Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonsingular inflationary universe from polymer matter

We consider a polymer quantization of a free massless scalar field in a homogenous and isotropic classical cosmological spacetime. This quantization method assumes that field translations are fundamentally discrete, and is related to but distinct from that used in loop quantum gravity. The semiclassical Friedmann equation yields a universe that is nonsingular and nonbouncing, without quantum gravity. The model has an early nearly de Sitter inflationary phase with sufficient expansion to resolve the horizon and entropy problems, and a built-in mechanism for a graceful exit from inflation.
MAGNETIC-FIELD AMPLIFICATION BY TURBULENCE IN A RELATIVISTIC SHOCK PROPAGATING THROUGH AN INHOMOGENEOUS MEDIUM

We perform two-dimensional relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of a mildly relativistic shock propagating through an inhomogeneous medium. We show that the postshock region becomes turbulent owing to preshock density inhomogeneity, and the magnetic field is strongly amplified due to the stretching and folding of field lines in the turbulent velocity field. The amplified magnetic field evolves into a filamentary structure in two-dimensional simulations. The magnetic energy spectrum is flatter than the Kolmogorov spectrum and indicates that a so-called small-scale dynamo is occurring in the postshock region. We also find that the amount of magnetic-field amplification depends on the direction of the mean preshock magnetic field, and the timescale of magnetic-field growth depends on the shock strength.
Outage Performance of Interference Cancellation-Aided Two-Way Relaying Cognitive Network with Primary TAS/SC Communication and Secondary Partial Relay Selection

In this paper, we propose a two-way relaying scheme using digital network coding in an underlay cognitive radio network. In the proposed scheme, the transmit antenna selection and selection techniques are combined using a primary transmitter and a primary receiver, respectively. In the secondary network, two source nodes that cannot directly communicate attempt to exchange their data with each other. As a result, the relaying technique using partial relay selection is applied to assist the data exchange. Particularly, at the first time slot, the selected secondary relay applies an interference cancellation technique to decode the data received from the secondary sources. Then, the selected relay uses digital network coding to send XOR-ed data to the sources at the second time slot. We first derive the outage probability of the primary network over block the Rayleigh fading channel. Then, the transmit power of the secondary transmitters including the source and relay nodes are calculated to guarantee the quality of service of the primary network. Finally, the exact closed-form formulas of the outage probability of the secondary sources over the block Rayleigh fading channel are derived, and then verified by computer simulations using the Monte Carlo method.
Indirect Learning Strategies of Mandarin as A Foreign Language Learners During Online Learning in COVID-19 Pandemic Period

The study seeks to investigate the indirect language learning strategies used by learners of Mandarin as a foreign language in an online learning environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic period. A simple random sampling was employed, and 445 Malay undergraduate students engaged in a Mandarin course in a Malaysian university participated by answering a questionnaire. The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), developed by Oxford in 1990 was used to collect the data. To ascertain the pattern of indirect language learning strategies preferred by male and female degree students in the Mandarin Course, descriptive statistics were utilised in the study. The Independent Sample t-Test was also utilized to examine the significant differences between the indirect learning strategies used by the male and female degree learners. The results show that the metacognitive strategy is the favourite indirect learning strategy for Malay undergraduates, followed by affective strategies and social strategies. Additionally, regardless of gender, metacognitive strategy emerged as the most common learning strategy. However, results indicated that there were no significant differences between the metacognitive learning strategies employed by male and female degree students. These findings provide repercussions to Mandarin as a foreign or second language educators to assess existing teaching strategies to enhance the effectiveness in classroom which offer various learning strategies to make students better learners.
Updating quasar bolometric luminosity corrections - II. Infrared bolometric corrections

