Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geo-indistinguishable masking: enhancing privacy protection in spatial point mapping

ABSTRACT Spatial point mapping is a useful practice in exploratory point pattern analysis, but it poses significant privacy risks as the identity of individuals may be revealed from the maps. Geomasking methods have been developed to mitigate the risks by displacing spatial points before mapping. However, many of these methods rely on a weak privacy notion called spatial k-anonymity, which is insufficient to withstand the growing amount of spatial data (e.g. land use) that adversaries can use as side information to infer the actual locations of individuals. We proposes a method called geo-indistinguishable masking to address this issue by relying on a strong privacy notion called geo-indistinguishability. This notion ensures consistent levels of privacy protection regardless of any side information. The method consists of two steps. The first step involves creating a masking area for each spatial point to include a set of candidate locations to which the point can be relocated. In the second step, we formulate an optimization model to ensure the masked locations satisfy geo-indistinguishability while minimizing the distance displaced. Computational experiments on a synthetic dataset demonstrate that our proposed method is both efficient and effective in providing strong privacy protection while preserving the spatial point patterns.
Validity and reliability study of the quality of recovery scale in Turkish

Background/aim The aim of this study was to adapt the “Quality of Recovery-15 Scale”, developed to measure the postoperative recovery quality of individuals, into Turkish by carrying out validity and reliability studies. Materials and methods This methodological study was conducted with a total of 150 patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia between November 2021 and January 2022 in a training and research hospital in the Black Sea region. Data was collected from the patients through the face-to-face interview method before the operation, on the 24th and the 48th hour postoperatively. First, the linguistic validity of the scale and then the validity and reliability analyses were carried out. Construct validity, confirmatory factor, and reliability analyses were then performed. Results The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.851. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test for goodness of fit of the one-dimensional 14-item scale was 0.853 and Bartlett’s test was significant. The goodness of fit values of the scale were found to be RMSEA = 0.149, CFI = 0.769, and GFI = 0.745, and they were considered acceptable levels. The eighth item was removed from the scale, which had originally consisted of 15 items, because the item correlation coefficient of this item was <0.200. Conclusion The “Quality of Recovery Scale” was found to be a reliable and valid scale that can be used to measure the quality of recovery after surgery in Turkish society.
Spatial metrics of deforestation in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Climate change has become an environmental issue that has received the most attention because it affects all aspects of life. One of the factors causing climate change is deforestation which continues to occur, especially in tropical countries like Indonesia. Indonesia is a country that has a high rate of deforestation that occurs in large islands including the island of Sulawesi as the Wallacea Region. Central Sulawesi Province has had the largest area of deforestation among other provinces on Sulawesi Island in the last three decades (1990-2020). Analysis of the rate of deforestation using the Geographic Information System shows that the highest deforestation rate occurred in Palu City at 2.16% (1990-2020), even in the last decade (2010-2020) the rate of deforestation was 3.31%. After that, it was followed by Banggai Islands Regency at 0.17%, while other districts were at rates below 0.1% (1990-2020). Palu City and Banggai Islands Regency are also a concern, further information after the rate of deforestation is the pattern of deforestation which is described through three metrics, namely Clumpiness Index, Contiguity Mean Index, and Patch Density which describes fragmentation using Fragstat software. Palu City has a clustered deforestation pattern and is entirely connected to each deforested area, but it has lower fragmentation. Banggai Islands District has fairly clustered deforestation, but does not have low connectivity between deforested areas, and tends not to be fragmented. Dealing with deforestation incidents in Palu City as a whole land area, and Banggai Islands Regency as a separate land area is different.
The more intra-firm equity, the higher employee retention: Evidence from the universo of urban firms in Colombia

Fairness and equity considerations may influence workers’ decision to stay or quit their jobs. This paper tests several hypotheses derived from theory on the relation between intra-firm equity and employee retention. It uses administrative data covering the universe of urban firms in Colombia between 2008 and 2016. The average wage of the firm, the intra-firm dispersion of real wage adjustments, and the share of women in the firm are significantly associated with retention rates in the directions predicted by theory. The intra-firm wage gap is directly associated with retention, at odds with theory. The results suggest that equity considerations are important in employees’ decision to stay or quit.
Cluster-Disjoint Multipath Routing Protocol for Real-Time and Reliable Packet Transmission in Wireless Sensor Networks

