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The Compton-thick AGN population and the NH distribution of low-mass AGN in our cosmic backyard
No full textWe present a census of the Compton-thick (CT) active galactic nucleus (AGN) population and the column density (NH)distribution of AGN in our cosmic backyard using a mid-infrared selected AGN sample within 15 Mpc. The column densitiesare measured from broad-band X-ray spectral analysis, mainly using data from Chandra and NuSTAR. Our sample probes AGNwith intrinsic 2–10 keV luminosities of L2−10,int = 1037-1043 erg s−1, reaching a parameter space inaccessible to more distantsamples. We directly measure a 32 +30−18 per cent CT AGN fraction and obtain an NH distribution that agrees with that inferred by the Swift-BAT survey. Restricting the sample to the largely unexplored domain of low-luminosity AGN with L2−10,int ≤ 1042 erg s−1, we found a CT fraction of 19+30−14 per cent, consistent with those observed at higher luminosities. Comparing the host-galaxy properties between the two samples, we find consistent star formation rates, though the majority of our galaxy have lower stellar masses (by ≈ 0.3 dex). In contrast, the two samples have very different black hole mass (MBH) distributions, with our sample having ≈1.5 dex lower mean mass (MBH ∼ 106 M®). Additionally, our sample contains a significantly higher number of LINERs and HII-type nuclei. The Eddington ratio range probed by our sample, however, is the same as Swift-BAT, although the latter dominates at higher accretion rates, and our sample is more evenly distributed. The majority of our sample with λEdd ≥ 10−3 tend to be CT, while those with λEdd < 10−3 are mostly unobscured or mildly obscured
Non-binary people’s sexuality, sexual health, and relationship satisfaction: a review of twelve years of quantitative research (2012-2024)
No full textNon-binary is a term used by individuals to describe their gender identity, which is better conceptualized outside the man–woman binary. In recent years, research interest in the sexuality of gender minority individuals has grown, as shown by the increasing number of publications on this topic. Accordingly, a comprehensive systematic review which synthesizes the range of sex-related variables captured in research studies with non-binary people is needed. This analysis examined 12 years of quantitative sex research, aiming to (1) outline what is known about the sexuality, sexual health, and relationship satisfaction of non-binary people; and (2) appraise measures used in this literature for the inclusivity of non-binary identities (focusing on language and terminology). Searches were conducted on PsycINFO, Web of Science, and MEDLINE for papers in Italian or English between 2012 and 2024, and 44 articles were included for synthesis. Papers covered a wide range of topics, showing that non-binary people often report non-monosexual sexual identities (e.g., queer, pansexual), more attraction to and relationships with other non-binary individuals, and similar levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction as binary transgender people. However, the language and tools employed within the research were not always expansive or inclusive enough to adequately represent non-binary people’s experiences. For example, gender minority individuals were often grouped together for analysis, hiding likely within group differences. Future research should use gender-neutral language and measures and consider non-binary individuals separately, in order to better understand their specific sexual health, well-being, and relationship needs and outcomes
A viable Labrador Sea rifting origin of the Northern Appalachian and related seismic anomalies
No full textThe Northern Appalachian Anomaly (NAA) is a prominent low-seismic-velocity zone, ∼400 km in diameter, in the asthenosphere beneath New England (northeastern USA). Previous studies interpreted this shallow feature, occurring at a depth of ∼200 km, as a thermal anomaly tied to edge-driven convection along the North American continental margins. Those studies recognized, however, that upwelling here is highly unusual given that the passive margin has been tectonically quiescent for ∼180 m.y. We propose an alternative model, based on geologic observations, geotectonic reconstructions, and geodynamic simulations, that the anomaly instead represents a Rayleigh-Taylor instability linked to the breakup of the distant Labrador Sea continental margin. A Labrador Sea origin at breakup, ca. 85−80 Ma, would imply the migration of a chain of Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities at a rate of ∼22 km/m.y., close to expected rates from geodynamic models. A migrating-instability origin for the anomaly can reconcile its spatial characteristics, depth profile, and position near a long-inactive continental margin. A corollary is that the north-central Greenland anomaly, a mirror-image of the NAA, also potentially originated at the time of breakup. Further, The Central Appalachian Anomaly may fit this model if it represents an early-stage instability linked to rifting onset in the Labrador Sea. The NAA and other associated anomalies viably represent a legacy of continental rifting and breakup along the distant Labrador Sea margins
An effective time reduction strategy in whole-body SPECT/CT studies using novel acquire during step mode without compromising diagnostic image quality
