Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tau Air Showers from Earth

We estimate the rate of observable horizontal and upward τ air showers (HORTAUs and UPTAUs, respectively) considering both the Earth's opacity and the contribution of the terrestrial atmosphere. Our result applies to most neutrino telescope projects, especially to the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO). Using a compact analytical formula, we calculate the effective target volumes and masses for τ air showers emerging from the Earth. The resulting model-independent effective masses for EUSO may encompass—at E ≃ 1019 eV—a huge average volume (≃1020 km3) compared to current neutrino experiments. Adopting simple power-law neutrino fluxes, dNν/dEν ∝ E-2 and E-1, calibrated to Greisen-Zapetin-Kuzmin (GZK) like and Z-burst-like models, we estimate that at E ≃ 1019 eV, nearly half a dozen horizontal shower events should be detected by EUSO in 3 yr of data collection, considering the 10% duty cycle efficiency and a minimal τ neutrino energy fluence ϕνEν ≃ 50 eV cm-2 s-1 sr-1. The detection of HORTAUs may test the "guaranteed" GZK neutrino flux (secondaries of photopion production due to ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray [UHECR] scattering onto 2.75 K cosmic background radiation). We also find that the equivalent mass for an outer layer made of rock is larger than the water mass, contrary to simplified all-rock/all-water Earth models and previous studies. Therefore, we expect an enhancement of neutrino detection along continental shelves near the highest mountain ranges, because of the better geometrical acceptance of Earth-skimming neutrinos. In this picture, the Auger experiment might reveal such an increase at Eν ≃ 1018 eV (with 26 events in 3 yr) if the angular resolution (both in azimuth and zenith) reaches an accuracy of nearly 1° (or below); the angular accuracy depends on the the morphology of the Andes, the distance of each element of the array from the mountain range, and the local terrestrial magnetic fields. Such a high angular resolution is necessary to disentangle τ air showers from more abundant downward horizontal UHECRs. Finally, we show that the number of UHE-induced τ air-shower events is larger at energies lower than Eν ~ 1020 or Eν ~ 1019 eV; therefore we suggest an extension of the EUSO sensitivity at the lowest possible energy.
On a System of Functional Equations in a Multi-Dimensional Domain

We study the system of functional equations n In f. (X) = +ga(x) (1 <i <n) j=1 k=I for x E Qi where Q i are compact or non-compact domains of R", g : Sl i -. H, S1,k ci ci,, a ijk :' ci, x R R are given continuous functions and I, : ci, R are unknown functions. The paper consists of two mains parts. In the first part we give some results on existence, uniqueness and stability of the solutions of such systems and study sufficient conditions to obtain quadratic convergence. In the second part we obtain the Maclaurin expansion and approximation of solution in the case that aij k are linear and S. ,,, are affine functions.
MINIMIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF REVERSIBLE BCD-FULL ADDER/SUBTRACTOR USING GENETIC ALGORITHM AND DON'T CARE CONCEPT

Reversible logic and binary coded decimal (BCD) arithmetic are two concerning subjects of hardware. This paper proposes a modular synthesis method to realize a reversible BCD-full adder (BCD-FA) and subtractor circuit. We propose three approaches to design and optimize all parts of a BCD-FA circuit using genetic algorithm and don't care concept. Our first approach is based on the Hafiz's work, and the second one is based on the whole BCD-FA circuit design. In the third approach, a binary to BCD converter is presented. Optimizations are done in terms of number of gates, number of garbage inputs/outputs, and the quantum cost of the circuit. We present four designs for BCD-FA with four different goals: minimum garbage inputs/outputs, minimum quantum cost, minimum number of gates, and optimum circuit in terms of all the above parameters.
Neutron transfer reactions in accreting neutron stars

