bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paramagnetic probes in an organic semiconductor: μSR and DFT calculations of the Mu adducts of Alq3 and 8-hydroxyquinoline
Authors: McKenzie Iain , Cannon Joseph , Cordoni-Jordan Danaan , Mulley Brian P. , Scheuermann Robert
Published: August 2022

It has been claimed that longitudinal field muon spin relaxation (LF-μSR) experiments on the organic semiconductor (OSC) tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum(III) (Alq3) have measured electron hopping rates of ∼1012s−1, while density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that electron hopping between a muoniated radical and a neighboring molecule is energetically unfavorable and that the LF-μSR experiments were probing muoniated radicals with localized spin density. We have performed avoided level crossing muon spin resonance (ALC-μSR) and transverse field muon spin rotation (TF-μSR) measurements on Alq3 and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8hq), which is meant to model the muoniated radicals present in Alq3 when they are not in an OSC. These are supplemented by benchmarked DFT calculations. The ALC-μSR and TF-μSR spectra of 8hq and Alq3 are best explained by Mu adding to all six secondary carbons of the quinolate rings with roughly equal yields and localized spin density. There is no evidence in the TF-μSR spectrum of Alq3 for the formation of radicals with muon hyperfine coupling constants of 23 or 91 MHz as reported earlier by others. Our measurements support the view that there is localized spin density on the molecule to which Mu is covalently bound and the muon is not a passive probe in organic systems as it can be incorporated into radicals that have different electronic structures to the parent compounds. The muoniated radicals in Alq3 are more short-lived than in 8hq, which could be due to interactions with mobile electrons in the OSC, but with electron spin flip rates on the order of ∼107s−1.
Thickness dependence of dielectric constant of alumina films based on first-principles calculations
Authors: Fukushima Shogo , Kalia Rajiv K. , Nakano Aiichiro , Shimojo Fuyuki , Vashishta Priya
Published: August 2022

Optoelectronic properties of devices made of two-dimensional materials depend largely on the dielectric constant and thickness of a substrate. To systematically investigate the thickness dependence of dielectric constant from first principles, we have implemented a double-cell method based on a theoretical framework by Martyna and Tuckerman [J. Chem. Phys. 110, 2810 (1999)] and therewith developed a general and robust procedure to calculate dielectric constants of slab systems from electric displacement and electric field, which is free from material-specific adjustable parameters. We have applied the procedure to a prototypical substrate, Al2O3, thereby computing high-frequency and static dielectric constants of a finite slab as a function of the number of crystalline unit-cell layers. We find that two and four layers are sufficient for the high-frequency and static dielectric constants of (0001) Al2O3 slabs to recover 90% of the respective bulk values computed by a Berry-phase method. This method allows one to estimate the thickness dependence of dielectric constants for various materials used in emerging two-dimensional nanophotonics, while providing an analytic formula that can be incorporated into photonics simulations.
Individual differences in identifying creative metaphors from video Ads
Authors: Pan Molly Xie , Tay Dennis
Published: August 2022

Reliable identification of metaphors from multimodal discourse has attracted scholarly attention in recent years. However, the role of individual differences in identifying creative metaphors from video ads is underexplored from an empirical perspective. This includes the extent to which individual differences influence metaphor identification in multimodal discourse and how the individual differences result in divergent identification. Our study contributes to addressing these issues by investigating how the background of researching metaphors influences identifying creative metaphors from video ads. We compared results of creative metaphor identification from three metaphor analysts and three external annotators who were novice to metaphor research and probed into the underlying reasons for divergent identification through discussions among six annotators. Both groups of annotators applied Creative Metaphor Identification Procedure for Video Advertisements (C-MIPVA) (Pan & Tay, 2021) into the same 20 Chinese video ads through a systematic process of inter-rater reliability examinations. Results from Fleiss’ Kappa and Percentage Agreement provided substantial support for reliable identification, regardless of the metaphor research background. Discussions among annotators revealed that the interplay between the individual differences in life experience and the influences of temporal and dynamic discourse lead to extra identification, different content, and missing cases of metaphors.
Comment on ‘Thermodynamic relations and ro-vibrational energy levels of the improved Pöschl–Teller oscillator for diatomic molecules’
Authors: Yanar Hilmi
Published: August 2022

In this comment, it is shown that the vibrational energies of the X
1Σ+ state of the RbH molecule via improved generalized Pöschl–Teller potential reported by Eyube et al (2021 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys.
54 155102) are calculated incorrectly. Accurate calculations are given in the present study.
Low power implementation of high frequency SiPM readout for Cherenkov and scintillation detectors in TOF-PET
Authors: Cates Joshua W , Choong Woon-Seng
Published: August 2022

