Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Effect of Carbonate Apatite and Autogenous Bone on Osteogenesis

Bone augmentation using artificial bone is an important option in dental defect prostheses. A bone substitute using carbonate apatite (CO3Ap), an inorganic component of bone, was reported to have promising bone formation and bone replacement ability. However, the osteoinductivity of artificial bone is less than autogenous bone (AB). In this study, CO3Ap with AB is demonstrated as a clinically effective bone substitute. For in vitro experiments, an osteoclast-like cell (RAW-D) was cultured in the presence of AB, CO3Ap, or both (Mix), and the number of osteoclasts was evaluated. Osteoblasts were also cultured under the same conditions, and the number of adherent cells was evaluated. For in vivo experiments, a few holes were created in the rat tibia and AB, CO3Ap, or Mix were added. At 0, 14, and 21 days, the tissue morphology of the wound area was observed, and the thickness of the cortical bone was measured. In vitro, Mix did not increase the number of osteoclasts or osteoblasts. However, in vivo, the rate of bone replacement remarkably increased with Mix on dome-shape. A bone-grafting material combining osteoinductive AB with abundant artificial bone is expected to be clinically easy to use and able to form bone.
Improved search for two-neutrino double electron capture on $^{124}$Xe and $^{126}$Xe using particle identification in XMASS-I

We conducted an improved search for the simultaneous capture of two $K$-shell electrons on the $^{124}$Xe and $^{126}$Xe nuclei with emission of two neutrinos using 800.0 days of data from the XMASS-I detector. A novel method to discriminate $\gamma$-ray/$X$-ray or double electron capture signals from $\beta$-ray background using scintillation time profiles was developed for this search. No significant signal was found when fitting the observed energy spectra with the expected signal and background. Therefore, we set the most stringent lower limits on the half-lives at $2.1 \times 10^{22}$ and $1.9 \times 10^{22}$ years for $^{124}$Xe and $^{126}$Xe, respectively, with 90% confidence level. These limits improve upon previously reported values by a factor of 4.5.
A Comparison of Psychometric Properties and Normality in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-Point Likert Scales

ABSTRACT The Likert scale is very popular, but the question as to the number of scale points is still controversial. This article studies the differences among 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-point Likert scales with a sample of 1,217 students in Macau, using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale as the measuring instrument. There is no major difference in internal structure in terms of means, standard deviations, item–item correlations, item–total correlations, Cronbach's alpha, or factor loadings. Findings indicate that having more scale points seems to reduce skewness, and the 11-point scale, ranging from 0 to 10, has the smallest kurtosis and is closest to normal. Only the 6- and 11-point scales follow normal distributions from Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk statistics. Results on predictive validity are inconclusive. This article discusses future applications and suggests the use of an 11-point scale as it increases sensitivity and is closer to interval level of scaling and normality. Recommendations for social workers and teachers are made to better assist when using self-reported measurement scales.
Stellar populations of galaxies in the ALHAMBRA survey up to $z \sim 1$. II. Stellar populations of quiescent galaxies within the stellar mass- and the $UVJ$ colour-colour diagrams

We aim at discerning the distribution of stellar population parameters (extinction, age, metallicity, and sSFR) of quiescent galaxies within the rest-frame stellar mass- and $UVJ$ colour-colour diagrams up to $z\sim1$ and down to $I=23$ AB, as well as the development of new diagrams to reduce the contamination from dust-reddened galaxies in samples of quiescent galaxies. By use of the photometric data from ALHAMBRA, we determine stellar population parameters of quiescent galaxies using the SED-fitting code MUFFIT and different SSP models. Through the extinctions retrieved by MUFFIT, we remove dusty star forming galaxies from the sample. The distribution of all the stellar populations parameters is also fitted by a bidimensional and locally weighted regression method (LOESS) across the rest-frame diagrams to reduce the impact of uncertainties and provide the distribution of stellar population parameters. Quiescent galaxies selected via $UVJ$ diagrams are typically contaminated by a ~20% fraction of dusty star forming galaxies. A significant part of the galaxies that reside in the green valley are actually obscured star-forming galaxies (~65%). Therefore, the transition of galaxies from the blue cloud to the red sequence, and hence the related mechanisms for quenching, seems to be much more efficient and faster than previously considered. There are well defined correlations in both the rest-frame stellar mass- and $UVJ$ colour-colour diagrams that allow to constrain the ages, metallicities, extinctions, and sSFR of quiescent galaxies with only their rest-frame colours, redshifts and stellar masses. Dust corrections play an important role in understanding how quiescent galaxies are distributed in these diagrams. To perform a pure non-biased selection of quiescent galaxies from these diagrams is key to include dust corrections of the involved colours and also the galaxy stellar mass.
The Order-Statistic Claim Process With Dependent Claim Frequencies and Severities

