bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Outbreak of USA300 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Among People With HIV in Japan
Authors: Ikeuchi Kazuhiko , Adachi Eisuke , Sasaki Takashi , Suzuki Masato , Lim Lay Ahyoung , Saito Makoto , Koga Michiko , Tsutsumi Takeya , Kido Yasutoshi , Uehara Yuki , Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi
Published: October 2020

Background

USA300 produces Panton-Valentin leucocidin (PVL) and is known as a predominant community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain in the United States, but it was extremely rare in Japan. We report here an outbreak of USA300 in people with HIV (PWH) in Tokyo, Japan.

Methods

We analyzed the cases of PVL-MRSA infection between 2010 and 2020 and screened for nasal colonization of PVL-MRSA in PWH who visited an HIV/AIDS referral hospital from December 2019 to March 2020. Whole-genome sequencing-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed on these isolates.

Results

During the study period, a total of 21 PVL-MRSA infections in 14 patients were identified after 2014. The carriage prevalence was 4.3% (12/277) and PVL-MRSA carriers were more likely to have sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within a year compared with patients who had neither a history of PVL-MRSA infection nor colonization (33.3% [4/12] vs 10.1% [26/258]; P = .03). SNP analysis showed that all 26 isolates were ST8-SCCmecIVa-USA300. Twenty-four isolates were closely related (≤100 SNP differences) and had the nonsynonymous SNPs associated with carbohydrate metabolism and antimicrobial tolerance.

Conclusions

An outbreak of USA300 has been occurring among PWH in Tokyo and a history of STI was a risk of colonization.
“I Want to Look Transgender”: Anti-Assimilation, Gender Self-Determination, and Confronting White Supremacy in the Creation of a Just Judaism
Authors: Crasnow S J
Published: October 2020

In this article, I consider transgender identity and white Jewish identity to argue that “passing” or normative assimilation is a trap, in that it extends the offer of privilege to individuals who can “successfully” conform within the confines of normativity, while leaving intact, or even reifying, the oppressive systems that are at work. As a corrective to normative assimilation, I consider alternative models for Jewish life offered by nonnormative Jewish communities that resist these oppressive norms. I further argue for the normativity and privileging of “passing” to be replaced with a non-hierarchical approach that lets all genders, all Jewish (and other) identities, be treated as valid or “real.”
Identification of Variants in Alpha-1-Antitrypsin by High Resolution Melting
Authors: Bidla Gawa , Rosenblatt David S , Gilfix Brian M
Published: October 2020

Background

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is one of the most common hereditary disorders occurring in populations of European origin and is due to variants in SERPINA1, which encodes a protease inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, limiting lung damage from this enzyme. The World Health Organization has recommended that individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma be tested for AATD. The development of inexpensive and simple genetic testing will help to meet this goal.

Methods

Primers and synthetic SERPINA1 gene fragments (gBlocks) were designed for 5 AATD-associated variants. PCR was run on a CFX96 Thermal Cycler with High Resolution Melting (HRM) capacity and data analyzed using the supplied HRM-analysis software. Genomic DNA from individuals (n = 86) genotyped for the S and Z variants were used for validation. HRM-analysis was performed on 3 additional samples with low alpha-1-antitrypsin levels inconsistent with the genotype determined in our clinical laboratory.

Results

Unique normalized melt curve and difference curve patterns were identified for the AAT variants Z, S, I, F, and MMalton using gBlocks. Similar curve shapes were seen when these primers were used to analyze the gDNA samples. HRM identified the genotypes of the gDNA correctly with 100% concordance. The curve shapes of some samples did not match the melting patterns of the targeted variant. Sequencing was used to identify the variants, including rare AATD variants c.1108_1115delinsAAAAACA (p.Glu370Lysfs*31) and c.1130dup (p.Leu377fs).

Conclusion

We developed a rapid and inexpensive HRM-analysis method for genotyping of Z, S, MMalton, I, and F variants that was also capable of detecting other variants.
Rapid Detection of Adulteration in Dendrobium huoshanense Using NIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometric Methods
Authors: Hao Jing-Wen , Chen Yue , Chen Nai-Dong , Qin Chao-Feng
Published: October 2020

Background

Dendrobium huoshanense (DHS) is a typical traditional Chinese medicine with unique medical and high economic values; however, it may easily be adulterated with cheaper alternatives (e.g. Dendrobium henanese, DHN), because of their similar appearances and tastes.

Objective

In this study, adulteration of DHN in DHS was detected by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods.

Methods

By performing partial least squares (PLS) analysis, PLS multivariate methods including partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and partial least-squares regressions (PLSR) were applied to the obtained spectral data to build models. The PLS-DA model was employed to differentiate between pure DHS samples and those adulterated with DHN.

Results

The R2 value obtained for the PLS-DA model was 0.4898 with an RMSEP error of 0.1554, resulting in a 100% accuracy of validation sample sets. Similarly, a PLSR model was also developed to quantify the amount of DHN adulterant in DHS samples. Experimental results indicated that the good performance of the multiplicative scattering correction (MSC) model is the better model showing a prediction performance of RMSEP of 2.38 and R2 of 0.9946.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the combination of NIR spectroscopy and chemometric method provides a fast, simple and reliable method for detecting adulteration of DHS.

