Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental determination of tomographic PIV accuracy by a 12-camera system

A tomographic PIV system composed of 12 cameras has been used to study the object reconstruction accuracy over a wide range of values for the concentration of tracer particles. The relations between particle image density, number of cameras, reconstruction quality, and velocity field accuracy are determined experimentally. The effect of additional cameras is quantified by the reconstruction signal-to-noise ratio and normalized intensity variance. Furthermore, the variation of the reconstruction quality factor with seeding density and number of cameras is estimated considering the 12 cameras case as reference, which has so far only been investigated using numerical simulations. The accuracy of velocity measurements is investigated by comparing two simultaneous measurements obtained by independent tomographic systems. The measurement error is estimated by the quadratic difference between the velocity measured by the two systems. The importance of the number of cameras and seeding density is investigated. The results yield an optimum source density of 0.5 for a three-camera system and greater than 1.0 for a six-camera system. Doubling the number of cameras returns a broad range for the optimum source density and significantly lower measurement errors.
Karhunen-Loeve expansion of Burgers' model of turbulence

Characteristics of the Karhunen–Loeve expansion of a strongly inhomogeneous random process possessing small viscous length scales and a large outer scale have been investigated in relation to the application of the expansion to turbulent flow fields. Monte Carlo simulations of a randomly forced Burgers’ equation with zero velocity boundary conditions generate the random process numerically and the Karhunen–Loeve (KL) eigenfunctions and the eigenvalue spectra are computed for different Reynolds numbers. The eigenfunctions possess thin viscous boundary layers at the walls and are independent of Reynolds number in the core, where the random process is quasihomogeneous. The eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of the outer, large scale motions obey a principle of Reynolds number similarity. Eigenvalue spectra contain much of the energy in the first few modes, but they are as broad as ordinary trigonometric power spectra. The rate at which the expansion converges to within 90% of the total energy decreases with incr.
Parameterisation of Respiratory Impedance in Lung Cancer Patients From Forced Oscillation Lung Function Test

<italic>Objective:</italic> This study aims to analyze the contribution and application of forced oscillation technique (FOT) devices in lung cancer assessment. Two devices and corresponding methods can be feasible to distinguish among various degrees of lung tissue heterogeneity. <italic>Methods:</italic> The outcome respiratory impedance <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z_{rs}$</tex-math></inline-formula> (in terms of resistance <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{rs}$</tex-math></inline-formula> and reactance <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$X_{rs}$</tex-math></inline-formula>) is calculated for FOT and is interpreted in physiological terms by being fitted with a fractional-order impedance mathematical model (FOIM). The non-parametric data obtained from the measured signals of pressure and flow is correlated with an analogous electrical model to the respiratory system resistance, compliance, and elastance. The mechanical properties of the lung can be captured through <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$G_{r}$</tex-math></inline-formula> to define the damping properties and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_{r}$</tex-math></inline-formula> to describe the elastance of the lung tissue, their ratio representing tissue heterogeneity <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\eta _{r}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. <italic>Results:</italic> We validated our hypotheses and methods in 17 lung cancer patients where we showed that FOT is suitable for non-invasively measuring their respiratory impedance. FOIM models are efficient in capturing frequency-dependent impedance value variations. Increased heterogeneity and structural changes in the lungs have been observed. The results present inter- and intra-patient variability for the performed measurements. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> The proposed methods and assessment of the respiratory impedance with FOT have been demonstrated useful for characterizing mechanical properties in lung cancer patients. <italic>Significance:</italic> This correlation analysis between the measured clinical data motivates the use of the FOT devices in lung cancer patients for diagnosis of lung properties and follow-up of the respiratory function modified due to the applied radiotherapy treatment.
The Co-Formation of Spheroids and Quasars Traced in their Clustering

