The high intensity diffractometer for residual stress analysis (HIDRA), a third generation residual stress mapping neutron diffractometer at the high flux isotope reactor.

This paper describes the hardware and software upgrades, operation, and performance of the high intensity diffractometer for residual stress analysis (HIDRA) instrument, a residual stress mapping neutron diffractometer located at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge Tennessee, USA. Following a major upgrade in 2018, the new instrument has a single 3He multiwire 2D 30 × 30 cm2 position sensitive detector, yielding a field of view of 17° 2θ. The increase in the field of view (from 4° 2θ) from the previous model instrument has contributed to the tremendous improvement in the out of plane solid angle such that the 3D count rate could be obtained easily. Accordingly, the hardware, software, Data Acquisition System (DAS), and so on have also been updated. Finally, all these enhanced features of HIDRA have been ably demonstrated by conducting multi directional diffraction measurements in the quenched 750-T74 aluminum, and the evolved and improved strain/stress mappings are presented.

Predictors of Adherence Among Vulnerable Populations of Adults Assigned to Smoke Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: Regulators are considering reducing the nicotine content in cigarettes to a minimally addictive level. This could particularly benefit smokers from populations vulnerable to heavy smoking and difficulties quitting. We assessed predictors of adherence among adults from vulnerable populations assigned to use very low nicotine content cigarettes (VLNCs) in randomized clinical trials, to identify characteristics of those who require additional assistance if a nicotine reduction policy were implemented. AIMS AND METHODS: Data came from three populations of vulnerable adult smokers assigned to use VLNC cigarettes (0.4 mg/g nicotine) during 12-week randomized controlled trials (n = 286): Socioeconomically disadvantaged women of reproductive age, opioid-maintained adults, and adults with affective disorders. Logistic and linear regressions modeled predictors of adherence based on changes in cotinine at week-6 and week-12 assessments relative to baseline, and as a 90% reduction in cotinine relative to baseline (full adherence: yes/no). Predictors included satisfaction with study cigarettes, craving, nicotine dependence severity, withdrawal, population membership, baseline affective-disorder symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Dependence severity was negatively associated with both adherence measures at week 6 (p < .01), whereas increased satisfaction with study cigarettes and age were positively associated with both measures at weeks 6 and 12 (p < .01). Opioid-maintained adults exhibited reduced adherence and were less likely to reach full adherence at week 12 compared to disadvantaged women (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with VLNC adherence in vulnerable populations are similar to those in the general population of smokers. Furthermore, studies are indicated investigating nicotine supplements (e.g., e-cigarettes, NRT) to support highly dependent adults faced with using VLNCs. IMPLICATIONS: This study identified factors predicting difficulty maintaining adherence to a regimen of very low nicotine content cigarettes (VLNC) among adults from vulnerable populations. Findings suggested that factors predicting difficulty maintaining adherence (greater nicotine dependence and low satisfaction with study-provided VLNC) were common across vulnerable smokers and the general population of adults who smoke. Furthermore, research should investigate alternatives to support highly dependent adults, such as pairing VLNC with supplemental, noncombusted nicotine. Some vulnerable populations (e.g., opioid-maintained adults) may be especially in need of supplemental, noncombusted nicotine.

High-speed running density in collegiate women's lacrosse.

High-speed running density (HSRd) is the ratio of high-speed efforts and distance covered. This study aimed to evaluate differences in HSRd between training, games, and among positions in collegiate women's lacrosse, and correlate HSRd with other training metrics. Data were collected during a collegiate training year (practices n = 162, games n = 14) through players (n = 25) wearing microtechnology. HSRd differed between training sessions and games (p < .001, d = .281) and by position (p < .001, d = .005-.712). Games (14.7 ± 13.8%) had a higher HSRd than training sessions (13.1 ± 13.7%), and goalies had higher HSRd during games than the other positions. HSRd was moderately inversely correlated (p < .001) with max speed (r = -.395-.543) and had low inverse correlations (p < .001) with distance (r = -.134-.225), accelerations (r = -217-.233), and decelerations (r = -.195-.268). Training did not mimic the HSRd of games. Defenders and goalies perform intense reactionary movements to make a defensive play, resulting in higher HSRd.