I suggest a novel type of nuclear reactions in accreting neutron stars - neutron transfer, which is quantum tunneling of weakly bounded neutron from one nucleus to another. I estimate the rate of this process for fixed nuclei separation and then average the result over realistic distribution of nuclei to get the rate value for astrophysical conditions. The neutron transfer can modify reaction chains in accreting neutron stars, thus affecting their heating and cooling. In particular, it can suppress cooling by URCA pairs of nuclei, which is supposed to be crucial for the hottest neutron stars.
The binary black hole merger rate from ultraluminous X-ray source progenitors

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) exceed the Eddington luminosity for a $\approx 10M_\odot$ black hole. The recent detection of black hole mergers by the gravitational wave detector ALIGO indicates that black holes with masses $> 10 M_\odot$ do indeed exist. Motivated by this, we explore a scenario where ULXs consist of black holes formed by the collapse of high-mass, low-metallicity stars, and that these ULXs become binary black holes (BBHs) that eventually merge. We use empirical relations between the number of ULXs and the star formation rate and host galaxy metallicity to estimate the ULX formation rate and the BBH merger rate at all redshifts. This assumes the ULX rate is directly proportional to the star formation rate for a given metallicity, and that the black hole accretion rate is distributed as a log-normal distribution. We include an enhancement in the ULX formation rate at earlier epochs due to lower mean metallicities. With simplified assumptions, our model is able to reproduce both the rate and mass distribution of BBH mergers in the nearby universe inferred from the detection of GW 150914, LVT 151012, GW 151226, and GW 170104 by ALIGO if the peak accretion rate of ULXs is a factor $\approx$1 --- 300 greater than the Eddington rate. Our predictions of the BBH merger rate, mass distribution, and redshift evolution can be tested by ALIGO in the near future, which in turn can be used to explore connections between the ULX formation and BBH merger rates over cosmic time.
Spiral Surface Growth without Desorption

Spiral surface growth is well understood in the limit where the step motion is controlled by the local supersaturation of adatoms near the spiral ridge. In epitaxial thin-film growth, however, spirals can form in a step-flow regime where desorption of adatoms is negligible and the ridge dynamics is governed by the nonlocal diffusion field of adatoms on the whole surface. We investigate this limit numerically using a phase-field formulation of the Burton-Cabrera-Frank model, as well as analytically. Quantitative predictions, which differ strikingly from those of the local limit, are made for the selected step spacing as a function of the deposition flux, as well as for the dependence of the relaxation time to steady-state growth on the screw dislocation density. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society }
Factors influencing sexual harassment behavior in sports environment: Evidence from Pakistan

Sexual harassment (SH) in sporting environments has developed as an important field of research. However, a more comprehensive understanding of factors affecting SH behavior is needed. We hypothesized how these effects appear and the scenarios in which they exist. Based on the perspectives of SH, this study aims to reveal the athletes’ perceptions of SH and organizational climate (OC) impacts on SH, as well as the mediating mechanisms of low self-esteem (LSE) and the moderating role of hostile sexism (HS). Data collected from 422 female athletes in Pakistan, using random sampling and using SEM techniques analyze that these factors are responsible of increased likelihood of female athlete SH. Our results suggest that athletes’ perceptions of OC positively predict SH, and OC is positively related to LSE. In addition, LSE partially mediates the positive effects of athletes’ perceptions of OC on SH, where HS strengthens the perceived relationship between OC and LSE, which stimulates the SH of athletes. The overall model predictive ability was carried out by moderated mediation model. This study had deep implications for the literature. It clarified the ways that are crucial for predicting OC. Whether there are written laws on the subject, organizations are reluctant to acknowledge them, which entails developing methods of quantifying SH and creating data accessible to the public. A future study is recommended to evaluate the abuse of power concerning benevolent sexism to identify athlete perception of SH.
Alteration of brain nuclei in obese children with and without Prader-Willi syndrome

