Empirical modelling of the BLASTPol achromatic half-wave plate for precision submillimetre polarimetry

A cryogenic achromatic half-wave plate (HWP) for submillimetre astronomical polarimetry has been designed, manufactured, tested and deployed in the Balloon-borne Large-Aperture Submillimeter Telescope for Polarimetry (BLASTPol). The design is based on the five-slab Pancharatnam recipe and itworks in thewavelength range 200–600 μm, making it the broadestband HWP built to date at (sub)millimetre wavelengths. The frequency behaviour of the HWP has been fully characterized at room and cryogenic temperatures with incoherent radiation from a polarizing Fourier transform spectrometer. We develop a novel empirical model, complementary to the physical and analytical ones available in the literature, that allows us to recover the HWP Mueller matrix and phase shift as a function of frequency and extrapolated to 4 K. We show that most of the HWP non-idealities can be modelled by quantifying one wavelength-dependent parameter, the position of the HWP equivalent axes, which is then readily implemented in a map-making algorithm. We derive this parameter for a range of spectral signatures of input astronomical sources relevant to BLASTPol, and provide a benchmark example of how our method can yield improved accuracy on measurements of the polarization angle on the sky at submillimetre wavelengths

Growth factors in multiple myeloma: a comprehensive analysis of their expression in tumor cells and bone marrow environment using Affymetrix microarrays

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by a strong dependence of the tumor cells on their microenvironment, which produces growth factors supporting survival and proliferation of myeloma cells (MMC). In the past few years, many myeloma growth factors (MGF) have been described in the literature. However, their relative importance and the nature of the cells producing MGF remain unidentified for many of them.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have analysed the expression of 51 MGF and 36 MGF receptors (MGFR) using Affymetrix microarrays throughout normal plasma cell differentiation, in MMC and in cells from the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment (CD14, CD3, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, stromal cells and osteoclasts).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>4/51 MGF and 9/36 MGF-receptors genes were significantly overexpressed in plasmablasts (PPC) and BM plasma cell (BMPC) compared to B cells whereas 11 MGF and 11 MGFR genes were overexpressed in BMPC compared to PPC. 3 MGF genes (AREG, NRG3, Wnt5A) and none of the receptors were significantly overexpressed in MMC versus BMPC. Furthermore, 3/51 MGF genes were overexpressed in MMC compared to the the BM microenvironment whereas 22/51 MGF genes were overexpressed in one environment subpopulation compared to MMC.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Two major messages arise from this analysis 1) The majority of MGF genes is expressed by the bone marrow environment. 2) Several MGF and their receptors are overexpressed throughout normal plasma cell differentiation. This study provides an extensive and comparative analysis of MGF expression in plasma cell differentiation and in MM and gives new insights in the understanding of intercellular communication signals in MM.</p

Circulating microRNAs in sera correlate with soluble biomarkers of immune activation but do not predict mortality in ART treated individuals with HIV-1 infection: A case control study

Introduction: The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced HIV-1 associated morbidity and mortality. However, HIV-1 infected individuals have increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the non-HIV-1 infected population and this appears to be related to end-organ diseases collectively referred to as Serious Non-AIDS Events (SNAEs). Circulating miRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for a number of human disease conditions including those that constitute SNAEs. Our study sought to investigate the potential of selected miRNAs in predicting mortality in HIV-1 infected ART treated individuals. Materials and Methods: A set of miRNAs was chosen based on published associations with human disease conditions that constitute SNAEs. This case: control study compared 126 cases (individuals who died whilst on therapy), and 247 matched controls (individuals who remained alive). Cases and controls were ART treated participants of two pivotal HIV-1 trials. The relative abundance of each miRNA in serum was measured, by RTqPCR. Associations with mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular and malignancy) were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Correlations between miRNAs and CD4+ T cell count, hs-CRP, IL-6 and D-dimer were also assessed. Results: None of the selected miRNAs was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular or malignancy mortality. The levels of three miRNAs (miRs -21, -122 and -200a) correlated with IL-6 while miR-21 also correlated with D-dimer. Additionally, the abundance of miRs -31, -150 and -223, correlated with baseline CD4+ T cell count while the same three miRNAs plus miR- 145 correlated with nadir CD4+ T cell count. Discussion: No associations with mortality were found with any circulating miRNA studied. These results cast doubt onto the effectiveness of circulating miRNA as early predictors of mortality or the major underlying diseases that contribute to mortality in participants treated for HIV-1 infection

