Rayleigh-Taylor instability experiments on the LULI2000 laser in scaled conditions for young supernova remnants.

We describe a platform developed on the LULI2000 laser facility to investigate the evolution of Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) in scaled conditions relevant to young supernova remnants (SNRs) up to 200 years. An RT unstable interface is imaged with a short-pulse laser-driven (PICO2000) x-ray source, providing an unprecedented simultaneous high spatial (24µm) and temporal (10 ps) resolution. This experiment provides relevant data to compare with astrophysical codes, as observational data on the development of RTI at the early stage of the SNR expansion are missing. A comparison is also performed with FLASH radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulations.

Improvement in the identification and quantification of UV filters and additives in sunscreen cosmetic creams by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry through three-way calibration techniques.

The simultaneous determination of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol (BHT), benzophenone (BP), benzophenone-3 (BP3) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) in seven sunscreen creams was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using DiBP-d4 as internal standard. The content of BP3, which is a UV filter, must not exceed 6% (w/w) in cosmetic products according to Regulation (EU) 2017/238 and the use of DiBP in cosmetic products shall be prohibited according to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. The conclusions obtained with the univariate standard methodology in the identification of the analytes contained in the creams were wrong. However, a calibration based on PARAFAC or PARAFAC2 decompositions, where the samples of the prediction set were projected on the model obtained previously with the calibration set, enabled the unequivocal identification and quantification of the analytes even in the presence of interferents not considered in the calibration model. The PARAFAC2 decomposition was used to overcome the shifts in the retention time of BP and BP3. These three-way calibration techniques are needed to avoid false negative results. The method had not proportional or constant bias. The presence of BHT was detected in the seven sunscreen creams analysed at an amount of 6.48 10-2%, 8.53 10-2%, 1.70 10-4%, 1.11 10-4%, 2.51 10-3%, 3.20 10-5% and 6.35 10-3%. The concentrations of DiBP found in four creams were 3.49 10-2%, 3.19 10-2%, 3.26 10-2% and 2.51 10-2%. On the other hand, BP was only detected in two of the cosmetic creams analysed at an amount of 7.84 10-3% and 1.04 10-2%. In addition, BP3 was detected in six of the creams at an amount of 4.73%, 3.49%, 4.94 10-3%, 1.98 10-3%, 6.62 10-1% and 1.73%. Therefore, none of the cosmetic creams contained BP3 in an amount higher than 6%.

Laboratory study of stationary accretion shock relevant to astrophysical systems.

Accretion processes play a crucial role in a wide variety of astrophysical systems. Of particular interest are magnetic cataclysmic variables, where, plasma flow is directed along the star's magnetic field lines onto its poles. A stationary shock is formed, several hundred kilometres above the stellar surface; a distance far too small to be resolved with today's telescopes. Here, we report the results of an analogous laboratory experiment which recreates this astrophysical system. The dynamics of the laboratory system are strongly influenced by the interplay of material, thermal, magnetic and radiative effects, allowing a steady shock to form at a constant distance from a stationary obstacle. Our results demonstrate that a significant amount of plasma is ejected in the lateral direction; a phenomenon that is under-estimated in typical magnetohydrodynamic simulations and often neglected in astrophysical models. This changes the properties of the post-shock region considerably and has important implications for many astrophysical studies.

The behaviour of Tenax as food simulant in the migration of polymer additives from food contact materials by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and PARAFAC.

The migration of benzophenone (BP), an antioxidant (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol (BHT)) and three plasticizers (diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP)) from different food contact materials into Tenax as food simulant was studied. The packaging materials analysed were: polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cling-films, paper bread bag, brown paper popcorn bag intended to be heated in a microwave oven and polypropylene (PP) coffee capsules. The analysis was carried out using PARAFAC and PARAFAC2 decompositions and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), being DiBP-d4 the internal standard. Tenax has been used as food simulant for specific migration of dry foodstuffs according to Commission Regulation (EU) 10/2011. PARAFAC and PARAFAC2 decompositions enabled the unequivocal identification and quantification of all the analytes despite some of the m/z ratios of the coeluting interferents were shared with the analytes. Otherwise, the presence of the analytes could not have been ensured according to the EU legislation in force. BHT, DiBP and DEHA were contained in the Tenax blanks in some of the analyses. The amount of BP and DiBP migrated from the PVC film was 83.53 µg L-1 and 31.30 µg L-1, respectively; whereas 71.62 µg L-1 of BP and 27.45 µg L-1 of DiBP migrated from the PP coffee capsules. None of the analytes were detected above the capability of detection in the non-spiked migration samples of the rest of the food contact materials analysed. The efficiency of Tenax as an adequate food simulant has also been studied through the values of its adsorption capability which were different depending on the analytes and the materials. In the spiked migration samples, these values ranged from 25.33% to 99.37%.

Preclinical development of AMG 139, a human antibody specifically targeting IL-23.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: AMG 139 is a human anti-IL-23 antibody currently in a phase II trial for treating Crohn's disease. To support its clinical development in humans, in vitro assays and in vivo studies were conducted in cynomolgus monkeys to determine the pharmacology, preclinical characteristics and safety of this monoclonal antibody. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The in vitro pharmacology, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics and toxicology of AMG 139, after single or weekly i.v. or s.c. administration for up to 26 weeks, were evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys. KEY RESULTS: AMG 139 bound with high affinity to both human and cynomolgus monkey IL-23 and specifically neutralized the biological activity of IL-23 without binding or blocking IL-12. After a single dose, linear PK with s.c. bioavailability of 81% and mean half-life of 8.4-13 days were observed. After weekly s.c. dosing for 3 or 6 months, AMG 139 exposure increased approximately dose-proportionally from 30 to 300 mg·kg(-1) and mean accumulation between the first and last dose ranged from 2- to 3.5-fold. Peripheral blood immunophenotyping, T-cell-dependent antigen responses and bone formation markers were not different between AMG 139 and vehicle treatment. No adverse clinical signs, effects on body weight, vital signs, ophthalmic parameters, clinical pathology, ECG, organ weights or histopathology were observed in the monkeys with the highest dose of AMG 139 tested (300 mg·kg(-1) s.c. or i.v.). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The in vitro pharmacology, PK, immunogenicity and safety characteristics of AMG 139 in cynomolgus monkeys support its continued clinical development for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.