bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and practical use of self-compatibility in outcrossing grass species
Authors: Cropano Claudio , Place Iain , Manzanares Chloé , Do Canto Javier , Lübberstedt Thomas , Studer Bruno , Thorogood Daniel
Published: March 2021

Background

Self-incompatibility (SI) systems prevent self-fertilization in several species of Poaceae, many of which are economically important forage, bioenergy and turf grasses. Self-incompatibility ensures cross-pollination and genetic diversity but restricts the ability to fix useful genetic variation. In most inbred crops it is possible to develop high-performing homozygous parental lines by self-pollination, which then enables the creation of F1 hybrid varieties with higher performance, a phenomenon known as heterosis. The inability to fully exploit heterosis in outcrossing grasses is partially responsible for lower levels of improvement in breeding programmes compared with inbred crops. However, SI can be overcome in forage grasses to create self-compatible populations. This is generating interest in understanding the genetical basis of self-compatibility (SC), its significance for reproductive strategies and its exploitation for crop improvement, especially in the context of F1 hybrid breeding.

Scope

We review the literature on SI and SC in outcrossing grass species. We review the currently available genomic tools and approaches used to discover and characterize novel SC sources. We discuss opportunities barely explored for outcrossing grasses that SC facilitates. Specifically, we discuss strategies for wide SC introgression in the context of the Lolium–Festuca complex and the use of SC to develop immortalized mapping populations for the dissection of a wide range of agronomically important traits. The germplasm available is a valuable practical resource and will aid understanding the basis of inbreeding depression and hybrid vigour in key temperate forage grass species.

Conclusions

A better understanding of the genetic control of additional SC loci offers new insight into SI systems, their evolutionary origins and their reproductive significance. Heterozygous outcrossing grass species that can be readily selfed facilitate studies of heterosis. Moreover, SC introduction into a range of grass species will enable heterosis to be exploited in innovative ways in genetic improvement programmes.
Impact of gastric resection and enteric anastomotic configuration on delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a network meta-analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Varghese C , Bhat S , Wang T H -H , O’Grady G , Pandanaboyana S
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is frequent after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Several RCTs have explored operative strategies to minimize DGE, however, the optimal combination of gastric resection approach, anastomotic route, configuration and the use of enteroenterostomy remains unclear.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL databases were systematically searched for RCTs comparing gastric resection (classic Whipple, pylorus-resecting, pylorus-preserving), anastomotic route (antecolic, retrocolic), configuration (loop gastroenterostomy/Billroth II, Roux-en-Y), and use of enteroenterostomy (Braun). A random-effects, Bayesian network meta-analysis with non-informative priors was conducted to determine the optimal combination of approaches to PD for minimizing DGE.

Results

Twenty-four RCTs, including 2526 patients and 14 approaches were included. There was some heterogeneity, although inconsistency was low. The overall incidence of DGE was 25.6 per cent (647 patients). Pylorus-resecting, antecolic, Billroth II with Braun enteroenterostomy was associated with the lowest rates of DGE and ranked the best in 35 per cent of comparisons. Classic Whipple, retrocolic, Billroth II with Braun ranked the worst for DGE in 32 per cent of comparisons. Pairwise meta-analysis of retrocolic versus antecolic route for gastrojejunostomy found increased risk of DGE with the retrocolic route (odds ratio 2.10, 95 per cent credibility interval (cr.i.) 0.92 to 4.70). Pairwise meta-analysis of enteroenterostomy found a trend towards lower DGE rates when this was used (odds ratio 1.90, 95 per cent cr.i. 0.92 to 3.90). Having a Braun enteroenterostomy ranked the best in 96 per cent of comparisons.

Conclusion

Based on existing RCT evidence, a pylorus-resecting, antecolic, Billroth II with Braun enteroenterostomy seems to be associated with the lowest rates of DGE.

Preregistration

PROSPERO submitted 23 December 2020. CRD42021227637
Impaired glymphatic function in idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Eide Per Kristian , Pripp Are Hugo , Ringstad Geir , Valnes Lars Magnus
Published: March 2021

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a brain disease incorporating cerebrospinal fluid disturbance, increased intracranial pressure and visual failure, but with unknown cause. This study examined a hypothesis that glymphatic function is impaired in idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients. The MRI contrast agent gadobutrol was utilized as a cerebrospinal fluid tracer following intrathecal administration. Consecutive standardized T1 MRI acquisitions over 48 h were done to assess tracer distribution within brain of 15 idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients and 15 reference individuals who were comparable in age and gender distribution. Using FreeSurfer software, we semi-quantified tracer level in multiple brain regions as T1 MRI signal change. The tracer enriched the entire brain of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and reference subjects. In idiopathic intracranial hypertension, tracer enrichment was increased and clearance of tracer delayed from a wide range of brain regions, including both grey and white matter. Differences were most evident in frontal and temporal regions. The pulsatile intracranial pressure was measured overnight and tracer propagation in brain compared between individuals with pathological and normal pulsatile intracranial pressure. In individuals with pathological pulsatile intracranial pressure, tracer enrichment was stronger and clearance from brain delayed, particularly in regions nearby large artery trunks at the brain surface. The present in vivo observations provide evidence for impaired glymphatic function in several brain regions of idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients. Glymphatic failure may imply altered clearance of metabolic byproducts, which may precede neurodegeneration. Further studies are needed to characterize glymphatic failure in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Competing Theories of Value: A Spectral Analysis
Authors: Mariolis Theodore
Published: March 2021

