We present measurements of the pseudorapidity distribution of primary charged particles produced in Au+Au collisions at three energies, sqrts(NN)=19.6, 130, and 200 GeV, for a range of collision ...centrali-ties. The distribution narrows for more central collisions and excess particles are produced at high pseudorapidity in peripheral collisions. For a given centrality, however, the distributions are found to scale with energy according to the "limiting fragmentation" hypothesis. The universal fragmentation region described by this scaling grows in pseudorapidity with increasing collision energy, extending well away from the beam rapidity and covering more than half of the pseudorapidity range over which particles are produced. This approach to a universal limiting curve appears to be a dominant feature of the pseudorapidity distribution and therefore of the total particle production in these collisions.
We examined variation in leaf size and specific leaf area (SLA) in relation to the distribution of 22 chaparral shrub species on small-scale gradients of aspect and elevation. Potential incident ...solar radiation (insolation) was estimated from a geographic information system to quantify microclimate affinities of these species across north- and south-facing slopes. At the community level, leaf size and SLA both declined with increasing insolation, based on average trait values for the species found in plots along the gradient. However, leaf size and SLA were not significantly correlated across species, suggesting that these two traits are decoupled and associated with different aspects of performance along this environmental gradient. For individual species, SLA was negatively correlated with species distributions along the insolation gradient, and was significantly lower in evergreen versus deciduous species. Leaf size exhibited a negative but non-significant trend in relation to insolation distribution of individual species. At the community level, variance in leaf size increased with increasing insolation. For individual species, there was a greater range of leaf size on south-facing slopes, while there was an absence of small-leaved species on north-facing slopes. These results demonstrate that analyses of plant functional traits along environmental gradients based on community level averages may obscure important aspects of trait variation and distribution among the constituent species.
We report recent device characterization results for a fully packaged widely tunable digital supermode (DS) distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser which has been monolithically integrated with a ...semiconductor optical amplifier. This new device gives all of the wide tunability and high side-mode suppression ratio performance previously reported for the DS-DBR laser with the added feature of output powers in excess of 14 dBm in fiber. In addition to output power and basic tuning behavior, we report on linewidth and relative intensity noise measurements for this device in order to investigate the noise characteristics of this laser.
We describe the design of a cryogenic rotation stage (CRS) for use with the cryogenic half-wave plate (CHWP) polarization modulator on the POLARBEAR-2b and POLARBEAR-2c (PB2b/c) cosmic microwave ...background (CMB) experiments, the second and third installments of the Simons Array. Rapid modulation of the CMB polarization signal using a CHWP suppresses 1/
f
contamination due to atmospheric turbulence and allows a single polarimeter to measure both polarization states, mitigating systematic effects that arise when differencing orthogonal detectors. To modulate the full detector array while avoiding excess photon loading due to thermal emission, the CHWP must have a clear-aperture diameter of > 450 mm and be cooled to < 100 K. We have designed a 454 mm clear-aperture, < 65 K CRS using a superconducting magnetic bearing driven by a synchronous magnetic motor. We present the specifications for the CRS, its interfacing to the PB2b/c receiver cryostat, its performance in a stand-alone test, and plans for future work.
Despite a high initial response rate to first-line platinum/paclitaxel chemotherapy, most women with epithelial ovarian cancer relapse with recurrent disease that becomes refractory to further ...cytotoxic treatment. We have previously shown that the E3 ubiquitin ligase, EDD, a regulator of DNA damage responses, is amplified and overexpressed in serous ovarian carcinoma. Given that DNA damage pathways are linked to platinum resistance, the aim of this study was to determine if EDD expression was associated with disease recurrence and platinum sensitivity in serous ovarian cancer. High nuclear EDD expression, as determined by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 151 women with serous ovarian carcinoma, was associated with an approximately two-fold increased risk of disease recurrence and death in patients who initially responded to first-line chemotherapy, independently of disease stage and suboptimal debulking. Although EDD expression was not directly correlated with relative cisplatin sensitivity of ovarian cancer cell lines, sensitivity to cisplatin was partially restored in platinum-resistant A2780-cp70 ovarian cancer cells following siRNA-mediated knockdown of EDD expression. These results identify EDD as a new independent prognostic marker for outcome in serous ovarian cancer, and suggest that pathways involving EDD, including DNA damage responses, may represent new therapeutic targets for chemoresistant ovarian cancer.
PURPOSE OF REVIEWTo summarize the multiple mechanisms responsible for angle closure in uveitis and to outline the management principles and treatment modalities.
RECENT FINDINGSAngle closure in ...uveitis is a heterogeneous disease with multiple mechanisms. Recent advances in anterior segment imaging have provided insights into the mechanisms of angle closure in uveitis. Uveitic eyes with angle closure from pupil block require surgical iridectomy with mobilization of the peripheral iris and viscogoniosynechiolysis of both posterior synechiae and peripheral anterior synechiae. Systemic conditions associated with uveitis can result in anterior displacement of the iris–lens diaphragm, and present as acute angle closure. Pupil block is not the predominant mechanism in these eyes, and management is primarily medical. Data are limited on the optimal treatment of angle closure in uveitis, and the role of glaucoma filtration surgery, cataract extraction, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and newer modalities of cycloablation require evaluation.
