Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global distribution of Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African dust simulated by CESM1/CARMA

Abstract. Dust aerosols affect the radiative and energy balance at local and global scales by scattering and absorbing sunlight and infrared light. A previous study suggests that dust size distribution is one of the major sources of uncertainty in modeling the dust global distribution. Climate models overestimate the fine dust (≤5 µm) by an order of magnitude, while underestimates of the coarse dust (≥5 µm) range between 0.5 to 1.5 orders of magnitude compared with the global observations. Here we improved the simulated size distribution of dust aerosol using a sectional aerosol model (Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres) coupled with the Community Earth System Model (CESM1/CARMA). Simulated dust mass size distributions peak at around 2–3 µm in diameter and increase by 4 orders of magnitude from 0.1 to 2 µm. Our model demonstrates that North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian dust accounts for ∼ 59.7 %, 12.5 %, and 13.3 % of the global annual mean dust emissions, with the remaining 14.5 % originating from scattered smaller dust sources. The model dust vertical distributions are validated against the NASA Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) field campaign datasets. Both simulations and ATom in situ measurements during the ATom field campaign suggest that dust mass concentrations over the remote ocean drop by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude from the surface to the upper troposphere (200 hPa). Our model suggests that Asian dust contributes to more than 40 % of annual mean dust mass abundances in the global upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). The model suggests that Asian dust dominates the dust mass budget in the UTLS of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) region, with a relative contribution 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than the dust originating from the North African and Middle Eastern deserts.
Poor Health Conditions among Brazilian Healthcare Workers: The Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of the HEROES Cohort

This study was conducted to describe the health conditions (the psychosocial aspects, sleep quality, and musculoskeletal symptoms) among Brazilian healthcare workers in the context of the pandemic. Workers answered an online questionnaire, including the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The most unfavourable psychosocial factors were work pace (61%; 95% CI: 52–69%), emotional work demands (75%; 95% CI: 67–82%), predictability (47%; 95% CI: 39–56%), work-family conflict (55%; 95% CI: 46–64%), burnout (86%; 95% CI: 78–91%), and stress (81%; 95% CI: 73–87%). Most workers (74%; 95% CI: 66–81%) were classified as poor sleepers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were frequent in the neck (64%; 95% CI: 55–72%), shoulders (62%; 95% CI: 54–70%), upper back (58%; 95% CI: 50–67%), and lower back (61%; 95% CI: 52–69%). Depressive symptoms were also highly prevalent (mild: 22%; 95% CI: 15–30%, moderate: 16%; 95% CI: 11–23%, severe: 8%; 95% CI: 4–14%). Most healthcare workers experience unfavourable psychosocial factors, poor sleep quality, as well as musculoskeletal and depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the urgent need to acknowledge and address psychological and physical distress to improve the personal and professional well-being of this population.
Predictors of Frailty in the Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction Frailty is a multidimensional complex state that leads to increased chances of hospitalization and death in patients, especially in the elderly. Our study aimed to determine the factors associated with the development of frailty and their predictors in the elderly population. Methods The study was conducted in the Outpatient Department (OPD) of General Medicine at a tertiary care hospital in Rishikesh town of Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India. It was a cross-sectional study design, conducted from January 2019 to July 2020. Data regarding sociodemographic factors, medical conditions, and laboratory investigations were collected on a predesigned performa. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were excluded from the study. It being a hospital-based study, participants with one frailty criteria were considered as non-frail and those with two or more than two as frail. Results We enrolled 149 patients in our study, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of the patients was 67.50+/-6.74 years. A total of 87 (58.38%) participants had a frailty score > 2. Region of residence, body mass index (BMI), albumin, transferrin saturation, ferritin, vitamin D3, sodium, calcium, creatinine, urea, hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), number of prescribed drugs, substance dependence, power grip strength (PGS), slow walking time (SWT), low physical activity (LPA), self-reported exhaustion (SRE), unintentional weight loss (UWL), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were independent significant predictors of frailty. Conclusion Various modifiable factors were found to be predictors of frailty in adults. Timely identification and necessary interventions of these risk factors can provide valuable information for future prevention of the progression of frailty in the elderly.
The stellar correlation function from SDSS - A statistical search for wide binary stars

