The Multi-slit Approach to Coronal Spectroscopy with the Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE)

The Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE) is a proposed mission aimed at understanding the physical mechanisms driving the heating of the solar corona and the eruptions that are at the foundation of space weather. MUSE contains two instruments, a multi-slit EUV spectrograph and a context imager. It will simultaneously obtain EUV spectra (along 37 slits) and context images with the highest resolution in space (0.33-0.4 arcsec) and time (1-4 s) ever achieved for the transition region and corona. The MUSE science investigation will exploit major advances in numerical modeling, and observe at the spatial and temporal scales on which competing models make testable and distinguishable predictions, thereby leading to a breakthrough in our understanding of coronal heating and the drivers of space weather. By obtaining spectra in 4 bright EUV lines (Fe IX 171A, Fe XV 284A, Fe XIX-XXI 108A) covering a wide range of transition region and coronal temperatures along 37 slits simultaneously, MUSE will be able to "freeze" the evolution of the dynamic coronal plasma. We describe MUSE's multi-slit approach and show that the optimization of the design minimizes the impact of spectral lines from neighboring slits, generally allowing line parameters to be accurately determined. We also describe a Spectral Disambiguation Code to resolve multi-slit ambiguity in locations where secondary lines are bright. We use simulations of the corona and eruptions to perform validation tests and show that the multi-slit disambiguation approach allows accurate determination of MUSE observables in locations where significant multi-slit contamination occurs

Whole-body single-cell sequencing reveals transcriptional domains in the annelid larval body.

Animal bodies comprise diverse arrays of cells. To characterise cellular identities across an entire body, we have compared the transcriptomes of single cells randomly picked from dissociated whole larvae of the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii. We identify five transcriptionally distinct groups of differentiated cells, each expressing a unique set of transcription factors and effector genes that implement cellular phenotypes. Spatial mapping of cells into a cellular expression atlas, and wholemount in situ hybridisation of group-specific genes reveals spatially coherent transcriptional domains in the larval body, comprising e.g. apical sensory-neurosecretory cells vs. neural/epidermal surface cells. These domains represent new, basic subdivisions of the annelid body based entirely on differential gene expression, and are composed of multiple, transcriptionally similar cell types. They do not represent clonal domains, as revealed by developmental lineage analysis. We propose that the transcriptional domains that subdivide the annelid larval body represent families of related cell types that have arisen by evolutionary diversification. Their possible evolutionary conservation makes them a promising tool for evo-devo research. (167/250).KA and JM were supported by the Marie Curie COFUND programme from the European Commission and by EMBL core funding. NE, PC, VB, and DA were supported by core funding from EMBL. KA, HMV, PYB, PV were supported by the Advanced grant “Brain Evo-Devo” from the European Research Council. JCM was supported by core funding from EMBL and Cancer Research UK

Study of the genetic diversity of the aflatoxin biosynthesis cluster in \u3ci\u3eAspergillus\u3c/i\u3e section \u3ci\u3eFlavi\u3c/i\u3e using insertion/deletion markers in peanut seeds from Georgia, USA

Aflatoxins are among themost powerful carcinogens in nature. The major aflatoxin-producing fungi are Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Numerous crops, including peanut, are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination by these fungi. There has been an increased use of RNA interference (RNAi) technology to control phytopathogenic fungi in recent years. In order to develop molecular tools targeting specific genes of these fungi for the control of aflatoxins, it is necessary to obtain their genome sequences. Although high-throughput sequencing is readily available, it is still impractical to sequence the genome of every isolate. Thus, in this work, the authors proposed a workflow that allowed prescreening of 238 Aspergillus section Flavi isolates from peanut seeds from Georgia, USA. The aflatoxin biosynthesis cluster (ABC) of the isolates was fingerprinted at 25 InDel (insertion/deletion) loci using capillary electrophoresis. All isolates were tested for aflatoxins using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The neighbor- joining, three-dimension (3D) principal coordinate, and Structure analyses revealed that the Aspergillus isolates sampled consisted of three main groups determined by their capability to produce aflatoxins. Group I comprised 10 non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus; Group II included A. parasiticus; and Group III includedmostly aflatoxigenic A. flavus and the three non-aflatoxigenic A. caelatus.Whole genomes of 10 representative isolates from different groups were sequenced. Although InDels in Aspergillus have been used by other research groups, this is the first time that the cluster analysis resulting from fingerprinting was followed by whole-genome sequencing of representative isolates. In our study, cluster analysis of ABC sequences validated the results obtained with fingerprinting. This shows that InDels used here can predict similarities at the genome level. Our results also revealed a relationship between groups and their capability to produce aflatoxins. The database generated of Aspergillus spp. can be used to select target genes and assess the effectiveness of RNAi technology to reduce aflatoxin contamination in peanut. Supplementary file folder attached below

