Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graded sensitivity to structure and meaning throughout the human language network

Human language has a remarkable capacity to encode complex ideas. This capacity arises because language is compositional: the form and arrangement of words in sentences (structure) determine the conceptual relations that hold between the words’ referents (meaning). A foundational question in human cognition is whether the brain regions that support language are similarly factored into structure-selective and meaning-selective areas. In an influential study, Pallier et al. (2011, PNAS) used fMRI to investigate the brain response to sequences of real words and pseudowords and reported a sharp dissociation between structure-selective and meaning-selective brain regions. In the present study, we argue that no such dissociation emerges when individual differences in brain anatomy are considered. We report three experiments (including a close conceptual replication of Pallier et al.’s original study) that use precision fMRI methods to capture separation or overlap of function in the brains of individual participants. Our results replicate Pallier et al.’s finding that the brain’s response is modulated by the sequential structure of language but paint a different picture with respect to the structure-meaning relationship. Instead of distinct structure-selective and meaning-selective brain areas, we find distributed sensitivity to both linguistic structure and meaning throughout a broad frontotemporal brain network. Our results join a growing body of evidence for an integrated network for language in the human brain within which internal specialization is primarily a matter of degree rather than kind, in contrast with influential proposals that advocate distinct specialization of different brain areas for different types of linguistic functions. Significance Statement Using fMRI, we show that a broad network of frontal and temporal areas in the left hemisphere of the human brain is sensitive to both the structure of language and the meaning that it encodes. This finding challenges many current theories of the neurobiology of language, which propose a sharp separation between areas that encode structure and areas that encode meaning. Instead, results support a broad distribution of word- and sentence-level processing across an integrated brain network for language. This PDF file includes: Main Text Figures 1 to 3 Tables 1 to 1
Transfer of modified fecal viromes improve blood glucose regulation and alleviates symptoms of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in an obesity male mouse model

Metabolic syndrome encompasses amongst other conditions like obesity, type-2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which are all associated with gut microbiome (GM) dysbiosis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been explored to treat metabolic syndrome by restoring the GM. FMT is generally safe, but motivated by case reports, accidental transfer of pathogenic bacteria remains a concern. As a safer alternative, fecal virome transplantation (FVT, sterile-filtrated feces) has the advantage over FMT in that mainly bacteriophages are transferred and FVT from lean male donors has shown promise in alleviating the metabolic effects of a high-fat diet in a preclinical mouse study. However, FVT still carry the risk of eukaryotic viral infections. To address this, we here apply recently developed modification methodologies to inactivate or remove the eukaryotic viral component of FVT while maintaining an active enteric bacteriophage community. Modified FVTs were compared with unmodified FVT and saline in an animal model of diet-induced obesity using male C57BL/6N mice. In contrast to the obese control group, mice administered a modified FVT, nearly depleted from eukaryotic viruses (0.1%), exhibited enhanced blood glucose clearance, although without a concurrent reduction in weight gain. The unmodified FVT improved liver pathology and reduced the proportions of immune cells in the adipose tissue with a non-uniform response. GM analysis suggested that bacteriophage-mediated GM modulation had influenced these outcomes. When optimized, this may pave the way for developing safe bacteriophage-based therapies targeting metabolic syndrome through GM restoration.
On adiabatic subtraction in an inflating Universe

Adiabatic subtraction is a popular method of renormalization of observables in quantum field theories on a curved spacetime. When applied to the computation of the power spectra of light (m ≪ H) fields on de Sitter space with flat Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker slices, the standard prescriptions of adiabatic subtraction, traceable back to [1,2], lead to results that are significantly different from the standard expectations not only in the ultraviolet (k ≫ aH) but also at intermediate (m ≪ k/a ≲ H) wavelengths. In this paper we review those results and we contrast them with the power spectra obtained using an alternative prescription for adiabatic subtraction applied to quantum field theoretical systems by Dabrowski and Dunne [3,4]. This prescription eliminates the intermediate-wavelength effects of renormalization that are found when using the standard one.
Kinetic Alfvén Waves Excited by Multiple Free Energy Sources in the Magnetotail

The generation of kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) is investigated through a three-component theoretical model incorporating ion beam and velocity shear as the sources of free energy in a non-Maxwellian κ-distributed plasmas. The model considers Maxwellian distributed background ions, drifting-Maxwellian beam ions, and κ-electrons as its constituent species. It is found that the combination of either positive velocity shear with counter-streaming beam ions or parallel streaming beam ions with negative velocity shear favors the excitation of KAWs. The effect of the κ-parameter on the excitation of KAWs under the combined energy sources is explored. The effect of plasma parameters such as number density, propagation angle, and temperature of plasma species on the real frequency and the growth rate of KAWs are examined. For the plasma parameters pertinent to the magnetotail region of Earth’s magnetosphere, the model is able to produce KAWs in the frequency range of ≈(5–67) mHz, which matches well with the recent ‘Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS)’ observations in the near-Earth magnetotail region.
Effects of Full-sphere Convection on M-dwarf Dynamo Action, Flux Emergence, and Spin-down

