bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuromodulation devices for heart failure
Authors: Dusi Veronica , Angelini Filippo , Zile Michael R , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria
Published: August 2022

Autonomic imbalance with a sympathetic dominance is acknowledged to be a critical determinant of the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), regardless of the etiology. Consequently, therapeutic interventions directly targeting the cardiac autonomic nervous system, generally referred to as neuromodulation strategies, have gained increasing interest and have been intensively studied at both the pre-clinical level and the clinical level. This review will focus on device-based neuromodulation in the setting of HFrEF. It will first provide some general principles about electrical neuromodulation and discuss specifically the complex issue of dose-response with this therapeutic approach. The paper will thereafter summarize the rationale, the pre-clinical and the clinical data, as well as the future prospectives of the three most studied form of device-based neuromodulation in HFrEF. These include cervical vagal nerve stimulation (cVNS), baroreflex activation therapy (BAT), and spinal cord stimulation (SCS). BAT has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in patients with HfrEF, while the other two approaches are still considered investigational; VNS is currently being investigated in a large phase III Study.
Meta-analysis of larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) microbiota based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing
Authors: IJdema Freek , De Smet Jeroen , Crauwels Sam , Lievens Bart , Van Campenhout Leen
Published: August 2022

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) belong to the most widely reared insects as an alternative protein source at industrial scale. Bacteria in the larval gut can provide benefits for the animal, though some bacteria can also be pathogenic for the insect. Accurate characterization of the BSFL microbiota is important for the production of BSFL in terms of yield and microbiological safety. In this study, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence data sets from 11 studies were re-analysed to gain better insights in the BSFL gut microbiota, potential factors that influence their composition, and differences between the gut and the whole larvae microbiota. A core gut microbiota was found consisting of members of Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Morganella, Providencia, and Scrofimicrobium. Further, the factors ‘Study’, ‘Age’ and ‘Feed’ (i.e. rearing substrate of the larvae) significantly affected the microbiota gut composition. When compared to whole larvae, a significantly lower diversity was found for gut samples, suggesting that the larvae harboured additional microbes on their cuticle or in the insect body. Universal choices in insect sample type, primer selection and bio-informatics analysis pipeline can strengthen future meta-analyses and improve our understanding of the BSFL gut microbiota towards the optimization of insect rearing conditions and substrates.
A continental-scale survey of Wolbachia infections in blue butterflies reveals evidence of interspecific transfer and invasion dynamics
Authors: Shastry Vivaswat , Bell Katherine L , Buerkle C Alex , Fordyce James A , Forister Matthew L , Gompert Zachariah , Lebeis Sarah L , Lucas Lauren K , Marion Zach H , Nice Chris C
Published: August 2022

Infections by maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts, especially Wolbachia, are common in insects and other invertebrates but infection dynamics across species ranges are largely under studied. Specifically, we lack a broad understanding of the origin of Wolbachia infections in novel hosts, and the historical and geographical dynamics of infections that are critical for identifying the factors governing their spread. We used Genotype-by-Sequencing data from previous population genomics studies for range-wide surveys of Wolbachia presence and genetic diversity in North American butterflies of the genus Lycaeides. As few as one sequence read identified by assembly to a Wolbachia reference genome provided high accuracy in detecting infections in host butterflies as determined by confirmatory PCR tests, and maximum accuracy was achieved with a threshold of only 5 sequence reads per host individual. Using this threshold, we detected Wolbachia in all but 2 of the 107 sampling localities spanning the continent, with infection frequencies within populations ranging from 0% to 100% of individuals, but with most localities having high infection frequencies (mean = 91% infection rate). Three major lineages of Wolbachia were identified as separate strains that appear to represent 3 separate invasions of Lycaeides butterflies by Wolbachia. Overall, we found extensive evidence for acquisition of Wolbachia through interspecific transfer between host lineages. Strain wLycC was confined to a single butterfly taxon, hybrid lineages derived from it, and closely adjacent populations in other taxa. While the other 2 strains were detected throughout the rest of the continent, strain wLycB almost always co-occurred with wLycA. Our demographic modeling suggests wLycB is a recent invasion. Within strain wLycA, the 2 most frequent haplotypes are confined almost exclusively to separate butterfly taxa with haplotype A1 observed largely in Lycaeides melissa and haplotype A2 observed most often in Lycaeides idas localities, consistent with either cladogenic mode of infection acquisition from a common ancestor or by hybridization and accompanying mutation. More than 1 major Wolbachia strain was observed in 15 localities. These results demonstrate the utility of using resequencing data from hosts to quantify Wolbachia genetic variation and infection frequency and provide evidence of multiple colonizations of novel hosts through hybridization between butterfly lineages and complex dynamics between Wolbachia strains.
Bergerac strains of Caenorhabditis elegans revisited: expansion of Tc1 elements imposes a significant genomic and fitness cost
Authors: Daigle Austin T , Deiss Thaddeus C , Melde Robert H , Bergthorsson Ulfar , Katju Vaishali
Published: August 2022

