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Hospitalization is a major source of morbidity among patients with ESRD undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and is a significant contributor to health care costs. To identify subgroups at the highest risk of hospitalization, we analyzed by sex, age, and race, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, the hospitalization rates, and 30-day readmissions for 333,756 hospitalizations among 111,653 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in facilities operated by a large dialysis organization in the United States (2007-2011). The overall hospitalization rate was 1.85 hospitalizations per person-year and was much higher among women than among men (2.08 versus 1.68 hospitalizations per year for women versus men, P<0.001). Age group-specific hospitalization rates were consistently higher for women than for men of the same race, and the differences were greatest in younger age groups (for example, women aged 18-34 years and ≥75 years had 54% [95% confidence interval, 42% to 67%] and 14% [95% confidence interval, 11% to 18%] higher hospitalization rates, respectively, than did men of respective ages). Women also had substantially higher risk for 30-day readmission, with the largest differences at younger ages. Women had a significantly lower serum albumin level than men, and stratification by serum albumin level attenuated sex differences in the age group-specific hospitalization and 30-day readmission rates. These findings suggest that women undergoing maintenance hemodialysis have substantially higher risks for hospitalization and 30-day readmission than men. In this cohort, the sex differences were greatest in the younger age groups and were attenuated by accounting for differences in health status reflected by serum albumin level.

Hospitalization is a major source of morbidity among patients with ESRD undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and is a significant contributor to health care costs. To identify subgroups at the highest risk of hospitalization, we analyzed by sex, age, and race, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, the hospitalization rates, and 30-day readmissions for 333,756 hospitalizations among 111,653 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in facilities operated by a large dialysis organization in the United States (2007-2011). The overall hospitalization rate was 1.85 hospitalizations per person-year and was much higher among women than among men (2.08 versus 1.68 hospitalizations per year for women versus men, P<0.001). Age group-specific hospitalization rates were consistently higher for women than for men of the same race, and the differences were greatest in younger age groups (for example, women aged 18-34 years and ≥75 years had 54% [95% confidence interval, 42% to 67%] and 14% [95% confidence interval, 11% to 18%] higher hospitalization rates, respectively, than did men of respective ages). Women also had substantially higher risk for 30-day readmission, with the largest differences at younger ages. Women had a significantly lower serum albumin level than men, and stratification by serum albumin level attenuated sex differences in the age group-specific hospitalization and 30-day readmission rates. These findings suggest that women undergoing maintenance hemodialysis have substantially higher risks for hospitalization and 30-day readmission than men. In this cohort, the sex differences were greatest in the younger age groups and were attenuated by accounting for differences in health status reflected by serum albumin level.

Poster advertising Just Add Water - four short pieces featuring 'Tremours' by Nicholas Berg, 'A Big, Birch Broom' by Barbara Yazbeck, 'Projection' by Craig Burton, and 'Retro'd' but Sarah Adams, Scott Brennan, Caroline Craig and Justin Murray. Co-ordinated by Bronwyn Pringle and presented by BIB Theatrea at the Guild Theatre, University of Melbourne.

Cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicities are an ongoing concern throughout the cancer care continuum from treatment initiation to survivorship. Several "standard-of-care" primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are available to prevent the development or further progression of cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicities and their risk factors. Despite exercise's established benefits on the cardiovascular system, it has not been widely adopted as a nonpharmacologic cardioprotective strategy within cardio-oncology care. In this state-of-the-art review, the authors discuss cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicities, review the existing evidence supporting the role of exercise in preventing and managing these sequelae in at-risk and affected individuals living after cancer diagnoses, and propose considerations for implementing exercise-based services in cardio-oncology practice.

SN 1987A was an unusual hydrogen-rich core-collapse supernova originating from a blue supergiant star. Similar blue supergiant explosions remain a small family of events, and are broadly characterized by their long rises to peak. The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Census of the Local Universe (CLU) experiment aims to construct a spectroscopically complete sample of transients occurring in galaxies from the CLU galaxy catalog. We identify 13 long-rising (>40 days) Type II supernovae from the volume-limited CLU experiment during a 3.5 year period from June 2018 to December 2021, approximately doubling the previously known number of these events. We present photometric and spectroscopic data of these 13 events, finding peak r-band absolute magnitudes ranging from -15.6 to -17.5 mag and the tentative detection of Ba II lines in 9 events. Using our CLU sample of events, we derive a long-rising Type II supernova rate of $1.37^{+0.26}_{-0.30}\times10^{-6}$ Mpc$^{-3}$ yr$^{-1}$, $\approx$1.4% of the total core-collapse supernova rate. This is the first volumetric rate of these events estimated from a large, systematic, volume-limited experiment., Comment: 32 pages, 17 figures, 5 tables. Submitted to ApJ

We present a search for extragalactic fast blue optical transients (FBOTs) during Phase I of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). We identify 38 candidates with durations above half-maximum light 1 day < t (1/2) < 12 days, of which 28 have blue (g - r less than or similar to -0.2 mag) colors at peak light. Of the 38 transients (28 FBOTs), 19 (13) can be spectroscopically classified as core-collapse supernovae (SNe): 11 (8) H- or He-rich (Type II/IIb/Ib) SNe, 6 (4) interacting (Type IIn/Ibn) SNe, and 2 (1) H&He-poor (Type Ic/Ic-BL) SNe. Two FBOTs (published previously) had predominantly featureless spectra and luminous radio emission: AT2018lug (The Koala) and AT2020xnd (The Camel). Seven (five) did not have a definitive classification: AT 2020bdh showed tentative broad H alpha in emission, and AT 2020bot showed unidentified broad features and was 10 kpc offset from the center of an early-type galaxy. Ten (eight) have no spectroscopic observations or redshift measurements. We present multiwavelength (radio, millimeter, and/or X-ray) observations for five FBOTs (three Type Ibn, one Type IIn/Ibn, one Type IIb). Additionally, we search radio-survey (VLA and ASKAP) data to set limits on the presence of radio emission for 24 of the transients. All X-ray and radio observations resulted in nondetections; we rule out AT2018cow-like X-ray and radio behavior for five FBOTs and more luminous emission (such as that seen in the Camel) for four additional FBOTs. We conclude that exotic transients similar to AT2018cow, the Koala, and the Camel represent a rare subset of FBOTs and use ZTF's SN classification experiments to measure the rate to be at most 0.1% of the local core-collapse SN rate.

As an essential prerequisite task in image-based plant phenotyping, leaf segmentation has garnered increasing attention in recent years. While self-supervised learning is emerging as an effective alternative to various computer vision tasks, its adaptation for image-based plant phenotyping remains rather unexplored. In this work, we present a self-supervised leaf segmentation framework consisting of a self-supervised semantic segmentation model, a color-based leaf segmentation algorithm, and a self-supervised color correction model. The self-supervised semantic segmentation model groups the semantically similar pixels by iteratively referring to the self-contained information, allowing the pixels of the same semantic object to be jointly considered by the color-based leaf segmentation algorithm for identifying the leaf regions. Additionally, we propose to use a self-supervised color correction model for images taken under complex illumination conditions. Experimental results on datasets of different plant species demonstrate the potential of the proposed self-supervised framework in achieving effective and generalizable leaf segmentation.

