New

The discrepancy between observations from γ-ray astronomy of the ^{60}Fe/^{26}Al γ-ray flux ratio and recent calculations is an unresolved puzzle in nuclear astrophysics. The stellar ß-decay rate of ^{59}Fe is one of the major nuclear uncertainties impeding us from a precise prediction. The important Gamow-Teller strengths from the low-lying states in ^{59}Fe to the ^{59}Co ground state are measured for the first time using the exclusive measurement of the ^{59}Co(t,^{3}He+γ)^{59}Fe charge-exchange reaction. The new stellar decay rate of ^{59}Fe is a factor of 3.5±1.1 larger than the currently adopted rate at T=1.2 GK. Stellar evolution calculations show that the ^{60}Fe production yield of an 18 solar mass star is decreased significantly by 40% when using the new rate. Our result eliminates one of the major nuclear uncertainties in the predicted yield of ^{60}Fe and alleviates the existing discrepancy of the ^{60}Fe/^{26}Al ratio.

Extending the Southern Shore of the Island of Inversion to

Detailed spectroscopy of the neutron-unbound nucleus ^{28}F has been performed for the first time following proton/neutron removal from ^{29}Ne/^{29}F beams at energies around 230 MeV/nucleon. The invariant-mass spectra were reconstructed for both the ^{27}F^{(*)}+n and ^{26}F^{(*)}+2n coincidences and revealed a series of well-defined resonances. A near-threshold state was observed in both reactions and is identified as the ^{28}F ground state, with S_{n}(^{28}F)=-199(6) keV, while analysis of the 2n decay channel allowed a considerably improved S_{n}(^{27}F)=1620(60) keV to be deduced. Comparison with shell-model predictions and eikonal-model reaction calculations have allowed spin-parity assignments to be proposed for some of the lower-lying levels of ^{28}F. Importantly, in the case of the ground state, the reconstructed ^{27}F+n momentum distribution following neutron removal from ^{29}F indicates that it arises mainly from the 1p_{3/2} neutron intruder configuration. This demonstrates that the island of inversion around N=20 includes ^{28}F, and most probably ^{29}F, and suggests that ^{28}O is not doubly magic.

Review of particle-in-cell modeling for the extraction region of large negative hydrogen ion sources for fusion.

Particle-in-cell (PIC) codes are used since the early 1960s for calculating self-consistently the motion of charged particles in plasmas, taking into account external electric and magnetic fields as well as the fields created by the particles itself. Due to the used very small time steps (in the order of the inverse plasma frequency) and mesh size, the computational requirements can be very high and they drastically increase with increasing plasma density and size of the calculation domain. Thus, usually small computational domains and/or reduced dimensionality are used. In the last years, the available central processing unit (CPU) power strongly increased. Together with a massive parallelization of the codes, it is now possible to describe in 3D the extraction of charged particles from a plasma, using calculation domains with an edge length of several centimeters, consisting of one extraction aperture, the plasma in direct vicinity of the aperture, and a part of the extraction system. Large negative hydrogen or deuterium ion sources are essential parts of the neutral beam injection (NBI) system in future fusion devices like the international fusion experiment ITER and the demonstration reactor (DEMO). For ITER NBI RF driven sources with a source area of 0.9 × 1.9 m2 and 1280 extraction apertures will be used. The extraction of negative ions is accompanied by the co-extraction of electrons which are deflected onto an electron dump. Typically, the maximum negative extracted ion current is limited by the amount and the temporal instability of the co-extracted electrons, especially for operation in deuterium. Different PIC codes are available for the extraction region of large driven negative ion sources for fusion. Additionally, some effort is ongoing in developing codes that describe in a simplified manner (coarser mesh or reduced dimensionality) the plasma of the whole ion source. The presentation first gives a brief overview of the current status of the ion source development for ITER NBI and of the PIC method. Different PIC codes for the extraction region are introduced as well as the coupling to codes describing the whole source (PIC codes or fluid codes). Presented and discussed are different physical and numerical aspects of applying PIC codes to negative hydrogen ion sources for fusion as well as selected code results. The main focus of future calculations will be the meniscus formation and identifying measures for reducing the co-extracted electrons, in particular for deuterium operation. The recent results of the 3D PIC code ONIX (calculation domain: one extraction aperture and its vicinity) for the ITER prototype source (1/8 size of the ITER NBI source) are presented.

Strong Neutron Pairing in core+4n Nuclei.

