Nebular Hα Limits for Fast Declining SNe Ia

One clear observational prediction of the single-degenerate progenitor scenario as the origin of type Ia supernovae (SNe) is the presence of relatively narrow (approximate to 1000 km s(-1)) H alpha emission at nebular phases, although this feature is rarely seen. We present a compilation of nebular phase H alpha limits for SN Ia in the literature and demonstrate that this heterogenous sample has been biased toward SN Ia with relatively high luminosities and slow decline rates, as parameterized by Delta m(15)(B), the difference in B-band magnitude between maximum light and 15 days afterward. Motivated by the need to explore the full parameter space of SN Ia and their subtypes, we present two new and six previously published nebular spectra of SN Ia with Delta m(15)(B) > 1.3 mag (including members of the transitional and SN1991bg-like subclasses) and measure nondetection limits of L-H alpha < 0.85-9.9 x 10(36) erg s(-1), which we confirmed by implanting simulated H alpha emission into our data. Based on the latest models of swept-up material stripped from a nondegenerate companion star, these L-H alpha values correspond to hydrogen mass limits of M-H less than or similar to 1-3 x 10(-4) M-circle dot, which are roughly three orders of magnitude below that expected for the systems modeled, although we note that no simulations of H alpha nebular emission in such weak explosions have yet been performed. Despite the recent detection of strong H alpha in ASASSN-18tb (SN 2018fhw; Delta m(15)(B) = 2.0 mag), we see no evidence that fast-declining systems are more likely to have late time H alpha emission, although a larger sample is needed to confirm this result.Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (Republic of Korea) [GN-2008A-Q-17, GS-2018A-Q-315]; NSF [AST-1615455, AST-1821987, 1821967, AST-1515559]; NASA grant [ADAP-80NSSC19K0578]; DIRAC Institute in the Department of Astronomy at the University of WashingtonThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Supernova 2018cuf: A Type IIP Supernova with a Slow Fall from Plateau

We present multiband photometry and spectroscopy of SN 2018cuf, a Type IIP ("P" for plateau) supernova (SN) discovered by the Distance Less Than 40 Mpc Survey within 24 hr of explosion. SN 2018cuf appears to be a typical SN IIP, with an absolute V-band magnitude of -16.73 0.32 at maximum and a decline rate of 0.21 0.05 mag/50 days during the plateau phase. The distance of the object was constrained to be 41.8 5.7 Mpc by using the expanding photosphere method. We used spectroscopic and photometric observations from the first year after the explosion to constrain the progenitor of SN 2018cuf using both hydrodynamic light-curve modeling and late-time spectroscopic modeling. The progenitor of SN 2018cuf was most likely a red supergiant of about 14.5 M that produced 0.04 0.01 M Ni-56 during the explosion. We also found similar to 0.07 M of circumstellar material (CSM) around the progenitor is needed to fit the early light curves, where the CSM may originate from presupernova outbursts. During the plateau phase, high-velocity features at similar to 11,000 km s(-1) were detected in both the optical and near-infrared spectra, supporting the possibility that the ejecta were interacting with some CSM. A very shallow slope during the postplateau phase was also observed, and it is likely due to a low degree of nickel mixing or the relatively high nickel mass in the SN

Laparoscopic versus open complete mesocolic excision for right cancer colon

Introduction. This study aims to assess and compare the pathological, oncological and perioperative surgical outcomes of CME for right colon cancer by open and laparoscopic approaches. Material and methods. This is a prospective randomized study that included all patients that underwent radical right hemicolectomy with CME for right colon cancer at the Department of General Surgery, Assiut University between January 2017 and December 2018. Follow up of the patients continued till January 2020. Patients were randomized into two groups: the first group for open CME and the second group for laparoscopic CME. Demographic, operative, pathologic and oncological parameters were analysed. Results. This study enrolled 35 patients with colon cancer that were randomly sub-grouped into the open CME group (n = 18) and laparoscopic CME group (n = 17) according to the surgical approach. Both groups had insignificant differences as regard mesocolon grading, vascular tie, circumferential safety margin, total lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes. Patients who underwent open CME had significantly shorter operative time [168.83 ± 23.50 vs. 205.17 ± 35.70 (minutes); p &lt; 0.001] and significantly higher blood loss in comparison to those underwent laparoscopic CME [353.89 ± 85.70 vs. 224.11 ± 96.51 (cc); p &lt; 0.001]. Patients underwent laparoscopic CME had significantly shorter time of passage of flatus [1.45 ± 0.23 vs. 2.34 ± 0.79 (days); p &lt; 0.001] and first bowel motion [1.92 ± 0.38 vs. 2.79 ± 0.95 (days); p = 0.01], and less postoperative pain score and shorter hospital stay in comparison to those underwent open CME. There was no significant difference between the open group and the laparoscopic group as regard mean overall survival duration [23.44 vs. 23.29 (month); p = 0.36] Conclusions. Our study supports the use of laparoscopic CME for right colonic cancer if good surgical expertise is present. It is a feasible and safe procedure with better postoperative short and long-term surgical outcomes and similar pathological and oncological outcomes if compared to the open approach

