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Objectives. To compare survival by gender and race among transgender and cisgender people enrolled in private insurance in the United States between 2011 and 2019. Methods. We examined Optum’s Clinformatics Data Mart Database. We identified transgender enrollees using claims related to gender-affirming care. Our analytic sample included those we identified as transgender and a 10% random sample of cisgender enrollees. We limited our sample to those 18 years or older who were non-Hispanic Black or White. We identified 18 033 transgender and more than 4 million cisgender enrollees. We fit Kaplan–Meier survival curves and calculated standardized mortality ratios while adjusting for census region. Results. Black transfeminine and nonbinary people assigned male sex at birth were 2.73 times more likely to die than other Black transgender people and 2.38 and 3.34 times more likely than Black cisgender men and women, respectively; similar results were found when White transfeminine and nonbinary people assigned male sex at birth were compared with White cisgender cohorts. Conclusions. Our findings highlight glaring inequities in mortality risks among Black transfeminine and nonbinary people assigned male sex at birth and underscore the need to monitor mortality risks in transgender populations and address the social conditions that increase these risks. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(10):1507–1514. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306963 )

Objective: To demonstrate sexual dimorphism in serum leptin levels not only during puberty, but also in childhood in Japan. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hamamatsu-Hokuen study in Japan. Subjects: Body weight and height were measured in normal-weight Japanese children and adolescents (143 boys, 178 girls), and 161 boys and 129 girls whose percentage of overweight for the standard (%Wt) was more than+25%. Serum leptin levels were compared with %Wt. Subjects were divided into group 1 (6–10 y of age) and group 2 (11–15 y of age) according to their age. Results: In overweight subjects, leptin was more highly correlated with %Wt in boys of group 2 (r=0.67, P

Background: The PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25 trial showed improved progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in homologous recombination deficient (HRD) positive patients treated with olaparib, but not when HRD negative (HRD tested with MyChoice CDx PLUS [Myriad test]). Patients and methods: The academic Leuven HRD test consists of capture-based targeted sequencing of genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms and coding exons of eight HR genes including BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53. We compared the predictive value of the Leuven HRD versus Myriad HRD test for PFS and OS in the randomised PAOLA-1 trial. Results: 468 patients had left-over DNA after Myriad testing for Leuven HRD testing. Positive/negative/overall percent agreement for the Leuven versus Myriad HRD status was 95%/86%/91%, respectively. Tumours were HRD+ in 55% and 52%, respectively. In Leuven HRD+ patients, 5 years PFS (5yPFS) was 48.6% versus 20.3% (HR 0.431; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.312–0.595) for olaparib versus placebo, respectively (Myriad test 0.409; 95% CI 0.292–0.572). In Leuven HRD+/BRCAwt patients 5yPFS was 41.3% versus 12.6% (HR 0.497; 95% CI 0.316–0.783), and 43.6% versus 13.3% (HR 0.435; 95% CI 0.261–0.727) for the Myriad test. 5yOS was prolonged in the HRD+ subgroup with both tests 67.2% versus 54.4% (HR 0.663; 95% CI 0.442–0.995) for the Leuven test, and 68.0% versus 51.8% (HR 0.596 95% CI 0.393–0.904) for the Myriad test. HRD status was undetermined in 10.7% and 9.4% of the samples, respectively. Conclusions: A robust correlation between the Leuven HRD and Myriad test was observed. For HRD+ tumours, the academic Leuven HRD showed a similar difference in PFS and OS as the Myriad test.

The article considers chronologies of events of the opening in the city of Irkutsk of the Irkutsk branch of the Society of struggle with contagious diseases, located in St.Petersburg. It is emphasized that socially necessary need for protection against contagious diseases contributed to organization of the Branch of the Society of Struggle with Contagious Diseases. The history of organization of the structure of the Society's branch, the criteria of recruiting the founding members, collaborating members and competing members, including description of their duties are explored. The mechanism of formation of financial allocations and the state of available capital owned by the Branch of the Society are studied. The structure of financial expenses is demonstrated. The role of benefactors and donations collected for needs of struggle with contagious diseases are emphasized. The correspondence of well-known honorary citizens of Irkutsk concerning issues of increasing the number of donations is presented. The objectives and tasks of the Branch of the Society related to struggle with contagious diseases are considered. The necessity of spreading health culture among population to prevent occurrence of contagious diseases is demonstrated. The conclusion is made about progressive role of the Branch of the Society in the Irkutsk Guberniya.

