Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perturbation approach to the impurity problem in lattice dynamics

Using the localisation ideas in the kq representation for perfect lattices, an equation is postulated defining perturbed localised modes for the impurity problem in lattice dynamics. The equation is solved by perturbation theory in the unit-cell scheme, up to second order. Multibranch and one-branch effective equations of motion are derived. The formalism is illustrated through the example of a molecular diatomic chain with a strongly localised impurity and in the tight-binding limit. A first-order correction is found for the displacement function of the optical localised mode.
XBootes: An X-Ray Survey of the NDWFS Bootes Field. II. The X-Ray Source Catalog

We present results from a Chandra survey of the 9 deg2 Bootes field of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey (NDWFS). This XBootes survey consists of 126 separate contiguous ACIS-I observations each of approximately 5000 s in duration. These unique Chandra observations allow us to search for large-scale structure and to calculate X-ray source statistics over a wide, contiguous field of view with arcsecond angular resolution and uniform coverage. Optical spectroscopic follow-up observations and the rich NDWFS data set will allow us to identify and classify these X-ray-selected sources. Using wavelet decomposition, we detect 4642 point sources with n ≥ 2 counts. In order to keep our detections ~99% reliable, we limit our list to sources with n ≥ 4 counts. For a 5000 s observation and assuming a canonical unabsorbed active galactic nucleus (AGN) type X-ray spectrum, a 4 count on-axis source corresponds to a flux of 4.7 × 10-15 ergs cm-2 s-1 in the soft (0.5-2 keV) band, 1.5 × 10-14 ergs cm-2 s-1 in the hard (2-7 keV) band, and 7.8 × 10-15 ergs cm-2 s-1 in the full (0.5-7 keV) band. The full 0.5-7 keV band n ≥ 4 count list has 3293 point sources. In addition to the point sources, 43 extended sources have been detected, consistent with the depth of these observations and the number counts of clusters. We present here the X-ray catalog for the XBootes survey, including source positions, X-ray fluxes, hardness ratios, and their uncertainties. We calculate and present the differential number of sources per flux density interval, N(S), for the point sources. In the soft (0.5-2 keV) band, N(S) is well fitted by a broken power law with slope of 2.60 at bright fluxes and 1.74 for faint fluxes. The hard source N(S) is well described by a single power law with an index of -2.93.
Examining the Ability of CMIP6 Models to Reproduce the Upwelling SST Imprint in the Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems

Knowing future changes in the sea surface temperature (SST) is of vital importance since they can affect marine ecosystems, especially in areas of high productivity such as the Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUS). In this sense, it is key to have fine resolution models to study the SST patterns as close as possible to the coast where the upwelling influence is greater. Thus, the main objective of the present work is to assess the ability of 23 General Circulation Models (GCMs) from phase six of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) in reproducing the upwelling SST imprint in the EBUS through a comparison with the Optimum Interpolation of Sea Surface Temperature (OISST ¼) database of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the common period of 1982–2014. The results have shown that most of the CMIP6 GCMs overestimate nearshore SST for all the EBUS with the exception of Canary. Overall, the models with better resolution showed lower Normalized Root Mean Squared Error (NRMSE) and Normalized Bias (NBias), although the ability of the models is dependent on the study area. Thus, the most suitable models for each EBUS are the CNRM-HR, GFDL-CM4, HadGEM-MM, CMCC-VHR4, and EC-Earth3P for Canary; CESM1-HR, CMCC-VHR4, ECMWF-HR, and HadGEM-HM for Humboldt; and HadGEM-HH and HadGEM-HM for California. In the case of Benguela, no model adequately reproduces the SST imprint under the conditions established in the present study.
Measures to Enhance the Use of Geosynthetics for Civil Infrastructure Projects: An Example from Ghana

This study sought to establish measures to enhance the use of geosynthetics for civil infrastructure projects in Ghana and determine the relative impact of each measure. It employed the Delphi technique, and a structured questionnaire aided the data collection from 15 expert panellists. At least a good consensus was reached in the views of the expert panellists regarding 14 measures to enhance the use of geosynthetics in Ghana after two rounds of a Delphi survey. Out of the 14 measures, there was a strong consensus in the views of the expert panellists regarding 3 measures as they recorded median values within the range (VHI: 9.00-10.00) signifying very high impact. These measures were, readily availability of geosynthetic products in the market, availability of design manuals for geosynthetics design, and educating construction practitioners on geosynthetics options for meeting their infrastructure needs. A good consensus was attained in the views of the expert panellists for the remaining 11 measures as they recorded median scores within the range (HI: 7.00-8.99) signifying high impact. Moreso, 2 out of the 14 measures were unique to this study in Ghana: setting up of a geosynthetic think tank to advocate for the use of geosynthetics, and promoting geosynthetics usage in the manifestos of political parties. In terms of relative impact index ranking, readily availability of geosynthetic products in the market with RII score of 0.91 ranked 1st whereas increase geosynthetics education and exposure for prospective and practising civil engineers with RII of 0.79 ranked 14th. This study is unique in that it applies the Delphi technique and empirically establishes the measures to enhance the use of geosynthetics for civil infrastructure projects giving an example from Africa, specifically Ghana which hitherto was not in existence.
DELICIOUS: Deadline-Aware Approximate Computing in Cache-Conscious Multicore

