Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Candidate Dual QSO at Cosmic Noon

We report the discovery of a candidate dual QSO at z = 1.889, a redshift that is in the era known as “cosmic noon” where most of the universe’s black hole and stellar mass growth occurred. The source was identified in Hubble Space Telescope WFC3/IR images of a dust-reddened QSO that showed two closely separated point sources at a projected distance of 0. ″26, or 2.2 kpc. This red QSO was targeted for imaging to explore whether red QSOs are hosted by merging galaxies. We subsequently obtained a spatially resolved Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph spectrum of the system, covering the visible spectral range, and verifying the presence of two distinct QSO components. We also obtained high-resolution radio continuum observations with the Very Long Baseline Array at 1.4 GHz (21 cm L band) and found two sources coincident with the optical positions. The sources have similar black hole masses, bolometric luminosities, and radio-loudness parameters. However, their colors and reddenings differ significantly. The redder QSO has a higher Eddington ratio, consistent with previous findings. We consider the possibility of gravitational lensing and find that it would require extreme and unlikely conditions. If confirmed as a bona fide dual QSO, this system would link dust reddening to galaxy and supermassive black hole mergers, opening up a new population in which to search for samples of dual active galactic nuclei.
Post-outburst evolution of bonafide FUor V2493 Cyg: A Spectro-photometric monitoring

We present here the results of eight years of our near-simultaneous optical/near-infrared spectro-photometric monitoring of bonafide FUor candidate `V2493 Cyg' starting from 2013 September to 2021 June. During our optical monitoring period (between October 16, 2015 and December 30, 2019), the V2493 Cyg is slowly dimming with an average dimming rate of $\sim$26.6 $\pm$ 5.6 mmag/yr in V band. Our optical photometric colors show a significant reddening of the source post the second outburst pointing towards a gradual expansion of the emitting region post the second outburst. The mid infra-red colors, on the contrary, exhibits a blueing trend which can be attributed to the brightening of the disc due to the outburst. Our spectroscopic monitoring shows a dramatic variation of the H$\alpha$ line as it transitioned from absorption feature to the emission feature and back. Such transition can possibly be explained by the variation in the wind structure in combination with accretion. Combining our time evolution spectra of the Ca II infra-red triplet lines with the previously published spectra of V2493 Cyg, we find that the accretion region has stabilised compared to the early days of the outburst. The evolution of the O I $\lambda$7773 \AA~ line also points towards the stabilization of the circumstellar disc post the second outburst.
MEWL: Few-shot multimodal word learning with referential uncertainty

Without explicit feedback, humans can rapidly learn the meaning of words. Children can acquire a new word after just a few passive exposures, a process known as fast mapping. This word learning capability is believed to be the most fundamental building block of multimodal understanding and reasoning. Despite recent advancements in multimodal learning, a systematic and rigorous evaluation is still missing for human-like word learning in machines. To fill in this gap, we introduce the MachinE Word Learning (MEWL) benchmark to assess how machines learn word meaning in grounded visual scenes. MEWL covers human's core cognitive toolkits in word learning: cross-situational reasoning, bootstrapping, and pragmatic learning. Specifically, MEWL is a few-shot benchmark suite consisting of nine tasks for probing various word learning capabilities. These tasks are carefully designed to be aligned with the children's core abilities in word learning and echo the theories in the developmental literature. By evaluating multimodal and unimodal agents' performance with a comparative analysis of human performance, we notice a sharp divergence in human and machine word learning. We further discuss these differences between humans and machines and call for human-like few-shot word learning in machines.
Sustainable AI Regulation

