Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shortest path problem on a grid network with unordered intermediate points

We consider a shortest path problem with single cost factor on a grid network with unordered intermediate points. A two stage heuristic algorithm is proposed to find a feasible solution path within a reasonable amount of time. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, computational experiments are performed on grid maps of varying size and number of intermediate points. Preliminary results for the problem are reported. Numerical comparisons against brute forcing show that the proposed algorithm consistently yields solutions that are within 10% of the optimal solution and uses significantly less computation time.
Rating-Scale Labeling in Online Surveys: An Experimental Comparison of Verbal and Numeric Rating Scales with Respect to Measurement Quality and Respondents’ Cognitive Processes

Unlike other data collection modes, the effect of labeling rating scales on reliability and validity, as relevant aspects of measurement quality, has seldom been addressed in online surveys. In this study, verbal and numeric rating scales were compared in split-ballot online survey experiments. In the first experiment, respondents’ cognitive processes were observed by means of eye tracking, that is, determining the respondent’s fixations in different areas of the screen. In the remaining experiments, data for reliability and validity analysis were collected from a German adult sample. The results show that respondents needed more fixations and more time to endorse a category when a rating scale had numeric labels. Cross-sectional reliability was lower and some hypotheses with respect to the criterion validity could not be supported when numeric rating scales were used. In conclusion, theoretical considerations and the empirical results contradict the current broad usage of numeric scales in online surveys.
Experimental research on joining AA5052-H32/Polyoxymethylene sheets with novel stepped clinching process

The increasing availability of high-performance materials has boosted the demand for advanced joining techniques for heterogeneous sheets in the industry. The novel stepped clinching process (SCP) may become a new option for joining sheets due to the superiority in joint strength and geometric parameters compared to conventional clinching technology. The SCP for joining AA5052-H32 and Polyoxymethylene is explored experimentally in the paper. The failure mechanism of stepped clinched joints is studied at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Increasing the forming force assists in increasing mechanical strength and improving cross-sectional geometry. The optimal energy absorption values and shear strength of 5.038 J and 2040 N were obtained in the experiments when the forming force was 32 kN.
SOME POLYNOMIAL INVARIANTS OF A FAMILY OF GRAPHS

We give the general form of the Tutte polynomial of a family of positive-signed connected planar graphs. Then we give general formulas of the Jones polynomial of some very interesting families of alternating knots and links that correspond to these planar graphs. We also give general forms of the flow, reliability, and chromatic polynomials of these graphs. Finally, we give some useful combinatorial information by evaluating the Tutte polynomial at some special points.
Uniform robust exact differentiator based adaptive robust control for a class of nonlinear systems

In this paper, an adaptive robust controller with uniform robust exact differentiator has been proposed for a class of nonlinear systems with structured and unstructured uncertainties. The adaptive robust controller is integrated with an uniform robust differentiator to handle the problem of the incalculable part of the derivative of virtual controls and the differential explosion happened in backstepping techniques. The stability of the closed loop system is demonstrated via Lyapunov method ensuring a prescribed transient and tracking performance. Simulation and experimental results are carried out to verify the advantages of the proposed method.
Metadiscourse Functions in Political Speeches: A Study of Three Leaders’ National Addresses