Highlights

The method of classification allowed identification of both authentic and adulterated DHS samples. Comparison of six different techniques for spectra preprocessing to improve quantitative model performance was obtained with MSC derivative spectra. The method can detect most of the current DHS adulterations in the Chinese market.
Glycosylation decreases aggregation and immunogenicity of adalimumab Fab secreted fromPichia pastoris
Authors: Nakamura Hitomi , Kiyoshi Masato , Anraku Makoto , Hashii Noritaka , Oda-Ueda Naoko , Ueda Tadashi , Ohkuri Takatoshi
Published: October 2020

Glycoengineering of therapeutic proteins has been applied to improve the clinical efficacy of several therapeutics. Here, we examined the effect of glycosylation on the properties of the Fab of the therapeutic antibody, adalimumab. An N-glycosylation site was introduced at position 178 of the H chain constant region of adalimumab Fab through site-directed mutagenesis (H:L178N Fab), and the H:L178N Fab was produced in Pichia pastoris. Expressed mutant Fab contained long and short glycan chains (L-glyco Fab and S-glyco Fab, respectively). Under the condition of aggregation of Fab upon pH shift-induced stress, both of L-glyco Fab and S-glyco Fab were less prone to aggregation, with L-glyco Fab suppressing aggregation more effectively than the S-glyco Fab. Moreover, the comparison of the antigenicity of glycosylated and wild-type Fabs in mice revealed that glycosylation resulted in the suppression of antigenicity. Analysis of the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the Fab, L-glyco Fab and S-glyco Fab indicated that the half-lives of glycosylated Fabs in the rats were shorter than that of wild-type Fab, with L-glyco Fab having a shorter half-life than S-glyco Fab. Thus, we demonstrated that the glycan chain influences Fab aggregation and immunogenicity, and glycosylation reduces the elimination half-life in vivo.
The Impact of No Next of Kin Decision Makers on End-of-Life Care
Authors: Ota Ryan K , Johnson Maxwell B , Pickering Trevor A , Garner Warren L , Gillenwater T Justin , Yenikomshian Haig A
Published: October 2020

For critically ill burn patients without a next of kin, the medical team is tasked with becoming the surrogate decision maker. This poses ethical and legal challenges for burn providers. Despite this frequent problem, there has been no investigation of how the presence of a next of kin affects treatment in burn patients. To evaluate this relationship, a retrospective chart review was performed on a cohort of patients who died during the acute phase of their burn care. Variables collected included age, gender, length of stay, total body surface area, course of treatment, and presence of a next of kin. In total, 67 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 14 (21%) did not have a next of kin involved in medical decisions. Patients without a next of kin were significantly younger (P = .02), more likely to be homeless (P < .01), had higher total body surface area burns (P = .008), had shorter length of stay (P < .001), and were five times less likely to receive comfort care (P = .01). Differences in gender and ethnicity were not statistically significant. We report that patients without a next of kin present to participate in medical decisions are transitioned to comfort care less often despite having a higher burden of injury. This disparity in standard of care demonstrates a need for a cultural shift in burn care to prevent the suffering of these marginalized patients. Burn providers should be empowered to reduce suffering when no decision maker is present.
Molecular and Morphological Identification of Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Species From Asian Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Myanmar
Authors: Myint Yee Yee , Bai Shuxiong , Zhang Tiantao , Babendreier Dirk , He Kanglai , Wang Zhenying
Published: October 2020

The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), is the most devastating maize pest in Myanmar. The damage caused by this pest has become a significant obstacle to farmers’ income and the national economy. Control of O. furnacalis is challenging due to its protected feeding sites and the crop’s height during later phases of the pest’s attack. Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitoids have been used successfully against corn borers in other countries, but knowledge on the species composition in Myanmar is limited. As a first step for potential biological control of Asian corn borer in Myanmar, Trichogramma were collected from major maize growing regions. Identification was performed based on both morphological and molecular techniques. The majority of collected specimens were identified as Trichogramma ostriniae Pang and Chen, T. chilonis Ishii, and T. dendrolimi Matsumura. This is the first report on the composition of Trichogramma species, and an important step towards the establishment of biological control against O. furnacalis in Myanmar.
A towed-type shallow high-resolution seismic detection system for coastal tidal flats and its application in Eastern China
Authors: Yue Hangyu , Zhang Baowei , Wang Kai , Wang Dayong , Wang Guangke , Wang Xiaojiang , Zhang Kai , Li Jinli
Published: October 2020

