Search

Title: Real-life study in non-atopic severe asthma patients achieving disease control by omalizumab treatmentTo the Editor,Severe asthma is defined as asthma requiring treatment with guidelines-suggested medications for Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps 4 or 5 or systemic corticosteroids for ≥50% of the previous year to prevent it from becoming ‘uncontrolled’ or which remains ‘uncontrolled’ despite this therapy.1 Up to 34%–50% of severe asthmatic patients have non-atopic (also called non-allergic) asthma. 2 A significant proportion of these patients have severe uncontrolled asthma, which requires high doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or even oral corticosteroids (OCS).2 Until the advent of biologics, treatment options in these patients have been very limited. For many years, both the pathogenesis knowledge and the results of clinical trials supported the view that anti-IgE treatment is specifically effective in allergic asthma. Interestingly, recent molecular and clinical evidence suggests that anti-IgE treatment might also be effective in patients with non-allergic asthma.2 Omalizumab (Xolair®) is an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to human IgE and prevents the binding of IgE to its receptors. Although omalizumab is indicated in Europe in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma, several case reports and short series have provided data on the value of omalizumab in patients with non-atopic asthma.3,4The observational, multicenter, retrospective, real-life FENOMA study specifically evaluated patients who achieved full asthma control after one year of treatment with omalizumab.5 The study included 345 patients, 80 (23.2%) of whom had non-atopic asthma. The present post-hoc sub-analysis aims to describe the clinical improvement of patients with non-atopic asthma. Socio-demographic and asthma-related characteristics were collected at baseline. Outcomes analyzed at baseline and after one year of treatment were those included in the definition of asthma control by GEMA guidelines.5 Medical records were reviewed between February 2015 and June 2016. For statistical comparisons, the 2-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used. A P-value of

Background Omalizumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody indicated as add-on therapy to improve asthma control in patients with severe persistent allergic asthma. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate social, healthcare expenditure and clinical outcomes changes after incorporating omalizumab into standard treatment in the control of severe asthma. Methods In this multicentre retrospective study, a total of 220 patients were included from 15 respiratory medicine departments in the regions of Andalusia and Extremadura (Spain). Effectiveness was calculated as a 3-point increase in the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and a reduction in the annual number of exacerbations. The economic evaluation included both direct and indirect costs. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated. Results from the year before and the year after incorporation of omalizumab were compared. Results After adding omalizumab, improvement of lung function, asthma and rhinitis according to patient perception, as well as the number of exacerbations and asthma control measured by the ACT score were observed. Globally, both healthcare resources and pharmacological costs decreased after omalizumab treatment, excluding omalizumab cost. When only direct costs were considered, the ICER was €1712 (95% CI 1487–1995) per avoided exacerbation and €3859 (95% CI 3327–4418) for every 3-point increase in the ACT score. When both direct and indirect costs were considered, the ICER was €1607 (95% CI 1385–1885) for every avoided exacerbation and €3555 (95% CI 3012–4125) for every 3-point increase. Conclusions Omalizumab was shown to be an effective add-on therapy for patients with persistent severe asthma and allowed reducing key drivers of asthma-related costs.

