Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic sticker systems

A model for DNA computing using the recombination behaviour of DNA molecules known as a sticker system has been introduced by Adleman in 1994. A sticker model is an abstract computational model which uses the Watson-Crick complementary principle of DNA molecules. Starting from the axioms – incomplete double stranded sequences, and iteratively using sticking operations, complete double stranded sequences are obtained. It is known that sticker systems with finite sets of axioms and sticker rules generate only regular languages. Hence, different types of restrictions have been considered to increase the computational power of sticker systems. In this paper, we introduce probabilistic sticker systems in which probabilities are initially associated with the axioms, and the probability of the generated string is computed by multiplying the probabilities of all occurrences of the initial strings used in the computation of the string.
Compressed Sensing Based Active User Detection in MIMO Systems With One-Bit ADC

We investigate an active user detection for massive machine-type communication systems, in which a massive number of users with sporadic transmission communicate with a base station (BS) with multiple antennas. Due to hardware cost and power consumption, it is assumed that each receiver antenna at the BS is equipped with one-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This problem can be formulated as a new compressed sensing problem with one-bit quantized multiple measurement vectors (termed one-bit CS-MMV). In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm (named Turbo-QISTA) by properly incorporating Turbo principle into quantized iterative shrinkage threshold algorithm (QISTA). Our major contribution is to design two key metrics (i.e., extrinsic and a priori information) of Turbo principle suitable for one-bit CS-MMV problem. Via simulations, we demonstrate the superiority of the proposed Turbo-QISTA.
Transcriptome analysis of strawberry (Fragaria × ananasa) responsive to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides inoculation and mining of resistance genes

Abstract Strawberry has high nutritional and economic value and is an important horticultural crop widely cultivated worldwide. Strawberry anthracnose is the most harmful disease in strawberry production, which causes huge production losses every year. Mining disease resistance genes and breeding high-quality strawberry varieties are the fundamental way to solve the problem of strawberry anthracnose. In this study, transcriptome analysis and disease resistance-related genes mining were targeted on strawberry anthracnose. The main results are as follows: (1) A total of 100.45 Gb clean reads were obtained, with no less than 6.26 Gb for each sample; (2) The clean reads for each sample were aligned to the reference genome efficiently at 91.30% − 92.27%; (3) 93,042 genes were annotated; (4) 16 anti-anthracnose-related genes were identified, including FaAUX1, FaARF18, FaSAUR50, FaGH3.6, FaAHP1, FaARR (3, 5 and 11), FaPYR1, FaPYL11, FaPP2C (6, 16, 24, 37 and 51) and FaPR1. The above results can provide theoretical guidance for the molecular breeding of disease resistance of strawberry.
Selectivity Tuning by Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Cytinus hypocistis—Studies of Antioxidative, Enzyme-Inhibitive Properties and LC-MS Profiles

In the present study, the extracts of Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L using both traditional solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, ethanol, ethanol/water, and water) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were investigated in terms of their total polyphenolic contents and antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitive properties. The extracts were found to possess total phenolic and total flavonoid contents in the ranges of 26.47–186.13 mg GAE/g and 0.68–12.55 mg RE/g, respectively. Higher total phenolic contents were obtained for NADES extracts. Compositional differences were reported in relation to antioxidant potential studied by several assays (DPPH: 70.19–939.35 mg TE/g, ABTS: 172.56–4026.50 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 97.41–1730.38 mg TE/g, FRAP: 84.11–1534.85 mg TE/g). Application of NADESs (choline chloride—urea 1:2, a so-called Reline) allowed one to obtain the highest number of extracts having antioxidant potential in the radical scavenging and reducing assays. NADES-B (protonated by HCl L-proline-xylitol 5:1) was the only extractant from the studied solvents that isolated a specific fraction without chelating activity. Reline extract exhibited the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibition compared to NADES-B and NADES-C (protonated by H2SO4 L-proline-xylitol 5:1) extracts, which showed no inhibition. The NADES extracts were observed to have higher tyrosinase inhibitory properties compared to extracts obtained by traditional organic solvents. Furthermore, the NADES extracts were relatively better inhibitors of the diabetic enzymes. These findings provided an interesting comparison in terms of total polyphenolic content yields, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties (cholinesterase, amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase) between traditional solvent extracts and NADES extracts, used as an alternative. While the organic solvents showed better antioxidant activity, the NADES extracts were found to have some other improved properties, such as higher total phenolic content and enzyme-inhibiting properties, suggesting functional prospects for their use in phytonutrient extraction and fractionation. The obtained results could also be used to give a broad overview of the different biological potentials of C. hypocistis.
Preparation of self-healing superhydrophobic cotton fabric based on silica aerogel for self-cleaning and oil/water separation

