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The HERD experiment is a future experiment for the direct detection of high-energy cosmic rays and is to be installed on the Chinese space station in 2027. The main objectives of HERD are the first direct measurement of the knee of the cosmic ray spectrum, the extension of electron+positron flux measurement up to tens of TeV, gamma ray astronomy, and the search for indirect signals of dark matter. The main component of the HERD detector is an innovative calorimeter composed of about 7500 LYSO scintillating crystals assembled in a spherical shape. Two independent readout systems of the LYSO scintillation light will be installed on each crystal: the wavelength-shifting fibers system developed by IHEP and the double photodiode readout system developed by INFN and CIEMAT. In order to measure protons in the cosmic ray knee region, we must be able to measure energy release of about 250 TeV in a single crystal. In addition, in order to calibrate the system, we need to measure typical releases of minimum ionizing particles that are about 30 MeV. Thus, the readout systems should have a dynamic range of about 107. In this article, we analyze the development and the performance of the double photodiode readout system. In particular, we show the performance of a prototype readout by the double photodiode system for electromagnetic showers as measured during a beam test carried out at the CERN SPS in October 2021 with high-energy electron beams.

Background The severe form of COVID-19 can cause a dysregulated host immune syndrome that might lead patients to death. To understand the underlying immune mechanisms that contribute to COVID-19 disease we have examined 28 different biomarkers in two cohorts of COVID-19 patients, aiming to systematically capture, quantify, and algorithmize how immune signals might be associated to the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients. Methods The longitudinal concentration of 28 biomarkers of 95 COVID-19 patients was measured. We performed a dimensionality reduction analysis to determine meaningful biomarkers for explaining the data variability. The biomarkers were used as input of artificial neural network, random forest, classification and regression trees, k-nearest neighbors and support vector machines. Two different clinical cohorts were used to grant validity to the findings. Results We benchmarked the classification capacity of two COVID-19 clinicals studies with different models and found that artificial neural networks was the best classifier. From it, we could employ different sets of biomarkers to predict the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients. First, all the biomarkers available yielded a satisfactory classification. Next, we assessed the prediction capacity of each protein separated. With a reduced set of biomarkers, our model presented 94% accuracy, 96.6% precision, 91.6% recall, and 95% of specificity upon the testing data. We used the same model to predict 83% and 87% (recovered and deceased) of unseen data, granting validity to the results obtained. Conclusions In this work, using state-of-the-art computational techniques, we systematically identified an optimal set of biomarkers that are related to a prediction capacity of COVID-19 patients. The screening of such biomarkers might assist in understanding the underlying immune response towards inflammatory diseases.

Abstract Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in COVID-19 patients but the nature of the gut immune response to SARS-CoV-2 remains poorly characterized, partly due to the difficulty of obtaining biopsy specimens from infected individuals. In lieu of tissue samples, we measured cytokines, inflammatory markers, viral RNA, microbiome composition, and antibody responses in stool samples from a cohort of 44 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in stool of 41% of patients and more frequently in patients with diarrhea. Patients who survived had lower fecal viral RNA than those who died. Strains isolated from stool and nasopharynx of an individual were the same. Compared to uninfected controls, COVID-19 patients had higher fecal levels of IL-8 and lower levels of fecal IL-10. Stool IL-23 was higher in patients with more severe COVID-19 disease, and we found evidence of intestinal virus-specific IgA responses associated with more severe disease. We provide evidence for an ongoing humeral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in the gastrointestinal tract, but little evidence of overt inflammation.

(1) Background: Gastrointestinal pain and fatigue are the most reported concerns of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Commonly prescribed drugs focus on decreasing excessive inflammation. However, up to 20% of IBD patients in an “inactive” state experience abdominal pain. The medicinal herb Ojeok-san (OJS) has shown promise in the amelioration of visceral pain. However, no research on OJS has been conducted in preclinical models of IBD. The mechanism by which OJS promotes analgesia is still elusive, and it is unclear if OJS possesses addictive properties. (2) Aims: In this study, we examined the potential of OJS to promote analgesic effects and rewarding behavior. Additionally, we investigated if tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from macrophages is a primary culprit of IBD-induced nociception. (3) Methods: Multiple animal models of IBD were used to determine if OJS can reduce visceral nociception. TNFα-macrophage deficient mice were used to investigate the mechanism of action by which OJS reduces nociceptive behavior. Mechanical sensitivity and operant conditioning tests were used to determine the analgesic and rewarding effects of OJS. Body weight, colon length/weight, blood in stool, colonic inflammation, and complete blood count were assessed to determine disease progression. (4) Results: OJS reduced the evoked mechanical nociception in the dextran sulphate sodium model of colitis and IL-10 knockout (KO) mice and delayed aversion to colorectal distension in C57BL/6 mice. No rewarding behavior was observed in OJS-treated IL-10 KO and mdr1a KO mice. The analgesic effects of OJS are independent of macrophage TNFα levels and IBD progression. (5) Conclusions: OJS ameliorated elicited mechanical and visceral nociception without producing rewarding effects. The analgesic effects of OJS are not mediated by macrophage TNFα.

