Exotic Dark Matter Search with the Majorana Demonstrator.

With excellent energy resolution and ultralow-level radiogenic backgrounds, the high-purity germanium detectors in the Majorana Demonstrator enable searches for several classes of exotic dark matter (DM) models. In this work, we report new experimental limits on keV-scale sterile neutrino DM via the transition magnetic moment from conversion to active neutrinos ν_{s}→ν_{a}. We report new limits on fermionic dark matter absorption (χ+A→ν+A) and sub-GeV DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering (χ+χ+A→ϕ+A), and new exclusion limits for bosonic dark matter (axionlike particles and dark photons). These searches utilize the (1-100)-keV low-energy region of a 37.5-kg y exposure collected by the Demonstrator between May 2016 and November 2019 using a set of ^{76}Ge-enriched detectors whose surface exposure time was carefully controlled, resulting in extremely low levels of cosmogenic activation.

Constraints on the Decay of

^{180m}Ta is a rare nuclear isomer whose decay has never been observed. Its remarkably long lifetime surpasses the half-lives of all other known ß and electron capture decays due to the large K-spin differences and small energy differences between the isomeric and lower-energy states. Detecting its decay presents a significant experimental challenge but could shed light on neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis mechanisms, the nature of dark matter, and K-spin violation. For this study, we repurposed the Majorana Demonstrator, an experimental search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of ^{76}Ge using an array of high-purity germanium detectors, to search for the decay of ^{180m}Ta. More than 17 kg, the largest amount of tantalum metal ever used for such a search, was installed within the ultralow-background detector array. In this Letter, we present results from the first year of Ta data taking and provide an updated limit for the ^{180m}Ta half-life on the different decay channels. With new limits up to 1.5×10^{19} yr, we improved existing limits by 1-2 orders of magnitude which are the most sensitive searches for a single ß and electron capture decay ever achieved. Over all channels, the decay can be excluded for T_{1/2}<0.29×10^{18} yr.

Erratum: Search for Spontaneous Radiation from Wave Function Collapse in the Majorana Demonstrator [Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 080401 (2022)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.080401.

Final Result of the Majorana Demonstrator's Search for Neutrinoless Double-ß Decay in

The Majorana Demonstrator searched for neutrinoless double-ß decay (0νßß) of ^{76}Ge using modular arrays of high-purity Ge detectors operated in vacuum cryostats in a low-background shield. The arrays operated with up to 40.4 kg of detectors (27.2 kg enriched to ∼88% in ^{76}Ge). From these measurements, the Demonstrator has accumulated 64.5 kg yr of enriched active exposure. With a world-leading energy resolution of 2.52 keV FWHM at the 2039 keV Q_{ßß} (0.12%), we set a half-life limit of 0νßß in ^{76}Ge at T_{1/2}>8.3×10^{25} yr (90% C.L.). This provides a range of upper limits on m_{ßß} of (113-269) meV (90% C.L.), depending on the choice of nuclear matrix elements.

Search for Spontaneous Radiation from Wave Function Collapse in the Majorana Demonstrator.

The Majorana Demonstrator neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment comprises a 44 kg (30 kg enriched in ^{76}Ge) array of p-type, point-contact germanium detectors. With its unprecedented energy resolution and ultralow backgrounds, Majorana also searches for rare event signatures from beyond standard model physics in the low energy region below 100 keV. In this Letter, we test the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model, one of the mathematically well-motivated wave function collapse models aimed at solving the long-standing unresolved quantum mechanical measurement problem. While the CSL predicts the existence of a detectable radiation signature in the x-ray domain, we find no evidence of such radiation in the 19-100 keV range in a 37.5 kg-y enriched germanium exposure collected between December 31, 2015, and November 27, 2019, with the Demonstrator. We explored both the non-mass-proportional (n-m-p) and the mass-proportional (m-p) versions of the CSL with two different assumptions: that only the quasifree electrons can emit the x-ray radiation and that the nucleus can coherently emit an amplified radiation. In all cases, we set the most stringent upper limit to date for the white CSL model on the collapse rate, λ, providing a factor of 40-100 improvement in sensitivity over comparable searches. Our limit is the most stringent for large parts of the allowed parameter space. If the result is interpreted in terms of the Diòsi-Penrose gravitational wave function collapse model, the lower bound with a 95% confidence level is almost an order of magnitude improvement over the previous best limit.