INTRODUCTION: In the 330-patient ADVOCATE trial of avacopan for the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, in which 81% of patients had renal involvement, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased on average 7.3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the avacopan group and 4.1 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the prednisone group (P = 0.029) at week 52. This new analysis examines the results in the patient subgroup with severe renal insufficiency at enrollment into the trial, i.e., eGFR ≤20 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). METHODS: eGFR was determined at baseline and over the course of the trial. Changes in eGFR were compared between the 2 treatment groups. RESULTS: In ADVOCATE, 27 of 166 patients (16%) in the avacopan group and 23 of 164 patients (14%) in the prednisone group had a baseline eGFR ≤20 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). At week 52, eGFR increased on average 16.1 and 7.7 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the avacopan and prednisone groups, respectively (P = 0.003). The last eGFR value measured during the 52-week treatment period was ≥2-fold higher than baseline in 41% of patients in the avacopan group compared to 13% in the prednisone group (P = 0.030). More patients in the avacopan group versus prednisone group had increases in eGFR above 20, 30, and 45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), respectively. Serious adverse events occurred in 13 of 27 patients (48%) in the avacopan group and 16 of 23 patients (70%) in the prednisone group. CONCLUSION: Among patients with baseline eGFR ≤20 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the ADVOCATE trial, eGFR improved more in the avacopan group than in the prednisone group.

Fluvial point bar deposits are described from the ca. 1 Ga Diabaig Formation, representing some of the most compelling architectural evidence of planform sinuosity recognized in pre-vegetation sedimentary strata to date. The stratigraphic architecture of the deposits indicates different planform transformations in response to meander-bend expansion and downstream migration. Point bar architectural motifs are locally abundant in the unit and this is attributed to elevated amounts of mud-calibre cohesive sediment. Mud afforded landscape stability that, together with limited stream power, was sufficient to corral sediment into single-thread, sinuous channels. Significant volumes of fine-grained sediment were encouraged to accumulate by the local basin setting of several topographically confined endorheic depressions. These conditions ceased once the hydrologically closed valleys were filled, with the overlying sandstone-dominated Applecross Formation subsequently deposited by low-sinuosity, braided rivers that bypassed fine-grained sediment oceanward. Other endorheic basins conducive to the formation of depositional meanders should be expected to have been relatively widespread on pre-vegetation Earth, though many individually limited in size, confined by their inherited topographies. Depositional architectures representative of sinuous channel planforms remain scarce within more extensive, externally drained basins.

Vertical stress fractures of the patella are rare, with only a handful of bilateral cases reported. Stress fractures in the athletic community are often due to repetitive strain and submaximal loading, with minimal recovery time. An Olympic marathon runner in her 30s presented with right anterolateral knee pain. MRI revealed an acutely displaced vertical fracture of the lateral patella. After failure of non-operative treatment, she underwent surgical excision of the fracture fragment and lateral patellofemoral retinacular repair. Despite return to light training pain-free 3 weeks after surgery, she presented 2 months later with a contralateral vertical patella stress fracture. On this occasion, early operative treatment was performed with early return to training and resolution of symptoms.This is the first reported case of bilateral vertical patellar stress fractures in an athlete treated with excision of the fracture fragment. This is an excellent option for elite athletes who require a quick postoperative recovery, complete resolution of symptoms and early return to preinjury level of sport.

We present a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy following recreational ingestion of Psilocybe semilanceata (known as ‘magic mushrooms’). The patient presented with respiratory distress and pulmonary oedema responding to standard medical measures. Investigations included: echocardiogram, cardiac MRI and angiogram. Based on our search, we suggest this is only the second recognised case in the published literature.

Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) is an X-linked disease caused by loss-of-function variants in the filamin A (

We describe the case of a patient with the rare complication of a chronic postaural fistula following repeated and extensive surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy to the head and neck for a pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. This case demonstrates the importance and value of thorough preoperative planning for major head and neck reconstruction, particularly if the area for reconstruction has distorted anatomy due to prior treatment or damage. In complex free flap reconstruction, it is important to investigate the recipient site with the help of arteriography and give due consideration to the donor site and its postoperative management. We highlight the importance of multidisciplinary work for the care of these patients not only intraoperatively, but also in the preoperative planning stage, and perhaps most importantly in the postoperative care.

Mucus fishing syndrome is a chronic inflammatory ocular surface condition characterised by repetitive self-extraction of mucous strands from the eye.A man in his 30s presented with bilateral ocular redness, itch, irritation, tearing and sticky mucoid discharge for 3 months. Examination disclosed bilateral bulbar and tarsal conjunctival injection. Fluorescein staining disclosed a well-circumscribed area of tarsal conjunctival epithelial defect near the inferior lacrimal punctum in both eyes. The patient admitted to a habit of mechanically removing mucus from his eyes several times a day. Demonstration of the mucus extraction process disclosed direct contact of his fingers with the excoriated tarsal conjunctiva in each eye. He was diagnosed with mucus fishing syndrome and his condition resolved within a month after he stopped fishing mucus from his eyes and had a course of topical antibiotics and steroids.Mucus fishing syndrome is an important diagnostic consideration in patients with chronic conjunctivitis.

After more than three months of lava dome extrusion, La Soufrière (St. Vincent) transitioned to a series of explosive eruptions in April 2021. Here we present a time-series petrologic analysis of the phenocryst and microlite populations during the first ∼48 hours of explosivity to constrain ascent conditions and processes that drove changes in behavior. Primary eruptive products were crystal-rich (45-50 vol%) basaltic andesites with similar phenocryst phase assemblages and compositions. The change in eruptive style is consistent with overpresurization as a consequence of second boiling from anhydrous microlite crystallization. The microlites display variation between the explosive phases, with two populations: 1) “inherited” - normally zoned high-An plagioclase (>An70) + olivine (Fo62-79) + clinopyroxene + titanomagnetite, inferred to have crystallized at depths >15 km and high water pressures; 2) “juvenile” - unzoned plagioclase (An45-65) + clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + intermediate pyroxene (Wo12-38) + titanomagnetite, inferred to have crystallized upon ascent due to decompression and degassing. Scoria from the first explosions featured extensive groundmass crystallization and a significant “inherited” microlite population. Later explosions had a more abundant “juvenile” microlite population and lower crystallinity, consistent with more rapid ascent from depth, initiated by decompression following initial blasts and destruction of the lava dome. Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6534864

The analysis of main approaches to determining essence of health-improving tourism in works of national scientists and researchers is presented. The conclusions are made that the most widespread classification of health-improving tourism is its division into medical and health-improving tourism. The medical tourism includes such its types as medical and sanatorium-health resort, and health-improving tourism covers balneologic, SPA-tourism, Wellness-tourism. The difference between medical and health-improving tourism is determined in order to regulate received services. The author's structure of medical and health-improving services, types of tourism and specialized organizations is developed. The analysis of supply and demand for health-improving tourism in 2014-2020 is presented. The main trends of development of health-improving segment in context of such its directions as increasing of SPA and Wellness industry, development of medical tourism, increasing of return on health tourism are formulated. The factors constraining development and reducing competitiveness of health-improving tourism in Russia are identified and structured.

In Russia, the orphan diseases for many years are the object of intent attention both of the national legislation and health care system. The lower prevalence of these diseases in population causes predicaments to timely diagnosis, drug provision and medical care. Besides, absence of integrated approach to issues of diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases contribute nothing to fast solving of actual problems in this field. Frequently, impossibility to get necessary course of treatment forces patients with orphan diseases to seek for alternative sources. The article assesses current situation with medications support of patients suffering from diseases included in the list of life-threatening and chronic progressive rare (orphan) diseases that result in shortening life-span or disability and diseases included in the Federal Program “The 14 high-cost nosologies”. The issues of keeping record of patients and financing medications purchase are touched upon. The study results identified problems of organization of medication support of patients with orphan diseases associated with complexity of accounting their number and absence of integral system of preferential medication support.

