Real-time sensing of optical alignment

The Large Deployable Reflector and other future segmented optical systems may require autonomous, real-time alignment of their optical surfaces. Researchers have developed gratings located directly on a mirror surface to provide interferometric sensing of the location and figure of the mirror. The grating diffracts a small portion of the incident beam to a diffractive focus where the designed diagnostics can be performed. Mirrors with diffraction gratings were fabricated in two separate ways. The formation of a holographic grating over the entire surface of a mirror, thereby forming a Zone Plate Mirror (ZPM) is described. Researchers have also used computer-generated hologram (CGH) patches for alignment and figure sensing of mirrors. When appropriately illuminated, a grid of patches spread over a mirror segment will yield a grid of point images at a wavefront sensor, with the relative location of the points providing information on the figure and location of the mirror. A particular advantage of using the CGH approach is that the holographic patches can be computed, fabricated, and replicated on a mirror segment in a mass production 1-g clean room environment

IL-33 promotes the egress of group 2 innate lymphoid cells from the bone marrow

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are effector cells within the mucosa and key participants in type 2 immune responses in the context of allergic inflammation and infection. ILC2s develop in the bone marrow from common lymphoid progenitor cells, but little is known about how ILC2s egress from the bone marrow for hematogenous trafficking. In this study, we identified a critical role for IL-33, a hallmark peripheral ILC2-activating cytokine, in promoting the egress of ILC2 lineage cells from the bone marrow. Mice lacking IL-33 signaling had normal development of ILC2s but retained significantly more ILC2 progenitors in the bone marrow via augmented expression of CXCR4. Intravenous injection of IL-33 or pulmonary fungal allergen challenge mobilized ILC2 progenitors to exit the bone marrow. Finally, IL-33 enhanced ILC2 trafficking to the lungs in a parabiosis mouse model of tissue disruption and repopulation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that IL-33 plays a critical role in promoting ILC2 egress from the bone marrow

Dephasing in InAs/GaAs quantum dots

The room-temperature dephasing in InAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots is measured using two independent methods: spectal-hole burning and four-wave mixing. Dephasing times weakly dependent on the excitation density are found, with a low density value of 290±80 fs from spectal-hole burning and of 260±20 fs from four-wave mixing

Description and evaluation of aerosol in UKESM1 and HadGEM3-GC3.1 CMIP6 historical simulations

We document and evaluate the aerosol schemes as implemented in the physical and Earth system models, HadGEM3-GC3.1 (GC3.1) and UKESM1, which are contributing to the 6th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The simulation of aerosols in the present-day period of the historical ensemble of these models is evaluated against a range of observations. Updates to the aerosol microphysics scheme are documented as well as differences in the aerosol representation between the physical and Earth system configurations. The additional Earth-system interactions included in UKESM1 leads to differences in the emissions of natural aerosol sources such as dimethyl sulfide, mineral dust and organic aerosol and subsequent evolution of these species in the model. UKESM1 also includes a stratospheric-tropospheric chemistry scheme which is fully coupled to the aerosol scheme, while GC3.1 employs a simplified aerosol chemistry mechanism driven by prescribed monthly climatologies of the relevant oxidants. Overall, the simulated speciated aerosol mass concentrations compare reasonably well with observations. Both models capture the negative trend in sulfate aerosol concentrations over Europe and the eastern United States of America (US) although the models tend to underestimate the sulfate concentrations in both regions. Interactive emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds in UKESM1 lead to an improved agreement of organic aerosol over the US. Simulated dust burdens are similar in both models despite a 2-fold difference in dust emissions. Aerosol optical depth is biased low in dust source and outflow regions but performs well in other regions compared to a number of satellite and ground-based retrievals of aerosol optical depth. Simulated aerosol number concentrations are generally within a factor of 2 of the observations with both models tending to overestimate number concentrations over remote ocean regions, apart from at high latitudes, and underestimate over Northern Hemisphere continents. Finally, a new primary marine organic aerosol source is implemented in UKESM1 for the first time. The impact of this new aerosol source is evaluated. Over the pristine Southern Ocean, it is found to improve the seasonal cycle of organic aerosol mass and cloud droplet number concentrations relative to GC3.1 although underestimations in cloud droplet number concentrations remain. This paper provides a useful characterization of the aerosol climatology in both models facilitating the understanding of the numerous aerosol-climate interaction studies that will be conducted as part of CMIP6 and beyond

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Is there an oxidative cost of acute stress? Characterization, implication of glucocorticoids and modulation by prior stress experience.

Acute rises in glucocorticoid hormones allow individuals to adaptively respond to environmental challenges but may also have negative consequences, including oxidative stress. While the effects of chronic glucocorticoid exposure on oxidative stress have been well characterized, those of acute stress or glucocorticoid exposure have mostly been overlooked. We examined the relationship between acute stress exposure, glucocorticoids and oxidative stress in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). We (i) characterized the pattern of oxidative stress during an acute stressor in two phenotypically distinct breeds; (ii) determined whether corticosterone ingestion, in the absence of acute stress, increased oxidative stress, which we call glucocorticoid-induced oxidative stress (GiOS); and (iii) explored how prior experience to stressful events affected GiOS. Both breeds exhibited an increase in oxidative stress in response to an acute stressor. Importantly, in the absence of acute stress, ingesting corticosterone caused an acute rise in plasma corticosterone and oxidative stress. Lastly, birds exposed to no previous acute stress or numerous stressful events had high levels of GiOS in response to acute stress, while birds with moderate prior exposure did not. Together, these findings suggest that an acute stress response results in GiOS, but prior experience to stressors may modulate that oxidative cost

High-Grade Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia Among HIV-1-Infected Men Screening for a Multicenter Clinical Trial of a Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

PurposeHigh-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN) is the precursor lesion to invasive anal cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination holds great promise for preventing anal cancer.MethodsWe examined 235 HIV-1-infected men screening for participation in a multisite clinical trial of a quadrivalent HPV vaccine. All participants had anal swabs obtained for HPV testing and cytology and high-resolution anoscopy with biopsies of visible lesions to assess for HGAIN.ResultsHPV types 16 and 18 were detected in 23% and 10%, respectively; abnormal anal cytology was found in 56% and HGAIN in 30%. HGAIN prevalence was significantly higher in those with HPV16 detection compared to those without (38% vs 17%; P = .01). Use of antiretroviral therapy and nadir and current CD4+ cell count were not associated with abnormal anal cytology or HGAIN.ConclusionHGAIN is highly prevalent in HIV-infected men. Further studies are needed on treatment and prevention of HGAIN