We present infrared bolometric luminosity corrections derived from the detailed spectral energy distributions of 62 bright quasars of low to moderate redshift (z = 0.03–1.4). At 1.5, 2, 3, 7, 12, 15 and 24 μm we provide bolometric corrections of the mathematical forms Liso = ζ λLλ and log(Liso) = A + B log(λLλ). Bolometric corrections for radio-loud and radio-quiet objects are consistent within 95 per cent confidence intervals, so we do not separate them. Bolometric luminosities estimated using these corrections are typically smaller than those derived from some commonly used in the literature. We investigate the possibility of a luminosity-dependent bolometric correction and find that, while the data are consistent with such a correction, the dispersion is too large and the luminosity range too small to warrant such a detailed interpretation. Bolometric corrections at 1.5 μm are appropriate for objects with properties that fall in the range log(Lbol) = 45.4–47.3 and bolometric corrections at all other wavelengths are appropriate for objects with properties that fall in the range log(Lbol) = 45.1–47.0.
Robin Gravity

We write down a Robin boundary term for general relativity. The construction relies on the Neumann result of arXiv:1605.01603 in an essential way. This is unlike in mechanics and (polynomial) field theory, where two formulations of the Robin problem exist: one with Dirichlet as the natural limiting case, and another with Neumann.
Mechanisms controlling the localisation of fault‐controlled hydrothermal dolomitisation, Derbyshire Platform, UK

The Derbyshire Platform is a Mississippian aged flat‐topped, steep sided platform that forms the westernmost expression of the Derbyshire‐East Midlands Platform. On the south‐east platform margin, 60 km2 of Visean limestone has been dolomitised, forming two distinct bodies. One of these bodies forms along a major NW–SE trending basement fault and smaller, associated, N–S trending faults and fractures. This study uses outcrop, petrographic and geochemical analysis to better constrain the timing and mechanism for this fault‐controlled dolomitisation. Field relationships demonstrate dolomitisation was multi‐phase and initiated after the main phase of matrix pore‐occluding calcite cementation on the Derbyshire Platform and terminated prior to the main phase of mineralisation. Fluids are interpreted to have fluxed from adjacent basins, primarily along strike‐slip crustal faults that were reactivated during basin inversion at the onset of the Variscan Orogeny. Fluid supply was episodic and progressively confined to fractures as matrix porosity became occluded. The study demonstrates the complex interplay between basin kinematics, host rock permeability and timing of fluid supply through seismic valving along faults that connect the carbonate platform to basin compartments. This ultimately controlled the position of dolomite geobodies along faults and provides a record of fluid flow during the transition from thermal subsidence to post‐rift basin inversion. The findings have implications for the exploration of both minerals and hydrocarbon within dolomitised host rocks and can inform studies of fluid transfer and reaction on carbonate platforms within the burial realm.
Adiabatic initial conditions for perturbations in interacting dark energy models

We present a new systematic analysis of the early radiation era solution in an interacting dark energy model to find the adiabatic initial conditions for the Boltzmann integration. In a model where the interaction is proportional to the dark matter density, adiabatic initial conditions and viable cosmologies are possible if the early-time dark energy equation of state parameter is we > −4/5. We find that when adiabaticity between cold dark matter, baryons, neutrinos and photons is demanded, the dark energy component satisfies automatically the adiabaticity condition. As Type Ia supernovae or baryon acoustic oscillation data require the recent-time equation of state parameter to be more negative, we consider a time-varying equation of state in our model. In a companion paper, we apply the initial conditions derived here and perform a full Monte Carlo Markov Chain likelihood analysis of this model.
Replacing dark energy by silent virialisation