We study the statistical properties of the wide binary population in the Galaxy field with projected separations larger than 200 AU by constructing the stellar angular two-point correlation function (2PCF) from a homogeneous sample of nearly 670 000 main sequence stars. The selected stars lie within a rectangular region around the Northern Galactic Pole and have apparent r-band magnitudes between 15 and 20.5 mag and spectral classes later than G5 (g − r > 0.5 mag). The data were taken from the Sixth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We model the 2PCF by means of the Wasserman-Weinberg technique including several assumptions on the distribution of the binaries’ orbital parameters, luminosity function, and density distribution in the Galaxy. In particular, we assume that the semi-major axis distribution is described by a single powerlaw. The free model parameters ‐ the local wide binary number density nWB and the power-law index λ of the semi-major axis distribution ‐ are inferred simultaneously by least-square fitting. We find the separation distribution to follow Opik’s law (λ = 1) up to the Galactic tidal limit, without any break and a local density of 5 wide binaries per 1000 pc 3 with both components having spectral type later than G5. This implies that about 10% of all stars in the solar neighbourhood are members of such a late-type wide binary system. With a relative statistical (2σ) error of about 10%, our findings are in general agreement with previous studies of wide binaries. The data suggest that about 800 very wide pairs with projected separations larger than 0.1 pc exist in our sample, whereas none are found beyond 0.8 pc. Modern large-scale surveys make the 2PCF method a viable tool for studying wide binary stars and a true complement to common proper motion studies. The method is, however, seriously limited by the noise from optical pairs and the (over)simplifying assumptions made to model the selection effects and to interpret the measured clustering signal.
Gravitational waveforms from unequal-mass binaries with arbitrary spins under leading order spin-orbit coupling

This paper generalizes the structure of gravitational waves from orbiting spinning binaries under leading order spin-orbit coupling, as given in the work by Koenigsdoerffer and Gopakumar [Phys. Rev. D 71, 024039 (2005)] for single-spin and equal-mass binaries, to unequal-mass binaries and arbitrary spin configurations. The orbital motion is taken to be quasicircular and the fractional mass difference is assumed to be small against one. The emitted gravitational waveforms are given in analytic form.
The 2010 early outburst spectrum of the recurrent nova U Scorpii

Aims. We present optical spectra of the fast recurrent nova U Sco during its recent outburst, obtained within 24 h of maximum light. Methods. We use medium resolution (R ∼ 4000) spectra taken with the with the MagE spectrograph on the Magellan (Clay) 6.5 m telescope of the Las Campanas Observatories. Results. The spectrum is notable for its lack of a low ionization transient heavy element absorption system that is visible in the large majority of novae near maximum light. We suggest that this may be due to the dominance of inner Lagrangian L1 mass transfer and the absence of a circumbinary gas reservoir in this object.
Understanding the learning needs to enhance clinical competence of new professional nurses in public hospitals of South Africa: A qualitative study

Background A competent nursing workforce plays an important role, as it will ensure effective management of the healthcare system by providing quality nursing care. However, from the literature, it is evident that the learning needs of new professional nurses are not well explored and documented. Objective The objective of this paper was to report identified learning needs of new professional nurses to enhance their clinical competence to ensure that they are able to provide excellent quality nursing care to patients with confidence. Methods A qualitative study design was used to understand the perceptions of operational managers regarding the learning needs of new professional nurses to enhance their clinical competence. The study was conducted at seven public hospitals in the three districts of the North West Province, South Africa, between September and November 2021. Data were analyzed thematic. Results Four themes emerged from data analysis: 1) Ethos and professional practice, 2) Management and leadership skills, 3) Assessment and observation skills, and 4) Documentation and record keeping. Conclusion This study provides valuable information regarding the learning needs of new professional nurses. Understanding these learning needs can provide insight into how to better transition student nurses to registered nurses so that they are able to adequately and safely take care of a diverse patient population and work successfully as new nurses.
STAR FORMATION HISTORIES IN A CLUSTER ENVIRONMENT AT z ∼ 0.84

We present a spectrophotometric analysis of galaxies belonging to the dynamically young, massive cluster RX J0152.7−1357 at z ∼ 0.84, aimed at understanding the effects of the cluster environment on the star formation history (SFH) of cluster galaxies and the assembly of the red sequence (RS). We use VLT/FORS spectroscopy, ACS/WFC optical, and NTT/SofI near-IR data to characterize SFHs as a function of color, luminosity, morphology, stellar mass, and local environment from a sample of 134 spectroscopic members. In order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, individual galaxy spectra are stacked according to these properties. Moreover, the D4000, Balmer, CN3883, Fe4383, and C4668 indices are also quantified. The SFH analysis shows that galaxies in the blue faint-end of the RS have on average younger stars (Δt ∼ 2 Gyr) than those in the red bright-end. We also found, for a given luminosity range, differences in age (Δt ∼ 0.5−1.3 Gyr) as a function of color, indicating that the intrinsic scatter of the RS may be due to age variations. Passive galaxies in the blue faint-end of the RS are preferentially located in the low density areas of the cluster, likely being objects entering the RS from the “blue cloud. ” It is likely that the quenching of the star formation of these RS galaxies is due to interaction with the intracluster medium. Furthermore, the SFH of galaxies in the RS as a function of stellar mass reveals signatures of “downsizing” in the overall cluster.
A sharper view of Pal 5's tails: discovery of stream perturbations with a novel non-parametric technique

