Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Breed, Exercise, and a Two-Month Training Period on NT-proBNP-Levels in Athletic Dogs

Simple Summary In people, different types of physical activity can induce various types of heart adaptation. These changes are not only associated with morphological and physiological consequences on the heart, but they are also accompanied by alterations in cardiac biomarkers. In dogs, these parameters are clinically used, but they have not been thoroughly evaluated in animals that are regularly engaged in high-level sporting activities. The aim of this paper was to describe the effects on a specific cardiac blood parameter due to the physical activity in two different breeds of dogs in their respective sports. Additionally, our study included the use of echocardiography and electrocardiography to further assess these parameters. Exercise induced different responses in the two groups, and the measured parameter correlated with certain echocardiographic values. Our findings suggest that the physical activity must be considered when evaluating this blood parameter in canine patients. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the utility of this biomarker to distinguish possible cardiac diseases from physiological athletic adaptations. Abstract N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) is a cardiac biomarker used to detect myocardial wall stress. Physical activity and cardiac disease can affect serum NTproBNP concentrations. In people, different types of physical activity have different effects on NTproBNP. Our hypothesis was that physical activity and training have an effect on NTproBNP concentrations depending on the type of exercise and the intensity. Seven German Shepherd dogs (GSD) under military training performing short bursts of fast-paced interval exercise and seven Eurohounds (EHs) training for racing competition with endurance exercise were included in the study. Blood samples were taken at enrollment (T0) and after a two-month (T2mth) training period; on both occasions, the samples were acquired before and after physical exercise. An echocardiographic evaluation was performed at T0. Echocardiographic heart size was larger in the EHs compared to the GSDs. The NTproBNP concentration was higher in the EHs than in the GSDs before and after exercise at T0 and T2mth. Echocardiographic parameters of heart size and wall thickness correlated with NTproBNP at T0 before and after exercise. Exercise induced an elevation of NTproBNP in the EHs at T0 and T2mth, while in the GSDs this was observed only at T0. In the EHs, post exercise was associated with higher NTproBNP at T2mth compared to T0, while in the GSDs the opposite pattern was noticed. From our study, the serum NTproBNP concentration differs between breeds. Intense physical activity causes an increase in NTproBNP. A two-month training period does not affect the NTproBNP concentration at rest. Intense physical activity may increase NTproBNP above the reference range in individual dogs.
Estimating the Dimensions of Weather and Climate Attractors

Abstract The dimensions of attractors are estimated from phase space trajectories of observed weather and climate variables (local surface pressure and relative sunshine duration, zonal wave amplitude; a δ18O-record). They provide primary information for descriptions of properties of the attractors of dynamical systems and give a lower limit to the number of the essential variables necessary to model the dynamics. These estimates are based on distance distributions of pairs of points on the single variable trajectory evolving in phase spaces which embed the attractor. One observes a low fractal dimensionality between three and four for the weather attractor, if interannual variability and seasonal changes are eliminated. The physical interpretation is based on the three dominating scales of cyclones, cyclone families and index-cycle; the irregularity of the flow and strong dependence on initial conditions amount for the fractal value. The climate variable also reveals a low dimensionality (between four an.
Identifying and Localizing Multiple Objects Using Artificial Ventral and Dorsal Cortical Visual Pathways

Abstract In our previous study (Han & Sereno, 2022a), we found that two artificial cortical visual pathways trained for either identity or space actively retain information about both identity and space independently and differently. We also found that this independently and differently retained information about identity and space in two separate pathways may be necessary to accurately and optimally recognize and localize objects. One limitation of our previous study was that there was only one object in each visual image, whereas in reality, there may be multiple objects in a scene. In this study, we find we are able to generalize our findings to object recognition and localization tasks where multiple objects are present in each visual image. We constrain the binding problem by training the identity network pathway to report the identities of objects in a given order according to the relative spatial relationships between the objects, given that most visual cortical areas including high-level ventral steam areas retain spatial information. Under these conditions, we find that the artificial neural networks with two pathways for identity and space have better performance in multiple-objects recognition and localization tasks (higher average testing accuracy, lower testing accuracy variance, less training time) than the artificial neural networks with a single pathway. We also find that the required number of training samples and the required training time increase quickly, and potentially exponentially, when the number of objects in each image increases, and we suggest that binding information from multiple objects simultaneously within any network (cortical area) induces conflict or competition and may be part of the reason why our brain has limited attentional and visual working memory capacities.
Application of two‐loop robust control to air‐conditioning systems

This paper presents the design and application of a two‐loop robust controller for temperature control in air‐conditioning systems. A Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy model with uncertain local models is developed to describe the associated nonlinearities and uncertainties in the operation of the air handling units. Parallel distributed compensation is used to design the global control law. The local control law consists of two loops: an inner‐loop integral controller and an outer‐loop min‐max predictive controller with short prediction horizon. A discounting scheme is developed to weight the contribution of the two loops. Experimental results are presented which show that the proposed strategy can achieve acceptable control performance with a minimum of onsite tuning. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
The SRI Ionospheric Structure and Dynamics Program - 1985 Results.

