bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noise experiments in BRAHMMA subcritical system using isotopic Poisson source and accelerator based neutron source
Authors: Ray N K , Kumar R , Patel T , Sarkar P S , Pant L M
Published: September 2022

Reactivity measurement using noise methods have been carried out in zero power subcritical system BRAHMMA, installed in BARC, India. During noise experiments, an Am-Be neutron source (1Ci) has been placed at the centre of the subcritical system. However, the proposed external neutron source in ADS, based on particle accelerator, is different from isotopic neutron source and the inherent fluctuations in beam current and accelerating voltage makes the source non-Poisson. In this context, Degweker and Rana had postulated a noise theory based on exponentially correlated Gaussian source characteristics for ADS. In noise experiments based on this postulate, a D-T neutron generator has been used in pulsed mode and source characterisation has been carried out to determine the distribution function, source correlation factor and D+ beam pulse shape. It has been observed that the source is Gaussian in nature, the source correlation factor is very large compared to the prompt neutron decay constant and the pulsed D+ beam is rectangular in shape. In noise experiments, the time stamped data have been analysed using various noise methods. The measured prompt neutron decay constant using Poisson source and correlated Gaussian source are in good agreement with theoretical value and amongst them.
Study of visible-light emission in pure and methane-doped liquid argon
Authors: Bondar A. , Borisova E. , Buzulutskov A. , Frolov E. , Nosov V. , Oleynikov V. , Sokolov A.
Published: September 2022

In liquid argon TPCs for dark matter search and neutrino detection experiments, primary scintillation light is used as a prompt signal of particle scattering, being intensively produced in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) due to excimer emission mechanism. On the other hand, there were indications on the production of visible-light emission in liquid argon, albeit at a much lower intensity, the origin of which is still not clear. The closely related issue is visible-light emission in liquid argon doped with methane, the interest in which is due to the possible use in neutron veto detectors for those experiments. In this work we study in detail the properties of such light emission in pure liquid argon and its mixtures with methane. In particular, the absolute photon yield of visible-light emission in pure liquid argon was measured to be about 200 and 90 photon/MeV for X-rays and alpha particles respectively. In liquid argon doped with methane the photon yield dropped down significantly, by about an order of magnitude at a methane molar content varying from 0.01 to 1%, and then almost did not change when further increasing the methane content up to 10%.
Pro-angiogenic activity of isofuran
Authors: Zhang Jingxia , Wang Xiangjiang , Lin Zhiping , Zhu Tang
Published: September 2022

Isofurans (IsoFs) are a series of novel discovered lipid peroxidation products. This study focused on the investigation of the angiogenic property of IsoF. MTT stain assay indicated that 1 µm IsoF had the most bioactivity in rat brain endothelial cells (RBECs). IsoF significantly promoted cellular proliferation and migration and remarkably decreased staurosporine-induced apoptosis by TUNEL assay in the RBECs. It successfully up-regulated rat aortic vascularization and choroid explant sprouting, extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2, and triggered calcium release. RT-PCR examination indicated that IsoF up-regulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, angiopoietin-1 receptor (Tie2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, but did not interfere with caspase 2 and VEGF-C in the RBECs. IsoF has pro-angiogenic activity. Calcium release and ERK1/2 phosphorylation may be involved in the signaling of the IsoF-induced up-regulation of TNFα, Tie2, and VEGF-A, which could be the molecular mechanism of the pro-angiogenic activity of the IsoF.
Reorganization in the macaque interoceptive-allostatic network following anterior cingulate cortex damage
Authors: Charbonneau Joey A , Bennett Jeffrey L , Chau Kevin , Bliss-Moreau Eliza
Published: September 2022

Accumulating evidence indicates that the adult brain is capable of significant structural change following damage—a capacity once thought to be largely limited to developing brains. To date, most existing research on adult plasticity has focused on how exteroceptive sensorimotor networks compensate for damage to preserve function. Interoceptive networks—those that represent and process sensory information about the body’s internal state—are now recognized to be critical for a wide range of physiological and psychological functions from basic energy regulation to maintaining a sense of self, but the extent to which these networks remain plastic in adulthood has not been established. In this report, we used detailed histological analyses to pinpoint precise changes to gray matter volume in the interoceptive-allostatic network in adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) who received neurotoxic lesions of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and neurologically intact control monkeys. Relative to controls, monkeys with ACC lesions had significant and selective unilateral expansion of the ventral anterior insula and significant relative bilateral expansion of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. This work demonstrates the capacity for neuroplasticity in the interoceptive-allostatic network which, given that changes included expansion rather than atrophy, is likely to represent an adaptive response following damage.
RTIM Hashing: Robust and Compact Video Hashing With a Rotation- and Translation-Invariant Model
Authors: Chen Lv , Ye Dengpan , Shang Yueyun
Published: September 2022

