Microneedle patch delivery to the skin of virus-like particles containing heterologous M2e extracellular domains of influenza virus induces broad heterosubtypic cross-protection

Kim, M.C.,Lee, J.W.,Choi, H.J.,Lee, Y.N.,Hwang, H.S.,Lee, J.,Kim, C.,Lee, J.S.,Montemagno, C.,Prausnitz, M.R.,Kang, S.M. Elsevier Science Publishers 2015 Journal of controlled release Vol.210 No.-

A broadly cross-protective influenza vaccine that can be administrated by a painless self-immunization method would be a value as a potential universal mass vaccination strategy. This study developed a minimally-invasive microneedle (MN) patch for skin vaccination with virus-like particles containing influenza virus heterologous M2 extracellular (M2e) domains (M2e5x VLPs) as a universal vaccine candidate without adjuvants. The stability of M2e5x VLP-coated microneedles was maintained for 8weeks at room temperature without losing M2e antigenicity and immunogenicity. MN skin immunization induced strong humoral and mucosal M2e antibody responses and conferred cross-protection against heterosubtypic H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 influenza virus challenges. In addition, M2e5x VLP MN skin vaccination induced T-helper type 1 responses such as IgG2a isotype antibodies and IFN-γ producing cells at higher levels than those by conventional intramuscular injection. These potential immunological and logistic advantages for skin delivery of M2e5x VLP MN vaccines could offer a promising approach to develop an easy-to-administer universal influenza vaccine.

Cosmic evolution of stellar quenching by AGN feedback: clues from the Horizon-AGN simulation

Beckmann, R. S.,Devriendt, J.,Slyz, A.,Peirani, S.,Richardson, M. L. A.,Dubois, Y.,Pichon, C.,Chisari, N. E.,Kaviraj, S.,Laigle, C.,Volonteri, M. Oxford University Press 2017 MONTHLY NOTICES- ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Vol.472 No.1

<P>The observed massive end of the galaxy stellar mass function is steeper than its predicted dark matter halo counterpart in the standard Lambda cold dark matter paradigm. In this paper, we investigate the impact of active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback on star formation in massive galaxies. We isolate the impact of AGN by comparing two simulations from the HORIZON suite, which are identical except that one also includes supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and related feedback models. This allows us to cross-identify individual galaxies between simulations and quantify the effect of AGN feedback on their properties, including stellar mass and gas outflows. We find that massive galaxies (M-* >= 10(11) M-circle dot) are quenched by AGN feedback to the extent that their stellar masses decrease by up to 80 per cent at z = 0. SMBHs affect their host halo through a combination of outflows that reduce their baryonic mass, particularly for galaxies in the mass range 10(9) M-circle dot <= M-* <= 10(11) M-circle dot, and a disruption of central gas inflows, which limits in situ star formation. As a result, net gas inflows on to massive galaxies, M-* >= 10(11) M-circle dot, drop by up to 70 per cent. We measure a redshift evolution in the stellar mass ratio of twin galaxies with and without AGN feedback, with galaxies of a given stellar mass showing stronger signs of quenching earlier on. This evolution is driven by a progressive flattening of the M-SMBH-M-* relation with redshift, particularly for galaxies with M-* <= 10(10) M-circle dot. M-SMBH/M-* ratios decrease over time, as falling average gas densities in galaxies curb SMBH growth.</P>

Impact of resistive MHD plasma response on perturbation field sidebands

Orlov, D M,Evans, T E,Moyer, R A,Lyons, B C,Ferraro, N M,Park, G-Y IOP 2016 Plasma physics and controlled fusion Vol.58 No.7

