Complications after Nuss bar removal procedure for pectus excavatum. Analysis and proposal of a safety protocol. / Complicaciones tras retirada de barra de Nuss en pectus excavatum. Análisis y propuesta de un protocolo de seguridad.

OBJECTIVE: The Nuss bar removal procedure may bring about different complications. Some are mild while others can be life-threatening. An adequate surgery setup and the fulfilment of some security steps may reduce their incidence. This study aims to analyze our experience with the complications that occurred during bar removal and our safety protocol for the prevention and management of these complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational cohort study from a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent Nuss bar removal from November 2013 to March 2022 at a University hospital. Variables analyzed include patients' demographics; presence of comorbidities; time elapsed from bar placement to removal, and the occurrence of operative and postoperative complications. Study written under the 'PROCESS Guideline'. RESULTS: Fourty (40) patients were included in the study; 37 were male. One bar was removed in 17 patients and two in 22 patients. Median age at surgery: 17.5 years (Percentile 25-75%: 16.75-19.25). Time elapsed from placement to removal: 26 months (Percentile 25-75%: 23.75-30.25). Complications: 10 in 9 patients (22.5%); 6 Clavien-Dindo class I (67%); 2 class II (22%); 1 class IIIb, 1 class IV. The hemorrhagic complication motivated the development of a safety protocol to reduce incidence of complications. CONCLUSION: Nuss bar removal is a safe procedure with usually scant complications. Nonetheless, these may be serious sometimes. To prevent them, a protocol for a safe procedure is important.

OBJETIVO: La retirada de la barra de Nuss puede provocar diversas complicaciones, algunas leves y otras potencialmente mortales. Su incidencia puede verse reducida con una preparación quirúrgica adecuada y siguiendo ciertos pasos de seguridad. El presente estudio tiene por objeto analizar nuestra experiencia con las complicaciones acontecidas durante la retirada de la barra, así como nuestro protocolo de seguridad para la prevención y el manejo de dichas complicaciones. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio de cohortes observacional llevado a cabo a partir del análisis retrospectivo de todos los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de retirada de barra de Nuss entre noviembre de 2013 y marzo de 2022 en un hospital universitario. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: demografía de los pacientes, presencia de comorbilidades, tiempo desde la colocación de la barra hasta su retirada, y complicaciones operatorias y postoperatorias. El estudio se realizó conforme a las directrices de la PROCESS Guideline. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 40 pacientes, 37 de ellos varones. En 17 pacientes se retiró una barra, y en 22, dos. La edad media en el momento de la cirugía fue de 17,5 años (percentil 25-75%: 16,75 - 19,25). El tiempo transcurrido desde la colocación hasta la retirada fue de 26 meses (percentil 25-75%: 23,75 - 30,25). Se registraron 10 complicaciones en 9 pacientes (22,5%), 6 de clase I según la clasificación de Clavien-Dindo (67%), 2 de clase II (22%), 1 de clase IIIb y 1 de clase IV. La complicación hemorrágica motivó la creación de un protocolo de seguridad para disminuir la incidencia de las complicaciones. CONCLUSION: La retirada de la barra de Nuss es un procedimiento seguro, habitualmente con escasas complicaciones, aunque en ocasiones pueden ser graves. Para evitarlas, es importante contar con un protocolo que garantice la seguridad.

Mass, Spectroscopy, and Two-Neutron Decay of

The structure and decay of the most neutron-rich beryllium isotope, ^{16}Be, has been investigated following proton knockout from a high-energy ^{17}B beam. Two relatively narrow resonances were observed for the first time, with energies of 0.84(3) and 2.15(5) MeV above the two-neutron decay threshold and widths of 0.32(8) and 0.95(15) MeV, respectively. These were assigned to be the ground (J^{π}=0^{+}) and first excited (2^{+}) state, with E_{x}=1.31(6) MeV. The mass excess of ^{16}Be was thus deduced to be 56.93(13) MeV, some 0.5 MeV more bound than the only previous measurement. Both states were observed to decay by direct two-neutron emission. Calculations incorporating the evolution of the wave function during the decay as a genuine three-body process reproduced the principal characteristics of the neutron-neutron energy spectra for both levels, indicating that the ground state exhibits a strong spatially compact dineutron component, while the 2^{+} level presents a far more diffuse neutron-neutron distribution.

