bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric recycling of volatiles by pebble-accreting planets
Authors: Wang Yu , Ormel Chris W , Huang Pinghui , Kuiper Rolf
Published: June 2023

Planets, embedded in their natal discs, harbour hot envelopes. When pebbles are accreted by these planets, the contained volatile components may sublimate, enriching the envelope and potentially changing its thermodynamical properties. However, the envelopes of embedded planets actively exchange material with the disc, which would limit the buildup of a vapour-rich atmosphere. To properly investigate these processes, we have developed a new phase change module to treat the sublimation process with hydrodynamical simulations. Combined with the recently developed multidust fluid approach, we conduct 2D self-consistent hydrodynamic simulations to study how pebble sublimation influences the water content of super-Earths and sub-Neptunes. We find the extent and the amount of vapour that a planet is able to hold on to is determined by the relative size of the sublimation front and the atmosphere. When the sublimation front lies far inside the atmosphere, vapour tends to be locked deep in the atmosphere and keeps accumulating through a positive feedback mechanism. On the other hand, when the sublimation front exceeds the (bound) atmosphere, the ice component of incoming pebbles can be fully recycled and the vapour content reaches a low, steady value. Low disc temperature, small planet mass, and high pebble flux (omitting accretion heating by pebbles) render the planet atmosphere vapour-rich while the reverse changes render it vapour-poor. The phase change module introduced here can in future studies also be employed to model the chemical composition of the gas in the vicinity of accreting planets and around snowlines.
On the origin of the anomalous gas, non-declining rotation curve, and disc asymmetries in NGC 253
Authors: Lyu Xuanyi , Westmeier T , Meurer Gerhardt R , Hanish D J
Published: June 2023

We present a multiwavelength (from far-ultraviolet to ${\rm H}\, \rm {\small I}$ emission) study of star formation feedback on the kinematics of the interstellar medium in the Sculptor galaxy, NGC 253. Its three well-known features (a disrupted stellar disc, a previously reported declining rotation curve, and anomalous ${\rm H}\, \rm {\small I}$ gas) are studied in a common context of disc asymmetries. About 170 h of on-source ATCA observations are collected and reduced into two versions of ${\rm H}\, \rm {\small I}$ data cubes of different angular resolution (30 arcsec/2 arcmin) and H i column density sensitivity (7.4 × 1019 cm−2/4 × 1018 cm−2). We separate the anomalous gas from the disc using a custom-made line profile fitting toolkit called FMG. Two star formation tracers (H α, FUV emission) are carefully processed and studied. We find that at R > 7.5 kpc, the star formation activity is strongly lopsided (SFRNE > SFRSW), and investigate several other properties (H α/FUV, dust temperature, stellar age, and disc stability parameters). We also find that the declining nature of the rotation curve perceived by previous studies is not intrinsic but a combined effect of kinematical asymmetries at R = 7.5–16 kpc. This is likely the consequence of star formation triggered outflow. The mass distribution and the time-scale of the anomalous gas also imply that it originates from gas outflow, which is perhaps caused by galaxy–galaxy interaction considering the crowded environment of NGC 253.
Distinct polarization properties for two emission states of four pulsars
Authors: Yan Yi , Wang P F , Han J L
Published: June 2023

Four pulsars, PSRs J1838+1523, J1901+0510, J1909+0007, and J1929+1844, are found to exhibit bright and weak emission states from sensitive observations made using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). New FAST observations have measured the polarization properties for the two states, and reveal that the polarization profiles, linear polarization percentage, and polarization position angle curves, as well as circular polarization percentage, are partially or entirely different in the two emission states. Remarkably, PSR J1838+1523 has very different slopes for the polarization position angle curves. PSR J1901+0510 has a wider profile and a higher linear polarization in the weak state than in the bright state. PSR J1909+0007 has very distinct polarization angle curves for the two modes. While in the case of PSR J1929+1844, the central profile component evolves with frequency in the bright state, and the senses of circular polarization are opposite in the two modes. The different polarization properties of the two emission states provide valuable insights into the physical processes and emission conditions in the pulsar magnetosphere.
The MillenniumTNG project: intrinsic alignments of galaxies and haloes
Authors: Delgado Ana Maria , Hadzhiyska Boryana , Bose Sownak , Springel Volker , Hernquist Lars , Barrera Monica , Pakmor Rüdiger , Ferlito Fulvio , Kannan Rahul , Hernández-Aguayo César , White Simon D M , Frenk Carlos
Published: June 2023

