Erratum: Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 031802 (2023)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.031802.

Granular flow experiment using artificial gravity generator at International Space Station

Studying the gravity-dependent characteristics of regolith, fine-grained granular media covering extra-terrestrial bodies is essential for the reliable design and analysis of landers and rovers for space exploration. In this study, we propose an experimental approach to examine a granular flow under stable artificial gravity conditions for a long duration generated by a centrifuge at the International Space Station. We also perform a discrete element simulation of the granular flow in both artificial and natural gravity environments. The simulation results verify that the granular flows in artificial and natural gravity are consistent. Further, regression analysis of the experimental results reveals that the mass flow rate of granular flow quantitatively follows a well-known physics-based law with some deviations under low-gravity conditions, implying that the bulk density of the granular media decreases with gravity. This insight also indicates that the bulk density considered in simulation studies of space probes under low-gravity conditions needs to be tuned for their reliable design and analysis.

Wnt5a-YAP signaling axis mediates mechanotransduction in cardiac myocytes and contributes to contractile dysfunction induced by pressure overload

Non-canonical Wnt signaling activated by Wnt5a/Wnt11 is required for the second heart field development in mice. However, the pathophysiological role of non-canonical Wnt signaling in the adult heart has not been fully elucidated. Here we show that cardiomyocyte-specific Wnt5a knockout mice exhibit improved systolic function and reduced expression of mechanosensitive genes including Nppb when subjected to pressure overload. In cultured cardiomyocytes, Wnt5a knockdown reduced Nppb upregulation induced by cyclic cell stretch. Upstream analysis revealed that TEAD1, a transcription factor that acts with Hippo pathway co-activator YAP, was downregulated both in vitro and in vivo by Wnt5a knockdown/knockout. YAP nuclear translocation was induced by cell stretch and attenuated by Wnt5a knockdown. Wnt5a knockdown-induced Nppb downregulation during cell stretch was rescued by Hippo inhibition, and the rescue effect was canceled by knockdown of YAP. These results collectively suggest that Wnt5a-YAP signaling axis mediates mechanotransduction in cardiomyocytes and contributes to heart failure progression.

Formation and evolution of carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu: Direct evidence from returned samples

Samples of the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu were brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. We analyzed 17 Ryugu samples measuring 1 to 8 millimeters. Carbon dioxide-bearing water inclusions are present within a pyrrhotite crystal, indicating that Ryugu's parent asteroid formed in the outer Solar System. The samples contain low abundances of materials that formed at high temperatures, such as chondrules and calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions. The samples are rich in phyllosilicates and carbonates, which formed through aqueous alteration reactions at low temperature, high pH, and water/rock ratios of <1 (by mass). Less altered fragments contain olivine, pyroxene, amorphous silicates, calcite, and phosphide. Numerical simulations, based on the mineralogical and physical properties of the samples, indicate that Ryugu's parent body formed ~2 million years after the beginning of Solar System formation.

Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande

We report a search for cosmic-ray boosted dark matter with protons using the 0.37  megaton×years data collected at Super-Kamiokande experiment during the 1996-2018 period (SKI-IV phase). We searched for an excess of proton recoils above the atmospheric neutrino background from the vicinity of the Galactic Center. No such excess is observed, and limits are calculated for two reference models of dark matter with either a constant interaction cross section or through a scalar mediator. This is the first experimental search for boosted dark matter with hadrons using directional information. The results present the most stringent limits on cosmic-ray boosted dark matter and exclude the dark matter-nucleon elastic scattering cross section between 10^{-33}cm^{2} and 10^{-27}cm^{2} for dark matter mass from 1  MeV/c^{2} to 300  MeV/c^{2}.

Associations of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 with cardiovascular events and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and suspected or known coronary artery disease: the EXCEED-J study

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist, has been suggested as a marker of endothelial dysfunction, which are associated with both AF and coronary artery disease (CAD). Recently, we demonstrated that sFlt-1 is independently associated with major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE) in patients with suspected or known CAD. However, the prognostic utility of sFlt-1 in patients with AF remains unknown.

Methods

Using data from a multicenter, prospective cohort of 3255 patients with suspected or known CAD, we investigated whether AF modifies the prognostic utility of sFlt-1. Heparin-free serum levels of sFlt-1, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, VEGF, and placental growth factor were measured in 324 patients with AF and 2931 patients without AF. The primary outcome was MACE defined as a composite of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. The secondary outcomes were all-cause death, CV death, stroke, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and coronary/peripheral artery revascularization. The biomarkers were natural log-transformed for use as continuous variables.