Respiratory syncytial virus entry mechanism in host cells: A general overview.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes acute respiratory infections in neonates and older adults. To infect host cells, the attachment glycoprotein (G) interacts with a cell surface receptor. This interaction determines the specific cell types that are susceptible to infection. RSV possesses a type I fusion protein F. Type I fusion proteins are metastable when rearrangement of the prefusion F occurs; the fusion peptide is exposed transforming the protein into postfusion form. The transition between the prefusion form and its postfusion form facilitates the viral envelope and the host cell membrane to fuse, enabling the virus to enter the host cell. Understanding the entry mechanism employed by RSV is crucial for developing effective antiviral therapies. In this review, we will discuss the various types of viral fusion proteins and explore the potential entry mechanisms utilized by RSV. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms will provide valuable insights for the development of novel approaches to treat RSV infections.

Sustainable use of wastes as reactive material in permeable reactive barrier for remediation of acid mine drainage: Batch and continuous studies.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of the use of different industrial and agricultural wastes as reactive materials in Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) remediation. Sugar foam (SF), paper mill sludge (PMS), drinking water sludge (DWS) and olive mill waste (OMW) were evaluated in terms of pH neutralization and metal removal from AMD. Laboratory batch tests and continuous pilot scale up-flow columns containing 82% of Volcanic Slag (VS), as porous fill material, and 18% w/w of one of the industrial and agricultural wastes previously indicated, were tested. From the batch tests it was observed that the reactive material presenting the best results were the SF and the PMS. The results obtained in all the PRB were accurately described by a pseudo-first order model, presenting coefficient of determination higher than 0.96 in all the cases. During the continuous operation of the PRB, the porosity and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of most of the up-flow columns strongly decreased due to chemical precipitation and biofilm growth. The SF presented a significant number of fine particles that were washed out by the liquid flow, generating an effluent with very high total suspended solid concentration. Despite SF was the material with the highest alkalinity potential, the reduction of the HRT limited its neutralization and metal removal capacity. PMS and DWS presented the best pollutant removal yields in the continuous operation of the PRB, ranging from 55 to 99% and 55-95% (except in the case of the Mn), respectively. These results allowed the metal removal from the AMD. Additionally, these wastes presented very good biological sulphate reduction. Based on these results, the use of PMS and DWS as reactive material in PRB would allow to simultaneously valorise the industrial waste, which is very interesting within the circular economy framework, and to remove metals from the AMD by means of a low-cost and environmentally sustainable procedure.

Current ambient ozone levels mitigate the effect of Puccinia striiformis on wheat: Is Mediterranean wheat ready for pre-industrial background ozone levels?

Increasing surface ozone is a main concern for crop production in the Global Change framework, especially in the Mediterranean basin where climate conditions favor its photochemical formation. Meanwhile, increasing common crop diseases, such as yellow rust, one of the most important pathogens affecting global wheat production has been detected in the area in recent decades. However, the impact of O3 on the occurrence and impact of fungal diseases is scarcely understood. A close-to-field-conditions assay (Open Top Chamber facility) situated in a Mediterranean cereal rainfed farming area was carried out to study the impact of increasing O3 levels and N-fertilization on spontaneous fungal outbreaks in wheat. Four O3-fumigation levels reproducing pre-industrial to future pollutant atmospheres with additional 20 and 40 nL L-1 over the ambient levels were considered (7 h-mean ranging from 28 to 86 nL L-1). Two top N-fertilization supplementations (100 and 200 kg ha-1) were nested within the O3 treatments; foliar damage, pigment content and gas exchange parameters were measured. Pre-industrial natural background O3 levels strongly favored the yellow rust infection, where the O3-polluted levels currently observed at the farm highly benefited the crop, mitigating the presence of rust by 22 %. However, future expected high O3-levels neutralized the beneficial infection-controlling effect by inducing early wheat senescence, decreasing the chlorophyll index of the older leaves by up to 43 % under the higher O3 exposure. Nitrogen promoted the rust infection by up to 49.5 % without interacting with the O3-factor. Achieving future air quality standards might require considering new varietal improvement programs, to be able to adapt crops to an increased pathogen tolerance without requiring the assistance provided by O3-pollution.

