bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A deterministic two-phase model for an active suspension with non-spherical active particles using the Eulerian spatial averaging theory
Authors: Deußen B. , Wang Y. , Oberlack M.
Published: February 2022

We derive a closed system of equations modeling an active suspension using the Eulerian spatial averaging theory under the assumption of a low-Reynolds flow Re≪1. The suspension consists of a Newtonian fluid and multiple identical active, non-spherical Janus particles. The volume-averaged mass, linear momentum, angular momentum, and orientation balance equations are derived for the fluid and solid phases separately. The focus of the present work is to derive closure relations for the resulting equations, based on fluid–particle and particle–particle interactions. Also included is a numerical study of a channel flow, driven by the active forces of the particles and a pressure gradient or/and a moving wall. The numerical results indicate the importance of the Saffman effect for an active suspension.
Observations on the deformation of metal microspheres in shock-driven polymer flows
Authors: Bober David B. , Najjar Fady M. , Kumar Mukul
Published: February 2022

Solid particles can be fragmented by a fast-moving fluid if their velocity difference is great enough, such as during the atmospheric entry of meteoroids or the shock compression of engineered particulate composites. The extent of particle deformation and breakup in such systems is poorly understood because the necessary extreme conditions make observation difficult and data scarce. To meet this need, experiments combining ultrafast synchrotron-based radiography with plate impact loading were performed at the dynamic compression sector at the advanced photon source. Metal microspheres of several densities and strengths (Au, Ta, and W) were placed inside a polymer matrix. A planar shock wave was then produced in the polymer by the impact of a gun-launched flyer plate. X-ray images of the resulting flow were collected at ∼150 ns intervals. These images document the progression of particle deformation across a range of flow conditions and particle materials. They show that the extent of deformation is sensitive to the ratio of drag stress to particle strength. The deforming particle's shape is determined by the initial shock–particle interaction, fluid stagnation pressure, and vorticity, each acting on its own timescale. A set of scaling relationships is presented to capture these observations and enable comparison with prior hydrodynamic data. The result is a framework for predicting the conditions under which strong particles are severely deformed by a shock-driven flow.
No-slip billiards with particles of variable mass distribution
Authors: Ahmed J. , Cox C. , Wang B.
Published: February 2022

Astute variations in the geometry of mathematical billiard tables have been and continue to be a source of understanding their wide range of dynamical behaviors, from regular to chaotic. Viewing standard specular billiards in the broader setting of no-slip (or rough) collisions, we show that an equally rich spectrum of dynamics can be called forth by varying the mass distribution of the colliding particle. We look at three two-parameter families of billiards varying both the geometry of the table and the particle, including as special cases examples of standard billiards demonstrating dynamics from integrable to chaotic, and show that markedly divergent dynamics may arise by changing only the mass distribution. Furthermore, for certain parameters, billiards emerge, which display unusual dynamics, including examples of full measure periodic billiards, conjectured to be nonexistent for the standard billiards in Euclidean domains.
Relativistic regularized kappa distributions
Authors: Han Thanh Linh , Scherer Klaus , Fichtner Horst
Published: February 2022

The special relativistic generalization of isotropic regularized kappa distributions is derived and compared to that of the original Olbertian (or standard) kappa distributions. It is demonstrated that for the latter, the kappa parameter is even more strongly limited than in the non-relativistic case, while for the former, all positive kappa values remain possible. After a derivation of non-relativistic limits, the pressures of the distributions are studied as a specific case of moments of both the relativistic standard and regularized kappa distributions.
Minima of shear viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficients of classical fluids
Authors: Khrapak S. A. , Khrapak A. G.
Published: February 2022

The shear viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficients of various liquids exhibit minima along certain trajectories on the phase diagram. These minima arise due to the crossover between the momentum and energy transport mechanisms in gas-like and liquid-like regimes. We demonstrate that the magnitudes of the minima are quasi-universal in appropriately reduced units, especially for the viscosity coefficients. The results presented in support of this observation concern the transport properties of three simple model systems with different pairwise interaction potentials (hard spheres, Lennard–Jones, and Coulomb) as well as seven important real atomic and molecular liquids (Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, CH4, CO2, and N2). The minima in viscosity and thermal conductivity represent useful reference points for fluid transport properties.
Predictions of Reynolds and Nusselt numbers in turbulent convection using machine-learning models
Authors: Bhattacharya Shashwat , Verma Mahendra K. , Bhattacharya Arnab
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we develop a multivariate regression model and a neural network model to predict the Reynolds number (Re) and Nusselt number in turbulent thermal convection. We compare their predictions with those of earlier models of convection: Grossmann–Lohse [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3316 (2001)], revised Grossmann–Lohse [Phys. Fluids 33, 015113 (2021)], and Pandey–Verma [Phys. Rev. E 94, 053106 (2016)] models. We observe that although the predictions of all the models are quite close to each other, the machine-learning models developed in this work provide the best match with the experimental and numerical results.
Water makes its mark on GPS signals
Authors: Chew Clara
Published: February 2022

