Extending the Breakthrough Listen nearby star survey to other stellar objects in the field

We extend the source sample recently observed by the Breakthrough Listen Initiative by including additional stars (with parallaxes measured by Gaia) that also reside within the FWHM of the GBT and Parkes radio telescope target fields. These stars have estimated distances as listed in the extensions of the Gaia DR2 catalogue. Enlarging the sample from 1327 to 288315 stellar objects permits us to achieve substantially better Continuous Waveform Transmitter Rate Figures of Merit (CWTFM) than any previous analysis, and allows us to place the tightest limits yet on the prevalence of nearby high-duty-cycle extraterrestrial transmitters. The results suggest $\lesssim 0.0660^{+0.0004}_{-0.0003}$% of stellar systems within 50 pc host such transmitters (assuming an EIRP $\gtrsim 10^{13}$ W) and $\lesssim 0.039^{+0.004}_{-0.008}$% within 200 pc (assuming an EIRP $\gtrsim 2.5 \times 10^{14}$ W). We further extend our analysis to much greater distances, though we caution that the detection of narrow-band signals beyond a few hundred pc may be affected by interstellar scintillation. The extended sample also permits us to place new constraints on the prevalence of extraterrestrial transmitters by stellar type and spectral class. Our results suggest targeted analyses of SETI radio data can benefit from taking into account the fact that in addition to the target at the field centre, many other cosmic objects reside within the primary beam response of a parabolic radio telescope. These include foreground and background galactic stars, but also extragalactic systems. With distances measured by Gaia, these additional sources can be used to place improved limits on the prevalence of extraterrestrial transmitters, and extend the analysis to a wide range of cosmic objects.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables. Accepted by MNRA

Characterization of Material Micro & Nano Structures Using Machine Learning Algorithms

In order to understand how changes to a material at the atomic and nano-scales impact the way a material behaves, it is necessary to measure the material at that scale. Scanning transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) is one such approach. Over the last 5 years, computer vision has been completely revolutionized by the advent of deep neural networks (DNN). One challenge of using DNNs for image processing is that they require often large amounts of labelled data in order to build a usable algorithm (model). Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a few-shot algorithm which allows the model to be operated using limited data. Using data from a sample micrograph, a new neural network is implemented with the objective of aptly segmenting the micrograph and obtaining classifications for the microstructures. This model investigates the use of existing image segmentation techniques, particularly region-based techniques. The success of this approach can provide a rapid and reconfigurable tool for identifying these microstructures. This research conducted in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Feasibility of Tomotherapy-Based Image-Guided Radiotherapy to Reduce Aspiration Risk in Patients with Non-Laryngeal and Non-Pharyngeal Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose: The study aims to assess the feasibility of Tomotherapy-based image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) to reduce the aspiration risk in patients with non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal cancer. A retrospective review of 48 patients undergoing radiation for non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal head and neck cancers was conducted. All patients had a modified barium swallow (MBS) prior to treatment, which was repeated one month following radiotherapy. Mean middle and inferior pharyngeal dose was recorded and correlated with the MBS results to determine aspiration risk

The effect of heat treatment conditions on the structure evolution and mechanical properties of two binary Al-Mg aluminium alloys

The presented investigation results were carried out on two binary aluminium-magnesium alloys. The article focuses on the influence of heat treatment conditions on the precipitation response of AlMg3 and AlMg5 aluminium alloy, microstructure evolution and strength of the alloys. The microstructure variation was analysed using a scanning electron microscope and an optical microscope in order to characterise the microstructure in a heat treated condition. Tensile tests and hardness measurements were carried out to investigate the effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties

Impact of mild therapeutic hypothermia on bioavailability of ticagrelor in patients with acute myocardial infarction after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) frequently occurs in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Survivors require percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with concomitantdual antiplatelet therapy. Target temperature management, including mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH), should be applied in comatose patients after resuscitation. However, an increased risk of stent thrombosis in patients undergoing hypothermia is observed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of MTH on pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor in cardiac arrest survivors with MI treated with MTH and PCI.Methods: In a prospective, observational, single-center study pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor were evaluated in 41 MI patients, including 11 patients after OHCA undergoing MTH (MTH group) and 30 MI patients without OHCA and MTH (no-MTH group). Blood samples were drawn before administration of a 180 mg ticagrelor loading dose, and 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after the loading dose.Results: In patients treated with MTH total exposure to ticagrelor during the first 12 h after the loading dose and maximal plasma concentration of ticagrelor were significantly lower than in the no-MTH group (AUC(0–12): 3403 ± 2879 vs. 8746 ± 5596 ng·h/mL, difference: 61%, p = 0.01; Cmax: 475 ± 353 vs. 1568 ± 784 ng/mL, p = 0.0002). Time to achieve maximal ticagrelor plasma concentration was also delayed in the MTH group (tmax for ticagrelor: 12 [6–24] vs. 4 [2–12] h, p = 0.01).Conclusions: Bioavailability of ticagrelor was substantially decreased and delayed in MI patients treated with MTH after OHCA. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0261193