Development and Validation of a Risk Score for Chronic Kidney Disease in HIV Infection Using Prospective Cohort Data from the D:A:D Study

Ristola M. on työryhmien DAD Study Grp ; Royal Free Hosp Clin Cohort ; INSIGHT Study Grp ; SMART Study Grp ; ESPRIT Study Grp jäsen.Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue for HIV-positive individuals, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Development and implementation of a risk score model for CKD would allow comparison of the risks and benefits of adding potentially nephrotoxic antiretrovirals to a treatment regimen and would identify those at greatest risk of CKD. The aims of this study were to develop a simple, externally validated, and widely applicable long-term risk score model for CKD in HIV-positive individuals that can guide decision making in clinical practice. Methods and Findings A total of 17,954 HIV-positive individuals from the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study with >= 3 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values after 1 January 2004 were included. Baseline was defined as the first eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 after 1 January 2004; individuals with exposure to tenofovir, atazanavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, other boosted protease inhibitors before baseline were excluded. CKD was defined as confirmed (>3 mo apart) eGFR In the D:A:D study, 641 individuals developed CKD during 103,185 person-years of follow-up (PYFU; incidence 6.2/1,000 PYFU, 95% CI 5.7-6.7; median follow-up 6.1 y, range 0.3-9.1 y). Older age, intravenous drug use, hepatitis C coinfection, lower baseline eGFR, female gender, lower CD4 count nadir, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) predicted CKD. The adjusted incidence rate ratios of these nine categorical variables were scaled and summed to create the risk score. The median risk score at baseline was -2 (interquartile range -4 to 2). There was a 1: 393 chance of developing CKD in the next 5 y in the low risk group (risk score = 5, 505 events), respectively. Number needed to harm (NNTH) at 5 y when starting unboosted atazanavir or lopinavir/ritonavir among those with a low risk score was 1,702 (95% CI 1,166-3,367); NNTH was 202 (95% CI 159-278) and 21 (95% CI 19-23), respectively, for those with a medium and high risk score. NNTH was 739 (95% CI 506-1462), 88 (95% CI 69-121), and 9 (95% CI 8-10) for those with a low, medium, and high risk score, respectively, starting tenofovir, atazanavir/ritonavir, or another boosted protease inhibitor. The Royal Free Hospital Clinic Cohort included 2,548 individuals, of whom 94 individuals developed CKD (3.7%) during 18,376 PYFU (median follow-up 7.4 y, range 0.3-12.7 y). Of 2,013 individuals included from the SMART/ESPRIT control arms, 32 individuals developed CKD (1.6%) during 8,452 PYFU (median follow-up 4.1 y, range 0.6-8.1 y). External validation showed that the risk score predicted well in these cohorts. Limitations of this study included limited data on race and no information on proteinuria. Conclusions Both traditional and HIV-related risk factors were predictive of CKD. These factors were used to develop a risk score for CKD in HIV infection, externally validated, that has direct clinical relevance for patients and clinicians to weigh the benefits of certain antiretrovirals against the risk of CKD and to identify those at greatest risk of CKD.Peer reviewe

Is 60 Hz electric motor-driven system efficiency really always better than 50 Hz?

