage III and IV at diagnosis. Oral tongue, floor of mouth and palate presented tumours less than 2cm only in 34 to 40% of cases. Advanced stage was associated with the presence of comorbidities, and tonsil or base of tongue topography. Stage was not associated with Département, deprivation index or gender. This study provided a picture of the characteristics of oral cancer patients and their tumours and showed that diagnoses are often made late, even for those tumours most easily accessible to direct visual and tactile examination. Nevertheless, it remains to define the target population of an early detection and to evaluate the benefit of such detection on the mortality rate.

Waiting time disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment: a population-based study in France.

Waiting times are key indicators of a health's system performance, but are not routinely available in France. We studied waiting times for diagnosis and treatment according to patients' characteristics, tumours' characteristics and medical management options in a sample of 1494 breast cancers recorded in population-based registries. The median waiting time from the first imaging detection to the treatment initiation was 34 days. Older age, co-morbidity, smaller size of tumour, detection by organised screening, biopsy, increasing number of specimens removed, multidisciplinary consulting meetings and surgery as initial treatment were related to increased waiting times in multivariate models. Many of these factors were related to good practices guidelines. However, the strong influence of organised screening programme and the disparity of waiting times according to geographical areas were of concern. Better scheduling of diagnostic tests and treatment propositions should improve waiting times in the management of breast cancer in France.

Strehl ratios characterizing optical elements designed for presbyopia compensation.

We present results of numerical analysis of the Strehl ratio characteristics for the light sword optical element (LSOE). For comparison there were analyzed other optical imaging elements proposed for compensation of presbyopia such as the bifocal lens, the trifocal lens, the stenopeic contact lens, and elements with extended depth of focus (EDOF), such as the logarithmic and quartic axicons. The simulations were based on a human eye's model being a simplified version of the Gullstrand model. The results obtained allow to state that the LSOE exhibits much more uniform characteristics of the Strehl ratio comparing with other known hitherto elements and therefore it could be a promising aid to compensate for the insufficient accommodation range of the human eye.

Imaging properties of the light sword optical element used as a contact lens in a presbyopic eye model.

The paper analyzes the imaging properties of the light sword optical element (LSOE) applied as a contact lens to the presbyopic human eye. We performed our studies with a human eye model based on the Gullstrand parameterization. In order to quantify the discussion concerning imaging with extended depth of focus, we introduced quantitative parameters characterizing output images of optotypes obtained in numerical simulations. The quality of the images formed by the LSOE were compared with those created by a presbyopic human eye, reading glasses and a quartic inverse axicon. Then we complemented the numerical results by an experiment where a 3D scene was imaged by means of the refractive LSOE correcting an artificial eye based on the Gullstrand model. According to performed simulations and experiments the LSOE exhibits abilities for presbyopia correction in a wide range of functional vision distances.

Radiological characterisation of synthetic rutile using HPGe gamma spectrometry.

This paper discusses the radiological characterisation of synthetic rutile, which is the source material for the production of titanium. The natural radioactivity due to uranium ((238)U), thorium ((232)Th) series radionuclides and potassium ((40)K) was measured in synthetic rutile samples of a production plant in Tamil Nadu, India. n-type high-purity germanium-coupled gamma spectrometry was used for the analysis. It is observed that thorium is more abundant than any other radionuclide, which is due to the monazite present in the primary sand. The activity index (I) evaluated from the radioactivity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K of the analysed samples is found to be well below the recommended levels. This study shows that the use of synthetic rutile from Tamil Nadu, India, for the manufacture of building materials will not pose any increased radiation exposure to the public beyond the dose criterion of the European Union.

[Prostate cancer management and factors associated with radical prostatectomy in France in 2001]. / Le cancer de la prostate en France en 2001: état des pratiques et facteurs associés à la réalisation d'une prostatectomie totale.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer was the most common cancer in men in France in 2005, and the second cause of male death from cancer. In this study, we analyzed clinical characteristics of patients with prostate cancer diagnosed in France in 2001 with a focus on therapeutic management of localized prostate cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2181 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2001 from 11 French counties covered by a cancer registry were analyzed. A descriptive study of the clinical characteristics of patients was performed. Parameters studied included age, county, TNM stage, PSA value, Gleason score, D'Amico prognostic group, Charlson's comorbidity index and initial treatment modalities. For localized cancers, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: The proportion of localized prostate cancer (T1 or T2) was 86.6 %. The use of invasive curative treatment (radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy) was 58.4 % for localized cancers. Significant differences in therapeutic management were found between counties. Radical prostatectomy was associated with age at diagnosis, D'Amico prognostic group and the presence of comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Most of prostate cancers diagnosed in France in 2001 were clinically localized and were treated by invasive therapy. The consequences of these practices remain to be determined given the limited evolution of many prostate cancers and the frequency of adverse events related to invasive treatments.

A population-based study of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage-II and -III colon cancers.

