bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the electron pairing mechanism of copper-oxide high temperature superconductivity
Authors: O’Mahony Shane M. , Ren Wangping , Chen Weijiong , Chong Yi Xue , Liu Xiaolong , Eisaki H. , Uchida S. , Hamidian M. H. , Davis J. C. Séamus
Published: September 2022

The elementary CuO
2
plane sustaining cuprate high-temperature superconductivity occurs typically at the base of a periodic array of edge-sharing CuO
5
pyramids. Virtual transitions of electrons between adjacent planar Cu and O atoms, occurring at a rate t/ℏ and across the charge-transfer energy gap

E

, generate “superexchange” spin–spin interactions of energy

J
≈
4

t

4

/

E

3

in an antiferromagnetic correlated-insulator state. However, hole doping this CuO
2
plane converts this into a very-high-temperature superconducting state whose electron pairing is exceptional. A leading proposal for the mechanism of this intense electron pairing is that, while hole doping destroys magnetic order, it preserves pair-forming superexchange interactions governed by the charge-transfer energy scale

E

. To explore this hypothesis directly at atomic scale, we combine single-electron and electron-pair (Josephson) scanning tunneling microscopy to visualize the interplay of

E

and the electron-pair density

n
P

in Bi
2
Sr
2
CaCu
2
O
8+x
. The responses of both

E

and

n
P

to alterations in the distance
δ
between planar Cu and apical O atoms are then determined. These data reveal the empirical crux of strongly correlated superconductivity in CuO
2
, the response of the electron-pair condensate to varying the charge-transfer energy. Concurrence of predictions from strong-correlation theory for hole-doped charge-transfer insulators with these observations indicates that charge-transfer superexchange is the electron-pairing mechanism of superconductive Bi
2
Sr
2
CaCu
2
O
8+x
.
The evolution of insular woodiness
Authors: Zizka Alexander , Onstein Renske E. , Rozzi Roberto , Weigelt Patrick , Kreft Holger , Steinbauer Manuel J. , Bruelheide Helge , Lens Frederic
Published: September 2022

Insular woodiness (IW)—the evolutionary transition from herbaceousness toward woodiness on islands—is one of the most iconic features of island floras. Since pioneering work by Darwin and Wallace, a number of drivers of IW have been proposed, such as 1) competition for sunlight requiring plants with taller and stronger woody stems and 2) drought favoring woodiness to safeguard root-to-shoot water transport. Alternatively, IW may be the indirect result of increased lifespan related to 3) a favorable aseasonal climate and/or 4) a lack of large native herbivores. However, information on the occurrence of IW is fragmented, hampering tests of these potential drivers. Here, we identify 1,097 insular woody species on 375 islands and infer at least 175 evolutionary transitions on 31 archipelagos, concentrated in six angiosperm families. Structural equation models reveal that the insular woody species richness on oceanic islands correlates with a favorable aseasonal climate, followed by increased drought and island isolation (approximating competition). When continental islands are also included, reduced herbivory pressure by large native mammals, increased drought, and island isolation are most relevant. Our results illustrate different trajectories leading to rampant convergent evolution toward IW and further emphasize archipelagos as natural laboratories of evolution, where similar abiotic or biotic conditions replicated evolution of similar traits.
Explaining happiness trends in Europe
Authors: Easterlin Richard A. , O’Connor Kelsey J.
Published: September 2022

In Europe, differences among countries in the overall change in happiness since the early 1980s have been due chiefly to the generosity of welfare state programs—increasing happiness going with increasing generosity and declining happiness with declining generosity. This is the principal conclusion from a time-series study of 10 Northern, Western, and Southern European countries with the requisite data. In the present study, cross-section analysis of recent data gives a misleading impression that economic growth, social capital, and/or quality of the environment are driving happiness trends, but in the long-term, time-series data, these variables have no relation to happiness.
Volatile concepts
Authors: Fitzmaurice Susan , Mehl Seth
Published: September 2022

This paper demonstrates the value of studying co-occurrence ‘quads’ – constellations of four non-adjacent lemmas that consistently co-occur across spans of up to 100 tokens – for understanding discursive change. We map meaning onto quads as ‘discursive concepts’, which encompass encyclopaedic semantics, pragmatics, and context. We investigate a high-frequency quad with high co-occurrence strength in EEBO-TCP: world-heaven-earth-power. We conduct semantic and pragmatic analysis to generate hypotheses regarding discursive change. The quad’s components are semantically underspecified; thus, although the quad indicates a discursive concept, each instantiation of the quad is variable, contingent, and dependent upon context and pragmatic processes for interpretation. We observe how the vague lexemes that constitute building blocks of religious discourse are employed to generate new, timely secular discourses; and we argue that semantic underspecification is the site and source of discursive change. Indeed, the volatile, unstable nature of the component lexical meanings renders them indispensable to early modern debate.
Pioneers of contrastive linguistics
Authors: Vinogradov Igor
Published: September 2022

