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This article investigates the harvest month for bent-nose clams (Macoma nasuta) at CA-ALA-11, an estuarine site in the modern-day city of Alameda along the San Francisco Bay. The archaeological deposit in which the clam shells were recovered dates primarily to the Early Period (3,350–2,550 cal BP) and Early-Middle Transition (2,550–2,150 cal BP), although some activity continues through 2,650 BP. Season of harvest estimates for clams offers insight into Indigenous use of estuarine resources and the degree of sedentism or length of habitation at this locality. Water salinity varies predictably in San Francisco Bay, from annual lows in winter to highs in summer. We used oxygen isotopes (δ18O) to estimate season of harvest by sampling at the intact terminal growth edge of the shell, which records salinity at the time of harvest. Three additional samples represent earlier periods of shell growth. Results show that while clams comprise a minority of the shellfish harvested, clamming took place between January and August, with a marked peak in mid-winter (February). There is no evidence for fall harvesting, which suggests that people were either not living at CA-ALA-11 during this time or focused on acquiring other seasonally available foods. We compare these results to previously published data on seasonality of clam harvesting from five other San Francisco Bay area sites.

Claudia SP Fernandez,1 Georgina Adatsi,1 Caroline N Hays,1 Cheryl C Noble,2 Michelle Abel-Shoup,1 AnnaMarie Connolly3,4 1Department of Maternal and Child Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 2Evaluation Consultant, CNoble Consulting, Scotts Valley, CA, USA; 3American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC, USA; 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Emeritus), UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USACorrespondence: Claudia SP Fernandez, 426 Rosenau Hall, Maternal and Child Health Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 134 Dauer Drive, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA, Tel +1 919-451-6231, Fax +1-919-966-0458, Email Claudia_Fernandez@unc.eduPurpose: Little is known about the long-term efficacy of virtual leadership training for physicians. This study compares two highly similar groups of Obstetricians-Gynecologists’ (OB-GYN) 6-month post-program changes in competency and skills after experiencing equity-centered leadership training in a virtual or in-person format.Participants and Methods: Using a retrospective pre- and post-test method, we collected 6-month post-program data on 14 competencies for knowledge gains and skills use, comparing the virtual cohort (2021, n = 22) to the in-person cohort (2022, n = 33) in 55 total participants. Qualitative data from open-ended feedback questions informed on skills relevancy and professional impact since program participation.Results: Data indicate strong, statistically significant knowledge and skills retention in both cohorts, with 63% of the virtual and 85% of the in-person participants responding. Data indicate participants report the course having a positive impact on their healthcare provision and nearly all report they made changes to their communication and leadership approaches in the 6-months after the program. 59% of the virtual and 55% of the in-person cohorts report new leadership opportunities since their participation and that the course helped prepare them for those roles. Qualitative data support the need for the training, specific elements of the training these physicians found particularly helpful, and that the learning was “sticky”, in that it stayed with them in the months post-program. There was a clear stated preference for in-person experiences.Conclusion: Either virtual or in-person leadership training can result in long-term (6-month) significant retention and application of knowledge and skills in physicians. While limited in size, this study suggests that in-person experiences seem to foster more effective bonds and also greater willingness to participate in post-program follow-up. Physicians find equity-centered leadership training to impact their subsequent communication and leadership practices and they report career benefits even in 6-month follow-up.Plain Language Summary: While physicians serve in many leadership roles in healthcare, leadership training is generally not part of their medical training. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Robert C. Cefalo Leadership Institute has provided an annual leadership training for obstetrician and gynecologist leaders since 2006. Our previous research has repeatedly shown the program is effective, with participants experiencing significant and impressive gains in leadership learning and skills development. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the 2021 program being held virtually with a return to an in-person format possible with the 2022 program. As such, the opportunity arose to compare the 6-month post-program learning and impact of these two formats, virtual versus in-person training, in two highly similar groups experiencing nearly identical program content. Both virtual and in-person participants rated their six-month post-program skill level/ability and skills use/implementation as significantly higher than pre-program and both groups noted the learning helped them be better physicians, communicators, and leaders. Additionally, many experienced new leadership opportunities in the 6-months post-program and most of those agreed that the program prepared them to take on those new roles. This study shows that our approach to physician leadership development is highly effective and that the learning demonstrated “stickiness” in that it persisted over time. While both virtual and in-person programs were highly effective, overwhelmingly the participants prefer in-person training to virtual training.Keywords: workforce development, physician leadership, learning retention, virtual vs in-person, equity-centered leadership

