Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty of Future Precipitation Change Due to Global Warming Associated with Sea Surface Tempera

The effects of future tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) changes on regional precipitation projections are statistically studied for December–January–February (DJF) and June–July–August (JJA) in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3) experiments. The present climate precipitation responses to Nino3 SST variability appear as an uncertainty with regards to future regional precipitation changes among the CMIP3 model projections. Compared with the CMIP3 models projecting La Nina-like Pacific SST changes, the models projecting El Nino-like Pacific SST changes tend to simulate more precipitation in future DJF over the tropical central Pacific, southeastern North America and the tropical western Indian Ocean, and less over the tropical northwestern Pacific, the tropical South Pacific and tropical South America. For JJA, the models projecting El Nino-like Pacific SST changes tend to simulate greater future precipitation in the tropical central Pacific and less over the Maritime Continent and around Central America. Interestingly, the present climate features of the delayed JJA precipitation response to previous DJF Nino3 SST variability also appear as differences in future JJA precipitation changes between the models projecting future El Nino-like and La Nina-like Pacific SST changes in DJF. Compared to the later models, the former models have a tendency to show more precipitation south of Japan and south of the equator in the central to eastern Pacific, and less in the subtropical northwestern Pacific. CMIP3 model analysis indicates that the projected El Nino-like SST changes are related to the present precipitation climatology of the models in the near-equatorial eastern Pacific for each DJF and JJA season, suggesting the importance of realistically simulating present precipitation climatology in the tropical Pacific for future projections.
Series expansions of the percolation probability for directed square and honeycomb lattices

We have derived long series expansions of the percolation probability for site and bond percolation on directed square and honeycomb lattices. For the square bond problem we have extended the series from 41 terms to 54, for the square site problem from 16 terms to 37, and for the honeycomb bond problem from 13 terms to 36. Analysis of the series clearly shows that the critical exponent beta is the same for all the problems, confirming expectations of universality. For the critical probability and exponent we find in the square bond case, qc=0.3552994+or-0.0000010, beta =0.27643+or-0.00010; in the square site case qc= 0.294515+or-0.000005, beta =0.2763+or-0.0003; and in the honeycomb bond case qc=0.177143+or-0.000002, beta =0.2763+or-0.0002. In addition we have obtained accurate estimates for the critical amplitudes. In all cases we find that the leading correction to scaling term is analytic, i.e. the confluent exponent Delta =1.
The aesthetics of frieze patterns: Effects of symmetry, motif, and element size

Frieze patterns appear frequently in architectural designs and ornamental patterning but their aesthetic qualities have never been studied experimentally. In the first experiment, 39 undergraduates used a seven-point rating scale to assess the perceived beauty of the seven basic frieze types presented at a horizontal orientation. The friezes consisted of individual curved and linear motifs as well as random textures. Friezes that filled the entire pattern region and which contained emergent global features were preferred the most. In a second experiment, we utilized horizontal texture friezes that were completely filled and which varied in size and number of elements. Participants preferred patterns with larger features, probably because they make detection of the symmetric transformations more visible. The frieze with the greatest number of symmetries was preferred most but symmetric complexity by itself could not completely account for the predicted preference ordering. In both studies, friezes containing horizontal mirrors (translation, 180° rotation, horizontal mirror, vertical mirror, and glide reflection and translation, horizontal mirror, and glide reflection) were preferred far more than any other condition. Horizontal symmetry may enhance perceived beauty in these cases because it runs parallel to and so emphasizes the overall frieze orientation.
Exact non-equilibrium quantum observable statistics

The exact statistics of an arbitrary measuring observable, describing specific features of an open quantum system, is analytically obtained. Due to the probabilistic nature of a sequence of intermediate measurements and stochastic fluctuations induced by the interaction with an external environment, the measurement outcomes at the end of the system evolution are random variables. Here, we provide the exact large deviation form of their probability distribution, given by an exponentially decaying profile in the number of measurements. The most probable distribution of the measurement outcomes in a single realization of the system transformation is then derived, thus achieving predictions beyond the expectation value.
Antifungal activity of oxidative damaging agents in combination with metal cations against Trichophyton rubrum isolated from a dermatological patient

