Kappa free light chain index as a diagnostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis: a real-world investigation

Kappa free light chain (KFLC)-index, a measure for intrathecal production of free kappa chains, has been increasingly recognized for its diagnostic potential in multiple sclerosis (MS) as a quantitative alternative to IgG oligoclonal-bands (OCBs). Our objective was to investigate the sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy of KFLC-index in MS. KFLC-index was prospectively determined as part of the diagnostic workup in patients with suspected MS (n=327) between May 2013 and February 2020. Patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), and MS had markedly higher KFLC-index (44.6, IQR 16-128) compared with subjects with other neuro-inflammatory disorders (ONID) and symptomatic controls (SC) (2.19, IQR 1.68-2.98, pIF and better than for IgG-index. We show that KFLC-index was influenced neither by DMT, nor by demographic factors or other inflammatory or degenerative processes in MS as determined by biomarkers in CSF

Nonlinear resonance in a three-terminal carbon nanotube resonator

The RF-response of a three-terminal carbon nanotube resonator coupled to RF-transmission lines is studied by means of perturbation theory and direct numerical integration. We find three distinct oscillatory regimes, including one regime capable of exhibiting very large hysteresis loops in the frequency response. Considering a purely capacitive transduction, we derive a set of algebraic equations which can be used to find the output power (S-parameters) for a device connected to transmission lines with characteristic impedance $Z_0$.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure

Dielectric properties characterization of La- and Dy-doped BiFeO3 thin films

The dielectric response of La- and Dy- doped BiFeO3 thin films at microwave frequencies (up to 12 GHz) has been monitored as a function of frequency, direct current (dc) electric field, and magnetic field in a temperature range from 25 to 300 °C. Both the real and imaginary parts of the response have been found to be non-monotonic (oscillating) functions of measuring frequency. These oscillations are not particularly sensitive to a dc electric field; however, they are substantially dampened by a magnetic field. The same effect has been observed when the volume of the characterized sample is increased. This phenomenon is attributed to the presence of a limited number of structural features with a resonance type response. The exact origin of these features is unknown at present. Leakage current investigations were performed on the whole set of films. The films were highly resistive with low leakage current, thereby giving us confidence in the microwave measurements. These typically revealed ‘N'-type I-V characteristic

Crossing the Dripline to 11N Using Elastic Resonance Scattering

The level structure of the unbound nucleus 11N has been studied by 10C+p elastic resonance scattering in inverse geometry with the LISE3 spectrometer at GANIL, using a 10C beam with an energy of 9.0 MeV/u. An additional measurement was done at the A1200 spectrometer at MSU. The excitation function above the 10C+p threshold has been determined up to 5 MeV. A potential-model analysis revealed three resonance states at energies 1.27 (+0.18-0.05) MeV (Gamma=1.44 +-0.2 MeV), 2.01(+0.15-0.05) MeV, (Gamma=0.84 +-$0.2 MeV) and 3.75(+-0.05) MeV, (Gamma=0.60 +-0.05 MeV) with the spin-parity assignments I(pi) =1/2+, 1/2- and 5/2+, respectively. Hence, 11N is shown to have a ground state parity inversion completely analogous to its mirror partner, 11Be. A narrow resonance in the excitation function at 4.33 (+-0.05) MeV was also observed and assigned spin-parity 3/2-.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, twocolumn Accepted for publication in PR

The influence of process conditions during pulp storage on the optical properties of Norway spruce high-yield pulps

The influence of process conditions during pulp storage on the optical properties of Norway spruce mechanical pulps. Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal, Access to the published version may require subscription. N.B. When citing this work, cite the original published paper. The aim of this work was to study the influence of process conditions (time, pH, temperature and consistency) on the optical properties of mechanical pulps during storage in a clean system as a reference for further work. Laboratory storage trials were performed with unbleached and hydrogen-peroxide bleached wellwashed Norway spruce pulps. In general, the pulp darkened during storage due to an increase in light absorption, especially at shorter wavelengths. After long storage times, the light absorption coefficient, k had increased also at longer wavelengths. No specific peaks were seen in k-spectra. The increase in light absorption was most rapid initially, during the first four hours, for all pulps when stored at high temperature (80°C), and then proceeded more slowly. The corresponding change in colour, measured as a* and b*, was shifted towards red and somewhat towards yellow, and over longer periods of storage, the shift towards yellow became greater. Time and temperature were found to have the largest impact. The effects were similar regardless of the starting pH (4.3-9.7) and pulp consistency (5%-25%). The hydrogen-peroxide bleached pulps were more sensitive to storage compared to the unbleached pulp at temperatures above 50°C. At storage times of up to four hours, the unbleached pulp showed no loss of brightness at either of the storage temperatures. A slightly less bleached pulp darkened more than a highly bleached pulp at all wavelengths. The only difference measured between the two pulps was that the less bleached pulp had a higher content of iron. This higher iron content may be at least part of the reason for the more extensive darkening

The Hardness-Intensity Diagram of Cygnus X-3: Revisiting the Radio/X-Ray States

Cygnus X-3 is one of the brightest X-ray and radio sources in the Galaxy, and is well known for its erratic behaviour in X-rays as well as in the radio, occasionally producing major radio flares associated with relativistic ejections. However, even after many years of observations in various wavelength bands Cyg X-3 still eludes clear physical understanding. Studying different emission bands simultaneously in microquasars has proved to be a fruitful approach towards understanding these systems, especially by shedding light on the accretion disc/jet connection. We continue this legacy by constructing a hardness-intensity diagram (HID) from archival Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer data and linking simultaneous radio observations to it. We find that surprisingly Cyg X-3 sketches a similar shape in the HID to that seen in other transient black hole X-ray binaries during outburst but with distinct differences. Together with the results of this analysis and previous studies of Cyg X-3 we conclude that the X-ray states can be assigned to six distinct states. This categorization relies heavily on the simultaneous radio observations and we identify one new X-ray state, the hypersoft state, similar to the ultrasoft state, which is associated to the quenched radio state during which there is no or very faint radio emission. Recent observations of GeV flux observed from Cyg X-3 (Tavani et al. 2009; Fermi LAT Collaboration et al. 2009) during a soft X-ray and/or radio quenched state at the onset of a major radio flare hint that a very energetic process is at work during this time, which is also when the hypersoft X-ray state is observed. In addition, Cyg X-3 shows flaring with a wide range of hardness.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Perception of soundscapes : an interdisciplinary approach

This paper takes an overall view of findings from the Positive Soundscape Project, a large inter-disciplinary soundscapes study. Qualitative fieldwork (soundwalks and focus groups) have found that soundscape perception is influenced by cognitive effects such as the meaning of a soundscape and its components, and how information is conveyed by a soundscape, for example on the behaviour of people within the soundscape. Three significant clusters were found in the language people use to describe soundscapes: sound sources, sound descriptors and soundscape descriptors. Results from listening tests and soundwalks have been integrated to show that the two principal dimensions of soundscape emotional response seem to be calmness and vibrancy. Further, vibrancy seems to have two aspects: organisation of sounds and changes over time. The possible application of the results to soundscape assessment and design are briefly discussed