This paper revisits the translational practices of Dominican missionaries who worked in multilingual settings in
the Guatemalan highlands in the colonial period. It is argued that the missionaries developed the emerging ideas of European
Renaissance linguistics and applied methods of contrastive linguistics to indigenous languages long before this discipline came
into being. The main argument derives from an 18th-century collection of missionary writings in Q’eqchi’ and Poqomchi’, two Mayan
languages spoken in Guatemala. An uncommon phrase-by-phrase alignment of bilingual texts allows for the assumption that a
contrastive approach to genetically related languages could be the underlying principle in language learning and translation at
that time.
‘That is very important, isn’t it?’
Authors: Živković Branka
Published: September 2022

This study explores the use of content-oriented questions in British and Montenegrin university lectures. It examines their formal realisation, their frequency and their contextual functions, as well as the differences and similarities related to these questions between British linguistics lectures taken from the standard British corpora, and a specially compiled corpus of Montenegrin linguistics lectures. Compared to previous studies on content-oriented questions, one modified and five new functions are revealed, alongside one new formal realisation. The main differences between the corpora include the greater frequency of content-oriented questions in the Montenegrin lectures and a new questioning realisation, found only in the Montenegrin corpus, which is potentially attributable to differences between academic cultures. The major similarities relate to the use of the four most common question forms, which perform the same contextual functions. This contrastive study thus provides insights into the additional communicative functions and forms of content-oriented questions in university lectures.
Spintronics in double stranded magnetic helix: role of non-uniform disorder
Authors: Sarkar Suparna , Maiti Santanu K
Published: September 2022

The spin dependent transport phenomena are investigated in a double stranded (ds) magnetic helix (MH) structure. Two different helical systems, short-range hopping helix and long range hopping (LRH) helix, are taken into account. We explore the role of these two kinds of geometries on spin dependent transport phenomena. Using Green’s function formalism within a tight-binding framework we compute transport quantities which include spin dependent transmission probabilities, junction currents and spin polarization (SP) coefficient. High degree of SP is obtained for the LRH MH. The SP can be tuned by changing the inter-strand hopping and the direction of magnetic moments at different lattice sites. We find atypical features when we include impurities in one strand of the MH, keeping the other strand free. Unlike uniform disordered systems, SP gets increased with impurity strength beyond a critical value. The effect of temperature on SP and experimental possibilities of our proposed quantum system are also discussed, to make the present communication a self-contained one. Our analysis may provide a new route to explore interesting spintronic properties using similar kind of fascinating helical geometries, possessing higher order electron hopping and subjected to non-uniform disorder.
DFT-1/2 method applied to 3D topological insulators
Authors: Mota Tulio , Matusalem Filipe , Marques Marcelo , Teles Lara K , Guilhon Ivan
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we present results and describe the methodology of application of DFT-1/2 method for five three-dimensional topological insulators materials that have been extensively studied in last years: Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3, Sb2Te3, CuTlSe2 and CuTlS2. There are many differences between the results of simple DFT calculations and quasiparticle energy correction methods for these materials, especially for band dispersion in the character band inversion region. The DFT-1/2 leads to quite accurate results not only for band gaps, but also for the shape and atomic character of the bands in the neighborhood of the inversion region as well as the topological invariants, essential quantities to describe the topological properties of materials. The methodology is efficient and ease to apply for the different approaches used to obtain the topological invariant Z
2, with the benefit of not increasing the computational cost in comparison with standard DFT, possibilitating its application for materials with a high number of atoms and complex systems.
Preliminary exploration of a WTaVTiCr high-entropy alloy as a plasma-facing material
Authors: Li Yu , Sun Yuhan , Cheng Long , Yuan Yue , Jia Baohai , He Jiaqing , Lu Guang-Hong , Luo Guang-Nan , Zhu Qiang
Published: September 2022

With great power comes great challenges. For nuclear fusion, the holy grail of energy, taming the flame of a miniature star in a solid container remains one of the most fundamental challenges. A tungsten armour for the solid container marks a temporary triumph—a solution adopted by the world’s largest fusion experiment, ITER—but may be insufficient for future challenges. High-entropy alloys (HEAs), which are characteristic of a massive compositional space, may bring new solutions. Here, we explore their potential as plasma-facing materials (PFMs) with a prototype W57Ta21V11Ti8Cr3 HEA that was designed by exploiting the natural-mixing tendency among low-activation refractory elements. Revealed by x-ray diffraction analysis and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, it predominantly consists of a single bcc-phase but with V, Ti, and Cr segregation to grain boundaries and at precipitates. Its yield strength improves ∼60% at room temperature and oxidation rate reduces ∼6 times at 1273 K, compared with conventionally used W. The Ti–V–Cr rich segregations and the formed CrTaO4 compound contribute to the improved oxidation resistance. However, the Ti–V–Cr rich segregations, along with the decreasing valence-electron concentration of the matrix by the addition of Ta, V and Ti elements, considerably increase the deuterium retention of the W57Ta21V11Ti8Cr3 HEA to ∼675 multiples of recrystallized W. Moreover, its thermal conductivity decreases, being ∼40% of W at 973 K. However, the maximum tolerable steady-state heat load is still ∼84% of W because of its exceedingly high yield strength at elevated temperatures. Overall, despite being preliminary, we expect HEAs to play an important role in the development of advanced PFMs, for their disadvantages are likely to be compensated by their advantages or be overcome by composition optimization.
Operator spreading in quantum hardcore gases
Authors: Medenjak Marko
Published: September 2022

