The SARS algorithm: detrending CoRoT light curves with Sysrem using simultaneous external parameters

Surveys for exoplanetary transits are usually limited not by photon noise but rather by the amount of red noise in their data. In particular, although the CoRoT spacebased survey data are being carefully scrutinized, significant new sources of systematic noises are still being discovered. Recently, a magnitude-dependant systematic effect was discovered in the CoRoT data by Mazeh & Guterman et al. and a phenomenological correction was proposed. Here we tie the observed effect a particular type of effect, and in the process generalize the popular Sysrem algorithm to include external parameters in a simultaneous solution with the unknown effects. We show that a post-processing scheme based on this algorithm performs well and indeed allows for the detection of new transit-like signals that were not previously detected.Comment: MNRAS accepted. 5 pages, 3 figure

Rare predicted loss-of-function variants of type I IFN immunity genes are associated with life-threatening COVID-19

Background: We previously reported that impaired type I IFN activity, due to inborn errors of TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I interferon (IFN) immunity or to autoantibodies against type I IFN, account for 15–20% of cases of life-threatening COVID-19 in unvaccinated patients. Therefore, the determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 remain to be identified in ~ 80% of cases. Methods: We report here a genome-wide rare variant burden association analysis in 3269 unvaccinated patients with life-threatening COVID-19, and 1373 unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals without pneumonia. Among the 928 patients tested for autoantibodies against type I IFN, a quarter (234) were positive and were excluded. Results: No gene reached genome-wide significance. Under a recessive model, the most significant gene with at-risk variants was TLR7, with an OR of 27.68 (95%CI 1.5–528.7, P = 1.1 × 10−4) for biochemically loss-of-function (bLOF) variants. We replicated the enrichment in rare predicted LOF (pLOF) variants at 13 influenza susceptibility loci involved in TLR3-dependent type I IFN immunity (OR = 3.70[95%CI 1.3–8.2], P = 2.1 × 10−4). This enrichment was further strengthened by (1) adding the recently reported TYK2 and TLR7 COVID-19 loci, particularly under a recessive model (OR = 19.65[95%CI 2.1–2635.4], P = 3.4 × 10−3), and (2) considering as pLOF branchpoint variants with potentially strong impacts on splicing among the 15 loci (OR = 4.40[9%CI 2.3–8.4], P = 7.7 × 10−8). Finally, the patients with pLOF/bLOF variants at these 15 loci were significantly younger (mean age [SD] = 43.3 [20.3] years) than the other patients (56.0 [17.3] years; P = 1.68 × 10−5). Conclusions: Rare variants of TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I IFN immunity genes can underlie life-threatening COVID-19, particularly with recessive inheritance, in patients under 60 years old

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

A radial map of multi-whisker correlation selectivity in the rat barrel cortex

International audienceIn the barrel cortex, several features of single-whisker stimuli are organized in functionalmaps. The barrel cortex also encodes spatio-temporal correlation patterns of multi-whiskerinputs, but so far the cortical mapping of neurons tuned to such input statistics is unknown.Here we report that layer 2/3 of the rat barrel cortex contains an additional functional mapbased on neuronal tuning to correlated versus uncorrelated multi-whisker stimuli: neuronresponses to uncorrelated multi-whisker stimulation are strongest above barrel centres,whereas neuron responses to correlated and anti-correlated multi-whisker stimulation peakabove the barrel–septal borders, forming rings of multi-whisker synchrony-preferring cells

