bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential information on surgical heart valve characteristics for optimal valve prosthesis selection: expert consensus document from the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)–The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)–American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Valve Labelling Task Force
Authors: Durko Andras P , Pibarot Philippe , Atluri Pavan , Bapat Vinayak , Cameron Duke E , Casselman Filip P.A , Chen Edward P , Dahle Gry , Elefteriades John A , Lancellotti Patrizio , Prager Richard L , Rosenhek Raphael , Speir Alan , Stijnen Marco , Tasca Giordano , Yoganathan Ajit , Walther Thomas , De Paulis Ruggero ,   (Task Force Chairman); EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force
Published: June 2020

Comprehensive information on the characteristics of surgical heart valves (SHVs) is essential for optimal valve selection. Such information is also important in assessing SHV function after valve replacement. Despite the existing regulatory framework for SHV sizing and labelling, this information is challenging to obtain in a uniform manner for various SHVs. To ensure that clinicians are adequately informed, the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) set up a Task Force comprised of cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, engineers, regulatory bodies, representatives of the International Organization for Standardization and major valve manufacturers. Previously, the EACTS–STS–AATS Valve Labelling Task Force identified the most important problems around SHV sizing and labelling. This Expert Consensus Document formulates recommendations for providing SHV physical dimensions, intended implant position and haemodynamic performance in a transparent, uniform manner. Furthermore, the Task Force advocates for the introduction and use of a standardized chart to assess the probability of prosthesis–patient mismatch and calls valve manufacturers to provide essential information required for SHV choice on standardized Valve Charts, uniformly for all SHV models.
Contexts for Couperin’s L’art de toucher le clavecin
Authors: Demeilliez Marie
Published: June 2020

One of the best-known texts on 18th-century French harpsichord playing, Couperin’s L’art de toucher le clavecin (1716), has long been considered a valuable source for performers of French Baroque keyboard music. This article investigates the cultural contexts that shaped its text and its aesthetic preoccupations. Various passages dealing with the human body (on seating and position, and on fingering) can be related to the rules of civility and personal control taught by 17th-century etiquette books. Other passages such as the practical exercises show resemblances with vocal pedagogy and graded exercises used in school teaching of the time. Although Couperin claimed that his was the first and only method to deal with good keyboard playing, the book is shaped by a close relationship with other musical treatises (whether for harpsichord or other instruments) published in France during the previous few decades.
‘May she who was once beautiful be transformed into a monster’: magic and witchcraft in Veneno es de amor la envidia (Madrid, 1711)
Authors: Acuña Maria Virginia
Published: June 2020

Through the lenses of magic, witchcraft and superstition, this article explores Veneno es de amor la envidia (Biblioteca Nacional de España, Ms. 19254), a little-known zarzuela by Sebastián Durón and Antonio de Zamora. I consider this zarzuela within its wider cultural context, looking at changing attitudes towards magic and witchcraft in early modern Spain, as well as within the context of Zamora’s literary output. I propose that Veneno es de amor la envidia was intended to attract large crowds of theatregoers fascinated with depictions of the supernatural while also helping to debunk beliefs in witchcraft through the use of humour and parody. An examination of this rather intriguing zarzuela contributes to our understanding of an often-overlooked corpus of theatrical music of the Baroque.
Genetic variance distribution of SSR markers and economically important quantitative traits in a progeny trial ofProsopis chilensis(Leguminosae): implications for the ‘Algarrobo’ management programme
Authors: Chequer Charan Daniela , Pometti Carolina , Cony Mariano , Vilardi Juan Cesar , Saidman Beatriz O , Bessega Cecilia
Published: June 2020

Prosopis chilensis (Molina) Stuntz (Leguminosae) is a valuable native species in Argentina included in the Prosopis Management Programme. Natural provenances show important height and shape differentiation throughout their distribution in the Monte Desert. The availability of progeny trials provides an opportunity to quantify genetic differentiation among provenances and test the relative importance of demographic vs adaptive processes on morphological variation. We quantified both genetic and quantitative differentiation of neutral markers and five economically important traits, respectively, among four provenances in a provenance-progeny trial. We aimed to quantify the genetic basis of variations in height, basal diameter, tree shape, spine length and biomass. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) economically important traits have significant heritability, and (2) the phenotypic variation among provenances is the result of local adaptation to particular environmental conditions. Our results indicate that most morphological variation was found among individuals within families (~95 per cent). The h2 estimates were heterogeneous among traits and ranged from low (0 for number of stems) to moderate (0.22 and 0.28 for spine length and biomass, respectively). Variance among families (~5 per cent) was evenly distributed within and among provenances. Morphological differentiation among provenances was low, but significant, and could be attributed mainly to individuals from Villa Unión. Based on molecular markers, genetic differentiation among provenances was low and significant (FST = 0.03; P = 5 × 10−4) but was able to differentiate the groups from Villa Unión, Fiambalá and Mogna-Chilecito. Neutrality tests were conducted using the FST  –QST test and DJSOST and δGREGORIUS alternative coefficients of differentiation. Neutrality tests yielded no evidence of local adaptation and were rather consistent in showing a trend toward stabilizing selection, particularly for spine length. The selection strategy for breeding programmes should depend on the trait to be improved and should consider both provenance and familiar information. Considering an intra-familiar ranking is encouraged in order to maximize the genetic gain. Additionally, in order to recover germplasm provenance diversity, based on morphological and microsatellite results, our recommendation would be to include seeds from individuals from at least the Villa Unión, Fiambalá and Mogna-Chilecito areas.
CandiMeth: Powerful yet simple visualization and quantification of DNA methylation at candidate genes
Authors: Thursby Sara-Jayne , Lobo Darin K , Pentieva Kristina , Zhang Shu-Dong , Irwin Rachelle E , Walsh Colum P
Published: June 2020

