Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solar Radio Emissions and Ultralight Dark Matter

Ultralight axions and dark photons are well-motivated dark matter candidates. Inside the plasma, once the mass of ultralight dark matter candidates equals the plasma frequency, they can resonantly convert into electromagnetic waves, due to the coupling between the ultralight dark matter particles and the standard model photons. The converted electromagnetic waves are monochromatic. In this article, we review the development of using radio detectors to search for ultralight dark matter conversions in the solar corona and solar wind plasma.
Global 2D stability analysis of the cross lid-driven cavity flow with a streamfunction-vorticity approach

ABSTRACT We have recently analyzed the global two-dimensional (2D) stability of the staggered lid-driven cavity (LDC) flow with a higher order compact (HOC) approach. In the analysis, critical parameters are determined for both the parallel and anti-parallel motion of the lids and a detailed analysis has been carried out on either side of the critical values. In this article, we carry out an investigation of flow stabilities inside a two-sided cross lid-driven cavity with a pair of opposite lids moving in both parallel and anti-parallel directions. On discretization, the governing 2D Navier–Stokes (N–S) equations describing the steady flow and flow perturbations results in a generalized eigenvalue problem which is solved for determining the critical parameters on four different grids. Elaborate computation is performed for a wide range of Reynolds numbers (Re) on either side of the critical values in the range 200 ⩽ Re ⩽ 10000. For flows below the critical Reynolds number Rec, our numerical results are compared with established steady-state results and excellent agreement is obtained in all the cases. For Reynolds numbers above Rec, phase plane and spectral density analysis confirmed the existence of periodic, quasi-periodic, and stable flow patterns.
Molecular Phylogeny of Cimicoidea (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha) Revisited: Increased Taxon Sampling Reveals Evolution of Traumatic Insemination and Paragenitalia

Simple Summary The superfamily Cimicoidea comprises seven families with more than 600 described species. The members of this group show two feeding habits, predation and blood-feeding, and show the unique hypodermic insemination process called traumatic insemination. A molecular phylogenetic study using increased sampling aimed to hypothesize the phylogenetic relationships within Cimicoidea, and to understand the evolutionary history of traumatic insemination and the correlation between the insemination habit and the morphology, paragenitalia. The phylogenetic results showed that most families within Cimicoidea were confirmed as monophyletic groups and hypothesized the novel sister-group relationship of Curaliidae + Lasiochilidae with high support values. Additionally, it was revealed that at least one shift from standard insemination to traumatic insemination occurred within Cimicoidea, and the acquisition of paragenitalia in cimicoid females was correlated with the traumatic insemination habit. Abstract The molecular phylogeny of the Cimicoidea was reconstructed from an expanded sampling based on mitochondrial (16S, COI) and nuclear (18S, 28SD3) genes. The data were analyzed using maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic frameworks. The phylogenetic relationships inferred by the model-based analyses (ML and BI) were largely congruent with those inferred by the MP analysis in terms of the monophyly of most of the higher taxonomic groups and the species-level relationships. The following clades were recovered in all analyses: Cimiciformes; Nabidae: Prostemmatinae; Nabidae: Nabinae; Plokiophilidae; Microphysidae; Lasiochilidae; Cimicidae: Cacodminae; Cimicidae; Lyctocoridae; Anthocoridae s. str. ; Cardiastethini excluding Amphiareus; Almeidini; Scolopini; Anthocorini; Oriini; Curaliidae + Lasiochilidae; Almeidini + Xylocorini; Oriini + Cardiastethini; and Anthocorini + Amphiareus. Reconstructions of ancestral copulation states based on Bayesian and parsimony inference indicated that at least one shift from standard insemination (SI) to traumatic insemination (TI) occurred within Cimicoidea, and an investigation of the evolutionary correlation between TI and paragenitalia (PG) revealed that the acquisition of PG in cimicoid females was correlated with the TI habit. Additionally, our morphological examination of various types of PG suggested that even the same PG type may not constitute a homologous feature at various taxonomic levels, indicating the convergent evolution of female morphology to adapt to TI.
A Synoptic Review of the Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali, Elasmobranchii) from the Upper Jurassic Konservat-Lagerstätten of Southern Germany: Taxonomy, Diversity, and Faunal Relationships

The Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous (164–100 Ma) represents one of the main transitional periods in life history. Recent studies unveiled a complex scenario in which abiotic and biotic factors and drivers on regional and global scales due to the fragmentation of Pangaea resulted in dramatic faunal and ecological turnovers in terrestrial and marine environments. However, chondrichthyan faunas from this interval have received surprisingly little recognition. The presence of numerous entire skeletons of chondrichthyans preserved in several localities in southern Germany, often referred to as Konservat-Lagerstätten (e.g., Nusplingen and the Solnhofen Archipelago), provides a unique opportunity of to study the taxonomic composition of these assemblages, their ecological distributions and adaptations, and evolutionary histories in detail. However, even after 160 years of study, the current knowledge of southern Germany’s Late Jurassic chondrichthyan diversity remains incomplete. Over the last 20 years, the systematic study and bulk sampling of southern Germany’s Late Jurassic deposits significantly increased the number of known fossil chondrichthyan genera from the region (32 in the present study). In the present work, the fossil record, and the taxonomic composition of Late Jurassic chondrichthyans from southern Germany are reviewed and compared with several contemporaneous assemblages from other sites in Europe. Our results suggest, inter alia, that the Late Jurassic chondrichthyans displayed extended distributions within Europe. However, it nevertheless also is evident that the taxonomy of Late Jurassic chondrichthyans is in urgent need of revision.
Inference on subsets of parameters in linear IV without assuming identification

We show that the (conditional) limiting distributions of the subset extensions of the weak instrument/identification robust instrumental variable statistics are bounded from above by the (conditional) limiting distributions that apply when the remaining structural parameters are well-identified. The identification robust subset statistics are therefore size correct in large samples and their projection based counterparts are conservative. The power curves of tests based on the robust subset statistics are non-standard since they resemble identification statistics at distant values of the parameter of interest. Hence, the power of a test on a well-identified structural parameter is low at distant values when one of the remaining structural parameters is weakly identified. It is identical to the power of a test for a distant value of any of the other structural parameters. All results apply as well to tests on the parameters of the included exogenous variables.
The layout measures of micro-sprinkler irrigation under plastic film regulate tomato soil bacterial community and root system

Introduction The change in rhizosphere soil bacterial community and root system under new water-saving device is not clear. Methods A completely randomized experimental design was used to explore the effects of different micropore group spacing (L1: 30 cm micropore group spacing, L2: 50 cm micropore group spacing) and capillary arrangement density (C1: one pipe for one row, C2: one pipe for two rows, C3: one pipe for three rows) on tomato rhizosphere soil bacteria community, roots and tomato yield under MSPF. The bacteria in tomato rhizosphere soil were sequenced by 16S rRNA gene amplicon metagenomic sequencing technology, the interaction of bacterial community, root system and yield in tomato rhizosphere soil was quantitatively described based on regression analysis. Results Results showed that L1 was not only beneficial to the development of tomato root morphology, but also promoted the ACE index of tomato soil bacterial community structure and the abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism functional genes. The yield and crop water use efficiency (WUE) of spring tomato and autumn tomato in L1 were about 14.15% and 11.27%, 12.64% and 10.35% higher than those in L2. With the decrease of capillary arrangement density, the diversity of bacterial community structure in tomato rhizosphere soil decreased, and the abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism functional genes of soil bacteria also decreased. The small abundance of soil bacterial functional genes limited the absorption of soil nutrients by tomato roots and roots morphological development. The yield and crop water use efficiency of spring and autumn tomato in C2 were significantly higher than those in C3 about 34.76% and 15.23%, 31.94% and 13.91%, respectively. The positive interaction between soil bacterial community and root morphological development of tomato was promoted by the capillary layout measures of MSPF. Discussion The L1C2 treatment had a stable bacterial community structure and good root morphological development, which positively promoted the increase of tomato yield. The interaction between soil microorganisms and roots of tomato was regulated by optimizing the layout measures of MSPF to provide data support for water-saving and yield-increasing of tomato in Northwest China.
Likelihood estimation for exchangeable multinomial data