Assuming that insurance claims arrive according to a general order-statistic (OS) point process, we explore ways for calculating the first two moments of the aggregate claim, thus facilitating the calculation of, and statistical inference for, quantities of actuarial interest such as the standard-deviation risk measure. We allow the OS process to govern claim sizes via claim arrival or, alternatively, claim interarrival times, which is a practically important feature. Given these general dependence structures and the underlying OS process, the herein obtained results extend and generalize a number of those in the literature.
Impact of metallicity and star formation rate on the time-dependent, galaxy-wide stellar initial mass function

The stellar initial mass function (IMF) is commonly assumed to be an invariant probability density distribution function of initial stellar masses. These initial stellar masses are generally represented by the canonical IMF, which is defined as the result of one star formation event in an embedded cluster. As a consequence, the galaxy-wide IMF (gwIMF) should also be invariant and of the same form as the canonical IMF; gwIMF is defined as the sum of the IMFs of all star-forming regions in which embedded clusters form and spawn the galactic field population of the galaxy. Recent observational and theoretical results challenge the hypothesis that the gwIMF is invariant. In order to study the possible reasons for this variation, it is useful to relate the observed IMF to the gwIMF. Starting with the IMF determined in resolved star clusters, we apply the IGIMF-theory to calculate a comprehensive grid of gwIMF models for metallicities, [Fe/H] ∈ (−3, 1), and galaxy-wide star formation rates (SFRs), SFR ∈ (10−5, 105) M⊙ yr−1. For a galaxy with metallicity [Fe/H] < 0 and SFR > 1 M⊙ yr−1, which is a common condition in the early Universe, we find that the gwIMF is both bottom light (relatively fewer low-mass stars) and top heavy (more massive stars), when compared to the canonical IMF. For a SFR < 1 M⊙ yr−1 the gwIMF becomes top light regardless of the metallicity. For metallicities [Fe/H] > 0 the gwIMF can become bottom heavy regardless of the SFR. The IGIMF models predict that massive elliptical galaxies should have formed with a gwIMF that is top heavy within the first few hundred Myr of the life of the galaxy and that it evolves into a bottom heavy gwIMF in the metal-enriched galactic centre. Using the gwIMF grids, we study the SFR−Hα relation and its dependency on metallicity and the SFR. We also study the correction factors to the Kennicutt SFRK − Hα relation and provide new fitting functions. Late-type dwarf galaxies show significantly higher SFRs with respect to Kennicutt SFRs, while star-forming massive galaxies have significantly lower SFRs than hitherto thought. This has implications for gas-consumption timescales and for the main sequence of galaxies. We explicitly discuss Leo P and ultra-faint dwarf galaxies.
Minimal entropic kinetic models for hydrodynamics

We derive minimal discrete models of the Boltzmann equation consistent with equilibrium thermodynamics, and which recover correct hydrodynamics in arbitrary dimensions. A new discrete velocity model is proposed for the simulation of the Navier-Stokes-Fourier equation and is tested in the setup of Taylor vortex flow. A simple analytical procedure for constructing the equilibrium for thermal hydrodynamics is established. For the lattice Boltzmann method of isothermal hydrodynamics, the explicit analytical form of the equilibrium distribution is presented. This results in an entropic version of the isothermal lattice Boltzmann method with the simplicity and computational efficiency of the standard lattice Boltzmann model.
Confinement of half-quantized vortices in coherently coupled Bose-Einstein condensates: Simulating quark confinement in a QCD-like theory

