bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“They didn’t really have key experiences that they thought they could bring to the table”: Perceptions of white racial absolution during cross-racial intergroup dialogues
Authors: James-Gallaway Chaddrick D , Hudock Marigold M , Franklin Corbin
Published: February 2023

This article analyzes how White racial absolution, a form of White resistance to interrogating White racial identity through discourse, impedes cross-racial intergroup dialogs (IGDs) and impacts the IGD experience of Students of Color (SOC). Eleven undergraduate IGD students and six undergraduate IGD facilitators participated, and critical race discourse analysis (CRDA) was used for analysis. Findings showed that White students engaged in White racial absolution by avoiding White racial sharing (WRS), or side-stepping conversations regarding their Whiteness. The three themes around WRS included (a) Whiteness as a justification to not contribute to the IGD, (b) offering surface-level commentary regarding Whiteness, and (c) leaning on other social-identity-based marginalities or summoning the racial experiences of People of Color. Implications from this study illustrate that White racial absolution within cross-racial IGD alienates SOC, which stifles the overarching goal of resolving gaps between people of diverse social identity backgrounds.
Capacity of the Ethiopian primary health care system to achieve universal health coverage: a primary health care progression approach
Authors: Yitbarek Kiddus , Serawit Absalat , Medhin Girmaye , Alemayehu Yibeltal Kiflie , Teklu Alula M , Assefa Yibeltal , Haregu Tilahun Nigatu
Published: February 2023

Comprehensive and globally comparable evidence about primary health care (PHC) capacity is needed to inform policies and decisions. We carried out a study to assess the Ethiopian PHC capacity in terms of governance, inputs, and population health and facility management domains. The PHC capacity of all the regions, city administrations and the Ministry of Health was assessed using the PHC progression model. The model has 33 measures categorized into three domains. Data were collected and synthesized from all relevant national and regional documents, datasets and key informants. A team of trained evaluation experts conducted external assessments at national and regional levels followed by an internal assessment and a validation workshop. All 33 measures were scored from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest). The inter-rater reliability test indicated that the overall agreement between internal and external scores was 65%. We found the highest consistency in the internal assessment with a score of 0.84. The findings of this study indicated that the governance domain score was 2.8 out of 4, showing varying scores in quality management, priority setting as well as innovation and learning. The inputs domain score was 2.3 for drugs, supplies and facility infrastructure. The score for the population health and facility management domain was 2. A comparison of federal and national average scores for all measures indicated no significant difference between the two (P-value = 0.69). There are relevant PHC policies and leadership structures at the federal and regional levels. However, the capacity to effectively implement these policies and strategies at sub-national levels is sub-optimal. The challenges related to major inputs coupled with data-quality problems reduced the capacity of the PHC system at the local level. Periodic assessment of the PHC system and closely working with subnational units will potentially improve the capacity of PHC in Ethiopia.
Potentiation of neuromuscular transmission by a small molecule calcium channel gating modifier improves motor function in a severe spinal muscular atrophy mouse model
Authors: Ojala Kristine S , Kaufhold Cassandra J , Davey Mykenzie R , Yang Donggyun , Liang Mary , Wipf Peter , Badawi Yomna , Meriney Stephen D
Published: February 2023

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a monogenic disease that clinically manifests as severe muscle weakness owing to neurotransmission defects and motoneuron degeneration. Individuals affected by SMA experience neuromuscular weakness that impacts functional activities of daily living. We have used a mouse model of severe SMA (SMNΔ7) to test whether a calcium channel gating modifier (GV-58), alone or in combination with a potassium channel antagonist (3,4-diaminopyridine; 3,4-DAP), can improve neuromuscular function in this mouse model. Bath application of GV-58 alone or in combination with 3,4-DAP significantly restored neuromuscular transmission to control levels in both a mildly vulnerable forearm muscle and a strongly vulnerable trunk muscle in SMNΔ7 mice at postnatal days 10–12. Similarly, acute subcutaneous administration of GV-58 to postnatal day 10 SMNΔ7 mice, alone or in combination with 3,4-DAP, significantly increased a behavioral measure of muscle strength. These data suggest that GV-58 may be a promising treatment candidate that could address deficits in neuromuscular function and strength and that the addition of 3,4-DAP to GV-58 treatment could aid in restoring function in SMA.
Antifungal activity and metabolomics analysis ofPiper sarmentosumextracts againstFusarium graminearum
Authors: Zhou Luli , Zhou Hanlin , Hou Guanyu , Ji Fengjie , Wang Dingfa
Published: February 2023

Aims

Fusarium graminearum is a toxic fungus that affects food and feed crops. Piper sarmentosum extract (PSE) is a potential source of anti-mildew natural products for the food and feed industry due to its various pharmacological properties. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity and untargeted metabolomics analysis of PSE against F. graminearum.

Methods and results

Antifungal activity was evaluated using the mycelium growth rate method. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of PSE was performed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that PSE (1 and 2 mg ml-1) possesses inhibitory activity against F. graminearum, and a total of 17 compounds that including 8 alkaloids, 3 phenols, 3 lipids, and 3 organic acids might be the antifungal markers in PSE. Metabolomics analysis further revealed that PSE could significantly increase the levels of guanosine, guanine, adenosine, and L-isoleucine in fungi, which are related to purine and L-isoleucine metabolic pathways.