We compare observed clustering of quasars and galaxies as a function of redshift, mass, luminosity, and color/morphology, to constrain models of quasar fueling and the co-evolution of spheroids and supermassive black holes (BHs). High-redshift quasars are shown to be drawn from the progenitors of local early-type galaxies, with the characteristic quasar luminosity L* reflecting a characteristic mass of "active" BH/host populations at each epoch. Evolving observed high-z quasar clustering to z = 0 predicts a trend of clustering in "quasar remnants" as a function of stellar mass identical to that observed for early types. However, quasar clustering does not simply reflect observed early (or late) type populations; at each redshift, quasars cluster as an "intermediate" population. Comparing with the age of elliptical stellar populations as a function of mass reveals that this "intermediate" population represents those ellipticals undergoing or terminating their final significant star formation activity at the given epoch. Assuming that quasar triggering is associated with the formation/termination epoch of ellipticals predicts quasar clustering at all observed redshifts without any model dependence or assumptions about quasar light curves, lifetimes, or accretion rates. This is not true for disks or quasar halos; i.e., quasars do not generically trace star formation or halo assembly. Quasar clustering at all redshifts is consistent with ~4 × 1012 h-1 M☉, similar to group scales. This supports scenarios in which major mergers dominate the bright, high-redshift quasar populations. We show how improved clustering measurements can be used to constrain lower luminosity AGN fueling and whether or not accretion/star formation can "shut down" at z > 3.
Daily Physical Activity: Associations With Memory and Affect

Purpose Little is known about effects of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and resistance training on daily variations in memory and affect. This study examined the relationship of MVPA and resistance training to memory and affect in daily life. Design Short-term longitudinal 7-day diary. Setting Northeast; primarily Boston-area communities. Sample Adults aged 25 to 94. Measures For seven days, MVPA was assessed with an Actigraph. and resistance training was self-reported. Each evening, memory failures, positive and negative affect were recorded in a written diary and objective memory performance was assessed by telephone. Analysis Multilevel linear regression analyses examined the between and within person associations of MVPA and resistance training with memory performance, memory failures, and affect. Results Those who engaged in more MVPA had better memory performance across the week (b = 0.0163, SE = 0.0076, f2 = 0.004, p = 0.033). Participants reported higher levels of positive affect on days in which they spent more time in MVPA than usual (b = 0.003, SE = 0.001, f2 = 0.144, p < .001) and on days they engaged in resistance training (b = 0.1547, SE = 0.079, f2 = 0.007; p = 0.049). Conclusions Those who spent more time in MVPA had better memory performance, and on days with greater than usual MVPA time and resistance training, affect was more positive than on days with less activity. Implications for motivating physical exercise are considered.
X-Ray Sources in the Hubble Deep Field Detected by Chandra

We present first results from an X-ray study of the Hubble Deep Field North (HDF-N) and its environs obtained using 166 ks of data collected by the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) on board the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. This is the deepest X-ray observation ever reported, and in the HDF-N itself we detect six X-ray sources down to a 0.5-8 keV flux limit of ≈4 × 10-16 ergs cm-2 s-1. Comparing these sources with objects seen in multiwavelength HDF-N studies shows positional coincidences with the extremely red object NICMOS J123651.74+621221.4, an active galactic nucleus (AGN), three elliptical galaxies, and one nearby spiral galaxy. The X-ray emission from the ellipticals is consistent with that expected from a hot interstellar medium, and the spiral galaxy emission may arise from a "super-Eddington" X-ray binary or ultraluminous supernova remnant. Four of the X-ray sources have been detected at radio wavelengths. We also place X-ray upper limits on AGN candidates found in the HDF-N, and we present the tightest constraints yet on X-ray emission from the SCUBA submillimeter source population. None of the 10 high-significance submillimeter sources reported in the HDF-N and its vicinity is detected with the Chandra ACIS. These sources appear to be dominated by star formation or have AGNs with Compton-thick tori and little circumnuclear X-ray scattering.
Supposition and representation in human reasoning

We report the results of three experiments designed to assess the role of suppositions in human reasoning. Theories of reasoning based on formal rules propose that the ability to make suppositions is central to deductive reasoning. Our first experiment compared two types of problem that could be solved by a suppositional strategy. Our results showed no difference in difficulty between problems requiring affirmative or negative suppositions and very low logical solution rates throughout. Further analysis of the error data showed a pattern of responses, which suggested that participants reason from a superficial representation of the premises in these arguments and this drives their choice of conclusion. Our second experiment employed a different set of suppositional problems but with extremely similar proofs in terms of the rules applied and number of inferential steps required. As predicted by our interpretation of reasoning strategies employed in Experiment 1, logical performance was very much higher on these problems. Our third experiment showed that problems that could be solved by constructing an initial representation of the premises were easier than problems in which this representation was not sufficient. This effect was independent of the suppositional structure of the problems. We discuss the implications of this research for theories of reasoning based on mental models and inference rules.
Variability of optical Fe II complex in narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4051

