Calibration of the Urbana lidar system

A method for calibrating data obtained by the Urban sodium lidar system is presented. First, an expression relating the number of photocounts originating from a specific altitude range to the soodium concentration is developed. This relation is then simplified by normalizing the sodium photocounts with photocounts originating from the Rayleigh region of the atmosphere. To evaluate the calibration expression, the laser linewidth must be known. Therefore, a method for measuring the laser linewidth using a Fabry-Perot interferometer is given. The laser linewidth was found to be 6 + or - 2.5 pm. Problems due to photomultiplier tube overloading are discussed. Finally, calibrated data is presented. The sodium column abundance exhibits something close to a sinusoidal variation throughout the year with the winter months showing an enhancement of a factor of 5 to 7 over the summer months

Methylene Blue has a potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 influenza virus in the absence of UV-activation in vitro.

Methylene blue is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EMA (European Medicines Agency) approved drug with an excellent safety profile. It displays broad-spectrum virucidal activity in the presence of UV light and has been shown to be effective in inactivating various viruses in blood products prior to transfusions. In addition, its use has been validated for methemoglobinemia and malaria treatment. In this study, we first evaluated the virucidal activity of methylene blue against influenza virus H1N1 upon different incubation times and in the presence or absence of light activation, and then against SARS-CoV-2. We further assessed the therapeutic activity of methylene blue by administering it to cells previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we examined the effect of co-administration of the drug together with immune serum. Our findings reveal that methylene blue displays virucidal preventive or therapeutic activity against influenza virus H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2 at low micromolar concentrations and in the absence of UV-activation. We also confirm that MB antiviral activity is based on several mechanisms of action as the extent of genomic RNA degradation is higher in presence of light and after long exposure. Our work supports the interest of testing methylene blue in clinical studies to confirm a preventive and/or therapeutic efficacy against both influenza virus H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2 infections

Prague's Emission Fourier Transform Microwave Spectrometer - Design and Preliminary Results

The design, performance and operation of the high resolution microwave spectrometer are described. The spectrometer is based on the Fabry-Perot resonator supplemented by a pulsed supersonic nozzle for adiabatic cooling of the sample. The spectrometer’s high sensitivity and resolution are demonstrated by several examples

Magnetic Field Uniformity Across the GF 9-2 YSO, L1082C Dense Core, and GF 9 Filamentary Dark Cloud

The orientation of the magnetic field (B-field) in the filamentary dark cloud GF 9 was traced from the periphery of the cloud into the L1082C dense core that contains the low-mass, low-luminosity Class 0 young stellar object (YSO) GF 9-2 (IRAS 20503+6006). This was done using SOFIA HAWC+ dust thermal emission polarimetry (TEP) at 216 um in combination with Mimir near-infrared background starlight polarimetry (BSP) conducted at H-band (1.6 um) and K-band (2.2 um). These observations were augmented with published I-band (0.77 um) BSP and Planck 850 um TEP to probe B-field orientations with offset from the YSO in a range spanning 6000 AU to 3 pc. No strong B-field orientation change with offset was found, indicating remarkable uniformity of the B-field from the cloud edge to the YSO environs. This finding disagrees with weak-field models of cloud core and YSO formation. The continuity of inferred B-field orientations for both TEP and BSP probes is strong evidence that both are sampling a common B-field that uniformly threads the cloud, core, and YSO region. Bayesian analysis of Gaia DR2 stars matched to the Mimir BSP stars finds a distance to GF 9 of 270 +/- 10 pc. No strong wavelength dependence of B-field orientation angle was found, contrary to previous claims.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures ApJ, accepte

Continuum limit in abelian projected SU(2) lattice gauge theory

We study the continuum limit of the abelian string tension and the density of abelian monopoles calculated after carefully fixing the maximal abelian gauge by employing the simulated annealing algorithm. We present the evidence that the abelian string tension converges to the nonabelian one in the continuum limit. For the monopole density we confirm earlier findings that the density of the properly defined infrared monopoles has correct scaling while the total density seems divergent in the continuum limit due to ultraviolate contributions. We also compare with results obtained with the usual iterative gauge fixing algorithm.Comment: Lattice2001(confinement), 3 page

Free-form lens model and mass estimation of the high redshift galaxy cluster ACT-CL J0102-4915, "El Gordo"

