Exact factorization of the time-dependent electron-nuclear wavefunction

We present an exact decomposition of the complete wavefunction for a system of nuclei and electrons evolving in a time-dependent external potential. We derive formally exact equations for the nuclear and electronic wavefunctions that lead to rigorous definitions of a time-dependent potential energy surface (TDPES) and a time-dependent geometric phase. For the $H_2^+$ molecular ion exposed to a laser field, the TDPES proves to be a useful interpretive tool to identify different mechanisms of dissociation.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

WISE J064336.71-022315.4: A Thick Disk L8 Gaia DR2-Discovered Brown Dwarf at 13.9 Parsecs

While spectroscopically characterizing nearby ultracool dwarfs discovered in the Gaia Second Data Release with the TripleSpec spectrograph on the Palomar 200'' telescope, we encountered a particularly cool, nearby, new member of the solar neighborhood: Gaia DR2 3106548406384807680 = WISE J064336.71-022315.4 = 2MASS J06433670-0223130. The $\it{Gaia}$ parallax corresponds to a distance of 13.9 $\pm$ 0.3 pc. Using our TripleSpec spectrum we classify W0643 as spectral type L8, and measured a heliocentric radial velocity of 142 $\pm$ 12 km s$^{-1}$. When combined with $\it{Gaia}$ astrometry, we determine a Galactic velocity (heliocentric; $U$ towards Galactic center) of $U, V, W$ = -109, -91, -12 ($\pm$10, 5, 3) km s$^{-1}$. We estimate that W0643 passed within $\sim$1.4 pc away from the Sun $\sim$100,000 years ago

Dose-response of sodium bicarbonate ingestion highlights individuality in time course of blood analyte responses

To defend against hydrogen cation accumulation and muscle fatigue during exercise, sodium 20 bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion is commonplace. The individualised dose-response relationship 21 between NaHCO3 ingestion and blood biochemistry is unclear. The present study investigated the 22 bicarbonate, pH, base excess and sodium responses to NaHCO3 ingestion. Sixteen healthy males (23±2 23 years; 78.6±15.1 kg) attended three randomised order-balanced, non-blinded sessions, ingesting a single 24 dose of either 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 g.kg-1BM of NaHCO3 (Intralabs, UK). Fingertip capillary blood was 25 obtained at baseline and every 10 min for 1 h, then every 15 min for a further 2 h. There was a significant 26 main effect of both time and condition for all assessed blood analytes (P≤0.001). Blood analyte 27 responses were significantly lower following 0.1 g.kg-1BM compared with 0.2 g.kg-1BM; bicarbonate 28 concentrations and base excess were highest following ingestion of 0.3 g.kg-1BM (P≤0.01). Bicarbonate 29 concentrations and pH significantly increased from baseline following all doses; the higher the dose the 30 greater the increase. Large inter-individual variability was shown in the magnitude of the increase in 31 bicarbonate concentrations following each dose (+2.0-5; +5.1-8.1; and +6.0-12.3 mmol·L-1 for 0.1, 0.2 32 and 0.3 g.kg-1BM) and in the range of time to peak concentrations (30-150; 40-165; and 75-180 min for 33 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 g.kg-1BM). The variability in bicarbonate responses was not affected by normalisation 34 to body mass. These results challenge current practices relating to NaHCO3 supplementation and clearly 35 show the need for athletes to individualise their ingestion protocol and trial varying dosages prior to 36 competition

Assignment Of Opsonic Values To Pneumococcal Reference Serum 007SP For Use In Opsonophagocytic Assays For 13 Serotypes

Opsonophagocytic assays (OPAs) are routinely used for assessing the immunogenicity of pneumococcal vaccines, with OPA data often utilized for licensure of new vaccine formulations. However, no reference serum for pneumococcal OPAs is available, making evaluation of data among different laboratories difficult. This international collaboration was initiated to: 1) assign consensus opsonic indexes (OIs) to Pneumococcal Reference Serum Lot 007sp ("007sp") and a panel of calibration sera; and 2) determine if normalization with 007sp decreases the OPA variability among laboratories.To meet these goals, six participating laboratories tested a panel of sera in five runs for 13 serotypes. For each serum, consensus OIs were obtained using a mixed effects ANOVA model. For the calibration sera, normalized consensus values were also determined based on 007sp.For each serotype, the overall reduction in inter-laboratory variability was calculated by comparing the coefficients of variation of the unadjusted and the normalized values. Normalization of the results substantially reduced the inter-laboratory variability, ranging from a 15% reduction in variability for serotype 9V to 64% for serotype 7F. Normalization also increased the proportion of data within 2-fold of the consensus value from approximately 70% (average of all serotypes) to >90%.Based on the data obtained in this study, Pneumococcal Reference Standard Lot 007sp will likely be a useful reagent for normalizing pneumococcal OPA results from different laboratories. The data also support the use of the 16 FDA OPA calibration sera as part of the initial evaluation of new assays or periodic assessment of established assays

Electrostatically gated membrane permeability in inorganic protocells

Although several strategies are now available to produce functional microcompartments analogous to primitive cell-like structures, little progress has been made in generating protocell constructs with self-controlled membrane permeability. Here we describe the preparation of water-dispersible colloidosomes based on silica nanoparticles and delineated by a continuous semipermeable inorganic membrane capable of self-activated, electrostatically gated permeability. We use crosslinking and covalent grafting of a pH-responsive copolymer to generate an ultrathin elastic membrane that exhibits selective release and uptake of small molecules. This behaviour, which depends on the charge of the copolymer coronal layer, serves to trigger enzymatic dephosphorylation reactions specifically within the protocell aqueous interior. This system represents a step towards the design and construction of alternative types of artificial chemical cells and protocell models based on spontaneous processes of inorganic self-organization

Near-Complete Genome Sequences of Several New Norovirus Genogroup II Genotypes.

