Shape Coexistence at Zero Spin in

The low-spin structure of the semimagic ^{64}Ni nucleus has been considerably expanded: combining four experiments, several 0^{+} and 2^{+} excited states were identified below 4.5 MeV, and their properties established. The Monte Carlo shell model accounts for the results and unveils an unexpectedly complex landscape of coexisting shapes: a prolate 0^{+} excitation is located at a surprisingly high energy (3463 keV), with a collective 2^{+} state 286 keV above it, the first such observation in Ni isotopes. The evolution in excitation energy of the prolate minimum across the neutron N=40 subshell gap highlights the impact of the monopole interaction and its variation in strength with N.

Evidence for Rigid Triaxial Deformation in

An extensive, model-independent analysis of the nature of triaxial deformation in ^{76}Ge, a candidate for neutrinoless double-beta (0νßß) decay, was carried out following multistep Coulomb excitation. Shape parameters deduced on the basis of a rotational-invariant sum-rule analysis provided considerable insight into the underlying collectivity of the ground-state and γ bands. Both sequences were determined to be characterized by the same ß and γ deformation parameter values. In addition, compelling evidence for low-spin, rigid triaxial deformation in ^{76}Ge was obtained for the first time from the analysis of the statistical fluctuations of the quadrupole asymmetry deduced from the measured E2 matrix elements. These newly determined shape parameters are important input and constraints for calculations aimed at providing, with suitable accuracy, the nuclear matrix elements relevant to 0νßß.

First Measurement of the Total Neutron Cross Section on Argon between 100 and 800 MeV.

We report the first measurement of the neutron cross section on argon in the energy range of 100-800 MeV. The measurement was obtained with a 4.3-h exposure of the Mini-CAPTAIN detector to the WNR/LANSCE beam at LANL. The total cross section is measured from the attenuation coefficient of the neutron flux as it traverses the liquid argon volume. A set of 2631 candidate interactions is divided in bins of the neutron kinetic energy calculated from time-of-flight measurements. These interactions are reconstructed with custom-made algorithms specifically designed for the data in a time projection chamber the size of the Mini-CAPTAIN detector. The energy averaged cross section is 0.91±0.10(stat)±0.09(syst) b. A comparison of the measured cross section is made to the GEANT4 and FLUKA event generator packages, where the energy averaged cross sections in this range are 0.60 and 0.68 b, respectively.

Studies of pear-shaped nuclei using accelerated radioactive beams.

There is strong circumstantial evidence that certain heavy, unstable atomic nuclei are 'octupole deformed', that is, distorted into a pear shape. This contrasts with the more prevalent rugby-ball shape of nuclei with reflection-symmetric, quadrupole deformations. The elusive octupole deformed nuclei are of importance for nuclear structure theory, and also in searches for physics beyond the standard model; any measurable electric-dipole moment (a signature of the latter) is expected to be amplified in such nuclei. Here we determine electric octupole transition strengths (a direct measure of octupole correlations) for short-lived isotopes of radon and radium. Coulomb excitation experiments were performed using accelerated beams of heavy, radioactive ions. Our data on (220)Rn and (224)Ra show clear evidence for stronger octupole deformation in the latter. The results enable discrimination between differing theoretical approaches to octupole correlations, and help to constrain suitable candidates for experimental studies of atomic electric-dipole moments that might reveal extensions to the standard model.

Direct Evidence for Octupole Deformation in

Despite the more than 1 order of magnitude difference between the measured dipole moments in ^{144}Ba and ^{146}Ba, the octupole correlations in ^{146}Ba are found to be as strong as those in ^{144}Ba with a similarly large value of B(E3;3^{-}→0^{+}) determined as 48(+21-29) W.u. The new results not only establish unambiguously the presence of a region of octupole deformation centered on these neutron-rich Ba isotopes, but also manifest the dependence of the electric dipole moments on the occupancy of different neutron orbitals in nuclei with enhanced octupole strength, as revealed by fully microscopic calculations.