This paper is based on a spectral–controllability analysis of the Sraffian price system and develops a relevant reconstruction of the theory of value. It shows that (i) the hitherto competing theories of value correspond to specific complex plane locations of the eigenvalues of the vertically integrated technical coefficients matrix; and (ii) the real-world economies cannot be coherently analyzed in terms of the traditional theory of value (classical, Marxian, Austrian, and neoclassical), despite the fact that they are characterized by rather low degrees and relatively low numerical ranks of price controllability. Hence, on the one hand, the Sraffian theory of value is not only the most general to date, but also empirically relevant. On the other hand, the real-world economies constitute almost uncontrollable systems, and this explains, in turn, the specific shape features of the empirical price–wage–profit rate curves that are at the heart of the capital theory debate.
Isolation and characterization of human embryonic stem cell-derived heart field-specific cardiomyocytes unravels new insights into their transcriptional and electrophysiological profiles
Authors: Pezhouman Arash , Engel James L , Nguyen Ngoc B , Skelton Rhys J P , Gilmore William Blake , Qiao Rong , Sahoo Debashis , Zhao Peng , Elliott David A , Ardehali Reza
Published: March 2021

Aims

We prospectively isolate and characterize first and second heart field- and nodal-like cardiomyocytes using a double reporter line from human embryonic stem cells. Our double reporter line utilizes two important transcription factors in cardiac development, TBX5 and NKX2-5. TBX5 expression marks first heart field progenitors and cardiomyocytes while NKX2-5 is expressed in nearly all myocytes of the developing heart (excluding nodal cells). We address the shortcomings of prior work in the generation of heart field-specific cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells and provide a comprehensive early developmental transcriptomic as well as electrophysiological analyses of these three populations.

Methods and results

Transcriptional, immunocytochemical, and functional studies support the cellular identities of isolated populations based on the expression pattern of NKX2-5 and TBX5. Importantly, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses provide evidence of unique molecular signatures of isolated first and second heart field cardiomyocytes, as well as nodal-like cells. Extensive electrophysiological analyses reveal dominant atrial action potential phenotypes in first and second heart fields in alignment with our findings in single-cell RNA sequencing. Lastly, we identify two novel surface markers, POPDC2 and CORIN, that enable purification of cardiomyocytes and first heart field cardiomyocytes, respectively.

Conclusions

We describe a high-yield approach for isolation and characterization of human embryonic stem cell-derived heart field-specific and nodal-like cardiomyocytes. Obtaining enriched populations of these different cardiomyocyte subtypes increases the resolution of gene expression profiling during early cardiogenesis, arrhythmia modelling, and drug screening. This paves the way for the development of effective stem cell therapy to treat diseases that affect specific regions of the heart- or chamber-specific congenital heart defects.
Toll-like receptor 4 activation modulates pericardium–myocardium interactions in lipopolysaccharide-induced atrial arrhythmogenesis
Authors: Lin Fong-Jhih , Li Shao-Jung , Lu Yen-Yu , Wu Wen-Shiann , Chen Yao-Chang , Chen Shih-Ann , Chen Yi-Jen
Published: March 2021

Aims

Inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Pericarditis enhanced atrial arrhythmogenesis, but the role of the pericardium remains unclear in AF. Activation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by binding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promotes cardiac electrical remodelling. In this study, we hypothesized that pericarditis may induce atrial arrhythmogenesis via pericardium–myocardium interactions by TLR4 signalling.

Methods and results

Pericarditis was induced in rabbits by injecting LPS (1–2 mg/kg) into the pericardium. Conventional microelectrodes were used to record the action potentials of left atrial (LA) posterior walls (LAPWs) and LA appendages (LAAs) with and without attached pericardium in the control or pericarditis-induced rabbits. Cytokine array was used to measure the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines in control and LPS-treated pericardium. Compared with the controls, the LPS-treated pericardium had higher expressions of IL-1α, IL-8, and MIP-1β. Rapid atrial pacing-induced burst firing in LPS-treated LAPWs and LAAs, and in control LAPWs (but not in LAAs). The incidence of pacing-induced spontaneous activity and burst firing was increased by LPS-treated pericardium but was attenuated by the control pericardium. Moreover, burst firing induced by LPS-treated pericardium was blocked upon administration of the TLR4 inhibitor, TAK-242 (100 ng/mL), ryanodine receptor inhibitor (ryanodine, 3 μM), or calmodulin kinase II inhibitor (KN-93, 1 μM).

