bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigations of Thermal Deformation Based on the Monitoring System of Tianma 13.2 m VGOS Telescope
Authors: Song Shize , Zhang Zhongkai , Wang Guangli , Zheng Yong
Published: June 2022

The thermal expansion of radio telescopes has been recognized as a significant systematic error in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data analysis. Although the thermal expansion model recommended by International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) Conventions 2010 can achieve millimeter accuracy for the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) routine telescopes, both the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2020 (ITRF2020) in preparation and the VLBI2010 project encourage the scientific community to reconsider its modeling. To this end, we developed a monitoring system for the Tianma 13.2 m VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) telescope. Based on the observed data, we refined the IERS expansion model, with results showing that the accuracy of our modified model was improved by 1.9 times. It suggested that the IERS thermal expansion model can achieve the declared millimeter accuracy, and refining its modeling can meet the requirement of 0.3 mm rms stability of the VGOS antenna reference point for the VLBI2010 project.
Constraining Mass of M31 Combing Kinematics of Stars, Planetary Nebulae and Globular clusters
Authors: Yuan Sunshun , Zhu Ling , Liu Cheng , Qu Han , Fan Zhou
Published: June 2022

We construct a multiple-population discrete axisymmetric Jeans model for the Andromeda (M31) galaxy, considering three populations of kinematic tracers: 48 supergiants and 721 planetary nebulae (PNe) in the bulge and disk regions, 554 globular clusters extending to ∼30 kpc, and halo stars extending to ∼150 kpc of the galaxy. The three populations of tracers are organized in the same gravitational potential, while each population is allowed to have its own spatial distribution, rotation, and internal velocity anisotropy. The gravitational potential is a combination of stellar mass and a generalized NFW dark matter halo. We created two sets of models, one with a cusped dark matter halo and one with a cored dark matter halo. Both the cusped and cored model fit kinematics of all the three populations well, but the cored model is not preferred due to a too high concentration compared to that predicted from cosmological simulations. With a cusped dark matter halo, we obtained total stellar mass of 1.0 ± 0.1 × 1011
M
⊙, dark matter halo virial mass of M
200 = 7.0 ± 0.9 × 1011
M
⊙, virial radius of r
200 = 184 ± 4 kpc, and concentration of c = 20 ± 4. The mass of M31 we obtained is at the lower side of the allowed ranges in the literature and consistent with the previous results obtained from the H i rotation curve and PNe kinematics. Velocity dispersion profile of the outer stellar halo is important in constraining the total mass while it is still largely uncertain. Further proper motion of bright sources from Gaia or the Chinese Space Station Telescope might help on improving the data and lead to stronger constraints on the total mass of M31.
A new quasilinear saturation rule for tokamak turbulence with application to the isotope scaling of transport
Authors: Dudding H.G. , Casson F.J. , Dickinson D. , Patel B.S. , Roach C.M. , Belli E.A. , Staebler G.M.
Published: June 2022

A new quasilinear saturation model SAT3 has been developed for the purpose of calculating radial turbulent fluxes in the core of tokamak plasmas. The new model is shown to be able to better recreate the isotope mass dependence of nonlinear gyrokinetic fluxes compared to contemporary quasilinear models, including SAT2 (Staebler et al 2021 Nucl. Fusion
61 116007), while performing at least as well in other key equilibrium parameters. By first quantifying the isotope scaling of gyrokinetic flux spectra, it is shown that the deviation from the gyroBohm scaling of fluxes originates primarily in the magnitude of the saturated potentials. Using this result SAT3 was formulated using observations made from gyrokinetic data, including a novel and robust relation between the 1D potential spectrum and the radial spectral widths. This serves to define the underlying functional forms of SAT3 before then connecting to the linear dynamics, including a difference in saturation level between ITG- and TEM-dominated turbulence, with the resulting free parameters having been fit to a database of high-resolution nonlinear CGYRO simulations. Additional features outside of the database are included, including E × B shear and multi-ion plasma capability. The methodology used in the development of SAT3 represents an algorithm which can be used in the improvement and generation of future saturation models.
Yield Qualities Evaluation for Gayo Arabica Coffee Germplasm
Authors: Samsudin  , Iflah T , Syafaruddin  , Ferry Y
Published: June 2022

Gayo Arabica coffee has been known in the world market as specialty coffee. Some lines of Arabica coffee that have been planted in the Gayo Experimental Station (GES) for more than 20 years have the potential to be released as superior varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the physical, physicochemical and organoleptic qualities of 15 Arabica coffee lines in the GES germplasm. The physical quality test of beans refers to SNI 2907-2008 by observing the length, width, thickness, and weight of 100 beans. Physicochemical content testing was carried out on beans, including caffeine, protein, fat, and ash. Organoleptic testing was carried out by certified panelists referring to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) standards. The evaluation results of 15 Gayo Arabica coffee lines showed that all lines had the good physical quality of beans. Protein content ranges from 10.79-14.14%, caffeine 0.51-0.82, and fat 12.48-15.68%. All tested Arabica coffees had a total score of more than 80, which means they are included in the specialty category. The Ateng Super, C 49, and SLN 9 lines had a better taste (85.75) than the superior varieties released, namely Gayo 1 (83.75) and Gayo 2 (85.50).
Characterization of Edible Film based on Yam Bean Starch, Calcium Propionate and Agarwood Bouya Essential Oil
Authors: Wigati L P , Wardana A A , Tanaka F , Tanaka F
Published: June 2022