Cancer patients can develop visceral, somatic, and neuropathic pain, largely due to the malignancy itself and its treatments. Often cancer patients and survivors turn to the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to alleviate pain and fatigue. Thus, it is necessary to investigate how CAM therapies work as novel analgesics to treat cancer pain. Ojeok-san (OJS) is an herbal formula consisting of seventeen herbs. This herbal formula has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and analgesic properties. In this study, we examined the potential beneficial effects and mechanism of action of OJS in a preclinical model of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to the carcinogen, azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg) and a chemical inflammatory driver, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS1-2%), to promote tumorigenesis in the colorectum. OJS was given orally (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) to determine its influence on disease activity, tumor burden, nociception, sedation, Erk signaling, and behavioral and metabolic outcomes. In addition, in vitro studies were performed to assess CT-26 cell viability, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) activation, and bone-marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation after OJS treatment. We found that administration of 2000 mg/kg of OJS was able to mitigate mechanical somatic and visceral nociception via Erk signaling without affecting symptom score and polyp number. Moreover, we discovered that OJS has sedative properties and elicits prolonged total sleeping time in AOM/DSS mice. Our in vitro experiments showed that OJS has the capacity to reduce TNFα gene expression in LPS-stimulated BMDM, but no changes were observed in DRG spike number and CT-26 cell proliferation. Taken together, these data suggest that OJS ameliorates nociception in mice and warrants further examination as a potential CAM therapy to promote analgesia.

HERD is a future experiment for the direct detection of high energy cosmic rays. The instrument is based on a calorimeter optimized not only for a good energy resolution but also for a large acceptance. Each crystal composing the calorimeter is equipped with two read-out systems: one based on wavelength-shifting fibers and the other based on two photodiodes with different active areas assembled in a monolithic package. In this paper, we describe the photodiode read-out system, focusing on experimental requirements, design and estimated performances. Finally, we show how these features lead to the flight model project of the photodiode read-out system.

Varicella-zoster virus causes varicella (chicken-pox), mainly in young children. Most cases are mild but serious complications can occur, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost burden of varicella hospitalizations in two pediatric reference hospitals in Mexico. This retrospective observational study collected data on patients aged

Computed tomography technology uses an electromagnetic radiation source or particulate radiation source, to analyze / study different samples that can range from living organisms to the most diverse objects (rocks, phantoms, etc.). The use of the radioactive materials may cause harm to the operator if he is exposed to the source of radiation, so aiming at the safety of the operator, the objective of this work is to develop an Internet of Things automation system for the opening of the Industrial Process Tomography source port for industrial tomography applications. Thus, this system can drive the stepper motors through this platform can be opened at a safe distance to the operator, avoiding the operator to take radiation dose to perform this operation. For the IPT project, five source ports were made so that each was positioned diametrically opposite each array of detectors. In this project we used 192Ir sources that have activity of 18,500 MBq and that were produced in the reactor IEA-R1, from the neutron bombardment of the pellet containing stable isotope 191Ir. The main characteristics of 192Ir are: half-life of 74.2 days; radiation energy from 0.13 to 0.65 MeV. For the safety of the operator during the opening of the sources, an automated opening system with IoT that can be activated with software installed on the tomography or by a smartphone application by the MQTT protocol, which makes it possible to be monitored in real time at long distance showing the opening and closing status of each source port.

GENis is an open source multi-tier information system developed to run a forensic DNA database at local, regional and national levels.11 Fundación Sadosky holds all rights over GENis software and authorizes the publication of this article. It was conceived as a highly customizable system, enforcing several security policies including: data encryption, double factor identification, structure of user’s roles and permissions, system-wide secure log auditing, non-repudiation protocols and a blockchain-based option to reinforce genetic profile´s integrity. GENis is able to perform genetic profile queries of autosomal STR’s and its design follows ENFSI22 European Network of Forensic Sciences Institutes. and ISFG33 International Society of Forensic Genetics. standards and recommendations. In this work, we present a summary of GENis system design and architecture, the implemented matching rule definitions and the framework used to provide statistical significance to profile matches.

