Hadron energy response of the Iron Calorimeter detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory

The results of a Monte Carlo simulation study of the hadron energy response for the magnetized Iron CALorimeter detector, ICAL, proposed to be located at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is presented. Using a GEANT4 modeling of the detector ICAL, interactions of atmospheric neutrinos with target nuclei are simulated. The detector response to hadrons propagating through it is investigated using the hadron hit multiplicity in the active detector elements. The detector response to charged pions of fixed energy is studied first, followed by the average response to the hadrons produced in atmospheric neutrino interactions using events simulated with the NUANCE event generator. The shape of the hit distribution is observed to fit the Vavilov distribution, which reduces to a Gaussian at high energies. In terms of the parameters of this distribution, we present the hadron energy resolution as a function of hadron energy, and the calibration of hadron energy as a function of the hit multiplicity. The energy resolution for hadrons is found to be in the range 85% (for 1GeV) -- 36% (for 15 GeV).Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures (24 eps files

Physics Potential of the ICAL detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)

The upcoming 50 kt magnetized iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is designed to study the atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos separately over a wide range of energies and path lengths. The primary focus of this experiment is to explore the Earth matter effects by observing the energy and zenith angle dependence of the atmospheric neutrinos in the multi-GeV range. This study will be crucial to address some of the outstanding issues in neutrino oscillation physics, including the fundamental issue of neutrino mass hierarchy. In this document, we present the physics potential of the detector as obtained from realistic detector simulations. We describe the simulation framework, the neutrino interactions in the detector, and the expected response of the detector to particles traversing it. The ICAL detector can determine the energy and direction of the muons to a high precision, and in addition, its sensitivity to multi-GeV hadrons increases its physics reach substantially. Its charge identification capability, and hence its ability to distinguish neutrinos from antineutrinos, makes it an efficient detector for determining the neutrino mass hierarchy. In this report, we outline the analyses carried out for the determination of neutrino mass hierarchy and precision measurements of atmospheric neutrino mixing parameters at ICAL, and give the expected physics reach of the detector with 10 years of runtime. We also explore the potential of ICAL for probing new physics scenarios like CPT violation and the presence of magnetic monopoles.Comment: 139 pages, Physics White Paper of the ICAL (INO) Collaboration, Contents identical with the version published in Pramana - J. Physic

Germline variation in the insulin-like growth factor pathway and risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor, Barrett’s esophagus (BE), have uncovered significant genetic components of risk, but most heritability remains unexplained. Targeted assessment of genetic variation in biologically relevant pathways using novel analytical approaches may identify missed susceptibility signals. Central obesity, a key BE/EAC risk factor, is linked to systemic inflammation, altered hormonal signaling and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis dysfunction. Here, we assessed IGF-related genetic variation and risk of BE and EAC. Principal component analysis was employed to evaluate pathway-level and gene-level associations with BE/EAC, using genotypes for 270 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or near 12 IGF-related genes, ascertained from 3295 BE cases, 2515 EAC cases and 3207 controls in the Barrett’s and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium (BEACON) GWAS. Gene-level signals were assessed using Multi-marker Analysis of GenoMic Annotation (MAGMA) and SNP summary statistics from BEACON and an expanded GWAS meta-analysis (6167 BE cases, 4112 EAC cases, 17 159 controls). Global variation in the IGF pathway was associated with risk of BE (P = 0.0015). Gene-level associations with BE were observed for GHR (growth hormone receptor; P = 0.00046, false discovery rate q = 0.0056) and IGF1R (IGF1 receptor; P = 0.0090, q = 0.0542). These gene-level signals remained significant at q < 0.1 when assessed using data from the largest available BE/EAC GWAS meta-analysis. No significant associations were observed for EAC. This study represents the most comprehensive evaluation to date of inherited genetic variation in the IGF pathway and BE/EAC risk, providing novel evidence that variation in two genes encoding cell-surface receptors, GHR and IGF1R, may influence risk of BE

A systematic review of MERS-CoV seroprevalence and RNA prevalence in dromedary camels: implications for animal vaccination

Human infection with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is driven by recurring dromedary-to-human spill-over events, leading decision-makers to consider dromedary vaccination. Dromedary vaccine candidates in the development pipeline are showing hopeful results, but gaps in our understanding of the epidemiology of MERS-CoV in dromedaries must be addressed to design and evaluate potential vaccination strategies. We aim to bring together existing measures of MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels to assess the distribution of infection, highlighting knowledge gaps and implications for animal vaccination. We systematically reviewed the published literature on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science that reported seroprevalence and/or prevalence of active MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels from both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. 60 studies met our eligibility criteria. Qualitative syntheses determined that MERS-CoV seroprevalence increased with age up to 80–100% in adult dromedaries supporting geographically widespread endemicity of MERS-CoV in dromedaries in both the Arabian Peninsula and countries exporting dromedaries from Africa. The high prevalence of active infection measured in juveniles and at sites where dromedary populations mix should guide further investigation – particularly of dromedary movement – and inform vaccination strategy design and evaluation through mathematical modelling