We examine the massive colliding cluster El Gordo, one of the most massive clusters at high redshift. We use a free-form lensing reconstruction method that avoids making assumptions about the mass distribution. We use data from the RELICS program and identify new multiply lensed system candidates. The new set of constraints and free-form method provides a new independent mass estimate of this intriguing colliding cluster. Our results are found to be consistent with earlier parametric models, indirectly confirming the assumptions made in earlier work. By fitting a double gNFW profile to the lens model, and extrapolating to the virial radius, we infer a total mass for the cluster of $M_{200c}=(1.08^{+0.65}_{-0.12})\times10^{15}$M$_{\odot}$. We estimate the uncertainty in the mass due to errors in the photometric redshifts, and discuss the uncertainty in the inferred virial mass due to the extrapolation from the lens model. We also find in our lens map a mass overdensity corresponding to the large cometary tail of hot gas, reinforcing its interpretation as a large tidal feature predicted by hydrodynamical simulations that mimic El Gordo. Finally, we discuss the observed relation between the plasma and the mass map, finding that the peak in the projected mass map may be associated with a large concentration of colder gas, exhibiting possible star formation. El Gordo is one of the first clusters that will be observed with JWST, which is expected to unveil new high redshift lensed galaxies around this interesting cluster, and provide a more accurate estimation of its mass.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures. Updated figure

Convergence of simulated annealing by the generalized transition probability

We prove weak ergodicity of the inhomogeneous Markov process generated by the generalized transition probability of Tsallis and Stariolo under power-law decay of the temperature. We thus have a mathematical foundation to conjecture convergence of simulated annealing processes with the generalized transition probability to the minimum of the cost function. An explicitly solvable example in one dimension is analyzed in which the generalized transition probability leads to a fast convergence of the cost function to the optimal value. We also investigate how far our arguments depend upon the specific form of the generalized transition probability proposed by Tsallis and Stariolo. It is shown that a few requirements on analyticity of the transition probability are sufficient to assure fast convergence in the case of the solvable model in one dimension.Comment: 11 page

Bobfergusonite from the Nancy pegmatite, San Luis range, Argentina: Crystal-structure refinement and chemical composition

