Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 20-year analysis of disturbance-driven rainfall on O’ahu, Hawai’i

Undisturbed trade-wind conditions comprise the most prevalent synoptic weather pattern in Hawai’i and produces a distinct pattern of orographic rainfall. Significant total rainfall contributions and extreme events are linked to four types of atmospheric disturbances: cold fronts, Kona lows, upper-tropospheric disturbances, and tropical cyclones. In this study, a 20- year (1990-2010) categorical disturbance time series is compiled and analyzed in relation to daily rainfall over the same period. The primary objective of this research is to determine how disturbances contribute to total wet season rainfall on the Island of O’ahu, Hawai’i. On average, 41% of wet seasonal rainfall occurs on disturbance days. Seventeen percent of seasonal rainfall can be directly attributed to disturbances (after a background signal is removed) and as much as 48% in a single season. The intensity of disturbance rainfall (mm/day) is a stronger predictor (r2 = 0.49; p < 0.001) of the total seasonal rainfall than the frequency of occurrence (r2 = 0.11; p = 0.153). Cold fronts are the most common disturbance type; however, the rainfall associated with fronts that cross the island is significantly higher than rainfall produced from non-crossing fronts. In fact, non-crossing fronts produce significantly less rainfall than under mean non-disturbance conditions 76% of the time. While the combined influence of atmospheric disturbances can account for almost half of the rainfall received during the wet season, the primary factor in determining a relatively wet or dry season/year on O’ahu are the frequency and rainfall intensity of Kona Low events.
Testing a computational model of causative overgeneralizations: Child judgment and production data from English, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese and K’iche’

How do language learners avoid the production of verb argument structure overgeneralization errors ( *The clown laughed the man c.f. The clown made the man laugh), while retaining the ability to apply such generalizations productively when appropriate? This question has long been seen as one that is both particularly central to acquisition research and particularly challenging. Focussing on causative overgeneralization errors of this type, a previous study reported a computational model that learns, on the basis of corpus data and human-derived verb-semantic-feature ratings, to predict adults’ by-verb preferences for less- versus more-transparent causative forms (e.g., * The clown laughed the man vs The clown made the man laugh) across English, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese and K’iche Mayan. Here, we tested the ability of this model (and an expanded version with multiple hidden layers) to explain binary grammaticality judgment data from children aged 4;0-5;0, and elicited-production data from children aged 4;0-5;0 and 5;6-6;6 ( N=48 per language). In general, the model successfully simulated both children’s judgment and production data, with correlations of r=0.5-0.6 and r=0.75-0.85, respectively, and also generalized to unseen verbs. Importantly, learners of all five languages showed some evidence of making the types of overgeneralization errors – in both judgments and production – previously observed in naturalistic studies of English (e.g., *I’m dancing it). Together with previous findings, the present study demonstrates that a simple learning model can explain (a) adults’ continuous judgment data, (b) children’s binary judgment data and (c) children’s production data (with no training of these datasets), and therefore constitutes a plausible mechanistic account of the acquisition of verbs’ argument structure restrictions.
How unethical leadership shapes teachers’ behaviors and experiences at work

ABSTRACT This article examines the dark side of educational leadership by exploring how unethical administrative leadership affects teachers’ behaviors and experiences at work, from the teacher perspective. The qualitative interview study uses organizational justice as a framework to analyze the experiences of 38 teachers in the United States. From the data, several themes emerged regarding how unethical leadership influenced teachers’ work. Teachers reported a range of effects such as withdrawal and counterproductive behaviors. They also reported several other experiences that may be precursors to those behaviors such as increased feelings of stress, uncertainty and self-doubt.
Assessment of platelet function and resistance to aspirin and clopidogrel in patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Introduction: Analysis of platelet function, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel resistance in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), the impact of procedure on this phenomenon, connection with diabetes, hypertension, smoking. Material and methods: The study included 72 patients, with a group of patients taking ASA on a permanent basis and a group of patients in whom treatment was implemented after the procedure. Patients were also divided according to the antiplatelet therapy applied, either double-therapy, or ASA monotherapy. Daily doses were 75 mg. Three methods were used for the evaluation of the platelet function: IVY bleeding time, cytometric evaluation of platelet surface antigen (CD62p and CD63) expression and hemostasis measurement by PFA-200®. Results: In the PFA-200 analysis, ASA resistance was found in 37.8% (64.7% were tobacco smokers) before surgery. Patients not taking ASA before, after PTA and first dose of ASA presented resistance in 63%. The first dose of clopidogrel after surgery was associated with resistance in 73.7%. Significant differences in the expression of CD62p and CD63 markers before and after PTA were observed. According to IVY method, aspirin resistance was found in 40% of patients permanently receiving ASA. Conclusions: Patients with PAD who undergo PTA are resistant to ASA in 40%, smoking is associated with this phenomenon. PTA increases the expression of CD62P and CD63, and thus the platelet activation, which is not adequately prevented by antiplatelet drugs at a dose of 75 mg. Dual antiplatelet therapy reduces the activation of thrombocytes more than the monotherapy of ASA.
Quality objectives in management systems – their attributes, establishment and motivational function

The aim of this paper is to show the ways of setting quality objectives, their attributes and the conditions under which they can perform a motivational function. ,Collecting relevant data, the authors used the results of previous research and theoretical assumptions concerning quality objectives. Subsequently, they carried out a survey and exemplification research based on participatory observations, document content analysis and interviews. ,Goals are set mainly by top management, but the communication process itself is insufficient; the needs of system users are not taken into account. In the opinion of the employees, quality objectives are measurable and objective, although not very ambitious. For quality objectives to fulfil a motivational function, they should be objective and measurable. Also, the allocation of tasks among employees needs to be fair. Furthermore, quality objectives have to play a greater role in remuneration systems. ,This paper is one of the first publications on the role and function of quality objectives. Its advantage is that it defines the conditions under which such objectives can have a motivational effect and encourage employees to pursue the improvement of their products and services.
Decomposition Factor Analysis Based on Virtual Experiments throughout Bayesian Optimization for Compost-Degradable Polymers

Bio-based polymers have been considered as an alternative to oil-based materials for their “carbon-neutral” environmentally degrative features. However, degradation is a complex system in which environmental factors and preparation conditions are involved, and the relationship between degradation and these factors/conditions has not yet been clarified. Moreover, an efficient system that addresses multiple degradation factors has not been developed for practical use. Thus, we constructed a decomposition degree predictive model to explore degradation factors based on analytical data and experimental conditions. The predictive model was constructed by machine learning using a dataset. The objective variable was the molecular weight, and the explanatory variables were the moisture content in a compost environment, degradation period, degree of crystallinity pre-experiment, and features of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The good accuracy of this predictive model was confirmed by statistical variables. The moisture content in the compost environment was a critical factor for considering initial degradation; specific scores revealed the contribution of degradation factors. Furthermore, the optimum decomposition degree, various analytical values, and experimental conditions were predictable when this predictive model was combined with Bayesian optimization. Information obtained from virtual experiments is expected to promote the material design and development of bio-based plastics.
Gender differences in perception of the appropriate maturity age for men and women: Age norms of reproduction-related life events between the social context and evolutionary foundations

The paper explores gender differences in the perception of appropriate age for reproduction-related life events. Evolutionary theory suggests that age norms are shaped by gender-specific evolutionary challenges. We tested two hypotheses based on the evolutionary rationale. Hypothesis 1 suggests that both men and women believe that women should reach maturity and experience reproduction-related life events earlier than men. Hypothesis 2 claims that men and women demonstrate this tendency asymmetrically. When women estimate the appropriate/ideal age for men, they suggest a higher appropriate age for men than men themselves. When men estimate the appropriate/ideal age for women, they suggest a younger age for women compared to women themselves. In the second part of the paper, we explored the background of these claims by testing the alternative explanations based on ‘social forces’ (culture, socio-economic status, education, age, values). The hypotheses were tested using the 9th wave of the ESS data, totaling around 47 thousand respondents and the sample of Balkan countries was analyzed in more detail. The appropriate age was measured using ‘ideal age’ as the concept which reflects the optimal timing expectations for reproduction-related events: living with a partner, marriage, and parenthood. Respondents were also asked to make judgments about the appropriate age of becoming an adult for men and women. The overall results supported the outlined expectations based on the evolutionary approach. The results did not provide convincing evidence for the alternative, non-evolutionary interpretation of the identified patterns.
Review Dry and Non-Contact EEG Electrodes for 2010-2021 Years

The basis of the work of electroencephalography (EEG) is the registration of electrical impulses from the brain or some of its individual areas using a special sensor/electrode. This method is used for the treatment and diagnosis of various diseases. The use of wet electrodes in this case does not seem viable, for several well-known reasons. As a result of this, a detailed analysis of modern EEG sensors developed over the past few years is carried out, which will allow researchers to choose this type of sensor more carefully and, as a result, conduct their research more competently. Due to the absence of any standards in the production and testing of dry EEG sensors, the main moment of this manuscript is a detailed description of the necessary steps for testing a dry electrode, which will allow researchers to maximize the potential of the sensor in the various type of research.
Powerful primary geography: a toolkit for 21st century Learning

In 2018 geography was removed as a core subject from the Junior Cycle in secondary school education in the Republic of Ireland. This was a controversial decision which awoke deep concern on the part of geography educators, geographers, and educational enthusiasts alike. In an open letter to the Irish Times newspaper entitled ‘Putting geography back on the map’, the heads of geography departments from Irish third-level institutions argued vehemently for the subject’s restoration as a core Junior Cycle subject, stating that
Codisplay of Rhizopus oryzae and Candida rugosa Lipases for Biodiesel Production

In this study, we overcame the limitations of single-enzyme system catalysis by codisplaying Candida rugosa lipase 1 (CRL1) and Rhizopus oryzae lipase (ROL) on the cell surfaces of the whole-cell catalyst Pichia pastoris to produce biodiesel from tallow seed oil. We screened double antibiotic-resistant strains on tributyrin plates, performed second electroporation based on single-displayed ROL on GS115/KpRS recombinants and single-displayed CRL1 on GS115/ZCS recombinants and obtained an ROL/CRL1 codisplay on P. pastoris GS115 surfaces. The maximum activity of the codisplaying GS115/pRCS recombinant was 470.59 U/g dried cells, which was 3.9-fold and 1.3-fold higher than that of single-displayed ROL and CRL1, respectively. When self-immobilized lipases were used as whole-cell catalysts, the rate of methyl ester production from GS115/pRCS harboring ROL and CRL1 was 1.4-fold higher than that obtained with single-displayed ROL. Therefore, biodiesel catalysis by synergetic codisplayed enzymes is an alternative biodiesel production strategy.
Clinical profile of women seeking medical termination of pregnancy at a tertiary care institute, South India

MTP Act was introduced in 1972 with aim of reducing maternal mortality and surgical methods were used initially. Since the introduction of medical abortion methods and their easy availability over the counter the profile of women seeking Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) at health care facility has changed for the past two decades. The methods of first trimester as well as second trimester terminations have become entirely medical. With more advancements in early diagnosis of pregnancy and availability of ultrasonography the indications for medical terminations and the gestational age at the time of termination also has ABSTRACT
First principle investigation of new metal-free organic dye molecular for DSSCs: effects of π-conjugated groups

ABSTRACT Based on 1-phenylpyrrolidine (PT) dye, six new metal-free organic molecules S1–S6, containing PT as donor (D) connected through different linkages (π) and cyanoacrylic acid as acceptor (A), were designed and studied for dye sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). In this paper, D-π-A system of S1–S6 dye molecules was investigated by quantum chemical calculations to inspect the optical absorption properties and photovoltaic (PV) parameters. In particular, there are applied three long-range corrected (LC) functionals, such as B3PW91, CAM-B3LYP and ωB97XD with the time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculation to systematically investigate the absorption peak in PT dye. From the calculated results, CAM-B3LYP functional was a good match with the PT dye. Therefore, the S1–S6 molecules’ optical absorption spectra have been computed by using the CAM-B3LYP/6-31+G(d) theory. The conductor-like polarisable continuum model (C-PCM) results show that the precise absorption spectra have attained solvent effect included in the excited state geometries. The frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of the HOMOs and LUMOs energies of S1–S6 derivatives confirm positive results on the dye regeneration and electron injection processes. The outcomes display that the benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadizole (S4) and benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadizole (S5) molecules are the most suitable spacers for D to A, owing to longer absorption peaks and revealing red-shifted optical absorption.
Numerical and Experimental Comparison Among a New Hybrid FT-Music Technique and Existing Algorithms for Through-the-Wall Radar Imaging

A fast low-cost through-the-wall radar imaging (TWRI) system, based on a vector network analyzer (VNA), a couple of switches and an array of Vivaldi antennas, has been designed, realized, and tested. To solve the TWRI inversion problem, an original theoretical modeling for a class of TWRI techniques whose basic functions are the cross-range Fourier transform (FT) of the scattered field and its covariance operator has been proposed. Using these functions, four conventional algorithms, namely the delay and sum (DAS), the FT, the multiple signal classification (MUSIC), the hybrid DAS-MUSIC and a new algorithm, the hybrid FT-MUSIC, have been derived. All these techniques have been implemented and their accuracy and field of view have been tested on canonical scatterers. Then, the algorithms have been applied to measured data collected in different scenarios constituted by a metallic bar or a human subject in the absence and in the presence of a wall between the antenna and the considered targets. Using the proposed TWRI system, it has been possible to detect a subject located up to 5-m away from the radar antenna array through a tuff wall. The proposed FT-MUSIC algorithm has evidenced performances similar to those of the DAS-MUSIC but with significantly lower execution times. Finally, FT-MUSIC performances in terms of field of view and immunity to disturbances are better compared to those of the MUSIC algorithm.
The in vitro and in vivo Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activity of Incomplete Degradation Products of Hemicellulosic Polysaccharide (Galactomannan) From Sesbania cannabina

As known, the nutritional status affects antioxidant capacity and immunity, ultimately affecting the body’s health. Recently, hemicellulosic polysaccharides of galactomannan in different biomass and their degradation products are gaining more attention due to excellent antioxidant enhancement and immunomodulatory activity. Herein, incomplete degradation products of galactomannan (IDPG) were prepared from the enzymatic hydrolysis of Sesbania cannabina seeds, followed by the in vitro and in vivo experiments. Using an H2O2-injured RAW264.7 cells model, IDPG was demonstrated to have antioxidant capacity, as indicated by superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. While in the evaluation in laying hens (68-weeks-old), diets were supplemented with 0, 0.01, 0.025, and 0.05% IDPG for 8 weeks, respectively. Our results showed that IDPG can improve antioxidant capacity by increasing antioxidants contents and reducing MDA content. Furthermore, IDPG can increase immunoglobulins and cytokines secretion, thereby enhancing the immunity of laying hens. This result was further demonstrated by in vitro experiment, in which IDPG significantly increased the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05). Overall, IDPG can improve antioxidant function and modulate immunological response, thereby the concept of using IDPG for health may gain a little more credibility.
Blind deconvolution using bilateral total variation regularization: a theoretical study and application

ABSTRACT Blind image deconvolution recovers a deblurred image and the blur kernel from a blurred image. From a mathematical point of view, this is a strongly ill-posed problem and several works have been proposed to address it. One successful approach proposed by Chan and Wong consists in using the total variation (TV) as a regularization for both the image and the kernel. These authors also introduced an Alternating Minimization (AM) algorithm in order to compute a physical solution. Unfortunately, Chan's approach suffers in particular from the ringing and staircasing effects produced by the TV regularization. To address these problems, we propose a new model based on Bilateral Total Variation (BTV) regularization of the image keeping the same regularization for the kernel. We prove the existence of a minimizer of a proposed variational problem in a suitable space using a relaxation process. We also propose an AM algorithm based on our model. The efficiency and robustness of our model are illustrated and compared with the TV method through numerical simulations.
Using Convolutional Neural Networks to Map Houses Suitable for Electric Vehicle Home Charging

With Electric Vehicles (EV) emerging as the dominant form of green transport in the UK, it is critical that we better understand existing infrastructures in place to support the uptake of these vehicles. In this multi-disciplinary paper, we demonstrate a novel end-to-end workflow using deep learning to perform automated surveys of urban areas to identify residential properties suitable for EV charging. A unique dataset comprised of open source Google Street View images was used to train and compare three deep neural networks and represents the first attempt to classify residential driveways from streetscape imagery. We demonstrate the full system workflow on two urban areas and achieve accuracies of 87.2% and 89.3% respectively. This proof of concept demonstrates a promising new application of deep learning in the field of remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and urban planning, as well as a major step towards fully autonomous artificially intelligent surveying techniques of the built environment.
ViBreathe: Heart Rate Variability Enhanced Respiration Training for Workaday Stress Management via an Eyes-Free Tangible Interface

ABSTRACT Slow breathing guiding applications increasingly emerge, showing promise for helping knowledge workers to better cope with workaday stress. However, standard breathing guidance is non-interactive, with rigid paces. Despite their effects being proved, they could cause respiratory fatigue, or lack of training motivation, especially for novice users. To explore new design possibilities, we investigate using heart rate variability (HRV) data to mediate breathing guidance, which results in two HRV-enhanced guidance modes: (i) responsive breathing guidance and (ii) adaptive breathing guidance. These guidance modes are implemented on a soft haptic interface named “ViBreathe”. We conducted a user test (N = 24), and a one-week field deployment (N = 4) with knowledge workers, to understand the user experience of our design. The HRV-enhanced modes were generally experienced to reduce tiresome and improve engagement and comfort. And Vibreathe showed great potential for seamlessly weaving slow breathing practice into work routines. We thereby summarize related design insights and opportunities.
Effects of Wildfire on Rockfall Occurrence: A Review through Actual Cases in Spain

Understanding processes and conditions that lead to rockfalls during and after a wildfire in different geological contexts is crucial since this phenomenon is one of the major hazards in mountainous regions across Europe. Spain is one of the European countries with the highest rate of wildfires, and rockfalls cause high economic and social impact, with many fatalities every year. The increase of rockfalls during and after wildfires is connected with the merging of different factors, not only in the detached area but also in the propagation and potentially affected area. When wildfire occurred, many actions take place: changes in the mechanical conditions of the rocks, the loss of protective capacity from vegetation, the effect induced by firefighting activities and/or the impact by the high temperatures in the adopted protective measures. After the wildfire, there is an increase in frequency and intensity of rockfalls in the burned area, causing a major impact of rockfalls on not only road networks and built-up areas but also people living. Additionally, the removal of vegetation by wildfires causes an increase in the risk perception, related not only to detached blocks but also to the general appearance of the rock mass. In this review, the main factors that influence the occurrence of rockfalls after a wildfire are analyzed, and three actual case studies in Spain are presented to support the variety of conclusions obtained.