Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
G A ] 2 F eb 2 01 4 Simulations of galactic dynamos

We review our current understanding of galactic dynamo theo ry, paying particular attention to numerical simulations both of the m an-field equations and the original three-dimensional equations relevant to desc ribing the magnetic field evolution for a turbulent flow. We emphasize the theoretical difficulties in explaining non-axisymmetric magnetic fields in galaxies and discus the observational basis for such results in terms of rotation measure analysis. N ext, we discuss nonlinear theory, the role of magnetic helicity conservation and magn etic helicity fluxes. This leads to the possibility that galactic magnetic fields may be bi-helical, with opposite signs of helicity and large and small length scales. We discu s their observational signatures and close by discussing the possibilities of exp laining the origin of primordial magnetic fields.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Antimony and its Compounds Using Dechlorosilylation Reactions of Tris(triethylsilyl)antimony

For the first time an element other than a metal was deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Pure and conformal thin films of elemental antimony were prepared by ALD using SbCl3 and (Et3Si)3Sb as precursors. In situ reaction mechanism studies showed that the dehalosilylation reactions involved are very efficient in eliminating the ligands from the growing surface enabling the use of low growth temperatures down to 95 °C. Various antimony compounds, such as GeSb, Sb2Te, GaSb, and AlSb, can also be deposited by reacting (Et3Si)3Sb with other metal halides or mixing Sb growth cycles with other ALD processes. The new antimony ALD process is a major step in the realization of non-volatile phase change random access memories (PCRAM) and ALD of III−V compounds.
EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pain in pancreatic cancer patients – a meta-analysis and systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS- CPN) has been reported to be an effective way to help with pain in pancreatic cancer patient. The aim of our updated meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of pain relief in patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent EUS guided neurolysis. Methods: Pooled proportions were calculated using both Mantel-Haenszel method (fixed effects model) and DerSimonian Laird method (random effects model). The heterogeneity among studies was tested using Cochran’s Q test based upon inverse variance weights. Results: Initial search identified 176 reference articles, of which 34 were selected and reviewed in detail. Sixteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this analysis. The mean age of patients undergoing neurolysis was 56.31 ± 19.72 years. Number of males, N = 563 (57.4%), was higher than the number of females, N = 417 (42.5%). The pooled proportion of patients who showed pain relief with EUS-guided neurolysis was 71% (95% CI = 68–74). Bias calculated using Begg–Mazumdar was not significant (p = 0.8). In a subgroup analysis, when comparing the central and bilateral techniques, the pooled proportion of patients with pain relief was 66% (95% CI = 61–71) and 57% (95% CI = 48–67), respectively. Conclusions: Our results show that EUS guided CPN could provide relief in as much as 70% of patients with central neurolysis technique having some edge over peripheral neurolysis. Further larger scale randomized controlled trials may further help to elaborate the efficacy of central vs peripheral neurolysis.
Woodland-period fisheries on the north-central coast of the Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Despite the prevalence of Woodland-period middens on the Gulf of Mexico’s northern coast, Woodland fisheries remain poorly known. Vertebrate and invertebrate assemblages from Plash Island (1BA134; cal AD 325–640) and Bayou St. John (1BA21; cal AD 650–1040) suggest this period was more than a prelude to Mississippian farming. Much of the coastal Woodland economy centered on reliable, productive estuarine resources, particularly molluscs and fishes that provided communities with multiple options in a resilient strategy employed for at least 700 years. A nuanced interpretation of coastal life as an array of flexible, managed responses to a dynamic estuarine environment is more plausible than a model that postulates seasonal abandonment of a productive coastal territory and valuable gear. We posit a more parsimonious interpretation: residents of Woodland fishing villages on the north-central Gulf coast skillfully and flexibly managed the opportunities and challenges of complex multi-season, year-round fisheries.
Assessment of intersection conflicts between riders and pedestrians using a GIS-based framework and portable LiDAR

ABSTRACT Adequate sight distances are crucial parameters ruling the design of roads and riding facilities. LiDAR-retrieved data have proved to serve many transportation applications by creating updated and accurate representations of the road environment. As a result, many sight distance evaluation methodologies use LiDAR delivered point clouds to carry out visibility analyses. However, current approaches are mainly focused on motorized users along highways and streets, and most of those methodologies are carried out directly on the point cloud, which does not allow the evaluation or relocation of visual obstructions. This study presents a visibility-based procedure intended to assess the circulation of pedestrians and riders at urban intersections. For this purpose, first, the required sight distances of all users along the intersection are obtained. Second, the conflicts between vulnerable road users are evaluated, considering the type of control present at the intersection. The available sight distances are then obtained using a GIS-based method that employs 3D road models derived from the LiDAR retrieved data. Finally, after a comparison between the required and the available visibility, an evaluation determines which user sees a larger percentage of the intersection. This approach facilitates evaluating the impact that vegetation, traffic, and/or furniture elements could have on visibility and serve as an urban design aid tool. Results show that the proposed method offers valuable insights into the distributions of visibility among intersecting users and into the quantifications of the effect of specific adjacent traffic. Moreover, this procedure stands as a useful and flexible approach that allows the evaluation of both cyclists and e-scooter riders in different road facilities and positionings.
Seed dispersers shape the pulp nutrients of fleshy-fruited plants

