Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physics-based modeling of X-ray CT measurements with energy-integrating detectors

Computer simulation tools for X-ray CT are important for research efforts in developing reconstructionmethods, designing new CT architectures, and improving X-ray source and detector technologies. In this paper, we propose a physics-based modeling method for X-ray CT measurements with energy-integrating detectors. It accurately accounts for the dependence characteristics on energy, depth and spatial location of the X-ray detection process, which is either ignored or over simplified in most existing CT simulation methods. Compared with methods based on Monte Carlo simulations, it is computationally much more efficient due to the use of a look-up table for optical collection efficiency. To model the CT measurments, the proposed model considers five separate effects: energy- and location-dependent absorption of the incident X-rays, conversion of the absorbed X-rays into the optical photons emitted by the scintillator, location-dependent collection of the emitted optical photons, quantumefficiency of converting fromoptical photons to electrons, and electronic noise. We evaluated the proposed method by comparing the noise levels in the reconstructed images from measured data and simulations of a GE LightSpeed VCT system. Using the results of a 20 cm water phantom and a 35 cm polyethylene (PE) disk at various X-ray tube voltages (kVp) and currents (mA), we demonstrated that the proposed method produces realistic CT simulations. The difference in noise standard deviation between measurements and simulations is approximately 2% for the water phantom and 10% for the PE phantom.
Effect of reward systems on workers' performance at the university of Abuja

This study examined the effect of reward systems on workers' performance at the University of Abuja. It utilized descriptive and inferential statistics on a sample of 337 workers’ derived from 2145 workers through the random sampling technique. The results showed that employees are contented with the recognition accorded to them for executing good works, supervisors are open to assist or direct employees, supervisors encourage the ideas of employees’ and their styles of accomplishing things, supervisors’ expectations from employees in terms of job done are unclear to them and promotions and pay increases depend on the attainment of known performance goals exerted a positive effect on workers’ performance. However, this university does not automatically reward good performance, exceptional incentives and rewards are provided by management to all employees and the process of performance appraisal is connected to the reward system had a negative impact on workers' performance. The study recommends that the University of Abuja management should ensure that rewards are based on merit and matched with performance to inspire workers to perform optimally. In addition, reward management practices on rewards for good performance, promotions going to people that deserve them and celebration of excellent service should be reviewed and strengthened.
Linking microbial population dynamics in landfill bioreactors to food waste type and decomposition stage

A key question in landfill microbial ecology is how microbial communities develop over different stages of waste decomposition and whether these changes are specific to waste types. We destructively sampled microbiomes over time from 26 replicate bioreactors cultivated using fruits/vegetables waste (FVW) and meat waste (MW) based on pre-defined waste components and composition. To characterize community shifts, we examined both the leachate and solid fractions of the waste. At identical loading rate, waste decomposition processes occurred more efficiently in FVW than MW. We identified population succession during different stages of waste decomposition and linked specific populations to different waste types. Community analyses revealed underrepresentation of methanogens in the leachate fractions, emphasizing the importance of consistent and representative sampling when characterizing microbial communities in solid waste.
On the analysis of scattering and antenna problems using the singularity expansion technique

In this paper, the possibility of analyzing scattering and antenna problems from a singularity expansion point of view is discussed. As an example of the method, a thin-wire scatterer is considered by first determining the locations of the exterior natural resonant frequencies and then constructing the time response of the current on the body, much in the same manner as in classical circuit theory. The numerical techniques used will be presented, and some advantages of the singularity expansion method over the other conventional ways of treating this problem will be mentioned.
The structure of young supernova remnants in M82

We have used the enhanced MERLIN at 5 GHz to image the central 700 pc of the nearby starburst galaxy M82. We detect in excess of 40 discrete sources, all of which are resolved by the MERLIN 50-mas (0.75-pc) beam. The observations confirm that most of the discrete sources are supernova remnants. Several show complete shells, and many more show structure consistent with partial shells. We have measured the sizes, flux densities and radio brightnesses of 23 of the sources, and show that they follow a surface brightness/diameter relation consistent with that found in the LMC and Galactic remnants. The cumulative number as a function of diameter appears to increase linearly to diameters of at least 3 pc, and indicates a supernova rate of 0.05 per year if the shells are expanding at 5000 km s −1
Statistical, 5-Day Tropical Cyclone Intensity Forecasts Derived from Climatology and Persistence

