bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Merits of Productive Stupidity
Authors: Bryan Craig J.
Published: June 2021

This chapter discusses how the collective discomfort with the many things that we do not know about suicide constrains innovative thinking about suicide. It begins with a critique of contemporary suicide prevention efforts, looking at military suicide. The inherently complex nature of suicide renders it beyond the reach of causal explanations such as mental illness. Nonetheless, many in the suicide prevention community fell victim to confirmation bias, interpreting these symptoms and problems in a manner consistent with what they already believed: suicide is caused by or results from mental illness. Based on this conclusion, the message was also communicated that mental health treatment can prevent suicide. Ultimately, suicide is a complex and wicked problem with no “right” way to define or conceptualize the problem, and no “right” solutions.
Performance Escapes and Catastrophes
Authors: Bryan Craig J.
Published: June 2021

This chapter presents an overview of newer thinking about how suicide risk fluctuates over time using concepts informed by mathematics, which provides a useful model for understanding why and how suicide emerges in different ways for different people at different times. It focuses in particular on the implications of this perspective for understanding suicides that emerge suddenly or “out of the blue” without much advance notice or warning signs. In the world of dynamical systems, sudden and discontinuous change processes are often referred to as “catastrophic” change because they represent a fundamental shift in how a system operates. Catastrophic change can be so dramatic that it defies reason and cannot be easily anticipated. The chapter then considers the cusp catastrophe model, which stands in contrast to the unidimensional suicide-risk continuum model that has dominated thinking about suicide risk for decades.
Introduction
Authors: Duschinsky Robbie , Foster Sarah
Published: June 2021

The theory of mentalising and epistemic trust introduced by Peter Fonagy and colleagues at the Anna Freud Centre has been an important perspective on mental health and illness. This book is the first comprehensive account and evaluation of this perspective. The Introduction situates the aims of the book. It highlights the priority given by Fonagy and colleagues to open discussion and clarification of key terms and concepts, and discusses which terms and concepts will be given particular focus over the subsequent chapters. The chapter also introduces Fonagy and his collaborators, and presents a summary of each chapter of the book.
Mentalizing in development
Authors: Duschinsky Robbie , Foster Sarah
Published: June 2021

In their 2003 book, Psychoanalytic Theories, Fonagy and Target observed critically that it is quite characteristic of psychological theories to have a primary concept or two with a host of meanings. This concept then serves in part as a symbol of collective endeavour. Over the past decade, they have acknowledged that this has been the case with the concept of ‘mentalizing’. To seek to understand the meanings of the concept, this chapter traces the emergence of the theory of mentalizing, the problems it was introduced to address, the theoretical perspective it encapsulated, and the clinical implications that stemmed from this perspective. It will then examine the development of the reflective functioning scale. The chapter will close with an analysis of some related ambiguities in the use of the concept of disorganized attachment by Fonagy and colleagues.
Adaptation and mental health
Authors: Duschinsky Robbie , Foster Sarah
Published: June 2021

In the 1990s, Jeremy Holmes and Otto Kernberg alleged that, despite significant strengths, the theory of mentalization has risked becoming a disempowering, deficit-focused model of mental ill health. One resource available to Fonagy and colleagues in responding to this concern was attachment research, which had developed a model of attachment strategies as evolutionarily-primed responses to adverse conditions. We will survey the reflections of Fonagy and colleagues regarding three attachment theorists: Mary Main, Pat Crittenden, and Jay Belsky. The synthesis proposed by Fonagy and colleagues will then be described, as well as their related reflections on vigilance, trust, learning, and the structure of mental health symptoms.
“They Stood like Men”: Horses, Myth, and Carnophallogocentrism in Toni Morrison’s Home
Authors: Alonso-Recarte Claudia
Published: June 2021

Toni Morrison’s fiction has frequently attracted critical attention on account of her strategic use of myth (whether classical or Afrocentric) and symbols. This paper examines the role that horses have, as rhetorical constructs, in strengthening the mythical and symbolic unity of her tenth novel Home (2012). Horses have figured widely in the articulation of African American history and letters, often serving as symbols of the abused slaves upon whose bodies the equipment and instruments of oppression and bondage were violently placed. Within Morrison’s cornucopia of animal imagery, their presence is essential for an understanding of the rituals that are so much a part of the novel’s exploration of masculinity and the overcoming of trauma. The horses in Home stand as mythopoetic agents around whom the problematic completion of rituals revolves. As namely linguistic constructs, the rhetorical devices and choices employed in the description of the horses and their final fate points to a discourse that signifies on the structural tensions that are characteristic of classical mythology but that also draw on the African American communal experience. At the same time, they invite a reading of Morrison’s ritualistic pulse through Jacques Derrida’s carnophallogocentric schema. The schema links together the different motifs and interspecies similes and metaphors that populate the text, enabling a deconstruction of the “centaur” image that lies at the heart of the protagonist’s homecoming journey
Skin Swabbing for Staphylococcus aureus–Targeting Phages
Authors: Duplessis Christopher , Luke Thomas C , Watters Chase , Alcorta Yolanda , Biswas Biswajit
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a major human bacterial pathogen increasingly refractory to antibiotics. Given the dearth of novel antibiotics in the developmental pipeline, we require concerted efforts at optimizing novel antimicrobial approaches. One promising option is the utilization of bacteriophage (phage) therapy, which has been resurrected as a viable clinical therapeutic. Specifically, an expanded library of phages targeting SA is desired. We surmised that SA-targeting phages would be readily accessible as a major component of the cutaneous microbiome. Specifically, we sought to discern if easily accessible (convenient) and discrete anatomic locations, including the nares, axilla, fingernails, toenails, and web spaces, could provide intact phages via a noninvasive, expedient procedure involving swabbing.

