Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physics of Blob Displacement in a Two-Dimensional Porous Medium

The evolution of the geometry of blobs is observed during displacements in a two-dimensional (2D) transparent micromodel, and such macroscopic parameters as pressure drop and recovery are monitored simultaneously. The results are in good agreement with experiments performed in real media and with theoretical calculations of the conditions required for blob mobilization when the presence of loops in the structure is taken into account.
Flow simulation in a complex fluidics using three turbulence models and unstructured grids

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to simulate the behaviour of the symmetrical turn‐up vortex amplifier (STuVA) to obtain insight into its maximum through‐flow operation within the eight‐port STuVA, and understand the relation between its design parameters and flow characteristics. Furthermore, it is to test the performance of different turbulent models and near‐wall models using the same grid, the same numerical methods and the same computational fluid dynamics code under multiple impingement conditions.Design/methodology/approach – Three turbulence models, the standard k‐e, the renormalization group (RNG) k‐e model and the Reynolds stress model (RSM), and three near‐wall models have been used to simulate the confined incompressible turbulent flow in an eight‐port STuVA using unstructured meshes. The STuVA is a special symmetrical design of turn‐up vortex amplifier, and the simulation focused on its extreme operation in the maximum flow state with no swirling. The predictions were compared with basi.
Heat treatment studies on Bi-2212/Ag tapes fabricated using a powder-in-tube technique

A powder-in-tube (PIT) process employing groove and flat rolling has been successfully used for the fabrication of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (Bi-2212)/Ag tapes. The tapes were melt processed at 890 °C, which was followed by controlled cooling to 855 °C in order to complete the phase formation. The effect of processing atmosphere (air versus oxygen) on the current transport properties, and microstructure were studied. The average Jc at 4.2 K, self-field with 1 µV cm-1 criteria, was higher for tapes processed in oxygen (5×104 A cm-2) compared to tapes processed in air (6.25×103 A cm-2). Microstructural analysis on the heat treated tapes revealed that the oxygen processed tapes had a higher Bi-2212 content, better grain alignment and smaller secondary phases compared to the tapes processed in air. Bubble defects, which severely deteriorate Ic of the tapes, were more pronounced for tapes processed in oxygen. TEM studies on the Bi-2212-Ag interface illustrate the oxygen heat treated tapes to have sharp and straight interface compared to air processed tapes which exhibit a tendency to facet in the direction of [0 0 1]/[2 0 6].
Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC)-Based Gel Formulations as Etodolac Delivery: From Gel Preparation to Permeation Study

Topical administration of drug is an attractive alternative to the oral administration as it provides a reduction in adverse reactions and an enhancement of therapeutic effects. The use of lipid carriers in hydrogel structures makes it possible to introduce lipophilic substances in a dissolved form. In this study, an NSAID from the BCS class II, etodolac (ETD), was used. The nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) obtained with ETD were incorporated into semi-solid forms (gels). Hydrogels with the suspended drug and oleogel were also prepared for comparison purposes. The obtained gels were tested in terms of pH, viscosity, rheological, mechanical, and bioadhesive properties. The release and permeation through membranes were also studied. All tested formulations were characterized by a pH below 7, which ensured the physiological state of the skin. The viscosities of all gels decreased with increasing shear rate, indicating non-Newtonian behavior. The fastest ETD release was observed for NLC with a Carbopol base (formulation F1); a similar result was noticed in the permeation test. The developed gel formulations containing ETD-NLC dispersion and Carbopol or Poloxamer as gelling agents were stable and possessed beneficial pharmaceutical properties.
Identifying Tumor-Associated Genes from Bilayer Networks of DNA Methylation Sites and RNAs

Network theory has attracted much attention from the biological community because of its high efficacy in identifying tumor-associated genes. However, most researchers have focused on single networks of single omics, which have less predictive power. With the available multiomics data, multilayer networks can now be used in molecular research. In this study, we achieved this with the construction of a bilayer network of DNA methylation sites and RNAs. We applied the network model to five types of tumor data to identify key genes associated with tumors. Compared with the single network, the proposed bilayer network resulted in more tumor-associated DNA methylation sites and genes, which we verified with prognostic and KEGG enrichment analyses.
Research on stock prediction algorithm based on CNN and LSTM

: The traditional resolution to forecast stock trends accurately is based on time series models. However, traditional time series models simply cannot fit the irregular movements of the market due to their own limitations.This study combines the advantages of convolutional neural networks (CNN) and long short-term memory networks (LSTM) for improving the stock prediction accuracy, uses the convolution idea of CNN to construct feature extraction layer to extract features, and inputs the extracted features into LSTM, to study the temporal message of the features better. The model constructed in this study can capture local features and time series information of stock data.The performance indicators of the proposed model are shown to be outperformed by CNN and LSTM, and the method is effective in reducing forecasting errors.
Identifiability of Income Distributions in the Context of Damage and Generating Models

