Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Algorithm to Suppress Drift for Micromirror and Other Intensity-Modulated Hydrogen Sensors

Here, a method to suppress drift in intensity-modulated sensors is presented that preserves the advantages of such sensors including simplicity and low-cost components. This method is illustrated using metal hydride-based optical hydrogen sensors that can reliably, accurately, and quickly sense hydrogen across a large concentration range. These sensors rely on a metal hydride-sensing material that reversibly absorbs hydrogen when a hydrogen concentration is present. In turn, this causes a change in the optical properties which can be probed to determine the hydrogen concentration. To do this, two major methods exist: intensity- and frequency-modulated sensors. While intensity-modulated sensors are typically simpler and cheaper to fabricate, they may suffer from drifting light sources and unstable alignments. Using the fact that exposure to hydrogen reduces (increases) the optical transmission (reflectivity) of a Ta-based sensing material for blue/green light while it increases (decreases) the transmission for (near) infrared (IR) light, it is possible to differentiate between a changing hydrogen concentration and a drifting light source: Whereas the signal of both wavelengths is positively correlated for a drifting light source, the signal is negatively correlated when the hydrogen concentration changes. Using this algorithm, the drift on the signal can be reduced by a factor of 5 for intensity-modulated sensors. In a more general perspective, the wealth of information in the wavelength-dependent optical response allows for more advanced approaches to improve the signal and accuracy of (optical) sensors.
Applications of Silk Fibroin in Human and Veterinary Medicine

The properties of silk make it a promising material for medical applications, both in human and veterinary medicine. Its predominant amino acids, glycine and alanine, exhibit low chemical reactivity, reducing the risk of graft rejection, a notable advantage over most synthetic polymers. Hence, silk is increasingly used as a material for 3D printing in biomedicine. It can be used to build cell scaffolding with the desired cytocompatibility and biodegradability. In combination with gelatine, silk can be used in the treatment of arthritis, and as a hydrogel, to regenerate chondrocytes and mesenchymal cells. When combined with gelatine and collagen, it can also make skin grafts and regenerate the integumentary system. In the treatment of bone tissue, it can be used in combination with polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite to produce bone clips having good mechanical properties and high immunological tolerance. Furthermore, silk can provide a good microenvironment for the proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. Moreover, research is underway to produce artificial blood vessels using silk in combination with glycidyl methacrylate. Silk vascular grafts have demonstrated a high degree of patency and a satisfactory degree of endothelial cells coverage.
Effective Use of Sugarcane-Bagasse-Derived KOH-Activated Biochar for Remediating Norfloxacin-Contaminated Water

Bagasse-derived biochar (SCB750) was prepared at 750 °C using Chinese sugarcane bagasse as a carbon source and then modified with KOH for the removal of the antibiotic norfloxacin (NOR) from aqueous solutions. 3K-SCB750, prepared using a solid-to-liquid mass ratio of bagasse:KOH = 1:3, was found to have the best adsorption performance for NOR. Under the conditions of pH 5, 25 °C, 2.4 g L−1 adsorbent, and 300 mg L−1 NOR, its adsorption of NOR reached equilibrium (97.5% removal) after 60 min. The adsorption behaviours were in line with the quasi-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models, respectively. The maximum theoretical adsorption capacity reached up to 157.4 mg·g−1 at 40 °C. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption of NOR onto 3K-SCB750 was a spontaneous, endothermic, and physical process. In addition, Brunauer−Emmett−Teller analysis (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy were conducted to investigate the structural and adsorption properties of 3K-SCB750. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also applied to understand the mechanism of adsorption of NOR onto 3K-SCB750. All of the results indicated that 3K-SCB750 had a large specific surface area of 1038.8 m2·g−1, an average pore size of 1.9 nm, and hierarchical structures with random pores and cracks for efficient removal of NOR. NOR adsorption mechanisms on 3K-SCB750 were related to the pore-filling effect and electrostatic attraction. Therefore, 3K-SCB750 biochar may be used as a promising adsorbent of antibiotics in wastewaters.
The Relationship of Vegetation to Methane Emission and Hydrochemical Gradients in Northern Peatlands