Abstract Self-healing superhydrophobic coatings with excellent self-cleaning ability have received a lot of attention. A self-healing superhydrophobic cotton fabric was obtained by coating SiO2 aerogel and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on a cotton fabric via the spraying process. Sol-gel reaction and ambient pressure drying (APD) were used to prepare hydrophobic SiO2 aerogel utilizing methyl trimethoxy silane (MTMS) as a precursor and water as a solvent in the presence of surfactant. Spraying a mixture of SiO2 aerogel and polydimethylsiloxane onto cotton fabric created the self-healing superhydrophobic cotton fabric. The surface morphology and chemical composition of superhydrophobic cotton fabrics were characterized respectively. The results showed that the treated cotton fabrics exhibited the superhydrophobic property with water contact angle (WCA) and water shedding angle (WSA) 161.1° ± 0.9° and 4° ± 0.5°, respectively, due to the simultaneous introduction of typical three-dimensional network porous structure caused by SiO2 aerogel and low surface tension PDMS layer on cotton fabrics. The treated cotton fabrics had not only excellent self-cleaning and anti-fouling properties, but also self-healing properties. The treated cotton fabrics showed excellent friction durability and laundering durability attributed to stable and firm PDMS adhesive layer. After 20 laundering cycles, 600 friction cycles or 8 cycles of etching-self-healing, the treated cotton fabrics were still superhydrophobic. The treated cotton fabric manifested desirable oil-water separation performance with a separation efficiency of 96.0%. These durable superhydrophobic fabrics with self-cleaning and liquid repellency may find various potential applications and display promising prospects.
Disorder Effects in One-Dimensionally Periodic Extraordinary Transmission Structures

Extraordinary transmission structures show promising capabilities for highly selective filters in both frequency and angle of incidence. However, their realistic response once manufacturing limitations are taken into account remains unexplored. In this manuscript, we explore a novel degree of freedom: disorder. We expand on previously developed highly efficient method of moment (MoM) implementations to study the effects on the transmission properties of large but finite chains of slots due to different families of disorder: lateral and vertical displacements as well as scatterer manipulation (modifying sizes and rotation angles), showing their effects on the transmission spectrum.
How does employee development affect turnover intention? Exploring alternative relationships

This study explores alternative relationships between perceived investment in employee development (PIED) and turnover intention by including affective commitment, perceived internal employability, and perceived external employability as potential mediators. Data were collected through a structured survey from 337 employees working in two large companies in Italy. The factorial validity and dimensionality of the latent constructs studied were evaluated in a confirmatory factor analysis framework, and the mediation hypotheses were tested in a full structural equation model. Results show that the overall effect of PIED on turnover intention is negative and almost fully mediated by external employability and affective commitment, whereas the path through internal employability is not supported. More specifically, PIED increases commitment, which in turn limits the likelihood of turnover. In addition, although perceived external employability is positively associated with turnover intention, PIED seems to reduce this effect by negatively affecting employee perceptions of their marketability in the labour market. The study supports
Damage imaging method for composites laminates based on sparse reconstruction of single-mode Lamb wave

To address the problems of anisotropy and mode mixing in damage imaging on anisotropic composites laminates using ultrasonic Lamb wave, a sparse reconstruction imaging method based on S0 single-mode is proposed in this paper. In this approach, the sparsely arranged piezoelectric ceramic drivers sensor group on the surface of the measured composite laminate is employed to excite and receive Lamb wave. The received signal shows sparse under a pre-built damage dictionary with damage scattering signal waveform, and the damages can be localized and imaged using a sparse reconstruction method. Considering the velocity difference between S0 and A0 mode of the received Lamb wave signal, the S0 mode is extracted by intercepting the signal before the peak of the first wave packet to eliminate the influence of Lamb wave mode mixing. In order to minimize the influence of anisotropy of composites laminates on Lamb wave propagation, the Lamb wave propagation direction is divided evenly into several sectors, and Lamb wave propagation direction within a certain sector is considered as propagation in a quasi-isotropic material. The sparse reconstruction is solved by using the basis pursuit de-noising algorithm, which can find the optimal solution with a small number of iterations in noise interference. The experiments on composite fiber laminate specimens show that the proposed method can accurately locate simulated single delamination damage and has less artifact interference compared to the delay-and-sum method.
Identifying housing vacancy using data on registered addresses and domestic consumption

Housing vacancy is a significant issue in developed countries’ decaying and densely populated cities. Comparisons are made between the number of “vacant housing” and “homeless people” stressing the existence of inequalities in access to housing. The reasons for addressing vacancy are manifold, ranging from mitigating urban blight to mobilising latent resources in tight markets. Little attention is paid to vacancy in municipal housing strategies. Still, mapping vacant units appears to be complex and resource-demanding, likely discouraging municipalities from planning further operations against vacancy. Given the lack of methodological support in the literature, this paper discusses how to identify housing vacancy units. Through a case study in Wallonia (Belgium), this paper highlights the benefits of combining visual surveys and processing data provided by utilities and registered addresses. Our results suggest that housing vacancy is underestimated through official statistics and that data mining would help mitigate the administrative burden related to identification and help to prioritise operations designed to reduce housing vacancy.
Modified CBPWM-Controlled Semi-Two-Stage AC-DC Converter for Low-Frequency Pulsed Load