The intrinsic alignment (IA) of observed galaxy shapes with the underlying cosmic web is a source of contamination in weak lensing surveys. Sensitive methods to identify the IA signal will therefore need to be included in the upcoming weak lensing analysis pipelines. Hydrodynamical cosmological simulations allow us to directly measure the intrinsic ellipticities of galaxies, and thus provide a powerful approach to predict and understand the IA signal. Here we employ the novel, large-volume hydrodynamical simulation MTNG740, a product of the MillenniumTNG (MTNG) project, to study the IA of galaxies. We measure the projected correlation functions between the intrinsic shape/shear of galaxies and various tracers of large-scale structure, w+g, w+m, w++ over the radial range $r_{\rm p} \in [0.02 , 200]\, h^{-1}{\rm Mpc}$ and at redshifts z = 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0. We detect significant signal-to-noise IA signals with the density field for both elliptical and spiral galaxies. We also find significant intrinsic shear–shear correlations for ellipticals. We further examine correlations of the intrinsic shape of galaxies with the local tidal field. Here we find a significant IA signal for elliptical galaxies assuming a linear model. We also detect a weak IA signal for spiral galaxies under a quadratic tidal torquing model. Lastly, we measure the alignment between central galaxies and their host dark-matter haloes, finding small to moderate misalignments between their principal axes that decline with halo mass.
Double neutron star formation via consecutive type II supernova explosions
Authors: Fröhlich Viktória , Regály Zsolt , Vinkó József
Published: June 2023

Since the discovery of the first double neutron star (DNS) system, the number of these exotic binaries has reached 15. Here we investigate a channel of DNS formation in binary systems with components above the mass limit of Type II supernova explosion (SN II), that is, 8M⊙. We apply a spherically symmetric homologous envelope expansion model to account for mass-loss, and follow the dynamical evolution of the system numerically with a high-precision integrator. The first SN occurs in a binary system whose orbital parameters are pre-defined, then, the homologous expansion model is applied again in the newly formed system. Analysing 1 658 880 models we find that DNS formation via subsequent SN II explosions requires a fine-tuning of the initial parameters. Our model can explain DNS systems with a separation greater than 2.95 au. The eccentricity of the DNS systems spans a wide range thanks to the orbital circularization effect due to the second SN II explosion. The eccentricity of the DNS is sensitive to the initial eccentricity of the binary progenitor and the orbital position of the system preceding the second explosion. In agreement with the majority of the observations of DNS systems, we find the system centre-of-mass velocities to be less than 60 km s−1. Neutron stars that become unbound in either explosion gain a peculiar velocity in the range of 0.02 − 240 km s−1. In our model, the formation of tight DNS systems requires a post-explosion orbit-shrinking mechanism, possibly driven by the ejected envelopes.
2.5D magnetohydrodynamic models of circumstellar discs around FS CMa post-mergers – I. Non-stationary accretion stage
Authors: Moranchel-Basurto A , Korčáková D , Chametla R O
Published: June 2023

We investigate the dynamic evolution of the gaseous regions around FS CMa post-mergers. Owing to the slow rotation of the central B-type star, the dynamics is driven mainly by the magnetic field of the central star. Recent observations have allowed us to set realistic initial conditions, such as the magnetic field value ($B_\star \approx 6\times 10^{3}\, \mathrm{G}$), the mass of the central star ($M_\star =6\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$), and the initial disc density $\rho _{d0}\in [10^{-13}\, \mathrm{g\, cm^{-3}},10^{-11}\, \mathrm{g \, cm^{-3}}]$. We use the pluto code to perform 2.5D magnetohydrodynamic simulations of thin and thick disc models. Especially relevant for the interpretation of the observed properties of FS CMa post-mergers are the results for low-density discs, in which we find a jet emerging from the inner edge of the disc, as well as the formation of the so-called ‘hot plasmoid’ in the coronal region. Jets are probably detected as discrete absorption components in the resonance lines of FS CMa stars. Moreover, the magnetic field configuration in the low-density plasma region favours the appearance of magnetocentrifugal winds from the disc. The currents towards the star created by the magnetic field may explain accidentally observed material infall. The disc structure is significantly changed owing to the presence of the magnetic field. The magnetic field is also responsible for the formation of a hot corona, as observed in several FS CMa stars through the Raman lines. Our results are valid for all magnetic stars surrounded by a low-density plasma, that is, by some stars showing the B[e] phenomenon.
The breakdown of current gyrochronology as evidenced by old coeval stars
Authors: Silva-Beyer Joaquín , Godoy-Rivera Diego , Chanamé Julio
Published: June 2023

Gyrochronology can yield useful ages for field main-sequence stars, a regime where other techniques are problematic. Typically, gyrochronology relations are calibrated using young (≲2 Gyr) clusters, but the constraints at older ages are scarce, making them potentially inaccurate and imprecise. In order to test the performance of existing relations, we construct samples of stellar pairs with coeval components, for a range of ages and with available rotation periods. These include randomly paired stars in clusters, and wide binaries in the Kepler field. We design indicators that, based on the measured rotation periods and expectations from gyrochronology, quantify the (dis)agreement between the coeval pairs and the gyrochronology calibrations under scrutiny. Our results show that wide binaries and cluster members are in better concordance with gyrochronology than samples of randomly paired field stars, confirming that the relations have predicting power. However, the agreement with the examined relations decreases for older stars, revealing a degradation of the examined relations with age, in agreement with recent works. This highlights the need for novel empirical constraints at older ages that may allow revised calibrations. Notably, using coeval stars to test gyrochronology poses the advantage of circumventing the need for age determinations while simultaneously exploiting larger samples at older ages. Our test is independent of any specific age–rotation relation, and it can be used to evaluate future spin-down models. In addition, taking gyrochronology at face value, we note that our results provide new empirical evidence that the components of field wide binaries are indeed coeval.
Born this way: thin disc, thick disc, and isotropic spheroid formation in FIRE-2 Milky Way–mass galaxy simulations
Authors: Yu Sijie , Bullock James S , Gurvich Alexander B , Hafen Zachary , Stern Jonathan , Boylan-Kolchin Michael , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André , Wetzel Andrew , Hopkins Philip F , Moreno Jorge
Published: June 2023