Search for Solar Axions via Axion-Photon Coupling with the Majorana Demonstrator.

Axions were originally proposed to explain the strong-CP problem in QCD. Through axion-photon coupling, the Sun could be a major source of axions, which could be measured in solid state detection experiments with enhancements due to coherent Primakoff-Bragg scattering. The Majorana Demonstrator experiment has searched for solar axions with a set of ^{76}Ge-enriched high purity germanium detectors using a 33 kg-yr exposure collected between January, 2017 and November, 2019. A temporal-energy analysis gives a new limit on the axion-photon coupling as g_{aγ}<1.45×10^{-9} GeV^{-1} (95% confidence level) for axions with mass up to 100 eV/c^{2}. This improves laboratory-based limits between about 1 eV/c^{2} and 100 eV/c^{2}.

Spacecraft sample collection and subsurface excavation of asteroid (101955) Bennu.

Carbonaceous asteroids, such as (101955) Bennu, preserve material from the early Solar System, including volatile compounds and organic molecules. We report spacecraft imaging and spectral data collected during and after retrieval of a sample from Bennu's surface. The sampling event mobilized rocks and dust into a debris plume, excavating a 9-meter-long elliptical crater. This exposed material is darker, spectrally redder, and more abundant in fine particulates than the original surface. The bulk density of the displaced subsurface material was 500 to 700 kilograms per cubic meter, which is about half that of the whole asteroid. Particulates that landed on instrument optics spectrally resemble aqueously altered carbonaceous meteorites. The spacecraft stored 250 ± 101 grams of material, which will be delivered to Earth in 2023.

The Patient Pathway for Men with Chronic Urinary Retention: Treatments, Complications, and Consequences.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the treatment options for chronic urinary retention (CUR) in men, including treatment-related complications and consequences. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included male patients diagnosed with a non-neurogenic, symptomatic and/or high-risk, CUR >150 mL in a large Dutch non-academic teaching hospital. Data for treatments, complications, and consequences (eg, diagnostics, additional treatments, and hospital contact) were recorded and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated. RESULTS: We enrolled 177 patients (median age, 77 years; range, 44-94) with a median follow-up of 68 months (range, 1-319) during which they had a median of 8 events (range, 1-51). Most patients initially received a urethral catheter (74%) and some form of catheterization as their final treatment (87%). Compared with non-surgical cases, catheterization was more likely to be stopped after de-obstructive prostate surgery (IRR, 4.18; P < 0.001). Urinary tract infection (IRR, 3.68; P < 0.001) and macroscopic hematuria (IRR, 5.35; P < 0.001) were more common with catheterization, but post-renal problems were more likely in patients with no catheterization (IRR, 25.36; P < 0.001). The lowest chance of complication was with clean intermittent catheterization, and complications were usually managed in outpatient (77%) or emergency (6%) departments, rather than by admission (17%). CONCLUSION: Most patients require catheterization for CUR, with clean intermittent catheterization preferred due to its comparatively lower complication risk. De-obstructive prostate surgery increases the chance of stopping catheterization and may be considered in suitable cases.

α -event characterization and rejection in point-contact HPGe detectors.

P-type point contact (PPC) HPGe detectors are a leading technology for rare event searches due to their excellent energy resolution, low thresholds, and multi-site event rejection capabilities. We have characterized a PPC detector's response to α particles incident on the sensitive passivated and p + surfaces, a previously poorly-understood source of background. The detector studied is identical to those in the Majorana Demonstrator experiment, a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay ( 0 ν ß ß ) in 76 Ge. α decays on most of the passivated surface exhibit significant energy loss due to charge trapping, with waveforms exhibiting a delayed charge recovery (DCR) signature caused by the slow collection of a fraction of the trapped charge. The DCR is found to be complementary to existing methods of α identification, reliably identifying α background events on the passivated surface of the detector. We demonstrate effective rejection of all surface α events (to within statistical uncertainty) with a loss of only 0.2% of bulk events by combining the DCR discriminator with previously-used methods. The DCR discriminator has been used to reduce the background rate in the 0 ν ß ß region of interest window by an order of magnitude in the Majorana Demonstrator  and will be used in the upcoming LEGEND-200 experiment.

Episodes of particle ejection from the surface of the active asteroid (101955) Bennu.

