bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and application of 3-(methylene-bis(1′,4′-phenylene)dicarbamate-2,3-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-amylose)-2-hydroxylpropoxy-propylsilyl-appended silica particles as chiral stationary phase for HPLC
Authors: Xu Lu , Wang Hui , Yi Jingxuan , Meng Min , Sun Jiahui , Yin Xiaoxing , Zhou Xueyan , Yin Jiale , Wang Yinan , Hou Jasmine , Wei Qunli , Gong Yinhan
Published: June 2021

3-(Methylene-bis(1′,4′-phenylene) dicarbamate-2,3-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-amylose)-2-hydroxylpropoxy-propylsilyl-appended silica particles (DMP-AM-HPS), a new type of 2, 3-regioselectively substituted amylose-immobilized chiral stationary phase (CSP) for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), have been prepared by treatment of 3-(2,3-dihydroxyl-propoxy)-propylsilyl silica particles with 2,3-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate)-amylose and 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. The chemical characterization of the bonded particles DMP-AM-HPS has been carried out by elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. The chromatographic performance of the DMP-AM-HPS has been evaluated in HPLC under multi-mode conditions including normal phase, reversed phase, and polar organic mobile phase conditions. The DMP-AM-HPS phase has exhibited excellent selectivity in separating enantiomers of a wide range of chiral drug compounds. The result also suggests that unsubstituted C6 hydroxyl groups in the regioselectively substituted amylose not only have important contributions to chiral recognitions and chromatographic separations, but also allow the DMP-AM-HPS to be used as a new type of amylose-immobilized CSP under multi-mode mobile phase conditions in HPLC.
Noninvasive Targeted Crohn Disease Management by Combining Endoscopic Healing Index and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Hemperly Amy , Dubinsky Marla C , Yarur Andres , Afzali Anita , Hanauer Stephen , Kugathasan Subra , Long Millie D , Rabizadeh Shervin , Sockolow Robbyn , Okada Lauren , Jain Anjali , Abreu Maria T , Vande Casteele Niels
Published: June 2021

Background and Aims

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) with measurement of serum drug and antidrug antibody concentrations is used to optimize tumor necrosis factor antagonists (anti-TNF). The endoscopic healing index (EHI) is a validated serum-based assay to measure mucosal inflammation in adults with Crohn disease (CD). Our objectives were to evaluate the relationship between EHI and TDM results and to determine the anti-TNF concentration range associated with EHI <20 (consistent with endoscopic remission).

Methods

Adult and pediatric patients with CD (N = 1731) were selected retrospectively from a clinical laboratory cohort. Patients were selected if they had an ICD-10 code for CD and if results for EHI and TDM were available within 30 days of each other. The relationship between EHI and TDM results was examined and the anti-TNF concentration range associated with EHI <20 vs >50 was evaluated.

Results

Median anti-TNF concentration was higher in patients with EHI <20 vs >50 for infliximab (N = 796): 11.1 vs 3.4 µg/mL and for adalimumab (N = 935): 9.2 vs 5.0 µg/mL (P < 0.0001 both drugs). Patients with antibodies to infliximab (12.8%) or adalimumab (14.9%) had lower anti-TNF concentrations (P < 0.001 both drugs) and higher EHI (P < 0.01 both drugs). The concentration range for infliximab: 5–15 µg/mL (5–9 µg/mL in pediatric patients) and for adalimumab: 5–10 µg/mL (8 µg/mL in pediatric patients) best discriminated EHI <20 vs >50.

Conclusions

We report the anti-TNF concentration range associated with EHI <20. Combined testing of EHI and TDM is proposed as a noninvasive approach for treat-to-target management which could improve the ability to monitor disease and optimize anti-TNF therapy.
The Great Debate With IBD Biosimilars
Authors: Panaccione Remo
Published: June 2021

The costs associated with biologic therapy in immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease has steadily increased since their introduction over 2 decades ago. The introduction of biosimilars has the promise of cost savings and putting reimbursement pressure on future market entries. However, the interpretation of evidence to support the use of biosimilars either as first line or as part of a nonmedical switch strategy is not straight forward due to low to very low-quality evidence. In particular, switching to a biosimilar is associated with both clinical, ethical, and possibly medicolegal issues. Due to these factors, solutions to address cost efficiency should involve an open, transparent, and collaborative dialogue among the various stakeholders and if at all possible involve strategies that allow patients to remain on originator biologics.
The Polish Panel Survey, POLPAN
Authors: Tomescu-Dubrow Irina , Slomczynski Kazimierz M , Sawiński Zbigniew , Kiersztyn Anna , Janicka Krystyna , Życzyńska-Ciołek Danuta , Wysmułek Ilona , Kotnarowski Michał
Published: June 2021

