We report a fuel-dependent reactor electron antineutrino (νover ¯_{e}) yield using six 2.8 GW_{th} reactors in the Hanbit nuclear power plant complex, Yonggwang, Korea. The analysis uses 850 666 ...νover ¯_{e} candidate events with a background fraction of 2.0% acquired through inverse beta decay (IBD) interactions in the near detector for 1807.9 live days from August 2011 to February 2018. Based on multiple fuel cycles, we observe a fuel ^{235}U dependent variation of measured IBD yields with a slope of (1.51±0.23)×10^{-43} cm^{2}/fission and measure a total average IBD yield of (5.84±0.13)×10^{-43} cm^{2}/fission. The hypothesis of no fuel-dependent IBD yield is ruled out at 6.6σ. The observed IBD yield variation over ^{235}U isotope fraction does not show significant deviation from the Huber-Mueller (HM) prediction at 1.3 σ. The measured fuel-dependent variation determines IBD yields of (6.15±0.19)×10^{-43} and (4.18±0.26)×10^{-43} cm^{2}/fission for two dominant fuel isotopes ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu, respectively. The measured IBD yield per ^{235}U fission shows the largest deficit relative to the HM prediction. Reevaluation of the ^{235}U IBD yield per fission may mostly solve the reactor antineutrino anomaly (RAA) while ^{239}Pu is not completely ruled out as a possible contributor to the anomaly. We also report a 2.9 σ correlation between the fractional change of the 5 MeV excess and the reactor fuel isotope fraction of ^{235}U.
Cohesin extrusion is thought to play a central role in establishing the architecture of mammalian genomes. However, extrusion has not been visualized in vivo, and thus, its functional impact and ...energetics are unknown. Using ultra-deep Hi-C, we show that loop domains form by a process that requires cohesin ATPases. Once formed, however, loops and compartments are maintained for hours without energy input. Strikingly, without ATP, we observe the emergence of hundreds of CTCF-independent loops that link regulatory DNA. We also identify architectural “stripes,” where a loop anchor interacts with entire domains at high frequency. Stripes often tether super-enhancers to cognate promoters, and in B cells, they facilitate Igh transcription and recombination. Stripe anchors represent major hotspots for topoisomerase-mediated lesions, which promote chromosomal translocations and cancer. In plasmacytomas, stripes can deregulate Igh-translocated oncogenes. We propose that higher organisms have coopted cohesin extrusion to enhance transcription and recombination, with implications for tumor development.
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•Cohesin extrusion requires cohesin’s intrinsic ATPase activity•Extensive loading of cohesin near CTCF anchors creates architectural stripes•Architectural stripes facilitate cognate promoter-enhancer interactions•Stripe anchors are prime sites of tumor-inducing TOP2β DNA breaks
Cohesin continually extrudes loops of chromatin in vivo, relying on ATP to fuel the process.
Alfalfa, Medicago sativa (L.) sativa, a widely-grown perennial forage has potential for development as a cellulosic ethanol feedstock. However, the genomics of alfalfa, a non-model species, is still ...in its infancy. The recent advent of RNA-Seq, a massively parallel sequencing method for transcriptome analysis, provides an opportunity to expand the identification of alfalfa genes and polymorphisms, and conduct in-depth transcript profiling.
Cell walls in stems of alfalfa genotype 708 have higher cellulose and lower lignin concentrations compared to cell walls in stems of genotype 773. Using the Illumina GA-II platform, a total of 198,861,304 expression sequence tags (ESTs, 76 bp in length) were generated from cDNA libraries derived from elongating stem (ES) and post-elongation stem (PES) internodes of 708 and 773. In addition, 341,984 ESTs were generated from ES and PES internodes of genotype 773 using the GS FLX Titanium platform. The first alfalfa (Medicago sativa) gene index (MSGI 1.0) was assembled using the Sanger ESTs available from GenBank, the GS FLX Titanium EST sequences, and the de novo assembled Illumina sequences. MSGI 1.0 contains 124,025 unique sequences including 22,729 tentative consensus sequences (TCs), 22,315 singletons and 78,981 pseudo-singletons. We identified a total of 1,294 simple sequence repeats (SSR) among the sequences in MSGI 1.0. In addition, a total of 10,826 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were predicted between the two genotypes. Out of 55 SNPs randomly selected for experimental validation, 47 (85%) were polymorphic between the two genotypes. We also identified numerous allelic variations within each genotype. Digital gene expression analysis identified numerous candidate genes that may play a role in stem development as well as candidate genes that may contribute to the differences in cell wall composition in stems of the two genotypes.
Our results demonstrate that RNA-Seq can be successfully used for gene identification, polymorphism detection and transcript profiling in alfalfa, a non-model, allogamous, autotetraploid species. The alfalfa gene index assembled in this study, and the SNPs, SSRs and candidate genes identified can be used to improve alfalfa as a forage crop and cellulosic feedstock.
Traditionally, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) was known to involve only the optic nerves and spinal cord. However, the discovery of highly specific anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody for NMO enabled us to ...identify more diverse clinical manifestations. Here, we describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who were anti-AQP4-antibody positive, represented by CNS AQP4 autoimmunity.
In total, 388 consecutive patients with inflammatory demyelinating CNS diseases were tested for the anti-AQP4 antibody and 106 seropositive patients who were positive by ELISA or cell-based assay were included.