Many technologically useful magnetic oxides are ferrimagnetic insulators, which consist of chemically distinct cations. Here, we examine the spin dynamics of different magnetic cations in ferrimagnetic NiZnAl-ferrite (Ni0.65Zn0.35Al0.8Fe1.2O4) under continuous microwave excitation. Specifically, we employ time-resolved x-ray ferromagnetic resonance to separately probe Fe2+/3+ and Ni2+ cations on different sublattice sites. Our results show that the precessing cation moments retain a rigid, collinear configuration to within ≈2°. Moreover, the effective spin relaxation is identical to within

Claudia SP Fernandez,1 Caroline N Hays,1 Georgina Adatsi,1 Cheryl C Noble,2 Michelle Abel-Shoup,1 AnnaMarie Connolly3,4 1Department of Maternal and Child Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 2Evaluation Consultant, Scotts Valley, CA, USA; 3American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC, USA; 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Emeritus), UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USACorrespondence: Claudia SP Fernandez, Maternal and Child Health Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 426 Rosenau Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA, Tel +1 919-451-6231, Fax +1-919-966-0458, Email Claudia_Fernandez@unc.eduPurpose: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a disruption of in-person workforce development programs. Our immersive physician-oriented leadership institute suspended in 2020, resumed in 2021 with a virtual program, and in 2022 reconvened in-person training. We used this opportunity to compare the participant experience, including reported knowledge acquisition and ability gains, between these nearly identical curricula delivered in vastly different circumstances and formats.Participants and Methods: We describe the differences in immersive leadership training implementation and adaptations made for virtual vs in-person engagement of two cohorts of OB-GYN physicians. Data were collected from virtual (n=32) and in-person (n=39) participants via post-session surveys. Quantitative data reported includes participant ratings for knowledge gain and ability gain. Qualitative data were obtained via open-ended feedback questions per session and the overall experience.Results: Knowledge and ability scores indicated strong, statistically significant gains in both formats, with some reported learning gains higher in the virtual training. Qualitative data of participant feedback identified a number of positive themes similar across the in-person and virtual settings, with virtual participants noting how construction of the virtual program produced highly effective experiences and engagement. Constructive or negative feedback of the virtual setting included time constraint issues (eg, a desire for more sessions overall or more time per session) and technical difficulties. Positive comments focused on the effectiveness of the experience in both formats and the surprising ability to connect meaningfully with others, even in a virtual environment. However, there were also many comments clearly supporting the preference for in-person over virtual experiences.Conclusion: Immersive physician leadership training can be effectively delivered via virtual or in-person methods, resulting in significant reported gains of knowledge and skills. These programs provide valuable interpersonal connections and skills to support physician leadership. While both formats are effective, participants clearly prefer in-person leadership development experiences and interpersonal learning.Keywords: workforce development, leadership, physicians, virtual training, onsite training

L10 FePd is increasingly recognized as a potential candidate for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), yet there remains room for enhancing device performance. In this work, we fabricated fully-integrated L10 FePd-based perpendicular MTJ devices and achieved a significant increase in tunnel magnetoresistance, reaching ∼65%, compared to the previous record of 25%. Notably, we observed bi-directional switching with a low switching current density of about 1.4 × 105 A/cm2, which outperforms the typical spin-transfer torque (STT) MTJ by about one order of magnitude. We propose two possible mechanisms to elucidate the switching process and associated device performance: (1) The voltage-controlled exchange coupling-driven switching of the bottom CoFeB layer; (2) The STT-driven switching of the exchange-coupled L10 FePd–CoFeB composite. While additional research is necessary, these findings may further advance the integration of L10 FePd into spintronic devices, potentially enabling low-energy memory and logic technologies.

