GPI Spectra of HR8799 C, D, and E in H-K Bands with KLIP Forward Modeling

We demonstrate KLIP forward modeling spectral extraction on Gemini Planet Imager coronagraphic data of HR8799, using PyKLIP. We report new and re-reduced spectrophotometry of HR8799 c, d, and e from H-K bands. We discuss a strategy for choosing optimal KLIP PSF subtraction parameters by injecting fake sources and recovering them over a range of parameters. The K1/K2 spectra for planets c and d are similar to previously published results from the same dataset. We also present a K band spectrum of HR8799e for the first time and show that our H-band spectra agree well with previously published spectra from the VLT/SPHERE instrument. We compare planets c, d, and e with M, L, and T-type field objects. All objects are consistent with low gravity mid-to-late L dwarfs, however, a lack of standard spectra for low gravity late L-type objects lead to poor fit for gravity. We place our results in context of atmospheric models presented in previous publications and discuss differences in the spectra of the three planets

The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement:208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder

Background: Misconceptions about ADHD stigmatize affected people, reduce credibility of providers, and prevent/delay treatment. To challenge misconceptions, we curated findings with strong evidence base. Methods: We reviewed studies with more than 2000 participants or meta-analyses from five or more studies or 2000 or more participants. We excluded meta-analyses that did not assess publication bias, except for meta-analyses of prevalence. For network meta-analyses we required comparison adjusted funnel plots. We excluded treatment studies with waiting-list or treatment as usual controls. From this literature, we extracted evidence-based assertions about the disorder. Results: We generated 208 empirically supported statements about ADHD. The status of the included statements as empirically supported is approved by 80 authors from 27 countries and 6 continents. The contents of the manuscript are endorsed by 366 people who have read this document and agree with its contents. Conclusions: Many findings in ADHD are supported by meta-analysis. These allow for firm statements about the nature, course, outcome causes, and treatments for disorders that are useful for reducing misconceptions and stigma.</p

Microarray analysis and scale-free gene networks identify candidate regulators in drought-stressed roots of loblolly pine (P. taeda L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Global transcriptional analysis of loblolly pine (<it>Pinus taeda </it>L.) is challenging due to limited molecular tools. PtGen2, a 26,496 feature cDNA microarray, was fabricated and used to assess drought-induced gene expression in loblolly pine propagule roots. Statistical analysis of differential expression and weighted gene correlation network analysis were used to identify drought-responsive genes and further characterize the molecular basis of drought tolerance in loblolly pine.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Microarrays were used to interrogate root cDNA populations obtained from 12 genotype × treatment combinations (four genotypes, three watering regimes). Comparison of drought-stressed roots with roots from the control treatment identified 2445 genes displaying at least a 1.5-fold expression difference (false discovery rate = 0.01). Genes commonly associated with drought response in pine and other plant species, as well as a number of abiotic and biotic stress-related genes, were up-regulated in drought-stressed roots. Only 76 genes were identified as differentially expressed in drought-recovered roots, indicating that the transcript population can return to the pre-drought state within 48 hours. Gene correlation analysis predicts a scale-free network topology and identifies eleven co-expression modules that ranged in size from 34 to 938 members. Network topological parameters identified a number of central nodes (hubs) including those with significant homology (E-values ≤ 2 × 10^-30) to 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, zeatin O-glucosyltransferase, and ABA-responsive protein. Identified hubs also include genes that have been associated previously with osmotic stress, phytohormones, enzymes that detoxify reactive oxygen species, and several genes of unknown function.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PtGen2 was used to evaluate transcriptome responses in loblolly pine and was leveraged to identify 2445 differentially expressed genes responding to severe drought stress in roots. Many of the genes identified are known to be up-regulated in response to osmotic stress in pine and other plant species and encode proteins involved in both signal transduction and stress tolerance. Gene expression levels returned to control values within a 48-hour recovery period in all but 76 transcripts. Correlation network analysis indicates a scale-free network topology for the pine root transcriptome and identifies central nodes that may serve as drivers of drought-responsive transcriptome dynamics in the roots of loblolly pine.</p

Image-guided surgery for tumor agnostic detection of solid tumors using the pH-activated micellar imaging agent ONM-100.

