Gamma-Ray Observations of GRO J1655-40

The bright transient X-ray source GRO J1655-40 = XN Sco 1994 was observed by the OSSE instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO). Preliminary results are reported here. The initial outburst from GRO J1655-40 was detected by BATSE on 27 Jul 1994. OSSE observations were made in five separate viewing periods starting between 4 Aug 1994 and 4 Apr 1995. The first, third, and fifth observations are near the peak luminosity. In the second observation, the source flux had dropped by several orders of magnitude and we can only set an upper limit. The fourth observation is a weak detection after the period of maximum outburst. In contrast with other X-ray novae such as GRO J0422+32, the spectrum determined by OSSE is consistent with a simple power law over the full range of detection, about 50 - 600 keV. The photon spectral index is in the range of -2.5 to 2.8 in all of the observations. We set an upper limit on fractional rms variation \u3c5% in the frequency range 0.01 – 60 Hz. No significant narrow or broad line features are observed at any energy

Initial Optical Vortex Amplitude Structure Determines Pair Annihilation

We show that annihilation dynamics between oppositely charged optical vortex pairs can be manipulated by modifying only the initial size of the vortex cores. When sufficiently close together, vortices with strongly overlapped cores annihilate more quickly than vortices with smaller cores that must wait for diffraction to cause meaningful core overlap. We present numerical simulations and experimental measurements for vortices with hyperbolic tangent cores of various initial sizes. We also show that decreasing the core size of an annihilating pair can prevent the annihilation event

Pump-tailored Alternative Bell State Generation in the First-Order Hermite-Gaussian basis

We demonstrate entangled-state swapping, within the Hermite-Gaussian basis of first-order modes, directly from the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion within a nonlinear crystal. The method works by explicitly tailoring the spatial structure of the pump photon such that it resembles the product of the desired entangled spatial modes exiting the crystal. Importantly, the result is an entangled state of balanced HG modes, which may be beneficial in applications that depend on symmetric accumulations of geometric phase through optics or in applications of quantum sensing and imaging with azimuthal sensitivity. Furthermore, the methods are readily adaptable to other spatial mode bases

Flexor Carpi Radialis Brevis: A Case Report

The flexor carpi radialis brevis is a rare anomalous muscle, with incidence ranging from 1.6-7.5%.  While this anatomical variation is typically benign, it is of clinical importance as it can contribute to neurovascular and musculoskeletal dysfunction.  Surgeons should be made aware of this variation during distal radius volar plating procedures and carpal tunnel releases.  The flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle may also cause confusion when interpreting imaging results.  We report here a rare case of bilateral flexor carpi radialis brevis muscles that travel through the carpal tunnel found during cadaveric dissection in a graduate course for physical therapy students.  To our knowledge, this is the second published example of a flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle traveling through the carpal tunnel

Financing Complexity and Sophistication in Nascent Ventures

Although scholars have considered the financing challenges facing small businesses for some time, little work has focused on financing issues at the venture's nascent stage. In this study, we investigate the sources of funding sought by nascent entrepreneurs and the relationship between the complexity of these funding sources, business plan formalization, and expectations of future firm growth. Using data from the Entrepreneurship Research Consortium/Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, we find that nascent entrepreneurs, even those associated with high-growth ventures, favor simple rather than complex sources of funding at the nascent stage. Funding complexity and business plan formalization are also found related to expectation of firm growth. An additional contribution is the development of a funding complexity continuum scale, which should be useful in future studies of nascent as well as later stage entrepreneurial finance and firm growth

Causality and Cosmic Inflation

In the context of inflationary models with a pre-inflationary stage, in which the Einstein equations are obeyed, the weak energy condition is satisfied, and spacetime topology is trivial, we argue that homogeneity on super-Hubble scales must be assumed as an initial condition. Models in which inflation arises from field dynamics in a Friedman-Robertson-Walker background fall into this class but models in which inflation originates at the Planck epoch, {\it eg.} chaotic inflation, may evade this conclusion. Our arguments rest on causality and general relativistic constraints on the structure of spacetime. We discuss modifications to existing scenarios that may avoid the need for initial large-scale homogeneity.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, RevTeX, expanded and sharpened discussion of result, figures improved, references adde

Lipoprotein biosynthesis as a target for anti-Wolbachia treatment of filarial nematodes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are debilitating diseases caused by filarial nematodes. Disease pathogenesis is induced by inflammatory responses following the death of the parasite. <it>Wolbachia </it>endosymbionts of filariae are potent inducers of innate and adaptive inflammation and bacterial lipoproteins have been identified as the ligands that bind toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and TLR6. Lipoproteins are important structural and functional components of bacteria and therefore enzymes involved in <it>Wolbachia </it>lipoprotein biosynthesis are potential chemotherapeutic targets.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Globomycin, a signal peptidase II (LspA) inhibitor, has activity against Gram-negative bacteria and a putative <it>lspA </it>gene has been identified from the <it>Wolbachia </it>genome of <it>Brugia malayi </it>(<it>w</it>Bm). The amino acids required for function are strictly conserved and functionality was verified by complementation tests in a temperature-sensitive <it>Escherichia coli lspA </it>mutant. Also, transformation of wild type <it>E. coli </it>with <it>Wolbachia lspA </it>conferred significant globomycin resistance. A cell-based screen has been developed utilizing a <it>Wolbachia</it>-containing <it>Aedes albopictus </it>cell line to assay novel compounds active against <it>Wolbachia</it>. Globomycin was screened using this assay, which resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in <it>Wolbachia </it>load. Furthermore, globomycin was also effective in reducing the motility and viability of adult <it>B. malayi in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These studies validate lipoprotein biosynthesis as a target in an organism for which no genetic tools are available. Further studies to evaluate drugs targeting this pathway are underway as part of the A-WOL drug discovery and development program.</p

Palliative care needs in patients hospitalized with heart failure (PCHF) study: rationale and design

Abstract Aims The primary aim of this study is to provide data to inform the design of a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) of a palliative care (PC) intervention in heart failure (HF). We will identify an appropriate study population with a high prevalence of PC needs defined using quantifiable measures. We will also identify which components a specific and targeted PC intervention in HF should include and attempt to define the most relevant trial outcomes. Methods An unselected, prospective, near-consecutive, cohort of patients admitted to hospital with acute decompensated HF will be enrolled over a 2-year period. All potential participants will be screened using B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography, and all those enrolled will be extensively characterized in terms of their HF status, comorbidity, and PC needs. Quantitative assessment of PC needs will include evaluation of general and disease-specific quality of life, mood, symptom burden, caregiver burden, and end of life care. Inpatient assessments will be performed and after discharge outpatient assessments will be carried out every 4 months for up to 2.5 years. Participants will be followed up for a minimum of 1 year for hospital admissions, and place and cause of death. Methods for identifying patients with HF with PC needs will be evaluated, and estimates of healthcare utilisation performed. Conclusion By assessing the prevalence of these needs, describing how these needs change over time, and evaluating how best PC needs can be identified, we will provide the foundation for designing an RCT of a PC intervention in HF