Background

DNA methylation microarrays are widely used in clinical epigenetics and are often processed using R packages such as ChAMP or RnBeads by trained bioinformaticians. However, looking at specific genes requires bespoke coding for which wet-lab biologists or clinicians are not trained. This leads to high demands on bioinformaticians, who may lack insight into the specific biological problem. To bridge this gap, we developed a tool for mapping and quantification of methylation differences at candidate genomic features of interest, without using coding.

Findings

We generated the workflow "CandiMeth" (Candidate Methylation) in the web-based environment Galaxy. CandiMeth takes as input any table listing differences in methylation generated by either ChAMP or RnBeads and maps these to the human genome. A simple interface then allows the user to query the data using lists of gene names. CandiMeth generates (i) tracks in the popular UCSC Genome Browser with an intuitive visual indicator of where differences in methylation occur between samples or groups of samples and (ii) tables containing quantitative data on the candidate regions, allowing interpretation of significance. In addition to genes and promoters, CandiMeth can analyse methylation differences at long and short interspersed nuclear elements. Cross-comparison to other open-resource genomic data at UCSC facilitates interpretation of the biological significance of the data and the design of wet-lab assays to further explore methylation changes and their consequences for the candidate genes.

Conclusions

CandiMeth (RRID:SCR_017974; Biotools: CandiMeth) allows rapid, quantitative analysis of methylation at user-specified features without the need for coding and is freely available at https://github.com/sjthursby/CandiMeth.
Bulk, shear and scattering attenuation beneath Hawaiian Volcanos and in the oceanic crust extending to the Aloha Cabled Observatory
Authors: Butler Rhett
Published: June 2020

Seismic attenuation is measured from a swarm of 50 earthquakes in Kīlauea volcano in 2018, associated with caldera collapse. The traverse extends at nearly constant azimuth to the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, continuing to Maui beneath the distal flanks of three dormant volcanos. From Maui the traverse then extends seaward to the Aloha Cabled Observatory (ACO) on the seafloor north of O‘ahu. The effective attenuation is measured with respect to an ${\omega ^{ - 2}}$ earthquake source model. Frequency dependent ${Q_P}$ and ${Q_S}$ are derived. The initial path is shallow and uphill, the path to Maui propagates at mid-crustal depths, and the path to ACO extends through oceanic crust. The observations of ${Q_P} \le {Q_S}$ over each traverse are modelled as bulk attenuation ${Q_K}$. Several attenuation processes are observed, including ${Q_\mu }$, ${Q_K}$, $Q\sim f$, constant Q and scattering. The observation of bulk attenuation is ascribed to contrasting physical properties between basalt and water saturated vesicles. The ratio of Q values between shallow and mid-crustal propagation is used to derive an activation energy E* for the undetermined shear attenuation mechanism. A Debye relaxation peak is fit to the ${Q_S}( f )$ and ${Q_K}( f )$ observed for the mid-crustal pathway. A prior high-frequency attenuation study near Wake Island compares well with this Hawaiian Q data set, which in general shows lower values of Q than observed for Wake.
1603: a jagged succession*
Authors: Doran Susan
Published: June 2020

This article contests the received wisdom that James I’s accession was smooth and untroubled by revealing the less smooth side – the jagged edge as it were - to both the moment of James I’s succession and the early months of his reign. It examines the uncertainty about the new king’s title; the short hiatus in effective government; unease about some of James’s actions; anxieties raised by the Bye and Main plots; grass-roots political agitation; and immediate concerns about the future direction of policy. Examining them together offers a new perspective on James I’s early reign.
Cardiac Microlesions Form During Severe BacteremicEnterococcus faecalisInfection
Authors: Brown Armand O , Singh Kavindra V , Cruz Melissa R , Kaval Karan Gautam , Francisco Liezl E , Murray Barbara E , Garsin Danielle A
Published: June 2020

Enterococcus  faecalis is a significant cause of hospital-acquired bacteremia. Herein, the discovery is reported that cardiac microlesions form during severe bacteremic E. faecalis infection in mice. The cardiac microlesions were identical in appearance to those formed by Streptococcus pneumoniae during invasive pneumococcal disease. However, E. faecalis does not encode the virulence determinants implicated in pneumococcal microlesion formation. Rather, disulfide bond forming protein A (DsbA) was found to be required for E. faecalis virulence in a Caenorhabditis elegans model and was necessary for efficient cardiac microlesion formation. Furthermore, E. faecalis promoted cardiomyocyte apoptotic and necroptotic cell death at sites of microlesion formation. Additionally, loss of DsbA caused an increase in proinflammatory cytokines, unlike the wild-type strain, which suppressed the immune response. In conclusion, we establish that E. faecalis is capable of forming cardiac microlesions and identify features of both the bacterium and the host response that are mechanistically involved.
Association of Male Sex and Obesity With Residual Plasma Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Viremia in Persons on Long-Term Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Cyktor Joshua C , Bosch Ronald J , Mar Hanna , Macatangay Bernard J , Collier Ann C , Hogg Evelyn , Godfrey Catherine , Eron Joseph J , McMahon Deborah K , Mellors John W , Gandhi Rajesh T ,   ACTG A5321 Team
Published: June 2020

Background

Although adipose tissue has been proposed to harbor part of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) reservoir, the influence of host characteristics, including sex and body mass index (BMI), on measures of HIV-1 persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART) are incompletely understood.

