bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image-based automatic wind velocity profiler for adaptive optics
Authors: Diaz Sebastian J , Tejos Cristian , Guesalaga Andres
Published: February 2024

Adaptive optics (AO) systems correct optical phase aberrations of the incoming light generated by the atmosphere. To do so simultaneous estimators of the atmospheric turbulence parameters are required. For the family of wide-field AO (WFAO) systems, this information must be stratified in altitude. Among these vectorized estimations, wind profiling in altitude is needed for the reduction of temporal errors in AO loops or for the estimation of turbulence coherence time. This paper proposes a turbulence wind profiler called image processing based peak tracking algorithm (ipta). ipta is an image-processing based approach that automatically and reliably estimates wind velocity for several turbulent layers along the line of sight. The estimation of each wind layer is achieved by tracking peaks produced in cross-correlation maps from pairs of wavefront sensors (WFSs) slopes using the technique known as SLODAR (slope detection and ranging). Results for simulated and on-sky WFS data sets demonstrate that ipta outperforms one of the state of the art wind profiler methods [the profiler covariance parametrization of wind velocity (CAW)] in terms of accuracy and speed. Results also show that, in terms of execution time, our method scales better when the number of WFS lenslets is increased. Being an open source and reliable tool, we believe ipta can be a useful wind profiler for the AO community.
Prospects for detecting proto-neutron star rotation and spin-down using supernova neutrinos
Authors: Prasanna Tejas , Thompson Todd A , Hirata Christopher
Published: February 2024

After a successful supernova, a proto-neutron star (PNS) cools by emitting neutrinos on ∼1–100 s time-scales. Provided that there are neutrino emission ‘hotspots’ or ‘cold-spots’ on the surface of the rotating PNS, we can expect a periodic modulation in the number of neutrinos observable by detectors. We show that Fourier transform techniques can be used to determine the PNS rotation rate from the neutrino arrival times. Provided there is no spin-down, a 1-parameter Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) is sufficient to determine the spin period of the PNS. If the PNS is born as a magnetar with polar magnetic field strength B0 ≳ 1015 G and is ‘slowly’ rotating with an initial spin period ≳100 ms, then it can spin-down to periods of the order of seconds during the cooling phase. We propose a modified DFT technique with three frequency parameters to detect spin-down. Due to lack of neutrino data from a nearby supernova except the ∼20 neutrinos detected from SN1987A, we use toy models and one physically motivated modulating function to generate neutrino arrival times. We use the false alarm rate (FAR) to quantify the significance of the Fourier power spectrum peaks. We show that PNS rotation and spin-down are detected with $\rm FAR\,\lt\, 2~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ (2σ) for periodic signal content $\rm M\gtrsim 13-15~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ if 5 × 103 neutrinos are detected in ∼3 s and with $\rm FAR\,\lt\, 1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for $\rm M\,\ge 5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ if 5 × 104 neutrinos are detected in ∼3 s. Since we can expect ∼104−105 neutrino detections from a supernova at 10 kpc, detection of PNS rotation and spin-down is possible using the neutrinos from the next Galactic supernova.
The VLBA CANDELS GOODS-North Survey. II – Wide-field source catalogue comparison between the VLBA, EVN, e-MERLIN, and VLA
Authors: Njeri Ann , Deane Roger P , Radcliffe J F , Beswick R J , Thomson A P , Muxlow T W B , Garrett M A , Harrison C M
Published: February 2024

Deep radio surveys of extragalactic legacy fields trace a large range of spatial and brightness temperature sensitivity scales, and therefore have differing biases to radio-emitting physical components within galaxies. This is particularly true of radio surveys performed at $\lesssim 1 \ \mathrm{arcsec}$ angular resolutions, and so robust comparisons are necessary to better understand the biases present in each survey. We present a multiresolution and multiwavelength analysis of the sources detected in a new Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) survey of the Cosmic Assembly Near-IR Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-North field. For the 24 VLBA-selected sources described in Paper I, we augment the VLBA data with EVN data, and ∼0.1–1 arcsec angular resolution data provided by Very Large Array (VLA) and enhanced-Multi Element Remotely Linked Interferometry Network. This sample includes new active galactic nuclei (AGN) detected in this field, thanks to a new source extraction technique that adopts priors from ancillary multiwavelength data. The high brightness temperatures of these sources (TB ≳ 106 K) confirm AGN cores, that would often be missed or ambiguous in lower-resolution radio data of the same sources. Furthermore, only 15 sources are identified as ‘radiative’ AGN based on available X-ray and infrared constraints. By combining VLA and VLBA measurements, we find evidence that the majority of the extended radio emission is also AGN dominated, with only three sources with evidence for extended potentially star formation-dominated radio emission. We demonstrate the importance of wide-field multiresolution (arcsecond–milliarcsecond) coverage of the faint radio source population, for a complete picture of the multiscale processes within these galaxies.
3D NLTE Lithium abundances for late-type stars in GALAH DR3
Authors: Wang Ella Xi , Nordlander Thomas , Buder Sven , Ciucă Ioana , Soen Alexander , Martell Sarah , Ness Melissa , Lind Karin , McKenzie Madeleine , Stello Dennis
Published: February 2024

