Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermography as a Breast Cancer Screening Technique: A Review Article

Globally, breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women and is the reason for more disability-adjusted life years lost than any other type of cancer. Hence, early screening plays a vital role in reducing breast cancer mortality. Although mammography is the standard procedure used for screening and diagnosis of breast cancer, it still has some limitations. Other methods used for screening include ultrasound and clinical breast examination. Despite its limitations, mammography is the gold standard for screening breast malignancy. Another emerging method for screening is thermography. With recent technological advances, breast cancer screening through thermography has demonstrated several advantages over existing modalities. For this review, a literature search was performed using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The keywords searched included breast cancer, early detection, breast cancer screening, mammography, and thermography. This review discusses the benefits of thermography showing that it can be a significant modality for breast cancer screening. The recent developments in thermal sensors, imaging protocols, and computer-aided software diagnostics hold great promise for making this technique a mainstream screening method for cancer. Moreover, the use of artificial intelligence and thermal imaging to detect early-stage breast cancer can provide impressive results. Therefore, thermography will be a promising technology for the early detection of breast cancer.
Improvement of body composition in 8- to 11-year-old schoolboys: effects of a 6-months lifestyle intervention A retrospective evaluation of the “EDDY-Kids” prevention study

ABSTRACT Background Childhood obesity prevention is crucial. This study aimed to assess the effect of a 6-month intervention with nutritional training and physical activity education on body fat, BMI-SDS, and consumption of sugary drinks and sweets in a sample of 69 Viennese schoolboys aged 8–11 years. Methods The “EDDY-Kids” study was a prevention project in a Viennese elementary school aiming to prevent excessive weight gain and obesity by increasing nutrition knowledge and daily physical activity. During the school year 2018/2019, 69 boys were recruited; weight, height, fat mass, and consumption of sugary drinks and sweets were examined at the beginning (December 2018) and at the end of the project (June 2019). Only the intervention group received nutrition lessons and physical activity education once and twice weekly, respectively. Results At baseline, 19/36 boys in the intervention group had overweight/obesity and 11/33 in the control group (p = 0.14). After the intervention, no significant differences in changes in BMI-SDS between the intervention and the control group were observed (p = 0.35). Body fat percentage changed from 30.5% (25.8–31.7%) to 29.4% (24.3–30.4%) in the intervention group, and from 23.3% (22.0–27.0%) to 23.7% (21.7–26.8%) in the control group (p = 0.013). At baseline, there were no differences in the consumption of sugary drinks and sweets between the intervention and the control group. After 6-months of intervention, the median consumption of sugary drinks and sweets remained similar in the intervention and the control group, and no differences between groups (p > 0.40) were found. Conclusion A 6-month combined intervention promoting healthier dietary and physical activity habits in schoolboys from Vienna positively and modestly affected the percentage of body fat. Reduced body fat may be beneficial independently of changes in BMI-SDS.
Direct detection of self-interacting dark matter

Self-interacting dark matter offers an interesting alternative to collisionless dark matter because of its ability to preserve the large-scale success of the cold dark matter model, while seemingly solving its challenges on small scales. We present here the first study of the expected dark matter detection signal taking into account different self-scattering models. We demonstrate that models with constant and velocity dependent cross sections, which are consistent with observational constraints, lead to distinct signatures in the velocity distribution, because non-thermalised features found in the cold dark matter distribution are thermalised through particle scattering. Depending on the model, self-interaction can lead to a 10% reduction of the recoil rates at high energies, corresponding to a minimum speed that can cause recoil larger than 300 km/s, compared to the cold dark matter case. At lower energies these differences are smaller than 5% for all models. The amplitude of the annual modulation signal can increase by up to 25%, and the day of maximum amplitude can shift by about two weeks with respect to the cold dark matter expectation. Furthermore, the exact day of phase reversal of the modulation signal can also differ by about a week between the different models. In general, models with velocity dependent cross sections peaking at the typical velocities of dwarf galaxies lead only to minor changes in the detection signals, whereas allowed constant cross section models lead to significant changes. We conclude that different self-interacting dark matter scenarios might be distinguished from each other through the details of direct detection signals. Furthermore, detailed constraints on the intrinsic properties of dark matter based on null detections, should take into account the possibility of self-scattering and the resulting effects on the detector signal.
Local unitary equivalence and entanglement of multipartite pure states

