bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phonon dynamics in lead free perovskite (1-x)KNN-xBAN (x = 0.0–0.1): a temperature dependent raman study
Authors: Anjali Anjali , Kumar Deepu , Dwivedi Sushmita , Kumar Sunil , Kumar Pradeep
Published: February 2023

K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) has been under extensive focus in recent times due to it being an alternative to lead-free multifunctional materials and properties like room temperature ferroelectricity, stability in air and technology friendly applications. In this work, we report a comprehensive temperature dependent, compositional change induced structural variation and polarization dependent Raman spectroscopy on BaAl0.5Nb0.5O3 (BAN) doped KNN in the spectral range of 10–1000 cm−1. Multiple phase transitions are marked by the strong renormalization of the phonon self-energy parameters, i.e. mode frequencies and linewidths, in the temperature range of 83 K to 623 K. Change in the phase transition temperature is tracked via phonon anomalies with varying doping concentration, x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.1, and is found to be as large as ∼100 K for orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transition for x = 0.1. Raman extracted phase diagram shows that the stability of the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase in the vicinity of room temperature increases with the increasing doping concentration. Also, from our polarization-dependent measurements we could decipher the symmetry of the observed phonon modes for KNN system.
The Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph for JWST. V. Kernel Phase Imaging and Data Analysis
Authors: Kammerer Jens , Cooper Rachel A. , Vandal Thomas , Thatte Deepashri , Martinache Frantz , Sivaramakrishnan Anand , Chaushev Alexander , Stolker Tomas , Lloyd James P. , Albert Loïc , Doyon René , Sallum Steph , Perrin Marshall D. , Pueyo Laurent , Mérand Antoine , Gallenne Alexandre , Greenbaum Alexandra , Sanchez-Bermudez Joel , Blakely Dori , Johnstone Doug , Volk Kevin , Martel Andre , Goudfrooij Paul , Meyer Michael R. , Willott Chris J. , Furio Matthew De , Dang Lisa , Radica Michael , Noirot Gaël
Published: February 2023

Kernel phase imaging (KPI) enables the direct detection of substellar companions and circumstellar dust close to and below the classical (Rayleigh) diffraction limit. The high-Strehl full pupil images provided by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are ideal for application of the KPI technique. We present a kernel phase analysis of JWST NIRISS full pupil images taken during the instrument commissioning and compare the performance to closely related NIRISS aperture masking interferometry (AMI) observations. For this purpose, we develop and make publicly available the custom Kpi3Pipeline data reduction pipeline enabling the extraction of kernel phase observables from JWST images. The extracted observables are saved into a new and versatile kernel phase FITS file data exchange format. Furthermore, we present our new and publicly available fouriever toolkit which can be used to search for companions and derive detection limits from KPI, AMI, and long-baseline interferometry observations while accounting for correlated uncertainties in the model fitting process. Among the four KPI targets that were observed during NIRISS instrument commissioning, we discover a low-contrast (∼1:5) close-in (∼1 λ/D) companion candidate around CPD-66 562 and a new high-contrast (∼1:170) detection separated by ∼1.5 λ/D from 2MASS J062802.01-663738.0. The 5σ companion detection limits around the other two targets reach ∼6.5 mag at ∼200 mas and ∼7 mag at ∼400 mas. Comparing these limits to those obtained from the NIRISS AMI commissioning observations, we find that KPI and AMI perform similar in the same amount of observing time. Due to its 5.6 times higher throughput if compared to AMI, KPI is beneficial for observing faint targets and superior to AMI at separations ≳325 mas. At very small separations (≲100 mas) and between ∼250 and 325 mas, AMI slightly outperforms KPI which suffers from increased photon noise from the core and the first Airy ring of the point-spread function.
The Unistellar Exoplanet Campaign: Citizen Science Results and Inherent Education Opportunities
Authors: O’Conner Peluso Daniel , Esposito Thomas M. , Marchis Franck , Dalba Paul A. , Sgro Lauren , Megowan-Romanowicz Colleen , Pennypacker Carl , Carter Bradley , Wright Duncan , Avsar Arin M. , Perrocheau Amaury
Published: February 2023

This paper presents early results from and prospects for exoplanet science using a citizen science private/public partnership observer network managed by the SETI Institute in collaboration with Unistellar. The network launched in 2020 January and includes 163 citizen scientist observers across 21 countries. These observers can access a citizen science mentoring service developed by the SETI Institute and are also equipped with Unistellar Enhanced Vision Telescopes. Unistellar technology and the campaign’s associated photometric reduction pipeline enable each telescope to readily obtain and communicate light curves to observers with signal-to-noise ratio suitable for publication in research journals. Citizen astronomers of the Unistellar Exoplanet (UE) Campaign routinely measure transit depths of ≳1% and contribute their results to the exoplanet research community. The match of the detection system, targets, and scientific and educational goals is robust. Results to date include 281 transit detections out of 651 processed observations. In addition to this campaign’s capability to contribute to the professional field of exoplanet research, UE endeavors to drive improved science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education outcomes by engaging students and teachers as participants in science investigations, that is, learning science by doing science.
Multiwavelength Analysis of a Nearby Heavily Obscured AGN in NGC 449
Authors: Guo Xiaotong , Gu Qiusheng , Xu Jun , Fang Guanwen , Ge Xue , Chen Yongyun , Yu Xiaoling , Ding Nan
Published: February 2023