Conclusions

Healthy and inflamed pericardium differently modulate LPS-induced atrial arrhythmogenesis. Targeting pericardium via TLR4 signalling may be a novel therapeutic strategy for AF.
Characteristics and clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients classified using cluster analysis: the Fushimi AF Registry
Authors: Ogawa Hisashi , An Yoshimori , Nishi Hidehisa , Fukuda Shunichi , Ishigami Kenjiro , Ikeda Syuhei , Doi Kosuke , Ide Yuya , Hamatani Yasuhiro , Fujino Akiko , Ishii Mitsuru , Iguchi Moritake , Masunaga Nobutoyo , Esato Masahiro , Tsuji Hikari , Wada Hiromichi , Hasegawa Koji , Abe Mitsuru , Tsukahara Tetsuya , Lip Gregory Y H , Akao Masaharu ,   the Fushimi AF Registry Investigators
Published: March 2021

Aims

The risk of adverse events in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients was commonly stratified by risk factors or clinical risk scores. Risk factors often do not occur in isolation and are often found in multimorbidity ‘clusters’ which may have prognostic implications. We aimed to perform cluster analysis in a cohort of AF patients and to assess the outcomes and prognostic implications of the identified comorbidity cluster phenotypes.

Methods and results

The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of the AF patients in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed on 4304 patients (mean age: 73.6 years, female; 40.3%, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score 3.37 ± 1.69), using 42 baseline clinical characteristics. On hierarchical cluster analysis, AF patients could be categorized into six statistically driven comorbidity clusters: (i) younger ages (mean age: 48.3 years) with low prevalence of risk factors and comorbidities (n = 209); (ii) elderly (mean age: 74.0 years) with low prevalence of risk factors and comorbidities (n = 1301); (iii) those with high prevalence of atherosclerotic risk factors, but without atherosclerotic disease (n = 1411); (iv) those with atherosclerotic comorbidities (n = 440); (v) those with history of any-cause stroke (n = 681); and (vi) the very elderly (mean age: 83.4 years) (n = 262). Rates of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular or neurological events can be stratified by these six identified clusters (log-rank test; P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

We identified six clinically relevant phenotypes of AF patients on cluster analysis. These phenotypes can be associated with various types of comorbidities and associated with the incidence of clinical outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration Information

https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm. Unique identifier: UMIN000005834.
Left femoral venous access for leadless pacemaker implantation: patient characteristics and outcomes
Authors: Jelisejevas Julius , Breitenstein Alexander , Hofer Daniel , Winnik Stephan , Steffel Jan , Saguner Ardan M
Published: March 2021

Aims

Leadless pacing has become an alternative approach for patients requiring a single-chamber pacemaker. Conventionally, leadless Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) pacemakers are implanted via a right femoral venous access. However, due to various reasons, a left-sided femoral venous approach may be necessary. We hypothesized that a left-sided femoral venous approach is as safe and effective when compared with a right-sided approach. We assessed indications, procedural characteristics, safety and mid-term outcomes of Micra TPS implantation via a left femoral venous approach when compared with the conventional right-sided approach.

Methods and results

In this retrospective single-centre analysis, 143 consecutive patients undergoing Micra TPS implantation were included. 87% (125/143) underwent Micra TPS implantation via a right, and 13% (18/143) via a left femoral venous access. The mean age at implantation was 79.8 ± 7.5 years. Acute procedural success, mean procedure and fluoroscopy times as well as device parameters at implantation and follow-up (mean 15 ± 11.5 months) were similar between the two groups. Five major complications (3.5%) were encountered, all using a right-sided approach. After a transfemoral TAVI procedure, left femoral venous access was used in 42% of cases when compared with 8% in the remaining population (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

A left femoral venous access for Micra TPS implantation is safe and effective with an excellent implantation success rate similar to a conventional right femoral venous access without longer implantation and fluoroscopy times. The most frequent reason for choosing left vs. right femoral venous access was a previous transfemoral TAVI procedure.
Composition and structure of the skin microbiota of rorquals off the Eastern South Pacific
Authors: Toro Frederick , Alarcón Jaime , Márquez Sebastián , Capella Juan , Bahamonde Paulina , Esperón Fernando , Moreno-Switt Andrea , Castro-Nallar Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled the large-scale interrogation of microbiota in the most diverse environments, including host-associated microbiota. This has led to the recognition that the skin microbiota of rorquals is specific and structurally different from that of the ocean. This study reveals the skin microbiome of 85 wild individuals along the Chilean coast belonging to Megaptera novaeangliae, Balaenoptera musculus and Balaenoptera physalus. Alpha diversity analysis revealed significant differences in richness and phylogenetic diversity, particularly among humpback whales from different locations and between blue and humpback whales. Beta diversity was partially explained by host and location but only accounting for up to 17% of microbiota variability (adjusted VPA). Overall, we found that microbiota composition was dominated by bacterial genera such as Cardiobacter, Moraxella, Tenacibaculum, Stenotrophomonas, Flavobacteria and Pseudomonas. We also found that no ASVs were associated with the three rorqual species. Up to four ASVs were specific of a location, indicating a great variability in the microbiota. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the composition and structure of the skin microbiota of whales off the coast of Chile, providing a foundational dataset to understand the microbiota's role in rorquals.
The paradox of China’s tobacco industry: competition through monopoly policy
Authors: Liao Allen , Cole Benjamin
Published: March 2021

