Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BRAIN HEALTH PERCEPTIONS QUESTIONNAIRE: FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND REFINEMENT

The promotion of brain health is often perceived through an illness model, as research tends to focus on neurodegenerative disease risk reduction. However, research indicates that healthy individuals can potentially improve their cognitive performance through the adoption of health-promoting behaviors such as diet, exercise, and the management of cerebrovascular risk factors. There remains a need for validated instruments measuring the public’s perceptions about cognitive health, a need this study addressed by further refining a quantitative measure of brain health knowledge and beliefs, the Brain Health Perceptions Questionnaire (BHPQ). Principal Components Analysis resulted in a 23item questionnaire composed of five subscales (Diet, Exercise, Type 2 Diabetes, Blood Pressure/Cholesterol, and Weight). Further analyses explored demographic group differences in levels of cardiovascular knowledge and brain health perceptions, and investigated the relationship between health behavior beliefs and self-efficacy. Analyses indicated that age is associated with level of cardiovascular health knowledge, but not with awareness of the link between lifestyle factors and brain health. Further, there appears to be a positive association between health behavior self-efficacy and knowledge of brain health; an association not demonstrated with cardiovascular health knowledge. These results suggest that there is a distinct relationship between confidence in one’s ability to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors and one’s belief that such behaviors can improve overall brain health. Knowledge of such beliefs may inform clinical interventions and social policy, with the aim of reducing healthcare demand by supporting brain health across the lifespan.
OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE FROM SDSS FOR A MERGER ORIGIN OF THE MILKY WAY'S THICK DISK

We test four competing models that aim to explain the nature of stars in spiral galaxies that are well away (>1 kpc) from the midplane, the so-called thick disk: the stars may have gotten there through orbital migration, through satellite mergers and accretion, or through heating of pre-existing thin disk stars. The eccentricity distribution of thick disk stars has recently been proposed as a diagnostic to differentiate between these mechanisms. Drawing on SDSS data release 7, we have assembled a sample of 31,535 G-dwarfs with six-dimensional phase-space information and metallicities and have derived the orbital eccentricities for them. Comparing the resulting eccentricity distributions, p(e|z), with these particular simulations, we find that: (1) the observed p(e|z) is inconsistent with that predicted by orbital migration only, as there are more observed stars of high and of very low eccentricity; (2) simulations in which the thick disk is made predominantly through heating a pre-existing thin disk are also inconsistent, as they predict more high-eccentricity stars than observed; (3) the observed p(e|z) fits well with a “gas-rich merger” scenario, where most thick disk stars were born in situ. Further modeling could explore whether the data-simulation inconsistencies found here for the first three cases actually rule out the qualitative scenarios underlying these simulations.
New results on the π+π− electroproduction cross sections off protons

In these proceedings we present preliminary π+− electroproduction cross sections off protons in the kinematical area of 1.4 GeV<W<1.8 GeV2<Q2<1.1 GeV2. Our Results extend the kinematical coverage for this exclusive channel with respect to previous measurements. Furthermore, the π+− electroproduction cross sections were obtained for Q2-bins of much smaller size. The future anlaysis of this data within the framework of the JLAB-MSU reaction model (JM) will considerably improve our knowledge on the Q2 evolution of the transition γ1NN* electrocouplings, in particular for the resonances with massive 1.6 GeV.
Made-to-measure dark matter haloes, elliptical galaxies and dwarf galaxies in action coordinates

We provide a family of action-based distribution functions (DFs) for the double-power law family of densities often used to model galaxies. The DF itself is a double-power law in combinations of the actions, and reduces to the known limits in the case of a pure power-law at small and large radii. Our method enables the velocity anisotropy of the model to be tuned, and so the anisotropy in the inner and outer parts can be specified for the application in hand. We provide self-consistent DFs for the Hernquist and Jaffe models - both with everywhere isotropic velocity dispersions, and with kinematics that gradually becomes more radially anisotropic on moving outwards. We also carry out this exercise for a cored dark-matter model. These are tailored to represent dark haloes and elliptical galaxies respectively with kinematic properties inferred from simulations or observational data. Finally, we relax a cored luminous component within a dark matter halo to provide a self-consistent model of a dwarf spheroidal embedded in dark matter. The DFs provide us with non-rotating spherical stellar systems, but one of the virtues of working with actions is the relative ease with which such models can be converted into axisymmetry and triaxiality.
Singlet generation in mixed-state quantum networks

