As the first magnetic random access memories are finding their way onto the market, an important issue remains to be solved: the current density required to write magnetic bits becomes prohibitively ...high as bit dimensions are reduced. Recently, spin-orbit torques and the spin-Hall effect in particular have attracted significant interest, as they enable magnetization reversal without high current densities running through the tunnel barrier. For perpendicularly magnetized layers, however, the technological implementation of the spin-Hall effect is hampered by the necessity of an in-plane magnetic field for deterministic switching. Here we interface a thin ferromagnetic layer with an anti-ferromagnetic material. An in-plane exchange bias is created and shown to enable field-free S HE-driven magnetization reversal of a perpendicularly magnetized Pt/Co/IrMn structure. Aside from the potential technological implications, our experiment provides additional insight into the local spin structure at the ferromagnetic/anti-ferromagnetic interface.
This article outlines some of the key prevalence studies regarding the psychological health of veterinarians, and highlights the reasons for distress, with factors such as workload, financial issues, ...long working hours, challenging interactions, unexpected outcomes, euthanasia and fear of complaints or making mistakes being commonly cited. During the last decade, many ways to improve veterinarians' wellbeing have been suggested, including both individual and organisational strategies. However, what appears to be lacking is a body of intervention research to test the effectiveness of these strategies.
This article outlines some of the types of psychological distress which have been reported in veterinarians, and emphasises key issues such as the impact of practitioners' help-seeking behaviour and moral and ethical dilemmas. Some wellbeing interventions from overseas studies are highlighted, with a focus on strategies that can be adopted by organisations as well as individuals. The review includes several recommendations to improve the psychological wellbeing of veterinarians such as using multi-disciplinary clinician wellbeing models to structure interventions, the possibilities of mindful self-compassion practices, and the regular use of peer support and reflective groups. It concludes that implementation and robust evaluation of wellbeing initiatives in the New Zealand veterinary population are urgently needed.
Extended O‑GlcNAc on HLA Class-I-Bound Peptides Marino, Fabio; Bern, Marshall; Mommen, Geert P. M ...
Journal of the American Chemical Society,
09/2015, Letnik:
137, Številka:
34
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We report unexpected mass spectrometric observations of glycosylated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-bound peptides. Complemented by molecular modeling, in vitro enzymatic assays, and oxonium ...ion patterns, we propose that the observed O-linked glycans carrying up to five monosaccharides are extended O-GlcNAc’s rather than GalNAc-initiated O-glycans. A cytosolic O-GlcNAc modification is normally terminal and does not extend to produce a polysaccharide, but O-GlcNAc on an HLA peptide presents a special case because the loaded HLA class I complex traffics through the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus on its way to the cell membrane and is hence exposed to glycosyltransferases. We also report for the first time natural HLA class I presentation of O- and N-linked glycopeptides derived from membrane proteins. HLA class I peptides with centrally located oligosaccharides have been shown to be immunogenic and may thus be important targets for immune surveillance.
Domain wall motion in materials exhibiting perpendicular magnetic anisotropy has been the subject of intensive research because of its large potential for future spintronic devices. Recently, it has ...been shown that perpendicular anisotropy of thin films can be influenced by electric fields. Voltage-controlled magnetic switching has already been realized, which is envisioned to lead to low-power logic and memory devices. Here we demonstrate a radically new application of this effect, namely control of domain wall motion by electric fields. We show that an applied voltage perpendicular to a Co or CoB wire can significantly increase or decrease domain wall velocities. Velocity modification over an order of magnitude is demonstrated (from 0.4 to 4 μm s(-1)), providing a first step towards electrical control of domain wall devices. This opens up possibilities of real-time and local control of domain wall motion by electric fields at extremely low power cost.
The cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response is determined by the peptide repertoire presented by the HLA class I molecules of an individual. We performed an in-depth analysis of the peptide repertoire ...presented by a broad panel of common HLA class I molecules on four B lymphoblastoid cell-lines (BLCL). Peptide elution and mass spectrometry analysis were utilised to investigate the number and abundance of self-peptides. Altogether, 7897 unique self-peptides, derived of 4344 proteins, were eluted. After viral infection, the number of unique self-peptides eluted significantly decreased compared to uninfected cells, paralleled by a decrease in the number of source proteins. In the overall dataset, the total number of unique self-peptides eluted from HLA-B molecules was larger than from HLA-A molecules, and they were derived from a larger number of source proteins. These results in B cells suggest that HLA-B molecules possibly present a more diverse repertoire compared to their HLA-A counterparts, which may contribute to their immunodominance. This study provides a unique data set giving new insights into the complex system of antigen presentation for a broad panel of HLA molecules, many of which were never studied this extensively before.
