Persistent topographic development along a strike-slip fault system: The Mount McKinley restraining bend

The Denali Fault is a major strike-slip fault extending from British Colombia, into western Alaska. Mount McKinley, at 6,114 m, is the highest peak in North America and is located to the south of a bend in the Denali Fault (Fig.1). To the north, at the apex of the bend in the fault, Peters Dome (3,221 m) is the highest peak and north-side peak elevations rapidly decrease moving away from the bend’s apex

Si(100)-SiO2 interface properties following rapid thermal processing

An experimental examination of the properties of the Si(100)-SiO2 interface measured following rapid thermal processing (RTP) is presented. The interface properties have been examined using high frequency and quasi-static capacitance-voltage (CV) analysis of metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) capacitor structures immediately following either rapid thermal oxidation (RTO) or rapid thermal annealing (RTA). The experimental results reveal a characteristic peak in the CV response measured following dry RTO and RTA (T > 800 degreesC), as the Fermi level at the Si(100)-SiO2 interface approaches the conduction band edge. Analysis of the QSCV responses reveals a high interface state density across the energy gap following dry RTO and RTA processing, with a characteristic peak density in the range 5.5x10(12) to 1.7x10(13) cm(-2) eV(-1) located at approximately 0.85-0.88 eV above the valence band edge. When the background density of states for a hydrogen-passivated interface is subtracted, another peak of lower density (3x10(12) to 7x10(12) cm(-2) eV(-1)) is observed at approximately 0.25-0.33 eV above the valence band edge. The experimental results point to a common interface state defect present after processes involving rapid cooling (10(1)-10(2) degreesC/s) from a temperature of 800 degreesC or above, in a hydrogen free ambient. This work demonstrates that the interface states measured following RTP (T > 800 degreesC) are the net contribution of the P-b0/P-b1 silicon dangling bond defects for the oxidized Si(100) orientation. An important conclusion arising from this work is that the primary effect of an RTA in nitrogen (600-1050 degreesC) is to cause hydrogen desorption from pre-existing P-b0/P-b1 silicon dangling bond defects. The implications of this work to the study of the Si-SiO2 interface, and the technological implications for silicon based MOS processes, are briefly discussed. The significance of these new results to thin oxide growth and optimization by RTO are also considered

Analysis of P-b centers at the Si(111)/SiO2 interface following rapid thermal annealing

In this work, an experimental study of defects at the Si(111)/SiO2 interface following rapid thermal annealing (RTA) in a nitrogen ambient at 1040 degreesC is presented. From a combined analysis using electron spin resonance and quasistatic capacitance-voltage characterization, the dominant defects observed at the Si(111)/SiO2 interface following an inert ambient RTA process are identified unequivocally as the P-b signal (interfacial Si-3=Si-.) for the oxidized Si(111) orientation. Furthermore, the P-b density inferred from electron spin resonance (7.8+/-1)x10(12) cm(-2), is in good agreement with the electrically active interface state density (6.7+/-1.7)x10(12) cm(-2) determined from analysis of the quasistatic capacitance-voltage response

Relatedness between the two-component lantibiotics lacticin 3147 and staphylococcin C55 based on structure, genetics and biological activity

BACKGROUND: Two component lantibiotics, such as the plasmid-encoded lacticin 3147 produced by Lactococcus lactis DPC3147 and staphylococcin C55 produced by Staphylococcus aureus C55, represent an emerging subgroup of bacteriocins. These two bacteriocins are particularly closely related, exhibiting 86% (LtnA1 and C55α) and 55% (LtnA2 and C55β) identity in their component peptides. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time for any two component bacteriocins, the significance of the relatedness between these two systems. RESULTS: So close is this relatedness that the hybrid peptide pairs LtnA1:C55β and C55α:LtnA2 were found to have activities in the single nanomolar range, comparing well with the native pairings. To determine whether this flexibility extended to the associated post-translational modification/processing machinery, the staphylococcin C55 structural genes were directly substituted for their lacticin 3147 counterparts in the ltn operon on the large conjugative lactococcal plasmid pMRC01. It was established that the lacticin LtnA1 post-translational and processing machinery could produce functionally active C55α, but not C55β. In order to investigate in closer detail the significance of the differences between LtnA1 and C55α, three residues in LtnA1 were replaced with the equivalent residues in C55α. Surprisingly, one such mutant LtnA1-Leu21Ala was not produced. This may be significant given the positioning of this residue in a putative lipid II binding loop. CONCLUSION: It is apparent, despite sharing striking similarities in terms of structure and activity, that these two complex bacteriocins display some highly dedicated features particular to either system