In this article we study a set of integrable quantum cellular automata, the quantum hardcore gases (QHCG), with an arbitrary local Hilbert space dimension, and discuss the matrix product ansatz based approach for solving the dynamics of local operators analytically. Subsequently, we focus on the dynamics of operator spreading, in particular on the out-of-time ordered correlation functions (OTOCs), operator weight spreading and operators space entanglement entropy (OSEE). All of the quantities were conjectured to provide signifying features of integrable systems and quantum chaos. We show that in QHCG OTOCs spread diffusively and that in the limit of the large local Hilbert space dimension they increase linearly with time, despite their integrability. On the other hand, it was recently conjectured that operator weight front, which is associated with the extent of operators, spreads diffusively in both, integrable and generic systems, but its decay seems to differ in these two cases (Lopez-Piqueres et al 2021 Phys. Rev. B 104 104307). We observe that the spreading of the operator weight front in QHCG is markedly different from chaotic, generic integrable and free systems, as the front freezes in the long time limit. Finally, we discuss the OSEE in QHCG and show that it grows at most logarithmically with time in accordance with the conjectured behaviour for interacting integrable systems (Alba et al 2019 Phys. Rev. Lett.
122 250603).
Thermal comfort conditions in traditional and sustainable, low - energy buildings
Authors: Krawczyk N , Kapjor A
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, each of us spends more and more time indoors. The article focuses on research on thermal comfort in a traditional and sustainable building. A sustainable building is equipped with heat pumps, a wind turbine, solar collectors and photovoltaic cells. It also has mechanical ventilation, which helps to minimize energy consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The research was carried out using two methods, anonymous questionnaires and the Testo 400 microclimate meter. Based on the conducted research, the thermal sensations of the subjects and their preferences as to the prevailing conditions in the examined buildings were determined. The study also made it possible to compare the PMV index calculated using the Fanger model with TSV (obtained on the basis of anonymous questionnaires).
A case study of thermal and humidity sensations in the smart building
Authors: Dziedzic J , Cedro M , Wojciechowska P
Published: September 2022

Modern smart buildings are equipped with renewable energy systems and control units to optimise and minimise energy consumption. Thus, they enable to reduce CO2 emissions and help protect the environment. In the article thermal and humidity sensations of students in the smart, modern building have been presented and discussed. The analyses were done in three lecture rooms, where students filled in questionnaires about how they felt. Simultaneously, indoor air parameters were measured (temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide level and etc.). The study enables to assess the thermal and humidity in the smart, modern building, where people tend to spend large amounts of time. Thus, the valuable data can be obtained regarding indoor environment and human responses there.
Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Environmental, Social, and Governance Index in India
Authors: Babu Manivannan , Antony Lourdesraj A. , Hariharan C. , Gayathri J. , Karishma Butani CS , Kathiravan Chinnadurai
Published: September 2022

The current research investigates the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indian Sustainable Investment. For this purpose, the study selected three sustainable indices, namely, BSE Greenex, BSE Carbonex, and BSE 100 ESG index of Bombay Stock Exchange of India. The Descriptive Statistics, ADF Test and GARCH (1,1) Model were used to found that all the sample sustainable indices were gained positive return with the high volatility throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic and the results confirmed that COVID-19 influenced the Indian sustainable investments.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Cirrhosis-Like Hepatocellular Carcinoma Reveals Distinct Molecular Characteristics and Pathologic Staging Implications
Authors: Van Treeck Benjamin J , Moreira Roger K , Mounajjed Taofic , Ferrell Linda , Xue Yue , Jessen Erik , Davila Jaime , Graham Rondell P
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Cirrhosis-like hepatocellular carcinoma (CL-HCC) is a rare hepatocellular malignancy characterized by multiple tumor nodules that clinically, radiologically, macroscopically, and microscopically mimic cirrhosis. We aimed to elucidate the molecular biology of CL-HCC and determine tumor nodule clonality.

Methods

We performed RNA sequencing on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from confirmed CL-HCC cases (n = 6), along with corresponding nonneoplastic hepatic tissue (n = 4) when available. Transcriptomes from our previous work on steatohepatitic hepatocellular carcinoma and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used for comparison purposes.

Results

Histologically, CL-HCC displayed innumerable nodules and extensive vascular invasion. Intratumoral nodule comparison indicated that the multiple nodules were all clonally related, not independent primaries. The unique histomorphologic appearance corresponded with a distinct transcriptome compared with other HCCs, including fibrolamellar HCC (n = 6), steatohepatitic HCC (n = 8), and conventional HCC in TCGA (n = 424). Tumor-normal gene expression analysis revealed consistent overexpression of several genes involved in degradation of tissue matrix. No recurrent translocations or point mutations were identified. CL-HCC showed a gene expression profile indicative of zone 2 hepatocytes.