Introduction: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystem genetic imprinting disorder mainly characterized by hyperphagia and childhood obesity. Extensive structural alterations are expected in PWS patients, and their influence on brain nuclei should be early and profound. To date, few studies have investigated brain nuclei in children with PWS, although functional and structural alterations of the cortex have been reported widely. Methods: In the current study, we used T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to investigate alterations in brain nuclei by three automated analysis methods: shape analysis to evaluate the shape of 14 cerebral nuclei (bilateral thalamus, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens), automated segmentation methods integrated in Freesurfer 7.2. 0 to investigate the volume of hypothalamic subregions, and region of interest-based analysis to investigate the volume of deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). Twelve age- and sex-matched children with PWS, 18 obese children without PWS (OB) and 18 healthy controls participated in this study. Results: Compared with control and OB individuals, the PWS group exhibited significant atrophy in the bilateral thalamus, pallidum, hippocampus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, right caudate, bilateral hypothalamus (left anterior-inferior, bilateral posterior, and bilateral tubular inferior subunits) and bilateral DCN (dentate, interposed, and fastigial nuclei), whereas no significant difference was found between the OB and control groups. Discussion: Based on our evidence, we suggested that alterations in brain nuclei influenced by imprinted genes were associated with clinical manifestations of PWS, such as eating disorders, cognitive disability and endocrine abnormalities, which were distinct from the neural mechanisms of obese children.
Differentially induced immunity in buccal and nasal mucosae after vaccination for SARS–CoV–2: Prospects for mass scale immunity-screening in large populations

Introduction Humoral immunity after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has been extensively investigated in blood. Aim of this study was to develop an ELISA method in order to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgA SARS-CoV-2 domain 1 spike-protein (S) specific antibodies (Abs) in buccal and nasal mucosal surfaces of vaccinees. Methods To this end, we analyzed 69 individuals who received their first vaccine dose between February and July 2021. Vaccines administered were BNT162b2, mRNA-1273 or ChAdOx1-nCoV-19. Detection of IgG and IgA Abs was performed using commercial ELISA kits for both blood and swab samples after protocol modification for the latter. Results Anti-spike IgG and IgA Abs in the buccal and/or nasal swabs were detectable in >81% of the study subjects after the second dose. The IgG measurements in buccal swabs appeared to correlate in a more consistent way with the respective measurements in blood with a correlation coefficient of r=0.74. It is of note that IgA Abs appeared to be significantly more prevalent in the nasal compared to the buccal mucosa. Optimal selection of the assay cut-off for the IgG antibody detection in buccal swabs conferred a sensitivity of 91.8% and a specificity of 100%. Last, individuals vaccinated with mRNA-based vaccines exhibited higher antibody levels in both blood and mucosal surfaces compared to those receiving ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 confirming previously reported results. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings show a differential prevalence of anti-S Abs on mucosal surfaces after vaccination for SARS-CoV-2, while they also set the basis for potential future use of IgG antibody detection in buccal swabs for extended immunity screening in large populations.
(Don’t) Look Up!: Is short-root just a short‐root plant?

SHORT-ROOT (SHR) is a mobile transcription factor that plays important roles in ground tissue patterning, stem cell niche specification and maintenance, and vascular development in Arabidopsis roots. Although mRNA and protein of SHR are also found in hypocotyls, inflorescence stems, and leaves, its role in the above-ground organs has been less explored. In most developmental cases, SHR, together with its partner SCARECROW (SCR), regulates the expression of downstream target genes in controlling formative and proliferative cell divisions. Accumulating evidence on the regulatory role of SHR in shoots suggests that SHR may also play key roles in the above-ground organs. Interestingly, recent work has provided new evidence that SHR is also required for cell elongation in the hypocotyl of the etiolated seedling. This suggests that the novel roles of SHR and SHR-mediated regulatory networks can be found in shoots. Furthermore, comparative research on SHR function in roots and shoots will broaden and deepen our understanding of plant growth and development.
Binary Red Supergiants. II. Discovering and Characterizing B-type Companions