This study employs discourse analysis and corpus analysis to investigate the use of reflexive metadiscourse in national addresses delivered by three national leaders, one from Thailand, one from Myanmar, and one from Pakistan, during periods of democratic reform in their respective countries. The corpus of 129,460 running words was constructed by randomly selecting fifteen addresses from each of the leaders’ national address pools. The corpus was analyzed and coded with tags to classify the metadiscourse functions employed by the speakers, and the taxonomy proposed by Ädel (2010) was adapted to serve as the framework for analysis. The search terms “I” and the inclusive “we,” “you,” “let me,” and “let us” were used in screening non-reflexive sentences. The study found that sixteen metadiscourse functions from Ädel’s (2010) taxonomy are present in the corpus, and that 314 (4.09%) of the 7,663 sentences in the corpus have reflexive metadiscourse functions. The study also found significant use of the ‘elaborating’ function, which signals the audience that the speaker is about to elaborate on the current topic and/or emphasize a particular aspect thereof. This function was previously considered an ‘other speech act labelling’ function.
Administration of Oral Gemitir Flower Extract (Tagetes erecta L) Increased The Number of Neovascularization, Fibroblasts Cell and Epithelization of Wound in Male Wistar Strains Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Background: Herbal ingredients that can be used to reduce wound healing on the skin are the administration of bioactive compounds from gemitir flowers (Tagetes erecta L) used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This study prove that oral gemitir extract increases the number of neovascularization, fibroblast cell and epithelialization of wound healing in male Wistar strains rats. Method: This research is anexperimental research with a randomized posttest-only control group design method. The research subjects used 28 male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), which were divided into 2 control groups and 2 treatment groups. The analytical method used the Shapiro-Wilk Test and Levene’s Test and then compared using the one-way ANOVA post hoc with least significant difference (LSD). Results: Neovascularization P0-4 and P0-14 have the same value 1.86±0.90,while in group P1-48.86±1.35and P1-14 decreased to 5.00±1.15. Number of P0-4 fibroblast cells: 8.29±3.25and P014:9.00±3.51cells/field of view, while PI-4:18.57 ± 4.89 and P1-14: 32.00 ± 7.39. Epithelialization results as described by epithelial thickness at P0-4: 28.08 ± 10.07 µm and P0-14:298.86±273. 88µm, while at P1-4: 1096.71±133. 93µm and P1-14: 1674.00± 331. 55µm. The results of the one way ANOVA p<0.001. LSD group P0 (4) vs P0 (14) were not significantly different while P0 (4) vs P1 (4), P0 (4) vs P1 (14), P1 (4) vs P1 (14) all differed significantly with p<0.05. Conclusion: Oral administration of ethanol extract of gemitir flowers increased neovascularization in wound healing male Wistar rats on day 4 and increased the number of fibroblasts and thickness of epithelialization on days 4 and 14.
Premenstrual Syndrome and Mindfulness: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Women

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and mindfulness as well as the mediating role of perceived social support (PSS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among deaf/hard-of-hearing women. This is a cross-sectional study. An overall sample of 202 participants was selected. Path analysis was used. As indicated by the results obtained, PMS correlated significantly with mindfulness, PSS, and HRQoL. Moreover, mindfulness correlated significantly and positively with PSS and HRQoL. Besides, there is a significant negative relationship between PSS and HRQoL. PMS has direct effects on PSS and HRQoL. In addition, both PSS and HRQoL have immediate impacts on mindfulness. To conclude, this study examined and confirmed the relationship between PMS and mindfulness as mediated by PSS and HRQoL among deaf/hard-of-hearing women.
Computing fifth geometric-arithmetic index for nanostar dendrimers

The geometric-arithmetic index is a topological index was defined as GA(G)=∑uv2(dudv)1/2/(du+dv), in which degree of vertex u denoted by dG(u ). Now we define a new version of GA index as GA5(G)=∑uv2(δuδv)1/2/(δu+δv) , where δu=∑uvdv. The goal of this paper is to further the study of the GA5 index.
Planet formation around intermediate-mass stars. I. Different disc evolutionary pathways as a function of stellar mass