The dispersal-syndrome hypothesis posits that fruit traits are a product of selection by frugivores. Although criticized as adaptationist, recent studies have suggested that traits such as fruit or seed size, colour and odour exhibit signatures that imply selection by animal mutualists. These traits imply nutritional rewards (e.g. lipid, carbohydrate), attracting frugivores; however, this remains incompletely resolved. Here, we investigated whether fruit nutrients (lipid, sugar, protein, vitamin C, water content) moderate the co-adaptation of key disperser-group mutualisms. Multivariate techniques revealed that fruit nutrients assembled non-randomly and grouped according to key dispersal modes. Bird-dispersed fruits were richer in lipids than mammal-dispersed fruits. Mixed-dispersed fruits had significantly higher vitamin C than did mammal- or bird-dispersed fruits separately. Sugar and water content were consistently high irrespective of dispersal modes, suggesting that these traits appeal to both avian and mammalian frugivores to match high-energy requirements. Similarly, protein content was low irrespective of dispersal modes, corroborating that birds and mammals avoid protein-rich fruits, which are often associated with toxic levels of nitrogenous secondary compounds. Our results provide substantial over-arching evidence that seed disperser assemblages co-exert fundamental selection pressures on fruit nutrient trait adaptation, with broad implications for structuring fruit–frugivore mutualism and maintaining fruit trait diversity.
Population Viability Analysis of Kinosternon hirtipes murrayi in Central México, with Notes on the Conservation Status of the Other Three Subspecies of the Lineage

Abstract. With 6 subspecies described, the rough-footed mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) has been considered a species with high morphological diversity. One subspecies, K. h. megacephalum, is already extinct. The remaining subspecies are poorly studied, with very limited information available only for K. h. murrayi (a widespread subspecies). The remaining taxa (K. h. tarascense, K. h. chapalense, K. h. magdalense, and K. h. hirtipes) are microendemic and restricted to endorheic valleys in the Mexican Transvolcanic Belt. Using baited fyke nets, hoop traps, and a seine, we surveyed for these microendemic subspecies for 3 yrs across their known distributions. With the data gathered in the field and published information, we conducted a population viability analysis (PVA) to model the minimum characteristics needed to improve population growth under 3 scenarios (optimistic, intermediate, and pessimistic). Very few K. hirtipes turtles were collected. No K. h. chapalense were located in Lake Chapala, but we did capture 4 individuals in Lake Zapotlan. Similarly, only 6 individuals of K. h. magdalense were captured. No K. h. hirtipes individuals were collected in the Valley of México. Two populations of K. h. tarascense were located in the Pátzcuaro basin: the first populations reported for that subspecies. The PVA showed that harvest on adults in populations with fewer than 200 turtles significantly compromises population persistence. However, a population size of 200 and limited or no harvest are enough to increase population size and persistence for at least 100 yrs. Assurance colonies and head-starting may be the only chance for long-term survival of some of these microendemic turtle lineages.
An alternative method to quantify the pulse waveform

Analysis of the pulse wave shape variability is an important step in the tasks of assessing the cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms and reconstruction of the central pulse. The conventional approach to the quantification of the pulse wave is based on the assessment of the features of its shape within each beat to beat heart interval. Usually, a set of indices is calculated, which are determined by the reference points of the wave contour. We have developed an alternative method aimed to analyze the variability of the pulse waveform. Being combined with adaptive baseline removal algorithm, our method is able to analyze the pulse wave shape variability regardless of the variability of its rhythm.
Modeling diffraction of a polarized light by three-dimensional nonlinear spiral phase in the near zone

We investigate the diffraction of a polarized light by nonlinear spiral phase plate (NSPP) in the near zone, taking into account the three-dimensional structure of the optical element. The simulation of the NSPP diffraction is based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The results of numerical simulation of the NSPP diffraction for both homogeneous (linear and circular) and inhomogeneous (radial and azimuthal) polarized light are presented.
Impact of ex vivo skin dehydration on collimated transmittance spectra kinetics