Methods

One hundred subjects participated in systematic skin swab specimen collections. Pooled samples were subject to phage harvesting utilizing the soft agar overlay technique. The approval was secured from the Naval Medical Research Center Institutional Review Board (NMRC 2018.0004 FWA00000152). We utilized the same procedures from known samples containing SA-targeting phages. As another positive control, we employed the same swab and acquired samples from an active wound infection.

Results

As anticipated, there were no adverse events, and the procedure was successfully implemented within the projected 10-minute duration. No phages were identified exploiting this methodology. Positive controls from various environmental samples identified SA-targeting phages as did the wound effluent sample.

Conclusions

Skin swabbing at multiple anatomic sites from 100 adults yielded insufficient biomass for phage recovery. The negative results provide helpful information for future phage isolation attempts. The lessons learned on why this study failed to isolate phages can be easily utilized by others. With a desire to increase our SA-targeting phage library in pursuit of future clinical trials, and acknowledging the paucity of these phages accessible via traditional recovery from environmental sources, we will next acquire large volumes of wound effluent from confirmed infected wounds with SA to optimize the biomass for phage recovery.
Escaping the Cycle
Authors: Gallow J Dmitri
Published: June 2021

I present a decision in which causal decision theory appears to violate the independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) and normal-form extensive-form equivalence (NEE). I show that these violations lead to exploitable behaviour and long-run poverty. These consequences appear damning, but I urge caution. This decision should lead causalists to a better understanding of what it takes for a decision between some collection of options to count as a subdecision of a decision between a larger collection of options. And with this better understanding of subdecisions in hand, causalists will not violate IIA or NEE. This decision will also teach causalists that, in sequential decisions, a rational agent may be led to make a series of choices which are causally dominated by some other sequence of choices they could have made instead. I will encourage causalists to recognize this as an intrapersonal tragedy of the commons.
Dense molecular gas properties on 100 pc scales across the disc of NGC 3627
Authors: Bešlić I , Barnes A T , Bigiel F , Puschnig J , Pety J , Herrera Contreras C , Leroy A K , Usero A , Schinnerer E , Meidt S E , Emsellem E , Hughes A , Faesi C , Kreckel K , Belfiore F M C , Chevance M , den Brok J S , Eibensteiner C , Glover S C O , Grasha K , Jimenez-Donaire M J , Klessen R S , Kruijssen J M D , Liu D , Pessa I , Querejeta M , Rosolowsky E , Saito T , Santoro F , Schruba A , Sormani M C , Williams T G
Published: June 2021

It is still poorly constrained how the densest phase of the interstellar medium varies across galactic environment. A large observing time is required to recover significant emission from dense molecular gas at high spatial resolution, and to cover a large dynamic range of extragalactic disc environments. We present new NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) observations of a range of high critical density molecular tracers (HCN, HNC, HCO+) and CO isotopologues (13CO, C18O) towards the nearby (11.3 Mpc) strongly barred galaxy NGC 3627. These observations represent the current highest angular resolution (1.85 arcsec; 100 pc) map of dense gas tracers across a disc of a nearby spiral galaxy, which we use here to assess the properties of the dense molecular gas, and their variation as a function of galactocentric radius, molecular gas, and star formation. We find that the HCN(1–0)/CO(2–1) integrated intensity ratio does not correlate with the amount of recent star formation. Instead, the HCN(1–0)/CO(2–1) ratio depends on the galactic environment, with differences between the galaxy centre, bar, and bar-end regions. The dense gas in the central 600 pc appears to produce stars less efficiently despite containing a higher fraction of dense molecular gas than the bar ends where the star formation is enhanced. In assessing the dynamics of the dense gas, we find the HCN(1–0) and HCO+(1–0) emission lines showing multiple components towards regions in the bar ends that correspond to previously identified features in CO emission. These features are cospatial with peaks of Hα emission, which highlights that the complex dynamics of this bar-end region could be linked to local enhancements in the star formation.
Discovery and modelling of broad-scale plasma lensing in black-widow pulsar J2051 − 0827
Authors: Lin F X , Main R A , Verbiest J P W , Kramer M , Shaifullah G
Published: June 2021

