Search for a Dark-Matter-Induced Cosmic Axion Background with ADMX

We report the first result of a direct search for a cosmic axion background (CaB)-a relativistic background of axions that is not dark matter-performed with the axion haloscope, the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX). Conventional haloscope analyses search for a signal with a narrow bandwidth, as predicted for dark matter, whereas the CaB will be broad. We introduce a novel analysis strategy, which searches for a CaB induced daily modulation in the power measured by the haloscope. Using this, we repurpose data collected to search for dark matter to set a limit on the axion photon coupling of a CaB originating from dark matter cascade decay via a mediator in the 800-995 MHz frequency range. We find that the present sensitivity is limited by fluctuations in the cavity readout as the instrument scans across dark matter masses. Nevertheless, we suggest that these challenges can be surmounted using superconducting qubits as single photon counters, and allow ADMX to operate as a telescope searching for axions emerging from the decay of dark matter. The daily modulation analysis technique we introduce can be deployed for various broadband rf signals, such as other forms of a CaB or even high-frequency gravitational waves.

Deer mastadenovirus B pneumonia in a white-tailed deer fawn

A 7-mo-old farmed white-tailed deer fawn (Odocoileus virginianus) died after several weeks of progressive deterioration associated with endoparasitism and respiratory signs. A field autopsy was performed, and lung tissue was submitted for histologic examination. The findings were consistent with necrosuppurative bronchointerstitial pneumonia with intranuclear viral inclusions. Immunofluorescence using fluorescently labeled polyclonal antibodies to bovine adenovirus 3 and 5 was positive. To rule out cross-reactivity with other adenoviruses, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were submitted for genome sequence analysis, which revealed a 99.6% match to Deer mastadenovirus B (formerly Odocoileus adenovirus 2, OdAdV2). To our knowledge, natural clinical disease associated with OdAdV2 has not been reported previously.

Search for Invisible Axion Dark Matter in the 3.3-4.2 μeV Mass Range

We report the results from a haloscope search for axion dark matter in the 3.3-4.2  μeV mass range. This search excludes the axion-photon coupling predicted by one of the benchmark models of "invisible" axion dark matter, the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov model. This sensitivity is achieved using a large-volume cavity, a superconducting magnet, an ultra low noise Josephson parametric amplifier, and sub-Kelvin temperatures. The validity of our detection procedure is ensured by injecting and detecting blind synthetic axion signals.

Retrospective Survey of Amphibian Pathology Cases at Texas A&M University System (2016-2020)

Dramatic declines in amphibians worldwide highlight the need for a better understanding of diseases affecting these species. To delineate the health issues of amphibians submitted to Texas A&M University System (2016-2020), the databases were queried on the basis of defined selection criteria. A total of 502 anurans (157 frogs [44 species] and 345 toads [10 species]) and 30 caudatans (23 salamanders [6 species] and 7 newts [4 species]) were reviewed. A most likely cause of death or major pathological finding (CD-MPF) leading to euthanasia was identified in 295 (55%) Anura cases and 15 (50%) Caudata cases. Of the 532 records reviewed, anurans included 492 captive, seven free-ranging and three undetermined specimens. All caudatans were captive. The most common CD-MPF in anurans was infectious/inflammatory (228/295; 77%), involving mycobacteriosis (73/228; 32%), chlamydiosis (44/228; 19%) and mycosis (32/228; 14%). Neoplasia was less common (28/295; 9%). Infectious/inflammatory lesions (14/15; 93%) were the main CD-MPFs in caudatans. Infectious diseases are a significant threat to captive amphibians in Texas and these results may aid personnel involved in amphibian conservation programmes, veterinarians and diagnosticians.

The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on the Heat Shock Protein, Inflammatory and Neurotrophin Response in Animals Exposed to an Acute Heat Stress

Objectives

The effect of 30-days of β-alanine (BA) supplementation on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), inflammatory and neurotrophin responses in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats exposed to an acute heat stress was investigated.

Methods

Animals were randomized to either a control (CTL) group or BA supplementation (100mg·kg−1) group. All animal were fed a normal diet and only differed regarding supplementation. Following supplementation animals were either exposed to the heat stress (120 min at 40–41°C) or were unexposed. Following the acute heat stress, or at the end of the supplementation period, animals were harvested and their brains removed. Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect expression of HSP70, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the hippocampus subregions and paraventricular nuclear (PVN) region of the hypothalamus.