State-of-the-art (SoA) electronic readout for silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based scintillation detectors that demonstrate experimental limits in achievable coincidence time resolution (CTR) leverage low noise, high frequency signal processing to facilitate a single photon time response that is near the limit of the SiPMs architecture. This readout strategy can optimally exploit fast luminescence and prompt photon populations, and promising measurements show detector concepts employing this readout can greatly advance PET detector CTR, relative to SoA in clinical systems. However, the technique employs power hungry components which make the electronics chain impractical for channel-dense time-of-flight (TOF)-PET detectors. We have developed and tested a low noise and high frequency readout circuit which is performant at low power and consists of discrete elements with small footprints, making it feasible for integration into TOF-PET detector prototypes. A 3 × 3 mm2 Broadcom SiPM with this readout chain exhibited sub-100 ps single photon time resolution at 10 mW of power consumption, with a relatively minor performance degradation to 120 ± 2 ps FWHM at 5 mW. CTR measurements with 3 × 3 × 20 mm3 LYSO and fast LGSO scintillators demonstrated 127 ± 3 ps and 113 ± 2 ps FWHM at optimal power operation and 133 ± 2 ps and 121 ± 3 ps CTR at 5 mW. BGO crystals 3 × 3 × 20 mm3 in size show 271 ± 5 ps FWHM CTR (1174 ± 14 ps full-width-at-tenth-maximum (FWTM)) at optimal power dissipation and 289 ± 8 ps (1296 ± 33 ps FWTM) at 5 mW. The compact and low power readout topology that achieves this performance thereby offers a platform to greatly advance PET system CTR and also opportunities to provide high performance TOF-PET at reduced material cost.
Optimising multi-target multileaf collimator tracking using real-time dose for locally advanced prostate cancer patients
Authors: Hewson Emily A , Nguyen Doan Trang , Le Andrew , Booth Jeremy T , Keall Paul J , Mejnertsen Lars
Published: August 2022

Objective. The accuracy of radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced cancer is compromised by independent motion of multiple targets. To date, MLC tracking approaches have used 2D geometric optimisation where the MLC aperture shape is simply translated to correspond to the target’s motion, which results in sub-optimal delivered dose. To address this limitation, a dose-optimised multi-target MLC tracking method was developed and evaluated through simulated locally advanced prostate cancer treatments. Approach. A dose-optimised multi-target tracking algorithm that adapts the MLC aperture to minimise 3D dosimetric error was developed for moving prostate and static lymph node targets. A fast dose calculation algorithm accumulated the planned dose to the prostate and lymph node volumes during treatment in real time, and the MLC apertures were recalculated to minimise the difference between the delivered and planned dose with the included motion. Dose-optimised tracking was evaluated by simulating five locally advanced prostate plans and three prostate motion traces with a relative interfraction displacement. The same simulations were performed using geometric-optimised tracking and no tracking. The dose-optimised, geometric-optimised, and no tracking results were compared with the planned doses using a 2%/2 mm γ criterion. Main results. The mean dosimetric error was lowest for dose-optimised MLC tracking, with γ-failure rates of 12% ± 8.5% for the prostate and 2.2% ± 3.2% for the nodes. The γ-failure rates for geometric-optimised MLC tracking were 23% ± 12% for the prostate and 3.6% ± 2.5% for the nodes. When no tracking was used, the γ-failure rates were 37% ± 28% for the prostate and 24% ± 3.2% for the nodes. Significance. This study developed a dose-optimised multi-target MLC tracking method that minimises the difference between the planned and delivered doses in the presence of intrafraction motion. When applied to locally advanced prostate cancer, dose-optimised tracking showed smaller errors than geometric-optimised tracking and no tracking for both the prostate and nodes.
High-fidelity quantum sensing of magnon excitations with a single electron spin in quantum dots
Authors: Zhu Le-Tian , Tu Tao , Guo Ao-Lin , Li Chuan-Feng
Published: August 2022

Single-electron spins in quantum dots are the leading platform for qubits, while magnons in solids are one of the emerging candidates for quantum technologies. How to manipulate a composite system composed of both systems is an outstanding challenge. Here, we use spin–charge hybridization to effectively couple the single-electron spin state in quantum dots to the cavity and further to the magnons. Through this coupling, quantum dots can entangle and detect magnon states. The detection efficiency can reach 0.94 in a realistic experimental situation. We also demonstrate the electrical tunability of the scheme for various parameters. These results pave a practical pathway for applications of composite systems based on quantum dots and magnons.
Modulational instability of a resonantly polariton condensate in discrete lattices
Authors: Qi Wei , Guo Xiao-Gang , Dong Liang-Wei , Zhang Xiao-Fei
Published: August 2022

We study modulational instability of a resonantly polariton condensate in a discrete lattice. Employing a discrete gain-saturation model, we derive the dispersion relation for the modulational instability by means of the linear-stability analysis. Effects of the pumping strength, the nonlinearity, the strength of the detuning, and the coupling strength on the modulation instability are investigated. It is found that the interplay between these parameters will dramatically change the modulational instability condition. We believe that the predicted results in this work can be useful for future possible experiment of exciton-polariton condensate in lattices.
Skyrmion transport driven by pure voltage generated strain gradient
Authors: Qiu Shan , Liu Jia-Hao , Chen Ya-Bo , Zhao Yun-Ping , Wei Bo , Fang Liang
Published: August 2022

The magnetic skyrmion transport driven by pure voltage-induced strain gradient is proposed and studied via micromagnetic simulation. Through combining the skyrmion with multiferroic heterojunction, a voltage-induced uniaxial strain gradient is adjusted to move skyrmions. In the system, a pair of short-circuited trapezoidal top electrodes can generate the symmetric strain. Due to the symmetry of strain, the magnetic skyrmion can be driven with a linear motion in the middle of the nanostrip without deviation. We calculate the strain distribution generated by the trapezoidal top electrodes pair, and further investigate the influence of the strain intensity as well as the strain gradient on the skyrmion velocity. Our findings provide a stable and low-energy regulation method for skyrmion transport.
Angular insensitive nonreciprocal ultrawide band absorption in plasma-embedded photonic crystals designed with improved particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Wang Yi-Han , Zhang Hai-Feng
Published: August 2022

