Numerical simulations of structure formation in the early universe predict the formation of some fraction of stars with several hundred solar masses. No clear evidence of supernovae from such very ...massive stars has, however, yet been found in the chemical compositions of Milky Way stars. We report on an analysis of a very metal-poor star SDSS J001820.5–093939.2, which possesses elemental-abundance ratios that differ significantly from any previously known star. This star exhibits low α-element Fe ratios and large contrasts between the abundances of odd and even element pairs, such as scandium/titanium and cobalt/nickel. Such features have been predicted by nucleosynthesis models for supernovae of stars more than 140 times as massive as the Sun, suggesting that the mass distribution of first-generation stars might extend to 100 solar masses or larger.
Linking in vitro bioactivity and in vivo toxicity on a dose basis enables the use of high-throughput in vitro assays as an alternative to traditional animal studies. In this study, we evaluated ...assumptions in the use of a high-throughput, physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model to relate in vitro bioactivity and rat in vivo toxicity data. The fraction unbound in plasma (fup) and intrinsic hepatic clearance (Clint) were measured for rats (for 67 and 77 chemicals, respectively), combined with fup and Clint literature data for 97 chemicals, and incorporated in the PBTK model. Of these chemicals, 84 had corresponding in vitro ToxCast bioactivity data and in vivo toxicity data. For each possible comparison of in vitro and in vivo endpoint, the concordance between the in vivo and in vitro data was evaluated by a regression analysis. For a base set of assumptions, the PBTK results were more frequently better associated than either the results from a "random" model parameterization or direct comparison of the "untransformed" values of AC50 and dose (performed best in 51%, 28%, and 21% of cases, respectively). We also investigated several assumptions in the application of PBTK for IVIVE, including clearance and internal dose selection. One of the better assumptions sets-restrictive clearance and comparing free in vivo venous plasma concentration with free in vitro concentration-outperformed the random and untransformed results in 71% of the in vitro-in vivo endpoint comparisons. These results demonstrate that applying PBTK improves our ability to observe the association between in vitro bioactivity and in vivo toxicity data in general. This suggests that potency values from in vitro screening should be transformed using in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) to build potentially better machine learning and other statistical models for predicting in vivo toxicity in humans.
The neuropeptide kisspeptin and its receptor play an essential role in reproduction as a potent modulator of the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurone. In addition to its reproductive ...function, kisspeptin signalling is also involved in extra‐hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis systems, including oxytocin and arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion. By contrast to the accumulating information for kisspeptin neurones and kisspeptin fibres, the histological distribution and function of the kisspeptin receptor in the rat brain remain poorly characterised. Using in situ hybridisation combined with immunofluorescence, the present study aimed to determine the whole brain map of Kiss1r mRNA (encoding the kisspeptin receptor), and to examine whether oxytocin or AVP neurones express Kiss1r. Neurones with strong Kiss1r expression were observed in several rostral brain areas, including the olfactory bulb, medial septum, diagonal band of Broca and throughout the preoptic area, with the most concentrated population being around 0.5 mm rostral to the bregma. Co‐immunofluorescence staining revealed that, in these rostral brain areas, the vast majority of the Kiss1r‐expressing neurones co‐expressed GnRH. Moderate levels of Kiss1r mRNA were also noted in the rostral periventricular area, paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and throughout the arcuate nucleus. Relatively weak Kiss1r expression was observed in the supraoptic nucleus and supramammillary nuclei. Moderate to weak expression of Kiss1r was also observed in several regions in the midbrain, including the periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus. We also examined whether oxytocin and AVP neurones in the PVN co‐express Kiss1r. Immunofluorescence revealed the co‐expression of Kiss1r in a subset of the oxytocin neurones but not in the AVP neurones in the PVN. The present study provides a fundamental anatomical basis for further examination of the kisspeptin signalling system in the extra‐HPG axis, as well as in reproductive function.
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•We developed a miniaturized sensor based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy (mini-CRDS sensor).•The distance between the two cavity mirrors was 5 cm, the sensor dimensions were 24 cm × ...9 cm × 13 cm, and the mass was 2.7 kg.•The limit of detection (3 times the standard deviation) of H2O in N2 was 3.1 nmol/mol (3.1 ppb) in mole fraction.•The relative standard uncertainty was tentatively evaluated as 10 % to 0.67 % for the range of 12 nmol/mol (12 ppb) to 1.3 μmol/mol (1.3 ppm).
We developed a miniaturized sensor based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy (the mini-CRDS sensor) for the real-time measurement of trace moisture. The dimensions and mass were 24 cm × 9 cm × 13 cm and 2.7 kg, respectively, exclusive of the laser controller and data processing unit. The distance between the two cavity mirrors was 5 cm, and the internal volume and surface area of the cavity between the mirrors were approximately 4 cm3 and 16 cm2, respectively. The Allan-Werle deviation of trace-moisture measurement was approximately 0.46 nmol/mol at an averaging time of 10 s. The minimum detectable absorption coefficient for an averaging time of 10 s was 6.8 × 10−10 cm-1. The limit of detection (3 times the standard deviation) of moisture in nitrogen was 3.1 nmol/mol (3.1 ppb) in the amount-of-substance fraction (mole fraction). The relative standard uncertainty was tentatively evaluated as 10 % to 0.67 % for the range of 12 nmol/mol (12 ppb) to 1.3 μmol/mol (1.3 ppm). The measurement accuracy of the mini-CRDS in the above range was evaluated by comparison with a primary trace-moisture standard that is metrologically traceable to the International System of Units (SI), and the results demonstrated good agreement between the mini-CRDS and the primary trace-moisture standard.
