Calibration of quasi-static aberrations in exoplanet direct-imaging instruments with a Zernike phase-mask sensor. II. Concept validation with ZELDA on VLT/SPHERE

Warm or massive gas giant planets, brown dwarfs, and debris disks around nearby stars are now routinely observed by dedicated high-contrast imaging instruments on large, ground-based observatories. These facilities include extreme adaptive optics (ExAO) and state-of-the-art coronagraphy to achieve unprecedented sensitivities for exoplanet detection and spectral characterization. However, differential aberrations between the ExAO sensing path and the science path represent a critical limitation for the detection of giant planets with a contrast lower than a few $10^{-6}$ at very small separations (<0.3\as) from their host star. In our previous work, we proposed a wavefront sensor based on Zernike phase contrast methods to circumvent this issue and measure these quasi-static aberrations at a nanometric level. We present the design, manufacturing and testing of ZELDA, a prototype that was installed on VLT/SPHERE during its reintegration in Chile. Using the internal light source of the instrument, we performed measurements in the presence of Zernike or Fourier modes introduced with the deformable mirror. Our experimental and simulation results are consistent, confirming the ability of our sensor to measure small aberrations (<50 nm rms) with nanometric accuracy. We then corrected the long-lived non-common path aberrations in SPHERE based on ZELDA measurements. We estimated a contrast gain of 10 in the coronagraphic image at 0.2\as, reaching the raw contrast limit set by the coronagraph in the instrument. The simplicity of the design and its phase reconstruction algorithm makes ZELDA an excellent candidate for the on-line measurements of quasi-static aberrations during the observations. The implementation of a ZELDA-based sensing path on the current and future facilities (ELTs, future space missions) could ease the observation of the cold gaseous or massive rocky planets around nearby stars.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, A&A accepted on June 3rd, 2016. v2 after language editin

A patient with an uncommon complication from insertion of a central venous catheter: A case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

The Cerenkov effect revisited: from swimming ducks to zero modes in gravitational analogs

We present an interdisciplinary review of the generalized Cerenkov emission of radiation from uniformly moving sources in the different contexts of classical electromagnetism, superfluid hydrodynamics, and classical hydrodynamics. The details of each specific physical systems enter our theory via the dispersion law of the excitations. A geometrical recipe to obtain the emission patterns in both real and wavevector space from the geometrical shape of the dispersion law is discussed and applied to a number of cases of current experimental interest. Some consequences of these emission processes onto the stability of condensed-matter analogs of gravitational systems are finally illustrated.Comment: Lecture Notes at the IX SIGRAV School on "Analogue Gravity" in Como, Italy from May 16th-21th, 201

Deletion of the GABAA α2-subunit does not alter self dministration of cocaine or reinstatement of cocaine seeking

Rationale GABAA receptors containing α2-subunits are highly represented in brain areas that are involved in motivation and reward, and have been associated with addiction to several drugs, including cocaine. We have shown previously that a deletion of the α2-subunit results in an absence of sensitisation to cocaine. Objective We investigated the reinforcing properties of cocaine in GABAA α2-subunit knockout (KO) mice using an intravenous self-administration procedure. Methods α2-subunit wildtype (WT), heterozygous (HT) and KO mice were trained to lever press for a 30 % condensed milk solution. After implantation with a jugular catheter, mice were trained to lever press for cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) during ten daily sessions. Responding was extinguished and the mice tested for cue- and cocaine-primed reinstatement. Separate groups of mice were trained to respond for decreasing doses of cocaine (0.25, 0.125, 0.06 and 0.03 mg/kg). Results No differences were found in acquisition of lever pressing for milk. All genotypes acquired self-administration of cocaine and did not differ in rates of self-administration, dose dependency or reinstatement. However, whilst WT and HT mice showed a dose-dependent increase in lever pressing during the cue presentation, KO mice did not. Conclusions Despite a reported absence of sensitisation, motivation to obtain cocaine remains unchanged in KO and HT mice. Reinstatement of cocaine seeking by cocaine and cocaine-paired cues is also unaffected. We postulate that whilst not directly involved in reward perception, the α2-subunit may be involved in modulating the “energising” aspect of cocaine’s effects on reward-seeking

Pneumatic wound compression after hip fracture surgery did not reduce postoperative blood transfusion: A randomized controlled trial involving 292 fractures

Background and purpose Patients with fracture of the proximal femur often undergo blood transfusion. A pneumatic compression bandage has been shown to reduce transfusion after primary hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. In this randomized trial, we evaluated the efficacy of this bandage following surgery for hip fracture

Bacteremic complications of intravascular catheter tip colonization with Gram-negative micro-organisms in patients without preceding bacteremia

Although Gram-negative micro-organisms are frequently associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections, the prognostic value and clinical implication of a positive catheter tip culture with Gram-negative micro-organisms without preceding bacteremia remains unclear. We determined the outcomes of patients with intravascular catheters colonized with these micro-organisms, without preceding positive blood cultures, and identified risk factors for the development of subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia. All patients with positive intravascular catheter tip cultures with Gram-negative micro-organisms at the University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands, between 2005 and 2009, were retrospectively studied. Patients with Gram-negative bacteremia within 48 h before catheter removal were excluded. The main outcome measure was bacteremia with Gram-negative micro-organisms. Other endpoints were length of the hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, secondary complications of Gram-negative bacteremia, and duration of intensive care admission. A total of 280 catheters from 248 patients were colonized with Gram-negative micro-organisms. Sixty-seven cases were excluded because of preceding positive blood cultures, leaving 213 catheter tips from 181 patients for analysis. In 40 (19%) cases, subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia developed. In multivariate analysis, arterial catheters were independently associated with subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia (odds ratio [OR] = 5.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–20.92), as was selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.07–5.69). Gram-negative bacteremia in patients who received SDD was predominantly caused by cefotaxime (part of the SDD)-resistant organisms. Mortality was significantly higher in the group with subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia (35% versus 20%, OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.00–4.49). Patients with a catheter tip colonized with Gram-negative micro-organisms had a high chance of subsequent Gram-negative bacteremia from any cause. This may be clinically relevant, as starting antibiotic treatment pre-emptively in high-risk patients with Gram-negative micro-organisms cultured from arterial intravenous catheters may be beneficial