We present the multiwavelength analysis of a heavily obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN) in NGC 449. We first constructed a broadband X-ray spectrum using the latest NuSTAR and XMM-Newton data. Its column density (≃1024 cm−2) and photon index (Γ ≃ 2.4) were reliably obtained by analyzing the broadband X-ray spectrum. However, the scattering fraction and the intrinsic X-ray luminosity could not be well constrained. Combined with the information obtained from the mid-infrared spectrum and spectral energy distribution fitting, we derived its intrinsic X-ray luminosity (≃8.54 × 1042 erg s−1) and scattering fraction (f
scat ≃ 0.26%). In addition, we also derived the following results. (1) The mass accretion rate of the central AGN is about 2.54 × 10−2
M
⊙ yr−1, and the Eddington ratio is 8.39 × 10−2. (2) The torus of this AGN has a high gas-to-dust ratio (N
H/A

V
= 8.40 × 1022 cm−2 mag−1). (3) The host galaxy and central AGN are both in the early stage of coevolution.
Particle-in-cell simulations of low-β magnetic reconnection driven by laser interaction with a capacitor–coil target
Authors: Yuan Xiaoxia , Zhou Cangtao , Zhang Hua , Li Ran , Ping Yongli , Zhong Jiayong
Published: February 2023

The dynamics of low-β magnetic reconnection (MR) driven by laser interaction with a capacitor–coil target are reexamined by simulations in this paper. We compare two cases MR and non-MR (also referred as AP-case and P-case standing for the anti-parallel and parallel magnetic field lines, respectively) to distinguish the different characteristics between them. We find that only in the AP-case the reconnection electric field shows up around the X line and the electron jet is directed toward the X line. The quadruple magnetic fields exist in both cases, however, they distribute in the current sheet area in the AP-case, and out of the squeezing area in the P-case, because electrons are demagnetized in the electron diffusion region in the MR process, which is absent in the P-case. The electron acceleration is dominant by the Fermi-like mechanism before the MR process, and by the reconnection electric field when the MR occurs. A power-law electron energy spectrum with an index of 1.8 is found in the AP-case. This work proves the significant potential of this experimental platform to be applied in the studies of low-β astronomy phenomena.
First-principles calculations of high pressure and temperature properties of Fe7C3
Authors: Fan Li-Li , Liu Xun , Gao Chang , Liu Zhong-Li , Li Yan-Li , Huang Hai-Jun
Published: February 2023

Eckstrom–adcock iron carbide (Fe7C3) is considered to be the main constituent of the Earth’s inner core due to its low shear wave velocity. However, the crystal structure of Fe7C3 remains controversial and its thermoelastic properties are not well constrained at high temperature and pressure. Based on the first-principles simulation method, we calculate the relative phase stability, equation of state, and sound velocity of Fe7C3 under core condition. The results indicate that the orthorhombic phase of Fe7C3 is stable under the core condition. While Fe7C3 does reproduce the low shear wave velocity and high Poisson’s ratio of the inner core, its compressional wave velocity and density are 12% higher and 6% lower than those observed in seismic data, respectively. Therefore, we argue that carbon alone cannot completely explain the thermal properties of the inner core and the inclusion of other light elements may be required.
Materials and device engineering to achieve high-performance quantum dots light emitting diodes for display applications
Authors: Han 韩 Changfeng 长峰 , Qian 钱 Ruoxi 若曦 , Xiang 向 Chaoyu 超宇 , Qian 钱 Lei 磊
Published: February 2023

Quantum dots (QDs) have attracted wide attention from academia and industry because of their advantages such as high emitting efficiency, narrow half-peak width, and continuously adjustable emitting wavelength. QDs light emitting diodes (QLEDs) are expected to become the next generation commercial display technology. This paper reviews the progress of QLED from physical mechanism, materials, to device engineering. The strategies to improve QLED performance from the perspectives of quantum dot materials and device structures are summarized.
Zr-doping stabilizes spinel LiMn2O4 as a low cost long cycle life cathode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Xiang-Gong , Wu Wei , Zhou Si-Si , Huang Fei , Xu Shi-Hao , Yin Liang , Yang Wei , Li Hong
Published: February 2023

The present commercial spinel LiMn2O4 delivers only 90 mAh/g–115 mAh/g, far lower than the theoretical specific capacity. It degrades fast caused by the Jahn–Teller effect, Mn dissolution and related side reactions that consume Li inventory. In this work, Zr doping is employed to improve the structural stability and electrochemical performance of spinel LiMn2O4. Li1.06Mn1.94–x
Zr
x
O4 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04) have been successfully synthesized by a simple solid-state reaction method and evaluated as cathode for lithium ion batteries (LIB). Li1.06Mn1.92Zr0.02O4 is superior cathode material with a high capacity of 122 mAh/g at 1-C rate; long cycle stability, 98.39% retention after 100 cycles at 1-C rate, excellent high rate performance 107.1 mAh/g at 10-C rate, and high temperature performance 97.39% retention after 60 cycles. These are thought to be related to Zr doping effectively stabilizing the spinel LiMn2O4, by forming stronger Zr–O bonds in the octahedron, suppressing the Jahn–Teller effect, thus improving electrochemical performance.
Astrometric Reduction of Saturnian Satellites with Cassini-ISS Images Degraded by Trailed Stars
Authors: Zhang Qing-Feng , Liu Meng-Qi , Li Yan , Wu Lin-Peng , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Zhu Li-Sha , Li Zhan
Published: February 2023

The Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) mounted on the Cassini spacecraft has taken a lot of images, which provides an important source of high-precision astrometry of some planets and satellites. However, some of these images are degraded by trailed stars. Previously, these degraded images cannot be used for astrometry. In this paper, a new method is proposed to detect and compute the centers of these trailed stars automatically. The method is then performed on the astrometry of ISS images with trailed stars. Finally, we provided 658 astrometric positions between 2004 and 2017 of several satellites that include Enceladus, Dione, Tethys, Mimas and Rhea. Compared with the JPL ephemeris SAT427, the mean residuals of these measurements are 0.11 km and 0.26 km in R.A. and decl., respectively. Their standard deviations are 1.08 km and 1.37 km, respectively. The results show that the proposed method performs astrometric measurements of Cassini ISS images with trailed stars effectively.
First Detailed Analysis of a Relatively Deep, Low Mass-ratio Contact Binary: ATO J108.6991+27.8306
Authors: Ma Shuo , Liu Jinzhong , Zhang Yu , Lü Guoliang , Wu Ting , He Chenyang
Published: February 2023

We present the first detailed photometric analysis of ATO J108.6991+27.8306 (hereinafter as J108). The short-period close binary J108 was observed by the Nanshan 1 m Wide Field Telescope of the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory. The obtained BVRI-band light curves were used to determine the photometric solution by using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code. J108 is a typical deep (f > 50%), low mass ratio (q < 0.25) overcontact binary system with a mass ratio of q = 0.1501 and a fill-out factor of f = 50.1 %, suggesting that it is in the late evolutionary stage of contact binary systems. We found the target to be a W-type W UMa binary and provided evidence for the presence of starspots on both components. From the temperature-luminosity diagram, the main component is the evolved main sequence star with an evolutionary age of about 7.94 Gyr.
Decoherence: a numerical study
Authors: Nagele Chris , Janssen Oliver , Kleban Matthew
Published: February 2023

We study quantum decoherence numerically in a system consisting of a relativistic quantum field theory coupled to a measuring device that is itself coupled to an environment. The measuring device and environment are treated as quantum, non-relativistic particles. We solve the Schrödinger equation for the wave function of this tripartite system using exact diagonalization. Although computational limitations on the size of the Hilbert space prevent us from exploring the regime where the device and environment consist of a truly macroscopic number of degrees of freedom, we nevertheless see clear evidence of decoherence: after tracing out the environment, the density matrix describing the system and measuring device evolves quickly towards a matrix that is close to diagonal in a subspace of pointer states. We measure the speed with which decoherence spreads in the relativistic quantum field theory for a range of parameters. We find that it is less than the speed of light but faster than the speed of the massive charges in the initial state.
Effect on medication adherence of applying a specialty pharmacy care model to nonspecialty medications: A quasi-experimental cohort study
Authors: St. James Gerald J , Duckworth Deborah L , Bochenek Samantha H , Rhudy Christian , Zeltner Matthew , Tagavi Anthony B , Platt Thom L
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Medication nonadherence is a multifactorial healthcare problem that contributes to increased healthcare costs and morbidity. To improve medication adherence, specialty pharmacies offer services not typically provided by retail pharmacies such as benefits investigation, financial assistance, medication synchronization, and proactive refill reminders. This study assessed the impact of the specialty pharmacy care model on medication adherence for patients on nonspecialty medications.

Methods

This study was a quasi-experimental cohort comparison of patients who were transferred from a health-system retail pharmacy to a health-system specialty pharmacy between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. The primary endpoint in this study was the difference in mean medication adherence proportion of days covered (PDC) between the post-transfer and pretransfer periods. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients with PDC of greater than 80%, medication adherence by drug group, shipment volumes, number of medications per shipment, and the mean copay per medication.

Results

In this study of 163 patients, use of a specialty pharmacy care model led to a significant increase of 7.0% in mean PDC, a significant increase in the percentage of patients with PDC of greater than 80%, a significant decrease in the number of shipments per 30 days per patient, a significant increase in the number of medications included per shipment, and a significant reduction in the mean copay per medication.

Conclusion

The findings in this study suggest that the application of the specialty pharmacy care model to nonspecialty pharmacy patients may improve medication adherence, decrease the number of shipments per patient sent from the pharmacy, and reduce patient copays.
Sense of Purpose in Life and Beliefs and Knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Sutin Angelina R , Stephan Yannick , Luchetti Martina , Aschwanden Damaris , Sesker Amanda A , Zhu Xianghe , Terracciano Antonio
Published: February 2023

Objective

A sense of purpose in life is associated with healthier cognitive outcomes, including lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (ad). The present research examines whether purpose is also associated with beliefs and knowledge of ad.

Method

A random subsample (N = 1,187) of community-dwelling participants from the Health and Retirement Study completed a module on self-reported beliefs and knowledge of ad.

