ABSTRACT
Blazar S5 0716+714 is well-known for its short-term variability, down to intraday time-scales. We here present the 2-min cadence optical light curve obtained by the TESS space telescope in ...2019 December–2020 January and analyse the object fast variability with unprecedented sampling. Supporting observations by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope Collaboration in B, V, R, and I bands allow us to investigate the spectral variability during the TESS pointing. The spectral analysis is further extended in frequency to the UV and X-ray bands with data from the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. We develop a new method to unveil the shortest optical variability time-scales. This is based on progressive de-trending of the TESS light curve by means of cubic spline interpolations through the binned fluxes, with decreasing time bins. The de-trended light curves are then analysed with classical tools for time-series analysis (periodogram, autocorrelation, and structure functions). The results show that below 3 d there are significant characteristic variability time-scales of about 1.7, 0.5, and 0.2 d. Variability on time-scales $\lesssim 0.2$ d is strongly chromatic and must be ascribed to intrinsic energetic processes involving emitting regions, likely jet substructures, with dimension less than about 10−3 pc. In contrast, flux changes on time-scales $\gtrsim 0.5$ d are quasi-achromatic and are probably due to Doppler factor changes of geometric origin.
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.
Quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) approaches have been increasingly applied in the pharmaceutical since the landmark white paper published in 2011 by a National Institutes of Health working ...group brought attention to the discipline. In this perspective, we discuss QSP in the context of other modeling approaches and highlight the impact of QSP across various stages of drug development and therapeutic areas. We discuss challenges to the field as well as future opportunities.
Innovation is broadly defined as the act of introducing a new product, idea, or process. The field of surgery is built upon innovation, revolutionizing technology, science, and tools to improve ...patient care. While most innovative solutions are aimed at problems with a significant patient population, the process can also be used on orphan pathologies without obvious solutions. We present a case of tracheal agenesis, a rare congenital anomaly with an overwhelming mortality and few good treatment options, that benefited from the innovation process and achieved survival with no ventilator dependence at three years of age.
Utilizing the framework of the innovation process akin to the Stanford Biodesign Program, 1) the parameters of the clinical problem were identified, 2) previous solutions and existing technologies were analyzed, newly invented solutions were brainstormed, and value analysis of the possible solutions were carried out using crowd wisdom, and 3) the selected solution was prototyped and tested using 3D modeling, iterative testing on 3D prints of actual-sized patient parts, and eventual implementation in the patient after regulatory clearance.
A 3D-printed external bioresorbable splint was chosen as the solution. Our patient underwent airway reconstruction with “trachealization of the esophagus”: esophageotracheal fistula resection, esophagotracheoplasty, and placement of a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) stent for external esophageal airway support at five months of age.
The innovation process provided our team with the guidance and imperative steps necessary to develop an innovative device for the successful management of an infant survivor with Floyd Type I tracheal agenesis.
We present a case of tracheal agenesis, a rare congenital anomaly with an overwhelming mortality and few good treatment options, that benefited from the innovation process and achieved survival with no ventilator dependence at three years of age.
The importance of this report is to reveal how the innovation process, which is typically used for problems with significant patient population, can also be used on orphan pathologies without obvious solutions.
Nonmonotonic variation with collision energy (sqrts_{NN}) of the moments of the net-baryon number distribution in heavy-ion collisions, related to the correlation length and the susceptibilities of ...the system, is suggested as a signature for the quantum chromodynamics critical point. We report the first evidence of a nonmonotonic variation in the kurtosis times variance of the net-proton number (proxy for net-baryon number) distribution as a function of sqrts_{NN} with 3.1 σ significance for head-on (central) gold-on-gold (Au+Au) collisions measured solenoidal tracker at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Data in noncentral Au+Au collisions and models of heavy-ion collisions without a critical point show a monotonic variation as a function of sqrts_{NN}.
To evaluate safety and effectiveness of the TECNIS toric intraocular lenses (IOLs).
Prospective, multicenter, 2-armed, bilateral, 6-month clinical trial following the American National Standards ...Institute (ANSI) standard for Toric IOLs.
Subjects implanted with a TECNIS toric IOL (n = 172) or a TECNIS 1-piece control IOL (ZCB00; n = 93).
Subjects underwent standard cataract surgery with IOL implantation. The randomized control arm consisted of subjects requiring cylinder correction of 0.75 to 1.50 diopters (D) who were implanted with either toric (ZCT150) or nontoric (ZCB00) IOLs. The open-label arm (OLA) consisted of subjects requiring cylinder correction of 1.50 to 3.62 D and implanted with ZCT225, ZCT300, or ZCT400 IOLs.
Assessments were at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months and included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA) and best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), manifest refraction, keratometry, adverse events, spectacle use, and photographic documentation of IOL rotational stability.
Mean percent reduction in cylinder (± standard deviation) was statistically significantly greater (P < 0.0001) for ZCT150 eyes (74.53 ± 72.25%) versus ZCB00 eyes (31.61 ± 78.73%). In the OLA, mean percent reduction in cylinder was 76.27 ± 33.09%. A UCDVA of 20/20 or better was achieved by 43.6% (44/101) of ZCT150 eyes and by 23.7% (22/93) of ZCB00 eyes (P = 0.0026). In the OLA, 38.0% (27/71) achieved 20/20 or better UCDVA. Mean UCDVA was 0.10 ± 0.14 for ZCT150 eyes and 0.16 ± 0.16 for ZCB00 eyes (P = 0.0009); in the OLA, mean UCDVA was 0.11 ± 0.12. The BCDVA was 20/40 or better for all eyes. Mean absolute lens rotation between visits for toric eyes pooled was less than 3°. Lens rotation of 5° or less occurred in 92.9% of toric eyes between 1 and 3 months and in 94.1% between 3 and 6 months, exceeding the ANSI standard for stability (≥ 90% of eyes with ≤ 5° of rotation between visits). Four lenses (2.3%) were repositioned during the study.
The TECNIS toric IOLs successfully reduce ocular astigmatism and are a safe and effective treatment for cataract patients with corneal astigmatism.
The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization note that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for pain. Nonopioid treatment options for moderate to severe acute pain in ...the emergency department (ED) are limited. Additional strategies for managing acute pain in the ED are needed. Auricular Battlefield Acupuncture has been described as a simple, safe, rapid, and effective analgesic option to opioid medications in managing acute pain. We describe 4 cases in which emergency physicians with brief training performed this auricular acupuncture protocol to treat patients with acute pain in EDs when opioid analgesia was not an acceptable option.
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