In the context of additive or multiplicative damage models, and under mild conditions, it is shown that the functional forms of suitably chosen regressions on a random variable X or/and its recorded part Y are characteristic of the distribution of X. The paper treats the cases where the recorded value is either an understatement or an overstatement of the true observation.
Spatial and Temporal Effects of Digital Technology Development on Carbon Emissions: Evidence from China

In the context of digital economy and low carbon economy, digital technology is an important tool to achieve the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Based on the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2011–2019, to empirically test the time-lagged effect and spatial spillover effect of digital technology development on carbon emissions, the entropy method was used to measure the comprehensive index of digital technology development after applying the dynamic spatial Durbin model. The research results show that: (1) Carbon emissions have time inertia and positive spatial correlation, specifically the spatial characteristics of “high in the north and low in the south”; the overall level of digital technology development is improving; however, the spatial differences are gradually expanding, showing a spatial layout of east, west and middle gradient decline. (2) In both the short term and long term, digital technology development has a significant positive impact on reducing carbon emissions in the region. The long-term inhibitory effect of digital technology development on carbon emissions is more obvious than the short-term effect. (3) Unlike the existing studies indicating that digital technology development contributes to reduce carbon emissions in neighboring regions, digital technology development does not have a positive spatial spillover effect on carbon emissions in spatially connected regions. Therefore, policy makers should take into account spatial effects when promoting the penetration and application of digital technologies in environmental governance.
Enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit through the reduction of bipolar thermal conductivity with heterostructure barriers

In this paper, we present theoretically that the thermoelectric figure of merit for a semiconductor material with a small band gap can be significantly enhanced near the intrinsic doping regime at high temperatures via the suppression of bipolar thermal conductivity when the minority carriers are selectively blocked by heterostructure barriers. This scheme is particularly effective in nanostructured materials where the lattice thermal conductivity is lowered by increased phonon scatterings at the boundaries, so that the electronic thermal conductivity including the bipolar term is limiting the figure of merit zT. We show that zT can be enhanced to above 3 for p-type PbTe, and above 2 for n-type PbTe at 900 K with minority carrier blocking, when the lattice thermal conductivity is as low as 0.3 W/m K.
Impacts of transit-oriented development on car use over a 10-year period in Porto, Portugal: From macro- to micro-analysis

Abstract Transit-oriented development (TOD), an urban planning concept that aims to promote sustainable transport modes, has been actively studied in recent years, especially in relation to car trips reduction. However, longitudinal studies on the matter are still rare. In this paper, we analyze the effects of the implementation of a new metro system after its first 10 years of operation focusing on how changes in the number of car trips were influenced by station type – TOD, transit-adjacent development (TAD) and park-and-ride (P&R). Specifically, we perform a before/after analysis of the impact of metro implementation in the Porto area (Portugal) both at a macro scale (civil parish) and at a micro scale (census tract) to analyze the overall effect of metro and more detailed effects only detectable at the micro scale. Census-tract data enables a comprehensive analysis of spatial spillover impacts from different stations, comparing the extent (i.e., the distance range within which the effect of station proximity is noticeable) and the magnitude (the reduction in the number of car trips) of the spillover in each case. Both direct and indirect metro impacts are already visible at the macro scale, yet at the micro scale the magnitude of the spillover effects varies depending on station type. The effects of TOD stations on the reduction of car trips are the strongest across the different station types and are felt up to a 2 km distance from a station, while TAD and P&R effects are weaker and do not reach beyond 1.2 km.
A Review of Microgrid Energy Management Strategies from the Energy Trilemma Perspective

The energy sector is undergoing a paradigm shift among all the stages, from generation to the consumer end. The affordable, flexible, secure supply–demand balance due to an increase in renewable energy sources (RESs) penetration, technological advancements in monitoring and control, and the active nature of distribution system components have led to the development of microgrid (MG) energy systems. The intermittency and uncertainty of RES, as well as the controllable nature of MG components such as different types of energy generation sources, energy storage systems, electric vehicles, heating, and cooling systems are required to deploy efficient energy management systems (EMSs). Multi-agent systems (MASs) and model predictive control (MPC) approaches have been widely used in recent studies and have characteristics that address most of the EMS challenges. The advantages of these methods are due to the independent characteristics and nature of MAS, the predictive nature of MPC, and their ability to provide affordable, flexible, and secure MG operation. Therefore, for the first time, this state-of-the-art review presents a classification of the MG control and optimization methods, their objectives, and help in understanding the MG operational and EMS challenges from the perspective of the energy trilemma (flexibility, affordability, and security). The control and optimization architectures achievable with MAS and MPC methods predominantly identified and discussed. Furthermore, future research recommendations in MG-EMS in terms of energy trilemma associated with MAS, MPC methods, stability, resiliency, scalability improvements, and algorithm developments are presented to benefit the research community.
Relationships between Dimensions of Instructional Quality and Trainee-Teacher Effectiveness

