Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-resolved GRB polarization with POLAR and GBM

Context. Simultaneousγ-ray measurements ofγ-ray burst spectra and polarization offer a unique way to determine the underlying emission mechanism(s) in these objects, as well as probing the particle acceleration mechanism(s) that lead to the observedγ-ray emission.Aims. We examine the jointly observed data from POLAR andFermi-GBM of GRB 170114A to determine its spectral and polarization properties, and seek to understand the emission processes that generate these observations. We aim to develop an extensible and statistically sound framework for these types of measurements applicable to other instruments.Methods. We leveraged the existing3MLanalysis framework to develop a new analysis pipeline for simultaneously modeling the spectral and polarization data. We derived the proper Poisson likelihood forγ-ray polarization measurements in the presence of background. The developed framework is publicly available for similar measurements with otherγ-ray polarimeters. The data are analyzed within a Bayesian probabilistic context and the spectral data from both instruments are simultaneously modeled with a physical, numerical synchrotron code.Results. The spectral modeling of the data is consistent with a synchrotron photon model as has been found in a majority of similarly analyzed single-pulse gamma-ray bursts. The polarization results reveal a slight trend of growing polarization in time reaching values of ∼30% at the temporal peak of the emission. We also observed that the polarization angle evolves with time throughout the emission. These results suggest a synchrotron origin of the emission but further observations of many GRBs are required to verify these evolutionary trends. Furthermore, we encourage the development of time-resolved polarization models for the prompt emission of gamma-ray bursts as the current models are not predictive enough to enable a full modeling of our current data.
The Nature and Quality of Australian Supermarkets’ Policies That Can Impact Public Health Nutrition, and Evidence of Their Practical Application: A Cross-Sectional Study

Improving population diets is a public health priority, and calls have been made for corporations such as supermarkets to contribute. Supermarkets hold a powerful position within the food system, and one source of power is supermarket own brand foods (SOBFs). Many of the world’s largest supermarkets have corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies that can impact public health, but little is known about their quality or practical application. This study examines the nature and quality of Australian supermarkets’ CSR policies that can impact public health nutrition, and provides evidence of practical applications for SOBFs. A content analysis of CSR policies was conducted. Evidence of supermarkets putting CSR policies into practice was derived from observational audits of 3940 SOBFs in three large exemplar supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, IGA) in Perth, Western Australia (WA). All supermarkets had some CSR policies that could impact public health nutrition; however, over half related to sustainability, and many lacked specificity. All supermarkets sold some nutritious SOBFs, using marketing techniques that made them visible. Findings suggest Australian supermarket CSR policies are not likely to adequately contribute to improving population diets or sustainability of food systems. Setting robust and meaningful targets, and improving transparency and specificity of CSR policies, would improve the nature and quality of supermarket CSR policies and increase the likelihood of a public health benefit.
Quantitative examination of the bone health status of older adults with intellectual and developmental disability in Ireland: a cross-sectional nationwide study

Objectives (1) To investigate the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis among adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) and (2) to examine alternative optimal bone screening techniques. Design Observational cross-sectional study. Setting Wave 2 (2013–2106) of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Participants A national representative sample of 604 male and female persons with ID aged 43 years and over. In total, 575 participants completed quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements for one or both feet. Outcome measures Participants underwent health assessments consisting of eight objective health measures including the standardised QUS of the calcaneus bone using a GE Lunar Achilles. A preinterview questionnaire and face-to-face interview were also completed. Results Objectively QUS identified poorer rates of bone health in people with ID overall with 74% indicating evidence of osteopenia (33.2%) or osteoporosis (41%). Females scored lower than males in the QUS t-scores −2.208 (±1.77) versus −1.78(±1.734). Bone status was stratified by gender (p=0.114), age (p=0.003), level of ID (p<0.0001) and living circumstance (p<0.0001). Conclusions This study has shown the prevalence of poor bone health in people with ID is substantial implying an increased risk of fracture due to reduced skeletal integrity. QUS screening has been shown to be useful when combined with clinical risk factors.
Knowledge-based automated planning with three-dimensional generative adversarial networks.

