151 research outputs found
A Word of Caution Regarding Proposed Benefits of Albumin from ALBIOS: A Dose of Healthy Skepticism
A word of caution regarding proposed benefits of albumin from ALBIOS: a dose of healthy skepticism
Precision near-infrared radial velocity instrumentation II: Non-Circular Core Fiber Scrambler
We have built and commissioned a prototype agitated non-circular core fiber
scrambler for precision spectroscopic radial velocity measurements in the
near-infrared H band. We have collected the first on-sky performance and modal
noise tests of these novel fibers in the near-infrared at H and K bands using
the CSHELL spectrograph at the NASA InfraRed Telescope Facility (IRTF). We
discuss the design behind our novel reverse injection of a red laser for
co-alignment of star-light with the fiber tip via a corner cube and visible
camera. We summarize the practical details involved in the construction of the
fiber scrambler, and the mechanical agitation of the fiber at the telescope. We
present radial velocity measurements of a bright standard star taken with and
without the fiber scrambler to quantify the relative improvement in the
obtainable blaze function stability, the line spread function stability, and
the resulting radial velocity precision. We assess the feasibility of applying
this illumination stabilization technique to the next generation of
near-infrared spectrographs such as iSHELL on IRTF and an upgraded NIRSPEC at
Keck. Our results may also be applied in the visible for smaller core diameter
fibers where fiber modal noise is a significant factor, such as behind an
adaptive optics system or on a small < 1 meter class telescope such as is being
pursued by the MINERVA and LCOGT collaborations.Comment: Proceedings of the SPIE Optics and Photonics Conference "Techniques
and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets VI" held in San Diego, CA,
August 25-29, 201
Relationship Between the Y-Balance Test and Lower Extremity Strength and Mobility in Collegiate Lacrosse Players
Lacrosse players must make quick directional changes, often on one leg while under force. This demands strength, mobility, and motor control throughout the kinetic chain. The Y-Balance test (YBT) has been used to gauge motor control in athletes. Still, more research on the relationship between the YBT and lower extremity (LE) mobility and strength in lacrosse players is needed. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between YBT scores, hip range of motion (ROM), ankle dorsiflexion, hip abduction (ABD) and adduction (ADD) strength, and passive and active thoracic rotation in male college lacrosse players. METHODS: Fifty Division I male lacrosse players (age: 20 ± 1.6 y; height: 182.0 ± 6.3 cm; weight: 83.2 ± 6.0 kg) performed a YBT including measures of leg length to determine a composite score for the right and left leg (YBT-R and YBT-L, respectively). Thoracic spine active rotation (TS-AR), passive rotation (TS-PR), and range of motion (ROM) at the hip (sum of internal and external rotation) for each limb was measured with a goniometer. Ankle dorsiflexion was assessed using a clinometer instrument. Hip abduction (ABD) and adduction (ADD) strength was measured using a dynamometer and calculated relative to body weight. Hamstring flexibility was measured using the sit-and-reach test. All players were cleared for testing by the team physician and had no current LE injury precluding them from participating. Descriptive statistics were calculated as mean ± standard deviation and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated. The level of significance was set at p \u3c 0.05. RESULTS: YBT-R (but not YBT-L) was significantly correlated with TS-AR to the right and left (r = 0.41 and r = 0.31, p \u3c 0.05), and with the sit-and-reach test (r = 0.28, p \u3c 0.05). Both YBT-R and YBT-L were significantly correlated with hip ROM on the right only but with both right and left ankle dorsiflexion (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: YBT scores on the right and left side were related to thoracic spine, hip, and ankle mobility, but not to hip ADD and ABD strength in collegiate male lacrosse players. Hip rotation measures could reflect capabilities for single-leg balance, stability, and proprioception and could improve YBT performance, however further research incorporating alternative LE strength measures is recommended
Local Thermometry of Neutral Modes on the Quantum Hall Edge
A system of electrons in two dimensions and strong magnetic fields can be
tuned to create a gapped 2D system with one dimensional channels along the
edge. Interactions among these edge modes can lead to independent transport of
charge and heat, even in opposite directions. Measuring the chirality and
transport properties of these charge and heat modes can reveal otherwise hidden
structure in the edge. Here, we heat the outer edge of such a quantum Hall
system using a quantum point contact. By placing quantum dots upstream and
downstream along the edge of the heater, we can measure both the chemical
potential and temperature of that edge to study charge and heat transport,
respectively. We find that charge is transported exclusively downstream, but
heat can be transported upstream when the edge has additional structure related
to fractional quantum Hall physics.Comment: 24 pages, 18 figure
Adverse events related to ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia performed by Emergency Physicians: Systematic review protocol
