CUPID-0 is the first pilot experiment of CUPID, a next-generation project searching for neutrinoless double beta decay. In its first scientific run, CUPID-0 operated 26 ZnSe cryogenic calorimeters ...coupled to light detectors in the underground Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. In this work, we analyzed a ZnSe exposure of 11.34 kg year to search for the neutrinoless double beta decay of
70
Zn and for the neutrinoless positron-emitting electron capture of
64
Zn. We found no evidence for these decays and set 90
%
credible interval limits of
T
1
/
2
0
ν
β
β
(
70
Zn) > 1.6
10
21
year and
T
1
/
2
0
ν
E
C
β
+
(
64
Zn) > 1.2
×
10
22
year, surpassing by more than one order of magnitude the previous experimental results (Belli et al. in J Phys G 38(11):115107,
https://doi.org/10.1088/0954-3899/38/11/115107
, 2011).
Context. We have developed a dual-band (140 and 220 GHz) mm-wave imaging camera based on superconducting kinetic inductance detector (KID) arrays. Each array contains 132 superconducting resonators ...whose resonant frequencies are shifted by mm-wave photons absorption. The read out is achieved with a single electronics chain per band, taking advantage of the intrinsic KID frequency-domain multiplexability. The arrays are easily scalable and well adapted for future large format focal plane instruments. NIKA (formerly Néel IRAM KID Array, now New IRAM KID Array) has been specifically designed for the IRAM 30 m telescope at Pico Veleta, and is one of the first instruments using KIDs to have made measurements of astronomical sources. Aims. In this Letter we describe the solutions adopted to improve the calibration accuracy and the sensitivity of the instrument, and we report on the outcome of the 3rd NIKA observing run of October, 2011. Methods. We use a fast electronic modulation of the readout tone for each KID pixel in order to linearize the instrument calibration, which we track with measurements of planets. We also adopt a new design of the KIDs, sensitive to both polarizations, to increase the amount of radiation absorbed and thus the optical efficiency of the system. Results. We measured an average sensitivity on the sky of 21 mJys0.5 per beam at 140 GHz and 140 mJys0.5 at 220 GHz in the best observing conditions (τ220 ≃ 0.2) after atmospheric noise decorrelation. The sensitivity at 220 GHz was limited by the atmospheric attenuation and loading as well as a reduction in the spectral bandwidth due to a misplaced filter. We found the repeatability in the photometry over the entire observing run to be better than 10% in both bands, thus demonstrating a significant improvement over the previous runs. We also find good agreement between NIKA measurements of faint astronomical sources and previous measurements of the same sources.
The biology of fatigue and depression in cancer patients is poorly understood. Hypotheses regarding cytokines and growth factors related to sickness behavior and disruption of circadian signaling ...have been proposed.
We prospectively examined proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., sickness behavior model) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands (e.g., circadian disruption model) in the serum of cancer patients enrolled in a clinical trial testing levocarnitine for fatigue.
Serum samples were collected at baseline and week 4. Cytokine/growth factor analyses were performed with a Luminex analyzer. The Brief Fatigue Index and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Index were used to measure fatigue and depression severity. The association between cytokine and symptoms was examined using logistic models.
Among 101 analyzable patients, all ten cytokines/growth factors examined were highly elevated at baseline and all significantly decreased at week 4 (
<0.001) regardless of treatment intervention. At baseline, the odds of severe fatigue significantly increased for patients with higher level of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), whereas patients with higher levels of IL-1Ra, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-γ, transforming growth factor α, and vascular endothelial growth factor had higher odds of severe depression. At week 4, fatigue (
=0.023) and depression (
=0.007) responders had less decrease in IL-1 level than the corresponding non-responders.
In this correlative analysis of a fatigue clinical trial, levels of fatigue were significantly associated with levels of IL-1 and IL-1Ra. Circadian-signaling pathways related to EGFR signaling were correlated with depression as were other cytokines. A major placebo effect was associated with a global decrease in cytokine and growth factors. These data provide further basis for testing hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of fatigue and depression in cancer patients.
: Nutritional factors are among the postulated causes of fatigue, a highly prevalent symptom in the cancer population, with serious impact on patients’ quality of life. Deficiency of the ...micronutrient carnitine may play a role by reducing energy production through fatty acid oxidation. We present preliminary data of an open‐label, dose‐finding study to determine safety and maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of 1 week of l‐carnitine supplementation in cancer patients with fatigue and carnitine deficiency. Patients who met inclusion/exclusion criteria underwent carnitine level determination. Eighty‐three percent of these patients (15/18) had carnitine deficiency. Preliminary data analysis of 13 patients showed that total carnitine increased from 30.0 ± 6.9 to 41.0 ± 12.1 (mean ± SD) after 1 week of supplementation (P= 0.01), and free carnitine increased from 24.3 ± 6.1 to 33.8 ± 9.8 (P= 0.004). Outcome measures were fatigue (BFI score), depression (CES‐D), sleep disruption (ESS), and performance status (Karnofsky). Median (min, max) BFI score at baseline was 73 (46, 82) versus 50 (3, 82) after 1‐week supplementation (P= 0.009). CES‐D score at baseline was 29 (16, 42) and 22 (8, 32) after 1 week (P= 0.028). ESS at baseline was 46.5 (0, 69) and 30.4 (0, 72) after 1 week (P= 0.015). Karnofsky score did not change significantly (P= 0.38). We are currently conducting a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study to rigorously assess the role of l‐carnitine for the treatment of fatigue and depression in cancer patients.
