Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A unified statistical model for hydrological variables including the selection of threshold for the peak over threshold method

This paper explores the use of a mixture model for determining the marginal distribution of hydrological variables, consisting of a truncated central distribution that is representative of the central or main‐mass regime, which for the cases studied is a lognormal distribution, and of two generalized Pareto distributions for the maximum and minimum regimes, representing the upper and lower tails, respectively. The thresholds defining the limits between these regimes and the central regime are parameters of the model and are calculated together with the remaining parameters by maximum likelihood. After testing the model with a simulation study we concluded that the upper threshold of the model can be used when applying the peak over threshold method. This will yield an automatic and objective identification of the threshold presenting an alternative to existing methods. The model was also applied to four hydrological data series: two mean daily flow series, the Thames at Kingston (United Kingdom), and the Guadalfeo River at Orgiva (Spain); and two daily precipitation series, Fort Collins (CO, USA), and Orgiva (Spain). It was observed that the model improved the fit of the data series with respect to the fit obtained with the lognormal (LN) and, in particular, provided a good fit for the upper tail. Moreover, we concluded that the proposed model is able to accommodate the entire range of values of some significant hydrological variables.
First results of all-weather soil moisture retrieval from an optical/thermal infrared remote-sensing-based operational system in China

ABSTRACT Surface soil moisture (SSM) content plays an important role in a number of physical processes involving the energy and mass exchanges between the land and atmosphere interactions. Determination of spatially complete SSM in regional scale has long been one of the most significant tasks in remote-sensing community. Although with limited penetrating ability comparing to microwave missions, optical/thermal infrared sensors can provide surface observations at finer spatial resolution. On the basis of a recently developed approach for deriving all-weather SSM content from satellite images, the present study investigates an optical/thermal remote-sensing-based operational system for mapping finer spatial resolution all-weather soil moisture content in China from the combined use of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS) meteorological products. A preliminary evaluation of the all-weather SSM retrieval is implemented with field SSM measurements at 461 sites across China. Results show that the root mean square error (RMSE) varies from 0.053 to 0.070 m3 m−3 with an average RMSE of 0.063 m3 m−3 and an average bias of −0.018 m3 m−3 obtained on the six selected days from April to September. These first results of all-weather SSM retrieval indicate that the optical/thermal remote-sensing-based operational system has a promising perspective for mapping SSM with currently available satellite and meteorological products in regional scale. Finally, two practical recommendations with respective to improve the system inputs for producing more reliable SSM products are summarized for further developments of the optical/thermal remote-sensing-based operational system.
The Principal's Role in Improving Teacher Competence in Madrasah Aliyah

A principal, as a leader, has the important role in improving teacher competence. Teachers, who have significantly good competence, can improve their in-class learning quality. This research aims to describe the principal’s role in improving teacher competence in Madrasah Aliyah of Islamic Centre Bin Baz Yogyakarta (MA ICBB). The research method used qualitative research with a case study. Data were collected through interview, observation, and documentation. The subjects consisted of 7 sources, a school principal and 5 teachers. The data analysis technique was data collection, data reduction, data representation, and conclusion. Data validity was obtained from triangulation technique. The research result showed that 1) a principal encouraged and provided the opportunities for teachers of MA ICBB to participate in trainings and seminars inside or outside school to increase pedagogic competence; 2) a principal controlled and supervised behavior and performance of teachers for improving teacher personality competence; 3) a principal conducted final semester evaluation meeting that was aimed to invite teachers in the discussion forum concerning on phenomena occurred, that was obtained from interaction and analysis of teachers toward all students in MA ICBB to enhance teacher social competence; and 4) a principal provided the opportunity for all teachers to continue higher study, attend seminars, as well as he provided information and motivation to teachers to improve teacher professional competence.
Extensible Tooling for Reactive Programming Based on Active Expressions