1 The bryophyte and vascular flora were described for a range of forested and open peatlands in the mid-boreal Clay Belt region of Canada, and in the subarctic region of the Labrador Trough, Quebec. The floristic patterns and their relationships to methane (CH4) emission, hydrology and water chemistry were analysed with classification (TWINSPAN), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). 2 Despite differences in vegetation physiognomy, chemistry, and geology, water chemistry (pH, Ca, Mg, Kcorr) and hydrology explain most of the species distribution in both peatland regions. In the Clay Belt, bryophytes respond primarily to water table position, and secondarily to water chemistry; the reverse is true for the vascular flora. The bryophyte and vascular ordinations are more similar to each other in the Labrador Trough than in boreal sites. 3 Although CH4 emissions are lower in subarctic than in boreal sites, mean CH4 flux is strongly correlated with mean water table position (r2 = 0.73) in both regions, but is not correlated with water chemistry. The highest CH4 emissions (seasonal mean > 100mg m-2 day-') occur in raised bog and patterned poor fen pools where the peat mat is degrading. 4 The relationships among CH4 flux, mean water table position, and species distribution are similar in both boreal and subarctic regions. Bryophytes are generally better predictors of CH4 flux than vascular plants, except for certain species in flooded sites (e.g. Carex spp.). Bryophytes are also better indicators of the long-term average position of the water table, reflecting relative zones of methane production and oxidation over the season. In the vascular plant analyses, shrub cover indicates dry conditions and low CH4 flux in the sharply differentiated string-flark-pool topography of the subarctic fens, but is less predictive of CH4 emission in the drier hummockhollow microtopography at boreal sites where shrubs and trees are more pervasive. Overall herbaceous or sedge cover is not indicative of CH4 flux in either region.
Estimating environmental flow requirements downstream of the Chara Chara weir on the Blue Nile River

Over the last decade, flow in the Abay River (i.e. the Blue Nile) has been modified by operation of the Chara Chara weir and diversions to the Tis Abay hydropower stations, located downstream. The most conspicuous impact of these human interventions is significantly reduced flows over the Tis Issat Falls. This paper presents the findings of a hydrological study conducted to estimate environmental flow requirements downstream of the weir. The Desktop Reserve Model (DRM) was used to determine both high and low flow requirements in the reach containing the Falls. The results indicate that to maintain the basic ecological functioning in this reach requires an average annual allocation of 862 Mm3 (i.e. equivalent to 22% of the mean annual flow). Under natural conditions there was a considerable seasonal variation, but the absolute minimum mean monthly allocation, even in dry years, should not be less than approximately 10 Mm3 (i.e. 3·7 m3 s−1). These estimates make no allowance for maintaining the aesthetic quality of the Falls, which are popular with tourists. The study demonstrated that, in the absence of ecological information, hydrological indices can be used to provide a preliminary estimate of environmental flow requirements. However, to ensure proper management, much greater understanding of the relationships between flow and the ecological condition of the river ecosystem is needed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The heat capacity and thermal conductivity of Apollo 11 lunar rocks 10017 and 10046 at liquid helium temperatures

Heat-capacity measurements have been made on portions of lunar rocks 10017 and 10046 in the temperature region 2° to 5°K. For both specimens, the heat capacity is over 100 times greater than is predicted from acoustic wave velocities measured in the same rocks. Several possible reasons for this behavior are considered. It is concluded that the effect originates in the existence of one or more small peaks in the low-frequency part of the vibrational frequency distribution. The ‘excess’ heat capacity of rock 10017 can be accounted for semiquantitatively by one such peak containing 3% of the normal modes at a frequency of 5 cm−1. Thermal equilibration in rock 10046 was sufficiently slow to allow a good estimate to be made of its thermal conductivity. The result, K = 2.5(±0.5) × 10−6 cal/sec cm deg, is compared with values obtained by using other experimental techniques. The thermal conductivity of rock 10017 was found to be 10 to 100 times larger.
Clinical Annotation and Segmentation Tool (CAST) Implementation for Dental Diagnostics

Purpose This study aims to document the early stages of development of an unsupervised, deep learning-based clinical annotation and segmentation tool (CAST) capable of isolating clinically significant teeth in both intraoral photographs and their corresponding oral radiographs. Methods The dataset consisted of 172 intraoral photographs and 424 dental radiographs, manually annotated by two operators, augmented to yield 6258 images for training, 183 for validation, and 98 for testing. The training involved the use of an object detection model (‘YOLOv8’) combined with a feature extraction system (‘Segment Anything Model’). This combination enabled the auto-annotation and segmentation of tooth-related features and lesions in both types of images without operator intervention. Outputs were further processed using a data relabelling tool (‘X-AnyLabeling’) enabling the option to manually reannotate erroneous data outputs through reinforcement learning. Results The trained object detection model achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 77.4%, with precision and recall rates of 75.0% and 72.1%, respectively. The model was able to segment features from oral images annotated by polygonal boundaries better than radiological images annotated using bounding boxes. Conclusion The development of the auto-annotation and segmentation tool showed initial promise in automating the image labelling and segmentation process for intraoral images and radiographs. Further work is required to address the limitations.
Correlation Between Cytokine Gene CCL3, miRNA146-B and Otitis Media Patients in AL-Najaf Governorate, Iraq

