Abstract We report here the performance and first results of the new multiband optical polarimeter DIPOL-1, installed at the Sierra Nevada Observatory 90 cm T90 telescope (SNO, Granada, Spain). ...DIPOL-1 is equipped with a plane parallel calcite plate and λ /2 retarder for modulating the intensity of two perpendicularly polarized beams, and a high readout speed CMOS camera that allows for fast, time-dense coverage. We characterize the performance of this instrument through a series of tests on zero- and high-polarization standard stars. The instrumental polarization in the Nasmyth focus was well determined, with a very stable contribution of 4.0806% ± 0.0014% in the optical R band. For bright high-polarization standards ( m R < 8) we reach precisions <0.02% in polarization degree and 0.°1 in polarization angle for exposures of 2–4 min. The polarization properties of these stars have been constrained, providing more recent results also about possible variability for future studies of some of the most used calibrators. Moreover, we have tested the capability of observing much fainter objects, in particular through blazar observations, where we reach a precision of <0.5%−0.6% and <0.°5 for faint targets ( m R ∼ 16.5) with exposures of ∼1 hr. For brighter targets ( m R ∼ 14.5−15), we can aim for time-dense observations with errors <0.2%−0.4% and <1°−1.°5 in 5–20 min. We have successfully performed a first campaign with DIPOL-1, detecting significant polarized emission of several blazars, with special attention to the highest ever polarization degree measured from blazar 3C 345 at ∼32%.
Context. Blazar AO 0235+164 , located at a redshift of z = 0.94, has undergone several sharp multi-spectral-range flaring episodes over recent decades. In particular, the episodes that peaked in 2008 ...and 2015, which were subject to extensive multi-wavelength coverage, exhibited an interesting behavior. Aims. We study the actual origin of these two observed flares by constraining the properties of the observed photo-polarimetric variability as well as of the broadband spectral energy distribution and the observed time-evolution behavior of the source. We use ultra-high-resolution total-flux and polarimetric very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) imaging. Methods. The analysis of VLBI images allowed us to constrain kinematic and geometrical parameters of the 7 mm jet. We used the discrete correlation function to compute the statistical correlation and the delays between emission at different spectral ranges. The multi-epoch modeling of the spectral energy distributions allowed us to propose specific models of the emission; in particular, with the aim to model the unusual spectral features observed in this source in the X-ray region of the spectrum during strong multi spectral-range flares. Results. We find that these X-ray spectral features can be explained by an emission component originating in a separate particle distribution than the one responsible for the two standard blazar bumps. This is in agreement with the results of our correlation analysis, where we did not find a strong correlation between the X-ray and the remaining spectral ranges. We find that both external Compton-dominated and synchrotron self-Compton-dominated models are able to explain the observed spectral energy distributions. However, the synchrotron self-Compton models are strongly favored by the delays and geometrical parameters inferred from the observations.
We report here the performance and first results of the new multiband optical polarimeter DIPOL-1, installed at the Sierra Nevada Observatory 90 cm T90 telescope (SNO, Granada, Spain). DIPOL-1 is ...equipped with a plane parallel calcite plate and \(\lambda\)/2 retarder for modulating the intensity of two perpendicularly polarized beams, and a high readout speed CMOS camera that allows for fast, time-dense coverage. We characterize the performance of this instrument through a series of tests on zero- and high-polarization standard stars. The instrumental polarization in the Nasmyth focus was well determined, with a very stable contribution of 4.0806% \(\pm\) 0.0014% in the optical \(R\) band. For bright high-polarization standards (\(m_{R}<8\)) we reach precisions \(<\)0.02% in polarization degree and 0.1\(^{\circ}\) in polarization angle for exposures of 2\(-\)4 minutes. The polarization properties of these stars have been constrained, providing more recent results also about possible variability for future studies on some of the most used calibrators. Moreover, we have tested the capability of observing much fainter objects, in particular through blazar observations, where we reach a precision \(<\)0.5\(-\)0.6% and \(<\)0.5\(^{\circ}\) for faint targets (\(m_{R}\sim16.5\)) with exposures of \(\sim\)1 hour. For brighter targets (\(m_{R}\sim14.5-15\)), we can aim for time-dense observations with errors $<$$0.2-0.4\(% and \)<$$1-1.5^{\circ}\( in 5-20 minutes. We have successfully performed a first campaign with DIPOL-1, detecting significant polarized emission of several blazars, with special attention to the highest ever polarization degree measured from blazar 3C~345 at \)\sim$32%.
