Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consensus Computations over Random Graph Processes

Distributed consensus processing over random graphs and with randomized node dynamics is considered. At each time step k, every node independently updates its state with a weighted average of its neighbors’ states or stick with its current state. The choice is a Bernoulli trial with success probability Pk. The random graph processes, defining the timevarying neighbor sets, are specified over the set of all possible graphs with the given node set. Connectivity-independent and arc-independent graph processes are introduced to capture the fundamental influence of random graphs on the consensus convergence. Necessary and sufficient conditions are presented on the success probability sequence {Pk} for the network to reach a global almost sure consensus. For connectivity-independent graphs, we show that ∑ k P k = ∞ is a sufficient condition for almost sure consensus, where n is the number of nodes. For arc-independent graphs, we show that ∑ k Pk = ∞ is a sharp threshold, i.e., the consensus probability is zero for almost all initial conditions when the sum converges, while it is one for all initial conditions when the sum diverges. Convergence rates are established by lower and upper bounds of the ǫ-computation time. The results add to the understanding of the interplay between random graphs, random computations, and convergence probability for distributed information processing.
UPPER LIMB 3D MOTION CAPTURE BASED ON INERTIAL SENSORS

This paper presents the design and implementation of a real-time system for 3D upper limb motion capture using inertial sensors modules. Each inertial module consists of a tri-axial accelerometer, a tri-axial gyroscope and a tri-axial magnetometer, coupled to an upper body segment (torso, arm and forearm). To get around with the limitations founded in rotations using euler angles and matrices of rotations the proposed system works with the principles of quaternions. To validate the system a sequence of tests were performed to measure angles using one and two sensors and compare the results with a reference protractor. A set of experimental tests tracking full arm motion were performed and the results show the validity and feasibility of the system from a practical point of view.
The Experiences of Australian School Mental Health Professionals during COVID-19 Lockdowns

Young people have emerged as one of the most impacted groups from the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions to daily activities, with disruptions to schooling, social interactions, and connections. Simultaneously, students’ access to school mental health professionals were restricted or modified. The aim of this paper was to identify how school mental health professionals supported and addressed the mental health needs of young people during COVID-19 restrictions in Australia. School mental health professionals were surveyed during the 2020 lockdowns using a questionnaire designed by researchers in the United States of America. The innovations school mental health staff adopted to support students during lockdowns and remote learning were presented, including telehealth services, digital resources, and the online training and support they received/provided. The barriers and facilitators to providing counselling and assessment services during lockdowns were identified, including issues with providing psychometric assessments during remote learning, and ethical concerns when delivering remote counselling to students. Recommendations have been included, which address how school mental health professionals could be supported to assess and treat young people during future pandemics and school restrictions.
Design of High Gain Lens Antenna by Using 100% Transmitting Metamaterials

A transmitting lens antenna using Huygens matematerials is proposed. The type of metamaterial has a 100% transmission. For obtaining a high gain antenna, a patch antenna is placed at the focal point of the metasurface as a feed source, and then quasi-spherical wave can be transformed to plane wave. As demonstration of the concept, a lens antenna, working at frequency of 10 GHz is designed, fabricated and measured. Numerical and experimental results agree well with each other. The measured results show that the gain has been enhanced about 11.2 dB.
Fertilizer technology based on optimized nitrogen release from urea‐loaded natural superabsorbent carriers

There is a pressing need for advanced fertilizer application technologies that enhance crop yields, maintain soil health and reduce the environmental impact from agriculture. Here, we report on the optimization of nitrogen release profiles of urea‐loaded polysaccharide (starch) superabsorbent carriers, employing analytical techniques including UV–VIS, FTIR, EDX, SEM and GC‐FID for structural and phospholipid fatty acids PLFA analyses. We fitted existing kinetic models to the uptake and release profiles, providing a link between nitrogen release kinetics and carrier structural variables. The inclusion of zeolite microparticles in the starch‐based carriers accelerated the rate of nitrogen release and increasing the maximum amount released. Field tests of the technology on maize crops demonstrated improved plant parameters and enhanced the soil microbial population. These findings highlight the promise of urea‐loaded natural superabsorbent carriers as a sustainable alternative to core‐shell CRF fertilizers and urease inhibitors.
Universal groups, binate groups and acyclicity

