Persistence and resistance: survival mechanisms of Candidatus Dormibacterota from nutrient-poor Antarctic soils

Candidatus Dormibacterota is an uncultured bacterial phylum found predominantly in soil that is present in high abundances within cold desert soils. Here, we interrogate nine metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), including six new MAGs derived from soil metagenomes obtained from two eastern Antarctic sites. Phylogenomic and taxonomic analyses revealed these MAGs represent four genera and five species, representing two order-level clades within Ca. Dormibacterota. Metabolic reconstructions of these MAGs revealed the potential for aerobic metabolism, and versatile adaptations enabling persistence in the ‘extreme’ Antarctic environment. Primary amongst these adaptations were abilities to scavenge atmospheric H2 and CO as energy sources, as well as using the energy derived from H2 oxidation to fix atmospheric CO2 via the Calvin–Bassham–Benson cycle, using a RuBisCO type IE. We propose that these allow Ca. Dormibacterota to persist using H2 oxidation and grow using atmospheric chemosynthesis in terrestrial Antarctica. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed Ca. Dormibacterota to be coccoid cells, 0.3–1.4 μm in diameter, with some cells exhibiting the potential for a symbiotic or syntrophic lifestyle

Indonesian earthquake: Earthquake risk from co-seismic stress.

Following the massive loss of life caused by the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake in Indonesia and its tsunami, the possibility of a triggered earthquake on the contiguous Sunda trench subduction zone is a real concern. We have calculated the distributions of co-seismic stress on this zone, as well as on the neighbouring, vertical strike-slip Sumatra fault, and find an increase in stress on both structures that significantly boosts the already considerable earthquake hazard posed by them. In particular, the increased potential for a large subduction-zone event in this region, with the concomitant risk of another tsunami, makes the need for a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean all the more urgent.John McCloskey, Suleyman S.Nalbant, Sandy Steac

Pelvic actinomycosis presenting as a malignant pelvic mass: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Pelvic actinomycosis constitutes 3% of all human actinomycosis infections. It is usually insidious, and is often mistaken for other conditions such as diverticulitis, abscesses, inflammatory bowel disease and malignant tumors, presenting a diagnostic challenge pre-operatively; it is identified post-operatively in most cases. Here we present a case that presented as pelvic malignancy and was diagnosed as pelvic actinomycosis post-operatively.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 48-year-old Caucasian Turkish woman presented to our clinic with a three-month history of abdominal pain, weight loss and difficulty in defecation. She had used an intra-uterine device for 16 years, however it had recently been removed. The rectosigmoidoscopy revealed narrowing of the lumen at 12 cm due to a mass lesion either in the wall or due to an extrinsic lesion that prevented the passage of the endoscope. On examination, there was no gynecological pathology. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass, measuring 5.5 × 4 cm attached to the rectum posterior to the uterus. The ureter on that side was dilated. Surgically there was a pelvic mass adhered to the rectum and uterine adnexes, measuring 10 × 12 cm. It originated from uterine adnexes, particularly ones from the left side and formed a conglomerated mass with the uterus and nearby organs; the left ureter was also dilated due to the pelvic mass. Because of concomitant tubal abscess formation and difficulty in dissection planes, total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy was performed (our patient was 48 years old and had completed her childbearing period). The cytology revealed inflammatory cells with aggregates of <it>Actinomyces</it>. Penicillin therapy was given for six months without any complication.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pelvic actinomycosis should always be considered in patients with a pelvic mass especially in ones using intra-uterine devices, and who have a history of appendectomy, tonsillectomy or dental infection. Surgeons should be aware of this infection in order to avoid excessive surgical procedures.</p

Neutron Stars in Teleparallel Gravity

In this paper we deal with neutron stars, which are described by a perfect fluid model, in the context of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity. We use numerical simulations to find the relationship between the angular momentum of the field and the angular momentum of the source. Such a relation was established for each stable star reached by the numerical simulation once the code is fed with an equation of state, the central energy density and the ratio between polar and equatorial radii. We also find a regime where linear relation between gravitational angular momentum and moment of inertia (as well as angular velocity of the fluid) is valid. We give the spatial distribution of the gravitational energy and show that it has a linear dependence with the squared angular velocity of the source.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1206.331

Favorable outcome of early treatment of new onset child and adolescent migraine-implications for disease modification.

