Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mass reservoirs surrounding massive infrared dark clouds - A view by near-infrared dust extinction

Context: Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs) harbor progenitors of high-mass stars. Little is known of the parental molecular clouds of the IRDCs. Aims: We demonstrate the feasibility of the near-infrared (NIR) dust extinction mapping in tracing the parental molecular clouds of IRDCs at the distances of D = 2.5 - 8 kpc. Methods: We derive NIR extinction maps for 10 prominent IRDC complexes using a color-excess mapping technique and NIR data from the UKIDSS/Galactic Plane Survey. We compare the resulting maps to the 13CO emission line data, to the 8 \mu m dust opacity data, and to the millimeter dust emission data. We derive distances for the clouds by comparing the observed NIR source densities to the Besancon stellar distribution model and compare them to the kinematic distance estimates. Results: The NIR extinction maps provide a view to the IRDC complexes over the dynamical range of Av = 2 - 40 mag, in spatial resolution of 30". The NIR extinction data correlate well with the 13CO data and probe a similar gas component, but also extend to higher column densities. The NIR data reveal a wealth of extended structures surrounding the dense gas traced by the 8 \mu m shadowing features and sub-mm dust emission, showing that the clouds contain typically > 10 times more mass than traced by those tracers. The IRDC complexes of our sample contain relatively high amount of high-column density material, and their cumulative column density distributions resemble active nearby star-forming clouds like Orion rather than less active clouds like California. Conclusions: NIR dust extinction data provide a new powerful tool to probe the mass distribution of the parental molecular clouds of IRDCs up to the distances of D = 8 kpc. This encourages for deeper NIR observations of IRDCs, because the sensitivity and resolution of the data can be directly enhanced with dedicated observations.
Drivers of land-use and land-cover change in rural landscapes; a case in Eastern Sierra Leone

Abstract This study provides the first attempt at assessing the drivers of LULC change in eastern Sierra Leone where settlement expansion is as eminent as the proliferation of the primary industrial sector, notably agriculture and artisanal mining. For this purpose, using Landsat images at 1986, 2000 and 2020, LULC maps of the study area were obtained. The principal drivers of LULC change were identified based on field observations and interviews with local residents. Additionally, population and climate data were obtained to better understand LULC changes. Vast changes were observed in Shrub/Fallow, Grass/Cropland, Wetland and Built/Barren. Moderate changes were observed in Trees/Forest and Open Water. The drivers of LULC change are attributable to population growth as the main underlying driver and agricultural expansion and infrastructural development as the main proximate or direct drivers. Moreover, the declining rainfall in tandem with rising temperatures can be linked to the shrinking Wetland and Open Water.
Web-based digital twin online laboratories: Methodologies and implementation

Background: Online laboratories that provide online experimentation are crucial for education and research in all fields of engineering. As a transformative technology, the digital twin can be potentially applied into online laboratories to enable physical-digital twin interactions and enhance user experience. Methods: In this article, web-based digital twin online laboratories are discussed, the methodologies and implementation of which are presented in detail. The digital twin architecture, three-dimensional twin model, web-based digital twin control algorithm design, and real-time physical-twin control are explored to provide a full picture for the design and implementation of digital twin online laboratory systems. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies, a use case with the Networked Control System Laboratory (a previously developed control and automation laboratory) is provided, which details the design and implementation. Results: A four-tier web architecture has been implemented. With the provided web interface, control algorithms can be designed and employed for real-time digital twin experimentation. The experimental results demonstrated that the physical-digital twin fan speed control system can achieve good control and tracking performance with human-in-the-loop interactions. Conclusions: This article presents the methodologies and implementation of digital twin web-based online laboratories. The use case verified the proposed web architecture, digital twin implementation, control architecture, and human-in-the-loop interactions for a digital twin experimentation system, which can potentially be used for the design and implementation of other digital-twin applications in different fields.
The Specifics of Religious Issues in Ukrainian Gender Electronic Mass Media

Aim. The purpose of this study was to analyze religious issues in gender and feminist electronic mass media in Ukraine, taking into account the specifics of their policy, audience, and communication strategy Methodology. The empirical methods were gathered by a grouping of sites and electronic media: the official sites, the convergent scanned print media, and the social network Facebook. Overall, the 21 electronic mass media were analyzed. The main method of this research is a discourse analysis of religious topics. The main identified topics are representation of religions, political issues, gender history of religion, female priesthood, dogma of religion, pedagogical and scientific topics, critique of religion/church, anti-gender and religion, LGBT issues, sexuality, body, and religion. Only a small amount of material and topics are dedicated to religion, which is marginalized in the Ukrainian media. Conclusions. Our main conclusion is that the more analytical analysis in the material, the more tolerant the authors are to religion, but not to religious organizations. The sensitive topics of sexual orientation, sexual violence, pedophilia, and abortion rights related to church activities, are raised in the feminist/gender mass media. Originality. The coverage of religious issues depends on the type of media that presents a particular gender discourse: the more radical Ukrainian media in their visions, the less critical and stereotypical the representation of religion. Most Ukrainian gender media reflect general trends in the representation of religion.
ROTATIONAL INSTABILITY IN THE OUTER REGION OF PROTOPLANETARY DISKS