A Bayesian network model for predicting cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading death cause in Europe and entail large treatment costs. Cardiovascular risk prediction is crucial for the management and control of cardiovascular diseases. Based on a Bayesian network built from a large population database and expert judgment, this work studies interrelations between cardiovascular risk factors, emphasizing the predictive assessment of medical conditions, and providing a computational tool to explore and hypothesize such interrelations. METHODS: We implement a Bayesian network model that considers modifiable and non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factors as well as related medical conditions. Both the structure and the probability tables in the underlying model are built using a large dataset collected from annual work health assessments as well as expert information, with uncertainty characterized through posterior distributions. RESULTS: The implemented model allows for making inferences and predictions about cardiovascular risk factors. The model can be utilized as a decision- support tool to suggest diagnosis, treatment, policy, and research hypothesis. The work is complemented with a free software implementing the model for practitioners' use. CONCLUSIONS: Our implementation of the Bayesian network model facilitates answering public health, policy, diagnosis, and research questions concerning cardiovascular risk factors.

ABCB1 gene variants as risk factors and modulators of age of onset of demyelinating disease in Mexican patients.

INTRODUCTION: The C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T variants of the ABCB1 gene alter the functioning of P-glycoprotein and the transport of endogenous and exogenous substances across the blood-brain barrier, and act as risk factors for some neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to determine the association between demyelinating disease and the C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T variants of ABCB1 and its haplotypes and combinations of genotypes. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) and Sanger sequencing were used to genotype 199 patients with demyelinating disease and 200 controls, all Mexicans of mixed race; frequencies of alleles, genotypes, haplotypes, and genotype combinations were compared between patients and controls. We conducted a logistic regression analysis and calculated chi-square values and 95% confidence intervals (CI); odds ratios (OR) were calculated to evaluate the association with demyelinating disease. RESULTS: The TTT and CGC haplotypes were most frequent in both patients and controls. The G2677 allele was associated with demyelinating disease (OR: 1.79; 95% CI, 1.12-2.86; P =  .015), as were the genotypes GG2677 (OR: 2.72; 95% CI, 1.11-6.68; P =  .025) and CC3435 (OR: 1.82; 95% CI, 1.15-2.90; P =  .010), the combination GG2677/CC3435 (OR: 2.02; 95% CI, 1.17-3.48; P =  .010), and the CAT haplotype (OR: 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05-0.66; P =  .001). TTTTTT carriers presented the earliest age of onset (23.0 ±â€¯7.7 years, vs 31.6 ±â€¯10.7; P =  .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The GG2677/CC3435 genotype combination is associated with demyelinating disease in this sample, particularly among men, who may present toxic accumulation of P-glycoprotein substrates. In our study, the G2677 allele of ABCB1 may differentially modulate age of onset of demyelinating disease in men and women.

Infraclavicular anterior thoracic approach for access to the upper thoracic vertebrae: case report and description of a new surgical technique.

Patient with spondylodiscitis who presented kyphosis deformity with neurological compromise at the upper thoracic level, who was treated with a new right infraclavicular anterior thoracic approach, as a new alternative surgical technique. 72-year-old male with kyphosis deformity secondary to T2-T3 ASIA "C" spondylodiscitis, treated with C5 to T6 posterior cervicothoracic instrumentation and right infraclavicular transthoracic anterior approach utilizing an expandable cylinder. Within the literature review carried out in the search engines, no similar techniques to the one described in this article were found. Given the complexity of the surgical approach, this new technique is described as a new way for accessing the upper thoracic spine, demonstrating that the right infraclavicular anterior thoracic approach is a new alternative to access the upper thoracic spine from T1 to T4.

Paciente con espondilodiscitis que presentó deformidad cifótica con compromiso neurológico a nivel torácico superior, quien fue tratado con un nuevo abordaje torácico anterior infraclavicular derecho, como nueva técnica quirúrgica alternativa. Varón de 72 años con deformidad en cifosis secundaria a espondilodiscitis T2-T3 ASIA "C", tratado con instrumentación cervicotorácica posterior C5 a T6 y abordaje anterior transtorácico infraclavicular derecho con colocación de cilindro expandible. Dentro de la revisión bibliográfica realizada en los buscadores no se encontraron técnicas similares a la descrita en este artículo. Dada la complejidad del abordaje quirúrgico, esta nueva técnica se describe como una nueva forma de acceder a la columna torácica superior, demostrando que el abordaje torácico anterior infraclavicular derecho es una nueva alternativa para acceder a la columna torácica superior desde T1 a T4.