Lithium’s susceptibility to burning in stellar interiors makes it an invaluable tracer for delineating the evolutionary pathways of stars, offering insights into the processes governing their development. Observationally, the complex Li production and depletion mechanisms in stars manifest themselves as Li plateaus, and as Li-enhanced and Li-depleted regions of the HR diagram. The Li-dip represents a narrow range in effective temperature close to the main-sequence turn-off, where stars have slightly super-solar masses and strongly depleted Li. To study the modification of Li through stellar evolution, we measure 3D non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) Li abundance for 581 149 stars released in GALAH DR3. We describe a novel method that fits the observed spectra using a combination of 3D NLTE Li line profiles with blending metal-line strength that are optimized on a star-by-star basis. Furthermore, realistic errors are determined by a Monte Carlo nested sampling algorithm which samples the posterior distribution of the fitted spectral parameters. The method is validated by recovering parameters from a synthetic spectrum and comparing to 26 stars in the Hypatia catalogue. We find 228 613 Li detections, and 352 536 Li upper limits. Our abundance measurements are generally lower than GALAH DR3, with a mean difference of 0.23 dex. For the first time, we trace the evolution of Li-dip stars beyond the main sequence turn-off and up the subgiant branch. This is the first 3D NLTE analysis of Li applied to a large spectroscopic survey, and opens up a new era of precision analysis of abundances for large surveys.
Periodically modulated FRB as extreme mass ratio binaries
Authors: Katz J I
Published: February 2024

The activity of at least one repeating fast radio burst (FRB) source is periodically modulated. If this modulation is the result of precession of the rotation axis and throat of an accretion disc around a black hole, driven by a companion that is also the source of accreted mass, then it may be possible to constrain the mass of the black hole. The dynamics is analogous to that of superorbital periods in ordinary mass-transfer binaries in which the accreting object may be a stellar-mass black hole, a neutron star or a white dwarf, but in the FRB source it may be an intermediate-mass black hole. In a semidetached (mass-transferring) binary, the orbital period is nearly proportional to the −1/2 power of the mean density of the mass-losing star and nearly independent of the mass of the primary, but the ratio of precessional to orbital periods scales approximately as the −2/3 power of the mass ratio for small mass ratios (massive accretors). Assuming a value for the secondary’s density and identifying the observed modulation period as a disc precession period would determine the mass ratio and the mass of the black hole. This model and magnetar-SNR (supernova remnant) models make distinguishable predictions of the evolution of the rotation measure that may soon be tested in FRB 121102.
Mapping Geological Events and Nitrogen Fixation Evolution Onto the Timetree of the Evolution of Nitrogen-Fixation Genes
Authors: Pi Hong-Wei , Chiang Yin-Ru , Li Wen-Hsiung
Published: February 2024

Nitrogen is essential for all organisms, but biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) occurs only in a small fraction of prokaryotes. Previous studies divided nitrogenase-gene-carrying prokaryotes into Groups I to IV and provided evidence that BNF first evolved in bacteria. This study constructed a timetree of the evolution of nitrogen-fixation genes and estimated that archaea evolved BNF much later than bacteria and that nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria evolved later than 1,900 MYA, considerably younger than the previous estimate of 2,200 MYA. Moreover, Groups III and II/I diverged ∼2,280 MYA, after the Kenorland supercontinent breakup (∼2,500–2,100 MYA) and the Great Oxidation Event (∼2,400–2,100 MYA); Groups III and Vnf/Anf diverged ∼2,086 MYA, after the Yarrabubba impact (∼2,229 MYA); and Groups II and I diverged ∼1,920 MYA, after the Vredefort impact (∼2,023 MYA). In summary, this study provided a timescale of BNF events and discussed the possible effects of geological events on BNF evolution.
DNA hypomethylation activates Cdk4/6 and Atr to induce DNA replication and cell cycle arrest to constrain liver outgrowth in zebrafish
Authors: Madakashira Bhavani P , Magnani Elena , Ranjan Shashi , Sadler Kirsten C
Published: February 2024

Coordinating epigenomic inheritance and cell cycle progression is essential for organogenesis. UHRF1 connects these functions during development by facilitating maintenance of DNA methylation and cell cycle progression. Here, we provide evidence resolving the paradoxical phenotype of uhrf1 mutant zebrafish embryos which have activation of pro-proliferative genes and increased number of hepatocytes in S-phase, but the liver fails to grow. We uncover decreased Cdkn2a/b and persistent Cdk4/6 activation as the mechanism driving uhrf1 mutant hepatocytes into S-phase. This induces replication stress, DNA damage and Atr activation. Palbociclib treatment of uhrf1 mutants prevented aberrant S-phase entry, reduced DNA damage, and rescued most cellular and developmental phenotypes, but it did not rescue DNA hypomethylation, transposon expression or the interferon response. Inhibiting Atr reduced DNA replication and increased liver size in uhrf1 mutants, suggesting that Atr activation leads to dormant origin firing and prevents hepatocyte proliferation. Cdkn2a/b was downregulated pro-proliferative genes were also induced in a Cdk4/6 dependent fashion in the liver of dnmt1 mutants, suggesting DNA hypomethylation as a mechanism of Cdk4/6 activation during development. This shows that the developmental defects caused by DNA hypomethylation are attributed to persistent Cdk4/6 activation, DNA replication stress, dormant origin firing and cell cycle inhibition.
Ccq1 restrains Mre11-mediated degradation to distinguish short telomeres from double-strand breaks
Authors: Audry Julien , Zhang Haitao , Kerr Carly , Berkner Kathleen L , Runge Kurt W
Published: February 2024