School districts struggle to attract and maintain a sufficient supply of highly capable superintendents. High-needs within rural districts, in particular, often are not able to attract and retain effective leaders. The issue of short superintendent tenure has drawn speculation and concern that revolving leadership may have negative consequences for schools and student achievement. A variety of factors contribute to superintendent turnover including: school board relations, job satisfaction, school district characteristics, and the personal characteristics of superintendents (Grissom & Anderson, 2012; Kamrath & Brunner, 2014; Wood, Finch & Mirecki, 2013). This study provides insight into perceptions of rural superintendents (n=10) and why they stay or leave their roles in rural Idaho school districts. As we look for ways to build capacity for leadership and social change in rural settings, it is important to understand factors influencing the stability of leadership from the superintendent role. Findings suggest that school boards remain the most influential factor.

Objective: The association between the presence of detectable antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is not well established. The objective of this study was to determine the association between antibody seronegativity and reinfection. Methods: Participants in Colorado, USA, were recruited between June 15, 2020, and March 28, 2021, and encouraged to complete SARS-CoV-2 molecular ribonucleic acid (RNA) and serology testing for antibodies every 28 days for 10 months. Participants with reinfections (positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA test ≥ 90 days after the first positive RNA test) were matched to controls without reinfections by age, sex, date of the first positive RNA test, date of the last serology test, and serology test type. Using conditional logistic regression, case patients were compared to control patients on the last serologic test result, with adjustment for demographic and clinical confounders. Results: The cohort (n = 4,235) included 2,033 participants with ≥ 1 positive RNA test, of whom 120 had reinfection. Among the 80 case patients who could be matched, the last serologic test was negative in 12 of the cases (15.0 %) whereas the last serologic test was negative in 77 of 1,034 (7.5 %) controls. Seronegativity (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.24; 95 % CI 1.07, 4.68), Hispanic ethnicity (aOR 1.87; 95 % 1.10, 3.18), and larger household size (aOR 1.15; 95 % 1.01, 1.30 for each additional household member) were associated with reinfection. Conclusions: Seronegative status, Hispanic ethnicity, and increasing household size were associated with reinfection. Serologic testing could be considered to reduce vaccine hesitancy in higher risk populations.

L10 FePd is a promising candidate material for spin memory devices, especially when paired with Ir as an interlayer coupling layer, leading to significant interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) energy between ferromagnetic layers and strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs) are emphasized for spintronic applications, offering advantages like quick magnetization switching and enhanced stability. This study presents findings on the influence of Ir spacer thickness on the structural and magnetic properties of FePd SAFs, highlighting lattice matching and coherence throughout the entire SAF structure and revealing a maximum interlayer exchange energy of 3 mJ/m2. We suggest the potential of this FePd|Ir|FePd system as a building block for future spintronic applications.

The PINK1/Parkin pathway of mitophagy has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. In prion diseases, a transmissible neurodegenerative disease caused by the misfolded and infectious prion protein (PrPSc), expression of both PINK1 and Parkin are elevated, suggesting that PINK1/Parkin mediated mitophagy may also play a role in prion pathogenesis. Using mice in which expression of either PINK1 (PINK1KO) or Parkin (ParkinKO) has been ablated, we analyzed the potential role of PINK1 and Parkin in prion pathogenesis. Prion infected PINK1KO and ParkinKO mice succumbed to disease more rapidly (153 and 150 days, respectively) than wild-type control C57Bl/6 mice (161 days). Faster incubation times in PINK1KO and ParkinKO mice did not correlate with altered prion pathology in the brain, altered expression of proteins associated with mitochondrial dynamics, or prion-related changes in mitochondrial respiration. However, the expression level of mitochondrial respiration Complex I, a major site for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), was higher in prion infected PINK1KO and ParkinKO mice when compared to prion infected control mice. Our results demonstrate a protective role for PINK1/Parkin mitophagy during prion disease, likely by helping to minimize ROS formation via Complex I, leading to slower prion disease progression.