Background
Experience with aerosolized lipid amphotericin B (aeLAB) as therapy or secondary prophylaxis in patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is anecdotal.
Methods
We performed a ...single-center retrospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy of systemic antifungal therapy with and without aeLAB in patients with proven or probable IPA. Complete or partial response at 3 months was the primary end-point. Clinical response and mortality at 12 months, occurrence of adverse drug reactions and respiratory fungal colonization were secondary end-point.
Results
Eleven patients (39%) received aeLAB in addition to systemic antifungal therapy (group A), and 22 (61%) received systemic antifungal therapy only (group B). The use of aeLAB was not standardized. Amphotericin B lipid complex was used in all patients but one, who received liposomal amphotericin B. Five patients received aeLAB as antifungal complementary therapy and 6 received it as secondary prophylaxis. Except for the requirement of inhaled corticosteroids and home oxygen therapy, more frequent in group A, both groups were similar in baseline conditions. A better (nonsignificant) clinical outcome was observed at 3 months in patients receiving aeLAB. Only uncontrolled baseline condition was associated with one-year mortality in univariate analysis (
p
= 0.002). A multivariate Cox regression analysis suggests that aeLAB, corrected for uncontrolled underlying disease, reduces mortality at 12 months (HR 0.258; 95% CI 0.072–0.922;
p
= 0.037).
Conclusion
Although no significant difference was observed in the main variable (3-month clinical response) and in spite of methodological limitations of the study, the possible survival benefit of aeLAB, adjusted for the control of the underlying disease, could justify the performance of well-controlled studies with a greater number of patients.
Disposable screen-printed sensors have been modified with enzymes and used to form a bioelectronic tongue dedicated to the discrimination between different grape varieties. The multisensory system ...combined serigraphied electrodes modified with carbon, platinum, gold, graphene, Prussian blue and nickel oxide nanoparticles (M-SPE) covered with glucose oxidase (M-GOX-SPE) or tyrosinase (M-Tyr-SPE).
The M-GOX-SPE and M-Tyr-SPE sensors produced a variety of responses due to the different behavior of the electron mediators of the six screen-printed materials used for the electro-catalysis of the glucose and phenols by means of glucose oxidase and tyrosinase.
This variety of responses, together with the capability of the sensors to detect glucose or phenols, allowed the bioelectronic tongue developed here to discriminate between the juices obtained from different varieties of grape.
Partial least-squares (PLS-1) multivariate calibration of electrochemical data has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of glucose and polyphenols in musts.
The discrimination capability shown by this array of cheap and single-use sensors was similar to that found in other complex bioelectronic tongues. The lower price, ease of use and portability of the modified screen-printed electrode system makes the bioelectronic tongue developed here an alternative tool that can be used in situ in the vineyard block.
•A bioelectronic tongue based on screen printed biosensors is presented.•It can discriminate musts according to their phenolic and sugar content.•Sensors are easily modified chemically with glucose oxidase or tyrosinase.•Good cross selectivity is attained using different electron mediators.
Effective Field Theories (EFTs) for Goldstone Boson scattering at a low order allow the computation of near–threshold observables in terms of a few coefficients arranged by a counting. As a matter of ...principle they should make sense up to an energy scale E ∼ 4πF but the expansion in powers of momentum violates exact elastic unitarity and renders the derivative expansion unreliable at much lower energies. If new–physics deviations from the Standard Model are found and encoded in low-energy coefficients, perhaps at the LHC, it will be profitable to extend the reach of the EFT to regimes where partial waves are saturating unitarity. The methods known in hadron physics as “Unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory” extend the EFT up to its nominal reach or up to the first new physics resonance or structure (if found below that energy reach) in the partial wave amplitude, but they usually have unknown uncertainties. We recapitulate our analysis of the systematic theory uncertainties of the well known Inverse Amplitude Method (IAM).
