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OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of a circulating warm water blanket (WWB) in combination with a heated humidified breathing circuit (HHBC) heated to 45 °C on rectal temperature (RT) in dogs undergoing general anesthesia for elective ovariohysterectomies. ANIMALS 29 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs in the experimental group (n = 8) and dogs in the control group (21) were connected to an HHBC and a conventional rebreathing circuit, respectively. All dogs were placed on a WWB in the operating room (OR). The RT was recorded at baseline, premedication, induction, transfer to OR, every 15 minutes during maintenance of anesthesia, and extubation. Incidence of hypothermia (RT < 37 °C) at extubation was recorded. Data were analyzed using unpaired t tests, the Fisher exact test, and mixed-effect ANOVA. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS There was no difference in RT during baseline, premedication, induction, and transfer to OR. The overall RT was higher for the HHBC group during anesthesia (P = .005) and at extubation (37.7 ± 0.6 °C) compared with the control group (36.6 ± 1.0 °C; P = .006). The incidence of hypothermia at extubation was 12.5% for the HHBC group and 66.7% for the control group (P = .014). CLINICAL RELEVANCE The combination of HHBC and WWB can reduce the incidence of postanesthetic hypothermia in dogs. Use of an HHBC should be considered in veterinary patients.

OBJECTIVE To test whether the use of a flexible endotracheal tube introducer (ETI) facilitates intubation of cats by veterinary students with little or no experience. ANIMALS 125 healthy cats. PROCEDURES Cats were sedated with dexmedetomidine and morphine IM, and anesthesia was induced with propofol. They were randomly assigned to be intubated by supervised veterinary students using an ETI within a tracheal tube or an endotracheal tube alone (3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 internal diameter sizes). Success rate at first attempt, number of attempts to intubate (up to 3), and time to intubate were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test associations between several factors such as use of an ETI, cat’s weight, endotracheal tube size, administration of ketamine for sedation, and first-attempt success. Significance was considered when P < 0.05. RESULTS Success rate for the first attempt was higher with an ETI (79% [51/64) than without it (46% [28/61]), and attempts to intubate were fewer when an ETI was used (both P < 0.001). Time to intubate did not differ between groups (ETI, 30 seconds [4 to 143 seconds]; endotracheal tube, 28 seconds [5 to 180 seconds]). Use of an ETI was positively associated with improved first-attempt success, and the 3.0-mm internal diameter of the tube was negatively associated (both P ≤ 0.001). CLINICAL RELEVANCE The use of a flexible ETI improved the success of first-attempt intubation of cats by veterinary students. This technique may help minimize the number of attempts during intubation and incidence of complications that could arise from multiple attempts.

Radiological technologists in nuclear medicine departments (NMRTs) are exposed to higher radiation doses than other nuclear medicine staff. Consequently, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency recommends using a 0.5-mm lead equivalence protective apron (PA) for staff with radiation exposure > 800 MBq of 99mTc. However, 0.5 mm PA is heavy and cumbersome to use. We evaluated the effectiveness of a 0.25 mm lead equivalence lightweight protective apron (L-PA) for NMRT radiation exposure during daily nuclear medicine procedures. The work was performed both with a phantom and in a real situation in our study. The phantom study was conducted with five radioisotopes (RI) placed 0.5 m from the human phantom with and without L-PA. In the clinical study, NMRT recorded the radiation dose for 20 days inside and outside the L-PA using clinical agents (140 examinations). In the phantom study, L-PA decreased the measured doses by 63% with 201Tl, 41% with 99mTc, 27% with 67Ga, 33% with 123I, and 10% with 131I. In the clinical study, L-PA reduced the average dose per day by 43%. Therefore, L-PA could have sufficient shielding ability for daily work, mainly using 99mTc, and could be recommended by considering PA weight.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a constant rate infusion of ketamine on cardiac index (CI) in sheep, as estimated using noninvasive cardiac output (NICO) monitoring by partial carbon dioxide rebreathing, when anesthetized with sevoflurane at the previously determined minimum alveolar concentration that blunts adrenergic responses (MACBAR). ANIMALS 12 healthy Dorset-crossbred adult sheep. PROCEDURES Sheep were anesthetized 2 times in a balanced placebo-controlled crossover design. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane delivered via a tight-fitting face mask and maintained at MACBAR. Following induction, sheep received either ketamine (1.5 mg/kg IV, followed by a constant rate infusion of 1.5 mg/kg/h) or an equivalent volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (placebo). After an 8-day washout period, each sheep received the alternate treatment. NICO measurements were performed in triplicate 20 minutes after treatment administration and were converted to CI. Blood samples were collected prior to the start of NICO measurements for analysis of ketamine plasma concentrations. The paired t test was used to compare CI values between groups and the ketamine plasma concentrations with those achieved during the previous study. RESULTS Mean ± SD CI of the ketamine and placebo treatments were 2.69 ± 0.65 and 2.57 ± 0.53 L/min/m2, respectively. No significant difference was found between the 2 treatments. Mean ketamine plasma concentration achieved prior to the NICO measurement was 1.37 ± 0.58 µg/mL, with no significant difference observed between the current and prior study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ketamine, at the dose administered, did not significantly increase the CI in sheep when determined by partial carbon dioxide rebreathing.

