Accurate calculation of the interaction of a barium monofluoride molecule with an argon atom: A step towards using matrix isolation of BaF for determining the electron electric dipole moment

Calculations of the BaF-Ar triatomic system are performed with a relativistic Hamiltonian and coupled cluster theory at the CCSD(T) level for 1386 positions of the Ar atom relative to the BaF molecule. Calculations are repeated with increasing basis sets (double-, triple-, quadruple- and quintuple-zeta), and these are extrapolated to estimate the complete-basis-set limit. The resulting energies provide a potential energy for the interaction of an Ar atom with a BaF molecule. A fit is presented that parametrizes this potential. This work is needed for an understanding of the position, modes of motion and energy shifts of BaF isolated in an Ar matrix. This understanding will guide the EDM$^3$ collaboration in its pursuit of a precision measurement of the electron electric dipole moment using BaF isolated in a cryogenic Ar matrix

Infrared magneto-optical properties of (III,Mn)V ferromagetic semiconductors

We present a theoretical study of the infrared magneto-optical properties of ferromagnetic (III,Mn)V semiconductors. Our analysis combines the kinetic exchange model for (III,Mn)V ferromagnetism with Kubo linear response theory and Born approximation estimates for the effect of disorder on the valence band quasiparticles. We predict a prominent feature in the ac-Hall conductivity at a frequency that varies over the range from 200 to 400 meV, depending on Mn and carrier densities, and is associated with transitions between heavy-hole and light-hole bands. In its zero frequency limit, our Hall conductivity reduces to the $\vec k$-space Berry's phase value predicted by a recent theory of the anomalous Hall effect that is able to account quantitatively for experiment. We compute theoretical estimates for magnetic circular dichroism, Faraday rotation, and Kerr effect parameters as a function of Mn concentration and free carrier density. The mid-infrared response feature is present in each of these magneto-optical effects.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

The association of pain with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts with depressive symptoms among adults aged ≥50 years from low- and middle-income countries

Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationship of pain with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts with depressive symptoms among adults aged ≥50 years from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa). Methods: Cross-sectional, community-based, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health were analyzed. Self-reported information on past 12-month suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among people with depressive symptoms was collected. Pain was assessed with the question “Overall in the last 30 days, how much of bodily aches or pain did you have?” With answer options: “none”, “mild”, “moderate”, “severe/extreme”. Multivariable logistic regression was done to assess associations. Results: Data on 34,129 adults aged ≥50 years (mean [SD] age 62.4 [16.0] years; males 47.9%) were analyzed. Compared to no pain, mild, moderate, and severe/extreme pain were associated with 2.83 (95% CI = 1.51–5.28), 4.01 (95% CI = 2.38–6.76), and 12.26 (95% CI = 6.44–23.36) times higher odds for suicidal ideation. For suicide attempt, only severe/extreme pain was associated with significantly increased odds (OR = 4.68; 95% CI = 1.67–13.08). Conclusions: In this large sample of older adults from multiple LMICs, pain was strongly associated with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts with depressive symptoms. Future studies should assess whether addressing pain among older people in LMICs may lead to reduction in suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Lifetime self-reported arthritis is associated with elevated levels of mental health burden: A multi-national cross sectional study across 46 low- and middle-income countries

