Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-domain reflective beam propagation method

A time-domain reflective beam propagation method (TD-RBPM) is presented for the analysis of optical pulse propagation and reflection in waveguide structures with multiple discontinuities. By utilizing an implicit scheme, the method allows relatively large time steps and, therefore, is highly efficient. The accuracy of the method is verified by simulating a time-domain Gaussian pulse reflected and transmitted from a multiple period grating and a four-layer antireflection coating structure.
State-of-the-Art Internet of Things in Protected Agriculture

The Internet of Things (IoT) has tremendous success in health care, smart city, industrial production and so on. Protected agriculture is one of the fields which has broad application prospects of IoT. Protected agriculture is a mode of highly efficient development of modern agriculture that uses artificial techniques to change climatic factors such as temperature, to create environmental conditions suitable for the growth of animals and plants. This review aims to gain insight into the state-of-the-art of IoT applications in protected agriculture and to identify the system structure and key technologies. Therefore, we completed a systematic literature review of IoT research and deployments in protected agriculture over the past 10 years and evaluated the contributions made by different academicians and organizations. Selected references were clustered into three application domains corresponding to plant management, animal farming and food/agricultural product supply traceability. Furthermore, we discussed the challenges along with future research prospects, to help new researchers of this domain understand the current research progress of IoT in protected agriculture and to propose more novel and innovative ideas in the future.
Structural Characteristics of High-Mobility Group Proteins HMGB1 and HMGB2 and Their Interaction with DNA

Non-histone nuclear proteins HMGB1 and HMGB2 (High Mobility Group) are involved in many biological processes, such as replication, transcription, and repair. The HMGB1 and HMGB2 proteins consist of a short N-terminal region, two DNA-binding domains, A and B, and a C-terminal sequence of glutamic and aspartic acids. In this work, the structural organization of calf thymus HMGB1 and HMGB2 proteins and their complexes with DNA were studied using UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Post-translational modifications (PTM) of HMGB1 and HMGB2 proteins were determined with MALDI mass spectrometry. We have shown that despite the similar primary structures of the HMGB1 and HMGB2 proteins, their post-translational modifications (PTMs) demonstrate quite different patterns. The HMGB1 PTMs are located predominantly in the DNA-binding A-domain and linker region connecting the A and B domains. On the contrary, HMGB2 PTMs are found mostly in the B-domain and within the linker region. It was also shown that, despite the high degree of homology between HMGB1 and HMGB2, the secondary structure of these proteins is also slightly different. We believe that the revealed structural properties might determine the difference in the functioning of the HMGB1 and HMGB2 as well as their protein partners.
Combustion Characteristics of Bi-Liquid Swirl Coaxial Injectors with Respect to a Recess

Uni-element combustion tests were conducted employing double swirl coaxial injectors fed by liquid oxygen and kerosene. In this study, two major experimental parameters have been considered: the recess length and fuel swirl chamber shape. It was revealed that combustion efficiency depends mainly on the mixing mechanism for the present swirl coaxial injectors, and acoustic intensities become reduced with a decrease of the recess length. Low-frequency pressure oscillations around 200Hz have been observed for all injectors. Dynamic behavior examined by the measurements of pressure fluctuations considerably differs for external and internal mixing based on the recess length. Internal mixing induces a mixture ratio and a total mass flow rate that vary with strong bias at a single frequency, resulting in highamplitude pressure fluctuations generated by combustion of pulsating coherent flow structures. However, the results for external mixing show that the fuel and oxidizer mixture flow carries more dispersed, multiple-wave characteristics due to the broad mixing region as well as disintegration and merging phenomena of propellant sheets before mixing.
An experimental study of the velocity distribution and transition to turbulence in the aorta

The development and evaluation of a hot-film probe, suitable for use within arteries and operated with a commercial constant-temperature anemometer and linearizcr, is described. The performance of the system in the recording of arterial velocity wave forms is described, and instantaneous and time-averaged velocity profiles constructed from measurements in the thoracic aorta of dogs are presented. The profiles were blunt, with boundary layers estimated to be less than 2 mm thick throughout the cycle, and significant skews were observed, the explanation for which appears to lie in the influence of local geometry on the flow. A preliminary study of flow disturbances in the aorta based on visual observation of instantaneous velocity wave forms and frequency spectrum analysis is reported. The occurrence of flow disturbances and turbulence is shown to be related to peak Reynolds number and the frequency parameter α. The possible roles of free-stream disturbances and boundary-layer transition in generating these disturbances are discussed.
SECTORS AND LARGE-SCALE MAGNETIC FIELD STRENGTH FLUCTUATIONS IN THE HELIOSHEATH NEAR 110 AU: VOYAGER 1, 2009