The necessary and sufficient conditions for the equivalence of arbitrary n-qubit pure quantum states under local unitary (LU) operations derived in [B. Kraus, Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 020504 (2010)] are used to determine the different LU-equivalence classes of up to five-qubit states. Due to this classification new parameters characterizing multipartite entanglement are found and their physical interpretation is given. Moreover, the method is used to derive examples of two n-qubit states (with n>2 arbitrary) which have the properties that all the entropies of any subsystem coincide; however, the states are neither LU equivalent nor can be mapped into each other by general local operations and classical communication.
Effective action for the Abelian Higgs model in FLRW

We compute the divergent contributions to the one-loop action of the U(1) Abelian Higgs model. The calculation allows for a Friedmann-Lemaˆotre-Robertson-Walker space-time and a time-dependent expectation value for the scalar field. Treating the time-dependent masses as two-point interactions, we use the in-in formalism to compute the first, second and third order graphs that contribute quadratic and logarithmic divergences to the effective scalar action. Working in Rξ gauge we show that the result is gauge invariant upon using the equations of motion.
A Study on Electromagnetic Scattering Characteristics of 4-D Antenna Arrays

A theoretical study on electromagnetic scattering mechanism of 4-D antenna arrays is performed for the first time. First, the scattering fields of one antenna element within an infinite 4-D array are derived under periodic boundary conditions. In order to estimate the scattering performances of 4-D antenna arrays, numerical models of the scattering fields are then established based on the traditional scattering pattern multiplication theory. Moreover, an effective time-domain full-wave approach is proposed for the scattering cross section (SCS) simulation of 4-D arrays. Finally, to verify the feasibility for SCS reduction through 4-D arrays, the differential evolution (DE) algorithm is adopted to synthesize a 14-element microstrip patch antenna array for the optimization of radiation and scattering performances. Numerical results show that 4-D arrays are capable of scattering the incident waves in both space domain and frequency domain simultaneously, thus accomplishing remarkable in-band SCS reduction.
Fast radio bursts and the axion quark nugget dark matter model

We explore the possibility that the Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are powered by magnetic reconnection in magnetars, triggered by Axion Quark Nugget (AQN) dark matter. In this model, the magnetic reconnection is ignited by the shock wave which develops when the nuggets' Mach number $M \gg 1$. These shock waves generate very strong and very short impulses expressed in terms of pressure $\Delta p/p\sim M^2$ and temperature $\Delta T/T\sim M^2$ in the vicinity of (would be) magnetic reconnection area. We find that the proposed mechanism produces a coherent emission which is consistent with current data, in particular the FRB energy requirements, the observed energy distribution, the frequency range and the burst duration. Our model allows us to propose additional tests which future data will be able to challenge.
Dynamics of linked filaments in excitable media

In this paper we present the results of parallel numerical computations of the long-term dynamics of linked vortex filaments in a three-dimensional FitzHugh–Nagumo excitable medium. In particular, we study all torus links with no more than 12 crossings and identify a timescale over which the dynamics is regular in the sense that each link is well-described by a spinning rigid conformation of fixed size that propagates at constant speed along the axis of rotation. We compute the properties of these links and demonstrate that they have a simple dependence on the crossing number of the link for a fixed number of link components. Furthermore, we find that instabilities that exist over longer timescales in the bulk can be removed by boundary interactions that yield stable torus links which settle snugly at the medium boundary. The Borromean rings are used as an example of a non-torus link to demonstrate both the irregular tumbling dynamics that arises in the bulk and its suppression by a tight confining medium. Finally, we investigate the collision of torus links and reveal that this produces a complicated wrestling motion where one torus link can eventually dominate over the other by pushing it into the boundary of the medium.
Social network dynamics, bots, and community-based online misinformation spread: Lessons from anti-refugee and COVID-19 misinformation cases

Abstract Networked social influence and strategic information manipulation are two social mechanisms fueling misinformation spread in online communities. However, it is unclear how these two mechanisms differ in their impacts. We conducted social network analyses on two online communities sharing misinformation concerning refugees in 2016 and COVID-19 in 2020. The results robustly showed that online misinformation spread is transitive and positively associated with members’ embedded authority (i.e., the extent to which members’ information is exclusively shared within the focal community). At the same time, strategic misinformation sharing by members of high community loyalty (i.e., targeted information sharing within the community) is less likely to gain momentum. The impact of bots on misinformation is contingent. Findings suggest that networked social influence is a more powerful driver of misinformation spread than strategic information manipulation.
Numerical and experimental investigation of delamination severity estimation using local vibration techniques

