Calculation of the axion mass based on high-temperature lattice quantum chromodynamics.

Unlike the electroweak sector of the standard model of particle physics, quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is surprisingly symmetric under time reversal. As there is no obvious reason for QCD being so symmetric, this phenomenon poses a theoretical problem, often referred to as the strong CP problem. The most attractive solution for this requires the existence of a new particle, the axion-a promising dark-matter candidate. Here we determine the axion mass using lattice QCD, assuming that these particles are the dominant component of dark matter. The key quantities of the calculation are the equation of state of the Universe and the temperature dependence of the topological susceptibility of QCD, a quantity that is notoriously difficult to calculate, especially in the most relevant high-temperature region (up to several gigaelectronvolts). But by splitting the vacuum into different sectors and re-defining the fermionic determinants, its controlled calculation becomes feasible. Thus, our twofold prediction helps most cosmological calculations to describe the evolution of the early Universe by using the equation of state, and may be decisive for guiding experiments looking for dark-matter axions. In the next couple of years, it should be possible to confirm or rule out post-inflation axions experimentally, depending on whether the axion mass is found to be as predicted here. Alternatively, in a pre-inflation scenario, our calculation determines the universal axionic angle that corresponds to the initial condition of our Universe.

Agreement between transthoracic echocardiography and esophageal Doppler on aortic flow variables in anesthetized mechanically ventilated dogs.

The use of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and esophageal Doppler (ED) for the measurement of hemodynamic variables in anesthetized dogs was studied. Fourteen mixed-breed dogs, without cardiac disease, undergoing general anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures were included in this prospective preliminary study. Dogs were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (3 µg/kg) and methadone (0.3 mg/kg), intramuscularly. General anesthesia was induced with propofol intravenously titrated to effect and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Animals were positioned in dorsal recumbency. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed using a 5-2 MHz cardiac ultrasound probe placed in the subcostal window, whereas esophageal Doppler was performed using a CardioQ probe (MP50; Deltex Medical, Chichester, UK). Once an appropriate view of the aortic flow was obtained, the variables peak velocity (PV) and velocity-time integral (VTI) were measured. Agreement between methods was evaluated using the Bland-Altman method with single observation per individual. The bias and the limits of agreement (LOA) between the two methods were determined. Mean (± SD) PV was 99.46 cm/s (± 42.73 cm/s) and 110.29 cm/s (± 35.86 cm/s), and VTI was 13.24 cm (± 4.33 cm) and 13.05 cm (± 4.47 cm), for TTE and ED, respectively. Mean differences and LOA were 10.83 cm/s (range: -20.50 to 42.16 cm/s) and -0.19 cm (range: -3.32 to 2.95 cm) for PV and VTI, respectively. No statistically significant differences were determined in the variables measured between TTE and ED in anesthetized dogs without cardiac disease, positioned in dorsal recumbency. This could be of clinical relevance when an evaluation of the intraoperative hemodynamic status of anesthetized dogs is desired.

Concordance entre l'échocardiographie transthoracique et le Doppler oesophagien sur les variables du débit aortique chez des chiens anesthésiés ventilés mécaniquement. L'utilisation de l'échocardiographie transthoracique (TTE) et du Doppler oesophagien (ED) pour la mesure des variables hémodynamiques chez les chiens anesthésiés a été étudiée. Quatorze chiens de race mixte, sans maladie cardiaque, subissant une anesthésie générale pour des procédures diagnostiques ou thérapeutiques ont été inclus dans cette étude préliminaire prospective. Les chiens ont reçu une prémédication avec de la dexmédétomidine (3 µg/kg) et de la méthadone (0,3 mg/kg), par voie intramusculaire. L'anesthésie générale a été induite avec du propofol intraveineux titré à effet et maintenue avec de l'isoflurane dans de l'oxygène. Les animaux ont été placés en décubitus dorsal. L'échocardiographie transthoracique a été réalisée à l'aide d'une sonde à ultrasons cardiaque 5-2 MHz placée dans la fenêtre sous-costale, tandis que le Doppler oesophagien a été réalisé à l'aide d'une sonde CardioQ (MP50; Deltex Medical, Chichester, Royaume-Uni). Une fois qu'une vue appropriée de l'aorte était obtenue, les variables vitesse maximale (PV) et intégrale vitesse-temps (VTI) étaient mesurées. La concordance entre les méthodes a été évaluée à l'aide de la méthode de Bland-Altman avec une seule observation par individu. Le biais et les limites d'accord (LOA) entre les deux méthodes ont été déterminés. La PV moyenne (± SD) était de 99,46 cm/s (± 42,73 cm/s) et 110,29 cm/s (± 35,86 cm/s), et la VTI était de 13,24 cm (± 4,33 cm) et 13,05 cm (± 4,47 cm), pour TTE et ED, respectivement. Les différences moyennes et la LOA étaient de 10,83 cm/s (intervalle : −20,50 à 42,16 cm/s) et de −0,19 cm (intervalle : −3,32 à 2,95 cm) pour PV et VTI, respectivement. Aucune différence statistiquement significative n'a été déterminée dans les variables mesurées entre TTE et ED chez des chiens anesthésiés sans maladie cardiaque, positionnés en décubitus dorsal. Cela pourrait être cliniquement pertinent lorsqu'une évaluation de l'état hémodynamique peropératoire des chiens anesthésiés est souhaitée.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Axonal motor protein KIF5A and associated cargo deficits in multiple sclerosis lesional and normal-appearing white matter.