In addition to being a navigation tool, GPS signals are helping scientists observe Earth’s hydrologic cycle.
Digital applications and artificial intelligence in agriculture toward next-generation plant phenotyping
Authors: Tripodi Pasquale , Nicastro Nicola , Pane Catello
Published: February 2022

In the upcoming years, global changes in agricultural and environmental systems will require innovative approaches in crop research to ensure more efficient use of natural resources and food security. Cutting-edge technologies for precision agriculture are fundamental to improve in a non-invasive manner, the efficiency of detection of environmental parameters, and to assess complex traits in plants with high accuracy. The application of sensing devices and the implementation of strategies of artificial intelligence for the acquisition and management of high-dimensional data will play a key role to address the needs of next-generation agriculture and boosting breeding in crops. To that end, closing the gap with the knowledge from the other ‘omics’ sciences is the primary objective to relieve the bottleneck that still hinders the potential of thousands of accessions existing for each crop. Although it is an emerging discipline, phenomics does not rely only on technological advances but embraces several other scientific fields including biology, statistics and bioinformatics. Therefore, establishing synergies among research groups and transnational efforts able to facilitate access to new computational methodologies and related information to the community, are needed. In this review, we illustrate the main concepts of plant phenotyping along with sensing devices and mechanisms underpinning imaging analysis in both controlled environments and open fields. We then describe the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning for data analysis and their implication for next-generation breeding, highlighting the ongoing efforts toward big-data management.
Top-down and bottom-up cohesiveness in microbial community coalescence
Authors: Diaz-Colunga Juan , Lu Nanxi , Sanchez-Gorostiaga Alicia , Chang Chang-Yu , Cai Helen S. , Goldford Joshua E. , Tikhonov Mikhail , Sánchez Álvaro
Published: February 2022

Significance

In the microbial world, it is common for previously isolated communities to come in contact with one another. This phenomenon is known as community coalescence. Despite it being a key process in the assembly of microbial communities, little is known about the mechanisms that determine its outcomes. Here we present an experimental system that allowed us to study over 100 coalescence events between previously segregated microbiomes. Our results, predicted by a mathematical model, provide direct evidence of ecological coselection: the situation where members of a community recruit one another during coalescence. Our combined experimental and theoretical framework represents a powerful tool to predict the outcomes and interrogate the mechanisms of community coalescence.
A 680,000-person megastudy of nudges to encourage vaccination in pharmacies
Authors: Milkman Katherine L. , Gandhi Linnea , Patel Mitesh S. , Graci Heather N. , Gromet Dena M. , Ho Hung , Kay Joseph S. , Lee Timothy W. , Rothschild Jake , Bogard Jonathan E. , Brody Ilana , Chabris Christopher F. , Chang Edward , Chapman Gretchen B. , Dannals Jennifer E. , Goldstein Noah J. , Goren Amir , Hershfield Hal , Hirsch Alex , Hmurovic Jillian , Horn Samantha , Karlan Dean S. , Kristal Ariella S. , Lamberton Cait , Meyer Michelle N. , Oakes Allison H. , Schweitzer Maurice E. , Shermohammed Maheen , Talloen Joachim , Warren Caleb , Whillans Ashley , Yadav Kuldeep N. , Zlatev Julian J. , Berman Ron , Evans Chalanda N. , Ladhania Rahul , Ludwig Jens , Mazar Nina , Mullainathan Sendhil , Snider Christopher K. , Spiess Jann , Tsukayama Eli , Ungar Lyle , Van den Bulte Christophe , Volpp Kevin G. , Duckworth Angela L.
Published: February 2022

Significance

Encouraging vaccination is a pressing policy problem. Our megastudy with 689,693 Walmart pharmacy customers demonstrates that text-based reminders can encourage pharmacy vaccination and establishes what kinds of messages work best. We tested 22 different text reminders using a variety of different behavioral science principles to nudge flu vaccination. Reminder texts increased vaccination rates by an average of 2.0 percentage points (6.8%) over a business-as-usual control condition. The most-effective messages reminded patients that a flu shot was waiting for them and delivered reminders on multiple days. The top-performing intervention included two texts 3 d apart and stated that a vaccine was “waiting for you.” Forecasters failed to anticipate that this would be the best-performing treatment, underscoring the value of testing.
Convergent clonal selection of donor- and recipient-derived CMV-specific T cells in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Erickson Jami R. , Stevens-Ayers Terry , Mair Florian , Edmison Bradley , Boeckh Michael , Bradley Philip , Prlic Martin
Published: February 2022

Significance

An existing memory T cell population specific for a single epitope is sufficient to effectively curtail responses to any new antigens if the original epitope is present in a vaccination regimen or heterologous infections. We asked if T cell competition precludes recruitment of any new, naïve T cells to an existing memory T cell pool in context of cytomegalovirus-specific T cell responses in a cohort of transplant patients. Our data indicate that competition does not prevent recruitment of naïve T cells into the memory T cell pool but selects for T cells with nearly or fully congruent T cell receptor specificities. We discuss the implications of rejuvenating a memory T cell pool while preserving the T cell receptor repertoire.
Empirical social triad statistics can be explained with dyadic homophylic interactions
Authors: Pham Tuan Minh , Korbel Jan , Hanel Rudolf , Thurner Stefan
Published: February 2022