PURPOSE To develop a knowledge-based automated planning pipeline that generates treatment plans without feature engineering, using deep neural network architectures for predicting 3D doses. METHODS Our knowledge-based automated planning (KBAP) pipeline consisted of a knowledge-based planning (KBP) method that predicts dose for a contoured CT image followed by two optimization models that learn objective function weights and generate fluence-based plans, respectively. We developed a novel generative adversarial network (GAN)-based KBP approach, a 3D GAN model, which predicts doses for the full 3D CT image at once and accounts for correlations between adjacent CT slices. Baseline comparisons were made against two state-of-the-art deep learning-based KBP methods from the literature. We also developed an additional benchmark, a 2D GAN model which predicts dose to each axial slice independently. For all models, we investigated the impact of multiplicatively scaling the predictions before optimization, such that the predicted dose distributions achieved all target clinical criteria. Each KBP model was trained on 130 previously delivered oropharyngeal treatment plans. Performance was tested on 87 out-of-sample previously delivered treatment plans. All KBAP plans were evaluated using clinical planning criteria and compared to their corresponding clinical plans. KBP prediction quality was assessed using dose-volume histogram (DVH) differences from the corresponding clinical plans. RESULTS The best performing KBAP plans were generated using predictions from the 3D GAN model that were multiplicatively scaled. These plans satisfied 77% of all clinical criteria, compared to the clinical plans, which satisfied 64% of all criteria. In general, multiplicatively scaling predictions prior to optimization increased the fraction of clinical criteria satisfaction by 11% relative to the plans generated with nonscaled predictions. Additionally, these KBAP plans satisfied the same criteria as the clinical plans 84% and 8% more frequently as compared to the two benchmark methods, respectively. CONCLUSION We developed the first knowledge-based automated planning framework using a 3D generative adversarial network for prediction. Our results, based on 217 oropharyngeal cancer treatment plans, demonstrated superior performance in satisfying clinical criteria and generated more realistic plans as compared to the previous state-of-the-art approaches.
Spectroscopy of the M15 X-ray source: discovery of binary motion and an unusual systemic velocity

Le spectre optique de AC211 (La contre-partie optique de la source RX, M15) revele la presence en emission d'une raie He II λ 4686 variable et complexe ainsi que des figures d'absorptions de He I. Une periode binaire de 9.1 h est mise en evidence et est interpretee par le mouvement orbital d'une couronne d'accretion autour d'un objet compact
Drug survival and reasons for drug discontinuation in palmoplantar pustulosis: a retrospective multicenter study

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease‐related to psoriasis. Its treatment is challenging, and little is known about the sustainability of different medications. The aim of this study was to analyze drug survival rates and drug discontinuation in the treatment of PPP under real‐world conditions.
Dilepton production and elliptic flow from an anisotropic quark-gluon plasma

