Status of the HOLMES Experiment Faverzani, M.; Alpert, B.; Balata, M. ...
Journal of low temperature physics,
05/2020, Letnik:
199, Številka:
3-4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The absolute neutrino mass is still an unknown parameter in the modern landscape of particle physics. The HOLMES experiment aims at exploiting the calorimetric approach to directly measure the ...neutrino mass through the kinematic measurement of the decay products of the weak process decay of
163
Ho. This low energy decaying isotope, in fact, undergoes electron capture emitting a neutrino and leaving the daughter atom,
163
Dy
∗
, in an atomic excited state. This, in turn, relaxes by emitting electrons and, to a considerably lesser extent, photons. The high-energy portion of the calorimetric spectrum of this decay is affected by the non-vanishing neutrino mass value. Given the small fraction of events falling within the region of interest, to achieve a high experimental sensitivity on the neutrino mass, it is important to have a high activity combined with a very small undetected pileup contribution. To achieve these targets, the final configuration of HOLMES foresees the deployment of a large number of
163
Ho ion-implanted TESs characterized by an ambitiously high activity of 300 Hz each. In this paper, we outline the status of the major tasks that will bring HOLMES to achieve a statistical sensitivity on the neutrino mass as low as 2 eV/c
2
.
Branchial cysts are congenital cystic lesions of the neck, presenting in childhood. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice for these lesions. Recurrence of branchial cysts after ...incomplete excision is fraught with complications due to the second surgery and the complications of the recurrent cyst per se. Here we present a case of recurrent branchial cyst presenting, after a decade, with a full thickness traction diverticulum of the upper cervical oesophagus necessitating excision of the cyst with the diverticulum. This case report emphasises on the pitfalls of incomplete excision at the index surgery and the long-term complications of recurrence.
Background
Eventing is an equestrian sport that tests athletes’ and horses’ skill over three phases: dressage, jumping and cross‐country. Falls during the cross‐country phase can have very serious ...outcomes up to and including death for both horse and athlete. Therefore, understanding risk factors associated with falls is essential for improving equine and human welfare.
Objectives
To provide descriptive statistics and identify risk factors at the horse‐, athlete‐ and course‐level affecting horses competing in Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) events worldwide.
Study design
Retrospective cohort study.
Methods
Data collected by the FEI of every horse start worldwide in all international (CI), championship (CH), Olympics (OG) and World Equestrian Games (WEG) competitions between January 2008 and December 2018 were analysed. Descriptive statistics followed by univariable logistic regression to identify risk factor candidates for inclusion in the final multivariable logistic regression model. Models were constructed stepwise using a bi‐directional process and assessed using the Akaike information criterion.
Results
Factors associated with increased risk of falls and or unseated rider included: higher event levels, longer course distances, more starters at cross‐country phase and less experienced horses and athletes.
Main limitations
The data set is geographically comprehensive but covers only FEI competitions, not National Federation events, that is not every competition started by every individual horse. Nor does the data set include any prior veterinary information or data on training or schooling.
Conclusions
This is the first large‐scale epidemiological study of cross‐country falls in FEI eventing. Results suggest that a potential risk profile can be constructed for each horse‐athlete combination prior to entering a given competition, based on individual histories and course‐level factors. This could lead to interventions that can reduce the number of falls, thus protecting equine and human welfare.
•A large epidemiological investigation of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance rides worldwide was performed.•Significant risk factors for lameness and metabolic problems affecting ...horses in endurance rides were identified.•The most notable risk factors for failure to qualify due to lameness were field size, horse sex and horse age.•The most notable risk factors for failure to qualify due to metabolic problems were ride distance, region group and rider gender.
An epidemiological study of elite endurance riding was conducted using data from every Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance event from 2010 to 2015, comprising 82,917 starts. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with failure to qualify outcomes for horses during FEI endurance rides. The FEI endurance rules state that, during a ride, horses must be assessed by veterinarians several times, giving veterinarians the opportunity to prevent those horses exhibiting signs of lameness or metabolic problems from continuing further. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify horse, ride and rider level risk factors associated with failure to qualify. Risk factors particularly associated with increased likelihood of failure to qualify due to lameness included age of horse≥9 years, male horse, male rider, field size≥61 horses and if the ride was held in region group II (Northern and Eastern Europe). Factors associated with increased likelihood of failure to qualify due to metabolic problems included whether the ride was held in region group VII (North Africa and the Middle East), ride distance≥100km and male rider. Some risk factors, such as field size, may be modifiable at the ride level. Other risk factors such as horse age or sex are unmodifiable, but awareness of the risk contributed by these factors can provide veterinarians with additional information while treating horses during endurance rides.
Endurance riding is a popular equestrian sport organised at the international level by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). The sport involves prolonged exercise at speed over significant ...distances, which puts a substantial load on equine athletes’ musculoskeletal systems and metabolism and contributes to the risk of injuries and other veterinary problems. The FEI employs a system of in-ride veterinary inspections aimed at early detection of such problems and elimination of horses unfit to continue in the ride. To date, risk factors for elimination due to irregular gait or metabolic problems have been the primary focus of scientific enquiry. The present study is the first large-scale multivariable study to report factors associated with the positive outcome of endurance rides – their successful completion. This retrospective observational cohort study used data from the FEI’s Global Endurance Database. The study cohort included 74,629 starts made by 21,346 unique horses in one-day international-level competitions held worldwide between July 2012 and December 2019. Forty-one potential factors identified based on previous studies and a priori hypotheses were considered in the analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate associations between ride completion and predictor variables and their interactions. The study identified 19 factors and four interactions associated with an increased or decreased likelihood of successful ride completion. High competition frequency (fewer days over mandatory out of competition period; Wald χ2 71.35, P-value <0.0001), fast riding speed (236.57, <0.0001), upward changes in competition level and riding speed between two successive rides (103.59, <0.0001 and 87.60, <0.0001) were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of ride completion. These factors can be effectively regulated by appropriate rules and considered by athletes when planning competition schedules, preparing ride strategies, or indeed during the ride itself. Other identified factors, including horse and rider age, sex, completions and eliminations history, contribute to an estimate of the likelihood that a particular combination completes a ride and thus can aid veterinarians at veterinary inspections as additional inputs supporting their decision-making when assessing horses’ fitness to continue in the competition. The study’s main limitation is an absence of data on national-level rides. Such data and data on training and veterinary histories remain difficult to access and were unavailable for the analysis. The present study’s results demonstrate that shifting the focus to modelling the positive outcome is a valuable approach offering evidence-based recommendations for good horsemanship, better-informed veterinary inspections, and welfare-oriented rules.
