bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of inflammation in benign gynecologic disorders: from pathogenesis to novel therapies†
Authors: AlAshqar Abdelrahman , Reschke Lauren , Kirschen Gregory W , Borahay Mostafa A
Published: March 2021

Emerging evidence supports the notion that inflammation fosters the development of common benign gynecologic disorders, including uterine leiomyoma, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. Numerous cytokines, chemokines, and growth and transcription factors have indisputable roles in the establishment and maintenance of benign gynecologic disorders by initiating complex cascades that promote proliferation, angiogenesis, and lesion progression. The interaction between inflammation and benign gynecologic disorders is orchestrated by a plethora of factors, including sex steroids, genetics, epigenetics, extracellular matrix, stem cells, cardiometabolic risk factors, diet, vitamin D, and the immune system. The role of inflammation in these disorders is not limited to local pathobiology but also extends to involve clinical sequelae that range from those confined to the reproductive tract, such as infertility and gynecologic malignancies, to systemic complications such as cardiovascular disease. Enhanced understanding of the intricate mechanisms of this association will introduce us to unvisited pathophysiological perspectives and guide future diagnostic and therapeutic implications aimed at reducing the burden of these disorders. Utilization of inflammatory markers, microRNA, and molecular imaging as diagnostic adjuncts may be valuable, noninvasive techniques for prompt detection of benign gynecologic disorders. Further, use of novel as well as previously established therapeutics, such as immunomodulators, hormonal treatments, cardiometabolic medications, and cyclooxygenase-2 and NF-κB inhibitors, can target inflammatory pathways involved in their pathogenesis. In this comprehensive review, we aim to dissect the existing literature on the role of inflammation in benign gynecologic disorders, including the proposed underlying mechanisms and complex interactions, its contribution to clinical sequelae, and the clinical implications this role entails.
Serum fatty acid-binding protein 5 is a significant factor in hepatocellular carcinoma progression independent of tissue expression level
Authors: Ohira Masafumi , Yokoo Hideki , Ogawa Koji , Fukai Moto , Kamiyama Toshiya , Sakamoto Naoya , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: March 2021

Fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and is related to HCC progression. In this study, we analyzed the potential of serum FABP5 (sFABP5) as a tumor marker in HCC and its clinical significance in HCC progression. We compared the sFABP5 concentration in patients with HCC (HCC group) with that of patients with hepatitis without HCC (hepatitis group). Moreover, we measured the FABP5 expression levels in resected HCC tissues (tFABP5) and analyzed their relationship with sFABP5. We also performed cell-based assays using FABP5 knockout and overexpressing HCC cell lines to analyze the effect of extrinsic FABP5 (exFABP5) on HCC cells. We showed that sFABP5 was not a useful tumor marker for HCC, as HCC and sFABP5 were not correlated. However, sFABP5 and tFABP5 significantly correlated with survival after surgery for HCC, while sFABP5 and tFABP5 were independent of each other. In cell-based assays, exFABP5 was taken up by HCC cell lines and positively affected cell survival under glucose-depleted conditions by complementing the endogenous FABP5 function. In conclusion, sFABP5 had a significant impact on HCC progression irrespective of tFABP5 by augmenting cell viability under glucose-depleted conditions. As tFABP5 and sFABP5 are important factors that are independent of each other in HCC progression, both of them should be considered independently in improving the prognosis of patients with HCC.
Population-Wide Peer Comparison Audit and Feedback to Reduce Antibiotic Initiation and Duration in Long-Term Care Facilities with Embedded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Daneman Nick , Lee Samantha M , Bai Heming , Bell Chaim M , Bronskill Susan E , Campitelli Michael A , Dobell Gail , Fu Longdi , Garber Gary , Ivers Noah , Lam Jonathan M C , Langford Bradley J , Laur Celia , Morris Andrew , Mulhall Cara , Pinto Ruxandra , Saxena Farah E , Schwartz Kevin L , Brown Kevin A
Published: March 2021

Background

Antibiotic overprescribing in long-term care settings is driven by prescriber preferences and is associated with preventable harms for residents. We aimed to determine whether peer comparison audit and feedback reporting for physicians reduces antibiotic overprescribing among residents.

Methods

We employed a province wide, difference-in-differences study of antibiotic prescribing audit and feedback, with an embedded pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) across all long-term care facilities in Ontario, Canada, in 2019. The study year included 1238 physicians caring for 96 185 residents. In total, 895 (72%) physicians received no feedback; 343 (28%) were enrolled to receive audit and feedback and randomized 1:1 to static or dynamic reports. The primary outcomes were proportion of residents initiated on an antibiotic and proportion of antibiotics prolonged beyond 7 days per quarter.

Results

Among all residents, between the first quarter of 2018 and last quarter of 2019, there were temporal declines in antibiotic initiation (28.4% to 21.3%) and prolonged duration (34.4% to 29.0%). Difference-in-differences analysis confirmed that feedback was associated with a greater decline in prolonged antibiotics (adjusted difference −2.65%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −4.93 to −.28%, P = .026), but there was no significant difference in antibiotic initiation. The reduction in antibiotic durations was associated with 335 912 fewer days of treatment. The embedded RCT detected no differences in outcomes between the dynamic and static reports.

