bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and cancer due to cumulative doses received from diagnostic CT scans?
Authors: Martin Colin J , Barnard Michael
Published: September 2021

Potential risks from radiation exposure on the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease are indicated by epidemiological studies. Medical exposures give the largest dose to the population from artificial sources, with cumulative doses from multiple CT scans being significant. Data on doses from scans performed on 12 CT scanners in three hospitals over a period of 5½ years, derived using RadimetricsTM software, have been reviewed for 105 757 patients. Data have been downloaded for heart, brain, thyroid, and effective doses, and cumulative doses analysed using ExcelTM spreadsheets. 2.4% of patients having body CT scans received cumulative doses to the heart over 100 mSv, 9% of whom were under 50 years. 9.6% of patients having head CT scans received cumulative doses to the brain over 100 mSv with 0.08% over 500 mSv from whom 41% were under 50 years, but only 1.3% of patients scanned had thyroid/carotid artery doses over 100 mSv. An approximate evaluation of potential risks from exposures of the heart above 100 mSv and brain over 500 mSv for patients under 60 years would suggest that at most only one patient would demonstrate any excess risk from vascular disease resulting from the exposures. 0.67% of patients scanned received effective doses over 100 mSv, in line with results from European studies, with 8.4% being under 50 years. The application of age and sex specific risk coefficients relating to excess cancer incidence suggests that two or three patients with effective doses over 100 mSv and five patients with effective doses between 50 and 100 mSv, from those examined, might develop cancer as a result of exposure. However, this will be an overestimate, since it does not take patients’ health into account. Exposure management software can aid in evaluating cumulative doses and identifying individual patients receiving substantial doses from repetitive imaging.
Pre-threshold fractional susceptibility functions at Misiurewicz parameters
Authors: Sedro Julien
Published: September 2021

We show that the response, frozen and semifreddo fractional susceptibility functions of certain real-analytic unimodal families, at Misiurewicz parameters and for fractional differentiation index 

0
⩽
η
<

1

2

, are holomorphic on a disk of radius greater than one. This is a step towards solving a conjecture of Baladi and Smania, in the case of the aforementioned susceptibility functions.
Dynamical zeta functions in the nonorientable case
Authors: Borns-Weil Yonah , Shen Shu
Published: September 2021

We use a simple argument to extend the microlocal proofs of meromorphicity of dynamical zeta functions to the nonorientable case. In the special case of geodesic flow on a connected non-orientable negatively curved closed surface, we compute the order of vanishing of the zeta function at the zero point to be the first Betti number of the surface.
Increasing the scope and precision of the steady-state photocarrier grating technique by measuring the photocurrents at several voltages
Authors: Kopprio Leonardo , Longeaud Christophe
Published: September 2021

The steady-state photocarrier grating (SSPG) experiment is a popular technique for extracting the minority carrier diffusion length of photoconductive thin films in coplanar configuration. The diffusion length is basically obtained from the measurement of the steady-state photocurrent produced by a low applied voltage while the material is illuminated by two monochromatic laser beams of different intensities that interfere between the electrical contacts of the sample. Despite its simplicity and popularity, it is well known that the technique can overestimate the minority carrier diffusion length in some samples. In this paper, we show that the precision of the technique can be substantially increased by performing the same experiment at different voltages. Additionally, we show how to estimate fundamental material parameters from the experiment, such as the density of states at the majority carrier quasi-Fermi energy and the ratio between the recombination states’ capture coefficient and mobility of majority carriers. First, we show that the procedures found in the literature for correcting the overestimation produced by the standard technique do not work properly due to an oversimplification in the modeling. Then, we use a numerical simulation of an unintentionally-doped hydrogenated-amorphous-silicon-like material to evaluate the precision of the new formulas and procedures presented. We clarify the conditions under which the standard SSPG technique produces large overestimations. In these cases, we show that the precision of the new procedure can be more than ten times higher. Finally, we use the standard and the new method to characterize a hydrogenated amorphous (a-Si:H) and a hydrogenated polymorphous (pm-Si:H) silicon sample at different temperatures. We observe that the overestimations produced by the standard technique increase with the ratio between the majority and minority carrier diffusion lengths and the ratio between the recombination states’ capture coefficient and mobility of majority carriers.
Efficiency calculation by Monte Carlo simulation for the rapidly-deployable spectrometric air-sampling system (MARE)
Authors: Alegria N. , Legarda F.
Published: September 2021

In order to get information about the concentration of gamma
emitting radionuclides at ground level in case of a nuclear or
radiological accident or incident, sampling devices have been
designed in the framework of the European Metrology Programme for
Innovation and Research (EMPIR) of the European Association of
National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET) [1] financed
Preparedness project. To fulfill its duty, the device must be
properly calibrated in efficiency so as to relate spectra to
activity concentration taking any modifying factor, such as
coincidence summing correction, into account. Experimental approach
to efficiency calibration is a prohibitively difficult task, so the
Monte Carlo simulation method has been successfully adopted.
Lizard osteoderms – Morphological characterisation, biomimetic design and manufacturing based on three species
Authors: Liang Ce , Marghoub Arsalan , Kever Loic , Bertazzo Sergio , Abzhanov Arkhat , Vickaryous Matthew , Herrel Anthony , E Evans Susan , Moazen Mehran
Published: September 2021