Video hashing is a popular research topic in the fields of multimedia information and security because its fast matching and low-cost storage characteristics are widely used in many applications (video copy detection, video retrieval, video authentication, etc.). This paper describes a compact video hashing method with a rotation- and translation-invariant model (RTIM). The key contribution of this approach is that it innovatively reconstructs an input video into a 3D RTIM by combining ring partition and a pipeline histogram; this is a first in video hashing and helps make video hashes resistant to rotation and translation. Then, the proposed model is decomposed via Tucker decomposition, and the generated core tensor is used to produce a compact hash. As the core tensor is a compressed version of the original tensor, hash construction with the core tensor makes RTIM hashing compact and achieves desirable discrimination ability. Different from existing video hashing algorithms, RTIM hashing can not only resist many commonly used digital operations, especially video rotation and cyclic frame shifting, but also achieve good discrimination ability. Various experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm. Receiver operating characteristic curve comparisons show that compared with the state-of-the-art video hashing algorithms, RTIM hashing is more robust and compact.
Comparing the Value of Data Visualization Methods for Communicating Harms in Clinical Trials
Authors: Qureshi Riaz , Chen Xiwei , Goerg Carsten , Mayo-Wilson Evan , Dickinson Stephanie , Golzarri-Arroyo Lilian , Hong Hwanhee , Phillips Rachel , Cornelius Victoria , McAdams DeMarco Mara , Guallar Eliseo , Li Tianjing
Published: September 2022

In clinical trials, harms (i.e., adverse events) are often reported by simply counting the number of people who experienced each event. Reporting only frequencies ignores other dimensions of the data that are important for stakeholders, including severity, seriousness, rate (recurrence), timing, and groups of related harms. Additionally, application of selection criteria to harms prevents most from being reported. Visualization of data could improve communication of multidimensional data. We replicated and compared the characteristics of 6 different approaches for visualizing harms: dot plot, stacked bar chart, volcano plot, heat map, treemap, and tendril plot. We considered binary events using individual participant data from a randomized trial of gabapentin for neuropathic pain. We assessed their value using a heuristic approach and a group of content experts. We produced all figures using R and share the open-source code on GitHub. Most original visualizations propose presenting individual harms (e.g., dizziness, somnolence) alone or alongside higher level (e.g., by body systems) summaries of harms, although they could be applied at either level. Visualizations can present different dimensions of all harms observed in trials. Except for the tendril plot, all other plots do not require individual participant data. The dot plot and volcano plot are favored as visualization approaches to present an overall summary of harms data. Our value assessment found the dot plot and volcano plot were favored by content experts. Using visualizations to report harms could improve communication. Trialists can use our provided code to easily implement these approaches.
A modifiable factors-based model for detecting inactive individuals: are the European assessment tools fit for purpose?
Authors: Mayo X , Iglesias-Soler E , Liguori G , Copeland R J , Clavel I , del Villar F , Jimenez A
Published: September 2022

Background

The lack of systematic factors affecting physical inactivity (PIA) challenges policymakers to implement evidence-based solutions at a population level. The study utilizes the Eurobarometer to analyse PIA-modifiable variables.

Methods

Special Eurobarometer 412 physical activity (PA) data were analysed (n = 18 336), including 40 variables along with the International PA Questionnaire. PIA was used as the dependent variable. Variables considered were alternatives to car, places, reasons and barriers to engaging in PA, memberships to clubs and categorical responses about the agreement extent with the area, provision of activities and local governance statements. Logistic regression was used to identify variables contributing to PIA. Beta values (β), standard errors, 95% confidence intervals, the exponentiation for odds ratio and Cox & Snell and Nagelkerke R2 were indicated.

Results

The resulting model correctly identified 10.7% inactives and 96.9% of actives (R2 of Nagelkerke: 0.153). Variables contributing to the detection of PIA were (P ≤ 0.01): having a disability or an illness, not having friends to do sport with, lacking motivation or interest in and being afraid of injury risk. Additionally, totally agreeing, tend to agree and tend to disagree regarding the extent of local providers offering enough opportunities to be more active also contributed to the model.

Conclusions

The model reported a limited ability to detect modifiable factors affecting PIA, identifying a small percentage of inactive individuals correctly. New questions focused on understanding inactive behaviour are needed to support the European PA public health agenda.
Monitoring sources of volcanic activity at Mount Etna using pattern recognition techniques on infrasound signals
Authors: Eckel Felix , Langer Horst , Sciotto Mariangela
Published: September 2022

