bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and experimental investigation of indentation creep behavior of hypoeutectic Sn-Bi and Sn-Bi- Sb2O3 alloys using genetic programming approach
Authors: Abdelaziz Shereen M , Lebda H I , El-Rehim A F Abd , Habashy D M
Published: April 2023

This study employs genetic programming (GP) to model the impact of aging temperature and the addition of nano-sized Sb2O3 particles on the mechanical properties of hypoeutectic Sn-5 wt% Bi alloy. Vickers hardness measurements were used to investigate the indentation creep behavior of the alloy under different testing conditions, comparing Sn-5 wt% Bi (alloy A) and Sn-5 wt% Bi-0.5 wt% Sb2O3 (alloy B). Microstructure development was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A MATLAB code was employed to optimize the GP parameters during the training process. Two GP models were developed to describe the indentation creep behavior of alloys A and B, respectively, as a function of dwell time, aging temperature, and applied load, using experimental data with errors of 0.0844 and 0.086 and a correlation coefficient greater than 0.9. The equations generated by the GP approach demonstrate excellent agreement with the experimental findings, and the GP model predicts the data with high accuracy.
Weighted variation after projection method for low-lying nonyrast states*
Authors: Lian Zhan-Jiang , Lu Xiao , Li Xue-Wei , Gao Zao-Chun , Chen Yong-Shou
Published: April 2023

We propose a simple algorithm to further improve the previous variation after projection (VAP) wave functions for low-lying nonyrast states. We attach a weight factor to each calculated energy; then, the sum of these weighted energies is minimized. It turns out that a low-lying nonyrast VAP wave function can be further optimized when the weight factor for the corresponding energy is far larger than the other ones. Based on the improved WVAP wave functions, the energy-variance extrapolation method is applied to estimate the exact shell model energies. The calculated results for nuclei in the

and

model spaces clearly show that the extrapolated energies for all the calculated states are very close to the exact shell model ones within

keV.
Research progress on vanadium oxides for potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Yuhan , Chen Guangbo , Wu Xiaonan , Li Lin , Yue Jinyu , Guan Yinyan , Hou Juan , Shi Fanian , Liang Jiyan
Published: April 2023

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have been considered as promising candidates in the post-lithium-ion battery era. Till now, a large number of materials have been used as electrode materials for PIBs, among which vanadium oxides exhibit great potentiality. Vanadium oxides can provide multiple electron transfers during electrochemical reactions because vanadium possesses a variety of oxidation states. Meanwhile, their relatively low cost and superior material, structural, and physicochemical properties endow them with strong competitiveness. Although some inspiring research results have been achieved, many issues and challenges remain to be further addressed. Herein, we systematically summarize the research progress of vanadium oxides for PIBs. Then, feasible improvement strategies for the material properties and electrochemical performance are introduced. Finally, the existing challenges and perspectives are discussed with a view to promoting the development of vanadium oxides and accelerating their practical applications.
Proprioceptive wake classification by a body with a passive tail
Authors: Rodwell Colin , Pollard Beau , Tallapragada Phanindra
Published: April 2023

The remarkable ability of some marine animals to identify flow structures and parameters using complex non-visual sensors, such as lateral lines of fish and the whiskers of seals, has been an area of investigation for researchers looking to apply this ability to artificial robotic swimmers, which could lead to improvements in autonomous navigation and efficiency. Several species of fish in particular have been known to school effectively, even when blind. Beyond specialized sensors like the lateral lines, it is now known that some fish use purely proprioceptive sensing, using the kinematics of their fins or tails to sense their surroundings. In this paper we show that the kinematics of a body with a passive tail encode information about the ambient flow, which can be deciphered through machine learning. We demonstrate this with experimental data of the angular velocity of a hydrofoil with a passive tail that lies in the wake generated by an upstream oscillating body. Using convolutional neural networks, we show that with the kinematic data from the downstream body with a tail, the wakes can be better classified than in the case of a body without a tail. This superior sensing ability exists for a body with a tail, even if only the kinematics of the main body are used as input for the machine learning. This shows that beyond generating ‘additional inputs’, passive tails modulate the response of the main body in manner that is useful for hydrodynamic sensing. These findings have clear application for improving the sensing abilities of bioinspired swimming robots.
Formation mechanism of mirror twin grain boundaries in molecular beam epitaxy grown monolayer WSe2–MoSe2 lateral heterojunctions
Authors: Yu Zhoubin , Dai Yawei , Komsa Hannu-Pekka , Ren Xibiao , Yuan Mengfei , Xie Maohai , Jin Chuanhong
Published: April 2023

