Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scattered light shadows in warped protoplanetary discs

Three-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical simulations have demonstrated that the structure of a protoplanetary disc may be strongly affected by a planet orbiting in a plane that is misaligned to the disc. When the planet is able to open a gap, the disc is separated into an inner, precessing disc and an outer disc with a warp. In this work, we compute infrared scattered light images to investigate the observational consequences of such an arrangement. We find that an inner disc misaligned by a less than a degree to the outer disc is indeed able to cast a shadow at larger radii. In our simulations a planet of around 6 Jupiter masses inclined by around 2 degrees is enough to warp the disc and cast a shadow with a depth of more than 10% of the average flux at that radius. We also demonstrate that warp in the outer disc can cause a variation in the azimuthal brightness profile at large radii. Importantly, this latter effect is a function of the distance from the star and is most prominent in the outer disc. We apply our model to the TW Hya system, where a misaligned, precessing inner disc has been invoked to explain an recently observed shadow in the outer disc. Consideration of the observational constraints suggest that an inner disc precessing due to a misaligned planet is an unlikely explanation for the features found in TW Hya.
Depression Among Patients With Tuberculosis at a Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) Center in Rural Delhi

Background Psychiatric disorders, particularly depression is prevalent among patients with tuberculosis (TB) and affect their treatment compliance. Patients with tuberculosis can develop depression due to multiple factors like longer treatment duration, social stigma, lack of family support, etc. In this study, depression and its associated factors were examined among patients with tuberculosis enrolled in a directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) center in North Delhi. Methods In this DOTS center-based, cross-sectional study, 320 patients with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB above 18 years old were included. Basic socio-demographic information was gathered using a Hindi questionnaire, and depression was identified using the patient health questionnaire-9. People who received a score of 10 or higher were deemed to have depression. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis. Analysis between depression and no-depression groups was done by the chi-square test and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The study involved 320 patients in all, 193 (60.3%) of whom were men. The median age was 38 years, and the interquartile range (IQR) was 24 to 52 years. Depression was found to be present in half of the patients. Patients with a higher proportion of depression were male, belonged to the middle or below socio-economic status, were currently unemployed and literate, had monthly family income less than 8000 rupees, weight below 45 kg, used alcohol and tobacco, and were undergoing intensive phase (IP) of TB treatment (p-value< 0.05). Depression was not found to be associated with age, site of TB, previous history of anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) intake, marital status, and family size. Conclusion Depression among patients with TB is common and affects half of the patients afflicted with it. When evaluating patients with TB, physicians and DOTS providers should have a high index of suspicion for depression.
Friction and wear characteristics of synthetic diamond and graphene-filled polyether ether ketone composites

Modifying tribo films using filler particles is a significant area of research in developing polymer-based tribo components to minimize material loss during the sliding process. This study focused on altering the wear characteristics of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK)/graphene high-performance polymer composite to strengthen the tribo film by adding synthetic diamond particles. The hot-pressed PEEK composite reinforced by graphene and diamond particles increased the hardness and thermal stability of the composite. Compared with pure PEEK, composites containing 1% graphene and 1% diamond particles showed an increment of 25% and 23% in hardness and thermal stability, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis verified the compatibility and intactness of the fillers in the PEEK matrix. The tribo properties of PEEK composites were characterized by a pin-on-disc tribometer on a counter steel surface. A PEEK composite containing 0.75 wt% graphene and 0.5 wt% diamond particles exhibited the lowest friction of 0.17 at a pressure of 1.5 MPa. The specific wear rate was low (1.78 × 10−6 mm3/Nm) for the composite containing 1 wt% graphene and 1 wt% diamond particles at a pressure of 1.5 MPa. Varying synthetic diamond and graphene filler concentrations in the PEEK matrix change the wear process by modifying the tribo film characteristics, revealing the lowest friction and wear rate. X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy show that the polymer film was transferred to the steel countersurface, and the tribo-chemical products of the tribo film contribute to a stable tribo film. The ferric oxide film and the tribo film improve the composite’s self-lubricating properties and load-bearing ability. Hence, the composite containing 0.75% of graphene and 0.5% of a synthetic diamond can be employed in the sliding bearing application of continuous conveyors used in mass production systems.
Review of Advanced Drug Trials Focusing on the Reduction of Brain Beta-Amyloid to Prevent and Treat Dementia

