Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Imaging radar polarization signatures: Theory and observation

We have converted a conventional synthetic aperture radar system into an imaging radar polarimeter by employing two orthogonally polarized antennas and recording both the amplitude and absolute phase measurements of the received electric fields. This enables us to measure the complete complex scattering matrix for each individual resolution element in the radar image. The Stokes matrix, derived from the scattering matrix, is then used to synthesize the scattering coefficient for any desired combination of transmit and receive antenna polarizations, allowing us to measure the variation of the scattering coefficient with polarization. This polarization information can be displayed in a new and useful way, producing the polarization signature for each point in an image. Comparison of the theoretical and observed polarization signatures permits identification of the dominant scattering mechanisms contributing to the measured radar backscatter. For example, the ocean and smoother lava flows have polarization signatures which are similar to those predicted by a slightly rough dielectric surface model; thus the model likely approximates the physical mechanisms responsible for the reflected energy from these surfaces. Urban areas, on the other hand, exhibit polarization signatures which resemble those predicted by dihedral corner reflector geometries. The coefficient of variation, a parameter derived from the polarization signature, is a measure of resolution scale variation of a surface and indicates the degree to which polarization filtering can be used to enhance or suppress the return from a collection of scatterers. Our observations show that the ocean has a low coefficient of variation; thus the return from the ocean is highly polarized, and polarization effects can be used successfully to suppress or enhance the return from the ocean. Parks and other vegetated areas exhibit a large coefficient of variation, suggesting that the return from these areas contains a considerable component that is randomly polarized; varying the transmit and receive polarizations will not change the return from the vegetated areas appreciably.
Modelling by L´ evy Processes for Financial Econometrics

This paper reviews some recent work in which Lprocesses are used to model and ana- lyse time series from financial econometrics. A main feature of the paper is the use of positive Ornstein- Uhlenbeck (OU) type processes inside stochastic volatility processes. The basic probability theory asso- ciated with such models is discussed in some detail.
Pre-processing training data improves accuracy and generalisability of convolutional neural network based landscape semantic segmentation

Data pre-processing for developing a generalised land use and land cover (LULC) deep learning model using earth observation data is important for the classification of a different date and/or sensor. However, it is unclear how to approach deep learning segmentation problems in earth observation data. In this paper, we trialled different methods of data preparation for Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) training and semantic segmentation of LULC features within aerial photography over the Wet Tropics and Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia. This was conducted by trialling and ranking various training patch selection sampling strategies, patch and batch sizes, data augmentations and scaling and inference strategies. Our results showed: a stratified random sampling approach for producing training patches counteracted class imbalances; a smaller number of larger patches (small batch size) improves model accuracy; data augmentations and scaling are imperative in creating a generalised model able to accurately classify LULC features in imagery from a different date and sensor; and producing the output classification by averaging multiple grids of patches and three rotated versions of each patch produced a more accurate and aesthetic result. Combining the findings from the trials, we fully trained five models on the 2018 training image and applied the model to the 2015 test image. The output LULC classifications achieved an average kappa of 0.84, user accuracy of 0.81, and producer accuracy of 0.87. Future research using CNNs and earth observation data should implement the findings of this project to increase LULC model accuracy and transferability.
On the governing equations in relaxing media models and self-similar quasiperiodic solutions

Dynamical equations of state for multicomponent relaxing media have been proposed. Using special ansatz, systems of hydrodynamical equations, closed by the equations of state proposed in this work, have been reduced to ODE systems, which were shown to possess, under certain conditions, sets of quasiperiodic solutions.
Status of NPK in vermicompost prepared from diverse categories of organic waste material

Vermicomposting is the process of conversion of degradable waste material to a useful compost. Diverse categories of organic waste were collected and categorized into Kitchen, Garden and agricultural (paddy) waste on the basis of their source and origin. The waste material was decomposed using earthworms Eisenia fetida. Temperature and moisture was regulated and after approximately 2 months the dark brownish black colored compost was ready. The total weight of vermicompost harvested at the end of the study was 3 kg approximately. The present study focuses on to the preparation of vermicompost using different wastes using earthworms Eisenia fetida and analyze and compared the level of macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Four sets of experimental tanks were used in this study. Each representing different waste material to be used as a raw material for composting. Each experimental tank contains half kilogram juvenile earthworms. In first set (A) of experiment the bedding was prepared by partially decomposed cow dung and soil. In second set (B) of experiment the bedding was of partially decomposed cow dung, soil with partially decomposed kitchen waste. The third set (C) of this bedding was of partially decomposed cow dung, soil with partially decomposed garden waste. In the fourth set (D) the bedding was of partially decomposed cow dung, soil and partially decomposed agriculture (Paddy) waste. All sets were mixed in 5:1:1 (wt/wt/wt) ratio. The pH of cow dung compost (control, A) was 8.0. pH of each compost are in range of 7.5 – 8.1. The percentage of Nitrogen (N) was found to be low in set A (Cow dung + soil) and Set D (agricultural/ paddy waste) while Nitrogen content was found to be high in Kitchen and Garden waste experimental set B and C respectively. There was no significant difference in the Phosphorus (P) content in compost A and D. While compost B and C have high phosphorus %. All compost showed significantly higher K contents than the cow dung compost (A), however the potassium (K) contents was found to be highest in compost A. When the NPK composition of all compost was compared NPK value is highest in vermicompost prepared from kitchen waste (Set B) and garden waste (Set C).
The continuum slopes and evolution of active galactic nuclei