Telomeres protect chromosome ends and are distinguished from DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by means of a specialized chromatin composed of DNA repeats bound by a multiprotein complex called shelterin. We investigated the role of telomere-associated proteins in establishing end-protection by studying viable mutants lacking these proteins. Mutants were studied using a Schizosaccharomyces pombe model system that induces cutting of a ‘proto-telomere’ bearing telomere repeats to rapidly form a new stable chromosomal end, in contrast to the rapid degradation of a control DSB. Cells lacking the telomere-associated proteins Taz1, Rap1, Poz1 or Rif1 formed a chromosome end that was stable. Surprisingly, cells lacking Ccq1, or impaired for recruiting Ccq1 to the telomere, converted the cleaved proto-telomere to a rapidly degraded DSB. Ccq1 recruits telomerase, establishes heterochromatin and affects DNA damage checkpoint activation; however, these functions were separable from protection of the new telomere by Ccq1. In cells lacking Ccq1, telomere degradation was greatly reduced by eliminating the nuclease activity of Mre11 (part of the Mre11–Rad50–Nbs1/Xrs2 DSB processing complex), and higher amounts of nuclease-deficient Mre11 associated with the new telomere. These results demonstrate a novel function for S. pombe Ccq1 to effect end-protection by restraining Mre11-dependent degradation of the DNA end.
Global identification of mRNA-interacting circular RNAs by CLiPPR-Seq
Authors: Singh Suman , Shyamal Sharmishtha , Das Arundhati , Panda Amaresh C
Published: February 2024

Although the functional role of circular RNA (circRNA) interaction with microRNAs and proteins has been studied extensively, circRNA interactions with the protein-coding mRNAs in intact cells remain largely unknown. Here, by employing AMT-mediated proximity ligation of RNA-RNA duplexes followed by circRNA enrichment and deep sequencing, we report a novel Cross-Linking Poly(A) Pulldown RNase R Sequencing (CLiPPR-seq) technology which identified hundreds of mRNA-interacting circRNAs in three different cell types, including βTC6, C2C12 and HeLa cells. Furthermore, CLiPP-seq without RNase R treatment was also performed to identify the mRNA expression in these cells. BLAST analysis of circRNAs in CLiPPR-seq sample with the mRNAs in CLiPP-seq samples determined their potential complementary sequences for circRNA-mRNA interaction. Pulldown of circRNAs and poly(A) RNAs confirmed the direct interaction of circRNAs with target mRNAs. Silencing of mRNA-interacting circRNAs led to the altered expression of target mRNAs in βTC6 cells, suggesting the role of direct interaction of circRNAs with mRNAs in gene expression regulation. CLiPPR-seq thus represents a novel method for illuminating the myriad of uncharacterized circRNA–mRNA hybrids that may regulate gene expression.
Tankyrase-1 regulates RBP-mediated mRNA turnover to promote muscle fiber formation
Authors: Mubaid Souad , Sanchez Brenda Janice , Algehani Rinad A , Skopenkova Viktoriia , Adjibade Pauline , Hall Derek T , Busque Sandrine , Lian Xian Jin , Ashour Kholoud , Tremblay Anne-Marie K , Carlile Graeme , Gagné Jean-Philippe , Diaz-Gaxiola Andrea , Khattak Shahryar , Di Marco Sergio , Thomas David Y , Poirier Guy G , Gallouzi Imed-Eddine
Published: February 2024

Poly(ADP-ribosylation) (PARylation) is a post-translational modification mediated by a subset of ADP-ribosyl transferases (ARTs). Although PARylation-inhibition based therapies are considered as an avenue to combat debilitating diseases such as cancer and myopathies, the role of this modification in physiological processes such as cell differentiation remains unclear. Here, we show that Tankyrase1 (TNKS1), a PARylating ART, plays a major role in myogenesis, a vital process known to drive muscle fiber formation and regeneration. Although all bona fide PARPs are expressed in muscle cells, experiments using siRNA-mediated knockdown or pharmacological inhibition show that TNKS1 is the enzyme responsible of catalyzing PARylation during myogenesis. Via this activity, TNKS1 controls the turnover of mRNAs encoding myogenic regulatory factors such as nucleophosmin (NPM) and myogenin. TNKS1 mediates these effects by targeting RNA-binding proteins such as Human Antigen R (HuR). HuR harbors a conserved TNKS-binding motif (TBM), the mutation of which not only prevents the association of HuR with TNKS1 and its PARylation, but also precludes HuR from regulating the turnover of NPM and myogenin mRNAs as well as from promoting myogenesis. Therefore, our data uncover a new role for TNKS1 as a key modulator of RBP-mediated post-transcriptional events required for vital processes such as myogenesis.
The origin of different bending stiffness between double-stranded RNA and DNA revealed by magnetic tweezers and simulations
Authors: Dong Hai-Long , Zhang Chen , Dai Liang , Zhang Yan , Zhang Xing-Hua , Tan Zhi-Jie
Published: February 2024

