Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Past to Present: Decoding Precipitation Patterns in a Complex Mediterranean River Basin

Enhancing spatial data attributes is crucial for effective basin-scale environmental modelling and improving our understanding and management of precipitation patterns. In this study, we focused on reconstructing homogeneous areal precipitation data in the complex terrain of the Calore River Basin (CRB) in Southern Italy. Until 1869, weather observations in the region were inconsistent, unstandardised, and lacked coordination, but the establishment of meteorological observatories brought a more unified approach to weather monitoring. We relied on the rainfall data obtained from two of these historical observatories: Benevento (1869–present) and Montevergine (1884–present). We utilised a statistical regression framework that considered rainfall measurements and temporal properties from specific locations to reconstruct and visually analyse the evolution patterns of annual mean areal precipitation (MAP) in the CRB from 1869 to 2020. The analysis revealed that mean MAP decreased from 1153 mm yr−1 (1869–1951) to 998 mm yr−1 (1952–2020). This decrease was accompanied by a reduction in interannual variability (from 168 mm yr−1 to 147 mm yr−1 standard deviation), and the difference between the means was significant (p < 0.0001), suggesting a sudden shift in the time-series. These findings provide a basis for CRB water resource management and insights for modelling other complex Mediterranean basins.
A phylogenetic analysis of the Korean endemic species Paraphlomis koreana (Lamiaceae) inferred from nuclear and plastid DNA sequences

Paraphlomis koreana (Lamiaceae) was newly named and added to Korean flora in 2014. Paraphlomis belongs to the tribe Paraphlomideae, along with Ajugoides and Matsumurella. However, a recent study has suggested that P. koreana is morphologically similar to Matsumurella chinensis, making them difficult to distinguish from each other. Therefore, we aimed to examine the phylogenetic placement of P. koreana within the tribe and compare its genetic relationship with M. chinensis. We sequenced an additional complete plastid genome for an individual of P. koreana and generated sequences of nuclear ribosomal (nr) DNA regions of internal and external transcribed spacers (ITS and ETS) for two individuals of P. koreana. Maximum likelihood analyses based on two nrDNA regions (ITS and ETS) and four plastid DNA markers (rpl16 intron, rpl32-trnL, rps16 intron, and trnL-F) covering 13 Paraphlomis species and M. chinensis were conducted. Phylogenetic analyses concordantly supported that P. koreana forms a monophyletic group with M. chinensis. Moreover, our study revealed that P. koreana includes nrDNA sequences of M. chinensis as minor intraindividual variants, suggesting that the genetic divergence between the two taxa is incomplete and may represent intraspecific variation rather than distinct species. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the independent species status of P. koreana within Paraphlomis should be reconsidered.
A Log-Transformed Binomial Numerical Analysis Method for Valuing Complex Multi-Option Investments

Abstract This paper presents a numerical method for valuing complex investments with multiple interacting options. The method is a log-transformed variation of binomial option pricing designed to overcome problems of consistency, stability, and efficiency encountered in the Cox, Ross, and Rubinstein (1979) and other numerical methods. This method handles well options with a series of exercise prices (compound options), nonproportional dividends, and interactions among a variety of real options. Comparisons with several existing numerical methods regarding accuracy, consistency, stability, and efficiency are given.
Multi-Physics Simulations With OpenFOAM in the Re-Design of a Commercial Combustor

The numerical description of combustion provides a good understanding of the thermal boundary conditions of a combustor already in the early design phase. With an accurate simulation, the thermal load on the combustor wall as well as the turbine inlet profile can be estimated and potentially tailored to the structural requirements. At MTU Aero Engines AG, the authors set up a multi-physics solver in OpenFOAM to support the development process for combustors. This article shows the activities for a redesign of a commercial engine combustor and the successful numerical description of all related physical aspects. The comparison of combustor liner temperatures predicted via Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) with thermal paint results show excellent agreement. The numerical results allow the evaluation of different redesign options with respect to maximum liner temperatures and impact on turbine inlet temperature profiles. The application of a multi-physics solver to real engine combustor designs is limited to the availability of computational power and acceptable running time. The applicability of the presented approach to complex engine designs is not only shown by the successful simulation results. The choice of an open source code allows the usage of massive parallelization. A parallelization up to 1024 CPUs was tested to evaluate the potential of speeding up the simulations. The results are encouraging and show that complex meshes with ∼15 million cells can be simulated within acceptable calculation time.
Delivery of Lipid Nanoparticles with ROS Probes for Improved Visualization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive products of the cell metabolism derived from oxygen molecules, and their abundant level is observed in many diseases, particularly tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In vivo imaging of ROS is a necessary tool in preclinical research to evaluate the efficacy of drugs with antioxidant activity and for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. However, most known sensors cannot be used for in vivo experiments due to low stability in the blood and rapid elimination from the body. In this work, we focused on the development of an effective delivery system of fluorescent probes for intravital ROS visualization using the HCC model. We have synthesized various lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with ROS-inducible hydrocyanine pro-fluorescent dye or plasmid DNA (pDNA) with genetically encoded protein sensors of hydrogen peroxide (HyPer7). LNP with an average diameter of 110 ± 12 nm, characterized by increased stability and pDNA loading efficiency (64 ± 7%), demonstrated preferable accumulation in the liver compared to 170 nm LNPs. We evaluated cytotoxicity and demonstrated the efficacy of hydrocyanine-5 and HyPer7 formulated in LNP for ROS visualization in mouse hepatocytes (AML12 cells) and in the mouse xenograft model of HCC. Our results demonstrate that obtained LNP could be a valuable tool in preclinical research for visualization ROS in liver diseases.
Predation domes: In‐situ field assays to measure predatory behaviours by fish