The emission of neutron pairs from the neutron-rich N=12 isotones ^{18}C and ^{20}O has been studied by high-energy nucleon knockout from ^{19}N and ^{21}O secondary beams, populating unbound states of the two isotones up to 15 MeV above their two-neutron emission thresholds. The analysis of triple fragment-n-n correlations shows that the decay ^{19}N(-1p)^{18}C^{*}→^{16}C+n+n is clearly dominated by direct pair emission. The two-neutron correlation strength, the largest ever observed, suggests the predominance of a ^{14}C core surrounded by four valence neutrons arranged in strongly correlated pairs. On the other hand, a significant competition of a sequential branch is found in the decay ^{21}O(-1n)^{20}O^{*}→^{18}O+n+n, attributed to its formation through the knockout of a deeply bound neutron that breaks the ^{16}O core and reduces the number of pairs.

Nonlinear optical response of a gold surface in the visible range: A study by two-color sum-frequency generation spectroscopy. I. Experimental determination.

We experimentally determine the effective nonlinear second-order susceptibility of gold over the visible spectral range. To reach that goal, we probe by vibrational two-color sum-frequency generation spectroscopy the methyl stretching region of a dodecanethiol self-assembled monolayer adsorbed on a gold film. The sum-frequency generation spectra show a remarkable shape reversal when the visible probe wavelength is tuned from 435 to 705 nm. After correcting from Fresnel effects, the methyl stretching vibrations serve as an internal reference, allowing to extract the dispersion of the absolute phase and relative amplitude of the effective nonlinear optical response of gold in the visible range.

Human trophectoderm apposition is regulated by interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) during early implantation.

INTRODUCTION: The first step in human implantation is the attraction of the blastocyst to the endometrium. We aimed to study attraction of the human blastocyst to the endometrium, and how this process is accomplished by chemokines secreted by the endometrium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blastocyst trophectoderm cells and other trophoblast lineage cells were subjected to attraction assays by IP-10 and other chemokines using transwell migration and chemotaxis assays. Chemokine expression and secretion were investigated using immunohistochemistry, ELISA, FACS analysis, and RT-PCR on material from flushing of the uterine cavity in endometrial biopsies. Chemokine receptor expression by blastocyst trophectoderm following PGD biopsy, trophectoderm derived from hES, placental villi, and other trophoblast lineage cells were characterized by the same methods. RESULTS: IP-10 dramatically attracted trophectoderm derived from hES cells and other lineages by interaction with CXCR3 chemokine receptors, as shown by both chemotaxis and transwell migration. High levels of IP-10 were detected throughout the menstrual cycle at flushing of the uterine cavity. Immunohistochemistry, FACS analysis, and RT-PCR of endometrial biopsy detected IP-10 in glandular and stromal cells of the endometrium. High levels of IP-10 were detected in condition medium of the endometrial stromal and glandular cells. Of all of the chemokine/chemokine receptor combinations examined, the IP-10/CXCR3 interaction was the only cytokine that was significantly elevated. DISCUSSION: While they await the wandering blastocyst, IP-10 is produced by many cells of the endometrium, but not by endometrial natural killer cells. CONCLUSION: Endometrial IP-10 may specifically attract human blastocyst trophectoderm cells early in implantation.

[Ovarian tissue cryopreservation in cancer patients--six years of clinical experience]. / Kryokonzervace ovariální tkáne u onkologických pacientek--6 let klinických zkuseností.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of clinical results and experience with this technique during past six years. DESIGN: Original paper. SETTINGS: Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika LF MU a FN Brno, Interní hemato-onkologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Hadassah University Hospital Ein-Karem, Jerusalem, Izrael. INTRODUCTION: Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and its future auto-transplantation becomes an alternative for patients to prevent serious damage of ovarian function by oncology treatment. METHODS: Patient is indicated to OTC in case of high risk of ovarian failure due to planned chemotherapy and impossibility to use other oncofertility techniques. Ovarian tissue harvesting is done by laparoscopy in short-term general anesthesia. After tissue processing the samples are cryopreserved in programmable automatic freezer or by vitrification. The auto-transplantation of ovarian tissue is planned after the complete cure of patient's malignancy. Our workplace doesn't have own experience with tissue transplantation - until now cryopreserved tissue has not yet been utilized by the patients. Clinical experience with this technique gained by our team during academic stay in abroad Israeli clinic is presented. RESULTS: During the years of 2005-2011 the OTC was performed in 19 cancer patients before chemotherapy. In majority of cases, patients suffered from blood or lymph node systemic malignancy (84%). Average age of women was 26 years. The patient set consisted of mostly nulliparous women (88%). Patient's average body mass index was 23,9 kg/m2. The length of systemic chemotherapy averaged 7.1 months. Time from fertility preservation counseling to chemotherapy was not exceeding one week (7.2 days on average). Ovarian tissue harvesting was conducted by laparoscopic surgery in all cases. The length of surgery did not exceed 60 minutes and no surgical complications were observed. The case of ovarian tissue transplantation performed on abroad university settings is discussed. CONCLUSION: In the consensus of with international guidelines OTC is offered to patients with high risk of ovarian failure doe to cytotoxic oncology treatment. Research in the field of oncofertility is focused on the techniques of in-vitro folliculogenesis in retrieved ovarian tissue.