Osteoderms (OD) are mineralised dermal structures consisting mainly of calcium phosphate and collagen. The sheer diversity of OD morphologies and their distribution within the skin of lizards makes these reptiles an ideal group in which to study ODs. Nonetheless, our understanding of the structure, development, and function of lizard ODs remains limited. The specific aims of this study were: (1) to carry out a detailed morphological characterisation of ODs in three lizard species; (2) to design and manufacture biomimetic sheets of ODs corresponding to the OD arrangement in each species; and (3) to evaluate the impact resistance of the manufactured biomimetic sheets under a drop weight test. Skin samples of the anguimorphs H. suspectum and O. ventralis, and the skink C. zebrata were obtained from frozen lab specimens. Following a series of imaging and image characterisations, 3D biomimetic models of the ODs were developed. 3D models were then printed using additive manufacturing techniques and subjected to drop weight impact tests. The results suggest that a 3D printed compound of overlapping ODs as observed in Corucia can potentially offers a higher energy absorption by comparison with the overlapping ODs of Ophisaurus and the non-overlapping ODs of Heloderma. Compound overlapping ODs need to be further tested and explored as a biomimetic concept to increase the shock absorption capabilities of devices and structures.
Enumeration of set-theoretic solutions to the Yang–Baxter equation
Authors: Akgün Ö. , Mereb M. , Vendramin L.
Published: September 2021

We use Constraint Satisfaction methods to enumerate and construct set-theoretic solutions to the Yang–Baxter equation of small size. We show that there are 321,931 involutive solutions of size nine, 4,895,272 involutive solutions of size ten and 422,449,480 non-involutive solution of size eight. Our method is then used to enumerate non-involutive biquandles.
Entropy for partial actions of ℤ
Authors: Baraviera Alexandre , Exel Ruy , Gonçalves Daniel , Rodrigues Fagner , Royer Danilo
Published: September 2021

In this paper we introduce the definition of topological entropy for a partial

Z

\mathbb {Z}

-action on metric spaces. We show that the definition of partial entropy is an extension of the definition of topological entropy for a

Z

\mathbb Z

-action. We also prove that the partial topological entropy is concentrated on the nonwandering set.
Riboflavin transporter SLC52A1, a target of p53, suppresses cellular senescence by activating mitochondrial complex II
Authors: Nagano Taiki , Awai Yuto , Kuwaba Shione , Osumi Taiichi , Mio Kentaro , Iwasaki Tetsushi , Kamada Shinji
Published: September 2021

p53 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular senescence. We reveal an SLC52A1-mediated negative feedback mechanism that counterbalances the prosenescence functions of p53. SLC52A1, a p53 target, impairs the AMPK-p53 pathway through activation of mitochondrial complex II to mitigate DNA damage-induced senescence.
Context-dependent coloration of prey and predator decision making in contrasting light environments
Authors: Nokelainen Ossi , de Moraes Rezende Francisko , Valkonen Janne K , Mappes Johanna
Published: September 2021

A big question in behavioral ecology is what drives diversity of color signals. One possible explanation is that environmental conditions, such as light environment, may alter visual signaling of prey, which could affect predator decision-making. Here, we tested the context-dependent predator selection on prey coloration. In the first experiment, we tested detectability of artificial visual stimuli to blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) by manipulating stimulus luminance and chromatic context of the background. We expected the presence of the chromatic context to facilitate faster target detection. As expected, blue tits found targets on chromatic yellow background faster than on achromatic grey background whereas in the latter, targets were found with smaller contrast differences to the background. In the second experiment, we tested the effect of two light environments on the survival of aposematic, color polymorphic wood tiger moth (Arctia plantaginis). As luminance contrast should be more detectable than chromatic contrast in low light intensities, we expected birds, if they find the moths aversive, to avoid the white morph which is more conspicuous than the yellow morph in low light (and vice versa in bright light). Alternatively, birds may attack first moths that are more detectable. We found birds to attack yellow moths first in low light conditions, whereas white moths were attacked first more frequently in bright light conditions. Our results show that light environments affect predator foraging decisions, which may facilitate context-dependent selection on visual signals and diversity of prey phenotypes in the wild.
The Complex Relationship Between Microbiota, Immune Response and Creeping Fat in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Suau Roger , Pardina Eva , Domènech Eugeni , Lorén Violeta , Manyé Josep
Published: September 2021

