bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tidal disruption rate suppression by the event horizon of spinning black holes
Authors: Huang Hao-Tse , Lu Wenbin
Published: November 2023

The rate of observable tidal disruption events (TDEs) by the most massive (≳ few × 107 M⊙) black holes (BHs) is suppressed due to direct capture of stars. This suppression effect depends on the space–time geometry and holds the promise of probing the spin distribution of dormant BHs at the centres of galaxies. By extending the frozen-in approximation commonly used in the Newtonian limit, we propose a general relativistic criterion for the tidal disruption of a star of given interior structure. The rate suppression factor is then calculated for different BH masses, spins, and realistic stellar populations. We find that either a high-BH spin (≳ 0.5) or a young stellar population (≲1 Gyr) allows TDEs to be observed from BHs significantly more massive than $10^8\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. We call this spin-age degeneracy (SAD). This limits our utility of the TDE rate to constrain the BH spin distribution, unless additional constraints on the age of the stellar population or the mass of the disrupted star can be obtained by modelling the TDE radiation or the stellar spectral energy distribution near the galactic nuclei.
Characterization of Herschel-selected strong lens candidates through HST and sub-mm/mm observations
Authors: Borsato E , Marchetti L , Negrello M , Corsini E M , Wake D , Amvrosiadis A , Baker A J , Bakx T J L C , Beelen A , Berta S , Beyer A , Clements D L , Cooray A , Cox P , Dannerbauer H , de Zotti G , Dye S , Eales S A , Enia A , Farrah D , Gonzalez-Nuevo J , Hughes D H , Ismail D , Jin S , Lapi A , Lehnert M D , Neri R , Pérez-Fournon I , Riechers D A , Rodighiero G , Scott D , Serjeant S , Stanley F , Urquhart S , van der Werf P , Vaccari M , Wang L , Yang C , Young A
Published: November 2023

We have carried out Hubble Space Telescope (HST) snapshot observations at 1.1 μm of 281 candidate strongly lensed galaxies identified in the wide-area extragalactic surveys conducted with the Herschel Space Observatory. Our candidates comprise systems with flux densities at $500\, \mu$m, S500 ≥ 80 mJy. We model and subtract the surface brightness distribution for 130 systems, where we identify a candidate for the foreground lens candidate. After combining visual inspection, archival high-resolution observations, and lens subtraction, we divide the systems into different classes according to their lensing likelihood. We confirm 65 systems to be lensed. Of these, 30 are new discoveries. We successfully perform lens modelling and source reconstruction on 23 systems, where the foreground lenses are isolated galaxies and the background sources are detected in the HST images. All the systems are successfully modelled as a singular isothermal ellipsoid. The Einstein radii of the lenses and the magnifications of the background sources are consistent with previous studies. However, the background source circularized radii (between 0.34 and 1.30 kpc) are ∼3 times smaller than the ones measured in the sub-millimetre/millimetre for a similarly selected and partially overlapping sample. We compare our lenses with those in the Sloan Lens Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Survey confirming that our lens-independent selection is more effective at picking up fainter and diffuse galaxies and group lenses. This sample represents the first step towards characterizing the near-infrared properties and stellar masses of the gravitationally lensed dusty star-forming galaxies.
Galactic ‘Snake’ IRDC G11.11−0.12: a site of multiple hub–filament systems and colliding filamentary clouds
Authors: Dewangan L K , Bhadari N K , Maity A K , Eswaraiah C , Sharma Saurabh , Jadhav O R
Published: November 2023

To probe star formation processes, we present a multiscale and multiwavelength investigation of the ‘Snake’ nebula/infrared dark cloud G11.11−0.12 (hereafter, G11; length ∼27 pc). Spitzer images hint at the presence of subfilaments (in absorption), and reveal four infrared-dark hub–filament system (HFS) candidates (extent < 6 pc) towards G11, where massive clumps (> 500 M⊙) and protostars are identified. The 13CO(2–1), C18O(2–1), and NH3(1,1) line data reveal a noticeable velocity oscillation towards G11, as well as its left part (or part-A) around Vlsr of 31.5 km s−1, and its right part (or part-B) around Vlsr of 29.5 km s−1. The common zone of these cloud components is investigated towards the centre of G11 housing one HFS. Each cloud component hosts two subfilaments. In comparison to part-A, more APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy (ATLASGAL) clumps are observed towards part-B. The JWST near-infrared images discover one infrared-dark HFS candidate (extent ∼0.55 pc) around the massive protostar G11P1 (i.e. G11P1-HFS). Hence, the infrared observations reveal multiple infrared-dark HFS candidates at multiscale in G11. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) 1.16-mm continuum map shows multiple finger-like features (extent ∼3500–10 000 au) surrounding a dusty envelope-like feature (extent ∼18 000 au) towards the central hub of G11P1-HFS. Signatures of forming massive stars are found towards the centre of the envelope-like feature. The ALMA H13CO+ line data show two cloud components with a velocity separation of ∼2 km s−1 towards G11P1. Overall, the collision process, the ‘fray and fragment’ mechanism, and the ‘global non-isotropic collapse’ scenario seem to be operational in G11.
Core-collapse supernova inside the core of a young massive star cluster: 3D MHD simulations
Authors: Badmaev D V , Bykov A M , Kalyashova M E
Published: November 2023

