bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health-Economic Value of Vaccination Against Group AStreptococcusin the United States
Authors: Andrejko Kristin , Whittles Lilith K , Lewnard Joseph A
Published: June 2021

Background

Vaccines are needed to reduce the burden of group A Streptococcus (GAS). We assessed the potential health-economic value of GAS vaccines achievable through prevention of invasive disease and acute upper respiratory infections in the United States.

Methods

We estimated annual incidence of invasive GAS disease and associated costs incurred from hospitalization and management of long-term sequelae, as well as productivity losses resulting from acute illness, long-term disability, and mortality. We also estimated healthcare and productivity costs associated with GAS pharyngitis, sinusitis, and acute otitis media. We estimated costs averted by prevention of invasive disease and acute upper respiratory infections for vaccines with differing efficacy profiles; our base case considered vaccines meeting the World Health Organization Preferred Product Profile (WHO-PPP) with a 6-year average duration of protection.

Results

Costs of invasive GAS disease and acute upper respiratory infections totaled $6.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], $5.33–$6.86) billion annually. Direct effects of vaccines meeting WHO-PPP characteristics and administered at ages 12 and 18 months would avert $609 (95% CI, $558–$663) million in costs annually, primarily by preventing noninvasive disease; with an additional dose at age 5 years, averted costs would total $869 (95% CI, $798–$945) million annually. Adult vaccination at age 65 years would avert $326 (95% CI, $271–$387) million in annual costs associated with invasive GAS disease. Indirect effects of vaccination programs reducing incidence of GAS diseases across all ages by 20% would avert roughly $1 billion in costs each year.

Conclusions

The economic burden of GAS is substantial. Our findings should inform prioritization of GAS vaccine development and evaluation.
Association between adiposity and cardiovascular outcomes: an umbrella review and meta-analysis of observational and Mendelian randomization studies
Authors: Kim Min Seo , Kim Won Jun , Khera Amit V , Kim Jong Yeob , Yon Dong Keon , Lee Seung Won , Shin Jae Il , Won Hong-Hee
Published: June 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the causal relationship and evidence of an association between increased adiposity and the risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) events or mortality.

Methods and results 

Observational (informing association) and Mendelian randomization (MR) (informing causality) studies were assessed to gather mutually complementary insights and elucidate perplexing epidemiological relationships. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational and MR studies that were published until January 2021 and evaluated the association between obesity-related indices and CVD risk were searched. Twelve systematic reviews with 53 meta-analyses results (including over 501 cohort studies) and 12 MR studies were included in the analysis. A body mass index (BMI) increase was associated with higher risks of coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, all-cause stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, ischaemic stroke, hypertension, aortic valve stenosis, pulmonary embolism, and venous thrombo-embolism. The MR study results demonstrated a causal effect of obesity on all indices but stroke. The CVD risk increase for every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI varied from 10% [relative risk (RR) 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.21; certainty of evidence, low] for haemorrhagic stroke to 49% (RR 1.49; 95% CI 1.40–1.60; certainty of evidence, high) for hypertension. The all-cause and CVD-specific mortality risks increased with adiposity in cohorts, but the MR studies demonstrated no causal effect of adiposity on all-cause mortality.

Conclusion 

High adiposity is associated with increased CVD risk despite divergent evidence gradients. Adiposity was a causal risk factor for CVD except all-cause mortality and stroke. Half (49%; 26/53) of the associations were supported by high-level evidence. The associations were consistent between sexes and across global regions. This study provides guidance on how to integrate evidence from observational (association) and genetics-driven (causation) studies accumulated to date, to enable a more reliable interpretation of epidemiological relationships.
Different circulating biomarkers in women and men with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: results from the AF-RISK and RACE V studies
Authors: De With Ruben R , Artola Arita Vicente , Nguyen Bao-Oanh , Linz Dominik , Ten Cate Hugo , Spronk Henri , Schotten Ulrich , Jan van Zonneveld Anton , Erküner Ömer , Bayón M Agustina , Schmidt Anders S , Luermans Justin G L M , Crijns Harry J G M , Van Gelder Isabelle C , Rienstra Michiel
Published: June 2021

Aims

The clinical risk profile of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is different in men and women. Our aim was to identify sex differences in blood biomarkers in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Methods and results

Sex differences in 92 blood biomarkers were measured in 364 patients included in our discovery cohort, the identification of a risk profile to guide atrial fibrillation therapy (AF-RISK) study, assessed by multivariable logistic regression and enrichment pathway analysis. Findings were subsequently confirmed in 213 patients included in our validation cohort, the Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: Interaction between HyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling, and Vascular Destabilisation in the Progression of AF (RACE V) study. In the discovery cohort, mean age was 59 ± 12 years, 41% were women. CHA2DS2-VASc-score was 1.6 ± 1.4. A total of 46% had hypertension, 10% diabetes, and 50% had heart failure, predominantly with preserved ejection fraction (47%). In women, activated leucocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP-4) were higher. In men, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), C-C motif chemokine-16 (CCL-16), and myoglobin were higher. In the validation cohort, four out of five biomarkers could be confirmed: levels of ALCAM (P = 1.73 × 10–4) and FABP-4 (P = 2.46 × 10–7) and adhesion biological pathways [false discovery rate (FDR) = 1.23 × 10–8] were higher in women. In men, levels of MMP-3 (P = 4.31 × 10–8) and myoglobin (P = 2.10 × 10–4) and markers for extracellular matrix degradation biological pathways (FDR = 3.59 × 10–9) were higher.

