Pulse-shape discrimination against low-energy Ar-39 beta decays in liquid argon with 4.5 tonne-years of DEAP-3600 data

The DEAP-3600 detector searches for the scintillation signal from dark matter particles scattering on a 3.3 tonne liquid argon target. The largest background comes from 39 Ar beta decays and is suppressed using pulse-shape discrimination (PSD). We use two types of PSD estimator: the prompt-fraction, which considers the fraction of the scintillation signal in a narrow and a wide time window around the event peak, and the log-likelihood-ratio, which compares the observed photon arrival times to a signal and a background model. We furthermore use two algorithms to determine the number of photons detected at a given time: (1) simply dividing the charge of each PMT pulse by the mean single-photoelectron charge, and (2) a likelihood analysis that considers the probability to detect a certain number of photons at a given time, based on a model for the scintillation pulse shape and for afterpulsing in the light detectors. The prompt-fraction performs approximately as well as the log-likelihood-ratio PSD algorithm if the photon detection times are not biased by detector effects. We explain this result using a model for the information carried by scintillation photons as a function of the time when they are detected.

"In-vitro Effects of Chlorpyrifos and Monocrotophos on the Activity of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in Different Tissues of Apple Snail Pila globosa (Swainson, 1822)"

The impact of two organophosphorus insecticides [Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and Monocrotophos (MCP)] on non-target wild natural gastropod, Pila globosa (apple snail) from the paddy fields was studied. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was monitored on foot-muscle and hepatopancreas tissues of control and exposed snails. In the foot- muscle AChE inhibition progressed and reached 54.19% and 63.13% of the control, whereas, the AChE inhibition in the hepatopancreas reached 46.96% and 53.67% over control after 48 hours of exposure to 1.5 mL.L-1 and 2.5 mL.L-1 CPF respectively. After 48 hours of MCP exposure at 1.5 mL.L-1 and 2.5 mL.L-1 separately, the AChE inhibition of foot muscle was 49.07% and 57.59% respectively while in hepatopancreas it was 44.65% and 48.84% respectively. Our results show more inhibition of AChE activities on the foot-muscle than hepatopancreas in a concentration and time-dependent manner with greater severity by CPF in comparison to MCP. AChE inhibition increased with the increasing exposure time.

A prospective cohort study on predictors of mortality of delirium in an emergency observational unit

BACKGROUND

Delirium is often an underdiagnosed and underestimated neuropsychiatric syndrome, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

AIM

To document the prevalence and clinical profile of delirium and to detect the baseline parameters associated with in-hospital mortality.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study conducted between January 2016 to December 2016 at an adult medical emergency observational unit of an academic hospital in north India.

METHODS

Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit was used for screening and diagnosis of delirium. Subtypes of delirium and severity were defined with the Richmond agitation-sedation scale and Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98).

RESULTS

Out of 939 screened patients, 312 (33.2%) had delirium, including 73.7% unrecognized cases. The mean age was 49.1 ± 17.3 years (range 17-90), and only 33.3% of the patients were above 60 years. The prevalence of hypoactive, mixed and hyperactive delirium was 39.1, 33.7 and 27.2%, respectively. Usual predisposing factors were alcohol use disorder (57.4%) and hypertension (51.0%), and infections remain the most common precipitating factors (42.0%). In total, 96.1% of patients received midazolam before delirium onset, and physical restraints were used in 73.4%. Mortality was higher in delirium (19.9% vs. 6.4%). The independent predictors of death in delirium were low diastolic blood pressure (P-value = 0.000), Glasgow coma scale score <15 (P = 0.026), high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (P = 0.007), high DRS-R-98 severity score (P = 0.000) and hyperactive delirium (P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Rapid screening with Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit detected a high prevalence of delirium (even in young patients), and it associated with high mortality.