We present an analysis of 21 global MHD simulations of the dynamo action taking place in the interiors of fully convective M4 stars. We leverage our past work involving 45 simulations of shell-convecting-type M2 stars in a very similar parameter space to identify properties that their dynamos share and ways in which they differ. We find that the parameter scalings of many fundamental dynamo measures including the ratio of magnetic to kinetic energy and the cycle period are shared not only between the two sets of M-dwarf models but also with the broader literature on K and G dwarfs, suggesting that their convective dynamos are similar in nature. We find that the surface fields of the fully convective stars are stronger and more organized than those in the shell-convecting models and indicate faster spin-down than is observed, for which we suggest possible remediations. We note an abundance of dynamo states that are localized within one hemisphere at a time and find that such states are well described by a quasi-linear superposition of even- and odd-parity eigenmodes with similar amplitudes. We observe that the turbulent stirring of the deep fields of the fully convective models allows them to attain far higher peak amplitudes than those in the tachoclines of the partially convective models. We employ our AI-enabled pipeline, LoopNet, to search for buoyant, fibril magnetic fields in the simulated stars and find nearly twice as many such structures forming in the M4 models, in good agreement with observed differences in their flaring rates.
Label-free imaging of small lipid droplets by femtosecond-stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

In this paper, the implementation and main realization issues of a stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscope, obtained by the integration of a femtosecond SRS spectroscopy set-up with an optical microscope equipped with a scanning unit, are described. In order to characterize capabilities and limitations of SRS microscope, the optical resolution is measured and validation tests on polystyrene beads imaging are reported. In addition, taking account of strength of SRS vibrational contrast, label-free imaging of small biological structures, as such as lipid droplets (LDs), in adipocyte cells is carried out. The visualization of small LDs, with dimensions comparable to the optical lateral resolution of our system, is demonstrated.
Comparative Analysis of Islamic and Conventional Banks: A Case Study from Malaysia

The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banks from Malaysia. For this purpose, 5 Islamic and 5 conventional banks in Malaysia are selected for the time period of 5 years from 2009 to 2013. For comparing financial performance, internal factors such as financial ratios are choosing. These financial ratios named as profitability, liquidity and credit risk with Bank-0-Meter model to calculate solvency. Statistical tools such as T-test and F-test are used to analyze the data. F test for comparing sample variance and T test for comparing sample means. Findings suggest that in terms of profitability and credit risk, conventional banks are in leading position and in terms of liquidity; Islamic banks are in leading position. But if see the result closely the difference in profitability and solvency is not significantly higher.
Intelligent Freeform Deformation for LED Illumination Optics

In freeform optics, the optimization is limited due to large number of parameters present in it. This limitation was overcome by a technique known as optimization using freeform deformation (OFFD). Though this technique proved to work well, it has left many challenges to the optical designer. These challenges are solved by providing mathematical design techniques. This implementation transformed the OFFD into an intelligent tool replacing the optical designer's efforts during the design process.
Screening Out Neurodiversity

ABSTRACT:Autistic adults suffer from an alarmingly high and increasing unemployment rate. Many companies use pre-employment personality screening tests. These filters likely have disparate impacts on neurodivergent individuals, exacerbating this social problem. This situation gives rise to a bind. On the one hand, the tests disproportionately harm a vulnerable group in society. On the other, employers think that personality test scores are predictors of job performance and have a right to use personality traits in their decisions. It is difficult to say whether these negative disparate impacts are a case of wrongful discrimination. Nevertheless, we will show that pre-employment personality tests prey on several features of autism in an unfair way, and for this reason, we suggest the contours of some regulation that we deem necessary.
Atmospheric energy transfer response to global warming