Conclusions

Peer comparison audit and feedback is a pragmatic intervention that can generate small relative reductions in the use of antibiotics for prolonged durations that translate to large reductions in antibiotic days of treatment across populations.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03807466.
Sparse covariance estimation in logit mixture models
Authors: Aboutaleb Youssef M , Danaf Mazen , Xie Yifei , Ben-Akiva Moshe E
Published: March 2021

This paper introduces a new data-driven methodology for estimating sparse covariance matrices of the random coefficients in logit mixture models. Researchers typically specify covariance matrices in logit mixture models under one of two extreme assumptions: either an unrestricted full covariance matrix (allowing correlations between all random coefficients), or a restricted diagonal matrix (allowing no correlations at all). Our objective is to find optimal subsets of correlated coefficients for which we estimate covariances. We propose a new estimator, called MISC (mixed integer sparse covariance), that uses a mixed-integer optimization (MIO) program to find an optimal block diagonal structure specification for the covariance matrix, corresponding to subsets of correlated coefficients, for any desired sparsity level using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) posterior draws from the unrestricted full covariance matrix. The optimal sparsity level of the covariance matrix is determined using out-of-sample validation. We demonstrate the ability of MISC to correctly recover the true covariance structure from synthetic data. In an empirical illustration using a stated preference survey on modes of transportation, we use MISC to obtain a sparse covariance matrix indicating how preferences for attributes are related to one another.
Class Altruism and Redistribution
Authors: Ghiglino Christian , Juárez-Luna David , Müller Andreas
Published: March 2021

Why do tax rates vary so much across countries? We study the role of other-regarding preferences and ethnic fragmentation in redistribution. A government is elected by altruistic voters and chooses a redistributive income tax. Altruism is directed towards social identity groups. Three main factors yield low levels of redistribution: (i) strong in-group altruism among rich voters—referred to as class altruism; (ii) weak universal altruism—in particular among the rich; and (iii) ethnic fragmentation among poor voters. We document survey evidence that the pattern of altruism in the United States and the European Union is consistent with the observed differences in taxes.
Chromosome Level Assembly of the Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album)
Authors: Celorio-Mancera Maria de la Paz , Rastas Pasi , Steward Rachel A , Nylin Soren , Wheat Christopher W
Published: March 2021

The comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album, Nymphalidae, Lepidoptera) is a model insect species, most notably in the study of phenotypic plasticity and plant-insect coevolutionary interactions. In order to facilitate the integration of genomic tools with a diverse body of ecological and evolutionary research, we assembled the genome of a Swedish comma using 10X sequencing, scaffolding with matepair data, genome polishing, and assignment to linkage groups using a high-density linkage map. The resulting genome is 373 Mb in size, with a scaffold N50 of 11.7 Mb and contig N50 of 11,2Mb. The genome contained 90.1% of single-copy Lepidopteran orthologs in a BUSCO analysis of 5,286 genes. A total of 21,004 gene-models were annotated on the genome using RNA-Seq data from larval and adult tissue in combination with proteins from the Arthropoda database, resulting in a high-quality annotation for which functional annotations were generated. We further documented the quality of the chromosomal assembly via synteny assessment with Melitaea cinxia. The resulting annotated, chromosome-level genome will provide an important resource for investigating coevolutionary dynamics and comparative analyses in Lepidoptera.
Using Technology to Measure Older Adults’ Social Networks for Health and Well-Being: A Scoping Review
Authors: Wei Sijia , Kang Bada , Bailey Donald E , Caves Kevin , Lin Yufen , McConnell Eleanor S , Thurow Maria , Woodward Amanda , Wright-Freeman Kayla , Xue Tingzhong (Michelle) , Corazzini Kirsten N
Published: March 2021

Background and Objectives

Social networks affect the health and well-being of older adults. Advancements in technology (e.g., digital devices and mHealth) enrich our ability to collect social networks and health data. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and map the use of technology in measuring older adults’ social networks for health and social care.

Research Design and Methods

The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was followed. PubMed (MEDLINE), Sociological Abstracts, SocINDEX, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles. Conference abstracts and proceedings were searched via Conference Papers Index, the American Sociological Society, and The Gerontological Society of America. Studies published in English from January 2004 to March 2020 that aimed to improve health or social care for older adults and used technology to measure social networks were included. Data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers using an a priori extraction tool.

Results

The majority of the 18 reviewed studies were pilot or simulation research conducted in Europe that focused on older adults living in the community. The various types of technologies used can be categorized as environment-based, person-based, and data-based.