This paper presents a model illustrating that deferred compensation increases effort (reduces shirking) by increasing the cost of job loss. Importantly, the size of this increase in effort shrinks as the chance of exogenous job separation grows. The paper tests the model's predictions using both US and Australian data. In both countries we find empirical results consistent with the model's predictions. Deferred compensation, as identified either by pensions or by steeper tenure–wage profiles, is associated with greater self-reported worker effort. Moreover, when the probability of job separation is greater, the influence of deferred compensation diminishes.

In people living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART), virus persists in a latent form where there is minimal transcription or protein expression. Latently infected cells are a major barrier to curing HIV. Increasing HIV transcription and viral production in latently infected cells could facilitate immune recognition and reduce the pool of infected cells that persist on ART. Given that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expressing CD4+ T cells are preferentially infected with HIV in PLWH on ART, we aimed to determine whether administration of antibodies targeting PD-1 would reverse HIV latency in vivo. We therefore evaluated the impact of intravenous administration of pembrolizumab every 3 weeks on HIV latency in 32 PLWH and cancer on ART. After the first infusion of anti-PD-1, we observed a median 1.32-fold increase in unspliced HIV RNA and 1.61-fold increase in unspliced RNA:DNA ratio in sorted blood CD4+ T cells compared to baseline. We also observed a 1.65-fold increase in plasma HIV RNA. The frequency of CD4+ T cells with inducible virus evaluated using the tat/rev limiting dilution assay was higher after 6 cycles compared to baseline. Phylogenetic analyses of HIV env sequences in a participant who developed low concentrations of HIV viremia after 6 cycles of pembrolizumab did not demonstrate clonal expansion of HIV-infected cells. These data are consistent with anti-PD-1 being able to reverse HIV latency in vivo and support the rationale for combining anti-PD-1 with other interventions to reduce the HIV reservoir.

IntroductionChronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) are prevalent in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis. Yet, there are limited and mixed evidence on the effects of different dialysis modalities involving longer treatment times or higher frequencies on CKD-MBD markers.MethodsThis cohort study used data from 132,523 incident dialysis patients treated with any of the following modalities: conventional thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis, nocturnal in-center hemodialysis (NICHD), home hemodialysis (HHD), or peritoneal dialysis (PD) from 2007 to 2011. We used marginal structural models fitted with inverse probability weights to adjust for fixed and time-varying confounding and informative censoring. We estimated the average effects of treatments with different dialysis modalities on time-varying serum concentrations of CKD-MBD markers: albumin-corrected calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using pooled linear regression.ResultsMost of the cohort were exclusively treated with conventional in-center hemodialysis, while few were ever treated with NICHD or HHD. At the baseline, PD patients had the lowest mean and median values of PTH, while NICHD patients had the highest median values. During follow-up, compared to hemodialysis patients, patients treated with NICHD had lower mean serum PTH (19.8 pg/mL [95% confidence interval: 2.8, 36.8] lower), whereas PD and HHD patients had higher mean PTH (39.7 pg/mL [31.6, 47.8] and 51.2 pg/mL [33.0, 69.3] higher, respectively). Compared to hemodialysis patients, phosphate levels were lower for patients treated with NICHD (0.44 mg/dL [0.37, 0.52] lower), PD (0.15 mg/dL [0.12, 0.19] lower), or HHD (0.33 mg/dL [0.27, 0.40] lower). There were no clinically meaningful associations between dialysis modalities and concentrations of calcium or ALP.ConclusionIn incident dialysis patients, compared to treatment with conventional in-center hemodialysis, treatments with other dia

SPIRITS--the SPitzer InfraRed Intensive Transients Survey--searched for luminous infrared (IR) transients and variables in nearly 200 nearby galaxies from 2014 to 2019, using the warm Spitzer telescope at 3.6 and 4.5 microns. Among the SPIRITS variables are IR-bright objects that are undetected in ground-based optical surveys. We classify them as (1) transients, (2) periodic variables, and (3) irregular variables. The transients include "SPRITE"s (eSPecially Red Intermediate-luminosity Transient Events), having maximum luminosities fainter than supernovae, red IR colors, and a wide range of outburst durations (days to years). Here we report deep optical and near-IR imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) of 21 SPIRITS variables. They were initially considered SPRITE transients, but many eventually proved instead to be periodic or irregular variables as more data were collected. HST images show most of these cool and dusty variables are associated with star-forming regions in late-type galaxies, implying an origin in massive stars. Two SPRITEs lacked optical progenitors in deep pre-outburst HST images; however, one was detected during eruption at J and H, indicating a dusty object with an effective temperature of ~1050 K. One faint SPRITE turned out to be a dusty classical nova. About half the HST targets proved to be periodic variables, with pulsation periods of 670-2160 days; they are likely dusty asymptotic-giant-branch (AGB) stars with masses of ~5-10 Msun. A few of them were warm enough to be detected in deep HST frames, but most are too cool. Out of six irregular variables, two were red supergiants with optical counterparts in HST images; four were too enshrouded for HST detection., Comment: Accepted by Astrophysical Journal

Current camera traps use passive infrared triggers; therefore, they only capture images when animals have a substantially different surface body temperature than the background. Endothermic animals, such as mammals and birds, provide adequate temperature contrast to trigger cameras, while ectothermic animals, such as amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates, do not. Therefore, a camera trap that is capable of monitoring ectotherms can expand the capacity of ecological research on ectothermic animals. This study presents the design, development, and evaluation of a solar-powered and artificial-intelligence-assisted camera trap system with the ability to monitor both endothermic and ectothermic animals. The system is developed using a central processing unit, integrated graphics processing unit, camera, infrared light, flash drive, printed circuit board, solar panel, battery, microphone, GPS receiver, temperature/humidity sensor, light sensor, and other customized circuitry. It continuously monitors image frames using a motion detection algorithm and commences recording when a moving animal is detected during the day or night. Field trials demonstrate that this system successfully recorded a high number of animals. Lab testing using artificially generated motion demonstrated that the system successfully recorded within video frames at a high accuracy of 0.99, providing an optimized peak power consumption of 5.208 W. No water or dust entered the cases during field trials. A total of 27 cameras saved 85,870 video segments during field trials, of which 423 video segments successfully recorded ectothermic animals (reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods). This newly developed camera trap will benefit wildlife biologists, as it successfully monitors both endothermic and ectothermic animals.

SPIRITS--the SPitzer InfraRed Intensive Transients Survey--searched for luminous infrared (IR) transients and variables in nearly 200 nearby galaxies from 2014 to 2019, using the warm Spitzer telescope at 3.6 and 4.5 microns. Among the SPIRITS variables are IR-bright objects that are undetected in ground-based optical surveys. We classify them as (1) transients, (2) periodic variables, and (3) irregular variables. The transients include "SPRITE"s (eSPecially Red Intermediate-luminosity Transient Events), having maximum luminosities fainter than supernovae, red IR colors, and a wide range of outburst durations (days to years). Here we report deep optical and near-IR imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) of 21 SPIRITS variables. They were initially considered SPRITE transients, but many eventually proved instead to be periodic or irregular variables as more data were collected. HST images show most of these cool and dusty variables are associated with star-forming regions in late-type galaxies, implying an origin in massive stars. Two SPRITEs lacked optical progenitors in deep pre-outburst HST images; however, one was detected during eruption at J and H, indicating a dusty object with an effective temperature of ~1050 K. One faint SPRITE turned out to be a dusty classical nova. About half the HST targets proved to be periodic variables, with pulsation periods of 670-2160 days; they are likely dusty asymptotic-giant-branch (AGB) stars with masses of ~5-10 Msun. A few of them were warm enough to be detected in deep HST frames, but most are too cool. Out of six irregular variables, two were red supergiants with optical counterparts in HST images; four were too enshrouded for HST detection., Comment: Accepted by Astrophysical Journal