Degree of Planning of Sexual Intercourse Among Men From China, Japan, and Taiwan Taking Medication for Erectile Dysfunction: Findings of an Observational, Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction: Management of erectile dysfunction (ED) is beset with assumptions around spontaneity of sexual intercourse, requiring candor between the physician and patient if appropriate treatment is to be implemented. Aim: To evaluate the degree to which men who take ED medications plan for and have sex. Methods: Men from China, Japan, and Taiwan aged 40–70 years who had taken ED medications within the past 3 months were invited to participate anonymously in an online, self-administered survey that enquired about frequency and advance planning of sex, time between taking ED medication and intercourse, and treatment satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Main Outcome Measure: Frequency of planning of sexual intercourse, planning and ED medication dosing interval, and frequency of ED medication use. Results: Data from 604 respondents (mean age 50.8 years) from China (n = 254), Japan (n = 250), and Taiwan (n = 100) were collected. Men used ED medications a median of ≤4 times per month in all 3 territories. 76% who used ED medication during the past 3 months planned for sex on specific occasions, with 59% and 52% agreeing that they plan for sex on specific days of the week and times of the day, respectively. Most commonly, men planned for sex up to several hours to a day beforehand, with 94% taking ED medication within 4 hours of sex. Satisfaction with ED medication was generally high and related to erection rigidity, speed of onset, and safety. Conclusion: Knowledge of the degree to which individuals with ED plan for sex may have important implications for the appropriate prescription of ED medication. The high degree of planning around sexual activities exhibited by men taking ED medication suggests there is a need for appropriate counseling to ensure that treatment is aligned with patient behavior.Jiann B-P, Nakajima K, Dighe S, et al. Degree of planning of sexual intercourse among men from China, Japan, and Taiwan taking medication for erectile dysfunction: Findings of an observational, cross-sectional survey. Sex Med 2019;7:54–60. Key Words: Erectile Dysfunction, Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor, Sexual Habits, Advance Planning, Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafi

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine response in adults with predominantly antibody deficiency

Background: Patients with predominantly antibody deficiency (PAD) have lower anti–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike antibody levels after initial 2-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination than healthy controls do; however, the anti-spike antibody responses and neutralization function in patients with PAD following subsequent immunizations remain understudied. Objective: We sought to characterize anti-spike antibody responses in adults with PAD over the course of 5 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses and identify diagnostic and immunophenotypic risk factors for low antibody response. Methods: We evaluated anti-spike antibody levels in 117 adult patients with PAD and 192 adult healthy controls following a maximum of 5 SARS-CoV-2 immunizations. We assessed neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 wild-type strain and the Omicron BA.5 variant and analyzed infection outcomes. Results: The patients with PAD had significantly lower mean anti-spike antibody levels after 3 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses than the healthy controls did (1,439.1 vs 21,890.4 U/mL [P < .0001]). Adults with secondary PAD, severe primary PAD, and high-risk immunophenotypes had lower mean anti-spike antibody levels following vaccine doses 2, 3, and/or 4 but not following vaccine dose 5. Compared with patients with mild and moderate PAD, patients with severe PAD had a higher rate of increase in anti-spike antibody levels over 5 immunizations. A strong positive correlation was observed between anti-spike antibody levels and neutralization of both the SARS-CoV-2 wild-type strain and the Omicron BA.5 variant. Most infections were managed on an outpatient basis. Conclusions: In all of the patients with PAD, anti-spike antibody levels increased with successive SARS-CoV-2 immunizations and were correlated with neutralization of both the SARS-CoV-2 wild-type strain and the Omicron BA.5 variant. Secondary PAD, severe primary PAD, and high-risk immunophenotypes were correlated with lower mean anti-spike antibody levels following vaccine doses 2 through 4. Patients with severe PAD had the highest rate of increase in anti-spike antibody levels over 5 immunizations. These data suggest a clinical benefit to sequential SARS-CoV-2 immunizations, particularly among high-risk patients with PAD

Simulation studies of hadron energy resolution as a function of iron plate thickness at INO-ICAL

We report on a detailed simulation study of the hadron energy resolution as a function of the thickness of the absorber plates for the proposed Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO). We compare the hadron resolutions obtained with absorber thicknesses in the range 1.5–8 cm for neutrino interactions in the energy range 2–15 GeV, which is relevant to hadron production in atmospheric neutrino interactions. We find that at lower energies, the thickness dependence of energy resolution is steeper than at higher energies, however there is a thickness-independent contribution that dominates at the lower thicknesses discussed in this work. As a result, the gain in hadron energy resolution with decreasing plate thickness is marginal. We present the results in the form of fits to a function with energy-dependent exponent