The Polish Panel Survey POLPAN provides data infrastructure to analyze the dynamics of social inequality from a life-course perspective. Historical events shape the study’s research design. In 1987–1988, 5,817 randomly sampled men and women aged 21–65 are interviewed in what is still state socialist Poland. Soon after, their lives are upended by the profound transformations that the anti-communist revolutions in Eastern Europe triggered. To understand how people transition to the emerging social structure, close to half of the respondents are re-interviewed in 1993. This sample serves as a panel that we follow every 5 years, most recently in 2018. Since 1998, POLPAN waves feature renewal samples of the youngest cohort that become part of the panel. Participants are interviewed face-to-face on a wide range of topics, including educational and occupational careers, psychological functioning, physical and mental health, political behaviours, and social attitudes. These topics address POLPAN’s overarching research problem, how does social position influence individual biographies and social networks, and how do individual choices that peoples’ biographies and networks reflect, in turn influence their later social standing. A multi-dimensional approach to data quality informs POLPAN methodology and the decision to publicly share the project’s products, including datasets and analytic tools.
Origin and Evolution of the Cannabinoid Oxidocyclase Gene Family
Authors: van Velzen Robin , Schranz M Eric
Published: June 2021

Cannabis is an ancient crop representing a rapidly increasing legal market, especially for medicinal purposes. Medicinal and psychoactive effects of Cannabis rely on specific terpenophenolic ligands named cannabinoids. Recent whole-genome sequencing efforts have uncovered variation in multiple genes encoding the final steps in cannabinoid biosynthesis. However, the origin, evolution, and phylogenetic relationships of these cannabinoid oxidocyclase genes remain unclear. To elucidate these aspects, we performed comparative genomic analyses of Cannabis, related genera within the Cannabaceae family, and selected outgroup species. Results show that cannabinoid oxidocyclase genes originated in the Cannabis lineage from within a larger gene expansion in the Cannabaceae family. Localization and divergence of oxidocyclase genes in the Cannabis genome revealed two main syntenic blocks, each comprising tandemly repeated cannabinoid oxidocyclase genes. By comparing these blocks with those in genomes from closely related species, we propose an evolutionary model for the origin, neofunctionalization, duplication, and diversification of cannabinoid oxidocycloase genes. Based on phylogenetic analyses, we propose a comprehensive classification of three main clades and seven subclades that are intended to aid unequivocal referencing and identification of cannabinoid oxidocyclase genes. Our data suggest that cannabinoid phenotype is primarily determined by the presence/absence of single-copy genes. Although wild populations of Cannabis are still unknown, increased sampling of landraces and wild/feral populations across its native geographic range is likely to uncover additional cannabinoid oxidocyclase sequence variants.
Transposable Elements Contribute to Genome Dynamics and Gene Expression Variation in the Fungal Plant PathogenVerticillium dahliae
Authors: Torres David E , Thomma Bart P H J , Seidl Michael F
Published: June 2021

Transposable elements (TEs) are a major source of genetic and regulatory variation in their host genome and are consequently thought to play important roles in evolution. Many fungal and oomycete plant pathogens have evolved dynamic and TE-rich genomic regions containing genes that are implicated in host colonization and adaptation. TEs embedded in these regions have typically been thought to accelerate the evolution of these genomic compartments, but little is known about their dynamics in strains that harbor them. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing data of 42 strains of the fungal plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae to systematically identify polymorphic TEs that may be implicated in genomic as well as in gene expression variation. We identified 2,523 TE polymorphisms and characterize a subset of 8% of the TEs as polymorphic elements that are evolutionary younger, less methylated, and more highly expressed when compared with the remaining 92% of the total TE complement. As expected, the polyrmorphic TEs are enriched in the adaptive genomic regions. Besides, we observed an association of polymorphic TEs with pathogenicity-related genes that localize nearby and that display high expression levels. Collectively, our analyses demonstrate that TE dynamics in V. dahliae contributes to genomic variation, correlates with expression of pathogenicity-related genes, and potentially impacts the evolution of adaptive genomic regions.
Damages and Recovery of Profits in Intellectual Property Litigation before Italian Courts
Authors: Ricolfi Marco
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the article is twofold. At a more general level, it aims to illustrate how the changes in intellectual property litigation adopted in Italy since 2005, particularly in connection with the setting of damages suffered by rights holders and the recovery of profits obtained by infringers, have been remarkably successful in increasing the overall efficacy of the protection system. At the same time, it focuses on one particular feature of the system, the newly introduced recovery of profits from innocent infringers, arguing that the adoption of this second limb of recovery is questionable from a policy viewpoint and introduces a number of difficulties in the enforcement process, several of which transpire to be intractable. Some other aspects of the actions, both with regard to damages and recovery of profits, adopted in the recent Italian legislation are examined against the background of the EU enforcement directive and of TRIPS, with a view to highlighting both the strong points and the incongruities of the rules.
‘The Implementation of the Directive on Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Single Market’ ‒ Conference Report on the Sixth Binational Seminar of the Technische Universität Dresden and Charles University in Prague, 1 December 2020
Authors: Linke David , Žikovská Petra
Published: June 2021

