Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Mass-Metallicity Relation revisited with CALIFA

We present an updated version of the mass--metallicity relation (MZR) using integral field spectroscopy data obtained from 734 galaxies observed by the CALIFA survey. These unparalleled spatially resolved spectroscopic data allow us to determine the metallicity at the same physical scale ($\mathrm{R_{e}}$) for different calibrators. We obtain MZ relations with similar shapes for all calibrators, once the scale factors among them are taken into account. We do not find any significant secondary relation of the MZR with either the star formation rate (SFR) or the specific SFR for any of the calibrators used in this study, based on the analysis of the residuals of the best fitted relation. However we do see a hint for a (s)SFR-dependent deviation of the MZ-relation at low masses (M$<$10$^{9.5}$M$_\odot$), where our sample is not complete. We are thus unable to confirm the results by Mannucci et al. (2010), although we cannot exclude that this result is due to the differences in the analysed datasets. In contrast, our results are inconsistent with the results by Lara-Lopez et al. (2010), and we can exclude the presence of a SFR-Mass-Oxygen abundance Fundamental Plane. These results agree with previous findings suggesting that either (1) the secondary relation with the SFR could be induced by an aperture effect in single fiber/aperture spectroscopic surveys, (2) it could be related to a local effect confined to the central regions of galaxies, or (3) it is just restricted to the low-mass regime, or a combination of the three effects.
A comparative study on the mechanical, thermal, and water barrier properties of PLA nanocomposite films prepared with bacterial nanocellulose and cellulose nanofibrils

Mechanical, thermal, and water barrier properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) film reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) were studied and compared. The in-situ formation of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) on the BNC surface may aid in reducing the interchain hydrogen bonding and agglomeration of BNC fibers. At optimum loading, both CNF/PLA and BNC/PLA nanocomposite films exhibited higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus than the neat PLA without sacrificing its toughness. The BNC/PLA nanocomposite films displayed lower water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) as compared to neat PLA and CNF/PLA films at 0.5 and 1.0 wt%. BNC was found to induce imperfect crystal structures and exhibited higher overall crystallinity than neat PLA and CNF/PLA composites at 0.5 wt%. The BNC/PLA showed higher mechanical properties than CNF/PLA nanocomposites. Nanocellulose derived from plants and bacteria could provide promising solutions to develop high performance biobased-nanocomposites film for packaging application.
Towards an improved model of self-interacting dark matter haloes

We discuss the relation between the strength of the self-interaction of dark matter particles and the predicted properties of the inner density distributions of dark matter haloes. We present the results of N-body simulations for 28 galaxy cluster sized haloes performed with the same initial conditions for cold dark matter and for self-interacting dark matter with cross-sections ranging from 0.1 to 10 cm2/g. We provide a simple phenomenological description of these results and compare them to the semi-analytical model typically used in the literature. We find that some of the assumptions made in this model are not satisfied in the simulations. We identify the reasons for this disagreement and improve the semi-analytical model correspondingly. We discuss how simulation results can be properly compared with observations and in particular how quantities like the core radius and the inner dark matter surface density depend on the self-interaction cross-section.
Age, metallicity, and star formation history of spheroidal galaxies in cluster atz∼ 1.2

