bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mitosome With Distinct Metabolism in the Uncultured Protist ParasiteParamikrocytos canceri(Rhizaria, Ascetosporea)
Authors: Onuț-Brännström Ioana , Stairs Courtney W , Campos Karla Iveth Aguilera , Thorén Markus Hiltunen , Ettema Thijs J G , Keeling Patrick J , Bass David , Burki Fabien
Published: February 2023

Ascetosporea are endoparasites of marine invertebrates that include economically important pathogens of aquaculture species. Owing to their often-minuscule cell sizes, strict intracellular lifestyle, lack of cultured representatives and minimal availability of molecular data, these unicellular parasites remain poorly studied. Here, we sequenced and assembled the genome and transcriptome of Paramikrocytos canceri, an endoparasite isolated from the European edible crab Cancer pagurus. Using bioinformatic predictions, we show that P. canceri likely possesses a mitochondrion-related organelle (MRO) with highly reduced metabolism, resembling the mitosomes of other parasites but with key differences. Like other mitosomes, this MRO is predicted to have reduced metabolic capacity and lack an organellar genome and function in iron–sulfur cluster (ISC) pathway-mediated Fe–S cluster biosynthesis. However, the MRO in P. canceri is uniquely predicted to produce ATP via a partial glycolytic pathway and synthesize phospholipids de novo through the CDP-DAG pathway. Heterologous gene expression confirmed that proteins from the ISC and CDP-DAG pathways retain mitochondrial targeting sequences that are recognized by yeast mitochondria. This represents a unique combination of metabolic pathways in an MRO, including the first reported case of a mitosome-like organelle able to synthesize phospholipids de novo. Some of these phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine, are vital in other protist endoparasites that invade their host through apoptotic mimicry.
Crustal azimuthal anisotropy in the lateral collision zone of the SE margin of the Tibetan Plateau and its tectonic implications
Authors: Shi Yutao , Gao Yuan , Zhang Hongshuang , Zhang Ziqi , Li Guohui
Published: February 2023

Resolving the detail of crustal deformation of the seismically and technically active Sichuan-Yunnan block located in the southeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for understanding the lateral extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau. Using seismic data from two regional seismograph stations of the China Earthquake Networks Center and twenty recently deployed broad-band temporary stations from the MCD Array (Middle ChuanDian block seismic array), we constrained crustal thickness and seismic anisotropy at the west boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan block, near the east Himalayan syntaxis by receiver function techniques including CCP stacking and sinusoidal moveout of PmS conversions. Crustal thickness varies significantly across major faults inside the block which increases by >20 km from west to east. East of the Chenghai Fault, a clear positive phase lies above the Moho and is interpreted to be caused by the magma intrusion related to a late Permian Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP). The crustal anisotropy shows strong zoning features and clockwise rotation with respect to due north. To the west of the Lijiang-Xiaojinhe and the Honghe Faults, anisotropic fast orientations are near NS, indicating strong crustal deformation and movement of southward crustal flow along the Nujiang-Lancangjiang Fault; to the east of this fault, anisotropic fast orientations are near NE. The variation of the anisotropic fast orientations indicates that the southeastward crustal flow from the Tibetan Plateau may be prevented by fast velocity anomalies beneath the ELIP. These observations provided new evidence for strong crustal deformation along the tectonic boundary in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau with the expansion of the Tibetan Plateau.
Source parameter analysis using distributed acoustic sensing – an example with the PoroTomo array
Authors: Chen Xiaowei
Published: February 2023

In this study, I demonstrate that distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) raw strain rate data can directly be used to estimate spectral source parameters through an Empirical Green's Function (EGF) deconvolution analysis. Previously, DAS had been widely used in passive seismology to image the subsurface and analyze ground motion variations by converting strain or strain rate to particle velocity or acceleration prior to analysis. In this study, spectral analysis is applied to the PoroTomo joint DAS and seismic Nodal array in the Brady Hot Springs geothermal field to obtain source parameters for two M4 earthquakes via EGF analysis, where nearly collocated smaller events are used as an EGF to remove path and site effects. The EGF workflow is applied to raw DAS strain rate data without conversion to particle velocities and raw Nodal seismic data. The DAS and Nodal results are very consistent with similar features of spectral ratios, corner frequencies and moment ratios for the same event pairs. The uncertainty due to stacked spectral measurement is much lower on the DAS array, suggesting better stability of spectral shape measurement, possibly due to the much denser spatial sampling. The uncertainty due to model fitting is similar between DAS and Nodal arrays with slightly lower uncertainty on the DAS array. These observations demonstrate potential for directly using the strain rate measurements from DAS arrays for earthquake source characterizations.
A note on Marchenko-linearised full waveform inversion for imaging
Authors: Diekmann Leon , Vasconcelos Ivan , van Leeuwen Tristan
Published: February 2023