AIMS: Understanding the causes of axonal pathology remains a key goal in the pursuit of new therapies to target disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Anterograde axonal transport of many proteins vital for axonal viability is mediated by the motor protein KIF5A, which has been linked to several neurological diseases. This study aimed to investigate the expression of KIF5A protein and its associated cargoes: amyloid precursor protein (APP) and neurofilament (NF) in post mortem MS and control white matter (WM) and to determine if KIF5A expression is influenced by the presence of MS risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in the region of the KIF5A gene. METHODS: Using immunoblotting assays we analysed the expression of KIF5A, APP and NF phospho-isoforms in 23 MS cases and 12 controls. RESULTS: We found a significant reduction in KIF5A and associated cargoes in MS WM and an inverse correlation between KIF5A and APP/NF protein levels. Furthermore, homozygous carriers of MS risk gene SNPs show significantly lower levels of KIF5A protein compared to MS patients with no copies of the risk SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that reduced expression of axonal motor KIF5A may have important implications in determining axonal transport deficits and ongoing neurodegeneration in MS.

Optimized sound diffusers based on sonic crystals using a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm.

Sonic crystals have been demonstrated to be good candidates to substitute for conventional diffusers in order to overcome the need for extremely thick structures when low frequencies have to be scattered, however, their performance is limited to a narrow band. In this work, multiobjective evolutionary algorithms are used to extend the bandwidth to the whole low frequency range. The results show that diffusion can be significantly increased. Several cost functions are considered in the paper, on the one hand to illustrate the flexibility of the optimization and on the other hand to demonstrate the problems associated with the use of certain cost functions. A study of the robustness of the optimized diffusers is also presented, introducing a parameter that can help to choose among the best candidates. Finally, the advantages of the use of multiobjective optimization in comparison with conventional optimizations are discussed.

Assessing the effect of below-benchmark vitrified/warmed donor oocyte survival rates in subsequent laboratory and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of below-benchmark (95-100%) donor oocyte survival rates to vitrification/warming in the laboratory and clinical outcomes of recipient cycles. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: We analyzed 12690 vitrified-warmed donor oocyte recipient cycles carried out in a network of European private IVF units from 2018-2022. EXPOSURE: All cycles analyzed used exclusively vitrified/warmed donor oocytes. The cycles were grouped according to the survival rate experienced: benchmark 95-100%; competence 85-95%; below-competence 70-85%; poor 50-70%; very poor <50%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint of the study was the total usable blastocyst rate per 2PN zygote. Secondary endpoints were the fertilization rate, the live birth rate after the first single blastocyst transfer, and the cumulative live birth rate. RESULTS: The mean number of warmed oocytes per ICSI cycle was 11.4±3.2 with a mean survival rate of 89.1%. More oocytes per cycle were consumed in the lower survival groups, yet the total oocytes available for ICSI was smaller in the below-competence, poor and very-poor survival groups. The total usable blastocyst rate was lower in the lower survival groups (benchmark: 48.9%; competence: 47.0%, below-competence: 46.0%; poor: 43.6%; very-poor:43.6%, p<0.001), as well as the fertilization rates (benchmark: 76.8%; competence: 76.6%, below-competence: 75.6%; poor: 74.7%; very-poor:75.5%, p<0.001). The adjusted relative risk of live-birth rate of the first embryo transferred was equal to the benchmark survival group in all the lower survival groups (Benchmark: 40.9%; Competence: RR=0.986, 95%CI:0.931-1.045; below-competence: RR=0.992, 95%CI:0.929-1.059; poor: RR=1.103, 95%CI:1.009-1.207; and very-poor: RR=1.169, 95%CI:0.963-1.419). The cumulative live-birth rate decreased in lower survival groups compared to benchmark survival (Benchmark: 79.2%; Competence: RR=0.988, 95%CI:0.961-1.015; below-competence: RR=0.911, 95%CI:0.880-0.944; poor: RR=0.802, 95%CI: 0.757-0.851; and very-poor: RR=0.793, 95%CI: 0.693-0.907). The lower cumulative rates maintained in a sub-analysis with equal M-II available for ICSI (Benchmark: 69.5%; Competence: RR=0.909, 95%CI:0.827-1.000; below-competence: RR=0.942, 95%CI:0.848-1.046; poor: RR=0.833, 95%CI:0.7386-0.941; and very-poor: RR=0.873, 95%CI:0.695-1.097). CONCLUSION: Lower donor-oocyte cryo-survival rates have a moderate negative impact on the blastocyst utilization rate per 2PN zygote, fertilization rate and the cumulative live-birth rates of a donation cycle, even after adjusting for equal M-II oocytes available for ICSI. Nonetheless, the surviving oocytes of a cohort seem to maintain a high competence level, with very similar laboratory outcomes, irrespectively of the cohort's survival rates, as well as equal implantation potential of the resulting blastocysts.

