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CysQ is part of the sulfur-activation pathway that dephosphorylates 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-monophosphate (PAP) to regenerate adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) and free phosphate. PAP is the product of sulfate-transfer reactions from sulfotransferases that use the universal sulfate donor 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). In some organisms PAP is also the product of PAPS reductases that reduce sulfate from PAPS to sulfite. CysQ from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which plays an important role in the biosynthesis of sulfated glycoconjugates, was successfully purified and crystallized in 24% PEG 1500, 20% glycerol. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 1.7 Å resolution using a synchrotron-radiation source. Crystals grew in the orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 40.3, b = 57.9, c = 101.7 Å and with one monomer per asymmetric unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Advanced reactor deployment and operation are limited by fuel cladding. • Candidate fuel cladding materials can be compared through their tolerance of fuel-clad contact stress. • REX is an analytical tool that forces fuel-clad contact stresses for a wide range of solid-fuel reactor concepts. • REX modifies fuel pin geometries and determines optimal parameters for cladding material comparison. REX, an analytical reactor design tool for the identification and expansion of reactor operating envelopes, is introduced and detailed. Written in MATLAB, REX takes core geometries and axially discretized detector and depletion output from the Serpent neutron transport code and performs full-core, pin-specific thermal-hydraulic and thermo-mechanical calculations. REX identifies the operating envelopes of advanced, solid-fuel nuclear reactors on the basis of their fuel-cladding, fuel-gas, and coolant-cladding interfacial thermo-mechanics. It iteratively pushes coolant inlet temperatures and modifies fuel pin geometries to induce mechanical failure in their original cladding materials at the fullest extent of their fuel cycle lengths and permissible coolant inlet temperatures. It then attempts to expand their operating envelopes by determining the mechanical responses of alternative cladding materials under the same geometric conditions. The result of the REX calculation sequence is a set of 5-D variables describing the temperatures, pressures, geometries, and mechanics of the core as functions of assembly, fuel pin, axial zone, depletion step, and coolant inlet temperature for each candidate cladding material with the limiting fuel pin geometry for the original material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the impact of ionizing radiation on epithelial cell interactions. Cell culture, immunofluorescence of cryosections, protein extraction and immunoblotting; Comparative genomic hybridization; Progeny of irradiated cells exhibit perturbed cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell adhesion.

The article offers information on the Metropolitan New York Association for Applied Psychology (METRO) as the oldest and largest local professional association of applied psychologists in the U.S.

Background Study Design and Methods Results Discussion The clinical significance of natural and treatment‐emergent antibodies specific for amustaline/glutathione pathogen‐reduced red blood cells (PRRBCs) is not known.A Phase 3, randomized clinical trial of PRRBCs (ReCePI) compared PRRBCs with conventional RBCs in cardiac or thoracic‐aorta surgery. Subjects transfused during and for 7 days after surgery were screened for PRRBC‐specific antibodies at baseline, 28 and 75 days post‐surgery. Subjects with treatment‐emergent antibodies were assessed for evidence of hemolysis. Cryopreserved subject RBC samples were assayed by flow cytometry for circulating PRRBCs using an acridine‐specific (2S197‐2M1) monoclonal antibody, and for human IgG‐coated RBCs. RBC‐surface acridine density was quantitated using a commercial calibrated phycoerythrin (PE)‐bead panel.Five of 159 (3.1%) PRRBC and zero of 162 conventional RBC recipients developed treatment‐emergent PRRBC‐specific IgG, low titer antibodies detected 26–80 days post‐surgery after exposure to 1–3 PRRBC units, without clinical evidence of hemolysis. DAT and eluate were weak (w+) positive and PRRBC‐specific in one subject. A monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) was non‐reactive in the three subjects with an interpretable result. Flow cytometry demonstrated circulating PRRBCs in all five subjects expressing surface acridine concentrations at the limit of detection (approximately 150–301 PE molecules/RBC) compared with freshly transfused PRRBCs (approximately 7500 PE molecules/RBC). In some samples, loss of surface acridine expression could not be distinguished from clearance of the PRRBCs.Treatment‐emergent PRRBC‐specific antibodies with the characteristics of nonclinically significant antibodies were detected in five subjects transfused with PRRBCs. Flow cytometry demonstrated persistent circulating PRRBCs with minimal surface acridine expression. (www.