Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electron momentum-transfer collision frequency measurements in small plasma objects via coherent microwave scattering

This paper presents the possibility of using coherent microwave scattering (CMS) for temporally resolved measurements of the electron momentum-transfer collision frequency in small plasma objects. Specifically, the electron collision frequency is inferred via phase information from microwave scattering off microplasmas operating in the mixed collisional-Thomson scattering regime. We further suggest the combination of phase and amplitude measurements to derive total electron counts and temperatures in small plasmas. An experimental validation of this concept is performed by 10.5 GHz CMS off laser-induced, variable-pressure oxygen and air plasmas.
Long circulating polymeric nanoparticles of gemcitabine HCl using PLGA-PEG-PPG-PEG block co-polymer

Abstract In this study, Gemcitabine (GEM) HCl is loaded in long-circulating polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) using PLGA- PEG-PPG-PEG in combination with succinic anhydride (SA) to overcome issues of rapid metabolism. The optimized batch had size of 230.9 nm, zeta potential of −15.4 mV, and a high entrapment efficiency (EE) of 69.69%. The in vitro drug release was sustained up to 72 h. The IC50 values for the MDA-MB-231 cancer cells for free GEM, GP NPs, and GS NPs were 110.47, 91.23, and 78.25 µM. The pharmacokinetic study of the formulated NPs on Sprague Dawley rats confirmed long circulation up to 72 h. Graphical Abstract In-vivo fate of Gem conventional injectable formulation Vs Presently developed GEM loaded SA-PLGA-PEG-PPG-PEG Nanoparticles (GS NPs)
Nonuniform Sampled-Data Control for Synchronization of Semi-Markovian Jump Stochastic Complex Dynamical Networks with Time-Varying Delays

In this paper, the problem of exponential synchronization of semi-Markov jump stochastic complex dynamical networks using nonuniform sampled-data control with random delayed information exchanges among dynamical nodes are discussed. In particular, it is considered that random delayed information exchanges follow a Bernoulli distribution, in which stochastic variables are used to model randomness. To achieve exponential synchronization, we designed a nonuniform sampled-data control approach. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and using the Wirtinger inequality, sufficient criteria were obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, numerical examples were implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed design techniques.
New Product Development Process Execution, Integration Mechanisms, Capabilities and Outcomes: Evidence from Chinese High‐Technology Ventures

This study examines new product development (NPD) processes in high-technology new product ventures in the emerging market context. Drawing upon the knowledge-based view and the capability-based view, we propose a model that characterizes relationships between NPD process execution stages and product competitive advantage, and accounts for the moderating effects of NPD integration mechanisms on these relationships. Our model also explains how pricing capabilities can become a liability that undermines how product advantage impacts new product performance. We test this framework within an emerging market context that has been notably absent from the literature. Our data are generated from 187 new product projects and a follow-up of 83 projects, from Chinese high-technology ventures. We identify important theoretical interdependencies within our structural model results. Specifically, marketing–technical integration positively moderates the relationship between product development and testing capability and commercialization capability, while new product implementation capability positively moderates the relationship of commercialization capability and product competitive advantage. Yet, penetration pricing capability negatively moderates the link between product competitive advantage and new product performance.
Churn-Tolerant Leader Election Protocols

Classical leader election protocols typically assume complete and correct knowledge of underlying membership lists at all participating nodes. Yet many edge and IoT settings are dynamic, with nodes joining, leaving, and failing continuously―a phenomenon called churn. This implies that in any membership protocol, a given node's membership list may have entries that are missing (e.g., false positive detections, or newly joined nodes whose information has not spread yet) or stale (e.g., failed nodes that are undetected)―these would render classical election protocols incorrect. We present a family of four leader election protocols that are churn-tolerant (or c-tolerant). The key ideas are to: i) involve the minimum number of nodes necessary to achieve safety; ii) use optimism so that decisions are made faster when churn is low; iii) incorporate a preference for electing healthier nodes as leaders. We prove the correctness and safety of our c-tolerant protocols and show their message complexity is optimal. We present experimental results from both a trace-driven simulation as well as our implementation atop Raspberry Pi devices, including a comparison against Zookeeper.
Searching for the Donor Stars of ULX Pulsars

