bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular autonomic modulation during passive heating protocols: a systematic review
Authors: Ferreira Felipe Castro , Vaz Padilha Michelle Cristina Salabert , Rocha Teresa Mell da Mota Silva , Lima Ligia Soares , Carandina Angelica , Bellocchi Chiara , Tobaldini Eleonora , Montano Nicola , Soares Pedro Paulo da Silva , Rodrigues Gabriel Dias
Published: November 2022

Objective. To conduct a systematic review of the possible effects of passive heating protocols on cardiovascular autonomic control in healthy individuals. Approach. The studies were obtained from MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS (BVS), EUROPE PMC (PMC), and SCOPUS databases, simultaneously. Studies were considered eligible if they employed passive heating protocols and investigated cardiovascular autonomic control by spontaneous methods, such as heart rate variability (HRV), systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), in healthy adults. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB-2) was used to assess the risk of bias in each study. Main results. Twenty-seven studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Whole-body heating protocols caused a reduction in cardiac vagal modulation in 14 studies, and two studies reported both increased sympathetic modulation and vagal withdrawal. Contrariwise, local-heating protocols and sauna bathing seem to increase cardiac vagal modulation. A reduction of BRS was reported in most of the studies that used whole-body heating protocols. However, heating effects on BRS remain controversial due to methodological differences among baroreflex analysis and heating protocols. Significance. Whole-body heat stress may increase sympathetic and reduce vagal modulation to the heart in healthy adults. On the other hand, local-heating therapy and sauna bathing seem to increase cardiac vagal modulation, opposing sympathetic modulation. Nonetheless, further studies should investigate acute and chronic effects of thermal therapy on cardiovascular autonomic control.
Analytical study of gravitational lensing in Kerr-Newman black-bounce spacetime
Authors: Ghosh Saptaswa , Bhattacharyya Arpan
Published: November 2022

We investigate the equatorial deflection angle of light rays propagating in Kerr-Newman black-bounce spacetime. Furthermore, we analyze the light ray trajectories and derive a closed-form formula for deflection angle in terms of elliptic integrals. The deflection angle increases with the decrease of charge and regularisation parameter for a particular impact parameter. We also study the strong field limit of the deflection angle. Using this strong deflection angle formula and lens equation, we find the radius of the first Einstein ring and study its dependence on the charge and the regularisation parameter. We demonstrate that the charge has a robust effect on the size of the Einstein rings, but the effect of the regularization parameter on the ring size is negligible. We also investigate the non-equatorial lensing and the caustic structures for small polar inclination, and the same observations appear to hold. These results directly affect the observational appearance of the Kerr-Newman black-bounce.
Research progress of Pt and Pt-based cathode electrocatalysts for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Suo Ni , Cao Longsheng , Qin Xiaoping , Shao Zhigang
Published: November 2022

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been widely used commercially to solve the energy crisis and environmental pollution. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode is the rate-determining step in PEMFCs. Platinum (Pt) catalysts are used to accelerate the ORR kinetics. Pt’s scarcity, high cost, and instability in an acidic environment at high potentials seriously hinder the commercialization of PEMFCs. Therefore, studies should explore electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity, enhanced stability, and low-Pt loading. This review briefly introduces the research progress on Pt and Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts for PEMFCs, including anticorrosion catalyst supports, Pt, and Pt-based alloy electrocatalysts. Advanced preparation technology and material characterization of Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts are necessary to improve the performance and corresponding reaction mechanisms.
A sport and a pastime: Model design and computation in quantum many-body systems
Authors: Pan Gaopei , Jiang Weilun , Meng Zi Yang
Published: November 2022

We summarize the recent developments in the model design and computation for a few representative quantum many-body systems, encompassing quantum critical metals beyond the Hertz–Millis–Moriya framework with pseudogap and superconductivity, SYK non-Fermi-liquid with self-tuned quantum criticality and fluctuation induced superconductivity, and the flat-band quantum Moiré lattice models in continuum where the interplay of quantum geometry of flat-band wave function and the long-range Coulomb interactions gives rise to novel insulating phases at integer fillings and superconductivity away from them. Although the narrative choreography seems simple, we show how important the appropriate model design and their tailor-made algorithmic developments – in other words, the scientific imagination inspired by the corresponding fast experimental developments in the aforementioned systems – compel us to invent and discover new knowledge and insights in the sport and pastime of quantum many-body research.
Race, ethnicity, and support for climate policy
Authors: Benegal Salil , Azevedo Flávio , Holman Mirya R
Published: November 2022

