The observational signature of modelled torsional waves and comparison to geomagnetic jerks

Torsional Alfven waves involve the interaction of zonal fluid flow and the ambient magnetic field in the core. Consequently, they perturb the background magnetic field and induce a secondary magnetic field. Using a steady background magnetic field from observationally constrained field models and azimuthal velocities from torsional wave forward models, we solve an induction equation for the wave-induced secular variation (SV). We construct time series and maps of wave-induced SV and investigate how previously identified propagation characteristics manifest in the magnetic signals, and whether our modelled travelling torsional waves are capable of producing signals that resemble jerks in terms of amplitude and timescale. Fast torsional waves with amplitudes and timescales consistent with a recent study of the 6 yr ∆LOD signal induce very rapid, small (maximum ∼2 nT/yr at Earth’s surface) SV signals that would likely be difficult to be resolve in observations of Earth’s SV. Slow torsional waves with amplitudes and timescales consistent with other studies produce larger SV signals that reach amplitudes of ∼20 nT/yr at Earth’s surface. We applied a two-part linear regression jerk detection method to the SV induced by slow torsional waves, using the same parameters as used on real SV, which identified several synthetic jerk events. As the local magnetic field morphology dictates which regions are sensitive to zonal core flow, and not all regions are sensitive at the same time, the modelled waves generally produce synthetic jerks that are observed on regional scales and occur in a single SV component. However, high wave amplitudes during reflection from the stress-free CMB induce large-scale SV signals in all components, which results in a global contemporaneous jerk event such as that observed in 1969. In general, the identified events are periodic due to waves passing beneath locations at fixed intervals and the SV signals are smoothly varying. These smooth signals are more consistent with the geomagnetic jerks envisaged by Demetrescu and Dobrica than the sharp ‘V’ shapes that are typically associated with geomagnetic jerks

Inhibition of Tendon Cell Proliferation and Matrix Glycosaminoglycan Synthesis by Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in vitro

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of some commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on human tendon. Explants of human digital flexor and patella tendons were cultured in medium containing pharmacological concentrations of NSAIDs. Cell proliferation was measured by incorporation of 3H-thymidine and glycosaminoglycan synthesis was measured by incorporation of 35S-Sulphate. Diclofenac and aceclofenac had no significant effect either on tendon cell proliferation or glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Indomethacin and naproxen inhibited cell proliferation in patella tendons and inhibited glycosaminoglycan synthesis in both digital flexor and patella tendons. If applicable to the in vivo situation, these NSAIDs should be used with caution in the treatment of pain after tendon injury and surgery

The application of a VUV Fourier transform spectrometer and synchrotron radiation source to measurements of: II. The δ(1,0) band of NO

Line-by-line photoabsorption cross-sections of the NO δ(1,0) band were measured with the VUV Fourier transform spectrometer from Imperial College, London, using synchrotron radiation at Photon Factory, KEK, Japan, as a continuum light source. The analysis of the NO δ(1,0) band provides accurate rotational line positions and term values as well as the photoabsorption cross-sections. The molecular constants of the C(1)2 II level are found to be T0 = 54 690.155±0.03 cm–1, Bv = 1.944 06±0.000 62 cm–1, Dv = (5.91±0.42)×10–5 cm–1, AD = –0.0187±0.0050 cm–1, p = –0.0189±0.0037 cm–1, and q = –0.015 21±0.000 20 cm–1. The sum of the line strengths for all rotational transitions of the NO δ(1,0) band is determined as 4.80×10–15 cm2 cm–1, corresponding to a band oscillator strength of 0.0054±0.0003.published_or_final_versio

The application of a VUV Fourier transform spectrometer and synchrotron radiation source to measurements of: I. the β(9,0) band of NO

