bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear array analysis of passive surface waves combined with mini-Sosie technique
Authors: Guan Jianbo , Li Yu , Yan Yingwei , Yang Zhi , Liu Guohua
Published: April 2022

Mini-Sosie, which is convenient and environmentally friendly with high energy output, is gaining increasing attention as a seismic exploration source. Passive surface wave survey using ambient noise have become a powerful tool for exploration in urban areas due to the advantages of being efficient and non-destructive. A 2-D or pseudo-1D array that can attenuate phase velocity overestimation due to directional noise are the optimal choice, but such arrays are limited by the complex environment of the experimental site on the one hand and the need to ensure that the medium beneath the array meets the assumption of lateral isotropy on the other. However, the fully 1-D linear array as an alternative lacks the ability to suppress the directional effect of the noise source. In this study, we develop a novel approach for linear array analysis of passive surface waves combined with mini-Sosie technique, called LAPSS. We use the mini-Sosie technique with fixed-frequency impact in the in-line direction to provide the theoretical phase velocity values at several frequency points as a reference for the biased dispersion image obtained from the linear array analysis, so as to estimate the azimuth of the noise source and to perform the correction of the biased dispersion image. We present the detailed workflow of LAPSS and compare the performance of LAPSS with PLAS (which has proven to be superior to the frequency–wavenumber method, spatial autocorrelation method, refraction microtremor and multichannel analysis of passive surface waves) in achieving unbiased dispersion image with different noise source distributions through synthetic tests. The results show that the accuracy of the two methods is comparable, but LAPSS greatly improves the computational efficiency, has stronger generalizability and depends on weaker assumptions. Finally, a field experiment is conducted to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of LAPSS in obtaining unbiased dispersion images using a fully linear array.
Marine Life 2030: building global knowledge of marine life for local action in the Ocean Decade
Authors: Muller-Karger Frank E , Canonico Gabrielle , Aguilar Claudia Baron , Bax Nicholas J , Appeltans Ward , Yarincik Kristen , Leopardas Venus , Sousa-Pinto Isabel , Nakaoka Masahiro , Aikappu Akkeshi , Giddens Jonatha , Heslop Emma , Montes Enrique , Duffy J Emmett
Published: April 2022

Marine Life 2030 is a programme endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (the Ocean Decade) to establish a globally coordinated system that delivers knowledge of ocean life to those who need it, promoting human well-being, sustainable development, and ocean conservation. It is an open network to unite existing and new programmes into a co-designed, global framework to share information on methods, standards, observations, and applications. Goals include realizing interoperable information and transforming the observation and forecasting of marine life for the benefit of all people. Co-design, sharing local capacity, and coordination between users of ocean resources across regions is fundamental to enable sustainable use and conservation. A novel, bottom-up networking structure is now engaging members of the ocean community to address local issues, with Marine Life 2030 facilitating the linkage between groups across different regions to meet the challenges of the Ocean Decade. A variety of metrics, including those proposed by the Group on Earth Observations, will be used to track the success of the co-design process.
Professionalism development and assessment in the pre-registration pharmacist placement in England: transformative moments and maturation periods
Authors: Ireland Helen , Sowter Julie , O’Rourke Rebecca
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Development of new patient-facing roles for pharmacists and reports of poor patient care in the UK has led to questions concerning how pharmacists develop professionalism. This study explored how professionalism is developed and assessed during the post-graduation year in practice or pre-registration placement. The perspectives of two staff at the professional regulator UK (General Pharmaceutical Council), eight service users, seven pre-registration trainees, and 12 pre-registration tutors were recruited.

Methods

An interpretative paradigm was adopted. Data collection involved a semi-structured group interview, focus groups and a qualitative e-questionnaire. An inductive reasoning approach informed data analysis and interpretation.

Key findings

All groups provided insights into examples of transformative moments which potentiated professionalism development, the first being awarding the ‘pre-registration trainee’ title. All groups reported that contact with patients and trainee reflection aided professionalism maturation from a ‘self-centred student’ to becoming a ‘responsible professional’ where more than ‘doing’ is demanded. Furthermore, tutors stated the rate of professionalism development was affected by the sector of training and its opportunities for patient contact. Tutors felt they alone, not the registration exam, assessed professionalism using a variety of assessment approaches. Importantly, no tutors reported patient involvement in the assessment of trainees’ professionalism, yet service users expected to be involved.