Full waveform inversion and least-squares reverse time migration are the leading technologies for imaging with seismic waves. Both of them usually rely (in one way or another) on a single-scattering approximation, i.e. the Born approximation, to compute gradients and obtain an updated model. This approximation linearises the relation between modelled data and model by ignoring multiple scattering. We propose to use the Marchenko integral, an equation originating from inverse scattering theory, to obtain an alternative linear equation. Using the Marchenko method we can retrieve Green’s functions, including all orders of scattering, for virtual sources anywhere within the volume of interest – without prior knowledge of the high-wavelength model variations that induce scattering. Plugging these estimated Green’s functions into the Lippmann–Schwinger integral delivers a Marchenko-linearised relation between the full waveform data and the model. We present this new linearisation strategy and illustrate its advantages and disadvantages by comparing numerical results for different inversion kernels. Our new linearisation is exact, i.e. it does not exclude any orders of scattering, however, it relies on the quality of the Marchenko-derived Green’s functions. These Marchenko-based Green’s functions require an estimate of the first arrivals of the Green’s functions – commonly obtained by modelling in a background medium. Although these first arrival estimates strongly bias our results for inaccurate background models, we find the Marchenko-linearisation to deliver overall slightly better inverted models than the single-scattering approximation.
Near-bottom aggregations of Calanus spp. copepods in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in summer: significance for North Atlantic right whale foraging
Authors: Sorochan K A , Plourde S , Johnson C L
Published: February 2023

Copepods of the genus Calanus are a critical source of food for the North Atlantic right whale (NARW), Eubalaena glacialis. We quantified variations in depth-integrated abundance and vertical distribution of Calanus spp. in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) in August 2019. While Calanus finmarchicus was the most abundant species of Calanus, the larger C. hyperboreus was prominent in the Shediac Valley, a NARW high-use area, contributing a median of 55% estimated depth-integrated biomass of Calanus spp. during the first leg of the field mission. Near-bottom aggregations of Calanus spp. with concentrations exceeding 1000 ind m−3 occurred primarily at depths ranging from 70 to 90 m. Ontogenetic and diel vertical migrations likely contributed to development of these subsurface aggregations. During the day, Calanus spp. and euphausiids occurred in a compact near-bottom layer, indicating enhanced foraging conditions for NARW. We observed considerable variation in abundance and vertical distribution of Calanus spp., highlighting the dynamic nature of NARW prey distribution at scales of weeks and tens of kilometers in the sGSL.
Incorporating conservation limit variability and stock risk assessment in precautionary salmon catch advice at the river scale
Authors: White Jonathan , Fitzgerald Colm , Gargan Patrick , de Eyto Elvira , Millane Michael , Chaput Gerald , Boylan Paddy , Crozier Walter W , Doherty Dennis , Kennedy Bryan , Lawler Ian , Lyons David , Marnell Ferdia , McGinnity Phil , O'Higgins Kealan , Roche William K , Maxwell Hugo , Ó Maoiléidigh Niall
Published: February 2023

International wild Atlantic salmon management priorities have moved from exploitation to conservation since the 1990s, recognizing the need to protect diversity and abundance at individual river levels amid widespread declines. Here we review international salmon-stock assessments and describe a simple, transferable catch-advice framework, established for management of fisheries that conforms to international obligations. The risk assessment approach, applied at the river scale, jointly incorporates uncertainty in estimated and forecasted returning salmon numbers with the level of uncertainty around spawning requirements (Conservation Limits). Outputs include quantification of risk of stocks not attaining conservation limits (CL) and surpluses above CL on stocks able to support sustainable exploitation via total allowable catches (TAC), with monitoring by rod catch or fish counter. Since management implementation and cessation of at-sea mixed-stock fisheries, there has been a deterioration in the performance of many individual stocks, without any sustained increase in fisheries open to harvest. Given declines in mid-latitude Atlantic salmon populations over 30 years, the novel framework presented provides an approach to protect stocks failing to meet spawning thresholds while supporting sustainable exploitation of those achieving them. On-going management policy of adopting scientific advice and allowing exploitation only on stocks exceeding CLs is central to the objective of protecting salmon stocks.
Seasonal ocean forecasts to improve predictions of Dungeness crab catch rates, co-developed with state and tribal fishery managers
Authors: Norton Emily L , Kaplan Isaac C , Siedlecki Samantha , Hermann Albert J , Alin Simone R , Newton Jan , Corbett Kelly , Ayres Daniel , Schumacker Ervin Joe , Bond Nicholas A , Richerson Kate , Alexander Michael A
Published: February 2023