Probing orientation information using 3-dimensional reciprocal space volume analysis.

The crystallographic texture of polycrystalline materials is the result of how these materials are processed and what external forces materials have experienced. Neutron and X-ray diffraction are standard methods to characterize global crystallographic textures. However, conventional neutron and X-ray texture analyses rely on pole figure inversion routines derived from intensity analysis of individual reflections or powder Rietveld analysis to reconstruct and model the orientation distribution from slices through reciprocal space. In this work, we describe an original approach to directly probe the crystallographic texture information of rolled aluminum from the intensity distribution in 3-dimensional reciprocal space volumes measured simultaneously. Using the TOPAZ time-of-flight Laue neutron diffractometer, reciprocal space analysis allowed determination of "pole spheres" with <1° angular resolution. These pole spheres are compared with reconstructed pole figures from classic texture analysis.

Homologs of the STYLISH gene family control nectary development in Aquilegia.

Floral nectaries are an interesting example of a convergent trait in flowering plants, and are associated with the diversification of numerous angiosperm lineages, including the adaptive radiation of the New World Aquilegia species. However, we know very little as to what genes contribute to nectary development and evolution, particularly in noncore eudicot taxa. We analyzed expression patterns and used RNAi-based methods to investigate the functions of homologs from the STYLISH (STY) family in nectar spur development in Aquilegia coerulea. We found that AqSTY1 exhibits concentrated expression in the presumptive nectary of the growing spur tip, and triple gene silencing of the three STY-like genes revealed that they function in style and nectary development. Strong expression of STY homologs was also detected in the nectary-bearing petals of Delphinium and Epimedium. Our results suggest that the novel recruitment of STY homologs to control nectary development is likely to have occurred before the diversification of the Ranunculaceae and Berberidaceae. To date, the STY homologs of the Ranunculales are the only alternative loci for the control of nectary development in flowering plants, providing a critical data point in understanding the evolutionary origin and developmental basis of nectaries.

Current capabilities of the residual stress diffractometer at the high flux isotope reactor.

The engineering diffractometer 2nd Generation Neutron Residual Stress Facility (NRSF2) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor was built specifically for the mapping of residual strains. NRSF2 is optimized to investigate a wide range of engineering materials by providing the user a selection of monochromatic neutron wavelengths to maintain the selected Bragg reflection near 2θ = 90°, which is the optimal scattering geometry for strain mapping. Details of the instrument configuration and operation are presented, and considerations for experimental planning are also discussed. Selected examples of recent residual stress work completed with NRSF2 are presented to highlight capabilities.

Genomics-enabled analysis of the emergent disease cotton bacterial blight.

Cotton bacterial blight (CBB), an important disease of (Gossypium hirsutum) in the early 20th century, had been controlled by resistant germplasm for over half a century. Recently, CBB re-emerged as an agronomic problem in the United States. Here, we report analysis of cotton variety planting statistics that indicate a steady increase in the percentage of susceptible cotton varieties grown each year since 2009. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains from the current outbreak cluster with race 18 Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum (Xcm) strains. Illumina based draft genomes were generated for thirteen Xcm isolates and analyzed along with 4 previously published Xcm genomes. These genomes encode 24 conserved and nine variable type three effectors. Strains in the race 18 clade contain 3 to 5 more effectors than other Xcm strains. SMRT sequencing of two geographically and temporally diverse strains of Xcm yielded circular chromosomes and accompanying plasmids. These genomes encode eight and thirteen distinct transcription activator-like effector genes. RNA-sequencing revealed 52 genes induced within two cotton cultivars by both tested Xcm strains. This gene list includes a homeologous pair of genes, with homology to the known susceptibility gene, MLO. In contrast, the two strains of Xcm induce different clade III SWEET sugar transporters. Subsequent genome wide analysis revealed patterns in the overall expression of homeologous gene pairs in cotton after inoculation by Xcm. These data reveal important insights into the Xcm-G. hirsutum disease complex and strategies for future development of resistant cultivars.