Abstract Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and typically affects patients older than age 65. Around this age, the number of neurons begins to gradually decrease in healthy brains, but brains of patients with AD show a marked increase in neuron death, often resulting in a significant loss of cognitive abilities. Cognitive skills affected include information retention, recognition capabilities, and language skills. At present, AD can be definitively diagnosed only through postmortem brain biopsies via the detection of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau neurofibrillary tangles. Because the levels of both Aβ plaques and tau tangles are increased, these 2 proteins are thought to be related to disease progression. Although relatively little is known about the cause of AD and its exact pathobiological development, many forms of treatment have been investigated to determine an effective method for managing AD symptoms by targeting Aβ. These treatments include but are not limited to using small molecules to alter the interactions of Aβ monomers, reducing hyperactivation of neuronal circuits altering Aβ’s molecular pathway of synthesis, improving degradation of Aβ, employing passive immunity approaches, and stimulating patients’ active immunity to target Aβ. This review summarizes the current therapeutic interventions in Phase II/III of clinical development or higher that are capable of reducing abnormal brain Aβ levels to determine which treatments show the greatest likelihood of clinical efficacy. We conclude that, in the near future, the most promising therapeutic interventions for brain Aβ pathology will likely be passive immunotherapies, with aducanumab and donanemab leading the way, and that these drugs may be combined with antidepressants and acetylcholine esterase inhibitors, which can modulate Aβ synthesis.
Investigation of 7th and 8th Grade Middle School Students’ Environmental Ethics Attitude Levels in Relation to Different Variables

One way to increase people’s positive behaviors toward nature is to ensure that students gain environmental ethics attitude concerning environmental issues. In this regard, the current study investigates the 7th and 8th-grade students’ environmental ethics attitude levels in relation to some variables (grade level, gender, school type). The study employed the survey model, one of the quantitative methods. The current research’s sampling was selected using the stratified sampling method. A total of 723 students (349 seventh graders and 374 eighth graders) attending middle school participated in the current study. The “Environmental Ethics Attitude Scale” was used as a data collection tool in this research. The findings of the current study have revealed that the 7th and 8th-grade students’ environmental ethics attitude levels vary significantly depending on gender in favor of the female students (U(142857) = 560.34; p < 0.001). Moreover, no statistically significant difference was found between the environmental ethics attitude levels of the 7th graders and 8th graders (U(124827) = 63752.00; p > 0.05). In addition, no statistically significant difference was found between the environmental ethics attitude level of the students attending schools located in peripheral districts of the city and that of the students attending schools located in the central districts of the city (U(191838)) = 48993; p > 0.05). The seventh-grade and eighth-grade students’ eccentric environmental ethics attitude mean score and anthropocentric environmental ethics attitude mean score were very close to each other. This shows that the students have environmental ethics attitude yet cannot give up anthropocentric behaviors. Similar studies can be conducted with students from different grade levels.
Measurements of the branching fractions of charmless three-body charged B decays

We present preliminary results of searches for charged B mesons decaying into the charmless three-body final states hhh, where h = pi or K, using 51.5 fb^-1 of data collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric B Factory. No assumptions are made about intermediate resonances. We measure the branching fractions B(B+ -> K+ pi- pi+) = (59.2 +- 4.7 +- 4.9) x 10^-6 and B(B+ -> K+ K- K+) = (34.7 +- 2.0 +- 1.8) x 10^-6, where the first error is statistical and the second error is systematic. In the same study, we do not observe significant signals for the final states B+ -> pi+ pi- pi+ and B+ -> K+ K- pi+, and therefore provide the 90% confidence upper limits B(B+ -> pi+ pi- pi+) K+ K- pi+) < 7 x 10^-6.
Comments on the floating body and the hyperplane conjecture

We provide a reformulation of the hyperplane conjecture (the slicing problem) in terms of the floating body and give upper and lower bounds on the logarithmic Hausdorff distance between an arbitrary convex body $K\subset \mathbb{R}^{d}$\ and the convex floating body $K_{\delta}$ inside $K$.
High-precision astrometry with VVV - I. An independent reduction pipeline for VIRCAM@VISTA

We present a new reduction pipeline for the VIRCAM@VISTA detector and describe the method developed to obtain high-precision astrometry with the VISTA Variables in the V\'ia L\'actea (VVV) data set. We derive an accurate geometric-distortion correction using as calibration field the globular cluster NGC 5139, and showed that we are able to reach a relative astrometric precision of about 8 mas per coordinate per exposure for well-measured stars over a field of view of more than 1 square degree. This geometric-distortion correction is made available to the community. As a test bed, we chose a field centered around the globular cluster NGC 6656 from the VVV archive and computed proper motions for the stars within. With 45 epochs spread over four years, we show that we are able to achieve a precision of 1.4 mas/yr and to isolate each population observed in the field (cluster, Bulge and Disk) using proper motions. We used proper-motion-selected field stars to measure the motion difference between Galactic disk and bulge stars. Our proper-motion measurements are consistent with UCAC4 and PPMXL, though our errors are much smaller. Models have still difficulties in reproducing the observations in this highly-reddened Galactic regions.
A comparison of IRI‐TEC predictions with GPS‐TEC measurements over Nsukka, Nigeria