The subtle differences in the chemical structures of double-stranded (ds) RNA and DNA lead to significant variations in their biological roles and medical implications, largely due to their distinct biophysical properties, such as bending stiffness. Although it is well known that A-form dsRNA is stiffer than B-form dsDNA under physiological salt conditions, the underlying cause of this difference remains unclear. In this study, we employ high-precision magnetic-tweezer experiments along with molecular dynamics simulations and reveal that the relative bending stiffness between dsRNA and dsDNA is primarily determined by the structure- and salt-concentration-dependent ion distribution around their helical structures. At near-physiological salt conditions, dsRNA shows a sparser ion distribution surrounding its phosphate groups compared to dsDNA, causing its greater stiffness. However, at very high monovalent salt concentrations, phosphate groups in both dsRNA and dsDNA become fully neutralized by excess ions, resulting in a similar intrinsic bending persistence length of approximately 39 nm. This similarity in intrinsic bending stiffness of dsRNA and dsDNA is coupled to the analogous fluctuations in their total groove widths and further coupled to the similar fluctuation of base-pair inclination, despite their distinct A-form and B-form helical structures.
NUDT16 regulates CtIP PARylation to dictate homologous recombination repair
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Samsa William E , Gong Zihua
Published: February 2024

CtIP initiates DNA end resection and mediates homologous recombination (HR) repair. However, the underlying mechanisms of CtIP regulation and how the control of its regulation affects DNA repair remain incompletely characterized. In this study, NUDT16 loss decreases CtIP protein levels and impairs CtIP recruitment to double-strand breaks (DSBs). Furthermore, overexpression of a catalytically inactive NUDT16 mutant is unable to rescue decreased CtIP protein and impaired CtIP recruitment to DSBs. In addition, we identified a novel posttranslational modification of CtIP by ADP-ribosylation that is targeted by a PAR-binding E3 ubiquitin ligase, RNF146, leading to CtIP ubiquitination and degradation. These data suggest that the hydrolase activity of NUDT16 plays a major role in controlling CtIP protein levels. Notably, ADP-ribosylation of CtIP is required for its interaction with NUDT16, its localization at DSBs, and for HR repair. Interestingly, NUDT16 can also be ADP-ribosylated. The ADP-ribosylated NUDT16 is critical for CtIP protein stability, CtIP recruitment to DSBs, and HR repair in response to DNA damage. In summary, we demonstrate that NUDT16 and its PARylation regulate CtIP stability and CtIP recruitment to DSBs, providing new insights into our understanding of the regulation of CtIP-mediated DNA end resection in the HR repair pathway.
Evolving precision: rRNA expansion segment 7S modulates translation velocity and accuracy in eukaryal ribosomes
Authors: Rauscher Robert , Eggers Cristian , Dimitrova-Paternoga Lyudmila , Shankar Vaishnavi , Rosina Alessia , Cristodero Marina , Paternoga Helge , Wilson Daniel N , Leidel Sebastian A , Polacek Norbert
Published: February 2024

Ribosome-enhanced translational miscoding of the genetic code causes protein dysfunction and loss of cellular fitness. During evolution, open reading frame length increased, necessitating mechanisms for enhanced translation fidelity. Indeed, eukaryal ribosomes are more accurate than bacterial counterparts, despite their virtually identical, conserved active centers. During the evolution of eukaryotic organisms ribosome expansions at the rRNA and protein level occurred, which potentially increases the options for translation regulation and cotranslational events. Here we tested the hypothesis that ribosomal RNA expansions can modulate the core function of the ribosome, faithful protein synthesis. We demonstrate that a short expansion segment present in all eukaryotes’ small subunit, ES7S, is crucial for accurate protein synthesis as its presence adjusts codon-specific velocities and guarantees high levels of cognate tRNA selection. Deletion of ES7S in yeast enhances mistranslation and causes protein destabilization and aggregation, dramatically reducing cellular fitness. Removal of ES7S did not alter ribosome architecture but altered the structural dynamics of inter-subunit bridges thus affecting A-tRNA selection. Exchanging the yeast ES7S sequence with the human ES7S increases accuracy whereas shortening causes the opposite effect. Our study demonstrates that ES7S provided eukaryal ribosomes with higher accuracy without perturbing the structurally conserved decoding center.
Cross-contamination of CRISPR guides and other unrelated nucleotide sequences among commercial oligonucleotides
Authors: Arakawa Hiroshi , Miura Hiromi , Quadros Rolen M , Ohtsuka Masato , Gurumurthy Channabasavaiah B
Published: February 2024

Custom oligonucleotides (oligos) are widely used reagents in biomedical research. Some common applications of oligos include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, hybridization, microarray, and library construction. The reliability of oligos in such applications depends on their purity and specificity. Here, we report that commercially available oligos are frequently contaminated with nonspecific sequences (i.e. other unrelated oligonucleotides). Most of the oligos that we designed to amplify clustered regularly interspersed palindromic repeats (CRISPR) guide sequences contained nonspecific CRISPR guides. These contaminants were detected in research-grade oligos procured from eight commercial oligo-suppliers located in three different geographic regions of the world. Deep sequencing of some of the oligos revealed a variety of contaminants. Given the wide range of applications of oligos, the impact of oligo cross-contamination varies greatly depending on the field and the experimental method. Incorporating appropriate control experiments in research design can help ensure that the quality of oligo reagents meets the intended purpose. This can also minimize risk depending on the purposes for which the oligos are used.
Discontinuous phase diagram of amorphous carbons
Authors: Zhu YinBo , Fang ZhouYu , Zhang ZhongTing , Wu HengAn
Published: February 2024