Mirror twin grain boundary (MTB) defects, being a special type of high-symmetry one-dimensional (1D) defects in two-dimensional atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), have received considerable interest due to their unique structures and intriguing 1D properties. However, formation and distribution of MTBs in hybrid TMDC materials such as heterojunction remain scarcely studied. Herein, we investigate the spatial distribution, lattice registry and formation mechanism of MTBs in molecular beam epitaxy grown monolayer WSe2–MoSe2 lateral heterojunctions using atomic-resolution annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM). MTBs manifest a much higher density in MoSe2 than in WSe2 domains with a few of them spanning coherently across the domain interface. Compositionally, a Mo-dominant rather than W-dominant configuration was observed in those MTBs located in WSe2 domains and its origin can be attributed to the preferable Mo substitution to W along the MTBs occurring at the later MoSe2 growth period. This proposed mechanism is supported by ab-initio density functional theory calculations and substitution dynamics captured by in-situ ADF-STEM. The present study deepens our understanding of MTBs in heterostructured TMDCs, which may also serve as an excellent platform for the exploration of intriguing 1D physics.
The space problem
Authors: Harris Margaret
Published: April 2023

Space companies can no longer rely on the industry’s “cool factor” to recruit staff.
Hidden variables
Authors: Randall Ian
Published: April 2023

How well do you know your medical physics? Find out with this fun, cryptic word search, created by Ian Randall. All answers are hidden in the grid vertically, horizontally or diagonally, with no letters skipped.
Artificial neural network potentials for mechanics and fracture dynamics of two-dimensional crystals
**
Authors: Jung Gang Seob , Myung Hunjoo , Irle Stephan
Published: April 2023

Understanding the mechanics and failure of materials at the nanoscale is critical for their engineering and applications. The accurate atomistic modeling of brittle failure with crack propagation in covalent crystals requires a quantum mechanics-based description of individual bond-breaking events. Artificial neural network potentials (NNPs) have emerged to overcome the traditional, physics-based modeling tradeoff between accuracy and accessible time and length scales. Previous studies have shown successful applications of NNPs for describing the structure and dynamics of molecular systems and amorphous or liquid phases of materials. However, their application to deformation and failure processes in materials is still uncommon. In this study, we discuss the apparent limitations of NNPs for the description of deformation and fracture under loadings and propose a way to generate and select training data for their employment in simulations of deformation and fracture simulations of crystals. We applied the proposed approach to 2D crystalline graphene, utilizing the density-functional tight-binding method for more efficient and extensive data generation in place of density functional theory. Then, we explored how the data selection affects the accuracy of the developed artificial NNPs. It revealed that NNP’s reliability should not only be measured based on the total energy and atomic force comparisons for reference structures but also utilize comparisons for physical properties, e.g. stress–strain curves and geometric deformation. In sharp contrast to popular reactive bond order potentials, our optimized NNP predicts straight crack propagation in graphene along both armchair and zigzag (ZZ) lattice directions, as well as higher fracture toughness of ZZ edge direction. Our study provides significant insight into crack propagation mechanisms on atomic scales and highlights strategies for NNP developments of broader materials.
Long-term Control of Nasal Tip Position: Quantitative Assessment of Caudal Septal Extension Graft
Authors: Mookerjee Vikram , Shah Jinesh , Carney Martin , Alper David , Steinbacher Derek
Published: April 2023

Goals/Purpose

Control of nasal tip position is critical in final rhinoplasty outcomes. Two frequent methods of exerting tip control are columellar strut and caudal septal extension grafts. Past work has demonstrated that septal extension grafts are better able to preserve tip rotation over time. However, there is no quantitative data describing long term projection and rotation with septal extension grafts, which is essential to the final aesthetic result. The purpose of this study was to analyze long term maintenance of tip projection and rotation following septal extension graft.

Methods/Technique

A retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing open rhinoplasty was conducted. Open rhinoplasty with three-dimensional data and use of septal extension graft were collated. Excluded were closed rhinoplasty, cleft rhinoplasty, tip rhinoplasty only, cases where deprojection or derotation was implemented, and cases less with than 2 years of follow up. All patients underwent osteotomies, tip projection, and tip rotation. Three-dimensional photogrammetric evaluation of nasal tip position was performed preoperatively and postoperatively (Vectra; Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, N.J.). Anthropometric points were analyzed preoperatively, 1 week postoperative, 6 weeks postoperative, 2 years postoperative, and at final documented follow up. Outcome variables were tip projection, tip rotation, and nasal length. Nasal projection was measured from the piriform to pronasale, and nasal length was measured from radix to pronasale. Nasolabial angle was defined using three points (tip, subnasale, and Cupid’s bow). Results were compared statistically using dependent t-test.

Results/Complications

A total of 20 patients were included. Average follow up time was 3.3 ± 1.3 years (2.0 to 6.6 years). 15 patients underwent primary rhinoplasty and 5 underwent secondary rhinoplasty. Overall, 75 percent were female, with an average age of 25.5 years at the time of surgery. From 1 week to 6 weeks postoperative, there was a decrease in rotation (-4.3%, p<0.01) as well as an observed but not statistically significant decrease in projection (-1.5%) and nasal length (-0.9%). There was no statistically significant decrease in projection, rotation, or nasal length from 6 weeks postoperative to 2 years postoperatively, or from 6 weeks postoperatively to final follow up (2.0 to 6.6 years).