Ninety-seven patients were women, and 9 men. The median age at onset was 32 years. The median annualized relapse rate was 1.14 during the median follow-up of 7.0 years. When the 2006 revised diagnostic criteria for NMO were applied, 72% of patients met the criteria, and 28% had a limited form of NMO. Brain symptoms were observed in 51% of patients, and 24% of patients presented with brain symptoms as their first manifestation. Severe residual visual impairment or ambulatory disability was observed in 42% of patients. The median intervals to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6 and severe visual impairment in at least one eye were 12 and 11 years, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed a delay of more than 4 years before appropriate immunotherapy was independently associated with reaching severe disability of more than EDSS 6.
The spectrum of neurologic manifestations and the disease course associated with CNS AQP4 autoimmunity is broader than previously recognized.
Fabrication of arrays of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods by a simple sonochemical route is demonstrated (see figure). The nanorods can be grown in situ over large areas at a high density under ...ambient conditions—important for nanoelectronic circuit integration—and on various substrates, including transparent glass and polycarbonate. Growth of the nanorods in patterns using a lithographic technique is also described.
Si nanostructures with high surface area are prepared by Ag-assisted chemical etching, and then employed as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The use of the surface-modified Si, which has ...four times higher surface area than its pristine counterpart, leads to the enhancement of electrochemical performance characteristics such as discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency. In order to optimize the electrode constituents, two different binders, poly-vinylidine difluoride (PVdF) and polyimide (PI), are evaluated on the basis of electrochemical and physical tests. In-situ dilatometer and nano-indentation studies during repeated charging and discharging cycles for the different binders reveal more stability and recuperative capability against physical stress with the PI binder than with the PVdF. The optimized active structure combined with the film-like binder plays an important role in enhancing the electrochemical performance.
► Si nanostructures are prepared by Ag-assisted chemical etching. ► The choice of PI binder for Si nanostructure is very important. ► The employment of PI binder improves electrochemical performance. ► The mechanical properties of PI mitigate the volume change of Si electrode. ► The proper selection of binders such as polyimide is one of the key factors.
Grain growth in 8 mol% Y2O3‐stabilized zirconia ceramics (8YSZ) under an electric current has been investigated. Enhanced grain growth on the cathode side starts at 1150°C, well below the ...conventional sintering temperature, while grain growth is dormant on the anode side until 1400°C. In fully dense samples, the grain size undergoes an abrupt transition, differing by a factor of more than 10 on the two sides. Porous samples also experience faster densification on the cathode side, but grain growth is postponed until full density is first reached. Estimated grain boundary diffusivity on the cathode side has an apparent activation energy about 1 eV lower than that of normal grain boundary diffusion. These results are attributed to supersaturated oxygen vacancies accumulated on the cathode side, causing cation reduction that lowers their migration barrier.
Emergence agitation is common after nasal surgery under general anesthesia and may lead to serious consequences for the patient, including an increased risk of injury, pain, hemorrhage, and ...self-extubation. Despite decades of research, studies on the incidence, risk factors, and prevention of emergence agitation in adult patients are ongoing, and opinions differ on the different effects of inhalation and intravenous anesthesia.
To investigate the effect of anesthetic method on the occurrence of emergence agitation after nasal surgery.
This prospective, randomized, single-blind, clinical trial included 80 patients undergoing open rhinoplasty, septoplasty, turbinoplasty, endoscopic sinus surgery, and functional endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia who were randomized to receive total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with remifentanil hydrochloride and propofol (n = 40) or volatile induction and maintenance of anesthesia (VIMA) with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide (n = 40) in Asan Medical Center, a tertiary referral center in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Data were collected from August 24 through October 14, 2016, and analyzed from October 26, 2016, through September 14, 2017.
The occurrence of emergence agitation defined by the following 2 individual criteria: a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score of at least 1 and a Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale score of at least 5 immediately after extubation.
Among the 80 patients included in the analysis (68.8% men n = 55; mean SD age, 41.6 17.9 years), emergence agitation measured by the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale occurred in 8 of 40 patients (20.0%) in the VIMA group and 1 of 40 (2.5%) in the TIVA group. The risk difference was 17.5 (95% CI, 3.6-31.4). Emergence agitation measured by the Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale score occurred in 10 of 40 patients (25.0%) in the VIMA group and 1 of 40 (2.5%) in the TIVA group. The risk difference was 22.5 (95% CI, 7.3-37.7).
The occurrence of emergence agitation after nasal surgery under general anesthesia can be significantly reduced by using TIVA rather than VIMA.
CRIS identifier: KCT0002145.
The DNA damage response kinase ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) coordinates much of the cellular response to replication stress. The exact mechanisms by which ATR regulates DNA synthesis ...in conditions of replication stress are largely unknown, but this activity is critical for the viability and proliferation of cancer cells, making ATR a potential therapeutic target. Here we use selective ATR inhibitors to demonstrate that acute inhibition of ATR kinase activity yields rapid cell lethality, disrupts the timing of replication initiation, slows replication elongation, and induces fork collapse. We define the mechanism of this fork collapse, which includes SLX4-dependent cleavage yielding double-strand breaks and CtIP-dependent resection generating excess single-stranded template and nascent DNA strands. Our data suggest that the DNA substrates of these nucleases are generated at least in part by the SMARCAL1 DNA translocase. Properly regulated SMARCAL1 promotes stalled fork repair and restart; however, unregulated SMARCAL1 contributes to fork collapse when ATR is inactivated in both mammalian and Xenopus systems. ATR phosphorylates SMARCAL1 on S652, thereby limiting its fork regression activities and preventing aberrant fork processing. Thus, phosphorylation of SMARCAL1 is one mechanism by which ATR prevents fork collapse, promotes the completion of DNA replication, and maintains genome integrity.
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