Conclusions

PSE is a promising anti-mildew agent that inhibits the growth of F. graminearum in food and feed. PSE (1 and 2 mg ml-1) may exert antifungal properties by inhibiting fungal purine nucleotide synthesis and enhancing the level of L-isoleucine compared with the control groups.
Characterizing the sarcoplasmic proteome of aged pork chops classified by purge loss
Authors: Johnson Logan G , Zhai Chaoyu , Reever Leah M , Prusa Kenneth J , Nair Mahesh N , Huff-Lonergan Elisabeth , Lonergan Steven M
Published: February 2023

Unpredictable variation in quality, including fresh pork water-holding capacity, remains challenging to pork processors and customers. Defining the diverse factors that influence fresh pork water-holding capacity is necessary to make progress in refining pork quality prediction methods. The objective was to utilize liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled with tandem mass tag (TMT) multiplexing to evaluate the sarcoplasmic proteome of aged pork loins classified by purge loss. Fresh commercial pork loins were collected, aged 12 or 14 d postmortem, and pork quality and sensory attributes were evaluated. Chops were classified into Low (N = 27, average purge = 0.33%), Intermediate (N = 27, average purge = 0.72%), or High (N = 27, average purge = 1.19%) chop purge groups. Proteins soluble in a low-ionic strength buffer were extracted, digested with trypsin, labeled with 11-plex isobaric TMT reagents, and detected using a Q-Exactive Mass Spectrometer. Between the Low and High purge groups, 40 proteins were differentially (P < 0.05) abundant. The Low purge group had a greater abundance of proteins classified as structural and contractile, sarcoplasmic reticulum and calcium regulating, chaperone, and citric acid cycle enzymes than the High purge group. The presence of myofibrillar proteins in the aged sarcoplasmic proteome is likely due to postmortem degradation. These observations support our hypothesis that pork chops with low purge have a greater abundance of structural proteins in the soluble protein fraction. Together, these and other proteins in the aged sarcoplasmic proteome may be biomarkers of pork water-holding capacity. Additional research should establish the utility of these proteins as biomarkers early postmortem and over subsequent aging periods.
Scar Management and Dyschromia: A Summary Report from the 2021 American Burn Association State of the Science Meeting
Authors: Carney Bonnie C , Bailey John K , Powell Heather M , Supp Dorothy M , Travis Taryn E
Published: February 2023

Burn scars, and in particular, hypertrophic scars, are a challenging yet common outcome for survivors of burn injuries. In 2021, the American Burn Association brought together experts in burn care and research to discuss critical topics related to burns, including burn scars, at its State of the Science conference. Clinicians and researchers with burn scar expertise, as well as burn patients, industry representatives, and other interested stakeholders met to discuss issues related to burn scars and discuss priorities for future burn scar research. The various preventative strategies and treatment modalities currently utilized for burn scars were discussed, including relatively noninvasive therapies such as massage, compression, and silicone sheeting, as well as medical interventions such as corticosteroid injection and laser therapies. A common theme that emerged is that the efficacy of current therapies for specific patient populations is not clear, and further research is needed to improve upon these treatments and develop more effective strategies to suppress scar formation. This will necessitate quantitative analyses of outcomes and would benefit from creation of scar biobanks and shared data resources. In addition, outcomes of importance to patients, such as scar dyschromia, must be given greater attention by clinicians and researchers to improve overall quality of life in burn survivors. Herein we summarize the main topics of discussion from this meeting and offer recommendations for areas where further research and development are needed.
Determination of Residual Control and Concentration of Chlorantraniliprole in Soybean
Authors: Smith Jacob , Crow W D , Catchot A L , Cook D , Gore J
Published: February 2023

Studies were conducted in 2020 and 2021 at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS to determine concentrations of chlorantraniliprole (Prevathon, FMC Corporation, Philadelphia, PA) in soybean (Glycine max L.) leaves and florets. Chlorantraniliprole was applied as a foliar spray at four rates (0.028, 0.053, 0.078, 0.103 kg ai ha−1) for leaves and two rates (0.053, 0.078 kg ai ha−1) for florets. Leaf bioassays with corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), were conducted concurrently to determine mortality within three plant zones to evaluate chlorantraniliprole distribution throughout the canopy. For the leaf study, plants were partitioned into three zones consisting of a top (18th node), middle (13th node), and bottom (9th node) zone. Leaf samples from each zone were analyzed for chemical concentrations and bioassays were conducted at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment (DAT). Floret samples were analyzed at 4, 7, 10, and 14 DAT. Concentrations of chlorantraniliprole, though variable, provided >71% control through all sampling dates, application rates, and canopy zones tested. Chlorantraniliprole was viable up to 28 DAT. Results from the soybean floret study suggested chlorantraniliprole was detected in florets up to 14 DAT. An additional leaf bioassay was conducted using concentrations detected in the floret study. Concentrations in florets provided mortality of corn earworm up to 48% out to 14 DAT. With a long residual expected, chlorantraniliprole applications should continue to be used to control corn earworm infestations in soybean and some additional control could be expected in florets.
Evolutionary potential mitigates extinction risk under climate change in the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher
Authors: Forester Brenna R , Day Casey C , Ruegg Kristen , Landguth Erin L
Published: February 2023