Using an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm (IPSO) to drive a transfer matrix method, a nonreciprocal absorber with an ultrawide absorption bandwidth and angular insensitivity is realized in plasma-embedded photonic crystals arranged in a structure composed of periodic and quasi-periodic sequences on a normalized scale. The effective dielectric function, which determines the absorption of the plasma, is subject to the basic parameters of the plasma, causing the absorption of the proposed absorber to be easily modulated by these parameters. Compared with other quasi-periodic sequences, the Octonacci sequence is superior both in relative bandwidth and absolute bandwidth. Under further optimization using IPSO with 14 parameters set to be optimized, the absorption characteristics of the proposed structure with different numbers of layers of the smallest structure unit N are shown and discussed. IPSO is also used to address angular insensitive nonreciprocal ultrawide bandwidth absorption, and the optimized result shows excellent unidirectional absorbability and angular insensitivity of the proposed structure. The impacts of the sequence number of quasi-periodic sequence M and collision frequency of plasma1
ν
1 to absorption in the angle domain and frequency domain are investigated. Additionally, the impedance match theory and the interference field theory are introduced to express the findings of the algorithm.
Residential exposure to petroleum refining and stroke in the southern United States
Authors: Kim Honghyok , Festa Natalia , Burrows Kate , Kim Dae Cheol , Gill Thomas M , Bell Michelle L
Published: August 2022

The southern United States (US) sustains a disproportionate burden of incident stroke and associated mortality, compared to other parts of the US. A large proportion of this risk remains unexplained. Petroleum production and refining (PPR) is concentrated within this region and emits multiple pollutants implicated in stroke pathogenesis. The relationship between residential PPR exposure and stroke has not been studied. We aimed to investigate the census tract-level association between residential PPR exposure and stroke prevalence for adults (⩾18 years) in seven southern US states in 2018. We conducted spatial distance- and generalized propensity score-matched analysis that adjusts for sociodemographic factors, health behavioral factors, and unmeasured spatial confounding. PPR was measured as inverse-distance weighted averages of petroleum production within 2.5 km or 5 km from refineries, which was strongly correlated with measured levels of sulfur dioxide, a byproduct of PPR. The prevalence of self-reported stroke ranged from 0.4% to 12.7% for all the census tracts of the seven states. People with low socioeconomic status and of Hispanic ethnicity resided closer to petroleum refineries. The non-Hispanic Black population was exposed to higher PPR, while the non-Hispanic White population was exposed to lower PPR. Residential PPR exposure was significantly associated with stroke prevalence. One standard deviation increase in PPR within 5 km from refineries was associated with 0.22 (95% confidence interval: 0.09, 0.34) percentage point increase in stroke prevalence. PPR explained 5.6% (2.4, 8.9) of stroke prevalence in the exposed areas. These values differed by states: 1.1% (0.5, 1.7) in Alabama to 11.7% (4.9, 18.6) in Mississippi, and by census tract-level: 0.08% (0.03, 0.13) to 25.3% (10.6, 40.0). PPR is associated with self-reported stroke prevalence, suggesting possible links between pollutants emitted from refineries and stroke. The increased prevalence due to PPR may differ by sociodemographic factors.
Prerogatives Without
Authors: Scheffler Samuel
Published: August 2022

Shelly Kagan and others have criticized the hybrid theory on the grounds that an agent‐centred prerogative, if unaccompanied by agent‐centred restrictions, might allow agents to harm others in pursuit of their personal projects. Scheffler considers in detail an example of Kagan's that illustrates this criticism and purports to show a conflict between the hybrid theory and common‐sense morality. Scheffler responds that the rationale supporting an agent‐centred prerogative can support either a pure‐cost version of the prerogative or a no‐harm version, and that the latter version avoids Kagan's criticism.
Some Mathematical Results
Authors: Johansen Søren
Published: August 2022

The first appendix contains some results from various branches of mathematics that are useful for the analysis of autoregressive models. Some results are concerned with eigenvalues and eigenvectors, but some are more specialized, like the results on binomial coefficients and the exponential function of matrix argument, which are used in discussion of local power of the trace test.
MLysPRED: graph-based multi-view clustering and multi-dimensional normal distribution resampling techniques to predict multiple lysine sites
Authors: Zuo Yun , Hong Yue , Zeng Xiangxiang , Zhang Qiang , Liu Xiangrong
Published: August 2022

Posttranslational modification of lysine residues, K-PTM, is one of the most popular PTMs. Some lysine residues in proteins can be continuously or cascaded covalently modified, such as acetylation, crotonylation, methylation and succinylation modification. The covalent modification of lysine residues may have some special functions in basic research and drug development. Although many computational methods have been developed to predict lysine PTMs, up to now, the K-PTM prediction methods have been modeled and learned a single class of K-PTM modification. In view of this, this study aims to fill this gap by building a multi-label computational model that can be directly used to predict multiple K-PTMs in proteins.

