Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dark Matter data and constraints on quartic couplings in IDM

We analyse the thermal evolution of the Universe in the Inert Doublet Model for three regions of Dark Matter masses: low mass (4-8) GeV, medium mass (30-80) GeV and high mass (500-1000) GeV. Those three regions of DM mass exhibit different behaviour, both in the possible types of evolution and in the energy relic density values. In this analysis we use the masses of the scalar particles as the input parameters to constrain the two self-couplings between neutral scalars: $\lambda_{345},\lambda_2$. These couplings are used to construct the parameter space where different types of evolution may be presented. We discuss the influence of the scalar masses on the type of the evolution. We also discuss the importance of the $\lambda_2$ self-coupling. We argue, that the astrophysical data along with the positivity constraints simultaneously constrain both $\lambda_{345}$ and $\lambda_2$ self-couplings.
Dietary restriction fails to extend life in stressful environments

Moderate dietary restriction often prolongs life in laboratory animals, and this response has been interpreted as an adaptive strategy that promotes survival during famine. However, dietary restriction can also increase frailty, and it therefore remains unclear whether restricted diets prolong life under stressful conditions like those experienced by wild animals. We manipulated adult dietary protein of Drosophila melanogaster across a gradient of ambient temperature. We found that protein restriction increased longevity of both sexes at benign ambient temperatures (25-27°C), but failed to extend or even reduced longevity of flies maintained in cold (21-23°C) or hot (29°C) conditions. Protein restriction also generally reduced reproductive performance, and did not consistently enhance performance of F1, F2 or F3 descendants. Our results challenge the long-held idea that extended longevity of diet-restricted laboratory animals represents an adaptive survival strategy in natural populations, and suggest instead that this response is an artefact of benign laboratory conditions.
A cautionary note on quantitative measures of phenotypic convergence

18 1. Tests of phenotypic convergence can provide evidence of adaptive evolution, and the popularity of such studies has grown in recent years due to the development of 20 novel, quantitative methods for identifying and measuring convergence. These methods include the commonly applied C1–C4 measures of Stayton (2015), which 22 measure morphological distances between lineages in phylomorphospace, and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck evolutionary model-fitting analyses to test whether lineages 24 have convergently evolved toward adaptive peaks. 2. We test the performance of C-measures and other convergence measures under 26 various evolutionary scenarios. We reveal critical issues with C-measures, which we help to address by developing novel convergence measures (Ct1–Ct4-measures) 28 that measure distances between lineages at specific points in time. 3. The most substantial issue with C-measures is that they will often misidentify 30 divergent lineages as convergent; this is most common when focal taxa are morphological outliers. In contrast, our new Ct-measures minimize the possibility of 32 misidentifying divergent taxa as convergent. Ct-measures are most appropriate when putatively convergent lineages are of the same or similar geologic ages (e.g., 34 extant taxa), meaning that all or most of the evolutionary histories of the lineages overlap in time. Beyond C-measures, we demonstrate issues with other 36 convergence measures. We find that all distance-based convergence measures are influenced by the position of putatively convergent taxa in morphospace, with 38 morphological outliers often statistically more likely to be categorized as convergent by chance. Further, we demonstrate that multiple-regime Ornstein-Uhlenbeck 40 models often outperform simpler models when fit to divergent lineages, highlighting that model support for multiple-regime models should not always be assumed to 42 reflect convergence among focal lineages. 4. The issues with convergence measures highlighted here are especially relevant 44 because they influence the degree of inferred convergence in many past studies, raising the concern that many lineages have been mistakenly identified as 46 convergent. Our new convergence measures provide researchers with an improved comparative tool for future studies. Nonetheless, we emphasize that all available 48 convergence measures are imperfect, and researchers should recognize the limitations of these methods and use multiple lines of evidence when inferring and 50 measuring convergence.
The Class 0 Protostar BHR71: Herschel Observations and Dust Continuum Models

We use Herschel spectrophotometry of BHR71, an embedded Class 0 protostar, to provide new constraints on its physical properties. We detect 645 (non-unique) spectral lines among all spatial pixels. At least 61 different spectral lines originate from the central region. A CO rotational diagram analysis shows four excitation temperature components, 43, 197, 397, and 1057 K. Low-J CO lines trace the outflow while the high-J CO lines are centered on the infrared source. The low-excitation emission lines of trace the large-scale outflow, while the high-excitation emission lines trace a small-scale distribution around the equatorial plane. We model the envelope structure using the dust radiative transfer code, hyperion, incorporating rotational collapse, an outer static envelope, outflow cavity, and disk. The evolution of a rotating collapsing envelope can be constrained by the far-infrared/millimeter spectral energy distribution along with the azimuthally averaged radial intensity profile, and the structure of the outflow cavity plays a critical role at shorter wavelengths. Emission at 20–40 μm requires a cavity with a constant-density inner region and a power-law density outer region. The best-fit model has an envelope mass of 19 inside a radius of 0.315 pc and a central luminosity of 18.8 . The time since collapse began is 24,630–44,000 years, most likely around 36,000 years. The corresponding mass infall rate in the envelope (1.2 × 10−5 ) is comparable to the stellar mass accretion rate, while the mass-loss rate estimated from the CO outflow is 20% of the stellar mass accretion rate. We find no evidence for episodic accretion.
Matrices of positive polynomials