Retrospective case-control non-inferiority analysis of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in dogs undergoing mini-hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disc disease.

BACKGROUND: Veterinary medicine has seen significant advancements in locoregional anaesthesia and pain management, including the emergence of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block. However, limited clinical evidence exists on its efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVES: This study compares ultrasound-guided ESP block (ESP group) with an intraoperative intravenous ketamine infusion analgesic protocol (CRI group) in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy, focusing on intraoperative opioid consumption, cardiovascular response to surgical stimulation (CR), postoperative pain scores (PS), and postoperative opioid consumption. METHODS: Retrospective, case-control, non-inferiority study conducted in a single centre. Data collected included demographics, bupivacaine dose, ESP block operator, intraoperative recorded variables (haemodynamic variables, CR, complications, rescue analgesia), pre- and postoperative analgesia, 24-hour PS and opioid administration, first food intake post-extubation and postoperative complications. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were applied. RESULTS: One-hundred dogs were included, 75 in the ESP group and 25 in the CRI group. Univariate analysis revealed no significant differences between treatment groups in terms of CR, PS, postoperative rescue analgesia, intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, or time to first meal intake. However, the multivariate regression analysis indicated that dogs receiving ketamine infusion had higher CR suspected to be nociception-related (p = 0.036), and higher postoperative opioid consumption (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that ultrasound-guided ESP block is as effective as intraoperative ketamine infusion providing perioperative analgesia in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disc disease. ESP group showed significantly lower CR suspected to be nociception-related intraoperatively and lower postoperative opioid consumption within the initial 24 hours.

Neutrino and axion bounds from the globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904).

The red-giant branch (RGB) in globular clusters is extended to larger brightness if the degenerate helium core loses too much energy in "dark channels." Based on a large set of archival observations, we provide high-precision photometry for the Galactic globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904), allowing for a detailed comparison between the observed tip of the RGB with predictions based on contemporary stellar evolution theory. In particular, we derive 95% confidence limits of g(ae)<4.3×10(-13) on the axion-electron coupling and µ(ν)<4.5×10(-12)µ(B) (Bohr magneton µ(B)=e/2m(e)) on a neutrino dipole moment, based on a detailed analysis of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The cluster distance is the single largest source of uncertainty and can be improved in the future.

Sound diffusers based on sonic crystals.

A sound diffuser is proposed based on sonic crystals, structures formed by a periodic distribution of cylindrical scatterers in a host medium, which is usually air. The diffuser is a so-called biperiodic structure, as formed by two arrays of sonic crystals with slightly different periodicities. Large diffusivity at low frequencies is achieved when the typical scale of the blocks is much larger than the periodicity of the crystals, determined by its lattice constant. An interpretation of the low frequency behavior of the diffuser is given in the homogenization limit in terms of multiple reflections and interference between the fields scattered by the different blocks. It is also shown that sonic crystal based diffusers enhance time spreading in comparison with other conventional diffusers.

Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on the repair of full-thickness articular defects in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on the repair of full-thickness articular cartilage lesions in immature rabbits. To that end, the samples were studied using macroscopic, microscopic and biomechanical techniques. METHODS: Twenty-four 11-week-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups based on the treatment (physiological saline serum PCB, autologous platelet-rich plasma PRP). Cartilage lesions were drilled in medial femoral condyle of these rabbits. Other 12 rabbits were under the same conditions, but they did not suffer any lesion and treatment (control group CTR). The three groups were divided into two subgroups, depending on the age at the time of killing (16 and 19 weeks old). RESULTS: The CTR group showed the best possible value in the macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Meanwhile, the PCB and PRP group values were lower than the CTR group values, at two times of the study, but similar to each other at 19 weeks. In the biomechanical study, at 16 weeks, the CTR and PCB groups behaved similarly, with values above PRP group values, while at 19 weeks, CTR group showed higher values than PCB and PRP groups, and there were no differences between these values. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of the tissue treated with autologous PRP showed a positive tendency over time, while the PCB group was negative. Nevertheless, at 19 weeks of age, the PRP treatment did not show better results than the PCB, both showing the characteristics of fibrocartilaginous tissue. Likewise, none of the two treatments produced a repair tissue as the healthy cartilage.