In [3 p85] it is stated that Lemma 11.11, used to prove the acyclicity (triviality of homology with trivial integer coefficients) of a certain universal group in algebraic iT-theory, "serves to establish the acyclicity of many other groups besides, but that, as they say, is another story". This work presents that other story. The key property of groups under consideration is a binate ("arranged in pairs") structure conforming to the hypotheses of [3 (11.11)]. We begin with a theoretical consideration of such structures and then offer a list of examples. Almost all the examples were previously known to be acyclic groups; however the arguments given in the literature tend to be of an ad hoc nature, with analogies on occasion noted though not explored. A number of these groups are universal in some sense. One newcomer to the list (in that it has not previously been described as acyclic) is P. Hall's countable universal locally finite group. There is another way in which universality enters into this discussion. We begin by considering groups which are universal among binate groups.
Adaptive Field-to-Mask Procedure for the Synthesis of Metalens Antennas With Complex Near-Field Coverage Patterns in 5G Scenarios

This work presents a novel procedure to address the synthesis of metalens antennas with tight requirements in near-field complex scenarios. A model to compute the near field is introduced together with the intersection approach (IA) algorithm for metalens antennas for the first time. Then, the adaptive field-to-mask (F2M) procedure is introduced. The F2M is applied in the definition of the templates of local optimization algorithms, enhancing their convergence. F2M progressively defines the templates as intermediate solutions between the starting point and the specifications considering the radiated field behavior in each intermediate stage. The advantages of F2M are demonstrated with two examples, which synthesizes the amplitude of the near field in a challenging scenario, setting constraints in a transverse and offset plane to the metalens aperture. One of the syntheses aims to reach a uniform field distribution through a curved corridor in a range of 14 m to provide coverage at 39 GHz. The synthesized phase shift distribution is used to design and manufacture a prototype to evaluate its performance. The measurements agree with both synthesis and full-wave results. Optimization algorithms, such as IA, can take an advantage of the F2M procedure to reach hard patterns in near-field complex scenarios.
Structure of the Universe

Based on a cosmological model without singularity, a possible structure of the universe is presented. It is proved that there must simultaneously be two sorts of symmetry breaking in the universe. The universe is composed of infinite s-cosmic islands, infinite v-cosmic islands and infinite transition zone. The existing and changing forms of the cosmic islands must be diverse. The cosmological principle holds only approximately within a cosmic island. No information can be exchanged between an s-cosmic island and an adjacent v-cosmic island so that every observer thinks his cosmic island to be the whole universe. It is possible that some cosmic islands are contracting, some cosmic islands are expanding, and other cosmic islands are stable for a time. But the universe as a whole is always invariable and contains all possible existing forms of matter. To give a possible explanation for orphan quasars. To predict some characteristics of contracting large and huge black holes in a cosmic island. The characteristics of the light coming from the contracting huge black holes are that the intensity of the light is huge relatively to their distance, the red shifts are huge, the distribution of the huge red shifts and the orphan quasars are anisotropic, and luminescence spectrum is very wide.
Polynomial‐time universality and limitations of deep learning

The goal of this paper is to characterize function distributions that general neural networks trained by descent algorithms (GD/SGD), can or cannot learn in polytime. The results are: (1) The paradigm of general neural networks trained by SGD is poly‐time universal: any function distribution that can be learned from samples in polytime can also be learned by a poly‐size neural net trained by SGD with polynomial parameters. In particular, this can be achieved despite polynomial noise on the gradients, implying a separation result between SGD‐based deep learning and statistical query algorithms, as the latter are not comparably universal due to cases like parities. This also shows that deep learning does not suffer from the limitations of shallow networks. (2) The paper further gives a lower‐bound on the generalization error of descent algorithms, which relies on two quantities: the cross‐predictability, an average‐case quantity related to the statistical dimension, and the null‐flow, a quantity specific to descent algorithms. The lower‐bound implies in particular that for functions of low enough cross‐predictability, the above robust universality breaks down once the gradients are averaged over too many samples (as in perfect GD) rather than fewer (as in SGD). (3) Finally, it is shown that if larger amounts of noise are added on the initialization and on the gradients, then SGD is no longer comparably universal due again to distributions having low enough cross‐predictability.
Assessing the effectiveness of traditional wool scouring for small-scale farmers in South Africa: a study on detergents and scouring time

