Design of 280 GHz feedhorn-coupled TES arrays for the balloon-borne polarimeter SPIDER

We describe 280 GHz bolometric detector arrays that instrument the balloon-borne polarimeter SPIDER. A primary science goal of SPIDER is to measure the large-scale B-mode polarization of the cosmic microwave background in search of the cosmic-inflation, gravitational-wave signature. 280 GHz channels aid this science goal by constraining the level of B-mode contamination from galactic dust emission. We present the focal plane unit design, which consists of a 16$\times$16 array of conical, corrugated feedhorns coupled to a monolithic detector array fabricated on a 150 mm diameter silicon wafer. Detector arrays are capable of polarimetric sensing via waveguide probe-coupling to a multiplexed array of transition-edge-sensor (TES) bolometers. The SPIDER receiver has three focal plane units at 280 GHz, which in total contains 765 spatial pixels and 1,530 polarization sensitive bolometers. By fabrication and measurement of single feedhorns, we demonstrate 14.7$^{\circ}$ FHWM Gaussian-shaped beams with $<$1% ellipticity in a 30% fractional bandwidth centered at 280 GHz. We present electromagnetic simulations of the detection circuit, which show 94% band-averaged, single-polarization coupling efficiency, 3% reflection and 3% radiative loss. Lastly, we demonstrate a low thermal conductance bolometer, which is well-described by a simple TES model and exhibits an electrical noise equivalent power (NEP) = 2.6 $\times$ 10$^{-17}$ W/$\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$, consistent with the phonon noise prediction.Comment: Proceedings of SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 201

Novel Use of Surveillance Data to Detect HIV-Infected Persons with Sustained High Viral Load and Durable Virologic Suppression in New York City

Background: Monitoring of the uptake and efficacy of ART in a population often relies on cross-sectional data, providing limited information that could be used to design specific targeted intervention programs. Using repeated measures of viral load (VL) surveillance data, we aimed to estimate and characterize the proportion of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in New York City (NYC) with sustained high VL (SHVL) and durably suppressed VL (DSVL). Methods/Principal Findings: Retrospective cohort study of all persons reported to the NYC HIV Surveillance Registry who were alive and $12 years old by the end of 2005 and who had$2 VL tests in 2006 and 2007. SHVL and DSVL were defined as PLWHA with 2 consecutive VLs $100,000 copies/mL and PLWHA with all VLs #400 copies/mL, respectively. Logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations were used to model the association between SHVL and covariates. There were 56,836 PLWHA, of whom 7 % had SHVL and 38 % had DSVL. Compared to those without SHVL, persons with SHVL were more likely to be younger, black and have injection drug use (IDU) risk. PLWHA with SHVL were more likely to die by 2007 and be younger by nearly ten years, on average. Conclusions/Significance: Nearly 60 % of PLWHA in 2005 had multiple VLs, of whom almost 40 % had DSVL, suggesting successful ART uptake. A small proportion had SHVL, representing groups known to have suboptimal engagement in care. This group should be targeted for additional outreach to reduce morbidity and secondary transmission. Measures based o

Determinación del Perfil Bioquímico Sanguíneo Hepático y Renal en Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) Aparentemente Normales