The DNA transposon Tc1 was the first transposable element to be characterized in Caenorhabditis elegans and to date, remains the best-studied transposable element in Caenorhabditis worms. While Tc1 copy-number is regulated at approximately 30 copies in the laboratory Bristol N2 and the vast majority of C. elegans strains, the Bergerac strain and its derivatives have experienced a marked Tc1 proliferation. Given the historical importance of the Bergerac strain in the development of the C. elegans model, we implemented a modern genomic analysis of three Bergerac strains (CB4851, RW6999, and RW7000) in conjunction with multiple phenotypic assays to better elucidate the (1) genomic distribution of Tc1 and (2) phenotypic consequences of transposable element deregulation for the host organism. The median estimates of Tc1 copy-number in the Bergerac strains ranged from 451 to 748, which is both (1) greater than previously estimated and (2) likely to be an underestimate of the actual copy-numbers since coverage-based estimates and digital droplet polymerase chain reaction results both suggest higher Tc1 numbers. All three Bergerac strains had significantly reduced trait means compared with the N2 control for each of four fitness-related traits, with specific traits displaying significant differences between Bergerac strains. Tc1 proliferation was genome-wide, specific to Tc1, and particularly high on chromosomes V and X. There were fewer Tc1 insertions in highly expressed chromatin environments than expected by chance. Furthermore, Tc1 integration motifs were also less frequent in exon than noncoding sequences. The source of the proliferation of Tc1 in the Bergerac strains is specific to Tc1 and independent of other transposable elements. The Bergerac strains contain none of the alleles that have previously been found to derepress transposable element activity in C. elegans. However, the Bergerac strains had several Tc1 insertions near or within highly germline-transcribed genes which could account for the recent germline proliferation.
Redox-based Disruption of Cellular Hormesis and Promotion of Degenerative Pathways: Perspectives on Aging Processes
Authors: Bevere Michele , Di Cola Giulia , Santangelo Carmen , Grazioli Elisa , Marramiero Lorenzo , Pignatelli Pamela , Bondi Danilo , Mrakic-Sposta Simona
Published: August 2022

The present work aims to link the redox and cell-centric theories of chronic processes in human biology, focusing on aging. A synthetic overview of cellular redox pathways will be integrated by the concept of hormesis, which disruption leads to several physiopathological processes. The onset of age-related diseases due to the restriction of homeodynamic capacity will be herein considered in a redox fashion. Up-to-date arguments on hormetic agents, such as geroprotectors, dietary interventions, and physical exercise are refining the presented theoretical framework, integrated by insights from extracellular vesicles, microbiota, pollutants, and timing mechanisms. The broad concepts of exposome encompass the redox-based alteration of cellular hormesis for providing meaningful perspectives on redox biogerontology.
Yield estimate for the January 2016 DPRK nuclear test based on InSAR and numerical modelling with mechanical heterogeneity
Authors: Slead Sandra , Wei Meng (Matt)
Published: August 2022

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) provides a way of measuring ground deformation caused by underground nuclear testing via a satellite remote sensing platform. We present a finite-element model (FEM) of the nuclear test site in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, formerly North Korea) constrained by InSAR data. The model simulates elastic deformation caused by an underground explosion and includes high-resolution topography and mechanical heterogeneity. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to investigate the effect of mechanical heterogeneity (a layered structure in our case) on deformation modelling at the DPRK test site. Sensitivity testing shows that inclusion of topography, mechanical layering and the combined effect results in 48.2, 22.6 and 91.5 per cent increase in the maximum predicted deformation, respectively. This suggests that previous models that do not account for these complexities may overestimate the nuclear yield and/or underestimate the depth of burial (DoB). We performed a parameter search to solve for the cavity size and DoB that best reproduce ground deformation observed in ALOS-2 InSAR data covering the DPRK's 4th nuclear test (DPRK4). Using these best-fit values with a cavity-yield scaling law, we estimate the yield of DPRK4 to be 10–20 kt at a DoB of 542–826 m. Our method provides an estimate that is independent from and complementary to traditional seismic methods, which is useful for a location that is data-limited.
On the seismic source function of an underwater explosion
Authors: Ping Jin , Henglei Xu , Hongchun Wang , Haofeng Zhu
Published: August 2022

The seismic source function of an underwater explosion (UWE) is studied based on characteristics of the shock wave and the secondary bubble pulses. A mathematic representation for the full pressure history including overpressure and underpressure caused by both shock wave and bubble pulses is presented. Based on the full pressure model, UWEs’ reduced displacement/velocity potentials both in time and frequency domain are obtained. The new seismic source model overcomes the theoretical inconsistency with the UWE seismic source model presented by Savage & Helmberger taking account of the shock wave overpressure only, and the steady-state reduced displacement potential predicted by the full pressure model is much larger than that predicted by the shock wave model by a factor that would exceed 100 for shallow UWEs. Relative seismic effect between underwater and underground explosions is modelled and the result by the full pressure model is consistent with observations that seismic magnitude of an UWE commonly is much larger than magnitude of an underground explosion of the same yield. And to further validate the full pressure model, Pn spectra of a 10 000lbs UWE off the east coast of Florida detonated on 2016 June 10 are modelled for six regional stations, and the results predicted by the full pressure model agree well with corresponding observations.
Predicting elimination of evolving virus variants
Authors: Hughes Elliott , Binny Rachelle , Hendy Shaun , James Alex
Published: August 2022