Discussion and Implications

Technology facilitates objective and longitudinal data collection on the social interactions and activities of older adults. The use of technology to measure older adults’ social networks, however, is primarily in an exploratory phase. Multidisciplinary collaborations are needed to overcome operational, analytical, and implementation challenges. Future studies should leverage technologies for addressing social isolation and care for older adults, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 protein Ataxin-1 is signaled to DNA damage by ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase
Authors: Suart Celeste E , Perez Alma M , Al-Ramahi Ismael , Maiuri Tamara , Botas Juan , Truant Ray
Published: March 2021

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ataxin-1 protein. Recent genetic correlational studies have implicated DNA damage repair pathways in modifying the age at onset of disease symptoms in SCA1 and Huntington’s Disease, another polyglutamine expansion disease. We demonstrate that both endogenous and transfected ataxin-1 localizes to sites of DNA damage, which is impaired by polyglutamine expansion. This response is dependent on ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase activity. Further, we characterize an ATM phosphorylation motif within ataxin-1 at serine 188. We show reduction of the Drosophila ATM homolog levels in a ATXN1[82Q] Drosophila model through shRNA or genetic cross ameliorates motor symptoms. These findings offer a possible explanation as to why DNA repair was implicated in SCA1 pathogenesis by past studies. The similarities between the ataxin-1 and the huntingtin responses to DNA damage provide further support for a shared pathogenic mechanism for polyglutamine expansion diseases.
Global Dynamics for the Two-dimensional Stochastic Nonlinear Wave Equations
Authors: Gubinelli Massimiliano , Koch Herbert , Oh Tadahiro , Tolomeo Leonardo
Published: March 2021

We study global-in-time dynamics of the stochastic nonlinear wave equations (SNLW) with an additive space-time white noise forcing, posed on the two-dimensional torus. Our goal in this paper is two-fold. (1) By introducing a hybrid argument, combining the $I$-method in the stochastic setting with a Gronwall-type argument, we first prove global well-posedness of the (renormalized) cubic SNLW in the defocusing case. Our argument yields a double exponential growth bound on the Sobolev norm of a solution. (2) We then study the stochastic damped nonlinear wave equations (SdNLW) in the defocusing case. In particular, by applying Bourgain’s invariant measure argument, we prove almost sure global well-posedness of the (renormalized) defocusing SdNLW with respect to the Gibbs measure and invariance of the Gibbs measure.
Universal Rings of Invariants
Authors: Meir Ehud
Published: March 2021

Let $K$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. Algebraic structures of a specific type (e.g., algebras or coalgebras) on a given vector space $W$ over $K$ can be encoded as points in an affine space $U(W)$. This space is equipped with a $\textrm{GL} (W)$ action, and two points define isomorphic structures if and only if they lie in the same orbit. This leads to study the ring of invariants $K[U(W)]^{\textrm{GL} (W)}$. We describe this ring by generators and relations. We then construct combinatorially a commutative ring $K[X]$, which specializes to all rings of invariants of the form $K[U(W)]^{\textrm{GL} (W)}$. We show that the commutative ring $K[X]$ has a richer structure of a Hopf algebra with additional coproduct, grading, and an inner product, which makes it into a rational PSH-algebra, generalizing a structure introduced by Zelevinsky. We finish with a detailed study of $K[X]$ in the case of an algebraic structure consisting of a single endomorphism and show how the rings of invariants $K[U(W)]^{\textrm{GL} (W)}$ can be calculated explicitly from $K[X]$ in this case.
Comparison of Strategies for Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction in India: A Cost-Effectiveness Modeling Study
Authors: Ryckman Theresa , Karthikeyan Arun S , Kumar Dilesh , Cao Yanjia , Kang Gagandeep , Goldhaber-Fiebert Jeremy D , John Jacob , Lo Nathan C , Andrews Jason R
Published: March 2021

Background

Typhoid fever causes substantial global mortality, with almost half occurring in India. New typhoid vaccines are highly effective and recommended by the World Health Organization for high-burden settings. There is a need to determine whether and which typhoid vaccine strategies should be implemented in India.

Methods

We assessed typhoid vaccination using a dynamic compartmental model, parameterized by and calibrated to disease and costing data from a recent multisite surveillance study in India. We modeled routine and 1-time campaign strategies that target different ages and settings. The primary outcome was cost-effectiveness, measured by incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) benchmarked against India’s gross national income per capita (US$2130).

Results

Both routine and campaign vaccination strategies were cost-saving compared to the status quo, due to averted costs of illness. The preferred strategy was a nationwide community-based catchup campaign targeting children aged 1–15 years alongside routine vaccination, with an ICER of $929 per disability-adjusted life-year averted. Over the first 10 years of implementation, vaccination could avert 21–39 million cases and save $1.6–$2.2 billion. These findings were broadly consistent across willingness-to-pay thresholds, epidemiologic settings, and model input distributions.

