804 research outputs found
On the Early History of Current Algebra
The history of Current Algebra is reviewed up to the appearance of the
Adler-Weisberger sum rule. Particular emphasis is given to the role current
algebra played for the historical struggle in strong interaction physics of
elementary particles between the S-matrix approach based on dispersion
relations and field theory. The question whether there are fundamental
particles or all hadrons are bound or resonant states of one another played an
important role in this struggle and is thus also regarded.Comment: 17 page
Evaluation des aménités urbaines par la méthode des prix hédoniques : une application au cas de la ville d'Angers
La question des choix résidentiels des ménages constitue l’une des problématiques centrales de l’économie urbaine actuelle. Si les premiers modèles monocentriques se focalisaient sur l’arbitrage des ménages entre les coûts de localisation et les coûts de déplacements entre le domicile et le lieu de travail supposé se situer au centre-ville économique, les travaux les plus récents cherchent à dépasser ce cadre simplificateur afin de rendre compte des évolutions urbaines actuelles et des différences observées entre les villes européennes et nord-américaines.En particulier, la prise en considération du rôle des aménités urbaines et naturelles améliore le pouvoir explicatif de ces modèles théoriques urbains. Largement utilisée dans le domaine de l’évaluation environnementale, la méthode des prix hédoniques peut apporter des éléments pertinents à cette problématique urbaine. Développée par Rosen (1974), elle permet de mesurer, à partir des comportements des ménages, la valeur que ces derniers accordent aux différentes caractéristiques intrinsèques et extrinsèques des logements, en particulier aux différentes aménités naturelles ou construites. L’estimation de ces prix hédoniques doit tenir compte du double caractère spatial et endogène des caractéristiques des logements : des estimations naïves par moindres carrés ordinaires sont potentiellement biaisées. Corriger ces biais requiert l’utilisation de la méthode FGS2SLS proposée par Fingleton et Le Gallo (2008), combinant variables instrumentales et correction de l’autocorrélation spatiale. Cette méthode est mise en œuvre dans le cas de la ville d’Angers : avec un centre bien pourvu en aménités historiques, il est en effet typique du cas européen. Au-delà du rôle prépondérant des caractéristiques intrinsèques des logements, la valorisation par les ménages des aménités « vertes » telles que les espaces verts souligne la complexité de l’espace urbain angevin
Advanced optical imaging in living embryos
Developmental biology investigations have evolved from static studies of embryo anatomy and into dynamic studies of the genetic and cellular mechanisms responsible for shaping the embryo anatomy. With the advancement of fluorescent protein fusions, the ability to visualize and comprehend how thousands to millions of cells interact with one another to form tissues and organs in three dimensions (xyz) over time (t) is just beginning to be realized and exploited. In this review, we explore recent advances utilizing confocal and multi-photon time-lapse microscopy to capture gene expression, cell behavior, and embryo development. From choosing the appropriate fluorophore, to labeling strategy, to experimental set-up, and data pipeline handling, this review covers the various aspects related to acquiring and analyzing multi-dimensional data sets. These innovative techniques in multi-dimensional imaging and analysis can be applied across a number of fields in time and space including protein dynamics to cell biology to morphogenesis
Strong Influence of Coadsorbate Interaction on CO Desorption Dynamics on Ru(0001) Probed by Ultrafast X-Ray Spectroscopy and \u3cem\u3eAb Initio\u3c/em\u3e Simulations
We show that coadsorbed oxygen atoms have a dramatic influence on the CO desorption dynamics from Ru(0001). In contrast to the precursor-mediated desorption mechanism on Ru(0001), the presence of surface oxygen modifies the electronic structure of Ru atoms such that CO desorption occurs predominantly via the direct pathway. This phenomenon is directly observed in an ultrafast pump-probe experiment using a soft x-ray free-electron laser to monitor the dynamic evolution of the valence electronic structure of the surface species. This is supported with the potential of mean force along the CO desorption path obtained from density-functional theory calculations. Charge density distribution and frozen-orbital analysis suggest that the oxygen-induced reduction of the Pauli repulsion, and consequent increase of the dative interaction between the CO 5σ and the charged Ru atom, is the electronic origin of the distinct desorption dynamics. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of CO desorption from Ru(0001) and oxygen-coadsorbed Ru(0001) provide further insights into the surface bond-breaking process
A stable aberrant immunophenotype characterizes nearly all cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in blood and can be used to monitor response to therapy
