Transplantation of progenitor cells and regeneration enhancement in acute myocardial infarction - (TOPCARE-AMI)

Background - Experimental studies suggest that transplantation of blood-derived or bone marrow–derived progenitor cells beneficially affects postinfarction remodeling. The safety and feasibility of autologous progenitor cell transplantation in patients with ischemic heart disease is unknown

Magnetic excitations in Dy/Y superlattices as seen via inelastic neutron scattering

Measurements of the spin excitations propagating normal to the interfaces in Dy/Y superlattices using neutron inelastic scattering are presented. For a given magnon momentum, a neutron-scattering spectrum shows multiple peaks at different energies, which indicates discrete energy spectra. The results are compared with theoretical calculations developed here to describe magnetic excitations in rare-earth superlattices. The theory accounts for Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) and Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interactions in incommensurate helicoidal structures and achieves a quantitative agreement with the experimental data. This work demonstrates that neutron inelastic scattering can be used for systematic studies of the exchange interactions and spin dynamics in nanomagnetic systems over wide areas of the Brillouin zone

Diversity of Foliar Phytophthora Species on Rhododendron in Oregon Nurseries

The genus Phytophthora contains some of the most notorious plant pathogens affecting nursery crops. Given the recent emergence of the sudden oak death pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, particularly in association with Rhododendron spp., characterization of Phytophthora communities associated with this host in nursery environments is prudent. Many taxa may present symptoms similar to P. ramorum but we do not necessarily know their identity, frequency, and importance. Here, we present a survey of Phytophthora taxa observed from seven nurseries in the U.S. state of Oregon. Incidence and diversity of Phytophthora communities differed significantly among nurseries and among seasons within nursery. The taxa P. syringae and P. plurivora were widespread and detected at most of the nurseries sampled. Nine other taxa were also detected but were found either in a single nursery or were shared among only a few nurseries. Characterization of the Phytophthora communities present in nurseries is an important step toward understanding the ecology of these organisms as well as an aid to nursery managers in determining what risks may be present when symptomatic plants are observed. This study builds on an increasing literature, which characterizes Phytophthora community structure in nurseries.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by American Phytopathological Society and can be found at: http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/loi/pdi

Crystal Phase Transitions in the Shell of PbS CdS Core Shell Nanocrystals Influences Photoluminescence Intensity

ABSTRACT We reveal the existence of two different crystalline phases, i.e., the metastable rock salt and the equilibrium zinc blende phase within the CdS shell of PbS CdS core shell nanocrystals formed by cationic exchange. The chemical composition profile of the core shell nanocrystals with different dimensions is determined by means of anomalous small angle X ray scattering with subnanometer resolution and is compared to X ray diffraction analysis. We demonstrate that the photoluminescence emission of PbS nanocrystals can be drastically enhanced by the formation of a CdS shell. Especially, the ratio of the two crystalline phases in the shell significantly influences the photoluminescence enhancement. The highest emission was achieved for chemically pure CdS shells below 1 nm thickness with a dominant metastable rock salt phase fraction matching the crystal structure of the PbS core. The metastable phase fraction decreases with increasing shell thickness and increasing Exchange times. The photoluminescence intensity depicts a constant decrease with decreasing metastable rock salt phase fraction but Shows an abrupt drop for shells above 1.3 nm thickness. We relate this effect to two different transition mechanisms for changing from the metastable rock salt phase to the equilibrium zinc blende phase depending on the shell thicknes

Transitions between Inherent Structures in Water

The energy landscape approach has been useful to help understand the dynamic properties of supercooled liquids and the connection between these properties and thermodynamics. The analysis in numerical models of the inherent structure (IS) trajectories -- the set of local minima visited by the liquid -- offers the possibility of filtering out the vibrational component of the motion of the system on the potential energy surface and thereby resolving the slow structural component more efficiently. Here we report an analysis of an IS trajectory for a widely-studied water model, focusing on the changes in hydrogen bond connectivity that give rise to many IS separated by relatively small energy barriers. We find that while the system \emph{travels} through these IS, the structure of the bond network continuously modifies, exchanging linear bonds for bifurcated bonds and usually reversing the exchange to return to nearly the same initial configuration. For the 216 molecule system we investigate, the time scale of these transitions is as small as the simulation time scale ($\approx 1$ fs). Hence for water, the transitions between each of these IS is relatively small and eventual relaxation of the system occurs only by many of these transitions. We find that during IS changes, the molecules with the greatest displacements move in small ``clusters'' of 1-10 molecules with displacements of $\approx 0.02-0.2$ nm, not unlike simpler liquids. However, for water these clusters appear to be somewhat more branched than the linear ``string-like'' clusters formed in a supercooled Lennar d-Jones system found by Glotzer and her collaborators.Comment: accepted in PR

First Report of Phytophthora occultans Causing Root and Collar Rot on Ceanothus, Boxwood, Rhododendron, and Other Hosts in Horticultural Nurseries in Oregon, USA