Infrasound monitoring plays an important role in the framework of the surveillance of Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Compared to seismic monitoring, which is particularly effective for buried sources, infrasound signals mirror the activity of shallow sources like Strombolian explosions or degassing. The interpretation of infrasound signals is difficult to the untrained eye, as we have to account for volcanic and non-volcanic sources. The problem of handling large and complex data sets can be tackled with machine learning, namely pattern recognition techniques. Here, we focus on so-called ‘Unsupervised Learning’, where we identify groups of patterns being similar to each other. The degree of similarity is based on a metric measuring the distance among the features of the patterns. This work aims at the identification of typical regimes of infrasound radiation and their relation to the state of volcanic activity at Mt. Etna. For this goal, we defined features describing any infrasound pattern. These features were obtained using wavelet transform. We applied ‘Self-Organizing Maps’ (SOM) to the features projecting them to a 2-D representation space—the ‘map’. An intriguing aspect of SOM resides in the fact that the position of the patterns on the map can be expressed by a colour code, in a manner that similar patterns are assigned a similar colour code. This simplified representation of multivariate patterns allows to follow the development of their characteristics with time efficiently. During a training phase we considered a reference data set, which encompassed a large variety of scenarios. We identified typical groups of patterns which correspond to a specific regime of activity, being representative of the state of the volcano or noise conditions. These groups form areas on the 2-D maps. In a second step, we considered a test data set, which was not used during the training phase. Applying the same pre-processing as for the training data, we blindly assigned the test patterns to the regimes found before, identifying the one whose colour code is most similar to the one calculated to the test pattern. We are thus able to assess the validity of the prediction. The classification scheme presented provides a reliable assessment of the state of activity and adds useful and supplementary details to the results of the real-time automatic system in operation at Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia—Osservarorio Etneo. This is of particular importance when no visible information of the volcanic activity is available either for unfavourable meteorological conditions or during night time.
Drainless thoracoscopic surgery should be avoided in primary spontaneous pneumothorax with pleural adhesion
Authors: Lin Chieh-Kuo , Leong Ka-I , How Cheng-Hung , Wang Hu-Lin Christina , Liu Chao-Yu
Published: September 2022

OBJECTIVES

Drainless thoracoscopic surgery, defined by omitting chest drain after surgery, has been demonstrated to be feasible in selected patients for pulmonary resection. However, drainless procedure for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax has raised concerns for its safety and thus has been less often reported. We aimed to share our preliminary experience regarding how to select patients with spontaneous pneumothorax for this procedure.

METHODS

A retrospective study recruiting 303 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax undergoing thoracoscopic surgery in our centre from August 2016 to June 2020 was done. After careful selection, the chest drain was omitted in selected patients who underwent non-intubated uniportal thoracoscopic surgery. Patients’ clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients underwent drainless thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Pleural adhesion was noted in 9 patients during surgery, and all of them (100%) developed residual pneumothorax, among which intercostal drainage was required in 2 (22.2%) patients and ipsilateral pneumothorax recurred 3 years after surgery in 1 (11.1%) patient. Among the remaining 25 without pleural adhesion, 17 (68.0%) developed minor residual pneumothorax (P = 0.006), which all resolved spontaneously within 1–2 weeks, with no complications or recurrence during postoperative follow-up for at least 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Drainless thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is feasible but can be risky without careful patient selection. In our experience, the drainless procedure should be avoided in patients with identifiable pleural adhesion noted during surgery.
A class of preconditioners based on symmetric-triangular decomposition and matrix splitting for generalized saddle point problems
Authors: Wang Nana , Li Jicheng
Published: September 2022

In this paper, based on the idea of symmetric-triangular (ST) decomposition and matrix splitting, a product-type preconditioner and its inexact version are developed for generalized saddle point problems. These preconditioners can be combined appropriately with the efficient preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method to solve the generalized saddle point problems, although neither these preconditioners nor the generalized saddle point matrices are symmetric and positive definite, which is the advantage of our proposed preconditioners. The proposed PCG method belongs to the group of nonstandard inner product CG methods, so the convergence theorem of the former is given by the use of that of the latter. The difference between the existing nonstandard inner product CG methods and our proposed method is studied. Theoretical analysis shows that the spectrum of the preconditioned matrix corresponding to the proposed inexact preconditioner is contained in a real, positive interval and the quasi-optimal parameter of the preconditioner is effective and easy to apply in practice. Numerical experiments are given to illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed inexact preconditioner and show the advantages of the preconditioner over the existing state-of-the-art preconditioners for saddle point problems.
Addressing Values in Co-Design Projects: Lessons Learned From Two Case Studies in Sensitive Contexts
Authors: Ahmadi Michael , Taugerbeck Sebastian , Meurer Johanna , Randall Dave , Wulf Volker
Published: September 2022