3068Background: ONM-100, a micelle-based polymer imaging agent conjugated to indocyanine green (ICG) and with an exquisitely pH-sensitive binary activation mechanism, may be used for tumor detection. ONM-100 micelles dissociate in acidic environments resulting in activation of the fluorescent ICG tag. As nearly all solid cancer types are acidotic, ONM-100 has the potential to act as a broadly indicated tumor agnostic imaging agent. This first-in-human study investigates the safety and feasibility of ONM-100 as a tumor agnostic imaging agent for intra-operative fluorescent imaging of various solid tumors. Methods: ONM-100 was IV administered 24±8h prior to surgery in a dose escalation scheme (0.1-1.2mg/kg). Patients with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer (BC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), colorectal cancer (CRC) and esophageal cancer (EC) were included. Blood was drawn to assess safety and pharmacokinetic data. Intra-operative fluorescence images were collected before and after tumor excision. Post-excision fluorescence images were obtained from serially sliced specimens and correlated with standard histopathological assessment. Results: 30 patients (11 BC, 13 HNSCC, 3 EC, 3 CRC) were enrolled. No ONM-100 related serious adverse events were observed and the agent was well-tolerated. A strong and sharply demarcated fluorescent signal was observed in all patients with vital tumor tissue (median CNR ranging 1.85-14.05) which correlated with tumor on final histopathology. HNSCC and superficially located BC as well as peritoneal metastasis could be clearly visualized in vivo during surgery. In four patients (BC and HNSCC), perioperatively, tumors otherwise unnoticed by the surgeons were detected on the margin or wound bed using fluorescence imaging. Additionally, two BC tumor lesions were detected that were missed by conventional pre-operative imaging and pathological assessment. Conclusions: ONM-100 appears to be safe and enables fluorescent visualization of tumors both in vivo and ex vivo. The first-in-human data demonstrate the feasibility for potential use of ONM-100 for image guided surgery, margin assessment and detection of occult disease. Clinical trial information: NTR 7085

Gemini planet imager observational calibrations VII: on-sky polarimetric performance of the Gemini planet imager

We present on-sky polarimetric observations with the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) obtained at straight Cassegrain focus on the Gemini South 8-m telescope. Observations of polarimetric calibrator stars, ranging from nearly unpolarized to strongly polarized, enable determination of the combined telescope and instrumental polarization. We find the conversion of Stokes $I$ to linear and circular instrumental polarization in the instrument frame to be $I \rightarrow (Q_{\rm IP}, U_{\rm IP}, P_{\rm IP}, V_{\rm IP}) = (-0.037 \pm 0.010\%, +0.4338 \pm 0.0075\%, 0.4354 \pm 0.0075\%, -6.64 \pm 0.56\%)$. Such precise measurement of instrumental polarization enables $\sim 0.1\%$ absolute accuracy in measurements of linear polarization, which together with GPI's high contrast will allow GPI to explore scattered light from circumstellar disk in unprecedented detail, conduct observations of a range of other astronomical bodies, and potentially even study polarized thermal emission from young exoplanets. Observations of unpolarized standard stars also let us quantify how well GPI's differential polarimetry mode can suppress the stellar PSF halo. We show that GPI polarimetry achieves cancellation of unpolarized starlight by factors of 100-200, reaching the photon noise limit for sensitivity to circumstellar scattered light for all but the smallest separations at which the calibration for instrumental polarization currently sets the limit.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of the SPIE, 9147-30

Oral fingolimod or intramuscular interferon for relapsing multiple sclerosis

Fingolimod (FTY720), a sphingosine-1-phosphate-receptor modulator that prevents lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes, showed clinical efficacy and improvement on imaging in a phase 2 study involving patients with multiple sclerosis