Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

Dietary exposure to benzoates (E210-E213), parabens (E214-E219), nitrites (E249-E250), nitrates (E251-E252), BHA (E320), BHT (E321) and aspartame (E951) in children less than 3 years old in France

This study aimed to estimate the exposure to seven additives (benzoates, parabens, nitrites, nitrates, BHA, BHT and aspartame) in children aged less than 3 years old in France. A conservative approach, combining individual consumption data with maximum permitted levels, was carried out for all the additives. More refined estimates using occurrence data obtained from products' labels (collected by the French Observatory of Food Quality) were conducted for those additives that exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Information on additives' occurrence was obtained from the food labels. When the ADI was still exceeded, the exposure estimate was further refined using measured concentration data, if available. When using the maximum permitted level (MPL), the ADI was exceeded for benzoates (1.94 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1)), nitrites (0.09 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1)) and BHA (0.39 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1)) in 25%, 54% and 20% of the entire study population respectively. The main food contributors identified with this approach were current foods as these additives are not authorised in specific infant food: vegetable soups and broths for both benzoates and BHA, delicatessen and meat for nitrites. The exposure estimate was significantly reduced when using occurrence data, but in the upper-bound scenario the ADI was still exceeded significantly by the age group 13-36 months for benzoates (2%) and BHA (1%), and by the age group 7-12 months (16%) and 13-36 months (58%) for nitrites. Measured concentration data were available exclusively for nitrites and the results obtained using these data showed that the nitrites' intake was below the ADI for all the population considered in this study. These results suggest that refinement of exposure, based on the assessment of food levels, is needed to estimate the exposure of children to BHA and benzoates for which the risk of exceeding the ADI cannot be excluded when using occurrence data.

Histochemical and immunocytochemical characterizations of laminated bodies in the pancreas acinar lumen

Combined adrenalectomy and castration cause numerous morphological alterations in the exocrine pancreas of the rat. Accumulation of laminated bodies (LB) in the acinar lumen is one of these alterations. A series of classical histological stains was applied to identify the components of these structures. A positive reaction was observed with periodic acid-Schiff, Congo red, and Alcian blue (pH 2.5). The first stain reacts with neutral and some acid mucosubstances and the second with amyloid, whereas the last one reacts with sulfated and nonsulfated acid mucosubstances. The LB also responded to Luxol fast blue, indicating the presence of lipids, an observation that is in agreement with the osmiophilic properties of these structures. A more specific identification of LB components was carried out with the immunocytochemical protein A-gold technique. Presence of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) and GP2, two glycoproteins known to be secreted by the pancreas, was tested. The gamma-GT was associated with LB whereas GP2 was found in the lumen but not associated with these structures. Amylase was undetectable when LB occupied the lumen, suggesting that the process leading to production of LB also blocks secretory activity. To determine if diet influences LB accumulation in the pancreas acinar lumen, their frequency was compared in rats fed Purina Lab Chow or a lipid-free synthetic diet. A significant increase was observed in castrated-adrenalectomized rats fed the latter diet. This increase corresponded to a pronounced reduction in the number of zymogen granules (ZG) in the acinar cell. Our results show that LB are made of lipids, neutral mucosubstances, and nonsulfated acid mucosubstances, and that hormonal (steroids) and dietary factors (lipids) influence their accumulation.

Characterization of ATP-diphosphohydrolase activities in the intima and media of the bovine aorta: evidence for a regulatory role in platelet activation in vitro

The inner layer of the aorta contains the enzyme ATP diphosphohydrolase (ATPDase: EC 3.6.1.5) which catalyzes the sequential phosphorolysis of ATP----ADP----AMP. Two zones of the inner layer, the intima and media, were separated and both were shown to contain ATPDase activity of similar specific activity (0.08 and 0.10 U/mg protein, respectively). However, the media exhibited about 100-times more enzyme activity than the intima. Both preparations were virtually identical with respect to pH optima (7.5), migration patterns after electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, relative rates of ATP and ADP hydrolysis and potency to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation in both human platelet-rich plasma and whole blood. The IC50 values for ADP (2 microM)-induced aggregation were 6.8 and 12.9 mU/ml in platelet-rich plasma and whole blood, respectively. Addition of ATPDase to platelets pre-aggregated with ADP resulted in a dose-dependent disaggregation in platelet-rich plasma (IC50 4.9 mU/ml), but not in whole blood. When both ATPDase (5.6-58.7 mU/ml) and ATP (0.5-10 microM) were added to platelet-rich plasma, there was an immediate dose-dependent aggregation of platelets followed by a slowly developing disaggregation. These data show that ATPDase is present in both the intima and media layers of bovine aorta and suggest a dual role for this enzyme in platelet activation. By converting ATP released from damaged cells into ADP, the enzyme could facilitate platelet aggregation at the site of vascular injury, whereas the subsequent conversion of ADP to AMP could inhibit or reverse platelet aggregation. The consequence of these activities would be to control the growth of a platelet thrombus.

Anthropometric measurement in a protective environment

Although specifically designed for intensive chemotherapy, the LAF room is in use in other related treatment areas, including organ transplantation, burn therapy, and hematologic conditions in which the ability to ward off infections is impaired. With the increased use of protective environments in a variety of clinical conditions, the dietitian must be able to identify and develop proper sterile techniques for anthropometry to provide the health care team with ongoing nutritional assessment for this patient population.