Biotic interactions such as predation are difficult ecological processes to quantify in the wild. This is especially the case in the marine environment due to logistical difficulties in capturing animal behaviour. Common approaches use aquarium‐based experiments, live‐tethering, or assays with bait as proxies for quantifying predation pressure. However, these methods often fail to account for natural interactions between species in the wild and may raise ethical and animal welfare concerns. We designed a novel field‐based method to quantify predator–prey interactions for marine fishes. The “predation dome” is a clear acrylic aquarium that contains a live fish. The dome is filmed and, in contrast to other methods, it allows for natural olfactory and visual cues, and the prey fish is returned to the wild after the assay. Here, we provide a step‐by‐step guide on building and deploying the predation dome in the wild. To demonstrate its use, we quantified predation pressure using the domes in two tropical and two temperate locations. Piscivores were attracted to the domes and displayed predatory behaviours such as circling or striking. Although the overall number of predatory attacks did not differ among locations, predation domes revealed higher predation pressure by piscivores at the tropical locations in comparison to temperate reefs. Our results show that predation domes represent an ethical and complementary approach to measure predation that may better represent piscivory as compared to other behaviours. Predation domes can be also used to measure other biotic interactions such as territorial defence or courtship.
A Permutated Partial Transmit Sequence Scheme for PAPR Reduction in Polar-Coded OFDM-IM Systems

In this article, a permutated partial transmit sequence (PTS) scheme is proposed to reduce the peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) in polar-coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation (OFDM-IM) systems without side-information (SI) transmission. For generating candidate signals, the proposed PTS method combines two operations of phase rotations and frequency-domain permutations by implementing circular shifting and factor multiplications in time domain, where the phase rotation factors are determined by the frozen bits of polar codes. Additionally, according to the transmitting and polar-coded structures, an SI-free decoder based on successive cancellation lists (SCL) algorithm is developed at the receiving end. Compared with conventional PTS and existing PAPR reduction schemes, the proposed PTS scheme exhibits significantly higher PAPR reduction performance with less complexity. Based on stimulation results, the proposed SI-free receiver is able to achieve error performance similar to that with the receiver utilizing perfect side information in both Additive White Gaussian noise (AWGN) and frequency selective channels.
Concave programming under simplest linear constraints

A stable algorithm for a concave programming problem on a feasible polyhedron determined by bounds and a scalar equality condition is proposed. The algorithm is based on the branch and bound scheme, where the tested regions are cut off by successively reducing the size of a hyperparallelepiped that encloses the feasible region.
Development of an Aeroelastic Simulation for the Analysis of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines

Like their horizontal-axis counterparts, as the blades of vertical-axis wind turbines increase in size they typically become relatively more flexible so a better understanding of their aeroelastic behaviour is required. This research addresses the challenges of large, flexible, vertical-axis wind turbines using methods previously unavailable, or impractical due to limited computational resources. A weakly-coupled aeroelastic simulation was developed to investigate the dynamic behaviour of vertical-axis wind turbines. The aeroelastic simulation comprised a free vortex wake model to represent the aerodynamics, and a multibody systems model to represent the structural dynamics, with the models coupled together via an interface. A modified version of the BeddoesLeishman dynamic stall model was used to account for unsteady aerodynamic effects on the blades. The modal characteristics of the structural model were extracted using the Eigensystem Realisation Algorithm. The aerodynamic aspects of the simulation were validated against a wide range of experimental data. The structural aspects of the simulation were verified against an industry-standard multi-body systems package, and validated against a combination of analytical, numerical and experimental data. An extensive set of tests were conducted on the aerodynamic and structural models demonstrating that quite computationally undemanding methods for the computational parameters, including the time-step sizes and levels of blade discretisation, were capable of producing results very similar to those predicted using much more computationally demanding values. The aeroelastic simulation was used to conduct a number of numerical experiments designed to aid an investigation into how the aeroelastic behaviour of a large-scale baseline turbine configuration changed in response to various parameters. It was shown that the asymmetric loading along the blades, caused by a combination of the gravitational loads and the vertical variation in height of the wind speed, results in a periodic vertical rocking motion of the blades. This rocking motion occurred at a frequency of twice per revolution. It enabled new insight into the dynamic motion of VAWT blades. It was also found that the periodic rocking motion could be reduced by increasing the stiffness of the blades and reducing the linear density of the blades.
A Bayesian Approach to Kalman Filter for Elliptically Contoured Distribution and its Application in Time Series Models

