The development of HISPEC for Keck and MODHIS for TMT: science cases and predicted sensitivities

HISPEC is a new, high-resolution near-infrared spectrograph being designed for the W.M. Keck II telescope. By offering single-shot, R=100,000 between 0.98 - 2.5 um, HISPEC will enable spectroscopy of transiting and non-transiting exoplanets in close orbits, direct high-contrast detection and spectroscopy of spatially separated substellar companions, and exoplanet dynamical mass and orbit measurements using precision radial velocity monitoring calibrated with a suite of state-of-the-art absolute and relative wavelength references. MODHIS is the counterpart to HISPEC for the Thirty Meter Telescope and is being developed in parallel with similar scientific goals. In this proceeding, we provide a brief overview of the current design of both instruments, and the requirements for the two spectrographs as guided by the scientific goals for each. We then outline the current science case for HISPEC and MODHIS, with focuses on the science enabled for exoplanet discovery and characterization. We also provide updated sensitivity curves for both instruments, in terms of both signal-to-noise ratio and predicted radial velocity precision.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of SPIE: Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets XI, vol. 12680 (2023

Role of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Crohnʼs Disease

No abstract available

Rapid Injection NMR Reveals η³ ‘π-Allyl’ Cu^III Intermediates in Addition Reactions of Organocuprate Reagents

By using rapid injection NMR, it has now been possible to prepare and characterize the η³ ‘π-allyl’ copper­(III) intermediate that has been proposed for addition reactions of organocopper­(I) reagents and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Complexes of the Gilman Reagent with Double Bonds across the π–σ Continuum

By using rapid injection NMR at low temperatures, a variety of π-complexes of lithium dimethylcuprate­(I) with C–C, C–N, and C–S double bonds have been prepared and characterized. Complexation is generally accompanied by large upfield changes in chemical shift for the substrate carbon atoms bonded to copper. In the case of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, the changes for the carbonyl carbons are much smaller in magnitude, which is consistent with the usual η² representation of these structures. It is possible for one ligand to displace another, and in this way an order of stability can be elucidated. Treatment of selected π-complexes with chlorosilanes or cyanosilanes gives Cu^III intermediates

Aspergillus specific nested PCR from the site of infection is superior to testing concurrent blood samples in immunocompromised patients with suspected invasive aspergillosis

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe complication in immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis is crucial to decrease its high mortality, yet the diagnostic gold standard (histopathology and culture) is time-consuming and cannot offer early confirmation of IA. Detection of IA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) shows promising potential. Various studies have analysed its diagnostic performance in different clinical settings, especially addressing optimal specimen selection. However, direct comparison of different types of specimens in individual patients though essential, is rarely reported. We systematically assessed the diagnostic performance of an Aspergillus-specific nested PCR by investigating specimens from the site of infection and comparing it with concurrent blood samples in individual patients (pts) with IA. In a retrospective multicenter analysis PCR was performed on clinical specimens (n = 138) of immunocompromised high-risk pts (n = 133) from the site of infection together with concurrent blood samples. 38 pts were classified as proven/probable, 67 as possible and 28 as no IA according to 2008 European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group consensus definitions. A considerably superior performance of PCR from the site of infection was observed particularly in pts during antifungal prophylaxis (AFP)/antifungal therapy (AFT). Besides a specificity of 85%, sensitivity varied markedly in BAL (64%), CSF (100%), tissue samples (67%) as opposed to concurrent blood samples (8%). Our results further emphasise the need for investigating clinical samples from the site of infection in case of suspected IA to further establish or rule out the diagnosis

Decitabine in combination with donor lymphocyte infusions can induce remissions in relapsed myeloid malignancies with higher leukemic burden after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

The combination of 5-azacytidine (AZA) with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) can induce remissions in patients with relapsed myeloid malignancies after allo-HCT. As decitabine (DAC) is known to be effective also in AML/MDS with leukocytosis, we investigated the combination of DAC with DLIs for relapse after allo-HCT. Between 2006 and 2016, 26 patients (median age 59 years) with AML (n = 18), MDS (n = 6), or MPN (n = 2) and overt hematological relapse after allo-HCT were treated. Median duration from allo-HCT to relapse was 306 days (range, 76-4943). Eighteen patients received DAC + DLIs, 8 DAC-only (median number cycles of DAC: 2, range 1-13, median number of DLIs: 2, range 1-10). The incidence of acute and chronic GvHD in patients receiving DLI was 17% (3/18) and 6% (1/18), respectively. CR/CRi was achieved in 15% (4/26), PR in 4% (1/26), and stable disease in 58% (15/26) of patients. Eight patients received a second allo-HCT. Median overall survival was 4.7 months. Elevated PD-L1 protein expression in bone marrow cells was detected in 4/8 patients with > 20% blast infiltration prior to DAC, without a clear association with response. In conclusion, the DAC + DLI regimen proved feasible and effective in relapsed myeloid malignancies after allo-HCT, with efficacy not restricted to patients with low leukemic burden