We report on analysis of observations of the bright transient X-ray pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 obtained during its 2017-2018 giant outburst with Insight-HXMT, NuSTAR, and Swift observatories. We focus on the discovery of a sharp state transition of the timing and spectral properties of the source at super-Eddington accretion rates, which we associate with the transition of the accretion disk to a radiation pressure dominated (RPD) state, the first ever directly observed for magnetized neutron star. This transition occurs at slightly higher luminosity compared to already reported transition of the source from sub- to super-critical accretion regime associate with onset of an accretion column. We argue that this scenario can only be realized for comparatively weakly magnetized neutron star, not dissimilar to other ultra-luminous X-ray pulsars (ULPs), which accrete at similar rates. Further evidence for this conclusion is provided by the non-detection of the transition to the propeller state in quiescence which strongly implies compact magnetosphere and thus rules out magnetar-like fields.
Cytochrome P450s metabolize the naturally occurring nephrotoxin aristolochic acid. Using liver-specific cytochrome P450 reductase-null mice we found that a low but lethal dose of aristolochic acid I was ineffective in wild-type mice. Induction of hepatic CYP1A by 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment markedly increased the survival rate of wild type mice given higher doses and these mice were protected from aristolochic acid I-induced renal injury. Clearance of aristolochic acid I in null mice was slower compared to control and the 3-methylcholanthrene-pretreated wild type mice. The levels of aristolochic acid I in the kidney and liver were much higher in null mice but much lower in 3-methylcholanthrene-treated compared to control wild type mice. Hepatic microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated wild type mice had greater activity compared to untreated mice. Finally, aristolochic acid I was more cytotoxic than its major metabolite aristolactam I and this cytotoxicity was decreased in human renal tubular epithelial HK2 cells in the presence of a reconstituted hepatic microsome-cytosol (S9) system. These results indicate that hepatic P450s play an important role in metabolizing aristolochic acid I into less toxic metabolites and thus have a detoxification role in aristolochic acid I-induced kidney injury.
Abstract. Using a dynamic enclosure, the exchange rates of carbonyl sulfide (COS) between the atmosphere and 18 soils from 12 provinces in China were investigated. The emission or uptake of COS from the soils was highly dependent on the soil type, soil temperature, soil moisture, and atmospheric COS mixing ratio. In general, with the only exception being paddy soils, the soils in this investigation acted as sinks for atmospheric COS under wide ranges of soil temperature and soil moisture. Two intensively investigated wheat soils and one forest soil had optimal soil temperatures for COS uptake of around 15 • C, and the optimal soil water content varied from 13% to 58%. COS emission rates from the two paddy soils increased exponentially with increment of the soil temperature, and decreased with increasing the soil water content. However, negligible emission was found when the paddy soils were under waterlogging status. The observed compensation points for various soils were different and increased significantly with soil temperature. The laboratory simulation agreed with the preliminary field measurements for the paddy soil in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province.
Practical ImplicationsDampness problems in dorms of Chinese students are a risk factor for allergic symptoms, and hence there is a need for dorm environment improvement. Health problems related to ventilation and microbiology problems in dorms should be further studied.
Organic pollutants (OPs) are potentially present in composts and the assessment of their content and bioaccessibility in these composts is of paramount importance. In this work, we proposed a model to simulate the behavior of OPs and the dynamic of organic C during composting. Th is model, named COP-Compost, includes two modules. An existing organic C module is based on the biochemical composition of the initial waste mixture and simulates the organic matter transformation during composting. An additional OP module simulates OP mineralization and the evolution of its bioaccessibility. Coupling hypotheses were proposed to describe the interactions between organic C and OP modules. Th e organic C module, evaluated using experimental data obtained from 4-L composting pilots, was independently tested. Th e COP-Compost model was evaluated during composting experiments containing four OPs representative of the major pollutants detected in compost and targeted by current and future regulations. Th ese OPs included a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (fl uoranthene), two surfactants (4-n-nonylphenol and a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate), and an herbicide (glyphosate). Residues of 14 C-labeled OP with diff erent bioaccessibility were characterized by sequential extraction and quantifi ed as soluble, sorbed, and nonextractable fractions. Th e model was calibrated and coupling the organic C and OP modules improved the simulation of the OP behavior and bioaccessibility during composting.
We report on the observation of the accreting pulsar GRO J1008-57 performed by Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) at the peak of the source’s 2017 outburst. Pulsations are detected with a spin period of 93.283(1) s. The pulse profile shows double peaks at soft X-rays, and only one peak above 20 keV. The spectrum is well described by the phenomenological models of X-ray pulsars. A cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) is detected with very high statistical significance at a centroid energy of
keV, for the reference continuum and line models, HIGHECUT and GABS, respectively. Detection is very robust with respect to different continuum models. The line energy is significantly higher than what is suggested from previous observations, which provided very marginal evidence for the line. This establishes a new record for the centroid energy of a fundamental CRSF observed in accreting pulsars. We also discuss the accretion regime of the source during the Insight-HXMT observation.
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