The CUORE experiment is a large bolometric array searching for the lepton number violating neutrino-less double beta decay ( $$0\nu \beta \beta $$ 0 ν β β ) in the isotope $$\mathrm {^{130}Te}$$ 130 Te . In this work we present the latest results on two searches for the double beta decay (DBD) of $$\mathrm {^{130}Te}$$ 130 Te to the first $$0^{+}_2$$ 0 2 + excited state of $$\mathrm {^{130}Xe}$$ 130 Xe : the $$0\nu \beta \beta $$ 0 ν β β decay and the Standard Model-allowed two-neutrinos double beta decay ( $$2\nu \beta \beta $$ 2 ν β β ). Both searches are based on a 372.5 kg $$\times $$ × yr TeO $$_2$$ 2 exposure. The de-excitation gamma rays emitted by the excited Xe nucleus in the final state yield a unique signature, which can be searched for with low background by studying coincident events in two or more bolometers. The closely packed arrangement of the CUORE crystals constitutes a significant advantage in this regard. The median limit setting sensitivities at 90% Credible Interval (C.I.) of the given searches were estimated as $$\mathrm {S^{0\nu }_{1/2} = 5.6 \times 10^{24} \, \mathrm {yr}}$$ S 1 / 2 0 ν = 5.6 × 10 24 yr for the $${0\nu \beta \beta }$$ 0 ν β β decay and $$\mathrm {S^{2\nu }_{1/2} = 2.1 \times 10^{24} \, \mathrm {yr}}$$ S 1 / 2 2 ν = 2.1 × 10 24 yr for the $${2\nu \beta \beta }$$ 2 ν β β decay. No significant evidence for either of the decay modes was observed and a Bayesian lower bound at $$90\%$$ 90 % C.I. on the decay half lives is obtained as: $$\mathrm {(T_{1/2})^{0\nu }_{0^+_2} > 5.9 \times 10^{24} \, \mathrm {yr}}$$ ( T 1 / 2 ) 0 2 + 0 ν > 5.9 × 10 24 yr for the $$0\nu \beta \beta $$ 0 ν β β mode and $$\mathrm {(T_{1/2})^{2\nu }_{0^+_2} > 1.3 \times 10^{24} \, \mathrm {yr}}$$ ( T 1 / 2 ) 0 2 + 2 ν > 1.3 × 10 24 yr for the $$2\nu \beta \beta $$ 2 ν β β mode. These represent the most stringent limits on the DBD of $$^{130}$$ 130 Te to excited states and improve by a factor $$\sim 5$$ ∼ 5 the previous results on this process.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of methadone after IV or IM administration to isoflurane-anesthetized chickens. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult Hy-Line hens. PROCEDURES In a randomized crossover-design study, methadone (6 mg/kg) was administered IV and IM to isoflurane-anesthetized chickens with a 1-week washout period between experiments. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at predetermined time points up to 480 minutes after methadone administration. Plasma concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, and appropriate compartmental models were fit to the plasma concentration-versus-time data. Cardiorespiratory variables were compared between treatments and over time with mixed-effect repeated-measures analysis. RESULTS A 3-compartment model best described the changes in plasma methadone concentration after IV or IM administration. Estimated typical values for volumes of distribution were 692 mL/kg for the central compartment and 2,439 and 2,293 mL/kg for the first and second peripheral compartments, respectively, with metabolic clearance of 23.3 mL/kg/min and first and second distributional clearances of 556.4 and 51.8 mL/kg/min, respectively. Typical bioavailability after IM administration was 79%. Elimination half-life was 177 minutes, and maximum plasma concentration after IM administration was 950 ng/mL. Heart rate was mildly decreased at most time points beginning 5 minutes after IV or IM drug administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Disposition of methadone in isoflurane-anesthetized chickens was characterized by a large volume of distribution and moderate clearance, with high bioavailability after IM administration. Additional studies are warranted to assess pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of methadone in awake chickens.

