Between 2007 and 2010 Virgo collected data in coincidence with the LIGO and GEO gravitational-wave (GW) detectors. These data have been searched for GWs emitted by cataclysmic phenomena in the ...universe, by non-axisymmetric rotating neutron stars or from a stochastic background in the frequency band of the detectors. The sensitivity of GW searches is limited by noise produced by the detector or its environment. It is therefore crucial to characterize the various noise sources in a GW detector. This paper reviews the Virgo detector noise sources, noise propagation, and conversion mechanisms which were identified in the three first Virgo observing runs. In many cases, these investigations allowed us to mitigate noise sources in the detector, or to selectively flag noise events and discard them from the data. We present examples from the joint LIGO-GEO-Virgo GW searches to show how well noise transients and narrow spectral lines have been identified and excluded from the Virgo data. We also discuss how detector characterization can improve the astrophysical reach of GW searches.
In this study, our aim was to identify molecular aberrations predictive for response to everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, regardless of tumor type.
To generate hypotheses about potential markers for ...sensitivity to mTOR inhibition, drug sensitivity and genomic profiles of 835 cell lines were analyzed. Subsequently, a multicenter study was conducted. Patients with advanced solid tumors lacking standard of care treatment options were included and underwent a pre-treatment tumor biopsy to enable DNA sequencing of 1,977 genes, derive copy number profiles and determine activation status of pS6 and pERK. Treatment benefit was determined according to TTP ratio and RECIST. We tested for associations between treatment benefit and single molecular aberrations, clusters of aberrations and pathway perturbation.
Cell line screens indicated several genes, such as
(
= 0.016; Wald test), to be associated with sensitivity to mTOR inhibition. Subsequently 73 patients were included, of which 59 started treatment with everolimus. Response and molecular data were available from 43 patients.
aberrations, i.e. copy number loss or mutation, were associated with treatment benefit (
= 0.046; Fisher's exact test).
Loss-of-function aberrations in
potentially represent a tumor type agnostic biomarker for benefit from everolimus and warrants further confirmation in subsequent studies.
Around the globe several observatories are seeking the first direct detection of gravitational waves (GWs). These waves are predicted by Einstein's general theory of relativity and are generated, for ...example, by black-hole binary systems. Present GW detectors are Michelson-type kilometre-scale laser interferometers measuring the distance changes between mirrors suspended in vacuum. The sensitivity of these detectors at frequencies above several hundred hertz is limited by the vacuum (zero-point) fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. A quantum technology--the injection of squeezed light--offers a solution to this problem. Here we demonstrate the squeezed-light enhancement of GEO 600, which will be the GW observatory operated by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration in its search for GWs for the next 3-4 years. GEO 600 now operates with its best ever sensitivity, which proves the usefulness of quantum entanglement and the qualification of squeezed light as a key technology for future GW astronomy.
The rather complete data set of hadron yields from central Si + A collisions at the Brookhaven AGS is used to test whether the system at freeze-out is in thermal and hadro-chemical equilibrium. ...Rapidity and transverse momentum distributions are discussed with regards to the information they provide on hydrodynamic flow.
•The Alinity m and NeuMoDx 288 are fully-automated molecular sample-in-result-out systems.•The Alinity m and NeuMoDx HCV assays showed good comparability.•The HBV assay of the NeuMoDx seems to ...under-quantify compared to the Alinity m assay.•Qualitative differences of the Alinity m and NeuMoDx HIV-1 and HBV assays were most apparent in samples with lower viral loads.
Viral load (VL) determination in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is essential for proper patient management and follow-up. New molecular platforms have been developed to fully automate these diagnostic assays.
Evaluation of the clinical performance of HIV-1, HBV and HCV VL assays on the Alinity m (Abbott) and NeuMoDx (Qiagen) molecular platforms.
Test panels of the three viruses have been compiled of 100 plasma and/or serum samples per target containing non-detectable, non-quantifiable and quantifiable VLs. All samples were retrospectively tested on the Alinity m and NeuMoDx platforms according to manufacturers’ instructions.
A total of 74, 86 and 66 samples with valid results for both platforms were included in the HIV-1, HBV and HCV analysis respectively. Overall qualitative agreement of the assays on both platforms was 78% for HIV-1, 93% for HBV and 100% for HCV. Quantitative agreement (less than 0.5 log difference) was shown to be 68% for HIV-1, 68% for HBV and 94% for HCV.
The Alinity m and NeuMoDx HCV assay have a comparable performance. Quantification differences in the HIV-1 assay were mostly apparent in the lower VLs and under-quantification of the NeuMoDx HBV assay was observed.
Abstract
Background
In repaired tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) patients with residual right ventricular (RV) outflow tract obstructions (RVOTO), risk stratification and timing of re-interventions are ...based on RVOTO gradients. However, this might be insufficient to prevent RV dysfunction. Instead, assessment of RV to pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling allows integrated assessment of RV function in relationship to its afterload and could be of additional value in clinical decision-making.