‘It’s drafting time!’, but we are not talking about Patrick Mahomes, Alexis Lafrenière or Stephen Curry,1 rather about the implementation proposals for the Digital Single Market (DSM) Directive. This Directive caused a certain media stir in the run-up to it, and now the national legislatures need to implement the provisions of the Directive into the respective national laws. The Member States have until June 2021 to make the relevant transpositions. It will become apparent that very different approaches are being pursued in this respect, but that there are also similarities. For that reason, the sixth binational seminar has taken this as an opportunity to examine on 1 December 2020 the implementation efforts made by Germany and the Czech Republic in a comparative legal analysis under the topic: ‘The Implementation of the Directive on Copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market’.
Primary mental health care for older persons in India: how age-inclusive are public policies?
Authors: Kafczyk Tom , Hämel Kerstin
Published: June 2021

The need to improve the primary mental healthcare system in India has gained increasing public health attention. Concomitantly, efforts to frame and develop appropriate public mental health care through legislation and related strategies and programmes have been undertaken. Because older people in India are particularly prone to mental health problems, this study explores the inclusiveness of Indian public policies in addressing the primary mental health care needs of older people from a cross-policy perspective. The basis of this thematic document analysis is 41 key national strategic documents (1999–2018) from different thematically grouped policy fields. In the context of population ageing, socio-economic challenges for older people and changing family norms, the policies delineate a pronounced interest in old-age-inclusive primary mental health care, whereas international policies are regarded as important reference points. While some of the policies address older persons as a vulnerable group in general, others delineate a more differentiated picture of the older population. Moreover, as new rights with implications for old-age mental health care, including community-based access to mental health care, have emerged, an integrated old-age mental healthcare policy spanning across sectors remains absent. Although old-age-inclusive primary mental health care is an emerging trend in India, its development as a cross-cutting policy issue remains in its infancy. Accordingly, unambiguous integrated policy approaches are needed to address the complex mental healthcare needs of older persons, and further research should be undertaken to focus on mental healthcare strategies and approaches at the primary care level.
Evidence of the impact of a national anti-tobacco prevention campaign across demographic subgroups
Authors: Vallone Donna M , Perks Siobhan N , Pitzer Lindsay , Liu Michael , Kreslake Jennifer M , Rath Jessica M , Hair Elizabeth C
Published: June 2021

Mass media campaigns are an effective population-level intervention for preventing tobacco use. However, little evidence exists for whether these campaigns similarly influence demographic subgroups. This study examined the effects of the truth® campaign to reduce tobacco use among demographic subgroups. We used data from a national, continuous, cross-sectional tracking survey of 15–24-year-olds (n = 32 331). We used a measure of weekly aggregated campaign exposure to assess whether cigarette smoking intentions and current cigarette use varied by race/ethnicity, financial situation and population density subgroups, controlling for factors known to be associated with tobacco use. Examining estimates across subgroup categories in light of the overall model estimates revealed that the effects of week-level campaign exposure on cigarette smoking intentions and current cigarette use were similar across subgroups. Wald tests of equality across estimates in each subgroup suggested that the estimates did not differ from one another in any given instance. The truth campaign does not differ significantly in its capacity to prompt declines in tobacco use across a broad spectrum of US youth and young adults. Mass media tobacco prevention campaigns can be an effective and critical component of a comprehensive tobacco control program, particularly with respect to reducing tobacco-related disparities among demographic subgroups.
Assessing the impact of alcohol consumption on the genetic contribution to mean corpuscular volume
Authors: Thompson Andrew , King Katharine , Morris Andrew P , Pirmohamed Munir
Published: June 2021

The relationship between the genetic loci that influence mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and those associated with excess alcohol drinking is unknown. We used white British participants from the UK Biobank (n = 362 595) to assess the association between alcohol consumption and MCV, and whether this was modulated by genetic factors. Multivariable regression was applied to identify predictors of MCV. GWAS, with and without stratification for alcohol consumption, determined how genetic variants influence MCV. SNPs in ADH1B, ADH1C and ALDH1B were used to construct a genetic score to test the assumption that acetaldehyde formation is an important determinant of MCV. Additional investigations using Mendelian randomization and phenome­wide association analysis were conducted. Increasing alcohol consumption by 40 g/week resulted in a 0.30% [95% confidence interval CI: 0.30–0.31%] increase in MCV (P < 1.0 × 10−320). Unstratified (irrespective of alcohol intake) GWAS identified 212 loci associated with MCV, of which 108 were novel. There was no heterogeneity of allelic effects by drinking status. No association was found between MCV and the genetic score generated from alcohol metabolizing genes. Mendelian randomization demonstrated a causal effect for alcohol on MCV. Seventy-one SNP-outcome pairs reached statistical significance in phenome­wide association analysis, with evidence of shared genetic architecture for MCV and thyroid dysfunction, and mineral metabolism disorders. MCV increases linearly with alcohol intake in a causal manner. Many genetic loci influence MCV, with new loci identified in this analysis that provide novel biological insights. However, there was no interaction between alcohol consumption and the allelic variants associated with MCV.
Selective Tyrosine Kinase 2 Inhibition for Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: New Hope on the Rise
Authors: Danese Silvio , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent
Published: June 2021