In the last decade, there has been growing interest in the pathological involvement of hypertrophic mesenteric fat attached to the serosa of the inflamed intestinal segments involved in Crohn’s disease [CD], known as creeping fat. In spite of its protective nature, creeping fat harbours an aberrant inflammatory activity which, in an already inflamed intestine, may explain why creeping fat is associated with a greater severity of CD. The transmural inflammation of CD facilitates the interaction of mesenteric fat with translocated intestinal microorganisms, contributing to activation of the immune response. This may be not the only way in which microorganisms alter the homeostasis of this fatty tissue: intestinal dysbiosis may also impair xenobiotic metabolism. All these CD-related alterations have a functional impact on nuclear receptors such as the farnesoid X receptor or the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, which are implicated in regulation of the immune response, adipogenesis and the maintenance of barrier function, as well as on creeping fat production of inflammatory-associated cells such as adipokines. The dysfunction of creeping fat worsens the inflammatory course of CD and may favour intestinal fibrosis and fistulizing complications. However, our current knowledge of the pathophysiology and pathogenic role of creeping fat is controversial and a better understanding might provide new therapeutic targets for CD. Here we aim to review and update the key cellular and molecular alterations involved in this inflammatory process that link the pathological components of CD with the development of creeping fat.
Severity of congenital long QT syndrome disease manifestation and risk of depression, anxiety, and mortality: a nationwide study
Authors: Krøll Johanna , Jensen Henrik K , Jespersen Camilla , Kanters Jørgen K , Hansen Michael Skov , Christiansen Michael , Westergaard Lucas Malta , Fosbøl Emil L , Rørth Rasmus , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Bundgaard Henning , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob , Weeke Peter E
Published: September 2021

Aims

We examined if a congenital long QT syndrome (cLQTS) diagnosis and severity of cLQTS disease manifestation was associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and all-cause mortality.

Methods and results

All patients with known cLQTS in Denmark were identified using nationwide registries and specialized inherited cardiac disease clinics (1994–2016) and followed for up to 3 years after their cLQTS diagnosis. Risk factors for depression, anxiety, and all-cause mortality were determined using multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression. An age- and sex-matched control population was identified (matching 1:4). Overall, 589 patients with cLQTS were identified of which 119/589 (20.2%) developed depression or anxiety during follow-up compared with 302/2356 (12.8%) from the control population (P < 0.001). Severity of cLQTS disease manifestation was identified for 324/589 (55%) of patients with cLQTS; 162 were asymptomatic, 119 had ventricular tachycardia (VT)/syncope, and 43 had aborted sudden cardiac death (aSCD). In multivariable models, patients with aSCD, VT/syncope, or unspecified cLQTS disease manifestation had a higher risk of developing depression or anxiety compared with the control population (hazard ratio [HR]=2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–5.1; HR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.0; HR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3, respectively). Asymptomatic patients had similar risk of developing depression or anxiety as the control population (HR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.8–1.9). During follow-up, 10/589 (1.7%) patients with cLQTS died compared with 27/2356 (1.1%) from the control population (P = 0.5). Furthermore, 4/10 who died had developed depression or anxiety.

Conclusion

A severe cLQTS disease manifestation was associated with a greater risk of depression or anxiety. All-cause mortality for patients with cLQTS was low.
sRNA STnc150 is involved in virulence regulation of Salmonella Typhimurium by targeting fimA mRNA
Authors: Li Jing , Li Na , Ning Chengcheng , Guo Yun , Ji Chunhui , Zhu Xiaozhen , Zhang Xingxing , Meng Qingling , Shang Yunxia , Xiao Chencheng , Xia Xianzhu , Cai Xuepeng , Qiao Jun
Published: September 2021

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are essential virulent regulators in Salmonella typhimurium (STM). To explore the role of sRNA STnc150 in regulating STM virulence, we constructed a STnc150 deletion strain (ΔSTnc150) and its complementary strain (ΔSTnc150/C). Then, we compared their characteristics to their original parent strain experimentally, identified the target genes of STnc150 and determined the expression levels of target genes. The results showed that the ΔSTnc150 strain exhibited delayed biofilm formation, enhanced adhesion to macrophages, significantly reduced LD50, increased liver and spleen viral loads and more vital pathological damaging ability than its parent and complementary strains. Further, bioinformatics combined with the bacterial dual plasmid reporter system confirmed that the bases 72–88 of STnc150 locating at the secondary stem-loop structure of the STnc150 are complementary with the bases 1–19 in the 5′-terminal of fimA mRNA of the type 1 fimbriae subunit. Western blot analysis showed that fimA protein level was increased in STnc150 strain compared with its parent and complementary strains. Together, this study suggested that STnc150 can down-regulate STM fimA expression at the translation level, which provided insights into the regulatory mechanisms of sRNAs in virulence of STM.
Galectin-12 modulates sebocyte proliferation and cell cycle progression by regulating cyclin A1 and CDK2
Authors: Tsao Ching-Han , Hsieh Wei-Chen , Yang Ri-Yao , Lo Yuan-Hsin , Tu Ting-Jui , Ke Liang-Yin , Zouboulis Christos C , Liu Fu-Tong
Published: September 2021

Enhanced sebocyte proliferation is associated with the pathogenesis of human skin diseases related to sebaceous gland hyperfunction and androgens, which are known to induce sebocyte proliferation, are key mediators of this process. Galectin-12, a member of the β-galactoside-binding lectin family that is preferentially expressed by adipocytes and functions as an intrinsic negative regulator of lipolysis, has been shown to be expressed by human sebocytes. In this study, we identified galectin-12 as an important intracellular regulator of sebocyte proliferation. Galectin-12 knockdown in the human SZ95 sebocyte line suppressed cell proliferation, and its overexpression promoted cell cycle progression. Inhibition of galectin-12 expression reduced the androgen-induced SZ95 sebocyte proliferation and growth of sebaceous glands in mice, respectively. The mRNA expression of the key cell cycle regulators cyclin A1 (CCNA1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 2CDK2 was reduced in galectin-12 knockdown SZ95 sebocytes, suggesting a pathway of galectin-12 regulation of sebocyte proliferation. Further, galectin-12 enhanced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression and transcriptional activity in SZ95 sebocytes, consistent with our previous studies in adipocytes. Rosiglitazone, a PPARγ ligand, induced CCNA1 levels, suggesting that galectin-12 may upregulate CCNA1 expression via PPARγ. Our findings suggest the possibility of targeting galectin-12 to treat human sebaceous gland hyperfunction and androgen-associated skin diseases.
Health Care Costs and Resource Utilization Among Patients With Crohn’s Disease With and Without Perianal Fistula
Authors: Chen Grace , Pedarla Vasantha , Null Kyle D , Cazzetta Susan E , Khan Qasim Rana , Schwartz David A
Published: September 2021