Active asteroids are those that show evidence of ongoing mass loss. We report repeated instances of particle ejection from the surface of (101955) Bennu, demonstrating that it is an active asteroid. The ejection events were imaged by the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft. For the three largest observed events, we estimated the ejected particle velocities and sizes, event times, source regions, and energies. We also determined the trajectories and photometric properties of several gravitationally bound particles that orbited temporarily in the Bennu environment. We consider multiple hypotheses for the mechanisms that lead to particle ejection for the largest events, including rotational disruption, electrostatic lofting, ice sublimation, phyllosilicate dehydration, meteoroid impacts, thermal stress fracturing, and secondary impacts.

Focus group parental opinions regarding treatment with topical corticosteroids on children with atopic dermatitis

Introduction and objectives: Atopic dermatitis is common among children of 0-5 years old. Treatment consists of emollients and topical corticosteroids. Due to corticophobia, however, adherence to topical corticosteroids is low. Our aim was to find factors that influence opinions about topical corticosteroids among parents of children with atopic dermatitis. Methods: A qualitative focus group study in secondary care with parents of children with atopic dermatitis. Questions concerned opinions, attitude, sources of information, and the use of topical corticosteroids. Results: The parents indicated that they lack knowledge about the working mechanism and side effects of topical corticosteroids. Dermatologists and paediatricians emphasise the beneficial effects, whereas other healthcare workers and lay people often express a negative attitude. Conclusions: This study gives a complete overview of factors influencing adherence. Treatment with topical corticosteroids can be improved by better informing parents about the working mechanisms, the use, and how to reduce the dose. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the consequences of their negative attitude concerning topical corticosteroids

No disponible

Focus group parental opinions regarding treatment with topical corticosteroids on children with atopic dermatitis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Atopic dermatitis is common among children of 0-5 years old. Treatment consists of emollients and topical corticosteroids. Due to corticophobia, however, adherence to topical corticosteroids is low. Our aim was to find factors that influence opinions about topical corticosteroids among parents of children with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: A qualitative focus group study in secondary care with parents of children with atopic dermatitis. Questions concerned opinions, attitude, sources of information, and the use of topical corticosteroids. RESULTS: The parents indicated that they lack knowledge about the working mechanism and side effects of topical corticosteroids. Dermatologists and paediatricians emphasise the beneficial effects, whereas other healthcare workers and lay people often express a negative attitude. CONCLUSIONS: This study gives a complete overview of factors influencing adherence. Treatment with topical corticosteroids can be improved by better informing parents about the working mechanisms, the use, and how to reduce the dose. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the consequences of their negative attitude concerning topical corticosteroids.

Search for Neutrinoless Double-ß Decay in

The Majorana Collaboration is operating an array of high purity Ge detectors to search for neutrinoless double-ß decay in ^{76}Ge. The Majorana Demonstrator comprises 44.1 kg of Ge detectors (29.7 kg enriched in ^{76}Ge) split between two modules contained in a low background shield at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. Here we present results from data taken during construction, commissioning, and the start of full operations. We achieve unprecedented energy resolution of 2.5 keV FWHM at Q_{ßß} and a very low background with no observed candidate events in 9.95 kg yr of enriched Ge exposure, resulting in a lower limit on the half-life of 1.9×10^{25} yr (90% C.L.). This result constrains the effective Majorana neutrino mass to below 240-520 meV, depending on the matrix elements used. In our experimental configuration with the lowest background, the background is 4.0_{-2.5}^{+3.1} counts/(FWHM t yr).

Azole-resistant invasive aspergillosis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia in Germany.

We report the first culture-proven case of invasive aspergillosis (IA) caused by azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia in Germany. IA presented as breakthrough infection under posaconazole prophylaxis. Analysis of the resistance mechanism revealed the TR/L98H mutation in the cyp51A gene, which indicates an environmental origin of the strain. This case underscores the need for monitoring azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. and for routine susceptibility testing of moulds.

alpha-Fluoro beta alanine in urine of workers occupationally exposed to 5 fluorouracil in a 5 fluorouracil producing factory.

Because of possible harmful health effects increased attention is being paid to the occupational exposure to cytostatic drugs of workers in hospitals and industry. In this study a biomarker for exposure to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) based on GC-MSMS was applied to study the occupational exposure of four workers in a pharmaceutical factory producing 5FU. The four workers all excreted-fluoro--alanine (FBAL), a metabolite of 5FU, via the urine (range excretion rates: 0-88 9 g per 8h). This is in accordance with the presence of 5FU and/or its precursor ethoxyfluorouracil (EFU) in stationary and personal air wipe samples taken from the the workplace.