Salivary cortisol levels in Parkinson's disease and its correlation to risk behaviour

Objective To investigate salivary cortisol samples in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with and without impulsive compulsive behaviours (ICB) during a risk task.Methods Salivary cortisol levels were measured in 13 PD patients without ICB (PD-ICB) and in 15 PD patients with ICB (PD+ICB) before, after medication and throughout the day, and were compared with results with 14 healthy controls. All participants also performed a gambling task to assess risk taking behaviour.Results Significantly higher diurnal cortisol levels were found in the PD-ICB group compared with healthy controls but no differences were seen between the PD+ICB and the control group. Increased cortisol levels were significantly correlated with increased risk taking in PD+ICB patients but no interaction was found in the PD-ICB group.Conclusions The findings are in keeping with previous studies which have linked low cortisol levels with antisocial behaviour. The higher cortisol levels during the risk task in the PD+ICB group are consistent with reports in pathological gamblers during gambling and addicts during drug abuse. The results support the hypothesis that cortisol plays an important role in risk taking in ICBs

Neuro-Specific and Immuno-Inflammatory Biomarkers in Umbilical Cord Blood in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate neuronal injury and immuno-inflammatory biomarkers in umbilical cord blood (UCB) at birth, in cases with perinatal asphyxia with or without hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), compared with healthy controls and to assess their ability to predict HIE. STUDY DESIGN: In this case-control study, term infants with perinatal asphyxia were recruited at birth. UCB was stored at delivery for batch analysis. HIE was diagnosed by clinical Sarnat staging at 24 h. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the neuronal biomarkers tau and neurofilament light protein (NFL), and a panel of cytokines were analyzed in a total of 150 term neonates: 50 with HIE, 50 with asphyxia without HIE (PA), and 50 controls. GFAP, tau, and NFL concentrations were measured using ultrasensitive single-molecule array (Simoa) assays, and a cytokine screening panel was applied to analyze the immuno-inflammatory and infectious markers. RESULTS: GFAP, tau, NFL, and several cytokines were significantly higher in newborns with moderate and severe HIE compared to a control group and provided moderate prediction of HIE II/III (AUC: 0.681-0.827). Furthermore, the levels of GFAP, tau, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were higher in HIE II/III cases compared with cases with PA/HIE I. IL-6 was also higher in HIE II/III compared with HIE I cases. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarkers of brain injury and inflammation were increased in umbilical blood in cases with asphyxia. Several biomarkers were higher in HIE II/III versus those with no HIE or HIE I, suggesting that they could assist in the prediction of HIE II/III

Wet scavenging of soluble gases in DC3 deep convective storms using WRF-Chem simulations and aircraft observations

We examine wet scavenging of soluble trace gases in storms observed during the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) field campaign. We conduct high-resolution simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) of a severe storm in Oklahoma. The model represents well the storm location, size, and structure as compared with Next Generation Weather Radar reflectivity, and simulated CO transport is consistent with aircraft observations. Scavenging efficiencies (SEs) between inflow and outflow of soluble species are calculated from aircraft measurements and model simulations. Using a simple wet scavenging scheme, we simulate the SE of each soluble species within the error bars of the observations. The simulated SEs of all species except nitric acid (HNO_3) are highly sensitive to the values specified for the fractions retained in ice when cloud water freezes. To reproduce the observations, we must assume zero ice retention for formaldehyde (CH_2O) and hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) and complete retention for methyl hydrogen peroxide (CH_3OOH) and sulfur dioxide (SO_2), likely to compensate for the lack of aqueous chemistry in the model. We then compare scavenging efficiencies among storms that formed in Alabama and northeast Colorado and the Oklahoma storm. Significant differences in SEs are seen among storms and species. More scavenging of HNO_3 and less removal of CH_3OOH are seen in storms with higher maximum flash rates, an indication of more graupel mass. Graupel is associated with mixed-phase scavenging and lightning production of nitrogen oxides (NO_x), processes that may explain the observed differences in HNO_3 and CH_3OOH scavenging

Collection of population-based cancer staging information in Western Australia – a feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Routine data from cancer registries often lack information on stage of cancer, limiting their use. This study aimed to determine whether or not it is feasible to add cancer staging data to the routine data collections of a population-based Western Australian Cancer Registry (WACR). METHODS: For each of the five most common cancer types (prostate, colorectal, melanoma, breast and lung cancers), 60 cases were selected for staging. For the 15 next most common cancer types, 20 cases were selected. Four sources for collecting staging data were used in the following order: the WACR, the hospital based cancer registries (HBCRs), hospital medical records, and letters to treating doctors. If the case was unable to be fully staged, due to lack of information on regional lymph node invasion or distant metastases, we made the following assumptions. Cases which had data available for tumour (T) and regional lymph nodes (N), but no assessment of distant metastasis (MX) were assumed to have no distant metastases (M0). Cases which had data for T and M, but no assessment of regional nodal involvement (NX) were assumed to have no regional nodal involvement (N0). RESULTS: The main focus of this project was the process of collecting staging data, and not the outcomes. For ovary, cervix and uterus cancers the existence of a HBCR increased the stageable proportion of cases so that staging data for these cancers could be incorporated into the WACR immediately. Breast and colorectal cancer could also be staged with adequate completeness if it were assumed that MX = M0. Similarly, melanoma and prostate cancer could be staged adequately if it were assumed that NX = N0 and MX = M0. Some cases of stomach, lung, pancreas, thyroid, testis and kidney cancers could be staged, but additional clinical input – on pathology request forms, for example – would be required to achieve useable levels of completeness. For the remaining cancer types either staging is widely regarded as not relevant, and no generally-accepted system exists, or an acceptable level of completeness is not achievable. CONCLUSION: Adding stage to routinely collected information in a cancer registry is possible for many cancer types, particularly if the assumptions regarding missing data are found to be acceptable or if the guidelines for MX = M0 asumptions are clarified. These findings should be generalizable to most cancer registries in developed countries, if hospital-based cancer registries or other specialized databases are accessible

A pilot study demonstrating the altered gut microbiota functionality in stable adults with Cystic Fibrosis

peer-reviewedCystic Fibrosis (CF) and its treatment result in an altered gut microbiota composition compared to non-CF controls. However, the impact of this on gut microbiota functionality has not been extensively characterised. Our aim was to conduct a proof-of-principle study to investigate if measurable changes in gut microbiota functionality occur in adult CF patients compared to controls. Metagenomic DNA was extracted from faecal samples from six CF patients and six non-CF controls and shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on the MiSeq platform. Metabolomic analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was conducted on faecal water. The gut microbiota of the CF group was significantly different compared to the non-CF controls, with significantly increased Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroidetes. Functionality was altered, with higher pathway abundances and gene families involved in lipid (e.g. PWY 6284 unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis (p = 0.016)) and xenobiotic metabolism (e.g. PWY-5430 meta-cleavage pathway of aromatic compounds (p = 0.004)) in CF patients compared to the controls. Significant differences in metabolites occurred between the two groups. This proof-of-principle study demonstrates that measurable changes in gut microbiota functionality occur in CF patients compared to controls. Larger studies are thus needed to interrogate this further

DISCUS : an end-to-end solution for ubiquitous broadband optical access

Fiber to the premises has promised to increase the capacity in telecommunications access networks for well over 30 years. While it is widely recognized that optical-fiber-based access networks will be a necessity in the shortto medium-term future, its large upfront cost and regulatory issues are pushing many operators to further postpone its deployment, while installing intermediate unambitious solutions such as fiber to the cabinet. Such high investment cost of both network access and core capacity upgrade often derives from poor planning strategies that do not consider the necessity to adequately modify the network architecture to fully exploit the cost benefit that a fiber-centric solution can bring. DISCUS is a European Framework 7 Integrated Project that, building on optical-centric solutions such as long-reach passive optical access and flat optical core, aims to deliver a cost-effective architecture for ubiquitous broadband services. DISCUS analyzes, designs, and demonstrates end-to-end architectures and technologies capable of saving cost and energy by reducing the number of electronic terminations in the network and sharing the deployment costs among a larger number of users compared to current fiber access systems. This article describes the network architecture and the supporting technologies behind DISCUS, giving an overview of the concepts and methodologies that will be used to deliver our end-to-end network solution