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Neural deprojection of galaxy stellar mass profiles
No full textWe introduce a neural approach to dynamical modeling of galaxies that replaces traditional imaging-based deprojections with a differentiable mapping. Specifically, we train a neural network to translate Nuker profile parameters into analytically deprojectable Multi Gaussian Expansion components, enabling physically realistic stellar mass models without requiring optical observations. We integrate this model into SuperMAGE, a differentiable dynamical modelling pipeline for Bayesian inference of supermassive black hole masses. Applied to ALMA data, our approach finds results consistent with state-of-the-art models while extending applicability to dust-obscured and active galaxies where optical data analysis is challenging
The rise of Viet Nam’s solar panel industry: inputs, FDI, and spillovers
Get PDFWhen countries subsidize the production and innovation of green goods, does it make it easier for others to join their value chains? We explore this question using Viet Nam’s solar panel industry as a case study, using firm-to-firm transaction data to map out its value chain. We find that Viet Nam imports solar parts and components at substantially lower prices from subsidizing countries: about 30% cheaper than from non-subsidizing countries and nearly 50% cheaper from China, where all key inputs are subsidized. We also find that Chinese FDI firms - which account for around 75% of exports and 50% of jobs among all solar producers - export solar panels at around 38% cheaper than other solar panel exporters in Viet Nam. Lastly, we find that local suppliers of solar panel parts and components linked to these firms experience positive productivity gains. Together, the results are consistent with subsidy spillovers that operate through cheaper intermediate inputs, transmission of cost advantage through multinational production networks, and productivity spillovers to local firms
Public knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use across England – pre- and post-pandemic
Get PDFBackgroundAntibiotic misuse is a major preventable driving factor for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care where demand for consultations for common self-limiting infections is greatest, meaning public knowledge may influence antibiotic prescribing. This study aims to explore how public knowledge of and attitudes towards antibiotics have changed over time.MethodsIpsos conducted interviews as part of routine surveys across England in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Random and quota sampling were used to ensure a representative sample. Questionnaire responses were weighted to ensure the results are broadly representative of the population. Pearson's Chi-squared test was used to test for differences in proportions across levels of categorical variables and between responses across the four years.ResultsResponses were obtained from 2,022 (pre-pandemic); 1,676 (pandemic-Y1); 1,663 (pandemic-Y2) and 3,024 (post-pandemic) respondents. The proportion of respondents who felt they had personal responsibility to tackle AMR increased from 57% pre-pandemic to 62% in pandemic-Y1 (p < 0.05), reducing to 46% post-pandemic. The proportion of respondents correctly answering the statement antibiotics will always speed up my recovery from an infection increased from 58% pre-pandemic to 65% in pandemic-Y1 and Y2 (p < 0.05), reducing to 56% post-pandemic. Knowledge regarding the use of antibiotics to treat ear, urine infections and COVID-19 was lowest post-pandemic. Trust in healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding whether antibiotics are needed peaked during (range: 77% to 91%) and declined post-pandemic (range: 72% to 86%). The proportion of respondents who reported they would be pleased if their GP did not prescribe antibiotics was highest pre-pandemic (84%), decreasing to 65% post-pandemic. The proportion of respondents who were likely to request antibiotics from their GP declined from pre-pandemic (21%) to pandemic-Y1 (19%) but increased post-pandemic (25%). Demographic variations were observed across nearly all questions.ConclusionsThis paper highlights some concerning trends. Knowledge regarding AMR and the specific infections that antibiotics can treat has reverted to pre-pandemic levels, while levels of uncertainty about AMR and antibiotic use have increased. Although high, trust in HCPs has declined. Therefore, future interventions may wish to support HCPs to build trust with their patients and consider how care pathways can promote this
Single-cell profiling reveals three endothelial-to-hematopoietic transitions with divergent isoform expression landscapes
Get PDFHemogenic endothelium (HE) is recognized as the origin of all definitive blood cells, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs); however, the mechanisms governing the hematopoietic progenitor versus HSC fate choice within the HE remain unknown. Here we combine differentiation assays with full-length single-cell transcriptome data for extra-embryonic yolk sac (YS) and intra-embryonic aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region HE populations. We identified and localized three differentiation trajectories, each containing a distinct HE subset: erythromyeloid progenitor-primed HE in the YS plexus, lymphomyeloid progenitor-primed HE in large YS arteries and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-primed HE in the AGM. Chromatin modifiers and spliceosome components were enriched in AGM HE. This correlated with a higher isoform complexity of the AGM HE transcriptome. Distinct AGM HE-specific isoform expression patterns were observed for a broad range of genes, including stemness-associated factors like Runx1. Our data form a unique resource for studying cell fate decisions in different HE populations
18 F‐Radiopharmaceutical Diversification Enabled by Deaminative Cross‐Electrophile Couplings
Get PDFThe development of 18F‐labelled radiotracers is of vital importance for (pre)clinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and to guide drug discovery campaigns. State‐of‐the‐art approaches often require labour‐intensive preparation of highly functionalised radiolabelling precursors. This bottleneck impedes analogue generation for optimal imaging and exploration of radiochemical space. To this end, we disclose a nickel‐mediated aryl (C)sp2‐(C)sp3 cross‐coupling with amine‐derived alkyl 2,4,6‐triphenylpyridinium salts as coupling partners amenable to radiosynthesis. The method was applied to primary and secondary 2,4,6‐triphenylpyridinium salts in radiochemical conversion (RCC) up to 86% and a high‐throughput experimentation (HTE) assay proved crucial for expedient ligand evaluation. A late‐stage diversification case study from a sole precursor achieved six 18F‐labelled GSK‐3 kinase inhibitor analogues, one being prepared in up to gigabecquerel (GBq) quantities in a (semi)automated two‐step protocol applied across three commercial radiosynthesis platforms