This paper develops a Bayesian formulation of Kalman filter under the errors having elliptically contoured distributions in both observation equation and system (or state) equation, using some recent results in multivariate analysis. Estimation of parameters in case of missing observations and prediction of missing observations as well are dealt with under the above set up of autoregressive-moving average process in time series. Two illustrative examples are presented with the help of AR(1) model and ARMA (1, 1) model.
The interface dynamics of a surfactant drop on a thin viscous film†

We study a system of two coupled parabolic equations that models the spreading of a drop of an insoluble surfactant on a thin liquid film. Unlike the previously known results, the surface diffusion coefficient is not assumed constant and depends on the surfactant concentration. We obtain sufficient conditions for finite speed of support propagation and for waiting-time phenomenon by application of an extension of Stampacchia's lemma for a system of functional equations.
Monitoring of functional ability, mobility and quality of life in seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim. The aim of the work is to map the functional fitness, level of mobility and quality of life of seniors at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. The study group consisted of 130 seniors from the Prešov Region, with an average age of 74.1 (max. 94, min. 65) years and an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27.13 (max. 41.09, min 16.00). There were 54 men (41.5%), with an average age of 74.3 years and an average BMI of 26.78, women with an average age of 74.0 years and an average BMI of 27.37. In all seniors we assessed physical fitness by Senior Fitness Test, level of mobility by the Up & go test and quality of life and mental health by the WHOQOL-BREF test during the lockdown in COVID-19 pandemic. Results. Seniors living in rural areas (t = -2,341; p = 0.020) and living alone (t = -2.05; p = 0.042) had slightly higher rate of mild obesity (according to BMI). Seniors living alone had a lower quality of life compared with seniors living partner or family member (t = 3.728; p < 0.001). Finally, seniors living in rurar areas had worse physical (t = 3.113; p = 0.002) and mental health status (t = 2.601; p = 0.010). Women had slightly worse mental health status than men (t = 2.308; p = 0.022). Conclusions. Restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic put seniors who live alone, at risk, especially women. Men show higher resistance to these measures, mostly in physical and psychological health area.
Pathogenicity and Antibiotic Resistance Diversity in Clostridium perfringens Isolates from Poultry Affected by Necrotic Enteritis in Canada

Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by C. perfringens is one of the most common diseases of poultry and results in a huge economic loss to the poultry industry, with resistant clostridial strains being a serious concern and making the treatment difficult. Whole-genome sequencing approaches represent a good tool to determine resistance profiles and also shed light for a better understanding of the pathogen. The aim of this study was to characterize, at the genomic level, a collection of 20 C. perfringens isolates from poultry affected by NE, giving special emphasis to resistance mechanisms and production of bacteriocins. Antimicrobial resistance genes were found, with the tet genes (associated with tetracycline resistance) being the most prevalent. Interestingly, two isolates carried the erm(T) gene associated with erythromycin resistance, which has only been reported in other Gram-positive bacteria. Twelve of the isolates were toxinotyped as type A and seven as type G. Other virulence factors encoding hyaluronases and sialidases were frequently detected, as well as different plasmids. Sequence types (ST) revealed a high variability of the isolates, finding new allelic combinations. Among the isolates, C. perfringens MLG7307 showed unique characteristics; it presented a toxin combination that made it impossible to toxinotype, and, despite being identified as C. perfringens, it lacked the housekeeping gene colA. Genes encoding bacteriocin BCN5 were found in five isolates even though no antimicrobial activity could be detected in those isolates. The bcn5 gene of three of our isolates was similar to one previously reported, showing two polymorphisms. Concluding, this study provides insights into the genomic characteristics of C. perfringens and a better understanding of this avian pathogen.
Students’ conceptions of radiation and what to do about them