Addressing the increasing temperatures of the globe requires society-wide adaptation and mitigation efforts. One central challenge to these efforts is the resistance of groups to support broad policy efforts to reduce global temperatures, with particular resistance in the United States. While scholars have established that partisanship, ideology, demographic, and socio-economic characteristics shape support for climate policy, we do not yet understand how these factors might vary within and across racial and ethnic groups. In this paper, we use pooled data from the Cooperative Election Study (N
total = 241 800) to examine differences in attitudes about climate policy between Asian, Black, Hispanic, and white Americans. Comparing across groups, we demonstrate that the many core findings of scholarship on support for climate policy apply nearly exclusively to white Americans, with varying correlational relationships for Asian, Black, and Hispanic Americans. Our efforts provide a much-needed examination of how racial identity shapes views on climate change and show that central, replicated results in scholarship on climate change apply largely to the views and behaviors of white Americans.
Concerning perceived and clinically-measured levels of halitosis
Authors: Oshiro Akiko , Zaitsu Takashi , Inoue Yuko , Srinarupat Jarassri , Nguyen Vy Thi Nhat , Nagai Masato , Aida Jun
Published: November 2022

The different types of self-reported halitosis complaints include those where one feels that one’s breath smells bad, where one feels that one has bad breath because of the attitudes of others, and where others have pointed out the presence of bad breath. The results of previous studies comparing the objective and subjectives measures of halitosis are inconsistent, and few studies have used gas chromatography (GC) to measure halitosis in a large sample. This study aimed to examine the objectively measured halitosis levels based on the reasons individuals are concerned about halitosis. We included 2063 patients who visited the halitosis clinic at a university dental hospital. Halitosis was assessed using GC, self-administered questionnaires, and oral examinations. Levels of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs; H2S, CH3SH, and (CH3)2S) were set as objective measures of halitosis. Patients were grouped based on their answers to ‘What made you concerned about bad breath?’ into groups: ‘self-perceived,’ ‘attitudes of others,’ ‘told by others,’ and other reasons. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with VSCs and objective halitosis levels. Age, sex, oral health status, smoking, drinking, and breakfast habits were used as confounders. Patients who answered ‘told by others’ (n = 691, 33.5%) showed the highest VSCs. Individuals whose halitosis was pointed out by others had higher objectively measured halitosis levels, while those concerned about the attitudes of others or perceived their own halitosis had lower objectively measured halitosis levels. These results suggest that the objective level of halitosis can differ on the basis of the reason underlying an individual’s concern about their bad breath. Categorizing halitosis complaints and comparing them with objective halitosis levels may help reduce the anxiety of those who are concerned about halitosis and confirm the need for intervention for those with objective halitosis.
Light-Guided Percutaneous Neck Rejuvenation With Division of Platysma Bands and Suture Suspension: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Gomez Diego A , James Isaac B , Turer David M , Trovato Matthew J , Pozner Jason N , Cook Jonathan , DiBernardo Barry E , Mueller Gregory P
Published: November 2022

Background

Traditional invasive suture suspension techniques have proven efficacy and durability. A previously described percutaneous placement of a neck suspension suture with light guidance has transformed this into a minimally invasive technique. This novel technique provides a major advance for minimally invasive neck rejuvenation.

Objectives

The authors sought to describe their experience with light-guided percutaneous neck rejuvenation over the past 4.5 years, including technique, patient selection, safety profile, and expected outcomes.

Methods

Data were retrospectively reviewed for all patients who underwent the procedure with 5 surgeons across 4 aesthetic plastic surgery practices from January 2018 through May 2022. Inclusion criteria were mild to moderate neck laxity, prominent anterior platysma bands, and desire to improve neck contour. Patients undergoing concurrent skin incision >5 mm (ie, open rhytidectomy or platysmaplasty) were excluded.

Results

A total of 391 patients meeting criteria were identified during the study period. No hematomas were documented. Four patients (1%) developed infection at the suture site, 1 resolving on antibiotics and 3 requiring suture removal. Eighteen (4.6%) developed recurrent platysmal bands, and 7 (1.8%) had residual loose skin. Four (1%) experienced transient marginal mandibular neuropraxia. Mean length of follow-up time was 240 days.

Conclusions

Light-guided percutaneous suture suspension is a safe and viable option for improving neck contours. Although it does not address extensive skin laxity or excess submental fat, it can be combined with energy-based tissue tightening, submental liposuction, or skin excision. In selected patients, this minimally invasive procedure provides predictable results with a low risk of complications.

Level of Evidence: 3
Managing surgical demand when needs outstrip resource: qualitative investigation of colorectal cancer surgery provision in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Conefrey Carmel , Ochieng Cynthia , Hoffmann Christin , Elliott Daisy , Avery Kerry , Bennett Joanne , Blencowe Natalie , Duff Sarah , Kinross James , McNair Angus , Messenger David , Pullyblank Anne , Singh Baljit , King Anni , Squire Sarah E , Blazeby Jane , Main Barry , Rooshenas Leila
Published: November 2022

Background

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective surgical provision was severely affected by the need for hospital reorganization to care for critically ill patients. In response, National Health Service (NHS) England issued national guidance proposing acceptable time intervals for postponing different types of surgical procedure. This study reports healthcare professionals’ private accounts of the strategies adopted to manage the imbalance of demand and resource, using colorectal cancer surgery as a case study.

Methods

Twenty-seven semistructured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals between June and November 2020. A key informant sampling approach was used, followed by snowballing to achieve maximum regional variation across the UK. Data were analysed thematically using the constant comparison approach.

