Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing lethal and non‐lethal methods of active population control for harbor seals in British Columbia

Pinniped populations around the world increased rapidly after hunting and culling during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ended. Some believe that pinnipeds are now preventing the recovery of certain fish populations, and that controlling pinniped population abundance using lethal measures such as harvesting or by non ‐ lethal means like contraception could recover fish populations. It is unclear, however, how effective and how long it would take for such methods of population control to bring numbers of pinnipeds down to target levels. We used sex ‐ and age ‐ structured population models to estimate how quickly harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance in British Columbia, Canada, could be reduced by 50%, through combinations of lethal removals and sterilization of adult females. Models were fit to seal abundance, demographic, and harvest data collected between 1879 and 2014. Simulation modeling suggests reliance on contraception exclusively is unlikely to reduce the current harbor seal population (numbering ~100,000) by 50% within 25 years, and would result in more variable outcomes, compared to lethal removals. Contraception could be combined with harvesting to maintain a target abundance of harbor seals (although captive studies with harbor seals are needed to confirm the efficacy of contraception). Our simulation
Comparative Study of Deep Learning Models for Predicting Stock Prices

—The stock market is volatile, dynamic, and nonlinear. Hence, predicting the stock prices has been a challenging task for any researcher in time series forecasting. Accurately predicting stock prices has been a hot topic for both ﬁnancial and technical researchers. In this paper, we deploy six deep learning models (i.e., MLP, CNN, RNN, LSTM, GRU, and AE) to predict the closing price, one day ahead, of 20 different companies (i.e. 5 groups of 4) in the S&P 500 markets over the 7-years range (Jan 2015 - August 2022). The experimental results do not provide interesting insights, but also help us to deepen our understanding of how to use deep learning models in ﬁnancial markets.
Serializing languages as satellite-framed: The case of Fon

Languages expressing motion events through serial verb constructions are categorized in various ways according to the typology of motion events. This paper challenges the typological classification of serializing languages by proposing that a serializing language like Fon is better analyzed as a satellite-framed language, lexicalizing the core-schema of motion — Path — in a verb satellite, than as verb-framed or equipollently-framed. Semantic and syntactic arguments are presented and lead to a new definition of verbal satellite in functional terms. It is further demonstrated that there is no need for a special treatment of serializing languages like Fon when conceiving the typology of motion events as a bipolar typological continuum, with at one end the verb-framing pattern and at the other end, the satellite-framing pattern.
Modulational instability in highly nonlinear media

We consider the continuous wave propagation in a highly dispersive and nonlinear medium wherein the wave propagation is governed by the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation. We demonstrate the novel flat-top modulational instability gain for a wide range of modulation frequencies in the anomalous dispersion regime of highly dispersive and nonlinear media. We find that the resulting MI gain is independent of input power. Besides, we compare the analytical results with those of numerical results.
Pathogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila in High-value Native Pangasius Catfish, Pangasius nasutus (Bleeker)

Pangasius catfish, Pangasius nasutus, is a promising candidate for aquaculture due to its high market value. However, the presence of pathogenic bacteria in Aeromonas hydrophila is a major concern in P. nasutus farming in this country. This study determines the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila in P. nasutus. A total of 80 P. nasutus juveniles were intraperitoneally injected with 0, 103, 105, and 107 CFU mL-1 of A. hydrophila and monitored until 240 hr. The infected moribund fish’s kidneys, livers, and spleens were collected for histopathological analysis. The LD50-240hr value was found at 0.8 × 104 CFU/ml of A. hydrophila. The percentage of mortality in 0, 103, 105, and 107 CFU/ml infected groups were found to be at 0, 40, 60, and 90%, respectively. The infected fish showed congestion at the base of the fin, ascites, enlarged gall bladder, and swollen spleen. It is the earliest report on A. hydrophila’s pathogenicity in high-value native fish, P. nasutus.
Distance-regular graph with the intersection array {45, 30, 7; 1, 2, 27} does not exist