The article presents the results of examination of opinions of residents of the North Caucasus Federal District concerning healthy urban planning issues. The most residents of large cities are satisfied with infrastructure of their city, while residents of small towns are less satisfied with it. The prioritization of importance of solving various problems of urban life, opinions of residents are not solidary and differ depending on age and place of residence of respondents. For example, construction of playgrounds is a priority for residents of reproductive age from small towns. Only one out of ten of respondents would like to participate in strategy of development of their cities of residence.

This research provides an overview of the main component of forest ecosystems in northern Europe, the tree layer formed by the Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L .) species. The studied communities are located in the immediate vicinity of the largest plant in Europe, OAO Severonickel (Monchegorsk, Murmansk region). The main pollutants are polymetallic dust containing elements such as Cu, Ni and Co (which are by-products of processing and smelting non-ferrous ores) and sulfur dioxide - SO2 (which is formed during the primary processing of ores, the so-called “roasting”). The first permanent trial plots (PPPs) in this region were established in the early 1970s. Since the second half of the 1990s, the plant has significantly reduced the amount of aerotechnogenic emissions, as evidenced by the data noted by some researchers at that time. The cumulative nature of the accumulation (and release) of polymetallic dust led to the fact that, starting from the time the ore processing plant reduced its capacity, the concentration of metals contained in the soil and plant organs decreased to a certain level. We present the materials obtained in the course of field research in 2015-2018.

The first ten years of the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich were distinguished by extreme turbulence. The unsuccessful actions of the “government” of the boyar Morozov provoked chain of city riots which reached their apogee in famous “Salt Riot” in the capital. After that, religious feuding began that in near future resulted in the Schism. Afterwards, Russia, after long hesitation, entered the war with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that as it turned out, prolonged 13 years. Finally, in 1654, after long break, the plague again visited Russia. The plague pestilence of 1654-1655 was relatively transient (it began in summer and gradually faded away with the onset of winter), however very deadly and shook both the Russian state and Russian society to the ground. It disrupted habitual regular way of life and unsettled all and everything. The authors propose original version of origin of this epidemic and reconstruct its course and consequences on the basis of evidence of contemporaries and extant documents.

In this paper, symmetric and antisymmetric plane problems about the action of oscillating load on the boundary of an elastic isotropic nanothin layer are considered. The nanoscale layer thickness is considered by introducing surface stresses in accordance with the Gurtin-Murdoch theory. According to this theory, it is assumed that, in addition to external loads, surface stresses act on the layer boundaries, which are described by Hooke's “surface” law. As a result, the properties of the elastic material of the layer with nanoscale thickness become different from the properties of the material of a regular-sized body, which is typical for nanomechanics problems. A standard technique was used for the solution of formulated problems, including the application of limiting absorption principle, the Fourier transform over infinitely extended coordinate and the theory of residues for finding the inverse Fourier transform. It is shown how it is possible to obtain solutions in the form of series in natural waves, in which the wave numbers are defined as the roots of the corresponding dispersion equations. For a specific example, dispersion relations were studied and graphs of the first dispersion curves were plotted. The behavior of barrier frequencies, changes in wave numbers and zones of existence of backward waves at different nanoscale layer thicknesses are analyzed. The results of the analysis showed that for an ultrathin layer, surface effects have a significant impact on the dispersion relations, and the trends in the dispersion curves can differ significantly for different modes and layer thicknesses.