No full textPurpose: WB-SPECT/CT can provide valuable insight into metastatic disease, assist in diagnosing numerous conditions, and enable volumetric dosimetry. Various approaches have made whole-body (WB) SPECT/CT less feasible in routine practice as it takes impractically long acquisition times. We aim to determine whether acquire during step (ADS) technology can be used for WB SPECT/CT studies to minimise acquisition time without compromising diagnostic quality. Design: Two different phantom studies were performed using 99mTc and 177Lu. An initial comparison of step-and-shoot (SSM) and ADS SPECT acquisition mode with full-time, half-time, and quarter-time was carried out. The recovery coefficients were calculated for different spheres and background regions to check the quantitative accuracy of SSM and ADS modes with different acquisition times. The xSPECT quantification tool was used to obtain the SUVs in the VOI. Result: The SPECT scan time with full-time ADS was 3.5 min quicker for each bed compared to full-time SSD. The ADS mode saved 15%-of acquisition time compared to the SSM mode. For both 99mTc and 177Lu, no statistical difference in recovery coefficients was noted between different acquisition times in SSM and ADS mode. No significant changes were noted in the background SUV between SSM and ADS for 99mTc and 177Lu isotopes. Conclusion: A 15%-time reduction could be achieved using ADS technology in our SPECT/CT scans without any change in quantitative accuracy. We also found that time can be reduced further, and scans can be acquired faster by implementing a half-time or quarter-time ADS in routine practice without compromising quantitative accuracy. The improvements in WB SPECT acquisition time could reduce motion artefact, especially for patients with pain and improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis and personalised dosimetry.</p
Coexistence, extinction and survival—The evolutionary history of Bison species in Western Eurasia
No full textEuropean bison (Bison bonasus) are one of the few European megafaunal species to survive the Late Pleistocene mass megafaunal extinction. Current conservation management efforts have proceeded in the absence of information about their evolutionary history, which has been obscured by recent severe population bottlenecks. We characterized mitochondrial genomes from 135 ancient bison samples spanning > 50,000 years (> 50 ka) across the Eurasian continent and detected three distinct phylogenetic groups: two distinct clades of European bison and the extinct steppe bison (Bison priscus). The geographical distributions and dietary/ecological signatures of the three groups overlapped during the Late Pleistocene climate cycles and tracked environmental changes including vegetation cover and human impacts. The abundance of European bison specimens responded negatively to the extent of forest cover, including Holocene cycles of abrupt atmospheric-ocean circulation changes originating in the North Atlantic. European bison remain preferentially adapted to an open environment, but with today's anthropogenic landscapes, are now largely restricted to forest habitats with negative implications under scenarios of future environmental change
WO2025133630 - Antigen binding proteins
No full textThe present invention relates to a novel antigen binding protein comprising at least two CH1 domains, wherein the at least two CH1 domains comprise a cysteine residue at an amino acid position corresponding to position 222 according to Kabat numbering of human IgG1 CH1 domain. The invention further provides related nucleic acids, expression vectors, and host cells. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antigen binding protein. Finally, the invention also provides a method for increasing the activity of antigen binding protein
Masking of measurements in a photovoltaic system using an incommensurate fractional-order chaotic system based on string dynamics around the Bardeen-AdS black hole
No full textConsidering environmental factors and global warming, the use and installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems have become widespread. However, the integration of these PV systems into smart grids raises concerns regarding cybersecurity. Since PV systems rely on communication networks, remote monitoring, and grid-connected inverters, they exhibit a cyber–physical structure and are therefore vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Cyber threats targeting PV infrastructure can lead to system failures, energy theft, grid instability, and financial losses. While many studies focus on cyber-attack detection for PV system cybersecurity, this paper aims to design a cybersecure PV system by employing a novel chaos-based encryption method. Due to their unpredictable and highly sensitive nature, chaotic algorithms are utilized to ensure secure communication within PV systems. The encryption algorithm is derived from the incommensurate fractional analysis of the “strings around the Bardeen-AdS black hole surrounded by quintessence dark energy”, a cosmological system. Simulation results performed in MATLAB/Simulink confirm the effectiveness of the proposed encryption framework. The underlying pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) successfully passed all 15 standard NIST SP800-22 statistical tests, validating its strong statistical randomness and unpredictability. Furthermore, the encrypted signals consistently exhibit high information entropy (e.g., encrypted entropy = 5.3213 compared to actual entropy = 4.0931), indicating strong randomization and obscurity of original patterns. The decrypted outputs precisely recover the original measurements, with entropy values perfectly matching the actual signals (e.g., decrypted entropy = 4.0931), thereby validating the reliability, reversibility, and cyber resilience of the approach
Qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators to physical activity and exercise in children and adolescents with Crohn’s – perspectives of young people, caregivers, and clinicians