BACKGROUND: Abnormal variations in the expression level of some commonly expressed T-cell antigens are a feature of many T-cell malignancies. METHODS: We sought to assess the frequency of such abnormal antigen expression by flow cytometry in peripheral blood (PB) samples from patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). We correlated presence of morphologically identifiable tumor cells on PB smear with the frequency of abnormalities in the level of expression of CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8 and CD26. We also examined the degree of stability of these abnormal findings in tumor cells over the course of disease. The flow cytometric findings in 100 PB samples from 44 patients, including 38 who had multiple sequential PB samples (2–8 samples each), were assessed. RESULTS: Abnormalities were seen in the expression level of one or more T-cell markers in 41 cases (93%) including CD3 in 34% of patients, CD4 in 54%, CD26 in 86% and CD 45 in 40% (10 cases tested). In all but 2 cases, the abnormal T-cell immunophenotype remained similar over the course of treatment and correlated with the relative numbers of tumor cells counted on PB smear. CONCLUSIONS: Using a standard T-cell panel, stable phenotypically aberrant T-cell populations representing the tumor are detected in the vast majority of involved PB samples in MF/SS and can be used to monitor response to therapy
The SOPHIE search for northern extrasolar planets-XIX. A system including a cold sub-Neptune potentially transiting a V = 6.5 star HD88986
Transiting planets with orbital periods longer than 40 d are extremely rare
among the 5000+ planets discovered so far. The lack of discoveries of this
population poses a challenge to research into planetary demographics,
formation, and evolution. Here, we present the detection and characterization
of HD88986b, a potentially transiting sub-Neptune, possessing the longest
orbital period among known transiting small planets (< 4 R) with a
precise mass measurement ( > 25%). Additionally, we identified the
presence of a massive companion in a wider orbit around HD88986. Our analysis
reveals that HD88986b, based on two potential single transits on sector 21 and
sector 48 which are both consistent with the predicted transit time from the RV
model, is potentially transiting. The joint analysis of RV and photometric data
show that HD88986b has a radius of 2.490.18 R, a mass of
17.2 M, and it orbits every 146.05
d around a subgiant HD88986 which is one of the closest and brightest exoplanet
host stars (G2V type, R=1.543 0.065 R, V= mag,
distance=33.370.04 pc). The nature of the outer, massive companion is
still to be confirmed; a joint analysis of RVs, Hipparcos, and Gaia astrometric
data shows that with a 3 confidence interval, its semi-major axis is
between 16.7 and 38.8 au and its mass is between 68 and 284 M.
HD88986b's wide orbit suggests the planet did not undergo significant mass loss
due to extreme-ultraviolet radiation from its host star. Therefore, it probably
maintained its primordial composition, allowing us to probe its formation
scenario. Furthermore, the cold nature of HD88986b (4608 K), thanks to its
long orbital period, will open up exciting opportunities for future studies of
cold atmosphere composition characterization.Comment: 37 pages, accepted to be published in A&
Integrative analysis of a phase 2 trial combining lenalidomide with CHOP in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a frequent T-cell lymphoma in the elderly population that has a poor prognosis when treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) therapy. Lenalidomide, which has been safely combined with CHOP to treat B-cell lymphoma, has shown efficacy as a single agent in AITL treatment. We performed a multicentric phase 2 trial combining 25 mg lenalidomide daily for 14 days per cycle with 8 cycles of CHOP21 in previously untreated AITL patients aged 60 to 80 years. The primary objective was the complete metabolic response (CMR) rate at the end of treatment. Seventy-eight of the 80 patients enrolled were included in the efficacy and safety analysis. CMR was achieved in 32 (41%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 30%-52.7%) patients, which was below the prespecified CMR rate of 55% defined as success in the study. The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 42.1% (95% CI, 30.9%-52.8%), and the 2-year overall survival was 59.2% (95% CI, 47.3%-69.3%). The most common toxicities were hematologic and led to treatment discontinuation in 15% of patients. This large prospective and uniform series of AITL treatment data was used to perform an integrative analysis of clinical, pathologic, biologic, and molecular data. TET2, RHOA, DNMT3A, and IDH2 mutations were present in 78%, 54%, 32%, and 22% of patients, respectively. IDH2 mutations were associated with distinct pathologic and clinical features and DNMT3A was associated with shorter PFS. In conclusion, the combination of lenalidomide and CHOP did not improve the CMR in AITL patients. This trial clarified the clinical impact of recurrent mutations in AITL. This trial was registered at www.clincialtrials.gov as #NCT01553786
Evaluation of the current knowledge limitations in breast cancer research: a gap analysis
BACKGROUND
A gap analysis was conducted to determine which areas of breast cancer research, if targeted by researchers and funding bodies, could produce the greatest impact on patients.
