Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pulsation Modes in Small‐Amplitude Red Variable Stars

We have investigated the pulsation modes of small‐amplitude red variables with well‐determined periods and accurate Hipparcos parallaxes by comparing observational and theoretical Q‐values. In our sample of 13 stars, one appears to be pulsating in the third overtone, nine in the first or second overtone, and three in the fundamental or first overtone. This result is consistent with the predictions of recent pulsation models by Xiong et al.
First assessment of the metazoan parasite community of Gymnogeophagus balzanii (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from Pantanal wetlands, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazill

ABSTRACT Gymnogeophagus is a genus of fish from the family Cichlidae present in freshwaters from Southern South America, and the knowledge on its parasite communities is rather scarce. Therefore, the present study evaluated, for the first time, the parasite community of G. balzanii. Fish were collected in the Pantanal wetlands, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil and analysed for metazoan parasites. Ten taxa (larvae and adult) were found including Nematoda (3), Digenea (5), Copepoda (1) and Monogenea (1). All taxa were aggregated within the host population, few showed high prevalence and all had low abundance. The parasite community was composed by few specialists and several generalist and characterised by low richness, diversity and, consequently high dominance of few species and low evenness. These characteristics are typical of isolationist parasite communities. The predominance of larval forms indicates that G. balzanii occupies a lower position within the food chain, acting as an important link for trophic relations. Host length and weight were strong determinants in the parasite community, making fish sex also important since males were significantly longer and heavier than females. Generally, the parasite fauna did not influence host body condition, indicating no apparent debility. Presence of Clinostomum metacercariae is important for human health issues.
A fixed point theorem of the alternative, for contractions on a generalized complete metric space

1. Summary. The purpose of this note is to prove a "theorem of the alternative" for any "contraction mapping" T on a "generalized complete metric space" X. The conclusion of the theorem, speaking in general terms, asserts that : either all consecutive pairs of the sequence of successive approximations (starting from an element XQ of X) are infinitely far apart, or the sequence of successive approximations, with initial element Xoy converges to a fixed point of T (what particular fixed point depends, in general, on the initial element Xo). The present theorem contains as special cases both Banach's [ l ] contraction mapping theorem for complete metric spaces, and Luxemburg's [2] contraction mapping theorem for generalized metric spaces.
Effect of Short-Term Treatment with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tolerance, Pulmonary and Cardiac Function in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition with a high prevalence, linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well as increased morbidity and death. CPAP is currently considered the “gold standard” treatment for OSA, but more thorough research and testing are required to assess its efficacy on cardiopulmonary function. Objectives: To evaluate pulmonary function of OSA patients, cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance test (CPET) performance, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters, and polysomnographic changes before and after 3 months of CPAP therapy. Materials and methods: A total of 34 patients diagnosed with moderate or severe OSA, as well as 17 patients as a control group for the evaluation of the cardiac MRI, were included in this study. All the subjects were obese (body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2). Lung function tests, CPETs, cardiac MRIs, and polysomnography were performed at the time of the study’s enrolment before the initiation of the CPAP therapy and after 3 months of the CPAP treatment. Results: The patients‘ VO2max during the CPAP treatment tended to increase, but no statistical significance was found (before treatment it was 17.52 ± 3.79 mL/kg/min and after 3 months of treatment, it was 18.6 ± 3,4 mL/kg/min; p = 0.255). The CPAP treatment had positive effects on pulmonary ventilation at the anaerobic threshold (VEAT): 44.51 L/min (43.21%) during the baseline visit and 38.60 L/min (37.86%) after the 3-month treatment period (p = 0.028). The ventilator equivalent for the carbon dioxide slope (VE/VCO2) at peak exercise decreased from 23.47 to 20.63 (p = 0.042). The patients’ pulmonary function tests were without abnormalities and did not change after treatment. When assessing cardiac the MRIs, the RV ejection fraction was lower in the OSA group compared to that of the control subjects (53.69 ± 8.91 and 61.35 ± 9.08, p = 0.016). Both LA and RA global longitudinal strains (GLS) improved after 3 months of treatment with CPAP (20.45 ± 7.25 and 26.05 ± 14.00, p = 0.043; 21.04 ± 7.14 and 26.18 ± 7.17, p = 0.049, respectively). Additionally, it was found that CPAP therapy led to statistical improvements in RV end-diastolic volume (164.82 ± 32.57 and 180.16 ± 39.09, p = 0.042). The AHI and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) significantly changed after 3 months of the initiation of the CPAP treatment (p = 0.049 and p = 0.001, respectively). The REM sleep duration decreased, while the duration of non-REM sleep increased after treatment initiation with CPAP (p = 0.016 and p = 0.017, respectively). Conclusions: Short-term CPAP treatment improves pulmonary ventilation, sleep efficiency, and sleep architecture. Significant alterations in both atrias’ GLS and RV end-diastolic volume were observed after 3 months of treatment. Longer-term follow-up and a larger patient sample are needed to confirm the reproducibility of our results.
An Evolutionary Analysis of Backward and Forward Induction