We demonstrate that the confinement of half-quantized vortices (HQVs) in coherently coupled Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) simulates certain aspects of the confinement in $SU(2)$ quantum chromodynamics (QCD) in 2+1 space-time dimensions. By identifying the circulation of superfluid velocity as the baryon number and the relative phase between two components as a dual gluon, we identify HQVs in a single component as electrically charged particles with a half baryon number. Further, we show that only singlet states of the relative phase of two components can stably exist as bound states of vortices, that is, a pair of vortices in each component (a baryon) and a pair of a vortex and an antivortex in the same component (a meson). We then study the dynamics of a baryon and meson; baryon is static at the equilibrium and rotates once it deviates from the equilibrium, while a meson moves with constant velocity. For both baryon and meson we verify a linear confinement and determine that they are broken, thus creating other baryons or mesons in the middle when two constituent vortices are separated by more than some critical distance, resembling QCD.
“I Just Don’t Know What to Believe”: Sensemaking during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Criminal Legal Involved Communities

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, those involved with the criminal legal system experience disproportionate vulnerability to infection, transmission, and mortality, facing additional systemic barriers due to criminal legal involvement (CLI) (e.g., prior incarcerations or probationary status affecting employability or housing security). We use Weick’s (1979) model of sensemaking as a theoretical framework to inform our examination of CLI individuals’ experiences during the pandemic. The primary objective of this paper is to explore the process of sensemaking amid misinformation, trust/mistrust, and vulnerability during the pandemic among CLI communities in three central states (Illinois, Louisiana, and Arkansas). We conducted seven online focus groups (n = 44), between December 2020 and January 2021, from the targeted communities about their awareness of misinformation, trusted or distrusted sources, attitudes about COVID-19 health behaviors (including testing, protective behaviors such as mask-wearing and social distancing, and vaccination), and experiences with the criminal legal system during the pandemic. The concept of equivocality was at the core of the narratives shared among participants, with uncertainty emerging as a meta-theme across all focus groups. The findings of this study should prove useful for those who are developing messaging to combat mis/disinformation and overcome mis/distrust with the medical system and government institutions among those who are disenfranchised.
Multimode switching induced by a transverse field in planar magnetic nanowires

We report how transverse fields affect the axial field needed to “inject” domain walls from a large Permalloy (Ni80Fe20) pad into planar nanowires of width 184nm, 303nm, 321nm, and 537nm fabricated by electron beam lithography. For the narrowest wire, different switching fields are observed under the same transverse field conditions, indicating that more than one mode or state for the domain walls may exist. In contrast, in the widest wires a transverse field causes each reversal event to occur in two stages. The different response may be attributed to the magnetostatic energy differences of domain walls in wires of different widths.
Morphological, optical, and photoluminescent characteristics of GaAs1−xNx nanowhiskered thin films

GaAs1−xNx solid-solution thin films of nanometric size were prepared on glass substrates by the radio-frequency sputtering technique. Atomic-force microscopy images show that the films are composed of grains with a whisker shape, whose size is practically independent of the substrate temperature. Their typical diameters range between 40 and 45 A. The surface morphology exhibits a high density of whisker-like features that are almost normal to the substrate plane. This density increases as the substrate temperature increases, but, in essence, the nanowhisker diameter does not. Optical absorption spectra of the samples show a band-gap energy blueshift as large as 1.5 eV with respect to that of the GaAs bulk value, which was associated with strong quantum-confinement effects. Photoluminescence emission spectra in the blue range of 428–438 nm confirm the quantum-size effects in the GaAs1−xNx nanowhiskered thin films.
Spin-spin correlations in Yb2 Ti2 O7 : A polarized neutron scattering study