ABSTRACT This study examined the relationship between two dimensions of instructional quality and trainee-teacher effectiveness in the delivery of instruction among trainee-teachers at the College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast (CoDE, UCC). The correlational design was adopted for the study. The accessible population was 53,293 comprising 1,837 CoDE course tutors and, 51,456 CoDE trainee-teachers. The sample size for the study was 726, made up of 397 trainee teachers and 329 course tutors. The data collected were analyzed with the Pearson product-moment correlation. The results showed that faculty quality and quality interaction had a positive and significant relationship with trainee-teacher effectiveness. It was recommended that the management of CoDE, UCC should continuously organize seminars and workshops to upgrade the competencies and interactive capacities of faculty members in order to enhance their relevance and competitiveness.
Mindfulness for the self‐management of negative coping, rumination and fears of compassion in people with cancer: An exploratory study

Cancer and its treatments have the potential to significantly impact mental health, provoking feelings of anxiety, depression, and distress, which can last long after treatment is over. One of the most rapidly emerging influences in the healthcare field is mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs), which are designed to cultivate present moment awareness, attentional flexibility, compassion and acceptance, to reduce physical and psychological distress. However, there is limited research into the efficacy of MBIs or disease specific MBIs in shifting negative coping, ruminative thinking and fears of compassion as primary outcomes in individuals with cancer.
Neural Networks Based Lyapunov Functions for Transient Stability Analysis and Assessment of Power Systems

This article presents the Lyapunov functions based on the artificial intelligence (AI) method for transient stability assessment and the determination of stability region (SR). First, Lyapunov stability theory and the definition of SR are introduced. Then, the characteristics of neural networks as a general function approximator are employed as the Lyapunov function learner, and the Lyapunov function is constructed combined with stochastic gradient descent (SGD). Then, the falsifier's task is to find the state vectors that violate Lyapunov stability conditions, and the counterexamples would be added to the training set for the function learner to accelerate convergence. After obtaining the Lyapunov function of power system, the estimation of SR boundary can be represented by the maximum level set of Lyapunov function. Finally, the IEEE 9-bus 3-machine system is used as test system to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed construction method of Lyapunov functions for power system transient stability analysis.
Native Americans’ Responses to Obesity Attributions and Message Sources in an Obesity Prevention Campaign

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effectiveness of Native American (NA) targeted obesity prevention messages. The researchers manipulated obesity attributions (internal vs. external) and message sources (NAs vs. non-NAs) in a 2 × 2 mixed experimental design to examine the way these message attributes influence NAs’ emotional, attitudinal, cognitive, and behavioral responses. One-hundred and eighteen Cheyenne and Arapaho (C&A) tribal citizens read two paper-based obesity prevention PSAs and then answered questions that assessed their message responses. The key findings demonstrated that the match between participants’ ethnicity and the message source’s ethnicity had a significant effect, as it reduced anger and promoted positive message attitudes and favorable source evaluations. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research and NA targeted health campaigns are discussed.
High proper motion stars in Kapteyn Selected Area 94

We have applied the astrometric techniques devised by Murray for analysis of 48-inch Schmidt photographic data to SuperCOSMOS scans of UK Schmidt plates centred on Kapteyn's Selected Area 94 (α=2h 53m, δ=0°). In this preliminary study, we combine astrometric data from four short-exposure V-band plates, taken in 1987 August (2 plates) and 1993 August (2 plates), with BVRI photometry from sky-limited plate material, to identify stars with proper motions exceeding 0.1 arcsec yr−1. This paper discusses the completeness of the resulting sample and presents spectroscopy of 30 stars with μ>0.2 arcsec yr−1. Based on the latter observations and the distribution in the [HV, (V−I)] reduced proper-motion diagram, we have classified stars in the complete sample as candidate white dwarfs, main-sequence dwarfs and halo subdwarfs, and derived estimates of the disc and halo luminosity functions.
Exploring the situational characteristics of drug policing directed at youth – circumstances of detection and grounds for intervention