Abstract Tropical cyclone track forecasting has improved recently to the point at which extending the official forecasts of both track and intensity to 5 days is being considered at the National Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Current verification procedures at both of these operational centers utilize a suite of control models, derived from the “climatology” and “persistence” techniques, that make forecasts out to 3 days. To evaluate and verify 5-day forecasts, the current suite of control forecasts needs to be redeveloped to extend the forecasts from 72 to 120 h. This paper describes the development of 5-day tropical cyclone intensity forecast models derived from climatology and persistence for the Atlantic, the eastern North Pacific, and the western North Pacific Oceans. Results using independent input data show that these new models possess similar error and bias characteristics when compared with their predecessors in the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific but that the we.
Asymptotic Confidence Regions for Kernel Smoothing of a Varying-Coefficient Model With Longitudinal Data

Abstract We consider the estimation of the k + 1-dimensional nonparametric component β(t) of the varying-coefficient model Y(t) = X T (t)β(t) + e(t) based on longitudinal observations (Yij , X i (tij ), tij ), i = 1, …, n, j = 1, …, ni , where tij is the jth observed design time point t of the ith subject and Yij and X i (tij ) are the real-valued outcome and R k+1 valued covariate vectors of the ith subject at tij. The subjects are independently selected, but the repeated measurements within subject are possibly correlated. Asymptotic distributions are established for a kernel estimate of β(t) that minimizes a local least squares criterion. These asymptotic distributions are used to construct a class of approximate pointwise and simultaneous confidence regions for β(t). Applying these methods to an epidemiological study, we show that our procedures are useful for predicting CD4 (T-helper lymphocytes) cell changes among HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-infected persons. The finite-sample properties of o.
Bank Credit and Agricultural Output in Bangladesh: An Econometric Analysis

In this study, the authors tried to identify the relationship between bank credit and agricultural output in Bangladesh. Simultaneously impact assessment of bank credit on agricultural output is also investigated. Different econometric techniques are used to determine the nature of the relationship between bank credit and agricultural output and the impact of bank credit. A total of 40 years (1981-2020) of annual time series data were collected from the Annual Reports of the Bangladesh Bank and World Bank’s world development indicators. Stationarity and cointegration tests were performed initially and then analyzed with Vector Error Correction Model, confirming a long-run relationship between bank credit and agricultural output. Additionally, univariate and multivariate OLS models are performed to identify the magnitude of bank credit’s impact on agricultural output. Both models revealed that bank credit positively and significantly affects agricultural production in Bangladesh. Based on these findings, the authors recommend additional fund allocation to the agricultural production system by the banks in Bangladesh.
Synthesis and Application of Liquid Metal Based-2D Nanomaterials: A Perspective View for Sustainable Energy

With the continuous exploration of low-dimensional nanomaterials, two dimensional metal oxides (2DMOs) has been received great interest. However, their further development is limited by the high cost in the preparation process and the unstable states caused by the polarization of surface chemical bonds. Recently, obtaining mental oxides via liquid metals have been considered a surprising method for obtaining 2DMOs. Therefore, how to scientifically choose different preparation methods to obtain 2DMOs applying in different application scenarios is an ongoing process worth discussing. This review will provide some new opportunities for the rational design of 2DMOs based on liquid metals. Firstly, the surface oxidation process and in situ electrical replacement reaction process of liquid metals are introduced in detail, which provides theoretical basis for realizing functional 2DMOs. Secondly, by simple sticking method, gas injection method and ultrasonic method, 2DMOs can be obtained from liquid metal, the characteristics of each method are introduced in detail. Then, this review provides some prospective new ideas for 2DMOs in other energy-related applications such as photodegradation, CO2 reduction and battery applications. Finally, the present challenges and future development prospects of 2DMOs applied in liquid metals are presented.
Non-Uniform SURF Feature Point Detection and Matching

This paper presents a method for detecting feature points from an image and locating their matching correspondence points across images. The proposed method leverages a novel rapid LBP feature point detection to filter out texture-less SURF feature points. The detected feature points, also known as Non-Uniform SURF feature points, are used to match corresponding feature points from other frame images to reliably locate positions of moving objects. The proposed method consists of two processing modules: Feature Point Extraction (FPE) and Feature Point Mapping (FPM). First, FPE extracts salient feature points with Feature Transform and Feature Point Detection. FPM is then applied to generate motion vectors of each feature point with Feature Descriptor and Feature Point Matching. Experiments are conducted on both artificial template patterns and real scenes captured from moving camera at different speed settings. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the commonly-used SURF feature point detection and matching approach.
Spatial modes of a concentric-circle-grating surface-emitting, AlGaAs/GaAs quantum well semiconductor laser

We demonstrate the fabrication and operation of an AlGaAs surface‐emitting semiconductor laser, grown by molecular‐beam epitaxy, that incorporates a circularly symmetric grating of period Λ=0.25 μm fabricated using electron‐beam lithography. Azimuthal variations in the grating linewidth have a significant impact on the spatial modes of the laser.
TWO PORT CAVITY Q MEASUREMENT USING SCATTERING PARAMETERS

