Extraction of the neutron F2 structure function from inclusive proton and deuteron deep-inelastic scattering data

The available world deep-inelastic scattering data on proton and deuteron structure functions F2p, F2d, and their ratios, are leveraged to extract the free neutron F2n structure function, the F2n/F2p ratio, and associated uncertainties using the latest nuclear effect calculations in the deuteron.Special attention is devoted to the normalization of the proton and deuteron experimental datasets and to the treatment of correlated systematic errors, as well as the quantification of procedural and theoretical uncertainties. The extracted F2n dataset is utilized to evaluate the Q2 dependence of the Gottfried sum rule and the nonsinglet F2p - F2n moments. To facilitate replication of our study, as well as for general applications, a comprehensive DIS database including all recent JLab 6 GeV measurements, the extracted F2n, a modified CTEQ-JLab global PDF fit named CJ15nlo_mod, and grids with calculated proton, neutron and deuteron DIS structure functions at next-to-leading order, are discussed and made publicly available.Comment: 52 pages, 16 figures.https://www.jlab.org/theory/cj, https://github.com/JeffersonLab/CJ-databas

Coordination of Substrate Binding and ATP Hydrolysis in Vps4-Mediated ESCRT-III Disassembly

Vps4 disassembly of ESCRT-III plays an important role in MVB sorting, viral budding, and cytokinesis. An in vitro system was developed to investigate this process. These studies revealed new insights into the mechanisms of Vps4 function

Fungal diversity notes 929–1035: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungi

This article is the ninth in the series of Fungal Diversity Notes, where 107 taxa distributed in three phyla, nine classes, 31 orders and 57 families are described and illustrated. Taxa described in the present study include 12 new genera, 74 new species, three new combinations, two reference specimens, a re-circumscription of the epitype, and 15 records of sexualasexual morph connections, new hosts and new geographical distributions. Twelve new genera comprise Brunneofusispora, Brunneomurispora, Liua, Lonicericola, Neoeutypella, Paratrimmatostroma, Parazalerion, Proliferophorum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis, Septomelanconiella, Velebitea and Vicosamyces. Seventy-four new species are Agaricus memnonius, A. langensis, Aleurodiscus patagonicus, Amanita flavoalba, A. subtropicana, Amphisphaeria mangrovei, Baorangia major, Bartalinia kunmingensis, Brunneofusispora sinensis, Brunneomurispora lonicerae, Capronia camelliaeyunnanensis, Clavulina thindii, Coniochaeta simbalensis, Conlarium thailandense, Coprinus trigonosporus, Liua muriformis, Cyphellophora filicis, Cytospora ulmicola, Dacrymyces invisibilis, Dictyocheirospora metroxylonis, Distoseptispora thysanolaenae, Emericellopsis koreana, Galiicola baoshanensis, Hygrocybe lucida, Hypoxylon teeravasati, Hyweljonesia indica, Keissleriella caraganae, Lactarius olivaceopallidus, Lactifluus midnapurensis, Lembosia brigadeirensis, Leptosphaeria urticae, Lonicericola hyaloseptispora, Lophiotrema mucilaginosis, Marasmiellus bicoloripes, Marasmius indojasminodorus, Micropeltis phetchaburiensis, Mucor orantomantidis, Murilentithecium lonicerae, Neobambusicola brunnea, Neoeutypella baoshanensis, Neoroussoella heveae, Neosetophoma lonicerae, Ophiobolus malleolus, Parabambusicola thysanolaenae, Paratrimmatostroma kunmingensis, Parazalerion indica, Penicillium dokdoense, Peroneutypa mangrovei, Phaeosphaeria cycadis, Phanerochaete australosanguinea, Plectosphaerella kunmingensis, Plenodomus artemisiae, P. lijiangensis, Proliferophorum thailandicum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis kaveriana, Pseudohelicomyces menglunicus, Pseudoplagiostoma mangiferae, Robillarda mangiferae, Roussoella elaeicola, Russula choptae, R. uttarakhandia, Septomelanconiella thailandica, Spencermartinsia acericola, Sphaerellopsis isthmospora, Thozetella lithocarpi, Trechispora echinospora, Tremellochaete atlantica, Trichoderma koreanum, T. pinicola, T. rugulosum, Velebitea chrysotexta, Vicosamyces venturisporus, Wojnowiciella kunmingensis and Zopfiella indica. Three new combinations are Baorangia rufomaculata, Lanmaoa pallidorosea and Wojnowiciella rosicola. The reference specimens of Canalisporium kenyense and Tamsiniella labiosa are designated. The epitype of Sarcopeziza sicula is re-circumscribed based on cyto- and histochemical analyses. The sexual-asexual morph connection of Plenodomus sinensis is reported from ferns and Cirsium for the first time. In addition, the new host records and country records are Amanita altipes, A. melleialba, Amarenomyces dactylidis, Chaetosphaeria panamensis, Coniella vitis, Coprinopsis kubickae, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Leptobacillium leptobactrum var. calidus, Muyocopron lithocarpi, Neoroussoella solani, Periconia cortaderiae, Phragmocamarosporium hederae, Sphaerellopsis paraphysata and Sphaeropsis eucalypticola

Deciphering the Role of Molecular Interactions on the Interfacial Structure of Aqueous and Non-aqueous Interfaces