<P>Single fluid linear simulations of a KSTAR RMP ELM suppressed discharge with the M3D-C<SUP>1</SUP> resistive magnetohydrodynamic code have been performed for the first time. The simulations show that the application of the <I>n</I>  =  1 perturbation using the KSTAR in-vessel control coils (IVCC), which apply modest levels of <I>n</I>  =  3 sidebands (~20% of the <I>n</I>  =  1), leads to levels of <I>n</I>  =  3 sideband that are comparable to the <I>n</I>  =  1 when plasma response is included. This is due to the reduced level of screening of the rational-surface-resonant <I>n</I>  =  3 component relative to the rational-surface-resonant <I>n</I>  =  1 component. The <I>n</I>  =  3 sidebands could play a similar role in ELM suppression on KSTAR as the toroidal sidebands (<I>n</I>  =  1, 2, 4) in DIII-D <I>n</I>  =  3 ELM suppression with missing I-coil segments (Paz Soldan <I>et al</I> 2014 <I>Nucl. Fusion</I> <B>54</B> 073013). This result may help to explain the uniqueness of ELM suppression with <I>n</I>  =  1 perturbations in KSTAR since the effective perturbation is a mixed <I>n</I>  =  1/<I>n</I>  =  3 perturbation similar to <I>n</I>  =  3 ELM suppression in DIII-D.</P>

Neutron-Induced Activation Cross Sections on Hafnium Isotopes from the Threshold to 20 MeV

V. Semkova,N. Janeva,N. Koyumdjieva,R. Jaime Tornin,A. Moens,A. J. M. Plompen,K. Volev 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

Results of new cross section measurements are presented for the following neutron-induced reactions: ^(178)Hf(n,α)^(175)Yb, ^(180)Hf(n,α)^(177)Yb, ^(177)Hf(n,p)^(177)Lu^g, ^(178)Hf(n,x)^(177)Lu^g, ^(180)Hf(n,p)^(180)Lu, ^(180)Hf(n,n'α)^(180)Hf^m, ^(174)Hf(n,2n) ^(173)Hf, ^(176)Hf(n,2n)^(175)Hf, and ^(177)Hf(n,3n)^(175)Hf obtained with the activation technique. The irradiations were carried out at the 7-MV Van de Graaff accelerator at IRMM, Geel. Quasi monoenergetic neutrons with energies between 14.8 and 20.5 MeV were produced via the ^3H(d,n)^4He reaction at E_d = 1, 1.4, 2, 3, and 4 MeV. The ^3H(p,n)^3He reaction was employed for the production of neutrons in the 2 - 3 MeV energy range. Both natural and enriched samples were used to facilitate correction for interference between reactions leading to the same product. The radioactivity of the samples was determined by standard γ-ray spectrometry using HPGe detector. The current measurements are compared with the data from other authors and Evaluated Nuclear Data Files. Cross sections for three of the studied reactions are reported for the first time.

Search for third-generation scalar leptoquarks and heavy right-handed neutrinos in final states with two tau leptons and two jets in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 $$ \sqrt{s}=13 $$ TeV

Sirunyan, A. M.,Tumasyan, A.,Adam, W.,Asilar, E.,Bergauer, T.,Brandstetter, J.,Brondolin, E.,Dragicevic, M.,Erö,, J.,Flechl, M.,Friedl, M.,Frü,hwirth, R.,Ghete, V. M.,Hartl, C.,Hö,rmann, N Springer-Verlag 2017 Journal of high energy physics Vol.2017 No.7

<P>A search is performed for third-generation scalar leptoquarks and heavy right-handed neutrinos in events containing one electron or muon, one hadronically decaying tau lepton, and at least two jets, using a root s = 13 TeV pp collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 12: 9 fb(-1) collected with the CMS detector at the LHC in 2016. The number of observed events is found to be in agreement with the standard model prediction. A limit is set at 95% confidence level on the product of the leptoquark pair production cross section and beta(2), where beta is the branching fraction of leptoquark decay to a tau lepton and a bottom quark. Assuming beta = 1, third-generation leptoquarks with masses below 850 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level. An additional search based on the same event topology involves heavy right-handed neutrinos, N-R, and right-handed W bosons, W-R, arising in a left-right symmetric extension of the standard model. In this search, W-R bosons are assumed to decay to a tau lepton and N-R followed by the decay of the N-R to a tau lepton and an off-shell W-R boson. Assuming the mass of the right-handed neutrino to be half of the mass of the right-handed W boson, W-R boson masses below 2.9 TeV are excluded at 95% confidence level. These results improve on the limits from previous searches for third-generation leptoquarks and heavy right-handed neutrinos with tau leptons in the final state.</P>

Directly comparing GW150914 with numerical solutions of Einstein’s equations for binary black hole coalescence

