New Measurements of Fine-Scale CMB Polarization Power Spectra from CAPMAP at Both 40 and 90 GHz

We present new measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization from the final season of the Cosmic Anisotropy Polarization MAPper (CAPMAP). The data set was obtained in winter 2004-2005 with the 7 m antenna in Crawford Hill, New Jersey, from 12 W-band (84-100 GHz) and 4 Q-band (36-45 GHz) correlation polarimeters with 3.3' and 6.5' beamsizes, respectively. After selection criteria were applied, 956 (939) hours of data survived for analysis of W-band (Q-band) data. Two independent and complementary pipelines produced results in excellent agreement with each other. A broad suite of null tests as well as extensive simulations showed that systematic errors were minimal, and a comparison of the W-band and Q-band sky maps revealed no contamination from galactic foregrounds. We report the E-mode and B-mode power spectra in 7 bands in the range 200 < l < 3000, extending the range of previous measurements to higher l. The E-mode spectrum, which is detected at 11 sigma significance, is in agreement with cosmological predictions and with previous work at other frequencies and angular resolutions. The BB power spectrum provides one of the best limits to date on B-mode power at 4.8 uK^2 (95% confidence).Comment: 19 pages, 17 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Ap

Sulfur K-Edge XAS Studies of the Effect of DNA Binding on the [Fe_4S_4] Site in EndoIII and MutY

S K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was used to study the [Fe_4S_4] clusters in the DNA repair glycosylases EndoIII and MutY to evaluate the effects of DNA binding and solvation on Fe–S bond covalencies (i.e., the amount of S 3p character mixed into the Fe 3d valence orbitals). Increased covalencies in both iron–thiolate and iron–sulfide bonds would stabilize the oxidized state of the [Fe_4S_4] clusters. The results are compared to those on previously studied [Fe_4S_4] model complexes, ferredoxin (Fd), and to new data on high-potential iron–sulfur protein (HiPIP). A limited decrease in covalency is observed upon removal of solvent water from EndoIII and MutY, opposite to the significant increase observed for Fd, where the [Fe_4S_4] cluster is solvent exposed. Importantly, in EndoIII and MutY, a large increase in covalency is observed upon DNA binding, which is due to the effect of its negative charge on the iron–sulfur bonds. In EndoIII, this change in covalency can be quantified and makes a significant contribution to the observed decrease in reduction potential found experimentally in DNA repair proteins, enabling their HiPIP-like redox behavior

Combustion Modeling in Advanced Gas Turbine Systems

Goal of DOE`s Advanced Turbine Systems program is to develop and commercialize ultra-high efficiency, environmentally superior, cost competitive gas turbine systems for base-load applications in utility, independent power producer, and industrial markets. Primary objective of the program here is to develop a comprehensive combustion model for advanced gas turbine combustion systems using natural gas (coal gasification or biomass fuels). The efforts included code evaluation (PCGC-3), coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, laser Doppler anemometry, and laser-induced fluorescence

First measurements of the polarization of the cosmic microwave background radiation at small angular scales from CAPMAP

Polarization results from the Cosmic Anisotropy Polarization MAPper (CAPMAP) experiment are reported. These are based upon 433 hours, after cuts, observing a 2 square degree patch around the North Celestial Pole (NCP) with four 90 GHz correlation polarimeters coupled to optics defining 4\arcmin beams. The E-mode flat bandpower anisotropy within $\ell=940^{+330}_{-300}$ is measured as 66$^{+69}_{-29} \mu$K$^2$; the 95% Confidence level upper limit for B-mode power within $\ell=1050^{+590}_{-520}$ is measured as 38 $\mu$K$^2$.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; corrected formatting and comments of second version, identical in substance. In the first version the wrong concordance model was used, results (fit to multiplier to concordance model) and figures have been updated to the proper one. In the first version the central 68% regions were quoted, while now the 68% confidence intervals of highest posterior density are give

Assessment of a novel, capsid-modified adenovirus with an improved vascular gene transfer profile

&lt;p&gt;Background: Cardiovascular disorders, including coronary artery bypass graft failure and in-stent restenosis remain significant opportunities for the advancement of novel therapeutics that target neointimal hyperplasia, a characteristic of both pathologies. Gene therapy may provide a successful approach to improve the clinical outcome of these conditions, but would benefit from the development of more efficient vectors for vascular gene delivery. The aim of this study was to assess whether a novel genetically engineered Adenovirus could be utilised to produce enhanced levels of vascular gene expression.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Methods: Vascular transduction capacity was assessed in primary human saphenous vein smooth muscle and endothelial cells using vectors expressing the LacZ reporter gene. The therapeutic capacity of the vectors was compared by measuring smooth muscle cell metabolic activity and migration following infection with vectors that over-express the candidate therapeutic gene tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Results: Compared to Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5), the novel vector Ad5T*F35++ demonstrated improved binding and transduction of human vascular cells. Ad5T*F35++ mediated expression of TIMP-3 reduced smooth muscle cell metabolic activity and migration in vitro. We also demonstrated that in human serum samples pre-existing neutralising antibodies to Ad5T*F35++ were less prevalent than Ad5 neutralising antibodies.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Conclusions: We have developed a novel vector with improved vascular transduction and improved resistance to human serum neutralisation. This may provide a novel vector platform for human vascular gene transfer.&lt;/p&gt

