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Cryogenic phonon detectors with transition-edge sensors achieve the best sensitivity to sub-GeV/c2dark matter interactions with nuclei in current direct detection experiments. In such devices, the temperature of the thermometer and the bias current in its readout circuit need careful optimization to achieve optimal detector performance. This task is not trivial and is typically done manually by an expert. In our work, we automated the procedure with reinforcement learning in two settings. First, we trained on a simulation of the response of three Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST) detectors used as a virtual reinforcement learning environment. Second, we trained live on the same detectors operated in the CRESST underground setup. In both cases, we were able to optimize a standard detector as fast and with comparable results as human experts. Our method enables the tuning of large-scale cryogenic detector setups with minimal manual interventions.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and causes of clinically detectable uveitic serous retinal detachment (SRD).Methods: Retrospective chart review of a large clinic-based series.Results: Serous retinal detachment was present in 78 of the 2761 (2.8%) patients. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease was the most commonly identified cause (38/78, 48.7%). Less common associated etiologies included toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (8/78, 10.3%), sarcoidosis (5/78, 6.4%), intraocular lymphoma (4/78, 5.1%), presumed tuberculosis (3/78, 3.8%), and posterior scleritis (2/78, 2.6%). Fifteen patients (19.2%) with uveitic SRD at presentation had no identifiable etiology and were labeled idiopathic or indeterminant. Thirty of the 38 patients with VKH disease (78.9%) had positive neurological and/or integumentary findings, and therefore constituted either complete or incomplete subtypes of the disease. The remaining eight (21.1%) had presumed/ocular VKH disease limited to the eye.Conclusion: While VKH disease by far is the most common cause of clinically detectable uveitic SRD, a number of other non-infectious and infectious inflammatory disorders were also associated with this distinctive clinical finding.

In this article, we report on the magnetic structure of DyFe11Ti and its thermal evolution as probed by neutron powder diffraction. A thermodiffraction technique was used to follow the temperature dependence of the magnetic moments, as well as their orientation. The Dy and Fe moments were coupled to each other in an antiparallel manner to form a ferrimagnet, where the easy magnetization direction at 2 K was the [110] axis in the basal (a, b) plane. This magnetic structure underwent two successive spin reorientation phenomena with increasing temperature. A large Dy magnetic moment of 9.7 Bohr magneton (μB) was obtained at low temperatures, and the magnitude decreased rapidly to 7.5μBat 200 K. The largest Fe magnetic moment was observed on the Fe 8iposition. A ThMn12-type crystal structure was preserved in the studied temperature range, despite the large changes of the magnetic structure. A sharp tilt was observed at the first-order spin reorientation, TSR1; the angle between the easy magnetization axis and the crystal caxis was reduced from 90° at 2 K to about 20° at 200 K (where cis the easy axis above 200 K); and the Dy and Fe magnetic moments maintained an antiparallel coupling.

ABSTRACTInfection of healthy individuals with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is usually unnoticed and results in life-long latency, whereas HCMV reactivation as well as infection of newborns or immunocompromised patients can cause life-threatening disease. To better understand HCMV pathogenesis we studied mechanisms that restrict HCMV spread. We discovered that HCMV-infected cells can directly trigger plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) to mount antiviral type I interferon (IFN-I) responses, even in the absence of cell-free virus. In contrast, monocyte-derived cells only expressed IFN-I when stimulated by cell-free HCMV, or upon encounter of HCMV-infected cells that already produced cell-free virus. Nevertheless, also in the absence of cell-free virus, i.e., upon co-culture of infected epithelial/endothelial cells and monocyte-derived macrophages (moMΦ) or dendritic cells (moDC), antiviral responses were induced that limited HCMV spread. The induction of this antiviral effect was dependent on cell-cell contact, whereas cell-free supernatants from co-culture experiments also inhibited virus spread, implying that soluble factors were critically needed. Interestingly, the antiviral effect was independent of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IFN-I as indicated by cytokine inhibition experiments using neutralizing antibodies or the vaccinia virus-derived soluble IFN-I binding protein B18R, which traps human IFN-α and IFN-β. In conclusion, our results indicate that human macrophages and dendritic cells can limit HCMV spread by IFN-I dependent as well as independent mechanisms, whereas the latter ones might be particularly relevant for the restriction of HCMV transmission via cell-to-cell spread.