Abstract : This report describes recent observations of high latitude ionospheric structure and dynamics from the HILAT satellite and the Sondrestrom and EISCAT incoherent scatter radars. Plasma turbulence theory and ionospheric plasma diffusion processes are also described. Measured variations in latitude and local time of total electron content, levels of radio wave scintillation, and magnetospheric electrodynamics are presented for the northern polar regions. Seasonal and solar cycle variations of these phenomena are examined. Magnetic flux tube interchange produced by magnetospheric electrostatic turbulence (rather than local instability polarization fields) is suggested as an important source of high latitude ionospheric structure. The large scale magnetospheric potential field is also shown to be capable of steepening and structuring plasma gradients. These processes would certainly structure late time nuclear produced plasma. Keywords: Radio wave scintillation; Plasma turbulence; Ionospheric irregularities; Total electron content; and Convective plasma instabilities.
Nonlinear Optical Switch Utilizing Long-Range Surface Plasmon Polaritons

We present a detailed study of the directional couplers (DCs) based on nanometer-thin and micrometer-wide Ag stripes embedded in nonlinear material. A novel design of all-optical switch based on nonlinear plasma waveguide couplers is proposed. The critical optical power Pc of nonlinear optical switch is low, and the switch effect is easy to be observed. The LR-SPP optical switch has been investigated at λ = 0.633 μm, 1 μm, 1.55 μm, demonstrating the feasibility of LR-SPP-based all-optical switches for operation in the very broad wavelength range. All the simulations in this paper were performed by using rigorous numerical schemes based on the full-vector finite-element method.
Research on the business format ratio, site selection points, and spatial strategy of the non-core area of Suzhou City

At present, most of the research on the proportion of urban complex formats in China focuses on single-function formats, and is less carried out from the perspective of the interactive relationship between different formats. Through the analysis of various types of mixed format products such as transportation and tourism, fully considering the multi-factor comprehensive effect, and combining the actual situation of Suzhou City, this paper conducts an empirical study, trying to explore the site selection points, format ratio and spatial development strategy of traffic and tourism integration products in non-core areas of the city, so as to provide new development ideas for the high-quality development of traffic and tourism integration products in non-core areas of the city.
Emergence of a unique SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta sub‐cluster harboring a constellation of co‐appearing non‐Spike mutations

Accumulation of diverse mutations across the structural and nonstructural genes is leading to rapid evolution of SARS‐CoV‐2, altering its pathogenicity. We performed whole genome sequencing of 239 SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA samples collected from both adult and pediatric patients across eastern India (West Bengal), during the second pandemic wave in India (April–May 2021). In addition to several common spike mutations within the Delta variant, a unique constellation of eight co‐appearing non‐Spike mutations was identified, which revealed a high degree of positive mutual correlation. Our results also demonstrated the dynamics of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants among unvaccinated pediatric patients. 41.4% of our studied Delta strains harbored this signature set of eight co‐appearing non‐Spike mutations and phylogenetically out‐clustered other Delta sub‐lineages like 21J, 21A, or 21I. This is the first report from eastern India that portrayed a landscape of co‐appearing mutations in the non‐Spike proteins, which might have led to the evolution of a distinct Delta subcluster. Accumulation of such mutations in SARS‐CoV‐2 may lead to the emergence of “vaccine‐evading variants. ” Hence, monitoring of such non‐Spike mutations will be significant in the formulation of any future vaccines against those SARS‐CoV‐2 variants that might evade the current vaccine‐induced immunity, among both the pediatric and adult populations.
Tensorial Basis Spline Collocation Method for Poisson's Equation

This paper aims to describe the tensorial basis spline collocation method applied to Poisson's equation. In the case of a localized 3D charge distribution in vacuum, this direct method based on a tensorial decomposition of the differential operator is shown to be competitive with both iterative BSCM and FFT-based methods. We emphasize the O(h4) and O(h6) convergence of TBSCM for cubic and quintic splines, respectively. We describe the implementation of this method on a distributed memory parallel machine. Performance measurements on a Cray T3E are reported. Our code exhibits high performance and good scalability: As an example, a 27 Gflops performance is obtained when solving Poisson's equation on a 2563 non-uniform 3D Cartesian mesh by using 128 T3E-750 processors. This represents 215 Mflops per processors.
Time-series polarimetric bistatic scattering decomposition using comprehensive modified first-order radiative transfer model at C-band for vegetative terrain and validation

