bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Density for Inhomogeneous Quadratic Forms I: Generic Forms and Fixed Shifts
Authors: Ghosh Anish , Kelmer Dubi , Yu Shucheng
Published: August 2020

We establish effective versions of Oppenheim’s conjecture for generic inhomogeneous quadratic forms. We prove such results for fixed shift vectors and generic quadratic forms. When the shift is rational we prove a counting result, which implies the optimal density for values of generic inhomogeneous forms. We also obtain a similar density result for fixed irrational shifts satisfying an explicit Diophantine condition. The main technical tool is a formula for the 2nd moment of Siegel transforms on certain congruence quotients of $SL_n(\mathbb{R}),$ which we believe to be of independent interest. In a sequel, we use different techniques to treat the companion problem concerning generic shifts and fixed quadratic forms.
Amylin, Aβ42, and Amyloid in Varicella Zoster Virus Vasculopathy Cerebrospinal Fluid and Infected Vascular Cells
Authors: Bubak Andrew N , Beseler Cheryl , Como Christina N , Coughlan Christina M , Johnson Noah R , Hassell James E , Burnet Anna M , Mescher Teresa , Schmid D Scott , Coleman Colin , Mahalingam Ravi , Cohrs Randall J , Boyd Timothy D , Potter Huntington , Shilleh Ali H , Russ Holger A , Nagel Maria A
Published: August 2020

Background

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) vasculopathy is characterized by persistent arterial inflammation leading to stroke. Studies show that VZV induces amyloid formation that may aggravate vasculitis. Thus, we determined if VZV central nervous system infection produces amyloid.

Methods

Aβ peptides, amylin, and amyloid were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 16 VZV vasculopathy subjects and 36 stroke controls. To determine if infection induced amyloid deposition, mock- and VZV-infected quiescent primary human perineurial cells (qHPNCs), present in vasculature, were analyzed for intracellular amyloidogenic transcripts/proteins and amyloid. Supernatants were assayed for amyloidogenic peptides and ability to induce amyloid formation. To determine amylin’s function during infection, amylin was knocked down with small interfering RNA and viral complementary DNA (cDNA) was quantitated.

Results

Compared to controls, VZV vasculopathy CSF had increased amyloid that positively correlated with amylin and anti-VZV antibody levels; Aβ40 was reduced and Aβ42 unchanged. Intracellular amylin, Aβ42, and amyloid were seen only in VZV-infected qHPNCs. VZV-infected supernatant formed amyloid fibrils following addition of amyloidogenic peptides. Amylin knockdown decreased viral cDNA.

Conclusions

VZV infection increased levels of amyloidogenic peptides and amyloid in CSF and qHPNCs, indicating that VZV-induced amyloid deposition may contribute to persistent arterial inflammation in VZV vasculopathy. In addition, we identified a novel proviral function of amylin.
Benchmarking Human Performance in Semi-Automated Image Segmentation
Authors: Eramian Mark , Power Christopher , Rau Stephen , Khandelwal Pulkit
Published: August 2020

Semi-automated segmentation algorithms hold promise for improving extraction and identification of objects in images such as tumors in medical images of human tissue, counting plants or flowers for crop yield prediction or other tasks where object numbers and appearance vary from image to image. By blending markup from human annotators to algorithmic classifiers, the accuracy and reproducability of image segmentation can be raised to very high levels. At least, that is the promise of this approach, but the reality is less than clear. In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art in semi-automated image segmentation performance assessment and demonstrate it to be lacking the level of experimental rigour needed to ensure that claims about algorithm accuracy and reproducability can be considered valid. We follow this review with two experiments that vary the type of markup that annotators make on images, either points or strokes, in tightly controlled experimental conditions in order to investigate the effect that this one particular source of variation has on the accuracy of these types of systems. In both experiments, we found that accuracy substantially increases when participants use a stroke-based interaction. In light of these results, the validity of claims about algorithm performance are brought into sharp focus, and we reflect on the need for a far more control on variables for benchmarking the impact of annotators and their context on these types of systems.
Underrepresented racial minorities in biomedical informatics doctoral programs: graduation trends and academic placement (2002–2017)
Authors: Wiley Kevin , Dixon Brian E , Grannis Shaun J , Menachemi Nir
Published: August 2020

Objective

Biomedical informatics attracts few underrepresented racial minorities (URMs) into PhD programs. We examine graduation trends from 2002 to 2017 to determine how URM representation has changed over time. We also examine academic job placements by race and identify individual and institutional characteristics associated with URM graduates being successfully placed in academic jobs.

Materials and Methods

We analyze a near census of all research doctoral graduates from US-accredited institutions, surveyed at graduation by the National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates. Graduates of biomedical informatics-related programs were identified using self-reported primary and secondary disciplines. Data are analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions.

Results

During the study period, 2426 individuals earned doctoral degrees in biomedical informatics-related disciplines. URM students comprised nearly 12% of graduates, and this proportion did not change over time (2002–2017). URMs included Hispanic (5.7%), Black (3.2%), and others, including multi-racial and indigenous American populations (2.8%). Overall, 82.3% of all graduates accepted academic positions at the time of graduation with significantly more Hispanic graduates electing to go into academia (89.2%; P < .001). URM graduates were more likely to be single (OR = 1.38; P < .05), have a dependent (1.95; P < .01), and not receive full tuition remission (OR = 1.37; P = .05) as a student. URM graduates accepting an academic position were less likely to be a graduate of a private institution (OR = 0.70; P < .05).