The percentage of massive main-sequence OB stars in binary systems is thought to be as high as 100%. However, very few Galactic binary red supergiants (RSGs) have been identified, despite the fact that these stars are the evolved descendants of OB stars. As shown in our recent paper, binary RSGs will likely have B-type companions, as dictated by stellar evolution considerations. Such a system will have a very unique photometric signature due to the shape of the spectral energy distribution. Using photometric cutoffs, it should therefore be possible to detect candidate RSG+B star binary systems. Here we present our spectroscopic follow-up observations of such candidates. Out of our initial list of 280 candidates in M31 and M33, we observed 149 and confirmed 63 as newly discovered RSG+B star binary systems. Additional spectra of four candidate systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud confirmed all of them as new RSG+B star binaries including the first known RSG+Be star system. By fitting BSTAR06 and MARCS model atmospheres to the newly obtained spectra, we place estimates on the temperatures and subtypes of both the B stars and RSGs. Overall, we have found 87 new RSG+B star binary systems in M31, M33 and the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds. Our future studies are aimed at determining the binary fraction of RSGs.
Influence of topography, vegetation, weather, and climate on Big-cone Douglas-Fir fire refugia and high fire-induced mortality after two large mixed-severity wildfires

Big-cone Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, hereafter BCDF) is an endemic, fire-adapted conifer found throughout the mountains of southern California. Because recent large high intensity wildfires have resulted in loss of BCDF, understanding how environmental factors, such as topography, fuels, climate, and weather, impact BCDF survivorship is important for informing restoration and conservation efforts. Here, we used randomForest (RF) and accumulated local effects (ALE) plots to examine how environmental variables contribute to the occurrence of both fire refugia and high fire-induced mortality of BCDF stands during two large wildfires. Additionally, we explored how the influence of these variables changed between the use of two different response variables: (1) visually-assessed mortality evaluated through estimation of canopy survival using Google Earth imagery and (2) RdNBR. This comparison allows us to evaluate the potential that RdNBR overestimates BCDF mortality because it is highly indicative of understory conditions post-fire, rather than direct changes to BCDF trees. We found that pre-fire fuel was one of the most influential variables contributing to both fire refugia and high mortality; sparse and oak dominant understories contributed to fire refugia, while chaparral contributed to high mortality. We also found that the role of certain variables was not consistent across the two fires. For example, areas of the landscape with hotter temperature and higher vapor pressure deficit (VPD) during the fire experienced high BCDF mortality in the Zaca Fire, but had the inverse effect in the Thomas Fire. Lastly, we found that our two metrics of response resulted in significantly different classification of BCDF stands: RdNBR resulted in more stands being classified as high intensity and fewer low severity/unburned areas, supporting our concern that it can overestimate high severity impact in some ecosystems. However, the two model types resulted in relatively similar explanatory environmental variable selections, although different rankings.
Welfare assessment of horses and mules used in recreational and muleteer work in the Colombian coffee region

The welfare of working equids in developing countries is sometimes threatened due to the limited resources and/or knowledge of their owners. The objective of this study is to evaluate the welfare of creole horses and mules using a validated protocol that assesses animal-based indicators. A total of 160 horses and 40 mules from three municipalities in the Colombian coffee-growing region were evaluated by means of direct observation of health and behavioral parameters. A descriptive analysis of the variables expressed in proportions was performed. Interactions between the different measurements were examined using the Chi-squared test. Spearman correlations were used to relate the measurements. Horses and mules demonstrated friendly behavior in front of the evaluators (78.13 and 61.54%, respectively); apathetic or severely depressed behavior was low (10.7 and 17.5%, P > 0.05). Significant differences in body condition score (BCS) were observed between mules and horses (P < 0.05); eighty percent of the mules and 54.4% of the horses exhibited a healthy body condition score (3 or more on a scale of 1 to 5). Less than 15% of the animals had eye problems, limb deformities, and gait abnormalities. Injuries to the head, withers, spine, ribs/flank, hindquarters, and hind legs were observed in a frequency between 12.5 and 30.43% of the animals, with a higher frequency in horses (P < 0.05). Weak correlations (R2 coefficient < 0.5), although statistically significant, were observed between low body conditions and the presence of skin and deeper tissue lesions, systemic health abnormalities, and limb problems (P < 0.05). The results indicate that owners care for their animals. However, the presence of skin and deep tissue lesions, especially in horses, suggests that they are subjected to high workloads. Therefore, it is essential to train owners in aspects related to the importance of providing their equids with adequate rest periods to recover from work and develop actions to strengthen human-equine interaction.
Assessment of a novel patient-specific 3D printed multi-material simulator for endoscopic sinus surgery