The prevalence of active smoking in adults with asthma is similar in the total population. Smoking is associated with worse clinical control of the disease, a rapid reduction of lung function and a variable response to corticoids. Tobacco consumption negatively affects the quality of life of asthmatic patients as well as increasing the number of medical visits and hospital admissions due to exacerbations. Moreover, smoking entails a higher risk of developing lung cancer, cardiovascular comorbidities and death in asthmatic patients. Nevertheless, current asthma guidelines do not include specific recommendations on the management of smoking asthmatic patients and the treatment of the smoking habit in this subpopulation. For this reason, a narrative review of the literature was carried out for consensus using a nominal group methodology developed throughout 2019 to extract practical recommendations that would allow the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in smokers, as well as the treatment of smoking in asthmatics, to be improved. The conclusions and recommendations were validated at the SEPAR national congress of the same year. Among the most relevant, the need to address smoking in people with asthma through health advice, pharmacological treatment and behavioral therapy was emphasized, as this is a factor that negatively impacts the symptoms, prognosis and response to asthma treatment. In smokers with suspected asthma, the presence of emphysema and the differential diagnosis of other diseases should be evaluated and the impact of smoking on the result of diagnostic tests should be considered. It is also concluded that smoking reduces the response to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, which is why combined therapy with bronchodilators is recommended.La prevalencia de tabaquismo activo en adultos con asma es similar a la de la población general. El tabaquismo se asocia con un peor control clínico de la enfermedad, una disminución acelerada de la función pulmonar y una respuesta irregular a la terapia con glucocorticoides. El consumo de tabaco impacta negativamente en la calidad de vida de los pacientes asmáticos y provoca un incremento en el número de visitas y de hospitalizaciones por exacerbaciones. Además, el tabaquismo aumenta el riesgo de cáncer de pulmón, comorbilidades cardiovasculares y muerte en pacientes asmáticos. A pesar de todo ello, las guías actuales del manejo del asma no incluyen recomendaciones específicas para el manejo de los pacientes asmáticos fumadores. Por este motivo, se procedió a una revisión narrativa de la literatura para un consenso mediante metodología de grupo nominal desarrollada a lo largo del año 2019 para extraer recomendaciones prácticas que permitieran mejorar el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del asma en fumadores, así como el tratamiento del tabaquismo en asmáticos. Las conclusiones y recomendaciones fueron validadas en el congreso nacional de la SEPAR del mismo año. Entre las más relevantes, se incidió en la necesidad de abordar el tabaquismo en las personas con asma mediante consejo sanitario, tratamiento farmacológico y terapia conductual, al ser un factor que impacta negativamente en la sintomatología, el pronóstico y la respuesta al tratamiento del asma. En el fumador con sospecha de asma, se debe evaluar la presencia de enfisema y el diagnóstico diferencial de otras enfermedades y considerar el impacto del tabaquismo en el resultado de las pruebas diagnósticas. También se concluye que el hábito tabáquico reduce la respuesta al tratamiento con corticoides inhalados, por lo que se recomienda terapia combinada con broncodilatadores.

La prevalencia de tabaquismo activo en adultos con asma es similar a la de la población general. El tabaquismo se asocia con un peor control clínico de la enfermedad, una disminución acelerada de la función pulmonar y una respuesta irregular a la terapia con glucocorticoides. El consumo de tabaco impacta negativamente en la calidad de vida de los pacientes asmáticos y provoca un incremento en el número de visitas y de hospitalizaciones por exacerbaciones. Además, el tabaquismo aumenta el riesgo de cáncer de pulmón, comorbilidades cardiovasculares y muerte en pacientes asmáticos. A pesar de todo ello, las guías actuales del manejo del asma no incluyen recomendaciones específicas para el manejo de los pacientes asmáticos fumadores. Por este motivo, se procedió a una revisión narrativa de la literatura para un consenso mediante metodología de grupo nominal desarrollada a lo largo del año 2019 para extraer recomendaciones prácticas que permitieran mejorar el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del asma en fumadores, así como el tratamiento del tabaquismo en asmáticos. Las conclusiones y recomendaciones fueron validadas en el congreso nacional de la SEPAR del mismo año. Entre las más relevantes, se incidió en la necesidad de abordar el tabaquismo en las personas con asma mediante consejo sanitario, tratamiento farmacológico y terapia conductual, al ser un factor que impacta negativamente en la sintomatología, el pronóstico y la respuesta al tratamiento del asma. En el fumador con sospecha de asma, se debe evaluar la presencia de enfisema y el diagnóstico diferencial de otras enfermedades y considerar el impacto del tabaquismo en el resultado de las pruebas diagnósticas. También se concluye que el hábito tabáquico reduce la respuesta al tratamiento con corticoides inhalados, por lo que se recomienda terapia combinada con broncodilatadores., The prevalence of active smoking in adults with asthma is similar in the total population. Smoking is associated with worse clinical con trol of the disease, a rapid reduction of lung function and a variable response to corticoids. Tobacco consumption negatively affects the quality of life of asthmatic patients as well as increasing the number of medical visits and hospital admissions due to exacerbations. More over, smoking entails a higher risk of developing lung cancer, cardio vascular comorbidities and death in asthmatic patients. Nevertheless, current asthma guidelines do not include specific recommendations on the management of smoking asthmatic patients and the treatment of the smoking habit in this subpopulation. For this reason, a narrative review of the literature was carried out for consensus using a nominal group methodology developed throughout 2019 to extract practical recommendations that would allow the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in smokers, as well as the treatment of smoking in asthmatics, to be improved. The conclusions and recommendations were validat ed at the SEPAR national congress of the same year. Among the most relevant, the need to address smoking in people with asthma through health advice, pharmacological treatment and behavioral therapy was emphasized, as this is a factor that negatively impacts the symptoms, prognosis and response to asthma treatment. In smokers with suspect ed asthma, the presence of emphysema and the differential diagnosis of other diseases should be evaluated and the impact of smoking on the result of diagnostic tests should be considered. It is also conclud ed that smoking reduces the response to treatment with inhaled cor ticosteroids, which is why combined therapy with bronchodilators is recommended

