Spectral calibration of the fluorescence telescopes of the Pierre Auger Observatory

We present a novel method to measure precisely the relative spectral response of the fluorescence telescopes of the Pierre Auger Observatory. We used a portable light source based on a xenon flasher and a monochromator to measure the relative spectral efficiencies of eight telescopes in steps of 5 nm from 280 nm to 440nm. Each point in a scan had approximately 2nm FWHM out of the monochromator. Different sets of telescopes in the observatory have different optical components, and the eight telescopes measured represent two each of the four combinations of components represented in the observatory. We made an end-to-end measurement of the response from different combinations of optical components, and the monochromator setup allowed for more precise and complete measurements than our previous multi-wavelength calibrations. We find an overall uncertainty in the calibration of the spectral response of most of the telescopes of 1.5% for all wavelengths; the six oldest telescopes have larger overall uncertainties of about 2.2%. We also report changes in physics measurables due to the change in calibration, which are generally small

Indexed left atrial size predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery

[Abstract] OBJECTIVES: The enlargement of the left atrium has been identified as a marker of chronically increased left ventricular filling pressure and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate the association of indexed left atrial diameter with stroke, cardiovascular mortality, the combined event, and all-cause mortality in patients who underwent aortic valve surgery. METHODS: Indexed left atrial diameter was measured in 2011 adult patients (mean age, 70.9 ± 10.8 years; 58.7% were men) who underwent aortic valve surgery between January 2008 and March 2016. RESULTS: On the basis of the criteria of the American Society of Echocardiography, indexed left atrial diameter was normal in 64% of patients, mildly enlarged in 12.4% of patients, moderately enlarged in 9.2% of patients, and severely enlarged in 14.3% of patients. Over a mean follow-up period of 3.2 ± 2.1 years, there were 334 deaths and 97 strokes. Cardiovascular mortality survival at 5 years among patients with normal, mild, moderate, and severe left atrial enlargement was 91.6%, 86.8%, 77.9%, and 77.4%, respectively (P < .001). After covariable adjustment, Cox regression analysis showed indexed left atrial diameter as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio per 1-cm/m2 increment, 1.545; 95% confidence interval, 1.252-1.906, P < .001), cardiovascular death (hazard ratio per 1-cm/m2 increment, 1.971; 95% confidence interval, 1.541-2.520; P < .001), and the combined event (hazard ratio per 1-cm/m2 increment, 1.673; 95% confidence interval, 1.321-2.119; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Indexed left atrial diameter is a strong predictor of long-term outcomes in patients with aortic valve diseases who undergo surgery

LUNASKA experiments using the Australia Telescope Compact Array to search for ultra-high energy neutrinos and develop technology for the lunar Cherenkov technique

We describe the design, performance, sensitivity and results of our recent experiments using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) for lunar Cherenkov observations with a very wide (600 MHz) bandwidth and nanosecond timing, including a limit on an isotropic neutrino flux. We also make a first estimate of the effects of small-scale surface roughness on the effective experimental aperture, finding that contrary to expectations, such roughness will act to increase the detectability of near-surface events over the neutrino energy-range at which our experiment is most sensitive (though distortions to the time-domain pulse profile may make identification more difficult). The aim of our "Lunar UHE Neutrino Astrophysics using the Square Kilometer Array" (LUNASKA) project is to develop the lunar Cherenkov technique of using terrestrial radio telescope arrays for ultra-high energy (UHE) cosmic ray (CR) and neutrino detection, and in particular to prepare for using the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and its path-finders such as the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) and the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) for lunar Cherenkov experiments.Comment: 27 pages, 18 figures, 4 tables

Paroxysmal bradyarrhythmias are frequent among heart transplant recipients with unexplained syncope: a study based on implantable loop recorders

Research lette

LUNASKA Experiment Observational Limits on UHE Neutrinos from Centaurus A and the Galactic Center