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging tool in the creation of anatomical models for surgical training. Its use in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has been limited because of the difficulty in replicating the anatomical details. Aim: To describe the development of a patient-specific 3D printed multi-material simulator for use in ESS, and to validate it as a training tool among a group of residents and experts in ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgery. Methods: Advanced material jetting 3D printing technology was used to produce both soft tissues and bony structures of the simulator to increase anatomical realism and tactile feedback of the model. A total of 3 ENT residents and 9 ENT specialists were recruited to perform both non-destructive tasks and ESS steps on the model. The anatomical fidelity and the usefulness of the simulator in ESS training were evaluated through specific questionnaires. Results: The tasks were accomplished by 100% of participants and the survey showed overall high scores both for anatomy fidelity and usefulness in training. Dacryocystorhinostomy, medial antrostomy, and turbinectomy were rated as accurately replicable on the simulator by 75% of participants. Positive scores were obtained also for ethmoidectomy and DRAF procedures, while the replication of sphenoidotomy received neutral ratings by half of the participants. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a 3D printed multi-material model of the sino-nasal anatomy can be generated with a high level of anatomical accuracy and haptic response. This technology has the potential to be useful in surgical training as an alternative or complementary tool to cadaveric dissection.
Isolation, characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from foods of bovine origin in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging and major zoonotic foodborne pathogen. It has an increasing concern about the spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 from raw milk, yogurt, and meat of bovine origin and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to June 2015, and a total of 284 milk and meat samples were collected from different sources in Mekelle. The collected samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 and the determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern following the standard bacteriological and molecular techniques and procedures and antimicrobial sensitivity test. Out of the total 284 samples, 70 (24.6%) were bacteriologically positive for E. coli and 14.3% were found to be Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. Of note, 100% of E. coli isolates carried the pal gene and 41.7% eaeA gene (EHEC). Of these EHEC isolates, 40% and 60% were positive for stx1 and stx2, respectively. E. coli isolates showed the highest level of susceptibility to gentamycin (91.7%) but the highest level of resistance to amoxicillin (95.8%). Of the tested isolates, 18 (75%) of E. coli showed multidrug-resistant. This study revealed the occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 in foods of bovine origin in the study area. In conclusion, a nationwide phenotypic and molecular characterization, in-depth typing, and drug-resistant gene identification of E. coli O157:H7 should be undertaken.
Stringy Symmetries and Their High-energy Limit

The high-energy limit of stringy symmetries, derived from the decoupling of two types of zero-norm states in the old covariant ﬁrst quantized (OCFQ) spectrum of open bosonic string , are used to reproduce Gross’s linear relations among high-energy scattering amplitudes of diﬀerent string states with the same momenta. Moreover, the proportionality constants between scattering amplitudes of diﬀerent string states are calculated for the ﬁrst few low-lying levels. These proportionality constants are, as suggested by Gross from the saddle point calculation of high-energy string-loop amplitudes, independent of the scattering angle φ CM and the order χ of string perturbation theory. The decoupling of degenerate positive-norm states , which is valid to all energy, can also be derived from these stringy symmetries. The high-energy limit of this decoupling is found to be consistent with the work of Gross and Manes.