No full textPURPOSE: With a rising incidence of childhood-onset Crohn's disease (CD), linked to genetics, environmental, and lifestyle factors, there is a need to further understand the physical (in)activity behaviors of young people with the condition. We explored the barriers and facilitators to physical activity and exercise in children and young people with CD from the perspectives of patients, caregivers, and specialist clinicians.METHODS: Five children, 7 caregivers, and 6 specialist clinicians completed semistructured interviews in this UK-based qualitative study. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, and emergent themes were inductively derived.RESULTS: Three overarching themes were constructed: (1) navigating barriers to a physically active lifestyle with CD, (2) building knowledge and support for a physically active lifestyle with CD, and (3) creating an enabling environment for a physically active lifestyle through family and social support networks.CONCLUSION: Young people living with CD, their caregivers, and clinicians clearly value the importance of physical activity and exercise but face several disease-specific barriers that can hinder long-term participation. Targeted educational and practical support is needed to address these challenges. Involving those with lived experience is essential in designing effective resources and home-based support programs that meet their needs.</p
Measurable residual disease–guided therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
No full textBackground: an interim analysis of progression-free survival in this trial showed that ibrutinib–venetoclax was superior to fludarabine–cyclophosphamide–rituximab (FCR) among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Whether ibrutinib–venetoclax is more effective than ibrutinib alone is unclear.Methods: in this phase 3, multicenter, open-label trial, we randomly assigned patients with CLL to receive ibrutinib–venetoclax, ibrutinib alone, or FCR. The primary end points were undetectable measurable residual disease (MRD) in bone marrow within 2 years in the ibrutinib–venetoclax group as compared with the ibrutinib-alone group and progression-free survival in the ibrutinib–venetoclax group as compared with the FCR group. A powered secondary end point was progression-free survival in the ibrutinib–venetoclax group as compared with the ibrutinib-alone group. Other secondary end points included overall survival.Results: a total of 172 of the 260 participants (66.2%) in the ibrutinib–venetoclax group had undetectable MRD in bone marrow within 2 years, as compared with none of the 263 participants in the ibrutinib-alone group (P<0.001) and 127 of the 263 participants (48.3%) in the FCR group. With a median follow-up of 62.2 months, disease progression or death occurred in 18 participants (6.9%) in the ibrutinib–venetoclax group, as compared with 59 (22.4%) in the ibrutinib-alone group (hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17 to 0.49; P<0.001) and 112 (42.6%) in the FCR group (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.21; P<0.001). Progression-free survival at 5 years was 93.9% with ibrutinib–venetoclax, 79.0% with ibrutinib alone, and 58.1% with FCR. Death occurred in 11 participants (4.2%) in the ibrutinib–venetoclax group, as compared with 26 (9.9%) in the ibrutinib-alone group (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.83) and 39 (14.8%) in the FCR group (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.50). Sudden death occurred in 3, 8, and 4 participants in the ibrutinib–venetoclax, ibrutinib-alone, and FCR groups, respectively.Conclusions: with extended follow-up and increased enrollment, our trial showed that undetectable MRD and extended progression-free survival were more common with ibrutinib–venetoclax than with ibrutinib alone or FCR. The results for overall survival were also consistent with a benefit of ibrutinib–venetoclax. (Funded by Cancer Research UK and others; FLAIR ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN01844152; EudraCT number, 2013-001944-76.
Numerical modelling of solid slab push-out tests with stainless steel welded stud shear connectors
No full textPush-out tests on composite steel–concrete beams are a standardised method for assessing the load-slip capacity of shear connectors, such as welded headed studs. Experimental push-out tests can be costly and time-consuming, so finite element (FE) numerical analyses provide an alternative for producing data on shear stud performance via parametric analyses, provided the numerical model has been accurately validated. Stainless steel has recently gained attention for use in composite construction due to its excellent durability, as well as ductility and strain hardening properties. Very few experimental push-out tests have been conducted on stainless steel shear studs in solid slabs, partly due to the high costs of stainless steel materials. Following a review of common push-out modelling approaches in the literature, this paper presents a comprehensive framework for FE modelling of stainless steel push-out tests, including ductile damage for the welded studs, which can be applied to different stud grades, geometries and arrangements. The modelling approach is demonstrated to accurately capture elastic, plastic and post-peak load-slip response, as well as failure mode, from three distinct test programs on stainless steel and carbon steel welded shear studs. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of stud aspect ratio h/d on the capacity and ductility of austenitic EN 1.4301 stainless steel studs, and the results are compared to the recommended h/d limit in Eurocode 4
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