Young massive stars in compact stellar clusters could end their evolution as core-collapse supernovae a few million years after the cluster was built. The blast wave of a supernova propagates through the inner cluster region with multiple stellar winds of young luminous stars. We present the results of 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the plasma flows produced by a supernova event inside a cluster with a population of massive stars similar to that in Westerlund 1. We followed its evolution over a few thousand years (i.e. a few shock crossing times). The plasma temperature, density, and magnetic field, which are highly disturbed by supernova event, relax to values close to the initial over the studied period. The relaxation time of a cluster is a few thousand years, which is a sizeable fraction of the period between the successive supernova events for a massive cluster of a few million years age. The spectra of the cluster diffuse X-ray emission simulated here should be representative for the galactic and extragalactic young massive clusters. The resultant magnetic fields are highly intermittent, so we derived the volume filling factors for a set of magnetic field ranges. Highly amplified magnetic fields of magnitude well above 100 µG fill in a few per cent of the cluster volume, but still dominate the magnetic energy. The structure of the magnetic fields and high-velocity plasma flows with shocks in the system are favourable for both proton and electron acceleration to energies well above TeV.
Physics-informed neural networks in the recreation of hydrodynamic simulations from dark matter
Authors: Dai Zhenyu , Moews Ben , Vilalta Ricardo , Davé Romeel
Published: November 2023

Physics-informed neural networks have emerged as a coherent framework for building predictive models that combine statistical patterns with domain knowledge. The underlying notion is to enrich the optimization loss function with known relationships to constrain the space of possible solutions. Hydrodynamic simulations are a core constituent of modern cosmology, while the required computations are both expensive and time-consuming. At the same time, the comparatively fast simulation of dark matter requires fewer resources, which has led to the emergence of machine learning algorithms for baryon inpainting as an active area of research; here, recreating the scatter found in hydrodynamic simulations is an ongoing challenge. This paper presents the first application of physics-informed neural networks to baryon inpainting by combining advances in neural network architectures with physical constraints, injecting theory on baryon conversion efficiency into the model loss function. We also introduce a punitive prediction comparison based on the Kullback–Leibler divergence, which enforces scatter reproduction. By simultaneously extracting the complete set of baryonic properties for the simba suite of cosmological simulations, our results demonstrate improved accuracy of baryonic predictions based on dark matter halo properties and successful recovery of the fundamental metallicity relation, and retrieve scatter that traces the target simulation’s distribution.
Studying the variability of fluorescence emission and the presence of clumpy wind in HMXB GX 301−2 using XMM–Newton
Authors: Roy Kinjal , Manikantan Hemanth , Paul Biswajit
Published: November 2023

We present the results from an analysis of data from an XMM–Newton observation of the accreting high-mass X-ray binary pulsar GX 301−2. Spectral analysis in the non-flaring segment of the observation revealed that the equivalent width of the iron fluorescence emission is correlated with the observed absorption column density and the ratio of the iron Kβ and Kα line strength varied with the flux of the source. Coherent pulsations were detected with the spin period of the pulsar of 687.9 ± 0.1 s, and a secondary pulsation was also detected with a period of 671.8 ± 0.2 s, most prominent in the energy band of the iron line. At the spin period of the neutron star, the pulsation of the iron line has a low amplitude and the profile is different from the continuum. Pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy also revealed pulsations of the iron emission line during the non-flaring segment of the light curve. At the secondary period, both the iron line and the continuum have nearly identical pulse fraction and pulse profile. The additional periodicity can be attributed to the beat frequency between the spin of the neutron star and the Keplerian frequency of a stellar wind clump in retrograde motion around the neutron star. Reprocessed X-ray emissions originating from the clump can produce the observed secondary pulsations both in the continuum and the iron fluorescence line. The clump rotating around the neutron star is estimated to be approximately five lt-s away from the neutron star.
Probing the disc–jet coupling in S4 0954+65, PKS 0903−57, and 4C +01.02 with γ-rays
Authors: Sharma Ajay , Kamaram Sushanth Reddy , Prince Raj , Khatoon Rukaiya , Bose Debanjan
Published: November 2023

We present a comprehensive variability study on three blazars, S4 0954+65, PKS 0903−57, and 4C +01.02, covering a mass range of log(M/M⊙) = 8–9, by using ∼15-yr-long γ-ray LCs from Fermi-LAT. The variability level is characterized by the fractional variability amplitude that is higher for γ-rays compared with optical/UV and X-rays emissions. A power spectral density (PSD) study and damped random walk (DRW) modelling are done to probe the characteristic time-scale. The PSD is fitted with a single power law (PL) and bending PL models and the corresponding success fraction was estimated. In the case of PKS 0903−57, We observed a break in the γ-ray PSD at 256 d, which is comparable to the viscous time-scale in the accretion disc, suggesting a possible disc–jet coupling. The non-thermal damping time-scale from the DRW modelling is compared with the thermal damping time-scale for AGNs including our three sources. Our sources lie on the best fit of the $\mathrm{\tau ^{\rm rest}_{\rm damping}}\!-\!M_{\rm BH}$ plot derived for AGN, suggesting a possible accretion disc–jet connection. If the jet’s variability is linked to the disc’s variability, we expect a log-normal flux distribution, often connected to the accretion disc’s multiplicative processes. Our study observed a double log-normal flux distribution, possibly linked to long- and short-term variability from the accretion disc and the jet. In summary, PSD and DRW modelling results for these three sources combined with blazars and AGNs studied in literature favour a disc–jet coupling scenario. However, more such studies are needed to refine this understanding.
Studying the radiation characteristics of rotating radio transient J1913 + 1330 with FAST
Authors: Zhong Wenqian , Zhi Qijun , Lu Jiguang , Dang Shijun , Bai Juntao , Tian Jie , Xu Xin , Shang Lunhua , Zhang Dandan , Dong Aijun , Zhao Rushuang , Du Changrong , Yuen Rai
Published: November 2023

