The First VERITAS Telescope

The first atmospheric Cherenkov telescope of VERITAS (the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System) has been in operation since February 2005. We present here a technical description of the instrument and a summary of its performance. The calibration methods are described, along with the results of Monte Carlo simulations of the telescope and comparisons between real and simulated data. The analysis of TeV $\gamma$-ray observations of the Crab Nebula, including the reconstructed energy spectrum, is shown to give results consistent with earlier measurements. The telescope is operating as expected and has met or exceeded all design specifications.Comment: Accepted by Astroparticle Physic

Length of carotid stenosis predicts peri-procedural stroke or death and restenosis in patients randomized to endovascular treatment or endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: The anatomy of carotid stenosis may influence the outcome of endovascular treatment or carotid endarterectomy. Whether anatomy favors one treatment over the other in terms of safety or efficacy has not been investigated in randomized trials. METHODS: In 414 patients with mostly symptomatic carotid stenosis randomized to endovascular treatment (angioplasty or stenting; n = 213) or carotid endarterectomy (n = 211) in the Carotid and Vertebral Artery Transluminal Angioplasty Study (CAVATAS), the degree and length of stenosis and plaque surface irregularity were assessed on baseline intraarterial angiography. Outcome measures were stroke or death occurring between randomization and 30 days after treatment, and ipsilateral stroke and restenosis ≥50% during follow-up. RESULTS: Carotid stenosis longer than 0.65 times the common carotid artery diameter was associated with increased risk of peri-procedural stroke or death after both endovascular treatment [odds ratio 2.79 (1.17-6.65), P = 0.02] and carotid endarterectomy [2.43 (1.03-5.73), P = 0.04], and with increased long-term risk of restenosis in endovascular treatment [hazard ratio 1.68 (1.12-2.53), P = 0.01]. The excess in restenosis after endovascular treatment compared with carotid endarterectomy was significantly greater in patients with long stenosis than with short stenosis at baseline (interaction P = 0.003). Results remained significant after multivariate adjustment. No associations were found for degree of stenosis and plaque surface. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing stenosis length is an independent risk factor for peri-procedural stroke or death in endovascular treatment and carotid endarterectomy, without favoring one treatment over the other. However, the excess restenosis rate after endovascular treatment compared with carotid endarterectomy increases with longer stenosis at baseline. Stenosis length merits further investigation in carotid revascularisation trials

Ecological enhancement techniques to improve habitat heterogeneity on coastal defence structures

Sea level rise and higher storm frequency are increasing the need for the placement of hard coastal defences worldwide. The majority of these defences lack optimal habitats for intertidal species, resulting in low diversity and abundance. The construction of coastal defences within marine protected areas (MPA) is also increasing and this study investigates ways to limit the loss of species diversity and intertidal habitat caused by installing rock armour defence structures and other coastal developments. Arrays of holes and grooves were created on granite rock armour in the north of England at Runswick Bay, N. Yorkshire and limestone rock groynes in southern England at Boscombe, Poole Bay, Dorset. Runswick Bay is a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) designated for its intertidal habitat and Boscombe is located in close proximity to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). After 12 months, the treatments had attracted new species to the defence structures and increased the overall diversity and abundance of organisms compared to control areas. Mobile fauna including crabs and fish were also recorded utilising the holes and grooves at Boscombe. Non-native species were recorded in grooves at one site however their abundance was not significantly different to that of control areas. At the southern site, species known to be spreading in response to climate change were found in treatments but not in control areas. The cost of the installation of these enhancement techniques was low in relation to that of the defence scheme and could be easily incorporated before, during or after construction. Through evaluation of the use of these ecological enhancement techniques on coastal structures, it is suggested that they have considerable potential to increase biodiversity on artificial structures, particularly when used within large-scale coastal engineering defence projects

Trends in characteristics and outcomes among US adults hospitalised with COVID-19 throughout 2020: An observational cohort study