The complexity of global anthropogenic change makes forecasting species responses and planning effective conservation actions challenging. Additionally, important components of a species’ adaptive capacity, such as evolutionary potential, are often not included in quantitative risk assessments due to lack of data. While genomic proxies for evolutionary potential in at-risk species are increasingly available, they have not yet been included in extinction risk assessments at a species-wide scale. In this study, we used an individual-based, spatially explicit, dynamic eco-evolutionary simulation model to evaluate the extinction risk of an endangered desert songbird, the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), in response to climate change. Using data from long-term demographic and habitat studies in conjunction with genome-wide ecological genomics research, we parameterized simulations that include 418 sites across the breeding range, genomic data from 225 individuals, and climate change forecasts spanning 3 generalized circulation models and 3 emissions scenarios. We evaluated how evolutionary potential, and the lack of it, impacted population trajectories in response to climate change. We then investigated the compounding impact of drought and warming temperatures on extinction risk through the mechanism of increased nest failure. Finally, we evaluated how rapid action to reverse greenhouse gas emissions would influence population responses and species extinction risk. Our results illustrate the value of incorporating evolutionary, demographic, and dispersal processes in a spatially explicit framework to more comprehensively evaluate the extinction risk of threatened and endangered species and conservation actions to promote their recovery.
Genetic architectures of postmating isolation and morphology of two highly diverged rockfishes (genusSebastes)
Authors: Muto Nozomu , Kawasaki Takuma , Kakioka Ryo , Nagano Atsushi J , Shimizu Yuta , Inose Shu , Shimizu Yohei , Takahashi Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

Postmating isolation is thought to be an important driver of the late stages of speciation. However, relatively little is empirically known about the process compared with other isolating mechanisms that drive the early stages of speciation, especially in non-model organisms. We characterized the genetic architecture of postmating isolation between 2 rockfishes, Sebastes schlegelii and S. trivittatus, whose reproductive isolation is complete. We examined transmission ratio distortion (TRD) patterns of genetic markers in 2 reciprocal backcross populations. Markers showing either of the 2 types of TRD was widespread across the genome, with some of the distorted markers forming extensive clusters around the recombination coldspots. These suggest that the postmating isolation effectively prevents gene flow across the genome and the recombination landscape contributes to the genetic architecture. Comparisons between 2 backcross families and 2 developmental stages showed little similarity in the distorted markers, suggesting asymmetry and stage specificity of the isolation. This may be due to hybrid incompatibility involving maternal factors or extrinsic selection. The lack of sex-ratio distortion in the mapping families suggested that Haldane’s rule in terms of hybrid inviability does not hold. Additionally, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping detected significant QTLs for sex and the morphological traits relevant to speciation and convergence of rockfishes, including body coloration. Genes in the melanocortin system, including agouti-signaling protein 1 (asip1) and melanocortin 1 receptor (mc1r), might underlie the horizontal and vertical color patterns on the body, respectively. These findings constitute an essential step toward a comprehensive understanding of speciation and morphological diversification of rockfishes.
Characterizing the Vector Data Ecosystem
Authors: Lippi Catherine A , Rund Samuel S C , Ryan Sadie J
Published: February 2023

A growing body of information on vector-borne diseases has arisen as increasing research focus has been directed towards the need for anticipating risk, optimizing surveillance, and understanding the fundamental biology of vector-borne diseases to direct control and mitigation efforts. The scope and scale of this information, in the form of data, comprising database efforts, data storage, and serving approaches, means that it is distributed across many formats and data types. Data ranges from collections records to molecular characterization, geospatial data to interactions of vectors and traits, infection experiments to field trials. New initiatives arise, often spanning the effort traditionally siloed in specific research disciplines, and other efforts wane, perhaps in response to funding declines, different research directions, or lack of sustained interest. Thusly, the world of vector data – the Vector Data Ecosystem – can become unclear in scope, and the flows of data through these various efforts can become stymied by obsolescence, or simply by gaps in access and interoperability. As increasing attention is paid to creating FAIR (Findable Accessible Interoperable, and Reusable) data, simply characterizing what is ‘out there’, and how these existing data aggregation and collection efforts interact, or interoperate with each other, is a useful exercise. This study presents a snapshot of current vector data efforts, reporting on level of accessibility, and commenting on interoperability using an illustration to track a specimen through the data ecosystem to understand where it occurs for the database efforts anticipated to describe it (or parts of its extended specimen data).
Necrotising fasciitis: a case series set in rural Australia
Authors: Kay Tegan J , Wallace Lauren , Bennett Laura , Gallagher Peter J
Published: February 2023