Current proposals for AI regulation, in the EU and beyond, aim to spur AI that is trustworthy (e.g., AI Act) and accountable (e.g., AI Liability) What is missing, however, is a robust regulatory discourse and roadmap to make AI, and technology more broadly, environmentally sustainable. This paper aims to take first steps to fill this gap. The ICT sector contributes up to 3.9 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions-more than global air travel at 2.5 percent. The carbon footprint and water consumption of AI, especially large-scale generative models like GPT-4, raise significant sustainability concerns. The paper is the first to assess how current and proposed technology regulations, including EU environmental law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the AI Act, could be adjusted to better account for environmental sustainability. The GDPR, for instance, could be interpreted to limit certain individual rights like the right to erasure if these rights significantly conflict with broader sustainability goals. In a second step, the paper suggests a multi-faceted approach to achieve sustainable AI regulation. It advocates for transparency mechanisms, such as disclosing the GHG footprint of AI systems, as laid out in the proposed EU AI Act. However, sustainable AI regulation must go beyond mere transparency. The paper proposes a regulatory toolkit comprising co-regulation, sustainability-by-design principles, restrictions on training data, and consumption caps, including integration into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Finally, the paper argues that this regulatory toolkit could serve as a blueprint for regulating other high-emission technologies and infrastructures like blockchain, Metaverse applications, and data centers. The framework aims to cohesively address the crucial dual challenges of our era: digital transformation and climate change mitigation.
Noseleaf pit in Egyptian slit-faced bat as a doubly curved reflector

Noseleaves in slit-faced bats have been hypothesized to affect the sonar beam. Using numerical methods, we show that the pit in the noseleaf of an Egyptian slit-faced bat has an effect on focusing the acoustic near field as well as shaping the radiation patterns and hence enhancing the directionality. The underlying physical mechanism suggested by the properties of the effect is that the pit acts as a doubly curved reflector. Thanks to the pit the beam shape is overall directional and more selectively widened at the high end of the biosonar frequency range to improve spatial coverage and detectability of targets.
Relationship between fat-free mass and metabolic syndrome in obese females.

OBJECTIVE A greater fat-free mass (FFM) could be negatively or positively associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship of FFM with MS, through three determinations; absolute FFM, relative to body weight FFM% and relative to squared height (FFMi). PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1,008 obese Caucasian females. Fat-free mass index (FFMi) was calculated by dividing FFM by squared height [FFM (kg)/height (m2)]. Fat-free mass percentage (FFM%) was calculated (absolute FFM/body weight) x100. RESULTS The odds ratio adjusted by age of having MS per tertiles were significantly higher in tertile 3 of FFM (OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.26-2.41; p=0.01) and FFMi (OR=3.38, 95% CI=2.42-3.72; p=0.001) and tertile 2 of FFM (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.08-1.94; p=0.02) and FFMi (OR=2.37, 95% CI=1.75-3.20; p=0.01) compared with its reference (tertile-1). In contrast, odds ratio adjusted by age of having MS per tertiles were significantly lower in tertile-3 of FFM% (OR=0.29, 95% CI=0.20-0.41; p=0.01) and tertile- 2 of FFM% (OR=0.68, 95% CI=0.51-0.91; p=0.01) compared with its reference (tertile-1). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of MS relative to FFM varies depending on the method used to represent it.
Evidence for density‐dependent effects on body composition of a large omnivore in a changing Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Understanding the density‐dependent processes that drive population demography in a changing world is critical in ecology, yet measuring performance–density relationships in long‐lived mammalian species demands long‐term data, limiting scientists' ability to observe such mechanisms. We tested performance–density relationships for an opportunistic omnivore, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with estimates of body composition (lean body mass and percent body fat) serving as indicators of individual performance over two decades (2000–2020) during which time pronounced environmental changes have occurred. Several high‐calorie foods for grizzly bears have mostly declined in recent decades (e.g., whitebark pine [Pinus albicaulis, Engelm, 1863]), while increasing human impacts from recreation, development, and long‐term shifts in temperatures and precipitation are altering the ecosystem. We hypothesized that individual lean body mass declines as population density increases (H1), and that this effect would be more pronounced among growing individuals (H2). We also hypothesized that omnivory helps grizzly bears buffer energy intake from changing foods, with body fat levels being independent from population density and environmental changes (H3). Our analyses showed that individual lean body mass was negatively related to population density, particularly among growing‐age females, supporting H1 and partially H2. In contrast, population density or sex had little effect on body fat levels and rate of accumulation, indicating that sufficient food resources were available on the landscape to accommodate successful use of shifting food sources, supporting H3. Our results offer important insights into ecological feedback mechanisms driving individual performances within a population undergoing demographic and ecosystem‐level changes. However, synergistic effects of continued climate change and increased human impacts could lead to more extreme changes in food availability and affect observed population resilience mechanisms. Our findings underscore the importance of long‐term studies in protected areas when investigating complex ecological relationships in an increasingly anthropogenic world.
Nanocarrier functionalization strategies for targeted drug delivery in skin cancer therapy: current progress and upcoming challenges