Conclusion

Nasal tip projection and rotation appear to decrease from the immediate postoperative position, likely due to resolving edema. In this study, patients that underwent open rhinoplasty with septal extension graft experienced modest loss of projection and rotation until 6 weeks postoperative, but maintained projection and rotation from 6 weeks postoperative to 2 years and beyond. This study provides evidence that septal extension graft maintains long term changes in tip projection and rotation.
Patient Satisfaction Using Breast-Q After Breast Reconstruction in Male-to-Female Transgender Patients
Authors: Desjardins Haley , McCranie Alec , Mathes David , Wong Corinne
Published: April 2023

Goals/Purpose

Male-to-female top surgery comprises an increasing portion of breast augmentations performed by plastic surgeons across the nation. Many studies have been performed in cis-females reporting improved overall satisfaction with their breasts, as well as improved psychosocial, sexual, and physical well-being utilizing the validated BREAST-Q questionnaire. Satisfaction in this transgender population has not been well studied using the current standard of care in the United States, non-textured implants. The authors conducted a retrospective study following male-to-female patients who received non-textured implants as part of their breast reconstruction.

Methods/Technique

The authors searched electronic medical records for patients aged 18 years or older who underwent breast augmentation for male-to-female top surgery at Denver Health Medical Center between 2018 and 2021. Survey evaluation using the validated BREAST-Q questionnaire was administered via telephone or in clinic at 6 months and 1 year after breast implant placement. Breast-Q scores for psychosocial, sexual, physical well-being, satisfaction with breasts, and overall post-satisfaction subscales were collected and converted to the equivalent Rasch transformed score. Because this was a retrospective study, median pre-operative subscale scores were utilized from another study that looked at satisfaction in the use of anatomical textured implants in transgender patients by Weigert et al. These pre-operative median scores were compared with patient scores at 6 and 12 months post-operatively.

Results/Complications

30 male-to-female transgender patients were contacted to participate in this study. 24 patients volunteered to participate, and 6 declined. BREAST-Q survey results demonstrate significantly improved satisfaction post-operatively at 6 and 12 months when compared to median pre-operative scores for psychosocial (p <0.001; p <0.001), sexual (p<0.001; p <0.001), physical well-being (p<0.001; p <0.001), and satisfaction with breasts (p<0.001; p <0.001). Results demonstrate that some subscales of post-operative satisfaction increased with more time from surgery. Between 6 and 12 months post-operatively, patients experienced significant improvement in physical (p<0.001), sexual (p<0.007), and psychosocial well-being (p<0.019). No significant change was seen in satisfaction with outcome or satisfaction with breast between 6 and 12 months.

Conclusion

Male-to-female transgender patients exhibit a significant increase in satisfaction following breast augmentation when assessed using the validated BREAST-Q questionnaire. Counseling this patient population pre-operatively, providers can use these results to better advise patients and set reasonable post-operative expectations. Further studies investigating long-term satisfaction in larger cohorts are needed.
Risk of Complications After Breast Surgery in Radiated Patients Using the Closed Incision Negative Pressure Therapy Dressings Compared to Standard-of-Care Dressings
Authors: Alameddine Khaled , Mohamed Omar , Chen Austin , Harless Christin
Published: April 2023

Goals/Purpose

Patients with adjuvant radiotherapy are significantly more likely to have complications such as infections and wound dehiscence following breast surgery.1 Closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (cINPT) holds incision edges together, prevents external contamination and removes exudate, promoting tensile strength and increased collagen recruitment at the incision site compared to the standard of care dressings.2 cINPT is helpful in surgical closures on high-risk patients.3 We evaluated the complication rates following the use of cINPT in implant-based breast reconstruction.

Methods/Technique

A cohort was collected retrospectively from a single institution, from January 1, 2018 to October 31 2022. The complication rates were then compared between cINPT dressing and standard-of-care dressings on radiated patients following breast surgery.

Results/Complications

The data collected consist of a total of 83 radiated breasts that underwent implant based reconstruction. cINPT was used in 41 breasts and standard-of-care dressings were used in 42 breasts.

Of the cINPT cohort, 2 patients developed seromas that required bedside aspirations (4.8%) and one patient developed an infection (2.4%) with none of the patients requiring re operations. Of the standard of care dressings cohort, 9 patients developed seromas (21.4%), and 3 patients developed infections (7.1%), of which 3 patients required reoperations (7.1%).