Conclusion

In women with paroxysmal AF, inflammatory biomarkers were more often higher, while in men with paroxysmal AF, biomarkers for vascular remodelling were higher. Our data support the clinical notion that pathophysiological mechanisms in women and men with AF may differ.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01510210 for AF-RISK; Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02726698 for RACE V.
Uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinasedeletion in mice leads to lethal intracerebral hemorrhage during embryonic development
Authors: Wedekind Henri , Kats Elina , Weiss Anna-Carina , Thiesler Hauke , Klaus Christine , Kispert Andreas , Horstkorte Rüdiger , Neumann Harald , Weinhold Birgit , Münster-Kühnel Anja , Abeln Markus
Published: June 2021

Among the enzymes of the biosynthesis of sialoglycoconjugates, uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE), catalyzing the first essential step of the sialic acid (Sia) de novo biosynthesis, and cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-Sia synthase (CMAS), activating Sia to CMP-Sia, are particularly important. The knockout of either of these enzymes in mice is embryonically lethal. While the lethality of Cmas−/− mice has been attributed to a maternal complement attack against asialo fetal placental cells, the cause of lethality in Gne-deficient embryos has remained elusive. Here, we advanced the significance of sialylation for embryonic development through detailed histological analyses of Gne−/− embryos and placentae. We found that Gne−/− embryonic and extraembryonic tissues are hyposialylated rather than being completely deficient of sialoglycans, which holds true for Cmas−/− embryos. Residual sialylation of Gne−/− cells can be explained by scavenging free Sia from sialylated maternal serum glycoconjugates via the lysosomal salvage pathway. The placental architecture of Gne−/− mice was unaffected, but severe hemorrhages in the neuroepithelium with extensive bleeding into the cephalic ventricles were present at E12.5 in the mutants. At E13.5, the vast majority of Gne−/− embryos were asystolic. This phenotype persisted when Gne−/− mice were backcrossed to a complement component 3-deficient background, confirming distinct pathomechanisms of Cmas−/− and Gne−/− mice. We conclude that the low level of sialylation observed in Gne−/− mice is sufficient both for immune homeostasis at the fetal–maternal interface and for embryonic development until E12.5. However, formation of the neural microvasculature is the first critical process, depending on a higher degree of sialylation during development of the embryo proper.
Community engagement in deprived neighbourhoods during the COVID-19 crisis: perspectives for more resilient and healthier communities
Authors: den Broeder Lea , South Jane , Rothoff Auke , Bagnall Anne-Marie , Azarhoosh Firoez , van der Linden Gina , Bharadwa Meena , Wagemakers Annemarie
Published: June 2021

The current COVID-19 pandemic confines people to their homes, disrupting the fragile social fabric of deprived neighbourhoods and citizen’s participation options. In deprived neighbourhoods, community engagement is central in building community resilience, an important resource for health and a prerequisite for effective health promotion programmes. It provides access to vulnerable groups and helps understand experiences, assets, needs and problems of citizens. Most importantly, community activities, including social support, primary care or improving urban space, enhance health through empowerment, strengthened social networks, mutual respect and providing a sense of purpose and meaning. In the context of inequalities associated with COVID-19, these aspects are crucial for citizens of deprived neighbourhoods who often feel their needs and priorities are ignored. In this perspectives paper, illustrated by a varied overview of community actions in the UK and The Netherlands, we demonstrate how citizens, communities and organizations may build resilience and community power. Based on in-depth discussion among the authors we distilled six features of community actions: increase in mutual aid and neighbourhood ties, the central role of community-based organizations (CBOs), changing patterns of volunteering, use of digital media and health promotion opportunities. We argue that in order to enable and sustain resilient and confident, ‘disaster-proof’, communities, areas which merit investment include supporting active citizens, new (digital) ways of community engagement, transforming formal organizations, alignment with the (local) context and applying knowledge in the field of health promotion in new ways, focussing on learning and co-creation with citizen initiatives.
Antibiotic prescription policy for acute otitis media: do we follow the guidelines?
Authors: Marom Tal , Shefer Galit , Tshori Sagi , Mingelgrin Shira , Pitaro Jacob
Published: June 2021

Background

Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common cause for antibiotic prescription. Most guidelines endorse abstaining from immediate antibiotic treatment (‘watchful waiting’, WW) in mild–moderate episodes. We studied adherence rates to the latest AOM guidelines (2013), in terms of antibiotic type and prescription options.

Methods

In this population-based study, AOM episodes were identified in Clalit Health Services-insured children aged 0–10 years between 2011 and 2018, using a data-sharing platform. After identifying the index, prescription and issuing dates for antibiotics for each AOM episode, treatment was categorized as immediate (≤2 days after diagnosis) or WW (antibiotic not prescribed/issued; prescribed ≤2 days after diagnosis but issued on Days 2–7; or prescribed/issued on Days 2–7). Guideline adherence was measured according to age.