This study documents the evolution of China’s tobacco industry over 70 years from that of unordered local trade to ordered competitive national industry. We develop a theoretical framework regarding three levers the central government utilized—quota pliability, price tiering, and public rankings—to shift the attention of producers from merely fulfilling quotas to seeking quota partners, building scale economies, and developing high quality brands. The findings provide insights to those interested in planned economies, industry dynamics, and China’s industrial development.
DNA/RNA metabarcoding and morphological analysis of epipelagic copepod communities in the Izu Ridge off the southern coast of Japan
Authors: Hirai Junya , Hidaka Kiyotaka , Nagai Satoshi , Shimizu Yugo
Published: March 2021

The Izu Ridge off the southern coast of Japan is composed of many seamounts and knolls and is an important fishery ground and hatchery for commercially important fish. As pelagic copepods link lower and higher trophic levels, we investigated the epipelagic copepods in the Izu Ridge using 28S DNA/RNA metabarcoding and microscopic approaches. In comparison with off-ridge regions, a low water temperature and high chlorophyll a concentration were observed in the Izu Ridge, possibly attributed to high levels of nutrients supplied by strong turbulences around the complex topography. We observed unique copepod communities with a large total biomass in the Izu Ridge, owing to the increased dominance of large copepod species. rRNA:rDNA (28S ratio) of these large species mainly showed positive correlations with the chlorophyll a concentration, suggesting a rapid response to the food supply. Migrating copepods were less dominant around the Izu Ridge with a shallow water depth. Higher species diversity and more rare species were detected in the Izu Ridge, which might be maintained by complex environment conditions including temporal and spatial variations in the concentration of chlorophyll a. Thus, the combined approach characterized copepod community structure and diversity supporting the rich pelagic ecosystems in the Izu Ridge.
Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Cisgender Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men Receiving Injectable Cabotegravir for HIV Prevention: HPTN 083
Authors: Marzinke Mark A , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Fogel Jessica M , Piwowar-Manning Estelle , Li Maoji , Weng Lei , McCauley Marybeth , Cummings Vanessa , Ahmed Shahnaz , Haines Casey D , Bushman Lane R , Petropoulos Christos , Persaud Deborah , Adeyeye Adeola , Kofron Ryan , Rinehart Alex , St Clair Marty , Rooney James F , Pryluka Daniel , Coelho Lara , Gaur Aditya , Middelkoop Keren , Phanuphak Nittaya , Cohen Myron S , Hendrix Craig W , Anderson Peter , Hanscom Brett , Donnell Deborah , Landovitz Raphael J , Eshleman Susan H
Published: March 2021

Background

The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 083 trial demonstrated that long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) was more effective than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate–emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men. We characterized HIV infections that occurred in the blinded phase of HPTN 083.

Methods

Retrospective testing included HIV testing, viral load testing, quantification of study drugs, and HIV drug resistance testing.

Results

Fifty-eight infections were evaluated, including 51 incident infections (12 in CAB arm and 39 in TDF/FTC arm). In many cases (5 in CAB arm and 37 in TDF/FTC arm), infection was associated with low or unquantifiable study drug concentrations. In 4 cases, infection occurred with on-time CAB-LA injections and expected plasma CAB concentrations. CAB exposure was associated with prolonged viral suppression and delayed antibody expression. In some cases, delayed HIV diagnosis resulted in CAB provision to participants with undetected infection, delayed antiretroviral therapy, and emergence of drug resistance; most of these infections would have been detected earlier with viral load testing.

Conclusions

Early detection of HIV infection and prompt antiretroviral therapy initiation could improve clinical outcomes in persons who become infected despite CAB-LA prophylaxis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the correlates of HIV protection in persons receiving CAB-LA.
Direct and specific binding of cholesterol to the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) using PhotoClick cholesterol analogue
Authors: Georges Elias , Sottas Chantal , Li Yuchang , Papadopoulos Vassilios
Published: March 2021

The translocator protein (TSPO) is a five-helix transmembrane protein localized to the outer mitochondria membrane. Radioligand binding assays and chemical crosslinking showed TSPO to be a high affinity cholesterol-binding protein. In this report, we show that TSPO in mitochondrial fractions from MA-10 mouse tumour Leydig cells can interact directly and competitively with the clickable photoreactive cholesterol analogue. PhotoClick cholesterol showed saturable photoaffinity labelling of TSPO that could be specifically immunoprecipitated with anti-TSPO antibody, following the click reaction with the fluorescent-azide probe, tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-azide. Moreover, excess cholesterol reduced the photolabelling of both total mitochondrial proteins and TSPO. Together, the results of this study demonstrated direct binding of PhotoClick cholesterol to TSPO and that this interaction occurs at physiologically relevant site(s).
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Prevents Outbreak at Sea in Midst of COVID-19
Authors: Bigornia Veronica E
Published: March 2021

Background

The USS Harry S Truman Strike Group deployed from Norfolk, VA in November 2019 with a crew of 5,461 personnel and successfully returned to home port in June 2020 with zero cases of COVID-19.

Methods

Senior Medical Officer’s observations and description of the evolution of the pandemic, impact to the crew of the USS Harry S Truman, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and the public health principles and outbreak prevention protocols used to prevent an outbreak at sea.