This paper presents vibration-based methods for detecting and quantifying delaminations in composite structures. Three different delamination sizes were considered numerically and experimentally. Our approach combines and compares finite element method (FEM) numerical analysis and experimental measurements to find the location of structural delaminations and identify their severity. First, we noticed that a low-frequency modal study comparing pristine and damaged plates could not provide local damage information. Hence, a high frequency-modal analysis was performed to obtain the local damage information. The damaged mode shapes corresponding to resonance frequencies that cause significant local vibration (high amplitude) over the damaged regions were calculated numerically. The result shows the capability of damage identification (location and size of structural delaminations) within the high-frequency modal analysis. The numerical results were validated experimentally. The experiments include electromechanical impedance spectroscopy (EMIS) and scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) techniques. The EMIS experiment was implemented to predict the resonance frequencies which cause significant local vibration over the delamination regions. The spectra of the electromechanical response resemble the vibration response of the structure and detect the new resonances created by the presence of the delamination. The test plate’s experimental resonance peaks show a good match with the resonance frequencies of the numerical modal analysis. The SLDV experiments measured the local vibration over the investigated scanning areas. The operational vibration shapes corresponding to predicted resonance frequencies were created. These experimental mode shapes may visually measure the delaminations by observing intense local vibration over the delamination zones. Comparing the numerical mode shapes and the operational vibration shapes shows a good match between numerical and experimental results.
Angular momentum and local gravitational instability in galaxy discs: does Q correlate with j or M ?

We introduce a new diagnostic for exploring the link between angular momentum and local gravitational instability in galaxy discs. Our diagnostic incorporates the latest developments in disc instability research, is fully consistent with approximations that are widely used for measuring the stellar specific angular momentum, j⋆ = J⋆/M⋆, and is also very simple. We show that such a disc instability diagnostic hardly correlates with j⋆ or M⋆, and is remarkably constant across spiral galaxies of any given type (Sa-Sd), stellar mass (M_{⋆}=10^{9.5}-10^{11.5} M_{⊙}), and velocity dispersion anisotropy (σz⋆/σR⋆ = 0-1). The fact that M⋆ is tightly correlated with star formation rate, molecular gas mass (Mmol), metallicity (12 + log O/H), and other fundamental galaxy properties thus implies that nearby star-forming spirals self-regulate to a quasi-universal disc stability level. This not only proves the existence of the self-regulation process postulated by several star formation models, but also raises important caveats.
POKER: Estimating the power spectrum of diffuse emission with complex masks and at high angular resolution

We describe the implementation of an angular power spectrum estimator in the flat sky approximation. POKER (P. Of k EstimatoR) is based on the MASTER algorithm developped by Hivon and collaborators in the context of CMB anisotropy. It works entirely in discrete space and can be applied to arbitrary high angular resolution maps. It is therefore particularly suitable for current and future infrared to sub-mm observations of diffuse emission, whether Galactic or cosmological.
Magnetar oscillations – I. Strongly coupled dynamics of the crust and the core

Quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed at the tail end of soft gamma repeaters giant flares are commonly interpreted as the torsional oscillations of magnetars. From a theoretical perspective, the oscillatory motion is influenced by the strong interaction between the shear modes of the crust and magnetohydrodynamic Alfven-like modes in the core. We study the dynamics which arises through this interaction, and present several new results. (1) We show that discrete edge modes frequently reside near the edges of the core Alfven continuum, and explain using simple models why these are generic and long-lived. (2) We compute the magnetar’s oscillatory motion for realistic axisymmetric magnetic field configurations and core density profiles, but with a simplified model of the elastic crust. We show that one may generically get multiple gaps in the Alfven continuum. One obtains strong discrete gap modes if the crustal frequencies belong to the gaps; the resulting frequencies do not coincide with, but are in some cases close to the crustal frequencies. (3) We deal with the issue of tangled magnetic fields in the core by developing a phenomenological model to quantify the tangling. We show that field tangling enhances the role of the core discrete Alfven modes and reduces the role of the core Alfven continuum in the overall oscillatory dynamics of the magnetar. (4) We demonstrate that the system displays transient QPOs when parts of the spectrum of the core Alfven modes contain discrete modes which are densely and regularly spaced in frequency. The transient QPOs are the strongest when they are located near the frequencies of the crustal modes. (5) We show that if the neutrons are coupled into the core Alfven motion, then the post-flare crustal motion is strongly damped and has a very weak amplitude. We thus argue that magnetar QPOs give evidence that the proton and neutron components in the core are dynamically decoupled and that at least one of them is a quantum fluid. (6) We show that it is difficult to identify the high-frequency 625-Hz QPO as being due to the physical oscillatory mode of the magnetar, if the latter’s fluid core consists of the standard proton–neutron–electron mixture and is magnetized to the same extent as the crust.
SPITZER AND HEINRICH HERTZ TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS OF STARLESS CORES: MASSES AND ENVIRONMENTS

