Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Statistical Standard Siren Measurement of the Hubble Constant from the LIGO/Virgo Gravitational Wave Compact Object Merger GW190814 and Dark Energy Survey Galaxies

We present a measurement of the Hubble constant H0 using the gravitational wave (GW) event GW190814, which resulted from the coalescence of a 23 M⊙ black hole with a 2.6 M⊙ compact object, as a standard siren. No compelling electromagnetic counterpart has been identified for this event; thus our analysis accounts for thousands of potential host galaxies within a statistical framework. The redshift information is obtained from the photometric redshift (photo-z) catalog from the Dark Energy Survey. The luminosity distance is provided by the LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave sky map. Since this GW event has the second-smallest localization volume after GW170817, GW190814 is likely to provide the best constraint on cosmology from a single standard siren without identifying an electromagnetic counterpart. Our analysis uses photo-z probability distribution functions and corrects for photo-z biases. We also reanalyze the binary black hole GW170814 within this updated framework. We explore how our findings impact the H0 constraints from GW170817, the only GW merger associated with a unique host galaxy. From a combination of GW190814, GW170814, and GW170817, our analysis yields (68% highest-density interval, HDI) for a prior in H0 uniform between . The addition of GW190814 and GW170814 to GW170817 improves the 68% HDI from GW170817 alone by ∼18%, showing how well-localized mergers without counterparts can provide a significant contribution to standard siren measurements, provided that a complete galaxy catalog is available at the location of the event.
New Metrics for Learning Evaluation in Digital Education Platforms

Technology applied in education can provide great benefits and overcome challenges by facilitating access to learning objects anywhere and anytime. However, technology alone is not enough, since it requires suitable planning and learning methodologies. Using technology can be problematic, especially in determining whether learning has occurred or not. Futhermore, if learning has not occured, technology can make it difficult to determine how to mitigate this lack of learning. This paper presents a set of new metrics for measuring student's acquired understanding of a content in technology-based education platforms. Some metrics were taken from the literature "as is", some were modified slighty, while others were added. The hypothesis is that we should not only focus on traditional scoring, because it only counts the number of hits/errors and does not consider any other aspect of learning. We applied all metrics to an assessment conducted in a high school class in which we show specific cases, along with metrics, where very useful information can be obtained from by combining several metrics. We conclude that the proposed metrics are promising for measuring student's acquired understanding of a content, as well as for teachers to measure student's weaknesses.
Generating induction principles and subterm relations for inductive types using MetaCoq

We implement three Coq plugins regarding inductive types in MetaCoq. The first plugin is a simple syntax transformation generating alternative constructors for inductive types by abstracting over concrete indices in the types of the constructors. The second plugin re-implements Coq's $\texttt{Scheme Induction}$ command in MetaCoq, and extends it to nested inductive types, e.g. types like rose trees which use $\texttt{list}$ in their definition, similar to the Elpi-plugin by Tassi. The third plugin implements the $\texttt{Derive Subterm}$ command provided by the Equations package in MetaCoq.
Meta Deformation Network: Meta Functionals for Shape Correspondence

We present a new technique named "Meta Deformation Network" for 3D shape matching via deformation, in which a deep neural network maps a reference shape onto the parameters of a second neural network whose task is to give the correspondence between a learned template and query shape via deformation. We categorize the second neural network as a meta-function, or a function generated by another function, as its parameters are dynamically given by the first network on a per-input basis. This leads to a straightforward overall architecture and faster execution speeds, without loss in the quality of the deformation of the template. We show in our experiments that Meta Deformation Network leads to improvements on the MPI-FAUST Inter Challenge over designs that utilized a conventional decoder design that has non-dynamic parameters.
Refolding and characterisation of a heterologous expressed Phanerochaete chrysosporium cellobiohydrolase (CBHI.2)

Cloned Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME446 cbhI.2 cDNA was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as an insoluble, internal, biologically inactive protein. In vitro chemical refolding restored the activity of the crude CBHI.2. However, this enzyme was active against 4-methylumbelliferyl-s-Dcellobioside (MUC) and 4-methyllumbelliferyl-s-D-lactopyranoside (MUL) substrates only. The crude enzyme lost almost 50% of its activity at 5 min at 100oC heat treatment whereas total inactivation was achieved at 30 min.
Testing the Cosmic Opacity at Higher Redshifts: Implication from Quasars with Available UV and X-Ray Observations

