Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Live Programs as Distributed Live Data

In a distributed system, reasoning about the impact that modifying one system component may have on other components is non-trivial — particularly, in systems where components are highly interconnected or numerous (e.g., in a distributed system following a microservices architecture). Reasoning about the e ﬀ ects of these modiﬁcations may involve large amounts of bookkeeping (e.g., to keep track of component interdependencies), and if the system evolves as a reasoning process is ongoing, the results of that process may end up being outdated and ultimately useless. Reconﬁguring a running sys-tem may also require parts of it to be temporarily made unavailable, in order to guarantee that components do not see inconsistent intermediate states of the system. Live programming blurs the line between developing a program and executing it, by continuously providing feedback to programmers as they develop their programs — allowing for the constant evolution of their programs without halting their execution. This dissertation explores the application of ideas underpinning live programming to the design and implementation of distributed systems. Our approach is based on a programming model that allows the construction and upgrade of distributed systems without impacting their availability, correctness, or e ﬃ ciency.
Towards a Defensible EAP Curriculum : A Needs Analysis

This paper reports on the process and findings of curriculum development towards a defensible EAP curriculum in the Department of Foreign Languages at Eskisehir Osmangazi University. In addition, it illustrates the evaluation of newly introduced innovations by the students. The study was designed as a curriculun development project which was based on Brown’s needs analysis (NA) framework. The NA studies were conducted in 2016-2017 academic year with the students and the teaching staff employed in the department. Focus group technique was used to take the opinions of the teaching staff about the components of the curriculum, and the opinions of the students were taken through workshops. In 2016-2017 academic year, repeat students’ opinions about the innovated curriculum were taken through an open-ended questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using thematic content analysis technique. The emerging themes in the NA study are (a) need for clarification of the program objectives, (b) need for revision of teaching materials, (c) need for improvement in teaching and learning practices, and (d) need for improvement in assessment practices. The emerging themes in the evaluation of the NA study based on the openended questionnaire are ‘materials’, ‘assessment procedures’, and ‘overall structure of the EAP curriculum’.
Distributed, decentralized, and scalable Coordination Primitives

Nowadays, the Internet presents itself as a dynamic environment that changes according to the behavior of its users. These users follow a centralized communication model with most of the services currently available on the Internet, since many of them only allow interaction with the servers. This distributed architecture paradigm brings some associated drawbacks, since in the eventuality of a failure (overload) in its centralized component (server) the whole service becomes inaccessible. This work addresses this problem by proposing to solve specifically the challenges associated with failures caused by exhaustion of resources. These happen, for example when the number of client requests is greater than the number of requests that the server (or the centralized architecture as a whole) can handle. To avoid this behavior and make web applications more robust (greater availability and fault tolerance), this work proposes the construction of a system that implements coordination algorithms and mechanisms over a peer-to-peer model that allows direct communication between clients. It allows to obtain a more efficient and scalable management of the resources made available by the existing web applications.
Assessment of testicular steroidogenic enzymes expression in experimental animal model following withdrawal of nandrolone decanoate

Abstract Anabolic steroids are frequently used to increase the growth rate of meat-producing animals. Exposure to an anabolic-androgenic steroid, nandrolone decanoate (ND), is associated with expressional reduction of testicular steroidogenic enzymes. However, the effect of withdrawal of ND exposure on the expression of these testicular molecules has not been thoroughly explored. The current research investigated expression changes of testicular steroidogenic enzymes in rats at several recovery periods (2, 6, and 12 weeks) after the stop of ND treatment with different doses (2 and 10 mg/kg body weight) for 12 weeks. Body and testis weights were recorded, and transcript levels of molecules were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The immunohistochemistry was used to examine the changes of immuno-intensities of molecules. At 6 and 12 weeks of the recovery period, the 10 mg/kg ND-treated rats were lighter than other experimental groups. The interstitial compartment vanished by ND treatment filled up as the recovery period became longer. The expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein was returned to the control level at 12 weeks of the recovery period. Expression levels of cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage and 17a-hydroxylase were increased in 2 mg/kg ND-treated group at 6 weeks of the recovery period, and transcript levels of these molecules in 2 and 10 mg/kg ND-treated groups at 12 weeks of the recovery period were significantly lower than the control. Expression levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) type I and 17β-HSD type 3 in 2 mg/kg ND-treated group were comparable with those of control at 12 weeks of the recovery period, but not in 10 mg/kg ND-treated group. Expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase (Cyp19) was reverted to the control level at 2 weeks of the recovery period. Except for Cyp19, there was a visible increase of immuno-staining intensity of other testicular steroidogenic enzymes in the Leydig cells as the recovery period progressed. This research has demonstrated that the cease of ND administration could restore the expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes close to the normal level. Nevertheless, a relatively long recovery period, compared to the ND-exposure period would be required to retrieve normal expression levels of testicular steroidogenic enzymes.
Predicting the Number of Goals in Football Matches with the Poisson distribution: Example of Spain La Liga