Positive and negative reinforcement activate human auditory cortex

Prior studies suggest that reward modulates neural activity in sensory cortices, but less is known about punishment. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and an auditory discrimination task, where participants had to judge the duration of frequency modulated tones. In one session correct performance resulted in financial gains at the end of the trial, in a second session incorrect performance resulted in financial loss. Incorrect performance in the rewarded as well as correct performance in the punishment condition resulted in a neutral outcome. The size of gains and losses was either low or high (10 or 50 Euro cent) depending on the direction of frequency modulation. We analyzed neural activity at the end of the trial, during reinforcement, and found increased neural activity in auditory cortex when gaining a financial reward as compared to gaining no reward and when avoiding financial loss as compared to receiving a financial loss. This was independent on the size of gains and losses. A similar pattern of neural activity for both gaining a reward and avoiding a loss was also seen in right middle temporal gyrus, bilateral insula and pre-supplemental motor area, here however neural activity was lower after correct responses compared to incorrect responses. To summarize, this study shows that the activation of sensory cortices, as previously shown for gaining a reward is also seen during avoiding a loss

Predominance of fetal malformations among pregnant women: A multi-centric observational study

Objective: To observe the predominance of fetal anomalies in pregnant women in a multi-centric setting. Methods: This prospective observational study included 20225 pregnant women who came for antenatal care in University Hospital and fetal medicine units from 2016 to 2019. Fetal anatomical scanning was done for all participants. Results: One hundred eighty-three cases had fetal congenital anomalies, yielding a prevalence of around 0.9%. Third of cases had positive consanguinity, this increased in cases of skeletal and thoracic anomalies. The presence of past history of anomalies was evident in 8.2% mostly with skeletal and heart anomalies. History of drug intake was only verified in 1.6% of cases. Sixty-three women out of 183 (34.4%) were diagnosed to have anomalies in fetal nervous system. Conclusion: Prenatal diagnosis are recommended for early detection of congenital anomalies and counselling

Correction: Alnusairi et al. Exogenous Nitric Oxide Reinforces Photosynthetic Efficiency, Osmolyte, Mineral Uptake, Antioxidant, Expression of Stress-Responsive Genes and Ameliorates the Effects of Salinity Stress in Wheat. Plants 2021, 10, 1693

In the original publication [...

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Reinforces Photosynthetic Efficiency, Osmolyte, Mineral Uptake, Antioxidant, Expression of Stress-Responsive Genes and Ameliorates the Effects of Salinity Stress in Wheat

Salinity stress is one of the major environmental constraints responsible for a reduction in agricultural productivity. This study investigated the effect of exogenously applied nitric oxide (NO) (50 μM and 100 μM) in protecting wheat plants from NaCl-induced oxidative damage by modulating protective mechanisms, including osmolyte accumulation and the antioxidant system. Exogenously sourced NO proved effective in ameliorating the deleterious effects of salinity on the growth parameters studied. NO was beneficial in improving the photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content in normal and NaCl-treated wheat plants. Moreover, NO-treated plants maintained a greater accumulation of proline and soluble sugars, leading to higher relative water content maintenance. Exogenous-sourced NO at both concentrations up-regulated the antioxidant system for averting the NaCl-mediated oxidative damage on membranes. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased the protection of membrane structural and functional integrity and photosynthetic efficiency. NO application imparted a marked effect on uptake of key mineral elements such as nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) with a concomitant reduction in the deleterious ions such as Na+. Greater K and reduced Na uptake in NO-treated plants lead to a considerable decline in the Na/K ratio. Enhancing of salt tolerance by NO was concomitant with an obvious down-regulation in the relative expression of SOS1, NHX1, AQP, and OSM-34, while D2-protein was up-regulated