The current study aims to detect the gene expression of genes (CCL3, miRNA-b) in Otitis Media patients and healthy persons. This finding included 50 samples collected from healthy subjects and 100 samples from a patient suffering from otitis media who attended Al-Sadr Medical City (ENT Department) in Al-Najaf Governorate during the period from February 2022 to June 2022. The samples had an average age ranging from 5 to 70 years. In this case-control study, the gene expression of these genes was compared in people with Otitis media and healthy people. PCR technique is used. The patient and control groups' samples were amplified using polymerase chain reactions. The results of the molecular study (gene expression) showed a high significant increase in the level of gene expression in patients for the two genes CCL3, miRNA146-b (9.807 ± 1.14 (6.405 ± 0.7576), respectively, compared to the control group, with a high significant difference at P≤0.05.
DISTRIBUTED RUNOFF FORMULATION DESIGNED FOR A PRECISION AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE MODELING SYSTEM 1

A precision scale landscape model designed for agricultural applications is described in this paper. The Precision Agricultural Landscape Modeling System (PALMS) is a combination of two process‐based models: a diffusive wave runoff model with ponding (described in detail) and a biosphere model with a crops module (briefly reviewed). Several innovations, including numerical formulations for the hydrologic properties of the soil surface with crusting, slope/tillage angle interactions, and change of roughness and detention storage with cumulative precipitation have been included. The model is compared to observations on one 1.8 ha field planted with maize and soybeans during four growing seasons, and one 24 ha field planted with maize during one growing season. Daily average soil moisture is simulated well (within 5 percent volumetric), except in extended runoff/ponding episodes. Physical processes not simulated in the model suggest possible explanations for model errors. Planned improvements for PALMS are also presented.
CHRONOLOGICAL CHANGES IN UPPER PALEOLITHIC FISHERIES REVEALED BY MUSEUM ARCHIVAL MATERIAL

ABSTRACT Salmonid vertebrae in mixed faunal remains from North Iberian archaeological sites of the upper Paleolithic were analyzed to determine specimen age, migratory status, and the seasonality of catch, based on annual growth marks. Fish size was back calculated from vertebra size using published equations. Although sample size is very small, significant changes in the average size and migratory status of fished specimens, and in the seasonality of fishing were detected. Salmonids (Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and brown trout Salmo trutta) were present as a resource in human diet in different climatic conditions. However, preferential winter harvest was prevalent starting after the Last Glacial Maximum, although this may be an artifact of the data related to sea-level rise. The main potential impact of prehistoric fishing habits on salmonid populations was the removal of the larger breeders from the rivers, thus indirectly promoting the reproduction of smaller fish (i.e., selection for small size, although most likely unintended). The methodology described in this study, if applied to larger collections and/or samples, can provide information on how salmonids reacted to past changes in harvest or climate, and could help to predict the consequences of current environmental and climatic changes.
Evaluation framework for the National Measurement System: a framework for assessing the impact of NMS laboratories

The document presents the Evaluation Framework for the National Measurement System (NMS) and the UK Measurement Strategy. The framework provides the over-arching approach for the evaluation of the NMS to guide the monitoring and evaluation activities to be undertaken by organisations that comprise the NMS. It presents a description of the role of the NMS to set the context for the evaluation and provides details of the primary evaluation methodology and the data collection and analysis methods that will be used to provide evaluation evidence. Each laboratory within the NMS will develop its own evaluation plan to guide its monitoring and evaluation work. Such plans will be based around the common NMS evaluation framework but should be in-line with the scale and content of their specific activities.
Aquifer Stress History Contributes to Historic Shift in Subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley, California

The San Joaquin Valley, California has experienced dramatic subsidence over the past 100 years, but the regions with the most subsidence have shifted dramatically over this time period, from west (Kettleman City/Los Banos) to south (Tulare/Pixley/Corcoran). To date, no study has done an in‐depth analysis of the mechanisms driving this shift in subsidence. We analyze head records, utilizing a novel approach that assimilates change in head data from multiple overlapping time periods, to produce an 80‐year record of change in head over both the historical and modern regions of greatest subsidence. We then calibrate a deformation model to fit both historical (measured with leveling surveys) and modern (measured with Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, or InSAR) data sets. We find that the stress history of the Kettleman City/Los Banos region with historically high subsidence plays a large role in reducing modern subsidence in that region, while declining heads in both regions are likely to result in major subsidence over the next several decades. This study highlights the need for active groundwater management to mitigate ongoing and future subsidence. One key data set needed in this effort is accurate long‐term head histories to reconstruct the stress history of aquifers for accurate deformation modeling.
Tree Taper Model Volume Equations: IV. Tree Volume Equations for Major California Conifers

