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The structure of the accretion flow on to supermassive black holes is not well understood. Standard disc models match to zeroth-order in predicting substantial energy dissipation within optically thick material producing a characteristic strong blue/ultraviolet continuum. However, they fail at reproducing more detailed comparisons to the observed spectral shapes along with their observed variability. Based on stellar mass black holes within our Galaxy, accretion discs should undergo a transition into an X-ray hot, radiatively inefficient flow, below a (mass scaled) luminosity of |$\sim 0.02\, L_{\rm {Edd}}$|⁠. While this has been seen in limited samples of nearby low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGN) and few rare changing-look AGN, it is not at all clear whether this transition is present in the wider AGN population across cosmic time. A key issue is the difficulty in disentangling a change in spectral state from increased dust obscuration and/or host galaxy contamination, effectively drowning out the AGN emission. Here, we use the new eROSITA eFEDS Survey to identify unobscured AGN from their X-ray emission, matched to excellent optical imaging from Subaru's Hyper Suprime-Cam; allowing the subtraction of the host galaxy contamination. The resulting, uncontaminated, AGN spectra reveal a smooth transition from a strongly disc-dominated state in bright AGN, to the collapse of the disc into an inefficient X-ray plasma in the low-luminosity AGN, with the transition occurring at |$\sim 0.02\, L_{\rm {Edd}}$|⁠ ; revealing fundamental aspects of accretion physics in AGN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work engagement is crucial for organisational success, yet many organisations struggle with low engagement rates. Previous research hints at a potential link between reverse mentoring and work engagement, prompting a deeper investigation into this relationship. Drawing from the Job Demands‐Resources (JD‐R) framework and Social Exchange Theory (SET), this study examines the impact of reverse mentoring on work engagement, with knowledge sharing as a mediating factor and self‐efficacy and perceived organisational support as moderators. Through a survey of 340 middle managers across 10 multinational corporations in Sri Lanka, the study reveals significant effects between reverse mentoring and work engagement, with knowledge sharing playing a crucial mediating role. Additionally, the study demonstrates the moderating influences of self‐efficacy and perceived organisational support on work engagement and knowledge sharing, thus contributing novel insights to the existing literature in the shade of JD‐R and SET perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black-hole (BH) high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) systems are likely to be the progenitors of BH-BH mergers detected in gravitational waves by LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA (LVK). Yet merging BHs reach higher masses (∼100 M⊙) than BHs in HMXBs (∼20 M⊙) and typically exhibit lower spins (aBH ≲ 0.25 with a larger values tail) than what is often claimed for BHs in HMXBs (aBH ≳ 0.9). This could suggest that these two classes of systems belong to different populations, but here we show that this may not necessarily be the case. The difference in masses is easily explained as the known HMXB-BHs are in galaxies with relatively high metallicity, so their progenitor stars are subject to strong mass loss from winds, leading to relatively low-mass BH at core collapse. Conversely, LVK is also able to detect BHs from low-metallicity galaxies that are known to naturally produce more massive stellar-origin BHs. However, the difference in spin is more difficult to explain. Models with efficient angular momentum transport in stellar interiors produce slowly spinning progenitors for both LVK and HMXB BHs. Known HMXBs have orbital periods that are too long for efficient tidal spin-up and are also unlikely to have undergone significant accretion spin-up. Instead, we show that the derived value of the BH spin depends strongly on how the HMXB accretion disc emission is modelled. We argue that since Cyg X-1 is never observed to be in a soft spectral state, the appropriate spectral models must take into account the Comptonisation of the disc photosphere. We show that such models are consistent with low spin values, namely: aBH ∼ 0.1. This was recently confirmed by other teams for both Cyg X-1 and LMC X-1 and here we show this is also the case for M33 X-7. We conclude that all known HMXB BHs can exhibit a low spin, in accordance with the results of stellar evolution models. Hence, the observations presented in this work are consistent with LVK BHs and HMXB BHs belonging to the same population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handwritten character recognition remains a challenging task in various domains, including handwriting analysis and document digitization. This task poses a significant challenge because of the variability and complexity of handwriting. To address this, it is crucial to develop different methodologies that enhance accuracy and efficiency in recognition. This research evaluates the discrimination capacity of a classifier that combines together the Hu Moments features extraction technique and the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm for the purpose of handwritten character recognition. The authors worked with handwritten characters from the English alphabet where each character is represented in two handwritten forms. The average accuracy of recognition was 82.69%, that conforms the efficiency of the proposed classifier. This research contributes to the field of automated handwritten recognition and highlights the necessity for improved techniques in character analysis, which has implications for handwriting recognition in different contexts, linguistic studies, document digitization, and other applications where character recognition is crucial. This is the first study that aims to apply the combination of Hu Moments features extraction technique in combination with the KNN algorithm for purpose of handwritten character recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: Eteplirsen, approved in the US for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with exon 51 skip‐amenable variants, is associated with attenuated ambulatory/pulmonary decline versus DMD natural history (NH). We report overall survival in a US cohort receiving eteplirsen and contextualize these outcomes versus DMD NH. Methods: US patients with DMD receiving eteplirsen were followed through a patient support program, with data collected on ages at eteplirsen initiation and death/end of follow‐up. Individual DMD NH data were extracted by digitizing Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves from published systematic and targeted literature reviews. Overall survival age was analyzed using KM curves and contextualized with DMD NH survival curves; subanalyses considered age groups and duration of eteplirsen exposure. Overall survival time from treatment initiation was also evaluated. Results: A total of 579 eteplirsen‐treated patients were included. During a total follow‐up of 2119 person‐years, median survival age was 32.8 years. DMD NH survival curves extracted from four publications (follow‐up for 1224 DMD NH controls) showed overall pooled median survival age of 27.4 years. Eteplirsen‐treated patients had significantly longer survival from treatment initiation versus age‐matched controls (age‐adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44–0.98; p <.05). Longer treatment exposure was associated with improved survival (HR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05–0.41; p <.001). Comparisons using different DMD NH cohorts to address common risks of bias yielded consistent findings. Discussion: Data suggest eteplirsen may prolong survival in patients with DMD across a wide age range. As more data become available, the impact of eteplirsen on survival will be further elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive broad-band reverberation mapping campaigns have shown that AGN variability is significantly more complex than expected from disc reverberation of the variable X-ray illumination. The UV/optical variability is highly correlated and lagged, with longer lags at longer wavelengths as predicted, but the observed time-scales are longer than expected. Worse, the UV/optical light curves are not well correlated with the X-rays, which should drive them. Instead, we consider an intrinsically variable accretion disc, where slow mass accretion rate fluctuations are generated in the optical-UV disc, propagating down to modulate intrinsically faster X-ray variability from the central regions. We match our model to Fairall 9, a well-studied