Charm Production in DPMJET

In this work, charm production in the {\sc dpmjet} hadronic jet simulation is compared to experimental data. Since the major application of {\sc dpmjet} is the simulation of cosmic ray-induced air showers, the version of the code integrated in the CORSIKA simulation package has been used for the comparison. Wherever necessary, adjustments have been made to improve agreement between simulation and data. With the availability of new muon/neutrino detectors that combine a large fiducial volume with large amounts of shielding, investigation of prompt muons and neutrinos from cosmic ray interactions will be feasible for the first time. Furthermore, above $\gtrsim 100$ TeV charmed particle decay becomes the dominant background for diffuse extraterrestrial neutrino flux searches. A reliable method to simulate charm production in high-energy proton-nucleon interactions is therefore required.Comment: 10 pages, to be published in JCA

Hemosporidian blood parasites in seabirds—a comparative genetic study of species from Antarctic to tropical habitats

Whereas some bird species are heavily affected by blood parasites in the wild, others reportedly are not. Seabirds, in particular, are often free from blood parasites, even in the presence of potential vectors. By means of polymerase chain reaction, we amplified a DNA fragment from the cytochrome b gene to detect parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Haemoproteus in 14 seabird species, ranging from Antarctica to the tropical Indian Ocean. We did not detect parasites in 11 of these species, including one Antarctic, four subantarctic, two temperate, and four tropical species. On the other hand, two subantarctic species, thin-billed prions Pachyptila belcheri and dolphin gulls Larus scoresbii, were found infected. One of 28 thin-billed prions had a Plasmodium infection whose DNA sequence was identical to lineage P22 of Plasmodium relictum, and one of 20 dolphin gulls was infected with a Haemoproteus lineage which appears phylogenetically clustered with parasites species isolated from passeriform birds such as Haemoproteus lanii, Haemoproteus magnus, Haemoproteus fringillae, Haemoproteus sylvae, Haemoproteus payevskyi, and Haemoproteus belopolskyi. In addition, we found a high parasite prevalence in a single tropical species, the Christmas Island frigatebird Fregata andrewsi, where 56% of sampled adults were infected with Haemoproteus. The latter formed a monophyletic group that includes a Haemoproteus line from Eastern Asian black-tailed gulls Larus crassirostris. Our results are in agreement with those showing that (a) seabirds are poor in hemosporidians and (b) latitude could be a determining factor to predict the presence of hemosporidians in birds. However, further studies should explore the relative importance of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on parasite prevalence, in particular using phylogenetically controlled comparative analyses, systematic sampling and screening of vectors, and within-species comparisons

Effect of acute sleep deprivation on vascular function in healthy subjects

Sleep disorders are associated with inflammation and sympathetic activation, which are suspected to induce endothelial dysfunction, a key factor in the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Less is known about the early effects of acute sleep deprivation on vascular function. We evaluated microvascular reactivity and biological markers of endothelial activation during continuous 40 h of total sleep deprivation (TSD) in 12 healthy men (29 +/- 3 yr). The days before [day 1 (D1)] and during TSD (D3), at 1200 and 1800, endothelium-dependent and -independent cutaneous vascular conductance was assessed by iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively, coupled to laser-Doppler flowmetry. At 0900, 1200, 1500, and 1800, heart rate (HR) and instantaneous blood pressure (BP) were recorded in the supine position. At D1, D3, and the day after one night of sleep recovery (D4), markers of vascular endothelial cell activation, including soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and interleukin-6 were measured from blood samples at 0800. Compared with D1, plasma levels of E-selectin were raised at D3, whereas intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and interleukin-6 were raised at D4 (P < 0.05). The endothelium-dependent and -independent CVC were significantly decreased after 29 h of TSD (P < 0.05). By contrast, HR, systolic BP, and the normalized low-frequency component of HR variability (0.04-0.15 Hz), a marker of the sympathetic activity, increased significantly within 32 h of TSD (P < 0.05). In conclusion, acute exposure to 40 h of TSD appears to cause vascular dysfunction before the increase in sympathetic activity and systolic BP

Temporal and spatial distribution fatal occupational injuries in Ecuador

Introduction: Ecuador is a country in South America, divided geographically by the Andean Mountain Range.  With the approval of the Resolution No C.D. 333 in 2010, companies are compelled to report all occupational accidents and diseases to the corresponding Occupational Health Public Organisms. Currently, there are no studies on the geographic and temporal distribution of deadly occupational accidents in the country. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the temporal and geographic distribution of fatal occupational accidents (FOA) in Ecuador. Material-Methods: Ecologic Study of temporal and geographical distribution of FOA in the 24 provinces of Ecuador between 2010 and 2016. Data was obtained thru official secondary information sources. Gross and Adjusted Mortality Rates were calculated for workers affiliated to the General Mandatory Insurance, allowing the space representation in terms of the object of study. Results: During the period analyzed, 1.748 workers have passed due to work related accidents in Ecuador. The Gross Mortality Rate (x100.000-affiliated workers) presents a decreasing tendency from 2010 (13.2) to 2014 (6.3), increasing for 2015 (9.5). The main provinces with a higher Adjusted Mortality Rate (x10.000-affiliated workers) are located in the Amazon Region: Morona Santiago, Napo, Orellana and Sucumbíos. Conclusions: Ecuadorian Geography implies important differences in terms of FOA distribution by provinces and the compliance of legal norms in Safety and Occupational Health thru time. The temporal distribution and geographic representation of this phenomenon will allow the corresponding public control entities to identify provinces with high mortality rates and implement specific actions to prevent. The results of this study will help establish future research lines that will analyze more in depth this issue