Abstract Background To assess the potential acceptability and inform the development of behaviorally-congruent vaginal douche- or gel-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) products, we examined vaginal washing and lubrication practices among female sex workers (FSWs) in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, two northern Mexico cities bordering the United States (US). Methods Two hundred and ninety-five HIV-negative FSWs (145 Tijuana; 150 Ciudad Juarez) enrolled in a behavioral HIV prevention intervention trial completed surveys assessing vaginal washing and lubrication practices, as well as motivators and barriers to performing each practice. Logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors of each practice in the past month. Results In the past month, vaginal washing was performed by 56 and 22% of FSWs in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez (p

Beyond reducing deforestation, the control of forest degradation, the promotion of forest restoration, and the improvement of agricultural practices in the Brazilian Amazon are becoming increasingly important for sustainable development. To enable farmers and authorities to organize their landscapes and optimize both agricultural practices and the provision of ecosystem services, mapping land suitability is essential, but it is lacking in the region. In this paper, we present a method for mapping land suitability at a fine scale (30-m pixels), adapted to the needs of farmers and municipalities, to not only optimize agricultural production but also the ecosystem services provided by forests. We used topographic data from the Brazilian municipality of Paragominas to produce four maps, one each of soil texture, slope, floodplains, and hydrography, that we then combined into a single land suitability map. This map has been incorporated into a spatial database, which also contains information on land use, remoteness, and land tenure. We performed spatial analyses to measure the process of land use change, and to define indicators that enable local stakeholders to organize landscape restoration. We highlight an organic link between agricultural intensification and forest restoration, and provide a spatial tool for landscape design, assessment, and monitoring.

Los modelos bioantropológicos y arqueológicos proponen cambios en la demografía, en la organización social, en las dinámicas poblacionales y en las redes de interacción social entre los grupos cazadores-recolectores del norte de la Patagonia y del sur pampeano durante los últimos 1000 años. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar, desde la perspectiva de la antropología dental, si los individuos recuperados en el curso inferior del río Colorado (transición pampeano-patagónica oriental, provincia de Buenos Aires), inhumados durante el Holoceno tardío (ca. 3000-250 años AP), pertenecieron a diferentes poblaciones biológicas o si, por el contrario, compartieron un pool génico común a lo largo de ese período. Para alcanzar este objetivo se realizaron análisis métricos de la dentición permanente de 21 individuos adultos de ambos sexos, procedentes de tres sitios arqueológicos. Los resultados indican una similitud en la dispersión de los valores obtenidos, lo que permitiría inferir cierta continuidad fenotípica. En este sentido, no se observan segregaciones claras entre grupos de individuos, de manera que es posible plantear que no habrían existido divergencias biológicas entre los grupos humanos que inhumaban a sus ancestros en el área durante todo el lapso considerado. Estos datos contrastan con la información generada en áreas vecinas (p. ej., Pampa occidental), lo que indicaría que durante el Holoceno tardío final (ca. 1000-250 años AP) se habrían desarrollado diferentes procesos y dinámicas poblacionales (p.ej., regionalización) a nivel macro-regional.

Al finalizar las actividades del ciclo lectivo1999 la Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, eleva la síntesis informativa de las acciones desarrolladas durante este vigésimo segundo año consecutivo de formación de posgrado, con la dirección a cargo del Prof. Dr. Carlos Alberto Lopresti como Director de la Escuela de Salud Pública y al Prof.

Al fi nalizar las actividades del ciclo lectivo1998 la Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, eleva la síntesis informativa de las acciones desarrolladas durante este vigésimo primer año consecutivo de formación de posgrado, con una dirección a cargo designada por Resolución Decanal n° 1349/97 y ratifi cada por HCD n° 419/97, integrada por los Profesores Dr. Ivo Ferrari, Dr. Eugenio Gimeno Balaguer, Dra. María Josefi na López de Neira y Lic. Mgter. Rubén Castro Toschi y que fuera luego sustituída por la designación del Prof. Dr. Carlos Alberto Lopresti como Director de la Escuela de Salud Pública y al Prof. Ivo Ferrari como Vice Director según RHCD 1755, a partir del 24 de setiembre del año 1998.

“Al fi nalizar las actividades del ciclo lectivo1996 la Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, eleva la síntesis informativa de las acciones desarrolladas durante este vigésimo tercer año consecutivo de formación de posgrado, bajo la dirección del Prof. Dr. Luis César Abed.” Así comienza la memoria anual del año 1996.