Dragon 1 Protocol Manuscript: Training, Accreditation, Implementation and Safety Evaluation of Portal and Hepatic Vein Embolization (PVE/HVE) to Accelerate Future Liver Remnant (FLR) Hypertrophy.

STUDY PURPOSE: The DRAGON 1 trial aims to assess training, implementation, safety and feasibility of combined portal- and hepatic-vein embolization (PVE/HVE) to accelerate future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy in patients with borderline resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases. METHODS: The DRAGON 1 trial is a worldwide multicenter prospective single arm trial. The primary endpoint is a composite of the safety of PVE/HVE, 90-day mortality, and one year accrual monitoring of each participating center. Secondary endpoints include: feasibility of resection, the used PVE and HVE techniques, FLR-hypertrophy, liver function (subset of centers), overall survival, and disease-free survival. All complications after the PVE/HVE procedure are documented. Liver volumes will be measured at week 1 and if applicable at week 3 and 6 after PVE/HVE and follow-up visits will be held at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the resection. RESULTS: Not applicable. CONCLUSION: DRAGON 1 is a prospective trial to assess the safety and feasibility of PVE/HVE. Participating study centers will be trained, and procedures standardized using Work Instructions (WI) to prepare for the DRAGON 2 randomized controlled trial. Outcomes should reveal the accrual potential of centers, safety profile of combined PVE/HVE and the effect of FLR-hypertrophy induction by PVE/HVE in patients with CRLM and a small FLR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04272931 (February 17, 2020). Toestingonline.nl: NL71535.068.19 (September 20, 2019).

Imaging following thermal ablation of early lung cancers: expected post-treatment findings and tumour recurrence.

Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive technique that is growing in acceptance and popularity in the management of early lung cancers. Although curative resection remains the optimal treatment strategy for stage I pulmonary malignancies, percutaneous ablative treatments may also be considered for selected patients. These techniques can additionally be used in the treatment of oligometastatic disease. Thermal ablation of early lung tumours can be achieved using several different techniques. For example, microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) utilise extreme heat, whereas cryoablation uses extremely cold temperatures to cause necrosis and ultimately cell death. Typically, post-ablation imaging studies are performed within the first 1-3 months with subsequent imaging performed at regular intervals to ensure treatment response and to evaluate for signs of recurrent disease. Surveillance imaging is usually undertaken with computed tomography (CT) and integrated positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT. Typical imaging findings are usually seen on CT and PET/CT following thermal ablation of lung tumours, and it is vital that radiologists are familiar with these appearances. In addition, radiologists should be aware of the imaging findings that indicate local recurrence following ablation. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the expected post-treatment findings on CT and PET/CT following thermal ablation of early primary lung malignancies, as well as describing the imaging appearances of local recurrence.

Perceived discrimination in patients with multiple sclerosis and depressive symptomatology.

BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis is the central nervous system's most common demyelinating disease and the second leading cause of neurological disability in young adults. Its natural development involves physical and cognitive impairment. Patients commonly perceive discrimination against them, regardless of its occurrence, accepting it as an inherent part of the disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association between perceived discrimination and the depressive symptoms and physical disability present in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, treated at the Demyelinating Diseases Clinic of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Manuel Velasco Suárez. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 98 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Demographic and clinical variables were obtained through clinical interviews. The severity of the disease was determined using the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), depressive symptoms were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and perceived discrimination was rated using the King Internalized Stigma Scale. RESULTS: The studied sample's mean age was 36.3 years, schooling 13.6 years, symptoms onset was at 26.2 years (with a delay in diagnosis of 3.2 years), and a disease evolution of 10.9 years. 71.4% were single; 52% had an unpaid work activity and 57.1% were women. The EDSS average was 3.5 points; 24.5% presented moderate to severe depressive symptoms and 53.1% referred perceived discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived discrimination in patients with multiple sclerosis was associated with earlier disease onset, depressive symptoms, and the lack of caregivers. Medical care and life quality improvement for this vulnerable group require greater education regarding the disease and the establishment of patient support programs.

PLS-DA vs sparse PLS-DA in food traceability. A case study: Authentication of avocado samples.