Results

Three animals in CTL and one in BA did not survive the heat stress. Significant attenuation (P's < 0.005) in BDNF expression was noted in animals exposed to the heat stress compared to unexposed in all subregions (CA1, CA3 and DG) of the hippocampus and PVN. A significant elevation in BDNF expression in the CA3 subregion of rats fed BA and exposed to the heat stress was observed compared to exposed CTL animals. Significant elevations in COX2 was also noted in the CA1 and CA3 subregions in exposed compared to unexposed animals. COX2 expression was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.0065) in CTL compared with BA during heat exposure in the CA1 subregion of the hippocampus. Animals supplemented with BA also realized significantly higher HSP70 expression (P = 0.02) in the CA3 subregion of the hippocampus compared to CTL. Significant differences (P’s < 0.05) in NPY expression in all subregions of the hippocampus and PVN were noted between exposed and unexposed animals. However, NPY expression was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.03) for BA compared to CTL in exposed animals in the PVN.

Conclusions

Results suggested that BA supplementation appeared to increase resiliency to an acute heat stress and reduced the inflammatory response, while increasing HSP70 and neurotrophins expression.

Funding Sources

Natural Alternatives International Inc., Carlsbad, CA, USA.

0606 Comparative Effectiveness of Sleep Apnea Screening Tools During Inpatient Rehabilitation for Moderate to Severe TBI

Introduction

Recent studies highlight prevalent obstructive sleep apnea after moderate to severe TBI during a time of critical neural repair. The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and comparative effectiveness of traditional sleep apnea screening tools in TBI neurorehabilitation admissions.

Methods

This is a prospective diagnostic comparative effectiveness trial of sleep apnea screening tools (STOPBANG, Berlin, MAPI [Multi-Apnea Prediction Index]) relative Level 1 polysomnography at six TBI Model System Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers. Between 05/2017 and 02/2019, 449 of 896 screened were eligible for the trial with 345 consented (77% consented). Additional screening left 263 eligible for and completing polysomnography with final analyses completed on 248. The primary outcome was the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of screening tools relative to total apnea hypopnea index ≥15 (AHI, moderate to severe apnea) measured at a median of 47 days post-TBI (IQR 29-47).

Results

Participants were primarily young to middle age (AGE IQR 28,40,59), male (81%), white (74%), and had primarily severe TBI (IQR GCS 3,6,14). A subset (26%) had a history of military service. Results revealed that the Berlin high risk score (ROC-AUC=0.63) was inferior to the MAPI (ROC-AUC = 0.7802) (p=.0211, CI: 0.0181, 0.2233) and STOPBANG (ROCAUC = 0.7852) (p=.0006, CI: 0.0629, 0.2302); both of which had comparable AUC (p=.7245, CI: -0.0472, 0.0678). Findings were similar for AHI≥30 (severe apnea); however, no differences across scales was observed at AHI>5. The pattern was similar across TBI severity subgroups except for delirium or post-traumatic amnesia status wherein the MAPI outperformed the Berlin and STOPBANG. Youden’s Index to determine risk yielded lower sensitivities but higher specificities relative to non-TBI samples.

Conclusion

This study is the first to provide clinicians with data to support a choice for which sleep apnea screening tools are more effective during inpatient rehabilitation for moderate to severe TBI (STOPBANG, MAPI vs Berlin) to help reduce comorbidity and possibly improve neurologic outcome.

Support

PCORI (CER-1511-33005), GDHS (W91YTZ-13-C-0015; HT0014-19-C-0004)) for DVBIC, NIDILRR (NSDC Grant # 90DPTB00070, #90DP0084, 90DPTB0013-01-00, 90DPTB0008, 90DPT80004-02).

Abstract P3-14-07: Evaluation of the effects of talazoparib on QT interval prolongation

Background: Talazoparib (TAL), an oral poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor, is under investigation in multiple oncologic clinical trials and has been submitted to the US FDA for use in patients (pts) with germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.

