Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decoherence for a heavy particle interacting with a light particle: New analysis and numerics

We study the dynamics of a quantum heavy particle undergoing a repulsive interaction with a light one. The main motivation is the detailed description of the loss of coherence induced on a quantum system (in our model, the heavy particle) by the interaction with the environment (the light particle). The content of the paper is analytical and numerical. Concerning the analytical contribution, we show that an approximate description of the dynamics of the heavy particle can be carried out in two steps: first comes the interaction, then the free evolution. In particular, all effects of the interaction can be embodied in the action of a collision operator that acts on the initial state of the heavy particle. With respect to previous analytical results on the same topics, we turn our focus from the M{\o}ller wave operator to the full scattering operator, whose analysis proves to be simpler. Concerning the numerical contribution, we exploit the previous analysis to construct an efficient numerical scheme that turns the original, multiscale, two-body problem in two one-body problems which can be solved separately. This leads to a considerable gain in simulation time. We present and interpret some simulations carried out on specific one-dimensional systems by using the new scheme. Finally, we propose a new description of the mechanism of decoherence induced by scattering: decoherence is produced by an interference-free bump which arises from the initial state of the heavy particle immediately after the collision. We support such a picture by numerical evidence as well as by an approximation theorem.
An exploration of ethnic differences of the influences of home and school on the development of young people's educational expectations for university study between ages 14 to 16

Class analysis suggests a strong positive link between parental social position and adolescent educational expectations. Yet, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Black Caribbean pupils with disadvantaged parents maintain much higher expectations for university study compared to their white peers from more advantaged families. Ethnicity is key to understanding this paradox. Yet, quantitative research has not explained how ethnicity impacts on adolescent expectations or whose expectations it impacts most. This thesis investigates whether the longitudinal association between parental social position at age 14 and pupils expectations at age 16 is mediated by parent-child conflict, pupils’ homework engagement, feelings about school and pupils’ assessments of teacher effectiveness at pupils’ age 15, net of all prior influences at age 14. It then explores whether these mediational routes are moderated by maternal ethnicity. Ecological systems theory informs a longitudinal latent variable mediation model estimated on panel data from waves 1-3 of the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England. Parental social position at age 14 does not affect pupils’ expectations at age 16 via the hypothesised home and school factors at age 15. Its longitudinal influence is weak on white, modest on Black Caribbean and Pakistani and insignificant on Indian and Bangladeshi pupils’ expectations at age 16 casting doubt on classical sociological models. Moderation by maternal ethnicity strengthens the positive longitudinal influence of home-related factors on expectations and tones down the negative effect of family disadvantage or other negative influences particularly on South Asian pupils’ expectations at age 16. Pupils’ expectations at age 14 significantly impact on home and school factors and expectations at age 15 and are the primary indirect route of influence on expectations at age 16. Moderated by maternal ethnicity, this mediational mechanism allows South Asian pupils to develop and maintain higher expectations than white pupils despite family disadvantage.
Shock-heated Gas in the Large-Scale Structure of the Universe

Cosmological shock waves are a ubiquitous consequence of cosmic structure formation. They play a major role in heating baryonic gas in the large-scale structure of the universe. In this contribution we study the shock-heated gas in connection with shocks themselves, using a set of N-body/hydrodynamic simulation data of a ΛCDM universe. The distributions of shock speed and temperature of shock-heated gas should both reflect the depth of gravitational potential of associated nonlinear structures and thus their morphology. From their distributions we find, in addition to hot gas in and around clusters and groups and warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) with T = 105-107 K, mostly in filaments, that there is a significant amount of low-temperature WHIM with T < 105 K distributed mostly as sheetlike structures. The low-temperature WHIM was heated and collisionally ionized mainly by shocks with vsh ≲ 150 km s-1, while photoionization by the UV and X-ray background radiation is important for metal ions. Not only the WHIM with T = 105-107 K but also the WHIM with T < 105 K makes up a significant fraction of gas mass, implying that the low-temperature WHIM could be important in resolving the missing-baryon problem. The shock-heated gas in filaments and sheets are manifested best through emission and absorption in the soft X-ray and far-UV bands. We confirm that the WHIM with T = 105-107 K makes significant contributions to the soft X-ray background, absorption of highly ionized species such as O VII and O VIII in active galactic nucleus (AGN) spectra, and line emission from O VII and O VIII ions, as pointed out by previous studies. However, the WHIM with T < 105 K is the major contributor to the absorption of lower ionized species such as O V and O VI, because these photoionized ions are most abundant in sheets of low density and temperature. On the other hand, lines of O V (630 Å) and O VI (1032 Å) are emitted mostly from the WHIM with 105 < T < 106 K, because they are from collisionally excited ions.
Estimating the Number of Harmonics Using Enhanced Matrix

