Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and simulation of waveguide electrooptic beam deflectors

Numerical simulation based on the scalar beam propagation method, was used to investigate the performance of waveguide electrooptic beam deflectors. The deflectors under investigation consist of a stack of electrooptically controlled prisms in a waveguide. The results were compared to earlier simplified analysis. It was found that for given overall device dimensions, the number of interfaces between prisms in a prism-type electrooptic deflector has significant influence on the device performance when it is small. To avoid wavefront distortion, unwanted reflection from the interfaces, and asymmetry in the deflection angles caused by small number of interfaces, one should use more than about ten interfaces in a typical deflector. Additional insights of device operation and design issues are discussed. >
Academic developers’ perceptions of support for sessional staff in Australia

ABSTRACT There is a need to understand sessional staff experiences of professional development in universities, and as academic developers play a key part in university teaching and learning, they are well placed to provide this insight. The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore academic developers’ perceptions of support and development for sessional staff in universities. A national multi-institutional qualitative study was conducted with seven academic developers in five Australian universities. Findings highlight sessional staff development is not prioritised in universities, but there may be opportunities to enhance support for sessional staff at the department level.
Measuring Agreement: How to Arrive at Reliable Measures of Opinion Congruence Between Voters and Parties

ABSTRACT The extent to which voters and parties agree on policies is an important way through which political scientists have empirically studied political representation. This opinion congruence is most often measured by comparing preferences on a number of policy statements. While the selection of policy statements has not escaped scholarly attention, its impact on the reliability of congruence scores, i.e. the degree to which similar levels of opinion congruence are found when different samples of policy statements are used, has been less investigated. This article looks at which factors of statements samples and voters affect the reliability of congruence measures. It does so by simulating over 5 million opinion congruence scores on the basis of a dataset containing 134 voter and party policy preferences. It finds that both the number of statements and their topic diversity positively affect the reliability of congruence estimates. In addition, the congruence estimates of politically less sophisticated voters are more reliable but only when many left-right policy statements are included in the statement selection. Finally, explorative analyses suggest that increasing topic diversity also increases the validity of congruence measures.
Stateful Entities: Object-oriented Cloud Applications as Distributed Dataflows

Although the cloud has reached a state of robustness, the burden of using its resources falls on the shoulders of programmers who struggle to keep up with ever-growing cloud infrastructure services and abstractions. As a result, state management, scaling, operation, and failure management of scalable cloud applications, require disproportionately more effort than developing the applications' actual business logic. Our vision aims to raise the abstraction level for programming scalable cloud applications by compiling stateful entities -- a programming model enabling imperative transactional programs authored in Python -- into stateful streaming dataflows. We propose a compiler pipeline that analyzes the abstract syntax tree of stateful entities and transforms them into an intermediate representation based on stateful dataflow graphs. It then compiles that intermediate representation into different dataflow engines, leveraging their exactly-once message processing guarantees to prevent state or failure management primitives from"leaking"into the level of the programming model. Preliminary experiments with a proof of concept implementation show that despite program transformation and translation to dataflows, stateful entities can perform at sub-100ms latency even for transactional workloads.
A simple polymerization control method for the air conditioning cluster

Taking the air conditioner cluster as the object, under the condition of individual perception and controllable state of the air conditioner, the cluster state is given a considerable and controllable function. In the analysis of the load model of a single air conditioner, considering the comfort of indoor temperature, the characteristics of on and off are given, that is, the cycle of on time and off time; on this basis, the air conditioning clusters are divided according to the same or similar switching cycles, thereby forming a switching strategy of series and parallel groups to achieve load balance. In the on state, if the adjustment of the power of the air conditioner itself is not considered, a simple aggregation control method is given. The analysis of numerical examples shows that this method is simple and reliable.
INVESTIGATION OF CONJUGATED HEAT TRANSFER FOR A RADIAL TURBINE WITH IMPINGEMENT COOLING

Radial turbine is widely used in micro-turbines, turbochargers, small jet engines and expanders, and the pursue of high system efficiency has resulted in elevated turbine inlet temperatures for some of its applications, threatening its reliability. There are, however, few cooling studies on radial turbines. This paper studies the jet impingement cooling of a turbocharger radial turbine. A small amount of air (coolant), which could come from compressor discharge cooled by an intercooler, is injected through a few jet holes on the heat shield of the turbine onto the upper part of turbine backdisc, to cool the rotor blades and the backdisc. Parameters that may affect the cooling were studied by a Conjugated Heat Transfer (CHT) numerical simulation using steady flow calculations. The influences to the cooling effects by different coolant-to-turbine mass flow ratios, Coolant-to-turbine inlet temperature ratio, number of the jets etc. were analysed by a steady flow simulation. The simulation results show that, when four jet holes are placed at blade leading edge radius, using 1.0% ~ 3.0% of the main gas mass flow of coolant, the average temperature on leading edge, inducer hub and backdisc surface is reduced by 2K ~ 17K,27K ~ 65K and 51K ~ 70K respectively. Turbine efficiency is mostly reduced little over 1% point.
An Economic Analysis of The Impact of Some Agricultural Economic Variables on Iraq’s Agricultural Gross Domestics Production Using ccr Model (2008-2019)

