XMM-Newton conclusively identifies an active galactic nucleus in a green pea galaxy

Green Pea galaxies are a class of compact, low-mass, low-metallicity star-forming galaxies in the relatively local universe. They are believed to be analogues of high-redshift galaxies that re-ionised the universe and, indeed, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is now uncovering such populations at record redshifts. Intriguingly, JWST finds evidence suggestive of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in many of these distant galaxies, including the elusive Little Red Dots, that broadly lack any detectable X-ray counterparts. Intuitively, one would expect to detect an AGN in their low-redshift analogues with X-rays, yet no study to date has conclusively identified an X-ray AGN within a Green Pea galaxy. Here we present the deepest X-ray campaign of a Green Pea galaxy performed to date, obtained with the goal of discerning the presence of a (potentially low-luminosity) AGN. The target $-$ SDSS J082247.66 +224144.0 (J0822+2241 hereafter) $-$ was previously found to display a comparable X-ray spectral shape to more local AGN ($\Gamma$ $\sim$ 2) and a high luminosity ($L_{2-10\,{\rm keV}}$ $\sim$ 10$^{42}$ erg s$^{-1}$). We show that over 6.2 years (rest-frame), the 2$-$10 keV luminosity of J0822+2241 is constant, whereas the soft 0.5$-$2 keV flux has decreased significantly by $\sim$60%. We discuss possible scenarios to explain the X-ray properties of J0822+2241, finding transient low-column density obscuration surrounding an AGN to be the only plausible scenario. J0822+2241 thus provides further evidence that low-luminosity AGN activity could have contributed to the epoch of reionisation, and that local analogues are useful to derive a complete multi-wavelength picture of black hole growth in high redshift low luminosity AGN

A framework for fractional matrix programming problems with applications in FBL MU-MIMO

An efficient framework is conceived for fractional matrix programming (FMP) optimization problems (OPs) namely for minimization and maximization. In each generic OP, either the objective or the constraints are functions of multiple arbitrary continuous-domain fractional functions (FFs). This ensures the framework’s versatility, enabling it to solve a broader range of OPs than classical FMP solvers, like Dinkelbach-based algorithms. Specifically, the generalized Dinkelbach algorithm can only solve multiple-ratio FMP problems. By contrast, our framework solves OPs associated with a sum or product of multiple FFs as the objective or constraint functions. Additionally, our framework provides a single-loop solution, while most FMP solvers require twin-loop algorithms. Many popular performance metrics of wireless communications are FFs. For instance, latency has a fractional structure, and minimizing the sum delay leads to an FMP problem. Moreover, the mean square error (MSE) and energy efficiency (EE) metrics have fractional structures. Thus, optimizing EE-related metrics such as the sum or geometric mean of EEs and enhancing the metrics related to spectral-versus-energy-efficiency tradeoff yield FMP problems. Furthermore, both the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio and the channel dispersion are FFs. In this paper, we also develop resource allocation schemes for multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems, using finite block length (FBL) coding, demonstrating attractive practical applications of FMP by optimizing the aforementioned metrics

Screening for MASLD in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Is an Early Diagnosis a Good Diagnosis?

Introduction: metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. MASLD contributes to serious complications in individuals with T2DM, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, variceal bleeding, hepatic decompensation, and death.Areas covered: via a search of Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Embase (no date restrictions) this review explores the rationale for screening for MASLD in patients with T2DM and highlights the nutritional, pharmacological, and interventional advantages of early diagnosis. In particular, we examine the effectiveness of novel anti-fibrotic therapies, recently assessed in clinical trials. Alongside these potential benefits, we consider the financial implications for the healthcare system and possible adverse effects on patients. To contextualize the discussion, we compare MASLD screening with the established diabetic retinopathy screening program in England and reference the World Health Organization’s principles for disease screening.Expert opinion: currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the implementation of a MASLD screening program for patients with T2DM. Key evidence gaps remain, particularly regarding: (1) the natural history of MASLD in patients with T2DM; (2) optimal timing and utilization of novel anti-fibrotic therapies; and (3) the impact of screening on major adverse liver outcomes compared to targeted testing approaches.<br/