Varying temperatures influence the figure errors of freeform metal mirrors by thermal expansion. Furthermore, different materials lead to thermo-elastic bending effects. The paper presents a derivation of a compensation approach for general static loads. Utilizing perturbation theory, this approach works for shape compensation of substrates that operate in various temperature environments. Verification is made using a finite element analysis, which is further used to produce manufacturable CAD models. The remaining low spatial frequency errors are deterministically correctable using diamond turning or polishing techniques.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Mobilität des 1 Strahls in transversaler Richtung fand bisher wenig Beachtung. Methoden Die Messungen (n= 50) des Intermetatarsalwinkels IM° im ap Röntgenbild vergleichen die Messungen im Stehen und beim präoperativen Varus- und Valgusstress und nach Release der Kapsel vom M 1 Kopf. Resultate Der präoperative Valgusstresstest im Liegen zeigt IM°, die den IM° im Stehen entsprechen (IM°16°). Nach Release der medialen und lateralen Kapsel werden vergrößerte IM° bei 2 Drittel der Füsse gemessen. Schlussfolgerungen Der transversale Hypermobilitäts-Stress-Test ermöglicht die intraoperative Testung und Vermessung der Mobilität des 1. Metatarsale gegenüber dem 2. Metatarsale. Der Valgusstresstest mit maximaler Varisierung des M1 entspricht dem Intermetatarsal-Winkel, der im Stehen gemessen wird. Die maximale Varisierung des M 1 beim Valgusstresstest nach dem Release des Metatarsale 1 Kopfes zeigt in diesem Patientenkollektiv zu einem Drittel stabile Verhältnisse im metatarso-tarsalen Übergang, einem Drittel mässig mobile IM° 4-5° und zu einem Drittel hypermobile IM° > 5° Verhältnisse. Summary Background Little attention has been paid to first ray mobility in the transverse plane. Methods The measurements (n = 50) compare the intermetatarsal angle (IM°) in ap x-rays preoperatively standing and intraoperatively supine under varus- and valgus stress and after medial and lateral capsular release of the first metatarsal head (M 1). Results The preoperative valgus stress test in the supine position equals the measurements in the ap standing position (IM°= 16°). After capsular release of M 1 and valgus stress test, the IM° increased in two-thirds of the treated sample. Conclusions The transverse hypermobility stress test enables intraoperative testing and measurement of the mobility of the first metatarsal against the second metatarsal. The valgus stress test with maximal varisation of M1 equals the preoperative ap standing x-ray IM° measurement. In this patient sample, the maximum varisation in the valgus stress test after release of the M 1 head demonstrates stable relations at the metatarsal-tarsal junction in one-third of the cases, one-third moderate mobile IM° 4-5°, and one-third hypermobile feet >5°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in vitro is of high value for therapeutic and industrial applications. Perfusion was shown to result in a more homogeneous culture environment and enabled 47% higher cell yields compared with conventional repeated batch culture. Furthermore, results show the plasticity of hPSCs' energy metabolism and provide clear physiological and molecular targets for process monitoring and further development. The routine application of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and their derivatives in biomedicine and drug discovery will require the constant supply of high‐quality cells by defined processes. Culturing hPSCs as cell‐only aggregates in (three‐dimensional [3D]) suspension has the potential to overcome numerous limitations of conventional surface‐adherent (two‐dimensional [2D]) cultivation. Utilizing single‐use instrumented stirred‐tank bioreactors, we showed that perfusion resulted in a more homogeneous culture environment and enabled superior cell densities of 2.85 × 106cells per milliliter and 47% higher cell yields compared with conventional repeated batch cultures. Flow cytometry, quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and global gene expression analysis revealed a high similarity across 3D suspension and 2D precultures, underscoring that matrix‐free hPSC culture efficiently supports maintenance of pluripotency. Interestingly, physiological data and gene expression assessment indicated distinct changes of the cells' energy metabolism, suggesting a culture‐induced switch from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation in the absence of hPSC differentiation. Our data highlight the plasticity of hPSCs' energy metabolism and provide clear physiological and molecular targets for process monitoring and further development. This study paves the way toward more efficient GMP‐compliant cell production and underscores the enormous process development potential of hPSCs in suspension culture. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a unique source for the, in principle, unlimited production of functional human cell types in vitro, which are of high value for therapeutic and industrial applications. This study applied single‐use, clinically compliant bioreactor technology to develop advanced, matrix‐free, and more efficient culture conditions for the mass production of hPSCs in scalable suspension culture. Using extensive analytical tools to compare established conditions with this novel culture strategy, unexpected physiological features of hPSCs were discovered. These data allow a more rational process development, providing significant progress in the field of translational stem cell research and medicine.