Results

The USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group was composed of 4,810 personnel from Carrier Strike Group 8, Harry S Truman, Destroyer Squadron 28, and Carrier Air Wing One. The medical department of 52 personnel was made up of doctors, physician assistants, nurses, independent duty corpsman, and hospital corpsman. Our escorts were one destroyer, crew size 308 and one cruiser, crew size 343, each with one independent duty corpsman and one hospital corpsman for medical staff. The total number of personnel was 5,461, all of whom returned to home port with no cases of COVID-19.

Conclusions

Outbreak with a respiratory pathogen in the shipboard environment could debilitate a crew and decrease mission effectiveness of a US Navy warship with implications to national security. Prevention of an outbreak at sea requires identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities, testing capability for identification of the pathogen, preparation for quarantine and isolation for immediate containment, and commitment from the entire crew for success.
Collision rates of planetesimals near mean-motion resonances
Authors: Wallace Spencer C , Quinn Thomas R , Boley Aaron C
Published: March 2021

In circumstellar discs, collisional grinding of planetesimals produces second-generation dust. While it remains unclear whether this ever becomes a major component of the total dust content, the presence of such dust, and potentially the substructure within it, can be used to explore a disc’s physical conditions. A perturbing planet produces non-axisymmetric structures and gaps in the dust, regardless of its origin. The dynamics of planetesimals, however, will be very different than that of small dust grains due to weaker gas interactions. Therefore, planetesimal collisions could create dusty disc structures that would not exist otherwise. In this work, we use N-body simulations to investigate the collision rate profile of planetesimals near mean-motion resonances. We find that a distinct bump or dip feature is produced in the collision profile, the presence of which depends on the libration width of the resonance and the separation between the peri- and apocentre distances of the edges of the resonance. The presence of one of these two features depends on the mass and eccentricity of the planet. Assuming that the radial dust emission traces the planetesimal collision profile, the presence of a bump or dip feature in the dust emission at the 2:1 mean-motion resonance can constrain the orbital properties of the perturbing planet. This assumption is valid, so long as radial drift does not play a significant role during the collisional cascade process. Under this assumption, these features in the dust emission should be marginally observable in nearby protoplanetary discs with ALMA.
ALMA–IRDC: dense gas mass distribution from cloud to core scales
Authors: Barnes A T , Henshaw J D , Fontani F , Pineda J E , Cosentino G , Tan J C , Caselli P , Jiménez-Serra I , Law C Y , Avison A , Bigiel F , Feng S , Kong S , Longmore S N , Moser L , Parker R J , Sánchez-Monge Á , Wang K
Published: March 2021

Infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) are potential hosts of the elusive early phases of high mass star formation (HMSF). Here, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the fragmentation properties of a sample of 10 IRDCs, which have been highlighted as some of the best candidates to study HMSF within the Milky Way. To do so, we have obtained a set of large mosaics covering these IRDCs with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) at Band 3 (or 3 mm). These observations have a high angular resolution (∼3 arcsec; ∼0.05 pc), and high continuum and spectral line sensitivity (∼0.15 mJy beam−1 and ∼0.2 K per 0.1 km s−1 channel at the N2H+ (1 − 0) transition). From the dust continuum emission, we identify 96 cores ranging from low to high mass (M = 3.4−50.9 M⊙) that are gravitationally bound (αvir = 0.3−1.3) and which would require magnetic field strengths of B = 0.3−1.0 mG to be in virial equilibrium. We combine these results with a homogenized catalogue of literature cores to recover the hierarchical structure within these clouds over four orders of magnitude in spatial scale (0.01–10 pc). Using supplementary observations at an even higher angular resolution, we find that the smallest fragments (<0.02 pc) within this hierarchy do not currently have the mass and/or the density required to form high-mass stars. None the less, the new ALMA observations presented in this paper have facilitated the identification of 19 (6 quiescent and 13 star-forming) cores that retain >16 M⊙ without further fragmentation. These high-mass cores contain trans-sonic non-thermal motions, are kinematically sub-virial, and require moderate magnetic field strengths for support against collapse. The identification of these potential sites of HMSF represents a key step in allowing us to test the predictions from high-mass star and cluster formation theories.
Low-mass compact elliptical galaxies: spatially resolved stellar populations and kinematics with the Keck Cosmic Web Imager
Authors: Ferré-Mateu Anna , Durré Mark , Forbes Duncan A , Romanowsky Aaron J , Alabi Adebusola , Brodie Jean P , McDermid Richard M
Published: March 2021

We present spatially resolved two-dimensional maps and radial trends of the stellar populations and kinematics for a sample of six compact elliptical galaxies (cE) using spectroscopy from the Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI). We recover their star formation histories, finding that all except one of our cEs are old and metal rich, with both age and metallicity decreasing toward their outer radii. We also use the integrated values within one effective radius to study different scaling relations. Comparing our cEs with others from the literature and from simulations we reveal the formation channel that these galaxies might have followed. All our cEs are fast rotators, with relatively high rotation values given their low ellipticites. In general, the properties of our cEs are very similar to those seen in the cores of more massive galaxies, and in particular, to massive compact galaxies. Five out of our six cEs are the result of stripping a more massive (compact or extended) galaxy, and only one cE is compatible with having been formed intrinsically as the low-mass compact object that we see today. These results further confirm that cEs are a mixed-bag of galaxies that can be formed following different formation channels, reporting for the first time an evolutionary link within the realm of compact galaxies (at all stellar masses).
Non-thermal Sunyaev–Zeldovich signal from radio galaxy lobes
Authors: Acharya Sandeep Kumar , Majumdar Subhabrata , Nath Biman B
Published: March 2021