ABSTRACT In this article, maximum likelihood estimates of an exchangeable multinomial distribution using a parametric form to model the parameters as functions of covariates are derived. The non linearity of the exchangeable multinomial distribution and the parametric model make direct application of Newton Rahpson and Fisher's scoring algorithms computationally infeasible. Instead parameter estimates are obtained as solutions to an iterative weighted least-squares algorithm. A completely monotonic parametric form is proposed for defining the marginal probabilities that results in a valid probability model.
Prospects of Using Gum Arabic Silver Nanoparticles in Toothpaste to Prevent Dental Caries

There is growing interest in the use of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to control and prevent dental diseases. The incorporation of green synthesized AgNPs into dentifrices to reduce pathogenic oral microbes is motivated by their presumed biocompatibility and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In the present study, gum arabic AgNPs (GA-AgNPs) were formulated into a toothpaste (TP) using a commercial TP at a non-active concentration, to produce GA-AgNPs_TP. The TP was selected after evaluating the antimicrobial activity of four commercial TPs 1-4 on selected oral microbes using agar disc diffusion and microdilution assays. The less active TP-1 was then used in the formulation of GA-AgNPs_TP-1; thereafter, the antimicrobial activity of GA-AgNPs_0. 4g was compared to GA-AgNPs_TP-1. The cytotoxicity of GA-AgNPs_0. 4g and GA-AgNPs_TP-1 was also assessed on the buccal mucosa fibroblast (BMF) cells using the MTT assay. The study demonstrated that antimicrobial activity of GA-AgNPs_0. 4g was retained after being combined with a sub-lethal or inactive concentration of TP-1. The non-selective antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of both GA-AgNPs_0. 4g and GA-AgNPs_TP-1 was demonstrated to be time and concentration dependent. These activities were instant, reducing microbial and BMF cell growth in less than one hour of exposure. However, the use of dentifrice commonly takes 2 min and rinsed off thereafter, which could prevent damage to the oral mucosa. Although, GA-AgNPs_TP-1 has a good prospect as a TP or oral healthcare product, more studies are required to further improve the biocompatibility of this formulation.
Multitarget Reactive Magnetron Sputtering towards the Production of Strontium Molybdate Thin Films

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to study the direct synthesis of strontium and molybdenum oxide thin films deposited by multitarget reactive magnetron sputtering (MT-RMS). Sr and Mo targets with a purity of 99.9% and 99.5%, respectively, were co-sputtered in an argon–oxygen gas mixture. The chamber was provided with an oxygen background flow plus an additional controlled oxygen supply to each of the targets. We demonstrate that variation in the power applied to the Mo target during MT-RMS enables the production of strontium and molybdenum oxide films with variable concentrations of Mo atoms. Both molybdenum and strontium were found in the oxidized state, and no metallic peaks were detected. The deconvoluted high-resolution XPS spectra of molybdenum revealed the presence of several Mo 3d peaks, which indicates molybdenum bonds in a lower valence state. Contrary to the Mo spectra, the high-resolution strontium Sr 3d spectra for the same samples were very similar, and no additional peaks were detected.
Explanatory Model of Psychogenic, Behavioral and Environmental Causal Attributions of Cancer, and Their Psychogenic, Biomedical and Alternative Treatment in the General Population of Medellín, Colombia