As an essential prerequisite task in image-based plant phenotyping, leaf segmentation has garnered increasing attention in recent years. While self-supervised learning is emerging as an effective alternative to various computer vision tasks, its adaptation for image-based plant phenotyping remains rather unexplored. In this work, we present a self-supervised leaf segmentation framework consisting of a self-supervised semantic segmentation model, a color-based leaf segmentation algorithm, and a self-supervised color correction model. The self-supervised semantic segmentation model groups the semantically similar pixels by iteratively referring to the self-contained information, allowing the pixels of the same semantic object to be jointly considered by the color-based leaf segmentation algorithm for identifying the leaf regions. Additionally, we propose to use a self-supervised color correction model for images taken under complex illumination conditions. Experimental results on datasets of different plant species demonstrate the potential of the proposed self-supervised framework in achieving effective and generalizable leaf segmentation.

IntroductionChronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) are prevalent in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis. Yet, there are limited and mixed evidence on the effects of different dialysis modalities involving longer treatment times or higher frequencies on CKD-MBD markers.MethodsThis cohort study used data from 132,523 incident dialysis patients treated with any of the following modalities: conventional thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis, nocturnal in-center hemodialysis (NICHD), home hemodialysis (HHD), or peritoneal dialysis (PD) from 2007 to 2011. We used marginal structural models fitted with inverse probability weights to adjust for fixed and time-varying confounding and informative censoring. We estimated the average effects of treatments with different dialysis modalities on time-varying serum concentrations of CKD-MBD markers: albumin-corrected calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using pooled linear regression.ResultsMost of the cohort were exclusively treated with conventional in-center hemodialysis, while few were ever treated with NICHD or HHD. At the baseline, PD patients had the lowest mean and median values of PTH, while NICHD patients had the highest median values. During follow-up, compared to hemodialysis patients, patients treated with NICHD had lower mean serum PTH (19.8 pg/mL [95% confidence interval: 2.8, 36.8] lower), whereas PD and HHD patients had higher mean PTH (39.7 pg/mL [31.6, 47.8] and 51.2 pg/mL [33.0, 69.3] higher, respectively). Compared to hemodialysis patients, phosphate levels were lower for patients treated with NICHD (0.44 mg/dL [0.37, 0.52] lower), PD (0.15 mg/dL [0.12, 0.19] lower), or HHD (0.33 mg/dL [0.27, 0.40] lower). There were no clinically meaningful associations between dialysis modalities and concentrations of calcium or ALP.ConclusionIn incident dialysis patients, compared to treatment with conventional in-center hemodialysis, treatments with other dia

Several thousand core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) of different flavors have been discovered so far. However, identifying their progenitors has remained an outstanding open question in astrophysics. Studies of SN host galaxies have proven to be powerful in providing constraints on the progenitor populations. In this paper, we present all CCSNe detected between 2009 and 2017 by the Palomar Transient Factory. This sample includes 888 SNe of 12 distinct classes out to redshift z ≈ 1. We present the photometric properties of their host galaxies from the far-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared and model the host-galaxy spectral energy distributions to derive physical properties. The galaxy mass function of Type Ic, Ib, IIb, II, and IIn SNe ranges from 105 to 1011.5 M ⊙, probing the entire mass range of star-forming galaxies down to the least-massive star-forming galaxies known. Moreover, the galaxy mass distributions are consistent with models of star-formation-weighted mass functions. Regular CCSNe are hence direct tracers of star formation. Small but notable differences exist between some of the SN classes. Type Ib/c SNe prefer galaxies with slightly higher masses (i.e., higher metallicities) and star formation rates than Type IIb and II SNe. These differences are less pronounced than previously thought. H-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) and SNe Ic-BL are scarce in galaxies above 1010 M ⊙. Their progenitors require environments with metallicities of < 0.4 and < 1 solar, respectively. In addition, the hosts of H-poor SLSNe are dominated by a younger stellar population than all other classes of CCSNe. Our findings corroborate the notion that low metallicity and young age play an important role in the formation of SLSN progenitors.

We present 42 rapidly evolving (time spent above half-maximum brightness $t_{1/2}<12$d) extragalactic transients from Phase I of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), of which 22 have spectroscopic classifications. This is one of the largest systematically selected samples of day-timescale transients, and the first with spectroscopic classifications. Most can be classified as core-collapse supernovae (SNe), and we identify several predominant subtypes: (1) subluminous Type IIb or Type Ib SNe; (2) luminous Type Ibn or hybrid IIn/Ibn SNe; and (3) radio-loud, short-duration luminous events similar to AT2018cow. We conclude that rates quoted in the literature for rapidly evolving extragalactic transients are dominated by the subluminous events (mostly Type IIb SNe). From our spectroscopic classifications and radio, X-ray, and millimeter-band upper limits, we are motivated to consider the AT2018cow-like objects a distinct class, and use ZTF's systematic classification experiments to calculate that their rate does not exceed 0.1% of the local core-collapse SN rate, in agreement with previous work. By contrast, most other events are simply the extreme of a continuum of established SN types extending to ordinary timescales. The light curves of our objects are very similar to those of unclassified events in the literature, illustrating how spectroscopically classified samples of low-redshift objects in shallow surveys like ZTF can be used to photometrically classify larger numbers of events at higher redshift., Comment: 53 pages, 27 figures. Submitted to ApJ. Comments welcome

The nova rate in the Milky Way remains largely uncertain, despite its vital importance in constraining models of Galactic chemical evolution as well as understanding progenitor channels for Type Ia supernovae. The rate has been previously estimated in the range of $\approx10-300$ yr$^{-1}$, either based on extrapolations from a handful of very bright optical novae or the nova rates in nearby galaxies; both methods are subject to debatable assumptions. The total discovery rate of optical novae remains much smaller ($\approx5-10$ yr$^{-1}$) than these estimates, even with the advent of all-sky optical time domain surveys. Here, we present a systematic sample of 12 spectroscopically confirmed Galactic novae detected in the first 17 months of Palomar Gattini-IR (PGIR), a wide-field near-infrared time domain survey. Operating in $J$-band ($\approx1.2$ $\mu$m) that is relatively immune to dust extinction, the extinction distribution of the PGIR sample is highly skewed to large extinction values ($> 50$% of events obscured by $A_V\gtrsim5$ mag). Using recent estimates for the distribution of mass and dust in the Galaxy, we show that the observed extinction distribution of the PGIR sample is commensurate with that expected from dust models. The PGIR extinction distribution is inconsistent with that reported in previous optical searches (null hypothesis probability $< 0.01$%), suggesting that a large population of highly obscured novae have been systematically missed in previous optical searches. We perform the first quantitative simulation of a $3\pi$ time domain survey to estimate the Galactic nova rate using PGIR, and derive a rate of $\approx 46.0^{+12.5}_{-12.4}$ yr$^{-1}$. Our results suggest that all-sky near-infrared time-domain surveys are well poised to uncover the Galactic nova population., Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to ApJ