We investigate the formation of Milky Way–mass galaxies using FIRE-2 ΛCDM cosmological zoom-in simulations by studying the orbital evolution of stars formed in the main progenitor of the galaxy, from birth to the present day. We classify in situ stars as isotropic spheroid, thick-disc, and thin-disc according to their orbital circularities and show that these components are assembled in a time-ordered sequence from early to late times, respectively. All simulated galaxies experience an early phase of bursty star formation that transitions to a late-time steady phase. This transition coincides with the time that the inner CGM virializes. During the early bursty phase, galaxies have irregular morphologies and new stars are born on radial orbits; these stars evolve into an isotropic spheroidal population today. The bulk of thick-disc stars form at intermediate times, during a clumpy-disc ‘spin-up’ phase, slightly later than the peak of spheroid formation. At late times, once the CGM virializes and star formation ‘cools down,’ stars are born on circular orbits within a narrow plane. Those stars mostly inhabit thin discs today. Broadly speaking, stars with disc-like or spheroid-like orbits today were born that way. Mergers on to discs and secular processes do affect kinematics in our simulations, but play only secondary roles in populating thick-disc and in situ spheroid populations at z = 0. The age distributions of spheroid, thick disc, and thin disc populations scale self-similarly with the steady-phase transition time, which suggests that morphological age dating can be linked to the CGM virialization time in galaxies.
Jet-environment interplay in magnetized binary neutron star mergers
Authors: Pavan Andrea , Ciolfi Riccardo , Kalinani Jay V , Mignone Andrea
Published: June 2023

GRB 170817A, the first short gamma-ray burst (sGRB) to be detected in coincidence with a gravitational wave signal, demonstrated that merging binary neutron star (BNS) systems can power collimated ultra-relativistic jets, and in turn, produce sGRBs. Moreover, it revealed that sGRB jets possess an intrinsic angular structure that is imprinted in the observable prompt and afterglow emission. Advanced numerical simulations represent the leading approach to investigate the physical processes underlying the evolution of sGRB jets breaking out of post-merger environments, and thus connect the final angular structure and energetics with specific jet launching conditions. In a previous paper, we carried out the first 3D special-relativistic hydrodynamic simulations of incipient (top-hat) sGRB jets propagating across the realistic environment resulting from a general-relativistic (GR) hydrodynamic BNS merger simulation. While the earlier work marked an important step toward a consistent end-to-end description of sGRB jets from BNS mergers, those simulations did not account for the presence of magnetic fields, which are expected to play a key role. Here, we overcome this limitation, reporting the first 3D special-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of a magnetized (structured and rotating) sGRB jet piercing through a realistic magnetized post-merger environment, wherein the initial conditions of the latter are directly imported from the outcome of a previous GRMHD BNS merger simulation.
Multi-epoch machine learning 2: identifying physical drivers of galaxy properties in simulations
Authors: McGibbon Robert J , Khochfar Sadegh
Published: June 2023

Using a novel machine learning method, we investigate the buildup of galaxy properties in different simulations, and in various environments within a single simulation. The aim of this work is to show the power of this approach at identifying the physical drivers of galaxy properties within simulations. We compare how the stellar mass is dependent on the value of other galaxy and halo properties at different points in time by examining the feature importance values of a machine learning model. By training the model on IllustrisTNG, we show that stars are produced at earlier times in higher density regions of the universe than they are in low density regions. We also apply the technique to the Illustris, EAGLE, and CAMELS simulations. We find that stellar mass is built up in a similar way in EAGLE and IllustrisTNG, but significantly differently in the original Illustris, suggesting that subgrid model physics is more important than the choice of hydrodynamics method. These differences are driven by the efficiency of supernova feedback. Applying principal component analysis to the CAMELS simulations allows us to identify a component associated with the importance of a halo’s gravitational potential and another component representing the time at which galaxies form. We discover that the speed of galactic winds is a more critical subgrid parameter than the total energy per unit star formation. Finally, we find that the Simba black hole feedback model has a larger effect on galaxy formation than the IllustrisTNG black hole feedback model.
Cosmic evolution of radio-AGN feedback: confronting models with data
Authors: Kondapally Rohit , Best Philip N , Raouf Mojtaba , Thomas Nicole L , Davé Romeel , Shabala Stanislav S , Röttgering Huub J A , Hardcastle Martin J , Bonato Matteo , Cochrane Rachel K , Małek Katarzyna , Morabito Leah K , Prandoni Isabella , Smith Daniel J B
Published: June 2023

