Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Possible observational effects of loop quantum cosmology

In this paper, we consider realistic model of inflation embedded in the framework of loop quantum cosmology. Phase of inflation is preceded here by the phase of a quantum bounce. We show how parameters of inflation depend on the initial conditions established in the contracting, prebounce phase. Our investigations indicate that phase of the bounce easily sets proper initial conditions for the inflation. Subsequently, we study observational effects that might arise due to the quantum gravitational modifications. We perform preliminary observational constraints for the Barbero-Immirzi parameter $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, critical density ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{c}}$, and parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. In the next step, we study effects on power spectrum of perturbations. We calculate spectrum of perturbations from the bounce and from the joined $\mathrm{\text{bounce}}+\mathrm{\text{inflation}}$ phase. Based on these studies, we indicate a possible way to relate quantum cosmological models with the astronomical observations. Using the Sachs-Wolfe approximation, we calculate the spectrum of the superhorizontal CMB anisotropies. We show that quantum cosmological effects can, in the natural way, explain suppression of the low CMB multipoles. We show that fine-tuning is not required here, and the model is consistent with observations. We also analyze other possible probes of the quantum cosmologies and discuss perspectives of their implementation.
Autoregressive Energy Machines

Neural density estimators are flexible families of parametric models which have seen widespread use in unsupervised machine learning in recent years. Maximum-likelihood training typically dictates that these models be constrained to specify an explicit density. However, this limitation can be overcome by instead using a neural network to specify an energy function, or unnormalized density, which can subsequently be normalized to obtain a valid distribution. The challenge with this approach lies in accurately estimating the normalizing constant of the high-dimensional energy function. We propose the Autoregressive Energy Machine, an energy-based model which simultaneously learns an unnormalized density and computes an importance-sampling estimate of the normalizing constant for each conditional in an autoregressive decomposition. The Autoregressive Energy Machine achieves state-of-the-art performance on a suite of density-estimation tasks.
Modelling the radio emission from Cyg OB2 #5: a quadruple system?

Fifty archival radio observations of the supergiant binary Cyg OB2 #5 using the Very Large Array over 20 years are re-examined to determine the location and character of the previously detected variable radio emission. The radio emission from the system consists of a primary component that is associated with the binary, and a non-thermal source (NE) that has been ascribed to a wind-collision region (WCR) between the stellar winds of the binary and that of a B-type star (Star D) to the NE. NE shows no evidence of variation in 23 epochs where it is resolved separately from the primary radio component, demonstrating that the variable emission arises in the primary. Since NE is non-variable, the radio flux from the primary can now be well determined for the first time, most especially in observations that do not resolve both the primary and NE components. The variable radio emission from the primary has a period of 6.7+/-0.3 years which is described by a simple model of a non-thermal source orbiting within the stellar wind envelope of the binary. Such a model implies the presence of a third, unresolved stellar companion (Star C) orbiting the 6.6-day binary with a period of 6.7 years. The variable non-thermal emission arises from either a WCR between Star C and the binary system, or possibly from Star C directly. The model gives a mass-loss rate of 3.4 x 10^{-5} solar mass/yr for Cyg OB2 #5, unusually high for an Of supergiant and comparable to that of WR stars, and consistent with an unusually strong He I 1.083-micron emission line, also redolent of WR stars. An examination of radial velocity observations suggests reflex motion of the binary due to Star C. The natures of NE and Star D are also examined. (abridged)
The Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database