We report on an unusually bright observation of PSR J2051 − 0827 recorded during a regular monitoring campaign of black-widow pulsar systems with the Effelsberg 100-m telescope. Through fortunate coincidence, a particularly bright scintillation maximum is simultaneous with the eclipse by the companion, enabling precise measurements of variations in the flux density, dispersion measure (DM), and scattering strength throughout the eclipse. The flux density is highly variable throughout the eclipse, with a peak 1.7 times the average away from the eclipse, and yet does not significantly decrease on average. We recover the flux density variations from the measured DM variations using geometric optics, with a relative velocity as the only free parameter. We measure an effective velocity of 470 ± 10 km s−1, consistent with the relative orbital motion of the companion, suggesting that the outflow velocity of the lensing material is low, or is directly along the line of sight. The $2{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ uncertainty on the effective velocity is a formal error; systematics related to our current model are likely to dominate, and we detail several extensions to the model to be considered in a full treatment of lensing. This is a demonstration of the causal link between DM and lensing; the flux density variations can be predicted directly through the derivatives of DM. Going forward, this approach can be applied to investigate the dynamics of other eclipsing systems, and to investigate the physical nature of scintillation and lensing in the ionized interstellar medium.
An investigation of the causal relationship between sunspot groups and coronal mass ejections by determining source active regions
Authors: Raheem Abd-ur , Cavus Huseyin , Coban Gani Caglar , Kinaci Ahmet Cumhur , Wang Haimin , Wang Jason T L
Published: June 2021

Although the source active regions of some coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were identified in CME catalogues, vast majority of CMEs do not have an identified source active region. We propose a method that uses a filtration process and machine learning to identify the sunspot groups associated with a large fraction of CMEs and compare the physical parameters of these identified sunspot groups with properties of their corresponding CMEs to find mechanisms behind the initiation of CMEs. These CMEs were taken from the Coordinated Data Analysis Workshops (CDAW) data base hosted at NASA’s website. The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Active Region Patches (HARPs) were taken from the Stanford University’s Joint Science Operations Center (JSOC) data base. The source active regions of the CMEs were identified by the help of a custom filtration procedure and then by training a long short-term memory network (LSTM) to identify the patterns in the physical magnetic parameters derived from vector and line-of-sight magnetograms. The neural network simultaneously considers the time series data of these magnetic parameters at once and learns the patterns at the onset of CMEs. This neural network was then used to identify the source HARPs for the CMEs recorded from 2011 till 2020. The neural network was able to reliably identify source HARPs for 4895 CMEs out of 14 604 listed in the CDAW data base during the aforementioned period.
MIGHTEE-HI: discovery of an H i-rich galaxy group atz = 0.044 with MeerKAT
Authors: Ranchod Shilpa , Deane Roger P , Ponomareva Anastasia A , Blecher Tariq , Frank Bradley S , Jarvis Matt J , Maddox Natasha , Mulaudzi Wanga , Glowacki Marcin , Hess Kelley M , Tudorache Madalina , Verdes-Montenegro Lourdes , Adams Nathan J , Bowler Rebecca A A , Collier Jordan D , Taylor Russ
Published: June 2021

We present the serendipitous discovery of a galaxy group in the XMM-LSS field with MIGHTEE Early Science observations. 20 galaxies are detected in H i in this z ∼ 0.044 group, with a 3σ column density sensitivity of $N_{\rm H\, \small {I}} = 1.6\times 10^{20}\, \mathrm{cm}^{-2}$. This group has not been previously identified, despite residing in a well-studied extragalactic legacy field. We present spatially resolved H i total intensity and velocity maps for each of the objects which reveal environmental influence through disturbed morphologies. The group has a dynamical mass of $\log_{10} (M_{\rm dyn}/\mathrm{M}_\odot) = 12.32$, and is unusually gas-rich, with an H i-to-stellar mass ratio of $\log _{10}(f_{\rm H\, \small {I}}^\mathrm{*}) = -0.2$, which is 0.7 dex greater than expected. The group’s high H i content, spatial, velocity, and identified galaxy type distributions strongly suggest that it is in the early stages of its assembly. The discovery of this galaxy group is an example of the importance of mapping spatially resolved H i in a wide range of environments, including galaxy groups. This scientific goal has been dramatically enhanced by the high sensitivity, large field-of-view, and wide instantaneous bandwidth of the MeerKAT telescope.
The link between gas and stars in the S254–S258 star-forming region
Authors: Ladeyschikov D A , Kirsanova M S , Sobolev A M , Thomasson M , Ossenkopf-Okada V , Juvela M , Khaibrakhmanov S A , Popova E A
Published: June 2021

The paper aims to study relation between the distributions of the young stellar objects (YSOs) of different ages and the gas-dust constituents of the S254–S258 star formation complex. This is necessary to study the time evolution of the YSO distribution with respect to the gas and dust compounds that are responsible for the birth of the young stars. For this purpose, we use correlation analysis between different gas, dust, and YSO tracers. We compared the large-scale CO, HCO+, near-IR extinction, and far-IR Herschel maps with the density of YSOs of the different evolutionary classes. The direct correlation analysis between these maps was used together with the wavelet-based spatial correlation analysis. This analysis reveals a much tighter correlation of the gas-dust tracers with the distribution of class I YSOs than with that of class II YSOs. We argue that class I YSOs that were initially born in the central bright cluster S255-IR (both N and S parts) during their evolution to class II stage (∼2 Myr) had enough time to travel through the whole S254–S258 star formation region. Given that the region contains several isolated YSO clusters, the evolutionary link between these clusters and the bright central S255-IR (N and S) cluster can be considered. Despite the complexity of the YSO cluster formation in the non-uniform medium, the clusters of class II YSOs in the S254-258 star formation region can contain objects born in the different locations of the complex.
Reionization and galaxy inference from the high-redshift Ly α forest
Authors: Qin Yuxiang , Mesinger Andrei , Bosman Sarah E I , Viel Matteo
Published: June 2021