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads around the world new variants are appearing regularly. Although some countries have achieved very swift and successful vaccination campaigns, on a global scale the vast majority of the population is unvaccinated and new variants are proving more resistant to the current set of vaccines. We present a simple model of disease spread, which includes the evolution of new variants of a novel virus and varying vaccine effectiveness to these new strains. We show that rapid vaccine updates to target new strains are more effective than slow updates and containing spread through non-pharmaceutical interventions is vital while these vaccines are delivered. Finally, when measuring the key model inputs, e.g. the rate at which new mutations and variants of concern emerge, is difficult we show how an observable model output, the number of new variants that have been seen, is strongly correlated with the probability the virus is eliminated.
Numerical analysis of multiple scattering theory for electronic structure calculations
Authors: Li Xiaoxu , Chen Huajie , Gao Xingyu
Published: August 2022

Multiple scattering theory (MST) is one of the most widely used methods in electronic structure calculations. It features a perfect separation between atomic configurations and site potentials and hence provides an efficient way to simulate defected and disordered systems. This work studies MST methods from a numerical point of view and shows convergence with respect to the truncation of the angular momentum summations, which is a fundamental approximation parameter for all MST methods. We provide both rigorous analysis and numerical experiments to illustrate the efficiency of MST methods within the angular momentum representations.
Association between body condition score fluctuations and pregnancy loss in Holstein cows
Authors: Pinedo Pablo J , Manríquez Diego , Ciarletta Cassandra , Azocar Joaquín , De Vries Albert
Published: August 2022

The objective of this study was to characterize the associations between body condition score (BCS) and BCS change (∆BCS), determined by an automated camera system during early lactation and close to artificial insemination (AI), and the subsequent pregnancy loss (PL) in Holstein cows. A secondary objective was to determine the impact of disease on PL, considering multiple time periods relative to AI. Data from 9,430 lactations in 6,884 Holstein cows in a commercial dairy operation located in Colorado, USA were included in this retrospective observational study. Cows were subject to first AI at about 80 DIM (primiparous) and 60 DIM (multiparous), following a double OvSynch protocol. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed via transrectal ultrasonography on day 32 ± 3 after AI and reconfirmed on day 80 ± 3 after AI. Cameras mounted on the sorting gate at each exit (n = 2) of the milking parlor generated BCS on a five-point scale with 0.1 increments. The BCS at calving (BCS1), 21 DIM (BCS21), 56 DIM (BCS56), AI resulting in pregnancy (BCSAI), and 90 d post AI (BCSAI90) were selected for the analyses and subsequently categorized as low (≤ lower quartile), moderate (interquartile range), and high (≥ upper quartile). Changes in BCS were calculated by periods of interest as change from calving to 21 DIM; change from calving to 56 DIM; change from 56 DIM to AI; and change from AI to 90 d post AI and assigned into categories to facilitate the analysis. Data were examined using logistic regression, considering parity category, season at calving and AI, DIM at AI, milk yield up to 60 DIM, and occurrence of disease as covariables. The logistic regression analyses indicated that the odds of PL were greater in cows in the low BCS category relative to cows in the high BCS category at 56 DIM (OR 95% CI = 1.41 [1.12–1.79]), AI (1.31 [1.05–1.65]), and 90 d post AI (1.38 [1.10–1.74]). Likewise, cows with large loss in BCS between calving and 21 DIM (1.46 [1.10–1.94]) and loss in BCS between AI and 90 d post AI (1.44 [1.15–1.81]) had greater odds of PL compared with cows with no loss of BCS within the same period. Occurrence of disease at all the time periods considered in the analysis had a consistent detrimental impact on maintenance of the pregnancy, supporting the concept that pre and postconceptional disease affects embryonic survival. Overall, low BCS, more pronounced reductions in BCS occurring closer to AI, and occurrence of disease resulted in greater PL in this Holstein population.
Functional amino acid supplementation attenuates the negative effects of plant-based nursery diets on the response of pigs to a subsequent Salmonella Typhimurium challenge
Authors: Rodrigues Lucas A , Panisson Josiane C , Van Kessel Andrew G , Columbus Daniel A
Published: August 2022