Discussion and Conclusion

The proportion of URM candidates among biomedical informatics doctoral graduates has not increased over time and remains low. In order to improve URM recruitment and retention within academia, leaders in biomedical informatics should replicate strategies used to improve URM graduation rates in other fields.
Range-Wide Population Structure of 3 Deepwater Eteline Snappers Across the Indo-Pacific Basin
Authors: Andrews Kimberly R , Copus Joshua M , Wilcox Christie , Williams Ashley J , Newman Stephen J , Wakefield Corey B , Bowen Brian W
Published: August 2020

Deep-sea habitats may drive unique dispersal and demographic patterns for fishes, but population genetic analyses to address these questions have rarely been conducted for fishes in these environments. This study investigates the population structure of 3 tropical deepwater snappers of the genus Etelis that reside at 100–400 m depth, with broad and overlapping distributions in the Indo-Pacific. Previous studies showed little population structure within the Hawaiian Archipelago for 2 of these species: Etelis coruscans and E. carbunculus. Here we extend sampling to the entire geographic range of each species to resolve the population genetic architecture for these 2 species, as well as a recently exposed cryptic species (Etelis sp.). One goal was to determine whether deepwater snappers are more dispersive than shallow-water fishes. A second goal was to determine whether submesophotic fishes have older, more stable populations than shallow reef denizens that are subject to glacial sea-level fluctuations. Both goals are pertinent to the management of these valuable food fishes. A total of 1153 specimens of E. coruscans from 15 geographic regions were analyzed, along with 1064 specimens of E. carbunculus from 11 regions, and 590 specimens of E. sp. from 16 regions. The first 2 species were analyzed with mtDNA and 9–11 microsatellite loci, while E. sp. was analyzed with mtDNA only. Etelis coruscans had a non-significant microsatellite global FST, but significant global mtDNA Ф ST = 0.010 (P = 0.0007), with the isolation of Seychelles in the western Indian Ocean, and intermittent signals of isolation for the Hawaiian Archipelago. Etelis carbunculus had a non-significant microsatellite global FST, and significant global mtDNA Ф ST = 0.021 (P = 0.0001), with low but significant levels of isolation for Hawaiʻi, and divergence between Tonga and Fiji. Etelis sp. had mtDNA Ф ST = 0.018 (P = 0.0005), with a strong pattern of isolation for both Seychelles and Tonga. Overall, we observed low population structure, shallow mtDNA coalescence (similar to near-shore species), and isolation at the fringes of the Indo-Pacific basin in Hawaiʻi and the western Indian Ocean. While most shallow-water species have population structure on the scale of biogeographic provinces, deepwater snapper populations are structured on the wider scale of ocean basins, more similar to pelagic fishes than to shallow-water species. This population structure indicates the capacity for widespread dispersal throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
The First Record of Aedes vittatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Dominican Republic: Public Health Implications of a Potential Invasive Mosquito Species in the Americas
Authors: Alarcón-Elbal P M , Rodríguez-Sosa M A , Newman B C , Sutton W B
Published: August 2020

Aedes vittatus Bigot is distributed throughout Africa, tropical Asia, and southern Europe and occurs in sylvatic as well as peridomestic environments where it readily feeds on humans. Although the vectorial capacity of Ae. vittatus is not well understood, this species is known to play a role in the maintenance and transmission of yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya, and dengue virus within its native range. In October 2019, after a routine inspection of mosquito-breeding containers in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, two Ae. vittatus females were captured via human landing catch method. After this finding, a CDC miniature light trap was deployed at the point of initial detection from 18:00 to 08:00 h, 2 d/wk from 3 to 31 October 2019. Potential larval habitats were also sampled via traditional dip method once per week spanning a 150 m radius from point of initial detection. In addition to the 2 adult females, 10 female and 2 male Ae. vittatus were captured. One Ae. vittatus larva also was found in a small puddle formed by an animal hoof print. Conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm morphological identification of collected specimens. This is the first detection of Ae. vittatus in the Dominican Republic as well as the Americas. Therefore, enhanced surveillance is needed to better understand the range and public health risks this potential invasive mosquito species may pose in the Dominican Republic, other Caribbean Islands, and/or the Americas.
Long-Term Neurocognitive and Psychosocial Outcomes After Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Report
Authors: Stefanski Kristen J , Anixt Julia S , Goodman Pamela , Bowers Katherine , Leisenring Wendy , Scott Baker K , Burns Karen , Howell Rebecca , Davies Stella , Robison Leslie L , Armstrong Gregory T , Krull Kevin R , Recklitis Christopher
Published: August 2020

Background

Survivors of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are vulnerable to medical late effects of treatment; however, less is known about their psychosocial outcomes. This study evaluated neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes in long-term AML survivors treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or intensive chemotherapy (IC) without BMT.