The nova rate in the Milky Way remains largely uncertain, despite its vital importance in constraining models of Galactic chemical evolution as well as understanding progenitor channels for Type Ia supernovae. The rate has been previously estimated in the range of $\approx10-300$ yr$^{-1}$, either based on extrapolations from a handful of very bright optical novae or the nova rates in nearby galaxies; both methods are subject to debatable assumptions. The total discovery rate of optical novae remains much smaller ($\approx5-10$ yr$^{-1}$) than these estimates, even with the advent of all-sky optical time domain surveys. Here, we present a systematic sample of 12 spectroscopically confirmed Galactic novae detected in the first 17 months of Palomar Gattini-IR (PGIR), a wide-field near-infrared time domain survey. Operating in $J$-band ($\approx1.2$ $\mu$m) that is relatively immune to dust extinction, the extinction distribution of the PGIR sample is highly skewed to large extinction values ($> 50$% of events obscured by $A_V\gtrsim5$ mag). Using recent estimates for the distribution of mass and dust in the Galaxy, we show that the observed extinction distribution of the PGIR sample is commensurate with that expected from dust models. The PGIR extinction distribution is inconsistent with that reported in previous optical searches (null hypothesis probability $< 0.01$%), suggesting that a large population of highly obscured novae have been systematically missed in previous optical searches. We perform the first quantitative simulation of a $3\pi$ time domain survey to estimate the Galactic nova rate using PGIR, and derive a rate of $\approx 46.0^{+12.5}_{-12.4}$ yr$^{-1}$. Our results suggest that all-sky near-infrared time-domain surveys are well poised to uncover the Galactic nova population., Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to ApJ

We present 42 rapidly evolving (time spent above half-maximum brightness $t_{1/2}<12$d) extragalactic transients from Phase I of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), of which 22 have spectroscopic classifications. This is one of the largest systematically selected samples of day-timescale transients, and the first with spectroscopic classifications. Most can be classified as core-collapse supernovae (SNe), and we identify several predominant subtypes: (1) subluminous Type IIb or Type Ib SNe; (2) luminous Type Ibn or hybrid IIn/Ibn SNe; and (3) radio-loud, short-duration luminous events similar to AT2018cow. We conclude that rates quoted in the literature for rapidly evolving extragalactic transients are dominated by the subluminous events (mostly Type IIb SNe). From our spectroscopic classifications and radio, X-ray, and millimeter-band upper limits, we are motivated to consider the AT2018cow-like objects a distinct class, and use ZTF's systematic classification experiments to calculate that their rate does not exceed 0.1% of the local core-collapse SN rate, in agreement with previous work. By contrast, most other events are simply the extreme of a continuum of established SN types extending to ordinary timescales. The light curves of our objects are very similar to those of unclassified events in the literature, illustrating how spectroscopically classified samples of low-redshift objects in shallow surveys like ZTF can be used to photometrically classify larger numbers of events at higher redshift., Comment: 53 pages, 27 figures. Submitted to ApJ. Comments welcome

Interaction-powered supernovae (SNe) explode within an optically thick circumstellar medium (CSM) that could be ejected during eruptive events. To identify and characterize such pre-explosion outbursts, we produce forced-photometry light curves for 196 interacting SNe, mostly of Type IIn, detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility between early 2018 and 2020 June. Extensive tests demonstrate that we only expect a few false detections among the 70,000 analyzed pre-explosion images after applying quality cuts and bias corrections. We detect precursor eruptions prior to 18 Type IIn SNe and prior to the Type Ibn SN 2019uo. Precursors become brighter and more frequent in the last months before the SN and month-long outbursts brighter than magnitude -13 occur prior to 25% (5-69%, 95% confidence range) of all Type IIn SNe within the final three months before the explosion. With radiative energies of up to 10(49) erg, precursors could eject similar to 1 M of material. Nevertheless, SNe with detected precursors are not significantly more luminous than other SNe IIn, and the characteristic narrow hydrogen lines in their spectra typically originate from earlier, undetected mass-loss events. The long precursor durations require ongoing energy injection, and they could, for example, be powered by interaction or by a continuum-driven wind. Instabilities during the neon- and oxygen-burning phases are predicted to launch precursors in the final years to months before the explosion; however, the brightest precursor is 100 times more energetic than anticipated.

Several thousand core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) of different flavors have been discovered so far. However, identifying their progenitors has remained an outstanding open question in astrophysics. Studies of SN host galaxies have proven to be powerful in providing constraints on the progenitor populations. In this paper, we present all CCSNe detected between 2009 and 2017 by the Palomar Transient Factory. This sample includes 888 SNe of 12 distinct classes out to redshift z approximate to 1. We present the photometric properties of their host galaxies from the far-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared and model the host-galaxy spectral energy distributions to derive physical properties. The galaxy mass function of Type Ic, Ib, IIb, II, and IIn SNe ranges from 10(5) to 10(11.5) M (circle dot), probing the entire mass range of star-forming galaxies down to the least-massive star-forming galaxies known. Moreover, the galaxy mass distributions are consistent with models of star-formation-weighted mass functions. Regular CCSNe are hence direct tracers of star formation. Small but notable differences exist between some of the SN classes. Type Ib/c SNe prefer galaxies with slightly higher masses (i.e., higher metallicities) and star formation rates than Type IIb and II SNe. These differences are less pronounced than previously thought. H-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) and SNe Ic-BL are scarce in galaxies above 10(10) M (circle dot). Their progenitors require environments with metallicities of < 0.4 and < 1 solar, respectively. In addition, the hosts of H-poor SLSNe are dominated by a younger stellar population than all other classes of CCSNe. Our findings corroborate the notion that low metallicity and young age play an important role in the formation of SLSN progenitors.

We present 42 rapidly evolving (time spent above half-maximum brightness t_(1/2) ≾ 12d) extragalactic transients from Phase I of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), of which 22 have spectroscopic classifications. This is one of the largest systematically selected samples of day-timescale transients, and the first with spectroscopic classifications. Most can be classified as core-collapse supernovae (SNe), and we identify several predominant subtypes: (1) subluminous Type IIb or Type Ib SNe; (2) luminous Type Ibn or hybrid IIn/Ibn SNe; and (3) radio-loud, short-duration luminous events similar to AT2018cow. We conclude that rates quoted in the literature for rapidly evolving extragalactic transients are dominated by the subluminous events (mostly Type IIb SNe). From our spectroscopic classifications and radio, X-ray, and millimeter-band upper limits, we are motivated to consider the AT2018cow-like objects a distinct class, and use ZTF's systematic classification experiments to calculate that their rate does not exceed 0.1% of the local core-collapse SN rate, in agreement with previous work. By contrast, most other events are simply the extreme of a continuum of established SN types extending to ordinary timescales. The light curves of our objects are very similar to those of unclassified events in the literature, illustrating how spectroscopically classified samples of low-redshift objects in shallow surveys like ZTF can be used to photometrically classify larger numbers of events at higher redshift.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption and rollout of thermal camera-based Infrared Thermography (IRT) systems for fever detection. These systems use facial infrared emissions to detect individuals exhibiting an elevated core-body temperature, which is present in many symptomatic presentations of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the rollout of these systems, there is little independent research supporting their efficacy. The primary objective of this study was to assess the precision and accuracy of IRT screening solutions in a real-world scenario. The method used was a single-centre, observational study investigating the agreement of three IRT systems compared to digital oral thermometer measurements of body temperature. Over 5 days, 107 measurements were taken from individuals wearing facial masks. During each entry, two measurements of the subject’s body temperature were made from each system to allow for the evaluation of the measurement precision, followed by an oral thermometer measurement. Each participant also answered a short demographic survey. This study found that the precision of the IRT systems was wider than 0.3 °C claimed accuracy of two of the systems. This study also found that the IRT measurements were only weakly correlated to those of the oral temperature. Additionally, it was found that demographic characteristics (age, gender, and mask-type) impacted the measurement error. This study indicates that using IRT systems in front-line scenarios poses a potential risk, where a lack of measurement accuracy could possibly allow febrile individuals to pass through undetected. Further research is required into methods which could increase accuracy and improve the techniques viability.

