Search

New, deep HST photometry allowed us to identify and study eight compact and bright (MV ≤ −5.8) star clusters in the outskirts of the star-forming isolated dwarf galaxy NGC 5238 (M* ≃ 108 M⊙). Five of these clusters are new discoveries, and six appear projected onto and/or aligned with the tidal tails recently discovered around this galaxy. The clusters are partially resolved into stars, and their colour magnitude diagrams reveal a well-developed red giant branch, implying ages older than 1–2 Gyr. Their integrated luminosity and structural parameters are typical of classical globular clusters, and one of them, with MV = −10.56 ± 0.07, is as bright as ω Cen, the brightest globular cluster in the Milky Way. Since the properties of this cluster are in the range spanned by those of nuclear star clusters we suggest that it may be the nuclear remnant of the disrupted satellite of NGC 5238 that produced the observed tidal tails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-photon emitters (SPEs) within wide-bandgap materials represent an appealing platform for the development of single-photon sources operating at room temperatures. Group III-nitrides have previously been shown to host efficient SPEs, which are attributed to deep energy levels within the large bandgap of the material, in a configuration that is similar to extensively investigated color centers in diamond. Anti-bunched emission from defect centers within gallium nitride and aluminum nitride (AlN) have been recently demonstrated. While such emitters are particularly interesting due to the compatibility of III-nitrides with cleanroom processes, the nature of such defects and the optimal conditions for forming them are not fully understood. Here, we investigate Al implantation on a commercial AlN epilayer through subsequent steps of thermal annealing and confocal microscopy measurements. We observe a fluence-dependent increase in the density of the emitters, resulting in the creation of ensembles at the maximum implantation fluence. Annealing at 600 °C results in the optimal yield in SPEs formation at the maximum fluence, while a significant reduction in SPE density is observed at lower fluences. These findings suggest that the mechanism of vacancy formation plays a key role in the creation of the emitters and open enticing perspectives in the defect engineering of SPEs in solid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Color centers in wide-bandgap semiconductors are a promising class of solid-state quantum light source, many of which operate at room temperature. We examine a family of color centers in aluminum nitride, which emits close to 620 nm. We present a technique to rapidly map an ensemble of these single photon emitters, identifying all emitters, not just those with absorption dipole parallel to the laser polarization. We demonstrate a fast technique to determine their absorption polarization orientation in the c-plane, finding they are uniformly distributed in orientation, in contrast to many other emitters in crystalline materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among wide-bandgap compound semiconductors, gallium nitride is the most widely available material due to its prevalence in the solid state lighting and high-speed/high-power electronics industries. It is now known that GaN is one of only a handful of materials to host color centers that emit quantum light at room temperature. In this paper, we report on a bright color center in a semi-polar gallium nitride substrate emitting at room temperature in the near-infrared. We show that a hemispherical solid immersion lens, near index matched to the semiconductor, can be used to enhance the photon collection efficiency by a factor of 4.3 ± 0.1 while improving the lateral resolution by a factor equal to the refractive index of the lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Firefighter applicants (FFAs) with a history of asthma may be refused entry to the fire service because of potentially putting themselves and others at risk. Aims We undertook a service evaluation to identify respiratory and employment outcomes of FFAs with a history of asthma who had undergone additional respiratory assessment at our specialist occupational lung disease clinic during 2005–19. Methods We reviewed FFA medical records and categorized them as having either no current asthma or definite/probable asthma at the time of clinic assessment. 'No current asthma' was defined as negative non-specific bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) to histamine/methacholine, and no symptoms or treatment within the 2 years before clinic. 'Definite/probable current asthma' was defined as either positive BHR, or negative BHR with symptoms and/or treatment within the previous 2 years. Around 1 year later, we contacted FFAs to enquire about their application outcome and current respiratory symptoms. Results Data were available on 116 applicants; of whom, 45% (n = 52) had definite/probable current asthma and were significantly more likely to be older, atopic to common aeroallergens, report atopic disease and have a lower forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratio compared with applicants with no current asthma. Only two individuals' applications were rejected due to asthma. At follow-up, just 2 (2%) of the 90 operational firefighters reported any recent trouble with asthma. Conclusions A history of asthma alone is not sufficient to determine current asthma in FFAs. Even with a diagnosis of current asthma, FFAs are mostly successful in their application to join the fire service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of total ionizing dose (TID) on static random access memory (SRAM) physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are studied through X-ray and proton irradiation of commercially available SRAM. Negative shifts in the fractional Hamming weight (FHW) were measured with increasing TID, indicating a migration of bistable cells toward logic low. Additionally, positive shifts in the intra-die fractional Hamming distance (FHD) were measured and indicate changes to the virtual fingerprint of an SRAM PUF with TID, especially in devices that were dosed while holding data. Shifts in inter-die FHD were negligible, allowing individual SRAMs still to be easily identified based on the FHD between a known and unknown sample even after moderate amounts of TID. In some cases, SRAMs could still be identified by their PUFs after the devices had failed. In all cases, the irradiated SRAM devices retained their virtual fingerprint after recovery through annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heat shock proteins respond to a variety of physiological and environmental stresses, including heat stress, ischemia and endotoxic shock. Hormonal changes during the female menstrual cycle can have a thermogenic effect on body temperature. The monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) pill provides low doses of progesterone and oestrogen over the course of the normal menstrual phase. There is little evidence regarding the combined effects of OC on exercise performance and heat stress with respect to heat shock protein response. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the response of heat shock proteins (Hsp72) during fixed-intensity and selfpaced exercise in the heat in young, healthy women on oral contraceptives compared with young healthy men. Methods: Sixteen physically active men and women performed 30 min fixed-intensity cycling at 50% of maximum workload, followed by 30 min of a self-paced time trial (TT) interspersed by 30 s maximal sprint at 9, 19 and 29 min respectively. Trials were undertaken in cool (20°C; 48±3% relative humidity (RH)) and warm (32°C; 66±2% RH) ambient conditions. Core (Tc) and skin temperature, heart rate (HR) and subjective responses were measured before, during and post exercise. Results: The distance, mean and peak power output, mean and peak speed during the self-paced time trial showed no difference between the ambient temperatures for men and women. Hsp72 in females was higher than males at all sample points at both 20°C and 32°C, except for pre-exercise at 20°C (p< 0.04). Women also attained a higher Tc than men at the end of the TT in the heat (38.5°C v 37.9°C for women and men, respectively; p<0.03), higher mean HR and perceived exertion. Conclusion: This study indicates that females who use oral contraceptives (OC) had higher levels of Hsp72 than males when tested under the same environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand what drives erosion in central Nepal, we have mapped regions of preferential erosion by comparing modern detrital muscovite 40Ar/39Ar data to bedrock data from the Narayani river catchment and two subcatchments in central Nepal. We compare our pattern of erosion to erosion patterns from previous studies. Each shows a zone of preferential erosion from 5 km south to 20 km north of the Main Central Thrust (MCT). Peak erosion occurs in a 5‐km‐wide, orogen‐parallel band, north of the MCT, overlapping proposed ramps in the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). This location of peak erosion is consistent with the interpretation that erosion is tectonically driven. Although peak erosion is spatially coincident with the interpreted MHT ramps, the zone of enhanced erosion extends north of the ramps' downdip limits suggesting that an additional driver of rock uplift is at work. This can be explained by a duplex growing along the ramp back‐tilting and uplifting older duplex faults. This region also coincides with a dynamically supported bulge in the High Himalaya where a reservoir of elastic strain appears to be maintained over numerous seismic cycles further enhancing erosion. Key Points: Central Nepal has a 25 km zone of increased erosion above previous interpretations of the MHT rampErosion in central Nepal has remained focused in a central, orogen‐parallel band for 2–4 MyrErosion is controlled by the position of a midcrustal ramp in the MHT, active duplexing, and a dynamically maintained elastic bulge [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Lyman-α (Lyα) is the brightest emission line in star-forming galaxies. However, its interpretation in terms of physical properties is hampered by the resonant nature of Lyα photons. In order to remedy this complicated situation, the Lyman Alpha Reference Sample (LARS) was defined, enabling the study of Lyα production and escape mechanisms in 14 local star-forming galaxies. Aims. With this paper, we complement our efforts and study the global dust and (molecular) gas content as well as the properties of gas associated with photon-dominated regions. We aim to characterize the interstellar medium of LARS galaxies, allowing us to relate these newly derived properties to quantities relevant for Lyα escape. Methods. We observed LARS galaxies with Herschel, SOFIA, the IRAM 30m telescope, and APEX, targeting far-infrared (FIR) continuum and emission lines of [C II]158 μm, [O I]63 μm, [O III]88 μm, and low-J CO lines. Using Bayesian methods we derived dust model parameters and estimated the total gas masses for all LARS galaxies, taking into account a metallicity-dependent gas-to-dust ratio. Star formation rates were estimated from FIR, [C II]158 μm, and [O I]63 μm luminosities. Results. LARS covers a wide dynamic range in the derived properties, with FIR-based star formation rates from ∼0.5−100 M⊙ yr−1, gas fractions between ∼15−80%, and gas depletion times ranging from a few hundred megayears up to more than ten gigayears. The distribution of LARS galaxies in the Σgas versus ΣSFR (Kennicutt–Schmidt plane) is thus quite heterogeneous. However, we find that LARS galaxies with the longest gas depletion times, that is, relatively high gas surface densities (Σgas) and low star formation rate densities (ΣSFR), have by far the highest Lyα escape fraction. A strong approximately linear relation is found between the Lyα escape fraction and the total gas (HI+H2) depletion time. We argue that the Lyα escape in those galaxies is driven by turbulence in the star-forming gas that shifts the Lyα photons out of resonance close to the places where they originate. We further report on an extreme [C II]158 μm excess in LARS 5, corresponding to ∼14 ± 3% of the FIR luminosity, which probably is the most extreme [C II]-to-FIR ratio observed in a galaxy (without active nucleus) to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has raised substantial concerns regarding the validity of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) codes (ICD-10 I05–I09) for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) due to likely misclassification of non-rheumatic valvular disease (non-rheumatic VHD) as RHD. There is currently no validated, quantitative approach for reliable case ascertainment of RHD in administrative hospital data. Methods: A comprehensive dataset of validated Australian RHD cases was compiled and linked to inpatient hospital records with an RHD ICD code (2000– 2018, n=7555). A prediction model was developed based on a generalized linear mixed model structure considering an extensive range of demographic and clinical variables. It was validated internally using randomly selected cross-validation samples and externally. Conditional optimal probability cutpoints were calculated, maximising discrimination separately for high-risk versus low-risk populations. Results: The proposed model reduced the false-positive rate (FPR) from acute rheumatic fever (ARF) cases misclassified as RHD from 0.59 to 0.27; similarly for non-rheumatic VHD from 0.77 to 0.22. Overall, the model achieved strong discriminant capacity (AUC: 0.93) and maintained a similar robust performance during external validation (AUC: 0.88). It can also be used when only basic demographic and diagnosis data are available. Conclusion: This paper is the first to show that not only misclassification of non-rheumatic VHD but also of ARF as RHD yields substantial FPRs. Both sources of bias can be successfully addressed with the proposed model which provides an effective solution for reliable RHD case ascertainment from hospital data for epidemiological disease monitoring and policy evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Occupational asthma (OA) is often associated with a poor prognosis and the impact of a diagnosis on an individual's career and income can be significant. Aims We sought to understand the consequences of a diagnosis of OA to patients attending our clinic. Methods Using a postal questionnaire, we surveyed all patients attending our specialist occupational lung disease clinic 1 year after having received a diagnosis of OA due to a sensitizer (n = 125). We enquired about their current health and employment status and impact of their diagnosis on various aspects of their life. Additional information was collected by review of clinical records. Results We received responses from 71 (57%) patients; 77% were referred by an occupational health (OH) provider. The median duration of symptoms prior to referral was 18 months (interquartile range (IQR) 8–48). At 1 year, 79% respondents were no longer exposed to the causal agent. Whilst the unexposed patients reported an improvement in symptoms compared with those still exposed (82% versus 53%; P = 0.023), they had poorer outcomes in terms of career, income and how they felt treated by their employer; particularly those not currently employed. Almost all (>90%) of those still employed had been referred by an OH provider compared with 56% of those currently unemployed (P = 0.002)x. Conclusions The negative impact of OA on people's careers, livelihood and quality of life should not be underestimated. However, with early detection and specialist care, the prognosis is often good and particularly so for those with access to occupational health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph spectra of H  i -rich tidal features located around the outskirts of two interacting galaxy pairs, NGC 3166/9 and NGC 4725/47. These follow-up observations are part of a multiwavelength campaign to study the properties and frequency of tidal dwarf galaxies (TDGs) in group environments. Based on the calculated gas-phase metallicity and redshift, in addition to the previously measured H  i and stellar properties, we have confirmed the tidal origins of TDG candidate AGC 208457, which has emerged from the tidal debris of an interaction between the NGC 3166/9 galaxy pair. By comparing H  i and optical recessional velocities, we have also confirmed a physical association of the gaseous knots and star clusters embedded in the metal-rich tidal tail of NGC 4747. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The pyBacktrack software package allows the backtracking of the paleo‐water depth of ocean drill sites, providing a framework for reconstructing the accumulation history of sediment components through time. The software incorporates the effects of decompaction of common marine lithologies and allows backtracking of sites on both oceanic and continental crust. Backtracking on ocean crust is based on a user‐selected lithospheric age‐depth model and the present‐day unloaded basement depth. Backtracking on continental crust is based on syn‐rift and post‐rift subsidence that is modeled using the total sediment thickness at the site and the timing of the transition from rifting to thermal subsidence. On sites that did not penetrate basement, the age‐coded stratigraphy is supplemented with a synthetic stratigraphic section that represents the undrilled section, whose thickness is estimated using a global sediment thickness map. This is essential for estimating the decompacted thickness of the total sedimentary section, and thus bathymetry, through time. PyBacktrack further allows the consideration of the effects of mantle‐convection driven dynamic topography on paleo‐water depth. The user can select one of the dynamic topography models bundled with pyBacktrack or add other models. PyBacktrack runs on all platforms with a Python 2.7 and a pyGPlates installation and is available via Github. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A full‐scale wastewater treatment plant with a 5500 population equivalent was retrofitted with a pre‐denitrification‐submerged anoxic filter (SAnoF) in order to achieve new total nitrogen (TN) consent of 35 mg/L. A 36 m3 SAnoF was installed downstream the primary settling tanks. The optimal operation of the anoxic SAnoF was investigated by varying the recirculation ratio, the carbon‐to‐nitrate ratio, and the hydraulic retention time. After stable operation was achieved, nitrate was removed by 80% at a loading of 0.5 kg NO3/m3 day and a retention time of 60 min. The SAnoF presented a number of advantages, including the use of internal carbon for denitrification, decrease of carbon load to the trickling filter by 30%, and production of alkalinity required for nitrification in the trickling filter (11 mg CaCO3/mg NH4 removed). Overall, the SAnoF was satisfactory and the effluent TN concentration reached 20–25 mg TN/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tracing sedimentation through time on existing and vanished seafloor is imperative for constraining long‐term eustasy and for calculating volumes of subducted deep‐sea sediments that contribute to global geochemical cycles. We present regression algorithms that incorporate the age of the ocean crust and the mean distance to the nearest passive margin to predict sediment thicknesses and long‐term decompacted sedimentation rates since 200 Ma. The mean sediment thickness decreases from ∼220 m at 200 Ma to a minimum of ∼140 m at 130 Ma, reflecting the replacement of old Panthalassic ocean floor with young sediment‐poor mid‐ocean ridges, followed by an increase to ∼365 m at present‐day. This increase reflects the accumulation of sediments on ageing abyssal plains proximal to passive margins, coupled with a decrease in the mean distance of any parcel of ocean crust to the nearest passive margin by over 700 km, and a doubling of the total passive margin length at present‐day. Mean long‐term sedimentation rates increase from ∼0.5 cm/ky at 160 Ma to over 0.8 cm/ky today, caused by enhanced terrigenous sediment influx along lengthened passive margins, superimposed by the onset of ocean‐wide carbonate sedimentation. Our predictive algorithms, coupled to a plate tectonic model, provide a framework for constraining the seafloor sediment‐driven eustatic sea‐level component, which has grown from ∼80 to 210 m since 120 Ma. This implies a long‐term sea‐level rise component of 130 m, partly counteracting the contemporaneous increase in ocean basin depth due to progressive crustal ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High and low cycle fatigue tests were conducted on high-strength steel using four-point bending. The materials tested were ASTM A723 steel in the as-machined condition, grit-blasted condition, MIL-DTL-16232 heavy manganese phosphate-coated condition, and ASTM A1059 Zn-alloy thermo-diffusion coated (Zn-TDC). The ASTM A723 steel base material exhibits a yield strength of ~1000 MPa. The effects of the surface treatments versus uncoated steel were examined. The fatigue life of the Zn-TDC specimens was generally reduced on as-coated specimens versus uncoated or phosphate-coated specimens. Several