Conclusions

CL-HCC’s distinctive clinicopathologic features correspond to a unique gene expression profile, increased expression of invasive markers, features of zone 2 hepatocytes, and features suggestive of intratumoral nodule monoclonality.
The frontal sharp transient in newborns: An endogenous neurobiomarker concomitant to the physiological and critical transitional period around delivery?
Authors: Routier Laura , Mahmoudzadeh Mahdi , Panzani Marine , Saadatmehr Bahar , Gondry Jean , Bourel-Ponchel Emilie , Moghimi Sahar , Wallois Fabrice
Published: September 2022

The frontal sharp transient (FST) consists of transient electrical activity recorded around the transitional period from the in to ex utero environment. Although its positive predictive value is assumed, nothing is known about its functionality or origin. The objectives were (i) to define its characteristics and (ii) to develop functional hypothesis. The 128-channels high-resolution electroencephalograms of 20 healthy newborns (37.1–41.6 weeks) were studied. The morphological and time-frequency characteristics of 418 FSTs were analyzed. The source localization of the FSTs was obtained using a finite element head model (5 layers and fontanels) and various source localization methods (distributed and dipolar). The characteristics (duration, slopes, and amplitude) and the localization of FSTs were not modulated by the huge developmental neuronal processes that occur during the very last period of gestation. The sources were located beneath the ventral median part of the frontal lobe around the interhemispheric fissure, suggesting that the olfactory bulbs and orbitofrontal cortex, essential in olfaction and the mother-infant attachment relationship, are likely candidates for the generation of FSTs. FSTs may contribute to the implementation of the functionalities of brain structures involved in the higher-order processing necessary for survival ahead of delivery, with a genetic fingerprint.
Brain activity changes associated with pain perception variability
Authors: Crawford L , Mills E , Meylakh N , Macey P M , Macefield V G , Henderson L A
Published: September 2022

Pain perception can be modulated by several factors. Phenomena like temporal summation leads to increased perceived pain, whereas behavioral conditioning can result in analgesic responses. Furthermore, during repeated, identical noxious stimuli, pain intensity can vary greatly in some individuals. Understanding these variations is important, given the increase in investigations that assume stable baseline pain for accurate response profiles, such as studies of analgesic mechanisms. We utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the differences in neural circuitry between individuals displaying consistent pain ratings and those who experienced variable pain during a series of identical noxious stimuli. We investigated 63 healthy participants: 31 were assigned to a “consistent” group, and 32 were assigned to a “variable” group dependent on pain rating variability. Variable pain ratings were associated with reduced signal intensity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Furthermore, the dlPFC connectivity with the primary somatosensory cortex and temperoparietal junction was significantly reduced in variable participants. Our results suggest that investigators should consider variability of baseline pain when investigating pain modulatory paradigms. Additionally, individuals with consistent and variable pain ratings differ in their dlPFC activity and connectivity with pain-sensitive regions during noxious stimulation, possibly reflecting the differences in attentional processing and catastrophizing during pain.
Three-dimensionalS-wave velocity structure of oceanic core complexes at 13°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Peirce C , Funnell M J , Reston T J , MacLeod C J
Published: September 2022

13°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is regarded as a type site for oceanic core complexes (OCCs). Within ∼70 km along the spreading centre, it hosts four OCCs in different stages of their life cycle making this an ideal location to determine how OCCs are formed, and what drives the hydrothermal circulation that sustains the vent fields associated with them. Here we describe the results of S-wave seismic tomographic modelling within a 60 × 60 km footprint containing several OCCs, the spreading centre and both flanks. A grid of 17 wide-angle seismic refraction profiles was shot within this footprint and recorded by a network of 46 ocean-bottom seismographs (OBS). Approximately 6200 S-wave arrival travel times have been modelled, constraining primarily the velocity–depth structure of the upper-to-mid crust. Depth slices through the resulting 3-D S-wave velocity (Vs) model reveal the OCCs located at 13°20′N and 13°30′N to each have a region of relatively low Vs (<3 km s–1) beneath its detachment, and a higher Vs (>3 km s–1) in the inter-OCC basin and regions surrounding the detachments. Using the equivalent 3-D P-wave velocity (Vp) model of Simão et al. (2020), the corresponding Vp/Vs model is calculated to investigate lithology, permeability and the existence of any off-axis magmatic intrusions that may drive fluid flow. The Vp/Vs model clearly shows that the crust beneath the deep lava-floored inter-OCC basin is characteristically oceanic (Vp/Vs ratio of <1.85) in velocity–depth structure, in contrast to the OCCs themselves which have a Vp/Vs ratio of >1.85, suggesting that they formed under magma poor (tectonic) conditions. The Vp/Vs model also shows that the OCCs are not connected, at least to mid-crustal level. Alternatively, if the OCCs lie on the same detachment surface, that surface would have to undulate >3km in amplitude over a distance of <20 km for these OCCs to appear to be unconnected. Our 3-D S-wave and Vp/Vs models thus support MacLeod et al.’s (2009) model of localized OCC evolution. Our S-wave velocity model also suggests that the Irinovskoe (13°20′N) and Semyenov (13°30′N) vent fields have different hydrothermal circulation drivers, with the Semyenov field being driven by magma intrusion(s) and the Irinovskoe field being driven by the spreading centre thermal gradient and pervasive flow along open permeability within the detachment footwall, perhaps further opened by roll-over to lower dip angle as it exhumes at the seabed.
QuakeFlow: a scalable machine-learning-based earthquake monitoring workflow with cloud computing
Authors: Zhu Weiqiang , Hou Alvin Brian , Yang Robert , Datta Avoy , Mousavi S Mostafa , Ellsworth William L , Beroza Gregory C
Published: September 2022

