Results on the effects of ionizing radiation on the signal produced by plastic scintillating rods manufactured by Eljen Technology company are presented for various matrix materials, dopant ...concentrations, fluors (EJ-200 and EJ-260), anti-oxidant concentrations, scintillator thickness, doses, and dose rates. The light output before and after irradiation is measured using an alpha source and a photomultiplier tube, and the light transmission by a spectrophotometer. Assuming an exponential decrease in the light output with dose, the change in light output is quantified using the exponential dose constant \(D\). The \(D\) values are similar for primary and secondary doping concentrations of 1 and 2 times, and for antioxidant concentrations of 0, 1, and 2 times, the default manufacturer's concentration. The \(D\) value depends approximately linearly on the logarithm of the dose rate for dose rates between 2.2 Gy/hr and 70 Gy/hr for all materials. For EJ-200 polyvinyltoluene-based (PVT) scintillator, the dose constant is approximately linear in the logarithm of the dose rate up to 3400 Gy/hr, while for polystyrene-based (PS) scintillator or for both materials with EJ-260 fluors, it remains constant or decreases (depending on doping concentration) above about 100 Gy/hr. The results from rods of varying thickness and from the different fluors suggest damage to the initial light output is a larger effect than color center formation for scintillator thickness \(\leq1\) cm. For the blue scintillator (EJ-200), the transmission measurements indicate damage to the fluors. We also find that while PVT is more resistant to radiation damage than PS at dose rates higher than about 100 Gy/hr for EJ-200 fluors, they show similar damage at lower dose rates and for EJ-260 fluors.
Crystal calorimeters have a long history of pushing the frontier on high-resolution electromagnetic (EM) calorimetry. We explore in this paper major innovations in collider detector performance that ...can be achieved with crystal calorimetry when longitudinal segmentation and dual-readout capabilities are combined with a new high EM resolution approach to PFA in multi-jet events, such as \(e^+e^+\rightarrow HZ\) events in all-hadronic final-states at Higgs factories. We demonstrate a new technique for pre-processing \(\pi^0\) momenta through combinatoric di-photon pairing in advance of applying jet algorithms. This procedure significantly reduces \(\pi^0\) photon splitting across jets in multi-jet events. The correct photon-to-jet assignment efficiency improves by a factor of 3 with a \(3\%/\sqrt{E}\) EM resolution. In addition, the technique of bremsstrahlung photon recovery significantly improves electron momentum measurements. A high EM resolution calorimeter increases the Z boson recoil mass resolution in Higgstrahlung events for decays into electron pairs to 80% of that for muon pairs. We present the design and optimization of a highly segmented crystal detector concept that achieves the required energy resolution, and a time resolution better than 30 ps providing exceptional particle identification capabilities. We demonstrate that, contrary to previous detector designs that suffered from large neutral hadron resolution degradation from one interaction length of crystals in front of a sampling hadron calorimeter, the implementation of dual-readout on crystals permits to achieve a resolution better than \(30\%/\sqrt{E}\oplus 2\%\) for neutral hadrons. Our studies find that the integration of crystal calorimetry into future Higgs factory collider detectors can open new perspectives by yielding the highest level of combined EM and neutral hadron resolution in the PFA paradigm.