Conclusions

Despite high initial costs, routine and campaign typhoid vaccination in India could substantially reduce mortality and was highly cost-effective.
Antibody Responses to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in the Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Neurological Symptoms
Authors: Cunningham Janet L , Virhammar Johan , Rönnberg Bengt , Dopico Xaquin Castro , Kolstad Linda , Albinsson Bo , Kumlien Eva , Nääs Anja , Klang Andrea , Westman Gabriel , Zetterberg Henrik , Frithiof Robert , Lundkvist Åke , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B , Rostami Elham
Published: March 2021

Antibody responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 16 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and neurological symptoms were assessed using 2 independent methods. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific for the virus spike protein was found in 81% of patients in serum and in 56% in CSF. SARS-CoV-2 IgG in CSF was observed in 2 patients with negative serological findings. Levels of IgG in both serum and CSF were associated with disease severity (P < .05). All patients with elevated markers of central nervous system damage in CSF also had CSF antibodies (P = .002), and CSF antibodies had the highest predictive value for neuronal damage markers of all tested clinical variables.
Correlation Between TIGIT Expression on CD8+ T Cells and Higher Cytotoxic Capacity
Authors: Blazkova Jana , Huiting Erin D , Boddapati Arun Kumar , Shi Victoria , Whitehead Emily J , Justement Jesse S , Nordstrom Jeffrey L , Moir Susan , Lack Justin , Chun Tae-Wook
Published: March 2021

Persistent exposure to antigen leads to T-cell exhaustion and immunologic dysfunction. We examined the immune exhaustion markers T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected and healthy individuals and the relationship with cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocyte activity. Frequencies of TIGIT but not PD-1 were positively correlated with CD8+ T-lymphocyte activity in HIV-aviremic and healthy individuals; however, there was no correlation in HIV-viremic individuals. Transcriptome analyses revealed up-regulation of genes associated with antiviral immunity in TIGIT+CD8+ versus TIGIT−CD8+ T cells. Our data suggest that TIGIT+CD8+ T cells do not necessarily represent a state of immune exhaustion and maintain an intrinsic cytotoxicity in HIV-infected individuals.
Coronavirus Occurrence in the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation (HIVE) Cohort of Michigan Households: Reinfection Frequency and Serologic Responses to Seasonal and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronaviruses
Authors: Petrie Joshua G , Bazzi Latifa A , McDermott Adrian B , Follmann Dean , Esposito Dominic , Hatcher Christian , Mateja Allyson , Narpala Sandeep R , O’Connell Sarah E , Martin Emily T , Monto Arnold S
Published: March 2021

Background

We investigated frequency of reinfection with seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and serum antibody response following infection over 8 years in the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation (HIVE) cohort.

Methods

Households were followed annually for identification of acute respiratory illness with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction–confirmed HCoV infection. Serum collected before and at 2 time points postinfection were tested using a multiplex binding assay to quantify antibody to seasonal, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike proteins and SARS-CoV-2 spike subdomains and N protein.

Results

Of 3418 participants, 40% were followed for ≥3 years. A total of 1004 HCoV infections were documented; 303 (30%) were reinfections of any HCoV type. The number of HCoV infections ranged from 1 to 13 per individual. The mean time to reinfection with the same type was estimated at 983 days for 229E, 578 days for HKU1, 615 days for OC43, and 711 days for NL63. Binding antibody levels to seasonal HCoVs were high, with little increase postinfection, and were maintained over time. Homologous, preinfection antibody levels did not significantly correlate with odds of infection, and there was little cross-response to SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

Conclusions

Reinfection with seasonal HCoVs is frequent. Binding anti-spike protein antibodies do not correlate with protection from seasonal HCoV infection.
Genetic features of the poxtA linezolid resistance gene in human enterococci from France
Authors: Dejoies Loren , Sassi Mohamed , Schutz Sacha , Moreaux Julie , Zouari Asma , Potrel Sophie , Collet Anaïs , Lecourt Maxime , Auger Gabriel , Cattoir Vincent
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To describe the prevalence of poxtA among clinical linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) collected in France from 2016 to 2020 and to extensively characterize its genetic supports and environments.

Methods

All LRE clinical isolates received at the National Reference Centre for Enterococci from French hospitals between 2016 and 2020 were included. LRE isolates were screened for linezolid resistance genes (cfr-like, optrA and poxtA) by real-time PCR and phenotypically characterized. A collection of 11 representative poxtA-positive isolates (10 Enterococcus faecium and 1 Enterococcus faecalis) underwent WGS by hybrid assembly combining short-read (Illumina MiSeq) and long-read (MinION) approaches. Transferability of poxtA was attempted by filter-mating experiments.

Results

Out of 466 LRE received at the National Reference Centre for Enterococci over the period, 47 (10.1%) were poxtA-positive, including 42 E. faecium. The 11 isolates characterized by WGS were confirmed to be epidemiologically unrelated by core genome analysis and eight different STs were assigned to E. faecium isolates. The poxtA gene was found to be plasmid carried and flanked by IS1216E transposase genes in all isolates and frequently linked with fexB, tet(M) and tet(L). A total of seven distinct poxtA-harbouring plasmids were obtained after hybrid assembly and plasmid transfer of poxtA was successful in three cases. For the two poxtA/optrA-positive isolates, those genes were carried by different plasmids.

Conclusions

The poxtA gene has been circulating among clinical enterococci in France since at least 2016, mostly in E. faecium and independently from optrA. The poxtA-carrying plasmids often co-carried resistance genes to phenicols and tetracyclines, and could have been co-selected through their veterinary use.
Towards automatic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease on echocardiographic exams through video-based deep learning
Authors: Martins João Francisco B S , Nascimento Erickson R , Nascimento Bruno R , Sable Craig A , Beaton Andrea Z , Ribeiro Antônio L , Meira Wagner , Pappa Gisele L
Published: March 2021

Objective

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects an estimated 39 million people worldwide and is the most common acquired heart disease in children and young adults. Echocardiograms are the gold standard for diagnosis of RHD, but there is a shortage of skilled experts to allow widespread screenings for early detection and prevention of the disease progress. We propose an automated RHD diagnosis system that can help bridge this gap.