AGN with L ∼ 0.1 L Edd, where the spectrum is dominated by the UV/EUV. Our model produces light curves where the X-rays and UV have very different fast variability, yet are well correlated on longer time-scales, as observed. It predicts that the intrinsic variability has optical/UV leading the X-rays, but including reverberation of the variable EUV from an inner wind produces a lagged bound-free continuum that matches the observed UV-optical lags. We conclude that optical/UV AGN variability is likely driven by intrinsic fluctuations within the disc, not X-ray reprocessing: the observed longer than expected lags are produced by reverberation of the EUV illuminating a wind, not by X-ray illumination of the disc: the increasing lag with increasing wavelength is produced by the increased contribution of the (constant lag) bound-free continuum to the spectrum, rather than indicating intrinsically larger reverberation distances for longer wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumococcal disease (PD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children, particularly in the youngest age groups. This study aimed to assess the incidence of PD over time by age group in young children with commercial or Medicaid coverage in the US. Episodes of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), all-cause pneumonia (ACP), and acute otitis media (AOM) were identified in the MarketScan® Commercial and Medicaid claims databases using diagnosis codes among children aged ≤ 48 months with confirmed date of birth (DoB), at any time during the study period (1998–2019). DoB was assigned using diagnosis codes for birth or delivery using the child's or mother's medical claims to ensure accurate age determination. Annual incidence rates (IRs) were calculated as number of disease episodes/100,000 person-years (PY) for IPD and ACP and episodes/1,000 PY for AOM, for children aged 0–6, 7–12, 12–24, and 25–48 months. Annual IPD IRs declined from 53 to 7 episodes/100,000 PY between 1998 and 2019 in commercially-insured and 58 to 9 episodes/100,000 PY between 2001 and 2019 in Medicaid-insured children. Annual ACP IRs declined from 5,600 to 3,952 episodes/100,000 PY, and from 6,706 to 4,521 episodes/100,000 PY, respectively, over these periods. In both populations, children aged 0–6 months had the highest incidence of IPD and inpatient ACP. Annual AOM IRs declined from 1,177 to 738 episodes/1,000 PY (commercially-insured) and 633 to 624 episodes/1,000 PY (Medicaid-insured), over these periods. IRs were higher in rural vs. urban areas for all disease manifestations. Incidence rates of IPD, ACP, and AOM decreased in children with commercial insurance and Medicaid coverage from 1998 to 2019. However, burden of disease remained substantial, with higher annual IRs for IPD and ACP for Medicaid-insured vs. commercially-insured children. IPD and inpatient ACP were most common in the youngest children 0–6 months old, followed by the 7–12-month age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a diverse group of inherited diseases that affect the innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to symptoms and signs related to infections, autoimmunity, and allergies. There is a remarkable correlation between IEI and endocrinopathies. Our study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical, immunological, and endocrine features of our IEI patient Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of IEI patients from our clinic. Results: Our study included 40 patients (23 men, 17 women) with a median age of 37 years (range:24-66). The predominant clinical phenotype observed was primary antibody deficiencies (92.5%). Only two patients had a genetic diagnosis: one with a pathogenic variant in the nuclear factor-kappaB2 deficiency (NFKB2) and another in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) genes. At diagnosis, only one patient had endocrinopathies, but during the last visit 13 patients (32.5%) developed at least one endocrine pathology, among which thyroid disease was the most common. Thyroid disease was present in 11 patients (four with thyroid nodules, three with primary hypothyroidism, two with primary hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules, one with secondary hypothyroidism, one with Graves' disease). Additionally, adrenal insufficiency was observed in five patients and primary hypoparathyroidism was found in one patient. The patient diagnosed with NFKB2 deficiency was investigated for potential endocrine disorders that could accompany the genetic defect, despite the absence of clinical symptoms. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with central adrenal insufficiency following these investigations. Another patient in our study had primary adrenal insufficiency, primary hypoparathyroidism, thyroid nodule, and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. No mutations in the autoimmune regulatory and forkhead box protein P3 genes were detected in the targeted genome sequencing. Further genetic examination was planned for this patient. Conclusion: In our study, endocrinopathy was a frequent comorbidity observed in our IEI patients. We believe that establishing appropriate screening programs for endocrinopathies in IEI patients is crucial to guiding healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Romanian version of short form of Fear of Dental Pain questionnaire (s-FDPQ), modified by adding an item about dental implant insertion. Material and methods: The design of the study was cross-sectional. Data were collected through an online questionnaire completed by university students, administered from January to March 2024. The survey included information about past dental treatments, the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), and items of s-FDPQ. Results: 186 participants were included in the study. The Romanian version of the modified s-FDPQ had a good reliability Sperman-Brown coefficient is 0.878, and Cronbach alpha is 0.92. The questionnaire had a good convergent validity, with all items being moderately correlated with the DAS score. The one-factor model was tested and has a good fit according to the confirmatory factor analysis. The participants were afraid of pain mostly regarding having a wisdom tooth extracted or a dental implant inserted. A statistically significant higher fear of dental pain was observed in those who did not previously have a root canal treatment (p=0.008) and in those who had dental implants in the past (p=0.046). Those attending regular dental checkups had lower levels of fear of dental pain. Conclusion: The Romanian version of s-FDPQ, modified by adding a question about dental implant insertion, has good reliability and validity. Fear of dental pain seemed to be influenced by features of dental procedures and previous dental experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LEO satellite constellations can provide a viable alternative to expand connectivity to remote, isolated geographical areas and complement existing IoT terrestrial communication infrastructures. This paper aims to improve LEO satellite communications by implementing a new phased antenna array system that can significantly improve the radio communication link’s performance. By adjusting the progressive phase shift to each element of the antenna array system, the direction of the main radiation lobe of the phased antenna array system can be controlled with accuracy. As far as we know, it is the first time that a four-element, three-quarter wavelength phased antenna array system has been successfully realized with the intention of being optimized for implementation in LEO IoT satellite reception systems. The proposed system’s high level of performance is confirmed by the measurements, which indicate effective control of the main radiation lobe orientation. The numerical analysis shows a maximum gain close to 12 dBi for about 42◦ elevation, a Half Power Beamwidth (HPBW) of 32◦ in the vertical plane, and 80◦ in the azimuth plane. The experimental measurement results at various main lobe orientation angles revealed an HPBW ranging from 76◦ to 87◦ in the azimuth plane and a maximum Front-to-Back ratio (F/B) of 14.5 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stellar-mass black hole binary systems in the luminous X-ray states show a strong quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in their Comptonized emission. The frequency of this feature correlates with the ratio of a disc to Comptonized emission rather than with total luminosity. Hence, it changes dramatically during spectral transitions between the hard and soft states. Its amplitude is also strongest in these intermediate states, making them an important test of QPO models. However, these have complex spectra which generally require a disc and two separate Comptonization components, making it difficult to uniquely