Multipath routing protocol, which is one of the typical schemes to improve end-to-end transmission success ratio in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), exploits two or more paths. However, collisions and interference might occur when each path is adjacent. To prevent this problem, they construct node- or link-disjointed paths. Although the paths could prevent the above-mentioned problem, it still has an issue in the area of time delay. To exploit the disjointed paths, pre-path construction is required. In addition, a lot of time is incurred to recover the whole path when the part of the path is damaged. This phenomenon adversely affects the end-to-end transmission success ratio and transmission time. To alleviate this problem, we propose a cluster-disjoint multipath routing protocol. The proposed scheme divides the whole network into grid clusters of a certain size in the network initialization phase. Each sensor could transmit packets through the pre-constructed cluster structure without the path construction phase. Also, even if any node fails, it could be easily replaced by other nodes within the cluster region. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme has an advantage in terms of transmission delay and end-to-end transmission success ratio compared to existing multipath routing protocols.
Associations between Changes in Food Acquisition Behaviors, Dietary Intake, and Bodyweight during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Low-Income Parents in California

COVID-19 disrupted food access, potentially increasing nutritional risk and health inequities. This study aimed to describe and assess associations between changes in food/meal acquisition behaviors and relative changes in dietary intake and bodyweight from before to during the pandemic. Low-income parents (n = 1090) reported these changes by online survey in April–August 2021. Associations were assessed by multinomial logistic regression. Compared to those with no change, those who decreased supermarket shopping had greater odds of decreased fruit and vegetable (FV; OR[95%CI] = 2.4[1.4–4.1]) and increased salty snack intakes (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.0–2.8]). Those who decreased farmer’s market shopping had greater odds of decreased FV intake (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.0–3.1]), increased bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.1–2.6]), and increased SSB (OR[95%CI] = 1.9[1.1–3.2]) and sweets intakes (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.1–2.9]). Those who increased online food ordering had greater odds of increased sweets (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.1–2.8]), salty snacks (OR[95%CI] = 1.9[1.2–3.2]), and fast food (OR[95%CI] = 2.0[1.2–3.5]) intakes and bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.1–2.9]). Those who increased healthy meal preparation had greater odds of increased FV intake (OR[95%CI] = 4.0[2.5–6.5]), decreased SSB (OR[95%CI] = 3.7[2.3–6.0]), sweets (OR[95%CI] = 2.7[1.6–4.4]), salty snacks (OR[95%CI] = 3.0[1.8–5]) and fast food intakes (OR[95%CI] = 2.8[1.7–4.6]) and bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 2.2[1.2–4.0]). Interventions to address the potentially negative impacts of online food/meal shopping and support healthy home cooking may be needed to improve nutrition-related outcomes and reduce health disparities in the aftermath of the current pandemic and during future emergencies requiring similar restrictions.
Predicting the weld zones size in FSSW of 304L stainless steel plates by mathematical model based on RSM

The 300 series austenitic stainless steels are widely used in industries due to their special properties. High heat in fusion welding reduces the properties of these steels and causes many problems. Therefore, stir friction spot welding, which is a type of solid state welding, is useful and widely used in high-tech industries. In this paper, a 3D dynamic explicit finite element model is developed to simulate the friction stir spot welding of 304L stainless steel plates. Using this model, the temperature distribution and the size of weld zones (thickness of weld zones) are obtained. Then, by experimental study, the results of the temperature and the size of weld zones were obtained to be a criterion for comparing and validating the numerical results. Microstructure and hardness of these zones are determined experimentally. Finally, a mathematical model based on the response surface methodology is proposed to predict the size of weld zones. Good agreement between the numerical results that are produced by the finite element simulation, the proposed model and the experimental data is observed. The results show the maximum temperature level appears in the stir zone and it reduces by moving from the weld center. Also, by increasing the rotational speed, plunging depth and dwell time of the tool, the size of both the stir zone and the heat affected zone increase to a peak value and then the size of the latter zone decreases.
A new UHP metamorphic complex in the ~1.8 Ga Nagssugtoqidian Orogen of West Greenland

Abstract The Nagssugtoqidian Orogen is a ca. 1.8 Ga belt of east-west trending, highly deformed rocks that bisects central Greenland. Although a variety of data have suggested this belt marks the location of a continent-continent collision zone, evidence of subduction has been lacking. We report here mineralogical evidence from four samples within a well-defined lithologic unit of metabasic and metasedimentary ocean floor rocks of a previously unrecognized UHP metamorphic episode. The UHP episode is recorded by remnants of orthopyroxene exsolved from majoritic garnet, graphitized diamond, exsolution of rutile from garnet and pyroxenes, exsolution of magnetite from olivine, and complex exsolution textures in ortho- and clinopyroxenes (including omphacite). Associated with these mineralogical features is an unusual occurrence of quartz needles in Mn-rich fayalite. From textural characteristics, we infer that the quartz needles exsolved from the fayalite. To our knowledge, olivine with exsolved silica has not been reported. We note, however, that experimental studies have shown that b-spinel can incorporate excess silica. We therefore speculate these quartz needles may be silica that exsolved from Mn-rich ahrensite, the Fe analog of ringwoodite, upon decompression and inversion to fayalite. If correct, this occurrence would be the first reported sample of naturally occurring olivine (fayalite) that inverted from ahrensite. Corroborating an early UHP history are reaction relationships that delineate a path through high-pressure and high-temperature conditions during decompression. P-T conditions inferred for the UHP episode are ~7 GPa at ~975 °C. The unusually low T for this UHP system at ~1.8 Ga may reflect either very rapid subduction rates at that time, or unexpectedly cool mantle conditions. Preservation of the UHP assemblages probably is due, in large part, to the exceptionally low aH2O during decompression and cooling. These UHP rocks establish that the location of the subduction and suture zones that must have existed prior to and during the collision of continents was along what is now the northern edge of the Nordre Strømfjord shear zone.
Quantifying distribution in carbon uptake and environmental measurements with the Gini coefficient