Human–computer interaction (HCI) scholars and others have advocated treating design as inevitably implicating political and ethical sensitivities. A subset of those considerations has been the attempt to deal with the often conflicting interests of stakeholders through ‘value sensitivity’. Drawing on value-sensitive design (VSD) as an inspiration, we emphasize the necessary way in which the evolving contextuality of the values in question shaped our research collaborations. This paper presents a retrospective analysis of two case studies from long-term user-centered design projects in fields with explicit ambitions for value-driven HCI research and concerned with emancipation and empowerment. The first, a 3-year project, entailed an explicit commitment to feminist policy initiatives with female participants that aimed at fostering values of gender equality. The second, a 4-year project, dealt with HCI research with and for older adults, where a multimodal mobility platform for ridesharing and public transportation was developed. We show how we translated general commitment into pragmatic, co-design research goals and infrastructures. The long-term ambition of our endeavors and integration of a broad stakeholder base were vital to support this. We additionally provide insights into how our approach offered safe spaces for trustful collaboration and flexibility when adapting methods to specific contexts.
Country data on AMR in Pakistan in the context of community-acquired respiratory tract infections: links between antibiotic susceptibility, local and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines, access to medicine and clinical outcome
Authors: Torumkuney Didem , Jamil Bushra , Nizamuddin Summiya , van Hasselt James , Pirzada Uzma , Manenzhe Rendani
Published: September 2022

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global public health. Selection of resistant bacteria is driven by inappropriate use of antibiotics, amongst other factors. COVID-19 may have exacerbated AMR due to unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Country-level knowledge is needed to understand options for action.

Objectives

To review the current situation with respect to AMR in Pakistan and initiatives addressing it. Identifying areas where more information is required will provide a call to action to minimize any further rises in AMR and improve patient outcomes.

Methods

National AMR initiatives, antibiotic use and prescribing in Pakistan, and availability of susceptibility data, in particular for the key community-acquired respiratory tract infection (CA-RTI) pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae) were identified. National and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines for specific CA-RTIs (community-acquired pneumonia, acute otitis media and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis) commonly used locally were also reviewed, plus local antibiotic availability. Insights from a local clinician and clinical microbiologist were sought to contextualize this information.

Conclusions

Pakistan is active in developing initiatives to address AMR such as compiling a National Action Plan. However, antibiotic consumption is high and although there is legislation in place prohibiting over-the-counter purchase of antibiotics, this is still possible. Healthcare professionals use local and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines for CA-RTIs when managing patients. As highlighted by the clinical microbiologist’s expert comments, surveillance of AMR in locally prevalent microorganisms is lacking. A more standardized inclusive approach in developing local guidelines, using up-to-date local surveillance data of isolates from community-acquired infections, could make management guideline use more locally relevant for clinicians. This would pave the way for a higher level of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and improved adherence. This would, in turn, potentially limit AMR development and improve clinical outcomes for patients.
Country data on AMR in Russia in the context of community-acquired respiratory tract infections: links between antibiotic susceptibility, local and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines, access to medicine and clinical outcome
Authors: Torumkuney Didem , Kozlov Roman , Sidorenko Sergey , Kamble Praveen , Lezhnina Margarita , Galushkin Aleksandr , Kundu Subhashri
Published: September 2022

Background

Antimicrobial reistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global public health. Selection of resistant bacteria is driven by inappropriate use of antibiotics, amongst other factors. COVID-19 may have exacerbated AMR due to unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Country-level knowledge is needed to understand options for action.

Objectives

To review AMR in Russia and any initiatives addressing it. Identifying any areas where more information is required will provide a call to action to minimize any further rise in AMR within Russia and to improve patient outcomes.

Methods

National AMR initiatives, antibiotic use and prescribing, and availability of susceptibility data, in particular for the key community-acquired respiratory tract infection (CA-RTI) pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, were identified. National and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines commonly used locally for specific CA-RTIs (community-acquired pneumonia, acute otitis media and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis) were also reviewed, plus local antibiotic availability. Insights from both a local clinician and a local clinical microbiologist were sought to contextualize this information.

Conclusions

Russia launched a national strategy in 2017 to prevent the spread of AMR and the WHO reports that as of 2020–21, it is being implemented and actively monitored. Reports suggest outpatient antibiotic use of antibiotics is high and that non-prescription access and self-medication are very common. Antibiotic susceptibility studies in Russia include PeHASus, a multicentre epidemiological study focusing on susceptibilities of community-acquired respiratory pathogens and international studies such as Survey of Antibiotic Resistance (SOAR), Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) and SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program. International guidelines are used to support the development of local guidelines in Russia, and for the common CA-RTIs Russian clinicians use of several country-specific local antibiotic prescribing guidelines. A standardized inclusive approach in developing local guidelines, using up-to-date surveillance data of isolates from community-acquired infections in Russia, could make guideline use more locally relevant for clinicians. This would pave the way for a higher level of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and improved adherence. This would, in turn, potentially limit AMR development and improve patient outcomes.
Country data on AMR in Saudi Arabia in the context of community-acquired respiratory tract infections: links between antibiotic susceptibility, local and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines, access to medicine and clinical outcome
Authors: Torumkuney Didem , Dolgum Saeed , van Hasselt James , Abdullah Walid , Keles Nergis
Published: September 2022

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global public health. Selection of resistant bacteria is driven by inappropriate use of antibiotics, amongst other factors. COVID-19 may have exacerbated AMR due to unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Country-level knowledge is needed to understand options for action.

