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Using a novel approach, the distribution of fluences of long gamma-ray bursts derived from the Swift-BAT catalog was reproduced by a jet-model characterized by the distribution of the total radiated energy in γ-rays and the distribution of the aperture angle of the emission cone. The best fit between simulated and observed fluence distributions permits one to estimate the parameters of the model. An evolution of the median energy of the bursts is required to adequately reproduce the observed redshift distribution of the events when the formation rate of γ-ray bursts follows the cosmic star formation rate. For our preferred model, the median jet energy evolves as EJ ∞ e0.5(1+z) and the mean expected jet energy is 3.0 × 1049 erg, which agrees with the mean value derived from afterglow data. The estimated local formation rate is Rgrb = 290 Gpc-3 yr-1, representing less than 9% of the local formation rate of type Ibc supernovae. This result also suggests that the progenitors of long gamma-ray bursts have masses ⩾90 M☉ when a Miller-Scalo initial mass function is assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An immunohistochemistry (IH) quality control exercise was conducted as part of the 14th International HLA (human leukocyte antigen) and Immunogenetics Workshop (IHIWS) HLA Expression and Cancer component. Six laboratories participated and the exercises involved performing IH using three monoclonal antibodies (HC-10, β2m and SI00) on three sequential paraffin-embedded melanoma sections provided by one laboratory. High-resolution digital photographs of five IH-stained sections were also distributed for interpretation. While there was generally good agreement between laboratories, several differences in staining and interpretation of IH sections were identified and possible reasons given. Interpretation of the high-resolution digital photographs showed a high level of concordance between laboratories. It is suggested that further exercises are conducted as part of future collaborative activities in order to further characterise areas of variability between IH performance and interpretation of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I expression in melanoma is usually assessed using immunohistochemical staining. Here we report on the use of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) hyperspectral imaging, a method widely used in two-dimensional analysis of chemical components, to study HLA class I expression in tissue. Two-dimensional cluster colour images derived from unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of FTIR hyperspectral data on melanoma sections were compared with consecutive sections that were immunohistochemically stained for class I expression. HLA-class-I-positive and -negative areas were differentiated by FTIR cluster images in all eight melanoma sections investigated without the need for antibody attachment. FTIR imaging enables the distinction of HLA-class-I-positive from class-I-negative areas in melanoma. This method is accurate, rapid and cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]