We analytically calculate the marginally stable surface density profile for the rotational instability of protoplanetary disks. The derived profile can be utilized for considering the region in a rotating disk where radial pressure gradient force is comparable to the gravitational force, such as an inner edge, steep gaps or bumps, and an outer region of the disk. In this paper, we particularly focus on the rotational instability in the outer region of disks. We find that a protoplanetary disk with a surface density profile of similarity solution becomes rotationally unstable at a certain radius, depending on its temperature profile and a mass of the central star. If the temperature is relatively low and the mass of the central star is high, disks have rotationally stable similarity profiles. Otherwise, deviation from the similarity profiles of surface density could be observable, using facilities with high sensitivity, such as ALMA.
Natural products of medicinal plants: biosynthesis and bioengineering in post-genomic era

Abstract Globally, medicinal plant natural products (PNPs) are a major source of substances used in traditional and modern medicine. As we human race face the tremendous public health challenge posed by emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and surging drug prices etc., harnessing the healing power of medicinal plants gifted from mother nature is more urgent than ever in helping us survive future challenge in a sustainable way. PNP research efforts in the pre-genomic era focus on discovering bioactive molecules with pharmaceutical activities, and identifying individual genes responsible for biosynthesis. Critically, systemic biological, multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches integrating and interrogating all accessible data from genomics, metabolomics, structural biology, and chemical informatics are necessary to accelerate the full characterization of biosynthetic and regulatory circuitry for producing PNPs in medicinal plants. In this review, we attempt to provide a brief update on the current research of PNPs in medicinal plants by focusing on how different state-of-the-art biotechnologies facilitate their discovery, the molecular basis of their biosynthesis, as well as synthetic biology. Finally, we humbly provide a foresight of the research trend for understanding the biology of medicinal plants in the coming decades.
Effect of temperature and oxygen functional groups on interaction between epoxy resins and graphene surface

Surface interactions between epoxy matrices and graphene nanosheets can directly affect the properties of nanocomposites, and such interactions are crucial to investigate. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was used to investigate the interaction rate between epoxy thermoset resins (EPON 828, EPON 862, Epoxy Novolac, and Cycloaliphatic Epoxy) with graphene, and Functionalized Graphene with Oxygen Functional Groups. The effect of temperatures and different weight percentage of graphene oxide (1, 3, and 5 wt.%) was studied, and as a result of which it was observed that increasing the weight percentage of graphene oxide improved the interaction energy (adhesion) between epoxy resins and graphene oxide. Also, it decreased the radius of gyration (more contraction of epoxy molecules than graphene oxide nanosheets). In addition, increasing the temperature led to reduction of the interaction energy between epoxy resins and functionalized graphene. Moreover, escalating the temperature did not have any significant effect on the radius of gyration and Epoxy molecules resizing compared to graphene oxide nanosheets. The amount of interaction energy between epoxy resins and pristine graphene is very low in comparison with graphene oxide; therefore, temperature has a small effect on the amount of interaction energy and radius of gyration. Finally, the strongest interaction energy was found to be related to Epoxy Novolac and EPON 862 resins by comparing the interaction energy and radius of gyration between epoxy resins with graphene oxide. Therefore, they were the best candidates for matrixes in epoxy/graphene oxide nanocomposites.
Performance Comparison of Multi -resolution Wavelet Transforms to Hybrid Transforms for Image Compression

This paper proposes multi-resolution based image compression method. Wavelets have ability to analyze the signal at different resolutions to give different levels of details in the image. This property has been used in image compression and performance is compared with hybrid transform and hybrid wavelets generated using respective component transforms. Kekre transform (DKT) is paired with Hartley transform, Discrete Sine Transform and Real Fourier Transform to obtain respective hybrid wavelet transforms. Experiments show that DKT-Real DFT gives better image compression than DKT-Hartley and DKT-DST pair. Performance is evaluated using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Average Fractional Change in Pixel Value (AFCPV). It has been observed that hybrid wavelet transform proves better than its multi-resolution analysis and hybrid transform. DKT (32x32) -RealDFT (8x8) hybrid wavelet gives the best performance with lowest values of all error metrics.
Permanent magnets including undulators and wigglers