Radio-mode feedback is a key ingredient in galaxy formation and evolution models, required to reproduce the observed properties of massive galaxies in the local Universe. We study the cosmic evolution of radio-active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback out to z ∼ 2.5 using a sample of 9485 radio-excess AGN. We combine the evolving radio luminosity functions with a radio luminosity scaling relationship to estimate AGN jet kinetic powers and derive the cosmic evolution of the kinetic luminosity density, Ωkin (i.e. the volume-averaged heating output). Compared to all radio-AGN, low-excitation radio galaxies dominate the feedback activity out to z ∼ 2.5, with both these populations showing a constant heating output of $\Omega _{\rm {kin}} \approx (4\!-\!5) \times 10^{32}\, \rm {W\, Mpc^{-3}}$ across 0.5 < z < 2.5. We compare our observations to predictions from semi-analytical and hydrodynamical simulations, which broadly match the observed evolution in Ωkin, although their absolute normalization varies. Comparison to the Semi-Analytic Galaxy Evolution (sage) model suggests that radio-AGN may provide sufficient heating to offset radiative cooling losses, providing evidence for a self-regulated AGN feedback cycle. We integrate the kinetic luminosity density across cosmic time to obtain the kinetic energy density output from AGN jets throughout cosmic history to be $\sim 10^{50}\, \rm {J\, Mpc^{-3}}$. Compared to AGN winds, the kinetic energy density from AGN jets dominates the energy budget at z ≲ 2; this suggests that AGN jets play an important role in AGN feedback across most of cosmic history.
Broad-emission-line dominated hydrogen-rich luminous supernovae
Authors: Pessi P J , Anderson J P , Folatelli G , Dessart L , González-Gaitán S , Möller A , Gutiérrez C P , Mattila S , Reynolds T M , Charalampopoulos P , Filippenko A V , Galbany L , Gal-Yam A , Gromadzki M , Hiramatsu D , Howell D A , Inserra C , Kankare E , Lunnan R , Martinez L , McCully C , Meza N , Müller-Bravo T E , Nicholl M , Pellegrino C , Pignata G , Sollerman J , Tucker B E , Wang X , Young D R
Published: June 2023

Hydrogen-rich Type II supernovae (SNe II) are the most frequently observed class of core-collapse SNe (CCSNe). However, most studies that analyse large samples of SNe II lack events with absolute peak magnitudes brighter than −18.5 mag at rest-frame optical wavelengths. Thanks to modern surveys, the detected number of such luminous SNe II (LSNe II) is growing. There exist several mechanisms that could produce luminous SNe II. The most popular propose either the presence of a central engine (a magnetar gradually spinning down or a black hole accreting fallback material) or the interaction of supernova ejecta with circumstellar material (CSM) that turns kinetic energy into radiation energy. In this work, we study the light curves and spectral series of a small sample of six LSNe II that show peculiarities in their H α profile, to attempt to understand the underlying powering mechanism. We favour an interaction scenario with CSM that is not dense enough to be optically thick to electron scattering on large scales – thus, no narrow emission lines are observed. This conclusion is based on the observed light curve (higher luminosity, fast decline, blue colours) and spectral features (lack of persistent narrow lines, broad H α emission, lack of H α absorption, weak, or non-existent metal lines) together with comparison to other luminous events available in the literature. We add to the growing evidence that transients powered by ejecta–CSM interaction do not necessarily display persistent narrow emission lines.
Understanding the progenitor formation galaxies of merging binary black holes
Authors: Srinivasan Rahul , Lamberts Astrid , Bizouard Marie Anne , Bruel Tristan , Mastrogiovanni Simone
Published: June 2023

With nearly a hundred gravitational wave detections, the origin of black hole mergers has become a key question. Here, we focus on understanding the typical galactic environment in which binary black hole (BBH) mergers arise. To this end, we synthesize progenitors of BBH mergers as a function of the redshift of progenitor formation, present-day formation galaxy mass, and progenitor stellar metallicity for 240 star formation and binary evolution models. We provide guidelines to infer the formation galaxy properties and time of formation, highlighting the interplay between the star formation rate and the efficiency of forming merging BBHs from binary stars, both of which strongly depend on metallicity. We find that across models, over 50 per cent of BBH mergers have a progenitor metallicity of a few tenths of Solar metallicity, however, inferring formation galaxy properties strongly depends on both the binary evolution model and global metallicity evolution. The numerous, low-mass black holes (≲ 15 M⊙) trace the bulk of the star formation in galaxies heavier than the Milky Way (MGal ≳ 1010.5 M⊙). In contrast, heavier BBH mergers typically stem from larger black holes forming in lower metallicity dwarf galaxies (MGal ≲ 109 M⊙). We find that the progenitors of detectable BBHs tend to arise from dwarf galaxies at a lower formation redshift (≲1). We also produce a posterior probability of the progenitor environment for any detected gravitational wave signal. For the massive GW150914 merger, we show that it likely came from a very low-metallicity (Z ≲ 0.025 Z⊙) environment.
Classification of the Fermi-LAT blazar candidates of uncertain type using extreme gradient boosting
Authors: Tolamatti A , Singh K K , Yadav K K
Published: June 2023

