A revised uncertainty budget for measuring the Boltzmann constant using the Doppler Broadening Technique on ammonia

We report on our on-going effort to measure the Boltzmann constant, kB, using the Doppler Broadening Technique. The main systematic effects affecting the measurement are discussed. A revised error budget is presented in which the global uncertainty on systematic effects is reduced to 2.3 ppm. This corresponds to a reduction of more than one order of magnitude compared to our previous Boltzmann constant measurement. Means to reach a determination of kB at the part per million accuracy level are outlined

A widely tunable 10-μ\mum quantum cascade laser phase-locked to a state-of-the-art mid-infrared reference for precision molecular spectroscopy

We report the coherent phase-locking of a quantum cascade laser (QCL) at 10-$\mu$m to the secondary frequency standard of this spectral region, a CO2 laser stabilized on a saturated absorption line of OsO4. The stability and accuracy of the standard are transferred to the QCL resulting in a line width of the order of 10 Hz, and leading to our knowledge to the narrowest QCL to date. The locked QCL is then used to perform absorption spectroscopy spanning 6 GHz of NH3 and methyltrioxorhenium, two species of interest for applications in precision measurements.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Commercial window glass tested as possible high dose dosimeter. Electron and gamma irradiation

The use of commercial window glass as possible high dose routine dosimeter has been investigated. Glass samples have been irradiated with doses in the range of 1-50 kGy using 60Co γ source, 4 MeV and 12 MeV electron accelerators. The samples were given a post irradiation thermal treatment (150 oC for 20 min) in order to improve the post irradiation stability of the measured specific optical absorbance, since a rapid fading of the optical absorbance has been observed at room temperature immediately after irradiation. The optical absorbance measurements of the irradiated samples, kept in the dark and at room temperature, were carried on for several weeks. The samples submitted to heat treatment showed a decrease of about 10-15% of the specific optical absorbance that became much less pronounced after 10 days from the irradiation. The response of the window glass plates is energy and dose rate dependent. This study shows the feasibility of using commercial window glass as a routine dosimeter in a certain dose range after proper calibration in the irradiation plant where they are going to be used

Absorption line shape recovery beyond the detection bandwidth limit: application to the precision spectroscopic measurement of the Boltzmann constant

22 pagesInternational audienceA theoretical model of the influence of detection bandwidth properties on observed line shapes in laser absorption spectroscopy is described. The model predicts artificial frequency shifts, extra broadenings and line asymmetries which must be taken into account in order to obtain accurate central frequencies and other spectroscopic parameters. This reveals sources of systematic effects most probably underestimated so far potentially affecting spectroscopic measurements. This may impact many fields of research, from atmospheric and interstellar physics to precision spectroscopic measurements devoted to metrological applications, tests of quantum electrodynamics or other fundamental laws of nature. Our theoretical model is validated by linear absorption experiments performed on H2O and NH3 molecular lines recorded by precision laser spectroscopy in two distinct spectral regions, near- and mid-infrared. Possible means of recovering original line shape parameters or experimental conditions under which the detection bandwidth has a negligible impact, given a targeted accuracy, are proposed. Particular emphasis is put on the detection bandwidth adjustments required to use such high-quality molecular spectra for a spectroscopic determination of the Boltzmann constant at the 1 ppm level of accuracy

Practical actions to strengthen capacity for deep-water research in Africa

While Africa's deep marine biodiversity offers economic prospects it also supports crucial ecosystem services and sustainable development is dependent on knowledge of these systems. Building understanding of deep-water ecosystems is key, but there are substantial discrepancies in countries' abilities to achieve this. Coinciding with the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, the Challenger 150 African Network of Deep-water Researchers is pleased to release a report on “Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity for Deep-water Research in Africa”. Through a series of online workshops, the ANDR brought together 98 individuals from 19 African nations to discuss challenges for deep-water research in Africa, identify solutions to overcome these and propose practical actions going forward

Environmental variables, habitat discontinuity and life history shaping the genetic structure of Pomatoschistus marmoratus

Coastal lagoons are semi-isolated ecosystems exposed to wide fluctuations of environmental conditions and showing habitat fragmentation. These features may play an important role in separating species into different populations, even at small spatial scales. In this study, we evaluate the concordance between mitochondrial (previous published data) and nuclear data analyzing the genetic variability of Pomatoschistus marmoratus in five localities, inside and outside the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (SE Spain) using eight microsatellites. High genetic diversity and similar levels of allele richness were observed across all loci and localities, although significant genic and genotypic differentiation was found between populations inside and outside the lagoon. In contrast to the FST values obtained from previous mitochondrial DNA analyses (control region), the microsatellite data exhibited significant differentiation among samples inside the Mar Menor and between lagoonal and marine samples. This pattern was corroborated using Cavalli-Sforza genetic distances. The habitat fragmentation inside the coastal lagoon and among lagoon and marine localities could be acting as a barrier to gene flow and contributing to the observed genetic structure. Our results from generalized additive models point a significant link between extreme lagoonal environmental conditions (mainly maximum salinity) and P. marmoratus genetic composition. Thereby, these environmental features could be also acting on genetic structure of coastal lagoon populations of P. marmoratus favoring their genetic divergence. The mating strategy of P. marmoratus could be also influencing our results obtained from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Therefore, a special consideration must be done in the selection of the DNA markers depending on the reproductive strategy of the species

