Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the emission lines in active galactic nuclei with relativistic jets

The effect of the observed continuum emitted from a relativistic jet on the measurement of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of an emission line is analyzed. If the jet contribution is not properly subtracted, the FWHM of the line could seem narrower than it should. The cases of an emission line detected in BL Lac objects and γ-ray Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (γ-NLS1s) are addressed. It is shown that the smallness of the observed FWHM of the Lyα lines detected in three well-known BL Lacs is an effect due to the combined action of both the relativistic jet and a weak accretion disk. Once the Doppler boosting effect of the jet continuum is removed, the intrinsic FWHM values of the lines are found to be in the usual range. By contrast, the narrow permitted lines in γ-NLS1s are really narrow, since the disk and the lines are much more powerful. This also confirms that γ-NLS1 is really a new class of γ-ray emitting AGN, different from blazars and radio galaxies.
Brazilian Adults’ Attitudes and Practices Regarding the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination and Their Hesitancy towards Childhood Vaccination

Background: This study investigated the attitudes and practices of Brazilian adults regarding the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and their hesitancy towards the vaccination of children. Methods: Between March and May 2022, Brazilian adults answered an online questionnaire distributed through social media. The SAGE-WG questionnaire was adapted to measure hesitancy to the vaccination of children. Results: Of the 1007 participants, 67.4% believed that adult COVID-19 vaccination should be mandatory. Just over half of the participants (51.5%) believed that parents and/or guardians should decide if their children should be vaccinated against COVID-19 or not and 9.1% were unsure. Individuals who were younger, non-religious and had higher awareness of COVID-19 risks and critics of the federal government’s performance in combating the pandemic were more likely to agree with mandatory adult vaccination. However, less agreement among parents and/or guardians concerning children’s vaccination was observed, with lower scores for hesitancy to the vaccination of children. Conclusion: In Brazil, there is still far from a consensus on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for adults and a significant proportion of the population believes that parents and/or guardians should be free to decide on their children’s vaccination. These views are associated with age, religion, knowledge of COVID-19 risks and political inclination.
Intra-night flickering of RS Ophiuchi: I. Sizes and cumulative energies of time structures.

We analyzed 29 pairs of time series in B and V bands of the recurrent nova RS Oph. The observations were carried out in 2008-2017 with duration 0.6 - 3.6 hours, with time resolution 0.5 - 3.3 min. We scanned digitally each series by data windows with various sizes Theta and derived two of the simplest fractal parameters for every Theta - standard deviation D and structural deviation S. Using the local minima of the structural function log S = f_S(log Theta) we unveiled 80 time structures, 42 in B band and 38 in V band, with time sizes 10-120 min. About 3/4 of the time sizes belong to the interval 10-40 min and about 1/4 lie in the interval 60-120 min. The respective cycles per day are 144-36 c/d and 24-15 c/d. On logarithmic scale, the distribution of the time sizes shows maximums at about 10, 21, 36 and 74 min. The 10 min flickering is poorly detectable in our series and we found the most widespread time structures (in about 1/5 of the cases) have time sizes about 21 min (about 69 c/d). Using the deviation function log D = f_D(log Theta) we estimated the relative cumulative energy (including the energy of the shorter structures in it), associated with the detected structure sizes, to be in the interval of the relative fluxes 2-11 %. The energies correlate weakly with the logarithms of the structure sizes, with correlation coefficients 0.60 and 0.57, under slope coefficients 0.04 and 0.03 in B and V band, respectively. The distributions of the energies occur bimodal, with maximums about 4% and 6% in B band, as well as about 3% and 5% in V band. The left and right modes of the distributions may be associated with the structure sizes 10 - 21 min and 37 - 74 min, respectively.
Local control of remote entanglement

We address the problem of the generation of entanglement. We focus on the control of entanglement shared by two non-interacting parties $A$ and $C$ via interaction with a third party $B$. We show that, for certain physical models, it is possible to have an asymptotically complete control of the entanglement shared by $A$ and $C$ by changing parameters of the Hamiltonian local at site $B$. We present an example where different models (propositions) of physical situation, that lead to different descriptions of the system $B$, result into different amount entanglement produced. In the end we discuss limits of the procedure.
Metformin Prevents Endothelial Dysfunction in Endometriosis through Downregulation of ET-1 and Upregulation of eNOS