The commercial Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) fishery in Oregon and Washington (USA) is one of the most valuable fisheries in the region, but it experiences high interannual variability. These fluctuations have been attributed to environmental drivers on seasonal and annual timescales. In this study, researchers and state and tribal fisheries managers develop a statistical model for Dungeness crab catch per unit effort (CPUE) to help inform dynamic management decisions in Oregon and Washington. Fishing observations were matched to seasonally forecast and lagged ocean conditions from J-SCOPE, a regional forecast system (http://www.nanoos.org/products/j-scope/). Inclusion of dynamic and lagged ocean conditions improved model skill compared to simpler models, and the best model captured intraseasonal trends and interannual variability in catch rates, and spatial catch patterns. We also found that model skill relied on fishing behaviour, which varies interannually, highlighting the need for advanced fishing behaviour modelling to reduce uncertainty. The relationships between catch rates and ocean conditions may help elucidate environmental influences of catch variability. Forecast products were co-designed with managers to meet their needs for key decision points. Our results illustrate a seasonal forecasting approach for management of other highly productive, but also dynamic, invertebrates that increasingly contribute to global fisheries yield.
Local control and short-term outcomes after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery segmentectomy versus lobectomy for pT1c pN0 non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Forster Céline , Abdelnour-Berchtold Etienne , Bédat Benoît , Perentes Jean Yannis , Zellweger Matthieu , Sauvain Marc-Olivier , Christodoulou Michel , Triponez Frédéric , Karenovics Wolfram , Krueger Thorsten , Gonzalez Michel
Published: February 2023

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes and local control in pT1c pN0 non-small-cell lung cancer that were intentionally treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy or segmentectomy.

METHODS

Multicentre retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing VATS lobectomy (VL) or VATS segmentectomy (VS) for pT1c pN0 non-small-cell lung cancer from January 2014 to October 2021. Patients’ characteristics, postoperative outcomes and survival were compared.

RESULTS

In total, 162 patients underwent VL (n = 81) or VS (n = 81). Except for age [median (interquartile range) 68 (60–73) vs 71 (65–76) years; P = 0.034] and past medical history of cancer (32% vs 48%; P = 0.038), there was no difference between VL and VS in terms of demographics and comorbidities. Overall 30-day postoperative morbidity was similar in both groups (34% vs 30%; P = 0.5). The median time for chest tube removal [3 (1–5) vs 2 (1–3) days; P = 0.002] and median postoperative length of stay [6 (4–9) vs 5 (3–7) days; P = 0.039] were in favour of the VS group. Significantly larger tumour size (mean ± standard deviation 25.1 ± 3.1 vs 23.6 ± 3.1 mm; P = 0.001) and an increased number of lymph nodes removal [median (interquartile range) 14 (9–23) vs 10 (6–15); P < 0.001] were found in the VL group. During the follow-up [median (interquartile range) 31 (14–48) months], no statistical difference was found for local and distant recurrence in VL groups (12.3%) and VS group (6.1%) (P = 0.183). Overall survival (80% vs 80%) was comparable between both groups (P = 0.166).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a short follow-up, our preliminary data shows that local control is comparable for VL and VS.
Trends in prescribing volumes and costs of proton pump inhibitors in three outpatient specialties: a three-year retrospective study in a tertiary hospital in Thailand
Authors: Yusof Fitriya , Sanguanhong Siriprapha , Soorapan Suchada , Pongwecharak Juraporn
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The study determined a comparative three-year trend in prescribing volumes and costs of proton pump inhibitors in three outpatient specialties of a tertiary hospital.

Methods

Prescription data for three consecutive fiscal years (2016–2018) were extracted from a tertiary hospital electronic database, for the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and orthopaedic outpatient specialties. The data collected were individual proton pump inhibitors, overall and individual prescribing volumes (capsule/tablet) and costs, stratified by specialty and fiscal year.

Key findings

Of the three specialties, the largest volume of proton pump inhibitor prescriptions, mostly for omeprazole, comes from the orthopaedic specialty (46%). In terms of prescribing costs, at the top is the cardiovascular specialty (45.75%). Lansoprazole, which is one of the proton pump inhibitors on in the national list of essential medicines, contributed most to the cost. Prescribing proton pump inhibitors that are not included in the national list of essential medicines were responsible for over 90% of the costs in the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal specialties. An escalating trend in prescribing varied proton pump inhibitors, that is, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole and rabeprazole, all of which were not on the list of essential medicines, was evident in the latter.

Conclusions

The highest volume of proton pump inhibitor prescribing—mostly of omeprazole, was issued by the orthopaedic specialty. The cardiovascular specialty was responsible for the largest amount of cost. The increases in the uses and costs of varying proton pump inhibitors which were outside the national list of essential medicines were notable in the gastrointestinal specialty.
The handling of biopharmaceuticals used in home-based therapy for cancer patients
Authors: Hardebol Lisa , Sikking Charlotte , Florack Marlou , Crul Mirjam
Published: February 2023

Background

Due to their low bioavailability, biopharmaceuticals are typically administered via injection or infusion in a hospital setting. Home-based therapy could be a valuable alternative for cancer patients. However, when exposed to stressors, such as high or low temperatures, particles can form in the biopharmaceutical solution, compromising the safety and efficacy of the biopharmaceutical.

Aim

This research investigated current practises with ready-to-administer biopharmaceuticals to determine if it is possible to offer cancer patients home-based therapy with monoclonal antibodies.

Methods

First, a questionnaire was conducted with the survey tool Survalyzer among Amsterdam UMC patients receiving immunoglobulins at home. Secondly, a web-based questionnaire (Survalyzer) was sent to pharmacists throughout Europe with a home-based therapy programme in place.