BackgroundTechnology-based systems can facilitate remote decision-making to triage patients to the appropriate level of care. Despite technologic advances, the effects of implementation of these systems on patient and utilization outcomes are unclear. We evaluated the effects of remote triage systems on healthcare utilization, case resolution, and patient safety outcomes.MethodsEnglish-language searches of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and CINAHL were performed from inception until July 2018. Randomized and nonrandomized comparative studies of remote triage services that reported healthcare utilization, case resolution, and patient safety outcomes were included. Two reviewers assessed study and intervention characteristics independently for study quality, strength of evidence, and risk of bias.ResultsThe literature search identified 5026 articles, of which eight met eligibility criteria. Five randomized, two controlled before-and-after, and one interrupted time series study assessed 3 categories of remote triage services: mode of delivery, triage professional type, and system organizational level. No study evaluated any other delivery mode other than telephone and in-person. Meta-analyses were unable to be performed because of study design and outcome heterogeneity; therefore, we narratively synthesized data. Overall, most studies did not demonstrate a decrease in primary care (PC) or emergency department (ED) utilization, with some studies showing a significant increase. Evidence suggested local, practice-based triage systems have greater case resolution and refer fewer patients to PC or ED services than regional/national systems. No study identified statistically significant differences in safety outcomes.ConclusionOur review found limited evidence that remote triage reduces the burden of PC or ED utilization. However, remote triage by telephone can produce a high rate of call resolution and appears to be safe. Further study of other remote triage modalities is needed to realize the promise of remote triage services in optimizing healthcare outcomes.Protocol registrationThis study was registered and followed a published protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42019112262).

‘Cherokee Purple’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants are a highly sought-after heirloom cultivar in the United States but are low yielding and highly susceptible to soil-borne pathogens, and may benefit from being grafted. Soilless systems such as aquaponics and hydroponics help increase yield, mitigate disease, and serve as an alternative to field production. The objective of this study was to evaluate a grafting combination of ‘Cherokee Purple’ × ‘Maxifort’ and nongrafted controls in 1.85-m2 media grow beds with hydroponic and aquaponic systems using copper nose bluegill in a greenhouse. Grafting increased stem diameter, leaf count, stem height, flower count, and bud count compared with nongrafted plants. In aquaponics, grafting increased the phosphorus uptake over nongrafted plants grown in the aquaponic system. Grafting resulted in greater fresh (49.2%) and dry (40.0%) shoot biomass, and fresh (33.3%) and dry (42.8%) root biomass. Grafting also increased the uptake of copper and sulfur in the aquaponic systems. The hydroponic systems resulted in greater leaf count, soil plant analysis development, stem height, shoot biomass, and greater boron, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and manganese levels than aquaponic systems. Total fruit number and weight were greater in hydroponic systems than in aquaponic systems by 35.4% and 30.4%, respectively, but fruit splitting was a problem in both. Aquaponics resulted in greater root fresh weight than hydroponics. The nutrients zinc and copper increased with the use of aquaponic systems over hydroponic systems. This research suggests that the type of system can affect growth and nutrient uptake, and ‘Cherokee Purple’ should not be used in a soilless system because of excessive fruit splitting, leading to unmarketable fruit and low yield, unless environmental conditions can be managed during the heat of the summer.

Asynchronous video-based educational resources allow for increased course material engagement. In today's climate, educators are encouraged to create videos for online instruction but are typically given limited production guidance. Few formal resources exist to guide educators for high-quality video production in a non-studio setting. This article is a how-to guide for producing videos using widely available primary resources through three steps: preproduction, production, and postproduction. During preproduction, educators consider style and project scope, including the "what, how, and why" of the content. For production, we have provided information on the set, light, sounds, and video equipment needed for optimizing video production in a non-studio setting. Finally, during postproduction, the educator considers how to combine and edit the video as well as organize content. Overall, this article is an approachable guide to help educators begin their low-budget video-production journeys.

Geogrids improve pavement performance and extend lifespan by making the unbound aggregate base/subbase course stiffer. Extruded (i.e., punched and drawn) geogrids are widely used in pavement applications. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of multi-axial extruded geogrids with various aperture shapes for pavement applications. The study quantified modulus enhancement ratio and identified the extent of the geogrid-stiffened zone. Two types of aggregates (i.e., crushed limestone and partially crushed gravel), commonly used in Illinois for base or subbase course, were utilized. Repeated load triaxial tests were conducted on 6-in. diameter and 12-in. height cylindrical specimens instrumented with embedded shear wave transducers in the form of Bender Element (BE) sensors. The BE pairs were horizontally placed at three different heights above the geogrid. Resilient moduli of the aggregate samples were determined following the AASHTO T 307 standard test procedure. Concurrently, the localized small-strain moduli at different heights above the midheight of the specimen were determined from the shear wave velocities computed according to the first arrival times from the BE sensors recorded at the end of the application of each stress state. The results reveal that resilient modulus tests do not capture the geogrid effects, while BE sensors can quantify the local stiffness enhancement due to a geogrid, and the extent of the geogrid-stiffened zone. Results show that the multi-axial geogrids provided a 45% increase in small strain modulus for both aggregate types in the vicinity of the geogrid.

