A recollimation shock 80 mas from the core in the jet of the radio galaxy 3C120: Observational evidence and modeling

We present Very Long Baseline Array observations of the radio galaxy 3C120 at 5, 8, 12, and 15 GHz designed to study a peculiar stationary jet feature (hereafter C80) located ~80 mas from the core, which was previously shown to display a brightness temperature ~600 times lager than expected at such distances. The high sensitivity of the images -- obtained between December 2009 and June 2010 -- has revealed that C80 corresponds to the eastern flux density peak of an arc of emission (hereafter A80), downstream of which extends a large (~20 mas in size) bubble-like structure that resembles an inverted bow shock. The linearly polarized emission closely follows that of the total intensity in A80, with the electric vector position angle distributed nearly perpendicular to the arc-shaped structure. Despite the stationary nature of C80/A80, superluminal components with speeds up to ~3 c have been detected downstream from its position, resembling the behavior observed in the HST-1 emission complex in M87. The total and polarized emission of the C80/A80 structure, its lack of motion, and brightness temperature excess are best reproduced by a model based on synchrotron emission from a conical shock with cone opening angle \eta=10 degrees, jet viewing angle \theta=16 degrees, a completely tangled upstream magnetic field, and upstream Lorentz factor \gamma=8.4. The good agreement between our observations and numerical modeling leads us to conclude that the peculiar feature associated with C80/A80 corresponds to a conical recollimation shock in the jet of 3C120 located at a de-projected distance of ~190 pc downstream from the nucleus.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Optimal 57Co Flood Source Activity and Acquisition Time for Lymphoscintigraphy Localization Images

Martha V. Mar, Renee L. Dickinson, William D. Erwin, Richard E. Wendt. Optimal 57Co Flood Source Activity and Acquisition Time for Lymphoscintigraphy Localization Images. Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology Jun 2008, 36 (2) 82-87; DOI: 10.2967/jnmt.107.047043https://openworks.mdanderson.org/mdacc_imgphys_pubs/1008/thumbnail.jp

Characterization of New Proteomic Biomarker Candidates in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) gene. Skeletal dysplasia and the related clinical features of MPS IVA are caused by disruption of the cartilage and its extracellular matrix, leading to a growth imbalance. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human GALNS has yielded positive results in activity of daily living and endurance tests. However, no data have demonstrated improvements in bone lesions and bone grow thin MPS IVA after ERT, and there is no correlation between therapeutic efficacy and urine levels of keratan sulfate, which accumulates in MPS IVA patients. Using qualitative and quantitative proteomics approaches, we analyzed leukocyte samples from healthy controls (n = 6) and from untreated (n = 5) and ERT-treated (n = 8, sampled before and after treatment) MPS IVA patients to identify potential biomarkers of disease. Out of 690 proteins identified in leukocytes, we selected a group of proteins that were dysregulated in MPS IVA patients with ERT. From these, we identified four potential protein biomarkers, all of which may influence bone and cartilage metabolism: lactotransferrin, coronin 1A, neutral alpha-glucosidase AB, and vitronectin. Further studies of cartilage and bone alterations in MPS IVA will be required to verify the validity of these proteins as potential biomarkers of MPS IVA

Identification of a Profile of Neutrophil-Derived Granule Proteins in the Surface of Gold Nanoparticles after Their Interaction with Human Breast Cancer Sera

It is well known that the interaction of a nanomaterial with a biological fluid leads to the formation of a protein corona (PC) surrounding the nanomaterial. Using standard blood analyses, alterations in protein patterns are difficult to detect. PC acts as a "nano-concentrator" of serum proteins with affinity for nanoparticles' surface. Consequently, characterization of PC could allow detection of otherwise undetectable changes in protein concentration at an early stage of a disease, such as breast cancer (BC). Here, we employed gold nanoparticles (AuNPsdiameter: 10.02 +/- 0.91 nm) as an enrichment platform to analyze the human serum proteome of BC patients (n = 42) and healthy controls (n = 42). Importantly, the analysis of the PC formed around AuNPs after their interaction with serum samples of BC patients showed a profile of proteins that could differentiate breast cancer patients from healthy controls. These proteins developed a significant role in the immune and/or innate immune system, some of them being neutrophil-derived granule proteins. The analysis of the PC also revealed serum proteome alterations at the subtype level

