678 research outputs found
Single-photon entanglement generation by wavefront shaping in a multiple-scattering medium
We demonstrate the control of entanglement of a single photon between several
spatial modes propagating through a strongly scattering medium. Measurement of
the scattering matrix allows the wavefront of the photon to be shaped to
compensate the distortions induced by multiple scattering events. The photon
can thus be directed coherently to a single or multi-mode output. Using this
approach we show how entanglement across different modes can be manipulated
despite the enormous wavefront disturbance caused by the scattering medium.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, reference adde
Evaluation of options for harvest of a recombinant E. coli fermentation producing a domain antibody using ultra scale-down techniques and pilot-scale verification
Ultra scale-down (USD) methods operating at the millilitre scale were used to characterise full-scale processing of E. coli fermentation broths autolysed to different extents for release of a domain antibody. The focus was on the primary clarification stages involving continuous centrifugation followed by depth filtration. The performance of this sequence was predicted by USD studies to decrease significantly with increased extents of cell lysis. The use of polyethyleneimine (PEI) reagent was studied to treat the lysed cell broth by precipitation of soluble contaminants such as DNA and flocculation of cell debris material. The USD studies were used to predict the impact of this treatment on the performance and here it was found that the fermentation could be run to maximum productivity using an acceptable clarification process (e.g a centrifugation stage operating at 0.11 L per m(2) equivalent gravity settling area per h followed by a resultant required depth filter area of 0.07 m(2) per L supernatant). A range of USD predictions was verified at the pilot scale for centrifugation followed by depth filtration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Ultra scale-down approaches to enhance the creation of bioprocesses at scale: impacts of process shear stress and early recovery stages
The sensitivity of biological materials to shear stress conditions encountered during large-scale bioprocessing makes successful scale up from the bench challenging. Ultra scale-down technologies seek to use just millilitre quantities to enhance our understanding of the impact of the process environment as a basis for process optimisation. They can help speed translation of new biological discoveries to market and reduce risks encountered in scale up. They are important both as process discovery tools and as preparative tools to yield material for study of subsequent stages. In this review the focus is on the early recovery stages post fermentation or cell culture and in particular the use of continuous-flow and dead-end centrifugation integrated with preparative stages (e.g. flocculation) and subsequent depth filtration. Examples range from therapeutic antibodies, to rationally engineered (synthetic biology) host strains, to stem cells for therapy
Laser-induced electron emission from a tungsten nanotip: identifying above threshold photoemission using energy-resolved laser power dependencies
We present an experiment studying the interaction of a strongly focused 25 fs
laser pulse with a tungsten nanotip, investigating the different regimes of
laser-induced electron emission. We study the dependence of the electron yield
with respect to the static electric field applied to the tip. Photoelectron
spectra are recorded using a retarding field spectrometer and peaks separated
by the photon energy are observed with a 45 % contrast. They are a clear
signature of above threshold photoemission (ATP), and are confirmed by
extensive spectrally resolved studies of the laser power dependence.
Understanding these mechanisms opens the route to control experiment in the
strong-field regime on nanoscale objects.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure
Neutralization of IFN-γ reverts clinical and laboratory features in a mouse model of macrophage activation syndrome.
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is not clearly understood: a large body of evidence supports the involvement of mechanisms similar to those implicated in the setting of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the pathogenic role of IFN-γ and the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-γ neutralization in an animal model of MAS.
METHODS: We used an MAS model established in mice transgenic for human IL-6 (IL-6TG mice) challenged with LPS (MAS mice). Levels of IFN-γ and IFN-γ-inducible chemokines were evaluated by using real-time PCR in the liver and spleen and by means of ELISA in plasma. IFN-γ neutralization was achieved by using the anti-IFN-γ antibody XMG1.2 in vivo.
RESULTS: Mice with MAS showed a significant upregulation of the IFN-γ pathway, as demonstrated by increased mRNA levels of Ifng and higher levels of phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 in the liver and spleen and increased expression of the IFN-γ-inducible chemokines Cxcl9 and Cxcl10 in the liver and spleen, as well as in plasma. A marked increase in Il12a and Il12b expression was also found in livers and spleens of mice with MAS. In addition, mice with MAS had a significant increase in numbers of liver CD68+ macrophages. Mice with MAS treated with an anti-IFN-γ antibody showed a significant improvement in survival and body weight recovery associated with a significant amelioration of ferritin, fibrinogen, and alanine aminotransferase levels. In mice with MAS, treatment with the anti-IFN-γ antibody significantly decreased circulating levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, and downstream proinflammatory cytokines. The decrease in CXCL9 and CXCL10 levels paralleled the decrease in serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and ferritin.
CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence for a pathogenic role of IFN-γ in the setting of MAS
The Non--Ergodicity Threshold: Time Scale for Magnetic Reversal
We prove the existence of a non-ergodicity threshold for an anisotropic
classical Heisenberg model with all-to-all couplings. Below the threshold, the
energy surface is disconnected in two components with positive and negative
magnetizations respectively. Above, in a fully chaotic regime, magnetization
changes sign in a stochastic way and its behavior can be fully characterized by
an average magnetization reversal time. We show that statistical mechanics
predicts a phase--transition at an energy higher than the non-ergodicity
threshold. We assess the dynamical relevance of the latter for finite systems
through numerical simulations and analytical calculations. In particular, the
time scale for magnetic reversal diverges as a power law at the ergodicity
threshold with a size-dependent exponent, which could be a signature of the
phenomenon.Comment: 4 pages 4 figure
BRSMG Curinga: cultivar de arroz de terras altas de ampla adaptação para o Brasil.
O objetivo deste trabalho é a apresentação das características da BRSMG Curinga, a sétima cultivar de arroz de terras altas originária da colaboração da Embrapa com o programa CIAT/CIRAD, lançada em 2005 para cultivo em condições de terras altas nos Estados de Minas Gerais, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Pará, Roraima, Maranhão, Piauí e Tocantins.bitstream/CNPAF/23577/1/comt_114.pd
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