State-of-the-art models of the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) absorbing properties of the atmosphere call for absorption cross sections with detail on the scale of the Doppler widths. As a consequence, spectroscopic data at resolving powers of the order of 10 6 are needed. To meet these requirements in the vacuum ultraviolet region, we have used the VUV Fourier transform spectrometer from Imperial College, London, at the synchrotron radiation facility at Photon Factory, KEK, Japan, to measure photoabsorption cross sections of NO from 195 to 160 nm, and of O 2 from 185 to 175 nm. The analysis of the β(9,0) band (B 2Π r-X 2Π r) of NO provides accurate rotational line positions and term values. Molecular constants of the B(9) 2Π level are T 0=54205.097±0.012cm -1, A=45.320±0.021cm -1, B υ=1.01672±0.00016cm -1, D υ=(10.61±0.32)×10 -6cm -1, and A D=0.00122±0.00011cm -1. The rotational line strengths and the branching ratios are also presented. The band oscillator strength is obtained as f=2.65×10 -4. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.published_or_final_versio

A single fungal strain was the unexpected cause of a mass aspergillosis outbreak in the world's largest and only flightless parrot.

Kākāpō are a critically endangered species of parrots restricted to a few islands off the coast of New Zealand. Kākāpō are very closely monitored, especially during nesting seasons. In 2019, during a highly successful nesting season, an outbreak of aspergillosis affected 21 individuals and led to the deaths of 9, leaving a population of only 211 kākāpō. In monitoring this outbreak, cultures of aspergillus were grown, and genome sequenced. These sequences demonstrate that, very unusually for an aspergillus outbreak, a single strain of aspergillus caused the outbreak. This strain was found on two islands, but only one had an outbreak of aspergillosis; indicating that the strain was necessary, but not sufficient, to cause disease. Our analysis provides an understanding of the 2019 outbreak and provides potential ways to manage such events in the future

SILAC-based phosphoproteomics reveals an inhibitory role of KSR1 in p53 transcriptional activity via modulation of DBC1

BACKGROUND We have previously identified kinase suppressor of ras-1 (KSR1) as a potential regulatory gene in breast cancer. KSR1, originally described as a novel protein kinase, has a role in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Emerging evidence has shown that KSR1 may have dual functions as an active kinase as well as a scaffold facilitating multiprotein complex assembly. Although efforts have been made to study the role of KSR1 in certain tumour types, its involvement in breast cancer remains unknown. METHODS A quantitative mass spectrometry analysis using stable isotope labelling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) was implemented to identify KSR1-regulated phosphoproteins in breast cancer. In vitro luciferase assays, co-immunoprecipitation as well as western blotting experiments were performed to further study the function of KSR1 in breast cancer. RESULTS Of significance, proteomic analysis reveals that KSR1 overexpression decreases deleted in breast cancer-1 (DBC1) phosphorylation. Furthermore, we show that KSR1 decreases the transcriptional activity of p53 by reducing the phosphorylation of DBC1, which leads to a reduced interaction of DBC1 with sirtuin-1 (SIRT1); this in turn enables SIRT1 to deacetylate p53. CONCLUSION Our findings integrate KSR1 into a network involving DBC1 and SIRT1, which results in the regulation of p53 acetylation and its transcriptional activity

Ethnic differences in Glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in Scotland

Background and Aims: Previous studies have investigated the association between ethnicity and processes of care and intermediate outcomes of diabetes, but there are limited population-based studies available. The aim of this study was to use population-based data to investigate the relationships between ethnicity and glycaemic control in men and women with diabetes mellitus living in Scotland.<p></p> Methods: We used a 2008 extract from the population-based national electronic diabetes database of Scotland. The association between ethnicity with mean glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus was examined in a retrospective cohort study, including adjustment for a number of variables including age, sex, socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI), prescribed treatment and duration of diabetes.<p></p> Results: Complete data for analyses were available for 56,333 White Scottish adults, 2,535 Pakistanis, 857 Indians, 427 Chinese and 223 African-Caribbeans. All other ethnic groups had significantly (p<0.05) greater proportions of people with suboptimal glycaemic control (HbA1c >58 mmol/mol, 7.5%) compared to the White Scottish group, despite generally younger mean age and lower BMI. Fully adjusted odds ratios for suboptimal glycaemic control were significantly higher among Pakistanis and Indians (1.85, 95% CI: 1.68–2.04, and 1.62,95% CI: 1.38–1.89) respectively.<p></p> Conclusions: Pakistanis and Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus were more likely to have suboptimal glycaemic control than the white Scottish population. Further research on health services and self-management are needed to understand the association between ethnicity and glycaemic control to address ethnic disparities in glycaemic control.<p></p&gt