A growing geographic disparity: Rural and urban cigarette smoking trends in the United States.

Rural areas of the United States have a higher smoking prevalence than urban areas. However, no recent studies have rigorously examined potential changes in this disparity over time or whether the disparity can be explained by demographic or psychosocial characteristics associated with smoking. The present study used yearly cross sectional data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2007 through 2014 to examine cigarette smoking trends in rural versus urban areas of the United States. The analytic sample included 303,311 respondents. Two regression models were built to examine (a) unadjusted rural and urban trends in prevalence of current smoking and (b) whether differences remained after adjusting for demographic and psychosocial characteristics. Results of the unadjusted model showed disparate and diverging cigarette use trends during the 8-year time period. The adjusted model also showed diverging trends, initially with no or small differences that became more pronounced across the 8-year period. We conclude that differences reported in earlier studies may be explained by differences in rural versus urban demographic and psychosocial risk factors, while more recent and growing disparities appear to be related to other factors. These emergent differences may be attributable to policy-level tobacco control and regulatory factors that disproportionately benefit urban areas such as enforcement of regulations around the sale and marketing of tobacco products and treatment availability. Strong federal policies and targeted or tailored interventions may be important to expanding tobacco control and regulatory benefits to vulnerable populations including rural Americans.

Note: a simple thermal gradient annealing unit for the treatment of thin films.

A gradient annealing cell has been developed for the high-throughput study of thermal annealing effects on thin-film libraries in different environments. The inexpensive gradient annealing unit permits temperature gradients as large as 28 °C∕mm and can accommodate samples ranging in length from 13 mm to 51 mm. The system was validated by investigating the effects of annealing temperature on the crystallinity, resistivity, and transparency of tin-doped indium oxide deposited on a glass substrate by magnetron sputtering. The unit developed in this work will permit the rapid optimization of materials properties such as crystallinity, homogeneity, and conductivity across a variety of applications.

Essential role of IL-6 in protection against H1N1 influenza virus by promoting neutrophil survival in the lung.

Influenza virus infection is considered a major worldwide public health problem. Seasonal infections with the most common influenza virus strains (e.g., H1N1) can usually be resolved, but they still cause a high rate of mortality. The factors that influence the outcome of the infection remain unclear. Here, we show that deficiency of interleukin (IL)-6 or IL-6 receptor is sufficient for normally sublethal doses of H1N1 influenza A virus to cause death in mice. IL-6 is necessary for resolution of influenza infection by protecting neutrophils from virus-induced death in the lung and by promoting neutrophil-mediated viral clearance. Loss of IL-6 results in persistence of the influenza virus in the lung leading to pronounced lung damage and, ultimately, death. Thus, we demonstrate that IL-6 is a vital innate immune cytokine in providing protection against influenza A infection. Genetic or environmental factors that impair IL-6 production or signaling could increase mortality to influenza virus infection.

A prospective study of psychological distress among mothers of children admitted to a nutritional rehabilitation unit in Malawi.