Materials and Methods

Experiments were conducted on a dataset with 11 646 echocardiography videos from 912 exams, obtained during screenings in underdeveloped areas of Brazil and Uganda. We address the challenges of RHD identification with a 3D convolutional neural network (C3D), comparing its performance with a 2D convolutional neural network (VGG16) that is commonly used in the echocardiogram literature. We also propose a supervised aggregation technique to combine video predictions into a single exam diagnosis.

Results

The proposed approach obtained an accuracy of 72.77% for exam diagnosis. The results for the C3D were significantly better than the ones obtained by the VGG16 network for videos, showing the importance of considering the temporal information during the diagnostic. The proposed aggregation model showed significantly better accuracy than the majority voting strategy and also appears to be capable of capturing underlying biases in the neural network output distribution, balancing them for a more correct diagnosis.

Conclusion

Automatic diagnosis of echo-detected RHD is feasible and, with further research, has the potential to reduce the workload of experts, enabling the implementation of more widespread screening programs worldwide.
Sweet modification and regulation of death receptor signalling pathway
Authors: Moriwaki Kenta , Chan Francis K M , Miyoshi Eiji
Published: March 2021

Death receptors, members of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, are characterized by the presence of a death domain in the cytosolic region. TNFR1, Fas and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptors, which are prototypical death receptors, exert pleiotropic functions in cell death, inflammation and immune surveillance. Hence, they are involved in several human diseases. The activation of death receptors and downstream intracellular signalling is regulated by various posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination and glycosylation. Glycosylation is one of the most abundant and versatile modifications to proteins and lipids, and it plays a critical role in the development and physiology of organisms, as well as the pathology of many human diseases. Glycans control a number of cellular events, such as receptor activation, signal transduction, endocytosis, cell recognition and cell adhesion. It has been demonstrated that oligo- and monosaccharides modify death receptors and intracellular signalling proteins and regulate their functions. Here, we review the current understanding of glycan modifications of death receptor signalling and their impact on signalling activity.
‘Seeing the Wood for the Trees’: Revisiting the Consistency of Australia’s Illegal Logging Act with the Law of the World Trade Organization
Authors: Gascoigne Catherine E
Published: March 2021

In the absence of coordinated multilateral action, many countries seek to address environmental harm occurring in foreign jurisdictions by introducing measures that regulate the importation of certain products. In Australia, the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (Cth) and the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 (Cth) prohibit the import of timber that has been harvested in a manner that is contrary to the laws of the harvesting country. One unsettled question is whether the measure is inconsistent with the law of the World Trade Organization. This article considers this question ahead of the Commonwealth Government’s 10-year review of the Measure. To this end, the article examines the consistency of the Act with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. The findings of the article are relevant to Australia and to other countries that design and implement measures to regulate the importation of products for environmental objectives.
Morphological evolution of supermassive black hole merger hosts and multimessenger signatures
Authors: DeGraf Colin , Sijacki Debora , Di Matteo Tiziana , Holley-Bockelmann Kelly , Snyder Greg , Springel Volker
Published: March 2021

With projects such as Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs) expected to detect gravitational waves from supermassive black hole mergers in the near future, it is key that we understand what we expect those detections to be, and maximize what we can learn from them. To address this, we study the mergers of supermassive black holes in the Illustris simulation, the overall rate of mergers, and the correlation between merging black holes and their host galaxies. We find these mergers occur in typical galaxies along the MBH−M* relation, and that between LISA and PTAs we expect to probe the full range of galaxy masses. As galaxy mergers can trigger star formation, we find that galaxies hosting low-mass black hole mergers tend to show a slight increase in star formation rates compared to a mass-matched sample. However, high-mass merger hosts have typical star formation rates, due to a combination of low gas fractions and powerful active galactic nucleus feedback. Although minor black hole mergers do not correlate with disturbed morphologies, major mergers (especially at high-masses) tend to show morphological evidence of recent galaxy mergers which survive for ∼500 Myr. This is on the same scale as the infall/hardening time of merging black holes, suggesting that electromagnetic follow-ups to gravitational wave signals may not be able to observe this correlation. We further find that incorporating a realistic time-scale delay for the black hole mergers could shift the merger distribution towards higher masses, decreasing the rate of LISA detections while increasing the rate of PTA detections.
Substructure analysis of the RXCJ0232.2–4420 galaxy cluster
Authors: Parekh Viral , Laganá Tatiana F , Kale Ruta
Published: March 2021