Objectives To examine the temporal patterns of patient characteristics, treatments used and outcomes associated with COVID-19 in patients who were hospitalised for the disease between January and 15 November 2020. Design Observational cohort study. Setting COVID-19 subset of the Optum deidentified electronic health records, including more than 1.8 million patients from across the USA. Participants There were 51 510 hospitalised patients who met the COVID-19 definition, with 37 617 in the laboratory positive cohort and 13 893 in the clinical cohort. Primary and secondary outcome measures Incident acute clinical outcomes, including in-hospital all-cause mortality. Results Respectively, 48% and 49% of the laboratory positive and clinical cohorts were women. The 50- 65 age group was the median age group for both cohorts. The use of antivirals and dexamethasone increased over time, fivefold and twofold, respectively, while the use of hydroxychloroquine declined by 98%. Among adult patients in the laboratory positive cohort, absolute age/sex standardised incidence proportion for in-hospital death changed by -0.036 per month (95% CI -0.042 to -0.031) from March to June 2020, but remained fairly flat from June to November, 2020 (0.001 (95% CI -0.001 to 0.003), 17.5% (660 deaths /3986 persons) in March and 10.2% (580/5137) in October); in the clinical cohort, the corresponding changes were -0.024 (95% CI -0.032 to -0.015) and 0.011 (95% CI 0.007 0.014), respectively (14.8% (175/1252) in March, 15.3% (189/1203) in October). Declines in the cumulative incidence of most acute clinical outcomes were observed in the laboratory positive cohort, but not for the clinical cohort. Conclusion The incidence of adverse clinical outcomes remains high among COVID-19 patients with clinical diagnosis only. Patients with COVID-19 entering the hospital are at elevated risk of adverse outcomes

Enriching nutritive value of cassava root by yeast fermentation

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is extensively cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics regions due to its ability to grow in diverse soil conditions and minimal management. Experiments were made to study the cassava root fermentation by yeasts in order to enhance the nutritive value of their products (fresh pulp and chips). Both cassava chip (CC) and fresh cassava root pulp (FCR) samples were fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in solid-liquid media fermentation conditions during 132 hours and dried at 30ºC. Products were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral composition, essential aminoacids and antinutrient content. There were increases (p A mandioca (Manihot esculenta) é extensivamente cultivada nas regiões tropical e subtropical devido à sua habilidade de crescer em diveresas condições de clima e manejo. Experimentos foram efetuados para estudar o aumento do valor nutritivo de subprodutos derivados de raízes de mandioca (polpa fresca e raspas) por processos de fermentação. Amostras de raspas (RM) e de polpa fresca (PF) foram fermentadas por Saccharomyces cerevisiae, em condições de meio sólido-líquido durante 132 horas e secas a 30ºC. Foram avaliados a composição aproximada, composição mineral, aminoácidos essenciais e conteúdo de antinutrientes dos produtos obtidos. Houve aumentos (p < 0.01) em proteínas (30,4% em RM e 13,5% in PF) e conteúdo de gorduras (5,8% em RM e 3,0% in PF). Os subprodutos de mandioca fermentados por S. cerevisiae apresentaram baixos conteúdos de ácido hidrocianídrico (RM, 0,5 mg kg-1 e PF 47,3 mg kg-1). Houve aumento considerável de lisina nas raspas fermentadas (RMF). Valores aceitáveis de cor, textura e aroma das raspas de mandioca enriquecidas formam obtidos após 132 de bioprocessamento. Sugere-se que a RMF pode ser nutricionalmente melhorada para alimentação animal pelo uso de S. cerevisiae

Pengaruh Pemberian Ketotifen terhadap Jumlah Sel Fibroblas dan Kepadatan Sel Kolagen pada Luka Insisi Tikus Wistar