Energetic electrons in the lobes of radio galaxies make them potential sources for not only radio and X-rays but also Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) distortions in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. Previous works have discussed the energetics of radio galaxy lobes, but assuming thermal SZ effect, coming from the non-thermal electron population. We use an improved evolutionary model for radio galaxy lobes to estimate the observed parameters such as the radio luminosity and intensity of SZ-distortions at the redshifts of observation. We, further, quantify the effects of various relevant physical parameters of the radio galaxies, such as the jet power, the time-scale over which the jet is active, the evolutionary time-scale for the lobe, etc. on the observed parameters. For current SZ observations towards galaxy clusters, we find that the non-thermal SZ distortions from radio lobes embedded in galaxy clusters can be non-negligible compared to the amount of thermal SZ distortion from the intracluster medium and, hence, cannot be neglected. We show that small and young (and preferably residing in a cluster environment) radio galaxies offer better prospects for the detection of the non-thermal SZ signal from these sources. We further discuss the limits on different physical parameters for some sources for which SZ effect has been either detected or upper limits are available. The evolutionary models enable us to obtain limits, previously unavailable, on the low energy cut-off of electron spectrum (pmin ∼ 1–2) in order to explain the recent non-thermal SZ detection. Finally, we discuss how future CMB experiments, which would cover higher frequency bands (>400 GHz), may provide clear signatures for non-thermal SZ effect.
GG Carinae: discovery of orbital-phase-dependent 1.583-day periodicities in the B[e] supergiant binary
Authors: Porter Augustus , Blundell Katherine , Podsiadlowski Philipp , Lee Steven
Published: March 2021

GG Carinae (GG Car) is a binary whose primary component is a B[e] supergiant. Using photometric data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS), Optical Monitoring Camera (OMC), and All Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN), and spectroscopic data from the Global Jet Watch to study visible He i, Fe ii, and Si ii emission lines, we investigate the short-period variations that are exhibited in GG Car. We find a hitherto neglected periodicity of 1.583156 ± 0.0002 d that is present in both its photometry and the radial velocities of its emission lines, alongside variability at the well-established ∼31-d orbital period. We find that the amplitudes of the shorter period variations in both photometry and some of the emission lines are modulated by the orbital phase of the binary, such that the short-period variations have largest amplitudes when the binary is at periastron. There are no significant changes in the phases of the short-period variations over the orbital period. We investigate potential causes of the 1.583-d variability, and find that the observed period agrees well with the expected period of the l = 2 f-mode of the primary given its mass and radius. We propose that the primary is periodically pulled out of hydrostatic equilibrium by the quadrupolar tidal forces when the components are near periastron in the binary’s eccentric orbit (e = 0.5) and the primary almost fills its Roche lobe. This causes an oscillation at the l = 2 f-mode frequency that is damped as the distance between the components increases.
Suppressed heat conductivity in the intracluster medium: implications for the magneto-thermal instability
Authors: Berlok Thomas , Quataert Eliot , Pessah Martin E , Pfrommer Christoph
Published: March 2021

In the outskirts of the intracluster medium (ICM) in galaxy clusters, the temperature decreases with radius. Due to the weakly collisional nature of the plasma, these regions are susceptible to the magneto-thermal instability (MTI), which can sustain turbulence and provide turbulent pressure support in the ICM. This instability arises due to heat conduction directed along the magnetic field, with a heat conductivity which is normally assumed to be given by the Spitzer value. Recent numerical studies of the ion mirror and the electron whistler instability using particle-in-cell codes have shown that microscale instabilities can lead to a reduced value for the heat conductivity in the ICM. This could in turn influence the efficiency with which the MTI drives turbulence. In this paper, we investigate the influence of reduced heat transport on the non-linear evolution of the MTI. We study plane-parallel, initially static atmospheres and employ a subgrid model that mimics the influence of the mirror instability on the heat conductivity. We use this subgrid model to assess the effect of microscales on the large-scale dynamics of the ICM. We find that the non-linear saturation of the MTI is surprisingly robust in our simulations. Over a factor of ∼103 in the thermal-to-magnetic pressure ratio and collisionality, we find at most modest changes to the saturation of the MTI with respect to reference simulations where heat transport is unsuppressed.
Eukaryote specific RNA and protein features facilitate assembly and catalysis of H/ACA snoRNPs
Authors: Trucks Sven , Hanspach Gerd , Hengesbach Martin
Published: March 2021

