XLO-II, a high-repetition rate X-ray laser oscillator

Recently we proposed to build an X-ray laser oscillator (XLO) in the 6-10 keV range providing intense, stable, transform-limited x-ray pulses in the 6-10 keV range, based on an x-ray pulse train operated at 100 Hz repetition rate. Here, we provide an analysis of recent experimental results and theoretical/numerical simulations showing that it is possible to build and operate a second generation x-ray laser oscillator, XLO-II, operating at up to 125 kHz and pumped by 6-10 keV x-ray SASE pulses generated by the new LCLS-II-HE x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) now under construction at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. XLO-II will generate transform limited, coherent x-ray pulses, with an average power in the tens of mW range. It will open new experimental capabilities, for instance in fields like imaging, interferometry and quantum x-ray optics. We discuss the recent results leading to this conclusion and present the main characteristics of XLO-II and of its main components, like the optical cavity

High Resolution K Capture X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy: A New Tool for Chemical Characterization

The ability to probe specific chemical sites in complex systems would make X-ray spectroscopy a far more versatile spectroscopic tool. In vibrational and magnetic resonance spectroscopies, isotopic substitution is commonly employed to allow characterization of particular species. Except in a few special cases, such as gas-phase spectra of light elements, isotope effects are too small to be observed in X-ray absorption spectra. An alternative approach is to examine the X-ray emission that results after electron capture by a radioactive isotope.^1,2 Controlled introduction of electron-capture isotopes could result in specific labeling of chemically distinct sites. In this paper, we show that highresolution electron capture fluorescence spectra can be obtained on a reasonable time scale. Chemical shifts in these spectra can be used to identify elemental spin states, oxidation states, and even the types of neighboring atoms. In the electron-capture process an inner shell electron reacts with a nuclear proton to yield a neutron and a neutrino

Influence of the core hole on Kß emission following photoionization or orbital electron capture: a comparison using MnO and 55Fe2O3

The Mn K ß fluorescence emission in MnO after photoionization and in "Fe 2 O 3 after radioactive electron capture decay from the K shell have been measured using a crystal array spectrometer with an instrumental energy bandwidth of 0.7 eV (full width at half maximum). Both compounds have a 3d 5 valence electron configuration in the ionic approximation. It is found that the spectral features after K capture in 55 Fe 2 O 3 are shifted in emission energy and are sharper, compared to the spectra following photoionization in MnO, i.e., the spectra exhibit a dependence on the mode of excitation. Crystal-field multiplet calculations including ligand-to- metal charge transfer have been carried out for the 1s intermediate states as well as for the 3p to 1s (K ß) radiative transition. The populated 1s intermediate states after photoionization are found to be spread over several eV. In comparison, only the lowest-lying 1s intermediate states split by the weak (1s,3d) exchange interaction are populated after K capture. It is proposed that the differences in population of the 1s intermediate states together with a term-dependent final-state lifetime broadening can account for the changes in the spectral shapes due to the different modes of excitation

Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Test for Pre-Vaccination Testing to Detect Antibodies against Canine Adenoviruses in Dogs

(1) Background: Antibody testing is commonly used to assess a dog’s immune status. For detection of antibodies against canine adenoviruses (CAVs), one point-of-care (POC) test is available. This study assessed the POC test´s performance. (2) Methods: Sera of 198 privately owned dogs and 40 specific pathogen-free (SPF) dogs were included. The reference standard for detection of anti-CAV antibodies was virus neutralization (VN) using CAV-1 and CAV-2 antigens. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy (OA) of the POC test were assessed. Specificity was considered most important. (3) Results: Prevalence of CAV-1 neutralizing antibodies (≥10) was 76% (182/238) in all dogs, 92% (182/198) in the subgroup of privately owned dogs, and 0% (0/40) in SPF dogs. Prevalence of CAV-2 neutralizing antibodies (≥10) was 76% (181/238) in all dogs, 91% (181/198) in privately owned dogs, and 0% (0/40) in SPF dogs. Specificity for detection of CAV-1 antibodies was lower (overall dogs, 88%; privately owned dogs, 56%; SPF dogs, 100%) compared with specificity for detection of CAV-2 antibodies (overall dogs, 90%; privately owned dogs, 65%; SPF dogs, 100%). (4) Conclusions: Since false positive results will lead to potentially unprotected dogs not being vaccinated, specificity should be improved to reliably detect anti-CAV antibodies that prevent infectious canine hepatitis in dogs

Antibody response to feline panleukopenia virus vaccination in healthy adult cats