The Gini coefficient is a measure used in economics to evaluate the equitability of the distribution of a resource across a population. This project applied the Gini coefficient as a classification method for a decade-long data set consisting of environmental observations and carbon flux data for a coniferous forest in Finland. Our results show consistency in the Gini coefficient for environmental variables, even with interannual variation in the measurements during the carbon uptake period or when the ecosystem is absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. The Gini coefficient calculations showed this ecosystem has an inequitable distribution of carbon uptake and release within the carbon uptake period, which is comparable to the inequitable distribution of temperature and precipitation during the same time period. We also calculated the percentage of the carbon uptake period that has passed for different cumulative proportions of a measurement. Future applications of the Gini coefficient to other ecosystems will enhance knowledge of the distribution of environmental and flux measurements across the carbon uptake period.
Factors influencing the cultivated land abandonment of households of different types:A case study of 12 typical villages in Chongqing Municipality

In recent years, land abandonment has become a great concern in academia, as it has linkages with cropland loss and grain security. The study on the drivers and determinants of cultivated land abandonment will help the policy makers to formulate better land use planning, land consolidation and land program. Most studies take farmers as a whole, while few consider the difference among farmers' behaviors of cultivated land abandonment. This paper analyzes the difference on farmers' behaviors of cultivated land abandonment based on household survey and land plot survey in 12 typical villages of Chongqing, and explores of the factors influencing the cultivated land abandonment by adopting multivariate linear regression model. The results indicate that: 1) There are many differences among different household types in the proportion of abandoned households, abandoned area per household, the proportion of abandoned area accounted for contracted land area changed with farming radius, current status of cultivated land abandonment and the differences of cultivated land abandonment in different years; 2) The damage from wild animal and cultivated land area per capita are the common causes for cultivated land abandonment of households of different types. For type basic households, the experiences of outgoing of household head, farming radius and distance from the town are the main causes for cultivated land abandonment. The proportion of agricultural labor, the experiences of outgoing of household head, area of each plot size and cultivated land revenue have negative influences on cultivated land abandonment for type natural asset households. In addition, family population, non- farm income, farming radius and farmland transfer area affect cultivated land abandonment for type manpower asset households.
Improving lidar-based forest structure mapping with crown-level pit removal

Lidar canopy height models (CHMs) often appear noisy usually due to large height variations within crowns called pitted pixels (or intra-canopy gaps). Forest structure mapping derived from these data may be erroneous since the presence of pitted pixels can distort the different statistical attributes calculated from the noisy CHM. In this paper, a robust algorithm called adaptive mean filter (AMF) has been developed to deal with the pitted pixels over CHMs. The algorithm adaptively detects pitted pixels within a 3 × 3 window by calculating a similarity index (SI) and comparing this value with the normalised value of the central pixel. Then a preset window size is used to fill the pitted pixels. The results of this filter using four preset window sizes were compared with other published filters for both individual tree and plot-level data in a pine plantation. The results show AMF can perform more efficiently than other filters for pitted pixel removal since it can fill up to 97 percent of pitted pixels while simultaneously preserving the maximum height values. Moreover, applying this pit filling method on the pitted CHM can significantly decrease the error of estimation of basal area and stand volume estimates by 10 percent. Finally, the overall accuracy of pine plantation structure estimates can be improved up to 17.7 percent using the CHM filtered by the AMF method compared to that derived from a pitted CHM.
Finding, Characteristics and Significances of Qulong Superlarge Porphyry Copper (Molybdenum) Deposit, Tibet

