Solar Dynamics Observatory and Hinode observations of a blowout jet in a coronal hole

A blowout jet occurred within the south coronal hole on 9 February 2011 at 09:00 UT and was observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) and X-Ray Telescope (XRT) onboard the Hinode spacecraft during coronal hole monitoring performed as part of Hinode Operations Program No. 177. Images from AIA show expanding hot and cold loops from a small bright point with plasma ejected in a curtain up to 30 Mm wide. The initial intensity front of the jet had a projected velocity of 200 km/s and line-of-sight (LOS) velocities measured by EIS are between 100 and 250 km/s. The LOS velocities increased along the jet, implying an acceleration mechanism operating within the body of the jet. The jet plasma had a density of 2.7 x 10^8 cm^-3, and a temperature of 1.4 MK. During the event a number of bright kernels were seen at the base of the bright point. The kernels have sizes of about 1000 km, are variable in brightness, and have lifetimes of 1-15 minutes. An XRT filter ratio yields temperatures of 1.5-3.0 MK for the kernels. The bright point existed for at least ten hours, but disappeared within two hours after the jet, which lasted for 30 minutes. HMI data reveal converging photospheric flows at the location of the bright point, and the mixed polarity magnetic flux canceled over a period of four hours on either side of the jet.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, accepted by Solar Physic

Superlattice-induced ferroelectricity in charge-ordered La1/3_{1/3}Sr2/3_{2/3}FeO3_{3}

Charge-order-driven ferroelectrics are an emerging class of functional materials, distinct from conventional ferroelectrics, where electron-dominated switching can occur at high frequency. Despite their promise, only a few systems exhibiting this behavior have been experimentally realized thus far, motivating the need for new materials. Here, we use density functional theory to study the effect of artificial structuring on mixed-valence solid-solution La$_{1/3}$Sr$_{2/3}$FeO$_{3}$ (LSFO), a system well-studied experimentally. Our calculations show that A-site cation (111)-layered LSFO exhibits a ferroelectric charge-ordered phase in which inversion symmetry is broken by changing the registry of the charge order with respect to the superlattice layering. The phase is energetically degenerate with a ground-state centrosymmetric phase, and the computed switching polarization is 39 $\mu$C/cm$^{2}$, a significant value arising from electron transfer between Fe ions. Our calculations reveal that artificial structuring of LSFO and other mixed valence oxides with robust charge ordering in the solid solution phase can lead to charge-order-induced ferroelectricity

Identification and nucleotide sequences of mxaA, mxaC, mxaK, mxaL, and mxaD genes from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

The DNA sequence for a 4.4-kb HindIII-XhoI Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 DNA fragment that is known to contain three genes (mxaAKL) involved in incorporation of calcium into methanol dehydrogenase (I. W. Richardson and C. Anthony, Biochem. J. 287:709-7115, 1992) was determined. Five complete open reading frames and two partial open reading frames were found, suggesting that this region contains previously unidentified genes. A combination of sequence analysis, mutant complementation data, and gene expression studies showed that these genes correspond to mxaSACKLDorf1. Of the three previously unidentified genes (mxaC, mxaD, and orf1), mutant complementation studies showed that mxaC is required for methanol oxidation, while the function of the other two genes is still unknown

A Coronal Hole Jet Observed with Hinode and the Solar Dynamics Observatory

A small blowout jet was observed at the boundary of the south coronal hole on 2011 February 8 at around 21:00 UT. Images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) revealed an expanding loop rising from one footpoint of a compact, bipolar bright point. Magnetograms from the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board SDO showed that the jet was triggered by the cancelation of a parasitic positive polarity feature near the negative pole of the bright point. The jet emission was present for 25 mins and it extended 30 Mm from the bright point. Spectra from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer on board Hinode yielded a temperature and density of 1.6 MK and 0.9-1.7 10( exp 8) cu cm for the ejected plasma. Line-of-sight velocities reached up to 250 km/s. The density of the bright point was 7.6 10(exp 8) cu cm, and the peak of the bright point's emission measure occurred at 1.3 MK, with no plasma above 3 MK

Time for change: a new training programme for morpho-molecular pathologists?

The evolution of cellular pathology as a specialty has always been driven by technological developments and the clinical relevance of incorporating novel investigations into diagnostic practice. In recent years, the molecular characterisation of cancer has become of crucial relevance in patient treatment both for predictive testing and subclassification of certain tumours. Much of this has become possible due to the availability of next-generation sequencing technologies and the whole-genome sequencing of tumours is now being rolled out into clinical practice in England via the 100 000 Genome Project. The effective integration of cellular pathology reporting and genomic characterisation is crucial to ensure the morphological and genomic data are interpreted in the relevant context, though despite this, in many UK centres molecular testing is entirely detached from cellular pathology departments. The CM-Path initiative recognises there is a genomics knowledge and skills gap within cellular pathology that needs to be bridged through an upskilling of the current workforce and a redesign of pathology training. Bridging this gap will allow the development of an integrated 'morphomolecular pathology' specialty, which can maintain the relevance of cellular pathology at the centre of cancer patient management and allow the pathology community to continue to be a major influence in cancer discovery as well as playing a driving role in the delivery of precision medicine approaches. Here, several alternative models of pathology training, designed to address this challenge, are presented and appraised