A method of measuring Q of a two port cavity by scattering parameters is described. The scattering parameters of a two port cavity resonator are derived by a lumped equivalent circuit model as a function of cavity parameters, including the cavity Q. These can be also obtained by direct measurement with a modern network analyzer. The results agree well with those from other well‐known methods. This two port measurement can provide additional information such as the coupled power ratio, which is one of the important parameters for the beam‐accelerating cavities.
Differences of fractional order

Derivatives of fractional order, D af, have been considered extensively in the literature. However, little attention seems to have been given to finite differences of frac- tional order, A af. In this paper, a definition of differences of arbitrary order is presented, and A af is computed for several specific functions f (Table 2.1). We find that the operator A a is closely related to the contour integral which defines Meijer's G-function. A Leibniz rule for the fractional difference of the product of two functions is discovered and used to gen- erate series expansions involving the special functions.
Quantitative NO2 molecular tagging velocimetry at 500 kHz frame rate

NO2 molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) is demonstrated at repetition rates as high as 500 kHz in a laboratory scale Mach 5 wind tunnel. A pulse burst laser and a home built optical parametric oscillator system were used to simultaneously generate the required 355 and 226 nm wavelengths for NO2 photodissociation (tagging) and NO planar laser induced fluorescence imaging (interrogation), respectively. NO2 MTV images were obtained both in front and behind the characteristic bow shock from a 5 mm diameter cylinder. From Gaussian curve fitting, an average free stream flow velocity of 719 m/s was obtained. Absolute statistical precision in velocity of ∼11.5 m/s was determined, corresponding to relative precision of 1.6%–5%, depending upon the region of the flow probed.
Canonical description of quantum dynamics

Some of the important non-classical aspects of quantum mechanics can be described in more intuitive terms if they are reformulated in a geometrical picture based on an extension of the classical phase space. This contribution presents various phase-space properties of moments describing a quantum state and its dynamics. An example of a geometrical reformulation of a non-classical quantum effect is given by an equivalence between conditions imposed by uncertainty relations and centrifugal barriers, respectively.
Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil and Surface Sediments of Meycauayan River, Philippines and Their Relationship to Environmental Indicators

ABSTRACT The City of Meycauayan is an industrial powerhouse in the Philippines. It is considered as one of the most polluted cities in the developing world on the account of industrial discharges of toxic materials to the environment. This work investigated the sources of the heavy metal pollution in Meycauayan by analyzing soil and sediment samples for heavy metals like Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) together with selected environmental indicators such as Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Organic Matter (TOM), and Total Phosphorus (TP) located along the Meycauayan River. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal components analysis (PCA), and Pearson correlation analysis (CA) were used to identify the sources of the metals. Our results show delineated locations of severe levels of heavy metal pollution downstream of the river because of the concentration of industrial activities. Cr is due to proliferation of tanneries discharging untreated wastewaters to the river. Significant input of Pb and Hg from Pb-acid battery recycling and gold smelting industries were also found. The risk assessments also indicate severe levels of heavy metal pollution in locations where industrial activities are concentrated. Our findings indicate that the heavy metals have similar impacts to K, TN, TOM, and TP in the soil and sediments. Our study shows the serious need to address heavy metal pollution in Meycauayan aside from the ongoing cleanup of solid wastes as part of rehabilitation efforts by the local government.
Satellite-derived heat content in the tropical Indian Ocean

Upper layer heat content (HC) in the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) extending from 40°E to 120°E and 20°S to 30°N was estimated from satellite observations of sea surface temperature and sea level anomaly (SLA). For this estimation, a regression relation was developed from long-period observations of subsurface temperature profiles derived by Argo floats. It was assumed that a reduced gravity approximation is appropriate for representing the oceanic upper layer. Satellite-based HC was computed on a monthly basis and was validated with various independent in situ observations in the TIO. The correlation between satellite and in situ estimates was found to be reasonably good. It was also found that signatures of several dipole events during the study period were well reflected in the estimates. Propagating features such as Kelvin and Rossby waves were also quite clearly visible in the corresponding Hovmoller diagrams.
Privacy-Preserving and Communication-Efficient Energy Prediction Scheme Based on Federated Learning for Smart Grids