Background

Perianal fistula (PAF), a complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), is associated with substantial economic costs and poor prognosis. We determined prevalence of PAF CD in the United States and compared costs and health care resource utilization (HRU) of PAF CD patients with matched non-PAF CD patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of claims data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2018. Eligible patients were aged 18 to 89 years with ≥2 CD diagnoses. Patients with PAF CD had ≥1 PAF diagnosis or procedure code and were matched with non-PAF CD patients. Cumulative prevalence of PAF CD in the US population was calculated across total patients in MarketScan. All-cause and gastrointestinal (GI)-related costs and HRU were compared between groups using a generalized linear model (GLM).

Results

Cumulative 3-year prevalence of PAF was 7.70% of patients with CD (N = 81,862) and 0.01% of the US population. Among PAF CD (n = 1218) and matched non-PAF CD (n = 4095) patients, most all-cause costs and HRU were GI-related. Mean total all-cause and GI-related health care costs per patient and per year for PAF CD were $85,233 and $71,612, respectively, vs $40,526 and $29,458 for non-PAF CD (P < .0001). Among PAF CD vs non-PAF CD patients, GLM-adjusted proportions of patients with GI-related inpatient, outpatient, or pharmacy visits, mean GI-related inpatient length of stay, and mean GI-related surgeries were higher (P < .0001 for all comparisons).

Conclusions

Costs and HRU are significantly higher for patients with PAF CD vs non-PAF CD patients, highlighting the economic burden of the disease.
Łojasiewicz Inequalities for Mean Convex Self-Shrinkers
Authors: Zhu Jonathan J
Published: September 2021

We prove Łojasiewicz inequalities for round cylinders and cylinders over Abresch–Langer curves, using perturbative analysis of a quantity introduced by Colding–Minicozzi. A feature is that this auxiliary quantity allows us to work essentially at 1st order. This new method interpolates between the higher-order perturbative analysis used by the author for certain shrinking cylinders and the differential geometric method used by Colding–Minicozzi for the round case.
Mucosal Immune Responses Against an Oral Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Vaccine Evaluated in Clinical Trials
Authors: Svennerholm Ann-Mari , Lundgren Anna , Leach Susannah , Akhtar Marjahan , Qadri Firdausi
Published: September 2021

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children in low-income countries. We have tested an oral ETEC vaccine, ETVAX, consisting of inactivated E coli overexpressing the most prevalent colonization factors and a toxoid, LCTBA, administered together with a mucosal adjuvant, double-mutant heat-labile toxin (dmLT), for capacity to induce mucosal immune responses and immunological memory against the primary vaccine antigens, ie, colonization factors, heat-labile toxin B-subunit and O antigen. The studies show that ETVAX could induce strong intestine-derived and/or fecal immune responses in a majority of vaccinated Swedish adults and in different age groups, including infants, in Bangladesh.
Environmental Public Interest Litigation in China: Findings from 570 Court Cases Brought by NGOs, Public Prosecutors and Local Government
Authors: Xie Lei , Xu Lu
Published: September 2021

Environmental public interest litigation (EPIL) is an important development in the evolving framework of environmental governance in China. Through quantitative and qualitative analyses of decided cases brought by local government, public prosecutors and environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs), this study critically examines the features, strengths, difficulties and obstacles in the EPIL practice of China. While there is remarkable success overall for all three groups in terms of outcome, they each display different approaches and focuses. The prosecutors have established themselves as the cornerstone of the system by being the most efficient in winning the greatest number of cases. NGOs moved away from collaboration with the prosecutors in low-value cases, effectively into a competition with the government in a smaller number of high-value cases, though they are willing to venture into areas where others hesitate over. The findings offer valuable insights into current EPIL practice and inform future policy adjustment and legislation.
Treatment of device thrombus in the HeartWare HVAD: surgical exchange through thoracotomy
Authors: Ghandour Amale , Cecere Renzo
Published: September 2021

Pump thrombosis can occur in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). It can be treated medically with thrombolytic agents or surgically. We present a case of a man who successfully underwent an LVAD swap via left anterior thoracotomy due to recurrent thromboses in the inflow cannula.
Investigation of the properties of four rotating radio transients at 111 MHz
Authors: Tyul’bashev S A , Smirnova T V , Brylyakova E A , Kitaeva M A
Published: September 2021