The research aimed to determine the impact of some agricultural economic variables on agricultural domestic products. This relationship was estimated between agricultural loans and agricultural investment and the rate of agricultural capital accumulation as independent variables, and agricultural GDP as a dependent variable during the period 2008 - 2019 with quarterly data, so that the number of surveyed observations became 48 observations and using the legal canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR), the results showed that there is a positive and very high impact for each of the variables of agricultural loans and capital accumulation while the agricultural investment variable was not significant despite its positive sign. The research recommended that agricultural lending should in-kind take the largest share of the loan while being the dominant one and that has tightened control over the destination of the agricultural loan and the guarantees of its repayment on time.
A new algorithm for radar emitter recognition

A radar electronic support measures (ESM) system performs the functions of threat detection and area surveillance. The received radar pulses are sorted and segregated by the deinterleaver into a number of radar cells depending on the measured parameters of the received pulses. These radar cells will be submitted to the threat library and compared with the stored parameters of known radars to determine the identity of the estimated radar cells and take appropriate actions against them. However, if the deinterleaver does not work properly, a number of false radars will be generated and some of the military resources may be used against false threats. This paper proposes a method for evaluating the quality of the deinterleaved radar cells by applying a new approach of performing the deinterleaving of radar pulses and identifying their corresponding radars into one step. By applying the proposed method, the high quality deinterleaved cells will be only submitted to the thereat library of the electronic warfare (EW) system to identify their corresponding radars. Thus, avoiding the waste of limited resources against false radars.
CLASSIFICATION OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY USING ORTHOGONAL SLANT-HADAMART TRANFORMS WITH ANN

A new algorithm to find out the features of diabetic retinopathy uses a modified slant stack algorithm along with artificial intelligence. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the causes of blindness in diabetic patients, which can be prevented by taking proper care of themselves at an early stage. The primary symptom of DR is microaneurysms. So, detect that at an early stage and take a laser treatment on that part to avoid the DR problem. In this proposed algorithm, we focus on early detection of DR using a modified slant algorithm. The name of that algorithm is Orthogonal Slant-Hadamard Transform (OSHT).
Atrazine Transport in Irrigated Heavy- and Coarse-Textured Soils, Part II: simulations with the Root Zone Water Quality Model

Abstract The hydrological and the pesticide component of the root zone water quality model (RZWQM) were calibrated and evaluated for two different Portuguese soil types: silty loam and sandy soils, under irrigated conditions. The RZWQM is a one-dimensional, process-based model, that simulates the physical, chemical and biological processes in the root zone, and can also accurately simulate macropore flow. The model was calibrated using the 1997 data and tested using 1996 data (soil water content and atrazine concentration in the soil) collected at an Experimental Station located at the Sorraia valley, near Coruche, Portugal, during the summers of 1996 and 1997. Data on plant growth was also available for 1997. The RZWQM is effective in simulating plant growth parameters. For both soil types (silty loam and sandy soils) model predictions on soil water content were in agreement with the observed values. During the calibration year, for most of the irrigation events, model performance was good. Regarding atrazine concentrations, model predictions were in the same range of the observed values. These results indicate that RZWQM can be used, when properly calibrated, to simulate the movement of water and atrazine through the soil profile, for Portuguese conditions.
The simultaneous measurement of infrasonic acoustic particle velocity and acoustic pressure in the ocean by freely drifting Swallow floats

The Marine Physical Lab's Swallow floats, which are capable of simultaneously measuring the ocean's infrasonic (1-20 Hz) acoustic particle velocity and infrasonic acoustic pressure, are described. The floats are independent, freely drifting, neutrally buoyant sensor systems that can be ballasted to any desired depth (within +or-100 m) in the ocean. Calibration measurements of the infrasonic sensors and electronics agree to within +or-1 dB in amplitude and +or-3 degrees in phase with the theoretically predicted response curves. Electronic self-noise, quantization noise, and effects of signal clipping are significantly below ambient ocean noise levels, except in unusual circumstances. Rotational resonances, primarily float rocking below 0.5 Hz, contaminate the geophone data at the lowest end of the infrasonic band. From data collected in a deep-ocean deployment, the equivalent pressure autospectrum calculated from the particle velocity data agrees to within 1 dB of the actual pressure autospectrum in the frequency band from 1-20 Hz, thereby verifying the high quality of the infrasonic acoustic data. <<ETX>>
Leishmania and the Model of Predominant Clonal Evolution

