104 research outputs found
The two-star model: exact solution in the sparse regime and condensation transition
The -star model is the simplest exponential random graph model that
displays complex behavior, such as degeneracy and phase transition. Despite its
importance, this model has been solved only in the regime of dense
connectivity. In this work we solve the model in the finite connectivity
regime, far more prevalent in real world networks. We show that the model
undergoes a condensation transition from a liquid to a condensate phase along
the critical line corresponding, in the ensemble parameters space, to the
Erd\"os-R\'enyi graphs. In the fluid phase the model can produce graphs with a
narrow degree statistics, ranging from regular to Erd\"os-R\'enyi graphs, while
in the condensed phase, the "excess" degree heterogeneity condenses on a single
site with degree . This shows the unsuitability of the two-star
model, in its standard definition, to produce arbitrary finitely connected
graphs with degree heterogeneity higher than Erd\"os-R\'enyi graphs and
suggests that non-pathological variants of this model may be attained by
softening the global constraint on the two-stars, while keeping the number of
links hardly constrained.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figure
Impact of efavirenz pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics on neuropsychological performance in older HIV-infected patients
Pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of efavirenz and its 8-hydroxy metabolite (8-OH-efavirenz) have not been robustly evaluated in older HIV-infected persons
An Accurate Mass Determination for Kepler-1655b, a Moderately Irradiated World with a Significant Volatile Envelope
Funding: A.C.C. acknowledges support from STFC consolidated grant number ST/M001296/1. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant Agreement No. 313014 (ETAEARTH).We present the confirmation of a small, moderately-irradiated (F= 155±7 Fâ) Neptune with a substantial gas envelope in a P=11.8728787±0.0000085-day orbit about a quiet, Sun-like G0V star Kepler-1655. Based on our analysis of the Kepler light curve, we determined Kepler-1655bâs radius to be 2.213±0.082 Râ. We acquired 95 high-resolution spectra with TNG/HARPS-N, enabling us to characterize the host star and determine an accurate mass for Kepler-1655b of 5.0±^3.1_2.8 Mâ via Gaussian-process regression. Our mass determination excludes an Earth-like composition with 98% confidence. Kepler-1655b falls on the upper edge of the evaporation valley, in the relatively sparsely occupied transition region between rocky and gas-rich planets. It is therefore part of a population of planets that we should actively seek to characterize further.PostprintPeer reviewe
Biobanking and consenting to research: a qualitative thematic analysis of young peopleâs perspectives in the North East of England
Background: Biobanking biospecimens and consent are common practice in paediatric research. We need to explore children and young peopleâs (CYP) knowledge and perspectives around the use of and consent to biobanking. This will ensure meaningful informed consent can be obtained and improve current consent procedures. Methods: We designed a survey, in co-production with CYP, collecting demographic data, views on biobanking, and consent using three scenarios: 1) prospective consent, 2) deferred consent, and 3) reconsent and assent at age of capacity. The survey was disseminated via the Young Personâs Advisory Group North England (YPAGne) and participating CYPâs secondary schools. Data were analysed using a qualitative thematic approach by three independent reviewers (including CYP) to identify common themes. Data triangulation occurred independently by a fourth reviewer. Results: One hundred two CYP completed the survey. Most were between 16â18Â years (63.7%, N = 65) and female (66.7%, N = 68). 72.3% had no prior knowledge of biobanking (N = 73). Acceptability of prospective consent for biobanking was high (91.2%, N = 93) with common themes: âaltruismâ, âpotential benefits outweigh individual riskâ, 'frugality', and â(in)convenienceâ. Deferred consent was also deemed acceptable in the large majority (84.3%, N = 86), with common themes: âaltruismâ, âbody integrityâ and âsample frugalityâ. 76.5% preferred to reconsent when cognitively mature enough to give assent (N = 78), even if parental consent was previously in place. 79.2% wanted to be informed if their biobanked biospecimen is reused (N = 80). Conclusion: Prospective and deferred consent acceptability for biobanking is high among CYP in the UK. Altruism, frugality, body integrity, and privacy are the most important themes. Clear communication and justification are paramount to obtain consent. Any CYP with capacity should be part of the consenting procedure, if possible
K2-291b:A rocky super-Earth in a 2.2 day orbit
K2-291 (EPIC 247418783) is a solar-type star with a radius of R_star = 0.899
0.034 R_sun and mass of M_star=0.934 0.038 M_sun. From K2 C13 data,
we found one super-Earth planet (R_p = 1.589+0.095-0.072 R_Earth) transiting
this star on a short period orbit (P = 2.225177 +6.6e-5 -6.8e-5 days). We
followed this system up with adaptive-optic imaging and spectroscopy to derive
stellar parameters, search for stellar companions, and determine a planet mass.