Short-block polar-coded reverse and direct reconciliation in CV-QKD

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) is a promising technique of supporting quantum-safe wireless networks in the emerging 6G era, mapping quantum information onto the amplitude or phase of electromagnetic waves. However, conventional CV-QKD reconciliation methods often assume ideal classical side-information channels, which is an unrealistic scenario in practical deployments. To address this critical challenge, we propose a novel protection scheme integrating Polar and low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. Specifically, Polar codes safeguard quantum transmissions due to their superior performance for short block lengths, while LDPC codes robustly protect the classical side information exchanged over auxiliary classical channels. We further enhance the CV-QKD performance by harnessing a soft-decision Polar decoding method combined with protocols specifically tailored for reverse reconciliation (RR) and direct reconciliation (DR). In the RR scheme, conceived decoding complexity is strategically distributed: Polar decoding is performed by Alice, and LDPC decoding by Bob, hence significantly reducing the computational demands compared to traditional schemes where both decoding processes are invoked at a single node. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of our approach, demonstrating that Polar codes consistently outperform LDPC codes in quantum transmission scenarios having short block lengths under 512 bits. These findings emphasize the strong potential of Polar coding-assisted CV-QKD in achieving secure and efficient quantum-safe control information transmissions, paving the way for practical implementation in next-generation wireless networks.</p

Singlet NMR in a case of high molecular symmetry

Spin-1/2 pairs support nuclear singlet and triplet states. The mean population difference between the singlet and triplet manifolds is termed singlet order. Under suitable circumstances, nuclear singlet order is highly resistant to several relaxation mechanisms, displaying a decay time constant TS, which may greatly exceed the time constant T1 for the equilibration of nuclear magnetization. We explore the nuclear singlet relaxation of an isotopolog of squarate in a high-pH aqueous solution. The 1,3–13C2-isotopolog of squarate exists as a minority species of 1–13C2-squarate. This isotopolog has a high degree of molecular symmetry. 18O-enrichment is used to generate secondary isotope shifts of the 13C resonances, providing access to 13C2 double-quantum coherence and 13C2 singlet order. The 13C signals from the 1,2–13C2 and 1,3–13C2 species are selected using geometric double-quantum filtration, and the double-quantum coherence is converted to singlet order and back again using customized double-quantum-to-singlet (DQ2S) and singlet-to-double-quantum (S2DQ) pulse sequences. We report 13C2 singlet lifetime measurements for 1,3–13C2-squarate in a high-pH aqueous solution, in a high magnetic field

Emotions and distress in response to the climate crisis

The mental health impacts of the climate crisis have recently gained recognition and attention. Eco-distress has been identified as a growing phenomenon and is defined as the distress caused by awareness of the climate crisis and its consequences. How eco-distress relates to mental health outcomes is unclear. There are arguments that eco-distress is functional and constructive, whereas others have argued the potential for detrimental outcomes.This thesis contributes to our understanding about eco-distress and the potential constructive or unconstructive outcomes. The first chapter situates the research projects in relation to what is currently known and unknown about the relationship between the climate crisis and mental health outcomes.The second chapter is a systematic review of the research to date, exploring what factors contribute to the development of eco-distress and its predictors. Predictors of eco-distress are multifaceted, including cognitive and environmental factors. Exposure to media, other forms of distress and connectedness to nature had the most evidence as potential predictors of eco-distress. However, the evidence base suffered from significant methodological inadequacies.The final chapter then empirically explores what factors contribute to constructive outcomes of eco-distress (pro-environmental behaviours). The findings suggest that emotional responses differentially contribute to constructive outcomes in that eco-anger was associated with greater pro-environmental behaviours. Further, problem-focused coping mediated this relationship highlighting that how eco-distress is coped with influences the outcomes