Abbott, B. P.,Abbott, R.,Abbott, T. D.,Abernathy, M. R.,Acernese, F.,Ackley, K.,Adams, C.,Adams, T.,Addesso, P.,Adhikari, R. X.,Adya, V. B.,Affeldt, C.,Agathos, M.,Agatsuma, K.,Aggarwal, N.,Aguiar, O. American Physical Society 2016 Physical Review D Vol.94 No.6

<P>We compare GW150914 directly to simulations of coalescing binary black holes in full general relativity, including several performed specifically to reproduce this event. Our calculations go beyond existing semianalytic models, because for all simulations-including sources with two independent, precessing spins - we perform comparisons which account for all the spin-weighted quadrupolar modes, and separately which account for all the quadrupolar and octopolar modes. Consistent with the posterior distributions reported by Abbott et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 241102 (2016)] (at the 90% credible level), we find the data are compatible with a wide range of nonprecessing and precessing simulations. Follow-up simulations performed using previously estimated binary parameters most resemble the data, even when all quadrupolar and octopolar modes are included. Comparisons including only the quadrupolar modes constrain the total redshifted mass M-z epsilon [64 M-circle dot - 82 M-circle dot], mass ratio 1/q = m(2)/m(1) epsilon [0.6; 1], and effective aligned spin chi(eff) epsilon [-0.3, 0.2] where chi(eff) = (S-1/m(1)+S-2/m(2)). (L) over cap /M. Including both quadrupolar and octopolar modes, we find the mass ratio is even more tightly constrained. Even accounting for precession, simulations with extreme mass ratios and effective spins are highly inconsistent with the data, at any mass. Several nonprecessing and precessing simulations with similar mass ratio and chi(eff) are consistent with the data. Though correlated, the components' spins (both in magnitude and directions) are not significantly constrained by the data: the data is consistent with simulations with component spin magnitudes a(1,2) up to at least 0.8, with random orientations. Further detailed follow-up calculations are needed to determine if the data contain a weak imprint from transverse (precessing) spins. For nonprecessing binaries, interpolating between simulations, we reconstruct a posterior distribution consistent with previous results. The final black hole's redshifted mass is consistent with M-f,M-z in the range 64.0 M-circle dot - 73.5 M-circle dot and the final black hole's dimensionless spin parameter is consistent with a(f) = 0.62-0.73. As our approach invokes no intermediate approximations to general relativity and can strongly reject binaries whose radiation is inconsistent with the data, our analysis provides a valuable complement to Abbott et al.</P>

Measurement of the higher-order anisotropic flow coefficients for identified hadrons in Au + Au collisions at_sNN=200GeV

Adare, A.,Afanasiev, S.,Aidala, C.,Ajitanand, N. N.,Akiba, Y.,Al-Bataineh, H.,Alexander, J.,Aoki, K.,Aramaki, Y.,Atomssa, E. T.,Averbeck, R.,Awes, T. C.,Azmoun, B.,Babintsev, V.,Bai, M.,Baksay, G.,Bak American Physical Society 2016 Physical Review C Vol.93 No.5

<P>Measurements of the anisotropic flow coefficients v(2){Psi(2)}, v(3){Psi(3)}, v(4){Psi(4)}, and v(4){Psi(2)} for identified particles (pi(+/-), K-+/-, and p + (p) over bar) at midrapidity, obtained relative to the event planes Psi(m) at forward rapidities in Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV, are presented as a function of collision centrality and particle transverse momenta p(T). The v(n) coefficients show characteristic patterns consistent with hydrodynamical expansion of the matter produced in the collisions. For each harmonic n, a modified valence quark-number N-q scaling [plotting v(n){Psi(m)}/(N-q)(n/2) versus transverse kinetic energies (KET)/N-q] is observed to yield a single curve for all the measured particle species for a broad range of KET. A simultaneous blast-wave model fit to the observed v(n){Psi(m)}(p(T)) coefficients and published particle spectra identifies radial flow anisotropies rho(n){Psi(m)} and spatial eccentricities s(n){Psi(m)} at freeze-out. These are generally smaller than the initial-state participant-plane geometric eccentricities epsilon(n){Psi(PP)(m)} as also observed in the final eccentricity from quantum interferometry measurements with respect to the event plane.</P>