Reactive programming uses dedicated language concepts such as signals, data bindings, and constraints, so developers can better express behavior that is triggered by data changes and user interactions. As applications also contain aspects that cannot be easily expressed through reactive programming, reactive concepts are often integrated into more generally applicable imperative programming languages. Although such language integrations are readily available, working on reactive code with tools designed for imperative code is hard, because without dedicated tool support implementation details may leak unintentionally. There are special tools for reactive programming available, however, they are expensive to make. Further, a tool typically supports only a single language concept and cannot be applied to others even though they build on similar ideas. Consequently, control ﬂow or data ﬂow cannot be followed between concepts. We propose to leverage the commonalities found in reactive programming concepts to create reusable tool components for data gathering and visualization. To do so we create a toolset working on a generalization of reactive programming concepts, Active Expressions . By building upon the generic tool components, tool developers can create tool support for speciﬁc reactive concepts. Furthermore, multiple reactive concepts and their potentially complex interaction can be explored in one shared environment. We implemented the approach in the Lively4 Web-based JavaScript development environment using its Active Expression framework. Our toolset gathers relevant data about the reactive system and visualizes it using code annotations , an overview tree , an event timeline , and a dependency graph . We evaluate the reusability of this toolset by adapting it to two more concepts: signals, and implicit layer activation, known from context-oriented programming. We found that most of the functionality provided by the toolset can be reused, thus, reducing the implementation effort. Further, we show that multiple reactive concepts can be supported by the same common toolset. Programmers can use and debug multiple different reactive concepts simultaneously, without requiring new tools for each one. For future work, we believe our common toolset provides a starting point for researching the interplay between multiple reactive programming concepts.
The original description of Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata Vieillot (Aves: Accipitridae)

The original scientific name of the Bonelli's Eagle was for a long time the subject of debate: different authors attributed priority to Falco bonelli Temminck or to Aquila fasciata Vieillot. In this paper the original description dates of these two sources and names are discussed. A third name, Aquila intermedia Boitard, was proposed in the same period but this name was scarcely considered in the debate. Because the typical series referred to by the authors of the three names share at least one specimen, A. fasciata, F. bonelli and A. intermedia are objective synonyms. It is concluded that priority should be, as it has been, attributed to Aquila fasciata Vieillot 1823, validly described for the first time in the Encyclopedie methodique.
Forecasting the number of extreme daily events on seasonal timescales

[1] We investigate the potential for skillfully predicting the number of daily temperature extremes over 3 month (seasonal) periods. We use retrospective forecasts from the Met Office seasonal forecasting system, GloSea4, nominally initialized 1 month ahead of the target season. Initially, we define daily extremes to be events outside either the upper or lower deciles of the daily temperature distribution from the relevant season. This definition provides a threshold that is sufficiently “extreme” to be of interest to many users but moderate enough to allow a sufficient sample for verification and to be of regular use to users. We show that skill reduces slightly at more extreme thresholds. Correlations of predicted and observed numbers of upper or lower decile extreme days over a season are significantly greater than zero over much of the globe and, in general, are better than a persistence forecast. Forecast skill for seasonal mean temperature is similar to, but generally greater than, the skill of predictions of the number of extreme days. Observations have a strong relationship between the seasonal mean and the number of extreme days. We show that the skill in predicting the number of extreme days is largely a consequence of this relationship and occurs primarily through a shift in the distribution of the daily data rather than a change of its shape. The ability to predict the El Nino–Southern Oscillation and climate change are both significant contributors to the skill in predicting temperature extremes. In summer, significant skill also comes from initializing soil moisture.
Isokinetic Knee Muscle Strength Parameters and Anthropometric Indices in Athletes with and without Hyperextended Knees

Background and Objectives: Hypermobility has been linked to decreased knee performance, including isokinetic and isometric knee strength. This study aimed to determine whether athletes with and without knee hyperextension have different hamstring-to-quadriceps strength (H/Q) ratios and to investigate the associations between knee hyperextension indices and H/Q ratios and anthropometric characteristics. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 47 healthy male athletes without knee injuries aged 23.48 ± 3.54 years. The variables included the degree of knee hypermobility, isokinetic parameters of the leg musculature, and anthropometric indices. Differences between athletes with and without hyperextension were calculated using an independent sample t-test, effect sizes, and discriminant analysis, while associations between the variables were checked by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: Athletes with hyperextended knees had shorter legs (t value = −2.23, p = 0.03, moderate ES) and shins (t = −2.64, p = 0.01, moderate ES) and a lower H/Q ratio at an angular velocity of 60°/s (t = −2.11, p = 0.04, moderate ES) than those in the nonhyperextended group did; these differences were supported by discriminant analysis (Wilks’ L = 0.60, p = 0.01). An increase in the H/Q ratio at an angular velocity of 60°/s was associated with the degree of knee hypermobility (R = −0.29, p = 0.04). Conclusions: This research showed that athletes with knee hypermobility have weaker hamstring strength and thus a lower H/Q strength ratio at lower angular velocities. These findings suggest that targeted strength training programs for leg (i.e., hamstrings) muscles should help individuals with knee hypermobility.
An Evaluation of Current Account Behaviour Amidst Globalisation