We report a high-resolution study of the radio radiation properties of RRAT J1913 + 1330 based on data obtained from three observing epochs over 4 months using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio telescope (FAST). Segments of bursts and nulls are detected from the RRAT, which are in agreement with earlier results. From our observations, we identify nine burst segments, and the pulse profile is different for burst segments. We obtain polarization profile for the RRAT J1913 + 1330, and study the polarization, energy distribution, and the wait time distribution between pulses for different burst states. The results show that there are significant differences in the polarization profiles and linear polarization position angle (PA) across different burst states. In addition, pulses in the burst states are discontinuous, and there is no short-term correlation of the arrival time of single pulses in our observations. More interestingly, we find that the PA from some single pulses with high linear polarization demonstrates very different characteristics. The unique radiation characteristics of RRAT J1913 + 1330 will provide important clues for studying its radiation mechanism.
Modelling reflected polarized light from close-in giant exoplanet WASP-96b using PolHEx (Polarization of hot exoplanets)
Authors: Chubb Katy L , Stam Daphne M , Helling Christiane , Samra Dominic , Carone Ludmila
Published: November 2023

We present the Polarization of Hot Exoplanets (PolHEx) code for modelling the total flux (F) and degree of linear Polarization (P) of light spectra reflected by close-in, tidally locked exoplanets. We use the output from a global climate model (GCM) combined with a kinetic cloud model of hot Jupiter WASP-96b as a base to investigate effects of atmospheric longitudinal-latitudinal inhomogeneities on these spectra. We model F and P-spectra as functions of wavelength and planet orbital phase for various model atmospheres. We find different materials and sizes of cloud particles to impact the reflected flux F, and particularly the linear Polarization state P. A range of materials are used to form inhomogeneous mixed-material cloud particles (Al2O3, Fe2O3, Fe2SiO4, FeO, Fe, Mg2SiO4, MgO, MgSiO3, SiO2, SiO, TiO2), with Fe2O3, Fe, and FeO the most strongly absorbing species. The cloud particles near the relatively cool morning terminator are expected to have smaller average sizes and a narrower size distribution than those near the warmer evening terminator, which leads to different reflected spectra at the respective orbital phases. We also find differences in the spectra of F and P as functions of orbital phase for irregularly or spherically shaped cloud particles. This work highlights the importance of including Polarization in models and future observations of the reflection spectra of exoplanets.
Connecting the escape fraction of Lyman-alpha and Lyman-continuum photons in star-forming galaxies at z ≃ 4–5
Authors: Begley R , Cullen F , McLure R J , Shapley A E , Dunlop J S , Carnall A C , McLeod D J , Donnan C T , Hamadouche M L , Stanton T M
Published: November 2023

We present a study of the connection between the escape fraction of Lyman-alpha ($\mathrm{Ly\, \alpha }$) and Lyman-continuum (LyC) photons within a sample of N = 152 star-forming galaxies selected from the VANDELS survey at 3.85 ≤ zspec ≤ 4.95 (〈zspec〉 = 4.36). By combining measurements of H$\, \alpha$ equivalent width $(W_{\rm {\lambda }}(\rm {H\, \alpha }))$ derived from broad-band photometry with measurements of Ly$\, \alpha$ equivalent width $(W_{\rm {\lambda }}(\rm {Ly\, \alpha }))$ from the VANDELS spectra, we individually estimate $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$ for our full sample. In agreement with previous studies, we find a positive correlation between $W_{\rm {\lambda }}(\rm {Ly\, \alpha })$ and $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$, with $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$ increasing from $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}\simeq 0.04$ at $W_{\rm {\lambda }}(\rm {Ly\, \alpha })=10$ Å to $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}\simeq 0.1$ at $W_{\rm {\lambda }}(\rm {Ly\, \alpha })=25$ Å. For the first time at z ≃ 4–5, we investigate the relationship between $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$ and $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {LyC}}$ using $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {LyC}}$ estimates derived using the equivalent widths of low-ionization, far-ultraviolet absorption lines in composite VANDELS spectra. Our results indicate that $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {LyC}}$ rises monotonically with $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$, following a relation of the form $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {LyC}}$$\simeq 0.15^{+0.06}_{-0.04}$$f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$. Based on composite spectra of sub-samples with approximately constant Wλ(Lyα), but widely different $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$, we demonstrate that the $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {LyC}}$−$f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$correlation is not driven by a secondary correlation between $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$ and Wλ(Lyα). The observed $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {LyC}}$−$f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {Ly\alpha }}$ correlation is in good qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions and provides further evidence that estimates of $f_{\rm {esc}}^{\rm {LyC}}$ within the Epoch of Reionization should be based on proxies sensitive to neutral gas density/geometry and dust attenuation.
A new derivation of the Hubble constant from γ-ray attenuation using improved optical depths for the Fermi and CTA era
Authors: Domínguez A , Østergaard Kirkeberg P , Wojtak R , Saldana-Lopez A , Desai A , Primack J R , Finke J , Ajello M , Pérez-González P G , Paliya V S , Hartmann D
Published: November 2023