mechanisms are examined including the role of compressive residual stress relief with the Zn-TDC process as well as fatigue crack initiation from the hardened Zn-Fe alloy surface layer produced in the gas-metal reaction. Additionally, the effects of corrosion pitting on the fatigue life of coated specimens are explored as the Zn-TDC specimens exhibit significantly improved corrosion resistance over phosphate-coated and oiled specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the discovery of ionised gas filaments in the circum-galactic halo of the extremely metal-poor compact starburst SBS 0335-052E in a 1.5 h integration with the MUSE integral-field spectrograph. We detect these features in Hα and [O iii] emission down to a limiting surface-brightness of 5×10−19 erg s−1 cm−2 arcsec−2 . The filaments have projected diameters of 2.1 kpc and extend more than 9 kpc to the north and north-west from the main stellar body. We also detect extended nebular He ii λ4686 emission that brightens towards the north-west at the rim of a starburst driven super-shell. We also present a velocity field of the ionised gas. The filaments appear to connect seamlessly in velocity space to the kinematical disturbances caused by the shell. Similar to high-z starforming galaxies, the ionised gas in this galaxy is dispersion dominated. We argue that the filaments were created via feedback from the starburst and that these ionised structures in the halo may act as escape channels for Lyman continuum radiation in this gas-rich system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional definitions of drug addiction are focused on characterizing the neurophysiological and behavioral responses of mammals. Although mammalian models have been invaluable in studying specific and complex aspects of addiction, invertebrate systems have proven advantageous in investigating how drugs of abuse corrupt the most basic motivational and neurochemical systems. It has recently been shown that invertebrates and mammals have remarkable similarities in their behavioral and neurochemical responses to drugs of abuse. However, until now only mammals have demonstrated drug seeking and selfadministration without the concurrent presence of a natural reward, e.g. sucrose. Using a sucrose-fading paradigm, followed by a twodish choice test, we establish ants as an invertebrate model of opioid addiction. The ant species Camponotus floridanus actively seeks and self-administers morphine even in the absence of caloric value or additional natural reward. Using HPLC equipped with electrochemical detection, the neurochemicals serotonin, octopamine and dopamine were identified and subsequently quantified, establishing the concurrent neurochemical response to the opioid morphine within the invertebrate brain. With this study, we demonstrate dopamine to be governing opioid addiction in the brains of ants. Thus, this study establishes ants as the first non-mammalian model of selfadministration that is truly analogous to mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high-resolution Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) H I observations and deep Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) optical imaging of two galaxy groups: NGC 4725/47 and NGC 3166/9. These data are part of a multi-wavelength unbiased survey of the gas-rich dwarf galaxy populations in three nearby interacting galaxy groups. TheNGC4725/47 group hosts two tidal knots and one dwarf irregular galaxy (dIrr). Both tidal knots are located within a prominent H I tidal tail, appear to have sufficient mass (Mgas ≈ 108 M≳) to evolve into long-lived tidal dwarf galaxies (TDGs) and are fairly young in age. The NGC 3166/9 group contains a TDG candidate, AGC 208457, at least three dIrrs and four H I knots. Deep CFHT imaging confirms that the optical component of AGC 208457 is bluer - with a 0.28 mag g - r colour - and a few Gyr younger than its purported parent galaxies. Combining the results for these groups with those from the NGC 871/6/7 group reported earlier, we find that the H I properties, estimated stellar ages and baryonic content of the gas-rich dwarfs clearly distinguish tidal features from their classical counterparts. We optimistically identify four potentially long-lived tidal objects associated with three separate pairs of interacting galaxies, implying that TDGs are not readily produced during interaction events as suggested by some recent simulations. The tidal objects examined in this survey also appear to have a wider variety of properties than TDGs of similar mass formed in current simulations of interacting galaxies, which could be the result of pre- or post-formation environmental influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of targets distributed randomly in space is a task common to both robotic and biological systems. Lévy search has previously been used to characterize T cell search in the immune system. We use a robot swarm to evaluate the effectiveness of a Lévy search strategy and map the relationship between search parameters and target configurations. We show that the fractal dimension of the Lévy search which optimizes search efficiency depends strongly on the distribution of targets but only weakly on the number of agents involved in search. Lévy search can therefore be tuned to the target configuration while also being scalable. Implementing search behaviors observed in T cells in a robot swarm provides an effective, adaptable, and scalable swarm robotic search strategy. Additionally, the adaptability and scalability of Lévy search may explain why Lévy-like movement has been observed in T cells in multiple immunological contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Supermarket bakers are exposed not only to flour and alpha-amylase but also to other 'improver' enzymes, the nature of which is usually shrouded by commercial sensitivity. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sensitization to 'improver' enzymes in UK supermarket bakers. Methods We examined the prevalence of sensitization to enzymes in 300 bakers, employed by one of two large supermarket bakeries, who had declared work-related respiratory symptoms during routine health surveillance. Sensitization was determined using radioallergosorbent assay to eight individual enzymes contained in the specific 'improver' mix used by each supermarket. Results The prevalence of sensitization to 'improver' enzymes ranged from 5% to 15%. Sensitization was far more likely if the baker was sensitized also to either flour or alpha-amylase. The prevalence of sensitization to an 'improver' enzyme did not appear to be related to the concentration of that enzyme in the mix. Conclusions We report substantial rates of sensitization to enzymes other than alpha-amylase in UK supermarket bakers; in only a small proportion of bakers was there evidence of sensitization to 'improver mix' enzymes without sensitization to either alpha-amylase or flour. The clinical significance of these findings needs further investigation, but our findings indicate that specific sensitization in symptomatic bakers may not be