Restricted by detective equipment and tidal influence seriously, coastal tidal flats are often treated as the transition belt of paralic zone in terms of seismic detection, causing low exploration degree and accuracy in these areas. What is worse, conventional shallow seismic method has a complex system and low acquisition efficiency, which cannot meet the requirements for high-efficiency acquisition in tidal flats. To solve these problems, a towed shallow seismic detection system is specially established for coastal tidal areas, mainly including electric spark source and towable ship-type geophone strings. After comparisons, some advantages of this method are obtained, such as high efficiency, low cost and reliability. Furthermore, its detective accuracy and depth can reach the meter level and more than 800 m, respectively. Then, a series of shallow seismic processing methods are improved for coastal tidal flats. Deconvolution and velocity analysis are emphatically introduced to multiple-wave attenuation. A short array of this towable detection can keep a far more effective wave from being cut off because of its small NMO stretch. Last but not least, the towable method in coastal tidal-flat zones can successfully identify the stratigraphic structure, interface, palaeo-channel, concealed active fault and submarine shallow gas in Jiangsu Coast, Eastern China, which has great practical results and significance for geological and environmental surveys, as well as scientific geo-hazard prevention and mitigation in these areas.
Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis and bone marrow aspirate concentrate compared with microfracture for arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and chondral lesions of the hip: bridging the osteoarthritis gap and facilitating enhanced recovery
Authors: Sobti Anshul S , Baryeh Kwaku W , Woolf Rex , Chana Rishi
Published: October 2020

In an attempt to bridge the osteoarthritis (OA) gap, this study compared biological reconstruction with traditional microfracture (MF) techniques in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and focal cartilage defects. Cohorts of two groups were investigated; age, gender and Tonnis grade matched comparison for outcomes between MF and newer biological reconstruction techniques hip arthroscopy surgery using autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis and bone marrow aspirate combination. Outcomes investigated were pre-op and post-op mean iHOT-12 scores up to 18 months after surgery with a Kaplan–Meier survivorship analysis. Of 111 patients, 46 patients underwent MF and 65 biological reconstruction hip arthroscopy including cam/pincer osteoplasty and labral repair surgery. Age range was 20–69, mean age 45 years for both groups, Tonnis grading was as follows: Grade 0: 26% versus 30%, Grade 1: 52% versus 47% and Grade 2: 22% versus 23% in MF and biological reconstruction groups, respectively. The mean post-operative iHOT-12 score differences between MF and biological reconstruction were significant at 1-year minimum follow-up (P = 0.01, SD 2.8). Biological reconstruction allowed for an enhanced recovery protocol. The MF group had a 67.4% survivorship for conversion to hip replacement at 18 months (32.6% failure rate for any reason) and biological reconstruction had 100% survivorship at 18 months post-operatively with no failures for any reason. This study provides further support to the evidence base for biological reconstructive techniques as superior to MF in combination with joint preservation arthroscopic surgery, even in the face of focal cartilage defects and offers both surgeons and patients a potential bridging of the OA gap.
A management of neutropenia using granulocyte colony stimulating factor support for chemotherapy consisted of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Katada Chikatoshi , Sugawara Mitsuhiro , Hara Hiroki , Fujii Hirofumi , Nakajima Takako Eguchi , Ando Takayuki , Kojima Takashi , Watanabe Akinori , Sakamoto Yasutoshi , Ishikawa Hideki , Hosokawa Ayumu , Hamamoto Yasuo , Muto Manabu , Tahara Makoto , Koizumi Wasaburo
Published: October 2020

Background

An exploratory study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of granulocyte colony stimulating factor support for chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in patients with oesophageal cancer.

Methods

The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, (2) a schedule to receive three courses of induction chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m2 day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 day 1, 5-fluorouracil 750 mg/m2 days 1–5, every 3 weeks), (3) stage IB-III, (4) 20–75 years old, (5) 0–1 performance status, (6) preserved organ functions and (7) written informed consent. The endpoints were to evaluate the efficacy of granulocyte colony stimulating factor support including secondary prophylactic usage for docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy. Patients who previously had ‘febrile neutropenia’, or ‘Grade 3 or 4 infection accompanied by grade 3 or 4 neutropenia’ prophylactically received granulocyte colony stimulating factor support from day 7.

Results

A total of 91 patients were included in the analysis. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor support was given to 81.3%. The incidence of grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were 81.3 and 32.9%, respectively. The dose of anticancer agents was reduced in 48.4%. There were no treatment-related deaths. The relative dose intensity of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were 92.7 ± 9.8%, 86.0 ± 15.6% and 91.8 ± 10.0%, respectively. In the secondary prophylactic granulocyte colony stimulating factor support group, the neutrophil count significantly increased between day 7 and day 13 as compared with the non-prophylactic granulocyte colony stimulating factor support group (P < 0.05 for each day).

Conclusions

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor support including secondary prophylactic usage may be feasible for maintaining the intensity of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in patients with oesophageal cancer.
Electoral Systems, Selection, and Re-election: Evidence from Italian Municipalities
Authors: Gulino Giorgio
Published: October 2020

Using micro-level data on local Italian elections and exploiting a discontinuity at a population cutoff, I study the effect of electoral systems on politician selection and re-election. Evidence shows that the mayor’s probability of re-election is 25 percentage points higher in majoritarian systems than in proportional systems. Ruling coalitions elected under the majoritarian system enjoy a stable and long-lasting majority, attract more central transfers, and invest more in public libraries. While mayors elected under the two different electoral systems do not differ in any observable characteristics, they do tend to embark on a different political careers once they lose their municipal office. Surprisingly, mayors elected under the proportional system have a higher probability of being elected to regional offices after their mandate. (JEL D72, H70, P16)
Attendance of adult males at maternity roosts of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)
Authors: O’Shea Thomas J , Stanley Thomas R , Neubaum Daniel J , Neubaum Melissa A , Pearce Roger D , Bowen Richard A
Published: October 2020