Population-based studies investigating the relationship of arthritis with mental health outcomes are lacking, particularly among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We investigated the relationship between arthritis and mental health (depression spectrum, psychosis spectrum, anxiety, sleep disturbances and stress) across community-dwelling adults aged ≥18 years across 46 countries from the World Health Survey. Symptoms of psychosis and depression were established using questions from the Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Severity of anxiety, sleep problems, and stress sensitivity over the preceding 30 days were self-reported. Self-report lifetime history of arthritis was collected, including presence or absence of symptoms suggestive of arthritis: pain, stiffness or swelling of joints over the preceding 12-months. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken. Overall, 245,706 individuals were included. Having arthritis increased the odds of subclinical psychosis (OR = 1.85; 95%CI = 1.72–1.99) and psychosis (OR = 2.48; 95%CI = 2.05–3.01). People with arthritis were at increased odds of subsyndromal depression (OR = 1.92; 95%CI = 1.64–2.26), a brief depressive episode (OR = 2.14; 95%CI = 1.88–2.43) or depressive episode (OR = 2.43; 95%CI = 2.21–2.67). Arthritis was also associated with increased odds for anxiety (OR = 1.75; 95%CI = 1.63–1.88), sleep problems (OR = 2.23; 95%CI = 2.05–2.43) and perceived stress (OR = 1.43; 95%CI = 1.33–1.53). Results were similar for middle-income and low-income countries. Integrated interventions addressing arthritis and mental health comorbidities are warranted to tackle this considerable burden

Food insecurity and subjective cognitive complaints among adults aged ≥ 65 years from low- and middle-income countries

Purpose: To date, no study has investigated the association between food insecurity and subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). Thus, the aims of the present study were to examine this association among older adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and to identify the potential mediators in this association, given the importance of SCC in dementia risk among older people, and the projected particularly large increase in dementia in this setting. Methods: Cross-sectional, community-based, nationally representative data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Study on global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) collected between 2007 and 2010 were analyzed. Two questions on subjective memory and learning complaints in the past 30 days were used to create a SCC scale ranging from 0 (No SCC) to 100 (worse SCC). Past 12 month food insecurity was assessed with two questions on frequency of eating less and hunger due to lack of food. Multivariable linear regression and mediation (Karlson–Holm–Breen method) analyses were conducted to assess associations. Results: Data on 14,585 individuals aged ≥ 65 years [mean (SD) age 72.6 (11.5) years; 55.0% females] were analyzed. Severe food insecurity (vs. no food insecurity) was associated with 9.16 (95% CI = 6.95–11.37) points higher mean SCC score. Sleep/energy (mediated% 37.9%; P < 0.001), perceived stress (37.2%; P = 0.001), and depression (13.7%; P = 0.008) partially explained the association between severe food insecurity and SCC. Conclusion: Food insecurity was associated with SCC among older adults in LMICs. Future studies should assess whether addressing food insecurity among older adults in LMICs can improve cognitive health

Sex differences in the association between dynapenic abdominal obesity and onset of disability in activities of daily living among adults aged ≥50 years: A prospective analysis of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

Background: Sex differences in the longitudinal relationship between dynapenic abdominal obesity, i.e., impairment in muscle strength and high waist circumference, and disability in activities of daily living have not been investigated to date. Therefore, we aimed to examine sex differences in the longitudinal association between dynapenic abdominal obesity at baseline and the onset of disability in activities of daily living during a four-year follow-up period among Irish adults aged ≥50 years. Methods: Data from Wave 1 (2009–2011) and Wave 3 (2014–2015) of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing survey were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined as handgrip strength of <26 kg for men and <16 kg for women. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference of >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men. Dynapenic abdominal obesity was defined as having both dynapenia and abdominal obesity. Disability was defined as having difficulty with at least one of six activities of daily living (dressing, walking, bathing, eating, getting in or out of bed, using the toilet). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess associations. Results: Data on 4471 individuals aged ≥50 years and free of disability at baseline were analyzed [mean (SD) age 62.3 (8.6) years; 48.3 % males]. In the overall sample, compared to no dynapenia and no abdominal obesity, dynapenic abdominal obesity was associated with 2.15 (95%CI = 1.17–3.93) times higher odds for incident disability at 4-year follow-up. This association was significant among men (OR = 3.78; 95%CI = 1.70–8.38) but not among women (OR = 1.34; 95%CI = 0.60–2.98). Conclusions: Interventions to prevent or address dynapenic abdominal obesity may aid in the prevention of disability, especially among men

Pain and mild cognitive impairment among adults aged 50 years and above residing in low- and middle-income countries