Conclusion

Patients with prior radiation who received cINPT had lower risk of developing complications compared to patients with prior radiation who received standard-of-care dressings.
Identification and characterization of extracellular GH3 β-glucosidase from the pink snow mold fungus,Microdochium nivale
Authors: Ota Tomoya , Saburi Wataru , Jewell Linda Elizabeth , Hsiang Tom , Imai Ryozo , Mori Haruhide
Published: April 2023

Glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3) β-glucosidase exists in many filamentous fungi. In phytopathogenic fungi, it is involved in fungal growth and pathogenicity. Microdochium nivale is a severe phytopathogenic fungus of grasses and cereals and is the causal agent of pink snow mold, but its β-glucosidase has not been identified. In this study, a GH3 β-glucosidase of M. nivale (MnBG3A) was identified and characterized. Among various p-nitrophenyl β-glycosides, MnBG3A showed activity on d-glucoside (pNP-Glc) and slight activity on d-xyloside. In the pNP-Glc hydrolysis, substrate inhibition occurred (Kis = 1.6 m m), and d-glucose caused competitive inhibition (Ki = 0.5 m m). MnBG3A acted on β-glucobioses with β1-3, -6, -4, and -2 linkages, in descending order of kcat/Km. In contrast, the regioselectivity for newly formed products was limited to β1-6 linkage. MnBG3A has similar features to those of β-glucosidases from Aspergillus spp., but higher sensitivity to inhibitory effects.
A novel heterophilic graph diffusion convolutional network for identifying cancer driver genes
Authors: Zhang Tong , Zhang Shao-Wu , Xie Ming-Yu , Li Yan
Published: April 2023

Identifying cancer driver genes plays a curial role in the development of precision oncology and cancer therapeutics. Although a plethora of methods have been developed to tackle this problem, the complex cancer mechanisms and intricate interactions between genes still make the identification of cancer driver genes challenging. In this work, we propose a novel machine learning method of heterophilic graph diffusion convolutional networks (called HGDCs) to boost cancer-driver gene identification. Specifically, HGDC first introduces graph diffusion to generate an auxiliary network for capturing the structurally similar nodes in a biomolecular network. Then, HGDC designs an improved message aggregation and propagation scheme to adapt to the heterophilic setting of biomolecular networks, alleviating the problem of driver gene features being smoothed by its neighboring dissimilar genes. Finally, HGDC uses a layer-wise attention classifier to predict the probability of one gene being a cancer driver gene. In the comparison experiments with other existing state-of-the-art methods, our HGDC achieves outstanding performance in identifying cancer driver genes. The experimental results demonstrate that HGDC not only effectively identifies well-known driver genes on different networks but also novel candidate cancer genes. Moreover, HGDC can effectively prioritize cancer driver genes for individual patients. Particularly, HGDC can identify patient-specific additional driver genes, which work together with the well-known driver genes to cooperatively promote tumorigenesis.
Seismic severity estimation using convolutional neural network for earthquake early warning
Authors: Ren Tao , Liu Xinliang , Chen Hongfeng , Dimirovski Georgi M , Meng Fanchun , Wang Pengyu , Zhong Zhida , Ma Yanlu
Published: April 2023

In this study, magnitude estimation in earthquake early warning (EEW) systems is seen as a classification problem: the single-channel waveform, starting from the P-wave onset and lasting 4 s, is given in the input, and earthquake severity (medium and large earthquakes: local magnitude (ML) ≥ 5; small earthquakes: ML < 5) is the classification result. The convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed to estimate the severity of the earthquake, which is composed of several blocks that can extract the latent representation of the input from different receptive fields automatically. We train and test the proposed CNN model using two data sets. One is recorded by the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), and the other is the Stanford Earthquake Dataset (STEAD). Accordingly, the proposed CNN model achieves a test accuracy of 97.90 per cent. The proposed CNN model is applied to estimate two real-world earthquake swarms in China (the Changning earthquake and the Tangshan earthquake swarms) and the INSTANCE data set, and demonstrated the promising performance of generalization. In addition, the proposed CNN model has been connected to the CENC for further testing using real-world real-time seismic data.
Process evaluation of workplace health promotion in a sheltered workplace: a care ethics perspective
Authors: van Heijster Hanneke , van Berkel Jantien , Bakker Minne , Boot Cécile , de Vet Emely
Published: April 2023

