Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Productive and Unproductive Sectors’ Interactions in Brazil: A Miyazawa Analysis

This article employs Miyazawa’s method to investigate the interaction between productive and unproductive sectors during the 2002–2014 period in Brazil. The results showed a growing dependence of productive on unproductive sectors together with a rise in the unproductive share in the economy, particularly after 2008. Our ﬁndings stressed the relationship between the rising importance of unproductive industries and lower total output growth, as emphasized by the classical-Marxian literature. JEL Classification: B51, C67, P16
Antiprotons from dark matter annihilation in the Galaxy: astrophysical uncertainties

The latest years have seen steady progresses in WIMP dark matter (DM) searches, with hints of possible signals suggested both in direct and indirect detection. Antiprotons play a key role in this context, since WIMP annihilations can be a copious source of antiprotons, and the antiproton flux from conventional astrophysical sources is predicted with fair accuracy and matches the measured cosmic ray (CR) spectrum very well. Using the publicly available numerical DRAGON code, we reconsider antiprotons as a tool to set constraints on DM models; we compare against the most upto-date ¯ p measurements, taking also into account the latest spectral information on the p and He CR fluxes. In particular, we probe carefully the uncertainties associated to both standard astrophysical and DM originated antiprotons, by using a variety of distinctively different assumptions for the propagation of CRs and for the DM distribution in the Galaxy. We find that the impact of the astrophysical uncertainties on constraining the DM properties of a wide class of annihilating DM models can be much stronger, up to a factor of ∼ 50, than the one due to uncertainties on the DM distribution (∼ 2−6). Remarkably, even reducing the uncertainties on the propagation parameters derived by local observables, non-local effects can change our predictions for the constraints even by 50%. Nevertheless, current ¯ p data can place tight constraints on DM models, excluding some of those suggested in connection with indirect and direct searches. Finally we discuss the impact of upcoming CR spectral data from the AMS-02 instrument on DM model constraints.
Ultrabroad-Band, Greatly Enhanced Light Absorption by Monolayer Graphene

We demonstrate greatly enhanced light absorption by monolayer graphene over a broad spectral range, from visible to near infrared, based on the attenuated total reflection. In the experiment, graphene is sandwiched between two dielectric media referred as superstrate and substrate. Based on numerical calculation and experimental results, the closer the refractive indices of the superstrate and the substrate, the higher the absorption of graphene will be. The light absorption of monolayer graphene up to 42.7% is experimentally achieved.
Drought Severity and Frequency Analysis Aided by Spectral and Meteorological Indices in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

In the past two decades, severe drought has been a recurrent problem in Iraq due in part to climate change. Additionally, the catastrophic drop in the discharge of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and their tributaries has aggravated the drought situation in Iraq, which was formerly one of the most water-rich nations in the Middle East. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) also has catastrophic drought conditions. This study analyzed a Landsat time-series dataset from 1998 to 2021 to determine the drought severity status in the KRI. The Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI2) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) were used as spectral-based drought indices to evaluate the severity of the drought and study the changes in vegetative cover, water bodies, and precipitation. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Spatial Coefficient of Variation (CV) were used as meteorologically based drought indices. According to this study, the study area had precipitation deficits and severe droughts in 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2021. The MSAVI2 results indicated that the vegetative cover decreased by 36.4%, 39.8%, and 46.3% in 2000, 2008, and 2012, respectively. The SPI’s results indicated that the KRI experienced droughts in 1999, 2000, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2021, while the southeastern part of the KRI was most affected by drought in 2008. In 2012, the KRI’s western and southern parts were also considerably affected by drought. Furthermore, Lake Dukan (LD), which lost 63.9% of its surface area in 1999, experienced the most remarkable shrinkage among water bodies. Analysis of the geographic distribution of the CV of annual precipitation indicated that the northeastern parts, which get much more precipitation, had less spatial rainfall variability and more uniform distribution throughout the year than other areas. Moreover, the southwest parts exhibited a higher fluctuation in annual spatial variation. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between MSAVI2, SPI, NDWI, and agricultural yield-based vegetation cover. The results also revealed that low precipitation rates are always associated with declining crop yields and LD shrinkage. These findings may be concluded to provide policymakers in the KRI with a scientific foundation for agricultural preservation and drought mitigation.
Peritoneal Seeding Is More Common in Gastric Cancer Patients with FGFR2 Amplification or High Tumor Mutation Burden

Fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) gene alterations have been identified in solid tumors. FGFR2 amplification is found in 2–9% of gastric carcinomas. We hypothesized that FGFR2 could be associated with peritoneal seeding and studied 360 advanced gastric carcinoma patients; 222 (61.7%) were male, 246 (73.7%) had poorly differentiated histology, and 175 (48.6%) presented with peritoneal seeding. High tumor mutation burden (TMB) was observed in 44 (12.2%) patients, high microsatellite instability (MSI) was observed in 12 (3.33%) patients, ERBB2 amplification was observed in 44 (12.2%) patients, EBV positivity was observed in 10 (10/278; 3.6%) patients, and PD-L1 positivity was observed in 186 (186/264; 70.5%) cases. We found FGFR2 amplification in 26 (7.2%) patients, of which 12 (46.2%) were female and 22 (84.6%) had poorly differentiated histology. In these 26 cases, the copy number of FGFR2 amplification ranged from 3.7 to 274. Eighteen of them showed seeding, and this association was statistically significant (18/26, 69.2%; 157/334, 47%; p = 0.023). In addition, high TMB was significantly associated with seeding (p = 0.028; OR = 1.83). Poorly differentiated histology was significantly associated with seeding (p = 0.04) but not with FGFR2 amplification (p > 0.1). Seeding was frequent in gastric carcinoma patients with FGFR2 amplification, in patients with high TMB, or in those who were female. The subgroup of patients with FGFR2 amplification could be potential candidates for targeted therapeutic agents.
Funcionamiento Cognoscitivo en Usuarios de Esteroides Anabólico-Androgénicos: Revisión Sistemática/Cognitive Performance in Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Users: A Systematic Review

El consumo de sustancias esteroides anabólico-androgénicas (EAA) no se limita a su uso en el deporte profesional, actualmente se ha extendido a usuarios de gimnasio que practican deporte con fines estéticos. Sin embargo, poco se sabe de sus consecuencias en el funcionamiento cognoscitivo por su consumo prolongado y en dosis elevadas. Por lo tanto, se realizó una revisión sistemática de los estudios llevados a cabo durante la última década (2011-2021). Fueron incluidos siete artículos para su revisión de los que se destaca que, los usuarios de gimnasio de consumo prolongado o dependiente a sustancias EAA presentan déficits en ciertas funciones cognoscitivas (memoria y funciones ejecutivas) en comparación con usuarios no consumidores, consumidores a corto plazo o no dependientes. Aunque es necesario que se lleven a cabo investigaciones que realicen una evaluación integral de los diferentes procesos cognoscitivos, los resultados de estos estudios ofrecen evidencia importante para que profesionales de la salud y el público en general puedan atender, intervenir o prevenir las posibles consecuencias.
Immune gene therapy of cancer Immune gene therapy of cancer

: Cancer gene therapy emerged as a promising treatment modality 3 decades ago. However, the failure of the first gene therapy trials in cancer treatment has decreased its popularity. Likewise, immunotherapy has followed a similar course. While it was a popular and promising treatment with IL-2 and interferon and cancer vaccines in the 1980s, it later lost its popularity. Immunotherapy became one of the main options for cancer treatment with the successful use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinics approximately 10 years ago. The success of immunotherapy has increased even more with the introduction of cancer gene therapy methods in this area. With the identification of the oncolytic herpes simplex virus and Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, immune gene therapy has become an essential modality in cancer treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies.
Metabolomic Profiling in Combination with Data Association Analysis Provide Insights about Potential Metabolic Regulation Networks among Non-Volatile and Volatile Metabolites in Camellia sinensis cv Baijiguan