The study of protoplanetary disc evolution and theories of planet formation has predominantly concentrated on solar- (and low-) mass stars since they host the majority of confirmed exoplanets. Nevertheless, the confirmation of numerous planets orbiting stars more massive than the Sun (up to sim 3\ has sparked considerable interest in understanding the mechanisms involved in their formation, and thus in the evolution of their hosting protoplanetary discs. We aim to improve our knowledge of the evolution of the gaseous component of protoplanetary discs around intermediate-mass stars and to set the stage for future studies of planet formation around them. We study the long-term evolution of protoplanetary discs affected by viscous accretion and photoevaporation by X-ray and far-ultraviolet (FUV) photons from the central star around stars in the range of 1 - 3 considering the effects of stellar evolution and solving the vertical structure equations of the disc. We explore the effect of different values of the viscosity parameter and the initial mass of the disc. We find that the evolutionary pathway of protoplanetary disc dispersal due to photoevaporation depends on the stellar mass. Our simulations reveal four distinct evolutionary pathways for the gas component not reported before that are a consequence of stellar evolution and that likely have a substantial impact on the dust evolution, and thus on planet formation. As the stellar mass increases from one solar mass to sim 1.5 - 2 the evolution of the disc changes from the conventional inside-out clearing, in which X-ray photoevaporation generates inner holes, to a homogeneous disc evolution scenario where both inner and outer discs formed after a gap is opened by photoevaporation vanish over a similar timescale. As the stellar mass continues to increase, reaching sim 2 - 3 we identify a distinct pathway that we refer to as revenant disc evolution. In this scenario, the inner and outer discs reconnect after the gap opened. For the largest masses, we observe outside-in disc dispersal, in which the outer disc dissipates first due to a stronger FUV photoevaporation rate. Revenant disc evolution stands out as it is capable of extending the disc lifespan. Otherwise, the disc dispersal timescale decreases with increasing stellar mass except for low-viscosity discs.
Advances in the high bootstrap fraction regime on DIII-D towards the Q  =  5 mission of ITER steady state

Recent EAST/DIII-D joint experiments on the high poloidal beta βP regime in DIII-D have extended operation with internal transport barriers (ITBs) and excellent energy confinement (H98y2 ~ 1.6) to higher plasma current, for lower q95 ⩽ 7.0, and more balanced neutral beam injection (NBI) (torque injection < 2 Nm), for lower plasma rotation than previous results (Garofalo et al, IAEA 2014, Gong et al 2014 IAEA Int. Conf. on Fusion Energy). Transport analysis and experimental measurements at low toroidal rotation suggest that the E × B shear effect is not key to the ITB formation in these high βP discharges. Experiments and TGLF modeling show that the Shafranov shift has a key stabilizing effect on turbulence. Extrapolation of the DIII-D results using a 0D model shows that with the improved confinement, the high bootstrap fraction regime could achieve fusion gain Q = 5 in ITER at βN ~ 2.9 and q95 ~ 7. With the optimization of q(0), the required improved confinement is achievable when using 1.5D TGLF-SAT1 for transport simulations. Results reported in this paper suggest that the DIII-D high βP scenario could be a candidate for ITER steady state operation.
Economic networks and social communities in online-auction sites

Markets of individual traders exchanging goods can be seen as social and economic networks. Given the abundance of these networks and their economic importance, it is surprising how little detail is known about the structure and the evolution of such networks. We here study the transactions of almost 1.9 million users of an online auction site during the Pre-Christmas season of 2004. We analyze the topology of the resulting network and find fat tailed distributions for a number of fundamental network parameters. The network shows a high modularity and we are able to group traders according to their primary buying interest during the time observed, solely based on the network structure. The results help our understanding of the self-organization of markets and society.
Unsupervised Change Detection of SAR Images Based on Variational Multivariate Gaussian Mixture Model and Shannon Entropy

In this letter, we propose an unsupervised change detection method for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images based on variational multivariate Gaussian mixture model (MGMM) and Shannon entropy. First, the difference features are generated from the Gabor wavelet transform of two SAR images. In variational inference framework, the variational MGMM is first introduced to implement accurate modeling for the data distribution of difference features and to output responsibilities. Subsequently, spatial information is explored on the responsibilities to yield the contextual responsibilities for improving the accuracy and reliability of change detection. Then, a posteriori probabilities of the changed and unchanged classes are derived from the contextual responsibilities, and Shannon entropy, being directly related to the classification error rate, is proposed to determine the optimal index integer. Finally, the binary change mask is achieved by separating the pixels into the changed and unchanged classes. The experiments on three pairs of SAR images for describing urban sprawl and water bodies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Optimization of the First-Step Drawing Parameters for Platinum-Clad Nickel Bar Based on FEM Simulation