Fruit become defenceless against mechanical damage and water loss, causing loss of quality and quantity. To avoid these risks, the edible coating might be one solution. The advantage of starch creates a fence between oxygen, either moisture and the product. The additional antimicrobial can be used in the coatings us calcium propionate in limited quantities. In addition, agarwood bouya essential oil might also have potential as an antifungal agent for fruits. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of yam bean starch, calcium propionate, and essential oil concentrations on the relevant properties of edible films. The effect of treatments analyzed by analysis of variance and significant differences between experimental groups were examined by Tukey HSD. As a result, the viscosity and pH of the solution were found to be in the range of 28.34 to 35.97 cP and 4.79 to 4.97, respectively. As for the film properties, moisture content ranged about 32.27 to 49.80 %; L*, a*, and b* values ranged from 90.22 to 91.29, 0.54 to 0.89 and 16.06 to 17.39 respectively; thickness ranged from 0.428 to 0.437 mm; WVTR ranged from 5.63 to 6.83 (g/day(m2)), and the results of scanning electron microscopy show that it was found that the films still had the granule structure of starch.
Food Safety Aspect in the Use of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Cleaning Process of Coriander Seeds
Authors: Dwi Ratnanto S A , Ahmad U , Iriani E S
Published: June 2022

Eventhough coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is one of important spices for Indonesian traditional cuisine, it is mostly imported from others countries. One problem related to imported coriander is its appearance with dark brown color does not meet Indonesians consumers preference. To improve the appearance of imported coriander, the importers usually threat the herb by cleaning them using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Unfortunately, there is no standard to apply H2O2 as cleaning agent. This condition causes the cleaning process increases potential risk of H2O2 residual contamination on coriander seeds. This research was carried out by treatment of various doses and concentrations of H2O2, drying methods and duration of post-cleaning storage time to observe the effect of using H2O2 as cleaning agent on safety aspect. The result of parameter measured shows that H2O2 treatment did not cause a significant difference in the proximate test. The higher concentration of H2O2 treatment combined with mechanical drying resulted in brighter coriander seeds and more effective brightness achievement. Treatment of H2O2 with a higher concentration resulted in a higher residual value, while mechanical drying method resulted in a more rapid decrease in the residual value of H2O2. The residual value of H2O2 in coriander seeds decreased with longer post-cleaning storage time. All treatment variations resulted in allowable residual value that meet the EPA standard at 30 days storage after treatment.
2022 roadmap on neuromorphic devices and applications research in China
Authors: Wan Qing , Wan Changjin , Wu Huaqiang , Yang Yuchao , Huang Xiaohe , Zhou Peng , Chen Lin , Wang Tian-Yu , Li Yi , Xue Kan-Hao , He Yu-Hui , Miao Xiang-Shui , Li Xi , Xie Chenchen , Chen Houpeng , Song Zhitang , Wang Hong , Hao Yue , Zhang Junyao , Huang Jia , Ren Zheng Yu , Zhu Li Qiang , Du Jianyu , Ge Chen , Liu Yang , Ding Guanglong , Zhou Ye , Han Su-Ting , Wang Guosheng , Yu Xiao , Chen Bing , Chu Zhufei , Wang Lunyao , Xia Yinshui , Mu Chen , Lin Feng , Chen Chixiao , Cheng Bojun , Xing Yannan , Zeng Weitao , Chen Hong , Yu Lei , Indiveri Giacomo , Qiao Ning
Published: June 2022

The data throughput in the von Neumann architecture-based computing system is limited by its separated processing and memory structure, and the mismatching speed between the two units. As a result, it is quite difficult to improve the energy efficiency in conventional computing system, especially for dealing with unstructured data. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence and robotics nowadays still behave poorly in autonomy, creativity, and sociality, which has been considered as the unimaginable computational requirement for sensorimotor skills. These two plights have urged the imitation and replication of the biological systems in terms of computing, sensing, and even motoring. Hence, the so-called neuromorphic system has drawn worldwide attention in recent decade, which is aimed at addressing the aforementioned needs from the mimicking of neural system. The recent developments on emerging memory devices, nanotechnologies, and materials science have provided an unprecedented opportunity for this aim.
Nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor gamma suppresses colorectal cancer aggressiveness by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Guo Xiaohong , Yue Longtao , Li Min , Dai Ang , Sun Junying , Fang Lei , Zhao Hai , Sun Qing
Published: June 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the predominant cause of cancer-related death worldwide, because of the lack of effective therapeutic targets. Estrogen-related receptor gamma (ESRRG), which belongs to the family of nuclear receptors, functions as an important element regulating gene transcription. In our report, we identified ESRRG as a potential tumor suppressor. The decreased level of ESRRG was initially observed in CRC and was highly associated with a poor prognosis. ESRRG overexpression abrogated cell growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ESRRG repressed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process and antagonized Wnt signaling by regulating β-catenin degradation. In addition, significant ESRRG hypermethylation was found in CRC and inversely correlated with its expression. Consistently, the expression of ESRRG was induced after treatment with DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2ʹ-deoxycytidine. Taken together, these findings define a tumor-suppressive role of ESRRG in CRC, providing a potential novel therapeutic approach for this cancer.
Acute Tai Chi Chuan exercise enhances sustained attention and elicits increased cuneus/precuneus activation in young adults
Authors: Chen Rongrong , Wang Shilei , Fan Yajun , Liu Xianfa , Wang Jinhui , Lv Yating , Wang Dongmin , Wu Dong , Cao Wentian , Zou Qihong
Published: June 2022

Background

The potential for acute exercise to enhance attention has been discussed in the literature. However, the neural mechanisms by which acute exercise affects attention remain elusive.