ABSTRACT The sensitivity of the bistatic scattered signal to both the soil and vegetation physical properties in microwave sensing of vegetation is subject to uncertainties. A multi-angular and fully polarimetric data acquisition from a bistatic system increases the number of observations. Thus, optimum bistatic system parameters for vegetation monitoring are necessary to develop an understating of microwave interactions with the surface and vegetation properties. In this study, C-band fully polarimetric bistatic scatterometer (BiSCAT) system was designed to measure the scattering response of vegetated terrain in the forward specular plane. The correlation analysis between the measured bistatic scattering coefficient ( ) and in-situ soil/vegetation properties, such as plant water content (PWC) and soil moisture ( ), was used to find the optimum specular incidence angle of the BiSCAT system. The optimum parameters of the BiSCAT system were used as input to the modified first-order radiative transfer model (MRTM) for the simulation for vegetation. Kirchhoff’s approximate (KA) model for soil surface in forward specular plane was simplified for soil contribution within MRTM. Additionally, the temporal patterns of are modelled by employing the empirical formulation between the vegetation optical depth and PWC. The MRTM offers an understanding of co-polarized electromagnetic signal interaction with the temporal change in vegetation constituents and soil surface parameters. The model is limited to providing insights into co-polarized radar return from the target due to the incapability of yielding the cross-polarization factor from the KA model in the forward specular direction. The contributions of surface, vegetation, surface-vegetation, vegetation-surface and surface-vegetation-surface were quantified to better understand microwave’s interaction with the vegetation. The model is calibrated using a constrained non-linear least-square optimization algorithm. The performance indices of simulating yields good agreement with the BiSCAT measurements.
The Impact of Trust on the Relations between Ethical Leadership and Internal Whistleblowing Intention

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of trust on the relationship between ethical leadership and internal whistleblowing intention. The study was motivated by the lack of willingness of organization members to blow the whistle on misconduct or unethical action internally compared to external whistleblowing. The willingness to blow the whistle internally is crucial, particularly to prevent negative impacts on the organization's performance and reputation. Using a quantitative method through a survey, this study examines 140 Indonesian public servants from one of the government directorates focused on perceptions of trust, ethical leadership, and internal whistleblowing intention. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Partial Least Square (PLS), this study unveiled that the length of working periods determines the trust development. Meanwhile, feelings are key to an affective trust that influences ethical leadership to encourage the willingness of organization members to intentionally whistleblowing misconduct or unethical action internally.
Methods for Experimental Design: Principles and Applications for Physicists and Chemists

Research strategy - definition and objectives two-level complete factorial designs - 2.2, 2k the concept of optimal design two-level fractional factorial designs - 2k-p, the alias theory, examples types of matrices trial sequences - randomization, blocking mathematical modelling of factorial 2k designs choosing complementary trials beyond influencing factors practical method of calculation using a quality example detailed calculations for the truck suspension springs example experimental designs and computer simulations practical experimental designs overview and suggestions. Appendices: matrices and matrix calculations statistics useful in experimental designs order of trials that leaves the effects of the main factors uninfluenced by linear drift application of a 2.3 design.
Variance‐constrained robust estimation for uncertain systems with multiple packet dropouts

This paper deals with variance‐constrained filtering problem in networked control systems (NCSs) with multiple packet dropouts. The system is subject to time‐invariant norm‐bounded parameter uncertainties in both the state and measurement matrices. Based on a model of multiple packet dropouts, the consecutive packet losses rate is transformed into a stochastic parameter in the system representation. The problem addressed is to design a linear filter such that, for all admissible parameter uncertainties and consecutive packet dropouts, the error state of the filtering process is mean square bounded, and the steady‐state variance of the estimation error for each state is not more than the individual prescribed upper bound. The conditions for the existence of a desired filter are obtained in terms of the solutions of two algebraic matrix inequalities, based on which an explicit expression of the robust filter is derived. Finally, an algorithm for solving the coupling inequalities, which is not optimal but practical, is provided and applied to some numerical examples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polygonal gold nanocrystal induced efficient phase transition in 2D-MoS2 for enhancing photo-electrocatalytic hydrogen generation