Direct Evidence of Octupole Deformation in Neutron-Rich

The neutron-rich nucleus ^{144}Ba (t_{1/2}=11.5 s) is expected to exhibit some of the strongest octupole correlations among nuclei with mass numbers A less than 200. Until now, indirect evidence for such strong correlations has been inferred from observations such as enhanced E1 transitions and interleaving positive- and negative-parity levels in the ground-state band. In this experiment, the octupole strength was measured directly by sub-barrier, multistep Coulomb excitation of a post-accelerated 650-MeV ^{144}Ba beam on a 1.0-mg/cm^{2} ^{208}Pb target. The measured value of the matrix element, ⟨3_{1}^{-}∥M(E3)∥0_{1}^{+}⟩=0.65(+17/-23) eb^{3/2}, corresponds to a reduced B(E3) transition probability of 48(+25/-34) W.u. This result represents an unambiguous determination of the octupole collectivity, is larger than any available theoretical prediction, and is consistent with octupole deformation.

Dark matter results from 225 live days of XENON100 data.

We report on a search for particle dark matter with the XENON100 experiment, operated at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso for 13 months during 2011 and 2012. XENON100 features an ultralow electromagnetic background of (5.3 ± 0.6) × 10(-3) events/(keV(ee) × kg × day) in the energy region of interest. A blind analysis of 224.6 live days × 34 kg exposure has yielded no evidence for dark matter interactions. The two candidate events observed in the predefined nuclear recoil energy range of 6.6-30.5 keV(nr) are consistent with the background expectation of (1.0 ± 0.2) events. A profile likelihood analysis using a 6.6-43.3 keV(nr) energy range sets the most stringent limit on the spin-independent elastic weakly interacting massive particle-nucleon scattering cross section for weakly interacting massive particle masses above 8 GeV/c(2), with a minimum of 2 × 10(-45) cm(2) at 55 GeV/c(2) and 90% confidence level.

Evidence for a smooth onset of deformation in the neutron-rich Kr isotopes.

The neutron-rich nuclei 94,96Kr were studied via projectile Coulomb excitation at the REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN. Level energies of the first excited 2(+) states and their absolute E2 transition strengths to the ground state are determined and discussed in the context of the E(2(1)(+)) and B(E2;2(1)(+)→0(1)(+)) systematics of the krypton chain. Contrary to previously published results no sudden onset of deformation is observed. This experimental result is supported by a new proton-neutron interacting boson model calculation based on the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach using the microscopic Gogny-D1M energy density functional.

Dark matter results from 100 live days of XENON100 data.

We present results from the direct search for dark matter with the XENON100 detector, installed underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN, Italy. XENON100 is a two-phase time-projection chamber with a 62 kg liquid xenon target. Interaction vertex reconstruction in three dimensions with millimeter precision allows the selection of only the innermost 48 kg as the ultralow background fiducial target. In 100.9 live days of data, acquired between January and June 2010, no evidence for dark matter is found. Three candidate events were observed in the signal region with an expected background of (1.8 ± 0.6) events. This leads to the most stringent limit on dark matter interactions today, excluding spin-independent elastic weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) nucleon scattering cross sections above 7.0 × 10(-45) cm(2) for a WIMP mass of 50 GeV/c(2) at 90% confidence level.

First dark matter results from the XENON100 experiment.

The XENON100 experiment, in operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy, is designed to search for dark matter weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) scattering off 62 kg of liquid xenon in an ultralow background dual-phase time projection chamber. In this Letter, we present first dark matter results from the analysis of 11.17 live days of nonblind data, acquired in October and November 2009. In the selected fiducial target of 40 kg, and within the predefined signal region, we observe no events and hence exclude spin-independent WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering cross sections above 3.4 × 10⁻44 cm² for 55 GeV/c² WIMPs at 90% confidence level. Below 20 GeV/c², this result constrains the interpretation of the CoGeNT and DAMA signals as being due to spin-independent, elastic, light mass WIMP interactions.

Implementing a national quality assurance system for diabetes care: the Scottish Diabetes Survey 2001-2006.