H/ACA Box ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) play a major role in modification of rRNA and snRNA, catalyzing the sequence specific pseudouridylation in eukaryotes and archaea. This enzymatic reaction takes place on a substrate RNA recruited via base pairing to an internal loop of the snoRNA. Eukaryotic snoRNPs contain the four proteins Nop10, Cbf5, Gar1 and Nhp2, with Cbf5 as the catalytic subunit. In contrast to archaeal H/ACA RNPs, eukaryotic snoRNPs contain several conserved features in both the snoRNA as well as the protein components. Here, we reconstituted the eukaryotic H/ACA RNP containing snR81 as a guide RNA in vitro and report on the effects of these eukaryote specific features on complex assembly and enzymatic activity. We compare their contribution to pseudouridylation activity for stand-alone hairpins versus the bipartite RNP. Using single molecule FRET spectroscopy, we investigated the role of the different eukaryote-specific proteins and domains on RNA folding and complex assembly, and assessed binding of substrate RNA to the RNP. Interestingly, we found diverging effects for the two hairpins of snR81, suggesting hairpin-specific requirements for folding and RNP formation. Our results for the first time allow assessing interactions between the individual hairpin RNPs in the context of the full, bipartite snoRNP.
Study design and baseline characteristics of patients on dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial
Authors: Singh Ajay K , Blackorby Allison , Cizman Borut , Carroll Kevin , Cobitz Alexander R , Davies Rich , Jha Vivekanand , Johansen Kirsten L , Lopes Renato D , Kler Lata , Macdougall Iain C , McMurray John J V , Meadowcroft Amy M , Obrador Gregorio T , Perkovic Vlado , Solomon Scott , Wanner Christoph , Waikar Sushrut S , Wheeler David C , Wiecek Andrzej
Published: March 2021

Background

The Anemia Studies in chronic kidney disease (CKD): Erythropoiesis via a Novel prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor Daprodustat-Dialysis (ASCEND-D) trial will test the hypothesis that daprodustat is noninferior to comparator epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa for two co-primary endpoints: hemoglobin (Hb) efficacy and cardiovascular (CV) safety.

Methods

We report the trial design, key demographic, clinical and laboratory findings, and baseline therapies of 2964 patients randomized in the open-label (sponsor-blinded) active-controlled, parallel-group, randomized ASCEND-D clinical trial. We also compare baseline characteristics of ASCEND-D patients with patients who are on dialysis (CKD G5D) enrolled in other large CV outcome trials (CVOTs) and in the most relevant registries.

Results

The median age of patients was 58 years, 43% were female; 67% were White and 16% were Black. The median Hb at baseline was 10.4 g/dL. Among randomized patients, 89% were receiving hemodialysis and 11% peritoneal dialysis. Among key comorbidities, 42% reported a history of diabetes mellitus and 45% a history of CV disease. Median blood pressure was 134/74 mmHg. The median weekly dose of epoetin was 5751 units. Intravenous and oral iron uses were noted in 64 and 11% of patients, respectively. Baseline demographics were similar to patients with CKD G5D enrolled in other CVOTs and renal patient registries.

Conclusions

ASCEND-D will evaluate the efficacy and safety of daprodustat compared with epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of patients with anemia with CKD G5D.

This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02879305. EudraCT Number: 2016-000541-31; Sponsor Protocol Number: 200807.
Quantification of Outdoor Tobacco Smoke Exposure at Outdoor Smoking Facilities
Authors: Kim YoonJee , Lee Kiyoung
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The implementation of indoor smoke-free policy has compelled smokers to go outdoors to smoke. Outdoor smoking facilities were installed to designate outdoor smoking area. The purposes of the study were to identify factors of outdoor tobacco smoke (OTS) around open type outdoor smoking facility and to compare the OTS exposure by the type of outdoor smoking facility.

Methods

Outdoor concentrations of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) were measured at 3 different distances (0, 1, and 3 m) from the entrance of the open-type outdoor smoking facility with a simulated smoking source. For field measurements, PM2.5 concentrations of inside and outside of 33 operating outdoor smoking facilities were simultaneously measured for 30 min.

Results

For the smoking simulation, the outside PM2.5 concentrations and the peak occurrence rates increased significantly as the number of cigarettes smoked increased, the distance from the entrance decreased, and the wind speed increased (p < .0001). For the field measurement, the inside PM2.5 concentration of the outdoor smoking facilities varied significantly by types of the outdoor smoking facility (p = 0.022). The outside PM2.5 concentrations were not significantly different by types of outdoor smoking facility.

Conclusions

OTS in an open type outdoor smoking facility were detected at 3 m away from the entrance of the smoking facility. Outdoor smoking facility should have a buffer zone to reduce OTS exposure of pedestrians. Many smokers were observed outside of the outdoor smoking facility not inside. Management and education of smokers to smoke inside the facility is needed.