ABSTRACT Introduction Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer worldwide, with increasing incidence rates in recent years. Although conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been used for its treatment, these therapies have several limitations such as lack of selectivity and significant side effects. Targeted nanocarriers have emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of skin cancer. Areas covered This review article provides an overview of targeted nanocarriers for skin cancer treatment. It covers the various types of targeted nanocarriers, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and inorganic nanoparticles. Expert opinion There are still several challenges that need to be addressed before the clinical translation of targeted nanoparticles, such as optimization of their properties, development of reliable and robust characterization methods, and evaluation of their safety and efficacy in clinical trials. Another key aspect for the advancement of these studies is the need to improve regulatory aspects related to the toxicity and regulation of nanomedicines targeting skin cancer. Overall, targeted nanocarriers hold great potential for the development of safe and effective treatments for skin cancer, which can contribute to a better prognosis and overall patients’ life quality. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Dark Matter as Pico-Windows to physically equal Multiverse Worlds with Myriads Civilizations around Us (in extra dimension) 1

This is proposed a full inversion of classical vacuum/matter paradigms: (a) “empty” vacuum becomes atomistic ‐ built of Cooper-like ( e /e+) ghost bosonic composites ‐ realizing nongravitating, chargeless, supersymmetric superfluid medium, ( b) elementary mass particles arise as elementary Diracian-like holes=defects in it. The underlying c oncept is based on the pure spatial dimensional enlargement 3D (3D+1), where our 3D-space is a quasiflat 3 D-waveguide, being embedded into a global isotropic Euclidean 4 D-hyperspace (x,y,z,L). The endless elastic waveguide’s shell (x,yz,0<L<Lo4 ) confines the Einsteinian-like 4 D-photon C4-quanta E4=h4, where it has a non-stop polygonal /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ C4-waveguide’s dynamics with the hidden C4-gauge symmetry (as the basic conceptual physical alternative to the global Minkowski 4D-spacetime). This waveguided C4dynamics creates the self-sufficient, united physical source for the Einsteinian SR & the quantized equivalence principle & GR & the QM & the Kaluza’s cyclical condition & the confined-massive Yang-Mills bosons with local gauge invariance, etc. , being different sides of the same waveguided wave-interference phenomenon. The global 4D-hyperspace (x,y,z,L) consists of the Lo4 -periodical parallel 3D-waveguides with the Lo4 = el.Compton 10 10 cm thickness, building together an endless 10 coupled Multiverse (with enormous Universes density L~10 /cm4), consisting of physically identical, periodical and parallel Universes/Antiun iverses with the large‐scale matter/antimatter=gravity/antigravity hypersymmetr y. The proposed waveguided-periodical design explains:
Approximations of small jumps of Lévy processes with a view towards simulation