IMPORTANCE: Ophthalmologists rely on accurate concentrations of mitomycin C (MMC) to prevent scarring with trabeculectomy surgery. To our knowledge, the concentration accuracy and variability of compounded MMC are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the measured concentration differs from the expected concentration of 0.4 mg/mL of MMC used in ophthalmic surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Laboratory experimental investigation conducted in July 2013. We acquired 60 samples of 0.4 mg/mL of MMC from a spectrum of common compounding and storage techniques (refrigeration, freezing, and immediately compounded dry powder) and a variety of pharmacies (an academic hospital, a community hospital, and an independent Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board–accredited pharmacy). We used C18 reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography to measure the MMC concentration of all samples. We used pure MMC (Medisca Inc) to generate calibration curves and sulfanilamide as an internal standard. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We calculated MMC concentration using a calibration curve (range, 0.3-0.5 mg/mL) generated by dividing MMC peak area by internal standard peak area and plotting the area ratio against the calibrant concentrations. We compared the measured concentration against the expected 0.4 mg/mL concentration for all samples. RESULTS: Measurement of MMC using the high-performance liquid chromatography method demonstrated acceptable accuracy (92%-100%), precision (2%-6% coefficient of variation), and linearity (mean correlation coefficient of r2 = 0.99). The measured MMC concentration determined using the high-performance liquid chromatography method for all samples was 12.5% lower than the expected 0.4 mg/mL value (mean [SD], 0.35 [0.04] mg/mL; 95% CI, 0.34-0.36; P < .001) with a wide concentration range between 0.26 and 0.46 mg/mL. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Common compounding and storage techniques for MMC resulted in a lower accuracy and wider range of concentration than expected. These differences in concentration may result from compounding techniques and/or MMC degradation. Variability in MMC concentration could cause inconsistency in glaucoma surgical results, but the clinical relevance of such findings on glaucoma surgery outcomes remains unknown.

El síndrome de Stiff Man o síndrome de la persona rígida es una enfermedad rara de causa inmunológica. Se caracteriza por la rigidez en la musculatura axial y las extremidades inferiores, y espasmos dolorosos desencadenados por estímulos. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 44 años con síndrome de la persona rígida al que se le realizó una infiltración del esfínter uretral con toxina botulínica bajo sedación. Antes de la inducción anestésica todo el equipo quirúrgico estuvo preparado con el objetivo de minimizar el tiempo anestésico. Se realizó una monitorización continua de ECG, SpO2por pulsioximetría y presión no invasiva. Fue inducido con dosis fraccionadas de propofol hasta 150mg, fentanilo 50μg y midazolam 1mg. A pesar de las dosis bajas y fraccionadas el paciente presentó una desaturación máxima del 90% que fue resuelta con ventilación manual. Durante la intervención no hubo episodios de espasmos ni de rigidez muscular. El paciente fue dado de alta 2 días después, sin incidencias. Aprovechamos el caso para revisar aquellos publicados hasta la fecha sobre este tema. El interés sobre el manejo anestésico de estos pacientes viene dado por las interacciones entre la medicación preoperatoria, los fármacos anestésicos y el sistema GABA.

We report a demonstration of composite Raman pulses that achieve broadband population inversion and are used to increase the momentum splitting of an atom interferometer up to 18ℏk (corresponding to an increase in the inertial signal by a factor of nine). Composite Raman pulses suppress the effects of pulse length and detuning errors, providing higher transfer efficiency and velocity acceptance than single square pulses. We implement two composite pulse sequences, π/2_0°−π_90°−π/2_0° and π/2_0°−π_180°−3π/2_0°, and use the latter composite pulse to demonstrate large-area atom interferometry with stimulated Raman transitions. In addition to enabling larger momentum transfer and higher sensitivity, we argue that composite pulses can improve the robustness of atom interferometers operating in dynamic environments.

High-precision inertial sensing demonstrations with light pulse atom interferometry have typically used Raman pulses having durations orders of magnitude shorter than the dwell time between interferometer pulses. Environmentally robust sensors operating at high-bandwidth will be required to operate at short (millisecond scale) dwell times between Raman pulses. In such an operational mode, the Raman pulse duration becomes an appreciable fraction of the dwell time between pulses. In addition, high-precision inertial sensing applications have typically been demonstrated in mildly dynamic or nondynamic environments having low rate of change of inertial input, ensuring that applied Raman pulses satisfy the Raman resonance condition. Application of nonresonant pulses will be inevitable in sensors registering time-varying inertial input. We present a diagrammatic technique for calculation of atomic output state populations for multipulse atom optics manipulations that explicitly account for the effects of finite pulse duration and finite Raman detuning effects on the laser-induced atomic phase. We analyze several atom interferometer sequences. We report accelerometer and gyroscope phase evolution for fixed Raman laser frequency difference incorporating corrections in powers of the ratio of pulse duration to time interval between interferometer pulses. Our accelerometer result agrees with other published results.