OBJECTIVES: Accompanying guardians (usually the mother) have a pivotal role in promoting recovery from childhood severe acute malnutrition on Nutritional Rehabilitation Units (NRUs). We describe the prevalence of maternal distress at an NRU in Malawi and identify factors associated with this. We tested the hypothesis that maternal distress during admission would be associated with reduced child weight gain over the 4-week post-discharge period. METHODS: Maternal distress was measured using the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) administered to mothers of consecutive children during NRU admission. Repeat SRQ was administered to mothers attending a follow-up clinic 4 weeks post discharge. Maternal, child and psychosocial variables were also measured. Child weight change from discharge to follow-up was compared between children of mothers scoring SRQ ≥ 8 and those scoring SRQ < 8. FINDINGS: A total of 244 mothers and their children were recruited. In total, 71% of mothers scored SRQ ≥ 8 during admission. In all, 155 of 222 mothers eligible to complete repeat SRQ did so, and 33.5% scored SRQ ≥ 8. Maternal distress at recruitment was associated with older child age, no confiding relationship with spouse, having had a previous child die, and the child having diarrhoea. Maternal distress at follow-up was associated with older child age, the child having diarrhoea or fever since discharge, and the child being HIV sero-positive. Maternal distress during admission was not associated with child weight gain at 4-week post-discharge follow-up. CONCLUSION: Levels of maternal distress are very high during child admission to an NRU. Persistent distress is associated with child health factors including HIV. Nutritional rehabilitation programmes should pay increased attention to carer psychological wellbeing using targeted evidence-based interventions.

Causes of childhood deafness in Pukhtoonkhwa Province of Pakistan and the role of consanguinity.

BACKGROUND: Deafness is the hidden disability of childhood, and leads to poor educational and employment prospects. There is little published information on deafness in Pakistan. Profound hearing impairment is more prevalent in countries where consanguineous marriages are common, such as Pakistan. This study aimed to assess causes of childhood deafness and association with parental consanguinity, within deaf and hearing children in the Peshawar district of Pukhtoonkhwa Province, Pakistan. METHODS: One hundred and forty deaf children were identified from two schools for deaf children within the Peshawar district. These children were assessed via audiology, otoscopic examination, case note review and parental history, in order to attempt to ascertain the cause of their deafness. Two hundred and twenty-one attendees at a local immunisation clinic (taken as representative of the local childhood population) were also screened for hearing impairment. Parents of both groups of children were assessed by interview and questionnaire in order to ascertain the mother and father's family relationship (i.e. whether cousins or unrelated). RESULTS: Of the 140 deaf school pupils, 92.1 per cent were profoundly hearing impaired and 7.9 per cent were severely hearing impaired. All these children had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. A possible cause of deafness was identified in only six of these children. Parental consanguinity (i.e. first or second cousins) was established for 86.4 per cent of deaf school pupils and 59.7 per cent of immunisation clinic attendees. None of the control children were identified as having a hearing problem. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of parental consanguinity was significantly higher in deaf children compared with non-hearing impaired children. However, the study also confirmed a high rate of consanguinity within the general Peshawar community. In this setting, prevention of consanguineous unions is the only means of reducing levels of congenital hearing impairment. The current levels of hearing disability represent both a prominent public health problem and an important, potentially preventable childhood disability.

The influence of obesity and consequent insulin resistance on coronary risk factors in medically treated patients with coronary disease.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity promotes the development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD), in part, through its association with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, clotting abnormalities and insulin resistance. We assessed whether these relationships persist in patients with established CHD treated with evidence-based preventive pharmacologic therapies. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 74 adults with CHD and a body mass index (BMI) of >27 kg m(-2) (mean 32+/-4). The mean age of subjects was 64+/-9 years (range 44-84 years). MEASUREMENTS: Obesity measures included weight, BMI, waist, fat mass, intra-abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat. Risk factor measures included insulin sensitivity, fasting insulin level, lipid profiles, blood pressure, C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and platelet reactivity. Medication use included aspirin (99%), statin (84%), beta-blocker (71%), ACE inhibitor or blocker (37%) and clopidogrel (28%). RESULTS: There was no direct relationship between obesity parameters and risk factor measures of lipid concentrations, blood pressure, clotting abnormalities or platelet reactivity except for a modest relationship between visceral fat and hs-CRP (r=0.30, P=0.02). However, increased BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, total abdominal fat and abdominal subcutaneous fat all correlated with insulin sensitivity (r-values -0.30 to -0.45, P-values 0.01 to <0.001) and insulin concentrations. Insulin sensitivity, in turn, was the best predictor of PAI-1, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, cholesterol/HDL levels (all P<0.01) and platelet reactivity (R=0.34, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Use of preventive pharmacologic therapies obviated the expected relationship between adiposity and CHD risk factors. However, a residual effect of insulin resistance is left untreated. Total adiposity and central adiposity were strong predictors of insulin sensitivity, which in turn predicted cardiac risk factors such as lipid concentrations, PAI-1 and platelet reactivity. Thus, while evidence-based pharmacologic treatments may diminish the statistical relationship between obesity and many cardiac risk factors, adiposity negatively impacts CHD risk by reducing tissue insulin sensitivity.

