Extended axion electrodynamics: Optical activity induced by nonstationary dark matter

We establish a new self-consistent Einstein-Maxwell-axion model based on the Lagrangian, which is linear in the pseudoscalar (axion) field and its four-gradient and includes the four-vector of macroscopic velocity of the axion system as a whole. We consider extended equations of the axion electrodynamics, modified gravity field equations, and discuss nonstationary effects in the phenomenon of optical activity induced by axions.Comment: 6 pages, 0 figures, accepted for publication in the Journal Gravitation and Cosmology, reported at the 14th Russian Gravitational Conference (Ulyanovsk, 2011

Sensitivity studies on the photolysis rates calculation in Amazonian atmospheric chemistry ? Part I: The impact of the direct radiative effect of biomass burning aerosol particles

International audienceThe impact of the direct radiative effect of the aerosol particles on the calculation of the photolysis rates and consequently on the atmospheric chemistry in regional smoke clouds due to biomass burning over the Amazon basin is addressed in this work. It explores a case study for 19 September 2002 at LBA-RACCI-SMOCC (The Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere experiment in Amazonia ? Radiation, Cloud, and Climate Interactions ? Smoke, Aerosols, Clouds, Rainfall and Climate) pasture site in SW Amazonia. The Tropospheric Ultraviolet Visible radiation model (TUV) version 4.2, (Madronich et al., 1987) is used for the photolysis rates calculation considering the layer aerosol optical depth from the Coupled Aerosol Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS) (Freitas et al., 2005). A dynamical aerosol model (Procópio et al., 2003) is included in the radiative transfer model to take into account the high temporal variability of the aerosol optical thickness. This methodology is tested by comparing modeled and measured clear sky solar irradiances. The results show a good agreement with measured PAR radiation values. The actinic flux attenuation, for AOT (500 nm) values around 1.94, decreases the photolysis rates by about 70% in the presence of near-ground smoke aerosol and above the smoke layer the photolysis process tends to increase by about 40%. A simulation of the ozone production is carried out using a one-dimensional photochemical box model and comparisons with observation are shown

THE EFFECT OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT ON EEG TOPOGRAPHIC CHANGES AFTER ON-PUMP CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

The purpose. Previously it was shown that on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) induced cerebral ischemia and cognitive decline. The patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be a high-risk group of CABG-associated cognitive decline. Non-invasive neuromonitoring can provide information regarding subclinical symptoms and topography of cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the topographic changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with or without MCI before and after on-pump CABG.Methods: 62 males with CAD were divided into two groups according to their Mini-Mental State Examination: without MCI (n = 37) and with MCI (n = 25). Clinical factors were assessed, including the severity of coronary lesions (SYNTAX score), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Eyes-closed rest EEG was recorded from 62 channels positioned according to the International 10–20 system. Spectral EEG power was calculated for frequencies from 0.1 to 50 Hz.Results: The patients with MCI had theta-1 (4–6 Hz) power increase 7-10 days after on-pump CABG only in frontal and fronto-central clusters of right and left hemispheres as compared to the preoperative values, whereas in the groups without MCI this effect was widespread over the brain. In the beta-1 band (13–20 Hz), CABG patients with MCI had power increase in the frontal, fronto-central and fronto-temporal regions of the brain cortex. Similar power changes in patients without MCI were observed only for occipital brain clusters.Conclusions: CAD patients with MCI have demonstrated EEG signs of cortical dysfunction focused on the frontal brain areas. Cortical dysfunction in this localization can be associated with the progression of cognitive deficits, causing loss social integration in CAD patients with MCI.The purpose. Previously it was shown that on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) induced cerebral ischemia and cognitive decline. The patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be a high-risk group of CABG-associated cognitive decline. Non-invasive neuromonitoring can provide information regarding subclinical symptoms and topography of cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the topographic changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with or without MCI before and after on-pump CABG.Methods: 62 males with CAD were divided into two groups according to their Mini-Mental State Examination: without MCI (n = 37) and with MCI (n = 25). Clinical factors were assessed, including the severity of coronary lesions (SYNTAX score), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Eyes-closed rest EEG was recorded from 62 channels positioned according to the International 10–20 system. Spectral EEG power was calculated for frequencies from 0.1 to 50 Hz.Results: The patients with MCI had theta-1 (4–6 Hz) power increase 7-10 days after on-pump CABG only in frontal and fronto-central clusters of right and left hemispheres as compared to the preoperative values, whereas in the groups without MCI this effect was widespread over the brain. In the beta-1 band (13–20 Hz), CABG patients with MCI had power increase in the frontal, fronto-central and fronto-temporal regions of the brain cortex. Similar power changes in patients without MCI were observed only for occipital brain clusters. Conclusions: CAD patients with MCI have demonstrated EEG signs of cortical dysfunction focused on the frontal brain areas. Cortical dysfunction in this localization can be associated with the progression of cognitive deficits, causing loss social integration in CAD patients with MCI

