Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy of an Upper Permian Sedimentary Succession: Northern Sydney Basin, Southeastern Australia

This study integrates sedimentological and stratigraphic insights into the Upper Permian sedimentary rocks of the Wittingham, Tomago and Newcastle Coal Measures in the Northern Sydney Basin, Australia. Facies analysis documented fifteen facies that belong to seven facies associations. These facies associations correspond to different depositional environments and sub-environments including prodelta, delta-front, upper, lower delta-plain and fluvial. The stratigraphic development points to a shallowing upward trend and is reflected with fluvial deposits sitting on top of the deltaic deposits. The fluvio-deltaic contact is represented by an unconformity and displays an upward increase in sediment caliber. The delta front is mainly controlled by wave, storms- and/or river currents, even though the contribution of tides also occurs in the form of sedimentary structures that suggest tidal influence. In contrast, prodelta and delta-plain are significantly modulated by tidal currents. The impact of tides in the delta plain is fading away upward and therefore, the upper delta plain is much less impacted compared to the lower delta plain. The low abundance of wave ripples suggests that the wave action was not very important in the delta plain. Steep topographic gradients and increased sediment input are suggested, based on the limited or absent evidence of tides in the fluvial realm, related to the growing New England Orogen. In sequence stratigraphic terms, the deltaic system accumulated during highstand normal regression, while the deposition of the overlying fluvial system occurred during lowstand normal regression. The two systems are separated by a subaerial unconformity developed during an intervening forced regression. Short periods of transgression are inferred from the presence of higher frequency cycles in the delta-front.
Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Synthesized Short-Chain Fatty Acid Phenyl Esters Using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a widely used technique to qualitatively determine the molecular structure of organic compounds; however, using quantitative FT-IR (qFT-IR) for the compositional analyses of mixtures is less common. To reinforce instrumental use in undergraduate laboratories, we have devised a multipart experiment that not only combines the qualitative and quantitative aspects of FT-IR but also exposes students to computational and synthetic organic chemistry. The objectives of this experiment are to synthesize a series of phenyl esters (PhEs) of various molecular weights; use qualitative FT-IR to characterize and compare the synthesized products with standards, databases, and with theoretical spectra computed using the cost-efficient B97-3c functional; and determine the weight percent (wt. %) composition of a binary mixture. We report on the methodologies used to synthesize and purify four PhEs; characterize them using FT-IR, conduct theoretical calculations and compare their FT-IR spectra with experimental ones; and determine the wt. % composition of phenyl acetate (PhAc), phenyl propionate (PhPr), phenyl butyrate (PhBu), and phenyl hexanoate (PhHex) in binary mixtures ranging from 0% to 100%. The results show a strong, linear correlation of gravimetrically calculated wt. % composition of a selected compound in a binary mixture using qFT-IR. This experiment demonstrates the applicability of qFT-IR as an educational tool for the undergraduate chemical laboratory and combines four different branches of chemistry: computational, instrumental, organic, and analytical.
Analysis of exit probability for a trajectory tracking robot in case of a rare event

Abstract In this paper, a novel statistical application of large deviation principle (LDP) to the robot trajectory tracking problem is presented. The exit probability of the trajectory from stability zone is evaluated, in the presence of small-amplitude Gaussian and Poisson noise. Afterward, the limit of the partition function for the average tracking error energy is derived by solving a fourth-order system of Euler–Lagrange equations. Stability and computational complexity of the proposed approach is investigated to show the superiority over the Lyapunov method. Finally, the proposed algorithm is validated by Monte Carlo simulations and on the commercially available Omni bundleTM robot.
Synthesis of visible-light mediated tryptanthrin derivatives from isatin and isatoic anhydride under transition metal-free conditions

Visible-light mediated synthesis of diverse tryptanthrin derivatives catalyzed by an organic dye has been achieved. An energy transfer reaction process leads to the self-condensation of isatin, as well as the cross-condensation of isatin and isatoic anhydride. The irradiation of the reaction mixture with a 23 W fluorescent bulb in the presence of Rose Bengal provides a transition metal-free, environmentally friendly and inexpensive alternative approach to synthesize this important heterocycle.
Changing pattern of smoking in relation to adverse childhood experiences among adolescents: a cross-sectional study in Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT Background Youth cigarette smoking has decreased significantly over the last two decades. The Southeast Asian Region has the highest rates of tobacco use, but the trend is projected to decline rapidly, similar to levels seen globally. Methods The aim of this study was to portray the changing pattern of smoking in relation to history of ACEs among adolescents. Data were extracted from the 2017 and 2019 rounds of the Bangkok Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BBSS), which sampled students in grades 11 and vocational Year 2 students, ages 13 to 17 years. A combined total of 8,200 adolescents participated: 4,126 in 2017 and 4,074 in 2019. Results The prevalence of tobacco smoking in the previous 30 days was 14.7% (95% CI 13.4, 15.6) in 2017 and 7.7% (95% CI 7.0, 8.1) in 2019. Similarly, the proportion of adolescents with a history of ACEs declined slightly from 52.1% to 45.9%. Adolescents with ACEs were more likely to report smoking in the past 30 days. Conclusions Future researchers should consider mechanisms for the ACE-smoking association and use of emerging tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes. Tobacco control efforts should focus on adolescents with ≥ 4 ACEs.
Gender-based Differences in EFL Learners' Language Learning Strategies and Productive Vocabulary