Let X = (X(t):t ≥ 0) be a Lévy process and X ∊ the compensated sum of jumps not exceeding ∊ in absolute value, σ2(∊) = var(X ∊(1)). In simulation, X - X ∊ is easily generated as the sum of a Brownian term and a compound Poisson one, and we investigate here when X ∊/σ(∊) can be approximated by another Brownian term. A necessary and sufficient condition in terms of σ(∊) is given, and it is shown that when the condition fails, the behaviour of X ∊/σ(∊) can be quite intricate. This condition is also related to the decay of terms in series expansions. We further discuss error rates in terms of Berry-Esseen bounds and Edgeworth approximations.
‘Highlighting a gap in radiographers' pain knowledge: A letter to the editor on ‘Radiographers’ decision‐making processes in the movement of pain‐afflicted adult trauma patients in planar diagnostic imaging’’

This letter to the editor highlights a crucial knowledge gap within the radiography profession—a modern understanding of pain. The outdated belief that pain is directly correlated to tissue injury or pathology is misleading and potentially harmful, as it could lead to the stigmatisation and invalidation of patients with pain. Radiographers are urged to listen to their patients in order to truly understand their pain, and to embrace the opportunity to develop their knowledge and enhance the experience of patients in the imaging department.
Chessboard grid corners detection based on geometric symmetry

A new algorithm was proposed based on the geometric symmetry to detect grid corners.The method can be utilized in camera calibration where chessboard-like patterns were often used.Based on the observation of the geometric symmetry of such patterns,the new algorithm could be regarded as a coarse-to-fine process.Coarse detection defined the corner candidates and then precise extraction was used based on symmetry analysis.Experimental results show that the algorithm assures an efficient and accurate detection and the procedure can be carried out automatically.
The Reliability of the PMS FSSP in the Presence of Small Ice Crystals

Abstract The performance of measurement systems for small ice crystals is an important issue because of the need to characterize cirrus cloud microphysics for climate research. In a cloud formed of small quasi-spherical ice particles, as found in recently formed aircraft contrails, the PMS FSSP probe gives reliable measurements consistent with other probes. This is in contrast to the expectation, based on earlier work by others, that the FSSP measurements are unreliable when ice is present in the cloud. In natural cirrus on the other hand, where there are irregular large ice particles, the FSSP indeed gives the exaggerated response reported earlier. Here simple criteria by which the presence of spherically shaped small ice particles can be recognized are proposed. These criteria provide a useful indication of the occasions in ice clouds when FSSP measurements can be relied on.
The sufficient condition for almost sure stability of Markov jump linear systems with disturbance

A jump linear system is defined as a family of linear systems with randomly jumping parameters governed by a Markov jump process.It is used to model the system subject to failures or changes in structure.The almost sure stability of a discrete-time jump linear system with disturbance is studied by using the stochastic version of Lyapunov second method.A sufficient condition for almost sure stability is derived.Some new simpler tractable sufficient conditions for almost sure stability are obtained from the proposed sufficient conditions.
A parametric study of Mach reflection in steady flows

The flow fields associated with Mach reflection wave configurations in steady flows are analysed, and an analytical model for predicting the wave configurations is proposed. It is found that provided the flow field is free of far-field downstream influences, the Mach stem heights are solely determined by the set-up geometry for given incoming-flow Mach numbers. It is shown that the point at which the Mach stem height equals zero is exactly at the von Neumann transition. For some parameters, the flow becomes choked before the Mach stem height approaches zero. It is suggested that the existence of a Mach reflection not only depends on the strength and the orientation of the incident shock wave, as prevails in von Neumann's three-shock theory, but also on the set-up geometry to which the Mach reflection wave configuration is attached. The parameter domain, beyond which the flow gets choked and hence a Mach reflection cannot be established, is calculated. Predictions based on the present model are found to agree well both with experimental and numerical results.
The Relative Strengths of Relationships Between Fine Motor Skills, Working Memory, Processing Speed and Fluid Intelligence in Early Elementary School Children