Associated to a squarematrix all of whose entries are real Laurent polynomials in several variables with no negative coefficients is an ordered “dimension” module introduced by Tuncel, with additional structure, which acts as an invariant for topological Markov chains, and is also an invariant for actions of tori on AF C*-algebras. In describing this invariant, we are led naturally to eventually positivity questions, which in turn lead to descriptions of the Poisson boundaries (of randomwalks affiliatedwith these processes). There is an interplay between the algebraic, dynamical, and probabilistic aspects, for example, if the (suitably defined) endomorphism ring of the dimension module is noetherian, then the boundary is more easily described, the asymptotic behaviour of powers of the matrix is tractible, and the order-theoretic aspects of the dimension module are less difficult to deal with than in general. We also show that under relatively modest conditions, the largest eigenvalue function is a complete invariant for finite equivalence (early results of Marcus and Tuncel showed that it is not a complete invariant in general, but is so if the large eigenvalue is a polynomial).
Pseudomonas aeruginosa increases the susceptibility of Candida albicans to amphotericin B in dual-species biofilms

Biofilms are the leading cause of nosocomial infections, and are hard to eradicate due to their inherent antimicrobial resistance. Candida albicans is the leading cause of nosocomial fungal infections, and is frequently co-isolated with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa from biofilms in the Cystic Fibrosis lung and severe burn wounds. The presence of C. albicans in multi-species biofilms is associated with enhanced antibacterial resistance, which is largely mediated through fungal extracellular carbohydrates sequestering the antibiotics. However, significantly less is known regarding the impact of polymicrobial biofilms on antifungal resistance. Here we show that, in dual species biofilms, P. aeruginosa enhances the sensitivity of C. albicans to amphotericin B, an effect that was biofilm specific. Transcriptional analysis combined with gene ontology enrichment analysis identified several C. albicans processes associated with oxidative stress to be differentially regulated in dual species biofilms, suggesting that P. aeruginosa exerts oxidative stress on C. albicans, likely through the actions of secreted phenazines. However, the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase SOD2 was significantly downregulated in the presence of P. aeruginosa. Monospecies biofilms of the sod2Δ mutant were more susceptible to amphotericin B, and the susceptibility of these biofilms was further enhanced by the addition of exogenous phenazines. Therefore, we propose that in dual species biofilms, P. aeruginosa simultaneously induces mitochondrial oxidative stress, whilst downregulating key detoxification enzymes, which prevent C. albicans mounting an appropriate oxidative stress response to amphotericin B, leading to fungal cell death. This work highlights the importance of understanding the impact of polymicrobial interactions on antimicrobial susceptibility. Importance Biofilms are aggregates of cells encased in an extracellular matrix, and are responsible for the majority of infections in hospitals. The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the fungal pathogen Candida albicans are frequently co-isolated from biofilms in the Cystic Fibrosis lung, and in burn wounds. Here we show that in these biofilms, P. aeruginosa secreted phenazines induce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species stress, which enhances the sensitivity of C. albicans to the antifungal amphotericin B. This work highlights the importance of understanding the impact of polymicrobial interactions on antimicrobial susceptibility.
A search for matter enhanced neutrino oscillations through measurements of day and night solar neutrino fluxes at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