The short-range order and medium-range order of amorphous carbons demonstrated in experiments allow us to rethink whether there exist intrinsic properties hidden by atomic disordering. Here we presented six representative phases of amorphous carbons (0.1–3.4 g/cm3), namely, disordered graphene network (DGN), high-density amorphous carbon (HDAC), amorphous diaphite (a-DG), amorphous diamond (a-D), paracrystalline diamond (p-D), and nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD), respectively, classified by their topological features and microstructural characterizations that are comparable with experiments. To achieve a comprehensive physical landscape for amorphous carbons, a phase diagram was plotted in the sp3/sp2 versus density plane, in which the counterintuitive discontinuity originates from the inherent difference in topological microstructures, further guiding us to discover a variety of phase transitions among different amorphous carbons. Intriguingly, the power law, log(sp3/sp2) ∝ ρn, hints at intrinsic topology and hidden order in amorphous carbons, providing an insightful perspective to reacquaint atomic disorder in non-crystalline carbons.
Bias distribution and regulation in photoelectrochemical overall water-splitting cells
Authors: Dang Kun , Liu Siqin , Wu Lei , Tang Daojian , Xue Jing , Wang Jiaming , Ji Hongwei , Chen Chuncheng , Zhang Yuchao , Zhao Jincai
Published: February 2024

The water oxidation half-reaction at anodes is always considered the rate-limiting step of overall water splitting (OWS), but the actual bias distribution between photoanodes and cathodes of photoelectrochemical (PEC) OWS cells has not been investigated systematically. In this work, we find that, for PEC cells consisting of photoanodes (nickel-modified n-Si [Ni/n-Si] and α-Fe2O3) with low photovoltage (Vph < 1 V), a large portion of applied bias is exerted on the Pt cathode for satisfying the hydrogen evolution thermodynamics, showing a thermodynamics-controlled characteristic. In contrast, for photoanodes (TiO2 and BiVO4) with Vph > 1 V, the bias required for cathode activation can be significantly reduced, exhibiting a kinetics-controlled characteristic. Further investigations show that the bias distribution can be regulated by tuning the electrolyte pH and using alternative half-reaction couplings. Accordingly, a volcano plot is presented for the rational design of the overall reactions and unbiased PEC cells. Motivated by this, an unbiased PEC cell consisting of a simple Ni/n-Si photoanode and Pt cathode is assembled, delivering a photocurrent density of 5.3 ± 0.2 mA cm−2.
Micelle-directed self-assembly of single-crystal-like mesoporous stoichiometric oxides for high-performance lithium storage
Authors: Wan Yanhua , Wang Changyao , Zhang Xingmiao , Yin Yang , Liu Mengmeng , Ma Bing , Duan Linlin , Ma Yuzhu , Zhang Wei , Zheng Changlin , Chao Dongliang , Wang Fei , Xia Yongyao , Li Wei
Published: February 2024

Due to their uncontrollable assembly and crystallization process, the synthesis of mesoporous metal oxide single crystals remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis of single-crystal-like mesoporous Li2TiSiO5 by using soft micelles as templates. The key lies in the atomic-scale self-assembly and step-crystallization processes, which ensure the formation of single-crystal-like mesoporous Li2TiSiO5 microparticles via an oriented attachment growth mechanism under the confinement of an in-situ formed carbon matrix. The mesoporous Li2TiSiO5 anode achieves a superior rate capability (148 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A g−1) and outstanding long-term cycling stability (138 mAh g−1 after 3000 cycles at 2.0 A g−1) for lithium storage as a result of the ultrafast Li+ diffusion caused by penetrating mesochannels and nanosized crystal frameworks (5–10 nm). In comparison, bulk Li2TiSiO5 exhibits poor rate capability and cycle performance due to micron-scale diffusion lengths. This method is very simple and reproducible, heralding a new way of designing and synthesizing mesoporous single crystals with controllable frameworks and chemical functionalities.
Structural reforms and income distribution: new evidence for OECD countries
Authors: Wiese Rasmus , Jalles João Tovar , de Haan Jakob
Published: February 2024

This article examines the impact of labour market and product market reforms on income inequality for 25 OECD countries between 1970 and 2020, using the local projections approach and an updated narrative-based dataset of the reform indicators. Our results suggest that both types of (endogenized) market-oriented reforms increase income inequality, but the effects are small. Consistent with this finding is that counter-reforms lead to less income inequality. Our results also indicate that the inequality-increasing effect of market-oriented reforms is mostly a result of more income going to the top of the income distribution.
Evolution of accretion disk structure of the black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1820+070 during the rebrightening phase
Authors: Yoshitake Tomohiro , Shidatsu Megumi , Ueda Yoshihiro , Nogami Daisaku , Murata Katsuhiro L , Higuchi Narikazu , Isogai Keisuke , Maehara Hiroyuki , Mineshige Shin , Negoro Hitoshi , Kawai Nobuyuki , Yatsu Yoichi , Sasada Mahito , Takahashi Ichiro , Niwano Masafumi , Saito Tomoki , Takayama Masaki , Oasa Yumiko , Takarada Takuya , Shigeyoshi Takumi ,   OISTER Collaboration
Published: February 2024