Pulsed load poses a significant challenge to the safe operation of the airborne power systems. This article proposes a semi-two-stage ac dc converter with power decoupling function for the airborne power system with pulsed load. The semi-two-stage converter provides two dc ports, in which one dc port with lower voltage is the output port connected to the pulsed load, while the other dc port is the decoupling port and interfaced with the output via a buck converter. A power flow path with single conversion stage from the ac input to the load exists, and the steady-state power can be directly fed to the load. Hence, higher efficiency can be achieved comparing to the conventional two-stage solution. After analyzing the effect of the zero-sequence components in modulation strategy on power flow control, a simple and effective carrier-based pulsewidth modulation (CBPWM) with adjustable zero-sequence injection and variable carriers is proposed to achieve the power regulation of the two dc ports. The detailed operation principle and control scheme of the semi-two-stage ac dc converter are presented, and the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed solution for pulsed load are validated by simulation and experimental results.
Visualizing In‐Plane Junctions in Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene

Controlling the spatial distribution of dopants in graphene is the gateway to the realization of graphene‐based electronic components. Here, it is shown that a submonolayer of self‐assembled physisorbed molecules can be used as a resist during a post‐synthesis nitrogen doping process to realize a nanopatterning of nitrogen dopants in graphene. The resulting formation of domains with different nitrogen concentrations allows obtaining n–n’ and p–n junctions in graphene. A scanning tunneling microscopy is used to measure the electronic properties of the junctions at the atomic scale and reveal their intrinsic width that is found to be ≈7 nm corresponding to a sharp junction regime.
The Effect of Transparency, Accountability, and Subjective Norms on Loyalty and Decisions of Muzakki

This study aims to acquire empirical evidence regarding transparency and accountability on muzakki loyalty through muzakki satisfaction. In addition, this study aims to obtain empirical evidence regarding the effect of transparency and accountability on muzakki decisions through the interest of muzakki. This research is quantitatively conducted where the respondents are 50 zakat payers (muzakki) registered at LAZ Nurul Hayat Tuban. The study uses the Partial Least Square – Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software. The study results indicate that transparency affects the interest of muzakki in paying zakat, and the interest of muzakki in paying zakat affects the decision of muzakki to pay zakat. In addition, the study’s results also show that accountability affects muzakki satisfaction, and muzakki satisfaction affects muzakki loyalty. The research findings also provide new insights regarding the effect of subjective norms on muzakki’s interest and muzakki’s decision to pay zakat. The first implication of this research is that amil zakat institutions should pay attention to aspects of accountability to stakeholders, especially zakat payers (muzakki). The second implication is that the amil zakat institution should also pay attention to transparency to stakeholders, especially the zakat payers (muzakki). The third implication is that the amil zakat institution should continually educate the public regarding the responsibility to disburse zakat and its benefits for Muslims.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Community Pharmacy Professionals on Poultry Antibiotic Dispensing, Use, and Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance in Zambia: Implications on Antibiotic Stewardship and WHO AWaRe Classification of Antibiotics

Globally, the inappropriate dispensing and use of antibiotics in animals has contributed to the development of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is insufficient information among community pharmacy professionals on antibiotic use (ABU) and AMR in food-producing animals. This study assessed community pharmacy professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding poultry antibiotic dispensing, use, and bacterial AMR in the Lusaka district of Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 178 community pharmacy professionals between February and April 2022 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Stata version 17. Of the total participants (n = 178), 51.1% (n = 91) were pharmacists. The most dispensed antibiotic was oxytetracycline, a Watch antibiotic, mainly without prescriptions. Good knowledge of ABU and AMR was associated with work experience for more than one year (p = 0.016), while good practices were associated with male gender (p = 0.039) and work experience of more than one year (p = 0.011). The study found moderate knowledge, positive attitudes, and moderate practices of pharmacy professionals on poultry ABU and AMR. There was high dispensing of poultry antibiotics without prescriptions, which calls for strict implementation of antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance programs in poultry production in Zambia to reduce AMR.
The use of technology in measuring low back function and morphology in low back pain patients