Introduction Sexual limitations play an important role in the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. Very limited information is available on the impact of asthma on the sexual functioning of these individuals. Materials and methods Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study. Asthma patients and healthy individuals were recruited. All subjects participated in an interview in which demographic and clinical data were recorded, and completed the Goldberg Anxiety-Depression Scale (GADS) to evaluate the presence of concomitant psychiatric disease. Men also completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and women, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results A total of 276 cases were included, comprising 172 asthma patients (63 men and 109 women) with a mean age of 42 (±14) years, and 104 controls (52 men and 51 women) with a mean age of 39 (±12) years. Time since onset of asthma was 15 years and severity distribution was: 6.4% intermittent, 17.9% mild persistent, 47.4% moderate, and 28.2% severe. Disease was considered controlled in 57.7%, partially controlled in 28.2%, and uncontrolled in 14.1%. Women with asthma had greater sexual limitations than women in the control group, with a total FSFI score of 22.1 (±9) compared to 26.5 (±6.8), respectively (P Conclusions Asthma is associated with a poorer sexual quality of life among patients. These results should arouse the interest of healthcare professionals in detecting and alleviating possible sexual limitations among their asthma patients in routine clinical practice.

Resumen Introduccion Las limitaciones de la vida sexual de los pacientes con enfermedades cronicas desempenan un importante papel en su calidad de vida. La informacion disponible sobre el impacto de la enfermedad asmatica en la vida sexual de las personas es muy limitada. Material y metodos Estudio transversal, observacional y multicentrico. Se reclutaron pacientes asmaticos y sujetos sanos, a los que se les efectuo una entrevista en la que se recogieron datos demograficos y clinicos y en donde ademas cumplimentaron los siguientes cuestionarios: la escala Goldberg Anxiety -Depression Scale (GADS) para la valoracion de la existencia de comorbilidad psiquiatrica, y en varones el Indice Internacional de la Funcion Erectil (IIEF) y en mujeres el Indice de la Funcion Sexual Femenina (FSFI). Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 276 casos, de los que 172 eran asmaticos (63 hombres y 109 mujeres) con una media de edad de 42 (± 14) anos y 104 controles (53 hombres y 51 mujeres) con una media de edad de 39 (± 12) anos. El asma presentaba una evolucion de 15 anos y su gravedad se distribuia: 6,4% intermitente, 17,9% persistente leve, 47,4% moderada y 28,2% grave. La enfermedad se considero controlada en un 57,7%, parcialmente controlada en un 28,2% y no controlada en un 14,1%. Las mujeres asmaticas presentaron una mayor limitacion de la vida sexual que las mujeres del grupo control, con una puntuacion total del FSFI de 22,1 (± 9) frente a 26,5 (± 6,8), respectivamente (p Conclusiones La enfermedad asmatica condiciona una peor calidad de vida sexual en las personas afectadas. Estos resultados deberian promover, en la practica clinica habitual, el interes de los profesionales sanitarios por determinar y paliar las posibles limitaciones sexuales de sus pacientes con asma.