We examine the limiting outcomes of a dynamic evolutionary process driven by stochastic learning and rare mutations. We first show that locally stable outcomes are subgame perfect and satisfy a forward induction property. To address cases in which locally stable outcomes fail to exist, we turn to a dynamic analysis. The limiting distribution of the dynamic process in a class of extensive form games with perfect information always includes the subgame perfect equilibrium outcome, but consists exclusively of that outcome only under stringent conditions. The limiting distribution in a class of outside option games satisfies a forward induction requirement.
The Structure of Baroclinic Wave Packets

Abstract In this paper, the three-dimensional structure of baroclinic wave packets is studied using composites from ECMWF reanalysis data. Eddy variances and covariances associated with wave packets are examined in terms of the eddy energy budget and wave activity and fluxes, and the large-scale, phase-independent flow component associated with wave packets is studied using composites of the low zonal wavenumber component of the flow. The results suggest that the sources of upper-level eddy energy–wave activity associated with the wave packets are located over the central and upstream portion of the wave packet, and the downstream part of the wave packet is entirely maintained by radiation of energy–wave activity fluxes from the upstream end. The results are entirely consistent with previous studies of the energetics of individual wave evolution cases. The composites also show that the basic flow response to eddy transports associated with the wave packets consists mainly of a poleward shift of the jet ne.
Pulmonary Histoplasmosis: A Clinical Update

Histoplasma capsulatum, the etiological agent for histoplasmosis, is a dimorphic fungus that grows as a mold in the environment and as a yeast in human tissues. The areas of highest endemicity lie within the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys of North America and parts of Central and South America. The most common clinical presentations include pulmonary histoplasmosis, which can resemble community-acquired pneumonia, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or malignancy; however, certain patients can develop mediastinal involvement or progression to disseminated disease. Understanding the epidemiology, pathology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic testing performance is pivotal for a successful diagnosis. While most immunocompetent patients with mild acute or subacute pulmonary histoplasmosis should receive therapy, all immunocompromised patients and those with chronic pulmonary disease or progressive disseminated disease should also receive therapy. Liposomal amphotericin B is the agent of choice for severe or disseminated disease, and itraconazole is recommended in milder cases or as “step-down” therapy after initial improvement with amphotericin B. In this review, we discuss the current epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, clinical presentations, and management of pulmonary histoplasmosis.
The Catalytic Role of Mobile Banking to Improve Financial Inclusion in Developing Countries

Financial inclusion is challenged by numerous factors that include country regulations and policies, poor infrastructure, lack of financial education and literacy, low income levels, political instability, geographical barriers, reluctance by banks to change from traditional banking models of branch networks, and expensive technology. These challenges could be addressed by leveraging technological innovations like mBanking; however, literature indicates that there is limited understanding of integrating mobile technology into banking to enhance financial inclusion. The study collected data from Vhembe District Municipality in South Africa. Results indicated that of the 17 factors tested, 14 were significant for using mBanking to improve financial inclusion. The study recommends that for financial inclusion improvement, developing countries should design realistic policies and strategies that could enable the use of mBanking, especially mobile money and agent banking, that can reach a wider population at low cost.
Results from UVCS and LASCO Observation of the Sungrazing Comet C/2000 C6

During 2000 February 9-10, the Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph and Ultraviolet Coronal Spectrometer (UVCS) instruments aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory observed comet C/2000 C6, a member of the Kreutz family of sungrazing comets. A tail nearly 0.5 R☉ in length was detected in Lyα emission. UVCS was able to observe the comet at four heights as it approached the Sun. A jump in the Lyα brightness between 5.71 and 4.56 R☉ suggests that the nucleus fragmented, exposing more area to solar illumination and increasing the outgassing rate. We interpret the Lyα luminosity in terms of the outgassing rate and use this to estimate the diameter of the nucleus. The Lyα emission fades as H I is ionized, providing estimates of the density in the coronal streamer encountered by the comet.
Design and evaluation of a research-based teaching sequence: the superposition of electric field

This paper illustrates our approach to research-based teaching strategies, including their evaluation. It deals with a teaching sequence on the superposition of electric fields, implemented at college level in an institutional framework subject to severe constraints. The general approach to the teaching-learning processes is that of a motivated and guided construction. Consistently, this sequence was designed on the basis of two interrelated studies: a content analysis of the domain and an investigation of common ways of reasoning. Thus, the part played by multicausality in the superposition principle and the tendencies previously observed in common reasoning as regards the analysis of multivariable problems inspired the main choices made for this sequence. The evaluation method, using 'conceptual profiles', will be explained and illustrated with the main findings. A discussion of this approach ends the paper.
Instrument for noninvasive photonic assessments of biological materials