The variability of optical Fe  blends in NGC 4051 is examined from spectra extracted from the AGN Watch program. In our analysis, the Fe  complex are subtracted and measured, with the following results. Firstly, the Fe  variations were detected in NGC 4051 during a 3-year period. The identified Fe  variations followed the variations in continuum closely. Secondly, the EW of Fe  is reported to increase with rising continuum flux, which is consistent with previous claims that there is no convincing Baldwin Effect in optical Fe . Thirdly, by comparing the variations of Hβ and Fe  ,w e f ind that RFe scales with continuum flux as RFe ∝ (5.0 ± 0.8) log(L/M), which is significantly different from the theoretical expectations. Finally, in six selected Seyferts, four out of five Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies present positive correlation between RFe and the continuum flux. The negative correlations are identified in the remaining two objects that have relatively broad profiles of Hβ (FWHM > 1500 km s −1 ). We argue that the difference of electron density of broad line clouds and/or variability behavior
Glial TGFβ activity promotes neuron survival in peripheral nerves

Axon maintenance is critical to sustaining a functional nervous system as animals age. Glia contribute to axon maintenance, but precisely how is not well characterized. This work identifies a battery of glial genes that regulate axon support. These genes provide insight into in vivo mechanisms of axon maintenance and may help explain how glial dysfunction leads to neurodegeneration.
Particle Distribution and Erosion During the Flow of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Slurries in Straight and Coiled Pipes

Abstract Straight and coiled tubing are frequently used in the petroleum industry in operations such as fracturing, cementing, drilling and perforation. Most of these operations involve flow of slurries during which erosion of tubing is a major problem and its prediction becomes important for the safe and economical execution of oilfield operations. Erosion due to slurry flow depends on a number of factors, several of which are interdependent which makes the process more complex. Various experimental and modeling techniques have been in use to evaluate the erosion resulting from the flow of particles. These experimental and modeling techniques, however, have their limitations due to the deficient experimental data and computational restrictions. This study presents the results of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses conducted on straight and curved tubing sections under various flow conditions and different Newtonian and non-Newtonian base fluids commonly used in the petroleum industry. The particle distribution and shear stress for simulated flow cases have been evaluated and compared to comprehend the nature of particle interaction with the flow boundaries and resulting frictional erosion. The study highlights the effect of lubrication forces and viscosity of the base fluid.
Statistics of Isodensity Contours in Redshift Space

The peculiar velocities of galaxies distort the clustering pattern anisotropically in redshift space. This effect on the statistics of isodensity contours is examined by linear theory. The statistics considered in this paper are the three- and two-dimensional genus of isodensity contours, the area of isodensity contours, the length of isodensity contours in the 2-dimensional slice and the level crossing statistics on the line. We find that all these statistics in redshift space as functions of density threshold of contours have the same shape as in real space. The redshift space distortion affects only amplitudes of these statistics. The three-dimensional genus and the area hardly suffer from the redshift space distortion for $0 \leq \Omega b^{-5/3} \leq 1$, where $b$ is a linear bias parameter. The other statistics are defined in one- or two-dimensional slices of the sample volume and depend on the direction of these slices relative to the line of sight. This dependence on direction of these statistics provides a way to determine the density parameter of the universe.
Constant curvature black holes in Einstein-AdS gravity: Conserved quantities

We study physical properties of constant curvature black holes (CCBHs) in Einstein anti-de Sitter (AdS) gravity. These objects, which are locally AdS throughout the space, are constructed from identifications of global AdS spacetime, in a similar fashion as Banados-Teitelboim-Zanelli (BTZ) black hole in three dimensions. We find that, in dimensions equal or greater than four, CCBHs have zero mass and angular momentum. Only in odd dimensions we are able to associate a nonvanishing conserved quantity to these solutions, which corresponds to the vacuum (Casimir) energy of the spacetime.
A Validation Study of the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction in Sexually Active Adolescents