Machine learning based approaches are emerging as very powerful tools for many applications including source classification in astrophysics research due to the availability of huge high quality data from different surveys in observational astronomy. The Large Area Telescope on board Fermi satellite (Fermi-LAT) has discovered more than 6500 high energy gamma-ray sources in the sky from its survey over a decade. A significant fraction of sources observed by the Fermi-LAT either remains unassociated or has been identified as Blazar Candidates of Uncertain type (BCUs). We explore the potential of eXtreme Gradient Boosting – a supervised machine learning algorithm to identify the blazar subclasses among a sample of 112 BCUs of the 4FGL catalogue whose X-ray counterparts are available within 95 per cent uncertainty regions of the Fermi-LAT observations. We have used information from the multiwavelength observations in IR, optical, UV, X-ray, and γ-ray wavebands along with the redshift measurements reported in the literature for classification. Among the 112 uncertain type blazars, 62 are classified as BL Lacertae objects and six have been classified as flat spectrum radio quasars. This indicates a significant improvement with respect to the multiperceptron neural network based classification reported in the literature. Our study suggests that the gamma-ray spectral index, and IR colour indices are the most important features for identifying the blazar subclasses using the XGBoost classifier. We also explore the importance of redshift in the classification BCU candidates.
Do the Current Poor Owe Anything to Future Persons? The Transgenerational Community Principle and Prioritarianism
Authors: de-Shalit Avner
Published: June 2023

The transgenerational community is based on moral similarity between contemporary and future people, referring to an ongoing moral deliberation across generations. It justifies obligations of justice towards the not yet born. Prioritarianism gives extra weight to the wellbeing of the least advantaged. I argue that both sentiments are egalitarian, and ask whether there is any tension between them. If we assume economic growth, and/or technological improvements and/or inflation, then prioritarianism prima facie implies that we should prefer to spend any dollar on today’s disadvantaged than on future generations, hence is in tension with the demands of the transgenerational community. Analyzing four ways of meeting this challenge, I argue that the two principles are not in tension.
Generationality: On Intergenerationality, Transgenerationality, and the ‘Generation War’
Authors: Comaroff John , Comaroff Jean
Published: June 2023

How are relations between generations shifting? As anthropologists, our take on intergenerational relations and the rationalities on which they are based—i.e., generationality—is historically situated. In many parts of the world, generation has become a major axis of social and political struggle, sometimes of bitter conflict. This, we argue, is a corollary of post-Cold War transformations in economy and society—and a radical rupture in processes of social reproduction. These transformations have conduced to the perception of a rising ‘generation war.’ How, then, in these circumstances, are we to think anew of intergenerational relations—and justice?
Prognostic improvement and treatment of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases until December 2022: Analysis of the JCR COVID-19 registry in Japan
Authors: Kashiwado Yusuke , Kimoto Yasutaka , Oku Kenji , Yamamoto Mari , Ohshima Shiro , Ito Satoshi , Horiuchi Takahiko , Takeuchi Tsutomu
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The aim is to evaluate the treatment and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to the time of onset and dominant strain in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods

This study analysed a nationwide COVID-19 registry of Japanese patients with rheumatic diseases compiled between June 2020 and December 2022. The primary endpoints of the study were hypoxaemia incidence and mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess differences according to the period of onset.

Results

A total of 760 patients were compared across four periods. Hypoxaemia rates were 34.9, 27.2, 13.8, and 6.1% and mortality rates were 5.6, 3.5, 1.8, and 0% until June 2021, between July and December 2021, January and June 2022, and July and December 2022, respectively. History of vaccination (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.18–0.84) and onset during the July to December 2022 Omicron BA.5–dominant period (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.41) were negatively associated with hypoxaemia in the multivariate model, adjusting for age, sex, obesity, glucocorticoid dose, and comorbidities. Over the Omicron-dominant period, antiviral treatment was administered in 30.5% of patients with a low probability of hypoxaemia.

Conclusions

COVID-19 prognosis improved over time in patients with rheumatic diseases, especially in the Omicron BA.5–dominant period. In the future, treatment of mild cases should be optimised.
Deducing the internal interfaces of twisted multilayer graphene via moiré-regulated surface conductivity
Authors: Wang Huan , Wang Sen , Zhang Shuai , Zhu Mengzhen , Ouyang Wengen , Li Qunyang
Published: June 2023

