A Neurospora crassa mutant which overaccumulates carotenoid pigments

A Neurospora crassa mutant which overaccumulates carotenoid pigment

Mode transitions in a model reaction-diffusion system driven by domain growth and noise

Pattern formation in many biological systems takes place during growth of the underlying domain. We study a specific example of a reaction–diffusion (Turing) model in which peak splitting, driven by domain growth, generates a sequence of patterns. We have previously shown that the pattern sequences which are presented when the domain growth rate is sufficiently rapid exhibit a mode-doubling phenomenon. Such pattern sequences afford reliable selection of certain final patterns, thus addressing the robustness problem inherent of the Turing mechanism. At slower domain growth rates this regular mode doubling breaks down in the presence of small perturbations to the dynamics. In this paper we examine the breaking down of the mode doubling sequence and consider the implications of this behaviour in increasing the range of reliably selectable final patterns

Silicon Carbide-Based Hydrogen and Hydrocarbon Gas Detection

Hydrogen and hydrocarbon detection in aeronautical applications is important for reasons of safety and emissions control. The use of silicon carbide as a semiconductor in a metal-semiconductor or metal-insulator-semiconductor structure opens opportunities to measure hydrogen and hydrocarbons in high temperature environments beyond the capabilities of silicon-based devices. The purpose of this paper is to explore the response and stability of Pd-SiC Schottky diodes as gas sensors in the temperature range from 100 to 400 C. The effect of heat treating on the diode properties as measured at 100 C is explored. Subsequent operation at 400 C demonstrates the diodes' sensitivity to hydrogen and hydrocarbons. It is concluded that the Pd-SiC Schottky diode has potential as a hydrogen and hydrocarbon sensor over a wide range of temperatures but further studies are necessary to determine the diodes' long term stability

Anthropogenic fugitive, combustion and industrial dust is a significant, underrepresented fine particulate matter source in global atmospheric models

Global measurements of the elemental composition of fine particulate matter across several urban locations by the Surface Particulate Matter Network reveal an enhanced fraction of anthropogenic dust compared to natural dust sources, especially over Asia. We develop a global simulation of anthropogenic fugitive, combustion, and industrial dust which, to our knowledge, is partially missing or strongly underrepresented in global models. We estimate 2-16 μg/m3 increase in fine particulate mass concentration across East and South Asia by including anthropogenic fugitive, combustion, and industrial dust emissions. A simulation including anthropogenic fugitive, combustion, and industrial dust emissions increases the correlation from 0.06 to 0.66 of simulated fine dust in comparison with Surface Particulate Matter Network measurements at 13 globally dispersed locations, and reduces the low bias by 10% in total fine particulate mass in comparison with global in situ observations. Global population-weighted PM2.5 increases by 2.9 μg/m3 (10%). Our assessment ascertains the urgent need of including this underrepresented fine anthropogenic dust source into global bottom-up emission inventories and global models

CHANG-ES XI: Circular Polarization in the Cores of Nearby Galaxies

We detect 5 galaxies in the CHANG-ES (Continuum Halos in Nearby Galaxies -- an EVLA Survey) sample that show circular polarization (CP) at L-band in our high resolution data sets. Two of the galaxies (NGC~4388 and NGC~4845) show strong Stokes $V/I\,\equiv\,m_C\,\sim\,2$\%, two (NGC~660 and NGC~3628) have values of $m_C\sim \,0.3$\%, and NGC~3079 is a marginal detection at $m_C\sim \,0.2$\%. The two strongest $m_C$ galaxies also have the most luminous X-ray cores and the strongest internal absorption in X-rays. We have expanded on our previous Faraday conversion interpretation and analysis and provide analytical expressions for the expected $V$ signal for a general case in which the cosmic ray electron energy spectral index can take on any value. We provide examples as to how such expressions could be used to estimate magnetic field strengths and the lower energy cutoff for CR electrons. Four out of our detections are {\it resolved}, showing unique structures, including a {\it jet} in NGC~4388 and a CP `conversion disk' in NGC~4845. The conversion disk is inclined to the galactic disk but is perpendicular to a possible outflow direction. Such CP structures have never before been seen in any galaxy to our knowledge. None of the galaxy cores show linear polarization at L-band. Thus CP may provide a unique probe of physical conditions deep into radio AGNs.Comment: 30 pages, 4 figures, accepted to MNRA