derive the spectral parameters. We build a new energy-conserving model of the accretion flow, SSsed model, which assumes a fixed radial emissivity but with a changing emission mechanism. This is similar to the agnsed model in xspec but tuned to be more suitable for stellar mass black holes. It uses a combination of the disc luminosity and temperature to constrain the inner radius of the (colour temperature corrected) blackbody disc, separating this from the more complex Comptonization spectra emitted inwards of this radius. We show a pilot study of this model fit to hundreds of RXTE spectra of the black hole binary XTE J1550 − 564. We show that the derived disc radius tightly anticorrelates with the central frequencies of the low-frequency QPO detected in the same observations. The relation is consistent with the quantitative predictions of Lense–Thirring precession of the entire inner Comptonization regions for the assumed system parameters. This supports the scenario that low-frequency QPOs are caused by Lense–Thirring precession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New X-ray polarization results are challenging our understanding of the accretion flow geometry in black hole binary systems. Even spectra dominated by a standard disc can give unexpected results, such as the high-inclination black hole binary 4U 1630−472, where the observed X-ray polarization is much higher than predicted. This system also shows a strong, highly ionized wind, consistent with thermal-radiative driving from the outer disc, leading to speculation that scattering in the wind is responsible for the unexpectedly high polarization degree from a standard optically thick disc. Here, we show that this is not the case. The optically thin(ish) wind polarizes the scattered light in a direction orthogonal to that predicted from a standard optically thick disc, reducing about 2 per cent rather than enhancing the predicted polarization of the total emission. This value is consistent with the polarization difference between the disc-dominated soft state, where absorption lines by the wind are clearly seen, and the steep power-law state, where no absorption lines are seen. If this difference is genuinely due to the presence or absence of wind, the total polarization direction must be orthogonal to the disc plane rather than parallel as expected from optically thick material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preoperative chemotherapy, or neoadjuvant therapy (NAC) can be used to improve resectability but can also have hepatotoxic effects on the future liver remnant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of NAC on 30-day morbidity among patients undergoing a resection of primary colon cancer and synchronous liver metastases (sLM). Methods: This was a retrospective study using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2012–2020). The association between NAC and 30-day overall morbidity, the primary outcome, was assessed. Subgroup analyses for low and high-risk procedures were performed. Results: Among 968 patients who underwent the combined resection, 571 (58.99%) received NAC. There was a lower rate of 30-day overall morbidity among patients who received NAC (34.50% vs. 41.56%, p = 0.026) and no difference in rates of postoperative liver failure, bile leak, need for invasive intervention for hepatic procedure, and anastomotic leak. On adjusted analyses, patients who received NAC had decreased odds of overall morbidity (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.97, p = 0.031) compared to patients who did not receive NAC. On subgroup analyses, patients who received NAC prior to a low risk combined resection had lower rates of overall morbidity on both adjusted and unadjusted analyses. Among those undergoing high-risk combined resections, there was no difference in overall morbidity. Discussion and Conclusion: Patients who are deemed to be candidates for preoperative chemotherapy can proceed with planned neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to combined resection of primary colon cancer and sLM as preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not appear to be associated with increased postoperative morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accretion disc model fitting to optical/UV quasar spectra requires that the highest mass black holes have the highest spin, with implications on the hierarchical growth of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies over cosmic time. However, these accretion disc models did not include the effects of relativistic ray tracing. Here, we show that gravitational redshift cancels out most of the increase in temperature and luminosity from the smaller radii characteristic of high spin. Disc models which include the self-consistent general relativistic ray tracing do not fit the UV spectra of the most massive quasars (log  M /M⊙ ≥ 9.5), most likely showing that the disc structure is very different to that assumed. We extend the relativistic ray tracing on more complex disc models, where the emission is not limited to (colour-temperature-corrected) blackbody radiation but can instead be emitted as warm and hot Comptonization. We demonstrate this on the broad-band (UV/X-ray) spectrum of Fairall 9, a local intensively monitored 'bare' active galactic nucleus (no significant intrinsic cold or warm absorption). We show that including relativistic corrections does make a difference even to these more complex models, but caution that the inferred black hole spin depends on the assumed nature and geometry of the accretion flow. Additionally, we make our model code publicly available, and name it relagn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast variability of the X-ray corona in black hole binaries can produce a soft lag by reverberation, where the reprocessed thermalized disc photons lag behind the illuminating hard X-rays. This lag is small, and systematically decreases with increasing mass accretion rate towards the hard–soft transition, consistent with a decreasing truncation radius between the thin disc and X-ray hot inner flow. However, the soft lag suddenly increases dramatically just before the spectrum becomes disc dominated (hard-intermediate state). Interpreting this as reverberation requires that the X-ray source distance from the disc increases dramatically, potentially consistent with switching to X-rays produced in the radio jet. However, this change in lag behaviour occurs without any clear change in hard X-ray spectrum, and before the plasmoid ejection event that might produce such a source (soft-intermediate state). Instead, we show how the soft lag can be interpreted in the context of propagation lags from mass accretion rate fluctuations. These normally produce hard lags, as the model has radial stratification, with fluctuations from larger radii modulating the harder spectra produced at smaller radii. However, all that is required to switch the sign is that the hottest Comptonized emission has seed photons that allow it to extend down in energy below the softer emission from the slower variable turbulent region from the inner edge of the disc. Our model connects the timing change to the spectral change, and gives a smooth transition of the X-ray source properties from the bright hard state to the disc-dominated states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the SOUX sample of ∼700 active galactic nucleus (AGN) to form average optical-ultraviolet (UV)-X-rays spectral energy distributions (SEDs) on a two-dimensional (2D) grid of M BH and L 2500. We compare these with the predictions of a new AGN SED model, qsosed , which includes prescriptions for both hot and warm Comptonization regions as well as an outer standard disc. This predicts the overall SED fairly well for 7.5 < log(M BH/M⊙) < 9.0 over a wide range in L / L Edd, but at higher masses the outer disc spectra in the model are far too cool to match the data. We create optical-UV composites from the entire Sloan Digital Sky Survey sample and use these to show that the mismatch is due to there being no significant change in spectral shape of the optical-UV continuum across several decades of M BH at constant luminosity. We show for the first time that this cannot be matched by standard disc models with high black hole spin. These apparently fit, but are not self-consistent as they do not include the General Relativistic effects for the emission to reach the observer. At high spin, increased gravitational redshift compensates for almost all of the higher temperature emission from the smaller inner disc radii. The data do not match the predictions made by any current accretion flow model. Either the disc is completely covered by a warm Comptonization layer whose properties change systematically with L / L Edd, or the accretion flow structure is fundamentally different to that of