Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nearby supernova rates from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search - IV. A recovery method for the delay-time distribution

Recovery of the supernova (SN) delay-time distribution (DTD) – the SN rate versus time that would follow a hypothetical brief burst of star formation – can shed light on SN progenitors and physics, as well as on the time-scales of chemical enrichment. Previous attempts to reconstruct the DTD have been based either on comparison of mean SN rates versus redshift to cosmic star-formation history (SFH), or on the comparison of SN rates among galaxies with different mean ages. Here, we present an approach to recover the SN DTD that avoids the averaging and loss of information of other schemes. We compare the SFHs of individual galaxies to the numbers of SNe discovered by a survey in each galaxy (generally zero, sometimes one SN, rarely a few). We apply the method to a subsample of 3505 galaxies, hosting 82 type-Ia SNe (SNe Ia) and 119 core-collapse supernovae (CC SNe), from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search (LOSS), that have SFHs reconstructed from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectra. We find a >2σ SN Ia DTD signal in our shortest-delay, ‘prompt’ bin at 99 per cent confidence level. We further find a 4σ indication of SNe Ia that are ‘delayed’ by >2.4 Gyr. Thus, the data support the existence of both prompt and delayed SNe Ia. We measure the time integral over the SN DTD. For CC SNe we find a total yield of 0.010 ± 0.002
AN ECCENTRIC BINARY MILLISECOND PULSAR WITH A HELIUM WHITE DWARF COMPANION IN THE GALACTIC FIELD

Low-mass white dwarfs (LMWDs) are believed to be exclusive products of binary evolution, as the universe is not old enough to produce them from single stars. Because of the strong tidal forces operating during the binary interaction phase, the remnant systems observed today are expected to have negligible eccentricities. Here, we report on the first unambiguous identification of an LMWD in an eccentric (e = 0.13) orbit around the millisecond pulsar PSR J2234+0511, which directly contradicts this picture. We use our spectra and radio-timing solution (derived elsewhere) to infer the WD temperature ( K), and peculiar systemic velocity relative to the local standard of rest ( km s−1). We also place model-independent constraints on the WD radius ( ) and surface gravity ( dex). The WD and kinematic properties are consistent with the expectations for low-mass X-ray binary evolution and disfavor a dynamic three-body formation channel. In the case of the high eccentricity being the result of a spontaneous phase transition, we infer a mass of ∼1.60 M⊙ for the pulsar progenitor, which is too low for the quark-nova mechanism proposed by Jiang et al., and too high for the scenario of Freire & Tauris, in which a WD collapses into a neutron star via a rotationally delayed accretion-induced collapse. We find that eccentricity pumping via interaction with a circumbinary disk is consistent with our inferred parameters. Finally, we report tentative evidence for pulsations that, if confirmed, would transform the star into an unprecedented laboratory for WD physics.
Predicting Cloned Disease Resistance Gene Homologs (CDRHs) in Radish, Underutilised Oilseeds, and Wild Brassicaceae Species

Brassicaceae crops, including Brassica, Camelina and Raphanus species, are among the most economically important crops globally; however, their production is affected by several diseases. To predict cloned disease resistance (R) gene homologs (CDRHs), we used the protein sequences of 49 cloned R genes against fungal and bacterial diseases in Brassicaceae species. In this study, using 20 Brassicaceae genomes (17 wild and 3 domesticated species), 3172 resistance gene analogs (RGAs) (2062 nucleotide binding-site leucine-rich repeats (NLRs), 497 receptor-like protein kinases (RLKs) and 613 receptor-like proteins (RLPs)) were identified. CDRH clusters were also observed in Arabis alpina, Camelina sativa and Cardamine hirsuta with assigned chromosomes, consisting of 62 homogeneous (38 NLR, 17 RLK and 7 RLP clusters) and 10 heterogeneous RGA clusters. This study highlights the prevalence of CDRHs in the wild relatives of the Brassicaceae family, which may lay the foundation for rapid identification of functional genes and genomics-assisted breeding to develop improved disease-resistant Brassicaceae crop cultivars.
The Dietary Inflammatory Index Is Associated with Subclinical Mastitis in Lactating European Women