Conclusions

Transformative moments and maturation periods during pre-registration training develop professionalism and enable trainees to ‘become’ a pharmacist. Careful planning of placements to optimise professionalism development across pharmacy sectors and consistent patient involvement in assessing trainee professionalism is recommended.
Bootstrap prediction intervals with asymptotic conditional validity and unconditional guarantees
Authors: Zhang Yunyi , Politis Dimitris N
Published: April 2022

It can be argued that optimal prediction should take into account all available data. Therefore, to evaluate a prediction interval’s performance one should employ conditional coverage probability, conditioning on all available observations. Focusing on a linear model, we derive the asymptotic distribution of the difference between the conditional coverage probability of a nominal prediction interval and the conditional coverage probability of a prediction interval obtained via a residual-based bootstrap. Applying this result, we show that a prediction interval generated by the residual-based bootstrap has approximately $50\%$ probability to yield conditional under-coverage. We then develop a new bootstrap algorithm that generates a prediction interval that asymptotically controls both the conditional coverage probability as well as the possibility of conditional under-coverage. We complement the asymptotic results with several finite-sample simulations.
Preserved Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells in the Cervical Mucosa of HIV-Infected Women with Dominant Expression of the TRAV1-2–TRAJ20 T Cell Receptor α-Chain
Authors: Gibbs Anna , Healy Katie , Kaldhusdal Vilde , Sundling Christopher , Franzén-Boger Mathias , Edfeldt Gabriella , Buggert Marcus , Lajoie Julie , Fowke Keith R , Kimani Joshua , Kwon Douglas S , Andersson Sonia , Sandberg Johan K , Broliden Kristina , Davanian Haleh , Chen Margaret Sällberg , Tjernlund Annelie
Published: April 2022

Background

Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T cells with specialized antimicrobial functions. Circulating MAIT cells are depleted in chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but studies examining this effect in peripheral tissues, such as the female genital tract, are lacking.

Methods

Flow cytometry was used to investigate circulating MAIT cells in a cohort of HIV-seropositive (HIV+) and HIV-seronegative (HIV−) female sex workers (FSWs), and HIV− lower-risk women (LRW). In situ staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to explore the phenotype of MAIT cells residing in paired cervicovaginal tissue. The cervicovaginal microbiome was assessed by means of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

Results

MAIT cells in the HIV+ FSW group were low in frequency in the circulation but preserved in the ectocervix. MAIT cell T-cell receptor gene segment usage differed between the HIV+ and HIV− FSW groups. The TRAV1-2–TRAJ20 transcript was the most highly expressed MAIT TRAJ gene detected in the ectocervix in the HIV+ FSW group. MAIT TRAVJ usage was not associated with specific genera in the vaginal microbiome.

Conclusions

MAIT cells residing in the ectocervix are numerically preserved irrespective of HIV infection status and displayed dominant expression of TRAV1-2–TRAJ20. These findings have implications for understanding the role of cervical MAIT cells in health and disease.
Genomic surveillance and antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Bangkok, Thailand in 2018
Authors: Golparian Daniel , Kittiyaowamarn Rossaphorn , Paopang Porntip , Sangprasert Pongsathorn , Sirivongrangson Pachara , Franceschi Francois , Jacobsson Susanne , Wi Teodora , Unemo Magnus
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a substantial global public health problem. Gonococcal infections acquired in or from Asia represent most verified ceftriaxone treatment failures, and several ceftriaxone-resistant strains have emerged in Asia and subsequently spread globally. Additionally, in Thailand the gonorrhoea incidence remains high. Herein, we investigate the genomic diversity, AMR and AMR determinants in gonococcal isolates cultured in 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods

Gonococcal isolates from males (n = 37) and females (n = 62) were examined by Etest and WGS. AMR determinants and molecular epidemiological STs were characterized. For phylogenomic comparison, raw sequence data were included from China (432 isolates), Japan (n = 270), Vietnam (n = 229), Thailand (n = 3), a global dataset (n = 12 440) and the 2016 WHO reference strains plus WHO Q (n = 15).

Results

In total, 88, 66 and 41 different NG-MAST, NG-STAR and MLST STs, respectively, and 31 different NG-STAR clonal complexes were found. A remarkably high frequency (88%) of β-lactamase TEM genes was detected and two novel TEM alleles were found. The phylogenomic analysis divided the isolates into the previously described lineages A and B, with a large proportion of Thai isolates belonging to the novel sublineage A3.

Conclusions

We describe the first molecular epidemiological study using WGS on gonococcal isolates from Thailand. The high prevalence of AMR and AMR determinants for ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and benzylpenicillin, and some strains belonging to clones/clades especially in sublineage A2 that are prone to develop resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and azithromycin, should prompt continued and strengthened AMR surveillance, including WGS, of N. gonorrhoeae in Thailand.
Supporting Micro-enterprise in Humanitarian Programming: Impact Evaluation of Business Grants versus Unconditional Cash Transfer
Authors: Abdullahi Arays , Ali Mohamed , Kipchumba Elijah , Sulaiman Munshi
Published: April 2022

Humanitarian programming in fragile economies often use unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) to offset food insecurity. However, there is an increasing focus on using cash transfers to boost household incomes beyond the short-term through micro-enterprise start-up and growth. This paper conducts a randomised control trial to measure the impact of three different sizes of business grants against UCT in Somalia. We find that giving the same amount of money as a lump sum business grant results in higher likelihood of business ownership and income compared with UCT in the short run (3–4 months after the transfers). However, the impacts are larger and persist 3 years later only for those who received larger amount of grants. The results indicate our ‘medium’-sized grant being more cost-effective.
The effects of competition law on inequality—an incidental by-product or a path for societal change?
Authors: Ezrachi Ariel , Zac Amit , Decker Christopher
Published: April 2022