We present Spitzer observations of a sample of 12 starless cores selected to have prominent 24 μm shadows. The Spitzer images show 8 μm and 24 μm shadows and in some cases 70 μm shadows; these spatially resolved absorption features trace the densest regions of the cores. We have carried out a 12CO (2–1) and 13CO (2–1) mapping survey of these cores with the Heinrich Hertz Telescope (HHT). We use the shadow features to derive optical depth maps. We derive molecular masses for the cores and the surrounding environment; we find that the 24 μm shadow masses are always greater than or equal to the molecular masses derived in the same region, a discrepancy likely caused by CO freezeout onto dust grains. We combine this sample with two additional cores that we studied previously to bring the total sample to 14 cores. Using a simple Jeans mass criterion, we find that ∼2/3 of the cores selected to have prominent 24 μm shadows are collapsing or near collapse, a result that is supported by millimeter line observations. Of this subset at least half have indications of 70 μm shadows. All cores observed to produce absorption features at 70 μm are close to collapse. We conclude that 24 μm shadows, and even more so the 70 μm ones, are useful markers of cloud cores that are approaching collapse.
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Glenohumeral Joint Stability Immediately After Arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow Procedure

Background: The changes in glenohumeral joint stability after surgery in a clinical setting are yet unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to compare the anterior humeral head translation between pre- and postsurgical conditions using ultrasonography. It was hypothesized that ultrasonographic assessment would reveal decreased anterior translation. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 27 patients (24 male, 3 female; mean age, 24.1 ± 9.7 years) with anterior shoulder instability were studied prospectively. All the patients underwent the arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow procedure under general anesthesia, and ultrasonographic evaluation was performed before and immediately after surgery. The forearm was fixed with an arm positioner in the beach-chair position, and the ultrasonographic transducer was located at the posterior part of the shoulder to visualize the humeral head and glenoid rim at the level of interval between the infraspinatus tendon and teres minor tendon. The upper arm was drawn anteriorly with a 40-N force at 0°, 45°, and 90° of shoulder abduction with neutral rotation. The distance from the posterior edge of the glenoid to that of the humeral head was measured using ultrasonography with and without anterior force. Anterior translation was defined by subtracting the distance with anterior force from the distance without anterior force. Results: The humeral head position was translated posteriorly immediately after surgery in all patients. Anterior translation decreased significantly after surgery at 45° (7.7 ± 4.3 vs 5.8 ± 2.0 mm; P = .031) and 90° (8.9 ± 3.4 vs 6.1 ± 2.2 mm; P < .001) of abduction, whereas there was no difference between pre- and postsurgical translation at 0° of abduction (4.9 ± 2.3 vs 4.0 ± 2.1 mm, P = .089). Conclusion: Ultrasonographic assessment immediately after a Bankart-Bristow procedure showed the humeral head was translated posteriorly relative to the glenoid at 0°, 45°, and 90° of abduction. The surgery also decreased anterior translation in response to an anteriorly directed force at 45° and 90° of abduction.
Equivalence of the Einstein and Jordan frames

No experiment can measure an absolute scale: every dimensionfull quantity has to be compared to some fixed unit scale in order to be measured, and thus only dimensionless quantities are really physical. The Einstein and Jordan frame are related by a conformal transformation of the metric, which amounts to rescaling all length scales. Since the absolute scale cannot be measured, both frames describe the same physics, and are equivalent. In this article we make this explicit by rewriting the action in terms of dimensionless variables, which are invariant under a conformal transformation. For definiteness, we concentrate on the action of Higgs inflation, but the results can easily be generalized. In addition, we show that the action for f(R)-gravity, which includes Starobinsky inflation, can be written in a frame-independent form.
Visible light antibacterial potential of graphene-TiO2 cementitious composites for self-sterilization surface

Graphene oxide-titanium dioxide (GO-TiO2) composite was synthesized with one step hydrothermal process. The structure and morphology were characterized by field-emission-scanning-electron-microscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity against Escherichia coli inactivation was carried out by GO-TiO2 mixed with cement composite under visible light. The result revealed no significant difference between morphology of GO-TiO2 and pristine TiO2. FESEM and FTIR results showed the presence of carbon component in the GO-TiO2 composites. TGA-IR confirmed that the GO content (3%) in the composite could be controlled during the synthesis process. The synthesized GO-TiO2 had stronger visible light absorption and narrower bandgap (3.11 eV) than TiO2 (3.21 eV). The bandgap reduction was also observed in cement sample with GO-TiO2 (3.08 eV) which could be beneficial for reducing the energy needed for photoexcitation. As a result, the specimen with GO-P25 outperformed specimens with others for Escherichia coli inactivation.