Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The evolution of He-burning stars - Horizontal and asymptotic branches in Galactic globulars

A grid of theoretical evolutionary models covering the horizontal-branch (HB) and the asymptotic-giant-branch (AGB) phases of globular cluster stars is presented. The computations were performed for a fixed amount of the original He and for metallicity values. For each value of the assumed metallicity, the evolutionary structure at the He flash was used to construct an initial set of He-burning models with the same mass of the central He core but with decreasing masses of the H-rich envelopes. Results are presented of the evolution of these models through the exhaustion of central He up to the minimum in luminosity marking the reignition of the H shell. The luminosity of the AGB clump and the number ratio of AGB to HB stars was found to remain fairly constant with the cluster metallicity. The parameter R is recalibrated, and it is suggested that there is a small increase in the adopted value of the original He in Galactic globulars and a correlation of helium and metals in 47 Tuc. 26 refs.
Should artificial shrinkage be performed prior to blastocyst vitrification? A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis

Abstract Embryo vitrification is increasingly used in IVF. Artificial shrinkage (collapse) before vitrification has been proposed to maximise blastocyst survival after warming. However, its effectiveness on blastocyst survival rate and vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycle outcome remains to be confirmed. Therefore, we performed a systematic MEDLINE search according to PRISMA guidelines on all articles published up to April 2018 and related to human blastocyst collapse before vitrification using the following keywords: (i) blastocyst; (ii) collapse; (iii) artificial shrinkage; and (iv) vitrification. The following outcomes were analysed and included in the meta-analysis: (i) blastocyst survival rate after warming; (ii) implantation rate; (iii) clinical pregnancy rate; and (iv) live birth rate after vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (commonly named frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer). Eight articles were included. Briefly, blastocyst survival (OR 5.04, 95% CI 2.43–10.46) and clinical pregnancy rate (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.26–2.77) were significantly higher in collapse than in control group. However, implantation rate (OR 2.50, 95% CI 0.67–9.28) and live birth rate (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.88–2.09) were comparable in both groups. In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that artificial shrinkage before blastocyst vitrification improves survival and clinical pregnancy rate, but not implantation or live birth rate. Further randomised studies are warranted to improve the level of evidence and confirm these findings.
Comparative study of the effects of thermal treatment on the optical properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon-oxycarbide

Findings are presented from a systematic study of the effects of postdeposition thermal treatment on the optical characteristics of hydrogenated amorphous silicon-oxycarbide (a-SiCxOyHz) materials. Three different classes of a-SiCxOyHz films: SiC-like (SiC1.08O0.07H0.21), Si-C-O (SiC0.50O1.20H0.22), and SiO2-like (SiC0.20O1.70H0.24), were deposited by thermal chemical vapor deposition. The effects of thermal annealing on the compositional and optical properties of the resulting films were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear reaction analysis, and spectroscopic ultraviolet-visible ellipsometry. As the Si-C-O system evolved from a SiC-like to SiO2-like matrix, its refractive index and optical absorption strength decreased, while its optical band gap increased. Thermal annealing between 500 and 1100 °C resulted in hydrogen desorption from and densification of the a-SiCxOyHz films. Concurrently, thermally induced changes were also observed for.
Acoustic measures of falsetto voice

Falsetto (or loft) voice is known to be generally characterized by a high fundamental frequency, a spectrum with relatively few harmonics, and a relatively strong fundamental harmonic. The present study tests the hypotheses that falsetto voice differs from modal voice not only in the acoustic measure H1*-H2* (the amplitude difference between the first and second harmonics, corrected for formant frequencies and bandwidths), but also (1) in H2*-H4* (the amplitude difference between the second and fourth harmonics, corrected for formant frequencies and bandwidths), and (2) in spectral noise as measured by harmonics-to-noise measures. These and other acoustic measures will be obtained for selected pairs of vowels using VoiceSauce, the UCLA program for voice analysis. The test corpus comprises pairs of sentences taken from two readings of the story “Little Red Riding Hood” by 17 speakers of American English (8 women, 9 men). Each speaker read the story first in a neutral voice, and then using character voices .
Gelidocalamuszixingensis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Arundinarieae), a new species from southern China revealed by morphological and molecular evidence