Rising economic inequality presents society with unprecedented challenges. Direct instruments designed to address these worrying trends have often under performed. As a result, we find ourselves on a potentially dangerous and downward path. In this article we explore whether, in parallel to other efforts to mitigate the rise of inequality, there can be a role for competition law in the quest to reduce the widening inequality gap. We begin by outlining the possible relationship between competition law enforcement, market power, and economic inequality. We supplement the theoretical discussion with a review of empirical analysis of these linkages. We look at macro and micro data and emphasize the role of labour compensation as a key mechanism which links competition law enforcement, competition dynamics, and economic inequality. We then reflect on the policy implications and possible means to utilize competition enforcement in a manner that could reduce economic inequality.
Electronic blood glucose monitoring impacts on provider and patient behavior
Authors: Root Allyson , Connolly Christopher , Majors Season , Ahmed Hassan , Toma Mattie
Published: April 2022

Objective

Recent technological development along with the constraints imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have led to increased availability of patient-generated health data. However, it is not well understood how to effectively integrate this new technology into large health systems. This article seeks to identify interventions to increase utilization of electronic blood glucose monitoring for patients with diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A large randomized controlled trial tested the impact of multiple interventions to promote use of electronic blood glucose tracking. The total study sample consisted of 7052 patients with diabetes across 68 providers at 20 selected primary care offices. The design included 2 stages: First, primary care practices were randomly assigned to have their providers receive education regarding blood glucose flowsheet orders. Then, patients in the treated practices were assigned to 1 of 4 reminder interventions.

Results

Provider education successfully increased provider take-up of an online blood glucose monitoring tool by 64 percentage points, while a comparison of reminder interventions revealed that emphasizing accountability to the provider encouraged patients to track their blood glucose online. An assessment of downstream outcomes revealed impacts of the interventions on prescribing behavior and A1c testing frequency.

Discussion

It is important to understand how health systems can practically promote take-up and awareness of emerging digital health alternatives or those with persistently low utilization in clinical settings.

Conclusion

These results indicate that provider training and support are critical first steps to promote utilization of patient-generated health data, and that patient communications can provide further motivation.
The Pursuit of Meaning and the Preference for Less Expensive Options
Authors: Mead Nicole L , Williams Lawrence E
Published: April 2022

Finding meaning in life is a fundamental human motivation. Along with pleasure, meaning is a pillar of happiness and well-being. Yet, despite the centrality of this motive, and despite firms’ attempts to appeal to this motive, scant research has investigated how the pursuit of meaning influences consumer choice, especially in comparison to the study of pleasure. While previous perspectives would suggest that the pursuit of meaning tilts consumers toward high-quality products, we predicted and found the opposite. As compared to a pleasure or (no goal) baseline condition, six studies demonstrate that the pursuit of meaning causes people to consider how they can otherwise use their money (opportunity costs) which in turn leads to a preference for less expensive goods. This effect is robust across multiple product categories and usage situations, including both experiential and material purchases, and is obtained even when the more expensive product is perceived to deliver greater meaning. For participants pursuing meaning, making opportunity costs salient has no effect on their choices, and encouraging opportunity cost neglect increases their willingness to pay for a more expensive item. This research thus provides an initial answer as to how the pursuit of meaning shapes consumer choice processes and preferences.
A De Novo Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the White-Tailed Deer, Odocoileus Virginianus
Authors: London Evan W , Roca Alfred L , Novakofski Jan E , Mateus-Pinilla Nohra E
Published: April 2022

Cervids are distinguished by the shedding and regrowth of antlers. Furthermore, they provide insights into prion and other diseases. Genomic resources can facilitate studies of the genetic underpinnings of deer phenotypes, behavior, and disease resistance. Widely distributed in North America, the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has recreational, commercial, and food source value for many households. We present a genome generated using DNA from a single Illinois white-tailed sequenced on the PacBio Sequel II platform and assembled using Wtdbg2. Omni-C chromatin conformation capture sequencing was used to scaffold the genome contigs. The final assembly was 2.42 Gb, consisting of 508 scaffolds with a contig N50 of 21.7 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 52.4 Mb, and a BUSCO complete score of 93.1%. Thirty-six chromosome pseudomolecules comprised 93% of the entire sequenced genome length. A total of 20 651 predicted genes using the BRAKER pipeline were validated using InterProScan. Chromosome length assembly sequences were aligned to the genomes of related species to reveal corresponding chromosomes.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in type 2 diabetes mellitus: from pathophysiology to therapeutics
Authors: Abudureyimu Miyesaier , Luo Xuanming , Wang Xiang , Sowers James R , Wang Wenshuo , Ge Junbo , Ren Jun , Zhang Yingmei
Published: April 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM or T2D) is a devastating metabolic abnormality featured by insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. T2D provokes unique metabolic changes and compromises cardiovascular geometry and function. Meanwhile, T2D increases the overall risk for heart failure (HF) and acts independent of classical risk factors including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and valvular heart diseases. The incidence of HF is extremely high in patients with T2D and is manifested as HF with preserved, reduced, and midrange ejection fraction (HFpEF, HFrEF, and HFmrEF, respectively), all of which significantly worsen the prognosis for T2D. HFpEF is seen in approximately half of the HF cases and is defined as a heterogenous syndrome with discrete phenotypes, particularly in close association with metabolic syndrome. Nonetheless, management of HFpEF in T2D remains unclear, largely due to the poorly defined pathophysiology behind HFpEF. Here, in this review, we will summarize findings from multiple preclinical and clinical studies as well as recent clinical trials, mainly focusing on the pathophysiology, potential mechanisms, and therapies of HFpEF in T2D.
Study of shear locking effect on 3D solder joint reliability analysis
Authors: Huang Y W , Chiang K N
Published: April 2022