International Conference on Harmonisation guidance recommends all new drugs be evaluated for effects on cardiac repolarization in a well-controlled clinical study. For drugs for which such evaluation cannot be conducted in healthy volunteers (eg, most anticancer agents), collection of robust corrected QT (QTc) interval data from a dedicated QTc study (hybrid thorough QT/QTc study) in pts is required in the registration dossier. The effect of steady-state (ss) TAL (1 mg once daily) on cardiac repolarization in pts with advanced solid tumors was evaluated in an open-label phase 1 study (NCT03042910).

Methods: Continuous 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings were collected at baseline (Day -1); time-matched pharmacokinetic (PK) samples and continuous ECG recordings were obtained on Days 1, 2, and 22 (when TAL concentrations achieved ss). On Day -1, pts had continuous 12-lead ECG recording starting at Time 0 (Day 1 dosing time) for 6 hrs. On Days 1 and 22, ECG recording started 45 min before TAL administration and continued for 6 hrs post dose and blood samples for PK were collected before dose and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hrs post dose. On Day 2, a 30-min ECG recording and a PK sample were obtained before dose at Time 0.

Continuous ECG recordings were submitted to a central laboratory; triplicate 10-sec ECGs were extracted from a 5-min extraction window beginning 15 min before each PK collection time. ECG measurements were reported via blinded manual adjudication process and included PR interval, QT interval, RR interval, and QRS complex. The QT interval was corrected for effect of heart rate using Fridericia's correction (QTcF) and Bazett's correction (QTcB).

The estimate of change from time-matched baseline and its 2-sided 90% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each nominal time point using PROC MEANS. Additionally, a prespecified PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) model was used to describe the relationship between plasma TAL concentrations ([TAL]) and QTc. The prespecified linear mixed-effects model included [TAL], time (categorical), and treatment with random pt effects on [TAL] and the intercept. If the upper bounds (UB) of 1-sided 95% CIs of time-matched ΔQTc for all ECG time points were <20 msec and the UB of 1-sided 95% CIs of the predicted ΔQTc at the mean ss maximum [TAL] was <20 msec, the effect of TAL on QTc was not of clinical relevance.

Results: 37 of 38 pts enrolled received TAL and were included in the ECG and PK/PD analyses. No pts had a postbaseline absolute maximum QTcF or QTcB ≥500 msec or ΔQTc ≥60 msec. The UB of the 1-sided 95% CI for the time-matched ΔQTcF and ΔQTcB were <12 msec at all nominal ECG time points. In the PK/PD analysis, the slopes (95% CI) of QTcF-[TAL] and QTcB-[TAL] relationships were -0.14 (-0.78 to 0.50) msec/ng/mL and -0.24 (-0.88 to 0.41) msec/ng/mL, respectively, indicating that TAL did not have a concentration-dependent effect on QTcF or QTcB.

Conclusion: TAL does not have a clinically relevant effect on QTc.

Funding: Medivation LLC, acquired by Pfizer.

Citation Format: Hoffman J, Chakrabarti J, Wainberg ZA, Plotka A, Babu S, Milillo Naraine A, Kanamori D, Moroose R, Nguyen L, Wang D. Evaluation of the effects of talazoparib on QT interval prolongation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-14-07.

Bone density and asymmetry are not related to DDT in House Sparrows: Insights from micro-focus X-ray computed tomography

In organisms, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and its metabolites, DDE (Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) and DDD (Dichlorobischlorophenylethane) are endocrine mimics. They can influence bone density and other bone structural features. This study was conducted on House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) caught from the Free State - and the Limpopo Provinces of South Africa (SA). The sites were chosen based on spraying patterns of DDT for malaria control or non-spraying. The bone mineral densities of the femurs as well as the lengths of the left- and right leg bones were determined using micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (μ-XCT). The concentrations of DDT and its metabolites in the liver were determined with gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry to provide baseline concentrations of DDT in the body, allowing comparison of the various groups of birds. There was no asymmetry between the lengths of the bones of the left- and the right legs. DDT concentrations in the liver did not correlate with bone lengths. In addition, there were no significant differences between the relative densities of the left- and right leg bones with increase of concentrations of DDT. The concentrations of DDT and its metabolites did not have a significant effect on the measured bone parameters of House Sparrows. It is possible that the concentrations of DDT and its metabolites in the environments were too low to be injurious to the birds and/or tolerance to the insecticide has developed in the birds over more than six decades of almost continuous application of DDT.