AIM: To create a standardized systematic quality assurance system for diabetes care throughout Scotland. METHODS: Each of 15 National Health Service (NHS) boards have submitted core diabetes data for a nationally agreed data specification on an annual basis since 2001. These data are collated to produce an annual national report. We describe the iterative progress of the work in obtaining and analysing this information. The setting was Scotland, with a population of 5 million. RESULTS: In Scotland in 2006, 196,801 people (3.9% of the population) were reported as having diabetes compared with 105,777 in 2001. In 2006 the prevalence of reported diabetes varied from 3.5 to 4.4% in different NHS board areas, reflecting variation in completeness of local registers as well as different demographic patterns. The completeness of recording of many clinical parameters has also increased. (2002 data n = 103,755: diagnosis date 77%, HbA(1c), blood pressure and cholesterol within 15 months 71, 67 and 60%, respectively, increasing to 98, 87, 89 and 85% by 2006, n = 196,801.) A national information management and technology solution (Scottish Collaborative Information-Diabetes Care), involving automatic daily collection of data from routinely used systems both in primary and secondary care, is now used to co-ordinate the collection of data in all NHS board areas. CONCLUSIONS: We have used routine data to estimate the prevalence of reported diabetes in Scotland, UK. This iterative approach to quality improvement has taken 6 years to achieve a baseline measure of care. There is potential to analyse these data further for a better understanding of the epidemiology of diabetes in Scotland. The national diabetes information technology system will contribute to this process.

Rabbit Streptococcus pneumoniae keratitis model and topical therapy.

PURPOSE: To develop a model for experimental Streptococcus pneumoniae keratitis and to evaluate the chemotherapeutic efficacy of 12 common topical antibiotics in vivo. METHODS: Five-hundred (CFUs of log-phase S. pneumoniae were injected into the central corneal stroma of 36 eyes of 18 rabbits. After 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours, the in vivo growth was assayed as the CFU per cornea. Epithelial removal (to promote antibiotic entry and mimic human keratitis) was evaluated. Disc or tube dilution verification of the sensitivity or resistance of three S. pneumoniae strains was performed: a penicillin sensitive ("S"), an intermediate sensitive ("I"), and a resistant ("R") strain. Keratitis was established with S. pneumoniae "S" in 65 eyes, S. pneumoniae "I" in 107 eyes, and S. pneumoniae "R" in 78 eyes. Sixteen hours later, control corneas were harvested and the epithelium removed from treatment corneas. Every half hour saline, penicillin, gentamicin, bacitracin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, vancomycin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, or chloramphenicol was applied for 5 hours. One hour later CFUs/cornea were assayed. RESULTS: After 24 hours, S. pneumoniae "S" and "I" had proliferated to 9.18+/-6.65 x 10(6) CFUs and 9.26+/-6.90 x 10(6) CFUs. Epithelial removal at 16 hours was not significant. The in vitro antibiotic sensitivity was as expected. However, in vivo, penicillin, gentamicin, or cefazolin sterilized S. pneumoniae "S." S. pneumoniae "R" responded best to fortified gentamicin with or without vancomycin; all others antibiotics were significantly less effective (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A small intracorneal S. pneumoniae inoculum in rabbit corneas grew and was maintained for 24 hours (with epithelial removal) to provide a model for testing antibiotic sensitivity in vivo. Topical penicillin is best for treating keratitis from penicillin-sensitive S. pneumoniae, whereas topical gentamicin or a combination of gentamicin and vancomycin was most effective against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae.

Level I trauma certification and emergency medicine resident major trauma experience.

OBJECTIVE: American College of Surgeons (ACS) and Residency Review Committee for Emergency Medicine (RRC-EM) guidelines conflict regarding the role of emergency physicians in directing major trauma resuscitations. This article describes the impact of ACS level I trauma certification on emergency medicine (EM) resident trauma experience. METHODS: A written survey and a follow-up letter were sent to all 101 EM program directors as of August 16, 1994. The survey addressed demographics and trauma experience at hospitals designated by the RRC-EM as primary training sites. RESULTS: There were 95 (94%) survey respondents. Estimates of the percentage of trauma resuscitations directed by EM residents were significantly lower at level I centers (52% +/- 27%, 95% CI 45-59%) than they were at non-level I centers (70% +/- 30%, 95% CI 58-82%) (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in trauma census between level I and non-level I centers. Of 14 respondents who said they were cited by the RRC-EM for inadequate trauma experience, ten (71%) were in ACS level I trauma centers (p = 1.0). Twelve of the 14 respondents cited for inadequate trauma experience were in either the Northeast or the Midwest. CONCLUSIONS: EM residents direct a smaller percentage of major trauma resuscitations at ACS level I hospitals than they do at non-level I facilities. This finding is not offset by an increased trauma census at level I facilities and may be more pronounced in the Northeast and the Midwest.