A Search for Matter Enhanced Neutrino Oscillations through Measurements of Day and Night Solar Neutrino Fluxes at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Kathryn Kelly Schaffer Miknaitis Chair of Supervisory Committee: Professor John F. Wilkerson Department of Physics The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) is a heavy-water Cherenkov detector designed to study 8B neutrinos from the sun. Through the charged-current (CC) and neutral-current (NC) reactions of neutrinos on deuterium, SNO separately determines the flux of electron neutrinos and the flux of all active flavors of solar 8B neutrinos. SNO is also sensitive to the elastic scattering (ES) of neutrinos on electrons in the heavy water. Measurements of the CC and NC rates in SNO have conclusively demonstrated solar neutrino flavor change. This flavor change is believed to be caused by matter-enhanced oscillations in the sun, through the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) effect. Matter effects could also change the flavor composition of neutrinos that traverse the earth. A comparison of the day and night measured CC flux at SNO directly tests for the MSW effect and contributes to constraints on neutrino oscillation parameters in the MSW model. We perform measurements of the day and night neutrino fluxes using data from the second phase of SNO, in which salt (NaCl) was added to the heavy water to enhance sensitivity to the NC reaction. Better discrimination between CC and NC events in the salt phase allows the fluxes to be determined without constraining the neutrino energy spectrum. The day-night asymmetry in the CC flux measured in this model-independent analysis is ACC = [−5.6 ± 7.4(stat.) ± 5.3(syst.)]% , where the asymmetry is defined as the difference between the night and day values divided by their average. The asymmetries in the NC and ES fluxes are ANC = [4.2 ± 8.6(stat.) ± 7.2(syst.)]%, and AES = [14.6 ± 19.8(stat.) ± 3.3(syst.)]%. The neutral current asymmetry is expected to be zero assuming standard neutrino oscillations. When we constrain it to be zero, we obtain ACC = [−3.7 ± 6.3(stat.) ± 3.2(syst.)]% and AES = [15.3 ± 19.8(stat.) ± 3.0(syst.)]%. The day and night energy spectra from the CC reaction have been measured and show no evidence for day-night variations as a function of energy.
Literature review on the gender effect in educational testing

4.2:1 p.116) (five girls versus 90 boys 136.5 higher on the AMC 12 test in the 2007 cohort). The find that the highest-achieving girls United are concentrated in a small set of elite schools, in contrast to the wider participation among boys, suggesting that not all girls with strong mathematics abilities are being well-served by the American education system. They also note that schools with girls who highly on the AMC tend to have smaller gender gaps overall.
Refined architecture of the WASP-8 system: a cautionary tale for traditional Rossiter-McLaughlin analysis

Probing the trajectory of a transiting planet across the disk of its star through the analysis of its Rossiter-McLaughlin effect can be used to measure the differential rotation of the host star and the true obliquity of the system. Highly misaligned systems could be particularly conducive to these mesurements, which is why we reanalysed the HARPS transit spectra of WASP-8b using the 'Rossiter-McLaughlin effect reloaded' (reloaded RM) technique. This approach allows us to isolate the local stellar CCF emitted by the planet-occulted regions. As a result we identified a $\sim$35% variation in the local CCF contrast along the transit chord, which might trace a deepening of the stellar lines from the equator to the poles. Whatever its origin, such an effect cannot be detected when analyzing the RV centroids of the disk-integrated CCFs through a traditional velocimetric analysis of the RM effect. Consequently it injected a significant bias into the results obtained by Queloz et al. (2010) for the projected rotational velocity $v_{eq} \sin i_{\star}$ (1.59$\stackrel{+0.08}{_{-0.09}}$ km/s) and the sky-projected obliquity $\lambda$ (-123.0$\stackrel{+3.4}{_{-4.4}}^{\circ}$). Using our technique, we measured these values to be $v_{eq} \sin i_{\star}$ = 1.90$\pm$0.05 km/s and $\lambda$ = -143.0$\stackrel{+1.6}{_{-1.5}}^{\circ}$. We found no compelling evidence for differential rotation of the star, although there are hints that WASP-8 is pointing away from us with the stellar poles rotating about 25% slower than the equator. Measurements at higher accuracy during ingress/egress will be required to confirm this result. In contrast to the traditional analysis of the RM effect, the reloaded RM technique directly extracts the local stellar CCFs, allowing us to analyze their shape and to measure their RV centroids, unbiased by variations in their contrast or FWHM.
The Status Of South Sudan’s Peace Agreement Outputs Enabling Disarmament, Demobilisation And Reintegration

- Security Sector Reforms (SSRs) are at the centre of post-conflict reconstruction, and they have been marked as an integral pillar of a reconstruction strategy, which demands a holistic approach to prevent the state from relapsing into armed conflict. The Southern part of Sudan has been plagued by armed conflict, despite numerous conflict resolution efforts. The study examined the status of South Sudan’s peace agreement outputs enabling disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration. John Paul Lederach's peace-building theory, social constructivism, Arnstein’s ladder of Citizen participation and securitisation theory guided the study. The study primarily adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, with correlational and explanatory research elements. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used coupled with questionnaires, Content Analysis Guides and focus Group discussions. Target population was former and current members of armed groups in South Sudan. Snowball sampling was used to identify the respondents that were surveyed. Key informants were purposively sampled based on the individuals that provided comprehensive information on the variables under the study. Collected data was presented using descriptive statistics such as tables, pie charts, bar graphs, and percentages, as well as inferential statistics.
Provable Active Learning of Neural Networks for Parametric PDEs