the standard disc models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accretion disc coronae (ADC) sources are very high inclination neutron star or black hole binaries, where the outer accretion flow blocks a direct view of the central source. The weak observed X-ray emission is instead produced mainly by scattering of the intrinsic radiation from highly ionized gas surrounding the source, the ADC. However, the origin of this scattering material is still under debate. We use the ADC source 2S 0921-630 (V395 Car) to test whether it is consistent with a thermal-radiative wind produced by the central X-ray source illuminating and puffing up the outer disc. This wind is clearly visible in blueshifted absorption lines in less highly inclined systems, where the source is seen directly through this material. Using the phenomenological photoionized plasma model, we first characterize the parameter that drives emission lines observed in 2S0921 in XMM–Newton and Chandra data. Following this, we run the Monte Carlo radiation transfer simulation to get scattered/reprocessed emissions in the wind, with the density and velocity structure obtained from the previous work. Our model agrees with all the wind emission lines in the Chandra high and medium energy grating spectra for an intrinsic source luminosity of L > 0.2  L Edd. This result strongly favours thermal-radiative winds as the origin of the ADC. We also show how high-resolution spectra via microcalorimeters can provide a definitive test by detecting blueshifted absorption lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK government is proposing to replace M‐level national award for special educational needs co‐ordination training, mandated for SENCos in England, with an unaccredited national professional qualification. Such downgrading of their qualification level is intended to significantly increase the number of qualified SENCos; however, this is likely to reduce SENCos' capacity to exercise 'advocacy leadership' in support of students at risk of marginalization and social exclusion. We reject a neoliberal political discourse of continual improvement that neglects the need for critical literacy and research‐informed inclusive practice on the part of SENCos, and suggest that endemic exclusionary practices in English schools are more likely to go unchallenged. The move towards nonaccredited SENCo status risks their deprofessionalisation, and this proposal is linked to an academisation agenda and efforts to normalize a trichotomised education system (comprising mainstream, 'special' and 'alternative' provision) by presenting such changes as an improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible light communications (VLC) are an emerging technology that is increasingly demonstrating its ability to provide wireless communications in areas where radio frequency (RF) technology might have some limitations. Therefore, VLC systems offer possible answers to various applications in outdoor conditions, such as in the road traffic safety domain, or even inside large buildings, such as in indoor positioning applications for blind people. Nevertheless, several challenges must still be addressed in order to obtain a fully reliable solution. One of the most important challenges is focused on further improving the immunity to optical noise. Different from most works, where on–off keying (OOK) modulation and Manchester coding have been the preferred choices, this article proposes a prototype based on a binary frequency-shift keying (BFSK) modulation and non-return-to-zero (NRZ) coding, for which the resilience to noise is compared to that of a standard OOK VLC system. The experimental results showed an optical noise resilience improvement of 25% in direct exposure to incandescent light sources. The VLC system using BFSK modulation was able to maintain a maximum noise irradiance of 3500 µW/cm2 as compared with 2800 µW/cm2 for the OOK modulation, and an improvement of almost 20% in indirect exposure to the incandescent light sources. The VLC system with BFSK modulation was able to maintain the active link in an equivalent maximum noise irradiance of 65,000 µW/cm2, as opposed to the equivalent 54,000 µW/cm2 for the OOK modulation. Based on these results, one can see that based on a proper system design, VLC systems are able to provide impressive resilience to optical noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Foreign body aspiration events are frequent in young children and in the geriatric population. They may result in several complications such as hypoxia, edema, cardiac arrest, and death. Recently, two commercially available devices, the LifeVac and DeChoker, have entered the market with the claim of relieving foreign body aspiration. Both devices are portable, nonpowered, suction devices that are being considered for use in large public spaces such as schools, airports, and malls despite previous studies detailing variable efficacy. In this study, we aim to contribute further data on the safety and efficacy of these devices through a fresh cadaver model. Methods: Commonly aspirated foods of three different sizes (saltines, grapes, and cashews) were placed at the level of the true vocal folds in a fresh cadaver. Three participants performed two trials with each food and device. Device use was performed to manufacturer specifications. Results: The DeChoker resulted in gross injury to the tongue and failed to remove the obstruction in all trials. LifeVac was successful in removing the barium‐moistened saltines but failed to remove all other foreign bodies. Both devices applied significant pressure to the tongue. Conclusion: With the exception of the LifeVac removing saltine crackers, all trials were entirely unsuccessful in relieving foreign body aspiration. Additionally, both devices may cause significant pressure and injury to the oral cavity in a clinical setting. We conclude bystanders should continue to follow International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation's guidelines on resuscitation to aid with relieving foreign body aspiration. Level of Evidence: 4 In this study, we test the efficacy of the LifeVac and DeChoker, two commercially available antichoking suction devices, to relieve foreign body aspiration. The devices were tested in a fresh cadaver model and found to show minimal to no success in removing the foreign bodies. We conclude these devices should not replace current International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation's recommendations for choking. Additional evidence is necessary to support the usage of these devices in a time‐critical event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the accretion geometry in Arakelian 120 using intensive UV and X-ray monitoring from Swift. The hard X-rays (1–10 keV) show large amplitude, fast (few-day) variability, so we expect reverberation from the disc to produce UV variability from the varying hard X-ray illumination. We model the spectral energy distribution (SED) including an outer standard disc (optical), an intermediate warm-Comptonization region (UV and soft X-ray), and a hot corona (hard X-rays). Unlike the lower Eddington fraction AGN (NGC 4151 and NGC 5548 at L / LEdd ∼ 0.02 and 0.03, respectively), the SED of Akn 120 (L ∼ 0.05 LEdd) is dominated by the UV, restricting the impact of reverberating hard X-rays by energetics alone. Illumination from a hard X-ray corona with height ∼10  Rg produces minimal UV variability. Increasing the coronal scale height to ∼100  Rg improves the match to the observed amplitude of UV variability as the disc subtends a larger solid angle, but results in too much fast variability to match the UV data. The soft X-rays (connected to the UV in the warm-Comptonization model) are more variable than the hard, but again contain too much fast variability to match the observed smoother variability seen in the UV. Results on lower Eddington fraction AGN have emphasized the contribution from reverberation from larger scales (the broad-line region), but reverberation induces lags on similar time-scales to the smoothing, producing a larger delay than is compatible with the data. We conclude that the majority of the UV variability is therefore intrinsic, connected to mass-accretion rate fluctuations in the warm-Comptonization region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuum reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can provide new insight into the nature and geometry of the accretion flow. Some of the X-rays from the central corona irradiating the disc are absorbed, increasing the local disc temperature. This gives an additional reprocessed contribution to the spectral energy distribution (SED) which is lagged and smeared relative to the driving X-ray light curve. We directly calculate this reverberation from the accretion disc, creating fully time-dependent