We present the analysis, based on spectra collected at the Large Binocular Telescope, of the stellar populations in seven spheroidal galaxies in the cluster XLSSJ0223 at $z$$\sim$1.22. The aim is to constrain the epoch of their formation and their star formation history. Using absorption line strenghts and full spectral fitting, we derive for the stellar populations of the seven spheroids a median age =2.4$\pm$0.6 Gyr, corresponding to a median formation redshift $ $$\sim2. 6_{-0.5}^{+0.7}$ (lookback time = 11$_{-1.0}^{+0.6}$ Gyr). We find a significant scatter in age, showing that massive spheroids, at least in our targeted cluster, are not coeval. The median metallicity is [Z/H]=0.09$\pm$0.16, as for early-types in clusters at 0$<$$z$<0.9. This lack of evolution of [Z/H] over the range 0$<$$z$$<$1.3, corresponding to the last 9 billions years, suggests that no significant additional star formation and chemical enrichment are required for cluster spheroids to reach the present-day population. We do not detect significant correlation between age and velocity dispersion $\sigma_e$, or dynamical mass M$_{dyn}$, or effective stellar mass density $\Sigma_e$. On the contrary, the metallicity [Z/H] of the seven spheroids is correlated to their dynamical mass M$_{dyn}$, according to a relation similar to the one for local spheroids. [Z/H] is also anticorrelated to stellar mass density $\Sigma_e$ because of the anticorrelation between M$_{dyn}$ and $\Sigma_e$. Therefore, the basic trends observed in the local universe were already established at $z\sim1.3$, i.e. more massive spheroids are more metal rich, have lower stellar mass density and tend to be older than lower-mass galaxies.
Acute Kidney Injury in Non-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Hospitalizations for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients who undergo hospitalization. Abundant evidence exists concerning the epidemiology of AKI in patients hospitalized in the ICU for COVID-19 but limited data are available about the occurrence of AKI in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients being hospitalized in a non-ICU setting. Aim and Methods: We have carried out a retrospective study to evaluate frequency and risk factors for AKI among patients consecutively admitted at a third-level university hospital starting from February 2020 (the beginning of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic); all patients were hospitalized outside the ICU. Results: A total of 387 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients were included in the current study; 372 (96.1%) had SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia. In-hospital AKI onset was recorded in 119 (30.7%) patients, mainly with AKI stage 1 (n = 74, 62.2%); eighteen (4.6%) patients reported AKI stage 3 and six (1.5%) patients had HD-dependent AKI. There were 235 (60.7%) patients with severe COVID-19, and this was more common in patients developing AKI, 94.5% (86/119) vs. 86.1% (149/268), p = 0.02. Multivariate regression model (n = 144 patients) reported an independent and significant relationship between AKI occurrence and greater levels of ferritin (p = 0.036), IL-6 (p = 0.032), and azotemia at admission (p = 0.0001). A total of 69 (17.8%) SARS-CoV-2-positive patients died and strong predictors of in-hospital death resulted from age (p < 0.0001), serum ferritin (p < 0.0001) and white blood cells (p < 0.001). According to multivariable analysis (n = 163 patients), there was a consistent link between in-hospital death and AKI stage (1) (p = 0.021) and -stage (2) (p = 0.009). Our results support the notion that AKI occurs frequently among hospitalized COVID-19 patients even in a non-ICU setting and plays a pivotal role in the mortality of this population. Further studies are ongoing in order to clearly establish the frequency of AKI in patients with COVID-19; the mechanisms underlying kidney injury in this population are an area of active investigation. These data provide solid evidence to support close monitoring of COVID-19 patients for the development of AKI and measures taken to prevent this.
PROBLEMS FOR MOND IN CLUSTERS AND THE LY α FOREST ?

The observed dynamics of gas and stars on galactic and larger scales cannot be accounted for by self-gravity, indicating that there are large quantities of unseen matter, or that gravity is non-Newtonian in these regimes. Milgrom’s MOdiﬁed Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) postulates that Newton’s laws are modiﬁed at very low acceleration, and can account for the rotation curves of galaxies and some other astrophysical observations, without dark matter. Here we apply MOND to two independent physical systems: Ly α absorbers and galaxy clusters. While physically distinct, both are simple hydrodynamical systems with characteristic accelerations in the MOND regime. We ﬁnd that, because MOND violates the strong equivalance principle, the properties of Ly α absorbers depend strongly upon the (unknown) background acceleration ﬁeld in which they are embedded. If this ﬁeld is small compared to their internal accelerations, then the absorbers are more dense and about ten times smaller than in Newtonian gravity with dark matter, in conﬂict with sizes inferred from quasar pair studies. If, however, the background ﬁeld is rather large, then the absorbers take on properties similar to those predicted in the CDM picture. In clusters MOND appears to explain the observed (baryonic) mass-temperature relation. However, given observed gas density and enclosed mass proﬁles and the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium, MOND predicts radial temperature proﬁles which disagree badly with observations. We show this explicitly for the Virgo, Abell 2199 and Coma clusters, but the results are general, and seem very diﬃcult to avoid. If this discrepancy is to be resolved by positing additional (presumably baryonic) dark matter, then this dark matter must have ∼ 1 − 3 times the cluster gas mass within 1 Mpc, and about ten times the gas mass with 200 kpc. This result strongly disfavors MOND as an alternative to dark matter.
From individual to collective pinning: Effect of long-range elastic interactions

