Accurate Photometry of Saturated Stars Using the Point-spread-function Wing Technique with Spitzer

We report Spitzer 3.6 and 4.5 μm photometry of 11 bright stars relative to Sirius, exploiting the unique optical stability of the Spitzer Space Telescope point-spread function (PSF). Spitzer's extremely stable beryllium optics in its isothermal environment enables precise comparisons in the wings of the PSF from heavily saturated stars. These bright stars stand as the primary sample to improve stellar models, and to transfer the absolute flux calibration of bright standard stars to a sample of fainter standards useful for missions like JWST and for large ground-based telescopes. We demonstrate that better than 1% relative photometry can be achieved using the PSF wing technique in the radial range of 20″–100″ for stars that are fainter than Sirius by 8 mag (from outside the saturated core to a large radius where a high signal-to-noise ratio profile can still be obtained). We test our results by (1) comparing the [3.6]−[4.5] color with that expected between the WISE W1 and W2 bands, (2) comparing with stars where there is accurate K S photometry, and (3) also comparing with relative fluxes obtained with the DIRBE instrument on COBE. These tests confirm that relative photometry is achieved to better than 1%.

Multiwavelength Spectral Analysis and Neural Network Classification of Counterparts to 4FGL Unassociated Sources

The Fermi-LAT unassociated sources represent some of the most enigmatic gamma-ray sources in the sky. Observations with the Swift-XRT and -UVOT telescopes have identified hundreds of likely X-ray and UV/optical counterparts in the uncertainty ellipses of the unassociated sources. In this work we present spectral fitting results for 205 possible X-ray/UV/optical counterparts to 4FGL unassociated targets. Assuming that the unassociated sources contain mostly pulsars and blazars, we develop a neural network classifier approach that applies gamma-ray, X-ray, and UV/optical spectral parameters to yield a descriptive classification of unassociated spectra into pulsars and blazars. From our primary sample of 174 Fermi sources with a single X-ray/UV/optical counterpart, we present 132 P bzr > 0.99 likely blazars and 14 P bzr < 0.01 likely pulsars, with 28 remaining ambiguous. These subsets of the unassociated sources suggest a systematic expansion to catalogs of gamma-ray pulsars and blazars. Compared to previous classification approaches our neural network classifier achieves significantly higher validation accuracy and returns more bifurcated P bzr values, suggesting that multiwavelength analysis is a valuable tool for confident classification of Fermi unassociated sources.

Improve the Forming Ability of Al-Based Metallic Glass Under Ultrasonic Vibration at Room Temperature

In this work, a rapid and controllable ultrasonic vibration method for forming Al-based metallic glass at room temperature is proposed. This method can dramatically improve the forming ability of Al-based metallic glasses, which are virtually brittle at room temperature and have almost no supercooled liquid region at high temperatures. Under ultrasonic vibration, Al-based metallic glasses exhibited obvious plastic flow, with a maximum deformation degree up to 58% and an average deformation degree up to 43%. It is worth mentioning that no crystalline peaks were found on the X-ray diffraction patterns after deformation under ultrasonic vibration, and the mechanical properties remained the same as the primary sample. The present results provide a new approach for the deformation and forming of Al-based metallic glasses, which can significantly broaden their applications.

Serological surveys to estimate cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults (Sero-MAss study), Massachusetts, July–August 2020: a mail-based cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM among Massachusetts residents and to better understand asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the summer of 2020.DesignMail-based cross-sectional survey.SettingMassachusetts, USA.ParticipantsPrimary sampling group: sample of undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (n=548) and a member of their household (n=231).Secondary sampling group: sample of graduate students, faculty, librarians and staff (n=214) and one member of their household (n=78). All participants were residents of Massachusetts without prior COVID-19 diagnosis.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Association of seroprevalence with variables including age, gender, race, geographic region, occupation and symptoms.ResultsApproximately 27 000 persons were invited via email to assess eligibility. 1001 households were mailed dried blood spot sample kits, 762 returned blood samples for analysis. In the primary sample group, 36 individuals (4.6%) had IgG antibodies detected for an estimated weighted prevalence in this population of 5.3% (95% CI: 3.5 to 8.0). In the secondary sampling group, 10 participants (3.4%) had IgG antibodies detected for an estimated adjusted prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI: 2.2 to 7.4). No samples were IgM positive. No association was found in either group between seropositivity and self-reported work duties or customer-facing hours. In the primary sampling group, self-reported febrile illness since February 2020, male sex and minority race (Black or American Indian/Alaskan Native) were associated with seropositivity. No factors except geographic regions within the state were associated with evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in the secondary sampling group.ConclusionsThis study fills a critical gap in estimating the levels of subclinical and asymptomatic infection. Estimates can be used to calibrate models estimating levels of population immunity over time, and these data are critical for informing public health interventions and policy.