identified without consideration of a wide range of workplace antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present Arecibo, GBT, VLA, and WIYN/pODI observations of the ALFALFA source AGC 226067. Originally identified as an ultra-compact high velocity cloud and candidate Local Group galaxy, AGC 226067 is spatially and kinematically coincident with the Virgo cluster, and the identification by multiple groups of an optical counterpart with no resolved stars supports the interpretation that this systems lies at the Virgo distance (D = 17 Mpc). The combined observations reveal that the system consists of multiple components: a central Hi source associated with the optical counterpart (AGC 226067), a smaller Hi-only component (AGC 229490), a second optical component (AGC 229491), and extended low-surface brightness Hi. Only ∼1/4 of the single-dish Hi emission is associated with AGC 226067; as a result, we find MHI/Lg ☉ 6 M☉/L☉ which is lower than previous work. At D = 17 Mpc, AGC 226067 has an Hi mass of 1.5×107 M☉ and Lg = 2.4×106 L☉, AGC 229490 (the Hi-only component) has MHI = 3.6×106 M☉, and AGC 229491 (the second optical component) has Lg = 3.6 × 105 L☉. The nature of this system of three sources is uncertain: AGC 226067 and AGC 229490 may be connected by an Hi bridge, and AGC 229490 and AGC 229491 are separated by only 0.5'. The current data do not resolve the Hi in AGC 229490 and its origin is unclear. We discuss possible scenarios for this system of objects: an interacting system of dwarf galaxies, accretion of material onto AGC 226067, or stripping of material from AGC 226067. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index with a risk of toxicity and potential to increase morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly with co-morbid illness and polypharmacy. Lithium therapy and monitoring of lithium levels require precision and several guidelines have been issued including recommendations for strict control of lithium levels in the elderly population. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of implementation of a multifaceted management programme on the compliance with international practice standards for lithium monitoring in patients under the care of Psychiatry of Old Age (POA), Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Services in the North West of Ireland. METHODS: Results from a prior audit performed in February 2020 involving a cohort of 18 patients prescribed lithium under the care of POA were analysed and compared to accepted standards. The guideline used as the benchmark for compliance was the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on the use and monitoring of lithium therapy, as published in 2014. Several deficits were found and therefore a designated Lithium Management Programme was established. A subsequent audit, performed using a simplified audit tool incorporating the NICE guidelines, delivered results which were directly compared to the initial findings and analysed to evaluate the effect of the implemented management programme. PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE ONGOING STUDY: In comparison with findings from 2020, there had been a significant improvement in most facets of lithium management and compliance to practice standards. Of particular note was the improvement of biochemical monitoring, side effect screening, polypharmacy surveillance, patient education and interdisciplinary communication. CONCLUSION: The launch of a dedicated Lithium Management Programme with specific features aimed at identifying and addressing poor compliance with monitoring guidelines has led to improved adherence to accepted international practice standards. Our model provides a dynamic, multi-layered system which paves the way for better patient outcomes, timely access to care and furthering education for patients and staff members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To compare Lithium prescribing practices in a Psychiatry of Old Age (POA) Service in the North-West ofIreland among adults aged 65 years and over with best practice guidelines. Methods: Review of the literature informed development of audit standards for Lithium prescribing. These included National Institute for Clinical Excellent (NICE) 2014 guidelines, The British National Formulary(2019) and Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines (2018). Data was collected retrospectively, using an audit-specific data collection tool, from clinical files of POA team caseload, aged 65 years or more and prescribed Lithium over the past year. Results: At the time of audit in February 2020, 18 patients were prescribed lithium, 67% female, average age 74.6 years. Of those prescribed Lithium; 50% (n=9) had depression, 44% (n=8) had bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) and 6% (n=1) schizoaffective disorder. 78% (n= 14) of patients met the NICE standard of 3-monthly lithium level. Lithium levels were checkedon average 4.5 times in past year, average lithium level was 0.61mmol/L across the group and 39% (n=7) had lithium level within recommended therapeutic range (0.6-0.8mmol/L). 83% of patients (n=15) met the NICE standards of 3 monthly renal tests. Taking into consideration mostrecent blood test results, 100% (n=18) had abnormal renal function. Half (n=9) were initiated on lithium by POA service and of these, 56% (n=5) had documented renal impairment prior to initiation. Of patients on long term lithium at time of referral (n=9), almost half (n=4) had a documented history of lithium toxicity. Conclusions: The results of this audit highlight room for improvement in lithium monitoring of older adults attending POA service. Furthermore, all patients prescribed lithium had impaired renal function. This is an important finding given the associations between those admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and co- morbid kidney disease and increased risk of inpatient death. Our findings highlight the need for three monthly renal function monitoring in elderly prescribed lithiumgiven the additive adverse effects of increasing age and lithium on the kidney. Close working with specialised renal services to provide timely advice on renal management for those with renal impairment prescribed lithium is important to minimise adverse patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present neutral hydrogen (Hi) imaging observations with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope of AGC198606, an Hi cloud discovered in the ALFALFA 21cm survey. This object is of particular note as it is located 16 km s-1 and 1°.2 from the gas-bearing ultrafaint dwarf galaxy Leo T while having a similar Hi linewidth and approximately twice the flux density. The Hi imaging observations reveal a smooth, undisturbed Hi morphology with a full extent of 23' × 16' at the 5 × 1018 atoms cm-2 level. The velocity field of AGC198606 shows ordered motion with a gradient of ~25 km s-1 across ~20'. The global velocity dispersion is 9.3 km s-1 with no evidence for a narrow spectral component. No optical counterpart to AGC198606 is detected. The distance to AGC198606 is unknown, and