Results

Of the 491 106 episodes, 361 518 (73.6%) were treated with antibiotics. Following the 2013 guidelines, the ratio of episodes in children aged ≤6 months that were adherent (immediate treatment) was higher (OR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.15–1.29; P < 0.001), whereas the adherent episode ratio for children aged 6–24 months and 2–10 years (WW) was lower (OR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.85–0.88 and OR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.92–0.96, respectively; P < 0.001). Antibiotic prescription rates after 2013 for children aged ≤6 months were not different (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 0.96–1.1; P = 0.4), but were higher in children aged 6–24 months and 2–10 years (OR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.05–1.09; P < 0.001 and OR = 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.04; P = 0.015, respectively). Amoxicillin was the most common antibiotic, administered in 75.6% of episodes. Azithromycin was most commonly associated with treatment failure (6.6%).

Conclusions

Improved adherence to the 2013 guidelines was observed only in children aged ≤6 months and over-treatment with antibiotics was still high.
Sample Processing and Stability for Urine Biomarker Studies
Authors: Chang Crystal , Obeid Wassim , Thiessen-Philbrook Heather , Parikh Chirag R
Published: June 2021

Background

Current methods of processing and storing urine samples have not been compared systematically to determine optimal conditions for advancing research on urinary biomarkers. Often, preanalytical handling is nonideal, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic; consequently, we compared the effects of different short-term storage and processing methods on urinary biomarker measurements.

Methods

Spot urine samples were collected via a Foley catheter from 20 hospitalized patients from the Yale New Haven Hospital within 48 hours postcardiac surgery. The effects of 3 urine storage and processing methods on biomarkers were tested: (a) 48-hour temporary storage at 4 °C prior to freezing at −80 °C, (b) 48-hour temporary storage at 25 °C prior to freezing at −80 °C, and (c) no centrifugation and immediate storage at −80 °C. Established Meso-Scale Device assay methods were used to measure the urine concentrations of 18 biomarkers: interferon gamma (IFN-ɣ), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), epidermal growth factor (EGF), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), osteopontin (OPN), uromodulin (UMOD), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40).

Results

Measurements of most biomarkers investigated remained stable after temporary storage at 4 °C. IL-6, IL-8, KIM-1, MCP-1, YKL-40, EGF, and NGAL were stable across all 3 processing conditions. IL-12p70 and IL-4 demonstrated significant differences in all tested conditions compared to the reference standard.

Conclusions

We identified several notable biomarkers that are robust to variations in preanalytical techniques and can be reliably investigated with nonideal handling conditions.
An Experimental Evaluation of Alternative Methods for Case Prioritization in Responsive Survey Design
Authors: West Brady T , Chang Wen , Zmich Alexa
Published: June 2021

Growing reluctance of households to participate in surveys has led to a variety of methodological efforts to combat this phenomenon. Several organizations employ case prioritization in a responsive survey design framework, dedicating increased effort to specific subgroups of sampled cases during certain data collection phases. For example, some surveys may prioritize subgroups defined by age and/or race/ethnicity if balanced response rates across these subgroups are important for minimizing nonresponse bias. Unfortunately, no methodological studies to date have identified optimal approaches for applying this increased effort to prioritized cases. This study experimentally examined three alternative methods for case prioritization in the National Survey of Family Growth: simply flagging the cases to receive increased effort in the sample management system (a “standard” method), developing tailored approaches to working the prioritized cases, and no prioritization (a “control” method). In the “tailored” method, which was designed to provide the interviewers with more guidance than simple “flagging,” interviewers worked with their supervisors to develop tailored strategies for how to best work each case within the prioritized subgroup. We find that both prioritization methods improved response rates and led to significant reductions in calling effort per completed case, with the “flagging” approach working particularly well. Given the additional costs associated with the “tailored” method, the results of our experiment provide support for a “hybrid” case prioritization approach that combines optimal features of these two methods.
The development of central nociceptive processing and descending modulation of pain
Authors: Fitzgerald Maria
Published: June 2021

Newborn mammals display robust responses to noxious or tissue-damaging stimulation. These nociceptive or “pain” responses arise from neural activity at different levels of the central nervous system. Protective reflex movements and physiological reactions mediated by spinal cord and brainstem circuits are essential for the preservation of life and well-being but should not be equated with pain awareness. The unique sensation of pain and its unpleasant, threatening quality requires activity in the cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. These brain regions also have the potential to actively increase or decrease pain experience by exerting top-down control of spinal cord and brainstem nociceptive circuits. This chapter summarizes our current knowledge of the development of central nociceptive pathways in the young mammalian brain and the postnatal maturation of top-down pain control. It aims to provide a scientific, mechanistic understanding of infant and childhood pain experience, and their ability to cope with painful events.
Coronal properties of low-mass Population III stars and the radiative feedback in the early universe
Authors: Washinoue Haruka , Suzuki Takeru K
Published: June 2021

