Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling car-following behavior during queue discharge at signalized intersections with countdown timer

ABSTRACT Countdown timers impact driver behavior significantly and are widely used at signalized intersections in many countries. Literature shows potential vehicle class-specific temporal and spatial variations in driver behavior in the presence of timer. Therefore, first, this paper analyzed the temporal, spatial, and vehicle class-specific impacts of timer on driver behavior in heterogeneous traffic conditions based on variations in acceleration. Second, a Long Short-Term Memory model was developed to model vehicle discharge, incorporating the heterogeneity of traffic and impacts of timer. The performance of the model was compared with that of the Intelligent Driver Model using field trajectory data from three signalized intersections in Kerala, India. The model accurately predicts the following behavior with mixed spacing errors of 0.24 to 0.35 and an average mean squared error of spacing of 1.23. The results were better than, or comparable to, results from recent data-driven car-following models and significantly better than IDM.
New High-Pressure Phase of Calcium

An angular dispersive X-ray diffraction experiment on calcium metal (Ca) has been performed at high pressures up to 139 GPa. Ca forms a face-centered cubic (fcc) lattice at ambient conditions, transforms to a body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice at 20 GPa, and further transforms to a simple cubic structure at 32 GPa. We found the simple cubic phase in a wide pressure range, from 32 to about 109 GPa, and discovered a new high-pressure phase above 113 GPa.
Thermoelectric properties of individual electrodeposited bismuth telluride nanowires

For an electrodeposited bismuth telluride (BixTe1−x) nanowire from one batch with x found to be about 0.46, the Seebeck coefficient (S) was measured to be 15%–60% larger than the bulk values at temperature 300K. For four other nanowires from a different batch with x≈0.54, S was much smaller than the bulk values. The electrical conductivity of the nanowires showed unusually weak temperature dependence and the values at 300K were close to the bulk values. Below 300K, phonon-boundary scattering dominated phonon-phonon Umklapp scattering in the nanowires, reducing the lattice thermal conductivity.
Rethinking the efficacy of spatial development plans in Zimbabwe: A case of Masvingo Province

Abstract Spatial development plans can be vital tools to guide spatial development in rapidly urbanising towns and cities in the South. Yet, their efficacy in guiding spatial development in Zimbabwe’s volatile environment is increasingly questioned and remains little understood, at least empirically. This paper assesses whether master and local plans positively affect spatial development in cities, towns, and growth centres in Masvingo province. We found that spatial developments undertaken without the guidance of master and local plans are chaotic and result in disorderly settlements. However, the same is evident in urban centres with operative master and local plans. Unplanned settlements have emerged as pressure is mounting on local authorities to provide building land and housing for the ever-increasing urban populations. The blueprint nature and the cost of preparing spatial development plans have discouraged local authorities with intentions to prepare such plans and triggered the need to question their efficacy. Even for local authorities with operative master and local plans: the disregard of these plans by political and economic elites and the urban poor shows that the plans have, in most cases, become inhibitors of development in a rapidly urbanising world. Master and local plans remain essential tools for guiding spatial development in Zimbabwe as long as they become flexible and swiftly respond to the needs of the ever-growing urban population.
LoRa Preamble Detection With Optimized Thresholds

Long Range (LoRa) is one of the widely adopted techniques for Internet of Things (IoT). Preamble detection is a key initial task for LoRa systems. Meanwhile, the so-called threshold-based preamble detection is a common technique for compatibility with LoRa. However, the existing methods on the threshold-based LoRa preamble detection suffer from low performance because the detection thresholds are heuristically chosen. To tackle this issue, in this letter, we aim to optimize those thresholds by maximizing the preamble detection probability while satisfying a constraint on false alarm rate. For this purpose, coherent and noncoherent procedures for the preamble detection are presented in a universal manner, followed by conducting their performance analysis. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Exceptional preservation in Quaternary Atacama Desert Tufas: Evidence for increased groundwater and surface water in the Calama Basin, Atacama, Chile