we consider several different scenarios: physical association with Leo T, a minihalo at a distance of ~150 kpc based on the models of Faerman et al. (2013, ApJ, 777, 119), and a cloud in the Galactic halo. At a distance of 420 kpc, AGC198606 would have an Hi mass of 6.2 × 105 M-, an Hi radius of 1.4 kpc, and a dynamical mass within the Hi extent of 1.5 × 108 M⊙ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope H i observations and deep Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) MegaCam optical images of the gas-rich interacting galaxy group NGC 871/NGC 876/NGC 877 (hereafter NGC 871/6/7). Our high-resolution data sets provide a census of the H i and stellar properties of the detected gas-rich group members. In addition to a handful of spiral, irregular and dwarf galaxies, this group harbours an intriguing H i feature, AGC 749170, that has a gas mass of ∼109.3 M⊙, a dynamical-to-gas mass ratio of ∼1 (assuming that the cloud is rotating and in dynamical equilibrium) and no optical counterpart in previous imaging. Our observations have revealed a faint feature in the CFHT g′ and r′ bands; if it is physically associated with AGC 749170, the latter has $M/L_{\rm g} >1000 \,\mathrm{M}_{{\odot }}/\mathrm{L}_{{\odot }}$ as well as a higher metallicity (estimated using photometric colours) and a significantly younger stellar population than the other low-mass gas-rich group members. These properties, as well as its spectral and spatial location with respect to its suspected parent galaxies, strongly indicate a tidal origin for AGC 749170. Overall, the H i properties of AGC 749170 resemble those of other optically dark/dim clouds that have been found in groups. These clouds could represent a class of relatively long-lived H i-rich tidal remnants that survive in intermediate-density environments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examined the effect of exercise-induced dehydration by ~4% body mass loss on 5-km cycling time trial (TT) performance and neuromuscular drive, independent of hyperthermia. 7 active males were dehydrated on 2 occasions, separated by 7 d. Participants remained dehydrated (DEH, -3.8±0.5%) or were rehydrated (REH, 0.2±0.6%) over 2 h before completing the TT at 18-25 °C, 20-30% relative humidity. Neuromuscular function was determined before dehydration and immediately prior the TT. The TT started at the same core temperature (DEH, 37.3±0.3°C; REH, 37.0±0.2 °C (P>0.05). Neither TT performance (DEH, 7.31±1.5 min; REH, 7.10±1.3 min (P>0.05)) or % voluntary activation were affected by dehydration (DEH, 88.7±6.4%; REH, 90.6±6.1% (P>0.05)). Quadriceps peak torque was significantly elevated in both trials prior to the TT (P<0.05), while a 19% increase in the rate of potentiated peak twitch torque development (P<0.05) was observed in the DEH trial only. All other neuromuscular measures were similar between trials. Short duration TT performance and neuromuscular function are not reduced by dehydration, independent of hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of exercise-induced dehydration by ~4% body mass loss on 5-km cycling time trial (TT) performance and neuromuscular drive, independent of hyperthermia. 7 active males were dehydrated on 2 occasions, separated by 7 d. Participants remained dehydrated (DEH, -3.8±0.5%) or were rehydrated (REH, 0.2±0.6%) over 2 h before completing the TT at 18-25 °C, 20-30% relative humidity. Neuromuscular function was determined before dehydration and immediately prior the TT. The TT started at the same core temperature (DEH, 37.3±0.3°C; REH, 37.0±0.2 °C (P>0.05). Neither TT performance (DEH, 7.31±1.5 min; REH, 7.10±1.3 min (P>0.05)) or % voluntary activation were affected by dehydration (DEH, 88.7±6.4%; REH, 90.6±6.1% (P>0.05)). Quadriceps peak torque was significantly elevated in both trials prior to the TT (P<0.05), while a 19% increase in the rate of potentiated peak twitch torque development (P<0.05) was observed in the DEH trial only. All other neuromuscular measures were similar between trials. Short duration TT performance and neuromuscular function are not reduced by dehydration, independent of hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of post-exercise cooling on recovery of neuromuscular, physiological, and cerebral hemodynamic responses after intermittent-sprint exercise in the heat. Nine participants underwent three post-exercise recovery trials, including a control ( CONT), mixed-method cooling ( MIX), and cold-water immersion (10 ° C; CWI). Voluntary force and activation were assessed simultaneously with cerebral oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy) pre- and post-exercise, post-intervention, and 1-h and 24-h post-exercise. Measures of heart rate, core temperature, skin temperature, muscle damage, and inflammation were also collected. Both cooling interventions reduced heart rate, core, and skin temperature post-intervention ( P < 0.05). CWI hastened the recovery of voluntary force by 12.7 ± 11.7% (mean ± SD) and 16.3 ± 10.5% 1-h post-exercise compared to MIX and CONT, respectively ( P < 0.01). Voluntary force remained elevated by 16.1 ± 20.5% 24-h post-exercise after CWI compared to CONT ( P < 0.05). Central activation was increased post-intervention and 1-h post-exercise with CWI compared to CONT ( P < 0.05), without differences between conditions 24-h post-exercise ( P > 0.05). CWI reduced cerebral oxygenation compared to MIX and CONT post-intervention ( P < 0.01). Furthermore, cooling interventions reduced cortisol 1-h post-exercise ( P < 0.01), although only CWI blunted creatine kinase 24-h post-exercise compared to CONT ( P < 0.05). Accordingly, improvements in neuromuscular recovery after post-exercise cooling appear to be disassociated with cerebral oxygenation, rather reflecting reductions in thermoregulatory demands to sustain force production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a novel method implemented in the GPlates plate tectonic reconstruction software to interactively reconstruct arbitrarily high-resolution raster data to past geological times using a rotation model. The approach is based on the projection of geo-referenced raster data into a cube map followed by a reverse projection onto rotated tectonic plates on the surface of the globe. This decouples the rendering of a geo-referenced raster from its reconstruction, providing a number of benefits including a simple implementation and the ability to combine rasters with different georeferencing or inbuilt raster projections. The cube map projection is accelerated by graphics hardware in a wide variety of computer systems manufactured over the last decade. Furthermore, by integrating a multi-resolution tile partitioning into the cube map we can provide on-demand tile streaming, level-of-detail rendering and hierarchical visibility culling, enabling researchers to visually explore essentially unlimited resolution geophysical raster data attached to tectonic plates and reconstructed through geological time. This capability forms the basis for interactively building and improving plate reconstructions in an iterative fashion, particularly