We systematically investigated the heating of coronal loops on metal-free stars with various stellar masses and magnetic fields by magnetohydrodynamic simulations. It is found that the coronal property is dependent on the coronal magnetic field strength Bc because it affects the difference of the non-linearity of the Alfvénic waves. Weaker Bc leads to cooler and less dense coronae because most of the input waves dissipate in the lower atmosphere on account of the larger non-linearity. Accordingly EUV and X-ray luminosities also correlate with Bc, while they are emitted in a wide range of the field strength. Finally, we extend our results to evaluating the contribution from low-mass Population III coronae to the cosmic reionization. Within the limited range of our parameters on magnetic fields and loop lengths, the EUV and X-ray radiations give a weak impact on the ionization and heating of the gas at high redshifts. However, there still remains a possibility of the contribution to the reionization from energetic flares involving long magnetic loops.
Short gamma-ray burst jet propagation in binary neutron star merger environments
Authors: Pavan Andrea , Ciolfi Riccardo , Kalinani Jay V , Mignone Andrea
Published: June 2021

The multimessenger event GW170817/GRB 170817A confirmed that binary neutron star (BNS) mergers can produce short gamma-ray burst (SGRB) jets. This evidence promoted new investigations on the mechanisms through which a BNS merger remnant can launch such a powerful relativistic outflow and on the propagation of the latter across the surrounding post-merger environment. In particular, great strides have been made in jet propagation models, establishing connections between the initial jet launching conditions, including the incipient jet launching time (with respect to merger) and the injection parameters, and the observable SGRB prompt and afterglow emission. However, present semi-analytical models and numerical simulations (with one notable exception) adopt simple handmade prescriptions to account for the post-merger environment, lacking a direct association with any specific merging BNS system. Here, we present the first three-dimensional relativistic hydrodynamics simulations of incipient SGRB jets propagating through a post-merger environment that is directly imported from the outcome of a previous general relativistic BNS merger simulation. Our results show that the evolution and final properties of the jet can be largely affected by the anisotropies and the deviations from axisymmetry and homologous expansion characterizing more realistic BNS merger environments. In addition, we find that the inclusion of the gravitational pull from the central compact object, often overlooked, can have a major impact. Finally, we consider different jet launching times referred to the same BNS merger model and discuss the consequences for the ultimate jet properties.
Gravitational waves as a probe of globular cluster formation and evolution
Authors: Romero-Shaw Isobel M , Kremer Kyle , Lasky Paul D , Thrane Eric , Samsing Johan
Published: June 2021

Globular clusters are considered to be likely breeding grounds for compact binary mergers. In this paper, we demonstrate how the gravitational-wave signals produced by compact object mergers can act as tracers of globular cluster formation and evolution. Globular cluster formation is a long-standing mystery in astrophysics, with multiple competing theories describing when and how globular clusters formed. The limited sensitivity of electromagnetic telescopes inhibits our ability to directly observe globular cluster formation. However, with future audio-band detectors sensitive out to redshifts of z ≈ 50 for GW150914-like signals, gravitational-wave astronomy will enable us to probe the Universe when the first globular clusters formed. We simulate a population of binary black hole mergers from theoretically motivated globular cluster formation models, and construct redshift measurements consistent with the predicted accuracy of third-generation detectors. We show that we can locate the peak time of a cluster formation epoch during reionization to within 0.05 Gyr after 1 yr of observations. The peak of a formation epoch that coincides with the Universal star formation rate can be measured to within 0.4–10.5 Gyr after 1 yr of observations, depending on the relative weighting of the model components.
Detection of the LMC-induced sloshing of the Galactic halo
Authors: Erkal Denis , Deason Alis J , Belokurov Vasily , Xue Xiang-Xiang , Koposov Sergey E , Bird Sarah A , Liu Chao , Simion Iulia T , Yang Chengqun , Zhang Lan , Zhao Gang
Published: June 2021

A wealth of recent studies have shown that the LMC is likely massive, with a halo mass >1011 M⊙. One consequence of having such a nearby and massive neighbour is that the inner Milky Way is expected to be accelerated with respect to our Galaxy’s outskirts (beyond ∼30 kpc). In this work, we compile a sample of ∼500 stars with radial velocities in the distant stellar halo, rGC > 50 kpc, to test this hypothesis. These stars span a large fraction of the sky and thus give a global view of the stellar halo. We find that stars in the Southern hemisphere are on average blueshifted, while stars in the North are redshifted, consistent with the expected, mostly downwards acceleration of the inner halo due to the LMC. We compare these results with simulations and find the signal is consistent with the infall of a 1.5 × 1011 M⊙ LMC. We cross-match our stellar sample with Gaia DR2 and find that the mean proper motions are not yet precise enough to discern the LMC’s effect. Our results show that the Milky Way is significantly out of equilibrium and that the LMC has a substantial effect on our Galaxy.
A Dyson sphere around a black hole
Authors: Hsiao Tiger Yu-Yang , Goto Tomotsugu , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Santos Daryl Joe D , On Alvina Y L , Kilerci-Eser Ece , Wong Yi Hang Valerie , Kim Seong Jin , Wu Cossas K-W , Ho Simon C-C , Lu Ting-Yi
Published: June 2021