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive infection of soft tissue and fascia. Early diagnosis and prompt extensive surgical debridement decrease mortality. This remains a challenge for rural surgeons who have limited experience with the disease, in a setting where patient transfers to tertiary centres are lengthy and often delayed. To assist clinical decision making in this setting, a case series of five NF presentations in a rural Australian hospital were retrospectively analysed for presentation, investigation, treatment and clinical outcomes. Three underwent abdominal wall debridement and two underwent below knee amputation. Results demonstrate early recognition of NF and the extent of surgical intervention prior to acute transfer are key to successful outcomes. Expedient diagnosis and early extensive debridement at the initial contact reduce mortality and should be the goal of management in this setting.
Effect of Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on Testicular Parameters of Wistar Rats Subjected to Resistance Exercise Training
Authors: Guimarães-Ervilha Luiz Otávio , Soares Leôncio Lopes , Bento Isabela da Silva Pereira , Carvalho Renner Philipe Rodrigues , Lima Thainá Iasbik , Dias Fernanda Carolina Ribeiro , Bastos Daniel Silva Sena , Cossolin Jamile Fernanda Silva , Souza Ana Cláudia Ferreira , Reis Emily Correna Carlo , Serrão José Eduardo , Natali Antônio José , Machado-Neves Mariana
Published: February 2023

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevated arterial pressure and vascular resistance. PAH may cause alterations in the microcirculation of several organs, including the kidney, liver, brain, and testes. However, it remains unclear whether monocrotaline-induced PAH exerts detrimental effects on animal testes. Thus, we analyzed the impact of PAH on testicular morphology and function. Additionally, we investigated the effect of resistance exercise training (RT) on testicular parameters in PAH rats. Eight healthy Wistar rats and eight PAH rats were subjected to RT training for 30 days; the other PAH and healthy rats (n = 8/group) did not exercise. PAH rats had lower reproductive organ weight, serum testosterone levels, testicular glucose, and nitric oxide (NO) levels, Leydig cell parameters, tubular morphometry, germ cell counts, and daily sperm production than healthy animals did. The practice of RT attenuated the negative impact of PAH on the relative weights of the testes and epididymides, Leydig cell number, nuclear volume, testicular NO levels, and seminiferous epithelium architecture. Moreover, RT positively influenced testosterone levels in PAH animals. We conclude that PAH exerts deleterious effects on testicular histology and function. However, RT can be beneficial to the PAH-affected testicular parameters.
New constraints on decaying dark matter from INTEGRAL/SPI
Authors: Fischer S , Malyshev D , Ducci L , Santangelo A
Published: February 2023

Based on almost 20 yr of data collected by the high-resolution spectrometer SPI on board the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL), we present constraints on a decaying dark matter particle undergoing a decay into two bodies, at least one of which is a photon, manifesting itself via a narrow line-like spectral feature. Our ON-OFF type analysis of the Milky Way observations allowed us to constrain the lifetime to be ≳1020−1021 yr for DM particles with masses $40\, \text{keV}\, \lt \, M_{\text{DM}}\, \lt \, 14\, \text{MeV}$. Within this mass range, our analysis also reveals 32 line-like features detected at ≥3σ significance, 29 of which coincide with known instrumental and astrophysical lines. In particular, we report on the detection of the electron-positron annihilation (511 keV) and 26Al (1809 keV) lines with spatial profiles consistent with previous results in the literature. For the particular case of the sterile neutrino DM, we report the limits on the mixing angle as a function of sterile neutrino mass. We discuss the dominant impact of systematic uncertainties connected to the strongly time-variable INTEGRAL/SPI instrumental background as well as the ones connected to the uncertainties of MW DM density profile measurements on the derived results.
Tree-based solvers for adaptive mesh refinement code FLASH – III: a novel scheme for radiation pressure on dust and gas and radiative transfer from diffuse sources
Authors: Klepitko A , Walch S , Wünsch R , Seifried D , Dinnbier F , Haid S
Published: February 2023

Radiation is an important contributor to the energetics of the interstellar medium, yet its transport is difficult to solve numerically. We present a novel approach towards solving radiative transfer of diffuse sources via backwards ray tracing. Here, we focus on the radiative transfer of infrared radiation and the radiation pressure on dust. The new module, TreeRay/RadPressure, is an extension to the novel radiative transfer method TreeRay implemented in the grid-based Magneto-Hydrodynamics code Flash. In TreeRay/RadPressure, every cell and every star particle is a source of infrared radiation. We also describe how gas, dust, and radiation are coupled via a chemical network. This allows us to compute the local dust temperature in thermal equilibrium, leading to a significantly improvement over the classical grey approximation. In several tests, we demonstrate that the scheme produces the correct radiative intensities as well as the correct momentum input by radiation pressure. Subsequently, we apply our new scheme to model massive star formation from a collapsing, turbulent core of 150 M⊙. We include the effects of both, ionizing and infrared radiation on the dynamics of the core. We find that the newborn massive star prevents fragmentation in its proximity due to radiative heating. Over time, dust and radiation temperature equalize, while the gas temperature can be either warmer due to shock heating or colder due to insufficient dust–gas coupling. Compared to gravity, the effects of radiation pressure are insignificant for the stellar mass on the simulated time-scale in this work.
Gamma-ray flares from pulsar wind nebulae in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Nizamov B A , Pshirkov M S
Published: February 2023