The first-step drawing process of the platinum-clad nickel composite bar was numerically simulated using DEFORM 3D finite element analysis software. The Taguchi method was used to study the effect of the first-step drawing parameters (the semi-angle of die α, the friction coefficient between the platinum tube and die μ1, the friction coefficient between the platinum tube and nickel rod μ2 and the outer diameter of the original platinum tube D) on the effective stress of platinum-clad nickel bar. Then, the optimal combination of parameters (D = 7.55 mm, μ1 = 0.2, μ2 = 0.3, α = 3°) was obtained. Furthermore, the results of the deformation behavior, cladding behavior, stress effectiveness and the distribution of the damage of the composite bar using optimization schemes were compared and analyzed with Numerical Simulations 8, which showed the worst result. Meanwhile, the experimental results were in general agreement with the simulation results of optimal combination of parameters, indicating that our simulation results are plausible. This has certain guidance significance to improve the quality of platinum-clad nickel composite wires in actual production.
Hydrodynamics of a droplet passing through a microfluidic T-junction

We develop a phase-field multiphase lattice Boltzmann model to systematically investigate the dynamic behaviour of a droplet passing through a microfluidic T-junction, especially focusing on the non-breakup of the droplet. Detailed information on the breakup and non-breakup is presented, together with the quantitative evolutions of driving and resistance forces as well as the droplet deformation characteristics involved. Through comparisons between cases of non-breakup and breakup, we find that the appearance of tunnels (the lubricating film between droplet and channel walls) provides a precondition for the final non-breakup of droplets, which slows down the droplet deformation rate and even induces non-breakup. The vortex flow formed inside droplets plays an important role in determining whether they break up or not. In particular, when the strength of vortex flow exceeds a critical value, a droplet can no longer break up. Additionally, more effort has been devoted to investigating the effects of viscosity ratio between disperse and continuous phases and width ratio between branch and main channels on droplet dynamic behaviours. It is found that a large droplet viscosity results in a small velocity gradient in a droplet, which restricts vortex generation and thus produces lower deformation resistance. Consequently, it is easier to break up a droplet with larger viscosity. Our work also reveals that a droplet in small branch channels tends to obstruct the channels and have small vortex flows, which induces easier breakup too. Eventually, several phase diagrams for droplet flow patterns are provided, and the corresponding power-law correlations ( $l_{0}/w=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}Ca^{b}$ , where $l_{0}/w$ is dimensionless initial droplet length and $Ca$ is capillary number) are fitted to describe the boundaries between different flow patterns.
Evolution and Influencing Mechanisms of the Yili Loess Mechanical Properties under Combined Wetting-Drying and Freeze-Thaw Cycling

Landslides frequently occur in the loess-rich Yili region of Xinjiang, China, due to the combined effects of wetting-drying and freeze-thaw (WD-FT) cycles, which cause changes in the soil/loess internal structure and shear strength. This paper explores the combined effect of WD-FT cycles on the shear strength evolution of Yili loess through cyclic and triaxial shear tests. The micromechanism of the effect of WD-FT cycles on the loess properties is studied through scanning electron microscopy tests. Finally, the gray correlation analysis method assesses the correlation between relevant macro and micro parameters. The results show that: (1) With the increase in WD-FT cycles, the cohesion of loess decreases first and then gradually stabilizes, while the internal friction angle first grows and then drops before stabilizing. This indicates that the WD-FT cycles cause different degrees of decline in the soil’s internal friction angle and cohesion. (2) As the number of WD-FT cycles increases, the average abundance and directional probability entropy fluctuate slightly, gradually decreasing and stabilizing. In contrast, the particle size dimensionality gradually decreases and stabilizes, and the pore area ratio first increases and then gradually stabilizes. (3) Six microstructural parameters (average diameter, average abundance, particle size dimensionality, directional probability entropy, particle roundness, and pore area) are selected for correlation analysis with the shear strength index of loess. The results show that the particle size dimensionality closely correlates with macroscopic internal friction angle under coupled cycling, while the pore area closely correlates with macroscopic cohesion. These findings are instrumental in preventing and controlling loess landslides caused by WD-FT cycles in the Yili region of Xinjiang, China, and similar loess-rich regions.
A Novel S-Shape Offset Type of a Modulated Ferromagnetic Pole Piece Design for a Pseudo-Direct Drive Motor

