Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Species richness and the dynamics of coral cover in Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia

Pressures on the world’s tropical coral reefs that threaten their existence have been reported worldwide due to many stressors. Loss of coral cover and declines in coral richness are two of the most common changes often reported in coral reefs. However, a precise estimate of species richness and the coral cover dynamics for most Indonesian regions, particularly in the Bangka Belitung Islands, have been poorly documented. Annual monitoring data from 2015 to 2018 at 11 fixed sites in the Bangka Belitung Islands using the photo quadrat transect method identified 342 coral species from 63 genera. Of these, 231 species (>65%) were rare or uncommon, occurring in <40% of all sites. The species richness of hard corals was categorized as moderate compared to other studies in Indonesia, averaging 53 species across sites and years, and there was an increasing number of sites with high species richness. The percent cover of live and dead hard corals was greater than other benthic and substrate categories in all sites; revealing a live-dead hard corals pattern with dead coral cover averaged 12% higher than live hard coral across the years, but they did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05). There was a slightly increasing trend in hard coral cover in ten out of 11 sites in 2018, indicating the reefs are in a recovery process. The results support the need to identify recovering or stable areas despite apparent anthropogenic and natural variations recently. This vital information is essential for early detection and preparation for management strategies in the current context of climate change and for ensuring future coral reef survival.
What Do We Really Know About the Winds of Massive Stars?

Abstract The standard theory of radiation driven winds has provided a useful framework to understand stellar winds arising from massive stars (O stars, Wolf-Rayet stars, and luminous blue variables). However, with new diagnostics, and advances in spectral modeling, deficiencies in our understanding of stellar winds have been thrust to the forefront of our research efforts. Spectroscopic observations and analyses have shown the importance of inhomogeneities in stellar winds, and revealed that there are fundamental discrepancies between predicted and theoretical mass-loss rates. For late O stars, spectroscopic analyses derive mass-loss rates significantly lower than predicted. For all O stars, observed X-ray fluxes are difficult to reproduce using standard shock theory, while observed X-ray profiles indicate lower mass-loss rates, the potential importance of porosity effects, and an origin surprisingly close to the stellar photosphere. In O stars with weak winds, X-rays play a crucial role in determining the ionization balance, and must be taken into account.
Improved linear representation of ocean surface waves

We apply the idea of choosing new variables that are nonlinear functions of the old in order to simplify calculations of irrotational, surface gravity waves. The usual variables consist of the surface elevation and the surface potential, and the transformation to the new variables is a canonical (in Hamilton's sense) one so as to maintain the Hamiltonian structure of the theory. We further consider the approximation of linear dynamics in these new variables. This approximation scheme exactly reproduces the effects of the lowest-order nonlinearities in the usual variables, does well at higher orders, and also captures important features of short waves interacting with longer waves. We provide a physical interpretation of this transformation which is correct in the one-dimensional case, and approximately so in the two-dimensional case.
INVESTIGATIONS AND PERFORMANCE OF A CAVITY BACKED NOVEL MODIFIED BALUN FREE ARCHIMEDEAN SPIRAL ANTENNA AND PLANAR ARRAY IMPLEMENTATION

OF THE THESIS Investigations and Performance of a Cavity Backed Novel Modified Balun Free Archimedean Spiral Antenna and Planar Array Implementation by Balamurugan Shanmugam Master of Science in Electrical Engineering San Diego State University, 2012 This thesis presents a novel antenna geometry called the modified two-layered Archimedean spiral antenna (Mod Arspl) with simple coaxial feed without balun which shows improved performance in impedance matching and peak gain compared to the conventional geometry. Detailed studies are done to identify the important design parameters. The final design with free-space Mod Arspl on foam substrate had impedance BW (S11 < -10 dB) of 3.2 -19.2 GHz (6:1 frequency band), AR BW (AR < 3dB) of 3 20 GHz (6.6:1 frequency band), stable broadside gain of 4 5.5 dBic and quasi-axial patterns in the usable 6:1 band. In order to get accurate fabrication, the prototype antenna was designed on conventional microwave substrate. The fabricated prototype showed an impedance bandwidth over 8.4:1 frequency band (1.6 – 13.4 GHz), AR BW over 4:1 frequency band (2.4 – 9.9 GHz), quasi-axial pattern from 2.4 – 9.9 GHz with peak gain varying between 4 6 dBic in this 4:1 frequency band (2.4 – 9.9 GHz) . The free space design is backed by a plane metallic cavity to realize a practical antenna. The fabricated prototype for the cavity backed spiral has an impedance bandwidth over 4:1 frequency band (3 12 GHz), AR BW over 3:1 frequency band (4 – 12.2 GHz) and usable quasi-axial pattern from 4 12 GHz with peak gain varying between 5 10 dBic in the 3:1 frequency band (4 12 GHz). The Mod Arspl is also explored in different array configurations – 1 x 2 and 2 x 2 array – in both sum and difference modes targeted for monopulse radar applications. The sum mode excitation of 2 x 2 array with dimensions 150 x 150 x 0.8 mm3 on FR-4 substrate has CP radiation in the 1.5 – 3.5 GHz band with S11 < -10 dB and gain at broadside angle varying between 5 9 dBic which is confirmed by the measured results with reasonable agreement.
Models for response data showing extra-Poisson variation