Functional amino acids (FAA) attenuate the effects of Salmonella challenge in pigs. However, this may be affected by protein source (PS). The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of nursery dietary PS and FAA supplementation on growth performance and immune status of pigs subsequently challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). Thirty-two weanling pigs (8.7 ± 0.23 kg) were assigned to a feeding program for 31 d in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were dietary PS (plant-based [PB] vs. animal-based [AB]) and FAA profile (basal [FAA−] or supplemented [FAA+; Thr, Met, and Trp at 120% of requirements]). Pigs were subsequently placed on a common grower diet and, after a 7-d adaptation, were inoculated with ST and monitored for 7 d postinoculation. Growth performance, rectal temperature, fecal score, gut health, ST shedding score, intestinal colonization and translocation, and blood parameters of acute-phase response and antioxidant balance were measured pre- and postinoculation. Data were analyzed with a 2 (AB vs. PB) × 2 (FAA− vs. FAA+) factorial arrangement of treatments and differences between means were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Postinoculation fecal score was worse, ST shedding, cecal myeloperoxidase, and cecal and colonic ST colonization were greater in PB compared to AB pigs (P < 0.05). Translocation of ST to spleen was decreased by FAA+ (P < 0.05), regardless of dietary PS. Postinoculation, AB pigs had greater average daily gain compared to PB-FAA− (P < 0.05). Pigs fed AB-FAA− showed increased average daily feed intake compared to PB-FAA− pigs (P < 0.05) and feed efficiency was increased in AB-FAA+ compared to PB-FAA− pigs (P < 0.05). Feeding PB ingredients in nursery diets seems to increase susceptibility of pigs to Salmonella. Moreover, FAA supplementation partially attenuated the negative effects of PB diets on the response of pigs to ST challenge.
Individual disturbance and neighborhood mutation search enhanced whale optimization: performance design for engineering problems
Authors: Qiao Shimeng , Yu Helong , Heidari Ali Asghar , El-Saleh Ayman A , Cai Zhennao , Xu Xingmei , Mafarja Majdi , Chen Huiling
Published: August 2022

The whale optimizer is a popular metaheuristic algorithm, which has the problems of weak global exploration, easy falling into local optimum, and low optimization accuracy when searching for the optimal solution. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an enhanced whale optimization algorithm (WOA) based on the worst individual disturbance (WD) and neighborhood mutation search (NM), named WDNMWOA, which employed WD to enhance the ability to jump out of local optimum and global exploration, adopted NM to enhance the possibility of individuals approaching the optimal solution. The superiority of WDNMWOA is demonstrated by representative IEEE CEC2014, CEC2017, CEC2019, and CEC2020 benchmark functions and four engineering examples. The experimental results show that thes WDNMWOA has better convergence accuracy and strong optimization ability than the original WOA.
Competition Law and Economic Inequality: A Comparative Analysis of the US Model of Law
Authors: Zac Amit
Published: August 2022

To what extent does the choice of competition law model correlate with economic inequality? While competition laws have been suggested as potentially contributing to current inequality trends in developed countries and as a viable instrument to address them, there is little empirical evidence on their distributional effects. This article helps fill this gap. It utilizes a comparative legal approach and a unique estimation framework based on the textual similarity to estimate the differences between the US and EU models and provides evidence that countries that adopt a US-style antitrust model are more likely to exhibit higher income inequality levels over time. While this link should not be interpreted causally, it suggests that potential institutional factors might affect the rise of inequality.
Effect of urbanization on the opossum Didelphis virginiana health and implications for zoonotic diseases
Authors: Glebskiy Yury , Acosta-Gutiérrez Roxana , Cano-Santana Zenón
Published: August 2022

Urban animals can be an important threat to human health as possible hosts of zoonotic diseases and their susceptibility to these diseases can depend on their overall health conditions. Thus, it is important to understand the factors that determine their health conditions. For this, we studied Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in six locations with different urbanization levels and types in Mexico City, Mexico. We trapped opossums and measured eight health-related characteristics (number of ectoparasites and tartar severity, among others) and estimated the percentage of area covered by the four main types of terrain (natural vegetation, managed vegetation, impermeable terrain and constructions). Data were analyzed by a canonical correspondence analysis. We found that impermeable terrain was related to negative health characteristics, while the constructions were opposite to impermeable terrain and mostly related to good health characteristics. At the same, time constructed areas held a smaller population than the natural areas. This suggests that constructed areas provide few shelters, but opossums are healthier there, while impermeable areas provide more shelter but cause more health problems to the animals, thus increasing the chances of zoonotic diseases. We recommend reducing the impermeable areas in city planning to contribute to a better health of the urban animals and therefore reduce risks of zoonotic diseases with potentially disastrous results.
Unravelling the nature of the dual AGN in the galaxy pair system IRAS 05589+2828 and 2MASX J06021107 + 2828382
Authors: Benítez E , Jiménez-Bailón E , Negrete C A , Ruschel-Dutra D , Rodríguez-Espinosa J M , Cruz-González I , Rodríguez L F , Chavushyan V H , Marziani P , Gutiérrez L , González-Martin O , Jiang B W , D’Onofrio M
Published: August 2022