In this letter, we present a new method for estimating the number of harmonics in colored noise using enhanced matrix. We construct an enhanced matrix from the data samples and then analyze the eigenvalues of the covariance matrix of enhanced matrix. The number of harmonics is inherent with the eigenvalues, and it can be estimated using the special property of the eigenvalues. The presented method does not assume the distribution and color of the additive noise. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the presented method
Prevention of Chronic Renal Allograft Rejection by Soluble CD83

Background. Recombinant human soluble CD83 had previously exhibited significant immunosuppressive properties that involved interference with dendritic cell maturation in both mouse and humans, inhibition of autoimmunity in mice, and induction of antigen-specific mouse cardiac allograft tolerance when used in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs. Our current research focus turned to examining the effects of peritransplant soluble CD83 (sCD83) administration on prevention of chronic renal allograft rejection. Methods. Fisher344-to-Lewis orthotopic rat renal transplants were performed with sequential recipient killing on postoperative days (PODs) 2, 14, and 140 to examine both the acute and chronic effects of peritransplant sCD83 treatment in rat recipients. Results. Recipients treated with sCD83 exhibited a marked decrease in IgM and IgG deposition in the graft and antidonor antibody levels in the circulation, as early as POD14 and persisting until POD140. sCD83 treatment also reduced the infiltration of T cells and monocytes into the graft tissue and inhibited intragraft expression of MyD88 and inflammatory cytokine levels during the observation period. sCD83-treated grafts demonstrated normal histology beyond POD140, including dramatic reductions in tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis compared with untreated recipients. Conclusion. We have demonstrated that peritransplant treatment with recombinant sCD83 attenuates both innate and adaptive immune responses and leads to prevention of chronic rejection in a rat renal transplant model. Because sCD83 is of human origin, the therapeutic approach used in our rodent transplant model holds significant promise for clinical transplantation.
Are Obstetricians Following Best-Practice Guidelines for Addressing Pregnancy Smoking? Results from Northeast Tennessee

Background: In 2000, the American College of Obstetricians/Gynecologists (ACOG) established the 5 A’s method of brief smoking cessation counseling (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) as a standard component of prenatal care. The purpose of this study was to describe use of the 5 A’s in prenatal care in Northeast Tennessee, where pregnancy smoking rates are three times the national average, and to evaluate provider attitudes toward addressing pregnancy smoking. Method: Surveys were distributed to all obstetric practices in a 6-county area. Results: One-quarter of respondents indicated they always asked pregnant patients about smoking, with two-thirds always giving their pregnant smokers advice to quit. Over half reported always assessing willingness to quit, while one-quarter or fewer always provided quit assistance, or arranged follow up. Over half believed addressing smoking was of significant value. Secondhand smoke was infrequently addressed. Demographics, efficacy, and outcome beliefs predicted use of the 5 A’s. Conclusions: Most obstetric providers in Northeast Tennessee are not following ACOG recommendations for pregnancy smoking. Efforts to address pregnancy smoking and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes in the region should include facilitation of smoking cessation interventions in prenatal care.
Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist Increases Respiratory Variability and Complexity in Acute Respiratory Failure

Background:Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a partial ventilatory support mode where positive pressure is provided in relation to diaphragmatic electrical activity (EAdi). Central inspiratory activity is normally not monotonous, but it demonstrates short-term variability and complexity. The authors reasoned that NAVA should produce a more “natural” or variable breathing pattern than other modes. This study compared respiratory variability and complexity during pressure support ventilation (PSV) and NAVA. Methods:Flow and EAdi were recorded during routine PSV (tidal volume ∼6–8 ml/kg) and four NAVA levels (1–4 cm H2O/&mgr;VEAdi) in 12 intubated patients. Breath-by-breath variability of flow and EAdi-related variables was quantified by the coefficient of variation (CV) and autocorrelation analysis. Complexity of flow and EAdi was described using noise titration, largest Lyapunov exponent, Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy, and three-dimensional phase portraits. Results:Switching from PSV to NAVA increased the CV and decreased the autocorrelation for most flow-related variables in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, partial &eegr;2 for the CV of mean inspiratory flow 0.642). The changes were less marked for EAdi. A positive noise limit was consistently found for flow and EAdi. Largest Lyapunov exponent and Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy for flow were greater during NAVA than PSV and increased with NAVA level (P < 0.05, partial &eegr;2 0.334 and 0.312, respectively). Largest Lyapunov exponent and Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy for EAdi were not influenced by ventilator mode. Conclusions:Compared with PSV, NAVA increases the breathing pattern variability and complexity of flow, whereas the complexity of EAdi is unchanged. Whether this improves clinical outcomes remains to be determined.
Resistance alleles at two non-major histocompatibility complex-linked insulin-dependent diabetes loci on chromosome 3, Idd3 and Idd10, protect nonobese diabetic mice from diabetes