The NanoMagSat magnetometry payload

International audienceTaking advantage from the lessons learnt on the Swarm's Absolute Scalar Magnetometers (ASM), a new generation of optically pumped helium scalar magnetometer also delivering calibrated vector measurements is currently being developed for the NanoMagSat satellites. A very significant miniaturization has been made possible for both the sensor head and the associated electronics, thanks to the replacement of the fiber laser by a laser diode and the definition of a new architecture to ensure the instrument's isotropy. These evolutions also imply modifying the signal detection scheme, thus leading to a completely revised design. Special emphasis will be put on the performance evolution opened by these changes. Given the results obtained by the ASMs flown on Swarm satellites respectively in vector and burst modes, this Miniaturized Absolute Magnetometer (MAM) will be operated to simultaneously deliver high accuracy vector measurements at a 1 Hz rate and high resolution scalar measurements at 2 kHz. In addition to the MAM, a High Frequency Magnetometer (HFM) delivering high-resolution (# 0,2 pT/Hz1/2 @ 1 Hz) vector data at a 2 kHz rate will be operated to support space weather related studies. It derives from a magnetometer developed at Leti for MagnetoEncephaloGraphy applications in shielded environments, which has been successfully adapted for operation in the Earth magnetic field. Finally, to allow in-orbit cross analyses of small scale structures - typically down to a few meters - magnetic measurements by both the MAM and the HFM will be synchronized with the plasma parameters delivered by the multi needle Langmuir probe (m-NLP) developed by the University of Oslo, which complements the NanoMagSat science payload. We will report here on the development status of these two MAM and HFM magnetometers and describe the results obtained so far, as well as the work still lying ahead

The NanoMagSat magnetometry payload

International audienceTaking advantage from the lessons learnt on the Swarm's Absolute Scalar Magnetometers (ASM), a new generation of optically pumped helium scalar magnetometer also delivering calibrated vector measurements is currently being developed for the NanoMagSat satellites. A very significant miniaturization has been made possible for both the sensor head and the associated electronics, thanks to the replacement of the fiber laser by a laser diode and the definition of a new architecture to ensure the instrument's isotropy. These evolutions also imply modifying the signal detection scheme, thus leading to a completely revised design. Special emphasis will be put on the performance evolution opened by these changes. Given the results obtained by the ASMs flown on Swarm satellites respectively in vector and burst modes, this Miniaturized Absolute Magnetometer (MAM) will be operated to simultaneously deliver high accuracy vector measurements at a 1 Hz rate and high resolution scalar measurements at 2 kHz. In addition to the MAM, a High Frequency Magnetometer (HFM) delivering high-resolution (# 0,2 pT/Hz1/2 @ 1 Hz) vector data at a 2 kHz rate will be operated to support space weather related studies. It derives from a magnetometer developed at Leti for MagnetoEncephaloGraphy applications in shielded environments, which has been successfully adapted for operation in the Earth magnetic field. Finally, to allow in-orbit cross analyses of small scale structures - typically down to a few meters - magnetic measurements by both the MAM and the HFM will be synchronized with the plasma parameters delivered by the multi needle Langmuir probe (m-NLP) developed by the University of Oslo, which complements the NanoMagSat science payload. We will report here on the development status of these two MAM and HFM magnetometers and describe the results obtained so far, as well as the work still lying ahead

Fast confocal fluorescence imaging in freely behaving mice

International audienceFluorescence imaging in the brain of freely behaving mice is challenging due to severe miniaturization constraints. In particular, the ability to image a large field of view at high temporal resolution and with efficient out-of-focus background rejection still raises technical difficulties. Here, we present a novel fiberscope system that provides fast (up to 200 Hz) background-free fluorescence imaging in freely behaving mice over a field of view of diameter 230 μm. The fiberscope is composed of a custom-made multipoint-scanning confocal microscope coupled to the animal with an image guide and a micro-objective. By simultaneously registering a multipoint-scanning confocal image and a conventional widefield image, we subtracted the residual out-of-focus background and provided a background-free confocal image. Illumination and detection pinholes were created using a digital micromirror device, providing high adaptability to the sample structure and imaging conditions. Using this novel imaging tool, we demonstrated fast fluorescence imaging of microvasculature up to 120 μm deep in the mouse cortex, with an out-of-focus background reduced by two orders of magnitude compared with widefield microscopy. Taking advantage of the high acquisition rate (200 Hz), we measured red blood cell velocity in the cortical microvasculature and showed an increase in awake, unrestrained mice compared with anaesthetized animals