The stacking state of atomic layers critically determines the physical properties of twisted van der Waals materials. Unfortunately, precise characterization of the stacked interfaces remains a great challenge as they are buried internally. With conductive atomic force microscopy, we show that the moiré superlattice structure formed at the embedded interfaces of small-angle twisted multilayer graphene (tMLG) can noticeably regulate surface conductivity even when the twisted interfaces are 10 atomic layers beneath the surface. Assisted by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, a theoretical model is proposed to correlate surface conductivity with the sequential stacking state of the graphene layers of tMLG. The theoretical model is then employed to extract the complex structure of a tMLG sample with crystalline defects. Probing and visualizing the internal stacking structures of twisted layered materials is essential for understanding their unique physical properties, and our work offers a powerful tool for this via simple surface conductivity mapping.
Respiratory, Cardiac, and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Postacute Sequelae of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Lima, Peru
Authors: Rahman Rifat S , Tovar Marco A , Peinado Jesús , Palomino J Santiago , Ramirez Claudio , Llanos-Zavalaga Fernando , Peralta Ernesto , Valderrama Gissela , Ramos Cordova Lourdes B , Sanchez Cortez Lucero I , Rodriguez German , LaHood Allison N , Franke Molly F , Mitnick Carole D , Lecca Leonid , Velásquez Gustavo E
Published: June 2023

Background

Few studies have examined the burden of postacute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PASC) in low- and middle-income countries. We sought to characterize PASC with self-reported questionnaires and clinical examinations of end-organ function in Lima, Peru.

Methods

From January to July 2021, we recruited participants at least 8 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis from a case registry in Lima, Peru. We evaluated participants for PASC with questionnaires, neuropsychiatric evaluations, chest X-ray, spirometry, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. We used multivariable models to identify risk factors for PASC.

Results

We assessed 989 participants for PASC at a median 4.7 months after diagnosis. Clinically significant respiratory symptoms were reported by 68.3% of participants, particularly those who had been severely ill during acute COVID-19, and were associated with cardiac findings of ventricular hypertrophy or dilation on echocardiogram. Neuropsychiatric questionnaires were consistent with depression in 20.7% and cognitive impairment in 8.0%. Female sex and older age were associated with increased risk of respiratory (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.36 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.69–3.31] and aOR, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00–1.03], respectively) and neuropsychiatric sequelae (aOR, 2.99 [95% CI, 2.16–4.18] and aOR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01–1.03], respectively).

Conclusions

COVID-19 survivors in Lima, Peru, experienced frequent postacute respiratory symptoms and depression, particularly among older and female participants. Clinical examinations highlighted the need for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation among persons with severe COVID-19; psychosocial support may be required among all COVID-19 survivors.
Struggling to Keep Up and Have a Good Life: A Qualitative Study of Living With Impaired Balance Control Due to Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Wallin Andreas , Franzén Erika , Ekman Urban , Johansson Sverker
Published: June 2023

Objective

We aimed to explore and describe the experiences of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) living with impaired balance control and how balance impairment can be managed in everyday life.

Methods

A qualitative design was used. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative inductive content analysis. Sixteen participants (12 women) with MS and variation in level of balance control were interviewed. Age ranged between 35 and 64 years, and overall MS-disability ranged between 2.0 (mild) and 5.5 (moderate) according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale.

Results

Five main categories emerged: Balance is an automatic skill that now requires attention; contributors to balance impairment; burdens of balance impairment; management of balance impairment; and negotiation between capacity and ambition for continuing the good life. Body functions emphasized as central to keeping balance were somatosensory-motor functions, vision, and management of fatigue. Day-to-day variation in capacity and being in stimuli-rich environments were conditions highlighted as impacting balance. The main categories yielded the overarching theme of being restrained by impaired balance control and struggling to keep up.

Conclusion

Participants with MS described balance impairment as balance no longer being an automatic skill and having an adverse impact on everyday life. A strong effort was shown to not let shortcomings control and determine quality of life. To manage limitations and restrictions and to move forward in the struggle to keep up a good life, an extensive toolbox of strategies aiming to minimize the impact of balance impairment was used to maintain quality of life.

Impact

This study highlights the importance of person-centered health care in MS, with increased awareness of the individual perspective of how balance impairment is perceived. The person-centered focus increases both quality and efficiency in therapy since it involves the individual’s thoughts of a life where participation in valued activities is less restricted.
Mandatory Financial Disclosure and M&A Activity
Authors: Ortiz Marcelo , Peter Caspar David , Urzúa I Francisco , Volpin Paolo F
Published: June 2023

Taking advantage of the implementation of the 2003 European Commission (EC) directive on financial reporting, we explore the impact of mandatory financial disclosure on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We find robust evidence that the number (and volume) of private firms becoming an M&A target increases with mandatory disclosure. Analyses of cross-industry differences, deal-level data, and post-deal performance indicate that financial disclosure increases M&A activity by reducing information frictions in the market for corporate control.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online
Banks as Liquidity Multipliers
Authors: Carré Sylvain , Klossner Damien
Published: June 2023

We characterize the interaction between banks’ liquid assets purchases and deposit issuance decisions. Using global games, we derive a liquidity multiplier: the amount of deposits a bank can create when endowed with one additional unit of liquid asset to maintain a given level of liquidity risk. In our central theorem, we prove it is larger than unity. This entails that banks have a special role in enhancing liquidity provision, “multiplying” liquid assets into a larger quantity of deposits. Our theory has implications for banks’ balance sheet choices, the pricing of liquid securities, and the role of public liquidity provision.
Herding in policy responses to coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Guo Jianfeng , Zhang Xuemei , Gu Fu , Zhu Jiannan , Deng Chao , Zhao Xinze , Yang Xiaohan
Published: June 2023