Abstract: Progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) have continued to baffle medical science, despite strides in the understanding of their pathology. The inability of currently available therapies to halt disease progression is a testament to an incomplete understanding of pathways crucial to disease initiation, progression and management. Science has continued to link the activities and equilibrium of the gut microbiome to the health and proper functioning of brain neurons. They also continue to stir interest in the potential applications of technologies that may shift the balance of the gut microbiome towards achieving a favourable outcome in PD management. There have been suggestions that an improved understanding of the roles of the gut microbiota is likely to lead to the emergence of an era where their manipulation becomes a recognized strategy for PD management. This review examines the current state of our journey in the quest to understand how gut microbiota can influence several aspects of PD. We highlight the relationship between the gut microbiome/ microbiota and PD pathogenesis, as well as preclinical and clinical evidence evaluating the effect of postbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics in PD management. This is with a view to ascertaining if we are at the threshold of discovering the application of a usable tool in our quest for disease modifying therapies in PD.

This paper investigates a high power-factor permanent magnet vernier machine (PMVM) equipped with low-coupling hybrid concentrated-winding (CW). The proposed hybrid-CW, carrying both star- and delta-winding sets, exhibits a good filtering property to both sub- and super-order harmonics. Through the meticulous design of the short coil pitch, the ratio of inductance to magnet flux linkage is decreased, leading to a great improvement in power factor. The proposed low-coupling winding design contributes to further power factor improvement by reducing the inductance while retaining the magnet flux linkage. It is revealed that the mutual coupling between different coils of single phase and that between different windings of three phases are suppressed significantly in the hybrid-CW, thus leading to high power factor and potentially high fault tolerance. Finite element results show that the proposed hybrid-CW PMVM exhibits a significantly improved power factor up to 0.96 from 0.83 and 0.75, as compared with two counterpart PMVMs with open-slot and split-tooth structures, respectively. Benefiting from the magnetic gearing effect, the proposed PMVM has a promising active torque density of 40 Nm/L. Taking end-winding volume into consideration, the proposed PMVM exhibits an actual torque density of 21.98 Nm/L, which is 22.52% and 52.43% higher than the investigated open-slot and split-tooth counterpart PMVMs. Finally, a prototype is fabricated and tested to validate the high-power-factor and high-torque-density features of the proposed hybrid-CW PMVM. National Research Foundation (NRF) Submitted/Accepted version This work was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its NRF fellowship Grant NRF-NRFF12-2020-0003.

Abstract: Resistance to chemotherapy poses a major challenge for cancer treatment. Reactivating a stem cell program resembling that seen in embryonic development can lead cancer cells to acquire a stem-cell phenotype characterized by expression of stemness genes, pluripotency, high self-renewal ability, and tumor-initiating capability. These cancer stem cells (CSCs) are usually resistant to anticancer drugs and are likely involved in treatment failure in many cancer types. Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a pediatric cancer type typically resulting from a typical genetic alteration affecting bone or soft tissues. Despite advances in treatment, survival prognostic remains poor for patients with refractory or recurrent disease. Here, we review the increasing evidence indicating that ES tumors contain a CSC subpopulation expressing stem cell genes, including BM1, OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2, that plays a role in resistance to drug treatment, and current experimental strategies that successfully counteract chemoresistance mediated by CSCs in ES.

This paper proposes a double-sided flux concentrated permanent magnet linear machine (DS-FCPMLM) with saturation relieving effect. With the adoption of slot PMs, DS-FCPMLM can effectively relieve the primary saturation and greatly improve the thrust force density. First, the machine topology and operation principle are introduced. Then, the flux generation mechanism under dual PMs and complementary structure is analytically calculated based on magnetomotive force-permeance model, and further verified by finite element analysis. In addition, some electromagnetic performances including open-circuit characteristic, thrust force performances, demagnetization risk and power factor are comparatively studied. With the help of slot PMs, DS-FCPMLM can significantly improve the thrust force density by 63.4% compared with that only has yoke PMs, and the overload capability can be extended to nearly 4 times of the rated value. More importantly, DS-FCPMLM only consumes 1/30 PM volumes while can achieve 72.2% thrust force density compared with conventional PMLMs for a long stroke with 10 meters. Finally, a prototype of the DS-FCPMLM is carried out for experimental validation. National Research Foundation (NRF) Submitted/Accepted version This work was supported in part by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its NRF Fellowship Grant NRF-NRFF12-2020-0003 and in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 52107060 and Grant 52177061.