The ever-expanding depth and quality of photometric and spectroscopic observations of stellar populations increase the need for theoretical models in regions of age-composition parameter space that are largely unexplored at present. Stellar evolution models that employ the most advanced physics and cover a wide range of compositions are needed to extract the most information from current observations of both resolved and unresolved stellar populations. The Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database is a collection of stellar evolution tracks and isochrones that spans a range of [Fe/H] from –2.5 to +0.5, [α/Fe] from –0.2 to +0.8 (for [Fe/H] ⩽ 0) or +0.2 (for [Fe/H] > 0), and initial He mass fractions from Y = 0.245 to 0.40. Stellar evolution tracks were computed for masses between 0.1 and 4 M☉, allowing isochrones to be generated for ages as young as 250 Myr. For the range in masses where the core He flash occurs, separate He-burning tracks were computed starting from the zero age horizontal branch. The tracks and isochrones have been transformed to the observational plane in a variety of photometric systems including standard UBV(RI)C, Stromgren uvby, SDSS ugriz, 2MASS JHKs, and HST ACS/WFC and WFPC2. The Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database is accessible through a Web site at http://stellar.dartmouth. edu/~models/ where all tracks, isochrones, and additional files can be downloaded.
Semi-classical analysis of the inner product of Bethe states

We study the inner product of two Bethe states, one of which is taken on-shell, in an inhomogeneous XXX chain in the Sutherland limit, where the number of magnons is comparable with the length L of the chain and the magnon rapidities arrange in a small number of macroscopically large Bethe strings. The leading order in the large L limit is known to be expressed through a contour integral of a dilogarithm. Here we derive the sub-leading term. Our analysis is based on a new contour-integral representation of the inner product in terms of a Fredholm determinant. We give two derivations of the sub-leading term. Besides a direct derivation by solving a Riemann–Hilbert problem, we give a less rigorous, but more intuitive derivation by field-theoretical methods. For that we represent the Fredholm determinant as an expectation value in a Fock space of chiral fermions and then bosonize. We construct a collective field for the bosonized theory, the short wave-length part of which may be evaluated exactly, while the long wave-length part is amenable to a 1/L expansion. Our treatment thus results in a systematic 1/L expansion of structure factors within the Sutherland limit.
The XMM‐LSS survey: the Class 1 cluster sample over the initial 5 deg2 and its cosmological modelling★

We present a sample of 29 galaxy clusters from the XMM-LSS survey over an area of some 5deg2 out to a redshift of z=1.05. The sample clusters, which represent about half of the X-ray clusters identified in the region, follow well defined X-ray selection criteria and are all spectroscopically confirmed. For all clusters, we provide X-ray luminosities and temperatures as well as masses. The cluster distribution peaks around z=0.3 and T =1.5 keV, half of the objects being groups with a temperature below 2 keV. Our L-T(z) relation points toward self-similar evolution, but does not exclude other physically plausible models. Assuming that cluster scaling laws follow self-similar evolution, our number density estimates up to z=1 are compatible with the predictions of the concordance cosmology and with the findings of previous ROSAT surveys. Our well monitored selection function allowed us to demonstrate that the inclusion of selection effects is essential for the correct determination of the evolution of the L-T relation, which may explain the contradictory results from previous studies. Extensive simulations show that extending the survey area to 10deg2 has the potential to exclude the non-evolution hypothesis, but that constraints on more refined ICM models will probably be limited by the large intrinsic dispersion of the L-T relation. We further demonstrate that increasing the dispersion in the scaling laws increases the number of detectable clusters, hence generating further degeneracy [in addition to sigma8, Omega_m, L(M,z) and T(M,z)] in the cosmological interpretation of the cluster number counts. We provide useful empirical formulae for the cluster mass-flux and mass-count-rate relations as well as a comparison between the XMM-LSS mass sensitivity and that of forthcoming SZ surveys.
Speckle decorrelation in Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography made by heterodyne holography

Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography (UOT) is a technique that images optical contrast deep inside scattering media. Heterodyne holography is a promising tool able to detect the UOT tagged photons with high efficiency. In this work, we describe theoretically the detection of the tagged photon in heterodyne holography based UOT, show how to filter the untagged photon discuss, and discuss the effect of speckle decorrelation. We show that optimal detection sensitivity can obtain, if the frame exposure time is of the order of the decorrelation time.
Modulated decay in the multi-component Universe