Background: Understanding the causal attributions for cancer, the elements affecting therapeutic adherence, and behaviors that may compromise people’s health or even put them at risk of dying from this disease has garnered a considerable degree of attention. Methods: This study was designed in the city of Medellín with the aim to develop and validate a model for the study of (i) the categories that can be attributable to cancer etiology, (ii) the categories that can be attributed to the efficacy of treatment, and (iii) the relationship between the categories that can be attributed to the etiology and to the efficacy of the treatment. Structural equations were performed on 611 participants. Results: The analysis revealed that attributing the disease to psychogenic factors distances people from biomedical treatments (β coefficient, −0.12), and brings them closer to psychogenic (β coefficient, 0.22) and alternative treatments (β coefficient, 0.24). Attributing cancer to behavioral factors brings people closer to psychogenic treatments (β coefficient, 0.40) over biomedical treatments (β coefficient, 0.24). Conclusions: Symbolic, cultural, and social factors were evidenced, thereby leading to the underestimation of biomedical treatments and imparting a greater degree of importance to psychogenic or alternative therapies. These therapies will subsequently affect the achievement of therapeutic objectives such as increased survival.
α-Hederin Saponin Augments the Chemopreventive Effect of Cisplatin against Ehrlich Tumors and Bioinformatic Approach Identifying the Role of SDF1/CXCR4/p-AKT-1/NFκB Signaling

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) and its C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 receptor (CXCR4) are significant mediators for cancer cells’ proliferation, and we studied their expression in Ehrlich solid tumors (ESTs) grown in mice. α-Hederin is a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin found in Hedera or Nigella species with biological activity that involves suppression of growth of breast cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to explore the chemopreventive activity of α-hederin with/without cisplatin; this was achieved by measuring the reduction in tumor masses and the downregulation in SDF1/CXCR4/pAKT signaling proteins and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). Ehrlich carcinoma cells were injected in four groups of Swiss albino female mice (Group1: EST control group, Group2: EST + α-hederin group, Group3: EST + cisplatin group, and Group4: EST+α-hederin/cisplatin treated group). Tumors were dissected and weighed, one EST was processed for histopathological staining with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and the second MC was frozen and processed for estimation of signaling proteins. Computational analysis for these target proteins interactions showed direct-ordered interactions. The dissected solid tumors revealed decreases in tumor masses (~21%) and diminished viable tumor regions with significant necrotic surrounds, particularly with the combination regimens. Immunohistochemistry showed reductions (~50%) in intratumoral NFκβ in the mouse group that received the combination therapy. The combination treatment lowered the SDF1/CXCR4/p-AKT proteins in ESTs compared to the control. In conclusion, α-hederin augmented the chemotherapeutic potential of cisplatin against ESTs; this effect was at least partly mediated through suppressing the chemokine SDF1/CXCR4/p-AKT/NFκB signaling. Further studies are recommended to verify the chemotherapeutic potential of α-hederin in other breast cancer models.
Effectiveness of horticultural therapy in aged people with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Depression, an increasing global crisis, has affected many people's daily life, especially for older adults. Horticultural therapy has been widely used in non-pharmacological treatment for patients with depression, with a body of studies demonstrating its therapeutic effects. However, a lack of systematic reviews and meta-analyses makes it difficult to get a holistic picture of this research field. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the reliability of the previous studies and the effectiveness of horticultural therapy (including the intervention of environmental settings, activities, and duration) on older adults with depression. Methods This systematic review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched relevant studies in multiple databases, and the original search was finished on 25 September 2022. We included studies using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental designs. Results We yielded a total of 7,366 studies and finally included 13 which involved 698 aged people with depression. Results from meta-analysis indicated significant effects of horticultural therapy on reducing depressive symptoms for the older adults. Besides, we found different outcomes among various horticultural interventions (such as environmental setting, activities, and duration). Depression reduction was more effective in care-providing settings than in community settings; participatory activities were more effective in reducing depression than observational activities; intervention of 4–8 weeks might represent the optimal course of treatment compared to interventions more than 8 weeks in duration. Conclusion We came up with a comprehensive set of recommendations based on the meta-analysis: aged people in care-providing settings with depression could get the most benefit from horticultural therapy by participating in participatory activities for 4–8 weeks. Systematic review registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero/display_record. php? ID=CRD42022363134, identifier CRD42022363134.
Analysis of TE and TM modes in DFB lasers by two-dimensional theory