for tectonically complex regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Observations of nearby starburst and spiral galaxies have revealed that molecular gas is the driver of star formation. However, some nearby low-metallicity dwarf galaxies are actively forming stars, but CO, the most common tracer of this reservoir, is faint, leaving us with a puzzle about how star formation proceeds in these environments. Aims. We aim to quantify the molecular gas reservoir in a subset of 6 galaxies from the Herschel Dwarf Galaxy Survey with newly acquired CO data and to link this reservoir to the observed star formation activity. Methods. We present CO(1-0), CO(2-1), and CO(3-2) observations obtained at the ATNF Mopra 22-m, APEX, and IRAM30-m telescopes, as well as [C ii] 157μm and [Oi] 63 μm observations obtained with the Herschel/PACS spectrometer in the 6 low-metallicity dwarf galaxies: Haro 11, Mrk 1089, Mrk 930, NGC4861, NGC625, and UM311.We derived their molecular gas masses from several methods, including using the CO-to-H2 conversion factor XCO (both Galactic and metallicity-scaled values) and dust measurements. The molecular and atomic gas reservoirs were compared to the star formation activity. We also constrained the physical conditions of the molecular clouds using the non-LTE code RADEX and the spectral synthesis code Cloudy. Results. We detect CO in 5 of the 6 galaxies, including first detections in Haro 11 (Z ∼ 0.4 Z☉), Mrk 930 (0.2 Z☉), and UM311 (0.5 Z☉), but CO remains undetected in NGC4861 (0.2 Z☉). The CO luminosities are low, while [C II] is bright in these galaxies, resulting in [C II]/CO(1-0) ⩾ 10 000. Our dwarf galaxies are in relatively good agreement with the Schmidt-Kennicutt relation for total gas. They show short molecular depletion timescales, even when considering metallicity-scaled XCO factors. Those galaxies are dominated by their Hi gas, except Haro 11, which has high star formation efficiency and is dominated by ionized and molecular gas. We determine the mass of each ISM phase in Haro 11 using Cloudy and estimate an equivalent XCO factor that is 10 times higher than the Galactic value. Overall, our results confirm the emerging picture that CO suffers from significant selective photodissociation in low-metallicity dwarf galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background This study investigated the oxidative burst function of peripheral phagocytic cells (granulocytes and monocytes) and assessed the relation between oxidative burst and periodontal status in adult individuals with Down syndrome ( DS) vs. other groups. Methods Of 55 DS individuals (18-56 years old), 74 individuals with mental retardation ( MR) and 88 medically healthy controls ( HC) participated in the study. The MR and HC groups were age, race and gender matched with the DS group. Gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, attachment level and bleeding on probing were recorded for each subject. Whole blood was collected for granulocyte/monocyte oxidative burst tests. Oxidative burst was determined by flow cytometry in terms of percentage of cells actively involved in oxidative burst, and oxidative intensity (magnitude of ROIs per cell). Results The basal oxidative burst intensity of DS granulocytes was higher than that of HC and MR granulocytes ( p = 0.05). The Escherichia coli stimulated oxidative burst intensity of DS monocytes was higher than that of HC and MR monocytes ( p = 0.05). Regression analysis controlling for age, sex, race and plaque levels showed a significant association between monocyte oxidative burst intensity and loss of periodontal attachment in DS subjects ( p < 0.01). Regression analysis also showed a significant association between granulocyte oxidative burst intensity and bleeding on probing in all subjects ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Oxidative burst activity of peripheral monocytes and granulocytes is elevated in DS affected individuals and may contribute to periodontal tissue inflammation and loss of periodontal attachment in this susceptible group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a life-threatening condition that historically has a poor outcome with supportivemedical treatment. Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice and offers the only chance of cure. A significant proportion of patients is either not suitable due to the distal distribution of the disease or has persistent pulmonary hypertension (PH) after PEA. Despite the lack of licensed therapies for CTEPH, the similarities in pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and CTEPH has led to the compassionate use of PAH therapies in CTEPH patients. This article reviews the pathobiology of CTEPH and summaries the available evidence for the use of PAH-targeted drugs in CTEPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding tectonic and geodynamic processes leading to the present-day configuration of the Earth involves studying data and models across a variety of disciplines, from geochemistry, geochronology and geophysics, to plate kinematics and mantle dynamics. All these data represent a 3-D spatial and 1-D temporal framework, a formalism which is not exploited by traditional spatial analysis tools. This is arguably a fundamental limit in both the rigour and sophistication in which datasets can be combined for geological deep time analysis, and often confines the extent of data analyses to the present-day configurations of geological objects. The GPlates Geological Information Model (GPGIM) represents a formal specification of geological and geophysical data in a time-varying plate tectonics context, used by the GPlates virtual-globe software. It provides a framework in which relevant types of geological data are attached to a common plate tectonic reference frame, allowing the data to be reconstructed in a time-dependent spatio-temporal plate reference frame. The GPlates Markup Language (GPML), being an extension of the open standard Geography Markup Language (GML), is both the modelling language for the GPGIM and an XML-based data format for the interoperable storage and exchange of data modelled by it. The GPlates software implements the GPGIM allowing researchers to query, visualise, reconstruct and analyse a rich set of geological data including numerical raster data. The GPGIM has recently been extended to support time-dependent geo-referenced numerical raster data by wrapping GML primitives into the time-dependent framework of the GPGIM. Coupled with GPlates' ability to reconstruct numerical raster data and import/export from/to a variety of raster file formats, as well as its handling of time-dependent plate boundary topologies, interoperability with geodynamic softwares is established, leading to a new generation of deep-time spatio-temporal data analysis and modelling, including a variety of new functionalities, such as 4-D data-mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Dwarf galaxies are good candidates to investigate the nature of dark matter (DM), because their kinematics are dominated by this component down to small galactocentric