Inhibitory-κB kinase (IKK) α and nuclear factor-κB (NFκB)-inducing kinase (NIK) as anti-cancer drug targets

The cellular kinases inhibitory-κB kinase (IKK) α and Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB)-inducing kinase (NIK) are well recognised as key central regulators and drivers of the non-canonical NF-κB cascade and as such dictate the initiation and development of defined transcriptional responses associated with the liberation of p52-RelB and p52-p52 NF-κB dimer complexes. Whilst these kinases and downstream NF-κB complexes transduce pro-inflammatory and growth stimulating signals that contribute to major cellular processes, they also play a key role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory-based conditions and diverse cancer types, which for the latter may be a result of background mutational status. IKKα and NIK, therefore, represent attractive targets for pharmacological intervention. Here, specifically in the cancer setting, we reflect on the potential pathophysiological role(s) of each of these kinases, their associated downstream signalling outcomes and the stimulatory and mutational mechanisms leading to their increased activation. We also consider the downstream coordination of transcriptional events and phenotypic outcomes illustrative of key cancer ‘Hallmarks’ that are now increasingly perceived to be due to the coordinated recruitment of both NF-κB-dependent as well as NF-κB–independent signalling. Furthermore, as these kinases regulate the transition from hormone-dependent to hormone-independent growth in defined tumour subsets, potential tumour reactivation and major cytokine and chemokine species that may have significant bearing upon tumour-stromal communication and tumour microenvironment it reiterates their potential to be drug targets. Therefore, with the emergence of small molecule kinase inhibitors targeting each of these kinases, we consider medicinal chemistry efforts to date and those evolving that may contribute to the development of viable pharmacological intervention strategies to target a variety of tumour types

Promoting Handwashing and Sanitation Behaviour Change in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review

This systematic review shows which promotional approaches are effective in changing handwashing and sanitation behaviour and which implementation factors affect the success or failure of such interventions. The authors find that promotional approaches can be effective in terms of handwashing with soap, latrine use, safe faeces disposal and open defecation. No one specific approach is most effective. However, several promotional elements do induce behaviour change. Different barriers and facilitators that influence implementing promotional approaches should be carefully considered when developing new policy, programming, practice, or research in this area

Collagen microarchitecture mechanically controls myofibroblast differentiation.

Altered microarchitecture of collagen type I is a hallmark of wound healing and cancer that is commonly attributed to myofibroblasts. However, it remains unknown which effect collagen microarchitecture has on myofibroblast differentiation. Here, we combined experimental and computational approaches to investigate the hypothesis that the microarchitecture of fibrillar collagen networks mechanically regulates myofibroblast differentiation of adipose stromal cells (ASCs) independent of bulk stiffness. Collagen gels with controlled fiber thickness and pore size were microfabricated by adjusting the gelation temperature while keeping their concentration constant. Rheological characterization and simulation data indicated that networks with thicker fibers and larger pores exhibited increased strain-stiffening relative to networks with thinner fibers and smaller pores. Accordingly, ASCs cultured in scaffolds with thicker fibers were more contractile, expressed myofibroblast markers, and deposited more extended fibronectin fibers. Consistent with elevated myofibroblast differentiation, ASCs in scaffolds with thicker fibers exhibited a more proangiogenic phenotype that promoted endothelial sprouting in a contractility-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that changes of collagen microarchitecture regulate myofibroblast differentiation and fibrosis independent of collagen quantity and bulk stiffness by locally modulating cellular mechanosignaling. These findings have implications for regenerative medicine and anticancer treatments

Mesopredator frugivory has no effect on seed viability and emergence under experimental conditions

Members of the order Carnivora are a unique and important seed disperser who consume and deposit undamaged seeds while providing regular long-distance seed dispersal opportunities. Some members of Carnivora, such as coyotes (Canis latrans), are undergoing range expansions which may help the plant species they consume colonize new locations or replace dispersal services provided by recently extirpated species. In this study, we evaluated aspects of the seed dispersal effectiveness of coyotes and gut passage time to determine the potential dispersal distances for three commonly consumed and commonly occurring plant species (Amelanchier alnifolia, Celtis ehrenbergiana, and Juniperus osteosperma). We also investigated the potential effects of secondary dispersal of seeds away from scats by comparing seedling emergence from whole scats to those where seeds were first removed from scats. We found that seeds generally took between 4 and 24 h to pass through the digestive tract of coyotes, which could result in regular seed dispersal up to 7 km. Gut passage through coyotes had no effect on seed viability or emergence for any of the three plant species, including that gut passage for A. alnifolia and J. osteosperma does not replace cold stratification for breaking physiological dormancy. By simulating secondary dispersal, we found that 22% (±8.2%) more C. ehrenbergiana seedlings emerged when seeds were removed from scats and those seedlings emerged 7 d earlier (±5 d) compared to seeds that remained in the coyote scat. Coyotes are effective seed dispersers, with the potential for regular long-distance dispersal services and for providing opportunities for secondary seed dispersal, which could aid in climate migration or serve to replace extirpated dispersal mutualists