The fabrication process of WLP (wafer-level packaging) has become more mature, and using the finite element method (FEM) to predict the reliability life of electronic packaging can shorten the WLP design cycles. This study adopted the NSMD (non-solder mask defined) solder joint structure in WLP and used an energy method to predict the solder joint geometry. A fixed mesh size will be determined for the critical region of the solder joint to evaluate the inelastic strain due to the thermal loading in finite element analysis. However, under the influence of the solder geometry of some tested vehicles, especially when the solder contact angle of the lower pad is less than 20 degrees, a shear locking phenomenon will occur at the solder joint. This phenomenon causes abnormal energy transfer. The excessive strain is concentrated on the upper part of the solder joint, resulting in an incorrect estimation of reliability life. Reduced integration can prevent shear locking and has improved strain results compared to full integration. The results of this research demonstrate that the FEM using proper mesh size control and the reduced integration point element in critical regions can deliver accurate reliability life prediction for WLP.
National survey on World Health Organization/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs core drug use indicators in the outpatient setting and availability of medicines in a developing South Asian country
Authors: Ranasinghe P , Liyanage C K , Meegoda J , Jayakody R L , Galappatthy P
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To describe the availability of medicines and World Health Organization (WHO)/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) core drug use indicators in a nationally representative sample of outpatient department (OPD) pharmacies in government hospitals of Sri Lanka.

Methods

This descriptive-cross-sectional national survey was conducted in OPD pharmacies in government hospitals, representing all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. WHO/INRUD core prescribing indicators were evaluated, together with the identification of the most commonly prescribed medications. To measure the availability of medicines, a list of 103 medicines from the WHO Global Core List (GCL), WHO/South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) Regional Core List (RCL) and a national ‘Supplementary List’ were surveyed.

Key findings

A total of 3055 prescriptions were evaluated. There were 88 different medications prescribed with the commonest being paracetamol (n = 578; 18.9%). The average number of medicines per encounter was 3.3 ± 1.4 (range 1–10). Overall, the percentage of encounters with an antibiotic was 43.4% (n = 1327). There were 178 prescriptions where more than one antibiotic (5.8%) has been prescribed. Overall, the percentage of encounters with an injection was only 0.5% (n = 14). The percentage of medicines prescribed by generic name and from the essential medicine list (EML) was 84.3% and 98.9%, respectively. The average availability of medicines overall was 71.8% (range 0–100%). On average, medicines from the WHO/Health Action International GCL, WHO-SEARO RCL and national supplementary list were available in 69.8%, 75.8% and 71.3% of hospital OPD pharmacies, respectively.

Conclusions

The major contributors to irrational prescribing and inappropriate use of medicines in this setting were polypharmacy and prescription of antibiotics. Prescribing by generic name, use of injectable preparations and use of medicines from the EML conformed to the WHO-recommended optimal levels to a great extent.
Mental health literacy and stigma towards patients with mental health disorders among pharmacists in the MENA region
Authors: Batarseh Yazan , Abukhalaf Mariam , Fakhoury Rula , Alfalah Laith , Wazaify Mayyada
Published: April 2022

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate the mental health literacy of pharmacists in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Methods

An online survey was delivered via social media platforms to a sample of pharmacists. The survey assessed mental health literacy in terms of knowledge, attitude and stigma in providing care to mental health patients.

Key findings

A total of 372 pharmacists filled in the questionnaire, the majority of which were female (71%) and under 29 years of age (78.7%). Half were community pharmacists. The majority of respondents recognized depression (93.3%), anxiety (63.7%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (68%). Almost 35% of pharmacists were unable to classify psychiatric medications properly. Analysis of pharmacists’ attitudes towards different interventions showed the following order of help-seeking preference; psychiatrists (83.3%), spiritual activity (59.9%), family support (55.6%), friends support (53%), pharmacists support (40.6%) and social workers (39%).

