Time-Varying Dark Energy Constraints From the Latest SN Ia, BAO and SGL

Based on the latest SNe Ia data provided by Hicken et al. (2009) with using MLCS17 light curve fitter, together with the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation(BAO) and strong gravitational lenses(SGL), we investigate the constraints on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter $w$ in the flat universe, especially for the time-varying case $w(z)=w_0+w_zz/(1+z)$. The constraints from SNe data alone are found to be: (a) $(\Omega_M, w)=(0.358, -1.09)$ as the best-fit results; (b) $(w_0, w_z)=(-0.73^{+0.23}_{-0.97}, 0.84^{+1.66}_{-10.34})$ for the two parameters in the time-varying case after marginalizing the parameter $\Omega_M$; (c) the likelihood of parameter $w_z$ has a high non-Gaussian distribution; (d) an extra restriction on $\Omega_M$ is necessary to improve the constraint of the SNe Ia data on the parameters ($w_0$, $w_z$). A joint analysis of SNe Ia data and BAO is made to break the degeneracy between $w$ and $\Omega_M$, and leads to the interesting maximum likelihoods $w_0 = -0.94$ and $w_z = 0$. When marginalizing the parameter $\Omega_M$, the fitting results are found to be $(w_0, w_z)=(-0.95^{+0.45}_{-0.18}, 0.41^{+0.79}_{-0.96})$. After adding the splitting angle statistic of SGL data, a consistent constraint is obtained $(\Omega_M, w)=(0.298, -0.907)$ and the constraints on time-varying dark energy are further improved to be $(w_0, w_z) = (-0.92^{+0.14}_{-0.10}, 0.35^{+0.47}_{-0.54})$, which indicates that the phantom type models are disfavored.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, to be published in JCA

Precision Measurement of the Proton Flux in Primary Cosmic Rays from Rigidity 1 GV to 1.8 TV with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station

A precise measurement of the proton flux in primary cosmic rays with rigidity (momentum/charge) from 1 GV to 1.8 TV is presented based on 300 million events. Knowledge of the rigidity dependence of the proton flux is important in understanding the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays. We present the detailed variation with rigidity of the flux spectral index for the first time. The spectral index progressively hardens at high rigidities.</p

MET gene copy number predicts worse overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: MET is a receptor present in the membrane of NSCLC cells and is known to promote cell proliferation, survival and migration. MET gene copy number is a common genetic alteration and inhibition o MET emerges as a promising targeted therapy in NSCLC. Here we aim to combine in a meta-analysis, data on the effect of high MET gene copy number on the overall survival of patients with resected NSCLC. Methods: Two independent investigators applied parallel search strategies with the terms &quot;MET AND lung cancer&quot;, &quot;MET AND NSCLC&quot;, &quot;MET gene copy number AND prognosis&quot; in PubMed through January 2014. We selected the studies that investigated the association of MET gene copy number with survival, in patients who received surgery. Results: Among 1096 titles that were identified in the initial search, we retrieved 9 studies on retrospective cohorts with adequate retrievable data regarding the prognostic impact of MET gene copy number on the survival of patients with NSCLC. Out of those, 6 used FISH and the remaining 3 used RT PCR to assess the MET gene copy number in the primary tumor. We calculated the I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity (I2 = 72%). MET gene copy number predicted worse overall survival when all studies were combined in a random effects model (HR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.22-2.60). When only the studies that had at least 50% of adenocarcinoma patients in their populations were included, the effect was significant (five studies, HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.23-1.94). This was not true when we included only the studies with no more than 50% of the patients having adenocarcinoma histology (four studies HR 2.18, 95% CI 0.97-4.90). Conclusions: Higher MET gene copy number in the primary tumor at the time of diagnosis predicts worse outcome in patients with NSCLC. This prognostic impact may be adenocarcinoma histology specific. © 2014 Dimou et al

Sorting centimetre-long single-walled carbon nanotubes

While several approaches have been developed for sorting metallic (m) or semiconducting (s) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), the length of SWCNTs is limited within a micrometer, which restricts excellent electrical performances of SWCNTs for macro-scale applications. Here, we demonstrate a simple sorting method of centimetre-long aligned m- and s-SWCNTs. Ni particles were selectively and uniformly coated along the 1-cm-long m-SWCNTs by applying positive gate bias during electrochemical deposition with continuous electrolyte injection. To sort s-SWCNTs, the Ni coating was oxidized to form insulator outer for blocking of current flow through inner m-SWCNTs. Sorting of m-SWCNTs were demonstrated by selective etching of s-SWCNTs via oxygen plasma, while the protected m-SWCNTs by Ni coating remained intact. The series of source-drain pairs were patterned along the 1-cm-long sorted SWCNTs, which confirmed high on/off ratio of 104-108 for s-SWCNTs and nearly 1 for m-SWCNTs © The Author(s) 20161111sciescopu

Screening and characterization of microbial inhibitors against eukaryotic protein phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A)

Aim: To identify novel microbial inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). Methods and Results: 750 actinomycetes and 408 microfungi were isolated from Sabah forest soils and screened for production of potential PP1 inhibitors using an in vivo screening system, in which candidate inhibitors were identified through mimicking the properties of PP1-deficient yeast cells. Acetone extracts of two fungi, H9318 (Penicillium) and H9978 (non-Penicillium) identified in this way showed inhibitory activity towards both mammalian PP1 and PP2A in an in vitro phosphatase assay, while extract from H7520 (Streptomyces) inhibited PP2A but not PP1. Consistently, using a drug-induced haploinsufficiency test, strains with either reduced PP1 or PP2A function were hypersensitive to H9318 and H9978 extracts whereas only the latter strain showed hypersensitivity to H7250 extract. H9318 extract was fractionated using RP-HPLC into two active peaks (S1 and S2). A yeast strain with reduced PP1 function showed hypersensitivity to fraction S2 whereas a strain with reduced PP2A function was hypersensitive to fraction S1. However, S1 and S2 inhibited both PP1 and PP2A activities to a similar extent. Conclusion: Three candidate PP inhibitors have been identified. Significance and Impact of the Study : Further development may generate useful research tools and ultimately therapeutic agents