Measurement of the Spectral Shape of the ß-Decay of

We report on a comparison between the theoretically predicted and experimentally measured spectra of the first-forbidden nonunique ß-decay transition ^{137}Xe(7/2^{-})→^{137}Cs(7/2^{+}). The experimental data were acquired by the EXO-200 experiment during a deployment of an AmBe neutron source. The ultralow background environment of EXO-200, together with dedicated source deployment and analysis procedures, allowed for collection of a pure sample of the decays, with an estimated signal to background ratio of more than 99 to 1 in the energy range from 1075 to 4175 keV. In addition to providing a rare and accurate measurement of the first-forbidden nonunique ß-decay shape, this work constitutes a novel test of the calculated electron spectral shapes in the context of the reactor antineutrino anomaly and spectral bump.

External auditory canal as an unusual site for metastasis of breast cancer: A case report.

Metastatic breast cancer is one of most common cause of death in women worldwide. The estimated incidence of breast cancer to be metastatic at diagnosis is 6%, with a five year survival rate of about 21%. There are three types of breast cancer recurrence: local, regional and distant metastasis mainly to the lung, liver, bone or brain. Review of literature indicate a relatively few reported cases about metastatic breast cancer to soft tissue. We present a case of metastatic breast cancer to left external auditory canal.

Composition of eye cosmetics (kohls) used in Oman.

A total of 47 kohl samples, primarily used as traditional eye cosmetics, were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that, of the 18 Omani-made kohls, the main component of five was galena (PbS). Of the other 13, 12 were based on amorphous carbon and one on hematite (Fe2O3). The remaining samples were made in other countries and were found to contain one of the following as the main component: galena, minium (Pb3O4), amorphous carbon, magnetite (Fe3O4), zincite (ZnO), calcite (CaCO3) or sassolite (H3BO3).

Communication of results of necropsies in north east Thames region.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adequacy of reporting of results of necropsy to referring clinicians and to general practitioners. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey of referring clinicians and general practitioners of deceased patients in four districts in North East Thames region. Patients were selected by retrospective systematic sampling of 50 or more necropsy reports in each district. SETTING: One teaching hospital, one inner London district general hospital, and two outer London district general hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: 70 consultants and 146 general practitioners who were asked about 214 necropsy reports; coroners' reports were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time taken for dispatch of final reports after necropsy, consultants' recognition of the reports, general practitioners' recognition of the reports or of their findings, and consultants' recall of having discussed the findings with relatives. RESULTS: Only two hospitals dispatched final reports including histological findings (mean time to dispatch 144 days and 22 days respectively). 42 (60%) consultants and 83 (57%) general practitioners responded to the survey. The percentage of reports seen by consultants varied from 37% (n = 13) to 87% (n = 36); in all, only 47% (39/83) of general practitioners had been informed of the findings by any method. Consultants could recall having discussed findings with only 42% (47/112) of relatives. CONCLUSIONS: Communication of results of necropsies to hospital clinicians, general practitioners, and relatives is currently inadequate in these hospitals. IMPLICATIONS AND ACTION: A report of the macroscopic findings should be dispatched immediately after necropsy to clinicians and general practitioners; relatives should routinely be invited to discuss the necroscopic findings. One department has already altered its practice.