Objectives

To review AMR in Saudi Arabia and initiatives addressing it. Identifying areas where more information is required will provide a call to action to minimize a further rise in AMR within Saudi Arabia and improve patient outcomes.

Methods

National AMR initiatives, antibiotic use and prescribing, and availability of susceptibility data, particularly for the key community-acquired respiratory tract infection (CA-RTI) pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, were identified. National and international antibiotic prescribing guidelines commonly used locally for specific CA-RTIs (community-acquired pneumonia, acute otitis media and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis) were also reviewed, plus local antibiotic availability. Insights from a clinician in Saudi Arabia were sought to contextualize this information.

Conclusions

Various initiatives are underway in Saudi Arabia, including a National Action Plan for AMR, which was published in 2017. However, AMR is rising and knowledge about appropriate antibiotic use seems to be lacking among physicians and the general public. Various international guidelines are utilized by clinicians in Saudi Arabia, but a more standardized inclusive approach in developing local guidelines, using up-to-date surveillance data of isolates from community-acquired infections in Saudi Arabia could make management guideline use more locally relevant for clinicians. This would pave the way for a higher level of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and improved adherence. This would, in turn, potentially limit AMR development and improve patient outcomes.
Urinary Exosomes: A Promising Biomarker for Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Wang Yizhao , Zhang Man
Published: September 2022

Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles derived from endocytosis, formed by fusion of multivesicular bodies with membranes and secreted into the extracellular matrix or body fluids. Many studies have shown that exosomes can be present in a variety of biological fluids, such as plasma, urine, saliva, amniotic fluid, ascites, and sweat, and most types of cells can secrete exosomes. Exosomes play an important role in many aspects of human development, including immunity, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and neoplasia. Urine can be an alternative to blood or tissue samples as a potential source of disease biomarkers because of its simple, noninvasive, sufficient, and stable characteristics. Therefore, urinary exosomes have valuable potential for early screening, monitoring disease progression, prognosis, and treatment. The method for isolating urinary exosomes has been perfected, and exosome proteomics is widely used. Therefore, we review the potential use of urinary exosomes for disease diagnosis and summarize the related literature.
Rabbi Shlomo Mashiah and His “Shirah”: Modern Immigration and Mystic Redemption
Authors: Nissimi Hilda
Published: September 2022

This article considers the ways traditional love of Zion was expressed through immigration in the Mashhadi community due to encounters with new phenomena like the Bukharan Jews’ immigration to the land of Israel, Russian and British imperialism, and early stirrings of Iranian nationalism and constitutionalism, as well as early Zionist activity in Palestine. It is viewed through the prism of a piyyut written by Rabbi Shlomo Mashiah, one of the prominent Kabbalists in Jerusalem at the beginning of the twentieth century, and a member of one of the earliest groups of immigrants from Iran. I analyze the piyyut, written in messianic traditional language, and show that some of the terms may have had a political meaning, or at least were used a few decades later in political Zionist contexts. Thus, although Zionism is not supposed to be a characteristic of Iranian Jewish immigration before 1917, and the piyyut is messianic in language, I argue that it carries new, modern overtones, and shows the transformation of traditional language.
Properties of the radius valley around low mass stars: predictions from the core-powered mass-loss mechanism
Authors: Gupta Akash , Nicholson Lorraine , Schlichting Hilke E
Published: September 2022

In recent years, analysing the bimodality in the size distribution of small planets, i.e. the ‘radius valley’, has given us unprecedented insight into the planet formation process. Here, we explore the properties of the radius valley for low mass stars, assuming that the core-powered mass-loss is the dominant process shaping the small exoplanet population. We show that the slope of radius valley in the planet size-orbital period space, to first order, does not vary with stellar mass and has a negative slope of dlogRp/dlogP ≃ −0.11 even for stars as small as 0.1 M⊙, as observed in latest studies. Furthermore, we find that the slope of the radius valley in the planet size-stellar mass space is dlogRp/dlogM* ≃ (3ζ − 2)/36 where ζ is given by the stellar mass–luminosity relation $L_\ast \propto M_\ast ^\zeta$. Because ζ is ≳ 2 and increases with stellar mass, we predict that the radius valley has a positive slope in the planet size-stellar mass space across FGKM dwarfs. This slope, however, decreases (increases) in magnitude towards lower (higher) mass stars, due to the variation of ζ with stellar mass. While around 1.0 M⊙ stars the slope is dlogRp/dlogM* ∼ 0.37, it is as low as ∼0.13 around 0.1 M⊙ stars. In addition, we find that the radius valley is narrower and less empty around lower mass stars. Finally, we show that predictions for the radius valley for core-powered mass-loss and photoevaporation become increasingly distinct for lower mass stars.
Counterparts of candidate dusty starbursts at z > 6
Authors: Yan Haojing , Ling Chenxiaoji , Ma Zhiyuan
Published: September 2022