Results

Purpose in life was associated with lower perceived threat of ad and greater belief that modifiable factors (e.g., physical activity) decrease risk. Associations were not moderated by experience with ad or depressive symptoms. Purpose was unrelated to beliefs that genetics or stress increase risk or knowledge of ad.

Conclusions

Individuals with a sense of purpose are less concerned about risk of developing ad and believe modifiable factors reduce risk. These beliefs may support engagement in behaviors that reduce risk and be one psychological pathway through which purpose protects against ad.
PALM: a powerful and adaptive latent model for prioritizing risk variants with functional annotations
Authors: Yu Xinyi , Xiao Jiashun , Cai Mingxuan , Jiao Yuling , Wan Xiang , Liu Jin , Yang Can
Published: February 2023

Motivation

The findings from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have greatly helped us to understand the genetic basis of human complex traits and diseases. Despite the tremendous progress, much effects are still needed to address several major challenges arising in GWAS. First, most GWAS hits are located in the non-coding region of human genome, and thus their biological functions largely remain unknown. Second, due to the polygenicity of human complex traits and diseases, many genetic risk variants with weak or moderate effects have not been identified yet.

Results

To address the above challenges, we propose a powerful and adaptive latent model (PALM) to integrate cell-type/tissue-specific functional annotations with GWAS summary statistics. Unlike existing methods, which are mainly based on linear models, PALM leverages a tree ensemble to adaptively characterize non-linear relationship between functional annotations and the association status of genetic variants. To make PALM scalable to millions of variants and hundreds of functional annotations, we develop a functional gradient-based expectation–maximization algorithm, to fit the tree-based non-linear model in a stable manner. Through comprehensive simulation studies, we show that PALM not only controls false discovery rate well, but also improves statistical power of identifying risk variants. We also apply PALM to integrate summary statistics of 30 GWASs with 127 cell type/tissue-specific functional annotations. The results indicate that PALM can identify more risk variants as well as rank the importance of functional annotations, yielding better interpretation of GWAS results.

Availability and implementation

The source code is available at https://github.com/YangLabHKUST/PALM.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin Tokyo-172 vaccine provides age-related neuroprotection in actively induced and spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models
Authors: Cossu Davide , Yokoyama Kazumasa , Sakanishi Tamami , Sechi Leonardo A , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: February 2023

Multiple sclerosis is the most common immune-mediated disorder affecting the central nervous system in young adults but still has no cure. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is reported to have non-specific anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic benefits in autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis. However, the precise mechanism of action of BCG and the host immune response to it remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of the BCG Tokyo-172 vaccine in suppressing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Groups of young and mature adult female C57BL/6J mice were BCG-vaccinated 1 month prior or 6 days after active EAE induction using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35–55 peptide. Another group of 2D2 TCRMOG transgenic female mice was BCG-vaccinated before and after the onset of spontaneous EAE. BCG had an age-associated protective effect against active EAE only in wild-type mice vaccinated 1 month before EAE induction. Furthermore, the incidence of spontaneous EAE was significantly lower in BCG vaccinated 2D2 mice than in non-vaccinated controls. Protection against EAE was associated with reduced splenic T-cell proliferation in response to MOG35–55 peptide together with high frequency of CD8+ interleukin-10-secreting T cells in the spleen. In addition, microglia and astrocytes isolated from BCG-vaccinated mice showed polarization to anti-inflammatory M2 and A2 phenotypes, respectively. Our data provide new insights into the cell-mediated and humoral immune mechanisms underlying BCG vaccine-induced neuroprotection, potentially useful for developing better strategies for the treatment of MS.
TREX1 cytosolic DNA degradation correlates with autoimmune disease and cancer immunity
Authors: Fang Liwei , Ying Songcheng , Xu Xi , Wu De
Published: February 2023

The N-terminal domain of Three Prime Repair Exonuclease 1 (TREX1) is catalytically active and can degrade dsDNA or ssDNA in the cytosol, whereas the C-terminal domain is primarily involved in protein localization. TREX1 deficiency induces cytosolic DNA accumulation as well as activation of the cGAS-STING-IFN signaling pathway, which results in tissue inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, TREX1 expression in cancer immunity can be adaptively regulated to promote tumor proliferation, making it a promising therapeutic target.
Paradoxical electro-olfactogram responses in TMEM16B knock-out mice
Authors: Guarneri Giorgia , Pifferi Simone , Dibattista Michele , Reisert Johannes , Menini Anna
Published: February 2023

The Ca2+-activated Cl¯ channel TMEM16B carries up to 90% of the transduction current evoked by odorant stimulation in olfactory sensory neurons and control the number of action potential firing and therefore the length of the train of action potentials. A loss of function approach revealed that TMEM16B is required for olfactory-driven behaviors such as tracking unfamiliar odors. Here, we used the electro-olfactogram (EOG) technique to investigate the contribution of TMEM16B to odorant transduction in the whole olfactory epithelium. Surprisingly, we found that EOG responses from Tmem16b knock out mice have a bigger amplitude compared to those of wild type. Moreover, the kinetics of EOG responses is faster in absence of TMEM16B, while the ability to adapt to repeated stimulation is altered in knock out mice. The larger EOG responses in Tmem16b knock out may be the results of the removal of the clamping and/or shunting action of the Ca2+-activated Cl¯ currents leading to the paradox of having smaller transduction current but larger generator potential.
Decoding US–China Strategic Competition: Comparative Leverages and Issue Selection
Authors: Wu Chengqiu
Published: February 2023