This paper describes observations of daily averages of the magnetic field strength B and the magnetic polarity measured by Voyager 1 (V1) in the heliosheath during 2009 between 108.5 and 112.1 AU and at heliographic latitude 34. °4. A negative magnetic polarity sector was observed during 2009 DOY 43–255. A positive polarity sector was observed during 2009 DOY 256–365. We offer the hypothesis that the existence of the two sectors is the result of the displacement of the wavy heliospheric current sheet to the position of V1 as a result of northward flow in the heliosheath. The large size of the sectors is caused by the slow radial motion of the flow observed by V1 in the heliosheath. The distribution of B during 2009 was lognormal, in contrast to the Gaussian distributions observed by V1 in the heliosheath prior to 2009. The large-scale fluctuations of B, described by the distribution of increments of daily averages of B, have a Tsallis distribution with q = 1.6. The large-scale fluctuations of B observed by V1 during 2009 have a multifractal spectrum with the same parameters that V1 observed during 2005 close to the termination shock at 94 AU. These results suggest that the large-scale magnetic fluctuations of B are in a metastable equilibrium state in the heliosheath between 94 AU and 112.1 AU.
EFFECT OF HEAVY ION IMPLANTATION AND LASER ANNEALING ON THE STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF GERMANIUM.

A yield deficit in RBS spectra is observed for Ge and Sb implants, a less pronounced but observable effect is found for In implant, and no change in BBS spectra is detected for Kr implant into Ge. The effect is dose dependent, after reaching a critical dose, the yield deficit appears. This critical dose is 3 × 1015 atom/cm2 for Ge and 2 × 1015 atom/cm2 for Sb implantation and with increasing dose the yield deficit becomes more and more pronounced. This is similar to earlier findings. In all cases, except for the noble gas (Kr, Xe) implants, the color of the implanted specimen turns to black. At the same time, SBM investigations show a peculiar surface morphology. Xe–Sb double implants are also investigated. Implanting first the noble gas (Xe) and then Sb, the effect is not observed. Laser annealing of In implanted Ge with Q-switched ruby laser (25 ns, 0.51 Jcm−2) results in a fairly good recrystallization and segregation of the indium to the surface. The peculiar surface morphology together with the color change disappears due to pulsed laser annealing. [Russian Text Ignored].
A DCT-based D-FANN for nonlinear adaptive time series prediction

A nonlinear adaptive time-series predictor has been developed using a new type of artificial neural network called dynamical-functional artificial neural network (D-FANN) for its underlying model structure. D-FANNs are two-layer neural systems in which the synaptic weights of the first layer are "functions" rather than numbers, and where the action of a synapse on a signal passing through it takes place in the form of a scalar product in L/sup 2/ between the functional weight and the signal. The second layer of these networks is a combiner, which optimally linearly combines the weighted outputs of the zero-memory nonlinear elements comprising the neurons. In this brief, we introduce a neural network which we call a DCT based D-FANN. This is a D-FANN where the functional weights of the first layer are a filter bank built up of discrete cosine transform basis functions. We show that this system can successfully be used to model and predict an important class of highly dynamic and nonstationary signals, namely speech signals.
BI VULPECULAE: A SIAMESE TWIN WITH TWO VERY SIMILAR COOL STARS IN SHALLOW CONTACT

BI Vul is a cool eclipsing binary star (Sp. = K3 V) with a short period of 0.2518 days. The first charge-coupled device (CCD) light curves of the binary in the BVRI obtained on 2012 August 21 are presented and are analyzed using the Wilson–Devinney code. It is discovered that BI Vul is a marginal contact binary system (f = 8.7%) that contains two very similar cool components (q = 1.037). Both the marginal contact configuration and the extremely high mass ratio suggest that it is presently evolving into contact with little mass transfer between the components and it is at the beginning stage of contact evolution. By using all available times of minimum light, the variations in the orbital period are investigated for the first time. We find that the observed − calculated (O − C) curve of BI Vul shows a cyclic change with a period of 10.8 yr and an amplitude of 0.0057 days, while it undergoes a downward parabolic variation. The cyclic oscillation is analyzed for the light-travel time effect that arises from the gravitational influence of a possible third stellar object. The mass and orbital separation of the third body are estimated as M3 ∼ 0.30 M☉ and ∼4.9 AU, respectively. The downward parabolic change reveals a long-term period decrease at a rate of days yr−1. The period decrease may be caused by angular momentum loss via magnetic stellar wind and/or it is only a part of a long-period (longer than 32 yr) cyclic variation, which may reveal the presence of another stellar companion in a wider orbit. These observational properties indicate that the formation of the Siamese twin is driven by magnetic braking and the third stellar companion should play an important role by removing angular momentum from the central binary.
Personalized Computerized Training for Cognitive Dysfunction after COVID-19: A Before-and-After Feasibility Pilot Study

The current pilot study was set to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefit of a personalized computerized cognitive training (CCT) intervention to improve cognitive function among people living with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Seventy three adults who self-reported cognitive dysfunction more than 3 months after a diagnosis of COVID-19 took part in an 8-week training study. Participants’ general cognitive function was assessed before they completed as many cognitive daily training sessions as they wished during an 8-week period, using a personalized CCT application at home. At the end of this period, participants repeated the general cognitive function assessment. The differences between the scores at 8 weeks and baseline in five cognitive domains (attention, memory, coordination, perception, reasoning), complemented with analyses of the changes based on the participants’ age, training time, self-reported health level at baseline and time since the initial COVID-19 infection. Participants had significant cognitive dysfunction and self-reported negative health levels at baseline. Most of the participants obtained higher scores after CCT in each of the domains as compared with baseline. The magnitude of this score increase was high across domains. It is concluded that a self-administered CCT based on gamified cognitive tasks could be an effective way to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in persons with PASC. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT05571852.
Human β-defensin-3 participates in intra-amniotic host defense in women with labor at term, spontaneous preterm labor and intact membranes, and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

Abstract Objective: Human β-defensin-3 (HBD-3) has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, and activity and, therefore, plays a central role in host defense mechanisms against infection. Herein, we determined whether HBD-3 was a physiological constituent of amniotic fluid during midtrimester and at term and whether the concentration of this defensin was increased in amniotic fluid of women with spontaneous preterm labor and intact membranes and those with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM) with intra-amniotic inflammation or intra-amniotic infection. Methods: Amniotic fluid was collected from 219 women in the following groups: (1) midtrimester who delivered at term (n = 35); (2) with or without spontaneous labor at term (n = 50); (3) spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes who delivered at term (n = 29); (4) spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes who delivered preterm with or without intra-amniotic inflammation or intra-amniotic infection (n = 69); and (5) pPROM with or without intra-amniotic infection (n = 36). Amniotic fluid HBD-3 concentrations were determined using a sensitive and specific ELISA kit. Results: (1) HBD-3 is a physiological constituent of amniotic fluid; (2) the amniotic fluid concentration of HBD-3 did not change with gestational age (midtrimester versus term not in labor); (3) amniotic fluid concentrations of HBD-3 were higher in women with spontaneous labor at term than in those without labor; (4) in the absence of intra-amniotic inflammation, amniotic fluid concentrations of HBD-3 were similar between women with spontaneous preterm labor who delivered preterm and those who delivered at term; (5) among patients with spontaneous preterm labor who delivered preterm, amniotic fluid concentrations of HBD-3 were greater in women with intra-amniotic infection than in those without this clinical condition; (6) among patients with spontaneous preterm labor, amniotic fluid concentrations of HBD-3 were higher in women with intra-amniotic inflammation or intra-amniotic infection who delivered preterm than in those without these clinical conditions who delivered at term; and (7) women with pPROM and intra-amniotic infection had higher median amniotic fluid concentrations of HBD-3 than those without this clinical condition. Conclusion: Human β-defensin-3 is a physiological constituent of amniotic fluid and increases during the process of labor at term. Amniotic fluid concentrations of HBD-3 were increased in women with spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes or pPROM with intra-amniotic inflammation or intra-amniotic infection, indicating that this defensin participates in the host defense mechanisms in the amniotic cavity against microorganisms or danger signals. These findings provide insight into the soluble host defense mechanisms against intra-amniotic inflammation and intra-amniotic infection.
Two- and Three-Dimensional Coding Schemes for Wavelet and Fractal-Wavelet Image Compression

This thesis presents two novel coding schemes and applications to both twoand three-dimensional image compression. Image compression can be viewed as methods of functional approximation under a constraint on the amount of information allowable in specifying the approximation. Two methods of approximating functions are discussed: Iterated function systems (IFS) and wavelet-based approximations. IFS methods approximate a function by the fixed point of an iterated operator, using consequences of the Banach contraction mapping principle. Natural images under a wavelet basis have characteristic coefficient magnitude decays which may be used to aid approximation. The relationship between quantization, modelling, and encoding in a compression scheme is examined. Context based adaptive arithmetic coding is described. This encoding method is used in the coding schemes developed. A coder with explicit separation of the modelling and encoding roles is presented: an embedded wavelet bitplane coder based on hierarchical context in the wavelet coefficient trees. Fractal (spatial IFSM) and fractal-wavelet (coefficient tree), or IFSW, coders are discussed. A second coder is proposed, merging the IFSW approaches with the embedded bitplane coder. Performance of the coders, and applications to twoand three-dimensional images are discussed. Applications include two-dimensional still images in greyscale and colour, and three-dimensional streams (video).
Impact of advanced footwear technology on critical speed and performance in elite runners

Abstract Critical speed represents the highest exercise intensity at which the oxidative phosphorylation is sufficient to satisfy the energy demand. Since the release of the advanced footwear technology in May 2017, every road record from the 5-km event to the marathon has been broken. The question arises whether this type of footwear improves critical speed and, thus, performance. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the impact of advanced footwear technology on critical speed and D′ (curvature constant of speed-time relationship) in male elite distance runners, and (ii) to analyse the interference of the weather conditions and orography on such influence. Critical speed and D′ were calculated using the linear distance-time model analysis in eleven runners through their season best performances in two distance running events (10-km and half-marathon) during the same season. Six runners were wearing advanced footwear technology during the advanced footwear technology era and not wearing this footwear during the pre-advanced footwear technology era (experimental group), and five runners were not wearing advanced footwear technology during any of both eras (control group). Critical speed improved by 3.31% in the experimental group when runners were wearing advanced footwear technology (p = 0.034; ES = 0.623), while in the control group did not change (p = 0.311; ES = 0.251). D′ remained unchanged in both groups. Weather conditions and orography remained unchanged. The use of advanced footwear technology resulted into an improved critical speed which could explain the improvement in performance with this type of footwear in recent years in elite runners.
Nuclear partition functions at high temperature

Nuclear partition functions are calculated in a Fermi-gas approximation which accounts for continuum single-particle orbitals. Numerical results for iron-peak nuclei with kT< or =10 MeV indicate that partition functions and mean nuclear excitation energies are nearly as large as those given by the conventional formulation, in marked contrast with previous phenomenological treatments of this problem.
NIEL and damage correlations for high-energy protons in gallium arsenide devices

A longstanding discrepancy between proton nonionizing energy loss (NIEL) calculations and experimental measurements in GaAs devices for E>20 MeV is explored. The various calculations of proton NIEL in GaAs are consistent. The experimental results and calculations can be made to agree by various methods that restrict the effect of high-energy recoils, such as the neutron "damage efficiency function. " However, it should be noted that some damage coefficients track the total NIEL and further work is clearly required.
Analytical formulation for the resonant frequency of split rings

A simple approximate expression is derived for the resonant frequency of a singly split single ring that is among the first microwave resonators designed to be small relative to the wavelength. In addition to the usual gap capacitance the concept of surface capacitance is introduced. The surface capacitance is determined analytically by two different methods, first using analytical expressions for the electric field of a split cylinder, and second by using conformal mapping. Taking two practical examples the resonant frequency, found analytically, is shown to agree with that obtained by numerical simulations. The model could be used for studies of the resonant properties of split rings in the terahertz region.
Intraday variability in compact extragalactic radio sources - II. Observations with the Effelsberg 100 m radio telescope

We present the data from 11 observing campaigns (carried out between 1989 and 1999) at the Effelsberg 100 m radio telescope to study Intraday Variability in Active Galactic Nuclei. Most of these observations were performed in total power and linear polarization. We give summary tables, light curves, and structure functions from these data sets. Due to the large number of individual observations, only examples of the lightcurves will be presented here; the complete set of figures will be accessible online �� . Intraday variations are present in nearly all sources (detected during at least one of the observing campaigns). Variations in total flux density are usually accompanied by similar variability of the linear polarization. In most cases, the latter variations are stronger and faster by up to a factor of two.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Turbulent Anisochoric Flows

The objective of this study is to develop a large eddy simulation model for nonreacting as well as chemically reacting flows at high Reynolds numbers. This paper focuses on the large eddy simulation model applied to the nonreacting case and the evaluation of its predictive capabilities. Further, results from the large eddy simulations are used to investigate the large-scale structures present in unsteady wake flows. The large eddy simulation model contains subgrid-scale models for both cross and Reynolds quantities to account for both outscatter (i.e., transfer from small scales to larger scales) transfer between large scales and dissipation. To evaluate the large eddy simulation model, results from two- and three-dimensional large eddy simulations of nonreacting flow in a rectilinear channel with a triangular shaped bluff body are compared with experimental measurements and with results from two-dimensional simulations made with the k-e model and a differential Reynolds stress model. The investigations indicate that the results obtained with the large eddy simulation model is in good agreement with experimental data. Comparison of results obtained with the large eddy simulation model and results obtained with the k-e model and the differential Reynolds stress model clearly reveals the known weaknesses of the latter methods.