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has been conducted for nearly 60 yr. A Dyson sphere, a spherical structure that surrounds a star and transports its radiative energy outwards as an energy source for an advanced civilization, is one of the main targets of SETI. In this study, we discuss whether building a Dyson sphere around a black hole is effective. We consider six energy sources: (i) the cosmic microwave background, (ii) the Hawking radiation, (iii) an accretion disc, (iv) Bondi accretion, (v) a corona, and (vi) relativistic jets. To develop future civilizations (for example, a Type II civilization), $4\times 10^{26}\, {\rm W}(1\, {\rm L_{\odot }})$ is expected to be needed. Among (iii) to (vi), the largest luminosity can be collected from an accretion disc, reaching $10^{5}\, {\rm L_{\odot }}$, enough to maintain a Type II civilization. Moreover, if a Dyson sphere collects not only the electromagnetic radiation but also other types of energy (e.g. kinetic energy) from the jets, the total collected energy would be approximately 5 times larger. Considering the emission from a Dyson sphere, our results show that the Dyson sphere around a stellar-mass black hole in the Milky Way ($10\, \rm kpc$ away from us) is detectable in the ultraviolet $(\rm 10{-}400\, {\rm nm)}$, optical $(\rm 400{-}760\, {\rm nm)}$, near-infrared ($\rm 760\, {\rm nm}{-}5\, {\rm \mu m}$), and mid-infrared ($\rm 5{-}40\, {\rm \mu m}$) wavelengths via the waste heat radiation using current telescopes such as Galaxy Evolution Explorer Ultraviolet Sky Surveys. Performing model fitting to observed spectral energy distributions and measuring the variability of radial velocity may help us to identify these possible artificial structures.
Magneto-elastic equilibrium of a neutron star crust
Authors: Kojima Yasufumi , Kisaka Shota , Fujisawa Kotaro
Published: June 2021

We examine the equilibrium of a magnetized neutron star crust. We calculate axially symmetric models in which an elastic force balances solenoidal motion driven by a Lorentz force. A large variety of equilibrium models are allowed by incorporating the elastic shear deformation; in addition, toroidal-magnetic-field-dominated models are available. These results remarkably differ from those in barotropic fluid stars. We demonstrate some models wherein the magnetic energy exceeds the elastic energy. The excess comes from the fact that a large amount of magnetic energy is associated with the irrotational part of the magnetic force, which is balanced with gravity and pressure. It is sufficient for equilibrium models that the minor solenoidal part is balanced by a weak elastic force. We find that the elasticity in the crust plays an important role on the magnetic field confinement. Further, we present the spatial distribution of the shear stress at the elastic limit, by which the crust-fracture location can be identified. The result has useful implications for realistic crust-quake models.
Pulsating iron spectral features in the emission of X-ray pulsar V 0332+53
Authors: Bykov S D , Filippova E V , Gilfanov M R , Tsygankov S S , Lutovinov A A , Molkov S V
Published: June 2021

We present results of phase- and time-resolved study of iron spectral features in the emission of the Be/X-ray transient pulsar V 0332+53 during its type II outburst in 2004 using archival RXTE/PCA data. Coherent pulsations of both fluorescent iron line at ≈6.4 keV and neutral iron K-edge at ≈7.1 keV have been detected throughout the entire outburst. The pulsating iron K-edge is reported for the first time for this object. Near the peak of the outburst, the 3–12 keV pulse profile shows two deep, Fmax/Fmin ∼ 2, and narrow dips of nearly identical shape, separated by exactly Δϕ = 0.5 in phase. The dip spectra are nearly identical to each other and very similar in shape to the spectra outside the dips. The iron K-edge peaks at the phase intervals corresponding to the dips, although its optical depth τK ∼ 0.05 is by far insufficient to explain the dips. The iron line shows pulsations with a complex pulse profile without any obvious correlation with the total flux or optical depth of the K-edge. Accounting for the component associated with reprocessing of the pulsar emission by the surface of the donor star and circumstellar material, we find a very high pulsation amplitude of the iron line flux, Fmax/Fmin ∼ 10. We demonstrate that these properties of V 0332+53 cannot be explained by contemporary emission models for accreting X-ray pulsars and speculate about the origin of the observed iron spectral features.
Simulating cosmic structure formation with the gadget-4 code
Authors: Springel Volker , Pakmor Rüdiger , Zier Oliver , Reinecke Martin
Published: June 2021

Numerical methods have become a powerful tool for research in astrophysics, but their utility depends critically on the availability of suitable simulation codes. This calls for continuous efforts in code development, which is necessitated also by the rapidly evolving technology underlying today’s computing hardware. Here, we discuss recent methodological progress in the gadget code, which has been widely applied in cosmic structure formation over the past two decades. The new version offers improvements in force accuracy, in time-stepping, in adaptivity to a large dynamic range in time-scales, in computational efficiency, and in parallel scalability through a special MPI/shared-memory parallelization and communication strategy, and a more-sophisticated domain decomposition algorithm. A manifestly momentum conserving fast multipole method (FMM) can be employed as an alternative to the one-sided TreePM gravity solver introduced in earlier versions. Two different flavours of smoothed particle hydrodynamics, a classic entropy-conserving formulation and a pressure-based approach, are supported for dealing with gaseous flows. The code is able to cope with very large problem sizes, thus allowing accurate predictions for cosmic structure formation in support of future precision tests of cosmology, and at the same time is well adapted to high dynamic range zoom-calculations with extreme variability of the particle number density in the simulated volume. The gadget-4 code is publicly released to the community and contains infrastructure for on-the-fly group and substructure finding and tracking, as well as merger tree building, a simple model for radiative cooling and star formation, a high dynamic range power spectrum estimator, and an initial condition generator based on second-order Lagrangian perturbation theory.
Binary neutron star merger in common envelope jets supernovae
Authors: Soker Noam
Published: June 2021