Method

In this study, we first identified an optimized acute Tai Chi Chuan (ATCC) exercise protocol that enhances sustained attention performance and then aimed to determine the neural substrates of exercise-enhanced attention. Reaction time (RT) from the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) was used to evaluate sustained attention. In Experiment 1, improvements in RTs were compared among six different exercise protocols. In Experiment 2, the participants completed the PVT in an MRI scanner on both rest and exercise days.

Results

Experiment 1 showed that practicing TCC 3 times for a total of 20 minutes, followed by 10-minute rest periods, resulted in the largest improvements in RTs. Experiment 2 showed that ATCC enhanced sustained attention, as evidenced by shorter RTs, and resulted in greater cuneus/precuneus activation after exercise than in the rest condition. Exercise-induced changes in brain activities across a distributed network exhibited significant correlations with attention.

Conclusion

Therefore, this study indicates that ATCC effectively enhances sustained attention and underscores the key role of the cuneus/precuneus and frontoparietal-cerebellar regions in facilitating vigilance among young adults.
Opisthorchis Felineus Infection is a Risk Factor for Cholangiocarcinoma in Western Siberia: A Hospital-based Case-control Study
Authors: Fedorova Olga S , Kovshirina Anna E , Kovshirina Yulia V , Hattendorf Jan , Onishchenko Sergey V , Katanakhova Ludmila L , Taslicki Stanislav S , Chizhikov Andrey V , Tataurov Ilya A , Vtorushin Sergey V , Sripa Banchob , Ogorodova Ludmila M , Odermatt Peter
Published: June 2022

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a fatal bile duct cancer, has a high incidence in Western Siberia, Russian Federation. In addition, Opisthorchis felineus, a bile duct–dwelling trematode liver fluke is highly endemic. Closely related species have been shown to be cancerogenic agents in Asia. We therefore examined the association between O felineus infection and CCA in Western Siberia.

Methods

We conducted a hospital-based, individually matched case-control study between January 2017 and August 2020 in Tomsk Oblast and Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, Yugra, Russian Federation. Histologically confirmed CCA patients (cases) were compared with matched age, sex, and place of residence hospital controls. The examination of study participants included the diagnosis of current and past O felineus infection, abdominal ultrasonographical assessment, physical examination, and interview on exposures to potential risk factors.

Results

We identified 40 patients with CCA and 160 controls. Exposures to O felineus infection was strongly associated with CCA (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–10.8; P = .008). Also, cases reported more often that they were currently or in the past were infected by O felineus compared with controls (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.7–9.5; P = .001). Furthermore, cases reported river fish consumption and fishing habits significantly more often than controls (OR, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.5–19.8; P = .009 and OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.4–7.7; P = .005).

Conclusions

The study results revealed a strong significantly increased risk for CCA development in O felineus–infected individuals. Elaboration of the guidelines on screening programs for early CCA diagnosis, prevention, and treatment is socially important in endemic regions.
A case report-application of pericardial effusion cytology and next-generation sequencing technology: quick and secure diagnosis of primary effusion lymphoma
Authors: Zheng Jin Lei , Zhou Yi Jiang , Yan Hui
Published: June 2022

Background

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an uncommon subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that usually involves the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum without an obvious tumour mass, with multiple plasma effusions as its main clinical feature. We report a case of a massive pericardial effusion in an elderly male with a final diagnosis of PEL.

Case summary

A 70-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital with symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite, and cough with phlegm after a pericardial effusion had been found for 5 months. The next-generation sequencing of pericardial effusion found human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) infection, and further cytomorphological and immunohistochemical examination were done. According to the patient's HHV-8 infection, the pathological features of heterogeneous B cells with plasmablastic differentiation and the immunohistochemical characteristics of PEL, the final diagnosis was made as human immunodeficiency virus-negative PEL.

Discussion

The diversity and non-specificity of PEL symptoms, as well as its rarity, make it difficult to diagnose. In this case, we used the next-generation sequencing technology to screen the pathogen of the patient's pericardial effusion and carried out morphological and immunohistochemical examination of the cells in the pericardial effusion, which provided a clinically operable diagnosis for an uncommon disease, enabling us to make a clear diagnosis faster and start treatment in time.
Widespread seagrass die-off has no legacy effect on basal resource use of seagrass food webs in Florida Bay, USA
Authors: James W Ryan , Santos Rolando O , Rodemann Jonathan R , Rezek Ryan J , Fratto Zachary W , Furman Bradley T , Hall Margaret O , Kelble Christopher R , Rehage Jennifer S , Nelson James A
Published: June 2022