Exceptionally well‐preserved tufas located west of Calama, Atacama Desert, Chile, designated Santa Juana tufas, record episodic wetter conditions, relative to today, over the past 500,000 years. Globally, tufa architecture and depositional details are poorly understood as most described tufas have been degraded by weathering and erosion. In the hyperarid Atacama, post‐depositional alteration is negligible, therefore, the exceptional preservation of Santa Juana tufas documented in this study provides new information about tufa facies and their complex interactions. Santa Juana facies include microbial stromatolites, phytoherms, cascadestone, flowstone and porous limestone. Phytoherms, consisting of former plant stems coated with calcite, developed in channels, within pools, and along spring discharge aprons. Cascadestone, representing former waterfalls, preserves microbial filaments and delicate V‐shaped calcite crystals. Flowstone lines shallow subvertical to subhorizontal channels, representing sites of rapidly sluicing water flow. Porous limestone, containing sparse calcite and/or gypsum and anhydrite cement crystals, represents detrital accumulations. Stable isotope results, coupled with U/Th ages, show that by the Quaternary, relative to the Neogene, groundwater was less supercharged with volcanogenic CO2 so degassing was moderated. The δ18O ratios from Miocene–Pliocene palustrine and lacustrine freshwater carbonates that underlie Santa Juana tufas indicate significant evaporation, but the tufa δ18O signal indicates a less evaporative trend due to shorter atmosphere exposure time. Biological fractionation in δ13C is largely masked by the region's volcanogenic carbon footprint, although tufa petrography shows well‐preserved microbial filaments and laminations. The range of tufa ages in this study shows that there were wetter time periods within the drainage basin headwater area in the Quaternary, but that by the late Pleistocene to early Holocene, aridity to hyperaridity became established. The lack of diagenesis or alteration within the Santa Juana tufas indicates that there has been minimal rainfall since their deposition.
Cultural Proficiency in First Nations Health Research: A Mixed-Methods, Cross-Cultural Evaluation of a Novel Resource

Recent efforts have illustrated the efficacy of culturally proficient approaches to research, underpinned by robust partnerships between researchers and First Nations peoples and communities. This article seeks to determine differences in approaches to First Nations research engagement perceptions between First Nations and non-First Nations researchers, as well as whether participation in a cultural proficiency workshop improved the perceived cultural proficiency of non-First Nations health researchers. Also, whether a set of novel cultural proficiency resources, designed in the Sydney region could be applied broadly across First Nations contexts within Australia. The evaluation adopted a mixed-methods, cross-cultural (First Nations and non-First Nations) design to appraise the novel cultural proficiency resources, identifying participant perceptions to First Nations research engagement, as well as views regarding the feasibility of universal application of the resources. A quantitative pre- and post-workshop evaluation was also undertaken to measure differences in self-reported cultural proficiency. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis and quantitative data were analysed applying t-tests. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluation showed minimal variation between the cultural groups regarding research engagement perceptions, based on viewing of the online resources. A statistically significant increase in self-reported cultural proficiency was found in non-First Nations workshop participants. Cultural proficiency education and training programs that promote an immersive, interactive, and ongoing framework can build the perceived cultural proficiency of non-First Nations health researchers, however First Nations expertise must validate this perceived cultural proficiency to be beneficial in practice. Based on the research findings, applying the underlying ethical principles of First Nations research with a local, context-centred approach allows for the broad application of cultural proficiency research education and training programs within Australia.
Discovering Novel Bioactivities of Controversial Food Additives by Means of Simple Zebrafish Embryotoxicity (ZET) Assays

The rising concerns about controversial food additives’ potential hazardous properties require extensive yet animal-minimized testing strategies. Zebrafish embryos are the ideal in vivo model representing both human and environmental health. In this study, we exposed zebrafish embryos to eight controversial food additives. Our results indicate that Sodium Benzoate is a Cat.3 aquatic toxicant, while Quinoline Yellow is a strong teratogen. At high concentrations, non-toxic chemicals induced similar phenotypes, suggesting the impact of ionic strength and the applicability of the darkened yolk phenotype as an indicator of nephrotoxicity. Three food additives showed unpredicted bioactivities on the zebrafish embryos: Brilliant Blue could weaken the embryonic yolk, Quinoline Yellow may interfere with nutrient metabolism, and Azorubine induced precocious zebrafish hatching. In conclusion, the zebrafish embryo is ideal for high throughput chemical safety and toxicity screening, allowing systematic detection of biological effects—especially those unexpected by targeted in vitro and in silico models. Additionally, our data suggest the need to reconsider the safety status of food additives Quinoline Yellow, Brilliant Blue, Sodium Benzoate, and other controversial food additives in further studies, as well as pave the way to further applications based on the newly found properties of Brilliant Blue and Azorubine.
“Our family sleeps deeply”: The Presence of Others During Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse as Conveyed By Girls From Diverse Communities in Israel

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is generally perceived as a crime perpetrated out of sight, without witnesses. Nevertheless, several researchers have explored the presence of others during incidents of abuse in regards to two main aspects: bystanders in extrafamilial CSA and bystanders’ decisions whether or not to get involved. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding how children who experience abuse perceive and experience the presence of others during abusive incidents. The current study was designed to examine the experiences and perceptions of girls who experienced intrafamilial CSA (IFCSA) with respect to the presence of others, as conveyed during their forensic interviews. A thematic analysis of 24 forensic interviews was conducted with secular Jewish, ultra-Orthodox Jewish, and Muslim Arab girls, aged 4–14. The analysis identified four main themes: (a) the girls’ perceptions of others’ awareness of them being abused, (b) the girl’s experiences of loneliness, (c) the girls’ experiences of disclosing to the others present during the abuse, and (d) family dynamics. The discussion highlights the unique, multifaceted and elusive dynamics of IFCSA, calling into question the commonly held view that it happens only in secret. The girls’ narratives highlighted their distress and pointed to the abusive and unbearable daily routine in which they live. In spotlighting their encounters with IFCSA, the girls focused on the feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation they experienced.
Dual-Doppler and Single-Doppler Analysis of a Tornadic Storm Undergoing Mergers and Repeated Tornadogenesis

Abstract Dual-Doppler observations with unprecedented finescale spatial and temporal resolution are used to characterize the vector wind field in and near a tornado occurring near Kiefer, Oklahoma, on 26 May 1997. Analyses of the dual-Doppler vector wind fields document in detail, for the first time, several structures associated with the tornado: a proximate updraft region, a rear-flank downdraft wrapping around the tornado, a double gust front structure occluding near the tornado, and a region of enhanced vorticity separated from the tornado that may have been associated with cyclic tornadogenesis. The analyses are compared to conceptual and computer models of tornadic storms. A subsequent tornadogenesis was observed with radar every 18 s, providing a finescale temporal view of the genesis process. The genesis process was complex and the evolution of tornado intensity parameters was not monotonic in time. Low-level rotation contracted and intensified, then broadened, then contracted and intensified a se.
NONLINEAR ANALYSIS OF THE PARAMETRIC RESONANCES OF A PLANAR FLUID-CONVEYING CANTILEVERED PIPE

Abstract This paper deals with the nonlinear dynamics and the stability of cantilevered pipes conveying fluid, where the fluid has a harmonic component of flow velocity, assumed to be small, superposed on a constant mean value. The mean flow velocity is near the critical value for which the pipe becomes unstable by flutter through a Hopf bifurcation. The partial differential equation is transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the Galerkin method. The equations of motion contain nonlinear inertial terms, and hence cannot be put into standard form for numerical integration. Various approaches are adopted to tackle the problem: (a) the centre manifold theory applied on the set of non-autonomous equations, followed by the normal form method, yielding both the principal and the fundamental resonances; (b) a perturbation method via which the nonlinear inertial terms are removed by finding an equivalent term using the linear equation; the system is then put into first-order form and integrated using a Runge-Kutta scheme; (c) a finite difference method based on Houbolt's scheme, which leads to a set of nonlinear algebraic equations that is solved with a Newton-Raphson approach; (d) periodic solutions and stability boundaries are obtained using an incremental harmonic balance method as proposed by S. L. Lau. Using the four methods, the dynamics of the pipe conveying fluid are investigated in detail. For example, the effects of (i) the forcing frequency, (ii) the perturbation amplitude, and (iii) the flow velocity are considered. Particular attention is paid to the effect of the nonlinear terms. These results are compared with experiments undertaken in our laboratory, utilizing elastomer pipes conveying water. The pulsating component of the flow is generated by a plunger pump, and the motions are monitored by a noncontacting optical follower system. It is shown analytically, numerically and experimentally, that periodic and quasiperiodic oscillations can exist, depending on the parameters.
Serum selenium status in Graves’ disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in an iodine-sufficient area: A case–control study

Background: Selenium (Se) can be found in the molecular structure of selenoproteins; including thioredoxin reductase and glutathione peroxidase and also in Type I and II deiodinases. Previous studies have shown that Se deficiency has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). In the present study, we investigated the serum Se levels of patients with Graves’ disease (GD), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), and euthyroid individuals as a control group. Materials and Methods: The present study was performed on patients with newly diagnosed AITD (GD and HT). The control group was matched with the case group in terms of parameters such as age and sex. Free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, antithyroid peroxidase, antithyroglobulin, and serum Se levels were measured in all participants. These parameters were compared between groups. Results: Data from 132 patients with HT, 120 patients with GD, and 120 healthy euthyroid patients as a control group were analyzed. The Se level in patients with HT (104.36 μg/l) and GD (97.68 μg/l) was significantly lower than in the control group (122.63 μg/l) (P < 0.001). The incidence of Se deficiency in patients with HT, GD, and in the control group was 15.2%, 2.5%, and 2.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). In patients with GD, 34 patients (28.33%) had Graves’ orbitopathy. Se levels in patients with orbitopathy were significantly lower than in patients without orbitopathy. Conclusion: The serum Se level was significantly lower in newly diagnosed patients with GD and HT than in the control group. Overall, Se deficiency can be considered a risk factor for AITDs.
Ocular Lesions in Brucella Infection: A Review of the Literature

Abstract Ocular lesions due to Brucella infection are uncommon and easily overlooked in clinical management, but must be differentiated from non-infectious eye diseases and treated promptly to protect the patient’s vision. We reviewed the relevant literature and identified 47 patients with ocular complications of Brucella infection. Among them, 28 showed ocular neuropathy, 15 presented with uveitis, and four patients displayed other ocular symptoms. Ocular symptoms accompanying Brucella infection require prompt diagnosis and treatment. The main methods of diagnosis are intraocular fluid tests and blood tests. Early diagnosis and treatment with suitable antibiotics are central to protecting the patient’s vision. Notably, in terms of mechanism of injury, Brucella infection is chronic and cannot be eliminated by phagocytes, and can cause damage to the eye by inducing autoimmune reactions, antigen-antibody complex production, release of endogenous and exogenous toxins, and bacterial production of septic thrombi in the tissues. In this review, we summarize the ocular symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Brucella infection, and discuss the mechanisms of Brucella in ocular lesions, providing a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of Brucella ocular lesions.
The Role of Thromboelastography in Identifying Coagulopathy Among Geriatric Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Background The geriatric population has the highest incidence of head injury, and those who are anticoagulated have an increased risk of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The availability of viscoelastic coagulation studies has coincided with the development of many anticoagulation reversal agents. In this study, our objective was to assess whether the thromboelastography (TEG) assay affected clinical decision-making regarding reversal agent administration among geriatric patients with ICH caused by blunt head trauma. Methodology We prospectively screened adults aged 65 and older with head trauma presenting to the emergency departments of two level-one trauma centers. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes S00-09 were used to identify the diagnosis of head injury. Patients with CT head imaging positive for acute ICH were included. Each patient was assessed for home use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications, as well as in-hospital use of any reversal agents. Reversal agent administration and mortality were compared between patients who received TEG and those who did not. Results A total of 680 patients had acute ICH on head CT, and 324 (48%) patients received TEG. More patients screened with TEG were transfused platelets (30.2% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.001). This remained significant for patients taking anticoagulants, antiplatelets, or neither. There were no differences in the administration of other reversal agents (prothrombin complex concentrate or fresh frozen plasma) or mortality whether or not TEG was performed. Conclusions Patients who had TEG performed were more likely to receive platelet reversal agents, regardless of antiplatelet medication usage. Among elderly adults with ICH, TEG is a rapid screening test that may help identify patients with platelet function abnormalities requiring reversal.
Morphology of galaxies in compact groups

Results of a study of galaxy morphology in a homogeneous sample of 98 compact groups of galaxies are reported. Of all the galaxies, 49 percent are of late morphological type (S + Irr), somewhat less than the corresponding fraction for field galaxies. Similarly, for first-ranked galaxies only, 48 percent are late type. Several strong correlations are found between galaxy type and the galaxy environment. Morphological concordance occurs between galaxies within a group. Galaxy morphological type correlates with group optical luminosity, and galaxy morphology correlates with velocity dispersion. The latter correlation is found to be the more fundamental of the two. No strong correlation between morphological type and galaxy space density is found in these compact groups, contrary to the situation in rich clusters and loose groups. These results indicate that the morphological types of galaxies in compact groups are strongly influenced by the environment, and that this influence occurs mostly at the time of galaxy formation. 22 references.
The analysis of the electrical conductivity of graphite conductivity of graphite powders during compaction

The conductivity of four graphite powders was measured as a function of the volume fraction of graphite (or air) along (axial) and across (transverse) the direction of compression. The conductivity varies by between two and four orders of magnitude during these measurements. The results are shown to fit an equation which expresses the conductivity of the mixture as a function of the conductivity of the graphite and two morphology parameters. One parameters is the critical volume fraction, at which the graphite-air mixture would become insulating (percolation threshold) and the other an exponent is a combination of the effective demagnetisation coefficients of the grains and the critical volume fraction. Electron micrographs of the powder grains are shown and volume orientation percentage measurements of the graphite using X-rays were made in order to try to understand the results better.