The early Universe after inflation may have oscillations, kinations (nonoscillatory evolution of a field), topological defects, relativistic and non-relativistic particles at the same time. The Universe whose energy density is a sum of those components can be called the multi-component Universe. The components, which may have distinguishable density scalings, may decay modulated. In this paper we study generation of the curvature perturbations caused by the modulated decay in the multi-component Universe.
Unparticle self-interactions and their collider implications

In unparticle physics, operators of the conformal sector have self-interactions, and these are unsuppressed for strong coupling. The 3-point interactions are completely determined by conformal symmetry, up to a constant. We do not know of any theoretical upper bounds on this constant. Imposing current experimental constraints, we find that these interactions mediate spectacular collider signals, such as pp{yields}U{yields}UU{yields}{gamma}{gamma}{gamma}{gamma}, {gamma}{gamma}ZZ, ZZZZ, {gamma}{gamma}l{sup +}l{sup -}, ZZl{sup +}l{sup -}, and 4l, with cross sections of picobarns or larger at the large hadron collider. Self-interactions may therefore provide the leading discovery prospects for unparticle physics.
Evaluation of the ESR fast detector and Improve® ESR analyzer as modified Westergren methods for erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Abstract The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) has been commonly ordered in hematology laboratories and used to screen for monitoring responses to therapy and identifying inflammatory conditions. To overcome the limitations of traditional ESR measurements, various methods have been developed and compared to the established reference method. This study evaluates the analytical performance of ESR fast detector and Improve® ESR analyzer compared to the reference method. Method validation and comparison were performed in 189 volunteer blood samples according to the International Council for Standardization in Hematology recommendations. The analytical efficacy of ESR fast detector and Improve® ESR analyzer was also assessed and compared with the reference method and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The results demonstrated that the precision of ESR fast detector and Improve® ESR analyzer was considered as the acceptance criterion for the ESR measurement. The method comparison analysis between the two modified Westergren methods and reference method demonstrated a strong correlation with the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient of 0.94, with a mean difference of −2.1 and −7.7 mm/h in the ESR fast detector and Improve® ESR analyzer, respectively. Analysis of the area under the receiver operating curve illustrated a high analytical performance compared to the reference method and CRP level. The measurement of ESR level using the ESR fast detector and Improve® ESR analyzer is a reliable method and has a high analytical performance, which can be used instead of the reference method for screening inflammatory conditions.
Anisotropy effects on Rashba and topological insulator spin-polarized surface states: A unified phenomenological description

Spin-polarized two-dimensional electronic states have been observed in metallic surface alloys with giant Rashba splitting and at the surface of topological insulators. We study the surface band structure of these systems, in a unified manner, by exploiting recent results of k . p theory. The model suggests a different way to address the effect of anisotropy in Rashba systems. Changes in the surface band structure of various Rashba compounds can be captured by a single effective parameter which quantifies the competition between the Rashba effect and the hexagonal warping of the constant-energy contours. The same model provides a unified phenomenological description of the surface states belonging to materials with topologically trivial and nontrivial band structures.
DIRECT OXYGEN ABUNDANCES FOR LOW-LUMINOSITY LVL GALAXIES