A second occurrence of bobfergusonite, ideally Na2 Mn2+ 5 Fe3+ Al (PO4 6, has been discovered at the Nancy pegmatite, San Luis Range, Argentina. The Nancy pegmatite is a small, poorly evolved pegmatite of the beryl-columbite-phosphate subtype of rare-element pegmatites. Bobfergusonite from the Nancy pegmatite is monoclinic, a 12.796(3), b 12.465(2), c 11.001(2) Å, 97.39(3)°, V 1740.1(5) Å3, P21/n, Z = 4, has been refined to an R-index of 2.6% for 2959 observed (Fo ≥ 4σF) reflections measured with MoK α X-radiation on a Bruker P4 diffractometer equipped with a CCD detector. The crystal used for the collection of the X-ray intensity data was subsequently analyzed with an electron microprobe. The unit formula derived from the refined site-scattering values and electron-microprobe results is (Na1.10 □0.90) (Na0.90 □0.10) Mn2+ (Mn2+ 0.89 Ca0.11) (Fe2+ 0.91 Fe3+ 0.49 Mn2+ 0.32 Mg0.28) (Fe3+ 0.42 Fe2+ 0.28 Mg0.30) (Al0.94 Fe3+ 0.06) (PO4)6. In bobfergusonite, there are six M sites, each coordinated by six O-atoms in an octahedral arrangement with distances ranging from 1.918 Å at M(6) to 2.237 Å at M(2). There is strong order between the divalent and trivalent cations over the six M sites, and there is also strong order between Al and Fe3+. There are five X sites, X(1)-X(5), each having a wide dispersion of X-O distances. The X(1) site is mainly occupied by Mn2+ and has octahedral coordination. The X(2) and X(3) sites are each [8]-coordinated, the X(4) and X(5) sites are [7]-coordinated, and X(2)-X(5) are all approximately half-occupied by Na. In all of the alluaudite-related structures, the M sites form linear edge-sharing trimers, and the alluaudite, wyllieite and bobfergusonite structures show subtly different patterns of cation order-disorder. Bobfergusonite crystals from both known localities, the Nancy pegmatite (Argentina) and the Cross Lake pegmatite (Manitoba), are considerably disordered.Un deuxième exemple de bobfergusonite, de formule idéale Na2 Mn2+5 Fe3+ Al (PO4)6, a été découvert, celui-ci dans la pegmatite de Nancy, chaîne de San Luis, en Argentine. Cette pegmatite est de taille restreinte, et constitue un exemple peu évolué du sous-type à béryl – columbite – phosphate des pegmatites à éléments rares. La bobfergusonite de cet indice est monoclinique, a 12.796(3), b 12.465(2), c 11.001(2) Å, 97.39(3) , V 1740.1(5) Å3 , P21/n, Z = 4; nous en avons affiné la structure jusqu’à un résidu R de 2.6% pour 2959 réflexions observées (|Fo| ‡ 4F), mesurées avec un diffractomètre Bruker P4 muni d’un détecteur CCD (rayonnement MoK ). Le cristal utilisé a ensuite été analysé avec une microsonde électronique. L’unité formulaire dérivée à partir des valeurs affinées de la dispersion des sites et des résultats des données obtenues à la microsonde électronique est (Na1.10 0.90) (Na0.90 0.10) Mn2+ (Mn2+0.89 Ca0.11) (Fe2+0.91 Fe3+0.49 Mn2+0.32 Mg0.28) (Fe3+0.42 Fe2+0.28 Mg0.30) (Al0.94 Fe3+0.06) (PO4)6. La structure contient six sites M, chacun coordonné par six atomes d’oxygène dans un agencement octaédrique, avec les distances entre 1.918 Å pour M(6) jusqu’à 2.237 Å pour M(2). Il y a une forte mise en ordre entre les cations bivalents et trivalents sur les six sites M, et il y a aussi une forte mise en ordre entre Al et Fe3+. La structure contient cinq sites X, X(1)–X(5), chacun faisant preuve d’une grande dispersion des distances X–O. Le site X(1) est surtout rempli par le Mn2+ et possède une coordinence octaédrique. Les sites X(2) et X(3) ont chacun une coordinence [8], et les sites X(4) et X(5), une coordinence [7]; les sites X(2)– X(5) sont tous environ à moitié remplis par le Na. Dans tous les membres du groupe de l’alluaudite, les sites M forment des groupes trimériques linéaires d’octaèdres à arêtes partagées, et les structures de l’alluaudite, la wyllieïte et la bobfergusonite possèdent des degrés d’ordre et désordre subtilement différents. Les cristaux de bobfergusonite des deux localités, la pegmatite de Nancy, en Argentine, celle de Cross Lake, au Manitoba, sont considérablement désordonnés.Fil: Tait, Kimberly T.. University of Manitoba; CanadáFil: Hawthorne, Frank C.. University of Manitoba; CanadáFil: Cerny, Petr. University of Manitoba; CanadáFil: Galliski, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentin

Molecular and Genetic Evidence for a Virus-Encoded Glycosyltransferase Involved in Protein Glycosylation

AbstractThe major capsid protein, Vp54, of chlorella virus PBCV-1 is a glycoprotein that contains either one glycan of ∼30 sugar residues or two similar glycans of ∼15 residues. Previous analysis of PBCV-1 antigenic mutants that contained altered Vp54 glycans led to the conclusion that unlike other glycoprotein-containing viruses, most, if not all, of the enzymes involved in the synthesis of the Vp54 glycan are probably encoded by PBCV-1 (I.-N. Wang et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 3840–3844). In this report we used molecular and genetic approaches to begin to identify these virus genes. Comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of the putative 375 PBCV-1 protein-encoding genes to databases identified seven potential glycosyltransferases. One gene, designated a64r, encodes a 638-amino-acid protein that has four motifs conserved in “Fringe type” glycosyltransferases. Analysis of 13 PBCV-1 antigenic mutants revealed mutations in a64r that correlated with a specific antigenic variation. Dual-infection experiments with different antigenic mutants indicated that viruses that contained wild-type a64r could complement and recombine with viruses that contained mutant a64r to form wild-type virus. Therefore, we conclude that a64r encodes a glycosyltransferase involved in synthesizing the Vp54 glycan. This is the first report of a virus-encoded glycosyltransferase involved in protein glycosylation