Governments have proposed various policy responses to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019, but there is little available knowledge about how these policies are formulated. Here we quantify the herding effect in the pandemic containment policies issued by governments of different regions during the period of 18 January 2020 to 29 May 2020, using a modified Lakonishok–Shleifer–Vishny approach. The results show that all the policies exhibit some degree of herding, and the policy herding in the USA is significantly stronger than that of China but weaker than that of the rest of the world. Specifically, the overall herding intensity in the policy responses of the Northern China is greater than that of the Southern China. We believe that policy herding is linked with risk aversion, which is triggered by perceived uncertainty associated with significant risk events. This work highlights the significance of resource sufficiency and preparedness.
Atmospheric Atomic Testing in Nevada, Shot Harry, and the Agency of Nature
Authors: Rice James
Published: June 2023

Harry, a 32-kiloton tower shot in May of 1953, was the dirtiest atmospheric detonation ever conducted at the Nevada Test Site in terms of population exposure to radioactive contamination. Fallout descended upon St. George, Utah, and residents were instructed to shelter in place for approximately two hours. The timeline regarding Harry’s arrival in St. George and when the shelter in place directive was issued, however, remains the subject of controversy, as do the potential health effects. Harry not only illustrated the inadequacies of the Atomic Energy Commission’s (AEC) management of offsite fallout, but also called into question modernist assumptions of the command and control of nature. Based on archival analysis of AEC memorandum and reports as well as documents associated with civil litigation against the federal government, I more fully articulate the events surrounding shot Harry and highlight the implications for historical analysis more broadly.
6Economic Criticism
Authors: Stallings Camille L
Published: June 2023

This essay reviews recent work in economic history, covering critical topics that span the history of inequality, the violence of primitive accumulation, and the Ukraine–Russia war. Following the introduction, this chapter has two sections: 1. Thomas Piketty and the Great Redistribution (1914–1980), and 2. Helen Thompson and Twenty-First Century Disorder. The conclusion considers sections 1 and 2 in the context of both Marx’s language of cyclical overaccumulation and overproduction and Alison Shonkwiler and Leigh Claire La Berge’s theoretical concept of ‘capitalist realism’.
Two different isoforms of osteopontin modulate myelination and axonal integrity
Authors: Nilsson Gisela , Mottahedin Amin , Zelco Aura , Lauschke Volker M. , Ek C. Joakim , Song Juan , Ardalan Maryam , Hua Sha , Zhang Xiaoli , Mallard Carina , Hagberg Henrik , Leavenworth Jianmei W. , Wang Xiaoyang
Published: June 2023

Abnormal myelination underlies the pathology of white matter diseases such as preterm white matter injury and multiple sclerosis. Osteopontin (OPN) has been suggested to play a role in myelination. Murine OPN mRNA is translated into a secreted isoform (sOPN) or an intracellular isoform (iOPN). Whether there is an isoform‐specific involvement of OPN in myelination is unknown. Here we generated mouse models that either lacked both OPN isoforms in all cells (OPN‐KO) or lacked sOPN systemically but expressed iOPN specifically in oligodendrocytes (OLs‐iOPN‐KI). Transcriptome analysis of isolated oligodendrocytes from the neonatal brain showed that genes and pathways related to increase of myelination and altered cell cycle control were enriched in the absence of the two OPN isoforms in OPN‐KO mice compared to control mice. Accordingly, adult OPN‐KO mice showed an increased axonal myelination, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy imaging, and increased expression of myelin‐related proteins. In contrast, neonatal oligodendrocytes from OLs‐iOPN‐KI mice compared to control mice showed differential regulation of genes and pathways related to the increase of cell adhesion, motility, and vasculature development, and the decrease of axonal/neuronal development. OLs‐iOPN‐KI mice showed abnormal myelin formation in the early phase of myelination in young mice and signs of axonal degeneration in adulthood. These results suggest an OPN isoform‐specific involvement, and a possible interplay between the isoforms, in myelination, and axonal integrity. Thus, the two isoforms of OPN need to be separately considered in therapeutic strategies targeting OPN in white matter injury and diseases.
The pentameric complex is not required for vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus in seronegative pregnant rhesus macaques
Authors: Wang Hsuan-Yuan , Taher Husam , Kreklywich Craig N. , Schmidt Kimberli A. , Scheef Elizabeth A. , Barfield Richard , Otero Claire E. , Valencia Sarah M. , Crooks Chelsea M. , Mirza Anne , Woods Kelsey , Burgt Nathan Vande , Kowalik Timothy F. , Barry Peter A. , Hansen Scott G. , Tarantal Alice F. , Chan Cliburn , Streblow Daniel N. , Picker Louis J. , Kaur Amitinder , Früh Klaus , Permar Sallie R. , Malouli Daniel
Published: June 2023