A new species of Bungona in Turkey (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae): an unexpected biogeographic pattern within a pantropical complex of mayflies

By using an integrative approach, we describe a new species of mayfly, Bungona (Chopralla) pontica sp. n., from Turkey. The discovery of a representative of the tropical mayfly genus Bungona in the Middle East is rather unexpected. The new species shows all the main morphological characters of the subgenus Chopralla, which has its closest related species occurring in southeastern Asia. Barcoding clearly indicated that the new species represents an independent lineage isolated for a very long time from other members of the complex. The claw is equipped with two rows of three or four flattened denticles. This condition is a unique feature of Bungona (Chopralla) pontica sp. n. among West Palaearctic mayfly species. Within the subgenus Chopralla, the species can be identified by the presence of a simple, not bifid right prostheca (also present only in Bungona (Chopralla) liebenauae (Soldan, Braasch & Muu, 1987)), the shape of the labial palp, and the absence of protuberances on pronotum

Site-specific O-glycosylation on the MUC_{2} mucin protein inhibits cleavage by the porphyromonas gingivalis secreted cysteine protease (RgpB)

The colonic epithelial surface is protected by an inner mucus layer that the commensal microflora cannot penetrate. We previously demonstrated that Entamoeba histolytica secretes a protease capable of dissolving this layer that is required for parasite penetration. Here, we asked whether there are bacteria that can secrete similar proteases. We screened bacterial culture supernatants for such activity using recombinant fragments of the MUC2 mucin, the major structural component, and the only gel-forming mucin in the colonic mucus. MUC2 has two central heavily O-glycosylated mucin domains that are protease-resistant and has cysteine-rich N and C termini responsible for polymerization. Culture supernatants of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium that secretes proteases responsible for periodontitis, cleaved the MUC2 C-terminal region, whereas the N-terminal region was unaffected. The active enzyme was isolated and identified as Arg-gingipain B (RgpB). Two cleavage sites were localized to IR↓TT and NR↓QA. IR↓TT cleavage will disrupt the MUC2 polymers. Because this site has two potential O-glycosylation sites, we tested whether recombinant GalNAc-transferases (GalNAc-Ts) could glycosylate a synthetic peptide covering the IRTT sequence. Only GalNAc-T3 was able to glycosylate the second Thr in IRTT, rendering the sequence resistant to cleavage by RgpB. Furthermore, when GalNAc-T3 was expressed in CHO cells expressing the MUC2 C terminus, the second threonine was glycosylated, and the protein became resistant to RgpB cleavage. These findings suggest that bacteria can produce proteases capable of dissolving the inner protective mucus layer by specific cleavages in the MUC2 mucin and that this cleavage can be modulated by site-specific O-glycosylation

Experiments on subcooled flow boiling in I.C. engine-like conditions at low flow velocities

[EN] Subcooled boiling flow is specially attractive for engine cooling system design, as no essential changes in its architecture are required while it is still possible to take advantage of the highest rates of heat transfer associated with nucleate boiling, mostly at high engine loads. In this paper, experiments on subcooled boiling flow in representative temperature conditions were conducted with a usual engine coolant in the low velocity range, for which little information is available, even if it may be relevant when advanced thermal management strategies are used. The results were analyzed by comparison with a reference Chen-type model which provided reasonable results for relatively low wall temperatures, but with noticeable discrepancies at higher wall temperatures. Analysis of the deviations observed indicated a significant influence of the Prandtl number on the suppression factor, and the inclusion into the model of a first estimate of this effect produced a noticeable improvement in its results, thus suggesting that one such modified additive model may be useful for practical engine cooling applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This work has been supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion through Grant TRA2010-16205. O. Cornejo is indebted to Senacyt Panama for their support.Torregrosa, AJ.; Broatch, A.; Olmeda, P.; Cornejo, O. (2014). Experiments on subcooled flow boiling in I.C. engine-like conditions at low flow velocities. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science. 52:347-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2013.10.004S3473545

Feasibility of Tomotherapy-Based Image-Guided Radiotherapy to Reduce Aspiration Risk in Patients with Non-Laryngeal and Non-Pharyngeal Head and Neck Cancer

PURPOSE: The study aims to assess the feasibility of Tomotherapy-based image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) to reduce the aspiration risk in patients with non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal cancer. A retrospective review of 48 patients undergoing radiation for non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal head and neck cancers was conducted. All patients had a modified barium swallow (MBS) prior to treatment, which was repeated one month following radiotherapy. Mean middle and inferior pharyngeal dose was recorded and correlated with the MBS results to determine aspiration risk. RESULTS: Mean pharyngeal dose was 23.2 Gy for the whole group. Two patients (4.2%) developed trace aspiration following radiotherapy which resolved with swallowing therapy. At a median follow-up of 19 months (1-48 months), all patients were able to resume normal oral feeding without aspiration. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IGRT may reduce the aspiration risk by decreasing the mean pharyngeal dose in the presence of large cervical lymph nodes. Further prospective studies with IGRT should be performed in patients with non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal head and neck cancers to verify this hypothesis