SUMMARYThe management of angle closure in uveitis should adhere to the principles of managing both uveitic glaucoma and angle closure. Identification of the mechanism of angle closure in uveitic eyes may enable treatment to be targeted at the responsible mechanism.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ∼22‐nucleotide noncoding RNAs that can regulate gene expression by directing mRNA degradation or inhibiting productive translation. Dominant mutations in PHABULOSA (PHB) and ...PHAVOLUTA (PHV) map to a miR165/166 complementary site and impair miRNA‐guided cleavage of these mRNAs in vitro. Here, we confirm that disrupted miRNA pairing, not changes in PHB protein sequence, causes the developmental defects in phb‐d mutants. In planta, disrupting miRNA pairing near the center of the miRNA complementary site had far milder developmental consequences than more distal mismatches. These differences correlated with differences in miRNA‐directed cleavage efficiency in vitro, where mismatch scanning revealed more tolerance for mismatches at the center and 3′ end of the miRNA compared to mismatches to the miRNA 5′ region. In this respect, miR165/166 resembles animal miRNAs in its pairing requirements. Pairing to the 5′ portion of the small silencing RNA appears crucial regardless of the mode of post‐transcriptional repression or whether it occurs in plants or animals, supporting a model in which this region of the silencing RNA nucleates pairing to its target.
This open access book covers all aspects of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and provides detailed information on each MIGS device, including its mechanism of action; patient selection; ...implantation techniques; post-operative management; and a review of the existing literature. Step-by-step descriptions are provided for the surgical technique used in implanting each MIGS device, accompanied by clear photographs of each surgical stage. Other areas covered include intra-operative gonioscopy (with tips on optimising the view of the anterior chamber angle) and the management of the intra-operative and post-operative complications. Essential information on the anatomy and physiology of the different aqueous outflow pathways is also included. A separate chapter addresses the introduction of MIGS globally, including the consideration of different reimbursement environments and the different types of glaucoma, e.g. angle closure glaucoma. This book will assist both glaucoma surgeons and general ophthalmologists in overcoming the learning curve involved in performed MIGS, by providing valuable and practical clinical pearls
Electrocoagulation is an electrochemical method of treating polluted water whereby sacrificial anodes corrode to release active coagulant precursors (usually aluminium or iron cations) into solution. ...Accompanying electrolytic reactions evolve gas (usually as hydrogen bubbles) at the cathode.
Electrocoagulation has a long history as a water treatment technology having been employed to remove a wide range of pollutants. However electrocoagulation has never become accepted as a ‘mainstream’ water treatment technology. The lack of a systematic approach to electrocoagulation reactor design/operation and the issue of electrode reliability (particularly passivation of the electrodes over time) have limited its implementation. However recent technical improvements combined with a growing need for small-scale decentralised water treatment facilities have led to a re-evaluation of electrocoagulation.
Starting with a review of electrocoagulation reactor design/operation, this article examines and identifies a conceptual framework for electrocoagulation that focuses on the interactions between electrochemistry, coagulation and flotation. In addition detailed experimental data are provided from a batch reactor system removing suspended solids together with a mathematical analysis based on the ‘white water’ model for the dissolved air flotation process. Current density is identified as the key operational parameter influencing which pollutant removal mechanism dominates.
The conclusion is drawn that electrocoagulation has a future as a decentralised water treatment technology. A conceptual framework is presented for future research directed towards a more mechanistic understanding of the process.
To evaluate (i) the association between random certolizumab drug levels, antidrug antibodies (ADAbs) and treatment response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); (ii) longitudinal factors ...associated with ADAbs and certolizumab drug levels.
This prospective cohort included 115 patients with RA treated with certolizumab. Serum samples were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months following treatment initiation. Drug levels and ADAbs were measured using ELISA and radioimmunoassay, respectively, at 3, 6 and 12 months. Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) were measured at each visit and 12 months European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response was calculated. Patient self-reported adherence was collected longitudinally. Ordinal logistic regression and generalised estimating equation were used to test the association: (i) between drug levels, from serum sampled and treatment response; (ii) between ADAbs and drug levels; (iii) patient-centred factors and drug levels.
ADAbs were detected in 37% (42/112 patients by 12 months). The presence of ADAbs were significantly associated with lower drug levels over 12 months (β=-0.037, 95% CI -0.055 to 0.018, p<0.0001) but not independently with 12 months EULAR response (β=0.0013 (95% CI -0.0032 to 0.00061), p=0.18). Drug level was associated with 12 months EULAR response (β=0.032 (95% CI 0.0011 to 0.063), p=0.042). In the multivariate model, ADAb level and adherence were significantly associated with drug concentrations.
This is the first study to demonstrate that higher certolizumab drug levels are associated with better 12 months EULAR response. ADAbs in certolizumab-treated patients with RA were detected at higher levels than previous studies and help determine the aetiology of a low drug level.
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