A Case study of light pollution in France after the change in legislation

France issued a decree to restrict and prohibit mainly outdoor lighting effective from January 1st, 2019. Effectiveness of this legislation has been evaluated in this study using GIS data which was first used in \cite{2020MNRAS.493.1204A} (so called astroGIS database - \url{astrogis.org}). A subset of Artificial Light layer of astroGIS database has been adapted for years between January 2012 and December 2019. During 2019, radiance of $1.9 \times 10^{9}$ W cm$^{-2}$ sr$^{-1}$ has been released into space. Annual light pollution in France decreased by 6\% after the enactment of artificial light legislation. France continue to have potential Dark Sky Park locations for example cities like Indre, Lot, Nievre and Creuse having the lowest light pollution values. A strong correlation between population and light pollution ($R\simeq 0.83$) has been observed. A similar but a weak correlation can also be observed for GDP ($R\simeq 0.28$). However, it is still too early to justify whether the improvements observed in the dataset are due to the enactment of the legislation or not.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, Submitted to Astrophysics and Space Scienc

Roles of Noncoding RNAs in Islet Biology.

The discovery that most mammalian genome sequences are transcribed to ribonucleic acids (RNA) has revolutionized our understanding of the mechanisms governing key cellular processes and of the causes of human diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic islet cells were found to contain thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including micro-RNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-associated RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, tRNA-derived fragments, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs. While the involvement of miRNAs in islet function and in the etiology of diabetes is now well documented, there is emerging evidence indicating that other classes of ncRNAs are also participating in different aspects of islet physiology. The aim of this article will be to provide a comprehensive and updated view of the studies carried out in human samples and rodent models over the past 15 years on the role of ncRNAs in the control of α- and β-cell development and function and to highlight the recent discoveries in the field. We not only describe the role of ncRNAs in the control of insulin and glucagon secretion but also address the contribution of these regulatory molecules in the proliferation and survival of islet cells under physiological and pathological conditions. It is now well established that most cells release part of their ncRNAs inside small extracellular vesicles, allowing the delivery of genetic material to neighboring or distantly located target cells. The role of these secreted RNAs in cell-to-cell communication between β-cells and other metabolic tissues as well as their potential use as diabetes biomarkers will be discussed. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:893-932, 2020

Bandgap engineering of organic semiconductors for highly efficient photocatalytic water splitting

The bandgap engineering of semiconductors, in particular low‐cost organic/polymeric photocatalysts could directly influence their behavior in visible photon harvesting. However, an effective and rational pathway to stepwise change of the bandgap of an organic/polymeric photocatalyst is still very challenging. An efficient strategy is demonstrated to tailor the bandgap from 2.7 eV to 1.9 eV of organic photocatalysts by carefully manipulating the linker/terminal atoms in the chains via innovatively designed polymerization. These polymers work in a stable and efficient manner for both H2 and O2 evolution at ambient conditions (420 nm < λ < 710 nm), exhibiting up to 18 times higher hydrogen evolution rate (HER) than a reference photocatalyst g‐C3N4 and leading to high apparent quantum yields (AQYs) of 8.6%/2.5% at 420/500 nm, respectively. For the oxygen evolution rate (OER), the optimal polymer shows 19 times higher activity compared to g‐C3N4 with excellent AQYs of 4.3%/1.0% at 420/500 nm. Both theoretical modeling and spectroscopic results indicate that such remarkable enhancement is due to the increased light harvesting and improved charge separation. This strategy thus paves a novel avenue to fabricate highly efficient organic/polymeric photocatalysts with precisely tunable operation windows and enhanced charge separation

Small RNAs derived from tRNA fragmentation regulate the functional maturation of neonatal β cells.

tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are an emerging class of small non-coding RNAs with distinct cellular functions. Here, we studied the contribution of tRFs to the regulation of postnatal β cell maturation, a critical process that may lead to diabetes susceptibility in adulthood. We identified three tRFs abundant in neonatal rat islets originating from 5' halves (tiRNA-5s) of histidine and glutamate tRNAs. Their inhibition in these islets reduced β cell proliferation and insulin secretion. Mitochondrial respiration was also perturbed, fitting with the mitochondrial enrichment of nuclear-encoded tiRNA-5 &lt;sup&gt;HisGTG&lt;/sup&gt; and tiRNA-5 &lt;sup&gt;GluCTC&lt;/sup&gt; . Notably, tiRNA-5 inhibition reduced Mpc1, a mitochondrial pyruvate carrier whose knock down largely phenocopied tiRNA-5 inhibition. tiRNA-5 &lt;sup&gt;HisGTG&lt;/sup&gt; interactome revealed binding to Musashi-1, which was essential for the mitochondrial enrichment of tiRNA-5 &lt;sup&gt;HisGTG&lt;/sup&gt; . Finally, tiRNA-5s were dysregulated in the islets of diabetic and diabetes-prone animals. Altogether, tiRNA-5s represent a class of regulators of β cell maturation, and their deregulation in neonatal islets may lead to diabetes susceptibility in adulthood

Carbon nanotube anions for the preparation of gold nanoparticle–nanocarbon hybrids

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be evenly deposited on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via the reduction of the highly stable complex, chloro(triphenylphosphine) gold(I), with SWCNT anions (‘nanotubides’). This methodology highlights the unusual chemistry of nanotubides and provides a blueprint for the generation of many other hybrid nanomaterials

Global Site Selection for Astronomy

A global site selection for astronomy was performed with 1 km spatial resolution ($\sim$ 1 Giga pixel in size) using long term and up-to-date datasets to classify the entire terrestrial surface on the Earth. Satellite instruments are used to get the following datasets of Geographical Information System (GIS) layers: Cloud Coverage, Digital Elevation Model, Artificial Light, Precipitable Water Vapor, Aerosol Optical Depth, Wind Speed and Land Use -- Land Cover. A Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique is applied to these datasets creating four different series where each layer will have a specific weight. We introduce for the first time a ``Suitability Index for Astronomical Sites'' namely, SIAS. This index can be used to find suitable locations and to compare different sites or observatories. Mid-western Andes in South America and Tibetan Plateau in west China were found to be the best in all SIAS Series. Considering all the series, less than 3 \% of all terrestrial surfaces are found to be the best regions to establish an astronomical observatory. In addition to this, only approximately 10 \% of all current observatories are located in good locations in all SIAS series. Amateurs, institutions or countries aiming to construct an observatory could create a short-list of potential site locations using layout of SIAS values for each country without spending time and budget.The outcomes and datasets of this study has been made available through a web site, namely ``Astro GIS Database'' on \texttt{\url{www.astrogis.org}}.Comment: 19 Pages, 4 Figures, 7 tables, Accepted for publication in MNRA

A circular RNA generated from an intron of the insulin gene controls insulin secretion.

Fine-tuning of insulin release from pancreatic β-cells is essential to maintain blood glucose homeostasis. Here, we report that insulin secretion is regulated by a circular RNA containing the lariat sequence of the second intron of the insulin gene. Silencing of this intronic circular RNA in pancreatic islets leads to a decrease in the expression of key components of the secretory machinery of β-cells, resulting in impaired glucose- or KCl-induced insulin release and calcium signaling. The effect of the circular RNA is exerted at the transcriptional level and involves an interaction with the RNA-binding protein TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43). The level of this circularized intron is reduced in the islets of rodent diabetes models and of type 2 diabetic patients, possibly explaining their impaired secretory capacity. The study of this and other circular RNAs helps understanding β-cell dysfunction under diabetes conditions, and the etiology of this common metabolic disorder

A circular RNA generated from an intron of the insulin gene controls insulin secretion