This article attempts to explore why the USA and China have competed on some issues but not on others and why, in such instances, the USA has gone on the offensive. To answer these questions, we conceptualise strategic competition and propose a strategic competition theory that explains—through a number of descriptive variables, and taking into account political leaders’ ideological preferences—great powers’ issue selection. To examine the selection of issues amid US–China strategic competition, we choose nine issues that are to the USA’s advantage and four issues that are to China’s advantage. We then assess the respective values of the issues’ explanatory variables, which results in a ranking of the leverages in the USA’s and China’s respective toolkits. In comparing the two countries’ bargaining chips and the Trump and Biden administrations’ specific evaluations of those of the USA, we argue that (1) both countries have behaved rationally in their competition; (2) the ideological preferences of political leaders have influenced the USA’s issue selection; and (3) the USA has taken the offensive because the leverage ratio is in the USA’s favour. We further explore the prospects of US–China strategic competition and call for an issue-specific approach to foreign policy research.
Encoding with Combination Orientation Technique for RDH in Dual Stego Images
Authors: Shaji C , Sam I Shatheesh
Published: February 2023

In this paper, initially, message intensities are used to create two encoding tables: an index and a code sequence. The table is then updated with $n$ secret data encoded into it. If the code sequence of the second encoding table matches the code sequence of the preceding or succeeding half of the two encoding tables, the second encoding table is folded. The folding is done when maximum intensity occurs in the utmost succeeding part of the two encoding tables. Finally, using the combination orientation approach, the encoded indices are embedded in the stego images. In the extraction phase, using the two stego images and the encoding with the combination orientation method, the encoded indices are obtained. The decoding is performed to extract the secret message as well as the cover image and there is no occurrence of overflow and underflow problems. It has a high visual quality and a high embedding capacity. The proposed technique achieved a maximum $\mathrm{PSNR}$ of $49.49$dB and a $648\ 242$-bit embedding capacity. When compared to traditional techniques, the experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms them.
Dementia’s Unique Burden: Function and Health Care in the Last 4 Years of Life
Authors: Broyles Ila Hughes , Li Qinghua , Palmer Lauren Martin  , DiBello Michael , Dey Judith , Oliveira Iara , Lamont Helen
Published: February 2023

Background

Dementia is a terminal illness marked by progressive cognitive decline. This study characterized trajectories of functional status and health care use for people with and without dementia at the end of their life.

Methods

We used the Health and Retirement Study linked with Medicare claims to generate a series of generalized linear models. Models predicted functional status and health care use for decedents with and without dementia during each month in the last 4 years of life (48 months).

Results

People with dementia have high, sustained functional impairments during the entire last 4 years of life. People with dementia have the same predicted average activities of daily living score (1.92) at 17 months before death (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.857, 1.989) as individuals without dementia at 6 months before death (95% CI: 1.842, 1.991). Dementia was associated with significantly less hospice during the final 3 months of life, with a 12.5% (95% CI: 11.046, 13.906) likelihood of hospice in the last month of life with dementia versus 17.3% (95% CI: 15.573, 18.982) without dementia. Dementia was also associated with less durable medical equipment (p < .001), less home health care (p < .005), and fewer office visits (p < .001). There were not significant differences in likelihood of hospitalization in the last 48 months with or without dementia.

Conclusions

People with dementia can functionally appear to be at end of life (EOL) for years before their death. Simultaneously, they receive less health care, particularly home health and hospice, in their last months. Models of care that target people with dementia should consider the unique and sustained burden of dementia at EOL.
Feasibility of a Smartwatch Platform to Assess Ecological Mobility: Real-Time Online Assessment and Mobility Monitor
Authors: Smail Emily J , Alpert Jordan M , Mardini Mamoun T , Kaufmann Christopher N , Bai Chen , Gill Thomas M , Fillingim Roger B , Cenko Erta , Zapata Ruben , Karnati Yashaswi , Marsiske Michael , Ranka Sanjay , Manini Todd M
Published: February 2023

Background

Early detection of mobility decline is critical to prevent subsequent reductions in quality of life, disability, and mortality. However, traditional approaches to mobility assessment are limited in their ability to capture daily fluctuations that align with sporadic health events. We aim to describe findings from a pilot study of our Real-time Online Assessment and Mobility Monitor (ROAMM) smartwatch application, which uniquely captures multiple streams of data in real time in ecological settings.

Methods

Data come from a sample of 31 participants (Mage = 74.7, 51.6% female) who used ROAMM for approximately 2 weeks. We describe the usability and feasibility of ROAMM, summarize prompt data using descriptive metrics, and compare prompt data with traditional survey-based questionnaires or other established measures.

Results

Participants were satisfied with ROAMM’s function (87.1%) and ranked the usability as “above average.” Most were highly engaged (average adjusted compliance = 70.7%) and the majority reported being “likely” to enroll in a 2-year study (77.4%). Some smartwatch features were correlated with their respective traditional measurements (eg, certain GPS-derived life-space mobility features (r = 0.50–0.51, p < .05) and ecologically measured pain (r = 0.72, p = .01), but others were not (eg, ecologically measured fatigue).

