We discuss the consequences of the quantum uncertainty on the spectrum of the electron emitted by the beta-processes of a tritium atom bound to a graphene sheet. We analyze quantitatively the issue ...recently raised by Cheipesh, Cheianov, and Boyarsky Phys. Rev. D 104, 116004 (2021), and discuss the relevant timescales and the degrees of freedom that can contribute to the intrinsic spread in the electron energy. We perform careful calculations of the potential between tritium and graphene with different coverages and geometries. With this at hand, we propose possible avenues to mitigate the effect of the quantum uncertainty.
For the first time in Europe, both European-wide and country-specific levels of urinary Bisphenol A (BPA) were obtained through a harmonized protocol for participant recruitment, sampling and quality ...controlled biomarker analysis in the frame of the twin projects COPHES and DEMOCOPHES. 674 child-mother pairs were recruited through schools or population registers from six European member states (Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden). Children (5–12y) and mothers donated a urine sample. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, life style, dietary habits, and educational level of the parents was provided by mothers. After exclusion of urine samples with creatinine values below 300mg/L or above 3000mg/L, 653 children and 639 mothers remained for which BPA was measured. The geometric mean (with 95% confidence intervals) and 90th percentile were calculated for BPA separately in children and in mothers and were named “European reference values”. After adjustment for confounders (age and creatinine), average exposure values in each country were compared with the mean of the “European reference values” by means of a weighted analysis of variance. Overall geometric means of all countries (95% CI) adjusted for urinary creatinine, age and gender were 2.04 (1.87–2.24) µg/L and 1.88 (1.71–2.07) µg/L for children (n=653) and mothers (n=639), respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant environmental, geographical, personal or life style related determinants. Consumption of canned food and social class (represented by the highest educational level of the family) were the most important predictors for the urinary levels of BPA in mothers and children. The individual BPA levels in children were significantly correlated with the levels in their mothers (r=0.265, p<0.001), which may suggest a possible common environmental/dietary factor that influences the biomarker level in each pair. Exposure of the general European population was well below the current health-based guidance values and no participant had BPA values higher than the health-based guidance values.
Background
Fingolimod (FTY) induces sequestration of lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs and the average lymphocyte recovery following discontinuation takes 1–2 months. It has been hypothesized ...that the therapeutic effects of subsequent cell-depleting agents may be compromised if initiated before lymphocyte recovery has occurred.
Objective
To assess the risk of relapses following FTY discontinuation and the initiation of a B/T cell-depleting agent in relation to washout duration using data from the Italian MS Register.
Methods
The risk of relapses was assessed in relation to different washout durations (< 6, 6–11, 12–17 and > / = 18 weeks) in patients starting alemtuzumab, rituximab, ocrelizumab or cladribine following FTY discontinuation.
Results
We included 329 patients in the analysis (226F, 103 M; mean age 41 ± 10 years). During the cell-depleting treatment, the incidence rate ratio for a relapse was significantly greater in patients with a washout period of 12–17 and > / = 18 weeks compared to the reference period (< 6 weeks). The risk of a relapse was significantly influenced by the occurrence of relapses during FTY treatment and by washout length, with hazard ratios markedly increasing with the washout duration.
Conclusion
The risk of relapses increases with the washout duration when switching from FTY to lymphocyte-depleting agents.
We report the first results of DarkSide-50, a direct search for dark matter operating in the underground Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) and searching for the rare nuclear recoils possibly ...induced by weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). The dark matter detector is a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber with a (46.4±0.7) kg active mass, operated inside a 30 t organic liquid scintillator neutron veto, which is in turn installed at the center of a 1 kt water Cherenkov veto for the residual flux of cosmic rays. We report here the null results of a dark matter search for a (1422±67) kgd exposure with an atmospheric argon fill. This is the most sensitive dark matter search performed with an argon target, corresponding to a 90% CL upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section of 6.1×10−44 cm2 for a WIMP mass of 100 Gev/c2.
Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have identified associations with genetic variation at both HLA and non-HLA loci; however, much of heritable HL susceptibility ...remains unexplained. Here we perform a meta-analysis of three HL GWAS totaling 1,816 cases and 7,877 controls followed by replication in an independent set of 1,281 cases and 3,218 controls to find novel risk loci. We identify a novel variant at 19p13.3 associated with HL (rs1860661; odds ratio (OR)=0.81, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.76-0.86, P(combined) = 3.5 × 10(-10)), located in intron 2 of TCF3 (also known as E2A), a regulator of B- and T-cell lineage commitment known to be involved in HL pathogenesis. This meta-analysis also notes associations between previously published loci at 2p16, 5q31, 6p31, 8q24 and 10p14 and HL subtypes. We conclude that our data suggest a link between the 19p13.3 locus, including TCF3, and HL risk.
The DarkSide-50 direct-detection dark matter experiment is a dual-phase argon time projection chamber operating at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. This paper reports on the blind analysis of a ...(16 660±270) kg d exposure using a target of low-radioactivity argon extracted from underground sources. We find no events in the dark matter selection box and set a 90% C.L. upper limit on the dark matter–nucleon spin-independent cross section of 1.14×10−44 cm2 (3.78×10−44 cm2, 3.43×10−43 cm2) for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c2 (1 TeV/c2, 10 TeV/c2).
Everolimus, a proliferation signal inhibitor with disease-modifying properties, may be useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This proof-of-concept study assessed efficacy and safety of ...everolimus in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with refractory RA.
A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 121 patients with active RA receiving MTX. Patients were randomised to receive everolimus (6 mg/day) or placebo. The primary endpoint was the American College of Rheumatology criteria for a 20% improvement in measures of disease activity (ACR20) at 12 weeks.
There was a rapid onset of action and at 12 weeks the ACR20 response rate was significantly higher in the everolimus group (36.1%) than in the placebo group (16.7%; p = 0.022). Improvements from baseline in tender and swollen joint counts, patient's assessment of pain, and patient's and physician's global assessment of disease activity were significantly greater after treatment with everolimus. The most common adverse events (AEs) in the everolimus group were gastrointestinal (52.5% vs 31.7% in the placebo group), skin (29.5% vs 8.3%), and nervous system disorders (21.3% vs 10.0%); AEs leading to treatment discontinuation were reported for 16.4% and 10.0% of patients, respectively. Changes in haematological parameters, liver function tests, and lipid levels occurred more frequently with everolimus compared to placebo, but were mild and reversible.
The study indicates that everolimus plus MTX provides clinical benefit with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. It may offer a new treatment option in RA patients with inadequate response to MTX.
The coupled use of calcined clay and ground limestone has been a promising alternative to partially replace Portland cement due to the synergic effects between these two additions. Therefore, ...substituting calcined clay with a material of similar chemical composition, such as water treatment plant sludge ash (WTPSA), yields several environmental advantages. In this study, the pozzolanic activity of WTPSA was evaluated by determining the strength activity index (SAI) and using the modified Chapelle method. Statistical analyses were used to define the best conditions for WTPSA calcination and grinding. Response Surface Method (RSM) was used to find the Portland cement substitution content by WTPSA and limestone that result in higher concrete compressive strength values. The results of the evaluation of pozzolan activity of WTPSA showed that this material has the potential of being used as pozzolan. The joint analysis of the results confirms that calcination at 700 °C, residence time of 1 h, and grinding time of 1 h were the best conditions for treating WTP sludge. The optimal WTPSA and limestone content found by the Response Surface Method (RSM) were validated experimentally. Ternary mixtures containing WTPSA and limestone resulted in higher compressive strength than binary mixtures and plain cement, which shows the synergistic effect between the two materials. For compressive strength levels between 45 and 60 MPa, the ternary mixture composed of 15% WTPSA +7.5% ground limestone reduced Portland cement consumption from 34.7 to 38.4%.
•Water treatment sludge calcined replaces partially the portland cement.•Statistical analysis defined the optimal percentages of substitution of Portland cement.•Mixtures of calcined sludge and limestone provide greater economy of cement.•Reduced consumption of Portland cement in concrete ranges from 26 to 38%.
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