Macrophyte foundation species provide both habitat structure and primary production, and loss of these habitats can alter species interactions and lead to changes in energy flow in food webs. Extensive seagrass meadows in Florida Bay have recently experienced a widespread loss of seagrass habitat due to a Thalassia testudinum mass mortality event in 2015 associated with prolonged hypersalinity and bottom-water anoxia. Using stable isotope analysis paired with Bayesian mixing models, we investigated the basal resource use of seven species of seagrass-associated consumers across Florida Bay in areas affected by the 2015 seagrass die-off. Three years after the die-off, basal resource use did not differ for species collected inside and outside the die-off affected areas. Instead, consumers showed seasonal patterns in basal resource use with seagrass the most important in the wet season (58%), while epiphytes were the most important in the dry season (44%). Additionally, intraspecific spatial variability in resource use was lower in the wet season compared to the dry season. We were unable to detect a legacy effect of a major disturbance on the basal resource use of the most common seagrass-associated consumers in Florida Bay.
Isavuconazole plasma concentrations in critically ill patients during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Kriegl Lisa , Hatzl Stefan , Zurl Christoph , Reisinger Alexander Christian , Schilcher Gernot , Eller Philipp , Gringschl Yvonne , Muhr Tina , Meinitzer Andreas , Prattes Juergen , Hoenigl Martin , Krause Robert
Published: June 2022

Background

Isavuconazole is an antifungal drug used for treatment of invasive fungal infections. Critically ill COVID-19 and influenza patients require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in cases with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and have risk factors for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Little is known about isavuconazole plasma concentrations during ECMO.

Objectives

To determine isavuconazole plasma concentrations in seven patients treated with intravenous isavuconazole under ECMO and the influence of the ECMO circuit immediately after the first isavuconazole dose.

Methods

Critically ill patients treated with isavuconazole (standard doses) and ECMO were included in this study. Sixty-four blood samples used for measurement of isavuconazole concentrations were collected at several timepoints starting 2 h after the first isavuconazole dose up to 168 h. An additional 27 blood samples were drawn from the inflow and outflow line of the membrane oxygenator to assess any potential isavuconazole clearance effect of the ECMO oxygenation device and the lines.

Results

Median isavuconazole trough levels above 1 μg/mL (min. 0.83, max. 1.73) or 2 μg/mL (min. 0.84, max. 2.97) were achieved 24 h or 96 h after the first dose of isavuconazole. The isavuconazole plasma concentrations pre (inflow line) and post (outflow line) the membrane oxygenator were directly correlated (ρ = 0.987, R2 = 0.994, P < 0.001). Post membrane oxygenator isavuconazole concentrations were directly correlated to contemporaneous samples obtained from the arterial lines of patients (ρ = 0.942, R2 = 0.945, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Isavuconazole concentrations might be influenced by the higher volume of distribution due to ECMO therapy, but were not altered by the ECMO oxygenator and achieved median plasma concentrations >1 μg/mL 24 h after the first loading dose.
Determining a methodology of dosimetric quality assurance for commercially available accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy system
Authors: Hirose Katsumi , Kato Takahiro , Harada Takaomi , Motoyanagi Tomoaki , Tanaka Hiroki , Takeuchi Akihiko , Kato Ryohei , Komori Shinya , Yamazaki Yuhei , Arai Kazuhiro , Kadoya Noriyuki , Sato Mariko , Takai Yoshihiro
Published: June 2022

The irradiation field of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) consists of multiple dose components including thermal, epithermal and fast neutron, and gamma. The objective of this work was to establish a methodology of dosimetric quality assurance (QA), using the most standard and reliable measurement methods, and to determine tolerance level for each QA measurement for a commercially available accelerator-based BNCT system. In order to establish a system of dosimetric QA suitable for BNCT, the following steps were taken. First, standard measurement points based on tissue-administered doses in BNCT for brain tumors were defined, and clinical tolerances of dosimetric QA measurements were derived from the contribution to total tissue relative biological effectiveness factor-weighted dose for each dose component. Next, a QA program was proposed based on TG-142 and TG-198, and confirmed that it could be assessed whether constancy of each dose component was assured within the limits of tolerances or not by measurements of the proposed QA program. Finally, the validity of the BNCT QA program as an evaluation system was confirmed in a demonstration experiment for long-term measurement over 1 year. These results offer an easy, reliable QA method that is clinically applicable with dosimetric validity for the mixed irradiation field of accelerator-based BNCT.
Photographs of Type Details Made by Emery Walker: Addenda to an Article of 1986
Authors: Mosley James
Published: June 2022

This article discusses the album of early photographs of types belonging to Talbot Baines Reed (1852–1893), divided between St Bride’s Library and the library of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and offers some addenda. The collection has importance as the photographs were used by William Morris for the design of his own types, the earliest known use of photography for such a purpose.
A semi-analytical model for the temporal evolution of the episodic disc-to-star accretion rate during star formation
Authors: Das Indrani , Basu Shantanu
Published: June 2022