Abstract
SPECC1L mutations have been identified in patients with rare atypical orofacial clefts and with syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). These mutations cluster in the second coiled-coil ...and calponin homology domains of SPECC1L and severely affect the ability of SPECC1L to associate with microtubules. We previously showed that gene-trap knockout of Specc1l in mouse results in early embryonic lethality. We now present a truncation mutant mouse allele, Specc1lΔC510, that results in perinatal lethality. Specc1lΔC510/ΔC510 homozygotes showed abnormal palate rugae but did not show cleft palate. However, when crossed with a gene-trap allele, Specc1lcGT/ΔC510 compound heterozygotes showed a palate elevation delay with incompletely penetrant cleft palate. Specc1lcGT/ΔC510 embryos exhibit transient oral epithelial adhesions at E13.5, which may delay shelf elevation. Consistent with oral adhesions, we show periderm layer abnormalities, including ectopic apical expression of adherens junction markers, similar to Irf6 hypomorphic mutants and Arhgap29 heterozygotes. Indeed, SPECC1L expression is drastically reduced in Irf6 mutant palatal shelves. Finally, we wanted to determine if SPECC1L deficiency also contributed to non-syndromic (ns) CL/P. We sequenced 62 Caucasian, 89 Filipino, 90 Ethiopian, 90 Nigerian and 95 Japanese patients with nsCL/P and identified three rare coding variants (p.Ala86Thr, p.Met91Iso and p.Arg546Gln) in six individuals. These variants reside outside of SPECC1L coiled-coil domains and result in milder functional defects than variants associated with syndromic clefting. Together, our data indicate that palate elevation is sensitive to deficiency of SPECC1L dosage and function and that SPECC1L cytoskeletal protein functions downstream of IRF6 in palatogenesis.
End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients are living longer, often into older age, and commonly pursue kidney transplantation. Successful aging, a multidimensional construct of physical and social ...wellbeing, has been expanded and adapted for patients with chronic disease. However, perceptions of, barriers to, and experiences with successful aging among adults with ESKD are unclear and likely differ based on whether they have received a kidney transplant.
Ten focus groups were held with 39 total ESKD patients aged ≥50 years (19 transplant candidates, 20 transplant recipients). Transcriptions were analyzed thematically by 2 independent coders using an inductive, constant comparative approach.
The mean age was 64.8 (SD = 7.5); 51% were African American and 64% were males. Six themes were identified: familiarity with successful aging, perceptions of successful aging after ESKD diagnosis, barriers to successful aging, experiences with successful aging among transplant candidates, experiences with successful aging among transplant recipients, and suggested interventions. While all participants sought to achieve successful aging while living with ESKD, experiences with successful aging differed between candidates and recipients. Candidates struggled with the limitations of dialysis; some viewed transplantation as an opportunity to age successfully, while others were resigned to the drawbacks of dialysis. In contrast, transplant recipients were optimistic about their ability to age successfully, believing their transplant facilitated successful aging. Participants believed support groups for adults with ESKD and more thoughtful health care for aging adults would promote successful aging.
Adults with ESKD may benefit from discussions with their clinicians and caregivers about goals, barriers, and strategies regarding successful aging.
The observation of long-lived particles at the LHC would reveal physics beyond the Standard Model, could account for the many open issues in our understanding of our universe, and conceivably point ...to a more complete theory of the fundamental interactions. Such long-lived particle signatures are fundamentally motivated and can appear in virtually every theoretical construct that address the Hierarchy Problem, Dark Matter, Neutrino Masses and the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe. We describe in this document a large detector, MATHUSLA, located on the surface above an HL-LHC \(pp\) interaction point, that could observe long-lived particles with lifetimes up to the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis limit of 0.1 s. We also note that its large detector area allows MATHUSLA to make important contributions to cosmic ray physics. Because of the potential for making a major breakthrough in our conceptual understanding of the universe, long-lived particle searches should have the highest level of priority.
In this Letter of Intent (LOI) we propose the construction of MATHUSLA (MAssive Timing Hodoscope for Ultra-Stable neutraL pArticles), a dedicated large-volume displaced vertex detector for the HL-LHC ...on the surface above ATLAS or CMS. Such a detector, which can be built using existing technologies with a reasonable budget in time for the HL-LHC upgrade, could search for neutral long-lived particles (LLPs) with up to several orders of magnitude better sensitivity than ATLAS or CMS, while also acting as a cutting-edge cosmic ray telescope at CERN to explore many open questions in cosmic ray and astro-particle physics. We review the physics motivations for MATHUSLA and summarize its LLP reach for several different possible detector geometries, as well as outline the cosmic ray physics program. We present several updated background studies for MATHUSLA, which help inform a first detector-design concept utilizing modular construction with Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) as the primary tracking technology. We present first efficiency and reconstruction studies to verify the viability of this design concept, and we explore some aspects of its total cost. We end with a summary of recent progress made on the MATHUSLA test stand, a small-scale demonstrator experiment currently taking data at CERN Point 1, and finish with a short comment on future work.