: The study analysed the current account response to international economic factors namely, oil price volatility, exchange rate of Indian rupee, trade openness, net foreign assets and home country inflation using data spanning 2001 Q1 to 2020 Q4. The study revealed that a hike in oil price volatility, net foreign assets and home country inflation leads to current account deficit increase. The main reason being the failure of intertemporal hypothesis for the Indian economy. The study concludes that for maintaining healthy current account position, rupee should be allowed for free conversion and trade barriers should be reduced to the minimum. Also, private saving should be encouraged to provide a buffer for elevated oil import bill and efforts should be made to cut the oil imports as far as possible.
Variations of Thunderstorm Charge Structures in West Texas on 4 June 2012

This study documents an environment for which small changes therein significantly impacted electrification and for which current theories of electrification lacked the ability to discriminate storm polarity. Thirty single‐cell and multicell storms from 1900 to 2200 UTC on 4 June 2012 over a 150‐ by 100‐km West Texas region were examined. Some of these storms had anomalous charge structures (primarily positive charge in the midlevels at −10 °C to −30 °C or 6.3 to 8.8 km above MSL locally) and some normal (primarily negative at midlevels), even though they existed concurrently and did not statistically differ in overall flash sizes, flash rates, radar volume, or echo top height. Overall, the normal storms ingested lower equivalent potential temperature surface air and were estimated to experience lower convective available potential energy than the anomalous storms, as observed in other studies. They were, however, estimated to have smaller warm cloud depth and surface dew point temperatures, contrary to expectations. Significant overlap between the storm environments suggested that lower instability may have contributed to some storms becoming normally electrified, but it was not a sufficient condition. Additionally, there had been previous convection in the region dominated by normal‐polarity storms. A Weather Research and Forecasting ensemble suggested that the previous convection moistened the midlevels of the atmosphere near cloud base. We propose that future studies investigate dry‐air entrainment as an additional, intertwined environmental factor that could decrease droplet sizes and effective warm rain processes, promoting positive graupel charging in the midlevels and anomalous charge structures.
Microneedle-Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Lurasidone Nanoparticles

Lurasidone, an antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia, is administered daily via oral intake. Adherence is a critical challenge, given that many schizophrenia patients deny their condition, thus making alternative delivery methods desirable. This study aimed to deliver lurasidone by the transdermal route and provide therapeutic effects for three days. Passive diffusion was found to be insufficient for lurasidone delivery. The addition of chemical enhancers increased permeation, but it was still insufficient to reach the designed target dose from a patch, so a microneedle patch array was fabricated by using biodegradable polymers. For prolonged and effective delivery, the drug was encapsulated in Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles which were made using the solvent evaporation method and incorporated in microneedles. Effervescent technology was also employed in the preparation of the microneedle patch to facilitate the separation of the needle tip from the patch. Once separated, only the needle tip remains embedded in the skin, thus preventing premature removal by the patient. The microneedles demonstrated robust preformation in a characterization test evaluating their insertion capacity, mechanical strength, and the uniformity of microneedle arrays, and were able to deliver a dose equivalent to 20 mg oral administration. Therefore, the potential of a transdermal delivery system for lurasidone using microneedles with nanoparticles was demonstrated.
Modulation Techniques and Coordinated Voltage Vector Distribution: Effects on Efficiency in Dual-Inverter Topology-Based Electric Drives

The increasing popularity of electric drives employing an isolated dual-inverter (DI) topology is motivated by their superior DC-link voltage and power utilization, fault-tolerant operation, and potential for multilevel operation. These attributes are significant in battery-powered transportation, such as electric vehicles and aviation. Given the considerable freedom in modulation and control of the DI topology, this paper researches the impact of reference voltage vector distribution between the two individual inverters. The study also evaluates the influence of two well-established asynchronous modulation strategies—Space Vector PWM (SVPWM) and Depenbrock’s Discontinuous Modulation (DPWM1). Since simulation tools nowadays play a crucial role in power electronics design and concept verification, the results are based on extensive and detailed models in Matlab/Simulink. Employing the basic field-oriented control of a 12 kW induction motor with precisely parameterized SiC switching devices for accurate loss calculation, this research reveals the possibility of significant energy savings at multiple operating points. Notably, optimal efficiency is achieved when one inverter operates up to half of the nominal speed while the other solely establishes a neutral point for the winding. Moreover, the results highlight DPWM1 as a superior strategy for the DI topology, showcasing reduced converter losses. Overall, it is shown that the system’s losses can be significantly reduced just by the design of the voltage vector distribution in the drive’s operating range and the modulation strategy selection.
Freeform fabrication of nanobiomaterials using 3D printing