Neural networks have proven effective in constructing surrogate models for 1 parametric partial differential equations (PDEs) and for approximating high-2 dimensional quantity of interest (QoI) surfaces. A major cost is training such 3 models is collecting training data, which requires solving the target PDE for a 4 variety of different parameter settings. Active learning and experimental design 5 methods have the potential to reduce this cost, but are not yet widely used for train-6 ing neural networks, nor do there exist methods with strong theoretical foundations. 7 In this work we provide evidence, both empirical and theoretical, that existing active 8 sampling techniques can be used successfully for ﬁtting neural network models 9 for high-dimensional parameteric PDEs. In particular, we show the effectiveness 10 of “coherence motivated” sampling methods (i.e., leverage score sampling), which 11 are widely used to ﬁt PDE surrogate models based on polynomials. We prove 12 that leverage score sampling yields strong theoretical guarantees for ﬁtting single 13 neuron models, even under adversarial label noise. Our theoretical bounds apply to 14 any single neuron model with a Lipschitz non-linearity (ReLU, sigmoid, absolute 15 value, low-degree polynomial, etc.). 16
Model-independent measurement of the absolute magnitude of Type Ia supernovae with gravitational-wave sources

The similarity of the absolute luminosity profiles of Type Ia supernovae (SNIe), as one kind of distance indicator, has led their use in extragalactic astronomy as secondary standard candles. In general, the empirical relationship of SNIa on the absolute peak magnitude MB is calibrated by Cepheid variables in the near distance scale and directly extrapolated to much farther distances. Therefore, two main problems arise. First of all, their calibration, in particular the determination of MB, depends on the empirical relationship of Cepheid variables, which suffers from various uncertainties. The second is related to the homogeneity of SNIa in their true MB, which is known to be poor in different environments. The observed gravitational-wave (GW) signal of the coalescence of compact binary systems and their electromagnetic counterparts provide the novel and model-independent way to address these two problems. In the era of second-generation GW detectors, the low-redshift GW sources provide a novel method to calibrate the empirical relationship of SNIa, using their self-calibrated distances. In this paper, we use the event GW170817 to calibrate the empirical relationship in different low redshift ranges, and find that the calibration results are consistent with the ones derived from the Cepheid variables. Moreover, the uncertainties of MB in both methods are also comparable. By the observations of third-generation GW detectors, GW sources can also be used to measure the values of MB for the high-redshift SNIe, which provides a unique opportunity to study the dependence of MB on the local environment, strength of gravity, and the intrinsic properties of the explosion, in addition to test the homogeneity of standard candles. We find that the uncertainties of MB in both high and low redshifts are more than one order of magnitude smaller than the current accuracy.
Origins of carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars

We investigate the nature of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in Milky Way (MW) analogues selected from the EAGLE cosmological hydrodynamical simulation. The stellar evolution model in EAGLE includes the physics of enrichment by asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, winds from massive stars, and Type Ia and Type II supernovae (SNe). In the simulation, star formation in young MW progenitors is bursty due to efficient stellar feedback, which enables poor metal mixing leading to the formation of CEMP stars with extreme abundance patterns. Two classes of CEMP stars emerge: those mostly enriched by low-metallicity Type II SNe with low Fe yields that drive galactic outflows, and those mostly enriched by AGB stars when a gas-poor galaxy accretes pristine gas. The first class resembles CEMP-no stars with high [C/Fe] and low [C/O], the second class resembles CEMP-s stars overabundant in s-process elements and high values of [C/O]. These two enrichment channels explain several trends seen in data: (i) the increase in the scatter and median of [C/O] at low and decreasing [O/H], (ii) the trend of stars with very low [Fe/H] or [C/H] to be of type CEMP-no and (iii) the reduction in the scatter of [α/Fe] with atomic number in metal-poor stars. In this interpretation, CEMP-no stars were enriched by the stars that enabled galaxies to reionize the Universe.
Assessing Information Literacy Skills among Undergraduate Students of University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana By

: Purpose : This study sought to analyse the information literacy skills among undergraduate students of the University for Development Studies, Wa-Campus. Design/Methodology/Approach: This was an exploratory study. The population of the study consists of students of the University for Development Studies, Wa Campus that are currently enrolled in various undergraduate programmes during the 2017/18 academic year. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire from a random selection of 380 undergraduate students. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test of independence. Findings : The results indicate that majority of the respondents were not aware of the features of information literacy. However, students in the lower grades (level 100 and 200) showed more awareness of information literacy than those in the higher grades. While 63.68% and 75.8% of the respondents have indicated their awareness of copyright and plagiarism as ethical issues, adherence to these concerns have been found to be low. Besides, students are not conversant with information, sources, information retrieval and information use and this suggests low level of information literacy among them. Originality/Value: The study concludes that the role of the University in impacting information literacy skills in the students is yet to be achieved. It is therefore, recommended that management of UDS should take steps towards promoting information literacy skills among the undergraduate students.