We have studied the nuclear region of the previously detected dual AGN system in the galaxy pair IRAS 05589 + 2828 and 2MASX J06021107 + 2828382, through new optical spectroscopy observations, along with radio and X-ray archival data. Our multiwavelength data strongly suggest that the Sy1 IRAS 05589+2828  (z = 0.0330 ± 0.0002) conforms to a dual AGN system with the Sy2 2MASX J06021107 + 2828382  (z = 0.0334 ± 0.0001), with a projected separation obtained from the radio data of 20.08 arcsec  (∼13.3 kpc). Analysis of the optical spectra reveals a faint narrow extended emission from H α and [O iii] amidst the two AGN, supporting evidence for an ongoing merger. IRAS 05589 + 2828  is a double component narrow emission-line AGN, with complex broad Balmer emission line profiles that clearly show a strong red-peaklet with a velocity shift of ∼3500  km s−1. The black hole mass estimates of IRAS  05589 + 2828  and 2MASX J06021107 + 2828382  are log M $\rm _{BH}$  =  8.59 ± 0.14 (M⊙) and log M$\rm _{BH}$ = 8.21 ± 0.2 (M⊙), respectively. In the X-ray bands, IRAS 05589 + 2828  is compatible with a Type 1 object, showing both spectral and flux variability. Chandra  data of 2MASX J06021107 + 2828382 allowed us to measure a high hardness ratio in this source, providing evidence for a Type 2 AGN. The 22 GHz image obtained with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array has revealed that both AGN are compact radio objects with spectral indices −0.26 ± 0.03 and −0.70 ± 0.11, confirming for the first time its dual AGN nature in the radio bands.
The impact of stellar evolution on rotating star clusters: the gravothermal-gravogyro catastrophe and the formation of a bar of black holes
Authors: Kamlah A W H , Spurzem R , Berczik P , Sedda M Arca , Dotti F Flammini , Neumayer N , Pang X , Shu Q , Tanikawa A , Giersz M
Published: August 2022

We present results from a suite of eight direct N-body simulations, performed with nbody6++ GPU, representing realistic models of rotating star clusters with up to 1.1 × 105 stars. Our models feature primordial (hard) binaries, a continuous mass spectrum, differential rotation, and tidal mass-loss induced by the overall gravitational field of the host galaxy. We explore the impact of rotation and stellar evolution on the star cluster dynamics. In all runs for rotating star clusters, we detect a previously predicted mechanism: an initial phase of violent relaxation followed by the so-called gravogyro catastrophe. We find that the gravogyro catastrophe reaches a finite amplitude, which depends in strength on the level of the bulk rotation, and then levels off. After this phase, the angular momentum is transferred from high-mass to low-mass particles in the cluster (both stars and compact objects). Simultaneously, the system becomes gravothermally unstable and collapses, thus undergoing the so-called gravothermal-gravogyro catastrophe. Comparing models with and without stellar evolution, we find an interesting difference. When stellar evolution is not considered, the whole process proceeds at a faster pace. The population of heavy objects tends to form a triaxial structure that rotates in the cluster centre. When stellar evolution is considered, we find that such a rotating bar is populated by stellar black holes and their progenitors. The triaxial structure becomes axisymmetric over time, but we also find that the models without stellar evolution suffer repeated gravogyro catastrophes as sufficient angular momentum and mass are removed by the tidal field.
Understanding the secular evolution of NGC 628 using UltraViolet Imaging Telescope
Authors: Ujjwal K , Kartha Sreeja S , Subramanian Smitha , George Koshy , Thomas Robin , Mathew Blesson
Published: August 2022

Secular and environmental effects play a significant role in regulating the star-formation rate and hence the evolution of the galaxies. Since ultraviolet (UV) flux is a direct tracer of the star formation in galaxies, the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard AstroSat enables us to characterize the star-forming regions in a galaxy with its remarkable spatial resolution. In this study, we focus on the secular evolution of NGC 628, a spiral galaxy in the local Universe. We exploit the resolution of UVIT to resolve up to ∼63 pc in NGC 628 for identification and characterization of the star-forming regions. We identify 300 star-forming regions in the UVIT far-UV image of NGC 628 using ProFound and the identified regions are characterized using Starburst99 models. The age and mass distribution of the star-forming regions across the galaxy supports the inside-out growth of the disc. We find that there is no significant difference in the star-formation properties between the two arms of NGC 628. We also quantify the azimuthal offset of the star-forming regions of different ages. Since we do not find an age gradient, we suggest that the spiral density waves might not be the possible formation scenario of the spiral arms of NGC 628. The headlight cloud present in the disc of the galaxy is found to be having the highest star-formation rate density ($0.23 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot } \, \mathrm{yr^{-1} \, kpc}^{-2}$) compared to other star-forming regions on spiral arms and the rest of the galaxy.
The ALMA REBELS Survey: specific star formation rates in the reionization era
Authors: Topping Michael W , Stark Daniel P , Endsley Ryan , Bouwens Rychard J , Schouws Sander , Smit Renske , Stefanon Mauro , Inami Hanae , Bowler Rebecca A A , Oesch Pascal , Gonzalez Valentino , Dayal Pratika , da Cunha Elisabete , Algera Hiddo , van der Werf Paul , Pallottini Andrea , Barrufet Laia , Schneider Raffaella , De Looze Ilse , Sommovigo Laura , Whitler Lily , Graziani Luca , Fudamoto Yoshinobu , Ferrara Andrea
Published: August 2022