Background: Previous studies on the association between pain and cognitive decline or impairment have yielded mixed results, while studies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) or specifically on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are scarce. Thus, we investigated the association between pain and MCI in LMICs and quantified the extent to which perceived stress, sleep/energy problems, and mobility limitations explain the pain/MCI relationship. Methods: Data analysis of cross-sectional data from six LMICs from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) were performed. MCI was based on the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association criteria. "Overall in the last 30 days, how much of bodily aches or pain did you have?” was the question utilized to assess pain. Associations were examined by multivariable logistic regression analysis and meta-analysis. Results: Data on 32,715 individuals aged 50 years and over were analysed [mean (SD) age 62.1 (15.6) years; 51.7% females]. In the overall sample, compared to no pain, mild, moderate, and severe/extreme pain were dose-dependently associated with 1.36 (95% CI = 1.18–1.55), 2.15 (95% CI = 1.77–2.62), and 3.01 (95% CI = 2.36–3.85) times higher odds for MCI, respectively. Mediation analysis showed that perceived stress, sleep/energy problems, and mobility limitations explained 10.4%, 30.6%, and 51.5% of the association between severe/extreme pain and MCI. Conclusions: Among middle-aged to older adults from six LMICs, pain was associated with MCI dose-dependently, and sleep problems and mobility limitations were identified as potential mediators. These findings raise the possibility of pain as a modifiable risk factor for developing MCI

Correlates of physical activity among community-dwelling adults aged 50 or over in six low- and middle-income countries

Background: Considering that physical activity is associated with healthy ageing and helps to delay, prevent, or manage a plethora of non-communicable diseases in older adults, there is a need to investigate the factors that influence physical activity participation in this population. Thus, we investigated physical activity correlates among community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥50 years) in six low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the World Health Organization’s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health. Physical activity was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants were dichotomized into low (i.e., not meeting 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week) and moderate-to-high physically active groups. Associations between physical activity and a range of correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regressions. Results: The overall prevalence (95%CI) of people not meeting recommended physical activity levels in 34,129 participants (mean age 62.4 years, 52.1% female) was 23.5% (22.3%-24.8%). In the multivariable analysis, older age and unemployment were significant sociodemographic correlates of low physical activity. Individuals with low body mass index (<18.5kg/m2), bodily pain, asthma, chronic back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hearing problems, stroke, visual impairment, slow gait, and weak grip strength were less likely to meet physical activity targets in the overall sample (P<0.05). The associations varied widely between countries. Conclusion: Our data illustrates that a multitude of factors influence physical activity target achievement in older adults, which can inform future interventions across low- and middle-income countries to assist people of this age group to engage in regular physical activity. Future prospective cohort studies are also required to investigate the directionality and mediators of the relationships observed

Expression of UV-Sensitive Parapinopsin in the Iguana Parietal Eyes and Its Implication in UV-Sensitivity in Vertebrate Pineal-Related Organs

The pineal-related organs of lower vertebrates have the ability to discriminate different wavelengths of light. This wavelength discrimination is achieved through antagonistic light responses to UV or blue and visible light. Previously, we demonstrated that parapinopsin underlies the UV reception in the lamprey pineal organ and identified parapinopsin genes in teleosts and frogs of which the pineal-related organs were reported to discriminate light. In this study, we report the first identification of parapinopsin in the reptile lineage and show its expression in the parietal eye of the green iguana. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that iguana parapinopsin is a UV-sensitive pigment, similar to lamprey parapinopsin. Interestingly, immunohistochemical analyses using antibodies specific to parapinopsin and parietopsin, a parietal eye green-sensitive pigment, revealed that parapinopsin and parietopsin are colocalized in the outer segments of the parietal eye photoreceptor cells in iguanas. These results strongly suggest that parapinopsin underlies the wavelength discrimination involving UV reception in the iguana parietal eye. The current findings support the idea that parapinopsin is a common photopigment underlying the UV-sensitivity in wavelength discrimination of the pineal-related organs found from lampreys to reptiles