Gender is a key factor in the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), where its impact on language learning strategies (Aslan, 2009; Oxford & Nyikos, 1989; Sumarni & Rachmawaty, 2019) and productive vocabulary (Canga Alonso & Arribas García, 2014; Fleckenstein, 2018; Jiménez Catalán & Moreno Espinosa, 2004) has been investigated. However, to our knowledge, there is a lack of research of gender on language learning strategies in relation to productive vocabulary in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The present study aimed to pursue three objectives. The first one was to ascertain whether males or females employed more language learning strategies. The second objective was to determine whether males or females had more productive vocabulary. Finally, the third objective was to investigate whether there was a statistically significant relationship between language learning strategies and productive vocabulary. The sample consisted of 51 EFL learners (20 males and 31 females) at the second year of Spanish non-compulsory Secondary Education (equivalent to 12th grade). The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire (Oxford, 1990) and the Productive Vocabulary Levels Test (PVLT) (Laufer & Nation, 1995, 1999) were the instruments employed in order to measure informants’ language learning strategies and productive vocabulary respectively. Afterwards, students’ answers were processed electronically and analyzed quantitatively. Results revealed that females use language learning strategies significantly more than males, but there were not statistically significant differences between them regarding productive vocabulary. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between language learning strategies and productive vocabulary.
Students Lead the Charge! Using Project-Based Learning with Pre-service Teachers to Redesign a Curriculum Resource Center

Project-based learning (PBL) allows students to identify and find solutions to real-world problems using inquiry-based learning. With the exception of Correll and Bornstein (2018), very little has been written about using PBL to redesign college and university Curriculum Resource Centers. The authors of this article used PBL in conjunction with the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Guidelines for Curriculum Materials Centers (CMCs) and the three themes for PBL success in higher education identified by Lee et al. (2014) to work with a small class of upper-level elementary education pre-service teachers to redesign an academic library Curriculum Resource Center.
The Colors of the Circus Mosaic from Barcino (Roman Barcelona): Characterization, Provenance, and Technology Issues

Archaeometric studies on mosaics often concentrate only on glass tesserae, while comprehensive studies including both stone and glass tesserae are scarce; however, both types of tesserae can sometimes bring relevant data to elaborate archaeological knowledge on a studied mosaic. In this paper, a representative set of tesserae from a large polychrome Roman mosaic retrieved in Barcelona (NE Spain) is investigated using various methods. Most of the techniques were directly applied on samples prepared as petrographic thin sections (including polarized-light, cathodoluminescence and electron microscopies, and synchrotron through-the-substrate μX-ray diffraction). The results indicate that, from the ten sampled stone tesserae, there are (i) seven limestones, one of them identified as Alveolina limestone (early Eocene) from the southern Pyrenees (ii) two sandstones from Barcelona’s Montjuïc hill (Miocene) and, (iii) a Carrara white marble from the Apuan Alps (Italy). The profuse presence of tesserae of both local and imported materials with well-known uses in architecture, epigraphy, and sculpture could imply that tesserae were a by-product of their main use. Two different production technologies were identified for the three sampled glass tesserae. The concurrent use of antimony- and tin-based opacifiers is in agreement with the accepted archaeological chronology of the mosaic (4th century AD).
Magneto-Fluorescent Yolk–Shell Nanoparticles

We present a new strategy for the fabrication of magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles designed for bimodal imaging. These hybrid nanostructures comprise an optically active semiconductor nanoparticle quantum dot core with tunable fluorescence, encapsulated within a hollow paramagnetic iron oxide shell that serves as an MRI contrast agent. The yolk–shell morphology enables incorporation of the semiconductor and magnetic domains into a single structure, while avoiding direct contact between them, which typically results in quenching of the desired optical fluorescence. We successfully demonstrate utilization of the ultrasmall (15 nm hydrodynamic size) magneto-fluorescent CdSe@CdS@Hollow-Fe2O3 nanoparticles for multimodal imaging of cells at the intracellular level.
From the Heroic Age to today: What diatoms from Shackleton's Nimrod expedition can tell us about the ecological trajectory of Antarctic ponds

