On the metallicity gradient of the Galactic disk

Aims: The iron abundance gradient in the Galactic stellar disk provides fundamental constraints on the chemical evolution of this important Galaxy component. However the spread around the mean slope is, at fixed Galactocentric distance, larger than estimated uncertainties. Methods: To provide quantitative constraints on these trends we adopted iron abundances for 265 classical Cepheids (more than 50% of the currently known sample) based either on high-resolution spectra or on photometric metallicity indices. Homogeneous distances were estimated using near-infrared Period-Luminosity relations. The sample covers the four disk quadrants and their Galactocentric distances range from ~5 to ~17 kpc. Results: A linear regression over the entire sample provides an iron gradient of -0.051+/-0.004 dex/kpc. The above slope agrees quite well, within the errors, with previous estimates based either on Cepheids or on open clusters covering similar Galactocentric distances. However, once we split the sample in inner (Rg < 8 kpc) and outer disk Cepheids we found that the slope (-0.130+/-0.015 dex/kpc) in the former region is ~3 times steeper than the slope in the latter one (-0.042+/-0.004 dex/kpc). We found that in the outer disk the radial distribution of metal-poor (MP, [Fe/H]<-0.02 dex) and metal-rich (MR) Cepheids across the four disk quadrants does not show a clear trend when moving from the innermost to the external disk regions. We also found that the relative fractions of MP and MR Cepheids in the 1st and in the 3rd quadrant differ at 8 sigma (MP) and 15 sigma (MR) level.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, A&A accepte

Rapid testing versus karyotyping in Down's syndrome screening: cost-effectiveness and detection of clinically significant chromosome abnormalities

In all, 80% of antenatal karyotypes are generated by Down's syndrome screening programmes (DSSP). After a positive screening, women are offered prenatal foetus karyotyping, the gold standard. Reliable molecular methods for rapid aneuploidy diagnosis (RAD: fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF-PCR)) can detect common aneuploidies, and are faster and less expensive than karyotyping

Planck pre-launch status : The Planck mission

Peer reviewe

Pricing electricity in residential communities using game-theoretical billings

Abstract By sharing common assets such as the power grid, prosumers are closely interrelated by their actions and interests. Game theory provides powerful tools for increased coordination among the prosumers to optimize the energy resources. However, depending on the prosumer profiles and the market rules, the individual bills may notably differ and prove to be unfair. In this work, we analyze the outcomes of three relevant game-theoretical billing methods, which are innovatively transposed to the day-ahead scheduling of energy exchange within a liberalized residential community dominated by distributed energy resources. The first two approaches rely on a (static) daily billing scheme, while the third considers a multi-temporal (continuous) billing. The Nash equilibria are computed using distributed algorithms, hence ensuring individual decision-making and avoiding third-party dependencies. The cost distributions are assessed using both a qualitative and a quantitative comparison based on various prosumer profiles in a modern smart grid. It is shown that, depending on the billing option, either the contribution towards the entity (i.e., the ability to improve the global solution) or the individual empowerment (i.e., the ability to bargain) can be preferentially incentivized

Importance of good sampling practice throughout the gold mine value chain

© 2016 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and The AusIMM Published by Taylor & Francis on behalf of the Institute and The AusIMM.The mining industry routinely collects samples to assist with decision making, whether for exploration, resource estimation, grade control, or plant design and balances. Poorly designed sampling protocols can result in elevated project risk by increasing variability. Critically, such variability produces both financial and intangible losses. Sample collection, preparation and assay or test work protocols that are optimised to suit the ore type, together with QAQC systems will reduce variability. Many gold deposits display a high natural variability, where the in situ variability can be enhanced by poor sampling practice to yield a high-nugget effect. In this case, specialised protocols are often required. Reporting codes require the Competent Person to consider the quality and implication of sampling programmes. Despite its importance, sampling often does not receive the attention it deserves. In this paper, the importance of good sampling practice is exemplified through a series of case studies, which show the many sampling issues that frequently go unrecognised or unaddressed, resulting in poor decisions and financial loss

Liver transplantation as a rescue therapy for severe neurologic forms of Wilson disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of liver transplantation (LT) in patients with Wilson disease (WD) with severe neurologic worsening resistant to active chelation. METHODS: French patients with WD who underwent LT for pure neurologic indication were retrospectively studied. Before LT and at the last follow-up, neurologic impairment was evaluated with the Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS) score, disability with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and hepatic function with the Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, together with the presence of a Kayser-Fleischer ring (KFR), brain MRI scores, and copper balance. The survival rate and disability at the last follow-up were the coprimary outcomes; evolution of KFR and brain MRI were the secondary outcomes. Prognosis factors were further assessed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had LT. All were highly dependent before LT (median mRS score 5). Neurologic symptoms were severe (median UWDRS score 105), dominated by dystonia and parkinsonism. The cumulated survival rate was 88.8% at 1 year and 72.2% at 3 and 5 years. At the last follow-up, 14 patients were alive. Their mRS and UWDRS scores improved (p \textless 0.0001 and p = 0.0003). Eight patients had a major improvement (78% decrease of the UWDRS score), 4 a moderate one (41% decrease), and 2 a stable status. KFR and brain MRI scores improved (p = 0.0007). Severe sepsis (p = 0.011) and intensive care unit admission (p = 0.001) before LT were significantly associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: LT is a rescue therapeutic option that should be carefully discussed in selected patients with neurologic WD resistant to anticopper therapies (chelators or zinc salts) as it might allow patients to gain physical independency with a reasonable risk. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with WD with severe neurologic worsening resistant to active pharmacologic therapy, LT might decrease neurologic impairment

Cardiomyocyte-Specific JunD Overexpression Increases Infarct Size following Ischemia/Reperfusion Cardiac Injury by Downregulating Sirt3

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in acute myocardial infarction activates several deleterious molecular mechanisms. The transcription factor JunD regulates pathways involved in oxidative stress as well as in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and death. The present study investigated the potential role of JunD as a modulator of myocardial injury pathways in a mouse model of cardiac I/R injury. Infarct size, systemic and local inflammation, and production of reactive oxygen species, as well as cytosolic and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways were investigated in adult males after myocardial I/R. In wild-type (WT) mice, 30 minutes after ischemia and up to 24 hours following reperfusion, cardiac JunD messenger ribonucleic acid expression was reduced while JunB increased. Cardiac-specific JunD overexpressing mice (JunDTg/0 ) displayed larger infarcts compared with WT. However, postischemic inflammatory or oxidative responses did not differ. JunD overexpression reduced Sirt3 transcription by binding to its promoter, thus leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, myocardial cell death, and increased infarct size. On the other hand, JunD silencing reduced, while Sirt3 silencing increased infarct size. In human myocardial autopsy specimens, JunD-positive areas within the infarcted left ventricle staining corresponded to undetectable Sirt3 areas in consecutive sections of the same heart. Cardiac-specific JunD overexpression increases myocardial infarct size following I/R. These effects are mediated via Sirt3 transcriptional repression, mitochondrial swelling, and increased apoptosis, suggesting that JunD is a key regulator of myocardial I/R injury. The present data set the stage for further investigation of the potential role of Sirt3 activation as a novel target for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction