Cryogenic STM in 3D vector magnetic fields realized through a rotatable insert

We acknowledge funding from EPSRC (EP/L505079/1 and EP/I031014/1).Spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SP-STM) performed in vector magnetic fields promises atomic scale imaging of magnetic structure, providing complete information on the local spin texture of a sample in three dimensions. Here, we have designed and constructed a turntable system for a low temperature STM which in combination with a 2D vector magnet provides magnetic fields of up to 5 T in any direction relative to the tip-sample geometry. This enables STM imaging and spectroscopy to be performed at the same atomic-scale location and field-of-view on the sample, and most importantly, without experiencing any change on the tip apex before and after field switching. Combined with a ferromagnetic tip, this enables us to study the magnetization of complex magnetic orders in all three spatial directions.PostprintPeer reviewe

NELFE-Dependent MYC Signature Identifies a Unique Cancer Subtype in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The MYC oncogene is dysregulated in approximately 30% of liver cancer. In an effort to exploit MYC as a therapeutic target, including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), strategies have been developed on the basis of MYC amplification or gene translocation. Due to the failure of these strategies to provide accurate diagnostics and prognostic value, we have developed a Negative Elongation Factor E (NELFE)-Dependent MYC Target (NDMT) gene signature. This signature, which consists of genes regulated by MYC and NELFE, an RNA binding protein that enhances MYC-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, is predictive of NELFE/MYC-driven tumors that would otherwise not be identified by gene amplification or translocation alone. We demonstrate the utility of the NDMT gene signature to predict a unique subtype of HCC, which is associated with a poor prognosis in three independent cohorts encompassing diverse etiologies, demographics, and viral status. The application of gene signatures, such as the NDMT signature, offers patients access to personalized risk assessments, which may be utilized to direct future care

The Interstellar Medium and Star Formation in Edge-On Galaxies. I. NGC 891

We analyze images of BIMA 12CO (J = 1 --> 0), VLA HI, and Spitzer 3.6 and 24 \mum emission toward the edge-on galaxy NGC 891 and derive the radial and vertical distributions of gas and the radial distributions of stellar mass and recent star formation. We describe our method of deriving radial profiles for edge-on galaxies, assuming circular motion, and verify basic relationships between star formation rate and gas and stellar content, and between the molecular-to-atomic ratio and hydrostatic midplane pressure, that have been found in other galaxy samples. The Schmidt law index we find for the total gas (H2 + H I) is 0.85\pm0.55, but the Schmidt law provides a poor description of the SFR in comparison to a model that includes the influence of the stellar disk. Using our measurements of the thickness of the gas disk and the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium, we estimate volume densities and pressures as a function of radius and height in order to test the importance of pressure in controlling the {\rho}H2/{\rho}HI ratio. The gas pressure in two dimensions P(r, z) using constant velocity dispersion does not seem to correlate with the {\rho}H2/{\rho}HI ratio, but the pressure using varying velocity dispersion appears to correlate with the ratio. We test the importance of gravitational instability in determining the sites of massive star formation, and find that the Q parameter using a radially varying gas velocity dispersion is consistent with self-regulation (Q - 1) over a large part of the disk.Comment: 19 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in A

Fathers’ emotional involvement with the neonate: impact of the umbilical cord cutting experience

Aims. This paper is a report on a study analysing the effect of the umbilical cord cutting experience on fathers’ emotional involvement with their infants. Background. Participation in childbirth offers an opportunity for father and mother to share the childbirth experience, so it is vital that midwives improve the fathers’ participation in this event. Design. A quasi-experimental study with a quantitative methodology was implemented. Methods. One hundred and five fathers were recruited as part of a convenience sample in a Maternity Public Hospital in a Metropolitan City in Portugal, between January and May of 2008. The Bonding Scale, the Portuguese version of the ‘Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale’ was used to evaluate the fathers’ emotional involvement with the neonate at different moments: before childbirth, first day after childbirth and first month after childbirth. After childbirth, the fathers were divided into three separate groups depending on their umbilical cord cutting experience. Results. The results demonstrate that the emotional involvement between father and child tends to increase during the first days after childbirth and to decrease when evaluated 1 month after birth, for fathers who did not cut the umbilical cord. However, fathers who cut the umbilical cord demonstrate an improvement in emotional involvement 1 month later. Conclusion. Results suggest that the umbilical cord cutting experience benefits the father’s emotional involvement with the neonate, supporting the benefits of his participation and empowerment in childbirth

On the effect of cosmological inflow on turbulence and instability in galactic discs

We analyse the evolution of turbulence and gravitational instability of a galactic disc in a quasi-steady state governed by cosmological inflow. We focus on the possibility that the coupling between the in-streaming gas and the disc is maximal, e.g., via dense clumps, and ask whether the streams could be the driver of turbulence in an unstable disc with a Toomre parameter Q~1. Our fiducial model assumes an efficiency of ~0.5 per dynamical time for the decay of turbulence energy, and ~0.02 for each of the processes that deplete the disc gas, i.e., star formation, outflow, and inflow within the disc into a central bulge. In this case, the in-streaming drives a ratio of turbulent to rotation velocity sigma/V~0.2-0.3, which at z~2 induces an instability with Q~1, both as observed. However, in conflict with observations, this model predicts that sigma/V remains constant with time, independent of the cosmological accretion rate, because mass and turbulence have the same external source. Such strongly coupled cosmological inflow tends to stabilize the disc at low z, with Q ~ a few, which may be consistent with observations. The instability could instead be maintained for longer, with a properly declining sigma/V, if it is self-regulated to oscillations about Q~1 by a duty cycle for disc depletion. However, the 'off' phases of this duty cycle become long at low z, which may be hard to reconcile with observations. Alternatively, the coupling between the in-streaming gas and the disc may weaken in time, reflecting an evolving nature of the accretion. If, instead, that coupling is weak at all times, the likely energy source for self-regulated stirring up of the turbulence is the inflow within the disc down the potential gradient (studied in a companion paper).Comment: 14 pages, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Minor changes to match accepted versio

GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 Polymorphisms in the Korean Population

The isoenzymes of the glutathione s transferase (GST) family play a vital role in phase II of biotransformation of many substances. Using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction and a direct sequencing analysis, the frequencies of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms were evaluated in 1,051 Korean male subjects. We found that 53.8% of the individuals had the GSTM1 null genotype and 54.3% had the GSTT 1 null genotype. The genotypic distribution of GSTP1 was Ile105/Ile105 in 68.4%, Ile105/Val105 in 29.1% and Val105/Val105 in 2.5%. The most frequently observed combination of GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 genotypes was Null type/Ile105/Ile105/Null type, while the combination of Non-null type/Val105/Val105/Non-Null type was not observed. We found that the genotype distributions of three GST isoenzymes in the Koreans are similar to those reported in Asians and previously reported Koreans. We believe our results, which are represented by a large population, are reliable estimates of the frequencies of the polymorphic GST alleles in the Koreans and will help future researches on GST polymorphisms

Silicon oxycarbide glass for the immobilisation of irradiated graphite waste

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. Silicon oxycarbide glass has been investigated as a potential immobilisation medium for irradiated graphite waste from nuclear power generation. The glass was synthesised via sol-gel techniques using alkoxysilane precursors. Attempts to produce a wasteform via conventional sintering were unsuccessful, but dense wasteforms were achieved by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Microstructural investigations showed that the addition of graphite to the glass did not alter the structure of the matrix; no reaction between the graphite and the glass matrix was observed. Silicon oxycarbide glass is a viable candidate for encapsulation of graphite waste prior to disposal