Polarized neutron diffraction and neutron spin echo have been employed to investigate the low-temperature $(Tl2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$ magnetic correlations in the frustrated magnet ${\mathrm{Yb}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$. Several studies have reported a phase transition at $240\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mK}$, however, the low-temperature phase is still under debate. It has been reported that ${\mathrm{Yb}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ enters a frozen ferromagnetic phase, however, studies of the spin dynamics suggest otherwise. Our results conclusively rule out a frozen ferromagnetic state and confirm that the majority of the spin system continues to fluctuate below $240\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mK}$.
More lead stars

The standard model for the operation of the s-process in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars predicts that low-metallicity ([Fe/H] ≲ -1) AGB stars should exhibit large overabundances of Pb and Bi as compared to other s-elements. The discovery of the first three such "lead stars" (defined as stars enriched in s-elements with [Pb/hs] ≳1, hs being any of Ba. La or Ce) among CH stars has been reported in a previous paper (Van Eck et al. 2001). Five more CH stars (with [Fe/H] ranging from -1.5 to -2.5) are studied in the present paper, and two of them appear to be enriched in lead (with [Pb/Ce] ≃ 0.7). The PbI line at λ4057. 812 A is detected and clearly resolved thanks to high-resolution spectra (R = λ/Δλ = 135 000). The abundances for these two stars (HD 198269 and HD 201626) are consistent with the predictions for the s-process operating in low-metallicity AGB stars as a consequence of the "partial mixing" of protons below the convective hydrogen envelope. Another two stars (HD 189711 and V Ari) add to a growing number of low-metallicity stars (also including LP 625-44 and LP 706-7, as reported by Aoki et al. 2001) which do not conform to these predictions. Variations on the canonical proton-mixing scenario for the operation of the s-process in low-metallicity stars, that could account for these discrepant stars, are briefly discussed.
Effect of organic and inorganic nutrients on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)- gobhi sarson (Brassica napus var. napus) cropping sequence

A pronounced residual effect of organic and inorganic nutrients, applied in pearl millet crop was observed on yields of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R Br]-gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L. var napus) cropping system. The experiment was conducted (by way of inorganic and organic sources combinations) with 8 treatments of FYM, vermicompost, inorganic N and control. The highest growth, yield and yield parameters of pearl millet crop were recorded with 100% recommended fertilizer dose-RFD and the grain yield (2899 kg/ha) was about 85.2% higher over the control and was followed by statistically similar treatment 75% N inorganic + 25% VC with the grain yield value of 2703 kg/ha. In case of gobhi sarson, the highest grain yield (855 kg/ha) was observed owing to residual effect of 100% N through vermicompost (VC) applied in preceding pearl millet crop, which was about 82.3% higher over the control. The treatments where 50% N was substituted by FYM and VC in pearl millet crop had the statistically similar grain yield values of gobhi sarson. The highest rain water use efficiency (RWUE) and heat-use efficiency (HUE) was recorded in treatment 100% RFD in pearl millet crop and 100% N through VC in gobhi sarson.
Rapidly responding to landslides and debris flow events using a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract. Landslides and debris flow events triggered by substantial precipitation in typhoon events often cause enormous damage. It is crucial to rapidly acquire, process, and distribute the most updated information of the disaster areas, particularly optical images with high-spatial resolution. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) provides an innovative approach to remote sensing that is much cheaper, safer, and more flexible for deployment in a small area, ranging from a few tens of square kilometers. This paper demonstrates the application of a low-cost UAV to rapid landslide assessment in difficult access and climatic conditions, as well as presents two examples of rapid response to the natural disaster events at Mudan and Manjhou triggered by Typhoon Nanmadol on August 29, 2011. Various approaches were successfully integrated and implemented in an automatic mission planning and image processing system to plan a flight mission and generate three levels of georeferenced products. Comparing with 14 check points identified on the 25-cm resolution aerial orthophoto, the accuracy of the orthophoto product can achieve a root mean square error of less than 2.81 pixels. All orthophotos are further processed to one seamless, color-balanced, and georeferenced mosaic that can be published on the free-access Google Earth within 24 h.
Influence of the tensor force on the microscopic heavy-ion interaction potential