Conclusion

Although baseline knowledge of responding pharmacists regarding mental disorders was adequate, their advanced knowledge on multiple use of interventions was shallow. Stigma was noted in perceived dangerousness and recovery of mental health patients, social responsibility and social distance.
Non-operative management of pneumoperitoneum following cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Johnson Christopher L , Gomes Camilla , Cheng Justin , Lebares Carter C
Published: April 2022

Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in a patient with a tracheostomy tube following cardiopulmonary resuscitation is exceedingly rare, with little experimental nor observational data to guide evidence-based management. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with a tracheostomy tube who developed pneumoperitoneum following CPR. The patient experienced pulseless electrical activity arrest requiring nine rounds of chest compressions to return to spontaneous circulation. Computerized tomography demonstrated pneumothoraces, subcutaneous emphysema and extensive intraperitoneal, extraperitoneal and retroperitoneal free air without evidence of visceral perforation. The patient’s abdomen was distended without tenderness, guarding or rebound. She had a white blood cell count mildly elevated from her baseline levels. The management plan of serial abdominal exams without operative intervention was chosen given the absence of clinical and laboratory signs of peritonitis. This case highlights the importance of developing a standardized management algorithm for patients with pneumoperitoneum in the setting of tracheostomy tubes without evidence of perforation.
Cationic lipid-based formulations for encapsulation and delivery of anti-EFG1 2′
OMethylRNA oligomer
Authors: Araújo Daniela , Gaspar Ricardo , Mil-Homens Dalila , Henriques Mariana , Silva Bruno F B , Silva Sónia
Published: April 2022

The effective protection and delivery of antisense oligomers to its site of action is a challenge without an optimal strategy. Some of the most promising approaches encompass the complexation of nucleic acids, which are anionic, with liposomes of fixed or ionizable cationic charge. Thus, the main purpose of this work was to study the complexation of cationic liposomes with anti-EFG1 2′OMe oligomers and evaluate the complex efficacy to control Candida albicans filamentation in vitro and in vivo using a Galleria mellonella model.

To accomplish this, cationic dioleoyl-trimethylammoniumpropane (DOTAP) was mixed with three different neutral lipids dioleoyl-phosphocholine (DOPC), dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and monoolein (MO) and used as delivery vectors. Fluorescence Cross Correlation Spectroscopy measurements revealed a high association between antisense oligomers (ASO) and cationic liposomes confirming the formation of lipoplexes. In vitro, all cationic liposome-ASO complexes were able to release the anti-EFG1 2′OMe oligomers and consequently inhibit C. albicans filamentation up to 60% after 72 h. In vivo, from all formulations the DOTAP/DOPC 80/20 ρchg = 3 formulation proved to be the most effective, enhancing the G. mellonella survival by 40% within 48 h and by 25% after 72 h of infection.

In this sense, our findings show that DOTAP-based lipoplexes are very good candidates for nano-carriers of anti-EFG1 2′OMe oligomers.
The structure of cluster merger shocks: turbulent width and the electron heating time-scale
Authors: Russell H R , Nulsen P E J , Caprioli D , Chadayammuri U , Fabian A C , Kunz M W , McNamara B R , Sanders J S , Richard-Laferrière A , Beleznay M , Canning R E A , Hlavacek-Larrondo J , King L J
Published: April 2022

We present a new $2\rm \, Ms$Chandra observation of the cluster merger Abell 2146, which hosts two huge M ∼ 2 shock fronts each ${\sim }500\rm \, kpc$ across. For the first time, we resolve and measure the width of cluster merger shocks. The best-fitting width for the bow shock is $17\pm 1\rm \, kpc$ and for the upstream shock is $10.7\pm 0.3\rm \, kpc$. A narrow collisionless shock will appear broader in projection if its smooth shape is warped by local gas motions. We show that both shock widths are consistent with collisionless shocks blurred by local gas motions of $290\pm 30{\rm \, km\rm \, s^{-1}}$. The upstream shock forms later on in the merger than the bow shock and is therefore expected to be significantly narrower. From the electron temperature profile behind the bow shock, we measure the time-scale for the electrons and ions to come back into thermal equilibrium. We rule out rapid thermal equilibration of the electrons with the shock-heated ions at the 6σ level. The observed temperature profile instead favours collisional equilibration. For these cluster merger shocks, which have low sonic Mach numbers and propagate through a high β plasma, we find no evidence for electron heating over that produced by adiabatic compression. Our findings are expected to be valid for collisionless shocks with similar parameters in other environments and support the existing picture from the solar wind and supernova remnants. The upstream shock is consistent with this result but has a more complex structure, including a ${\sim}2\rm \, keV$ increase in temperature ${\sim }50\rm \, kpc$ ahead of the shock.
Shocking interactions of supernova remnants with atomic and molecular clouds – the interplay between shocks, thermal instability, and gravity in the large cloud regime
Authors: Kupilas M M , Pittard J M , Wareing C J , Falle S A E G
Published: April 2022