Results

The patient questionnaire (n = 52) showed that the biopharmaceutical is stored outside the recommended temperature range by 38% of the patients. Additionally, 17% of the patients do not recall getting any information on how to store their biopharmaceuticals, and 23% would like more information on the subject. Furthermore, the questionnaire amongst pharmacists (n = 21) showed that there is a lack of resources and logistical challenges when home-based therapy is applied to biopharmaceuticals used in cancer therapy.

Conclusion

Home-based therapy with monoclonal antibodies for cancer patients is challenging to implement.
Sustained increases in antibiotic prescriptions per primary care consultation for upper respiratory tract infections in England during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Yang Zheyuan , Bou-Antoun Sabine , Gerver Sarah , Cowling Thomas E , Freeman Rachel
Published: February 2023

Background

The responsible use of existing antimicrobials is essential in reducing the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With the introduction of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, a substantial reduction in face-to-face appointments in general practice was observed. To understand if this shift in healthcare provision has impacted on prescribing practices, we investigated antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) consultations

Methods

We conducted an interrupted time-series analysis using patient-level primary care data to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consultations and antibiotic prescribing for URTI in England.

Results

We estimated an increase of 105.7 antibiotic items per 1000 URTI consultations (95% CI: 65.6–145.8; P < 0.001) after national lockdown measures in March 2020, with increases mostly sustained to May 2022.

Conclusions

Overuse of antibiotics is known to be a driver of resistance and it is essential that efforts to reduce inappropriate prescribing continue subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further work should examine drivers of increased antibiotic prescribing for URTI to inform the development of targeted antibiotic stewardship interventions.
Effects ofAspergillus oryzaeprebiotic on animal performance, nutrients digestibility, and feeding behavior of backgrounding beef heifers fed with either a sorghum silage- or a byproducts-based diet
Authors: Podversich Federico , Tarnonsky Federico , Bollatti Juan M , Silva Gleise M , Schulmeister Tessa M , Martinez Juan J Vargas , Heredia Daniella , Ipharraguerre Ignacio R , Bargo Fernando , Gonella-Diaza Angela , Dubeux Jose C B , Ferraretto Luiz F , DiLorenzo Nicolas
Published: February 2023

Eighty-four Angus crossbred heifers (13 ± 1 mo of age, 329.5 ± 61.92 kg of body weight [BW]) were used in a generalized randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors evaluated were: 1) diet type (whole plant sorghum silage [SS] vs. byproducts-based [BP]), and 2) feed additive: Aspergillus oryzae prebiotic (AOP; 2 g/d) vs. Negative control (CTL; 0 g/d), resulting in four treatments: sorghum silage-control (SC), sorghum silage-AOP (SA), byproducts-control (BC), and byproducts-AOP (BA). Heifers were stratified by body weight (BW), randomly assigned to treatments (21 heifers per treatment) and housed in 12 pens equipped with two GrowSafe feed bunks each to measure individual dry matter intake (DMI). After a 14-d adaptation, BW was measured every 14 d for 56 d. Chewing activity was monitored through collar-mounted HR-Tags (heat-related tags). Following the performance period, apparent total tract digestibility was measured in 40 heifers, using indigestible neutral detergent fiber as a marker. Heifers fed with the BP diets had greater DMI (2.92% vs. 2.59% of BW, P < 0.01) and average daily gain (ADG; 1.16 vs. 0.68 kg, P ≤ 0.01) than heifers fed with SS diets. Compared with BP-fed animals, heifers consuming the SS diets had 23 more visits/d to the feed bunks (P ≤ 0.01), consumed 53% less dry matter on each visit (P ≤ 0.01), and spent 39% more min chewing/d and 63% more min chewing/kg of DMI (P ≤ 0.01). However, chewing measured in min/kg of neutral detergent fiber intake was not affected by treatment (average 111.3 min/kg of NDF intake). Feeding AOP improved gain:feed (GF) by 15% in BP-fed heifers (0.120 vs. 0.104 kg/kg; P < 0.05). Inclusion of AOP increased organic matter digestibility (OMD) in SS diets (55.88% vs. 49.83%; P < 0.01), whereas it decreased OMD in BP diets (61.67% vs. 65.77%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, ADG and GF of BP-fed heifers was greater than SS-fed heifers, and GF was greater with AOP supplementation in BP-fed heifers. Improvement in GF in BP-fed heifers was likely not related to differences in nutrient digestibility as AOP inclusion did not enhance digestibility in the BP diet. Additionally, the effects of the AOP inclusion appear to be diet-dependent, where the 15% improvement in GF by AOP occurred in heifers fed with the more fermentable diet. Therefore, further research should explore the mechanisms responsible for the observed improvements in growth performance when feeding AOP to BP-fed heifers.
Gay employees on social media: Strategies to portray professionalism
Authors: Amaral Lucas
Published: February 2023