Awareness and utilization of HIV testing and prevention services among female sex workers in Dnipro, Ukraine: implications for prevention program strengthening from the dynamics study

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 240,000 people live with HIV in Ukraine, concentrated among key populations, including sex workers. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role in the funding and delivery of HIV testing and prevention services in Ukraine. These services are set within the context of national healthcare reforms as well as ongoing armed conflict. This study seeks to describe and understand the usage of HIV testing and prevention services among sex workers in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. METHODS: A cross-sectional bio-behavioral survey was administered in September 2017-March 2018 among 560 sex workers working in Dnipro. Descriptive analyses of survey data are presented alongside multivariable logistic regression models identifying factors associated with NGO awareness and HIV testing in the past 12 months; adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent of respondents were aware of NGOs offering HIV services. Sixty-eight percent had tested for HIV in the past 12 months, and 51% of those who reported the location of their most recent test were tested at an NGO. Those with 5-9 years in sex work had greater odds of being aware of NGOs (AOR = 5.5, 95%CI: 3.2-9.7) and testing for HIV (AOR = 3.4, 95%CI: 2.0-6.0) compared to those new to the profession. Contact with outreach workers was strongly associated with increased odds of testing (AOR = 13.0, 95%CI: 7.0-24.0). Sex workers in "offices" (brothel-like venues) reported higher odds of testing than all other workplaces, while those in entertainment venues (AOR = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.2-0.5) and public places (AOR = 0.2, 95%CI: 0.1-0.3) reported lower rates. Receiving prevention services, such as free condoms, was associated with increased testing (AOR = 16.9, 95%CI: 9.7-29.3). DISCUSSION: NGOs in Dnipro, Ukraine play an important role in HIV testing and prevention for women involved in sex work. However, focused efforts should be placed on supporting access to these services for women that are newer to sex work, and those working in entertainment venues or public places. Outreach workers appear to support access to HIV prevention information and supplies and facilitate linkages to HIV testing for sex workers

Evaluation morphological changes in temporo-mandibular joints with experimental animals in the process of modeling fibrous ankylosis and the impact of transkranial electric stimulation on them

The results of morphological changes in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with 30 experimental animals in the process of modeling fibrous ankylosis are given in the article. The analysis of the results obtained has shown the positive impact of transkranial electric stimulation (TES-therapy) which reduced the destructive processes in bone tissue of mandibular head and mandibular fossa thus accelerating the process of their restructuring and the promotion of osteogenesis process compared to the fabrics of TMJ with experimental animals to whom the TES-therapy has not been applied

Calibration and Characterization of the IceCube Photomultiplier Tube

Over 5,000 PMTs are being deployed at the South Pole to compose the IceCube neutrino observatory. Many are placed deep in the ice to detect Cherenkov light emitted by the products of high-energy neutrino interactions, and others are frozen into tanks on the surface to detect particles from atmospheric cosmic ray showers. IceCube is using the 10-inch diameter R7081-02 made by Hamamatsu Photonics. This paper describes the laboratory characterization and calibration of these PMTs before deployment. PMTs were illuminated with pulses ranging from single photons to saturation level. Parameterizations are given for the single photoelectron charge spectrum and the saturation behavior. Time resolution, late pulses and afterpulses are characterized. Because the PMTs are relatively large, the cathode sensitivity uniformity was measured. The absolute photon detection efficiency was calibrated using Rayleigh-scattered photons from a nitrogen laser. Measured characteristics are discussed in the context of their relevance to IceCube event reconstruction and simulation efforts.Comment: 40 pages, 12 figure