Despite the potential health benefits of workplace health promotion for employees in sheltered workplaces, participation is often limited. The aim of this study was (i) to understand this limited participation, and (ii) to find opportunities for adapting workplace health promotion, such that it better meets the needs of the target population. A responsive process evaluation of an extensive multi-component workplace health promotion program targeting lifestyle behaviors, financial behaviors, literacy and citizenship, was performed in a large, sheltered workplace in the Netherlands (>3500 employees). To understand the limited participation, interviews with employees (n = 8), supervisors (n = 7) and managers (n = 2), and 10 participant observations were performed. To find opportunities for improving workplace health promotion in the sheltered workplace, 7 dialogs with employees were performed (n = 30). The interview data on the barriers for participation were evaluated through the lens of care ethics, as this allowed to understand the role of various stakeholders in the limited participation, as well as the indirect role of the institutional context. Findings showed that participation in workplace health promotion could increase if it is organized in a way that it encourages employees to work on health together, allow to tailor activities to different needs and capabilities of employees, and connects activities to employees’ daily lives. A strength of this study is that the responsive process evaluation focused both on barriers for participation, as well as on opportunities to increase participation.
Association of growth-regulating insecticides and limonoid-based formulations: physicochemical compatibility and toxicity against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Martins Liliane Nachtigall , Geisler Fernanda Carla dos Santos , Amandio Dylan Thomas Telles , Rakes Matheus , Pasini Rafael Antonio , Ribeiro Leandro do Prado , Bernardi Daniel
Published: April 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical compatibility of mixtures of synthetic and botanical limonoid-based insecticides, as well as the toxicity of these associations, in the management of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) under laboratory and field conditions. For this, the associations of 4 commercial botanical insecticides based on neem registered in Brazil (Azamax, Agroneem, Azact CE, and Fitoneem) were tested with synthetic insecticides from the group of growth regulators (IGRs [triflumuron, lufenuron, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide]). When mixed, all combinations caused a significant reduction in the pH of the mixture and a significant increase in electrical conductivity. However, all tested combinations showed similar stability behavior to the negative control (distilled water), which demonstrated their physicochemical compatibility. Furthermore, in laboratory and field bioassays, mixtures of IRGs with limonoid-based formulations provided satisfactory effects in the management of S. frugiperda. However, binary mixtures of insecticide Intrepid 240 SC with Azamax or Azact CE (at LC25 previously estimated) showed the highest toxicities on S. frugiperda larvae in laboratory bioassays and damage reduction caused by S. frugiperda in a 2-yr field experiments. Therefore, mixtures of IGRs with limonoid-based botanical insecticides are promising alternatives for the management of S. frugiperda and important component of integrated pest management and insect resistance management programs.
Mediation analysis unveils a carcinogenic effect of ADH1B rs1229984 through mechanisms other than change in drinking intensity: oesophageal cancer case-control study
Authors: Sugimoto Yukihiro , Koyanagi Yuriko N , Kawakatsu Yukino , Oze Isao , Taniyama Yukari , Kasugai Yumiko , Tanaka Tsutomu , Abe Tetsuya , Tajika Masahiro , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Ito Hidemi , Wakai Kenji , Matsuo Keitaro
Published: April 2023

Background

Ingested alcohol is predominantly oxidized to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B), and acetaldehyde is further oxidized to acetate mainly by aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). Although alcohol consumption is a convincing risk factor for oesophageal cancer, the role of ADH1B rs1229984 (His48Arg), the single-nucleotide polymorphism associated with slow alcohol metabolism, in oesophageal cancer development is unclear. Because this single-nucleotide polymorphism is associated with both increased risk of oesophageal cancer and drinking intensity, its association with oesophageal cancer might operate either through a direct pathway independently of drinking intensity, via an indirect pathway mediated by drinking intensity, or both.

Methods

To disentangle these different pathways, we applied a mediation analysis to an oesophageal cancer case-control study (600 cases and 865 controls) by defining the ADH1B Arg allele and alcohol consumption as exposure and mediator, respectively, and decomposed the total-effect odds ratio of the ADH1B Arg allele into direct- and indirect-effect odds ratio.

Results

The ADH1B Arg allele was associated with oesophageal cancer risk through pathways other than change in drinking intensity (direct-effect odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–2.92), in addition to the indirect pathway mediated by drinking intensity (indirect-effect odds ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.53). Further analyses by stratifying genotypes of ALDH2 rs671 (Glu504Lys), the functional single-nucleotide polymorphism that strongly attenuates the enzymatic activity, showed significant direct-effect odds ratio within each stratum.

Conclusions

These results indicate that ADH1B Arg allele contributes to oesophageal cancer risk by slowing alcohol breakdown, in addition to its effect on the amount of alcohol consumed.
Effectiveness of PET/CT and VATS for detecting and treating internal mammary lymph node metastasis: a case series
Authors: Kawaguchi Shun , Tamura Nobuko , Suzuki Soichiro , Nishikawa Aya , Shibata Akio , Tanaka Kiyo , Kobayashi Yoko , Ogura Takuya , Sato Junichiro , Kinowaki Keiichi , Shiiba Masato , Ishihara Makiko , Fujimori Sakashi , Kawabata Hidetaka
Published: April 2023

Objective

We occasionally observed internal mammary lymph node metastases of breast cancer in a clinical setting. However, unlike a standard treatment in axillary metastasis, surgical resection for internal mammary lymph node metastasis is not prevalent because of unclear safety and benefits. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability and clinical outcomes of positron emission tomography/computed tomography and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 34 patients with breast cancer with abnormal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in internal mammary lymph nodes, at a single centre, between January 2015 and June 2022 and identified 11 female patients (mean age ± SD, 51.5 ± 12.9 years) who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery resection. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography was used to determine the clinical stage. We reviewed the surgical pathology of eleven and two patients who underwent direct-view internal mammary lymph node resection to calculate the positive predictive value of positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Results

Ipsilateral fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation was observed, with an average maximum standardized uptake value of 8.9 (range, 3.1–24.0). No perioperative complications occurred, and all patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery alone were discharged from the hospital on post-operative day 2 or 3. The estimated positive predictive value was 80%. All patients were alive, and seven of nine patients with metastasis were relapse-free, at a mean follow-up period of 17.9 months (range, 1–51). However, two patients had recurrence at 16 and 14 months after surgery for internal mammary lymph node relapse.