After a few historic remarks on magnetic materials we introduce the basic definitions related to permanent magnets. The magnetic properties of the most common materials are reviewed and the production processes are described. Measurement techniques for the characterization of macroscopic and microscopic properties of permanent magnets are presented. Field simulation techniques for permanent magnet devices are discussed. Today, permanent magnets are used in many fields. This article concentrates on the applications of permanent magnets in accelerators starting from dipoles and quadrupoles on to wigglers and undulators.
Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Intrusion Detection System

Intrusion detection systems are widely utilized in the cyber security field, to prevent and mitigate threats. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) help to keep threats and vulnerabilities out of computer networks. To develop effective intrusion detection systems, a range of machine learning methods are available. Machine learning ensemble methods have a well-proven track record when it comes to learning. Using ensemble methods of machine learning, this paper proposes an innovative intrusion detection system. To improve classification accuracy and eliminate false positives, features from the CICIDS-2017 dataset were chosen. This paper proposes an intrusion detection system using machine learning algorithms such as decision trees, random forests, and SVM (IDS). After training these models, an ensemble technique voting classifier was added and achieved an accuracy of 96.25%. Furthermore, the proposed model also incorporates the XAI algorithm LIME for better explainability and understanding of the black-box approach to reliable intrusion detection. Our experimental results confirmed that XAI LIME is more explanation-friendly and more responsive.
Bidirectional Buck–Boost Converter With Reduced Power Loss and No Right-Half-Plane Zero

This article presents a novel hybrid bidirectional buck–boost converter (HBBC) for lithium-ion battery management. Unlike the conventional four-switch buck–boost converter (FBBC), whose power efficiency is greatly limited at heavy loads mainly due to high conduction loss from a high dc resistance (DCR) inductor, the proposed HBBC adopts assisted capacitive paths to reduce the current stress on the main inductive path. Thus, the conductive loss of inductor's DCR is greatly reduced in both the buck and boost modes. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed structure, detailed analyses on both the loop performance and conduction loss are provided. Compared with FBBC, the conversion efficiency of the proposed HBBC is increased by 23.3% in the boost mode, and the peak efficiency is up to 97.8% with an adopted inductor with a DCR of 270 mΩ.
Solution of the tunneling-percolation problem in the nanocomposite regime

We noted that the tunneling-percolation framework is quite well understood at the extreme cases of percolation-like and hopping-like behaviors but that the intermediate regime has not been previously discussed, in spite of its relevance to the intensively studied electrical properties of nanocomposites. Following that we study here the conductivity of dispersions of particle fillers inside an insulating matrix by taking into account explicitly the filler particle shapes and the inter-particle electron tunneling process. We show that the main features of the filler dependencies of the nanocomposite conductivity can be reproduced without introducing any a priori imposed cut-off in the inter-particle conductances, as usually done in the percolation-like interpretation of these systems. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our numerical results are fully reproduced by the critical path method, which is generalized here in order to include the particle filler shapes. By exploiting this method, we provide simple analytical formulas for the composite conductivity valid for many regimes of interest. The validity of our formulation is assessed by reinterpreting existing experimental results on nanotube, nanofiber, nanosheet and nanosphere composites and by extracting the characteristic tunneling decay length, which is found to be within the expected range of its values. These results are concluded then to be not only useful for the understanding of the intermediate regime but also for tailoring the electrical properties of nanocomposites.
Application of Alcohol Dehydrogenase Allozymes in Testing the Genetic Purity of F1 Hybrids of Tomato1

Seed extracts of a number of fresh market cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon esculen-tum Mill.) were subjected to starch gel electrophoresis and stained for alcohol dehydrogenase activity to investigate the possibility of utilizing allozymic variation to determine genetic purity of F1 hybrids. Of the varieties tested 46% proved amenable to the test. This method offers a practical and rapid means of estimating seed contamination frequencies in commercial seed lots as well as distinguishing hybrids from parental lines in the field.
Some aspects of high-speed blunt body flow computations with Roe scheme

