Inertial parameters and superfluid-to-normal phase transition in superdeformed bands

The quasiclassically exact solution for the second inertial parameter $\cal B$ is found in self-consistent way. It is shown that superdeformation and nonuniform pairing arising from the rotation induced pair density significantly reduce this inertial parameter. The different limiting cases for $\cal B$, which allow to study an interplay between rapid rotation, pairing correlations, and mean field deformation, are considered. The new signature for the transition from pairing to normal phase is suggested in terms of the variation of ${\cal B}/{\cal A}$ versus spin. Experimental data indicate the existence of such transition in the three superdeformed mass regions.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, 3 figure

Type V secretion: mechanism(s) of autotransport through the bacterial outer membrane

Autotransport in Gram-negative bacteria denotes the ability of surface-localized proteins to cross the outer membrane (OM) autonomously. Autotransporters perform this task with the help of a β-barrel transmembrane domain localized in the OM. Different classes of autotransporters have been investigated in detail in recent years; classical monomeric but also trimeric autotransporters comprise many important bacterial virulence factors. So do the two-partner secretion systems, which are a special case as the transported protein resides on a different polypeptide chain than the transporter. Despite the great interest in these proteins, the exact mechanism of the transport process remains elusive. Moreover, different periplasmic and OM factors have been identified that play a role in the translocation, making the term ‘autotransport’ debatable. In this review, we compile the wealth of details known on the mechanism of single autotransporters from different classes and organisms, and put them into a bigger perspective. We also discuss recently discovered or rediscovered classes of autotransporters

Superfluid to normal phase transition and extreme regularity of superdeformed bands

We derive the exact semiclassical expression for the second inertial parameter $\cal B$ for the superfluid and normal phases. Interpolation between these limiting values shows that the function ${\cal B}(I)$ changes sign at the spin $I_c$, which is critical for a rotational spectrum. The quantity $\cal B$ turns out to be a sensitive measure of the change in static pairing correlations. The superfluid-to-normal transition reveals itself in the specific variation of the ratio ${\cal B}/{\cal A}$ versus spin $I$ with the plateau characteristic of the normal phase. We find this dependence to be universal for normal deformed and superdeformed bands. The long plateau with a small value ${\cal B}/{\cal A}\sim A^{-8/3}$ explains the extreme regularity of superdeformed bands.Comment: 30 pages in LaTeX, 6 figures (PostScript). To be published in Yadernaya Fizika (Physics of Atomic Nuclei), special edition dedecated to the 90th birthday of Prof. I. I. Gurevit

Interobserver Agreement for Endometrial Cancer Characteristics Evaluated on Biopsy Material

A shift toward a disease-based therapy designed according to patterns of failure and likelihood of nodal involvement predicted by pathologic determinants has recently led to considering a selective approach to lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer. Therefore, it became critical to examine reproducibility of diagnosing the key determinants of risk, on preoperative endometrial tissue samples as well as the concordance between preoperative and postresection specimens. Six gynaecologic pathologists assessed 105 consecutive endometrial biopsies originally reported as positive for endometrial cancer for cell type (endometrioid versus nonendometrioid), tumor grade (FIGO 3-tiered and 2-tiered), nuclear grade, and risk category (low risk defined as endometrioid histology, grade 1 + 2 and nuclear grade <3). Interrater agreement levels were substantial for identification of nonendometrioid histology (κ = 0.63; SE = 0.025), high tumor grade (κ = 0.64; SE = 0.025), and risk category (κ = 0.66; SE = 0.025). The overall agreement was fair for nuclear grade (κ = 0.21; SE = 0.025). There is agreement amongst pathologists in identifying high-risk pathologic determinants on endometrial cancer biopsies, and these highly correlate with postresection specimens. This is ascertainment prerequisite adaptation of the paradigm shift in surgical staging of patients with endometrial cancer

Characterization of demethylating DNA glycosylase ROS1 from Nicotiana tabacum L.