Galaxy clusters and surrounding medium, can be studied using X-ray bremsstrahlung emission and Sunyaev Zel’dovich (SZ) effect. Both astrophysical probes, sample the same environment with different ...parameters dependance. The SZ effect is relatively more sensitive in low density environments and thus is useful to study the filamentary structures of the cosmic web. In addition, observations of the matter distribution require high angular resolution in order to be able to map the matter distribution within and around galaxy clusters. MISTRAL is a camera working at 90GHz which, once coupled to the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), can reach 12″ angular resolution over 4′ field of view (f.o.v.). The forecasted sensitivity drives to a Noise Equivalent Flux Density of ≃ 10–15 mJy √ s and the mapping speed is MS = 380′ 2 mJy −2 h −1 . MISTRAL was recently installed at the focus of the SRT and soon will take its first photons.
We present the design, manufacturing, and testing of a 37-element array of corrugated feedhorns for Cosmic Microwave Background CMB) measurements between 140 and 170 GHz. The array was designed to be ...coupled to Kinetic Inductance Detector arrays, either directly (for total power measurements) or through an orthomode transducer (for polarization measurements). We manufactured the array in platelets by chemically etching aluminum plates of 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm thickness. The process is fast, low-cost, scalable, and yields high-performance antennas compared to other techniques in the same frequency range. Room temperature electromagnetic measurements show excellent repeatability with an average cross polarization level about − 20 dB, return loss about − 25 dB, first sidelobes below − 25 dB and far sidelobes below − 35 dB. Our results qualify this process as a valid candidate for state-of-the-art CMB experiments, where large detector arrays with high sensitivity and polarization purity are of paramount importance in the quest for the discovery of CMB polarization
B
-modes.
The goal of the Cryogenic wide-Area Light Detectors with Excellent Resolution project is the development of light detectors with large active area and noise energy resolution smaller than 20 eV RMS ...using phonon-mediated kinetic inductance detectors. The detectors are developed to improve the background suppression in large-mass bolometric experiments such as CUORE, via the double read-out of the light and the heat released by particles interacting in the bolometers. In this work, we present the design and the fabrication process, starting from the silicon wafer arriving to the single chip. The Al thin films (40 nm) are evaporated on high-quality, high-resistivity (>
10
k
Ω
cm) Si(100) substrates using an electron beam evaporator in a high-vacuum chamber. Detectors are patterned in direct-write mode, using electron beam lithography , positive tone resist poly-methyl methacrylate and lift-off process. Finally the wafer is diced into 20
×
20 mm
2
chips and assembled in a holder OFHC copper (oxygen-free high conductivity) using PTFE supports.
Abstract
Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE
ν
NS) offers a unique way to study neutrino properties and to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The NUCLEUS experiment aims ...to measure CEνNS of reactor anti-neutrinos down to unprecedented low nuclear recoil energies. The novel gram-scale cryogenic detectors feature an ultra-low energy threshold of ≤20eV
nr
and a rise time of a few 100
μ
s which allows the operation above ground. The fiducialization of the detectors provides an effective discrimination of ambient
γ
- and surface backgrounds. Furthermore, the use of multiple targets promises a high physics potential. The NUCLEUS experiment will be located at a new experimental site at the Chooz nuclear power plant in France, providing a high anti-neutrino flux of
1.7
⋅
10
12
ν
¯
e
/
(
s
⋅
cm
2
)
. The commissioning of the experimental setup with a comprehensive background measurement is planned for 2022.
Methadone is used for the treatment of opioid addiction and for treatment of chronic pain. The safety of methadone has been called into question by data indicating a large increase in the number of ...methadone-associated overdose deaths in recent years that has occurred in parallel with a dramatic rise in the use of methadone for chronic pain. The American Pain Society and the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society, commissioned an interdisciplinary expert panel to develop a clinical practice guideline on safer prescribing of methadone for treatment of opioid addiction and chronic pain. As part of the guideline development process, the American Pain Society commissioned a systematic review of various aspects related to safety of methadone. After a review of the available evidence, the expert panel concluded that measures can be taken to promote safer use of methadone. Specific recommendations include the need to educate and counsel patients on methadone safety, use of electrocardiography to identify persons at greater risk for methadone-associated arrhythmia, use of alternative opioids in patients at high risk of complications related to corrected electrocardiographic QTc interval prolongation, careful dose initiation and titration of methadone, and diligent monitoring and follow-up. Although these guidelines are based on a systematic review, the panel identified numerous research gaps, most recommendations were based on low-quality evidence, and no recommendations were based on high-quality evidence.
This guideline, based on a systematic review of the evidence on methadone safety, provides recommendations developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Safe use of methadone requires clinical skills and knowledge in use of methadone to mitigate potential risks, including serious risks related to risk of overdose and cardiac arrhythmias.
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