In an effort to locate the sites of emission at different frequencies and physical processes causing variability in blazar jets, we have obtained high time-resolution observations of BL Lacertae over ...a wide wavelength range: with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) at 6000-10000 with 2 minute cadence; with the Neil Gehrels Swift satellite at optical, UV, and X-ray bands; with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array at hard X-ray bands; with the Fermi Large Area Telescope at γ-ray energies; and with the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope for measurement of the optical flux density and polarization. All light curves are correlated, with similar structure on timescales from hours to days. The shortest timescale of variability at optical frequencies observed with TESS is ∼0.5 hr. The most common timescale is 13 1 hr, comparable with the minimum timescale of X-ray variability, 14.5 hr. The multiwavelength variability properties cannot be explained by a change solely in the Doppler factor of the emitting plasma. The polarization behavior implies that there are both ordered and turbulent components to the magnetic field in the jet. Correlation analysis indicates that the X-ray variations lag behind the γ-ray and optical light curves by up to ∼0.4 day. The timescales of variability, cross-frequency lags, and polarization properties can be explained by turbulent plasma that is energized by a shock in the jet and subsequently loses energy to synchrotron and inverse Compton radiation in a magnetic field of strength ∼3 G.
With the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a high-speed and convenient detection technology should be at the ...forefront of medical care worldwide. This study evaluated the usefulness of GeneSoC, a compact, high-speed reciprocal flow quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction system, for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The results support the use of this system for the rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2. This approach can contribute to the strategic selection of initial management strategies for patients with COVID-19.
High-quality Ge-on-insulator (GOI) structures are essential to realize next-generation large-scale integrated circuits, where GOI is employed as active layers of functional devices, as well as buffer ...layers for epitaxial growth of functional materials. In line with this, in-depth analysis of crystallinity of rapid-melting-grown GOI is performed. Structural and electrical measurements combined with a thinning technique reveal that the crystallinity of GOI (500nm thickness) is very high and uniform in-depth direction, where high hole mobility (~1000cm2/Vs) is achieved throughout the grown layers. These findings open up a possibility of application of rapid-melting-grown GOI to various advanced functional devices.
•In-depth analysis of rapid-melting-grown Ge-on-insulator is performed.•The crystallinity of Ge-on-insulator is very high and uniform in-depth direction.•High hole mobility (~1000cm2/Vs) is achieved throughout the grown layers.
SETTING: National hospital for tuberculosis (TB) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Japan.OBJECTIVE: To compare two interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs), QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) and ...T-SPOT®.TB (T-SPOT), in RA patients for detecting
latent tuberculous infection (LTBI).DESIGN: QFT and T-SPOT were conducted concurrently in 230 prospectively enrolled RA patients.RESULTS: There were no active TB patients. The percentage of QFT- and T-SPOT-positive patients was respectively 8.3% and 5.7%. In patients aged 60 years,
these proportions were respectively 12.3% and 7.2%. The percentage of QFT positivity and T-SPOT positivity at age <60 years was respectively 2.2% and 3.3%. After multivariate logistic analysis for QFT positivity, age 60 years and TB suspected based on chest X-ray were selected as independent
factors, with adjusted odds ratios of respectively 4.73 and 3.25. No factors were selected for T-SPOT positivity.CONCLUSION: QFT had a higher positivity rate. In the light of the previous estimated rate of LTBI in Japan, both IGRAs underestimate LTBI, and neither IGRA has enough capability to detect LTBI.
To clarify the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF-alpha therapy for intractable lupus nephritis.
In nine patients with systemic erythematosus who presented with lupus nephritis resistant to steroids and ...immunosuppressants, 200 mg/body of infliximab was drip-infused three times. No changes were made to other treatments for three months after the start of anti-TNF-alpha therapy, and urinary findings, renal function, serum complement, anti-DNA antibody, SLE activity, and adverse events were examined for six months after the start of anti-TNF-alpha therapy.
One of the nine patients developed pyelonephritis after the first infliximab injection and received no further injections. The remaining eight patients received 3 infliximab injections. Of the eight patients, urinary protein decreased after anti-TNF-alpha therapy in six patients, and the SLEDAI improved in five patients. Urinary findings and/or SLE activity improved in six patients. Of the patients whose urinary protein levels decreased after anti-TNF-alpha therapy, proteinuria recurred six months after anti-TNF-alpha therapy in one patient. After anti-TNF-alpha therapy, proteinuria and the SLEDAI improved significantly. With respect to adverse events, therapy was discontinued in one patient who developed pyelonephritis, and one patient developed decreased blood pressure due to infusion reactions. In one patient in whom the steroid dosage was increased due to poor response to anti-TNF-alpha therapy, brainstem infarction occurred four months later. In one patient, anti-DNA antibody levels increased after therapy, but none of the patients had decreased serum complement levels or increased SLE activity.
In intractable lupus nephritis, anti-TNF-alpha therapy improved urinary protein levels and SLE activity. Although adverse events must be monitored cautiously, it may be possible to use anti-TNF-alpha therapy as a third-line treatment.
...we detected autoantibodies against M3R in a subgroup of patients with SS, suggesting that anti-M3R Ab could be used as a new diagnostic marker for SS.
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