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Probable unresectable Glioblastomas (GB) diagnosed by imaging techniques withouth anatomo-pathological (ap) confirmation could be treated under standard treatment. We reported the ...outcomes from this strategy in our center after tumor board evaluation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
From January/10 to September/16, 303 patients (pt) with GB were assessed by tumor board, during the same period 66 patients were consecutive analyzed with suspected GB by radiological criteria without histological diagnosis. We focus in the last group and analyzed the demographic/radiological data, non-biopsy causes, treatment type (concomitant Radio-Chemotherapy (RT/Ch), exclusive RT or Ch or Best supportive care (BSC)), Karnofsky index (KI) and degree of comorbidity (Charlson index (CI)).
RESULTS
Sixty six patients, 17.88% of the total GB cases (with/without ap). Average age: 77 years (33–91). Biopsy: non-diagnostic in 4pt. No biopsy: 62pt; due to non medical indication (71%), localization (22.7%), voluntary (4.5%). Treatment Type: Active: 43.93%, without biopsy due to non-medical indication (44.8%) and localization (41.37%). BSC: 53.03%, without biopsy due to non-medical indication 82.85%, localization 8.5%, voluntary 5.7%. Overall survival: 11.65 months in patients with active treatment and 4.8 months in BSC, greater benefit in <70 years and KI≥ 70 with statistical signification.
CONCLUSION
The diagnosis of GB by radiological criteria with the new imaging techniques has a good diagnostic-therapeutic correlation. In cases where surgical intervention is not possible, standard treatment offers good results. Age and KPS are variables that allow predicting a better evolution course. Although it was not possible to obtain a histological diagnosis, in this type of cases liquid biopsy could contribute to diagnosis this type of lesions inaccessible to biopsy.
Effective Field Theories (EFTs) constructed as derivative expansions in powers of momentum, in the spirit of Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT), are a controllable approximation to strong dynamics as ...long as the energy of the interacting particles remains small, as they do not respect exact elastic unitarity. This limits their predictive power towards new physics at a higher scale if small separations from the Standard Model are found at the LHC or elsewhere. Unitarized chiral perturbation theory techniques have been devised to extend the reach of the EFT to regimes where partial waves are saturating unitarity, but their uncertainties have hitherto not been addressed thoroughly. Here we take one of the best known of them, the Inverse Amplitude Method (IAM), and carefully following its derivation, we quantify the uncertainty introduced at each step. We compare its hadron ChPT and its electroweak sector Higgs EFT applications. We find that the relative theoretical uncertainty of the IAM at the mass of the first resonance encountered in a partial-wave is of the same order in the counting as the starting uncertainty of the EFT at near-threshold energies, so that its unitarized extension should \textit{a priori} be expected to be reasonably successful. This is so provided a check for zeroes of the partial wave amplitude is carried out and, if they appear near the resonance region, we show how to modify adequately the IAM to take them into account.
Effective Field Theories (EFTs) for Goldstone Boson scattering at a low order allow the computation of near--threshold observables in terms of a few coefficients arranged by a counting. As a matter ...of principle they should make sense up to an energy scale \(E\sim 4\pi F\) but the expansion in powers of momentum violates exact elastic unitarity and renders the derivative expansion unreliable at much lower energies. If new--physics deviations from the Standard Model are found and encoded in low-energy coefficients, perhaps at the LHC, it will be profitable to extend the reach of the EFT to regimes where partial waves are saturating unitarity. The methods known in hadron physics as "Unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory" extend the EFT up to its nominal reach or up to the first new physics resonance or structure (if found below that energy reach) in the partial wave amplitude, but they usually have unknown uncertainties. We recapitulate our analysis of the systematic theory uncertainties of the well known Inverse Amplitude Method (IAM).
PDF