Using the adaptive mesh refinement code mg, we perform 3D hydrodynamic simulations of a supernova–cloud interaction in the ‘large cloud regime’. The cloud is initially atomic and evolving due to the thermal instability (TI) and gravity. We study interactions in a ‘pre-TI’ and ‘post-TI’ stage when cold and dense clumps are present, and compare these results to idealized shock–cloud scenarios in the ‘small cloud regime’, and a scenario without shocks. On aggregate, the supernova disruption is significantly weaker than that from an idealized shock due to the supernova impact being instantaneous, and not continuous. In both supernova–cloud interactions, we observe two shocks impact the cloud, followed by the development of a weak 10 km s−1 upstream flow on the cloud interface, and a global ambient pressure drop. When the cloud is still atomic, it expands due to this drop. Additionally, the TI is triggered at the front of the cloud, causing the formation of a cap-like structure with clumps embedded inside. The upstream flow converges in this region, resulting in a lobe-like cloud morphology. When the cloud is molecular, the transmitted shock disrupts the inter-clump material and causes the clumps’ outer envelopes to expand slightly and form tail-like morphologies. These effects are less pronounced than those in our shock–cloud scenarios, and more pronounced that those in our un-shocked scenario. After ∼ 3.5 Myr, the effects from the supernova decay and the cloud returns to an almost indistinguishable state from an un-shocked cloud, in spite of the global ambient pressure drop. In neither supernova–cloud scenario do we see any local gravitational collapse.
Magnetic reconnection and plasmoid formation in three-dimensional accretion flows around black holes
Authors: Nathanail Antonios , Mpisketzis Vasilis , Porth Oliver , Fromm Christian M , Rezzolla Luciano
Published: April 2022

Magnetic reconnection is thought to be one of the main energy-dissipation mechanisms fueling energy to the plasma in the vicinity of a black hole. Indeed, plasmoids formed through magnetic reconnection may play a key role in γ-ray, X-ray and near-infrared flares from the black hole at the centre of our galaxy, SgrA*. We report the results of 3D general-relativistic ideal and resistive magnetohydrodynamics simulations modelling magnetic reconnection in accretion flows around astrophysical black holes. As an important difference with similar works, our accretion discs have an initial dipolar magnetic-field configuration with loops of alternating polarity. We show that current sheets are formed and destroyed rapidly in the turbulent environment of black hole accretion. Plasmoids are formed from current sheets close to the event horizon, in a region of ∼2–15 gravitational radii. We further quantify the magnetic dissipation and the process of energy transfer to the plasmoids, reporting the reconnection rate, the relative current density with respect to the local magnetic field, and the size of the plasmoids. We find that plasmoids gain energy through reconnection and heat up to relativistic temperatures, with the largest ones being sufficiently energetic to leave the black hole near the polar regions. During their evolution, plasmoids are stretched and elongated, becoming disrupted when the shear is sufficiently large, although some plasmoids survive as well-distinguished structures at distances of ∼30–40 gravitational radii from the black hole. Finally, we find that in some cases the plasmoids acquire a super-Keplerian azimuthal velocity, as suggested by recent observations of flares from Sgr A*.
Realistic galaxy images and improved robustness in machine learning tasks from generative modelling
Authors: Holzschuh Benjamin J , O’Riordan Conor M , Vegetti Simona , Rodriguez-Gomez Vicente , Thuerey Nils
Published: April 2022

We examine the capability of generative models to produce realistic galaxy images. We show that mixing generated data with the original data improves the robustness in downstream machine learning tasks. We focus on three different data sets: analytical Sérsic profiles, real galaxies from the COSMOS survey, and galaxy images produced with the SKIRT code, from the IllustrisTNG simulation. We quantify the performance of each generative model, using the Wasserstein distance between the distributions of morphological properties (e.g. the Gini-coefficient, the asymmetry, and ellipticity), the surface brightness distribution on various scales (as encoded by the power spectrum), the bulge statistic, and the colour for the generated and source data sets. With an average Wasserstein distance (Fréchet Inception Distance) of 7.19 × 10−2 (0.55), 5.98 × 10−2 (1.45), and 5.08 × 10−2 (7.76) for the Sérsic, COSMOS and SKIRT data set, respectively, our best models convincingly reproduce even the most complicated galaxy properties and create images that are visually indistinguishable from the source data. We demonstrate that by supplementing the training data set with generated data, it is possible to significantly improve the robustness against domain-shifts and out-of-distribution data. In particular, we train a convolutional neural network to denoise a data set of mock observations. By mixing generated images into the original training data, we obtain an improvement of 11 and 45 per cent in the model performance regarding domain-shifts in the physical pixel size and background noise level, respectively.
The eclipsing binary systems with δ Scuti component – II. AB Cas
Authors: Miszuda A , Kołaczek-Szymański P A , Szewczuk W , Daszyńska-Daszkiewicz J
Published: April 2022

We present a complex study of the eclipsing binary system, AB Cas. The analysis of the whole TESS light curve, corrected for the binary effects, reveals 112 significant frequency peaks with 17 independent signals. The dominant frequency f1 = 17.1564 d−1 is a radial fundamental mode. The O − C analysis of the times of light minima from over 92 yr leads to a conclusion that due to the ongoing mass transfer the system exhibits a change of the orbital period at a rate of 0.03 s per year. In order to find evolutionary models describing the current stage of AB Cas, we perform binary evolution computations. Our results show the AB Cas system as a product of the rapid non-conservative mass transfer with about 5–26 per cent of transferred mass lost from the system. This process heavily affected the orbital characteristics of this binary and its components in the past. In fact, this system closely resemble the formation scenarios of EL CVn type binaries. For the first time, we demonstrate the effect of binary evolution on radial pulsations and determine the lines of constant frequency on the HR diagram. From the binary and seismic modelling, we obtain constraints on various parameters. In particular, we constrain the overshooting parameter, fov ∈ [0.010,  0.018], the mixing-length parameter, αMLT ∈ [1.2,  1.5] and the age, t ∈ [2.3,  3.4] Gyr.
The physical origin and the properties of arm spurs/feathers in local simulations of the wiggle instability
Authors: Mandowara Yash , Sormani Mattia C , Sobacchi Emanuele , Klessen Ralf S
Published: April 2022