Conventional systemic and biologic agents are the mainstay of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management; however, many of these agents are associated with loss of clinical response, highlighting the need for effective, novel targeted therapies. Janus kinase (JAK) 1-3 and tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) mediate signal transduction events downstream of multiple cytokine receptors that regulate targeted gene transcription, including the interleukin-12, interleukin-23, and type I interferon receptors for TYK2. This review summarizes the role of TYK2 signaling in IBD pathogenesis, the differential selectivity of TYK2 inhibitors, and the potential clinical implications of TYK2 inhibition in IBD. A PubMed literature review was conducted to identify studies of JAK1-3 and TYK2 inhibitors in IBD and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Key efficacy and safety information was extracted and summarized. Pan-JAK inhibitors provide inconsistent efficacy in patients with IBD and are associated with toxicities resulting from a lack of selectivity at therapeutic dosages. Selective inhibition of TYK2 signaling via an allosteric mechanism, with an agent that binds to the regulatory (pseudokinase) domain, may reduce potential toxicities typically associated with JAK1-3 inhibitors. Deucravacitinib, a novel, oral, selective TYK2 inhibitor, and brepocitinib and PF-06826647, TYK2 inhibitors that bind to the active site in the catalytic domain, are in development for IBD and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Allosteric TYK2 inhibition is more selective than JAK1-3 inhibition and has the potential to limit toxicities typically associated with JAK1-3 inhibitors. Future studies will be important in establishing the role of selective, allosteric TYK2 inhibition in the management of IBD.
PD-L1 Immunohistochemistry Assay Comparison in Atezolizumab Plus nab-Paclitaxel–Treated Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Rugo Hope S , Loi Sherene , Adams Sylvia , Schmid Peter , Schneeweiss Andreas , Barrios Carlos H , Iwata Hiroji , Diéras Véronique , Winer Eric P , Kockx Mark M , Peeters Dieter , Chui Stephen Y , Lin Jennifer C , Nguyen-Duc Anh , Viale Giuseppe , Molinero Luciana , Emens Leisha A
Published: June 2021

Background

In the phase III IMpassion130 study, atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel (A+nP) showed clinical benefit in advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients who were programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)+ (tumor-infiltrating immune cells [IC] ≥1%) using the SP142 immunohistochemistry assay. Here we evaluate 2 other PD-L1 assays for analytical concordance with SP142 and patient-associated clinical outcomes.

Methods

Samples from 614 patients (68.1% of intention-to-treat population) were centrally evaluated by immunohistochemistry for PD-L1 status on IC (VENTANA SP142, SP263, Dako 22C3) or as a combined positive score (CPS; 22C3).

Results

Using SP142, SP263, and 22C3 assays, PD-L1 IC ≥1% prevalence was 46.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 42.5% to 50.4%), 74.9% (95% CI = 71.5% to 78.3%), and 73.1% (95% CI = 69.6% to 76.6%), respectively; 80.9% were 22C3 CPS ≥1. At IC ≥1% (+), the analytical concordance between SP142 and SP263 and 22C3 was 69.2% and 68.7%, respectively. Almost all SP142+ cases were captured by other assays (double positive), but several SP263+ (29.6%) or 22C3+ (29.0%) cases were SP142– (single positive). A+nP clinical activity vs placebo+nP in SP263+ and 22C3+ patients (progression-free survival [PFS] hazard ratios [HRs] = 0.64 to 0.68; overall survival [OS] HRs = 0.75 to 0.79) was driven by double-positive cases (PFS HRs = 0.60 to 0.61; OS HRs = 0.71 to 0.75) rather than single-positive cases (PFS HRs = 0.68 to 0.81; OS HRs = 0.87 to 0.95). Concordance for harmonized cutoffs for SP263 (IC ≥4%) and 22C3 (CPS ≥10) to SP142 (IC ≥1%) was subpar (approximately 75%).

Conclusions

22C3 and SP263 assays identified more patients as PD-L1+ (IC ≥1%) than SP142. No inter-assay analytical equivalency was observed. Consistent improved A+nP efficacy was captured by the SP142 PD-L1 IC ≥1% subgroup nested within 22C3 and SP263 PD-L1+ (IC ≥1%) populations.
Perforated Meckel’s diverticulitis secondary to a corn kernel obstruction of lumen in an elderly patient
Authors: De la Cruz Garcia Isidora , Tan Kimberley , Riddell Andrew
Published: June 2021

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract. The most frequent complications are bleeding, intestinal obstruction, intussusception and neoplasm. Perforation because of diverticulitis is very rare and usually associated to foreign bodies. We report a case of an elderly man who presented with right iliac fossa pain, raised inflammatory markers and a computer tomography (CT) scan suggestive of Meckel’s diverticulitis. He underwent a laparoscopic converted to open small bowel resection and primary anastomosis for perforated MD, which revealed a corn kernel at its base in the absence of ectopic gastric or pancreatic tissue. Symptomatic and perforated MD secondary to a phytobezoar is extremely rare in elderly patients, hence the importance of clinical suspicion in patients with abdominal pain, independent from their age, to avoid delay in diagnosis, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality in this demographic.
eBASCS: Disentangling overlapping astronomical sources II, using spatial, spectral, and temporal information
Authors: Meyer Antoine D , van Dyk David A , Kashyap Vinay L , Campos Luis F , Jones David E , Siemiginowska Aneta , Zezas Andreas
Published: June 2021