We present the first observational limits to the ultra-high energy (UHE) neutrino flux from the Galactic Center, and from Centaurus A which is the nearest active galactic nucleus (AGN). These results are based on our "Lunar UHE Neutrino Astrophysics using the Square Kilometer Array" (LUNASKA) project experiments at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). We also derive limits for the previous experiments and compare these limits with expectations for acceleration and super-heavy dark matter models of the origin of UHE cosmic rays.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, additional experimental details and references given, limits now calculated also for NuMoon, uncertainties in calculation of LUNASKA limits now discussed, figures updated. Accepted for publication in MNRAS on 5 August 201

Laboratory diagnosis of severe hypertriglyceridaemia. Cases from the dyslipidaemia regristy of the spanish atherosclerosis society

Background and Aims Severe hypertriglyceridaemia (sHTG) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and acute pancreatitis episodes. Patients with sHTG fit mainly into two clinical entities: Familial or Multifactorial Chylomicronemia Syndromes (FCS and MCS, respectively). FCS and MCS exhibit clinical differences but also separate genetic and biochemical characteristics that can be assessed in the laboratory. The aim of this work has been to implement a laboratory workflow to help diagnose sHTG patients with either FCS or MCS. Methods Patients with two fasting triglycerides >1000mg/dL determinations were sequenced with a capture probe panel of 24 triglycerides-related genes using massive parallel sequencing (n=200). Two-step sequential ultracentrifugation was performed (n= 159) to diagnose Type I hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP I) and post heparin lipoprotein lipase activity was measured to discard or confirm its deficiency (n=60). Results Most patients had MCS as they: (i) did not exhibit HLPI and/or (ii) their genetic profile was not compatible with FCS and (iii) were not deficient in LPL activity. FCS cases were identified as they had: (i) HLPI, and/or (ii) biallelic pathogenic variants in LPL (n=5), GPIHBP1 (n=3), or LMF1 (n=2) genes and/or (iii) LPL activity deficiency. We identified 4 FCS patients with HLPI, biallelic pathogenic variants in APOA5 but a rescued LPL activity. An additional study of Apo-AV functionality was designed to confirm the FCS diagnosis in these cases. Conclusions Laboratory studies, in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia, provide with information of clinical utility to distinguish between Familial and Multifactorial Chylomicronemia Syndromes.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Quantum gravity phenomenology at the dawn of the multi-messenger era-A review.

The exploration of the universe has recently entered a new era thanks to the multi-messenger paradigm, characterized by a continuous increase in the quantity and quality of experimental data that is obtained by the detection of the various cosmic messengers (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays and gravitational waves) from numerous origins. They give us information about their sources in the universe and the properties of the intergalactic medium. Moreover, multi-messenger astronomy opens up the possibility to search for phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity. On the one hand, the most energetic events allow us to test our physical theories at energy regimes which are not directly accessible in accelerators; on the other hand, tiny effects in the propagation of very high energy particles could be amplified by cosmological distances. After decades of merely theoretical investigations, the possibility of obtaining phenomenological indications of Planck-scale effects is a revolutionary step in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity, but it requires cooperation between different communities of physicists (both theoretical and experimental). This review, prepared within the COST Action CA18108 "Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach", is aimed at promoting this cooperation by giving a state-of-the art account of the interdisciplinary expertise that is needed in the effective search of quantum gravity footprints in the production, propagation and detection of cosmic messengers. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V