High-energy radiation of young pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) is known to be variable. This is exemplified by the Crab nebula, which can undergo both rapid brightenings and dimmings. Two pulsars in the Large Magellanic Cloud, PSR J0540–6919 and PSR J0537–6910, are evolutionally close to Crab, so one may expect the same kind of variability from the PWNe around them. In this work, we search for flaring activity in these PWNe in gamma-rays using the data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope in the range 100 MeV–10 GeV collected from 2008 August to 2021 December. We construct light curves of these sources in the three bands, 100–300 MeV, 300–1000 MeV, and 1–10 GeV, with one-week resolution. We find evidence of flaring activity in all the bands, in contrast with Crab, where no flares at E>1 GeV were observed. Analysis of the flaring episode in the 100–300 and 300–1000 MeV bands indicates that the flux of one of the PWNe could grow by a factor of ≈5–10, and the statistical significance of the flare detection reaches 6σ. We are not confident about which of the two PWNe flared because of their proximity in the sky. However, in the 1–10 GeV band, where the angular resolution of LAT is better, we find several episodes of enhanced brightness in both the PWNe. We check possible contaminants which could be responsible for the observed variability but find their contribution not to be relevant.
Evidence to disfavour dual-core systems leading to double-peaked narrow emission lines
Authors: Zhang XueGuang , Zheng Qi
Published: February 2023

In this paper, an interesting method is proposed to test dual-core systems for double-peaked narrow emission lines through a precious dual-core system with double-peaked narrow Balmer lines in the main galaxy but with single-peaked narrow Balmer lines in the companion galaxy. Under a dual-core system, considering narrow Balmer (Hα and Hβ) emissions (fe,α and fe,β) from a companion galaxy that are covered by the SDSS fiber for the main galaxy and narrow Balmer emissions (fc,α and fc,β) from the companion galaxy covered by the SDSS fiber for the companion galaxy, the same flux ratios fe,α/fc,α = fe,β/fc,β can be expected, owing to the totally similar physical conditions of each narrow Balmer emission region. Next, the precious dual-core system in SDSS J2219–0938 is discussed. After subtracting the pPXF code determined stellar lights, double-peaked narrow Balmer emission lines are confirmed in the main galaxy with a confidence level higher than 5σ, but single-peaked narrow Balmer emission lines are confirmed in the companion galaxy. Through measured fluxes of the emission components, fe,α/fc,α is about 0.82, which is different from fe,β/fc,β ∼ 0.52, which disfavours a dual-core system for the double-peaked narrow Balmer emission lines in SDSS J2219–0938.
Bayesian field-level inference of primordial non-Gaussianity using next-generation galaxy surveys
Authors: Andrews Adam , Jasche Jens , Lavaux Guilhem , Schmidt Fabian
Published: February 2023

Detecting and measuring a non-Gaussian signature of primordial origin in the density field is a major science goal of next-generation galaxy surveys. The signal will permit us to determine primordial-physics processes and constrain models of cosmic inflation. While traditional approaches use a limited set of statistical summaries of the galaxy distribution to constrain primordial non-Gaussianity, we present a field-level approach by Bayesian forward modelling the entire three-dimensional galaxy survey. Since our method includes the entire cosmic field in the analysis, it can naturally and fully self-consistently exploit all available information in the large-scale structure, to extract information on the local non-Gaussianity parameter, fnl. Examples include higher order statistics through correlation functions, peculiar velocity fields through redshift-space distortions, and scale-dependent galaxy bias. To illustrate the feasibility of field-level primordial non-Gaussianity inference, we present our approach using a first-order Lagrangian perturbation theory model, approximating structure growth at sufficiently large scales. We demonstrate the performance of our approach through various tests with self-consistent mock galaxy data emulating relevant features of the SDSS-III/BOSS-like survey, and additional tests with a Stage IV mock data set. These tests reveal that the method infers unbiased values of fnl by accurately handling survey geometries, noise, and unknown galaxy biases. We demonstrate that our method can achieve constraints of $\sigma _{{f_\mathrm{nl}}} \approx 8.78$ for SDSS-III/BOSS-like data, indicating potential improvements of a factor ∼2.5 over current published constraints. We perform resolution studies on scales larger than ∼16h−1 Mpc showing the promise of significant constraints with next-generation surveys. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that our method can consistently marginalize all nuisance parameters of the data model. The method further provides an inference of the three-dimensional primordial density field, providing opportunities to explore additional signatures of primordial physics. This first demonstration of a field-level inference pipeline demonstrates a promising complementary path forward for analysing next-generation surveys.
High-sensitivity H iimage of diffuse gas and new tidal features in M51 observed by FAST
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Zhu Ming , Xu Jin-Long , Ai Mei , Jiang Peng , Yang Yanbin
Published: February 2023