Energy forecasting is important because it enables infrastructure planning and power dispatching while reducing power outages and equipment failures. It is well-known that federated learning (FL) can be used to build a global energy predictor for smart grids without revealing the customers’ raw data to preserve privacy. However, it still reveals local models’ parameters during the training process, which may still leak customers’ data privacy. In addition, for the global model to converge, it requires multiple training rounds, which must be done in a communication-efficient way. Moreover, most existing works only focus on load forecasting while neglecting energy forecasting in net-metering systems. To address these limitations, in this article, we propose a privacy-preserving and communication-efficient FL-based energy predictor for net-metering systems. Based on a data set for real power consumption/generation readings, we first propose a multidata-source hybrid deep learning (DL)-based predictor to accurately predict future readings. Then, we repurpose an efficient inner-product functional encryption (IPFE) scheme for implementing secure data aggregation to preserve the customers’ privacy by encrypting their models’ parameters during the FL training. To address communication efficiency, we use a change and transmit (CAT) approach to update local model’s parameters, where only the parameters with sufficient changes are updated. Our extensive studies demonstrate that our approach accurately predicts future readings while providing privacy protection and high communication efficiency.
Comparative protection of small ruminants against Mannheimia haemolytica infection by inactivated bacterin and toxoid vaccines

Background and Aim: Mannheimia haemolytica causes respiratory infection and mortality in sheep and goats, similar to the effects in cattle, which causes major economic damage. Regular vaccinations alongside good management practices remain the most efficient tools for controlling this disease. Indeed, vaccines against pasteurellosis are available, but results on their efficacy have varied. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of three vaccines against mannheimiosis in small ruminants. Materials and Methods: We evaluated three vaccines developed from a local field isolate based on the inactivated bacterium, its toxoid, and a mixture of bacterin/toxoid, which we then tested on sheep and goats. Selected criteria that were evaluated were safety, antibody response, and protection through a challenge. Post-vaccination monitoring was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The evaluation was based on antibody responses to vaccination in sheep and goats for both bacteria and leukotoxin. Protection was assessed by clinical and lesion scores after the challenge of vaccinated goats with a pathogenic strain. Results: The three tested vaccines were completely safe, did not cause any adverse reactions, and induced significant antibody titers in immunized animals. Following M. haemolytica challenge, unvaccinated goats showed clinical signs with lesions typical of the disease. Meanwhile, the best protection was obtained with the inactivated combined bacterin/toxoid vaccine. Conclusion: This study highlighted the effectiveness of adding a bacterial toxoid in the vaccine as a promising solution for preventing mannheimiosis in small ruminants. Because of the worldwide distribution of M. haemolytica infection, general prophylaxis based on a combined inactivated vaccine could greatly benefit.
Rapid and Localized Synthesis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on Flat Surface by Laser-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition

The synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) at a controlled position on a flat surface was demonstrated by laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The developed multilayer substrate including an energy-confining layer (ECL) enabled the efficient heating of catalysts on the surface, resulting in the rapid and localized syntheses of SWNTs. Using a Nd:YAG laser as a heat source, we achieved the rapid synthesis with laser irradiation for 1 s and the localized synthesis in an area of approximately 1 µm diameter. In addition, the scanning of the laser irradiation spot at a rate of 1 µm/s enabled the line-patterned synthesis of SWNTs at a linewidth of 2 µm. The resulting synthesis of SWNTs on a flat surface by laser-assisted CVD will lead to the easy and controllable fabrication of SWNT-based nanodevices.
Airy Beam Multifunctional Terahertz Metasurface

Airy beams in microwave and optical region have gained wide attention of researchers due to their remarkable non-diffractive, self-bending and self-healing properties. However, the analysis of Airy beams in terahertz wave band is less. In this letter, we proposed an Airy beam multifunctional terahertz metasurface which can achieve multiple functions under different polarized waves. Under the linearly polarized waves incidence, the designed metasurface generate Airy beams and autofocusing Airy beam. Meanwhile, the same metasurface can also realize diversified functions including focusing, multi-vortex beam, and focusing vortex beam under circularly polarized wave incidence. Our presented structure has potential applications in important scenarios such as biomedicine, imaging, holography, and terahertz multifunctional devices.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on college students with marginalized identities

This study sought to examine whether college students with marginalized identities have been disparately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with regard to perceived stress, social isolation, and pandemic-related concern, and whether this relationship was moderated by self-reported experiences of prejudice and/or discrimination. Nine hundred eighty three college students from 38 of the United States completed an online survey. Results showed that college students who were born after 1997 (i.e., Generation Z), sexual and gender minorities (SGM), and/or black, indigenous and/or people of color (BIPoC) reported more experiences of prejudice and discrimination than their peers as well as higher levels of perceived stress, social isolation, and pandemic-related concern. Furthermore, BIPoC students who also experienced prejudice and/or discrimination reported higher levels of pandemic-related concern than White students. Implications of these findings are discussed, including the need to support college students with marginalized identities as they cope with the short-term and long-term psychosocial impact of the pandemic.