This study explores how gay male employees represent themselves on social media. Research shows that online self-representations vary according to imagined audiences and platforms’ affordances, but little is known about the possible roles of work in this process. In a qualitative study based on interviews and observations in the Brazilian subsidiary of a multinational automaker, I show how employees’ assessment of compatibility between professionalism and homosexuality leads them to adopt different strategies on Facebook and Instagram, platforms where work and other spheres of their lives overlap. These behaviors are dynamic, occurring in a process I label “testing the waters”: The gay men observe visible audiences’ reactions and change their online self-representations in response to these reactions. This study shows how worried, conscious, and strategic LGBTQIA+ employees are about their use of social media, in new spaces that reproduce old workplace pressures.
Seismic profile denoising based on common-reflection-point gathers using convolution neural networks
Authors: Li Shuaishuai , Zhang Jiangjie , Cheng Qian , Zhu Feng , Liu Linong
Published: February 2023

With the development of seismic surveys and the decline of shallow petroleum resources, high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio have become more important in seismic processing. To improve the quality of seismic data, stationary-phase migration based on dip-angle gathers can be used to separate the reflected waves and noise. However, this method is very computationally intensive and heavily dependent on expert experience. Neural networks currently have powerful adaptive capabilities and great potential to replace artificial processing. Certain applications of convolution neural networks (CNNs) on stack profiles lead to a loss of amplitude information. Therefore, we have developed CNNs for noise reduction based on common-reflection-point (CRP) gathers. We used CRP gathers of stationary-phase migration as labels and CRP gathers of conventional prestack time migration as inputs. In addition, we analyzed the seismic amplitude properties and demonstrated the neural network optimization process and results. The results showed that our methods can achieve fast and reliable denoising and produce high-quality stack profiles that contain true amplitude information. Furthermore, the predicted high-quality CRP gathers can be used for further processing steps, such as normal moveout correction and amplitude variation with offset.
History of Health Policy: Explaining Complexity through Time
Authors: Keirns Carla
Published: February 2023

History can be a powerful tool for teaching health policy. Particularly in the United States, with its complex system of public and private payers and providers of health services, understanding the historical origins of policies, programs, and institutions makes the system’s contours legible. Historical analysis may also help health care providers to navigate this system and to advocate for changes within it. The US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) have curricular standards for students to understand specific aspects of health policy and “systems-based practice,” and historians working within the curricular structures of US medical education may find reference to these standards useful in explaining and justifying their role in preparing medical students and resident physicians for practice. This paper explores some examples of how to use history to teach health professions students about the historical development of the US health care system, the constraints that defined how it came to be, and possibilities for reform.
Allocating organs through algorithms and equitable access to transplantation—a European human rights law approach
Authors: Lebret Audrey
Published: February 2023

Digitization in transplantation is not a new phenomenon. Algorithms are being used, for example, to allocate organs based on medical compatibility and priority criteria. However, digitization is accelerating as computer scientists and physicians increasingly develop and use machine learning (ML) models to obtain better predictions on the chances of a successful transplant. The objective of the article is to shed light on the potential threats to equitable access to organs allocated through algorithms, whether these are the consequence of political choices made upstream of digitization or of the algorithmic design, or are produced by self-learning algorithms. The article shows that achieving equitable access requires an overall vision of the algorithmic development process and that European legal norms only partially contribute to preventing harm and addressing equality in access to organs.
The association of Medicaid expansion and pediatric cancer overall survival
Authors: Barnes Justin M , Neff Corey , Han Xuesong , Kruchko Carol , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S , Ostrom Quinn T , Johnson Kimberly J
Published: February 2023

Medicaid eligibility expansion, though not directly applicable to children, has been associated with improved access to care in children with cancer, but associations with overall survival are unknown. Data for children ages 0 to 14 years diagnosed with cancer from 2011 to 2018 were queried from central cancer registries data covering cancer diagnoses from 40 states as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries. Difference-in-differences analyses were used to compare changes in 2-year survival from 2011-2013 to 2015-2018 in Medicaid expansion relative to nonexpansion states. In adjusted analyses, there was a 1.50 percentage point (95% confidence interval = 0.37 to 2.64) increase in 2-year overall survival after 2014 in expansion relative to nonexpansion states, particularly for those living in the lowest county income quartile (difference-in-differences  = 5.12 percentage point, 95% confidence interval = 2.59 to 7.65). Medicaid expansion may improve cancer outcomes for children with cancer.
Signaling Resilience: A Computational Assessment of Narratives in Local Government Budgets
Authors: Greer Robert A , Moldogaziev Tima T , Scott Ryan P , Scott Tyler A
Published: February 2023

