Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of concert hall measurements of spatial impression

Two different types of measures of spatial impression, lateral energy fractions and interaural cross correlations, were measured at a number of locations in 14 different concert halls. The mean and range of the hall‐average values of these quantities give an indication of typical conditions to be expected in other larger concert halls. Comparisons of hall‐average values of the two types of quantities showed them to be significantly related at medium and lower frequencies in good agreement with theoretical expectations. Individual position measurements were less well related and showed that other factors had a major influence on the individual position measurements. In some halls the two types of quantities varied quite differently with increasing source–receiver distance. At a particular seat location, the two types of measures cannot always give similar indications of expected spatial impression. Calculating hall‐average values from a small number of measurement locations is shown to introduce significan.
On gravity wave induced Brunt-Vaisala oscillations

Airglow oscillations (mostly 5577-A oxygen emission) which show a short-period (4–10 min) oscillation superimposed on a long-period oscillation (several hours) have frequently been observed. Some data show that the short-period oscillation is ‘excited’ by the long-period oscillation as the latter increases in amplitude. The effects often occur in the absence of impulsive energy sources. We propose a model in which the short-period oscillation is relatively localized and is associated with the natural (Brunt-Vaisala) oscillation of the atmosphere. This oscillation is triggered off by a long-period gravity wave through parametric excitation and nonlinear coupling.
A Formation of Conceptual Framework to Enhance Innovative Behaviors of Kuwait Public Sector Employees

Human capital and social capital have emerged as major concerns in the new global economy as significant resources for the countries. Additionally, intellectual capital is crucial for achieving economic success in the field of sustained competitive advantage. A useful business resource may also contribute to a company's success. According to a firm's use of distinctive resources will give it a competitive advantage, which is essential for commercial success. Along with good and practical business resources, creativity on the part of both employers and employees also plays a role in the growth and administration of businesses. In order to lay the foundation for the current survey, this study discusses two of the hypotheses that have been proposed by other studies addressing corporate resources. The research framework was developed using multiple theories such as self-determination theory, Resource Dependence Theory, and Resources-based View (RBV). This study presents a conceptual framework to examine how intellectual capital (human, relational, structural), enhances innova tion in developing countries’ education sector, furthermore study proposed that job autonomy and collaborative culture can moderate the relationship between intellectual capital towards innovation.
Early-stage evolution of particle size distribution with Johnson's SB function due to Brownian coagulation

The moment method can be used to determine the time evolution of particle size distribution due to Brownian coagulation based on the general dynamic equation (GDE). But the function form of the initial particle size distribution must be determined beforehand for the moment method. If the assumed function type of the initial particle size distribution has an obvious deviation from the true particle population, the evolution of particle size distribution may be different from the real evolution tendency. Thus, a simple and general method is proposed based on the moment method. In this method, the Johnson's SB function is chosen as a general distribution function to fit the initial distributions including the log normal (L-N), Rosin–Rammler (R-R), normal (N-N) and gamma distribution functions, respectively. Meanwhile, using the modified beta function to fit the L-N, R-R, N-N and gamma functions is also conducted as a comparison in order to present the advantage of the Johnson's SB function as the general distribution function. And then, the time evolution of particle size distributions using the Johnson's SB function as the initial distribution can be obtained by several lower order moment equations of the Johnson's SB function in conjunction with the GDE during the Brownian coagulation process. Simulation experiments indicate that fairly reasonable results of the time evolution of particle size distribution can be obtained with this proposed method in the free molecule regime, transition regime and continuum plus near continuum regime, respectively, at the early time stage of evolution. The Johnson's SB function has the ability of describing the early time evolution of different initial particle size distributions.
Modeling MEMS Resonators Past Pull-In

In this paper, we develop a mathematical model of an electrostatic MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical systems) beam undergoing impact with a stationary electrode subsequent to pull-in. We model the contact between the beam and the substrate using a nonlinear foundation of springs and dampers. The system partial differential equation is converted into coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations using the Galerkin method. A numerical solution is obtained by treating all nonlinear terms as external forces. We use the model to predict the contact length, natural frequencies, and mode shapes of the beam past pull-in voltage as well as the dynamic response of a shunt switch in a closing and opening sequence.
Construction of nonlinear feedback for l/sub 1/-optimal control