The use of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia for pain management has become increasingly prevalent in Emergency Medicine, with studies noting excellent pain control while sparing opioid use. However, the use of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia may be hampered by concern about risks for patient harm. This systematic review protocol describes our approach to evaluate the incidence of adverse events from the use of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia by Emergency Physicians as described in the literature. This project will also seek to document the scope of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia applications being performed in Emergency Medicine literature, and potentially serve as a framework for future systematic reviews evaluating adverse events in Emergency Medicine
Accumulation of an Antidepressant in Vesiculogenic Membranes of Yeast Cells Triggers Autophagy
Many antidepressants are cationic amphipaths, which spontaneously accumulate in natural or reconstituted membranes in the absence of their specific protein targets. However, the clinical relevance of cellular membrane accumulation by antidepressants in the human brain is unknown and hotly debated. Here we take a novel, evolutionarily informed approach to studying the effects of the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline/Zoloft® on cell physiology in the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast), which lacks a serotonin transporter entirely. We biochemically and pharmacologically characterized cellular uptake and subcellular distribution of radiolabeled sertraline, and in parallel performed a quantitative ultrastructural analysis of organellar membrane homeostasis in untreated vs. sertraline-treated cells. These experiments have revealed that sertraline enters yeast cells and then reshapes vesiculogenic membranes by a complex process. Internalization of the neutral species proceeds by simple diffusion, is accelerated by proton motive forces generated by the vacuolar H+-ATPase, but is counteracted by energy-dependent xenobiotic efflux pumps. At equilibrium, a small fraction (10–15%) of reprotonated sertraline is soluble while the bulk (90–85%) partitions into organellar membranes by adsorption to interfacial anionic sites or by intercalation into the hydrophobic phase of the bilayer. Asymmetric accumulation of sertraline in vesiculogenic membranes leads to local membrane curvature stresses that trigger an adaptive autophagic response. In mutants with altered clathrin function, this adaptive response is associated with increased lipid droplet formation. Our data not only support the notion of a serotonin transporter-independent component of antidepressant function, but also enable a conceptual framework for characterizing the physiological states associated with chronic but not acute antidepressant administration in a model eukaryote
55 Cancri: Stellar Astrophysical Parameters, a Planet in the Habitable Zone, and Implications for the Radius of a Transiting Super-Earth
The bright star 55 Cancri is known to host five planets, including a
transiting super-Earth. The study presented here yields directly determined
values for 55 Cnc's stellar astrophysical parameters based on improved
interferometry: , K.
We use isochrone fitting to determine 55 Cnc's age to be 10.2 2.5 Gyr,
implying a stellar mass of . Our analysis of the
location and extent of the system's habitable zone (0.67--1.32 AU) shows that
planet f, with period 260 days and ,
spends the majority of the duration of its elliptical orbit in the
circumstellar habitable zone. Though planet f is too massive to harbor liquid
water on any planetary surface, we elaborate on the potential of alternative
low-mass objects in planet f's vicinity: a large moon, and a low-mass planet on
a dynamically stable orbit within the habitable zone. Finally, our direct value
for 55 Cancri's stellar radius allows for a model-independent calculation of
the physical diameter of the transiting super-Earth 55 Cnc e (\sim 2.05 \pm
0.15 R_{\earth}), which, depending on the planetary mass assumed, implies a
bulk density of 0.76 \rho_{\earth} or 1.07 \rho_{\earth}.Comment: revised version after incorporating referee's comments and
suggestions by members of the astronomical community; 7 pages, 4 figures, 2
tables; accepted for publication in Ap
Acute kidney disease and renal recovery : consensus report of the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) 16 Workgroup
Consensus definitions have been reached for both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and these definitions are now routinely used in research and clinical practice. The KDIGO guideline defines AKI as an abrupt decrease in kidney function occurring over 7 days or less, whereas CKD is defined by the persistence of kidney disease for a period of > 90 days. AKI and CKD are increasingly recognized as related entities and in some instances probably represent a continuum of the disease process. For patients in whom pathophysiologic processes are ongoing, the term acute kidney disease (AKD) has been proposed to define the course of disease after AKI; however, definitions of AKD and strategies for the management of patients with AKD are not currently available. In this consensus statement, the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) proposes definitions, staging criteria for AKD, and strategies for the management of affected patients. We also make recommendations for areas of future research, which aim to improve understanding of the underlying processes and improve outcomes for patients with AKD
Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial
Background
Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy
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