The non-volatile and volatile metabolites in tea confer the taste and odor characteristics of tea fusion, as well as shape the chemical base for tea quality. To date, it remains largely elusive whether there are metabolic crosstalks among non-volatile metabolites and volatile metabolites in the tea tree. Here, we generated an F1 half-sib population by using an albino cultivar of Camellia sinensis cv Baijiguan as the maternal parent, and then we quantified the non-volatile metabolites and volatile metabolites from individual half-sibs. We found that the EGC and EGCG contents of the albino half-sibs were significantly lower than those of the green half-sibs, while no significant differences were observed in total amino acids, caffeine, and other catechin types between these two groups. The phenylpropanoid pathway and the MEP pathway are the dominant routes for volatile synthesis in fresh tea leaves, followed by the MVA pathway and the fatty acid-derivative pathway. The total volatile contents derived from individual pathways showed large variations among half-sibs, there were no significant differences between the albino half-sibs and the green half-sibs. We performed a comprehensive correlation analysis, including correlations among non-volatile metabolites, between volatile synthesis pathways and non-volatile metabolites, and among the volatiles derived from same synthesis pathway, and we identified several significant positive or negative correlations. Our data suggest that the synthesis of non-volatile and volatile metabolites is potentially connected through shared intermediates; feedback inhibition, activation, or competition for common intermediates among branched pathways may co-exist; and cross-pathway activation or inhibition, as well as metabolome channeling, were also implicated. These multiple metabolic regulation modes could provide metabolic plasticity to direct carbon flux and lead to diverse metabolome among Baijiguan half-sibs. This study provides an essential knowledge base for rational tea germplasm improvements.
SHORT GAMMA-RAY BURST FORMATION RATE FROM BATSE DATA USING Ep–Lp CORRELATION AND THE MINIMUM GRAVITATIONAL-WAVE EVENT RATE OF A COALESCING COMPACT BINARY

Using 72 short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) with well determined spectral data observed by BATSE, we determine their redshift and luminosity by applying the Ep–Lp correlation for SGRBs found by Tsutsui et al. For 53 SGRBs with an observed flux brighter than 4 × 10−6 erg cm−2 s−1, the cumulative redshift distribution up to z = 1 agrees well with that of 22 Swift SGRBs. This suggests that the redshift determination by the Ep–Lp correlation for SGRBs works well. The minimum event rate at z = 0 is estimated as , so that the minimum beaming angle is 0. °6–7. °8 assuming a merging rate of 10−7– 4 × 10−6 events Mpc−3 yr−1 suggested from the binary pulsar data. Interestingly, this angle is consistent with that for SGRB 130603B of ∼4°–8°. On the other hand, if we assume a beaming angle of ∼6° suggested from four SGRBs with the observed beaming angle value, then the minimum event rate including off-axis SGRBs is estimated as . If SGRBs are induced by the coalescence of binary neutron stars (NSs) and/or black holes (BHs), then this event rate leads to a minimum gravitational-wave detection rate of for an NS–NS (NS–BH) binary, respectively, by a worldwide network with KAGRA, advanced-LIGO, advanced-VIRGO, and GEO.
Simulating platooned connected autonomous vehicle in a large scale urban scenario

This article is concerned with the performance evaluation of connected, autonomous vehicles (CAVs) in a realistic large-scale microsimulation scenario. In particular the question is: how much could a high diffusion of CAVs possibly change (1)~the average travel speeds (2)~the trip times of all traffic participants, including pedestrians, and (3)~the energy/fuel consumption? For this purpose, admittedly favourable assumptions are made: a 100\% diffusion of platooning-capable CAVs as substitution for private cars as well as a high maximum speed of platooned vehiclesin order to enable platoon formation. The morning rush hour scenario of the metropolitan area of Bologna, Italy has been selected for assessment. This scenario, which has been created and validated in previous works, represents an activity based demand model with travel plans for individual citizens, including all relevant transport modes. The microsimulation is performed by means of the SUMO simulator. The entire demand has been generated with the SUMOPy tool. For the platooning of CAVs, SUMO's SIMPLA module has been used, which controlls the vehicles via the interactive TRACI API. Results show an increased speed and reduced travel time for CAV vehicles, with respect to human driven cars, in particular in the periphery and less in the center with a dense road network. However, the reason for improved speeds and travel times is predominantly the higher maximum speed allowed for vehicles trying to catch up and join a platoon. Furthermore these higher speed would also be resposible for an increase in fuel consumption of approximately 5\%. In conclusion, CAVs alone are unlikely to reduce congestion in an urban area. To make the platooning concept work, additional technology and infrastructure is required in order to merge platoons effectively at freeways and at traffic lights. The latter could be simulated with GLOSA.
Channel Competition and Coordination of E-Commerce Platforms under Low-Carbon Environment: A Cooperative Game Approach