Earthquake monitoring workflows are designed to detect earthquake signals and to determine source characteristics from continuous waveform data. Recent developments in deep learning seismology have been used to improve tasks within earthquake monitoring workflows that allow the fast and accurate detection of up to orders of magnitude more small events than are present in conventional catalogues. To facilitate the application of machine-learning algorithms to large-volume seismic records at scale, we developed a cloud-based earthquake monitoring workflow, QuakeFlow, which applies multiple processing steps to generate earthquake catalogues from raw seismic data. QuakeFlow uses a deep learning model, PhaseNet, for picking P/S phases and a machine learning model, GaMMA, for phase association with approximate earthquake location and magnitude. Each component in QuakeFlow is containerized, allowing straightforward updates to the pipeline with new deep learning/machine learning models, as well as the ability to add new components, such as earthquake relocation algorithms. We built QuakeFlow in Kubernetes to make it auto-scale for large data sets and to make it easy to deploy on cloud platforms, which enables large-scale parallel processing. We used QuakeFlow to process three years of continuous archived data from Puerto Rico within a few hours, and found more than a factor of ten more events that occurred on much the same structures as previously known seismicity. We applied Quakeflow to monitoring earthquakes in Hawaii and found over an order of magnitude more events than are in the standard catalogue, including many events that illuminate the deep structure of the magmatic system. We also added Kafka and Spark streaming to deliver real-time earthquake monitoring results. QuakeFlow is an effective and efficient approach both for improving real-time earthquake monitoring and for mining archived seismic data sets.
Rethinking Who ‘Keeps’ Heritage: 3D Technology, Repatriation and Copyright
Authors: Oruç Pinar
Published: September 2022

Using 3D scanning and printing technology for cultural heritage creates a new group of opportunities for preservation and access, while also causing a shift in how we view the ownership of this heritage. This article will examine this issue from four angles: how 3D technology plays a role for heritage in danger; how it allows having multiple copies at once in such a way that affects repatriation dynamics; how it creates further copyright questions; and finally how it causes a new layer of ownership over the scans. This article will argue that 3D technology does not solve repatriation issues but might create new ownership in the 3D scans through copyright law.
That’s so immoral! Investigating the effects of moral violations reported in the form of (in)complete moral dyads in news articles on emotions and memory
Authors: Bruns Sophie , Knop-Huelss Katharina
Published: September 2022

As journalists are expected to report on events where expectations and rules are transgressed, they often report on moral violations (such as murder, tax evasion, or unjust political decisions). Exposed to journalistic reports on violations of their moral principles, individuals instantly feel that these actions are wrong. According to theories of morality, immorality perceptions are associated with specific cognitive and affective reactions. In two studies, we used the concept of a moral dyad to (a) define moral news content and (b) analyze emotional reactions and memory effects of intuitive perceptions of immorality. In both studies, immorality led to higher levels of anger and compassion, but impaired memory with effects hinging on perception of immorality. These perceptions further did not differ across different presentations of dyads. Our findings show the usefulness to employ a lens of morality to look at the entire news production and reception process.
Regulating a ‘state of exception’ in Times of War: The Legal Regime Applicable to Derogation in Situations of Armed Conflict
Authors: Teferra Zelalem Mogessie
Published: September 2022

An armed conflict is one of the severest forms of ‘public emergency’, the very condition to activate the derogation regime of international human rights law. There is indeed no greater threat to the very survival of a nation to warrant the suspension of human rights than an armed conflict. However, while adopting the relevant international humanitarian law (IHL) treaties, states have bound themselves ‘to respect and ensure the respect for’ the norms enshrined therein, regardless of the urgency and exceptional challenges that they may face as a result of an armed conflict. As such, derogation from the baseline rules in those treaties is, in principle, not permissible by making reference to the existence of military necessity or the general state of armed conflict. Notwithstanding this, some provisions in the various IHL treaties exceptionally envisage the possibility of derogation from the rights and privileges of a particular group of victims of armed conflict for security reasons. One of such provisions is Article 5 of the Fourth Geneva Conventions (GC IV), which explicitly allows derogation both within a state’s own and occupied territories. Similar other provisions, albeit some without express mentioning of derogation, can also be found in the Four Geneva Conventions (1949) and their Additional Protocols of 1977. Nonetheless, there is a common thread that runs through these provisions, that is, a state’s power of derogation is limited by strict legal constraints. This essay aims at illustrating these normative restrictions by fleshing out the limits placed upon states’ ability to suspend the rights and freedoms of some individual victims of armed conflict, using Article 5 of GC IV as a reference point. It is argued that while derogation from some norms of IHL is exceptionally possible and lawful, any derogation measure should comply with some procedural and substantive requirements and remain justified throughout its duration. No exceptional circumstance, whether the exigencies of military necessity or the protection of national security, can be invoked to dispense with such requirements.
Do preferences for urban amenities differ by skill?
Authors: Arntz Melanie , Brüll Eduard , Lipowski Cäcilia
Published: September 2022