Resumen Desde la publicacion, hace ya 9 anos, de la ultima normativa de la Sociedad Espanola de Neumologia y Cirugia Toracica (SEPAR) sobre asma de control dificil (ACD), se han producido avances en los conocimientos de la enfermedad asmatica, que hacen necesario realizar una puesta al dia de los datos disponibles e incorporarlos tras su analisis en el nivel de evidencia y recomendacion mas adecuado. Recientemente han aparecido documentos de consenso y guias de practica clinica (GPC) que abordan este problema. En esta normativa se hara mencion explicita a lo que la previa guia de ACD definia como «verdadera asma de control dificil»; es decir, al asma que tras haber verificado su diagnostico, realizado un abordaje sistematizado para descartar factores ajenos a la propia enfermedad que conducen a un mal control de la misma («falsa asma de control dificil»), y realizar una estrategia de tratamiento adecuado (escalones 5 y 6 de la Guia espanola para el manejo del asma [GEMA]), no se consigue alcanzar el control: «asma grave no controlada» (AGNC). En esta linea la normativa propone una revision de la definicion, un intento de clasificacion de las diferentes manifestaciones de este tipo de asma, una propuesta del abordaje diagnostico por pasos y un tratamiento dirigido segun fenotipo, conjuntamente con un apartado especifico sobre este arquetipo de asma en la infancia, con el objetivo de que pueda servir de ayuda a los profesionales sanitarios y repercutir en el cuidado de estos pacientes.

Introduction: An enhancement in knowledge of asthma phenotypes allows an optimal treatment choice and improves disease control. Objective: 1) To describe the phenotypes of patients (pts) with severe asthma (SA) full controlled after 1 year on omalizumab (OMA) 2) Reduction in: symptoms and non-severe asthma exacerbations (NSAE), work absenteeism and medication intake 3) lung function improvement. Methods: Spanish observational, retrospective, multicentric study in pts≥18 years and persistent SA who achieved disease control after 1 year on OMA. Phenotypes classification: early onset allergic asthma (EOA), SA with frequent exacerbations (SAFE), asthma with persistent airway obstruction (APAO), steroid-dependent SA (SDA), hypereosinophilic SA and SA in obese women. Measured variables were: NSAE and symptoms reduction, oral (OC) and inhaled corticosteroid (IC) intake, rescue medication, work absenteeism and lung function (FEV1). Results: 345 pts (66.7% women, mean age 48.6 years) were included. Main phenotypes: SAFE (29.9%), EOA (23.7%), SDA (18.0%), hypereosinophilic SA (13.6%), APAO (9.3%) and SA in obese women (5.5%). After 1 year with OMA, 55.4% had no symptoms, 36.4% reduced OC and 49.9% IC, 55.7% didn’t need rescue medication. Mean change (95%CI) in FEV1(%) was +14.7% (13.2-16.3). NSAE and work absenteeism days decreased (mean [SD] 9.8 [29.3] vs 1.3 [2.2] exacerbations; 12.4 [39.2] vs 0.6 [2.3] days). Conclusions: EOA and SAFE were most common phenotypes in OMA-treated SA pts who achieve disease full control. After 1 year with OMA: lung function improved and there was a reduction of maintenance/rescue medication use, unscheduled visits and work absenteeism.

Sexual limitations play an important role in the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. Very limited information is available on the impact of asthma on the sexual functioning of these individuals.Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study. Asthma patients and healthy individuals were recruited. All subjects participated in an interview in which demographic and clinical data were recorded, and completed the Goldberg Anxiety-Depression Scale (GADS) to evaluate the presence of concomitant psychiatric disease. Men also completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and women, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).A total of 276cases were included, comprising 172asthma patients (63 men and 109 women) with a mean age of 42 (±14) years, and 104 controls (52men and 51women) with a mean age of 39 (±12) years. Time since onset of asthma was 15 years and severity distribution was: 6.4% intermittent, 17.9% mild persistent, 47.4% moderate, and 28.2% severe. Disease was considered controlled in 57.7%, partially controlled in 28.2%, and uncontrolled in 14.1%. Women with asthma had greater sexual limitations than women in the control group, with a total FSFI score of 22.1 (±9) compared to 26.5 (±6.8), respectively (P.005). Men with asthma had significantly more severe erectile dysfunction with a total IIEF score of 59.5 (±12.5) compared to 64.3 (±8.2) in male controls (P.05). An association was also observed between sexual problems and poorer asthma control.Asthma is associated with a poorer sexual quality of life among patients. These results should arouse the interest of healthcare professionals in detecting and alleviating possible sexual limitations among their asthma patients in routine clinical practice.