Case summary
Two patients with repaired ToF and residual RVOTO without pulmonary regurgitation underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. We determined RV end-systolic elastance (Ees), arterial elastance (Ea) and RV-PA coupling (Ees/Ea) using single-beat RV pressure–volume analysis. Patient 1 was asymptomatic despite severely increased RV pressures and a left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenosis (invasive gradient 20 mmHg). Right ventricular volumes and function were preserved. The Ea and Ees were increased but RV-PA coupling was relatively maintained. Of interest, RV end-diastolic pressure and RV diastolic stiffness were increased. After LPA plasty, RV function was preserved during long-term follow-up. Patient 2 was symptomatic despite mildly elevated RV pressures and a supravalvular RV-PA conduit stenosis (invasive gradient 30 mmHg). The RV showed severe RV dilatation and dysfunction. The Ea was increased but Ees was decreased leading to RV-PA uncoupling. Despite balloon angioplasty, RV function was unchanged during long-term follow-up.
Discussion
Development of RV dysfunction might be insufficiently predicted by RVOTO severity in patients with repaired ToF. Assessment of RV remodelling and function in relationship to its afterload might help to optimize risk stratification.
A retrospective study compared outcomes of total wrist arthrodesis as a salvage for total wrist arthroplasty versus primary total wrist arthrodesis. Seventy-one wrists were reviewed after a minimum ...follow-up of 12 months. Thirty-two wrists with failed total wrist arthroplasty were converted to a wrist arthrodesis and 39 wrists received a primary wrist arthrodesis. Seven converted wrist arthrodeses and five primary arthrodeses failed to fuse. Mean patient-rated wrist and hand evaluation scores and work-related questionnaire for upper extremity disorders scores were 43 and 39 for converted total wrist arthrodesis and 38 and 33 for the primary total wrist arthrodesis. Overall, there were 25 complications in 15 patients in the converted wrist arthrodesis group and 21 complications in 16 patients after a primary wrist arthrodesis. The results between the two groups were slightly in favour of patients with a primary wrist arthrodesis. Therefore, we conclude that the timing, primary or conversion, of total wrist arthrodesis could influence patient outcomes.
Level of evidence: III
The currently available set of hadron abundances at the SPS for central S + Au(W,Pb) collisions is compared to predictions from a scenario assuming local thermal and hadrochemical equilibrium. The ...data are consistent with a freeze-out temperature
T = 160–170 MeV. Spectra are consistent with this temperature range and a moderate transverse expansion. The freeze-out points at the AGS and SPS are found to be close to the phase boundary between a hadron gas and an ideal quark-gluon phase.
Woody vegetation structure affects wildlife habitat selection and species diversity for a wide range of taxa, and at a variety of scales. Indicators of woody structure can indicate the ...spatio-temporal variability of biodiversity, species occurrence and assemblages. Woody cover is the simplest and most widely used structural metric. Combined with the vegetation height, it provides a volumetric indicator, which is more informative, and is simple to calculate. We therefore assessed the utility of multitemporal polarimetric RADARSAT-2 C-band imagery to map measures of woody volumetric indices in Lowveld savannahs, in the vicinity of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. RADARSAT-2 Quad-Pol fine beam images were acquired at three key phenological stages of the seasonal savannah cycle: i) wet (summer), ii) dry (winter), and iii) end of wet (autumn). Multi-polarized band intensities (C-HH, C-HV, and C-VV, with V=vertical and H=horizontal) and polarimetric decomposition variables (Freeman–Durden, Cloude–Pottier, and Van Zyl) were derived from the SAR images and used to predict structural metrics (woody canopy cover, cylindrical woody volume, and woody canopy volume, see definition in Section 3.3) derived from 1.1m LiDAR strips acquired across the study area, and coinciding with 12% of the SAR dataset. The best single relationship (R2=0.66) was obtained between the cross-polarized HV intensity band and the total canopy volume (TCV). In terms of the seasonality, the best results were obtained using the SAR imagery from the dry season when most woody plants have lost their leaves and the grass-soil layer was dry. Validation outputs of best predictive models for TCV, at the individual season level, yielded an R2 of 0.67, a Standard Error of Prediction (SEP) of 39%, and consisted of the SAR parameters: C-HH, C-HV, C-VV, and Freeman–Durden decomposition parameters. At the multi-seasonal level, the best predictive models for TCV yielded an R2 of 0.75, a SEP of 35%, and comprised of the same variables but for all three seasons. The C-band SAR data thus provided encouraging results in open, semi-arid savannahs and hint at larger area structural assessments than is possible with LiDAR sensors alone. The combined use of C-band and L-band (ALOS-Palsar 2) should also be investigated.
•We modelled woody structure with full polarimetric C-band RADARSAT-2 imagery.•Best modelled woody parameter was canopy volume, and best SAR predictor was C-HV.•Best season for mapping woody structure was the winter and the dry season.•Polarimetric decompositions did not perform better than backscattering intensities.•C-band SAR imagery was successfully used to map woody structure in African savannahs.
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