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03459287). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly developing technology that allows industries to automate and simplify the production of highly complicated items. Recently, there are concerns that AM techniques have the potential to be utilized in the fields of nuclear weapons and nuclear enrichment technology. Presently, there are very few international or domestic export controls that apply to AM's role in the nuclear industry, constituting an unmanaged proliferation pathway. Pre-existing export controls focus on general concepts and processes and do not consider specific nuances of various techniques that are categorized as additive manufacturing. To introduce legislation and controls that will be effective in monitoring proliferation pathways, one must investigate and characterize AM techniques and their nuclear applications. This paper categorizes and ranks 33 AM techniques based on their potential impact on the nuclear fuel cycle and the development of nuclear weapons. Through this method of characterization and categorization, export controls would address specific AM nuclear proliferation risks without disrupting the entire industry and fuel cycle. Additionally, legislation employing this method would identify loopholes in export controls using a holistic approach to managing and monitoring proliferation pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon photomultipliers have attracted increasing attention for detecting low-density light in both scientific research and practical applications in recent years; yet the photon losses due to reflection on the light-sensitive planar silicon surface considerably limit its photon detection efficiency. Here we demonstrate an advanced light trapping feature by developing the multi-layer antireflection coatings and the textured silicon surface with upright random nano-micro pyramids, which significantly reduces the reflection of faint light in a wide spectrum, from ultraviolet to infrared. Integrating this advanced photon confinement feature into next-generation back-illuminated silicon photomultiplier would increase the photon detection efficiency with significantly lower reflection and much more active areas. This advanced design feature offers the back-illuminated silicon photomultiplier broader application opportunities exemplified in the emerging scenarios such as nuclear medical imaging, light detection and ranging for autonomous driving, detection of scintillation light in ionizing radiation, as well as high energy physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to reconstruct fine-resolution images in a high-count-rate environment is an ongoing challenge to the fields of nuclear security, medicine, and high energy physics. This study presents the characterization and performance of an image reconstruction algorithm and detector array in such an environment. The detector array is composed of quartz Cherenkov radiators and lutetium–yttrium oxyorthosilicate inorganic scintillators detector elements with light collection via silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). The reconstruction algorithm was evaluated using ANSI testing standard N42.46-2008 for imaging performance of active interrogation systems for national security applications; this included spatial resolution, wire detection, and penetration studies. The array was tested using a 6-MVp pulsed photon beam where test objects were translated through the detector field of view demonstrating a capability to resolve a 2.05-mm wire at a source standoff of 2.2 m, a horizontal spatial resolution of 3 mm, and a contrast sensitivity of 1.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Autonomously replicating RNAs are widespread in co-infections with poleroviruses. • These RNAs form a monophyletic group and are most closely related to tombusviruses. • Autonomous replication is confirmed and production of a subgenomic RNA is observed. Tombusvirus-like associated RNAs (tlaRNAs) are positive-sense single-stranded RNAs found in plants co-infected with viruses of the genus Polerovirus. TlaRNAs depend upon capsid proteins supplied in trans by the co-infecting polerovirus vector for transmission and intra-host systemic movement. Here, the full-length genomes of five tlaRNAs were determined using a combination of RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing, and evidence is provided for an additional tlaRNA associated with potato leafroll virus. Phylogenetic analyses based on conserved domains of the RdRp placed tlaRNAs as a monophyletic clade clustering with members of the family Tombusviridae and comprising three different subclades. Full-length clones of tlaRNAs from two of three subclades were confirmed to replicate autonomously, and each produces a subgenomic RNA during infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Minnesota Professionals for Psychology Applied to Work (MPPAW) which works for sharing of knowledge about psychology applicable to work for its success as profession and science.