Atmospheric Carbon and Transport - America (ACT-America) Data Sets: Description, Management, and Delivery

The ACT-America project is a NASA Earth Venture Suborbital-2 mission designed to study the transport and fluxes of greenhouse gases. The open and freely available ACT-America data sets provide airborne in situ measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, trace gases, aerosols, clouds, and meteorological properties, airborne remote sensing measurements of aerosol backscatter, atmospheric boundary layer height and columnar content of atmospheric carbon dioxide, tower-based measurements, and modeled atmospheric mole fractions and regional carbon fluxes of greenhouse gases over the Central and Eastern United States. We conducted 121 research flights during five campaigns in four seasons during 2016-2019 over three regions of the US (Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and South) using two NASA research aircraft (B-200 and C-130). We performed three flight patterns (fair weather, frontal crossings, and OCO-2 underflights) and collected more than 1,140 h of airborne measurements via level-leg flights in the atmospheric boundary layer, lower, and upper free troposphere and vertical profiles spanning these altitudes. We also merged various airborne in situ measurements onto a common standard sampling interval, which brings coherence to the data, creates geolocated data products, and makes it much easier for the users to perform holistic analysis of the ACT-America data products. Here, we report on detailed information of data sets collected, the workflow for data sets including storage and processing of the quality controlled and quality assured harmonized observations, and their archival and formatting for users. Finally, we provide some important information on the dissemination of data products including metadata and highlights of applications of ACT-America data sets.

Efficacy and correlative analyses of avelumab plus axitinib versus sunitinib in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Among patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), those with sarcomatoid histology (sRCC) have the poorest prognosis. This analysis assessed the efficacy of avelumab plus axitinib versus sunitinib in patients with treatment-naive advanced sRCC.

METHODS

The randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase III JAVELIN Renal 101 trial (NCT02684006) enrolled patients with treatment-naive advanced RCC. Patients were randomized 1 : 1 to receive either avelumab plus axitinib or sunitinib following standard doses and schedules. Assessments in this post hoc analysis of patients with sRCC included efficacy (including progression-free survival) and biomarker analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 108 patients had sarcomatoid histology and were included in this post hoc analysis; 47 patients in the avelumab plus axitinib arm and 61 in the sunitinib arm. Patients in the avelumab plus axitinib arm had improved progression-free survival [stratified hazard ratio, 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.325-1.003)] and a higher objective response rate (46.8% versus 21.3%; complete response in 4.3% versus 0%) versus those in the sunitinib arm. Correlative gene expression analyses of patients with sRCC showed enrichment of gene pathway scores for cancer-associated fibroblasts and regulatory T cells, CD274 and CD8A expression, and tumors with The Cancer Genome Atlas m3 classification.

CONCLUSIONS

In this subgroup analysis of JAVELIN Renal 101, patients with sRCC in the avelumab plus axitinib arm had improved efficacy outcomes versus those in the sunitinib arm. Correlative analyses provide insight into this subtype of RCC and suggest that avelumab plus axitinib may increase the chance of overcoming the aggressive features of sRCC.

Mid-term follow-up of percutaneous access for standard and complex EVAR using the ProGlide device

OBJECTIVES

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair is an established treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm which requires arterial access via the groin. Most centres perform percutaneous ultrasound-guided access into the common femoral artery for delivery of the stent graft. The profile of endovascular devices necessitates large sheath sizes, therefore formal closure of the arterial puncture site is required. Various percutaneous devices are available, with data lacking on efficacy and mid-term safety profile. We present outcomes from a single centre with the Perclose ProGlide™ (Abbott Vascular Devices, CA, USA) suture-mediated system, using the well described "pre-close" technique.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Data were collected from operative records and electronic medical records. Patients undergoing standard (EVAR) or complex (F/B-EVAR) aneurysm repair between March 2015 and September 2019 were included. Complications were recorded per-patient and per-groin procedure.

RESULTS

266 patients were included; 182 (68.4%) standard infrarenal EVAR, 84 (31.6%) F/B-EVAR. There were a total of 484 groin procedures performed. Intraoperative Perclose ProGlide™ success was 98.1% (per patient) or 99.0% (per groin procedure). 30-day groin complication rate was 6.1% (per patient) or 3.1% (per groin procedure). There were no pre- or peri-operative factors which predicted the occurrence of groin complications. The rate of groin complications was not related to sheath size.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the use of percutaneous access with a pre-close technique for a variety of endovascular aneurysm repair procedures with both large- and small-bore access. The Perclose ProGlide™ system provides excellent mid-term complication-free and reintervention-free outcomes for groin procedures.