Purpose The South African wool industry is integral to the country's agricultural sector, particularly sheep farming and wool production. Small-scale farmers play a vital role in this industry and contribute to employment and food security in rural communities. However, these farmers face numerous challenges, including a lack of funding, poor farming practices and difficulty selling their wool at fair prices. This study aims to address these challenges, the University of Free State launched a wool value chain project for small-scale farmers. Design/methodology/approach In this project, one of the studies conducted assessed the effectiveness of different detergents suitable for traditional wool scouring methods for small-scale farmers who lack access to sophisticated machinery. The investigation was conducted by scouring 160 wool samples using three different detergents and filtered water as a control. The wool samples were then evaluated for their cleanliness, brightness and fibre properties through a combination of scanning electron microscopy, spectrophotometry and statistical analysis at different scouring times (3, 10, 15 and 20 min, respectively). Findings The results showed that the combination of scouring time and the type of scouring solution used could significantly impact wool quality. It was found that using a combination of standard detergent or Woolwash as a scouring solution with a scouring time of 10–15 min resulted in the best outcome in terms of fibre property, wool colour and scouring loss. Originality/value This study demonstrated that traditional wool scouring methods could be an option for small-scale farmers and anyone who want to learn how to scour wool without expensive machinery to make wool products.
Comparison of PCB Based Actuator Coils for Untethered Actuation

Recently magnetic actuation has become a versatile tool for manipulation on both the micro and macro scale. Due to the problems arising from scale, conventional electromagnet production methods are insufficient to produce the desired electromagnets to be used for this purpose. To solve the problems arising from this situation, researchers have been forced to work in alternative electromagnet production and application areas and paved the way for PCB-based electromagnetic actuators. For this reason, this article will explain the design principles of PCB planar coils for electromagnetic actuator applications and will provide the basis for later studies to create a coil matrix using this coil design and an actuator that can move ferromagnetic particles or magnets in the plane with this 2D coil matrix. The presented project design steps can be listed as follows; First of all, to be able to design a coil that consists of copper paths on the PCB and can meet expectations (homogeneous magnetic field, high magnetic force/current ratio). PCB coils consisting of square, circular and hexagonal coils are manufactured and various measurements are made. The measured results are consistent with the simulated results proving the accuracy and applicability of PCB coil actuators, and they are highly suitable for a new actuator version. In the tests carried out, coils energized with 1A can provide a maximum field strength of 1400 (A/m) and an average of 900 (A/m) and due to the lack of magnetic core, the created magnetic field has the shape of a bell. In order to overcome this situation, it is foreseen that making studies to increase the working current and, as a more important development, switching from the planar single-layer structure to the structure of two or more layers can increase the magnetic field produced by this type of coils, but this layer increase should take into account the cost and PCB production and application capabilities. should be made available.
E7 Peptide Enables BMSC Adhesion and Promotes Chondrogenic Differentiation of BMSCs Via the LncRNA H19/miR675 Axis

Therapeutic strategies based on utilizing endogenous BMSCs have been developed for the regeneration of bone, cartilage, and ligaments. We previously found that E7 peptide (EPLQLKM) could enhance BMSC homing in bio-scaffolds and, therefore, promote cartilage regeneration. However, the profile and mechanisms of E7 peptide in cartilage regeneration remain elusive. In this study, we examined the effect of E7 peptide on the BMSC phenotype, including adhesion, viability and chondrogenic differentiation, and its underlying mechanism. The konjac glucomannan microsphere (KGM), a carrier material that is free of BMSC adhesion ability, was used as the solid base of E7 peptide to better explore the independent role of E7 peptide in BMSC behavior. The results showed that E7 peptide could support BMSC adhesion and viability in a comparable manner to RGD and promote superior chondrogenic differentiation to RGD. We examined differentially expressed genes of BMSCs induced by E7 compared to RGD. Subsequently, a real-time PCR validated the significantly upregulated expression of lncRNA H19, and the knockdown of lncRNA H19 or miR675, a downstream functional unit of H19, could significantly obscure the chondrogenic differentiation induced by E7. In conclusion, this study confirmed the independent role of E7 in the adhesion and viability of BMSCs and revealed the pro-chondrogenic effect of E7 on BMSCs via the H19/miR675 axis. These results could help establish new therapeutic strategies based on employing endogenous BMSCs for cartilage tissue regeneration.
Ultrathin TaN Damascene Nanowire Structures on 300-mm Si Wafers for Quantum Applications

We report on the development and characterization of superconducting damascene tantalum nitride (TaN) nanowires, 100 nm–3 μm wide, with TaN thicknesses varying from 5 to 35 nm, using 193-nm optical lithography and chemical mechanical planarization among other 300-mm wafer-scale processes. The TaN film composition chosen for nanowire fabrication was informed by a detailed study of unpatterned TaN films with varying nitrogen to tantalum ratios, formed by reactive sputtering. We also discuss the influence of encapsulation by copper and disordered atomic layer deposited TaN on the critical current of superconducting nanowires. Superconducting critical current density (measured at 12 mK) ranges from 0.12 to 0.85 MA/cm2 depending on nanowire width and film thickness. The potential of ultrathin TaN nanowires at 300-mm scale is discussed in the context of applications such as on-chip integration for readout of superconducting qubits, in single-photon detection for quantum computing, as well as in large single-photon detecting focal plane arrays for cosmology in a broader range of wavelengths.
Comments on "Adaptive fading Kalman filter with an application"