: Nanobiomaterials play an important role in nanobiotechnology and have made a great contribution to biomedical research and healthcare. Recent progress in nanobiomaterials has increased demand for multidisciplinary approaches from physical, biological and engineering sciences. Solid freeform fabrication (SFF) technologies are based on layer-by-layer deposition of materials which bring about new application possibilities for processing nanobiomaterials. The aim of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of SFF techniques suitable for processing nanobiomaterials; current state and limitations regarding the techniques are discussed. Overviews of subjects including biofabrication of tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds using extrusion-based freeforming and dry powder printing of nanobiomaterials are also provided.
Space‐Weathered Anorthosite as Spectral D‐Type Material on the Martian Satellites

Spectral D‐type asteroids are characterized by dark, red‐sloped, and featureless spectra at visible and near‐infrared wavelengths and are thought to be composed of rocks rich in organic compounds. The Martian satellites, Phobos and Deimos, spectrally resemble D‐type asteroids, suggesting that they are captured D‐type asteroids from outside the Martian system. Here we show that the spectral features of lunar space‐weathered anorthosite are consistent with D‐type spectra, including those of Phobos and Deimos. This can also explain the distinct spectral features on Phobos, the red and blue units, as arising from different degrees of space weathering. Thus, D‐type spectra of the Martian satellites can be explained by space‐weathered anorthosite, indicating that D‐type spectra do not necessarily support the existence of organic compounds, which would be strong evidence for the capture scenario.
Morphological characterization of coral reefs by combining LiDAR and MBES data: A case study from Yuanzhi Island, South China Sea

The correlation between seafloor morphological features and biological complexity has been identified in numerous recent studies. This research focused on the potential for accurate characterization of coral reefs based on high-resolution bathymetry from multiple sources. A standard deviation (STD) based method for quantitatively characterizing terrain complexity was developed that includes robust estimation to correct for irregular bathymetry and a calibration for the depth-dependent variablity of measurement noise. Airborne LiDAR and shipborne sonar bathymetry measurements from Yuanzhi Island, South China Sea, were merged to generate seamless high-resolution coverage of coral bathymetry from the shoreline to deep water. The new algorithm was applied to the Yuanzhi Island surveys to generate maps of quantitive terrain complexity, which were then compared to in situ video observations of coral abundance. The terrain complexity parameter is significantly correlated with seafloor coral abundance, demonstrating the potential for accurately and efficiently mapping coral abundance through seafloor surveys, including combinations of surveys using different sensors.
Robust Transceiver Design for ISAC Systems via Product Complex Circle-Sphere Manifold Method

The transceiver design with constant modulus constraints (CMCs) is the key issue in integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. Usually, existing methods assume the prior knowledge of the target and clutter for sensing is precisely known, which brings challenges to the imprecise scenarios in practical applications. To address the issue, a robust ISAC transceiver design is proposed. We jointly maximize the averaged signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) for sensing and the achievable sum rate (ASR) for communication, subject to CMC for transmit codes and spherical constraints (SPCs) for the receive filter. The resulting problem is nonconvex and NP-hard due to CMC and the coupling between transmit codes and the receive filter. Existing methods address it using relaxation and matrix inversion, resulting in performance degradation and computationally unaffordable. To solve the problem, a product complex circle-sphere manifold (PCCSM) method without relaxation and matrix inversion is proposed. First, the PCCSM is constructed to satisfy the CMC and SPC. Then, the problem is converted to an unconstrained coupled fractional programming (UCFP) problem over the PCCSM. Finally, the parallel limited-Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (PL-BFGS) method is derived to optimize transmit codes and receive filters in parallel. Compared with the existing methods, the proposed method has the following advantages: 1) complexity reduction by over 50% while improving sensing SINR by 0.31 dB and communication ASR by 0.4827 bits/s/Hz and 2) improvement of sensing SINR by 0.19 dB and communication ASR by 0.613 bits/s/Hz over nonrobust designs.
Visualizing, Analyzing and Constructing L-System from Arborized 3D Model Using a Web Application

In biology, arborized structures are well represented and typically complex for visualization and analysis. In order to have a profound understanding of the topology of arborized 3D biological model, higher level abstraction is needed. We aim at constructing an abstraction of arborized 3D biological model to an L-system that provides a generalized formalization in a grammar to represent complex structures. The focus of this paper is to combine 3D visualization, analysis and L-system abstraction into a single web application. We designed a front-end user interface and a back-end. In the front-end, we used A-Frame and defined algorithms to generate and visualize L-systems. In the back-end, we utilized the Vascular Modelling Toolkit's (VMTK) centerline analysis methods to extract important features from the arborized 3D models, which can be applied to L-system generation. In addition, two 3D biological models: lactiferous duct and artery are used as two case studies to verify the functionality of this web application. In conclusion, our web application is able to visualize, analyse and create L-system abstractions of arborized 3D models. This in turn provides workflow-improving benefits, easy accessibility and extensibility.