Studies of the evolution of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have mostly used a single continuum slope to compute k-corrections. In this paper it is shown that allowing for the observed diversity of AGN continuum shapes greatly affects measurements of both the continuum slopes and number evolution. Less evolution is required between redshift two and the present, and a spurious correlation between continuum slope and redshift introduced in magnitude-limited samples. Two reported correlations between continuum slope and redshift are shown to be consistent with this spurious origin. However, observations of QSOs from the Large Bright QSO Survey show that luminous high-redshift QSOs have intrinsically harder optical-UV continuum slopes
Nilpotent Orbits in the Witt Algebra W 1

In this article, the nilpotent orbits of the Witt algebra W 1 are determined under the automorphism group over an algebraically closed field F of characteristic p > 3. In contrast with a finite number of nilpotent orbits in a classical simple Lie algebra (cf. [5]), there is an infinite number of nilpotent orbits in W 1. A set of representatives of nilpotent orbits, as well as their dimensions, are precisely presented.
Experimental investigation on near‐field edge wave run‐ups generated by landslides in narrow reservoirs

Edge waves generated by subaerial landslide‐tsunamis (SLTs) often have potentially huge amplitudes that can endanger human lives, offshore structures, coastal cities and port facilities around reservoirs. Maximum edge wave run‐up (RuM) is the most important parameter for SLT hazard mitigation in an engineering context. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the hill slope angle α on RuM, the first edge wave run‐up Ru1 and the first edge wave decay in the near field Ru1(r/h) through 84 laboratory experiments, which were conducted in a three‐dimensional river channel with α values varying from 15° to 40°. For smaller α values, we found that RuM increased with the increase in α while for large α values exceeding 30°, RuM decreased with the increase in α. An empirical equation considering the effect of α was proposed for the prediction of RuM in the near field, which was well verified by a real case. Additionally, the first edge wave run‐up decay along the shore is also discussed in this paper. This work could have some favourable implications for the preliminary hazard assessment of SLTs.
Finslerian wormhole solution in the framework of modiﬁed gravity

This article investigates the properties of a wormhole model in a speciﬁc gravity theory, namely f(Ric, T ) = Ric + 2λT . The wormhole solution is analyzed using an exponential shape function. The study examines various parameters, such as density, radial pressure, transverse pressure, equation-of-state parameters, and energy conditions, within the framework of deformed gravity. The research emphasizes the inﬂuence of the parameter λ on energy condition violations and the equilibrium state of the Finslerian wormhole solution. These eﬀects are attributed to anisotropic and hydrostatic forces present in modiﬁed gravity. The study demonstrates that the gravity model eﬀectively captures the characteristics of wormholes within the Finslerian space-time. Additionally, the identiﬁed features of the wormhole are utilized to visualize its structure by creating a three-dimensional representation of the embedded surface. In summary, this research contributes to understanding wormholes in modiﬁed gravity theories, highlighting the importance of the parameter λ in determining their behavior and properties.
Performance analysis of reset control systems

In this paper we present a general linear matrix inequality‐based analysis method to determine the performance of a SISO reset control system in both the ℒ︁2 gain and ℋ︁2 sense. In particular, we derive convex optimization problems in terms of LMIs to compute an upperbound on the ℒ︁2 gain performance and the ℋ︁2 norm, using dissipativity theory with piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions. The results are applicable to for all LTI plants and linear‐based reset controllers, thereby generalizing the available results in the literature. Furthermore, we provide simple though convincing examples to illustrate the accuracy of our proposed ℒ︁2 gain and ℋ︁2 norm calculations and show that, for an input constrained ℋ︁2 problem, reset control can outperform a linear controller designed by a common nonlinear optimization method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser-generation of narrow-band surface waves

One of the factors limiting the application of laser-based ultrasonics for nondestructive evaluation, is the relatively low efficiency of ultrasound generation by laser illumination. The authors describe a method for improved narrowband surface wave generation by the use of a line focused laser and an array technique. A tone-burst-like surface wave has been generated by a diffraction grating, and a lens system. The system provides controllable center frequency by adjustment of the width and spacing of the lines of laser illumination in the array. It is demonstrated by the use of laser interferometer detection that the signal-to-noise ratio is significantly improved. <<ETX>>
Perspective of Teachers on Their Competencies for Inclusive Education

The purpose of this paper is to share findings about teachers’ perceived competencies for inclusion based on data gathered from 1590 (N = 1590) teachers representing 69 mainstream schools of Riga municipality using a survey. In answering the research questions on how teachers perceive themselves, if they have the necessary competencies for implementation of inclusive education, and what is missing, the results showed teachers self-reporting that despite the lack of specific qualification for inclusive education, they have the necessary competencies for inclusion. Teachers indicated that they have a slightly higher level of general competence; however, there is room for improvement in both general and specific competencies for inclusive education. Two of the most important specific competencies for inclusive education that they lack are the “implementation of an inclusive and supportive learning process for everybody by differentiating and adapting the curriculum” and a “timely identification of pupils’ difficulties in the learning process. ” The findings reveal the challenges, problems, and limitations that would arise in providing high quality inclusive education to meet the needs of all learners. Despite the fact that teachers perceive that they have certain competencies for inclusive education, the majority of teachers do not feel comfortable and confident in practice in the inclusive classroom. Answers to the other research question revealed a connection between teachers’ age, teaching experience, education, and teachers’ perception of general competencies for inclusive education. A connection was revealed between teachers’ age, teaching experience, and teachers’ perception of specific competencies for inclusive education. Based on the results, suggestions for further research and implications for practice are discussed.
Critical angles for channeling of low energy ions in tungsten

The critical angle ψ for channeling of light and heavy ions in crystals has been studied around the direction in a tungsten single crystal by measuring the yield of backscattered ions at room temperature. The ions and their energies E were chosen such that the critical angle was comparable to, or larger than, the ratio between the screening radius a and the atom spacing along the string d. According to Lindhard for ψ ψ > a/d. For 12C, 20Ne, 40Ar, and 84Kr, most of our data is in the transition region between ψ1 and ψ2, but an approach to the ψ2 behavior can be seen at the low energy end. For 1H, 2H, and 4He, however, the energy dependence is rather of the ψ1-type for the whole region studied, that is even for critical angles as large as ψ = 4a/d. The value of the multiplicative constant C2 is also different for the two cases, being close to 1 for.
Wave Instability of Mixed Convection Flow Along a Vertical Flat Plate

Abstract An analysis is performed to investigate the linear wave instability of laminar mixed convection flow over an isothermal vertical flat plate, in which the buoyancy force arises solely from the temperature gradients in the fluid. In the stability analysis, the main flow and thermal fields are treated as nonparallel, and are obtained by the local nonsimilarity solution method The eigenvalue problem consisting of the linearized system of coupled differential equations for the velocity and temperature disturbances are solved by a direct Runge-Kutta numerical integration scheme along with a filtering technique to remove the “parasitic errors” inherent in the numerical integration of the disturbance equations. Neutral stability curves and critical Reynolds numbers are presented for a range of buoyancy parameters covering both assisting and opposing flow situations for two representative Prandtl numbers of 0.7 and 7. It is found that the flow becomes more stable as the buoyancy force increases for assist.
Diagnostic Value of IGF-1 in Growth Hormone–Deficient Children: Is a Second Growth Hormone Stimulation Test Necessary?

Abstract Objective we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 measurements with 1 growth hormone stimulation test (GHST) vs performing 2 GHSTs as the standard test to confirm the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the baseline characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory data of 703 children with short stature, aged 4-14 years (mean age, 8.46 ± 2.7 years), who had undergone 2 GHSTs. We compared the diagnostic values of IGF-1 levels by using a cut-off value of ≤0 SD score, along with results of a single clonidine stimulation test (CST). We evaluated the false-positive rate, specificity, likelihood ratio, and area under the curve (AUC) of the 2 diagnostic methods. GHD was diagnosed if the peak growth hormone level was <7 ng/mL on 2 GHSTs. Results Of the 724 children, 577 (79.7%) had a low IGF-1 level (mean 104.9 ± 61.4 ng/mL), and 147 (20.3%) had a normal IGF-1 level (mean 145.9 ± 86.9 ng/mL). GHD was diagnosed in 187 patients (25.8%), of whom 146 (25.3%) had a low IGF-1 level. An IGF-1 level reflecting ≤0 SDs in combination with results of a single CST had a specificity of 92.6%, a false-positive rate of 5.5%, and an AUC of 0.6088. Using an IFG-1 cut-off level of ≤−2 SDs did not alter the diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion Low IGF-1 values of ≤0 SDs or ≤−2 SDs in combination with results of a single CST had poor diagnostic accuracy for GHD.
Compaction and Sintering Effects on Scaling Law of Permeability-Porosity Relation of Powder Materials

Analysis and understanding of the permeability-porosity relationship of powder materials by cold compaction and solid-state hot sintering is very important for material design and optimization. This work presents a pore-scale numerical framework, including a discrete element method for powder cold compaction, a cellular automata algorithm with curvature-driving redistribution for solid-state hot sintering and a lattice Boltzmann method for fluid flow simulation, to study the permeability-porosity relationship of materials by cold compaction and solid-state hot sintering processes. The results show that the cubic scaling law always holds for the porous materials by cold compaction, while the hot sintering process decreases the permeability dramatically at low porosity. An exponential decay function has been proposed as a correction factor to the permeability-porosity relationship of materials by compaction & sintering processes, which predicts the permeability asymptotically approaching to the cubic scaling law at high porosity while agreeing well with both numerical and experimental data at low porosity. The microstructure evolution analysis shows that the small pores that connect large pores may vanish by sintering, which causes the remarkable permeability decrease at low porosity. The excellent agreements between the numerical predictions and the experimental measurements suggest that the proposed numerical framework provides a powerful tool for analysis and optimization of material designs.
A General Mass-Conservative Numerical Solution for the Unsaturated Flow Equation

Numerical approximations based on different forms of the governing partial differential equation can lead to significantly different results for unsaturated flow problems. Numerical solution based on the standard h-based form of Richards equation generally yields poor results, characterized by large mass balance errors and erroneous estimates of infiltration depth. Conversely, numerical solutions based on the mixed form of Richards equation can be shown to possess the conservative property, so that mass is perfectly conserved. This leads to significant improvement in numerical solution performance, while requiring no additional computational effort. However, use of the mass-conservative method does not guarantee good solutions. Accurate solution of the unsaturated flow equation also requires use of a diagonal time (or mass) matrix. Only when diagonal time matrices are used can the solution be shown to obey a maximum principle, which guarantees smooth, nonoscillatory infiltration profiles. This highlights the fact that proper treatment of the time derivative is critical in the numerical solution of unsaturated flow.
A modelling study of ice‐spectrum modes in deep frontal clouds

Results from a one‐dimensional mixed‐layer model with explicit microphysics and a discrete ice‐spectrum were compared to in situ data provided by the Met Office C‐130 aircraft. Bimodal ice‐spectra were observed. The first mode was found at diameters near the lower limit of the instrumentation resolution (25 µm) at a roughly constant concentration. The second mode was found initially at diameters exceeding 200 µm but it shifted to larger sizes and smaller peak concentrations as depths below the cloud top increased.
LIQUID AND VAPOR FLOW IN SUPERHEATED ROCK

▪ Abstract In this review, we describe the dynamics and thermodynamics of liquid and vapor flow through hot fractured rock. Such flows occur in geothermal reservoirs and have important implications for geothermal power generation; we describe both forced flows associated with liquid injection into such systems, and natural convective flows associated with the vertical heat transfer through such systems. First we focus on permeable media and describe the heat transfer of single-phase liquid or vapor flow through a medium of different temperature. Then we consider the dynamics and thermodynamics of a liquid front as it advances into a superheated region and boils. The morphological stability of such an interface is discussed, and we describe conditions under which the interface breaks down to form a two-phase zone between the liquid and vapor. We next examine the heat transfer and boiling in gravity-driven flows advancing through a superheated permeable rock, identifying that at large times such currents as.
Response of ions of ionospheric origin to storm time substorms: Coordinated observations over the ionosphere and in the plasma sheet

[1] We investigate variations of ion flux over the ionosphere and in the plasma sheet when storm time substorms are initiated, using simultaneous observations of neutral atoms in the energy range of up to a few keV measured by the low-energy neutral atom (LENA) imager on board the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) satellite, outflowing ion flux of <1 keV measured by the ion electrostatic analyzer (IESA) on board the Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) satellite, and energetic (9–210 keV/e) ion flux measured by the energetic particle and ion composition (EPIC) instrument on board the Geotail satellite. We examined three storm intervals during which the IMAGE or FAST satellite was in a suitable location to observe ionospheric ion outflow and the Geotail satellite was in the plasma sheet on the nightside. The neutral atom flux observed by IMAGE/LENA in the first interval and outflowing ion flux observed by FAST/IESA in the second and third intervals indicate that storm time substorms can cause increases of low-energy ion flux over the ionosphere by a factor of 3–50 with time delay of less than several minutes. In the plasma sheet, the flux ratio of O+/H+ is rapidly enhanced at the storm time substorms and then increased gradually or stayed at a constant level in a time scale of ∼1 h, suggesting a mass-dependent acceleration of ions at local dipolarization and a subsequent additional supply of O+ ions to the plasma sheet which have been extracted from the ionosphere at the substorms. These coordinated observations revealed that substorms have both an immediate effect and a delayed effect (i.e., two-step effect) on the ion composition in the plasma sheet.