In this paper, we present a cosmological model-independent test for the cosmic opacity at high redshifts (z ∼ 5). We achieve this with the opacity-dependent luminosity distances derived from the nonlinear relation between X-ray and UV emissions of quasars, combined with two types of opacity-independent luminosity distances derived from the Hubble parameter measurements and simulated gravitational wave (GW) events achievable with the Einstein Telescope (ET). In the framework of two phenomenological parameterizations adopted to describe cosmic opacity at high redshifts, our main results show that a transparent universe is supported by the current observational data at a 2σ confidence level. However, the derived value of the cosmic opacity is slightly sensitive to the parameterization of τ(z), which highlights the importance of choosing a reliable parameterization to describe the optical depth τ(z) in the early universe. Compared with previous works, the combination of the quasar data and the H(z)/GW observations in similar redshift ranges provides a novel way to confirm a transparent universe (ϵ = 0 at higher redshifts z ∼ 5), with an accuracy of Δϵ ∼ 10−2. More importantly, our findings indicate that a strong degeneracy between the cosmic-opacity parameter and the parameters characterizing the LUV − LX relation of quasars, which reinforces the necessity of proper calibration for this new type of high-redshift standard candle (in a cosmological model-independent way).
FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN DOMESTIC RUMINANTS (DESARROLLO FOLICULAR EN RUMIANTES DOMÉSTICOS)

SUMMARY Knowledge on the physiological processes that control follicular development may allow for the development of strategies to increase reproductive efficiency in domestic ruminants. Follicle development depends on the balance between survival factors, proliferation and cell death, which determine whether the follicle starts and continues to grow or is removed from the ovary. During fetal development of the female, primordial germinal cells proliferate by mitosis to reach the gonadal ridge, where the oogonia are surrounded by flattened cells to assemble the primordial follicles. Kit ligand, BMP-15 and GDF-9 stimulates a group of primordial follicles to begin their growth until they reach preantral development. The growth to the antral stage seems to be independent of gonadotrophins and promoted by growth factors. In gonadotrophin suppressed animals follicles will grow up to a diameter of 2 mm in sheep and 4mm in cattle. The cyclic secretion of FSH and LH promotes the recruitment and growth to the large antral stage and the eventual ovulation if luteolysis occurs. Follicular development in cows, sheep and goats during the estrous cycle occurs in a pattern like-wave, where groups of follicles begin their growth in response to an increase of FSH, but only some (sheep and goats) or one (cows) is selected as the dominant, and ovulates if its dominance coincides with the lysis of the CL and the reduction of progesterone. Among the factors that determine whether a large antral follicle starts, continues and completes its development are its responsiveness to gonadotropins, its steoidogenic capability and the presence of survival and proliferating factors such as IGF-I and VEGF.
On properties of composites and monoid domains

In this paper I consider all possible properties from commutative algebra for polynomial composites and monoid domains. The aim is full characterization of these structures. I start with the examination of group, ring, modules properties, graded, but also the study of invertible elements, irreducible elements, ideals, etc. in these structures. In the second part of the work I give examples of the use of composites and monoid domains in cryptology. Each such polynomial is the sum of the products of the variable and the coefficient. And what if subsequent coefficient sets are appropriate cryptographic systems? Similarly, monoid domains can be a very good tool between encrypting and decrypting messages.
Evaluation of Text Generation: A Survey

The paper surveys evaluation methods of natural language generation (NLG) systems that have been developed in the last few years. We group NLG evaluation methods into three categories: (1) human-centric evaluation metrics, (2) automatic metrics that require no training, and (3) machine-learned metrics. For each category, we discuss the progress that has been made and the challenges still being faced, with a focus on the evaluation of recently proposed NLG tasks and neural NLG models. We then present two case studies of automatic text summarization and long text generation, and conclude the paper by proposing future research directions.
Enhanced four-wave-mixing and 3rd order optical nonlinearity in SiN nanowires integrated with graphene oxide films

Layered 2D graphene oxide (GO) films are integrated with silicon nitride (SiN) waveguides to experimentally demonstrate an enhanced Kerr nonlinearity via four wave mixing (FWM). Owing to the strong light matter interaction between the SiN waveguides and the highly nonlinear GO films, the FWM performance of the hybrid waveguides is significantly improved. SiN waveguides with both uniformly coated and patterned GO films are fabricated based on a transfer free, layer by layer GO coating method together with standard photolithography and lift off processes, yielding precise control of the film thickness, placement and coating length. Detailed FWM measurements are carried out for the fabricated devices with different numbers of GO layers and at different pump powers. By optimizing the trade off between the nonlinearity and loss, we obtain a significant improvement in the FWM conversion efficiency of 7.3 dB for a uniformly coated device with 1 layer of GO and 9.1 dB for a patterned device with 5 layers of GO. We also obtain a significant increase in FWM bandwidth for the patterned devices. A detailed analysis of the influence of pattern length and position on the FWM performance is performed. Based on the FWM measurements, the dependence of GOs third-order nonlinearity on layer number and pump power is also extracted, revealing interesting physical insights about the 2D layered GO films. Finally, we obtain an enhancement in the effective nonlinear parameter of the hybrid waveguides by over a factor of 100. These results verify the enhanced nonlinear optical performance of SiN waveguides achievable by incorporating 2D layered GO films.
From Epigenesis to Epigenetics

