Limit on the Fierz Interference Term b from a Measurement of the Beta Asymmetry in Neutron Decay

In the standard model of particle physics, the weak interaction is described by vector and axial-vector couplings only. Nonzero scalar or tensor interactions would imply an additional contribution to the differential decay rate of the neutron, the Fierz interference term. We derive a limit on this hypothetical term from a measurement using spin-polarized neutrons. This method is statistically less sensitive than the determination from the spectral shape but features much cleaner systematics. We obtain a limit of b=0.017(21) at 68.27% C.L., improving the previous best limit from neutron decay by a factor of four.

Global Quality Standard for Identification and Management of Severe Asthma

INTRODUCTION

Severe asthma is a debilitating, life-threatening disease associated with substantial global morbidity, mortality, and health care resource utilization. Patients may not receive guideline-directed medical care for severe asthma. Moreover, viable precision-based assessment tools and newer preventive therapies that can reduce the frequency of exacerbations and associated functional impact are underused. As a result, high rates of poorly controlled severe asthma persist, and patient health-related quality of life suffers.

METHODS

In 2019, the Improve Access to Better Care Task Force of the PRECISION Steering Committee set out to develop a global template on quality standards for severe asthma care to support improved access to and delivery of quality care. This Quality Standard is grounded in the vast body of published evidence available for severe asthma care, published clinical guidelines (i.e., from the Global Initiative for Asthma in 2019 and the European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society in 2014), and the 2018 PRECISION-supported Charter to Improve Patient Care in Severe Asthma.

RESULTS

The Quality Standard developed emphasizes four key elements aimed at optimizing clinical care and outcomes in severe asthma: (1) organization of services, (2) timely identification and referral for suspected severe asthma, (3) specialized assessment and management of severe asthma to optimize outcomes, and (4) patient-centric care and shared decision-making that is reflective of the patient's expectations, priorities, and values. Four key Quality Statements are provided, along with quality metrics and strategies for local adaptation to optimize implementation.

CONCLUSION

This Global Quality Standard is intended to mobilize policymakers, health care providers, and patient advocacy groups to build consensus on the definition and expectations of quality care in severe asthma, to promote patient-centric care, to identify gaps in care and areas for improvement, and systematically implement improvement measures and outcomes and to reduce the burden of illness for patients with severe asthma.

Measurement of the Weak Axial-Vector Coupling Constant in the Decay of Free Neutrons Using a Pulsed Cold Neutron Beam

We present a precision measurement of the axial-vector coupling constant g_{A} in the decay of polarized free neutrons. For the first time, a pulsed cold neutron beam was used for this purpose. By this method, leading sources of systematic uncertainty are suppressed. From the electron spectra we obtain λ=g_{A}/g_{V}=-1.27641(45)_{stat}(33)_{sys}, which confirms recent measurements with improved precision. This corresponds to a value of the parity violating beta asymmetry parameter of A_{0}=-0.11985(17)_{stat}(12)_{sys}. We discuss implications on the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element V_{ud} and derive a limit on left-handed tensor interaction.

Constraints on the Dark Matter Interpretation n→χ+e^{+}e^{-} of the Neutron Decay Anomaly with the PERKEO II Experiment

Discrepancies from in-beam- and in-bottle-type experiments measuring the neutron lifetime are on the 4σ standard deviation level. In a recent publication Fornal and Grinstein proposed that the puzzle could be solved if the neutron would decay on the one percent level via a dark decay mode, one possible branch being n→χ+e^{+}e^{-}. With data from the Perkeo II experiment we set limits on the branching fraction and exclude a one percent contribution for 95% of the allowed mass range for the dark matter particle.

Gravity resonance spectroscopy constrains dark energy and dark matter scenarios

We report on precision resonance spectroscopy measurements of quantum states of ultracold neutrons confined above the surface of a horizontal mirror by the gravity potential of Earth. Resonant transitions between several of the lowest quantum states are observed for the first time. These measurements demonstrate that Newton's inverse square law of gravity is understood at micron distances on an energy scale of 10-14  eV. At this level of precision, we are able to provide constraints on any possible gravitylike interaction. In particular, a dark energy chameleon field is excluded for values of the coupling constant β>5.8×108 at 95% confidence level (C.L.), and an attractive (repulsive) dark matter axionlike spin-mass coupling is excluded for the coupling strength gsgp>3.7×10-16 (5.3×10-16) at a Yukawa length of λ=20  μm (95% C.L.).

Expression of AtMHX, an Arabidopsis vacuolar metal transporter, is repressed by the 5' untranslated region of its gene

AtMHX is an Arabidopsis tonoplast transporter that can exchange protons with Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions. This transporter, which may play a role in ion homeostasis of plants, is encoded by a single gene in Arabidopsis. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of this transporter are practically unknown. While AtMHX transcript can be easily visualized, expression of the corresponding protein is apparently low. To understand whether AtMHX expression is repressed at the translational level, the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of this gene was fused to reporter genes. In vitro analyses showed that the 5' UTR of AtMHX can repress the translation of downstream coding sequences. The major cause of the repression was efficient initiation at an upstream open-reading-frame (uORF) included in the 5' UTR. Although the sequence context of the upstream AUG (uAUG) codon was highly unfavourable, it was recognized by over 90% of the scanning ribosomes both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of the uORF was mediated by imposing the need for reinitiation and not by ribosome stalling, as the inhibition was not dependent on the amino-acid sequence of the uORF peptide. The efficiency of reinitiation was low. The in vivo studies, carried out with transiently transformed tobacco plants, indicated that alternations in the Mg2+ or Zn2+ levels did not affect the rate of translation. These data suggest that AtMHX expression is repressed by the 5' UTR of its gene.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium

All reported cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium and the effectiveness of the different treatment modalities in the world literature are reviewed. We present the first reported case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium treated by radical hysterectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The patient is without signs of disease 4 years after surgery. This is the longest follow-up of all reported cases. There are very few cases from which is to conclusively predict the best mode of therapy. The current standard of treatment is total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without pelvic and para-aortic lymph node sampling, depending on the histology and depth of the myometrial invasion. Adjuvant therapy includes radiation therapy according to the extent of disease.

Laparoscopic retrieval of a migrating intrapelvic pin: case report and review of the literature

Migration of orthopedic implants is a well documented phenomenon. Prompt recognition and immediate retrieval may prevent significant and potentially fatal sequelae. The following report describes a unique case in which laparoscopic techniques were successfully used to recover a migrating intrapelvic pin.

Blood pressure and salt intake in Malawi: an urban rural study

A significant difference between the blood pressures of rural and urban Malawians was found in both sexes, was present at the age of 15 years, and was associated with obesity but not with smoking, alcohol consumption, occupation or housing. Pulse rate was significantly lower in the urban group. These differences were accompanied by low potassium and sodium intake although the sodium intake in the urban group was double that in the rural group. No direct relation between blood pressure and urinary electrolytes was found.