Implications

The study showed the effects of the outdoor smoking facility. Outdoor smoking facility should be installed with a sufficient buffer zone. Closed or semi-enclosed outdoor smoking facilities should not be installed. It could be used as a base data to set an outdoor smoking area on the populated area such as the city center and to establish an installation location of an outdoor smoking facility in the designated outdoor smoking area.
Microsurgical Resection of a Chiasmatic Cavernoma: 3-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Campero Alvaro , Casas-Parera Ignacio , Villalonga Juan F , Baldoncini Matías
Published: March 2021

According to reports from the literature,
1,2
depending on the location where cavernomas appear, range from the very common locations to unusual. Cavernous malformations arising from the optic nerve and chiasm are rare, with only few cases reported to date.
3-5

 We present a case of a 28-yr-old man who suddenly started with sever visual loss in the right eye and homonymous lateral hemianopia in the left eye. Because of the acute symptomatology, a brain MRI was immediately performed in order to diagnose the etiology. The MRI showed a chiasmatic mass with right extension, heterogeneous on T1 and T2 sequences, without enhancement after gadolinium. The surgery was carried out a week after the diagnosis. A right pterional transsylvian approach was performed and the cavernoma was resected with microsurgical maneuvers, preserving the optic nerve fibers, chiasm, and optic tract.

 The patient evolved favorably, improving the visual deficit in the postoperative period as can be observed in the postoperative visual field study 7 mo after the surgery.

 The patient signed an informed consent for the procedure and agreed with the use of his images and surgical video for research and academic purposes.

 Our surgical case emphasizes the importance of a prompt diagnosis and surgery for chiasmatic cavernomas
3
associated to visual loss, providing early decompression of the optic apparatus and improvement of the visual field defects after surgery.
The War Beat, Pacific
Authors: Casey Steven
Published: March 2021

From Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a group of highly courageous correspondents covered America’s war against Japan. Based on a wealth of previously untapped primary sources, War Beat, Pacific provides the first comprehensive account of what these reporters witnessed, what they were allowed to publish, and how their reports shaped the home front’s perception of some of the most pivotal battles in American history. In a dramatic and fast-paced narrative, the book takes us from MacArthur’s doomed defense on the Philippines and the navy’s overly strict censorship policy at the time of Midway through the bloody battles on Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Tarawa, Saipan, Leyte and Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, detailing the cooperation, as well as conflict, between the media and the military as they grappled with the enduring problem of limiting a free press during a period of extreme crisis. At the heart of this book are the brave, sometimes tragic stories of reporters like Clark Lee and Vern Haugland of the Associated Press, Byron Darnton and Tillman Durdin of the New York Times, Stanley Johnston and Al Noderer of the Chicago Tribune, George Weller of the Chicago Daily News, Keith Wheeler of the Chicago Times, and Robert Sherrod of Time magazine. Twenty-three correspondents died while reporting on the Pacific War. Many more sustained serious wounds. War Beat, Pacific shows how both the casualties and the survivors deserve to be remembered as America’s golden generation of journalists.
Introduction
Authors: Casey Steven
Published: March 2021

The Pacific War was particularly difficult for the media to cover. The long distances, the terrible weather, the tendency of Douglas MacArthur and Ernest King to prioritize operational security, especially during the defeats of 1941 and 1942, and media bosses in the United States who focused more on Europe than Asia all meant that the fighting in the Pacific was often shrouded from the American public. The situation did not start to improve until 1943 and 1944, as US forces took the offensive, and the army and navy engaged in a dynamic rivalry to grab the biggest share of the headlines. But while the war continued in Europe, even major battles like those fought on Saipan and Okinawa were often buried on the inside pages.
Fiasco in the Philippines
Authors: Casey Steven
Published: March 2021

Douglas MacArthur was determined to control how the media portrayed his efforts to defend the Philippines. On occasion, this meant encouraging reporters to strike an upbeat tone in order to persuade Washington to send him reinforcements, but for the most part, it resulted in another act of concealment. MacArthur was keen to cover up the extent of the catastrophe that befell his air force on Clark Field at the start of the campaign. He also wanted to deny the Japanese operational information as his forces retreated to the Bataan peninsula. In the chaos of defeat, his command often lacked the capacity to censor and communicate long stories written by the group of highly competitive reporters who remained on Bataan. Not until these correspondents managed to evacuate to Australia in April did the home front become aware of the extent of the defeat in the Philippines.
The New Guinea Gang
Authors: Casey Steven
Published: March 2021

MacArthur struggled to tell the story of his early battles in New Guinea. Accreditation procedures and censorship policies were initially chaotic. Flying from Australia to the New Guinea front was extremely hazardous. Vern Haugland was lucky to survive this journey in August. Byron Darnton became a victim of a friendly-fire incident two months later. Often, no more than two reporters managed to report from the Buna front at any one time, and they faced numerous problems trying to communicate their stories to America. MacArthur tried to step into this vacuum, but his overoptimistic and egocentric communiqués increasingly alienated reporters.
Dress Rehearsal in New Guinea
Authors: Casey Steven
Published: March 2021

As MacArthur went on the offensive in 1943, his relationship with the press underwent a perceptible shift. He still tended to exaggerate successes, most notably in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March. He also demonstrated a ruthless desire to consign other actors to the margins, including Australian troops and the units under William Halsey’s command. And he frequently placed himself at the center of events, most visibly by appearing on the beach on invasion day. Yet he also made a variety of practical changes that gave reporters access to the string of amphibious assaults launched in 1943 and 1944. These improvements ultimately helped to generate a more positive press for his campaign to liberate New Guinea, the essential precursor of MacArthur’s return to the Philippines.