International audienc

Le réseau de télépathologie de l’Est du Québec

Le réseau de télépathologie de l’Est du Québec a pour objectif d’offrir des services de diagnostic anatomopathologique uniformes sur un territoire immense avec une faible densité de population. Le projet a été implanté dans 21 sites et vise à rendre accessible un service d’examens extemporanés aux chirurgiens oncologues afin d’éviter le transfert de patients vers des centres urbains. Il permet également à des pathologistes qui exercent seuls, ou presque, de travailler en équipe, de consulter des collègues experts et de partager les services de garde. Des signes de succès et d’amélioration de la qualité des soins sont déjà apparents. Cependant, il ne faut pas sous-estimer les défis qu’un tel projet comporte

Le phénotypage digital pour une pratique clinique en santé mentale mieux informée

Objectifs Cette revue trouve sa motivation dans l’observation que la prise de décision clinique en santé mentale est limitée par la nature des mesures typiquement obtenues lors de l’entretien clinique et la difficulté des cliniciens à produire des prédictions justes sur les états mentaux futurs des patients. L’objectif est de présenter un survol représentatif du potentiel du phénotypage digital couplé à l’apprentissage automatique pour répondre à cette limitation, tout en en soulignant les faiblesses actuelles.Méthode Au travers d’une revue narrative de la littérature non systématique, nous identifions les avancées technologiques qui permettent de quantifier, instant après instant et dans le milieu de vie naturel, le phénotype humain au moyen du téléphone intelligent dans diverses populations psychiatriques. Des travaux pertinents sont également sélectionnés afin de déterminer l’utilité et les limitations de l’apprentissage automatique pour guider les prédictions et la prise de décision clinique. Finalement, la littérature est explorée pour évaluer les barrières actuelles à l’adoption de tels outils.Résultats Bien qu’émergeant d’un champ de recherche récent, de très nombreux travaux soulignent déjà la valeur des mesures extraites des senseurs du téléphone intelligent pour caractériser le phénotype humain dans les sphères comportementale, cognitive, émotionnelle et sociale, toutes étant affectées par les troubles mentaux. L’apprentissage automatique permet d’utiles et justes prédictions cliniques basées sur ces mesures, mais souffre d’un manque d’interprétabilité qui freinera son emploi prochain dans la pratique clinique. Du reste, plusieurs barrières identifiées tant du côté du patient que du clinicien freinent actuellement l’adoption de ce type d’outils de suivi et d’aide à la décision clinique.Conclusion Le phénotypage digital couplé à l’apprentissage automatique apparaît fort prometteur pour améliorer la pratique clinique en santé mentale. La jeunesse de ces nouveaux outils technologiques requiert cependant un nécessaire processus de maturation qui devra être encadré par les différents acteurs concernés pour que ces promesses puissent être pleinement réalisées.Objectives This review is motivated by the observation that clinical decision-making in mental health is limited by the nature of the measures obtained in conventional clinical interviews and the difficulty for clinicians to make accurate predictions about their patients’ future mental states. Our objective is to offer a representative overview of the potential of digital phenotyping coupled with machine learning to address this limitation, while highlighting its own current weaknesses.Methods Through a non-systematic narrative review of the literature, we identify the technological developments that make it possible to quantify, moment by moment and in ecologically valid settings, the human phenotype in various psychiatric populations using the smartphone. Relevant work is also selected in order to determine the usefulness and limitations of machine learning to guide predictions and clinical decision-making. Finally, the literature is explored to assess current barriers to the adoption of such tools.Results Although emerging from a recent field of research, a large body of work already highlights the value of measurements extracted from smartphone sensors in characterizing the human phenotype in behavioral, cognitive, emotional and social spheres that are all impacted by mental disorders. Machine learning permits useful and accurate clinical predictions based on such measures, but suffers from a lack of interpretability that will hamper its use in clinical practice in the near future. Moreover, several barriers identified both on the patient and clinician sides currently hamper the adoption of this type of monitoring and clinical decision support tools.Conclusion Digital phenotyping coupled with machine learning shows great promise for improving clinical practice in mental health. However, the youth of these new technological tools requires a necessary maturation process to be guided by the various concerned actors so that these promises can be fully realized