Conclusions

Radiotherapy is the standard treatment for suspected internal mammary lymph node metastasis detected using positron emission tomography/computed tomography; however, we could safely perform minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery resection, leading to a definite pathological diagnosis.
Effects of species, sex, and diet on thermal tolerance of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Chura Madeleine , Healy Kristen , Diaz Rodrigo , Kaller Michael
Published: April 2023

Thermal tolerance greatly influences the geographic distribution, seasonality, and feeding habits of mosquitoes; this study aimed to examine the impacts of species, sex, and diet on thermal tolerance in mosquitoes. We found that Culex quinquefasciatus was inherently significantly more cold tolerant than Aedes aegypti, while Ae. aegypti had improved heat tolerance compared to Cx. quinquefasciatus. There were no differences in thermal tolerance between sexes within either species. We observed similar levels of cold tolerance between all diets tested, but observed decreased heat tolerance in mannitol-fed mosquitoes. Our results suggest that although dietary factors such as sugar alcohols and sugars may play a role in thermal tolerance in mosquitoes, there are likely physiological and genetic factors that can have a greater influence on the limits of thermal tolerance within a species.
Suggestions for modifications to the Female Sexual Function Index based on cognitive interviews with sexual and gender minority individuals and cisgender, heterosexual persons
Authors: Lynch Kathleen A , Austria Mia D , Le Tiffany , Walters Chasity Burrows , Vickers Andrew , Roche Kara Long , Atkinson Thomas M , Carlsson Sigrid V
Published: April 2023

Background

Patient-reported outcome measures for sexual health were often designed for research studies that included only heterosexual, partnered, and cisgender participants; as such, they may have limited applicability for clinical use among sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals or those without a partner.

Aim

We aimed to conduct cognitive interviews with SGM persons and heterosexual women to determine the readability, comprehension, and applicability of questionnaire items to assess sexual function among diverse sexual and gender identities.

Methods

We conducted 4 rounds of cognitive interviews with 52 participants (28 SGM; 24 cisgender, heterosexual) who provided feedback on the comprehension and wording of questionnaire items and response scales. We used items from the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and focused on establishing content validity of a modified measure. Participants made recommendations for changes to the questionnaire, which was iteratively revised between interview rounds. Two independent coders analyzed the transcripts using structural coding based on 5 predefined codes: satisfaction with item, specificity/language change needed, missing/suggested item, patient definitions of concepts, and confusion with item.

Outcomes

Content validity.

Results

After 3 rounds of cognitive interviews and revisions to the questionnaire, participants found the final version acceptable and understandable, thereby reaching thematic saturation and establishing content validity of the modified FSFI. Modifications included the following: replacing all instances of “sexual stimulation” and “intercourse” with “sexual activity (alone or with a partner),” broadening the definition of “vaginal penetration” beyond penile-vaginal penetration, and adding skip logic to include the option “no sexual activity.” Participants identified missing concepts important to their sexual health, such as use of an external lubricant.

Clinical Implications

The FSFI and similar questionnaires need to be adapted to broader clinical practice populations such that all persons’ experiences are accurately reflected and assessed, ensuring that sexual health needs can be met more inclusively.

Strength and Limitations

A strength of the study was using cognitive interviews engaging patient perspectives, which is considered the gold standard for establishing content validity. One limitation is that participants included predominantly White and highly educated women.

Conclusion

Feedback from interviews supports modifying FSFI items and further psychometric testing, and future studies should evaluate the measure among racially and educationally diverse groups.
Infall and outflow towards high-mass starless clump candidates
Authors: Pillai T G S , Urquhart J S , Leurini S , Zhang Q , Traficante A , Colombo D , Wang K , Gomez L , Wyrowski F
Published: April 2023

The evolutionary sequence for high-mass star formation starts with massive starless clumps that go on to form protostellar, young stellar objects and then compact H ii regions. While there are many examples of the three later stages, the very early stages have proved to be elusive. We follow-up a sample of 110 mid-infrared dark clumps selected from the ATLASGAL catalogue with the IRAM telescope in an effort to identify a robust sample of massive starless clumps. We have used the HCO+ and HNC (1-0) transitions to identify clumps associated with infall motion and the SiO (2-1) transition to identity outflow candidates. We have found blue asymmetric line profile in 65 per cent of the sample, and have measured the infall velocities and mass infall rates (0.6–36 × 10−3 M⊙ yr−1) for 33 of these clumps. We find a trend for the mass infall rate decreasing with an increase of bolometric luminosity to clump mass, i.e. star formation within the clumps evolves. Using the SiO 2-1 line, we have identified good outflow candidates. Combining the infall and outflow tracers reveals that 67 per cent of quiescent clumps are already undergoing gravitational collapse or are associated with star formation; these clumps provide us with our best opportunity to determine the initial conditions and study the earliest stages of massive star formation. Finally, we provide an overview of a systematic high-resolution ALMA study of quiescent clumps selected that allows us to develop a detailed understanding of earliest stages and their subsequent evolution.
The DEHVILS survey overview and initial data release: high-quality near-infrared Type Ia supernova light curves at low redshift
Authors: Peterson Erik R , Jones David O , Scolnic Daniel , Sánchez Bruno O , Do Aaron , Riess Adam G , Ward Sam M , Dwomoh Arianna , de Jaeger Thomas , Jha Saurabh W , Mandel Kaisey S , Pierel Justin D R , Popovic Brodie , Rose Benjamin M , Rubin David , Shappee Benjamin J , Thorp Stephen , Tonry John L , Tully R Brent , Vincenzi Maria
Published: April 2023

