Improve sleep in critically ill patients: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial for a multi-component intervention of environment control in the ICU.

INTRODUCTION: In critically ill patients, sleep and circadian rhythms are greatly altered. These disturbances have been associated with adverse consequences, including increased mortality. Factors associated with the ICU environment, such as exposure to inadequate light and noise levels during the day and night or inflexible schedules of daily care activities, have been described as playing an essential role in sleep disturbances. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the use of a multifaceted environmental control intervention in the ICU on the quantity and quality of sleep, delirium, and post-intensive care neuropsychological impairment in critically ill patients. METHODS: This is a prospective, parallel-group, randomized trial in 56 critically ill patients once they are starting to recover from their acute illness. Patients will be randomized to receive a multifaceted intervention of environmental control in the ICU (dynamic light therapy, auditory masking, and rationalization of ICU nocturnal patient care activities) or standard care. The protocol will be applied from enrollment until ICU discharge. Baseline parameters, light and noise levels, polysomnography and actigraphy, daily oscillation of plasma concentrations of Melatonin and Cortisol, and questionnaires for the qualitative evaluation of sleep, will be assessed during the study. In addition, all patients will undergo standardized follow-up before hospital discharge and at 6 months to evaluate neuropsychological impairment. DISCUSSION: This study is the first randomized clinical trial in critically ill patients to evaluate the effect of a multicomponent, non-pharmacological environmental control intervention on sleep improvement in ICU patients. The results will provide data about the potential synergistic effects of a combined multi-component environmental intervention in ICU on outcomes in the ICU and long term, and the mechanism of action. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT. Registered on January 10, 2023. Last updated on 24 Jan 2023.

An induced annual modulation signature in COSINE-100 data by DAMA/LIBRA's analysis method.

The DAMA/LIBRA collaboration has reported the observation of an annual modulation in the event rate that has been attributed to dark matter interactions over the last two decades. However, even though tremendous efforts to detect similar dark matter interactions were pursued, no definitive evidence has been observed to corroborate the DAMA/LIBRA signal. Many studies assuming various dark matter models have attempted to reconcile DAMA/LIBRA's modulation signals and null results from other experiments, however no clear conclusion can be drawn. Apart from the dark matter hypothesis, several studies have examined the possibility that the modulation is induced by variations in detector's environment or their specific analysis methods. In particular, a recent study presents a possible cause of the annual modulation from an analysis method adopted by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment in which the observed annual modulation could be reproduced by a slowly varying time-dependent background. Here, we study the COSINE-100 data using an analysis method similar to the one adopted by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment and observe a significant annual modulation, however the modulation phase is almost opposite to that of the DAMA/LIBRA data. Assuming the same background composition for COSINE-100 and DAMA/LIBRA, simulated experiments for the DAMA/LIBRA without dark matter signals also provide significant annual modulation with an amplitude similar to DAMA/LIBRA with opposite phase. Even though this observation does not directly explain the DAMA/LIBRA results directly, this interesting phenomenon motivates more profound studies of the time-dependent DAMA/LIBRA background data.

Thorium and uranium trace ICP-MS analysis for AMoRE project.

AMoRE (Advanced Mo-based Rare process Experiment) is an international collaboration searching for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of the 100Mo isotope with cryogenic detectors using molybdate (100MoO4)-based scintillation crystals. The process requires that the detector apparatus and its components, including bolometric crystals and thus initial materials used for the crystal growth, be extremely low in radioactive isotopes having decays that may generate background noise signals in the region of interest. The present study summarizes an ICP-MS assay program conducted for the AMoRE experiment. Firstly, the 100MoO3 powder, the main component of the crystals, was studied in the analysis. Before crystal synthesis, enriched 100MoO3 powder was purified at the Center for Underground Physics (CUP). To ensure its radio purity, a sample preparation technique with a UTEVA® resin was developed for Th and U analysis with ICP-MS. The recovery yield was over 90% for the extraction procedure, and the detection limits for Th and U were 2.3 and 1.0 ppt, respectively. To determine the most appropriate material for the detector frame and shielding, several types of high-purity Cu were measured: Cu-OFE (Aurubis and Mitsubishi Materials) and Cu-NOSV (Aurubis). Similarly, a solid-phase extraction was applied for Th and U analysis, and detection limits were calculated at 0.1 and 0.2 ppt, respectively. The 3M Vikuiti™ ESR film, the closest part to the crystal in the detector assembly, was used as a light reflector. Two types of Vikuiti film, a roll and a sheet, were checked for radiopurity via full decomposition using a microwave ashing system. The procedural Detection Limits were achieved at a level of about 1 ppt.

Strong constraints from COSINE-100 on the DAMA dark matter results using the same sodium iodide target.

We present new constraints on dark matter interactions using 1.7 years of COSINE-100 data. The COSINE-100 experiment, consisting of 106 kg of tallium-doped sodium iodide [NaI(Tl)] target material, is aimed to test DAMA's claim of dark matter observation using the same NaI(Tl) detectors. Improved event selection requirements, a more precise understanding of the detector background, and the use of a larger dataset considerably enhance the COSINE-100 sensitivity for dark matter detection. No signal consistent with the dark matter interaction is identified and rules out model-dependent dark matter interpretations of the DAMA signals in the specific context of standard halo model with the same NaI(Tl) target for various interaction hypotheses.

Sevoflurane and Isoflurane induce structural changes in brain vascular endothelial cells and increase blood-brain barrier permeability: Possible link to postoperative delirium and cognitive decline.