Potential antifilarial activity of the fruit, leaf and stem extract of Melia azedarach Linn. on cattle filarial parasite Setaria cervi in vitro

Ahmed, Qamar U.,Zaidi, S.M.K.R.,Kaleem, M.,Khan, N.U.,Singhal, K.C. Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2006 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.6 No.2

The effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the fruit, leaf and stem of Melia azedarach Linn. (Meliaceae) on the spontaneous movements of both the whole worm and the nerve-muscle (n.m.) preparation of Setaria (S.) cervi and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro was studied. Alcoholic extracts of fruit, leaf and stem caused inhibition of the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the n.m. preparation of S. cervi, while only aqueous extract of fruit caused inhibition of the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the n.m. preparation of S. cervi. The initial stimulatory effect was not observed by the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of fruit on n.m. preparation. The concentrations required to inhibit the movements of the whole worm and n.m. preparation for alcoholic extracts of fruit, leaf and stem were 250, $40\;{\mu}g/ml$; 280, $40\;{\mu}g/ml$ and 270, $25\;{\mu}g/ml$ respectively, whereas an aqueous extract of fruit caused inhibition of whole worm and n.m. preparation at $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $40\;{\mu}g/ml$ respectively. Alcoholic extracts of the fruit, leaf and stem and aqueous extract of the fruit of M. azedarach caused concentration related inhibition on the survival of microfilariae (m.f.) of S. cervi. The $LC_{50}$ and $LC_{90}$ as observed after 6 h were found to be 5, 15, 10, 20 ng/ml and 10, 25, 20 and 35 ng/ml, respectively. This work was conducted in view of the exploration of potential antifilarial herbal drug.

Measurement of the ^(236)U(n, f) Cross Section at n_TOF

R. Sarmento,I. F. Goncalves,P. Vaz,M. Calviani,N. Colonna 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

A precise knowledge of the ^(236)U neutron-induced fission cross-section is required for the development of accelerator-driven systems and reactors based on the Th-U cycle. The evaluated data presently stored in the nuclear data libraries rely on outdated experimental measurements and show large discrepancies in the energy region between 1 keV and 100 keV. More recent measurements made at LANSCE and GELINA yielded results which are in disagreement with the literature for the resonance region and below 10 eV. In order to improve the present knowledge of the ^(236)U(n, f) cross-section, a new measurement was performed at the neutron Time-Of-Flight facility n_TOF at CERN. A Fast Ionization Chamber was used, in which four samples of ^(236)U and two of ^(235)U were mounted. The ^(236)U(n,f) cross-section was determined relative to the standard ^(235)U(n, f) reaction. The contribution from the ^(235)U contamination in the samples was subtracted, together with the alpha-particle background. Finally, the data were corrected for dead-time and detection efficiency. The n_TOF results on the ^(236)U(n, f) cross-section are reported in the neutron energy region from 200 meV to 2 MeV. The present high-resolution data point to several shortcomings in the current evaluated databases in the sub-threshold region. High accuracy cross-sections, important for applications to fast nuclear reactors as well as for fundamental Nuclear Physics, are also reported here.

Adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate on cleaning of an N-polar GaN surface in an alkaline solution

Kim, M.S.,Paluvai, N.R.,Kim, H.T.,Park, J.G. Elsevier 2017 Materials science & engineering. B, Advanced funct Vol.222 No.-

<P>The present study investigated the removal of contaminated particles from a polished N-polar GaN surface using an alkaline cleaning solution along with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant. The zeta potential, etch rate, and particle removal efficiency (PRE) of N-polar GaN surfaces were reported. A lower etch rate and smoother N-polar GaN surface were obtained when the surface is treated with a diluted NH4OH solution. However, the etch rate and PRE of the N-polar GaN surface increased as a function of the pH of the NH4OH solution. The PRE of the N-polar GaN surface reached to 96% at pH 10 with a high surface roughness of 0.5 nm. SDS was added to the ammonia solutions to control the surface roughness. The N-polar GaN surface reached 100% PRE and surface roughness shown less than 0.4 nm when cleaned in a diluted NH4OH solution with 5 mM SDS surfactant in a megasonic bath. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>