Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Y2 Isochrones for α-Element Enhanced Mixtures

We present a new set of isochrones in which the effect of the α-element enhancement is fully incorporated. These isochrones are an extension of the already published set of Y2 Isochrones (our Paper I), constructed for the scaled-solar mixture. As in Paper I, helium diffusion and convective core overshoot have been taken into account. The range of chemical compositions covered is 0.00001 ≤ Z ≤ 0.08. The models were evolved from the pre-main-sequence stellar birthline to the onset of helium burning in the core. The age range of the full isochrone set is 0.1-20 Gyr, while younger isochrones of age 1-80 Myr are also presented up to the main-sequence turn-off. Combining this set with that of Paper I for scaled-solar mixture isochrones, we provide a consistent set of isochrones that can be used to investigate populations of any value of α-enhancement. We confirm the earlier results of Paper I that inclusion of α-enhancement effects further reduces the age estimates of globular clusters by approximately 8% if [α/Fe]= +0.3. It is important to note the metallicity dependence of the change in age estimates (larger age reductions in lower metallicities). This reduces the age gap between the oldest metal-rich and metal-poor Galactic stellar populations and between the halo and the disk populations. We also investigate whether the effects of α-enhancement can be mimicked by increasing the total metal abundance in the manner proposed by Salaris and collaborators. We find such simple scaling formulae are valid at low metallicities but not at all at high metallicities near and above solar. Thus, it is essential to use the isochrones rigorously computed for α-enhancement when modeling metal-rich populations, such as bright galaxies. The isochrone tables, together with interpolation routines have been made available via internet.
XMM-Newton observations of AM CVn binaries: V396 Hya and SDSS J1240–01

We present the results of XMM-Newton observations of two AM CVn systems - V396 Hya and SDSS J1240-01. Both systems are detected in X-rays and in the UV: neither shows coherent variability in their light curves. We compare the rms variability of the X-ray and UV power spectra of these sources with other AM CVn systems. Apart from ES Cet, AM CVn sources are not strongly variable in X-rays, while in the UV the degree of variability is related to the systems apparent brightness. The X-ray spectra of V396 Hya and SDSS J1240-01 show highly non-solar abundances, requiring enhanced nitrogen to obtain good fits. We compare the UV and X-ray luminosities for 7 AM CVn systems using recent distances. We find that the X-ray luminosity is not strongly dependent upon orbital period. However, the UV luminosity is highly correlated with orbital period with the UV luminosity decreasing with increasing orbital period. We expect that this is due to the accretion disk making an increasingly strong contribution to the UV emission at shorter periods. The implied luminosities are in remarkably good agreement with predictions.
Waves and Energy in Chiral Nihility

A model for a chiral material in which both the permittivity and permeability are equal to zero is discussed. Such a material is referred by us as a "chiral nihility". It is shown that this exotic material can be realized as a mixture of small helical inclusions. Wave solutions and energy in such a medium are analyzed. It is shown that an extraordinary wave in chiral nihility is a backward wave. Wave reflection and refraction on a chiral nihility interface are also considered. It is shown that a linearly polarized wave normally incident onto this interface produces a wave of "standing phase" and the same wave in the case of oblique incidence causes two refracted waves, one of them with an anomalous refraction.
Possible wormholes in a brane world

The condition R=0, where R is the four-dimensional scalar curvature, is used for obtaining a large class (with an arbitrary function of r) of static, spherically symmetric Lorentzian wormhole metrics. The wormholes are globally regular and traversable, can have throats of arbitrary size and can be both symmetric and asymmetric. These metrics may be treated as possible wormhole solutions in a brane world since they satisfy the vacuum Einstein equations on the brane where effective stress-energy is induced by interaction with the bulk gravitational field. Some particular examples are discussed.
Effects of Home Language and Socioeconomic Status on Modern Standard Written Chinese Literacy