Development of diabetes in NOD mice is polygenic and dependent on both major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked and non-MHC-linked insulin-dependent diabetes (Idd) genes. In (F1 x NOD) backcross analyses using the B10.H-2g7 or B6.PL-Thy1a strains as the outcross partner, we previously identified several non-MHC Idd loci, including two located on chromosome 3 (Idd3 and Idd10). In the current study, we report that protection from diabetes is observed in NOD congenic strains having B6.PL-Thy1a- or B10-derived alleles at Idd3 or Idd10. It is important to note that only partial protection is provided by two doses of the resistance allele at either Idd3 or Idd10. However, nearly complete protection from diabetes is achieved when resistance alleles are expressed at both loci. Development of these congenic strains has allowed Idd3 to be localized between Glut2 and D3Mit6, close to the Il2 locus.
A Measurement Study of the Structured Overlay Network in P2P File-Sharing Applications

The architecture of P2P file-sharing applications has been developing to meet the needs of large scale demands. The structured overlay network, also known as DHT, has been used in these applications to improve the scalability, robustness of the system, and to make it free from single-point failure. We believe that the measurement study of the overlay network used in the real file-sharing P2P systems can provide guidance for the designing of such systems, and improve the performance of the system. In this paper, we perform the measurement in two different aspects. First, the modified client provides view to the overlay network from a single user vision. Second, the instances of crawler programs deployed in many nodes managed to crawl the user information of the overlay network as much as possible. We find vulnerability in the overlay network, combined with the character of the DNS service; a more serious DDos attack can be launched
Blind feedforward cyclostationarity-based timing estimation for linear modulations

By exploiting a general cyclostationary (CS) statistics-based framework, this letter develops a rigorous and unified asymptotic (large sample) performance analysis setup for a class of blind feedforward timing epoch estimators for linear modulations transmitted through time nonselective flat-fading channels. Within the proposed CS framework, it is shown that several estimators proposed in the literature can be asymptotically interpreted as maximum likelihood (ML) estimators applied on a (sub)set of the second- (and/or higher) order statistics of the received signal. The asymptotic variance of these ML estimators is established in closed-form expression and compared with the modified Crame/spl acute/r-Rao bound. It is shown that the timing estimator proposed by Oerder and Meyr achieves asymptotically the best performance in the class of estimators which exploit all the second-order statistics of the received signal, and its performance is insensitive to oversampling rates P as long as P/spl ges/3. Further, an asymptotically best consistent estimator, which achieves the lowest asymptotic variance among all the possible estimators that can be derived by exploiting jointly the second- and fourth-order statistics of the received signal, is also proposed.
Health and environmental consciousness, costs of behaviour and the purchase of organic food

This paper examines environmental and health consciousness, as well as behavioural costs and their effects on the purchase of organic products. The consumption of organic products is regarded as an investment in individual health. The low-cost hypothesis takes environmental attitudes and behavioural costs into account and is applied to organic food consumption. The survey conducted in three German cities in 2006 using self-administered questionnaires (n = 521) does not investigate willingness to pay but rather self-reported behaviour. The results of the regressions using the Heckman correction show that income does not affect the regularity of organic food consumption but that it does influence individual expenditure on organic food. Furthermore, there is an inverted u-shaped relation between age and the purchase of organic products. Although health consciousness has a stronger association with organic food consumption than does environmental concern, the interaction between behavioural costs and health or environmental consciousness shows no effect. Thus, the low-cost hypothesis is not supported.
Exploring indoor white spaces in metropolises