Methods

We evaluated age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, years on ART, pre-ART HIV-1 RNA, pre-ART CD4+ T-cell count, and initial ART regimen with measures of HIV-1 persistence in blood (residual viremia, cellular HIV-1 DNA and RNA) in a cohort of 295 individuals with well-documented long-term virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on ART (AIDS Clinical Trials Group study A5321).

Results

Men were more likely than women to have detectable plasma HIV-1 RNA by single-copy assay (52% vs 29%; P = .003), and the proportion of participants with detectable residual viremia increased in a stepwise fashion by BMI category (normal weight or underweight, 38%; overweight, 50%; and obese, 55%). ART regimen type was not associated with measures of HIV-1 persistence after controlling for ART duration.

Conclusions

Sex and obesity are independently associated with residual viremia in people on long-term ART. Additional studies to confirm these relationships and to define the mechanisms by which sex and obesity affect HIV-1 persistence are needed to inform HIV-1 cure strategies.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans in Germany 2011–17
Authors: Marosevic Durdica V , Berger Anja , Kahlmeter Gunnar , Payer Sarah Katharina , Hörmansdorfer Stefan , Sing Andreas
Published: June 2020

Background

Diphtheria is mainly caused by diphtheria-toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans. The recommended first-line antibiotic is penicillin or erythromycin, but reliable susceptibility data are scarce.

Objectives

To define WT MIC distributions of 12 antimicrobial agents and provide data for the determination of tentative epidemiological cut-off values (TECOFFs) for potentially toxigenic corynebacteria and to evaluate the potential usefulness of a gradient test (Etest) for susceptibility testing of penicillin, erythromycin and clindamycin.

Methods

For the 421 human or veterinary isolates from the period 2011–17, MICs of 12 antimicrobial agents were determined. Etest performance was evaluated for penicillin, erythromycin and clindamycin.

Results

MIC distributions were characterized and TECOFFs could be set for 11 out of 24 antibiotic/species combinations. The current EUCAST clinical breakpoints, predominantly determined for Corynebacterium species other than C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, divide the WT MIC distributions of penicillin and clindamycin, thereby making reproducible susceptibility testing of C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans difficult. For erythromycin, 4% of C. diphtheriae and 2% of C. ulcerans had MICs higher than those for WT isolates. Phenotypically detectable resistance to other antibiotics was rare. Etest underestimated MICs of penicillin and lower concentrations needed to be included for erythromycin, while for clindamycin the Etest was not a good surrogate method.

Conclusions

MIC distributions based on reference broth microdilution for potentially toxigenic Corynebacterium spp. were developed. For five and six agents, TECOFFs were suggested for C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, respectively, but for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis the number of isolates was too low.
Activity of ceftaroline versus ceftobiprole against staphylococci and pneumococci in the UK and Ireland: analysis of BSAC surveillance data
Authors: Horner Carolyne , Mushtaq Shazad , Livermore David M ,   the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Standing Committee, Allen M , Brown D F J , Johnson A P , Livermore D M , Longshaw C , MacGowan A P , Woodford N , Allen M , Brown D F J , Johnson A P , Livermore D M , Longshaw C , MacGowan A P , Woodford N
Published: June 2020

Background

Ceftaroline and ceftobiprole inhibit most MRSA and MDR pneumococci. Few direct comparisons of their activity have been published, but in several years (2008, 2013, 2017 and 2018) both were tested in parallel in the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Programme, giving paired results. These are reviewed.

Methods

Isolates included were bloodstream Staphylococcus aureus [n = 1884 (MRSA, n = 234)], bloodstream CoNS (n = 813; 574 methicillin resistant), and bloodstream (n = 852) and respiratory (n = 670) Streptococcus pneumoniae. MICs were determined by BSAC agar dilution and reviewed against EUCAST breakpoints; S. aureus breakpoints were assumed for CoNS.

Results

Ceftaroline MICs were mostly 2-fold lower than those of ceftobiprole, but, for all groups, MICs of both agents were strongly inter-related. Methicillin-susceptible staphylococci were universally susceptible to both agents; all MRSA were susceptible to ceftobiprole, whereas 10/234 had intermediate/high-dose susceptibility to ceftaroline. Among methicillin-resistant CoNS, 88% were susceptible to both agents, but reduced ceftaroline susceptibility and ceftobiprole resistance were frequent (65%) among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus. One S. pneumoniae was resistant to both ceftaroline (MIC 0.5 mg/L) and ceftobiprole (MIC 1 mg/L) and seven others were only resistant to ceftobiprole (MIC 1 mg/L); seven of these eight pneumococci belonged to serotype 19A or 19F. No time trend in susceptibility was seen for either cephalosporin.