We calculate the yield and elliptic flow of mid-rapidity dileptons emitted from the quark-gluon plasma generated in Pb-Pb collisions at LHC. We use relativistic anisotropic hydrodynamics for the 3+1 dimensional evolution of the quark-gluon plasma and convolve this with the momentum-anisotropic local rest frame production rate for dileptons. The effects of momentum anisotropy of the quark distribution functions, viscosity to entropy density ratio, centrality of the collisions, and initial momentum anisotropy on the results are investigated and discussed.
The prognostic role of Red blood cell Distribution Width in transfused and non-transfused critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) value is gaining popularity as a prognostic factor in critically ill patients. However, its role in transfused patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) on ICU admission for 90-day mortality among either transfused or non-transfused critically ill patients. METHODS This observational cohort study includes 286 patients with at least 48 hours of ICU length of stay. Patients were analyzed separately in two groups, depending on whether or not they were transfused in the last 72 hours before ICU admission. RESULTS One hundred seventeen (117) patients (41%) were transfused. Patients with high RDW on admission (n=181, 63%) had higher 90-day mortality both in non-transfused (26/87, 30% vs. 12/82, 14% p=0.03) or transfused (39/94, 41% vs. 2/23, 8% p=0.003) patients. The area under the curve (AUC) of admission RDW values to predict 90-day mortality was 0.660 and 0.610 for non- transfused and transfused patients, respectively. The Youden index analysis showed that a RDW value of 14.3% was the best cut-off to predict mortality in the non-transfused group, while 15.3% was the best cut-off in the transfused group. CONCLUSIONS High RDW values on ICU admission are independently associated with 90-day mortality in critically ill patients regardless of previous RBC transfusion. However, we identified two different cut-offs of "high RDW" to be used in ICU in transfused and non-transfused patients.
Dynamics of high‐energy electrons interacting with whistler mode chorus emissions in the magnetosphere

[1] Close examination of whistler mode chorus emissions reveals that a chorus emission is a coherent monochromatic wave typically with a fast rising tone. The frequency of the emission increases rapidly along with growth of the wave amplitude. We first consider the generation mechanism of whistler mode chorus emissions. The essential mechanism of the frequency change is critically related to the inhomogeneity of the geomagnetic field in the equatorial region. The rising tone emission is only possible when the coherent wave propagates away from the equator interacting with a sufficient flux of counterstreaming resonant electrons. Depletion of the resonant trapped electrons from the wave phase space results in formation of an electromagnetic electron hole, which gives rise to a transverse resonant current causing both wave growth and frequency increase. The wave growth of a rising tone can elongate the nonlinear trapping zone, which works as an effective wave train that guides a fraction of the resonant electrons moving toward the equator. We perform test particle simulations where we solve the relativistic equations of motion for high-energy electrons under the action of the electromagnetic field of a coherent whistler mode wave and the assumed dipole geomagnetic field. We find that a fraction of weakly relativistic electrons are trapped by a coherent wave and that the trapped electrons are effectively accelerated by the chorus wave with a rising tone.
Empirical Tests of the Validity of the Regression Discontinuity Design (WP-07-02)

This paper reviews the literature on whether regression discontinuity studies reproduce the results of randomized experiments conducted on the same topic. After briefly reviewing the regression discontinuity design and its history, we explicate the general conditions necessary for a strong test of correspondence in results when an experiment is used to validate any non-experimental method. In economics, within study comparisons of this kind are associated with LaLonde [1986], and we elaborate on how to do such studies better than twenty years ago. We identify three cases where regression discontinuity and experimental results with overlapping samples were explicitly contrasted. By criteria of both effect sizes and statistical significance patterns, we then show that each study produced similar results across the experiment and regression discontinuity study. This correspondence is what theory predicts. But to achieve it in the complex social settings in which these within-study comparisons were carried out suggests that regression-discontinuity results may be generally robust.
A compact high temperature superconducting bandpass filter for integration with a Josephson mixer

A compact eight-pole high temperature superconducting (HTS) filter is designed for the RF signal input of an HTS Josephson mixer. The filter has 18.2% fractional bandwidth centered at 11 GHz. A stepped-impedance hairpin resonator is employed to minimize the filter size. The obtained filter size is 10 mm × 2.79 mm, which is very compact. The monolithic HTS Josephson frequency down-converter that incorporated this new filter demonstrated the highest conversion efficiency to date for an HTS Josephson mixer. Both the filter and the on-chip HTS circuit module were fabricated on a 0.5 mm thick MgO wafer with a single-sided YBCO film. The design, simulation, and experimental characterization of the HTS filter are presented in this paper. The early measurement results of the integrated HTS down-converter incorporated this filter are also described.
Simultaneous ultraviolet line and hard X-ray bursts in the impulsive phase of solar flares