We have developed a new instrument for the non-invasive assessment of biological materials. The instrument assesses sample condition, by measuring the interaction of the biological material with optical radiation. The new instrument features efficient light collection optics, improved light delivery and increased measurement flexibility over previous designs. The optical properties measured are: refracted (transmitted), forward scattered, non-specularly reflected and specularly reflected light. Measurements were made for white light, as well as in several spectral regions over the visible spectrum. The instrument repeatability using non-biological controls was between 0.08% and 0.34% of maximum signal for each of the four optical properties for signals ranging from maximum to 0.1% maximum, for each of the wavelengths ranges. This repeatability is better than the variability of biological samples within a test group, which is 5% of maximum signal and ensures that the instrument will be able to accurately report the optical property of biological systems. The instrument is also capable of detecting changes of between 0.0063% and 0.0057% of maximum signal for each of the four optical properties and in each wavelength range. Using artificial, human, and porcine corneas, measurements were made to assess and quantify the system’s ability to characterize changes in the above optical properties in a biological system under stress. For both transmitted and reflected non-specular light, there was an equivalent correlation measured between artificial and human corneas, when exposed to an external insult. The instrument also proved effective in tracking time-dependant responses of biological tissues subjected to various insults. This new instrument is a reliable tool for measuring static and dynamic optical properties of various biological tissues. The ability to measure small relative changes in optical properties of tissues makes it an invaluable diagnostic tool.
Performance Evaluation of RapiSure (EDGC) COVID-19 S1 RBD IgG/Neutralizing Ab Test for the Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies

The accurate detection of anti-neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can aid in the understanding of the development of protective immunity against COVID-19. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the RapiSure (EDGC) COVID-19 S1 RBD IgG/Neutralizing Ab Test. Using the 90% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) as a reference, 200 serum samples collected from 78 COVID-19-positive and 122 COVID-19-negative patients were divided into 76 PRNT90-positive and 124 PRNT90-negative groups. The ability of the RapiSure test to detect antibodies was compared to that of the STANDARD Q COVID-19 IgM/IgG Plus test and that of PRNT90. The positive, negative, and overall percent agreement between the RapiSure and STANDARD Q test was 95.7%, 89.3%, and 91.5%, respectively, with a Cohen’s kappa of 0.82. The RapiSure neutralizing antibody test results revealed a sensitivity of 93.4% and a specificity of 100% compared to the PRNT results, with an overall percent agreement of 97.5% and Cohen’s kappa of 0.95. The diagnostic performance of the RapiSure test was in good agreement with the STANDARD Q COVID-19 IgM/IgG Plus test and comparable to that of the PRNT. The RapiSure S1 RBD IgG/Neutralizing Ab Test was found to be convenient and reliable and, thus, can provide valuable information for rapid clinical decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event-Triggered Adaptive Time-Varying Formation Tracking of Multi-Agent System With a Leader of Nonzero Input

In this brief, the time-varying formation (TVF) tracking problem is studied for multi-agent systems (MAS) with the leader’s control input is nonzero. First assuming that the agents’ states are unavailable, the state observer is therefore designed to deal with this situation. Then, a novel kind of event-triggered (ET) adaptive output feedback TVF tracking controller for linear MASs is put forward. According to Lyapunov stability theory, the result implies that under the appropriate assumptions the proposed controller is implementable without using any global information. Furthermore, for the designed ET condition, Zeno behavior doesn’t manifest in any agent. Furthermore, numerical simulation is given to validate the performance of the design techniques.
A perfectly matched anisotropic absorber for use as an absorbing boundary condition

An alternative formulation of the "perfectly matched layer" mesh truncation scheme is introduced. The present scheme is based on using a layer of diagonally anisotropic material to absorb outgoing waves from the computation domain. The material properties can be chosen such that the interface between the absorbing material and free space is reflection-less for all frequencies, polarizations, and angles of incidence. This approach does not involve a modification of Maxwell's equations and is easy to implement in codes that allow the use of anisotropic material properties.
Properties of the F layer plasma in the midday throat ridge and trough