Qulong porphyry copper(molybdenum) deposit, which is located in the arc-basin transform place between the magma arc of eastern Gangdise and Riduo basin, controlled by basin-controlled, rock-controlled structure in basin edge, and formed in instantaneous transition environment of transform from convergent to extension, is the most potential superlarge deposit in ore-finding and its finding is the important breakthrough in the exploration process of porphyry deposit in eastern belt of Gangdise Mountain. The ore fluid of Qulong porphyry copper(molybdenum) deposit is composed of saturation and supersaturation brine-steam boiling fluids; its distribution characteristics of wall rock alteration include centering by porphyry, surfacing, and annular zone; it has undergone mineralization of 3 periods including 5 phases. It is found that the copper mineralization correlates with anhydrition and sericitization. This paper also probes into some key science issues which call for further studies and attention.
Klotho in Cancer: Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Applications

Klotho proteins, αKlotho, βKlotho, and γKlotho, exert tumor-suppressive activities via the fibroblast growth factor receptors and multiple cell-signaling pathways. There is a growing interest in Klotho proteins as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for multiple diseases. However, recent advances regarding their roles and potential applications in cancer remain disperse and require an integrated analysis. The present review analyzed research articles published between 2012 and 2022 in the Cochrane and Scopus scientific databases to study the role of Klotho in cancer and their potential as tools for diagnosing specific cancer types, predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis. Twenty-six articles were selected, dealing with acute myeloid leukemia and with bladder, breast, colorectal, esophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, ovarian, pancreatic, prostatic, pulmonary, renal, and thyroid cancers. αKlotho was consistently associated with improved prognosis and may be useful in estimating patient survival. A single study reported the use of soluble αKlotho levels in blood serum as a tool to aid the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. γKlotho was associated with increased aggressiveness of bladder, breast, and prostate cancer, and βKlotho showed mixed results. Further clinical development of Klotho-based assays will require careful identification of specific tumor subtypes where Klotho proteins may be most valuable as diagnostic or prognostic tools.
Architectural Security Regulation

Across the world, governments are instituting regulations with the goal of improving the state of computer security. In this paper, we propose how security regulation can be formulated and implemented at the architectural level. Our proposal, called FAIRSHARE, requires architects to spend a pre-determined fraction of system resources (e.g., execution cycles) towards security but leaves the decision of how and where to spend this budget up to the architects of these systems. We discuss how this can elevate security and outline the key architectural support necessary to implement such a solution. Our work is the first work at the intersection of architecture and regulation.
Spherical CaCO3: Synthesis, Characterization, Surface Modification and Efficacy as a Reinforcing Filler in Natural Rubber Composites

Natural rubber (NR), an important natural polymer derived from the Hevea brasiliensis tree, has been widely used in the rubber industry owing to its excellent elastic properties. However, it requires reinforcing fillers to improve its mechanical properties for the manufacturing of rubber products. Generally, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is employed as a non-reinforcing filler. This work aimed to synthesize spherical-shaped CaCO3 at a submicrometric scale without and with surface treatment and explore its utilization as a reinforcing filler in NR composites. The morphological shape and polymorphic phase of CaCO3 were investigated using SEM, TEM, XRD, ATR-FTIR and Raman techniques. The mechanical properties of various amounts (0 to 60 phr) of CaCO3-filled NR composites were explored. As a result, the NR/treated CaCO3 composites provided higher tensile strength than the NR/untreated CaCO3 composites and pure NR at all filler loadings. This may have been due to the improved interfacial interaction between NR and CaCO3 with the improved hydrophobicity of CaCO3 after treatment with olive soap. The optimal filler loading was 20 phr for the highest tensile strength of the rubber composites. In addition, the elongation at break of the NR/treated CaCO3 was slightly decreased. Evidence from SEM and FTIR revealed the vaterite polymorph and shape stability of CaCO3 particles in the NR matrix. The results demonstrate that the particle size and surface treatment of the filler have essential effects on the mechanical property enhancement of the rubber composites. Synthesized spherical CaCO3 could be a potential reinforcing filler with broader application in polymer composites.
Preheating and Humidification of the Combustion Air to Increase the Hot Water Boiler Efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the most pressing topics now. Energy consumption in-creases as living standards rise. Efficient heat production, i.e. efficient use of energy, is achieved with optimal boiler load. The second pressing issue is the protection of the environment from pollution. The process of burning different types of fuels to produce heat or energy results in emissions that can have negative impacts on the environment. One of the solutions to improve air quality is to reduce emissions from heating plants during their production. The scientific paper considers the possibility of a preheating and humidification for combustion air system to increase the efficiency of the boiler and reduce the amount of harmful emissions in flue gases. The boiler efficiency values were calculated before and after the installation of the preheating and humidification system for the combustion air, and measurements of the flue gas analysis were carried out using a Testo 350 flue gas analyzer. Calculations and measurements for flue gas analysis have shown that the combustion air preheating and humidification system increases the boiler house efficiency by 15 % and re-duces nitrogen oxide emissions by 70 %.