Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetries in the jets of weak radio galaxies

We describe a study of the side-to-side asymmetries on kpc scales in the jets of FR I radio galaxies selected from the B2 sample. The basic data are jet surface brightnesses and widths determined by fitting transverse profiles to Very Large Array (VLA) images at a range of distances from the core. Differences between the jets at a given distance from the nucleus are interpreted as effects of Doppler beaming on intrinsically symmetrical flows and are compared with the model derived for 3C31 by Laing & Bridle and with simpler variants. The jet/counterjet brightness ratios where the main jet first brightens are correlated with core prominence, as expected for a relativistic flow. From the distribution of brightness ratios, we infer that jets have a maximum velocity ≈0.9c where they first flare and brighten, but there is also evidence for additional slower material. Deceleration to subrelativistic speeds occurs on scales which increase with radio power. Jets in the majority of sources with luminosities <1024 WHz-1 at 1.4 GHz become essentially symmetrical (and therefore subrelativistic) within 2 kpc of the core. In more powerful sources, jets that flare within the first 2 kpc become symmetrical by 10 kpc, but a subset of the most luminous objects has jets which remain asymmetrical to larger distances. The point at which the brighter jet flares appears to correspond to a sudden increase in rest-frame emissivity, but the ratio of distances to the flaring point in main and counterjets is anticorrelated with brightness ratio, as expected for a decelerating relativistic flow. Brightness and full width at half-maximum (FWHM) ratios are also anticorrelated, an effect which we interpret as a result of Doppler beaming for a flow in which the velocity decreases radially outwards from the jet axis. Jet deceleration by entrainment of external material provides a natural explanation for these velocity gradients. The jet energy flux is roughly consistent with energy supply to the lobes over a source lifetime estimated from spectral index measurements. Our results are qualitatively consistent with unified models of FR I radio galaxies and BL Lac objects, but require some modifications to the standard picture.
ON THE ASYMPTOTIC PROPERTIES OF SOME SEASONAL UNIT ROOT TESTS

This paper analyzes the large sample behavior of the seasonal unit root tests of Dickey, Hasza, and Fuller (1984, Journal of the American Statistical Association 79, 355–367) when applied to a series that admits a unit root at the zero but not seasonal spectral frequencies. We show that in such cases the Dickey et al. statistics have nondegenerate limiting distributions. Consequently, there is a nonzero probability that, taken in isolation, they will lead the applied researcher to accept the seasonal unit root null hypothesis and hence, incorrectly, take seasonal differences of the series, even asymptotically. The same conclusion holds if the process displays unit root behavior at any of the zero and/or seasonal frequencies. Our results therefore prove a conjecture made on the basis of Monte Carlo simulation evidence, in Ghysels, Lee, and Noh (1994, Journal of Econometrics 62, 415–442) that the tests of Dickey et al., unlike those of Hylleberg, Engle, Granger, and Yoo (1990, Journal of Econometrics 44, 215–238), are unable to separate between unit roots at the zero and seasonal frequencies.I thank Peter Burridge, Bruce Hansen, and three anonymous referees for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper.
Role of SNAREs and Rabs in Myelin Regulation

The myelin sheath is an insulating layer around the nerves of the brain and spinal cord which allows a fast and efficient nerve conduction. Myelin is made of protein and fatty substances and gives protection for the propagation of the electrical impulse. The myelin sheath is formed by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) and by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The myelin sheath presents a highly organized structure and expands both radially and longitudinally, but in a different way and with a different composition. Myelin alterations determine the onset of several neuropathies, as the electrical signal can be slowed or stopped. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and ras (rat sarcoma)-associated binding proteins (rabs) have been proved to contribute to several aspects regarding the formation of myelin or dysmyelination. Here, I will describe the role of these proteins in regulating membrane trafficking and nerve conduction, myelin biogenesis and maintenance.
Video-based teach-to-goal intervention on inhaler technique on adults with asthma and COPD: A randomized controlled trial