We present specific star formation rates (sSFRs) for 40 ultraviolet (UV)-bright galaxies at z ∼ 7–8 observed as part of the Reionization Era Bright Emission Line Survey (REBELS) Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) large programme. The sSFRs are derived using improved star formation rate (SFR) calibrations and spectral energy distribution (SED)-based stellar masses, made possible by measurements of far-infrared (FIR) continuum emission and [C ii]-based spectroscopic redshifts. The median sSFR of the sample is $18_{-5}^{+7}$ Gyr−1, significantly larger than literature measurements lacking constraints in the FIR, reflecting the larger obscured SFRs derived from the dust continuum relative to that implied by the UV+optical SED. We suggest that such differences may reflect spatial variations in dust across these luminous galaxies, with the component dominating the FIR distinct from that dominating the UV. We demonstrate that the inferred stellar masses (and hence sSFRs) are strongly dependent on the assumed star formation history in reionization-era galaxies. When large sSFR galaxies (a population that is common at z > 6) are modelled with non-parametric star formation histories, the derived stellar masses can increase by an order of magnitude relative to constant star formation models, owing to the presence of a significant old stellar population that is outshined by the recent burst. The [C ii] line widths in the largest sSFR systems are often very broad, suggesting dynamical masses capable of accommodating an old stellar population suggested by non-parametric models. Regardless of these systematic uncertainties among derived parameters, we find that sSFRs increase rapidly toward higher redshifts for massive galaxies (9.6 < log (M*/M⊙) < 9.8), evolving as (1 + z)1.7 ± 0.3, broadly consistent with expectations from the evolving baryon accretion rates.
Deprojection of X-ray data in galaxy clusters: confronting simulations with observations
Authors: Sarkar Kartick C , Dey Arjun , Sharma Prateek
Published: August 2022

Numerical simulations with varying realism indicate an emergent principle−multiphase condensation and large cavity power occur when the ratio of the cooling time to the free-fall time (tcool/tff) falls below a threshold value close to 10. Observations indeed show cool-core signatures when this ratio falls below 20–30, but the prevalence of cores with tcool/tff  ratio below 10 is rare as compared to simulations. In X-ray observations, we obtain projected spectra from which we have to infer radial gas density and temperature profiles. Using idealized models of X-ray cavities and multiphase gas in the core and 3D hydro jet-ICM simulations, we quantify the biases introduced by deprojection based on the assumption of spherical symmetry in determining tcool/tff. We show that while the used methods are able to recover the tcool/tff ratio for relaxed clusters, they have an uncertainty of a factor of 2−3 in systems containing large cavities (≳ 20 kpc). We also show that the mass estimates from these methods, in the absence of X-ray spectra close to the virial radius, suffer from a degeneracy between the virial mass (M200) and the concentration parameter (c) in the form of M200c2 ≈ constant. Additionally, the lack of soft-X-ray (≲ 0.5 keV) coverage and poor spatial resolution makes us overestimate min(tcool/tff) by a factor of few in clusters with min(tcool/tff) ≲ 5. This bias can largely explain the lack of cool-core clusters with min(tcool/tff) ≲ 5.
Fast nodal precession of the disc around Pleione requires a broken disc
Authors: Martin Rebecca G , Lepp Stephen
Published: August 2022

Pleione is a Be star that is in a 218-d orbit with a low-mass binary companion. Recent numerical simulations have shown that a Be star disc can be subject to breaking when material is actively being fed into the inner parts of the disc. After breaking, the disc is composed of two rings: an inner ring that is anchored to the stellar equator and an outer ring that is free to nodally precess. A double ring disc may explain some of the observed variability in Pleione. We model the nodal precession of the outer disc ring that is driven by the companion on an observed time-scale of $80.5\, \rm yr$. We find that the outer ring of a broken disc in a binary with an eccentricity of eb = 0.6 can precess on the observed time-scale and have an outer radius that is in rough agreement with the observed disc size. An unbroken disc model cannot fit both the observed precession rate and disc size. Suppression of Kozai–Lidov driven disc eccentricity is more likely for a high binary eccentricity if the disc extends to the tidal truncation radius.
MAXI J1957+032: a new accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar in an ultra-compact binary
Authors: Sanna A , Bult P , Ng M , Ray P S , Jaisawal G K , Burderi L , Di Salvo T , Riggio A , Altamirano D , Strohmayer T E , Manca A , Gendreau K C , Chakrabarty D , Iwakiri W , Iaria R
Published: August 2022

The detection of coherent X-ray pulsations at ∼314 Hz (3.2 ms) classifies MAXI J1957+032 as a fast-rotating, accreting neutron star. We present the temporal and spectral analysis performed using NICER observations collected during the latest outburst of the source. Doppler modulation of the X-ray pulsation revealed the ultra-compact nature of the binary system characterized by an orbital period of ∼1 h and a projected semimajor axis of 14 lt-ms. The neutron star binary mass function suggests a minimum donor mass of 1.7 × 10−2 M⊙, assuming a neutron star mass of 1.4 M⊙ and a binary inclination angle lower than 60 deg. This assumption is supported by the lack of eclipses or dips in the X-ray light curve of the source. We characterized the 0.5–10 keV energy spectrum of the source in outburst as the superposition of a relatively cold black-body-like thermal emission compatible with the emission from the neutron star surface and a Comptonization component with photon index consistent with a typical hard state. We did not find evidence for iron K α lines or reflection components.
Translational significance of CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion in isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant astrocytoma
Authors: Fortin Ensign Shannon P , Jenkins Robert B , Giannini Caterina , Sarkaria Jann N , Galanis Evanthia , Kizilbash Sani H
Published: August 2022