Ruxolitinib as a Novel Therapeutic Option for Poor Prognosis T-LBL Pediatric Patients

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is the second most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in childhood, mainly of T cell origin (T-LBL). Although current treatment protocols allow a complete remission in 85% of cases, the second-line treatment overall survival for patients with progressive or relapsed disease is around 14%, making this the major issue to be confronted. Thus, we performed a Reverse Phase Protein Array study in a cohort of 22 T-LBL patients to find reliable disease risk marker(s) and new therapeutic targets to improve pediatric T-LBL patients’ outcome. Interestingly, we pinpointed JAK2 Y1007-1008 as a potential prognosis marker as well as a therapeutic target in poor prognosis patients. Hence, the hyperactivation of the JAK1/2-STAT6 pathway characterizes these latter patients. Moreover, we functionally demonstrated that STAT6 hyperactivation contributes to therapy resistance by binding the glucocorticoid receptor, thus inhibiting its transcriptional activity. This was further confirmed by specific STAT6 gene silencing followed by dexamethasone treatment. Finally, JAK1/2-STAT6 pathway inhibition by ruxolitinib, an FDA approved drug, in cell line models and in one T-LBL primary sample led to cell proliferation reduction and increased apoptosis. Globally, our results identify a new potential prognostic marker and suggest a novel therapeutic approach to overcome therapy resistance in pediatric T-LBL patients.

Pornography and Sexual Violence Against Women in India: A Scoping Review

In recent decades, surge in the usage of pornography is promoting a severe negative impact on health and well-being throughout the world. In recent times, there is a surge in rape cases in India. There may be a relation between pornography addiction and an increase in sexual crime against women. This review aims to document the association between sexual violence and addiction to pornography in India. Six original articles were retrieved from databases for the initial review of the literature, such as PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, CINAHL plus, and PubMed Central. Out of the six included cross-sectional research, 50% reported primary (sample sizes range from 100 to 600), 33.3% secondary data, and 16.7% study assessed data from Google trend. Only 16.7% of included articles unveiled a significant association between the number of Internet users and increased sexual violence (rapes and or crimes) toward females that revealed an insignificant association when variables were controlled. About 33.3% of studies reported that the male gender was more vulnerable to pornography addiction among medical students than females. Pornography search had no significant association with literacy level. Female population ratio in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes positively and urbanization and female workforce participation negatively impacted crime against women.