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an inflammatory state of the lactating mammary gland, which is asymptomatic and may have negative consequences for child growth. The objectives of this study were to: (1) test the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and SCM and (2) assess the differences in nutrient intakes between women without SCM and those with SCM. One hundred and seventy-seven women with available data on human milk (HM) sodium potassium ratio (Na:K) and dietary intake data were included for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between nutrient intake and the DII score in relation to SCM. Women without SCM had a lower median DII score (0.60) than women with moderate (1.12) or severe (1.74) SCM (p < 0.01). A one-unit increase in DII was associated with about 41% increased odds of having SCM, adjusting for country and mode of delivery, p = 0.001. Women with SCM had lower mean intakes of several anti-inflammatory nutrients. We show for the first time exploratory evidence that SCM may be associated with a pro-inflammatory diet and women with SCM have lower intakes of several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients.
TURBULENT CROSS-HELICITY IN THE MEAN-FIELD SOLAR DYNAMO PROBLEM

We study the dynamical and statistical properties of turbulent cross-helicity (correlation of the aligned fluctuating velocity and magnetic field components). We derive an equation governing generation and evolution of the turbulent cross-helicity and discuss its meaning for the dynamo. Using the symmetry properties of the problem we suggest a general expression for the turbulent cross-helicity. Effects of the density stratification, large-scale magnetic fields, differential rotation, and turbulent convection are taken into account. We investigate the relative contribution of these effects to the cross-helicity evolution for two kinds of dynamo models of the solar cycle: a distributed mean-field model and a flux-transport dynamo model. We show that the contribution from the density stratification follows the evolution of the radial magnetic field, while large-scale electric currents produce a more complicated pattern of the cross-helicity of comparable magnitude. The pattern of the cross-helicity evolution strongly depends on details of the dynamo mechanism. Thus, we anticipate that direct observations of the cross-helicity on the Sun may serve for the diagnostic purpose of the solar dynamo process.
Validation of Voltammetric Methods for Online Analysis of Platinum Dissolution in a Hydrogen PEM Fuel Cell Stack

Platinum dissolution in PEM fuel cells is an increasingly important indicator for the state-of-health and lifetime prediction of fuel cells in real applications. For this reason, portable online analysis tools are needed that can detect and quantify platinum with high sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy in the product water of fuel cells. We validated the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) and non-toxic bismuth film electrodes for the voltammetric determination of platinum for this purpose. Bismuth films were prepared by reductive deposition on both a glassy carbon solid state electrode and on a screen-printed electrode (film on-chip electrode). Both bismuth film electrodes could be successfully validated for the determination of platinum by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. An LOD of 7.9 μg/L and an LOQ of 29.1 μg/L were determined for the bismuth film solid state electrode, values of 22.5 μg/L for the LOD and of 79.0 μg/L for the LOQ were obtained for the bismuth film on-chip electrode. These numbers are still much higher than the results measured with the HMDE (LOD: 0.76 ng/L; LOQ: 2.8 ng/L) and are not sufficient to detect platinum in the product water of a fuel cell run in different load tests. The amount of dissolved platinum produced by a 100 W fuel cell stack upon dynamic and continuous high load cycling, respectively, was in the range of 2.9–4.1 ng/L, which could only be detected by the HMDE.
Anastomotic Leak in Ovarian Cancer Cytoreduction Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Simple Summary Bowel resection is often required to obtain complete removal of ovarian cancer. A major complication of this operation is anastomotic leakage, which has been shown to increase morbidity and mortality in this population. Numerous original research studies have assessed the risk factors for anastomotic leaks. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify statistically significant risk factors. This meta-analysis identified multiple bowel resections as the only significant risk factor. With further research to identify additional risk factors, new management guidelines could be implemented to minimize the risk of anastomotic leaks and improve patient outcomes. Abstract Introduction: Anastomotic leaks (AL) following ovarian cytoreduction surgery could be detrimental, leading to significant delays in commencing adjuvant chemotherapy, prolonged hospital stays and increased morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with anastomotic leaks after ovarian cytoreduction surgery. Material and methods: The MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Scopus bibliographical databases were searched. Original clinical studies investigating risk factors for AL in ovarian cytoreduction surgery were included. Results: Eighteen studies with non-overlapping populations reporting on patients undergoing cytoreduction surgery for ovarian cancer (n = 4622, including 344 cases complicated by AL) were included in our analysis. Patients undergoing ovarian cytoreduction surgery complicated by AL had a significantly higher rate of 30-day mortality but no difference in 60-day mortality. Multiple bowel resections were associated with an increased risk of postoperative AL, while no association was observed with body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, age, smoking, operative approach (primary versus interval cytoreductive, stapled versus hand-sewn anastomoses and formation of diverting stoma), neoadjuvant chemotherapy and use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Discussion: Multiple bowel resections were the only clinical risk factor associated with increased risk for AL after bowel surgery in the ovarian cancer population. The increased 30-day mortality rate in patients undergoing ovarian cytoreduction complicated by AL highlights the need to minimize the number of bowel resections in this population. Further studies are required to clarify any association between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and decreased AL rates.
Basic Motor Competencies of (Pre)School Children: The Role of Social Integration and Health-Related Quality of Life

