Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AutoSourceID-FeatureExtractor. Optical image analysis using a two-step mean variance estimation network for feature estimation and uncertainty characterisation

Aims. In astronomy, machine learning has been successful in various tasks such as source localisation, classification, anomaly detection, and segmentation. However, feature regression remains an area with room for improvement. We aim to design a network that can accurately estimate sources' features and their uncertainties from single-band image cutouts, given the approximated locations of the sources provided by the previously developed code AutoSourceID-Light (ASID-L) or other external catalogues. This work serves as a proof of concept, showing the potential of machine learning in estimating astronomical features when trained on meticulously crafted synthetic images and subsequently applied to real astronomical data. Methods. The algorithm presented here, AutoSourceID-FeatureExtractor (ASID-FE), uses single-band cutouts of 32x32 pixels around the localised sources to estimate flux, sub-pixel centre coordinates, and their uncertainties. ASID-FE employs a two-step mean variance estimation (TS-MVE) approach to first estimate the features and then their uncertainties without the need for additional information, for example the point spread function (PSF). For this proof of concept, we generated a synthetic dataset comprising only point sources directly derived from real images, ensuring a controlled yet authentic testing environment. Results.We show that ASID-FE, trained on synthetic images derived from the MeerLICHT telescope, can predict more accurate features with respect to similar codes such as SourceExtractor and that the two-step method can estimate well-calibrated uncertainties that are better behaved compared to similar methods that use deep ensembles of simple MVE networks. Finally, we evaluate the model on real images from the MeerLICHT telescope and the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) to test its transfer learning abilities.
Program Context based Optimization Techniques for Improving Performance and Lifetime of NAND Flash-Based Storage Devices

Replacing HDDs with NAND flash-based storage devices (SSDs) has been one of the major challenges in modern computing systems especially in regards to better performance and higher mobility. Although the continuous semiconductor process scaling and multi-leveling techniques lower the price of SSDs to the comparable level of HDDs, the decreasing lifetime of NAND flash memory, as a side effect of recent advanced device technologies, is emerging as one of the major barriers to the wide adoption of SSDs in highperformance computing systems. In this dissertation, system-level lifetime improvement techniques for recent high-density NAND flash memory are proposed. Unlike existing techniques, the proposed techniques resolve the problems of decreasing performance and lifetime of NAND flash memory by exploiting the I/O context of an application to analyze data lifetime patterns or duplicate data contents patterns. We first present that I/O activities of an application have distinct data lifetime and duplicate data patterns. In order to effectively utilize the context information, we implemented the program context extraction method. With the program context, we can overcome the limitations of existing techniques for improving the garbage collection overhead and limited lifetime of NAND flash memory. Second, we propose a system-level approach to reduce WAF that exploits the I/O context of an application to increase the data lifetime predic-
Enhancing Drug Function

Micelles--nanoscale core-and-corona assemblies of amphiphilic polymers--may help to deliver drugs to their target areas (such as tumors) within the body. In his Perspective, [Hubbell][1] reviews recent efforts to devise such drug-delivery vehicles. He highlights the report by [Savi][2] et al . , who use such a micellar approach to deliver drugs to particular compartments within the cell. Related methods may help to deliver DNA to cell interiors. Extrapolation of these ideas to vesicles (which enclose an aqueous core) may permit larger molecules to be delivered, independent of the identity of the molecule. [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/300/5619/595 [2]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/short/300/5619/615
First-principles molecular-dynamics investigation of the hydration mechanisms of the (0001)α-quartz surface

Using first-principles molecular dynamics, we investigate the interactions of water with the (0001) α-quartz surface. Both the cleaved (unreconstructed) surface, which presents non-bridging oxygen atoms, and the dense surface, which is characterized by 3-membered and 6 membered-rings with siloxane bonds at the top, are considered. The cleaved surface is found to be very hydrophilic. When a water molecule arrives at the surface, its oxygen atom bonds to an under-coordinated Si atom. One of its hydrogen atoms is then transferred to a neighboring non-bridging oxygen through the formation of a hydrogen bond. When the surface is already partially hydrated, the formation of hydrogen-bond chains is observed between the water molecule and adjacent silanol groups. By contrast, the dense surface is shown to be hydrophobic. Our calculations provide qualitative information on the possible reaction paths for the dehydration mechanisms, and more generally on the interactions of water with amorphous SiO2 surfaces.
Estimation of pure compound properties using group‐interaction contributions

A family of models proposed in this paper estimate the critical constants and normal boiling points of pure organic compounds from chemical structure by using a new structural approach called group-interaction contributions, which considers the contributions of interactions between bonding groups in the molecule instead of the contributions of simple groups. Compared to the conventional group-contribution techniques, the proposed models demonstrate significant improvements in accuracy, as well as the ability to distinguish among isomers.
Attosecond photoelectron spectroscopy of electron transport in solids

Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of condensed matter systems in the attosecond regime promises new insights into excitation mechanisms and transient dynamics of electrons in solids. This timescale became accessible directly only recently with the development of the attosecond streak camera and of laser systems providing few-cycle, phase-controlled laser pulses in the near-infrared, which are used to generate isolated, sub-femtosecond extreme-ultraviolet pulses with a well-defined timing with respect to the near-infrared pulse. Employing these pulses, the attosecond streak camera offers time resolutions as short as a few 10 attoseconds. In the framework of this thesis, a new, versatile experimental apparatus combining attosecond pulse generation in gases with state of the art surface science techniques is designed, constructed, and commissioned. Employing this novel infrastructure and the technique of the attosecond transient recorder, we investigate transport phenomena occurring after photoexcitation of electrons in tungsten and rhenium single crystals and show that attosecond streaking is a unique method for resolving extremely fast electronic phenomena in solids. It is demonstrated that electrons originating from different energy levels, i.e. from the conduction band and the 4f core level, are emitted from the crystal surface at different times. The origin of this time delay, which is below 150 attoseconds for all studied systems, is investigated by a systematic variation of several experimental parameters, in particular the photon energy of the employed attosecond pulses. These experimental studies are complemented by theoretical studies of the group velocity of highly-excited electrons based on ab initio calculations. While the streaking technique applied on single crystals can provide only information about the relative time delay between two types of photoelectrons, the absolute transport time remains inaccessible. We introduce a scheme of a reference clock signal, i.e. a well-defined electronic state localised at the crystal surface, which enables us to measure the absolute time delay of photoelectrons, and present first results obtained on this system.
High quality, transferrable graphene grown on single crystal Cu(111) thin films on basal-plane sapphire

The current method of growing large-area graphene on polycrystalline Cu surfaces (foils or thin films) and its transfer to arbitrary substrates is technologically attractive. However, the quality of graphene can be improved significantly by growing it on single-crystal Cu surfaces. Here we show that high quality, large-area graphene can be grown on epitaxial single-crystal Cu(111) thin films on reusable basal-plane sapphire [α-Al2O3(0001)] substrates for transfer to another substrate. While enabling graphene growth on Cu single-crystal surfaces, this method has the potential to avoid the high cost and extensive damage to graphene associated with sacrificing bulk single-crystal Cu during graphene transfer.
Challenges Facing Vesico Vagina Fistula VVF Patients and the Roles of Librarians in Providing E-Health Information Services: A Qualitative Case Study of VVF Patients in Kubau Metropolitan Area of Kaduna State Nigeria

Vesico Vagina Fistula VVF is one of the delicate diseases that require extra careful attention to individuals who were diagnosed with its complications. As such this study aims at finding out the challenges facing VVF patients in Kubau metropolitan area of Kaduna state Nigeria. Specifically the roles of librarians in providing E-health information services. In order to achieve these unique objectives qualitative research methodology was adopted and interviewed ten 10 participants. Findings of this study revealed that uncontrolled leakage bad order suicidal behavior and stereotyped were the challenges faced by VVF patients in this case study. Finally the researchers proposed some roles E-Librarians can play in curbing the challenges of VVF patients in Kubau local government area of Kaduna state Nigeria.
Materials Challenges and Opportunities of Lithium-ion Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage

Lithium ion batteries have revolutionized the portable electronics market, and they are being intensively pursued now for transportation and stationary storage of renewable energies like solar and wind. The success of lithium ion technology for the latter applications will depend largely on the cost, safety, cycle life, energy, and power, which are in turn controlled by the component materials used. Accordingly, this Perspective focuses on the challenges and prospects associated with the electrode materials. Specifically, the issues associated with high-voltage and high-capacity cathodes as well as high-capacity anodes and the approaches to overcome them are presented.
Evaluating the Performance of Gluten ELISA Test Kits: The Numbers Do Not Tell the Tale

A wide variety of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are commercially available for gluten detection in food, including new formats and assays with antibodies against relevant gluten epitopes. Nevertheless, problems persist to accurately determine the gluten content of products. In this study, the performance of a set of 14 ELISA kits for gluten detection, representative of the current ELISA methods available on the market, was evaluated. These tests were used to determine gluten content in a series of relevant food matrices varying in complexity. Our results show that, currently, there is no single ELISA method that can accurately detect and quantify gluten in all different matrices. This includes the current type I method R5 as recommended by Codex Alimentarius. We conclude that further improvements are urgently needed and recommend focusing on competitive formats, improving extraction methods, and the detection of relevant gluten peptides (in order of priority).
A designed synthetic strategy toward poly(isosorbide terephthalate) copolymers: a combination of temporary modification, transesterification, cyclization and polycondensation