BACKGROUND: Although clinical trials have demonstrated that adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival for stage-III colon cancer, the benefits remain controversial for stage-II lesions. The objective of the present study was to determine the extent to which adjuvant chemotherapy is used for patients with stage-II and -III colon cancers. METHODS: The study population comprised 1074 patients with stage-II and -III colon cancers diagnosed in 2000 in 12 French administrative districts and recorded in population-based cancer registries. Data were collected using a standardized procedure. RESULTS: Overall, 20.4% of patients with stage II and 61.9% with stage III received adjuvant chemotherapy. Age at diagnosis was the strongest determinant of chemotherapy. Among stage-II patients, those receiving chemotherapy decreased from 57.6% in patients aged or=85. The corresponding percentages with stage III were 93.6% and 1.4%. In multivariate analyses, other factors found to be independently and significantly associated with administration of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II were extension of the cancer (stage IIA vs. stage IIB), clinical presentation (obstruction or perforation vs. uncomplicated cancer) and discussion of the case at a multidisciplinary case-review meeting. For stage III, apart from age, discussion of the case at a multidisciplinary meeting was the only factor independently associated with administration of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage-III colon cancer is used extensively for patients under 75 years of age. However, many elderly patients do not receive such treatment. On the other hand, a substantial percentage of stage-II colon cancer patients receive adjuvant chemotherapy despite its uncertain benefits.

Evolution of pleural cancers and malignant pleural mesothelioma incidence in France between 1980 and 2005.

The evolution of pleural cancers and malignant pleural mesothelioma incidence in France between 1980 and 2005 was analysed using data derived from the French network of cancer registries (FRANCIM) and the French National Mesothelioma Surveillance Program (PNSM). Mesothelioma proportions in pleural cancers were calculated by diagnosis year in the 1980-2000 period. Our results suggest that the incidences of pleural cancer and mesothelioma levelled off in French men since 2000 and continued to increase in French women. A decrease of the annual pleural cancer incidence average in men was noticed (-3.4% of annual rate of change) between 2000 and 2005. The proportion of pleural cancers that were mesothelioma was unchanged between 1980 and 2003 with an average of 86%. The age standardised incidence rate of pleural mesothelioma remained relatively stable between 1998 and 2005 with a slight falling trend. For women, the age standardised incidence rate of pleural cancers and mesothelioma increased during the period 1998-2005. Additionally, the proportion of pleural cancers that were mesothelioma increased during the same period of time. Finally, the increased trend observed in the incidence of pleural mesothelioma and cancers in women is credibly due to their under diagnosis in the 1980-1997 period. The comparison between the French incidence and the American and British ones shows that the decreasing trend in incidence of mesothelioma and pleural cancers in French men since 2000 is potentially associated with a lower amphibole consumption and by the implementation of safety regulations at work from 1977.

Spatial distribution of uranium and thorium in the surface soil around proposed uranium mining site at Lambapur and its vertical profile in the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.

The understanding and evaluation of the possible interactions of various naturally occurring radionuclides in the world's third largest man-made dam, Nagarjuna Sagar located in Andhra Pradesh, India and built on river Krishna assumed significance with the finding of uranium deposits in locations near the dam. For the present work, surface soil samples from the mineralized area of Lambapur, Mallapuram, Peddagattu and sediment core samples from the Nagarjuna Sagar dam were analyzed for naturally occurring radionuclides namely uranium and thorium using gamma spectrometric technique. Also toxic elements lead and chromium were analysed by the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (EDXRF) technique. Surface soil samples show a variation from 25 to 291 Bq/kg (2.02-23.5 mg/kg) for (238)U and 32-311 Bq/kg (7.9-76.9 mg/kg) for (232)Th. U/Th concentration ratio in surface soil samples ranged from 0.19 to 0.31 and was found comparable with the nation wise average of 0.26. The study of sediment core samples reflected higher U/Th concentration ratio of 0.30-0.33 in the bottom section of the core as compared to 0.22-0.25 in the upper section. The concentration ratio in the upper section of the core was similar to the ratio 0.23 found in the western Deccan Basalt region through which the river originates. A higher concentration of lead and chromium was observed in the upper section of the core compared to bottom section indicating the impact of river input on the geochemical character of dam sediment.

Changes of ocular aberrations with gaze.

The dependence of the ocular aberrations on gaze has been studied in three eyes using a fast-acquisition, Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. Although there were some trends in the change of some aberration terms with gaze, the changes of most Zernike coefficients were smaller than their variability at each individual gaze position, due to the combined effects of microfluctuations of accommodation, eye movements, tear film dynamics, and measurement noise. For our particular experimental dataset, the confidence level at which the null hypothesis (i.e. that the aberrations do not change significantly with gaze) can be rejected is very low. Further advances in the study of the dependence of eye aberrations with gaze will require a tighter control of the sources of aberration variability at each individual gaze position.