The 16th Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys : First Release from the APOGEE-2 Southern Survey and Full Release of eBOSS Spectra

This paper documents the 16th data release (DR16) from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS), the fourth and penultimate from the fourth phase (SDSS-IV). This is the first release of data from the Southern Hemisphere survey of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2); new data from APOGEE-2 North are also included. DR16 is also notable as the final data release for the main cosmological program of the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), and all raw and reduced spectra from that project are released here. DR16 also includes all the data from the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey and new data from the SPectroscopic IDentification of ERosita Survey programs, both of which were co-observed on eBOSS plates. DR16 has no new data from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey (or the MaNGA Stellar Library "MaStar"). We also preview future SDSS-V operations (due to start in 2020), and summarize plans for the final SDSS-IV data release (DR17).Peer reviewe

The fifteenth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys : first release of MaNGA derived quantities, data visualization tools and stellar library

Twenty years have passed since first light for the Sloan Digital SkySurvey (SDSS). Here, we release data taken by the fourth phase of SDSS(SDSS-IV) across its first three years of operation (July 2014-July2017). This is the third data release for SDSS-IV, and the fifteenth from SDSS (Data Release Fifteen; DR15). New data come from MaNGA - we release 4824 datacubes, as well as the first stellar spectra in the MaNGA Stellar Library (MaStar), the first set of survey-supported analysis products (e.g. stellar and gas kinematics, emission line, andother maps) from the MaNGA Data Analysis Pipeline (DAP), and a new data visualisation and access tool we call "Marvin". The next data release, DR16, will include new data from both APOGEE-2 and eBOSS; those surveys release no new data here, but we document updates and corrections to their data processing pipelines. The release is cumulative; it also includes the most recent reductions and calibrations of all data taken by SDSS since first light. In this paper we describe the location and format of the data and tools and cite technical references describing how it was obtained and processed. The SDSS website (www.sdss.org) has also been updated, providing links to data downloads, tutorials and examples of data use. While SDSS-IV will continue to collect astronomical data until 2020, and will be followed by SDSS-V(2020-2025), we end this paper by describing plans to ensure the sustainability of the SDSS data archive for many years beyond the collection of data.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Hypophysitis due to IgG4-related disease responding to treatment with azathioprine: an alternative to corticosteroid therapy

Purpose: Fifteen cases of lymphocytic hypophysitis due to IgG4-related disease have been reported demonstrating marked improvement with corticosteroid therapy. This is the first case of IgG4-related hypophysitis demonstrating improvement with azathioprine, where corticosteroids were initially tried but ceased due to concern regarding enlargement of the pituitary infiltrate. Methods: Case description and review of 15 cases reported in the literature. A 40 year old male was diagnosed with IgG-4 related disease based on pituitary and lacrimal gland biopsies associated with raised serum concentration of IgG4. The patient was commenced on prednisolone 30 mg/day, as rapid response to prednisolone treatment has been described in the literature for other cases of IgG4-related hypophysitis. Over the next 3 months, prednisolone treatment resulted in a reduction of serum IgG4 levels, but repeat MRI scan showed an enlarging pituitary mass with new optic nerve compression. Azathioprine 75 mg twice daily was commenced and in the subsequent 3 months, IgG4 levels normalised (0.58 g/L) and MRI scan showed 50% shrinkage of the pituitary mass. After 10 months of azathioprine treatment the MRI showed a normal sized pituitary but persistence of the infraorbital nerve thickening. Conclusions: Hypophysitis due to IgG4-related disease usually demonstrates prompt response to corticosteroids. This case highlights the need to image promptly after starting treatment to exclude an enlarging pituitary mass despite corticosteroid treatment. Alternative therapy with azathioprine can result in marked improvement. It should be remembered that IgG-4 related hypophysitis is part of a multi-organ disease

A WideField Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis Reliably Elicits Cortical Activity after Chronic Implantation. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. Fort Lauderdale

Citation: Villalobos J, Nayagam DAX, Allen PJ, et al. A wide-field suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis is stable and well tolerated following chronic implantation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54:3751-3762. DOI:10.1167/ iovs.12-10843 PURPOSE. The safety of chronic implantation of a retinal prosthesis in the suprachoroidal space has not been established. This study aimed to determine the safety of a wide-field suprachoroidal electrode array following chronic implantation using histopathologic techniques and electroretinography. METHODS. A platinum electrode array in a wide silicone substrate was implanted unilaterally in the suprachoroidal space in adult cats (n ¼ 7). The lead and connector were tunneled out of the orbit and positioned subcutaneously. Postsurgical recovery was assessed using fundus photography and electroretinography (ERG). Following 3 months of passive implantation, the animals were terminated and the eyes assessed for the pathologic response to implantation. RESULTS. The implant was mechanically stable in the suprachoroidal space during the course of the study. The implanted eye showed a transient increase in ERG response amplitude at 2 weeks, which returned to normal by 3 months. Pigmentary changes were observed at the distal end of the implant, near the optic disc. Histopathologic assessment revealed a largely intact retina and a thin fibrous capsule around the suprachoroidal implant cavity. The foreign body response was minimal, with sporadic presence of macrophages and no active inflammation. All implanted eyes were negative for bacterial or fungal infections. A midgrade granuloma and thick fibrous buildup surrounded the extraocular cable. Scleral closure was maintained in six of seven eyes. There were no staphylomas or choroidal incarceration. CONCLUSIONS. A wide-field retinal prosthesis was stable and well tolerated during long-term suprachoroidal implantation in a cat model. The surgical approach was reproducible and overall safe