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF EPTACOG BETA (RECOMBINANT HUMAN FVIIA) ACCORDING TO AGE IN PERSONS WITH HAEMOPHILIA A/B WITH INHIBITORS UNDERGOING SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Introduction: Eptacog beta (CEVENFACTA®) is a new rFVIIa approved by the EMA for the treatment of bleeding events and prevention of bleeding during surgery in persons with haemophilia A/B with inhibitors (PwHABI) aged ≥12 years (y). Methods: PERSEPT 3 was a Phase 3 (NCT02020369) trial of eptacog beta in PwHABI who required surgical procedures. Eptacog beta was administered at an initial dose of 200μg/kg or 75μg/kg for major or minor procedures respectively. This was followed by 75μg/kg for ≥5 (major procedures) or ≥2 (minor procedures) days. Haemostatic efficacy was assessed using a 4-point scale during the intra and postoperative care period (primary efficacy endpoint was determined by the investigator at the study centre 48±4h after the last dose of eptacog beta, based on the totality of the assessments performed on the patient (pt) at each timepoint). This post-hoc analysis compared the efficacy and safety of eptacog beta by age (pts aged \u3c12 vs ≥12y). Results: Twelve pts were included (\u3c12y: n=5, 1 major and 4 minor procedures; ≥12y: n=7, 5 major and 2 minor procedures). The primary endpoint success proportion was 100% (95% CI: 39.8-100) in pts aged \u3c12y (4 successes, 1 missing) and 71.4% (95% CI: 29.0-96.3) in pts aged ≥12y (5 successes; 2 failures). The intraoperative success proportion was 100% (95% CI: 47.8-100) for pts aged \u3c12y (5 successes) and 100% (95% CI: 59.0-100) for pts aged ≥12y (7 successes). The success proportion 24h post-procedure was 100% (95% CI: 47.8-100) for pts aged \u3c12y (5 successes) and 100% (95% CI: 47.8-100) for pts aged ≥12y (5 successes; 2 missing). Two pts discontinued treatment (1 aged \u3c12y withdrew consent; 1 aged ≥12y due to an adverse event (AE): postprocedural hematoma). One pt experienced 2 serious AEs leading to death, both were considered unrelated to the treatment. No allergic or thrombotic events occurred; no neutralising antibodies were detected. Antifibrinolytics were used concomitantly with eptacog beta in 4 patients without any safety concerns. Discussion/Conclusion: This post-hoc subgroup analysis shows that eptacog beta is effective and well-tolerated in perioperative care irrespective of patient age (\u3c12 vs ≥12y), supporting the use of eptacog beta for bleed management (prevention and treatment) in major and minor surgical procedures in all PwHABI

Heralded generation of entangled photon pairs

Entangled photons are a crucial resource for quantum communication and linear optical quantum computation. Unfortunately, the applicability of many photon-based schemes is limited due to the stochastic character of the photon sources. Therefore, a worldwide effort has focused in overcoming the limitation of probabilistic emission by generating two-photon entangled states conditioned on the detection of auxiliary photons. Here we present the first heralded generation of photon states that are maximally entangled in polarization with linear optics and standard photon detection from spontaneous parametric down-conversion. We utilize the down-conversion state corresponding to the generation of three photon pairs, where the coincident detection of four auxiliary photons unambiguously heralds the successful preparation of the entangled state. This controlled generation of entangled photon states is a significant step towards the applicability of a linear optics quantum network, in particular for entanglement swapping, quantum teleportation, quantum cryptography and scalable approaches towards photonics-based quantum computing