The study focused on Deciphering the role of molecular interactions on the interfacial structure of aqueous and non-aqueous interfaces holds immense significance in diverse scientific and industrial domains. Our primary objective is to unravel the intricate web of molecular interactions occurring at the boundaries between aqueous and non-aqueous phases. The research presented here spans a wide scope, encompassing applications in microelectromechanical systems in the semiconductor industry, energy-efficient membranes for electrochemical separations, and renewable energy storage systems. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted in collaboration with experimental studies, specifically atomic force microscopy, to achieve insights at the molecular level.The first project centered around comprehending the heterogeneous assembly of water vapor at the solid/vapor aqueous interface in the presence of self-assembled silane molecules. The self-assembly of nano-sized molecules on surfaces at ambient temperature has a technological interest in the design of microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs). Through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and reactive molecular dynamics simulations, a comprehensive understanding of interfacial chemistry was achieved, encompassing the mechanism and the parameters governing the water-driven assembly of trifunctional octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) at the solid/vapor aqueous interface. The second project presents the electrode/electrolyte simulations of sodium/glyme-based batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are considered the next generation of large-scale energy storage devices for sustainable development and still need improvements for commercialization. The electrode/electrolyte interface highly affects the battery performance. Sodium ion solvation structures at the interface between electrodes and electrolytes are studied using polarizable carbon electrodes and different glymes with NaTFSI as the electrolyte. The third project presents molecular dynamics simulation studies on ion-conducting polymer electrolytes, which show promising applications in electrochemical separation processes in collaboration with experimental research. Molecular dynamics simulations on polymer electrolytes with different side chain chemistries, ranging from hydrophobic alkyl side chains, to hydrophilic alkoxy and even zwitterionic side chains, were performed to gain insight into the ionic conduction mechanisms of the counterion in these systems. By comprehending the role of molecular interactions at these aqueous and non-aqueous interfaces, we are poised to develop innovative solutions, optimize processes, and drive forward technological advancements that rely on a fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena

Comparison of the RpoH-dependent regulon and general stress response in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

In the gammaproteobacteria the RpoH regulon is often equated with the stress response, as the regulon contains many of the genes that encode what have been termed heat shock proteins that deal with the presence of damaged proteins. However, the betaproteobacteria primarily utilize the HrcA repressor protein to control genes involved in the stress response. We used genome-wide transcriptional profiling to compare the RpoH regulon and stress response of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a member of the betaproteobacteria. To identify the members of the RpoH regulon, a plasmid-borne copy of the rpoH gene was overexpressed during exponential-phase growth at 37°C. This resulted in increased expression of 12 genes, many of which encode proteins that are involved in the stress response in other species. The putative promoter regions of many of these up-regulated genes contain a consensus RpoH binding site similar to that of Escherichia coli. Thus, it appears that unlike other members of the betaproteobacteria, N. gonorrhoeae utilizes RpoH, and not an HrcA homolog, to regulate the stress response. In N. gonorrhoeae exposed to 42°C for 10 min, we observed a much broader transcriptional response involving 37 differentially expressed genes. Genes that are apparently not part of the RpoH regulon showed increased transcription during heat shock. A total of 13 genes were also down-regulated. From these results we concluded that although RpoH acts as the major regulator of protein homeostasis, N. gonorrhoeae has additional means of responding to temperature stress

Ecf, an alternative sigma factor from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, controls expression of msrAB, which encodes methionine sulfoxide reductase

A DNA microarray was used to identify genes transcribed in Neisseria gonorrhoeae using Ecf, an alternative sigma factor. No differences between the transcriptional profiles of strain FA1090 and a mutant where ecf had been inactivated could be detected when both were grown in vitro. We therefore constructed a gonococcal strain in which Ecf can be overexpressed. Some differentially expressed genes are clustered with ecf on the genome and appear to form a single transcriptional unit. Expression of the gene encoding MsrAB, which possesses methionine sulfoxide reductase activity, was also dependent on Ecf, suggesting that the regulon responds to oxidative damage. Western blotting confirmed that the increased level of MsrAB protein is dependent on the presence of Ecf

Sleep quality during hospitalization in critically ill cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

INTRODUCTION: : Sleep is vital for physical, psychological, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Cancer becomes life-threatening once it affects major organs and their ability to function. Sleep disturbance is one of the most common complaints in patients with cancer which interferes with the symptom burden, coping ability, and treatment effectiveness. Current study aimed to assess sleep quality and its associated factors among critically ill cancer patients who were admitted to the Apeksha Hospital, Sri Lanka. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 patients with cancer, who were admitted to Apeksha Hospital. Pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep quality was classified as good (Global PSQI score ≤5) and poor (Global PSQI score >5). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and associations between categorical variables were assessed by performing a Chi-square test. IBM SPSS Version 26 was used as the analytical tool. RESULTS: Of 384 patients with cancer, 58.9% (n=226) were females. Most of the patients (78.4%, n=301) were adults (25-64 years), and 63.0% (n=242) were married. Breast cancers (20.1%), blood cancers (19.3%), and ovarian cancers [13.8%) were the most common cancers reported by the study participants. The mean Global PSQI score was 10.27±3.48 (range 3-20) and 95.3% of the participants were categorized as having poor sleep quality. Age (p=0.002), income (p=0.050), engaging in leisure time activities (p=0.036), social media use (p=0.022), and fatigue (p=0.012), and level of pain (p<0.001) were significantly associated with the sleep quality of patients with cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent among patients with cancer and evidence-based interventions should be implemented to improve sleep quality