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 or 2 mutations confer a favorable prognosis compared to IDH-wildtype in astrocytoma, frequently denoting a lower grade malignancy. However, recent molecular profiling has identified specific aggressive tumor subgroups with clear clinical prognostic implications that are independent of histologic grading. The homozygous deletion of CDKN2A/B is the strongest implicated independent indicator of the poor prognosis within IDH-mutant astrocytoma, and the identification of this alteration in these lower histologic grade tumors transforms their biology toward an aggressive grade 4 phenotype clinically. CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion is now sufficient to define a grade 4 tumor in IDH-mutant astrocytomas regardless of histologic appearance, yet there are currently no effective molecularly informed targeted therapies for these tumors. The biological impact of CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion in IDH-mutant tumors and the optimal treatment strategy for this molecular subgroup remains insufficiently explored. Here we review the current understanding of the translational significance of homozygous deletion of CDKN2A/B gene expression in IDH-mutant astrocytoma and associated diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
Light control of droplets on photo-induced charged surfaces
Authors: Wang Fang , Liu Meijin , Liu Cong , Huang Chao , Zhang Lidong , Cui Anyang , Hu Zhigao , Du Xuemin
Published: August 2022

The manipulation of droplets plays a vital role in fundamental research and practical applications, from chemical reactions to bioanalysis. As an intriguing and active format, light control of droplets, typically induced by photochemistry, photomechanics, light-induced Marangoni effects or light-induced electric fields, enables remote and contactless control with remarkable spatial and temporal accuracy. However, current light control of droplets suffers from poor performance and limited reliability. Here we develop a new superamphiphobic material that integrates the dual merits of light and electric field by rationally preparing liquid metal particles/poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) polymer composites with photo-induced charge generation capability in real time, enabling light control of droplets on the basis of photo-induced dielectrophoretic force. We demonstrate that this photo-induced charged surface (PICS) imparts a new paradigm for controllable droplet motion, including high average velocity (∼35.9 mm s−1), unlimited distance, multimode motions (e.g. forward, backward and rotation) and single-to-multiple droplet manipulation, which are otherwise unachievable in conventional strategies. We further extend light control of droplets to robotic and bio-applications, including transporting a solid cargo in a closed tube, crossing a tiny tunnel, avoiding obstacles, sensing the changing environment via naked-eye color shift, preparing hydrogel beads, transporting living cells and reliable biosensing. Our PICS not only provides insight into the development of new smart interface materials and microfluidics, but also brings new possibilities for chemical and biomedical applications.
Nucleocapsid Antigenemia in Patients Receiving Anti-CD20 Therapy With Protracted COVID-19
Authors: Wilber Eli , Piantadosi Anne , Babiker Ahmed , McLendon Kaleb , O’Sick William , Fitts Eric , Webster Andrew S , Verkerke Hans , Kim James S , Phadke Varun K , Rouphael Nadine , Titanji Boghuma K , Blake William T , Howard-Anderson Jessica , Roback John D , Lam Wilbur A , Damhorst Gregory L
Published: August 2022

Immunocompromised patients with prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We measured viral nucleocapsid antigenemia in 3 patients treated with anti-CD20 immunotherapy who acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and experienced protracted symptoms. Our results support nucleocapsid antigenemia as a marker of persistent infection and therapeutic response.
It’s Not You, It’s SOSA: A Case Study on Breaking Up With an FDA-Cleared Susceptibility Testing System’s Oxacillin Results for Staphylococcus spp. Other Than S. aureus and S. lugdunensis
Authors: Yang Christine , Anahtar Melis N , Pierce Virginia M
Published: August 2022

Background

In 2021, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute revised its susceptible oxacillin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoint for Staphylococcus spp. other than S. aureus and S. lugdunensis (SOSA) from  ≤0.25 to  ≤0.5 µg/mL. Here, we describe the response to this breakpoint change, which at the time of this study was not yet recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in our laboratory, where the primary method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of SOSA is VITEK 2. VITEK 2 uses the Automated Expert System (AES) to integrate the results of oxacillin MIC and cefoxitin screen tests into a final interpretation; our laboratory also adjudicates discordant oxacillin and cefoxitin results using a PBP2a test.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed and assessed the yield of PBP2a testing for 189 SOSA isolates with discordant (when applying the FDA susceptible oxacillin breakpoint of ≤0.25 µg/mL) VITEK 2 oxacillin and cefoxitin results, and then prospectively incorporated PBP2a testing for isolates with oxacillin MICs of 0.5 µg/mL and positive cefoxitin screens into our algorithm.

Results

Compared with accepting the VITEK 2 AES interpretation, PBP2a testing substantially improved the accuracy of mecA-mediated resistance classification in both scenarios, especially for the ∼4.7% of isolates with oxacillin MICs ≤0.5 µg/mL and positive cefoxitin screens.