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the leading infectious cause of neonatal neurological impairment but essential virological determinants of transplacental CMV transmission remain unclear. The pentameric complex (PC), composed of five subunits, glycoproteins H (gH), gL, UL128, UL130, and UL131A, is essential for efficient entry into non-fibroblast cellsin vitro. Based on this role in cell tropism, the PC is considered a possible target for CMV vaccines and immunotherapies to prevent cCMV. To determine the role of the PC in transplacental CMV transmission in a non-human primate model of cCMV, we constructed a PC-deficient rhesus CMV (RhCMV) by deleting the homologues of the HCMV PC subunits UL128 and UL130 and compared congenital transmission to PC-intact RhCMV in CD4+ T cell-depleted or immunocompetent RhCMV-seronegative, pregnant rhesus macaques (RM). Surprisingly, we found that the transplacental transmission rate was similar for PC-intact and PC-deleted RhCMV based on viral genomic DNA detection in amniotic fluid. Moreover, PC-deleted and PC-intact RhCMV acute infection led to similar peak maternal plasma viremia. However, there was less viral shedding in maternal urine and saliva and less viral dissemination in fetal tissues in the PC-deleted group. As expected, dams inoculated with PC-deleted RhCMV demonstrated lower plasma IgG binding to PC-intact RhCMV virions and soluble PC, as well as reduced neutralization of PC-dependent entry of the PC-intact RhCMV isolate UCD52 into epithelial cells. In contrast, binding to gH expressed on the cell surface and neutralization of entry into fibroblasts by the PC-intact RhCMV was higher for dams infected with PC-deleted RhCMV compared to those infected with PC-intact RhCMV. Our data demonstrates that the PC is dispensable for transplacental CMV infection in our non-human primate model.

One Sentence Summary

Congenital CMV transmission frequency in seronegative rhesus macaques is not affected by the deletion of the viral pentameric complex.
Cdc48 and its co-factor Ufd1 segregate CENP-A from centromeric chromatin and can induce chromosome elimination in the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Nakase Yukiko , Murakami Hiroaki , Suma Michiko , Nagano Kaho , Wakuda Airi , Kitagawa Teppei , Matsumoto Tomohiro
Published: June 2023

CENP-A, a variant of histone H3, determines the identity of the centromere, a chromosome locus at which a microtubule attachment site termed kinetochore is assembled. Because the position and size of the centromere and its number per chromosome must be maintained for the faithful segregation of chromosomes, the distribution of CENP-A is strictly regulated. In this study, we have aimed to understand mechanisms to regulate the distribution of CENP-A by a genetic approach in the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. A mutant of theufd1+gene (ufd1-73) encoding a cofactor of Cdc48 ATPase is sensitive to CENP-A expressed at a high level and allows mislocalization of CENP-A. ChIP analysis has revealed that the level of CENP-A in centromeric chromatin is increased in theufd1-73mutant even when CENP-A is expressed at a normal level. A preexisting mutant of thecdc48+gene (cdc48-353) phenocopies theufd1-73mutant. We have also shown that Cdc48 and Ufd1 proteins physically interact with centromeric chromatin. Finally, Cdc48 ATPase with Ufd1 artificially recruited to the centromere of a mini-chromosome (Ch16) induce a loss of CENP-A fromCh16, resulting in an increased rate of chromosome loss. It appears that Cdc48 ATPase, together with its cofactor Ufd1 segregates excess CENP-A from chromatin, likely in a direct manner, to maintain proper distribution of CENP-A. This mechanism may play an important role in centromere disassembly, a process to eliminate CENP-A massively to inactivate the kinetochore function during development, differentiation, and stress response in other organisms.

Significance statement

Maintaining the proper distribution of CENP-A is crucial for centromere identity. This process involves accurate positioning of CENP-A and removal of excess CENP-A from chromatin. The Cdc48-Ufd1 complex is essential for this regulation as it acts as a segregase that directly eliminates surplus CENP-A from chromatin. These findings have therapeutic significance as targeting the Cdc48 complex can potentially correct abnormal karyotypes in disomic embryos and prevent trisomic disorders like Down syndrome. This research advances our understanding of centromeric chromatin regulation and its potential therapeutic applications.
Optimizing 5’UTRs for mRNA-delivered gene editing using deep learning
Authors: Castillo Hair Sebastian , Fedak Stephen , Wang Ban , Linder Johannes , Havens Kyle , Certo Michael , Seelig Georg
Published: June 2023

mRNA therapeutics are revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry, but methods to optimize the primary sequence for increased expression are still lacking. Here, we design 5’UTRs for efficient mRNA translation using deep learning. We perform polysome profiling of fully or partially randomized 5’UTR libraries in three cell types and find that UTR performance is highly correlated across cell types. We train models on all our datasets and use them to guide the design of high-performing 5’UTRs using gradient descent and generative neural networks. We experimentally test designed 5’UTRs with mRNA encoding megaTALTM gene editing enzymes for two different gene targets and in two different cell lines. We find that the designed 5’UTRs support strong gene editing activity. Editing efficiency is correlated between cell types and gene targets, although the best performing UTR was specific to one cargo and cell type. Our results highlight the potential of model-based sequence design for mRNA therapeutics.