Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF THERMOHALINE CONVECTION: IMPLICATIONS FOR EXTRA-MIXING IN LOW-MASS RGB STARS

Low-mass stars are known to experience extra-mixing in their radiative zones on the red giant branch (RGB) above the bump luminosity. To determine if the salt-fingering transport of chemical composition driven by 3He burning is efficient enough to produce RGB extra-mixing, two-dimensional numerical simulations of thermohaline convection for physical conditions corresponding to the RGB case have been carried out. We have found that the effective ratio of a salt finger's length to its diameter aeff ≲ 0.5 is more than 10 times smaller than the value needed to reproduce observations (aobs ≳ 7). On the other hand, using the thermohaline diffusion coefficient from linear stability analysis together with a = aobs is able to describe the RGB extra-mixing at all metallicities so well that it is tempting to believe that it may represent the true mechanism. In view of these results, follow-up three-dimensional numerical simulations of thermohaline convection for the RGB case are clearly needed.
Incremental Healthcare Cost Implications of Retreatment Following Ureteroscopy or Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Upper Urinary Tract Stones: A Population-Based Study of Commercially-Insured US Adults

Purpose This study describes the incremental healthcare costs associated with retreatment among adults undergoing ureteroscopy (URS) or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for upper urinary tract stones (UUTS). Patients and Methods The IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Database was used to identify adults aged 18–64 years with UUTS treated with URS or PCNL between January 2010 and December 2019. Patients had 12 months of continuous insurance coverage before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the first (index) procedure. The primary outcome was total all-cause healthcare costs measured over the 365-day follow-up period, not inclusive of index costs. Generalized linear models were used to estimate the incremental costs associated with retreatment within 90 (early) or 91–365 days post-index (later) relative no retreatment. The models adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, stone(s) location, treatment setting, procedural characteristics (eg, 1-step vs 2-step PCNL) and index year. Results Approximately 23% (27,402/119,800) of URS patients were retreated (82% had early retreatments). The adjusted mean total cost was $10,478 (95% CI: $10,281—$10,675) for patients with no retreatment, $25,476 (95% CI: $24,947—$26,004) for early retreatment ($14,998 incremental increase, p<0.01), and $32,868 [95% CI: $31,887—$33,850] for later retreatment ($22,391 incremental increase, p<0.01). Approximately 36% (1957/5516) of PCNL patients were retreated (78% had early retreatments). The adjusted mean total cost was $13,446 (95% CI: $12,659—$14,273) for patients with no retreatment, $37,036 [95% CI: $34,926—$39,145]) for early retreatment ($23,570 incremental increase, p<0.01), and $35,359 (95% CI: $32,234—$38,484) for later retreatment ($21,893 incremental increase, p<0.01). Conclusion Retreatment during the first year following URS or PCNL was needed in 23% and 36% of patients, respectively, and was associated with an economic burden of up to $23,500 per patient. The high rate of retreatment and associated costs demonstrate there is an unmet need to improve mid- to long-term results in URS and PCNL.
Surface Curvature-Induced Directional Movement of Water Droplets

Here we report a surface curvature-induced directional movement phenomenon, based on molecular dynamics simulations, that a nanoscale water droplet at the outer surface of a graphene cone always spontaneously moves toward the larger end of the cone, and at the inner surface toward the smaller end. The analysis on the van der Waals interaction potential between a single water molecule and a curved graphene surface reveals that the curvature with its gradient does generate the driving force resulting in the above directional motion. Furthermore, we found that the direction of the above movement is independent of the wettability, namely is regardless of either hydrophobic or hydrophilic of the surface. However, the latter surface is in general leading to higher motion speed than the former. The above results provide a basis for a better understanding of many reported observations, and helping design of curved surfaces with desired directional surface water transportation.
Surface-wave pulse routing around sharp corners

The ability to perfectly guide surface electromagnetic waves around ultra-sharp corners without back-scattering and radiation is in great demand for various photonic and plasmonic applications. This is fundamentally difficult to realize because of the dramatic momentum mismatch and wave nature of radiation at the sharp corners. Here we experimentally demonstrate that a simple photonic structure, a periodic square array of metallic cylinders standing on a metal surface, can behaves as a surface-wave photonic crystal with complete photonic band gap to overcome this bottleneck simply. A line-defect waveguide can support and guide surface waves around ultra-sharp corners without perceptible radiation and reflection, achieving almost perfect transmission efficiency in a broad frequency range. We also demonstrate an ideal T-shaped splitter to split input surface waves equally into two arms and a square radiation-suppressed plasmonic open resonator with high quality factors by simply inducing line-defects in this fully open surface-wave photonic crystal.
Exosome RNA Sequencing as a Tool in the Search for Cancer Biomarkers