Sigma (σ) factors direct gene transcription by binding to and determining the promoter recognition specificity of RNA polymerase (RNAP) in bacteria. Genes transcribed under the control of alternative sigma factors allow cells to respond to stress and undergo developmental processes, such as sporulation in Bacillus subtilis, in which gene expression is controlled by a cascade of alternative sigma factors. Binding of sigma factors to RNA polymerase depends on the coiled-coil (or clamp helices) motif of the β' subunit. We have identified an amino acid substitution (L257P) in the coiled coil that markedly inhibits the function of σH, the earliest-acting alternative sigma factor in the sporulation cascade. Cells with this mutant RNAP exhibited an early and severe block in sporulation but not in growth. The mutant was strongly impaired in σH-directed gene expression but not in the activity of the stress-response sigma factor σB. Pulldown experiments showed that the mutant RNAP was defective in associating with σH but could still associate with σA and σB. The differential effects of the L257P substitution on sigma factor binding to RNAP are likely due to a conformational change in the β' coiled coil that is specifically detrimental for interaction with σH. This is the first example, to our knowledge, of an amino acid substitution in RNAP that exhibits a strong differential effect on a particular alternative sigma factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how three widely used US kindergarten mathematics textbooks, each written to align with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM), vary in terms of content coverage, instructional grouping, and use of representational strategies. Results show that all textbooks (i) primarily emphasize math practices related to Numbers and Operations, (ii) use concrete or pictorial representation frequently to explain and help children solve math problems, and (iii) most often suggest whole-group, teacher-centered classroom instruction. However, they also differ in important ways. Two of the textbooks place a stronger emphasis on more advanced mathematical practices, such as Composing Numbers, to which students may have had limited exposure prior to kindergarten. One covers a wider range of mathematical topics, including Graphing and Measuring, and introduces and reintroduces topics frequently. One emphasizes depth over breadth while focusing more on foundational topics, and utilizing seatwork more often. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO nanoarrays were grown via a low-temperature hydrothermal method. Solutions, each with different additive combinations, were prepared and evaluated. The effects of the additives involved in the growth procedure, i.e., ammonium hydroxide and sodium citrate, were studied in terms of the morphological, optical and scintillation properties of the ZnO nanostructures. Measurement of the nanorod (NR) length, corresponding photoluminescence (PL) and scintillation spectra and their dependence on the additives present in the solution are discussed. ZnO NRs grown on a silica substrate, whose UV transmission was found to be better than glass, showed high-quality structural and optical properties. It was found that the addition of sodium citrate significantly reduced defects and correspondingly increased the intrinsic near-band-edge (NBE) UV emission intensity at ~380 nm. To obtain high-quality nanostructures, samples were annealed in a 10% H2 + 90% N2 atmosphere. The anneal in the forming gas atmosphere enhanced the emission of the UV peak by reducing defects in the nanostructure. NRs are highly tapered towards the end of the structure. The tapering process was monitored using time growth studies, and its effect on PL and reflectance spectra are discussed. A good alpha particle response was obtained for the grown ZnO NRs, confirming its potential to be used as an alpha particle scintillator. After optimizing the reaction parameters, it was concluded that when ammonium hydroxide and sodium citrate were used, vertically well-aligned and long ZnO nanoarrays with highly improved optical and scintillation properties were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With nuclear technology and analysis advancements, site access restrictions, and ban on nuclear testing, computationally-generated nuclear forensic signatures are becoming more important in gaining knowledge to a reclusive country’s weapon material production capabilities. In particular, graphite-moderated reactors provide an appropriate case study for isotopics relevant in Pu production in a clandestine nuclear program due to the ease of design and low thermal output. We study the production characteristics of the X-10 reactor with a goal to develop statistically-relevant nuclear forensic signatures from early Pu production. In X-10 reactor, a flat flux gradient and low burnup produce exceptionally pure Pu as evident by the 240 Pu/ 239 Pu ratio. However, these design aspects also make determining reactor zone attribution, done with the 242 Pu/ 240 Pu ratio, uncertain. Alternatively, the same ratios produce statistically differentiable results between Manhattan Project and post-Manhattan Project reactor configurations, allowing for attribution conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite fuels are promising candidates for high-burnup fast reactors because of their accommodation of swelling, limited fuel-cladding interactions and flexibility in design. While a proof-of-concept fuel consisting of granules of U-alloys and PuO 2 dispersed within a porous zirconium matrix was successfully manufactured and irradiated, its neutronic and thermal performance remains to be optimized as compared to currently utilized fuels. MCNP6, COMSOL and a sphere packing algorithm were employed to perform the analysis. We found that both the theoretical maximum burnup reached and the temperature profiles are comparable to that of the currently considered alternative fuel. The results are promising and do not indicate any substantial limitation to the deployment of composite fuel. The fuel type merits further research, including full-core simulations. The methodology followed herein also provides a basis for screening different material compositions