The Uncertainty in Newton's Constant and Precision Predictions of the Primordial Helium Abundance

The current uncertainty in Newton's constant, G_N, is of the order of 0.15%. For values of the baryon to photon ratio consistent with both cosmic microwave background observations and the primordial deuterium abundance, this uncertainty in G_N corresponds to an uncertainty in the primordial 4He mass fraction, Y_P, of +-1.3 x 10^{-4}. This uncertainty in Y_P is comparable to the effect from the current uncertainty in the neutron lifetime, which is often treated as the dominant uncertainty in calculations of Y_P. Recent measurements of G_N seem to be converging within a smaller range; a reduction in the estimated error on G_N by a factor of 10 would essentially eliminate it as a source of uncertainty in the calculation of the primordial 4He abundance.Comment: 3 pages, no figures, fixed typos, to appear in Phys. Rev.

New records of recently described chemosymbiotic bivalves for mud volcanoes within the European waters (Gulf of Cádiz)

Chemosymbiotic bivalves are important members of cold seep communities and information on their distribution in theEuropean waters is still quite scarce. This study reports the presence of living populations and shell remains of some recently described bivalves such as Lucinoma asapheus, Solemya elarraichensis and Acharax gadirae as well as Bathymodiolus sp. in the mud volcanoes of the Spanish Atlantic waters. Living populations of these species were thus far only found in Anastasya, Aveiro and Almazán mud volcanoes, together with other chemosymbiotic metazoa (Siboglinum spp.), suggesting the presence of moderate seepage activity. In other mud volcanoes (Albolote, Gazul), the benthic communities are dominated by sessile filter feeders on authigenic carbonates (chimneys, slabs) and only the shell remains of some chemosymbiotic bivalves were found, indicating earlier or very low seepage conditions. The present study elaborates on the known distribution of L. asapheus and S. elarraichensis to the European waters of the Gulf of Cádiz

Inducible nitric oxide synthase in human lymphomononuclear cells activated by synthetic peptides derived from extracellular matrix proteins.

Synthetic peptides with sequences present in extracellular matrix proteins are capable of causing the expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), detected by immunocytochemistry, and the release of NO by human lymphomononuclear cells incubated in their presence. Active peptides are 15-mers containing a characteristic 2-6-11 motif in which the amino acid residue at position 2 is Leu, Ile, Val, Gly, Ala or Lys; the residue at position 6 is always Pro; and residue 11 is Glu or Asp. The induction of iNOS in human monocytes and macrophages could be involved in the cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines also elicited by these peptides

Altered protein expression and protein nitration pattern during d-galactosamine-induced cell death in human hepatocytes: a proteomic analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic injury by d-galactosamine (d-GalN) is a suitable experimental model of hepatocellular injury. The induction of oxidative and nitrosative stress participates during d-GalN-induced cell death in cultured rat hepatocytes. This study aimed to identify protein expression changes during the induction of apoptosis and necrosis by d-GalN in cultured human hepatocytes. METHODS: A proteomic approach was used to identify the proteins involved and those altered by tyrosine nitration. A high dose of d-GalN (40 mM) was used to induce apoptosis and necrosis in primary culture of human hepatocytes. Cellular lysates prepared at different times after addition of d-GalN were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Gel spots with an altered expression and those matching nitrotyrosine-immunopositive proteins were excised and analyzed by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: d-GalN treatment upregulated microsomal cytochrome b5, fatty acid binding protein and manganese superoxide dismutase, and enhanced annexin degradation. d-GalN increased tyrosine nitration of four cytosolic (Hsc70, Hsp70, annexin A4 and carbonyl reductase) and three mitochondrial (glycine amidinotransferase, ATP synthase beta chain, and thiosulfate sulfurtransferase) proteins in human hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidences that oxidative stress and nitric oxide-derived reactive oxygen intermediates induce specific alterations in protein expression that may be critical for the induction of apoptosis and necrosis by d-GalN in cultured human hepatocytes

Association between energy balance-related factors and clinical outcomes in patients with ovarian cancers:A systematic review and meta analysis

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence in patients with ovarian cancer at diagnosis and/or during first-line treatment on; (i) the association of body weight, body composition, diet, exercise, sedentary behavior, or physical fitness with clinical outcomes; and (ii) the effect of exercise and/or dietary interventions. Methods: Risk of bias assessments and best-evidence syntheses were completed. Meta-analyses were performed when ≥3 papers presented point estimates and variability measures of associations or effects. Results: Body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis was not significantly associated with survival. Although the following trends were not supported by the best-evidence syntheses, the meta-analyses revealed that a higher BMI was associated with a higher risk of post-surgical complications (n = 5, HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.06–2.51, p = 0.030), a higher muscle mass was associated with a better progression-free survival (n = 3, HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04–1.91, p = 0.030) and a higher muscle density was associated with a better overall survival (n = 3, HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.62–2.79, p < 0.001). Muscle measures were not significantly associated with surgical or chemotherapy-related outcomes. Conclusions: The prognostic value of baseline BMI for clinical outcomes is limited, but muscle mass and density may have more prognostic potential. High-quality studies with comprehensive reporting of results are required to improve our understanding of the prognostic value of body composition measures for clinical outcomes. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO identifier CRD42020163058

An analysis of existing production frameworks for statistical and geographic information: Synergies, gaps and integration