•Survey results from 18 academic laboratories reveal differences in molecular testing approaches and practices for hematologic neoplasms.•Shared understanding of the capabilities and limitations of ...current and future molecular testing will help optimize patient care.
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While molecular testing of hematologic malignancies is now standard of care, there is variability in practice and testing capabilities between different academic laboratories, with common questions arising on how to best meet clinical expectations. A survey was sent to hematopathology subgroup members of the Genomics Organization for Academic Laboratories consortium to assess current and future practice and potentially establish a reference for peer institutions. Responses were received from 18 academic tertiary-care laboratories regarding next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel design, sequencing protocols and metrics, assay characteristics, laboratory operations, case reimbursement, and development plans. Differences in NGS panel size, use, and gene content were reported. Gene content for myeloid processes was reported to be generally excellent, while genes for lymphoid processes were less well covered. The turnaround time (TAT) for acute cases, including acute myeloid leukemia, was reported to range from 2 to 7 calendar days to 15 to 21 calendar days, with different approaches to achieving rapid TAT described. To help guide NGS panel design and standardize gene content, consensus gene lists based on current and future NGS panels in development were generated. Most survey respondents expected molecular testing at academic laboratories to continue to be viable in the future, with rapid TAT for acute cases likely to remain an important factor. Molecular testing reimbursement was reported to be a major concern. The results of this survey and subsequent discussions improve the shared understanding of differences in testing practices for hematologic malignancies between institutions and will help provide a more consistent level of patient care.
Caring for dialysis patients is difficult, and this burden often falls on a spouse or cohabiting partner (henceforth referred to as caregiver-partners). At the same time, these caregiver-partners ...often come forward as potential living kidney donors for their loved ones who are on dialysis (henceforth referred to as patient-partners). Caregiver-partners may experience tangible benefits to their well-being when their patient-partner undergoes transplantation, yet this is seldom formally considered when evaluating caregiver-partners as potential donors.
To quantify these potential benefits, we surveyed caregiver-partners of dialysis patients and kidney transplant (KT) recipients (N = 99) at KT evaluation or post-KT. Using validated tools, we assessed relationship satisfaction and caregiver burden before or after their patient-partner's dialysis initiation and before or after their patient-partner's KT.
Caregiver-partners reported increases in specific measures of caregiver burden (
= 0.03) and stress (
= 0.01) and decreases in social life (
= 0.02) and sexual relations (
< 0.01) after their patient-partner initiated dialysis. However, after their patient-partner underwent KT, caregiver-partners reported improvements in specific measures of caregiver burden (
= 0.03), personal time (
< 0.01), social life (
= 0.01), stress (
= 0.02), sexual relations (
< 0.01), and overall quality of life (
= 0.03). These improvements were of sufficient impact that caregiver-partners reported similar levels of caregiver burden after their patient-partner's KT as before their patient-partner initiated dialysis (
= 0.3).
These benefits in caregiver burden and relationship quality support special consideration for spouses and partners in risk-assessment of potential kidney donors, particularly those with risk profiles slightly exceeding center thresholds.
Cancer is a major public health problem all over the world. It is currently the second leading cause of death in the United States, and is expected to surpass heart diseases as the leading cause of ...death in the next few years. To overcome this problem, researchers are discovering new treatments and developing imaging technologies that can aid in early detection of cancer. In this work, we investigate the use of signal envelope statistics to monitor and quantify structural changes in tissues during cell death. Ultrasound backscatter and photoacoustic data were obtained from three mice treated with, Hat-DOX, DOX and saline. The signal envelope statistics were examined by fitting the Rayleigh and Generalized Gamma distributions. The fit parameters showed sensitivity to structural changes in the cells in photoacoustic and ultrasound images. The results indicate that photoacoustic signal statistics can be potentially used to monitor structural changes within a tumor, raising the possibility of monitoring cancer therapy efficacy.
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