We report on our search for the optical counterparts of two ultraluminous X-ray pulsars with known orbital periods, M82 X-2 and NGC 5907 X-1, in new and archival Hubble Space Telescope observations, in an effort to characterize the donor stars in these systems. We detect five near-infrared sources consistent with the position of M82 X-2 that are too bright to be single stars. We also detect seven sources in the WFC3/UVIS F336W image whose photometry matches that of 10–15 M⊙ stars turning off the main sequence. Such stars have densities consistent with the properties of the donor star of M82 X-2 as inferred from X-ray timing analysis, although it is also possible that the donor is a lower-mass star below our detection limit or that there is a significant contribution from the accretion disk to the optical emission. We detect three candidate counterparts to NGC 5907 X-1 in the near-infrared. All of these are too bright to be the donor star of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX), which, based on its orbital period, is a red giant. The high background at the location of NGC 5907 X-1 precludes us from detecting this expected donor star. The recently discovered NGC 5907 ULX-2 also falls within the field of view of the near-infrared imaging; we detect four sources in the error circle, with photometry that matches asymptotic giant branch stars. The star suggested to be the counterpart of NGC 5907 ULX-2 by Pintore et al. falls outside our 2σ error circle.
Sharp results on convergence rates for the distribution of GI/M/1/K queues as K tends to infinity

In this paper, we investigate how fast the stationary distribution π (K) of an embedded Markov chain (time-stationary distribution q (K) of the GI/M/1/K queue converges to the stationary distribution π of the embedded Markov chain (time-stationary distribution q ) of the GI/M/1 queue as K tends to infinity. Simonot (1997) proved certain equalities. We obtain sharper results than these by finding limit values lim K→∞σ-K ||π(K) - π|| and lim K→∞σ-K || q (K) - q || explicitly.
A Monocular-Visual SLAM System with Semantic and Optical-Flow Fusion for Indoor Dynamic Environments

A static environment is a prerequisite for the stable operation of most visual SLAM systems, which limits the practical use of most existing systems. The robustness and accuracy of visual SLAM systems in dynamic environments still face many complex challenges. Only relying on semantic information or geometric methods cannot filter out dynamic feature points well. Considering the problem of dynamic objects easily interfering with the localization accuracy of SLAM systems, this paper proposes a new monocular SLAM algorithm for use in dynamic environments. This improved algorithm combines semantic information and geometric methods to filter out dynamic feature points. Firstly, an adjusted Mask R-CNN removes prior highly dynamic objects. The remaining feature-point pairs are matched via the optical-flow method and a fundamental matrix is calculated using those matched feature-point pairs. Then, the environment’s actual dynamic feature points are filtered out using the polar geometric constraint. The improved system can effectively filter out the feature points of dynamic targets. Finally, our experimental results on the TUM RGB-D and Bonn RGB-D Dynamic datasets showed that the proposed method could improve the pose estimation accuracy of a SLAM system in a dynamic environment, especially in the case of high indoor dynamics. The performance effect was better than that of the existing ORB-SLAM2. It also had a higher running speed than DynaSLAM, which is a similar dynamic visual SLAM algorithm.
Should I be bothered or not? Development of the Environmental Attitudes Scale (EAS)

The aim of this paper was to develop a reliable scale evaluating values, beliefs and attitudes towards the environment, and to test its basic psychometric properties relative to its employment in Serbia. The final sample included 1020 participants (46.9% male and 53.1% female), aged from 18 to 86 (M = 39.29, SD = 15.77). All the participants completed the demographic questionnaire (age, sex, region, education, work and economic status), and the EAS scale. This final scale included 36 items grouped into five dimensions explaining 50.4% of the total variance: Love of nature and Environmental concern 11.36%, Preservation measures 11.25%, Personal conservation practice and activism 10.72%, Population growth policies 8.87%, and Instrumentalism with 7.84% of the variance explained. EAS showed internal consistency α = . 80, ranging from . 75 to . 81 for the subfactors, the split-half (Spearman-Brown) coefficient of validity was . 75, and test-retest r = . 79. Results confirmed three second-order factors: Personal factor 44.92%, Institutional measures and policies 20.41% and Instrumentalism with 15.95% of the variance explained (in total 81.27%).
A Steady-state Spectral Model for Electron Acceleration and Cooling in Blazar Jets: Application to 3C 279

We introduce a new theoretical model to describe the emitting region in a blazar jet. We adopt a one-zone leptonic picture and construct the particle transport equation for a plasma blob experiencing low-energy, monoenergetic particle injection, energy-dependent particle escape, shock acceleration, adiabatic expansion, stochastic acceleration, synchrotron radiation, and external Compton radiation from the dust torus and broad-line region (BLR). We demonstrate that a one-zone leptonic model is able to explain the IR though -ray spectrum for 3C 279 in 2008–2009. We determine that the BLR seed photons cannot be adequately described by a single average distribution, but rather we find that a stratified BLR provides an improvement in the estimation of the distance of the emitting region from the black hole. We calculate that the jet is not always in equipartition between the particles and magnetic field and find that stochastic acceleration provides more energy to the particles than does shock acceleration, where the latter is also overshadowed by adiabatic losses. We further introduce a novel technique to implement numerical boundary conditions and determine the global normalization for the electron distribution, based on analysis of stiff ordinary differential equations. Our astrophysical results are compared with those obtained by previous authors.
Electrical transport between epitaxial manganites and carbon nanotubes