This paper considers the l/sup 1/-optimal control problem, i.e., minimization of the effects of disturbances as measured by the l/sup /spl infin//-induced norm. Earlier work showed that even in the case of full state feedback, optimal and near-optimal linear controllers may be dynamic and of arbitrarily high order. However, previous work by the author derived the existence of near-optimal nonlinear controllers which are static. This paper presents a constructive algorithm for such nonlinear controllers. The main idea is to construct a certain subset of the state-space such that achieving disturbance rejection is equivalent to restricting the state-dynamics to this set. A computationally efficient construction of this subset requires the solution of several finite linear programs with the number of variables being at least the number of states but less than the number of states plus the number of controls. Concepts from viability theory play a central role throughout. <<ETX>>
Impact of the Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Antagonist Nimodipine on the Development of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). While most of the current treatment strategies focus on immune cell regulation, except for the drug siponimod, there is no therapeutic intervention that primarily aims at neuroprotection and remyelination. Recently, nimodipine showed a beneficial and remyelinating effect in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of MS. Nimodipine also positively affected astrocytes, neurons, and mature oligodendrocytes. Here we investigated the effects of nimodipine, an L-type voltage-gated calcium channel antagonist, on the expression profile of myelin genes and proteins in the oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) line Oli-Neu and in primary OPCs. Our data indicate that nimodipine does not have any effect on myelin-related gene and protein expression. Furthermore, nimodipine treatment did not result in any morphological changes in these cells. However, RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses identified potential micro (mi)RNA that could support myelination after nimodipine treatment compared to a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control. Additionally, we treated zebrafish with nimodipine and observed a significant increase in the number of mature oligodendrocytes (* p ≤ 0.05). Taken together, nimodipine seems to have different positive effects on OPCs and mature oligodendrocytes.
River mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum maintains certain levels of Na+ and Cl− in leaves to adapt seasonal freshwater

Mangrove environments are often characterized by large fluctuations in salinity, ranging from freshwater to hyper‐saline conditions. Most reports have focused on the mechanisms by which mangroves adapt to high salinity. However, how mangroves cope with seasonal freshwater habitats has seldom been studied. To address this question, we surveyed the river salinity and leaf traits (chlorophyll fluorescence, ion concentrations, carbon isotope ratios and osmolality) of Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco (river mangrove) along a freshwater‐dominated river. A. corniculatum at the upstream site was subjected low salinity, being in fresh water for a long period (up to 310 h) in the wet season, which drastically diminished during the dry season. At both sites, the actual photosystem II efficiency (ФPSII) and electron transport rates (ETR) of the leaves were higher in the wet season than in the dry season, and the carbon isotope (δ13C), ions (Na+ and Cl−) concentrations and osmolality showed no seasonal variations. However, the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), the proportion for closed PSII reaction centres (1 − qP) and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) of the leaves at the upstream site maintained high levels in the wet season. This quenching analysis indicated that there was a down‐regulation of photoprotection at the upstream site during wet season. An explanation for this is that long‐term freshwater is a stressful environment for A. corniculatum and maintaining certain level Na+ and Cl− in saline water episode is necessary for A. corniculatum to maintain low water potentials to take up water.
Determination of dental decay rates with optical coherence tomography

We report the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect and quantify demineralization process induced by S. mutans biofilm in third molars human teeth. Artificial lesions were induced by a S. mutans microbiological culture and the samples (N = 50) were divided into groups according to the demineralization time: 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days. The OCT system was implemented using a light source delivering an average power of 96 μW in the sample arm, and spectral characteristics allowing 23 μm of axial resolution. The images were produced with lateral scans step of 10 μm and analyzed individually. As a result of the evaluation of theses images, lesion depth was calculated as function of demineralization time. The depth of the lesion in the root dentine increased from 70 μm to 230 μm (corrected by the enamel refraction index, 1.62 @ 856 nm), depending of exposure time. The lesion depth in root dentine was correlated to demineralization time, showing that it follows a geometrical progression like a bacteria growth law.
More’s the Same—Multiple Hosts Do Not Select for Broader Host Range Phages

Bacteriophage host range is a result of the interactions between phages and their hosts. For phage therapy, phages with a broader host range are desired so that a phage can infect and kill the broadest range of pathogen strains or related species possible. A common, but not well-tested, belief is that using multiple hosts during the phage isolation will make the isolation of broader host range phage more likely. Using a Bacillus cereus group system, we compared the host ranges of phages isolated on one or four hosts and found that there was no difference in the breadth of host ranges of the isolated phages. Both narrow and broader host range phage were also equally likely to be isolated from either isolation procedure. While there are methods that reliably isolate broader host range phages, such as sequential host isolation, and there are other reasons to use multiple hosts during isolation, multiple hosts are not a consistent way to obtain broader host range phages.
Detection and Classification of Yellow Mosaic Disease in Vigna mungo using Convolutional Neural Network Deep Learning Models