We present MMT spectroscopic observations of H ii regions in 42 low luminosity galaxies in the Spitzer Local Volume Legacy survey. For 31 of the 42 galaxies in our sample, we were able to measure the temperature sensitive [O iii] λ4363 line at a strength of 4σ or greater, and thus determine oxygen abundances using the “direct” method. Our results provide the first “direct” estimates of oxygen abundance for 19 of these galaxies. “Direct” oxygen abundances were compared to B-band luminosities, 4.5 μm luminosities, and stellar masses in order to characterize the luminosity–metallicity and mass–metallicity relationships at low luminosity. We present and analyze a “Combined Select” sample composed of 38 objects (drawn from a sub-set of our parent sample and the literature) with “direct” oxygen abundances and reliable distance determinations (based on the tip of the red giant branch or Cepheid variables). Consistent with previous studies, the B band and 4.5 μm luminosity–metallicity relationships for the 38 objects were found to be 12 + log(O/H) = (6.27 ± 0.21) + (− 0.11 ± 0.01)MB and 12 + log(O/H) = (6.10 ± 0.21) + (− 0.10 ± 0.01)M[4.5] with dispersions of σ = 0.15 and 0.14, respectively. The slopes of the optical and near-IR L–Z relationships have been reported to be different for galaxies with luminosities greater than that of the LMC. However, the similarity of the slopes of the optical and near-IR L–Z relationships for our sample probably reflects little influence by dust extinction in the low luminosity galaxies. For this sample, we derive a mass–metallicity relationship of 12 + log(O/H) = (5.61 ± 0.24) + (0.29 ± 0.03)log (M⋆), which agrees with previous studies; however, the dispersion (σ = 0.15) is not significantly lower than that of the L–Z relationships. Because of the low dispersions in these relationships, if an accurate distance is available, the luminosity of a low luminosity galaxy is often a better indicator of metallicity than that derived using certain “strong-line” methods, so significant departures from the L–Z relationships may indicate that caution is prudent in such cases. With these new “direct” metallicities we also revisit the 70/160 μm color metallicity relationship. Additionally, we examine N/O abundance trends with respect to oxygen abundance and B − V color. We find a positive correlation between N/O ratio and B − V color for 0.05 ≲ B − V ≲ 0.75: log (N/O) = (1.18 ± 0.9) × (B − V) + (− 1.92 ± 0.08), with a dispersion of σ = 0.14, which is in agreement with previous studies.
Categorical perception of lexical tones in Chinese people with post-stroke aphasia

ABSTRACT This study used the categorical perception (CP) paradigm, a fine-grained perceptual method, to investigate the perceptual performance of lexical tones in Chinese people with post-stroke aphasia (PWA). Twenty patients with post-stroke aphasia (10 Broca’s and 10 Wernicke’s) and ten neurologically intact age-matched control participants were recruited to complete both identification and discrimination tasks of the Mandarin Tone 1–2 continuum. In addition, all participants completed tests on their auditory comprehension ability and working memory. The results showed that both Broca’s and Wernicke’s patients exhibited reduced sensitivity to within-category and between-category information but preserved CP of lexical tones. The degree of CP of lexical tones related to working memory in aphasic patients. Furthermore, lower-level acoustic processing underpinned higher-level phonological processing on the CP of lexical tones since both patient groups’ unbalanced pitch processing ability extended to their CP of lexical tones. These findings are significant for researchers and clinicians in speech-language rehabilitation, clinical psychology, and cognitive communication.
Multi-variable reductions of the dispersionless DKP hierarchy

We consider multi-variable reductions of the dispersionless DKP hierarchy (the dispersionless limit of the Pfaff lattice) in the elliptic parametrization. The reduction is given by a system of elliptic Löwner equations supplemented by a system of partial differential equations of hydrodynamic type. The compatibility conditions for the elliptic Löwner equations are derived. They are elliptic analogues of the Gibbons–Tsarev equations. We prove solvability of the hydrodynamic type system by means of the generalized hodograph method. The associated diagonal metric is proved to be of the Egorov type.
Unitary $2$-designs from random $X$- and $Z$-diagonal unitaries