By investing in urban amenities, city-level policies often aim to attract highly skilled workers. However, studies relying on revealed preferences struggle to provide causal evidence that skilled workers value urban amenities more than less skilled workers. Therefore, we use a stated-preference experiment with hypothetical job choices between two cities that differ in wages, urban amenities and economic dynamism. We find that respondents are willing to forgo a significant fraction of their wages for better urban amenities. Most strikingly, preferences do not differ systematically by skill level. Hence, the higher fraction of highly skilled workers in amenity-rich places stems from the inability of low-skilled workers to move to and afford living in their preferred locations.
Development of independent dose verification plugin using Eclipse scripting API for brachytherapy
Authors: Zhou Dejun , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Sawada Yohei , Ono Tomohiro , Hirashima Hideaki , Iramina Hiraku , Adachi Takanori , Fujimoto Takahiro , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: September 2022

In this study, an independent dose verification plugin (DVP) using the Eclipse Scripting Application Programming Interface (ESAPI) for brachytherapy was developed. The DVP was based on the general 2D formalism reported in AAPM-TG43U1. The coordinate and orientation of each source position were extracted from the translation matrix acquired from the treatment planning system (TPS), and the distance between the source and verification point (r) was calculated. Moreover, the angles subtended by the center-tip and tip-tip of the hypothetical line source with respect to the verification point (θ and β) were calculated. With r, θ, β and the active length of the source acquired from the TPS, the geometry function was calculated. As the TPS calculated the radial dose function, g(r), and 2D anisotropy function, F(r,θ), by interpolating and extrapolating the corresponding table stored in the TPS, the DVP calculated g(r) and F(r,θ) independently from equations fitted with the Monte Carlo data. The relative deviation of the fitted g(r) and F(r,θ) for the GammaMed Plus HDR 192Ir source was 0.5% and 0.9%, respectively. The acceptance range of the relative dose difference was set to ±1.03% based on the relative deviation between the fitted functions and Monte Carlo data, and the linear error propagation law. For 64 verification points from sixteen plans, the mean of absolute values of the relative dose difference was 0.19%. The standard deviation (SD) of the relative dose difference was 0.17%. The DVP maximizes efficiency and minimizes human error for the brachytherapy plan check.
Performance of High Throughput SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing Compared to Nucleic Acid Testing
Authors: Peck Palmer Octavia , Hasskamp Joanne H , La Hae-Sun , Pramod Patwardhan Pranav , Ghumman Shmyle , Baloda Vandana , Jung Yujung , Wheeler Sarah E
Published: September 2022

Objective

Independent assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antigen (COV2Ag) tests remains important as varying performance between assays is common. We assessed the performance of a new high-throughput COV2Ag test compared to SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT).

Methods

A total of 347 nasopharyngeal samples collected from January to October 2021 were assessed by NAAT as part of standard-of-care testing (CDC LDT or GeneXpert System, Cepheid) and COV2Ag using the ADVIA Centaur CoV2Ag assay (Siemens Healthineers).

Results

Among NAAT positive specimens we found 82.4% agreement and in NAAT negative specimens we found 97.3% agreement (overall agreement 85.6%). In symptomatic persons, COV2Ag agreed with NAAT 90.0% (n = 291), and in asymptomatic persons, 62.5% (n = 56). Agreement between positive NAAT and COV2Ag increased at lower cycle threshold (Ct) values.

Conclusion

The COV2Ag assay exceeded the World Health Organization minimum performance requirements of ≥ 80% sensitivity and ≥ 97% specificity. The COV2Ag assay is helpful for large scale screening efforts due to high-throughput and reduced wait times.
Improving awareness, diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections in Ghana: establishment of the Ghana Medical Mycology Society
Authors: Ocansey Bright K , Dadzie Edmund A , Eduful Stephen K , Agyei Martin , Osei Mary-Magdalene , Puplampu Peter , Asamoah Isabella , Oladele Rita O , Osaigbovo Iriagbonse I , Afriyie-Mensah Jane S , Opintan Japheth A , Essien-Baidoo Samuel , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Hoenigl Martin , Denning David W , Richardson Malcolm D
Published: September 2022

