Spatial Resolution Attainable with Cathode Strip Chambers at the Trigger Level

A simple network of comparators applied to the strip signals of a cathode strip chamber allows quick hit localization to within a halfstrip width, or +/- a quarter-strip. A six-plane chamber with 6.4 mm wide strips was tested in a high-energy muon beam. The chamber was placed behind a 30 cm thick iron block. We show that patterns of hits localized to within a halfstrip allowed us to identify 300 GeV/c muon tracks with 99% probability and 0.7 mm spatial resolution in the presence of muon bremsstrahlung radiation. This technique of finding muon tracks will be used in the cathode strip chambers of the CMS Endcap Muon System

Spontaneous twin anemia polycythemia sequence: diagnosis, management, and outcome in an international cohort of 249 cases.

BACKGROUND: Twin anemia polycythemia sequence is a chronic form of unbalanced fetofetal transfusion through minuscule placental anastomoses in monochorionic twins, leading to anemia in the donor and polycythemia in the recipient. Owing to the low incidence of twin anemia polycythemia sequence, data on diagnosis, management, and outcome are limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the diagnosis, management, and outcome in a large international cohort of spontaneous twin anemia polycythemia sequence. STUDY DESIGN: Data from the international twin anemia polycythemia sequence registry, retrospectively collected between 2014 and 2019, were used for this study. A total of 17 fetal therapy centers contributed to the data collection. The primary outcomes were perinatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity. Secondary outcomes included a risk factor analysis for perinatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 249 cases of spontaneous twin anemia polycythemia sequence were included in this study, 219 (88%) of which were diagnosed antenatally and 30 (12%) postnatally. Twin anemia polycythemia sequence was diagnosed antenatally at a median gestational age of 23.7 weeks (interquartile range, 9.7-28.8; range, 15.1-35.3). Antenatal management included laser surgery in 39% (86 of 219), expectant management in 23% (51 of 219), delivery in 16% (34 of 219), intrauterine transfusion (with partial exchange transfusion) in 12% (26 of 219), selective feticide in 8% (18 of 219), and termination of pregnancy in 1% (3 of 219) of cases. Perinatal mortality rate was 15% (72 of 493) for the total group, 22% (54 of 243) for donors, and 7% (18 of 242) for recipients (P<.001). Severe neonatal morbidity occurred in 33% (141 of 432) of twins with twin anemia polycythemia sequence and was similar for donors (32%; 63 of 196) and recipients (33%; 75 of 228) (P=.628). Independent risk factors for spontaneous perinatal mortality were donor status (odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-7.5; P<.001), antenatal twin anemia polycythemia sequence stage (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-27.8; P=.016 [stage 2]; odds ratio, 9.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-45.5; P=.005 [stage 3]; odds ratio, 20.9; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-146.4; P=.002 [stage 4]), and gestational age at birth (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.9; P=.001). Independent risk factors for severe neonatal morbidity were antenatal twin anemia polycythemia sequence stage 4 (odds ratio, 7.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-43.3; P=.018) and gestational age at birth (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.1, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Spontaneous twin anemia polycythemia sequence can develop at any time in pregnancy from the beginning of the second trimester to the end of the third trimester. Management for twin anemia polycythemia sequence varies considerably, with laser surgery being the most frequent intervention. Perinatal mortality and severe neonatal morbidity were high, the former especially so in the donor twins

Measurement of the mass difference m(D-s(+))-m(D+) at CDF II

We present a measurement of the mass difference m(D-s(+))-m(D+), where both the D-s(+) and D+ are reconstructed in the phipi(+) decay channel. This measurement uses 11.6 pb(-1) of data collected by CDF II using the new displaced-track trigger. The mass difference is found to be m(D-s(+))-m(D+)=99.41+/-0.38(stat)+/-0.21(syst) MeV/c(2)

Pain Sketches to Predict Pain following Primary Targeted Muscle Reinnervation in Amputees