Conclusions

Ceftaroline and ceftobiprole have similarly good activity against staphylococci and pneumococci. Therapeutic choices between these agents should be predicated on other differentiating factors, including licensed indications, clinical experience and need for Gram-negative coverage.
Toxicological Evaluation of Novel Butenolide Pesticide Flupyradifurone AgainstCulex quinquefasciatus(Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim , Vogel Christoph Franz Adam
Published: June 2020

The impact of increasing resistance of mosquitoes to conventional pesticides has led to investigate various unique tools and pest control strategies. Herein, we assessed the potency of flupyradifurone, a novel pesticide, on fourth instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Further, we evaluated the synergistic action of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and the octopamine receptor agonists (OR agonists) chlordimeform (CDM) and amitraz (AMZ) on the toxicity of flupyradifurone in comparison with sulfoxaflor and nitenpyram to increase their toxicity on Cx. quinquefasciatus. Results demonstrated that flupyradifurone was the most potent pesticide followed by sulfoxaflor and nitenpyram. Further, the synergetic effect of PBO, CDM, and AMZ was significant for all selected pesticides especially flupyradifurone. However, AMZ had the most significant effect in combination with the selected pesticides followed by CDM and PBO. The toxicity of the pesticides was time-dependent and increased over time from 24, 48, to 72 h of exposure in all experiments. The results indicate that flupyradifurone is a promising component in future mosquito control programs.
Lethal Effects of a Silica Gel + Pyrethrins (Drione) onAmblyomma americanum(Ixodida: Ixodidae) Larvae and Nymphs
Authors: Showler Allan T , Garcia Abigail R , Caesar Ryan M
Published: June 2020

Ixodids (hard ticks) ingest blood from host animals, and they can transmit pathogenic organisms that induce medical and veterinary diseases. As resistance to synthetic conventional acaricides becomes more common, alternative tactics are coming under heightened scrutiny. Laboratory bioassays were used to assess the efficacy of CimeXa, a commercially available silica gel desiccant dust product, and Drione, a commercial product containing silica gel + pyrethrins and a synergist, piperonyl butoxide, against lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), larvae and nymphs. Both life stages were completely killed by CimeXa by 24 h, and Drione caused total larval mortality within 1 h when they were briefly immersed in the dusts and when they crawled across dust-treated substrate; nymphs were completely killed by 4 h after the same kinds of exposure. Mortality of A. americanum larvae and nymphs occurred after the pests crawled across dried aqueous suspensions of the products, but this was not as efficient and fast-acting as when the immature life stages were exposed to dry dusts. Further, dried aqueous suspensions of Drione were not substantially more lethal than dried aqueous suspensions of CimeXa. CimeXa and Drione will provide prophylactic control on vegetation and animals for as long as the silica gel remains without being physically removed. Both of the dust-based products will likely also be effective against other problematic ixodid species. Advantages and disadvantages, and potential uses, of desiccant dust-based acaricides are discussed.
Interference and interferometry in electron holography
Authors: Harada Ken
Published: June 2020

This paper reviews the basics of electron holography as an introduction of the holography part of this special issue in Microscopy. We discuss the general principle of holography and interferometry regarding measurements and analyses of phase distributions, first using the optical holography. Next, we discuss physical phenomena peculiar to electron waves that cannot be realized by light waves and principles of electromagnetic field detection and observation methods. Furthermore, we discuss the interference optical systems of the electron waves and their features, and methods of reconstruction of the phase information from electron holograms, which are essential for realization of practical electron holography. We note that following this review application of electron holography will be discussed in detail in the papers of this special issue.
Single-session, dual-site robotic surgery for synchronous primary malignancies of the oropharynx and thorax
Authors: Kelly Mairead , Oikonomou Georgios , Tornari Chrysostomos , Ahmad Imran , Bille Andrea , Jeannon Jean-Pierre , Arora Asit
Published: June 2020

Single-session, dual-site robotic surgery for synchronous malignancies is not widely reported. To our knowledge, there are no previous reports of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) in a single sitting. A 49-year-old male presented with a neck lump. Biopsies and imaging proved synchronous primaries of the tonsil and lung. The morbidity of primary dual-site chemoradiotherapy, or open surgery, presented a management challenge. We therefore opted for sequential robotic resections, in a single sitting. The patient was discharged on Day 6 post-operatively and was able to start radiotherapy less than 3 weeks post-operatively. Undertaking TORS and RATS in a single sitting is feasible and safe. This approach allowed fast-tracking of adjuvant oncological therapy, arguably conveying the greatest chance of cure. We detail the rationale and utility of this novel approach and describe the surgical and anaesthetic challenges of two teams undertaking sequential robotic procedures in a single sitting.
Fighting Hatred and Teaching Love in a ‘World that is Common to us all’: Recontextualizing Stefan Zweig’s Pedagogy of Humanism
Authors: Wobick-Segev Sarah
Published: June 2020