Methods

AML survivors (N = 482; median age at diagnosis = 8 [range = 0-20] years; median age at evaluation = 30 [range = 18-49] years) treated with BMT (n = 183) or IC (n = 299) and sibling controls (N = 3190; median age at evaluation = 32 [range = 18-58] years) from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study were compared on emotional distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18), neurocognitive problems (Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Neurocognitive Questionnaire), health-related quality of life (SF-36), and social attainment. Outcomes were dichotomized (impaired vs nonimpaired) using established criteria, and relative risks (RRs) were estimated with multivariable Poisson regression, adjusted for age at evaluation and sex.

Results

AML survivors were more likely than siblings to report impairment in overall emotional (RR = 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51 to 3.18), neurocognitive (RR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.47 to 2.79), and physical quality of life (RR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.61 to 4.56) outcomes. Survivors were at increased risk for lower education (RR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.30), unemployment (RR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.71), lower income (RR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.17 to 1.65), and not being married or having a partner (RR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.17 to 1.51). BMT-treated survivors did not differ statistically significantly from IC-treated on any outcome measure.

Conclusions

AML survivors are at increased risk for psychosocial impairment compared with siblings; however, BMT does not confer additional risk for psychosocial late effects compared with treatment without BMT.
The Association of Veterans’ PSA Screening Rates With Changes in USPSTF Recommendations
Authors: Becker Daniel J , Rude Temitope , Walter Dawn , Wang Chan , Loeb Stacy , Li Huilin , Ciprut Shannon , Kelly Matthew , Zeliadt Steven B , Fagerlin Angela , Lepor Herbert , Sherman Scott , Ravenell Joseph E , Makarov Danil V
Published: August 2020

Background

In 2012, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) formally recommended against all prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer. Our goal was to characterize PSA screening trends in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) before and after the USPSTF recommendation and to determine if PSA screening was more likely to be ordered based on a veteran’s race or age.

Methods

Using the VA Corporate Data Warehouse, we created 10 annual groups of PSA-eligible men covering 2009-2018. We identified all PSA tests performed in the VA to determine yearly rates of PSA screening. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

The overall rate of PSA testing in the VA decreased from 63.3% in 2009 to 51.2% in 2018 (P < .001). PSA screening rates varied markedly by age group during our study period, with men aged 70-80 years having the highest initial rate and greatest decline (70.6% in 2009 to 48.4% in 2018, P < .001). Men aged 55-69 years had a smaller decline (65.2% in 2009 to 58.9% in 2018, P < .001) whereas the youngest men, aged 40-54 years, had an increase in PSA screening (26.2% in 2009 to 37.8% in 2018, P < .001).

Conclusions

In this analysis of PSA screening rates among veterans before and after the 2012 USPSTF recommendation against screening, we found that overall PSA screening decreased only modestly, continuing for more than one-half of the men in our study. Veterans of different races had similar screening rates, suggesting that VA care may minimize racial disparities. Veterans of varying ages experienced statistically significantly differences in PSA screening trends.
Monocytic Acute Myeloid Leukemias with KM2TA Translocations to Chromosome 17q that May Clinically Mimic Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Balbuena-Merle Raisa I , Tormey Christopher A , DiAdamo Autumn , Rinder Henry M , Siddon Alexa J
Published: August 2020

Objective

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with variant RARA translocation, eg, t(11;17), is not sensitive to all-trans retinoic acid and requires distinct chemotherapy. However, there are some leukemic entities that may mimic aspects of the clinical and/or laboratory picture of APL and cause confusion because of karyotype nomenclature. Therefore, recognition of such entities may be of therapeutic and prognostic significance.

Methods

We present 2 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(11;17) that were clinically concerning for APL based primarily on clinical presentation but were ultimately diagnosed as AML with monocytic differentiation.

Results

Both leukemias harbored KMT2A translocations, one located near but not involving RARA and the other with SEPT9.

Conclusion

In leukemias that clinically and/or immunophenotypically mimic APL, identification of specific gene translocations can lead to the correct diagnosis and may carry therapeutic/prognostic implications.
Prospective observational study of respiratory Aspergillus colonization or disease in patients with various stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease utilizing culture versus nonculture techniques
Authors: Waqas Sarmad , Dunne Katie , Talento Alida Fe , Wilson Graham , Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Keane Joseph , Rogers Thomas R
Published: August 2020