Observation of Fine Time Structures in the Cosmic Proton and Helium Fluxes with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We present the precision measurement from May 2011 to May 2017 (79 Bartels rotations) of the proton fluxes at rigidities from 1 to 60 GV and the helium fluxes from 1.9 to 60 GV based on a total of 1×10^{9} events collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer aboard the International Space Station. This measurement is in solar cycle 24, which has the solar maximum in April 2014. We observed that, below 40 GV, the proton flux and the helium flux show nearly identical fine structures in both time and relative amplitude. The amplitudes of the flux structures decrease with increasing rigidity and vanish above 40 GV. The amplitudes of the structures are reduced during the time period, which started one year after solar maximum, when the proton and helium fluxes steadily increase. Above ∼3  GV the p/He flux ratio is time independent. We observed that below ∼3  GV the ratio has a long-term decrease coinciding with the period during which the fluxes start to rise.

Abstract P5-21-23: Evaluation of the drug interaction potential of palbociclib and exemestane – Results from the PEARL pharmacokinetic sub-Study

Background: Palbociclib (PAL) is an oral cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor that is under investigation in multiple oncologic clinical trials and is currently approved for use in combination with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) or fulvestrant (FUL) in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer (BC).

The PEARL Study is an ongoing international, open label, controlled, randomized Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of PAL in combination with endocrine therapy (exemestane [EXE] or FUL) versus capecitabine in postmenopausal women with HR+/ HER2– metastatic BC whose disease progressed on AIs. A secondary objective of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of PAL (125mg QD, 3 weeks on/1 week off) and EXE (25mg QD, continuously) when coadministered. This is the first study to investigate the drug-drug interaction (DDI) potential of the combination of PAL and the AI EXE.

Methods: Patients (pts) randomized to the PAL+EXE arm of the PEARL Study in seven selected sites had the option of participating in the PK sub-study. Those who enrolled in the PK sub-study received EXE alone in a 7-day lead-in period immediately prior to Cycle 1 Day 1, when both drugs were coadministered on their standard dosing regimens. Sub-study pts were to have 2 pre-dose plasma PK samples drawn at steady-state (ss) during the lead-in period ("EXE Alone") for EXE determination, and 2 ss PK samples drawn for EXE and PAL determination (2 per analyte) during coadministration ("PAL+EXE"). Plasma concentrations of PAL and EXE were measured using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. The withinpatient mean concentration of the PK samples which met ss acceptance criteria (WPM-Ctrough) for each analyte were generated for each treatment period as the input for DDI analyses.

To assess the effect of coadministration of PAL on EXE PK, the WPM-Ctrough of EXE was compared within patients between the "PAL+EXE" (Test) and "EXE Alone" (Reference) treatment periods using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with treatment as a fixed effect and patient as a random effect. To assess the effect of coadministration of EXE on PAL PK, the WPM-Ctrough of PAL was compared between the "PAL+EXE" period (Test) and historical data (Reference) using an ANOVA model. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were used to assess the impact of demographic differences between analysis populations in covariates known to impact PAL PK on the ANOVA model conclusions.

Results: A total of 26 pts randomized to the PAL+EXE arm were enrolled in the PK sub-study and had PK samples analysed, of which 23 meet ss acceptance criteria. The ratio of the adjusted geometric means for EXE WPM-Ctrough was 106.9% (90%CI: 82.4-138.8), when EXE was administered with PAL, compared with its administration alone. Likewise, the models to assess potential for EXE to perpetrate DDI on PAL PK showed ratios of adjusted geometric means of 102.4% (90%CI: 82.0-127.9) and 111.6% (90%CI: 90.3137.8), when adjusted for covariates.

Conclusion: The PK data indicate a lack of a clinically meaningful DDI between PAL and EXE when the 2 drugs are coadministered.

