Abstract
The software compensation algorithms developed for the
CALICE Analog Hadron Calorimeter are extended to incorporate time
information on the cell level, and the performance is studied in
...GEANT4 simulations with a detector model of a highly-granular
SiPM-on-tile calorimeter. The addition of nanosecond-level time
resolution is found to result in significant improvement of the
energy resolution by approximately 3 % to 4 % for
local software compensation compared to the software compensation
based on local energy density alone, with further improvement
possible with better timing resolution. The high correlation of
energy density and time variables show that both provide sensitivity
to correlated underlying shower features, which limits the potential
of timing information when used as a global rather than a local
variable.
Near-fields of non-resonantly laser-excited nanostructures enable strong localization of ultrashort light fields and have opened novel routes to fundamentally modify and control electronic ...strong-field processes. Harnessing spatiotemporally tunable near-fields for the steering of sub-cycle electron dynamics may enable ultrafast optoelectronic devices and unprecedented control in the generation of attosecond electron and photon pulses. Here we utilize unsupported sub-wavelength dielectric nanospheres to generate near-fields with adjustable structure and study the resulting strong-field dynamics via photoelectron imaging. We demonstrate field propagation-induced tunability of the emission direction of fast recollision electrons up to a regime, where nonlinear charge interaction effects become dominant in the acceleration process. Our analysis supports that the timing of the recollision process remains controllable with attosecond resolution by the carrier-envelope phase, indicating the possibility to expand near-field-mediated control far into the realm of high-field phenomena.
Abstract
The free expansion of a planar plasma surface is a fundamental non-equilibrium process relevant for various fields but as-yet experimentally still difficult to capture. The significance of ...the associated spatiotemporal plasma motion ranges from astrophysics and controlled fusion to laser machining, surface high-harmonic generation, plasma mirrors, and laser-driven particle acceleration. Here, we show that x-ray coherent diffractive imaging can surpass existing approaches and enables the quantitative real-time analysis of the sudden free expansion of laser-heated nanoplasmas. For laser-ionized SiO
2
nanospheres, we resolve the formation of the emerging nearly self-similar plasma profile evolution and expose the so far inaccessible shell-wise expansion dynamics including the associated startup delay and rarefaction front velocity. Our results establish time-resolved diffractive imaging as an accurate quantitative diagnostic platform for tracing and characterizing plasma expansion and indicate the possibility to resolve various laser-driven processes including shock formation and wave-breaking phenomena with unprecedented resolution.
Cell adhesion in the multiple myeloma (MM) microenvironment has been recognized as a major mechanism of MM cell survival and the development of drug resistance. Here we addressed the hypothesis that ...the protein junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) may represent a novel target and a clinical biomarker in MM. We evaluated JAM-A expression in MM cell lines and in 147 MM patient bone marrow aspirates and biopsies at different disease stages. Elevated JAM-A levels in patient-derived plasma cells were correlated with poor prognosis. Moreover, circulating soluble JAM-A (sJAM-A) levels were significantly increased in MM patients as compared with controls. Notably, in vitro JAM-A inhibition impaired MM migration, colony formation, chemotaxis, proliferation and viability. In vivo treatment with an anti-JAM-A monoclonal antibody (αJAM-A moAb) impaired tumor progression in a murine xenograft MM model. These results demonstrate that therapeutic targeting of JAM-A has the potential to prevent MM progression, and lead us to propose JAM-A as a biomarker in MM, and sJAM-A as a serum-based marker for clinical stratification.
Predicting potential deposition areas of future debris-flow events is important for engineering hazard assessment in alpine regions. To this end, numerical simulation models are commonly used tools. ...However, knowledge of appropriate model parameters is essential but often not available. In this study we use two numerical simulation models, RAMMS–DF (rapid mass movement system–debris-flow) and DAN3D (dynamic analysis of landslides in three dimensions), to back-calculate two well-documented debris-flow events in Austria and to compare the range and sensitivity of input parameters for the Voellmy flow model. All simulations are based on the same digital elevation models and similar boundary conditions. Our results show that observed deposition patterns are best matched with a parameter set of μ – and ξ m s-2, ranging between 0.07 to 0.11 and 200 to 300 m s-2, respectively, for RAMMS–DF, and between 0.07 to 0.08 and 300 to 400 m s-2, respectively, for DAN3D. Sensitivity analysis shows a higher sensitivity of model parameters for the DAN3D model than for the RAMMS–DF model. This contributes to the evaluation of realistic model parameters for simulation of debris-flows in steep mountain catchments and highlights the sensitivity of the models.