BACKGROUND: Enrichment strategies from clinical trials for progressive systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) have not been tested in a real-life cohort.RESEARCH QUESTION: Do enrichment strategies for progressive ILD impact efficacy, repre-sentativeness, and feasibility in patients with SSc-ILD from the European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database?STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We applied the inclusion criteria of major recent SSc-ILD trials (Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab in Participants With Systemic Sclerosis [focuSSced], Scleroderma Lung Study II [SLS II], and Safety and Efficacy of Nintedanib in Systemic Sclerosis [SENSCIS]) and assessed progressive ILD, which was defined as absolute change in FVC and as significant progression (FVC decline $10%). Data were compared with all patients and with patients who did not fulfill any inclusion criteria. RESULTS: In total, 2,258 patients with SSc-ILD were included: 31.2% of the patients met SENSCIS criteria; 5.8% of the patients met SLS II criteria; 1.6% of the patients met focuSSced criteria, and 67.7% (1,529) of the patients did not meet any criteria. In the first 12 + 3 months, the absolute FVC decline in all patients and in patients who fulfilled criteria from SENSCIS was -0.1%, in patients who fulfilled criteria from focuSSced was -3.7%, and in patients who fulfilled criteria from SLS II was 2.3%, with accompanying more progressors in focuSSced. The patient populations that fulfilled the different study inclusion criteria significantly differed in various clinical parameters. In the second 12-month period, SENSCIS-enriched patients had a further absolute FVC% decline as described for the total cohort. In contrast, patients who fulfilled the focuSSced and SLS II criteria showed numeric improvement of lung function. There were no significant associations of enrichment criteria and ILD progression.INTERPRETATION: The application of enrichment criteria from previous clinical trials showed enrichment for progression with variable success, which led to selected patient populations reducing feasibility of recruitment. These findings are important for future clinical trial design and interpretation of the results of published trials.CHEST 2023; 163(3):586-598

Transmission spectroscopy of exoplanets has revealed signatures of water vapor, aerosols, and alkali metals in a few dozen exoplanet atmospheres. However, these previous inferences with the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes were hindered by the observations' relatively narrow wavelength range and spectral resolving power, which precluded the unambiguous identification of other chemical species$-$in particular the primary carbon-bearing molecules. Here we report a broad-wavelength 0.5-5.5 $\mu$m atmospheric transmission spectrum of WASP-39 b, a 1200 K, roughly Saturn-mass, Jupiter-radius exoplanet, measured with JWST NIRSpec's PRISM mode as part of the JWST Transiting Exoplanet Community Early Release Science Team program. We robustly detect multiple chemical species at high significance, including Na (19$\sigma$), H$_2$O (33$\sigma$), CO$_2$ (28$\sigma$), and CO (7$\sigma$). The non-detection of CH$_4$, combined with a strong CO$_2$ feature, favours atmospheric models with a super-solar atmospheric metallicity. An unanticipated absorption feature at 4$\mu$m is best explained by SO$_2$ (2.7$\sigma$), which could be a tracer of atmospheric photochemistry. These observations demonstrate JWST's sensitivity to a rich diversity of exoplanet compositions and chemical processes., Comment: 41 pages, 4 main figures, 10 extended data figures, 4 tables. Under review in Nature

We use the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory to search for air showers initiated by photons with an energy above 1019 eV. Photons in the zenith angle range from 30∘ to 60∘ can be identified in the overwhelming background of showers initiated by charged cosmic rays through the broader time structure of the signals induced in the water-Cherenkov detectors of the array and the steeper lateral distribution of shower particles reaching ground. Applying the search method to data collected between January 2004 and June 2020, upper limits at 95% CL are set to an E-2 diffuse flux of ultra-high energy photons above 1019 eV, 2 × 1019 eV and 4 × 1019 eV amounting to 2.11 × 10-3, 3.12 × 10-4 and 1.72 × 10-4 km-2 sr-1 yr-1, respectively. While the sensitivity of the present search around 2 × 1019 eV approaches expectations of cosmogenic photon fluxes in the case of a pure-proton composition, it is one order of magnitude above those from more realistic mixed-composition models. The inferred limits have also implications for the search of super-heavy dark matter that are discussed and illustrated.