We present γ-ray optical-depth calculations from a recently published extragalactic background light (EBL) model built from multiwavelength galaxy data from the Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Assembly Near-Infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (HST/CANDELS). CANDELS gathers one of the deepest and most complete observations of stellar and dust emissions in galaxies. This model resulted in a robust derivation of the evolving EBL spectral energy distribution up to z ∼ 6, including the far-infrared peak. Therefore, the optical depths derived from this model will be useful for determining the attenuation of γ-ray photons coming from high-redshift sources, such as those detected by the Large Area Telescope onboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, and for multi-TeV photons that will be detected from nearby sources by the future Cherenkov Telescope Array. From these newly calculated optical depths, we derive the cosmic γ-ray horizon and also measure the expansion rate and matter content of the Universe including an assessment of the impact of the EBL uncertainties. We find H0 = 62.4 $^{+4.1}_{-3.9}$ km s−1 Mpc−1 when fixing Ωm = 0.32, and H0 = 65.1 $^{+6.0}_{-4.9}$ km s−1 Mpc−1 and Ωm = 0.19 ± 0.08, when exploring these two parameters simultaneously.
Unveiling the white dwarf in J191213.72 − 441045.1 through ultraviolet observations
Authors: Pelisoli Ingrid , Sahu Snehalata , Lyutikov Maxim , Barkov Maxim , Gänsicke Boris T , Brink Jaco , Buckley David A H , Potter Stephen B , Schwope Axel , Ramírez S H
Published: November 2023

J191213.72 − 441045.1 is a binary system composed of a white dwarf and an M-dwarf in a 4.03-h orbit. It shows emission in radio, optical, and X-ray, all modulated at the white dwarf spin period of 5.3 min, as well as various orbital sideband frequencies. Like in the prototype of the class of radio-pulsing white dwarfs, AR Scorpii, the observed pulsed emission seems to be driven by the binary interaction. In this work, we present an analysis of far-ultraviolet spectra obtained with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph at the Hubble Space Telescope, in which we directly detect the white dwarf in J191213.72 − 441045.1. We find that the white dwarf has a temperature of Teff = 11485 ± 90 K and mass of 0.59 ± 0.05 M⊙. We place a tentative upper limit on the magnetic field of ≈50 MG. If the white dwarf is in thermal equilibrium, its physical parameters would imply that crystallization has not started in the core of the white dwarf. Alternatively, the effective temperature could have been affected by compressional heating, indicating a past phase of accretion. The relatively low upper limit to the magnetic field and potential lack of crystallization that could generate a strong field pose challenges to pulsar-like models for the system and give preference to propeller models with a low magnetic field. We also develop a geometric model of the binary interaction which explains many salient features of the system.
Binary planet formation through tides
Authors: Lazzoni C , Rice K , Zurlo A , Hinkley S , Desidera S
Published: November 2023

The search for satellites around exoplanets represents one of the greatest challenges in advancing the characterization of planetary systems. Currently, we can only detect massive satellites, which resemble additional planetary companions rather than rocky moons. It is not yet well understood whether such substellar pairs, known as binary planets, are common or how they form. In this study, we investigated the formation scenario for binary planets resulting from tidal dissipation during close encounters in the gravitational instability scenario. We conducted seven sets of simulations, varying the number of initial planets injected into the system from two to five, as well as the amount of energy lost due to tides. Our results demonstrate that this formation mechanism is quite efficient in producing binary planets, with an average occurrence rate for the simulated systems of 14.3 per cent. Additionally, we present the distribution of relevant physical parameters (semimajor axis, eccentricity, mass ratios, and formation time) for planet–planet pairs. We also provide comprehensive statistics for single planets and planet–planet pairs.
SPIRou reveals unusually strong magnetic fields of slowly rotating M dwarfs
Authors: Lehmann L T , Donati J-F , Fouqué P , Moutou C , Bellotti S , Delfosse X , Petit P , Carmona A , Morin J , Vidotto A A ,   the SLS consortium
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we study six slowly rotating mid-to-late M dwarfs (rotation period $P_{\mathrm{rot}}\approx 40-190\, \mathrm{d}$) by analysing spectropolarimetric data collected with SpectroPolarimetre InfraRouge (SPIRou) at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope as part of the SPIRou Legacy Survey from 2019 to 2022. From ≈100–200 least-squares-deconvolved (LSD) profiles of circularly polarized spectra of each star, we confirm the stellar rotation periods of the six M dwarfs and explore their large-scale magnetic field topology and its evolution with time using both the method based on principal component analysis (PCA) proposed recently and Zeeman–Doppler imaging. All M dwarfs show large-scale field variations on the time-scale of their rotation periods, directly seen from the circularly polarized LSD profiles using the PCA method. We detect a magnetic polarity reversal for the fully convective M dwarf GJ 1151, and a possible inversion in progress for Gl 905. The four fully convective M dwarfs of our small sample (Gl 905, GJ 1289, GJ 1151, and GJ 1286) show a larger amount of temporal variations (mainly in field strength and axisymmetry) than the two partly convective ones (Gl 617B and Gl 408). Surprisingly, the six M dwarfs show large-scale field strengths in the range between 20 and 200 G similar to those of M dwarfs rotating significantly faster. Our findings imply that the large-scale fields of very slowly rotating M dwarfs are likely generated through dynamo processes operating in a different regime than those of the faster rotators that have been magnetically characterized so far.
Electroacupuncture alleviates intrauterine adhesion through regulating autophagy in rats
Authors: Liu Jingyu , Zhu Qian , Pan Yan , Hao Sainan , Wang Zhaoxian , Cui Chuting , Li Junwei , Huang Yueying , Xia Liangjun , Xu Tiancheng , Cheng Jie , Shen Jie , Xia Youbing
Published: November 2023