Skin optical clearing is the method providing the increase of the depth and the contrast of non-invasive optical techniques. Dehydration is one of the possible mechanisms of optical clearing that may lead to reduce in both skin thickness and backscattering. However, the contribution of dehydration of skin to the collimated transmittance spectra is not studied in details. This paper presents the results of such study with rat skin ex vivo. Dehydration of skin sample was provided using a fan with a heater. Throughout the experiment, a warm air flux (~ 36 °C) was directed to the dermal side of each sample. Transmittance spectra were obtained using a system of two optical fibers equipped with collimators in the wavelength range of 400-800 nm. The thickness was measured during dehydration using a micrometer. As a result, it was found that a decrease in the thickness of the skin sample during dehydration led to an increased light transmission through the skin (an 11-fold increase at λ= 700 nm), and, at the same time, to an increase in the light attenuation coefficient μt due to an increase in the concentration of scatterers in the skin per unit volume.
Non-linear optical properties of nanostructured titanium nitride under high-power laser pumping in the fundamental absorption band

Non-linear optical properties of titanium nitride nanoparticles were examined using the modified z-scan technique with simultaneous acquisition of the Rayleigh scattering at the direct angle to the polarization plane of a probe laser beam. The real and imaginary parts of the effective dielectric function of nanoparticles, depending on the pump intensity, at the wavelength of 355 nm and the laser pulse energy of 5.8 mJ were reconstructed from the obtained experimental data and displayed using the Cole-Cole diagram technique.
Photoconductive THz emitters with high-aspect-ratio plasmonic gratings

The plasmon-assisted photoconductive antenna-emitter has been developed, optimized, and fabricated on a semi-insulating GaAs photoconductive substrate. Using numerical simulation, we showed that a high aspect-ratio of the antenna plasmonic electrodes h/p = 0.5 (where h and p are height and period of metal grating, respectively) can substantially increase the amplitude of the electric field at the shadow side of the grating leading a robust localization of photocarriers in vicinity to plasmonic electrodes. The plasmonic PCA-emitter exhibits 10 μW of the emitted THz power at optical pump of 10 mW, high thermal (breakdown) stability, and the increased dynamic range, as well.
Casimir-Lifshitz force and plasmons in a structure with two graphene sheets

A model is proposed for calculating the Casimir-Lifshitz force between two finite rectangular and infinite graphene sheets in a vacuum, based on the classical electrodynamic Green’s function method and two-dimensional conductivity model. The force is calculated using the Maxwell’s tension tensor by solving the integral equations in the spectral spacefrequency domain. It is shown that its origin is due to random vibrations associated with long-wave surface plasmons.
Attention, awareness, and the right temporoparietal junction

Significance We all intuitively know what it is to be subjectively aware of something. For decades, psychologists have also studied the brain’s mechanisms of directing attention. But awareness and attention are not the same and can be separated. How do they relate? Here, we show that a part of the brain, the right temporoparietal junction, may be involved in a specific relationship in which awareness of an item permits the control of attention on that item. The attention schema theory posits a specific relationship between subjective awareness and attention, in which awareness is the control model that the brain uses to aid in the endogenous control of attention. In previous experiments, we developed a behavioral paradigm in human subjects to manipulate awareness and attention. The paradigm involved a visual cue that could be used to guide attention to a target stimulus. In task 1, subjects were aware of the cue, but not aware that it provided information about the target. The cue measurably drew exogenous attention to itself. In addition, implicitly, the subjects’ endogenous attention mechanism used the cue to help shift attention to the target. In task 2, subjects were no longer aware of the cue. The cue still measurably drew exogenous attention to itself, yet without awareness of the cue, the subjects’ endogenous control mechanism was no longer able to use the cue to control attention. Thus, the control of attention depended on awareness. Here, we tested the two tasks while scanning brain activity in human volunteers. We predicted that the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) would be active in relation to the process in which awareness helps control attention. This prediction was confirmed. The right TPJ was active in relation to the effect of the cue on attention in task 1; it was not measurably active in task 2. The difference was significant. In our interpretation, the right TPJ is involved in an interaction in which awareness permits the control of attention.
Laser monitor application for study of aluminum nanopowder ignition and combustion

The paper presents the results of application of optical system with brightness amplification, a laser monitor, to study the surface of aluminum nanopowder at the time of laser ignition and during combustion. Using a laser monitor, we visualized the presence of a liquid phase in the process of laser ignition of aluminum nanopowder combustion for the first time. For quantitative analysis of the combustion process, we propose using the correlation coefficient of the images of laser monitor. The results of calculating the correlation coefficient demonstrated compliance with the change in the intensity of the images of the laser monitor during combustion and visual observation of the combustion process. For the conventional scheme of a laser monitor with a focal length of 8 cm, the distortions introduced by the instability of the brightness amplifier into the measurement results are estimated. When observing a static test object, the correlation coefficient of the images varied from 0.995 to 0.996, while the fluctuation in the correlation coefficient during combustion is in the range from 0.685 to 0.996, which indicates the possibility of this parameter usage for quantitative analysis of combustion processes in the study using a laser monitor.
Machine Translation as a Global Enterprise Service at Ford

