Time-dependent Density Functional calculation of e-H scattering

Phase shifts for single-channel elastic electron-atom scattering are derived from time-dependent density functional theory. The H$^-$ ion is placed in a spherical box, its discrete spectrum found, and phase shifts deduced. Exact-exchange yields an excellent approximation to the ground-state Kohn-Sham potential, while the adiabatic local density approximation yields good singlet and triplet phase shifts.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Intrathecal B-cell accumulation and axonal damage distinguish MRI-based benign from aggressive onset in MS

Objective We explored the incremental value of adding multiple disease activity biomarkers in CSF and serum for distinguishing MRI-based benign from aggressive MS in early disease course. Methods Ninety-three patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or early MS were divided into 3 nonoverlapping severity groups defined by objective MRI criteria. Ninety-seven patients with noninflammatory neurologic disorders and 48 patients with other inflammatory neurologic diseases served as controls. Leukocyte subsets in the CSF were analyzed by flow cytometry. CSF neurofilament light chain (NfL) and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) levels were measured by ELISA. Serum NfL levels were examined using single molecule array technology. Results CSF CD20+/CD14+ ratios and NfL levels in CSF and serum were significantly different between high and low MRI severity groups, whereas no difference was found for CSF CHI3L1 levels. NfL levels in CSF and serum highly correlated. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the cumulative sums combining CSF CD20+/CD14+ ratios and NfL levels in serum or CSF considerably improved diagnostic accuracy. A composite score built from these 2 cumulative sums best distinguished MRI severity. These findings were validated by support vector machine analysis, which confirmed that the accuracy of the cumulative sums and composite score outperforms single biomarkers. Conclusion Patients with extreme manifestations of CIS or early MS defined by strict MRI parameters can be best distinguished by combining markers of intrathecal B-cell accumulation and axonal damage. This could stratify individual treatment decisions toward a more personalized immunotherapy

On the role of data, statistics and decisions in a pandemic

A pandemic poses particular challenges to decision-making because of the need to continuously adapt decisions to rapidly changing evidence and available data. For example, which countermeasures are appropriate at a particular stage of the pandemic? How can the severity of the pandemic be measured? What is the effect of vaccination in the population and which groups should be vaccinated first? The process of decision-making starts with data collection and modeling and continues to the dissemination of results and the subsequent decisions taken. The goal of this paper is to give an overview of this process and to provide recommendations for the different steps from a statistical perspective. In particular, we discuss a range of modeling techniques including mathematical, statistical and decision-analytic models along with their applications in the COVID-19 context. With this overview, we aim to foster the understanding of the goals of these modeling approaches and the specific data requirements that are essential for the interpretation of results and for successful interdisciplinary collaborations. A special focus is on the role played by data in these different models, and we incorporate into the discussion the importance of statistical literacy, and of effective dissemination and communication of findings

Authors' response: on the role of data, statistics and decisions in a pandemic

"We would like to thank the discussants once more for adding their thoughtful comments.

Energy levels of light atoms in strong magnetic fields

In this review article we provide an overview of the field of atomic structure of light atoms in strong magnetic fields. There is a very rich history of this field which dates back to the very birth of quantum mechanics. At various points in the past significant discoveries in science and technology have repeatedly served to rejuvenate interest in atomic structure in strong fields, broadly speaking, resulting in three eras in the development of this field; the historical, the classical and the modern eras. The motivations for studying atomic structure have also changed significantly as time progressed. The review presents a chronological summary of the major advances that occurred during these eras and discusses new insights and impetus gained. The review is concluded with a description of the latest findings and the future prospects for one of the most remarkably cutting-edge fields of research in science today.Comment: 37 pages, 16 figures, 1 tabl

Adaptive optics near infrared integral field spectroscopy of NGC 2992

NGC 2992 is an intermediate Seyfert 1 galaxy showing outflows on kilo parsec scales which might be due either to AGN or starburst activity. We therefore aim at investigating its central region for a putative starburst in the past and its connection to the AGN and the outflows. Observations were performed with the adaptive optics near infrared integral field spectrograph SINFONI on the VLT, complemented by longslit observations with ISAAC on the VLT, as well as N- and Q-band data from the Spitzer archive. The spatial and spectral resolutions of the SINFONI data are 50 pc and 83 km/s, respectively. The field of view of 3" x 3" corresponds to 450 pc x 450 pc. Br_gamma equivalent width and line fluxes from PAHs were compared to stellar population models to constrain the age of the putative recent star formation. A simple geometric model of two mutually inclined disks and an additional cone to describe an outflow was developed to explain the observed complex velocity field in H_2 1-0S(1). The morphologies of the Br_gamma and the stellar continuum are different suggesting that at least part of the Br_gamma emission comes from the AGN. This is confirmed by PAH emission lines at 6.2 micron and 11.2 micron and the strength of the silicon absorption feature at 9.7 micron, which point to dominant AGN activity with a relatively minor starburst contribution. We find a starburst age of 40 Myr - 50 Myr from Br_gamma line diagnostics and the radio continuum; ongoing star formation can be excluded. Both the energetics and the timescales indicate that the outflows are driven by the AGN rather than the starburst. The complex velocity field observed in H_2 1-0S(1) in the central 450 pc can be explained by the superposition of the galaxy rotation and an outflow.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Coastal Wetland Restoration through the lens of Odum\u27s theory of ecosystem development

Advancing ecological restoration assessments requires a more detailed consideration of species interactions and ecosystem processes. Most restoration projects rely on a few metrics not always directly linked with ecological theory. Here, we used Odum\u27s theory of ecosystem development to assess and compare the ecosystem structure and services of created marshes (4–6 years old) with preexisting, reference marshes in a brackish water region of the Mississippi River Delta. We built ecosystem models for created and reference marshes that integrated large datasets of stomach contents, stable isotopes, and taxa abundances. Despite strong resemblance in community structure, created marshes were at an earlier succession stage compared to the reference marshes, having lower biomass (including exploited species), higher biomass turnover and production, less dependence on detritus, lower material cycling, and less energy flowing through specialist pathways. Although preserving preexisting marshes should be a priority, created marshes may still be an important tool for the restoration of coastal areas and their ecosystem services. In addition, our results show that comparisons of species biodiversity alone may fail to capture essential differences in ecosystem processes between habitats, which reinforces the importance of ecosystem modeling approaches to assess restoration projects