and guiding materials selection in composite fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Antineutrino source term generation through high-fidelity reactor modeling • Antineutrino spectra processing through safeguards power quantification. • Statistical limitations for near-zero small reactor safeguards power. • Antineutrino spectra training dataset selection for machine learning model robustness. The statistical methods used for antineutrino detection will need to be improved to effectively monitor the inventory of next-generation nuclear reactors. In this sensitivity study, we evaluate machine learning models compared to previously used statistical approaches to identify diversion scenarios in a simulated Advanced Fast Reactor (AFR)-100. A chi-square goodness-of-fit technique, which individually compares the simulated antineutrino yields to the expected antineutrino yield, resulted in precise but low diversion detection probability. Various support vector machine (SVM) models were applied with diverse training datasets to evaluate the robustness of the method towards unexpected or "unseen" diversion scenarios. Our results indicate that while the SVM models significantly improved the detection probability of near-field antineutrino-based safeguards, up to a probability of ~0.04, for the simulated small reactor, the detection system still needs improvements to reach the 0.2 detection limit established by the International Atomic Energy Agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plant virus movement proteins (MPs) facilitate virus spread in their plant hosts, and some of them are known to target plasmodesmata (PD). However, how the MPs target PD is still largely unknown.Carrot mottle virus (CMoV) encodes the ORF3 and ORF4 proteins, which are involved in CMoV movement. In this study, we used CMoV as a model to study the PD targeting of a plant virus MP.We showed that the CMoV ORF4 protein, but not the ORF3 protein, modified PD and led to the virus movement. We found that the CMoV ORF4 protein interacts with the host cell small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) 1, 2 and the SUMO‐conjugating enzyme SCE1, resulting in the ORF4 protein SUMOylation. Downregulation of mRNAs for NbSCE1 and NbSUMO impaired CMoV infection. The SUMO‐interacting motifs (SIMs) LVIVF, VIWV, and a lysine residue at position 78 (K78) are required for the ORF4 protein SUMOylation. The mutation of these motifs prevented the protein to efficiently target PD, and further slowed or completely abolished CMoV systemic movement.Finally, we found that some of these motifs are highly conserved among umbraviruses. Our data suggest that the CMoV ORF4 protein targets PD by interacting with the host cell SUMOylation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an important insect vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of Huanglongbing, which is the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide. Sequences for putative Diaphorina citri reovirus (DcRV) were identified from some worldwide populations of D. citri. Here, field surveys indicated that the virus was common in D. citri populations from Hawaii and Fuzhou of PR China. Electron microscopy showed that DcRV virions possessed a typical reovirus-like morphology. The U. S. and Chinese DcRV isolates both showed 10 segments of double-stranded RNA sharing >96% nucleotide sequence identity, and encoding 11 deduced proteins. All genome segments contained conserved 5′ and 3′ terminal nucleotide sequences and inverted repeats that are hallmarks of reovirus sequence. Phylogenetic analysis showed that DcRV may be considered a new species of the genus Fijivirus sharing a most recent common ancestor with the insect-specific fijivirus Nilaparvata lugens reovirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates how increased temperature affects neutron/ γ discrimination and light yield (LY) in several different polysiloxane-based scintillators doped with either 9,9-dimethyl-2-phenylflourene (PhF) or 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) as a primary fluorophore and 9,9-dimethyl-2,7-di((E)-styryl) fluorene (SFS) as the secondary fluorophore. The polysiloxane matrices were prepared from the commercial resins Wacker Lumisil 579 or Shin-Etsu KER-6000. Control scintillators were prepared from poly(vinyltoluene) (PVT), the industry standard matrix, as a reference point for LY and pulse shape discrimination (PSD) measurements. Samples with PhF and PPO dopant concentrations of 1 wt% and 5 wt% in the polysiloxanes and 3 wt% and 5 wt% in the PVT samples were tested at 20 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C. In the polysiloxane samples, the KER-6000 resin outperformed the Wacker 579 and PhF proved to be a better dopant than PPO in both LY and PSD capabilities. Polysiloxane scintillators showed slight decreases in LY and increases in neutron/ γ discrimination at increased temperatures, while PVT scintillators showed a similar LY decrease with little to no improvement in neutron/ γ discrimination at increased temperatures. Overall, polysiloxane scintillators may not require recalibration in applications where temperatures increase up to 50 °C. • Polysiloxane-based scintillators were prepared from Shin-Etsu KER-6000 and Wacker 579 resins. • PSD FoM improved 20% in 5 wt% PhF-loaded Wacker 579 from 20–50 °C. • Shin-Etsu KER-6000 outperforms Wacker Lumisil 579 in both LY and PSD. • Polysiloxane scintillators had consistent LY and increased PSD at higher temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract When post-irradiation materials from the nuclear fuel cycle are released to the environment, certain isotopes of actinides and fission products carry signatures of irradiation history that can potentially aid a nuclear forensic investigation into the material's provenance. In this study, combinations of Pu, Cs, and Ba isotope ratios that produce position (in the reactor core) independent monitors of irradiation history in spent light water reactor fuel are identified and explored. These position independent monitors (PIMs) are modeled for various irradiation scenarios using automated depletion codes as well as ordinary differential equation solutions to approximate nuclear physics models. Experimental