Instability of supersymmetric microstate geometries

We investigate the classical stability of supersymmetric, asymptotically flat, microstate geometries with five non-compact dimensions. Such geometries admit an "evanescent ergosurface": a timelike hypersurface of infinite redshift. On such a surface, there are null geodesics with zero energy relative to infinity. These geodesics are stably trapped in the potential well near the ergosurface. We present a heuristic argument indicating that this feature is likely to lead to a nonlinear instability of these solutions. We argue that the precursor of such an instability can be seen in the behaviour of linear perturbations: nonlinear stability would require that all linear perturbations decay sufficiently rapidly but the stable trapping implies that some linear perturbation decay very slowly. We study this in detail for the most symmetric microstate geometries. By constructing quasinormal modes of these geometries we show that generic linear perturbations decay slower than any inverse power of time.This work was supported by European Research Council grant ERC-2011-StG279363-HiDGR.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP10(2016)03

Laparoscopic repair of vaginal vault prolapse by lateral suspension with mesh

Background: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic lateral suspension using mesh reinforcement for symptomatic posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Materials and methods: We analyzed in a prospective cohort study all the women treated by laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh for symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse between January 2004 and September 2010. In this procedure, the mesh is laterally suspended to the abdominal wall, posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine. We performed systematic follow-up examinations at 4weeks, 6months and yearly postoperatively. Clinical evaluation of pelvic organ support was assessed by the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) grading system. Main outcome measures were recurrence rate, reoperation rate for symptomatic recurrence or de novo prolapse, mesh erosion rate, reoperation rate for mesh erosion, total reoperation rate. Observations and results: Of the 73 patients seen at a mean 17.5months follow-up, recurrent vaginal vault prolapse was registered in only one woman (success rate of 98.6%). When considering all vaginal sites, we observed a total of 13 patients with recurrent or de novo prolapse (17.8%). The non-previously treated posterior compartment was involved in eight cases (new appearance rate of 11%). Of these 13 women, only 6 were symptomatic, requiring surgical management (reoperation rate for genital prolapse of 8.2%). Four patients presented with mesh erosion into the vagina (5.5%). Two required partial vaginal excision of the mesh in the operating room (2.7%). There were no mesh-related infections. The total reoperation rate was 11%. Conclusion: Laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh interposition is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. This approach represents an alternative procedure to the laparoscopic sacrocolpopex

Incidence and risk factors for reoperation of surgically treated pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis: The objective of our study was to estimate the incidence and to identify the risk factors for reoperation of surgically treated pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study among 1,811 women who underwent POP surgery from January 1988 to June 2007. Cases (n = 102) were women who required reoperation for POP following the first intervention through December 2008. Controls (n = 226) were women randomly selected from the same cohort who did not require reoperation. Results: The incidence of POP reoperation was 5.1 per 1,000 women-years. The cumulative incidence was 5.6%. Risk factors included preoperative prolapse in more than two vaginal compartments (adjusted OR 5.2; 95% CI 2.8-9.7), history of surgery for POP and/or urinary incontinence (adjusted OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.5-7.1), and sexual activity (adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0-3.7). Conclusions: The risk of POP reoperation is relatively low and is associated with preexisting weakness of pelvic tissue

Stoichiometries of U2AF35, U2AF65 and U2 snRNP reveal new early spliceosome assembly pathways

The selection of 3' splice sites (3?ss) is an essential early step in mammalian RNA splicing reactions, but the processes involved are unknown. We have used single molecule methods to test whether the major components implicated in selection, the proteins U2AF35 and U2AF65 and the U2 snRNP, are able to recognize alternative candidate sites or are restricted to one pre-specified site. In the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), all three components bind in a 1:1 stoichiometry with a 3?ss. Pre-mRNA molecules with two alternative 3?ss can be bound concurrently by two molecules of U2AF or two U2 snRNPs, so none of the components are restricted. However, concurrent occupancy inhibits splicing. Stoichiometric binding requires conditions consistent with coalescence of the 5? and 3? sites in a complex (I, initial), but if this cannot form the components show unrestricted and stochastic association. In the absence of ATP, when complex E forms, U2 snRNP association is unrestricted. However, if protein dephosphorylation is prevented, an I-like complex forms with stoichiometric association of U2 snRNPs and the U2 snRNA is base-paired to the pre-mRNA. Complex I differs from complex A in that the formation of complex A is associated with the loss of U2AF65 and 3

Eotaxin-1 (CCL11) up-regulation in tears during seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Purpose: To compare in-season eotaxin-1 levels in tears of patients suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) with (1) tears of normal subjects and (2) tears of SAC patients out of season. Methods: Tears of 11 SAC patients and six control volunteers were collected during the pollen season. Tears of five SAC patients showing a strong sensitivity to grass pollen (skin-prick tests and specific serum IgE) were collected both in season and out of season. ELISA measured eotaxin-1 level. Results: Eotaxin-1 concentration in tears of SAC patients [2,100±503 (SEM)pg/ml] and normal subjects (1,193±176pg/ml) were significantly different (P=0.0049). Regarding allergic patients, the clinical score (sum of five allergic criteria) was significantly different in season and out of season (P=0.0043) as was also the case with eotaxin-1 concentration (P=0.024). Conclusions: The eotaxin-1 concentration in tears of patients showing hay fever could confirm a diagnosis of seasonal ocular allerg

Infrared Solution‐Processed Quantum Dot Solar Cells Reaching External Quantum Efficiency of 80% at 1.35 µm and Jsc in Excess of 34 mA cm−2

Developing low‐cost photovoltaic absorbers that can harvest the short‐wave infrared (SWIR) part of the solar spectrum, which remains unharnessed by current Si‐based and perovskite photovoltaic technologies, is a prerequisite for making high‐efficiency, low‐cost tandem solar cells. Here, infrared PbS colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells employing a hybrid inorganic–organic ligand exchange process that results in an external quantum efficiency of 80% at 1.35 µm are reported, leading to a short‐circuit current density of 34 mA cm−2 and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 7.9%, which is a current record for SWIR CQD solar cells. When this cell is placed at the back of an MAPbI3 perovskite film, it delivers an extra 3.3% PCE by harnessing light beyond 750 nm.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Vaccination recommendations for adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases

BACKGROUND: The number of individuals with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) treated with immunosuppressive drugs is increasing steadily. The variety of immunosuppressive drugs and, in particular, biological therapies is also rising. The immunosuppressants, as well as the AIIRD itself, increase the risk of infection in this population. Thus, preventing infections by means of vaccination is of utmost importance. New Swiss vaccination recommendations for AIIRD patients were initiated by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and prepared by a working group of the Federal Commission for Vaccination Issues as well as by consultation of international experts. METHODS: A literature search was performed in electronic databases (Cochrane, Medline, PubMed, Embase). In addition, unpublished literature was identified through a targeted website search of relevant organisations and international conferences dealing with vaccination, infectious diseases and rheumatology. RESULTS: Although data are scarce, the following main points were retrieved from the literature. Inactivated vaccines are safe, but their immunogenicity may be reduced in AIIRD patients, especially if they are under immunosuppressive therapy. Rituximab and abatacept appear to reduce significantly immune responses after vaccination. Live vaccines are generally contraindicated under immunosuppressive therapy owing to safety concerns. Specific exceptions, as well as time intervals for the administration of live vaccines after interruption of an immunosuppressive therapy, have been formulated in this article. CONCLUSION: More evidence regarding the immunogenicity and safety of vaccinations in AIIRD patients under various therapies is needed. Vaccination recommendations should be updated on a regular basis, as more scientific data will become available