BIFROST—An indirect geometry cold neutron spectrometer at the European Spallation Source

We present the detailed design and performance simulations of BIFROST, a multiplexing indirect neutron time-of-flight spectrometer at the European Spallation Source. The instrument allows a neutron bandwidth of Δλ = 1.74 Å to reach the sample. The polychromatic flux can reach 6 × 109 n/s/cm2 while retaining a relative energy resolution, δEi/Ei, of around 3.5% at Ei = 5 meV. A fast pulse-shaping chopper allows for flexibility in the primary spectrometer resolution. For an opening time of 0.1 ms, a relative energy resolution down to 0.2% is achieved for Ei = 12 meV. The secondary spectrometer consists of 45 analyzer arrays, populating 9 scattering angle channels in the horizontal scattering plane, each of which covers 5.2° in scattering angle. Each channel hosts 5 analyzer arrays reflecting neutrons of fixed energies Ef equal to 2.7, 3.2, 3.8, 4.4, and 5.0 meV. Utilizing the prismatic analyzer concept, the back-end geometry allows a secondary spectrometer energy resolution in the range of 0.02-0.05 meV. The unique design of BIFROST offers not only an unprecedented neutron flux but also the ability to adjust the energy resolution by more than one order of magnitude. Focusing on the horizontal scattering plane, the spectrometer is ideally suited for extreme environment studies and for studying samples much smaller than 1 cm3. The drastic increase in measurement efficiency, compared to current high-flux spectrometers, has a particularly high impact on the fields of quantum magnetism, unconventional superconductivity, and functional materials.</p

Retrodiction of measurement outcomes on a single quantum system revealing entanglement with its environment

The density matrix yields probabilistic information about the outcome of measurements on a quantum system, but it does not distinguish between classical randomness in the preparation of the system and entanglement with its environment. Here we show that retrodiction, employing both prior and posterior knowledge, gives rise to conditional probabilities for measurements on a single system, that can witness if it is part of a larger composite system. The degree of certainty with which one can retrodict the outcomes of multiple measurements on a system can witness both the existence and the quantitative nature of its entanglement with the environment

Dairy powders:Impact of surface composition and heterogeneity on functional properties

This study investigates the surface characteristics of four industrial dairy powders - Skim Milk Powder (SMP), Whole Milk Powder (WMP), Instant Filled Milk Powder (IFMP), and Cheese Powder (CP) - across multiple length scales, aiming to understand how these characteristics influence their physical and functional properties. Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy on large area (multiple particles), it was observed that surface composition remains consistent across different particle sizes within each powder type. Notably, SMP exhibited a more hydrophilic surface compared to the other powders, particularly CP. At the particle scale (single particle - 10 mu m x 10 mu m), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed uniform surface structures. Among the samples, CP and SMP displayed smoother surfaces whereas WMP and IFMP exhibited more textured topographies. Highresolution (2 mu m x 2 mu m) AFM assessments highlighted distinct differences in surface structures among the powders. Nanomechanical measurements indicated that SMP had the highest Young's modulus suggesting a stiffer surface, while CP had the lowest, indicating a softer surface. Finally, these findings underscore the significance of surface characteristics at various scales in determining the functional performance of dairy powders, here flowability and wettability

How to interpret MICs of amphotericin B, echinocandins and flucytosine against <i>Candida auris</i> (<i>Candidozyma auris</i>) according to the newly established European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints

Background: Candida auris (Candidozyma auris) has emerged as an important pathogen across all continents, with clonal outbreaks and hospital transmissions. Most isolates are fluconazole resistant, and variable resistance rates are reported for amphotericin B and echinocandins. Objectives: This study aimed to present an overview of the newly established epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) and antifungal breakpoints against C auris and the supporting evidence. Sources: This document is based on the recently updated European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) rationale documents, clinical breakpoint, and ECOFF documents. Content: An alternative approach was adopted for ECOFF setting of C. auris to avoid MIC distributions dominated by isogenic outbreak strains. A carefully selected strain collection of 30 isolates from 11 countries, representing five clades and 21 unique genotypes, was shared among five individual laboratories. MICs were determined with the EUCAST E.Def 7.4 methodology, providing five non-clonal datasets well above the required ≥100 total MICs per drug. Available PK-PD and clinical data were reviewed. Implications: The following ECOFFs and breakpoints were established for C auris: amphotericin B: ECOFF: 2 mg/L, S: ≤0.001 mg/L, R: &gt;2 mg/L; implying that the entire wild-type distribution is susceptible, increased exposure (I) (increased dose: 5 mg/kg liposomal amphotericin B daily); anidulafungin and micafungin: ECOFFs: 0.25 mg/L, S: ≤0.25; R: &gt;0.25; rezafungin: ECOFF: 0.125 mg/L; and flucytosine: ECOFF: 0.5 mg/L. Importantly, notable MIC variations have been reported for C auris and some agents across commercial tests. Consequently, important detailed guidance is provided on how to validate your MIC test in-house before adopting the EUCAST breakpoints for MIC interpretation.</p