Abstract A distance-regular graph is called geometric if each its edge belongs to a unique maximal clique on the size of which the Hoffman-Delsarte inequality is satisfied as equality. A geometric classification of distance-regular graphs containing no 4-claws was put forward by S. Bang. In the present paper we refine the description of one class of such graphs. In particular, it is shown that a graph with the intersection array {45, 30, 7; 1, 2, 27} does not exist. This research was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant no. 12-01-00012), the Department of Mathematical Sciences of RAS (grant no. 12-T-1-1003), the Joint Research Program of the Ural and Siberian Branches of RAS (grant no. 12-C-1-1018), the International Joint Research Fund between NSFC (China) and RFBR (grant no. 12-01-91155). The first author was supported by the Council of the President of the Russian Federation for the Support of Young Scientists (grant no. MK- 938.2011.1).
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Concomitant Primary Tumors, What Do We Know? A Review of the Literature

Head and neck cancer is among the top ten cancers worldwide, with most lesions in the oral cavity. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 90% of all oral malignancies and is a significant public health concern. Patients with OSCC are at increased risk for developing concomitant tumors, especially in the oral cavity, due to widely genetically susceptible mucosa to carcinogenic factors. Based on fulfilling specific criteria, these concomitant tumors can be called second primary tumors (SPTs), which can be further categorized into metachronous and synchronous tumors. This research reviews the literature that investigated the concurrent OSCC with second or multiple primaries to improve understanding of the definition, classification guidelines, and its effect on cancer survival. It also highlights the current investigation methods, the variation of standard treatment approaches due to such a phenomenon, and preventive measures discussed in the literature.
Numerical simulations of swirling pipe flows- decay of swirl and occurrence of vortex structures

The present work aims at better understanding of the physics underlying swirling flows in pipes by means of numerical simulations. Direct numerical simulations have been carried out by using two different inlet swirl conditions. In one case, rotating honeycomb is used as the means to generate swirl whereas in the other case a solid body rotation is provided at the inlet. The inlet swirl intensity is varied in order to scan the underlying physics. Reynolds number 1730 is selected so that the flow remains in laminar regime. The results are compared with those obtained from the experiments using a similar experimental set-up. It is shown that the increase in the inlet swirl intensity leads to a faster decay of swirl downstream of the pipe. Similarly certain specific vortex structures are observed in the radial velocity contours. These structures are thought to be analogous with those found in the Taylor-Couette flow between a stationary outer cylinder and inner rotating cone. The reported investigations reveal dependence of swirl decay on the inlet swirl intensity and occurrence of vortex structures.
The phase transition in ammonium sulphate: dynamics of deuterated NH4+ ions and the heat of transition

The temperature dependence of the D modes of partially deuterated NH+ ions in ammonium sulphate has been investigated with a view to examining the nature of the changes in these ions. It is inferred that the changes in these ions as well as those in the H bonds at Tc are minor and gradual. In contrast, a similar study of the nu 1(SO42-) mode reveals that the SO42- ion undergoes a significant and sudden change. These observations have been used to estimate the heat of transition, giving the result 4.2+or-0.4 kJ mol-1; this agrees well with the experimentally observed values ((3.89-4.27)+or-0.02 kJ mol-1). These inferences support the assertion that a molecular-distortion-type (MD-type) microscopic mechanism is responsible for the transition.
L-band orthomode transducer for the Sardinia Radio Telescope

We describe the design, construction, and characterization results of a compact L-band (1.3-1.8 GHz) Orthomode Transducer (OMT) for the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), a 64 m diameter telescope which is being built in the Sardinia island, Italy. The OMT consists of three distinct mechanical parts connected through ultra low loss coaxial cables: a turnstile junction and two identical 180° hybrid power combiners. The turnstile junction is based on a circular waveguide input (diameter of 190 mm,) and on four WR650 rectangular waveguide cavities from which the RF signals are extracted using coaxial probes. The OMT was optimized using a commercial 3D electromagnetic simulator. The main mechanical part of the turnstile junction was machined out of an Aluminum block whose final external shape is a cylinder with diameter 450 mm and height 98 mm. From 1.3 to 1.8 GHz the measured reflection coefficient was less than -22 dB, the isolation between the outputs was less than -45 dB, and the cross polarization was less than -50 dB for both polarization channels.
Simulation results on the influence of magneto-hydrodynamic waves on cosmic ray particles

The problem of cosmic ray scattering in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is revisited using a recently developed Monte Carlo simulation code. Diffusion coefficients are obtained using magnetostatic turbulence, slab Alfvénic turbulence with and without electric fields and isotropic magnetosonic turbulence with and without electric fields. All non-magnetostatic simulations are carried out for different values of the Alfvén velocity so that the effects of different particle to Alfvén velocity ratios can be studied. For slab turbulence, it is shown that Alfvén waves guarantee the recovery of diffusion, as predicted by analytical studies. The inclusion of electric fields, however, immediately leads to superdiffusion, if the Alfvén velocity is not too small. Furthermore, the energy gain through stochastic acceleration processes is investigated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The comparison with previous simulation reveals both similarities and interesting differences.
The effect of COVID‐19 on surgical management of skin cancers of the head, face and neck in elderly patients

Abstract Background The Corona Virus (COVID‐19) has had a profound impact on healthcare systems worldwide, with interruptions to medical practices including the delivery of cancer treatment. Skin cancer is one of the leading causes of malignancy worldwide, with later stages of disease correlating to poorer prognosis. Immunocompromized and elderly patients represent populations that are at higher risk for adverse outcomes related to skin cancer, treatment delay and COVID‐19 infection. Methodology Patients aged 65 and above who underwent surgical management of skin cancers from 31 January 2020 to 31 January 2021 were included in this study then compared with samples pre‐ and post‐pandemic. Retrospective analysis was performed regarding: date of referral to date of surgery, skin cancer type, location of cancer, surgery performed, anaesthesia used, sutures used and outcomes. Data was compared to national guidelines. Results Five hundred and twenty skin cancers were included in this analysis, of which 340 were treated during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Of the cohort treated during the pandemic, 44.2% (n = 111) received excision and direct closure, 13.1% (n = 33) underwent reconstruction by integra dermal substitute, 3.2% (n = 8) by split thickness skin graft, 6.4% (n = 16) by full thickness skin grafts and 33.1% (n = 83) by local flaps. Complete excision was achieved in 88.5% of cases (n = 301). The mean time from referral to surgery was 119 days. There were no deaths associated with COVID‐19. Conclusion Safe and prompt treatment of head and neck skin cancers is achievable despite the COVID‐19 pandemic. Measures to minimize infection risk include the use of teledermatology, reliable COVID‐19 testing, Green Pathways and a reduction in the mean referral to surgery time.
Recent Progress on Natural Rubber-Based Materials Containing Metallic and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: State of the Art and Biomedical Applications

Diseases caused by infections are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used become less effective. A combination of strategies to develop active biomaterials that enhance antibacterial effects are desirable, especially ones that cause fewer side effects and promote healing properties. The combination of nanotechnology with substances that have intrinsic antibacterial activity can result in the advance of innovative biomedical materials. In this sense, the goal of this work is to provide a summary of natural rubber latex materials obtained from the Hevea brasiliensis tree loaded with metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have unique size-dependent chemical and physical characteristic that make them appropriate for use in pharmaceutical and medical devices, while natural rubber latex is a natural and biocompatible polymer with an intrinsic antibacterial effect. Moreover, we outline here the origin, extraction methods, and composition of natural rubber latex and different techniques for the synthesis of nanoparticles, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. Finally, we summarize, for the first time, the state of the art in obtaining natural rubber-based materials with metallic and metallic oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
Multiple Weather Regimes over the North Atlantic: Analysis of Precursors and Successors

Abstract The algorithm developed by Vautard and Legras is applied to a series of 37 winter of 700 mb geopotential height observations, in order to identify quasi-stationary patterns occurring over the extratropical North Atlantic area. Weather regimes are obtained as solutions of a act of nine nonlinear statistical equations, giving the balance of the large-scale average tendency. Four regime patterns are found. The first one exhibits the typical European blocking dipole. The second one is an enhanced zonal flow. The third one consists of a positive anomaly over Greenland, and the last one is characterized by a ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The role played by the transient small scales in the maintenance of thew four regimes is discussed. Next, the backward and forward memory times of the different weather regimes are established. Evidence is brought that the atmosphere keeps its memory of regime occurrences into the medium range (10–20 days). Backward memory times are shorter (5–10 days), showin.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF ACTUATOR COUPLING CONDITIONS ON ROUND WINDOW STIMULATION

The finite element (FE) method was used to analyze the effect of coupling conditions between the actuator and the round window membrane (RWM) on the performance of round window (RW) stimulation. A FE model of the human ear consisting of the external ear canal, middle ear and cochlea was firstly developed, and then validation of this model was accomplished through comparison between analytical results and experimental data in the literature. Intracochlear pressure were derived from the model under normal forward sound stimulation and reverse RW stimulation. The equivalent sound pressure of RW stimulation was then calculated via comparing the differential intracochlear pressure produced by the actuator and normal ear canal sound stimulus. The actuator was simulated as a floating mass and placed onto the middle ear cavity side of RWM. Two aspects about the actuator coupling conditions were considered in this study: (1) the cross-section area of the actuator relative to the RWM; (2) the coupling layer between the actuator and the RWM. The results show that smaller actuator size can improve the implant performance of RW stimulation, and size requirements of the actuator can also be reduced by introducing a coupling layer between the actuator and RWM, which will benefit the manufacture of the actuator.
Characterization of microRNAs and Target Genes in Musa acuminata subsp. burmannicoides, var. Calcutta 4 during Interaction with Pseudocercospora musae

Endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that perform post-transcriptional regulatory roles across diverse cellular processes, including defence responses to biotic stresses. Pseudocercospora musae, the causal agent of Sigatoka leaf spot disease in banana (Musa spp.), is an important fungal pathogen of the plant. Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing of small RNA libraries derived from leaf material in Musa acuminata subsp. burmannicoides, var. Calcutta 4 (resistant) after inoculation with fungal conidiospores and equivalent non-inoculated controls revealed 202 conserved miRNAs from 30 miR-families together with 24 predicted novel miRNAs. Conserved members included those from families miRNA156, miRNA166, miRNA171, miRNA396, miRNA167, miRNA172, miRNA160, miRNA164, miRNA168, miRNA159, miRNA169, miRNA393, miRNA535, miRNA482, miRNA2118, and miRNA397, all known to be involved in plant immune responses. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of gene targets indicated molecular activity terms related to defence responses that included nucleotide binding, oxidoreductase activity, and protein kinase activity. Biological process terms associated with defence included response to hormone and response to oxidative stress. DNA binding and transcription factor activity also indicated the involvement of miRNA target genes in the regulation of gene expression during defence responses. sRNA-seq expression data for miRNAs and RNAseq data for target genes were validated using stem-loop quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). For the 11 conserved miRNAs selected based on family abundance and known involvement in plant defence responses, the data revealed a frequent negative correlation of expression between miRNAs and target host genes. This examination provides novel information on miRNA-mediated host defence responses, applicable in genetic engineering for the control of Sigatoka leaf spot disease.
Simple design for fiber coupled 9xx nm kW-QCW pump module with high duty cycle based on customized chips and lateral heat removal

High power 9xxnm QCW- pump modules are very interesting for high- and ultra-high-energy laser systems. Main relevant issues beside price and power conversion efficiency are long term stability of the mounting scheme and stable fiber coupling. We present a design based on diode laser stacks with lateral heat removal. A single stack element consists of a diode laser, which is soldered on both sides to CuW carriers using AuSn. Life test over 1000 h showed no degradation. DCB coolers are subsequently soldered onto both outer sides of the stack. The thermal resistance of a single stack element is about 1.7 K/W. For >3 J pulse energy the stack contains 28 elements. ≥60% power conversion efficiency of the used 940 nm diode laser chips at 120 W output power allows ≥20% duty cycle without substantial heating (maximum measured output power >200 W). The light is collimated in vertical direction for each stack element. We choose a size for the FAC which allows staggering the beams of two stacks. The diode laser chips have an aperture width of 1.2 mm and a lateral divergence <14° (95 % power) at 120 W. Fiber coupling is performed by cylindrical lenses in both directions. For 6 J pump energy two stacks are used, coupled into 1.9 mm diameter fiber with a high optical coupling efficiency of >90 %. The principle design is very flexible to match other demands in fiber size and output power.
Pitfalls of Using NIR-Based Clinical Instruments to Test Eyes Implanted with Diffractive Intraocular Lenses

The strong wavelength dependency of diffractive elements casts reasonable doubts on the reliability of near-infrared- (NIR)-based clinical instruments, such as aberrometers and double-pass systems, for assessing, post-surgery, the visual quality of eyes implanted with diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (DMIOLs). The results obtained for such patients when using NIR light can be misleading. Ordinary compensation for the refractive error bound to chromatic aberration is not enough because it only considers the best focus shift but does not take into account the distribution of light energy among the foci which strongly depends on the wavelength-dependent energy efficiency of the diffractive orders used in the DMIOL design. In this paper, we consider three commercial DMIOL designs with the far focus falling within the range of (−1, 0, +1)-diffractive orders. We prove theoretically the differences existing in the physical performance of the studied lenses when using either the design wavelength in the visible spectrum or a NIR wavelength (780 to 850 nm). Based on numerical simulation and on-bench experimental results, we show that such differences cannot be neglected and may affect all the foci of a DMIOL, including the far focus.
Understanding social media users' information avoidance intention: a C-A-C perspective

PurposeBased on the C-A-C framework, this article examined users' information avoidance intention in social media platforms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted data analysis using a mixed method of the SEM and fsQCA.FindingsThe results indicated that information overload, functional overload and social overload influence fatigue and dissatisfaction, both of which further determine users' information avoidance intention. The results of the fsQCA identified two paths that trigger users' information avoidance intention.Originality/valueExtant studies have examined the information avoidance in the contexts of healthcare, academics and e-commerce, but have seldom explored the mechanism underlying users' information avoidance in social media. To fill this gap, this article will empirically investigate users' information avoidance in social media platforms based on the C-A-C framework.
Estimation of costs and returns from dairying in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh

The study was carried out on 300 milk producing households in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh to estimate the costs and returns from milk production at farm household level. The individual animal-wise and household-wise costs were estimated using software Milk Production Economics Analysis Package (MILKEcAP:1.0 & 2.0). The findings of the analysis revealed that the overall gross maintenance cost/animal/year in the zone was least (rupees 126.33/animal/day) in case of local cow and highest for crossbred cattle (rupees 169.51/animal/day). The variable costs accounted for nearly 3/4th of the total costs irrespective of category of animals. Feed cost accounted highest to the total costs and it was relatively higher in case of buffalo. The overall cost per litre of milk was highest (rupees 24.84) for buffalo, and lowest for crossbred cow (rupees 22.26). However, due to variability in milk yield, there were wide variability in net economic margins. The net economic margins were almost negligible (rupees 0.62/l) in local cow, comparatively higher in crossbred cow (rupees 2.55/l) and fairly good in buffalo (rupees 5.03/l).