﻿Abstract The genus Gelidocalamus T. H. Wen, endemic to southern China, is a small but taxonomically problematic genus of Arundinarieae (Poaceae, Bambusoideae). During field work, a population of Gelidocalamus from Zixing, Hunan, was discovered, appearing to be distinct from our previously identified collection. Comparisons of the population of Zixing were performed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a plastid genome-based phylogeny. Morphologically, it was mostly similar to G.multifolius, but differed by culm leaf erect with densely white pubescence, apical branch sheath much longer than the internodes and foliage leaf larger. Phylogenetically, the new species was well-supported as a sister to the clade of G.multifolius + G.tessellatus, and the above three taxa were clustered in the Shibataea clade (IV) of Arundinarieae. Thus, the new species, formally named as Gelidocalamuszixingensis W.G. Zhang, G.Y. Yang & C.K. Wang, was described and illustrated herein.
Experimental and Numerical Multiphase-Front Fluid Hammer

The aim of this work is to study the fluid hammer and related multiphase phenomena taking place in a confined environment, where pressurized liquid faces vacuum conditions after opening an isolation valve. This paper describes the experimental facility built for this purpose, the tests performed, and shows the comparison with the numerical results obtained with a transient one-dimensional software based upon conservation equations. Because the multiphase phenomena taking place in the liquid front moving along the pipe are complex and difficult to interpret, a graphical tool by means of X-t diagrams was adapted by the authors to characterize the physical phenomena involved. Contrary to the classical water hammer analysis published in the literature so far, the X-t diagrams allow a simultaneous study in time and space for each of the magnitudes involved in the evolution of the fluid hammer.
Content and Engagement Among Plastic Surgeons on Instagram

Abstract Background Patients routinely use social media to locate providers, review before-and-after photographs, and discuss experiences, making it a powerful marketing tool for plastic surgeons. A few studies have systematically evaluated plastic surgery app content. Objectives This study aims to analyze engagement levels and content posted by top plastic surgeon influencers on Instagram (Menlo Park, CA). Methods The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in February 2022 to identify the top 10 global plastic surgeons on Instagram. Influencers were ranked based on the number of followers, and their latest 20 posts were analyzed. A total of 200 posts were categorized by 2 independent trainees as one of the following: marketing, education, personal, and miscellaneous. The number of likes was recorded as a proxy for engagement, and the average engagement for each category was calculated. Results The top 10 influencers work primarily in private practice focusing on aesthetic procedures. Out of 200 categorized posts on Instagram, marketing posts had the greatest presence (64.5%), followed by personal (20%), miscellaneous (11%), and educational (4.5%). More still images were posted (56.5%) than videos (43.5%). The highest average engagement was for personal content (P = .005). No significant differences in engagement levels were found between photo and video content (P = .24). Conclusions Although most content posted related to marketing efforts, many influencers were also using social media to post about their personal lives and promote their ancillary businesses. Although marketing content was the most common, engagement levels were the highest for personal and educational content, and no significant differences in engagement were found between videos and photos.
Looking into the cradle: new mid-IR observations of multiple proto-stars

