Absence of molecular evidence of Leptospira spp. in urine samples collected from rodents captured in Yucatán, México

Leptospira spp. is a spirochete bacteria, causal agent of leptospirosis, zoonotic disease endemic in México that represents a serious public health and veterinary problem. Rodents are recognised as the most important reservoirs of this bacteria, which is transmitted mainly through direct or indirect contact with the Leptospira spp. excreted in the urine of infected individuals. Theaim of this study was to evaluate the circulation of Leptospira spp. in urine samples of wild and synanthropic rodents from Yucatán, México. Eighty-four rodents were captured in the community of Cenotillo, Yucatán. Twenty-six urine samples were collected from the bladder and were used in the total DNA extraction. The identification of Leptospira spp. was intended through the polymerase chain reaction test in its endpoint variant. No evidence of Leptospira spp. was found in the urine samples. It is necessary to use other tissues for the identification of Leptospira spp., before concluding that the rodents used in the present study are not reservoirs of this bacteri

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Energy Estimation of Cosmic Rays with the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) is part of the Pierre Auger Observatory and is used to detect the radio emission of cosmic-ray air showers. These observations are compared to the data of the surface detector stations of the Observatory, which provide well-calibrated information on the cosmic-ray energies and arrival directions. The response of the radio stations in the 30 to 80 MHz regime has been thoroughly calibrated to enable the reconstruction of the incoming electric field. For the latter, the energy deposit per area is determined from the radio pulses at each observer position and is interpolated using a two-dimensional function that takes into account signal asymmetries due to interference between the geomagnetic and charge-excess emission components. The spatial integral over the signal distribution gives a direct measurement of the energy transferred from the primary cosmic ray into radio emission in the AERA frequency range. We measure 15.8 MeV of radiation energy for a 1 EeV air shower arriving perpendicularly to the geomagnetic field. This radiation energy -- corrected for geometrical effects -- is used as a cosmic-ray energy estimator. Performing an absolute energy calibration against the surface-detector information, we observe that this radio-energy estimator scales quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy as expected for coherent emission. We find an energy resolution of the radio reconstruction of 22% for the data set and 17% for a high-quality subset containing only events with at least five radio stations with signal.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Measurement of the Radiation Energy in the Radio Signal of Extensive Air Showers as a Universal Estimator of Cosmic-Ray Energy

We measure the energy emitted by extensive air showers in the form of radio emission in the frequency range from 30 to 80 MHz. Exploiting the accurate energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory, we obtain a radiation energy of 15.8 \pm 0.7 (stat) \pm 6.7 (sys) MeV for cosmic rays with an energy of 1 EeV arriving perpendicularly to a geomagnetic field of 0.24 G, scaling quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy. A comparison with predictions from state-of-the-art first-principle calculations shows agreement with our measurement. The radiation energy provides direct access to the calorimetric energy in the electromagnetic cascade of extensive air showers. Comparison with our result thus allows the direct calibration of any cosmic-ray radio detector against the well-established energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DOI. Supplemental material in the ancillary file

Consenso mexicano para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica en adolescentes y adultos

Abstract Background: The diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies of atopic dermatitis (AD) are generally inconsistent among physicians and health institutions. Objective: To develop a consensus statement among experts to reduce the variations in practice regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients ≥ 12 years with AD to improve their care. Methods: Systematic literature search in PubMed and GREAT. With methodological support and using the Delphi method, a formal consensus was developed among 16 experts in Dermatology and Allergology, based on the current evidence and its applicability in the Mexican context. Apart from intense electronic communication, several issues of disagreement were discussed in two face-to-face meetings. Results: The clinical experts reached consensus on 46 statements related to the definition, classification, diagnostic strategies and treatment of AD. For the diagnosis we suggest the Williams criteria and for severity scoring the SCORAD (by the doctor) and POEM (by the patient). In addition to general care and treatment education (workshops), we suggest four steps for treatment, depending on severity: 1. Topical treatment with anti-inflammatory agents (and systemic: antihistamines/antileukotrienes —low level evidence—) 2. Phototherapy, 3. Cyclosporin A and 4. Dupilumab, with the possibility of managing this biological earlier on if a fast effect is needed. In extrinsic AD we suggest evaluating the addition of allergen immunotherapy or an elimination diet, if there is an IgE-mediated respiratory or food allergy, respectively. Conclusion: The panel of experts reached consensus on relevant aspects of AD with a focus on the transcultural adaptation of recent evidence. Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Atopic dermatitis treatment; Consensus; Cyclosporin A; Biological treatment; Dupilumab; Omalizumab. Resumen Antecedentes: Los abordajes diagnósticos y las estrategias terapéuticas de la dermatitis atópica generalmente son inconsistentes entre los médicos y entre las instituciones de salud. Objetivo: Consensar las opiniones de expertos para reducir las variaciones en la práctica respecto al diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes ≥ 12 años con dermatitis atópica para mejorar su cuidado. Métodos: Búsqueda sistemática de la literatura en PubMed y GREAT. Con apoyo metodológico y utilizando el método Delphi se desarrolló un consenso formal entre 16 expertos en dermatología y alergología, basándose en la evidencia actual y su aplicabilidad en el contexto mexicano. A parte de una comunicación electrónica intensa, se discutieron los puntos en desacuerdo en dos reuniones presenciales. Resultados: Los expertos clínicos alcanzaron consenso en 46 declaraciones relacionadas con la definición, clasificación, estrategias de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica. Para el diagnóstico sugerimos se usan los criterios de Williams y el SCORAD (por parte del médico) y POEM (por parte del paciente) para definir la gravedad. Aunado a cuidados generales y educación terapéutica, sugerimos cuatro pasos para tratamiento, según gravedad: 1. Manejo tópico con antiinflamatorio (y sistémico: antihistamínico/ antileucotrieno —evidencia reducida—) 2. Fototerapia, 3. Ciclosporina A y 4. Dupilumab, con la posibilidad de manejarlo antes si se necesita efecto rápido. En la dermatitis atópica extrínseca sugerimos agregar inmunoterapia con alérgenos o una dieta de eliminación si existe una alergia IgE-mediada, inhalatoria o alimentaria, respectivamente. Conclusión: El panel de expertos realizó consenso en aspectos relevantes de la dermatitis atópica con enfoque en la adaptación transcultural de evidencia reciente. Palabras clave: Dermatitis atópica; Ciclosporina A; Tratamiento biológico; Dupilumab; Omalizumab; Posición de consenso