To understand the evolution of global accretion disk structure in the “rebrightening” phase of MAXI J1820+070, we perform a comprehensive analysis of its near infrared/optical/UV to X-ray spectral energy distribution (SED) utilizing data obtained by OISTER, Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO), Swift, NICER, and NuSTAR in 2019. Optical spectra observed with Seimei telescope in 2019 and 2020 are also analyzed. On the basis of the optical and X-ray light curves and their flux ratios, we divide the whole phase into three periods, Periods I (flux rise), II (decay), and III (dim). In the first two periods, the source stayed in the low/hard state (LHS), where the X-ray (0.3–30 keV) and optical/UV SED can both be fitted with power-law models. We interpret that the X-ray emission arises from hot corona via Comptonization, whereas the optical/UV flux is dominated by synchrotron radiation from the jets, with a partial contribution from the irradiated disk. The optical/UV power-law component smoothly connects to a simultaneous radio flux, supporting its jet origin. Balmer line profiles in the optical spectra indicate that the inner radius of an irradiated disk slightly decreased from ∼2 × 105rg (Period I) to ∼1 × 105rg (Period II), where rg is the gravitational radius, implying a change of the hot corona geometry. In Period III, the SED can be reproduced by an advection-dominated accretion flow and jet emission. However, the double-peaked Hα emission line indicates that a cool disk remained at large radii.
La prise en charge des nourrissons de 90 jours ou moins, fiévreux mais dans un bon état général
Authors: Burstein Brett , Lirette Marie-Pier , Beck Carolyn , Chauvin-Kimoff Laurel , Chan Kevin
Published: February 2024

RÉsumÉ

On constate des pratiques très variées en matière d’évaluation et de prise en charge des jeunes nourrissons fiévreux. Bien que la plupart des jeunes nourrissons fiévreux mais dans un bon état général soient atteints d’une maladie virale, il est essentiel de détecter ceux qui sont à risque de présenter des infections bactériennes invasives, notamment une bactériémie et une méningite bactérienne. Le présent document de principes porte sur les nourrissons de 90 jours ou moins dont la température rectale est de 38,0 °C ou plus, mais qui semblent être dans un bon état général. Il est conseillé d’appliquer les récents critères de stratification du risque pour orienter la prise en charge, ainsi que d’intégrer la procalcitonine à l’évaluation diagnostique. Les décisions sur la prise en charge des nourrissons qui satisfont aux critères de faible risque devraient refléter la probabilité d’une maladie, tenir compte de l’équilibre entre les risques et les préjudices potentiels et faire participer les parents ou les proches aux décisions lorsque diverses options sont possibles. La prise en charge optimale peut également dépendre de considérations pragmatiques, telles que l’accès à des examens diagnostiques, à des unités d’observation, à des soins tertiaires et à un suivi. Des éléments particuliers, tels que la mesure de la température, le risque d’infection invasive à Herpes simplex et la fièvre postvaccinale, sont également abordés.
Management of well-appearing febrile young infants aged ≤90 days
Authors: Burstein Brett , Lirette Marie-Pier , Beck Carolyn , Chauvin-Kimoff Laurel , Chan Kevin
Published: February 2024

The evaluation and management of young infants presenting with fever remains an area of significant practice variation. While most well-appearing febrile young infants have a viral illness, identifying those at risk for invasive bacterial infections, specifically bacteremia and bacterial meningitis, is critical. This statement considers infants aged ≤90 days who present with a rectal temperature ≥38.0°C but appear well otherwise. Applying recent risk-stratification criteria to guide management and incorporating diagnostic testing with procalcitonin are advised. Management decisions for infants meeting low-risk criteria should reflect the probability of disease, consider the balance of risks and potential harm, and include parents/caregivers in shared decision-making when options exist. Optimal management may also be influenced by pragmatic considerations, such as access to diagnostic investigations, observation units, tertiary care, and follow-up. Special considerations such as temperature measurement, risk for invasive herpes simplex infection, and post-immunization fever are also discussed.
MYB transcription factors encoded by diversified tandem gene clusters cause varied Morella rubra fruit color
Authors: Xue Lei , Liu Xiaofen , Wang Wenli , Huang Dan , Ren Chuanhong , Huang Xiaorong , Yin Xueren , Lin-Wang Kui , Allan Andrew C , Chen Kunsong , Xu Changjie
Published: February 2024

Chinese bayberry (Morella rubra) is a fruit tree with a remarkable variation in fruit color, ranging from white to dark red as determined by anthocyanin content. In dark red “Biqi” (BQ), red “Dongkui” (DK), pink “Fenhong” (FH), and white “Shuijing” (SJ), we identified an anthocyanin-related MYB transcription factor-encoding gene cluster of four members, i.e. MrMYB1.1, MrMYB1.2, MrMYB1.3, and MrMYB2. Collinear analysis revealed that the MYB tandem cluster may have occurred in a highly conserved region of many eudicot genomes. Two alleles of MrMYB1.1 were observed; MrMYB1.1-1 (MrMYB1.1n) was a full-length allele and homozygous in “BQ”, MrMYB1.1-2 (MrMYB1.1d) was a nonfunctional allele with a single base deletion and homozygous in “SJ”, and MrMYB1.1n/MrMYB1.1d were heterozygous in “DK” and “FH”. In these four cultivars, expression of MrMYB1.1, MrMYB1.2, and MrMYB2 was enhanced during ripening. Both alleles were equally expressed in MrMYB1.1n/MrMYB1.1d heterozygous cultivars as revealed by a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker. Expression of MrMYB1.3 was restricted to some dark red cultivars only. Functional characterization revealed that MrMYB1.1n and MrMYB1.3 can induce anthocyanin accumulation while MrMYB1.1d, MrMYB1.2, and MrMYB2 cannot. DNA–protein interaction assays indicated that MrMYB1.1n and MrMYB1.3 can directly bind to and activate the promoters of anthocyanin-related genes via interaction with a MYC-like basic helix-loop-helix protein MrbHLH1. We concluded that the specific genotype of MrMYB1.1 alleles, as well as the exclusive expression of MrMYB1.3 in some dark red cultivars, contributes to fruit color variation. The study provides insights into the mechanisms for regulation of plant anthocyanin accumulation by MYB tandem clusters.
Understanding Artificial Agency
Authors: Dung Leonard
Published: February 2024