Since the publication, 9 years ago, of the latest SEPAR (Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery) Guidelines on Difficult-to-Control Asthma (DCA), much progress has been made in the understanding of asthmatic disease. These new data need to be reviewed, analyzed and incorporated into the guidelines according to their level of evidence and recommendation. Recently, consensus documents and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) addressing this issue have been published. In these guidelines, specific mention will be made of what the previous DCA guidelines defined as "true difficult-to-control asthma". This is asthma that remains uncontrolled after diagnosis and a systematic evaluation to rule out factors unrelated to the disease itself that lead to poor control ("false difficult-to-control asthma"), and despite an appropriate treatment strategy (Spanish Guidelines for the Management of Asthma [GEMA] steps 5 and 6): severe uncontrolled asthma. In this respect, the guidelines propose a revised definition, an attempt to classify the various manifestations of this type of asthma, a proposal for a stepwise diagnostic procedure, and phenotype-targeted treatment. A specific section has also been included on DCA in childhood, aimed at assisting healthcare professionals to improve the care of these patients.

We report on radiative lifetimes of 4d5p excited states of Zr III produced in a laser produced plasma. The ions were populated either in the ground state or in metastable states, and the number of ions is strongly dependent on the application of an external magnetic field, which is shown to be very important when using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique for lifetime measurements in highly charged ions. The experimental lifetime results fall in the region 1-2 ns with statistical uncertainties less than 7%. The experimental values were compared with multi-configuration Hartree-Fock calculations showing an agreement within 12-20%. The experimental values are systematically higher than the theoretical ones.

Radiative parameters for transitions depopulating the levels belonging to the 4d 8 5s 2 , 4d 9 6s and 4d 9 5d configurations of Ag II have been obtained from a combination of theoretical lifetimes and experimental branching fractions. On the experimental side, a laser-produced plasma was used as a source of Ag + ions. The light emitted by the plasma was analysed by a grating monochromator coupled with a time-resolved optical multichannel analyser system. Spectral response calibration of the experimental system was performed using a deuterium lamp in the wavelength range from 200 to 400 nm, and a standard tungsten lamp in the range from 350 to 600 nm. The transition probabilities were obtained from measured branching ratios and theoretical radiative lifetimes of the corresponding states calculated with a relativistic Hartree-Fock approach including core-polarization effects and configuration interaction in an extensive way. Theoretical and experimental data have been compared and the new data have also been compared with the few previous results available in the literature.

Relative transition probabilities for 18 lines of Zn II (11 measured for the first time) were determined from the emission-line intensities in a laser-produced plasma. The experiment was carried out using Cd–Zn alloy with a Zn content under 10% in order to obtain optically thin plasma. Oscillator strengths were placed on an absolute scale by using experimental lifetimes, line-strength sum rules and Boltzmann plot. A comparison has been conducted between present experimental results, the data available and new calculations reported in this work, as well as a study of the plasma conditions.

Relative transition probabilities for 120 lines arising from the 4d5p and 4d5d configurations of ZrIII were determined from measurements of emission-line intensities in a laser-produced plasma. The experiment was carried out with Cu–Zr alloy with a Zr content lower than 13% in order to have an optically thin plasma. Transition probabilities were placed on an absolute scale by using theoretical lifetimes, line-strength sum rules and Boltzmann plot. Comparison of the present experimental results with the available theoretical data is made.

Experimental transition probabilities for 38 transitions with origin of the 4d106p, 7p, 8p, 4f, 5f and 4d95s5p electron configurations of Cd II have been measured. Relative values of the spectral line intensities have been determined in a laser-produced plasma. The experiment was carried out with pure cadmium target as well as with several Zn-Cd alloys, where the Cd content was lower than 10%. Theoretical lifetime values of Cd II excited states have been obtained in this work using Hartree-Fock wavefunctions and multiconfiguration mixing in an intermediate coupling in order to place the experimental data of branching ratio in an absolute scale. The Boltzmann plot and plasma temperature in LTE conditions is also used for obtaining the absolute transition probabilities. Comparison of the present experimental and theoretical results with the previously published data has been made.

Experimental transition probabilities for 103 lines with origin in the 3s23p24p configuration of S II have been determined. Relative values have been obtained from the measurement of emission-line intensities in a laser-produced plasma. The experiment was carried out with samples of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) in a pure argon controlled atmosphere in optically thin plasma conditions. The results were placed on an absolute scale by using line-strength sum rules and lifetime values. Comparison between previously published data and present experimental and calculated values has been made.