Sponsor: GEICAM

Citation Format: Martín M, Hoffman J, Ruiz-Borrego M, Muñoz M, Calvo L, Crownover P, García-Sáenz JA, Alba E, Wang D, Thallinger C, Stradella A, Montaño Á, Adamo B, Antolín S, Moreno-Antón F, Falo C, Ruiz V, Martín N, Caballero R, Carrasco E, Gil-Gil M. Evaluation of the drug interaction potential of palbociclib and exemestane – Results from the PEARL pharmacokinetic sub-Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-21-23.

Observation of the Identical Rigidity Dependence of He, C, and O Cosmic Rays at High Rigidities by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

We report the observation of new properties of primary cosmic rays He, C, and O measured in the rigidity (momentum/charge) range 2 GV to 3 TV with 90×10^{6} helium, 8.4×10^{6} carbon, and 7.0×10^{6} oxygen nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) during the first five years of operation. Above 60 GV, these three spectra have identical rigidity dependence. They all deviate from a single power law above 200 GV and harden in an identical way.

Abstract P4-22-10: Evaluation of the effects of palbociclib (PAL) + letrozole (LET) on QTc

Background: PAL , an oral cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor, is under investigation in multiple oncologic clinical trials and is currently approved for use in multiple countries in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer (ABC).

International Conference on Harmonization guidance recommends that all new drugs be evaluated for effects on cardiac repolarization in a well-controlled clinical study. For drugs for which such evaluation cannot be conducted in healthy volunteers (eg, most non-adjuvant anticancer agents), collection of robust corrected QT (QTc) interval data from a dedicated QTc study (hybrid thorough QT/QTc study) in patients [pts] is required in the registration dossier. The phase 3 PALOMA-2 study (N=666) confirmed the superior clinical benefit of PAL+LET vs placebo (P) + LET in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive/HER2– ABC who have not received any prior systemic anticancer therapies for ABC. One of the secondary objectives of the study was to evaluate the effects of PAL+LET on QTc.

Methods: 12 lead (with a 10 second rhythm strip) tracings were performed in triplicate ∼2 min apart but within 10 min for all 3 ECGs. On the day preceding the initiation of treatment (Day 0), triplicate ECGs were obtained at time 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hrs (baseline). On Cycle 1 Day 14, when PAL concentrations were at steady-state, triplicate ECGs time-matched to baseline ECGs collected on Day 0 (±35 min) were obtained following PAL or P dosing. All ECGs were sent to a central laboratory for blinded manual adjudication and these data were used for analysis. ECG measurements included PR interval, QT interval, RR interval and QRS complex. The QT interval was corrected for the effect of heart rate using Fridericia's correction (QTcF), Bazett's correction (QTcB), and a study-specific correction factor (QTcS).

Approximately 60 pts were to be included for QTc evaluation to ensure 40 evaluable pts in the PAL+LET arm (2:1 randomization) of PALOMA-2 and thus, to establish noninferiority between post-baseline and baseline (ΔQTc) at all 5 QTc sampling timepoints on Cycle 1 Day 14 with 90% power. The test was based on a 1-sided difference in means t test for paired ΔQTc (α= 0.05). The difference in means between ΔQTc under the alternative hypothesis is 10 ms, assuming a noninferiority margin of 20 ms and the standard deviation of the paired differences equal to 16 ms based on PALOMA-1 study. If the upper bounds (UB) of 1-sided 95% confidence intervals (CI) of ΔQTc for all 5 QTc time points were <20 ms, the post-baseline QTc will be considered noninferior to baseline and PAL+LET effect on QTc will be concluded to be not of clinical relevance.

Results: A total of 77 pts were enrolled for intensive QTc assessment in PAL+LET arm. No pts had a post-baseline absolute maximum QTcF, QTcS or QTcB ≥500 ms or a ΔQTc ≥60 ms during the intensive QTc assessment period. A random effect analysis of the mean ΔQTc data demonstrated that the UB of the 1-sided 95% CI for QTcF, QTcS, and QTcB were <8 ms at all 5 QTc sampling time points.

Conclusion: PAL+LET does not have a clinically relevant effect on QTc.

Sponsor: Pfizer

Citation Format: Ruiz A, Gauthier E, Durairaj C, Huang X, Hoffman J, Finn RS, Moulder S, Joy AA, Ettl J, Rugo HS, Wang D. Evaluation of the effects of palbociclib (PAL) + letrozole (LET) on QTc [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-22-10.