I explore a triple-star scenario where a tight neutron star (NS)–NS binary system enters the envelope of a red supergiant (RSG) star and spirals-in towards its core. The two NSs accrete mass through accretion discs and launch jets that power a very luminous and long transient event, a common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN) event. Dynamical friction brings the two NSs to merge either in the RSG envelope or core. The total energy of the event, radiation and kinetic, is $\gtrsim 10^{52} {~\rm erg}$. The light curve stays luminous for months to years and a signal of gravitational waves might be detected. The ejecta contain freshly synthesized r-process elements not only from the NS–NS merger as in kilonova events, but possibly also from the pre-merger jets that the NSs launch inside the core, as in the r-process CEJSN scenario. This scenario shortens the time to NS–NS merger compared with that of kilonovae, and might somewhat ease the problem of the NS–NS r-process scenario to account for r-process nucleosynthesis in the early Universe. I estimate the ratio of NS–NS merger in CEJSN events to core collapse supernova (CCSN) events to be ≲10−6 − 2 × 10−5. However, because they are much more luminous I expect their detection fraction to that of CCSNe to be much larger than this number. This study calls for considering this and similar CEJSN scenarios in binary and in triple-star systems when explaining peculiar and puzzling superluminous supernovae.
Timing and spectral variability of the high-mass X-ray pulsar GX 301−2 over orbital phases observed by Insight-HXMT
Authors: Ding Y Z , Wang W , Epili P R , Liu Q , Ge M Y , Lu F J , Qu J L , Song L M , Zhang S , Zhang S N
Published: June 2021

We report the orbital X-ray variability of the high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) GX 301−2. GX 301−2 underwent a spin-up process in 2018–2020 with the period evolving from ∼685–670 s. The energy-resolved pulse profiles of the pulsar at 1–60 keV varied from single-peaked and sinusoidal shapes to multipeaked ones across different orbital phases. Pulse fractions evolving over the orbit had negative correlations with the X-ray flux. The broad-band X-ray energy spectrum of the pulsar can be described with a partially covered negative–positive cut-off power-law continuum model. Near the periastron passage of the pulsar we found strong variation in the additional column density ($N_{\mathrm{H}_{2}}$), which correlated with variation of the flux. Curves of growth for both Fe Kα and Fe Kβ lines were plotted to investigate the distribution of matter around the neutron star. We also found evidence for two cyclotron absorption lines in the phase-averaged spectra in GX 301−2, with one line of 30–42 keV and the other line varying over 48–56 keV. The centroid energies of both lines show a similar relationship with X-ray luminosity: positive correlation in the lower luminosity range, and a negative relation above a critical luminosity of $10^{37}\, \rm erg\, s^{-1}$. We estimate the surface magnetic field of the neutron star in GX 301−2 to be ∼(0.5–2) × 1013 G. The two cyclotron line energies have a nearly fixed ratio of ∼1.63 while having a low strength ratio (∼0.05), suggesting that these two features may actually be one line.
The near-UV transit of HD 189733b with the XMM–Newton optical monitor
Authors: King George W , Corrales Lía , Wheatley Peter J , Lavvas Panayotis , Steinrueck Maria E , Bourrier Vincent , Ehrenreich David , Lecavelier des Etangs Alain , Louden Tom
Published: June 2021

We present analysis of XMM–Newton optical monitor observations in the near-ultraviolet of HD 189733, covering 20 primary transits of its hot Jupiter planet. The transit is clearly detected with both the UVW2 and UVM2 filters, and our fits to the data reveal transit depths in agreement with that observed optically. The measured depths correspond to radii of $1.059^{+0.046}_{-0.050}$ and $0.94^{+0.15}_{-0.17}$ times the optically measured radius (1.187 RJ at 4950 Å) in the UVW2 and UVM2 bandpasses, respectively. We also find no statistically significant variation in the transit depth across the 8 yr baseline of the observations. We rule out extended broad-band absorption towards or beyond the Roche lobe at the wavelengths investigated, although observations with higher spectral resolution are required to determine if absorption out to those distances from the planet is present in individual near-UV lines.
The importance of galaxy formation histories in models of reionization
Authors: Mirocha Jordan , La Plante Paul , Liu Adrian
Published: June 2021