We observed the classical interacting galaxy M51 with FAST and obtain high-sensitivity H i image with column density down to 3.8 × 1018 cm−2. In the image we can see a diffuse extended envelope around the system and several new tidal features. We also get a deeper look at M51b’s probable gas, which has an approximated velocity range of 560 to 740 km s−1 and a flux of 7.5 Jy km s−1. Compared to the VLA image, we observe more complete structures of the Southeast Tail, Northeast Cloud, and Northwest Plume, as well as new features of the Northwest Cloud and Southwest Plume. M51’s most prominent tidal feature, the Southeast Tail, looks very long and broad, in addition to the two small detached clouds at the periphery. Due to the presence of optical and simulated counterparts, the Northwest Cloud appears to be the tail of M51a, while the Northwest Plume is more likely a tidal tail of M51b. The large mass of the Northwest Plume suggests that M51b may have been as gas-rich as M51a before the interaction. In addition, the formation process of the Northeast Cloud and Southwest Plume is obscured by the lack of optical and simulated counterparts. These novel tidal features, together with M51b’s probable gas, will inspire future simulations and provide a deeper understanding of the evolution of this interacting system.
Separating the memory of reionisation from cosmology in the Lyα forest power spectrum at the post-reionisation era
Authors: Montero-Camacho Paulo , Liu Yuchen , Mao Yi
Published: February 2023

It has been recently shown that the astrophysics of reionisation can be extracted from the Lyα forest power spectrum by marginalizing the memory of reionisation over cosmological information. This impact of cosmic reionisation on the Lyα forest power spectrum can survive cosmological time-scales because cosmic reionisation, which is inhomogeneous, and subsequent shocks from denser regions can heat the gas in low-density regions to ∼3 × 104 K and compress it to mean-density. Current approach of marginalization over the memory of reionisation, however, is not only model-dependent, based on the assumption of a specific reionisation model, but also computationally expensive. Here, we propose a simple analytical template for the impact of cosmic reionisation, thereby treating it as a broad-band systematic to be marginalized over for Bayesian inference of cosmological information from the Lyα forest in a model-independent manner. This template performs remarkably well with an error of $\le 6~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ at large scales k ≈ 0.19 Mpc−1, where the effect of the memory of reionisation is important, and reproduces the broad-band effect of the memory of reionisation in the Lyα forest correlation function, as well as the expected bias of cosmological parameters due to this systematic. The template can successfully recover the morphology of forecast errors in cosmological parameter space as expected when assuming a specific reionisation model for marginalization purposes, with a slight overestimation of tens of per cent for the forecast errors on the cosmological parameters. We further propose a similar template for this systematic on the Lyα forest 1D power spectrum.
Radio-bright versus radio-dark gamma-ray bursts – more evidence for distinct progenitors
Authors: Chakraborty Angana , Dainotti Maria , Cantrell Olivia , Lloyd-Ronning Nicole
Published: February 2023

We analyse two distinct samples of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), with and without radio afterglow emission. We use an updated sample of 211 GRBs and find, in agreement with previous results (although with a sample that is almost twice as large), that the intrinsic gamma-ray duration (Tint) and isotropic equivalent energy (Eiso) distributions between these two populations appear to be significantly different. This implies that the radio-bright GRBs are more energetic and last longer than radio-dark GRBs. The two samples’ redshift distributions (z) are not statistically different. We analyse several correlations between variables (Eiso, Tint, jet opening angle, and z), accounting for selection effects and redshift evolution using the Efron–Petrosian method. We find a statistically significant anticorrelation between the jet opening angle and redshift, as well as between Tint and redshift, for both radio-bright and radio-dark GRBs. Finally, in agreement with previous work, we find that very high energy (0.1–100 GeV) extended emission is present only in the radio-bright GRB sample. Our work supports the possibility that the radio-bright and radio-dark GRBs originate from different progenitors.
Genome instability in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Tubić Vukajlović Jovana , Simić Ivan , Smiljanić Zorica , Grujičić Darko , Milošević-Djordjević Olivera
Published: February 2023

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical condition characterized by functional and structural defects of the myocardium, but genetic and environmental factors are considered to play an important role in the development of the disease. In the present study, we investigated the genome instability (DNA and chromosomal damage) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) ≤40% and its association with risk factors. The studied population included 48 individuals, of which 29 HFrEF patients (mean age 57.41 ± 5.74 years) and 19 healthy controls (mean age 57.63 ± 6.09 years). The genetic damage index in peripheral blood lymphocytes was analyzed using the comet assay, while micronuclei frequency and nuclear division index were analyzed using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Our results showed that HFrEF patients had a significantly higher genetic damage index compared with the healthy controls (P < .001). Cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay showed that the average micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients was significantly higher, while the nuclear division index values were significantly lower than in controls (P < .01). Using multiple linear regression analysis, pathological state, ejection fraction, creatinine, glucose, associated disease, residence, proBNP, troponin, urea, ACE-inhibitors, and length of the drug therapy were identified as predictors of DNA and/or chromosomal damage in HF patients. We can conclude that DNA and chromosomal damage was increased in patients with HF, which may be a consequence of disease and/or drug therapy.
Witchcraft and Magic in the Age of Anthropology
Authors: Wallis Robert J.
Published: February 2023

