Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Derivation, experimental verification, and applications of a new color image model

Image modeling is an important area of image processing. Good image models are useful, for example, in image restoration problems because they provide constraints that can be imposed on degraded images to retrieve better approximations of the original image. Many physical models of images are separable functions of position and wavelength, which means that images can be written as a color independent local average multiplied by a color dependent residual. We will present experimental results showing that this is the case in practice, and discuss the limitations of this model. We will also show that several commonly used observations in image processing follow from this model. Finally, we will demonstrate the results of imposing the model constraints in several image denoising problems and show that degraded images can be improved by imposing the model constraints. Thesis Supervisor: Jae S. Lim Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering
Semi-submersible heave response study using diffraction potential theory with viscous damping correction

This paper discussesthe numerical prediction of the semisubmersible’s heave motion. In the previous study, it is observed that the heave motion response predicted by diffraction potential theory is over-estimated in the region where the heave motion is dominated by damping. In this research, viscous damping is included in the calculation to increase the heave damping magnitude in motion equation. The wave force and added massof semi-submersible is predicted by diffraction potential theory, only the total damping is corrected by sum-up the linear damping from diffraction potential theory with the proposed viscous damping. The heave motion response obtained from the proposed numerical method also compared to the data from the experiment. From the comparison, it can conclude that involved of viscous damping in the calculation will corrected a part of heave motion response tendency and reduce the large over-predicted error of heave motion response at the damping dominate.
Overview of the MPAC experiment: Development of dust collectors, hypervelocity impact experiments, and post flight analysis

1 Aero-Engine & Space Operations, IHI Corporation, Koto, Tokyo 135-8710, JAPAN 2 Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-8510, Japan 3 Institute of Aerospace Technology, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan 4 Kansai University, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan 5 Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 566-0871, Japan . Department of Materials and Biological Sciences, Ibaraki University, Mito, Ibaraki 310-8512, Japan
Biodynamic Analysis of Human Torso Stability using Finite Time Lyapunov Exponents

Low back pain is a common medical problem around the world afflicting 80% of the population some time in their life. Low back injury can result from a loss of torso stability causing excessive strain in soft tissue. This investigation seeks to apply existing methods to new applications and to develop new methods to assess torso stability. First, the time series averaged finite time Lyapunov exponent is calculated from data obtained during seated stability experiments. The Lyapunov exponent is found to increase with increasing task difficulty. Second, a new metric for evaluating torso stability is introduced, the threshold of stability. This parameter is defined as the maximum task difficulty in which dynamic stability can be maintained for the test duration. The threshold of stability effectively differentiates torso stability at two levels of visual feedback. Third, the state space distribution of the finite time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) field is evaluated for deterministic and stochastic systems. Two new methods are developed to generate the FTLE field from time series data. Using these methods, Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS) are found for an inverted pendulum, the Acrobot, and planar wobble chair models. The LCS are ridges in the FTLE field that separate two inherently different types of motion when applied to rigid-body dynamic systems. As a result, LCS can be used to identify the boundaries of the basin of stability. Finally, these new methods
The Star Formation Across Cosmic Time (SFACT) Survey. I. Survey Description and Early Results from a New Narrowband Emission-line Galaxy Survey

We introduce the Star Formation Across Cosmic Time (SFACT) survey. SFACT is a new narrowband survey for emission-line galaxies (ELGs) and QSOs being carried out using the wide-field imager on the WIYN 3.5 m telescope. Because of the superior depth and excellent image quality afforded by WIYN, we routinely detect ELGs to r = 25.0. Our survey observations are made using three custom narrowband filters centered on 6590 Å, 6950 Å, and 7460 Å. Due to the sensitivity of the survey, we are able to simultaneously detect sources via a number of different emission lines over a wide range of redshifts. The principal lines detected in SFACT are Hα (redshifts up to 0.144), [O iii]λ5007 (redshifts up to 0.500), and [O ii]λ3727 (redshifts up to 1.015). In this paper, we detail the properties of the survey as well as present initial results obtained by analyzing our three pilot-study fields. These fields have yielded a total of 533 ELG candidates in an area of 1.50 deg2 (surface density of 355 ELGs deg−2). Follow-up spectra for a subset of the ELG candidates are also presented. One of the key attributes of the SFACT survey is that the ELGs are detected in discrete redshift windows that will allow us to robustly quantify the properties of the star-forming and active galactic nucleus populations as a function of redshift to z = 1 and beyond. The planned acquisition of additional narrowband filters will allow us to expand our survey to substantially higher redshifts.
An interrupted time series analysis of the cardiovascular health benefits of a coal coking operation closure