Cowpeas are of high socioeconomic importance in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, whereby the search for alternatives that offer increased productivity with financial returns has become an important challenge. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate and evaluate the economic indicators of cowpea production in 2015 and 2016 when applying drip irrigation to different depths. Irrigation treatments were based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The experiment was laid in a randomized complete blocks design with four treatments (0, 25, 50, and 100% ETc) and six replications. For economic analysis, the results were extrapolated to an area of one hectare. Productivity in 2015 was lower than that in 2016; however, in all treatments, it was always higher when plants were grown under adequate water supply. In both years, the total operating costs were higher under irrigation than under rainfed conditions. The 100% ETc treatment resulted in a greater number of cowpea bags (60 kg) produced and a higher gross revenue than the rainfed treatment by 17 bags ha-1, equivalent to 1,020 kg ha-1 (gross revenue US$ 711.48) and 16 bags ha-1, equivalent to 960 kg ha-1 (gross revenue US$ 867.12), in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Water deficit limited cowpea yield in both years but made cultivation economically unfeasible only in 2015. RESUMO O feijão-caupi apresenta grande importância socioeconômica nas regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil, sendo que a busca por alternativas que ofereçam aumento de produtividade com retorno financeiro tem se tornado um importante desafio. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar e avaliar os indicadores econômicos da produção de feijão-caupi nos anos de 2015 e 2016 quando da aplicação de irrigação por gotejamento em diferentes lâminas. Os tratamentos de irrigação foram baseados na evapotranspiração da cultura (ETc). O experimento foi instalado em blocos ao acaso com quatro tratamentos (0, 25, 50 e 100% da ETc) e seis repetições. Para análise econômica, os resultados foram extrapolados para uma área de um hectare. A produtividade em 2015 foi inferior à de 2016; porém, em todos os tratamentos, a produtividade foi sempre maior quando as plantas foram cultivadas sob irrigação adequada. Em ambos os anos, os custos operacionais totais foram maiores sob irrigação do que sob condições de sequeiro. O tratamento 100% ETc resultou em maior número de sacas de feijão-caupi (60 kg) produzidas e receita bruta superior ao tratamento de sequeiro em 17 sacas ha-1, equivalente a 1.020 kg ha-1 (receita bruta US$ 711,48) e 16 sacas ha-1, equivalente a 960 kg ha-1 (receita bruta US$ 867,12), em 2015 e 2016, respectivamente. A deficiência hídrica limitou a produtividade do feijão-caupi nos dois anos, mas inviabilizou economicamente o cultivo apenas em 2015.

The employment of a suitable radioactive decay spectroscopy setup is essential for the operation of radioactive ion beam (RIB) facilities. CERN-ISOLDE recently developed a new fast tape station (FTS) setup to replace its more than 40 years old predecessor. The new FTS is equipped with several β-detectors, a HPGe-detector, provisions for an α-detector, and constitutes a significant improvement in terms of transport times and detector noise characteristics. Since 2021 it is routinely used as the primary asset for yield determination and quality control of produced RIBs at ISOLDE. We address in this work its technical features and introduce the utilized control system.

About one hundred magnets of six different types shall be installed in the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) in the years 2026-2028 at CERN. The magnets design, construction and test are based on CERN collaborations with institutes and industrial partners in USA, Spain, Italy, Japan and China. Three types of correctors are based on Nb‒Ti technology and feature conductor peak fields in the 2 to 4 T range: for all of them the prototype phase has been successfully completed. The production is well advanced for the superferric correctors, and is starting for the canted cosine theta correctors and for the nested correctors. The separation and recombination Nb‒Ti dipoles D1 and D2, with a 4.5-6 T bore field range, are both in the prototype phase after the completion of the short model program. The most challenging magnet, the Nb3Sn quadrupole with conductor peak field above 11 T, is in the prototype phase at CERN and halfway through the production phase in the USA. In this paper we will give, for each type of magnet, an overview of the main achievements obtained so far and we will outline the technical points still needing validation from the prototype program.