The analysis of individual X-ray sources that appear in a crowded field can easily be compromised by the misallocation of recorded events to their originating sources. Even with a small number of sources, which none the less have overlapping point spread functions, the allocation of events to sources is a complex task that is subject to uncertainty. We develop a Bayesian method designed to sift high-energy photon events from multiple sources with overlapping point spread functions, leveraging the differences in their spatial, spectral, and temporal signatures. The method probabilistically assigns each event to a given source. Such a disentanglement allows more detailed spectral or temporal analysis to focus on the individual component in isolation, free of contamination from other sources or the background. We are also able to compute source parameters of interest like their locations, relative brightness, and background contamination, while accounting for the uncertainty in event assignments. Simulation studies that include event arrival time information demonstrate that the temporal component improves event disambiguation beyond using only spatial and spectral information. The proposed methods correctly allocate up to 65${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ more events than the corresponding algorithms that ignore event arrival time information. We apply our methods to two stellar X-ray binaries, UV Cet and HBC 515 A, observed with Chandra. We demonstrate that our methods are capable of removing the contamination due to a strong flare on UV Cet B in its companion ≈40× weaker during that event, and that evidence for spectral variability at times-scales of a few ks can be determined in HBC 515 Aa and HBC 515 Ab.
Modelling of SN 2013dx associated with the low-redshift GRB130702A points to diversity in GRB/SN properties
Authors: Mazzali P A , Pian E , Bufano F , Ashall C
Published: June 2021

The properties of the broad-lined Type Ic supernova (SN) 2013dx, associated with the long gamma-ray burst GRB 130702A at a redshift z = 0.145, are derived via spectral modelling. SN 2013dx was similar in luminosity to other GRB/SNe, with a derived value of the mass of 56Ni ejected in the explosion of ≈0.4 M⊙. However, its spectral properties suggest a smaller explosion kinetic energy. Radiation transport models were used to derive a plausible mass and density distribution of the SN ejecta in a one-dimensional approximation. While the mass ejected in the explosion that is obtained from the modelling (Mej ≈ 9 M⊙) is similar to that of all other well-studied GRB/SNe, the kinetic energy is significantly smaller (EK ∼ 1052 erg). This leads to a smaller EK/Mej ratio, ≈1051 erg/M⊙, which is reflected in the narrower appearance of the spectral lines. While the low EK does not represent a problem for the scenario in which magnetar energy aids powering the explosion and the nucleosynthesis, it is nevertheless highly unusual. SNe Ic with similar EK have never been seen in coincidence with a GRB, and no well-observed GRB/SN has shown similarly low EK and EK/Mej.
Measuring time delays – I. Using a flux time series that is a linear combination of time-shifted light curves
Authors: Springer Ofer M , Ofek Eran O
Published: June 2021

Several phenomena in astrophysics generate light curves with time delays. Among these are reverberation mapping and lensed quasars. In these systems, the measurement of the time delay is complicated by the fact that the delayed components are unresolved and that the light curves are generated from a stochastic process. We derive the likelihood function of the observations given a model of either a combination of time-delayed light curves or a single light curve. This likelihood function is different from the auto-correlation-function-based investigated by previous studies. We demonstrate that given a single-band light curve that is a linear combination of two (or more) time-shifted copies of an original light curve, generated from a probability distribution with some roughly known power spectrum, it is possible to test if the total-flux light curve is a composition of time-delayed copies or, alternatively, is consistent with being a single copy of the original light curve. Furthermore, it is possible to measure the time delays between these components even when the flux ratio is about 1/10. In the era of synoptic sky surveys, this method is useful for identifying lensed quasars and simultaneously measuring their time delays, and also for estimating the reverberation time scales of active galactic nuclei. In a companion paper, we derive another method that uses the centre-of-light astrometric position (e.g. of a lensed quasar) along with the combined flux. We also present the proper likelihood function for fitting a power-law model to a power spectrum. We test the new method on simulations and provide python and matlab implementations.
BEDE: Bayesian estimates of dust evolution for nearby galaxies
Authors: De Vis P , Maddox S J , Gomez H L , Jones A P , Dunne L
Published: June 2021

We build a rigorous statistical framework to provide constraints on the chemical and dust evolution parameters for nearby late-type galaxies with a wide range of gas fractions ($3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}\lt f_g\lt 94{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). A Bayesian Monte Carlo Markov Chain framework provides statistical constraints on the parameters used in chemical evolution models. Nearly a million one-zone chemical and dust evolution models were compared to 340 galaxies. Relative probabilities were calculated from the χ2 between data and models, marginalized over the different time-steps, galaxy masses, and star formation histories. We applied this method to find ‘best-fitting’ model parameters related to metallicity, and subsequently fix these metal parameters to study the dust parameters. For the metal parameters, a degeneracy was found between the choice of initial mass function, supernova metal yield tables, and outflow prescription. For the dust parameters, the uncertainties on the best-fitting values are often large except for the fraction of metals available for grain growth, which is well constrained. We find a number of degeneracies between the dust parameters, limiting our ability to discriminate between chemical models using observations only. For example, we show that the low dust content of low-metallicity galaxies can be resolved by either reducing the supernova dust yields and/or including photofragmentation. We also show that supernova dust dominates the dust mass for low-metallicity galaxies and grain growth dominates for high-metallicity galaxies. The transition occurs around 12 + log (O/H) = 7.75, which is lower than found in most studies in the literature.
Thermal instability and multiphase gas in the simulated interstellar medium with conduction, viscosity, and magnetic fields
Authors: Jennings R Michael , Li Yuan
Published: June 2021