Excretory/Secretory-Products of Echinococcus multilocularis Larvae Induce Apoptosis and Tolerogenic Properties in Dendritic Cells In Vitro

Parasitic helminths are inducers of chronic diseases and have evolved mechanisms to suppress the host immune response. Mostly from studies on roundworms, a picture is currently emerging that helminths secrete factors (E/S-products) that directly act on sentinels of the immune system, dendritic cells, in order to achieve an expansion of immunosuppressive, regulatory T cells (T-reg). Parasitic helminths are currently also intensely studied as therapeutic agents against autoimmune diseases and allergies, which is directly linked to their immunosuppressive activities. The immunomodulatory products of parasitic helminths are therefore of high interest for understanding immunopathology during infections and for the treatment of allergies. The present work was conducted on larvae of the tapeworm E. multilocularis, which grow like a tumor into surrounding host tissue and thus cause the lethal disease alveolar echinococcosis. The authors found that E/S-products from early infective larvae are strong inducers of tolerogenic DC in vitro and show that E/S-products of larvae of the chronic stage lead to an in vitro expansion of Foxp3+ T cells, suggesting that both the expansion of these T cells and poorly responsive DC are important for the establishment and persistence of E. multilocularis larvae within the host

Immunoregulation of bovine macrophages by factors in the salivary glands of Rhipicephalus microplus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alternative strategies are required to control the southern cattle tick, <it>Rhipicephalus microplus</it>, due to evolving resistance to commercially available acaricides. This invasive ectoparasite is a vector of economically important diseases of cattle such as bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. An understanding of the biological intricacies underlying vector-host-pathogen interactions is required to innovate sustainable tick management strategies that can ultimately mitigate the impact of animal and zoonotic tick-borne diseases. Tick saliva contains molecules evolved to impair host innate and adaptive immune responses, which facilitates blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Antigen presenting cells are central to the development of robust T cell responses including Th1 and Th2 determination. In this study we examined changes in co-stimulatory molecule expression and cytokine response of bovine macrophages exposed to salivary gland extracts (SGE) obtained from 2-3 day fed, pathogen-free adult <it>R. microplus</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Peripheral blood-derived macrophages were treated for 1 hr with 1, 5, or 10 μg/mL of SGE followed by 1, 6, 24 hr of 1 μg/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Real-time PCR and cytokine ELISA were used to measure changes in co-stimulatory molecule expression and cytokine response.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Changes were observed in co-stimulatory molecule expression of bovine macrophages in response to <it>R</it>. <it>microplus </it>SGE exposure. After 6 hrs, CD86, but not CD80, was preferentially up-regulated on bovine macrophages when treated with 1 μg/ml SGE and then LPS, but not SGE alone. At 24 hrs CD80, CD86, and CD69 expression was increased with LPS, but was inhibited by the addition of SGE. SGE also inhibited LPS induced upregulation of TNFα, IFNγ and IL-12 cytokines, but did not alter IL-4 or CD40 mRNA expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Molecules from the salivary glands of adult <it>R. microplus </it>showed bimodal concentration-, and time-dependent effects on differential up-regulation of CD86 in bovine macrophages activated by the TLR4-ligand, LPS. Up regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and IL-12, a Th1 promoting cytokine, were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The co-stimulatory molecules CD80, as well as the cell activation marker, CD69, were also suppressed in macrophages exposed to SGE. Continued investigation of the immunomodulatory factors will provide the knowledge base to research and develop therapeutic or prophylactic interventions targeting <it>R. microplus</it>-cattle interactions at the blood-feeding interface.</p

Correlates of HCV seropositivity among familial contacts of HCV positive patients

BACKGROUND: Determinants of intrafamilial HCV transmission are still being debated. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlates of HCV seropositivity among familial contacts of HCV positive patients in Italy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 175 HCV positive patients (index cases), recruited from Policlinico Gemelli in Rome as well as other hospitals in Central Italy between 1995 and 2000 (40% female, mean age 57 ± 15.2 years), and 259 familial contacts. Differences in proportions of qualitative variables were tested with non-parametric tests (χ(2), Yates correction, Fisher exact test), and a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. A multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression in order to verify which variables statistically have an influence on HCV positivity in contact individuals. RESULTS: Seropositivity for HCV was found in 8.9% of the contacts. From the univariate analysis, risk factors significantly associated to HCV positivity in the contacts were: intravenous drug addiction (p = 0.004) and intercourse with drug addicts (p = 0.005). The only variables associated significantly and independently to HCV seropositivity in patients' contacts were intercourse with drug addicts (OR = 19.28; 95% CI: 2.01 – 184.94), the retirement status from work (OR = 3.76; 95% CI: 1.17 – 11.98), the time of the relationship (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00 – 1.11) and tattoos (OR = 7.68; 95% CI: 1.00 – 60.20). CONCLUSION: The present study confirms that having intercourse with a drug addict is the most significant risk factor for intrafamilial HCV transmission. The association with retirement status from work could be related to both a long-term relationship with an index case and past exposure to common risk factors