Experimental transition probabilities for 32 lines with origin in the 5p 2 6s configuration of neutral Sb have been determined. Relative values have been obtained from measurements of emission-line intensities in a laser-produced plasma and in a hollow-cathode discharge. For the laser-produced plasma measurements the experiment was carried out with several Sn-Sb alloys of Sb content lower than 2% in order to have an optically thin plasma. The results were placed on an absolute scale by using experimental lifetime values from the literature. Comparison between previously published theoretical data and present experimental values and calculations has been made.

Relative efficiency of a 3 m normal incidence vacuum ultraviolet monochromator has been determined for the 38.6–133.7 nm spectral range, by using the line ratio method. Emission line intensities of line pairs with a common upper level of ionized oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and aluminum, have been measured. A laser produced plasma of different materials (ceramics, polyethylene, zinc sulfide and aluminum) has been used as light source. Values of line ratios used for calibration of the relative spectral efficiency have been discussed. Also, the efficiency has been obtained by using the continuum spectrum of a laser-produced tungsten plasma. The results of both methods are in good agreement.

Radiative lifetimes of four levels belonging to the 4p56p configuration of neutral krypton have been measured by means of electron-impact excitation followed by selective pulsed-laser excitation. This experiment was carried out with pulsed and continuous electron beams. The experimental results of this work are 115 ± 6, 100 ± 5, 145 ± 7 and 115 ± 7 ns for the 6p(3/2)1, 6p(3/2)2, 6p(5/2)2 and 6p'(3/2)1 levels, respectively. These results have been compared with other experimental and theoretical values from the literature.

First values of the absolute transition probabilities for 10 In II lines have been determined by measurement of emission line intensities from an optically thin laser produced plasma of In in Ar atmosphere. The experimental values are , , and for the more intense lines , , and , respectively. Theoretical values are also obtained for comparison in the Hartree - Fock approximation including relativistic corrections. The present results and those concerning known lifetimes are interpreted on the basis of intermediate coupling calculations. Analysis of the interaction between levels from and 5s5d configurations reveals a 77% contribution from 5s5d configuration for the lowest one demonstrating the inadequacy of the standard assign for that level. Regularity in the small departures of In II 5s nl levels from LS coupling is also observed.

By using resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization in a supersonic beam, photoionization spectra of the m/z 160, 162 and 164 species of the 2,4-, 3,4- and 2,6-dichlorotoluene isomers at 0.8 K rotational temperature have been obtained in the 2800 A spectral region. The ions have been analyzed according to their masses in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Isotope shifts of the order of tenths of cm−1 have been determined for the first time for the studied molecules. The spectra obtained have been interpreted by considering the geometrical structure and symmetry of every isotopomer, and values for the rotational constants in the upper and lower states of the electronic transition have been obtained in agreement with the experimental results.

The absolute transition probabilities for 28 Si II spectral lines have been determined by measurement of emission line intensities from laser-produced plasmas of Si in Ar and Kr atmospheres. The studied plasma has a temperature of about 2 × 104 K and 1017 cm−3 electron density. The local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions and plasma homogeneity have been checked. The results are compared with the available experimental and theoretical data and with present Hartree-Fock calculations in LS coupling.

Transition probabilities for 4d95p → 3d95s lines of Ag II have been determined from measurements of emission-line intensities in an optically thin laser produced plasma. Transition probabilities were placed on an absolute scale by using line-strength sum rules. Experimental results have been compared with theoretical calculations.

Sulfur content in steel samples has been determined by laser-produced plasma atomic emission spectroscopy with the use of a Q-switch Nd: YAG laser. With the use of time-resolved spectroscopy employing an OMA III (EG&G) as detector, a detection limit of 70 ppm and a precision of 7% have been obtained. Calibration curves are linear, and no noticeable matrix effects have been observed.

The deexcitation of the 61 level of the 1B2u state of the benzene molecule after pulsed laser excitation has been studied. The values obtained for the level lifetime and self-quenching cross section are 89.2 ± 1.8 ns and 12.6 ± 1.4 A2. The quenching cross sections for collisions with Ne, Ar, CH4, NH3, CO, CO2 and O2 have been measured. For the first four colliders no previous data have been reported in the literature. The corresponding results for total quenching cross sections are 0.9±0.1, 3.4±0.3, 7.9±0.6, 22.0±1.0, 6.7±0.5, 13.0±0.8 and 41.0±1.5 A2, respectively. The contribution of electronic quenching to these values has been studied.