After the discovery of the Higgs boson, the measurement of its coupling properties are of particular importance. In this talk measurement of the cross sections and couplings of the Higgs boson in ...bosonic and fermionic decay channels with the ATLAS detector are presented.
•Antimicrobial resistance is spreading rapidly and is a major problem for public health.•Antibiotic misuse is the main contributing factor to the development of antimicrobial resistance.•In many ...laboratory practices, urinalysis procedures are outdated and suboptimal, therefore leading to inadequate laboratory results.•Our laboratory has implemented evidence-based urinalysis reflex criteria to improve practice and improve laboratory results.
To implement evidence-based urinalysis (UA) reflex criteria and to evaluate the impact of the intervention on reducing unnecessary antibiotic usage.
A prospective intervention study was conducted on 4130 urine samples that were subjected to UA during March to May 2020. Results were analyzed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of newly implemented evidence-based criteria in predicting positive urine cultures. The intervention involved implementing evidence-based UA reflex criteria to ensure a high predictive value of the UA reflex parameters. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of these UA parameters in predicting positive urine cultures and to assess the impact of the new UA criteria on antibiotic usage.
A total of 4130 patient samples were included in the study; 60.1% (n = 2484) were from female patients and 39.9% (n = 1646) were from male patients. The total number of negative urine reflex samples was 3116, which accounted for 75.4% of the total UA reflex samples. In contrast, 24.6% of the urine reflex samples (n = 1014) returned positive UA results and were reflexed to urine culture. Among the urine samples that were cultured, 9% (n = 91) were negative urine cultures, while 91.0% (n = 923) were positive urine cultures. Chi-square analysis indicated highly statistically significant associations between the combination parameters of (≥5 white blood cells (WBCs) and positive nitrite) and positive urine cultures (Chi-square = 516.428, p < 0.001) and (≥5 WBCs and moderate or large esterase) and positive urine cultures (Chi-square = 503.387, p < 0.001). Additionally, Chi-square analysis indicated a highly statistically significant association between the combination parameters of (≥5 WBCs and ≥1 bacteria) and positive urine cultures (Chi-square = 434.806, p < 0.001). The statistical analysis showed that the implementation of evidence-based UA reflex criteria significantly decreased the number of urine cultures performed and potentially decreased the number of patients inappropriately treated with antibiotics from 45.1% to 9%.
In conclusion, ≥5 WBCs and positive nitrite yielded the highest positive predictive value of 98.00% and showed a highly significant association with positive urine cultures. It was observed that the new UA reflex criteria are highly effective in predicting positive urine cultures, thus potentially resulting in the reduction of unnecessary antibiotic usage.
We have proposed an existence of small‐scale convection in the mantle wedge in order to explain the alignment of group of volcanoes in the NE Honshu subduction zone, Japan. The roll type thermal ...convection whose axis is normal to the plate boundaries and “flip‐flopping” of rolls (warmer and colder parts exchange their positions, as time passes) are reported. However, the subsequent study shows an existence of non‐flip‐flopping rolls, also. Thus, in this study, I investigate the possible causes of these differences systematically. I found that along‐arc wavelength of small‐scale convection is controlled by two length scales which may be associated with the inclined nature of the bottom of the low viscosity mantle wedge where the small‐scale convection emerges. When the convection is in early stage of evolvement or the speed of subducting slab is small, the long‐wavelength rolls become prominent. As the convection evolves or the speed of subduction increases, short‐wavelength rolls tend to take over the long‐wavelength rolls. The transition from the long‐wavelength to the short‐wavelength rolls occurs in a several way. It may occur through the splitting of rolls, adjustment of roll patterns and flip‐flopping. If the pattern becomes short‐wavelength roll, it becomes stable. The range of existence of flip‐flopping is limited and the existence of viscosity jump in the top thermal boundary layer may be required.
Key Points
Dynamics of mantle wedge possibly related to the volcanism
Deadwood in forests plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological functions. Small mammals use deadwood, and thus deadwood can mitigate the negative impacts of plantation on small mammals. This ...study focused on fallen dead trees in planted forests, and aimed to verify whether fallen dead trees affect behavioral patterns of Japanese squirrels. To clarify the use of fallen dead trees by Japanese squirrels in a Japanese cedar plantation, we observed squirrel behavior by camera trap surveys at 61 survey sites. Our findings showed that fallen dead trees play a crucial role in the behavior of Japanese squirrels, serving as landmarks for movement, vigilance, resting, and hoarding sites. These functions are critical for the survival of Japanese squirrels, suggesting that fallen dead trees in planted forests have positive impacts on their microenvironment use. The increase of deadwood due to disturbances such as heavy rainfall and snowfall resulting from climate change may provide benefits to arboreal small mammals in poorly managed planted forests. Additionally, leaving some of the deadwood generated during the harvesting process in properly managed forests can improve the quality of habitat for arboreal small mammals.
In this work, we present the integration of a valve into the pressure supply channel for a pneumatic balloon actuator (PBA). We employed a microvalve using a thermally responsive fluid (Pluronic® ...F127 solution) as the valve which integrates in the PBA. The viscosity of Pluronic® F127 solution can be controlled by a heater integrated into the supply channel to close and open the channel.
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This paper shows the integration of a valve into the pressure supply channel for a pneumatic balloon actuator (PBA). We employed a microvalve using a thermally responsive fluid as the valve that integrates with the PBA. Aqueous Pluronic® F127 solutions are thermally responsive fluids that change their viscosity as a function of temperature. The viscosity of a Pluronic® F127 solution can be controlled by a heater integrated into the supply channel to close and open the channel. In this paper we also show the measured pressure resistance of the microvalve and the demonstration of a PBA integrated with a microvalve. The integration of a valve into the pneumatic actuator allows designing compact pneumatic actuator systems.
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