Significance

Social stability is often associated with triangular interactions between people. Various possible social triangles appear in peculiar ratios. The triangles “The friend of my friend is my friend” and “The enemy of my friend is my enemy” are strongly overrepresented, which plays an important role for social balance. A standard explanation for these characteristic triangle fractions is that people consider triadic information before forming social relations. This assumption often contradicts everyday experience. We propose an explanation of the observed overrepresentations without individuals having to consider triangles. A society where individuals minimize their social stress self-organizes toward the empirically observed triangular structures. We demonstrate this with data from a society of computer game players, where triangle formation can be directly observed.
Time-resolved DEER EPR and solid-state NMR afford kinetic and structural elucidation of substrate binding to Ca
2+
-ligated calmodulin
Authors: Schmidt Thomas , Jeon Jaekyun , Yau Wai-Ming , Schwieters Charles D. , Tycko Robert , Clore G. Marius
Published: February 2022

Significance

Complex formation between calmodulin and target proteins underlies numerous calcium signaling processes in biology, yet structural and mechanistic details, which entail major conformational changes in both calmodulin and its substrates, have been unclear. We show that a combination of time-resolved electron paramagnetic and NMR measurements can elucidate the molecular mechanism, at the quantitative kinetic and structural levels, of the binding pathway of a peptide substrate from skeletal muscle myosin light-chain kinase to calcium-loaded calmodulin. The mechanism involves coupled folding and binding and comprises a bifurcated process, with rapid, direct complex formation when the peptide interacts first with the C-terminal domain of calmodulin or a slower, two-step complex formation when the peptide interacts initially with the N-terminal domain.
Legislative agenda-setting power of social media
Authors: Upadhyay Akanksa , Trifiro Briana Marie
Published: February 2022

In an effort to understand the legislative agenda setting impacts of social media content, the present study analyzes political discourse on Twitter regarding the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Using a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model to dissect the Twitter conversation aimed at Representative Karen Bass, the sponsor of the H.R.7120, in the weeks leading up to the bill’s filing, our analysis of nearly 68,000 tweets posted in the days before the bill’s filing reveals that constituents strongly urged the Representative to work on legislation targeted on police reform – offering evidence of how constituents demanded, and drove, legislative action. Considering our findings, we argue that there is considerable potential for social media to serve as an amplifier of social issues and concerns among constituents. Through this process, we posit that social media can prove to be a vital catalyst in social justice reform.
Unanticipated Fault Diagnosis Method of Telescope Drive System Based on Latent Variable Mining
Authors: Li Yun , Yang Shihai , Deng Zhuangzhuang , Gao Zhiwen , Gu Xiaojie , Li Xiaoyan , Gu Bozhong
Published: February 2022

A Latent Variable Mining strategy for unanticipated state diagnosis in a telescope drive system has been proposed in this study. Compared with the existing analysis methods of explicit variables commonly used in fault diagnosis, the latent variable mining method proposed in this paper has the advantage of mining the deep hidden information of the system. First, a strategy for extracting latent variables with Stable Kernels Representation as the detection statistics is established in this paper. Then, principal component regression is used to construct an unanticipated fault diagnose strategy. Finally, an experimental platform for unanticipated load variation of the telescope drive system is established in the article, and the method proposed in this article is used to perform diagnostic tests on it. The test results show that for the unanticipated faults that cannot be correctly identified by the explicit variable analysis, the latent variable analysis method can clearly distinguish them to achieve the purpose of unanticipated fault diagnosis. All of the above show a good performance of the proposed unanticipated diagnosis strategy based on Latent Variable Mining with telescope drive system.
Site-testing at Muztagh-ata site. IV. Precipitable Water Vapor
Authors: Xu Jing , Li MingShuai , Esamdin Ali , Wang Na , Pu Guangxin , Wang Letian , Feng Guojie , Zhang Xuan , Ma Shuguo , Lv Jinquan , Zheng Xingwu
Published: February 2022

This is the fourth article in a series studying on the site-testing at Muztagh-ata site. The results of the characterization of precipitable water vapor (PWV) in the atmospheric column at Muztagh-ata site are presented. This paper studies the temporal variability of PWV, acquired from remote sensing data sets and validated by limited radiometers data, spanning a period from 2018 to 2019. The clear day PWV annual median values are 2.28 mm and 2.37 mm for 2018 and 2019 respectively. The results show that the driest seasons at Muztagh-ata site are from October to March and there are about 60 ∼ 70 days with daily median PWV less than 2 mm in this period. Atmospheric transmission in mid-infrared bands calculated by AM model confirms the IR observation potential of Muztagh-ata site.
Automated Extended Aperture Photometry of K2 Variable Stars
Authors: Bódi Attila , Szabó Pál , Plachy Emese , Molnár László , Szabó Róbert
Published: February 2022

Proper photometric data are challenging to obtain in the K2 mission of the Kepler space telescope due to strong systematics caused by the two-wheel-mode operation. It is especially true for variable stars wherein physical phenomena occur on timescales similar to the instrumental signals. We originally developed a method with the aim to extend the photometric aperture to be able to compensate the motion of the telescope which we named Extended Aperture Photometry (EAP). Here we present the outline of the automatized version of the EAP method, an open-source pipeline called autoEAP. We compare the light curve products to other photometric solutions for examples chosen from high-amplitude variable stars. In addition to the photometry, we developed a new detrending method, which is based on phase dispersion minimization and is able to eliminate long-term instrumental signals for periodic variable stars.
Quantum Yield and Charge Diffusion in the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Infrared Detectors
Authors: Givans Jahmour J. , Choi Ami , Porredon Anna , Freudenburg Jenna K. C. , Hirata Christopher M. , Hill Robert J. , Bennett Christopher , Foltz Roger , Meier Lane
Published: February 2022

Weak gravitational lensing is a powerful tool for studying the growth of structure across cosmic time. The shear signal required for weak lensing analyses is very small, so any undesirable detector-level effects which distort astronomical images can significantly contaminate the inferred shear. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman) will fly a focal plane with 18 Teledyne H4RG-10 near-infrared (IR) detector arrays; these have never before been used for weak lensing and they present different instrument calibration challenges relative to charge-coupled devices. A pair of previous investigations demonstrated that spatiotemporal correlations of flat field images can effectively separate the brighter-fatter effect (BFE) and interpixel capacitance (IPC). A third paper in the series introduced a Fourier-space treatment of these correlations which allowed the authors to expand to higher orders in BFE, IPC, and classical nonlinearity. This work expands the previous formalism to include quantum yield and charge diffusion. We test the updated formalism on simulations and show that we can recover input visible characterization values to within a few percent. We then apply the formalism to visible and IR flat field data from three Roman flight candidate detectors. We find that BFE is present in all detectors and that the magnitude of its central pixel value is comparable between visible data and IR data. We fit a 2D Gaussian model to the charge diffusion at 0.5 μm wavelength, and find variances of C
11 = 0.1066 ± 0.0011 pix2 in the horizontal direction, C
22 = 0.1136 ± 0.0012 pix2 in the vertical direction, and a covariance of C
12 = 0.0001 ± 0.0007 pix2 (stat) for SCA 20829. Last, we convert the asymmetry of the charge diffusion into an equivalent shear signal using the sensitivity coefficients for the Roman survey, and find a contamination of the shear correlation function to be ξ
+ ∼ 10−6 for each detector. This exceeds Roman’s allotted error budget for the measurement by a factor of


(
10
)

in power (amplitude squared) but can likely be mitigated through standard methods for fitting the point-spread function (PSF) since for weak lensing applications the charge diffusion can be treated as a contribution to the PSF. Further work considering the impact of charge diffusion and quantum yield on shear measurements will follow once all detectors covering the Roman focal plane are selected.
Orbital angular momentum induced bistability in a quantum system
Authors: Zhang Xuehua , Li Liping , Wang Xiujie , Zheng Limin
Published: February 2022

In this article, we have proposed a unique approach to adjust optical bistability (OB) and optical multistability (OM) in a ring cavity inclusive of a three-level quantum system primarily based on quantum mean-field theory. The quantum system interacts with a weak probe light, an incoherent pumping field and a robust coupling light which carries an optical vortex that is an electromagnetic light with optical angular momentum. We confirmed that the real and imaginary parts of the susceptibility of the no-vortex probe light relies on the azimuthal angle and orbital angular momentum (OAM) of the vortex light whilst the quantum interference time period will become important. Moreover, we determined that because of the OAM number of vortex light, the switching from OB to OM is feasible for extraordinary azimuthal angle. These functions of such a three-level quantum system are not stated in any comparable studies.
Desert is a dyadic relation
Authors: Napoletano Toby
Published: February 2022

The orthodox view of the metaphysics of desert is that desert is a triadic relation that obtains between a subject, an object and a desert base. Not only is this view lacking in motivation, but conceiving of the desert base as part of the desert relation renders the concept of desert incoherent. Instead, desert should be thought of as a dyadic relation between a subject and an object, where desert bases are simply the grounds for dyadic desert facts.
Differential parasitism of native and invasive widow spider egg sacs
Authors: Mowery Monica A , Arabesky Valeria , Lubin Yael , Segoli Michal
Published: February 2022

During colonization, invasive species establish and spread to new locations, where they may have an advantage over native species. One such advantage may be avoidance of predators or parasites by means of better defenses or due to lower suitability as a host. We conducted field surveys and lab behavioral experiments to investigate the differential susceptibility of two widow spider species—one native to Israel, the white widow spider Latrodectus pallidus, and one invasive species, the brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus—to an egg sac parasitoid wasp, Philolema latrodecti. In collections of egg sacs from six paired sites of L. geometricus and L. pallidus populations in the Negev Desert, Israel, we found higher parasitism rates on the egg sacs of the native L. pallidus. In no-choice trials, we found that wasps were more likely to parasitize and oviposited longer on L. pallidus egg sacs than on L. geometricus egg sacs. In two-choice tests with spider webs and egg sacs, parasitoids made first contact with L. pallidus webs more often and faster. After developing inside of L. pallidus egg sacs, more parasitoids emerged and were larger than those emerging from L. geometricus egg sacs. Potentially better defense of the L. geometricus egg sacs as well as the parasitoid’s fitness advantages gained from parasitizing L. pallidus egg sacs may explain the higher parasitism rate in the native species. Our results suggest that the invasion and establishment success of L. geometricus is due, in part, to its ability to escape parasitism.
Somatosensory cortex of macaque monkeys is designed for opposable thumb
Authors: Lazar Leslee , Chand Prem , Rajan Radhika , Mohammed Hisham , Jain Neeraj
Published: February 2022

The evolution of opposable thumb has enabled fine grasping ability and precision grip, therefore the ability to finely manipulate the objects and refined tool use. Since tactile inputs to an opposable thumb are often spatially and temporally out of sync with inputs from the fingers, we hypothesized that inputs from the opposable thumb would be processed in an independent module in the primary somatosensory cortex (area 3b). Here we show that in area 3b of macaque monkeys, most neurons in the thumb representation do not respond to tactile stimulation of other digits and receive few intrinsic cortical inputs from other digits. However, neurons in the representations of other 4 digits respond to touch on any of the 4 digits and interconnect significantly more. The thumb inputs are thus processed in an independent module, whereas there is a significantly more interdigital information exchange between the other digits. This cortical organization reflects behavioral use of a hand with an opposable thumb.
Obesity, Poverty and Public Policy
Authors: Griffith Rachel
Published: February 2022

Obesity rates in the United Kingdom, and around the world, are high and rising. They are higher, and rising faster, amongst people growing up and living in deprivation. These patterns raise potential concerns about both market failures and equity. There is much that policy can do to address these concerns. However, policy can also do harm if it is poorly targeted or has unintended consequences. In order to design effective policies we need an understanding of who we are trying to target, and for what reasons. This paper provides an overview of some of the evidence, and some recent policy initiatives.
Linezolid versus omadacycline in diabetic soft tissue infections: a signal of different adjunctive immunological properties?
Authors: Sakoulas George
Published: February 2022

Recent understanding of antimicrobial chemotherapy has expanded to appreciate significant impacts on the host–pathogen relationship by antibiotics. Omadacycline statistically outperformed linezolid in treating acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections in patients with diabetes mellitus in a recent post-hoc analysis of the OASIS-1 and OASIS-2 clinical trials. This difference may speak directly or indirectly to neutrophil dysfunction in diabetes. Neutrophil dysfunction increases the likelihood of Gram-negative bacterial infection, whereby diabetics may benefit from the broader spectrum of omadacycline compared with linezolid. Indirectly, oxazolidinones like linezolid have been shown to be dependent on neutrophil function, potentially compromising the potency of this drug class in diabetics. Finally, tetracyclines like omadacycline have collateral anti-inflammatory properties that have not been seen in other antibiotic drug classes. These differences may impact clinical outcomes in the treatment of infections that are not predicted by their antimicrobial activities alone, as measured in standard susceptibility testing assays.
Observability and its impact on differential bias for clinical prediction models
Authors: Yan Mengying , Pencina Michael J , Boulware L Ebony , Goldstein Benjamin A
Published: February 2022

Objective

Electronic health records have incomplete capture of patient outcomes. We consider the case when observability is differential across a predictor. Including such a predictor (sensitive variable) can lead to algorithmic bias, potentially exacerbating health inequities.

Materials and Methods

We define bias for a clinical prediction model (CPM) as the difference between the true and estimated risk, and differential bias as bias that differs across a sensitive variable. We illustrate the genesis of differential bias via a 2-stage process, where conditional on having the outcome of interest, the outcome is differentially observed. We use simulations and a real-data example to demonstrate the possible impact of including a sensitive variable in a CPM.

Results

If there is differential observability based on a sensitive variable, including it in a CPM can induce differential bias. However, if the sensitive variable impacts the outcome but not observability, it is better to include it. When a sensitive variable impacts both observability and the outcome no simple recommendation can be provided. We show that one cannot use observed data to detect differential bias.

Discussion

Our study furthers the literature on observability, showing that differential observability can lead to algorithmic bias. This highlights the importance of considering whether to include sensitive variables in CPMs.

Conclusion

Including a sensitive variable in a CPM depends on whether it truly affects the outcome or just the observability of the outcome. Since this cannot be distinguished with observed data, observability is an implicit assumption of CPMs.
Inaccuracies in electronic health records smoking data and a potential approach to address resulting underestimation in determining lung cancer screening eligibility
Authors: Kukhareva Polina V , Caverly Tanner J , Li Haojia , Katki Hormuzd A , Cheung Li C , Reese Thomas J , Del Fiol Guilherme , Hess Rachel , Wetter David W , Zhang Yue , Taft Teresa Y , Flynn Michael C , Kawamoto Kensaku
Published: February 2022

Objective

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) requires the estimation of lifetime pack-years to determine lung cancer screening eligibility. Leading electronic health record (EHR) vendors calculate pack-years using only the most recently recorded smoking data. The objective was to characterize EHR smoking data issues and to propose an approach to addressing these issues using longitudinal smoking data.

Materials and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 16 874 current or former smokers who met USPSTF age criteria for screening (50–80 years old), had no prior lung cancer diagnosis, and were seen in 2020 at an academic health system using the Epic® EHR. We described and quantified issues in the smoking data. We then estimated how many additional potentially eligible patients could be identified using longitudinal data. The approach was verified through manual review of records from 100 subjects.

Results

Over 80% of evaluated records had inaccuracies, including missing packs-per-day or years-smoked (42.7%), outdated data (25.1%), missing years-quit (17.4%), and a recent change in packs-per-day resulting in inaccurate lifetime pack-years estimation (16.9%). Addressing these issues by using longitudinal data enabled the identification of 49.4% more patients potentially eligible for lung cancer screening (P < .001).

Discussion

Missing, outdated, and inaccurate smoking data in the EHR are important barriers to effective lung cancer screening. Data collection and analysis strategies that reflect changes in smoking habits over time could improve the identification of patients eligible for screening.

Conclusion

The use of longitudinal EHR smoking data could improve lung cancer screening.
Improving the QuEChERS Liquid/Liquid Extraction of Analytes With Widely Varying Physicochemical Properties: Example of 201 Veterinary Drugs in Milk
Authors: Kaufmann Anton , Butcher Patrick , Maden Kathryn , Walker Stephan , Widmer Mirjam
Published: February 2022

Background

QuEChERS is an extraction and sample processing technique widely used for multiresidue methods (e.g., pesticides or veterinary drugs).

Objective

QuEChERS recovers a wide analyte polarity range, and yet low or even very low recoveries are observed for some polar analytes. This is especially relevant when analyzing veterinary drug residues in milk.

Method

Based on the Hoffmeister row, potassium hydrogenphosphate/dihydrogenphosphate were selected as salting-out agents. The methodology was termed p-QuEChERS.

Results

The avoidance of weak complexing agents (magnesium and probably sodium), as present in conventional QuEChERS salt mixtures, improved the partition of critical analytes into the organic phase. Significantly higher recoveries were obtained for analytes belonging to the families of tetracyclines, penicillins, and cephalosporins.

Conclusions

The proposed p-QuEChERS concept, compared to conventional QuEChERS, improves the recovery of various polar analytes. Analytes benefiting from this methodology are drugs, which are particularly relevant in the specific field of multiresidue analysis in milk. On the other hand, none of the total 201 investigated analytes showed a reduced recovery. In addition, neither the sample handling nor the co-partition of involatile salts into the extracts was negatively affected.

Highlights

The p-QuEChERS based method has been fully validated according to European Community guidelines, using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation (time of flight (TOF) as well as Orbitrap). The developed multiresidue method quantifies 201 different veterinary drugs at relevant residue concentration in milk and is highly suitable for high throughput routine control.
The Moral Authority of Consensus
Authors: Walker Paul , Lovat Terence
Published: February 2022

Prompted by recent comments on the moral authority of dialogic consensus, we argue that consensus, specifically dialogic consensus, possesses a unique form of moral authority. Given our multicultural era and its plurality of values, we contend that traditional ethical frameworks or principles derived from them cannot be viewed substantively. Both philosophers and clinicians prioritize the need for a decision to be morally justifiable, and also for the decision to be action-guiding. We argue that, especially against the background of our pluralistic society, it is only via unforced dialogue and properly founded argumentation, aiming for consensus, that we can ascribe rightness or wrongness in a normative fashion to dilemmatic situations. We argue that both the process of dialogue, properly constituted, and the consensual outcome itself have moral authority vested within them. Finally, we argue that the consensual decision made is able to withstand moral scrutiny and is action-guiding, without claiming absolute moral authority in other contexts.
Toxicological and chemoprevention studies of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. stem, the botanical source of Brazilian red propolis
Authors: da Silva Lucas Henrique Domingos , Squarisi Iara Silva , de Freitas Karoline Soares , Barcelos Ribeiro Arthur , Ozelin Saulo Duarte , Aldana-Mejía Jennyfer Andrea , de Oliveira Lucas Teixeira Souza , Rodrigues Tábata Esperandim , de Melo Matheus Reis Santos , Nicolella Heloiza Diniz , Alves Bianca Silva , de Andrade Melo Alex Luiz , Ccana-Ccapatinta Gari Vidal , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , Tavares Denise Crispim
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. is a semi-prostrate species associated with estuaries, mangroves and dunes. This plant species has great ecological and economic importance, especially concerning apiculture pasture and Brazilian red propolis production. In this study, non-clinical toxicological evaluations of the hydroalcoholic extract of D. ecastaphyllum stems (DEHE), the resin production source, were conducted. In addition, the action of DEHE on genomic instability and colon carcinogenesis was investigated.

Methods and results

The extract’s chemical profile was analysed by HPLC, and medicarpin, vestitol and neovestitol were found as major compounds. DEHE showed an IC50 equivalent to 373.2 µg/ml and LC50 equal 24.4 mg/L, when evaluated using the XTT colorimetric test and the zebrafish acute toxicity assay, respectively. DEHE was neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic at the highest dose, 2000 mg/kg, by peripheral blood micronucleus test. The treatments DEHE (6 and 24 mg/kg) led to the reduction of micronuclei induced by doxorubicin (DXR) in mice. Furthermore, significantly higher serum levels of reduced glutathione were observed in animals treated with DEHE plus DXR, revealing an antioxidant effect. Treatments with DEHE (48 mg/kg) led to a significant reduction in pre-neoplastic lesions induced by the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) carcinogen in the rat colon. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significantly lower levels of expression of COX-2 (86%) and PCNA (83%) in the colon of rats treated with DEHE plus DMH, concerning those treated with the carcinogen.

Conclusions

These results indicate the involvement of anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative pathways in the protective effect of DEHE.
Taxonomy of protoplanetary discs observed with ALMA
Authors: Parker Raeesa , Ward-Thompson Derek , Kirk Jason
Published: February 2022

Many observations of protoplanetary discs studied with ALMA have revealed the complex substructure present in the discs. Rings and gaps in the dust continuum are now a common sight in many discs; however, their origins still remain unknown. We look at all protoplanetary disc images taken with ALMA from cycles 0 to 5 and find that 56 discs show clear substructure. We further study the 56 discs and classify the morphology seen according to four categories: Rim, Ring, Horseshoe, and Spiral. We calculate the ages of the host stars using stellar isochrones and investigate the relation between the morphology of the substructure seen in the protoplanetary discs and the age of the host stars. We find that there is no clear evolutionary sequence in the protoplanetary discs as the stars increase in age, although there is a slight tendency for spirals to appear in younger systems and horseshoes to be seen in more evolved systems. We also show that majority of the images of protoplanetary discs made by ALMA may not have had a sufficiently high resolution or sensitivity to resolve substructure in the disc. We show that angular resolution is important in detecting substructure within protoplanetary discs, with sensitivity distinguishing between the different types of substructure. We compare the substructure seen in protoplanetary discs at sub-mm to those seen in scattered light. We find that cavities are a common substructure seen in discs at both sub-mm wavelengths and in scattered light.
A discontinuous Galerkin solver in theflashmultiphysics framework
Authors: Markert Johannes , Walch Stefanie , Gassner Gregor
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we present a discontinuous Galerkin solver based on previous work by the authors for magnetohydrodynamics in form of a new fluid solver module integrated into the established and well-known multiphysics simulation code flash. Our goal is to enable future research on the capabilities and potential advantages of discontinuous Galerkin methods for complex multiphysics simulations in astrophysical settings. We give specific details and adjustments of our implementation within the flash framework and present extensive validations and test cases, specifically its interaction with several other physics modules such as (self-)gravity and radiative transfer. We conclude that the new DG solver module in flash is ready for use in astrophysics simulations and thus ready for assessments and investigations.
The ALMA REBELS Survey: cosmic dust temperature evolution out to z ∼ 7
Authors: Sommovigo L , Ferrara A , Pallottini A , Dayal P , Bouwens R J , Smit R , da Cunha E , De Looze I , Bowler R A A , Hodge J , Inami H , Oesch P , Endsley R , Gonzalez V , Schouws S , Stark D , Stefanon M , Aravena M , Graziani L , Riechers D , Schneider R , van der Werf P , Algera H , Barrufet L , Fudamoto Y , Hygate A P S , Labbé I , Li Y , Nanayakkara T , Topping M
Published: February 2022

ALMA observations have revealed the presence of dust in the first generations of galaxies in the Universe. However, the dust temperature Td remains mostly unconstrained due to the few available FIR continuum data at redshift $z$ > 5. This introduces large uncertainties in several properties of high-$z$ galaxies, namely their dust masses, infrared luminosities, and obscured fraction of star formation. Using a new method based on simultaneous [C $\scriptstyle \rm II$] 158-μm line and underlying dust continuum measurements, we derive Td in the continuum and [C $\scriptstyle \rm II$] detected $z$ ≈ 7 galaxies in the ALMA Large Project REBELS sample. We find 39 < Td < 58 K, and dust masses in the narrow range Md = (0.9−3.6) × 107 M⊙. These results allow us to extend for the first time the reported Td($z$) relation into the Epoch of Reionization. We produce a new physical model that explains the increasing Td($z$) trend with the decrease of gas depletion time, tdep = Mg/SFR, induced by the higher cosmological accretion rate at early times; this hypothesis yields Td ∝ (1 + $z$)0.4. The model also explains the observed Td scatter at a fixed redshift. We find that dust is warmer in obscured sources, as a larger obscuration results in more efficient dust heating. For UV-transparent (obscured) galaxies, Td only depends on the gas column density (metallicity), $T_{\rm d} \propto N_{\rm H}^{1/6}$ (Td ∝ Z−1/6). REBELS galaxies are on average relatively transparent, with effective gas column densities around NH ≃ (0.03−1) × 1021 cm−2. We predict that other high-$z$ galaxies (e.g. MACS0416-Y1, A2744-YD4), with estimated Td ≫ 60 K, are significantly obscured, low-metallicity systems. In fact, Td is higher in metal-poor systems due to their smaller dust content, which for fixed LIR results in warmer temperatures.
Multiple Tobacco Product Use Conceptual Framework: A 2021 Update on Evidence
Authors: Rubenstein Dana , Pacek Lauren R , McClernon F Joseph
Published: February 2022

Introduction

One-third of adults in the United States who use tobacco regularly use two or more types of tobacco products. As the use of e-cigarettes and other noncombusted tobacco products increases—making multiple tobacco product (MTP) use increasingly common—it is essential to evaluate the complex factors that affect product use.

Aims and Methods

In this update to our 2019 conceptual framework, we review and evaluate recent literature and expand the model to include ways in which MTP use may be affected by market factors such as the introduction of new products and socioenvironmental factors like marketing and advertising.

Results and Conclusions

MTP use patterns are complex, dynamic, and multiply determined by factors at the level of individuals, products, situations or contexts, and marketplace. Substitution, or using one product with the intent of decreasing use of another, and complementarity, or using multiple products for different reasons or purposes, explain patterns in MTP use. Moreover, substitution and complementarity may inform our understanding of how market changes targeted at one product, for instance, new product standards, bans, product pricing, and taxation, affect consumption of other tobacco products. New data from natural experiments and novel laboratory-based techniques add additional data and expand the framework.

Implications

A substantial proportion of people who use tobacco use more than one product. This review synthesizes and evaluates recent evidence on the diverse factors that affect MTP use in addition to expanding our framework. Our review is accompanied by suggested research questions that can guide future study.
The Fighting Begins
Authors: Wells H. G.
Published: February 2022

Saturday lives in my memory as a day of suspense. It was a day of lassitude too, hot and close, with, I am told, a rapidly fluctuating barometer. I had slept but little, though my wife had succeeded in sleeping, and I rose early. I went into my garden before breakfast, and stood listening, but towards the common there was nothing stirring but a lark.
At the Window
Authors: Wells H. G.
Published: February 2022

I have said already that my storms of emotion have a trick of exhausting themselves. After a time I discovered that I was cold and wet, and with little pools of water about me on the stair-carpet. I got up almost mechanically, went into the dining-room and drank some whisky, and then I was moved to change my clothes.

After I had done that I went upstairs to my study, but why I did so I do not know. The window of my study looks over the trees and the railway towards Horsell Common. In the hurry of our departure this window had been left open. The passage was dark, and, by contrast with the picture the window-frame enclosed, that side of the room seemed impenetrably dark. I stopped short in the doorway.
What Had Happened in Surrey
Authors: Wells H. G.
Published: February 2022

It was while the curate had sat and talked so wildly to me under the hedge in the flat meadows near Halliford, and while my brother was watching the fugitives stream over Westminster Bridge, that the Martians had resumed the offensive. So far as one can ascertain from the conflicting accounts that have been put forth, the majority of them remained busied with preparations in the Horsell pit until nine that night, hurrying on some operation that disengaged huge volumes of green smoke.
The Exodus from London
Authors: Wells H. G.
Published: February 2022

So you understand the roaring wave of fear that swept through the greatest city in the world just as Monday was dawning—the stream of flight rising swiftly to a torrent, lashing in a foaming tumult round the railway-stations, banked up into a horrible struggle about the shipping in the Thames, and hurrying by every available channel northward and eastward. By ten o’clock the police organization, and by mid-day even the railway organizations, were losing coherency, losing shape and efficiency, guttering, softening, running at last in that swift liquefaction of the social body.
What We Saw from the Ruined House
Authors: Wells H. G.
Published: February 2022

After eating we crept back to the scullery, and there I must have dozed again, for when presently I stirred I was alone. The thudding vibration continued with wearisome persistence. I whispered for the curate several times, and at last felt my way to the door of the kitchen. It was still daylight, and I perceived him across the room, lying against the triangular hole that looked out upon the Martians. His shoulders were hunched, so that his head was hidden from me.
The Days of Imprisonment
Authors: Wells H. G.
Published: February 2022

The arrival of a second Fighting Machine drove us from our peephole into the scullery, for we feared that from his elevation the Martian might see down upon us behind our barrier. At a later date we began to feel less in danger of their eyes, for to an eye in the dazzle of the sunlight outside our refuge must have seemed a blind of blackness, but at first the slightest suggestion of approach drove us into the scullery in heart-throbbing retreat. Yet, terrible as was the danger we incurred, the attraction of peeping was for both of us irresistible. And I recall now with a sort of wonder that, spite of the infinite danger in which we were between starvation and a still more terrible death, we could yet struggle bitterly for that horrible privilege of sight. We would race across the kitchen in a grotesque pace between eagerness and the dread of making a noise, and strike one another, and thrust and kick, within a few inches of exposure.