ABSTRACT
We study the modelling of the halo occupation distribution (HOD) for the eBOSS DR16 emission line galaxies (ELGs). Motivated by previous theoretical and observational studies, we consider ...different physical effects that can change how ELGs populate haloes. We explore the shape of the average HOD, the fraction of satellite galaxies, their probability distribution function (PDF), and their density and velocity profiles. Our baseline HOD shape was fitted to a semi-analytical model of galaxy formation and evolution, with a decaying occupation of central ELGs at high halo masses. We consider Poisson and sub/super-Poissonian PDFs for satellite assignment. We model both Navarro–Frenk–White and particle profiles for satellite positions, also allowing for decreased concentrations. We model velocities with the virial theorem and particle velocity distributions. Additionally, we introduce a velocity bias and a net infall velocity. We study how these choices impact the clustering statistics while keeping the number density and bias fixed to that from eBOSS ELGs. The projected correlation function, wp, captures most of the effects from the PDF and satellites profile. The quadrupole, ξ2, captures most of the effects coming from the velocity profile. We find that the impact of the mean HOD shape is subdominant relative to the rest of choices. We fit the clustering of the eBOSS DR16 ELG data under different combinations of the above assumptions. The catalogues presented here have been analysed in companion papers, showing that eBOSS RSD+BAO measurements are insensitive to the details of galaxy physics considered here. These catalogues are made publicly available.
Inorganic CdTe and FeSi2-based solar cells have recently drawn a lot of attention because they offer superior thermal stability and good optoelectronic properties compared to conventional solar ...cells. In this work, a unique alternative technique is presented by using FeSi2 as a secondary absorber layer and In2S3 as the window layer for improving photovoltaic performance parameters. Simulating on SCAPS-1D, the proposed double-absorber (Cu/FTO/In2S3/CdTe/FeSi2/Ni) structure is thoroughly examined and analyzed. The window layer thickness, absorber layer thickness, acceptor density (NA), donor density (ND), defect density (Nt), series resistance (RS), and shunt resistance (Rsh) were simulated in detail for optimization of the above configuration to improve the PV performance. According to this study, 0.5 µm is the optimized thickness for both the CdTe and FeSi2 absorber layers in order to maximize the efficiency (η). Here, the value of the optimum window layer thickness is 50 nm. For using CdTe as a single absorber, η is achieved by 13.26%. However, for using CdTe and FeSi2 as a dual absorber, η is enhanced and the obtaining value is 27.35%. The other parameters are also improved and the resultant value for the fill factor is 83.68%, the open-circuit voltage (Voc) is 0.6566 V, and the short circuit current density (Jsc) is 49.78 mA/cm2. Furthermore, the proposed model performs well at 300 K operating temperature. The addition of the FeSi2 layer to the cell structure has resulted in a significant quantum efficiency enhancement because of the rise in solar spectrum absorption at longer wavelengths (λ). The findings of this work offer a promising approach for producing high-performance and reasonably priced CdTe-based solar cells.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of ethnic minorities again. Health inequity within ethnic minorities has been explained by factors such as higher prevalence of underlying disease, ...restricted access to care, and lower vaccination rates. In this study, we investigated the effect of cultural tailoring of communicators and media outlets, respectively, on vaccine willingness in an influenza vaccination campaign in the Netherlands. A total of 1226 participants were recruited from two culturally non-tailored media outlets (Dutch newspaper and Facebook), and one media outlet tailored to a large community in the Netherlands with Indian ancestry. The participants from all three media outlets were randomly exposed to a vaccination awareness video delivered by a physician with an Indian or Dutch background, followed by an online survey. Cultural tailoring compared to cultural non-tailoring of communicators showed no difference in improvement of vaccine willingness (13.9% vs. 20.7% increment, respectively, p = 0.083). However, the media outlet tailored to the community with Indian ancestry, resulted in a higher improvement of vaccine willingness compared to non-tailored media outlets (46.7% vs. 14.7% increment, respectively, p < 0.001, unadjusted OR = 5.096). These results suggest that cultural tailoring of media outlets may be critical to effectively reach out to ethnic minorities to help optimize vaccination rates and improve general health.
The poultry industry has emerged as one of the largest and fastest growing public sectors in the developed and developing countries. Unfortunately, this industry is under a major threat from diseases ...that are viral (Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, influenza, hydropericardium syndrome), bacterial (colibacillosis, pasteurellosis, salmonellosis, mycoplasmosis), parasitic (coccidiosis, histoplasmosis) or nutritional (dyschondroplasia, osteoporosis). Among these diseases, hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) is one of the important emerging diseases occurring in the specific areas of the world where broilers (chickens) are reared under intensive conditions. HPS was first observed in 1987 at Angara Goth, an area near Karachi, Pakistan, where broilers are raised. Since then, HPS has been reported in many countries of the world. From these reported cases, an adenovirus that was either isolated from or visualized electron microscopically in the liver of affected broilers has been implicated in the syndrome. The syndrome has been reproduced by inoculation of isolated fowl adenovirus (FAdV) strains, and hence, the syndrome is also called infectious hydropericardium syndrome. To our knowledge, HPS has not been observed in humans, so it is not considered a zoonotic disease, but it is of economic importance and causes huge losses to the poultry industry. Efforts have been made to develop conventional vaccines against this disease, which were formulated from infected liver homogenate. Formalin-inactivated liver organ vaccines have failed to protect the poultry industry. Hence, there is a dire need to develop a suitable vaccine to combat this disease. Currently, recombinant vaccine candidates are being developed by using molecular biology and biotechnological approaches for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including HPS. Therefore, it is suggested that the immunogenicity of these recombinant proteins should be evaluated for their use as subunit vaccines.