Ingga Hadian, S-501202027. PENGARUH PEMBERIAN KETOTIFEN TERHADAP JUMLAH SEL FIBROBLAS DAN KEPADATAN SEL KOLAGEN PADA LUKA INSISI TIKUS WISTAR. Pembimbing I : DR. Untung Alfianto, dr, Sp.Bs, Pembimbing II : dr. Ardana Tri Arianto. Msi. Med. Sp.An-KNA. Program studi Magister Kedokteran Keluarga, Minat Utama Ilmu Biomedik, Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, 2016. Latar Belakang : Sel mast merupakan salah satu yang berperan dalam proses inflamasi pada penyembuhan luka. Sel mast dikaitkan dengan kejadian luka kronis, sehingga sel mast diduga ikut memelihara proses inflamasi secara berlebihan. Hambatan pada degranulasi sel mast diharapkan akan mempercepat penyembuhan luka yang ditandai dengan meningkatnya jumlah sel fibroblas dan kepadatan sel kolagen. Ketotifen mampu mengurangi dreganulasi sel Mast dan mengurangi pelepasan Histamin, protease sel Mast, myeloperoxidase, leukotriens, PAF dan bermacam-macam Prostaglandin. Ketotifen juga menghambat agregasi polimorfonuklear serta mengurangi respon inflamasi dan mempercepat migrasi fibroblas di fase proliferasi. Tujuan :Mengetahui perbedaan jumlah sel fibroblas dan kepadatan sel kolagen pada tikus wistar yang diberikan Ketotifen oral dosis 0.3 mg/kg dibandingkan plasebo pada penyembuhan luka insisi tikus wistar. Metode : Penelitian ini termasuk true eksperimental laboratorik dengan desain Randomized Controlled Trial yang menggunakan tikus wistar sebagai obyek penelitian. 14 tikus Wistar dibagi dalam 2 kelompok, masing masing kelompok terdiri atas 7 tikus Wistar. Kelompok 1 merupakan kelompok kontrol yang dilakukan insisi sepanjang 2cm pada kulit punggung tikus dan diberikan plasebo per oral selama 6 hari. Kelompok 2 merupakan kelompok perlakuan yang dilakukan insisi sepanjang 2cm pada kulit punggung tikus dan diberikan Ketotifen 0,3 mg/kgBB per oral setiap 12 jam selama 6 hari. Analisis data untuk membandingkan rerata antar kedua kelompok yaitu kelompok perlakuan dan kelompok kontrol menggunakan uji independent samples t-test, dengan tingkat kemaknaan p < 0,05 (dikatakan bermakna secara statistik). Hasil : Pada kelompok kontrol didapatkan rerata persentase kepadatan sel kolagen sebesar 26,05 %, sedangkan pada kelompok Ketotifen didapatkan rerata persentase kepadatan sel kolagen sebesar 36,13 %. Untuk jumlah sel fibroblas pada kelompok kontrol didapatkan rerata sebesar 423 per lapang pandang, sedangkan pada kelompok Ketotifen didapatkan rerata sebesar 555,43 per lapang pandang. Kesimpulan : Ketotifen mempercepat penyembuhan luka ditandai dengan peningkatan sel fibroblas dan sel kolagen. Kata Kunci : Sel Mast, Ketotifen, Sel fibroblas, Serabut Kolagen. ABSTRACT Ingga Hadian, S-501202027. EFFECTS OF KETOTIFEN ON FIBROBLAST CELL COUNT AND COLLAGEN DENSITY ON INCISED WISTAR RATS. DR. Untung Alfianto, dr., Sp.BS, dr. Ardana Tri Arianto, Msi, Med, Sp.An-KNA. Background: Mast cells have a pivotal role in every healing process that involves inflammation of the cells, usually in wounds of chronic nature. If the degranulation process of the mast cells are inhibited, the healing process of the wound will accelerate, indicated by a raise in fibroblast cells and collagen density. Ketotifen are shown to inhibit the degranulation process and decreasing the release of histamin, mast cells proteases, myeloperoxidases, leukotriens, PAF, and various prostaglandins. Ketotifen can also inhibit the aggregation of polymorphonuclear cells, increasing the rate of fibroblast migration in the proliferation phase. This study was aimed to identify the effects of ketotifen on fibroblast cell count and collagen density tested on a wistar rats model. Methods: This study was a true laboratoric experimental study with randomized controlled trial using wistar rats model as objects. 14 rats were divided into two groups, each group contained seven rats. The first group was the control group, where the rats were incised 2 cm above the back skin, and were given per oral placebo for 6 days. The second group were given the same treatment, only the rats were given ketotifen 0.3 mg/kg per oral, every 12 hours lasting 6 days. The data were then collected and tested with independent sample t-test, with p value less than 0,05 is statistically significant. Results: In the control group, the mean percentage of the thickest collagen density were marked at 26.05%, whereas in the treatment group collagen density were marked at 36.13%. The mean fibroblast cell count were marked at 423 and 555.43 each viewing field, on the control group and the treatment group respectively. Conclusion: Ketotifen can accelerate the healing process, marked by the significant increase in collagen density and fibroblast cell count. Keywords: mast cells, ketotifen, fibroblast cells, collagen fibers