The possibility of performing spintronics at the molecular level may be realized in devices that combine fully spin polarized oxides, such as manganites with carbon nanotubes. However, it is not clear whether electrical transport between such different material systems is viable. Here, we show that the room-temperature conductance of manganite-nanotube-manganite devices is only one-half of the value recorded in similar palladium-nanotube-palladium devices. Interestingly, the former shows a gap in the conductivity below the relatively high temperature of 200 K. Our results suggest the possibility of new spintronics heterostructures that exploit fully spin polarized sources and drains.
Galaxy interactions - poor starburst triggers

We report on a study of tidally triggered star formation in galaxies, based on spectroscopic/photometric observations in the optical/near-IR of a magnitude limited sample of 59 systems of interacting and merging galaxies and a comparison sample of 38 normal isolated galaxies. In contrast to results from previous investigations, our global UBV colours do not support a significant enhancement of starforming activity in the interacting/merging galaxies. We claim that this is true also for Arp galaxies. A moderate increase in star formation is found in the very centres of the interacting galaxies contributing marginally to the total luminosity. The interacting and in particular the merging galaxies are characterized by increased far infrared (hereafter FIR) luminosities and temperatures that weakly correlate with the central activity. The L(FIR)/L(B) ratio however, is remarkably similar in the two samples, indicating that true starbursts normally are not hiding in the central regions of the FIR luminous cases. The gas mass-to-luminosity ratio in optical-IR is practically independent of luminosity, lending further support to the paucity of true massive starburst galaxies triggered by interactions/mergers. Our conclusion is that interacting and merging galaxies, from the global star formation aspect, generally do not differ dramatically from scaled up versions of normal, isolated galaxies. No drastic change with redshift is expected.
Measurements of Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect Scaling Relations for Clusters of Galaxies

We present new measurements of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect from clusters of galaxies using the second-generation Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Infrared Experiment (SuZIE II). We combine these new measurements with previous cluster observations with the SuZIE instrument to form a sample of 15 clusters of galaxies. For this sample we calculate the central Comptonization y0 and the integrated SZ flux decrement S for each of our clusters. We find that the integrated SZ flux is a more robust observable derived from our measurements than the central Comptonization because of inadequacies in the spatial modeling of the intracluster gas with a standard β-model. This is highlighted by comparing our central Comptonization results with values calculated from measurements using the BIMA and OVRO interferometers. On average, the SuZIE-calculated central Comptonizations are ~60% higher in the cooling flow clusters than the interferometric values, compared to only ~12% higher in the non-cooling flow clusters. We believe this discrepancy to be in large part due to the spatial modeling of the intracluster gas. From our cluster sample we construct y0-T and S-T scaling relations. The y0-T scaling relation is inconsistent with what we would expect for self-similar clusters; however, this result is questionable because of the large systematic uncertainty in y0. The S-T scaling relation has a slope and redshift evolution consistent with what we expect for self-similar clusters, with a characteristic density that scales with the mean density of the universe. We rule out zero-redshift evolution of the S-T relation at ~90% confidence.
Gamma-rays from SS433: evidence for periodicity

In this paper we present our study of the gamma-ray emission from the microquasar SS433. Integrating over 9 yr of Fermi-LAT Pass 8 data, we detect SS433 with a significance of ∼13σ in the 200 to 500 MeV photon energy range, with evidence for an extension in the direction of the w1 X-ray ‘hotspot’. A temporal analysis reveals evidence for modulation of SS433’s gamma-ray emission with the precession period of its relativistic jet. This suggests that at least some of SS433’s gamma-ray emission originates close to the object rather than from the jet termination regions.
The evolution of overdense regions in cluster gas.

The paper considers the evolution of overdense regions in cooling flows, with particular emphasis on nonlinear thermal instability and associated mass deposition. The effects of ram pressure drag, magnetic fields and large-amplitude perturbations are included. In the absence of fragmentation, almost all small overdensity perturbations evolve towards a stable size-overdensity relation. The mass spectrum of such blobs is calculated. As the gas flows inwards the blobs fragment and the least massive perturbations become unstable and are injected into the flow; thus the mass spectrum of inhomogeneities generated by the inflow is known.
Degeneracy Loci, Pfaffians, and Vexillary Signed Permutations in Types B, C, and D

We define a notion of vexillary signed permutation in types B, C, and D, corresponding to natural degeneracy loci for vector bundles with symmetries of those types. We show that the classes of these loci are given by explicit Pfaffian formulas. The Grassmannian formulas of Kazarian are important special cases, and the corresponding double Schubert polynomials of Ikeda, Mihalcea, and Naruse are shown to be equal to these Pfaffians.
A Novel Discrete Hybrid Dual Random SVPWM Scheme for Reducing PMSM Harmonic Intensity