Background Incorrect use of inhalers is a problem associated with poor patient outcomes. Despite improvement in the technique after verbal educations, this deteriorates over-time requiring re-enforcement through different educative strategies. This study aimed to assess the impact of a novel video-based teach-to-goal (TTG) educational intervention on: mastery of inhaler technique, disease control, medication adherence and disease-related quality of life (QoL) over-time among asthma and COPD patients. Methods This prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov: Identifier NCT05664347. After baseline assessment participants received either a verbal (control group) or a video-based (intervention group) TTG strategy. After 3-month the intervention was assessed for impact on the intended outcomes. Inhaler technique was assessed using standardized checklists, disease control using the Asthma control test and COPD assessment test respectively for asthma and COPD patients while adherence using the Morisky Green Levine scale. For QoL, the mini asthma quality of life questionnaire and the St. George respiratory questionnaire were used for asthmatic and COPD patients, respectively. Differences in outcomes between intervention-control groups were analyzed using either Chi-Square (X2)/Fisher Exact or Mann Whitney test. The impact of intervention on outcomes over-time was examined using either McNemar or Wilcoxon test. Results At baseline, intervention (n = 51) and control (n = 52) groups had comparable demographic/clinical characteristics. At follow-up, inhaler technique improved among intervention group compared to control group (93.4% vs 67%) and to baseline (93.4% to 49.5%), (P<0.05). Similarly, medication adherence ameliorated among the intervention group in comparison to control group (88.2% to 61.5%) and to baseline (88.2% to 66.7%), (P<0.05). In regards to disease control, results showed an amelioration among the intervention group compared to baseline (35.3% to 54.9%) (P<0.05). QoL scores improved significantly among asthma patients (intervention group) at follow-up vs baseline. Better scores were also observed for COPD patients compared to controls, (P<0.05). Conclusion Video-based (TTG) was effective in enhancing inhaler technique over time as well as improving disease control, medication adherence, and QoL. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05664347. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05664347.
Pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development in low- and middle-income countries: A prospective analysis of a birth cohort in rural Bangladesh and meta-analysis

Background Despite considerable evidence on a negative association between pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development in high-income countries, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. Therefore, we assessed associations between pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development in rural Bangladesh and summarised existing literature in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We used data from 284 mother-child pairs participating in a birth cohort established in 2008. Eight urinary pesticide biomarkers were quantified in early pregnancy (mean gestational age 11.6±2.9 weeks) as an index of pesticide exposure. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition were administered at 20–40 months of age. Associations between creatinine-adjusted urinary pesticide biomarker concentrations and child development scores were estimated using multivariable generalised linear models. We searched ten databases up to November 2021 to identify prospective studies on pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development conducted in LMICs. We used a random-effects model to pool similar studies, including our original analysis. The systematic review was pre-registered with PROSPERO: CRD42021292919. Results In the Bangladesh cohort, pregnancy 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPY) concentrations were inversely associated with motor development (-0.66 points [95% CI -1.23, -0.09]). Pregnancy 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY) concentrations were inversely associated with cognitive development, but the association was small: -0.02 points (-0.04, 0.01). We observed no associations between 4-nitrophenol and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) concentrations and child development. The systematic review included 13 studies from four LMICs. After pooling our results with one other study, we found consistent evidence that pregnancy 3-PBA concentrations were not associated with cognitive, language, or motor development. Conclusion Evidence suggests that pregnancy exposure to some organophosphate pesticides is negatively associated with child development. Interventions to reduce in-utero pesticide exposure in LMICs may help protect child development.
Information embedding in real object images using temporally brightness-modulated light

We propose a new technology that can be used to invisibly embed information into the images of real objects that are captured with a video camera. This technique uses illumination that invisibly contains certain information. Because the illumination on a real object contains information, an image of the object taken with a video camera also contains information although it cannot be seen in the captured image. This information can be extracted by image processing. It uses temporally luminance modulated patterns as invisible information. The amplitude of the modulation is too small to perceive. The frequency of modulation is the same as the frame frequency of the projector that is used as a lighting device. The frame images over a certain period are added up after the sign of the even- or odd-numbered frames is changed. Changes in brightness by modulation in each frame are accumulated over the frames. However, the object and background image are removed because the even and odd frames are opposite in sign. As a result, the patterns become visible. We conducted experiments and the results from these revealed that invisible patterns could be read out. Moreover, we evaluated the invisibility of the embedded patterns and confirmed that conditions existed where both the invisibility and readability of the patterns were simultaneously satisfied.
Nonlinear dynamics of two-dimensional Josephson junction arrays