In this study, a multi-label prediction model, MLysPRED, is proposed to identify multiple lysine sites using features generated from human protein sequences. In MLysPRED, three kinds of multi-label sequence encoding algorithms (MLDBPB, MLPSDAAP, MLPSTAAP) are proposed and combined with three encoding strategies (CHHAA, DR and Kmer) to convert preprocessed lysine sequences into effective numerical features. A multidimensional normal distribution oversampling technique and graph-based multi-view clustering under-sampling algorithm were first proposed and incorporated to reduce the proportion of the original training samples, and multi-label nearest neighbor algorithm is used for classification. It is observed that MLysPRED achieved an Aiming of 92.21%, Coverage of 94.98%, Accuracy of 89.63%, Absolute-True of 81.46% and Absolute-False of 0.0682 on the independent datasets. Additionally, comparison of results with five existing predictors also indicated that MLysPRED is very promising and encouraging to predict multiple K-PTMs in proteins. For the convenience of the experimental scientists, ‘MLysPRED’ has been deployed as a user-friendly web-server at http://47.100.136.41:8181.
Open Source Solutions in Experimental Design: An Introduction to the Symposium
Authors: Tanner Richelle L , Onthank Kirt L
Published: August 2022

The Open Science movement has increased dramatically in popularity with deserved calls to action around transparency, access to resources, and inclusion in our field. However, its practical applications within experimental design have been slow to uptake, with researchers unsure where to even start with the dizzying array of open source hardware and software solutions available. The perceived time investment and unknown cost, especially in implementing open source hardware, has stagnated the implementation of inexpensive experimental solutions, but we sought to increase awareness to lower the barrier to participation in this space. While there are countless technical and financial advantages to integrating open source solutions into every biologist's experimental design, we put an emphasis on the “people” part of the equation in our symposium. This symposium championed innovative experimental designs by early career Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology researchers across all fields of biology, from plants to animals, in the lab or in the field, or even virtually engaging with the public and students. The Open Science movement operates within community norms that champion transparency, continuous development, and collaboration. These values are congruent with the priorities of reducing barriers to participation in science, and we hope our symposium's collection of open source solutions encourages readers to adopt these or other innovative designs into their own experimentation.
Designing, generating, and translating deep-ocean observations for and with international policy makers
Authors: Levin Lisa A , Cimoli Laura , Gjerde Kristina , Harden-Davies Harriet , Heimbach Patrick , LaScala-Gruenewald Diana , Pachiadaki Maria , Pillar Helen R , Smith Leslie M , Stocks Karen , Stopa Justin E , Wright Dawn J
Published: August 2022

Deep-ocean observing is essential for informing policy making in the arenas of climate, biodiversity, fisheries, energy and minerals extraction, pollution, hazards, and genetic resources. The Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS), a UN Ocean Decade endorsed programme, is meeting with representatives from relevant international bodies and agreements to strengthen their interface with the deep-ocean science community, ensure that deep observing is responsive to societal needs, identify points of entry for science in policy making, and to develop relevant products for broad use. DOOS collaboration with the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) facilitates this co-design. A DOOS policy liaison team is being formed to link the contacts, voices, and messaging of multiple deep-ocean networks and organizations in reaching international policy makers. The UN Ocean Decade will help to gain the ear of target communities, scale communication channels appropriately, minimize duplicative efforts, maximize limited resources, and organize inclusive and equitable public and private partners in deep-ocean science and policy.
Digital health for climate change mitigation and response: a scoping review
Authors: Rahimi-Ardabili Hania , Magrabi Farah , Coiera Enrico
Published: August 2022

Objective

Climate change poses a major threat to the operation of global health systems, triggering large scale health events, and disrupting normal system operation. Digital health may have a role in the management of such challenges and in greenhouse gas emission reduction. This scoping review explores recent work on digital health responses and mitigation approaches to climate change.

Materials and Methods

We searched Medline up to February 11, 2022, using terms for digital health and climate change. Included articles were categorized into 3 application domains (mitigation, infectious disease, or environmental health risk management), and 6 technical tasks (data sensing, monitoring, electronic data capture, modeling, decision support, and communication). The review was PRISMA-ScR compliant.

Results

The 142 included publications reported a wide variety of research designs. Publication numbers have grown substantially in recent years, but few come from low- and middle-income countries. Digital health has the potential to reduce health system greenhouse gas emissions, for example by shifting to virtual services. It can assist in managing changing patterns of infectious diseases as well as environmental health events by timely detection, reducing exposure to risk factors, and facilitating the delivery of care to under-resourced areas.

Discussion

While digital health has real potential to help in managing climate change, research remains preliminary with little real-world evaluation.