SEDs for a given X-ray light curve. We apply this to recent intensive monitoring data on Fairall 9, and find that it is not possible to produce the observed ultraviolet (UV) variability by X-ray reprocessing of the observed light curve from the disc. Instead, we find that the majority of the variability must be intrinsic to the UV emission process, adding to evidence from changing-look AGN that this region has a structure which is quite unlike a Shakura–Sunyaev disc. We filter out this long time-scale variability and find that reprocessing alone is still insufficient to explain even the fast variability in our assumed geometry of a central source illuminating a flat disc. The amplitude of reprocessing can be increased by any vertical structure such as the broad-line region and/or an inner disc wind, giving a better match. Fundamentally though the model is missing the major contributor to the variability, intrinsic to the UV/EUV emission rather than arising from reprocessing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black hole X-ray binaries display significant stochastic variability on short time-scales (0.01–100 s), with a complex pattern of lags in correlated variability seen in different energy bands. This behaviour is generally interpreted in a model where slow fluctuations stirred up at large radii propagate down through the accretion flow, modulating faster fluctuations generated at smaller radii. Coupling this scenario with radially stratified emission opens the way to measure the propagation time-scale from data, allowing direct tests of the accretion flow structure. We previously developed a model based on this picture and showed that it could fit the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER ; 0.5–10 keV) data from the brightest recent black hole transient, MAXI J1820+070. However, here we show it fails when extrapolated to higher energy variability data from the Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope(HXMT). We extend our model so that the spectrum emitted at each radius changes shape in response to fluctuations (pivoting) rather than just changing normalization. This gives the strong suppression of fractional variability as a function of energy seen in the data. The derived propagation time-scale is slower than predicted by a magnetically arrested disc (MAD), despite this system showing a strong jet. Our new model jointly fits the spectrum and variability up to 50 keV, though still cannot match all the data above this. Nonetheless, the good fit from 3 to 40 keV means the quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) can most easily be explained as an extrinsic modulation of the flow, such as produced in the Lense–Thirring precession, rather than arising in an additional spectral-timing component such as the jet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RX J0134.2-4258 is one of the most super-Eddington narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies, on which we conducted a monitoring campaign from radio to X-rays. In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of its optical/UV spectra and broad-band spectral energy distribution. Our study shows that the preferred black hole mass of RX J0134.2-4258 is M BH ∼ 2 × 107 M⊙, giving a mass accretion rate through the outer disc of |$\dot{m}_{\rm out} \sim 20$| (assuming zero spin), compared to the observed luminosity ratio L bol/ L Edd ∼ 6. This reduction in radiative efficiency is expected for super-Eddington flows, as power can be lost via advection and/or disc winds. We find that the optical/UV lines of RX J0134.2-4258 resemble those from weak-like quasars (WLQs), as it has notably weak C iv and N v emission lines. It also has drastic X-ray variability, again similar to that recently observed in some other WLQs. However, WLQs have systematically higher masses (≳108 M⊙), and lower Eddington ratios (⁠|$\dot{m}_{\rm out} \sim 1$|⁠) than RX J0134.2-4258. We compare instead to the most extreme NLS1s, with similarly large |$\dot{m}_{\rm out}$| but smaller masses. These show similarly large reductions in radiative efficiency but their UV lines are not similarly wind dominated. We suggest a new category of weak-line Seyfert galaxies to describe sources like RX J0134.2-4258, and interpret its (so far unique) properties in a model, where the lower disc temperature in the higher mass black holes leads to the UV-line-driving mechanism, which enhances the super-Eddington radiation-pressure-driven wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black hole accretion discs can produce powerful outflowing plasma (disc winds), seen as blue-shifted absorption lines in stellar and supermassive systems. These winds in quasars have an essential role in controlling galaxy formation across cosmic time, but there is no consensus on how these are physically launched. A single unique observation of a stellar-mass black hole GRO J1655−40 was used to argue that magnetic driving was the only viable mechanism and motivated unified models of magnetic winds in both binaries and quasars. The alternative, X-ray heating (thermal-radiative wind), was ruled out for the low observed luminosity by the high wind density estimated from an absorption line of a metastable level of Fe  xxii. Here, we reanalyse these data using a photoionization code that includes cascades from radiative excitation as well as collisions in populating the metastable level. The cascade reduces the inferred wind density by more than an order of magnitude. The derived column is also optically thick, so the source is intrinsically more luminous than observed. We show that a thermal-radiative wind model calculated from a radiation hydrodynamic simulation matches well with the data. We revisit the previous magnetic wind solution and show that this is also optically thick, leading to a larger source luminosity. However, unlike the thermal-radiative wind, it struggles to reproduce the overall ion population at the required density. These results remove the requirement for a magnetic wind in these data and remove the basis of the self-similar unified magnetic wind models extrapolated to quasar outflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultraviolet (UV) bright accretion disc in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) should give rise to line driving, producing a powerful wind that may play an important role in AGN feedback as well as in producing structures like the broad-line region. However, coupled radiation-hydrodynamic codes are complex and expensive, so we calculate the winds instead using a non-hydrodynamical approach (the qwind framework). The original qwind model assumed the initial conditions in the wind, and had only simple radiation transport. Here, we present an improved version that derives the wind initial conditions and has significantly improved ray tracing to calculate the wind absorption self-consistently, given the extended nature of the UV emission. We also correct the radiation flux for relativistic effects and assess the impact of this on the wind velocity. These changes mean the model is more physical, so its predictions are more robust. We find that, even when accounting for relativistic effects, winds can regularly achieve velocities ≃(0.1−0.5) c , and carry mass-loss rates that can be up to 80 per cent of the accreted mass for black hole masses of 107−9 M⊙, and mass accretion rates of 50 per cent of the Eddington rate. Overall, the ratio of kinetic power carried by the wind to bolometric luminosity increases with mass accretion rate at a given black hole mass, unlike the constant fraction generally assumed in current cosmological simulations that include AGN feedback. The updated code, qwind3 , is publicly available in GitHub. 