Femtosecond intersubband relaxation and population inversion in stepped quantum well

We have investigated intersubband relaxation rates in a stepped quantum well at room temperature using differential transmission spectroscopy with subpicosecond time resolution. The dynamics of the subband populations are derived from the experimentally observed reduction of oscillator strength of the corresponding exciton transitions. In the stepped quantum well the relaxation through longitudinal optical‐phonon emission from n=3 to 1 (25 ps) is slower than that from 2 to 1 (220 fs), due to the reduced wave function overlap and larger wave vector required for intersubband scattering. When the n=3 state is pumped, a population inversion between n3 and n2 (which are separated by 7 THz) is observed. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70388/2/APPLAB-68-4-435-1.pd

Probable maximum precipitation estimation in a humid climate

Probable maximum precipitation (PMP) estimation is one of the most important components for designing hydraulic structures. The aim of this study was the estimation of 24&thinsp;h PMP (PMP24) using statistical and hydro-meteorological (physical) approaches in the humid climate of the Qareh-Su basin, which is located in the northern part of Iran. Firstly, for the statistical estimate of PMP, the equations of empirical curves of the Hershfield method were extracted and the Hershfield standard and modified methods were written in Java programming language, as a user-friendly and multi-platform application called the PMP Calculator. Secondly, a hydro-meteorological approach, which is called the convergence model, was used to calculate PMP24. The results of both approaches were evaluated based on statistical criteria, such as the mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), correlation coefficient (r), and coefficient of determination (R2). The maximum values of PMP24 for the Hershfield standard and modified methods were estimated to be 448 and 201&thinsp;mm, respectively, while the PMP obtained by the physical approach was 143&thinsp;mm. Comparison of PMP24 values with the maximum 24&thinsp;h precipitation demonstrated that based on performance criteria including the MAE, MSE, RMSE, MAPE, r, and R2, the physical approach performed better than the statistical approach and it provided the most reliable estimates for PMP. Also, the accuracy of the Hershfield modified method was better than the standard method using modified Km values, and the standard method gives excessively large PMP for construction costs.</p

IL-2 Regulates Expression of C-MAF in Human CD4 T Cells

Blockade of IL-2R with humanized anti-CD25 Abs, such as daclizumab, inhibits Th2 responses in human T cells. Recent murine studies have shown that IL-2 also plays a significant role in regulating Th2 cell differentiation by activated STAT5. To explore the role of activated STAT5 in the Th2 differentiation of primary human T cells, we studied the mechanisms underlying IL-2 regulation of C-MAF expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed that IL-2 induced STAT5 binding to specific sites in the C-MAF promoter. These sites corresponded to regions enriched for markers of chromatin architectural features in both resting CD4 and differentiated Th2 cells. Unlike IL-6, IL-2 induced C-MAF expression in CD4 T cells with or without prior TCR stimulation. TCR-induced C-MAF expression was significantly inhibited by treatment with daclizumab or a JAK3 inhibitor, R333. Furthermore, IL-2 and IL-6 synergistically induced C-MAF expression in TCR-activated T cells, suggesting functional cooperation between these cytokines. Finally, both TCR-induced early IL4 mRNA expression and IL-4 cytokine expression in differentiated Th2 cells were significantly inhibited by IL-2R blockade. Thus, our findings demonstrate the importance of IL-2 in Th2 differentiation in human T cells and support the notion that IL-2R–directed therapies may have utility in the treatment of allergic disorders

Developing in vitro expanded CD45RA⁺ regulatory T cells as an adoptive cell therapy for Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thymus-derived regulatory T cells (T(regs)) mediate dominant peripheral tolerance and treat experimental colitis. T(regs) can be expanded from patient blood and were safely used in recent phase 1 studies in graft versus host disease and type 1 diabetes. T(reg) cell therapy is also conceptually attractive for Crohn's disease (CD). However, barriers exist to this approach. The stability of T(regs) expanded from Crohn's blood is unknown. The potential for adoptively transferred T(regs) to express interleukin-17 and exacerbate Crohn's lesions is of concern. Mucosal T cells are resistant to T(reg)-mediated suppression in active CD. The capacity for expanded T(regs) to home to gut and lymphoid tissue is unknown. METHODS: To define the optimum population for T(reg) cell therapy in CD, CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(lo)CD45RA(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(lo)CD45RA(−) T(reg) subsets were isolated from patients’ blood and expanded in vitro using a workflow that can be readily transferred to a good manufacturing practice background. RESULTS: T(regs) can be expanded from the blood of patients with CD to potential target dose within 22–24 days. Expanded CD45RA(+) T(regs) have an epigenetically stable FOXP3 locus and do not convert to a Th17 phenotype in vitro, in contrast to CD45RA(−) T(regs). CD45RA(+) T(regs) highly express α(4)β(7) integrin, CD62L and CC motif receptor 7 (CCR7). CD45RA(+) T(regs) also home to human small bowel in a C.B-17 severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) xenotransplant model. Importantly, in vitro expansion enhances the suppressive ability of CD45RA(+) T(regs). These cells also suppress activation of lamina propria and mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes isolated from inflamed Crohn's mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(lo)CD45RA(+) T(regs) may be the most appropriate population from which to expand T(regs) for autologous T(reg) therapy for CD, paving the way for future clinical trials

Chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous membranes: towards green super-adsorbents for toxic gases

Removal of hazardous gases from the atmosphere has become a big challenge for scientists and engineers alike. Eco-friendly nature of biopolymers has given a new dimension to the debate within the environmental science area but attempts mainly failed to cleanse the air stream of toxic gases as a consequence of design imperfections. In this work, green electrospun nanofibrous membranes based on chitosan (Cs)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite with a very high carbon monoxide adsorption capacity (much higher than the values one may expect from activated carbon and zeolite adsorbents, and also higher than that of the metal-organic framework) are developed. 2 k�1 factorial design, response surface and desirability function analyses are merged to optimize the electrospinning parameters for functional-based carbon monoxide elimination. The best Cs/PVA adsorbent obtained through multi-objective optimization has a very high desirability value level of 0.953. Optimized electrospinning parameters are: Voltage = 17 kV, spinning distance = 13 cm, flow rate = 0.2 mL/h, and PVA concentration = 6 wt.; and optimized properties are: maximum thermal stability = 329 °C, minimum fiber diameter = 9.8 nm, and maximum surface area = 2204 m 2 /g. This work opens a new era for taking the next steps towards the design and optimization of green super-adsorbents for gaseous contaminations. © 201

Studying crystallisation processes using electron microscopy: The importance of sample preparation

We present a comparison of common electron microscopy sample preparation methods for studying crystallisation processes from solution using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). We focus on two widely studied inorganic systems: calcium sulphate, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). We find significant differences in crystallisation kinetics and polymorph selection between the different sample preparation methods, which indicate that drying and chemical quenching can induce severe artefacts that are capable of masking the true native state of the crystallising solution. Overall, these results highlight the importance of cryogenic (cryo)-quenching crystallising solutions and the use of full cryo-TEM as the most reliable method for studying the early stages of crystallisation

MicroRNA-221 and -222 modulate intestinal inflammatory Th17 cell response as negative feedback regulators downstream of interleukin-23

Mikami et al. examine the role of miR-221/222 in helper T cells in the gut. MiR-221/222 are induced by IL-23 and suppressed by TGFβ, targeting Maf and IL23r for degradation. During inflammation, these miRNAs serve as a negative feedback rheostat to constrain IL23-Th17 cell responses