Sub-atomic constraints on the Kerr geometry of GW150914

We obtain stringent constraints on near-horizon deviations of a black hole from the Kerr geometry by performing a long-duration Bayesian analysis of the gravitational-wave data immediately following GW150914. GW150914 was caused by a binary system that merged to form a final compact object. We parameterize deviations of this object from a Kerr black hole by modifying its boundary conditions from full absorption to full reflection, thereby modeling it as a horizonless ultracompact object. Such modifications result in the emission of long-lived monochromatic quasinormal modes after the merger. These modes would extract energy on the order of a few solar masses from the final object, making them observable by LIGO. By putting bounds on the existence of these modes, we show that the Kerr geometry is not modified down to distances as small as $4 \times 10^{-16}$ meters away from the horizon. Our results indicate that the post-merger object formed by GW150914 is a black hole that is well described by the Kerr geometry

Трансформация исследований риска в сфере культуры в условиях глобализации

У статті розглянуто та охарактеризовано основні підходи до розуміння ризиків. На основі сучасних розробок в сфері дослідження ризику визначено та проаналізовано трансформації та поширення ризиків на всі суспільні відносини за умов динамічної модернізації суспільства. Визначено поле подальших досліджень даної проблеми.In the article basic approaches to understanding risks are considered and described. On the basis of modern risks research transformation and spreading risks in all social relations during dynamic social modernization are defined and analyzed. The field of subsequent researches of the given problem is defined.В статье рассмотрены и даны характеристики основным подходам к пониманию рисков. На основе современных разработок исследования риска определено и проанализированы трансформации и распространение рисков на все общественные отношения в условиях динамической модернизации общества. Определено поле дальнейших исследований данной проблемы

High-quality gene assembly directly from unpurified mixtures of microarray-synthesized oligonucleotides

To meet the growing demand for synthetic genes more robust, scalable and inexpensive gene assembly technologies must be developed. Here, we present a protocol for high-quality gene assembly directly from low-cost marginal-quality microarray-synthesized oligonucleotides. Significantly, we eliminated the time- and money-consuming oligonucleotide purification steps through the use of hybridization-based selection embedded in the assembly process. The protocol was tested on mixtures of up to 2000 oligonucleotides eluted directly from microarrays obtained from three different chip manufacturers. These mixtures containing <5% perfect oligos, and were used directly for assembly of 27 test genes of different sizes. Gene quality was assessed by sequencing, and their activity was tested in coupled in vitro transcription/translation reactions. Genes assembled from the microarray-eluted material using the new protocol matched the quality of the genes assembled from >95% pure column-synthesized oligonucleotides by the standard protocol. Both averaged only 2.7 errors/kb, and genes assembled from microarray-eluted material without clonal selection produced only 30% less protein than sequence-confirmed clones. This report represents the first demonstration of cost-efficient gene assembly from microarray-synthesized oligonucleotides. The overall cost of assembly by this method approaches 5¢ per base, making gene synthesis more affordable than traditional cloning

Regulation of Human Formyl Peptide Receptor 1 Synthesis: Role of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, Transcription Factors, and Inflammatory Mediators

The gene encoding the human formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) is heterogeneous, containing numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Here, we examine the effect of these SNPs on gene transcription and protein translation. We also identify gene promoter sequences and putative FPR1 transcription factors. To test the effect of codon bias and codon pair bias on FPR1 expression, four FPR1 genetic variants were expressed in human myeloid U937 cells fused to a reporter gene encoding firefly luciferase. No significant differences in luciferase activity were detected, suggesting that the translational regulation and protein stability of FPR1 are modulated by factors other than the SNP codon bias and the variant amino acid properties. Deletion and mutagenesis analysis of the FPR1 promoter showed that a CCAAT box is not required for gene transcription. A −88/41 promoter construct resulted in the strongest transcriptional activity, whereas a −72/41 construct showed large reduction in activity. The region between −88 and −72 contains a consensus binding site for the transcription factor PU.1. Mutagenesis of this site caused significant reduction in reporter gene expression. The PU.1 binding was confirmed in vivo by chromatin immunoprecipitation, and the binding to nucleotides −84 to −76 (TTCCTATTT) was confirmed in vitro by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Thus, similar to many other myeloid genes, FPR1 promoter activity requires PU.1. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms at −56 and −54 did not significantly affect FPR1 gene expression, despite differences in binding of transcription factor IRF1 in vitro. Inflammatory mediators such as interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and lipopolysaccharide did not increase FPR1 promoter activity in myeloid cells, whereas differentiation induced by DMSO and retinoic acid enhanced the activity. This implies that the expression of FPR1 in myeloid cells is developmentally regulated, and that the differentiated cells are equipped for immediate response to microbial infections