validation was performed using irradiated low enriched uranium oxide fuel from a light water reactor, which was sampled at 8 axial positions from a single rod. Plutonium, barium and cesium were chemically separated and isotope ratio measurements of the separated solutions were made by quadrupole and multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (Cs and Pu, respectively) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (Ba). The effect of axial variations in neutron fluence and energy spectrum are evident in the measured isotope ratios. Two versions of a combined Pu and Cs based PIM are developed. A linear PIM model, which can be used to solve for irradiation time is found to work well for natural U fuel with <10% 240Pu and known or short cooling times. A non-linear PIM model, which cannot be solved explicitly for irradiation time without additional information, can nonetheless still group samples by irradiation history, including high burnup LEU fuel with unknown cooling time. 137Ba/138Ba is also observed to act as a position independent monitor; it is nearly single valued across the sampled fuel rod, indicating that samples sharing an irradiation history (same irradiation time and cooling time) in a reactor despite experiencing different neutron fluxes will have a common 137Ba/138Ba ratio. Modeling of this Ba PIM shows it increases monotonically with irradiation and cooling time, and a confirmatory first order analytical solution is also presented. Highlights • Plutonium, cesium in spent fuel are combined as a monitor of irradiation history. • Fissiogenic stable barium isotopes are a monitor of irradiation and cooling time. • Computer modeling and experimental measurements support physics calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimetallic layered composites (MMLCs) have shown an excellent potential for application under extreme environments, e.g., accident-tolerant fuel cladding, because of their low oxidation tendency and high corrosion resistance. Interfacial phases or complexions in nanocrystalline materials accelerate the annihilation of defects and enhance the radiation resistance of materials, making MMLCs with engineered interlayer phases compelling to deploy in extreme conditions. However, implementation of MMLCs in full capacity remained a challenge due to a lack of fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing the characteristics of the interface between the metallic layers. The precise role of interlayer phases in MMLCs and their interaction with defects, specifically under extreme conditions, is still unexplored. Pursuing atomistic simulations for various Inconel-Ni MMLCs model materials, we revealed accelerated defect mobility in interlayers with larger crystalline misorientation and the inverse relationship between the interface sink strength to the misorientation angle. Furthermore, we found a linear relation between interlayer misorientation angle with the density of radiation-induced defects and radiation enhanced displacements. Finally, our results indicate that radiation-induced material degradation is accelerated by the higher defect formation tendency of MMLCs with a high-angle interlayer interface. [Display omitted] • The misoriented interlayer phase makes the radiation-induced diffusion anisotropic. • Radiation-induced defect formation and diffusion increase as the misoriented angle increases. • Interphase defect sink strength is higher for the interstitials than vacancies. • Defect recombination hampers due to vacancy-interstitial imbalance at higher doses. • Radiation-induced structural degradation is more acute for structures with a high misorientation angle interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Coupling thermophotovoltaic cells with a small modular reactor allows for high-efficiency electricity generation. • Removing the coolant cycle and heat rejection infrastructure from the system could significantly decrease capital costs. • TPV coupling requires high reactor surface temperatures, limiting the operational power densities. • Utilizing compact, uranium nitride and carbide fueled units allows for the maximum power outputs. This paper describes the pre-conceptual design for a high temperature (>1300 °C), ultra-small (1–10 MWe) modular reactor with a high efficiency (>50%) thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power-block. The integration of the TPV is attractive for increased efficiency over the heat cycles of traditional nuclear power plants (NPP) and increased inherent safety from the elimination of a working fluid. Allowing for heat removal through radiative and passive convective cooling, the design must operate at low power densities. A preliminary sampling of the design space was performed using coupled thermal and neutronic analysis on a simplified model. This study shows the viability of the design and reveals the favorability of using uranium nitride fuel that allow the core to operate safely at approximately 1–2 W/cm3 within the desired temperature limits. Although preliminary, the depletion and economic analyses reveal an operational time on the order of ten thousand days and approximately 43% savings in NPP capital costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in asymptomatic children was initially presumed to be high, which influenced hospital, school and childcare policies. Before vaccines were widely available, some hospitals implemented universal preprocedural SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing on asymptomatic patients. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in asymptomatic children is needed to illuminate the diversity of viral characteristics and inform policies implemented during future pandemics., Methods: Data were extracted from patient records of outpatient children who were preprocedurally tested for SARS-CoV-2 from 5 US hospital systems between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. Prevalence was determined from positive test results. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated using mixed logistic regression with the site as a random effect., Results: This study analyzed 93,760 preprocedural SARS-CoV-2 test results from 74,382 patients and found 2693 infections (3.6%) from 2889 positive tests (3.1%). Site-specific prevalence varied across sites. Factors modestly associated with infection included being uninsured [AOR, 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-2.13)], publicly insured [AOR, 1.17 (95% CI, 1.05-1.30)], Hispanic [AOR, 1.78 (95% CI, 1.59-1.99)], Black [AOR, 1.22 (95% CI, 1.06-1.39)], elementary school age [5-11 years; AOR, 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03-1.28)], or adolescent [12-17 years; AOR, 1.26 (95% CI, 1.13-1.41)]., Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was low in outpatient children undergoing preprocedural testing, a population that was predominantly asymptomatic at the time of testing. This study contributes evidence that suggests that undetected infection in children likely did not play a predominant role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the early prevaccine pandemic period when the general population was naive to the virus., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Despite attempts at improving survival by employing novel therapies, progression in glioma is nearly universal. Precision biomarkers are critical to advancing outcomes; however, biomarkers for glioma are currently unknown. Most data on which the field can draw for biomarker identification comprise tissue-based analysis requiring the biospecimen to be removed from the tumor. Non-invasive specimen-based precision biomarkers are needed. Mucins are captured in tissue and blood and are increasingly studied in cancer, with several studies exploring their role as biomarkers to detect disease and monitor disease progression. CA125, also known as MUC16, is implemented as a biomarker in the clinic for ovarian cancer. Similarly, several mucins are membrane-bound, facilitating downstream signaling associated with tumor resistance and hallmarks of cancer. Evidence supports mucin expression in glioma cells with relationships to tumor detection, progression, resistance, and patient outcomes. The differential expression of mucins across tissues and organs could also provide a means of attributing signals measured in serum or plasma. In this review, we compiled existing research on mucins as candidate precision biomarkers in glioma, focusing on promising mucins in relationship to glioma and leading to a framework for mucin analysis in biospecimens as well as avenues for validation as data evolve.

Asthma affects millions worldwide and involves complex genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. The nasal microbiome is increasingly recognized for its role in asthma development, but inconsistent results and small sample sizes have limited a clear understanding. We aimed to clarify the nasal microbiome's role in asthma using large datasets and meta-transcriptomic analysis. RNA-seq data was analyzed from two large public studies: GALA II (694 children of Puerto Rican heritage; 441 asthmatics, 253 controls) and CAAPA (562 individuals of African ancestry; 265 asthmatics, 297 controls). After quality control and host read removal, microbial reads were annotated using Kraken2. α and β diversity analyses compared microbial diversity between asthmatic and control groups. Differential abundance analysis was conducted separately, controlling for age and sex, with results combined via meta-analysis. We found that asthmatic patients exhibited significantly higher α diversity indices (Shannon, Berger-Parker, Inverse Simpson, Fisher's) in nasal microbiota compared to controls in GALA II, with similar trends in CAAPA. β diversity analysis showed significant differences in microbial composition in GALA II data. Differential abundance analysis identified 20 species in GALA II and 9 species in CAAPA significantly associated with asthma. Meta-analysis revealed 11 species significantly associated with asthma, including Mycobacterium&#95;tuberculosis . Our study demonstrates increased nasal microbiome α diversity in asthmatic patients and identifies specific microbial species associated with asthma risk. These findings enhance understanding of asthma pathogenesis from the nasal microbiome perspective and may inform future research and therapeutic strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Conventional silicon junction detectors encounter significant carrier recombination within the heavily doped p + and n + layers, as well as beneath the metal contact regions, creating the so-called "dead layers", especially on the detector side. In this study, we present the tunnel oxide passivating contact with doped polysilicon on oxide, which demonstrates exceptional surface passivation and carrier selectivity. The key innovation lies in an ultra-thin (~ 1.5 nm) interfacial oxide layer that facilitates efficient majority carrier transportation via tunneling while effectively block minority carriers. Remarkably low saturation current densities, ranging from 5 to 10 fA/cm 2 even with the metal contact, underscore the superiority of both n-type and p-type tunnel oxide passivating contacts. In contrast, conventional p-n junction or high-low junction exhibit saturation current densities ranging from 10 to 90 fA/cm 2 in the studied p + and n + layers with surface passivation schemes due to Auger recombination and surface recombination, and 1000-6000 fA/cm 2 with metal contacts due to intense metal-induced recombination at the interface. These findings indicate the potential and superiority of implementing n-type tunnel oxide passivating contact on the detector side and p-type contact on the back side for advanced silicon radiation detectors. This approach would enable thorough collection of generated charge carriers along the track of incident ionizing radiation particles, leading to improved energy resolution and reduced noise levels., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Carrot motley dwarf (CMD) is a viral disease complex caused by co-infection of the polerovirus carrot red leaf virus with the umbraviruses carrot mottle virus or carrot mottle mimic virus, and/or a tombusvirus like associated RNA (tlaRNA), which depend on co-infection with a helper polerovirus to gain aphid transmissibility. In 2020 and 2021 carrot samples from Washington, United States (U.S.), and parsley and cilantro samples from California, U.S., exhibiting