The complex circumstellar environment of supernova 2023ixf.

The early evolution of a supernova (SN) can reveal information about the environment and the progenitor star. When a star explodes in vacuum, the first photons to escape from its surface appear as a brief, hours-long shock-breakout flare1,2, followed by a cooling phase of emission. However, for stars exploding within a distribution of dense, optically thick circumstellar material (CSM), the first photons escape from the material beyond the stellar edge and the duration of the initial flare can extend to several days, during which the escaping emission indicates photospheric heating3. Early serendipitous observations2,4 that lacked ultraviolet (UV) data were unable to determine whether the early emission is heating or cooling and hence the nature of the early explosion event. Here we report UV spectra of the nearby SN 2023ixf in the galaxy Messier 101 (M101). Using the UV data as well as a comprehensive set of further multiwavelength observations, we temporally resolve the emergence of the explosion shock from a thick medium heated by the SN emission. We derive a reliable bolometric light curve that indicates that the shock breaks out from a dense layer with a radius substantially larger than typical supergiants.

The structure of the Physcomitrium patens photosystem I reveals a unique Lhca2 paralogue replacing Lhca4.

The moss Physcomitrium patens diverged from green algae shortly after the colonization of land by ancient plants. This colonization posed new environmental challenges, which drove evolutionary processes. The photosynthetic machinery of modern flowering plants is adapted to the high light conditions on land. Red-shifted Lhca4 antennae are present in the photosystem I light-harvesting complex of many green-lineage plants but absent in P. patens. The cryo-EM structure of the P. patens photosystem I light-harvesting complex I supercomplex (PSI-LHCI) at 2.8 Å reveals that Lhca4 is replaced by a unique Lhca2 paralogue in moss. This PSI-LHCI supercomplex also retains the PsaM subunit, present in Cyanobacteria and several algal species but lost in vascular plants, and the PsaO subunit responsible for binding light-harvesting complex II. The blue-shifted Lhca2 paralogue and chlorophyll b enrichment relative to flowering plants make the P. patens PSI-LHCI spectroscopically unique among other green-lineage supercomplexes. Overall, the structure represents an evolutionary intermediate PSI with the crescent-shaped LHCI common in vascular plants, and contains a unique Lhca2 paralogue that facilitates the moss's adaptation to low-light niches.

A WC/WO star exploding within an expanding carbon-oxygen-neon nebula.

The final fate of massive stars, and the nature of the compact remnants they leave behind (black holes and neutron stars), are open questions in astrophysics. Many massive stars are stripped of their outer hydrogen envelopes as they evolve. Such Wolf-Rayet stars1 emit strong and rapidly expanding winds with speeds greater than 1,000 kilometres per second. A fraction of this population is also helium-depleted, with spectra dominated by highly ionized emission lines of carbon and oxygen (types WC/WO). Evidence indicates that the most commonly observed supernova explosions that lack hydrogen and helium (types Ib/Ic) cannot result from massive WC/WO stars2,3, leading some to suggest that most such stars collapse directly into black holes without a visible supernova explosion4. Here we report observations of SN 2019hgp, beginning about a day after the explosion. Its short rise time and rapid decline place it among an emerging population of rapidly evolving transients5-8. Spectroscopy reveals a rich set of emission lines indicating that the explosion occurred within a nebula composed of carbon, oxygen and neon. Narrow absorption features show that this material is expanding at high velocities (greater than 1,500 kilometres per second), requiring a compact progenitor. Our observations are consistent with an explosion of a massive WC/WO star, and suggest that massive Wolf-Rayet stars may be the progenitors of some rapidly evolving transients.

Touching The Human Neuron: User-Centric Augmented Reality Viewing and Interaction of in-vivo Cellular Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) Utilizing High Resolution zStack Data Sets for Applications in Medical Education and Clinical Medicine Using GLASS and Motion Tracking Technology.

This is the first report of a prototype that allows for real-time interaction with high-resolution cellular modules using GLASS© technology. The prototype was developed* using zStack data sets which allow for real-time interaction of low polygon and direct surface models exported from primary source imaging. This paper also discusses potential educational and clinical applications of a wearable, interactive, user-centric, augmented reality visualization of cellular structures. * Prototype was developed using IMARIS© , ImageJ© , MAYA® , 3DCOAT© , UNITY© , ZBrush© , OcculusRift® , LeapMotion© , and output for multiplatform function with Google GLASS© technology as its viewing modality.