OBJECTIVE To create a model of transient unilateral laryngeal paralysis (LP) that will allow the study of cricoarytenoideus dorsalis dysfunction and a method for quantification of varying degrees of LP in dogs. ANIMALS 5 castrated male research Beagles. PROCEDURES Between January and February 2018, dogs were anesthetized and instrumented with a laryngeal mask airway and a flexible endoscope to record the rima glottidis. The left or right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLn) was localized using ultrasonography and electrical stimulation, then conduction blockade was induced with perineural lidocaine. The normalized glottal gap area (NGGA) was measured before and every 15 minutes after the block. Inspired 10% carbon dioxide (CO2) was administered for 1 minute at each sampling time. The inspiratory increase in NGGA (total and each side) was measured at peak inspiration. The change in hemi-NGGA for the control side versus the anesthetized side was evaluated with a mixed-effect model. RESULTS During CO2 stimulation, the increase in inspiratory hemi-NGGA was consistently less (P < .001) for the treated side (–8% to 13%) versus the control side (49% to 82%). A compensatory increase (larger than at baseline) in the control hemi-NGGA was observed. The total NGGA remained unaffected. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Unilateral local anesthesia of the RLn produced transient unilateral LP with a compensatory increase in the hemi-NGGA for the contralateral side. This model could facilitate the evaluation of respiratory dynamics, establishment of a grading system, and collection of other important information that is otherwise difficult to obtain in dogs with LP.

Progression of unilateral laryngeal paralysis (LP) was quantified in an asymptomatic 4-year-old beagle during spontaneous breathing stimulated with inhaled 10% CO(2). Laryngeal evaluation was performed sequentially to track progression of LP over an 18-month period. Videos of the larynx during CO(2)-stimulated breathing were obtained under propofol anaesthesia. Maximal inspiratory normalised glottal gap area (NGGA) was determined on each occasion for left and right hemiglottis. Left NGGA was smaller than the right side throughout the period of follow-up. After 18 months, LP had progressed to such a degree that the left arytenoid was completely paralysed with no movement during inspiration. This case report demonstrates the possibility of early detection of LP, and quantification of progression. Early detection may allow regenerative surgical strategies for LP to maintain glottic area and reduce postoperative complication rates.

Objective To describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of meperidine after IM and subcutaneous administration in horses. Study design prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover trial. Animals Six adult horses weighing 494 ± 33 kg. Methods Treatments included meperidine 1 mg/kg IM with saline 6 mL subcutaneously, meperidine 1 mg/kg subcutaneously with saline 6 mL IM, and saline 6 mL subcutaneously and 6 mL IM, with a 7-day washout between treatments. Plasma meperidine concentrations and pharmacodynamic values (thermal and mechanical thresholds, physiological variables, fecal production) were collected at various time points for 24 hours. Accelerometry data were obtained for 8 hours to measure locomotor activity. Data were analyzed with a mixed effects model, and α was set at .05. Results Meperidine terminal half-life (T1/2 ), maximal plasma concentrations, and time to maximal concentration were 186 ± 59 and 164 ± 56 minutes, 265.7 ± 47.2 and 243.1 ± 80.1 ng/mL at 17 ± 6, and 24 ± 13 minutes for IM at subcutaneous administration, respectively. No effect of treatment or time was observed on thermal or mechanical thresholds, heart rate, respiratory rate, locomotor activity, frequency of defecations, or fecal weight (P > .2 for all). Conclusion Maximum meperidine concentrations were achieved quickly with a short T1/2 in both treatment groups. Neither IM nor subcutaneous meperidine influenced thermal or mechanical threshold or physiological variables. Clinical significance The short half-life and lack of detectable antinociceptive effect do not support IM or subcutaneous administration meperidine at 1 mg/kg for analgesia in horses.