In (pre)school, children acquire and deepen their basic motor competencies (BMCs) and interact with peers and friends. BMCs are a central developmental goal in childhood and the prerequisite for participation in sportive aspects of social life. Both motor competencies and social integration are linked to children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to describe the connection between BMCs, social relationships, and aspects of HRQoL in (pre)school children. In this study, the BMCs of N = 1163 preschool children (M = 5.7 years, SD = 0.57, 52% boys) and N = 880 first and second graders (M = 7.5 years, SD = 0.58, 51% boys) were tested. The children’s social integration was assessed by the teachers; the HRQoL was recorded from the parents’ perspective. In both preschool and primary school, children with better BMCs also showed higher values in their social integration. Moreover, the results indicated a connection between BMCs and general HRQoL in primary school and BMCs and physical well-being in preschool. As BMCs, social integration, and HRQoL seem to be connected in (pre)school, this should be considered both from developmental and health-oriented perspectives, as well as for physical education (PE) lessons.
TWELVE AND A HALF YEARS OF OBSERVATIONS OF CENTAURUS A WITH THE ROSSI X-RAY TIMING EXPLORER

The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) has observed the nearest radio galaxy, Centaurus A (Cen A), in 13 intervals from 1996 August to 2009 February over the 3–200 keV band. Spectra accumulated over the 13 intervals were well described with an absorbed power law and an iron line. Cutoff power laws and Compton reflection from cold matter did not provide a better description. For the 2009 January observation, we set a lower limit on the cutoff energy at over 2 MeV. The power spectral density function was generated from RXTE/All Sky Monitor and Proportional Counter Array data as well as an XMM-Newton long look, and clear evidence for a break at 18+18−7 days (68% conf.) was seen. Given Cen A's high black hole mass and very low value of LX/LEdd, the break was a factor of 17+36−13 times higher than the break frequency predicted by the McHardy et al. relation, which was empirically derived for a sample of objects, which are radio-quiet and accreting at relatively high values of Lbol/LEdd. We have interpreted our observations in the context of a clumpy molecular torus. The variability characteristics and the broadband spectral energy distribution, when compared to Seyferts, imply that the bright hard X-ray continuum emission may originate at the base of the jet, yet from behind the absorbing line-of-sight material, in contrast to what is commonly observed from blazars.
Taguchi Analysis of Natural Frequency for Simply Supported Composite Stiffened Hypars with Perforation