We present an analysis of the individual pulses of four rotating radio transients (RRATs), previously discovered in a monitoring survey running for 5.5 yr at the frequency of 111 MHz. At a time interval equivalent to 5 d of continuous observations for each RRAT, 90, 389, 206 and 157 pulses were detected in J0640+07, J1005+30, J1132+25 and J1336+33, respectively. The investigated RRATs have different distributions of their pulse amplitudes. For J0640+07 and J1132+25, the distribution is described by a single exponent over the entire range of flux densities. For J1005+30 and J1336+33, it is a lognormal function with a power-law tail. For J0640+07 and J1005+30, we have detected pulses with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of a few hundred. For J1132+25 and J1336+33, the S/N of the strongest pulses reaches several tens. These RRATs show a strong change in their emission. When the strengths of their pulse amplitudes are significantly changed, we see long intervals of absence of emission or its strong attenuation. The analysis carried out in this work shows that it is possible that all the studied RRATs are, apparently, pulsars with giant pulses.
The Pristine survey XIII: uncovering the very metal-poor tail of the thin disc
Authors: Fernández-Alvar Emma , Kordopatis Georges , Hill Vanessa , Starkenburg Else , Viswanathan Akshara , Martin Nicolas F , Thomas Guillaume F , Navarro Julio F , Malhan Khyati , Sestito Federico , González Hernández Jonay I , Carlberg Raymond G
Published: September 2021

We evaluate the rotational velocity of stars observed by the Pristine survey towards the Galactic anticentre spanning a wide range of metallicities from the extremely metal-poor regime ([Fe/H] < −3) to nearly solar metallicity. In the Galactic anticentre direction, the rotational velocity (Vϕ) is similar to the tangential velocity in the galactic longitude direction (Vℓ). This allows us to estimate Vϕ from Gaia early data release 3 (Gaia EDR3) proper motions for stars without radial velocity measurements. This substantially increases the sample of stars in the outer disc with estimated rotational velocities. Our stellar sample towards the anticentre is dominated by a kinematical thin disc with a mean rotation of ∼−220  km s−1. However, our analysis reveals the presence of more stellar substructures. The most intriguing is a well-populated extension of the kinematical thin disc down to [Fe/H] ∼ −2 . A scarcer fast-rotating population reaching the extremely metal-poor regime down to [Fe/H] ∼ −3.5 is also detected but without statistical significance to unambiguously state whether this is the extremely metal-poor extension of the thin disc or the high-rotating tail of hotter structures (like the thick disc or the halo). In addition, a more slowly rotating kinematical thick disc component is also required to explain the observed Vℓ distribution at [Fe/H] > −1.5 . Furthermore, we detect signatures of a ‘heated disc’, the so-called Splash, at metallicities higher than ∼−1.5. Finally, at [Fe/H] < −1.5 our anticentre sample is dominated by a kinematical halo with a net prograde motion.
The search for failed supernovae with the Large Binocular Telescope: N6946-BH1, still no star
Authors: Basinger C M , Kochanek C S , Adams S M , Dai X , Stanek K Z
Published: September 2021

We present new Large Binocular Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, and Spitzer Space Telescope data for the failed supernova candidate N6946-BH1. We also report an unsuccessful attempt to detect the candidate with Chandra. The ∼300 000 $\, \mathrm{L}_\odot$ red supergiant progenitor underwent an outburst in 2009 and has since disappeared in the optical. In the LBT data from 2008 May through 2019 October, the upper limit on any increase in the R-band luminosity of the source is $2000 \, \mathrm{L}_\odot$. HST and Spitzer observations show that the source continued to fade in the near-IR and mid-IR, fading by approximately a factor of 2 between 2015 October and 2017 September to 2900 $\, \mathrm{L}_\odot$ at Hband (F160W). Models of the spectral energy distribution are inconsistent with a surviving star obscured either by an ongoing wind or dust formed in the transient. The disappearance of N6946-BH1 remains consistent with a failed supernova, but the post-failure phenomenology requires further theoretical study.
GW Ori: circumtriple rings and planets
Authors: Smallwood Jeremy L , Nealon Rebecca , Chen Cheng , Martin Rebecca G , Bi Jiaqing , Dong Ruobing , Pinte Christophe
Published: September 2021

GW Ori is a hierarchical triple star system with a misaligned circumtriple protoplanetary disc. Recent Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations have identified three dust rings with a prominent gap at $100\, \rm au$ and misalignments between each of the rings. A break in the gas disc may be driven by the torque from either the triple star system or a planet that is massive enough to carve a gap in the disc. Once the disc is broken, the rings nodally precess on different time-scales and become misaligned. We investigate the origins of the dust rings by means of N-body integrations and 3D hydrodynamic simulations. We find that for observationally motivated parameters of protoplanetary discs, the disc does not break due to the torque from the star system. We suggest that the presence of a massive planet (or planets) in the disc separates the inner and outer discs. We conclude that the disc breaking in GW Ori is likely caused by undetected planets – the first planet(s) in a circumtriple orbit.
A deep search for faint Chandra X-ray sources, radio sources, and optical counterparts in NGC 6752
Authors: Cohn Haldan N , Lugger Phyllis M , Zhao Yue , Tudor Vlad , Heinke Craig O , Cool Adrienne M , Anderson Jay , Strader Jay , Miller-Jones James C A
Published: September 2021