Arrays of superconducting Josephson junctions can be modelled as systems of coupled nonlinear oscillators. We present analytical and numerical studies of the spatiotemporal behavior of two-dimensional, open-ended, frustrated, dc-driven arrays of Josephson junctions at zero temperature, no self-fields. We explore the crossover between arrays in one and two dimensions and clarify the role of the horizontal junctions, which are perpendicular to the direction of current injection. A ladder array with perpendicular current injection and two-dimensional square arrays are considered. For the ladder, we obtain analytical approximate solutions which include corrections from the edges and/or vortices present in the array. The perturbations decay exponentially in space with a calculated characteristic length. The depinning of the array, and its field dependence, is explained by the edge-dominated instability of the superconducting solutions. This critical current does not change under the inclusion of vortices since they are expelled before depinning at calculated currents. The instability of the whirling solution is analytically explained by a cascade of parametric resonances of the driving frequency with the eigenfrequencies of the lattice which, in this case, produces no steps. At zero field, a new step is observed at this instability. This state is reduced to a system of two coupled nonlinear oscillators and characterized analytically as a subwhirling mode where horizontal junctions oscillate non-negligibly. In conclusion, the horizontal junctions modify the dynamics by introducing an intrinsic inductance through the fluxoid quantization; by modifying the eigenfrequencies; and by effectively enabling fully two-dimensional modes. Simulations of underdamped and overdamped square two-dimensional arrays for varying frustration are presented. The numerical analysis of period, type of motion of the pendula, phase velocity and spatial distribution characterizes the dynamics. In underdamped arrays, an analytical approximation for the spatially inhomogeneous partially row-switched states predicts the critical currents for some row-switching ~eu~*--·--aPlr~--cl-a~-r~·r~-·~-·--·l~--· r---··--···I -----··Ievents. The flux-flow region in the overdamped case exhibits a similar phenomenon of row-activation, alternation of periodic and aperiodic solutions and a final transition to a rigid whirling phase. Thesis Supervisor: Steven H. Strogatz Title: Associate Professor, Cornell University Thesis Supervisor: Mehran Kardar Title: Professor of Physics
Public Debt and External Debt Sustainability among BRICS Countries

This study analyses an important policy issue pertaining to the public debt and external debt of BRICS nations from 1993 to 2020 using the Bohn framework and a penalised-spline estimation method. It also checks the robustness of the results using the ADF and co-integration tests. The results indicate that as the primary surplus reacts positively and significantly to public debt in China and South Africa, the debt is sustainable in these nations. In Brazil, India and Russia, the debt is not sustainable. The external debt policy is sustainable only in China and not in other BRICS nations. These results suggest the need for immediate policy interventions in Brazil, India and Russia to achieve sustainable levels of public debt and external debt. We hope that these results will be useful to policymakers and other stakeholders to take appropriate strategies to improve the public debt and external debt position of BRICS nations and to make them sustainable. JEL Codes: H63, C23, D72, E62, H72
Catalytic growth in a shared enzyme pool ensures robust control of centrosome size

Accurate regulation of centrosome size is essential for ensuring error-free cell division, and dysregulation of centrosome size has been linked to various pathologies, including developmental defects and cancer. While a universally accepted model for centrosome size regulation is lacking, prior theoretical and experimental work suggest a centrosome growth model involving autocatalytic assembly of the pericentriolic material. Here we show that the autocatalytic assembly model fails to explain the attainment of equal centrosome sizes, which is crucial for error-free cell division. Incorporating latest experimental findings into the molecular mechanisms governing centrosome assembly, we introduce a new quantitative theory for centrosome growth involving catalytic assembly within a shared pool of enzymes. Our model successfully achieves robust size equality between maturing centrosome pairs, mirroring cooperative growth dynamics observed in experiments. To validate our theoretical predictions, we compare them with available experimental data and demonstrate the broad applicability of the catalytic growth model across different organisms, which exhibit distinct growth dynamics and size scaling characteristics.
The relevance of accounting for parasympathetic as well as sympathetic arousal in threat conditioning: methodological and clinical considerations

Alterations in associative threat learning have been thought to underlie the aetiology and maintenance of anxiety disorders. Recent insights into the facilitatory role of parasympathetic arousal for threat coping have raised the question whether individual differences in parasympathetic versus sympathetic dominance during threat learning may explain the unstable relationship with anxiety vulnerability versus resilience. We applied an established threat-conditioning paradigm in 78 neurotypical individuals and assessed parasympathetic responses (relative bradycardia), as well as sympathetic response patterns (relative tachycardia and increased skin conductance responses -SCR). We observed threat-induced bradycardia as well as tachycardia during associative learning. Additionally, participants not showing conditioned SCR still exhibit significant conditioned threat responses expressed in parasympathetically driven threat bradycardia. Critically, tachycardia, rather than bradycardia, was linked to stronger initial conditioned SCRs and higher trait anxiety. These results suggest individual differences in sympathetic versus parasympathetic dominance may underlie anxiety vulnerability versus resilience. Statement of relevance Our findings underscore the relevance of assessing the whole spectrum of autonomic nervous system responses to threat. By assessing sympathetic and parasympathetic threat responses, we demonstrate associations with anxiety vulnerability, which could not be unveiled by assessing sympathetic arousal alone. Since alterations in associative threat learning are thought to underlie anxiety-related psychopathology, it is of clinical and methodological relevance to assess threat responses with measures that are sensitive to both parasympathetic and sympathetic arousal. Additionally, we show that individuals that lack sympathetically-driven conditioned SCRs -- often classified as non-learners -- in fact do show a parasympathetically-driven HR threat response (bradycardia). Critically, bradycardia was linked to lower trait anxiety. These results imply a paradigm shift in the field of threat learning, shifting the predominant focus on sympathetic arousal towards the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic arousal. This could advance insights in the role of threat learning in anxiety vulnerability and resilience.
Time for What? Dissociating Explicit Timing Tasks through Electrophysiological Signatures