Ovarian function 6 years after cryopreservation and transplantation of whole sheep ovaries.

Whole ovary cryopreservation and transplantation has been proposed as a method for preserving long-term ovarian function. This work reports ovarian function 6years post transplantation of frozen-thawed whole sheep ovaries. Three 9-month-old Assaf sheep underwent unilateral oophorectomy to provide organs for the experiments. After perfusing with cold University of Wisconsin solution supplemented with 10% dimethyl sulphoxide, ovaries were cryopreserved using unidirectional solidification freezing technology. After thawing, ovaries were re-perfused and re-transplanted orthotopically by microvascular re-anastomosis, to the contralateral ovarian pedicle after removing the remaining ovary. Six years following transplantation and after inducing superovulation, the sheep were killed and the ovaries analysed. Two ovaries had normal size and shape showing some recent corpora lutea, while the third showed atrophic changes. A total of 36 antral follicles were counted by transillumination and four germinal vesicle oocytes were aspirated and matured in vitro to metaphase II. Serum progesterone concentrations were indicative of ovulatory activity in one of the three sheep. Histological evaluations revealed normal tissue architecture, intact blood vessels and follicles at various stages. Currently, this is the longest recorded ovarian function after cryopreservation and re-transplantation. Cryopreservation of whole ovaries, using directional freezing combined with microvascular anastomosis, is a promising method for preserving long-term reproductive capacity and endocrine function.

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) compared with abdominal hysterectomy for treatment of uterine leiomyomas.

OBJECTIVES: To compare women undergoing magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) to a group of contemporaneously recruited women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. Patient demographics, safety parameters, quality of life outcomes and disability measures are reported. METHODS: One hundred and nine women were recruited in seven centers for MRgFUS treatment and 83 women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy were recruited in seven separate centers to provide contemporaneous assessment of safety. The adverse-event profile and disability parameters were prospectively assessed. Patients were also screened at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months using the SF-36 health survey questionnaire. RESULTS: There were no life-threatening adverse events in either group. Overall, the number of significant clinical complications and adverse events was lower in women in the MRgFUS group compared to women undergoing hysterectomy. MRgFUS was associated with significantly faster recovery, including resumption of usual activities. At 6 months of follow-up, there were four (4%) treatment failures in the MRgFUS arm. Regarding SF-36 subscale scores, at 6 months there was improvement in all SF-36 subscales for both treatment groups. However, most of the SF-36 subscale scores were significantly better at this stage in the hysterectomy group than in the MRgFUS group. Women undergoing MRgFUS had steady improvement in all parameters throughout the 6-month follow-up period, despite the fact that they continued to have myomatous uteri and menstruation, which at baseline had given them significant symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that MRgFUS treatment of uterine leiomyomas leads to clinical improvement with fewer significant clinical complications and adverse events compared to hysterectomy at 6 months' follow-up.

Emergence of structured interactions: from a theoretical model to pragmatic robotics.

In this article, we present two neural architectures for the control of socially interacting robots. Beginning with a theoretical model of interaction inspired by developmental psychology, biology and physics, we present two sub-cases of the model that can be interpreted as "turn-taking" and "synchrony" at the behavioral level. These neural architectures are both detailed and tested in simulation. A robotic experiment is even presented for the "turn-taking" case. We then discuss the interest of such behaviors for the development of further social abilities in robots.

