A metrology system for a high resolution cavity beam position monitor system

International Linear Collider (ILC) interaction region beam sizes and component position stability requirements will likely be as small as a few nanometers. It is important to the ILC design effort to demonstrate that these tolerances can be achieved–ideally using a beam-based stability measurement. We developed a high resolution RF cavity Beam Position Monitor (BPM) system. A triplet of these BPMs, installed in the extraction line of the KEK Accelerator Test Facility (ATF) and tested with its ultra-low emittance beam, achieved a position measurement resolution of 15 nm. A metrology system for the three BPMs was subsequently installed. This system employed optical encoders to measure each BPM's position and orientation relative to a zero-coefficient of thermal expansion carbon fiber frame. We have demonstrated that the three BPMs behave as a rigid-body at the level of less than 5 nm

Energy-z correlation measurements of electron bunches

Bunch length and energy-z correlation measurements were performed on the high energy (28.5 GeV) electron test beam of the A-line and End Station A (ESA) facilities at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The longitudinal profile of each bunch was measured by imaging the synchrotron light emitted as the electrons traversed a highly dispersive bend after being streaked by a transverse rf deflecting cavity. In addition, high frequency diodes and pyroelectric detectors placed at a ceramic gap in the beam line were used to measure the length of the bunch in ESA

T-Lymphocytes Expressing CC Chemokine Receptor-5 Are Increased in Frail Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequencies of T-lymphocytes expressing CC chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5(+) T-cells) and their relationship with frailty in older adults. DESIGN: Case-control study with an age-, race-, and sex-matched design. SETTING: General Clinical Research Center. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults aged 72 and older from Baltimore, Maryland. METHODS: Frailty was determined using five validated criteria: weakness, slow walking speed, fatigue, low physical activity, and weight loss. Those meeting three or more of these five criteria were defined as frail and those with none as nonfrail. Complete blood counts were performed to obtain peripheral lymphocyte counts using an automated (Coulter) counter. Peripheral blood was collected for surface immunofluorescent staining of CCR5 and other T-cell markers. RESULTS: Twenty-six frail and matched nonfrail participants (mean age+/-standard deviation 83.8+/-5.3, range 72-94) completed the study. Frail participants had higher CCR5(+), CCR5(+)CD8(+), and CCR5(+)CD45RO(-) T-cell counts than matched nonfrail controls (349+/-160/mm(3) vs 194+/-168/mm(3), P=.02; 208+/-98/mm(3) vs 105+/-62/mm(3), P=.02; and 189+/-149/mm(3) vs 52+/-36/mm(3), P=.01; respectively). Furthermore, there was a trend toward graded increase in these T-cell counts across the frailty scores in frail participants (e.g., CCR5(+)CD8(+) counts of 123+/-52/mm(3), 248+/-115/mm(3), and 360+/-215/mm(3) for those with frailty scores of 3, 4, and 5, respectively). CONCLUSION: These initial results suggest an expansion of the CCR5(+) T-cell subpopulation in frailty. They provide a basis for further characterization of CCR5(+) T-cells and their role in frailty, with potential therapeutic implications

Imaging Novel Ruthenium bipyridine-based Nanophotoswitches in Retina

Nanophotoswitches (NPSs) offer a new tool for optical stimulation of neuronal activity, in vitro and also potentially in vivo. Our group previously reported a ruthenium bipyridine (Rubpy)-based NPS that inserts into the plasma membrane and upon visible illumination generates an electrical dipole, triggering action potentials in adrenal chromaffin cells. We have recently demonstrated that after intravitreal injection of this NPS into the eyes of blind rats, illumination of the eye elicited electrical activity in the contralateral superior colliculus. To better understand the site of action of the NPS in retina, we examined the distribution of the molecules in different retinal layers after intravitreal injection. Methods: Rubpy molecules can be visualized by their luminescence (610 nm) upon visible wavelength illumination (460 nm). To resolve the luminescence from different retinal layers, a rapid-scan twophoton imaging system (LaVison) was used (Ti:Sapphire laser tuned to 900 nm). Intravitreal injection (1 mM, 4 μL Rubpy-based NPSs in BSS), followed by eye removal and retina isolation 2-5 hrs after, was performed on young RCS rats. Luminescence images of the wholemount retina were captured by an EM-CCD camera (Andor). Results: At 2 hrs after intravitreal injection and with continuous superfusion of Ames medium, luminescence was confined near the injection site. Luminescence was observed localized to surface membranes of axons and somata of retinal ganglion cells (RGC), demonstrating the impermeability of the cell membrane to the NPS molecules. The outer retina did not show significant luminescence. After 3 additional hours, luminescence was more diffused within the RGC layer and still did not extend to the outer retina. Conclusions: This study shows marked staining of RGC layer by intravitreally injected Rubpy-based NPS molecules, consistent with the hypothesis that the photoactivated NPS molecules induce electrical activity in the superior colliculus by acting on the RGCs that deliver electrical signals to the visual pathway outside the eyes. Distinct from other nano-scale optical cellular modulating approaches using optogenetics or azobenzene-based photoswitches, the NPS approach obviates the need for gene manipulation or toxic UV illumination, highlighting its potential in generating high-acuity prosthetic vision in patients blinded by retinal degenerative diseases