Palatini versus metric formulation in higher curvature gravity

We compare the metric and the Palatini formalism to obtain the Einstein equations in the presence of higher-order curvature corrections that consist of contractions of the Riemann tensor, but not of its derivatives. We find that there is a class of theories for which the two formalisms are equivalent. This class contains the Palatini version of Lovelock theory, but also more Lagrangians that are not Lovelock, but respect certain symmetries. For the general case, we find that imposing the Levi-Civita connection as an Ansatz, the Palatini formalism is contained within the metric formalism, in the sense that any solution of the former also appears as a solution of the latter, but not necessarily the other way around. Finally we give the conditions the solutions of the metric equations should satisfy in order to solve the Palatini equations.Comment: 13 pages, latex. V2: reference added, major changes in section 3, conclusions partially correcte

A Novel Nanoproteomic Approach for the Identification of Molecular Targets Associated with Thyroid Tumors

A thyroid nodule is the most common presentation of thyroid cancer; thus, it is extremely important to differentiate benign from malignant nodules. Within malignant lesions, classification of a thyroid tumor is the primary step in the assessment of the prognosis and selection of treatment. Currently, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the preoperative test most commonly used for the initial thyroid nodule diagnosis. However, due to some limitations of FNAB, different high-throughput "omics" approaches have emerged that could further support diagnosis based on histopathological patterns. In the present work, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens from normal (non-neoplastic) thyroid (normal controls (NCs)), benign tumors (follicular thyroid adenomas (FTAs)), and some common types of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs), conventional or classical papillary thyroid carcinomas (CV-PTCs), and the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinomas (FV-PTCs)) were analyzed. For the first time, FFPE thyroid samples were deparaffinized using an easy, fast, and non-toxic method. Protein extracts from thyroid tissue samples were analyzed using a nanoparticle-assisted proteomics approach combined with shotgun LC-MS/MS. The differentially regulated proteins found to be specific for the FTA, FTC, CV-PTC, and FV-PTC subtypes were analyzed with the bioinformatic tools STRING and PANTHER showing a profile of proteins implicated in the thyroid cancer metabolic reprogramming, cancer progression, and metastasis. These proteins represent a new source of potential molecular targets related to thyroid tumors

Monitoring under ice phyto- and zooplankton blooms with the Nereid Under Ice remotely operated vehicle

The perennially ice-covered Central Arctic is changing rapidly due to extensive sea-ice retreat and the loss of multiyear ice. The thinning of the ice allows more light to reach the water column enhancing productivity. These changes in the under ice ecosystem can lead to under-ice phytoplankton blooms which may increase grazing and carbon export. However, our knowledge of the interactions between sea ice, sub-ice and under-ice communities is still poor, especially in high latitudes. A key limitation is observations of the undisturbed under-ice flora and fauna. To address this gap in observations, the Nereid Under Ice remotely operated vehicle (NUI) was developed, equipped with thin optical fibre and acoustic navigation to explore under-ice environments at distances up to 20 km away from research vessels from which it is deployed. This vehicle can accommodate various interdisciplinary payloads including HD video cameras, CTD and biological sensor packages including chlorophyll fluorometers, CDOM optical sensors and optical nitrate sensors. Research capabilities of NUI were tested during the RV Polarstern PS86 expedition to the Aurora Vent field, at 83ºN 6°W north-east of Greenland. From 12 to 30 July 2014 the evolution of a phytoplankton bloom below 2m thick multiyear ice was followed. Video footage obtained with NUI directly below the ice showed the development of algal mats at the bottom of the ice floe and a succession of zooplankton blooms presumably causing a decline of the phytoplankton bloom. Polar copepods, ctenophores and appendicularia could be identified forming dense biomasses underneath the ice. From NUI’s chlorophyll, CDOM and nitrate profiles, steep gradients of high biogeochemical activity were detected in the mixed layer (upper 6-15 m), which could not be observed by the ship-deployed CTD. These structures were identified as layers of sinking particles with different optical characteristics. This poster summarizes the advantages of robotic observations over classical ship-based sampling for the study of under ice communities. In vivo observations of phyto- and zooplankton communities are needed to better assess the impacts of changing sea-ice conditions on under ice organisms

Wellbeing Training Based on Contemplative Practices in a Sample of Intensive Care and Homecare Professionals: A Pilot and Feasibility Non-Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) and homecare unit professionals are susceptible to higher levels of stress and burnout than other healthcare professionals, which has an impact on their well-being, and in turn on their patients. In terms of data, there is not much research about the effects of psychological interventions on ICU and homecare professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Wellbeing Training based on Contemplative Practices (WTCP) for the increase of psychological functioning in a sample of ICU and homecare professionals. Methods: A pilot and feasibility non-randomized clinical trial was conducted. Participants in the WTCP group (n = 19) attended an at-work 8-session/2 h group WTCP program aimed at directly training four basic skills: (a) sustained positive emotions, (b) recovery from negative emotions, (c) pro-social behavior and generosity, and (d) mind wandering, mindfulness, and “affective stickiness”. Nineteen professionals were allocated in the control group. Results: Results indicated that WTCP had a positive impact on self-compassion, personal accomplishment (burnout), and frequency of negative emotions. Moreover, a thematic analysis of participant interviews (n = 14) was conducted. Conclusions: These preliminary results are promising, though future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of WTCP using randomized controlled trial methodologies.This research was funded by the grant 03-CaViPro-GALIANA-BLASCO-2017-A, funded by the VLC-BICOLINIC 2017 Program (University of Valencia and INCLIVA), and grants RTI2018-097835-A-I00 and RTI2018-094089-I00, both of them funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa

Process-generated nanoparticles from ceramic tile sintering: Emissions, exposure and environmental release

Under a Creative Commons license.-- et al.The ceramic industry is an industrial sector in need of significant process changes, which may benefit from innovative technologies such as laser sintering of ceramic tiles. Such innovations result in a considerable research gap within exposure assessment studies for process-generated ultrafine and nanoparticles. This study addresses this issue aiming to characterise particle formation, release mechanisms and their impact on personal exposure during a tile sintering activity in an industrial-scale pilot plant, as a follow-up of a previous study in a laboratory-scale plant. In addition, possible particle transformations in the exhaust system, the potential for particle release to the outdoor environment, and the effectiveness of the filtration system were also assessed. For this purpose, a tiered measurement strategy was conducted. The main findings evidence that nanoparticle emission patterns were strongly linked to temperature and tile chemical composition, and mainly independent of the laser treatment. Also, new particle formation (from gaseous precursors) events were detected, with nanoparticles  87% efficiency in particle number concentrations removal.This work was supported by the European Commission FP7 (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN) Marie Curie ITN project no. 315760 (HEXACOMM) and by the Spanish MINECO (PCIN-2015-173-C02-01) under the frame of SIINN, the ERA-NET for a Safe Implementation of Innovative Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, through SIINN-ERANET project CERASAFE (id.:16). Additional support was provided by LIFE projects AIRUSE (LIFE11 ENV/ES/584), CERAMGLASS (LIFE11 ENV/ES/560) and LASERFIRING (LIFE09 ENV/ES/435).Peer Reviewe

Hybrid Modality Fusion of Planar Scintigrams and CT Topograms to Localize Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Lymphoscintigraphy: Technical Description and Phantom Studies

Lymphoscintigraphy is a nuclear medicine procedure that is used to detect sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). This project sought to investigate fusion of planar scintigrams with CT topograms as a means of improving the anatomic reference for the SLN localization. Heretofore, the most common lymphoscintigraphy localization method has been backlighting with a 57Co sheet source. Currently, the most precise method of localization through hybrid SPECT/CT increases the patient absorbed dose by a factor of 34 to 585 (depending on the specific CT technique factors) over the conventional 57Co backlighting. The new approach described herein also uses a SPECT/CT scanner, which provides mechanically aligned planar scintigram and CT topogram data sets, but only increases the dose by a factor of two over that from 57Co backlighting. Planar nuclear medicine image fusion with CT topograms has been proven feasible and offers a clinically suitable compromise between improved anatomic details and minimally increased radiation dose