In this experimental study of the nonlinear loss mechanism between traveling localized excitation and the underlying extended normal mode spectrum for a 1D lattice, three types of cyclic, electric, nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) are used. They are nonlinear capacitive, inductive, and capacitive+inductive NLTLs. To maintain a robust, steady-state traveling intrinsic localized mode (ILM), a traveling wave driver is used. The ILM loses energy because of a resonance between it and the extended NLTL modes. A wake field excitation is detected directly from ILM velocity experiments by the decrease in ILM speed and by the observation of the wake. Its properties are quantified via a two-dimensional Fourier map in the frequency-wavenumber domain, determined from the measured spatial-time voltage pattern. Simulations support and extend these experimental findings. We find for the capacitive+inductive NLTL configuration, when the two nonlinear terms are theoretically balanced, the wake excitation is calculated to become very small, giving rise to supertransmission over an extended driving frequency range.

To identify the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of metastases to the extraocular muscles (EOM metastases).The MRI features of 19 patients with EOM metastases were compared with those of 24 patients with EOM diseases of non-thyroid origin. MRI was used to assess the number of tumours, morphology, signal intensity on T2-weighted images, enhancement patterns, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values.Single muscular involvement was observed in 10 patients, and multiple muscular involvement was observed in nine patients. The morphology was focally discrete in nine patients, and diffuse infiltrative in 10 patients; all the nine patients with focal discrete morphology presented with single muscular lesions. On T2-weighted images, the signal intensities were intermediate or low in 15 patients and a mixture of high and intermediate in four patients. In 14 patients for whom contrast-enhanced images were available, ring enhancement (n=5), heterogeneous diffuse enhancement (n=5), and homogeneous enhancement (n=4) were seen. The mean ADC value was 0.98 × 10The MRI features of EOM metastases showed two main patterns: a single discrete mass and multiple infiltrative masses. In addition to the presentation as a single discrete mass, the presence of hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and ring or heterogeneous enhancement can aid in the differentiation of EOM metastases from other EOM diseases.

Non-invasive range measurement of particle beams is important to prevent deviation of the irradiated area in particle therapy. In this study, we made an experiment of imaging carbon-ion beams by setting the projection ranges into an acrylic target from 4.29 cm to 7.65 cm by a pitch of 0.21 cm. Secondary electron bremsstrahlung (SEB) generated on the beam trajectories were detected for the imaging by use of a pinhole camera system consisting of a pinhole collimator and a position-sensitive cadmium-telluride semiconductor detector (CdTe imager). Beam images were acquired, and their profiles along the longitudinal axis were numerically analyzed, to obtain a suitable parameter that was strongly correlated with the set range. Then we could propose a scheme to measure the particle beam range in the target during irradiation by use of the CdTe imager. As a result, the range shift can be measured in the case of the acrylic target with an accuracy of 0.1 cm.

Aim To determine the diagnostic accuracy of colon capsule endoscopy for colorectal cancer screening. Methods Studies that compared the diagnostic performance of colonoscopy and second-generation colon capsule endoscopy (CCE-2) for screening of asymptomatic patients aged 50–75 years were included. The primary outcomes were sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios for polyps and adenomas measuring at least 6 mm or 10 mm. Results Eight full-text studies that evaluated 1602 patients were included for systematic review. Of these, 840 (52.43%) patients participated in an opportunistic screening program. The pooled outcomes of CCE-2 for polyps at least 6 mm / 10 mm were (CI = confidence interval): sensitivity: 88% (95% CI: 0.84–0.91) / 88% (95% CI: 0.82–0.93), specificity: 94% (95% CI: 0.92–0.95) / 95.5% (95% CI: 0.94–0.97); positive likelihood ratio: 11.86 (95% CI: 5.53–25.46) / 23.07 (95% CI: 6.163–86.36); negative likelihood ratio: 0.14 (95% CI: 0.1–0.21) / 0.14 (95% CI: 0.09–0.21). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve for polyps at least 6 and 10 mm was 96.3% and 96.7%, respectively. The only cancer missed by complete CCE-2 was shown at multiple frames in the unblinded review. In total, 125 (7.8%) patients presented mild adverse events mostly related to bowel preparation. Conclusion CCE-2 is demonstrated to be an effective and safe alternative method for colorectal cancer screening. Diagnostic performance of CCE-2 for polyps of at least 6 and 10 mm was similar. Completion rates still need to be improved.