Ford Motor Company is at the forefront of the global economy and with this comes the need for communicating with regional manufacturing staff and plant employees in their own languages. Asian employees, in particular, do not necessarily learn English as a second language as is often the case in European countries, so manufacturing systems are now mandated to support local languages. This support is required for plant floor system applications where static data (labels, menus, and messages) as well as dynamic data (user entered controlled and free text) is required to be translated from/to English and the local languages. This facilitates commonization of business methods where best practices can be shared globally between plant and staff members. In this paper and presentation, we will describe our experiences in bringing Machine Translation technology to a large multinational corporation such as Ford and discuss the lessons we learned as well as both the successes and failures we have experienced.
Computational modeling of ovarian cancer dynamics suggests optimal strategies for therapy and screening

Significance The optimal timing of surgery/chemotherapy and the benefits of earlier diagnosis of HGSC remain controversial. We developed a mathematical framework of tumor dynamics, populated the model with primary clinical data, and reliably recapitulated clinical observations. Our model predicts that 1) PDS is superior to NACT with relatively small tumor burden and when complete debulking is feasible, 2) timely adjuvant chemotherapy is critical for the outcome of PDS with <1-mm residual tumors, 3) earlier detection of relapse is unlikely beneficial with current therapies, and 4) earlier detection of primary HGSC could have substantial benefit. These results provide insights into the evolutionary dynamics of HGSC, argue for new clinical trials to optimize therapy, and are potentially applicable to other tumor types. High-grade serous tubo-ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is a major cause of cancer-related death. Treatment is not uniform, with some patients undergoing primary debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy (PDS) and others being treated directly with chemotherapy and only having surgery after three to four cycles (NACT). Which strategy is optimal remains controversial. We developed a mathematical framework that simulates hierarchical or stochastic models of tumor initiation and reproduces the clinical course of HGSC. After estimating parameter values, we infer that most patients harbor chemoresistant HGSC cells at diagnosis and that, if the tumor burden is not too large and complete debulking can be achieved, PDS is superior to NACT due to better depletion of resistant cells. We further predict that earlier diagnosis of primary HGSC, followed by complete debulking, could improve survival, but its benefit in relapsed patients is likely to be limited. These predictions are supported by primary clinical data from multiple cohorts. Our results have clear implications for these key issues in HGSC management.
What’s Your Pick: RbMT, SMT or Hybrid?

All types of Machine Translation technologies have pros and cons. At PayPal, we have been working with MT for 3 years (2 of them in a production environment). The aim of this paper is to share our experience and discuss strengths and weaknesses for Rule-based Machine Translation, Statistical Machine Translation and Hybrid Machine Translation. We will also share pointers for successful implementation of any of these technologies.
Rocky Mountain subalpine forests now burning more than any time in recent millennia

Significance Climate change is increasing wildfire activity across the western United States, with unprecedented rates of burning expected in many western forests by mid-century. Here, we use a unique network of fire history records to show that after the extreme 2020 fire season, Rocky Mountain subalpine forests are now burning more than at any point in the past 2,000 y, exceeding variability experienced in response to past climate extremes. Increasingly warm, dry conditions in the 21st century are enabling the exceptional rates of burning, including 2020, consistent with long-standing links between climate and fire in subalpine forests. Continued warming will reinforce newly emerging fire regimes, with significant implications for ecosystems and society. The 2020 fire season punctuated a decades-long trend of increased fire activity across the western United States, nearly doubling the total area burned in the central Rocky Mountains since 1984. Understanding the causes and implications of such extreme fire seasons, particularly in subalpine forests that have historically burned infrequently, requires a long-term perspective not afforded by observational records. We place 21st century fire activity in subalpine forests in the context of climate and fire history spanning the past 2,000 y using a unique network of 20 paleofire records. Largely because of extensive burning in 2020, the 21st century fire rotation period is now 117 y, reflecting nearly double the average rate of burning over the past 2,000 y. More strikingly, contemporary rates of burning are now 22% higher than the maximum rate reconstructed over the past two millennia, during the early Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) (770 to 870 Common Era), when Northern Hemisphere temperatures were ∼0.3 °C above the 20th century average. The 2020 fire season thus exemplifies how extreme events are demarcating newly emerging fire regimes as climate warms. With 21st century temperatures now surpassing those during the MCA, fire activity in Rocky Mountain subalpine forests is exceeding the range of variability that shaped these ecosystems for millennia.