Conclusions

ROAMM was usable, acceptable, and effective at measuring mobility and risk factors for mobility decline in our pilot sample. Additional work with a larger and more diverse sample is necessary to confirm associations between smartwatch-measured features and traditional measures. By monitoring multiple data streams simultaneously in ecological settings, this technology could uniquely contribute to the evolution of mobility measurement and risk factors for mobility loss.
Comparing D3-Creatine Dilution and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Muscle Mass Responses to Strength Training in Low-Functioning Older Adults
Authors: Balachandran Anoop T , Evans William J , Cawthon Peggy M , Wang Yipeng , Shankaran Mahalakshmi , Hellerstein Marc K , Qiu Peihua , Manini Todd
Published: February 2023

Background

In contrast to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the D3-creatine (D3Cr) dilution method provides a direct measure of skeletal muscle mass and in a cohort of older men has been strongly associated with health-related outcomes. However, sensitivity to detect changes in D3Cr-derived muscle mass due to an intervention is limited.

Methods

Twenty-one older adults (≥70 years) with low-to-moderate physical function were randomized to a 15-week high-intensity strength training (ST) or a health education (HE) group. Full-body progressive intensity ST was performed 3 days per week.

Results

The mean age was 82.1 years, with 64% females. After 15 weeks, both D3Cr muscle mass (MM; 2.29 kg; 95% CI: 0.22, 4.36) and DXA appendicular lean mass (ALM; 1.04 kg; 95% CI: 0.31, 1.77) were greater in ST group compared to HE. Baseline correlations between D3Cr MM and DXA ALM (r = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.92) or total lean body mass (LBM; r = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.91) were high. However, longitudinal changes in D3Cr MM were weakly correlated with changes in DXA ALM (r = 0.19; 95% CI: −0.35, 0.64) and LBM (r = 0.40; 95% CI: −0.13, 0.76). More participants showed positive response rates, defined as a >5% increase from baseline, with D3Cr MM (80%) than DXA measures (14%–43%).

Conclusions

A progressive ST intervention in low-functioning older adults increased D3Cr MM and DXA ALM. These data suggest that the D3Cr dilution is potentially sensitive to detect changes in muscle mass in response to resistance exercise training. These results are preliminary and could be used for planning larger trials to replicate these results.
Effects of pro-white identity cues in American political candidate communication
Authors: Lane Daniel S , Hansia Afsoon , Saleem Muniba
Published: February 2023

American politicians have always harnessed the group nature of politics to build political power. Yet it is unclear whether explicit appeals to dominant group identities (e.g., white identity) can help political leaders win support from dominant group members (e.g., white Americans). Four experimental studies (N = 2,279; two pre-registered) used the identity ownership perspective (Kreiss et al., 2020) to examine how a fictional candidates’ support or opposition toward renting city space to dominant group members (e.g., white Music Association) affected white Americans’ evaluations of that candidate. Support for white groups was perceived as prototypical of Republicans, but expressing such support decreased candidates’ favorability. However, findings suggested: (a) decreases were smaller for white Republican (vs. Democrat) participants (Study 2) and (b) candidates faced similar negative evaluations if they communicated opposition to policies favoring white people (Studies 3–4). Results offered some support for candidate prototypicality as a mechanism for these effects.
¿Un romance moderno? El Derecho Internacional Público y el Derecho Constitucional en el trabajo de la Corte Constitucional ecuatoriana
Authors: Carbonell Yánez María Helena , Martínez Molina Dunia
Published: February 2023

This article analyses the work of the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court from an International Human Rights Law perspective. The focus is on four of the competences the Constitution has given the Court: constitutional control of treaties and norms; the norm consultation action (acción de consulta de norma) and the control of the states of emergency declared by the President. The authors present a qualitative analysis of how the Constitutional Court uses different sources of International Human Rights Law.
The Rapid and Spontaneous Postpartum Clearance of Plasmodium falciparum Is Related to Expulsion of the Placenta
Authors: Anabire Nsoh G , Quintana Maria del Pilar , Ofori Michael F , Hviid Lars
Published: February 2023

Parasitemia among pregnant women with protective immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria is often dominated by VAR2CSA-positive infected erythrocytes (IEs). VAR2CSA mediates sequestration of IEs in the placenta. We hypothesized that the previously observed spontaneous postpartum clearance of parasitemia in such women is related to the expulsion of the placenta, which removes the sequestration focus of VAR2CSA-positive IEs. We assessed parasitemias and gene transcription before and shortly after delivery in 17 Ghanaian women. The precipitous decline in parasitemia postpartum was accompanied by selective reduction in transcription of the gene encoding VAR2CSA. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the earlier observation.
Impact of Antibiotic Treatment on the Gut Microbiome and its Resistome in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Nørgaard Jens Christian , Jørgensen Mette , Moestrup Kasper Sommerlund , Ilett Emma Elizabeth , Zucco Adrian Gabriel , Marandi Ramtin Z , Julian Marc Noguera , Paredes Roger , Lundgren Jens D , Sengeløv Henrik , MacPherson Cameron
Published: February 2023