Mouse Chromosome 3

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46995/1/335_2004_Article_BF00648421.pd

Multiwavelength observations of a TeV-Flare from W comae

We report results from an intensive multiwavelength campaign on the intermediate-frequency-peaked BL Lacertae object W Com (z = 0.102) during a strong outburst of very high energy gamma-ray emission in 2008 June. The very high energy gamma-ray signal was detected by VERITAS on 2008 June 7-8 with a flux F(>200 GeV) =(5.7 0.6) × 10-11 cm-2 s -1, about three times brighter than during the discovery of gamma-ray emission from W Com by VERITAS in 2008 March. The initial detection of this flare by VERITAS at energies above 200 GeV was followed by observations in high-energy gamma rays (AGILE; E γ≥ 100 MeV), X-rays (Swift and XMM-Newton), and at UV, and ground-based optical and radio monitoring through the GASP-WEBT consortium and other observatories. Here we describe the multiwavelength data and derive the spectral energy distribution of the source from contemporaneous data taken throughout the flare. © 2009. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved

Insights into the high-energy γ-ray emission of Markarian 501 from extensive multifrequency observations in the Fermi era

We report on the γ-ray activity of the blazar Mrk 501 during the first 480 days of Fermi operation. We find that the average Large Area Telescope (LAT) γ-ray spectrum of Mrk 501 can be well described by a single power-law function with a photon index of 1.78 ± 0.03. While we observe relatively mild flux variations with the Fermi-LAT (within less than a factor of two), we detect remarkable spectral variability where the hardest observed spectral index within the LAT energy range is 1.52 ± 0.14, and the softest one is 2.51 ± 0.20. These unexpected spectral changes do not correlate with the measured flux variations above 0.3 GeV. In this paper, we also present the first results from the 4.5 month long multifrequency campaign (2009 March 15-August 1) on Mrk 501, which included the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), Swift, RXTE, MAGIC, and VERITAS, the F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, and other collaborations and instruments which provided excellent temporal and energy coverage of the source throughout the entire campaign. The extensive radio to TeV data set from this campaign provides us with the most detailed spectral energy distribution yet collected for this source during its relatively low activity. The average spectral energy distribution of Mrk 501 is well described by the standard one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model. In the framework of this model, we find that the dominant emission region is characterized by a size ≲0.1 pc (comparable within a factor of few to the size of the partially resolved VLBA core at 15-43 GHz), and that the total jet power (≃1044 erg s-1) constitutes only a small fraction (∼10-3) of the Eddington luminosity. The energy distribution of the freshly accelerated radiating electrons required to fit the time-averaged data has a broken power-law form in the energy range 0.3 GeV-10 TeV, with spectral indices 2.2 and 2.7 below and above the break energy of 20 GeV. We argue that such a form is consistent with a scenario in which the bulk of the energy dissipation within the dominant emission zone of Mrk 501 is due to relativistic, proton-mediated shocks. We find that the ultrarelativistic electrons and mildly relativistic protons within the blazar zone, if comparable in number, are in approximate energy equipartition, with their energy dominating the jet magnetic field energy by about two orders of magnitude. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society