Adult male big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) sometimes occur within maternity roosts. We investigated male attendance at big brown bat maternity roosts in a Colorado study area that shows a pattern of sexual segregation by elevation. We tested multiple predictions of three nonmutually exclusive hypotheses to explain male attendance patterns: 1) sex-specific differences in energetic strategies of males and females are maintained at the lower elevation; 2) natal philopatry of inexperienced young males accounts for most attendants; 3) males gain a reproductive advantage for late summer mating at maternity roosts. We tested predictions based on captures of bats at emergence, automated monitoring of annual, seasonal, and daily roost attendance by known-age bats tagged with passive integrated transponders, and anatomical evidence for mating. Findings were most consistent with the first two hypotheses. Adult males accounted for just 3.1% of 8,192 captures of bats at 285 evening emergences from 46 roosts during 2001–2005. Daily attendance rates of males during each active season (0.10 detections/day at age 1 year and 0.20 detections/day at ≥ 2 years old) were lower than in females (0.34 at age 1 year and 0.45 at ≥ 2 years old). Only 92 of 299 males tagged as volant juveniles were detected as adults at five maternity roosts monitored 2002–2005, far fewer than female returns in every age category. We detected known-age adult males almost exclusively at their natal roosts and most males that returned (91 of 92) in years after tagging as juveniles were first detected as 1-year-olds; 20 of 21 individuals that returned at 2–4 years of age were previously detected as 1-year-olds. One-year-old males were re-encountered at annual rates 5–16 times higher than 2- to 4-year-old males, and 1-year-old males and females had lower daily attendance rates than older bats. The male reproductive advantage hypothesis was not well supported. None of 80 females examined in late summer had evidence of insemination, and not all males showed distended scrota. Daily attendance rates of tagged adult males (n = 155) and females (n = 788) were lowest during late summer, suggesting that little reproductive advantage was accrued by males utilizing maternity roosts. Attendance of male big brown bats at maternity roosts at our study area is consistent with the sex-specific energetic strategies and natal philopatry hypotheses, and mating probably occurs at higher elevation autumn roosts and hibernacula.
Phase-shifting electron holography for accurate measurement of potential distributions in organic and inorganic semiconductors
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuo , Anada Satoshi , Sato Takeshi , Yoshimoto Noriyuki , Hirayama Tsukasa
Published: October 2020

Phase-shifting electron holography (PS-EH) is an interference transmission electron microscopy technique that accurately visualizes potential distributions in functional materials, such as semiconductors. In this paper, we briefly introduce the features of the PS-EH that overcome some of the issues facing the conventional EH based on Fourier transformation. Then, we present a high-precision PS-EH technique with multiple electron biprisms and a sample preparation technique using a cryo-focused-ion-beam, which are important techniques for the accurate phase measurement of semiconductors. We present several applications of PS-EH to demonstrate the potential in organic and inorganic semiconductors and then discuss the differences by comparing them with previous reports on the conventional EH. We show that in situ biasing PS-EH was able to observe not only electric potential distribution but also electric field and charge density at a GaAs p–n junction and clarify how local band structures, depletion layer widths and space charges changed depending on the biasing conditions. Moreover, the PS-EH clearly visualized the local potential distributions of two-dimensional electron gas layers formed at AlGaN/GaN interfaces with different Al compositions. We also report the results of our PS-EH application for organic electroluminescence multilayers and point out the significant potential changes in the layers. The proposed PS-EH enables more precise phase measurement compared to the conventional EH, and our findings introduced in this paper will contribute to the future research and development of high-performance semiconductor materials and devices.
Nitric oxide signalling in plant nanobiology: current status and perspectives
Authors: Kolbert Zsuzsanna , Szőllősi Réka , Feigl Gábor , Kónya Zoltán , Rónavári Andrea
Published: October 2020

Plant nanobiology as a novel research field provides a scientific basis for the agricultural use of nanoparticles (NPs). Plants respond to the presence of nanomaterials by synthesizing signal molecules, such as the multifunctional gaseous nitric oxide (NO). Several reports have described the effects of different nanomaterials (primarily chitosan NPs, metal oxide NPs, and carbon nanotubes) on endogenous NO synthesis and signalling in different plant species. Other works have demonstrated the ameliorating effect of exogenous NO donor (primarily sodium nitroprusside) treatments on NP-induced stress. NO-releasing NPs are preferred alternatives to chemical NO donors, and evaluating their effects on plants has recently begun. Previous studies clearly indicate that endogenous NO production in the presence of nanomaterials or NO levels increased by exogenous treatments (NO-releasing NPs or chemical NO donors) exerts growth-promoting and stress-ameliorating effects in plants. Furthermore, an NP-based nanosensor for NO detection in plants has been developed, providing a new and excellent perspective for basic research and also for the evaluation of plants’ health status in agriculture.
Case Series of Arterial Gas Embolism Incidents in U.S. Navy Pressurized Submarine Escape Training From 2018 to 2019
Authors: Edgar Mia , Franco Michael A , Dainer Hugh M
Published: October 2020

The goal of Pressurized Submarine Escape Training (PSET) is to prepare future submariners for the physical and mental challenges of escaping a disabled submarine and promote proper handling of the Beaufort Ltd Mk 11 Submarine Escape and Immersion Equipment suit. Training participants are only permitted to enter PSET after strict health screening protocols have been met to optimize trainees’ safety. Before PSET, trainees are given detailed, one-on-one instruction on proper ascent mechanics by specially trained Navy Dive instructors.