Results

In the context of considerable resource constraint, surgical teams overcame challenges to continue elective cancer provision. They achieved this by pursuing a combination of strategies: relocating surgical services; prioritizing patients within and across surgical specialties; adapting patient treatment plans; and introducing changes to surgical team working practices. Despite national guidance, prioritization decisions were framed as complex, and the most challenging of the strategies to implement, both practically and emotionally.

Conclusion

There is a need to better support surgeons tasked with prioritizing patients when capacity exceeds demand.
Brain activations time locked to slow wave-coupled sleep spindles correlates with intellectual abilities
Authors: Baena Daniel , Fang Zhuo , Ray Laura B , Owen Adrian M , Fogel Stuart M
Published: November 2022

Sleep spindles (SP) are one of the few known electrophysiological neuronal biomarkers of interindividual differences in cognitive abilities and aptitudes. Recent simultaneous electroencephalography with functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) studies suggest that the magnitude of the activation of brain regions recruited during spontaneous spindle events is specifically related to Reasoning abilities. However, it is not known if the relationship with cognitive abilities differs between uncoupled spindles, uncoupled slow waves (SW), and coupled SW–SP complexes, nor have the functional-neuroanatomical substrates that support this relationship been identified. Here, we investigated the functional significance of activation of brain areas recruited during SW-coupled spindles, uncoupled spindles, and uncoupled slow waves. We hypothesize that brain activations time locked to SW-coupled spindle complexes will be primarily associated to Reasoning abilities, especially in subcortical areas. Our results provide direct evidence that the relationship between Reasoning abilities and sleep spindles depends on spindle coupling status. Specifically, we found that the putamen and thalamus, recruited during coupled SW–SP events were positively correlated with Reasoning abilities. In addition, we found a negative association between Reasoning abilities and hippocampal activation time-locked to uncoupled SWs that might reflect a refractory mechanism in the absence of new, intensive hippocampal-dependent memory processing.
Audiovisual integration in the human brain: a coordinate-based meta-analysis
Authors: Gao Chuanji , Green Jessica J , Yang Xuan , Oh Sewon , Kim Jongwan , Shinkareva Svetlana V
Published: November 2022

People can seamlessly integrate a vast array of information from what they see and hear in the noisy and uncertain world. However, the neural underpinnings of audiovisual integration continue to be a topic of debate. Using strict inclusion criteria, we performed an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis on 121 neuroimaging experiments with a total of 2,092 participants. We found that audiovisual integration is linked with the coexistence of multiple integration sites, including early cortical, subcortical, and higher association areas. Although activity was consistently found within the superior temporal cortex, different portions of this cortical region were identified depending on the analytical contrast used, complexity of the stimuli, and modality within which attention was directed. The context-dependent neural activity related to audiovisual integration suggests a flexible rather than fixed neural pathway for audiovisual integration. Together, our findings highlight a flexible multiple pathways model for audiovisual integration, with superior temporal cortex as the central node in these neural assemblies.
Implantation of the coronary sinus reducer for refractory angina due to coronary microvascular dysfunction in the context of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—a case report
Authors: Cheng Kevin , Keramida Georgia , Baksi A John , de Silva Ranil
Published: November 2022

Background

Refractory angina leads to a poor quality of life and increased healthcare resource utilization. In this growing population of patients, multiple mechanism(s) of ischaemia may co-exist, including functional disorders of the coronary microcirculation. There are few evidence-based effective therapies resulting in a large unmet clinical need.

Case summary

A 38-year-old woman with refractory angina was referred with daily chest pain despite multiple anti-anginal medications and previous percutaneous coronary intervention. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) with regadenoson stress confirmed significant myocardial ischaemia in the apex and apical regions (16% of total myocardium) with a global myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) of 1.23. Coronary angiography confirmed patent stents and no epicardial coronary artery disease. Therefore, the mechanism of ischaemia was thought attributable to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in the context of HCM. In view of her significant symptoms and large burden of left-sided myocardial ischaemia, a Coronary Sinus Reducer (CSR) was implanted. Repeat PET imaging at 6 months showed a marked reduction in ischaemia (<5% burden), improvement in global MPR (1.58), symptoms, and quality of life.

Conclusion

In refractory angina, ischaemia may be due to disorders of both the epicardial and coronary microcirculations. The CSR is a potential therapy for these patients, but its mechanism of action has not been confirmed. This report suggests that CSR implantation may reduce myocardial ischaemia and improve symptoms by acting on the coronary microcirculation. The efficacy of CSR in patients with CMD and its mechanism of action on the coronary microcirculation warrant further investigation.
Electrocardiogram-based deep learning improves outcome prediction following cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Wouters Philippe C , van de Leur Rutger R , Vessies Melle B , van Stipdonk Antonius M W , Ghossein Mohammed A , Hassink Rutger J , Doevendans Pieter A , van der Harst Pim , Maass Alexander H , Prinzen Frits W , Vernooy Kevin , Meine Mathias , van Es René
Published: November 2022

Aims

This study aims to identify and visualize electrocardiogram (ECG) features using an explainable deep learning–based algorithm to predict cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) outcome. Its performance is compared with current guideline ECG criteria and QRSAREA.