© 2018 SPIE. While optical and radio transient surveys have enjoyed a renaissance over the past decade, the dynamic infrared sky remains virtually unexplored from the ground. The infrared is a powerful tool for probing transient events in dusty regions that have high optical extinction, and for detecting the coolest of stars that are bright only at these wavelengths. The fundamental roadblocks in studying the infrared time-domain have been the overwhelmingly bright sky background (250 times brighter than optical) and the narrow field-of-view of infrared cameras (largest is VISTA at 0.6 sq deg). To address these challenges, Palomar Gattini-IR is currently under construction at Palomar Observatory and we propose a further low risk, economical, and agile instrument to be located at Siding Spring Observatory, as well as further instruments which will be located at the high polar regions to take advantage of the low thermal sky emission, particularly in the 2.5 micron region.

Interaction-powered supernovae (SNe) explode within an optically-thick circumstellar medium (CSM) that could be ejected during eruptive events. To identify and characterize such pre-explosion outbursts we produce forced-photometry light curves for 196 interacting SNe, mostly of Type IIn, detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility between early 2018 and June 2020. Extensive tests demonstrate that we only expect a few false detections among the 70,000 analyzed pre-explosion images after applying quality cuts and bias corrections. We detect precursor eruptions prior to 18 Type IIn SNe and prior to the Type Ibn SN2019uo. Precursors become brighter and more frequent in the last months before the SN and month-long outbursts brighter than magnitude -13 occur prior to 25% (5 - 69%, 95% confidence range) of all Type IIn SNe within the final three months before the explosion. With radiative energies of up to $10^{49}\,\text{erg}$, precursors could eject $\sim1\,\text{M}_\odot$ of material. Nevertheless, SNe with detected precursors are not significantly more luminous than other SNe IIn and the characteristic narrow hydrogen lines in their spectra typically originate from earlier, undetected mass-loss events. The long precursor durations require ongoing energy injection and they could, for example, be powered by interaction or by a continuum-driven wind. Instabilities during the neon and oxygen burning phases are predicted to launch precursors in the final years to months before the explosion; however, the brightest precursor is 100 times more energetic than anticipated.

Several thousand core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) of different flavors have been discovered so far. However, identifying their progenitors has remained an outstanding open question in astrophysics. Studies of SN host galaxies have proven to be powerful in providing constraints on the progenitor populations. In this paper, we present all CCSNe detected between 2009 and 2017 by the Palomar Transient Factory. This sample includes 888 SNe of 12 distinct classes out to redshift $z\approx1$. We present the photometric properties of their host galaxies from the far-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared and model the host-galaxy spectral energy distributions to derive physical properties. The galaxy mass functions of Type Ic, Ib, IIb, II, and IIn SNe ranges from $10^{5}$ to $10^{11.5}~M_\odot$, probing the entire mass range of star-forming galaxies down to the least-massive star-forming galaxies known. Moreover, the galaxy mass distributions are consistent with models of star-formation-weighted mass functions. Regular CCSNe are hence direct tracers of star formation. Small but notable differences exist between some of the SN classes. Type Ib/c SNe prefer galaxies with slightly higher masses (i.e., higher metallicities) and star-formation rates than Type IIb and II SNe. These differences are less pronounced than previously thought. H-poor SLSNe and SNe~Ic-BL are scarce in galaxies above $10^{10}~M_\odot$. Their progenitors require environments with metallicities of $<0.4$ and $<1$ solar, respectively. In addition, the hosts of H-poor SLSNe are dominated by a younger stellar population than all other classes of CCSNe. Our findings corroborate the notion that low-metallicity \textit{and} young age play an important role in the formation of SLSN progenitors., Comment: 24 pages main text, 14 figures, 9 Tables, catalogue available at http://www.github.com/steveschulze/PTF

(Abridged) Using the Zwicky Transient Facility alert stream, we are conducting a large campaign to spectroscopically classify all transients occurring in galaxies in the Census of the Local Universe (CLU) catalog. The aim of the experiment is to construct a spectroscopically complete, volume-limited sample of transients coincident within 100" of CLU galaxies out to 200 Mpc, and to a depth of 20 mag. We describe the survey design and spectroscopic completeness from the first 16 months of operations. We present results from a systematic search for Calcium rich gap transients in the sample of 22 low luminosity (peak absolute magnitude $M > -17$), hydrogen poor events found in the experiment (out of 754 spectroscopically classified SNe). We report the detection of eight Calcium rich gap transients, and constrain their volumetric rate to be at least $\approx 15\pm5$% of the SN Ia rate. Combining this sample with ten events from the literature, we find a likely continuum of spectroscopic properties ranging from events with SN Ia-like features (Ca-Ia objects) to SN Ib/c-like features (Ca-Ib/c objects) at peak light. Within the Ca-Ib/c events, we find two populations of events distinguished by their red ($g - r \approx 1.5$ mag) or green ($g - r \approx 0.5$ mag) spectral colors at $r$-band peak, wherein redder events show strong line blanketing signatures, slower light curves, weaker He lines and lower [Ca II]/[O I] in the nebular phase. Together, we find that the spectroscopic continuum, volumetric rates and striking old environments are consistent with the explosive burning of He shells on low mass white dwarfs. We posit that Ca-Ia and red Ca-Ib/c objects are consistent with the double detonation of He shells with high He burning efficiency, while green Ca-Ib/c objects could arise from less efficient He burning scenarios such as detonations in low density He shells or He shell deflagrations., Comment: 30 figures, 6 tables. Submitted to ApJ