The performance of the normal Kalman filter (KF) will decrease when it is constructed on the basis of an erroneous model. Xia et al. (1994) proposed a new adaptive state estimation algorithm to solve the divergence problem for the KF, namely adaptive fading Kalman filter (AFKF). This paper discusses the error covariance equation in the AFKF suggested by Xia et al. (1994). ( 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Nonviral overexpression of Scleraxis or Mohawk drives reprogramming of degenerate human annulus fibrosus cells from a diseased to a healthy phenotype

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major contributor to low back pain (LBP), yet there are no clinical therapies targeting the underlying pathology. The annulus fibrosus (AF) plays a critical role in maintaining IVD structure/function and undergoes degenerative changes such as matrix catabolism and inflammation. Thus, therapies targeting the AF are crucial to fully restore IVD function. Previously, we have shown nonviral delivery of transcription factors to push diseased nucleus pulposus cells to a healthy phenotype. As a next step in a proof‐of‐concept study, we report the use of Scleraxis (SCX) and Mohawk (MKX), which are critical for the development, maintenance, and regeneration of the AF and may have therapeutic potential to induce a healthy, pro‐anabolic phenotype in diseased AF cells.
All-fiber linear polarization and orbital angular momentum modes amplifier based on few-mode erbium-doped fiber and long period fiber grating

A few-mode erbium-doped fiber (FM-EDF) is fabricated using modified chemical vapor deposition in combination with liquid solution. The core and cladding diameters of the fiber are approximately 19.44 and 124.12 μm, respectively. The refractive index difference is 0.98%, numerical aperture (NA) is 0.17, and normalized cut-off frequency at 1550 nm is 6.81. Therefore, it is a five-mode fiber, and can be used as a higher-order mode gain medium. Furthermore, a long period fiber grating (LPFG) is fabricated, which can convert LP01 mode to LP11 mode, and its conversion efficiency is up to 99%. The first-order orbital angular momentum (OAM) is also generated by combining the LPFG and polarization controller (PC). Then, an all-fiber amplification system based on the FM-EDF and LPFG, for LP11 mode and first-order OAM beams, is built up. Its on-off gain of the LP11 mode beam is 37.2 dB at 1521.2 nm. The variation, whose transverse mode field intensity of first-order OAM is increased with the increase of pumping power, is obvious. These show that both the LP11 mode and first-order OAM beams are amplified in the all-fiber amplification system. This is a novel all-fiber amplification scheme, which can be used in the optical communication fields.
Prototype of S4EI (spectral sampling with slicer for stellar and extragalactical instrumentation): a new generation 3D Spectro-imager

S4EI (Spectral Sampling with Slicer for Stellar and Extragalactical Instrumentation) is a new concept for extending Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass (ie S4I - Spectral Sampling with Slicer for Solar Instrumentation) to night-time astronomy. The Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass (MSDP) spectrographs have been widely used in solar spectroscopy because of their ability to provide an excellent compromise between field of view and the spatial and spectral resolutions. Compared with other spectrographs, MSDP can deliver simultaneous monochromatic images without any time-scanning requirements (as the standard Fabry-Perot), with limited loss of flux. Spatial resolution is the same as for an Imager given by the telescope: it can be very high. It is based on new generation reflecting plane image slicers working with large apertures specific to night-time telescopes. The resulting design could be potentially very attractive and innovative for different domains of astronomy, e.g., the simultaneous spatial mapping of accurately flux-calibrated emission lines between OH sky lines in extragalactic astronomy or the simultaneous imaging of stars, exoplanets and interstellar medium. The determination of physical and chemical properties of galaxies needs to observe several emission lines at different wavelengths. The combination of these lines gives access to the distribution in dust, star formation rate, metallicity, the kinematics or even to the electron density of the gas in the galaxies. The spatial resolution of MSDP allows, like the 3D or integral field spectrographs the construction of spatial distribution maps. The advantage of S4EI is that by measuring simultaneously the different lines, the relative errors of the flux calibration between the different wavelengths of the lines are potentially limited by the uncertainty of the calibration source used, which is expected to significantly reduce the associated errors and thus increase the precision and accuracy of estimates.