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cette étude examine la relation complexe entre la libéralisation multilatérale de la coopération économique et le protectionnisme politique dans la région scandinave. L'objectif est d'analyser l'impact de l'intégration économique sur les attitudes politiques vis-à-vis des politiques protectionnistes et d'étudier comment les pays scandinaves parviennent à établir un équilibre délicat entre la promotion du commerce ouvert et la sauvegarde de leurs industries nationales. La recherche combine des analyses de données quantitatives et des études de cas qualitatives pour examiner les défis et les opportunités résultant de la libéralisation multilatérale. Les résultats mettent en évidence les effets positifs de l'intégration économique sur la croissance et la coopération régionale, tout en abordant les préoccupations liées à la montée des sentiments protectionnistes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder characterized by hair loss, for which there are few treatment options. This claims-based study characterized recent real-world treatment patterns among patients in the USA with alopecia areata, including the subtypes alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis, in the first year after diagnosis of an episode of alopecia areata. Approximately 5% of all patients (adults (age ≥18 years), n=7,703; adolescents (age 12–17 years), n=595) had alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis. Corticosteroids were the most common first-line (1L) and second-line (2L) treatments. The mean time from diagnosis of alopecia areata to initiation of 1L treatment was 2.2 days for adults and 2.6 days for adolescents; mean 1L duration was 76.9 and 64.3 days, respectively. For adults (57.5%) and adolescents (59.7%) with 2L therapy, the mean time from 1L discontinuation to 2L initiation was 57.2 and 53.6 days, respectively; the mean duration of 2L treatment was 55.5 and 50.1 days, respectively. More patients with vs without alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis initiated 2L therapy (adults: 71.9% vs 56.8%; adolescents: 71.4% vs 58.9%). The proportion of days covered during the first year post-diagnosis was 36.7% (adults) and 34.1% (adolescents). These results highlight the substantial disease burden of alopecia areata and a need for more effective treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the mixed type equation with the nonlocal boundary condition and the initial condition. A uniqueness for the solvability of this boundary problem is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the most frequent Asn501 polar uncharged amino acid mutations upon important structural properties of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) Surface Glycoprotein RBD – hACE2 (human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) heterodimer. Mutations N501Y, N501T and N501S were considered and their impact upon complex solubility, secondary motifs formation and intermolecular hydrogen bonding interface was analyzed. Results and findings are reported based on 50 ns run in Gromacs molecular dynamics simulation software. Special attention is paid on the biomechanical shifts in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) [499-505]: ProThrAsn(Tyr)GlyValGlyTyr, having substituted Asparagine to Tyrosine at position 501. The main findings indicate that the N501S mutation increases SARS-CoV-2 S-protein RBD – hACE2 solubility over N501T, N501 (wild type): SASA N 501 S = 364.66 ± 3.2842 nm 2 , SASA N 501 T = 360 ± 3.4156 nm 2 , SASA N 501 = 359.56 ± 3.6473 nm 2 . The N501Y mutation shifts α -helix S-protein RBD [366-370]: SerValLeuTyrAsn into π-helix for t > 38.5 ns. An S-protein RBD [503-505]: ValGlyTyr shift from 3 10 -helix into a turn is observed due to the N501Y mutation in t > 33 ns. An empirical proof for the presence of a Y501-binding pocket, based on RBD [499-505]: PTYGVGY C α 's RMSF peak formation is presented. There is enhanced electrostatic interaction between Tyr505 (RBD) phenolic -OH group and Glu37 (hACE2) side chain oxygen atoms due to the N501Y mutation. The N501Y mutation shifts the Gly 502 S - Protein N - H ... O = C Lys 353 hACE 2 hydrogen bond into permanent polar contact; E (Gly 502 S - Protein N - H ... O = C Lys 353 hACE 2) N 501 Y = 4.816210332 kcal / mol ; E (Gly 502 S - Protein N - H ... O = C Lys 353 hACE 2) N 501 = 3.909532232 kcal / mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the concepts of fabrication, subjectivation and performativity are mobilised in an analysis of varied exclusionary practices in England's schools with particular reference to "off-rolling", defined by the national school inspectorate as the illegal removal of a student from a school roll in order to enhance academic performance data. This narrow definition has gained traction over a relatively short period of time, reflecting growing tension between economic and political rationalities as the former is prioritised and the power relations dictated by performativity intensify. Head teachers are required to negotiate normative demands to include and drivers to exclude according to market performance. "Off-rolling" is being fabricated as an object of knowledge, point of governance and policy technology, producing a taken-for-granted reality (that head teachers in England are circumventing legal school exclusion procedures), and illustrating a feature of performativity, namely, the generation of signifiers that reinforce the disciplines of market, management and performance. Following Foucault, the subjectivation and disciplining of head teachers implies dividing practices and ascription of deviant identities, specifically, that of gamer. However, the policy context of, and since, the 1990s has generated incentives to exclude while a concomitant policy discourse around inclusion has failed to eliminate educational exclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article covers the anticancer activities and mechanisms of action of Cu(II) complexes of flavonoid‐derived quercetin and 1,10‐phenanthroline ligands. The antiproliferative activity of the complex and its ligands was evaluated by MTT, ATP, and SRB viability assays in human lung cancer cells (A549, H1299). Findings for apoptosis were determined by fluorescent staining, flow cytometry analysis, and the M30 antigen method. In addition, the mechanism of action of the complex was investigated by Annexin V staining, caspase 3/7 activity, ROS formation, and cell cycle analysis. The involvement of caspases, thus, apoptosis was confirmed by rescuing cell death by using a pan‐caspase inhibitor (Z‐VAD‐FMK). Again, increased ROS levels in the cell showed that death may occur by apoptosis. For this reason, the accuracy of ROS‐induced apoptosis in cells has been proven as a result of the application of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), which is a ROS inhibitor. The efficacy of the complex was compared with Cisplatin and ligands. The results showed that the Cu(II) flavonoid complex is cytotoxic on lung cancer cells and may have the potential to act as an effective metal‐based anticancer drug with a lower IC50 over Cisplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will explore the ways in which behaviour features in the accounts of 'off rolling' processes in schools in England volunteered by participants – senior school leaders, SENCos and parents, in an ongoing multi-stranded research project. In addition to analysing these accounts, this paper draws on contextual features and concepts such as parrhesia and authenticity in a probing of methodological considerations. The status of such accounts as data will also be considered given the high stakes accountability environment in which school principals strive to fulfil their legal remit in the field of inclusion. The trustworthiness of findings in qualitative research is more usually the focus of attention; however, our studies to date imply that some professionals carefully manage the image of their school and visibility of exclusionary practices to the detriment of students with mental health and behavioural issues. The methodological implications of conducting research in politicised and highly sensitive areas will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses various topics within the issue, including the Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) program on school exclusion, the permanent and fixed term school exclusions in England, and the adoption of off rolling policy in the country.

This paper considers varied governmental initiatives in England and their implications for early years education, including: an Office for Standards in Education (2017. Bold Beginnings: The Reception Curriculum in a Sample of Good and Outstanding Primary Schools. Manchester: Ofsted) report entitled 'Bold beginnings' proposing curriculum changes in Reception teaching based on identified features of a small number of 'good' and 'outstanding' schools; Department of Education (2014. Early Years: Guide to the 0–25 SEND Code of Practice. London: DfE) advice for early years providers on special educational needs; and proposals from the same department for a single statutory baseline test in Reception. All assume a linear model of child development conceived as 'progress' and reflect moves to codify all aspects of child learning and early years professional practice. An alternative view of early years education drawn from poststructuralism is suggested here that affords more scope for intuitive practice and professional judgement in a child-centred approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have conducted a new long-term multiwavelength campaign on one of the most super-Eddington narrow-line Seyfert 1s (NLS1s) known, namely RX J0134.2-4258. In this first paper, we report deep simultaneous X-ray observations performed by XMM–Newton and NuSTAR on 2019 December 19, during which RX J0134.2-4258 was fortuitously at one of its lowest X-ray flux