Conclusion

Significant acceleration in the quality and quantity of digital health climate change research is urgently needed, given the enormity of the global challenge.
Impact of digital dermatitis on locomotion and gait traits of beef cattle
Authors: Thomas Anice D , Orsel Karin , Pajor Ed A
Published: August 2022

Digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious skin disease and a major cause of lameness that significantly impacts cattle productivity and welfare. However, DD does not always result in lameness and lameness scoring systems are not specific to hoof pathologies. Digital dermatitis detection protocols could be improved by including gait traits most related to DD. The aims of this study were to 1) determine the association between DD M-stage (“M” for Mortellaro), locomotion, and gait traits: arched back (AB), asymmetric gait (AG), head bobbing (HB), tracking up (TU), and reluctance to bear weight (WB), and 2) determine which traits are most associated with DD. Cattle (n = 480) from three feedlots were enrolled. Locomotion score (LS) and gait traits were assessed as cattle walked four strides along a dirt alleyway. Next, cattle were restrained in a chute, each hind foot lifted, and DD M-stage (absent, active, or chronic) determined. The association between presence of DD, LS, and gait traits were scored independently (n = 291). For both LS and gait the lowest score represents normal and the highest score severely altered. Digital dermatitis presence was associated with higher LS (P < 0.001). Odds ratios (ORs) for cattle with DD being lame or moderately to severely lame were 8.0 (P < 0.001) and 10.1 (P < 0.001) times more than cattle without lesions. Cattle with active lesions had the greatest odds of being lame (OR = 9.4; P < 0.001). Digital dermatitis presence was associated with all gait traits (P < 0.001), where AG (OR = 5.5; P < 0.001) and WB (OR = 5.8; P < 0.001) had the greatest OR for classifying cattle with DD as having altered gait. The OR for cattle with active lesions having altered gait was greatest for WB which was 6.0 (P < 0.001) times greater than cattle without lesions. The OR for cattle with chronic lesions having altered gait was greatest for AG being 6.5 (P < 0.001) times more than cattle without lesions. All gait traits had low sensitivity (Se) for detecting cattle with DD and varied from 6.7% to 55.8%. Locomotion score (Se 55.8%) and AG (Se 44.2%) were most predictive with positive predictive values of 76.6% and 74.3%, respectively. Specificity for all traits ranged from 94.1% for LS to 98.4% for WB with negative predictive values of 72.1% and 68.9%, respectively. In conclusion, LS, WB, and AG had the strongest association with cattle that had DD. Locomotion scoring that includes a focus on WB and AG is the best tool to detect DD in beef cattle.
Characterization of Field-Derived Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Resistance to Pyrethroids in California Berry Production
Authors: Ganjisaffar Fatemeh , Demkovich Mark R , Chiu Joanna C , Zalom Frank G
Published: August 2022

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a global economic pest of berry crops and stone fruit. Since management of this pest primarily relies on calendar insecticide applications, and field-derived resistance to spinosad has already been documented in California caneberry production, there is significant concern for development of resistance to other insecticides. In this study, susceptibility of D. suzukii populations collected from caneberry and strawberry fields to two pyrethroids, zeta-cypermethrin, and bifenthrin, was assessed in 2019 and 2020. Resistance to both pyrethroids were observed in flies from all sampling sites. For flies collected from caneberries in 2019, the LC50 values ranged from 4.5 to 5.2 mg liter−1 with RR50s ranging from 7.5- to 8.7-fold. Our 2020 assays showed that susceptibility of flies to the discriminating dose of zeta-cypermethrin decreased significantly as the season progressed. For flies collected from strawberries in 2020, the LC50s ranged from 19.0 to 36.1 mg liter−1 and from 30.3 to 90.7 mg liter−1 for zeta-cypermethrin and bifenthrin, respectively. The RR50 values varied from 19.0- to 36.1-fold for zeta-cypermethrin and from 15.9- to 47.7-fold for bifenthrin. This study is the first report of field-derived pyrethroid resistance in D. suzukii from two major California berry production areas. Adoption of informed insecticide resistance management practices would be essential to prolong the efficacy of products available to control D. suzukii. Future molecular work is needed to unravel the underlying genetic mechanisms conferring the observed pyrethroid resistance and to develop robust diagnostics that can inform integrated pest management of this pest.
The formation of early-type galaxies through monolithic collapse of gas clouds in Milgromian gravity
Authors: Eappen Robin , Kroupa Pavel , Wittenburg Nils , Haslbauer Moritz , Famaey Benoit
Published: August 2022

Studies of stellar populations in early-type galaxies (ETGs) show that the more massive galaxies form earlier and have a shorter star formation history. In this study, we investigate the initial conditions of ETG formation. The study begins with the collapse of non-rotating post-Big-Bang gas clouds in Milgromian (MOND) gravitation. These produce ETGs with star-forming time-scales (SFT) comparable to those observed in the real Universe. Comparing these collapse models with observations, we set constraints on the initial size and density of the post-Big-Bang gas clouds in order to form ETGs. The effective-radius–mass relation of the model galaxies falls short of the observed relation. Possible mechanisms for later radius expansion are discussed. Using hydrodynamic MOND simulations, this work thus for the first time shows that the SFTs observed for ETGs may be a natural occurrence in the MOND paradigm. We show that different feedback algorithms change the evolution of the galaxies only to a very minor degree in MOND. The first stars have, however, formed more rapidly in the real Universe than possible just from the here studied gravitational collapse mechanism. Dark-matter-based cosmological structure formation simulations disagree with the observed SFTs at more than 5σ confidence.
A multiwavelength study of nearby star-forming spiral galaxies and the clustering of star formation in M63
Authors: Smith Madison V , van Zee L , Dale D A , Staudaher S , Wrock T
Published: August 2022

