Testing the predicted mass-loss bi-stability jump at radio wavelengths

In this study, we test the theoretically predicted mass-loss behaviour as a function of stellar effective temperature across the so-called `bi-stability' jump (BSJ). We gathered radio observations of 30 OB supergiants (O8-B3). We derived the radio mass-loss rates and wind efficiencies, and compared our results with Halpha mass-loss rates and predictions based on radiation-driven wind models. he wind efficiency shows the possible presence of a local maximum around an effective temperature of 21~000 K -- in qualitative agreement with predictions. We also find that the radio mass-loss rates show good agreement with empirical Halpha rates. However, the empirical mass-loss rates are larger than the predicted rates from radiation-driven wind theory for objects above the BSJ temperature, whilst they are smaller for the rest. A new wind momenta-luminosity relation for O8-B0 stars has been derived.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, A&

Using a 3D virtual muscle model to link gene expression changes during myogenesis to protein spatial location in muscle

Background: Myogenesis is an ordered process whereby mononucleated muscle precursor cells (myoblasts) fuse into multinucleated myotubes that eventually differentiate into myofibres, involving substantial changes in gene expression and the organisation of structural components of the cells. To gain further insight into the orchestration of these structural changes we have overlaid the spatial organisation of the protein components of a muscle cell with their gene expression changes during differentiation using a new 3D visualisation tool: the Virtual Muscle 3D (VMus3D)

Overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase reduces acute radiation induced lung toxicity

BACKGROUND: Acute RT-induced damage to the lung is characterized by inflammatory changes, which proceed to the development of fibrotic lesions in the late phase of injury. Ultimately, complete structural ablation will ensue, if the source of inflammatory / fibrogenic mediators and oxidative stress is not removed or attenuated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine whether overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in mice ameliorates acute radiation induced injury by inhibiting activation of TGFβ1 and downregulating the Smad 3 arm of its signal transduction pathway. METHODS: Whole thorax radiation (single dose, 15 Gy) was delivered to EC-SOD overexpressing transgenic (XRT-TG) and wild-type (XRT-WT) animals. Mice were sacrificed at 1 day, 1 week, 3, 6, 10 and 14 weeks. Breathing rates, right lung weights, total/differential leukocyte count, activated TGFβ1 and components of its signal transduction pathway (Smad 3 and p-Smad 2/3) were assessed to determine lung injury. RESULTS: Irradiated wild-type (XRT-WT) animals exhibited time dependent increase in breathing rates and right lung weights, whereas these parameters were significantly less increased (p < 0.05) at 3, 6, 10 and 14 weeks in irradiated transgenic (XRT-TG) mice. An inflammatory response characterized predominantly by macrophage infiltration was pronounced in XRT-WT mice. This acute inflammation was significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) in XRT-TG animals at 1, 3, 6 and 14 weeks. Expression of activated TGFβ1 and components of its signal transduction pathway were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at later time-points in XRT-TG vs. XRT-WT. CONCLUSION: This study shows that overexpression of EC-SOD confers protection against RT-induced acute lung injury. EC-SOD appears to work, in part, via an attenuation of the macrophage response and also decreases TGFβ1 activation with a subsequent downregulation of the profibrotic TGFβ pathway

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

Background: The EMPA KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population. Methods: EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110. Findings: Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5–2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62–0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16–1·59), representing a 50% (42–58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all &gt;0·1). Interpretation: In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease. Funding: Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council

The Emergence of Shell Valuable Exchange in the New Guinea Highlands

Shell valuable exchange in the New Guinea Highlands has been a key interest in anthropology, providing insight into economics, aesthetics, and social stratification amongst banded communities. This paper describes how shell exchange at ethnographic present reflects deeper historical processes. We trace the origins and subsequent changes in shell use from the terminal Pleistocene to the Late Holocene at the site of Kiowa in Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea. Zooarchaeological and technological analyses of Kiowa’s shell artifacts indicates riverine mussel was procured locally from the terminal Pleistocene (9,500–10,000 years ago) and featured as a minor component in the diet into the recent precolonial period. In contrast, evidence for marine shell valuables only appears in the Late Holocene in the form of Trochus armbands and Tegillarca granosa and Polymesoda cf. erosa multifunctional tools. This challenges ideas that associate the gradual dispersal of marine shell into the highlands with the spread of agriculture around the Wahgi Valley at the start of the Holocene, and supports punctuated pulses of coastal contact. In doing so, we formulate a testable model for the development of shell exchange into the highlands, with implications for the emergence of stratification and the conduits between the interior and coast

I Remember Clifford

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Challenges of ELR Implementation: Moving Toward Semantic Understanding through Vocabulary Validation

Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) following prescribed standards offers both opportunity and unique challenges for public health. One challenge is effectively identifying and documenting tests, results, and constraints upon them public health desires from ELR submitters.  Successful implementation of ELR requires semantic understanding of vocabulary used. In order to achieve semantic understanding of the actionable content of ELR messages, a systematic means of documenting and validating vocabulary is needed. Development of an on-boarding process which places vocabulary validation at the beginning of the process is critical in order to hasten on-boarding and realize the benefits of ELR to public health practice

Challenges of ELR Implementation: Moving Toward Semantic Understanding through Vocabulary Validation

Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) following prescribed standards offers both opportunity and unique challenges for public health. One challenge is effectively identifying and documenting tests, results, and constraints upon them public health desires from ELR submitters.  Successful implementation of ELR requires semantic understanding of vocabulary used. In order to achieve semantic understanding of the actionable content of ELR messages, a systematic means of documenting and validating vocabulary is needed. Development of an on-boarding process which places vocabulary validation at the beginning of the process is critical in order to hasten on-boarding and realize the benefits of ELR to public health practice

School-Based ADHD Services: Perspectives from Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Students

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can impact students\u27 academic, social, and behavioral outcomes. To improve student outcomes, schools regularly identify students with ADHD and develop relevant educational programming. However, the extant research that supports these practices underrepresents racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) students. To address this gap, this study investigates the experiences of REM students (N= 35) receiving school‐based ADHD services. The average participant age was 15.8 years, and the majority of participants were male (57.1%). Results from this phenomenological investigation revealed 5 themes and 14 subthemes de-scribing REM students\u27 thoughts, feelings, and experiences of ADHD assessment, intervention, and parent involvement in these processes. These findings suggest REM adolescent students should be informed decision‐makers in their school‐based services, though they are often left out of the planning process. Additionally, student reports support the involvement of parents and interdisciplinary community professionals in school‐based services

School-Based ADHD Services: Perspectives from Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Students

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can impact students\u27 academic, social, and behavioral outcomes. To improve student outcomes, schools regularly identify students with ADHD and develop relevant educational programming. However, the extant research that supports these practices underrepresents racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) students. To address this gap, this study investigates the experiences of REM students (N = 35) receiving school-based ADHD services. The average participant age was 15.8 years, and the majority of participants were male (57.1%). Results from this phenomenological investigation revealed 5 themes and 14 subthemes describing REM students\u27 thoughts, feelings, and experiences of ADHD assessment, intervention, and parent involvement in these processes. These findings suggest REM adolescent students should be informed decision-makers in their school-based services, though they are often left out of the planning process. Additionally, student reports support the involvement of parents and interdisciplinary community professionals in school-based services