Detection of Atmospheric Muon Neutrinos with the IceCube 9-String Detector

The IceCube neutrino detector is a cubic kilometer TeV to PeV neutrino detector under construction at the geographic South Pole. The dominant population of neutrinos detected in IceCube is due to meson decay in cosmic-ray air showers. These atmospheric neutrinos are relatively well-understood and serve as a calibration and verification tool for the new detector. In 2006, the detector was approximately 10% completed, and we report on data acquired from the detector in this configuration. We observe an atmospheric neutrino signal consistent with expectations, demonstrating that the IceCube detector is capable of identifying neutrino events. In the first 137.4 days of livetime, 234 neutrino candidates were selected with an expectation of 211 +/- 76.1(syst.) +/- 14.5(stat.) events from atmospheric neutrinos

Limits on the high-energy gamma and neutrino fluxes from the SGR 1806-20 giant flare of December 27th, 2004 with the AMANDA-II detector

On December 27th 2004, a giant gamma flare from the Soft Gamma-ray Repeater 1806-20 saturated many satellite gamma-ray detectors. This event was by more than two orders of magnitude the brightest cosmic transient ever observed. If the gamma emission extends up to TeV energies with a hard power law energy spectrum, photo-produced muons could be observed in surface and underground arrays. Moreover, high-energy neutrinos could have been produced during the SGR giant flare if there were substantial baryonic outflow from the magnetar. These high-energy neutrinos would have also produced muons in an underground array. AMANDA-II was used to search for downgoing muons indicative of high-energy gammas and/or neutrinos. The data revealed no significant signal. The upper limit on the gamma flux at 90% CL is dN/dE < 0.05 (0.5) TeV^-1 m^-2 s^-1 for gamma=-1.47 (-2). Similarly, we set limits on the normalization constant of the high-energy neutrino emission of 0.4 (6.1) TeV^-1 m^-2 s^-1 for gamma=-1.47 (-2).Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure

PFKFB3 overexpression in monocytes of patients with colon but not rectal cancer programs pro-tumor macrophages and is indicative for higher risk of tumor relapse

Introduction: Circulating monocytes are main source for tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that control tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis and therapy resistance. We raised the questions how monocyte programming is affected by growing tumors localized in colon and rectal sections, and how treatment onsets affect monocyte programming in the circulation. Methods: Patients with rectal cancer and colon cancer were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood monocytes were characterized by phenotypic analysis using flow cytometry, by transcriptomic analysis using RNA sequencing and by gene expression analysis using real-time RT-PCR. Phenotypic analysis was performed with IF/confocal microscopy. Spatial transcriptomic analysis was applied using GeoMX DSP-NGS. Results: In patients with rectal cancer, increased amount of CCR2+ monocytes was indicative for the absence of both lymphatic and hematogenous metastasis. In contrast, in patients with colon cancer CD163+ monocytes were indicative for LN metastasis. NGS analysis identified tumor-specific transcriptional programming of monocytes in all CRC patients compared to healthy individuals. The key transcriptional difference between monocytes of patients with colon and rectal cancer was increased expression of PFKFB3, activator of glycolysis that is currently considered as therapy target for major solid cancers. PFKFB3-expressing monocyte-derived macrophages massively infiltrated tumor in colon. Nanostring technology identified correlation of PFKFB3 with amount and tumor-promoting properties of TAMs in colon but not in rectal cancer. PFKFB3 was indicative for tumor relapse specifically in colon cancer. Discussion: Our findings provide essential argument towards CRC definition to cover two clinically distinct cancers – colon cancer and rectal cancer, that differentially interact with innate immunity