A search for ultra-high-energy photons at the Pierre Auger Observatory exploiting air-shower universality

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the most sensitive detector to primary photons with energies above ∼0.2 EeV. It measures extensive air showers using a hybrid technique that combines a fluorescence detector (FD) with a ground array of particle detectors (SD). The signatures of a photon-induced air shower are a larger atmospheric depth at the shower maximum (X$_{max}$) and a steeper lateral distribution function, along with a lower number of muons with respect to the bulk of hadron-induced background. Using observables measured by the FD and SD, three photon searches in different energy bands are performed. In particular, between threshold energies of 1-10 EeV, a new analysis technique has been developed by combining the FD-based measurement of X$_{max}$ with the SD signal through a parameter related to its muon content, derived from the universality of the air showers. This technique has led to a better photon/hadron separation and, consequently, to a higher search sensitivity, resulting in a tighter upper limit than before. The outcome of this new analysis is presented here, along with previous results in the energy ranges below 1 EeV and above 10 EeV. From the data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory in about 15 years of operation, the most stringent constraints on the fraction of photons in the cosmic flux are set over almost three decades in energy

Study on multi-ELVES in the Pierre Auger Observatory

Since 2013, the four sites of the Fluorescence Detector (FD) of the Pierre Auger Observatory record ELVES with a dedicated trigger. These UV light emissions are correlated to distant lightning strikes. The length of recorded traces has been increased from 100 μs (2013), to 300 μs (2014-16), to 900 μs (2017-present), to progressively extend the observation of the light emission towards the vertical of the causative lightning and beyond. A large fraction of the observed events shows double ELVES within the time window, and, in some cases, even more complex structures are observed. The nature of the multi-ELVES is not completely understood but may be related to the different types of lightning in which they are originated. For example, it is known that Narrow Bipolar Events can produce double ELVES, and Energetic In-cloud Pulses, occurring between the main negative and upper positive charge layer of clouds, can induce double and even quadruple ELVES in the ionosphere. This report shows the seasonal and daily dependence of the time gap, amplitude ratio, and correlation between the pulse widths of the peaks in a sample of 1000+ multi-ELVES events recorded during the period 2014-20. The events have been compared with data from other satellite and ground-based sensing devices to study the correlation of their properties with lightning observables such as altitude and polarity

Studies of the mass composition of cosmic rays and proton-proton interaction cross-sections at ultra-high energies with the Pierre Auger Observatory

In this work, we present an estimate of the cosmic-ray mass composition from the distributions of the depth of the shower maximum (Xmax) measured by the fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. We discuss the sensitivity of the mass composition measurements to the uncertainties in the properties of the hadronic interactions, particularly in the predictions of the particle interaction cross-sections. For this purpose, we adjust the fractions of cosmic-ray mass groups to fit the data with Xmax distributions from air shower simulations. We modify the proton-proton cross-sections at ultra-high energies, and the corresponding air shower simulations with rescaled nucleus-air cross-sections are obtained via Glauber theory. We compare the energy-dependent composition of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays obtained for the different extrapolations of the proton-proton cross-sections from low-energy accelerator data

Study of downward Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The surface detector (SD) of the Pierre Auger Observatory, consisting of 1660 water-Cherenkov detectors (WCDs), covers 3000 km2 in the Argentinian pampa. Thanks to the high efficiency of WCDs in detecting gamma rays, it represents a unique instrument for studying downward Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) over a large area. Peculiar events, likely related to downward TGFs, were detected at the Auger Observatory. Their experimental signature and time evolution are very different from those of a shower produced by an ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray. They happen in coincidence with low thunderclouds and lightning, and their large deposited energy at the ground is compatible with that of a standard downward TGF with the source a few kilometers above the ground. A new trigger algorithm to increase the TGF-like event statistics was installed in the whole array. The study of the performance of the new trigger system during the lightning season is ongoing and will provide a handle to develop improved algorithms to implement in the Auger upgraded electronic boards. The available data sample, even if small, can give important clues about the TGF production models, in particular, the shape of WCD signals. Moreover, the SD allows us to observe more than one point in the TGF beam, providing information on the emission angle