We develop a semi-analytical formalism for the determination of the evolution of the stellar mass accretion rate for specified density and velocity profiles that emerge from the runaway collapse of a prestellar cloud core. In the early phase, when the infall of matter from the surrounding envelope is substantial, the star accumulates mass primarily because of envelope-induced gravitational instability in a protostellar disc. In this phase, we model the envelope mass accretion rate from the isothermal free-fall collapse of a molecular cloud core. The disc gains mass from the envelope, and transports matter to the star via a disc accretion mechanism that includes episodic gravitational instability and mass accretion bursts according to the Toomre Q-criterion. In a later phase, mass is accreted on to the star due to gravitational torques within the spiral structures in the disc, in a manner that analytical theory suggests has a mass accretion rate ∝t−6/5. Our model provides a self-consistent evolution of the mass accretion rate by joining the spherical envelope accretion (dominant at the earlier stage) with the disc accretion (important at the later stage), and accounts for the presence of episodic accretion bursts at appropriate times. We show using a simple example that the burst mode can provide a good match to the observed distribution of bolometric luminosities. Our framework reproduces key elements of detailed numerical simulations of disc accretion and can aid in developing intuition about the basic physics as well as to compare theory with observations.
Detailed abundances of the wide pairs of stars with and without planets: the binary systems 16 Cyg and HD 219542
Authors: Ryabchikova T , Pakhomov Yu , Mashonkina L , Sitnova T
Published: June 2022

We present results of the comparative analysis of the two wide binary systems – 16 Cyg, with a giant gas planet orbiting around 16 Cyg B, and HD 219542 without planet detected. Atmospheric parameters of the binary components and the Sun were determined using their high-resolution spectra and the sme tools for automatic spectral analysis. By applying the synthetic spectrum method, we derived abundances of 29 and 23 chemical elements in 16 Cyg and HD 219542, respectively. For 19 of these elements, our results are based on the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium line formation. For both 16 Cyg and HD 219542, we obtained a small abundance difference between the A and B components: +0.019 ± 0.012 and −0.014 ± 0.019, respectively, suggesting only a weak influence of the giant gas planet formation on chemical composition of the host star atmosphere. For HD 219542 A and B, trends of the relative-to-solar abundances with the dust condensation temperature are similar to the literature data for the solar analogues without detected planets. The components of 16 Cyg reveal very similar behaviour of [X/H] with the condensation temperature; however, it is different from that for HD 219542. This indicates a specific chemical composition of the cloud from which the 16 Cyg binary system formed.
Doubling of minute-long quasi-periodic pulsations from super-flares on a low-mass star
Authors: Doyle J Gerry , Irawati Puji , Kolotkov Dmitrii Y , Ramsay Gavin , Nhalil Nived Vilangot , Dhillon Vik S , Marsh Tom R , Yadav Ram Kesh
Published: June 2022

Using the ULTRASPEC instrument mounted on the 2.4-m Thai National Telescope, we observed two large flares, each with a total energy close to 1034 erg with sub-second cadence. A combination of a wavelet analysis, a Fourier transform plus an empirical mode decomposition, reveals quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) that exhibit an apparent doubling of the oscillation period. Both events showed oscillations of a few minutes over a interval of several minutes, and despite the availability of sub-second cadence, there was no evidence of sub-minute oscillations. The doubling of the QPP periods and shorter lifetime of shorter-period QPP modes strongly favour resonant dynamics of magnetohydrodynamic waves in a coronal loop. We estimate loop lengths to be 0.2–0.7 R⋆, in agreement with a typical length of solar coronal loops. These observations presents rare and compelling evidence for the presence of compact plasma loops in a stellar corona.
Delensing the CMB with the cosmic infrared background: the impact of foregrounds
Authors: Baleato Lizancos Antón , Challinor Anthony , Sherwin Blake D , Namikawa Toshiya
Published: June 2022

The most promising avenue for detecting primordial gravitational waves from cosmic inflation is through measurements of degree-scale cosmic microwave background (CMB) B-mode polarization. This approach must face the challenge posed by gravitational lensing of the CMB, which obscures the signal of interest. Fortunately, the lensing effects can be partially removed by combining high-resolution E-mode measurements with an estimate of the projected matter distribution. For near-future experiments, the best estimate of the latter will arise from co-adding internal reconstructions (derived from the CMB itself) with external tracers such as the cosmic infrared background (CIB). In this work, we characterize how foregrounds impact the delensing procedure when CIB intensity, I, is used as the matter tracer. We find that higher point functions of the CIB and Galactic dust such as 〈BEI〉c and 〈EIEI〉c can, in principle, bias the power spectrum of delensed B-modes. To quantify these, we first estimate the dust residuals in currently available CIB maps and upcoming, foreground-cleaned Simons Observatory CMB data. Then, using non-Gaussian simulations of Galactic dust – extrapolated to the relevant frequencies, assuming the spectral index of polarized dust emission to be fixed at the value determined by Planck – we show that the bias to any primordial signal is small compared to statistical errors for ground-based experiments, but might be significant for space-based experiments probing very large angular scales. However, mitigation techniques based on multifrequency cleaning appear to be very effective. We also show, by means of an analytical model, that the bias arising from the higher point functions of the CIB itself ought to be negligible.
Eccentric orbits and apsidal motion in the eclipsing binaries EK Cep and HS Her
Authors: Latković Olivera , Gazeas Kosmas , Markov Haralambi , Čeki Atila , Palafouta Sofia
Published: June 2022

