A Turning-Band Method for the Simulation of Anisotropic Fractional Brownian Fields

In this article, we propose a method for simulating realizations of two-dimensional anisotropic fractional Brownian fields (AFBF) introduced by Bonami and Estrade. The method is adapted from a generic simulation method called the turning-band method (TBM) due to Matheron. The TBM reduces the problem of simulating a field in two dimensions by combining independent processes simulated on oriented bands. In the AFBF context, the simulation fields are constructed by discretizing an integral equation arising from the application of the TBM to nonstationary anisotropic fields. This guarantees the convergence of simulations as the step of discretization is decreased. The construction is followed by a theoretical study of the convergence rate (the detailed proofs are available in the online supplementary materials). Another key feature of this work is the simulation of band processes. Using self-similarity properties, processes are simulated exactly on bands with a circulant embedding method, so that simulation errors are exclusively due to the field approximation. Moreover, we design a dynamic programming algorithm that selects band orientations achieving the optimal trade-off between computational cost and precision. Finally, we conduct a numerical study showing that the approximation error does not significantly depend on the regularity of the fields to be simulated, nor on their degree of anisotropy. Experiments also suggest that simulations preserve the statistical properties of the original field.     

Hydrogen atom yield in RF and microwave hydrogen discharges

The hydrogen atom yield in pure-H₂ RF and microwave-sustained discharges is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. A particle balance model is developed that provides the concentrations of the H, H₂, H⁺, H ₂ ⁺ , and H ₃ ⁺ species. It is also shown that an approximate solution of this model is adequate for calculating the concentration of H atoms (required, for instance, in diamond film deposition) in the 0.1–10 torr range. Next, the validity of the actinometry technique applied to the determination of the H-atom density in pure-H₂ discharges is examined. Using this diagnostic, it is observed that the H-atom concentration decreases when the vessel wall temperature increases, owing to the increased efficiency of atomic hydrogen recombination on the wall. To overcome this effect, the discharge tube wall is cooled off with dimethyl polysiloxane, a low-loss dielectric liquid. It improves significantly the H-atom concentration at 2450 MHz provided the pressure is typically below a few torr and the power density is not too high.     

Immunization with genetically attenuated P52-deficient Plasmodium berghei sporozoites induces a long-lasting effector memory CD8+ T cell response in the liver

Background

The induction of sterile immunity and long lasting protection against malaria has been effectively achieved by immunization with sporozoites attenuated by gamma-irradiation or through deletion of genes. For mice immunized with radiation attenuated sporozoites (RAS) it has been shown that intrahepatic effector memory CD8⁺ T cells are critical for protection. Recent studies have shown that immunization with genetically attenuated parasites (GAP) in mice is also conferred by liver effector memory CD8⁺ T cells.

Findings

In this study we analysed effector memory cell responses after immunization of GAP that lack the P52 protein. We demonstrate that immunization with p52 ^-GAP sporozoites also results in a strong increase of effector memory CD8⁺ T cells, even 6 months after immunization, whereas no specific CD4⁺ effector T cells response could be detected. In addition, we show that the increase of effector memory CD8⁺ T cells is specific for the liver and not for the spleen or lymph nodes.

Conclusions

These results indicate that immunization of mice with P. berghei p52 ^-GAP results in immune responses that are comparable to those induced by RAS or GAP lacking expression of UIS3 or UIS4, with an important role implicated for intrahepatic effector memory CD8⁺ T cells. The knowledge of the mediators of protective immunity after immunization with different GAP is important for the further development of vaccines consisting of genetically attenuated sporozoites.