We report the results of a deep search for faint Chandra X-ray sources, radio sources, and optical counterparts in the nearby, core-collapsed globular cluster, NGC 6752. We combined new and archival Chandra imaging to detect 51 X-ray sources (12 of which are new) within the 1.9 arcmin half-light radius. Three radio sources in deep ATCA 5 and 9 GHz radio images match with Chandra sources. We have searched for optical identifications for the expanded Chandra source list using deep Hubble Space Telescope photometry in B435, R625, H α, UV275, and U336. Among the entire sample of 51 Chandra sources, we identify 18 cataclysmic variables (CVs), 9 chromospherically active binaries (ABs), 3 red giants (RGs), 3 galaxies (GLXs), and 6 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Three of the sources are associated with millisecond pulsars (MSPs). As in our previous study of NGC 6752, we find that the brightest CVs appear to be more centrally concentrated than the faintest CVs, although the effect is no longer statistically significant as a consequence of the inclusion in the faint group of two intermediate brightness CVs. This possible difference in the radial distributions of the bright and faint CV groups appears to indicate that mass segregation has separated them. We note that photometric incompleteness in the crowded central region of the cluster may also play a role. Both groups of CVs have an inferred mass above that of the main-sequence turnoff stars. We discuss the implications for the masses of the CV components.
Blast from the past: constraining progenitor models of SN 1972E
Authors: Do Aaron , Shappee Benjamin J , De Cuyper Jean-Pierre , Tonry John L , Hunt Cynthia , Schweizer François , Phillips Mark M , Burns Christopher R , Beaton Rachael , Hainaut Olivier
Published: September 2021

We present a novel technique to study Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) by constraining surviving companions of historical extragalactic SN by combining archival photographic plates and Hubble Space Telescope(HST) imaging. We demonstrate this technique for Supernova 1972E, the nearest known SN Ia in 125 yr. Some models of SNe Ia describe a white dwarf with a non-degenerate companion that donates enough mass to trigger thermonuclear detonation. Hydrodynamic simulations and stellar evolution models show that these donor stars will survive the explosion, and show increased luminosity for at least a 1000 yr. Thus, late-time observations of the exact location of a supernova can constrain the presence of a surviving donor star and progenitor models. We find the explosion site of SN 1972E by analysing 17 digitized photographic plates taken with the European Southern Observatory 1-m Schmidt and 1 plate taken with the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory 1.5-m telescope. Using the Gaia eDR3 catalogue to determine Supernova 1972E’s location yields: α = 13h39m52${_{.}^{\rm s}}$708 ± 0${_{.}^{\rm s}}$004 and δ = −31°40’9${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$00 ± 0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$04 (ICRS). In 2005, HST/ACS imaged the host galaxy of SN 1972E with the F435W, F555W, and F814W filters covering the explosion site. The nearest detected source is offset by 3.0 times our positional precision, and is inconsistent with the colours expected of a surviving donor star. Thus, the limiting magnitude of the HST observation (F555W > 28 mag) rules out all He star companion models and the most luminous main-sequence companion model currently in the literature. The remaining main-sequence companion models could be tested with a 10 orbit HST exposure in the F606W filter.
The K2-OjOS Project: New and revisited planets and candidates in K2 campaigns 5, 16, & 18
Authors: Castro-González A , Díez Alonso E , Menéndez Blanco J , Livingston J , de Leon J P , Lillo-Box J , Korth J , Fernández Menéndez S , Recio J M , Izquierdo-Ruiz F , Coya Lozano A , García de la Cuesta F , Gómez Hernández N , Vidal Blanco J R , Hevia Díaz R , Pardo Silva R , Pérez Acevedo S , Polancos Ruiz J , Padilla Tijerín P , Vázquez García D , Suárez Gómez S L , García Riesgo F , González Gutiérrez C , Bonavera L , González-Nuevo J , Rodríguez Pereira C , Sánchez Lasheras F , Sánchez Rodríguez M L , Muñiz R , Santos Rodríguez J D , de Cos Juez F J
Published: September 2021

We present the first results of K2-OjOS, a collaborative project between professional and amateur astronomers primarily aimed to detect, characterize, and validate new extrasolar planets. For this work, 10 amateur astronomers looked for planetary signals by visually inspecting the 20 427 light curves of K2 campaign 18 (C18). They found 42 planet candidates, of which 18 are new detections and 24 had been detected in the overlapping C5 by previous works. We used archival photometric and spectroscopic observations, as well as new high-spatial resolution images in order to carry out a complete analysis of the candidates found, including a homogeneous characterization of the host stars, transit modelling, search for transit timing variations and statistical validation. As a result, we report four new planets (K2-355 b, K2-356 b, K2-357 b, and K2-358 b) and 14 planet candidates. Besides, we refine the transit ephemeris of the previously published planets and candidates by modelling C5, C16 (when available) and C18 photometric data jointly, largely improving the period and mid-transit time precision. Regarding individual systems, we highlight the new planet K2-356 b and candidate EPIC 211537087.02 being near a 2:1 period commensurability, the detection of significant TTVs in the bright star K2-184 (V = 10.35), the location of K2-103 b inside the habitable zone according to optimistic models, the detection of a new single transit in the known system K2-274, and the disposition reassignment of K2-120 b, which we consider as a planet candidate as the origin of the signal cannot be ascertained.
A pathogen-specific sRNA influences enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli fitness and virulence in part by direct interaction with the transcript encoding the ethanolamine utilization regulatory factor EutR
Authors: Sauder Amber B , Kendall Melissa M
Published: September 2021

