Mode Converter and Multiplexer with a Subwavelength Phase Shifter for Extended Broadband Operation

4 pags., 3 figs., 1 tab.On-chip mode converters and multiplexers are fundamental components to scale the capacity of silicon optical interconnects by using different spatial modes of waveguides. Recently, we proposed a low loss and compact mode converter and multiplexer consisting of a subwavelength-engineered multimode interference coupler, tapered waveguides as phase shifter and a symmetric Y-junction. However, the narrow spectral response of the tapered phase shifter limited the device crosstalk performance. In this work, we demonstrate that the use of a subwavelength grating phase shifter with low phase-shift errors substantially reduces the crosstalk and expands the operational bandwidth. A complete multiplexer-demultiplexer link consisting of two devices in back-to-back configuration was fabricated in a 220-nm silicon-on-insulator platform. Experimental measurements of the complete link show insertion loss below 2 dB and crosstalk less than -17 dB over a bandwidth of 245 nm (1427 - 1672 nm).is work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) under grants RTI2018- 097957-B-C33, RED2018-102768-T, TEC2015-71127-C2-1-R (FPI BES- 2016-077798) and NEOTEC-CDTI-SNEO20181232 (Alcyon Photonics S.L.); and the Community of Madrid – FEDER funds (S2018/NMT-4326). This project has received funding from the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant No. 73433

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Large scale multifactorial likelihood quantitative analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants: An ENIGMA resource to support clinical variant classification

The multifactorial likelihood analysis method has demonstrated utility for quantitative assessment of variant pathogenicity for multiple cancer syndrome genes. Independent data types currently incorporated in the model for assessing BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants include clinically calibrated prior probability of pathogenicity based on variant location and bioinformatic prediction of variant effect, co-segregation, family cancer history profile, co-occurrence with a pathogenic variant in the same gene, breast tumor pathology, and case-control information. Research and clinical data for multifactorial likelihood analysis were collated for 1,395 BRCA1/2 predominantly intronic and missense variants, enabling classification based on posterior probability of pathogenicity for 734 variants: 447 variants were classified as (likely) benign, and 94 as (likely) pathogenic; and 248 classifications were new or considerably altered relative to ClinVar submissions. Classifications were compared with information not yet included in the likelihood model, and evidence strengths aligned to those recommended for ACMG/AMP classification codes. Altered mRNA splicing or function relative to known nonpathogenic variant controls were moderately to strongly predictive of variant pathogenicity. Variant absence in population datasets provided supporting evidence for variant pathogenicity. These findings have direct relevance for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant evaluation, and justify the need for gene-specific calibration of evidence types used for variant classification