We present an analysis of the optical-to-near-infrared (IR) counterparts of a sample of candidate dusty starbursts at z > 6. These objects were pre-selected based on the rising trend of their far-IR-to-sub-millimeter spectral energy distributions and the fact that they are radio-weak. Their precise positions are available through millimeter and/or radio interferometry, which enable us to search for their counterparts in the deep optical-to-near-IR images. The sample includes five z > 6 candidates. Three of them have their counterparts identified, one is still invisible in the deepest images, and one is a known galaxy at z = 5.667 that is completely blocked by a foreground galaxy. The three with counterparts identified are analysed using population synthesis model, and they have photometric redshift solutions ranging from 7.5 to 9.0. Assuming that they are indeed at these redshifts and that they are not gravitationally lensed, their total IR luminosities are $10^{13.8-14.1}\, {\rm L}_\odot$ and the inferred star formation rates are 6.3–13 $\times 10^3\, {\rm M}_\odot$ yr−1. The existence of dusty starbursts at such redshifts would imply that the Universe must be forming stars intensely very early in time in at least some galaxies, otherwise there would not be enough dust to produce the descendants observed at these redshifts. The inferred host galaxy stellar masses of these three objects, which are at $\gtrsim 10^{11}\, {\rm M}_\odot$ (if not affected by gravitational lensing), present a difficulty in explanation unless we are willing to accept that their progenitors either kept forming stars at a rate of $\gtrsim 10^3\, {\rm M}_\odot$ yr−1 or were formed through intense instantaneous bursts. Spectroscopic confirmation of such objects will be imperative.
Signatures of reionization feedback in the near-infrared background
Authors: Mirocha Jordan , Liu Adrian , La Plante Paul
Published: September 2022

The reionization of the intergalactic medium at redshifts z ≳ 6 is expected to have a lasting impact on galaxies residing in low-mass dark matter haloes. Unable to accrete or retain gas photoheated to temperatures T ≳ 104 K, the star formation histories of faint galaxies in the early Universe are expected to decline as they exhaust their gas supply, and so give rise to a ‘turnover’ at the faint-end of the galaxy luminosity function. In this work, we explore the possibility of constraining this reionization feedback with measurements of the cosmic near-infrared background (NIRB), which traces the rest-optical and ultraviolet emission of high-redshift galaxies. We find that the contrast between passively-ageing low-mass galaxies quenched by reionization and bluer actively star-forming galaxies unaffected by reionization, manifests as a scale- and colour-dependent signature in the NIRB at a level comparable to the sensitivity of NASA’s upcoming SPHEREx mission. Whereas models with pure mass suppression largely affect the signal at wavelengths ≲2 μm, ∼5 per cent-level differences in the background persist out to ≃5 μm for reionization feedback models on ≃20 arcmin scales. Finally, the power spectra of intensity ratio maps exhibit larger ∼ tens of per cent variations, and may thus be a promising target for future analyses.
Spatially resolved properties of early-type group-dominant galaxies with MUSE: gas content, ionization mechanisms, and metallicity gradients
Authors: Lagos P , Loubser S I , Scott T C , O’Sullivan E , Kolokythas K , Babul A , Nigoche-Netro A , Olivares V , Sengupta C
Published: September 2022

With the goal of a thorough investigation of the ionized gas and its origin in early-type group-dominant galaxies, we present archival MUSE data for 18 galaxies from the Complete Local-Volume Groups Sample (CLoGS). These data allowed us to study the spatially resolved warm gas properties, including the morphology of the ionized gas, EW(H α), and kinematics as well as the gas-phase metallicity (12 + log(O/H)) of these systems. In order to distinguish between different ionization mechanisms, we used the emission-line ratios [O iii]/H β and [N ii]/H α in the BPT diagrams and EW(H α). We find that the ionization sources in our sample have variable impacts at different radii; central regions are more influenced by low-luminosity active galactic nuclei, while extended regions of low-ionization nuclear emission-line region-like emission are ionized by other mechanisms with post-asymptotic giant branch stars photoionization likely contributing significantly. We classified our sample into three H α +[N ii] emission morphology types. We calculate the gas-phase metallicity assuming several methods and ionization sources. In general, 12 + log(O/H) decreases with radius from the centre for all galaxies, independently of nebular morphology type, indicating a metallicity gradient in the abundance profiles. Interestingly, the more extended filamentary structures and all extranuclear star-forming regions present shallow metallicity gradients. Within the uncertainties these extended structures can be considered chemically homogeneous. We suggest that group-dominant galaxies in our sample likely acquired their cold gas in the past as a consequence of one or more mechanisms, e.g. gas-clouds or satellite mergers/accretion and/or cooling flows that contribute to the growth of the ionized gas structures.
Luck of the Irish? A companion of the Cloverleaf connected by a bridge of molecular gas
Authors: Stacey H R , Arrigoni Battaia F
Published: September 2022