We present the first modern analysis of two young eclipsing binaries, EK Cep and HS Her, based on new ground-based CCD multicolour light curves and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) observations, radial velocity curves, and eclipse timing measurements. The orbital and stellar parameters of the stars are determined by Roche modelling, and their evolutionary status is examined using a grid of isochrones and evolutionary tracks. We find that HS Her is 25–32 Myr old and its components are on the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS); at the age of 16–20 Myr, the primary of EK Cep is also on the ZAMS, but its secondary is a pre-main-sequence star. Both binaries have slightly eccentric orbits and display apsidal motion. Based on updated eclipse timings and spectroscopic evidence, we rule out the presence of a previously hypothesized tertiary component in HS Her.
UGPS J194310+183851: an unusual optical and X-ray faint cataclysmic variable?
Authors: Morris C , Maccarone T J , Lucas P W , Strader J , Britt C T , Miller N , Swihart S J , Cooper W J , Drew J E , Guo Z
Published: June 2022

The growing number of multi-epoch optical and infrared sky surveys are uncovering unprecedented numbers of new variable stars, of an increasing number of types. The short interval between observations in adjacent near-infrared filters in the UKIDSS Galactic Plane Survey (UGPS) allows for the discovery of variability on the time-scale of minutes. We report on the nature of one such object, through the use of optical spectroscopy, time series photometry, and targeted X-ray observations. We propose that UGPS J194310.32+183851.8 is a magnetic cataclysmic variable star of novel character, probably featuring a longer than average spin period and an orbital period likely to be shorter than the period gap (i.e. Porb < 2 h). We reason that the star is likely a member of the short-period intermediate-polar subclass that exists below this period boundary, but with the additional feature that system’s spectral energy distribution is fainter and redder than other members of the group.
Chemical abundances in Seyfert galaxies – IX. Helium abundance estimates
Authors: Dors O L , Valerdi M , Freitas-Lemes P , Krabbe A C , Riffel R A , Amôres E B , Riffel R , Armah M , Monteiro A F , Oliveira C B
Published: June 2022

For the first time, the helium abundance relative to hydrogen (He/H), which relied on direct measurements of the electron temperature, has been derived in the narrow line regions (NLRs) from a local sample of Seyfert 2 nuclei. In view of this, optical emission line intensities [3000 < λ(Å) < 7000] of 65 local Seyfert 2 nuclei (z < 0.2), taken from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 15 and additional compilation from the literature, were considered. We used photoionization model grid to derive an Ionization Correction Factor (ICF) for the neutral helium. The application of this ICF indicates that the NLRs of Seyfert 2 present a neutral helium fraction of ∼50 per cent in relation to the total helium abundance. We find that Seyfert 2 nuclei present helium abundance ranging from 0.60 to 2.50 times the solar value, while ∼85 per cent of the sample present oversolar abundance values. The derived (He/H)–(O/H) abundance relation from the Seyfert 2 is stepper than that of star-forming regions (SFs) and this difference could be due to excess of helium injected into the interstellar medium by the winds of Wolf–Rayet stars. From a regression to zero metallicity, by using Seyfert 2 estimates combined with SFs estimates, we obtained a primordial helium mass fraction Yp = 0.2441 ± 0.0037, a value in good agreement with the one inferred from the temperature fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background by the Planck Collaboration, i.e. $Y_{\rm p}^{\rm Planck}=0.2471\pm 0.0003$.
Deep learning unresolved lensed light curves
Authors: Denissenya Mikhail , Linder Eric V
Published: June 2022

Gravitationally lensed sources may have unresolved or blended multiple images, and for time varying sources, the light curves from individual images can overlap. We use convolutional neural nets to both classify the light curves as due to unlensed, double, or quad lensed sources and fit for the time delays. Focusing on lensed supernova systems with time delays Δt ≳ 6 d, we achieve 100 per cent precision and recall in identifying the number of images and then estimating the time delays to σΔt ≈ 1 d, with a 1000× speedup relative to our previous Monte Carlo technique. This also succeeds for flux noise levels $\sim 10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. For Δt ∈ [2, 6] d, we obtain 94–98 per cent accuracy, depending on image configuration. We also explore using partial light curves where observations only start near maximum light, without the rise time data, and quantify the success.
Ancestrally Reconstructed von Willebrand Factor Reveals Evidence for Trench Warfare Coevolution between Opossums and Pit Vipers
Authors: Drabeck Danielle H , Rucavado Alexandra , Hingst-Zaher Erika , Dean Antony , Jansa Sharon A
Published: June 2022

