Velocity-space sensitivity of the time-of-flight neutron spectrometer at JET

The velocity-space sensitivities of fast-ion diagnostics are often described by so-called weight functions. Recently, we formulated weight functions showing the velocity-space sensitivity of the often dominant beam-target part of neutron energy spectra. These weight functions for neutron emission spectrometry (NES) are independent of the particular NES diagnostic. Here we apply these NES weight functions to the time-of-flight spectrometer TOFOR at JET. By taking the instrumental response function of TOFOR into account, we calculate time-of-flight NES weight functions that enable us to directly determine the velocity-space sensitivity of a given part of a measured time-of-flight spectrum from TOFOR

Genome-Wide Association Study in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Identifies Novel Loci Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BRCA1-associated breast and ovarian cancer risks can be modified by common genetic variants. To identify further cancer risk-modifying loci, we performed a multi-stage GWAS of 11,705 BRCA1 carriers (of whom 5,920 were diagnosed with breast and 1,839 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer), with a further replication in an additional sample of 2,646 BRCA1 carriers. We identified a novel breast cancer risk modifier locus at 1q32 for BRCA1 carriers (rs2290854, P = 2.7×10-8, HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). In addition, we identified two novel ovarian cancer risk modifier loci: 17q21.31 (rs17631303, P = 1.4×10-8, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38) and 4q32.3 (rs4691139, P = 3.4×10-8, HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38). The 4q32.3 locus was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the general population or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting a BRCA1-specific associat

Relationship of edge localized mode burst times with divertor flux loop signal phase in JET

A phase relationship is identified between sequential edge localized modes (ELMs) occurrence times in a set of H-mode tokamak plasmas to the voltage measured in full flux azimuthal loops in the divertor region. We focus on plasmas in the Joint European Torus where a steady H-mode is sustained over several seconds, during which ELMs are observed in the Be II emission at the divertor. The ELMs analysed arise from intrinsic ELMing, in that there is no deliberate intent to control the ELMing process by external means. We use ELM timings derived from the Be II signal to perform direct time domain analysis of the full flux loop VLD2 and VLD3 signals, which provide a high cadence global measurement proportional to the voltage induced by changes in poloidal magnetic flux. Specifically, we examine how the time interval between pairs of successive ELMs is linked to the time-evolving phase of the full flux loop signals. Each ELM produces a clear early pulse in the full flux loop signals, whose peak time is used to condition our analysis. The arrival time of the following ELM, relative to this pulse, is found to fall into one of two categories: (i) prompt ELMs, which are directly paced by the initial response seen in the flux loop signals; and (ii) all other ELMs, which occur after the initial response of the full flux loop signals has decayed in amplitude. The times at which ELMs in category (ii) occur, relative to the first ELM of the pair, are clustered at times when the instantaneous phase of the full flux loop signal is close to its value at the time of the first ELM

Shrinking Hydrogel-DNA Spots Generates 3D Microdots Arrays

International audienceThis report describes a straightforward approach for the achievement of sub-100 micrometers size hydrogel dots supporting DNA immobilization. Hydrogel-DNA spots are arrayed and UV-crosslinked on PolyShrink, an innovative polymer material having the remarkable property of isotropically shrinking under high temperature. Curing the microarray enables then spot miniaturization, resulting in 6 mu m thick and 60 mu m wide hydrogel dots in which oligonucleotides are immobilized in a 3D hydrophilic environment. The probe immobilization within the hydrogel network and its capacity to detect targets specifically and quantitatively is demonstrated using chemiluminescent as well as colorimetric detection techniques. The hydrogel material improves probe accessibility within the spot, leading to an enhanced sensitivity

Robust, high-throughput solution for blood group genotyping.

International audienceWith the concomitant increase of blood transfusions and safety rules, there is a growing need to integrate high-throughput and multiparametric assays within blood qualification centers. Using a robust and automated solution, we describe a new method for extended blood group genotyping (HiFi-Blood 96) bringing together the throughput possibilities of complete automation and the microarray multiplexed analysis potential. Our approach provides a useful resource for upgrading blood qualification center facilities. A set of six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with clinically important blood group antigens (Kell, Kidd, Duffy, and MNS systems) were selected and the corresponding genotyping assays developed. A panel of 293 blood samples was used to validate the approach. The resulting genotypes were compared to phenotypes previously determined by standard serologic techniques, and excellent correlations were found for five SNPs out of six. For the Kell, Kidd, Duffy, and MNS3/MNS4 systems, high matching percentages of 100%, 98.9%, 97.7%, and 97.4% were obtained, respectively, whereas a concordance percentage of 83.3% only was attained for the MNS1/MNS2 polymorphism

Multiplexed immunoassay for the rapid detection of anti-tumor-associated antigens antibodies.

International audienceTAAs (tumor-associated antigens) microarrays were designed to detect auto-antibodies directly in patient sera. Twelve different probes were chosen according to their described occurrence in cancer pathologies (Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1, Complement factor H, c-myc, IMP1, p53, p62, survivin, Her2/neu, Koc, NY-ESO-1 and PSA). Microarrays of these 12 proteins were immobilized within the nitrocellulose/cellulose acetate membrane of a 96-well filtering microtiter plate bottom. The captured auto-antibodies were detected using a staining approach based on alkaline phosphatase labeling. Thus, the presence of specific auto-antibodies in samples was visualized through the positive staining of the corresponding TAA spots. The TAA HiFi microarrays were shown to be able to capture specific purified anti-TAA antibodies. In real samples, 9 proteins from the 12 TAAs panel were shown to generate specific signal and 5 antigens (p53, NY-ESO-1, IMP1, cyclin B1 and c-myc) were shown to have interaction with more than 10% of the positive sera from cancer patients. This protein subpanel was proven to be able to detect 72.2% of the cancer patients tested (within a 34 panel of 18 patients and 16 healthy donors)

The intermediate polar cataclysmic variable GK Persei 120 years after the nova explosion: a first dynamical mass study

Contains fulltext : 238312.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access

Associação entre larvas de Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) e Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) e Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Calliphoridae, Diptera) sob condições de laboratório Association between Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) larvae (Calliphoridae, Diptera), under laboratory conditions

<abstract language="eng">This paper intends to recognize some aspects of interspecific relationships between Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and C. albiceps (Wiedemann) and between C. megacephala and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) larvae in laboratory. A diet consisting of decomposing horse flesh was used, and the relation of 1 larva/g diet was established. The development of the two species was done in pure and associated cultures. The association with Chrysomya albiceps influenced the post-embrionary development period and the weight of mature larvae of the C. megacephala, reducing their. Such weight decrease, along with the predation of larvae of C. megacephala larvae, yelded a decrease in survival in all of the stages. Larvae of this species showed an increase in its weight when associated with Cochliomyia macellaria. The native species responded to the association by reducing its body weigth and its viability. This association doesnt influence the duration of post-embrionary development