A measurement of the reduced transition probability for the excitation of the ground state to the first 2+ state in 104Sn has been performed using relativistic Coulomb excitation at GSI. 104Sn is the ...lightest isotope in the Sn chain for which this quantity has been measured. The result is a key point in the discussion of the evolution of nuclear structure in the proximity of the doubly magic nucleus 100Sn. The value B(E2; 0+ → 2+) = 0.10(4) e2b2 is significantly lower than earlier results for 106Sn and heavier isotopes. The result is well reproduced by shell model predictions and therefore indicates a robust N = Z = 50 shell closure.
The γ-ray emission from the nuclei 62,64Fe following Coulomb excitation at bombarding energy of 400-440 AMeV was measured with special focus on E1 transitions in the energy region 4-8 MeV. The ...unstable neutron-rich nuclei 62,64Fe were produced at the FAIR-GSI laboratories and selected with the FRS spectrometer. The γ decay was detected with AGATA. From the measured γ-ray spectra the summed E1 strength is extracted and compared to microscopic quasi-particle phonon model calculations. The trend of the E1 strength with increasing neutron number is found to be fairly well reproduced with calculations that assume a rather complex structure of the 1− states (three-phonon states) inducing a strong fragmentation of the E1 nuclear response below the neutron binding energy.
Objective
The current investigation aimed at studying the sociodemographic, clinical, and neuropsychological variables related to functional outcome in a sample of euthymic patients with bipolar ...disorder(BD) presenting moderate‐severe levels of functional impairment.
Methods
Two‐hundred and thirty‐nine participants with BD disorders and with Functioning Assessment Short Test(FAST) scores equal or above 18 were administered a clinical and diagnostic interview, and the administration of mood measure scales and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Analyses involved preliminary Pearson bivariate correlations to identify sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with the FAST total score. Regarding neuropsychological variables, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to group the variables in orthogonal factors. Finally, a hierarchical multiple regression was run.
Results
The best fitting model for the variables associated with functioning was a linear combination of gender, age, estimated IQ, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D), number of previous manic episodes, Factor 1 and Factor 2 extracted from the PCA. The model, including all these previous variables, explained up to 29.4% of the observed variance.
Conclusions
Male gender, older age, lower premorbid IQ, subdepressive symptoms, higher number of manic episodes, and lower performance in verbal memory, working memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed were associated with lower functioning in patients with BD.
There is no standard chemotherapy regimen that is universally accepted for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Trastuzumab added to chemotherapy improves survival in patients with metastatic ...human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her2/neu)-overexpressing gastric cancer. Data are lacking for the combination of trastuzumab with other chemotherapy regimens, apart from the cisplatin/fluorouracil backbone used in the pivotal TOGA trial.
In this retrospective analysis, we included patients with gastric cancer with HER2 overexpression who received trastuzumab in addition to their first-line chemotherapy, with or without trastuzumab maintenance therapy. The end-points were response and tolerance to treatment.
We identified seven patients who met the search criteria; six had metastatic disease and one had locally advanced unresectable disease. Four patients received epirubicin/oxaliplatin/capecitabine/trastuzumab, and the others had non-anthracycline-based chemotherapy with trastuzumab. All patients had radiological responses to treatment - one had a complete response and six had partial responses. Among the four patients who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy with trastuzumab, there was a transient decline in cardiac ejection fraction in three, but all resolved without sequelae. All patients received a period of chemotherapy induction followed by trastuzumab monotherapy for maintenance. The median progression-free survival was 14.6 months and median overall survival was 16.4 months.
Trastuzumab is an important agent for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing gastric cancer. We recorded an acceptable safety and efficacy profile in this small cohort treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy with trastuzumab followed by trastuzumab maintenance.
Background/CaseStudies: Different programs are used for blood donor recruitment mostly nowadays were the world has changed so much and transfusion services must lead with challenges to recruit ...donors. Allied to this, blood has been more required being the donor retention the golden standard. To contribute with strategies in these fields our service developed a tool, The Tree of Life (TTL) that can be used beyond recruitment, for retention, appreciation and motivation for donors. The objective of this study is demonstrate how TTL can be used for improve your relation with the donor while provide a safe blood. Study design/methods: To compose TTL donors must complete a number of donations in the program to have their names inscribed in golden metal leaves placed in tree image located in the entrance hall. The ceremony where all participants are invited to receive the certificate of honor happens in the National Blood Donor Day in Brazil, on November 25th. Each group of donors to participate in TTL must fill the minimum number of donations in the last 5 years: Group A (16 to 61 years) 15 donations for men and 12 donations for women; Group B ( >61 to 69 years) 5 donations for men or women; Group C (≥70 years) the donor can no more donate according to Brazilian law, in recognition the golden leaf in the tree is changed for a new one, that shows to be different from the others and stay for 1 more year, after that, we send the leaf to the donor with a thank you letter. Results/findings: During the analyzed period from 2003 to 2022, we observed that TTL is a powerful tool for donor recruitment with an amazing conversion capacity for returning donors. The TTL started with 46 donors in 2003 and there was an increase in the number of donors, finishing 2022 with 673 donors also in the numbers of returning donors during the 20 years of TTL, in 2003 we had a return rate of 40,60% with a slight fall during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, followed by an increase retention of 72,50% donors in 2021 and 73% in 2022. Interesting when compared returning donors with serology there were an inverse correlation (r= -0.9372) and a decrease in the positive serology as demonstrated from 5,5% in 2003 when we started the TTL to 1% in 2022. Conclusions: TTL can be used as a tool for donor recruitment, retention and appreciation able to increase total number of donors as well returning donors. Also, the decrease in positive serology due the increased numbers of returning donors can ensure transfusion safety.
The use of zeolites as catalysts in the transformation of glucose and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) was evaluated. The behaviour of the catalysts could be explained ...by their morphology, composition, acid properties and chemical coordination of the active sites. The progress of the reaction was followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Several intermediates were identified, and a reaction path is proposed. Different cosolvents were also employed in this study to enhance the selectivity towards different possible valuable compounds, and they were found to have a positive influence for the production of EMF and furfural.
Display omitted
•Zeolites were active for the transformation of HMF and glucose to EMF.•The morphology of Beta zeolites was a key factor for the EMF production.•A reaction pathway was proposed for EMF production from glucose by 13 C NMR.•The use of different cosolvents and the ethanol:cosolvent ratio were optimized.•Methyl isobutyl ketone provided the highest EMF yield (51%) after 5 h at 160 ºC.
Abstract
Forest planning and management must be conceived in accordance with the circumstances and needs of the moment. Nowadays, the forest does not have a single and exclusive productive use but ...responds to multiple demands. The stand management method, with a broad approach, is has been recently well adapted to this type of multipurpose management. This study proposes a methodology for delimiting stands which led to manage different uses in forests in protected areas. The methodology consists of six phases: (i) create permanents units (ii) initial identification of forest typologies, (iii) image analysis, (iv) identification of tree types within the forest typology, (v) detailed inventory and (vi) formation of stands. An example is presented for the “Monte Paris” forest, located a few kilometers from Madrid, which combines protective, livestock and recreational use. For the protection use, pruning and thinning will be carried out, for the livestock use, supplementation, meadow sowing and enclosures, and for the recreational use, the design of an environmental center and five ecological trails are proposed. The organization in time and space of the activities planned in the stands allows a correct and satisfactory management of the multiple uses that occur in this forest.
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