In this work the 610 band spectra for 12C6H6, 12C6D6, 13C12C5H6 and 13C12C5D6 isotopically-substituted benzenes are reported. Spectra of deuterated species are given for the first time. These molecular spectra can be employed to test the technical performances of REMPI-TOFMS systems. The experimental method was laser-induced two-photon ionization of molecules cooled in a He supersonic beam followed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A splitting of the 610 band appears when a 13C atom is present in the benzene-ring, favoring the isotope selectivity. In the present experiment a complete mass discrimination has been accomplished by using appropriate electronic circuits. A proportional counter has been used to obtain the corresponding spectra of the molecules at 300 K. The device is very useful to tune the laser wavelength to resonance in this kind of mass spectrometry experiment.

Relative transition probabilities for 38 lines arising from the 2p 5 3p and 2p 5 3d configurations of NaII have been determined from measurements of emission-line intensities in an optically thin laser produced plasma. Transition probabilities were placed on an absolute scale by using line-strength sum rules. Our experimental results for transition probabilities and lifetimes have been compared with experimental and theoretical data given by other authors and with our present calculations.

Absolute cross sections for simultaneous ionization and excitation by electron impact of 13 4[ital p][sup 4]5[ital p] levels of Kr II from its atomic ground state have been measured for electron energies between threshold and 1000 eV. An optical method was employed in the present experiment. The measured maximum cross sections were in the range (15.0--80.1)[times]10[sup [minus]20] cm[sup 2].

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy has been used to determine carbon content in steel. The plasma was formed by focusing a Nd:YAG laser on the sample surface. With the use of time-resolved spectroscopy and generation of the plasma in nitrogen atmosphere, a precision of 1.6% and a detection limit of 65 ppm have been obtained. These values are similar to those of other accurate conventional techniques. Matrix effects for the studied steels are reduced to a small slope difference between the calibration curves for stainless and nonstainless steels.

Absolute excitation cross sections by electron impact for some 5d levels with J=2 of Ar I have been measured by the optical method. Excitation functions for electron energies in the range from the excitation threshold to 1000 eV are also reported. A delayed coincidence analysis of the de-excitation at 100 eV electron energy allowed for the subtraction of radiative cascades. The resulting excitation cross sections are between 7.3 and 12*10-20 cm2. The present results and those obtained by electron spectroscopy for the 3d (J=2) levels can be interpreted on the basis of intermediate coupling as indirectly coupled excitations.

Relative transition probabilities for 60 lines belonging to the 6p-ns (n=7,8,9,10,11,12,13) transition arrays of Xe(I) have been determined from emission line-intensity measurements of an optically-thin light source. Transition probabilities were placed on an absolute scale by using line-strength sum rules. Comparison is made with theoretical results.

Absolute cross sections for simultaneous ionization and excitation by electron impact of some Ne II(2{ital p}{sup 4}3p), Ar II(3p{sup 4}4p), and Kr II(4{ital p}{sup 4}5p) levels from the atomic ground state have been measured with the optical method. Dependence of the emission cross sections on electron energy was studied between threshold and 1000 eV. The measured maximum cross sections for level excitation at the maximum are in the range (19.0--4.7){times}10{sup {minus}20} cm{sup 2} for Ne II, (97.4--71.7){times}10{sup {minus}20} cm{sup 2} for Ar II, and (98.7--69.2){times}10{sup {minus}20} cm{sup 2} for Kr II.

Experimental transition probabilities for lines arising from 4d9 6s, 4d9 5d configurations of Ag II spectrum and from 3d9 4d configuration of CuII spectrum were determined from measurements of emission-line intensities in a laser produced plasma. Theoretical calculations of the transition probabilities of these lines were made by HF method with relativistic effects and core polarization taking into account. Absolute transition probabilites were obtained by measured branching ratio and theoretical and data for radiative lifetimes. A comparison of the present results with the available theoretical and experimental values was made.