This paper discusses some aspects of three-dimensional supersonic and hypersonic inviscid blunt body flow computations. The method used is based on the solution of the Euler equations employing an explicit, upwind total variation diminishing formulation of the Roe Riemann solver within the cell-centered finite volume approach. A comparative study of various total variation diminishing limiters and entropy fixes is carried out to identify the most appropriate combination. The effect of using cell spacing in the total variation diminishing extrapolations is highlighted. Furthermore, a Mach number dependence and grid sensitivity study is carried out on various total variation diminishing limiters scaled with mesh spacing. Local time stepping and code parallelization has been employed to accelerate convergence in terms of effective wall clock times.
Effects of Arterial Stiffness on Visual Field Severity and Progression in Malay Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Introduction: Vascular dysregulation is postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Systemic arterial stiffness may accelerate the pre-existing damage. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of arterial stiffness with severity and progression of visual field in Malay patients with POAG. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 55 patients with POAG and 55 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The patients with POAG were further divided in accordance with their Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) scores on their visual fields (VFs) (mild in 23 patients, moderate in 18, and severe in 14). Progression was defined as the worsening of the VF defect quantified as an increase in AGIS score of 4 points from the baseline. Arterial stiffness was measured using SphygmoCor and quantified as pulse wave analysis (PWA) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Results: No significant differences in PWA and PWV were found between the patients with POAG and the control subjects (p=0.333 and p=0.443, respectively). The mean follow-up duration for the patients with POAG was 4.7±3.1 years. PWA and PWV showed no significant association with POAG severity after the confounding factors were controlled for. Ten patients with progression of VF were identified. In the analysis of covariance, a significantly higher PWV was found in the patients with disease progression (p=0.036). Conclusion: VF severity and progression were not associated with systemic arterial stiffness. The probable reason is that other factors affecting retinal microcirculation may play a larger role in the severity and progression of POAG.
Recurrent frequency-size distribution of characteristic events

Statistical frequency-size (frequency-magnitude) properties of earthquake occurrence play an important role in seismic hazard assessments. The behavior of earthquakes is represented by two different statistics: interoccurrent be- havior in a region and recurrent behavior at a given point on a fault (or at a given fault). The interoccurrent frequency- size behavior has been investigated by many authors and generally obeys the power-law Gutenberg-Richter distribu- tion to a good approximation. It is expected that the recur- rent frequency-size behavior should obey different statistics. However, this problem has received little attention because historic earthquake sequences do not contain enough events to reconstruct the necessary statistics. To overcome this lack of data, this paper investigates the recurrent frequency- size behavior for several problems. First, the sequences of creep events on a creeping section of the San Andreas fault are investigated. The applicability of the Brownian passage-time, lognormal, and Weibull distributions to the re- current frequency-size statistics of slip events is tested and the Weibull distribution is found to be the best-fit distribu- tion. To verify this result the behaviors of numerical slider- block and sand-pile models are investigated and the Weibull distribution is confirmed as the applicable distribution for these models as well. Exponents of the best-fit Weibull distributions for the observed creep event sequences and for the slider-block model are found to have similar values rang- ing from 1.6 to 2.2 with the corresponding aperiodicities CV of the applied distribution ranging from 0.47 to 0.64. We also note similarities between recurrent time-interval statis- tics and recurrent frequency-size statistics.
Absorption spectroscopy of gamma‐ray burst afterglows: Probing the GRB line of sight

GRB absorption spectroscopy opened up a new window in the study of the high redshift Universe, especially with the launch of the Swift satellite and the quick and precise localization of the afterglow. Eight-meter class telescopes can be repointed within a few hours from the GRB, enabling the acquisition of high signal-to-noise ratio and high resolution afterglow spectra. In this paper I will give a short review of what we learned through this technique, and I will present some of the first results obtained with the X-shooter spectrograph (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of HCl and H2SO4 Dilutant on Emeraldine Gas Sensor for Ammonia—Numerical Model

Polyaniline changes its resistivity in the presence of various gas molecules, and therefore, it is currently studied for its deployment as a gas sensor, sensitivity to very small gas concentrations (lower than 1 ppm), selectivity to ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, or hydrogen, and long-term stability for thousands of voltage cycles. The preparation of this polymer is low cost using a very low pH environment where the polyaniline variety emeraldine base can be preceded to emeraldine salt, using hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and others. After oxidative polymerization in the presence of an ammonium peroxidisulfate catalytic converter, the rest of the acid can be washed out. The effect of different acids on the final product emeraldine salt gas sensor conductivity was studied. One 32-mer-long polymer of emeraldine salt was simulated using QuantumATK as an electrical device, and its $I-V$ characteristic was computed for pure polyaniline and polyaniline polluted by hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid ions. The pollution concentration was 3 ppm. The results show that the resistance of polluted PANI increased a little for both acids. The results were compared with the recently published experimental data showing good accordance with them. The dilutants raise the resistance of the sensors, making them slightly less sensitive.