The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is capable of creating new and novel high-energy-density (HED) systems relevant to astrophysics. Specifically, a system could be created that studies the effects ...of a radiative shock on a hydrodynamically unstable interface. These dynamics would be relevant to the early evolution after a core-collapse supernova of a red supergiant star. Prior to NIF, no HED facility had enough energy to perform this kind of experiment. The experimental target will include a 340 μm predominantly plastic ablator followed by a low-density SiO
2
foam. The interface will have a specific, machined pattern that will seed hydrodynamic instabilities. The growth of the instabilities in a radiation-dominated environment will be observed. This experiment requires a ≥300 eV hohlraum drive and will be diagnosed using point projection pinhole radiography, which have both been recently demonstrated on NIF.
Sporadic occurrence of transformed tumor cells is under the surveillance of the host immune system and such cells are effectively eliminated by immune-mediated cell death. During tumor progression, ...the antitumor effects of the tumor microenvironment are suppressed by diverse immunosuppressive mechanisms. In this research, we suggest novel immune evasion strategy of tumor cells through a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1- and hypoxia-dependent mechanism. Experimental results showed that TGF-β1 and hypoxia induced mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 expression within 1 h, resulting in attenuation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and subsequent death receptor-mediated cell death. In addition, analysis of microarray data and immunostaining of MKP-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient samples revealed that expression of MKP-1 is notably higher in tumors than in normal tissues, implying that MKP-1-dependent suppression of immune-mediated cell death takes place only in the tumor. To prove that MKP-1 can act as a mediator of immune escape by tumors, we determined whether chemo-resistance against several anticancer drugs could be overcome by knockdown of MKP-1. Cytotoxic assays showed that chemotherapy with siRNA targeting MKP-1 was significantly more effective than chemotherapy in the presence of MKP-1. Thus, we conclude that TGF-β1 and hypoxia ensure tumor cell survival and growth through expression of MKP-1.
The Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) data have confirmed the pulsed emission from all six high-confidence gamma-ray pulsars previously known from the EGRET observations. We report results obtained ...from the analysis of 13 months of LAT data for three of these pulsars (PSR J1057-5226, PSR J1709-4429, and PSR 11952+3252) each of which had some unique feature among the EGRET pulsars. The excellent sensitivity of LAT allows more detailed analysis of the evolution of the pulse profile with energy and also of the variation of the spectral shape with phase. We measure the cutoff energy of the pulsed emission from these pulsars for the first time and provide a more complete picture of the emission mechanism. The results confirm some, but not all, of the features seen in the EGRET data.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a significant impact on sickle cell disease (SCD) morbidity and mortality. Early identification of individuals at highest risk of developing CKD may allow therapeutic ...intervention to prevent worse outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factor for CKD among adults with SCD in Brazil.
Participants in the REDS-III multicenter SCD cohort with more severe genotypes sickle cell anemia (SCA) = hemoglobin (Hb) SS, Hb Sβ0-thalassemia, Hb Sβ+-thalassemia with mutations associated with severe phenotype aged ≥18 years at time of enrollment with at least two serum creatinine values were analyzed. Participants were enrolled between 2013-2015 and were prospectively followed and monitored for the occurrence of clinical complication, including death, for up to three years. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the JSCCS-GFR Equation. The CKD stage was defined according to the K/DOQI. For participants with multiple eGFR measures, we use the two most recent values to define CKD; for those who presented different CKD stages, we used the mean value to define the outcome. Because albuminuria status was not known in all participants, those with CKD stage 2 or higher were compared to those with eGFR≥90. The association among the characteristics and the presence of CKD stage 2 or higher were assessed using binary logistic regression model.
497 (65.7%) participants were receiving hydroxyurea (HU) therapy, 105 (13.9%) were treated with chronic blood transfusion (CBT), and 69 (9.1%) were under both therapies. Among the 756 participants, 569 (75.3%) had eGFR≥90, 175 (23.1%) had stage-2, six (0.79%) had stage-3, and six (0.79%) had ESRD. Participants with CKD stage 2 or higher were significantly older and predominantly male when compared with those with eGFR≥90. There was no association between CKD stage 2 or higher and HU or CBT. Participants with CKD stage 2 or higher had a 2.3 (95%CI: 1.4–3.7) times higher odds for death when compared to those with eGFR≥90. Male sex (OR: 34.7; 95%CI: 20.3–62.5), higher age (OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.01–1.05), higher diastolic blood pressure (OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.002–1.05), lower Hb (OR: 0.704; 95%CI: 0.59–0.83), and lower reticulocytes (OR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.86–0.96) levels were significantly associated with stage 2 or higher in the final multivariate model.
We observed a higher odds for mortality in participants with CKD stage 2 or higher when compared to those with eGFR≥90. This highlights the importance of early detection and implementation of preventative therapies. We also observed a significant independent association between lower levels of Hb and reticulocytes with CKD stage 2 or higher. These data might reflect a state of hypoproliferative anemia in participants with CKD stage 2 or higher likely due to deficiency of erythropoietin. In this study, CKD stage 2 or higher was more prevalent in men than in women, and male sex was the strongest independent predictor of CKD stage 2 or higher in the final model. This finding might be used to target individuals at highest risk for CKD in prevention campaigns.
CKD stage 2 or higher was observed in one-quarter of adults with SCA. Older age, male sex, higher diastolic blood pressure, lower hemoglobin, and lower reticulocytes levels were significantly associated with occurrence of CKD stage 2 or higher, which, in turn, significantly increased the risk of mortality.
LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) is a second-generation direct dark matter experiment with spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering sensitivity above
1.4
×
10
-
48
cm
2
for a WIMP mass of
40
GeV
/
c
2
and a
1000
days
...exposure. LZ achieves this sensitivity through a combination of a large
5.6
t
fiducial volume, active inner and outer veto systems, and radio-pure construction using materials with inherently low radioactivity content. The LZ collaboration performed an extensive radioassay campaign over a period of six years to inform material selection for construction and provide an input to the experimental background model against which any possible signal excess may be evaluated. The campaign and its results are described in this paper. We present assays of dust and radon daughters depositing on the surface of components as well as cleanliness controls necessary to maintain background expectations through detector construction and assembly. Finally, examples from the campaign to highlight fixed contaminant radioassays for the LZ photomultiplier tubes, quality control and quality assurance procedures through fabrication, radon emanation measurements of major sub-systems, and bespoke detector systems to assay scintillator are presented.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To determine the outcome of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) on mortality, including the impact of methicillin resistance and an initial delay (⩽48 h) of appropriate antibiotics, a ...retrospective cohort study including 238 patients with SAB was performed. By logistic regression, noneradicable or noneradicated foci, underlying cirrhosis, and cancer were found to be independent predictors of mortality. In patients with eradicable foci, there were no significant differences in the associated mortality rate between methicillin-resistant SAB (11%) and methicillin-susceptible SAB (13%), and between inappropriate (13%) and appropriate (10%) empirical therapy, respectively (P = .79 and P = .78, respectively). By logistic regression, it was found that, in the subgroup of patients with noneradicable foci, underlying cirrhosis (odds ratio OR, 3.1) and methicillin-resistant SAB (OR, 2.4) were independently associated with mortality.
ABSTRACT
We report the results of the STRong lensing Insights into the Dark Energy Survey (STRIDES) follow-up campaign of the late 2017/early 2018 season. We obtained spectra of 65 lensed quasar ...candidates with ESO Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera 2 on the NTT and Echellette Spectrograph and Imager on Keck, confirming 10 new lensed quasars and 10 quasar pairs. Eight lensed quasars are doubly imaged with source redshifts between 0.99 and 2.90, one is triply imaged (DESJ0345−2545, z = 1.68), and one is quadruply imaged (quad: DESJ0053−2012, z = 3.8). Singular isothermal ellipsoid models for the doubles, based on high-resolution imaging from SAMI on Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope or Near InfraRed Camera 2 on Keck, give total magnifications between 3.2 and 5.6, and Einstein radii between 0.49 and 1.97 arcsec. After spectroscopic follow-up, we extract multi-epoch grizY photometry of confirmed lensed quasars and contaminant quasar + star pairs from DES data using parametric multiband modelling, and compare variability in each system’s components. By measuring the reduced χ2 associated with fitting all epochs to the same magnitude, we find a simple cut on the less variable component that retains all confirmed lensed quasars, while removing 94 per cent of contaminant systems. Based on our spectroscopic follow-up, this variability information improves selection of lensed quasars and quasar pairs from 34-45 per cent to 51–70 per cent, with most remaining contaminants being star-forming galaxies. Using mock lensed quasar light curves we demonstrate that selection based only on variability will over-represent the quad fraction by 10 per cent over a complete DES magnitude-limited sample, explained by the magnification bias and hence lower luminosity/more variable sources in quads.
To identify neuropeptides that have a broad spectrum of actions on the feeding system of Aplysia, we searched for bioactive peptides that are present in both the gut and the CNS. We identified a ...family of structurally related nonapeptides and decapeptides (enterins) that are present in the gut and CNS of Aplysia, and most of which share the HSFVamide sequence at the C terminus. The structure of the enterin precursor deduced from cDNA cloning predicts 35 copies of 20 different enterins. Northern analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry show that the enterins are abundantly present in the CNS and the gut of Aplysia. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry we characterized the enterin-precursor processing, demonstrated that all of the precursor-predicted enterins are present, and determined post-translational modifications of various enterins. Enterin-positive neuronal somata and processes were found in the gut, and enterins inhibited contractions of the gut. In the CNS, the cerebral and buccal ganglia, which control feeding, contained the enterins. Enterin was also present in the nerve that connects these two ganglia. Enterins reduced the firing of interneurons B4/5 during feeding motor programs. Such enterin-induced reduction of firing also occurred when excitability of B4/5 was tested directly. Because reduction of B4/5 activity corresponds to a switch from egestive to ingestive behaviors, enterin may contribute to such program switching. Furthermore, because enterins are present throughout the nervous system, they may also play a regulatory role in nonfeeding behaviors of Aplysia.
The second catalog of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) in two years of scientific operation is presented. The second LAT AGN catalog (2LAC) includes 1017 ...Delta *g-ray sources located at high Galactic latitudes (|b| > 10?) that are detected with a test statistic (TS) greater than 25 and associated statistically with AGNs. However, some of these are affected by analysis issues and some are associated with multiple AGNs. Consequently, we define a Clean Sample which includes 886 AGNs, comprising 395 BL Lacertae objects (BL Lac objects), 310 flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), 157 candidate blazars of unknown type (i.e., with broadband blazar characteristics but with no optical spectral measurement yet), 8 misaligned AGNs, 4 narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1s), 10 AGNs of other types, and 2 starburst galaxies. Where possible, the blazars have been further classified based on their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) as archival radio, optical, and X-ray data permit. While almost all FSRQs have a synchrotron-peak frequency <1014 Hz, about half of the BL Lac objects have a synchrotron-peak frequency >1015 Hz. The 2LAC represents a significant improvement relative to the first LAT AGN catalog (1LAC), with 52% more associated sources. The full characterization of the newly detected sources will require more broadband data. Various properties, such as Delta *g-ray fluxes and photon power-law spectral indices, redshifts, Delta *g-ray luminosities, variability, and archival radio luminosities and their correlations are presented and discussed for the different blazar classes. The general trends observed in 1LAC are confirmed.
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