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) and medical mycology receive little attention in Ghana. However, the present evolution of biomarker assays for IFIs, offers an opportunity for an increased access to fungal laboratory testing in resource-limited settings, and probably make a case for availability of essential antifungal agents. Using surveys and personal communications, the state of medical mycology and IFI in Ghana were highlighted. Inadequate awareness and insufficient access to fungal diagnostics and therapeutics were identified as the key challenges, the establishment of the Ghana Medical Mycology Society was discussed, and recommendations were made to improve the status quo.
Albedo variegation on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
Authors: Davidsson Björn J R , Buratti Bonnie J , Hicks Michael D
Published: September 2022

We here study the level of albedo variegation on the nucleus of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. This is done by fitting the parameters of a standard photometric phase function model to disc–average radiance factor data in images acquired by the Rosetta/OSIRIS Narrow Angle Camera in the orange filter. Local discrepancies between the observed radiance factor and the disc–average solution are interpreted as a proxy $\mathcal {W}$ of the local single–scattering albedo. We find a wide range $0.02 \lesssim \mathcal {W}\lesssim 0.09$ around an average of $\mathcal {W}=0.055$. The observed albedo variegation is strongly correlated with nucleus morphology – smooth terrain is brighter, and consolidated terrain is darker, than average. Furthermore, we find that smooth terrain darken prior to morphological changes, and that stratigraphically low terrain (with respect to the centre of each nucleus lobe) is brighter than stratigraphically high terrain. We propose that the observed albedo variegation is due to differences in porosity and the coherent effect: compaction causes small brighter particles to act collectively as larger optically effective particles that are darker. Accordingly, we consider the dark consolidated terrain materials more compacted than smooth terrain materials, and darkening of the latter is due to subsidence.
Short-duration accretion states of Polars as seen in TESS and ZTF data
Authors: Duffy C , Ramsay G , Wu Kinwah , Mason Paul A , Hakala P , Steeghs D , Wood M A
Published: September 2022

Polars are highly magnetic cataclysmic variables which have been long observed to have both high and low brightness states. The duration of these states has been previously seen to vary from a number of days up to years. Despite this, these states and their physical origin have not been explained in a consistent manner. We present observations of the shortest duration states of a number of Polars observed by ZTF and TESS. This has allowed us to determine that short-duration states are a relatively common feature across the population of Polars. Furthermore, we have been able to generalize the model of star-spot migration to explain both short-lived high and low states in Polars by incorporating the interaction between the magnetic field of the white dwarf and that of the star spots.
The alignment between brightest cluster galaxies and host clusters
Authors: Yuan Z S , Wen Z L
Published: September 2022

The alignment between the brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and host clusters can reveal the mystery of the formation and evolution of galaxy clusters. We measure cluster orientations in optical based on the projected distribution of member galaxies and in X-ray by fitting the morphology of intracluster medium (ICM). Cluster orientations determined in the two wavelengths are generally consistent. The orientation alignment between BCGs and host clusters is confirmed and more significant than in previous works. We find that BCGs are more aligned with cluster orientations measured in X-ray than those from optical data. Clusters with a brighter BCG generally show a stronger alignment. We argue that the detected redshift evolution of the alignment is probably caused by observational bias rather than intrinsic evolution. The alignment is not related to the ellipticity of BCGs, and the richness, ellipticity, and dynamical state of host clusters. The strong alignment between BCGs and the morphology of ICMs may be the consequence of the co-evolution between the central massive galaxy and host clusters.
Constraining RV variation using highly reddened Type Ia supernovae from the Pantheon+ sample
Authors: Rose B M , Popovic B , Scolnic D , Brout D
Published: September 2022

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are powerful tools for measuring the expansion history of the Universe, but the impact of dust around SNe Ia remains unknown and is a critical systematic uncertainty. One way to improve our empirical description of dust is to analyse highly reddened SNe Ia [E(B − V) > 0.4, roughly equivalent to the fitted SALT2 light-curve parameter c > 0.3]. With the recently released Pantheon+ sample, there are 57 SNe Ia that were removed because of their high colour alone (with colours up to c = 1.61), which can provide enormous leverage on understanding line-of-sight RV. Previous studies have claimed that RV decreases with redder colour, though it is unclear if this is due to limited statistics, selection effects, or an alternative explanation. To test this claim, we fit two separate colour–luminosity relationships, one for the main cosmological sample (c < 0.3) and one for highly reddened (c > 0.3) SNe Ia. We find the change in the colour–luminosity coefficient to be consistent with zero. Additionally, we compare the data to simulations with different colour models, and find that the data prefers a model with a flat dependence of RV on colour over a declining dependence. Finally, our results strongly support that line-of-sight RV to SNe Ia is not a single value, but forms a distribution.
A detailed study of the barium central star of the planetary nebula Abell 70
Authors: Jones David , Boffin Henri M J , Brown Alex J , Zak Jiri , Hume George , Munday James , Miszalski Brent
Published: September 2022

