Alien Registration- Dallaire, Joseph E. (Lewiston, Androscoggin County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/29591/thumbnail.jp

General quasi-non-spreading linear three-dimensional wave-packets

We introduce a general approach for generation of sets of three-dimensional quasi-non-spreading wavepackets propagating in linear media, also referred to as linear light bullets. The spectrum of rigorously non-spreading wavepackets in media with anomalous group velocity dispersion is localized on the surface of a sphere, thus drastically restricting the possible wavepacket shapes. However, broadening slightly the spectrum affords the generation of a large variety of quasi-non-spreading distributions featuring complex topologies and shapes in space and time that are of interest in different areas, such as biophysics or nanosurgery. Here we discuss the method and show several illustrative examples of its potential.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Optics Letter

Nanoengineered Astronomical Optics

We describe a technology for the fabrication of inexpensive and versatile mirrors through the use of a new type of nanoengineered optical material composed by the spreading of a self-assembling reflective colloidal film spread at the surface of a liquid. These new reflecting liquids offer interesting possibilities for astronomical instrumentation. For example, they can replace mercury in conventional rotating liquid mirrors. The main advantages offered include extremely low cost and, by coating a viscous liquid, the possibility of tilting the mirror by a few tens of degrees. We also have coated ferromagnetic liquids with these reflecting films. The resulting surfaces can be shaped by the application of a magnetic field, yielding reflecting surfaces that can have complicated shapes that can rapidly shift with time. These inexpensive and versatile optical elements could have numerous scientific and technological applications. Among possible astronomical applications, they could be used to make large inexpensive adaptive mirrors exhibiting strokes ranging from nanometers to several millimeters.Comment: Submitted to Astrophysical Journal Letters. 18 pages, 4 figure

Definition of the zebrafish genome using flow cytometry and cytogenetic mapping

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The zebrafish (<it>Danio rerio</it>) is an important vertebrate model organism system for biomedical research. The syntenic conservation between the zebrafish and human genome allows one to investigate the function of human genes using the zebrafish model. To facilitate analysis of the zebrafish genome, genetic maps have been constructed and sequence annotation of a reference zebrafish genome is ongoing. However, the duplicative nature of teleost genomes, including the zebrafish, complicates accurate assembly and annotation of a representative genome sequence. Cytogenetic approaches provide "anchors" that can be integrated with accumulating genomic data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we cytogenetically define the zebrafish genome by first estimating the size of each linkage group (LG) chromosome using flow cytometry, followed by the cytogenetic mapping of 575 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones onto metaphase chromosomes. Of the 575 BAC clones, 544 clones localized to apparently unique chromosomal locations. 93.8% of these clones were assigned to a specific LG chromosome location using fluorescence <it>in situ </it>hybridization (FISH) and compared to the LG chromosome assignment reported in the zebrafish genome databases. Thirty-one BAC clones localized to multiple chromosomal locations in several different hybridization patterns. From these data, a refined second generation probe panel for each LG chromosome was also constructed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The chromosomal mapping of the 575 large-insert DNA clones allows for these clones to be integrated into existing zebrafish mapping data. An accurately annotated zebrafish reference genome serves as a valuable resource for investigating the molecular basis of human diseases using zebrafish mutant models.</p

A cardinal role for cathepsin D in co-ordinating the host-mediated apoptosis of macrophages and killing of pneumococci

The bactericidal function of macrophages against pneumococci is enhanced by their apoptotic demise, which is controlled by the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. Here, we show that lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and cytosolic translocation of activated cathepsin D occur prior to activation of a mitochondrial pathway of macrophage apoptosis. Pharmacological inhibition or knockout of cathepsin D during pneumococcal infection blocked macrophage apoptosis. As a result of cathepsin D activation, Mcl-1 interacted with its ubiquitin ligase Mule and expression declined. Inhibition of cathepsin D had no effect on early bacterial killing but inhibited the late phase of apoptosis-associated killing of pneumococci in vitro. Mice bearing a cathepsin D-/- hematopoietic system demonstrated reduced macrophage apoptosis in vivo, with decreased clearance of pneumococci and enhanced recruitment of neutrophils to control pulmonary infection. These findings establish an unexpected role for a cathepsin D-mediated lysosomal pathway of apoptosis in pulmonary host defense and underscore the importance of apoptosis-associated microbial killing to macrophage function