Bone and the regulation of global energy balance.

The skeleton, populated by large numbers of osteoblasts and long-lived osteocytes, requires a constant supply of energy-rich molecules to fuel the synthesis, deposition and mineralization of bone matrix during bone modelling and remodelling. When these energetic demands are not met, bone acquisition is suppressed. Recent findings suggest that key developmental signals emanating from Wnt low-density lipoprotein-related receptor 5 and hypoxia-inducible factor pathways impact osteoblast bioenergetics to accommodate the energy requirements for bone cells to fulfil their function. In vivo studies in several mutant mouse strains have confirmed a link between bone cells and global metabolism, ultimately leading to the identification of hormonal interactions between the skeleton and other tissues. The hormones insulin and leptin affect postnatal bone acquisition, whilst osteocalcin produced by the osteoblast in turn stimulates insulin secretion by the pancreas. These observations have prompted additional questions regarding the nature of the mechanisms of fuel sensing and processing in the osteoblast and their contribution to overall energy utilization and homeostasis. Answers to such questions should advance our understanding of metabolic diseases and may ultimately improve management of affected patients. In this review, we highlight recent studies in this field and offer a perspective on the evolutionary implications of bone as a metabolic endocrine organ.

Study on the precision of the multiaperture scintillation sensor turbulence profiler (MASS) employed in the site testing campaign for the Thirty Meter Telescope.

The multiaperture scintillation sensor (MASS) has become a device widely employed to measure the altitude distribution of atmospheric turbulence. An empirical study is reported that investigates the dependence of the MASS results on the knowledge of the instrumental parameters. Also, the results of a side-by-side comparison of two MASS instruments are presented, indicating that MASS instruments permit measurements of the integrated seeing to a precision better than 0.05 arc sec and of the individual turbulence layer strength C(n)(2)(h)dh to better than 10(-14) m(1/3).

A giant planet orbiting the 'extreme horizontal branch' star V 391 Pegasi.

After the initial discoveries fifteen years ago, over 200 extrasolar planets have now been detected. Most of them orbit main-sequence stars similar to our Sun, although a few planets orbiting red giant stars have been recently found. When the hydrogen in their cores runs out, main-sequence stars undergo an expansion into red-giant stars. This expansion can modify the orbits of planets and can easily reach and engulf the inner planets. The same will happen to the planets of our Solar System in about five billion years and the fate of the Earth is matter of debate. Here we report the discovery of a planetary-mass body (Msini = 3.2M(Jupiter)) orbiting the star V 391 Pegasi at a distance of about 1.7 astronomical units (au), with a period of 3.2 years. This star is on the extreme horizontal branch of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, burning helium in its core and pulsating. The maximum radius of the red-giant precursor of V 391 Pegasi may have reached 0.7 au, while the orbital distance of the planet during the stellar main-sequence phase is estimated to be about 1 au. This detection of a planet orbiting a post-red-giant star demonstrates that planets with orbital distances of less than 2 au can survive the red-giant expansion of their parent stars.

The transcription factor Lmx1b maintains Wnt1 expression within the isthmic organizer.

Cells in the caudal mesencephalon and rostral metencephalon become organized by signals emanating from the isthmus organizer (IsO). The IsO is associated with the isthmus, a morphological constriction of the neural tube which eventually defines the mesencephalic/ metencephalic boundary (MMB). Here we report that the transcription factor Lmx1b is expressed and functions in a distinct region of the IsO. Lmx1b expression is maintained by the glycoprotein Fgf8, a signal capable of mediating IsO signaling. Lmx1b, in turn, maintains the expression of the secreted factor Wnt1. Our conclusions are substantiated by the following: (i) Lmx1b mRNA becomes localized to the isthmus immediately after Fgf8 initiation, (ii) Wnt1 expression is localized to the Lmx1b expression domain, but with slightly later kinetics, (iii) Fgf8-soaked beads generate similar domains of expression for Lmx1b and Wnt1 and (iv) retroviral-mediated expression of Lmx1b (Lmx1b/RCAS) maintains Wnt1 expression in the mesencephalon. Ectopic Lmx1b is insufficient to alter the expression of a number of other genes expressed at the IsO, suggesting that it does not generate a new signaling center. Instead, if we allow Lmx1b/RCAS-infected brains to develop longer, we detect changes in mesencephalic morphology. Since both ectopic and endogenous Lmx1b expression occurs in regions of the isthmus undergoing morphological changes, it could normally play a role in this process. Furthermore, a similar phenotype is not observed in Wnt1/RCAS-infected brains, demonstrating that ectopic Wnt1 is insufficient to mediate the effect of ectopic Lmx1b in our assay. Since Wnt1 function has been linked to the proper segregation of mesencephalic and metencephalic cells, we suggest that Lmx1b and Wnt1 normally function in concert to affect IsO morphogenesis.