Autophagy is a well-conserved metabolic system that maintains homeostasis by relying on lysosomal breakdown. The endometrium of patients with intrauterine adhesion (IUA) and an animal model exhibits impaired autophagy. Autophagy is negatively correlated with inflammation. Activation of autophagy can inhibit the inflammatory response, while defects in autophagy will activate the inflammatory response. Here, we studied whether electroacupuncture (EA) inhibits inflammation and promotes endometrial injury repair by activating endometrial autophagy. The IUA animal model was established by mechanical injury plus lipopolysaccharide infection. EA stimulation was applied to the acupoints Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zusanli (ST36). The results indicated that EA could improve endometrial morphology, attenuate endometrial fibers, and enhance endometrial receptivity in the rat. EA could increase the autophagosomes of endometrial epithelial cells, increase the levels of LC3 and Beclin1, and decrease the level of p62. Additionally, EA may also suppress the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and reduce the release of inflammatory factors. Additionally, the effect of EA was comparable to that of the autophagy agonist rapamycin, and the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine reversed the therapeutic effect of EA. Therefore, we assume that EA may facilitate endometrial healing by activating autophagy and reducing NF-κB signal pathway-mediated inflammation.
Insomnia in patients on incident maintenance dialysis and the risk of major acute cardio-cerebrovascular events and all-cause mortality
Authors: Kim Hyung Woo , Heo Ga Young , Kim Hyo Jeong , Kang Shin-Wook , Park Jung Tak , Lee Eun
Published: November 2023

Background

Insomnia is a known risk factor for cardio-cerebrovascular disease in the general population; however, its effect on cardio-cerebrovascular outcomes in end-stage kidney disease patients is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between cardio-cerebrovascular outcomes and insomnia in patients who initiated maintenance dialysis.

Methods

This study used nationwide Korean health insurance claims data to analyze 79 420 patients who initiated maintenance dialysis from January 2009 to December 2017. Insomnia was defined using claim codes and sleep medication prescription data. Patients were categorized according to the presence of insomnia before and after dialysis initiation: (i) no insomnia, (ii) insomnia before dialysis only (improved insomnia), (iii) insomnia after dialysis only (developed insomnia) and (iv) insomnia in both periods (persistent insomnia). The primary and secondary outcomes were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and all-cause mortality, respectively. The outcome risks were estimated by Cox regression models with inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Results

The mean age was 61.4 ± 13.4 years, and 39.7% were women. During the transition period from pre-dialysis to maintenance dialysis, 13.2% experienced insomnia. The insomnia groups showed significantly higher risks for MACCE [weighted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals): developed insomnia, 1.26 (1.25–1.28); improved insomnia, 1.31 (1.29–1.33); persistent insomnia, 1.39 (1.37–1.41)] and higher all-cause mortality risks than the no insomnia group. The insomnia-related cardio-cerebrovascular disease risk elevation was more prominent in younger and male patients.

Conclusions

Insomnia may increase cardio-cerebrovascular disease and all-cause mortality risk among end-stage kidney disease patients who initiate maintenance dialysis.
Spanish-Language Tobacco-Related Posts on Twitter: Content Analysis
Authors: Allem Jon-Patrick , Rodriguez Viviana , Pattarroyo Monica , Ramirez Carla M , Beard Trista A , Soto Daniel , Donaldson Scott I , Unger Jennifer B
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Twitter data have been used to surveil public sentiment about tobacco products; however, most tobacco-related Twitter research has been conducted with English-language posts. There is a gap in the literature on tobacco-related discussions on Twitter in languages other than English. This study summarized tobacco-related discussions in Spanish on Twitter.

Methods

A set of Spanish terms reflecting electronic cigarettes (eg, "cigarillos electrónicos"), cigarettes (eg, “pitillo”), and cigars (eg, “cigaro”) were identified. A content analysis of tweets (n = 1352) drawn from 2021 was performed to examine themes and sentiment. An initial codebook was developed in English then translated to Spanish and then translated back to English by a bilingual (Spanish and English) member of the research team. Two bilingual members of the research team coded the tweets into themes and sentiment.

