Vector-apodizing phase plate coronagraph: design, current performance, and future development [Invited].

Over the last decade, the vector-apodizing phase plate (vAPP) coronagraph has been developed from concept to on-sky application in many high-contrast imaging systems on 8 m class telescopes. The vAPP is a geometric-phase patterned coronagraph that is inherently broadband, and its manufacturing is enabled only by direct-write technology for liquid-crystal patterns. The vAPP generates two coronagraphic point spread functions (PSFs) that cancel starlight on opposite sides of the PSF and have opposite circular polarization states. The efficiency, that is, the amount of light in these PSFs, depends on the retardance offset from a half-wave of the liquid-crystal retarder. Using different liquid-crystal recipes to tune the retardance, different vAPPs operate with high efficiencies (${\gt}96\%$) in the visible and thermal infrared (0.55 µm to 5 µm). Since 2015, seven vAPPs have been installed in a total of six different instruments, including Magellan/MagAO, Magellan/MagAO-X, Subaru/SCExAO, and LBT/LMIRcam. Using two integral field spectrographs installed on the latter two instruments, these vAPPs can provide low-resolution spectra (${\rm{R}} \sim 30$) between 1 µm and 5 µm. We review the design process, development, commissioning, on-sky performance, and first scientific results of all commissioned vAPPs. We report on the lessons learned and conclude with perspectives for future developments and applications.

Split anergy in a CD8+ T cell: receptor-dependent cytolysis in the absence of interleukin-2 production.

Engagement of the antigen-specific receptor (TCR) of CD4+ T lymphocytes without a second (costimulatory) signal prevents the subsequent production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by these cells. Because IL-2 is a key immunoregulatory lymphokine and is also produced by a subset of CD8+ T cells that are able to kill target cells, the effect of engaging the TCR of one such clone in the absence of costimulatory signals was examined. The capacity for TCR-dependent IL-2 production was lost, indicating comparable costimulator-dependent signaling requirements for IL-2 production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, TCR-mediated cytotoxicity was not impaired, implying that costimulation is required for only certain TCR-dependent effector functions.

Regulation of gene expression in vivo following transduction by two separate rAAV vectors.

Control of gene expression is important to gene therapy for purposes of both dosing and safety. In vivo regulation of gene expression was demonstrated following co-injection of two separate recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors, one encoding an inducible murine erythropoietin transgene and the other a transcriptional activator, directly into the skeletal muscle of adult immunocompetent mice. Transcription was controlled by systemic administration or withdrawal of tetracycline over an 18 week period, demonstrating that the two vectors were capable of transducing the same cell. Cellular or humoral immune responses against the transactivator protein were not detected.

Toxicity of methyldopa (Aldomet) to mouse neuroblastoma cells in vivo.

The adrenergic blocking agent methyldopa (Aldomet) is toxic to C-1300 neuroblastoma cells in vivo. Four injections of Aldomet at a dose of 7.5 mg/injection were given over a period of 24 hr to C-1300 neuroblastoma-bearing mice. This treatment killed a significant proportion of the C-1300 neuroblastoma cells. Flow cytometric data suggest that sensitivity of tumor cells to Aldomet is not related to the cell cycle.

Modelling the effects of (green) antifungals, droplet size distribution and temperature on mould outgrowth in water-in-oil emulsions.

Prevention of fungal spoilage is a key microbiological issue for the shelf life of fat spreads. Our aim was to assess and model the scope of (natural) antimicrobials for extending shelf life of spreads (water-in-oil emulsions). Production conditions were established to make 60% model fat spreads with reproducible droplet size distributions. The mould vulnerabilities ranged from 1 to 20 weeks. The system allowed feasibility testing of lytic enzymes (Novozym 234) and LMW compounds against Penicillium roqueforti, a key-spoilage mould. The action of Novozym 234, carvacrol, undecanol and dihydrocarveol was benchmarked against sorbate and preservative-free controls under ambient and chilled conditions. Novozym 234 was ineffective to prevent outgrowth of P. roqueforti. Carvacrol, undecanol and dihydrocarveol had limited effects on shelf-life extension compared to sorbate. Fungal growth boundaries of (un-)preserved spreads were modelled. The emulsion droplet size distribution (DSD) was first captured in a mechanistic parameter DSD-I (I = Influence). DSD-I was a move away from the mean droplet diameter D3,3 as sole quantitative droplet-size distribution parameter for mould susceptibility of emulsions. DSD-I is a combination of available water droplets and surface area to initiate and sustain fungal outgrowth. Followup experiments showed that modelling D3,3 and distribution width (e(sigma)) instead of DSD-I gave better results for emulsions with high e(sigma). Empirical predictive models were subsequently developed for the effects of D3,3, e(sigma) and undissociated sorbic acid (HSO) on the shelf life of emulsions.

[Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterisation in the diagnosis of hormone-producing tumours in the splanchnic area (author's transl)]. / Perkutan-transhepatische Pfortadersondierung (PTP) zur Diagnostik hormonproduzierender Tumoren im Splanchnikusgebiet.

During 1980, percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterisation was carried out in eight patients with suspected hormone-producing tumours in an attempt to localise these. Seven patients with hyperinsulinism were suspected of having an insulinoma and one a gastrinoma. There were no complications following the catheterisation, and difficulties were reduced by the use of a special catheter. The blood samples were examined by radio-immunological methods for insulin or gastrin. On the basis of localised rise in hormone level, it was possible to diagnose three insulinomas and one gastrinoma in the pancreas. The beta-cell tumours were removed by enucleation or segmental resection, the gastrinoma by a Whipple's operation. Three patients showed an insulin gradient and sub-total pancreatectomies were performed. In one patient there was no definite abnormality in the insulin level and an operation has so far not been performed. Our experience indicates that this technique is difficult, bu is nevertheless a reliable method for localising hormone-producing tumours and surgery should not be carried out without it.