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have been recognized to be at increased risk of Aspergillus spp. colonization, which may progress to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of Aspergillus colonization, or disease, in a cohort of COPD patients. A prospective observational study was undertaken to determine Aspergillus colonization, or disease, in consecutive COPD patients undergoing bronchoscopy. Fungal culture as well as galactomannan antigen (GM) and Aspergillus nucleic acid detection (PCR) were performed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) samples. One hundred and fifty patients were recruited. One hundred and twelve (74.7%) were outpatients, 38 (25.33%) were inpatients, of whom 6 (4%) were in the intensive care unit. Most patients (N = 122, 81.3%) were either COPD GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) stages 1 or 2. Nine (6%) patients were on systemic steroids, 64 (42.7%) on inhaled steroids, and 9 (6%) on both. Seventeen patients (11.3%) had at least one positive test for Aspergillus detection (culture ± galactomannan ± polymerase chain reaction [PCR]), 13 (76.4%) of whom were COPD GOLD stages 1 or 2.  Five patients had probable or putative IPA. Aspergillus sp. was detected in five patients (3.3%) by culture, but detection increased to 17 (11.3%) by the additional testing for GM or Aspergillus DNA. The frequency of Aspergillus detection in this cohort of COPD patients may reflect the predominance of early GOLD stages among the study population but deserves further investigation to determine its relevance as a predictive risk factor for IPA.
MEGARA-IFU detection of extended He ii λ4686 nebular emission in the central region of NGC 1569 and its ionization budget
Authors: Mayya Y D , Carrasco E , Gómez-González V M A , Zaragoza-Cardiel J , Gil de Paz A , Ovando P A , Sánchez-Cruces M , Lomelí-Núñez L , Rodríguez-Merino L , Rosa-González D , Silich S , Tenorio-Tagle G , Bruzual G , Charlot S , Terlevich R , Terlevich E , Vega O , Gallego J , Iglesias-Páramo J , Castillo-Morales A , García-Vargas M L , Gómez-Alvarez P , Pascual S , Pérez-Calpena A
Published: August 2020

We here report the detection of extended He ii λ4686 nebular emission in the central region of NGC 1569 using the integral field spectrograph MEGARA at the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. The observations cover a field of view (FoV) of 12.5 arcsec × 11.3 arcsec at a seeing-limited spatial resolution of ∼15 pc and at a spectral resolution of R = 6000 in the wavelength range 4330–5200 Å. The emission extends over a semicircular arc of ∼40 pc width and ∼150 pc diameter around the superstar cluster A (SSC-A). The AV derived using Balmer decrement varies from the Galactic value of 1.6 mag to a maximum of ∼4.5 mag, with a mean value of 2.65 ± 0.60 mag. We infer 124 ± 11 Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars in SSC-A using the He ii λ4686 broad feature and AV = 2.3 mag. The He+ ionizing photon rate from these WR stars is sufficient to explain the luminosity of the He ii nebula. The observationally determined total He+ and H0 ionizing photon rates, their ratio, and the observed number of WR stars in SSC-A are all consistent with the predictions of simple stellar population models at an age of 4.0 ± 0.5 Myr and a mass of (5.5 ± 0.5) × 105 M⊙. Our observations reinforce the absence of WR stars in SSC-B, the second most massive cluster in the FoV. None of the other locations in our FoV where He ii λ4686 emission has been reported from narrow-band imaging observations contain WR stars.
Blanco DECam Bulge Survey (BDBS) II: project performance, data analysis, and early science results
Authors: Johnson Christian I , Rich Robert Michael , Young Michael D , Simion Iulia T , Clarkson William I , Pilachowski Catherine A , Michael Scott , Kunder Andrea , Koch Andreas , Vivas Anna Katherina
Published: August 2020

The Blanco DECam Bulge Survey (BDBS) imaged more than 200 sq deg of the Southern Galactic bulge using the ugrizY filters of the Dark Energy Camera, and produced point spread function photometry of approximately 250 million unique sources. In this paper, we present details regarding the construction and collation of survey catalogues, and also discuss the adopted calibration and dereddening procedures. Early science results are presented with a particular emphasis on the bulge metallicity distribution function and globular clusters. A key result is the strong correlation (σ ∼ 0.2 dex) between (u − i)o and [Fe/H] for bulge red clump giants. We utilized this relation to find that interior bulge fields may be well described by simple closed box enrichment models, but fields exterior to b ∼ −6° seem to require a secondary metal-poor component. Applying scaled versions of the closed box model to the outer bulge fields is shown to significantly reduce the strengths of any additional metal-poor components when compared to Gaussian mixture models. Additional results include: a confirmation that the u band splits the subgiant branch in M22 as a function of metallicity, the detection of possible extratidal stars along the orbits of M 22 and FSR 1758, and additional evidence that NGC 6569 may have a small but discrete He spread, as evidenced by red clump luminosity variations in the reddest bands. We do not confirm previous claims that FSR 1758 is part of a larger extended structure.
Interferential seeing monitor, a seeing monitor for atmospheric turbulence studies: calibration with the differential image motion monitor
Authors: Sabil Mohammed , Habib A , Benkhaldoun Z
Published: August 2020

In this work, we aim to calibrate an interferential seeing monitor (ISM), which is a testing instument used at astronomical sites. Its method is based on the study of the diffraction pattern produced by a Young’s double-slit at the focus plane of a telescope. This method allows us to obtain the wave structure function by taking into account both phase and amplitude fluctuations of the light wavefront. A phase seeing εϕ was assigned to phase fluctuations and an amplitude seeing εχ was assigned to amplitude fluctuations (scintillation phenomenon), which allows us to obtain both phase and amplitude fluctuations. The feasibility of the ISM method was demonstrated by numerical simulations presented in a previous work. In this work, we have conducted a cross-calibration campaign of the ISM with a differential image motion monitor (DIMM) over 16 nights at the Oukaimeden and Atlas Golf Marrakech Observatories. The goal of this campaign was to study the reliability of this new method. In this paper, we present the calibration measurements and a comparison between the seeing measured by the ISM (εϕ, εχ) and that obtained by the DIMM (εdimm). These results show good agreement between the phase- eeing εϕ and εdimm.
Elucidating the global distribution of reprocessing gas in NGC 1194
Authors: Turner T J , Reeves J N , Braito V , Yaqoob T , Kraemer S B , Severgnini P
Published: August 2020