Which artificial intelligence (AI) systems are agents? To answer this question, I propose a multidimensional account of agency. According to this account, a system's agency profile is jointly determined by its level of goal-directedness and autonomy as well as is abilities for directly impacting the surrounding world, long-term planning and acting for reasons. Rooted in extant theories of agency, this account enables fine-grained, nuanced comparative characterizations of artificial agency. I show that this account has multiple important virtues and is more informative than alternatives. More speculatively, it may help to illuminate two important emerging questions in AI ethics: 1. Can agency contribute to the moral status of non-human beings, and how? 2. When and why might AI systems exhibit power-seeking behaviour and does this pose an existential risk to humanity?
Optimal Allocation via Waitlists: Simplicity Through Information Design
Authors: Ashlagi Itai , Monachou Faidra , Nikzad Afshin
Published: February 2024

We study non-monetary markets where objects that arrive over time are allocated to unit-demand agents with private types, such as in the allocation of public housing or deceased-donor organs. An agent’s value for an object is supermodular in her type and the object quality, and her payoff is her value minus her waiting cost. The social planner’s objective is a weighted sum of allocative efficiency (i.e. the sum of values) and welfare (i.e. the sum of payoffs). We identify optimal mechanisms in the class of direct-revelation mechanisms. When the social planner can design the information disclosed to the agents about the objects, the optimal mechanism has a simple implementation: a first-come first-served waitlist with deferrals. In this implementation, the object qualities are partitioned into intervals; only the interval containing the object quality is disclosed to agents. When the planner places a higher weight on welfare, optimal disclosure policies become coarser.
The information required by people with inflammatory arthritis when taking Methotrexate: a mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Logan Sarah J , Hider Samantha , Green Julie , Ryan Sarah J
Published: February 2024

Objectives

This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize knowledge of the characteristics, content, and preferred format of information to support people with inflammatory arthritis (IA) to take MTX.

Methods

A literature search using MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, GreyEU, Web of Science and Open Dissertation was conducted to identify all studies published from 2000 to December 2022. Included studies detailed factors related to MTX information needs of people aged ≥18 years with IA published in English. The Joanna Briggs Institute Guidelines (JBI) for convergent integrated mixed-methods systematic reviews were followed using validated tools for data extraction and quality. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Thirteen studies (seven quantitative, two mixed-methods and four qualitative) were included, involving 3425 adults, mainly female n = 2434 (71%), age 20–84 years. An overarching theme of a requirement for person-centred care was developed, with three interlinking themes: (1) accepting the need for treatment with MTX, (2) concerns about taking MTX, and (3) a need for tailored information and support. Limitations of the evidence included the use of heterogeneous outcome measures and instruments for measuring information needs.

Conclusion

People with IA have individual, multifaceted information and support needs about MTX that are often unresolved when a one-size-fits-all approach is used. The findings of this review can inform rheumatology training to support a person-centred approach to identifying and addressing the specific needs and concerns and development of consistent easy-to-understand accessible MTX information.
Fragmented QRS complex could predict all-cause mortality in patients with connective tissue disease–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Dai Jiayi , Liu Ting , Zhang Hang , Sun Xiaoxuan , Tang Yinghong , Qian Wei , Zhang Yue , Ye Huangshu , Shan Linwei , Li Lin , Du Mengdi , Li Dongyu , Zhu Yinsu , Ma Kefan , Liu Lin , Wang Qiang , Zhou Lei
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To investigate the prognostic impact and pathophysiological characteristics of fragmented QRS complex (fQRS) on patients with CTD-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH).

Methods

This was a multicentre retrospective study recruiting 141 patients with CTD-PAH diagnosed by right heart catheterization (114 cases in the discovery cohort and 27 cases in the validation cohort). fQRS and ST-T change were detected on conventional 12-lead ECG. Patients were followed up every 3 months to update their status and the primary endpoint was all-cause death. Clinical information and ECG characteristics were compared between survival and death groups and Kaplan–Meier curve was used for survival analysis.

Results

There were significant differences in age, gender, 6-min walk distance, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, World Health Organization class, presence of fQRS, and presence of ST-T change in inferior leads between survival group and death group. Inferior fQRS and ST-T change were significantly associated with right ventricular dilatation and reduced right ventricular ejection fraction. Kaplan–Meier curve showed that all-cause mortality was higher in CTD-PAH with fQRS (P = 0.003) and inferior ST-T change (P = 0.012). Low- and intermediate-risk CTD-PAH with inferior ST-T change had higher all-cause mortality (P = 0.005). The prognostic value of fQRS and inferior ST-T change was validated in external validation cohort.