SUBARU prime focus spectrograph: integration, testing and performance for the first spectrograph

The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) of the Subaru Measurement of Images and Redshifts (SuMIRe) project for Subaru telescope consists in four identical spectrographs fed by 600 fibers each. Each spectrograph is composed by an optical entrance unit that creates a collimated beam and distributes the light to three channels, two visibles and one near infrared. This paper presents the on-going effort for the tests & integration process for the first spectrograph channel: we have developed a detailed Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) plan, as well as the methods, detailed processes and I&T tools. We describe the tools we designed to assemble the parts and to test the performance of the spectrograph. We also report on the thermal acceptance tests we performed on the first visible camera unit. We also report on and discuss the technical difficulties that did appear during this integration phase. Finally, we detail the important logistic process that is require to transport the components from other country to Marseille

Pseudoachondroplasia and Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia: A 7-Year Comprehensive Analysis of the Known Disease Genes Identify Novel and Recurrent Mutations and Provides an Accurate Assessment of Their Relative Contribution

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) are relatively common skeletal dysplasias resulting in short-limbed dwarfism, joint pain, and stiffness. PSACH and the largest proportion of autosomal dominant MED (AD-MED) results from mutations in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP); however, AD-MED is genetically heterogenous and can also result from mutations in matrilin-3 (MATN3) and type IX collagen (COL9A1, COL9A2, and COL9A3). In contrast, autosomal recessive MED (rMED) appears to result exclusively from mutations in sulphate transporter solute carrier family 26 (SLC26A2). The diagnosis of PSACH and MED can be difficult for the nonexpert due to various complications and similarities with other related diseases and often mutation analysis is requested to either confirm or exclude the diagnosis. Since 2003, the European Skeletal Dysplasia Network (ESDN) has used an on-line review system to efficiently diagnose cases referred to the network prior to mutation analysis. In this study, we present the molecular findings in 130 patients referred to ESDN, which includes the identification of novel and recurrent mutations in over 100 patients. Furthermore, this study provides the first indication of the relative contribution of each gene and confirms that they account for the majority of PSACH and MED. Hum Mutat 33:144–157, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Mutations in KCTD1 Cause Scalp-Ear-Nipple Syndrome

Scalp-ear-nipple (SEN) syndrome is a rare, autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by cutis aplasia of the scalp; minor anomalies of the external ears, digits, and nails; and malformations of the breast. We used linkage analysis and exome sequencing of a multiplex family affected by SEN syndrome to identify potassium-channel tetramerization-domain-containing 1 (KCTD1) mutations that cause SEN syndrome. Evaluation of a total of ten families affected by SEN syndrome revealed KCTD1 missense mutations in each family tested. All of the mutations occurred in a KCTD1 region encoding a highly conserved bric-a-brac, tram track, and broad complex (BTB) domain that is required for transcriptional repressor activity. KCTD1 inhibits the transactivation of the transcription factor AP-2 alpha (TFAP2A) via its BTB domain, and mutations in TFAP2A cause cutis aplasia in individuals with branchiooculofacial syndrome (BOFS), suggesting a potential overlap in the pathogenesis of SEN syndrome and BOFS. the identification of KCTD1 mutations in SEN syndrome reveals a role for this BTB-domain-containing transcriptional repressor during ectodermal development.National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research InstituteLife Sciences Discovery FundWashington Research FoundationMassachusetts Gen Hosp, Cutaneous Biol Res Ctr, Charlestown, MA 02129 USAUniv Washington, Dept Pediat, Seattle, WA 98195 USAUniv Washington, Dept Genome Sci, Seattle, WA 98195 USAUniv Western Sydney Macarthur, Sch Med, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, AustraliaGenet Learning Disabil Serv, Newcastle, NSW 2298, AustraliaJohns Hopkins Univ, Sch Med, McKusick Nathans Inst Genet Med, Baltimore, MD 21205 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, Clin Genet Ctr, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilPontificia Univ Catolica Parana, Dept Internal Med, BR-1155 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilWestern Gen Hosp, South East Scotland Clin Genet Serv, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, Midlothian, ScotlandUniv Florence, Dept Genet & Mol Med, I-50132 Florence, ItalyHop Necker Enfants Malad, Dept Genet, INSERM, U781, F-75015 Paris, FranceUniv Paris Descartes Sorbonne Paris Cite, Inst Imagine, F-75015 Paris, FranceHop Cote Nacre, CHU Caen, Serv Genet, F-14033 Caen 9, FranceUniv Connecticut, Ctr Hlth, Dept Reconstruct Sci, Farmington, CT 06030 USABoston Childrens Hosp, Dept Plast & Oral Surg, Boston, MA 02115 USATreuman Katz Ctr Pediat Bioeth, Seattle Childrens Res Inst, Seattle, WA 98101 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, Clin Genet Ctr, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilNational Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute: 1U54HG006493National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute: 1RC2HG005608National Institutes of Health National Human Genome Research Institute: 5RO1HG004316Life Sciences Discovery Fund: 2065508Life Sciences Discovery Fund: 0905001Web of Scienc