The two-dimensional theory of a distributed feedback (DFB) laser (which was previously presented and applied to the analysis of the laser threshold conditions for the transverse-electric (TE) mode in a simple three-layer waveguide structure) is developed to treat both TE and transverse-magnetic (TM) modes in a four-layer waveguide structure with a thin grating layer, which more closely reflects actual DFB laser structure. The differences between TE and TM modes for the dispersion relations and the laser threshold conditions are clarified. The effects of the waveguide structure (including grating layer thickness, refractive indexes of layers, coupling constant, and corrugation period) on the threshold gains and the gain differences between the two longitudinal modes on both sides of the Bragg frequencies are studied in detail for both TE and TM modes. >
A Proof of Principle Proteomic Study Detects Dystrophin in Human Plasma: Implications in DMD Diagnosis and Clinical Monitoring

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare neuromuscular disease caused by pathogenic variations in the DMD gene. There is a need for robust DMD biomarkers for diagnostic screening and to aid therapy monitoring. Creatine kinase, to date, is the only routinely used blood biomarker for DMD, although it lacks specificity and does not correlate with disease severity. To fill this critical gap, we present here novel data about dystrophin protein fragments detected in human plasma by a suspension bead immunoassay using two validated anti-dystrophin-specific antibodies. Using both antibodies, a reduction of the dystrophin signal is detected in a small cohort of plasma samples from DMD patients when compared to healthy controls, female carriers, and other neuromuscular diseases. We also demonstrate the detection of dystrophin protein by an antibody-independent method using targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. This last assay detects three different dystrophin peptides in all healthy individuals analysed and supports our finding that dystrophin protein is detectable in plasma. The results of our proof-of-concept study encourage further studies in larger sample cohorts to investigate the value of dystrophin protein as a low invasive blood biomarker for diagnostic screening and clinical monitoring of DMD.
Impacts of conflicting land tenure systems on land acquisition by agribusiness developers in Côte d’Ivoire

Large scale farming relies on favourable land tenure systems. However, conflicting land tenure is affecting agribusiness development in sub-Sahara Africa. A key question is whether Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading producer of cocoa, has been spared from the rampant land tenure challenging commercial farming. This paper is a reflection on the consequences of legal pluralism on the development of agribusiness. Through a case study of a region of south-eastern Cote d’Ivoire, it intends to demonstrate that coexistence of neo-customary and bureaucratic forms of land tenure constitutes a major obstacle for agribusiness development. Qualitative methods including individual interviews and focus group discussions were employed. Results reveal that land tenure systems are intricately linked to the complexity of agribusiness development. The study further finds land tenure systems is a source of conflicts between agribusiness developers and smallholders. Hence, agribusiness finds it difficult to grow due to land tenure systems, which cause immense hardship for agribusinesses developers in the South Comoé. The case of the South Comoé region, therefore, articulates a compelling need for policymakers to consolidate the land tenure system which has failed to secure land for agribusiness development.
Diffusion and convection of gaseous and fine particulate from a chimney

Particle dispersion from a high chimney is considered and an expression for the subsequent concentration of the particulate deposited on the ground is derived. We consider the general case wherein the effects of both diffusion and convection on the steady state ground concentration of particulate are incorporated. Two key parameters emerge from this analysis: the ratio of diffusion to convection and the nondimensionalised surface mass transfer rate. We also solve the inverse problem of recovering these two parameters given the boundary concentration profile and provide an estimate of the concentration flux above the chimney stack.