A joint XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observation was conducted for the bright, local Seyfert 1.9 galaxy, NGC 1194. The hard spectral form of this active galactic nucleus (AGN) was modelled using the toroidal reprocessor mytorus. The decoupled model form provides a good description of the spectrum, with reflection arising from gas with a global average column density >4 × 1024 cm−2 and transmission of the continuum through an order-of-magnitude lower column. In this model, the reflection strength is a factor of ∼3 higher than expected from a simple torus. Such a result may indicate that much of the intrinsic X-ray continuum is hidden from view. An alternative model is that of a patchy torus, where 85 per cent of sightlines are obscured by Compton-thick gas and the remaining 15 per cent by Compton-thin gas. The patchy torus model is based on a solar abundance of Fe and is consistent with X-ray partial-covering results found in other AGN. That a patchy torus model would relieve the issue with the strength of the reflection signature is not an intuitive result: such an insight regarding the geometry of the global reprocessing gas could not have been obtained using ad hoc model components to describe the spectral form.
Further milliarcsecond resolution results on cool giants and binary stars from lunar occultations at Devashtal
Authors: Richichi A , Sharma S , Sinha T , Pandey R , Ghosh A , Ojha D K , Pandey A K , Naik M B
Published: August 2020

We report on 26 lunar occultation events observed in the context of a programme started at Devasthal in 2017. In addition to the customary observations with the 1.3-m telescope, we report here also the first attempts performed with the TIRCAM2 camera at the 3.6-m Devasthal Optical Telescope in the near-infrared (near-IR). The results consist in the first-time angular diameters for two late-type giants, in a measurement of the well-known asymptotic giant branch pulsating variable SW Vir, and in the measurement of eight small separation binaries one of which is detected for the first time (HR 1860). We also measured the wider binaries SAO 94431 and 55 Tau (twice). The remaining sources were found to be unresolved with upper limits as small as 1 mas. We plan to develop further the high-speed capability of the TIRCAM2 instrument, so as to include in our programme also more near-IR, highly extincted sources.
Li-rich giant stars under scrutiny: binarity, magnetic activity, and the evolutionary status after Gaia DR2
Authors: Gonçalves B F O , da Costa J S , de Almeida L , Castro M , do Nascimento J-D
Published: August 2020

We present a study of the evolutionary state of a few lithium-rich giant stars based on the Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) parallaxes and photometry. We also investigate the chromospheric activity, the presence of a surface magnetic field, and the radial velocity for our sample stars. We analysed both archive and new data. We gathered archive spectra from several instruments, mainly ELODIE and NARVAL, and we added new data acquired with the spectrograph MUSICOS. We applied the least-squares deconvolution technique to obtain Stokes V and I mean profiles to compute longitudinal magnetic field for a subset. Moreover, for the same subset, we analysed the Ca ii H&K emission lines to calculate the S-index. We also derived atmospheric parameters and Li abundances for all 18 stars of our sample. We found that stars previously classified as red giant branch (RGB) may actually be at a different evolutionary state. Furthermore, we identified that most stars in our sample with detection of surface magnetic field show at least moderate rotation velocities, but none the less, we could not detect a magnetic field in two fast rotators. Because of our small sample of magnetic giants, it is difficult to determine if the presence of surface magnetic field and the Li-rich giant phenomena could be somehow linked. The large variation of the radial velocity of part of our sample indicates that some of them might have a binary companion, which may change the way we look at the Li problem in giant stars.
The star formation properties of the observed and simulated AGN Universe: BAT versus EAGLE
Authors: Jackson Thomas M , Rosario D J , Alexander D M , Scholtz J , McAlpine Stuart , Bower R G
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we present data from 72 low-redshift, hard X-ray selected active galactic nucleus (AGN) taken from the Swift–BAT 58 month catalogue. We utilize spectral energy distribution fitting to the optical to infrared photometry in order to estimate host galaxy properties. We compare this observational sample to a volume- and flux-matched sample of AGN from the Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments (EAGLE) hydrodynamical simulations in order to verify how accurately the simulations can reproduce observed AGN host galaxy properties. After correcting for the known +0.2 dex offset in the SFRs between EAGLE and previous observations, we find agreement in the star formation rate (SFR) and X-ray luminosity distributions; however, we find that the stellar masses in EAGLE are 0.2–0.4 dex greater than the observational sample, which consequently leads to lower specific star formation rates (sSFRs). We compare these results to our previous study at high redshift, finding agreement in both the observations and simulations, whereby the widths of sSFR distributions are similar (∼0.4–0.6 dex) and the median of the SFR distributions lie below the star-forming main sequence by ∼0.3–0.5 dex across all samples. We also use EAGLE to select a sample of AGN host galaxies at high and low redshift and follow their characteristic evolution from z = 8 to z = 0. We find similar behaviour between these two samples, whereby star formation is quenched when the black hole goes through its phase of most rapid growth. Utilizing EAGLE we find that 23 per cent of AGN selected at z ∼ 0 are also AGN at high redshift, and that their host galaxies are among the most massive objects in the simulation. Overall, we find EAGLE reproduces the observations well, with some minor inconsistencies (∼0.2 dex in stellar masses and ∼0.4 dex in sSFRs).
The first high-redshift changing-look quasars
Authors: Ross Nicholas P , Graham Matthew J , Calderone Giorgio , Ford K E Saavik , McKernan Barry , Stern Daniel
Published: August 2020