In late 1933, Stefan Zweig stood before a committee to aid German Jews, and pleaded for immediate action to help German-Jewish children find new homes abroad. This article examines Zweig’s call to accept refugees within his larger quest to promote a humanist and universalist Europe. His goal was not merely intended to help individual Jewish children enjoy happier childhoods in other parts of the world, but a collective task to combat hatred. Stefan Zweig’s humanism and cosmopolitanism expressed themselves in a pedagogic and educational mission that was based on a particularly Jewish commitment to Bildung and took two major forms—a literary one (as seen in his historical-biographical writings) and an activist one (in his speeches, interviews and newspaper writings). The two expressions worked in tandem and reflected the same message and concerns. Moreover, both reflected his general aim to promote and help realise an alternative, humanist Europe; one in which the healthy and happy future of Jewish youth (and others) would be ensured.
Sentinel Case of COVID-19 at Fort Stewart, GA in a National Guard Soldier Participating in Annual Training: A Case Report
Authors: Kline Jonathan D , Donovan Andrew E
Published: June 2020

For healthcare providers, specifically military and federal public health personnel, prompt and accurate diagnosis and isolation of SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus patients provide a two-fold benefit: (1) directing appropriate treatment to the infected patient as early as possible in the progression of the disease to increase survival rates and minimize the devastating sequelae following recovery and remission of symptoms; (2) provide critical information requirements that enable commanders and public health officials to best synchronize policy, regulations, and troop movement restrictions while best allocating scarce resources in the delicate balance of risk mitigation versus mission readiness. Simple personal protective measures and robust testing and quarantine procedures, instituted and enforced aggressively by senior leaders, physicians, and healthcare professionals at all levels are an essential aspect of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic that will determine the success or failure of the overall effort. As consideration, the authors respectfully submit this vignette of the first confirmed positive COVID-19 case presenting to the Emergency Department at Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
The 2016 Vela glitch: a key to neutron star internal structure and dynamics
Authors: Gügercinoğlu Erbil , Alpar M Ali
Published: June 2020

High-resolution, pulse-to-pulse observation of the 2016 Vela glitch and its relaxation provided an opportunity to probe the neutron star internal structure and dynamics with unprecedented detail. We use the observations of this glitch to infer superfluid characteristics in the framework of the vortex creep model. The glitch rise time constraint of 12.6 s put stringent limits on the angular momentum exchange between the crustal superfluid and the observed crust. Together with the observed excess acceleration in the rotation rate as compared to the post-glitch equilibrium value, this discriminates crustal superfluid-crust lattice and core superfluid-crustal normal matter coupling time-scales. An evident decrease in the crustal rotation rate immediately before the glitch is consistent with the formation of a new vortex trap zone that initiates the large-scale vortex unpinning avalanche. Formation of vortex trap by a crust breaking quake induces short-lived magnetospheric changes. The long-term post-glitch spin-down rate evolution reveals the moments of inertia and recoupling time-scales of the superfluid layers participating in the glitch and leads to an estimation of the time to the next glitch that agrees with the time interval between the 2016 and 2019 glitches. Our results are consistent with theoretical estimates of effective neutron and proton masses in the superfluid. We also constrain the vortex line-flux tube pinning energy per intersection as 2 MeV.
On the absence of symbiotic stars in globular clusters
Authors: Belloni Diogo , Mikołajewska Joanna , Iłkiewicz Krystian , Schreiber Matthias R , Giersz Mirek , Rivera Sandoval Liliana E , Rodrigues Claudia V
Published: June 2020

Even though plenty of symbiotic stars (SySts) have been found in the Galactic field and nearby galaxies, not a single one has ever been confirmed in a Galactic globular cluster (GC). We investigate the lack of such systems in GCs for the first time by analysing 144 GC models evolved with the mocca code, which have different initial properties and are roughly representative of the Galactic GC population. We focus here on SySts formed through the wind-accretion channel, which can be consistently modelled in binary population synthesis codes. We found that the orbital periods of the majority of such SySts are sufficiently long (≳103 d) so that, for very dense GC models, dynamical interactions play an important role in destroying their progenitors before the present day (∼11–12 Gyr). In less dense GC models, some SySts are still predicted to exist. However, these systems tend to be located far from the central parts (≳70 per cent are far beyond the half-light radius) and are sufficiently rare (≲1 per GC per Myr), which makes their identification rather difficult in observational campaigns. We propose that future searches for SySts in GCs should be performed in the outskirts of nearby low-density GCs with sufficiently long half-mass relaxation times and relatively large Galactocentric distances. Finally, we obtained spectra of the candidate proposed in ω Cen (SOPS IV e-94) and showed that this object is most likely not a SySt.
Equatorial retrograde flow in WASP-43b elicited by deep wind jets?
Authors: Carone Ludmila , Baeyens Robin , Mollière Paul , Barth Patrick , Vazan Allona , Decin Leen , Sarkis Paula , Venot Olivia , Henning Thomas
Published: June 2020