Enhancing result-accuracy in approximate computing (AC) based real-time systems, without violating power constraints of the underlying hardware, is a challenging problem. Execution of such AC real-time applications can be split into two parts: (i) the mandatory part, execution of which provides a result of acceptable quality, followed by (ii) the optional part, that can be executed partially or fully to refine the initially obtained result in order to increase the result-accuracy, without violating the time-constraint. This article introduces DELICIOUS, a novel hybrid offline-online scheduling strategy for AC real-time dependent tasks. By employing an efficient heuristic algorithm, DELICIOUS first generates a schedule for a task-set with an objective to maximize the results-accuracy, while respecting system-wide constraints. During execution, DELICIOUS then introduces a prudential cache resizing that reduces temperature of the adjacent cores, by generating thermal buffers at the turned off cache ways. DELICIOUS further trades off this thermal benefits by enhancing the processing speed of the cores for a stipulated duration, called V/F Spiking, without violating the power budget of the core, to shorten the execution length of the tasks. This reduced runtime is exploited either to enhance result-accuracy by dynamically adjusting the optional part, or to reduce temperature by enabling sleep mode at the cores. While surpassing the prior art, DELICIOUS offers 80% result-accuracy with its scheduling strategy, which is further enhanced by 8.3% in online, while reducing runtime peak temperature by 5.8°C on average, as shown by benchmark based evaluation on a 4-core based multicore.
Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on the Characteristics and Physical Stability of NLC-Green Tea Extract

Background: The addition of alpha-lipoic acid in Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-Green Tea Extract (NLC-GTE) has potential to increase effectiveness of anti-aging preparations. It happened because alpha-lipoic acid can increase stability and antioxidant activity. Objective: Comparing the physical characteristics and stability of NLC-GTE with or without alpha-lipoic acid. Methods: NLC-GTE manufactured using the High Shear Homogenization method. NLC-GTE was divided into two formulas, without the addition of alpha-lipoic acid for F1 and with the addition of alpha-lipoic acid for F2. The characteristics and physical stability were tested, including organoleptic, pH, particle size, and polydispersity index. Stability test was held using the thermal cycling method. Results: Based on characteristic test, it was found that F2 had larger particle size value than F1. The average particle size value of F1 is 313.9 ± 0.76 nm and 423.4 ± 0.75 nm for F2. The F1 and F2 preparations had a polydispersity index value below 0.3, so they were homogeneous. The average pH value of F1 is 5.998 ± 0.01, and F2 is 4.798 ± 0.004. The physical stability test showed a difference before and after the sixth day in particle size and pH, but it was still in the range, so it was safe. However, there was a separation in F1 after day 6. Conclusion: Based on the characteristics and physical stability tests, F1 (without alpha-lipoic acid) and F2 (with alpha-lipoic acid) had differences in particle size and pH. From the physical stability test, it can be concluded that F2 is more stable than F1.
Evaluation of the Strength of the Interface for Abaca Fiber Reinforced Hdpe and Biope Composite Materials, and Its Influence over Tensile Properties

In this study, tensile properties of abaca-reinforced HDPE and BioPE composites have been researched. The strength of the interface between the matrix and the reinforcement of a composite material noticeably impacts its mechanical properties. Thus, the strength of the interface between the reinforcements and the matrices has been studied using micromechanics models. Natural fibers are hydrophilic and the matrices are hydrophobic, resulting in weak interfaces. In the study, a coupling agent based on polyethylene functionalised with maleic acid was used, to increase the strength of the interface. The results show that 8 wt% coupling agent contents noticeably increased the tensile strength of the composites and the interface. Tensile properties obtained for HDPE and BioPE-based coupled composites were statistically similar or better for BioPE-based materials. The use of bio-based matrices increases the possibility of decreasing the environmental impact of the materials, obtaining fully bio-based composites. The article shows the ability of fully bio-based composites to replace others using oil-based matrices.
Effective Resistance to Four Fungal Foliar Diseases in Samples of Wild Triticum L. Species from the VIR (N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources) Collection: View from Vavilov’s Concepts of Plant Immunity