The transmission of Lyman α (Ly α) in the spectra of distant quasars depends on the density, temperature, and ionization state of the intergalactic medium. Therefore, high-redshift (z > 5) Ly α forests could be invaluable in studying the late stages of the epoch of reionization (EoR), as well as properties of the sources that drive it. Indeed, high-quality quasar spectra have now firmly established the existence of large-scale opacity fluctuations at z > 5, whose physical origins are still debated. Here, we introduce a Bayesian framework capable of constraining the EoR and galaxy properties by forward-modelling the high-z Ly α forest. Using priors from galaxy and cosmic microwave background observations, we demonstrate that the final overlap stages of the EoR (when >95 per cent of the volume was ionized) should occur at z < 5.6, in order to reproduce the large-scale opacity fluctuations seen in forest spectra. However, it is the combination of patchy reionization and the inhomogeneous ultraviolet background that produces the longest Gunn–Peterson troughs. Ly α forest observations tighten existing constraints on the characteristic ionizing escape fraction of galaxies, with the combined observations suggesting $f_{\rm esc} \approx 7^{+4}_{-3}$ per cent, and disfavouring a strong evolution with the galaxy’s halo (or stellar) mass.
The role of gas kinematics in setting metallicity gradients at high redshift
Authors: Sharda Piyush , Wisnioski Emily , Krumholz Mark R , Federrath Christoph
Published: June 2021

In this work, we explore the diversity of ionized gas kinematics (rotational velocity vϕ and velocity dispersion σg) and gas-phase metallicity gradients at 0.1 ≤ z ≤ 2.5 using a compiled data set of 74 galaxies resolved with ground-based integral field spectroscopy. We find that galaxies with the highest and the lowest σg have preferentially flat metallicity gradients, whereas those with intermediate values of σg show a large scatter in the metallicity gradients. Additionally, steep negative gradients appear almost only in rotation-dominated galaxies (vϕ/σg > 1), whereas most dispersion-dominated galaxies show flat gradients. We use our recently developed analytical model of metallicity gradients to provide a physical explanation for the shape and scatter of these observed trends. In the case of high σg, the inward radial advection of gas dominates over metal production and causes efficient metal mixing, thus giving rise to flat gradients. For low σg, it is the cosmic accretion of metal-poor gas diluting the metallicity that gives rise to flat gradients. Finally, the reason for intermediate σg showing the steepest negative gradients is that both inward radial advection and cosmic accretion are weak as compared to metal production, which leads to the creation of steeper gradients. The larger scatter at intermediate σg may be due in part to preferential ejection of metals in galactic winds, which can decrease the strength of the production term. Our analysis shows how gas kinematics play a critical role in setting metallicity gradients in high-redshift galaxies.
The metal-poor dwarf irregular galaxy candidate next to Mrk 1172
Authors: Lassen Augusto E , Riffel Rogerio , Chies-Santos Ana L , Johnston Evelyn , Häußler Boris , Azevedo Gabriel M , Ruschel-Dutra Daniel , Riffel Rogemar A
Published: June 2021

In this work, we characterize the properties of the object SDSS J020536.84−081424.7, an extended nebular region with projected extension of 14 × 14 kpc2 in the line of sight of the ETG Mrk 1172, using unprecedented spectroscopic data from MUSE. We perform a spatially resolved stellar population synthesis and estimate the stellar mass for both Mrk 1172 (1 × 1011 M⊙) and our object of study (3 × 109 M⊙). While the stellar content of Mrk 1172 is dominated by an old (∼10 Gyr) stellar population, the extended nebular emission has its light dominated by young to intermediate age populations (from ∼100 Myr to ∼1 Gyr) and presents strong emission lines such as H β; [O iii] λλ4959, 5007 Å; H α; [N ii] λλ6549, 6585 Å; and [S ii] λλ6717, 6732 Å. Using these emission lines, we find that it is metal poor (with Z ∼ 1/3 Z⊙, comparable to the LMC) and is actively forming stars (0.70 M⊙ yr−1), especially in a few bright clumpy knots that are readily visible in H α. The object has an ionized gas mass ≥3.8 × 105 M⊙. Moreover, the motion of the gas is well described by a gas in circular orbit in the plane of a disc and is being affected by interaction wtih Mrk 1172. We conclude that SDSS J020536.84−081424.7 is most likely a dwarf irregular galaxy (the dIGal).
Optimal survey parameters: Ly αand H αintensity mapping for synergy with the 21-cm signal during reionization
Authors: Heneka Caroline , Cooray Asantha
Published: June 2021