Equations and tables are given to estimate total tree board foot and cubic foot volume for eight major California conifer species. Using taper equations developed in another study, log dimensions were estimated for the trees used in the stem taper study; then coefficients for whole-tree volume equations were fitted to the resulting set. This produced Scribner and International ¼-inch board volume, and cubic volume equations for the eight important commercial conifer species in California. For board-foot volumes, separate equations are given for both total and merchantable heights to various merchantable tops.
The application of Curie depth, effective elastic thickness, seismic tomography and seismicity in regional exploration area selection

When selecting geological provinces prospective for giant ore deposits knowledge of the location of deep lithospheric structures and craton margins, and an understanding of the temperature distribution of the Earth, are all important. Curie depth, effective elastic thickness, seismic tomography and seismicity are techniques with the potential to provide this information. Curie depth depends on the geothermal gradient and may, in principle, be derived from aeromagnetic data. However, it is concluded here that such Curie depth maps may have little value in many shield areas. Effective elastic thickness (Te) is a measure of the strength of the lithosphere. Methods for estimating Te are described and, as an example, a new Te map of Brazil is presented. Te gradients correlate well with province boundaries and seismicity, implying that they map major lithospheric structures. Seismic tomography uses the travel times of earthquake P- and S -waves to map velocity variations within the Earth. Many new tomographic velocity models are now becoming available, with resolution < 100km in some cases. It appears that temperature is the major control on velocity, at least in the upper mantle. Global seismicity information may be analysed in terms of the distribution of earthquakes, their magnitudes and their focal depths. A correlation between seismicity and large mineral deposits has been observed in certain regions, which motivates the use of this data. Possible reasons for the correlation are discussed here. Since the different maps - Te,, seismic velocity and seismicity - respond to different physical properties (or the same physical properties in different ways), it is most beneficial to interpret all three together.
Space Charge in PDMS/SiO2 Nanocomposites Under DC Voltage and Its Influence on Breakdown Properties

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) used for energy conversion are often subjected to dc voltages or low-frequency varying voltages where the influence of space charge accumulation should be considered. The accumulation of space charge distorts the local electric field in the dielectric, which is closely related to critical dielectric performance, such as breakdown and electrical aging. Little research has been done on the effect of space charge in DE on the breakdown performance. In previous studies, it has been shown that adding nanosized silica may improve the breakdown strength, which is often ascribed to the traps created by the nanoparticles. Charge trapped in front of the electrode–dielectric interface is supposed to reduce the electric field and hence reduce charge injection and accumulation, resulting in a higher breakdown strength. In this article, to test this hypothesis, PDMS samples are prepared with different concentrations of nanosilica, as well as reference samples without filler. These specimens are characterized through space charge measurements. Conduction current measurements are performed to obtain additional information on the injection current. To relate space charge accumulation to a change in the breakdown characteristics, different types of breakdown tests are performed under ac and dc voltage. First, ac and dc ramp voltages are used, with the hypothesis that any accumulated space charge will have an effect only on dc breakdown because ac stress at power frequency does not allow enough time for space charge accumulation. In an additional step, step-up dc voltage tests are performed with the duration of each step long enough to allow space charge accumulation. The hypothesis in this case is that, due to the effect of space charge, the dc breakdown voltage would be lower than under dc ramp tests. The results of these experiments show that in the reference specimens, the breakdown strength is indeed affected by a strong build-up of space charge. Furthermore, the space charge can be mitigated by adding a small fraction of nanosilica. This mitigation of space charge accumulation is shown to lead to a significantly higher dc breakdown strength, whereas the ac breakdown strength is hardly affected.
Crushing the Spirit: Unmasking the Impact of Workplace Bullying on Psychological Wellbeing among Portuguese Employees

The research objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying and to find out whether there is a relationship between workplace bullying and psychological wellbeing among employees in Portugal working in different sectors. A cross-sectional study and a survey were conducted with 205 employees to gather the data. The findings indicate that the prevalence of bullying ranges from 28.8% to 9.96% when applying different measurements. The results also revealed that, in the context of the possible influence of different forms of bullying on mental wellbeing, person-related bullying had the strongest effect on mental restlessness, sadness, impulsivity, and anxiety, while it showed the weakest effect on depression. In all cases, the presence of person-related bullying decreased the level of psychological wellbeing. The results of this study hold practical implications for organizations, as they emphasize the crucial role of managers in being aware of and implementing strategies to prevent workplace bullying. By prioritizing mental health among employees, managers may enhance their overall wellbeing and foster positive work relationships, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more productive work environment.