The aim of this study was to establish the blood biochemical profile of liver and kidney in clinically healthy alpacas (Vicugna pacos) of the central highlands of Peru. Blood samples (8 ml) were collected from 60 animals (30 adults and 30 tuis) by puncture of the jugular vein. The mean values were Total bilirubin: 0.62 ± 0.51 mg/dl; Direct bilirubin: 0.13 ± 0.09 mg/dl; Indirect bilirubin: 0.51 ± 0.52 mg/dl; ALT: 23.27 ± 13.11 IU/L; AST: 197.2 ± 53.74 IU; Alkaline phosphatase: 159.45 ± 76.6 IU/L; GGT: 22.35 ± 10.63; Total protein: 7.73 ± 1.18 g/dl; Albumin: 3.63 ± 0.65 g/dl; Globulin: 4.10 ± 1.40 g/dl; Urea: 39.1 ± 9.02 mg/dl; and Creatinine: 2.21 ± 0.54 mg/dl. Statistical difference was found (p&lt;0.05) between age groups for total and indirect bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el perfil bioquímico hepático y renal en alpacas (Vicugna pacos) aparentemente normales de un rebaño de la Sierra Central del Perú. Se tomaron muestras de sangre (8 ml) en 60 animales (30 adultos y 30 tuis), mediante punción de la vena yugular. Los valores promedio fueron Bilirrubina total: 0.62 ± 0.51 mg/dl; Bilirrubina directa: 0.13 ± 0.09 mg/dl; Bilirrubina indirecta: 0.51 ± 0.52 mg/dl; ALT: 23.27 ± 13.11 UI/L; AST: 197.2 ± 53.74 UI/L; Fosfatasa alcalina: 159.45 ± 76.6 UI/L; GGT: 22.35 ± 10.63; Proteínas totales: 7.73 ± 1.18 g/dl; Albúmina: 3.63 ± 0.65g/dl; Globulina: 4.10 ± 1.40 g/dl; Urea: 39.1 ± 9.02 mg/dl; y Creatinina: 2.21 ± 0.54 mg/dl. Se encontró diferencia estadística (p&lt;0.05) entre grupos etarios para bilirrubina total e indirecta y fosfatasa alcalina

Incidence, clinical characteristics and 30-day mortality of enterococcal bacteraemia in Denmark 2006-2009:a population-based cohort study

AbstractEnterococci currently account for approximately 10% of all bacteraemias, reflecting remarkable changes in their epidemiology. However, population-based data of enterococcal bacteraemia are scarce. A population-based cohort study comprised all patients with a first episode of Enterococcus faecalis or Enterococcus faecium bacteraemia in two Danish regions during 2006–2009. We used data collected prospectively during clinical microbiological counselling and hospital registry data. We determined the incidence of mono- and polymicrobial bacteraemia and assessed clinical and microbiological characteristics as predictors of 30-day mortality in monomicrobial bacteraemia by logistic regression analysis. We identified 1145 bacteraemic patients, 700 (61%) of whom had monomicrobial bacteraemia. The incidence was 19.6/100 000 person-years (13.0/100 000 person-years for E. faecalis and 6.6/100 000 person-years for E. faecium). The majority of bacteraemias were hospital-acquired (E. faecalis, 45.7%; E. faecium, 85.2%). Urinary tract and intra-abdominal infections were the predominant foci for the two species, respectively. Infective endocarditis (IE) accounted for 25% of patients with community-acquired E. faecalis bacteraemia. Thirty-day mortality was 21.4% in patients with E. faecalis and 34.6% in patients with E. faecium. Predictors of 30-day mortality included age, co-morbidity and hospital-acquired bacteraemia. In addition, intra-abdominal infection, unknown focus and high-level gentamicin resistance were predictors of mortality in E. faecalis patients. E. faecium was associated with increased risk of mortality compared with E. faecalis. The study emphasizes the importance of enterococci both in terms of incidence and prognosis. The frequency of IE in patients with E. faecalis bacteraemia emphasizes the importance of echocardiography, especially in community-acquired cases

Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Unique Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Clinical Strains

Susceptibility to 41 antimicrobials was studied with 99 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains, and different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles were identified among 130 prospectively collected isolates. Moxalactam, doxycycline, minocycline, and clinafloxacin displayed the highest activity (≥98% susceptibility). Ticarcillin resistance (75%) was reverted by clavulanate in 25% of strains. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance was 26.2% (≥4 [trimethoprim]/76 [sulfamethoxazole] μg/ml) and dropped to 11.1% when an 8/152-μg/ml breakpoint was applied based on its bimodal MIC distribution. Resistance was lower when unique strains were considered, because clonal organisms contribute to resistance

Early Markers of Poor Outcome in Neonatal Medicine

A major issue for neonatologists and developmental neurologists is the identification of those infants who are at risk of subsequent neurodevelopmental disability and who may benefit from neurological follow-up and early intervention strategies. The incidence of major disabilities has decreased in very preterm and extremely preterm infants, although nearly half of the population suffers from minor disabilities as learning disabilities, cognitive defects, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders, and behavioral problems, especially at school age. Neuroimaging needs to be accompanied by an accurate clinical assessment of the functional repertoire of the infant, which varies according to the stage of development