Conclusion

The presence of inferior fQRS and ST-T change could predict poor prognosis in CTD-PAH.

Clinical trial registration

NCT05980728, https://clinicaltrials.gov.
Where are we now in biologic drugs for myositis?
Authors: Neves Ana , Viveiros Luísa , Venturelli Veronica , Isenberg David A
Published: February 2024

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of chronic autoimmune disorders. Up to 40% of IIM patients have long-term sequelae and significant functional disability. Its management can be challenging and new therapies are badly needed. The small number of cases with diverse presentations and different diagnostic criteria significantly affect clinical trial results. Only IVIG has been internationally approved for IIM patients. Most clinical trials of new biologic therapies have failed to meet their primary endpoints in IIM, with only one biologic drug recommended for refractory IIM treatment (rituximab), although not approved. We review several new emerging biologic drugs, including B cell depletion therapies, abatacept, Janus kinase inhibitors, and aldesleukin. Encouragingly, some phase II randomized controlled trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of new biologics in IIM, demonstrating an improvement in clinical and laboratory measures.
Seven-year follow-up atherosclerotic plaque progression in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome versus diabetes mellitus and healthy controls
Authors: Evangelatos Gerasimos , Tentolouris Nikolaos , Sfikakis Petros P , Tektonidou Maria G
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) carry a substantial burden of cardiovascular disease and subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to assess a 7-year follow-up atherosclerotic plaque progression in APS patients versus diabetes mellitus (DM) and healthy controls (HC).

Methods

Eighty-six patients with thrombotic APS, 86 with DM and 86 HC (all age- and sex-matched) who underwent a baseline ultrasound of carotid and femoral arteries were invited for a 7-year follow-up ultrasonography examination. We compared atherosclerosis progression among the three groups and examined determinants of plaque progression in APS patients.

Results

Sixty-four APS patients (75% females, 43.8% with primary APS), 58 patients with DM and 66 HC were included in the 7-year ultrasound re-evaluation. New plaque was detected in 51.6%, 36.2% and 25.8% of APS, DM and HC subjects, respectively. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and baseline plaque presence, APS patients showed a 3-fold (OR = 3.07, P = 0.007) higher risk for atherosclerosis progression versus HC and 2-fold (OR = 2.25, P = 0.047) higher risk than DM patients. In multivariate analysis in the APS group, plaque progression was independently associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) co-existence (OR = 7.78, P = 0.005) and number of CVRFs (OR = 3.02, P = 0.002), after adjusting for disease-related parameters and CVRF-related medications. Sustained low-density lipoprotein target attainment reduced plaque progression risk (OR = 0.34, P = 0.021).

Conclusion

Half of APS patients develop new atherosclerotic plaques over a 7-year follow-up, having a three-times higher risk versus HC. Concomitant SLE and number of traditional CVRFs are associated with plaque progression, supporting the need for thorough CVRF assessment and control.
Rethinking Part-Time Outsiders’ Risks and Welfare Attitudes
Authors: Helgøy Anna
Published: February 2024

The growth of atypical work has created a divide between insiders, with safe jobs, and outsiders, in fixed-term, part-time, and/or precarious work situations. Due to higher economic risk, outsiders support compensating social policies more than insiders. However, the same consistency has not been found in the attitudes of part-time outsiders. Consequently, this article suggests an expansion from the work-nexus to the care-nexus of welfare when examining these outsiders’ political behavior. Findings from a structural equation framework using Norwegian data (N = 2,254) from 2022 show that part-time outsiders experience higher risk of partner dependency, making them more likely to support optional familialism in family policy. As part-time work is strongly feminized, these findings have important implications for gender equality in the private and public spheres. Additionally, the results call for future research on insider/outsider dynamics to take both the work-nexus and care-nexus of the welfare state into account.
Certain fracture patterns in children/adolescents would be better called ‘Barton equivalent’ fractures
Authors: Cha Soo Min , Shin Hyun Dae , Ga In Ho , Kim Yong Hwan
Published: February 2024

We have encountered consecutive children/adolescents with a volar Barton fracture (VBF) pattern without involving the physis. These were managed by buttress plating; thus, we would like to report the radiological and clinical outcomes through retrospective case series and suggest the revisiting of the ‘VBF category’ in this population. We screened children/adolescents with a diagnosis of trauma to the bony structures in the wrist from 2008 to 2019. Of these patients, 16 who met our inclusion/exclusion criteria were investigated. At the final follow-up performed at least 2 years postoperatively, radiologic and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The mean age at the time of injury was 12.88 years old. At the final follow-up, the volar tiltings, radial inclinations and ulnar variances were 10.13°, 20.88° and −0.50 mm, respectively. None of these radiologic parameters were significantly different from the contralateral values, except the radial inclination. The mean visual analog scale score was 0.38. The mean range of motion arcs were 136.56° and 157.81° in the flexion-extension and pronation-supination arcs, respectively, and the grip strength was 22.00 kg. The mean modified Mayo Wrist Score was 92.8. The radiologic and clinical outcomes compared with the contralateral side were not significantly different from those in a previous report. A VBF pattern without involving the physis in the child/adolescent population was treated satisfactorily by buttress plating. Thus, including the previously reported ‘SH-II in sagittal plane’ injuries, the current injury pattern would be better called a ‘Barton equivalent’ fracture. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.