Since the reinstatement of PSET by the U.S. Navy, four incidents of arterial gas embolism (AGE) have occurred in submarine trainees with a 10-year period (2009-2019). Of these four incidents, three were observed within a couple months of each other from 2018 to 2019. A comprehensive review of AGE history, epidemiology, dive physiology, pathophysiology, and management was completed. Prompted by the recent incidents relative to the low reported incidence rate of AGE in historical PSET training, reported potential risk factors were compared with better understand potential etiologies of AGE in already medically screened individuals. Risks and benefits of PSET were listed, compared, and analyzed. The relative safety and cost effectiveness of this rigorous form of training was reconfirmed.
Evidence of vertical abundance stratification in the SB1 star HD 161660: a new HgMn
Authors: Catanzaro G , Giarrusso M , Munari M , Leone F
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we present a detailed spectroscopic study of the SB1 system HD 161660. New spectroscopic observations have been obtained by us with Catania Astrophysical Observatory Spectropolarimeter (CAOS@OAC). Combining these observations with archive data from HARPS@3.6ESO, we derived atmospheric parameters as temperature and gravity (from the fit of Balmer lines), microturbulence and rotational velocity (from metal lines), and chemical composition. We found underabundances of helium, carbon, magnesium, sulphur and chromium, overabundances of neon, phosphorus, argon, manganese, xenon, and mercury. All other elements have solar composition. In particular, mercury abundance is derived taking into account an isotopic mixture different from the terrestrial one (essentially pure 202Hg). Considering this chemical pattern, we definitively confirm HD 161660 is an HgMn star. Further, variability of equivalent widths points out a non-homogeneous distribution of helium and magnesium over stellar surface. As to iron and phosphorus, we found a non-constant abundance with the optical depth, a result currently considered an evidence of vertical stratification. Finally, we improved the fundamental parameters characterizing the HD 161660 orbit.
Eccentric tidal disruption event discs around supermassive black holes: dynamics and thermal emission
Authors: Zanazzi J J , Ogilvie Gordon I
Published: October 2020

After the tidal disruption event (TDE) of a star around a supermassive black hole (SMBH), if the stellar debris stream rapidly circularizes and forms a compact disc, the TDE emission is expected to peak in the soft X-ray or far ultraviolet (UV). The fact that many TDE candidates are observed to peak in the near UV and optical has challenged conventional TDE emission models. By idealizing a disc as a nested sequence of elliptical orbits that communicate adiabatically via pressure forces, and are heated by energy dissipated during the circularization of the nearly parabolic debris streams, we investigate the dynamics and thermal emission of highly eccentric TDE discs, including the effect of general-relativistic apsidal precession from the SMBH. We calculate the properties of uniformly precessing, apsidally aligned, and highly eccentric TDE discs, and find highly eccentric disc solutions exist for realistic TDE properties (SMBH and stellar mass, periapsis distance, etc.). Taking into account compressional heating (cooling) near periapsis (apoapsis), we find our idealized eccentric disc model can produce emission consistent with the X-ray and UV/optical luminosities of many optically bright TDE candidates. Our work attempts to quantify the thermal emission expected from the shock-heating model for TDE emission, and finds stream–stream collisions are a promising way to power optically bright TDEs.
An updated detailed characterization of planes of satellites in the MW and M31
Authors: Santos-Santos Isabel M , Domínguez-Tenreiro Rosa , Pawlowski Marcel S
Published: October 2020

We present a detailed characterization of planes of satellite galaxies in the Milky Way (MW) and M31. For a positional analysis, we introduce an extension to the ‘4-galaxy-normal density plot’ method from Pawlowski, Kroupa & Jerjen. It finds the normal directions to the predominant planar configurations of satellites of a system, yielding for each a collection of planes of increasing member satellites. This allows to quantify the quality of planes in terms of population (Nsat) and spatial flattening (c/a). We apply this method to the latest data for confirmed MW and M31 satellite samples, with 46 and 34 satellites, respectively. New MW satellites form part of planes previously identified from a smaller sample of Nsat= 27: we identify a new plane with Nsat = 39 as thin as the VPOS-3 (c/a ∼ 0.2), and with roughly the same normal direction; so far the most populated plane that thin reported in the Local Group. We introduce a new method to determine, using kinematic data, the axis of maximum co-orbitation of MW satellites. Interestingly, this axis approximately coincides with the normal to the former plane: $\ge 45\pm 5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of satellites co-orbit. In M31 we discover a plane with Nsat = 18 and c/a ∼ 0.15, i.e. quality comparable to the GPoA, and perpendicular to it. This structure is viewed face-on from the Sun making it susceptible to M31 satellite distance uncertainties. An estimation of the perpendicular velocity dispersion suggests that it is dynamically unstable. Finally we find that mass is not a property determining a satellite’s membership to good quality planes.
Power-law spectra from stochastic acceleration
Authors: Lemoine Martin , Malkov Mikhail A
Published: October 2020

Numerical simulations of particle acceleration in magnetized turbulence have recently observed power-law spectra where pile-up distributions are rather expected. We interpret this as evidence for particle segregation based on acceleration rate, which is likely related to a non-trivial dependence of the efficacy of acceleration on phase space variables other than the momentum. We describe the corresponding transport in momentum space using continuous-time random walks, in which the time between two consecutive momentum jumps becomes a random variable. We show that power laws indeed emerge when the experimental (simulation) time-scale does not encompass the full extent of the distribution of waiting times. We provide analytical solutions, which reproduce dedicated numerical Monte Carlo realizations of the stochastic process, as well as analytical approximations. Our results can be readily extrapolated for applications to astrophysical phenomenology.
Recycled pulsars with multipolar magnetospheres from accretion-induced magnetic burial
Authors: Suvorov A G , Melatos A
Published: October 2020

Many millisecond pulsars are thought to be old neutron stars spun up (‘recycled’) during an earlier accretion phase. They typically have relatively weak (≲109 G) dipole field strengths, consistent with accretion-induced magnetic burial. Recent data from the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer indicate that hotspots atop the recycled pulsar PSR J0030–0451 are not antipodal, so that the magnetic field cannot be that of a centred dipole. In this paper it is shown that multipolarity is naturally expected in the burial scenario because of equatorial field line compression. Grad–Shafranov equilibria are constructed to show how magnetic multipole moments can be calculated in terms of various properties, such as the amount of accreted mass and the crustal equation of state.
AstroSat view of GRS 1915+105 during the soft state: detection of HFQPOs and estimation of mass and spin
Authors: Sreehari H , Nandi Anuj , Das Santabrata , Agrawal V K , Mandal Samir , Ramadevi M C , Katoch Tilak
Published: October 2020

We report the results of AstroSat observations of GRS 1915+105 obtained using 100 ks Guaranteed Time during the soft state. The colour–colour diagram indicates a variability class of δ with the detection of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillation (HFQPO) in the power density spectra. The HFQPO is seen to vary in the frequency range of 67.96–70.62 Hz with percentage rms ∼0.83–1.90 per cent and significance varying from 1.63 to 7.75. The energy dependent power spectra show that the HFQPO features are dominant only in 6–25 keV energy band. The broad-band energy spectra (0.7–50 keV) of Soft X-ray Telescope and Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter modelled with nthComp and powerlaw imply that the source has an extended corona in addition to a compact ‘Comptonizing corona’ that produces high-energy emission and exhibits HFQPOs. The broad-band spectral modelling indicates that the source spectra are well described by thermal Comptonization with electron temperature (kTe) of 2.07–2.43 keV and photon index (Γnth) between 1.73 and 2.45 with an additional powerlaw component of photon index (ΓPL) between 2.94 and 3.28. The norm of nthComp component is high (∼8) during the presence of strong HFQPO and low (∼3) during the absence of HFQPO. Further, we model the energy spectra with the kerrbb model to estimate the accretion rate, mass, and spin of the source. Our findings indicate that the source accretes at super-Eddington rate of $1.17\!-\!1.31~ \dot{M}_{\rm Edd}$. Moreover, we find the mass and spin of the source as 12.44–13.09 M⊙ and 0.990–0.997 with $90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence suggesting that GRS 1915+105 is a maximally rotating stellar mass X-ray binary black hole source.
Modified virial theorem for highly magnetized white dwarfs
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Banibrata , Sarkar Arnab , Tout Christopher A
Published: October 2020

Generally the virial theorem provides a relation between various components of energy integrated over a system. This helps us to understand the underlying equilibrium. Based on the virial theorem we can estimate, for example, the maximum allowed magnetic field in a star. Recent studies have proposed the existence of highly magnetized white dwarfs (B-WDs), with masses significantly higher than the Chandrasekhar limit. Surface magnetic fields of such white dwarfs could be more than $10^{9}$ G with the central magnitude several orders higher. These white dwarfs could be significantly smaller in size than their ordinary counterparts (with surface fields restricted to about $10^9$ G). In this paper, we reformulate the virial theorem for non-rotating B-WDs in which, unlike in previous formulations, the contribution of the magnetic pressure to the magnetohydrostatic balance cannot be neglected. Along with the new equation of magnetohydrostatic equilibrium, we approach the problem by invoking magnetic flux conservation and by varying the internal magnetic field with the matter density as a power law. Either of these choices is supported by previous independent work and neither violates any important physics. They are useful while there is no prior knowledge of field profile within a white dwarf. We then compute the modified gravitational, thermal, and magnetic energies and examine how the magnetic pressure influences the properties of such white dwarfs. Based on our results we predict important properties of these B-WDs, which turn out to be independent of our chosen field profiles.
Failed and delayed protostellar outflows with high-mass accretion rates
Authors: Machida Masahiro N , Hosokawa Takashi
Published: October 2020