This multiwavelength study of the star formation and star formation history (SFH) trends in the nearby universe looks at nine nearby late-type spirals. Spectral energy distributions fitted with measurements from the far-ultraviolet (FUV) to the mid-infrared are used to estimate parameters in a double-exponential SFH. Azimuthally averaged radial trends in the SFHs are shown and discussed for each galaxy. In addition to the radial analysis, catalogues of UV-selected sources are identified for each galaxy. An analysis of the clustering of the UV sources in M63 (NGC 5055) is done using a two-point correlation function. There is evidence for hierarchical star formation and clustering out to scales of several kpc. We then discuss the level of clustering in M63’s sources with differing FUV − NUV colours, and how spiral arms may play a role in the organization of star formation even in the low surface brightness regions of a galaxy.
Characterization of hot populations of Melotte 66 open cluster using Swift/UVOT
Authors: Rao Khushboo K , Vaidya Kaushar , Agarwal Manan , Panthi Anju , Jadhav Vikrant , Subramaniam Annapurni
Published: August 2022

Ultraviolet (UV) wavelength observations have made a significant contribution to our understanding of hot stellar populations of star clusters. Multiwavelength spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of stars, including ultraviolet observations, have proven to be an excellent tool for discovering unresolved hot companions in exotic stars such as blue straggler stars (BSS), thereby providing helpful clues to constrain their formation mechanisms. Melotte 66 is a 3.4 Gyr old open cluster located at a distance of 4810 pc. We identify the cluster members by applying the ML-MOC algorithm on Gaia EDR3 data. Based on our membership identification, we find 1162 members, including 14 BSS candidates, 2 yellow straggler candidates (YSS), and one subdwarf B candidate (sdB). We generated SEDs for 11 BSS candidates and the sdB candidate using Swift/UVOT data combined with other archival data in the optical and IR wavelengths. We discover a hot companion of one BSS candidate, BSS3, with temperature of 38 000$_{-6000}^{+7000}$ K, luminosity of 2.99$_{-1.86}^{+5.47}$ L⊙, and radius of 0.04$_{-0.005}^{+0.008}$ R⊙. This hot companion is a likely low-mass WD with an estimated mass of 0.24–0.44 M⊙. We report one BSS candidate, BSS6, as an Algol-type eclipsing binary with a period of 0.8006 d, based on the Gaia DR3 variability classification. We suggest that BSS3 is formed via either the Case A or Case B mass-transfer channel, whereas BSS6 is formed via the Case A mass transfer.
The Mantis Network II: examining the 3D high-resolution observable properties of the UHJs WASP-121b and WASP-189b through GCM modelling
Authors: Lee Elspeth K H , Prinoth Bibiana , Kitzmann Daniel , Tsai Shang-Min , Hoeijmakers Jens , Borsato Nicholas W , Heng Kevin
Published: August 2022

The atmospheres of ultra hot Jupiters (UHJs) are prime targets for the detection of molecules and atoms at both low and high spectral resolution. We study the atmospheres of the UHJs WASP-121b and WASP-189b by performing 3D general circulation models (GCMs) of these planets using high temperature correlated-k opacity schemes with ultra-violet (UV) absorbing species included. The GCM results are then post-processed at low and high spectral resolutions and compared to available data. The high resolution results are cross-correlated with molecular and atomic templates to produce mock molecular detections. Our GCM models produce similar temperature-pressure (T-p) structure trends to previous 1D radiative-convective equilibrium models of UHJs. Furthermore, the inclusion of UV opacities greatly shapes the thermal and dynamical properties of the high-altitude, low-pressure regions of the UHJ atmospheres, with sharp T-p inversions due to the absorption of UV light. This suggests that optical wavelength, high-resolution observations probe a dynamically distinct upper atmospheric region, rather than the deeper jet forming layers.
Modelling observable signatures of jet-ISM interaction: thermal emission and gas kinematics
Authors: Meenakshi Moun , Mukherjee Dipanjan , Wagner Alexander Y , Nesvadba Nicole P H , Bicknell Geoffrey V , Morganti Raffaella , Janssen Reinier M J , Sutherland Ralph S , Mandal Ankush
Published: August 2022

Relativistic jets are believed to have a substantial impact on the gas dynamics and evolution of the interstellar medium (ISM) of their host galaxies. In this paper, we aim to draw a link between the simulations and the observable signatures of jet-ISM interactions by analyzing the emission morphology and gas kinematics resulting from jet-induced shocks in simulated disc and spherical systems. We find that the jet-induced laterally expanding forward shock of the energy bubble sweeping through the ISM causes large-scale outflows, creating shocked emission and high-velocity dispersion in the entire nuclear regions (∼2 kpcs) of their hosts. The jetted systems exhibit larger velocity widths (>800 km s−1), broader Position-Velocity maps and distorted symmetry in the disc’s projected velocities than systems without a jet. We also investigate the above quantities at different inclination angles of the observer with respect to the galaxy. Jets inclined to the gas disc of its host are found to be confined for longer times, and consequently couple more strongly with the disc gas. This results in prominent shocked emission and high-velocity widths, not only along the jet’s path, but also in the regions perpendicular to them. Strong interaction of the jet with a gas disc can also distort its morphology. However, after the jets escape their initial confinement, the jet-disc coupling is weakened, thereby lowering the shocked emission and velocity widths.
Does expert opinion match the definition of lupus low disease activity state? Prospective analysis of 500 patients from a Spanish multicentre cohort
Authors: Altabás-González Irene , Rúa-Figueroa Iñigo , Rubiño Francisco , Mouriño Rodríguez Coral , Hernández-Rodríguez Iñigo , Menor Almagro Raul , Uriarte Isacelaya Esther , Tomero Muriel Eva , Salman-Monte Tarek C , Carrión-Barberà Irene , Galindo Maria , Rodríguez Almaraz Esther M , Jiménez Norman , Inês Luis , Pego-Reigosa José Maria
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To apply the lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) definition within a large cohort of patients and to assess the agreement between the LLDAS and the physician’s subjective evaluation of lupus activity.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective multicentre study of SLE patients. We applied the LLDAS and assessed whether there was agreement with the clinical status according to the physician’s opinion.