Trichophyton rubrum is a causative agent responsible for human chronic dermatophytosis worlwide. It is a common causative agent of the dermatophyte infections and resistant to many antifungal drugs. Oxidative damaging agents belong to a strong antimicrobial group and have been intensively investigated. The synergistic oxidative damage can occur if the agents react with metal cations. Therefore, in this study the antifungal activity of formulas containing the two oxidative damaging agents, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ), in combination with metal cations has been determined to examine the synergistic damage in T. rubrum isolated from the skin of a dermatological patient. The isolate was identified by morphology observations, biochemical tests and sequence analysis of ITS1-4 gene, in comparison with the similar ITS nucleotide sequences of others. The obtained results showed that the isolated fungal strain had physiological and biochemical characteristics of T. rubrum with more than 99% identity of the T. rubrum CBS 392.58 ITS sequence with OL347577 accession numbers. The antifungal tests indicated that the combinations of 2 mM Cu2+ + 0.05% H2O2; 2 mM Cu2++ 0.005% 8HQ; 2 mM Cu2+ + 0.005% 8HQ + 0.05% H2O2 exerted the best antifungal activity against the isolated T. rubrum with the diameter of inhibition zones of 22, 25 and 28 mm, respectively. Among the combinations containing Zn2+, the only formula of 2 mM Zn2+ + 0.05% H2O2 exhibited the desired effect, while the combinations containing Fe2+ did not show any activity. Thus, our study suggested a potential use of Cu2+ + 0.05% H2O2; 2 mM Cu2++ 0.005% 8HQ and 2 mM Cu2+ + 0.005% 8HQ + 0.05% H2O2 formulas as new potential antifungal agents against T. rubrum due to their synergistic oxidative damage.
Introduced, Mixed, and Peripheral: Conservation of Mitochondrial-DNA Lineages in the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) Population in the Urals

Translocations and introductions are important events that allow organisms to overcome natural barriers. The genetic background of colonization success and genetic consequences of the establishment of populations in new environments are of great interest for predicting species’ colonization success. The wild boar has been introduced into many parts of the world. We analyzed sequences of the mitochondrial-DNA control region in the wild boars introduced into the Ural region and compared them with sequences from founder populations (from Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Far East). We found that the introduced population has high genetic diversity. Haplotypes from all the major phylogenetic clades were detected in the analyzed group of the animals from the Urals. In this group, no haplotypes identical to Far Eastern sequences were detectable despite a large number of founders from that region. The contribution of lineages originating from Eastern Europe was greater than expected from the proportions (%) of European and Asian animals in the founder populations. This is the first study on the genetic diversity and structure of a wild boar population of mixed origin at the northern periphery of this species’ geographical range.
Immunoinformatics-Aided Design of a Peptide Based Multiepitope Vaccine Targeting Glycoproteins and Membrane Proteins against Monkeypox Virus

Monkeypox is a self-limiting zoonotic viral disease and causes smallpox-like symptoms. The disease has a case fatality ratio of 3–6% and, recently, a multi-country outbreak of the disease has occurred. The currently available vaccines that have provided immunization against monkeypox are classified as live attenuated vaccinia virus-based vaccines, which pose challenges of safety and efficacy in chronic infections. In this study, we have used an immunoinformatics-aided design of a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) candidate by targeting monkeypox virus (MPXV) glycoproteins and membrane proteins. From these proteins, seven epitopes (two T-helper cell epitopes, four T-cytotoxic cell epitopes and one linear B cell epitopes) were finally selected and predicted as antigenic, non-allergic, interferon-γ activating and non-toxic. These epitopes were linked to adjuvants to design a non-allergic and antigenic candidate MPXV-MEV. Further, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations predicted stable interactions between predicted MEV and human receptor TLR5. Finally, the immune-simulation analysis showed that the candidate MPXV-MEV could elicit a human immune response. The results obtained from these in silico experiments are promising but require further validation through additional in vivo experiments.
The history of chemical enrichment in the intracluster medium from cosmological simulations