Upcoming galaxy surveys and 21-cm experiments targeting high redshifts z ≳ 6 are highly complementary probes of galaxy formation and reionization. However, in order to expedite the large-volume simulations relevant for 21-cm observations, many models of galaxies within reionization codes are entirely subgrid and/or rely on halo abundances only. In this work, we explore the extent to which resolving and modelling individual galaxy formation histories affects predictions both for the galaxy populations detectable by upcoming surveys and the signatures of reionization accessible to upcoming 21-cm experiments. We find that a common approach, in which galaxy luminosity is assumed to be a function of halo mass only, is biased with respect to models in which galaxy properties are evolved through time via semi-analytic modelling and thus reflective of the diversity of assembly histories that naturally arise in N-body simulations. The diversity of galaxy formation histories also results in scenarios in which the brightest galaxies do not always reside in the centres of large-ionized regions, as there are often relatively low-mass haloes undergoing dramatic, but short-term, growth. This has clear implications for attempts to detect or validate the 21-cm background via cross-correlation. Finally, we show that a hybrid approach – in which only haloes hosting galaxies bright enough to be detected in surveys are modelled in detail, with the rest modelled as an unresolved field of haloes with abundance related to large-scale overdensity – is a viable way to generate large-volume ‘simulations‘ well suited to wide-area surveys and current-generation 21-cm experiments targeting relatively large k ≲ 1 h Mpc−1 scales.
The subcortical maternal complex: emerging roles and novel perspectives
Authors: Bebbere Daniela , Albertini David F , Coticchio Giovanni , Borini Andrea , Ledda Sergio
Published: June 2021

Since its recent discovery, the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) is emerging as a maternally inherited and crucial biological structure for the initial stages of embryogenesis in mammals. Uniquely expressed in oocytes and preimplantation embryos, where it localizes to the cell subcortex, this multiprotein complex is essential for early embryo development in the mouse and is functionally conserved across mammalian species, including humans. The complex has been linked to key processes leading the transition from oocyte to embryo, including meiotic spindle formation and positioning, regulation of translation, organelle redistribution, and epigenetic reprogramming. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms for these diverse functions are just beginning to be understood, hindered by unresolved interplay of SCMC components and variations in early lethal phenotypes. Here we review recent advances confirming involvement of the SCMC in human infertility, revealing an unexpected relationship with offspring health. Moreover, SCMC organization is being further revealed in terms of novel components and interactions with additional cell constituents. Collectively, this evidence prompts new avenues of investigation into possible roles during the process of oogenesis and the regulation of maternal transcript turnover during the oocyte to embryo transition.
Outcomes following upfront radiation versus monitoring in atypical meningiomas: 16-year experience at a tertiary medical center
Authors: Pan Peter C , Pisapia David J , Ramakrishna Rohan , Schwartz Theodore H , Pannullo Susan C , Knisely Jonathan P S , Chiang Gloria C , Ivanidze Jana , Stieg Philip E , Liechty Benjamin , Brandmaier Andrew , Fine Howard A , Magge Rajiv S
Published: June 2021

Background

The role of postoperative upfront radiotherapy (RT) in the management of gross totally resected atypical meningiomas remains unclear. This single-center retrospective review of newly diagnosed histologically confirmed cases of World Health Organization (WHO) Grade II atypical meningioma at Weill Cornell Medicine from 2004 to 2020 aims to compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of postoperative upfront RT versus observation, stratified by resection status (gross total resection [GTR] vs subtotal resection [STR]).

Methods

Ninety cases of atypical meningioma were reviewed (56% women; median age 61 years; median follow-up 41 months).

Results

In patients with GTR, hazard ratio (HR) of PFS was 0.09 for postoperative upfront RT versus observation alone (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01–0.68; P = .02), though HR for OS was not significant (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.05–4.45; P = .5). With RT, PFS was 100% at 12 and 36 months (compared to 84% and 63%, respectively, with observation); OS at 36 months (OS36) was 100% (compared to 94% with observation). In patients with STR, though PFS at 36 months was higher for RT arm versus observation (84% vs 74%), OS36 was 100% in both arms. HR was not significant (HR 0.76; 95% CI 0.16–3.5; P = .73).

Conclusions

This retrospective study suggests postoperative upfront RT following GTR of atypical meningioma is associated with improved PFS compared to observation. Further studies are required to draw conclusions about OS.
Photometric observations of the potentially hazardous asteroid (99942) Apophis from Kawabe Cosmic Park
Authors: Yoshida Fumi , Ishimaru Ryo , Okudaira Osamu , Ishibashi Ko , Hong Peng K , Matsui Takafumi , Kim Myung-Jin
Published: June 2021

Asteroid (99942) Apophis is a potentially hazardous asteroid. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) recently proposed a rendezvous mission with Apophis, with a planned asteroid observation campaign to help determine the mission strategy in advance. In this study, we performed multicolor photometric observations of Apophis using the 1.0 m telescope at Kawabe Cosmic Park on 2021 March 10. The visible colors (g′, r′, and i′) of Apophis were obtained. The average colors of Apophis during our observations were as follows: g′ − r′ = 0.618 ± 0.021 and r′ − i′ = 0.180 ± 0.021. No significant color variation was observed in r′ − i′, but a slight variation may have occurred in g′ − r′ during the observation period of 4.63 hr. The obtained colors appeared to match those of an Sq-class asteroid, which is the asteroid type previously determined for Apophis by Binzel et al. (2009, Icarus, 200, 480) using the visible to near-infrared (0.55–2.45 μm) reflectance spectrum.
White Matter Matters: Unraveling Violence in Psychosis and Psychopathy
Authors: Tesli Natalia , Rokicki Jaroslav , Maximov Ivan I , Bell Christina , Hjell Gabriela , Gurholt Tiril , Fischer-Vieler Thomas , Bang Nina , Tesli Martin , Westlye Lars T , Andreassen Ole A , Melle Ingrid , Agartz Ingrid , Rasmussen Kirsten , Johansen Ragnhild , Friestad Christine , Haukvik Unn K
Published: June 2021