Results

A total of 508 patients [92% women; mean age 50.4 years (s.d. 3.7)] were recruited and 304 (62.7%) patients were in the LLDAS. According to physician assessment, 430 (86.1%) patients were classified as remission or low activity. Overall agreement between both evaluations was 71.4% (95% CI: 70.1, 70.5) with a Cohen’s κ of 0.3 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.22–0.37]. Most cases (96.1%) in the LLDAS were classified as remission or low activity by the expert. Of the patients who did not fulfil the LLDAS, 126 (70.4%) were classified as having remission/low disease activity. The main reasons for these discrepancies were the presence of new manifestations compared with the previous visit and a SLEDAI 2K score >4, mainly based on serological activity.

Conclusions

Almost two-thirds of SLE patients were in the LLDAS. There was a fair correlation between the LLDAS and the physician’s evaluation. This agreement improves for patients fulfilling the LLDAS criteria. The discordance between both at defining lupus low activity, the demonstrated association of the LLDAS with better outcomes and the fact that the LLDAS is more stringent than the physician’s opinion imply that we should use the LLDAS as a treat-to-target goal.
The “Guardian of the Treaties” is No More? The European Commission and the 2021 Humanitarian Crisis on Poland–Belarus Border
Authors: Grześkowiak Maciej
Published: August 2022

In 2021, a humanitarian crisis developed at the Poland–Belarus border due to the considerable influx of migrants from Belarus. Polish authorities responded with a systematic practice of pushbacks, sanctioned prima facie by legislative action, that are incompatible with Poland’s obligations under international and EU legal systems. This policy led to the suffering of migrants stranded between borders and more than a dozen confirmed deaths. Despite credible reports of abuses by Polish authorities, the European Commission largely acquiesced to this practice. The article employs both dogmatic and empirical methods to explore the rationale behind such an approach. It is demonstrated that the Commission’s conduct illustrates a pattern evident in the years following the 2015 migration crisis in Europe. Moreover, the analysis suggests that the 2021 crisis had unique characteristics that further incentivized passivity by the Commission.
Functional Trade-Offs Asymmetrically Promote Phenotypic Evolution
Authors: Burress Edward D , Muñoz Martha M
Published: August 2022

Trade-offs are thought to bias evolution and are core features of many anatomical systems. Therefore, trade-offs may have far-reaching macroevolutionary consequences, including patterns of morphological, functional, and ecological diversity. Jaws, like many complex anatomical systems, are comprised of elements involved in biomechanical trade-offs. We test the impact of a core mechanical trade-off, the transmission of velocity versus force (i.e., mechanical advantage), on rates of jaw evolution in Neotropical cichlids. Across 130 species representing a wide array of feeding ecologies, we find that the velocity–force trade-off impacts the evolution of the surrounding jaw system. Specifically, rates of jaw evolution are faster at functional extremes than in more functionally intermediate or unspecialized jaws. Yet, surprisingly, the effect on jaw evolution is uneven across the extremes of the velocity–force continuum. Rates of jaw evolution are 4- to 10-fold faster in velocity-modified jaws, whereas force-modified jaws are 7- to 18-fold faster, compared to unspecialized jaws, depending on the extent of specialization. Further, we find that a more extreme mechanical trade-off resulted in faster rates of jaw evolution. The velocity–force trade-off reflects a gradient from specialization on capture-intensive (e.g., evasive or buried) to processing-intensive prey (e.g., attached or shelled), respectively. The velocity extreme of the trade-off is characterized by large magnitudes of trait change leading to functionally divergent specialists and ecological stasis. By contrast, the force extreme of the trade-off is characterized by enhanced ecological lability made possible by phenotypes more readily co-opted for different feeding ecologies. This asymmetry of macroevolutionary outcomes along each extreme is likely the result of an enhanced utility of the pharyngeal jaw system as force-modified oral jaws are adapted for prey that requires intensive processing (e.g., algae, detritus, and mollusks). The velocity–force trade-off, a fundamental feature of many anatomical systems, promotes rapid phenotypic evolution of the surrounding jaw system in a canonical continental adaptive radiation. Considering that the velocity–force trade-off is an inherent feature of all jaw systems that involve a lower element that rotates at a joint, spanning the vast majority of vertebrates, our results may be widely applicable across the tree of life. [Adaptive radiation; constraint; decoupling; jaws; macroevolution; specialization.]
Patients from Socioeconomically Distressed Communities Experience Similar Clinical Improvements Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Lambrechts Mark J. , Toci Gregory R. , Issa Tariq Z. , Siegel Nicholas S. , O’Connor Patrick , Siniakowicz Claudia , Syal Amit , Weber Jackson , Lawall Charles , Brush Parker , Canseco Jose A. , Kaye Ian David , Woods Barrett I. , Schroeder Gregory D. , Hilibrand Alan S. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Kepler Christopher K.
Published: August 2022

Study Design.

Retrospective cohort.

Objectives.

To compare patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) when categorizing patients based on socioeconomic status (SES). Secondarily, we sought to compare PROMs based on race.

Summary of Background Data.

Social determinants of health are believed to affect outcomes following spine surgery, but there is limited literature on how combined SES metrics affect PROMs following ACDF.

Methods.

We identified patients who underwent primary elective one- to four-level ACDF from 2014 to 2020. Patients were grouped based on their distressed community index (DCI) quintile (Distressed, At-Risk, Mid-tier, Comfortable, and Prosperous) and then race (White or Black). Multivariate regression for ∆PROMs was performed based on DCI group and race while controlling for baseline demographics and surgical characteristics.

Results.

Of 1,204 patients included in the study, all DCI groups improved across all PROMs, except mental health component score (MCS-12) for the Mid-tier group (P=0.091). Patients in the Distressed/At-Risk group had worse baseline MCS-12, visual analog scale (VAS) Neck, and neck disability index (NDI). There were no differences in magnitude of improvement between DCI groups. Black patients had significantly worse baseline VAS Neck (P=0.002) and Arm (P=0.012) as well as worse postoperative MCS-12 (P=0.016), PCS-12 (P=0.03), VAS Neck (P<0.001), VAS Arm (P=0.004), and NDI (P<0.001). Multivariable regression analysis did not identify any of the DCI groupings to be significant independent predictors of ∆PROMs, but being White was an independent predictor of greater improvement in ∆PCS-12 (β=3.09, P=0.036) and ∆NDI (β=−7.32, P=0.003).

Conclusions.

All patients experienced clinical improvements regardless of DCI or race despite patients in Distressed communities and Black patients having worse preoperative PROMs. Being from a distressed community was not an independent predictor of worse improvement in any PROMs, but Black patients had worse improvement in NDI compared to White patients.

Level of Evidence.

3
Case Report
Authors: Sims Gail L.
Published: August 2022

Falls from wheelchairs are common, particularly in persons with a spinal cord injury. Patients who experience falls frequently incur physical and psychological damages. The underlying causes of falls vary, although one of the most important themes is associated with poor balance. Factors that contribute to ineffective balance include poor trunk and abdominal muscle strength, inability to maintain static or dynamic trunk control, diminished sensation, improper equipment usage, muscle spasms, unsafe speed of mobilization, and lack of protective straps. The literature regarding fall prevention of pediatric patients with a spinal cord injury is very limited. Guidance is needed for this vulnerable population to prevent falls from wheelchairs. Instructions for wheelchair safety must be incorporated into patient and family caregiver education. Behavioral change theory provides a framework for this work. This article is intended to close the gap by discussing the incidence of falls, suggesting the provision of teaching self-management, and introducing suggestions for developing an interdisciplinary fall prevention program.
Arthroscopy-assisted bone grafting for the treatment of SNAC stage I without radial styloidectomy
Authors: Lee Young-Keun , Jung Young-Ran
Published: August 2022

To report the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic bone grafting and percutaneous K-wire fixation without radial styloidectomy in patients with scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC).

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 15 patients with SNAC who were treated with arthroscopic bone grafting and percutaneous K-wire fixation and subsequently followed up for a minimum of 1 year between November 2009 and March 2018. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by comparing the range of motion (ROM), grip strength, the modified Mayo Wrist Score, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, all of which were measured preoperatively and at the last follow-up. The radiologic outcomes were evaluated by comparing the scapholunate (SL) and radiolunate (RL) angles preoperatively and at the last follow-up.

All 15 cases of nonunion were resolved. The average radiologic union time was 9.7 ± 1.2 weeks. The average VAS score increased from 5.7 ± 2.3 (range, 2 − 10) preoperatively to 1.3 ± 1.3 (range, 0 − 3) at the last follow-up (P < .05). The average modified Mayo wrist score increased from 58.3 ± 14.0 preoperatively to 80.0 ± 9.2 at the last follow-up (P < .05). The mean ROM of the wrist improved, but there was no statistical significance. At the last follow-up, the mean flexion and radial deviation on the affected side were significantly decreased, and the mean extension on the affected side was significantly improved compared to the normal side (P < .05). The mean preoperative SL and RL angles were 66 ± 11.9° and 7.2 ± 6.8°, respectively, and were decreased to 50.4 ± 7.5° and 6.4 ± 5.2°, respectively, at the last follow-up. The mean SL angle was significantly corrected (P = .01).

Arthroscopic bone grafting and percutaneous Kerschner (K)-wire fixation without radial styloidectomy are considered to be very effective methods for correcting scaphoid deformities to treat SNAC stage I. However, caution may be needed during the surgery to prevent reductions in flexion and the radial deviation of the wrist.