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la cronología y las principales tendencias de los análisis geoarqueológicos, zooarqueológicos, de la tecnología lítica y de los entierros humanos recuperados en el sitio arqueológico Zoko Andi 1 (Pdo. de Patagones). Éste se localiza en una duna, sobre la margen derecha del curso inferior del río Colorado. Se obtuvieron nueve fechados radiocarbónicos provenientes de especímenes faunísticos, restos óseos humanos y carbón que ubican la cronología del sitio entre ca. 1500-400 años AP. Las dataciones obtenidas, en conjunción con los aspectos estratigráficos identificados, indican la existencia de al menos dos lapsos de ocupación. El primero de ellos se ubica en torno a los ca. 1500-1300 años AP (Holoceno tardío inicial), mientras que el otro se localiza en ca. 800-400 años AP (Holoceno tardío final). En este sentido, se trata del primer sitio del área en cuya secuencia se distinguen dos componentes que se corresponden con los dos bloques temporales del Holoceno tardío. Los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento en las distintas líneas de análisis se ajustan parcialmente a las tendencias propuestas en los modelos formulados para el área y son brevemente discutidas en este trabajo.

El sitio Loma Ruiz 1 se encuentra emplazado en el curso inferior del río Colorado, en el área de transición PampeanoPatagónica oriental. El conjunto arqueológico datado en ca. 1900-1600 años C14 AP se compone de materiales líticos, faunísticos y cerámicos recuperados tanto en posición superficial como estratigráfica. Los objetivos de este trabajo son discutir las características tecno-tipológicas del conjunto lítico, las estrategias de adquisición y gestión de materias primas líticas, las intenciones y técnicas de talla, los métodos de débitage1 y façonnage1 , las chaînes opératoires2 y la diversidad artefactual registrada. Asimismo, se discute cómo se ajustan los resultados obtenidos al modelo tecnológico areal existente. Estos indican estrategias diferenciales en la explotación de rocas según su origen (local, areal o extra-areal). Las técnicas de talla, los métodos de débitage, las características de los artefactos, sumados a la fragmentación en el espacio y tiempo de las chaînes opératoires reflejan distintos grados de planificación y estrategias de producción artefactual acordes con la procedencia de las rocas empleadas. La presencia de artefactos confeccionados sobre materias primas de la subregión Pampa Húmeda y, posiblemente, de Norpatagonia, indica la circulación de instrumentos en estado avanzado de confección durante el Holoceno tardío inicial.

We evaluated brief combination interventions to simultaneously reduce sexual and injection risks among female sex workers who inject drugs (FSW-IDUs) in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico during 2008-2010, when harm reduction coverage was expanding rapidly in Tijuana, but less so in Juarez.FSW-IDUs ≥18 years reporting sharing injection equipment and unprotected sex with clients within the last month participated in a randomized factorial trial comparing four brief, single-session conditions combining either an interactive or didactic version of a sexual risk intervention to promote safer sex in the context of drug use, and an injection risk intervention to reduce sharing of needles/injection paraphernalia. Women underwent quarterly interviews and testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Trichomonas, blinding interviewers and assessors to assignment. Poisson regression with robust variance estimation and repeated measures ordinal logistic regression examined effects on combined HIV/STI incidence and receptive needle sharing frequency.Of 584 initially HIV-negative FSW-IDUs, retention was ≥90%. After 12 months, HIV/STI incidence decreased >50% in the interactive vs. didactic sex intervention (Tijuana:AdjRR:0.38,95% CI:0.16-0.89; Juarez: AdjRR:0.44,95% CI:0.19-0.99). In Juarez, women receiving interactive vs. didactic injection risk interventions decreased receptive needle-sharing by 85% vs. 71%, respectively (p = 0.04); in Tijuana, receptive needle sharing declined by 95%, but was similar in active versus didactic groups. Tijuana women reported significant increases in access to syringes and condoms, but Juarez women did not.After 12 months in both cities, the interactive sexual risk intervention significantly reduced HIV/STI incidence. Expanding free access to sterile syringes coupled with brief, didactic education on safer injection was necessary and sufficient for achieving robust, sustained injection risk reductions in Tijuana. In the absence of expanding syringe access in Juarez, the injection risk intervention achieved significant, albeit more modest reductions, suggesting that community-level interventions incorporating harm reduction are more powerful than individual-level interventions.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00840658.

FSWs who inject drugs (FSW-IDUs) can acquire HIV through high risk sexual and injection behaviors. We studied correlates of HIV infection among FSW-IDUs in northern Mexico, where sex work is quasi-legal and syringes can be legally obtained without a prescription.FSW-IDUs>18 years old who reported injecting drugs and recent unprotected sex with clients in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez underwent surveys and HIV/STI testing. Logistic regression identified correlates of HIV infection.Of 620 FSW-IDUs, prevalence of HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, trichomonas, syphilis titers ≥1:8, or any of these infections was 5.3%, 4%, 13%, 35%, 10% and 72%, respectively. Compared to other FSW-IDUs, HIV-positive women were more likely to: have syphilis titers ≥1:8 (36% vs. 9%, p