We report on three redshift z > 2 quasars with dramatic changes in their C iv emission lines, the first sample of changing-look quasars (CLQs) at high redshift. This is also the first time the changing-look behaviour has been seen in a high-ionization emission line. SDSS J1205+3422, J1638+2827, and J2228 + 2201 show interesting behaviour in their observed optical light curves, and subsequent spectroscopy shows significant changes in the C iv broad emission line, with both line collapse and emergence being displayed on rest-frame time-scales of ∼240–1640 d. These are rapid changes, especially when considering virial black hole mass estimates of MBH > 109M⊙ for all three quasars. Continuum and emission line measurements from the three quasars show changes in the continuum-equivalent width plane with the CLQs seen to be on the edge of the full population distribution, and showing indications of an intrinsic Baldwin effect. We put these observations in context with recent state-change models, and note that even in their observed low-state, the C iv CLQs are generally above ∼5 per cent in Eddington luminosity.
PCAT: an integrated portal for genomic and preclinical testing data of pediatric cancer patient-derived xenograft models
Authors: Yang Juechen , Li Qilin , Noureen Nighat , Fang Yanbing , Kurmasheva Raushan , Houghton Peter J , Wang Xiaojing , Zheng Siyuan
Published: August 2020

Although cancer is the leading cause of disease-related mortality in children, the relative rarity of pediatric cancers poses a significant challenge for developing novel therapeutics to further improve prognosis. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, which are usually developed from high-risk tumors, are a useful platform to study molecular driver events, identify biomarkers and prioritize therapeutic agents. Here, we develop PDX for Childhood Cancer Therapeutics (PCAT), a new integrated portal for pediatric cancer PDX models. Distinct from previously reported PDX portals, PCAT is focused on pediatric cancer models and provides intuitive interfaces for querying and data mining. The current release comprises 324 models and their associated clinical and genomic data, including gene expression, mutation and copy number alteration. Importantly, PCAT curates preclinical testing results for 68 models and 79 therapeutic agents manually collected from individual agent testing studies published since 2008. To facilitate comparisons of patterns between patient tumors and PDX models, PCAT curates clinical and molecular data of patient tumors from the TARGET project. In addition, PCAT provides access to gene fusions identified in nearly 1000 TARGET samples. PCAT was built using R-shiny and MySQL. The portal can be accessed at http://pcat.zhenglab.info or http://www.pedtranscriptome.org.
Remediating Thirdhand Smoke Pollution in Multiunit Housing: Temporary Reductions and the Challenges of Persistent Reservoirs
Authors: Matt Georg E , Quintana Penelope J E , Hoh Eunha , Zakarian Joy M , Dodder Nathan G , Record Rachael A , Hovell Melbourne F , Mahabee-Gittens E Melinda , Padilla Samuel , Markman Laura , Watanabe Kayo , Novotny Thomas E
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Toxic tobacco smoke residue, also known as thirdhand smoke (THS), can persist in indoor environments long after tobacco has been smoked. This study examined the effects of different cleaning methods on nicotine in dust and on surfaces.

Aims and Methods

Participants had strict indoor home smoking bans and were randomly assigned to: dry/damp cleaning followed by wet cleaning 1 month later (N = 10), wet cleaning followed by dry/damp cleaning (N = 10) 1 month later, and dry/damp and wet cleaning applied the same day (N = 28). Nicotine on surfaces and in dust served as markers of THS and were measured before, immediately after, and 3 months after the cleaning, using liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).

Results

Over a 4-month period prior to cleaning, surface nicotine levels remained unchanged (GeoMean change: −11% to +8%; repeated measures r = .94; p < .001). Used separately, dry/damp and wet cleaning methods showed limited benefits. When applied in combination, however, we observed significantly reduced nicotine on surfaces and in dust. Compared with baseline, GeoMean surface nicotine was 43% lower immediately after (z = −3.73, p < .001) and 53% lower 3 months later (z = −3.96, p < .001). GeoMean dust nicotine loading declined by 60% immediately after (z = −3.55, p < .001) and then increased 3 months later to precleaning levels (z = −1.18, p = .237).

Conclusions

Cleaning interventions reduced but did not permanently remove nicotine in dust and on surfaces. Cleaning efforts for THS need to address persistent pollutant reservoirs and replenishment of reservoirs from new tobacco smoke intrusion. THS contamination in low-income homes may contribute to health disparities, particularly in children.