The projected changes in temperature due to global warming will have a profound effect on the behaviour of midlatitude eddies. Using an idealized moist global circulation model, the atmospheric barotropic energy balance is studied over a wide range of climates. The barotropic energy cycle is found to shift poleward as the long‐wave optical thickness increases in concert with the poleward shift of the static stability, driven by the poleward shift of the upper‐level baroclinicity. The baroclinic–barotropic conversion (barotropization) shows a non‐monotonic behaviour at midlatitudes as the climate becomes warmer, and reaches a maximum value around present‐day climate with lower values for colder and warmer climates. This is found to be associated with the non‐monotonic behaviour of the stratification. Similar to the barotropization, the strength of the inverse energy cascade also shows a non‐monotonic behaviour as the climate becomes warmer. However, the inverse energy cascade does not shift poleward, but rather corresponds to the uniform latitudinal distribution of the quasi‐geostrophic supercriticality through all climates. The eddy–mean flow interactions increase and transfer kinetic energy from the eddies to the mean flow at low and high latitudes, and from the mean flow to the eddies at midlatitudes, as the climate becomes warmer. This occurs mostly due to the decrease of the latitudinal extent of the mean flow at high latitudes, which increases and shifts equatorward the meridional shear of the barotropic mean zonal wind. The findings of this study imply that under global warming the eddy flow is dominated by eddy–mean flow interactions and has a more baroclinic nature.
Broadband acoustic focusing by symmetric Airy beams with phased arrays comprised of different numbers of cavity structures

We realize broadband acoustic focusing effect by employing two symmetric Airy beams generated from phased arrays, in which the units of the phased arrays consist of different numbers of cavity structures, each of which is composed of a square cavity and two inclined channels in air. The exotic phenomenon arises from the energy overlapping of the two symmetric Airy beams. Besides, we demonstrate the focusing performance with high self-healing property, and discuss the effects of structure parameters on focusing performance, and present the characteristics of the cavity structure with straight channels. Compared with other acoustic lenses, the proposed acoustic lens has advantages of broad bandwidth (about 1.4 kHz), high self-healing property of focusing performance, and free adjustment of focal length. Our finding should have great potential applications in ultrasound imaging and medical diagnosis.
On graph sparsity and structure : colourings and graph decompositions

We study structural aspects both of sparse and dense graph classes. In particular, we study in detail generalised colourings for sparse classes and their combinatorial applications to other related notions. Furthermore, we extend the known concept of tree decompositions which is central in the theory of Graph Minors and various other classes of sparse graphs, now as a structural tool for classifying dense graph classes. Bounded expansion and nowhere dense classes of graphs are relatively new families of graph classes generalising many commonly studied sparse graph classes such as classes of graphs of bounded degree and classes defined by excluded (topological) minors. They can be characterised through the generalised colouring numbers, for which we show various lower and upper bounds. We utilise the generalised colouring numbers to prove colouring results related to distance colourings of graphs and to obtain a new characterisation of bounded expansion by the notion of neighbourhood complexity. We generalise tree decompositions by introducing median decompositions along with their respective medianwidth invariants, where a graph can be modelled after any median graph. Depending on the notion of dimension we consider, this gives rise to hierachies of graph parameters that start from treewidth or pathwidth and converge to the clique number. Another variation of the parameter characterises the chromatic number of a graph. We provide characterisations of the parameters via intersections of tree or path decompositions and by a generalisation of the classical Cops and Robber game, where the robber plays against not just one team of cops, but many teams of cops simultaneously. Contrary to tree decompositions, we demonstrate that the high-dimensional nature of general median decompositions and their medianwidth parameters makes them more suitable for the study of classes of dense graphs.
Three Years In: A Consideration of the Impacts of Canada's Legalization of Cannabis on Law Enforcement

Abstract:In October 2018, Canada legalized recreational cannabis. Key goals of legalization included reducing access by minors and eliminating the illicit market. Now, three years into the legal regime, important public policy questions are beginning to emerge. With police being tasked to enforce the Cannabis Act and associated provincial/territorial legislation, there is a critical need to understand their experiences, including the successes they have had, challenges they have experienced, and issues that remain unresolved. This paper begins to address these issues by presenting results from a qualitative study involving law enforcement personnel who, through their primary roles and responsibilities, have been actively involved in overseeing cannabis enforcement (in supervisory roles) since legalization in October 2018. Tree key findings emerged from the analyses, and all were tied to the overarching perception that the illicit cannabis market has persisted since legalization: 1) there is a small but significant pattern of abuse of the medical system of production and distribution, specifically tied to designated grower provisions; 2) there are many challenges associated with halting online sales of illicit cannabis; and 3) the issue of unregulated sales of cannabis from Indigenous reserves remains a "hot button" political issue, in need of resolution. Résumé:En octobre 2018, le Canada légalisait l'usage récréatif du cannabis. Parmi les principaux objectifs de la légalisation figuraient la restriction de l'accès des mineurs à la drogue et l'élimination du marché illicite. Aujourd'hui, trois ans après l'instauration de ce régime juridique, des questions importantes relatives aux politiques publiques commencent à émerger. Puisque ce sont les forces policières qui sont chargées d'appliquer la Loi sur le cannabis et les lois provinciales et territoriales connexes, il est essentiel de comprendre leurs expériences, y compris les réussites, les difficultés et les problèmes non résolus. Nous présentons ici les résultats d'une étude qualitative sur le personnel des forces policières qui, du fait de ses principaux rôles et de ses principales responsabilités, participe activement à l'application de la loi sur le cannabis (dans des rôles de supervision) depuis la légalisation, en octobre 2018. Trois conclusions clés ressortent des analyses, et toutes sont liées à la perception générale que le marché illicite du cannabis persiste malgré la légalisation : 1) une tendance faible, mais significative, à l'usage inapproprié du réseau médical de production et de distribution ; cette tendance est spécifquement liée aux dispositions relatives aux producteurs désignés ; 2) l'élimination des ventes en ligne de cannabis illicite se heurte à de nombreuses difficultés ; et 3) la question des ventes non règlementées du cannabis provenant des réserves autochtones demeure brulante, politiquement, et doit être résolue.
Geoffrey Ronald Burbidge. 24 September 1925 — 26 January 2010