Plasmonic nanocrystals (NCs) assisted phase transition of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (2D-MoS2) unlashes numerous opportunities in the fields of energy harvesting via electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis by enhancing electronic conductivity, increasing catalytic active sites, lowering Gibbs free energy for hydrogen adsorption and desorption, etc. Here, we report the synthesis of faceted gold pentagonal bi-pyramidal (Au-PBP) nanocrystals (NC) for efficient plasmon-induced phase transition (from 2 H to 1 T phase) in chemical vapor deposited 2D-MoS2. The as-developed Au-PBP NC with the increased number of corners and edges showed an enhanced multi-modal plasmonic effect under light irradiations. The overpotential of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was reduced by 61 mV, whereas the Tafel slope decreased by 23.7 mV/dec on photoexcitation of the Au-PBP@MoS2 hybrid catalyst. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the light-induced 2H to 1 T phase transition of 2D-MoS2, increased active sites, reduced Gibbs free energy, efficient charge separation, change in surface potential, and improved electrical conductivity of 2D-MoS2 film. From density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we obtain a significant change in the electronic properties of 2D-MoS2 (i.e. work function, surface chemical potential, and the density of states), which was primarily due to the plasmonic interactions and exchange-interactions between the Au-PBP nanocrystals and monolayer 2D-MoS2, thereby enhancing the phase transition and improving the surface properties. This work would lay out finding assorted routes to explore more complex nanocrystals-based multipolar plasmonic NC to escalate the HER activity of 2D-MoS2 and other 2D transition metal dichalcogenides.
Control of Two-Degree-of-Freedom Inertial Appendages of a Small-Scale Jumping Robot for Enhanced Terrestrial and Aerial Maneuverability

Small-scale jumping robots are promising for rugged terrain locomotion due to their strong ability to overcome obstacles. Appendages are widely adopted by them to improve maneuverability and thus better adapt to real-world applications. However, existing appendages of small-scale jumping robots have limited operational modes or control degrees of freedom (DOFs), constraining their functionality. Here, we present a maneuvering mechanism with two-DOF inertial appendages to improve the maneuverability of jumping robots. It allows the robot to function diversely in different phases by changing the operation behavior. The terrestrial maneuverability is endowed by advanced appendage–ground interactions. By smoothly driving the appendages to control two-DOF body attitude before triggering the jump, the robot allows the omnidirectional jumping trajectory modulation. By controlling the rhythmic disengagement and contact between the appendages and the flat substrate, the crawling locomotion mode is achieved. In the aerial maneuver, the robot redirects its angular momentum to stabilize its two-DOF body attitude through rapid appendage manipulation. Such multifunctional appendages provide a versatile solution for jumping robots to improve maneuverability.
Qubit Assignment Using Time Reversal

As the number of qubits available on noisy quantum computers grows, it will become necessary to efficiently select a subset of physical qubits to use in a quantum computation. For any given quantum program and device there are many ways to assign physical qubits for execution of the program, and assignments will differ in performance due to the variability in quality across qubits and entangling operations on a single device. Evaluating the performance of each assignment using fidelity estimation introduces significant experimental overhead and will be infeasible for many applications, while relying on standard device benchmarks provides incomplete information about the performance of any specific program. Furthermore, the number of possible assignments grows combinatorially in the number of qubits on the device and in the program, motivating the use of heuristic optimization techniques. We approach this problem using simulated annealing with a cost function based on the Loschmidt Echo, a diagnostic that measures the reversibility of a quantum process. We provide theoretical justification for this choice of cost function by demonstrating that the optimal qubit assignment coincides with the optimal qubit assignment based on state fidelity in the weak error limit, and we provide experimental justification using diagnostics performed on Google's superconducting qubit devices. We then establish the performance of simulated annealing for qubit assignment using classical simulations of noisy devices as well as optimization experiments performed on a quantum processor. Our results demonstrate that the use of Loschmidt Echoes and simulated annealing provides a scalable and flexible approach to optimizing qubit assignment on near-term hardware.
autoMPI: Automated Multiple Perspective Attack Investigation With Semantics Aware Execution Partitioning

Multiple Perspective attack Investigation (MPI) is a technique to partition application dependencies based on high-level semantics. It facilitates provenance analysis by generating succinct causal graphs. It involves an annotation process that identifies variables and data structures corresponding to the partitions and the communication channels between them. Though the amount of annotation is small, this process requires a detailed understanding of the source code. In this work, autoMPI, we extend the capability of MPI by automating the identifying annotation requirements. We leverage a hybrid analysis approach, performing a differential analysis based on crafted inputs. Static analysis is conducted to identify the annotation sites within the application code afterward automatically. Our evaluation shows the proposed approach can significantly facilitate the annotation process. It correctly identifies all required annotation sites within an average 16 seconds analysis time for the majority of analyzed programs with average precision and recall 72.5% and 100%, respectively.