Local governments consider a wide range of policies to increase resilience in the face of myriad risks and employ a variety of tactics to communicate about these policies to external actors. An important platform to signal resilience as a policy priority is through the budget process wherein local communities decide “who gets what, when, and how.” Using computational text mining techniques, we assess how county governments in California signal efforts toward resilience in their budgets during the 2012–2017 fiscal years, as well as whether and how those signals are received by the capital market. Comparable budget documents are available for 38 counties across the state for a total of 161 county-year observations. To test the relationship between local government resilience signals and capital market outcomes, we focus on county underlying credit ratings issued by counties. Empirical results show that county underlying credit ratings are insensitive to resilience signals in local government budgets. By examining the efficacy of resilience signals and their effects on the capital market, we offer evidence on the link between policy signaling and financial outcomes at the local government level.
Molecular and cellular basis of the dose-rate-dependent adverse effects of radiation exposure in animal models. Part II: Hematopoietic system, lung and liver
Authors: Suzuki Keiji , Imaoka Tatsuhiko , Tomita Masanori , Sasatani Megumi , Doi Kazutaka , Tanaka Satoshi , Kai Michiaki , Yamada Yutaka , Kakinuma Shizuko
Published: February 2023

While epidemiological data have greatly contributed to the estimation of the dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) for human populations, studies using animal models have made significant contributions to provide quantitative data with mechanistic insights. The current article aims at compiling the animal studies, specific to rodents, with reference to the dose-rate effects of cancer development. This review focuses specifically on the results that explain the biological mechanisms underlying dose-rate effects and their potential involvement in radiation-induced carcinogenic processes. Since the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept together with the key events holds promise for improving the estimation of radiation risk at low doses and low dose-rates, the review intends to scrutinize dose-rate dependency of the key events in animal models and to consider novel key events involved in the dose-rate effects, which enables identification of important underlying mechanisms for linking animal experimental and human epidemiological studies in a unified manner.
The Arches cluster revisited – IV. Observational constraints on the binary properties of very massive stars
Authors: Clark J S , Lohr M E , Najarro F , Patrick L R , Ritchie B W
Published: February 2023

Serving as the progenitors of electromagnetic and gravitational-wave transients, massive stars have received renewed interest in recent years. However, many aspects of their birth and evolution remain opaque, particularly in the context of binary interactions. The centre of our Galaxy hosts a rich cohort of very massive stars, which appear to play a prominent role in the ecology of the region. In this paper, we investigate the binary properties of the Arches cluster, which is thought to host a large number of very massive stars. A combination of multi-epoch near-IR spectroscopy and photometry was utilized to identify binaries. 13 from 36 cluster members meet our criteria to be classed as RV variable. Combining the spectroscopic data with archival radio and X-ray observations – to detect colliding wind systems – provides a lower limit to the binary fraction of ∼43 per cent; increasing to ≳50 per cent for the O-type hypergiants and WNLha. Dynamical and evolutionary masses reveal the primaries to be uniformly massive ($\gtrsim 50\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$). Where available, orbital analysis reveals a number of short period, highly eccentric binaries, which appear to be pre-interaction systems. Such systems are X-ray luminous, with 80 per cent above an empirical bound of (Lx/Lbol) ∼ 10−7 and their orbital configurations suggest formation and evolution via a single-star channel; however, we cannot exclude a binary formation channel for a subset. Qualitative comparison to surveys of lower mass OB-type stars confirms that the trend to an extreme binary fraction (≥60 per cent) extends to the most massive stars currently forming in the local Universe.
Active galactic nuclei jets simulated with smoothed particle hydrodynamics
Authors: Huško Filip , Lacey Cedric G
Published: February 2023

Simulations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) jets have thus far been performed almost exclusively using grid-based codes. We present the first results from hydrodynamical tests of AGN jets, and their interaction with the intracluster medium (ICM), using smoothed particle hydrodynamics as implemented in the swift code. We launch these jets into a constant-density ICM, as well as ones with a power-law density profile. We also vary the jet power, velocity, opening angle, and numerical resolution. In all cases we find broad agreement between our jets and theoretical predictions for the lengths of the jets and the lobes they inflate, as well as the radii of the lobes. The jets first evolve ballistically, and then transition to a self-similar phase, during which the lobes expand in a self-similar fashion (keeping a constant shape). In this phase the kinetic and thermal energies in the lobes and in the shocked ICM are constant fractions of the total injected energy. In our standard simulation, two thirds of the initially injected energy is transferred to the ICM by the time the jets are turned off, mainly through a bow shock. Of that, $70{{\%}}$ is in kinetic form, indicating that the bow shock does not fully and efficiently thermalize while the jet is active. At resolutions typical of large cosmological simulations (mgas ≈ 107 M⊙), the shape of the lobes is close to self-similar predictions to an accuracy of $15{{\%}}$. This indicates that the basic physics of jet-inflated lobes can be correctly simulated even at such resolutions (≈500 particles per jet).
DSPS: Differentiable stellar population synthesis
Authors: Hearin Andrew P , Chaves-Montero Jonás , Alarcon Alex , Becker Matthew R , Benson Andrew
Published: February 2023