The chapter begins by setting the background of European encounters with overseas magical traditions with regard to early modern Central and South America. The main theme of the chapter, though, is the interconnected development of anthropology and the colonial collecting impulse in the nineteenth century. Magical objects from collections such as those donated to the Pitt Rivers Museum will be used to discuss the reasons for the fascination with certain types of African, Caribbean, and Asian magical objects. What do the collections tell us about colonial attitudes towards the magical traditions of other cultures? The magical beliefs and practices of so-called ‘primitive’ peoples around the globe were used by anthropologists like James Frazer to build theories of the origins and development of human society and culture. In the twentieth century, historians of witchcraft turned to anthropological studies of African witchcraft and persecution of witches to try and better understand the dynamics and nature of the early modern trials. The chapter ends by considering recent work on magical consciousness in contemporary western traditions.
What Drives Firms’ Hiring Decisions? An Asset Pricing Perspective
Authors: Belo Frederico , Donangelo Andres , Lin Xiaoji , Luo Ding
Published: February 2023

We document that the aggregate hiring rate of publicly traded firms in the U.S. economy negatively predicts stock market returns and long-term cash flows, and positively predicts short-term cash flows. In addition, through a variance decomposition, we show that the time-series variation in the aggregate hiring rate is mainly driven by changes in discount rates and short-term expected cash flows, with no contribution from variation in long-term expected cash flows. We estimate a neoclassical dynamic model with labor market frictions and show that labor adjustment costs and time-varying risk are essential for the model to replicate the empirical patterns.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Hippocampal Hyperconnectivity to the Visual Cortex Predicts Treatment Response
Authors: Nelson Eric A , Kraguljac Nina V , Maximo Jose O , Armstrong William , Lahti Adrienne C
Published: February 2023

Background

Converging lines of evidence point to hippocampal dysfunction in psychosis spectrum disorders, including altered functional connectivity. Evidence also suggests that antipsychotic medications can modulate hippocampal dysfunction. The goal of this project was to identify patterns of hippocampal connectivity predictive of response to antipsychotic treatment in 2 cohorts of patients with a psychosis spectrum disorder, one medication-naïve and the other one unmedicated.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that we would identify reliable patterns of hippocampal connectivity in the 2 cohorts that were predictive of treatment response and that medications would modulate abnormal hippocampal connectivity after 6 weeks of treatment.

Study Design

We used a prospective design to collect resting-state fMRI scans prior to antipsychotic treatment and after 6 weeks of treatment with risperidone, a commonly used antipsychotic medication, in both cohorts. We enrolled 44 medication-naïve first-episode psychosis patients (FEP) and 39 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia (SZ).

Study Results

In both patient cohorts, we observed a similar pattern where greater hippocampal connectivity to regions of the occipital cortex was predictive of treatment response. Lower hippocampal connectivity of the frontal pole, orbitofrontal cortex, subcallosal area, and medial prefrontal cortex was predictive of treatment response in unmedicated SZ, but not in the medication-naïve cohort. Furthermore, greater reduction in hippocampal connectivity to the visual cortex with treatment was associated with better clinical response.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that greater connectivity between the hippocampus and occipital cortex is not only predictive of better treatment response, but that antipsychotic medications have a modulatory effect by reducing hyperconnectivity.
Mathematics education in the time of COVID-19: a public health emergency exacerbated by misinterpretation of data
Authors: Sooknanan Joanna , Seemungal Terence
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 public health emergency has been characterized by an abundance of data in the form of numbers and charts. Although these data are readily available, there have been challenges associated with their interpretation—exacerbated by generally low numeracy rates. Consequently, people may underestimate the speed at which the disease spreads and the ensuing risk to themselves and others, resulting in a lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions. This article discusses misconceptions associated with the popular terms, metrics and graphs commonly used to describe this pandemic. We suggest and illustrate how mathematical literacy is necessary to understand and convince people of the necessity for various restrictions and lifestyle changes. As the pandemic progresses and in anticipation of any future outbreaks, it is important to rethink the teaching of these concepts so as to equip learners with the proper tools for informed decision making—now and in the future.
A Race Profile of Tan Spot in Australia Reveals Race 2 Isolates Harboring ToxC1
Authors: See Pao Theen , Marathamuthu Kalai A. , Cupitt Catherine F. , Iagallo Elyce M. , Moffat Caroline S.
Published: February 2023