The past few decades have seen major developments in the design and operation of cryogenic particle detectors. This technology offers an extremely good energy resolution - comparable to semiconductor detectors - and a wide choice of target materials, making low temperature calorimetric detectors ideal for a variety of particle physics applications. Rare event searches have continued to require ever greater exposures, which has driven them to ever larger cryogenic detectors, with the CUORE experiment being the first to reach a tonne-scale, mK-cooled, experimental mass. CUORE, designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay, has been operational since 2017 at a temperature of about 10 mK. This result has been attained by the use of an unprecedentedly large cryogenic infrastructure called the CUORE cryostat: conceived, designed and commissioned for this purpose. In this article the main characteristics and features of the cryogenic facility developed for the CUORE experiment are highlighted. A brief introduction of the evolution of the field and of the past cryogenic facilities are given. The motivation behind the design and development of the CUORE cryogenic facility is detailed as are the steps taken toward realization, commissioning, and operation of the CUORE cryostat. The major challenges overcome by the collaboration and the solutions implemented throughout the building of the cryogenic facility will be discussed along with the potential improvements for future facilities. The success of CUORE has opened the door to a new generation of large-scale cryogenic facilities in numerous fields of science. Broader implications of the incredible feat achieved by the CUORE collaboration on the future cryogenic facilities in various fields ranging from neutrino and dark matter experiments to quantum computing will be examined., Comment: 45 pages, 14 figures

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a lead radiation shield on the ability of a beam imaging device consist of an imaging plate (IP) and a collimator by Monte Carlo simulations. Simulations were performed using PHITS. A carbon-ion beam was injected to an acrylic target. A tungsten collimator having a pinhole was placed at the distance of 31.2 cm from the beam. A lead radiation shield was placed on the tungsten collimator. An IP was placed under the collimator. Beam images were acquired by recording the position distribution of energy deposition on the IP. We confirmed that therapeutic carbon-ion beam images could be acquired using the imaging device combining the IP and collimator. It was found that removal of the lead shield had no effect on the imaging results.

Endotracheal intubation (EI) in domestic cats is an important skill that veterinary students learn in order to perform anesthesia safely in this species. Implementing a 3D-printed larynx model (LaryngoCUBE) during the instruction process may improve student’s learning of EI in felines. Twenty-two third-year students performed EI in cats with standard training (ST), and 16 students trained with the model (MT) the day before the laboratory. It was evaluated whether training with the model decreases the time and number of EI attempts, students’ perceived difficulty performing EI using a visual analog score (VAS; 0 cm = very easy, 10 cm = extremely difficult; median [minimum–maximum]), and the incidence of failure to perform EI. The EI time on ST (58 [18–160] seconds) was longer, but not statistically different from MT (29 [13–120] seconds; p = .101). The number of EI attempts on ST (2 [1–3]) was higher than MT (1 [1–3]; p = .005). The VAS on the ST and MT were 4.5 (0.0–10.0) cm and 3.0 (0.2–10.0) cm, respectively ( p = .029). The failure rate was 27% on the ST and 25% on the MT ( p = 1.000). Students who practiced with a larynx model took fewer attempts to perform EI, tended to be faster, and found that EI was easier. However, the EI success rate in MT was not improved.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of atipamezole administered at half the volume or the same volume as dexmedetomidine to isoflurane-anesthetized cats. ANIMALS 6 adult (1 to 2 years old) domestic shorthair cats (body weight, 3 to 6 kg). PROCEDURES Each cat was anesthetized with isoflurane and rocuronium 3 times; there was a 1-week washout period between successive anesthetic procedures. For each anesthetic procedure, dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg) was administered IV. Five minutes after dexmedetomidine was administered, atipamezole (25 or 50 μg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was administered IM. Pulse rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured during anesthesia before dexmedetomidine administration (baseline), after dexmedetomidine administration, and 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after administration of atipamezole or saline solution. Pulse rate and MAP were also recorded when MAP was at its lowest value. Hemodynamic variables were compared among treatments at baseline, after dexmedetomidine administration, and after administration of atipamezole or saline solution. Effects of treatment and time on all variables were assessed with mixed-effects models. RESULTS Both doses of atipamezole resulted in a significantly lower MAP than did saline solution. Pulse rate, CO, and SVR were not significantly different among treatments after atipamezole or saline solution were administered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Atipamezole administered IM at half the volume or the same volume as dexmedetomidine was ineffective at increasing pulse rate or CO in anesthetized cats that received dexmedetomidine. However, atipamezole caused short-lasting but severe arterial hypotension.