The tongue or ridge of the F layer plasma in the region of the dayside throat of the convection pattern is studied in order to determine its source and its relation to the daytime trough. A global array of six ionospheric sounders near 75° MLAT situated in both hemispheres provide the observations spanning 19 consecutive months at solar maximum. The ridge is often stable for many hours and magnetically conjugate; it is variable day to day but is so persistent that it is evident in the monthly medians. The ridge maximum has a seasonal dependence consistent with ionization by solar radiation rather than by particle precipitation, and a local time dependence that is consistent with the transport from elsewhere on the dayside by convection rather than with production at the observing sites. The ridge is not an isolated structure but is flanked by the two troughs of low-density plasma transported to the dayside by the dawn and dusk convection cells. Accordingly, the structure of the throat is a ridge between two valleys that is entirely a product of convection.
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tools for Stratifying Women into Risk Groups: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary Early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women through screening is an important strategy in reducing the burden of breast cancer. In current organized breast screening programs, age is the predominant risk factor. Breast cancer risk assessment tools are numerical models that can combine information on various risk factors to estimate the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer within a certain time period. These tools could be used to offer risk-based screening. This systematic review assessed, using a variety of methods, how accurately breast cancer risk assessment tools can group women eligible for screening within a population, into risk groups, so that each group could potentially be offered a screening protocol with more benefits and less harms compared to current age-based screening. Abstract Background: The benefits and harms of breast screening may be better balanced through a risk-stratified approach. We conducted a systematic review assessing the accuracy of questionnaire-based risk assessment tools for this purpose. Methods: Population: asymptomatic women aged ≥40 years; Intervention: questionnaire-based risk assessment tool (incorporating breast density and polygenic risk where available); Comparison: different tool applied to the same population; Primary outcome: breast cancer incidence; Scope: external validation studies identified from databases including Medline and Embase (period 1 January 2008–20 July 2021). We assessed calibration (goodness-of-fit) between expected and observed cancers and compared observed cancer rates by risk group. Risk of bias was assessed with PROBAST. Results: Of 5124 records, 13 were included examining 11 tools across 15 cohorts. The Gail tool was most represented (n = 11), followed by Tyrer-Cuzick (n = 5), BRCAPRO and iCARE-Lit (n = 3). No tool was consistently well-calibrated across multiple studies and breast density or polygenic risk scores did not improve calibration. Most tools identified a risk group with higher rates of observed cancers, but few tools identified lower-risk groups across different settings. All tools demonstrated a high risk of bias. Conclusion: Some risk tools can identify groups of women at higher or lower breast cancer risk, but this is highly dependent on the setting and population.
On semisimple extensions and separable extensions over non commutative rings

In this paper we intend to generalize the semisimplicity and separability for algebras to the case where the basic ring is non commutative. Separable algebras in the sense of Auslander-Goldman [2] and semisimple algebras in the sense of Hattori [5] are separable extensions and semisimple extensions respectively in our sense. For the definitions of these the relative homological algebra introduced by Hochshild [8] $\iota s$ useful. In \S 1 we shall define the semisimple extension over non $commutat\iota ve$ rings and study about some properties of them. In \S 2 we study about separable extensions. Separable extensions are semisimple extensions (Proposition 2.6). If $\Lambda$ is an algebra over a commutative ring $R$ and $\Gamma$ is a subalgebra, then $\Lambda$ is a separable extension of $\Gamma$ if, and only if, $\Lambda\otimes_{R}\Delta$ is a semisimple extension of
Modelling Operation of System of Recuperative Heat Exchangers for Aero Engine with Combined Use of Porosity Model and Thermo-Mechanical Model

Abstract The present work describes an effort to model the operation of a system of recuperative heat exchangers of an aero engine for real engine operating conditions. The modelling was performed with the combined use of a porous medium model and a thermo mechanical model. The porous medium model was taking into account the heat transfer and pressure loss behaviour of the heat exchangers while the thermo mechanical one was used for the calculation of the wall temperature distribution of the elliptic tubes of the heat exchangers. As it is presented, the combined use of these models can provide a useful tool which can help in the prediction of the macroscopic behaviour of the system of recuperative heat exchangers of the aero engine which can be used for optimization purposes and numerical studies.
A smoothest curve approximation

The problem of obtaining and examining an integration rule is examined, based on integrating a function passing through a given set of points such that the function will have a small amount of twisting and such that whatever twisting is necessary will be spread out. The problem solution is presented by development of theorems and proofs within the definitions given. (J.R.D.)
Systematic Review of College and Career Readiness Interventions for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

U.S. federal policy recommends college and career readiness (CCR) programs to ensure students are prepared for postsecondary life. CCR programs may be particularly important for students with, or at risk of, emotional behavior disorders (EBD) who experience poor school and postschool outcomes. This literature review examined CCR programs for secondary-age students with, or at risk of, EBD. After a systematic search, 14 articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Although all studies resulted in favorable outcomes in some areas, outcomes were not universally positive. Furthermore, the evaluation of study quality indicated the need for increased research rigor. The findings suggest additional research is needed to identify effective CCR components and ascertain specific intervention outcomes that can be expected. Limitations and implications for research and practice are described.