Home language (HL) effects on academic language literacy have been extensively discussed. However, previous research has mostly focused on Indo–European languages. This study extends the literature by using data (n = 17,600) collected in a diversified language area: Guangxi, China. We examined the effects of four HLs and four socioeconomic factors by using modern standard written Chinese literacy as an outcome across three developmental levels (ages 10.45, 12.31, and 14.72). School clustering effect existed and adding the predictors of HL and socioeconomic status did not change the variance proportion in literacy performance accounted for by the school groupings. The findings indicate that (a) Putonghua-only speakers performed poorest in school Grades 5 to 6 and 7 to 8, (b) dominant Putonghua speakers performed best in Grades 7 to 8, (c) heritage-only speakers performed best in Grades 5 to 6, and (d) the contribution of the parents’ socioeconomic factors depended on the participants’ developmental levels. Our study supports the bilingual literacy advantage and explains why a heritage-only acts as a type of bilingualism.
The SCUBA-2 850 μm Follow-up of WISE-selected, Luminous Dust-obscured Quasars

Hot dust-obscured galaxies (Hot DOGs) are a new population recently discovered in the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer All-Sky survey. Multiwavelength follow-up observations suggest that they are luminous, dust-obscured quasars at high redshift. Here we present the JCMT SCUBA-2 850 μm follow-up observations of 10 Hot DOGs. Four out of ten Hot DOGs have been detected at >3σ level. Based on the IR SED decomposition approach, we derive the IR luminosities of AGN torus and cold dust components. Hot DOGs in our sample are extremely luminous with most of them having L IR tot > 10 14 L ⊙ . The torus emissions dominate the total IR energy output. However, the cold dust contribution is still non-negligible, with the fraction of the cold dust contribution to the total IR luminosity (∼8%–24%) being dependent on the choice of torus model. The derived cold dust temperatures in Hot DOGs are comparable to those in UV bright quasars with similar IR luminosity, but much higher than those in SMGs. Higher dust temperatures in Hot DOGs may be due to the more intense radiation field caused by intense starburst and obscured AGN activities. Fourteen and five submillimeter serendipitous sources in the 10 SCUBA-2 fields around Hot DOGs have been detected at >3σ and >3. 5σ levels, respectively. By estimating their cumulative number counts, we confirm the previous argument that Hot DOGs lie in dense environments. Our results support the scenario in which Hot DOGs are luminous, dust-obscured quasars lying in dense environments, and being in the transition phase between extreme starburst and UV-bright quasars.
Simulation-Based Bayesian Analysis

I consider the development of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, from late-1980s Gibbs sampling to present-day gradient-based methods and piecewise-deterministic Markov processes. In parallel, I show how these ideas have been implemented in successive generations of statistical software for Bayesian inference. These software packages have been instrumental in popularizing applied Bayesian modeling across a wide variety of scientific domains. They provide an invaluable service to applied statisticians in hiding the complexities of MCMC from the user while providing a convenient modeling language and tools to summarize the output from a Bayesian model. As research into new MCMC methods remains very active, it is likely that future generations of software will incorporate new methods to improve the user experience. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Statistics and Its Application, Volume 10 is March 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
18F‐fludeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (18F‐FDG‐PET/CT) versus 68Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT in patients with head and neck cancer: Comparisons and implications for treatment

Tumor‐specific molecular imaging in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not well established. Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) are found in solid tumors, including HNSCC. 68Ga‐DOTATATE, a commercially available radionuclide that binds SSTRs, may have utility in imaging HNSCC.
Fermion Masses at intermediate Tan(beta): Unification of Yukawa Determinants

In the context of the Grand Unified MSSM, we investigate the fermion mass matrices at GUT scale. We note that from the experimental mass pattern the determinants of the Yukawa matrices at this scale can be unified with good precision. Taking the unification o determinants as an hypothesis, it gives two model independent predictions that in the MSSM turns out to determine an appropriate value for the product m_d m_s and tan(beta)~7-10 in the favored range. We then review a predictive model of SU(3) flavour in the context of supersymmetric SO(10) that nicely implements this mechanism, while explaining all fermion masses and mixings at 1 sigma level, including neutrino data.
HLA-based time management and synchronization framework for lean manufacturing tools evaluation