To assess the ability to visually detect fade during train-of-four (TOF) or double burst stimulation (DBS) in anesthetized dogs recovering from nondepolarizing neuromuscular block.Online anonymous survey.Data from 112 participants.A web-based survey containing 12 videos of the response to ulnar nerve stimulation with TOF and 12 with DBS obtained at different levels of recovery from rocuronium-induced block was distributed to participants of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia e-mail lists. Participants were asked to provide their highest training degree in anesthesiology, watch each video no more than twice, and determine whether fade was present. The probability to correctly recognize fade was calculated using binomial general linear models. General linear models and Tukey's tests were used to assess the effects of level of neuromuscular block, pattern of stimulation, and observers' training on the probability to detect fade.The survey was completed by 53 diplomates, 29 licensed veterinary technicians, 24 residents and six doctors of veterinary medicine (DVMs). The probability to detect fade decreased as partial neuromuscular block became more shallow (p0.0001). A TOF or DBS ratio of 0.7 had a 50% chance of being detected. DBS was superior to TOF for detecting fade when the ratio was 0.3-0.69. TOF was superior to DBS when the ratio was 0.7-0.9 (p0.0001). There were no differences among groups of observers when assessing fade with TOF or DBS.Detection of fade from observations of the response to TOF in dogs is unreliable. Advance training in anesthesiology or the use of DBS confers little to no advantage for this subjective test.

The CUORE experiment is a ton-scale array of $$\hbox {TeO}_2$$ TeO 2 cryogenic bolometers located at the underground Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), in Italy. The CUORE detector consists of 988 crystals operated as source and detector at a base temperature of $$\sim 10$$ ∼ 10 mK. Such cryogenic temperature is reached and maintained by means of a custom built cryogen-free dilution cryostat, designed with the aim of minimizing the vibrational noise and the environmental radioactivity. The primary goal of CUORE is the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$ 130 Te , but thanks to its large target mass and ultra-low background it is suitable for the study of other rare processes as well, such as the neutrinoless double beta decay of $$^{128}\hbox {Te}$$ 128 Te . This tellurium isotope is an attractive candidate for the search of this process, due to its high natural isotopic abundance of 31.75%. The transition energy at (866.7 ± 0.7) keV lies in a highly populated region of the energy spectrum, dominated by the contribution of the two-neutrino double beta decay of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$ 130 Te . As the first ton-scale infrastructure operating cryogenic $$\hbox {TeO}_2$$ TeO 2 bolometers in stable conditions, CUORE is able to achieve a factor $$>10$$ > 10 higher sensitivity to the neutrinoless double beta decay of this isotope with respect to past direct experiments.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of two doses of doxapram intravenous injection and carbon dioxide inhalation on the cardiovascular and laryngeal functions of anesthetized hounds. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study. ANIMALS Six healthy adult dogs. METHODS In a Latin-square design, the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously. The inspiratory normalized glottic gap areas (iNGGA) were measured before and after each stimulation with 0.55 mg/kg of doxapram (L-DOX), 2.2 mg/kg of doxapram (H-DOX), or 90 s of inhalation of 10% carbon dioxide in oxygen (I-CO2 ). The stimulations were tested in duplicate or triplicate. Video clips of the laryngeal movement were scored by board-certified surgeons masked to the treatment. RESULTS The MABP increased with L-DOX and H-DOX up to 81% (both p