Implications

Administered sequentially or simultaneously, the tested cleaning protocols reduced nicotine on surfaces by ~50% immediately after and 3 months after the cleaning. Nicotine dust loading was reduced by ~60% immediately after cleaning, but it then rebounded to precleaning levels 3 months later. Cleaning protocols were unable to completely remove THS, and pollutants in dust were replenished from remaining pollutant reservoirs or new secondhand smoke intrusion. To achieve better outcomes, cleaning protocols should be systematically repeated to remove newly accumulated pollutants. New secondhand smoke intrusions need to be prevented, and remaining THS reservoirs should be identified, cleaned, or removed to prevent pollutants from these reservoirs to accumulate in dust and on surfaces.
Characterization and Validation of the Second-generation wPUM Topography Monitors
Authors: Robinson Risa J , Jayasekera Shehan , DiFrancesco Gary , Hensel Edward C
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Little is known about the natural use behavior of new and emerging tobacco products due to the limited availability of reliable puff topography monitors suitable for ambulatory deployment. An understanding of use behavior is needed to assess the health impact of emerging tobacco products and inform realistic standardized topography profiles for emissions studies. The purpose of this study is to validate four monitors: the wPUM cigalike, vapepen, hookah, and cigarette monitors.

Aims and Methods

Each wPUM monitor was characterized and validated for range, accuracy, and resolution for puff flow rate, duration, volume, and interpuff gap in a controlled laboratory environment. Monitor repeatability was assessed for each wPUM monitor using four separate week-long natural environment monitoring studies including cigalike, vapepen, hookah, and cigarette users.

Results

The valid flow rate range was 10 to 100 mL/s for cigalike and cigarette monitors, 10 to 95 mL/s for vapepen monitors, and 50 to 400 mL/s hookah monitors. Flow rate accuracy was within ±2 mL/s for cigalike, vapepen, and cigarette monitors and ±6 mL/s for the hookah monitor. Durations and interpuff gaps as small as 0.2 s were measured to within ±0.07 s. Monitor calibrations changed by 4.7% (vapepen), 1.5% (cigarette), 0.5% (cigalike), and 0.1% (hookah) after 1 week of natural environment use.

Conclusions

The wPUM topography monitors were demonstrated to be reliable when deployed in the natural environment for a range of emerging tobacco products.

Implications

The current study addresses the lack of available techniques to reliably monitor topography in the natural environment, across multiple emerging tobacco products. Natural environment topography data will inform standardized puffing protocols for premarket tobacco product applications. The ability to quantify topography over extended periods of time will lead to a better understanding of use behavior and better-informed regulations to protect public health.
Temperature-dependent egg production and egg hatching rates of small egg-carrying and broadcast-spawning copepods Oithona similis, Microsetella norvegica and Microcalanus pusillus
Authors: Barth-Jensen Coralie , Koski Marja , Varpe Øystein , Glad Peter , Wangensteen Owen S , Præbel Kim , Svensen Camilla
Published: August 2020

Reproductive rates of copepods are temperature-dependent, but poorly known for small copepods at low temperatures, hindering the predictions of population dynamics and secondary production in high-latitude ecosystems. We investigated egg hatching rates, hatching success and egg production of the small copepods Oithona similis and Microsetella norvegica (sac spawners) and Microcalanus pusillus (broadcast spawner) between March and August. Incubations were performed at ecologically relevant temperatures between 1.3 and 13.2°C, and egg production rates were calculated. All egg hatching rates were positively correlated to temperature, although with large species-specific differences. At the lowest temperatures, M. pusillus eggs hatched within 4 days, whereas the eggs from sac spawners took 3–8 weeks to hatch. The egg hatching success was ≤25% for M. pusillus, >75% for O. similis and variable for M. norvegica. The maximum weight-specific egg production rate (μg C μg−1 C d−1) of M. pusillus was higher (0.22) than O. similis (0.12) and M. norvegica (0.06). M. norvegica reproduction peaked at 6–8°C, the prevailing in situ temperatures during its reproductive period. The difference in reproductive rates indicates species-specific thermal plasticity for the three copepods, which could have implications for present and future population dynamics of the species in arctic fjords.
Holographic de Sitter spacetime and quantum corrections to the cosmological constant
Authors: Yokoyama Shuichi
Published: August 2020

A dynamical aspect of quantum gravity on de Sitter spacetime is investigated by holography and the de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence. We show that de Sitter spacetime emerges from a free Sp($N$) vector model by complexifying the ghost fields and course-graining them by flow equation in parallel to the imaginary axis. We confirm that the emergence of de Sitter spacetime is ensured by conformal symmetry. We also compute the quantum corrections to the cosmological constant up to the next-to-leading order of the $1/N$ expansion in a proposed holographic approach. As a result the sub-leading corrections have the opposite sign to the classical value. This implies that a quantum gravity on de Sitter spacetime is perturbatively stable and quantum effects make the universe flatter and the cosmological constant smaller.
Impact of disease activity and treatments on ovarian reserve in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the ESPOIR cohort
Authors: Valdeyron Camille , Soubrier Martin , Pereira Bruno , Constantin Arnaud , Morel Jacques , Gaudin Philippe , Combe Bernard , Gremeau Anne Sophie , Dejou-Bouillet Lydie , Pouly Jean Luc , Sapin Vincent , Oris Charlotte , Brugnon Florence
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Patients with RA have a higher prevalence of infertility than the general population. This study sought to examine the impact of RA disease activity and treatments on ovarian reserve measured by serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in the ESPOIR cohort. We sought to better define the indications for fertility preservation.