We study the effect of long-range elastic interactions in the dynamical behavior of an elastic chain driven quasistatically in a quenched random pinning potential. This is a generic situation occurring in solid friction, crack propagation, wetting front motion, etc. In the strong pinning limit, the dynamic of the chain is controlled by individual instabilities of each site of the chain. Long-range correlations in the displacement field and in the force field develop progressively. The system self-organizes to a steady state where the propagation of the instabilities is described by scaling laws with characteristic critical exponents. These exponents are numerically estimated through the analysis of the spatio-temporal correlation in the activity map. Tuning the exponent $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ of the algebraic decay of the elastic interaction with the distance is shown to give rise to three regimes: a mean-field (MF) regime valid for $\ensuremath{\alpha}l1$ (very slow decay), a Laplacian regime for $\ensuremath{\alpha}g3$ (rapid decay of interactions), and an intermediate regime $1l\ensuremath{\alpha}l3$ where the critical exponents interpolate continuously between the MF and Laplacian limit cases. The latter regime is shown to display, in the range $1l\ensuremath{\alpha}l2,$ a mean-field-type character only for time correlations but not for space. The effect of the driving mode on the avalanche statistics is also analyzed.
High-field superconductivity in alloyed Mg B 2 thin films

We investigated the effect of alloying on the upper critical field $H_{c2}$ in 12 $MgB_2$ films, in which disorder was introduced by growth, carbon doping or He-ion irradiation, finding a significant $H_{c2}$ enhancement in C-alloyed films, and an anomalous upward curvature of $H_{c2}(T)$. Record high values of $H_{c2}^{\perp}(4.2) \simeq 35T$ and $H_{c2}\|(4.2) \simeq 51T$ were observed perpendicular and parallel to the ab plane, respectively. The temperature dependence of $H_{c2}(T)$ is described well by a theory of dirty two-gap superconductivity. Extrapolation of the experimental data to T=0 suggests that $H_{c2}\|(0)$ approaches the paramagnetic limit of $\sim 70T$.
Are men’s happiness and life satisfaction linked to why men die earlier than women? A panel study from 1981 to 2020 in 102 countries

The motivation for happiness research rather than GDP is becoming important to the role of many governments across the globe. When people are asked to list the key characteristics of a good life, they are more likely to include happiness, health, living well and longer. This study investigates whether factors that predict men’s happiness and life satisfaction explain why men die earlier than women. The present research analyses data (N=426,452; 51.90% females) collected by the World Value Survey from 1981 to 2020 in 102 countries, and from six continents. A multilevel random-effects regression analysis was conducted in which individuals were nested by countries. We investigated variations across nations, country-level of development, and geographical regions. Men were slightly less happy and less satisfied with their lives compared to women. State of health, household’s financial satisfaction, freedom of choice, family importance, and being married were positively associated with happiness/life satisfaction. In contrast, being men, being in a low-income household, or being unemployed were negatively associated with happiness/life satisfaction. Unemployed men and men who were living in Africa or the Middle East regions were less satisfied with their lives compared to women. The excess mortality burden on men is due to a mix of biological, behavioural, and social factors. Happy people may live longer because of underlying factors such as health status, household financial satisfaction, and social connections. Policies targeting men’s health and social connections are needed.
Online and Offline Assessment Methods in Higher Education: A Revisitation of EFL Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices

Assessment is a key component of the educational spectrum and engages teachers in evaluating students’ performance through various methods. During the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers employed various assessment methods through the online mode of teaching and learning; now, at the beginning of the end of the pandemic, teachers are back to practicing offline assessment methods. This study identifies English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ perceptions of online versus offline assessment methods in higher education. Furthermore, it targets the best skill-wise assessment methods and constraints that teachers can use when applying EFL assessment methods in both online and offline learning modes. To achieve the study objectives, a descriptive-diagnostic approach was applied; the data were collected from 61 EFL teachers through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The findings show that EFL teachers perceive assessment methods in the online mode of learning as being of a medium level of utility, whereas they perceive assessments in the offline mode of learning as being highly useful. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between the EFL teachers’ perceptions of the utility of assessment methods in offline and online modes of learning: the teachers perceived assessments as being significantly more useful in the offline mode of learning. It was also found that the greatest constraints of EFL assessment methods in an online learning mode are issues of cheating and impersonation, insufficient exposure to information technology, and lack of awareness of assistive evaluation tools. In the offline learning mode, the greatest constraints of EFL assessment methods are a lack of awareness of assessment methods and classroom management. In light of these new findings, a set of recommendations is suggested for further research.
Evidence for recent GeV brightening of the SN 1987A region

We report on a recent (2016-2018) enhancement of the GeV emission from the SN 1987A region as observed with Fermi/LAT. The observed signal is characterised by a power-law spectrum with a slope of 2.1 +/- 0.2 and is detected only at energies >1 GeV. The Fermi/LAT data constrain the position of the signal to within 0.15 degree around SN 1987A. Although a recent increase in the gamma-ray emission from SN 1987A seems to be a natural explanation for the detected emission, given the youth of the source and its rapid evolution, the Fermi/LAT location also overlaps with several other potential gamma-ray sources: 30 Dor C, Honeycomb nebula, RX J0536.9-6913, and a hypothetical, previously unknown transient source. We argue that multiwavelength observations of the region performed during the next few years can clarify the nature of the signal and encourage such observations. We also present upper limits on the time-averaged flux of SN 1987A based on 10 years of Fermi/LAT exposure, which can be used to better constrain the particle acceleration models of this source.
Parabolic induction and restriction via $C^{\ast }$-algebras and Hilbert $C^{\ast }$-modules

This paper is about the reduced group $C^{\ast }$-algebras of real reductive groups, and about Hilbert $C^{\ast }$-modules over these $C^{\ast }$-algebras. We shall do three things. First, we shall apply theorems from the tempered representation theory of reductive groups to determine the structure of the reduced $C^{\ast }$-algebra (the result has been known for some time, but it is difficult to assemble a full treatment from the existing literature). Second, we shall use the structure of the reduced $C^{\ast }$-algebra to determine the structure of the Hilbert $C^{\ast }$-bimodule that represents the functor of parabolic induction. Third, we shall prove that the parabolic induction bimodule admits a secondary inner product, using which we can define a functor of parabolic restriction in tempered representation theory. We shall prove in a sequel to this paper that parabolic restriction is adjoint, on both the left and the right, to parabolic induction in the context of tempered unitary Hilbert space representations.
Hydrophobic Magnetite Nanoparticles for Bioseparation: Green Synthesis, Functionalization, and Characterization