Precision Measurement of the Boron to Carbon Flux Ratio in Cosmic Rays from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the boron to carbon flux ratio (B/C) is important in understanding the propagation of cosmic rays. The precise measurement of the B/C ratio from 1.9 GV to 2.6 TV, based on 2.3 million boron and 8.3 million carbon nuclei collected by AMS during the first 5 years of operation, is presented. The detailed variation with rigidity of the B/C spectral index is reported for the first time. The B/C ratio does not show any significant structures in contrast to many cosmic ray models that require such structures at high rigidities. Remarkably, above 65 GV, the B/C ratio is well described by a single power law R^{Δ} with index Δ=-0.333±0.014(fit)±0.005(syst), in good agreement with the Kolmogorov theory of turbulence which predicts Δ=-1/3 asymptotically.

Antiproton Flux, Antiproton-to-Proton Flux Ratio, and Properties of Elementary Particle Fluxes in Primary Cosmic Rays Measured with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precision measurement by AMS of the antiproton flux and the antiproton-to-proton flux ratio in primary cosmic rays in the absolute rigidity range from 1 to 450 GV is presented based on 3.49×10^{5} antiproton events and 2.42×10^{9} proton events. The fluxes and flux ratios of charged elementary particles in cosmic rays are also presented. In the absolute rigidity range ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the antiproton p[over ¯], proton p, and positron e^{+} fluxes are found to have nearly identical rigidity dependence and the electron e^{-} flux exhibits a different rigidity dependence. Below 60 GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios each reaches a maximum. From ∼60 to ∼500  GV, the (p[over ¯]/p), (p[over ¯]/e^{+}), and (p/e^{+}) flux ratios show no rigidity dependence. These are new observations of the properties of elementary particles in the cosmos.

Transfer between Icon Sets and Ratings of Icon Concreteness and Appropriateness

Two studies are reported on the usability of icons. Firstly, an experiment was carried out to investigate the transfer of performance between sets of icons for different computer functions. The aim was to determine whether users would benefit from common underlying elements within concrete icon sets, compared with unrelated abstract icons. A cross-over study was employed whereby subjects performed an icon identification task with one set of icons (a concrete or abstract learning set) and then transferred to another set of icons (a concrete or abstract transfer set). It was hypothesized that transferring from concrete to concrete icons would yield the best results due to the use of repeated elements in the concrete sets. Identification time data did not produce significant results to support the hypothesis. Significant results were yielded from the error data, this demonstrated the superiority of concrete icons, but no advantage came from previous experience with a concrete set. A second study examined the rating of the icons used in the first study in terms of concreteness and appropriateness. Appropriateness was found to be a reasonable predictor of icon identification time.

Measurement of the centrality dependence of the charged-particle pseudorapidity distribution in proton-lead collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV with the ATLAS detector

The centrality dependence of the mean charged-particle multiplicity as a function of pseudorapidity is measured in approximately 1 [Formula: see text]b[Formula: see text] of proton-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Charged particles with absolute pseudorapidity less than 2.7 are reconstructed using the ATLAS pixel detector. The [Formula: see text] collision centrality is characterised by the total transverse energy measured in the Pb-going direction of the forward calorimeter. The charged-particle pseudorapidity distributions are found to vary strongly with centrality, with an increasing asymmetry between the proton-going and Pb-going directions as the collisions become more central. Three different estimations of the number of nucleons participating in the [Formula: see text] collision have been carried out using the Glauber model as well as two Glauber-Gribov inspired extensions to the Glauber model. Charged-particle multiplicities per participant pair are found to vary differently for these three models, highlighting the importance of including colour fluctuations in nucleon-nucleon collisions in the modelling of the initial state of [Formula: see text] collisions.