Conventional and sparse partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA and sPLS-DA) have been successfully tested in order to authenticate avocado samples in terms of three different geographical origins and six kinds of cultivar. For this, lipid chromatographic fingerprints of different avocado fruits have been acquired using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and employed for building classification models. In addition, classification models concatenating strategy has been applied, which has proved to be successful to resolve multiclass problems in food authentication. Finally, fine performance metrics around of 0.95 were obtained for both multivariate classification methods.

[Model of care for the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis from the first to the third level]. / Modelo de atención para el tratamiento de pacientes con osteoartritis del primer al tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis in Mexico is one of the ten most frequent causes of disability. Early diagnosis and detection of risk factors are determinant for treatment. The institutional organization establishes therapeutic guidelines according to each level of care, but effective management is not achieved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, pilot, interventional, clinical study was conducted, which included patients diagnosed with different degrees of knee osteoarthritis in the first, second and third level of care, with an integrative model that includes a group of professionals for the intervention of nutritional, physiotherapeutic, social and psychological evaluation from the first level. RESULTS: The intervention of a multidisciplinary care group allows a correct evaluation and assignment of the level of care, optimizing human and material resources. The participation of different disciplines in nutrition, psychology, social work, physiotherapy and rehabilitation modifies the global lifestyle by involving the patients themselves in their treatment. The intervention group had improvements in the visual analog pain scale, mobility arcs, low body mass index and improvement in the psychological aspect. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model of care demonstrates that implementation in the institution and in each clinical care unit should be considered to improve outcomes.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La osteoartritis en México es una de las 10 causas más frecuentes de discapacidad. El diagnóstico temprano y la detección de factores de riesgo son determinantes para el tratamiento. La organización institucional establece las pautas terapéuticas de acuerdo con cada nivel de atención, pero no se logra un manejo efectivo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, piloto, de intervención, clínico conformado por pacientes diagnosticados con diferentes grados de osteoartritis de rodilla en el primer, segundo y tercer nivel de atención, con un modelo integrador que incluyó un grupo de profesionales para la intervención de la evaluación nutricional, fisioterapéutica, social y sicológica desde el primer nivel. RESULTADOS: La intervención de un grupo de atención multidisciplinaria permite una correcta evaluación y asignación del nivel de atención optimizando los recursos humanos y materiales. La participación de diferentes disciplinas en nutrición, sicología, trabajo social, fisioterapia y rehabilitación modifica el estilo de vida global al involucrar a los propios pacientes en su tratamiento. El grupo de intervención tuvo mejoras en la escala de dolor análogo visual, arcos de movilidad, bajo índice de masa corporal y mejoría en el aspecto sicológico. CONCLUSIONES: El modelo de atención propuesto demuestra que la implementación en la institución y en cada unidad clínica de atención debe considerarse para mejorar los resultados.

Impact of different chicken meat production systems on consumers' purchase perception.

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate specific sensory attributes of chicken meat from different production systems to evaluate the emotional responses related to information available on the packages, as well as to investigate consumers' perceptions regarding this information.2. The survey was conducted using the Temporal Dominance of Sensations analysis, which identified differences in taste and texture between samples belonging to the organic, conventional and natural systems.3. The specific emotional lexicon for chicken meat, defined by the consumers through the EmoSemio questionnaire, provided a list of positive emotions for packages that indicated some type of information about the rearing or feeding system.4. The qualitative data obtained using the Attitude Questionnaire demonstrated that packaging and labelling are not self-explanatory, posing more doubts for the consumer at the time of purchase. It was shown that packaging and labelling were extrinsic attributes that influenced the evaluation and acceptability of products. Besides that, consumers were interested in buying products that attest to animal welfare, provided that the price is attractive.5. Poultry companies can have a greater chance of making their products more attractive if they learn more about the attitude and expectations of the consumer in relation to the products, as well as the importance of the animal welfare attributes that are communicated.

Entrenar la mirada.

No Abstract available.

Electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Gelatin and Cellulose Acetate Bi-Layer Scaffold Loaded with Gentamicin as Possible Wound Dressing.

Acceleration of wound healing can be achieved with the use of wound dressings. Through the electrospinning technique, a polymeric scaffold composed of two layers was processed: a gelatin and polyvinylpyrrolidone layer with gentamicin, and a second layer of cellulose acetate. The conditions for the electrospinning process were standardized for voltage parameters, feed flow and the distance from the injector to the collector. Once the values of the main variables for the electrospinning were optimized, a three-hour processing time was established to allow the separation of the material from the collector. The obtained material was characterized by observations on scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis; contact angle measurement was performed to evaluate wettability properties, and antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer test. The obtained fibers that form the bi-layer scaffold present diameters from 100 to 300 nm. The scaffold presents chemical composition, thermal stability, wettability characteristics and antibacterial activity that fulfill the proposal from this study, based on obtaining a scaffold that could be used as a drug delivery vehicle and a wound dressing material.