This study aimed to evaluate if the treatment with metformin affects the morphologic structure, endothelial function, angiogenesis, inflammation and oxidation-responsive pathways in the heart of mice with surgically induced endometriosis. B6CBA/F1 mice (n = 37) were divided into four groups; Sham (S), Metformin (M), Endometriosis (E) and Metformin/Endometriosis (ME). The cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes was assessed after Hematoxylin–Eosin staining and fibrosis after Picrosirius-Red staining. ET-1, nitric oxide synthases-iNOS and eNOS, and VEGF and VEGFR-2 were detected by immunofluorescence. Semi-quantification of ET-1, eNOS, VEGF, NF-kB, Ikβα and KEAP-1 was performed by Western blotting. MIR199a, MIR16-1, MIR18a, MIR20a, MIR155, MIR200a, MIR342, MIR24-1 and MIR320a were quantified by Real-Time qPCR. The interaction of endometriosis and metformin effects was assessed by a two-way ANOVA test. Compared with the other groups, M-treated mice presented a higher cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes. Heart fibrosis increased with endometriosis. Treatment of endometriosis with metformin in the ME group downregulates ET-1 and upregulates eNOS expression comparatively with the E group. However, metformin failed to mitigate NF-kB expression significantly incremented by endometriosis. The expression of MIR199a, MIR16-1 and MIR18a decreased with endometriosis, whereas MIR20a showed an equivalent trend, altogether reducing cardioprotection. In summary, metformin diminished endometriosis-associated endothelial dysfunction but did not mitigate the increase in NF-kB expression and cardiac fibrosis in mice with endometriosis.
A Machine Learning-Based Anomaly Prediction Service for Software-Defined Networks

Software-defined networking (SDN) has gained tremendous growth and can be exploited in different network scenarios, from data centers to wide-area 5G networks. It shifts control logic from the devices to a centralized entity (programmable controller) for efficient traffic monitoring and flow management. A software-based controller enforces rules and policies on the requests sent by forwarding elements; however, it cannot detect anomalous patterns in the network traffic. Due to this, the controller may install the flow rules against the anomalies, reducing the overall network performance. These anomalies may indicate threats to the network and decrease its performance and security. Machine learning (ML) approaches can identify such traffic flow patterns and predict the systems’ impending threats. We propose an ML-based service to predict traffic anomalies for software-defined networks in this work. We first create a large dataset for network traffic by modeling a programmable data center with a signature-based intrusion-detection system. The feature vectors are pre-processed and are constructed against each flow request by the forwarding element. Then, we input the feature vector of each request to a machine learning classifier for training to predict anomalies. Finally, we use the holdout cross-validation technique to evaluate the proposed approach. The evaluation results specify that the proposed approach is highly accurate. In contrast to baseline approaches (random prediction and zero rule), the performance improvement of the proposed approach in average accuracy, precision, recall, and f-measure is (54.14%, 65.30%, 81.63%, and 73.70%) and (4.61%, 11.13%, 9.45%, and 10.29%), respectively.
GW170817: Swift UV detection of a blue kilonova, and improving the search in O3

Abstract Swift’s rapid slewing, flexible planning, and multi-wavelength instruments make it the most capable space-based follow-up engine for finding poorly localized sources. During O1 and O2 Swift successfully tiled hundreds of square-degrees of sky in the LVC localization regions, searching for, and identifying, possible X-ray and UV/O transients in the field. Swift made important contributions to the discovery and characterization of the kilonova AT 2017gfo, discovering the UV emission and providing the deepest X-ray upper limits in the first 24 hours after the trigger, strongly constraining the dynamics and geometry of the counterpart. Swift tiled 92% of the galaxy convolved error region down to average X-ray flux sensitivities of 10−12 erg cm−2 s−1, significantly increasing our confidence that AT 2017gfo is indeed the counterpart to GW 170817 and sGRB 170817. However, there remains significant room for improvement of Swift’s follow-up in preparation for O3. This will take the form of both revised observation strategy based on detailed analysis of the results from O2, and significant changes to Swift’s operational capabilities. These improvements are necessary both for maximizing the likelihood that Swift finds a counterpart, and minimizing the impact that follow-up activities have on other Swift science priorities. We outline areas of improvement to the observing strategy itself for optimal tiling of the LVC localization regions. We also discuss ongoing work on operational upgrades that will decrease latency in our response time, and minimize impact on pre-planned observations, while maintaining spacecraft health and safety.
Robust Transceiver Optimization Against Echo Eclipsing via Majorization-Minimization

The actual target range is unknown during the radar search process, which suggests that an elaborate transceiver synthesis should be concerned, also considering the various number of missed target echo samples. This article focuses on the joint robust synthesis of the radar code and filter bank to improve the target detection capability against the target echo eclipsing and clutter interference. For several practical considerations, two robust design strategies for transceiver optimization are considered. A majorization-minimization (MM) approach (see Section III) is developed to deal with the average signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) design problem considering energy and similarity requirements on the waveforms. Then, the MM technique is extended to the max-min case. An accelerated MM-based procedure (see Section IV) is presented for solving the worst-case SINR design problem under energy and peak-to-average ratio requirements. Both the proposed algorithms can be ensured to converge to a B(oulingand)-stationary point. Finally, simulation results display that two proposed optimization strategies realize better target detection performance and a higher convergence rate compared with the existing approaches.
Multi-wavelength Properties of Type 1 and Type 2 AGN Host Galaxies in the Chandra-COSMOS Legacy Survey