One of the main mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in higher eukaryotes is based on the methylation of cytosine at the C5 position with the formation of 5-methylcytosine (mC), which is further recognized by regulatory proteins. In mammals, methylation mainly occurs in CG dinucleotides, while in plants it targets CG, CHG, and CHH sequences (H is any base but G). Correct maintenance of the DNA methylation status is based on the balance of methylation, passive demethylation, and active demethylation. While in mammals active demethylation is based on targeted regulated damage to mC in DNA followed by the action of repair enzymes, demethylation in plants is performed by specialized DNA glycosylases that hydrolyze the N-glycosidic bond of mC nucleotides. The genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana encodes four paralogous proteins, two of which, DEMETER (DME) and REPRESSOR OF SILENCING 1 (ROS1), possess 5-methylcytosine-DNA glycosylase activity and are necessary for the regulation of development, response to infections and abiotic stress and silencing of transgenes and mobile elements. Homologues of DME and ROS1 are present in all plant groups; however, outside A. thaliana, they are poorly studied. Here we report the properties of a recombinant fragment of the ROS1 protein from Nicotiana tabacum (NtROS1), which contains all main structural domains required for catalytic activity. Using homologous modeling, we have constructed a structural model of NtROS1, which revealed folding characteristic of DNA glycosylases of the helix– hairpin–helix structural superfamily. The recombinant NtROS1 protein was able to remove mC bases from DNA, and the enzyme activity was barely affected by the methylation status of CG dinucleotides in the opposite strand. The enzyme removed 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC) from DNA with a lower efficiency, showing minimal activity in the presence of mC in the opposite strand. Expression of the NtROS1 gene in cultured human cells resulted in a global decrease in the level of genomic DNA methylation. In general, it can be said that the NtROS1 protein and other homologues of DME and ROS1 represent a promising scaffold for engineering enzymes to analyze the status of epigenetic methylation and to control gene activity

An Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Variation of 4f Hybridization Across the La1-xCexIn3 Series

Crystal structures of a series of La1-xCexIn3 (x = 0.02, 0.2, 0.5, or 0.8) intermetallic compounds have been investigated by both neutron and X-ray diffraction, and their physical properties have been characterized by magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. Our results emphasize atypical atomic displacement parameters (ADP) for the In and the rare-earth sites. Depending on the x value, the In ADP presents either an "ellipsoidal" elongation (La-rich compounds) or a "butterfly-like" distortion (Ce-rich compounds). These deformations have been understood by theoretical techniques based on the band theory and are the result of hybridization between conduction electrons and 4f-electrons.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure

Magnetic structure of antiferromagnetic NdRhIn5

The magnetic structure of antiferromagnetic NdRhIn5 has been determined using neutron diffraction. It has a commensurate antiferromagnetic structure with a magnetic wave vector (1/2,0,1/2) below T_N = 11K. The staggered Nd moment at 1.6K is 2.6mu_B aligned along the c-axis. We find the magnetic structure to be closely related to that of its cubic parent compound NdIn3 below 4.6K. The enhanced T_N and the absence of additional transitions below T_N for NdRhIn5 are interpreted in terms of an improved matching of the crystalline-electric-field (CEF), magnetocrystalline, and exchange interaction anisotropies. In comparison, the role of these competing anisotropies on the magnetic properties of the structurally related compound CeRhIn5 is discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Роль факторов риска при хирургическом лечении геморрагического инсульта