Context. The multiplicity rate of the youngest stellar objects is directly linked to their formation process, and therefore represents one of the most critical parameters to constrain theories of star formation. Multiplicities of embedded protostars are, however, not well determined empirically. Aims. The aim of this work is to study the multiplicity of three embedded proto-stellar systems, namely SSV63, L1551 NE, and L1551-IRS5, through mid-IR imaging. All of them are suspected binary or multiple systems, but prone to ambiguities in the literature. Methods. We present high spatial resolution mid-infrared observations obtained with VISIR at the VLT. Results. For the SSV 63 system, we report the discovery of a new Class I companion, approx 2"6 N of SSV63 E, which was never seen in previous near-IR and radio continuum studies. The companion to SSV 63 W, which was detected at near-IR wavelengths, is also present in the mid-IR regime. In the case of L1551 NE, we have confirmed the presence of a companion at 0''5 NW from the central star, as previously reported by Reipurth et al. (2002, AJ, 124, 1045). Finally, we have not detected any companion to L1551-IRS5. However, we find signs of extended emission around the target. In total, we have detected three binaries. The SEDs of the primaries are consistent with their Class I/flat-spectrum classification. For the secondaries, ancillary data are required to derive their evolutionary status. Conclusions. The geometrical arrangement of sources in the SSV63 system strongly supports the view of hierarchical fragmentation of cloud cores.
IGFL2-AS1, a Long Non-Coding RNA, Is Associated with Radioresistance in Colorectal Cancer

Precise prediction of radioresistance is an important factor in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). To discover genes that regulate the radioresistance of CRCs, we analyzed an RNA sequencing dataset of patient-originated samples. Among various candidates, IGFL2-AS1, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), exhibited an expression pattern that was well correlated with radioresistance. IGFL2-AS1 is known to be highly expressed in various cancers and functions as a competing endogenous RNA. To further investigate the role of IGFL2-AS1 in radioresistance, which has not yet been studied, we assessed the amount of IGFL2-AS1 transcripts in CRC cell lines with varying degrees of radioresistance. This analysis showed that the more radioresistant the cell line, the higher the level of IGFL2-AS1 transcripts—a similar trend was observed in CRC samples. To directly assess the relationship between IGFL2-AS1 and radioresistance, we generated a CRC cell line stably expressing a small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting IGFL2-AS1. shRNA-mediated knockdown of IGFL2-AS1 decreased radioresistance and cell migration in vitro, establishing a functional role for IGFL2-AS1 in radioresistance. We also showed that downstream effectors of the AKT pathway played crucial roles. These data suggest that IGFL2-AS1 contributes to the acquisition of radioresistance by regulating the AKT pathway.
The Luminosity-Diameter Relation for Disk Galaxies in Different Environments

Several samples of disk galaxies have been collected in order to study, in each of them, the relation between the blue total corrected absolute magnitude and the absolute corrected isophotal diameter. These luminosity-diameter relations have been compared to detect a possible dependence on the density of the galaxy environment. No significant differences have been found among the several relations, especially if selection criteria relative to the various samples are taken into account. This result is in disagreement with several previous claims. 61 refs.
Zero-field detection of spin dependent recombination with direct observation of electron nuclear hyperfine interactions in the absence of an oscillating electromagnetic field

Electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) involves the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of spin dependent transport mechanisms such as spin dependent tunneling and spin dependent recombination (SDR) in solid state electronics. Conventional EPR measurements generally require strong static magnetic fields, typically 3 kG or greater, and high frequency oscillating electromagnetic fields, typically 9 GHz or higher. In this study, we directly demonstrate that, in the absence of the oscillating electromagnetic field, a very large SDR response (≈1%) can be detected at zero magnetic field with associated hyperfine interactions at extremely low magnetic fields in a silicon carbide (SiC) diode at room temperature. The zero-field SDR (ZFSDR) response that we detect is unexpected in the conventional detection scheme of SDR via EDMR. We believe that our observations provide fundamental physical understanding of other recently reported zero-field phenomena such as singlet triplet mixing in double quant.
Ethanolic Extracts of Datura innoxia Have Promising Acaricidal Activity against Rhipicephalus microplus as It Blocks the Glutathione S-Transferase Activity of the Target Tick