While the sample of optical Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) light curves (LCs) usable for cosmological parameter measurements surpasses 2000, the sample of published, cosmologically viable near-infrared (NIR) SN Ia LCs, which have been shown to be good ‘standard candles,’ is still ≲ 200. Here, we present high-quality NIR LCs for 83 SNe Ia ranging from 0.002 < z < 0.09 as a part of the Dark Energy, H0, and peculiar Velocities using Infrared Light from Supernovae (DEHVILS) survey. Observations are taken using UKIRT’s WFCAM, where the median depth of the images is 20.7, 20.1, and 19.3 mag (Vega) for Y, J, and H-bands, respectively. The median number of epochs per SN Ia is 18 for all three bands (Y,J, and H) combined and 6 for each band individually. We fit 47 SN Ia LCs that pass strict quality cuts using three LC models, SALT3, snoopy, and B ayeSN and find scatter on the Hubble diagram to be comparable to or better than scatter from optical-only fits in the literature. Fitting NIR-only LCs, we obtain standard deviations ranging from 0.128 to 0.135 mag. Additionally, we present a refined calibration method for transforming 2MASS magnitudes to WFCAM magnitudes using HST CALSPEC stars that results in a 0.03 mag shift in the WFCAM Y-band magnitudes.
Photometric variations from stellar activity as an age indicator for solar-twins
Authors: Ponte Geisa , Lorenzo-Oliveira Diego , Melendez Jorge , Yana Galarza Jhon , Valio Adriana
Published: April 2023

Stellar ages are elusive to measure, albeit being very important for understanding stellar evolution. We investigate the impact of photospheric activity on 2-min cadence light curves from the TESS/NASA mission of a selected sample of 30 solar-twins with well-determined ages. The photometric variability, $\mathcal {A}_{ {{TESS}}}$, of the light curves due to rotational modulations by the presence of active regions was estimated and correlated with chromospheric activity (Ca ii H&K lines from an extensive High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) HARPS/ESO activity time series) and ages. Moreover, these results were compared with the total solar irradiance amplitude behaviour during the solar magnetic cycles 23 and 24, validating our findings for solar-twins. Our results show the photometric amplitude to be strongly correlated to the average level of chromospheric activity for the star sample. Also, we found a good correlation of $\mathcal {A}_{ {{TESS}}}$ with stellar age (in Gyr) described by $\log t = +12.239-0.894 \log \mathcal {A}_{ {{TESS}}}$. In conclusion, stellar photometric variability $\mathcal {A}_{ {{TESS}}}$ may be used as a simple age diagnostic for solar-twins.
Full resolution deconvolution of complex Faraday spectra
Authors: Rudnick Lawrence , Cotton W D
Published: April 2023

Polarized synchrotron emission from multiple Faraday depths can be separated by calculating the complex Fourier transform of the Stokes’ parameters as a function of the wavelength squared, known as Faraday Synthesis. As commonly implemented, the transform introduces an additional term $\lambda _0^2$, which broadens the real and imaginary spectra but not the amplitude spectrum. We use idealized tests to investigate whether additional information can be recovered with a clean process restoring beam set to the narrower width of the peak in the real ‘full’ resolution spectrum with $\lambda _0^2=0$. We find that the $\lambda _0^2$ choice makes no difference, except for the use of a smaller restoring beam. With this smaller beam, the accuracy and phase stability are unchanged for single Faraday components. However, using the smaller restoring beam for multiple Faraday components, we find (a) better discrimination of the components, (b) significant reductions in blending of structures in tomography images, and (c) reduction of spurious features in the Faraday spectra and tomography maps. We also discuss the limited accuracy of information on scales comparable to the width of the amplitude spectrum peak and note a clean-bias, reducing the recovered amplitudes. We present examples using MeerKAT L-band data. We also revisit the maximum width in Faraday depth, to which surveys are sensitive, and introduce the variable Wmax, the width for which the power drops by a factor of 2. We find that most surveys cannot resolve continuous Faraday distributions unless the narrower full restoring beam is used.
Constraining the thermal inertia of Mars utilizing machine learning techniques
Authors: Song Hongqing , Zhang Jie , Du Shuyi , Ni Dongdong , Liu Yang , Sun Yueqiang
Published: April 2023

