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- Chernoff, David F., et al.
(author)
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Prospects of cosmic superstring detection through microlensing of extragalactic point-like sources
- 2020
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 491:1, s. 596-614
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The existence of cosmic superstrings may be probed by astronomical time domain surveys. When crossing the line of sight to point-like sources, strings produce a distinctivemicrolensing signature. We consider two avenues to hunt for a relic population of superstring loops: frequent monitoring of (1) stars in Andromeda, lensed by loops in the haloes of the Milky-Way and Andromeda and (2) supernovae at cosmological distances, lensed by loops in the intergalactic medium. We assess the potential of such experiments to detect and/or constrain strings with a range of tensions, 10(-15) less than or similar to G mu/c(2) less than or similar to 10(-6). The practical sensitivity is tied to cadence of observations which we explore in detail. We forecast that high-cadence monitoring of similar to 10(5) stars on the far side of Andromeda over a year-long period will detect microlensing events if G mu/c(2) similar to 10(-13), while similar to 10(6) stars will detect events if 10(-13.5) < G mu/c(2) < 10(-11.5); the upper and lower bounds of the accessible tension range continue to expand as the number of stars rises. We also analyse the ability to reject models in the absence of fluctuations. While challenging, these studies are within reach of forthcoming time-domain surveys. Supernova observations can hypothetically constrain models with 10(-12) < G mu/c(2) < 10(-6) without any optimization of the survey cadence. However, the event rate forecast suggests it will be difficult to reject models of interest. As a demonstration, we use observations from the Pantheon Type Ia supernova cosmology data set to place modest constraints on the number density of cosmic superstrings in a poorly tested region of the parameter space.
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- Datta-Chaudhuri, Timir, et al.
(author)
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The Fourth Bioelectronic Medicine Summit "Technology Targeting Molecular Mechanisms" : current progress, challenges, and charting the future
- 2021
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In: Bioelectronic medicine. - : BioMed Central. - 2332-8886. ; 7:1
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- There is a broad and growing interest in Bioelectronic Medicine, a dynamic field that continues to generate new approaches in disease treatment. The fourth bioelectronic medicine summit "Technology targeting molecular mechanisms" took place on September 23 and 24, 2020. This virtual meeting was hosted by the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health. The summit called international attention to Bioelectronic Medicine as a platform for new developments in science, technology, and healthcare. The meeting was an arena for exchanging new ideas and seeding potential collaborations involving teams in academia and industry. The summit provided a forum for leaders in the field to discuss current progress, challenges, and future developments in Bioelectronic Medicine. The main topics discussed at the summit are outlined here.
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| 3. |
- DHaens, Geert, et al.
(author)
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Neuroimmune Modulation Through Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Inflammatory Activity in Crohns Disease Patients: A Prospective Open-label Study
- 2023
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In: Journal of Crohn's & Colitis. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1873-9946 .- 1876-4479. ; 17:12, s. 1897-1909
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Aims Crohns disease [CD] is a debilitating, inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. There is no cure and sustained clinical and endoscopic remission is achieved by fewer than half of patients with current therapies. The immunoregulatory function of the vagus nerve, the inflammatory reflex, has been established in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and biologic-naive CD. The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in patients with treatment-refractory CD, in a 16-week, open-label, multicentre, clinical trial.Methods A vagus nerve stimulator was implanted in 17 biologic drug-refractory patients with moderately to severely active CD. One patient exited the study pre-treatment, and 16 patients were treated with vagus nerve stimulation [4/16 receiving concomitant biologics] during 16 weeks of induction and 24 months of maintenance treatment. Endpoints included clinical improvement, patient-reported outcomes, objective measures of inflammation [endoscopic/molecular], and safety.Results There was a statistically significant and clinically meaningful decrease in CD Activity Index at Week 16 [mean +/- SD: -86.2 +/- 92.8, p = 0.003], a significant decrease in faecal calprotectin [-2923 +/- 4104, p = 0.015], a decrease in mucosal inflammation in 11/15 patients with paired endoscopies [-2.1 +/- 1.7, p = 0.23], and a decrease in serum tumour necrosis factor and interferon-gamma [46-52%]. Two quality-of-life indices improved in 7/11 patients treated without biologics. There was one study-related severe adverse event: a postoperative infection requiring device explantation.Conclusions Neuroimmune modulation via vagus nerve stimulation was generally safe and well tolerated, with a clinically meaningful reduction in clinical disease activity associated with endoscopic improvement, reduced levels of faecal calprotectin and serum cytokines, and improved quality of life. Graphical Abstract
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