Original Research Article In this study, the distribution of the number of goals in the football matches played in the Spanish La Liga was examined, and the probabilities of the number of goals of the teams were calculated according to the appropriate probability distribution. Weekly goal numbers were recorded for a period including 4 seasons between the 2017-2018 season and the 2020-2021 season. The number of goals of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, which are among the most successful teams in La Liga, was analyzed during the 4 seasons in question. Using the chi-square test, it became clear that the number of team goals corresponded to the Poisson distribution. Poisson distribution parameter values were calculated as 1.934, 2.368 and 1.52, respectively, according to the number of goals of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid teams. According to the parameter calculated, the probabilities of the goals scored by the teams were determined. It was concluded that the Poisson probability distribution is a suitable distribution for estimating the number of goals and probabilities in football matches.
Insights into Co-creation of Professional Service Offerings

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the co-creation of professional service offerings by combining the perspectives of the service dominant logic and professional service literature. The paper builds a bridge between services literature and S-D approach and indicates points of congruency and discrepancy. Approach: The topic is approached with theoretical analysis and conceptual development enriched with anecdotal empirical evidence. Findings: The analysis of the professional service and its dimensions shows that the S-D logic is well applicable to increasing understanding of the professional service as a dialogical problem-solving process that integrates both the marketer’s and the customer’s resources. The paper indicates how the characteristics of professional services, particularly the inherent information asymmetry, influence value-creation. A conceptual framework for value co-creation as joint problem-solving is devised. Practical implications: For practitioners this paper highlights the special features and challenges of co-creation inherent in the context of complex, processual, knowledge-intensive offerings. Service providers should also look beyond the service process and develop, enhance, and communicate the potential for value-in-use for customers. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the evolution of SD logic by bringing insights from a field that inherently involves a high degree of customization and co-production, and the application of specialist skills and knowledge. The paper challenges the idea that all offerings are alike and increases understanding of co-creation. The paper also contributes to literature on professional services by discussing the new insights brought by the SD logic to the understanding of value creation in professional services. Type of paper: Conceptual
Humans use forward thinking to exploit social controllability

The controllability of our social environment has a profound impact on our behavior and mental health. Nevertheless, neurocomputational mechanisms underlying social controllability remain elusive. Here, 48 participants performed a task where their current choices either did (Controllable), or did not (Uncontrollable), influence partners’ future proposals. Computational modeling revealed that people engaged a mental model of forward thinking (FT; i.e., calculating the downstream effects of current actions) to estimate social controllability in both Controllable and Uncontrollable conditions. A large-scale online replication study (n=1342) supported this finding. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (n=48), we further demonstrated that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) computed the projected total values of current actions during forward planning, supporting the neural realization of the forward-thinking model. These findings demonstrate that humans use vmPFC-dependent FT to estimate and exploit social controllability, expanding the role of this neurocomputational mechanism beyond spatial and cognitive contexts.
Misinformation interventions are common, divisive, and poorly understood

Social media platforms label, remove, or otherwise intervene on thousands of posts containing misleading or inaccurate information every day. Who encounters these interventions, and how do they react? A demographically representative survey of 1,207 Americans reveals that 49% have been exposed to some form of online misinformation intervention. However, most are not well-informed about what kinds of systems, both algorithmic and human, are applying these interventions: 40% believe that content is mostly or all checked, and 17.5% are not sure, with errors attributed to biased judgment more than any other cause, across political parties. Although support for interventions differs considerably by political party, other distinct traits predict support, including trust in institutions, frequent social media usage, and exposure to “appropriate” interventions.
Spectroscopic analysis of rhizomes of black turmeric (Curcuma caesia)