Long-term prognosis in early-onset atrial fibrillation without overt cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND: The prognostic implications of early-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients without coexisting cardiovascular conditions are not clear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of long-term stroke, heart failure (HF), and mortality in patients with early-onset AF.METHODS: Using nationwide registers, we included adult patients with early-onset AF (18-45 years old) with a first-time AF diagnosis during 1999-2023 without co-existing cardiovascular conditions. All AF patients were matched with a control group from the background population without AF. The long-term absolute risks of stroke, HF, and death were estimated as well as standardized risk ratios (RR) comparing patients with and without AF.RESULTS: Among 7,632 patients with AF (median age: 39 years, 71% men, 1.9% cancer, 2.1% diabetes), clinically relevant crude risks of stroke (20-year risk: 6.89%, 95% CI 5.96%-7.82%), HF (20-year risk: 6.45%, 95% CI 5.60%-7.31%), and death (20-year risk: 7.10%, 95% CI 6.18%-8.02%) were observed. Comparing the AF cohort with a matched sample from the background population (median age: 38 years, 71% men, 1.1% cancer, 1.3% diabetes) revealed elevated standardized risks of stroke (RR: 2.00, 95% CI 1.67-2.33), HF (RR: 4.33, 95% CI 3.55-5.11), and death (RR: 1.37, 95% CI 1.17-1.57).CONCLUSIONS: Early-onset AF in patients without concomitant cardiovascular conditions was associated with increased long-term risk of cardiovascular complications, most notably a four- to five-fold increased risk of HF. Hence, AF in otherwise healthy young patients should be considered an important marker of increased risks of a future cardiomyopathy and HF events.</p

Atrial cardiomyopathy:markers and outcomes

Background and Aims Atrial cardiomyopathy (AtCM) is increasingly recognized as an important substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to examine potential markers and risk factors of AtCM, and associations with incident AF, heart failure (HF), and stroke. Methods Individuals from the UK Biobank with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and electrocardiographic information were included. Atrial cardiomyopathy markers included left atrial dilation, left atrial mechanical dysfunction, P-wave prolongation, and abnormal P-wave terminal force. Risk factors for AtCM were assessed using logistic regressions. Incident AF, HF, and stroke according to AtCM markers were assessed in multivariable Cox-regression and cumulative incidence models. AF risk according to AtCM markers, clinical and genetic risk factors was evaluated by integrating the HARMS(2)-AF score and a polygenic risk score for AF. We used net reclassification improvement (NRI) to evaluate reclassification of risk when considering AtCM markers. Results Among 26 467 individuals, 4145 (15.7%) had &gt;= 1 marker and 619 (2.3%) had &gt;= 2 markers of AtCM. Age, coronary artery disease, and hypertension were consistently associated with AtCM. Having one AtCM marker conferred a hazard ratio (HR) for AF of 1.88 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54-2.31; P &lt; .001], with higher rates observed in individuals with &gt;= 2 markers (HR: 4.59; 95% CI: 3.52-5.99; P &lt; .001). Addition of AtCM markers was associated with an NRI of 13.7% (95% CI: 9.2%-18.3%). Integration of clinical and genetic risk factors indicated an additive effect on AF rates. Having &gt;= 2 markers associated with HF (HR: 3.08, 95% CI: 2.03-4.66, P &lt; .001), and stroke (HR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.78-5.28, P &lt; .001). Conclusions One in seven individuals had at least one marker of AtCM. Atrial cardiomyopathy markers were associated with AF, HF, and stroke, supporting AtCM as a common substrate for all three outcomes