Unitary $2$-designs are random unitaries simulating up to the second order statistical moments of the uniformly distributed random unitaries, often referred to as Haar random unitaries. They are used in a wide variety of theoretical and practical quantum information protocols, and also have been used to model the dynamics in complex quantum many-body systems. Here, we show that unitary $2$-designs can be approximately implemented by alternately repeating random unitaries diagonal in the Pauli-$Z$ basis and that in the Pauli-$X$ basis. We also provide a converse about the number of repetitions needed to achieve unitary $2$-designs. These results imply that the process after $\ell$ repetitions achieves a $\Theta(d^{-\ell})$-approximate unitary $2$-design. Based on the construction, we further provide quantum circuits that efficiently implement approximate unitary $2$-designs. Although a more efficient implementation of unitary $2$-designs is known, our quantum circuit has its own merit that it is divided into a constant number of commuting parts, which enables us to apply all commuting gates simultaneously and leads to a possible reduction of an actual execution time. We finally interpret the result in terms of the dynamics generated by time-dependent Hamiltonians and provide for the first time a random disordered time-dependent Hamiltonian that generates a unitary $2$-design after switching interactions only a few times.
Unique shape variations of hind and midfoot bones in flatfoot subjects—A statistical shape modeling approach

Flatfoot deformity is a prevalent hind‐ and midfoot disorder. Given its complexity, single‐plane radiological measurements omit case‐specific joint interaction and bone shape variations. Three‐dimensional medical imaging assessment using statistical shape models provides a complete approach in characterizing bone shape variations unique to flatfoot condition. This study used statistical shape models to define specific bone shape variations of the subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid joints that characterize flatfoot deformity, that differentiate them from healthy controls. Bones of the aforementioned joints were segmented from computed tomography scans of 40 feet. The three‐dimensional hindfoot alignment angle categorized the population into 18 flatfoot subjects (≥7° valgus) and 22 controls. Statistical shape models for each joint were defined using the entire study cohort. For each joint, an average weighted shape parameter was calculated for each mode of variation, and then compared between flatfoot and controls. Significance was set at p < 0.05, with values between 0.05 ≤ p < 0.1 considered trending towards significance. The flatfoot population showed a more adducted talar head, inferiorly inclined talar neck, and posteriorly orientated medial subtalar articulation compare to controls, coupled with more navicular eversion, shallower navicular cup, and more prominent navicular tuberosity. The calcaneocuboid joint presented trends of a more adducted calcaneus, more abducted cuboid, narrower calcaneal roof, and less prominent cuboid beak compared to controls. Statistical shape model analysis identified unique shape variations which may enhance understanding and computer‐aided models of the intricacies of flatfoot, leading to better diagnosis and, ultimately, surgical treatment.
Crust–magnetosphere coupling during magnetar evolution and implications for the surface temperature

This work is supported in part by the Spanish MINECO/FEDER grants AYA2015-66899-C2-1-P, AYA2015-66899-C2-2-P, the grant of Generalitat Valenciana PROMETEOII-2014-069, and by the PHAROS COST action CA16214. PC acknowledges the support from the Ramon y Cajal program of the Spanish MINECO (RYC-2015-19074).
Comparing the performance of body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in predicting Malaysians with excess adiposity

Abstract Background Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used surrogate tool to screen for obesity/adiposity, but it cannot differentiate between lean and fat mass. Thus, alternative tools to detect excess adiposity should be identified. Aim This study aimed to compare the performance of BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) in predicting Malaysians with excess body fat defined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects and methods A total of 399 men and women aged ≥40 years were recruited from Klang Valley, Malaysia. The body composition of the subjects, including body fat percentage, was measured by DXA. The weight, height, WC and WHtR of the subjects were also determined. Results BMI [sensitivity = 55.7%, specificity = 86.1%, area under curve (AUC) = 0.709] and WC (sensitivity = 62.7%, specificity = 90.3%, AUC = 0.765) performed moderately in predicting excess adiposity. Their performance and sensitivity improved with lower cut-off values. The performance of WHtR (sensitivity = 96.6%, specificity = 36.1, AUC = 0.664) was optimal at the standard cut-off value and no modification was required. Conclusion The performance of WC in identifying excess adiposity was greater than BMI and WHtR based on AUC values. Modification of cut-off values for BMI and WC could improve their performance and should be considered by healthcare providers in screening individuals with excess adiposity.