RXCJ0232.2–4420, at z = 0.28, is a peculiar system hosting a radio halo source around the cool-core of the cluster. To investigate its formation and nature, we used archival Chandra and XMM–Newton X-ray data to study the dynamical state of the cluster and detect possible substructures in the hot gas. Its X-ray surface brightness distribution shows no clear disruption except an elongation in the north-east to south-west direction. We perform the unsharp masking technique and compute morphology parameters (Gini, M20, and concentration) to characterize the degree of disturbance in the projected X-ray emission. Both of these methods revealed a substructure, which is located at ∼1 arcmin from the cluster core in the south-west direction. Previous spectral analysis conducted for RXCJ0232.2–04420 concluded that there are a short cooling time and low entropy at the cluster centre, indicating that the cluster has a cool core. Thus, we suggest that RXCJ0232.2–4420 may be a system where the core of the cluster is not showing any sign of disturbance, but the south-west substructure could be pumping energy to the detected radio halo via turbulence.
Relative depolarization of the black hole photon ring in GRMHD models of Sgr A* and M87*
Authors: Jiménez-Rosales A , Dexter J , Ressler S M , Tchekhovskoy A , Bauböck M , Dallilar Y , de Zeeuw P T , Drescher A , Eisenhauer F , von Fellenberg S , Gao F , Genzel R , Gillessen S , Habibi M , Ott T , Stadler J , Straub O , Widmann F
Published: March 2021

Using general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of accreting black holes, we show that a suitable subtraction of the linear polarization per pixel from total intensity images can enhance the photon ring feature. We find that the photon ring is typically a factor of ≃2 less polarized than the rest of the image. This is due to a combination of plasma and general relativistic effects, as well as magnetic turbulence. When there are no other persistently depolarized image features, adding the subtracted residuals over time results in a sharp image of the photon ring. We show that the method works well for sample, viable GRMHD models of Sgr A* and M87*, where measurements of the photon ring properties would provide new measurements of black hole mass and spin, and potentially allow for tests of the ‘no-hair’ theorem of general relativity.
Reconstruction of baryon fraction in intergalactic medium through dispersion measurements of fast radio bursts
Authors: Dai Ji-Ping , Xia Jun-Qing
Published: March 2021

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) probe the total column density of free electrons in the intergalactic medium (IGM) along the path of propagation through the dispersion measures (DMs) that depend on the baryon mass fraction in the IGM, i.e. fIGM. In this letter, we investigate the large-scale clustering information of DMs to study the evolution of fIGM. When combining with the Planck 2018 measurements, we could give tight constraints on the evolution of fIGM(z) from about 104 FRBs with the intrinsic DM scatter of $30(1+z) \rm pc\, cm^{-3}$ spanning 80 per cent of the sky and redshift range z = 0–3. First, we consider the Taylor expansion of fIGM(z) up to second order, and find that the mean relative standard deviation σ(fIGM) ≡ 〈σ[fIGM(z)]/fIGM(z)〉 is about 6.7 per cent. In order to alleviate the dependence on fiducial model, we also adopt non-parametric methods in this work, the local principle component analysis. We obtain the consistent, but weaker constraints on the evolution of fIGM(z), namely the mean relative standard deviation σ(fIGM) is 21.4 per cent. With the forthcoming surveys, this could be a complimentary method to investigate the baryon mass fraction in the IGM.
Thermodynamic evolution of a sigmoidal active region with associated flares
Authors: Mulay Sargam M , Tripathi Durgesh , Mason Helen
Published: March 2021

Active regions often show S-shaped structures in the corona called sigmoids. These are highly sheared and twisted loops formed along the polarity inversion line. They are considered to be one of the best pre-eruption signatures for CMEs. Here, we investigate the thermodynamic evolution of an on-disc sigmoid observed during 2015 December 24–28. For this purpose, we have employed Emission Measure (EM) and filter-ratio techniques on the observations recorded by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on-board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and X-ray Telescope (XRT) on-board Hinode. The EM analysis showed multithermal plasma along the sigmoid and provided a peak temperature of ∼10–12.5 MK for all observed flares. The sigmoidal structure showed emission from Fe xviii (93.93 Å) and Fe xxi (128.75 Å) lines in the AIA 94 and 131 Å channels, respectively. Our results show that the hot plasma is often confined to very hot strands. The temperature obtained from the EM analysis was found to be in good agreement with that obtained using the XRT, AIA, and GOES filter-ratio methods. These results provide important constraints for the thermodynamic modelling of sigmoidal structures in the core of active regions. Moreover, this study also benchmarks different techniques available for temperature estimation in solar coronal structures.
A Chandra study of Abell 795 – a sloshing cluster with an FR0 radio galaxy at its centre
Authors: Ubertosi F , Gitti M , Torresi E , Brighenti F , Grandi P
Published: March 2021