Fine-tuning of insulin release from pancreatic β-cells is essential to maintain blood glucose homeostasis. Here, we report that insulin secretion is regulated by a circular RNA containing the lariat sequence of the second intron of the insulin gene. Silencing of this intronic circular RNA in pancreatic islets leads to a decrease in the expression of key components of the secretory machinery of β-cells, resulting in impaired glucose- or KCl-induced insulin release and calcium signaling. The effect of the circular RNA is exerted at the transcriptional level and involves an interaction with the RNA-binding protein TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa&nbsp;(TDP-43). The level of this circularized intron is reduced in the islets of rodent diabetes models and of type 2 diabetic patients, possibly explaining their impaired secretory capacity. The study of this and other circular RNAs helps understanding β-cell dysfunction under diabetes conditions, and the etiology of this common metabolic disorder

Management of children with congenital nephrotic syndrome: challenging treatment paradigms

Background: Management of children with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is challenging. Bilateral nephrectomies followed by dialysis and transplantation are practiced in most centres, but conservative treatment may also be effective. / Methods: We conducted a 6-year review across members of the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology Dialysis Working Group to compare management strategies and their outcomes in children with CNS. / Results: Eighty children (50% male) across 17 tertiary nephrology units in Europe were included (mutations in NPHS1, n = 55; NPHS2, n = 1; WT1, n = 9; others, n = 15). Excluding patients with mutations in WT1, antiproteinuric treatment was given in 42 (59%) with an increase in S-albumin in 70% by median 6 (interquartile range: 3–8) g/L (P < 0.001). Following unilateral nephrectomy, S-albumin increased by 4 (1–8) g/L (P = 0.03) with a reduction in albumin infusion dose by 5 (2–9) g/kg/week (P = 0.02). Median age at bilateral nephrectomies (n = 29) was 9 (7–16) months. Outcomes were compared between two groups of NPHS1 patients: those who underwent bilateral nephrectomies (n = 25) versus those on conservative management (n = 17). The number of septic or thrombotic episodes and growth were comparable between the groups. The response to antiproteinuric treatment, as well as renal and patient survival, was independent of NPHS1 mutation type. At final follow-up (median age 34 months) 20 (80%) children in the nephrectomy group were transplanted and 1 died. In the conservative group, 9 (53%) remained without dialysis, 4 (24%; P < 0.001) were transplanted and 2 died. / Conclusion: An individualized, stepwise approach with prolonged conservative management may be a reasonable alternative to early bilateral nephrectomies and dialysis in children with CNS and NPHS1 mutations. Further prospective studies are needed to define indications for unilateral nephrectomy

Hemodiafiltration maintains a sustained improvement in blood pressure compared to conventional hemodialysis in children-the HDF, heart and height (3H) study

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is prevalent in children on dialysis and associated with cardiovascular disease. We studied the blood pressure (BP) trends and the evolution of BP over 1 year in children on conventional hemodialysis (HD) vs. hemodiafiltration (HDF). METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of the "3H - HDF-Hearts-Height" dataset, a multicenter, parallel-arm observational study. Seventy-eight children on HD and 55 on HDF who had three 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) measures over 1 year were included. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was calculated and hypertension defined as 24-h MAP standard deviation score (SDS) ≥95th percentile. RESULTS: Poor agreement between pre-dialysis systolic BP-SDS and 24-h MAP was found (mean difference - 0.6; 95% limits of agreement -4.9-3.8). At baseline, 82% on HD and 44% on HDF were hypertensive, with uncontrolled hypertension in 88% vs. 25% respectively; p < 0.001. At 12 months, children on HDF had consistently lower MAP-SDS compared to those on HD (p < 0.001). Over 1-year follow-up, the HD group had mean MAP-SDS increase of +0.98 (95%CI 0.77-1.20; p < 0.0001), whereas the HDF group had a non-significant increase of +0.15 (95%CI -0.10-0.40; p = 0.23). Significant predictors of MAP-SDS were dialysis modality (β = +0.83 [95%CI +0.51 - +1.15] HD vs. HDF, p < 0.0001) and higher inter-dialytic-weight-gain (IDWG)% (β = 0.13 [95%CI 0.06-0.19]; p = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Children on HD had a significant and sustained increase in BP over 1 year compared to a stable BP in those on HDF, despite an equivalent dialysis dose. Higher IDWG% was associated with higher 24-h MAP-SDS in both groups