The International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model has been widely adopted as the international standard for specifying ionospheric parameters. An evaluation on the performance of the IRI model (version 2007) over Nsukka, Nigeria (Geographic: 6.87°N, 7.38°E; Geomagnetic: 8.47°N, 81.07°E) is presented in this work. We compare Total Electron Content (TEC) values for year 2010 from the IRI model with corresponding TEC data from the SCINDA (Scintillation Network Decision Aid) GPS receiver installed at Nsukka so as to evaluate the performance of the model over the Nsukka region. Given the proliferation of dual‐frequency GPS receivers over the African continent, data from these equipment is proposed for use in TEC modeling over the continent together with the IRI model. Knowledge on the performance of the IRI over various regions of the continent will inform the extent to which the model will be used. The development of more accurate TEC maps find useful applications in enhancing the extent to which ionospheric influences on radio signals (as in single frequency GPS receivers) are corrected. Our results show very good diurnal correlations (above 0.88) between the IRI‐TEC predictions and the GPS‐TEC measurements for the days examined, and so reveal the potential of the IRI model as a good candidate for an enhanced TEC modeling over the African region.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of High-Redshift Active Galactic Nuclei. I. A Metallicity-Accretion Rate Relationship

We present new near-infrared spectroscopic measurements of the Hβ region for a sample of 29 luminous high-redshift quasars. We have measured the width of Hβ in those sources and added archival Hβ width measurements to create a sample of 92 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) for which Hβ width and rest-frame UV measurements of N V λ1240 and C IV λ1549 emission lines are available. Our sample spans 6 orders of magnitude in luminosity and includes 31 radio-loud AGNs. It also includes 10 narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies and one broad absorption line quasar. We find that metallicity, indicated by the N V/C IV line ratio, is primarily correlated with accretion rate, which is a function of luminosity and Hβ line width. This may imply an intimate relation between starbursts, responsible for the metal enrichment of the nuclear gas, and AGN fueling, represented by the accretion rate. The correlation of metallicity with luminosity, or black hole (BH) mass, is weaker in contrast to recent results that were based on measurements of the width of C IV. We argue that using C IV as a proxy to Hβ in estimating MBH might be problematic and lead to spurious BH mass and accretion rate estimates in individual sources. We discuss the potential implications of our new result in the framework of the starburst-AGN connection and theories of BH growth.
The Demographic Dividend As A Pathway To Development: The Role of Fertility and Education in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Narrative Review

Purpose: Sub-Saharan African countries are experiencing rapid population growth. This is essential in achieving the Demographic Dividend. Age structure, fertility and education play a key role in the achievement of the Demographic Dividend. Although gains from age structure are crucial, its gains are not automatic. However, the inter-relatedness of fertility and education makes a reduction in fertility a cause and effect on investments in education. Methodology: This narrative review looks at studies discussing the Demographic Dividend from a development theory point of view. It is an attempt to explain how different countries within Sub-Saharan Africa are faring due to the inter-play between fertility and education. Findings: The results highlight how the Demographic Dividend is really an Educational Dividend. It also shows a negative correlation between education and fertility across regions and time. The political environment with emphasis on good governance plays a key role in harnessing the Demographic Dividend. Aside this, a fertility decline alone could worsen the existing economic conditions if it is not in tandem with higher education rates among young adults. This is in line with Ester Boserup’s view of seeing population as a resource. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy (recommendation): A conducive political environment attracts investments and creates room for entrepreneurship and job creation which are necessary to be able to harness the Demographic Dividend. There’s the need to however, look at the definition of working age group and conditions necessary to promote entrepreneurship.
Is there a diurnal variation of COVID-19 patients warranting presentation to the health centre? A chronobiological observational cross-sectional study

Abstract Background The circadian clock regulates the function of the immune system, the replication of viruses, and the magnitude of infections. The aim of this study was to analyse whether hospital attendance in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients presents a diurnal variation. Methods Data from the electronic medical records of 1094 COVID-19 patients who presented to a Health Centre in Qatar during the month of July 2020 was retrospectively analysed. The following demographic (i.e. time of day (TOD), sex, age), clinical (i.e. cycle threshold (CT), temperature, oxy-haemoglobin saturation and resting heart-rate), biochemical (i.e. uraemia, glycaemia and albuminia) and haematological (i.e. leukocytes, erythrocytes ad platelets) parameters were collected. Results Univariate analysis showed a significant effect of TOD on hospital admission (p < 0.001), with patients attending the health care centre more during the active behavioural phase (08h00-00h00) compared to the resting phase (00h00-08h00). COVID-19 infection blunted the circadian rhythms of core body temperature, neutrophils and leukocytes family and shifted the circadian rhythms of resting heart-rate and uraemia. Correlation analysis showed a near perfect negative correlation between the age of patients and the TOD (r=–0.97), with older patients attending the care centre earlier during the day. Conclusion COVID-19 infection affected the circadian rhythms of the host through disrupting the circadian rhythms of core temperature and innate immunity mediators. Old patients attend the health care centre earlier compared to younger ones. However, CT during polymerase chain reaction-test was unaffected by the TOD, which limits the conclusion that COVID-19 viral infection exhibits diurnal variation.
Shocks in relativistic viscous accretion flows around Kerr black holes