We present the first X-ray dedicated study of the galaxy cluster Abell 795 (A795) and of the Fanaroff–Riley type 0 (FR0) hosted in its brightest cluster galaxy. Using an archival 30 ks Chandra observation, we study the dynamical state and cooling properties of the intracluster medium (ICM), and we investigate whether the growth of the radio galaxy is prevented by the surrounding environment. We discover that A795 is a weakly cool-core cluster, with an observed mass deposition rate ${\lessapprox} 14$ M⊙ yr−1 in the cooling region (central ∼66 kpc). In the inner ∼30 kpc, we identify two putative X-ray cavities, and we unveil the presence of two prominent cold fronts at ∼60 and ∼178 kpc from the centre, located along a cold ICM spiral feature. The central galaxy, which is offset by 17.7 kpc from the X-ray peak, is surrounded by a multitemperature gas with an average density of ne = 2.14 × 10−2 cm−3. We find extended radio emission at 74–227 MHz centred on the cluster, exceeding the expected flux from the radio galaxy extrapolated at low frequency. We propose that sloshing is responsible for the ICM spiral morphology and the formation of the cold fronts, and that the environment alone cannot explain the compactness of the FR0. We argue that the power of the cavities and the sloshing kinetic energy can reduce and offset cooling. Considering the spectral and morphological properties of the extended radio emission, we classify it as a candidate radio mini-halo.
Measuring fundamental jet properties with multiwavelength fast timing of the black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1820+070
Authors: Tetarenko A J , Casella P , Miller-Jones J C A , Sivakoff G R , Paice J A , Vincentelli F M , Maccarone T J , Gandhi P , Dhillon V S , Marsh T R , Russell T D , Uttley P
Published: March 2021

We present multiwavelength fast timing observations of the black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1820+070 (ASASSN-18ey), taken with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), Atacama Large Millimeter/Sub-Millimeter Array (ALMA), Very Large Telescope (VLT), New Technology Telescope (NTT), Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), and XMM–Newton. Our data set simultaneously samples 10 different electromagnetic bands (radio – X-ray) over a 7-h period during the hard state of the 2018–2019 outburst. The emission we observe is highly variable, displaying multiple rapid flaring episodes. To characterize the variability properties in our data, we implemented a combination of cross-correlation and Fourier analyses. We find that the emission is highly correlated between different bands, measuring time-lags ranging from hundreds of milliseconds between the X-ray/optical bands to minutes between the radio/sub-mm bands. Our Fourier analysis also revealed, for the first time in a black hole X-ray binary, an evolving power spectral shape with electromagnetic frequency. Through modelling these variability properties, we find that MAXI J1820+070 launches a highly relativistic ($\Gamma =6.81^{+1.06}_{-1.15}$) and confined ($\phi =0.45^{+0.13}_{-0.11}$ deg) jet, which is carrying a significant amount of power away from the system (equivalent to $\sim 0.6 \, L_{1-100{\rm keV}}$). We additionally place constraints on the jet composition and magnetic field strength in the innermost jet base region. Overall, this work demonstrates that time-domain analysis is a powerful diagnostic tool for probing jet physics, where we can accurately measure jet properties with time-domain measurements alone.
Ultra-faint dwarf galaxies: unveiling the minimum mass of the first stars
Authors: Rossi Martina , Salvadori Stefania , Skúladóttir Ása
Published: March 2021

The non-detection of zero-metallicity stars in ultra-faint dwarf galaxies (UFDs) can be used to constrain the initial mass function (IMF) of the first (PopIII) stars by means of a statistical comparison between available data and predictions from chemical evolution models. To this end we develop a model that follows the formation of isolated UFDs, calibrated to best reproduce the available data for the best studied system: Boötes I. Our statistical approach shows that UFDs are the best suitable systems to study the implications of the persisting non-detection of zero-metallicity stars on the PopIII IMF, i.e. its shape, the minimum mass (mmin), and the characteristic mass (mch). We show that accounting for the incomplete sampling of the IMF is essential to compute the expected number of long-lived PopIII stars in inefficiently star-forming UFDs. By simulating the colour–magnitude diagram of Boötes I, and thus take into account the mass-range of the observed stars, we can obtain even tighter constrains on mmin. By exploiting the 96 stars with measured metallicities ($\rm i \lt 19$) in the UFDs represented by our model, we demonstrate that $m_{\mathrm{ ch}} \gt 1\: \rm {M_{\odot }}$ or $m_{\mathrm{ min}} \gt 0.8 \:\rm {M_{\odot }}$ at $99\%$ confidence level. This means that a present-day IMF for PopIII stars is excluded by our model, and a top-heavy PopIII IMF is strongly favoured. We can limit $m_{\mathrm{ min}} \gt 0.8\: \rm {M_{\odot }}$ independent of the PopIII IMF shape by targeting the four UFDs Boötes I, Hercules, Leo IV, and Eridanus II with future generation instruments, such as ELT/MOSAIC ($\rm i \lt 25$), which can provide samples of >10 000 stars.
Magnetic inhibition of the recollimation instability in relativistic jets
Authors: Matsumoto Jin , Komissarov Serguei S , Gourgouliatos Konstantinos N
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we describe the results of three-dimensional relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations aimed at probing the role of regular magnetic field on the development of the instability that accompanies recollimation of relativistic jets. In particular, we studied the recollimation driven by the reconfinement of jets from active galactic nuclei (AGN) by the thermal pressure of galactic coronas. We find that a relatively weak azimuthal magnetic field can completely suppress the recollimation instability in such jets, with the critical magnetization parameter σcr < 0.01. We argue that the recollimation instability is a variant of the centrifugal instability (CFI) and show that our results are consistent with the predictions based on the study of magnetic CFI in rotating fluids. The results are discussed in the context of AGN jets in general and the nature of the Fanaroff–Riley morphological division of extragalactic radio sources in particular.
Postcolonial Legal Pluralism
Authors: Tamanaha Brian Z.
Published: March 2021