Abstract: One continuous thread in this volume is the name of Conrad H. Waddington (1905‐1975), the developmental biologist known as the inventor of the term epigenetics. After some biographical notes on his life, this article explores the meaning of the Waddingtonian equation and the context wherein it was developed. This equation holds that epigenesis+genetics=epigenetics, and refers in retrospect to the debate on epigenesis versus preformationism in neoclassical embryology. Whereas Waddington actualized this debate by linking epigenesis to developmental biology and preformation to genetics, thereby stressing the importance of genetic action in causal embryology, today's epigenetics more and more offers the possibility to enfeeble biological thinking in terms of genes only, as it expands the gene‐centric view in biology by introducing a flexible and pragmatically oriented hierarchy of crucial genomic contexts that go beyond the organism.
The last Talmudic demon? The role of ritual in cultural transmission

Recent work on the evolution of religion has approached religions as adaptive complexes of traits consisting of cognitive, neurological, affective, behavioural and developmental features that are organized into a self-regulating feedback system. Religious systems, it has been argued, derive from ancestral ritual systems and continue to be fuelled by ritual performances. One key prediction that emerges from this systemic approach is that the success of religious beliefs will be related to how well they are connected to rituals and integrated with other elements of the religious system. Here, I examine this prediction by exploring the rich world of Jewish demonology. As a case study, I briefly survey the historical trajectory of demonic beliefs across Jewish communities and focus on one demon, a ruach ra'ah, that has survived the vicissitudes of Jewish history and maintained its relevance in contemporary Jewish communities. I argue that it has done so because of its linkage with a morning handwashing ritual and its effective integration into the core elements of Jewish religious systems. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours’.
Semantic and Geographical Analysis of COVID-19 Trials Reveals a Fragmented Clinical Research Landscape Likely to Impair Informativeness

Background: The unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on modern society has ignited a “gold rush” for effective treatment and diagnostic strategies, with a significant diversion of economic, scientific, and human resources toward dedicated clinical research. We aimed to describe trends in this rapidly changing landscape to inform adequate resource allocation. Methods: We developed an online repository (COVID Trial Monitor) to analyze in real time the growth rate, geographical distribution, and characteristics of COVID-19 related trials. We defined structured semantic ontologies with controlled vocabularies to categorize trial interventions, study endpoints, and study designs. Analyses are publicly available at https://bioinfo.ieo. it/shiny/app/CovidCT. Results: We observe a clear prevalence of monocentric trials with highly heterogeneous endpoints and a significant disconnect between geographic distribution and disease prevalence, implying that most countries would need to recruit unrealistic percentages of their total prevalent cases to fulfill enrolment. Conclusions: This geographically and methodologically incoherent growth casts doubts on the actual feasibility of locally reaching target sample sizes and the probability of most of these trials providing reliable and transferable results. We call for the harmonization of clinical trial design criteria for COVID-19 and the increased use of larger master protocols incorporating elements of adaptive designs. COVID Trial Monitor identifies critical issues in current COVID-19-related clinical research and represents a useful resource with which researchers and policymakers can improve the quality and efficiency of related trials.
Occurence and threats of the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis L.) in Poland (Annelida: Hirudinea)

Paweł B u c z y ń s k i*, Piotr D ą b r o w s k i **, Andrzej Z a w a l **, Radomir J a s k u l a ***, Grzegorz T o ń c z y k ***, Michał G r a b o w s k i***, Edyta B u c z y ń s k a ****, Krzysztof L e w a n d o w s k i******, Dariusz J a n i c k i**, Stanisław Cios*****, Lech P i e t r z a k *******, Przemysław M r o w i ń s k i ********, Joanna P a k u l n i c k a ******, Aleksandra JABŁOŃSKA*** and Marek G u z i k *********
LARVA TO PHARATE ADULT TRANSFORMATION IN THE MEDFLY CERATITIS CAPITATA (WIEDEMANN) (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