Rhipicephalus microplus is a major bovine ectoparasite that negatively impacts the cattle industry. The acaricidal activity of Datura innoxia ethanolic plant extract against R. microplus, compared with trichlorfon, was examined using the adult immersion test (AIT), and larval packet test (LPT). In vitro acaricidal activity of the selected plant extract against R. microplus engorged females was evaluated at different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL), and was the same for AIT and LPT. It was further supported by in silico molecular docking of D. innoxia’s 21 phytochemicals against the R. microplus Glutathione S-transferases (RmGST) protein’s three-dimensional (3D) structure predicted by the trRosetta server. The modeled 3D structure was then evaluated and confirmed with PROCHECK, ERRAT, and Verify3D online servers. To predict the binding mechanisms of these compounds, molecular docking was performed using Auto dock Vina software, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were used to investigate the protein atom’s dynamic motion. D. innoxia has a relatively higher inhibitory effect on oviposition (from 9.81% to 45.37%) and total larval mortality (42.33% at 24 h and 93.67% at 48 h) at 40 mg/mL. Moreover, the docking results showed that the chemicals norapoatropine and 7-Hydroxyhyoscyamine have strong interactions with active site residues of the target protein, with a docking score of −7.3 and −7.0 Kcal/mol, respectively. The current work also provided a computational basis for the inhibitors of Glutathione S-transferases that were studied in this research work, and this new knowledge should aid in creating new and effective acaricidal chemicals. Furthermore, this plant extract’s acaricide activity and its effect on oviposition and larval mortality were established in this work for the first time, indicating the possible use of this extract in the management of ticks.
On the Spectrum of a Class of Non‐Sectorial Diffusion Operators

In terms of the upper bounds of a second‐order elliptic operator acting on specific Lyapunov‐type functions with compact level sets, sufficient conditions are presented for the corresponding Dirichlet form to satisfy the Poincaré and the super‐Poincaré inequalities. Here, the elliptic operator is assumed to be symmetric on L2(μ) with some probability measure μ. As applications, proofs are given for a class of (non‐symmetric) diffusion operators generating C0‐semigroups on L1(μ): that their Lp(μ)‐essential spectrum is empty for p > 1. This follows since it is proved that their C0‐semigroups are compact. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 47D07, 60H10.
A Feature Extraction Method Using VMD and Improved Envelope Spectrum Entropy for Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis

Feature extraction is a key step in intelligent bearing fault diagnosis. However, bearing vibration signals are usually nonlinear, nonstationary signal with strong noises. Extracting the effective status feature of the bearing is challenging. Thus, a new rolling bearing status feature extraction method based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) and improved envelope spectrum entropy (IESE) is proposed in this article. First, the bearing vibrational signals are decomposed into different intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by VMD. Then, the envelope spectrum entropy (ESE) of each IMF is calculated and the IESE is obtained by reconstructing the ESE to build original feature sets. Finally, the original feature set is fused by the joint approximate diagonalization eigen (JADE) to obtain a new one. The new feature set is trained and tested by using a support vector machine (SVM) to identify the bearing status. The feasibility of the proposed method for feature extraction is verified by three experimental cases. Compared with several methods, the performance of this proposed method is better than those of other methods.
Strong Flow-Acoustic Resonances of Rectangular Cavities

Several studies relating to strongly resonating cavity shear layers in subsonic or supersonic flows are reviewed and discussed. Special consideration is given to cavity configurations which Rockwell and Naudascher (1978) branded “whistle-type” cavities, deep cavities and cavities mounted in the wall of an otherwise solid-walled duct (such as a wind tunnel). At certain flow conditions, each configuration can promote a strong, acoustic resonance which tends to favor a single dominant frequency in the pressure spectrum. The resultant shear layer motions and unsteady pressure fluctuations may be of large amplitude at the peak frequency. The empirical constants in Rossiter's formula and a similar frequency prediction formula for partially-covered cavities are also discussed.
Some New Results on Renyi Entropy and Its Relative Measure