Several fast impulsive phase solar flare bursts were observed by the Solar Maximum Mission instruments on 1980 November 8. The bursts were seen to be coincident in the O V 1371 A line formed at 2.5 x 10/sup 5/ K and in 25--300 keV X-rays, to within the resolution time of 1 s. This lack of time difference is inconsistent with models for these flares in which the hard X-rays are produced at the top of a loop, followed by the formation of a thermal conduction front which travels to the footpoint where a UV burst is produced by heating. Models in which both X-rays and UV radiation are produced at the footpoint, or an electron beam transmits energy between loop top and footpoint is less than 1 s, are allowed.
Intermediate-Mass Higgs Searches in Weak Boson Fusion

Weak boson fusion is a copious source of intermediate mass Higgs bosons at the LHC. The additional very energetic forward jets in these events are powerful background suppression tools. I analyze the decays H -> gamma gamma and H -> W^(*)W^(*) -> e mu pTmiss, with the latter a potential discovery channel, and the decay H -> tau tau -> lep had pTmiss as a method for achieving the first direct measurement of a Higgs-fermion coupling. I perform parton level analyses of the signal and dominant backgrounds for each decay mode, and demonstrate kinematic cuts and other important tools neccessary to achieve an S/B > 1/1 rate in all cases. I also perform cross section calculations with additional gluon emission which provide an estimate of a minijet veto probability. I show that a 5 sigma H -> gamma gamma observation can be made for 110 GeV WW can achieve a 5 sigma observation with S/B much greater than 1/1 with extremely low luminosity, about 2-10 fb^-1 over almost the entire range. This is the most promising search channel in the 130-200 GeV mass range. It overlaps the H -> gamma gamma region and nicely complements the H -> WW measurement that can be made with very low luminosity in inclusive gg -> H production. I further show that a Higgs-fermion coupling can be directly measured via the H -> tau tau decay with only about 60 fb^-1.
Hubble Space Telescope analysis of stellar populations within the globular cluster G1 (Mayall II) in M 31

In this paper we present a multi-wavelength analysis of the complex stellar populations within the massive globular cluster Mayall II (G1), a satellite of the nearby Andromeda galaxy projected at a distance of 40 kpc. We used images collected with the Hubble Space Telescope in UV, blue and optical filters to explore the multiple stellar populations hosted by G1. The $m_{\rm F438W}$ versus $m_{\rm F438W}- m_{\rm F606W}$ colour-magnitude diagram shows a significant spread of the red giant branch, that divides $\sim 1$ mag brighter than the red clump. A possible explanation is the presence of two populations with different iron abundance or different C+N+O content, or different helium content, or a combination of the three causes. A similar red giant branch split is observed also for the Galactic globular cluster NGC6388. Our multi-wavelength analysis gives also the definitive proof that G1 hosts stars located on an extended blue horizontal branch. The horizontal branch of G1 exhibits similar morphology as those of NGC6388 and NGC6441, which host stellar populations with extreme helium abundance (Y>0.33). As a consequence, we suggest that G1 may also exhibit large star-to-star helium variations.
Noncommutative quantum mechanics and Bohm's ontological interpretation

We carry out an investigation into the possibility of developing a Bohmian interpretation based on the continuous motion of point particles for noncommutative quantum mechanics. The conditions for such an interpretation to be consistent are determined, and the implications of its adoption for noncommutativity are discussed. A Bohmian analysis of the noncommutative harmonic oscillator is carried out in detail. By studying the particle motion in the oscillator orbits, we show that small-scale physics can have influence at large scales, something similar to the IR-UV mixing.
Measuring vortical flows in the solar interior