We investigate the multi-wavelength properties of host galaxies of 3701 X-ray-selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) out to z ∼ 5 in the Chandra-COSMOS Legacy Survey. Thanks to the extensive multi-wavelength photometry available in the COSMOS field, we derive AGN luminosities, host stellar masses, and star formation rates (SFRs) via a multi-component SED fitting technique. Type 1 and Type 2 AGNs follow the same intrinsic L2–10 keV–L6 μm relation, suggesting that mid-infrared emission is a reasonably good measure of the AGN accretion power regardless of obscuration. We find that there is a strong increase in Type 1 AGN fraction toward higher AGN luminosity, possibly due to the fact that Type 1 AGNs tend to be hosted by more massive galaxies. The AGN luminosity and SFR are consistent with an increase toward high stellar mass, while the Mstellar dependence is weaker toward the high-mass end, which could be interpreted as a consequence of quenching both star formation and AGN activity in massive galaxies. AGN host galaxies tend to have SFRs that are consistent with normal star-forming galaxies, independent of AGN luminosities. We confirm that black hole accretion rate and SFR are correlated up to z ∼ 5, when forming stars. The majority (∼73%) of our AGN sample are faint in the far-infrared, implying that the moderate-luminosity AGNs seem to be still active after the star formation is suppressed. It is not certain whether AGN activity plays a role in quenching the star formation. We conclude that both AGN activity and star formation might be more fundamentally related to host stellar mass.
On worldsheet curvature coupling in pure spinor sigma-model

We discuss the relation between unintegrated and integrated vertex operators in string worldsheet theory, in the context of BV formalism. In particular, we clarify the origin of the Fradkin-Tseytlin term. We first consider the case of bosonic string, and then concentrate on the case of pure spinor superstring in $AdS_5\times S^5$. In particular, we compute the action of $b_0 - \bar{b}_0$ on the beta-deformation vertex. As a by-product, we formulate some new conjectures on general finite-dimensional vertices.
Analysis of LRRK 2 , SNCA , and ITGA 8 Gene Variants with Sporadic Parkinson ’ s Disease Susceptibility in Chinese Han Population

Background. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors. We performed a case-control study on candidate gene to scrutinize whether genetic variants in LRRK2, SNCA, and ITGA8 genes could be associated with sporadic PD in Chinese Han population.Methods. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LRRK2 (rs1491942), SNCA (rs2301134, rs2301135, and rs356221), and ITGA8 (rs7077361) were selected and genotyped among 583 unrelated PD patients and 558 healthy controls. Results. Rs1491942 of LRRK2 gene had a significantly higher genotype frequency (P = 3.543E−09) and allelic G/C frequencies (P = 2.601E−10) in PD patients than controls. Rs2301135 of SNCA gene also showed an obvious difference in genotype frequency (P = 4.394E − 07) and allelic G/C frequencies (P = 9.116E − 13) between PD patients and controls. SNPs rs2301134 and rs356221 of SNCA gene and rs7077361 of ITGA8 gene lacked the significant association with the susceptibility of PD in Chinese Han population. Conclusions. Our study firstly expresses that rs1491942 of LRRK2 and rs2301135 of SNCA gene are substantially associated with sporadic Parkinson’s disease in Chinese Han population.
Accuracy in Fixing Ship's Positions by CCD Camera Survey of Horizontal Angles

Navigator identifies beacons being within his sight visually when conducting maritime coastal navigation. He measures angles and distances in respect to the beacons. Then, based on the measurements’ results, he determines coordinates of the ship position with analytical or graphical methods applied. In general, it may be concluded that, in this process, he acts as a measuring device processing visual signals with information about the beacons coming from nautical publications onto coordinates of the position. So far, attempts at automating navigators’ activities have not been undertaken, however there has been such equipment available as: high-resolution visual cameras – capable of performing identification and measurements, electronic navigational charts – containing information about the beacons in digital form, computers of high processor capacities – allowing processing of visual images in real time. However, from scientific point of view, this new situation implicates interesting questions. Is it possible to elaborate digital methods for automatic identification of beacons based on a sequent of coast’s images and of the electronic navigational chart? What accuracy of determination of the ship’s position coordinates can be obtained from results of measurements of horizontal angles executed with the high-resolution CCD cameras? Answers to these questions may justify purposefulness of further research conduction with a use of optical systems for automation of the maritime coastal navigation performance.
Dual-Stage Planning for Elastic Optical Networks Integrating Machine-Learning-Assisted QoT Estimation