Investigation of Different Iontophoretic Currents Profiles for Short-Term Applications in Cosmetics

[EN] This study aimed at investigating the effect of electrical current profile upon the iontophoretic transport of (i) ascorbic acid (AA) and (ii) ellagic acid (EA), into porcine skin in vitro, and the impact of the physicochemical properties of both actives on their mechanism of transport when formulated in cosmetic compositions. The experiments were performed using a proprietary iontophoretic device containing a roller to apply the formulation. Three current profiles were tested: (i) galvanic direct current (DC), (ii) square unipolar pulse current (SPC), and (iii) galvanic direct current (DC) + pulse current (PC). The skin samples were collected at different sampling points, extracted and analyzed by HPLC. Results suggested that the DC + PC mode for only 5 min was able to significantly increase the delivery of AA from o/w cosmetic compositions. The use of this current profile might improve the skin penetration of AA due to electromigration and passive diffusion, the latter being facilitated by the physical enhancement method. The SPC mode significantly improved the passage of EA in its neutral form from cosmetic o/w formulations by electroosmosis. Tailoring specific electrical current modes considering the ionization state of active ingredients would allow the design of short and personalized cosmetic treatments that significantly improve the penetration efficiency of the active ingredients and possibly reduce the doses applied.This research was entirely funded by L'Oreal, France.Cázares-Delgadillo, J.; Planard-Luong, L.; Gregoire, S.; Serna-Jiménez, CE.; Singhal, M.; Kalia, YN.; Merino Sanjuán, V.... (2018). Investigation of Different Iontophoretic Currents Profiles for Short-Term Applications in Cosmetics. Pharmaceutics. 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics10040266266104R. Hamad, A.-W., Al-Momani, W. M., Janakat, S., & A. Oran, S. (2009). Bioavailability of Ellagic Acid After Single Dose Administration Using HPLC. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(10), 1661-1664. doi:10.3923/pjn.2009.1661.1664Kalia, Y. N., Naik, A., Garrison, J., & Guy, R. H. (2004). Iontophoretic drug delivery. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 56(5), 619-658. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2003.10.026Marro, D., Kalia, Y. N., Begoña Delgado‐Charro, M., & Guy, R. H. (2001). Pharmaceutical Research, 18(12), 1701-1708. doi:10.1023/a:1013318412527Sobhi, R. M., & Sobhi, A. M. (2012). A single-blinded comparative study between the use of glycolic acid 70% peel and the use of topical nanosome vitamin C iontophoresis in the treatment of melasma. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 11(1), 65-71. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00599.xHori, Y., Akimoto, R., Hori, A., Kato, K., Chino, D., Matsumoto, S., … Watanabe, Y. (2010). Skin collagen reproduction increased by ascorbic acid derivative iontophoresis by frequent-reversal bipolar electric stimulation. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 32(3), 234-234. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2010.00577_3.xJunyaprasert, V. B., Singhsa, P., Suksiriworapong, J., & Chantasart, D. (2012). Physicochemical properties and skin permeation of Span 60/Tween 60 niosomes of ellagic acid. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 423(2), 303-311. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.11.032Maia, A. M., Baby, A. R., Pinto, C. A. S. O., Yasaka, W. J., Suenaga, E., Kaneko, T. M., & Velasco, M. V. R. (2006). Influence of sodium metabisulfite and glutathione on the stability of vitamin C in O/W emulsion and extemporaneous aqueous gel. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 322(1-2), 130-135. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.05.03

Modest effects of dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from 445 850 users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app

OBJECTIVE: Dietary supplements may ameliorate SARS-CoV-2 infection, although scientific evidence to support such a role is lacking. We investigated whether users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app who regularly took dietary supplements were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. DESIGN: App-based community survey. SETTING: 445 850 subscribers of an app that was launched to enable self-reported information related to SARS-CoV-2 infection for use in the general population in the UK (n=372 720), the USA (n=45 757) and Sweden (n=27 373). MAIN EXPOSURE: Self-reported regular dietary supplement usage (constant use during previous 3 months) in the first waves of the pandemic up to 31 July 2020. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by viral RNA reverse transcriptase PCR test or serology test before 31 July 2020. RESULTS: In 372 720 UK participants (175 652 supplement users and 197 068 non-users), those taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins or vitamin D had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 14% (95% CI (8% to 19%)), 12% (95% CI (8% to 16%)), 13% (95% CI (10% to 16%)) and 9% (95% CI (6% to 12%)), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. No effect was observed for those taking vitamin C, zinc or garlic supplements. On stratification by sex, age and body mass index (BMI), the protective associations in individuals taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins and vitamin D were observed in females across all ages and BMI groups, but were not seen in men. The same overall pattern of association was observed in both the US and Swedish cohorts. CONCLUSION: In women, we observed a modest but significant association between use of probiotics, omega-3 fatty acid, multivitamin or vitamin D supplements and lower risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. We found no clear benefits for men nor any effect of vitamin C, garlic or zinc. Randomised controlled trials are required to confirm these observational findings before any therapeutic recommendations can be made

Precise measurement of the W-boson mass with the CDF II detector

We have measured the W-boson mass MW using data corresponding to 2.2/fb of integrated luminosity collected in proton-antiproton collisions at 1.96 TeV with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. Samples consisting of 470126 W->enu candidates and 624708 W->munu candidates yield the measurement MW = 80387 +- 12 (stat) +- 15 (syst) = 80387 +- 19 MeV. This is the most precise measurement of the W-boson mass to date and significantly exceeds the precision of all previous measurements combined