Association between antenatal depression and low birthweight in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: There is a high prevalence of depression in south Asian women. We aimed to examine the association between antenatal depression and low birthweight (LBW) in infants in a rural community in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. METHOD: A total of 143 physically healthy mothers with ICD-10 depression in the third trimester of pregnancy and 147 non-depressed mothers of similar gestation were followed from birth. Infant weight was measured and information collected on socioeconomic status, maternal body-mass index and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Infants of depressed mothers had lower birthweight (mean 2910 g) than infants of non-depressed mothers (mean 3022 g). The relative risk for LBW (< or =2500 g) in infants of depressed mothers was 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.9). The association remained significant after adjustment for confounders by multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Low birthweight is a major public health problem in developing countries. Maternal depression during pregnancy predicts LBW. Interventions aimed at maternal depression may help improve infant outcomes.

Maternal depression increases infant risk of diarrhoeal illness: --a cohort study.

AIMS: To examine the associations between postnatal depression in mothers and diarrhoeal illness in their infants in the first year of life in a low-income country. METHODS: Using a prospective cohort design, 265 infants (n = 130 of mothers having a depressive episode according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, at 3 months postnatal and n = 135 of psychologically well mothers) living in rural Rawalpindi, Pakistan, were followed up for 1 year. Frequency of diarrhoeal episodes was measured fortnightly by health workers using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: Infants of depressed mothers had significantly more diarrhoeal episodes per year than those of controls (mean 5.5 v 4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9 to 2.0). The relative risk of having > or =5 diarrhoeal episodes per year in infants of depressed mothers was 2.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 3.1). The association remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal depression is associated with infant diarrhoeal morbidity in a low-income community setting. It is independent of the effects of known factors such as undernutrition, socioeconomic status and parental education. Preventive child health programmes targeting mothers must consider their mental health.

Human milk vacuolating cytotoxin A immunoglobulin A antibodies modify Helicobacter pylori infection in Gambian children.

We collected data, including the weights, urea breath test results, and presence of maternal milk cytotoxin-associated gene-specific and vacuolating cytotoxin A-specific immunoglobulin A monthly from 48 mothers and infants (to 44 weeks of age) in The Gambia. In all, 11 children (23%) had negative urea breath test results, and 37 (77%) had positive results. Weight loss associated with Helicobacter pylori colonization was restricted to children whose mothers did not produce anti-vacuolating cytotoxin A antibodies in their milk (P=.028, by t test).

Dietary habits of the Somali population in Liverpool, with respect to foods containing calcium and vitamin D: a cause for concern?

BACKGROUND: A large percentage of Liverpool Somalis have vitamin D deficiency and low calcium excretion. The dietary habits of Liverpool Somalis were investigated with respect to food items containing calcium and vitamin D. METHODS: A questionnaire, administered by a Somali field worker, assessed the intake of food of 60 adult (45 females and 15 males; mean age 42 years) and 10 child (seven females and three males; mean age 10 years) Somali volunteers. Questions concerned personal details, health (bone and muscle problems) and dietary habits including the frequency of consumption of food items containing substantial amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Results Most subjects reported bone and muscle pain. Eating habits reflected traditional customs. Foods containing substantial amounts of calcium and vitamin D were consumed infrequently. Milk was only consumed in tea. Those self-reporting bone pain consumed eggs, cheese and beans rarely. CONCLUSION: The food choices of these individuals with regard to bone health is a cause for concern and indicates a likelihood of low calcium and vitamin D intake.