ABSTRACT Positive views of adolescents’ sexuality have only begun to garner interest in the last two decades. Despite great strides in this emerging area, progress is limited by the paucity of valid and reliable measures among this population. The goal of this study was to validate the widely used adult five-item Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX) in a large sample of sexually active adolescents. A total of 1,036 adolescents (516 girls, 49.8%) aged between 14 and 17 years (Mage = 14.62; SD = 0.66) were recruited to investigate the reliability and validity of the GMSEX. The GMSEX yielded strong psychometric properties in adolescents, including factor structure, measurement invariance, and reliability. Results showed that the scale works similarly for boys and girls as well as for heterosexual, cisgender, and sexual minority adolescents. The GMSEX is a short, reliable, and valid measure of sexual satisfaction that can be used in future studies focusing on adolescents’ sexuality and relationships.
Telemedicine utilization and perceived quality of virtual care among pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction The aim of this research was to examine the association between perceived quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic and the modality of maternity care visits, virtual or in-person. Methods This study utilized an online nationwide survey about experiences in prenatal and postpartum care between 18 April and 6 August 2020. Perceived quality of care was categorized into worse care, better, or the same care as compared to before the pandemic. Barriers were categorized into five groups: (1) concern for the privacy of health information, (2) not having a private or quiet place, (3) lack of physical exam or measurements, (4) quality of care, and (5) technology issues. Data analyses included bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results The majority (75.3%) of modified visits utilized telemedicine. Over half of the women took at-home measurements and the majority were successful. Barriers to care included a lack of a quiet or private space to conduct their visit. Women expressed concerns about a lack of measurements and a lower quality of care. Women who received telemedicine visits perceived worse care as compared to women who received in-person care visits (OR = 5.62; 95% CI 5.01–6.31). Discussion Previous studies have shown that pregnant patients are generally satisfied with virtual care during the pandemic. This study provides insight from a large nationwide sample of women and geographic variation in satisfaction and perceived quality. These findings highlight barriers and potential solutions to improving patients’ perceived quality of virtual maternity care, and thus future uptake of high-quality, virtual care.
Association of rs1800795 and rs1800796 polymorphisms in interleukin-6 gene and osteoarthritis risk: evidence from a meta-analysis

Abstract Multiple studies have investigated the association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphisms and osteoarthritis (OA) risk, but failed to reach a consistent conclusion. Therefore, this study was designed to elucidate the association of IL-6 polymorphisms and OA by a meta-analysis approach. Literature retrieval was carried out on PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. The strength of association was appraised by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) in five genetic models. The data were merged by using RevMan 5.3 software. Ten studies with 4944 cases and 4651 controls were analyzed. Overall, no significant association was identified between rs1800795 polymorphism and OA. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity and OA site also suggested rs1800795 polymorphism was not associated with OA. For rs1800796 polymorphism, G-allele and GG-genotype carriers appeared to have an increased risk to OA (G vs. C, OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.30-1.96, P < 0.01; GG vs. CC, OR = 1.75, 95%CI 1.07-2.84, P = 0.03; GG vs. GC + CC, OR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.42-2.34, P < 0.01). Findings of this study indicate that the rs1800795 polymorphism is not correlated to OA susceptibility, regardless of ethnicity or OA site. However, rs1800796 polymorphism trends to be associated with susceptibility to OA.
Production and purification of bacterial membrane vesicles for biotechnology applications: Challenges and opportunities

Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are bi‐layered nanostructures derived from Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. Among other pathophysiological roles, BMVs are critical messengers in intercellular communication. As a result, BMVs are emerging as a promising technology for the development of numerous therapeutic applications. Despite the remarkable progress in unveiling BMV biology and functions in recent years, their successful isolation and purification have been limited. Several challenges related to vesicle purity, yield, and scalability severely hamper the further development of BMVs for biotechnology and clinical applications. This review focuses on the current technologies and methodologies used in BMV production and purification, such as ultracentrifugation, density‐gradient centrifugation, size‐exclusion chromatography, ultrafiltration, and precipitation. We also discuss the current challenges related to BMV isolation, large‐scale production, storage, and stability that limit their application. More importantly, the present work explains the most recent strategies proposed for overcoming those challenges. Finally, we summarize the ongoing applications of BMVs in the biotechnological field.
Modeling the "rapid" part of the velocity/pressure-gradient correlation in inhomogeneous turbulent flows

A new model for the "rapid" part of the velocity/pressure-gradient correlation in the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations is suggested. It is shown that in an inhomogeneous incompressible turbulent flow, the model that is linear in the Reynolds stresses should include two model coefficients. A functional form of the coefficients is analyzed in some extreme turbulence states. As demonstrated, the proposed model reduces to the standard linear pressure-strain model in homogeneous turbulence and can satisfy realizability conditions provided the coefficients are functions of the mean velocity gradients and the Reynolds stresses. In an inhomogeneous turbulent flow, coefficients should depend on parameters directly related to inhomogeneous effects. The model is validated using direct numerical simulation data from two flows: the plane wake and the plane mixing layer.