From our 75 radial velocity measurements using HIRES on Keck I and HARPS-N on
Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, we constrained the mass of EPIC 247418783b to M_p
= 6.49 1.16 M_Earth. We found it necessary to model correlated stellar
activity radial velocity signals with a Gaussian process in order to more
accurately model the effect of stellar noise on our data; the addition of the
Gaussian process also improved the precision of this mass measurement. With a
bulk density of 8.84+2.50-2.03 g cm-3, the planet is consistent with an
Earth-like rock/iron composition and no substantial gaseous envelope. Such an
envelope, if it existed in the past, was likely eroded away by
photo-evaporation during the first billion years of the star's lifetime.Comment: Accepted to AJ, 15 pages, 8 figure
Transcranial direct current stimulation of the prefrontal cortex modulates working memory performance: combined behavioural and electrophysiological evidence
The present study demonstrates that tDCS can alter WM performance by modulating the underlying neural oscillations. This result can be considered an important step towards a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in tDCS-induced modulations of WM performance, which is of particular importance, given the proposal to use electrical brain stimulation for the therapeutic treatment of memory deficits in clinical settings
The role of prefrontal cortex in working-memory capacity, executive attention, and general fluid intelligence: An individual-differences perspective
Incisional hernia following colorectal cancer surgery according to suture technique: Hughes Abdominal Repair Randomized Trial (HART).
BACKGROUND: Incisional hernias cause morbidity and may require further surgery. HART (Hughes Abdominal Repair Trial) assessed the effect of an alternative suture method on the incidence of incisional hernia following colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A pragmatic multicentre single-blind RCT allocated patients undergoing midline incision for colorectal cancer to either Hughes closure (double far-near-near-far sutures of 1 nylon suture at 2-cm intervals along the fascia combined with conventional mass closure) or the surgeon's standard closure. The primary outcome was the incidence of incisional hernia at 1 year assessed by clinical examination. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: Between August 2014 and February 2018, 802 patients were randomized to either Hughes closure (401) or the standard mass closure group (401). At 1 year after surgery, 672 patients (83.7 per cent) were included in the primary outcome analysis; 50 of 339 patients (14.8 per cent) in the Hughes group and 57 of 333 (17.1 per cent) in the standard closure group had incisional hernia (OR 0.84, 95 per cent c.i. 0.55 to 1.27; Pâ=â0.402). At 2 years, 78 patients (28.7 per cent) in the Hughes repair group and 84 (31.8 per cent) in the standard closure group had incisional hernia (OR 0.86, 0.59 to 1.25; Pâ=â0.429). Adverse events were similar in the two groups, apart from the rate of surgical-site infection, which was higher in the Hughes group (13.2 versus 7.7 per cent; OR 1.82, 1.14 to 2.91; Pâ=â0.011). CONCLUSION: The incidence of incisional hernia after colorectal cancer surgery is high. There was no statistical difference in incidence between Hughes closure and mass closure at 1 or 2 years. REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN25616490 (http://www.controlled-trials.com)
Another Shipment of Six Short-Period Giant Planets from TESS
We present the discovery and characterization of six short-period, transiting
giant planets from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) --
TOI-1811 (TIC 376524552), TOI-2025 (TIC 394050135), TOI-2145 (TIC 88992642),
TOI-2152 (TIC 395393265), TOI-2154 (TIC 428787891), & TOI-2497 (TIC 97568467).
All six planets orbit bright host stars (8.9 <G< 11.8, 7.7 <K< 10.1). Using a
combination of time-series photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations
from the TESS Follow-up Observing Program (TFOP) Working Group, we have
determined that the planets are Jovian-sized (R = 1.00-1.45 R),
have masses ranging from 0.92 to 5.35 M, and orbit F, G, and K stars
(4753 T 7360 K). We detect a significant orbital eccentricity
for the three longest-period systems in our sample: TOI-2025 b (P = 8.872 days,
= ), TOI-2145 b (P = 10.261 days, =
), and TOI-2497 b (P = 10.656 days, =
). TOI-2145 b and TOI-2497 b both orbit subgiant host
stars (3.8 g 4.0), but these planets show no sign of inflation
despite very high levels of irradiation. The lack of inflation may be explained
by the high mass of the planets; M (TOI-2145
b) and M (TOI-2497 b). These six new discoveries
contribute to the larger community effort to use {\it TESS} to create a
magnitude-complete, self-consistent sample of giant planets with
well-determined parameters for future detailed studies.Comment: 20 Pages, 6 Figures, 8 Tables, Accepted by MNRA
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