This article proposes a novel pseudo-direct drive (PDD) motor design. An S-shape offset type (SOT) of a modulated ferromagnetic pole piece ring (FPPR) based on a self-adhesive steel sheet was introduced to improve the fragile structure and flux leakage problems of the traditional PDDs. The stress and flux distribution comparison between the traditional PDD and the proposed design were simulated by 3-D finite element analysis (FEA). It was found that the SOT pole piece ring could not only maintain the same flux leakage but also enhance the structural strength. Moreover, the torque behavior and efficiency were investigated, and a prototype was manufactured to prove its feasibility.
Strongly coupled theories in lattice Coulomb gauge

Quantum chromodynamics, despite its simple and elegant formulation at the Lagrangian level and numerous experimental verifications, still poses many interesting questions to particle physicists in the region where perturbation theory breaks down. The origin of confinement of quarks and gluons is one of these big puzzles. Analytic techniques, based on Dyson–Schwinger equations or the variational approach have proven to be useful tools to study the non-perturbative aspects of field theories. Of the latter, the Hamiltonian approach in Coulomb gauge offers an appealing physical interpretation of two-point functions of the theory. In recent years, as numerical algorithms improved and more and more compute power became available to the physics community, lattice gauge theory, a fully numerical approach, has become established as the main tool for studies in the nonperturbative sector of field theories. A verification of these different approaches against each other is of great interest to learn about their limitations. In the first part of this work we will study the correlation functions of pure SU(2) Yang– Mills theory at zero and finite temperature. After an introduction to QCD and lattice gauge theory, we will discuss the Gribov problem and investigate a recent proposal to resolve it. Then we will turn on temperature to study the deconfinement phase transition. Based on the center vortex picture of confinement, we will propose an answer to the question why the correlators from lattice gauge theory in Coulomb gauge fail to detect the phase transition. Afterwards we will leave pure Yang–Mills theory and apply our knowledge to the so-called Minimal Walking Technicolor theory, a possible extension to the Standard Model. Finally we discuss how lattice gauge theory applications can be implemented efficiently on graphics processing units used nowadays in high performance computing.
Novel Wideband Millimeter-Wave GaN Power Amplifier Design Using Transistors With Large Drain Capacitance and High Optimum Load Impedance

This brief presents a novel method to design wideband millimeter-wave (mm-wave) Power Amplifiers (PAs) under the scenario of high drain bias voltage and large drain capacitance. This technique uses a new and simple output matching circuit structure to compensate for the parasitic capacitance and control the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2^{\mathrm{ nd}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> harmonic drain impedance, thus improving both PA bandwidth and efficiency performance. For verification, a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) PA is designed using the proposed method in a 150 nm GaN-on-SiC process with a drain bias voltage of 28 V. The measurement results show that, although the Q-factor of the target drain impedance is as high as 4, the proposed PA can offer excellent large-signal performance with a saturated output power of 29.3-30.2 dBm and peak power-added efficiency (PAE) of 28.3 - 42.8% over a frequency range of 24.5-29 GHz, with a die size of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2.1\times1.3$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mm2. Meanwhile, when excited by a 200 MHz 64-QAM signal with a peak-to-average power ratio of 6.6 dB at 27.5 GHz, the amplifier can provide an average PAE of 23.6%, an error vector magnitude of 0.88/2.98%, and an adjacent channel leakage ratio of–50/–37 dBc (with/without applying digital pre-distortion), at an average output power of 22.8 dBm.