A large percentage of patients subjected to general anesthesia at 65 years and older exhibit postoperative delirium (POD). Here, we test the hypothesis that inhaled anesthetics (IAs), such as Sevoflurane and Isoflurane, act directly on brain vascular endothelial cells (BVECs) to increase blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, thereby contributing to POD. Rats of young (3-5 months), middle (10-12 months) and old (17-19 months) ages were anesthetized with Sevoflurane or Isoflurane for 3h. After exposure, some were euthanized immediately; others were allowed to recover for 24h before sacrifice. Immunohistochemistry was employed to monitor the extent of BBB breach, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine changes in the luminal surfaces of BVECs. Quantitative immunohistochemistry revealed increased BBB permeability in older animals treated with Sevoflurane, but not Isoflurane. Extravasated immunoglobulin G showed selective affinity for pyramidal neurons. SEM demonstrated marked flattening of the luminal surfaces of BVECs in anesthetic-treated rats. Results suggest an aging-linked BBB compromise resulting from exposure to Sevoflurane. Changes in the luminal surface topology of BVECs indicate a direct effect on the plasma membrane, which may weaken or disrupt their BBB-associated tight junctions. Disruption of brain homeostasis due to plasma influx into the brain parenchyma and binding of plasma components (e.g., immunoglobulins) to neurons may contribute to POD. We propose that, in the elderly, exposure to some IAs can cause BBB compromise that disrupts brain homeostasis, perturbs neuronal function and thereby contributes to POD. If unresolved, this may progress to postoperative cognitive decline and later dementia.

Obesity as a defense mechanism.

INTRODUCTION: As the rate of obesity and bariatric surgery rise, various psychosocial etiologies contributing to obesity are being explored, and it is not uncommon to discover that a patient has been a victim of past abuse. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 37-year-old female was hospitalized for intractable nausea and vomiting following a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass performed a month and a half prior. After ruling out all medical etiologies, psychiatry was consulted due to a history of panic attacks, and to evaluate for a psychosomatic etiology. DISCUSSION: During the initial consultation, it was elicited that the patient had been the victim of a date rape as a teen, which resulted in dramatic weight gain and obesity. Following a comprehensive medical workup, brief psychodynamic psychotherapy, and the initiation of pharmacotherapy, the patient had a resolution of her symptoms, and at a 2 month follow-up, remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Prior to surgery, patients should be questioned about any history of abuse by utilizing a structured diagnostic questionnaire, such as the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (WALI). To prevent minimization, individuals with a history of abuse should be screened more thoroughly, and psychiatric involvement should be an intrinsic component of the follow-up care as abused patients may also be more sensitive to complaints as they lose weight. Psychiatric involvement can be a useful adjunctive treatment while medical etiologies are being ruled out, rather than after they have been ruled out.

An unusually fast-evolving supernova.

Analyses of supernovae (SNe) have revealed two main types of progenitors: exploding white dwarfs and collapsing massive stars. Here we describe SN 2002bj, which stands out as different from any SN reported to date. Its light curve rose and declined very rapidly, yet reached a peak intrinsic brightness greater than -18 magnitude. A spectrum obtained 7 days after discovery shows the presence of helium and intermediate-mass elements, yet no clear hydrogen or iron-peak elements. The spectrum only barely resembles that of a type Ia SN, with added carbon and helium. Its properties suggest that SN 2002bj may be representative of a class of progenitors that previously has been only hypothesized: a helium detonation on a white dwarf, ejecting a small envelope of material. New surveys should find many such objects, despite their scarcity.

Instructional design dogma: creating planned learning experiences in simulation.

Human lives depend on the performance of our trainees; thus, the educational methodology used to transform our learners into experts are of paramount importance. Effective use of simulation requires educators explore and apply educational theory as they discover who the learner is, how the learner learns, what the learning needs are, and which planned learning experiences are best suited to meet the learner's specialized needs. The purpose of this article is to portray simulation as an educational strategy in the context of a curriculum, to explore emerging theories from educational psychology, and to provide concrete examples of their application in simulation-based education.

A new stereolithography experimental porous flow device.

A new method for constructing laboratory-scale porous media with increased pore-level variabilities for two-phase flow experiments is presented here. These devices have been created with stereolithography directly on glass, thus improving the stability of the model created with this precision rapid construction technique. The method of construction and improved parameters are discussed in detail, followed by a brief comparison of two-phase drainage results for air invasion into the water-saturated porous medium. Flow through the model porous medium is shown to substantiate theoretical fractal predictions.

A non-spherical core in the explosion of supernova SN 2004dj.

An important and perhaps critical clue to the mechanism driving the explosion of massive stars as supernovae is provided by the accumulating evidence for asymmetry in the explosion. Indirect evidence comes from high pulsar velocities, associations of supernovae with long-soft gamma-ray bursts, and asymmetries in late-time emission-line profiles. Spectropolarimetry provides a direct probe of young supernova geometry, with higher polarization generally indicating a greater departure from spherical symmetry. Large polarizations have been measured for 'stripped-envelope' (that is, type Ic; ref. 7) supernovae, which confirms their non-spherical morphology; but the explosions of massive stars with intact hydrogen envelopes (type II-P supernovae) have shown only weak polarizations at the early times observed. Here we report multi-epoch spectropolarimetry of a classic type II-P supernova that reveals the abrupt appearance of significant polarization when the inner core is first exposed in the thinning ejecta (approximately 90 days after explosion). We infer a departure from spherical symmetry of at least 30 per cent for the inner ejecta. Combined with earlier results, this suggests that a strongly non-spherical explosion may be a generic feature of core-collapse supernovae of all types, where the asphericity in type II-P supernovae is cloaked at early times by the massive, opaque, hydrogen envelope.