OH masers in the Milky Way and Local Group galaxies in the SKA era

The intense line emission of OH masers is a perfect tracer of regions where new stars are born aswell as of evolved stars, shedding large amounts of processed matter into the interstellar medium. From SKA deep surveys at 18 cm, where the maser lines from the ground-state of the OH molecule arise, we predict the discovery of more than 20000 sources of stellar and interstellar origin throughout the Galaxy. The study of this maser emission has many applications, including the determination of magnetic field strengths from polarisation measurements, studies of stellar kinematics using the precisely determined radial velocities, and distance determinations from VLBI astrometry. A new opportunity to study shocked gas in different galactic environments is expected to arise with the detection of lower luminosity masers. For the first time, larger numbers of OH masers will be detected in Local Group galaxies. New insights are expected in structure formation in galaxies by comparing maser populations in galaxies of different metallicity, as both their properties as well as their numbers depend on it. With the full capabilities of SKA, further maser transitions such as from excited OH and from methanol will be accessible, providing new tools to study the evolution of star-forming regions in particular.Comment: Contribution to the conference on "Advancing Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre Array" for the SKA science book, Giardini-Naxos, Sicily, June 2014; in Proceedings of Science, 14 page

Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation: Using the CyberKnife as the Radiation Delivery Platform in the Treatment of Early Breast Cancer

We evaluate the CyberKnife (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for non-invasive delivery of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in early breast cancer patients. Between 6/2009 and 5/2011, nine patients were treated with CyberKnife APBI. Normal tissue constraints were imposed as outlined in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-39/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0413 (NSABP/RTOG) Protocol (Vicini and White, 2007). Patients received a total dose of 30 Gy in five fractions (group 1, n = 2) or 34 Gy in 10 fractions (group 2, n = 7) delivered to the planning treatment volume (PTV) defined as the clinical target volume (CTV) +2 mm. The CTV was defined as either the lumpectomy cavity plus 10 mm (n = 2) or 15 mm (n = 7). The cavity was defined by a T2-weighted non-contrast breast MRI fused to a planning non-contrast thoracic CT. The CyberKnife Synchrony system tracked gold fiducials sutured into the cavity wall during lumpectomy. Treatments started 4–5 weeks after lumpectomy. The mean PTV was 100 cm3 (range, 92–108 cm3) and 105 cm3 (range, 49–241 cm3) and the mean PTV isodose prescription line was 70% for groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean percent of whole breast reference volume receiving 100 and 50% of the dose (V100 and V50) for group 1 was 11% (range, 8–13%) and 23% (range, 16–30%) and for group 2 was 11% (range, 7–14%) and 26% (range, 21–35.0%), respectively. At a median 7 months follow-up (range, 4–26 months), no acute toxicities were seen. Acute cosmetic outcomes were excellent or good in all patients; for those patients with more than 12 months follow-up the late cosmesis outcomes were excellent or good. In conclusion, the lack of observable acute side effects and current excellent/good cosmetic outcomes is promising. We believe this suggests the CyberKnife is a suitable non-invasive radiation platform for delivering APBI with achievable normal tissue constraints

Neurodegenerative phenotypes in an A53T α-synuclein transgenic mouse model are independent of LRRK2

Mutations in the genes encoding LRRK2 and α-synuclein cause autosomal dominant forms of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Fibrillar forms of α-synuclein are a major component of Lewy bodies, the intracytoplasmic proteinaceous inclusions that are a pathological hallmark of idiopathic and certain familial forms of PD. LRRK2 mutations cause late-onset familial PD with a clinical, neurochemical and, for the most part, neuropathological phenotype that is indistinguishable from idiopathic PD. Importantly, α-synuclein-positive Lewy bodies are the most common pathology identified in the brains of PD subjects harboring LRRK2 mutations. These observations may suggest that LRRK2 functions in a common pathway with α-synuclein to regulate its aggregation. To explore the potential pathophysiological interaction between LRRK2 and α-synuclein in vivo, we modulated LRRK2 expression in a well-established human A53T α-synuclein transgenic mouse model with transgene expression driven by the hindbrain-selective prion protein promoter. Deletion of LRRK2 or overexpression of human G2019S-LRRK2 has minimal impact on the lethal neurodegenerative phenotype that develops in A53T α-synuclein transgenic mice, including premature lethality, pre-symptomatic behavioral deficits and human α-synuclein or glial neuropathology. We also find that endogenous or human LRRK2 and A53T α-synuclein do not interact together to influence the number of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Taken together, our data suggest that α-synuclein-related pathology, which occurs predominantly in the hindbrain of this A53T α-synuclein mouse model, occurs largely independently from LRRK2 expression. These observations fail to provide support for a pathophysiological interaction of LRRK2 and α-synuclein in vivo, at least within neurons of the mouse hindbrai