Intensity mapping (IM) of multiple emission lines is emerging as a new branch to astronomy, to probe both properties of ionizing sources and the medium between, in particular the intergalactic medium. For Epoch of Reionization (EoR) studies, both multiline experiments and analysis methods are still in their infancy. Here we explore optimal survey parameters for Ly α (and H α) IM up to high redshifts of reionization, and requirements for optimized synergy with 21-cm experiments. We investigate line sensitivity, spectral resolution, and detector pixel size requirements for optimal (high signal-to-noise ratio, S/N) mission output. Power and cross-power spectra in a fiducial setup are derived, as are mock intensity maps. For line power spectrum measurements, a cumulative S/N of O(103), and for respective cross-spectra with SKA 21-cm observations of O(10) to O(102) are possible per redshift bin around the mid-point of reionization. These high S/N tomographic measurements are in reach for line sensitivities >8 × 10−18 erg s−1 sr−1 Hz−1, spectral resolution R > 250 and detector pixel sizes $\lt 2\,$ arcsec; all three requirements are met by the proposed Cosmic Dawn Intensity Mapper (CDIM). For CDIM, similar S/N values are in reach for H α. Already the planned NASA mission SPHEREx will detect during the EoR Ly α autopower and cross-power with 21-cm (SKA and HERA-type), for sensitivities >10−18 erg s−1 sr−1 Hz−1 in a moderate 21-cm foreground scenario (>10−17 erg s−1 sr−1 Hz−1 in an optimistic scenario). We advocate for IR missions in flavour of CDIM for a leap in IM and finish by providing a cookbook for successful multiline IM during the EoR.
iCOM formation from radical chemistry: a mechanistic study from cryogenic matrix coupled with IR and EPR spectroscopies
Authors: Gutiérrez-Quintanilla A , Layssac Y , Butscher T , Henkel S , Tsegaw Y A , Grote D , Sander W , Borget F , Chiavassa T , Duvernay F
Published: June 2021

Interstellar complex organic molecules (iCOMs) have been identified in different interstellar environments including star forming regions as well as cold dense molecular clouds. Laboratory studies show that iCOMs can be formed either in gas phase or in the solid state, on icy grains, from ‘non-energetic’ (atom-addition/abstraction) or energetic (UV-photon, particle bombardments) processes. In this contribution, using a new experimental approach mixing matrix isolation technique, mass spectrometry, and infrared and EPR spectroscopies, we want to investigate the COM formation at 35 K from a complex mixture of ground state radicals trying to draw a general reaction scheme. We photolyse (121 nm) CH3OH diluted in Ar at low temperature (below 15 K) to generate $\mathrm{H^.CO}$, $\mathrm{HO^.CO}$, $\mathrm{^.CH_2OH}$, $\mathrm{CH_3O^.}$, $\mathrm{^.OH}$, and $\mathrm{^.CH_3}$ radicals and ‘free’ H-atoms within the matrix. Radicals have been identified using infrared and EPR spectroscopies. With the disappearance of the Ar matrix (at 35 K), these unstable species are then free to react, forming new species in a solid film. Some recombination products have been detected using infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry in the solid film after Ar removal, namely methyl formate (CH3OCHO), glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO), ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH), glyoxal (CHOCHO), ethanol (CH3CH2OH), formic acid (HCOOH), dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3), methoxymethanol (CH3OCH2OH), and CH4O2 isomers (methanediol and/or methyl hydroperoxide). The detected molecules are fully consistent with the radicals detected and strongly support the solid state scenario of iCOM formation in interstellar ices based on radical–radical recombination. We then discuss astrophysical implications of the radical pathways on the observed gas phase iCOMs.
Ultraviolet line profiles of slowly rotating massive star winds using the ‘analytic dynamical magnetosphere’ formalism
Authors: Erba C , David-Uraz A , Petit V , Hennicker L , Fletcher C , Fullerton A W , Nazé Y , Sundqvist J , ud-Doula A
Published: June 2021

Recent large-scale spectropolarimetric surveys have established that a small but significant percentage of massive stars host stable, surface dipolar magnetic fields with strengths on the order of kG. These fields channel the dense, radiatively driven stellar wind into circumstellar magnetospheres, whose density and velocity structure can be probed using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of wind-sensitive resonance lines. Coupled with appropriate magnetosphere models, UV spectroscopy provides a valuable way to investigate the wind–field interaction, and can yield quantitative estimates of the wind parameters of magnetic massive stars. We report a systematic investigation of the formation of UV resonance lines in slowly rotating magnetic massive stars with dynamical magnetospheres. We pair the analytic dynamical magnetosphere (ADM) formalism with a simplified radiative transfer technique to produce synthetic UV line profiles. Using a grid of models, we examine the effect of magnetosphere size, the line strength parameter, and the cooling parameter on the structure and modulation of the line profile. We find that magnetic massive stars uniquely exhibit redshifted absorption at most viewing angles and magnetosphere sizes, and that significant changes to the shape and variation of the line profile with varying line strengths can be explained by examining the individual wind components described in the ADM formalism. Finally, we show that the cooling parameter has a negligible effect on the line profiles.
PARP1 and CHK1 coordinate PLK1 enzymatic activity during the DNA damage response to promote homologous recombination-mediated repair
Authors: Peng Bin , Shi Ruifeng , Bian Jing , Li Yuwei , Wang Peipei , Wang Hailong , Liao Ji , Zhu Wei-Guo , Xu Xingzhi
Published: June 2021