Biological invasion and environmental change pose major threats to ecosystems. While long‐term ecological change is commonly evaluated through sediment cores in lakes, it is generally not feasible for smaller ponds, and spatial resolution is limited. Here, we analyze pond diatom communities collected during Shackleton's Nimrod expedition at Cape Royds, Antarctica, to compare with the same waterbodies a century later. We find historical samples to be almost identical to modern counterparts, and provide no evidence of exotic introductions despite increasing human activity. However, a shift occurred in the pond nearest Shackleton's hut, Pony Lake, which was dominated by Luticola muticopsis a century ago, and was replaced by Craspedostauros laevissimus. Both are endemic species previously and currently present at Cape Royds, and we hypothesize that a shift in conductivity accompanying changing precipitation patterns may be responsible. Collectively, these results provide important data for assessing human and climate impacts among Antarctic lacustrine habitats.
Structure of the Basal Edge Dislocation in ZnO

Basal dislocations having a Burgers vector of 1/3 in zinc oxide (ZnO) with the wurtzite structure are known to strongly affect physical properties in bulk. However, the core structure of the basal dislocation remains unclear. In the present study, ZnO bicrystals with a {2 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 0}/ 2° low-angle tilt grain boundary were fabricated by diffusion bonding. The resultant dislocation core structure was observed by using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) at an atomic resolution. It was found that a basal edge dislocation in α-type is dissociated into two partial dislocations on the (0001) plane with a separation distance of 1.5 nm, indicating the glide dissociation. The Burgers vectors of the two partial dislocations were 1/3 and 1/3 , and the stacking fault between the two partials on the (0001) plane has a formation energy of 0.14 J/m2. Although the bicrystals have a boundary plane of {2 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 0}, the boundary basal dislocations do not exhibit dissociation along the boundary plane, but along the (0001) plane perpendicular to the boundary plane. From DFT calculations, the stacking fault on the (0001) plane was found to be much more stable than that on {2 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 0}. Such an extremely low energy of the (0001) stacking fault can realize transverse dissociation of the basal dislocation of ZnO.
Gaps in DNA sequence libraries for Macaronesian marine macroinvertebrates imply decades till completion and robust monitoring

DNA metabarcoding has great potential to improve biomonitoring in island's marine ecosystems, which are highly vulnerable to global change and non‐indigenous species (NIS) introductions. However, the depth and accuracy of the taxonomic identifications are mainly dependent on reference libraries containing representative and reliable sequences for the targeted species. In this study, we evaluated the gaps in the availability of DNA sequences and their accuracy for macroinvertebrates inhabiting Macaronesia's shallow marine habitats.
Cardiovascular manifestations of People Newly Diagnosed HIV/AIDS and their Correlation with CD4 Count: Report from Northern India

Introduction: About 21.17 lakhs people in India and about 0.49 lakh people in Punjab are living with HIV according to National AIDS Control Organization Annual Report (2015-16). Cardiovascular complications of HIV infection tend to occur late in the disease and are therefore becoming more prevalent in our society as therapy and longevity improve. Aims of this Study: To study incidence of cardiovascular morbidity in newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients and their correlation with CD4 count. To study the types of cardiovascular morbidities in newly diagnosed HIV /AIDS patients and their correlation with CD4 count. Methods: 100 HIV patients newly diagnosed by ELISA technique were selected for the study. All patients were subjected to cardiovascular investigations like ECG, ECHO using Philips iE33 Ultrasound Machine with X-MATRIX Technology with X5-1, supports 3D,2D colour flow, M-mode, Pulsed Wave/Continuous Wave (PW/CW) Doppler, Tissue Doppler imaging and chest x-ray. Results: Majority of the patients were asymptomatic (84%). Commonest being Chest pain(1%). 7% patients had ECG abnormalities. Commonest being sinus tachycardia (4), one patient had atrial fibrillation and 2 had LVH.Two patients had Cardiomegaly on X ray examination while remaining 98 patients had normal cardiac size. Out of the 100 patients studied, 27% patients had cardiac involvement on Echocardiography / Colour Doppler study. Out of these 27 patients, 22(80.65%) had CD4 count less than 200, 4(12.90%) had CD4 count between 201-350 and 1(6.45%) had CD4 count>350.Diastolic Dysfunction was most common abnormality followed by tricuspid regurgitation and systolic dysfunction and pericardial effusion on echocardiography / colour Doppler study. 20 patients had Diastolic Dysfunction, out of which 19 had Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction and 1 had Grade 2 diastolic dysfunction. Grade 3 and Grade 4 diastolic dysfunction was not seen in any patient. All patients with Diastolic Dysfunction had CD4 counts less than 200.Six patients had Mild Systolic Dysfunction, out of them 4 were males and 2 were females, all the males had an EF=50%, while females had EF of 50% and 52% respectively. 4 patients had CD4 count less than 200, 1 had CD4 count between 201-350 and remaining 1 CD4 count more than 350.Two patients had Pericardial Effusion and their CD4 count was less than 200. Conclusion: The commonest cardiac abnormality being detected diastolic dysfunction and least common being pericardial effusion. Diastolic dysfunction is directly related to CD4 count.
Value of incorporating geospatial information into the prediction of on-street parking occupancy – A case study