We present WASP-43b climate simulations with deep wind jets (down to 700 bar) that are linked to retrograde (westward) flow at the equatorial day side for p < 0.1 bar. Retrograde flow inhibits efficient eastward heat transport and naturally explains the small hotspot shift and large day-night-side gradient of WASP-43b (Porb = Prot = 0.8135 d) observed with Spitzer. We find that deep wind jets are mainly associated with very fast rotations (Prot = Porb ≤ 1.5 d) which correspond to the Rhines length smaller than 2 planetary radii. We also diagnose wave activity that likely gives rise to deviations from superrotation. Further, we show that we can achieve full steady state in our climate simulations by imposing a deep forcing regime for p > 10 bar: convergence time-scale τconv = 106–108 s to a common adiabat, as well as linear drag at depth (p ≥ 200 bar), which mimics to first-order magnetic drag. Lower boundary stability and the deep forcing assumptions were also tested with climate simulations for HD 209458b (Porb = Prot = 3.5 d). HD 209458b simulations always show shallow wind jets (never deeper than 100 bar) and unperturbed superrotation. If we impose a fast rotation (Porb = Prot = 0.8135 d), also the HD 209458b-like simulation shows equatorial retrograde flow at the day side. We conclude that the placement of the lower boundary at p = 200 bar is justified for slow rotators like HD 209458b, but we suggest that it has to be placed deeper for fast-rotating, dense hot Jupiters (Porb ≤ 1.5 d) like WASP-43b. Our study highlights that the deep atmosphere may have a strong influence on the observable atmospheric flow in some hot Jupiters.
Spectroscopic QUasar extractor and redshift (z) estimator squeze – II. Universality of the results
Authors: Pérez-Ràfols Ignasi , Pieri Matthew M
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we study the universality of the results of squeze, a software package to classify quasar spectra and estimate their redshifts. The code is presented in Pérez-Ràfols et al. (2019). We test the results against changes in signal to noise, spectral resolution, wavelength coverage, and quasar brightness. We find that squeze levels of performance (quantified with purity and completeness) are stable to spectra that have a noise dispersion four times that of our standard test sample, Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS). We also find that the performance remains unchanged if pixels of width 25 Å are considered, and decreases by $\sim 2{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for pixels of width 100 Å. We see no effect when analysing subsets of different quasar brightness, and we establish that the blue part (up to 7000 Å) of the spectra is sufficient for the classification. Finally, we compare our suite of tests with samples of spectra expected from WEAVE-QSO and DESI, and narrow-band imaging from J-PAS. We conclude that squeze will perform similarly when confronted with the demands of these future surveys as when applied to current BOSS data.
The chemical evolution of iron-peak elements with hypernovae
Authors: Grimmett J J , Karakas Amanda I , Heger Alexander , Müller Bernhard , West Christopher
Published: June 2020

We calculate the mean evolution of the iron-peak abundance ratios [(Cr, Mn, Co, Zn)/Fe] in the Galaxy, using modern supernova and hypernova (HN) chemical yields and a Galactic Chemical Evolution code that assumes homogeneous chemical evolution. We investigate a range of HN occurrence rates and are able to produce a chemical composition that is a reasonable fit to the observed values in metal-poor stars. This requires an HN occurence rate that is large (50 per cent) in the early Universe, decreasing throughout evolution to a value that is within present-day observational constraints ($\lesssim 1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). A large HN occurrence rate is beneficial to matching the high [Zn/Fe] observed in the most metal-poor stars, although including HNe with progenitor mass $\ge 60\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ is detrimental to matching the observed [(Mn, Co)/Fe] evolution at low [Fe/H]. A significant contribution from HNe seems to be critical for producing supersolar [(Co, Zn)/Fe] at low metallicity, though more work will need to be done in order to match the most extreme values. We also emphasize the need to update models for the enrichment sources at higher metallicity, as the satisfactory recovery of the solar values of [(Cr, Mn, Co, Zn)/Fe] still presents a challenge.
Massive low-surface-brightness galaxies in the eagle simulation
Authors: Kulier Andrea , Galaz Gaspar , Padilla Nelson D , Trayford James W
Published: June 2020

We investigate the formation and properties of low surface brightness galaxies (LSBGs) with M* > 109.5 M⊙ in the eagle hydrodynamical cosmological simulation. Galaxy surface brightness depends on a combination of stellar mass surface density and mass-to-light ratio (M/L), such that low surface brightness is strongly correlated with both galaxy angular momentum (low surface density) and low specific star formation rate (high M/L). This drives most of the other observed correlations between surface brightness and galaxy properties, such as the fact that most LSBGs have low metallicity. We find that LSBGs are more isolated than high-surface-brightness galaxies (HSBGs), in agreement with observations, but that this trend is driven entirely by the fact that LSBGs are unlikely to be close-in satellites. The majority of LSBGs are consistent with a formation scenario in which the galaxies with the highest angular momentum are those that formed most of their stars recently from a gas reservoir co-rotating with a high-spin dark matter halo. However, the most extended LSBG discs in EAGLE, which are comparable in size to observed giant LSBGs, are built up via mergers. These galaxies are found to inhabit dark matter haloes with a higher spin in their inner regions (<0.1r200c), even when excluding the effects of baryonic physics by considering matching haloes from a dark-matter-only simulation with identical initial conditions.
Empirical relations for the sensitivities of solar-like oscillations to magnetic perturbations
Authors: Kiefer René , Broomhall Anne-Marie
Published: June 2020