Taguchi based optimization of natural frequency of perforated stiffened hypars is performed to consider the role of fibre lamination, width/thickness ratio of shell and position of perforation centre along x- and y-direction. Natural frequency of stiffened shell is obtained for simply supported boundary condition using finite element procedure based on L27 orthogonal array (OA) considering three settings of each parameter. Main effect plot is analyzed to identify the significant parameters. Natural frequency becomes maximum for a combination of 450 fibre lamination, width/thickness value of 20 and perforation centre position (0.4, 0.4). Interaction graphs identify the interaction parameters. ANOVA study provides the significant contribution of the parameters considered here. Present analysis identifies width/thickness as the most significant factor and other parameters yield very little significance while no interaction is found to be significant. Width/thickness value of shell yields major (98.64%) contribution to natural frequency and other factors yield very little significance. Residual analysis for natural frequency and confirmatory test validate the present study. S/N ratio gets improved by 38.3% at optimal condition compared to the initial parameter setting.
The therapeutic alliance as an indicator of well-implemented and impactful employee counseling services: Deployment of the Brief Therapeutic Alliance Scale in an employee assistance program

Abstract An implementation fidelity study evaluated the quality of the therapeutic alliance (TA) in the counseling services of a Canadian Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The aims were to evaluate the level of TA experienced by EAP users during counseling, to assess the influence of client gender, and to determine the associations between the level of TA and mental health and work functioning outcomes. The TA was assessed with the Brief Therapeutic Alliance Scale (BTAS-5), a self-report quantitative measure developed to rapidly assess multiple elements of the client-therapist alliance from the perspective of the client. The majority of the EAP users (N = 1277) reported experiencing a high level of TA during counseling and men and women reported equal levels. Pretest and posttest analysis with ANCOVA showed that EAP users (N = 505) reporting higher levels of TA had greater mental well-being, lower depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), lower work presenteeism (Workplace Outcome Suite-5; WOS-5), and greater life satisfaction (WOS-5) at follow-up after end of counseling. The TA from the perspective of EAP users can serve as an indicator of well-implemented employee counseling services and its assessment can provide additional evidence of counseling quality and effectiveness, supplementing the findings of traditional outcomes-based EAP studies.
A DEEP, WIDE-FIELD, AND PANCHROMATIC VIEW OF 47 Tuc AND THE SMC WITH HST: OBSERVATIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS METHODS

In Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cycle 17, we imaged the well-known globular star cluster 47 Tucanae for 121 orbits using the Wide Field Channel of the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and both the UV/visible (UVIS) and IR channels of the newly installed Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instrument (GO-11677, PI: H. Richer). This unique data set was obtained to address many scientific questions that demand a very deep, panchromatic, and panoramic view of the cluster's stellar populations. In total, the program obtained over 0.75 Ms of imaging exposure time with the three HST cameras, over a time span of 9 months in 2010. The primary ACS field was imaged in the two broadband filters F606W and F814W, at 13 orientations, for all 121 orbits. The parallel WFC3 imaging provides a panchromatic (0.4–1.7 μm) and contiguous imaging swath over a 250° azimuthal range at impact radii of 6.5–17.9 pc in 47 Tuc. This imaging totals over 60 arcmin2 in area and utilizes the F390W and F606W broadband filters on WFC3/UVIS and the F110W and F160W broadband filters on WFC3/IR. In this paper, we describe the observational design of the new survey and one of the methods used to analyze all of the imaging data. This analysis combines over 700 full-frame images taken with the three HST cameras into a handful of ultra-deep, well-sampled combined images in each of the six filters. We discuss in detail the methods used to calculate accurate transformations that provide optimal alignment of the input images, the methods used to perform sky background offsets in the input stack and the flagging of deviant pixels, and the balance reached between the input-pixel drop size onto an output supersampled pixel grid. Careful photometric, morphological, and astrometric measurements are performed on the stacks using iterative PSF-fitting techniques, and reveal unprecedented color–magnitude diagrams of the cluster extending to >30th magnitude in the optical, 29th magnitude in the UV, and 27th magnitude in the IR. The data set provides a characterization of the complete stellar populations of 47 Tuc, extending from the faintest hydrogen-burning dwarfs through the main-sequence and giant branches down to very cool white dwarf remnants in the cluster. The imaging also provides the deepest probe of the stellar populations of the background Small Magellanic Cloud galaxy, resolving low-mass main-sequence dwarfs with M ≲ 0.2 M☉.
A NEW ANALYSIS OF THE EXOPLANET HOSTING SYSTEM HD 6434