We present a detailed study of the barium star at the heart of the planetary nebula Abell 70. Time-series photometry obtained over a period of more than 10 yr demonstrates that the barium-contaminated companion is a rapid rotator with temporal variability due to spots. The amplitude and phasing of the photometric variability change abruptly; however, there is no evidence for a change in the rotation period (P = 2.06 d) over the course of the observations. The co-addition of 17 high-resolution spectra obtained with Ultraviolet and Visual Échelle Spectrograph mounted on the Very Large Telescope allows us to measure the physical and chemical properties of the companion, confirming it to be a chromospherically active, late G-type sub-giant with more than +1 dex of barium enhancement. We find no evidence of radial velocity variability in the spectra, obtained over the course of approximately 130 d with a single additional point some 8 yr later, with the radial velocities of all epochs approximately −10 km s −1 from the previously measured systemic velocity of the nebula. This is perhaps indicative that the binary has a relatively long period (P ≳ 2 yr) and high eccentricity (e ≳ 0.3), and that all the observations were taken around radial velocity minimum. However, unless the binary orbital plane is not aligned with the waist of the nebula or the systemic velocity of the binary is not equal to the literature value for the nebula, this would imply an unfeasibly large mass for the nebular progenitor.
Learning to detect radio frequency interference in radio astronomy without seeing it
Authors: Mesarcik Michael , Boonstra Albert-Jan , Ranguelova Elena , van Nieuwpoort Rob V
Published: September 2022

Radio frequency interference (RFI) corrupts astronomical measurements, thus affecting the performance of radio telescopes. To address this problem, supervised-segmentation models have been proposed as candidate solutions to RFI detection. However, the unavailability of large labelled data sets, due to the prohibitive cost of annotating, makes these solutions unusable. To solve these shortcomings, we focus on the inverse problem: training models on only uncontaminated emissions, thereby learning to discriminate RFI from all known astronomical signals and system noise. We use nearest latent neighbours – an algorithm that utilizes both the reconstructions and latent distances to the nearest neighbours in the latent space of generative autoencoding models for novelty detection. The uncontaminated regions are selected using weak labels in the form of RFI flags (generated by classical RFI flagging methods) available from most radio astronomical data archives at no additional cost. We evaluate performance on two independent data sets, one simulated from the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) telescope and the other consisting of real observations from the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope. Additionally, we provide a small expert-labelled LOFAR data set (i.e. strong labels) for evaluation of our and other methods. Performance is measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), area under precision–recall curve (AUPRC), and the maximum F1-score for a fixed threshold. For the simulated HERA data set, we outperform the current state of the art across all metrics. For the LOFAR data set, our algorithm offers both a 4 per cent increase in AUROC and AUPRC at the cost of increasing the false negative rate, but without any manual labelling.
Understanding the relation between thermal Sunyaev–Zeldovich decrement and halo mass using the simba and TNG simulations
Authors: Yang Tianyi , Cai Yan-Chuan , Cui Weiguang , Davé Romeel , Peacock John A , Sorini Daniele
Published: September 2022

The relation between the integrated thermal Sunyaev–Zeldovich (tSZ) y-decrement versus halo mass (Y–M) can potentially constrain galaxy formation models, if theoretical and observational systematics can be properly assessed. We investigate the Y–M relation in the simba and IllustrisTNG-100 cosmological hydrodynamic simulations, quantifying the effects of feedback, line-of-sight projection, and beam convolution. We find that simba’s active galactic nucleus (AGN) jet feedback generates strong deviations from self-similar expectations for the Y–M relation, especially at $M_{\rm 500}\lesssim10^{13}M_\odot$. In simba, this is driven by suppressed in-halo y contributions owing to lowered halo baryon fractions. IllustrisTNG results more closely resemble simba without jets. Projections of line-of-sight structures weaken these model differences slightly, but they remain significant – particularly at group and lower halo masses. In contrast, beam smearing at Planck resolution makes the models indistinguishable, and both models appear to agree well with Planck data down to the lowest masses probed. We show that the arcminute resolution expected from forthcoming facilities would retain the differences between model predictions, and thereby provide strong constraints on AGN feedback.
On modelling cosmic ray sputtering of interstellar grain ices
Authors: Paulive Alec , Carder Joshua T , Herbst Eric
Published: September 2022

In the interstellar medium (ISM), the formation of complex organic molecules (COMs) is largely facilitated by surface reactions. However, in cold dark clouds, thermal desorption of COMs is inefficient because of the lack of thermal energy to overcome binding energies to the grain surface. Non-thermal desorption methods are therefore important explanations for the gas-phase detection of many COMs that are primarily formed on grains. Here, we present a new non-thermal desorption process: cosmic ray sputtering of grain ice surfaces based on water, carbon dioxide, and a simple mixed ice. Our model applies estimated rates of sputtering to the three-phase rate equation model nautilus-1.1, where this inclusion results in enhanced gas-phase abundances for molecules produced by grain reactions such as methanol (CH3OH) and methyl formate (HCOOCH3). Notably, species with efficient gas-phase destruction pathways exhibit less of an increase in models with sputtering compared to other molecules. These model results suggest that sputtering is an efficient, non-specific method of non-thermal desorption that should be considered as an important factor in future chemical models.