In this study, three types of hydrophobized alkyl-modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) comprising direct alkylated-MNPs (A-MNPs), silica-mediated alkyl MNPs (A-SiMNPs), and arginine (Arg)-mediated alkyl MNPs (A-RMNPs) were synthesized successfully. For this purpose, the co-precipitation method was used to synthesize, and octadecyl trimethoxy silane (OTMS) was used as a functionalizing agent. Accordingly, the hydrophobic octadecyl moieties were connected to MNPs. The nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, CHN, DLS, and zeta potential analyses. The synthesized coated MNPs represented a decrease in surface charge and magnetization alongside increased surface hydrophobicity and size. It was revealed that the alkylation process was successfully performed to all three MNPs, but A-SiMNPs showed the highest hydrophobicity. Additionally, the novel A-RMNPs, as the most biocompatible type, and A-MNPs showed the highest magnetization among the synthesized MNPs. The results indicate that synthesized NPs can play an important role in bio applications. However, it was revealed that alkyl chains are easily connected to all three MNPs, and that A-MNPs contained the highest alkyl chains and could affect the re-folding and denaturation process of recombinant proteins.
High-mass star formation at sub-50 au scales

Context. The hierarchical process of star formation has so far mostly been studied on scales from thousands of au to parsecs, but the smaller sub-1000 au scales of high-mass star formation are still largely unexplored in the submillimeter regime. Aims. We aim to resolve the dust and gas emission at the highest spatial resolution to study the physical properties of the densest structures during high-mass star formation. Methods. We observed the high-mass hot core region G351.77-0.54 with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array with baselines extending out to more than 16 km. This allowed us to dissect the region at sub-50 au spatial scales. Results. At a spatial resolution of 18/40 au (depending on the distance), we identify twelve sub-structures within the inner few thousand au of the region. The brightness temperatures are high, reaching values greater 1000 K, signposting high optical depth toward the peak positions. Core separations vary between sub-100 au to several 100 and 1000 au. The core separations and approximate masses are largely consistent with thermal Jeans fragmentation of a dense gas core. Due to the high continuum optical depth, most spectral lines are seen in absorption. However, a few exceptional emission lines are found that most likely stem from transitions with excitation conditions above 1000 K. Toward the main continuum source, these emission lines exhibit a velocity gradient across scales of 100–200 au aligned with the molecular outflow and perpendicular to the previously inferred disk orientation. While we cannot exclude that these observational features stem from an inner hot accretion disk, the alignment with the outflow rather suggests that it stems from the inner jet and outflow region. The highest-velocity features are found toward the peak position, and no Hubble-like velocity structure can be identified. Therefore, these data are consistent with steady-state turbulent entrainment of the hot molecular gas via Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities at the interface between the jet and the outflow. Conclusions. Resolving this high-mass star-forming region at sub-50 au scales indicates that the hierarchical fragmentation process in the framework of thermal Jeans fragmentation can continue down to the smallest accessible spatial scales. Velocity gradients on these small scales have to be treated cautiously and do not necessarily stem from disks, but may be better explained with outflow emission. Studying these small scales is very powerful, but covering all spatial scales and deriving a global picture from large to small scales are the next steps to investigate.
Model for self-consistent analysis of arbitrary MQW structures

Self-consistent computations of the potential profile in complex semiconductor heterostructures can be successfully applied for comprehensive simulation of the gain and the absorption spectra, for the analysis of the capture, escape, tunneling, recombination, and relaxation phenomena and as a consequence it can be used for studying dynamical behavior of semiconductor lasers and amplifiers. However, many authors use non-entirely correct ways for the application of the method. In this paper the versatile model is proposed for the investigation, optimization, and the control of parameters of the semiconductor lasers and optical amplifiers which may be employed for the creation of new generations of the high-density photonic systems for the information processing and data transfer, follower and security arrangements. The model is based on the coupled Schrödinger, Poisson's and drift-diffusion equations which allow to determine energy quantization levels and wave functions of charge carriers, take into account built-in fields, and to investigate doped MQW structures and those under external electric fields influence. In the paper the methodology of computer realization based on our model is described. Boundary conditions for each equation and consideration of the convergence for the method are included. Frequently encountered in practice approaches and errors of self-consistent computations are described. Domains of applicability of the main approaches are estimated. Application examples of the method are given. Some of regularities of the results which were discovered by using self-consistent method are discussed. Design recommendations for structure optimization in respect to managing some parameters of AMQW structures are given.