As it is the case for other pathogenic microorganisms, the respective impact of clonality and genetic exchange on Leishmania natural populations has been the object of lively debates since the early 1980s. The predominant clonal evolution (PCE) model states that genetic exchange in these parasites’ natural populations may have a high relevance on an evolutionary scale, but is not sufficient to erase a persistent phylogenetic signal and the existence of bifurcating trees. Recent data based on high-resolution markers and genomic polymorphisms fully confirm the PCE model down to a microevolutionary level.
Clinical Application of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Suffering from Sepsis

Background: Sepsis remains a common but fatal complication among patients with immune suppression. We aimed to investigate the performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) compared with standard microbiological diagnostics in patients with hematologic malignancies. Methods: We performed a prospective study from June 2019 to December 2019. Adult patients with hematologic malignancies and a clinical diagnosis of sepsis were enrolled. Conventional diagnostic methods included blood cultures, serum galactomannan for Aspergillus, cryptococcal antigen and cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral loads. Blood samples for mNGS were collected within 24 h after hypotension developed. Results: Of 24 patients enrolled, mNGS and conventional diagnostic methods (blood cultures, serology testing and virus RT-PCR) reached comparable positive results in 9 cases. Of ten patients, mNGS was able to identify additional pathogens compared with conventional methods; most of the pathogens were virus. Conclusion: Our results show that mNGS may serve as adjunctive diagnostic tool for the identification of pathogens of hematologic patients with clinically sepsis.
Reconstruction of Lamb Wave Dispersion Curves in Different Objects Using Signals Measured at Two Different Distances

The possibilities of an effective method of two adjacent signals are investigated for the evaluation of Lamb waves phase velocity dispersion in objects of different types, namely polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and wind turbine blade (WTB). A new algorithm based on peaks of spectrum magnitude is presented and used for the comparison of the results. To use the presented method, the wavelength-dependent parameter is proposed to determine the optimal distance range, which is necessary in selecting two signals for analysis. It is determined that, in the range of 0.17–0.5 wavelength where δcph is not higher than 5%, it is appropriate to use in the case of an A0 mode in PVC film sample. The smallest error of 1.2%, in the distance greater than 1.5 wavelengths, is obtained in the case of the S0 mode. Using the method of two signals analysis for PVC sample, the phase velocity dispersion curve of the A0 mode is reconstructed using selected distances x1 = 70 mm and x2 = 70.5 mm between two spatial positions of a receiving transducer with a mean relative error δcph=2.8%, and for S0 mode, x1 = 61 mm and x2 = 79.7 mm with δcph=0.99%. In the case of the WTB sample, the range of 0.1–0.39 wavelength, where δcph is not higher than 3%, is determined as the optimal distance range between two adjacent signals. The phase velocity dispersion curve of the A0 mode is reconstructed in two frequency ranges: first, using selected distances x1 = 225 mm and x2 = 231 mm with mean relative error δcph=0.3%; and second, x1 = 225 mm and x2 = 237 mm with δcph=1.3%.
Identification of Hepatitis E Virus Genotypes 3 and 7 in Israel: A Public Health Concern?

Background: Hepatitis E (HEV) is an emerging cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Swine carrying hepatitis E genotype 3 (HEV-3) are responsible for the majority of chronic viral hepatitis cases in developed countries. Recently, genotype 7 (HEV-7), isolated from a dromedary camel in the United Arab Emirates, was also associated with chronic viral hepatitis in a transplant recipient. In Israel, chronic HEV infection has not yet been reported, although HEV seroprevalence in humans is ~10%. Camels and swine are >65% seropositive. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of HEV from local camels and swine. Methods: Sera from camels (n = 142), feces from swine (n = 18) and blood from patients suspected of hepatitis E (n = 101) were collected during 2017–2020 and used to detect and characterize HEV sequences. Results: HEV-3 isolated from local swine and the camel-derived HEV-7 sequence were highly similar to HEV-3f and HEV-7 sequences (88.2% and 86.4%, respectively) related to viral hepatitis. The deduced amino acid sequences of both isolates were also highly conserved (>98%). Two patients were HEV-RNA positive; acute HEV-1 infection could be confirmed in one of them. Discussion: The absence of any reported HEV-3 and HEV-7 infection in humans remains puzzling, especially considering the reported seroprevalence rates, the similarity between HEV sequences related to chronic hepatitis and the HEV genotypes identified in swine and camels in Israel.
Protective Effect of Natural Antioxidant, Curcumin Nanoparticles, and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles against Type 2 Diabetes-Promoted Hippocampal Neurotoxicity in Rats