The evolution of protostellar outflows is investigated under different mass accretion rates in the range ∼10−5–$10^{-2}\, {\rm M}_\odot$ yr−1 with 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations. A powerful outflow always appears in strongly magnetized clouds with $B_0 \gtrsim B_{\rm 0, cr}\, =10^{-4} (M_{\rm cl}/100\, {\rm M}_\odot)$ G, where Mcl is the cloud mass. When a cloud has a weaker magnetic field, the outflow does not evolve promptly with a high-mass accretion rate. In some cases with moderate magnetic fields B0 slightly smaller than B0, cr, the outflow growth is suppressed or delayed until the infalling envelope dissipates and the ram pressure around the protostellar system is significantly reduced. In such an environment, the outflow begins to grow and reaches a large distance only during the late accretion phase. On the other hand, the protostellar outflow fails to evolve and is finally collapsed by the strong ram pressure when a massive (≳ 100 M⊙) initial cloud is weakly magnetized with B0 ≲ 100 μG. The failed outflow creates a toroidal structure that is supported by magnetic pressure and encloses the protostar and disc system. Our results indicate that high-mass stars form only in strongly magnetized clouds, if all high-mass protostars possess a clear outflow. If we would observe either very weak or no outflow around evolved protostars, it means that strong magnetic fields are not necessarily required for high-mass star formation. In any case, we can constrain the high-mass star formation process from observations of outflows.
MUSE Analysis of Gas around Galaxies (MAGG) – II: metal-enriched halo gas around z ∼ 1 galaxies
Authors: Dutta Rajeshwari , Fumagalli Michele , Fossati Matteo , Lofthouse Emma K , Prochaska J Xavier , Arrigoni Battaia Fabrizio , Bielby Richard M , Cantalupo Sebastiano , Cooke Ryan J , Murphy Michael T , O’Meara John M
Published: October 2020

We present a study of the metal-enriched cool halo gas traced by Mg ii absorption around 228 galaxies at z ∼ 0.8–1.5 within 28 quasar fields from the MUSE Analysis of Gas around Galaxies survey. We observe no significant evolution in the Mg ii equivalent width versus impact parameter relation and in the Mg ii covering fraction compared to surveys at z ≲ 0.5. The stellar mass, along with distance from galaxy centre, appears to be the dominant factor influencing the Mg ii absorption around galaxies. With a sample that is 90 per cent complete down to a star formation rate of ≈0.1 $\rm M_\odot yr^{-1}$ and up to impact parameters ≈250–350 kpc from quasars, we find that the majority ($67^{+12}_{-15}$ per cent or 14/21) of the Mg ii absorption systems are associated with more than one galaxy. The complex distribution of metals in these richer environments adds substantial scatter to previously reported correlations. Multiple galaxy associations show on average five times stronger absorption and three times higher covering fraction within twice the virial radius than isolated galaxies. The dependence of Mg ii absorption on galaxy properties disfavours the scenario in which a widespread intragroup medium dominates the observed absorption. This leaves instead gravitational interactions among group members or hydrodynamic interactions of the galaxy haloes with the intragroup medium as favoured mechanisms to explain the observed enhancement in the Mg ii absorption strength and cross-section in rich environments.
Magnetic fields in star-forming systems – II: Examining dust polarization, the Zeeman effect, and the Faraday rotation measure as magnetic field tracers
Authors: Reissl Stefan , Stutz Amelia M , Klessen Ralf S , Seifried Daniel , Walch Stefanie
Published: October 2020

The degree to which the formation and evolution of clouds and filaments in the interstellar medium is regulated by magnetic fields remains an open question. Yet the fundamental properties of the fields (strength and 3D morphology) are not readily observable. We investigate the potential for recovering magnetic field information from dust polarization, the Zeeman effect, and the Faraday rotation measure (RM) in a SILCC-Zoom magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) filament simulation. The object is analysed at the onset of star formation and it is characterized by a line-mass of about $\mathrm{\left(M/L\right) \sim 63\ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }\ pc^{-1}}$ out to a radius of $1\,$ pc and a kinked 3D magnetic field morphology. We generate synthetic observations via polaris radiative transfer (RT) post-processing and compare with an analytical model of helical or kinked field morphology to help interpreting the inferred observational signatures. We show that the tracer signals originate close to the filament spine. We find regions along the filament where the angular dependence with the line of sight (LOS) is the dominant factor and dust polarization may trace the underlying kinked magnetic field morphology. We also find that reversals in the recovered magnetic field direction are not unambiguously associated to any particular morphology. Other physical parameters, such as density or temperature, are relevant and sometimes dominant compared to the magnetic field structure in modulating the observed signal. We demonstrate that the Zeeman effect and the RM recover the line-of-sight magnetic field strength to within a factor 2.1–3.4. We conclude that the magnetic field morphology may not be unambiguously determined in low-mass systems by observations of dust polarization, Zeeman effect, or RM, whereas the field strengths can be reliably recovered.
A Bayesian Mutation–Selection Framework for Detecting Site-Specific Adaptive Evolution in Protein-Coding Genes
Authors: Rodrigue Nicolas , Latrille Thibault , Lartillot Nicolas
Published: October 2020

