The growth and expansion of meningeal lymphatic networks are affected in craniosynostosis

Skull malformations are associated with vascular anomalies that can impair fluid balance in the central nervous system. We previously reported that humans with craniosynostosis and mutations in TWIST1 have dural venous sinus malformations. It is still unknown whether meningeal lymphatic networks, which are patterned alongside the venous sinuses, are also affected. We now show that the growth and expansion of meningeal lymphatics are perturbed in Twist1 craniosynostosis models. Changes to the local meningeal environment, including hypoplastic dura and venous malformations, affect the ability of lymphatic networks to sprout and remodel. Dorsal networks along the transverse sinus are hypoplastic with reduced branching. By contrast, basal networks closer to the skull base are more variably affected, showing exuberant growth in some animals suggesting they are compensating for vessel loss in dorsal networks. Injecting a molecular tracer into cerebrospinal fluid reveals significantly less drainage to the deep cervical lymph nodes, indicative of impaired lymphatic function. Collectively, our results show that meningeal lymphatic networks are affected in craniosynostosis, suggesting the clearance of beta-amyloid and waste from the central nervous system may be impeded.

Carbonaceous Aerosol Emitted from Biofuel Household Stove Combustion in South China

Near-source measurements of smoke emissions from household stove combustion in a rural area of South China were conducted with 7 typical biomass fuels. Particulate matter samples (both PM10 and PM2.5) were analyzed for their carbonaceous components, including organic and elemental carbon (OC, EC) as well as levoglucosan (molecular tracer of biomass burning), employing thermal-optical and GC-MS analysis. The OC and EC content in PM2.5 and PM10 smoke particles derived from the various types of vegetation showed different patterns with the smallest values observed for straw type fuels. The OC/EC ratios in PM2.5 and PM10 showed an order of straw > hardwood > bamboo > softwood. Mass concentrations of particulate matter emitted from rice straw burning were highest with 12.23 ± 0.87 mg/m3 (PM10) and 9.31 ± 0.81 mg/m3 (PM2.5), while the mass ratios (LG/PM and OC/PM) were lowest among the 7 fuels, indicating that particle emissions from straw burning were higher than those from woody fuels, using similar burning conditions. The levoglucosan emission ratios were rather high and this single most abundant organic species was mainly present in the fine particle mode. Linear correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between levoglucosan and EC emissions.

Identification of secondary fatty alcohols in atmospheric aerosols in temperate forests

Fatty alcohols (FAs) are major components of surface lipids (waxes) and can act as surface-active organic aerosols in the atmosphere, influencing chemical reactions, particle lifetimes, and the formation of cloud droplets and ice nuclei. However, studies on the composition and source of the FAs in atmospheric aerosols are very limited. In this study, we identified five secondary FAs (SFAs) with C27 and C29 from aerosol samples collected throughout 1 year at two different deciduous forest sites in Japan. Fatty diols, such as n-heptacosan-5,10-diol, were identified in atmospheric aerosols for the first time. Among the identified SFAs, n-nonacosan-10-ol was the most abundant compound, followed by n-nonacosan-5-10-diol at both of the forest sites. Concentrations of the SFAs exhibited distinct seasonal variation, with pronounced peaks during the growing season at each forest site. The SFAs showed significant correlation with sucrose, which is used as a molecular tracer of pollen. A significant fraction of the SFAs was attributed to the submicrometer particles in the growing season. The results indicate that they originated mostly from plant waxes and could be used as useful tracers for primary biological aerosol particles.

Genetic Associations with Mathematics Tracking and Persistence in Secondary School

Maximizing the flow of students through the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pipeline is important to promoting human capital development and reducing economic inequality1. A critical juncture in the STEM pipeline is the highly-cumulative sequence of secondary school math courses2–5. Students from disadvantaged schools are less likely to complete advanced math courses, but debate continues about why6,7. Here, we address this question using studentpolygenic scores, which are DNA-based indicators of propensity to succeed in education8. We integrated genetic and official school transcript data from over 3,000 European-ancestry students from U.S. high schools. We used polygenic scores as a molecular tracer to understand how the flow of students through the high school math pipeline differs in socioeconomically advantaged versus disadvantaged schools. Students with higher education polygenic scores were tracked to more advanced math already at the beginning of high school and persisted in math for more years. Molecular tracer analyses revealed that the dynamics of the math pipeline differed by school advantage. Compared to disadvantaged schools, advantaged schools tracked more students with high polygenic scores into advanced math classes at the start of high school, and they buffered students with low polygenic scores from dropping out of math. Across all schools, even students with exceptional polygenic scores (top 2%) were unlikely to take the most advanced math classes, suggesting substantial room for improvement in the development of potential STEM talent. These results link new molecular genetic discoveries to a common target of educational-policy reforms.

Identification of secondary fatty alcohols in atmospheric aerosols in temperate forests

Fatty alcohols (FAs) are major components of surface lipids (waxes) and can act as surface-active organic aerosols in the atmosphere, influencing chemical reactions, particle lifetimes, and the formation of cloud droplets and ice nuclei. However, studies on the composition and source of the FAs in atmospheric aerosols are very limited. In this study, we identified five secondary FAs (SFAs) with C27 and C29 from aerosol samples collected throughout one year at two different deciduous forest sites in Japan. Fatty diols, such as n-heptacosan-5,10-diol, were identified in atmospheric aerosols for the first time. Among the identified SFAs, n-nonacosan-10-ol was the most abundant compound, followed by n-nonacosan-5-10-diol at both of the forest sites. Concentrations of the SFAs exhibited distinct seasonal variation, with pronounced peaks during the growing season at each forest site. The SFAs showed significant correlation with sucrose, which is used as a molecular tracer of pollen. A significant fraction of the SFAs was attributed to the submicrometer particles in the growing season. The results indicate that they originated mostly from plant wax and could be used as useful tracers for primary biological aerosol particles.

14N/15N ratio measurements in prestellar cores with N2H+: new evidence of 15N-antifractionation

Context. The 15N fractionation has been observed to show large variations among astrophysical sources, depending both on the type of target and on the molecular tracer used. These variations cannot be reproduced by the current chemical models. Aims. Until now, the 14N/15N ratio in N2H+ has been accurately measured in only one prestellar source, L1544, where strong levels of fractionation, with depletion in 15N, are found (14N/15N ≈ 1000). In this paper, we extend the sample to three more bona fide prestellar cores, in order to understand if the antifractionation in N2H+ is a common feature of this kind of source. Methods. We observed N2H+, N15NH+, and 15NNH+ in L183, L429, and L694-2 with the IRAM 30 m telescope. We modelled the emission with a non-local radiative transfer code in order to obtain accurate estimates of the molecular column densities, including the one for the optically thick N2H+. We used the most recent collisional rate coefficients available, and with these we also re-analysed the L1544 spectra previously published. Results. The obtained isotopic ratios are in the range 580–770 and significantly differ with the value, predicted by the most recent chemical models, of ≈440, close to the protosolar value. Our prestellar core sample shows a high level of depletion of 15N in diazenylium, as previously found in L1544. A revision of the N chemical networks is needed in order to explain these results.