We report here the near-complete genome sequences of 13 norovirus strains detected in stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Nicaragua, and the United States that are classified into one existing (genotype II.22 [GII.22]), 3 novel (GII.23, GII.24 and GII.25), and 3 tentative novel (GII.NA1, GII.NA2, and GII.NA3) genotypes

Women’s experiences of wearing therapeutic footwear in three European countries

Background: Therapeutic footwear is recommended for those people with severe foot problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is known that many do not wear them. Although previous European studies have recommended service and footwear design improvements, it is not known if services have improved or if this footwear meets the personal needs of people with RA. As an earlier study found that this footwear has more impact on women than males, this study explores women’s experiences of the process of being provided with it and wearing it. No previous work has compared women’s experiences of this footwear in different countries, therefore this study aimed to explore the potential differences between the UK, the Netherlands and Spain. Method: Women with RA and experience of wearing therapeutic footwear were purposively recruited. Ten women with RA were interviewed in each of the three countries. An interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA) was adopted during data collection and analysis. Conversational style interviews were used to collect the data. Results: Six themes were identified: feet being visibly different because of RA; the referring practitioners’ approach to the patient; the dispensing practitioners’ approach to the patient; the footwear being visible as different to others; footwear influencing social participation; and the women’s wishes for improved footwear services. Despite their nationality, these women revealed that therapeutic footwear invokes emotions of sadness, shame and anger and that it is often the final and symbolic marker of the effects of RA on self perception and their changed lives. This results in severe restriction of important activities, particularly those involving social participation. However, where a patient focussed approach was used, particularly by the practitioners in Spain and the Netherlands, the acceptance of this footwear was much more evident and there was less wastage as a result of the footwear being prescribed and then not worn. In the UK, the women were more likely to passively accept the footwear with the only choice being to reject it once it had been provided. All the women were vocal about what would improve their experiences and this centred on the consultation with both the referring practitioner and the practitioner that provides the footwear. Conclusion: This unique study, carried out in three countries has revealed emotive and personal accounts of what it is like to have an item of clothing replaced with an ‘intervention’. The participant’s experience of their consultations with practitioners has revealed the tension between the practitioners’ requirements and the women’s ‘social’ needs. Practitioners need greater understanding of the social and emotional consequences of using therapeutic footwear as an intervention

The diagnosis of mental disorders: the problem of reification

A pressing need for interrater reliability in the diagnosis of mental disorders emerged during the mid-twentieth century, prompted in part by the development of diverse new treatments. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), third edition answered this need by introducing operationalized diagnostic criteria that were field-tested for interrater reliability. Unfortunately, the focus on reliability came at a time when the scientific understanding of mental disorders was embryonic and could not yield valid disease definitions. Based on accreting problems with the current DSM-fourth edition (DSM-IV) classification, it is apparent that validity will not be achieved simply by refining criteria for existing disorders or by the addition of new disorders. Yet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria dominate thinking about mental disorders in clinical practice, research, treatment development, and law. As a result, the modernDSMsystem, intended to create a shared language, also creates epistemic blinders that impede progress toward valid diagnoses. Insights that are beginning to emerge from psychology, neuroscience, and genetics suggest possible strategies for moving forward

Cell-free (RNA) and cell-associated (DNA) HIV-1 and postnatal transmission through breastfeeding

<p>Introduction - Transmission through breastfeeding remains important for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in resource-limited settings. We quantify the relationship between cell-free (RNA) and cell-associated (DNA) shedding of HIV-1 virus in breastmilk and the risk of postnatal HIV-1 transmission in the first 6 months postpartum.</p> <p>Materials and Methods - Thirty-six HIV-positive mothers who transmitted HIV-1 by breastfeeding were matched to 36 non-transmitting HIV-1 infected mothers in a case-control study nested in a cohort of HIV-infected women. RNA and DNA were quantified in the same breastmilk sample taken at 6 weeks and 6 months. Cox regression analysis assessed the association between cell-free and cell-associated virus levels and risk of postnatal HIV-1 transmission.</p> <p>Results - There were higher median levels of cell-free than cell-associated HIV-1 virus (per ml) in breastmilk at 6 weeks and 6 months. Multivariably, adjusting for antenatal CD4 count and maternal plasma viral load, at 6 weeks, each 10-fold increase in cell-free or cell-associated levels (per ml) was significantly associated with HIV-1 transmission but stronger for cell-associated than cell-free levels [2.47 (95% CI 1.33–4.59) vs. aHR 1.52 (95% CI, 1.17–1.96), respectively]. At 6 months, cell-free and cell-associated levels (per ml) in breastmilk remained significantly associated with HIV-1 transmission but was stronger for cell-free than cell-associated levels [aHR 2.53 (95% CI 1.64–3.92) vs. 1.73 (95% CI 0.94–3.19), respectively].</p> <p>Conclusions - The findings suggest that cell-associated virus level (per ml) is more important for early postpartum HIV-1 transmission (at 6 weeks) than cell-free virus. As cell-associated virus levels have been consistently detected in breastmilk despite antiretroviral therapy, this highlights a potential challenge for resource-limited settings to achieve the UNAIDS goal for 2015 of eliminating vertical transmission. More studies would further knowledge on mechanisms of HIV-1 transmission and help develop more effective drugs during lactation.</p&gt