AIM OF STUDY To identify risk factors for adverse outcomes of surgical treatment of patients with HS.MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of the results of surgical treatment of 500 patients operated on at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute from 1997 to 2020 for hypertensive intracerebral hematomas. The mean age of the patients was 53.1±12.2 years. There were 335 (67%) men and 165 (33%) women.The level of consciousness before the operation was clear in 176 (35.2%), stupor (11–14 score, GCS) — in 258 (53.6%), sopor (score 9–10, GCS) — in 38 (7.6 %), moderate coma (7–8 score, GCS) — in 10 (2%) patients, deep coma (score 6) — in 7 (1.4%) patients. ICHs were lobar in 218 (43.6%) patients, lateral in 212 (42.4%) patients, thalamic in 10 (2%) patients, mixed in 10 (2%) patients, cerebellar in 50 (10% ) patients. The average volume of ICH was 46.5±25.1 cm3, supratentorial ICH – 49.6±24.5 cm3 (from 4 to 147 cm3), subtentorial — 18.7±6.4 cm3 (from 5 to 36 cm3). The average duration of the surgical intervention was 3.3±2.6 days. The following types of operations were performed: open removal of the ICH in 271 (54.2%) patients, puncture aspiration and local fibrinolysis of the ICH in 98 (19.6%) cases, endoscopic aspiration of the ICG in 131 (26.2%) patients.RESULTS The risk factors for lethal outcome in HT surgery are the age of patients older than 50 years (χ2=13.9, p&lt;0.04), the volume of cerebral hemispheres more than 50 cm3 (χ2=7.8, p&lt;0.01), the total volume of ICH and perifocal edema more than 100 cm3 (χ2=9.1, p&lt;0.01), transverse dislocation of the median structures of the brain more than 5 mm (χ2=32.2, p&lt;0.0001), axial dislocation of the brain (χ2=16 ,1, p&lt;0.02), BP before surgery higher than 160 mm Hg (χ2=21.9, p&lt;0.002), presence of IVH (χ2=36.9, p&lt;0.00001), AOH (χ2=28.0, p&lt;0.0001), surgery time — the first day after hemorrhage (χ2=64.4, p&lt;0.00001), residual volume of ICH after surgery more than 15 cm3 (χ2=4.0, p&lt;0.05) and recurrence of ICH (χ2=33.1, p&lt;0.00001). The outcomes correlate with the severity of the patient’s condition before surgery (R=0.38, p&lt;0.00001), and the risk factor for death is the depression of consciousness to deep stupor and below (χ2=97.2, p&lt;0.00001).CONCLUSION Assessment of risk factors can help clarify the prognosis of the outcomes of surgical treatment and optimize the treatment tactics of patients.ЦЕЛЬ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ Выявление факторов риска неблагоприятных исходов хирургического лечения больных с геморрагическим инсультом (ГИ).МАТЕРИАЛ И МЕТОДЫ Проведен ретроспективный анализ результатов хирургического лечения 500 пациентов, оперированных в НИИ СП им. Н.В. Склифосовского с 1997 по 2020 год по поводу гипертензивных внутримозговых гематом (ВМГ). Средний возраст больных составил 53,1±12,2 года. Мужчин — 335 (67%), женщин — 165 (33%). Уровень сознания до операции соответствовал ясному у 176 (35,2%), оглушению (11–14 баллов по шкале комы Глазго (ШКГ)) — у 258 (53,6%), сопору (9–10 баллов по ШКГ) — у 38 (7,6%), умеренной коме (7–8 баллов по ШКГ) — у 10 (2%), глубокой коме (6 баллов по ШКГ) — у 7 больных (1,4%). ВМГ были лобарными — у 218 пациентов (43,6%), латеральными — у 212 (42,4%), таламическими — у 10 (2%), смешанными — у 10 (2%), мозжечковыми — у 50 (10%). Средний объем ВМГ составил 46,5±25,1 см3, супратенториальных ВМГ — 49,6±24,5 см3 (от 4 до 147 см3), субтенториальных — 18,7±6,4 см3 (от 5 до 36 см3). Средний срок проведения хирургического вмешательства составил 3,3±2,6 суток. Были проведены следующие виды операций: открытое удаление ВМГ — у 271 пациента (54,2%), пункционная аспирация и локальный фибринолиз ВМГ — у 98 (19,6%), эндоскопическая аспирация ВМГ — у 131 больного (26,2%).РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ Факторами риска смертельного исхода в хирургии ГИ являются возраст больных старше 50 лет (χ2=13,9, p&lt;0,04), объем ВМГ больших полушарий более 50 см3 (χ2=7,8, p&lt;0,01), суммарный объем ВМГ и перифокального отека более 100 см3 (χ2=9,1, p&lt;0,01), поперечная дислокация срединных структур мозга более 5 мм (χ2=32,2, p&lt;0,0001), аксиальная дислокация мозга (χ2=16,1, p&lt;0,02), систолическое артериальное давление до операции более 160 мм рт.ст. (χ2=21,9, p&lt;0,002), наличие внутрижелудочкового кровоизлияния (χ2=36,9, p&lt;0,00001), открытой окклюзионной гидроцефалии (χ2=28,0, p&lt;0,0001), срок операции — первые сутки после кровоизлияния (χ2=64,4, p&lt;0,00001), остаточный объем ВМГ после операции более 15 см3 (χ2= 4,0, p&lt;0,05) и рецидив ВМГ (χ2=33,1, p&lt;0,00001). Исходы коррелируют с тяжестью состояния больных перед операцией (R=0,38, p&lt;0,00001), а фактором риска смертельного исхода является угнетение сознания до глубокого оглушения и ниже (χ2=97,2, p&lt;0,00001).ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ Оценка факторов риска может послужить уточнению прогноза исходов хирургического лечения и оптимизации лечебной тактики