We present deep observations of CO (3–2) from the Cloverleaf lensed quasar-starburst at z = 2.56. We discover a 4–5 times less massive companion at a projected distance of 33 kpc from the Cloverleaf host galaxy. The galaxies are connected by a bridge of CO emission, indicating that they are interacting and that the companion is being stripped by the Cloverleaf. We also find evidence for fast molecular gas in the spectral line of the Cloverleaf that may be an outflow induced by stellar or quasar feedback. All of these features may be ubiquitous among quasars and only detected here with the help of gravitational lensing and the sensitivity of the data. Overall, these findings agree with galaxy formation scenarios that predict gas-rich mergers play a key role in quasar triggering, starburst triggering, and the formation of compact spheroids.
Risk factors for hospitalization or mortality for COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases: Results of a nationwide JCR COVID-19 registry in Japan
Authors: Oku Kenji , Kimoto Yasutaka , Horiuchi Takahiko , Yamamoto Mari , Kondo Yasushi , Okamoto Masashi , Atsumi Tatsuya , Takeuchi Tsutomu
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The incidence and prognosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rheumatic disease vary among ethnicities and regions. COVID-19 outcomes in rheumatic disease patients remain unclear, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This study aimed to clarify the demographic and clinical factors that may influence COVID-19 prognosis in rheumatic disease patients.

Methods

This was a case series of patients registered with the COVID-19 national registry of Japan College of Rheumatology between 3 June 2020 and 30 June 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of hospitalization or death. Age, sex, smoking status, rheumatic disease diagnosis, comorbidities, and rheumatic disease medications are taken immediately before infection was analysed.

Results

A total of 220 patients from 55 institutions in Japan were included in the study, among whom 186 (84.5%) were hospitalized and 11 (5.0%) died. COVID-19 treatments were provided to 126 patients (57.3%) and mainly comprised glucocorticoids, favipiravir, remdesivir, and tocilizumab.

In the multiple logistic regression model, older age and a history of hypertension were associated with hospitalization, while older age was associated with mortality. No specific treatment was correlated with mortality or hospitalization by the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Older age and hypertension were associated with a poor prognosis in Japanese COVID-19 patients with connective tissue disease. Factors not directly related to connective tissue disease were closely associated with the prognosis.
sgcocaller and comapr: personalised haplotype assembly and comparative crossover map analysis using single-gamete sequencing data
Authors: Lyu Ruqian , Tsui Vanessa , Crismani Wayne , Liu Ruijie , Shim Heejung , McCarthy Davis J
Published: September 2022

Profiling gametes of an individual enables the construction of personalised haplotypes and meiotic crossover landscapes, now achievable at larger scale than ever through the availability of high-throughput single-cell sequencing technologies. However, high-throughput single-gamete data commonly have low depth of coverage per gamete, which challenges existing gamete-based haplotype phasing methods. In addition, haplotyping a large number of single gametes from high-throughput single-cell DNA sequencing data and constructing meiotic crossover profiles using existing methods requires intensive processing. Here, we introduce efficient software tools for the essential tasks of generating personalised haplotypes and calling crossovers in gametes from single-gamete DNA sequencing data (sgcocaller), and constructing, visualising, and comparing individualised crossover landscapes from single gametes (comapr). With additional data pre-possessing, the tools can also be applied to bulk-sequenced samples. We demonstrate that sgcocaller is able to generate impeccable phasing results for high-coverage datasets, on which it is more accurate and stable than existing methods, and also performs well on low-coverage single-gamete sequencing datasets for which current methods fail. Our tools achieve highly accurate results with user-friendly installation, comprehensive documentation, efficient computation times and minimal memory usage.
Comparing POD and MOD ENDS Users’ Product Characteristics, Use Behaviors, and Nicotine Exposure
Authors: Felicione Nicholas J , Kaiser Lisa , Leigh Noel J , Page Michelle K , Block Ashleigh C , Schurr Bradley E , O’Connor Richard J , Goniewicz Maciej L
Published: September 2022

Introduction

POD electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), often containing high concentrations of nicotine salts, have replaced MODs (ie, open/modifiable devices) as the most popular devices. The purpose of this study was to compare device/liquid characteristics, use behavior, and nicotine exposure between POD and MOD users.

Methods

Data from the initial visit of a prospective observational study of exclusive ENDS users compared MOD (n = 48) and POD (n = 37) users. Participants completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics, patterns of ENDS use, and ENDS features. A urine sample was collected to test for cotinine and an ENDS liquid sample was collected to test for nicotine and salts. Puff topography was captured during an ad libitum bout at the end of the session.