Two-stage activity-safety study of daily rifapentine during intensive phase treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Rifapentine (RPT) has potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis; however, the optimal dose for anti-tuberculosis treatment is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the antimicrobial activity, safety and tolerability of RPT 450 mg or 600 mg administered daily during the first 8 weeks of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

DESIGN

In a two-stage, randomised open-label study, adults with sputum smear-positive TB were randomised to receive RPT 450 mg, RPT 600 mg or rifampicin (RMP) 600 mg daily for 8 weeks with isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. The primary endpoint was sputum culture status on Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium at completion of 8 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 153 participants were enrolled. Both RPT regimens met pre-specified criteria to advance to stage 2. At completion of 8 weeks of treatment, LJ culture conversion occurred in 85% (35/41), 96% (43/45) and 94% (34/36) of participants in the RPT 450 mg, RPT 600 mg and RMP groups, respectively. The proportions of participants discontinuing treatment were similar (respectively 1/54 [2.0%], 1/51 [2.0%] and 4/48 [8.3%] in the RPT 450 mg, RPT 600 mg and RMP groups), as were ⩾grade 3 adverse events (0/54 [0%], 1/51 [2.0%] and 4/48 [8.3%]).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a trend towards greater efficacy with RPT 600 mg than with RPT 450 mg. Daily RPT was safe and well-tolerated.

Precision Measurement of the Helium Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays of Rigidities 1.9 GV to 3 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

Knowledge of the precise rigidity dependence of the helium flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. A precise measurement of the helium flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1.9 GV to 3 TV based on 50 million events is presented and compared to the proton flux. The detailed variation with rigidity of the helium flux spectral index is presented for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at rigidities larger than 100 GV. The rigidity dependence of the helium flux spectral index is similar to that of the proton spectral index though the magnitudes are different. Remarkably, the spectral index of the proton to helium flux ratio increases with rigidity up to 45 GV and then becomes constant; the flux ratio above 45 GV is well described by a single power law.

Two-particle Bose-Einstein correlations in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] 0.9 and 7 TeV measured with the ATLAS detector

The paper presents studies of Bose-Einstein Correlations (BEC) for pairs of like-sign charged particles measured in the kinematic range [Formula: see text] 100 MeV and [Formula: see text] 2.5 in proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 0.9 and 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The integrated luminosities are approximately 7 [Formula: see text]b[Formula: see text], 190 [Formula: see text]b[Formula: see text] and 12.4 nb[Formula: see text] for 0.9 TeV, 7 TeV minimum-bias and 7 TeV high-multiplicity data samples, respectively. The multiplicity dependence of the BEC parameters characterizing the correlation strength and the correlation source size are investigated for charged-particle multiplicities of up to 240. A saturation effect in the multiplicity dependence of the correlation source size parameter is observed using the high-multiplicity 7 TeV data sample. The dependence of the BEC parameters on the average transverse momentum of the particle pair is also investigated.

Development, Evaluation and Implementation of Chief Complaint Groupings to Activate Data Collection: A Multi-Center Study of Clinical Decision Support for Children with Head Trauma

BACKGROUND

Overuse of cranial computed tomography scans in children with blunt head trauma unnecessarily exposes them to radiation. The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) blunt head trauma prediction rules identify children who do not require a computed tomography scan. Electronic health record (EHR) based clinical decision support (CDS) may effectively implement these rules but must only be provided for appropriate patients in order to minimize excessive alerts.

OBJECTIVES

To develop, implement and evaluate site-specific groupings of chief complaints (CC) that accurately identify children with head trauma, in order to activate data collection in an EHR.

METHODS

As part of a 13 site clinical trial comparing cranial computed tomography use before and after implementation of CDS, four PECARN sites centrally developed and locally implemented CC groupings to trigger a clinical trial alert (CTA) to facilitate the completion of an emergency department head trauma data collection template. We tested and chose CC groupings to attain high sensitivity while maintaining at least moderate specificity.

RESULTS

Due to variability in CCs available, identical groupings across sites were not possible. We noted substantial variability in the sensitivity and specificity of seemingly similar CC groupings between sites. The implemented CC groupings had sensitivities greater than 90% with specificities between 75-89%. During the trial, formal testing and provider feedback led to tailoring of the CC groupings at some sites.

CONCLUSIONS

CC groupings can be successfully developed and implemented across multiple sites to accurately identify patients who should have a CTA triggered to facilitate EHR data collection. However, CC groupings will necessarily vary in order to attain high sensitivity and moderate-to-high specificity. In future trials, the balance between sensitivity and specificity should be considered based on the nature of the clinical condition, including prevalence and morbidity, in addition to the goals of the intervention being considered.