METHODS
Fifty-six Breast Cancer Campaign grant holders and prominent UK breast cancer researchers participated in a gap analysis of current breast cancer research. Before, during and following the meeting, groups in seven key research areas participated in cycles of presentation, literature review and discussion. Summary papers were prepared by each group and collated into this position paper highlighting the research gaps, with recommendations for action.
RESULTS
Gaps were identified in all seven themes. General barriers to progress were lack of financial and practical resources, and poor collaboration between disciplines. Critical gaps in each theme included: (1) genetics (knowledge of genetic changes, their effects and interactions); (2) initiation of breast cancer (how developmental signalling pathways cause ductal elongation and branching at the cellular level and influence stem cell dynamics, and how their disruption initiates tumour formation); (3) progression of breast cancer (deciphering the intracellular and extracellular regulators of early progression, tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis); (4) therapies and targets (understanding who develops advanced disease); (5) disease markers (incorporating intelligent trial design into all studies to ensure new treatments are tested in patient groups stratified using biomarkers); (6) prevention (strategies to prevent oestrogen-receptor negative tumours and the long-term effects of chemoprevention for oestrogen-receptor positive tumours); (7) psychosocial aspects of cancer (the use of appropriate psychosocial interventions, and the personal impact of all stages of the disease among patients from a range of ethnic and demographic backgrounds).
CONCLUSION
Through recommendations to address these gaps with future research, the long-term benefits to patients will include: better estimation of risk in families with breast cancer and strategies to reduce risk; better prediction of drug response and patient prognosis; improved tailoring of treatments to patient subgroups and development of new therapeutic approaches; earlier initiation of treatment; more effective use of resources for screening populations; and an enhanced experience for people with or at risk of breast cancer and their families. The challenge to funding bodies and researchers in all disciplines is to focus on these gaps and to drive advances in knowledge into improvements in patient care
Differential Contribution of Rod and Cone Circadian Clocks in Driving Retinal Melatonin Rhythms in Xenopus
Background: Although an endogenous circadian clock located in the retinal photoreceptor layer governs various physiological events including melatonin rhythms in Xenopus laevis, it remains unknown which of the photoreceptors, rod and/or cone, is responsible for the circadian regulation of melatonin release. Methodology/Principal Findings: We selectively disrupted circadian clock function in either the rod or cone photoreceptor cells by generating transgenic Xenopus tadpoles expressing a dominant-negative CLOCK (XCLDQ) under the control of a rod or cone-specific promoter. Eyecup culture and continuous melatonin measurement revealed that circadian rhythms of melatonin release were abolished in a majority of the rod-specific XCLDQ transgenic tadpoles, although the percentage of arrhythmia was lower than that of transgenic tadpole eyes expressing XCLDQ in both rods and cones. In contrast, whereas a higher percentage of arrhythmia was observed in the eyes of the cone-specific XCLDQ transgenic tadpoles compare to wildtype counterparts, the rate was significantly lower than in rod-specific transgenics. The levels of the transgene expression were comparable between these two different types of transgenics. In addition, the average overall melatonin levels were not changed in the arrhythmic eyes, suggesting that CLOCK does not affect absolute levels of melatonin, only its temporal expression pattern. Conclusions/Significance: These results suggest that although the Xenopus retina is made up of approximately equa
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