Exploring the detection of AQNs in large liquid detectors

Recent work from the last years has raised the possibility that a portion of Dark Matter could consist of exotic particles, such as axion (anti)quark nuggets (AQN, A\bar{Q}N). After a brief review outlining the main features of axion antiquark nuggets, we explore potential experimental signatures that can be leveraged to search for these stable supermassive particles in future surface and underground experiments using large liquid detectors. These expected signals are discussed in relation to the specific characteristics of each detection system.Comment: 16 pages, 3 Figures, published in JCAP05(2024)014. Minor changes compared to the previous version. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:0709.4635 by other author

Exploring the air pollution with particulate matter - PM10, COVID-19 cases evolution in Romania and exposure to aeroallergens

Constant exposure to the atmospheric air polluted with particulate matter is considered to have a negative influence on human health, even if it is found at values that may not exceed the maximum allowable concentration. Starting from the correlation between atmospheric air polluted with PM and COVID-19 incidence/mortality, this research had as first objective to assess the exposure to an average concentration of PM10 in Romania and, in particular, in Bucharest for a period of six years and the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 cases per 1000 inhabitants (continuing previous research, from 2020). Subsequently, we studied the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 cases per 1000 inhabitants until January 2022. Another research objective was to identify a possible association between the atmospheric air polluted with particulate matter, viruses (SARS-CoV-2) and aeroallergens (common ragweed). To achieve the first two proposed objectives, the research method used was a univariate statistical analysis, correlation and regression analysis, subsequently analyzing the data and comparing with the results obtained in the research conducted previously (2020). In the selection of data, which formed the basis of the last part of the research, we used the recommendations of the PRISMA-ScR Guidelines, which were useful and guided us in the proper conduct of the research and in obtaining results in line with the proposed purpose. The applied regression model showed that in Bucharest, 86.34% of the variation in the cases incidence is explained by the variation in the PM10 concentration. In the second part of the research, we observed an exponential increase in the number of cases, without demonstrating a direct causal relationship with exposure to particulate matter air polluted. Otherwise, we additionally studied the data on the existence of a causal relationship between the increase of pollen in the atmospheric air over time and the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the data that considered that there would be no causal relationship between these parameters

Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - a Rare Cause of Hemiballismus-Hemichorea. A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Chorea, hyperglycemia, basal ganglia syndrome (CHBG) is a rare neurological complication of nonketotic hyperglycemia which occurs more often in elderly female patients with undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Case report: We present the case of a 82-year old female, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but untreated, admitted with non-ketotic hyperglycemia and hemiballistic movements in her left limbs, with acute onset, that changed to choreic movements and then disappeared. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed characteristic hyper intensity in the right (contralateral) putamen on the T1-weighted images. Other secondary causes for ballismus and chorea were excluded. Hemiballismus/hemichorea non-ketotic hyperglycemic basal ganglia (CHBG) syndrome was considered and blood glucose was lowered using insulin. As symptomatic treatment, Haloperidol was started but, due to adverse effects, it was stopped and Clonazepam was associated. The movement disorders disappeared in two weeks after glycemic control. Signifi cance: Movement disorders, like chorea and/or ballismus (hemichorea/hemiballismus) can be a marker of uncontrolled known diabetes mellitus or a presenting sign for an undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. The chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia (CHBG) syndrome is rare and likely undiagnosed but, being aware of it’s existence is of high importance, as normalising blood sugar values severe neurological complications can be avoided

Proceedings of the 24th Paediatric Rheumatology European Society Congress: Part three

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications Router.Publication status: PublishedHistory: collection 2017-09, epub 2017-09-0

A New Possible Way to Detect Axion Antiquark Nuggets

The axion anti-quark nugget (AQ¯N) model was developed to explain in a natural way the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in Universe. In this hypothesis, a similitude between the dark and the visible components exists. The lack of observability of any type of dark matter up to now, in particular AQ¯Ns, requires finding new ways of detecting these particles, if they exist. In spite of strong interaction with visible matter, for such objects a very small ratio of cross section to mass is expected and thus huge detector systems are necessary. This paper presents a new idea for the direct detection of the AQ¯Ns using minerals as natural rock deposits acting as paleo-detectors, where the latent signals of luminescence produced by interactions of AQ¯Ns are registered and can be identified as an increased and symmetrical deposited dose. The estimates were made for minerals widely distributed on Earth, for which the thermoluminescence (TL) signal is intense and if the thermal conditions are constant and with low temperatures, the lifetime of the latent signals is kept for geological time scales

Optimised neutron yield calculations from (α,n\alpha,n) reactions with the modified SOURCES4 code

The sensitivity of underground experiments searching for rare events such as dark matter, neutrino interactions or several beyond the standard model phenomena is often limited by the background caused by neutrons from spontaneous fission and ($\alpha,n$) reactions. A number of codes exist to calculate neutron yields and energy spectra due to these processes. In this paper we present new calculations of neutron production using the modified SOURCES4A code with recently updated cross-sections for ($\alpha,n$) reactions and the comparison of the results with available experimental data. The cross-sections for ($\alpha,n$) reactions in SOURCES4 have been taken from reliable experimental data where possible, complemented by the calculations with EMPIRE 2.19/3.2.3, TALYS 1.96 or evaluated data library JENDL-5 where the data were scarce or unavailable

Ferritin level changes and erythroid improvement in a group of adult politransfused patients treated with Deferasirox

Background and aims. Chelating agents therapy is recommended for polytransfused patients that have evidence of iron overload (an elevated serum ferritin or received over 20 units of red blood cell transfusions). Deferasirox showedefficacy and safety in maintaining or reducing body iron.Iron chelation therapy was associated with hematopoiesis improvement in transfusion-dependent patients.Our objectives were to analyze differences in ferritin level in adult polytransfused patients treated with Deferasirox, to estimate the erythroid improvement and variation of the number of red blood cell transfusion after introducing Deferasirox, to evaluate the side effects of the treatment.Methods. Retrospective study including all the adult polytransfused patients treated with Deferasirox in Hematology Departments of   three county hospitals in the North-West of Romania.         Results. We included 40 polytransfused patients treated with Deferasirox in standard doses. There was a significant reduction in serum ferritine from baseline for all the patients (Friedman test, χ2(2)=26.82, p&lt;0.001). Safety profile of Deferasirox was good (three digestive side effects). RBCT were administered before (mean 2.43±1.09 units/month) and after starting Deferasirox (mean 1.40±0.97 units/month), the difference is statistically significant (Student Test, t(39)=6.98, p&lt;0.001).Conclusions. Deferasirox proves to be an effective iron chelator, the serum level of ferritine decreased for all the patients during the treatment and 22.5 % of the patients developed an erythroid improvement. Safety and compliance were good.</jats:p

Natural Bioproducts and Their Potential Preservative Properties in Food Industry

Phytosanitary products obtained from natural extracts represent an alternative, especially in the case of preservation of the products obtained from organic farming. [...