Methods and results

A deep learning algorithm, trained on 1.1 million ECGs from 251 473 patients, was used to compress the median beat ECG, thereby summarizing most ECG features into only 21 explainable factors (FactorECG). Pre-implantation ECGs of 1306 CRT patients from three academic centres were converted into their respective FactorECG. FactorECG predicted the combined clinical endpoint of death, left ventricular assist device, or heart transplantation [c-statistic 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–0.72], significantly outperforming QRSAREA and guideline ECG criteria [c-statistic 0.61 (95% CI 0.58–0.64) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.54–0.60), P < 0.001 for both]. The addition of 13 clinical variables was of limited added value for the FactorECG model when compared with QRSAREA (Δ c-statistic 0.03 vs. 0.10). FactorECG identified inferolateral T-wave inversion, smaller right precordial S- and T-wave amplitude, ventricular rate, and increased PR interval and P-wave duration to be important predictors for poor outcome. An online visualization tool was created to provide interactive visualizations (https://crt.ecgx.ai).

Conclusion

Requiring only a standard 12-lead ECG, FactorECG held superior discriminative ability for the prediction of clinical outcome when compared with guideline criteria and QRSAREA, without requiring additional clinical variables. End-to-end automated visualization of ECG features allows for an explainable algorithm, which may facilitate rapid uptake of this personalized decision-making tool in CRT.
Evidence of the emergence of illicit benzodiazepines from online drug forums
Authors: Sarker Abeed , Al-Garadi Mohammed Ali , Ge Yao , Nataraj Nisha , McGlone Londell , Jones Christopher M , Sumner Steven A
Published: November 2022

Illicit or ‘designer’ benzodiazepines are a growing contributor to overdose deaths. We employed natural language processing (NLP) to study benzodiazepine mentions over 10 years on 270 online drug forums (subreddits) on Reddit. Using NLP, we automatically detected mentions of illicit and prescription benzodiazepines, including their misspellings and non-standard names, grouping relative mentions by quarter. On a collection of 17 861 755 posts between 2012 and 2021, we searched for 26 benzodiazepines (8 prescription; 18 illicit), detecting 173 275 mentions. The rate of posts about both prescription and illicit benzodiazepines increased consistently with increases in deaths involving both drug classes, illustrating the utility of surveillance via Reddit.
Target-oriented least-squares reverse-time migration using Marchenko double-focusing: reducing the artefacts caused by overburden multiples
Authors: Shoja Aydin , van der Neut Joost , Wapenaar Kees
Published: November 2022

Geophysicists have widely used least-squares reverse-time migration (LSRTM) to obtain high-resolution images of the subsurface. However, LSRTM is computationally expensive and it can suffer from multiple reflections. Recently, a target-oriented approach to LSRTM has been proposed, which focuses the wavefield above the target of interest. Remarkably, this approach can be helpful for imaging below complex overburdens and subsalt domains. Moreover, this approach can significantly reduce the computational burden of the problem by limiting the computational domain to a smaller area. Nevertheless, target-oriented LSRTM still needs an accurate velocity model of the overburden to focus the wavefield accurately and predict internal multiple reflections correctly. A viable alternative to an accurate velocity model for internal multiple prediction is Marchenko redatuming. This method is a novel data-driven method that can predict Green’s functions at any arbitrary depth, including all orders of multiples. The only requirement for this method is a smooth background velocity model of the overburden. Moreover, with Marchenko double-focusing, one can make virtual sources and receivers at a boundary above the target and bypass the overburden. This paper proposes a new algorithm for target-oriented LSRTM, which fits the Marchenko double-focused data with predicted data. The predicted data of the proposed method is modelled by a virtual source term created by Marchenko double-focusing on a boundary above the target of interest. This virtual source term includes all the interactions between the target and the overburden. Moreover, the Marchenko double-focused data and the virtual source term are free of multiples generated in the overburden. Consequently, our target-oriented LSRTM algorithm suppresses the multiples purely generated inside the overburden. Our algorithm correctly accounts for all orders of multiples caused by the interactions between the target and the overburden, resulting in a significant reduction of the artefacts caused by the overburden internal multiple reflections and improves amplitude recovery in the target image compared to conventional LSRTM.
Adapting a cooking, food budgeting and nutrition intervention for a rural community of American Indians with type 2 diabetes in the North-Central United States
Authors: Brown Meagan C , Hawley Caitie , Ornelas India J , Huber Corrine , Best Lyle , Thorndike Anne N , Beresford Shirley , Howard Barbara V , Umans Jason G , Hager Arlette , Fretts Amanda M
Published: November 2022