Changes in hair color.

Hair color changes result not only from alterations of melanin production but also from changes in the hair structure itself, altering its optical properties. A variety of genetic, metabolic, nutritional, and acquired disorders result in hair color changes. When the underlying defect can be corrected, hair color usually returns to normal. The flag sign can occur as a result of nutritional insults or due to medications. Most drug-induced changes in hair color result in lighter hair color, although PABA and some chemotherapy regimens have darkened hair. Green hair due to exogenous copper may be associated with prior damage to the hair cuticle. Alopecia areata may selectively involve pigmented hairs. Regrowing white hairs have shown both keratinocyte and melanocyte abnormalities. Gray hair may temporarily darken after inflammatory processes, after electron-beam-induced alopecia, and after some chemotherapy regimens. Much remains to be learned about the physiology of human graying.

Catheter embolism.

With the increasing utilization of intravenous catheters, complications from their use may be anticipated. We report the case of one such complication, a venous catheter fragment embolization. A review of the literature addressing catheter embolization is provided. Specific recommendations are offered to the emergency physician in an effort to minimize such untoward occurrences.

Extortion in the emergency department.

We present the case of a 33-yr-old female patient who, along with members of her family, attempted to extort approximately $6000.00 from our institution and her insurance company. This attempted extortion was done under the guise of a missed retained foreign body. The patient initially presented to our emergency department with a laceration to her right forearm; X-ray studies obtained after the wound had been sutured revealed no foreign body. Several days later, the patient and family members approached our administrative staff demanding recompense for metal fragments discovered in the patient's wound at another facility. Comparison of radiographs revealed that the metallic fragments were placed in the wound after she was treated and released from our emergency department, and monetary compensation was denied.

Dating patterns, sexual relationships and use of contraceptives of 700 unwed mothers during a two year period following delivery.

Little has been systematically studied regarding the adjustment period following the birth of an illegitimate child and finalizing the decision to either raise or relinquish the child for adoption. In order to better understand the phenomenon it was decided to ask the UM herself regarding her experience. Seven hundred UMs were sent a questionnaire, each being randomly assigned to several time intervals varying from 3 to 18 months post decision time. The UMs were approximately 98% Caucasian, coming from primarily low and middle socioeconomic levels, and residing in the Upper Midwest. Questionnaires were returned by 79% of the UMs (n equals 550). Over 75% of thses had relinquished their child for adoption. The majority of the UMs reported they were dating (86%), with approximately one-half dating someone steadily at the time of the study. Those who relinquished reported a higher incidence of dating in general, however, those who kept their children were more linely to date and marry the alleged father (AF). Approximately one-half of the UMs had indicated having had sexual intercourse, and over 75% of these indicated that they were contracepting. However, of those not having had intercourse, approximately 10% were contracepting. These dating patterns and sexual relationships varied by age and the respective decision regarding the child. As other adjustment areas are examined in the total study it is hoped that a clearer understanding of the dyamics will be forthcoming.

Combat stress reactions in Iraqi enemy prisoners of war.

Combat stress reactions (CSR) are a source of significant morbidity on the battlefield, and they initiate the cascade of psychophysiological dysfunction that results in the posttraumatic stress disorders. During Operation Desert Storm in early 1991, very few allied CSR casualties were observed. However, Iraqi soldiers experienced intense conditions likely to result in CSR. Using semistructured interviews, the authors examined Iraqi enemy prisoners of war for the presence of CSR and compared their responses to two groups of U.S. soldiers. Iraqi prisoners of war experienced many CSR symptoms that reduced their functional capacity during combat, but they had few residual symptoms.