Thermal instability plays a crucial role in the formation of multiphase structures and their dynamics in the interstellar medium, and is a leading theory for cold cloud creation in various astrophysical environments. In this paper, we use 2D simulations to investigate thermal instability under the influence of various initial conditions and physical processes. We experiment with Gaussian random field (GRF) density perturbations of different initial power spectra. We also enrol thermal conduction and physical viscosity in isotropic hydrodynamic and anisotropic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. We find that the initial GRF spectral index α has a dramatic impact on the pure hydrodynamic development of thermal instability, influencing the size, number, and motions of clouds. Cloud fragmentation happens due to two mechanisms: tearing and contraction rebound. In the runs with isotropic conduction and viscosity, the structures and dynamics of the clouds are dominated by evaporation and condensation flows in the non-linear regime, and the flow speed is regulated by viscosity. Cloud disruptions happen as a result of the Darrieus–Landau instability. However, at very late times, all individual clouds merge into one cold structure in all hydrodynamic runs. In the MHD case, the cloud structure is determined by both the initial perturbations and the initial magnetic field strength. In high-β runs, anisotropic conduction causes dense filaments to align with the local magnetic fields and the field direction can become reoriented. Strong magnetic fields suppress cross-field contraction and cold filaments can form along or perpendicular to the initial fields.
A numerical study of long-term multiwavelength blazar variability
Authors: Polkas M , Petropoulou M , Vasilopoulos G , Mastichiadis A , Urry C M , Coppi P , Bailyn C
Published: June 2021

Decade-long monitoring of blazars at optical and infrared (OIR) wavelengths with the Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS) in Chile and in γ-rays with the Fermi -Large Area Telescope (LAT) has enabled the systematic study of their multiwavelength long-term variability. In this work, we investigate, from a theoretical perspective, the long-term variability properties of blazar emission by introducing an observationally motivated time-dependence to four main parameters of the one-zone leptonic model: injection luminosity of relativistic electrons, strength of magnetic field, Doppler factor, and external photon field luminosity. For the first time, we use both the probability density function and the power spectral density of the 10-yr-long Fermi-LAT light curves to create variation patterns for the model parameters. Using as test beds two bright blazars from the SMARTS sample (PKS 2155−304 and 3C 273), we compute 10-yr-long OIR, X-ray, and γ-ray model light curves for different varying parameters. We compare the findings of our theoretical investigation with multiwavelength observations using various measures of variability. While no single-varying parameter simulation can explain all multiwavelength variability properties, changes in the electron luminosity and external radiation field in PKS 2155−304 and 3C 273, respectively, can account for most of them. Our results motivate future time-dependent studies with coupling between two or more physical parameters to describe the multiwavelength long-term blazar variability.
The GALAH survey and symbiotic stars – I. Discovery and follow-up of 33 candidate accreting-only systems
Authors: Munari U , Traven G , Masetti N , Valisa P , Righetti G-L , Hambsch F-J , Frigo A , Čotar K , De Silva G M , Freeman K C , Lewis G F , Martell S L , Sharma S , Simpson J D , Ting Y-S , Wittenmyer R A , Zucker D B
Published: June 2021

We have identified a first group of 33 new candidates for symbiotic stars (SySt) of the accreting-only variety among the 600 255 stars so far observed by the GALactic Archaeology with HERMES (GALAH) high-resolution spectroscopic survey of the Southern hemisphere, more than doubling the number of those previously known. GALAH aims to high latitudes and this offers the possibility to sound the Galaxy for new SySt away from the usual plane and bulge hunting regions. In this paper, we focus on SySt of the M spectral type, showing an Hα emission with a peak in excess of 0.5 above the adjacent continuum level, and not affected by coherent radial pulsations. These constraints will be relaxed in future studies. The 33 new candidate SySt were subjected to an array of follow-up confirmatory observations [X-ray/ultraviolet (UV) observations with the Swift satellite, search for optical flickering, presence of a near-UV upturn in ground-based photometric and spectroscopic data, radial velocity changes suggestive of orbital motion, and variability of the emission-line profiles]. According to Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) parallaxes, the candidate new SySt are located at the tip of the giant branch, sharing the same distribution in M(Ks) of the well-established SySt. The accretion luminosities of the candidate new SySt are in the range 1–10 L⊙, corresponding to mass accretion rates of 0.1–1 × 10−9 M⊙ yr−1 for white dwarfs of 1 M⊙. The M giant of one of them presents a large lithium overabundance.
WD mass and orbital period relation of sdB + He WD binaries
Authors: Zhang Yangyang , Chen Hai-Liang , Xiong Heran , Chen Xuefei , Han Zhanwen
Published: June 2021