Standard cosmological $N$-body simulations have background scale factor evolution that is decoupled from non-linear structure formation. Prior to gravitational collapse, kinematical backreaction ($Q_D$) justifies this approach in a Newtonian context. However, the final stages of a gravitational collapse event are sudden; a globally imposed expansion rate thus forces at least one expanding region to suddenly decelerate. This is relativistically unrealistic. Instead, we allow non-collapsed domains to evolve in volume according to the $Q_D$ Zel'dovich Approximation (QZA). We study the inferred average expansion under this "silent" virialisation hypothesis. We set standard (mpgrafic) EdS cosmological $N$-body initial conditions. Using RAMSES, we call DTFE to estimate the initial values of the three invariants of the extrinsic curvature tensor in Lagrangian domains $D$. We integrate the Raychaudhuri equation in each domain using inhomog, adopt the stable clustering hypothesis (VQZA), and average spatially. We adopt an early-epoch--normalised EdS reference-model Hubble constant $H_1^{bg} = 37.7$ km/s/Mpc and an effective Hubble constant $H_0^{eff} = 67.7$ km/s/Mpc. From 2000 simulations at resolution $256^3$, a unity effective scale factor is reached at 13.8~Gyr (16% above EdS) for an averaging scale of $L_{13.8}=2.5^{+0.1}_{-0.4}$ Mpc/$h^{eff}$. Relativistically interpreted, this corresponds to strong average negative curvature evolution. The virialisation fraction and super-EdS expansion correlate strongly at fixed cosmological time. Thus, starting from EdS initial conditions and averaging on a typical non-linear structure formation scale, the VQZA dark-energy--free average expansion matches $\Lambda$CDM expansion to first order. The software packages used here are free-licensed.
Deep Eutectic Solvents for Biodiesel Purification in a Microextractor: Solvent Preparation, Selection and Process Optimization

The most important and commonly used process for biodiesel synthesis is transesterification. The main by-product of biodiesel synthesis by transesterification is glycerol, which must be removed from the final product. Recently, deep eutectic solvent (DES) assisted extraction has been shown to be an effective and sustainable method for biodiesel purification. In this study, biodiesel was produced by lipase-catalysed transesterification from sunflower oil and methanol. A total of 12 different eutectic solvents were prepared and their physical properties were determined. Mathematical models were used to define which physical and chemical properties of DES and to what extent affect the efficiency of extraction of glycerol from the biodiesel. After initial screening, cholinium-based DES with ethylene glycol as hydrogen bond donor was selected and used for optimization of extraction process conditions performed in a microsystem. To determine the optimal process conditions (temperature, biodiesel:DES volume ratio, residence time), the experimental three-level-three-factor Box-Behnken experimental design was used. In the end, a combination of a mathematical model and experimental results was used to estimate how many micro-extractors are necessary for the complete removal of glycerol.
Influence of parameterized small‐scale gravity waves on the migrating diurnal tide in Earth's thermosphere

Effects of subgrid‐scale gravity waves (GWs) on the diurnal migrating tides are investigated from the mesosphere to the upper thermosphere for September equinox conditions, using a general circulation model coupled with the extended spectral nonlinear GW parameterization of Yiğit et al. ( ). Simulations with GW effects cut off above the turbopause and included in the entire thermosphere have been conducted. GWs appreciably impact the mean circulation and cool the thermosphere down by up to 12–18%. GWs significantly affect the winds modulated by the diurnal migrating tide, in particular, in the low‐latitude mesosphere and lower thermosphere and in the high‐latitude thermosphere. These effects depend on the mutual correlation of the diurnal phases of the GW forcing and tides: GWs can either enhance or reduce the tidal amplitude. In the low‐latitude MLT, the correlation between the direction of the deposited GW momentum and the tidal phase is positive due to propagation of a broad spectrum of GW harmonics through the alternating winds. In the Northern Hemisphere high‐latitude thermosphere, GWs act against the tide due to an anticorrelation of tidal wind and GW momentum, while in the Southern high‐latitudes they weakly enhance the tidal amplitude via a combination of a partial correlation of phases and GW‐induced changes of the circulation. The variable nature of GW effects on the thermal tide can be captured in GCMs provided that a GW parameterization (1) considers a broad spectrum of harmonics, (2) properly describes their propagation, and (3) correctly accounts for the physics of wave breaking/saturation.
CLOUD STRUCTURE OF THE NEAREST BROWN DWARFS: SPECTROSCOPIC VARIABILITY OF LUHMAN 16AB FROM THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