Opossums in the tribe Didelphini are resistant to pit viper venoms and are hypothesized to be coevolving with venomous snakes. Specifically, a protein involved in blood clotting (von Willebrand factor [vWF] which is targeted by snake venom C-type lectins [CTLs]) has been found to undergo rapid adaptive evolution in Didelphini. Several unique amino acid changes in vWF could explain their resistance; however, experimental evidence that these changes disrupt binding to venom CTLs was lacking. Furthermore, without explicit testing of ancestral phenotypes to reveal the mode of evolution, the assertion that this system represents an example of coevolution rather than noncoevolutionary adaptation remains unsupported. Using expressed vWF proteins and purified venom CTLs, we quantified binding affinity for vWF proteins from all resistant taxa, their venom-sensitive relatives, and their ancestors. We show that CTL-resistant vWF is present in opossums outside clade Didelphini and likely across a wider swath of opossums (family Didelphidae) than previously thought. Ancestral reconstruction and in vitro testing of vWF phenotypes in a clade of rapidly evolving opossums reveal a pattern consistent with trench warfare coevolution between opossums and their venomous snake prey.
Symptoms compatible with Rome IV functional bowel disorder in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Wang Lei , Song Chuan , Wang Yiwen , Hu Lidong , Liu Xingkang , Zhang Jiaxin , Ji Xiaojian , Man Siliang , Zhang Nana , Li Gang , Yang Yunsheng , Peng Lihua , Wei Zhimin , Huang Feng
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To determine the frequency of symptoms meeting Rome IV functional bowel disorder (FBD) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), investigate factors associated with FBD symptoms, and assess whether having FBD symptoms might influence AS disease activity.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 153 AS patients without known colonic ulcers and 56 sex- and age-matched controls to evaluate FBD (or its subtypes) symptoms. Disease characteristics were also evaluated in the AS group.

Results

Sixty (39.2%) of 153 AS patients had FBD symptoms, which were more prevalent than controls (23.2%). Besides, symptoms compatible with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic diarrhoea were detected in 18 and 43 AS patients, respectively. For the AS group, multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that symptoms of FBD, IBS, and chronic diarrhoea were negatively associated with using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and positively associated with comorbid fibromyalgia, respectively. In exploration about the effects of FBD (or its subtypes) symptoms on AS disease activity by multivariable linear regression analyses, FBD symptoms and chronic diarrhoea had universal positive associations with assessments of AS disease characteristics, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with AS had frequent symptoms compatible with FBD, IBS, and chronic diarrhoea, proportions of which were lower in those with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. The improvement of FBD symptoms and chronic diarrhoea might be conducive to the disease status of AS patients.
De novosequencing, diploid assembly, and annotation of the black carpenter ant,Camponotus pennsylvanicus, and its symbionts by one person for $1000, using nanopore sequencing
Authors: Faulk Christopher
Published: June 2022

The black carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) is a pest species found widely throughout North America. From a single individual I used long-read nanopore sequencing to assemble a phased diploid genome of 306 Mb and 60X coverage, with quality assessed by a 97.0% BUSCO score, improving upon other ant assemblies. The mitochondrial genome reveals minor rearrangements from other ants. The reads also allowed assembly of parasitic and symbiont genomes. I include a complete Wolbachia bacterial assembly with a size of 1.2 Mb, as well as a commensal symbiont Blochmannia pennsylvanicus, at 791 kb. DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation were measured at base-pair resolution level from the same reads and confirmed extremely low levels seen in the Formicidae family. There was moderate heterozygosity, with 0.16% of bases being biallelic from the parental haplotypes. Protein prediction yielded 14 415 amino acid sequences with 95.8% BUSCO score and 86% matching to previously known proteins. All assemblies were derived from a single MinION flow cell generating 20 Gb of sequence for a cost of $1047 including consumable reagents. Adding fixed costs for equipment brings the total for an ant-sized genome to less than $5000. All analyses were performed in 1 week on a single desktop computer.
Is the risk of infection higher during treatment with secukinumab than with TNF inhibitors? An observational study from the Nordic countries
Authors: Glintborg Bente , Di Giuseppe Daniela , Wallman Johan K , Provan Sella A , Nordström Dan , Hokkanen Anna-Mari , Österlund Jenny , Kristianslund Eirik , Kvien Tore K , Gudbjornsson Bjorn  , Hetland Merete Lund , Michelsen Brigitte , Jacobsson Lennart , Askling Johan  , Lindström Ulf
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The positioning of secukinumab in the treatment of axial SpA (axSpA) and PsA is debated, partly due to a limited understanding of the comparative safety of the available treatments. We aimed to assess the risk of the key safety outcome infections during treatment with secukinumab and TNF inhibitors (TNFi).

Methods

Patients with SpA and PsA starting secukinumab or TNFi year 2015 through 2018 were identified in four Nordic rheumatology registers. The first hospitalized infection during the first year of treatment was identified through linkage to national registers. Incidence rates (IRs) with 95% CIs per 100 patient-years were calculated. Adjusted hazard ratios were estimated through Cox regression, with secukinumab as the reference. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate confounding by indication.

Results

Among 7708 patients with SpA and 5760 patients with PsA, we identified 16 229 treatment courses of TNFi (53% bionaïve) and 1948 with secukinumab (11% bionaïve). For secukinumab, the first-year risk of hospitalized infection was 3.5% (IR 5.0; 3.9–6.3), compared with 1.7% (IR 2.3; 1.7–3.0) during 3201 courses with adalimumab, with the IRs for other TNFi lying in between these values. The adjusted HR for adalimumab, compared with secukinumab, was 0.58 (0.39–0.85). In sensitivity analyses, the difference from secukinumab was somewhat attenuated and in some analyses no longer statistically significant.