The goal in the present paper was to examine the combined and relative impact of fine motor ability, auditory working memory, and processing speed on fluid intelligence in a sample of early elementary school students. Our participant sample was 145 children (Mage = 9.1 years, SD = 1.1; 80 boys, 65 girls). We used the Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices Test as a measure of fluid intelligence and five other measures to represent the three predictor variables: the Grooved Pegboard Test as a measure of fine motor skills, Digit Span Forwards and Digit Span Backwards tests as measures of working memory, and Rapid Automatized Naming and Letter-Digit Substitution tasks as measures of processing speed. Regression analyses indicated that only two of these measures had a statistically significant association with the fluid intelligence test scores, namely, scores on the Grooved Pegboard (fine motor skills) and Digit Span Backwards (working memory) tests, with these two measures explaining 35% of the variance in the fluid intelligence test scores. Thus, fine motor skills and working memory were correlated with fluid intelligence in early elementary-grade students. Until the directions of these relationships are better understood, we might assume that interventions aiming to increase young children’s fluid intelligence, or at least their intelligence scores, might partly target working memory and fine motor skills.
Examining the effect of moral resilience on moral distress

Aims The study aims to test the Turkish validity and reliability of the Rushton Moral Resilience Scale (RMRS) and examine the effect of moral resilience on moral distress. Background Moral distress is a phenomenon that negatively affects health workers, health institutions, and the person receiving care. In order to eliminate or minimize the negative effects of moral distress, it is necessary to increase the moral resilience of nurses. Moral resilience involves developing systems that support a culture of ethical practice in healthcare and aim to increase an individual’s capacity to cope with moral challenges. Methods A methodological and descriptive-predictive study design was adopted. Sociodemographic Information Form, Measure of Moral Distress – Healthcare Professionals (MMD-HP), and Rushton Moral Resilience Scale were used to collect data from the nurses. A total of 255 clinical nurses were recruited. Ethical considerations Hacettepe University’s non-interventional ethics committee approved the study’s protocol and informed consent was obtained from the participants. Results The original four-factor structure of the scale was tested with confirmatory factor analysis, and the index values were evaluated and found at an acceptable level. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.826. Moral resilience predicted moral distress total, intensity, and frequency levels. A moderate and weak relationship was found in the negative between all sub-dimensions of moral distress and moral resilience. Conclusions The Rushton Moral Resilience Scale Turkish version showed good psychometric properties. Moral resilience has a reducing effect on moral distress. Young nurses who have less experience are at risk because they have lower moral resilience levels, while nurses working in intensive care units are at risk because of their high moral distress levels. A healthy workplace can be created by developing specific approaches to improve moral resilience in reducing the impact of moral distress in the healthcare environment.
An endoscopic approach to stapes surgery needs less external auditory canal wall removal than a microscopic approach

Abstract Background Although many advantages of endoscopic stapes surgery have been reported, there is little objective data on whether it provides better visualization than the microscopic approach. Objectives To evaluate and compare audiological results, external auditory canal wall removal area, and adverse event rates between endoscopic and microscopic stapes surgery. Material and methods Data from patients who received stapedotomy were collected. Pre and postoperative audiometry, procedure-related parameters, and adverse events were analyzed in conventional microscopic and endoscopic groups. Results There were no differences in procedure time or postoperative hearing between the endoscopic and microscopic surgery groups. The mean procedure times were 87.3 ± 18.9 min in the endoscopic group and 79.9 ± 23.5 min in the microscopic group. The mean postoperative air-bone gaps were 10.9 ± 8.3 dB in the endoscopic group and 10.5 ± 7.8 dB in the microscopic group. There were no differences in the rate of sensorineural hearing loss, postoperative pain, facial palsy, vertigo, or dysgeusia between the two groups. The bony removal area of the posterosuperior external auditory canal wall measured by two observers was significantly less in the endoscopic group than in the microscopic group. Conclusions Endoscopic stapedotomy needed less external auditory canal wall removal and showed similar audiological outcomes to microscopic stapedotomy.