In this article, some new characterization results based on residual and past lifetime Renyi’s entropy in the context of reliability modelling are examined. Relative residual entropy is proposed and its properties are studied. Various applications of relative Renyi residual entropy are also investigated. AMS subject classification: 94A17, 62N07
Validity of the Past-day Adults' Sedentary Time Questionnaire in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Population

Sedentary behavior is high in cardiac rehabilitation participants over 12 mo. Cardiac rehabilitation participants tended to underestimate their sedentary time. Recall of sedentary time improved with repeated assessments. The PAST questionnaire may be a useful measure to assess sedentary time in cardiac rehabilitation, particularly over time. Purpose: Self-report measures of sedentary behavior are easier to use in a clinical setting; yet, no self-report measures of sedentary behavior appear to be validated in cardiac rehabilitation over time. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the Past-day Adults' Sedentary Time (PAST) questionnaire in a cardiac rehabilitation population over 12 mo. Methods: Seventy-two cardiac rehabilitation participants were recruited to a prospective cohort study. Participants wore an ActiGraph ActiSleep accelerometer (sedentary time <100 counts/min) for 7 consecutive days and completed the self-administered PAST questionnaire at baseline, 6 wk, and 6 and 12 mo. Total daily sedentary time from both methods were compared using Bland-Altman plots and Spearman rank-order correlations. Results: Agreement between the 2 measures of sedentary time improved over 12 mo. At 6 and 12 mo, there was a good level of agreement between measures (mean difference between accelerometer and PAST 57 and −0.7 min, respectively), although the dispersion of the differences was wide (95% limits of agreement −428 to 541 and −500 to 498 min, respectively). There were weak correlations between the PAST questionnaire and average accelerometer measured sedentary time at all time points (α = −0.249 to 0.188). Conclusions: Following repeated assessments, the PAST questionnaire may be useful to determine sedentary time in cardiac rehabilitation participants at a group level, with participants appearing to more accurately recall their time spent in sedentary behavior. Further research is indicated to assess the validity of sedentary behavior questionnaires in cardiac rehabilitation, with a combination of objective and self-reported measures currently recommended.
Localizing Literature: The Use of Non-Native English Reading Sources

The present study examined the English literature students’ perception on the use of local sources, which were used as alternative reading sources. Despite being insufficient in terms of grammatical accuracy, naturalness of the text, and the poor layout, these local sources can also improve the students’ understanding toward the reading materials. Besides, the simplified vocabulary and grammar found in the text can also help the less able learners to understand the learning sources easier. The main advantages for the students identified in the study were actually the affordability and the accessibility of the learning materials. However, the students also suggest that these local sources should be continously improve so that these materials can be more interesting for the students to read. Keywords: Localizing literature: The use, teaching media, English reading sources, higher education context
The Effect of Stimuli Level on Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission in Normal Hearing Adults

The goal of this study is to compare three of the most commonly used primary-level relation paradigms (i.e., Scissors, Boys Town ‘Optimal’, and Equal-Level) in generation of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in normal hearing adults. The generator and reflection components were extracted from DPOAEs in each paradigm. The generator and reflection component levels and input/output (I/O) functions were compared across paradigms and primary-tone levels. The results showed a different I/O function growth behavior across frequency and levels among paradigms. The Optimal paradigm showed a systematic change in the generator and reflection component levels and I/O slopes across primary levels among subjects. Moreover, the levels and slopes in the Optimal paradigm were more distinct across levels with less variations across frequency leading to a systematic change in the DPOAE fine structure across levels. The I/O functions were found to be more sensitive to the selected paradigm; especially the I/O function for the reflection component. The I/O functions of the reflection components showed large variability across frequencies due to different frequency shifts in their microstructure depending on the paradigm. The findings of this study suggested the Optimal paradigm as the proper primary-level relation to study cochlear amplification/compression. The findings of this study shows that care needs to be taken in comparing the findings of different studies that generated DPOAEs with a different level-relation paradigm.