Numerous epidemiological findings have repeatedly established associations between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer’s disease. Targeting different pathways in the brain with T2DM-therapy offers a novel and appealing strategy to treat diabetes-related neuronal alterations. Therefore, here we investigated the capability of a natural compound, curcumin nanoparticle (CurNP), and a biomedical metal, zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONP), to alleviate hippocampal modifications in T2DM-induced rats. The diabetes model was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Then model groups were treated orally with curcumin, zinc sulfate, two doses of CurNP and ZnONP, as well as metformin, for six weeks. HFD/STZ-induced rats exhibited numerous biochemical and molecular changes besides behavioral impairment. Compared with model rats, CurNP and ZnONP boosted learning and memory function, improved redox and inflammation status, lowered Bax, and upregulated Bcl2 expressions in the hippocampus. In addition, the phosphorylation level of the MAPK/ERK pathway was downregulated significantly. The expression of amyloidogenic-related genes and amyloid-beta accumulation, along with tau hyperphosphorylation, were lessened considerably. In addition, both nanoparticles significantly improved histological lesions in the hippocampus. Based on our findings, CurNP and ZnONP appear to be potential neuroprotective agents to mitigate diabetic complications-associated hippocampal toxicity.
An experimental investigation on the narrow annular-flow-induced vibration instability of a tube

The stability of a simply-supported tube subjected to annular flow in a finitelength narrow gap support is experimentally investigated. The exit boundary condition of the annular-leakage passage is known to be a possible cause of instability of the inner tube. In this study, therefore, several finite-length gap supports considering two diffuser angles were investigated on the effects of the annular gap and diffuser angle to the instability of the inner tube. Numerous experiments with the different supports have been performed in a transparent plexiglass tube so that a basic annular-flow can be provided for the inner tube and the movement of the tube can be measured by several laser vibrometers. It is observed that (1) the tube loses stability by flutter at very low flow velocity; the highest critical flow velocity is 3 m/s, (2) the critical flow velocity is strongly dependent on the annular gap size, the diffuser angle and the combination of both, and (3) generally the smaller the gap the lower the critical flow velocity.
Treatment-Related Adverse Events with PD-1 or PD-L1 Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: to evaluate the risk of treatment-related adverse events of different severity and different system with PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors. Methods: randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that using PD-1/PD-L1 for cancer treatment were searched in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from 1 January 2019 to 31 May 2021. Adverse events data were extracted from clinical trials website or original article by two authors separately. Meta-analysis was used to determine risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of adverse events in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors groups compared to that of control groups. Subgroup analyses were also performed. Results: a total of 5,807 studies were initially identified and after exclusion, 41 studies were included in meta-analysis. All the trials were international multicenter, randomized, phase II/III clinical trials, with the median follow-up of 27.5 months on average. Analysis of all grade adverse events showed that PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors treatment significantly increased the risk of immune-related adverse events, including pruritus (RR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.85–2.96), rash (RR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.25–1.87), ALT elevation (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.23–1.92), AST elevation (AST: RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20–1.85), hepatitis (RR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.96–6.38) and hypothyroid (RR: 5.29, 95% CI: 4.00–6.99) compared with that of control group. Besides that, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were associated with higher risk of adverse events related to respiratory system including cough (RR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.21–1.48), dyspnea (RR:1.23, 95% CI: 1.12–1.35) and chest pain (RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07–1.47) compared with that of control groups in our meta-analysis and the dyspnea was taken high risk both in all grade and grade 3 or higher (RR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.13–2.12). The risk of arthralgia was increased with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.10–1.47). Although the risk of myalgia was similar with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and control groups, under subgroup analysis, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors decreased the risk of myalgia (RR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.45–0.70) compared with that of chemotherapy. Conclusions: our results provide clear evidence that the risk of treatment-related adverse events in PD-1 or PD-L1 varies widely in different system. In particular, when using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for oncology treatment, besides the common immune-related adverse events like pruritus, rash, hepatitis, and hypothyroid, the respiratory disorders and musculoskeletal disorders, such as cough, dyspnea, arthralgia, and myalgia, should also be taken into consideration.
History of Arbovirus Research in the Czech Republic

The aim of this review is to follow the history of studies on endemiv arboviruses and the diseases they cause which were detected in the Czech lands (Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia (i.e., the Czech Republic)). The viruses involve tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile and Usutu flaviviruses; the Sindbis alphavirus; Ťahyňa, Batai, Lednice and Sedlec bunyaviruses; the Uukuniemi phlebovirus; and the Tribeč orbivirus. Arboviruses temporarily imported from abroad to the Czech Republic have been omitted. This brief historical review includes a bibliography of all relevant papers.