It is a promising vision to utilize white spaces, i.e., vacant VHF and UHF TV channels, to satisfy skyrocketing wireless data demand in both outdoor and indoor scenarios. While most prior works have focused on exploring outdoor white spaces, the indoor story is largely open for investigation. Motivated by this observation and that 70% of the spectrum demand comes from indoor environments, we carry out a comprehensive study of exploring indoor white spaces. We first present a large-scale measurement of outdoor and indoor TV spectrum occupancy in 30+ diverse locations in a typical metropolis Hong Kong. Our measurement results confirm abundant white spaces available for exploration in a wide range of areas in metropolises. In particular, more than 50% and 70% of the TV spectrum are white spaces in outdoor and indoor scenarios, respectively. While there are substantially more white spaces in indoor scenarios than in outdoor scenarios, there is no effective solution for identifying indoor white spaces. To fill in this gap, we propose the first system WISER (for White-space Indoor Spectrum EnhanceR), to identify and track indoor white spaces in a building, without requiring user devices to sense the spectrum. We discuss the design space of such system and justify our design choices using intensive real-world measurements. We design the architecture and algorithms to address the inherent challenges. We build a WISER prototype and carry out real-world experiments to evaluate its performance. Our results show that WISER can identify 30%-50% more indoor white spaces with negligible false alarms, as compared to alternative baseline approaches.
Discrete flat surfaces and linear Weingarten surfaces in hyperbolic 3-space

We define discrete flat surfaces in hyperbolic 3-space from the perspective of discrete integrable systems and prove properties that justify the definition. We show how these surfaces correspond to previously defined discrete constant mean curvature 1 surfaces in hyperbolic 3-space, and we also describe discrete focal surfaces (discrete caustics) that can be used to define singularities on discrete flat surfaces. We also examine discrete linear Weingarten surfaces of Bryant type in hyperbolic 3-space, and consider an example of a discrete flat surface related to the Airy equation that exhibits swallowtail singularities and a Stokes phenomenon.
Are oxidized shergottite‐like basalts an alternative to “andesite” on Mars?

We acquired new thermal emission spectra of oxidized synthetic Martian meteorite‐like basalts for comparison to Martian surface spectra acquired by the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS TES). We find that true thermal emission spectra of the oxidized basalts do not provide good spectral matches to the Martian spectra. By contrast, previous biconical reflectance spectra, converted to emission spectra, appeared to fit the Mars observations well. Attempts to model the mineralogies of the oxidized basalts using a linear deconvolution algorithm and an end member set previously used to derive mineralogies for the Martian surface were unsuccessful, suggesting that the oxidized basalts contain altered phases not present in the end member set. Successful modeling of Martian surface mineralogies using the end member set indicates that it sufficiently represents the phases present on the Martian surface and does not require the altered phases needed to model the oxidized basalt mineralogies. Although oxidized Martian meteorite‐like basalts may be viable analogues for some Martian materials, our results suggest that they cannot explain the two primary surface mineralogies measured by MGS TES.
Efficient semi-streaming algorithms for local triangle counting in massive graphs

In this paper we study the problem of local triangle counting in large graphs. Namely, given a large graph G = (V;E) we want to estimate as accurately as possible the number of triangles incident to every node υ ∈ V in the graph. The problem of computing the global number of triangles in a graph has been considered before, but to our knowledge this is the first paper that addresses the problem of local triangle counting with a focus on the efficiency issues arising in massive graphs. The distribution of the local number of triangles and the related local clustering coefficient can be used in many interesting applications. For example, we show that the measures we compute can help to detect the presence of spamming activity in large-scale Web graphs, as well as to provide useful features to assess content quality in social networks. For computing the local number of triangles we propose two approximation algorithms, which are based on the idea of min-wise independent permutations (Broder et al. 1998). Our algorithms operate in a semi-streaming fashion, using O(jV j) space in main memory and performing O(log jV j) sequential scans over the edges of the graph. The first algorithm we describe in this paper also uses O(jEj) space in external memory during computation, while the second algorithm uses only main memory. We present the theoretical analysis as well as experimental results in massive graphs demonstrating the practical efficiency of our approach.
Gut instinct.

Patients presenting with symptoms of pep- tic ulceration are often admitted to the medical unit of the hospital where I work. It is usually those with the more severe symptoms who come to the medical assessment unit, typically presenting with anaemia, malaen a and haematemesis. Not all of these patients require surgical intervention, although most undergo gas- troscopy with histological identification of Helicobacter pylori. Transfusion may be necessary if there is significant blood loss or anaemia, and close monitoring of vital signs is essential. Patient support and explanation of procedures is also important at this frightening time.
Refined asymptotics for the subcritical Keller-Segel system and related functional inequalities

We analyze the rate of convergence towards self-similarity for the subcritical Keller-Segel system in the radially symmetric two-dimensional case and in the corresponding one-dimensional case for logarithmic interaction. We measure convergence in Wasserstein distance. The rate of convergence towards self-similarity does not degenerate as we approach the critical case. As a byproduct, we obtain a proof of the logarithmic Hardy-Littlewood-Sobolev inequality in the one dimensional and radially symmetric two dimensional case based on optimal transport arguments. In addition we prove that the one-dimensional equation is a contraction with respect to Fourier distance in the subcritical case.