Results

Themes in the tweets included (1) product promotion (n = 168, 12.4%), (2) health warnings (n = 161, 11.9%), (3) tobacco use (n = 136, 10.1%), (4) health benefits of vaping (n = 58, 4.3%), (5) cannabis use (n = 50, 3.7%), (6) cessation (n = 47, 3.5%), (7) addiction (n = 33, 2.4%), (8) policy (n = 27, 2.0%), and (9) polysubstance use (n = 12, 0.9%). Neutral (n = 955, 70.6%) was the most common category of sentiment observed in the data.

Conclusions

Tobacco products are discussed in multiple languages on Twitter and can be summarized by bilingual research teams. Future research should determine if Spanish-speaking individuals are frequently exposed to pro-tobacco content on social media and if such exposure increases susceptibility to use tobacco among never users or sustained use among current users.

Implications

Spanish-language pro-tobacco content exists on Twitter, which has implications for Spanish-speaking individuals who may be exposed to this content. Spanish-language pro-tobacco-related posts may help normalize tobacco use among Spanish-speaking populations. As a result, anti-tobacco tweets in Spanish may be necessary to counter areas of the online environment that can be considered pro-tobacco.
Psychological support during a pandemic: an intervention for hospital teams
Authors: Quarmby L M , Hotton M , Jenner S , Kalthoff J , Patterson E , Scholcz A , Springham E
Published: November 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented stress on healthcare professionals and resulted in teams being scattered by shielding, working from home and redeployment. The Recovery, Readjustment and Reintegration programme (R3P) was implemented and evaluated in an acute NHS hospital Trust with the aim of supporting those staff involved.

Aims

To explore the impact of offering themed reflective sessions to staff in an acute hospital and to disseminate this learning for application in other settings and future pandemics.

Methods

During the initial recovery phase of the pandemic, all Trust staff were invited to attend an R3P where themed discussions were facilitated by psychologists. Feedback was requested pre- and post-session, and a mixed-methods design was followed to gain quantitative and qualitative information.

Results

A total of 430 staff members attended an R3P between April 2021 and January 2022. A significant majority found attendance helpful and agreed that it had provided them with the opportunity to reflect on their own and their teams’ experience of pandemic working and led them to feel more supported by their organization.

Conclusions

Finding meaning in experiences through facilitated reflective discussion can help limit the negative psychological impact of working in an acute hospital during a pandemic. Staff are likely to benefit from such opportunities in any future pandemic recovery phase.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Treatment With Antiretroviral Therapy Mitigates the High Risk of Mental Health Disorders Associated With HIV Infection in the US Population
Authors: Ba Djibril M , Risher Kathryn A , Ssentongo Paddy , Zhang Yue , Dai Qi , Liu Guodong , Maiga Mamoudou , Zhang Xuehong , Diakite Brehima , Coulibaly Souleymane dit Papa , Hou Lifang , Leslie Douglas L , Chinchilli Vernon M
Published: November 2023

Background

Whether treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with lower risk of mental health disorders (MHDs) among people with HIV (PWH) remains unknown. We aim to determine the association between HIV and MHDs and whether ART alters the risk of MHDs among PWH in the US adult population.

Methods

We conducted a real-world study using the Merative MarketScan claims database (2016–2020), identifying individuals with HIV (diagnosed using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes) and those without HIV. A multivariable stratified Cox proportional hazard regression model was conducted to examine the association of HIV treatment status with MHDs, adjusting for potential confounders. Additionally, we sought to determine the effect modification of ART on the relationship between living with HIV and MHDs.

Results

A total of 313 539 individuals, with a mean age of 44.2 (standard deviation, 11.4) years, predominantly males (81.2%), residing in the South region of the US (50.9%) were included in the present analysis. During 671 880 person-years of follow-up, 46 235 incident MHD cases occurred. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, living with HIV was associated with higher risk of incident MHDs. Relative to those without HIV, the adjusted hazard ratio was 1.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79–1.92; P < .001) for those with HIV on treatment, and 2.70 (95% CI, 2.59–2.82; P < .001) for those with HIV without any treatment. Stronger associations between HIV and MHDs were observed in men relative to women, among those aged 18–34 years relative to those aged 55–63 years, and among those with no overweight/obesity relative to obese individuals (Pinteraction < .001 for all).

Conclusions

HIV was associated with an increased risk of developing MHDs. However, HIV treatment mitigated the risk.
Are Omissions Less Culpable?
Authors: Honoré Tony
Published: November 2023

In 1977 Jonathan Glover published a powerful attack on the ‘acts-and-omissions doctrine’. The doctrine, in his words, holds that in certain contexts failure to perform an act, with foreseen bad consequences of that failure, is morally less bad than to perform a different act which has the identical bad consequences. Harmful omissions are sometimes less culpable than equally harmful acts. Glover denied this and other philosophers have likewise argued that, other things being equal, there is no moral difference between killing and letting die, or between positive and negative instrumentality.
On the influence of shock–cloud interactions on the nonthermal X-ray emission from the supernova remnant RCW 86
Authors: Bamba Aya , Sano Hidetoshi , Yamazaki Ryo , Vink Jacco
Published: November 2023