Abstract Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). In this proof-of-principle study, we investigated whether PET mapping of cardiac membrane potential, an indicator of mitochondrial function, could detect an acute cardiotoxic effect of doxorubicin (DOX) in a large animal model. Eight Yucatan pigs were imaged dynamically with [18F](4-Fluorophenyl)triphenylphosphonium ([18F]FTPP+) PET/CT. Our experimental protocol included a control saline infusion into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by a DOX test infusion of either 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg during PET. We measured the change in total cardiac membrane potential (ΔΨT), a proxy for the mitochondrial membrane potential, ΔΨm, after the saline and DOX infusions. We observed a partial depolarization of the mitochondria following the DOX infusions, which occurred only in myocardial areas distal to the intracoronary catheter, thereby demonstrating a direct association between the exposure of the mitochondria to DOX and a change in ΔΨT. Furthermore, doubling the DOX dose caused a more severe depolarization of myocardium in the LAD territory distal to the infusion catheter. In conclusion, [18F]FTPP+ PET-based ΔΨT mapping can measure partial depolarization of myocardial mitochondria following intracoronary DOX infusion in a large animal model.

Wheat breeders are developing new virus-resistant varieties; however, it is assumed that only a few viruses or well-known viruses are present in the field. New sequencing technology is allowing for better determination of natural field virus populations. For three years, 2019-2021, Kansas wheat field surveys were conducted to determine the constituents of natural field virus populations using nanopore sequencing. During analysis, brome mosaic virus (BMV) was identified for the first time in Kansas but was in association with other wheat viruses. Brome mosaic virus was identified from 29 out of 47 different Kansas counties sampled and 44% of the total samples. BMV was found co-infected with wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) in 27.8% of the samples, with WSMV only (13.9%) and co-infected with WSMV + TriMV + High Plains wheat mosaic emaravirus (HPWMoV) (13.9%). RNA genomes of Kansas BMV isolates had 99.4 to 100% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity, respectively, to each other. RNA2a possessed relatively high divergence (π = 0.01) compared to RNA1a and RNA3a (π = 0.004). Coding regions of all BMV RNAs were considered negative for purifying selection pressure as nonsynonymous and synonymous nucleotide ratio was less than one (dNs/dS >1). The identification of BMV in Kansas virus populations adds another layer of complexity to plant breeding. This work provides information to improve tools to aid in monitoring, detecting, and determining the variation within BMV.

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by chronic neuroinflammation and may perpetuate ongoing fibrotic reactions within the central nervous system. Unfortunately, there is no therapeutic available that treats neurodegenerative inflammation and its sequelae. Here we utilize cromolyn, a mast cell inhibitor with anti-inflammatory capabilities, and its fluorinated analogue F-cromolyn to study fibrosis-related protein regulation and secretion downstream of neuroinflammation and their ability to promote microglial phagocytosis and neurite outgrowth. In this report, RNA-seq analysis shows that administration of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α to HMC3 human microglia results in a robust upregulation of fibrosis-associated genes. Subsequent treatment with cromolyn and F-cromolyn resulted in reduced secretion of collagen XVIII, fibronectin, and tenascin-c. Additionally, we show that cromolyn and F-cromolyn reduce pro-inflammatory proteins PLP1, PELP1, HSP90, IL-2, GRO-α, Eotaxin, and VEGF-Α, while promoting secretion of anti-inflammatory IL-4 in HMC3 microglia. Furthermore, cromolyn and F-cromolyn augment neurite outgrowth in PC12 neuronal cells in concert with nerve growth factor. Treatment also differentially altered secretion of neurogenesis-related proteins TTL, PROX1, Rab35, and CSDE1 in HMC3 microglia. Finally, iPSC-derived human microglia more readily phagocytose Aβ42 with cromolyn and F-cromolyn relative to controls. We propose the cromolyn platform targets multiple proteins upstream of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, and GSK-3β signaling pathways to affect cytokine, chemokine, and fibrosis-related protein expression.