Results

After adjustment for potential clinical confounders including anticoagulant drug use, sFlt-1 was significantly associated with MACE (hazard ratio for 1 standard deviation increase [HR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.08), CV death (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.10–2.48), and stroke (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.16–3.10), but not with all-cause death (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.99–1.73), HF hospitalization (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.73–1.25), or revascularization (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.74–1.28) in patients with AF, whereas sFlt-1 was significantly associated with MACE (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02–1.37), all-cause death (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05–1.34), CV death (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03–1.48), and HF hospitalization (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.11–1.42), but not with stroke (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.81–1.33) or revascularization (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.95–1.07) in patients without AF. Among other biomarkers, only VEGF was significantly associated with MACE (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02–2.44), and no biomarkers were significantly associated with CV death or stroke in patients with AF. sFlt-1 added incremental prognostic information for MACE (P=0.005 for net reclassification improvement [NRI], P=0.026 for integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]) and stroke (P=0.034 for NRI, P=0.018 for IDI), but not for CV death (P=0.021 for NRI, P=0.134 for IDI), to the model with potential clinical confounders in patients with AF.

Conclusions

sFlt-1 independently predicted MACE and stroke in patients with AF and suspected or known CAD. sFlt-1 may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker to stratify the risk of MACE and stroke in patients with AF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Health Labour Sciences Research Grant (2013-2014), AMED (2015-2017, Grant Number JP17ek0210008)

Effect of the duration of previous osteoporosis treatment on the effect of romosozumab treatment

The effect of romosozumab is affected by previous osteoporosis treatment. Here we showed that the duration of the previous treatment just before romosozumab affects the therapeutic effect of romosozumab. Using denosumab and oral bisphosphonates for more than 1 year attenuates the effect of romosozumab.

INTRODUCTION

As an anti-sclerostin antibody, romosozumab suppresses bone resorption and stimulates bone formation. We investigated whether the effectiveness of 12 months of romosozumab treatment depended on the duration of previous treatment with teriparatide, denosumab, or oral bisphosphonates.

METHODS

In total, 259 osteoporosis patients received subcutaneous injections of romosozumab (210 mg) every 4 weeks during 2019 and 2020. This study was designed as a pre-post comparison. The end points were the percent changes of bone mineral density (BMD) after 12 months of romosozumab treatment. The patients were divided into seven groups depending on the type and duration of previous treatment before starting romosozumab as follows: non-previous treatment group, change from teriparatide used for 1 year or less/more than 1 year, change from denosumab used for 1 year or less/more than 1 year, and change from oral bisphosphonates used for 1 year or less/more than 1 year.

RESULTS

The effects of previous treatment with teriparatide on the effectiveness of 12-month romosozumab did not clearly depend on the duration of treatment (p > 0.05). In contrast, the effects of previous treatments with denosumab or oral bisphosphonates on the effectiveness of 12-month romosozumab depended on the previous treatment duration, which was reflected by the differences in percent change of the spine BMD (both p < 0.05), however, there were no significant differences in the percent change of the total hip BMD (both p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The duration of the previous treatment affected the effectiveness of romosozumab. Using denosumab and oral bisphosphonate for more than 1 year attenuated the effect of romosozumab.

Pebbles and sand on asteroid (162173) Ryugu: In situ observation and particles returned to Earth

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft investigated the C-type (carbonaceous) asteroid (162173) Ryugu. The mission performed two landing operations to collect samples of surface and subsurface material, the latter exposed by an artificial impact. We present images of the second touchdown site, finding that ejecta from the impact crater was present at the sample location. Surface pebbles at both landing sites show morphological variations ranging from rugged to smooth, similar to Ryugu's boulders, and shapes from quasi-spherical to flattened. The samples were returned to Earth on 6 December 2020. We describe the morphology of >5 grams of returned pebbles and sand. Their diverse color, shape, and structure are consistent with the observed materials of Ryugu; we conclude that they are a representative sample of the asteroid.

Repetitive spikes of glucose and lipid induce senescence-like phenotypes of bone marrow stem cells through H3K27me3 demethylase-mediated epigenetic regulation

Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to endothelial repair and angiogenesis. Reduced number of circulating EPCs is associated with future cardiovascular events. We tested whether dysregulated glucose and/or triglyceride (TG) metabolism has an impact on EPC homeostasis. The analysis of metabolic factors associated with circulating EPC number in humans revealed that postprandial hyperglycemia is negatively correlated with circulating EPC number, and this correlation appears to be further enhanced in the presence of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (hTG). We therefore examined the effect of glucose/TG spikes on bone marrow lineage-sca-1+ c-kit+ (LSK) cells in mice, because primitive EPCs reside in bone marrow LSK fraction. Repetitive glucose + lipid (GL) spikes, but not glucose (G) or lipid (L) spikes alone, induced senescence-like phenotypes of LSK cells, and this phenomenon was reversible after cessation of GL spikes. G spikes and GL spikes differentially affected transcriptional program of LSK cell metabolism and differentiation. GL spikes upregulated a histone H3K27 demethylase JMJD3, and inhibition of JMJD3 eliminated GL spikes-induced LSK cell senescence-like phenotypes. These observations suggest that postprandial glucose/TG dysmetabolism modulate transcriptional regulation in LSK cells through H3K27 demethylase-mediated epigenetic regulation, leading to senescence-like phenotypes of LSK cells, reduced number of circulating EPCs, and development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Combination of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia is associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We found that 1) hypertriglyceridemia may enhance the negative impact of hyperglycemia on circulating EPC number in humans and 2) metabolic stress induced by glucose + triglyceride spikes in mice results in senescence-like phenotypes of bone marrow stem/progenitor cells via H3K27me3 demethylase-mediated epigenetic regulation. These findings have important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in patients with T2DM.

Early clinical effects, safety, and predictors of the effects of romosozumab treatment in osteoporosis patients: one-year study

Romosozumab is an effective treatment for spine osteoporosis because it reduces the incidence of new fractures and significantly increases the percent change in the spine BMD at 12 months. The percent change in the spine BMD is higher in patients not previously treated with other anti-osteoporosis medications.

INTRODUCTION

Romosozumab appeared as a new osteoporosis medication in Japan in 2019. It is an anti-sclerostin antibody, which increases bone formation and suppresses bone resorption. The aim of our study was to elucidate the clinical effects, safety, and predictors of the effects of one-year romosozumab treatment.

METHODS

This study was an observational study designed as a pre-post study in 262 patients. Romosozumab (210 mg) was administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks during 12 months. We focused on incidence of new fractures, safety, bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and total hip, and bone metabolism markers.

RESULTS

There were five cases of new fractures during one-year romosozumab treatment. There were no fatal adverse events. Percent changes from baseline in the spine and total hip BMD after 12 months of romosozumab treatment were 10.67% and 2.04%, respectively. Romosozumab had better effects in cases of severe osteoporosis with low spine BMD, high TRACP-5b, and high iP1NP at the start of romosozumab treatment. The percent change in the spine BMD at 12 months was significantly lower in the group transitioning from bisphosphonates than in the group not previously treated with other anti-osteoporosis medications.

CONCLUSION

Romosozumab is an effective treatment for spine osteoporosis because it significantly increases the percent change in the spine BMD at 12 months. The percent change in the spine BMD is higher in patients not previously treated with other anti-osteoporosis medications.

Early clinical effects, safety, and appropriate selection of bone markers in romosozumab treatment for osteoporosis patients: a 6-month study

Our 6-month study showed the usefulness of romosozumab for preventing fractures and its safety. It was effective in patients with low baseline spine BMD, high TRACP-5b, and high iP1NP. Percent change from baseline of TRACP-5b and iP1NP after 1 month correlated with that from baseline of BMD after four to 6-month treatment.

INTRODUCTION

Romosozumab appeared as a new osteoporosis medication in Japan in 2019. It is an anti-sclerostin antibody which increases bone formation and suppresses bone resorption. In this study, we analyzed the actual clinical effects, adverse effects, and the optimal way to evaluate the treatment.

METHODS

Romosozumab was administered as subcutaneous injection of 210 mg once every 4 weeks. We conducted pre-post study in 185 patients treated for 6 months. We focused on the incidence of new vertebral fractures, safety, bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and total hip, and bone metabolism markers. We evaluated BMD before romosozumab treatment and after 4 to 6 months and performed the serum analysis before romosozumab treatment, after 1, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

There was no new fracture during treatment, and there was no fatal adverse event including cardiovascular disease. Since percent changes from baseline of the spine and total hip BMD were 6.34% and 1.53% after 4- to 6-month treatment, the treatment was effective for spine osteoporosis. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) and intact type I procollagen N-terminal propeptide (iP1NP) had significant changes during romosozumab treatment (p < 0.05). Percent change from baseline of TRACP-5b and iP1NP after 1 month correlated with percent change from baseline of BMD after 4 to 6 months of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Romosozumab is effective in preventing fractures and useful for increasing the spine BMD. Also, romosozumab is relatively safe to use. It is especially effective in patients with low baseline spine BMD, high TRACP-5b, and high iP1NP.

Quadriceps strength to body weight ratio is a significant indicator for initiating jogging after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Quadriceps strength recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is an important criterion for progress in rehabilitation and return to sports. The purpose of this study was to determine whether quadriceps strength to body weight ratio (QS/BW) is a significant indicator for initiating jogging after ACL reconstruction.