Antigenicity and diagnostic potential of vaccine candidates in human Chagas disease

Chagas disease is the most common cause of congestive heart failure related deaths among young adults in the endemic areas of South and Central America and Mexico. Diagnosis and treatment of T. cruzi infection has remained difficult and challenging after 100 years of its identification. In >95% of human cases, T. cruzi infection remains undiagnosed until several years later when chronic evolution of progressive disease results in clinical symptoms associated with cardiac damage. Diagnosis generally depends on the measurement of T. cruzi'specific antibodies that can result in false positives. A conclusive diagnosis of T. cruzi infection thus often requires multiple serological tests, in combination with epidemiological data and clinical symptoms. In this study, we investigated the antibody response to TcG1, TcG2, and TcG4 in clinically characterized chagasic patients. These antigens were identified as vaccine candidates and shown to elicit protective immunity to T. cruzi and Chagas disease in experimental animals. Our data show the serology test developed using the TcGmix (multiplex ELISA) is a significantly better alternative to epimastigote extracts currently used in T. cruzi serodiagnosis or the trypomastigote lysate used in this study for comparison purposes.Fil: Gupta, Shivali. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department Of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Wan, Xianxu. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department Of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Zago, María Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Sellers, Valena C.. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Silva, Trevor S.. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Assiah, Dadjah. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Dhiman, Monisha. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Nuñez, Sonia. Provincia de Salta. Hospital Público de Gestion Descentralizada San Bernardo; ArgentinaFil: Petersen, John R.. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department of Pathology; Estados UnidosFil: Vazquez Chagoyán, Juan C.. Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México ; MéxicoFil: Estrada Franco, Jose G.. Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México; MéxicoFil: Garg, Nisha Jain. University Of Texas Medical Branch. Department of Pathology; Estados Unido

Metales pesados en polvo atmosférico depositado en hojas de Acacia farnesiana (Fabaceae) y Prosopis laevigata (Fabaceae)

Atmospheric dust establishes an element of study to know the distribution of pollutant particles such as heavy metals and their effects on ecological systems. The objective was to determine the elemental composition of particles deposited in two species of trees as an indicator of environmental impact in San Luis Potosí, México. The distribution of Acacia farnesiana and Prosopis laevigata trees was taken into account in five soil uses to collect leaf material and extract atmospheric dust during the spring and summer seasons, determining the concentration of heavy metals using the ICP-MS technique. The results indicated the presence of Al> Cu> Zn> Pb> V> As> Ni> Cd> Ti> Cr> Co. Correlations with values of r2> 0.90 were presented between V-Ti, Ni-V, Ni-Ti, Al-Ti and Cr-V. The species factor conditioned the concentrations of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ni and Zn mainly in the particles deposited in Prosopis leaves. Particles of nine elements were conditioned by the activities of the five land uses, where the use of mineral soil affected by the presence of Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu and Zn. Concentrations of Cd were 6.2 times higher in the use of mining soil than in the agricultural sector; 5.9 and 5.4 times the concentrations of Co and Pb in the use of mining soil with respect to the trade and service respectively. The season had only significant effects on Cr and Pb particles. This study indicates the existence of pollutants that can affect ecological systems so it falls within the context of continued evaluation of environmental impacts.El polvo atmosférico se establece como elemento de estudio para conocer la distribución de partículas contaminantes, como son los metales pesados y sus efectos sobre los sistemas ecológicos. El objetivo fue determinar la composición elemental de las partículas depositadas en dos especies de árboles como un indicador de impacto ambiental en San Luis Potosí, México. La distribución de los árboles de Acacia farnesiana y Prosopis laevigata se tomó en cuenta en cinco usos del suelo para recolectar material foliar y extraer el polvo atmosférico durante la primavera y el verano, determinando la concentración de metales pesados utilizando la técnica ICP-MS. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de Al> Cu> Zn> Pb> V> As> Ni> Cd> Ti> Cr> Co. Se presentaron correlaciones con valores de r2> 0,90 entre V-Ti, Ni-V, Ni-Ti, Al-Ti y Cr-V. El factor especie condicionó las concentraciones de Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ni y Zn principalmente en las partículas depositadas en las hojas de Prosopis. Las partículas de nueve elementos fueron condicionadas por las actividades de los cinco usos de la tierra, donde el uso del suelo mineral se vio afectado por la presencia de Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu y Zn. Las concentraciones de Cd fueron 6,2 veces más altas en el uso de suelo minero que en el sector agrícola; 5,9 y 5,4 veces las concentraciones de Co y Pb en el uso del suelo minero con respecto al comercio y al servicio, respectivamente. La temporada solo tuvo efectos significativos sobre las partículas de Cr y Pb. Este estudio indica la existencia de contaminantes que pueden afectar los sistemas ecológicos, por lo que entran en el contexto de la evaluación de los impactos ambientales.Fil: Jorge Alcalá Jáuregui. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Juan C. Rodríguez Ortiz. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Alejandra Hernández Montoya. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: María Flavia Filippini. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias AgrariasFil: Eduardo Martinez Carretero. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas Fil: Paola Elizabeth Díaz Flores. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Ángel Natanael Rojas Velázquez. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Humberto Rodríguez-Fuentes. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (México). Facultad de Agronomía.Fil: Félix Alfredo Beltrán Morales. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (México