The effect of supportive pamidronate treatment on aspects of quality of life of patients with advanced breast cancer.

Selective aspects of quality of life during supportive pamidronate (APD) treatment were assessed in breast cancer patients with osteolytic metastases. 144 patients were randomised to a pamidronate group (n = 76) or a control group (n = 68). A questionnaire measuring mobility impairment, bone pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal toxicity was administered at 3-monthly intervals. The analysis focused on changes in these quality of life domains over time. The median follow-up for both groups was 18 months. Mobility impairment and bone pain were significantly less in the pamidronate group as compared with the control group, due primarily to a rapid improvement shortly after initiation of pamidronate treatment. Thereafter, a gradual increase in these symptoms was noted in both groups. Gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue levels were similar over time in the two groups, suggesting that these symptoms are more dependent on disease-related events and cytotoxic treatment than on pamidronate treatment. The results indicate that reduced skeletal morbidity in breast cancer patients during pamidronate treatments is associated with an improvement in selective aspects of quality of life.

Diminished uptake and degradation of soluble aggregates of IgG by monocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis.

We investigated the capacity of monocytes to degrade soluble aggregates of IgG in vitro in the absence (Fc receptor [FcR] mediated) and presence of complement (FcR and C3 receptor mediated). Adherent monocytes from 33 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatoid vasculitis, 32 patients with inactive RA alone, and 20 healthy controls were incubated with 125I-aggregated IgG (125I-AIgG) of restricted size with or without fresh serum. Normal monocytes degraded 9.8% of 125I-AIgG via FcR alone and the presence of complement enhanced degradation to 2.7%. Degradation of 125I-AIgG via FcR from patients without active RA suggested a depressed function of FcR. The maximal amount of 125I-AIgG which was bound by monocytes from patients with inactive and active RA, however, was increased compared to normals, suggesting a defect in intracellular processing in patients with RA. The degradation of 125I-AIgG in the presence of complement was also significantly depressed for both groups of patients. The monocytes from the patients also had decreased numbers of C3b receptors (CR1). Since CR1 are involved in the enhanced uptake of immune complexes bearing complement, the depressed capacity of monocytes from patients with RA to degrade 125I-AIgG in vitro may be caused both by a diminished uptake as well as a diminished capacity to degrade soluble AIgG.

A prospective randomised comparative study on the influence of cyclosporin and azathioprine on renal allograft survival and function.

To study the effectiveness and nephrotoxic side-effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) in renal transplant recipients, a prospective randomised trial was designed to compare CsA with azathioprine (Aza). Each treatment group consisted of 40 patients; in the CsA group, 18 were randomly selected for conversion to Aza after 3 months. The 1-year graft survival for CsA-treated patients was 87% compared with 66% for the Aza group (P = 0.033). Anti-rejection therapy was administrated to 78% of the patients in the Aza group and 47% of those in the CsA group (P less than 0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of primary non-functioning kidneys, cytomegalovirus infections, hypertension, or degree of proteinuria between the two treatment groups. At 3 months the mean creatinine clearance was 42 +/- 2 ml/min (mean +/- SEM) for the CsA group compared with 56 +/- 4 ml/min for the Aza group (P less than 0.01), whereas the mean creatinine clearances at 6 months for both the converted and the non-converted CsA-treated patients did not differ from that found in the Aza-treated group. At 1 year, the mean creatinine clearance for CsA-treated patients who were converted to Aza was higher than that found for Aza-treated patients (62 +/- 7 vs 50 +/- 6 ml/min; P less than 0.05). Furthermore, the increment in creatinine clearance observed after conversion from CsA to Aza at 3 months showed a linear relationship (r = 0.9061) with the CsA trough levels before discontinuation of the drug. This indicates that CsA treatment induces a dose-dependent, nephrotoxic side-effect which is probably reversible.

Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism in infancy.

Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism was observed in an infant at the age of 3 months. Persistent hyperkalemia, hyperchloremic acidosis and salt wasting were present. All abnormal electrolyte values were corrected by the administration of fludrocortisone. Both active and inactive renin were lowered. This infant had also an unexplained spastic quadriplegia and psychomotor retardation. Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism should be considered to be one of the causes of salt-losing in infancy.