Oscillation mode frequencies of stars are typically treated as static for a given stellar model. However, in reality they can be perturbed by time-varying sources such as magnetic fields and flows. We calculate the sensitivities of radial p-mode oscillations of a set of models for masses between 0.7 and 3.0 M⊙ from the main sequence to the early asymptotic giant branch. We fit these mode sensitivities with polynomials in fundamental stellar parameters for six stages of stellar evolution. We find that the best-fitting relations differ from those proposed in the literature and change between stages of stellar evolution. Together with a measure of the strength of the perturbation, e.g. of the level of magnetic activity, the presented relations can be used for assessing whether a star’s observed oscillation frequencies are likely to be close to the unperturbed ground state or whether they should be adjusted.
A panchromatic spatially resolved analysis of nearby galaxies – II. The main sequence – gas relation at sub-kpc scale in grand-design spirals
Authors: Morselli L , Rodighiero G , Enia A , Corbelli E , Casasola V , Rodríguez-Muñoz L , Renzini A , Tacchella S , Baronchelli I , Bianchi S , Cassata P , Franceschini A , Mancini C , Negrello M , Popesso P , Romano M
Published: June 2020

In this work, we analyse the connection between gas availability and the position of a region with respect to the spatially resolved main-sequence (MS) relation. Following the procedure presented in Enia et al. (2020), for a sample of five face-on, grand design spiral galaxies located on the MS we obtain estimates of stellar mass and star formation rate surface densities (Σ⋆ and ΣSFR) within cells of 500 pc size. Thanks to H i 21cm and 12CO(2–1) maps of comparable resolution, within the same cells we estimate the surface densities of the atomic (ΣH i) and molecular ($\Sigma _{\rm {H_2}}$) gas and explore the correlations among all these quantities. Σ⋆, ΣSFR, and $\Sigma _{\rm {H_2}}$ define a 3D relation whose projections are the spatially resolved MS, the Kennicutt–Schmidt law and the molecular gas MS. We find that $\Sigma _{\rm {H_2}}$ steadily increases along the MS relation and is almost constant perpendicular to it. ΣH i is nearly constant along the MS and increases in its upper envelope. As a result, ΣSFR can be expressed as a function of Σ⋆ and ΣH i, following the relation log ΣSFR = 0.97log Σ⋆ + 1.99log ΣH i − 11.11. We show that the total gas fraction significantly increases towards the starburst regions, accompanied by a weak increase in star formation efficiency. Finally, we find that H2/H i varies strongly with the distance from the MS, dropping dramatically in regions of intense star formation, where the UV radiation from newly formed stars dissociates the H2 molecule, illustrating the self-regulating nature of the star formation process.
An EAGLE’s view of ex situ galaxy growth
Authors: Davison Thomas A , Norris Mark A , Pfeffer Joel L , Davies Jonathan J , Crain Robert A
Published: June 2020

Modern observational and analytical techniques now enable the direct measurement of star formation histories and the inference of galaxy assembly histories. However, current theoretical predictions of assembly are not ideally suited for direct comparison with such observational data. We therefore extend the work of prior examinations of the contribution of ex situ stars to the stellar mass budget of simulated galaxies. Our predictions are specifically tailored for direct testing with a new generation of observational techniques by calculating ex situ fractions as functions of galaxy mass and morphological type, for a range of surface brightnesses. These enable comparison with results from large field of view (FoV) Integral Field Unit (IFU) spectrographs, and increasingly accurate spectral fitting, providing a look-up method for the estimated accreted fraction. We furthermore provide predictions of ex situ mass fractions as functions of galaxy mass, galactocentric radius, and environment. Using z = 0 snapshots from the 100 and 25 cMpc3 EAGLE (Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments) simulations, we corroborate the findings of prior studies, finding that ex situ fraction increases with stellar mass for central and satellite galaxies in a stellar mass range of 2 × 107 to 1.9 × 1012 M⊙. For those galaxies of mass M* > 5 × 108 M⊙, we find that the total ex situ mass fraction is greater for more extended galaxies at fixed mass. When categorizing satellite galaxies by their parent group/cluster halo mass, we find that the ex situ fraction decreases with increasing parent halo mass at fixed galaxy mass. This apparently counterintuitive result may be due to high passing velocities within large cluster haloes inhibiting efficient accretion on to individual galaxies.
The compact triply eclipsing triple star TIC 209409435 discovered with TESS
Authors: Borkovits T , Rappaport S A , Tan T G , Gagliano R , Jacobs T , Huang X , Mitnyan T , Hambsch F-J , Kaye T , Maxted P F L , Pál A , Schmitt A R
Published: June 2020

We report the discovery in TESS Sectors 3 and 4 of a compact triply eclipsing triple star system. TIC 209409435 is a previously unknown eclipsing binary with a period of 5.717 d, and the presence of a third star in an outer eccentric orbit of 121.872-d period was found from two sets of third-body eclipses and from eclipse timing variations. The latter exhibits signatures of strong third-body perturbations. After the discovery, we obtained follow-up ground-based photometric observations of several binary eclipses as well as another of the third-body eclipses. We carried out comprehensive analyses, including the simultaneous photodynamical modelling of TESS and ground-based light curves (including both archival WASP data, and our own follow-up measurements), as well as eclipse timing variation curves. Also, we have included in the simultaneous fits multiple star spectral energy distribution data and theoretical PARSEC stellar isochrones. We find that the inner binary consists of near twin stars of mass 0.90 M⊙ and radius 0.88 R⊙. The third star is just 9 per cent more massive and 18 per cent larger in radius. The inner binary has a rather small eccentricity, while the outer orbit has e = 0.40. The inner binary and outer orbit have inclination angles within 0.1° and 0.2° of 90°, respectively. The mutual inclination angle is ≲1/4°. All of these results were obtained without radial velocity observations.
Perinatal exposure to high dietary advanced glycation end products affects the reproductive system in female offspring in mice
Authors: Merhi Zaher , Du Xiu Quan , Charron Maureen J
Published: June 2020