typical symptoms of CMD were submitted for diagnosis. Initial RT-PCR diagnostic assays identified the typical CMD viruses in the carrot samples, however only the umbraviruses and tlaRNAs were detected in the parsley and cilantro samples; as such, these samples were retested with another RT-PCR assay for generic polerovirus detection. Unexpectedly, the poleroviruses Torilis crimson leaf virus (TorCLV) and fennel motley virus were identified. Subsequent RNA sequencing analysis was conducted to confirm these results and look for other emergent viruses. In addition to confirming the diagnostic results, the recently described polerovirus Foeniculum vulgare polerovirus, the umbraviruses Pastinaca umbravirus 1 and wild carrot mottle virus, and the tlaRNA Arracacha latent virus E associated RNA were identified, making this the first report of these viruses and tlaRNA in the U.S. Using phylogenetic and pairwise identity comparisons and RDP4 recombination analyses, we also identified a putative novel polerovirus, for which we propose the name parsley polerovirus, that appears to be a recombinant between carrot polerovirus 1, sharing 92% amino acid (aa) identity with the RNA dependent RNA polymerase in the 5' gene block, and TorCLV, sharing >98% aa identity with the capsid protein in the 3 gene block. This work adds to the growing list of polerovirus species exhibiting recombination between the 5' and 3' gene blocks, and highlights the unique, variable, and dynamic associations that can occur in polerovirus, umbravirus, and tlaRNA disease complexes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Erickson, Ter Horst, Carlson, Falk and Kuo.)

We report the photon (PL), electron (CL) and X-ray (XEL) induced luminescence characteristics of high aspect ratio ultra-long (~ 50 µm) ZnO nanorods (NRs) and discuss the potential for fast X-ray detection based on the consistent and efficient visible emission (~ 580 nm) from ZnO NRs. Nanostructured ZnO scintillators were rearranged to form a vertically well-aligned NR design in order to help light absorption and coupling resulting in luminescent and fast scintillation properties. The design of the nanorod array combines the key advantages of a low-cost growth technique together with environmentally friendly and widely available materials. A low temperature hydrothermal method was adopted to grow ZnO NRs in one cycle growth and their structural, optical and X-ray scintillation properties were investigated. The relatively short (~ 10 µm) ZnO NRs emitting in the near-band-edge region were found to be almost insensitive to X-rays. On the other hand, the higher XEL response of long ZnO NRs, which is a key parameter for evaluation of materials to be used as scintillators for high quality X-ray detection and imaging, along with a decay time response in the order of ns confirmed promising scintillation properties for fast and high-resolution X-ray detector applications., (© 2024. Crown.)

Importance: SARS-CoV-2 surveillance studies in US child care centers (CCCs) in the post-COVID-19 vaccine era are needed to provide information on incidence and transmission in this setting., Objective: To characterize SARS-CoV-2 incidence and transmission in children attending CCCs (students) and their child care providers (CCPs) and household contacts., Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective surveillance cohort study was conducted from April 22, 2021, through March 31, 2022, and included 11 CCCs in 2 cities. A subset (surveillance group) of CCPs and students participated in active surveillance (weekly reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] swabs, symptom diaries, and optional baseline and end-of-study SARS-CoV-2 serologic testing), as well as all household contacts of surveillance students. Child care center directors reported weekly deidentified self-reported COVID-19 cases from all CCPs and students (self-report group)., Exposure: SARS-CoV-2 infection in CCC students., Main Outcomes and Measures: SARS-CoV-2 incidence, secondary attack rates, and transmission patterns were determined from diary entries, self-reports to CCC directors, and case logs. Incidence rate ratios were measured using Poisson regression clustering on centers with a random intercept and unstructured matrix., Results: From a total population of 1154 students and 402 CCPs who self-reported cases to center directors, 83 students (7.2%; mean [SD] age, 3.86 [1.64] years; 55 male [66%]), their 134 household contacts (118 adults [mean (SD) age, 38.39 (5.07) years; 62 female (53%)], 16 children [mean (SD) age, 4.73 (3.37) years; 8 female (50%)]), and 21 CCPs (5.2%; mean [SD] age, 38.5 [12.9] years; 18 female [86%]) participated in weekly active surveillance. There were 154 student cases (13%) and 87 CCP cases (22%), as defined by positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR or home antigen results. Surveillance students had a higher incidence rate than self-report students (incidence rate ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3; P = .01). Students were more likely than CCPs to have asymptomatic infection (34% vs 8%, P < .001). The CCC secondary attack rate was 2.7% to 3.0%, with the upper range representing possible but not definite secondary cases. Whether the index case was a student or CCP, transmission within the CCC was not significantly different. Household cumulative incidence was 20.5%, with no significant difference in incidence rate ratio between adults and children. Household secondary attack rates were 50% for children and 67% for adults. Of 30 household cases, only 5 (17%) represented secondary infections caused by 3 students who acquired SARS-CoV-2 from their CCC. Pre- and poststudy seroprevalence rates were 3% and 22%, respectively, with 90% concordance with antigen or RT-PCR results., Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of SARS-CoV-2 incidence and transmission in CCCs and students' households, transmission within CCCs and from children infected at CCCs into households was low. These findings suggest that current testing and exclusion recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 in CCCs should be aligned with those for other respiratory viruses with similar morbidity and greater transmission to households.