The current goal of exoplanetary science is not only focused on detecting but characterizing planetary systems in hopes of understanding how they formed, evolved, and relate to the solar system. The Transit Ephemeris Refinement and Monitoring Survey (TERMS) combines both radial velocity (RV) and photometric data in order to achieve unprecedented ground-based precision in the fundamental properties of nearby, bright, exoplanet-hosting systems. Here we discuss HD 6434 and its planet, HD 6434b, which has a Mp sin i = 0.44 MJ mass and orbits every 22.0170 days with an eccentricity of 0.146. We have combined previously published RV data with new measurements to derive a predicted transit duration of ∼6 hr, or 0.25 days, and a transit probability of 4%. Additionally, we have photometrically observed the planetary system using both the 0.9 and 1.0 m telescopes at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, covering 75.4% of the predicted transit window. We reduced the data using the automated TERMS Photometry Pipeline, developed to ensure consistent and accurate results. We determine a dispositive null result for the transit of HD 6434b, excluding the full transit to a depth of 0.9% and grazing transit due to impact parameter limitations to a depth of 1.6%.
Mass Distribution in the Central Few Parsecs of Our Galaxy

We estimate the enclosed mass profile in the central 10 pc of the Milky Way by analyzing the infrared photometry and the velocity observations of dynamically relaxed stellar population in the Galactic center. HST/NICMOS and Gemini Adaptive Optics images in the archive are used to obtain the number density profile, and proper motion and radial velocity data were compiled from the literature to find the velocity dispersion profile assuming a spherical symmetry and velocity isotropy. From these data, we calculate the enclosed mass and density profiles in the central 10 pc of the Galaxy using the Jeans equation. Our improved estimates can better describe the exact evolution of the molecular clouds and star clusters falling down to the Galactic center, and constrain the star formation history of the inner part of the Galaxy. Subject headings: Galaxy: center — Galaxy: structure — Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics
DISCOVERY OF A SUPERLUMINAL Fe K ECHO AT THE GALACTIC CENTER: THE GLORIOUS PAST OF Sgr A* PRESERVED BY MOLECULAR CLOUDS

We present the result of a study of the X-ray emission from the galactic center (GC) molecular clouds (MCs) within 15 arcmin from Sgr A*. We use XMM-Newton data (about 1.2 Ms of observation time) spanning about eight years. The MC spectra show all the features characteristic of reflection: (1) intense Fe Kα, with equivalent width of about 0.7–1 keV, and the associated Kβ line; (2) flat power-law continuum, and (3) a significant Fe K edge (τ ∼ 0.1–0.3). The diffuse low ionization Fe K emission follows the MC distribution, nevertheless not all MC are Fe K emitters. The long baseline monitoring allows the characterization of the temporal evolution of the MC emission. A complex pattern of variations is shown by the different MCs, with some having constant Fe K emission, some increasing, and some decreasing. In particular, we observe an apparent superluminal motion of a light front illuminating a molecular nebula. This might be due to a source outside the MC (such as Sgr A* or a bright and long outburst of a X-ray binary), though it cannot be due to low energy cosmic rays or a source located inside the cloud. We also observe a decrease of the X-ray emission from G0.11-0.11, behavior similar to that of Sgr B2. The line intensities, clouds dimensions, columns densities, and positions with respect to Sgr A* are consistent with being produced by the same Sgr A* flare. The required high luminosity (about 1.5 × 1039 erg s−1) can hardly be produced by a binary system, while it is in agreement with a flare of Sgr A* fading about 100 years ago. The low intensity of the Fe K emission coming from the 50 and the 20 km s−1 MC places an upper limit of 1036 erg s−1 to the mean luminosity of Sgr A* in the last 60–90 years. The Fe K emission and variations from these MC might have been produced by a single flare of Sgr A*.