Gaseous substructures such as feathers and spurs dot the landscape of spiral arms in disc galaxies. One of the candidates to explain their formation is the wiggle instability of galactic spiral shocks. We study the wiggle instability using local 2D hydrodynamical isothermal non-self-gravitating simulations. We find that: (1) simulations agree with analytic linear stability analysis only under stringent conditions. They display surprisingly strong non-linear coupling between the different modes, even for small mode amplitudes (${\sim}1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). (2) We demonstrate that the wiggle instability originates from a combination of two physically distinct mechanisms: the first is the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, and the second is the amplification of infinitesimal perturbations from repeated shock passages. These two mechanisms can operate simultaneously, and which mechanism dominates depends on the underlying parameters. (3) We explore the parameter space and study the properties of spurs/feathers generated by the wiggle instability. The wiggle instability is highly sensitive to the underlying parameters. The feather separation decreases, and the growth rate increases, with decreasing sound speed, increasing potential strength and decreasing interarm distance. (4) We compare our simulations with a sample of 20 galaxies in the HST Archival Survey of Spiral Arm Substructure of La Vigne et al. and find that the wiggle instability is able to reproduce the typical range of feather separations seen in observations. It remains unclear how the wiggle instability relates to competing mechanisms for spur/feather formation such as the magneto-jeans instability and the stochastic accumulation of gas due to correlated supernova feedback.
Stellar populations in the transition region of nuclear star cluster and nuclear stellar disc
Authors: Feldmeier-Krause A
Published: April 2022

The Milky Way nuclear star cluster (NSC) is located within the nuclear stellar disc (NSD) in the Galactic Centre. It is not fully understood if the formation and evolution of these two components are connected, and how they influence each other. We study the stellar populations in the transition region of NSC and NSD. We observed two ∼4.3 pc2 fields with the integral-field spectrograph KMOS (VLT), located at r ∼ 20 pc (>4 Re) to the Galactic East and West of the NSC. We extract and analyse medium-resolution stellar spectra of >200 stars per field. The data contain in total nine young star candidates. We use stellar photometry to estimate the stellar masses, effective temperatures, and spectral types of the young stars. The stars are consistent with an age of 4–6 Myr, they may have formed inside the Quintuplet cluster, but were dispersed in dynamical interactions. Most stars in the two fields are red giant stars, and we measure their stellar metallicities [M/H] using full spectral fitting. We compare our [M/H] distributions to the NSC and NSD, using data from the literature, and find that the overall metallicity decreases from the central NSC, over the transition region, to the NSD. The steep decrease of [M/H] from the NSC to the region dominated by the NSD indicates that the two components have distinct stellar populations and formation histories.
Premature translation termination mediated non-ER stress induced ATF6 activation by a ligand-dependent ribosomal frameshifting circuit
Authors: Hsu Hsiu-Ting , Murata Asako , Dohno Chikara , Nakatani Kazuhiko , Chang KungYao
Published: April 2022

The −1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (−1 PRF) has been explored as a gene regulatory circuit for synthetic biology applications. The −1 PRF usually uses an RNA pseudoknot structure as the frameshifting stimulator. Finding a ligand-responsive pseudoknot with efficient −1 PRF activity is time consuming and is becoming a bottleneck for its development. Inserting a guanine to guanine (GG)–mismatch pair in the 5′-stem of a small frameshifting pseudoknot could attenuate −1 PRF activity by reducing stem stability. Thus, a ligand-responsive frameshifting pseudoknot can be built using GG-mismatch–targeting small molecules to restore stem stability. Here, a pseudoknot requiring stem–loop tertiary interactions for potent frameshifting activity was used as the engineering template. This considerably amplified the effect of mismatch destabilization, and led to creation of a mammalian −1 PRF riboswitch module capable of mediating premature translation termination as a synthetic regulatory mode. Application of the synthetic circuit allowed ligand-dependent ATF6N mimic formation for the activation of protein folding–related genes involved in the unfolded protein response without an ER-stress inducing agent. With the availability of mismatch-targeting molecules, the tailored module thus paves the way for various mismatch plug-ins to streamline highly efficient orthogonal ligand-dependent −1 PRF stimulator development in the synthetic biology toolbox.
Early biomarkers for kidney injury in heat-related illness patients: a prospective observational study at Japanese Self-Defense Force Fuji Hospital
Authors: Goto Hiroyasu , Shoda Shinichi , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Noguchi Midori , Imakiire Toshihiko , Ohshima Naoki , Kinoshita Manabu , Tomimatsu Soichi , Kumagai Hiroo
Published: April 2022

Background

Since heatstroke-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) can progress to chronic kidney disease, it would be useful to detect heatstroke-induced AKI and severe heat-related illness in the early phase. We studied the epidemiology of heat-related illness among patients in the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force and evaluated the relationship between heat-related illness severity and early urinary biomarkers for AKI.