Mixed infections of a plant infecting polerovirus, umbravirus, and/or tombusvirus-like associated RNAs (tlaRNAs) produce unique virus disease complexes that exemplify "helper-dependence" interactions, a type of viral synergism that occurs when a "dependent" virus that lacks genes encoding for certain protein products necessary for it to complete its infection cycle can utilize complementary proteins encoded by a co-infecting "helper" virus. While much research has focused on polerovirus-umbravirus or polerovirus-tlaRNA interactions, only recently have umbravirus-tlaRNA interactions begun to be explored. To expand on the limited understanding of umbravirus-tlaRNA interactions in such disease complexes, we established various co-infection pairings of the polerovirus turnip yellows virus (TuYV), the umbravirus carrot mottle virus (CMoV), and three different tlaRNAs-carrot red leaf virus aRNAs (CRLVaRNAs) gamma and sigma, and the TuYVaRNA ST9-in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana , then investigated the effects of these different co-infections on tlaRNA systemic movement within the host, and on virus accumulation, and aphid and mechanical transmission of each of these viruses. We found that CMoV alone could support systemic movement of each of the tlaRNAs, making this the second report to demonstrate such an interaction between an umbravirus and tlaRNAs. We also report for the first time that CMoV could also impart mechanical transmissibility to the tlaRNAs sigma and ST9, and that co-infections of either of these tlaRNAs with both TuYV and CMoV increased the efficiency with which TuYV could be mechanically co-transmitted with CMoV., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Erickson and Falk.)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a valuable annual cereal crop grown widely throughout the United States and the world. The majority of barley grown commercially in California and throughout the U.S. is used for livestock feed, with the remainder being used by the malting industry and, to a lesser extent, direct food consumption; it is also often employed as a cover crop (Lazicki et al. 2016). Yellow dwarf viruses (YDVs), in the family Luteoviridae, that infect barley and other cereal crops are common and widely distributed throughout California and the U.S. (Griesbach et al. 1989; Seabloom et al. 2009). In April 2018, five barley samples exhibiting typical symptoms of YDV infection (primarily yellowing of leaf margins and tips) collected from fields in Yolo county planted with cultivar Butta 12 , were tested for viruses. Total RNA was extracted from leaf tissue using Trizol reagent, according to the manufacturer's protocol. RNA was used as template in a multiplexed RT-PCR assay designed for the generic detection of barley and cereal infecting YDVs, using the protocol established by Malmstrom and Shu (2004). A 372 basepair amplicon indicative of Polerovirus infection was amplified from two of the samples and sequenced (Quintara Biosciences), and the resulting data analyzed via a BLASTn search. No further testing or work was done with the three samples that tested negative. Not unexpectedly, the top result returned for one of the positive samples was Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV (CYDV-RPV; 98% identity), a virus common to cereals in California and the U.S.. Unexpectedly, however, the top result returned for the other sample was Barley virus G (BVG), sharing 98.43% identity with the Uiseong BVG isolate (GenBank accession LC259081). To further confirm the presence of BVG in the sample, the full-length viral genome was amplified using two-step RT-PCR with primers targeting the extreme 5' and 3' ends of the viral genome, using the PrimeScript RT and PrimeSTAR GXL DNA Polymerase kits (Takara Bio), cloned into the binary vector pJL89 and a BLAST search of the resulting 5621 nucleotide full-length sequence (100% query coverage) once again returned results showing the YDV to be BVG. The full-length sequence was deposited into GenBank (MW853785). Nucleotide sequence comparisons showed that the CA BVG isolate shares 96.62%, 96.57%, and 96.02% identity with the sequences of the BVG-Gimje (KT962089), BVG-Uiseong (LC259081), and BVG-Aus8 (LC500836) isolates, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of barley virus G in California and in the United states. Currently the prevalence, host range and mode and timing of introduction of BVG in California and the U.S. are unknown; its impact on cereal production and yield in any location in which it has been identified thus far is also unknown and may warrant further investigation.