Background: Numeric scales are validated methods to report pain outcomes after targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) but do not include the assessment of qualitative pain components. This study evaluates the application of pain sketches within a cohort of patients undergoing primary TMR and describes differences in pain progression according to early postoperative sketches. Methods: This study included 30 patients with major limb amputation and primary TMR. Patients' drawings were categorized into four categories of pain distribution [focal pain (FP), radiating pain (RP), diffuse pain (DP), or no pain (NP)] and interrater reliability was calculated. Second, pain outcomes were analyzed for each category. Pain scores were the primary outcome, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments were the secondary outcome. Results: The interrater reliability for the sketch categories was good (overall kappa coefficient of 0.8). The NP category reported a mean decrease in pain of 4.8 points, followed by the DP (2.5 points) and FP categories (2.0 points). The RP category reported a mean increase in pain of 0.5 points. For PROMIS Pain Interference and Pain Intensity, the DP category reported a mean decrease of 7.2 and 6.5 points, respectively, followed by the FP category (5.3 and 3.6 points). The RP category reported a mean increase of 2.0 points in PROMIS Pain Interference and a mean decrease of 1.4 points in PROMIS Pain Intensity. Secondary outcomes for the NP category were not reported. Conclusion: Pain sketches demonstrated reliability in pain morphology assessment and might be an adjunctive tool for pain interpretation in this setting.</p

Pain Sketches to Predict Pain following Primary Targeted Muscle Reinnervation in Amputees

Background: Numeric scales are validated methods to report pain outcomes after targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) but do not include the assessment of qualitative pain components. This study evaluates the application of pain sketches within a cohort of patients undergoing primary TMR and describes differences in pain progression according to early postoperative sketches. Methods: This study included 30 patients with major limb amputation and primary TMR. Patients' drawings were categorized into four categories of pain distribution [focal pain (FP), radiating pain (RP), diffuse pain (DP), or no pain (NP)] and interrater reliability was calculated. Second, pain outcomes were analyzed for each category. Pain scores were the primary outcome, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments were the secondary outcome. Results: The interrater reliability for the sketch categories was good (overall kappa coefficient of 0.8). The NP category reported a mean decrease in pain of 4.8 points, followed by the DP (2.5 points) and FP categories (2.0 points). The RP category reported a mean increase in pain of 0.5 points. For PROMIS Pain Interference and Pain Intensity, the DP category reported a mean decrease of 7.2 and 6.5 points, respectively, followed by the FP category (5.3 and 3.6 points). The RP category reported a mean increase of 2.0 points in PROMIS Pain Interference and a mean decrease of 1.4 points in PROMIS Pain Intensity. Secondary outcomes for the NP category were not reported. Conclusion: Pain sketches demonstrated reliability in pain morphology assessment and might be an adjunctive tool for pain interpretation in this setting.</p

Front-end electronics for the cathode strip readout of the CMS endcap muon system

The operation of the cathode front-end electronics for the endcap muon system of CMS is described. The front-end circuitry is partially incorporated into ASICs; the progress of those chips under development for reading out the precise position measurement ( preamp/shaper, readout controller and switched capacitor array) is reported

Biology and pathophysiology of symptomatic neuromas

Neuromas are a substantial cause of morbidity and reduction in quality of life. This is not only caused by a disruption in motor and sensory function from the underlying nerve injury but also by the debilitating effects of neuropathic pain resulting from symptomatic neuromas. A wide range of surgical and therapeutic modalities have been introduced to mitigate this pain. Nevertheless, no single treatment option has been successful in completely resolving the associated constellation of symptoms. While certain novel surgical techniques have shown promising results in reducing neuroma-derived and phantom limb pain, their effectiveness and the exact mechanism behind their pain-relieving capacities have not yet been defined. Furthermore, surgery has inherent risks, may not be suitable for many patients, and may yet still fail to relieve pain. Therefore, there remains a great clinical need for additional therapeutic modalities to further improve treatment for patients with devastating injuries that lead to symptomatic neuromas. However, the molecular mechanisms and genetic contributions behind the regulatory programs that drive neuroma formation - as well as the resulting neuropathic pain - remain incompletely understood. Here, we review the histopathological features of symptomatic neuromas, our current understanding of the mechanisms that favor neuroma formation, and the putative contributory signals and regulatory programs that facilitate somatic pain, including neurotrophic factors, neuroinflammatory peptides, cytokines, along with transient receptor potential, and ionotropic channels that suggest possible approaches and innovations to identify novel clinical therapeutics.</p