We study the generation of singlets in quantum networks with nodes initially sharing a finite number of partially entangled bipartite mixed states. We prove that singlets between arbitrary nodes in such networks can be created if and only if the initial states connecting the nodes have a particular form. We then generalize the method of entanglement percolation, previously developed for pure states, to mixed states of this form. As part of this, we find and compare different distillation protocols necessary to convert groups of mixed states shared between neighboring nodes of the network into singlets. In addition, we discuss protocols that only rely on local rules for the efficient connection of two remote nodes in the network via entanglement swapping. Further improvements of the success probability of singlet generation are developed by using particular forms of ''quantum preprocessing'' on the network. This includes generalized forms of entanglement swapping and we show how such strategies can be embedded in regular and hierarchical quantum networks.
High-order coherent control sequences of finite-width pulses

The performance of sequences of designed pulses of finite length τ is analyzed for a bath of spins and it is compared with that of sequences of ideal, instantaneous pulses. The degree of the design of the pulse strongly affects the performance of the sequences. Non-equidistant, adapted sequences of pulses, which equal instantaneous ones up to 𝒪(τ3), outperform equidistant or concatenated sequences. Moreover, they do so at low energy cost which grows only logarithmically with the number of pulses, in contrast to standard pulses with linear growth.
Optical simulation of the free Dirac equation

We present a classical optics simulation of the one-dimensional Dirac equation for a free particle. Positive and negative energy components are represented by orthogonal polarizations of a free propagating beam, while the spatial profile represents the spatial wave function of the particle. Using a completely tunable time parameter, we observed the oscillation of the average value of the Dirac position operator - known as zitterbewegung (ZB). We are also able to measure the so called mean-position operator which is a single-particle observable and presents no oscillations. Our work opens the way for optical simulation of interesting phenomenon of relativistic systems, as well as condensed-matter physics, without any requirement for specially engineered medium.
Compressed Sensing for Network Reconstruction

The problem of identifying sparse solutions for the link structure and dynamics of an unknown linear, time-invariant network is posed as finding sparse solutions x to Ax=b. If the sensing matrix A satisfies a rank condition, this problem has a unique, sparse solution. Here each row of A comprises one experiment consisting of input/output measurements and cannot be freely chosen. We show that if experiments are poorly designed, the rank condition may never be satisfied, resulting in multiple solutions. We discuss experimental strategies for designing experiments such that the sensing matrix has the desired properties and the problem is therefore well posed. This formulation allows prior knowledge to be taken into account in the form of known nonzero entries of x, requiring fewer experiments to be performed. A number of simulated examples are given to illustrate the approach, which provides a useful strategy commensurate with the type of experiments and measurements available to biologists. We also confirm suggested limitations on the use of convex relaxations for the efficient solution of this problem.
STAR FORMATION RATES AND STELLAR MASSES OF z = 7–8 GALAXIES FROM IRAC OBSERVATIONS OF THE WFC3/IR EARLY RELEASE SCIENCE AND THE HUDF FIELDS

We investigate the Spitzer/IRAC properties of 36 z ∼ 7 z850-dropout galaxies and three z ∼ 8 Y098 galaxies derived from deep/wide-area WFC3/IR data of the Early Release Science, the ultradeep HUDF09, and wide-area NICMOS data. We fit stellar population synthesis models to the spectral energy distributions to derive mean redshifts, stellar masses, and ages. The z ∼ 7 galaxies are best characterized by substantial ages (>100 Myr) and M/LV ≈ 0.2. The main trend with decreasing luminosity is that of bluing of the far-UV slope from β ∼ −2.0 to β ∼ −3.0. This can be explained by decreasing metallicity, except for the lowest luminosity galaxies (0.1L*z = 3), where low metallicity and smooth star formation histories (SFHs) fail to match the blue far-UV and moderately red H − [3.6] color. Such colors may require episodic SFHs with short periods of activity and quiescence (“on–off” cycles) and/or a contribution from emission lines. The stellar mass of our sample of z ∼ 7 star-forming galaxies correlates with star formation rate (SFR) according to log M* = 8.70(±0.09) + 1.06(±0.10)log SFR, implying that star formation may have commenced at z > 10. No galaxies are found with SFRs much higher or lower than the past averaged SFR suggesting that the typical star formation timescales are probably a substantial fraction of the Hubble time. We report the first IRAC detection of Y098-dropout galaxies at z ∼ 8. The average rest-frame U − V ≈ 0.3 (AB) of the three galaxies are similar to faint z ∼ 7 galaxies, implying similar M/L. The stellar mass density to MUV,AB < −18 is ρ*(z = 8) = 1.8+0.7−1.0 × 106 M☉ Mpc−3, following log ρ*(z) = 10.6(±0.6) − 4.4(±0.7) log(1 + z) [M☉ Mpc−3] over 3 < z < 8.
An Explicit Spectral Fletcher-Reeves Conjugate Gradient Method for Bi-criteria Optimization