Abstract Background Knowledge of the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of intracranial Coccidioides infection in dogs is essential for prompt diagnosis to limit disease‐associated morbidity and death. Objectives To describe the MRI appearance of intracranial coccidioidomycosis in dogs, identify associated clinical and clinicopathologic findings, and report outcomes of medical treatment. Animals Forty‐five client‐owned dogs with presumed intracranial Coccidioides infection. Methods Retrospective case series. Medical records and images were reviewed. Clinical history, examination findings, serology, imaging characteristics, treatment, and outcome were recorded. Included cases had an abnormal brain MRI and positive Coccidioides serology by agar‐gel‐immunodiffusion (AGID). Results Median age was 7‐years. Generalized tonic‐clonic seizures were the most common presenting sign (25/45). Two lesion categories were identified: a granulomatous form with 1 or more distinct, intra‐axial, contrast‐enhancing foci (37/45), and a second variation with diffuse, bilateral, symmetrical lesions of the caudate nuclei and frontal lobes (8/45). Serum IgG titers ranged from 1 : 1 to ≥ 1 : 256; 2 dogs had positive IgM titers at 1 : 2. All dogs with follow‐up serology (34/45) had a reduction in titer. Mean duration of follow‐up was 22.4 ± 20.5 months (median 16 months). Six dogs were lost to follow‐up 1‐year. Of the remaining 34 dogs, 28 (82%) were alive ≥ 1‐year after diagnosis. Thirteen of these dogs had follow‐up times ≥ 2‐years. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The prognosis for intracranial Coccidioides infection is generally more favorable with medical treatment than in earlier reports.

Protein aggregation, or the uncontrolled self-assembly of partially folded proteins, is an ever-present danger for living organisms. Unimpeded, protein aggregation can result in severe cellular dysfunction and disease. A group of proteins known as molecular chaperones is responsible for dismantling protein aggregates. However, how protein aggregates are recognized and disassembled remains poorly understood. Here we employ a single particle fluorescence technique known as Burst Analysis Spectroscopy (BAS), in combination with two structurally distinct aggregate types grown from the same starting protein, to examine the mechanism of chaperone-mediated protein disaggregation. Using the core bi-chaperone disaggregase system from Escherichia coli as a model, we demonstrate that, in contrast to prevailing models, the overall size of an aggregate particle has, at most, a minor influence on the progression of aggregate disassembly. Rather, we show that changes in internal structure, which have no observable impact on aggregate particle size or molecular chaperone binding, can dramatically limit the ability of the bi-chaperone system to take aggregates apart. In addition, these structural alterations progress with surprising speed, rendering aggregates resistant to disassembly within minutes. Thus, while protein aggregate structure is generally poorly defined and is often obscured by heterogeneous and complex particle distributions, it can have a determinative impact on the ability of cellular quality control systems to process protein aggregates.

A new streaked soft x-ray imager has been designed for use on high energy-density (HED) physics experiments at the National Ignition Facility based at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This streaked imager uses a slit aperture, single shallow angle reflection from a nickel mirror, and soft x-ray filtering to, when coupled to one of the NIF's x-ray streak cameras, record a 4× magnification, one-dimensional image of an x-ray source with a spatial resolution of less than 90 μm. The energy band pass produced depends upon the filter material used; for the first qualification shots, vanadium and silver-on-titanium filters were used to gate on photon energy ranges of approximately 300-510 eV and 200-400 eV, respectively. A two-channel version of the snout is available for x-ray sources up to 1 mm and a single-channel is available for larger sources up to 3 mm. Both the one and two-channel variants have been qualified on quartz wire and HED physics target shots.

Congenital CMV infection can result in sensorineural hearing loss, but predicting this outcome is not yet possible. Here, the authors show that while blood gene expression profiles are not substantially different between symptomatic and asymptomatic infants with congenital CMV infection, a 16-gene signature is identified and able to predict late-onset hearing loss in these children.