Priming of CTL responses by DNA vaccines: direct transfection of antigen presenting cells versus cross-priming.

DNA vaccines can induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in various species including mice, non-human primates and humans. It is now well established that antigen presenting cells (APCs) are required for induction of these responses. However, it is not yet known whether this is a function of antigen expression within or acquisition of antigen by these cells, or a combination of both. Cross-priming has been demonstrated to occur from cells (including muscle cells) to APCs in vivo. In addition, there is evidence that APCs can be transfected after DNA vaccination. Hence, efforts to facilitate cross-priming and to increase transfection of APCs will be important for increasing the potency of DNA vaccines.

[Persistent duodenal septum in an adult]. / Persistierendes Duodenalseptum im Erwachsenenalter

A case of duodenal obstruction by a congenital duodenal web in a 34-year-old woman is presented. A mucosal diaphragm obstructed the duodenum. It showed an excentric opening of 0.8 cm diameter, but the dilated diaphragm caused a total stop during the last months. Despite a typical history, exact X-ray, and endoscopic examination, the correct preoperative diagnosis was not found, because nobody thought it possible, that a mucosal diapharm of the duodenum could persist for 34 years.

[Anastomosis prolapse of the gastric mucosa]. / Der Anastomosenprolaps der Magenschleimhaut.

X-rays of 91 patients who underwent gastric surgery between 1973 and 1977 were retrospectively evaluated. We found 16 large mucosal prolapses through the gastroduodenal anastomosis and another six with a so-called anastomosis bulge. Of these patients, 77% presented complaints in relation to delayed gastric emptying. When analyzing the prolapse frequency, patient age at the time of surgery, type of surgery, and suture technique, we found that mucosal prolapse occurred mostly in older patients with an extensive gastric resection after oralis-partialis anastomosis and after employing the two-layered suture technique.

[Break-even points in the costs of care to the elderly]. / Omslagpunten in de kosten van dienstverlening aan ouderen.

Following a preliminary study in 1987 for the Central Committee of Residential Homes on the extent to which the elderly make use of home and health care institutions and at what costs, a study was conducted on the relation between the costs of home and health care for the elderly and the level of dependency taking into account the housing situation. In addition attention has been given to the question whether residential care at a given level of dependency incurs less costs than home care: the so-called break-even points. It appeared that in the case of physical disability, break-even points clearly exist when all costs are considered, but differ from those, if any, calculated on the basis of costs with which the elderly themselves are faced. It appears that old people belonging to the lower income groups will be inclined or rather forced to give up their independent life. It was calculated that about 40% of the elderly with physical handicaps are financially better off if they apply for residential care. On the other hand the higher income group--the remaining 60%--is financially better off if they remain in their own homes. It is recommended to search for a solution to these problems, so that old people with a low income may enjoy their independence to a larger extent while avoiding a social loss of resources as a result of too early admission to an institution.

Zero-based budgeting: implications for social services?

It is now fact that there is a commitment to the implementation of Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) at the federal level. In all likelihood, the adoption of the zero-based approach will have unique implications for the administration and administrators of social service agencies. The following article explores the impetus behind budgetary reform, with a primary focus on the current appeal of ZBB. The author strongly suggests that there are similarities between the now passé Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System and ZBB that permit inferences about any implementation difficulties that ZBB may experience. It is further suggested that ZBB will present social workers with situations and opportunities that will severely challenge many on their current approaches to social service administration.

Two color light scattering identifies physical differences between lymphocyte subpopulations.

Forward angle light scattering of two different wavelengths by cells in a flow cytometer was used to investigate physical differences between lymphocytes of different lineage, functional subclass and developmental stage. Correlation of the ultraviolet (UV: 351 nm and 364 nm) and 488 nm light scattering signals produced by lymphoid cells demonstrated that the two signals were not equivalent and that they placed different emphasis on the physical parameters characterizing lymphocytes. Both small T and B lymphocytes from peripheral lymphoid tissues and mitogenically activated large T and B lymphocyte blasts were discriminated by both wavelengths. Differences between the Lyt-2 negative and Lyt-2 positive T lymphocyte subsets were also apparent. Two color light scattering could also discriminate between immature thymocytes and mature peripheral T cells and between small bone marrow cells and mature peripheral B cells. In bone marrow an increase in UV light scattering coincided with the appearance of cell surface immunoglobulin on small cells. These data establish that two color light scattering is a sensitive probe for distinguishing cells of apparently similar morphology and that it can be used to study the physical changes that occur during lymphoid cell differentiation.

[Emptying of the stomach after selective proximal vagotomy (author's transl)]. / Untersuchungen zur Magenentleerung nach selektiver proximaler Vagotomie.

Cream cheese containing 14C-labelled glutaminic acid was given to patients after proximal selective vagotomy and 14CO2 measured in the expired air in order to test the gastric emptying process. Results do not allow exact quantitative evaluation, however definite changes of gastric emptying for up to 6 month after surgery could be demonstrated.

[Epidural morphine injections for the treatment of pain]. / Epidurale Morphin-Injektion zur Schmerzbekämpfung.

Morphine in epidural application (2-3 mg in 10 cc saline solution 0,9%) gives a long lasting segmental analgesia. In 15 patients after upperabdominal surgery the overall mean dosage of morphine was 8,85 mg within three days. The effect lasted for about 15 hours per application. No other analgetics were needed. All patients were content with this method of postoperative analgesia. There were no side effects or complications.