The Phylum Cnidaria: A Review of Phylogenetic Patterns and Diversity 300 Years After Linnaeus

Systema Naturae includes representatives of every major lineage of the animal phylum Cnidaria. However, Linnaeus did not classify the members of the phylum as is now done, and the diversity of the group is not well represented. We contrast the Linnaean perspective on cnidarian diversity with the modern, phylogenetic perspective. For each order, we detail diversity at the family level, providing phylogenetic context where possible

The phylum Cnidaria: A review of phylogenetic patterns and diversity 300 years after Linnaeus

Systema Naturae includes representatives of every major lineage of the animal phylum Cnidaria. However, Linnaeus did not classify the members of the phylum as is now done, and the diversity of the group is not well represented. We contrast the Linnaean perspective on cnidarian diversity with the modern, phylogenetic perspective. For each order, we detail diversity at the family level, providing phylogenetic context where possible

Neurodegenerative phenotypes in an A53T-synuclein transgenic mouse model are independent of LRRK2

Mutations in the genes encoding LRRK2 and -synuclein cause autosomal dominant forms of familial Parkinsons disease (PD). Fibrillar forms of -synuclein are a major component of Lewy bodies, the intracytoplasmic proteinaceous inclusions that are a pathological hallmark of idiopathic and certain familial forms of PD. LRRK2 mutations cause late-onset familial PD with a clinical, neurochemical and, for the most part, neuropathological phenotype that is indistinguishable from idiopathic PD. Importantly, -synuclein-positive Lewy bodies are the most common pathology identified in the brains of PD subjects harboring LRRK2 mutations. These observations may suggest that LRRK2 functions in a common pathway with -synuclein to regulate its aggregation. To explore the potential pathophysiological interaction between LRRK2 and -synuclein in vivo, we modulated LRRK2 expression in a well-established human A53T -synuclein transgenic mouse model with transgene expression driven by the hindbrain-selective prion protein promoter. Deletion of LRRK2 or overexpression of human G2019S-LRRK2 has minimal impact on the lethal neurodegenerative phenotype that develops in A53T -synuclein transgenic mice, including premature lethality, pre-symptomatic behavioral deficits and human -synuclein or glial neuropathology. We also find that endogenous or human LRRK2 and A53T -synuclein do not interact together to influence the number of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Taken together, our data suggest that -synuclein-related pathology, which occurs predominantly in the hindbrain of this A53T -synuclein mouse model, occurs largely independently from LRRK2 expression. These observations fail to provide support for a pathophysiological interaction of LRRK2 and -synuclein in vivo, at least within neurons of the mouse hindbrain

Dog Ownership During Pregnancy, Maternal Activity, and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is an observational study of 14273 UK pregnant singleton mothers in 1990/1991. We examined outcomes of self report of strenuous activity (hours per week) at 18 and 32 weeks of gestation, hours spent in leisure-time physical activities and types, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI); overweight status was defined as pre-pregnancy BMI$25 and obesity BMI$30. Pet ownership and activity data were reported for 11,466 mothers. Twenty-five percent of mothers owned at least one dog. There was a positive relationship between participation in activity at least once a week and dog ownership (at 18 weeks, Odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.11– 1.44, P,0.001). Dog owners were 50% more likely to achieve the recommended 3 hours activity per week, equivalent to 30 minutes per day, most days of the week (1.53, 1.35–1.72, P,0.001). Dog owners were also more likely to participate in brisk walking activity than those who did not have a dog (compared to no brisk walking 2–6 hrs per week 1.43, 1.23 to 1.67, P,0.001; 7+ hrs per week 1.80, 1.43 to 2.27, P,0.001). However, no association was found with any other types of activities and there was no association between dog ownership and weight status. During the time period studied, pregnant women who had dogs were more active, through walking, than those who did not own dogs. As walking is a low-risk exercise, participation of pregnant women in dog walking activities may be a useful context to investigate as part of a broader strategy to improve activity levels in pregnant women

