Risk assessment of metal vapor arcing

A method for assessing metal vapor arcing risk for a component is provided. The method comprises acquiring a current variable value associated with an operation of the component; comparing the current variable value with a threshold value for the variable; evaluating compared variable data to determine the metal vapor arcing risk in the component; and generating a risk assessment status for the component

Metal Vapor Arcing Risk Assessment Tool

The Tin Whisker Metal Vapor Arcing Risk Assessment Tool has been designed to evaluate the risk of metal vapor arcing and to help facilitate a decision toward a researched risk disposition. Users can evaluate a system without having to open up the hardware. This process allows for investigating components at risk rather than spending time and money analyzing every component. The tool points to a risk level and provides direction for appropriate action and documentation

The biosynthesis of thymol, carvacrol, and thymohydroquinone in Lamiaceae proceeds via cytochrome P450s and a short-chain dehydrogenase

Thymol and carvacrol are phenolic monoterpenes found in thyme, oregano, and several other species of the Lamiaceae. Long valued for their smell and taste, these substances also have antibacterial and anti-spasmolytic properties. They are also suggested to be precursors of thymohydroquinone and thymoquinone, monoterpenes with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. Thymol and carvacrol biosynthesis has been proposed to proceed by the cyclization of geranyl diphosphate to γ-terpinene, followed by a series of oxidations via p-cymene. Here, we show that γ-terpinene is oxidized by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) of the CYP71D subfamily to produce unstable cyclohexadienol intermediates, which are then dehydrogenated by a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) to the corresponding ketones. The subsequent formation of the aromatic compounds occurs via keto–enol tautomerisms. Combining these enzymes with γ-terpinene in in vitro assays or in vivo in Nicotiana benthamiana yielded thymol and carvacrol as products. In the absence of the SDRs, only p-cymene was formed by rearrangement of the cyclohexadienol intermediates. The nature of these unstable intermediates was inferred from reactions with the γ-terpinene isomer limonene and by analogy to reactions catalyzed by related enzymes. We also identified and characterized two P450s of the CYP76S and CYP736A subfamilies that catalyze the hydroxylation of thymol and carvacrol to thymohydroquinone when heterologously expressed in yeast and N. benthamiana. Our findings alter previous views of thymol and carvacrol formation, identify the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these phenolic monoterpenes and thymohydroquinone in the Lamiaceae, and provide targets for metabolic engineering of high-value terpenes in plants

Barrier-to-autointegration factor 1 (Banf1) regulates poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1) activity following oxidative DNA damage

The DNA repair capacity of human cells declines with age, in a process that is not clearly understood. Mutation of the nuclear envelope protein barrier-to-autointegration factor 1 (Banf1) has previously been shown to cause a human progeroid disorder, Néstor–Guillermo progeria syndrome (NGPS). The underlying links between Banf1, DNA repair and the ageing process are unknown. Here, we report that Banf1 controls the DNA damage response to oxidative stress via regulation of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1). Specifically, oxidative lesions promote direct binding of Banf1 to PARP1, a critical NAD-dependent DNA repair protein, leading to inhibition of PARP1 auto-ADP-ribosylation and defective repair of oxidative lesions, in cells with increased Banf1. Consistent with this, cells from patients with NGPS have defective PARP1 activity and impaired repair of oxidative lesions. These data support a model whereby Banf1 is crucial to reset oxidative-stress-induced PARP1 activity. Together, these data offer insight into Banf1-regulated, PARP1-directed repair of oxidative lesions

When do European election campaigns become about Europe?

This article examines which parties included European issues in their 2014 European Parliament campaigns, and what influenced whether they did so, based on innovative data from the content analysis of 9,100 press releases in seven countries. Overall, established and especially governing parties no longer shied away from EU issues, referring to them as often as challenger parties did. The likelihood of EU issues in campaigns derives from a combination of predictors from the selective emphasis and co-orientation approaches. In general, parties with high internal dissent on EU integration avoid European issues, and weak leaders will only dare talk about the EU if internal dissent is low. However, between-party-type comparisons indicate that successful leaderships of governing parties facing strong internal divisions are even less likely to put EU issues on the agenda. With respect to the co-orientation model, parties’ EU focus seems to be mainly determined by the communication of (other) opposition parties. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Costs and benefits of a one stop clinic compared with a dedicated breast clinic: randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost to the NHS and the impact on anxiety of a one stop clinic for assessing women with suspected breast cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Women aged 35 or over referred with a breast lump. STUDY SETTING: Teaching hospital, north west England. INTERVENTIONS: Women were randomly allocated to attend a one stop clinic or a dedicated breast clinic. OUTCOME MEASURES: Reduction in mean anxiety from baseline at 24 hours after the first visit and at 3 weeks and 3 months after diagnosis; mean cost per patient. RESULTS: 670 women were randomised. Compared with women who attended the dedicated clinic, patients attending the one stop clinic were less anxious 24 hours after the visit (adjusted mean change in state anxiety −5.7 (95% confidence interval −8.4 to −3.0)) but not at 3 weeks or 3 months after diagnosis. The additional cost to the NHS of a one stop attendance was £32 per woman; this was largely explained by greater cytopathological and radiological staff costs. CONCLUSION: One stop clinics may not be justified in terms of a reduction in short term anxiety