We report on photoelectron spectra of SiO2 nanoparticles (d = 157 ± 6 nm) above the Si 2p threshold in the photon energy range 118–248 eV with electron kinetic energy 10–140 eV and analyze the ...photoelectron yield as a function of photon energy. Comparison of the experimental results with Monte–Carlo simulations on electron transport allows us to quantify the inelastic mean-free path and mean escape depth of photoelectrons in the nanoparticle samples. The influence of the nanoparticle geometry and electron elastic scattering on photoelectron yields is highlighted. The results show that the previously proposed direct proportionality of the photoelectron signal to the inelastic mean-free path or the mean escape depth does not hold for photoelectron kinetic energies below 30 eV due to the strong influence of electron elastic scattering. The present results deviate for photoelectron kinetic energies below 30 eV from the previously proposed direct proportionality of the photoelectron signal to the inelastic mean-free path or the mean escape depth, which is the result of a strong influence of electron elastic scattering. The presented inelastic mean-free paths and mean escape depths appear to be useful for the quantitative interpretation of photoemission experiments on nanoparticles and for modeling of the experimental results.
We report on photoelectron spectra of SiO
nanoparticles (
= 157 ± 6 nm) above the Si 2p threshold in the photon energy range 118-248 eV with electron kinetic energy 10-140 eV and analyze the ...photoelectron yield as a function of photon energy. Comparison of the experimental results with Monte-Carlo simulations on electron transport allows us to quantify the inelastic mean-free path and mean escape depth of photoelectrons in the nanoparticle samples. The influence of the nanoparticle geometry and electron elastic scattering on photoelectron yields is highlighted. The results show that the previously proposed direct proportionality of the photoelectron signal to the inelastic mean-free path or the mean escape depth does not hold for photoelectron kinetic energies below 30 eV due to the strong influence of electron elastic scattering. The present results deviate for photoelectron kinetic energies below 30 eV from the previously proposed direct proportionality of the photoelectron signal to the inelastic mean-free path or the mean escape depth, which is the result of a strong influence of electron elastic scattering. The presented inelastic mean-free paths and mean escape depths appear to be useful for the quantitative interpretation of photoemission experiments on nanoparticles and for modeling of the experimental results.
Human adenovirus type 55 (HAdV-55) causes acute respiratory disease of variable severity and has become an emergent threat in both civilian and military populations. HAdV-55 infection is endemic to ...China and South Korea, but data from other regions and time periods are needed for comprehensive assessment of HAdV-55 prevalence from a global perspective. In this study, we subjected HAdV-55 isolates from various countries collected during 1969-2018 to whole-genome sequencing, genomic and proteomic comparison, and phylogenetic analyses. The results show worldwide distribution of HAdV-55; recent strains share a high degree of genomic homogeneity. Distinct strains circulated regionally for several years, suggesting persistent local transmission. Several cases of sporadic introduction of certain strains to other countries were documented. Among the identified amino acid mutations distinguishing HAdV-55 strains, some have potential impact on essential viral functions and may affect infectivity and transmission.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Nosocomial outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are frequent despite implementation of conventional infection control measures. An outbreak investigation was ...undertaken using advanced genomic and statistical techniques to reconstruct likely transmission chains and assess the role of healthcare workers (HCWs) in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
A nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a university-affiliated rehabilitation clinic was investigated, involving patients and HCWs, with high coverage of pathogen whole-genome sequences (WGS). The time-varying reproduction number from epidemiological data (Rt) was estimated, and maximum likelihood phylogeny was used to assess genetic diversity of the pathogen. Genomic and epidemiological data were combined into a Bayesian framework to model the directionality of transmission, and a case–control study was performed to investigate risk factors for nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 acquisition in patients.
The outbreak lasted from 14th March to 12th April 2020, and involved 37 patients (31 with WGS) and 39 employees (31 with WGS), 37 of whom were HCWs. Peak Rt was estimated to be between 2.2 and 3.6. The phylogenetic tree showed very limited genetic diversity, with 60 of 62 (96.7%) isolates forming one large cluster of identical genomes. Despite the resulting uncertainty in reconstructed transmission events, the analyses suggest that HCWs (one of whom was the index case) played an essential role in cross-transmission, with a significantly greater fraction of infections (P<2.2e-16) attributable to HCWs (70.7%) than expected given the number of HCW cases (46.7%). The excess of transmission from HCWs was higher when considering infection of patients 79.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 78.5–79.5% and frail patients (Clinical Frailty Scale score >5; 82.3%; 95% CI 81.8–83.4%). Furthermore, frail patients were found to be at greater risk for nosocomial COVID-19 than other patients (adjusted odds ratio 6.94, 95% CI 2.13–22.57).
This outbreak report highlights the essential role of HCWs in SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in healthcare settings. Limited genetic diversity in pathogen genomes hampered the reconstruction of individual transmission events, resulting in substantial uncertainty in who infected whom. However, this study shows that despite such uncertainty, significant transmission patterns can be observed.
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