With this document, we provide a standard for PET/(diagnostic) CT imaging procedures in cardiovascular diseases that are inflammatory, infective, infiltrative, or associated with dysfunctional ...innervation (4Is). This standard should be applied in clinical practice and integrated in clinical (multicenter) trials for optimal procedural standardization. A major focus is put on procedures using
18
FFDG, but 4Is PET radiopharmaceuticals beyond
18
FFDG are also described in this document. Whilst these novel tracers are currently mainly applied in early clinical trials, some multicenter trials are underway and we foresee in the near future their use in clinical care and inclusion in the clinical guidelines. Finally, PET/MR applications in 4Is cardiovascular diseases are also briefly described. Diagnosis and management of 4Is-related cardiovascular diseases are generally complex and often require a multidisciplinary approach by a team of experts. The new standards described herein should be applied when using PET/CT and PET/MR, within a multimodality imaging framework both in clinical practice and in clinical trials for 4Is cardiovascular indications.
The long baseline between Earth and the Sun makes solar neutrinos an excellent test beam for exploring possible neutrino decay. The signature of such decay would be an energy-dependent distortion of ...the traditional survival probability which can be fit for using well-developed and high-precision analysis methods. Here a model including neutrino decay is fit to all three phases of B8 solar neutrino data taken by the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO). This fit constrains the lifetime of neutrino mass state ν2 to be >8.08×10−5 s/eV at 90% confidence. An analysis combining this SNO result with those from other solar neutrino experiments results in a combined limit for the lifetime of mass state ν2 of >1.92×10−3 s/eV at 90% confidence.
Background. Access to antiretroviral therapy is rapidly expanding in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying the predictors of incomplete adherence, virologic failure, and antiviral drug resistance is ...essential to achieving long-term success. Methods. A total of 150 subjects who had received antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months completed a structured questionnaire and adherence assessment, and plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA levels were measured. Virologic failure was defined as an HIV RNA level >400 copies/mL; for patients with an HIV RNA level >1000 copies/mL, genotypic antiviral drug resistance testing was performed. Predictors were analyzed using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Results. A total of 23 (16%) of 150 subjects reported incomplete adherence. Sacrificing health care for other necessities (adjusted odds ratio AOR, 19.8; P < .01) and the proportion of months receiving self-funded treatment (AOR, 23.5; P = .04) were associated with incomplete adherence. Virologic failure was identified in 48 (32%) of 150 subjects and was associated with incomplete adherence (AOR, 3.6; P = .03) and the proportion of months receiving self-funded antiretroviral therapy (AOR, 13.0; P = .02). Disclosure of HIV infection status to family members or others was protective against virologic failure (AOR, 0.10; P = .04). Conclusions. Self-funded treatment was associated with incomplete adherence and virologic failure, and disclosure of HIV infection status was protective against virologic failure. Efforts to provide free antiretroviral therapy and to promote social coping may enhance adherence and reduce rates of virologic failure.
Summary
There are few data regarding postoperative hyperglycaemia in non‐diabetic compared with diabetic patients following postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis with dexamethasone. ...Eighty‐five non‐diabetic patients and patients with type‐2 diabetes were randomly allocated to receive intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg) or ondansetron (4 mg). Blood glucose levels were measured at baseline and then 2, 4 and 24 h following induction of anaesthesia. In non‐diabetic patients, the mean (SD) maximum blood glucose was higher in those who received dexamethasone compared with ondansetron (9.1 (2.2) mmol.l−1 vs. 7.8 (1.4) mmol.l−1, p = 0.04). In diabetic patients, the mean (SD) maximum blood glucose was also higher in those who received dexamethasone compared with ondansetron (14.0 (2.5) mmol.l−1 vs. 10.7 (2.4) mmol.l−1, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that dexamethasone administration was a significant predictor of maximum postoperative blood glucose increase (p < 0.01) after adjusting for potential confounders. There was no interaction between baseline blood glucose level, or presence or absence of diabetes, and dexamethasone administration. We conclude that dexamethasone increases postoperative blood glucose levels in both non‐diabetics and diabetics.
Abstract
With this summarized document we share the standard for positron emission tomography (PET)/(diagnostic)computed tomography (CT) imaging procedures in cardiovascular diseases that are ...inflammatory, infective, infiltrative, or associated with dysfunctional innervation (4Is) as recently published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. This standard should be applied in clinical practice and integrated in clinical (multicentre) trials for optimal standardization of the procedurals and interpretations. A major focus is put on procedures using 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18FFDG), but 4Is PET radiopharmaceuticals beyond 18FFDG are also described in this summarized document. Whilst these novel tracers are currently mainly applied in early clinical trials, some multicentre trials are underway and we foresee in the near future their use in clinical care and inclusion in the clinical guidelines. Diagnosis and management of 4Is related cardiovascular diseases are generally complex and often require a multidisciplinary approach by a team of experts. The new standards described herein should be applied when using PET/CT and PET/magnetic resonance, within a multimodality imaging framework both in clinical practice and in clinical trials for 4Is cardiovascular indications.
A search has been performed for neutrinos from two sources, the hep reaction in the solar pp fusion chain and the νe component of the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB), using the full ...dataset of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory with a total exposure of 2.47 kton − years after fiducialization. The hep search is performed using both a single-bin counting analysis and a likelihood fit. We find a best-fit flux that is compatible with solar model predictions while remaining consistent with zero flux, and set a one-sided upper limit of Φhep < 30 × 103 cm−2 s−1 90% credible interval (CI). No events are observed in the DSNB search region, and we set an improved upper bound on the νe component of the DSNB flux of ΦνeDSNB < 19 cm−2 s−1 (90% CI) in the energy range 22.9 < Eν < 36.9 MeV.
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