In this paper we propose a spectral Fletcher-Reeves conjugate gradient-like method (SFRCG) for solving unconstrained bi-criteria minimisation problems without using any technique of scalarization. We suggest an explicit formulae for computing a descent direction common to both criteria. This latter veriﬁes furthermore a suﬃcient descent property which does not depend on the line search nor on any convexity hypothesis. After proving the existence of a bi-criteria Armijo-type stepsize, global convergence of the proposed algorithm is established. Finally, some numerical results and comparisons with other methods are reported.
An Assessment of Pregnant Women's Value and Utilization of Oral Health Care During Pregnancy

The intention of this survey was to examine the value and utilization of dental services during pregnancy, to identify the value being placed on oral health and dental services during pregnancy. Also, to assess if the women received oral health education from obstetric providers. Pregnancy temporarily increases the risk of periodontal diseases, the prevalence of periodontal diseases is very high during pregnancy, 60-75% of women can be affected. Previous literature suggests that poor oral health is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term births, low birth weights, and pre-eclampsia. Data was obtained and collected using REDCap. Utilizing the collected data, the information provides a descriptive analysis. Across the data, trends can be identified and compared. In conclusion, there is a great value placed on dental services, but the utilization decreases during pregnancy. Not nearly enough women are receiving any oral health education during their prenatal care visits.
A coupled model of magnetic flux generation and transport in stars

We present a combined model for magnetic field generation and transport in cool stars with outer convection zones. The mean toroidal magnetic field, which is generated by a cyclic thin-layer alpha-omega dynamo at the bottom of the convection zone is taken to determine the emergence probability of magnetic flux tubes in the photosphere. Following the nonlinear rise of the unstable thin flux tubes, emergence latitudes and tilt angles of bipolar magnetic regions are determined. These quantities are put into a surface flux transport model, which simulates the surface evolution of magnetic flux under the effects of large-scale flows and turbulent diffusion. First results are discussed for the case of the Sun and for more rapidly rotating solar-type stars.
Antimicrobial Peptide Development: From Massively Parallel Peptide Sequencing to Bioinformatic Motif Identification

Antimicrobial Peptide Development: From Massively Parallel Peptide Sequencing to Bioinformatic Motif Identification Alexander K. Erikson Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, BYU Master of Science The isolation, purification, and clinical deployment of antibiotics is one of the major drivers of decrease in morbidity and mortality from infectious bacteria in the 20 century. The rapid, ubiquitous deployment of antibiotics encouraged swift development and distribution of antibiotic resistance. New, novel techniques, technologies, and ultimately therapeutic antimicrobial compounds will be required to counter the rise of antibiotic resistant microbes. Historically, mimicking naturally occurring compounds has been the most fruitful method for discovering new antibiotics; unsurprisingly, many recent efforts have focused on expanding the cultivation and detection of previously unknown microbes and compounds, respectively. Other techniques explore developing compounds de novo, reverse-engineering potential therapies from a detailed understanding of the biochemistry of pathogens. We describe a novel peptide screening tool in E. coli designed to be used for such an application. This platform, termed PepSeq, is capable of screening millions of peptides simultaneously by using Illumina sequencing technology. Additionally, we have explored several peptide scaffolds that have a conserved secondary structure with a large randomizable domain of several amino acids, which allows the screening for new and novel biochemical interactions with more stable structure than a simple linear peptide. Finally, we have developed a bioinformatics workflow that complements PepSeq that allows analysis of PepSeq data for peptide motifs of interest, vastly streamlining motif identification and verification.
SPITZER SAGE-SMC INFRARED PHOTOMETRY OF MASSIVE STARS IN THE SMALL MAGELLANIC CLOUD

We present a catalog of 5324 massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), with accurate spectral types compiled from the literature, and a photometric catalog for a subset of 3654 of these stars, with the goal of exploring their infrared properties. The photometric catalog consists of stars with infrared counterparts in the Spitzer SAGE-SMC survey database, for which we present uniform photometry from 0.3to24 μm in the UBVIJHKs+IRAC+MIPS24 bands. We compare the color–magnitude diagrams and color–color diagrams to those of stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), finding that the brightest infrared sources in the SMC are also the red supergiants, supergiant B[e] (sgB[e]) stars, luminous blue variables, and Wolf–Rayet stars, with the latter exhibiting less infrared excess, the red supergiants being less dusty and the sgB[e] stars being on average less luminous. Among the objects detected at 24 μm in the SMC are a few very luminous hypergiants, four B-type stars with peculiar, flat spectral energy distributions, and all three known luminous blue variables. We detect a distinct Be star sequence, displaced to the red, and suggest a novel method of confirming Be star candidates photometrically. We find a higher fraction of Oe and Be stars among O and early-B stars in our SMC catalog, respectively, when compared to the LMC catalog, and that the SMC Be stars occur at higher luminosities. We estimate mass-loss rates for the red supergiants, confirming the correlation with luminosity even at the metallicity of the SMC. Finally, we confirm the new class of stars displaying composite A & F type spectra, the sgB[e] nature of 2dFS1804 and find the F0 supergiant 2dFS3528 to be a candidate luminous blue variable with cold dust.
A MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC MODEL OF THE M87 JET. I. SUPERLUMINAL KNOT EJECTIONS FROM HST-1 AS TRAILS OF QUAD RELATIVISTIC MHD SHOCKS

This is the first in a series of papers that introduces a new paradigm for understanding the jet in M87: a collimated relativistic flow in which strong magnetic fields play a dominant dynamical role. Here, we focus on the flow downstream of HST-1—an essentially stationary flaring feature that ejects trails of superluminal components. We propose that these components are quad relativistic magnetohydrodynamic shock fronts (forward/reverse fast and slow modes) in a narrow jet with a helically twisted magnetic structure. And we demonstrate the properties of such shocks with simple one-dimensional numerical simulations. Quasi-periodic ejections of similar component trails may be responsible for the M87 jet substructures observed further downstream on 102–103 pc scales. This new paradigm requires the assimilation of some new concepts into the astrophysical jet community, particularly the behavior of slow/fast-mode waves/shocks and of current-driven helical kink instabilities. However, the prospects of these ideas applying to a large number of other jet systems may make this worth the effort.
Knowledge acquisition or incentive to foster coordination? A real-effort weak-link experiment with craftsmen

This paper presents an artefactual field experiment with craftsmen working on renovation projects to assess the effect of training programs and incentive schemes on coordination. Workers frequently fail to coordinate their tasks when not supervised by a project coordinator. This is particularly important in the construction sector where it leads to a lack of final performance in buildings. We introduce two different incentives: a first contract paying craftsmen only according to their individual performance, and a second contract paying a group of three craftsmen with a weak-link payment according to the group’s worst performance. In addition, we test these incentives on two different subject groups: one is composed of craftsmen trained to coordinate their tasks, and the others are not. The results suggest that trained subjects coordinate at significantly higher effort levels than non-trained subjects when facing an individual-based incentive. However, when facing a group-based incentive, non-trained subjects seem to ”catch up” trained subjects in terms of coordination level, while these latter subjects do not significantly increase their performance level.
Optical Solitons in Fiber Bragg Gratings with Dispersive Reflectivity Having Five Nonlinear Forms of Refractive Index

This paper implements the trial equation approach to retrieve cubic–quartic optical solitons in fiber Bragg gratings with the aid of the trial equation methodology. Five forms of nonlinear refractive index structures are considered. They are the Kerr law, the parabolic law, the polynomial law, the quadratic–cubic law, and the parabolic nonlocal law. Dark and singular soliton solutions are recovered along with Jacobi’s elliptic functions with an appropriate modulus of ellipticity.
The nature of the continuous non-equilibrium phase transition of Axelrod's model

Axelrod's model in the square lattice with nearest-neighbors interactions exhibits culturally homogeneous as well as culturally fragmented absorbing configurations. In the case in which the agents are characterized by F = 2 cultural features and each feature assumes k states drawn from a Poisson distribution of parameter q, these regimes are separated by a continuous transition at . Using Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling we show that the mean density of cultural domains μ is an order parameter of the model that vanishes as with at the critical point. In addition, for the correlation length critical exponent we find and for Fisher's exponent, . This set of critical exponents places the continuous phase transition of Axelrod's model apart from the known universality classes of non-equilibrium lattice models.
One-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of imploding spherical plasma liners with detailed equation-of-state modeling

This work extends the one-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic imploding spherical argon plasma liner simulations of Awe et al. [Phys. Plasmas 18, 072705 (2011)] by using a detailed tabular equation-of-state (EOS) model, whereas Awe et al. used a polytropic EOS model. Results using the tabular EOS model give lower stagnation pressures by a factor of 3.9–8.6 and lower peak ion temperatures compared to the polytropic EOS results. Both local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE EOS models were used in this work, giving similar results on stagnation pressure. The lower stagnation pressures using a tabular EOS model are attributed to a reduction in the liner's ability to compress arising from the energy sink introduced by ionization and electron excitation, which are not accounted for in a polytropic EOS model. Variation of the plasma liner species for the same initial liner geometry, mass density, and velocity was also explored using the LTE tabular EOS model, showing that the highest stagnation pressure.
Black holes without firewalls

The postulates of black hole complementarity do not imply a firewall for infalling observers at a black hole horizon. The dynamics of the stretched horizon, that scrambles and reemits information, determines whether infalling observers experience anything out of the ordinary when entering a large black hole. In particular, there is no firewall if the stretched horizon degrees of freedom retain information for a time of the order of the black hole scrambling time.