Mutations in pericentrin cause Seckel syndrome with defective ATR-dependent DNA damage signaling

Large brain size is one of the defining characteristics of modern humans. Seckel syndrome (MIM 210600), a disorder of markedly reduced brain and body size, is associated with defective ATR-dependent DNA damage signaling. Only a single hypomorphic mutation of ATR has been identified in this genetically heterogeneous condition. We now report that mutations in the gene encoding pericentrin (PCNT)--resulting in the loss of pericentrin from the centrosome, where it has key functions anchoring both structural and regulatory proteins--also cause Seckel syndrome. Furthermore, we find that cells of individuals with Seckel syndrome due to mutations in PCNT (PCNT-Seckel) have defects in ATR-dependent checkpoint signaling, providing the first evidence linking a structural centrosomal protein with DNA damage signaling. These findings also suggest that other known microcephaly genes implicated in either DNA repair responses or centrosomal function may act in common developmental pathways determining human brain and body size

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Spectra of 28 intermediate redshift quasars (Sulentic+, 2017)

Spectroscopic data for 28 intermediate redshift quasars are identified in Table 1. Actual data files are in FITS format in the spectra sub-directory. Units are in wavelength in Angstroms, and specific flux in erg/s/cm2/Angstrom (pW/m3)x1E15 in the rest frame (i.e., after redshift correction). The last column of Table 1 reports the FITS file names. (2 data files)

Gut microbiota composition in himalayan and andean populations and its relationship with diet, lifestyle and adaptation to the high-altitude environment

Human populations living at high altitude evolved a number of biological adjustments to cope with a challenging environment characterised especially by reduced oxygen availability and limited nutritional resources. This condition may also affect their gut microbiota composition. Here, we explored the impact of exposure to such selective pressures on human gut microbiota by considering different ethnic groups living at variable degrees of altitude: the high-altitude Sherpa and low-altitude Tamang populations from Nepal, the high-altitude Aymara population from Bolivia, as well as a low-altitude cohort of European ancestry, used as control. We thus observed microbial profiles common to the Sherpa and Aymara, but absent in the low-altitude cohorts, which may contribute to the achievement of adaptation to high-altitude lifestyle and nutritional conditions. The collected evidences suggest that microbial signatures associated to these rural populations may enhance metabolic functions able to supply essential compounds useful for the host to cope with high altitude-related physiological changes and energy demand. Therefore, these results add another valuable piece of the puzzle to the understanding of the beneficial effects of symbiosis between microbes and their human host even from an evolutionary perspective

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Highly Accreting Quasars: SDSS Low z Catalog (Negrete+, 2018)

Table 4: contains 103 spectra with an erroneous z identification. The redshift values are given by: the SDSS database (erroneous values), Shen et al. (2011, Cat. J/ApJS/194/45) and Hewett & Wilde (2010, Cat. J/MNRAS/405/2302) (correct values). Table 5: Contains the data described in the Table 2, which are the measurements of the individual spectral fits and derived computations. A detailed description of this table is in Sec. 4.2. (2 data files)