Cosmic neutrino background detection with PTOLEMY

The PTOLEMY experiment aims at detecting the cosmic neutrino background, generated approximately one second after the Big Bang, in accordance with Standard Cosmology. Given the extremely low energy of these neutrinos, reliable experimental detection can be accomplished through neutrino captures on beta-unstable nuclides, eliminating the need for a specific energy threshold. Tritium implanted on a carbon-based nanostructure emerges as a promising candidate among the various isotopes due to its favorable cross-section and low-endpoint energy. The Ptolemy collaboration plans to integrate a solid-state tritium source with a novel compact electro-magnetic filter, based on the dynamic transverse momentum cancellation concept. This filter will be employed in conjunction with an event-based preliminary radio-frequency preselection. The measurement of neutrino mass and the exploration of light sterile neutrinos represent additional outcomes stemming from the Ptolemy experiment’s physics potential, even when utilizing smaller or intermediate-scale detectors. To finalize the conceptualization of the detector, a demonstrator prototype will be assembled and tested at LNGS in 2024. This prototype aims at addressing the challenging aspects of the Ptolemy experimen

Parameter recovery, bias and standard errors in the linear ballistic accumulator model

The linear ballistic accumulator (LBA) model (Brown & Heathcote, Cogn. Psychol., 57, 153) is increasingly popular in modelling response times from experimental data. An R package, glba, has been developed to fit the LBA model using maximum likelihood estimation which is validated by means of a parameter recovery study. At sufficient sample sizes parameter recovery is good, whereas at smaller sample sizes there can be large bias in parameters. In a second simulation study, two methods for computing parameter standard errors are compared. The Hessian-based method is found to be adequate and is (much) faster than the alternative bootstrap method. The use of parameter standard errors in model selection and inference is illustrated in an example using data from an implicit learning experiment (Visser et al., Mem. Cogn., 35, 1502). It is shown that typical implicit learning effects are captured by different parameters of the LBA model

FLOW pillow:exploring sitting experience towards active ageing

In this paper, we present an exploratory study of the prototype of FLOW, a portable exercise platform that aims at aiding sedentary behavior among elderly people by offering them a more active sitting experience in their daily routines. We designed FLOW based on three iterations, revolving technology implementation, interaction design, and user experience design. With our prototype, we conducted a pilot study with elderly people (n=5) in a care center in the Netherlands. We evaluated user experiences and interactions with the FLOW pillow through observation, interview, and questionnaire techniques from Flow Theory. By analyzing the obtained data from the pilot study, we discussed the opportunities of FLOW in motivating active sitting behaviors for elderly and implications for future works

Higher Incidence of Hypospadias in Monochorionic Twins

Background: Hypospadias is associated with twinning. The incidence of hypospadias in monochorionic and dichorionic male twins is, however, yet to be determined. Methods: All medical records of monochorionic and dichorionic twins admitted to our neonatal nursery between January 2004 and August 2013 were reviewed for the presence of hypospadias. Results: A total of 350 monochorionic and 303 dichorionic male twins were included in the study. The incidence of hypospadias in monochorionic and dichorionic groups was 4% (14/350) and 1% (3/303) (p = .016) respectively. In 11 of the 15 twin couples, hypospadias occurred in the twin with the lowest birth weight. The rate of hypospadias in twin infants small-for-gestational-age group was 10% (6/60) compared with 2% (11/593) in the appropriate-for-gestational-age group (p = .002). In a multivariate analysis, both monochorionicity and small-for-gestational-age were independently associated with hypospadias, odds ratio 4.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-14.7) and 6.1 (95% CI: 2.2-17.2) respectively. Conclusions: The incidence of hypospadias is four-fold higher in monochorionic twins compared with dichorionic twins. Hypospadias is also independently associated with small-for-gestationalage

Are national treatment guidelines for falciparum malaria in line with WHO recommendations and is antimalarial resistance taken into consideration? – A review of guidelines in non-endemic countries

Objective: Plasmodium falciparum infections are a relatively rare but potentially deadly disease found in returning travellers. We compare the national treatment guidelines of non-endemic countries with the WHO guidelines for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections. Methods: Review. We identified non-endemic countries with an incidence rate of imported malaria of at least one per 100,000 population and at least 50 cases annually. Using PubMed and Google Search, we reviewed national guidelines published before 1 March 2021. Results: Thirteen guidelines were identified. For uncomplicated falciparum malaria, 11 of 13 countries (85%) recommend an artemisinin-based combination therapy as first-line regimen in adults, of which artemether–lumefantrine was the most common. For severe malaria, all guidelines recommend the use of intravenous artesunate. Only three countries adjust treatment recommendations based on expected artemisinin resistance. Conclusion: Treatment guidelines for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in non-endemic countries generally adhere to WHO recommendations but often fail to mention the risk of drug resistance in returning travellers. Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) should be the first choice for all uncomplicated malaria cases. Furthermore, the choice between ACTs should be based on regional resistance patterns

Generation of human IgG1 and IgG3 TA99 mAb with histidine-arginine rearrangements in Fc domains at amino acid position 435.

<p>Human IgG1 was mutated to contain an arginine at position 435 (IgG1 H435R), whereas the arginine at position 435 in human IgG3 was changed to histidine (IgG3 R435H). (<b>A</b>) Specific anti-human IgG1 or (<b>B</b>) anti-human IgG3 ELISA confirmed the correct isotype of mAbs. Staining of B16F10-gp75 with (<b>C</b>) different human TA99 mAb and (<b>D</b>) mouse TA99 IgG2a confirmed binding to surface gp75 and equal binding efficiency to gp75 of all human TA99 mAb. Concentration curves of human IgG1 and IgG3 mAb (<b>E</b>) and mouse IgG2a TA99 (<b>F</b>) on B16F10-gp75. Of note, scales of human (<b>E</b>) and mouse (<b>F</b>) antibodies are different.</p