X-ray Spectroscopic Study of the Electronic Structure of a Trigonal High-Spin Fe(IV)═O Complex Modeling Non-Heme Enzyme Intermediates and Their Reactivity

Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has long been used for the study of high-valent iron intermediates in biological and artificial catalysts. 4p-mixing into the 3d orbitals complicates the pre-edge analysis but when correctly understood via 1s2p resonant inelastic X-ray scattering and Fe L-edge XAS, it enables deeper insight into the geometric structure and correlates with the electronic structure and reactivity. This study shows that in addition to the 4p-mixing into the 3dz2 orbital due to the short iron-oxo bond, the loss of inversion in the equatorial plane leads to 4p mixing into the 3dx2-y2,xy, providing structural insight and allowing the distinction of 6- vs 5-coordinate active sites as shown through application to the Fe(IV)═O intermediate of taurine dioxygenase. Combined with O K-edge XAS, this study gives an unprecedented experimental insight into the electronic structure of Fe(IV)═O active sites and their selectivity for reactivity enabled by the π-pathway involving the 3dxz/yz orbitals. Finally, the large effect of spin polarization is experimentally assigned in the pre-edge (i.e., the α/β splitting) and found to be better modeled by multiplet simulations rather than by commonly used time-dependent density functional theory

The person-centred approach to an ageing society

Modern care is often based on investigations such as laboratory markers and imaging - for example, X-ray or ultrasound. The results contribute to a diagnosis and, if judged necessary, treatment is initiated. This diseased-oriented approach is the prevailing mode of management in modern medicine. In contrast, person-centered care (PCC) takes the point of departure from each person\ub4s subjective experience of illness and its impact on daily life. A patient is considered as a person with emotions and feelings. PCC is considered present within clinical care according to a definition articulated by the Centre for Person Centred Care at the University of Gothenburg (GPCC) when three core components are present: elicitation of a detailed patient narrative; formulated partnership between caregiver and patient and documentation of the partnership in the patient record. Accordingly, when there is an illness requiring care and the person is attended using these components, PCC is being applied. In most situations today, PCC is not applied in terms of the narrative and is not fully elicited or the partnership and/or the documentation are not included. It is proposed that the challenge to Society arising from changing demographics can be addressed by implementing PCC and creating an alternative to existing healthcare. The importance and benefits of such an approach on a wider scale is not yet clear as research has been limited to date. Studies in selected patient populations (heart failure and hip fractures), however, have shown promising results. As the population ages, there will be a dramatic increase in healthcare consumption. Even with technological developments, there will be a need for tremendous resources to be dedicated to care. A new organization and attitude from healthcare policymakers and providers above and beyond the present model appears required in order to respond to this demand. As part of such change, person-centred care, with the interaction between healthcare providers and the person of the patient, can facilitate, compensate and develop more effective healthcare services for the future

Do young adults with cancer receive information about treatment-related impact on sex life? Results from a population-based study

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is common following a cancer diagnosis in young adulthood (18-39 years) and problems related to sex life are ranked among the core concerns in this age group. Yet, few studies have investigated to what extent adults younger than 40, receive information from healthcare providers about the potential impact of cancer and its treatment on their sex life. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey study was conducted with 1010 young adults 1.5 years after being diagnosed with cancer (response rate 67%). Patients with breast, cervical, ovarian and testicular cancer, lymphoma, and brain tumors were identified in national quality registries. Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with receiving information were examined using multivariable binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Men to a higher extent than women reported having received information about potential cancer-related impact on their sex life (68% vs. 54%, p < 0.001). Receipt of information varied across diagnoses; in separate regression models, using lymphoma as reference, both women and men with brain tumors were less likely to receive information (women: OR 0.10, CI = 0.03-0.30; men: OR 0.37, CI = 0.16-0.85). More intensive treatment was associated with higher odds of receiving information in both women (OR 1.89; CI = 1.28-2.79) and men (OR 2.08; CI = 1.09-3.94). None of the sociodemographic factors were associated with receipt of information. CONCLUSIONS: To improve sexual health communication to young adults with cancer, we recommend diagnosis-specific routines that clarify when in the disease trajectory to discuss these issues with patients and what to address in these conversations

Detection and monitoring of human bocavirus 1 infection by a new rapid antigen test

Peer reviewe

Sulfur K-Edge XAS and DFT Calculations on [Fe4S4]2+Clusters: Effects of H-bonding and Structural Distortion on Covalency and SpinTopology

Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy of a hydrogen-bonded elongated [Fe{sub 4}S{sub 4}]{sup 2+} cube is reported. The data show that this synthetic cube is less covalent than a normal compressed cube with no hydrogen bonding. DFT calculations reveal that the observed difference in electronic structure has significant contributions from both the cluster distortion and from hydrogen bonding. The elongated and compressed Fe{sub 4}S{sub 4} structures are found to have different spin topologies (i.e., orientation of the delocalized Fe{sub 2}S{sub 2} subclusters which are antiferromagnetically coupled to each other). It is suggested that the H-bonding interaction with the counterion does not contribute to the cluster elongation. A magneto-structural correlation is developed for the Fe{sub 4}S{sub 4} cube that is used to identify the redoxactive Fe{sub 2}S{sub 2} subclusters in active sites of HiPIP and ferredoxin proteins involving these clusters