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Using the fusion-evaporation reaction ^{96}Ru(^{58}Ni,p4n)^{149}Lu and the MARA vacuum-mode recoil separator, a new proton-emitting isotope ^{149}Lu has been identified. The measured decay Q value of 1920(20) keV is the highest measured for a ground-state proton decay, and it naturally leads to the shortest directly measured half-life of 450_{-100}^{+170}  ns for a ground-state proton emitter. The decay rate is consistent with l_{p}=5 emission, suggesting a dominant πh_{11/2} component for the wave function of the proton-emitting state. Through nonadiabatic quasiparticle calculations it was concluded that ^{149}Lu is the most oblate deformed proton emitter observed to date.

In this Letter, the observation of two previously unknown isotopes is presented for the first time: ^{72}Rb with 14 observed events and ^{77}Zr with one observed event. From the nonobservation of the less proton-rich nucleus ^{73}Rb, we derive an upper limit for the ground-state half-life of 81 ns, consistent with the previous upper limit of 30 ns. For ^{72}Rb, we have measured a half-life of 103(22) ns. This observation of a relatively long-lived odd-odd nucleus, ^{72}Rb, with a less exotic odd-even neighbor, ^{73}Rb, being unbound shows the diffuseness of the proton drip line and the possibility of sandbanks to exist beyond it. The ^{72}Rb half-life is consistent with a 5^{+}→5/2^{-} proton decay with an energy of 800-900 keV, in agreement with the atomic mass evaluation proton-separation energy as well as results from the finite-range droplet model and shell model calculations using the GXPF1A interaction. However, we cannot explicitly exclude the possibility of a proton transition between 9^{+}(^{72}Rb)→9/2^{+}(^{71}Kr) isomeric states with a broken mirror symmetry. These results imply that ^{72}Kr is a strong waiting point in x-ray burst rp-process scenarios.

a-lipoic acid (a-LA) is a potent natural antioxidant because it has a broad spectrum of action towards a great many free radical species and boosts the endogenous antioxidant systems.Although it is a multi-functional molecule, its pharmacokinetic characteristics pose restrictions to its use in the treatment of oxidative stress-dependent illnesses. Formulations that increase the bioavailability of a-LA have a better potential efficacy as adjuvants for the treatment of these conditions.This objective was achieved with a liquid formulation for oral use containing only R-aLA, the natural enantiomeric and most active form of a-lipoic acid.For the first time, the effects of this formulation were evaluated on neuropathic pain, a symptom caused by an increase in oxidative stress, regardless of the underlying cause. Neuropathic patients who have used this dietary supplement noticed an improvement in their quality of life and a significant reduction was observed in a number of certain descriptive pain parameters (intensity, burning, unpleasantness, superficial pain).Undoubtedly further, more in-depth, studies need to be conducted; however, this first investigation confirms the role of R-aLA as an anti-oxidant for the aetiological treatment of peripheral neuropathy. Increasing its plasma bioavailability even after a non-invasive administration through the oral route is a good starting point for proposing a valid adjuvant for the treatment of pain symptoms.

The neutron-rich lead isotopes, up to (216)Pb, have been studied for the first time, exploiting the fragmentation of a primary uranium beam at the FRS-RISING setup at GSI. The observed isomeric states exhibit electromagnetic transition strengths which deviate from state-of-the-art shell-model calculations. It is shown that their complete description demands the introduction of effective three-body interactions and two-body transition operators in the conventional neutron valence space beyond (208)Pb.

The lifetimes of the first excited states of the N = 30 isotones (50)Ca and (51)Sc have been determined using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift method in combination with the CLARA-PRISMA spectrometers. This is the first time such a method is applied to measure lifetimes of neutron-rich nuclei populated via a multinucleon transfer reaction. This extends the lifetime knowledge beyond the f_{7/2} shell closure and allows us to derive the effective proton and neutron charges in the fp shell near the doubly magic nucleus (48)Ca, using large-scale, shell-model calculations. These results indicate an orbital dependence of the core polarization along the fp shell.

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a significant public health problem. There are no reported studies assessing the relation between sexual function and neuropathy in women, except for diabetes mellitus., Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the correlations between peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) among nondiabetic women with or without FSD., Methods: During a 6-month period, women were screened among outpatients seeking routine weight loss help. Cases were women, either pre- or postmenopausal, with abnormal values of FSFI score; controls were women from the same population with normal values of FSFI score, matched with cases for age and menopausal status. The total score range was 2-36; a score of 23 or lower indicated sexual dysfunction. The tool was administered during the follicular (days 5-8) phase of the menstrual cycle., Main Outcome Measures: The assessment of peripheral neuropathy was based on the quantitative sensory examination using the vibratory, thermal, and pain sensory thresholds. The assessment of autonomic neuropathy was based on cardiovascular reflex tests (deep breathing and squatting)., Results: The results of the quantitative sensory testing examination showed pathological changes in about 20% of women with FSD; the tests were abnormal in about 5% of women in the group without FSD. The percentage of women with abnormalities of autonomic cardiovascular tests was higher in the group with FSD compared with the group without FSD., Conclusions: Our results suggest an involvement of both somatic and autonomic nerve fibers in nondiabetic women with FSD.

Proton decay from odd-odd deformed nuclei is a long-standing unsolved problem. We present for the first time an exact solution using single particle Nilsson resonances. The lifetime is found to depend strongly on the single particle level occupied by the unpaired neutron, allowing a clear assignment of its Nilsson level. The emitters 112Cs, 140Ho, 150Lu, and 150Lu(m) are considered. The agreement with the experimental data is very good with deformations 0.1