Most subdwarf B (sdB) + Helium white dwarf (He WD) binaries are believed to be formed from a particular channel. In this channel, the He WDs are produced first from red giants (RGs) with degenerate cores via stable mass transfer and sdB stars are produced from RGs with degenerate cores via common-envelope (CE) ejection. They are important for the studies of CE evolution, binary evolution, and binary population synthesis. However, the relation between WD mass and orbital period of sdB + He WD binaries has not been specifically studied. In this paper, we first use a semi-analytic method to follow their formation and find a WD mass and orbital period relation. Then we use a detailed stellar evolution code to model their formation from main-sequence binaries. We find a similar relation between the WD mass and orbital period, which is in broad agreement with observations. For most sdB  + He WD systems, if the WD mass (orbital period) can be determined, the orbital period (WD mass) can be inferred with this relation and then the inclination angle can be constrained with the binary mass function. In addition, we can also use this relation to constrain the CE ejection efficiency and find that a relative large CE ejection efficiency is favoured. If both the WD and sdB star masses can be determined, the critical mass ratios of dynamically unstable mass transfer for RG binaries can also be constrained.
The unique bryophyte-specific repeat-containing protein SHORT-LEAF regulates gametophore development in moss
Authors: Mohanasundaram Boominathan , Bhide Amey J. , Palit Shirsa , Chaturvedi Gargi , Lingwan Maneesh , Masakapalli Shyam Kumar , Banerjee Anjan K.
Published: June 2021

Convergent evolution of shoot development across plant lineages has prompted numerous comparative genetic studies. Though functional conservation of gene networks governing flowering plant shoot development has been explored in bryophyte gametophore development, the role of bryophyte-specific genes remains unknown. Previously, we have reported Tnt1 insertional mutants of moss defective in gametophore development. Here, we report a mutant (short-leaf; shlf) having two-fold shorter leaves, reduced apical dominance, and low plasmodesmata frequency. UHPLC-MS/MS-based auxin quantification and analysis of soybean (Glycine max) auxin-responsive promoter (GH3:GUS) lines exhibited a striking differential auxin distribution pattern in the mutant gametophore. Whole-genome sequencing and functional characterization of candidate genes revealed that a novel bryophyte-specific gene (SHORT-LEAF; SHLF) is responsible for the shlf phenotype. SHLF represents a unique family of near-perfect tandem direct repeat (TDR)-containing proteins conserved only among mosses and liverworts, as evident from our phylogenetic analysis. Cross-complementation with a Marchantia homolog partially recovered the shlf phenotype, indicating possible functional specialization. The distinctive structure (longest known TDRs), absence of any known conserved domain, localization in the endoplasmic reticulum, and proteolytic cleavage pattern of SHLF imply its function in bryophyte-specific cellular mechanisms. This makes SHLF a potential candidate to study gametophore development and evolutionary adaptations of early land plants.
Opioid Crisis Effects on Municipal Finance
Authors: Cornaggia Kimberly , Hund John , Nguyen Giang , Ye Zihan
Published: June 2021

We investigate the effects of opioid abuse on municipal finance. We employ instrumental variables, border discontinuity difference-in-differences regressions, and coarsened exact matching to identify consistent causal effects, while controlling for variation in economic conditions and demographics. Opioid abuse lowers credit ratings, increases new offer yields, and reduces bond issuance. Reversal of these effects following effective antiopioid legislation further supports causality. Differential effects due to investor heterogeneity suggest that opioid abuse affects municipal finance through a capital supply channel. Overall, we conclude that local opioid abuse impedes municipalities’ access to capital and thus hurts their ability to provide public services and infrastructure.
ESTIMATION OF DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS AND ACHIEVABLE DOSES FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS IN COMMON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EXAMINATIONS: A MULTI-CENTER STUDY
Authors: Zamani Hamed , Kavousi Nasim , Masjedi Hamidreza , Omidi Reza , Rahbar Shiva , Perota Ghazale , Razavi Elham , Zare Mohammad Hosein , Abedi-Firouzjah Razzagh
Published: June 2021

This study was conducted to determine first local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and achievable doses (ADs) for pediatric patients during the most common computed tomography (CT) procedures in Yazd province. The DRL was obtained based on volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) for four various age groups of children. Data were collected from the most commonly performed pediatric CT scans, including abdomen–pelvis, chest, brain and sinus examinations, at six high-loaded institutes. The patients’ data (766 no.) in terms of CTDIvol and DLP were obtained from four age groups: ≤1-, 1–5-, 5–10- and 10–15-y-old. The 75th percentiles of CTDIvol and DLP were considered as DRL values and the 50th percentiles were described as ADs for those parameters. Consequently, the acquired DRLs were compared with other national and international published values. The DRLs in terms of CTDIvol for abdomen–pelvis, chest, brain and sinus examinations were 3, 8, 9 and 10 mGy; 4, 5, 5 and 5 mGy; 25, 28, 29 and 38 mGy; and 23, 24, 26 and 27 mGy for four different age groups of ≤1-, 1–5-, 5–10- and 10–15-y-old, respectively. The DRL values in terms of DLP were 75, 302, 321 and 342 mGy.cm; 109, 112, 135 and 170 mGy.cm, 352, 355, 360 and 481 mGy.cm; and 206, 211, 228 and 245 mGy.cm, respectively, for the mentioned age groups. In this study, the DRL and AD values in the brain examination were greater among the other studied regions. The DRL plays a critical role in the optimization of radiation doses delivered to patients and in improving their protection. This study provides the local DRLs and ADs for the most common pediatric CT scanning in Yazd province to create optimum situation for the clinical practice.
Patient-Reported Outcomes After Lateral Process Talus Fracture
Authors: Ross Hunter , Marchand Lucas , Cardon Jeffery , Beals Timothy , Barg Alex , Nickisch Florian , Haller Justin M.
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