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a master kinase that regulates cell cycle progression. How its enzymatic activity is regulated in response to DNA damage is not fully understood. We show that PLK1 is enriched at double strand breaks (DSBs) within seconds of UV laser irradiation in a PARP-1-dependent manner and then disperses within 10 min in a PARG-dependent manner. Poly(ADP-)ribose (PAR) chains directly bind to PLK1 in vitro and inhibit its enzymatic activity. CHK1-mediated PLK1 phosphorylation at S137 prevents its binding to PAR and recruitment to DSBs but ensures PLK1 phosphorylation at T210 and its enzymatic activity toward RAD51 at S14. This subsequent phosphorylation event at S14 primes RAD51 for CHK1-mediated phosphorylation at T309, which is essential for full RAD51 activation. This CHK1–PLK1–RAD51 axis ultimately promotes homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair and ensures chromosome stability and cellular radiosensitivity. These findings provide biological insight for combined cancer therapy using inhibitors of PARG and CHK1.
Circular L-RNA aptamer promotes target recognition and controls gene activity
Authors: Ji Danyang , Lyu Kaixin , Zhao Haizhou , Kwok Chun Kit
Published: June 2021

Rational design of aptamers to incorporate unnatural nucleotides and special chemical moieties can expand their functional complexity and diversity. Spiegelmer (L-RNA aptamer) is a unique class of aptamer that is composed of unnatural L-RNA nucleotides, and so far there are limited L-RNA aptamer candidates and applications being reported. Moreover, the target binding properties of current L-RNA aptamers require significant improvement. Here, using L-Apt.4-1c as an example, we develop a simple and robust strategy to generate the first circular L-RNA aptamer, cycL-Apt.4-1c, quantitatively, demonstrate substantial enhancement in binding affinity and selectivity toward its target, and notably report novel applications of circular L-RNA aptamer in controlling RNA–protein interaction, and gene activity including telomerase activity and gene expression. Our approach and findings will be applicable to any L-RNA aptamers and open up a new avenue for diverse applications.
ANANSE: an enhancer network-based computational approach for predicting key transcription factors in cell fate determination
Authors: Xu Quan , Georgiou Georgios , Frölich Siebren , van der Sande Maarten , Veenstra Gert Jan C , Zhou Huiqing , van Heeringen Simon J
Published: June 2021

Proper cell fate determination is largely orchestrated by complex gene regulatory networks centered around transcription factors. However, experimental elucidation of key transcription factors that drive cellular identity is currently often intractable. Here, we present ANANSE (ANalysis Algorithm for Networks Specified by Enhancers), a network-based method that exploits enhancer-encoded regulatory information to identify the key transcription factors in cell fate determination. As cell type-specific transcription factors predominantly bind to enhancers, we use regulatory networks based on enhancer properties to prioritize transcription factors. First, we predict genome-wide binding profiles of transcription factors in various cell types using enhancer activity and transcription factor binding motifs. Subsequently, applying these inferred binding profiles, we construct cell type-specific gene regulatory networks, and then predict key transcription factors controlling cell fate transitions using differential networks between cell types. This method outperforms existing approaches in correctly predicting major transcription factors previously identified to be sufficient for trans-differentiation. Finally, we apply ANANSE to define an atlas of key transcription factors in 18 normal human tissues. In conclusion, we present a ready-to-implement computational tool for efficient prediction of transcription factors in cell fate determination and to study transcription factor-mediated regulatory mechanisms. ANANSE is freely available at https://github.com/vanheeringen-lab/ANANSE.
The Impact of Interhospital Competition on Treatment Strategy and Outcomes for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Tang Oliver Y , Yoon James S , Durand Wesley M , Ahmed Shaan A , Lawton Michael T
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Interhospital competition has been shown to affect surgical outcomes and expenditures. However, interhospital competition's impact on neurosurgery is poorly characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To assess how interhospital competition is associated with treatment strategy and outcomes for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs).

METHODS

We identified all elective UIA admissions in the National Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2011. Competitive intensity of each hospital market was quantified using the validated Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), with lower values denoting higher competition. We then obtained nationwide HHI values for 2012 to 2016 from the Health Care Cost Project. Outcomes included treatment modality (clipping, coiling, or nonoperative management), inpatient mortality, disposition, complications, length of stay (LOS), and costs. Multivariate regression assessed the association between HHI and outcomes, controlling for patient demographics, severity metrics, hospital characteristics, and treatment.

RESULTS

We studied 157 979 elective UIA admissions at 1435 hospitals from 2002 to 2011, with an increase in coiling admissions (13.4% to 33.7%) and decrease in clipping admissions (30.9% to 17.6%). Mean hospital HHI was 0.11 (range = 0.001-0.97). Competition decreased for 61.8% of hospitals from 2002 to 2011 and 68.1% of metropolitan localities from 2012 to 2016. Admissions in more competitive hospital markets exhibited increased odds of undergoing surgery (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, P < .001), with preference toward coiling over clipping (OR = 1.27, P < .001). HHI was not associated with mortality, disposition, or LOS. However, increased interhospital competition was associated with more complications (OR = 1.09, P = .001) and greater hospital costs (β-coefficient = 1.06, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