Maternal nutrition and the intrauterine environment are important in determining susceptibility to reproductive and metabolic disturbances. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are widely consumed in Western diet. The purpose of this study was to determine whether perinatal exposure to a high levels of dietary AGEs affect metabolic and reproductive parameters in female mice offspring. Female CD1 mice, 7 weeks old, were placed on either a diet low (L-AGE) or high (H-AGE) in AGEs before mating and then during pregnancy and lactation. All offspring were weaned onto the L-AGE diet and studied through to 16 weeks of age; they were counted and weighed at birth and then every week for a total of 11 weeks. Vaginal opening, litter size, growth curve, liver and abdominal fat weights, serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone, leptin and adiponectin, as well as insulin and glucose tolerance tests were compared. Ovaries were harvested for follicular count and gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared to perinatal exposure to the L-AGE diet, perinatal exposure to the H-AGE diet caused lower body weight at birth, and adult offspring exhibited delayed growth, lower serum leptin and adiponectin levels, delayed vaginal opening, irregular oestrous cyclicity, arrested follicular development and significant alterations in the expression of genes involved in folliculogenesis (Amh and Amhr2) and steroidogenesis (Cyp19a1). These results indicate that perinatal exposure to a diet elevated in AGEs causes deficits in perinatal growth, pubertal onset, and reproductive organ development in female mice. Whether these findings translate to humans remains to be determined in future studies.
The human box C/D snoRNA U3 is a miRNA source and miR-U3 regulates expression of sortin nexin 27
Authors: Lemus-Diaz Nicolas , Ferreira Rafael Rinaldi , Bohnsack Katherine E , Gruber Jens , Bohnsack Markus T
Published: June 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of eukaryotic gene expression and their dysfunction is often associated with cancer. Alongside the canonical miRNA biogenesis pathway involving stepwise processing and export of pri- and pre-miRNA transcripts by the microprocessor complex, Exportin 5 and Dicer, several alternative mechanisms of miRNA production have been described. Here, we reveal that the atypical box C/D snoRNA U3, which functions as a scaffold during early ribosome assembly, is a miRNA source. We show that a unique stem–loop structure in the 5′ domain of U3 is processed to form short RNA fragments that associate with Argonaute. miR-U3 production is independent of Drosha, and an increased amount of U3 in the cytoplasm in the absence of Dicer suggests that a portion of the full length snoRNA is exported to the cytoplasm where it is efficiently processed into miRNAs. Using reporter assays, we demonstrate that miR-U3 can act as a low proficiency miRNA in vivo and our data support the 3′ UTR of the sortin nexin SNX27 mRNA as an endogenous U3-derived miRNA target. We further reveal that perturbation of U3 snoRNP assembly induces miR-U3 production, highlighting potential cross-regulation of target mRNA expression and ribosome production.
Pain Status as a Predictor of Smoking Cessation Initiation, Lapse, and Relapse
Authors: Ditre Joseph W , Heckman Bryan W , LaRowe Lisa R , Powers Jessica M
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Pain and cigarette smoking are highly prevalent and frequently co-occurring conditions that interact in the manner of a positive feedback loop. Despite initial evidence that smokers with co-occurring pain may experience greater difficulty quitting, we are unaware of previous research that has tested prospective associations between pain status and the attainment of smoking cessation milestones.

Aims and Methods

This study examined past 2-week pain status as a predictor of cessation milestones among current smokers who were motivated to quit (Sample 1; N = 301) and smokers who recently initiated a cessation attempt (Sample 2; N = 242). Cessation milestones included initiation of a quit attempt and 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA; Sample 1), lapse/relapse (Sample 2), and 7-day PPA at 2-month follow-up (both samples). Indirect associations between pain status and cessation milestones via confidence in quitting and nicotine withdrawal were also examined.

Results

Smokers with pain (vs. no pain) were as follows: less likely to initiate a quit attempt and achieve 7-day PPA; more likely to lapse and/or relapse; and less likely to report 7-day PPA at follow-up. Pain status was indirectly associated with latency cessation milestones via confidence in quitting and with latency to lapse via withdrawal severity.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that pain status can predict smoking cessation outcomes. Clinical implications include the need to assess pain in the context of quitting and that smokers with co-occurring pain may benefit from tailored/integrated cessation interventions.

Implications

A growing empirical literature indicates that the presence of co-occurring pain probably contributes to the maintenance of cigarette dependence. The current results provide novel evidence that smokers with co-occurring past 2-week pain are less likely to initiate a quit attempt and maintain smoking abstinence than smokers without co-occurring pain. These findings suggest that smokers with pain face unique barriers to quitting and underscore the utility of assessing and addressing pain among all smokers who are planning a smoking cessation attempt.