states. However, there is a clear rise above 4 keV which implies that the intrinsic source flux may be higher. The X-ray spectra observed between 1996 and 2019 show drastic variability, probably due to complex, variable absorption along the line of sight. Unusually, the soft X-ray excess appears extremely weak in all these spectra, even when the hard X-ray spectrum has a steep slope of Γ ≃ 2.2. We explore the spectral-timing properties of the new (low X-ray flux) and archival (high X-ray flux) XMM–Newton data, fitting their time-average, rms, and lag spectra simultaneously. The variability spectra indicate the presence of a very weak soft X-ray Comptonization component, whose shape is similar to the soft excess in normal super-Eddington NLS1s, but with flux relative to the power law which is lower by more than one order of magnitude. Above 4 keV the low-flux data are dominated by a different component, which lags with respect to the lower energy emission. This is consistent with an origin of reflection or partial covering absorption from low ionization material located within 100 R g. We interpret this as further indication of the presence of a clumpy disc wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated and highlighted the problems and opportunities within the book publishing industry's distribution practices. This is a summary of the Publishing Distribution Practices report, researched and produced in collaboration with Portland State University, Independent Book Publishers Association, and PubWest. This article addresses research and recommendations for becoming carbon neutral, delivering books cost effectively, utilizing print-on-demand, minimizing returns, and examining supply chain issues raised by the pandemic. Findings include starting with paper and emissions assessment for more eco-friendly publishing; emphasizing pre-orders, local and discounted delivery, trade organization membership, and POS systems for cost-effective delivery; limiting outsourcing to restrict supply chain disruptions; reducing print runs and promoting books more effectively to minimize returns; and utilizing print-on-demand for proof copies and gap runs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing interest in phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections, especially using phages that select for evolutionary trade-offs between increased phage resistance and decreased fitness traits, such as virulence, in target bacteria. A vast repertoire of virulence factors allows the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri to invade human gut epithelial cells, replicate intracellularly, and evade host immunity through intercellular spread. It has been previously shown that OmpA is necessary for the intercellular spread of S. flexneri. We hypothesized that a phage which uses OmpA as a receptor to infect S. flexneri should select for phage-resistant mutants with attenuated intercellular spread. Here, we show that phage A1-1 requires OmpA as a receptor and selects for reduced virulence in S. flexneri. We characterized five phage-resistant mutants by measuring phenotypic changes in various traits: cell-membrane permeability, total lipopolysaccharide (LPS), sensitivity to antibiotics, and susceptibility to other phages. The results separated the mutants into two groups: R1 and R2 phenotypically resembled ompA knockouts, whereas R3, R4, and R5 were similar to LPS-deficient strains. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that R1 and R2 had mutations in ompA, while R3, R4, and R5 had mutations in the LPS inner-core biosynthesis genes gmhA and gmhC. Bacterial plaque assays confirmed that all the phage-resistant mutants were incapable of intercellular spread. We concluded that selection for S. flexneri resistance to phage A1-1 generally reduced virulence (i.e., intercellular spread), but this trade-off could be mediated by mutations either in ompA or in LPS-core genes that likely altered OmpA conformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkes Weber syndrome (PWS) is a rare disorder of limb hypertrophy and vascular abnormalities, including arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a refractory lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to AVMs in a patient with PWS. We describe the case of a 54-year-old woman with PWS who presented with refractory lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to extensive AVMs in the sigmoid colon and rectum. We review her colonoscopy and computed tomography imaging and ultimate surgical management, including a low anterior resection and diverting loop ileostomy. In rare cases, PWS can cause severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding. It is imperative to understand the role of surgical intervention in such cases of refractory lower gastrointestinal bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small‐scale study investigated the role of SENCos in England immediately prior to, during and following the first closure of schools nationally in March 2020 due to the Covid‐19 pandemic. A mixed‐methods research strategy comprising semi‐structured interviews and a national online survey generated data related to SENCos' involvement in strategic planning for crisis conditions, focusing specifically on students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and concerns about exclusionary practices. Findings suggest that pandemic conditions have exacerbated familiar issues related to the SENCo role and SEND provision in English schools, such as engagement in reactive firefighting, onerous workloads, uneven SENCo involvement in strategic planning, and schools' failure to prioritise students with SEND. Minimal evidence of 'advocacy leadership' or of SENCos challenging exclusionary practices was found. As in earlier research, evidence was also found for disparities between anecdotal and published data relating to illegal exclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although neuropsychiatric symptoms are reported in stroke survivors, details of its prevalence and patterns among young stroke subjects are sparse. Methods: In a hospital-based cross-sectional study in India, we recruited 150 young stroke subjects (aged < 45 years) and their caregivers > 3 months from ictus. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-12 (NPI-12) and self-reported depression with the Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D) scale. Descriptive statistics were used. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify associated factors. All statistical analyses were carried out using STATA ver. 14.2, StataCorp, TX, USA. Results: Eighty-four (56%; 95% CI: 47.7–64.1%) had ≥ 1 symptoms on the NPI-12 over median time from stroke of 2 years (IQR 2). Self-reported depression was seen in 71 (47.3%). Post-stroke epilepsy was associated with presence of at least one neuropsychiatric symptom. Dementia was associated with increased odds; and having spouse as principal caregiver with reduced odds, of self-reported depression. Multiple infarcts on imaging were associated with self-reported depression (OR: 3.29; 95%CI: 1.31–8.27) and presence of any neuropsychiatric symptom (OR: 3.55; 95% CI: 1.42–8.88). Conclusion: Young stroke survivors frequently have neuropsychiatric symptoms with depression being most common. Presence of multiple infarcts on imaging was associated with self-reported depression and presence of any neuropsychiatric symptom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We investigate how susceptibility to mass bleaching varies between closely related coral species, and the validity of applying these susceptibility data (at the appropriate taxonomic level) across geographical regions. We also conduct a preliminary analysis of factors likely to affect geographical variability and examine which data are required for adequate assessment of the risk to species and regional populations from repeated mass bleaching events. Location: Twenty‐two sites in the central Great Barrier Reef, Australia (GBR) and 30 sites in the central Maldives Archipelago (MA). Time period: 2002 for the GBR and 2016 for the MA. Major taxa studied: Corals (order Scleractinia). Methods: After marine heat‐wave conditions, timed in situ surveys recorded bleaching responses of 7,368 coral colonies exposed to similar levels of temperature stress at a similar depth of occurrence and with similar subsequent mortality. In each region, a separate phylogenetic mixed model was used to estimate deep‐time phylogenetic‐, contemporary‐ (indicative of recent adaptation/acclimatization) and local‐scale effects. The results were compared between regions in relative terms as a hierarchy of species susceptibilities. Results: Susceptibility varied widely between regions: 27 of 106 species analysed were in the same quartile for relative susceptibility in both regions. Closely related species varied widely in their individual susceptibilities. Phylogenetic effects were moderate in both regions, but greater contemporary effects in the MA suggested recent evolution and acclimatization, consistent with a stronger history of recent bleaching events. Main conclusions: The high regional and intrageneric variation in susceptibility to bleaching described here suggests that there might be important differences in the extent to which these Indian and Pacific Ocean coral populations are exhibiting responses to deep‐time evolutionary changes, on the one hand, versus recent adaptation, on the other. We reveal a concerning lack of regional‐scale data identifying species most at risk from this, the greatest current threat to coral reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports an unprecedented exploratory small‐scale investigation of the views of senior school leaders in southwest England relating to 'off‐rolling' (illegal exclusionary practices). 