For UIA patients, admission to hospitals in more competitive geographies was associated with increased rates of surgical intervention, coiling utilization, complications, and hospitalization costs.
ArabidopsisSSB1, a Mitochondrial Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein, is Involved in ABA Response and Mitochondrial RNA Splicing
Authors: Qian Jie , Li Meng , Zheng Min , Hsu Yi-Feng
Published: June 2021

A mitochondrion is a semiautonomous organelle that provides energy for life activities and balances plant growth and stress responses. Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates multiple physiological processes, including seed maturation, seed dormancy, stomatal closure and various abiotic stress responses. However, the relationship between mitochondrial activity and the ABA response is unclear. In this study, an Arabidopsis mutant, ssb1-1, was isolated because of its hypersensitivity toward ABA. Assessment results showed that ABA negatively regulates the expression of Arabidopsis SSB1. Mutations in ABA-insensitive 4 (ABI4) and ABI5, genes of key transcription factors involved in ABA-dependent seed dormancy, attenuated the ABA sensitivity of ssb1-1 during germination, suggesting that Arabidopsis SSB1 may act as a regulator in ABA response. Inhibition of endogenous ABA biosynthesis reversed the NaCl-sensitive phenotype of the ssb1-1 mutant, indicating that enhanced ABA biosynthesis is critical for the salinity stress response of ssb1-1. Moreover, compared to that of the wild type, ssb1-1 accumulated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and exhibited increased sensitivity to the application of exogenous H2O2 during seed germination. SSB1 is also required for mitochondrial RNA splicing, as indicated by the result showing that SSB1 loss of function led to a decreased splicing efficiency of nad1 intron1 and nad2 intron1. Taken together, our data reported here provide insights into a novel role of Arabidopsis SSB1 in ABA signaling and mitochondrial RNA splicing.
Quantum phase transition and resurgence: Lessons from three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Fujimori Toshiaki , Honda Masazumi , Kamata Syo , Misumi Tatsuhiro , Sakai Norisuke , Yoda Takuya
Published: June 2021

We study a resurgence structure of a quantum field theory with a phase transition to uncover relations between resurgence and phase transitions. In particular, we focus on three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric quantum electrodynamics (SQED) with multiple hypermultiplets, where a second-order quantum phase transition has recently been proposed in the large-flavor limit. We provide interpretations of the phase transition from the viewpoints of Lefschetz thimbles and resurgence. For this purpose, we study the Lefschetz thimble structure and properties of the large-flavor expansion for the partition function obtained by the supersymmetric localization. We show that the second-order phase transition is understood as a phenomenon where a Stokes and an anti-Stokes phenomenon occur simultaneously. The order of the phase transition is determined by how saddles collide at the critical point. In addition, the phase transition accompanies an infinite number of Stokes phenomena due to the supersymmetry. These features are appropriately mapped to the Borel plane structures as the resurgence theory expects. Given the lessons from SQED, we provide a more general discussion on the relationship between the resurgence and phase transitions. In particular, we show how the information on the phase transition is decoded from the Borel resummation technique.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Improves Muscle Strength, Biomechanics of Movement, and Functional Mobility in Children With Chronic Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cobo-Vicente Fernando , San Juan Alejandro F , Larumbe-Zabala Eneko , Estévez-González Agustín Jesús , Donadio Márcio Vinícius Fagundes , Pérez-Ruiz Margarita
Published: June 2021

Objective

Chronic neurological disorders (CNDs) generally produce deleterious effects on the musculoskeletal system and can affect physical activity and increase sedentary behavior in children, hindering the execution of training programs and the attainment of a correct dose of exercise. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on skeletal muscle and then on biomechanics of movement, functional mobility, strength, spasticity, muscle architecture, and body composition of children and adolescents with CNDs and chronic diseases.

Methods

The search was conducted in April 2020 in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, without publication period restriction. Publications investigating the effect of NMES on children and adolescents with CNDs and other chronic diseases were independently selected by 2 researchers. One author independently extracted data from the studies selected, and a second author cross-checked.

Results

Eighteen studies with 595 participants aged between 3 and 14 years were included. Quality assessment showed that 50% of the studies presented a low risk of bias. The pooled effect of NMES on gross motor functional measure, calculated as a standardized mean difference using a random effects model, was 0.41 (95% CI = 0.19–0.64).

Conclusion

The use of NMES programs for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, and obstetric injury of the brachial plexus was effective in improving muscle strength, biomechanics of movement, and functional mobility.

Impact

NMES can be a useful tool to prevent the reduction of mobility that results from CNDs.
Political Determinants of Competition in the Mobile Telecommunication Industry
Authors: Faccio Mara , Zingales Luigi
Published: June 2021

We study the relationship between the presence of politicians on mobile service operators’ boards and the regulation of the mobile telecommunication sector. In countries in which mobile operators have deeper connections with local politicians, we find that rules promote competition less, even after we control for country fixed effects and a country’s level of corruption. Rules that promote competition are associated with lower concentration and lower prices. There is no evidence that procompetition rules are associated with worse quality, lower investments, less employment, or lower wages. Thus, all the evidence points to political connections being a form of rent-seeking.
Implementation and Assessment of a Proning Protocol for Nonintubated Patients With COVID-19
Authors: D'Souza Felicia R. , Murray John P. , Tummala Sandeep , Puello Frances , Pavkovich David S. , Ash Daniel , Kelly Stephanie B. H. , Tyker Albina , Anderson Daniela , Francisco Mary A. , Pierce Nicole L. , Cerasale Matthew T.
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 1,250,000 deaths worldwide. With limited therapeutic options, proning nonintubated patients emerged as a safe and affordable intervention to manage hypoxemia.