M31-2015-LRN is a likely stellar merger discovered in the Andromeda Galaxy in 2015. We present new optical to mid-infrared photometry and optical spectroscopy for this event. Archival data shows that the source started to brighten $\sim$2 years before the nova event. During this precursor phase, the source brightened by $\sim$3 mag. The lightcurve at 6 and 1.5 months before the main outburst may show periodicity, with periods of 16$\pm$0.3 and 28.1$\pm$1.4 days respectively. This complex emission may be explained by runaway mass loss from the system after the binary undergoes Roche-lobe overflow, leading the system to coalesce in tens of orbital periods. While the progenitor spectral energy distribution shows no evidence of pre-existing warm dust in system, the remnant forms an optically thick dust shell at $\sim$4 months after the outburst peak. The optical depth of the shell increases dramatically after 1.5 years, suggesting the existence of shocks that enhance the dust formation process. We propose that the merger remnant is likely an inflated giant obscured by a cooling shell of gas with mass $\sim0.2$ M$_{\odot}$ ejected at the onset of the common envelope phase., Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Interaction-powered supernovae (SNe) explode within an optically-thick circumstellar medium (CSM) that could be ejected during eruptive events. To identify and characterize such pre-explosion outbursts we produce forced-photometry light curves for 196 interacting SNe, mostly of Type IIn, detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility between early 2018 and June 2020. Extensive tests demonstrate that we only expect a few false detections among the 70,000 analyzed pre-explosion images after applying quality cuts and bias corrections. We detect precursor eruptions prior to 18 Type IIn SNe and prior to the Type Ibn SN2019uo. Precursors become brighter and more frequent in the last months before the SN and month-long outbursts brighter than magnitude -13 occur prior to 25% (5 - 69%, 95% confidence range) of all Type IIn SNe within the final three months before the explosion. With radiative energies of up to $10^{49}\,\text{erg}$, precursors could eject $\sim1\,\text{M}_\odot$ of material. Nevertheless, SNe with detected precursors are not significantly more luminous than other SNe IIn and the characteristic narrow hydrogen lines in their spectra typically originate from earlier, undetected mass-loss events. The long precursor durations require ongoing energy injection and they could, for example, be powered by interaction or by a continuum-driven wind. Instabilities during the neon and oxygen burning phases are predicted to launch precursors in the final years to months before the explosion; however, the brightest precursor is 100 times more energetic than anticipated.

Several thousand core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) of different flavors have been discovered so far. However, identifying their progenitors has remained an outstanding open question in astrophysics. Studies of SN host galaxies have proven to be powerful in providing constraints on the progenitor populations. In this paper, we present all CCSNe detected between 2009 and 2017 by the Palomar Transient Factory. This sample includes 888 SNe of 12 distinct classes out to redshift $z\approx1$. We present the photometric properties of their host galaxies from the far-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared and model the host-galaxy spectral energy distributions to derive physical properties. The galaxy mass functions of Type Ic, Ib, IIb, II, and IIn SNe ranges from $10^{5}$ to $10^{11.5}~M_\odot$, probing the entire mass range of star-forming galaxies down to the least-massive star-forming galaxies known. Moreover, the galaxy mass distributions are consistent with models of star-formation-weighted mass functions. Regular CCSNe are hence direct tracers of star formation. Small but notable differences exist between some of the SN classes. Type Ib/c SNe prefer galaxies with slightly higher masses (i.e., higher metallicities) and star-formation rates than Type IIb and II SNe. These differences are less pronounced than previously thought. H-poor SLSNe and SNe~Ic-BL are scarce in galaxies above $10^{10}~M_\odot$. Their progenitors require environments with metallicities of $<0.4$ and $<1$ solar, respectively. In addition, the hosts of H-poor SLSNe are dominated by a younger stellar population than all other classes of CCSNe. Our findings corroborate the notion that low-metallicity \textit{and} young age play an important role in the formation of SLSN progenitors., Comment: 24 pages main text, 14 figures, 9 Tables, catalogue available at http://www.github.com/steveschulze/PTF

We develop and evaluate a deep learning algorithm to classify multiple catheters on neonatal chest and abdominal radiographs. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained using a dataset of 777 neonatal chest and abdominal radiographs, with a split of 81%-9%-10% for training-validation-testing, respectively. We employed ResNet-50 (a CNN), pre-trained on ImageNet. Ground truth labelling was limited to tagging each image to indicate the presence or absence of endotracheal tubes (ETTs), nasogastric tubes (NGTs), and umbilical arterial and venous catheters (UACs, UVCs). The data set included 561 images containing 2 or more catheters, 167 images with only one, and 49 with none. Performance was measured with average precision (AP), calculated from the area under the precision-recall curve. On our test data, the algorithm achieved an overall AP (95% confidence interval) of 0.977 (0.679-0.999) for NGTs, 0.989 (0.751-1.000) for ETTs, 0.979 (0.873-0.997) for UACs, and 0.937 (0.785-0.984) for UVCs. Performance was similar for the set of 58 test images consisting of 2 or more catheters, with an AP of 0.975 (0.255-1.000) for NGTs, 0.997 (0.009-1.000) for ETTs, 0.981 (0.797-0.998) for UACs, and 0.937 (0.689-0.990) for UVCs. Our network thus achieves strong performance in the simultaneous detection of these four catheter types. Radiologists may use such an algorithm as a time-saving mechanism to automate reporting of catheters on radiographs., Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures (+1 suppl.), 2 tables (+2 suppl.). Submitted to Journal of Digital Imaging

Catheters are the second most common abnormal finding on radiographs. The position of catheters must be assessed on all radiographs, as serious complications can arise if catheters are malpositioned. However, due to the large number of radiographs performed each day, there can be substantial delays between the time a radiograph is performed and when it is interpreted by a radiologist. Computer-aided approaches hold the potential to assist in prioritizing radiographs with potentially malpositioned catheters for interpretation and automatically insert text indicating the placement of catheters in radiology reports, thereby improving radiologists' efficiency. After 50 years of research in computer-aided diagnosis, there is still a paucity of study in this area. With the development of deep learning approaches, the problem of catheter assessment is far more solvable. Therefore, we have performed a review of current algorithms and identified key challenges in building a reliable computer-aided diagnosis system for assessment of catheters on radiographs. This review may serve to further the development of machine learning approaches for this important use case., Comment: This manuscript has been accepted for publication in Radiology: Artificial Intelligence (https://pubs.rsna.org/journal/ai), which is published by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

M31-2015-LRN is a likely stellar merger discovered in the Andromeda Galaxy in 2015. We present new optical to mid-infrared photometry and optical spectroscopy for this event. Archival data shows that the source started to brighten $\sim$2 years before the nova event. During this precursor phase, the source brightened by $\sim$3 mag. The lightcurve at 6 and 1.5 months before the main outburst may show periodicity, with periods of 16$\pm$0.3 and 28.1$\pm$1.4 days respectively. This complex emission may be explained by runaway mass loss from the system after the binary undergoes Roche-lobe overflow, leading the system to coalesce in tens of orbital periods. While the progenitor spectral energy distribution shows no evidence of pre-existing warm dust in system, the remnant forms an optically thick dust shell at $\sim$4 months after the outburst peak. The optical depth of the shell increases dramatically after 1.5 years, suggesting the existence of shocks that enhance the dust formation process. We propose that the merger remnant is likely an inflated giant obscured by a cooling shell of gas with mass $\sim0.2$ M$_{\odot}$ ejected at the onset of the common envelope phase., Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

(Abridged) Using the Zwicky Transient Facility alert stream, we are conducting a large campaign to spectroscopically classify all transients occurring in galaxies in the Census of the Local Universe (CLU) catalog. The aim of the experiment is to construct a spectroscopically complete, volume-limited sample of transients coincident within 100" of CLU galaxies out to 200 Mpc, and to a depth of 20 mag. We describe the survey design and spectroscopic completeness from the first 16 months of operations. We present results from a systematic search for Calcium rich gap transients in the sample of 22 low luminosity (peak absolute magnitude $M > -17$), hydrogen poor events found in the experiment (out of 754 spectroscopically classified SNe). We report the detection of eight Calcium rich gap transients, and constrain their volumetric rate to be at least $\approx 15\pm5$% of the SN Ia rate. Combining this sample with ten events from the literature, we find a likely continuum of spectroscopic properties ranging from events with SN Ia-like features (Ca-Ia objects) to SN Ib/c-like features (Ca-Ib/c objects) at peak light. Within the Ca-Ib/c events, we find two populations of events distinguished by their red ($g - r \approx 1.5$ mag) or green ($g - r \approx 0.5$ mag) spectral colors at $r$-band peak, wherein redder events show strong line blanketing signatures, slower light curves, weaker He lines and lower [Ca II]/[O I] in the nebular phase. Together, we find that the spectroscopic continuum, volumetric rates and striking old environments are consistent with the explosive burning of He shells on low mass white dwarfs. We posit that Ca-Ia and red Ca-Ib/c objects are consistent with the double detonation of He shells with high He burning efficiency, while green Ca-Ib/c objects could arise from less efficient He burning scenarios such as detonations in low density He shells or He shell deflagrations., Comment: 30 figures, 6 tables. Submitted to ApJ