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are increasingly an issue in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. How antibiotic treatment impacts antibiotic resistance in the human gut microbiome remains poorly understood in vivo. Here, a total of 577 fecal samples from 233 heavily antibiotic-treated transplant patients were examined using high-resolution prescription data and shotgun metagenomics. The 13 most frequently used antibiotics were significantly associated with 154 (40% of tested associations) microbiome features. Use of broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics was most markedly associated with microbial disruption and increase in resistome features. The enterococcal vanA gene was positively associated with 8 of the 13 antibiotics, and in particular piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin. Here, we highlight the need for a high-resolution approach in understanding the development of antibiotic resistance in the gut microbiome. Our findings can be used to inform antibiotic stewardship and combat the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance.
The Ten promised paradise: a study of the origin and formation of a sunni doctrine through isnād-cum-matn analysis
Authors: Su I-Wen
Published: February 2023

The concept that a certain nine or ten Companions, assured of Paradise in a Prophet ḥadīth, are superior to the rest of the Companions is among the most noteworthy Sunni beliefs. However, though well represented in the works of the ninth-century ḥadīth scholars, this concept has yet to receive adequate discussion in current scholarship. This article investigates its origin by examining various versions of the ‘Ten Promised Paradise’ ḥadīth through isnād-cum-matn analysis. The analysis suggests that this hadith, first emerging before 700, was widely circulated in Iraqi cities (above all, Kufa), and Madina before the mid-eighth century. Through examination of the socio-political milieu in which the earliest known disseminators of the ḥadīth lived, this article argues that the concept came into circulation after the second fitna. This ḥadīth’s ascendancy emerged (in Kufa) from protest against both the Umayyad hostility towards the ʿAlids and their partisans and proto-Shiʿi movements of all kinds (the Ghulāt and Hāshimīs); its propogation in Madina was most likely prompted by rivalry between the caliphate and the Hijazi elite. The article goes on to explore how the ethos of this ḥadīth became an early Sunni doctrine. A close examination of the transmitters following the earliest identifiable disseminators of various versions of the ḥadīth reveals that many transmitters played a prominent role in shaping the communal identity of the ahl al-ḥadīth. They took part in formulating their historical memory, developing ḥadīth criticism and establishing sunna either by articulating the ‘orthodoxy’ or by combating the so-called ‘innovators’.
Sarcosaprophagous Muscid Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Assemblages Along an Anthropized Gradient in the Humid Chaco Ecoregion, Chaco Province, Argentina
Authors: Bertucci Sabrina Eliana , Dufek Matias Ignacio , Patitucci Luciano Damián
Published: February 2023

Deforestation, agriculture, farmyard animal husbandry, and urbanization are known to be the main causes of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation. The present study evaluated the role of anthropization in modulating Muscidae (Diptera) assemblages in the Humid Chaco ecoregion of Argentina, by testing the biotic homogenization and intermediate disturbance hypotheses. The study focused on natural, rural, and urban habitats in San Lorenzo Department, Chaco Province, where sarcosaprophagous muscid flies were surveyed. A total of 1,343 muscid flies were captured and identified to 7 genera and 24 species and morphospecies. We observed the effect of anthropization on the structuring of the assemblages and the presence of exotic species associated with human activity resulting from biotic homogenization. The highest abundance was recorded in the urban habitat, while the highest species richness and diversity (Shannon-Wienner and Hill’s numbers) were found in the rural habitat, supporting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Several species are classified as indicators of habitat as well as according to their index of synanthropy. Our results provide valuable information about the use of sarcosaprophagous muscids as indicators of disturbance of natural habitats and about possible health risks related to this family of Calyptratae flies previously unsurveyed in northeastern Argentina. This information could be used in the ecological, agronomy, sanitary, and forensic fields.
Watching Turkish television dramas in Argentina: entangled proximities and resigned agency in global media flows
Authors: Wagner María Celeste , Kraidy Marwan M
Published: February 2023

For decades, the theory of cultural proximity, which states that audiences prefer culturally proximal content (Straubhaar, 1991), has remained a major framework to explain audience preferences. We show how transnational media flows have challenged its contemporary applicability. To probe this, we focus on a recent, intriguing, and still understudied development: the success of Turkish television dramas (dizi) in Latin America, the land where the telenovela was born. Drawing from 25 interviews conducted in 2018 and 2019 in Argentina, we develop the notion of “entangled proximities” to explain different viewership positionalities. Moreover, we show that audiences adopt a “resigned agency”: they experience pleasure while recognizing the role of market forces. Finally, we build on the cultural proximity theory by arguing that these contemporary audiences are instead driven by a desired proximity with both the past genre of the telenovela and with the past society depicted in it.
Multicolour optical variability monitoring of blazars with high time resolution
Authors: Chang X , Yi T F , Xiong D R , Liu C X , Yang X , Li H Z , Gong Y L , Na W W , Li Y , Chen Z H , Chen J P , Mao L S
Published: February 2023