Estimating durations between hundreds of milliseconds and seconds is essential for several daily tasks. Explicit timing tasks, which require participants to estimate durations to make a comparison (time for perception) or to reproduce them (time for action), are often used to investigate psychological and neural timing mechanisms. Recent studies have proposed that mechanisms may depend on specific task requirements. In this study, we conducted electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings on human participants as they estimated intervals in different task contexts to investigate the extent to which timing mechanisms depend on the nature of the task. We compared the neural processing of identical visual reference stimuli in two different tasks, in which stimulus durations were either perceptually compared or motorically reproduced in separate experimental blocks. Using multivariate pattern analyses, we could successfully decode the duration and the task of reference stimuli. We found evidence for both overlapping timing mechanisms across tasks as well as recruitment of task-dependent processes for comparing intervals for different purposes. Our findings suggest both core and specialised timing functions are recruited to support explicit timing tasks.
Early and selective subcortical Tau pathology within the human Papez circuit

The Papez circuit comprises several interconnected brain areas important for spatial navigation and orientation. An early symptom of dementia is disorientation, suggesting that brain regions responsible for providing a sense of direction are adversely affected. We examined post-mortem human tissue from cases with no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease. A key part of the Papez circuit, the anterodorsal thalamic nucleus (ADn), contained a high density of misfolded pathological Tau (pTau) at all disease stages, including in control cases. Moreover, pTau preferentially accumulated in calretinin-expressing neurons. At the subcellular level, we detected pTau filaments in ADn cell bodies, dendrites, and in specialized presynaptic terminals. Large vesicular-glutamate-transporter-2-containing terminals from the lateral mammillary nucleus, rather than corticothalamic terminals, preferentially contained pTau, suggesting that Tau crosses specific synapses within the Papez circuit. As the ADn contains a high density of head direction cells, pTau may degrade the processing of orientation signals, explaining why people become disorientated years-to-decades before memory deficits emerge.
International carbon markets for carbon dioxide removal

International carbon markets are potentially a very powerful tool for mobilizing carbon dioxide removal in line with Paris Agreement ambitions to limit global warming to well below 2˚C. This requires reaching global net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2070. Yet, carbon market regulators have not approached removals in a systematic manner. This review assesses the highly fragmented treatment of removals under compliance and voluntary carbon markets, including baseline, credit and cap-and-trade systems. The Kyoto mechanisms and the large voluntary carbon market standards have long focussed on biological removals without inherent storage permanence and only recently started to develop methodologies for removals with geological storage, mineralization or biochar. Driven by high prices for credits from emerging removal technologies and advance market commitment initiatives targeting high permanence removals, various newcomers in voluntary markets are currently establishing their own approaches for generating removal credits. However, they disregard key concepts safeguarding market quality such as additionality, which risks triggering scandals and taint-ing the entire market for removal credits. Given the diversity of credit prices spanning three orders of magnitude from 1 to 1000, as well as of volumes ranging from a few hundred to tens of millions of credits, the current “gold rush” atmosphere of removal markets needs to quickly be replaced by a coordinated approach, ensuring credibility, and enabling removals to play the required role in reaching global net zero.
Pointwise sampling uncertainties on the Precision-Recall curve

Quoting robust uncertainties on machine learning (ML) model metrics, such as f1-score, precision, recall, etc., from sources of uncertainty such as data sampling, parameter initialization, and target labelling, is typically not done in the field of data science, even though these are essential for the proper interpretation and comparison of ML models. This text shows how to calculate and visualize the impact of one dominant source of uncertainty – the sampling uncertainty of the test dataset – on each point of the Precision-Recall (PR) and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. This is particularly relevant for PR curves, where the joint uncertainty on recall and precision can be large and non-linear, especially at low recall. Four statistical methods to evaluate this uncertainty, both frequentist and Bayesian in origin, are compared in terms of coverage and speed. Of these, Wilks’ method is the winner: it provides (near) correct coverage for samples as small as 10 records, works fine when the precision or recall are close to the edges of zero or one, and can be evaluated quickly for practical use. The presented algorithms are available through a public Python library. We recommend that showing uncertainty bands of PR or ROC curves becomes the norm, and believe our methodology forms a useful and necessary addition to any data scientist’s toolbox.