Laser-assisted derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines from IVF embryos after preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) suitable for future transplantation therapy should preferably be developed in an animal-free system. Our objective was to develop a laser-based system for the isolation of the inner cell mass (ICM) that can develop into hESC lines, thereby circumventing immunosurgery that utilizes animal products. METHODS: Hatching was assisted by micromanipulation techniques through a laser-drilled orifice in the zona pellucida of 13 abnormal preimplantation genetic diagnosed blastocysts. ICMs were dissected from the trophectoderm by a laser beam and plated on feeders to derive hESC lines. RESULTS: eight ICMs were isolated from nine hatched blastocysts and gave rise to three hESC lines affected by myotonic dystrophy type 1, hemophilia A and a carrier of cystic fibrosis 405 + 1G > A mutation. Five blastocysts that collapsed during assisted hatching or ICM dissection were plated whole, giving rise to an additional line affected by fragile X. All cell lines expressed markers of pluripotent stem cells and differentiated in vitro and in vivo into the three germ layers. CONCLUSIONS: These hESC lines can serve as an important model of the genetic disorders that they carry. Laser-assisted isolation of the ICMs may be applied for the derivation of new hESC lines in a xeno-free system for future clinical applications.

Clinical improvement and shrinkage of uterine fibroids after thermal ablation by magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Hysterectomy or myomectomy are the accepted treatments for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Heat ablation of uterine fibroids has been shown to be an effective alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of non-invasive thermal ablation by transcutaneous magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. METHODS: In this prospective study, MRgFUS ablation of uterine fibroids was performed in 35 symptomatic women scheduled for hysterectomy. Clinical symptoms, patient satisfaction and uterine size were determined at 1 month and 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: This outpatient procedure was very well tolerated by all women. Sixty-nine percent (24/35) of the treated patients reported either significant or partial improvement in symptoms. Treated fibroids decreased in volume by 12% and 15% at 1 and 6 months, respectively. Minor transient side-effects were observed in two women. Six women underwent hysterectomy during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the clinical efficacy of MRgFUS ablation of uterine fibroids. This novel, non-invasive surgical approach may offer an alternative therapy for women with uterine fibroids.

Retrospective analysis of 1217 IVF cycles in women aged 40 years and older.

Older women comprise an increasing portion of patients entering assisted reproduction programmes. This study is a retrospective summary of the files of all patients aged 40 years and older at advent of IVF, between 1995 and 2004, in the authors' centre. In all, 381 women underwent 1217 initiated treatment cycles. Embryo transfer was performed in 62.6% of initiated cycles. Success rates declined with each year after age 40; pregnancy and delivery rates were 13.9 and 9.1% at age 40 and 2.8 and 0.7% at age 45. There were no deliveries at an older age. Logistic regression analysis showed the following factors were independently and significantly related to higher pregnancy rates: younger age, lower dose of gonadotrophins, greater number of mature follicles, endometrial thickness, and number of embryos transferred; prior pregnancy did not influence success. Retrieving more than four oocytes increased pregnancy rates in all women over 40. Transferring 3 embryos or more increased pregnancy rates in all ages, but reached statistical significance only in women aged 40-41 (P < 0.000). It is concluded that in women between 40 and 41 years of age, ovarian response is a major determinant of success, but not in women older than that. Unrealistic expectations may be avoided if accurate data are provided regarding delivery rates per year after age 40.

Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis in the assessment of trainee competence in fetal biometry measurement.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis in assessing trainee proficiency in fetal biometry measurement. METHODS: Three primary healthcare doctors with no prior ultrasound training were recruited. Each trainee measured the fetal biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) on 100 consecutive pregnant women. The supervisor repeated the measurements. The CUSUM for each set of trainee measurements was calculated at a set failure rate of 10%. The point at which the graph fell below two consecutive boundary lines indicated the number of examinations required to achieve competence. RESULTS: The CUSUM graphs showed that the rate of learning measurement skills varied among the three trainees. The graph for the CUSUM series for BPD and HC measurement for all trainees fell below two consecutive boundary lines and remained there, indicating competence. The CUSUM series for AC measurement for two of the trainees indicated that competence was achieved; however, for the third trainee, while the graph fell below two consecutive boundary lines, indicating competence, it rose again, crossing two consecutive boundary lines. This indicated a loss of competence and the need for further training. FL measurements for the same trainee never fell below two consecutive boundary lines, indicating failure to achieve competence; the other two achieved competence, but failed to maintain it. CONCLUSIONS: CUSUM is a useful tool for identifying points of competence and for quantifying the duration of ultrasound training required for each trainee. It provides an early indication of performance, and highlights difficulties in individual performance.

Oocyte recovery, embryo development and ovarian function after cryopreservation and transplantation of whole sheep ovary.