Using the Zwicky Transient Facility alert stream, we are conducting a large spectroscopic campaign to construct a complete, volume-limited sample of transients brighter than 20 mag, and coincident within 100 '' of galaxies in the Census of the Local Universe catalog. We describe the experiment design and spectroscopic completeness from the first 16 months of operations, which have classified 754 supernovae. We present results from a systematic search for calcium-rich gap transients in the sample of 22 low-luminosity (peak absolute magnitude M > -17), hydrogen-poor events found in the experiment. We report the detection of eight new events, and constrain their volumetric rate to greater than or similar to 15% +/- 5% of the SN Ia rate. Combining this sample with 10 previously known events, we find a likely continuum of spectroscopic properties ranging from events with SN Ia-like features (Ca-Ia objects) to those with SN Ib/c-like features (Ca-Ib/c objects) at peak light. Within the Ca-Ib/c events, we find two populations distinguished by their red (g - r approximate to 1.5 mag) or green (g - r approximate to 0.5 mag) colors at the r-band peak, wherein redder events show strong line blanketing features and slower light curves (similar to Ca-Ia objects), weaker He lines, and lower [Ca II]/[O I] in the nebular phase. We find that all together the spectroscopic continuum, volumetric rates, and striking old environments are consistent with the explosive burning of He shells on low-mass white dwarfs. We suggest that Ca-Ia and red Ca-Ib/c objects arise from the double detonation of He shells, while green Ca-Ib/c objects are consistent with low-efficiency burning scenarios like detonations in low-density shells or deflagrations.

We present ZTF18aaqjovh (SN 2018bvw), a high-velocity (broad-lined) stripped-envelope (Type Ic) supernova (Ic-BL SN) discovered in the Zwicky Transient Facility one-day cadence survey. ZTF18aaqjovh shares a number of features in common with engine-driven explosions: the photospheric velocity and the shape of the optical light curve are very similar to those of the Type.Ic-BL SN 1998bw, which was associated with a low-luminosity gamma-ray burst (LLGRB) and had relativistic ejecta. However, the radio luminosity of ZTF18aaqjovh is almost two orders of magnitude fainter than that of SN 1998bw at the same velocity phase, and the shock velocity is at most mildly relativistic (v.=.0.06-0.4c). A search of high-energy catalogs reveals no compelling gamma-ray burst (GRB) counterpart to ZTF18aaqjovh, and the limit on the prompt GRB luminosity of g >> ' L 1.6 10 erg s, iso 48 1 excludes a classical GRB but not an LLGRB. Altogether, ZTF18aaqjovh represents another transition event between engine-driven SNe associated with GRBs and ordinary Ic-BL SNe.

A vast amount of civil infrastructure is constructed using reinforced concrete, which can be susceptible to corrosion, posing significant risks. Corrosion of reinforced concrete has various causes, with chloride ingress known to be a major contributor. Monitoring this chloride ingress would allow for preventative maintenance to be less intrusive at a lower cost. Currently, chloride sensing methods are bulky and expensive, leaving the majority of concrete infrastructures unmonitored. This paper presents the design and fabrication of a miniature, low-cost device that can be embedded into concrete at various locations and depths. The device measures localized concrete resistance, correlating to the chloride ingress in the concrete using equations listed in this paper, and calculated results from two experiments are presented. The device benefits from a four-probe architecture, injecting a fixed frequency AC waveform across its outer electrodes within the cement block. Voltage across the internal electrodes is measured with a microcontroller and converted to a resistance value, communicated serially to an external computer. A final test showcases the ability of the device for three-dimensional mass deployment.

There have been a dramatic increase in the number of optical and radio transient surveys due to astronomical transients such as gravitational waves and gamma ray bursts, however, there have been a limited number of wide-field infrared surveys due to narrow field-of-view and high cost of infrared cameras, we present two new wide-field near-infrared fully automated surveyors; Palomar Gattini-IR and the Dynamic REd All-sky Monitoring Survey (DREAMS). Palomar Gattini-IR, a 25 square degree J-band imager that begun science operations at Palomar Observatory, USA in October 2018; we report on survey strategy as well as telescope and observatory operations and will also providing initial science results. DREAMS is a 3.75 square degree wide-field imager that is planned for Siding Spring Observatory, Australia; we report on the current optical and mechanical design and plans to achieve on-sky results in 2020. DREAMS is on-track to be one of the first astronomical telescopes to use an Indium Galium Arsenide (InGaAs) detector and we report initial on-sky testing results for the selected detector package. DREAMS is also well placed to take advantage and provide near-infrared follow-up of the LSST.

The Zwicky Transient Facility is a large optical survey in multiple filters producing hundreds of thousands of transient alerts per night. We describe here various machine learning (ML) implementations and plans to make the maximal use of the large data set by taking advantage of the temporal nature of the data, and further combining it with other data sets. We start with the initial steps of separating bogus candidates from real ones, separating stars and galaxies, and go on to the classification of real objects into various classes. Besides the usual methods (e.g., based on features extracted from light curves) we also describe early plans for alternate methods including the use of domain adaptation, and deep learning. In a similar fashion we describe efforts to detect fast moving asteroids. We also describe the use of the Zooniverse platform for helping with classifications through the creation of training samples, and active learning. Finally we mention the synergistic aspects of ZTF and LSST from the ML perspective., National Science Foundationhttps://doi.org/10.13039/100000001, Peer Reviewed

We present ZTF18aaqjovh (SN 2018bvw), a high-velocity ("broad-lined") stripped-envelope (Type Ic) supernova (Ic-BL SN) discovered in the Zwicky Transient Facility one-day cadence survey. ZTF18aaqjovh shares a number of features in common with engine-driven explosions: the photospheric velocity and the shape of the optical light curve are very similar to that of the Type Ic-BL SN 1998bw, which was associated with a low-luminosity gamma-ray burst (LLGRB) and had relativistic ejecta. However, the radio luminosity of ZTF18aaqjovh is almost two orders of magnitude fainter than that of SN 1998bw at the same velocity phase, and the shock velocity is at most mildly relativistic (v=0.06-0.4c). A search of high-energy catalogs reveals no compelling GRB counterpart to ZTF18aaqjovh, and the limit on the prompt GRB luminosity of $L_{\gamma,\mathrm{iso}} \approx 1.6 \times 10^{48}$ erg/sec excludes a classical GRB but not an LLGRB. Altogether, ZTF18aaqjovh represents another transition event between engine-driven SNe associated with GRBs and "ordinary" Ic-BL SNe., Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures. Accepted to the Astrophysical Journal on 2 March 2020. Revised from proofs on 4 Apr 2020

