2D Bayesian automated tilted-ring fitting of disk galaxies in large HI galaxy surveys: 2DBAT

We present a novel algorithm based on a Bayesian method for 2D tilted-ring analysis of disk galaxy velocity fields. Compared to the conventional algorithms based on a chi-squared minimisation procedure, this new Bayesian-based algorithm suffers less from local minima of the model parameters even with highly multi-modal posterior distributions. Moreover, the Bayesian analysis, implemented via Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling, only requires broad ranges of posterior distributions of the parameters, which makes the fitting procedure fully automated. This feature will be essential when performing kinematic analysis on the large number of resolved galaxies expected to be detected in neutral hydrogen (HI) surveys with the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and its pathfinders. The so-called '2D Bayesian Automated Tilted-ring fitter' (2DBAT) implements Bayesian fits of 2D tilted-ring models in order to derive rotation curves of galaxies. We explore 2DBAT performance on (a) artificial HI data cubes built based on representative rotation curves of intermediate-mass and massive spiral galaxies, and (b) Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) HI data from the Local Volume HI Survey (LVHIS). We find that 2DBAT works best for well-resolved galaxies with intermediate inclinations (20 deg < i < 70 deg), complementing three-dimensional techniques better suited to modelling inclined galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS; 46 pages, 33 figure

Evaluasi Penerapan Sistem dan Prosedur Pengeluaran Kas Sesuai Peraturan Menteri Keuangan No. 171/PMK. 05/2021 Pada Kantor Kementerian Agama Kota Manado: Evaluation of the Implementation of Cash Disbursement Systems and Procedures According to the Regulation of the Minister of Finance Number. 171/PMK. 05/2021 at the Ministry of Religion in Manado City

Abstrak: Prosedur pelaksanaan pengeluaran kas sangat penting dalam mewujudkan tata kelola keuangan negara yang tertib, ekonomi, efisien, efektif, transparan dan bertanggung jawab. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penerapan sistem dan prosedur pengeluaran kas berdasarkan Peraturan Menteri Keuangan No. 171/PMK.05/2021 tentang pelaksanaan sistem sakti pada kantor kementerian agama kota Manado. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kantor kementerian agama kota Manado telah menerapkan sistem dan prosedur pengeluaran kas secara efektif dimana prosedur pengeluaran kas/dana menggunakan 2 metode yaitu melalui belanja langsung (LS) dan melalui uang persediaan (UP) yang langsung ditransfer ke rekening penerima sesuai Peraturan Menteri Keuangan N0. 171/PMK.05 /2021. Kata kunci: PMK, Pengeluaran Kas, Sistem dan Prosedur Abstract: Procedures for implementing cash disbursements are very important in realizing orderly, economic, efficient, effective, transparent and accountable state financial governance. This study aims to determine the application of cash disbursement systems and procedures based on Minister of Finance Regulation no. 171/PMK.05/2021 concerning the implementation of the magic system at the office of the ministry of religion in the city of Manado. This study uses a qualitative analysis method. The results of the study show that the Manado city ministry of religion has implemented systems and procedures for disbursing cash effectively where cash/funds disbursement procedures use 2 methods, namely through direct spending (LS) and through supply money (UP) which is directly transferred to the recipient's account in accordance with Ministerial Regulations Finance N0. 171/PMK.05/2021. Keywords: PMK, Cash Disbursements, Systems and Procedure

Asymmetric triplex metallohelices with high and selective activity against cancer cells

Small cationic amphiphilic α-helical peptides are emerging as agents for the treatment of cancer and infection, but they are costly and display unfavourable pharmacokinetics. Helical coordination complexes may offer a three-dimensional scaffold for the synthesis of mimetic architectures. However, the high symmetry and modest functionality of current systems offer little scope to tailor the structure to interact with specific biomolecular targets, or to create libraries for phenotypic screens. Here, we report the highly stereoselective asymmetric self-assembly of very stable, functionalized metallohelices. Their anti-parallel head-to-head-to-tail ‘triplex’ strand arrangement creates an amphipathic functional topology akin to that of the active sub-units of, for example, host-defence peptides and ​p53. The metallohelices display high, structure-dependent toxicity to the human colon carcinoma cell-line HCT116 ​p53++, causing dramatic changes in the cell cycle without DNA damage. They have lower toxicity to human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MDA-MB-468) and, most remarkably, they show no significant toxicity to the bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. At a glanc

Number word use in toddlerhood is associated with number recall performance at seven years of age

Previous studies have shown that verbal working memory and vocabulary acquisition are linked in early childhood. However, it is unclear whether acquisition of a narrow range of words during toddlerhood may be particularly related to recall of the same words later in life. Here we asked whether vocabulary acquisition of number words, location and quantifier terms over the first three years of life are associated with verbal and visuospatial working memory at seven years. Our results demonstrate that children who produced more number words between 20-26 months and started to produce the number words 1-10 earlier showed greater number recall at 7 years of age. This link was specific to numbers and neither extended to quantifier and location terms nor verbal and visuospatial working memory performance with other stimuli. These findings suggest a category-specific link between the mental lexicon of number words and working memory for numbers at an early age. © 2014 Libertus et al