Only in the Milky Way is it possible to conduct an experiment which uses stellar streams to detect low-mass dark matter subhaloes. In smooth and static host potentials, tidal tails of disrupting satellites appear highly symmetric. However, perturbations from dark subhaloes, as well as from GMCs and the Milky Way bar, can induce density fluctuations that destroy this symmetry. Motivated by the recent release of unprecedentedly deep and wide imaging data around the Pal~5 stellar stream, we develop a new probabilistic, adaptive and non-parametric technique which allows us to bring the cluster's tidal tails into clear focus. Strikingly, we uncover a stream whose density exhibits visible changes on a variety of angular scales. We detect significant bumps and dips, both narrow and broad: two peaks on either side of the progenitor, each only a fraction of a degree across, and two gaps, $\sim2^{\circ}$ and $\sim9^{\circ}$ wide, the latter accompanied by a gargantuan lump of debris. This largest density feature results in a pronounced inter-tail asymmetry which cannot be made consistent with an unperturbed stream according to a suite of simulations we have produced. We conjecture that the sharp peaks around Pal 5 are epicyclic overdensities, while the two dips are consistent with impacts by subhaloes. Assuming an age of 3.4 Gyr for Pal 5, these two gaps would correspond to the characteristic size of gaps created by subhaloes in the mass range of $10^6-10^7 M_\odot$ and $10^7-10^8 M_\odot$ respectively. In addition to dark substructure, we find that the bar of the Milky Way can plausibly produce the asymmetric density seen in Pal 5 and that GMCs could cause the smaller gap.
Hyperparameter Tuned Deep Autoencoder Model for Road Classification Model in Intelligent Transportation Systems

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have significant abilities for automatic detection and mapping of urban surface materials due to their high resolution. It requires a massive quantity of data to understand the ground material properties. In recent days, computer vision based approaches for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) have gained considerable interest among research communities and business people. Road classification using remote sensing images plays a vital role in urban planning. It remains challenging because of scene complexity, fluctuating road structures, and inappropriate illumination circumstances. The design of intelligent models and other machine learning (ML) approaches for road classification has yet to be further explored. In this aspect, this paper presents a metaheuristics optimization with deep autoencoder enabled road classification model (MODAE-RCM). The presented MODAE-RCM technique mainly focuses on the classification of roads into five types, namely wet, ice, rough, dry, and curvy roads. In order to accomplish this, the presented MODAE-RCM technique exploits modified fruit fly optimization (MFFO) with neural architectural search network (NASNet) for feature extraction. In order to classify roads, an interactive search algorithm (ISA) with a DAE model is used. The exploitation of metaheuristic hyperparameter optimizers helps to improve the classification results. The experimental validation of the MODAE-RCM technique was tested by employing a dataset comprising five road types. The simulation analysis highlighted the superior outcomes of the MODAE-RCM approach to other existing techniques.
Characterization of the morphometry, germination process, phytochemicals, and antioxidant capacity of seeds of three species of the genus Cylindropuntia (Cactacea) of Chihuahua state

Cylindropuntia is a genus of cylindrical cacti found in northern Mexico. This study aimed to describe the fruit and seed morphometry, characterize the germination process, as well as determine the seed phytochemicals in three species of the genus Cylindropuntia from the state of Chihuahua in México: C. imbricata, C. spinosior, and C. leptocaulis. To measure the morphometric parameters, 20 fruits and 20 seeds from each fruit were used for each specie. For the characterization of the germination process, two scarification treatments were applied, and the germination was allowed for 42 days. Different parameters of the germination process were calculated as the germination percentage, mean germination time, germination speed, and mean germination speed. The concentration of reducing sugars, total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP), and protein content were determined from seeds under basal conditions. Results revealed significant differences (p ? 0.05) for morphometric parameters in the fruit and seed of the three species examined, showing C. imbricata the highest values in both tissues, followed by those obtained for C. spinosior and C. leptocaulis, respectively. The germination percentage was higher in C. leptocaulis (13.3%), although achieved in a longer mean germination time (27.7 days), facing C. spinosior that presented the lowest values for the germination percentage (3.3%), mean germination time (4.6 days), and germination speed index (0.024 days). Seeds from C. leptocaulis showed the highest values for reducing sugar content (31.82 mg glucose·g? 1 of dry weight) and the antioxidant activity determined by DPPH (26.37 mg CE·g? 1of dry weight), whereas C. spinosior seeds showed the highest ones for the total phenols content (3.08 mg GAE·g? 1 of dry weight) and the antioxidant activity determined by FRAP (11.7 mmol TE·g? 1 dry weight). Besides, C. imbricata showed the highest value in the protein content (5.6 mg protein·g? 1). This study provides the first data on seed phytochemicals and information on the germination process of these three species of Cylindropuntia, showing differences among them in the diverse parameters measured.
Characterization of Grapevine Fanleaf Virus Isolates in ‘Chardonnay’ Vines Exhibiting Severe and Mild Symptoms in Two Vineyards