Shock wave propagation through air: a reactive molecular dynamics study

Shock compression of air is observed in numerous situations ranging from explosions to hypersonic vehicle entry into atmosphere. In an effort to develop continuum-based equation of state for air subjected to shock compression, it is necessary to understand the dynamics of the shock compression process with regards to formation of new chemical species in air at the molecular level. With this in perspective, three different models of air (consisting a mixture of O 2 , N 2 and CO 2 gas, with or without H 2 O based on presence of humidity) are subjected to shock compression ranging from 0.5 km s −1 to 5.0 km s −1 particle velocities. Thermodynamic quantities are evaluated to plot Rankine Hugoniot planes for the three different air models: dry air at mean sea level (MSL), humid air at MSL and dry air at high altitude level of 36 000 ft above MSL. It is observed that high shock velocities eventually results in dissociation of gaseous molecules and formation of new gaseous species which has been quantified in the manuscript.

Morphology of enteric glia in colorectal carcinoma: A comparative study of tumor site and its proximal normal margin

OBJECTIVE

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world and fifth most common cancer in India. To understand the extent of perineural invasion (PNI) in CRC it is essential to study the morphology of enteric glial cells (EGCs). The aim of the study was to analyze the numerical density of EGCs and area of myenteric ganglia (MG) in the colonic tissue samples collected from CRC patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifteen intraoperative tissue specimens were collected from the tumor site and 2cm proximal to the upper extent of tumor. The samples were divided into four groups: group 1 (n=15): proximal tumor free colonic tissue; group 2 (n=3): well-differentiated; group 3 (n=8): moderately differentiated; group 4 (n=4): poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. After processing the tissues were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining. The anti-S100β and anti-GFAP antibodies were used to observe the EGCs.

RESULTS

In the H&E stained sections the number of myenteric ganglia appeared to be decreasing with increasing grade of adenocarcinoma. Immunostaining showed significant decreasing pattern in the numerical density of EGCs per myenteric ganglion and mean area of myenteric ganglia in relation to the thickness of circular muscle, corresponding to the increasing grades of adenocarcinoma. The morphology of the EGCs remained unaltered in the colonic tissue adjacent to the tumor site.

CONCLUSION

Significant loss of EGCs and neurodegeneration corresponded with the grade of tumor emphasizing on its prognostic value. The PNI was not seen in the clear margin proximal to the tumor site.

Microarray based gene expression profiling of advanced gall bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive cancer with specific predilection like female gender and specific geographical areas, however the molecular mechanisms and factors contributing to the clinical or biological behavior are not understood.

AIM

The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed genes in advanced GBC and chronic cholecystitis (CC) cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microarray was planned on fresh specimens of advanced GBC and CC cases using single color cRNA based microarray technique (8X60K format; Agilent Technologies, USA). Twelve advanced GBC and four CC patients were included in the study.

RESULTS

Of the total of 1307 differentially expressed genes, 535 genes were significantly upregulated, while 772 genes were significantly downregulated in advanced GBC vs CC samples. Differentially expressed genes were associated with biological processes (55.03%), cellular components (31.48%), and molecular functions (13.49%) respectively. The important pathways or key processes affected were cell cycle, DNA replication, oxidative stress, gastric cancer pathway. Using in silico analysis tools, three differentially expressed genes i.e. TPX2, Cdc45 and MCM4 were selected (for their significant role in DNA replication and microtubule function) and were further validated in 20 advanced GBC cohort by immunohistochemistry. Significant positive association of Cdc45 and MCM4 proteins was found in advanced GBC cases (p = 0.043), suggesting the probable oncogenic role of Cdc45 and MCM4 proteins in advanced GBC.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate the potential regulation of Cdc45-MCM4 axis in advanced GBC tumors. Additionally, our study also revealed a range of differentially expressed genes (e.g. TPX2, AKURA etc.) between GBC and CC, and further validation of these genes might provide a potential diagnostic or therapeutic target in future.

Low-Dose Hsp90 Inhibitor Selectively Radiosensitizes HNSCC and Pancreatic Xenografts

PURPOSE

Treatment approaches using Hsp90 inhibitors at their maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) have not produced selective tumor toxicity. Inhibition of Hsp90 activity causes degradation of client proteins including those involved in recognizing and repairing DNA lesions. We hypothesized that if DNA repair proteins were degraded by concentrations of an Hsp90 inhibitor below those required to cause nonspecific cytotoxicity, significant tumor-selective radiosensitization might be achieved.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Tandem mass tagged-mass spectrometry was performed to determine the effect of a subcytotoxic concentration of the Hsp90 inhibitor, AT13387 (onalespib), on global protein abundance. The effect of AT13387 on in vitro radiosensitization was assessed using a clonogenic assay. Pharmacokinetics profiling was performed in mice bearing xenografts. Finally, the effect of low-dose AT13387 on the radiosensitization of three tumor models was assessed.