Al₂Pt für die Sauerstoffentwicklungsreaktion bei der Wasserspaltung: eine Strategie zur Erzeugung von Multifunktionalität in der Elektrokatalyse

Die Herstellung von Wasserstoff durch Wasserelektrolyse ist nur möglich, wenn wirksame und stabile Katalysatoren für die Sauerstoffentwicklungsreaktion (Oxygen Evolution Reaction, OER) verfügbar sind. Intermetallische Verbindungen mit genau definierter Kristallstruktur und elektronischen Eigenschaften sowie besonderer chemischer Bindung werden als Vorstufe für neue Werkstoffe vorgeschlagen, die interessante katalytische Eigenschaften aufweisen. Al2Pt kristallisiert im Anti‐Fluorit‐Kristallstrukturtyp und zeigt eine stark polare chemische Bindung. Platin ist hierbei katalytisch aktiv und wird auch unter den Bedingungen der Sauerstoffentwicklungsreaktion vergleichsweise wenig aus der Katalysatoroberfläche herausgelöst. Im Folgenden wird die unerwartete Leistungsfähigkeit einer Oberflächen‐Nanokomposit‐Architektur beschrieben, die aus der selbstorganisierten Umwandlung der intermetallischen Vorstufe Al2Pt resultiert. Hierbei wird insbesondere das Langzeitverhalten der katalytischen Aktivität und Stabilität unter den Bedingungen der Sauerstoffentwicklungsreaktion untersucht

Spectral Distortions of the CMB as a Probe of Inflation, Recombination, Structure Formation and Particle Physics

Following the pioneering observations with COBE in the early 1990s, studies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) have focused on temperature and polarization anisotropies. CMB spectral distortions - tiny departures of the CMB energy spectrum from that of a perfect blackbody - provide a second, independent probe of fundamental physics, with a reach deep into the primordial Universe. The theoretical foundation of spectral distortions has seen major advances in recent years, which highlight the immense potential of this emerging field. Spectral distortions probe a fundamental property of the Universe - its thermal history - thereby providing additional insight into processes within the cosmological standard model (CSM) as well as new physics beyond. Spectral distortions are an important tool for understanding inflation and the nature of dark matter. They shed new light on the physics of recombination and reionization, both prominent stages in the evolution of our Universe, and furnish critical information on baryonic feedback processes, in addition to probing primordial correlation functions at scales inaccessible to other tracers. In principle the range of signals is vast: many orders of magnitude of discovery space could be explored by detailed observations of the CMB energy spectrum. Several CSM signals are predicted and provide clear experimental targets, some of which are already observable with present-day technology. Confirmation of these signals would extend the reach of the CSM by orders of magnitude in physical scale as the Universe evolves from the initial stages to its present form. The absence of these signals would pose a huge theoretical challenge, immediately pointing to new physics.Comment: Astro2020 Science White Paper, 5 pages text, 13 pages in total, 3 Figures, minor update to reference