A prospective cohort study comparing the reactogenicity of trivalent influenza vaccine in pregnant and non-pregnant women

Background: Influenza vaccination during pregnancy can prevent serious illness in expectant mothers and provide protection to newborns; however, historically uptake has been limited due to a number of factors, including safety concerns. Symptomatic complaints are common during pregnancy and may be mistakenly associated with reactions to trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). To investigate this, we compared post-vaccination events self-reported by pregnant women to events reported by non-pregnant women receiving TIV. Methods: A prospective cohort of 1,086 pregnant women and 314 non-pregnant female healthcare workers (HCWs) who received TIV between March-May 2014 were followed-up seven days post-vaccination to assess local and systemic adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs). Women were surveyed by text message regarding perceived reactions to TIV. Those reporting an AEFI completed an interview by telephone or mobile phone to ascertain details. Logistic regression models adjusting for age and residence were used to compare reactions reported by pregnant women and non-pregnant HCWs. Results: Similar proportions of pregnant women and non-pregnant, female HCWs reported ≥1 reaction following vaccination with TIV (13.0% and 17.3%, respectively; OR = 1.2 [95% CI: 0.8-1.8]). Non-pregnant, female HCWs were more likely to report fever or headache compared to pregnant women (OR: 4.6 [95% CI 2.1-10.3] and OR: 2.2 [95% CI 1.0-4.6], respectively). No other significant differences in reported symptoms were observed. No serious vaccine-associated adverse events were reported, and less than 2% of each group sought medical advice for a reaction. Conclusions: We found no evidence suggesting pregnant women are more likely to report adverse events following influenza vaccination when compared to non-pregnant female HCWs of similar age, and in some cases, pregnant women reported significantly fewer adverse events. These results further support the safety of TIV administered in pregnant women

HIV Serostatus and Tumor Differentiation Among Patients with Cervical Cancer at Bugando Medical Centre.

Evidence for the association between Human immunodeficiency virus infection and cervical cancer has been contrasting, with some studies reporting increased risk of cervical cancer among HIV positive women while others report no association. Similar evidence from Tanzania is scarce as HIV seroprevalence among cervical cancer patients has not been rigorously evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between HIV and tumor differentiation among patients with cervical cancer at Bugando Medical Centre and Teaching Hospital in Mwanza, North-Western Tanzania. This was a descriptive analytical study involving suspected cervical cancer patients seen at the gynaecology outpatient clinic and in the gynaecological ward from November 2010 to March 2011. A total of 91 suspected cervical cancer patients were seen during the study period and 74 patients were histologically confirmed with cervical cancer. The mean age of those confirmed of cervical cancer was 50.5 ± 12.5 years. Most patients (39 of the total 74-52.7%) were in early disease stages (stages IA-IIA). HIV infection was diagnosed in 22 (29.7%) patients. On average, HIV positive women with early cervical cancer disease had significantly more CD4+ cells than those with advanced disease (385.8 ± 170.4 95% CI 354.8-516.7 and 266.2 ± 87.5, 95% CI 213.3-319.0 respectively p = 0.042). In a binary logistic regression model, factors associated with HIV seropositivity were ever use of hormonal contraception (OR 5.79 95% CI 1.99-16.83 p = 0.001), aged over 50 years (OR 0.09 95% CI 0.02-0.36 p = 0.001), previous history of STI (OR 3.43 95% CI 1.10-10.80 p = 0.035) and multiple sexual partners OR 5.56 95% CI 1.18-26.25 p = 0.030). Of these factors, only ever use of hormonal contraception was associated with tumor cell differentiation (OR 0.16 95% CI 0.06-0.49 p = 0.001). HIV seropositivity was weakly associated with tumor cell differentiation in an unadjusted analysis (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.04-1.02 p = 0.053), but strong evidence for the association was found after adjusting for ever use of hormonal contraception with approximately six times more likelihood of HIV infection among women with poorly differentiated tumor cells compared to those with moderately and well differentiated cells (OR 5.62 95% CI 1.76-17.94 p = 0.004).\ud Results from this study setting suggest that HIV is common among cervical cancer patients and that HIV seropositivity may be associated with poor tumour differentiation. Larger studies in this and similar settings with high HIV prevalence and high burden of cervical cancer are required to document this relationship

Plant communities affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity and community composition in grassland microcosms

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was investigated in an unfertilized limestone grassland soil supporting different synthesized vascular plant assemblages that had developed for 3 yr. The experimental treatments comprised: bare soil; monocultures of the nonmycotrophic sedge Carex flacca; monocultures of the mycotrophic grass Festuca ovina; and a species-rich mixture of four forbs, four grasses and four sedges. The diversity of AM fungi was analysed in roots of Plantago lanceolata bioassay seedlings using terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). The extent of AM colonization, shoot biomass and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were also measured. The AM diversity was affected significantly by the floristic composition of the microcosms and shoot phosphorus concentration was positively correlated with AM diversity. The diversity of AM fungi in P. lanceolata decreased in the order: bare soil > C. flacca > 12 species > F. ovina. The unexpectedly high diversity in the bare soil and sedge monoculture likely reflects differences in the modes of colonization and sources of inoculum in these treatments compared with the assemblages containing established AM-compatible plants