There is evidence that the prevalence of migraine in children and adolescents may be increasing. Current theories of migraine pathophysiology in adults suggest activation of central cortical and brainstem pathways in conjunction with the peripheral trigeminovascular system, which ultimately results in release of neuropeptides, facilitation of central pain pathways, neurogenic inflammation surrounding peripheral vessels, and vasodilatation. Although several risk factors for frequent episodic, chronic, and refractory migraine have been identified, the causes of migraine progression are not known. Migraine pathophysiology has not been fully evaluated in children. In this review, we will first discuss the evidence that early therapeutic interventions in the child or adolescent new onset migraineur, may halt or limit progression and disability. We will then review the evidence suggesting that many adults with chronic or refractory migraine developed their migraine as children or adolescents and may not have been treated adequately with migraine-specific therapy. Finally, we will show that early, appropriate and optimal treatment of migraine during childhood and adolescence may result in disease modification and prevent progression of this disease

Tuning ultrafast electron thermalization pathways in a van der Waals heterostructure

Ultrafast electron thermalization - the process leading to Auger recombination, carrier multiplication via impact ionization and hot carrier luminescence - occurs when optically excited electrons in a material undergo rapid electron-electron scattering to redistribute excess energy and reach electronic thermal equilibrium. Due to extremely short time and length scales, the measurement and manipulation of electron thermalization in nanoscale devices remains challenging even with the most advanced ultrafast laser techniques. Here, we overcome this challenge by leveraging the atomic thinness of two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) materials in order to introduce a highly tunable electron transfer pathway that directly competes with electron thermalization. We realize this scheme in a graphene-boron nitride-graphene (G-BN-G) vdW heterostructure, through which optically excited carriers are transported from one graphene layer to the other. By applying an interlayer bias voltage or varying the excitation photon energy, interlayer carrier transport can be controlled to occur faster or slower than the intralayer scattering events, thus effectively tuning the electron thermalization pathways in graphene. Our findings, which demonstrate a novel means to probe and directly modulate electron energy transport in nanoscale materials, represent an important step toward designing and implementing novel optoelectronic and energy-harvesting devices with tailored microscopic properties.Comment: Accepted to Nature Physic

Feynman Rules for the Rational Part of the Standard Model One-loop Amplitudes in the 't Hooft-Veltman γ5\gamma_5 Scheme

We study Feynman rules for the rational part $R$ of the Standard Model amplitudes at one-loop level in the 't Hooft-Veltman $\gamma_5$ scheme. Comparing our results for quantum chromodynamics and electroweak 1-loop amplitudes with that obtained based on the Kreimer-Korner-Schilcher (KKS) $\gamma_5$ scheme, we find the latter result can be recovered when our $\gamma_5$ scheme becomes identical (by setting $g5s=1$ in our expressions) with the KKS scheme. As an independent check, we also calculate Feynman rules obtained in the KKS scheme, finding our results in complete agreement with formulae presented in the literature. Our results, which are studied in two different $\gamma_5$ schemes, may be useful for clarifying the $\gamma_5$ problem in dimensional regularization. They are helpful to eliminate or find ambiguities arising from different dimensional regularization schemes.Comment: Version published in JHEP, presentation improved, 41 pages, 10 figure

Protocol for the Foot in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis trial (FiJIA): a randomised controlled trial of an integrated foot care programme for foot problems in JIA

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;: Foot and ankle problems are a common but relatively neglected manifestation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Studies of medical and non-medical interventions have shown that clinical outcome measures can be improved. However existing data has been drawn from small non-randomised clinical studies of single interventions that appear to under-represent the adult population suffering from juvenile idiopathic arthritis. To date, no evidence of combined therapies or integrated care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients with foot and ankle problems exists. &lt;b&gt;Methods/design&lt;/b&gt;: An exploratory phase II non-pharmacological randomised controlled trial where patients including young children, adolescents and adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and associated foot/ankle problems will be randomised to receive integrated podiatric care via a new foot care programme, or to receive standard podiatry care. Sixty patients (30 in each arm) including children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be recruited from 2 outpatient centres of paediatric and adult rheumatology respectively. Participants will be randomised by process of minimisation using the Minim software package. The primary outcome measure is the foot related impairment measured by the Juvenile Arthritis Disability Index questionnaire's impairment domain at 6 and 12 months, with secondary outcomes including disease activity score, foot deformity score, active/limited foot joint counts, spatio-temporal and plantar-pressure gait parameters, health related quality of life and semi-quantitative ultrasonography score for inflammatory foot lesions. The new foot care programme will comprise rapid assessment and investigation, targeted treatment, with detailed outcome assessment and follow-up at minimum intervals of 3 months. Data will be collected at baseline, 6 months and 12 months from baseline. Intention to treat data analysis will be conducted. A full health economic evaluation will be conducted alongside the trial and will evaluate the cost effectiveness of the intervention. This will consider the cost per improvement in Juvenile Arthritis Disability Index, and cost per quality adjusted life year gained. In addition, a discrete choice experiment will elicit willingness to pay values and a cost benefit analysis will also be undertaken

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone health parameters of healthy young Indian women

Summary There is a huge prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the Indian population. We studied the efficacy and safety of oral vitamin D supplementation in apparently healthy adult women. Monthly cholecalciferol given orally, 60,000 IU/month during summers and 120,000 IU/month during winters, safely increases 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH)D) levels to near normal levels. Introduction There is a huge burden of hypovitaminosis D in the Indian population. The current recommendation for vitamin D supplementation is not supported by sufficient evidence. Methods Study subjects included 100 healthy adult women of reproductive age group from hospital staff. They wer