'Off‐rolling' is conceptualised as a policy technology, however, the conceptual framework used in data analysis derives from Foucault's treatment of power and pleasure, and the constitution in discourse of novel 'permanent realities'. Relations of force that senior school leaders routinely navigate in neoliberal education cultures characterised by 'performativity' are highlighted. The latter describes pressures to evidence efficiency and continual improvement, including high‐stakes performance monitoring and, in England, a national school inspection regime. The response rate to this online and predominantly qualitative survey was poor, which was attributed to the illegality of 'off‐rolling' and the risk that academic research in this area could be perceived to reproduce the power–knowledge relations associated with a national school inspection regime and familiar neoliberal political or professional discourses around training of education professionals (where both are framed as addressing deficits to achieve improvements). Nevertheless, findings from a key question inviting comment on scenarios drawn from the authors' teaching experience are presented here, as they highlight the issues arising in research of sensitive topics. Reliance on brief vignettes to explore levels of understanding was, arguably, a limitation of the study, risking participants interpreting this device as unwelcome external scrutiny. It is argued that Ofsted's definition of 'off‐rolling' as gaming (manipulation of academic performance data) effectively discourages recognition of exclusionary practices that are not irrefutably related to academic performance as such. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the impacts of tropical cyclones (TCs) that formed in monsoon and easterly environments on the major coastlines of the western North Pacific (WNP) basin during 1981–2009. The TC formation processes, defined as the development of tropical cloud cluster to TC, associated with monsoon environments (monsoon trough, monsoon confluence, and north of monsoon trough) are categorized into monsoon‐type TCs (monsoon‐TCs). Similarly, those associated with easterly flow environments (easterly flow west and southwest of subtropical high) are categorized into easterly‐type TCs (easterly‐TCs). Monsoon‐TCs form farther westward and at lower latitudes than easterly‐TCs, contributing to higher landfall proportion on the coastal countries for monsoon‐TCs. Monsoon‐TCs have a higher probability of affecting southern China, Taiwan and Vietnam, while easterly‐TCs tend to affect eastern China, southern Japan and the Philippines. Monsoon‐TCs have more widely dispersed rainfall and slower translation speed during landfall than easterly‐TCs. These characteristics are consistent with stronger environmental moisture transport and weaker steering flow in monsoon environments. Landfalling TC intensity and size are not different between easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs. Both easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs have interannual (1–4 years) and interdecadal (8–11 years) variability, which are related to variability of the large‐scale monsoon trough. El Niño–Southern Oscillation is significantly correlated with the interannual variability of easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs, and changes in the monsoon‐TC landfall proportion and easterly‐TC landfall intensity. The interdecadal variability mainly affects the background vorticity and cyclonic circulation, leading to changes in the formation number of easterly‐ and monsoon‐TCs. In summary, this study provides evidence for connections between multiscale variability of the large‐scale monsoon and easterly patterns, TC formation environments, and TC impacts on the WNP coasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the role of the SENCo during Covid‐19 pandemic conditions of school lockdown with partial reopening for children classified as 'vulnerable'. It is argued that the existing pressures and tensions already experienced by SENCos – for example, related to time, workload, status, and their prescribed managerial and strategic role – have been highlighted by pandemic conditions. Pressures resulting specifically from the pandemic are reflected by considering how SENCos will adjust to enact their role during this time. It is concluded that an advocacy role for pupils with special educational needs and disability, who are at risk of becoming increasingly marginalised within school and wider communities during this pandemic, should now be considered a central element of the SENCo's remit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the subjective experiences of participants who: (1) received a psychosocial intervention as part of an addiction recovery research trial, and (2) responded to treatment through drug reduction, with the intention of eliciting qualitative change processes of recovery. Design: Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews designed to capture detailed descriptions of participants' experiences of recovery within the intervention. Methods: Eleven participants who had achieved drug abstinence or significant drug reduction by successfully completing the psychosocial intervention took part in the study. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Five superordinate themes were identified relating to (1) An active, individualised and skills‐based intervention that validates a new way of being; (2) Staff that foster good working relationships based on trust and safety within services that do not stigmatise; (3) To be understood individually, historically and psychologically, and with regard to the pernicious relationship with drugs; (4) Motivation is personal, intrinsic, requires vigilance and is driven forward by periods of success through abstinence; and (5) Interpersonal connectedness is essential to recovery; family is a key reason to abstain and friendships can either facilitate or hinder success. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the success of the psychosocial intervention may be due to a combination of modality specific factors and also broader holistic aspects that were provided through intervention. Future research is required to generalise these findings to wider addiction populations. Practitioner points: Review of the evidence base suggests the need to move beyond testing addiction interventions and instead understand change processes through psychosocial intervention.Narratives of lived experience of those undergoing psychosocial intervention inform us that specific features relating to intervention, working relationship, motivation, identity and interpersonal factors instigate recovery.Practitioners should consider a multi‐faceted approach in designing and applying psychosocial intervention for addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This think piece argues for a novel qualitative methodology that permits social justice researchers, including National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination students, to highlight the profound affects of exclusionary school practices for parents of children with SEN and/or disabilities (SEND). Such children are proportionately effected by these practices. The piece was prompted by multi‐strand research into 'off rolling' (illegal exclusionary practices), in which 53 parents described the process through which their child was removed from roll and their relationship with the school's SEN coordinator (SENCo). A preview of the latter is given, which suggests that SENCos' capacity to influence senior leader decision making around exclusion can be limited. A 'wavelength methodology' permits the highlighting of moral injury and provokes difficult questions around school policy, discriminatory practices and SENCo efficacy in minimising exclusion of students with SEND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]