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a one of the successfully used technique for measuring experimental atomic and ionic transition probabilities. This is due to the excitation procedure easily provides highly ionised species and neutral atoms. Nevertheless, its range also extends to another applications such as the industry or in astrophysics. In this work, we explain a specific experimental set-up -consist of fomred by a Nd:YAG laser and grating monochromator coupled with a time-resolved optical multichannel analyser. The employment of the time and spatial spectroscopy in a laser produced plasma for obtaining transition probabilities is also described. From the laser produced plasmas it is also possible to determine some of their properties such as the temperature or the composition. Besides, due to the high emission and temperature, it can be proved the existence of Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium allows determination of absolute values for the transition probabilities and the evaluation of some characteristics such as the self-absorption. The experimental data treatment for obtaining the transition probabilities and the different plasma properties that can be derived was explained.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Radiative lifetimes of 11 levels belonging to the 5s5p P-1(1)o 5snd D-3(1,2) (n=6-9) and 5sns S-3(1) (n=7,8) series of Cd I, and of 5 levels of Cd II (i.e., 4d(10)5p P-2(1/2.3/2)o, 4d(10)6s S-2(1/2), and 4d(10)5d D-2(3/2,5/2)) have been measured using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. Free neutral and singly ionized cadmium atoms have been generated by laser ablation. Single- or two-step excitation processes were considered to populate the levels under study. Branching fractions of Cd II transitions have been measured by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. Transition probabilities and oscillator strengths for Cd I and Cd II spectral lines originating from the above states as well as from the 4d(9)5 s(22)D(3/2,5/2) states of Cd II have been deduced by combining the experimental lifetimes and theoretical branching fractions obtained in multiconfigurational relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations taking core-polarization effects into account. (Less)

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy has been applied to the determination of carbon content in steel samples melted in a laboratory induction furnace. A focused Nd:YAG laser beam was used to generate the plasma on the liquid surface in argon atmosphere. The precision obtained is 10% for carbon contents in the range 150–1100 ppm, and the detection limit is 250 ppm. The present results show that this technique can be applied for direct composition determination in molten alloys.

The thermal cross sections for quenching of the Ne 3s[3/2]2 metastable level by foreign molecules have been studied by laser induced fluorescence. The effective decay rate of the Ne atoms was determined in relation to the foreign gas densities. The experiment was performed at 443 K and yielded the total quenching cross sections of 9.3 ± 0.4 A2, 13.4 ± 0.6 A2 and 30.4 ± 1.4 A2 for collisions with CH4, NH3 and CO2 molecules, respectively.

Radiative parameters for transitions depopulating the levels belonging to the 3 d 8 4 s 2 configuration of Cu(II) and 4 d 9 6 s and 4 d 9 5 d configurations of Ag(II) have been obtained both theoretically and experimentally. On the experimental side, a laser-produced plasma was used as a source of Cu(II) and Ag(II) spectra. The light emitted by the plasma was focused on the input slit of a grating monochromator coupled with a time-resolved optical multichannel analyzer system. Spectral response calibration of the experimental system was made using a deuterium lamp in the wavelength range extending from 200 to 400 nm, and a standard tungsten lamp in the range from 350 to 600 nm. The transition probabilities were obtained using measured branching fractions and available radiative lifetimes of the corresponding states. On the theoretical side, a relativistic Hartree-Fock (HFR) approach, including core-polarization effects, has been used for the calculations. A reasonable agreement theory–experiment has been observed.

Total cross sections for electron scattering by CO molecules in the energy range 380--5200 eV have been measured with experimental errors of 3%. The present results have been compared with available experimental cross sections. No previous data have been found in the literature for impact energies above 500 eV. The dependence of total cross sections on electron energy is in agreement with the Born-Bethe approximation.

Radiative lifetimes of six $\mathrm{Ne}2{p}^{5}3p$ states have been measured with uncertainties lower than 1.5% by means of a pulsed electron excitation laser-induced fluorescence technique. This method allows one to obtain fluorescence signals by exciting from resonant as well as from metastable levels at low pressures. The lifetime results are 14.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1, 17.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1, 16.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2, 20.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1, 19.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2, and 20.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 nsec for the $2{p}_{1}$, $2{p}_{2}$, $2{p}_{3}$, $2{p}_{4}$, $2{p}_{5}$, and $2{p}_{6}$ levels, respectively.