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 relies on sRNAs to coordinate expression of metabolic and virulence factors to colonize the host. Here, we focus on the sRNA, named MavR (metabolism and virulence regulator), that is conserved among pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae. MavR is constitutively expressed under in vitro conditions that promote EHEC virulence gene expression. Using MS2-affinity purification coupled with RNA sequencing, the eutR transcript was identified as a putative target of MavR. EutR is a transcription factor that promotes expression of genes required for ethanolamine metabolism as well as virulence factors important for host colonization. MavR binds to the eutR coding sequence to protect the eutR transcript from RNase E-mediated degradation. Ultimately, MavR promotes EutR expression and in turn ethanolamine utilization and ethanolamine-dependent growth. RNAseq analyses revealed that MavR also affected expression of genes important for other metabolic pathways, motility, oxidative stress and attaching and effacing lesion formation, which contribute to EHEC colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. In support of the idea that MavR-dependent gene expression affects fitness during infection, deletion of mavR resulted in significant (∼10- to 100-fold) attenuation in colonization of the mammalian intestine. Altogether, these studies reveal an important, extensive, and robust phenotype for a bacterial sRNA in host-pathogen interactions.
Ethylenediamine derivatives efficiently react with oxidized RNA 3′ ends providing access to mono and dually labelled RNA probes for enzymatic assays andin vivotranslation
Authors: Mamot Adam , Sikorski Pawel J , Siekierska Aleksandra , de Witte Peter , Kowalska Joanna , Jemielity Jacek
Published: September 2021

Development of RNA-based technologies relies on the ability to detect, manipulate, and modify RNA. Efficient, selective and scalable covalent modification of long RNA molecules remains a challenge. We report a chemical method for modification of RNA 3′-end based on previously unrecognized superior reactivity of N-substituted ethylenediamines in reductive amination of periodate-oxidized RNA. Using this method, we obtained fluorescently labelled or biotinylated RNAs varying in length (from 3 to 2000 nt) and carrying different 5′ ends (including m7G cap) in high yields (70–100% by HPLC). The method is scalable (up to sub-milligrams of mRNA) and combined with label-facilitated HPLC purification yields highly homogeneous products. The combination of 3′-end labelling with 5′-end labelling by strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) afforded a one-pot protocol for site-specific RNA bifunctionalization, providing access to two-colour fluorescent RNA probes. These probes exhibited fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), which enabled real-time monitoring of several RNA hydrolase activities (RNase A, RNase T1, RNase R, Dcp1/2, and RNase H). Dually labelled mRNAs were efficiently translated in cultured cells and in zebrafish embryos, which combined with their detectability by fluorescent methods and scalability of the synthesis, opens new avenues for the investigation of mRNA metabolism and the fate of mRNA-based therapeutics.
Active Cerebrospinal Fluid Exchange System for Treatment of Pyogenic Ventriculitis
Authors: Rezai Jahromi Behnam , Tanskanen Päivi , Koski-Pàlken Anniina , Schwartz Christoph , Koroknay-Pal Päivi , Romo Inka , Niemelä Mika , Siironen Jari
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in antibiotic treatment, pyogenic ventricular brain infections are still associated with adverse clinical outcome in 80% of affected patients and mortality rates approaching 60%. The limitation of antibiotic penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) challenges the treatment. Intrathecal treatment remains an option for adjunctive therapy to intravenous (iv) antibiotics when the iv therapy fails to sterilize the CFS. Current treatment options do not allow for changing the CSF composition without adversely affecting intracranial pressure (ICP) and power of hydrogen (pH).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if CSF composition exchange has impact on ventriculitis patients.

METHODS

We report 2 cases with pyogenic ventriculitis treated with a new intracranial active fluid exchange system that consists of a dual-lumen catheter to facilitate irrigation and drainage coupled with an intelligent digital pump.

RESULTS

This new technique allowed us to change the composition of CSF to an antibiotic-consisted fluid. This resulted in the ability to directly modify the concentration of the targeted antibiotics in the CSF, while simultaneously removing bacterial mass without harming brain tissue and controlling ICP and pH.

CONCLUSION

Our reported experience shows that drainage of purulent fluid caused by healthcare-associated ventriculitis or meningitis is now possible without harming brain tissue and ICP while also changing the composition of CSF to an antibiotic-consisted fluid. Actively removing pus and altering CSF in this manner had an impact on infection treatment and antibiotic penetration. Further cases are needed to confirm that our treatment algorithm is correctly tailored to assist clinicians in reliably treating this catastrophic condition.
Where Has All the Data Gone?
Authors: Farboodi Maryam , Matray Adrien , Veldkamp Laura , Venkateswaran Venky
Published: September 2021

Since the finance industry is transforming into a data industry, measuring the quantity of data investors have about various assets is important. Informed by a structural model, we develop such a cross-sectional measure. We show how our measure differs from price informativeness and use it to document a new fact: data about large high-growth firms is becoming increasingly abundant, relative to data about other firms. Our structural model offers an explanation for this data divergence: large high-growth firms’ data became more valuable, as big firms got bigger and growth magnified the effect of these changes in size.
Impact of teleconsultation on subsequent disease activity and flares in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Au Eong Jonathan T W , Lateef Aisha , Liang Shen , Lim Sandy H H , Tay Sen Hee , Mak Anselm , Cho Jiacai
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Despite the widespread adoption of teleconsultations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, their safety in SLE patients has not been evaluated. Here, we examined subsequent disease activity and flares among SLE patients who received teleconsultation vs in-person consultation. To discern differences in physicians’ prescription behaviour during both forms of consultations, we compared corticosteroid dose adjustments.