This chapter examines European colonization, which created transplanted state legal systems alongside bodies of customary and religious law, and brought workers from outside in large numbers for plantations and mining, creating a wave of legal pluralism across the Global South. Colonization conventionally refers to European political, economic, and legal domination of large parts of the world from the sixteenth through the mid-twentieth centuries. European political domination involved various degrees of control over a peripheral territory as a colony, protectorate, or some other relationship; economic domination involved utilizing the land, labor, natural resources, and trade of a peripheral territory for the economic benefit of the metropole and its settler population; and legal domination involved instrumental use of law by the colonial state to enforce its political rule and achieve its exploitative economic objectives. The chapter then elaborates on postcolonial legal pluralism: how it came about, its consequences, and the situation of legal pluralism today. The topics covered include the recognition and transformation of customary law, informal village tribunals, the power of traditional leaders, conflicts over law, women’s right and human rights, and rule of law development efforts.
Eudocia’s Homeric Cento and the Woman Anointing Jesus
Authors: Sandnes Karl Olav
Published: March 2021

This chapter moves forward in time to look at the way precedents of women’s leadership could be used later, here in the work of the estranged wife of the emperor Theodosius II, Eudocia. In ‘Eudocia’s Homeric Cento and the Woman Anointing Jesus—An Example of Female Authority’, the author identifies how the woman of Bethany in the Gospel of Mark is praised in words taken from Achilles, a most prominent figure of manly honour in the Iliad. However, the honour for which she is praised remains within the boundaries of a proper, submissive woman. This duality corresponds to how Eudocia portrays herself in her preface to the Homeric Cento. On the one hand, she improved upon Patricius’ poem, presenting a better poem in style as well as content. She demonstrated her superiority. Her superiority was, however, coupled with restrictions implied in her being a woman. It seems, therefore, that Eudocia has inscribed her own dual authority of both superior and woman into her interpretation of the woman of Bethany.
Understanding the Role of Populus ECERIFERUM2-Likes in the Biosynthesis of Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids for Cuticular Waxes
Authors: Gonzales-Vigil Eliana , vonLoessl Michelle E , Chen Jeff Y , Li Sitong , Haslam Tegan M , Kunst Ljerka , Mansfield Shawn D
Published: March 2021

Cuticular waxes are derived from very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) precursors made by the concerted action of four enzymes that form the fatty acid (FA) elongation complex. The condensing enzyme of the complex confers specificity to substrates of different chain lengths, yet on its own cannot account for the biosynthesis of VLCFAs longer than 28 carbons (C28). Recent evidence from Arabidopsis thaliana points to a synergistic role of clade II BAHD acyltransferases and condensing enzymes in the elongation of VLCFAs beyond C28. In Populus trichocarpa, clade II is composed of seven uncharacterized paralogous genes (PtCER2-like1–7). In the present study, five of these genes were heterologously expressed in yeast and their respective FA profiles were determined. PtCER2-likes differentially altered the accumulation of C28 and C30 FAs when expressed in the presence of the condensing enzyme AtCER6. Among these, PtCER2-like5 produced the highest levels of C28 FAs in yeast and its expression was localized to the epidermis in β-glucuronidase-reporter poplar lines, consistent with a role in cuticular wax biosynthesis. Complementation of the A. thaliana cer2-5 mutant with PtCER2-like5 increased the levels of C28-derived cuticular waxes at the expense of C30-derived components. Together, these results demonstrate that the role of CER2-likes in cuticular wax biosynthesis is conserved in Populus clade II BAHD acyltransferases.
Associations of Pain Numeric Rating Scale Scores Collected during Usual Care with Research Administered Patient Reported Pain Outcomes
Authors: Nugent Shannon M , Lovejoy Travis I , Shull Sarah , Dobscha Steven K , Morasco Benjamin J
Published: March 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which numeric rating scale (NRS) scores collected during usual care are associated with more robust and validated measures of pain, disability, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Design

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study.

Subjects

We included 186 patients with musculoskeletal pain who were prescribed long-term opioid therapy.

Setting

VA Portland Health Care System outpatient clinic.

Methods

All patients had been screened with the 0–10 NRS during routine outpatient visits. They also completed research visits that assessed pain, mental health and HRQOL every 6 months for 2 years. Accounting for nonindependence of repeated measures data, we examined associations of NRS data obtained from the medical record with scores on standardized measures of pain and its related outcomes.

Results

NRS scores obtained in clinical practice were moderately associated with pain intensity scores (B’s = 0.53–0.59) and modestly associated with pain disability scores (B’s = 0.33–0.36) obtained by researchers. Associations between pain NRS scores and validated measures of depression, anxiety, and health related HRQOL were low (B’s = 0.09–0.26, with the preponderance of B’s < .20).

Conclusions

Standardized assessments of pain during usual care are moderately associated with research-administered measures of pain intensity and would be improved from the inclusion of more robust measures of pain-related function, mental health, and HRQOL.