Individuals with psychotic disorders have an increased risk of committing acts of violence. Neurobiological support for the extent to which violence in psychosis is driven by psychotic symptoms and/or antisocial traits could have clinical and legal implications. Neuroimaging studies have reported white matter (WM) abnormalities in individuals with psychosis and in those with antisocial traits. However, it is unknown whether WM abnormalities in psychosis patients with a history of violence (violent-PSY) resemble those found in nonviolent psychosis patients (nonviolent PSY), violent nonpsychotic individuals (violent non-PSY), or both. Diffusion tensor imaging scans from 301 males including violent-PSY (n = 28), violent non-PSY (n = 20), nonviolent PSY (n = 58), and healthy controls (HC, n = 195) were analyzed with tract-based spatial statistics. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean, axial and radial (RD) diffusivity were compared between groups. Psychopathic traits in the violent groups were measured with Psychopathy Checklist-revisited (PCL-R). Violent-PSY had globally lower FA and higher RD, compared with nonviolent PSY. Both psychosis groups and violent non-PSY group had widespread disruptions in WM compared with HC. There were no significant WM differences between violent-PSY and violent non-PSY. PCL-R scores did not differ between the violence groups and were associated with higher RD in corpus callosum. Here we demonstrate a widespread pattern of reduced WM integrity in violent-PSY compared with nonviolent PSY. The lack of significant WM and PCL-R differences between the violence groups, together with the positive association between PCL-R and WM deficits in violent-PSY and violent non-PSY may indicate shared neurobiological underpinnings of trait violence.
Neurocognitive Deficits Mediate the Relationship Between Structural Abnormalities and Clinical Outcomes in Individuals With Ultrahigh Risk for Psychosis: A Multimodal Neuroimaging and Longitudinal Neurocognitive Study
Authors: Koike Shinsuke , Fujioka Mao , Takano Yosuke , Iwashiro Norichika , Satomura Yoshihiro , Nagai Tatsuya , Koshiyama Daisuke , Tada Mariko , Natsubori Tatsunobu , Okada Naohiro , Abe Osamu , Kirihara Kenji , Yamasue Hidenori , Suga Motomu , Kasai Kiyoto
Published: June 2021

Background

Cognitive deficits and improvements have been observed in individuals with ultrahigh risk for psychosis (UHR) over their clinical course, but the relationship between brain structural and functional characteristics, neurocognitive deficits and improvements, and clinical prognosis remains unclear.

Methods

A total of 50 UHR individuals were assessed using 129 neurocognitive assessments to explore cognitive deficits and improvements over 3 years. Neurocognitive deficits (intercept) and improvements (slope) were investigated using a general linear mixed model, and their relationship with symptom severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale five factor scores. In addition, psychobiological measurements including brain structure, brain activity during a verbal fluency task, and mismatch negativity were also tested. Possible models including the paths from brain structure, brain function, neurocognitive function, and symptom severity outcomes were compared.

Results

The intercept of verbal fluency was negatively associated with negative symptoms at baseline (corrected P = .0001) and at the 4-month follow-up (corrected P = .0016).A model including these relationships exhibited significant paths from the cortical surface area in the right banks of the superior temporal sulcus to verbal fluency (P < .001) and from verbal fluency to 4-month negative symptoms (P < .001), but not from brain activity to negative symptoms (P = .072).

Conclusion

Structural and functional characteristics of the brain may not be directly associated with short-term symptom severity, and these relationships may be partly mediated by neurocognitive function.
Helping People with Disabilities in the Workplace: Mezzo-Level Interventions Targeting Corporate Culture
Authors: Kwan Chi Kin
Published: June 2021

This article explores the relevance of mezzo-level interventions to help people with disabilities improve their employability. It begins with an overview of the micro-mezzo-macro spectrum in the context of vocational rehabilitation services and shows that corporate culture plays a critical role in determining the employment outcomes of people with disabilities. This case study, a collaborative project of two business enterprises in Hong Kong, illustrates the benefits brought by a mezzo-level intervention for people with disabilities. Feedback collected from eight participating staff members from the two companies revealed that such collaboration can facilitate disability-friendly work environments. By promoting workplace inclusion through three main factors—attitudes, skills, and knowledge—social workers helped support the participating staff members who worked with people with disabilities. The staff participants gained a more accurate understanding of the characteristics of people with disabilities, and better workplace accommodations were provided for employees with special needs. The experiences reported by the participants in this project suggest that social workers’ scope of practice should be expanded to mezzo-level interventions to target corporate culture.