Background: The tensor interaction is known to play an important role in the nuclear structure studies of exotic nuclei. However, most microscopic studies of low-energy nuclear reactions neglect the tensor force, resulting in a lack of knowledge concerning the effect of the tensor force on HIC. Purpose: The theoretical study of the influence of the tensor force on heavy-ion interaction potentials is required to further our understanding of the microscopic mechanisms entailed in fusion dynamics. Method: The full Skyrme tensor force is implemented into the static Hartree-Fock and dynamic density-constrained time-dependent Hartree-Fock (DC-TDHF) theory to calculate both static (frozen density) and dynamic microscopic interaction potentials for reactions involving exotic and stable nuclei. Results: The static potentials are found to be systematically higher than the dynamical results, which are attributed to the microscopic dynamical effects included in TDHF. We also show that the dynamical potential barriers vary more significantly by the inclusion of tensor force than the static barriers. The influence of isoscalar and isovector tensor terms is also investigated with the TIJ set of forces. For light systems, the tensor force is found to have an imperceptible effect on the nucleus-nucleus potential. However, for medium and heavy spin-unsaturated reactions, the potentials may change from a fraction of an MeV to almost 2 MeV by the inclusion of tensor force, indicating a strong impact of the tensor force on sub-barrier fusion. Conclusions: The tensor force could indeed play a large role in the fusion of nuclei, with spin-unsaturated systems seeing a systematic increase in ion-ion barrier height and width. This fusion hindrance is partly due to static, ground state effects from the inclusion of the tensor force, though additional hindrance appears when studying nuclear dynamics.
Environment-Induced Performance of End Concrete Diaphragm in Skewed Semi-Integral Bridges

Past research has shown that as skewed bridges change temperature, additional lateral movement or forces will occur along with the elongation of the bridge. Even though past research has documented this behavior, lateral movements of semi-integral bridge superstructure associated with temperature effects on bridge skewness have not been well predicted. In this study, the seasonal movements of a 24-year-old semi-integral bridge caused by temperature effects with skewed abutment have been investigated by conducting a series of field measurements on bridges subjected to various environmental climates. The measured data showed that as the bridge heated up, the superstructure tended to move toward the acute corner of the bridge, and the bridge would contract towards its obtuse corner with a negative temperature change. During warm weather, the cracks on the end diaphragm tended to open with a positive temperature change and close with a negative temperature change, which was much more predictable than the cold weather behavior. This behavior confirms that even though the bridge moves linearly with temperature, the end diaphragm response to the temperature depends on the season. Movement of the bridge superstructure from temperature change has caused cracks in the end diaphragm, which are now propagating to the deck. These cracks could damage the bridge enough that it would require repair work in the future. The evidence in this study will help provide a complete picture of seasonal jointless bridge behavior so future semi-integral bridges can be made safer and more efficient.
Decreased CSTB, RAGE, and Axl Receptor Are Associated with Zika Infection in the Human Placenta

Zika virus (ZIKV) compromises placental integrity, infecting the fetus. However, the mechanisms associated with ZIKV penetration into the placenta leading to fetal infection are unknown. Cystatin B (CSTB), the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO (AXL) have been implicated in ZIKV infection and inflammation. This work investigates CSTB, RAGE, and AXL receptor expression and activation pathways in ZIKV-infected placental tissues at term. The hypothesis is that there is overexpression of CSTB and increased inflammation affecting RAGE and AXL receptor expression in ZIKV-infected placentas. Pathological analyses of 22 placentas were performed to determine changes caused by ZIKV infection. Quantitative proteomics, immunofluorescence, and western blot were performed to analyze proteins and pathways affected by ZIKV infection in frozen placentas. The pathological analysis confirmed decreased size of capillaries, hyperplasia of Hofbauer cells, disruption in the trophoblast layer, cell agglutination, and ZIKV localization to the trophoblast layer. In addition, there was a significant decrease in CSTB, RAGE, and AXL expression and upregulation of caspase 1, tubulin beta, and heat shock protein 27. Modulation of these proteins and activation of inflammasome and pyroptosis pathways suggest targets for modulation of ZIKV infection in the placenta.