Traditional medicines are one of the primary healthcares for majority of people. The color of Black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) rhizome is generally of bluish-black and has been used for its unique medicinal and religious properties. Thus in the present paper, we have performed spectroscopic investigations on rhizomes of black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) using multi-spectroscopic technique such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and Ultra-violet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy to know its chemical constituents. FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy has been used to know the molecular constituents and on the other hand LIBS technique is used for the elemental analysis of the rhizomes of black turmeric. LIBS study showed the presence of mineral elements particularly barium (Ba), silicon (Si), carbon (C), magnesium (Mg), and chlorine (Cl) in the rhizome samples. PL spectra of black turmeric have also been studied. Our results also revealed that FTIR and LIBS are promising, simple, and accurate analytical techniques to study the plant materials of biological importance without destroying it.Traditional medicines are one of the primary healthcares for majority of people. The color of Black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) rhizome is generally of bluish-black and has been used for its unique medicinal and religious properties. Thus in the present paper, we have performed spectroscopic investigations on rhizomes of black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) using multi-spectroscopic technique such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and Ultra-violet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy to know its chemical constituents. FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy has been used to know the molecular constituents and on the other hand LIBS technique is used for the elemental analysis of the rhizomes of black turmeric. LIBS study showed the presence of mineral elements particularly barium (Ba), silicon (Si), carbon (C), magnesium (Mg), and chlorine (Cl) in the rhizome samples. PL spectra of black turmeric have also been studied. Our results also revealed that FTIR and LIBS are promising, si.
Coating effect and characterization of anionic polymer bonding agent on TKX-50

Different types of TKX-50/PBA-I composite materials were prepared by the solution-water suspension method, and the influence of the content of anionic groups on the coating effect was explored by SEM, FT-IR, XPS and TGA. The results showed that PBA-I were successfully coated on the crystal surface of TKX-50, and the content of anionic group -COOH increased, which was conducive to the coating effect of the bonding agent on TKX-50. Among the different anionic bonding agents, PBA-I-3 had the best coating effect.
A general stellarator version of the systems code PROCESS

We present modifications of the fusion reactor systems code Process that allow for a description of a general class of stellarator power plants, based on a stellarator coil-set and the respective MHD plasma equilibrium. For this, we modify Process such that each stellarator configuration enters the systems code via a set of effective parameters which can be calculated in advance before using them in new scaling models in Process. Further, we show two applications of the new Process version: firstly, we apply the code to three reactor-size stellarator devices with different aspect ratios, and secondly, to three coil-sets optimized for the same equilibrium with varying coil numbers.
Recent advances in 3D porous MXenes: structures, properties and applications

3D porous MXenes have recently attracted great attention as they possess appealing electrical and mechanical properties, which enable their excellent performance in expanding application scopes like electromagnetic interference shielding, energy conversion and storage, and smart sensing. New methods have been developed for their synthesis and 3D porous structure design, as well as the tuning of properties for practical applications. Nevertheless, the fundamental understanding of their structure–property relationships remains obscure, hindering the further exploitation of their untapped potential in myriad applications. In this review, recent studies of porous MXenes are discussed regarding their synthesis, structure, properties, and applications. We also elaborate on the possible correlation between structure and properties through a comprehensive comparison of typical porous MXene examples. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for advancing the study and applications of porous MXenes are presented.
Environmental and economic sustainability in pricing strategy of carbon tax: application of environmental Kuznets curve and real options approach

The issue of global warming has become one of the serious factors affecting sustainable economic development with the dynamics of economic development interact with carbon emissions. The pricing strategy for carbon tax is one of the most feasible methods to achieve the goal of "net zero" in carbon emissions. This paper mainly discusses how the government prices carbon tax without affecting the target profit of the firms. This paper combines the dynamic real options approach (ROA) and the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) to construct an economic model for the government to levy carbon tax. This paper goals the government how to levy carbon tax on industry to accelerate industrial transformation. Assume that the uncertain changes in the growth of the industry are dependent on the carbon tax, and the changes follow the geometric Brownian motion when carbon emissions change, the government imposes different carbon taxes on industry in order to control carbon emissions within a reasonable range. If industry reduces carbon emissions, the government will also reduce carbon tax. The threshold is the upper limit of the government's carbon tax on industry. In order to accelerate the industry investment in innovative clean energy technology and equipment, the threshold provides a reference basis for the government to impose carbon tax on industry and achieve a win-win strategy for economic development and environmental protection.
Experimental Investigation of effect of hybridization of UHMWPE fibers on the mechanical and physical properties of Basalt fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites

Polymer matrix composite materials have attracted the researchers over a period due to its superior specific strength compared to conventional materials. Bio based fibers started to emerge rapidly for industrial components, encompassing the technological/scientific aspects and the economic, environmental and social issues. Amongst the variety of bio-based fibers, Basalt fiber occupies a prominent position, due to its overall production and its unique chemistry-related features. It is derived from volcano rocks. UHMWPE having higher specific strength, non-reactive, chemically inert, and hence finds its applications in biomedical field. In the present investigation, UHMWPE fiber (plain woven fabric) along with the basalt fiber (plain woven fabric) are added as reinforcement to LY556 epoxy to bring in hybrid characteristics to the material and comparative studies are conducted with non-hybrid composites. Fabrication is carried out by hand lay-up technique. Mechanical tests such as hardness, tensile and flexural tests are conducted for the fabricated material. Density and water absorption behavior of the composites are also studied. Conventional hand layup method is used for fabrication of composites. From the results obtained, it is obvious that the flexural strength of hybrid composite is enhanced due to the hybridization with the addition of UHMWPE fabrics on the outermost layers in BFRP composites and augments its suitability in the use of engineering structural applications.
Programmable Logic Controllers Past Linear Temporal Logic for Monitoring Applications in Industrial Control Systems

Programmable logic controllers (PLC), which are widely applied in modern industrial control systems (ICS), work as the controller of sensors and actuators in ICS. These systems require strict correctness, especially for safety-critical systems. Currently, increasingly ICS move to “come online” scenarios to enhance cyber-physical features, but it makes them more vulnerable due to acquiring increased interconnection accompanied by weakening physical isolation. Moreover, with the more complex controlling environment, such as hundreds of more I/O points and more diverse field buses, the incorrect executions of PLC might cause the failure of the overall ICS. In this article, we examine how the security and safety of running PLC could be enhanced in both developing and deploying stages of ICS. We propose a novel application of runtime verification to guarantee the security and safety of real-world ICS. As a variant of temporal logic, PLC past linear temporal logic (PPLTL) is proposed to specify the security and safety properties of PLC. Using PPLTL, we synthesize monitors to improve the PLC program’s security and safety as a partner of testing and static verification. Our monitors provide twofold processing in a nonintrusive manner: One is filtering abnormal input data before invading the original programs, the other is double-checking the output signals before driving the actuators. We use several case studies and benchmarks to demonstrate the efficiency of the approach. The empirical results show that the time overhead and memory occupation are tiny.
Formal and Non-formal Skills Improvement for the Marginalised Youth in Uganda

The aim of the article was to explore ways in which formal and non-formal skills development programmes can be improved for education continuity and employability of marginalised youth. This is attributed to the fact that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with its related lockdowns is causing not only unprecedented disruption in the provision of skills, but also catalysed innovation in distance learning. A qualitative case study with some elements of action research, systematic inquiry and non-participant classroom observation with capability and empowerment theories supported the inquiries. Thematic analysis was used. Results reveal that while access to skills development was maintained in some spaces through a rapid shift to distance learning, the pre-existing social and digital divides deprived marginalized groups of continued learning and putting them behind schedule. Many institutions and learners lack operational distance-learning platforms, digital skills and devices. Save for the few exceptions, distance learning policies by the government have not yet been able to facilitate the acquisition of practical skills, which are critical components for the success of education and employability. Evidence points not only to pedagogical dimensions with educator’s incompetence to provide a supportive environment, but also to designing structured educational resources versus the abundance of online resources, disruptions to assessment and certification, and a general decline in the quality of practical training causing demotivation among learners and educators. The general increased economic hardship has also increased the likelihood of marginalised youth dropping out of education. The study recommends a robust shift on how skills are delivered-shift to digital literacy and adoption to technology, forge national and regional public private partnerships to increase the availability of accessible distance learning solutions, allocate more financial resources, develop new training programmes by marrying curricula to real life working situations, assess and certify online for educational continuity and employability.