Multicenter phase II study of brequinar sodium in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer

Eighty-six patients with advanced colorectal, gastric or pancreatic carcinoma and no prior exposure to chemotherapy were treated with brequinar sodium. Brequinar was administered at a median weekly dose of 1200 mg/m 2 intravenously. The toxicity was moderate, with thirty patients (35%) experiencing grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Objective responses were observed in 1/32 evaluable colorectal and 2/29 evaluable gastric carcinoma patients. There were no objective responses in 17 evaluable pancreatic cancer patients. We conclude that, at this dose and schedule, brequinar does not have sufficient activity in these gastrointestinal malignancies to warrant further evaluation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45168/1/10637_2004_Article_BF00873913.pd

The impact of child soldiers on rebel groups’ fighting capacities

Several rebel groups actively recruit children to serve among their ranks. While this constitutes one of the most egregious violations of children’s rights, it remains unclear what impact recruited children have on the fighting capacities of these armed groups. The existing research suggests that, on the one hand, armed groups drafting children might also be militarily effective, since it is cheaper to provide for children, they are more obedient and aggressive than adults, and easily manipulable. On the other hand, children may negatively affect rebel groups’ fighting capacities as they are less proficient combatants than adults and often difficult to control. We add to this debate by systematically analyzing the quantitative evidence on the impact of child soldiers on rebel groups’ fighting capacities. Based on the analysis of newly compiled data on child recruitment by rebel groups between 1989 and 2010, our analyses show that children may actually increase rebel groups’ fighting capacities. That said, rebels’ ability to procure arms and the access to resources seem to be more important determinants of fighting capacity. The authors discuss these findings in light of policy implications and avenues for future research. </jats:p

Fondamentaux des soins : un cadre et un processus pratique pour répondre aux besoins physiques, psychosociaux et relationnels des personnes soignées

Depuis 2008, un regroupement international soutient la promotion d’une meilleure réponse aux besoins fondamentaux des personnes soignées. Ce regroupement propose un cadre sur les fondamentaux des soins. Ce cadre est centré sur la relation entre l’infirmier, la personne soignée et ses proches ainsi que sur la réponse aux besoins physiques, psychosociaux et relationnels. Un processus pratique soutient l’application concrète de ce cadre. Le but de cet article discursif est de présenter la traduction française du cadre des fondamentaux des soins et de son processus pratique. Pour commencer, le processus de traduction sera brièvement expliqué. Ensuite, le cadre sur les fondamentaux des soins et les étapes de son processus pratique seront présentés. Afin de permettre une meilleure appropriation du contenu par le lecteur, une illustration clinique présente la situation de M. Perron, atteint d’une maladie d’Alzheimer, et de sa conjointe, qui est sa proche aidante. Enfin, la discussion aborde l’utilité du cadre des fondamentaux des soins et de son processus pratique au niveau des quatre grands axes de la discipline infirmière, soit la pratique, la gestion, la formation et la recherche. Cet article ouvre la voie au développement de connaissances sur les fondamentaux des soins au niveau de la francophonie

Measurement of χ c1 and χ c2 production with s√ = 7 TeV pp collisions at ATLAS

The prompt and non-prompt production cross-sections for the χ c1 and χ c2 charmonium states are measured in pp collisions at s√ = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC using 4.5 fb−1 of integrated luminosity. The χ c states are reconstructed through the radiative decay χ c → J/ψγ (with J/ψ → μ + μ −) where photons are reconstructed from γ → e + e − conversions. The production rate of the χ c2 state relative to the χ c1 state is measured for prompt and non-prompt χ c as a function of J/ψ transverse momentum. The prompt χ c cross-sections are combined with existing measurements of prompt J/ψ production to derive the fraction of prompt J/ψ produced in feed-down from χ c decays. The fractions of χ c1 and χ c2 produced in b-hadron decays are also measured