The effect of the surrounding environment of supernova remnant shocks on nonthermal X-rays from accelerated electrons, with or without interacting dense material, is an open issue. We conduct spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy of the shock–cloud interacting region of RCW 86 with XMM–Newton. It is found that bright soft X-ray filaments surround the dense cloud, observed with 12CO and H i emission lines. These filaments are brighter in thermal X-ray emission, and fainter and possibly softer in synchrotron X-rays, compared to those without interaction. Our results show that the shock decelerates due to the interaction with clouds, which results in an enhancement of thermal X-ray emission. This could possibly also explain the softer X-ray synchrotron component, because it implies that those shocks that move through a low-density environment, and therefore decelerate much less, can be more efficient accelerators. This is similar to SN 1006 and Tycho, and is in contrast to RX J1713.7−3946. This difference among remnants may be due to the clumpiness of dense material interacting with the shock, which should be examined in future observations.
A survey of caregiver preferences regarding research participation in the paediatric emergency department
Authors: Ma Keon , Rajagopal Manasi , Stang Antonia , Yaskina Maryna , Freedman Stephen B , Lerman Bethany , Ali Samina
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) visits can be stressful for families and can affect caregiver willingness to consent to participating in research. Our objective was to describe when and how caregivers wish to be informed about clinical research during their child’s ED visit.

Methods

An electronic survey was performed for families presenting to 10 Canadian paediatric EDs. A convenience sample of 1456 caregivers with children aged 0 to 17 years were enrolled. The survey tool was created (with an expert panel) using published methodological guidelines, including item generation/reduction, pre- and pilot-testing, and clinical sensibility assessment. Research-specific questions included the best time to be approached, the breadth of study opportunities presented, and best ways to encourage families to participate.

Results

Caregivers reported that the best times to be approached regarding research were in the waiting room (45.3%, 653/1441), after physician assessment (39.0%, 562/1441), or just prior to discharge (9.9%, 143/1441). 52.2% (351/672) wanted to hear about all available research studies, while 47.8% (321/672) wanted to be informed of studies relevant only to their child’s condition. Reported best ways to encourage families to participate in research included: incentives (e.g., gift cards/parking passes [31.2%, 230/737]), providing a clear explanation of study intent (30.7%, 226/737), and appealing to altruism (25.4%, 187/737).

Conclusions

There is wide variability in family preferences for timing of research-related conversations, suggesting that families could be approached in the waiting room, and if that is inconvenient or impractical, they could be offered a deferred conversation (i.e., after physician assessment or prior to discharge).
Loss of chromosome 9p21 is associated with a poor prognosis in adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas
Authors: Jiang Yina , Wu Yinying , Zhang Liwen , Wang Yan , Xu Guiping , Deng Yuan , Han Liang , Li Enxiao , Ma Qingyong , Xu Mian , Wu Zheng , Wang Zheng
Published: November 2023

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCP) is a rare histological subtype of pancreatic cancer with a poor prognosis and a high metastasis rate. However, little is known about its genomic landscape and prognostic biomarkers. A total of 48 ASCP specimens and 98 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumour specimens were sequenced to explore the genomic landscape and prognostic biomarkers. The homozygous deletion of the 9p21.3 region (including CDKN2A, CDKN2B, and MTAP) (9p21 loss) occurred in both ASCP and PDAC, and a higher frequency of 9p21 loss was observed in ASCP (12.5% vs 2.0%, P = 0.022). Notably, 9p21 loss was significantly associated with poor disease-free survival (DFS) in ASCP patients (mDFS (Median DFS) = 4.17 vs 7.33 months, HR (Hazard Ratio) = 3.70, P = 0.009). The most common gene alterations in patients with ASCP were KRAS (96%), TP53 (81%), CDKN2A (42%), SMAD4 (21%), CDKN2B (13%), and FAT3 (13%). The mutation rates of ACVR2A (6.25% vs 0%), FANCA (6.25% vs 0%), RBM10 (6.25% vs 0%), and SPTA1 (8.33% vs 1.02%) were significantly higher in ASCP than in PDAC. In conclusion, we have comprehensively described the genomic landscape of the largest cohort of ASCP patients to date and highlight that 9p21 loss may be a promising prognostic biomarker for ASCP, which provides a molecular basis for prognosis prediction and new therapeutic strategies for ASCP.
Revisiting Changes in Growth, Physiology and Stress Responses of Plants under the Effect of Enhanced CO2 and Temperature
Authors: Roy Swarnendu , Kapoor Rupam , Mathur Piyush
Published: November 2023