The yield of the black gram crop is negatively impacted by Yellow Mosaic Disease (YMD). Both quantity and quality of the black gram suffer significantly from this disease. Accurate diagnosis, flawless identification, and early detection guide the grower for proper and timely management of the disease. Deep learningbased pre-trained models have revolutionized the classification and identification of plant leaf disease in recent times. In the present study yellow mosaic disease of black gram has been classified using four deep learning models namely; DarkNet-19, SqueezeNet, AlexNet, and GoogLeNet. A total of 1100 images were collected from field experiments for each of three classes namely healthy, moderate and susceptible plants. During the field investigation, datasets with images of three classes; healthy, moderate, and susceptible were collected, pre-processed, and augmented to create a set of 1100 images of each class. Seventy percent of the images were used for the training of the models and thirty percent of the images were used for validation. The results obtained for different deep learning architectures DarkNet-19, SqueezeNet, AlexNet, and GoogLeNet showed validation accuracy and loss scores of 96.09, 60.74, 94.41, and 93.85%, and 0.2319, 0.6923, 0.2429 and 0.1399, respectively. For the YMD classification in blackgram, DarkNet-19 showed the highest accuracy and SqueezeNet showed the lowest accuracy.
Adverse events of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: A meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) have shown substantial efficacy in alleviating and treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the heightened interest is accompanied by concerns over adverse events. In this meta-analysis, we analyzed both serious and common adverse events in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors compared with those in the placebo group. Methods: We searched for clinical trials in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP Data. Studies were selected based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in the final analysis. RevMan 5.4 software was used for performing meta-analyses. Results: A total of 18 randomized controlled trials recruiting 3,564 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were included, with overall moderate to high methodological quality. Compared with the placebo group, the incidences showed no difference and were only slightly increased numerically for serious adverse events, serious infections, upper respiratory tract infection, and malignancies in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. However, tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor treatment significantly increased the incidence of overall adverse events, nasopharyngitis, headache, and injection-site reactions in ankylosing spondylitis patients when compared with placebo. Conclusion: The available data indicated that ankylosing spondylitis patients who received tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors had no significantly increased risks of serious adverse events when compared with the placebo group. However, tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors significantly increased the incidence rate of common adverse events, including nasopharyngitis, headache, and injection-site reactions. Large-scale and long-term follow-up clinical trials are still necessary to further investigate the safety of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors in ankylosing spondylitis treatment.
Multifrequency Imaging From Intensity-Only Data Using the Phaseless Data Distorted Rytov Iterative Method

Two multifrequency imaging algorithms are presented for the reconstruction of unknown objects when only the intensity measurement of the total field is available using the phaseless data distorted Rytov iterative method. The first one uses all the frequencies simultaneously to form a matrix equation and only deals with lossless objects. The second one can reconstruct both lossless and lossy objects, in which a low frequency is utilized to guarantee convergence. Then the reconstructed result is used as the initial estimate for a higher frequency. Repeat this process by gradually increasing the working frequency until high imaging quality is achieved. Numerical and experimental results are presented to show the high efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Adequacy of Anaesthesia for Nociception Detection during Vitreoretinal Surgery

Vitreoretinal surgery (VRS) is one of the most widely performed precise procedures in ophthalmic surgery; the majority of cases are carried out under regional anaesthesia (RA) only. However, in specific situations (such as when the patient fails to cooperate with the operator for various reasons), general anaesthesia (GA), alone or in combination with GA (combined general–regional anaesthesia, CGR), is the only safe way to perform VRS. While monitoring the efficacy of an intraoperative rescue opioid analgesia (IROA) during surgery (assessing the adequacy of anaesthesia (AoA)) may be challenging, the surgical pleth index (SPI) is a useful tool for detecting the reaction to noxious stimuli and allows for the rational titration of opioid analgesics (AO) during surgery. The current study investigated the influence of the SPI-based titration of fentanyl (FNT) in combination with various pre-emptive analgesia (PA) techniques on intraoperative pain perception during various stages of VRS performed under AoA. A total of 176 patients undergoing VRS under GA were enrolled in the study. They were randomly assigned to one of the five following study arms: Group GA (control group)—patients who received general anaesthesia alone; Group PBB—GA with preprocedural peribulbar block (with 0.5% bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine); Group T—GA with preventive, topical 2% proparacaine; Group M—GA with a preprocedural intravenous infusion of 1.0 g of metamizole; and Group P—GA with a preprocedural intravenous infusion of 1.0 g of paracetamol. The whole procedure was divided in four stages: Stage 1 and 2—preoperative assessment, PA administration, and the induction of GA; Stage 3—intraoperative observation; Stage 4—postoperative observation. the SPI values were monitored during all stages. The occurrence of nociception (expressed as ∆SPI >15) during various manipulations in the surgical field was observed, as were cumulative doses of rescue analgesia, depending on the PA administered. During the course of VRS, rescue FNT doses varied depending on the stage of surgery and the group investigated. The majority of patients, regardless of their group allocation, needed complementary analgesia during trocar insertion, with Group GA patients requiring the highest doses. Likewise, the highest cumulative doses of IROA were noted during endophotocoagulation in Group GA. Preventive PBB and topical anaesthesia were proven to be most efficient in blunting the response to speculum installation, while topical anaesthesia and paracetamol infusion were shown to be more efficient analgesics during endophotocoagulation than other types used PA. In the performed study, none of the PA techniques used were superior to GA with FNT dosing under the SPI with respect to providing efficient analgesia throughout the whole surgery; there was a necessity to administer a rescue OA dose in both the control and investigated groups.
The HR Diagram and the Galactic Distance Scale After Hipparcos

▪ Abstract The completion and publication of the Hipparcos astrometric catalogue has revitalized studies in many fundamental areas of Galactic structure and stellar evolution. This article reviews the impact of the new parallax results on our understanding of the location of the main-sequence as a function of abundance, of the luminosity calibration of primary distance indicators and of the Galactic distance scale. Many of these issues remain to be resolved.
Barriers to blockchain-based decentralised energy trading: a systematic review

ABSTRACT The increasing adoption of clean energy technologies, including solar and wind generation, demand response, energy efficiency, and energy storage (e.g. batteries and electric vehicles) have led to the evolution of the traditional electricity markets from centralised energy trading systems into Distributed Energy Trading (DET) systems. Consequently, savvy business executives are exploring how blockchain might impact their competitive advantage in the emerging DET markets. Due to its salient features of distributed ledger, consensus mechanisms, cryptography, and smart contracts, blockchain technology is being used to provide decentralised trust, immutability, security and privacy, and transparency in DET system. However, integrating blockchain in DET systems is facing technical, administrative, standardisation and economic barriers. Consequently, we seek to conduct a comprehensive market analysis to identify the specific challenges hindering the integration of blockchain in DET systems. Nonetheless, we noticed that there isn't any evaluation and review framework for conducting a systematic literature review on blockchain-based DET systems. Therefore, in this work we first proposed a conceptual evaluation and review framework for conducting a systematic literature review on blockchain-based DET systems. Then, using the proposed framework, we reviewed the current studies on blockchain-based DET systems to the identify specific challenges hindering the adoption of blockchain and their proposed solutions. Our review found that, although there has been tremendous progress in addressing the technical barriers, the administrative, standardisation and economic barriers have grossly been under reviewed.
Detecting explosive substances by the IR spectrography

Fast and safe detection methods of explosive substances are needed both before and after actualized explosions. This article presents an experiment of the detection of three selected explosives by the ATR FTIR spectrometer and by three different IR hyperspectral imaging devices. The IR spectrometers give accurate analyzing results, whereas hyperspectral imagers can detect and analyze desired samples without touching the unidentified target at all. In the controlled explosion experiment TNT, dynamite and PENO were at first analyzed as pure substances with the ATR FTIR spectrometer and with VNIR, SWIR and MWIR cameras. After three controlled explosions also the residues of TNT, dynamite and PENO were analyzed with the same IR devices. The experiments were performed in arctic outdoor conditions and the residues were collected on ten different surfaces. In the measurements the spectra of all three explosives were received as pure substances with all four IR devices. Also the explosion residues of TNT were found on cotton with the IR spectrometer and with VNIR, SWIR and MWIR hyperspectral imagers. All measurements were made directly on the test materials which had been placed on the explosion site and were collected for the analysis after each blast. Measurements were made with the IR spectrometer also on diluted sample. Although further tests are suggested, the results indicate that the IR spectrography is a potential detection method for explosive subjects, both as pure substances and as post-blast residues.