We carried out a high time-resolution, multicolour optical observing campaign for eight gamma-ray detected blazars during 2010–2020. We analyse flux variations, correlations between magnitudes and colours on different time-scales. Intraday variability is detected in all eight sources of our sample. A bluer-when-brighter (BWB) chromatic trend is dominant on intraday time-scales. On the short time-scales, the BWB trend only shows up in ON 231, 3C 279, BL Lacertae, and 1E 1458.8 + 2249. There is a BWB trend in 3C 279 on the long time-scale. We estimate the upper limits of black hole mass for three blazars (i.e. ON 321, 1ES 1426 + 42.8, PKS 1510-089) using variability time-scales. On 2010 April 13, a potential quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) with the period of P = 48.67 ± 13.90 min is found in 1ES 1426 + 42.8. The light curve on 2021 March 16 further shows the existence of the QPO phenomenon. The QPO in this target deserves further observation and confirmation.
Modelling the accretion and feedback of supermassive black hole binaries in gas-rich galaxy mergers
Authors: Liao Shihong , Johansson Peter H , Mannerkoski Matias , Irodotou Dimitrios , Rizzuto Francesco Paolo , McAlpine Stuart , Rantala Antti , Rawlings Alexander , Sawala Till
Published: February 2023

We introduce a new model for the accretion and feedback of supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries to the ketju code, which enables us to resolve the evolution of SMBH binaries down to separations of tens of Schwarzschild radii in gas-rich galaxy mergers. Our subgrid binary accretion model extends the widely used Bondi–Hoyle–Lyttleton accretion into the binary phase and incorporates preferential mass accretion on to the secondary SMBH, which is motivated by results from small-scale hydrodynamical circumbinary disc simulations. We perform idealized gas-rich disc galaxy merger simulations using pure thermal or pure kinetic active galactic nuclei (AGNs) feedback. Our binary accretion model provides more physically motivated SMBH mass ratios, which are one of the key parameters for computing gravitational wave (GW) induced recoil velocities. The merger time-scales of our simulated SMBH binaries are in the range tmerge ∼ 10–400 Myr. Prograde in-plane equal-mass galaxy mergers lead to the shortest merger time-scales, as they experience the strongest starbursts, with the ensuing high stellar density resulting in a rapid SMBH coalescence. Compared to the thermal AGN feedback, the kinetic AGN feedback predicts longer merger time-scales and results in more core-like stellar profiles, as it is more effective in removing gas from the galaxy centre and quenching star formation. This suggests that the AGN feedback implementation plays a critical role in modelling SMBH coalescences. Our model will be useful for improving the modelling of SMBH mergers in gas-rich galaxies, the prime targets for the upcoming LISA GW observatory.
The fragility of thin discs in galaxies – I. Building tailored N-body galaxy models
Authors: Galán-de Anta Pablo M , Vasiliev Eugene , Sarzi Marc , Dotti Massimo , Capelo Pedro R , Incatasciato Andrea , Posti Lorenzo , Morelli Lorenzo , Corsini Enrico Maria
Published: February 2023

Thin stellar discs on both galactic and nuclear, sub-kpc scales are believed to be fragile structures that would be easily destroyed in major mergers. In turn, this makes the age dating of their stellar populations a useful diagnostics for the assembly history of galaxies. We aim at carefully exploring the fragility of such stellar discs in intermediate- and low-mass encounters, using high-resolution N-body simulations of galaxy models with structural and kinematic properties tailored to actually observed galaxies. As a first but challenging step, we create a dynamical model of FCC 170, a nearly edge-on galaxy in the Fornax cluster with multiple galactic components and including both galactic-scale and nuclear stellar discs (NSDs), using detailed kinematic data from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer and a novel method for constructing distribution function-based self-consistent galaxy models. We then create N-body realizations of this model and demonstrate that it remains in equilibrium and preserves its properties over many Gyr, when evolved with a sufficiently high particle number. However, the NSD is more prone to numerical heating, which gradually increases its thickness by up to 22 per cent in 10 Gyr even in our highest resolution runs. Nevertheless, these N-body models can serve as realistic representations of actual galaxies in merger simulations.
PTBP1 controls intestinal epithelial regeneration through post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression
Authors: Chembazhi Ullas Valiya , Tung Wesley S , Hwang Hyojeong , Wang Yuexi , Lalwani Aryan , Nguyen Ka Lam , Bangru Sushant , Yee Danielle , Chin Kristy , Yang Jing , Kalsotra Auinash , Mei Wenyan
Published: February 2023

The intestinal epithelial regeneration is driven by intestinal stem cells under homeostatic conditions. Differentiated intestinal epithelial cells, such as Paneth cells, are capable of acquiring multipotency and contributing to regeneration upon the loss of intestinal stem cells. Paneth cells also support intestinal stem cell survival and regeneration. We report here that depletion of an RNA-binding protein named polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) in mouse intestinal epithelial cells causes intestinal stem cell death and epithelial regeneration failure. Mechanistically, we show that PTBP1 inhibits neuronal-like splicing programs in intestinal crypt cells, which is critical for maintaining intestinal stem cell stemness. This function is achieved at least in part through promoting the non-productive splicing of its paralog PTBP2. Moreover, PTBP1 inhibits the expression of an AKT inhibitor PHLDA3 in Paneth cells and permits AKT activation, which presumably maintains Paneth cell plasticity and function in supporting intestinal stem cell niche. We show that PTBP1 directly binds to a CU-rich region in the 3′ UTR of Phlda3, which we demonstrate to be critical for downregulating the mRNA and protein levels of Phlda3. Our results thus reveal the multifaceted in vivo regulation of intestinal epithelial regeneration by PTBP1 at the post-transcriptional level.