Microbial denitrogenation of fossil fuels.

The microbial degradation of nitrogen compounds from fossil fuels is important because of the contribution these contaminants make to the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hence to air pollution and acid rain. They also contribute to catalyst poisoning during the refining of crude oil, thus reducing process yields. We review the current status of microbial degradation of aromatic nitrogen compounds and discuss the potential of microbial processes to alleviate these problems.

Binocular correlation detection with oriented dynamic random-line stereograms.

Stereopsis relies principally on the extraction of horizontal retinal disparities. As such, we assume that the vertical contours (i.e., horizontal contrast energy) are of principle import for stereopsis. Yet there are theoretical reasons for believing that horizontal contours should be involved in binocular matching (if not stereopsis proper) as well. First, they would facilitate the computation of vertical disparities, which are necessary for the control of disjunctive eye movements and perhaps the computation of absolute depth. Second, the process of binocular matching is a two-dimensional one; its solution requires information along both principle orientations. In this study, we have measured the efficacy with which horizontal or vertical contours can be binocularly matched by measuring thresholds for the detection of interocular correlation for oriented dynamic random-line stereograms. We find that the slopes of the psychometric functions are almost a factor of two steeper when matching vertical contours, indicating a narrower noise distribution along the decision axis associated with these stimuli.

Sonic hedgehog regulates patterning in early embryos.

Recently, a new family of genes, homologues of the Drosophila segment polarity gene hedgehog, has been cloned in vertebrates. One of them, Sonic hedgehog, is expressed in tissues that are known to be inductive centres for patterning early embryos, implicating Sonic hedgehog as an important signal in development. Functional experiments have demonstrated that Sonic hedgehog acts as a signalling molecule in patterning the anterior-posterior axis of the limb. By misexpression of Sonic hedgehog we show that Sonic hedgehog induces expression of Hoxd genes, known to be involved in patterning of the anterior-posterior axis of the limb, and Bmp-2, which might act as a secondary signal. We also demonstrate that Sonic hedgehog is not sufficient for these inductions. In fact, a signal from the mesoderm, Sonic hedgehog, and a signal from the ectoderm, Fgf-4, are required for the induction of Hoxd genes and Bmp-2.

Induction of the LIM homeobox gene Lmx1 by WNT7a establishes dorsoventral pattern in the vertebrate limb.

During vertebrate limb development, the ectoderm directs the dorsoventral patterning of the underlying mesoderm. To define the molecular events involved in this process, we have analyzed the function of WNT7a, a secreted factor expressed in the dorsal ectoderm, and LMX1, a LIM homeodomain transcription factor expressed in the dorsal mesenchyme. Ectopic expression of Wnt7a is sufficient to induce and maintain Lmx1 expression in limb mesenchyme, both in vivo and in vitro. Ectopic expression of Lmx1 in the ventral mesenchyme is sufficient to generate double-dorsal limbs. Thus, the dorsalization of limb mesoderm appears to involve the WNT7a-mediated induction of Lmx1 in limb mesenchymal cells.

Ectopic expression of Sonic hedgehog alters dorsal-ventral patterning of somites.