To identify new sources of effective resistance to four foliar diseases of wheat, 173 accessions of four wheat species, Triticum boeoticum, T. urartu, T. araraticum, and T. dicoccoides, from the VIR collection were tested at the juvenile and adult growth stages for resistance to leaf rust (Pt = Puccinia triticina), powdery mildew (Bgt = Blumeria graminis tritici), Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB), and dark-brown leaf spot blotch (HLB = Helminthospjrium leaf blotch). The accessions included new additions to the collection, some old samples that had never been tested before, as well as earlier tested samples noted for high levels of juvenile resistance to some fungal diseases. Natural populations of Puccinia triticina and Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, mixture of Parastagonospora nodorum and Bipolaris sorokiniana isolates were used to inoculate and to evaluate resistance to Pt, Bgt, SNB, and HLB, respectively. Two samples of T. boeoticum, three of T. urartu, and one of T. araraticum were resistant to leaf rust at both tested stages. Further tests (phytopathological and molecular analyses) excluded Lr9, Lr19, Lr24, Lr41, or Lr47 as single genes controlling resistance; hence, these accessions likely carry new effective leaf rust resistance genes. High level of Bgt resistance was identified in three entries of T. boeoticum, one of T. araraticum, and eleven of T. dicoccoides. All tested accessions were susceptible to HLB and SNB at both tested stages. Accessions identified as resistant are valuable plant material for introgressive hybridization in bread and durum wheat breeding. The results are discussed in the context of N.I. Vavilov’s concept of crop origin and diversity, and the laws of plant natural immunity to infectious diseases.
Nutraceuticals in Brown Adipose Tissue Activation

Obesity and its associated comorbidities have become pandemic, and challenge the global healthcare system. Lifestyle changes, nutritional interventions and phamaceuticals should be differently combined in a personalized strategy to tackle such a public health burden. Altered brown adipose tissue (BAT) function contributes to the pathophysiology of obesity and glucose metabolism dysfunctions. BAT thermogenic activity burns glucose and fatty acids to produce heat through uncoupled respiration, and can dissipate the excessive calorie intake, reduce glycemia and circulate fatty acids released from white adipose tissue. Thus, BAT activity is expected to contribute to whole body energy homeostasis and protect against obesity, diabetes and alterations in lipid profile. To date, pharmacological therapies aimed at activating brown fat have failed in clinical trials, due to cardiovascular side effects or scarce efficacy. On the other hand, several studies have identified plant-derived chemical compounds capable of stimulating BAT thermogenesis in animal models, suggesting the translational applications of dietary supplements to fight adipose tissue dysfunctions. This review describes several nutraceuticals with thermogenic properties and provides indications, at a molecular level, of the regulation of the adipocyte thermogenesis by the mentioned phytochemicals.
The limiting configuration of interfacial gravity waves

Progressive gravity waves at the interface between two unbounded fluids are considered. The flow in each fluid is taken to be potential flow. The problem is converted into a set of integrodifferential equations, reduced to a set of algebraic equations by discretization, and solved by Newton’s method together with parameter variation. Meiron and Saffman’s [J. Fluid Mech. 129, 213 (1983)] calculations showing the existence of overhanging waves are confirmed. However, the present calculations do not support Saffman and Yuen’s [J. Fluid Mech. 123, 459 (1982)] conjecture that the waves are geometrically limited (i.e., that solutions exist until the interface intersects itself). It is proposed that along a solution branch starting with sinusoidal waves of small amplitude, one reaches solutions with vertical streamlines and then overhanging waves. Continuing on this branch, one returns to nonoverhanging waves and then back toward a wave with vertical streamlines. It is suggested that this succession of patterns .
Bioprocess Economic Modeling: Decision Support Tools for the Development of Stem Cell Therapy Products

Over recent years, the field of cell and gene therapy has witnessed rapid growth due to the demonstrated benefits of using living cells as therapeutic agents in a broad range of clinical studies and trials. Bioprocess economic models (BEMs) are fundamental tools for guiding decision-making in bioprocess design, being capable of supporting process optimization and helping to reduce production costs. These tools are particularly important when it comes to guiding manufacturing decisions and increasing the likelihood of market acceptance of cell-based therapies, which are often cost-prohibitive because of high resource and quality control costs. Not only this, but the inherent biological variability of their underlying bioprocesses makes them particularly susceptible to unforeseen costs arising from failed or delayed production batches. The present work reviews important concepts concerning the development of bioprocesses for stem cell therapy products and highlights the valuable role which BEMs can play in this endeavor. Additionally, some theoretical concepts relevant to the building and structuring of BEMs are explored. Finally, a comprehensive review of the existent BEMs so far reported in the scientific literature for stem cell-related bioprocesses is provided to showcase their potential usefulness.
A theory for the Langmuir waves in the electron foreshock

A theory for the Langmuir (L) waves observed in the electron foreshock is suggested. Free energy for the Langmuir wave growth is contained in cutoff distributions of energetic electrons streaming from the bow shock. These cutoff distributions drive Langmuir wave growth primarily by the kinetic version of the beam instability, and wave growth is limited by quasi-linear relaxation. The observed bump-on-tail electron distributions are interpreted as the remnants of cutoff distributions after quasi-linear relaxation has limited the wave growth. Only plausibility arguments for this theory are given since suitable treatments of quasi-linear relaxation are not presently available. However, it is shown that the wave processes L ± S → L′ and L ± S → T (where S and T denote ion sound and transverse waves, respectively), refraction in steady-state density structures, diffusion due to interactions with ion sound turbulence, and effects due to wave convection and spatial gradients in the beam velocity, are unable to suppress the beam instability. The theory leads to natural interpretations of the Langmuir electric field waveforms observed and of the decrease in the Langmuir wave electric fields with increasing distance from the foreshock boundary. The theory for the beam instability is reviewed, and previous analytic and numerical treatments of the beam instability are related. A difficulty in recent theoretical interpretations of broadband wave growth below the plasma frequency, relating to the version of the beam instability considered giving rise only to narrow-band growth, is pointed out and suggestions for resolving this difficulty are made.
Clinical Outcomes of Enamel Matrix Derivate Used in Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment of Peri-Implantitis: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies

Background and objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence of using enamel matrix derivate in the treatment of peri-implantitis. Materials and methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched until August 2022 to identify relevant articles. The inclusion criteria consisted in human clinical studies that reported the use of enamel matrix derivate (EMD) in surgical and non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and for non-RCTs ROBINS-I tool. Results: Clinical studies included were published between 2012 and 2022 and consisted of two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for non-surgical therapy and two RCTs, three prospective cohort studies, and one retrospective case series in surgical therapy. Due to the heterogeneity of patients’ characteristics and assessment of peri-implant therapy, statistical analysis could not be achieved. Conclusions: The use of EMD indicated a positive effect on both surgical and non-surgical therapy. However, the available literature is scarce, with low evidence in non-surgical approach and modest evidence in surgical approach using EMD. More RCTs with standardize protocols are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of using EMD in both therapies.
Parental Income and the Sexual Behavior of Their Adult Children: A Trivers–Willard Perspective

Parental income is negatively and linearly related to the digit ratio (2D:4D; a proxy for prenatal sex steroids) of their children. Children of parents with high income are thought to be exposed to higher prenatal testosterone and develop lower 2D:4D. It is further hypothesized that 2D:4D relates to sexual orientation, although it is unclear whether the association is linear or curvilinear. Here, we consider patterns of parental income and its association with the sexual behavior of their adult children in a large online study (the BBC internet study). There were curvilinear relationships with parental income in male and female children. The highest frequencies of homosexuality and bisexuality were found in the lowest income group (bottom 25% of the population), the lowest frequencies in the income group representing the upper 50% of the population, and intermediate values in the other groups (low 50% and top 25% of the population). Parental income showed a U-shaped association with scores for same-sex attraction and an inverted U-shaped association with opposite-sex attraction. Thus, for the first time, we show that same-sex attraction is related to parental income. The curvilinear relationship between parental income and sexual behavior in their adult children may result from an association between very high fetal estrogen or testosterone and attraction to partners of the same sex. Among non-heterosexuals, and in both sexes, very high fetal estrogen may be associated with femme or submissive sexual roles, and very high fetal testosterone with butch and assertive sexual roles.
An Effective IOT based Driver's Drowsiness Detection and Monitoring System to Avoid Real-Time Road Accidents

Many people know that driving while drowsy is dangerous, but they may not know how to detect their own level of sleepiness. The proposed solution will provide you with information on how to look for signs of potential driver drowsiness and take appropriate action. The existing techniques are classified into three major classes namely: vehicular based, behavioral based and physiological based methods. The vehicular based methods utilize parameters like steering control, brake control, acceleration on the pedal and lane deviations. The behavioral based methods utilize parameters like eye blinking, mouth ratio for yawning and head pose. The physiological based methods utilize parameters like heart rate activity, muscle activity and brain activity. These systems are designed to monitor the driver's sleepy state and alert him for prevention of road accidents. However, the accuracy for detecting sleepiness is very low and hence the proposed system will combine these methods to introduce a hybrid system to improve the detection rate. A buzzer is placed to alert the driver when the sleepiness is detected. This would allow the driver to rest or have a coffee instead of driving for long periods without realizing that he is too tired. The proposed solution will also detect the collision of the vehicle and send the location information of the driver through a SMS to the vehicle owner, in case if he is not awakened by the buzzer and met with any minor accident.