This thesis focuses on observations of the effects of rotation on solar convection at the length scales of supergranulation and larger (>30 Mm). Rotation drives vortical flows through the Coriolis force and causes anisotropic velocity correlations that are believed to influence the large-scale solar dynamics. We obtain horizontal flows using photospheric Doppler velocity and continuum intensity images from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) spacecraft via the techniques of time-distance helioseismology (TD) and local correlation tracking (LCT) of granules. In time-distance helioseismology, the local vertical vorticity can be measured by taking the difference between wave travel times measured in the anti-clockwise and clockwise directions along a closed contour. The agreement between the TD and LCT methods is excellent up to +/-60° latitude, provided that a center-to-limb correction is applied. Averaging over longitude, one finds that there is a small but significant correlation between the horizontal divergence and the vertical vorticity component of supergranular flows away from the solar equator. By comparison to a noise model, we find that the TD technique can be used to probe the vertical vorticity of flows on spatial scales larger than about 15 Mm, thus including supergranules and also giant cells. We also find that the vertical vorticity signal is much easier to measure using SDO/HMI observations than previous observations. The impact of the Sun's rotation on supergranulation is studied in detail by making spatial maps of the vertical vorticity of the flows associated with the average supergranule. The average supergranule is constructed by co-aligning thousands of individual supergranules in a given latitude band. For the first time, we are able to spatially resolve vorticity associated with inflows and outflow regions. In the northern hemisphere, outflows are on average associated with a clockwise circulation. The signal vanishes at the equator and has opposite sign in the southern hemisphere. Inflow and outflow regions have vertical vorticity of opposite sign, as expected from predictions based on the effects of the Coriolis force. The peak of the vertical vorticity in the average supergranular outflow region is rather broad and weak (full width at half maximum, FWHM, of 13 Mm and peak value of 4 x 10^{-6}/s clockwise at 40° latitude) compared to the average inflow region (8 Mm FWHM and peak value of 8 x 10^{-6}/s anti-clockwise). Furthermore, we study the magnetic field around the average supergranule (in the inflow regions) at the equator using SDO/HMI observations. We discover an anisotropy in the average magnetic field strength, which is larger in the west (prograde) than in the east by about 10%. This surprising result adds to the mystery of solar supergranulation. Whether it is connected to other supergranular properties, such as pattern superrotation or wavelike properties, is unclear.
Threshold concepts in finance: student perspectives

Finance threshold concepts are the essential conceptual knowledge that underpin well-developed financial capabilities and are central to the mastery of finance. In this paper we investigate threshold concepts in finance from the point of view of students, by establishing the extent to which students are aware of threshold concepts identified by finance academics. In addition, we investigate the potential of a framework of different types of knowledge to differentiate the delivery of the finance curriculum and the role of modelling in finance. Our purpose is to identify ways to improve curriculum design and delivery, leading to better student outcomes. Whilst we find that there is significant overlap between what students identify as important in finance and the threshold concepts identified by academics, much of this overlap is expressed by indirect reference to the concepts. Further, whilst different types of knowledge are apparent in the student data, there is evidence that students do not necessarily distinguish conceptual from other types of knowledge. As well as investigating the finance curriculum, the research demonstrates the use of threshold concepts to compare and contrast student and academic perceptions of a discipline and, as such, is of interest to researchers in education and other disciplines.
Two-dimensional Quantum Gravity

This Ph.D. thesis pursues two goals: The study of the geometrical structure of two-dimensional quantum gravity and in particular its fractal nature. To address these questions we review the continuum formalism of quantum gravity with special focus on the scaling properties of the theory. We discuss several concepts of fractal dimensions which characterize the extrinsic and intrinsic geometry of quantum gravity. This work is partly based on work done in collaboration with Jan Ambj{\o}rn, Dimitrij Boulatov, Jakob L. Nielsen and Yoshiyuki Watabiki (1997). The other goal is the discussion of the discretization of quantum gravity and to address the so called quantum failure of Regge calculus. We review dynamical triangulations and show that it agrees with the continuum theory in two dimensions. Then we discuss Regge calculus and prove that a continuum limit cannot be taken in a sensible way and that it does not reproduce continuum results. This work is partly based on work done in collaboration with Jan Ambj{\o}rn, Jakob L. Nielsen and George Savvidy (1997).