Differentiation of somites into sclerotome, dermatome, and myotome is controlled by a complex set of inductive interactions. The ability of axial midline tissues, the notochord and floor plate, to induce sclerotome has been well documented and has led to models in which ventral somite identity is specified by signals derived from the notochord and floor plate. Herein, we provide evidence that Sonic hedgehog, a vertebrate homolog of the Drosophila segment polarity gene hedgehog, is a signal produced by the notochord and floor plate that directs ventral somite differentiation. Sonic hedgehog is expressed in ventral midline tissues at critical times during somite specification and has the ability, when ectopically expressed, to enhance the formation of sclerotome and antagonize the development of dermatome.

Mechanisms of limb patterning.

The development of the vertebrate limb requires the coordinated action of multiple signals to achieve the proper arrangement of adult tissues. Recently, several molecules have been identified which play central roles in patterning of the limb bud. Sonic hedgehog, a homolog of the Drosophila segment polarity gene hedgehog, is likely to regulate anterior/posterior pattern formation. FGF-2 and FGF-4, members of the fibroblast growth factor family, have been shown to provide important signals for limb bud outgrowth and to indirectly regulate proximal/distal patterning. Some candidate effectors of the activity of Sonic hedgehog and of FGFs are known, including members of the clustered Hox genes.

Sonic hedgehog: a key mediator of anterior-posterior patterning of the limb and dorso-ventral patterning of axial embryonic structures.

Sonic hedgehog is expressed in several sites during embryogenesis which are known to be important in directing the development of neighbouring tissues, including Hensen's node, the notochord, the floor plate of the neural tube, and the posterior of the limb bud. A unity in signalling mechanisms utilized by these inducers was first indicated because they all can provide a source of limb polarizing activity, assayed by grafting into the anterior of a limb bud. The hypothesis that they share a common signal is substantiated by the fact that they all express Sonic. Moreover, ectopic expression of Sonic in vivo suggests that it is responsible for the polarizing activity of the ZPA and plays an important role in dorso-ventral patterning of the spinal cord. The isolation of Sonic heralds a new era in the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of these key inductive interactions in vertebrate development.

Structure and regulation of the chicken erythroid delta-aminolevulinate synthase gene.

Erythroid cells regulate heme biosynthesis in a manner that is distinct from all other cell types. While heme negatively regulates the synthesis of the housekeeping delta-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS-N) in all non-erythroid cells, the expression of an erythroid-specific isozyme (ALAS-E) is developmentally regulated in red blood cells. As a first step towards understanding the molecular basis for the transcriptional regulation of ALAS-E during erythropoiesis, we cloned and characterized the chicken ALAS-E locus. This gene spans 18 kbp and is composed of eleven exons. The intron/exon structure of erythroid ALAS was found to be conserved among several vertebrate species. Direct RNA sequencing identified a 5' untranslated region that is derived from two continuous exons and is predicted to form a very stable stem-loop structure that bears resemblance to the ferritin iron-responsive element. Tissue-specific expression of the ALAS-E gene was analyzed by transient transfection assays in hematopoietic cells of both erythroid and non-erythroid origins. These experiments identified distal (-784 to -505 bp) and proximal (-155 to +21 bp) promoter elements which are required for high level, erythroid-specific transcription.

The problem and sociocultural context of single-cigarette sales.

OBJECTIVE: To provide data on the sale of single cigarettes to adults and minors and to examine the sociocultural context in which these sales occur. DESIGN: A naturalistic observation study using repeated measures. Two hundred six stores in a convenience sample were visited by one minor and one adult who each attempted to purchase a single cigarette. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single-cigarette sales to an adult and/or minor. Data were obtained on type of store and, if a sale occurred, on the price, brand, and packaging of the cigarette. The ethnic composition of the neighborhood surrounding each store was determined. RESULTS: One hundred one (49.1%) of the stores sold single cigarettes. Singles were sold significantly more often to minors than to adults, and when both could make a purchase, minors paid more for these singles than did adults. Singles were least likely to be sold in white neighborhoods, more likely to be sold in integrated neighborhoods, and most likely to be sold in minority neighborhoods. Minors were able to purchase single cigarettes during 34.4% of the visits to white neighborhoods but could do so during 71.2% of the visits to minority neighborhoods; adults were able to make similar purchases during 24% of the visits to white neighborhoods and 37.3% of the visits to minority neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: The illegal sale of single cigarettes involves complex sociocultural factors heretofore unexamined. An understanding of such factors may be useful in planning merchant education programs and drafting policy to control illegal sales.