Elevated CO₂ does not increase eucalypt forest productivity on a low-phosphorus soil

Rising atmospheric CO2 stimulates photosynthesis and productivity of forests, offsetting CO2 emissions. Elevated CO2 experiments in temperate planted forests yielded ~23% increases in productivity over the initial years. Whether similar CO2 stimulation occurs in mature evergreen broadleaved forests on low-phosphorus (P) soils is unknown, largely due to lack of experimental evidence. This knowledge gap creates major uncertainties in future climate projections as a large part of the tropics is P-limited. Here,we increased atmospheric CO2 concentration in a mature broadleaved evergreen eucalypt forest for three years, in the first large-scale experiment on a P-limited site. We show that tree growth and other aboveground productivity components did not significantly increase in response to elevated CO2 in three years, despite a sustained 19% increase in leaf photosynthesis. Moreover, tree growth in ambient CO2 was strongly P-limited and increased by ~35% with added phosphorus. The findings suggest that P availability may potentially constrain CO2-enhanced productivity in P-limited forests; hence, future atmospheric CO2 trajectories may be higher than predicted by some models. As a result, coupled climate-carbon models should incorporate both nitrogen and phosphorus limitations to vegetation productivity in estimating future carbon sinks

Multiple reassortment events in the evolutionary history of H1N1 influenza A virus since 1918

The H1N1 subtype of influenza A virus has caused substantial morbidity and mortality in humans, first documented in the global pandemic of 1918 and continuing to the present day. Despite this disease burden, the evolutionary history of the A/H1N1 virus is not well understood, particularly whether there is a virological basis for several notable epidemics of unusual severity in the 1940s and 1950s. Using a data set of 71 representative complete genome sequences sampled between 1918 and 2006, we show that segmental reassortment has played an important role in the genomic evolution of A/H1N1 since 1918. Specifically, we demonstrate that an A/H1N1 isolate from the 1947 epidemic acquired novel PB2 and HA genes through intra-subtype reassortment, which may explain the abrupt antigenic evolution of this virus. Similarly, the 1951 influenza epidemic may also have been associated with reassortant A/H1N1 viruses. Intra-subtype reassortment therefore appears to be a more important process in the evolution and epidemiology of H1N1 influenza A virus than previously realized

Emplacement of inflated Pāhoehoe flows in the Naude’s Nek Pass, Lesotho remnant, Karoo continental flood basalt province: use of flow-lobe tumuli in understanding flood basalt emplacement

Physical volcanological features are presented for a 710-m-thick section, of the Naude’s Nek Pass, within the lower part of the Lesotho remnant of the Karoo Large Igneous Province. The section consists of inflated pāhoehoe lava with thin, impersistent sedimentary interbeds towards the base. There are seven discreet packages of compound and hummocky pāhoehoe lobes containing flow-lobe tumuli, making up approximately 50% of the section. Approximately 45% of the sequence consists of 14 sheet lobes, between 10 and 52-m-thick. The majority of the sheet lobes are in two packages indicating prolonged periods of lava supply capable of producing thick sheet lobes. The other sheet lobes are as individual lobes or pairs, within compound flows, suggesting brief increases in lava supply rate. We suggest, contrary to current belief, that there is no evidence that compound flows are proximal to source and sheet lobes (simple flows) are distal to source and we propose that the presence of flow-lobe tumuli in compound flows could be an indicator that a flow is distal to source. We use detailed, previously published, studies of the Thakurvadi Formation (Deccan Traps) as an example. We show that the length of a lobe and therefore the sections that are ‘medial or distal to source’ are specific to each individual lobe and are dependent on the lava supply of each eruptive event, and as such flow lobe tumuli can be used as an indicator of relative distance from source