American Indian (AI) communities experience persistent diabetes-related disparities, yet few nutrition interventions are designed for AI with type 2 diabetes or address socio-contextual barriers to healthy eating. We describe our process of adapting the evidence-based Cooking Matters® program for use by AI adults with type 2 diabetes in a rural and resource-limited setting in the North-Central United States. We conducted three focus groups with AI adults with diabetes to (i) identify Cooking Matters® adaptations and (ii) gather feedback on appropriateness of the adapted intervention using Barrera and Castro’s cultural adaptation framework. Transcripts were coded using an inductive, constant comparison approach. Queries of codes were reviewed to identify themes. Contextual considerations included limited access to grocery stores and transportation barriers, reliance on government food assistance and the intergenerational burden of diabetes. Adaptations to content and delivery included incorporating traditional and locally available foods; appealing to children or others in multigenerational households and prioritizing visual over written content. Our use of Barrera and Castro’s framework adds rigor and structure to the cultural adaptation process and increases the likelihood of future intervention success. Other researchers may benefit from using this framework to guide the adaptation of evidence-based interventions in AI communities.
Multiple Infection and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Superinfection Among Persons who Inject Drugs in Indonesia and Ukraine
Authors: Palumbo Philip J , Grant-McAuley Wendy , Grabowski Mary Kate , Zhang Yinfeng , Richardson Paul , Piwowar-Manning Estelle , Sharma Deeksha , Clarke William , Laeyendecker Oliver , Rose Scott , Ha Tran V , Dumchev Kostyantyn , Djoerban Zubairi , Redd Andrew , Hanscom Brett , Hoffman Irving , Miller William C , Eshleman Susan H
Published: November 2022

Background

The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 074 study evaluated an integrated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment and prevention strategy among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Indonesia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. We previously detected multiple HIV infection in 3 of 7 (43%) of seroconverters with 3–8 HIV strains per person. In this report, we analyzed multiple HIV infection and HIV superinfection (SI) in the HPTN 074 cohort.

Methods

We analyzed samples from 70 participants in Indonesia and Ukraine who had viral load >400 copies/mL at enrollment and the final study visit (median follow-up, 2.5 years). HIV was characterized with Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Additional methods were used to characterize a rare case of triple-variant SI.

Results

At enrollment, multiple infection was detected in only 3 of 58 (5.2%) participants with env sequence data. SI was detected in only 1 of 70 participants over 172.3 person-years of follow-up (SI incidence, 0.58/100 person-years [95% confidence interval, .015–3.2]). The SI case involved acquisition of 3 HIV strains with rapid selection of a strain with a single pol region cluster.

Conclusions

These data from a large cohort of PWID suggest that intrahost viral selection and other factors may lead to underestimation of the frequency of multiple HIV infection and SI events.
Geographic Distribution and Seasonality of Brown Dog Tick Lineages in the United States
Authors: Grant Amber N , Lineberry Megan W , Sundstrom Kellee D , Allen Kelly E , Little Susan E
Published: November 2022

Two lineages of brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Latreille [Acari: Ixodidae]) have been described in North America: temperate and tropical. To characterize the distribution of these lineages across this region and evaluate seasonal activity, a 12S rRNA mitochondrial gene fragment was sequenced from R. sanguineus s.l. collected from hundreds of dogs and cats from different locations across 25 of the 50 states from 2018 to 2021. Infestations with temperate lineage predominated (78.5%) and were identified on pets from 20 states, with most (83.5%) from areas with annual mean daily average temperature <20°C. Tropical lineage submissions were less common (19.3%), submitted from 15 states, and most (80.0%) tropical lineage ticks were from areas with an annual mean daily average temperature >20°C. Although travel history was not obtained for all dogs, when tropical lineage infestations were found in colder regions, follow up conversations with veterinarians suggested some of these infestations may have resulted from recent travel of dogs. A limited number (2.2%) of dogs from Arizona and Texas were co-infested with both lineages. Both temperate and tropical lineage ticks were collected from pets in every month of the year. Temperate lineage infestations were primarily collected March through August while tropical lineage infestations were more often collected June through November. These data confirm at least two lineages of R. sanguineus s.l. are present in the United States, each predominating in distinct, overlapping geographies, and suggest that peak activity of each lineage occurs at different times of the year.
Optical spectroscopy of blazars for the Cherenkov Telescope Array – II
Authors: Kasai E , Goldoni P , Pita S , Williams D A , Max-Moerbeck W , Hervet O , Cotter G , Backes M , Boisson C , Becerra González J , Barres de Almeida U , D’Ammando F , Fallah Ramazani V , Lindfors E
Published: November 2022

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) make up about 35 per cent of the more than 250 sources detected in very high-energy (VHE) gamma rays to date with the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Apart from four nearby radio galaxies and two AGNs of unknown type, all known VHE AGNs are blazars. Knowledge of the cosmological redshift of gamma-ray blazars is key to enabling the study of their intrinsic emission properties, as the interaction between gamma rays and the extragalactic background light (EBL) results in a spectral softening. Therefore, the redshift determination exercise is crucial to indirectly placing tight constraints on the EBL density, and to studying blazar population evolution across cosmic time. Due to the powerful relativistic jets in blazars, most of their host galaxies’ spectral features are outshined, and dedicated high signal-to-noise (S/N) spectroscopic observations are required. Deep medium- to high-resolution spectroscopy of 33 gamma-ray blazar optical counterparts was performed with the European Southern Observatory, New Technology Telescope, Keck II telescope, Shane 3-metre telescope, and the Southern African Large Telescope. From the sample, spectra from 25 objects display spectral features or are featureless and have high S/N. The other eight objects have low-quality featureless spectra. We systematically searched for absorption and emission features and estimated, when possible, the fractional host galaxy flux in the measured total flux. Our measurements yielded 14 firm spectroscopic redshifts, ranging from 0.0838 to 0.8125, one tentative redshift, and two lower limits: one at $z > 0.382$ and the other at z > 0.629.
Evidence for episodic and patchy mass ejection in the circumstellar envelope of AGB star R Leonis
Authors: Hoai D T , Nhung P T , Tan M N , Darriulat P , Diep P N , Ngoc N B , Thai T T , Tuan-Anh P
Published: November 2022

The morpho-kinematics of the circumstellar envelope of oxygen-rich AGB star R Leonis is probed using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of the emission of molecular lines, including in particular CO(2–1) and 29SiO(5–4). Evidence is found for an episode of enhanced mass-loss, a few centuries ago, that produced a broad expanding shell of mean radius ∼6 arcsec and mean radial expansion velocity ∼5.5 km s−1. Detailed scrutiny of its structure, as displayed by the emission of the CO(2–1) line, reveals strong inhomogeneity and patchy morphology. Evidence is also found, in particular from the morpho-kinematics of the emission of SiO, SO, and SO2 lines probing the close neighbourhood of the star, for distinct gas outflows covering broad solid angles in the south-eastern, south-western, and north-western quadrants, suggesting significant contribution of the convective cell granulation in defining the pattern of mass ejection. A study of relative molecular abundances in these outflows suggests that a local thermal equilibrium description applies approximately beyond ∼10 stellar radii from the centre of the star but not at the smaller angular separations where the SO and SO2 molecules are found to be confined. Near the stellar disc, masers of the vibrationally excited SiO lines are found to probe north-western parts of a layer of hot gas, consistent with the earlier observation of an asymmetric expanding shell within 1–2 stellar radii from the centre of the star. Globally, a picture dominated by episodic and patchy mass ejections is found to prevail.
Magnetorotational supernovae: a nucleosynthetic analysis of sophisticated 3D models
Authors: Reichert M , Obergaulinger M , Aloy M Á , Gabler M , Arcones A , Thielemann F K
Published: November 2022

Magnetorotational supernovae are a rare type of core-collapse supernovae where the magnetic field and rotation play a central role in the dynamics of the explosion. We present the post-processed nucleosynthesis of state-of-the-art neutrino-MHD supernova models that follow the post explosion evolution for few seconds. We find three different dynamical mechanisms to produce heavy r-process elements: (i) a prompt ejection of matter right after core bounce, (ii) neutron-rich matter that is ejected at late times due to a reconfiguration of the protoneutronstar shape, (iii) small amount of mass ejected with high entropies in the centre of the jet. We investigate total ejecta yields, including the ones of unstable nuclei such as 26Al, 44Ti, 56Ni, and 60Fe. The obtained 56Ni masses vary between $0.01\!-\!1\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$. The latter maximum is compatible with hypernova observations. Furthermore, all of our models synthesize Zn masses in agreement with observations of old metal-poor stars. We calculate simplified light curves to investigate whether our models can be candidates for superluminous supernovae. The peak luminosities obtained from taking into account only nuclear heating reach up to a few $\sim 10^{43} \, \mathrm{erg\, s^{-1}}$. Under certain conditions, we find a significant impact of the 66Ni decay chain that can raise the peak luminosity up to $\sim 38{{\ \rm per \, cent}}$ compared to models including only the 56Ni decay chain. This work reinforces the theoretical evidence on the critical role of magnetorotational supernovae to understand the occurrence of hypernovae, superluminous supernovae, and the synthesis of heavy elements.
Turbulence and anomalous resistivity inside near-Earth magnetic clouds
Authors: Bhattacharjee Debesh , Subramanian Prasad , Nieves-Chinchilla Teresa , Vourlidas Angelos
Published: November 2022

We use in situ data from the Wind spacecraft (https://wind.nasa.gov/) to survey the amplitude of turbulent fluctuations in the proton density and total magnetic field inside a large sample of near-Earth magnetic clouds (MCs) associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun. We find that the most probable value of the modulation index for proton density fluctuations (δnp/np) inside MCs ranges from 0.13 to 0.16, while the most probable values for the modulation index of the total magnetic field fluctuations (δB/B) range from 0.04 to 0.05. We also find that the most probable value of the Mach number fluctuations (δM) inside MCs is ≈0.1. The anomalous resistivity inside the near-Earth MCs arising from electron scattering due to turbulent magnetic field fluctuations exceeds the (commonly used) Spitzer resistivity by a factor of ≈500–1000. The enhanced Joule heating arising from this anomalous resistivity could impact our understanding of the energetics of CME propagation.
Chaos in multiplanetary extrasolar systems
Authors: Gajdoš Pavol , Vaňko Martin
Published: November 2022

Here, we present an initial look at the dynamics and stability of 178 multiplanetary systems that are already confirmed and listed in the NASA Exoplanet Archive. To distinguish between the chaotic and regular nature of a system, the value of the Mean Exponential Growth factor of Nearby Orbits (MEGNO) indicator for each system was determined. Almost three-quarters of them could be labelled as long-term stable. Only 45 studied systems show chaotic behaviour. We consequently investigated the effects of the number of planets and their parameters on the system stability. A comparison of results obtained using the MEGNO indicator and machine-learning algorithm SPOCK (Stability of Planetary Orbital Configuration Klassifier) suggests that the SPOCK could be used as an effective tool for reviewing the stability of multiplanetary systems. A similar study was already published by Laskar and Petit. We compared their analysis based on the AMD (Angular Momentum Deficit) criterion with our results. The possible discrepancies are discussed.
A high-mass X-ray binary pulsar 4U 1907+09 with multiple absorption-line features in the spectrum
Authors: Tobrej Mohammed , Rai Binay , Ghising Manoj , Tamang Ruchi , Paul Bikash Chandra
Published: November 2022

We report X-ray observations of the high mass X-ray binary (HMXB) pulsar 4U 1907+09. Spectral and timing analysis of the source has been performed using Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) observation. Timing analysis of the photon events revealed the coherent X-ray pulsation of the source with a pulse period of 442.92 ± 0.03 s. It is observed that the source is spinning down at a rate of 0.1971(4) s yr−1. The pulse profile is characterized by a decaying amplitude of the secondary peak and relative growth in the amplitude of the primary peak with an increase in energy. The broad-band spectral coverage of NuSTAR has been used to observe multiple absorption features in the X-ray continuum of the source. We confirm the presence of two prominent cyclotron absorption features at ∼17 and ∼38 keV, respectively. In addition, we have detected an absorption-line feature at ∼8 keV, with an equivalent width of ∼1.3 keV. The variation of the spectral parameters with pulse phase has been observed using phase-resolved spectroscopy and the relevant variabilities of the parameters have been discussed with the underlying physical implications. The continuum evolution and variations in spectral parameters have also been studied by time-resolved spectroscopy.
Parametrizations of thermal bomb explosions for core-collapse supernovae and 56Ni production
Authors: Imasheva Liliya , Janka Hans-Thomas , Weiss Achim
Published: November 2022

Thermal bombs are a widely used method to artificially trigger explosions of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) to determine their nucleosynthesis or ejecta and remnant properties. Recently, their use in spherically symmetric (1D) hydrodynamic simulations led to the result that 56,57Ni and 44Ti are massively underproduced compared to observational estimates for Supernova 1987A, if the explosions are slow, i.e. if the explosion mechanism of CCSNe releases the explosion energy on long time-scales. It was concluded that rapid explosions are required to match observed abundances, i.e. the explosion mechanism must provide the CCSN energy nearly instantaneously on time-scales of some ten to order 100 ms. This result, if valid, would disfavour the neutrino-heating mechanism, which releases the CCSN energy on time-scales of seconds. Here, we demonstrate by 1D hydrodynamic simulations and nucleosynthetic post-processing that these conclusions are a consequence of disregarding the initial collapse of the stellar core in the thermal-bomb modelling before the bomb releases the explosion energy. We demonstrate that the anticorrelation of 56Ni yield and energy-injection time-scale vanishes when the initial collapse is included and that it can even be reversed, i.e. more 56Ni is made by slower explosions, when the collapse proceeds to small radii similar to those where neutrino heating takes place in CCSNe. We also show that the 56Ni production in thermal-bomb explosions is sensitive to the chosen mass cut and that a fixed mass layer or fixed volume for the energy deposition cause only secondary differences. Moreover, we propose a most appropriate setup for thermal bombs.
The Antibody Registry: ten years of registering antibodies
Authors: Bandrowski Anita , Pairish Mason , Eckmann Peter , Grethe Jeffrey , Martone Maryann E
Published: November 2022

Antibodies are ubiquitous key biological research resources yet are tricky to use as they are prone to performance issues and represent a major source of variability across studies. Understanding what antibody was used in a published study is therefore necessary to repeat and/or interpret a given study. However, antibody reagents are still frequently not cited with sufficient detail to determine which antibody was used in experiments. The Antibody Registry is a public, open database that enables citation of antibodies by providing a persistent record for any antibody-based reagent used in a publication. The registry is the authority for antibody Research Resource Identifiers, or RRIDs, which are requested or required by hundreds of journals seeking to improve the citation of these key resources. The registry is the most comprehensive listing of persistently identified antibody reagents used in the scientific literature. Data contributors span individual authors who use antibodies to antibody companies, which provide their entire catalogs including discontinued items. Unlike many commercial antibody listing sites which tend to remove reagents no longer sold, registry records persist, providing an interface between a fast-moving commercial marketplace and the static scientific literature. The Antibody Registry (RRID:SCR_006397) https://antibodyregistry.org.
The effects of fasting diets on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Mokhtari Zeinab , Hosseini Elham , Hekmatdoost Azita , Haskey Natasha , Gibson Deanna L , Askari Gholamreza
Published: November 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in the world. There is no confirmed treatment for NAFLD as yet. Recently, fasting regimens and their relationship to NAFLD have drawn a great deal of attention in the literature. We review the current evidence that supports fasting diets as an adjunctive therapeutic strategy for patients with NAFLD and address potential action mechanisms. We reason that the fasting diets might be a promising approach for modulating hepatic steatosis, fibroblast growth factors 19 and 21 signaling, lipophagy, and the metabolic profile.
Adjuvant Abemaciclib Combined with Endocrine Therapy: Efficacy Results in monarchE Cohort 1
Authors: Toi Masakazu , Boyle Frances , Im Young-Hyuck , Reinisch Mattea , Molthrop David , Jiang Zefei , Wei Ran , Sapunar Francisco , Grimes Brenda R , Nabinger Sarah Cassidy , Johnston Stephen R D
Published: November 2022