ABSTRACT In light of growing urban traffic, car parking becomes increasingly critical for cities to manage. As a result, the prediction of parking occupancy has sparked significant research interest in recent years. While many external data sources have been considered in the prediction models, the underlying geographic context has mostly been ignored. Thus, in order to study the contribution of geospatial information to parking occupancy prediction models, road network centrality, land use, and Point of Interest (POI) data were incorporated in Random Forest (RF) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN, specifically Feedforward Neural Network FFNN) prediction models in this work. Model performances were compared to a baseline, which only considers historical and temporal input data. Moreover, the influence of the amount of training data, the prediction horizon, and the spatial variation of the prediction were explored. The results show that the inclusion of geospatial information led to a performance improvement of up to 25% compared to the baseline. Besides, as the prediction horizon expanded, predictions became less reliable, while the relevance of geospatial data increased. In general, land use and POI data proved to be more beneficial than road network centrality. The amount of training data did not have a significant influence on the performance of the RF model. The ANN model, conversely, achieved optimal results on a training input of 5 days. Likely attributable to varying occupancy patterns, prediction performance disparities could be identified for different parking districts and street segments. Generally, the RF model outperformed the ANN model on all predictions.
Au Supported TiO2-Nanofibers as Novel Catalysts for Glycerol Oxidation

Composites of Au supported on the TiO2-nanofibers (Au/NF-TiO2) were synthesized and tested in glycerol oxidation processes. TiO2-nanofibers were prepared by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method. Chemical deposition method was used for nanofibers modification with Au nanoparticles. Oxidation of aqueous glycerol solutions by molecular oxygen in the presence of Au/NF-TiO2 nanocomposites was performed. It was found that Au/NF-TiO2 composites are catalytically active in alkaline glycerol water solutions. The main product of glycerol catalytic oxidation was glyceric acid, by-products were – tartronic, lactic, glycolic, oxalic, acetic and formic acid. It was shown that Au/NF-TiO2 catalysts’ activity and selectivity depend on Au weight loading, glycerol/Au molar ratio, oxygen pressure and NaOH initial concentration. The best result was achieved using the 0.5 wt%Au/NF-TiO2 catalyst: selectivity by glyceric acid was 76% with glycerol conversion 100%.
Einstein–de Haas phase shifts in surface acoustic waves

We demonstrate the phase shift of the Rayleigh-type surface acoustic wave (RSAW) in a ferromagnetic ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{81}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{19}$ film based on the gyromagnetic Einstein--de Haas (EdH) torque that can be attributed to the back action of spin-wave excitation. The EdH torque modulates the transverse velocity of the bulk acoustic wave that causes the bipolar phase shift of RSAW. When compared with a magnetoelastic torque, the phase shift can be more prominently enhanced by increasing the frequency. The gyromagnetic torque in the RSAW paves the way for controlling spin-mechatronics devices without magnetoelastic torque which is specific to a certain material.
Robust high-dimensional seismic data interpolation based on elastic half norm regularization and tensor dictionary learning

Due to the limitations imposed by acquisition cost, obstacles, and inaccessible regions, the originally acquired seismic data are often sparsely or irregularly sampled in space, which seriously affects the ability of seismic data to image underground structures. Fortunately, compressed sensing provides theoretical support for interpolating and recovering irregularly or undersampled data. Under the framework of compressed sensing, we have adopted a robust interpolation method for high-dimensional seismic data, based on elastic half norm regularization and tensor dictionary learning. Inspired by the elastic net, we first develop the elastic half norm regularization as a sparsity constraint, and we establish a robust high-dimensional interpolation model with this technique. Then, considering the multidimensional structure and spatial correlation of seismic data, we introduce a tensor dictionary learning algorithm to train a high-dimensional adaptive tensor dictionary from the original data. This tensor dictionary is used as the sparse transform for seismic data interpolation because it can capture more detailed seismic features to achieve the optimal and fast sparse representation of high-dimensional seismic data. Finally, we solve the robust interpolation model by an efficient iterative thresholding algorithm in the transform space and perform the space conversion by a modified imputation algorithm to recover the wavefields at the unobserved spatial positions. We conduct high-dimensional interpolation experiments on model and field seismic data on a regular data grid. Experimental results demonstrate that this method has superior performance and higher computational efficiency in noise-free and noisy seismic data interpolation, compared to extensively used dictionary learning-based interpolation methods.