Abstract Gross morphological changes in Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) during metamorphosis within the puparium are described and temporally correlated with the appearance of main differentiation markers. A table that allows determination of physiological age of pupal and pharate adult stages is presented. Résumé Les changes morphologiques de Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) pendant la métamorfose dans le puparium sont décrits et correlés avec le temps d’apparition des principaux marqueurs anatomiques. Une table permettant la détermination de l’âge physiologique des stages pupal et adulte est présentée.
Evidence-based Surgical Management of Post-acne Scarring in Skin of Color

Acne scars are the reason for significant morbidity among dermatology outpatients. With more modalities being introduced every year, it is important to choose the best one suited for a particular type of scar for each patient to obtain an optimum result. Guidelines on acne scar management in the skin of color are not available where the therapeutic effect and side effect profile of the modalities can vary significantly. This narrative review looked at critical evaluation of the available modalities to find the level of evidence and therapeutic ladder of management of different types of acne scars. Treatment options for different types of scars have been described. Evidence level for each type of modality for the individual type of scar was calculated using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) developed by editors of the US family medicine and primary care journals. In addition, various newer and emerging treatment options, such as dermal cell suspension, jet volumetric remodeling, and radiofrequency subcision, have been discussed. The highest level of evidence is available for microneedling, fractional radiofrequency, fractional CO2, and erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser for mild to moderate grade scars. Trichloroacetic acid chemical reconstruction of skin scars showed efficacy in ice pick scars. Grade 4 scars improve poorly with resurfacing procedures, where punch excision and punch elevation can be tried. Platelet-rich plasma therapy was effective in combination with lasers and microneedling. Overall there is lack of high-quality data in the management of post acne scars. Combination treatment has shown better efficacy compared to single modalities.
Developmental patterns of above‐ground hydraulic conductance in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) age sequence

Hydraulic resistance to water flow was measured in branches and stems of Scots pine trees ranging from 7 to 59 years of age in Thetford (East Anglia, UK). On the basis of these measurements, tree above-ground conductance was calculated and related to the amount of leaf area sustained by each tree. Branches at the crown bottom had a lower proportion of sapwood area and a lower total hydraulic conductance than branches of the same diameter at the tree top. Within branches, most of the hydraulic resistance was located near the needles. Tree above-ground conductance was positively related to tree diameter and inversely related to tree height. Compared with young trees, mature trees had about 4 times less above-ground conductance per unit of leaf area. Apparently, the increase in pathway length associated with tree height growth could be only partially compensated for by the increase in conductive capacities resulting from diameter growth. We argue that this reduction may account for reported decreases of stomatal conductance with tree age. It is suggested that the increase in branchiness associated with tree maturation may represent a compensation mechanism to reduce the overall resistance to water flow in the crowns.
Matrix-Degrading Type II Transmembrane Serine Protease Matriptase: Its Role in Cancer Development and Malignancy

Proteolysis on the cell surface has well-known roles in the tissue homeostasis and in the pathogenesis such as cancers. A newly described, epithelia-derived type II transmembrane serine protease, matriptase, has been shown with important roles in the epithelial homeostasis, i.e., terminal keratinocyte differentiation, as well as its deregulation in the cancer development and progression. In epithelia, matriptase has a cognate inhibitor HAI-1 (hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1) for the regulation of this protease expression, trafficking, and activity. In animal model, matriptase is essential for postnatal survival, epidermal barrier function, stratum corneum, and hair follicle development, as well as thymocyte survival. Deregulated matriptase induces carcinogenesis and malignant transformation. In human cancers, both matriptase and HAI-1 expression are recurrently lost of their balance, resulting in activation of the protease, which is correlated with clinical stages. Thus, malfunction of matriptase potently raises cancer development and metastatic cancer lesions.
Congruence Between Molecular and Morphological Phylogenies

Phylogenies based on molecular sequence data and on morphology are surveyed and compared within animals (concentrating on vertebrates, mammals, and hominids in particular) and within plants (concentrating on Asterales, angiosperms, seed plants, and major groups of "green plants"). The theoretical problem of assessing congruence between trees generated from different data sets is still unsolved. However, in practice, we find that incongruence between molecular trees (generated from different data sets or by different analytical methods) is as striking or pervasive as is incongruence between trees generated by morphologists in the long history of their discipline. Morphologists achieved much during that time, and none of their well-supported phylogenies is overthrown by molecular data. So far, molecular sequences have contributed most significantly in areas where morphological data are inconclusive, deficient, nonexistent, or poorly analyzed. The interrelationships of extant hominines (Gorilla, Homo, Pan), where morphology is inconclusive, are exemplary. The pattern [Gorilla [Homo, Pan]] is significantly favored by nucleotide sequence data, but the effort necessary to achieve resolution in that simple case (ca. 30 kb of aligned sequences, sampling all four extant species) may foreshadow the workload that lies ahead.