In recent years, codon substitution models based on the mutation–selection principle have been extended for the purpose of detecting signatures of adaptive evolution in protein-coding genes. However, the approaches used to date have either focused on detecting global signals of adaptive regimes—across the entire gene—or on contexts where experimentally derived, site-specific amino acid fitness profiles are available. Here, we present a Bayesian site-heterogeneous mutation–selection framework for site-specific detection of adaptive substitution regimes given a protein-coding DNA alignment. We offer implementations, briefly present simulation results, and apply the approach on a few real data sets. Our analyses suggest that the new approach shows greater sensitivity than traditional methods. However, more study is required to assess the impact of potential model violations on the method, and gain a greater empirical sense its behavior on a broader range of real data sets. We propose an outline of such a research program.
Mutation Rate Variability across Human Y-Chromosome Haplogroups
Authors: Ding Qiliang , Hu Ya , Koren Amnon , Clark Andrew G
Published: October 2020

A common assumption in dating patrilineal events using Y-chromosome sequencing data is that the Y-chromosome mutation rate is invariant across haplogroups. Previous studies revealed interhaplogroup heterogeneity in phylogenetic branch length. Whether this heterogeneity is caused by interhaplogroup mutation rate variation or nongenetic confounders remains unknown. Here, we analyzed whole-genome sequences from cultured cells derived from >1,700 males. We confirmed the presence of branch length heterogeneity. We demonstrate that sex-chromosome mutations that appear within cell lines, which likely occurred somatically or in vitro (and are thus not influenced by nongenetic confounders) are informative for germline mutational processes. Using within-cell-line mutations, we computed a relative Y-chromosome somatic mutation rate, and uncovered substantial variation (up to 83.3%) in this proxy for germline mutation rate among haplogroups. This rate positively correlates with phylogenetic branch length, indicating that interhaplogroup mutation rate variation is a likely cause of branch length heterogeneity.
Genenames.org: the HGNC and VGNC resources in 2021
Authors: Tweedie Susan , Braschi Bryony , Gray Kristian , Jones Tamsin E M , Seal Ruth L , Yates Bethan , Bruford Elspeth A
Published: October 2020

The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) based at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) assigns unique symbols and names to human genes. There are over 42,000 approved gene symbols in our current database of which over 19 000 are for protein-coding genes. While we still update placeholder and problematic symbols, we are working towards stabilizing symbols where possible; over 2000 symbols for disease associated genes are now marked as stable in our symbol reports. All of our data is available at the HGNC website https://www.genenames.org. The Vertebrate Gene Nomenclature Committee (VGNC) was established to assign standardized nomenclature in line with human for vertebrate species lacking their own nomenclature committee. In addition to the previous VGNC core species of chimpanzee, cow, horse and dog, we now name genes in cat, macaque and pig. Gene groups have been added to VGNC and currently include two complex families: olfactory receptors (ORs) and cytochrome P450s (CYPs). In collaboration with specialists we have also named CYPs in species beyond our core set. All VGNC data is available at https://vertebrate.genenames.org/. This article provides an overview of our online data and resources, focusing on updates over the last two years.
The Relationship Between Menthol Cigarette Use, Smoking Cessation, and Relapse: Findings From Waves 1 to 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study
Authors: Mills Sarah D , Hao Yajing , Ribisl Kurt M , Wiesen Christopher A , Hassmiller Lich Kristen
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Some, but not all, studies suggest that menthol cigarette smokers have more difficulty quitting than non-menthol cigarette smokers. Inconsistent findings may be a result of differences in smoker characteristics (eg, daily vs. non-daily smokers) across studies. This study examines the relationship between menthol cigarette use, cessation, and relapse in a longitudinal, nationally representative study of tobacco use in the United States.

Aims and Methods

Data come from four waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Waves 1–4 were conducted approximately annually from September 2013 to January 2018. Generalized estimating equation models were used to prospectively examine the relationship between menthol cigarette use, cessation, and relapse in non-daily and daily adult (18+) smokers. Cessation was defined as smokers who had not used cigarettes within the past 30 days at their subsequent assessment. Relapse was defined as cessation followed by past 30-day smoking in the next assessment.

Results

Among daily smokers (n = 13 710), 4.0% and 5.3% of menthol and non-menthol smokers quit after 1 year, respectively. In an adjusted model, menthol smokers were less likely to quit compared with non-menthol smokers (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76 [0.63, 0.91]). When the sample was stratified by race/ethnicity, African American (OR = 0.47 [0.24, 0.91]) and White (OR = 0.78 [0.63, 0.97]) daily menthol users were less likely to have quit. Among non-daily smokers (n = 3608), there were no significant differences in quit rates. Among daily and non-daily former smokers, there were also no differences in relapse rates between menthol and non-menthol smokers.

Conclusions

Menthol cigarette use is associated with lower odds of cessation.

Implications

Findings from this study suggest that menthol cigarette use is associated with lower odds of cessation, but not relapse. Removing menthol cigarettes from the market may improve cessation rates.