METHODS

Isokinetic quadriceps strength at 60°/s was measured and a jogging trial was completed 3 months after ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft in 83 patients (36 male, 47 female; mean age, 26.6 ± 12.4 years). Based on the jogging trial results, patients were assigned to either a successful jogging group (mean velocity ≥ 9 km/h) or an unsuccessful jogging group (mean velocity < 9 km/h). The association between QS/BW and successful jogging after surgery was investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis and the cut-off value was determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients (53.0%) were assigned to the successful jogging group and 39 (47.0%) to the unsuccessful jogging group. QS/BW was independently associated with initiating jogging 3 months after surgery. The cut-off value of QS/BW for successful jogging was 1.45 Nm/kg (area under the curve = 0.94; sensitivity = 88.6%, specificity = 87.2%). All of the patients who initiated jogging with QS/BW of > 1.45 Nm/kg at 3 months returned to sports without recurrence or contralateral injury by 10 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

QS/BW is a significant indicator for safely initiating jogging 3 months after ACL reconstruction. The cut-off value of QS/BW for initiating jogging was 1.45 Nm/kg.

Caprylic acid enhances hydroxyhexylitaconic acid production in Aspergillus niger S17-5

AIM

Aspergillus niger S17-5 produces two alkylitaconic acids, 9-hydroxyhexylitaconic acid (9-HHIA) and 10-hydroxyhexylitaconic acid (10-HHIA), which have cytotoxic and polymer building block properties. In this study, we characterized the production of 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA by addition of their expected precursor, caprylic acid, to a culture of A. niger S17-5, and demonstrated batch fermentation of 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA in a jar fermenter with DO-stat.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Production titres of 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA from 3% glucose in a flask after 25 days cultivation were 0·35 and 1·01 g l^-1 respectively. Addition of 0·22 g l^-1 of caprylic acid to a suspension of resting cells of A. niger S17-5 led to 32% enhancement of total 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA production compared to no addition. No enhancement of the production of 9-HHIA or 10-HHIA by the addition of oxaloacetic acid was observed. Addition of caprylic acid to the culture at mid-growth phase was more suitable for 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA production due to less cell growth inhibition by caprylic acid. DO-stat batch fermentation with 3% glucose and 14·4 g l^-1 of caprylic acid in a 1·5 l jar fermenter resulted in the production titres of 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA being 0·48 and 1·54 g l^-1 respectively after 10 days of cultivation.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of caprylic acid to the culture of A. niger S17-5 enhances 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA production.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

These results suggest that 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA are synthesized with octanoyl-CoA derived from caprylic acid, and that the supply of octanoyl-CoA is a rate-limiting step in 9-HHIA and 10-HHIA production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the fermentation of naturally occurring itaconic acid derivatives in a jar fermenter.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor C and mortality in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: a subanalysis of the ANOX study

Background

The lymphatic system has been suggested to play an important role in cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular (CV) disease. Recently, we demonstrated that serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), a central player of lymphangiogenesis, are inversely and independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the relationship between VEGF-C and mortality in patients with suspected CAD is unclear.

Methods

Serum VEGF-C levels were measured in 1,717 patients with suspected but no history of CAD undergoing elective coronary angiography, enrolled in the development of novel biomarkers related to angiogenesis or oxidative stress to predict CV events (ANOX) study, and followed up for 3 years. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence (CKD, n=674) or absence (non-CKD, n=1,043) of CKD. The primary outcome was all-cause death. The secondary outcomes were CV death, and major adverse CV events (MACE) defined as a composite of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke.

Results

During the follow-up, 95 CKD and 66 non-CKD patients died from any cause, 37 CKD and 13 non-CKD died from CV disease, and 61 CKD and 43 non-CKD developed MACE. After adjustment for established risk factors, VEGF-C levels were significantly and inversely associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] for 1-SD increase, 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57–0.90) and CV death (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48–0.97), but not with MACE (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60–1.03) in CKD, while VEGF-C levels were significantly and inversely associated with all-cause death (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.52–0.91), but not with CV death (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.50–1.66) or MACE (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.81–1.44) in non-CKD. Even after incorporation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, contemporary sensitive cardiac troponin I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein into a model with established risk factors, the addition of VEGF-C levels further improved the prediction of all-cause death (P=0.047 for continuous net reclassification improvement [NRI], P=0.048 for integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]), but not that of CV death (P=0.016 for NRI, P=0.245 for IDI) or MACE (P=0.166 for NRI, P=0.311 for IDI) in CKD, whereas the addition of VEGF-C levels did not improve the prediction of all-cause death (P=0.053 for NRI, P=0.012 for IDI), CV death (P=0.864 for NRI, P=0.602 for IDI) or MACE (P=0.999 for NRI, P=0.154 for IDI) in non-CKD.