Conclusions

Although detection of mecA or PBP2a is the gold standard for assessment of β-lactam resistance in staphylococci, targeting a subset of isolates for mecA or PBP2a testing based on phenotypic AST results that predict an increased risk of misclassification may be a pragmatic, labor- and cost-saving approach.
Post–Lung Transplantation Outcomes and Ex Vivo Histopathological Findings in Severe Post-Covid-19 Pulmonary Disease—A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Javaid Hana , Nigo Masayuki , Zhao Bihong , Trujillo Daniel Ocazionez , Hasbun Rodrigo , Ostrosky-Zeichner Luis , Patel Manish , Jyothula Soma
Published: August 2022

Background

A significant proportion of patients with severe and persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) require continuous ventilatory support and occasional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Lung transplantation is a treatment option for patients who develop severe ARDS.

Methods

Our lung transplant database was retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent lung transplantation for COVID-19 pulmonary disease at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, from January 2020 to March 2022. We evaluated outcomes of patients who were followed in our clinic at least 6 months post-transplant. Pretransplant patient characteristics, COVID-19-related treatment, histopathology results, and postdischarge course were evaluated.

Results

Among a total of 13 lung transplant recipients, 6 consecutive patients were identified who had a minimum of 6 months of follow-up post–lung transplantation. The average age of patients was 55 years, with a male predominance. The median time to transplantation was 111 days. All 6 patients had significant postinfectious complications due to COVID-19 before transplant. Histopathological findings from explanted lungs showed a predominance of fibrotic change. There were no reported cases of rejection or graft dysfunction. 5 patients had minimal to no post-transplant infectious complications. One patient died 218 days post-transplant from infectious complications.

Conclusions

Five out of six lung transplant recipients at our institution have demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes after index hospitalization, for a mean follow-up of 13 months post–lung transplantation. Lung transplantation for lung fibrosis due to COVID-19 is an acceptable salvage treatment option. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
SARS-CoV-2 immunity and vaccine strategies in people with HIV
Authors: Mullender Claire , da Costa Kelly A S , Alrubayyi Aljawharah , Pett Sarah L , Peppa Dimitra
Published: August 2022

Current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines, based on the ancestral Wuhan strain, were developed rapidly to meet the needs of a devastating global pandemic. People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWH) have been designated as a priority group for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in most regions and varying primary courses (two- or three-dose schedule) and additional boosters are recommended depending on current CD4+ T cell count and/or detectable HIV viraemia. From the current published data, licensed vaccines are safe for PLWH, and stimulate robust responses to vaccination in those well controlled on antiretroviral therapy and with high CD4+ T cell counts. Data on vaccine efficacy and immunogenicity remain, however, scarce in PLWH, especially in people with advanced disease. A greater concern is a potentially diminished immune response to the primary course and subsequent boosters, as well as an attenuated magnitude and durability of protective immune responses. A detailed understanding of the breadth and durability of humoral and T cell responses to vaccination, and the boosting effects of natural immunity to SARS-CoV-2, in more diverse populations of PLWH with a spectrum of HIV-related immunosuppression is therefore critical. This article summarizes focused studies of humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in PLWH and provides a comprehensive review of the emerging literature on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses. Emphasis is placed on the potential effect of HIV-related factors and presence of co-morbidities modulating responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and the remaining challenges informing the optimal vaccination strategy to elicit enduring responses against existing and emerging variants in PLWH.
The renaissance and enlightenment ofMarchantiaas a model system
Authors: Bowman John L , Arteaga-Vazquez Mario , Berger Frederic , Briginshaw Liam N , Carella Philip , Aguilar-Cruz Adolfo , Davies Kevin M , Dierschke Tom , Dolan Liam , Dorantes-Acosta Ana E , Fisher Tom J , Flores-Sandoval Eduardo , Futagami Kazutaka , Ishizaki Kimitsune , Jibran Rubina , Kanazawa Takehiko , Kato Hirotaka , Kohchi Takayuki , Levins Jonathan , Lin Shih-Shun , Nakagami Hirofumi , Nishihama Ryuichi , Romani Facundo , Schornack Sebastian , Tanizawa Yasuhiro , Tsuzuki Masayuki , Ueda Takashi , Watanabe Yuichiro , Yamato Katsuyuki T , Zachgo Sabine
Published: August 2022

The liverwort Marchantia polymorpha has been utilized as a model for biological studies since the 18th century. In the past few decades, there has been a Renaissance in its utilization in genomic and genetic approaches to investigating physiological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects of land plant biology. The reasons for its adoption are similar to those of other genetic models, e.g. simple cultivation, ready access via its worldwide distribution, ease of crossing, facile genetics, and more recently, efficient transformation, genome editing, and genomic resources. The haploid gametophyte dominant life cycle of M. polymorpha is conducive to forward genetic approaches. The lack of ancient whole-genome duplications within liverworts facilitates reverse genetic approaches, and possibly related to this genomic stability, liverworts possess sex chromosomes that evolved in the ancestral liverwort. As a representative of one of the three bryophyte lineages, its phylogenetic position allows comparative approaches to provide insights into ancestral land plants. Given the karyotype and genome stability within liverworts, the resources developed for M. polymorpha have facilitated the development of related species as models for biological processes lacking in M. polymorpha.