Following the emergence of Elastic Optical Networks (EONs), Machine Learning (ML) has been intensively investigated as a promising methodology to address complex network management tasks, including, e.g., Quality of Transmission (QoT) estimation, fault management, and automatic adjustment of transmission parameters. Though several ML-based solutions for specific tasks have been proposed, how to integrate the outcome of such ML approaches inside Routing and Spectrum Assignment (RSA) models (which address the fundamental planning problem in EONs) is still an open research problem. In this study, we propose a dual-stage iterative RSA optimization framework that incorporates the QoT estimations provided by a ML regressor, used to define lightpaths’ reach constraints, into a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation. The first stage minimizes the overall spectrum occupation, whereas the second stage maximizes the minimum inter-channel spacing between neighbor channels, without increasing the overall spectrum occupation obtained in the previous stage. During the second stage, additional interference constraints are generated, and these constraints are then added to the MILP at the next iteration round to exclude those lightpaths combinations that would exhibit unacceptable QoT. Our illustrative numerical results on realistic EON instances show that the proposed ML-assisted framework achieves spectrum occupation savings up to 52.4% (around 33% on average) in comparison to a traditional MILP-based RSA framework that uses conservative reach constraints based on margined analytical models.
Pulse frequency fluctuations of magnetars

Using \emph{RXTE}, \emph{Chandra}, \emph{XMM-Newton} and \emph{Swift} observations, we for the first time construct the power spectra and torque noise strengths of magnetars. For some of the sources, we measure strong red noise on timescales months to years which might be a consequence of their outbursts. We compare noise strengths of magnetars with those of radio pulsars by investigating possible correlations of noise strengths with spin-down rate, magnetic field and age. Using these correlations, we find that magnetar noise strengths are obeying similar trends with radio pulsars. On the contrary, we do not find any correlation between noise strength and X-ray luminosity which was seen in accretion powered pulsars. Our findings suggest that the noise behaviour of magnetars resembles that of radio pulsars but they possess higher noise levels likely due to their stronger magnetic fields.
Shock-induced star cluster formation in colliding galaxies

Abstract We studied the formation process of star clusters using high-resolution N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of colliding galaxies. The total number of particles is 1.2×108 for our high resolution run. The gravitational softening is 5 pc and we allow gas to cool down to ~10 K. During the first encounter of the collision, a giant filament consists of cold and dense gas found between the progenitors by shock compression. A vigorous starburst took place in the filament, resulting in the formation of star clusters. The mass of these star clusters ranges from 105−8M⊙. These star clusters formed hierarchically: at first small star clusters formed, and then they merged via gravity, resulting in larger star clusters.
Microscopic Modeling and Optimization of NbOx Mott Memristor for Artificial Neuron Applications

Mott memristors have been considered as a promising candidate to implement artificial neurons for neuromorphic computing thanks to their low-power consumption and superior scalability. However, the large variability and poor reliability hinder their large-scale applications. The complex working mechanism associated with the thermoelectric coupling in the correlated oxides such as niobium oxide (NbOx) has led to the lack of a physics-based model to guide device optimizations. In this work, we present a microscopic model of NbOx-based Mott memristor and investigate the evolution of atomic configuration via a real-time scale kinetic Monte-Carlo simulation involving multiple physical processes. We elucidate the relationship between the ${I}{-}{V}$ characteristics and the oxygen stoichiometry. We further reveal that the low-yield issue originates from the oxidation of NbO2 phase in air and the poor reliability correlates with the migration of oxygen vacancies. We hence propose to improve the device performance by introducing a Si3N4 passivation layer and N doping. The optimized devices exhibit excellent endurance of more than 108 cycles with significantly reduced variability and low operation voltage. Both oscillation neuron and leaky integrate and fire (LIF) neuron are experimentally implemented using the optimized Mott device, which could serve as a highly reliable artificial neuron with low variability and excellent endurance for large-scale neuromorphic computing systems.
The hunt for the Milky Way's accreted disc

The Milky Way is expected to host an accreted disc of stars and dark matter. This forms as massive greater than or similar to 1 : 10 mergers are preferentially dragged towards the disc plane by dynamical friction and then tidally shredded. The accreted disc likely contributes only a tiny fraction of the MilkyWay's thin and thick stellar disc. However, it is interesting because (i) its associated 'dark disc' has important implications for experiments hoping to detect a dark matter particle in the laboratory; and (ii) the presence or absence of such a disc constrains the merger history of our Galaxy. In this work, we develop a chemodynamical template to hunt for the accreted disc. We apply our template to the high-resolution spectroscopic sample from Ruchti et al., finding at present no evidence for accreted disc stars. Our results are consistent with a quiescent Milky Way with no greater than or similar to 1 : 10 mergers since the disc formed and a correspondingly light ` dark disc'. However, we caution that while our method can robustly identify accreted stars, our incomplete stellar sample makes it more challenging to definitively rule them out. Larger unbiased stellar samples will be required for this. (Less)