Models of stellar population synthesis (SPS) are the fundamental tool that relates the physical properties of a galaxy to its spectral energy distribution (SED). In this paper, we present DSPS: a python package for SPS. All of the functionality in DSPS is implemented natively in the JAX library for automatic differentiation, and so our predictions for galaxy photometry are fully differentiable, and directly inherit the performance benefits of JAX, including portability onto GPUs. DSPS also implements several novel features, such as i) a flexible empirical model for stellar metallicity that incorporates correlations with stellar age, ii) support for the Diffstar model that provides a physically-motivated connection between the star formation history of a galaxy (SFH) and the mass assembly of its underlying dark matter halo. We detail a set of theoretical techniques for using autodiff to calculate gradients of predictions for galaxy SEDs with respect to SPS parameters that control a range of physical effects, including SFH, stellar metallicity, nebular emission, and dust attenuation. When forward modelling the colours of a synthetic galaxy population, we find that DSPS can provide a factor of 5 speed-up over standard SPS codes on a CPU, and a factor of 300-400 on a modern GPU. When coupled with gradient-based techniques for optimization and inference, DSPS makes it practical to conduct expansive likelihood analyses of simulation-based models of the galaxy–halo connection that fully forward model galaxy spectra and photometry.
Constraints on light decaying dark matter candidates from 16 yr of INTEGRAL/SPI observations
Authors: Calore F , Dekker A , Serpico P D , Siegert T
Published: February 2023

We apply the recently developed analysis of 16 yr of INTEGRAL/SPI data including a dark matter spatial template to derive bounds on dark matter candidates lighter than weakly interacting massive particles (like sterile neutrinos or axion-like particles) decaying into line or continuum electromagnetic final state channels. The bounds obtained are the strongest to date for dark matter masses between ∼60 keV and ∼16 MeV experiencing two-body decays producing photon lines.
ANICERlook at the jet-like corona of MAXI J1535−571 through type-B quasi-periodic oscillations
Authors: Zhang Yuexin , Méndez Mariano , García Federico , Altamirano Diego , Belloni Tomaso M , Alabarta Kevin , Zhang Liang , Bellavita Candela , Rawat Divya , Ma Ruican
Published: February 2023

MAXI J1535−571 is a black-hole X-ray binary that in 2017 exhibited a very bright outburst which reached a peak flux of up to 5 Crab in the 2–20 keV band. Given the high flux, several X-ray space observatories obtained unprecedented high signal-to-noise data of key parts of the outburst. In our previous paper, we studied the corona of MAXI J1535−571 in the hard-intermediate state (HIMS) with Insight-HXMT. In this paper, we focus on the study of the corona in the soft-intermediate state (SIMS) through the spectral-timing analysis of 26 NICER detections of the type-B quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). From simultaneous fits of the energy, rms and lag spectra of these QPOs with our time-dependent Comptonization model, we find that in the SIMS the corona size is ∼6500 km and vertically extended. We detect a narrow iron line in the energy spectra, which we interpret to be due to the illumination of the outer part of the accretion disc by this large corona. We follow the evolution of the corona and the radio jet during the HIMS–SIMS transition, and find that the jet flux peaks after the time when the corona extends to its maximum vertical size. The jet flux starts to decay after the corona contracts vertically towards the black hole. This behaviour points to a connection between the X-ray corona and the radio jet similar to that seen in other sources.
Observable tertiary tides in TIC242132789
Authors: Gao Yan , van Roestel Jan , Green Matthew J , Fuller Jim , Grishin Evgeni , Toonen Silvia
Published: February 2023

Many stars live in hierarchical triple systems, but the physics of such systems are still poorly understood. One understudied physical aspect of these systems is tertiary tides, wherein the tidal deformation of a tertiary in a hierarchical triple drains energy from the inner binary, causing the inner binary’s orbital separation to decrease. This tidal process is difficult to observe directly, since such an observation requires a very compact hierarchical triple, the tertiary of which must be almost large enough to fill its Roche lobe at the epoch of observation. Concurrently, the recently discovered stellar system TIC242132789 is the fourth most compact observed hierarchical triple, and the most compact in which the tertiary is a giant. In this paper, we demonstrate that TIC242132789 provides a rare opportunity to place constraints on the model parameters for tertiary tides, and can even be a rare opportunity to directly observe tertiary-tides-induced orbital shrinkage of the inner binary. We calculate our expectations of how fast the inner orbit will shrink, and demonstrate that our estimates of this rate of shrinkage should be observable using current techniques. We conclude with a call for relevant observations of this system to commence.
Spectral variations among different scenarios of PAH processing or formation
Authors: Maragkoudakis A , Peeters E , Ricca A
Published: February 2023