To evaluate functional outcome after lateral process talus fracture using patient-reported instruments and identify injury characteristics that portend a worse prognosis.

Design:

Retrospective case series.

Setting:

Level 1 academic trauma center.

Patients/Participants:

Fifty-three patients with isolated lateral process talus fracture and 12 months of minimum follow-up.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM).

Results:

Mean patient age was 33 years (range, 17–62 years), and mean follow-up was 6.5 years (range, 1–12 years). Twenty-one patients were initially treated nonoperatively and 14 of these patients (67%) failed nonoperative management. Patients who failed nonoperative treatment more commonly had a displaced fracture (12 patients) (P = 0.009). Thirty-two patients had displaced fracture and were treated with early operative fixation. For the entire cohort, final PROMIS PF was 55 (SD −8.3), FAAM Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was 89 (SD −14), and FAAM sport was 77 (SD −20). The patients treated with operative fixation had significantly larger fracture fragments (2050 vs. 1066 mm3, P = 0.017). There was no difference in final outcome between operative and nonoperative patients for PROMIS PF (P = 0.84), FAAM ADL (P = 0.95), or FAAM sport (P = 0.94). There were significantly more subtalar fusions in the nonoperative group (4 patients) as compared to the operative group (one patient) (P = 0.05).

Conclusions:

Most patients with lateral process talus fracture achieve excellent outcome as measured by the PROMIS PF and FAAM at medium-term follow-up. Displaced fractures are likely best managed with early surgical treatment. Patients treated with early surgery have significantly fewer subtalar fusions as compared to patients with nonoperative treatment.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Collins, Bruegel, and the Games They Play
Authors: Rebello Gleeson , Joseph Benjamin
Published: June 2021

William Collins and Pieter Bruegel the Elder in their respective paintings, “Happy as a King” and “Children’s Games” show children playing outdoors. The types of injuries these children could sustain in the 16th and 19th centuries are contrasted with sports related pediatric fractures in the present day.
Assessment of Lateral Rotation Percentage and Rotational Deformity of the Elbow in Type 3 Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: A Biomechanical Study
Authors: Berdis Galen , Hooper Matthew , Talwalkar Vishwas , Walker Janet , Muchow Ryan , Riley Scott , Iwinski Henry J. , Prusick Vincent
Published: June 2021

Background:

Supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures are the most common elbow fractures in children. Historically, displaced (Gartland type 3) SCH fractures have been treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Fluoroscopic imaging is used intraoperatively in order to assess adequate reduction of the fracture fragments before pinning. On lateral fluoroscopic and radiographic images, a lateral rotation percentage (LRP) can be estimated in order to assess rotational deformity. The purpose of this study was to determine the true rotational deformity of distal humerus fracture fragments in SCH fractures based upon the LRP using a clinically relevant laterally based pinning technique.

Methods:

In this study, a sawbones model was used to examine the correlation between calculated LRP and the true degree of rotational deformity with 3 of the most common extension-type SCH fracture types (low transverse, high transverse, and lateral oblique). Because fracture stability was not the focus of this study, a single pin was used to hold the construct and allow for fragment rotation along a fixed axis. In this study, 2 of the authors independently measured rotational deformity and compared this with LRP on fluoroscopic lateral imaging of a sawbones model at 0 to 45 degrees of rotational deformity.

Results:

The LRP of all 3 patterns demonstrated a near linear increase from 0 to 45 degrees with maximum LRP measured at 45 degrees for each of the 3 patterns. Univariate linear regression demonstrated an increase in LRP for the low transverse pattern of 2.02% for every degree of rotation deformity (R
2=0.97), 2.29% for the lateral oblique pattern (R
2=0.986), and 1.17% for the high transverse pattern (R
2=0.971). Maximum LRP was measured at 45 degrees for all 3 patterns with a mean of 53.5% for the high transverse pattern, 93.5% for the low transverse pattern, and 111.2% for the lateral oblique pattern. A higher LRP was measured with increasing degrees of rotational displacement in the low transverse and lateral oblique patterns for all degrees of rotational deformity compared to the high transverse pattern.

Conclusion:

There is a near linear correlation between the degree of malrotation and the LRP with more superior metaphyseal fracture patterns demonstrating a lower LRP than inferior fracture patterns.

Clinical Relevance:

Using our data one can estimate the degree of malrotation based on the LRP on radiographs in the clinical setting.

Level of Evidence:

Not applicable (basic-science article).