Meliaceae (Sapindales): riqueza y distribución en el estado de Tabasco, México

Background and Aims: In order to update the checklist of Meliaceae that occur in the state of Tabasco under the current classification system, a taxonomic review of the family was conducted, contributing to the “Flora de Tabasco” project.Methods: A revision of specimens belonging to Meliaceae was performed in both state and national herbaria. Field work was carried out between 2015 and 2017 sampling a wide array of of natural and secondary vegetation types in Tabasco. The collected material was identified with the use of taxonomic keys and compared with reliably identified herbarium material. Type specimens available in JSTOR Global Plants were also consulted. We provide an identification key for the species of the family in Tabasco. We also performed an analysis of the distribution of the species based on vegetation type and ecological data. Finally, we provide a list of common names and images of several species.Key results: The Meliaceae are represented by 11 species and four native genera; there are also two alien genera (each represented by a single species). Two species constitute new records for the flora of Tabasco. Trichilia is represented by seven species, whereas Guarea has two. The municipalities with the highest number of species are Centro and Teapa with eight species each and Balancán with seven species. Conclusions: The Meliaceae species reported for the study area represent 45.83% of the 24 native species of this family known in Mexico. They are mostly distributed in areas of secondary vegetation and remnants of tropical rain forest close to the borders with Chiapas and Guatemala.Antecedentes y Objetivos: Con la finalidad de actualizar el listado de especies de Meliaceae en el estado de Tabasco bajo el sistema de clasificación actual, se completó una revisión taxonómica de la familia, como contribución al proyecto “Flora de Tabasco”. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una revisión en herbarios estatales y nacionales de los ejemplares de las especies de la familia Meliaceae y se realizaron colectas en campo de 2015 a 2017 en vegetación secundaria y primaria del estado. El material colectado fue identificado por medio de claves taxonómicas y cotejado con material de herbario. También se consultaron los ejemplares tipo disponibles en JSTOR Global Plants. Se hizo una clave de identificación para las especies de la familia en Tabasco y un análisis de distribución por tipo de vegetación y datos ecológicos; así mismo se registran nombres comunes y se ilustran algunas de las especies. Resultados clave: La familia Meliaceae está representada por 11 especies en cuatro géneros nativos y dos especies en dos géneros introducidos. Se registran por primera vez dos especies para el estado. El género Trichilia es representado por siete especies, seguido de Guarea con dos. Los municipios con el mayor número de especies son Centro y Teapa con ocho especies cada uno y Balancán con siete. Conclusiones: Las Meliáceas nativas presentes en la zona de estudio representan 45.83% de las 24 especies nativas estimadas para la familia en México y están distribuidas principalmente en áreas de vegetación secundaria y manchones de selva en municipios serranos fronterizos con Chiapas y Guatemala

Long-term effect of 2 intensive statin regimens on treatment and incidence of cardiovascular events in familial hypercholesterolemia : The SAFEHEART study

Funding: This study was supported by Fundación Hipercolesterolemia Familiar; Grant G03/181 Grant 08-2008 Centro Nacional de Investigaci?n Cardiovascular (CNIC).Background: Maximal doses of potent statins are the basement of treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Little is known about the use of different statin regimens in FH. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to describe the treatment changes and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement with atorvastatin (ATV) and rosuvastatin (RV) in the SAFEHEART cohort, as well as to analyze the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (ACVEs) and changes in the cardiovascular risk. Methods: SAFEHEART is a prospective follow-up nationwide cohort study in a molecularly defined FH population. The patients were contacted on a yearly basis to obtain relevant changes in life habits, medication, and ACVEs. Results: A total of 1939 patients were analyzed. Median follow-up was 6.6 years (5-10). The estimated 10-year risk according the SAFEHEART risk equation was 1.61 (0.67-3.39) and 1.22 (0.54-2.93) at enrollment for ATV and RV, respectively (P <.001). There were no significant differences at the follow-up: 1.29 (0.54-2.82) and 1.22 (0.54-2.76) in the ATV and RV groups, respectively (P =.51). Sixteen percent of patients in primary prevention with ATV and 18% with RV achieved an LDL-C <100 mg/dL and 4% in secondary prevention with ATV and 5% with RV achieved an LDL-C <70 mg/dL. The use of ezetimibe was marginally greater in the RV group. One hundred sixty ACVEs occurred during follow-up, being its incidence rate 1.1 events/100 patient-years in the ATV group and 1.2 in the RV group (P =.58). Conclusion: ATV and RV are 2 high-potency statins widely used in FH. Although the reduction in LDL-C levels was greater with RV than with ATV, the superiority of RV for reducing ACVEs was not demonstrated