RESULTS

A subcytotoxic concentration of AT13387 reduced levels of DNA repair proteins, without affecting the majority of Hsp90 clients. The pharmacokinetics study using one-third of the MTD showed 40-fold higher levels of AT13387 in tumors compared with plasma. This low dose enhanced Hsp70 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which is a biomarker of Hsp90 inhibition. Low dose monotherapy was ineffective, but when combined with radiotherapy, produced significant tumor growth inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a significant therapeutic ratio can be achieved by a low dose of Hsp90 inhibitor in combination with radiotherapy. Hsp90 inhibition, even at a low dose, can be monitored by measuring Hsp70 expression in PBMCs in human studies.

Multimodality treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations in South Island, New Zealand

Treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations is complex and multidisciplinary. This article presents the treatment model utilized in Christchurch, New Zealand which provides cerebrovascular surgery and interventional neuroradiology to the entire south island (approximate population of 1.1 million). A total of 40 patients treated over a 10 year period (2004-2014) are analysed here. Nine patients were managed surgically and complete resection was achieved in 100% of cases. Permanent mortality was 0% and permanent morbidity was 22% however median mRS improved from 3.0 preoperatively to 1.0 at follow up. Embolisation was utilized in 31 patients (mean age 40), of which 45% presented with haemorrhage, 39% with seizures, 10% with a headache only, and 6% with a deficit. None were found incidentally. The Spetzler-Martin grade 1 cases accounted for 10% of the cohort, 23% were grade II, 42% grade III, 23% grade IV and 3% grade V. A single aneurysm was present in 42% of cases, and multiple in 13%. The nidus was obliterated in 9.6% of cases with a morbidity rate of 6.5% and mortality rate of 3%. Modified Rankin scale improved marginally from 0.9 at diagnosis to 0.88 at final follow up (mean 22 months). There were no cases of recanalization. The total nidus obliteration rate using our algorithm of surgery alone for small accessible lesions, then staged embolization for larger lesions with adjuvant radiosurgery reserved for cases with residual nidus, was 50%.

Studying land use dynamics using decadal satellite images and Dyna-CLUE model in the Mahanadi River basin, India

Population growth rate indicates the proportional rate of settlement expansion and landscape modification in any river basin. The Mahanadi River basin (MRB), which is a densely populated, cropland and forest-dominated landscape, is selected as a case study area for studying the nature of built-up expansion and the corresponding land cover modifications. Satellite data-derived land use/land cover (LU/LC) maps for the years 1995, 2005, and 2015 were used for identification of landscape changes during the past three decades. One of the major LU/LC changes are observed in terms of increase in the water, which may be attributed to construction of new dams at the cost of the croplands and forest areas. Conversion of forest to cropland and expansion and densification of built-up areas in and around the existing built-up areas are also identified as a major LU/LC change. The geostatistical analysis was performed to identify the relationship between LU/LC classes with drivers, which showed that built-up areas were more in topographically flat terrain with higher soil depth, and expanded more around the existing built-up areas; cropland areas were more at lower elevation and less sloppy terrain, and forest areas were more at higher elevation. The LU/LC scenario of 2025 was projected using a spatially explicit dynamic conversion of land use and its effects (Dyna-CLUE) modeling platform with the LU/LC change trends of past 10 years (2005-2015) and 20 years (1995-2015). The major LU/LC changes observed during 2005-2015 were built-up expansion by 36.53% and deciduous forest and cropland reduction by 0.35% and 0.45%, respectively. Thus, the corresponding predicted change during 2015-2025 estimated built-up expansion by 25.70% and deciduous forest and croplands loss by 0.43% and 0.35%, respectively. On the other hand, during 1995 to 2015, the total built-up expansion and deciduous forest and cropland reduction were observed 50.79%, 0.45%, and 0.73%, respectively. Thus, the predicted changes during 2015-2025 were estimated as 18.48% built-up expansion and 0.22% and 0.21% deciduous forest and cropland loss. However, with the conditions of restricted deforestation and less landscape modification, the LU/LC projections show less built-up area expansion, reducing the cropland, fallow land, plantation, and waste land. The reduced numbers of land cover conversions types during 2005-2015 compared with 1995-2005 indicate more stabilized landscape. The input LU/LC maps and statistical analysis demonstrated the landscape modifications and causes observed in the basin. The model projected LU/LC maps are giving insights to possible changes under multiple pathways, which will help the agriculture, forest, urban, and water resource planners and managers in improved policy-making processes.

Exploring the structure of Xe isotopes in A ~ 130 region: Single particle and collective excitations

High and medium spin structures of 130,131Xe have been studied using α-induced fusion-evaporation reaction and the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA) coupled with a digital data acquisition system. Various new band structures and near yrast levels of 131Xe have been established. The multipolarities of the observed transitions have been assigned on the basis of the DCO ratios and the polarization asymmetry measurements. Band structures based on 1-quasi-particle (qp), 3-qp configurations have been observed. A new Magnetic Rotational (MR) band based on 5-qp configuration has also been established in 131Xe. The MR band has been interpreted in terms of shears mechanism with principal axis cranking (SPAC) calculations. Shell Model calculations are carried out to describe the non yrast states of 131Xe above the 11/2− isomer. New excited states have also been identified in 130Xe, produced in the same reaction.

Effect of Wetting and Dewetting Dynamics on Atomic Force Microscopy Measurements

Water bridge dynamics between an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip and a flat substrate is studied by using a multibody dissipative particle dynamics (MDPD) model. First, the numerical model is validated by comparing the present results of droplet contact angles and liquid bridges with those reported in the literature. Then, the ability of MDPD to capture the meniscus shape and behavior for different operating conditions and geometric parameters is examined for both static and dynamic cases. Hence, several parametric studies and analyses of the AFM tip configuration and its operating conditions are reported. It is found that a critical capillary number of about 0.001 is calculated based on 5% change on the force measurements between the static and dynamic results. It is also demonstrated that the hysteresis behavior in the capillary force exerted on the AFM tip can be successfully predicted by using the MDPD model when the tip approaches or retracts from the substrate. Moreover, there is an excellent agreement in the results of breakup distance for different water bridge volumes between the predictions of the MDPD model and the theory. Also, the hysteresis of capillary force exerted on an AFM tip composed of multibody design is studied. The prediction on the transition of the capillary force vs distance between the AFM tip and the substrate is in good agreement with the experimental results. Therefore, we demonstrate a validated MDPD model which can successfully capture liquid bridge dynamics. This model can be used as a powerful design tool for meniscus manipulation technology, such as dip-pen nanolithography, as well as for studying dynamic, e.g., tapping mode AFM tip, interactions with a liquid bridge.

Depolarizing-Field Effects in Epitaxial Capacitor Heterostructures

We identify a transient enhancement of the depolarizing field, leading to an unexpected quench of net polarization, during the growth of a prototypical metal-ferroelectric-metal epitaxial system made of BaTiO_{3} and SrRuO_{3}. Reduced conductivity and, hence, charge screening efficiency in the early growth stage of the SrRuO_{3} top electrode promotes a breakdown of ferroelectric BaTiO_{3} into domains. We demonstrate how a thermal annealing procedure can recover the single-domain state. By tracking the polarization state in situ, using optical second harmonic generation, we bring new understanding to interface-related electrostatic effects in ferroelectric capacitors.

Neuronal clusterin expression is associated with cognitive protection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

AIMS

Clusterin is a topologically dynamic chaperone protein with the ability to participate in both intra- and extacellular proteostasis. Clusterin has been shown to be upregulated in the spinal cord of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has been shown to protect against TDP-43 protein misfolding in animal and cell models. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between the pathological burden of TDP-43 misfolding and cognitive deficits in ALS, demonstrating high specificity, but correspondingly low sensitivity owing to a subset of individuals with no evidence of cognitive deficits despite a high burden of TDP-43 pathology, called mismatch cases.

METHODS

Hypothesizing that differences in the ability to cope with protein misfolding in these cases may be due to differences in expression of protective mechanisms such as clusterin expression, we assessed the spatial expression of clusterin and another chaperone protein, HspB8, in post mortem brain tissue of mismatch cases. We employed a modified in situ hybridization technique called BaseScope, with single cell, single transcript resolution.

RESULTS

Mismatch cases demonstrated differential spatial expression of clusterin, with a predominantly neuronal pattern, compared to cases with cognitive manifestations of their TDP-43 pathology who demonstrated a predominantly glial distribution of expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that, in individuals with TDP-43 pathology, predominantly neuronal expression of clusterin in extra-motor brain regions may indicate a cell protective mechanism delaying clinical manifestations such as cognitive dysfunction.