The binary brown dwarf WISE J104915.57−531906.1 (also Luhman 16AB), composed of a late-L and early-T dwarf, is a prototypical L/T transition flux reversal binary located at a distance of only 2 pc. Luhman 16B is a known variable whose light curves evolve rapidly. We present a spatially resolved spectroscopic time-series of Luhman 16A and B covering 6.5 hr using the Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 at 1.1–1.66 μm. The small, count-dependent variability of Luhman 16A at the beginning of the observations likely stems from instrumental systematics; Luhman 16A appears non-variable above ≈0.4%. Its spectrum is well fit by a single cloud layer with intermediate cloud thickness (fsed = 2, Teff = 1200 K). Luhman 16B varies at all wavelengths with peak-to-valley amplitudes of 7%–11%. The amplitude and light curve shape changes over only one rotation period. The lowest relative amplitude is found in the deep water absorption band at 1.4 μm, otherwise it mostly decreases gradually from the blue to the red edge of the spectrum. This is very similar to the other two known highly variable early-T dwarfs. A two-component cloud model accounts for most of the variability, although small deviations are seen in the water absorption band. We fit the mean spectrum and relative amplitudes with a linear combination of two models of a warm, thinner cloud (Teff = 1300 K, fsed = 3) and a cooler, thicker cloud (Teff = 1000–1100 K, fsed = 1), assuming out-of-equilibrium atmospheric chemistry. A model with parameters as for Luhman 16A except for the addition of cloud holes cannot reproduce the variability of Luhman 16B, indicating more complex cloud evolution through the L/T transition. The projected separation of the binary has decreased by ≈0. ″3 in eight months.
Observation of ten-photon entanglement using thin BiB 3 O 6 crystals

Coherently manipulating a number of entangled qubits is the key task of quantum information processing. In this paper, we report on the experimental realization of a ten-photon Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger state using thin BiB3O6 crystals. The observed fidelity is 0.606±0.029, demonstrating a genuine entanglement with a standard deviation of 3. 6σ. This result is further verified using p-value calculation, obtaining an upper bound of 3.7×10−3 under an assumed hypothesis test. Our experiment paves a new way to efficiently engineer BiB3O6 crystal-based multi-photon entanglement systems, which provides a promising platform for investigating advanced optical quantum information processing tasks such as boson sampling, quantum error correction, and quantum-enhanced measurement.
Physical properties of transparent perovskite oxides (Ba,La)SnO 3 with high electrical mobility at room temperature

Transparent electronic materials are increasingly in demand for a variety of optoelectronic applications. BaSnO3 is a semiconducting oxide with a large band gap of more than 3.1 eV. Recently, we discovered that La doped BaSnO3 exhibits unusually high electrical mobility of 320 cm^2(Vs)^-1 at room temperature and superior thermal stability at high temperatures [H. J. Kim et al. Appl. Phys. Express. 5, 061102 (2012)]. Following that work, we report various physical properties of (Ba,La)SnO3 single crystals and films including temperature-dependent transport and phonon properties, optical properties and first-principles calculations. We find that almost doping-independent mobility of 200-300 cm^2(Vs)^-1 is realized in the single crystals in a broad doping range from 1.0x10^19 to 4.0x10^20 cm^-3. Moreover, the conductivity of ~10^4 ohm^-1cm^-1 reached at the latter carrier density is comparable to the highest value. We attribute the high mobility to several physical properties of (Ba,La)SnO3: a small effective mass coming from the ideal Sn-O-Sn bonding, small disorder effects due to the doping away from the SnO2 conduction channel, and reduced carrier scattering due to the high dielectric constant. The observation of a reduced mobility of ~70 cm^2(Vs)^-1 in the film is mainly attributed to additional carrier-scatterings which are presumably created by the lattice mismatch between the substrate SrTiO3 and (Ba,La)SnO3. The main optical gap of (Ba,La)SnO3 single crystals remained at about 3.33 eV and the in-gap states only slightly increased, thus maintaining optical transparency in the visible region. Based on these, we suggest that the doped BaSnO3 system holds great potential for realizing all perovskite-based, transparent high-frequency high-power functional devices as well as highly mobile two-dimensional electron gas via interface control of heterostructured films.
Flux-lines lattice order and critical current studied by time-of-flight small-angle neutron scattering