(Abridged) Palomar Gattini-IR is a new wide-field, near-infrared robotic time domain survey operating at Palomar Observatory. Using a 30 cm telescope mounted with a H2RG detector, Gattini-IR achieves a field of view of 25 sq. deg. with a pixel scale of 8.7" in J-band. Here, we describe the system design, survey operations, data processing system and on-sky performance of Palomar Gattini-IR. As a part of the nominal survey, Gattini-IR scans $\approx 7500$ square degrees of the sky every night to a median 5$\sigma$ depth of $15.7$ AB mag outside the Galactic plane. The survey covers $\approx 15000$ square degrees of the sky visible from Palomar with a median cadence of 2 days. A real-time data processing system produces stacked science images from dithered raw images taken on sky, together with PSF-fit source catalogs and transient candidates identified from subtractions within a median delay of $\approx 4$ hours from the time of observation. The calibrated data products achieve an astrometric accuracy (RMS) of $\approx 0.7$" with respect to Gaia DR2 for sources with S/N $> 10$, and better than $\approx 0.35$" for sources brighter than $\approx 12$ Vega mag. The photometric accuracy (RMS) achieved in the PSF-fit source catalogs is better than $\approx 3$% for sources brighter than $\approx 12$ Vega mag, as calibrated against the 2MASS catalog. With a field of view $\approx 40\times$ larger than any other existing near infrared imaging instrument, Gattini-IR is probing the reddest and dustiest transients in the local universe such as dust obscured supernovae in nearby galaxies, novae behind large columns of extinction within the galaxy, reddened micro-lensing events in the Galactic plane and variability from cool and dust obscured stars. We present results from transients and variables identified since the start of the commissioning period., Comment: 35 pages, 29 figures. Submitted to PASP

Recent studies on direct imaging of Type II core-collapse supernova progenitors indicate a possible threshold around $M_{\rm ZAMS}\sim 16-20$ M$_\odot$, where red supergiants with larger birth masses do not appear to result in supernova explosions and instead implode directly into a black hole. In this study we argue that it is not a coincidence that this threshold closely matches the critical transition of central Carbon burning in massive stars from the convective to radiative regime. In lighter stars, Carbon burns convectively in the center and result in compact final presupernova cores that are likely to result in explosions, while in heavier stars after the transition, it burns as a radiative flame and the stellar cores become significantly harder to explode. Using the KEPLER code we demonstrate the sensitivity of this transition to the rate of $^{12}$C$(\alpha,\gamma)^{16}$O reaction and the overshoot mixing efficiency, and we argue that the upper mass limit of exploding red supergiants could be employed to constrain uncertain input physics of massive stellar evolution calculations. The initial mass corresponding to the central Carbon burning transition range from 14 to 26 M$_\odot$ in recently published models from various groups and codes, and only a few are in agreement with the estimates inferred from direct imaging studies., Comment: submitted to MNRAS

We present a mid-infrared (IR) sample study of nearby ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) using multi-epoch observations with the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) on the Spitzer Space Telescope. Spitzer/IRAC observations taken after 2014 were obtained as part of the Spitzer Infrared Intensive Transients Survey (SPIRITS). Our sample includes 96 ULXs located within 10 Mpc. Of the 96~ULXs, 12 have candidate counterparts consistent with absolute mid-IR magnitudes of supergiants, and 16 counterparts exceeded the mid-IR brightness of single supergiants and are thus more consistent with star clusters or non-ULX background active galactic nuclei (AGN). The supergiant candidate counterparts exhibit a bi-modal color distribution in a Spitzer/IRAC color-magnitude diagram, where "red" and "blue" ULXs fall in IRAC colors $[3.6] - [4.5]\sim0.7$ and $[3.6] - [4.5]\sim0.0$, respectively. The mid-IR colors and absolute magnitudes of 4 "red" and 5 "blue" ULXs are consistent with that of supergiant B[e] (sgB[e]) and red supergiant (RSG) stars, respectively. While "blue", RSG-like mid-IR ULX counterparts likely host RSG mass donors, we propose the "red" counterparts are ULXs exhibiting the "B[e] phenomenon'' rather than hosts of sgB[e] mass donors. We show that the mid-IR excess from the "red" ULXs is likely due to thermal emission from circumstellar or circumbinary dust. Using dust as a probe for total mass, we estimate mass-loss rates of $\dot{M}\sim1\times10^{-4}$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ in dust-forming outflows of red ULXs. Based on the transient mid-IR behavior and its relatively flat spectral index, $\alpha=-0.19\pm0.1$, we suggest that the mid-IR emission from Holmberg IX X-1 originates from a variable jet., Comment: 40 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

We present the discovery of an optical transient (OT) in Messier 51, designated M51 OT2019-1 (also ZTF19aadyppr, AT 2019abn, ATLAS19bzl), by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). The OT rose over 15 days to an observed luminosity of $M_r=-13$ (${\nu}L_{\nu}=9\times10^6~L_{\odot}$), in the luminosity gap between novae and typical supernovae (SNe). Spectra during the outburst show a red continuum, Balmer emission with a velocity width of $\approx400$ km s$^{-1}$, Ca II and [Ca II] emission, and absorption features characteristic of an F-type supergiant. The spectra and multiband light curves are similar to the so-called "SN impostors" and intermediate-luminosity red transients (ILRTs). We directly identify the likely progenitor in archival Spitzer Space Telescope imaging with a $4.5~\mu$m luminosity of $M_{[4.5]}\approx-12.2$ and a $[3.6]-[4.5]$ color redder than 0.74 mag, similar to those of the prototype ILRTs SN 2008S and NGC 300 OT2008-1. Intensive monitoring of M51 with Spitzer further reveals evidence for variability of the progenitor candidate at [4.5] in the years before the OT. The progenitor is not detected in pre-outburst Hubble Space Telescope optical and near-IR images. The optical colors during outburst combined with spectroscopic temperature constraints imply a higher reddening of $E(B-V)\approx0.7$ mag and higher intrinsic luminosity of $M_r\approx-14.9$ (${\nu}L_{\nu}=5.3\times10^7~L_{\odot}$) near peak than seen in previous ILRT candidates. Moreover, the extinction estimate is higher on the rise than on the plateau, suggestive of an extended phase of circumstellar dust destruction. These results, enabled by the early discovery of M51 OT2019-1 and extensive pre-outburst archival coverage, offer new clues about the debated origins of ILRTs and may challenge the hypothesis that they arise from the electron-capture induced collapse of extreme asymptotic giant branch stars., Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, published in ApJL

Opening up the dynamic infrared sky for systematic time-domain exploration would yield many scientific advances. Multi-messenger pursuits such as localizing gravitational waves from neutron star mergers and quantifying the nucleosynthetic yields require the infrared. Another multi-messenger endeavor that needs infrared surveyors is the study of the much-awaited supernova in our own Milky Way. Understanding shocks in novae, true rates of supernovae and stellar mergers are some other examples of stellar evolution and high energy physics wherein the answers are buried in the infrared. We discuss some of the challenges in the infrared and pathfinders to overcome them. We conclude with recommendations on both infrared discovery engines and infrared follow-up machines that would enable this field to flourish in the next decade., Comment: Astro2020 Science White Paper for Decadal Survey