Fanleaf degeneration is a complex viral disease of Vitis spp. that detrimentally impacts fruit yield and reduces the productive lifespan of most vineyards worldwide. In France, its main causal agent is grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV). In the past, field experiments were conducted to explore cross-protection as a management strategy of fanleaf degeneration, but results were unsatisfactory because the mild virus strain negatively impacted fruit yield. In order to select new mild GFLV isolates, we examined two old ‘Chardonnay’ parcels harbouring vines with distinct phenotypes. Symptoms and agronomic performances were monitored over the four-year study on 21 individual vines that were classified into three categories: asymptomatic GFLV-free vines, GFLV-infected vines severely diseased and GFLV-infected vines displaying mild symptoms. The complete coding genomic sequences of GFLV isolates in infected vines was determined by high-throughput sequencing. Most grapevines were infected with multiple genetically divergent variants. While no specific molecular features were apparent for GFLV isolates from vines displaying mild symptoms, a genetic differentiation of GFLV populations depending on the vineyard parcel was observed. The mild symptomatic grapevines identified during this study were established in a greenhouse to recover GFLV variants of potential interest for cross-protection studies.
Bone Molecular Modifications Induced by Diagenesis Followed-Up for 12 Months

Simple Summary Improving knowledge about the mechanism of bone diagenesis is needed to help forensic investigators. Bone diagenesis refers to all processes (chemical or physical) that modify the chemical composition or the structure of skeletal remains. The mechanism of bone diagenesis is complex and poorly understood, especially at short timescales (between days and thousands of years). Identifying the chemical mechanism of diagenesis could help forensic investigators identify characteristics of skeletal remains, such as the sex, age or time elapsed since death. The aim of this work is to study bone diagenesis over 12 months on buried bone by Raman microspectroscopy. This technique allows for the evaluation of the chemical composition of bone. Human ribs from six individuals were buried for 12 months. The chemical composition of bone was analysed monthly by Raman microspectroscopy. The results showed that the mineral undergoes the dissolution–recrystallization mechanism. The collagen matrix of bone undergoes the hydrolysis mechanism. Hydrolysis induces the fragmentation of collagen by breaking the bonds that participate in the stability of collagen (cross-links). The results will help forensic investigators better understand the mechanism of bone diagenesis and the identification of skeletal remains. Abstract After death, diagenesis takes place. Numerous processes occur concomitantly, which makes it difficult to identify the diagenetic processes. The diagenetic processes refer to all processes (chemical or physical) that modify the skeletal remains. These processes are highly variable depending on the environmental factors (weather, temperature, age, sex, etc.), especially in the early stages. Numerous studies have evaluated bone diagenetic processes over long timescales (~millions of years), but fewer have been done over short timescales (between days and thousands of years). The objective of the study is to assess the early stages of diagenetic processes by Raman microspectroscopy over 12 months. The mineral and organic matrix modifications are monitored through physicochemical parameters. Ribs from six humans were buried in soil. The modifications of bone composition were followed by Raman spectroscopy each month. The decrease in the mineral/organic ratio and carbonate type-B content and the increase in crystallinity reveal that minerals undergo dissolution–recrystallization. The decrease in collagen cross-linking indicates that collagen hydrolysis induces the fragmentation of collagen fibres over 12 months.
Luminescence spectra of quantum dots in microcavities. I. Bosons

Abstract We provide a unified theory of luminescence spectra of coupled light-matter systems realized with semiconductor heterostructures in microcavities, encompassing: i) the spontaneous emission case, where the system decays from a prepared (typically pure) initial state, and ii) luminescence in the presence of a continuous, incoherent pump. While the former case has been amply discussed in the literature (albeit mainly for the case of resonance), no consideration has been given to the influence of the incoherent pump. We show how, by provoking a self-consistent quantum state, the pump considerably alters the emission spectra, even at vanishing intensities. The main outcome of our analysis is to unambiguously identify strong-coupling in situations where it appears in disguise or only seems to appear. Here, we consider bosonic matter fields, in which case fully analytical solutions can be obtained. This describes the case of quantum wells or large quantum dots, or the limit of low excitation where the average populations remain much smaller than one.