Search

Abstract We report on a search for double beta decay of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$ 130Te to the first $$0^{+}$$ 0+ excited state of $$^{130}\hbox {Xe}$$ 130Xe using a $$9.8\,\hbox {kg}\cdot \hbox {yr}$$ 9.8kg·yr exposure of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$ 130Te collected with the CUORE-0 experiment. In this work we exploit different topologies of coincident events to search for both the neutrinoless and two-neutrino double beta decay modes. We find no evidence for either mode and place lower bounds on the half-lives: $$T^{0\nu }_{0^+_1}>7.9\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+0ν>7.9·1023yr and $$T^{2\nu }_{0^+_1}>2.4\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+2ν>2.4·1023yr ($$90\%\,\hbox {CL}$$ 90%CL ). Combining our results with those obtained by the CUORICINO experiment, we achieve the most stringent constraints available for these processes: $$T^{0\nu }_{0^+_1}>1.4\cdot 10^{24}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+0ν>1.4·1024yr and $$T^{2\nu }_{0^+_1}>2.5\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+2ν>2.5·1023yr ($$90\%\,\hbox {CL}$$ 90%CL ).

Abstract COSINE is a dark matter search experiment based on an array of low background NaI(Tl) crystals located at the Yangyang underground laboratory. The assembly of COSINE-100 was completed in the summer of 2016 and the detector is currently collecting physics quality data aimed at reproducing the DAMA/LIBRA experiment that reported an annual modulation signal. Stable operation has been achieved and will continue for at least 2 years. Here, we describe the design of COSINE-100, including the shielding arrangement, the configuration of the NaI(Tl) crystal detection elements, the veto systems, and the associated operational systems, and we show the current performance of the experiment.

Abstract CUORE is a tonne-scale cryogenic detector operating at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) that uses tellurium dioxide bolometers to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of $$^{130}$$ 130 Te. CUORE is also suitable to search for low energy rare events such as solar axions or WIMP scattering, thanks to its ultra-low background and large target mass. However, to conduct such sensitive searches requires improving the energy threshold to 10 keV. In this paper, we describe the analysis techniques developed for the low energy analysis of CUORE-like detectors, using the data acquired from November 2013 to March 2015 by CUORE-0, a single-tower prototype designed to validate the assembly procedure and new cleaning techniques of CUORE. We explain the energy threshold optimization, continuous monitoring of the trigger efficiency, data and event selection, and energy calibration at low energies in detail. We also present the low energy background spectrum of CUORE-0 below $$60 \, \mathrm {keV}$$ 60 keV . Finally, we report the sensitivity of CUORE to WIMP annual modulation using the CUORE-0 energy threshold and background, as well as an estimate of the uncertainty on the nuclear quenching factor from nuclear recoils inCUORE-0.

Abstract The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of $$^{130}$$ 130 Te with an array of 988 TeO $$_2$$ 2 bolometers operating at temperatures around 10 mK. The experiment is currently being commissioned in Hall A of Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy. The goal of CUORE is to reach a 90% C.L. exclusion sensitivity on the $$^{130}$$ 130 Te decay half-life of 9 $$\times $$ × 10 $$^{25}$$ 25 years after 5 years of data taking. The main issue to be addressed to accomplish this aim is the rate of background events in the region of interest, which must not be higher than 10 $$^{-2}$$ - 2 counts/keV/kg/year. We developed a detailed Monte Carlo simulation, based on results from a campaign of material screening, radioassays, and bolometric measurements, to evaluate the expected background. This was used over the years to guide the construction strategies of the experiment and we use it here to project a background model for CUORE. In this paper we report the results of our study and our expectations for the background rate in the energy region where the peak signature of neutrinoless double beta decay of $$^{130}$$ 130 Te is expected.

Abstract We report a study of the CUORE sensitivity to neutrinoless double beta ( $$0\nu \beta \beta $$ 0 ν β β ) decay. We used a Bayesian analysis based on a toy Monte Carlo (MC) approach to extract the exclusion sensitivity to the $$0\nu \beta \beta $$ 0 ν β β decay half-life ( $$T_{1/2}^{\,0\nu }$$ T 1 / 2 0 ν ) at $$90\%$$ 90 % credibility interval (CI) – i.e. the interval containing the true value of $$T_{1/2}^{\,0\nu }$$ T 1 / 2 0 ν with $$90\%$$ 90 % probability – and the $$3~\sigma $$ 3 σ discovery sensitivity. We consider various background levels and energy resolutions, and describe the influence of the data division in subsets with different background levels. If the background level and the energy resolution meet the expectation, CUORE will reach a $$90\%$$ 90 % CI exclusion sensitivity of $$2\cdot 10^{25}$$ 2 · 10 25 year with 3 months, and $$9\cdot 10^{25}$$ 9 · 10 25 year with 5 years of live time. Under the same conditions, the discovery sensitivity after 3 months and 5 years will be $$7\cdot 10^{24}$$ 7 · 10 24 year and $$4\cdot 10^{25}$$ 4 · 10 25 year, respectively.

Ocean acidification is spreading globally as a result of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, but the Baltic Sea has until recently been thought to be relatively well-buffered by terrigenous inputs of alkalinity from its watershed. We discovered a 3- to 5-fold decline in boron (as B : Ca) in otoliths of eastern Baltic cod (EBC) between the late 1990s and 2021. Examining a time series of EBC otoliths, we found varying levels of B : Ca starting in the 1980s, with the most recent years showing an all-time low for this period. This trend correlates with declines in pH and dissolved oxygen but not with changes in salinity. We examined possible physiological influences on B : Ca by including a collection of Icelandic cod as an “out-group”. Icelandic cod otoliths showed strongly positive correlations of B : Ca with physiologically regulated P : Ca; this was not the case for EBC. Finally, B : Ca in EBC otoliths is negatively correlated, to some extent, with Mn : Mg, a proposed proxy for hypoxia exposure. This negative relationship is hypothesized to reflect the dual phenomena of hypoxia and acidification as a result of decomposition of large algal blooms. Taken together, the otolith biomarkers Mn : Mg and B : Ca in cod suggest a general increase in both hypoxia and acidification within the Baltic intermediate and deep waters in the last decade.

ObjectiveTo provide a review of prediction models that have been used to measure clinical or pathological progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).DesignScoping review.Data sourcesMedline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Scopus from the year 2011 to 17th February 2022.Study selectionAll English written studies that are published in peer-reviewed journals in any country, that developed at least a statistical or computational model that predicted the risk of CKD progression.Data extractionEligible studies for full text review were assessed on the methods that were used to predict the progression of CKD. The type of information extracted included: the author(s), title of article, year of publication, study dates, study location, number of participants, study design, predicted outcomes, type of prediction model, prediction variables used, validation assessment, limitations and implications.ResultsFrom 516 studies, 33 were included for full-text review. A qualitative analysis of the articles was compared following the extracted information. The study populations across the studies were heterogenous and data acquired by the studies were sourced from different levels and locations of healthcare systems. 31 studies implemented supervised models, and 2 studies included unsupervised models. Regardless of the model used, the predicted outcome included measurement of risk of progression towards end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) of related definitions, over given time intervals. However, there is a lack of reporting consistency on details of the development of their prediction models.ConclusionsResearchers are working towards producing an effective model to provide key insights into the progression of CKD. This review found that cox regression modelling was predominantly used among the small number of studies in the review. This made it difficult to perform a comparison between ML algorithms, more so when different validation methods were used in different cohort types. There needs to be increased investment in a more consistent and reproducible approach for future studies looking to develop risk prediction models for CKD progression.