Encoding the scaling of the cosmological variables with the Euler Beta function

We study the scaling exponents for the expanding isotropic flat cosmological models. The dimension of space, the equation of state of the cosmic fluid and the scaling exponent for a physical variable are related by the Euler Beta function that controls the singular behavior of the global integrals. We encounter dual cosmological scenarios using the properties of the Beta function. For the entropy density integral we reproduce the Fischler-Susskind holographic bound.Comment: Latex2e, 11 pages, 1 figure; reference added; minor changes commenting the nature of the holographic principle and the particle/event horizo

Exploring a simple sector of the Einstein-Maxwell landscape

We explore the four dimensional Einstein-Maxwell landscape as a toy model in which we can formulate a sphere compactification stabilized by an electromagnetic field. Replacing the compactification sphere by J spheres, we obtain a simple sector of the (2J+2)-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell landscape. In this toy model, we analyze some properties which are very difficult to uncover in the string theory landscape, including: complete moduli stabilization, stability conditions, and state counting. We also show how to construct anthropic states in this model. A detailed comparison between the main features of this landscape and the Bousso-Polchinski landscape is given. We finally speculate on the impact of these phenomena in the string theory landscape.Comment: 69 pages, 16 figures, some references adde

Radiopurity of Micromegas readout planes

Micromesh Gas Amplification Structures (Micromegas) are being used in an increasing number of Particle Physics applications since their conception fourteen years ago. More recently, they are being used or considered as readout of Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) in the field of Rare Event searches (dealing with dark matter, axions or double beta decay). In these experiments, the radiopurity of the detector components and surrounding materials is measured and finely controlled in order to keep the experimental background as low as possible. In the present paper, the first measurement of the radiopurity of Micromegas planes obtained by high purity germanium spectrometry in the low background facilities of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) is presented. The obtained results prove that Micromegas readouts of the microbulk type are currently manufactured with radiopurity levels below 30 microBq/cm2 for Th and U chains and ~60 microBq/cm2 for 40K, already comparable to the cleanest detector components of the most stringent low background experiments at present. Taking into account that the studied readouts were manufactured without any specific control of the radiopurity, it should be possible to improve these levels after dedicated development.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figure

Gaseous time projection chambers for rare event detection: Results from the T-REX project. II. Dark matter

As part of the T-REX project, a number of R&D and prototyping activities have been carried out during the last years to explore the applicability of Micromegas-read gaseous TPCs in rare event searches like double beta decay (DBD), axion research and low-mass WIMP searches. While in the companion paper we focus on DBD, in this paper we focus on the results regarding the search for dark matter candidates, both axions and WIMPs. Small ultra-low background Micromegas detectors are used to image the x-ray signal expected in axion helioscopes like CAST at CERN. Background levels as low as $0.8\times 10^{-6}$ c keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ have already been achieved in CAST while values down to $\sim10^{-7}$ c keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ have been obtained in a test bench placed underground in the Laboratorio Subterr\'aneo de Canfranc. Prospects to consolidate and further reduce these values down to $\sim10^{-8}$ c keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$will be described. Such detectors, placed at the focal point of x-ray telescopes in the future IAXO experiment, would allow for 10$^5$ better signal-to-noise ratio than CAST, and search for solar axions with $g_{a\gamma}$ down to few 10$^{12}$ GeV$^{-1}$, well into unexplored axion parameter space. In addition, a scaled-up version of these TPCs, properly shielded and placed underground, can be competitive in the search for low-mass WIMPs. The TREX-DM prototype, with $\sim$0.300 kg of Ar at 10 bar, or alternatively $\sim$0.160 kg of Ne at 10 bar, and energy threshold well below 1 keV, has been built to test this concept. We will describe the main technical solutions developed, as well as the results from the commissioning phase on surface. The anticipated sensitivity of this technique might reach $\sim10^{-44}$ cm$^2$ for low mass ($<10$ GeV) WIMPs, well beyond current experimental limits in this mass range.Comment: Published in JCAP. New version with erratum incorporated (new figure 14

CAST microbulk micromegas in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory

During the last taking data campaigns of the CAST experiment, the micromegas detectors have achieved background levels of $\approx 5 \times 10^{-6}$keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ between 2 and 9 keV. This performance has been possible thanks to the introduction of the microbulk technology, the implementation of a shielding and the development of discrimination algorithms. It has motivated new studies towards a deeper understanding of CAST detectors background. One of the working lines includes the construction of a replica of the set-up used in CAST by micromegas detectors and its installation in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory. Thanks to the comparison between the performance of the detectors underground and at surface, shielding upgrades, etc, different contributions to the detectors background have been evaluated. In particular, an upper limit $< 2 \times 10^{-7}$keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ for the intrinsic background of the detector has been obtained. This work means a first evaluation of the potential of the newest micromegas technology in an underground laboratory, the most suitable environment for Rare Event Searches.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures. To appear in the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Technology and Instrumentation for Particle Physics (TIPP 2011

Spectroscopy and large scale wave functions

We discuss the relevance of long wavelength excitations for the low energy spectrum of QCD, and try to develop an efficient method for solving the Schrodinger equation, and for extracting the glueball masses and long wavelength functions of the ground and excited states. Some technical problems appearing in the calculations of SU(3) gauge theory are discussed

SEOM Clinical Guideline of fertility preservation and reproduction in cancer patients (2016)

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy often result in reduced fertility in cancer patients. With increasing survival rates, fertility is an important quality-of-life concern for many young cancer patients. Around 70–75% of young cancer survivors are interested in parenthood but the numbers of patients who access fertility preservation techniques prior to treatment are significantly lower. Moreover, despite existing guidelines, healthcare professionals do not address fertility preservation issues adequately. There is a critical need for improvements in clinical care to ensure patients are well informed about infertility risks and fertility preservation options and to support them in their reproductive decision-making prior to cancer treatment

X-ray detection with Micromegas with background levels below 10−6^{-6} keV−1^{-1}cm−2^{-2}s−1^{-1}

Micromegas detectors are an optimum technological choice for the detection of low energy x-rays. The low background techniques applied to these detectors yielded remarkable background reductions over the years, being the CAST experiment beneficiary of these developments. In this document we report on the latest upgrades towards further background reductions and better understanding of the detectors' response. The upgrades encompass the readout electronics, a new detector design and the implementation of a more efficient cosmic muon veto system. Background levels below 10$^{-6}$keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ have been obtained at sea level for the first time, demonstrating the feasibility of the expectations posed by IAXO, the next generation axion helioscope. Some results obtained with a set of measurements conducted in the x-ray beam of the CAST Detector Laboratory will be also presented and discussed

Impaired hypoglycaemia awareness in early pregnancy increases risk of severe hypoglycaemia in the mid-long term postpartum irrespective of breastfeeding status in women with type 1 diabetes

Information regarding the postpartum period in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is scarce. We aim to evaluate the relation of impaired hypoglycaemia awareness (IAH) in early pregnancy and breastfeeding status (its presence and duration) with severe postpartum hypoglycaemia (SH).Retrospective cohort study of women with T1D followed during pregnancy between 2012 and 2019. Data on SH were recorded before and during pregnancy. IAH was evaluated at the first antenatal visit. Data on breastfeeding and the long-term postpartum period were collected by questionnaire and from medical records.A total of 89 women with T1D were included with a median follow-up after pregnancy of 19.2 [8.7-30.5] months. Twenty-eight (32%) women had IAH at the first antenatal visit. At discharge, 74 (83%) started breastfeeding during a median of 8 [4.4-15] months. A total of 18 (22%) women experienced ≥1 SH during postpartum. The incidence of SH significantly increased from pregestational to the gestational and post-partum period (0.09, 0.15 and 0.25 episodes/patient-year, respectively). Postpartum SH rates were comparable in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women (21.4% vs. 25%, respectively, p>0.05). Clarke test score at the first antenatal visit was associated with postpartum SH (for each 1-point increase: OR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.06-2.21) adjusted for confounders. No other diabetes and pregnancy-related variables were identified as predictors of SH in this period.SH are common in the long-term postpartum period independently of breastfeeding. Assessing IAH in early pregnancy could identify those at an increased risk of SH in the postpartum period.Copyright © 2022 SEEN and SED. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved