Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermophysical and Compositional Properties of Paleobedforms on Mars

Bedforms on Earth and Mars are often preserved in the rock record in the form of sedimentary rock with distinct cross‐bedding. On rare occasions, the full‐surface geometry of a bedform can be preserved through burial and lithification. These features, known as paleobedforms, are found in a variety of geographic locations on Mars. Evidence in the morphology of paleobedforms, such as the retention of impact craters and steep erosional scarps, suggests that these features are well‐lithified and capable of withstanding prolonged weathering and erosion. Here, we present results from thermophysical and compositional analyses on a subset of the best preserved paleobedform candidate fields on Mars. Thermophysical modeling elucidates the changes these bedforms underwent from their unconsolidated, particulate nature to their currently observed properties. Certain paleobedforms have elevated thermal inertias (e.g., ∼300–500 J·m−2·s−1/2·K−1) when compared with modern bedforms (∼250 J·m−2·s−1/2·K−1), and modeling indicates that they have cement volumes of 0.8%–1.5% even as high as 30%. However, most paleobedform candidates have unexpectedly low thermal inertia when compared with modern dunes. Additionally, compositional analyses reveal a range of spectral characteristics within paleobedforms (e.g., primary and secondary alteration products). These features add to the already existing class of Martian surfaces in which thermal inertia does not seem to correspond to erodibility, cohesion, or mechanical strength. Studying paleobedforms with both raised and nonraised thermal inertia has provided new insights into lithification on Mars and constrained the environmental conditions leading to the formation of these enigmatic features.
De facto differentiation in the EU’s economic and monetary union - A rationalist explanation

ABSTRACT Although there are various legal tools to make European integration more flexible, the EU and its member states uphold long-term arrangements of de facto differentiation circumventing EU law. This article assesses their role in the EU’s system of differentiated integration. To that end, it advances a model based on rational choice theory, outlining the steps and conditions under which tolerated arrangements of de facto differentiation can emerge. This is illustrated in three case studies in Economic and Monetary Union (EMU): (1) Sweden’s de facto opt-out from EMU; (2) Kosovo’s adoption of the euro as sole legal tender, and (3) the Fiscal Compact. Data was gathered via document analysis and 11 expert interviews. The article concludes that de facto differentiation may constitute a viable alternative and useful means to make EU integration more flexible if strong national demand for differentiation meets the need for discretion or timely, pragmatic action.
Serbian EFL Learners’ Preferences Regarding Standard Pronunciation Models

This paper observes Serbian EFL students’ attitudes to standard models of pronunciation such as General American (GA) and Southern British Standard (SBS). Previous research on this issue disclosed learners’ overall inclination towards SBS as the preferred English variety. The aim of this research was to test whether Serbian students still hold such views, or whether American variety is on its way to replacing British English and becoming the eminent reference accent for pronunciation learning. Another aim was to observe the underlying reasons for learners’ pronunciation preferences. The data was collected using a direct method, i.e. a writ- ten questionnaire. The respondents were 85 English-major students at the Faculty of Philology and Arts in Kragujevac. The analysis showed that the accuracy of pronunciation remains a high- priority goal since 85% of the respondents reported on native-like accent being their ultimate objective. However, unlike previous attitudinal studies, this research revealed learners’ higher preference for GA. Such preference is to be expected since the respondents’ self-reported expo- sure to this particular variety was much higher compared to their self-reported exposure to SBS.
Assembling Portable In-Situ Workflow from Heterogeneous Components using Data Reorganization

Heterogeneous computing is becoming common in the HPC world. The fast-changing hardware landscape is pushing programmers and developers to rely on performance-portable programming models to rewrite old and legacy applications and develop new ones. While this approach is suitable for individual applications, outstanding challenges still remain when multiple applications are combined into complex workflows. One critical difficulty is the exchange of data between communicating applications where performance constraints imposed by heterogeneous hardware advantage different data layouts. We attempt to solve this problem by exploring asynchronous data layout conversions for applications requiring different memory access patterns for shared data. We implement the proposed solution within the DataSpaces data staging service, extending it to support heterogeneous application workflows across a broad spectrum of programming models. In addition, we integrate heterogeneous DataSpaces with the Kokkos programming model and propose the Kokkos Staging Space as an extension of the Kokkos data abstraction. This new abstraction enables us to express data on a virtual shared space for multiple Kokkos applications, thus guaranteeing the portability of each application when assembling them into an efficient heterogeneous workflow. We present performance results for the Kokkos Staging Space using a synthetic workflow emulator and three different scenarios representing access frequency and use patterns in shared data. The results show that the Kokkos Staging Space is a superior solution in terms of time-to-solution and scalability compared to existing file-based Kokkos data abstractions for inter-application data exchange.
Multi-Scenario Simulation of Ecosystem Service Values in the Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration, China

Rapid urbanization and human activities enhanced threats to the degradation of various ecosystem services in modern urban agglomerations. This study explored the response of ecosystem service values (ESVs) to land use changes and the trade-offs among various ESVs in urban agglomerations under different future development scenarios. The patch-general land use simulation (PLUS) model and ESV calculation method were used to simulate the ESVs of Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration under the Business As Usual scenario (BAU), Ecological Conservation scenario (EC), and Economic Development scenario (ED) in 2030. Global and local Moran’s I were used to detect the spatial distribution pattern, and correlation analysis was used to measure trade-offs among ecosystem services. The results showed that: (1) The simulated result of land use in Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration showed high accuracy compared to the actual observed result of the same period, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.912. From 2000 to 2030, land use changes were significant, with the rapid decrease in farmland and an increase in construction land. The area of woodland increased significantly under the EC scenario, and the area of construction land increased rapidly under the ED scenario. (2) The decline of total ESV was CNY 218 million from 2000 to 2020, and ESVs remained the downward trend in the BAU and ED scenarios compared to 2020, decreasing by CNY 156 million and CNY 4731 million, respectively. An increasing trend of ESV showed under the EC scenario, with a growth of CNY 849 million. (3) Significant spatial autocorrelation showed in Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration, as the Global Moran’s I were all positive and the p-values were zero. The ESV grids mainly showed “High-High” clusters in the mountainous areas and “Low-Low” clusters in plain areas. Except for food production, a majority of ecosystem services exhibited positive synergistic relationships. In future planning and development, policymakers should focus on the coordinated development of the urbanization process and ecological preservation to build an ecological safety pattern.
Transfer learning based inverse modeling to identify unknown building properties

This study proposes a transfer learning (TL)-based inverse approach to identify unknown building properties from monthly energy data. For this purpose, the artificial neural network models were developed from simulation results of sampled EnergyPlus models and then transferred to the domain of existing buildings. It is found that the TL models can be used to identify unknown factors in existing buildings. In addition, data collected from EnergyPlus simulation runs can improve the performance of a data-driven model when TL is adopted. It is expected that the use of TL enables the developed model to be reusable for another group of buildings with improved performance and reduced training time.
A surrogate marker for very early-stage tau pathology is detectable by molecular magnetic resonance imaging

The abnormal phosphorylation of tau is a necessary precursor to the formation of tau fibrils, a marker of Alzheimer's disease. We hypothesize that hyperphosphorylative conditions may result in unique cell surface markers. We identify and demonstrate the utility of such surrogate markers to identify the hyperphosphorylative state. Methods: Cell SELEX was used to identify novel thioaptamers specifically binding hyperphosphorylative cells. Cell surface vimentin was identified as a potential binding target of the aptamer. Novel molecular magnetic resonance imaging (M-MRI) probes using these aptamers and a small molecule ligand to vimentin were used for in vivo detection of this pre-pathological state. Results: In a mouse model of pathological tau, we demonstrated in vivo visualization of the hyperphosphorylative state by M-MRI, enabling the identification at a pre-pathological stage of mice that develop frank tau pathology several months later. In vivo visualization of the hyperphosphorylative state by M-MRI was further validated in a second mouse model (APP/PS1) of Alzheimer's disease again identifying the mutants at a pre-pathological stage. Conclusions: M-MRI of the hyperphosphorylative state identifies future tau pathology and could enable extremely early-stage diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, at a pre-patholgical stage.
Research on the Relationship Between Flexible Contract Term Setting Method and Setting Effect of Environmental Protection PPP Project

Abstract Environmental protection PPP projects (EP-PPP) are subject to uncertainty during the project cycle, setting flexible project contract terms in their contracts can help establish and maintain an effective partnership. This article aims to reveal the contract flexibility mechanism of EP-PPP projects by studying the relationship between flexible contract term setting methods and their effects. Questionnaires, case studies and structural equation modeling (SEM) are applied to conduct quantitative analysis. The research shows that although some flexible terms have been adopted in current EP-PPP contracts, there is still much room for improvement. In order to deal with unforeseen risks and challenges, it is necessary to consider: (1) List uncertainties as much as possible and set up response methods accordingly; (2) Guarantee a certain degree of flexibility in uncertainty response methods; (3) Give the project itself a certain degree of autonomous response power; (4) Leave plenty space for changes that may be needed in the future. The study results can help project practitioners enhance their understanding of flexible contract terms and help to promote contract flexibility in EP-PPP projects in a context-specific manner, thereby facilitating project success.
Improving the sensitivity of DC magneto-optical Kerr effect measurement to 10−7rad/Hz

A high-sensitivity DC magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) apparatus is described in this Letter. Via detailed analysis on several dominating noise sources, we have proposed solutions that significantly lower the MOKE noise, and a sensitivity of 1.5 × 10 − 7 rad = (cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1) Hz p is achieved with long-term stability. The sensitivity of the apparatus is tested by measuring a wedge-shaped Ni thin film on SiO 2 with Ni thickness varying from 0 to 3 nm. A noise floor of 1.5 × 10 − 8 rad is demonstrated. The possibility of further improving sensitivity to 10 − 9 rad via applying AC modulation is also discussed.
Re‐evaluation of a method used to study nutritional effects on bumble bees

Bee declines are an increasingly recognised problem globally. Nutritional stress due to agricultural intensification is one of the drivers of bee declines. Therefore, understanding the nutritional requirements of bees is crucial to mitigate the effects of food scarcity on bee populations. Laboratory studies evaluating nutritional effects on bumble bees often use microcolonies as a model system for effects on queenright colonies. Microcolonies consist of workers, whereby one worker will lay male‐destined unfertilized eggs. Consequently, microcolonies exclusively produce males, while queenright colonies produce (female) workers and reproductives (males and queens). A comparison between Bombus terrestris (L.) microcolonies and queenright colonies was made by feeding three diets of varying nutritional quality. The experimental diets affected most fitness parameters of microcolonies differently than those of queenright colonies. Low‐protein, largely monofloral, pollen affected queenright colony fitness by reducing colony size and increasing larval mortality, while these fitness parameters were not affected in microcolonies. High‐protein polyfloral pollen reduced larval mortality in queenright colonies but did not affect larval mortality in microcolonies. For both colony types, a similar result was obtained when assessing offspring body mass, which was reduced by the low‐quality diet and increased by the high‐quality diet. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that microcolonies are inaccurate model systems and their use can lead to erroneous conclusions in terms of effects of nutritional stress or pollen quality on bumble bees. Our results further highlight the importance of high‐quality (here high‐protein polyfloral) pollen for sustaining colony development of bumble bees.
Multi-criteria optimization of an earth-air heat exchanger based system for several climates of European capital cities.

A multi-criteria optimization methodology is applied to an energy system composed of an earth-air exchanger and a heat pump. The aim is to determine the best sizing for different European capitals climates. The procedure is composed of a sensitivity analysis which determines the influential parameters using the FAST method. Then, a multi-criteria optimization is conducted with NSGA-II genetic algorithms to identify the Pareto front. Finally, a decision-making is performed to select the best compromise with the TOPSIS method. The results show that even if the system is dependent on weather conditions, it is still profitable, autonomous and efficient.
Challenges in the collaboration between researchers and in-house communication professionals in the digital media landscape

In the changing science communication landscape, researchers may govern their public science-society relations through the social media connections at their fingertips. However, digital media outreach may create challenges for researchers and cause changes in the communication professionals' role. The aim of this qualitative interview study was to enhance understanding of the challenges in the rarely explored organizational collaboration between researchers and communication professionals. The results identify ambiguous duties and responsibilities, as well as blurring boundaries of occupational roles and coordination challenges in content production.
METAPHORICAL EXPRESSION USED IN POETRY IN ENGLISH TEXTBOOK ENTITLED "PATHWAY TO ENGLISH"

The aims of this research are to find out the types and meaning of metaphor in poetry in English textbook entitled “Pathway to English” . The main data of this research are 9 poetry in the English textbook entitled “The Seasons”, “The Little Rose Tree”, “Alpine Glow”, “From Alcuin”, “A Man Young and Old: Human Dignity”, “Love and Friendship”, “Mountain”, “My Star”, and “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” . In this research the researcher applied descriptive qualitative method to analyze the data. The researcher used theory of Parera to classify the types of metaphor and also used the metaphor identification procedure proposed by Pragglejaz to identify the metaphors contained in the poetry. The result showed that there are 22 lines that used metaphor, which 16 lines are anthropomorphic metaphor, 3 lines are synesthetic metaphor, 2 lines are metaphor abstract to concrete and 1 line is animal metaphor. The meaning of all these poetry is about life. By using metaphor the poet can also express their feelings to the reader to understand the implicit message contained in the poetry through the depiction or comparison made by the poet.
Navigating the Gray of Academic Publication

Abstract Academic publishing has undergone a transition from print-based, subscription access journals targeted toward physicians and scientists to the widely accessible, open access (OA) format made possible by the Internet. The objectives of OA broadly include audience expansion and improved public access to publicly funded research, reduction of limitations on content reuse and alteration, and prompt turnaround from submission to publication. Despite well-intended founding principles, unexpected disadvantages of the OA model have arisen including the emergence of predatory journals, which exploit the author-pays publishing model with the deceptive promise of reputable publishing platforms. Predatory journals can be difficult to discern from the legitimate yet unsophisticated novice journal, which represents a destructive influence on the credibility of surgeons and scientists within many specialties. As an author, when the highly reputable, “whitelisted” journals in our field are not available or interested in the scope of our work, how can we ensure authenticity of those journals that exist in the gray area between legitimate and illegitimate? Given these questions, the goal of this article is to demystify the history and selected issues that surround academic publication including content access, licensing, indexing, and journal metrics. With this background, we then evaluate highly visible OA journals in plastic and reconstructive surgery and build a basic framework, which authors can use to evaluate a journal for legitimacy and visibility.
rego: Stata module for decomposing goodness of fit according to Owen and Shapley values

Decomposition of the goodness of fit to (groups of) regressor variables can be a useful diagnostic tool to quickly assess â€œrelative importanceâ€ . Owen and Shapley values, two closely related solutional concepts in cooperative game theory, provide unique solutions to the decomposition exercise on the basis of a sound set of assumptions. At this stage, the new command rego implements decomposition of R-squared in OLS regression, based on the covariance matrix of the data for fast computation in the Mata environment. It also allows for bootstrapping the outcomes. Inclusion of other measures of fit and classes of models is planned for future extensions.
Shooting and Holding Fire in Police Work: Insights From a Study Informed by the Binder and Scharf Model of Deadly Force Decision-Making

How police officers exercise their unique power to use deadly force continues to be a topic of interest among academics and has recently become arguably the most visible public policy issue related to the criminal justice system in the United States. Academic interest in officers’ use of deadly force includes attention to how officers make the decision to discharge their firearms during encounters with citizens. Binder and Scharf posited that actions and decisions made by officers early in a high-risk police-citizen encounter can impact their decision to use deadly force at the conclusion of the encounter. This decision-making model, however, has been subject to very little empirical scrutiny in the decades since it was proposed (see Fridell & Binder; Scharf & Binder for notable exceptions). To bring their comprehensive framework back to the forefront and provide additional empirical assessment, the authors used the Binder and Scharf model as a framework to examine 82 officers’ decisions to shoot or hold fire in incidents that involved multiple officers who ultimately made different decisions regarding lethal force. Results from the qualitative analysis suggest that the presence and actions of other officers on scene can have a notable impact on officers’ decision-making during a high-risk police-citizen encounter. Furthermore, findings from this study extend the Binder-Scharf model by highlighting the role of conscious and unconscious decision-making and the impact of social roles on officers’ choices during an officer-involved shooting.
Modeling Concurrent Vowel Scores Using the Time Delay Neural Network and Multitask Learning

The difference in fundamental frequency (F0) between vowels is a segregation cue for identifying concurrent vowels. Younger listeners with normal hearing (YNH) showed that the percent identification score of both vowels improved with increasing F0 difference and asymptoted at higher F0 difference. The current study developed a deep-neural-network model consisting of a time-delay neural network and multitask learning (TDNN-MTL) to predict the concurrent vowel scores. The input to the TDNN-MTL were temporal responses of concurrent vowels obtained using the auditory-nerve model. The TDNN-MTL was trained at a 3-Hz F0 difference until the score (80%) became closer to the YNH score (85%). The TDNN-MTL learned the formant coding and aided in the segregation of concurrent vowels into dominant and recessive vowels. The total weighted loss was tailored to mimic the dominant-recessive relationship of the YNH scores. The TDNN-MTL was tested against the other five F0 differences. The TDNN-MTL model scores of both vowels successfully predicted the YNH scores. The chi-square tests revealed that the TDNN-MTL model scores correlated well with the YNH scores compared with other F0-segregation and multi-layer perceptron models. The TDNN-MTL also correctly predicted the one vowel identification scores and F0 benefit. These findings suggest that the trained TDNN-MTL accurately predicts the formant coding of concurrent vowels across F0 differences, which aided in capturing the YNH scores. The TDNN-MTL can be extended to validate the behavioral studies on concurrent vowels obtained across acoustic (e.g., vowel duration and level) and auditory changes (e.g., aging and hearing loss).