Discrete event simulation (DES) is a method for digitally replicating the behavior and performance of real-world processes, systems, and facilities. DES is widely applied in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and military domains. In some cases, DES method is insufficient. On one hand, the simulation must be disassembled into subsystems and then distributed on a multiprocessing environment to enhance the simulation performance. On the other hand, to expand current functionality and prevent future application development, a set of interacting simulations is required. In this project, the IEEE high-level architecture (HLA) standard mechanisms are adopted to solve the interoperability problems between heterogeneous components. Time synchronization between federates is essential to have all DESs running in parallel. In this paper, we present a distributed simulation framework designed to assist decision-makers in making the best decisions and prioritizing the adoption of Lean tools and techniques.
The (2 + 1)-dimensional black hole

I review the classical and quantum properties of the (2 + 1)-dimensional black hole of Bañados, Teitelboim and Zanelli. This solution of the Einstein field equations in three spacetime dimensions shares many of the characteristics of the Kerr black hole: it has an event horizon, an inner horizon, and an ergosphere; it occurs as an endpoint of gravitational collapse; it exhibits mass inflation; and it has a non-vanishing Hawking temperature and interesting thermodynamic properties. At the same time, its structure is simple enough to allow a number of exact computations, particularly in the quantum realm, that are impractical in 3 + 1 dimensions.
GM-TOuNN: Graded Multiscale Topology Optimization using Neural Networks

Multiscale topology optimization (M-TO) entails generating an optimal global topology, and an optimal set of microstructures at a smaller scale, for a physics-constrained problem. With the advent of additive manufacturing, M-TO has gained significant prominence. However, generating optimal microstructures at various locations can be computationally very expensive. As an alternate, graded multiscale topology optimization (GM-TO) has been proposed where one or more pre-selected and graded (parameterized) microstructural topologies are used to fill the domain optimally. This leads to a significant reduction in computation while retaining many of the benefits of M-TO. A successful GM-TO framework must: (1) be capable of efficiently handling numerous pre-selected microstructures, (2) be able to continuously switch between these microstructures during optimization, (3) ensure that the partition of unity is satisfied, and (4) discourage microstructure mixing at termination. In this paper, we propose to meet these requirements by exploiting the unique classification capacity of neural networks. Specifically, we propose a graded multiscale topology optimization using neural-network (GM-TOuNN) framework with the following features: (1) the number of design variables is only weakly dependent on the number of pre-selected microstructures, (2) it guarantees partition of unity while discouraging microstructure mixing, and (3) it supports automatic differentiation, thereby eliminating manual sensitivity analysis. The proposed framework is illustrated through several examples.
Classification of Solvable Feynman Path Integrals

A systematic classification of Feynman path integrals in quantum mechanics is presented and a table of solvable path integrals is given which reflects the progress made during the last ten years or so, including, of course, the main contributions since the invention of the path integral by Feynman in 1942. An outline of the general theory is given. Explicit formul\ae\ for the so-called basic path integrals are presented on which our general scheme to classify and calculate path integrals in quantum mechanics is based.
Ultrarelativistic black hole in an external electromagnetic field and gravitational waves in the Melvin universe

We investigate the ultrarelativistic boost of a Schwarzschild black hole immersed in an external electromagnetic field, described by an exact solution of the Einstein-Maxwell equations found by Ernst (the ``Schwarzschild-Melvin'' metric). Following the classical method of Aichelburg and Sexl, the gravitational field generated by a black hole moving ``with the speed of light'' and the transformed electromagnetic field are determined. The corresponding exact solution describes an impulsive gravitational wave propagating in the static, cylindrically symmetric, electrovac universe of Melvin, and for a vanishing electromagnetic field it reduces to the well known Aichelburg-Sexl pp-wave. In the boosting process, the original Petrov type I of the Schwarzschild-Melvin solution simplifies to the type II on the impulse, and to the type D elsewhere. The geometry of the wave front is studied, in particular its non-constant Gauss curvature. In addition, a more general class of impulsive waves in the Melvin universe is constructed by means of a six-dimensional embedding formalism adapted to the background. A coordinate system is also presented in which all the impulsive metrics take a continuous form. Finally, it is shown that these solutions are a limiting case of a family of exact gravitational waves with an arbitrary profile. This family is identified with a solution previously found by Garfinkle and Melvin. We thus complement their analysis, in particular demonstrating that such spacetimes are of type II and belong to the Kundt class.
Another measuring argument for finite permutation groups