The distribution of metals in the intracluster medium (ICM) of galaxy clusters provides valuable information on their formation and evolution, on the connection with the cosmic star formation and on the effects of different gas processes. By analysing a sample of simulated galaxy clusters, we study the chemical enrichment of the ICM, its evolution, and its relation with the physical processes included in the simulation and with the thermal properties of the core. These simulations, consisting of re-simulations of 29 Lagrangian regions performed with an upgraded version of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) GADGET-3 code, have been run including two different sets of baryonic physics: one accounts for radiative cooling, star formation, metal enrichment and supernova (SN) feedback, and the other one further includes the effects of feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN). In agreement with observations, we find an anti-correlation between entropy and metallicity in cluster cores, and similar radial distributions of heavy-element abundances and abundance ratios out to large clustercentric distances (similar to R-180). In the outskirts, namely outside of similar to 0.2 R-180, we find a remarkably homogeneous metallicity distribution, with almost flat profiles of the elements produced by either SNIa or SNII. We investigated the origin of this phenomenon and discovered that it is due to the widespread displacement of metal-rich gas by early (z > 2-3) AGN powerful bursts, acting on small high-redshift haloes. Our results also indicate that the intrinsic metallicity of the hot gas for this sample is on average consistent with no evolution between z = 2 and z = 0, across the entire radial range.
Whiteness and Ability: Discourses in Disability History Curriculum Legislation

This Policy Discourse Analysis (PDA) explores 19 state legislative documents focused on the teaching of disability history in K-12 schools. Framed through critical perspectives on constructions of disability and race, alongside discourse theory, we iteratively analyzed these legislative documents to understand (a) how disability and disability history are constructed (particularly in relation to whiteness); and (b) the stated purpose of the legislation and who is meant to benefit materially as a result of the laws. We find the legislation upholds dominant notions of whiteness and ability as part of school curriculum, while simultaneously constructing disability history as in the past and disability justice as already achieved, centering the learning and awareness of white, nondisabled students. We offer discussion and implications for research and practice surrounding policy implementation of teaching disability history.
A method for classifying mixing devices using deep neural networks with an expanded receptive field

The paper presents the results of research aimed at developing a method and software tools for identifying the class of a mixing device by its resistance coefficient through experimental data processing. Currently, the main methods for studying mixing devices are finite element methods, as well as procedures of estimating turbulent transfer parameters using laser dopplerometry and chemical methods of sample analysis. These methods require expensive equipment and provide results only for certain types of equipment. This makes it difficult to extend the inferences to a wider class of devices with different designs of mixing impellers. The proposed method involves processing the results of an experiment in which a point light source forming a beam directed vertically upwards is located at the bottom of a container filled with a transparent liquid. A mixing device with variable rotation frequency is placed in the container. When performing experiments in real conditions, small deviations in the size and location of the mixing device lead to difficult-to-predict fluctuations of the funnel surface. Therefore, the image of one marker describes a trajectory that is difficult to predict. It, under certain conditions, can intersect with the trajectories of other markers or be interrupted at the moment when the marker is closed by a stirrer blade passing over it. The resulting image of the markers is associated with a change in the rotational speed of the blade by a rather complex relationship. To identify this dependence, it is proposed to use deep neural networks operating in parallel in two channels. Each channel analyzes the video signal from the surface of the stirred liquid and the time sequence characterizing the change in the speed of rotation of the blades of the device. It is proposed to use neural networks of various architectures in the channels - a convolutional neural network in one channel and a recurrent one in another. The results of the operation of each data processing channel are aggregated according to the majority rule. The computational novelty of the proposed algorithm lies in the expansion of the receptive field for each of the networks due to the mutual conversion of images and time sequences. As a result, each of the networks is trained on a larger amount of data in order to identify hidden regularities. The effectiveness of the method is confirmed by testing it with the use of a software application developed in the MatLab environment.
Shocks and UV radiation around low-mass protostars: the Herschel-PACS legacy