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is an historical technique to study the flux lines lattice (FLL) in a superconductor. Structural characteristics of the FLL can be revealed, providing fundamental information for the physics of vortex lattice. However, the spatial resolution is limited and all the correlation lengths of order are difficult to extract with precision. We show here that a time of flight technique reveals the Bragg peak of the FLL, and also its translational order with a better resolution. We discuss the implication of these results for pinning mechanisms in a Niobium sample.
MicroRNA-381 Regulates Proliferation and Differentiation of Caprine Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells by Targeting PTEN and JAG2

In our previous study, microRNA (miR)-381 was found to be the most down-regulated miRNA in skeletal muscle of Liaoning cashmere goats with higher skeletal muscle mass, but the molecular mechanism involved remains unclear. In this study, primary caprine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) were isolated and identified. We investigated the effect of miR-381 on the viability, proliferation and differentiation of caprine SMSCs, and the target relationships of miR-381 with jagged canonical Notch ligand 2 (JAG2) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Cells isolated were positive for SMSC-specific marker protein Pax7. This suggests that purified SMSCs were obtained. The expression level of miR-381 achieved a peak value on day 4 after SMSC differentiation, and miR-381 also significantly increased the expression levels of myogenic differentiation marker genes: myosin heavy chain (MyHC), myogenin (MyoG) and myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) in differentiated SMSCs, the area of MyHC-positive myotubes and the myogenic index. These findings suggest that miR-381 promoted myogenic differentiation of caprine SMSCs. The CCK8 assay and EDU staining analysis showed that miR-381 mimic both inhibited the viability of SMSCs and decreased the percentage of EDU-labeled positive SMSCs. In contrast, miR-381 inhibitor had the opposite effect with miR-381 mimic. A dual luciferase reporter assay verified that miR-381 can target JAG2 and PTEN by binding to the 3′-untranslated regions (3′-UTR) of the genes. The transfection of miR-381 mimic into caprine SMSCs resulted in decreases in expression levels of JAG2 and PTEN, while miR-381 inhibitor increased the two target genes in expression. This is the first study to reveal the biological mechanisms by which miR-381 regulates caprine SMSC activities.
The Protective Effects of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss of Rats

A few prior animal studies have suggested the transplantation or protective effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in noise-induced hearing loss. This study intended to evaluate the fates of administered MSCs in the inner ears and the otoprotective effects of MSCs in the noise-induced hearing loss of rats. Human embryonic stem cell-derived MSCs (ES-MSCs) were systematically administered via the tail vein in adult rats. Eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to the control (n = 8), ES-MSC (n = 4), noise (n = 8), and ES-MSC+noise (n = 10) groups. In ES-MSC and ES-MSC+noise rats, 5 × 105 ES-MSCs were injected via the tail vein. In noise and ES-MSC+noise rats, broadband noise with 115 dB SPL was exposed for 3 h daily for 5 days. The hearing levels were measured using auditory brainstem response (ABR) at 4, 8, 16, and 32 kHz. Cochlear histology was examined using H&E staining and cochlear whole mount immunofluorescence. The presence of human DNA was examined using Sry PCR, and the presence of human cytoplasmic protein was examined using STEM121 immunofluorescence staining. The protein expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR), PAR polymerase (PARP), caspase 3, and cleaved caspase 3 were estimated. The ES-MSC rats did not show changes in ABR thresholds following the administration of ES-MSCs. The ES-MSC+ noise rats demonstrated lower ABR thresholds at 4, 8, and 16 kHz than the noise rats. Cochlear spiral ganglial cells and outer hair cells were more preserved in the ES-MSC+ noise rats than in the noise rats. The Sry PCR bands were highly detected in lung tissue and less in cochlear tissue of ES-MSC+noise rats. Only a few STEM121-positivities were observed in the spiral ganglial cell area of ES-MSC and ES-MSC+noise rats. The protein levels of AIF, PAR, PARP, caspase 3, and cleaved caspase 3 were lower in the ES-MSC+noise rats than in the noise rats. The systemic injection of ES-MSCs preserved hearing levels and attenuated parthanatos and apoptosis in rats with noise-induced hearing loss. In addition, a tiny number of transplanted ES-MSCs were observed in the spiral ganglial areas.