The production of official statistical and geospatial data is often in the hands of highly specialized public agencies that have traditionally followed their own paths and established their own production frameworks. In this article, we present the main frameworks of these two areas and focus on the possibility and need to achieve a better integration between them through the interoperability of systems, processes, and data. The statistical area is well led and has well-defined frameworks. The geospatial area does not have clear leadership and the large number of standards establish a framework that is not always obvious. On the other hand, the lack of a general and common legal framework is also highlighted. Additionally, three examples are offered: the first is the application of the spatial data quality model to the case of statistical data, the second of the application of the statistical process model to the geospatial case, and the third is the use of linked geospatial and statistical data. These examples demonstrate the possibility of transferring experiences/advances from one area to another. In this way, we emphasize the conceptual proximity of these two areas, highlighting synergies, gaps, and potential integration. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase-1 Is Overexpressed in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Is an Independent Predictor of Outcome in Patients

An increase in the activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has been correlated with a more malignant phenotype in several tumor models in vitro and in vivo. A key regulatory mechanism of the MAPKs [extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK); c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK); and p38] is the dual specificity phosphatase CL100, also called MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). This study was designed to examine the involvement of CL100/MKP-1 and stress-related MAPKs in lung cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We assessed the expression of CL100/MKP-1 and the activation of the MAPKs in a panel of 18 human cell lines [1 primary normal bronchial epithelium, 8 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 7 small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and 2 carcinoids] and in 108 NSCLC surgical specimens. RESULTS: In the cell lines, CL100/MKP-1 expression was substantially higher in NSCLC than in SCLC. P-ERK, P-JNK, and P-p38 were activated in SCLC and NSCLC, but the degree of their activation was variable. Immunohistochemistry in NSCLC resection specimens showed high levels of CL100/MKP-1 and activation of the three MAPK compared with normal lung. In univariate analysis, no relationship was found among CL100/MKP-1 expression and P-ERK, P-JNK, or P-p38. Interestingly, high CL100/MKP-1 expression levels independently predicted improved survival in multivariate analysis. JNK activation associated with T(1-2) and early stage, whereas ERK activation correlated with late stages and higher T and N. Neither JNK nor ERK activation were independent prognostic factors when studied for patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate the relevance of MAPKs and CL100/MKP-1 in lung cancer and point at CL100/MKP-1 as a potential positive prognostic factor in NSCLC. Finally, our study supports the search of new molecular targets for lung cancer therapy within the MAPK signaling pathway

Suppression of the vortex glass transition due to correlated defects with a persistent direction perpendicular to an applied magnetic field

It is found on the basis of the lowest Landau level approach for the Ginzburg-Landau model that, in bulk type II superconductors with strong line disorder directed {\it perpendicularly} to an applied field, the continuous vortex-glass transition is depressed to the low $T$ limit in the limit of weak {\it point} disorder. An anomalous resistive broadening in twin-free YBCO with columnar defects in a field parallel to the layers is discussed based on this theoretical finding. Other phenomena which, we argue, arise indirectly from this mechanism in type II superconductors including correlated defects are also discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Fig.2 and text were modified. To appear in Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Comunication

Enhancing the liquid phase exfoliation of graphite in both aqueous and organic mixtures

Two different solvent mixtures, aqueous and organic, were used in the graphite liquid phase exfoliation. These solvent mixtures were selected through a detailed study of Hansen Solubility Parameters. Different operational sonication parameters (sonication temperature, cycle, amplitude and time) were studied in order to analyze their influence over the exfoliation process. Exfoliated graphite obtained after different sonication conditions were further characterized by RAMAN spectroscopy and thermogravimetric techniques. Obtained results showed that, among all the studied sonication parameters, time is the most important one due to its influence over characteristics of the final exfoliated product. Thus, it was evidenced the defect formation at higher sonication times, being dominant the growth of bulk defects in the structure of exfoliated samples at sonication times superior to 5 hours. As consequence, a careful tuning of the sonication parameters is necessary in order to obtain exfoliated samples with low disorder.Se utilizaron dos mezclas de disolventes diferentes, acuosa y orgánica, en la exfoliación en fase líquida de grafito. Estas mezclas de disolventes se seleccionaron mediante un estudio detallado de los parámetros de solubilidad de Hansen. Se estudiaron diferentes parámetros operativos de sonicación (temperatura, ciclo, amplitud y tiempo de sonicación) para analizar su influencia sobre el proceso de exfoliación. El grafito exfoliado obtenido después de diferentes condiciones de sonicación se caracterizó aún más mediante espectroscopia RAMAN y técnicas termogravimétricas. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que, entre todos los parámetros de sonicación estudiados, el tiempo es el más importante debido a su influencia sobre las características del producto final exfoliado. Así, se evidenció la formación de defectos a mayores tiempos de sonicación, siendo dominante el crecimiento de defectos de volumen en la estructura de muestras exfoliadas a tiempos de sonicación superiores a 5 horas. Como consecuencia, es necesario un ajuste cuidadoso de los parámetros de sonicación para obtener muestras exfoliadas con bajo desorde

HyperCP: A high-rate spectrometer for the study of charged hyperon and kaon decays

The HyperCP experiment (Fermilab E871) was designed to search for rare phenomena in the decays of charged strange particles, in particular CP violation in $\Xi$ and $\Lambda$ hyperon decays with a sensitivity of $10^{-4}$. Intense charged secondary beams were produced by 800 GeV/c protons and momentum-selected by a magnetic channel. Decay products were detected in a large-acceptance, high-rate magnetic spectrometer using multiwire proportional chambers, trigger hodoscopes, a hadronic calorimeter, and a muon-detection system. Nearly identical acceptances and efficiencies for hyperons and antihyperons decaying within an evacuated volume were achieved by reversing the polarities of the channel and spectrometer magnets. A high-rate data-acquisition system enabled 231 billion events to be recorded in twelve months of data-taking.Comment: 107 pages, 45 Postscript figures, 14 tables, Elsevier LaTeX, submitted to Nucl. Instrum. Meth.