A designed synthetic strategy to overcome the low reactivity of isosorbide (Is) and terephthalic acid (TPA) is developed for the preparation of engineering polycondensates. This method contained substitution of unreactive end groups of Is and TPA by reacting with dimethyl carbonate and 1,2-alkanediol or 1,3-alkanediol respectively, followed by transesterification, cyclization of an alkylene carbonate unit, and polycondensation. Is and TPA were temporarily linked by an unstable alkylene carbonate unit and then underwent cyclization with the elimination of five- or six-membered cyclic carbonate at elevated temperature, leading to a family of poly(isosorbide carbonate-co-isosorbide terephthalate)s with high Tg (169–193 °C) and high number-average molecular weights (22 700–28 500 g mol−1). The molecular structure of the copolymer was confirmed using 1H, 13C and 2D NMR techniques. GC-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR were used to monitor the molecular structure evolution during the combinatorial polymerization process and a mechanism was proposed. Furthermore, the structure–thermal properties relationship study was also conducted on a range of relevant polyesters.
Reducing the number of single-photon detectors in quantum-key-distribution networks by time multiplexing

We demonstrate a method to reduce the number of single-photon detectors (SPDs) required in multi-party quantum key distribution (QKD) networks by a factor of two by using detector time multiplexing (DTM). We implement the DTM scheme for an entanglement-based time-bin protocol and compare QKD results with and without DTM in our QKD network with four users. When small efficiency losses are acceptable, DTM enables cost-effective, scalable implementations of multi-user QKD networks.
Theoretical Investigation of Two H2 Molecules Inside the Cages of the Structure H Clathrate Hydrate

We report 10-dimensional quantum dynamic calculations of the translation-rotation energy levels of two hydrogen molecules inside the cages of the structure H clathrate hydrate. For the small and medium cages, positive ground state energies are reported supporting their single occupancy, while for the large cage negative energy levels are calculated and some low-lying states are characterized for two para-H2, ortho-H2, para-D2, ortho-D2, and HD molecules inside the cage. The calculations are performed using the block improved relaxation method implemented in the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) code.
Remarkable photocurrent of p-type dye-sensitized solar cell achieved by size controlled CuGaO2 nanoplates

In this paper, we report the successful hydrothermal synthesis of CuGaO2 nanoplates with a critically small size and deposition methods to fabricate effective p-type semiconductive photocathodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Based on an efficient P1 dye and an iodide electrolyte, the optimal CuGaO2 photocathode has achieved remarkably high photocurrent density, up to 2.05 mA cm−2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest achieved by nanocrystalline p-type semiconductors besides NiO. The light harvesting, charge collection in CuGaO2 and NiO based DSCs have been compared. Owing to size control of the CuGaO2 nanoplates and subsequent mechanical pressing for photocathode film deposition, the light harvesting efficiency of the CuGaO2 photocathode is greatly increased to a comparable level to that of the NiO reference. Another noteworthy feature is the remarkably high charge collection efficiency of the CuGaO2 photocathode, which should benefit from the nature of delafossite oxides with a high conductivity leading to a much higher hole diffusion coefficient in the DSC system. The open-circuit voltage is 199.3 mV, about twice as high as that of the NiO reference, benefiting from the valence band position shifting from −5.15 eV for NiO to −5.29 eV for CuGaO2versus the vacuum level.
Cellulose from cladophorales green algae: From environmental problem to high‐tech composite materials

This article represents the first attempt to summarize the knowledge about the structure and functional properties of green algae cellulose since 1885, when cellulose of algal origin was first described. Here, I systematically discuss the unique structural characteristics of Cladophora cellulose. This specific interest in Cladophora filamentous green algae is justified by unwanted global socio-environmental problems associated with seasonal blooms by these algae. Thus, the physicochemical properties and the use of this unique material are discussed in a broad context. Several high-tech applications wherein the use of Cladophora cellulose is highly beneficial are highlighted.
HPLC determination of beclomethasone dipropionate and its degradation products in bulk drug and pharmaceutical formulations

An HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of beclomethasone dipropionate and its principal degradation products has been developed. The only sample treatment necessary for the analysis is its dilution with methanol. The practical detection limit is 0.02 % of each impurities in terms of the parent drug, whereas the absolute limit of detection is 2.5 ng of each injected compound. The method has been applied to the analysis of both pharmaceutical formulations and samples of bulk drug.
Pigment analysis of Portuguese portrait miniatures of 17th and 18th centuries by Raman Microscopy and SEM‐EDS