Abstract Far-infrared spectroscopy reveals gas cooling and its underlying heating due to physical processes taking place in the surroundings of protostars. These processes are reflected in both the chemistry and excitation of abundant molecular species. Here, we present the Herschel-PACS far-IR spectroscopy of 90 embedded low-mass protostars from the WISH (van Dishoeck et al. 2011), DIGIT (Green et al. 2013), and WILL surveys (Mottram et al. 2017). The 5 × 5 spectra covering the ∼50″ × 50″ field-of-view include rotational transitions of CO, H2O, and OH lines, as well as fine-structure [O I] and [C II] in the ∼50-200 μm range. The CO rotational temperatures are typically ∼300 K, with some sources showing additional components with temperatures as high as ∼1000 K. The H2O / CO and H2O / OH flux ratios are low compared to stationary shock models, suggesting that UV photons may dissociate some H2O and decrease its abundance. Comparison to C shock models illuminated by UV photons show a good agreement between the line emission and the models for pre-shock densities of 105 cm−3 and UV fields 0.1-10 times the interstellar value. The far-infrared molecular and atomic lines are the unique diagnostic of shocks and UV fields in deeply-embedded sources.
NAFLD in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Association with PNPLA3 and Metabolic Features

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the rs738409 polymorphism in the patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its impact on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk and severity. We also evaluated other risk factors associated with NAFLD and advanced fibrosis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 163 patients with PCOS at a tertiary center. Genotyping for the PNPLA3 polymorphism was undertaken using a TaqMan assay. The degree of fibrosis was defined by transient elastography. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was 72.4%, and the polymorphism was heterozygous in 41.7% and homozygous in 8% of patients. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ≥ 2.5 was the main factor associated with the risk of developing NAFLD (OR = 4.313, p = 0.022), and its effect was amplified by the polymorphism (OR = 12.198, p = 0.017). Age > 32 years also conferred a higher risk for NAFLD. HDL values ≥ 50 mg/dL conferred protection against the outcome. Metabolic syndrome (OR = 13.030, p = 0.020) and AST > 32 U/L (OR = 9.039, p = 0.009) were independent risk factors for advanced fibrosis. Conclusions: In women with PCOS, metabolic characteristics are more relevant than PNPLA3 polymorphism regarding the risk for NAFLD and its advanced forms, but these factors can act synergistically, increasing disease risk.
Uncertainty analysis of operational conditions in selective artificial ground freezing applications

Abstract Artificial ground freezing (AGF) systems are susceptible to uncertain parameters highly affecting their performance. Particularly, selective artificial ground freezing (S-AGF) systems involve several uncertain operational conditions. In this study, uncertainty analysis is conducted to investigate four operational parameters: 1) coolant inlet temperature, 2) coolant flow rate, 3) pipes emissivity, and 4) pipes eccentricity. A reduced-order model developed and validated in our previous work for field-scale applications is exploited to simulate a total of 5,000 cases. The uncertain operational parameters are set according to Monte Carlo analysis based on field observations of a field-scale freeze-pipe in the mining industry extending to 460 m below the ground surface. The results indicate that the freezing time can range between 270 and 350 days with an average of 310 days, whereas the cooling load per one freeze-pipe ranges from 90 to 160 MWh, with an average of 129 MWh. Furthermore, it is observed that the freezing time and energy consumed are mostly dominated by the coolant inlet temperature, while energy dissipated in the passive zone (where ground freezing is not needed) is mostly affected by pipes emissivity. Overall, the conclusions of this study provide useful estimations for engineers and practitioners in the AGF industry. Abstract Arti ﬁ cial ground freezing (AGF) systems are susceptible to uncertain parameters highly affecting their performance. Particularly, selective arti ﬁ cial ground freezing (S-AGF) systems involve several uncertain operational conditions. In this study, uncertainty analysis is conducted to investigate four operational parameters: 1) coolant inlet temperature, 2) coolant ﬂ ow rate, 3) pipes emissivity, and 4) pipes eccentricity. A reduced-order model developed and validated in our previous work for ﬁ eld-scale applications is exploited to simulate a total of 5000 cases. The uncertain operational parameters are set according to Monte Carlo analysis based on ﬁ eld observations of a ﬁ eld-scale freeze-pipe in the mining industry extending to 460 m below the ground surface. The results indicate that the freezing time can range between 270 and 350 days with an average of 310 days, whereas the cooling load per one freeze-pipe ranges from 90 to 160 MWh, with an average of 129 MWh. Furthermore, it is observed that the freezing time and energy consumed are mostly dominated by the coolant inlet temperature, while energy dissipated in the passive zone (where ground freezing is not needed) is mostly affected by pipes emissivity. Overall, the conclusions of this study provide useful estimations for engineers and practitioners in the AGF industry.
Jujube Shell Based-Porous Carbon Composites Double-Doped by MnO2 and Ti3C2Tx: The Effect of Double Pseudocapacitive Doping on Electrochemical Properties