Methods

We studied adult SLE patients who were seen between 1 February 2020 and 1 February 2021. At each patient-visit, rheumatologists utilized phone/video teleconsultation or physical consultation at their discretion. Disease activity was assessed with SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and flares were defined by the SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index (SFI). We derived a propensity score for patients who were chosen for physical consultation. Multivariable generalized estimation equations were used to analyse SLEDAI-2k and flare at the next visit, adjusted for the propensity score.

Results

A total of 435 visits were recorded, of which 343 (78.9%) were physical visits and 92 (21.1%) were teleconsultations. The modality of consultation did not predict flare [OR for physical consultation (95% CI) 0.42 (0.04, 5.04), P =0.49] or SLEDAI-2k at the next visit [estimate of coefficient for physical consultation (95% CI) −0.19 (−0.80, 0.43), P =0.55]. Adjustments of prednisolone dosages were comparable between the two forms of visits [OR for physical consultation (95% CI) 1.34 (0.77, 2.34), P =0.30].

Conclusion

SLE disease activity and flares at the subsequent visit were similar between teleconsultations and physical consultations. Medication prescription behaviour, determined using adjustment in corticosteroid dosages, was not different between the two forms of visits.
Survival and associated comorbidities in inclusion body myositis
Authors: Naddaf Elie , Shelly Shahar , Mandrekar Jay , Chamberlain Alanna M , Hoffman E Matthew , Ernste Floranne C , Liewluck Teerin
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate survival and associated comorbidities in inclusion body myositis (IBM) in a population-based, case-control study.

Methods

We utilized the expanded Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records-linkage system, including 27 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, to identify patients with IBM, other inflammatory myopathies (IIM), and age/sex-matched population-controls. We compared the frequency of various comorbidities and survival among groups.

Results

We identified 50 IBM patients, 65 IIM controls and 294 population controls. Dysphagia was most common in IBM (64%) patients. The frequency of neurodegenerative disorders (dementia/parkinsonism) and solid cancers was not different between groups. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common rheumatic disease in all groups. A total of 36% of IBM patients had a peripheral neuropathy, 6% had Sjögren’s syndrome and 10% had a haematologic malignancy. T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukaemia was only observed in the IBM group. None of the IBM patients had hepatitis B or C, or HIV. IBM patients were 2.7 times more likely to have peripheral neuropathy, 6.2 times more likely to have Sjögren’s syndrome and 3.9 times more likely to have a haematologic malignancy than population controls. IBM was associated with increased mortality, with a 10-year survival of 36% from index, compared with 67% in IIM and 59% in population controls. Respiratory failure or pneumonia (44%) was the most common cause of death.

Conclusions

IBM is associated with lower survival, and higher frequency of peripheral neuropathy, Sjögren’s syndrome and haematologic malignancies than the general population. Close monitoring of IBM-related complications is warranted.
The Dynamics of Immigration and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Japan: How and Why Changes in Immigrant Share Affect Attitudes toward Immigration in a Newly Diversifying Society
Authors: Laurence James , Igarashi Akira , Ishida Kenji
Published: September 2021

Extensive research investigates how immigration shapes natives’ anti-immigrant sentiment. However, several areas require further scrutiny. This paper explores how processes of immigration affect anti-immigrant sentiment in a new immigration destination country—Japan—drawing on longitudinal data to examine these processes over time and explicitly testing the mechanisms of perceived threat and intergroup contact posited to underpin this relationship. Through this analysis, the paper aims to: examine how generalizable the immigrant share/immigration attitudes theoretical framework is to non-Western societies; refine our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this relationship; and more robustly test its causal assumptions. To pursue these aims, the study draws on two sets of nationally representative Japanese data, designed to generate complementary insights, including: four waves of longitudinal panel data (2008–2014) and a unique cross-sectional dataset containing measures of perceived threat and contact. Applying multilevel and fixed-effects panel data approaches, the findings demonstrate that as immigration increases in Japanese prefectures and municipalities, residents become increasingly averse toward immigration (although there is some evidence of non-linearity at the municipality level, with sentiment improving again in high immigrant share environments). This overall relationship appears largely driven by two competing processes. In higher immigrant share environments, perceived threat is higher, increasing anti-immigrant sentiment. However, concurrently, intergroup contact also increases in these environments, reducing anti-immigrant sentiment. Therefore, despite the overall negative relationship (driven primarily by perceived threat), rising contact exerts a countervailing positive effect as immigration increases. Taken together, this research demonstrates that theories of attitudinal-change with higher immigration, developed within Western-contexts, also appear salient for newer destination, non-Western societies.