Piloting post-exposure prophylaxis in Kenya raises specific concerns for the management of childhood rape.

Thika District, Kenya, is the site of an operational research study on the provision of comprehensive post-rape care, including the free provision of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). It is a typical rural Kenyan district in terms of resources and patient throughput. The high rate of children attending for post-rape services was unexpected and had significant programming implications. An age-disaggregated analysis of existing quantitative data from the first 8 months of service provision was conducted. Ninety-four case records were reviewed, of whom 48 (51%) were in the age range 1.5-17 years inclusive. All three cases of male rape were in children. Children were more likely to know their assailant than adults and were more likely to be HIV-negative at baseline. The majority (86%) of children presented in time for PEP, with adherence and completion rates similar to adults but lower rates of 6-week follow-up. The use of weight bands to determine drug dosages greatly simplified the appropriate and early administration of paediatric PEP. The high rates of childhood rape and demand for post-rape services were an enormous challenge for service providers and policy-makers.

Comparison of urine contamination rates using three different methods of collection: clean-catch, cotton wool pad and urine bag.

Collecting uncontaminated urine specimens from infants is difficult. Commonly, an adhesive urinecollecting bag is used, which is uncomfortable. This study determined bacterial contamination rates using three methods of urine collection sequentially on the same infant (without known urinary tract infection)-clean-catch, cotton wool (sanitary) pad and urine bag. The study was undertaken in children under 3 years of age in the Institute of Maternal and Child Health of Pernambuco (IMIP), Recife, Brazil. Urine samples were analysed using phase contrast microscopy and routine culture. Culture of bacteria at any level was interpreted as a contaminated urine specimen. Cultures with > 10(5) colony-forming units/ml of one species by all three collection methods were regarded as true urinary tract infection and these children were excluded. Altogether, 534 urine samples from 191 patients were analysed. Median age was 2 months (1 day-36 months) and 124 (65%) were boys. Twelve children (6.3%) were considered to have true urinary tract infection, three were indeterminate and in 16 one or more samples were missing and all were excluded from analysis. There were more missing samples using the clean-catch method (12%) than when using the bag (4%) or pad (4%). Seventy-six of 160 (47.5%) children had evidence of bacterial contamination. Clean-catch specimens showed the least contamination (14.7%) and rates were similar between pads (29%) and bags (26.6%) (kappa = 0.40). Urine contamination rates were similar for sanitary pads and urine bags and significantly higher than for clean-catch (p<0.01). However, pads were a simple, non-invasive and comfortable alternative to bags.

Effects of pleiotrophin (PTN) over-expression on mouse long bone development, fracture healing and bone repair.

Pleiotrophin (PTN) was found to have potent effects on regulation of osteoblast recruitment, proliferation and differentiation. The present study examined the long-term effects of targeted PTN over-expression on bone development and repair in a transgenic mouse model. Femurs and tibiae from the PTN transgenic mice and the wild type mice at age 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 months were collected, and examined by radiography, peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), histology and mechanical testing. Age-matched PTN and the control mice received a standardized femoral fracture, followed by regular x-rays and sacrificed at day 16 post-fracture for histology examination. A cortical hole was drilled on the tibiae of age-matched PTN and wild type mice, collagen sponge with either saline, 100 ng of rhBMP-2 or rhPTN was implanted in the holes, and animals were sacrificed 10 days later, subject to pQCT and histology examinations. During early stages of bone development, the PTN mice had advanced bone growth in length and maturation, but the difference diminished in later life. The fracture healing was impaired in the PTN mice, and there was delayed callus formation and remodelling. The cortical holes treated with BMP-2 in the PTN mice had significantly less trabecular bone formation. The current study confirmed that the targeted PTN over-expression in mouse bone has moderate enhancing effects on early bone development; but the bones become brittle in later life. Fracture healing was impaired in the adult PTN mice and this may be due to inhibitory effects of PTN over-expression on BMP-2 mediated bone induction.