Methods

We enrolled patients who were diagnosed with heat-related illness at the Self-Defense Force Fuji Hospital from 1 May to 30 September 2020. We compared the urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), liver fatty acid–binding protein (L-FABP), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and β2-microglobulin levels according to the severity of heat-related illness as defined by positive scores for the Japanese Association of Acute Medicine Heatstroke Working Group (JAAM-HS-WG) criteria (0, mild; 1, moderate; ≥2, severe).

Results

Of the 44 patients, kidney injury, defined as serum creatinine (sCr) ≥1.2 mg/dL, was seen in 9 (20.5%) patients. Urinary NAG, NGAL and L-FABP levels were significantly higher in the ≥2 JAAM-HS-WG criteria group than in the 0 group. Furthermore, urinary L-FABP levels were positively correlated with sCr levels. In contrast, the urinary KIM-1 levels showed the best correlation with serum cystatin C (sCysC) among these biomarkers.

Conclusions

We conclude even mild to moderate heatstroke could lead to AKI. Urinary L-FABP is useful for detecting heatstroke-induced AKI and patients with severe heat-related illness requiring immediate treatment. Urinary KIM-1 may detect heatstroke-induced AKI in terms of sCysC, although it was not related to the severity of heat-related illness.
Transcriptome Analysis Points to BES1 as a Transducer of Strigolactone Effects on Drought Memory in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Korwin Krukowski Paolo , Visentin Ivan , Russo Giulia , Minerdi Daniela , Bendahmane Abdelhafid , Schubert Andrea , Cardinale Francesca
Published: April 2022

Strigolactones (SLs) are carotenoid-derived phytohormones governing a wide range of physiological processes, including drought-associated stomatal closure. We have previously shown in tomato that SLs regulate the so-called after-effect of drought, whereby stomatal conductance is not completely restored for some time during recovery after a drought spell, irrespective of the water potential. To ease the elucidation of its molecular underpinnings, we investigated whether this SL effect is conserved in Arabidopsis thaliana by contrasting the physiological performances of the wild-type with SL-depleted (more axillary growth 4, max4) and insensitive (dwarf 14, d14) mutants in a drought and recovery protocol. Physiological analyses showed that SLs are important to achieve a complete after-effect in A. thaliana, while transcriptome results suggested that the SL-dependent modulation of drought responses extends to a large subset (about 4/5) of genes displaying memory transcription patterns. Among these, we show that the activation of over 30 genes related to abscisic acid metabolism and signaling strongly depends on SL signaling. Furthermore, by using promoter-enrichment tools, we identified putative cis- and trans-acting factors that may be important in the SL-dependent and SL-independent regulation of genes during drought and recovery. Finally, in order to test the accuracy of our bioinformatic prediction, we confirmed one of the most promising transcription factor candidates mediating SL signaling effects on transcriptional drought memory—BRI-EMS SUPPRESSOR1 (BES1). Our findings reveal that SLs are master regulators of Arabidopsis transcriptional memory upon drought and that this role is partially mediated by the BES1 transcription factor.
Antioxidant-enriched autologous biogel promoted diabetic wound healing by remodeling inherent posttraumatic inflammatory patterning and restoring compromised microenvironment homeostasis
Authors: Yang Yixi , Wang Le , Zhou Yonglin , He Yijun , Lin Shaozhang , Zeng Yuwei , Zhou Yunhe , Li Wei , He Zaopeng , Zhao Qi , Chen Lihao , Li Zijie , Wang Wenhao , Zhang Zhi-Yong
Published: April 2022

Successful wound healing depends on the reconstruction of proper tissue homeostasis, particularly in the posttraumatic inflammatory tissue microenvironment. Diabetes jeopardizes tissues’ immune homeostasis in cutaneous wounds, causing persistent chronic inflammation and cytokine dysfunction. Previously, we developed an autologous regeneration factor (ARF) technology to extract the cytokine composite from autologous tissue to restore immune homeostasis and promote wound healing. However, treatment efficacy was significantly compromised in diabetic conditions. Therefore, we proposed that a combination of melatonin and ARF, which is beneficial for proper immune homeostasis reconstruction, could be an effective treatment for diabetic wounds. Our research showed that the utilization of melatonin-mediated ARF biogel (AM gel) promoted diabetic wound regeneration at a more rapid healing rate. RNA-Seq analysis showed that AM gel treatment could restore more favorable immune tissue homeostasis with unique inflammatory patterning as a result of the diminished intensity of acute and chronic inflammation. Currently, AM gel could be a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for diabetic wounds in clinical practice through favorable immune homeostatic reconstructions in the tissue microenvironment and proper posttraumatic inflammation patterning.