Conclusions

The VEGF-C level inversely and independently predicted all-cause mortality in CKD, but not in non-CKD patients with suspected CAD. The inverse relationship between VEGF-C and all-cause mortality in patients with suspected CAD seems to be remarkable in the presence of CKD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The ANOX study is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Clinical Research from the National Hospital Organization.

Impact of smoking status on the relationships of growth differentiation factor 15 with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease: the ANOX study

Background

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine that plays an important role in the regulation of the inflammatory response, growth and cell differentiation. An elevated GDF-15 was found in various conditions including cigarette smoking and stable coronary artery disease (CAD), and it was reported to predict mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events in general population and in patients with established CAD. However, the impact of smoking status on the relationships of GDF-15 with mortality and CV events in patients with suspected or known CAD is unclear.

Methods

Serum GDF-15 levels were measured in 2,418 patients with suspected or known CAD undergoing elective coronary angiography, enrolled in the development of novel biomarkers related to angiogenesis or oxidative stress to predict CV events (ANOX) study, and followed up for 3 years. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the smoking status: current (n=428), past (n=1,035), and never smokers (n=955). The outcomes were total death, CV death, and major adverse CV events (MACE) defined as a composite of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke.

Results

During the follow-up, 48 current, 120 past, and 86 never smokers died from any cause, 17 current, 47 past, and 24 never smokers died from CV disease, and 35 current, 80 past, and 50 never smokers developed MACE. After adjustment for established risk factors, GDF-15 levels were significantly associated with total death (hazard ratio [HR] for 1-SD increase, 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.65), but not with CV death (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.69–1.62) or MACE (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.64–1.34) in current smokers; GDF-15 levels were significantly associated with total death (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.46–2.05) and CV death (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.09–1.85), but not with MACE (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.96–1.48) in past smokers; GDF-15 levels were significantly associated with total death (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.32–1.95), CV death (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.22–2.46), and MACE (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.27–2.07) in never smokers. Even after incorporation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, contemporary sensitive cardiac troponin I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein into a model with established risk factors, the addition of GDF-15 levels further improved the prediction of total death (P&lt;0.001 for continuous net reclassification improvement [NRI], P=0.001 for integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]) and MACE (P&lt;0.001 for NRI, P=0.045 for IDI), but not that of CV death, in never smokers, while it did not significantly improved the prediction of total death, CV death, or MACE either in current or in past smokers.

Conclusions

The GDF-15 level was independently associated with total death and MACE in never, but not in current or past smokers with suspected or known CAD. The relationships of GDF-15 with mortality and CV events seem to be attenuated by the presence of current and past smoking.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The ANOX study is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Clinical Research from the National Hospital Organization.

Positronium formation at 4H SiC(0001) surfaces

Positronium formation at 4H SiC(0001) surfaces were investigated upon the removal of natural oxide layers by hydrofluoric acid etching and heat treatment at 1000 K in ultra-high vacuum. Two types of positronium were observed in the positronium time-of-flight (PsTOF) measurements irrespective of conduction type and surface polarity. One type formed the major part of the PsTOF spectrum with a maximum energy of 4.7 ± 0.3 eV. This energy exceeded the theoretical value calculated with valence electrons. The PsTOF spectrum shape was different from those of metal surfaces, suggesting that the surface state electrons or conduction electrons need to be considered as the positronium source. Another positronium appeared at 1000 K in the tail of the PsTOF spectrum with a maximum energy of 0.2-0.5 eV. This thermally-assisted athermal positronium may be formed via the surface state positrons and electrons.

An artificial impact on the asteroid (162173) Ryugu formed a crater in the gravity-dominated regime

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft investigated the small asteroid Ryugu, which has a rubble-pile structure. We describe an impact experiment on Ryugu using Hayabusa2's Small Carry-on Impactor. The impact produced an artificial crater with a diameter >10 meters, which has a semicircular shape, an elevated rim, and a central pit. Images of the impact and resulting ejecta were recorded by the Deployable CAMera 3 for >8 minutes, showing the growth of an ejecta curtain (the outer edge of the ejecta) and deposition of ejecta onto the surface. The ejecta curtain was asymmetric and heterogeneous and it never fully detached from the surface. The crater formed in the gravity-dominated regime; in other words, crater growth was limited by gravity not surface strength. We discuss implications for Ryugu's surface age.