The use of cold atoms in any sensor operating in a dynamic environment requires that the measurement cycle be conducted before the atom cloud escapes the interaction region. Under multiple-g accelerations it is desirable to complete measurements in millisecond time scales, particularly when laser beams are used to interrogate the atoms. In this paper, we demonstrate high-contrast atom interferometry in a vapor cell using stimulated Raman transitions at millisecond interrogation times. Laser-cooled cesium atoms are interrogated with a sequence of three Raman pulses and the interferometer phase is read out in the same region in which the atoms are trapped. Our system achieved over 70% contrast with a Doppler insensitive interferometer and over 30% contrast with a Doppler sensitive interferometer, in an environment normally considered adverse to high-contrast atom interferometry (e.g., no retroreflector stabilization and no magnetic shielding). Demonstration of an inertially sensitive atom interferometer in this environment supports the feasibility of a high-bandwidth inertial sensor using light pulse atom interferometry. Finally, we show that Raman pulse population transfer efficiency in our system is primarily limited by nonuniformity of the Raman laser intensity across the atom cloud.

We describe the design and development of an adaptive spectrometer that actively manages dynamic range mismatch between source signals and the spectrometer's detector. The introduction of an inexpensive digital micromirror array yields performance improvements compared to a traditional device. Simulation results are presented that indicate real-world scenarios in which the adaptive spectrometer will yield superior performance. Experimental results from a first-generation prototype adaptive spectrometer confirm the expectations of the simulations.

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The fully functionalized core structure 23 of abyssomicin C (6) containing an oxabicyclooctane ring and a tetronate was prepared via a Diels−Alder approach. After hydroxylation of lactone 10 to the α-hydroxylactone 12, lactone opening led to the hydroxy ester 16. A directed epoxidation furnished the desired syn-epoxide 20. Acetylation of the tertiary hydroxyl group, followed by intramolecular Claisen condensation, gave directly the core structure 23.

Focuses on urban coffee pioneers in the U.S. Opening of the Mudpie Coffeehouse and Newsstand; Role of the coffeehouses; Coffeehouse proprietors; Craftsman Cafe; Portland Development Commission's series of community development projects; Factors contributing to the success of pioneer coffeehouses.

Examines the growth of Papua New Guinea's coffee industry. Production of top-quality arabicas by the Sigri Estate; Impact of Australian settlers on the development of the industry; Rise in number of coffee gardens or smallholder plots; Formation of the Highland Organic Agriculture Co-operative; Investments in Papua New Guinea's coffee by American couple Larry and Aarlie Hull; Role of highlander Paul Pora in the country's coffee industry.

Focuses on the proliferation of coffee shops, hotel lounges, restaurants that have been set up as wireless access points, or Wi-Fi hotspots in the U.S. Increase in the shipments of wireless-enabled laptop computers; Linkage of Internet to cafe culture; Promotion of the adoption of Wi-Fi access.

We use all-optical methods to produce a highly-degenerate, Fermi gas of 6Li atoms near a Feshbach resonance, where strong interactions are predicted. In this regime, the zero-energy scattering length is larger than the interparticle spacing, and both the mean field energy and the collision rate take on universal forms as a consequence of unitarity and many-body interactions. Our experiments study universal hydrodynamic expansion of the gas and universal mean field interactions. By measuring the cloud radii of the trapped gas, we determine a universal parameter for strongly interacting two-component Fermi systems, the ratio of the mean field energy to the kinetic energy.

Reports on the decision of Keith Hanrich to acquire organic certification for his Has Been Coffee shop in Mount Shasta, California. Claim of a segment of the specialty coffee industry; Requirement for approval of certification; Consultation of government agencies.

Features Urban Grind, a coffee roasting/retail operation in Portland, Oregon. Ownership; History of the coffee shop; Roasting apprenticeships offered.

“The task of facilitating the interaction between academic theology and pastoral ministry belongs in a preeminent way to pastoral theology.”

“The purpose of this article is to examine a little more closely how the clergy are expected to relate to the laity and then to describe some of the efforts at Catholic University to meet these expectations.”

Zusammenfassung Es wird die Strömung einer einfachen viskoelastischen Flüssigkeit zwischen zwei ebenen festen Wänden, die einen Winkel miteinander bilden und längs deren Schnittgeraden Senken verteilt sind, untersucht.