Hepatic levels of S-adenosylmethionine regulate the adaptive response to fasting

26 p.-6 fig.-1 tab.-1 graph. abst.There has been an intense focus to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which fasting triggers the adaptive cellular responses in the major organs of the body. Here, we show that in mice, hepatic S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)—the principal methyl donor—acts as a metabolic sensor of nutrition to fine-tune the catabolic-fasting response by modulating phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) activity, endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts, β-oxidation, and ATP production in the liver, together with FGF21-mediated lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Notably, we show that glucagon induces the expression of the hepatic SAMe-synthesizing enzyme methionine adenosyltransferase α1 (MAT1A), which translocates to mitochondria-associated membranes. This leads to the production of this metabolite at these sites, which acts as a brake to prevent excessive β-oxidation and mitochondrial ATP synthesis and thereby endoplasmic reticulum stress and liver injury. This work provides important insights into the previously undescribed function of SAMe as a new arm of the metabolic adaptation to fasting.M.V.-R. is supported by Proyecto PID2020-119486RB-100 (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), Gilead Sciences International Research Scholars Program in Liver Disease, Acción Estratégica Ciberehd Emergentes 2018 (ISCIII), Fundación BBVA, HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-Doctoral Networks 2021 (101073094), and Redes de Investigación 2022 (RED2022-134485-T). M.L.M.-C. is supported by La CAIXA Foundation (LCF/PR/HP17/52190004), Proyecto PID2020-117116RB-I00 (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), Ayudas Fundación BBVA a equipos de investigación científica (Umbrella 2018), and AECC Scientific Foundation (Rare Cancers 2017). A.W. is supported by RTI2018-097503-B-I00 and PID2021-127169OB-I00, (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and by “ERDF A way of making Europe,” Xunta de Galicia (Ayudas PRO-ERC), Fundación Mutua Madrileña, and European Community’s H2020 Framework Programme (ERC Consolidator grant no. 865157 and MSCA Doctoral Networks 2021 no. 101073094). C.M. is supported by CIBERNED. P.A. is supported by Ayudas para apoyar grupos de investigación del sistema Universitario Vasco (IT1476-22), PID2021-124425OB-I00 (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe,” MCI/UE/ISCiii [PMP21/00080], and UPV/EHU [COLAB20/01]). M.F. and M.G.B. are supported by PID2019-105739GB-I00 and PID2020-115472GB-I00, respectively (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). M.G.B. is supported by Xunta de Galicia (ED431C 2019/013). C.A., T.L.-D., and J.B.-V. are recipients of pre-doctoral fellowships from Xunta de Galicia (ED481A-2020/046, ED481A-2018/042, and ED481A 2021/244, respectively). T.C.D. is supported by Fundación Científica AECC. A.T.-R. is a recipient of a pre-doctoral fellowship from Fundación Científica AECC. S.V.A. and C.R. are recipients of Margarita Salas postdoc grants under the “Plan de Recuperación Transformación” program funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities with European Union’s NextGeneration EU funds (2021/PER/00020 and MU-21-UP2021-03071902373A, respectively). T.C.D., A.S.-R., and M.T.-C. are recipients of Ayuda RYC2020-029316-I, PRE2019/088960, and BES-2016/078493, respectively, supported by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by El FSE invierte en tu futuro. S.L.-O. is a recipient of a pre-doctoral fellowship from the Departamento de Educación del Gobierno Vasco (PRE_2018_1_0372). P.A.-G. is recipient of a FPU pre-doctoral fellowship from the Ministry of Education (FPU19/02704). CIC bioGUNE is supported by Ayuda CEX2021-001136-S financiada por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. A.B.-C. was funded by predoctoral contract PFIS (FI19/00240) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) co-funded by Fondo Social Europeo (FSE), and A.D.-L. was funded by contract Juan Rodés (JR17/00016) from ISCIII. A.B.-C. is a Miguel Servet researcher (CPII22/00008) from ISCIII.Peer reviewe

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis

Combined searches for the production of supersymmetric top quark partners in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A combination of searches for top squark pair production using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment, is presented. Signatures with at least 2 jets and large missing transverse momentum are categorized into events with 0, 1, or 2 leptons. New results for regions of parameter space where the kinematical properties of top squark pair production and top quark pair production are very similar are presented. Depending on themodel, the combined result excludes a top squarkmass up to 1325 GeV for amassless neutralino, and a neutralinomass up to 700 GeV for a top squarkmass of 1150 GeV. Top squarks with masses from 145 to 295 GeV, for neutralino masses from 0 to 100 GeV, with a mass difference between the top squark and the neutralino in a window of 30 GeV around the mass of the top quark, are excluded for the first time with CMS data. The results of theses searches are also interpreted in an alternative signal model of dark matter production via a spin-0 mediator in association with a top quark pair. Upper limits are set on the cross section for mediator particle masses of up to 420 GeV

Search for lepton-flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson in the mu tau and e tau final states in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for lepton-flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson to mu t and et. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant excess has been found, and the results are interpreted in terms of upper limits on lepton-flavor violating branching fractions of the Higgs boson. The observed (expected) upper limits on the branching fractions are, respectively, B(H -> mu t) e tau) < 0.22(0.16)% at 95% confidence level.Peer reviewe

Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe

Probing effective field theory operators in the associated production of top quarks with a Z boson in multilepton final states at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe