bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D full wave fast wave modeling with realistic HHFW antenna geometry and SOL plasma in NSTX-U
Authors: Bertelli N. , Shiraiwa S. , Ono M.
Published: September 2022

This paper reports the significant advancement of our ability to model and to understand how RF waves interact with the SOL plasma, by developing for the full torus 3D scrape-off layer (SOL) plasma simulation together with the antenna and core plasma in the NSTX-U device in HHFW frequency regime for a cold plasma model. The present paper extends the previous modeling (Bertelli et al 2020 AIP Conf. Proc. 2254 030001) to a full 3D device geometry including realistic antenna geometry in order to capture a more realistic experimental situation including the fully 3D wave field effects and the antenna plasma interaction in the SOL plasma, and, at the same time, resulting core wave propagation. The central tool of the present work is the Petra-M code, which is a newly developed state-of-the-art generic electromagnetic simulation tool for modeling RF wave propagation based on MFEM (http://mfem.org), an open source scalable C++ finite element method library.
Resistance of alkali-activated blast furnace slag to acids
Authors: Hruby P , Bilek V , Topolar L , Kalina L , Iliushchenko V , Koplik J , Masilko J , Soukal F
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the resistance of alkali-activated blast furnace slag to degradation processes caused by the action of various acids was studied. The ground granulated blast furnace slag was alkali-activated using sodium hydroxide in 6% Na2O dosage by the slag weight and subjected to testing of acid resistance in both organic and inorganic acidic solutions (pH ≈ 3) for 84 days. Citric, acetic, hydrochloric, and sulphuric acids were used for these purposes. The reference samples were stored in water. The progress of degradation was studied using the phenolphthalein technique, compressive strength testing, and weight measurements. Moreover, the SEM-EDX was used for the characterization of the degradation processes and microstructure changes. The degradation of alkali-activated blast furnace slag occurred in both organic and inorganic acids; however, the action of organic acids appears to be much more deteriorating. The decrease in compressive strength of about 50% and 60% was observed for acetic and citric acid, while only of 32% and 23% in sulphuric and hydrochloric, respectively.
Mechanical properties of chemically bonded phosphate ceramics with incorporation of barium ions
Authors: Zezulova A , Dzurov M , Palou M T
Published: September 2022

Chemically bonded phosphate ceramic is an advanced ceramic material with unique physicochemical properties. The ceramic is formed by an acid-base reaction at ambient temperature. This work is focused on the preparation of this ceramic with barium ions incorporated in the matrix. The shielding of different types of ionization is usually poor in this binder; barium as a heavy element increases material resistance to ionization energy. As part of the development of composites for radiation shielding, the paper describes partial research on the possibility of preparing chemically bonded phosphate ceramic incorporating barium and having good mechanical properties.
Use the waste glass for the synthesis of geopolymer-zeolite composites
Authors: Kubatova D , Kotlanova M Krejci , Khongova I , Zezulova A , Bohac M
Published: September 2022

The study investigates the properties of alkali-activated binders with waste glass (WG) under hydrothermal treatment. WG was dosed in 0-30 wt.% and was used as a substitute for raw materials. Solid precursors were mixed with sodium water glass. The prepared specimens were cured in ambient conditions (20°C and RH 98%) and hydrothermal conditions (105°C and 150°C). The effect of glass and hydrothermal treatment on physical and mechanical properties after 2, 7, 28, 56, 90 and 180 days was monitored. Prepared hybrid zeolite-geopolymer materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis, SEM, and MIP. It was confirmed that replacing raw materials with glass up to 20 wt.% did not deteriorate long-term properties under ambient conditions. The positive effect of hydrothermal curing was manifested, especially at a temperature of 150°C, when 20 wt.% glass was used.
Certification of Gaussian Boson Sampling via graphs feature vectors and kernels
Authors: Giordani Taira , Mannucci Valerio , Spagnolo Nicolò , Fumero Marco , Rampini Arianna , Rodolà Emanuele , Sciarrino Fabio
Published: September 2022

Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS) is a non-universal model for quantum computing inspired by the original formulation of the Boson Sampling (BS) problem. Nowadays, it represents a paradigmatic quantum platform to reach the quantum advantage regime in a specific computational model. Indeed, thanks to the implementation in photonics-based processors, the latest GBS experiments have reached a level of complexity where the quantum apparatus has solved the task faster than currently up-to-date classical strategies. In addition, recent studies have identified possible applications beyond the inherent sampling task. In particular, a direct connection between photon counting of a genuine GBS device and the number of perfect matchings in a graph has been established. In this work, we propose to exploit such a connection to benchmark GBS experiments. We interpret the properties of the feature vectors of the graph encoded in the device as a signature of correct sampling from the true input state. Within this framework, two approaches are presented. The first method exploits the distributions of graph feature vectors and classification via neural networks. The second approach investigates the distributions of graph kernels. Our results provide a novel approach to the actual need for tailored algorithms to benchmark large-scale Gaussian Boson Samplers.
Bureaucratic fragmentation by design? the case of payroll management in the democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Moshonas Stylianos , de Herdt Tom , Titeca Kristof , Balungwe Shamavu Paulin
Published: September 2022

This paper examines the sources of bureaucratic fragmentation and coherence in the Democratic Republic of Congo by exploring the connections and tensions between interface bureaucracies and the back-office administration tasked with managing the public payroll system. Building on the ‘real governance’ literature and the notion of ‘infrastructural power’, we analyse the recent history of payroll management in Congo and especially its evolution over the last decades of state implosion and reconstruction so as to gauge the potential of different drivers of state infrastructural power. The return of the state in the first decades of the twenty-first century led to a spectacular and unprecedented growth in the number of civil servants, made possible by a reconstituted state budget and renewed donor engagement. Yet this growth largely reflects increased political competition and further disarticulated the payroll system, increasing its vulnerability to the issue of ghost workers. The case study shows important trade-offs, in processes of post-conflict reconstruction, between the triple objectives of building state infrastructural power, making use of it to improve public service delivery, and its democratization.
Cytokine production by human B cells: role in health and autoimmune disease
Authors: de Gruijter Nina M , Jebson Bethany , Rosser Elizabeth C
Published: September 2022

B cells are classically considered solely as antibody-producing cells driving humoral immune responses to foreign antigens in infections and vaccinations as well as self-antigens in pathological settings such as autoimmunity. However, it has now become clear that B cells can also secrete a vast array of cytokines, which influence both pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses. Indeed, similarly to T cells, there is significant heterogeneity in cytokine-driven responses by B cells, ranging from the production of pro-inflammatory effector cytokines such as IL-6, through to the release of immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10. In this review, focusing on human B cells, we summarize the key findings that have revealed that cytokine-producing B cell subsets have critical functions in healthy immune responses and contribute to the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases.
A case report of arrhythmogenic mitral valve disease: still a long way to go
Authors: Cunha Gonçalo J L , Rocha Bruno M L , Carmo Pedro L , Andrade Maria J
Published: September 2022

Background

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common valvular heart disease and has often been associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). This underlines the pressing need for the establishment of consistent tools for arrhythmic risk prediction.

Case summary

A 73-year-old man with previous diagnosis of MVP was referred to the cardiology outpatient consult for a 1-month history of near-syncope and light-headedness. He had no family history of SCD. Physical examination was unremarkable. Holter monitoring recorded frequent and multiple long episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with controlled ventricular response. Echocardiogram revealed mitral bileaflet billowing, systolic curling, and annular disjunction, as well as increased peak systolic strain dispersion with two-dimensional speckle tracking. Cardiac magnetic resonance disclosed additional tricuspid annular dilatation and disjunction, as non-ischaemic late gadolinium enhancement on the left ventricular basal inferolateral wall. The Heart Team decided to implant a defibrillator as primary prevention for SCD due to arrhythmogenic mitral valve disease (AMVD) with high-risk features. The patient remained asymptomatic over the next 2 years, when he suffered an appropriate shock due to VT at 200 b.p.m.

Discussion

Here, we present a case of a patient with AMVD with classic features of high arrhythmic risk but also with some unusual characteristics such as older age, male gender, and only little pronounced mitral valve billowing, emphasizing the wide heterogeneity and lack of knowledge surrounding this entity.
Standard versus rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement and concomitant myocardial revascularization: 5-year bi-centre clinical outcomes
Authors: Bottio Tomaso , Piperata Antonio , Guariento Alvise , Lorenzoni Giulia , Cavicchiolo Andrea Gualtiero , Gemelli Marco , Pesce Rita , Evangelista Giuseppe , Michelotti Sara , Gastino Elisa , Gregori Dario , Ferrari Enrico , Gerosa Gino
Published: September 2022

OBJECTIVES

Clinical outcomes of 2 generations of pericardial bioprostheses in concomitant aortic valve and coronary artery bypass graft surgery were analysed.

METHODS

Patients were recruited from 2 European centres and divided into 2 groups based on the type of aortic bioprosthesis used: Edwards Intuity Elite™ rapid-deployment (RD) bioprostheses or standard Edwards Magna Ease (ME). A propensity score weighting approach was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 285 patients were included: 144 (50.5%) in the RD group and 141 (49.5%) in the ME group. Thirty-day mortality was 2.8% (RD) and 5% (ME) (P = 0.09). Significantly shorter times of aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass were observed in the RD cohort [94 vs 120 min (P < 0.001); 128 vs 160 min (P < 0.001)]. The RD group was associated with a lower median transvalvular gradient at discharge and follow-up (both P < 0.001). However, 5-year survival was not different, being 93% in RD patients and 91% in the ME group [hazard ratio 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.38–2.09), P = 0.784]. The 5-year cumulative incidence of combined events (including percutaneous coronary interventions, endocarditis, thromboembolic events, rehospitalizations and bleeding) favoured the ME group [16.1% (RD) vs 7.3% (ME)] [hazard ratio 2.38 (95% confidence interval:1.03–5.52), P = 0.043]. However, this turned similar when the Cox model analysis was adjusted for revascularization variables (P = 0.067).

CONCLUSIONS

RD and ME pericardial bioprostheses used in concomitant aortic valve replacement and coronary artery revascularization provide equivalent clinical and haemodynamic 5-year outcomes, despite constant lower transvalvular gradients and shorter surgical operating times observed with RD technology.
MATS: a novel multi-ancestry transcriptome-wide association study to account for heterogeneity in the effects of cis-regulated gene expression on complex traits
Authors: Knutson Katherine A , Pan Wei
Published: September 2022

The Transcriptome-Wide Association Study (TWAS) is a widely used approach which integrates gene expression and Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) data to study the role of cis-regulated gene expression (GEx) in complex traits. However, the genetic architecture of GEx varies across populations, and recent findings point to possible ancestral heterogeneity in the effects of GEx on complex traits, which may be amplified in TWAS by modeling GEx as a function of cis-eQTLs. Here, we present a novel extension to TWAS to account for heterogeneity in the effects of cis-regulated GEx which are correlated with ancestry. Our proposed Multi-Ancestry TwaS (MATS) framework jointly analyzes samples from multiple populations and distinguishes between shared, ancestry-specific and/or subject-specific expression-trait associations. As such, MATS amplifies power to detect shared GEx associations over ancestry-stratified TWAS through increased sample sizes, and facilitates the detection of genes with subgroup-specific associations which may be masked by standard TWAS. Our simulations highlight the improved Type-I error conservation and power of MATS compared with competing approaches. Our real data applications to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) case–control genotypes from the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) and continuous phenotypes from the UK Biobank (UKBB) identify a number of unique gene-trait associations which were not discovered through standard and/or ancestry-stratified TWAS. Ultimately, these findings promote MATS as a powerful method for detecting and estimating significant gene expression effects on complex traits within multi-ancestry cohorts and corroborates the mounting evidence for inter-population heterogeneity in gene–trait associations.
The Metamorphosing Professor: Adapting Teaching to Fulfill the Promise of Biology Education
Authors: García-Ojeda Marcos E , Nishiguchi Michele K
Published: September 2022

Teaching students at all levels of education has undergone extensive changes, particularly in the past decade. Our present student population has transformed dramatically in the 21st century due to the changing demographics of the nation, an increasing use of technology both inside and outside the classroom, along with an expectation to have information instantaneously available to peruse and utilize as a source of material. Today’s instructors also need to adapt to these changes by assessing how well students are learning new concepts, as well as how much material students retain for future coursework. Here, we explore the recent history of science education, and the progress that has been made to overcome multiple learning obstacles, particularly relevant to PEERs (persons excluded because of their ethnicity or race) in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). We hope to provide insight into how educators are restructuring the way they design their teaching portfolios to provide better outcomes for the students of today’s educational system.
Socioeconomic position, bronchiolitis and asthma in children: counterfactual disparity measures from a national birth cohort study
Authors: Lewis Kate M , De Stavola Bianca L , Cunningham Steve , Hardelid Pia
Published: September 2022

Background

The debated link between severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in early life and asthma has yet to be investigated within a social inequity lens. We estimated the magnitude of socioeconomic disparity in childhood asthma which would remain if no child were admitted to hospital for bronchiolitis, commonly due to RSV, during infancy.

Methods

The cohort, constructed from national administrative health datasets, comprised 83853 children born in Scotland between 1 January 2007 and 31 June 2008. Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) was used to capture socioeconomic position. Emergency admissions for bronchiolitis before age 1 year were identified from hospital records. Yearly indicators of asthma/wheeze from ages 2 to 9 years were created using dispensing data and hospital admission records.

Results

Using latent class growth analysis, we identified four trajectories of asthma/wheeze: early-transient (2.2% of the cohort), early-persistent (2.0%), intermediate-onset (1.8%) and no asthma/wheeze (94.0%). The estimated marginal risks of chronic asthma (combining early-persistent and intermediate-onset groups) varied by SIMD, with risk differences for the medium and high deprivation groups, relative to the low deprivation group, of 7.0% (95% confidence interval: 3.7–10.3) and 13.0% (9.6–16.4), respectively. Using counterfactual disparity measures, we estimated that the elimination of bronchiolitis requiring hospital admission could reduce these risk differences by 21.2% (4.9–37.5) and 17.9% (10.4–25.4), respectively.

Conclusions

The majority of disparity in chronic asthma prevalence by deprivation level remains unexplained. Our paper offers a guide to using causal inference methods to study other plausible pathways to inequities in asthma using complex, linked administrative data.
Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Children With Severe Malaria Are Associated With Mortality and Worse Long-term Kidney and Cognitive Outcomes
Authors: Conroy Andrea L , Tran Tuan M , Bond Caitlin , Opoka Robert O , Datta Dibyadyuti , Liechty Edward A , Bangirana Paul , Namazzi Ruth , Idro Richard , Cusick Sarah , Ssenkusu John M , John Chandy C
Published: September 2022

Background

Global changes in amino acid levels have been described in severe malaria (SM), but the relationship between amino acids and long-term outcomes in SM has not been evaluated.

Methods

We measured enrollment plasma concentrations of 20 amino acids using high-performance liquid chromatography in 500 Ugandan children aged 18 months to 12 years, including 122 community children and 378 children with SM. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria were used to define acute kidney injury (AKI) at enrollment and chronic kidney disease (CKD) at 1-year follow-up. Cognition was assessed over 2 years of follow-up.

Results

Compared to laboratory-defined, age-specific reference ranges, there were deficiencies in sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine, cysteine) in both community children and children with SM. Among children with SM, global changes in amino acid concentrations were observed in the context of metabolic complications including acidosis and AKI. Increases in threonine, leucine, and valine were associated with in-hospital mortality, while increases in methionine, tyrosine, lysine, and phenylalanine were associated with postdischarge mortality and CKD. Increases in glycine and asparagine were associated with worse attention in children <5 years of age.

Conclusions

Among children with SM, unique amino acid profiles are associated with mortality, CKD, and worse attention.
Loss of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) impairs the survival of Salmonella Typhimurium by inducing membrane damage in the presence of ceftazidime and meropenem
Authors: Chowdhury Atish Roy , Mukherjee Debapriya , Singh Ashish Kumar , Chakravortty Dipshikha
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is one of the significant non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars that causes gastroenteritis. The rapid development of antimicrobial resistance necessitates studying new antimicrobials and their therapeutic targets in this pathogen. Our study aimed to investigate the role of four prominent outer membrane porins of S. Typhimurium, namely OmpA, OmpC, OmpD and OmpF, in developing resistance against ceftazidime and meropenem.

Methods

The antibiotic-mediated inhibition of bacterial growth was determined by measuring the absorbance and the resazurin assay. DiBAC4 (Bis-(1,3-Dibutylbarbituric Acid)Trimethine Oxonol), 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluoroscein diacetate (DCFDA) and propidium iodide were used to determine the outer membrane depolarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and subsequent killing of Salmonella. The expression of oxidative stress-response and efflux pump genes was quantified by quantitative RT–qPCR. HPLC was done to determine the amount of antibiotics that entered the bacteria. The damage to the bacterial outer membrane was studied by confocal and atomic force microscopy. The in vivo efficacy of ceftazidime and meropenem were tested in the C57BL/6 mouse model.

Results

Deleting ompA reduced the survival of Salmonella in the presence of ceftazidime and meropenem. Massive outer membrane depolarization and reduced expression of oxidative stress-response genes in S. Typhimurium ΔompA hampered its growth in the presence of antibiotics. The enhanced uptake of antibiotics and decreased expression of efflux pump genes in S. Typhimurium ΔompA resulted in damage to the bacterial outer membrane. The clearance of the S. Typhimurium ΔompA from C57BL/6 mice with ceftazidime treatment proved the role of OmpA in rendering protection against β-lactam antibiotics.

Conclusions

OmpA protects S. Typhimurium from two broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics, ceftazidime and meropenem, by maintaining the stability of the outer membrane.
Synergism of Adjuvants Mixed With Spinetoram for the Management of Bean Flower Thrips,Megalurothrips usitatus(Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Cowpeas
Authors: Tang Liang-De , Guo Ling-Hang , Ali Asad , Desneux Nicolas , Zang Lian-Sheng
Published: September 2022

The bean flower thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) is an economically important insect pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp in south China. Spinetoram is a newly available commercial active ingredient in the spinosyn mode of action group of insecticides that has been recommended for thrips management in China. In this study, the toxicity and efficacy of spinetoram for controlling M. usitatus were evaluated and compared to six other conventional insecticides. In addition, the synergistic effects of adjuvants (Silwet 806, Silwet 618, AgroSpred 910, and AgroSpred Prime) mixed with spinetoram for thrips control on cowpea were evaluated in both the laboratory and the field. Results of this study showed that spinetoram had higher toxicity and field efficacy of M. usitatus than other tested insecticides. A significant increase in efficacy was observed when spinetoram was applied at a recommended rate of 0.67 ml/L, mixed with Silwets (806 and 618) at the rate of 0.5 ml/L. Reductions of 50% and 40% in thrips infestation in the field over treatments without adjuvants were observed 3- and 7-days posttreatments, respectively. However, no significant reduction of M. usitatus was recorded when spinetoram was mixed with AgroSpreds (910 and Prime). Furthermore, no significant differences were found in thrips infestation between spinetoram sprayed alone at the rate of 0.67 ml/L and a reduced rate of spinetoram (0.45 ml/L) mixed with Silwets (806 and 618). The current research shows that Silwets mixed with spinetoram has a synergistic effect in the management of thrips.
Improved Outcomes for Trauma Patients in a Military Treatment Facility After Initiation of an American College of Surgeons–Verified Trauma Program
Authors: O’Hara Thomas A , Cardarelli Cassandra L , Joel Constance L , Ciampa Maeghan L , Faircloth Ashley A , Faler Byron J
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 indicated the need for a national strategy to improve trauma care among military treatment facilities (MTFs). Part of the proposed strategy to improve trauma outcomes was to convert identified MTFs into verified trauma centers. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) verifies trauma centers through an evaluation process based on available resources at a facility. It has been proven that trauma centers, specifically those verified by the ACS, have improved trauma outcomes. In 2017, we implemented steps to become a level III trauma program, according to the standards for designation by the state and verification through the ACS. The goal of this retrospective review is to evaluate the impact of this implementation with regard to both patient care and the MTF.

Materials and Methods

Data from a single-MTF trauma registry from 2018, at the initiation of the trauma program, to present were reviewed. Outcomes were selected based upon the ACS verification criteria. Specifically, emergency department length of stay (ED LOS), nonsurgical admissions, injury severity score, diversion rates, and time to operating room were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-tests. Institutional review board (IRB) approval was not required for this study as it was performed as a quality improvement project using deidentified data.

Results

ED LOS decreased significantly after implementation of the trauma program from an average of 6.43 h in 2018 to 4.73 h in 2019 and 4.6 h in 2020 (P < .04). Nonsurgical admissions decreased significantly from 57.8% in 2018, with rates of <20% in all subsequent years (P < .01). The average injury severity score increased from 5.61 in 2018 to 7.52 in 2020 (P < .01) and 7.27 in 2021 (P < .01). Diversion rates also decreased from >5% in 2018 to 0% in 2021.

Conclusions

The establishment of a trauma program in accordance with the standards of the ACS for verification improved metrics of care for trauma patients at our MTF. This implementation as part of the local trauma system also led to increased injury severity seen by the MTF, which enhances readiness for its providers.
Polarization constraints on the X-ray corona in Seyfert Galaxies: MCG-05-23-16
Authors: Marinucci A , Muleri F , Dovciak M , Bianchi S , Marin F , Matt G , Ursini F , Middei R , Marshall H L , Baldini L , Barnouin T , Rodriguez N Cavero , De Rosa A , Di Gesu L , Harper D , Ingram A , Karas V , Krawczynski H , Madejski G , Panagiotou C , Petrucci P O , Podgorny J , Puccetti S , Tombesi F , Veledina A , Zhang W , Agudo I , Antonelli L A , Bachetti M , Baumgartner W H , Bellazzini R , Bongiorno S D , Bonino R , Brez A , Bucciantini N , Capitanio F , Castellano S , Cavazzuti E , Ciprini S , Costa E , Del Monte E , Di Lalla N , Di Marco A , Donnarumma I , Doroshenko V , Ehlert S R , Enoto T , Evangelista Y , Fabiani S , Ferrazzoli R , Garcia J A , Gunji S , Hayashida K , Heyl J , Iwakiri W , Jorstad S G , Kitaguchi T , Kolodziejczak J J , La Monaca F , Latronico L , Liodakis I , Maldera S , Manfreda A , Marscher A P , Mitsuishi I , Mizuno T , Ng C-Y , O’Dell S L , Omodei N , Oppedisano C , Papitto A , Pavlov G G , Peirson A L , Perri M , Pesce-Rollins M , Pilia M , Possenti A , Poutanen J , Ramsey B D , Rankin J , Ratheesh A , Romani R W , Sgrš C , Slane P , Soffitta P , Spandre G , Tamagawa T , Tavecchio F , Taverna R , Tawara Y , Tennant A F , Thomas N E , Trois A , Tsygankov S S , Turolla R , Vink J , Weisskopf M C , Wu K , Xie F , Zane S
Published: September 2022

We report on the first observation of a radio-quiet active galactic nucleus (AGN) in polarized X-rays: the Seyfert 1.9 galaxy MCG-05-23-16. This source was pointed at with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) starting on 2022 May 14 for a net observing time of 486 ks, simultaneously with XMM-Newton (58 ks) and NuSTAR (83 ks). A polarization degree Π smaller than 4.7 per cent (at the 99 per cent confidence level) is derived in the 2–8 keV energy range, where emission is dominated by the primary component ascribed to the hot corona. The broad-band spectrum, inferred from a simultaneous fit to the IXPE, NuSTAR, and XMM-Newton data, is well reproduced by a power law with photon index Γ = 1.85 ± 0.01 and a high-energy cutoff EC = 120 ± 15 keV. A comparison with Monte Carlo simulations shows that a lamp-post and a conical geometry of the corona are consistent with the observed upper limit, a slab geometry is allowed only if the inclination angle of the system is less than 50°.
Path-lengths in the quiet Sun transition region using O iv lines from IRIS
Authors: Rao Yamini K , Del Zanna Giulio , Mason Helen E , Dufresne Roger
Published: September 2022

We use spectroscopic diagnostics to determine different plasma parameters in the transition region of the quiet Sun. The electron number density from O iv lines using high-resolution spectral observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) are estimated to be around 1010 cm−3, in agreement with literature values and our re-analysis of earlier observations from HRTS and SUMER. We also find a large scatter in the densities obtained from IRIS and SUMER. We use these densities to estimate the size of the emitting region (the path-length) using an isothermal assumption. We find evidence for some centre-to-limb variations, with median values of path-lengths for disc centre and near the limb from IRIS O iv being 10 and 31 km, respectively. These values are close to those obtained from HRTS. We also use new atomic models for the quiet Sun, which include electron density effects, photoionization, and charge transfer, to find path-lengths from Si iv and C iv in close agreement with those from O iv. Finally, we estimate the emission measure from HRTS data to show that the isothermal assumption overestimates the path-lengths by factors of 5–8. Such small path-lengths should be taken into account when modelling the transition region for the interpretation of observations from e.g. IRIS and the Solar Orbiter SPICE spectrometer.
Spatially dependent photometric activity of M dwarfs in the solar cylinder
Authors: Chang Seo-Won , Wolf Christian , Onken Christopher A
Published: September 2022

We study the relationship between Galactic location (R, Z) and photometric activity for 3.6 million M dwarf stars within 1 kpc of the Sun. For this purpose, we identify 906 unique flare events as a proxy for magnetic activity from the SkyMapper Southern Survey Data Release 3. We adopt vertical distance |Z| from the Galactic disc as a proxy for age and confirm a strong trend of flaring fraction decreasing with growing stellar age. Among M dwarfs within 50 pc of the Sun, we find a flaring fraction of one in 1500, independent of spectral type from M2 to M7, suggesting that these stars are all in a flare-saturated young evolutionary stage. We find a hint of a kink in the slope of the overall flare fraction near 100 pc from the plane, where a steep decline begins; this slope change is visible for mid-type M dwarfs (M3–M5), suggesting it is not an artefact of mixing spectral type. Together with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Hα emission, this trend is additional evidence that the activity fraction of M dwarfs depends on Galactic height and activity lifetime. While there is a hint of flattening of the overall activity fraction above |Z| ≈ 500 pc, our data do not constrain this further. Within ∼500 pc distance from the Sun, we find no sign of radial disc gradients in flare activity, which may only be revealed by samples covering a larger radial range.
Evaporation before disruption: Comparing time-scales for Jovian planets in star-forming regions
Authors: Daffern-Powell Emma C , Parker Richard J
Published: September 2022

Simulations show that the orbits of planets are readily disrupted in dense star-forming regions; planets can also be exchanged between stars, or become free-floating and then be captured by other stars. However, dense star-forming regions also tend to be populous, containing massive stars that emit photoionizing radiation, which can evaporate the gas in protoplanetary discs. We analyse N-body simulations of star-forming regions containing Jovian-mass planets and determine the times when their orbits are altered, when they become free-floating, and when they are stolen or captured. Simultaneously, we perform calculations of the evolution of protoplanetary discs when exposed to FUV radiation fields from massive stars in the same star-forming regions. In almost half (44 per cent) of the planetary systems that are disrupted – either altered, captured, stolen or become free-floating, we find that the radius of the protoplanetary disc evolves inwards, or the gas in the disc is completely evaporated, before the planets’ orbits are disrupted. This implies that planets that are disrupted in dense, populous star-forming regions are more likely to be super-Earths or mini-Neptunes, as Jovian mass planets would not be able to form due to mass-loss from photoevaporation. Furthermore, the recent discoveries of distant Jovian mass planets around tightly packed terrestrial planets argue against their formation in populous star-forming regions, as photoevaporation would preclude gas giant planet formation at distances of more than a few au.
A study on the clustering properties of radio-selected sources in the Lockman Hole region at 325 MHz
Authors: Mazumder Aishrila , Chakraborty Arnab , Datta Abhirup
Published: September 2022

Studying the spatial distribution of extragalactic source populations is vital in understanding the matter distribution in the Universe. It also enables understanding the cosmological evolution of dark matter density fields and the relationship between dark matter and luminous matter. Clustering studies are also required for EoR foreground studies since it affects the relevant angular scales. This paper investigates the angular and spatial clustering properties and the bias parameter of radio-selected sources in the Lockman Hole field at 325 MHz. The data probes sources with fluxes ≳0.3 mJy within a radius of 1.8° around the phase centre of a 6° × 6° mosaic. Based on their radio luminosity, the sources are classified into Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) and Star-Forming Galaxies (SFGs). Clustering and bias parameters are determined for the combined populations and the classified sources. The spatial correlation length and the bias of AGNs are greater than SFGs- indicating that more massive haloes host the former. This study is the first reported estimate of the clustering property of sources at 325 MHz, intermediate between the pre-existing studies at high and low-frequency bands. It also probes a well-studied deep field at an unexplored frequency with moderate depth and area. Clustering studies require such observations along different lines of sight, with various fields and data sets across frequencies to avoid cosmic variance and systematics. Thus, an extragalactic deep field has been studied in this work to contribute to this knowledge.
The white dwarf binary pathways survey – VIII. A post-common envelope binary with a massive white dwarf and an active G-type secondary star
Authors: Hernandez M S , Schreiber M R , Parsons S G , Gänsicke B T , Toloza O , Zorotovic M , Raddi R , Rebassa-Mansergas A , Ren J J
Published: September 2022

The white dwarf binary pathways survey is dedicated to studying the origin and evolution of binaries containing a white dwarf and an intermediate-mass secondary star of the spectral type A, F, G, or K (WD + AFGK). Here, we present CPD-65 264, a new post-common envelope binary with an orbital period of 1.37 d that contains a massive white dwarf ($0.86\pm 0.06\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) and an intermediate-mass ($1.00\pm 0.05\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) main-sequence secondary star. We characterized the secondary star and measured the orbital period using high-resolution optical spectroscopy. The white dwarf parameters are determined from HST spectroscopy. In addition, TESS observations revealed that up to 19 per cent of the surface of the secondary is covered with starspots. Small period changes found in the light curve indicate that the secondary is the second example of a G-type secondary star in a post-common envelope binary with latitudinal differential rotation. Given the relatively large mass of the white dwarf and the short orbital period, future mass transfer will be dynamically and thermally stable and the system will evolve into a cataclysmic variable. The formation of the system can be understood assuming common envelope evolution without contributions from energy sources besides orbital energy. CPD-65 264 is the seventh post-common envelope binaries with intermediate-mass secondaries that can be understood assuming a small efficiency in the common envelope energy equation, in agreement with findings for post-common envelope binaries with M-dwarf or substellar companions.
Radiative cooling for passive thermal management towards sustainable carbon neutrality
Authors: Liang Jun , Wu Jiawei , Guo Jun , Li Huagen , Zhou Xianjun , Liang Sheng , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Tao Guangming
Published: September 2022

Photonic structures at the wavelength scale offer innovative energy solutions for a wide range of applications, from high-efficiency photovoltaics to passive cooling, thus reshaping the global energy landscape. Radiative cooling based on structural and material design presents new opportunities for sustainable carbon neutrality as a zero-energy, ecologically friendly cooling strategy. In this review, in addition to introducing the fundamentals of the basic theory of radiative cooling technology, typical radiative cooling materials alongside their cooling effects over recent years are summarized and the current research status of radiative cooling materials is outlined and discussed. Furthermore, technical challenges and potential advancements for radiative cooling are forecast with an outline of future application scenarios and development trends. In the future, radiative cooling is expected to make a significant contribution to global energy saving and emission reduction.
Cryoglobulins and cold agglutinins for hand arm vibration syndrome
Authors: Alsaidi Y , Thompson A , Spilchuk V , House R A , Adisesh A
Published: September 2022

Background

Hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a condition caused by hand transmitted vibration from the use of hand-held vibrating tools or workpieces. The disease affects the vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal systems. The vascular component of HAVS is a form of secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon. Other causes of disease must be excluded before attributing the cause to hand transmitted vibration.

Aims

To evaluate the prevalence, and utility of testing for, cryoglobulins and cold agglutinins in patients with HAVS symptoms.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 1183 patients referred for HAVS clinical assessment at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada, between 2014 and 2020. The standard operating procedure at the clinic includes a detailed clinical and exposure history, physical examination, objective investigations and blood tests. Data were retrieved from patient chart review and laboratory investigation results for all cases with cryoglobulin and cold agglutinin testing.

Results

A total of 1183 patients had a serum cryoglobulin measurement. Eleven patients (1%) were positive. Seven positive results were ‘low titre’ (1% positive) and the other four results were 2%, 6%, 9% and 18%. The patient with a 9% positive cryoglobulin titre had previously diagnosed Sjögren’s syndrome. There were no positive cold agglutinin tests in the 795 patients tested.

Conclusions

Routine testing for cryoglobulins and cold agglutinins in patients with HAVS symptoms is not recommended because test positivity rates are negligible. Testing may be considered if the clinical history or routine blood investigations suggest evidence of underlying cryoglobulinaemia or cold agglutinin disease.
Low Risk of Failing Direct-Acting Antivirals in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus From Sub-Saharan Africa or Southeastern Asia: A European Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Isfordink Cas , Boyd Anders , Mocroft Amanda , Kusejko Katharina , Smit Colette , de Wit Stephane , Mahungu Tabitha , Falconer Karolin , Wandeler Gilles , Cavassini Matthias , Stöckle Marcel , Schinkel Janke , Rauch Andri , Peters Lars , van der Valk Marc ,   for EuroSIDA, the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, and the ATHENA Observational Cohort
Published: September 2022

Background

Several studies have reported suboptimal efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtypes endemic to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Southeastern Asia (SEA). The extent of this issue in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV from SSA or SEA residing in Europe is unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from several prospective European cohorts of people living with HIV. We included individuals with HIV/HCV who originated from SSA or SEA, were treated with interferon-free DAAs, and had an available HCV RNA result ≥12 weeks after the end of treatment. The primary outcome was sustained virological response at least 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12).

Results

Of the 3293 individuals with HIV/HCV treated with DAA and with available SVR12 data, 142 were from SSA (n = 64) and SEA (n = 78). SVR12 was achieved by 60 (94% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 86%–98%]) individuals from SSA and 76 (97% [95% CI, 92%–99%]) from SEA. The genotypes of the 6 individuals failing DAA treatment were 2, 3a, 3h, 4a, 4c, and 6j. For 2 of the 4 unsuccessfully treated individuals with available sequence data at treatment failure, NS5A resistance-associated substitutions were present (30R/93S in an individual with genotype 4c and 31M in an individual with genotype 6j).

Conclusions

SVR12 rates were high in individuals with HIV/HCV residing in Europe and originating from regions where intrinsically NS5A-resistant HCV strains are endemic. HCV elimination for this population in Europe is unlikely to be hampered by suboptimal DAA efficacy.
Early nest initiation and vegetation density enhance nest survival in Wild Turkeys
Authors: Keever Allison C , Collier Bret A , Chamberlain Michael J , Cohen Bradley S
Published: September 2022

The theory of adaptive habitat selection suggests resource selection by animals should reflect underlying quality, such that individual selection confers an adaptive advantage via increased fitness. Using resource selection functions and nest survival models, we demonstrated that visual obstruction at the nest site was adaptively significant but timing of nest initiation had the greatest effect on nest survival for eastern Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). Predation risk is a selective pressure, and if individuals can perceive predation risk, they may respond by altering the selection of nest site characteristics based on prior experience. We evaluated patterns in nest site selection of 387 Wild Turkeys and the consequences of selection on reproductive success across the southeastern United States from 2014 to 2019. We monitored 549 nest sites and found that nest initiation date had the strongest effect on daily nest survival rates, wherein adult females at our earliest nest initiation date were ~4 times more likely to successfully nest than females at our latest nest initiation date. Selection of nest sites with greater visual obstruction also increased daily nest survival rates, and females were 1.17 (95% CI: 1.100–1.234) and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.258–1.486) times more likely to select sites for every 10-cm increase in visual obstruction and maximum vegetation height, respectively. Collectively, our results indicate that nest initiation date is likely the critical parameter driving Wild Turkey nest success, whereas vegetative conditions play a lesser role in influencing nest success. Females nesting earlier may be in better body condition and show increased nest attentiveness, which may mediate nest success more than vegetation conditions around nest sites. Our work indicates that increasing the reproductive success of Wild Turkeys may hinge on females being able to nest as early as possible within the reproductive season.
Can Post-Subduction Porphyry Cu Magmas Form by Partial Melting of Typical Lower Crustal Amphibole-Rich Cumulates? Petrographic and Experimental Constraints from Samples of the Kohistan and Gangdese Arc Roots
Authors: Zhang Jingbo , Chang Jia , Wang Rui , Audétat Andreas
Published: September 2022

Sulfide-rich hydrous arc cumulates in the lower crust are considered a likely source for porphyry Cu-forming magmas in post-subduction settings. However, it remains controversial whether or not post-subduction porphyry Cu magmas can be produced by partial melting of lower crustal arc cumulates. Here we performed detailed petrographic and geochemical studies on exhumed lower to middle crustal cumulates from the Gangdese and Kohistan arc sections, and then conducted partial melting experiments of the Gangdese sulfide-rich lithologies at 1.5 GPa and 800°C–1150°C using a piston cylinder press. Both the Gangdese and the Kohistan arc-root samples formed as cumulates in the lower to middle crust, but the Kohistan samples were subsequently brought into the garnet stability field during the India–Eurasia continental collision. Most of the Gangdese samples contain relatively high abundances of magmatic sulfides preserved in the form of Cu-poor monosulfide solid solution. In contrast, most of the Kohistan samples contain very low abundances of Cu-rich sulfides preserved as inclusions in garnet, probably due to intense metamorphic dehydration and up to 2 wt% partial melting in the garnet stability field. The original magmatic sulfides at Kohistan appear to have been removed mainly by metamorphic fluids rather than by partial melts, as the arc-root samples could have experienced only very low degree of partial melting and the sulfur solubility in experimentally produced partial melts is low (≤0.1 wt%) even at oxygen fugacities two log-units above the fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer. Furthermore, the experimental partial melts contain much less K2O, MgO, Cl and ±S than typical post-subduction porphyry Cu-forming magmas. Hence, we conclude that the role of sulfide-rich arc cumulates in the formation of post-subduction porphyry Cu magmas has been severely overestimated.
Large Vascular Bundle Phloem Area 4 enhances grain yield and quality in rice via source–sink–flow
Authors: Zhai Laiyuan , Yan An , Shao Kuitian , Wang Shu , Wang Yun , Chen Zhong-Hua , Xu Jianlong
Published: September 2022

In rice (Oryza sativa L.), vascular bundle phloem tissue in the panicle neck is vital for the transport of photosynthetic products from leaf to panicle and is positively associated with grain yield. However, genetic regulation of the single large vascular bundle phloem area (LVPA) in rice panicle neck tissue remains poorly understood. In this study, we carried out genome-wide association analysis of LVPA in the panicle neck using 386 rice accessions and isolated and characterized the gene LVPA4, which is allelic to NARROW LEAF1 (NAL1). Phenotypic analyses were carried out on the near-isogenic line (NIL) NIL-LVPA4LT in the high-yielding indica (xian) cultivar Teqing and on overexpression lines transformed with a vector carrying the Lemont alleles of LVPA4. Both NIL-LVPA4LT and LVPA4 overexpression lines exhibited significantly increased LVPA, enlarged flag leaf size, and improved panicle type. NIL-LVPA4LT had a 7.6%–9.6% yield increase, mainly due to the significantly higher filled grain number per panicle, larger vascular system for transporting photoassimilates to spikelets, and more sufficient source supply that could service the increased sink capacity. Moreover, NIL-LVPA4LT had improved grain quality compared with Teqing, which was mainly attributed to substantial improvement in grain filling, especially for inferior spikelets in NIL-LVPA4LT. The single-nucleotide variation in the third exon of LVPA4 was associated with LVPA, spikelet number, and leaf size throughout sequencing analysis in 386 panels. The results demonstrate that LVPA4 has synergistic effects on source capacity, sink size, and flow transport and plays crucial roles in rice productivity and grain quality, thus revealing the value of LVPA4 in rice breeding programs for improved varieties.