We study the relativistic viscous accretion flows around the Kerr black holes. We present the governing equations that describe the steady-state flow motion in full general relativity and solve them in 1.5D to obtain the complete set of global transonic solutions in terms of the flow parameters, namely specific energy (${\mathcal E}$), specific angular momentum (${\mathcal L}$), and viscosity (α). We obtain a new type of accretion solution which was not reported earlier. Further, we show for the first time to the best of our knowledge that viscous accretion solutions may contain shock waves particularly when flow simultaneously passes through both inner critical point (rin) and outer critical point (rout) before entering into the Kerr black holes. We examine the shock properties, namely shock location (rs) and compression ratio (R, the measure of density compression across the shock front) and show that shock can form for a large region of parameter space in ${\cal L}\! -\! {\cal E}$ plane. We study the effect of viscous dissipation on the shock parameter space and find that parameter space shrinks as α is increased. We also calculate the critical viscosity parameter (αcri) beyond which standing shock solutions disappear and examine the correlation between the black hole spin (ak) and αcri. Finally, the relevance of our work is conferred where, using rs and R, we empirically estimate the oscillation frequency of the shock front (νQPO) when it exhibits quasi-periodic (QP) variations. The obtained results indicate that the present formalism seems to be potentially viable to account for the QPO frequency in the range starting from milli-Hz to kilo-Hz as $0.386~{\rm Hz}\le \nu _{\mathrm{ QPO}} (\frac{10\, \mathrm{M}_\odot }{M_{\mathrm{ BH}}}) \le 1312$ Hz for ak = 0.99, where MBH stands for the black hole mass.
Finite-temperature properties of the extended Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice

We present numerical results for the ${J}_{1}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{J}_{2}$ Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice at finite temperatures $Tg0$. In contrast to unfrustrated lattices we reach much lower $T\ensuremath{\sim}0.15{J}_{1}$. In static quantities the novel feature is a quite sharp low-$T$ maximum in the specific heat. Dynamical spin structure factor $S(\mathbf{q},\ensuremath{\omega})$ allows for the extraction of the effective spin-wave energies ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathbf{q}}(T)$ and their damping ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathbf{q}}(T)$. While for ${J}_{2}=0$ our results are consistent with $T=0$ spin ordering, ${J}_{2}/{J}_{1}\ensuremath{\sim}0.1$ induces additional frustration with a signature of spin-liquid ground state. In the latter case, the results for the spin-lattice relaxation rate indicate the low-$T$ accessible regime on $1/{T}_{1}\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ with $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\ge}1$, as observed in recent spin-liquid materials on a triangular lattice.
Evaluating the effect of temperature on photosynthesis and respiration of articulated coralline algae using oxygen evolution and chlorophyll a fluorescence

Coralline algae form abundant and ecologically important submerged aquatic vegetation habitats throughout the world. However, algal performance is threatened by climate change and ocean acidification. Previous studies suggest that their photosynthetic performance will be compromised mainly at elevated temperatures. Understanding the impact of diverse climate change scenarios requires a clear and thorough comprehension of the photosynthetic response to temperature gradients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of temperature (10–35 °C) on the gross photosynthesis (GPS), respiration, and electron transport rates (ETRs) of 3 articulated coralline algae (Lithothrix aspergillum, Corallina officinalis, and Bossiella orbigniana) for a better understanding of their metabolism and to investigate the relationship between GPS and ETR as a function of temperature. The results showed that the coralline algal metabolism is highly sensitive to temperature, but responses were species-specific and can be related to their light adaptation/acclimation; the high-light-adapted L. aspergillum was least negatively affected. The photosynthesis to respiration ratio was optimal between 20 and 25 °C according to the local thermal regime but was significantly reduced toward higher temperatures, indicating strong carbon imbalances and highlighting the relevance of thermal stress for coralline algal performance. A strong correlation between GPS and ETR was found between 10 and 30 °C in all species, but both above saturation irradiances and at elevated temperatures (≥30 °C), a clear deviation from linearity occurred. This suggests that ETR is not a good proxy to estimate photosynthetic activity under light or thermal stress. This information should be useful for studies implementing global change scenarios and pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry in coralline algae.