Tan spot disease is caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), one of the major necrotrophic fungal pathogens that affects wheat crops globally. Extensive research has shown that the necrotrophic fungal effectors ToxA, ToxB, and ToxC underlie the genetic interactions of Ptr race classification. ToxA and ToxB are both small proteins secreted during infection; however, the structure of ToxC remains unknown. In line with the recent discovery of the ToxC1 gene that is involved in ToxC production, a subset of 68 isolates collected from the Australian wheat cropping regions were assessed for the presence of all three effectors by pathotyping against four tan spot wheat differential lines and PCR amplification of ToxA, ToxB, and ToxC1. Based on the disease phenotypes, the 68 isolates were grouped into two races with 63 classified as race 1 and five as race 2. A representative selection of each race was tested against eight Australian commercial wheat cultivars and showed no distinction between the virulence levels. Sequencing of ToxA showed that both races had identical gene sequences of haplotype PtrA1. All the race 1 isolates possessed ToxC1 but three race 2 isolates also contained ToxC1 despite being unable to induce a spreading chlorotic symptom on the ToxC differential line. Quantitative trait loci mapping confirmed the absence of the ToxC– Tsc1 association in disease response caused by the ToxC1-containing race 2 isolate; however, ToxC1 expression was detected during plant infection. Altogether, these results suggest that there is a complex regulatory process involved in the production of ToxC within the Australian race 2 isolates.
miR‐124‐3p improves mitochondrial function of renal tubular epithelial cells in db/db mice
Authors: Liang Luqun , Wo Chunxin , Yuan Yao , Cao Hongjuan , Tan Wanlin , Zhou Xingcheng , Wang Dan , Chen Rongyu , Shi Mingjun , Zhang Fan , Xiao Ying , Liu Lingling , Zhou Yuxia , Zhang Tian , Wang Yuanyuan , Guo Bing
Published: February 2023

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the main cause of end‐stage renal failure. However, the pathogenesis of DKD is complicated. In this study, we found that miR‐124‐3p plays a key role in regulating renal mitochondrial function and explored its possible mechanism in DKD progression by performing a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Decreased expression of miR‐124‐3p was found in db/db mice compared to db/m mice. Moreover, miR‐124‐3p down‐regulated FOXQ1 by targeting FOXQ1 mRNA 3′‐UTR in NRK‐52E cells. Also, an increase in FOXQ1 and down‐regulation of Sirt4 were found in db/db mouse kidney and renal tubular epithelial cells cultured with high glucose and high lipid. Overexpression of FOXQ1 could further down‐regulate the expression of Sirt4 and aggravate the damage of mitochondria. Conversely, the knockdown of the FOXQ1 gene induced Sirt4 expression and partially restored mitochondrial function. To verify the effects of miR‐124‐3p on Sirt4 and mitochondria, we found that miR‐124‐3p mimics could up‐regulate Sirt4 and inhibit ROS production and MitoSOX, thus restoring the number and morphology of mitochondria. These results showed that under high‐glucose and high‐lipid conditions, the down‐regulation of miR‐124‐3p induces FOXQ1 in renal tubular epithelial cells, which in turn suppresses Sirt4 and leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, promoting the development of DKD.
MetBil as a novel molecular regulator in ischemia‐induced cardiac fibrosis via METTL3‐mediated m6A modification
Authors: Zhuang Yuting , Li Tingting , Hu Xiaoxi , Xie Yilin , Pei Xinyu , Wang Chaoqun , Li Yuyang , Liu Junwu , Tian Zhongrui , Zhang Xiaowen , Peng Lili , Meng Bo , Wu Hao , Yuan Wei , Pan Zhenwei , Lu Yanjie
Published: February 2023

Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathological manifestation in multiple cardiovascular diseases and often results in myocardial stiffness and cardiac dysfunctions. LncRNA (long noncoding RNA) participates in a number of pathophysiological processes. However, its role in cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of MetBil in regulating cardiac fibrosis. Our data showed that METTL3 binding lncRNA (MetBil) was significantly increased both in fibrotic tissue following myocardial infarction (MI) in mice and in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) exposed to TGF‐β1 (20 ng/mL) or 20% FBS. Overexpression of MetBil augmented collagen deposition, CF proliferation and activation while silencing MetBil exhibited the opposite effects. Importantly, heterozygous knockout of MetBil alleviated cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function after MI. RNA pull‐down and RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation assay showed that METTL3 is a direct downstream target of MetBil; consistently, MetBil and METTL3 were co‐localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of CFs. Interestingly, MetBil regulated METTL3 expression at protein level, but not mRNA level, in ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Enforced expression of METTL3 canceled the antifibrotic effects of silencing MetBil reflected by increased collagen production, CF proliferation and activation. Most notably, the m6A‐modified fibrosis‐regulated genes mediated by METTL3 are profoundly involved in the regulation of MetBil in the cardiac fibrosis following MI. Our study reveals that MetBil as a novel regulator of fibrosis promotes cardiac fibrosis via interacting with METTL3 and regulating the expression of the methylated fibrosis‐associated genes, providing a new intervening target for fibrosis‐associated cardiac diseases.
CE: Tumor Lysis Syndrome: An Oncologic Emergency
Authors: Rivera-Gamma Stephanie , Davis Mary Elizabeth
Published: February 2023

Tumor lysis syndrome is an oncologic emergency caused by the release of intracellular material, such as potassium, phosphate, and nucleic acids, into the bloodstream from the disintegration (lysis) of tumor cells. This condition, which is characterized by electrolyte imbalances, can be life-threatening, causing arrhythmias, seizures, acute kidney injury, and multiple organ failure. The prevention and treatment of tumor lysis syndrome requires immediate recognition of patients at risk for its development. With this knowledge, nurses can better manage and monitor treatments, thereby preventing complications and achieving better patient outcomes.