With the widespread implementation of air pollution mitigation strategies for health and climate policy, there is an emerging interest in accountability studies to validate whether a reduction of air pollution exposure, in fact, produces the human health benefits estimated from past air pollution epidemiology. The closure of a coal coking plant provides an ideal ‘natural’ experiment opportunity to rigorously evaluate the health benefits of air pollution emissions reductions. In this study, we applied an interrupted time series model to test the hypothesis that the substantial reduction in air pollution induced by the closure of the Shenango, Inc. coke plant in Pittsburgh, PA during January, 2016 was followed by immediate and/or longer-term cumulative local cardiovascular health benefits. We observed a 90% decrease in nearby SO2 levels, as well as significant reductions in coal-related fine particulate matter constituents (sulfate and arsenic), after the closure. Statistically significant cardiovascular health benefits were documented in the local population, including a 42% immediate drop (95% CI: 33%, 51%) in cardiovascular emergency department (ED) visits from the pre-closure mean. A longer-term downward trend was also observed for overall emergency visits at −0.14 (95% CI: −0.17, −0.11) visits per week rate of decrease after the closure, vs. a rise of 0.17 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.20) visits per week before. Similarly, inpatient cardiovascular hospitalizations per year showed a decrease after closure (−27.97 [95% CI: −46.90, −9.04], as compared with a 5.09 [95% CI: −13.84, 24.02] average increase in cases/year over the prior three years). Our study provides clear evidence that this intervention lowering fossil fuel-associated air pollution benefited public health in both the short and longer term, while also providing validation of the past use of observational air pollution epidemiology effect estimates in policy analyses.
Microwave micro torch generated in argon based mixtures for biomedical applications

The subject of this paper is the recently developed 2.45 GHz microwave micro torch, which produces a surface wave discharge operating at low power of 25 W. Microwave plasma is generated using surfatron resonator in pure argon and argon with admixtures (up to 1.7%) of nitrogen and oxygen at the gas flow rate of 3 Slm. Two different configurations are used—a standard one and one with an additional metallic plate at the surfatron resonator end limiting the surface wave propagation along the plasma. Plasma parameters like temperatures (rotational, vibrational, electron) along the plasma torch axis as well as distribution of selected active particles are determined. The numeric simulation of the discharge and its properties are included, too. Finally, surface temperature of the fresh pork skin affected by the active particles flow is determined using thermo camera images. The obtained results show applicability of this system for the surface treatment of biological objects and possibility to modify the torch conditions by molecular gases additions.
Textbook explanations: Modes of reasoning in 7 th grade Israeli mathematics textbooks

The goal of this study is to characterize the justifications and explanations offered in 7th grade Israeli textbooks for mathematical statements. The justifications and explanations offered in eight 7th grade Israeli textbooks for ten selected mathematical statements were analysed, using the modes of reasoning framework (Stacey & Vincent, 2009). The analysis revealed that the textbooks commonly used several modes of reasoning in explanations for each statement. Nearly every justification was deductive or empirical, yet different modes of reasoning were used for geometric and for algebraic statements. It was also found that empirical justifications were more prevalent in textbooks of limited scope, whereas deductive justifications were typically offered in textbooks of regular/ extended scope.
ON HADAMARD INEQUALITIES FOR k-FRACTIONAL INTEGRALS

In this paper, we prove Hadamard inequalities for k -fractional Riemann-Liouville integrals and Hadamard inequalities for fractional Riemann-Liouville integrals are deduced. Also we extend these results on two coordinates and Hadamard inequalities for fractional Riemann-Liouville integrals on two coordinates are deduced.
BIODISTRIBUTION STUDY OF """Tc-LABELED LDL IN UPTAKE BY THE TUMOR B16-MELANOMA-BEARING MICE. VISUALIZATION OF A PREFERENTIAL

Since there is strong evidence of a preferential LDL accumulation in tumor cells, LDL might be of interest for tumor imaging. We have tested the ability of 99mTc-LDL in tumor imaging with B 16-melanoma-bearing mice as a model for further applications in human studies. The LDL fixation rate was higher with 99mTc-labeled LDL than with lZ5l labeled LDL. Since technetium-99m remains trapped in the cells, 99mTc-LDL is a well-adapted radioligand because of information given by this radiotracer on the receptor metabolism. We observed that, at early growth stages, the tumor took up the LDL at a maximal rate, suggesting differences in cholesterol metabolism as a function of tumor growth. Accumulation of label in the tumor area was perfectly observable in tumor-bearing mice on scintigraphic images. Computerized quantification of the regions of interest (as well as biodistribution studies including killing of the animals) showed a I . 8 I -fold increase in uptake by the tumor as compared to the liver and a 28-fold increase as compared with corresponding normal tissue (muscle of the left leg) at day 8 of tumor growth. These data give strong support to the value of this non-invasive method in visualizing and quantifying the tissue LDL uptake
Coincidence and common fixed point theorems for four mappings satisfying (αs, F)-contraction

In this paper, we manifest some coincidence and common fixed point theorems for four self-mappings satisfying Círíc-type and Hardy–Rogers-type (αs,F)-contractions defined on an αs-complete b-metric space. We apply these results to infer several new and old corresponding results in ordered b-metric spaces and graphic b-metric spaces. Our work generalizes several recent results existing in the literature. We present examples to validate our results. We discuss an application of main result to show the existence of common solution of the system of Volterra type integral equations.
Convergence of integration-based methods for the solution of standard and generalized Hermitian eigenvalue problems

Recently, methods based on spectral projection and numerical integration have been proposed in the literature as candidates for reliable high-performance eigenvalue solvers. The key ingredients of this type of eigenvalue solver are a Rayleigh-Ritz process and a routine to compute an approximation to the desired eigenspace. The latter computation can be performed by numerical integration of the resolvent. In this article we investigate the progress of the Rayleigh-Ritz process and the achievable quality of the computed eigenpairs for the case that an upper bound for the normwise difference between the currently used subspace and the desired eigenspace is available. Then, such bounds are derived for the Gauß-Legendre rule and the trapezoidal rule.
Some Generalizations of Weak Cyclic Compatible Contractions

In this paper, we establish the existence theorems for weak cyclic compatible contractions and cyclic compatible $M_{k}$-contractions. Our results extend and improve existing known results in \cite{KP1} as well as other results in the literature. We provide examples to illustrate and support our main results.
On distance irregular labeling of ladder graph and triangular ladder graph

In this paper, we discussed graph labelings that the distance irregular labeling within which will be presented the results of the distance irregularity strength of ladder graph and triangular ladder graph. The distance irregular labeling on a graph G with v vertices is defined as an assignment λ : V → {1, 2, · · · , k} so that the weights calculated at vertices are distinct. The weight of a vertex x in G is defined as the sum of the labels of all the vertices adjacent to x (distance 1 from x), that is, wt(x) = Σy∈N(x)λ(y). The distance irregularity strength of G, denoted by dis(G), is the minimum value of the largest label k over all such irregular assignments.
Nonlinearity and Gating in Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors

The quantum properties of electromagnetic radiation at single photon level promise to offer what are classically inaccessible. Single photon sources and detectors are therefore on demand for exploiting these properties in practical applications, including but not limited to quantum information processing and communication. In this thesis, I advance Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPD) both in terms of models describing their operation, and their performance. I report on characterization, semi-empirical modeling, quantum-optical modeling and detector tomography. The results provide more accurate methods and formulations to characterize and mathematically describe the detectors, valuable findings from both application and device points of views. I also introduce the concept of Gated SNSPDs, show how to implement and how to characterize them. Through series of theoretical and experimental investigations, I show performance advantages of Gated SNSPDs in terms of dead time and dark count rate, important figures for many applications like quantum key distribution. The ultimate limitations of gated operation are also explored by physical modeling and simulation steps.
Invariant Mass and Propagation Speed of Light Pulses in Vacuum

The concept of the Lorentz-invariant mass of groups of photons is shown to be applicable to classical light pulses with finite sizes and duration. Diffraction of light, providing non-collinearity of the photon motion in pulses, provides also nonzero values of their Lorentz-invariant masses. By considering light pulses as relativistic objects we find that owing to diffraction and finiteness of the Lorentz-invariant mass the mean propagation speed of pulses is always smaller than the light speed c.
Update on Saturn's energetic electron periodicities

The periodicities in fluxes of energetic electrons (110–365 keV) in Saturn's magnetosphere were determined from late 2004 to mid‐2016. The electron periods were calculated using Lomb periodogram analyses within windows of 200 days at sliding intervals of 10 days, which tracked changes in the periodicity. Sometimes the periodicity showed a clear duality, as in 2007–2008, while at other times the two periods came together so closely as to be indistinguishable, as after equinox in 2010 and in 2015. At still other times, the periodicity apparently vanished altogether, as in 2014. These periodicities generally agreed with those of other phenomena such as the magnetic field and radio emissions. Whether dual or mono, the periods generally remained between 10.58 h and 10.84 h, with two statistical peaks at ~10.68 h and ~10.81 h. This observation suggests that magnetospheric periodicities at Saturn lie within a limited range of values, which places constraints on the generative mechanism for the phenomena.
Optimal strategies for price, warranty length, and production rate of a new product with learning production cost

This study investigates optimal strategies for price, warranty length, and production rate of a new product, in which both static markets for non-durable and dynamic markets for durable products are involved. The mathematical model incorporates both the demand and the cost functions including production, warranty length, and inventory costs. Using the maximum principle approach, the optimal strategies and interactions among price, warranty length, and production rate in both markets are analyzed using some propositions. The analysis shows that to maximize profits in all cases, the price, the warranty length, and the production rate all must go up simultaneously or one of them must increase and the other two must decrease concurrently.
Predictors of half-marathon performance in male recreational athletes

Few research has been conducted on predictors of recreational runners' performance, especially in half-marathon running. The purpose of our study was (a) to investigate the relationship of half-marathon race time with training, anthropometry and physiological characteristics, and (b) to develop a formula to predict half-marathon race time in male recreational runners. Recreational runners (n=134, age 44.2±8.7 years; half-marathon race time 104.6±16.2 min) underwent a physical fitness battery consisting of anthropometric and physiological tests. The participants were classified into five performance groups (fast, 73-92 min; above average, 93-99 min; average 100-107 min; below average, 108-117 min; slow group, 118-160 min). A prediction equation was developed in an experimental group (EXP, n=67), validated in a control group (CON, n=67) and prediction bias was estimated with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Performance groups differed in half-marathon race time, training days, training distance, age, weight, (body mass index) BMI, body fat (BF) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) (p≤0.001, η2≥0.132), where faster groups had better scores than the slower groups. Half-marathon race time correlated with physiological, anthropometric and training characteristics, with the faster the runner, the better the score in these characteristics (e.g., VO2max, r=0.59; BMI, r=-0.55; weekly running distance, r=-0.53, p<0.001). Race time in EXP might be calculated (R2=0.63, standard error of the estimate=9.9) using the equation 'Race time (min)=80.056+2.498×BMI-0.594×VO2max-0.191×weekly training distance in km'. Validating this formula in CON, no bias was shown (difference between observed and predicted value 2.3±12.8 min, 95 % CI -0.9, 5.4, p=0.153). Half-marathon race time was related to and could be predicted by BMI, VO2max and weekly running distance. Based on these relationships, a prediction formula for race time was developed providing a practical tool for recreational runners and professionals working with them.
Defining in vitro topical antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of epoxy-tigliane structures against oral pathogens

ABSTRACT Background Peri-implantitis has become an inexorable clinical challenge in implantology. Topical immunomodulatory epoxy-tiglianes (EBCs), derived from the Queensland blushwood tree, which induce remodeling and resolve dermal infection via induction of the inflammasome and biofilm disruption, may offer a novel therapeutic approach. Design In vitro antimicrobial activity of EBC structures (EBC-46, EBC-1013 and EBC-147) against Streptococcus mutans, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in minimum inhibitory concentration, growth curve and permeabilization assays were determined. Antibiofilm activity was assessed using minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) experiments. Biofilm formation and disruption assays were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and direct plate counting. Results The observed antimicrobial efficacy of the tested compounds (EBC-1013 > EBC-46 > EBC-147) was directly related to significant membrane permeabilization and growth inhibition (p < 0.05) against planktonic S. mutans and P. gingivalis. Antibiofilm activity was evident in MBEC assays, with S. mutans biofilm formation assays revealing significantly lower biomass volume and increased DEAD:LIVE cell ratio observed for EBC-1013 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, biofilm disruption assays on titanium discs induced significant biofilm disruption in S. mutans and P. gingivalis (p < 0.05). Conclusions EBC-1013 is a safe, semi-synthetic, compound, demonstrating clear antimicrobial biofilm disruption potential in peri-implantitis.
Simultaneous quantitation of multiple myeloma related dietary metabolites in serum using HILIC-LC-MS/MS

Background Recent studies from targeted and untargeted metabolomics have consistently revealed that diet-related metabolites, including carnitine (C0), several species of acylcarnitines (AcyCNs), amino acids, ceramides, and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) may serve as potential multiple myeloma (MM) biomarkers. However, most of these approaches had some intrinsic limitations, namely low reproducibility and compromising the accuracy of the results. Objective This study developed and validated a precise, efficient, and reliable liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for measuring these 28 metabolic risk factors in human serum. Design This method employed isopropanol to extract the metabolites from serum, gradient elution on a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatographic column (HILIC) for chromatographic separation, and multiple reaction monitor (MRM) mode with positive electrospray ionization (ESI) for mass spectrometric detection. Results The correlation coefficients of linear response for this method were more than 0.9984. Analytical recoveries ranged from 91.3 to 106.3%, averaging 99.5%. The intra-run and total coefficients of variation were 1.1–5.9% and 2.0–9.6%, respectively. We have simultaneously determined the serological levels of C0, several subclasses of AcyCNs, amino acids, ceramides, and LPCs within 15 min for the first time. Conclusion The established LC-MS/MS method was accurate, sensitive, efficient, and could be valuable in providing insights into the association between diet patterns and MM disease and added value in further clinical research.