ABCB1 gene variants as risk factors and modulators of age of onset of demyelinating disease in Mexican patients. / Variantes del gen ABCB1 como factores de riesgo y factores moduladores de la edad de inicio en pacientes mexicanos con enfermedad desmielinizante.

INTRODUCTION: The C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T variants of the ABCB1 gene alter the functioning of P-glycoprotein and the transport of endogenous and exogenous substances across the blood-brain barrier, and act as risk factors for some neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to determine the association between demyelinating disease and the C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T variants of ABCB1 and its haplotypes and combinations of genotypes. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) and Sanger sequencing were used to genotype 199 patients with demyelinating disease and 200 controls, all Mexicans of mixed race; frequencies of alleles, genotypes, haplotypes, and genotype combinations were compared between patients and controls. We conducted a logistic regression analysis and calculated chi-square values and 95% confidence intervals (CI); odds ratios (OR) were calculated to evaluate the association with demyelinating disease. RESULTS: The TTT and CGC haplotypes were most frequent in both patients and controls. The G2677 allele was associated with demyelinating disease (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.12-2.86; P=.015), as were the genotypes GG2677 (OR: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.11-6.68; P=.025) and CC3435 (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.15-2.90; P=.010), the combination GG2677/CC3435 (OR: 2.02; 95% CI, 1.17-3.48; P=.010), and the CAT haplotype (OR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05-0.66; P=.001). TTTTTT carriers presented the earliest age of onset (23.0±7.7 years, vs. 31.6±10.7; P=.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The GG2677/CC3435 genotype combination is associated with demyelinating disease in this sample, particularly among men, who may present toxic accumulation of P-glycoprotein substrates. In our study, the G2677 allele of ABCB1 may differentially modulate age of onset of demyelinating disease in men and women.

Temperature-dependent infrared ellipsometry of Mo-doped VO2 thin films across the insulator to metal transition.

We present a spectroscopic ellipsometry study of Mo-doped VO2 thin films deposited on silicon substrates for the mid-infrared range. The dielectric functions and conductivity were extracted from analytical fittings of Ψ and Δ ellipsometric angles showing a strong dependence on the dopant concentration and the temperature. Insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) temperature is found to decrease linearly with increasing doping level. A correction to the classical Drude model (termed Drude-Smith) has been shown to provide excellent fits to the experimental measurements of dielectric constants of doped/undoped films and the extracted parameters offer an adequate explanation for the IMT based on the carriers backscattering across the percolation transition. The smoother IMT observed in the hysteresis loops as the doping concentration is increased, is explained by charge density accumulation, which we quantify through the integral of optical conductivity. In addition, we describe the physics behind a localized Fano resonance that has not yet been demonstrated and explained in the literature for doped/undoped VO2 films.

Constraints on Lorentz Invariance Violation from HAWC Observations of Gamma Rays above 100 TeV.

Because of the high energies and long distances to the sources, astrophysical observations provide a unique opportunity to test possible signatures of Lorentz invariance violation (LIV). Superluminal LIV enables the decay of photons at high energy. The high altitude water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory is among the most sensitive gamma-ray instruments currently operating above 10 TeV. HAWC finds evidence of 100 TeV photon emission from at least four astrophysical sources. These observations exclude, for the strongest of the limits set, the LIV energy scale to 2.2×10^{31} eV, over 1800 times the Planck energy and an improvement of 1 to 2 orders of magnitude over previous limits.

Multiple Galactic Sources with Emission Above 56 TeV Detected by HAWC.

We present the first catalog of gamma-ray sources emitting above 56 and 100 TeV with data from the High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory, a wide field-of-view observatory capable of detecting gamma rays up to a few hundred TeV. Nine sources are observed above 56 TeV, all of which are likely galactic in origin. Three sources continue emitting past 100 TeV, making this the highest-energy gamma-ray source catalog to date. We report the integral flux of each of these objects. We also report spectra for three highest-energy sources and discuss the possibility that they are PeVatrons.