We measured two-neutrino double beta decay of $^{130}$Te using an exposure of 300.7 kg$\cdot$yr accumulated with the CUORE detector. Using a Bayesian analysis to fit simulated spectra to experimental data, it was possible to disentangle all the major background sources and precisely measure the two-neutrino contribution. The half-life is in agreement with past measurements with a strongly reduced uncertainty: $T^{2\nu}_{1/2} = 7.71^{+0.08}_{-0.06}\mathrm{(stat.)}^{+0.12}_{-0.15}\mathrm{(syst.)}\times10^{20}$ yr. This measurement is the most precise determination of the $^{130}$Te 2$\nu\beta\beta$ decay half-life to date.

The CUORE experiment is a large bolometric array searching for the lepton number violating neutrino-less double beta decay ($0\nu\beta\beta$) in the isotope $\mathrm{^{130}Te}$. In this work we present the latest results on two searches for the double beta decay (DBD) of $\mathrm{^{130}Te}$ to the first $0^{+}_2$ excited state of $\mathrm{^{130}Xe}$: the $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay and the Standard Model-allowed two-neutrinos double beta decay ($2\nu\beta\beta$). Both searches are based on a 372.5 kg$\times$yr TeO$_2$ exposure. The de-excitation gamma rays emitted by the excited Xe nucleus in the final state yield a unique signature, which can be searched for with low background by studying coincident events in two or more bolometers. The closely packed arrangement of the CUORE crystals constitutes a significant advantage in this regard. The median limit setting sensitivities at 90\% Credible Interval (C.I.) of the given searches were estimated as $\mathrm{S^{0\nu}_{1/2} = 5.6 \times 10^{24} \: \mathrm{yr}}$ for the ${0\nu\beta\beta}$ decay and $\mathrm{S^{2\nu}_{1/2} = 2.1 \times 10^{24} \: \mathrm{yr}}$ for the ${2\nu\beta\beta}$ decay. No significant evidence for either of the decay modes was observed and a Bayesian lower bound at $90\%$ C.I. on the decay half lives is obtained as: $\mathrm{(T_{1/2})^{0\nu}_{0^+_2} > 5.9 \times 10^{24} \: \mathrm{yr}}$ for the $0\nu\beta\beta$ mode and $\mathrm{(T_{1/2})^{2\nu}_{0^+_2} > 1.3 \times 10^{24} \: \mathrm{yr}}$ for the $2\nu\beta\beta$ mode. These represent the most stringent limits on the DBD of $^{130}$Te to excited states and improve by a factor $\sim5$ the previous results on this process., Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures

Carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) is a rare tumour that mainly arises from the thyroid gland, or occasionally, from the head and neck. Although the 10-year survival rate of patients with CASTLE is approximately 80%, local recurrence and distant metastasis are observed in some cases. A recent systematic review for CASTLE indicated that the prognostic factors are treatment-dependent, and postoperative radiotherapy significantly improves patient survival.Herein, we describe and compare three cases of CASTLE, including a case with distant metastasis despite administering postoperative chemotherapy. Thus, the mechanisms underlying metastasis of CASTLE are unclear. This case study helps to elucidate the histopathological risk factors of metastasis in CASTLE.We found that prominent lymphovascular invasion and higher proliferative activities might be risk factors of metastasis in CASTLE. In addition, we have summarised the cytological, morphological, and immunohistochemical features of CASTLE for an accurate diagnosis.

We report new results from the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in ^{130} Te with the CUORE detector. This search benefits from a fourfold increase in exposure, lower trigger thresholds, and analysis improvements relative to our previous results. We observe a background of (1.38±0.07)×10^{-2} counts/(keV kg yr)) in the 0νββ decay region of interest and, with a total exposure of 372.5 kg yr, we attain a median exclusion sensitivity of 1.7×10^{25} yr. We find no evidence for 0νββ decay and set a 90% credibility interval Bayesian lower limit of 3.2×10^{25} yr on the ^{130} Te half-life for this process. In the hypothesis that 0νββ decay is mediated by light Majorana neutrinos, this results in an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass of 75-350 meV, depending on the nuclear matrix elements used.