Background
Multiparameter flow cytometry (FC) immunophenotyping is a key tool for detailed identification and characterization of human blood leucocytes, including B-lymphocytes and plasma cells ...(PC). However, currently used conventional data analysis strategies require extensive expertise, are time consuming, and show limited reproducibility.
Objective
Here, we designed, constructed and validated an automated database-guided gating and identification (AGI) approach for fast and standardized in-depth dissection of B-lymphocyte and PC populations in human blood.
Methods
For this purpose, 213 FC standard (FCS) datafiles corresponding to umbilical cord and peripheral blood samples from healthy and patient volunteers, stained with the 14-color 18-antibody EuroFlow BIgH-IMM panel, were used.
Results
The BIgH-IMM antibody panel allowed identification of 117 different B-lymphocyte and PC subsets. Samples from 36 healthy donors were stained and 14 of the datafiles that fulfilled strict inclusion criteria were analysed by an expert flow cytometrist to build the EuroFlow BIgH-IMM database. Data contained in the datafiles was then merged into a reference database that was uploaded in the Infinicyt software (Cytognos, Salamanca, Spain). Subsequently, we compared the results of manual gating (MG) with the performance of two classification algorithms -hierarchical algorithm vs two-step algorithm- for AGI of the cell populations present in 5 randomly selected FCS datafiles. The hierarchical AGI algorithm showed higher correlation values vs conventional MG (r
2
of 0.94
vs.
0.88 for the two-step AGI algorithm) and was further validated in a set of 177 FCS datafiles against conventional expert-based MG. For virtually all identifiable cell populations a highly significant correlation was observed between the two approaches (r
2
>0.81 for 79% of all B-cell populations identified), with a significantly lower median time of analysis per sample (6
vs.
40 min, p=0.001) for the AGI tool
vs.
MG, respectively and both intra-sample (median CV of 1.7%
vs
. 10.4% by MG, p<0.001) and inter-expert (median CV of 3.9%
vs
. 17.3% by MG by 2 experts, p<0.001) variability.
Conclusion
Our results show that compared to conventional FC data analysis strategies, the here proposed AGI tool is a faster, more robust, reproducible, and standardized approach for in-depth analysis of B-lymphocyte and PC subsets circulating in human blood.
Development of ground-mounted solar power plants (SPP) is no longer limited to remote and low population density areas, but arrives in urban and rural landscapes where people live, work and recreate. ...Societal considerations are starting to change the physical appearance of SPPs, leading to so-called multifunctional SPPs. In addition to electricity production, multifunctional SPP produce food, deliver benefits for flora and fauna, mitigate visual impact or preserve cultural heritage. In this paper, we systematically examine the different spatial configurations of multifunctional SPPs that reflect a range of contemporary societal considerations. The purpose of this research is to create and test an SPP typology that can support evidence-based and transparent decision-making processes, from location finding to implementation. Comparative case analysis, expert interviews and questionnaires are used to distinguish different types of SPP. We propose a typology that consists of four dimensions: energy, economic, nature and landscape. These dimensions lead to three main types of multifunctional SPP: mixed-production, nature-inclusive, landscape-inclusive, and their combinations. This typology supports decision-making processes on solar power plants and adds to the existing (solar) energy landscape vocabulary. In doing so, the research supports the transformation of energy systems in a way that meets both the quantitative goals and qualitative considerations by society.
Objective A systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to assess the additional value of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in promoting the healing of diabetic foot ulcers and preventing ...amputations was performed. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify RCTs in patients with diabetic foot ulcers published up to August 2013. Eligible studies reported the effectiveness of adjunctive HBOT with regard to wound healing, amputations, and additional interventions. Results Seven of the 669 identified articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising 376 patients. Three trials included 182 patients with ischaemic ulcers, two trials studied 64 patients with non-ischaemic ulcers, and two trials comprising 130 patients did not specify ulcer type. Two trials were of good methodological quality. Pooling of data was deemed inappropriate because of heterogeneity. Two RCTs in patients with ischaemic ulcers found increased rates of complete healing at 1-year follow-up (number needed to treat (NNT) 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1 to 4.6) and 4.1 (95% CI: 2.3 to 19)), but found no difference in amputation rates. A third trial in ischaemic ulcers found significantly lower major amputation rates in patients with HBOT (NNT 4.2, 95% CI: 2.4 to 17), but did not report on wound healing. None of the RCTs in non-ischaemic ulcers reported differences in wound healing or amputation rates. Two trials with unknown ulcer types reported beneficial effects on amputation rates, although the largest trial used a different definition for both outcomes. HBOT did not influence the need for additional interventions. Conclusion Current evidence shows some evidence of the effectiveness of HBOT in improving the healing of diabetic leg ulcers in patients with concomitant ischaemia. Larger trials of higher quality are needed before implementation of HBOT in routine clinical practice in patients with diabetic foot ulcers can be justified.
PDF