Methods:

A proning protocol to identify and prone eligible patients was implemented. Patients were encouraged to self-prone for 2–3 hours, 3 times daily. Investigators created educational materials for nurses and patients and developed a COVID-19–specific proning order within the electronic health record (EHR). Investigators completed an 800-person retrospective chart review to study the implementation of this protocol.

Results:

From March 22, 2020, to June 5, 2020, 586 patients were admitted to the COVID-19 floor. Of these patients, 42.8% were eligible for proning. Common contraindications were lack of hypoxia, altered mental status, and fall risk. The proning protocol led to a significant improvement in provider awareness of patients appropriate for proning, increasing from 12% to 83%, as measured by placement of a proning order into the EHR. There was a significant improvement in all appropriate patients documented as proned, increasing from 18% to 45% of eligible patients.

Conclusions:

The creation of an effective hospital-wide proning protocol to address the exigencies of the COVID-19 pandemic is possible and may be accomplished in a short period of time.
Understanding the Relationship between Breast Reconstruction Subtype and Risk of Financial Toxicity: A Single-Institution Pilot Study
Authors: Bailey Chad M. , Asaad Malke , Boukovalas Stefanos , Lin Yu-Li , Kothamasu Venkata , Kapur Sahil K. , Villa Mark T. , Butler Charles E. , Offodile Anaeze C.
Published: June 2021

Background:

The impact of breast reconstruction on financial toxicity remains poorly understood despite growing awareness. The authors sought to illustrate the relationship between breast reconstruction subtypes and the risk of financial toxicity.

Methods:

The authors conducted a single-institution cross-sectional survey of all female breast cancer patients undergoing any form of breast reconstruction between January of 2018 and June of 2019. Financial toxicity was measured by means of the validated Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity instrument. Demographics, clinical course, and coping strategies were abstracted from a purpose-built survey and electronic medical records. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify associations with financial toxicity.

Results:

The authors’ analytical sample was 350 patients. One hundred eighty-four (52.6 percent) underwent oncoplastic reconstruction, 126 (36 percent) underwent implant-based reconstruction, and 40 (11.4 percent) underwent autologous reconstruction. Oncoplastic reconstruction recipients were older, had a higher body mass index, and were more likely to have supplemental insurance and receive adjuvant hormonal therapy. No significant differences in the risk of financial toxicity were uncovered across breast reconstruction subtypes (p = 0.53). Protective factors against financial toxicity were use of supplemental insurance (p = 0.0003) and escalating annual household income greater than $40,000 (p < 0.0001). Receipt of radiation therapy was positively associated with worsening financial toxicity (−2.69; 95 CI percent, −5.22 to −0.15). Financial coping strategies were prevalent across breast reconstruction subtypes.

Conclusions:

Breast reconstruction subtype does not differentially impact the risk of financial toxicity. Increasing income and supplemental insurance were found to be protective, whereas receipt of radiation therapy was positively associated with financial toxicity. Prospective, multicenter studies are needed to identify the main drivers of out-of-pocket costs and financial toxicity in breast cancer care.
Carving Out Financial Success: The Power of Insurance Carve-Outs in a Private Plastic Surgery Practice
Authors: Kind Gabriel M. , Davis Matthew J. , Abu-Ghname Amjed , Ochoa Oscar , Hoxworth Ron , Winocour Sebastian , Maricevich Marco , Chrysopoulo Minas
Published: June 2021

Background:

Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, there has been a push away from fee-for-service payment models. The rise of bundled payments has drastically impacted plastic surgeons’ incomes, especially nonsalaried surgeons in private practice. As a result, physicians must now attempt to optimize contractual reimbursement agreements (carve-outs) with insurance providers. The aim of this article is to explain the economics behind negotiating carve-outs and to offer a how-to guide for plastic surgeons to use in such negotiations.

Methods:

Based on work relative value units, Medicare reimbursement, overhead expenses, physician workload, and desired income, the authors present an approach that allows surgeons to evaluate the reimbursement they receive for various procedures. The authors then review factors that influence whether a carve-out can be pursued. Finally, the authors consider relevant nuances of negotiating with insurance companies.

Results:

Using tissue expander insertion (CPT 19357) as an example, the authors review the mathematics, thought process required, and necessary steps in determining whether a carve-out should be pursued. Strategies for negotiation with insurance companies were identified. The presented approach can be used to potentially negotiate a carve-out for any reconstructive procedure that meets appropriate financial criteria.

Conclusions:

Understanding practice costs will allow plastic surgeons to evaluate the true value of insurance reimbursements and determine whether a carve-out is worth pursuing. Plastic surgeons must be prepared to negotiate adequate reimbursement carve-outs whenever possible. Ultimately, by aligning the best quality patient care with insurance companies’ financial motivations, plastic surgeons have the opportunity to improve reimbursement for some reconstructive procedures.