083 Circadian Preference is Associated with Impulsivity at Both the Trait and State Level

Introduction Impulsivity is a multifaceted construct with well-documented risk for substance use problems. A circadian preference towards eveningness has been linked to trait, global impulsivity. Here we extend existing literature by investigating whether eveningness is associated with multiple facets of impulsivity at both trait- and state-level impulsivity. We also examined these associations utilizing daily measures of sleep timing and duration. Methods The primary sample included 78 moderate-to-heavy social drinkers (aged 21–35, 100% White men) with circadian preference data (Composite Scale of Morningness: CSM). Five facets of impulsivity were assessed via the UPPS-P, both at baseline (full scale) and up to 6 times per day over 10 days (reduced scale). Daily sleep timing (midsleep) and duration were assessed via self-report over 10 days. Multilevel models were used to examine between- and within-person associations, accounting for covariates and correcting for multiple comparisons. Results Between-person models found that eveningness was associated with multiple facets of impulsivity, at trait (lack of perseverance) and state levels (negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of perseverance, and lack of premeditation). However, average midsleep and duration were generally unrelated to impulsivity when accounting for circadian preference. Within-person models in the primary sample largely paralleled the between-person findings. In a larger, more diverse sample (29.1% self-identified as Black, 29.7% female) without CSM data, later midsleep timing was associated with greater mean state-level impulsivity across multiple facets. These effects largely appear to be driven by White women. Conclusion A circadian preference for eveningness is strongly associated with multiple facets of impulsivity, at both trait- and state-levels, potentially increasing risk for substance use. This association does not appear to be driven by actual daily sleep timing and/or duration. Future research with objective measures of sleep in larger, more diverse samples will be important to clarify implications for sleep-focused prevention and/or treatment of substance use. Support (if any) Supported by grants from NIH (R01AA026249; K01 AA021135), as well as a Foundation Grant from ABMRF/The Foundation for Alcohol Research.

Automation of the Whole-Blood Thiopurine S-Methyltransferase (TPMT) Phenotyping Assay Using the Biomek NXP and Biomek i5 Liquid-Handling Workstations

Assessment of thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) status is required before commencing thiopurine treatment to reduce the potential for adverse drug reactions. Our laboratory has provided a national TPMT phenotyping service since 2003. Our assay uses 6-thioguanine as substrate and detection of 6-methylthioguanine via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fluorescence. Here, we report the automation of this complex, labor-intensive, manual assay using the Biomek NXP and Biomek i5 liquid-handling workstations. We optimized assay performance and validated for precision, linearity, and lower limit of quantitation. We also compared results from the manual and automated methods. Primary sample mixing and aliquoting were performed on the Biomek NXP. On-board inversions ( n = 10) replaced offline mixing. No carryover was observed. Eleven percent of primary sample tubes were incompatible with the Biomek NXP, and these were assayed manually. The Biomek i5 was used to automate the enzyme assay. Optimum vortex mixing was achieved at 2500 rpm for 60 s, and the temperature was set to 37.0 °C for the 60 min enzyme incubation. Intra- and inter-assay precision were excellent, with coefficients of variation (CVs) of ≤2.3% and ≤7.4%, respectively, for patient samples. Linearity was demonstrated up to 199 mIU/L ( R2 = 0.992), with a lower limit of quantitation of 3.9 mIU/L. Correlation between the manual and automated methods was good ( R2 = 0.979, n = 405), with results being interchangeable. We have successfully developed and validated a novel automated method for the TPMT phenotyping enzyme assay. The two methods are cost-neutral. Automation of other complex enzyme assays may be possible using this approach.

Test of “gentleman and dog” drawn by deaf and hard of hearing children

Objectives. The aim of the study was to highlight the specific features in the “gentleman and dog” drawings of children with hearing impairment who experience problems with verbalization. Sample and setting. The primary sample was 53 preschool children with hearing impairment. The design of the research was mixed. The drawings were qualitatively analysed with an enumeration of character frequency. The hypotheses were verified by a two-factor analysis and a two-sample T-test. Hypotheses. H1 There is no relation between the level of intelligence and the drawing. H2 There is no relation between the drawing and the sex of the child. H3 There is no relation between the drawing and the age of the child. H3 There is no relation between the drawing and the hearing impairment of the parents. Statistical analysis. There was a correlation between the results in the IQ test and the raw scores of the gentleman drawing at the level of 0.05 and the IQ test results and the raw scores of the dog drawing at level 0.01. The relationship between the sex, age, and level of the gentleman drawing has not been established. In the case of dog drawing, a statistically significant effect on the significance level of 0.05 only for sex (F (1, 48) = 6.15, p = 0.02) was demonstrated. In the event of the influence of the hearing impairment of parents on the child drawing, a statistically significant relationship was not supported. Results. Drawings of “gentleman and dog” of children with hearing impairment show signs of a lower developmental level by one to two years compared to hearing peers. Limits of the study. From the point of view of statistical processing requirements, the number of respondents may be considered to be limiting, but this is 80% of the selected population.