Geoffrey (Geoff) Burbidge's career spanned the tumultuous years when astronomy was transformed from a purely optical science to a multi-wavelength discipline through the development of new types of astronomy—radio, X-ray, γ-ray, cosmic ray physics. These offered new astrophysical and cosmological challenges, which he grasped with relish. To all of these disciplines, Geoff, often in collaboration with his wife Margaret Burbidge (FRS 1964), made pioneering contributions, particularly in the areas of the synthesis of the chemical elements, the physics of extragalactic radio sources, the rotation curves of galaxies, the dark matter problem in clusters of galaxies, the physics of accretion discs and the origin of cosmic rays. He also espoused less popular causes such as the non-cosmological nature of the redshifts of quasars and was sceptical about the standard Big Bang picture of the origin of the large-scale structure and dynamics of the Universe. He was a flamboyant and outspoken astrophysicist who challenged his colleagues about their deeply held views on all aspects of astrophysics and cosmology. His service to the community included five years as director of the US Kitt Peak National Observatory, based in Tucson, Arizona, and as a most effective editor of Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics for over 30 years and the Astrophysical Journal.
The Krasnosel'skii formula for parabolic differential inclusions with state constraints

We consider a constrained semilinear evolution inclusion of parabolic type involving an \begin{document}$m$\end{document} -dissipative linear operator and a source term of multivalued type in a Banach space and topological properties of the solution map. We establish the \begin{document}$R_δ$\end{document} -description of the set of solutions surviving in the constraining area and show a relation between the fixed point index of the Krasnosel'skii-Poincare operator of translation along trajectories associated with the problem and the appropriately defined constrained degree of the right-hand side in the equation. This provides topological tools appropriate to obtain results on the existence of periodic solutions to studied differential problems.
Market Masquerades? Corporate Climate Initiative Effects on Firm-Level Climate Performance

Abstract Climate performance in publicly traded companies has become an important focus for climate action. Non–state actor–led initiatives have emerged as influential governors in this arena, intended to plug gaps in public climate change regulation. This article addresses the key question, are such non–state led climate initiatives exerting a positive influence on corporate climate performance? To answer this question, we empirically evaluate the effects of eighteen such climate initiatives on corporate climate performance, distinguishing between “internal” and “external” initiatives. Based on an original data set of corporate climate initiatives that prioritize climate performance in the private sector, we find that each additional climate initiative has little to no impact on climate performance, modeled as scope 1 direct emissions, but does exert a positive influence on scope 2 indirect emissions. Our findings have implications for the trajectory of the private sector’s climate transition, as well as the potential of corporate initiatives to steward effective climate action.
In situ monitoring of photostriction in chalcogenide glass film using fiber Bragg grating sensors

ABSTRACT The reversible photostriction (photomechanical strain) in Ge35S65 chalcogenide thin film deposited by a solvent casting method has been monitored using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. The shift in Bragg wavelength is used as a probing parameter to quantitatively measure the photoinduced strain arising because of structural modifications in these films under illumination. Exposure to band gap light (405 nm) and above band gap light (302 and 254 nm) leads to a reversible photostriction effect of the order of 100 µε. The present study shows that FBG sensors can be used to effectively measure the optomechanical actuation in chalcogenide films caused by the reversible photostriction effect in the visible and ultraviolet wavelength region.
Video: The Emergence of Small Scales in Vortex Ring Collisions

Ryan McKeown,1 Rodolfo Ostilla-Mónico,1,2 Alain Pumir,3 Michael P. Brenner,1 and Shmuel M. Rubinstein1,* 1School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA 3Université de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique, F-69342 Lyon, France