Machine learning techniques, showing high automation and efficiency in handling large amounts of observation data, have been applied to predict the thermal inertia of Mars from surface kinetic temperatures. We created a large data set from well-established thermal models. Using this data set, we trained random forest (RF) models using surface kinetic temperatures, time of day, and other five accessible parameters as inputs to the model. The model performances for different local times were analysed and the characteristics of derived thermal inertia in typical regions on Mars were discussed. It is found that it is feasible and reliable to predict the thermal inertia of Mars using the well-trained RF. The RF predictions reflect the thermal signatures of Mars and show good agreement with previous retrievals. When using the nighttime data to make predictions, the RF model shows the best performance compared with those at other times of day. We also classified thermal inertia into four units: low, intermediate, relatively large, and large thermal inertia, and the RF model works for all four units. The predictive ability of the RF is also demonstrated for five representative regions on Mars, where the RF predictions are in good agreement with the bolometric nighttime thermal inertia from the thermal emission spectrometer. More importantly, the RF model provides a rapid retrieval of thermal inertia and speeds up the thermal analysis in upcoming Mars exploration missions with substantial data.
Unveiling the nature of infrared bright, optically dark galaxies with early JWST data
Authors: Barrufet L , Oesch P A , Weibel A , Brammer G , Bezanson R , Bouwens R , Fudamoto Y , Gonzalez V , Gottumukkala R , Illingworth G , Heintz K E , Holden B , Labbe I , Magee D , Naidu R P , Nelson E , Stefanon M , Smit R , van Dokkum P , Weaver J R , Williams C C
Published: April 2023

Over the last few years, both Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Spitzer observations have revealed a population of likely massive galaxies at z > 3 that was too faint to be detected inHubble Space Telescope(HST) rest-frame ultraviolet imaging. However, due to the very limited photometry for individual galaxies, the true nature of these so-called HST-dark galaxies has remained elusive. Here, we present the first sample of such galaxies observed with very deep, high-resolution NIRCam imaging from the Early Release Science programme CEERS. 30 HST-dark sources are selected based on their red colours across 1.6–4.4 $\mu$m. Their physical properties are derived from 12-band multiwavelength photometry, including ancillary HST imaging. We find that these galaxies are generally heavily dust-obscured (AV ∼ 2 mag), massive (log (M/M⊙) ∼ 10), star-forming sources at z ∼ 2−8 with an observed surface density of ∼0.8 arcmin−2. This suggests that an important fraction of massive galaxies may have been missing from our cosmic census at z > 3 all the way into the Epoch of Reionization. The HST-dark sources lie on the main sequence of galaxies and add an obscured star formation rate density of $\mathrm{3.2^{+1.8}_{-1.3} \times 10^{-3} \,{\rm M}_{\odot }\,yr^{-1}\,Mpc^{-3}}$ at z ∼ 7, showing likely presence of dust in the Epoch of Reionization. Our analysis shows the unique power of JWST to reveal this previously missing galaxy population and to provide a more complete census of galaxies at z = 2−8 based on rest-frame optical imaging.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Initiation of Menthol Tobacco Smoking and Subsequent Tobacco Use in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, Waves 1–4 (2013–2018)
Authors: Yan Xinyu , Salloum Ramzi G , Leong Man-Chong , Khalil Georges E , Lee Ji-Hyun , Lou Xiang-Yang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Certain subpopulations in the United States are highly vulnerable to tobacco initiation and addiction, and elimination of disparities among those groups is crucial to reducing the burden of tobacco use.

Aims and Methods

This study evaluated the racial and ethnic differences in smoking initiation of menthol flavored cigarettes and cigars among never-users, and in subsequent tobacco use among new users of menthol-flavored products, using longitudinal data from waves 1–4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. The outcomes of interest were new use of menthol-flavored products, and subsequent past 30-day and past 12-month cigarette and cigar smoking, irrespective of flavors, after initiation.

Results

The percentages of new users of menthol-flavored cigarettes and cigars at waves 2–4 were disproportionately higher in non-Hispanic black and Hispanic than in non-Hispanic white people. Adjusting for age and sex, black people who first used any menthol cigars had higher risk of past 30-day use of the same cigar category at the subsequent wave (adjusted risk ratio, aRR 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11 to 1.96) and past 12 months (aRR 1.74; 95% CI 1.55 to 2.63) compared to non-Hispanic white smokers. Black people who first used menthol-flavored cigarettes had marginally higher risk of subsequent past 30-day cigarette use (aRR 1.44; 95% CI 0.99 to 2.10) compared with their non-Hispanic white counterparts.

Conclusions

This study shows that racial and ethnic differences exist in both initiation of menthol-flavored tobacco products and product-specific subsequent use after first using menthol-flavored products; black and Hispanic people have higher rates of initiation; black people also have higher rates of subsequent use.

Implications

Use of menthol flavors in tobacco products is confirmed to be a contributor to large disparities in tobacco use; black and Hispanic people are more likely to maintain smoking through use of mentholated products than non-Hispanic white people. The findings suggest educational and regulatory actions on menthol-flavored tobacco products including restricting the selective marketing to vulnerable communities and banning characterizing flavors in cigarettes and cigars may reduce tobacco-related disparities and inform the Food And Drug Administration’s evidence-based rulemaking process.