Our results (Chapters 3 and 4) indicate that the LM muscle is a superficial muscle and can be measured well using ultrasound in primary care physiotherapy practices. From the clinical perspective, LM thickness measured via ultrasound and trunk ROM measured via 3D sensor can be used for individual monitoring in patients during treatment in primary care physiotherapy, as independent and objective outcome measures that are related to the disability of patients, as a valuable additive to psychosocial questionnaires. Our experiments show that the surface EMG of LM measures adjacent muscle activity without isolated LM activity. We have no clinical tests or low back movement showing that solely activates the LM. Our physiotherapists examined the raw EMG data directly on the screen during the tests. However, it was hard to interpret the data directly after the measurement. Based on these results, more research should be done to explore monitoring low back muscle activity as an outcome in patients with nLBP in primary care physiotherapy. In addition, an EMG measurement protocol should be developed for physiotherapists in primary care, determining how and when to monitor low back muscle activity in patients with nLBP to develop better clinical practice in physiotherapy.
Effect of a Three-Month HOPSports Brain Breaks® Intervention Program on the Physical Fitness Levels of Grade 6-Learners in South Africa

Despite the numerous health benefits of being physically active, children are not active enough. Various researchers have indicated that intervention programs improve physical fitness levels. Still, only a few have focused on improving physical fitness levels by incorporating technology. HOPSports Brain Breaks® are designed and presented as physical activity solutions with online videos requiring the participants to imitate the movements. These videos are 2–5-min classroom activity breaks. This study determined the effect of a three-month HOPSports Brain Breaks® intervention program on the physical fitness levels of Grade 6-learners. Physical fitness was measured with the EUROFIT test battery. The experimental group consisted of 79 children (26 boys and 47 girls) and the control group of 47 children (16 boys and 33 girls). The mean age for the entire group was 11.92 (±0.36) years. The results indicated that there was a statistically (p ≤ 0.05) and practically (d ≥ 0.20) significant difference between the experimental and control group for percentage body fat; stork balance; plate tapping; sit-and-reach; standing jump; sit-ups; and 10 × 5 m shuttle run and 20 m shuttle run between the pre-and post-test. Therefore, considering the results mentioned above, the HOPSports Brain Breaks® intervention program can indeed contribute to the improvement of physical fitness, and motor skills of children. Therefore, future studies should be conducted to determine the effect of HOPSports Brain Breaks® between genders as well as what impact it will have on academic performance.
Hydrogen Crossover in PEM Water Electrolysis at Current Densities up to 10 A cm-2

Hydrogen crossover poses a critical issue in terms of safe and efficient operation in polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). The impact of key operating parameters such as temperature and pressure on crossover was investigated in the past. However, many recent studies suggest that the relation between the hydrogen crossover flux and the current density is not fully resolved. This study investigates the hydrogen crossover of PEMWE cells using a thin Nafion 212 membrane at current densities up to 10 A cm-2 and cathode pressures up to 10 bar, by analysing the anode product gas with gas chromatography. The results show that the hydrogen crossover flux generally increases over the entire current density range. However, the fluxes pass through regions with varying slopes and flatten in the high current regime. Only considering hydrogen diffusion as the single transport mechanism is insufficient to explain these data. Under the prevailing conditions, it is concluded that the electro-osmotic drag of water containing dissolved hydrogen should be considered additionally as a hydrogen transport mechanism. The drag of water acts opposite to hydrogen diffusion and has an attenuating effect on the hydrogen crossover in PEMWE cells with increasing current densities.
Comments on “Modeling of Magnetohydrodynamics in Nozzle Arc: A Mathematically and Numerically Efficient Approach”

In a recent article, Pawar and Sharma (2017) presented a mathematically and numerically efficient methodology based on solution to the magnetic induction equation which was referred to as the A4 approach for simulation of nozzle arcs. Despite the issue of current singularity, they demonstrated that the A4 approach is a fast and accurate strategy for predicting arc characteristics by also comparing with a singularity-free hybrid model also proposed by them. Revisiting the A4 approach, we show that a simple coordinate transformation can mitigate the axial current singularity and also describe a new hybrid approach that offers a consistent, cost-effective, and accurate alternative for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of nozzle arcs.
Analyzing sound COVID-19 policy responses in developing countries: the case study of Pakistan

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant policy challenges in developing countries, where operational resources and policy capacity are limited. Yet, some developing countries have fared better than others, and part of this success seems to be attributable to the use of prudent policy instruments within a policy mix that exhibits coherence. This article presents a COVID-19 case study of Pakistan and considers the following aspects of Pakistan's policy mix: (1) polio and rural support infrastructure deployed for COVID-19 detection and awareness-creation; (2) the establishment of a national command and operation center (NCOC) to centralize real-time decision-making; (3) the use of the largest income support program to generate a targeted pro-poor stimulus; and (4) optimally targeted (smart) lockdowns. The findings suggest that developing countries can adjust sound policy responses to pandemic conditions despite their resource constraints, by calibrating extant policy instruments and mobilizing new ones within a coherent policy mix.