Velocity-resolved reverberation mapping of five bright Seyfert 1 galaxies

We present the first results from a reverberation-mapping campaign undertaken during the first half of 2012, with additional data on one AGN (NGC 3227) from a 2014 campaign. Our main goals are (1) to determine the black hole masses from continuum-Hβ reverberation signatures, and (2) to look for velocity-dependent time delays that might be indicators of the gross kinematics of the broad-line region. We successfully measure Hbeta time delays and black hole masses for five AGNs, four of which have previous reverberation mass measurements. The values measured here are in agreement with earlier estimates, though there is some intrinsic scatter beyond the formal measurement errors. We observe velocity dependent Hβ lags in each case, and find that the patterns have changed in the intervening five years for three AGNs that were also observed in 2007.PostprintPeer reviewe

Antibody-Mediated Extreme Insulin Resistance: The Importance of Pre-Treatment Screening

We report the case of a 56 year-old Hispanic male with a 10-year history of type 2 diabetes who presented with abrupt onset of hyperglycemia resistant to escalating doses of intravenous insulin infusion (&gt;2500 units daily). He was diagnosed with antibody-mediated insulin resistance given the presence of hyperglycemia despite receiving &gt;200 units insulin/day, a lack of identifiable precipitants for diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, and elevated insulin antibodies. He underwent pre-immunomodulatory therapy screening for infections, rheumatologic disorders, and malignancy, which uncovered a new diagnosis of latent tuberculosis. While concurrently being treated for latent tuberculosis, he successfully responded to immunomodulatory therapy with rituximab, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide. Insulin was discontinued completely, and he maintained appropriate glycemic control on oral diabetic agents (metformin and pioglitazone). This case supports the use of immunomodulatory therapy for the treatment of antibody-mediated insulin resistance and highlights the importance of pre-immunomodulatory therapy screening to uncover occult infection or identify underlying neoplastic/rheumatologic disease prior to immunosuppression

Nutritional and lifestyle behaviours reported following one anastomosis gastric bypass based on a multicentre study

This study was aimed to describe nutritional and lifestyle parameters following One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB). A multicenter study Two cross-sectional studies among OAGB patients across Israel (n=277) and Portugal (n=111) were was performed. Patients were approached ac-cording to the time elapsed since surgery. An online survey with information regarding de-mographics, anthropometrics, and nutritional and lifestyle aspects was administered in both countries simultaneously. Respondents from Israel (pre-surgery age of 41.6±11.0 years, 75.8% females) and Portugal (pre-surgery age of 45.6±12.3 years, 79.3% females) reported changes in their appetite (≤94.0% and ≤94.6%), changes in their taste (≤51.0 and ≤51.4%), and intolerance to specific foods (i.e., red meat, pasta, bread, and rice). Bariatric surgery-related eating recommendations were generally well followed, but a trend toward lower adherence was evident in groups with longer time elapsed since surgery in both countries. Most respondents from Israel and Portugal reported participation in follow-up meetings with a surgeon (≤94.0% and 100%) and a dietitian (≤92.6% and ≤100%), while much far fewer reported participation in any follow-up meeting with a psychologist/social worker (≤37.9% and ≤56.1%). Patients following OAGB might experience changes in appetite, taste, and intolerance for specific foods. Adherence to bariatric surgery-related eating recommendations is not always satisfying, especially in the longer-term post-surgery