Seventeen Portuguese miniature portraits on copper support from the Evora Museum collection (Portugal) were analyzed in situ and nondestructively by Raman microscopy (RM), SEM-EDS, and stereomicroscopy. This work constitutes a great breakthrough in the study of miniature paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, since the chemical information known about this unique kind of paintings are still scarce, and in particular, this exclusive collection was never been subjected to any physicochemical study. In this work, each portrait was examined in detail in order to characterize the pigments palette used by the miniaturists. The μ-Raman analysis, in particular, guaranteed an exceptional visualization and good individual identification of small grains of pigments and other constituents of the pictorial layer. Using this technique, 19 compounds were identified, including bluish black covellite, a pigment rarely found in oil paintings. SEM-EDS was used as an important complementary technique to confirm the chemical nature of some pigments and to identify shell gold (gold dust) in some portraits. Overall, the pigments identified in this large set of old paintings are broadly consistent with those mentioned in the painting treatises of that time or reported in other more modern bibliographic sources. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Gd3+ substitution on the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

In this work, we have focused on the influence of Gd3+ substitution on the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of cobalt ferrite synthesized using a sol–gel auto-combustion method. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the Gd-substituted cobalt ferrites crystallize in a single phase spinel structure for lower concentrations of Gd3+, while a trace of GdFeO3 appears as a minor phase for higher concentrations. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectra confirm the formation of the spinel structure. Furthermore, Raman analysis shows that the inversion degree of cobalt ferrite decreases with Gd3+ doping. The field emission scanning electron microscopy images show that the substitution of small amounts of Gd3+ causes a considerable reduction of the grain size. Studies on the magnetic properties reveal that the coercivity of Gd-substituted cobalt ferrites enhances from 1265 Oe to 1635 Oe, the saturation magnetization decreases monotonically from 80 emu g−1 to 53.8 emu g−1 and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant increases from 5.8 × 105 erg cm−3 to 2.23 × 106 erg cm−3 at 300 K. The electrical properties show that the Gd3+ doped samples exhibit high dielectric constant (616 at 100 Hz) and ac conductivity (4.83 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 100 Hz) values at room temperature. The activation energy is found to decrease from 0.408 to 0.347 eV with the rise in Gd3+ content. The impedance study brings out the effect of the bulk grain and the grain boundary on the electrical resistance and capacitance of cobalt ferrite. Gd substitution and the nano-size of cobalt ferrite enhance the electrical and magnetic properties which could enable a higher memory storage capability.
Optical lattices for atomic fountain frequency standards

Atomic fountain frequency standards require extremely low temperature atomic samples. Laser cooling of neutral atoms has achieved temperatures of a few microkelvin, but even such low temperatures still present difficulties. Here we report laser cooling in an optical lattice, along with cooling by adiabatic expansion, that gives a temperature of 0.7 /spl mu/K. Such low temperatures should improve the performance of atomic fountain frequency standards. <<ETX>>
Ammonia-water triple-effect absorption cycle

There are a number of known absorption cycles capable of triple-effect'' refrigeration. Among the basic triple-effect cycles only one particular cycle is able to use ammonia-water (NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O) as the absorption fluid pair. This cycle uses two condensers and two absorbers to achieve the triple effect. '' This paper presents several basic triple-effect cycles superimposed on NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O pressure-temperature-concentration equilibrium diagrams (PTX) showing that only one particular cycle can use NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O. Calculations are presented showing the relative performance of a conventional double-effect cycle using NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O and the performance of this triple-effect cycle using NH{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O on a comparable basis. The triple-effect cycle is predicted to have 18% higher cooling efficiency (COP = 1.41 compared to COP = 1.2 for a double-effect), lower pressure (701 psi instead of 1000 psi), significantly reduced pumping power (less than one half that of the double-effect cycle), and potentially lower construction cost (33% less total heat exchange needed). Practical implications for this triple-effect cycle are discussed. 15 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.
Crystal Structures Elucidated from X-ray Powder Diffraction Data without Prior Indexing

OCEANA, a new genetic algorithm-based program for structure elucidation from non-indexed X-ray powder diffraction data, uses Lamarckian evolution to search for the best molecular position and orientation over a range of cell parameters for a given space group. As OCEANA does not require an indexed powder pattern, it is particularly suited for analysis of organic molecular crystals, which often crystallize in relatively large, low-symmetry unit cells. The high degree of peak overlap in the powder patterns of such compounds makes cell determination and pattern indexing very difficult and presents a major obstacle to success when using any routine that requires this information. OCEANA searches within a user-defined range of cell parameters for a specified space group and uses the experimental density to eliminate unit cells that are not viable. Several examples based on compounds with known crystal structures are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, and the crystal structure of a new c.