Aiming at suppressing the switching frequen- cy harmonics, a novel discrete hybrid dual random control (DHDRC) technique is proposed in this article. Based on the space vector pulsewidth modulation (SVPWM) strategy, the DHDRC-SVPWM technique is applied to randomize the switching period and pulse position by selecting dual discrete random factors from predefined discrete sequences. Accordingly, the original switching narrowband harmonic energy of SVPWM is extended to a wide range of frequencies. To analyze the harmonic dispersion degree quantitatively, the power spectrum is deduced to assess the performance of the discrete random SVPWM. Then, the connection between the discrete sequence and the harmonic energy distribution is obtained under random variables following a discrete uniform distribution. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed technique significantly expands harmonic clusters in the frequency domain, thereby reducing the harmonic intensity. The present study provides a reference to investigate random SVPWM and improve electromagnetic interference and noise in power converters.
Compact astrophysical objects in modified gravity

Twenty years have passed since the discovery of the accelerated expansion of the Universe, reviving the interest for alternative theories of gravity. Adding a scalar degree of freedom to the usual metric of general relativity is one of the simplest ways to modify our gravitational theory. In parallel, our knowledge about black holes and neutron stars is booming, notably thanks to the advent of gravitational wave astronomy. This thesis is at the crossroads between the two fields, investigating the properties of compact objects in extended scalar-tensor theories. We start by reviewing essential no-hair results established since the seventies. After discussing the no-hair theorem proposed for black holes in Horndeski theory, we present its extension to stars. The second part of the thesis investigates in detail the various ways to circumvent this theorem. These notably include solutions with a time-dependent scalar field in order to match cosmological evolution, but also static and asymptotically flat configurations. In a third part, we establish an important stability criterion for these solutions, based on their causal structure. It is also the occasion to study the propagation of gravitational waves in black hole environments, and to select the theories where gravitational waves travel at the same speed as light.
Doubling the cube: A new interpretation of its significance for early greek geometry

It is widely known that Hippocrates of Chios reduced the problem of doubling the cube to the problem of finding two mean proportionals between two given lines. Nothing, however, is known about how this reduction was justified. To answer this question, propositions and patterns of arguments in Books VI, XI, and XII of the Elements are examined. A reconstruction modelled after Archimedes' On Sphere and Cylinder, Proposition II-1, is proposed, and its plausibility is discussed.
R 2 Measures Based on Wald and Likelihood Ratio Joint Significance Tests

Abstract Two methods are suggested for generating R 2 measures for a wide class of models. These measures are linked to the R 2 of the standard linear regression model through Wald and likelihood ratio statistics for testing the joint significance of the explanatory variables. Some currently used R 2's are shown to be special cases of these methods.
Cosmological zoo—accelerating models with dark energy

Recent observations of type Ia supernovae indicate that the Universe is in an accelerating phase of expansion. The fundamental quest in theoretical cosmology is to identify the origin of this phenomenon. In principle there are two possibilities: (1) the presence of matter which violates the strong energy condition (a substantial form of dark energy) or (2) modified Friedmann equations (Cardassian models—a non-substantial form of dark matter). We classify all these models in terms of two-dimensional dynamical systems of the Newtonian type. We search for generic properties of the models. It is achieved with the help of Peixoto’s theorem for dynamical systems on the Poincaré sphere. We find that the notion of structural stability can be useful to distinguish the generic cases of evolutional paths with acceleration. We find that, while the ΛCDM models and phantom models are typical accelerating models, the cosmological models with bouncing phase are non-generic in the space of all planar dynamical systems. We derive the universal shape of the potential function which gives rise to presently accelerating models. Our results show explicitly the advantages of using the potential function (instead of the equation of state) to probe the origin of the present acceleration. We argue that simplicity and genericity are the best guide in understanding our Universe and its acceleration.
Large electromechanical coupling factor film bulk acoustic resonator with X-cut LiNbO3 layer transfer

As layer transfer techniques have been notably improved in the past years, lithium niobate (LiNbO3) appears as a candidate for the next generation of ultrawide band radio frequency (rf) filters. Depending on the crystalline orientation, LiNbO3 can achieve electromechanical coupling factors Kt2 more than six times larger than those of sputtered aluminum nitride films. In this letter, a process based on direct bonding, grinding, polishing, and deep reactive ion etching is proposed to fabricate a single crystal LiNbO3 film bulk acoustic resonator. From the fabricated test vehicles, Kt2 of 43% is measured confirming the values predicted by theoretical computations.