We examine the variations in the spectral characteristics and intensities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two different scenarios of PAH processing (or formation): (1) small PAHs are being destroyed (or equivalently large PAHs are being formed, referred to as SPR, i.e. small PAHs removed), and (2) large PAHs are being destroyed (or equivalently small PAHs are being formed, referred to as LPR, i.e. large PAHs removed). PAH emission was measured considering both the presence and absence of plateau components. The variation in the PAH band intensities as a function of the average number of carbon atoms 〈NC〉 has the highest dynamic range in the SPR case, suggesting that smaller PAHs have higher impact on the PAH band strengths. The plateaus show overall declining emission with 〈NC〉, and their higher dynamic range in the SPR case also suggests that smaller PAHs are mainly contributing to the plateau emission. The 7.7/(11.0 + 11.2) $\mu$m PAH band ratio presents the least amount of variance with the lowest dynamic range, rendering this ratio as the better choice for tracing PAH charge. The 3.3/(11.2 + 11.0) $\mu$m PAH band ratio is the only ratio that has both a monotonic variance and fully separated values among the SPR and LPR scenarios, highlighting its efficiency as PAH size tracer but also allowing the characterization of the dominant scenario of processing or formation in a given region or source. We present new PAH charge–size diagnostic diagrams, which can provide insights into the average, maximum, or minimum NC within astrophysical sources.
Using Machine Learning to link black hole accretion flows with spatially resolved polarimetric observables
Authors: Qiu Richard , Ricarte Angelo , Narayan Ramesh , Wong George N , Chael Andrew , Palumbo Daniel
Published: February 2023

We introduce a new library of 535 194 model images of the supermassive black holes and Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) targets Sgr A* and M87*, computed by performing general relativistic radiative transfer calculations on general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics simulations. Then to infer underlying black hole and accretion flow parameters (spin, inclination, ion-to-electron temperature ratio, and magnetic field polarity), we train a random forest machine learning model on various hand-picked polarimetric observables computed from each image. Our random forest is capable of making meaningful predictions of spin, inclination, and the ion-to-electron temperature ratio, but has more difficulty inferring magnetic field polarity. To disentangle how physical parameters are encoded in different observables, we apply two different metrics to rank the importance of each observable at inferring each physical parameter. Details of the spatially resolved linear polarization morphology stand out as important discriminators between models. Bearing in mind the theoretical limitations and incompleteness of our image library, for the real M87* data, our machinery favours high-spin retrograde models with large ion-to-electron temperature ratios. Due to the time-variable nature of these targets, repeated polarimetric imaging will further improve model inference as the EHT and next-generation (EHT) continue to develop and monitor their targets.
Constraints on S8 from a full-scale and full-shape analysis of redshift-space clustering and galaxy–galaxy lensing in BOSS
Authors: Lange Johannes U , Hearin Andrew P , Leauthaud Alexie , van den Bosch Frank C , Xhakaj Enia , Guo Hong , Wechsler Risa H , DeRose Joseph
Published: February 2023

We present a novel simulation-based cosmological analysis of galaxy–galaxy lensing and galaxy redshift-space clustering. Compared to analysis methods based on perturbation theory, our simulation-based approach allows us to probe a much wider range of scales, $0.4 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{Mpc}$ to $63 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{Mpc}$, including highly non-linear scales, and marginalizes over astrophysical effects such as assembly bias. We apply this framework to data from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey LOWZ sample cross-correlated with state-of-the-art gravitational lensing catalogues from the Kilo Degree Survey and the Dark Energy Survey. We show that gravitational lensing and redshift-space clustering when analysed over a large range of scales place tight constraints on the growth-of-structure parameter $S_8 = \sigma _8 \sqrt{\Omega _{\rm m} / 0.3}$. Overall, we infer S8 = 0.792 ± 0.022 when analysing the combination of galaxy–galaxy lensing and projected galaxy clustering and S8 = 0.771 ± 0.027 for galaxy redshift-space clustering. These findings highlight the potential constraining power of full-scale studies over studies analysing only large scales and also showcase the benefits of analysing multiple large-scale structure surveys jointly. Our inferred values for S8 fall below the value inferred from the CMB, S8 = 0.834 ± 0.016. While this difference is not statistically significant by itself, our results mirror other findings in the literature whereby low-redshift large-scale structure probes infer lower values for S8 than the CMB, the so-called S8-tension.
Remnants of recent mergers in nearby early-type galaxies and their classification
Authors: Giri Gourab , Barway Sudhanshu , Raychaudhury Somak
Published: February 2023

We search for signatures of recent galaxy close interactions and mergers in a sample of 202 early-type galaxies in the local universe from the public SDSS Stripe82 deep images (μr ∼ 28.5 mag arcsec−2). Using two different methods to remove galaxies’ smooth and symmetric light distribution, we identify and characterize 11 distinct types of merger remnants embedded in the diffuse light of these early-type galaxies. We discuss how the morphology of merger remnants can result from different kinds of minor and major mergers, and estimate the fraction of early-type galaxies in the local universe with evidence of recent major (27 per cent) and minor (57 per cent) mergers. The merger fractions deduced are higher than in several earlier surveys. Among remnants, we find that shells are the dominant merger debris (54 per cent) associated with early-type galaxies, resulting from both major and minor mergers, with those characteristics of major mergers being significant (24 per cent of shell host galaxies). The most uncommon merger-related structures are boxy isophotes of the stellar distribution and the presence of disc fragments near the cores of galaxies. We develop a classification scheme for these fine structures that may be used to infer their likely genesis histories. The classification is primarily based on the mass ratios of the merged galaxies. This work, when combined with predictions from numerical simulations, indicates that most (if not all) early-type galaxies in the local Universe are continually evolving as a result of (minor) merger activities.