Numerous noninvasive methods are currently being used to determine biomarkers for diseases such as cancer. However, these methods are not always precise and reliable. Thus, there is an unmet need for better diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that will be used to diagnose cancer in early, more treatable stages of the disease. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles of endocytic origin released by the majority of cells. Exosomes contain and transport nucleic acids, proteins, growth factors, and cytokines from their parent cells to surrounding or even distant cells via circulation in biofluids. Exosomes have attracted the interest of researchers, as recent data indicate that exosome content may be indicative of disease stages and may contribute to disease progression via exosome-mediated extracellular communication. Therefore, the contents of these vesicles are being investigated as possible biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. The functions of exosomes and their contents in disease development are becoming clearer as isolation and analytical methods, such as RNA sequencing, advance. In this review, we discuss current advances and challenges in exosomal content analyses with emphasis on information that can be generated using RNA sequencing. We also discuss how the RNA sequencing of exosomes may be used to discover novel biomarkers for the detection of different stages for various cancers using specific microRNAs that were found to be differentially expressed between healthy controls and cancer-diagnosed subjects.
When to Collect Data? Choosing an Appropriate Time Frame for Data Collection During Ph.D. Program in India?

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain various research data collection time frames, their merits, and demerits, and most importantly the suitability of each data collection time frame concerning the stage/phase of research to enable Ph.D. scholars in India to understand the key difference between research methodology/design and research data collection time frames, in turn, guiding them to choose an appropriate data collection time frame. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis. Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the available research data collection time frames and make mindful choices of data collection frames at various stages/phases of their research journey to answer their research question they will be able to determine (on their own) all the other choices in succeeding steps of doctoral-level research such as i) sample size; ii) sampling technique; iii) data collection instrument; iv) data analysis techniques. In addition, scholars will also be able to differentiate between research methodology/design and research data collection frames. Originality/Value: There are a vast literature about each one of the research data collection time frames viz., Cross-Sectional, and Longitudinal (Panel; Cohort; Retrospective) time frames. However, only a few have explained them together comprehensively. In this article, we have attempted to capture most of the research data collection time frames briefly that would enable Ph.D. scholars in India to glance through and make scholarly data collection time frame choices. Paper Type: Conceptual.
Disc–magnetosphere interactions in cataclysmic variable stars

Abstract I review, from an observational perspective, the interactions of accretion discs with magnetic fields in cataclysmic variable stars. I start with systems where the accretion flows via a stream, and discuss the circumstances in which the stream forms into an accretion disc, pointing to stars which are close to this transition. I then turn to disc-fed systems and discuss what we know about how material threads on to field lines, as deduced from the pattern of accretion footprints on the white dwarf. I discuss whether distortions of the field lines are related to accretion torques and the changing spin periods of the white dwarfs. I also review the effect on the disc–magnetosphere interaction of disc-instability outbursts. Lastly, I discuss the temporary, dynamo-driven magnetospheres thought to occur in dwarf-nova outbursts, and whether slow-moving waves are excited at the inner edges of the disc.
Design and Build a Distance and Heart Rate Monitoring System on a Dynamic Bike Integrated with Power Generating System

One of the organs of the body that must be protected is the heart. The heart is an organ of the human body that performs important functions to sustain life. Maintaining health is a top priority and requires careful attention, so small abnormalities in the heart can have a big impact on our body's performance [2]. In addition to the rapid development of the field of health sciences, this can affect not only aspects of medicine, but also other supporting fields of science such as chemistry, biology, pharmacy and other scientific fields. Don't forget that informatics plays an important role in maintaining, monitoring, diagnosing, and managing health, especially heart health. With the development of medical science, people are always active in improving their physical fitness in order to remain optimal in the current new normal era. After the Covid-19 pandemic, many things change to adapt to the environment around us. One of the implications of the adjustment in the new normal era is the use of transportation for social distancing. Many people use environmentally friendly and healthy modes of transportation, such as bicycles, to travel. In 2016, Deshmukh and colleagues conducted a study entitled 'Design of a Walking Bike', one of several developments in the title of research that discusses the design of a treadmill bicycle [5]. In this study, a mechanical test and design of a treadmill bicycle was carried out in the form of 3D modeling which had been integrated with a power generating system in the form of adding a BLDC motor to the rear wheel. By following the rapid development of technology. The authors investigated the effect of treadmill cycling on heart rate monitoring using the MAX30102 sensor. The two initial values ​​can easily be derived from the results of the conducted studies. The first test has an error rate of 12.64% and the second test has an error rate of 22.09%. From the results of these tests, the author is in further investigation by adding the Kalman filtering method to the MAX30102 sensor. Then, the output generated from this power generating system can charge the battery up to 12.95 volts with a period of 25 minutes of testing. From the results of these tests, the author is in further investigation by adding the Kalman filtering method to the MAX30102 sensor. Then, the output generated from this power generating system can charge the battery up to 12.95 volts with a period of 25 minutes of testing. From the results of these tests, the author is in further investigation by adding the Kalman filtering method to the MAX30102 sensor. Then, the output generated from this power generating system can charge the battery up to 12.95 volts with a period of 25 minutes of testing.
Bar slowdown and the distribution of dark matter in barred galaxies

`Conspiracy' between the dark and the baryonic matter prohibits an unambiguous decomposition of disc galaxy rotation curves into the corresponding components. Several methods have been proposed to counter this difficulty, but their results are widely discrepant. In this paper, I revisit one of these methods, which relies on the relation between the halo density and the decrease of the bar pattern speed. The latter is routinely characterized by the ratio R of the corotation radius R-CR to the bar length L-b, R = R-CR/L-b. I use a set of N-body+SPH simulations, including subgrid physics, whose initial conditions cover a range of gas fractions and halo shapes. The models, by construction, have roughly the same azimuthally averaged circular velocity curve and halo density and they are all submaximal, i.e. according to previous works, they are expected to have all roughly the same R value, well outside the fast bar range (1.2 +/- 0.2). Contrary to these expectations, however, these simulations end up having widely different R values, either within the fast bar range or well outside it. This shows that the R value cannot constrain the halo density, nor determine whether galactic discs are maximal or submaximal. I argue that this is true even for early-type discs (S0s and Sas).
Assessment of Measures to Increase Water Efficiency in Public Swimming Pools

Situations of water stress or even water scarcity are becoming frequent in many regions of the planet, due to the exponential increase in population, the economic development model, and/or climate change. An example of a region where climate change is causing increasing situations of water stress is southern Europe, in the Mediterranean basin. One of the countries where this situation is becoming evident is Portugal, especially the center and south of the country, which has led the government to promote legislation or support for more efficient use of water in different sectors. In the case of the urban sector, local authorities, which are responsible for public water supply, have sought to promote specific actions for the conservation of drinking water and water efficiency measures in buildings and public spaces, in addition to other measures to raise awareness of the consumers. In this article, two technical measures proposed for public swimming pool complexes in the municipality of Cascais are analysed, aiming at greater efficiency in the use of water and the use of alternative sources for non-potable uses. These measures involved carrying out water efficiency audits at the facilities and a feasibility study on the use of the volumes of daily water renewal in swimming pools, for non-potable uses, specifically for flushing toilets. The results show that, in addition to their significant contribution to greater water efficiency in urban areas, these measures are also interesting from an economic point of view, also contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Imaging the redshifted 21-cm pattern around the first sources during the cosmic dawn using the SKA

Understanding properties of the first sources in the Universe using the redshifted \HI ~21-cm signal is one of the major aims of present and upcoming low-frequency experiments. We investigate the possibility of imaging the redshifted 21-cm pattern around the first sources during the cosmic dawn using the SKA1-low. We model the \HI ~21-cm image maps, appropriate for the SKA1-low, around the first sources consisting of stars and X-ray sources within galaxies. In addition to the system noise, we account also for the astrophysical foregrounds by adding them to the signal maps. We find that after subtracting the foregrounds using a polynomial fit and suppressing the noise by smoothing the maps over $10^{'} - 30^{'}$ angular scale, the isolated sources at $z \sim 15$ are detectable with $\sim 4 - 9 \, \sigma$ confidence level in 2000 h of observation with the SKA1-low. Although the 21-cm profiles around the sources get altered because of the Gaussian smoothing, the images can still be used to extract some of the source properties. We account for overlaps in the patterns of the individual sources by generating realistic \HI ~21-cm maps of the cosmic dawn that are based on $N$-body simulations and a one-dimensional radiative transfer code. We find that these sources should be detectable in the SKA1-low images at $z = 15$ with an SNR of $\sim 14 (4)$ in 2000 (200) h of observations. One possible observational strategy thus could be to observe multiple fields for shorter observation times, identify fields with SNR $\gtrsim 3$ and observe these fields for much longer duration. Such observations are expected to be useful in constraining the parameters related to the first sources.
Molecular Tuning of IR-786 for Improved Brown Adipose Tissue Imaging

To overcome the limitations of brown adipose tissue (BAT) imaging with MRI and PET/CT, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has been utilized in living animals because it is highly sensitive, noninvasive, nonradioactive, and cost-effective. To date, only a few NIR fluorescent dyes for detecting BAT have been reported based on the structure-inherent targeting strategy. Among them, IR-786, a commercial cyanine dye, was used firstly for quantitative NIR imaging of BAT perfusion in 2003. Owing to the high cytotoxicity, poor water solubility, and strong nonspecific background uptake of IR-786, the chemical structure of IR-786 should be redesigned to be more hydrophilic and less toxic so that it can show more BAT-specific accumulation. Here, we developed a BAT-specific NIR dye, BF800-AM, by incorporating the tyramine linker in the original structure of IR-786. After modifying the physicochemical properties of IR-786, in vivo results showed significant uptake of the newly designed BF800-AM in the BAT with improved signal-to-background ratio. Additional in vivo studies using mouse tumor models revealed that BF800-AM targeting to BAT is independent of tumor tissues, as distinct from IR-786 showing uptake in both tissues. Therefore, BF800-AM can be used for improved noninvasive visualization of BAT mass and activity in living animals.
Extending Upper Cluster Algebras

Let $S$ be an upper cluster algebra, which is a subalgebra of $R$. Suppose that there is some cluster variable $x_e$ such that ${R}_{{x}_e} = S[{x}_e^{\pm 1}]$. We try to understand under which conditions ${R}$ is an upper cluster algebra, and how the quiver of $R$ relates to that of $S$. Moreover, if the restriction of $(\Delta,W)$ to some subquiver is a cluster model, we give a sufficient condition for $(\Delta,W)$ itself being a cluster model. As an application, we show that the semi-invariant ring of any complete $m$-tuple flags is an upper cluster algebra whose quiver is explicitly given. Moreover, the quiver with its rigid potential is a polyhedral cluster model.
Magnetospheres of black hole systems in force-free plasma

The interaction of black holes with ambient magnetic fields is important for a variety of highly energetic astrophysical phenomena. We study this interaction within the force-free approximation in which a tenuous plasma is assumed to have zero inertia. Blandford and Znajek used this approach to demonstrate the conversion of some of the black hole's energy into electromagnetic Poynting flux in stationary and axisymmetric single black hole systems. We adopt this approach and extend it to examine asymmetric and, most importantly, dynamical systems by implementing the fully nonlinear field equations of general relativity coupled to Maxwell's equations. For single black holes, we study, in particular, the dependence of the Poynting flux and show that, even for misalignments between the black hole spin and the direction of the asymptotic magnetic field, a Poynting flux is generated with a luminosity dependent on such misalignment. For binary black hole systems, we show both in the head-on and orbiting cases that the moving black holes generate a Poynting flux.
Development of a prediction model to estimate the 5-year risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in haemodialysis patients: a retrospective study

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality in patients on haemodialysis. The development of a prediction model for CVD risk is necessary to help make clinical decisions for haemodialysis patients. This retrospective study aimed to develop a prediction model for the 5-year risk of CV events and all-cause mortality in haemodialysis patients in China. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 398 haemodialysis patients who underwent dialysis at the dialysis facility of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command in June 2016 and were followed up for 5 years. The composite outcome was defined as CV events and/or all-cause death. Multivariable logistic regression with backwards stepwise selection was used to develop our new prediction model. Results Seven predictors were included in the final model: age, male sex, diabetes, history of CV events, no arteriovenous fistula at dialysis initiation, a monocyte/lymphocyte ratio greater than 0.43 and a serum uric acid level less than 436 mmol/L. Discrimination and calibration were satisfactory, with a C-statistic above 0.80. The predictors lay nearly on the 45-degree line for agreement with the outcome in the calibration plot. A simple clinical score was constructed to provide the probability of 5-year CV events or all-cause mortality. Bootstrapping validation showed that the new model also has similar discrimination and calibration. Compared with the Framingham risk score (FRS) and a similar model, our model showed better performance. Conclusion This prognostic model can be used to predict the long-term risk of CV events and all-cause mortality in haemodialysis patients. An MLR greater than 0.43 is an important prognostic factor.
Outflows from accreting super-spinars

In this paper we continue our study on the accretion process onto superspinning Kerr objects with no event horizon (super-spinars). We discuss the counterpart of the Bondi accretion onto black holes. We first report the results of our numerical simulations. We found a quasi-steady-state configuration for any choice of the parameters of our model. The most interesting feature is the presence of hot outflows. Unlike jets and outflows produced around black holes, which are thought to be powered by magnetic fields and emitted from the poles, here the outflows are produced by the repulsive gravitational force at a small distance from the super-spinar and are ejected around the equatorial plane. In some circumstances, the amount of matter in the outflow is considerable, which can indeed significantly reduce the gas mass accretion rate. Finally, we discuss a possible scenario of the accretion process in more realistic situations, which cannot be simulated by our code.