Methods

Patients and serum analysis data were derived from the French national cohort ESPOIR. Enrolled patients (n = 102; 18–37-year-olds) fulfilled ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria for RA. Serum AMH levels were measured at T0, T6, T12, T24 and T36 months post-diagnosis. The impacts of RA activity (DAS28 and CRP level) and treatments (MTX only or with other medications) were evaluated at each study visit.

Results

A gradual decrease in patients’ serum AMH levels was observed over time, in line with the descending curve described for healthy women. Serum AMH levels of RA patients in comparison with the values considered normal for age did not reveal any significant differences (P > 0.05). We did not observe any impact of RA treatments. We demonstrated an inverse correlation between AMH variation and disease activity (DAS28: r = –0.27, P = 0.003; CRP: r = –0.16, P = 0.06).

Conclusion

This is the first study to determine serum AMH levels of a large cohort of RA patients over 36 months. Rapid disease activity control appears to be required to limit changes in the ovarian reserve. Fertility preservation is not likely to be necessary if inflammation is promptly controlled.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT03666091.
Default Option Exercise over the Financial Crisis and beyond*
Authors: An Xudong , Deng Yongheng , Gabriel Stuart A
Published: August 2020

We document changes in borrowers’ sensitivity to negative equity and show heightened borrower default propensity as a fundamental driver of crisis period mortgage defaults. Estimates of a time-varying coefficient competing risk hazard model reveal a marked run-up in the default option beta from 0.2 during 2003–06 to about 1.5 during 2012–13. Simulation of 2006 vintage loan performance shows that the marked upturn in the default option beta resulted in a doubling of mortgage default incidence. Panel data analysis indicates that much of the variation in default option exercise is associated with the local business cycle and consumer distress. Results also indicate elevated default propensities in sand states and among borrowers seeking a crisis-period Home Affordable Modification Program loan modification.
Extensive Genetic Variation at the Sr22 Wheat Stem Rust Resistance Gene Locus in the Grasses Revealed Through Evolutionary Genomics and Functional Analyses
Authors: Md. Hatta M. Asyraf , Ghosh Sreya , Athiyannan Naveenkumar , Richardson Terese , Steuernagel Burkhard , Yu Guotai , Rouse Matthew N. , Ayliffe Michael , Lagudah Evans S. , Radhakrishnan Guru V. , Periyannan Sambasivam K. , Wulff Brande B. H.
Published: August 2020

In the last 20 years, severe wheat stem rust outbreaks have been recorded in Africa, Europe, and Central Asia. This previously well controlled disease, caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, has reemerged as a major threat to wheat cultivation. The stem rust (Sr) resistance gene Sr22 encodes a nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat receptor which confers resistance to the highly virulent African stem rust isolate Ug99. Here, we show that the Sr22 gene is conserved among grasses in the Triticeae and Poeae lineages. Triticeae species contain syntenic loci with single-copy orthologs of Sr22 on chromosome 7, except Hordeum vulgare, which has experienced major expansions and rearrangements at the locus. We also describe 14 Sr22 sequence variants obtained from both Triticum boeoticum and the domesticated form of this species, T. monococcum, which have been postulated to encode both functional and nonfunctional Sr22 alleles. The nucleotide sequence analysis of these alleles identified historical sequence exchange resulting from recombination or gene conversion, including breakpoints within codons, which expanded the coding potential at these positions by introduction of nonsynonymous substitutions. Three Sr22 alleles were transformed into wheat cultivar Fielder and two postulated resistant alleles from Schomburgk (hexaploid wheat introgressed with T. boeoticum segment carrying Sr22) and T. monococcum accession PI190945, respectively, conferred resistance to P. graminis f. sp. tritici race TTKSK, thereby unequivocally confirming Sr22 effectiveness against Ug99. The third allele from accession PI573523, previously believed to confer susceptibility, was confirmed as nonfunctional against Australian P. graminis f. sp. tritici race 98-1,2,3,5,6.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Role of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase inhibitors beyond BReast CAncer Gene-mutated ovarian tumours: definition of homologous recombination deficiency?
Authors: Gourley Charlie , Miller Rowan E. , Hollis Robert L. , Ledermann Jonathan A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose of review

PARP inhibitors have transformed the management of BRCA mutant (BRCAmut) high-grade serous and endometroid ovarian cancer (HGOC). However, it is clear that the benefit can be extended beyond this subgroup, particularly to those cancers with homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD). We review emerging molecular and clinical data to support the use of PARP inhibitors in HRD HGOC and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different HRD assays.

Recent findings

Several phase 3 trials support the use of PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy beyond those patients with BRCAmutin the first-line and platinum-sensitive relapse setting. Many of these studies included HRD testing and it is clear, regardless of the assay used, that an incremental reduction in benefit is observed from BRCAmuttumours to HRD to homologous recombination proficient tumours. However, although currently available HRD assays predict the magnitude of benefit from PARP inhibitors, they consistently fail to identify a subgroup of patients who do not benefit.

Clinical data support the use of PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy beyond BRCAmutpatients. Current HRD tests lack negative predictive value and more research is required to develop a composite HRD assay that provides a dynamic readout of HRD status.