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to explore the circumstances associated with police interventions and the use of enforced drug tests and body searches against youths suspected of minor drug crime in Malmö, Sweden. There is a need for research on police enforcement practices directed at young people as a result of an increased use of coercive measures against youth and young adults suspected of minor drug offences in Sweden. The research questions are addressed on the basis of police documentation covering a period of one year. Approximately 67% of police interventions involved car-stops or police responses to calls for service. The documented grounds for the use of enforced drug tests are of a subjective nature, and detail signs of intoxication. Body searches were less often documented, and provided little insight into suspicion formation. 82% of the drug tests produced positive results for illicit substances. The results highlight the need to evaluate the utility and practice of body searches and enforced drug testing focused on youth.
Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants from Iran and evaluation of the effect of mutations on the spike, nucleocapsid, ORF8, and ORF9b proteins function

Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 ‘Omicron’ strain, with 15 mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD), was detected in South Africa and rapidly spread worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 ORF9b protein by binding to the TOM70 receptor and ORF8 protein by binding to MHC-I, IF3 receptors inhibit the host’s immune response. In this study, genomics variations were evaluated for 96 samples isolated from Iran from March to July 2022 using the Nextclade web server and informatics tools. We identified the mutations occurring in the SARS-CoV-2 proteins. We also evaluated the effect of mutations on spike protein interaction with the ACE2 receptor, ORF9b protein interaction with the TOM70 receptor, and structural stability of ORF8 and nucleocapsid proteins using docking and molecular dynamics. Results indicated that during March and April 2022, the BA.2 strain was dominant in the south of Iran, while during June 2022, the BA.5 strain was dominant. BF.5 strain had the most divergence among SARS-CoV-2 strains reported from south of Iran. The binding affinity of BA.5 and BF.5 strains spike protein to ACE2 receptor is similar, and compared to BA.2 strain, was stronger. The BF.5 ORF9b K40R mutation causes a better binding affinity of the protein to the TOM70 receptor. Also, mutations that occurred in the ORF8 protein led to instability in the dimer formation of this protein and improved immune response for mutations that occurred in BA.2 strain, while this mutation did not occur in BF.5 strain. The mutations that were detected in nucleocapsid protein CTD and NTD domains caused the stability of these domains. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Implementation of Decoder for Effective Quasi-Cyclic LDPC Codes Based on FPGA

Designers are increasingly relying on FPGA-based emulation to evaluate the performance of LDPC codes. In this paper, we propose a novel approximate lower triangular structure for the parity part of the parity-check matrix of QC-LDPC codes. Next, a high speed partially parallel decoder architecture which based on the Offset BP-based decoding algorithm is proposed. The results indicate that the frequency can reach 100MHz and its throughput rate can reach 113Mbps.
Psychological Determinants in Resistance to COVID-19 Vaccine Injection: A Systematic Review Study

Context: In order to succeed in reducing the prevalence and treatment of preventable diseases through vaccines, immunization programs should be accompanied by the national vaccination process. Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the psychological factors determining resistance to the injection of the COVID-19 vaccine. Data Sources: In this systematic review study, the keywords resistance, hesitancy, epidemic, vaccine, psychological determinants, anxiety, and stress in the titles and abstracts of articles published in 2020 (June) and 2022 (May) in reputable international scientific databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and ISI were searched. Results: Studies have shown that women of young age, low education, people with conspiratorial and paranoid thoughts, poor cognitive processing and decision-making, and people with depression, fear, and anxiety were highly resistant to the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast, vaccine safety and efficacy levels, confidence, collective responsibility, and media literacy were associated with accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions: According to studies, a significant number of people around the world are resistant to the vaccine. Since psychological factors such as anxiety, fear, and paranoid thoughts play an important role in people's resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, improving health literacy and psychological health is essential.
Closed-Form Upper and Lower Bounds on Coverage Probability of Repulsive Wireless Networks

In this paper, we propose novel <italic>closed-form</italic> lower and upper bound expressions on coverage probability of repulsive wireless networks modeled by Matèrn hard-core process type II (MHCP-II). The derived mathematical expressions are matched well with simulation results especially when the hard-core distance, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta$</tex-math></inline-formula>, of MHCP-II model is larger than the communication distance between transmitter and receiver, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R$</tex-math></inline-formula>. It is worth noting that the case that <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta \geq R$</tex-math></inline-formula> is very important in practical repulsive wireless networks. We also propose a novel closed-form expression on coverage probability of in-homogeneous Poisson point process model in order to approximate the coverage probability of repulsive wireless networks when <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta < R$</tex-math></inline-formula>. Through extensive computer simulations, we validate that the proposed mathematical analysis matches well with simulation results in various system parameters. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed closed-form expressions are the first mathematically tractable and effective theoretical results in the literature.