radii. We present here the results of detailed kinematic analysis and mass modelling of the Orion dwarf galaxy, for which we derive a high-quality and high-resolution rotation curve that contains negligible non-circular motions and we correct it for the asymmetric drift. Moreover, we leverage the proximity ( D = 5.4 kpc) and convenient inclination (47°) to produce reliable mass models of this system. We find that the universal rotation curve mass model (Freeman disc + Burkert halo + gas disc) fits the observational data accurately. In contrast, the NFW halo + Freeman disc + gas disc mass model is unable to reproduce the observed rotation curve, a common outcome in dwarf galaxies. Finally, we attempt to fit the data with a modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) prescription. With the present data and with the present assumptions on distance, stellar mass, constant inclination and reliability of the gaseous mass, the MOND 'amplification' of the baryonic component appears to be too small to mimic the required 'dark component'. The Orion dwarf reveals a cored DM density distribution and a possible tension between observations and the canonical MOND formalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We take an in-depth look at Thurston's combinatorial characterization of rational functions for a particular class of maps we call nearly Euclidean Thurston maps. These are orientation-preserving branched maps f : S2 → S2 whose local degree at every critical point is 2 and which have exactly four postcritical points. These maps are simple enough to be tractable, but are complicated enough to have interesting dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of the variation of spatial structure of stellar populations within dwarf galaxies as a function of the population age. We use deep Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys imaging of nearby dwarf galaxies in order to resolve individual stars and create composite colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) for each galaxy. Using the obtained CMDs, we select blue helium burning stars, which can be unambiguously age-dated by comparing the absolute magnitude of individual stars with stellar isochrones. Additionally, we select a very young () population of OB stars for a subset of the galaxies based on the tip of the young main sequence. By selecting stars in different age ranges, we can then study how the spatial distribution of these stars evolves with time. We find, in agreement with previous studies, that stars are born within galaxies with a high degree of substructure which is made up of a continuous distribution of clusters, groups and associations from parsec to hundreds of parsec scales. These structures disperse on time-scales of tens to hundreds of Myr, which we quantify using the two-point correlation function and the Q-parameter developed by Cartwright & Whitworth. On galactic scales, we can place lower limits on the time it takes to remove the original structure (i.e. structure survives for at least this long), t, which varies between (NGC 2366) and (DDO 165). This is similar to what we have found previously for the Small Magellanic Cloud () and the Large Magellanic Cloud (). We do not find any strong correlations between t and the luminosity of the host galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To characterize the specificity and effect of pH and ionic strength on the kinetics of virus binding to histo-blood group antigens (HBGA)-conjugated magnetic beads. Methods and Results: HBGAs from porcine gastric mucin (PGM) have been conjugated to magnetic beads (PGM-MB) for concentration of NoV. A GII.4 virus was used for the detailed binding kinetics study and a panel of genogroup I (GI) NoVs, genogroup II (GII) NoVs and recombinant NoVs (rNoVs) were used for specificity and binding efficiency assays. We determined that NoV can be captured after 15 min of incubation with PGM-MB, and virus recovery efficiency is decreased after extended incubation times. rNoV binding as measured by ELISA and NoV recovery as measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), were both enhanced significantly at acidic pH conditions. rNoV binding to PGM as measured by ELISA was increased up to 66%. While real-time RT-PCR analyses suggest that NoV could be concentrated as much as 1000-fold at neutral pH, up to 3·4-fold further increase of NoV recovery was achieved by adjusting the pH of the sample to 3·0-4·2. Variation between GI and GII viral binding to the PGM-MB at basic pH was observed. All five GI rNoVs tested and 6 of 9 GII rNoVs were captured by PGM. All eight GI strains tested were concentrated by PGM-MB, ranging from 28-fold (GI.4) to 1502-fold (GI.1). Eleven of 13 GII strains were concentrated from 30-fold (GII.5) to 1014-fold (GII.4, lab strain) by PGM-MB. GI and GII rNoVs viral capsid proteins were recovered with high salt conditions, but results were inconsistent for whole virus recovery. Conclusions: All GI and 85% of GII NoVs tested could be captured and concentrated by PGM-MB method. The binding occurred rapidly and was enhanced at low pH. Significance and Impact of the Study: These results facilitated development of a prototype method for sensitive detection of NoV in samples requiring larger volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the neuromuscular responses to 60 minutes of self-paced high-intensity exercise punctuated with 6 × 1-minute "all-out" sprints at 10-minute intervals in moderate (19.8°C, SEM 0.3) and warm (33.2, SEM 0.1), humid (~64% relative humidity) conditions with either complete hydration (CH) or without hydration (NF). Design: Seven subjects (mean age 20.6 years (SE 1.1), mass 73.8 kg (SE 4.5), peak power 288 W (SE 11.3)) performed the time trial on four separate occasions, which were differentiated by ambient temperature and fluid ingestion. For each sprint interval, distance, power output and electromyographic (EMG) data from the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles were recorded. Results: The NF trials resulted in a reduction in body mass for the moderate and warm conditions of 1.7% and 2.1%, respectively. Final rectal temperatures were not different among conditions (~38.7°C). Total body sweating was higher in the warm condition (19.1-21.3 ml/kg per hour) compared with the moderate condition (16.1-16.5 ml/kg per hour; p<0.05). Neither fluid ingestion nor ambient temperature altered total distance cycled for any of the trials (range 30.1-32.6 km). The normalised integrated EMG (as percentage of maximal voluntary contraction) when compared with the first sprint increased from sprint three for the rectus femoris muscle in both no and complete hydration but decreased for the vastus lateralis muscle. The mean percentile frequency shift increased for both the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles in both no and complete hydration. Conclusions: These results suggest that the integrity of the neuromuscular system is adjusted according to hydration status and ambient temperatures during intense self-paced cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]