Ocular syphilis revisited: a review of cases and evidence from the literature

Aim: this case series seeks to share our experience with ocular syphilis by reporting the clinical findings and management of nine diagnosed cases.Materials and methods: this retrospective case series comprises nine patients who presented to the Ophthalmology Department of Southampton General Hospital between 2013 and 2022. The series provides a comprehensive report on patients diagnosed with ocular syphilis, detailing the severity of the condition, associated symptoms, and the treatments administered.Results: all cases in the study were diagnosed with syphilis based on ocular findings. The patients exhibited a wide range of visual acuity, from normal to as low as light perception vision, with corresponding posterior segment results and varied intraocular pressure data. Some patients had recently been diagnosed with co-infection involving the human immunodeficiency virus. Except for one patient who underwent intravenous ceftriaxone treatment, the majority received systemic therapy with intravenous benzylpenicillin. In four cases, prednisolone was administered in conjunction with the systemic treatment. For topical therapy, three patients were provided with cycloplegics and topical steroids to alleviate discomfort and prevent iris adhesions.Conclusions: diagnosing ocular syphilis presents challenges, which emphasizes the value of excluding syphilis infection in patients exhibiting uveitis, optic nerve neuritis or atrophy, acute muscular palsy, or visual loss. Ocular syphilis warrants consideration during diagnosis, necessitates treatment akin to neurosyphilis, and mandates testing for other immunodeficiency diseases. Inadequate management may lead to persistent vision impairment

KDM2B variants in the CxxC domain impair its DNA-binding ability and cause a distinct neurodevelopmental syndrome

Rare variants affecting the epigenetic regulator KDM2B cause a recently delineated neurodevelopmental disorder. Interestingly, we previously identified both a general KDM2B-associated episignature and a subsignature specific to variants in the DNA-binding CxxC domain. In light of the existence of a distinct subsignature, we set out to determine if KDM2B CxxC variants are associated with a unique phenotype and disease mechanism. We recruited individuals with heterozygous CxxC variants and assessed the variants' effect on protein expression and DNA-binding ability. We analyzed clinical data from 19 individuals, including ten previously undescribed individuals with seven novel CxxC variants. The core phenotype of the KDM2B-CxxC cohort is more extensive as compared to that of individuals with KDM2B haploinsufficiency. All individuals with CxxC variants presented with developmental delay, mainly in the speech and motor domain, in addition to variable intellectual disability and mild facial dysmorphism. Congenital heart defects were observed in up to 78% of individuals, with additional common findings including musculoskeletal, ophthalmological, and urogenital anomalies, as well as behavioral challenges and feeding difficulties. Functional assays revealed that while mutant KDM2B protein with CxxC variants can be expressed in vitro, its DNA-binding ability is significantly reduced compared to wildtype. This study shows that KDM2B CxxC variants cause a distinct neurodevelopmental syndrome, possibly through a molecular mechanism different from haploinsufficiency

Essence facts and the source of normativity

What is the source of normativity? According to Bengson, Cuneo and Shafer-Landau (2023), we can answer this question by identifying non-normative grounds of fundamental normative facts. To illustrate how this can be achieved, they argue that facts concerning essences of normative properties are non-normative facts, and such facts can be seen as non-normative grounds of fundamental normative facts. I argue that this strategy is misguided. First, explanations citing essence facts about normative properties are poor answers to the question of the source of normativity. Second, it is not clear if such facts are non-normative in the relevant sense. Along the way, I address questions about what it is to be a normative fact and relate the implications of this discussion to general issues about metaphysical explanation in meta-normativity

Social educational robotics and learning analytics: a scoping review of an Emerging field

Social Educational Robotics and Learning Analytics (LA) are prominent fields in technology-enhanced learning, but their combined potential remains underexplored, despite methodological similarities. Increasingly, signs of joint interests have emerged, with a surge in publications mentioning both social robots and learning analytics in the last five years. We therefore conducted a scoping review to explore if a new research field is emerging. We identified 29 empirical studies that combine social robots and LA, but also found that few studies explicitly state that social educational robots and LA are used in combination. Several studies used social educational robots that adapted to the learners or the learning environment based on interaction data. This signifies that they are in fact employing the feedback cycle that is at the core of LA methodology, but as most of these studies update the learner model using post-session data (e.g., learner improvement or feedback), they are long-term studies with repeated interventions that are applying LA methodology inadvertently. There are also benefits for LA research to use social educational robots, since LA increasingly uses an array of equipment to collect multimodal data, and all studies in this review employ at least two input modalities (μ = 4.4). Social robots provide the possibility to collect this data non-intrusively with the robot itself, in addition to creating a pedagogically boosted interaction compared to traditional LA interventions (e.g., learning management systems). By raising researchers’ awareness of how close the fields of social educational robotics and LA are, substantial synergy effects could therefore be gained