Objectives According to prior studies, between 25.0% and 92.8% of adult cats have antibodies against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and thus are likely protected against FPV infection. It is, however, unknown how healthy adult cats with different antibody titres react to FPV vaccination in the field. Therefore, the aim of the study was to measure antibody titres in healthy adult cats within a period of 28 days after vaccination against FPV and to evaluate factors that are associated with a lack of adequate response to vaccination. Methods One hundred and twelve healthy adult cats were vaccinated with a vaccine against FPV, feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. Antibodies against FPV were determined before vaccination (day 0), on day 7 and day 28 after vaccination by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). A HI titre > 1:40 was defined as protective. An adequate response to vaccination was defined as a four-fold titre increase. Uni- and multivariate statistical analysis was used to determine factors associated with an adequate response. Results Pre-vaccination antibody titres of > 1:40 were present in 64.3% (72/112;95% confidence interval [CI] 55.1-72.6). Only 47.3% (53/112;95% CI 37.8-57.0) of cats had an adequate response to vaccination. Factors associated with an adequate response to vaccination were lack of previous vaccination (odds ratio [OR] 15.58;95% CI 1.4-179.1;P = 0.035), lack of antibodies (> 1:40) prior to vaccination (OR 23.10;95% CI 5.4-98.8;P 1:160) had an at least four-fold increase in FPV antibody titres, measurement of antibodies rather than regular revaccinations should be performed. Thus, evaluation of FPV antibody titre in cats with previous vaccinations against FPV are recommended prior to revaccination

Antibody Response to Canine Adenovirus-2 Virus Vaccination in Healthy Adult Dogs

Background: Re-vaccination against canine adenovirus (CAV) is performed in ≤3-year-intervals but its necessity is unknown. The study determined anti-CAV antibodies within 28 days of re-vaccination and factors associated with the absence of antibodies and vaccination response. Methods: Ninety-seven healthy adult dogs (last vaccination ≥12 months) were re-vaccinated with a modified live CAV-2 vaccine. Anti-CAV antibodies were measured before vaccination (day 0), and after re-vaccination (day 7, 28) by virus neutralization. A ≥4-fold titer increase was defined as vaccination response. Fisher’s exact test and multivariate regression analysis were performed to determine factors associated with the absence of antibodies and vaccination response. Results: Totally, 87% of dogs (90/97; 95% CI: 85.61–96.70) had anti-CAV antibodies (≥10) before re-vaccination. Vaccination response was observed in 6% of dogs (6/97; 95% CI: 2.60–13.11). Time since last vaccination (>3–5 years, OR = 9.375, p = 0.020; >5 years, OR = 25.000, p = 0.006) was associated with a lack of antibodies. Dogs from urban areas were more likely to respond to vaccination (p = 0.037). Conclusion: Many dogs had anti-CAV pre-vaccination antibodies, even those with an incomplete vaccination series. Most dogs did not respond to re-vaccination. Based on this study, dogs should be re-vaccinated every 3 years or antibodies should be determined

Comparison of Eight Commercially Available Faecal Point-of-Care Tests for Detection of Canine Parvovirus Antigen

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is considered the gold standard for the laboratory diagnosis of canine parvovirus (CPV) infection but can only be performed in specialized laboratories. Several point-of-care tests (POCT), detecting CPV antigens in faeces within minutes, are commercially available. The aim of this study was to evaluate eight POCT in comparison with qPCR. Faecal samples of 150 dogs from three groups (H: 50 client-owned, healthy dogs, not vaccinated within the last four weeks; S: 50 shelter dogs, healthy, not vaccinated within the last four weeks; p = 50 dogs with clinical signs of CPV infection) were tested with eight POCT and qPCR. Practicability, sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), as well as overall accuracy were determined. To assess the differences between and agreement among POCT, McNemar’s test and Cohen’s Kappa statistic were performed. Specificity and PPV were 100.0% in all POCT. Sensitivity varied from 22.9–34.3% overall and from 32.7–49.0% in group P. VetexpertRapidTestCPVAg® had the highest sensitivity (34.3% overall, 49.0% group P) and differed significantly from the 3 POCT with the lowest sensitivities (Fassisi®Parvo (27.7% overall, 36.7% group P), Primagnost®ParvoH+K (24.3% overall, 34.7% group P), FASTest®PARVOCard (22.9% overall, 32.7% group P)). The agreement among all POCT was at least substantial (kappa >0.80). A positive POCT result confirmed the infection with CPV in unvaccinated dogs, whereas a negative POCT result did not definitely exclude CPV infection due to the low sensitivity of all POCT

Molecular Detection of Feline Coronavirus Based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is endemic in cat populations worldwide. Persistently, subclinically infected cats play a significant role in spreading the infection. Testing fecal samples of cats may facilitate efforts to decrease the viral burden within a population. Real-time RT-PCR is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of FCoV but must be performed in a fully equipped laboratory. A simple and accurate assay is needed to identify FCoV at the point-of-need. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid FCoV detection assay based on isothermal amplification technology, i.e., reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA). Primers were designed to target the highly conserved 3′ untranslated region of the 7b gene. Running on a constant temperature of 42 °C, reverse transcription as well as DNA amplification and detection was achieved in a maximum of 15 min. A probit analysis revealed a detection limit of 58.5 RNA copies/reaction. For cross-detection, nucleic acids from 19 viruses were tested. Both RT-RPA and real-time RT-PCR showed cross-detection with canine coronavirus and transmissible gastroenteritis virus, but not with other pathogens. To evaluate clinical performance, RNA was extracted from 39 fecal samples from cats. All samples were tested simultaneously with real-time RT-PCR resulting in a RT-RPA sensitivity and specificity of 90.9% and 100%, respectively. RT-RPA can be considered a promising simple method for rapid detection of FCoV