For good science teaching, it is necessary to have knowledge of your students’ preconceptions. Numerous studies have been conducted about typical ideas that students bring to the science classroom in science education research. Unfortunately the domains of which we know preconceptions are not distributed evenly and there is a lack of studies about students’ conceptions of electromagnetic radiation. This literature review focuses on the existing body of studies around those conceptions. All studies focusing on conceptions of radiation, including nuclear radiation, have been considered if they were published in international peer reviewed journals in English and German between 1980 and the present day. Some interesting conceptions mentioned in different studies are pointed out, as well as gaps in the literature that need to be filled. At the end, some ideas to conquer misconceptions are presented.
Si-wire two-dimensional grating coupler with polarization-dependent loss of lower than 0.3 dB over a 60-nm-wide spectral range

Two-dimensional grating couplers (2D-GCs) that operate with an arbitrary polarization typically exhibit a polarization-dependent loss (PDL) due to the fiber angle tilted to reduce the back reflections at the fiber/grating interface. We numerically analyzed the dependence of the PDL of a 2D-GC in terms of the scatterer arrays and shapes using the three-dimensional finite difference time domain (3D-FDTD) method. The reduction in the PDL of the 2D-GC was realized by slanted arrays and cross-shaped scatterers. We experimentally demonstrated a PDL < 0.3 dB over a 60-nm-wide spectral range and the maximum coupling efficiency (CE) of −3.1 dB in the O-band spectral regime. This relationship of the PDL characteristic was maintained even when the half-etching depth of the 2D-GC deviated in a 200 mm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer.
The effect of target setting on employee performance of savings and credit cooperative societies in Kisii County

Target se tting is a human resource tool for measuring employee’s efficiency to organizational performance. It is suitable for management and employees to have a clear set targets so that they can know and understand their performance from the management and employee point of view. This research assessed the effect of target setting on employee performance of Savings and credit cooperative organizations in the County of Kisii. The research study was majorly build based on two theories which include; human capital theory and Goal setting theory. In this investigation we employed descriptive research design approach. The participants in the study were chosen using stratified sampling, proportionate sampling and simple random sampling. Primary data from respondent was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The effect of target setting on performance of employees was analyzed via linear regression models. In summary, the obtained results demonstrates existence of a positive relationship on employee performance which exists on the target setting while feedback had a non-positive relationship on performance of employee evidenced by r=- . 160 with p . 021<5%,. The study recommends the need for policy formulations so as to establish the effect of target setting as a component of performance appraisal. The results showed that good employee relationship with management leads to good performance, Target setting participatory should be good, Necessary training is given to employees who have not met their targets and to appraisers to appraise fairly, Target commitment improves employee performance, Targets help in achieving organizational goals and lack of top management support is a reason for target setting failure.
Safety and Protective Efficacy of a Candidate Vector-Based Vaccine for Bovine Tuberculosis

This study presents the results of a survey of the safety and protective efficacy of a candidate vector-based vaccine for bovine tuberculosis, using an influenza vector with the NS1 mutation and expressing M. bovis protective antigens ESAT-6 and TB10.4. We vaccinated Balb/c outbred mice two times at 21 days apart. Our experimental design includes mice immunised with the candidate vaccine with or without adjuvant 15% Montanide Gel. The candidate vaccine’s safety was determined by biometric analysis, and protective efficacy was assessed by bacteriological and histological experiments following a virulent M. bovis-8 strain challenge. Our data indicated that the adjuvant-free version of the vaccine ensured complete protection from the M. bovis-8 infection in mice.
Tracking the historical urban development by classifying Landsat MSS data with training samples migrated across time and space

ABSTRACT To reveal the historical urban development in large areas using satellite data such as Landsat MSS still need to overcome many challenges. One of them is the need for high-quality training samples. This study tested the feasibility of migrating training samples collected from Landsat MSS data across time and space. We migrated training samples collected for Washington, D. C. in 1979 to classify the city’s land covers in 1982 and 1984. The classifier trained with Washington, D. C. ’s samples were used in classifying Boston’s and Tokyo’s land covers. The results showed that the overall accuracies achieved using migrated samples in 1982 (66.67%) and 1984 (65.67%) for Washington, D. C. were comparable to that of 1979 (68.67%) using a random forest classifier. Migration of training samples between cities in the same urban ecoregion, i.e. Washington, D. C. , and Boston, achieved higher overall accuracy (59.33%) than cities in the different ecoregions (Tokyo, 50.33%). We concluded that migrating training samples across time and space in the same urban ecoregion are feasible. Our findings can contribute to using Landsat MSS data to reveal the historical urbanization pattern on a global scale.