Climate change has universally affected the whole ecosystem in a unified manner and is known to have improbable effects on agricultural productivity and food security. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature are the major environmental factors that have been shown to increase sharply during the last century and are directly responsible for affecting plant growth and development. A number of previous investigations have deliberated the positive effects of elevated CO2 on plant growth and development of various C3 crops, while detrimental effects of enhanced temperature on different crop plants like rice, wheat, maize and legumes are generally observed. A combined effect of elevated CO2 and temperature has yet to be studied in great detail; therefore, this review attempts to delineate the interactive effects of enhanced CO2 and temperature on plant growth, development, physiological and molecular responses. Elevated CO2 maintains leaf photosynthesis rate, respiration, transpiration and stomatal conductance in the presence of elevated temperature and sustains plant growth and productivity in the presence of both these environmental factors. Concomitantly, their interaction also affects the nutritional quality of seeds and leads to alterations in the composition of secondary metabolites. Elevated CO2 and temperature modulate phytohormone concentration in plants, and due to this fact, both environmental factors have substantial effects on abiotic and biotic stresses. Elevated CO2 and temperature have been shown to have mitigating effects on plants in the presence of other abiotic stress agents like drought and salinity, while no such pattern has been observed in the presence of biotic stress agents. This review focuses on the interactive effects of enhanced CO2 and temperature on different plants and is the first of its kind to deliver their combined responses in such detail.
Dryland Endolithic Chroococcidiopsis and Temperate Fresh Water Synechocystis Have Distinct Membrane Lipid and Photosynthesis Acclimation Strategies upon Desiccation and Temperature Increase
Authors: Douchi Damien , Si Larbi Gregory , Fel Benjamin , Bonnanfant Marlène , Louwagie Mathilde , Jouhet Juliette , Agnely Mathias , Pouget Stéphanie , Maréchal Eric
Published: November 2023

An effect of climate change is the expansion of drylands in temperate regions, predicted to affect microbial biodiversity. Since photosynthetic organisms are at the base of ecosystem’s trophic networks, we compared an endolithic desiccation-tolerant Chroococcidiopsis cyanobacteria isolated from gypsum rocks in the Atacama Desert with a freshwater desiccation-sensitive Synechocystis. We sought whether some acclimation traits in response to desiccation and temperature variations were shared, to evaluate the potential of temperate species to possibly become resilient to future arid conditions. When temperature varies, Synechocystis tunes the acyl composition of its lipids, via a homeoviscous acclimation mechanism known to adjust membrane fluidity, whereas no such change occurs in Chroococcidiopsis. Vice versa, a combined study of photosynthesis and pigment content shows that Chroococcidiopsis remodels its photosynthesis components and keeps an optimal photosynthetic capacity at all temperatures, whereas Synechocystis is unable to such adjustment. Upon desiccation on a gypsum surface, Synechocystis is rapidly unable to revive, whereas Chroococcidiopsis is capable to recover after three weeks. Using X-ray diffraction, we found no evidence that Chroococcidiopsis could use water extracted from gypsum crystals in such conditions as a surrogate for missing water. The sulfolipid sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol becomes the prominent membrane lipid in both dehydrated cyanobacteria, highlighting an overlooked function for this lipid. Chroococcidiopsis keeps a minimal level of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, which may be essential for the recovery process. Results support that two independent adaptation strategies have evolved in these species to cope with temperature and desiccation increase and suggest some possible scenarios for microbial biodiversity change triggered by climate change.
A network analysis of pain intensity and pain-related measures of physical, emotional, and social functioning in US military service members with chronic pain
Authors: Wi Dahee , Park Chang , Ransom Jeffrey C , Flynn Diane M , Doorenbos Ardith Z
Published: November 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to apply network analysis methodology to better understand the relationships between pain-related measures among people with chronic pain.

Methods

We analyzed data from a cross-sectional sample of 4614 active duty service members with chronic pain referred to 1 military interdisciplinary pain management center between 2014 and 2021. Using a combination of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures and other pain-related measures, we applied the “EBICglasso” algorithm to create regularized partial correlation networks that would identify the most influential measures.

Results

Pain interference, depression, and anxiety had the highest strength in these networks. Pain catastrophizing played an important role in the association between pain and other pain-related health measures. Bootstrap analyses showed that the networks were very stable and the edge weights accurately estimated in 2 analyses (with and without pain catastrophizing).

Conclusions

Our findings offer new insights into the relationships between symptoms using network analysis. Important findings highlight the strength of association between pain interference, depression and anxiety, which suggests that if pain is to be treated depression and anxiety must also be addressed. What was of specific importance was the role that pain catastrophizing had in the relationship between pain and other symptoms suggesting that pain catastrophizing is a key symptom on which to focus for treatment of chronic pain.
Is there a behavioral revolution in policy design? A new agenda and inventory of the behavioral toolbox
Authors: Esmark Anders
Published: November 2023

The article argues for a revised research on behavioral public policy focused on the core claim and sine qua non of a behavioral “revolution”: the ability to produce equal or better outcomes with less stringent policy designs than in traditional solutions, at least for certain types of problems. Three contributions to such an agenda are proposed. First, the article argues that the growing focus on the evaluation of real-world behavioral policy programs, as opposed to experimental studies within specialized areas of research, calls for a corresponding theoretical orientation toward existing literature on policy tools and design. Second, a doctrine of policy design is extrapolated from the broader behavioral paradigm and specified in relation to four general areas of application. These provide an essential context for the evaluation of the behavioral claim to improved policy design and highlight that behavioral successes may well, contra this claim, be a result of a de facto increase in stringency vis-à-vis traditional responses. Third, the article proposes a new and substantially revised inventory of the behavioral toolbox, which specifies the stringency, mechanisms, and potential costs of different behavioral tools and techniques, which is both essential to the evaluation of the behavioral claim and necessary to overcome the arbitrariness and mistakes of existing inventories.