A Nanoscale Shape-Discovery Framework Supporting Systematic Investigations of Shape-Dependent Biological Effects and Immunomodulation

Since it is now possible to make, in a controlled fashion, an almost unlimited variety of nanostructure shapes, it is of increasing interest to understand the forms of biological control that nanoscale shape allows. However, a priori rational investigation of such a vast universe of shapes appears to present intractable fundamental and practical challenges. This has limited the useful systematic investigation of their biological interactions and the development of innovative nanoscale shape-dependent therapies. Here, we introduce a concept of biologically relevant inductive nanoscale shape discovery and evaluation that is ideally suited to, and will ultimately become, a vehicle for machine learning discovery. Combining the reproducibility and tunability of microfluidic flow nanochemistry syntheses, quantitative computational shape analysis, and iterative feedback from biological responses in vitro and in vivo, we show that these challenges can be mastered, allowing shape biology to be explored within accepted scientific and biomedical research paradigms. Early applications identify significant forms of shape-induced biological and adjuvant-like immunological control

A global database of Holocene paleotemperature records

A comprehensive database of paleoclimate records is needed to place recent warming into the longer-term context of natural climate variability. We present a global compilation of quality-controlled, published, temperature-sensitive proxy records extending back 12,000 years through the Holocene. Data were compiled from 679 sites where time series cover at least 4000 years, are resolved at sub-millennial scale (median spacing of 400 years or finer) and have at least one age control point every 3000 years, with cut-off values slackened in data-sparse regions. The data derive from lake sediment (51%), marine sediment (31%), peat (11%), glacier ice (3%), and other natural archives. The database contains 1319 records, including 157 from the Southern Hemisphere. The multi-proxy database comprises paleotemperature time series based on ecological assemblages, as well as biophysical and geochemical indicators that reflect mean annual or seasonal temperatures, as encoded in the database. This database can be used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of Holocene temperature at global to regional scales, and is publicly available in Linked Paleo Data (LiPD) format.Fil: Kaufman, Darrell. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: McKay, Nicholas. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Routson, Cody. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Erb, Michael. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Davis, Basil. University Of Lausanne; SuizaFil: Heiri, Oliver. University Of Basel; SuizaFil: Jaccard, Samuel. University Of Bern; SuizaFil: Tierney, Jessica. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Dätwyler, Christoph. University Of Bern; SuizaFil: Axford, Yarrow. Northwestern University; Estados UnidosFil: Brussel, Thomas. University of Utah; Estados UnidosFil: Cartapanis, Olivier. University Of Bern; SuizaFil: Chase, Brian. Universite de Montpellier; FranciaFil: Dawson, Andria. Mount Royal University; CanadáFil: de Vernal, Anne. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Engels, Stefan. University of London; Reino UnidoFil: Jonkers, Lukas. University Of Bremen; AlemaniaFil: Marsicek, Jeremiah. University of Wisconsin-Madison; Estados UnidosFil: Moffa Sánchez, Paola. University of Durham; Reino UnidoFil: Morrill, Carrie. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Orsi, Anais. Université Paris-Saclay; FranciaFil: Rehfeld, Kira. Heidelberg University; AlemaniaFil: Saunders, Krystyna. Australian Nuclear Science And Technology Organisation; AustraliaFil: Sommer, Philipp. University Of Lausanne; SuizaFil: Thomas, Elizabeth. University At Buffalo; Estados UnidosFil: Tonello, Marcela Sandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Tóth, Mónika. Balaton Limnological Institute; HungríaFil: Vachula, Richard. Brown University; Estados UnidosFil: Andreev, Andrei. Alfred Wegener Institut Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research; AlemaniaFil: Bertrand, Sebastien. Ghent University; BélgicaFil: Massaferro, Julieta. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Parque Nacional "Nahuel Huapi"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin