Rectangular platelets formed by the self-assembly of block copolymers in selective solvents are of interest for a range of applications. Recently, we showed that the seeded growth of crystallizable ...blends of a block copolymer and homopolymer yields well-defined, low area dispersity examples of these two-dimensional (2D) structures. The key feature was the use of the same crystallizable polymer segment in the seed and blend components to enable an efficient homoepitaxial growth process. Herein we demonstrate that this 2D crystallization-driven self-assembly approach can be extended to heteroepitaxial growth by the use of different crystallizable polymers with compatible crystal structures. This allows the formation of well-defined “patchy” rectangular platelets and platelet block comicelles with different core chemistries. The use of scanning transmission electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy provided key information on the spatial location of the components in the resulting assemblies and thereby valuable insight into the 2D heteroepitaxial growth process.
We present experimental and theoretical results on a new interferometer topology that nests a SU(2) interferometer, e.g., a Mach-Zehnder or Michelson interferometer, inside a SU(1,1) interferometer, ...i.e., a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with parametric amplifiers in place of beam splitters. This SU(2)-in-SU(1,1) nested interferometer (SISNI) simultaneously achieves a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit (SQL) and tolerance to photon losses external to the interferometer, e.g., in detectors. We implement a SISNI using parametric amplification by four-wave mixing (FWM) in Rb vapor and a laser-fed Mach-Zehnder SU(2) interferometer. We observe path-length sensitivity with SNR 2.2 dB beyond the SQL at power levels (and thus SNR) 2 orders of magnitude beyond those of previous loss-tolerant interferometers. We find experimentally the optimal FWM gains and find agreement with a minimal quantum noise model for the FWM process. The results suggest ways to boost the in-practice sensitivity of high-power interferometers, e.g., gravitational wave interferometers, and may enable high-sensitivity, quantum-enhanced interferometry at wavelengths for which efficient detectors are not available.
NovaSil (NS) clay, a common anti-caking agent in animal feeds, has been shown to adsorb aflatoxins and diminish their bioavailability in multiple animal models. The safety of long-term dietary ...exposure to NS has also been demonstrated in a 6-month sub-chronic study in rats and in a 3-month intervention in humans highly exposed to aflatoxins. Uniform particle size NovaSil (UPSN) is a refined material derived from parent NS; it contains lower levels of dioxins/furans, and has been selected for a more consistent uniform particle size. Nevertheless, the efficacy and potential safety/toxicity of UPSN for long term-use has not yet been determined. In this research, 4-week-old male and female Sprague Dawley rats were fed rations free of clay (control) and containing UPSN at low dose (0.25%) and high dose (2%) for 13
weeks. AFB
1 sorption characteristics remained the same for both clays. When compared to the control, total body weight gain was unaffected in either sex at the doses tested. No UPSN-dependent differences in relative organ weights or gross appearance were observed. Isolated differences between UPSN groups and the control were observed for some biochemical parameters and selected vitamins and minerals. None of these differences were dose-dependent, and all parameters fell between ranges reported as normal for rats less than 6
month old. The Na/K ratio, Na and vitamin E concentrations were the only parameters that were increased in both males and females in the low dose and high dose UPSN groups. Serum Zn levels in males from the 2% UPSN treatment were lower compared to the control. Serum K levels were lower in the males of UPSN groups than in the control. However, neither Na/K ratio, K, nor Zn values were dose dependent and fell outside ranges reported as normal. These results suggest that dietary inclusion of UPSN at levels as high as 2% (w/w) does not result in overt toxicity. Nevertheless, further research on the effects of clays on Na, Zn, K and vitamin E is warranted.
► We investigated mineral and aflatoxin sorption characteristics of two bentonites. ► We tested the safety of a refined bentonite in a 3-month rodent study. ► Refined bentonite and its parent material had similar in vitro characteristics. ► Consumption of refined bentonite resulted in no overt toxicity in vivo.
Using 448.0×106 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector, an amplitude analysis is performed for ψ(3686)→γχc1, χc1→ηπ+π− decays. The most dominant two-body structure observed is a0(980)±π∓; ...a0(980)±→ηπ±. The a0(980) line shape is modeled using a dispersion relation, and a significant nonzero a0(980) coupling to the η′π channel is measured. We observe χc1→a2(1700)π production for the first time, with a significance larger than 17σ. The production of mesons with exotic quantum numbers, JPC=1−+, is investigated, and upper limits for the branching fractions χc1→π1(1400)±π∓, χc1→π1(1600)±π∓, and χc1→π1(2015)±π∓, with subsequent π1(X)±→ηπ± decay, are determined.
Cardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefits patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and a wide QRS complex. Most of these patients are candidates for an implantable ...cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). We evaluated whether adding CRT to an ICD and optimal medical therapy might reduce mortality and morbidity among such patients.
We randomly assigned patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or less, and an intrinsic QRS duration of 120 msec or more or a paced QRS duration of 200 msec or more to receive either an ICD alone or an ICD plus CRT. The primary outcome was death from any cause or hospitalization for heart failure.
We followed 1798 patients for a mean of 40 months. The primary outcome occurred in 297 of 894 patients (33.2%) in the ICD-CRT group and 364 of 904 patients (40.3%) in the ICD group (hazard ratio in the ICD-CRT group, 0.75; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.64 to 0.87; P<0.001). In the ICD-CRT group, 186 patients died, as compared with 236 in the ICD group (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.91; P = 0.003), and 174 patients were hospitalized for heart failure, as compared with 236 in the ICD group (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.83; P<0.001). However, at 30 days after device implantation, adverse events had occurred in 124 patients in the ICD-CRT group, as compared with 58 in the ICD group (P<0.001).
Among patients with NYHA class II or III heart failure, a wide QRS complex, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the addition of CRT to an ICD reduced rates of death and hospitalization for heart failure. This improvement was accompanied by more adverse events. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Medtronic of Canada; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00251251.).
Clinical trial managers play a vital role in the design and conduct of clinical trials in the UK. There is a current recruitment and retention crisis for this specialist role due to a complex set of ...factors, most likely to have come to a head due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic clinical trial units and departments are struggling to recruit trial managers to vacant positions, and multiple influences are affecting the retention of this highly skilled workforce. Without tackling this issue, we face major challenges in the delivery on the Department of Health and Social Care's Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery implementation plan. This article, led by a leading network of and for UK Trial Managers, presents some of the issues and ways in which national stakeholders may be able to address this.
Using 1310.6×106 J/ψ and 447.9×106 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII e+e− collider, the branching fractions and the angular distributions of J/ψ and ψ(3686) decays to ...ΛΛ¯ and Σ0Σ¯0 final states are measured. The branching fractions are determined, with much improved precision, to be 19.43±0.03±0.33, 11.64±0.04±0.23, 3.97±0.02±0.12 and 2.44±0.03±0.11 for J/ψ→ΛΛ¯, J/ψ→Σ0Σ¯0, ψ(3686)→ΛΛ¯ and ψ(3686)→Σ0Σ¯0, respectively. The polar angular distributions of ψ(3686) decays are measured for the first time, while those of J/ψ decays are measured with much improved precision. In addition, the ratios of branching fractions B(ψ(3686)→ΛΛ¯)B(J/ψ→ΛΛ¯) and B(ψ(3686)→Σ0Σ¯0)B(J/ψ→Σ0Σ¯0) are determined to test the “12% rule.”
Introduction
Haemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors have been treated with FVIIa‐containing bypassing agents for over 20 years. However, due to uncertainty regarding dose response and thrombotic ...risk, the use of a gradual, titrated, minimal dosing strategy remains prevalent, potentially hampering early haemostasis.
Aim
Evaluate the dose‐dependent efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of activated eptacog beta (rhFVIIa), a new recombinant inhibitor bypassing agent for the treatment of bleeding episodes (BEs).
Methods
A Phase 3, randomized, cross‐over study of initial dose regimens (IDRs) in 27 bleeding congenital haemophilia A or B subjects with inhibitors was conducted to evaluate on‐demand treatment of mild/moderate BEs. Intravenous 75 μg/kg or 225 μg/kg initial doses with 75 μg/kg subsequent doses by schedule were administered until clinical response.
Results
The primary endpoint was sustained clinical response within 12 hours, determined by a composite of objective and pain measures. In the 75 μg/kg IDR, 84.9% (95% CI; 74.0%, 95.7%) of mild/moderate BEs at 12 hours were successfully treated compared to 93.2% (95% CI; 88.1%, 98.3%) treated in the 225 μg/kg IDR. Efficacy between the IDRs was statistically different (P<.020) in mild/moderate bleeding episodes. Both IDRs were well tolerated with no detectable immunogenic or thrombotic responses to rhFVIIa or host cell proteins.
Conclusion
The dose‐dependent efficacy seen in this study supports individualizing the initial dose of eptacog beta to optimize clinical response. By reducing uncertainty, the PERSEPT 1 results should increase the adoption of early haemostasis as a treatment goal for clinicians who treat haemorrhage in the inhibitor population.
Enabled by the comprehensive measurements from the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS), Helium Oxygen Proton Electron mass spectrometer (HOPE), and Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition ...Experiment (RBSPICE) instruments onboard Van Allen Probes in the heart of the radiation belt, the relative contributions of ions with different energies and species to the ring current energy density and their dependence on the phases of geomagnetic storms are quantified. The results show that lower energy (<50 keV) protons enhance much more often and also decay much faster than higher‐energy protons. During the storm main phase, ions with energies <50 keV contribute more significantly to the ring current than those with higher energies; while the higher‐energy protons dominate during the recovery phase and quiet times. The enhancements of higher‐energy proton fluxes as well as energy content generally occur later than those of lower energy protons, which could be due to the inward radial diffusion. For the 29 March 2013 storm we investigated in detail that the contribution from O+ is ~25% of the ring current energy content during the main phase and the majority of that comes from <50 keV O+. This indicates that even during moderate geomagnetic storms the ionosphere is still an important contributor to the ring current ions. Using the Dessler‐Parker‐Sckopke relation, the contributions of ring current particles to the magnetic field depression during this geomagnetic storm are also calculated. The results show that the measured ring current ions contribute about half of the Dst depression.
Key Points
<50 keV ions contribute more to the ring current than those of higher energies at storm main phase
Flux increase of >50 keV protons usually occurs at recovery phase (could be due to radial diffusion)
Even during moderate storms <50 keV O+ still contributes significantly to the ring current energy
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