Conclusion

When used according to clinical practice in the Nordic countries, the observed first-year absolute risk of hospitalized infection was doubled for secukinumab compared with adalimumab. This excess risk seemed largely explained by confounding by indication.
Does sleep duration moderate genetic and environmental contributions to cognitive performance?
Authors: Vo Tina T , Pahlen Shandell , Kremen William S , McGue Matt , Dahl Aslan Anna , Nygaard Marianne , Christensen Kaare , Reynolds Chandra A
Published: June 2022

While prior research has demonstrated a relationship between sleep and cognitive performance, how sleep relates to underlying genetic and environmental etiologies contributing to cognitive functioning, regardless of the level of cognitive function, is unclear. The present study assessed whether the importance of genetic and environmental contributions to cognition vary depending on an individual’s aging-related sleep characteristics. The large sample consisted of twins from six studies within the Interplay of Genes and Environment across Multiple Studies (IGEMS) consortium spanning mid- to late-life (Average age [Mage] = 57.6, range = 27–91 years, N = 7052, Female = 43.70%, 1525 complete monozygotic [MZ] pairs, 2001 complete dizygotic [DZ] pairs). Quantitative genetic twin models considered sleep duration as a primary moderator of genetic and environmental contributions to cognitive performance in four cognitive abilities (Semantic Fluency, Spatial-Visual Reasoning, Processing Speed, and Episodic Memory), while accounting for age moderation. Results suggested genetic and both shared and nonshared environmental contributions for Semantic Fluency and genetic and shared environmental contributions for Episodic Memory vary by sleep duration, while no significant moderation was observed for Spatial-Visual Reasoning or Processing Speed. Results for Semantic Fluency and Episodic Memory illustrated patterns of higher genetic influences on cognitive function at shorter sleep durations (i.e. 4 hours) and higher shared environmental contributions to cognitive function at longer sleep durations (i.e. 10 hours). Overall, these findings may align with associations of upregulation of neuroinflammatory processes and ineffective beta-amyloid clearance in short sleep contexts and common reporting of mental fatigue in long sleep contexts, both associated with poorer cognitive functioning.
Impacts of a post-transport/pre-processing rest period on the growth performance, anthelmintic efficacy, and serum metabolite changes in cattle entering a feed yard
Authors: Dahmer Payton L , Zumbaugh Charles A , Reeb Macie E , Stafford Nicole B , Buessing Zachary T , Odde Kenneth G , Drouillard James S , Tarpoff A J , Jones Cassandra K
Published: June 2022

A total of 80 crossbred, high-risk heifers (initially 250 ± 4.2 kg BW), were transported from an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma sale barn to the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Research Center. Cattle were unloaded and randomly placed into one of four receiving pens and provided ad libitum hay and water. Each pen was randomly assigned to one of the four rest times before processing: (1) immediately upon arrival (0); (2) after a 6-h rest period (6); (3) after a 24-h rest period (24); and (4) after a 48-h rest period (48). After all cattle were processed, heifers were allotted into individual pens with ad libitum access to a receiving ration and water. Heifers were weighed individually on d 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Feed added and refusals were measured daily to determine dry matter intake (DMI). A fecal egg count reduction test and analysis of blood serum metabolites were also conducted. All data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (v. 9.4, Cary, NC) with individual animal as the experimental unit. Processing time did not impact (P > 0.05) heifer BW or ADG. From d 0 to 35, DMI decreased linearly (P = 0.027) as rest time increased. The number of days for heifers to reach a DMI of 2.5% BW was linearly increased (P = 0.023) as rest time increased. There was no evidence of differences (P ≥ 0.703) among rest times for feed efficiency. While morbidity did not differ between treatments (P > 0.10), mortality increased linearly (P = 0.026) as the time of rest increased. A significant processing time × day interaction (P < 0.0001) was observed for the prevalence of fecal parasites, where the percentage of positive samples was significantly lower 14-d after anthelmintic treatment, regardless of the processing time. Serum IBR titer for heifers processed at either 0 or 6-h upon arrival was significantly higher (P < 0.01) on d 35 compared to d 0. Heifers processed after a 48-h rest period had significantly higher glucose values (P < 0.01) on d 0 compared to heifers processed at 0, 6, or 24-h. In summary, rest time prior to processing did not impact receiving calf growth performance. A 6-h rest period upon arrival appeared to be most beneficial to DMI. Anthelmintic treatment at processing reduced the parasitic load in heifers processed at all times. Vaccine titer did not increase after initial processing in heifers processed 24- or 48-h after arrival, indicating the seroconversion of IBR antibodies during the longer rest period.
Prolegomena to the UN Convention on International Mediated Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation
Authors: Tan David
Published: June 2022

This article aims to offer a detailed overview of the Singapore Convention on Mediation (formally known as the UN Convention on International Mediated Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation). The Convention establishes a unified, efficient system for the enforcement of international mediated settlement agreements—akin to the framework established for arbitral decisions by the 1958 New York Convention. This article offers a critical assessment of the Convention as well as some commentaries on how it will fit into the current alternative dispute resolution market. This contribution also assesses the Convention’s key features, how it is likely to be applied, as well as its perceived strengths and weaknesses.
Diagnosis and Management of a Chronic Lower-Limb Wound in a Patient with Felty Syndrome
Authors: Burgess Belinda , Cummins Lisa , Wong David , Bingley John
Published: June 2022

The authors report the case of a 55-year-old patient with a chronic lower-limb wound thought to be secondary to vasculitis. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for vasculitic ulcers in patients with autoimmune disease. Management considerations in this context are also discussed.