Abstract Let G denote a finite group of permutations of a finite set Ω. Given an orbit function ω : Ω → ℝ and a class function ƒ : G → ℝ and their extensions to subsets of Ω and G, consider the quantity mω,ƒ , which is the maximal value of ω(Γ)ƒ(CG (Γ)) over all nontrivial subsets Γ of Ω. Denote by ℳ the set of non-empty subsets Γ of Ω which satisfy m(Γ)ƒ(CG (Γ) = mω,ƒ . Our main result, Theorem 1, states that if ℳ contains a unique maximal or minimal element Δ with respect to inclusion, then Δ g = Δ for each g ∈ G and CG (Δ) is a normal subgroup of G. This result may have potential future applications. As an example of an application of Theorem 1 we prove that if either G is a simple group or it is transitive on Ω, T is a normal subset of G not containing 1, Θ is a G-invariant subset of Ω and Γ ⊆ Ω, then (see Theorem 6).
Topological susceptibility on dynamical staggered fermion configurations

The topological susceptibility is one of the few physical quantities that directly measure the properties of the QCD vacuum. Chiral perturbation theory predicts that in the small quark mass limit the topological susceptibility depends quadratically on the pion mass, approaching zero in the chiral limit. Lattice calculations have difficulty reproducing this behavior. In this paper we study the topological susceptibility on dynamical staggered fermion configurations. Our results indicate that the lattice spacing has to be small, around a~0.1fm for thin link staggered fermion actions to show the expected chiral behavior. Our preliminary result indicates that fat link fermions, on the other hand, reproduce the theoretical expectations even on lattices with a~0.17fm. We argue that this is due to the improved flavor symmetry of fat link fermionic actions.
Induction of calcium-ion efflux from brain tissue by radio-frequency radiation: Effects of modulation frequency and field strength

Bawin and her coworkers have reported changes in binding of calcium after exposure of avian brain tissue to nonionizing electromagnetic radiation. Because calcium is intimately involved in the electrical activity of the brain, their results reveal a heretofore unrecognized potential for nonionizing radio-frequency radiation to affect biological function. We have verified and extended their findings. The forebrains of newly hatched chickens, separated at the midline to provide treatment-control pairs, were labeled in vitro with radioactive calcium. Samples of tissue were exposed for 20 minutes in a Crawford irradiation chamber to 147-MHz radiation, which was amplitude modulated sinusoidally at selected frequencies between 3 and 30 Hz. Power densities of incident radiation ranged between 0.5 and 2 mW cm−2. Compared with nonirradiated samples, a statistically significant increase in efflux of calcium ions (P < 0.01) was observed in irradiated samples at a modulation frequency of 16 Hz and at a power density of 0.75 mW cm−2. Our data confirm the existence of the frequency “window” reported by Bawin et al., as well as a narrow power-density “window” within which efflux of calcium ions is enhanced.
Pushing the Boundaries of the Cl 1604 Supercluster at z ∼ 0.9

The Cl 1604 supercluster at z ∼ 0.9 is known to contain at least four distinct member clusters, separated in both projection and redshift. In this paper we present deep, multicolor, wide-field imaging of a region spanning ∼45′ on a side, corresponding to 21 h Mpc (physical) at the supercluster redshift. We select galaxies whose colors correspond to those of spectroscopically confirmed cluster members in the i′ versus r′ - i′ color-magnitude diagram. Using an adaptive kernel, we generate a map of the projected red galaxy density and identify numerous new candidate clusters that are likely supercluster members. Assuming that all of the density peaks are associated with the supercluster, its transverse size is ∼10 h Mpc, which is still significantly smaller than the nearly 93 h Mpc depth in redshift space.
Spectral Exponents of Kinetic and Magnetic Energy Spectra in Solar Wind Turbulence