Dead and dying Ceanothus sanguineus, C. velutinus, and C. integerrimus plants grown in a native plant nursery in Oregon for landscape restoration were reported in 2011. Plants were wilted with stem lesions above necrotic roots. Using selective media (Hansen et al. 2012), twelve similar Phytophthora isolates were obtained. DNA sequences of the cox 1, β tubulin, and the rDNA ITS regions were generated (Hansen et al. 2012). All isolates had identical ITS sequences (GenBank KP742989), and were identical to Phytophthora occultans (Man in’t Veld et al. 2014) (JX978155) and 99% similar to P. himalsilva (HM752784) in a BLAST analysis. They were also identical to P. occultans in cox 1 and β tubulin (KR028484 and KR028483). Isolates were homothallic, with smooth 30-µm-diameter oogonia, and slightly aplerotic oospores. Antheridia were mostly paragynous. Colonies were stellate on carrot agar, growing 6 to 7 mm/d at optimum temperature (25°C). Sporangia were ovoid to irregular and papillate. Morphology and growth were consistent with P. occultans. Collections of unidentified Phytophthora spp. from the OSU Plant Clinic and from other Oregon nurseries (J. Parke et al. 2014) revealed additional isolates with similar morphology and identical DNA sequences. P. occultans was identified from boxwood (Buxus spp.), rhododendron, Gaultheria shallon, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Mahonia nervosa in addition to Ceanothus spp. Two inoculation trials were conducted: (i) Healthy 1-year-old plants of C. sanguineus and C. velutinus were stem wound inoculated with two isolates of P. occultans from Ceanothus, or with sterile agar. There were 3 to 5 replications for each host and the control. The test was repeated with addition of two isolates from boxwood. (ii) Boxwood (B. sempervirens) and rhododendron (R. catawbiense Alba) were stem wound inoculated with two isolates each of P. occultans from Ceanothus and boxwood. There were four replications of each host for each isolate. All plants were incubated at 20 to 22°C. In test 1, all isolates induced stem lesions and wilting on all inoculated plants of both Ceanothus species. Wilting began in 14 days and lesions, measured at 19 days, averaged about 150 mm. There were no symptoms on control plants. In test 2, lesions developed on rhododendron stems, often girdling the stem within 12 days. Most boxwood showed no foliar symptoms or only mild yellowing, although stem lesions averaging 3.5 cm in 7 weeks were present on all plants. P. occultans was reisolated from all hosts in both tests. P. occultans was recently described from Buxus nursery stock in The Netherlands (Man in’t Veld et al. 2014), and isolates with identical DNA sequences were reported from Germany and Romania (Nechwatal et al. 2014). This is the first report from North America. It appears that a single clone of P. occultans recently has been spread widely in the nursery trade. P. occultans is similar to P. himalsilva (Vettraino et al. 2011) and to other members of the poorly defined P. citrophthora clade. Phylogenetic analysis may revise species definitions. Nursery plants grown for wildland restoration are at high risk to carry exotic Phytophthora species into vulnerable landscapes. Forest restoration specialists must demand healthy stock from nurseries

Dye molecules in electrolytes: new approach for suppression of dye-desorption in dye-sensitized solar cells

The widespread commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells remains limited because of the poor long-term stability. We report on the influence of dye-molecules added in liquid electrolyte on long-term stability of dye-sensitized solar cells. Dye-desorption from the TiO2 surface during long-term cycling is one of the decisive factors that degrade photocurrent densities of devices which in turn determine the efficiencies of the devices. For the first time, desorption of dye from the TiO2 surface could be suppressed by controlling thermodynamic equilibrium; by addition of dye molecules in the electrolyte. The dye molecules in the electrolyte can suppress the driving forces for the adsorbed dye molecules to be desorbed from TiO2 nanoparticles. As a result, highly enhanced device stabilities were achieved due to the reduction of dye-desorption although there was a little decrease in the initial efficiencies.open4

Commissioning of inline ECE system within waveguide based ECRH transmission systems on ASDEX upgrade

A CW capable inline electron cyclotron emission (ECE) separation system for feedback control, featuring oversized corrugated waveguides, is commissioned on ASDEX upgrade (AUG). The system is based on a combination of a polarization independent, non-resonant, Mach-Zehnder diplexer equipped with dielectric plate beam splitters [2, 3] employed as corrugated oversized waveguide filter, and a resonant Fast Directional Switch, FADIS [4, 5, 6, 7] as ECE/ECCD separation system. This paper presents an overview of the system, the low power characterisation tests and first high power commissioning on AUG

An update on the management of sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis: A European Consensus Initiative between Sarcoma PAtients EuroNet (SPAEN) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group (STBSG)

Desmoid-type fibromatosis is a rare and locally aggressive monoclonal, fibroblastic proliferation characterized by a variable and often unpredictable clinical course. Currently, there is no established or evidence-based treatment approach available for this disease. Therefore, in 2015 the European Desmoid Working Group published a position paper giving recommendations on the treatment of this intriguing disease. Here, we present an update of this consensus approach based on professionals' AND patients' expertise following a round table meeting bringing together sarcoma experts from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group with patients and patient advocates from Sarcoma PAtients EuroNet. In this paper, we focus on new findings regarding the prognostic value of mutational analysis in desmoid-type fibromatosis patients and new systemic treatment options