Results

MOD and POD users did not differ on demographic characteristics. MOD users reported purchasing more liquid in the past month than POD users (180.4 ± 28.0 vs. 50.9 ± 9.0 ml, p < .001). Differences in characteristics of devices used by MOD and POD users included flavor type (p = .029), nicotine concentration (liquids used by MOD users contained less nicotine than those used by POD users: 8.9 ± 2.0 vs. 41.6 ± 3.2 mg/ml, p < .001), and presence of the nicotine salt (fewer MOD liquids had salts present than POD liquids: 11.9% vs. 77.4%, p < .001). User groups did not differ on urinary cotinine levels or puff topography (ps > .05).

Conclusions

Despite different characteristics of MOD and POD ENDS, users of those products are exposed to similar amounts of nicotine, likely due to using more liquid among MOD users.

Implications

This study directly compares ENDS product characteristics, user behavior, and nicotine exposure between MOD and POD ENDS users. Although POD products contained higher nicotine concentrations compared to MOD products, users of PODs reported consuming less liquid than MOD users. Ultimately, MOD and POD users were exposed to similar levels of nicotine, suggesting users behaviorally compensate for differences in product characteristics.
Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Integration: A Young Physician Mother’s Journey
Authors: Olazagasti Coral , Florez Narjust
Published: September 2022

This narrative describes the realities of balancing career and family for physicians in training.
Plasma Exosomal AKR1C3 mRNA Expression Is a Predictive and Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zhu Sha , Ni Yuchao , Wang Zilin , Zhang Xingming , Zhang Yaowen , Zhao Fengnian , Dai Jindong , Wang Zhipeng , Zhu Xudong , Chen Junru , Zhao Jinge , Zeng Yuhao , Chen Ni , Zeng Peng , Shen Pengfei , Sun Guangxi , Zeng Hao
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) is important in prostate cancer progression, being a potential biomarker in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Previous explorations of AKR1C3 are mainly based on tissue samples. This study investigates using plasma-based liquid biopsy to validate the prognostic and predictive value of AKR1C3 in patients with mCRPC .

Materials and Methods

We prospectively recruited 62 patients with mCRPC. All patients received repeated prostate biopsies at the time of mCRPC diagnosis, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was used to detect protein expression of AKR1C3 in the tissues. We took their blood simultaneously and performed digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) to measure expression levels of AKR1C3 in the exosomes. The detected plasma and tissue AKR1C3 expression levels were analyzed for patients’ overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival under first-line abiraterone use (ABI-PFS).

Results

All other baseline characteristics were balanced between the 2 groups. 15/62 (24.2%) and 25/62 (40.3%) patients showed AKR1C3-EXO positive (≥20 copies/20 μL) and AKR1C3-IHC positive, respectively. Positive AKR1C3-EXO expression was associated with decreased patients’ survival [ABI-PFS: 3.9 vs 10.1 months, P < .001; OS: 16.2 vs 32.5 months, P < .001]. AKR1C3-IHC positivity was also correlated with ABI-PFS and OS (P = .010, P = .016). In patients with worse baseline blood tests (including higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level and lower hemoglobin (HB) level), and lower ISUP/WHO group (<4), their OS was significantly worse when showing AKR1C3-EXO positive.

Conclusion

AKR1C3-EXO is associated with patient prognosis regarding OS and ABI-PFS and can be used as a biomarker in mCRPC.
Civic and Urban Performance of Song
Authors: O’Regan Susan
Published: September 2022

This chapter considers songs written and performed in Cork during the politically contentious period 1750-1850. Following a turbulent century from 1640 onward, major demographic resettlements in the city resulted in two distinct communities, divided according to religion, class, and language. The songs reflect these divisions. While art songs were based on European models, new popular and vernacular songs were created through engagement with source airs from diverse traditions and genres, resulting in hybridized musical and textual forms, which proliferated in Irish urban centres from the late eighteenth century. In this chapter, sample songs will be examined in terms of adaptation process, intertextuality, and parody. Exploration of the reception and subsequent transmission of the songs indicates a multiplicity of meanings and associations, channelled through theatre performances, nationalist anthologies, commercial publications as well as oral tradition.
Examining the gender equity outlook and patriarchal beliefs of police constables in Allahabad, India: A machine learning approach
Authors: Tripathi Saumya
Published: September 2022

This cross-sectional study examined the association between gender equity outlook (GEO) and patriarchal beliefs (PB) among 190 police constables in Allahabad, India. Results of linear regression and the scatter plot analysis revealed an inverse association (ß= −0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–0.49) between the GEO and PB of police constables. The feature selection technique of machine learning was also used to understand which socio-demographic characteristics were most important in explaining the GEO and PB. Recursive features elimination, a decision tree, random forest, ridge, and lasso regression showed gender as the most important feature (GEO ß= 3.66, 95% CI, P < 0.00; PB ß= 9.54, 95% CI, P < 0.00) followed by age and education in explaining the prevalence of GEO and PB. The findings underscore the importance of (re)shaping policing policies and interventions with a particular focus on gender equity and equality in eliminating the prevalent patriarchy among police in India.