18 F‐Radiopharmaceutical Diversification Enabled by Deaminative Cross‐Electrophile Couplings
Get PDFThe development of 18F‐labelled radiotracers is of vital importance for (pre)clinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and to guide drug discovery campaigns. State‐of‐the‐art approaches often require labour‐intensive preparation of highly functionalised radiolabelling precursors. This bottleneck impedes analogue generation for optimal imaging and exploration of radiochemical space. To this end, we disclose a nickel‐mediated aryl (C)sp2‐(C)sp3 cross‐coupling with amine‐derived alkyl 2,4,6‐triphenylpyridinium salts as coupling partners amenable to radiosynthesis. The method was applied to primary and secondary 2,4,6‐triphenylpyridinium salts in radiochemical conversion (RCC) up to 86% and a high‐throughput experimentation (HTE) assay proved crucial for expedient ligand evaluation. A late‐stage diversification case study from a sole precursor achieved six 18F‐labelled GSK‐3 kinase inhibitor analogues, one being prepared in up to gigabecquerel (GBq) quantities in a (semi)automated two‐step protocol applied across three commercial radiosynthesis platforms
Preparing for Future Pandemics: Vaccine Effectiveness Against SARS-CoV-2 Variant in a High-Risk Hospital Environment—A Case Study From Vietnam
Get PDFOn 30 September 2021, Viet Duc University Hospital in Northern Vietnam, reported a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta outbreak, leading to an 18-day lockdown and repeated testing of all on-site individuals. At this time, SARS-CoV-2 was not yet circulating at scale among the general public and COVID-19 vaccination status varied among staff, patients, and caregivers. We estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE), attack rates (ARs), and adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) to identify factors associated with infection among infection-naïve patients, caregivers, and staff using multivariable regression analysis. Among 630 at-risk individuals, there were 131 (21%) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 cases including three deaths. The overall VE was 78%. Hospital staff and people who were fully vaccinated had a significantly lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (P < .05). Our analysis shows the importance of being fully vaccinated in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospital settings
Bursting at the seams: the star-forming main sequence and its scatter at z = 3–9 using NIRCam photometry from JADES
Get PDFWe present a comprehensive study of the star-forming main sequence (SFMS) and its scatter at redshifts , using Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) photometry from the JADES (JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey) survey in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS) South (GOODS-S) and North (GOODS-N) fields. Our analysis is based on a sample of galaxies that is stellar mass complete down to . The redshift evolution of the SFMS at an averaging time-scale of 10 Myr follows a relation, quantified by the specific star formation rates (sSFR), of with , in good agreement with theoretical predictions and the specific mass accretion rate of dark matter haloes. We find that the SFMS normalization varies in a complex way with the SFR averaging time-scale, reflecting the combined effects of bursty star formation and rising star formation histories (SFHs). We quantify the scatter of the SFMS, revealing that it decreases with longer SFR averaging time-scales, from at 10 Myr to at 100 Myr, indicating that shorter term fluctuations dominate the scatter, although long-term variations in star formation activity are also present. Our findings suggest that bursty SFHs are more pronounced at lower stellar masses. Furthermore, we explore the implications of our results for the observed overabundance of UV-bright galaxies at , concluding that additional mechanisms, such as top-heavy initial mass functions, increased star formation efficiencies, or increased burstiness in star formation are needed to explain these observations. Finally, we emphasize the importance of accurate stellar mass completeness limits when fitting the SFMS, especially for galaxies with bursty SFHs
Daily steps are a predictor of, but perhaps not a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease: findings from the UK Biobank
Get PDFPrevious studies link lower physical activity with incident Parkinson’s disease (PD) but rely on self-reported data and fail to address reverse causation. This study used accelerometer-derived daily step count, an objective measure of physical activity, to examine its association with incident PD in the UK Biobank, within successive periods of follow-up. PD cases were identified through hospital inpatient and death data, and associated with machine learning-derived step counts using Cox regression models, adjusted for age, sex, demographic and lifestyle factors. For 94,696 valid participants and a median follow-up of 7.9 years, 407 incident PD cases occurred. Every 1000 steps higher were associated with 8% lower risk of PD (hazard ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.89–0.94). However, this association was no longer statistically significant when excluding follow-up periods closer to the time of accelerometer wear, suggesting that low activity may be an early marker, but not a risk factor for PD
Biophysical and biological properties of splice-switching oligonucleotides and click conjugates containing LNA-phosphothiotriester linkages
Get PDFAntisense oligonucleotides hold great promise in the treatment of disease, but their efficacy is limited by modest bioavailability and toxicity. Charge-neutral phosphorus-based backbones can potentially improve biological properties, but oligonucleotides with such modifications are challenging to synthesize. Here, we report the straightforward synthesis of a range of oligonucleotides containing multiple LNA alkyl phosphothiotriester nucleotides and evaluate their biophysical and biological properties. Several functional groups were incorporated into the triester linkages, including 2-butyl, 2-hexyl, 3-octyl, 4-trifluoromethyl cyclohex-1-yl, hexadecyl, and 4-pentyn-2-yl. The alkyne triesters were functionalized with carbohydrates, amino acids, heptaethylene glycol, spermine, and thiazole orange through CuAAC click chemistry. Analysis of over 60 oligonucleotides showed that almost all displayed excellent duplex stability with both complementary DNA and RNA and good splice-switching activity in an in vitro reporter assay. Amino acid conjugates showed significantly higher activity than carbohydrate conjugates via gymnosis