The monarchE Cohort 1 patient population was enrolled based on high-risk clinicopathological features that can easily be identified as part of routine clinical breast cancer evaluation. Efficacy data from Cohort 1 demonstrate substantial evidence of benefit for adjuvant abemaciclib+ET in patients with HR+, HER2− early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03155997 [monarchE]).
Metamorphic Evolution and Orogenic Process Related to the Eastern Paleo-Tethyan Warm Subduction and Indochina–South China Collision
Authors: Wang Huining , Liu Fulai , Wang Fang , Ji Lei , Zhu Jianjiang , Thanh Ngo Xuan
Published: November 2022

The eastern Paleo-Tethyan Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan–Song Ma orogenic belt in the Southeast Tibetan Plateau represents the tectonic boundary between the Indochina and South China blocks. Regional Cenozoic lithospheric strike-slip movements caused by the India–Asia collision have modified many of the pristine geological records associated with the Indosinian orogeny. The lack of reliable petrological evidences, particularly of high-pressure (HP) metamorphism, has hindered the tracing of the evolutionary history of the Paleo-Tethyan orogenic belt. We report the mineralogy, geochemistry, geochronology and thermodynamic modelling of eclogite lenses/blocks and their host garnet–phengite schists from the Song Ma Suture Zone of Northwest Vietnam and reveal their protolith origins and metamorphic evolution. The eclogites are geochemically similar to mid-ocean ridge basalt, showing weak depletions in high field-strength elements, positive to slightly negative whole-rock ɛNd(t) ratios (−1.69 to +5.15) and slightly high 87Sr/86Sr(t) ratios (0.70466–0.70834). The igneous protolith of the eclogites formed in the late Silurian (425.4 ± 3.6 Ma; igneous zircon dating, 638–459 Ma TDM dating), which makes them the oldest known mid-ocean ridge mafic rocks in an ancient Paleo-Tethyan Ocean. Various eclogites preserve similar peak mineral assemblages (garnet + omphacite + phengite + rutile + quartz ± epidote/clinozoisite ± kyanite ± winchite) under indistinguishable peak conditions. Their prograde P–T trajectories show a uniform pattern of progressive heating and weak compression along a geothermal gradient of 8°C–10°C/km, indicating a warm subduction setting at a low angle that contrasts with the cold oceanic subduction recorded in the adjacent Paleo-Tethyan suture zones. Combined with detrital U–Pb ages from previous studies, our geochronological data indicate that the host schists originated from continental crust within the South China Block and underwent a pervasive Triassic HP metamorphism related to the Indosinian orogeny. The eclogites and host schists yielded HP metamorphic ages of 239–234 Ma and retrogressive amphibolite-facies metamorphic ages of 231–229 Ma, suggesting rapid cooling (14.0°C–21.6°C/Myr) and exhumation (6.4 km/Myr) from the mantle to the crust. The Song Ma eclogites and their host schists formed when the final ocean closure transitioned to the initial Indochina–South China collision. The Song Ma eclogites and their host schists provide essential information on the opening and closure of the eastern Paleo-Tethys and the subsequent amalgamation of Southeast Asian continental fragments.
Gene-by-environment interactions in plants: Molecular mechanisms, environmental drivers, and adaptive plasticity
Authors: Napier Joseph D , Heckman Robert W , Juenger Thomas E
Published: November 2022

Plants demonstrate a broad range of responses to environmental shifts. One of the most remarkable responses is plasticity, which is the ability of a single plant genotype to produce different phenotypes in response to environmental stimuli. As with all traits, the ability of plasticity to evolve depends on the presence of underlying genetic diversity within a population. A common approach for evaluating the role of genetic variation in driving differences in plasticity has been to study genotype-by-environment interactions (G × E). G × E occurs when genotypes produce different phenotypic trait values in response to different environments. In this review, we highlight progress and promising methods for identifying the key environmental and genetic drivers of G × E. Specifically, methodological advances in using algorithmic and multivariate approaches to understand key environmental drivers combined with new genomic innovations can greatly increase our understanding about molecular responses to environmental stimuli. These developing approaches can be applied to proliferating common garden networks that capture broad natural environmental gradients to unravel the underlying mechanisms of G × E. An increased understanding of G × E can be used to enhance the resilience and productivity of agronomic systems.