The objective of “low-carbon supply chain” and the development of e-commerce platforms (as e-platform) has boosted the production and sales of low-carbon products. Although the e-platform’s involvement promotes the efficiency of low-carbon products circulation, it leads to channel competition and double marginalization. To mitigate these negative effects, in the context of low-carbon production, a three-player supply chain that contains a low-carbon manufacturer, an e-platform, and a retailer are investigated. By introducing the Stackelberg game and cooperative game theory, the supply chain is coordinated under a cooperative framework considering the commission rate of e-platforms. Subsequently, Mathematica is used for numerical simulation. The results show that intensified channel competition and excessive commission rates will lead to malicious price cuts by supply chain members, which is not conducive to the low-carbon production of manufacturers. Appropriate cooperation strategies can improve the value and identity of low-carbon products and optimize the supply chain system. For coordination of supply chain, three cooperative game-theoretic mechanisms can coordinate low-carbon dual-channel supply chain of the e-commerce platform (LCDESC) well under different situations. These findings provide managerial insights for managers of LCDESC.
THE RELATION BETWEEN DYNAMICS AND STAR FORMATION IN BARRED GALAXIES

We analyze optical and near-infrared data of a sample of 11 barred spiral galaxies, in order to establish a connection between star formation and bar/spiral dynamics. We find that 22 regions located in the bars and 20 regions in the spiral arms beyond the end of the bar present azimuthal color/age gradients that may be attributed to star formation triggering. Assuming a circular motion dynamic model, we compare the observed age gradient candidates with stellar population synthesis models. A link can then be established with the disk dynamics that allows us to obtain parameters like the pattern speed of the bar or spiral as well as the positions of resonance radii. We subsequently compare the derived pattern speeds with those expected from theoretical and observational results in the literature (e.g., bars ending near corotation). We find a tendency to overestimate bar pattern speeds derived from color gradients in the bar at small radii, away from corotation; this trend can be attributed to non-circular motions of the young stars born in the bar region. In spiral regions, we find that ∼50% of the color gradient candidates are “inverse,” i.e., with the direction of stellar aging contrary to that of rotation. The other half of the gradients found in spiral arms have stellar ages that increase in the same sense as rotation. Of the nine objects with gradients in both bars and spirals, six (67%) appear to have a bar and a spiral with similar Ωp, while three (33%) do not.
TIDAL BREAKUP OF BINARY STARS AT THE GALACTIC CENTER. II. HYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS

In Paper I, we followed the evolution of binary stars as they orbited near the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the Galactic center, noting the cases in which the two stars would come close enough together to collide. In this paper, we replace the point-mass stars by fluid realizations, and use a smoothed-particle hydrodynamics code to follow the close interactions. We model the binary components as main-sequence stars with initial masses of 1, 3, and 6 solar masses, and with chemical composition profiles taken from stellar evolution codes. Outcomes of the close interactions include mergers, collisions that leave both stars intact, and ejection of one star at high velocity accompanied by capture of the other star into a tight orbit around the SMBH. For the first time, we follow the evolution of the collision products for many (≳ 100) orbits around the SMBH. Stars that are initially too small to be tidally disrupted by the SMBH can be puffed up by close encounters or collisions, with the result that tidal stripping occurs in subsequent periapse passages. In these cases, mass loss occurs episodically, sometimes for hundreds of orbits before the star is completely disrupted. Repeated tidal flares, of either increasing or decreasing intensity, are a predicted consequence. In collisions involving a low-mass and a high-mass star, the merger product acquires a high core hydrogen abundance from the smaller star, effectively resetting the nuclear evolution “clock” to a younger age. Elements like Li, Be, and B that can exist only in the outermost envelope of a star are severely depleted due to envelope ejection during collisions and due to tidal forces from the SMBH. Tidal spin-up can occur due to either a collision or tidal torque by the SMBH at periapsis. However, in the absence of collisions, tidal spin-up of stars is only important in a narrow range of periapse distances, rt/2 ≲ rper ≲ rt, with rt the tidal disruption radius. We discuss the implications of these results for the formation of the S-stars and the hypervelocity stars.
“ESPRESSO” ACCELERATION OF ULTRA-HIGH-ENERGY COSMIC RAYS

We propose that ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic rays (CRs) above 1018 eV are produced in relativistic jets of powerful active galactic nuclei via an original mechanism, which we dub “espresso” acceleration: “seed” galactic CRs with energies ≲1017 eV that penetrate the jet sideways receive a “one-shot” boost of a factor of ∼Γ2 in energy, where Γ is the Lorentz factor of the relativistic flow. For typical jet parameters, a few percent of the CRs in the host galaxy can undergo this process, and powerful blazars with Γ ≳ 30 may accelerate UHECRs up to more than 1020 eV. The chemical composition of espresso-accelerated UHECRs is determined by that at the Galactic CR knee and is expected to be proton-dominated at 1018 eV and increasingly heavy at higher energies, in agreement with recent observations made at the Pierre Auger Observatory.
Electromagnetic outflows in a class of scalar-tensor theories: Binary neutron star coalescence

As we showed in previous work, the dynamics and gravitational emission of binary neutron star systems in certain scalar-tensor theories can differ significantly from that expected from General Relativity in the coalescing stage. In this work we examine whether the characteristics of the electromagnetic counterparts to these binaries -- driven by magnetosphere interactions prior to the merger event -- can provide an independent way to test gravity in the most strongly dynamical stages of binary mergers. We find that the electromagnetic flux emitted by binaries in these scalar-tensor theories can show deviations from the GR prediction in particular cases. These differences are quite subtle, thus requiring delicate measurements to differentiate between GR and the type of scalar-tensor theories considered in this work using electromagnetic observations alone. However, if coupled with a gravitational-wave detection, electromagnetic measurements might provide a way to increase the confidence with which GR will be confirmed (or ruled out) by gravitational observations.
Platelet Redox Imbalance in Hypercholesterolemia: A Big Problem for a Small Cell

The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis and their scavenging by anti-oxidant defences is the common soil of many disorders, including hypercholesterolemia. Platelets, the smallest blood cells, are deeply involved in the pathophysiology of occlusive arterial thrombi associated with myocardial infarction and stroke. A great deal of evidence shows that both increased intraplatelet ROS synthesis and impaired ROS neutralization are implicated in the thrombotic process. Hypercholesterolemia is recognized as cause of atherosclerosis, cerebro- and cardiovascular disease, and, closely related to this, is the widespread acceptance that it strongly contributes to platelet hyperreactivity via direct oxidized LDL (oxLDL)-platelet membrane interaction via scavenger receptors such as CD36 and signaling pathways including Src family kinases (SFK), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. In turn, activated platelets contribute to oxLDL generation, which ends up propagating platelet activation and thrombus formation through a mechanism mediated by oxidative stress. When evaluating the effect of lipid-lowering therapies on thrombogenesis, a large body of evidence shows that the effects of statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors are not limited to the reduction of LDL-C but also to the down-regulation of platelet reactivity mainly by mechanisms sensitive to intracellular redox balance. In this review, we will focus on the role of oxidative stress-related mechanisms as a cause of platelet hyperreactivity and the pathophysiological link of the pleiotropism of lipid-lowering agents to the beneficial effects on platelet function.