Combustion behaviours of single particles (125–150 μm) of eucalyptus, pine and olive residue were investigated by means of a transparent visual drop-tube furnace, electrically heated to 1073 K, and a ...high-speed camera coupling with a long distance microscope. All three types of biomass samples were found to have two evident combustion phases, i.e., volatile combustion in an envelope flame and subsequent char combustion with high luminance. Yet, due to differences in chemical compositions and properties, their combustion behaviours were also seen somewhat discrepant. The volatile flame of the olive residue was fainter than that of pine and eucalyptus due to its high ash mass fraction. During the char combustion phase, fragmentation took place for most pine particles but only for a few particles of olive residue and eucalyptus. For all three types of biomass samples, the flame size and the average luminous intensity profiles were deduced from the captured combustion video images whilst the combustion burnout times of the volatile matter and char were also calculated and estimated. There were two peak values clearly shown on the profiles of both the flame size and the average luminous intensity during the volatile combustion process of pine and eucalyptus particles, which, according to literature, could not be observed by optical pyrometry. The observed peaks correspond to the devolatilisation of hemicellulose and cellulose. The ratio between the estimated char burnout time and volatile combustion time increases quadratically with the fixed carbon to volatile matter mass ratio, confirming char combustion is much slower than volatile combustion.
•Combustion behaviours of single biomass particles investigated with a visual DTF.•Flame contour size and luminous intensity deduced from captured high-speed videos.•Volatile and char combustion phases seen for all 3 kinds of biomass particles.•2 peaks seen in volatiles correspond to devolatilisation of hemicellulose & cellulose.•Ratio between char burnout time and VM combustion time increases with FC:VM ratio.
Abstract
Background
Equestrian eventing involves competing in three phases: dressage, jumping, and cross‐country. Competitors are ranked by number of penalties accrued—with those who have fewer ...penalties ranked higher. Completing the cross‐country phase with zero obstacle penalties is commonly referred to as ‘running clear’. Understanding factors associated with running clear can help athletes plan strategically for success, while also helping governing bodies to refine qualification criteria for elite levels.
Objectives
This study was carried out to identify factors associated with running clear in the cross‐country phase of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) eventing.
Study design
Retrospective cohort study of 107 348 horse starts worldwide in all FEI competitions between January 2008 and December 2018.
Methods
Multivariable logistic regression models constructed stepwise using a bi‐directional process. Two study cohorts were assessed: a complete cohort that met all inclusion requirements and separately, a cohort that included only horses starting at the level above their previous start.
Results
Sixteen factors were associated with running clear. Factors associated with increased likelihood of doing so included lower event level, lower dressage score earlier in the event, fewer recent FEI event starts, and more clear runs in their previous three FEI events. For horses that had stepped up an event level, 14 of these factors were still associated with running clear.
Main limitations
Data available covered only FEI events, no national federation competitions were available for inclusion in horse histories. No prior veterinary information or data on training were available.
Conclusions
This study provides a framework that allows stakeholders to potentially better understand the appropriate level of competition for any particular horse/rider combination, given the combination's recent history. This could provide an additional direct benefit in terms of safety by reducing the likelihood of a combination falling during cross‐country.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) in Icelandic horses moving from pasture into training.
ANIMALS
81 horses (median ...age, 3 years; interquartile range, 1 year) from 10 farms representing 4 different Icelandic regions.
PROCEDURES
Initial gastroscopy was undertaken within 2 weeks of moving from pasture into a training establishment. A total of 71 horses underwent endoscopic examination again 8 weeks later. Various management and behavioral factors were assessed through face-to-face questionnaires with the owners or trainers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors contributing to any change in ESGD and EGGD severity score during the 8-week training period.
RESULTS
Incidence of EGGD and ESGD in this feral population was similar to that found in domesticated horses. ESGD incidence (severity score, ≥ 2; score range, 0 to 4) reduced from an initial 71.6% (58/81) to 25.4% (18/71). On multivariable analysis, sex (ie, being a stallion or a female vs gelding) increased the likelihood of ulcer grade reduction. Being fed preserved forage 3 or more times a day also improved the likelihood of ESGD reduction (odds ratio, 17.95; 95% CI, 1.67 to 193.40;
P
= .017). Overall, the farm explained 35% of the variance, confirming the importance of management factors. Incidence of EGGD (severity score, ≥ 1; score range, 0 to 2) reduced from 47% (38/81) to 40.8% (29/71) during the same period. No measured variables were associated significantly with EGGD incidence or reduction.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Pasture provision (without supplementary feed or forage) does not result automatically in a low incidence of gastric ulcers. Regular provision of preserved forage is a key factor in reducing ESGD incidence.
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