In this study, manganese-containing porous carbon was synthesized from jujube shells by two-step carbonization and activation and was then covered with Ti3C2Tx to obtain double-doped biomass composites. In order to improve the interfacial properties (surface tension and wettability) between Ti3C2Tx and porous carbon, the effects of two media (deionized water and acetone solution) on the electrochemical properties of the composites were compared. The acetone solution changed the surface rheology of Ti3C2Tx and porous carbon, and the decreased surface tension and the increased wettability contributed to the ordered growth of 2D-Ti3C2Tx on the surface of the porous carbon. Raman analysis shows the relatively higher graphitization degree of JSPC&Ti3C2Tx (acetone). Compared with JSPC&Ti3C2Tx, JSPC&Ti3C2Tx (acetone) can maintain better rectangle-like properties even at a higher scanning rate. Under the effect of the acetone solution, the pseudocapacitive ratio of JSPC&Ti3C2Tx (acetone) increased from 10.1% to 30.7%. At the current density of 0.5 A/g, the specific capacitance of JSPC&Ti3C2Tx (acetone) achieved 96.83 F/g, and the specific capacitance of 58.17 F/g was maintained even at the high current density (10 A/g), which shows excellent magnification. Under the condition of the current density of 10 A/g, JSPC&Ti3C2Tx (acetone) can obtain a power density of 52,000 W/kg while maintaining an energy density of 8.74 Wh/kg. After 2000 cycles, the symmetrical button battery assembled with this material can still have a capacitance retention rate of more than 90%. This method realized the deep utilization of green and low-cost raw materials by using biomass as the precursor of composite materials and promoted the further development of carbon-based supercapacitor electrode materials.
XMM-Newton observations of the INTEGRAL x-ray transient IGR J17544-2619

On September 17, 2003 INTEGRAL discovered a bright transient source 3 ◦ from the Galactic Center, IGR J17544-2619. The field containing the transient was observed by XMM-Newton on March 17 and September 11 and 17, 2003. A bright source, at a position consistent with the INTEGRAL location, was detected by the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) during both September observations with mean 0.5−10 keV unabsorbed luminosities of 1.1 × 10 35 and 5.7 × 10 35 erg s −1 for an (assumed) distance of 8 kpc. The source was not detected in March 2003, with a 0.5−10 keV lu- minosity of <3.8 × 10 32 erg s −1 . The September 11 and 17 EPIC spectra can be represented by a power-law model with photon indices of 2.25 ± 0.15 and 1.42 ± 0.09, respectively. Thus, the 0.5−10 keV spectrum hardens with increasing intensity. The low-energy absorption during both September observations is comparable to the interstellar value. The X-ray lightcurves for both September observations show energy dependent flaring which may be modeled by changes in either low-energy absorption or power-law index.