Kinetic and magnetic energy spectra in the ecliptic plane near 1 AU are found to exhibit different power-law behaviors in the inertial range, with the magnetic spectrum often having a power-law exponent near 5/3 and the kinetic energy spectrum often having a power-law exponent near 3/2 (the inertial range extends from approximately 5 × 10-4 to 10-1 Hz). The total energy, kinetic plus magnetic, has a power-law exponent that lies between 3/2 and 5/3, with a value near 1.6. The Alfvén ratio, the ratio of kinetic to magnetic energy, is found to be a slowly increasing function of frequency in the inertial range, increasing from roughly 0.5 to 0.9 in the frequency range from 10-3 to 10-1 Hz. These conclusions are based on the analysis of four distinct time intervals of solar wind magnetic field and plasma data obtained by the Wind spacecraft near the end of solar cycle 22 and at different times throughout solar cycle 23. Three 54 day intervals and one 81 day interval are used to compute power spectra in the range from 10-5 to 1.7 × 10-1 Hz. Power-law exponents are estimated from linear least-squares fits to the logarithm of the power spectral density versus the logarithm of the frequency over the frequency interval from 10-3 to 10-2 Hz. To prevent errors due to spectral aliasing, the last decade of the spectrum is omitted from the calculation of the power-law exponents. The results show that a measurable difference exists between the power-law exponents of velocity and magnetic field fluctuations and that this difference persists throughout the solar cycle.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: An Otolaryngological Point of View of An Unusual Sinonasal Mass

Merkel cell carcinoma is a pathologic diagnosis mainly observed in sun-exposed cutaneous areas, like the head and neck. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure and immunosuppression are the common predisposing factors. Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck is quite an uncommon disease. This case report involves a 56-year-old man who exhibited a skin lesion on the nasal dorsum with a mass in the right maxillary sinus. The biopsies from both sides were diagnostic for Merkel cell carcinoma. The patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and removal of the skin lesion with free margins. The patient has been free of disease for the last 20 months now and maintains follow-up with endoscopy and imaging in the Ear Nose Throat office. Only a few cases of Merkel cell carcinoma of the nasal mucosa have been reported in the literature. We report our approach and management of this rare pathologic presentation.
Further development of the E-MEVVA ion source

We report detailed investigations of the electron-beam metal vapor vacuum-arc (E-MEVVA) ion source, which were performed jointly among the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia, the High Current Electronics Institute, Tomsk, Russia, and Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA. The experiments were performed in Moscow and Tomsk with nearly the same design of ion sources. Recently, the first successful ion charge states enhancement for this kind of ion source was demonstrated. This article presents comparisons of electron-beam effects and examines their influence on E-MEVVA performance. Substantial enhancement of high ion charge states enhancement was observed clearly in both experimental setups with two different methods of measuring the ion charge state distributions. These results can be considered as a proof of the E-MEVVA principle.
The differential equations of birth-and-death processes, and the Stieltjes moment problem

Pi,i+i(t) = Xit + o(t), Pi,i(t) = 1 (Xi + ,Yi)t + 0(t), Pi,i_i(t) = pit + o(t), as t->O, where Xi, pui are constants which may be thought of as the rates of absorption from state i into states i+1, i-1. As a guide to one's intuition it is useful to think of a material particle which moves from integer to neighboring integer, the path function X(t) being the position of the particle at time t. An elegant description of these processes together with a survey of applications may be found in Feller's book [4, Chapter 17]. Using the above order conditions and the Markoffian nature of the process it is easy to show that the infinite matrix P(t) = (Pij(t)), i, j=O, 1, 2, satisfies the equation (1.1) P'(t) = AP(t), t 0,