BACKGROUND: Successful cryopreservation of a whole ovary may provide a solution for women with premature ovarian failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of cryopreserved whole sheep ovaries both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Transplantation of frozen-thawed intact ovaries was performed on eight sheep by artery and vein anastomosis to the contralateral ovarian artery and vein. The remaining ovary was removed. Oocyte aspiration was performed 1 and 4 months post-transplantation. Serum progesterone levels were measured after 24 and 36 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Progesterone activity was detected in three sheep from 24 to 36 months post-transplantation. Oocyte retrieval was successful in two sheep and parthenogenic activation has resulted in embryonic development up to the 8-cell stage. MRI revealed an intact ovary with small follicles and intact blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Whole ovaries, and the follicles and blood vessels they contain, are able to survive cryopreservation. In addition, MRI has shown that blood vessels were intact and that normal blood flow had resumed to the transplant. We conclude that immediate and long-term hormonal restoration and normal ovulation is possible after cryopreservation and transplantation of whole ovaries in sheep.

A hierarchy of associations in hippocampo-cortical systems: cognitive maps and navigation strategies.

In this letter we describe a hippocampo-cortical model of spatial processing and navigation based on a cascade of increasingly complex associative processes that are also relevant for other hippocampal functions such as episodic memory. Associative learning of different types and the related pattern encoding-recognition take place at three successive levels: (1) an object location level, which computes the landmarks from merged multimodal sensory inputs in the parahippocampal cortices; (2) a subject location level, which computes place fields by combination of local views and movement-related information in the entorhinal cortex; and (3) a spatiotemporal level, which computes place transitions from contiguous place fields in the CA3-CA1 region, which form building blocks for learning temporospatial sequences. At the cell population level, superficial entorhinal place cells encode spatial, context-independent maps as landscapes of activity; populations of transition cells in the CA3-CA1 region encode context-dependent maps as sequences of transitions, which form graphs in prefrontal-parietal cortices. The model was tested on a robot moving in a real environment; these tests produced results that could help to interpret biological data. Two different goal-oriented navigation strategies were displayed depending on the type of map used by the system. Thanks to its multilevel, multimodal integration and behavioral implementation, the model suggests functional interpretations for largely unaccounted structural differences between hippocampo-cortical systems. Further, spatiotemporal information, a common denominator shared by several brain structures, could serve as a cognitive processing frame and a functional link, for example, during spatial navigation and episodic memory, as suggested by the applications of the model to other domains, temporal sequence learning and imitation in particular.

Treatment of recurrent IVF failure and human leukocyte antigen similarity by intravenous immunoglobulin.

This study sought to assess the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in improving pregnancy rates and outcome, in a select group of patients with repeated IVF failure and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) similarity. Couples suffering from recurrent IVF failure, defined as at least seven attempts at embryo transfer with no successful implantations, who were found to share at least three HLA loci, and a negative cross-match test, were included in the study. The treatment consisted of two 30 g IVIg doses: one before oocyte retrieval, and a second as soon as a fetal pulse was identified on ultrasound. Ten couples comprised the study group. In total, these couples had undergone 98 IVF cycles with no successful pregnancies prior to initiation of the study. Following a total of 18 IVIg courses, seven women conceived, two women twice. Up to date, five women have delivered at least one live fetus, at 27 weeks or later. One woman is currently in the early third trimester of a twin pregnancy, and one woman had a late abortion at 19 weeks. The results suggest that couples with recurrent IVF failure and HLA similarity, may benefit from IVIg treatment.

In vitro maturation and fertilization of oocytes from an intact ovary of a surgically treated patient with endometrial carcinoma: case report.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with prolonged anovulation had resulted in endometrial carcinoma in a 43-year-old woman. Since she and her husband did not share common biological children, they requested fertility preservation. Due to the woman's age, high dose progesterone and postponing surgery were both considered inappropriate. We therefore proposed oocyte retrieval from the ovaries removed by staging laparotomy followed by in vitro maturation and ICSI. Surrogacy could then enable a future pregnancy. Fourteen of 17 (82%) retrieved oocytes matured in vitro. Following ICSI, eight embryos (two at the pronuclear stage and six cleaved) were cryopreserved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of oocyte aspiration, maturation and fertilization from an ovary removed by laparotomy.

Twin delivery following 12 years of human embryo cryopreservation: case report.

It is uncertain how long IVF units can keep frozen embryos. Few data exist on success of embryo transfer for embryos that have been cryopreserved for many years. We report the delivery of healthy twins following the transfer of embryos cryopreserved for 12 years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest reported successful human embryo freezing.