When count data show extra-Poisson variation, standard log-linear techniques to analyse the data may fail. In ihis paper a generalization of the log-linear modelling technique is proposed for the negative binomial model, as an extension of the Poisson model. An illustration is given by the analysis of a twoway classification of soldering failure data; extensions to more general classifications are possible.
Gravity in Curved Phase-Spaces Finsler Geometry and Two-Times Physics

The generalized (vacuum) field equations corresponding to gravity on curved 2d-dimensional (dim) tangent bundle/phase spaces and associated with the geometry of the (co)tangent bundle TMd-1, 1(T*Md-1, 1) of a d-dim space–time Md-1, 1 are investigated following the strict distinguished d-connection formalism of Lagrange–Finsler and Hamilton–Cartan geometry. It is found that there is no mathematical equivalence with Einstein's vacuum field equations in space–times of 2d dimensions, with two times, after a d+d Kaluza–Klein-like decomposition of the 2d-dim scalar curvature R is performed and involving the introduction of a nonlinear connection . The physical applications of the 4-dim phase space metric solutions found in this work, corresponding to the cotangent space of a 2-dim space–time, deserve further investigation. The physics of two times may be relevant in the solution to the problem of time in quantum gravity and in the explanation of dark matter. Finding nontrivial solutions of the generalized gravitational field equations corresponding to the 8-dim cotangent bundle (phase space) of the 4-dim space–time remains a challenging task.
Joint Estimation of State and Unknown Input for Nonlinear Interconnected Systems Based on Multiple Intermediate Estimator

This brief investigates the issue of state estimation and unbounded unknown input reconstruction for a class of one-sided Lipschitz nonlinear interconnected systems with uncertain output and mismatched unknown input distribution matrix. Based on descriptor augmentation strategy and coordinate transformation, the effect of measurement noise and matched unknown input parts are firstly decoupled. Then, a novel multi-intermediate estimator-assisted unknown input observer is constructed to estimate state and mismatched unknown input. In addition, sufficient conditions in linear matrix inequality (LMI) form is derived to guarantee the stability of the observer and to facilitate observer parameter tuning. Finally, a simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness and merits of the proposed methods.
Local adaptation of switchgrass drives trait relations to yield and differential responses to climate and soil environments

Switchgrass, a potential biofuel crop, is a genetically diverse species with phenotypic plasticity enabling it to grow in a range of environments. Two primary divergent ecotypes, uplands and lowlands, exhibit trait combinations representative of acquisitive and conservative growth allocation strategies, respectively. Whether these ecotypes respond differently to various types of environmental drivers remains unclear but is crucial to understanding how switchgrass varieties will respond to climate change. We grew two upland, two lowland, and two intermediate/hybrid cultivars of switchgrass at three sites along a latitudinal gradient in the central United States. Over a 4‐year period, we measured plant functional traits and biomass yields and evaluated genotype‐by‐environment (G × E) interaction effects by analyzing switchgrass responses to soil and climate variables. We found substantial evidence of G × E interactions on biomass yield, primarily due to deviations in the response of the southern lowland cultivar Alamo, which produced more biomass in hotter and drier environments relative to other cultivars. While lowland cultivars had the highest potential for yield, their yields were more variable year‐to‐year compared to other cultivars, suggesting greater sensitivity to environmental perturbations. Models comparing soil and climate principal components as explanatory variables revealed soil properties, especially nutrients, to be most effective at predicting switchgrass biomass yield. Also, positive correlations between biomass yield and conservative plant traits, such as high stem mass and tiller height, became stronger at lower latitudes where the climate is hotter and drier, regardless of ecotype. Lowland cultivars, however, showed a greater predisposition to exhibit these conservative traits. These results suggest switchgrass trait allocation trade‐offs that prioritize aboveground biomass production are more tightly associated in hot, dry environments and that lowland cultivars may exhibit a more specialized strategy relative to other cultivars. Altogether, this research provides essential knowledge for improving the viability of switchgrass as a biofuel crop.
Parathyroid Cancer—A Rare Finding during Parathyroidectomy in High Volume Surgery Centre

Background and Objectives: Parathyroid cancer is a very rare endocrine tumor, especially in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to end stage renal disease failure. This pathology is difficult to diagnose preoperatively because it has nonspecific clinical manifestations and paraclinical aspects. Our study of the literature identified 34 reported cases of parathyroid carcinoma over the last 40 years in patients undergoing dialysis. We present our experience as illustrative of the features of clinical presentation and histopathological findings of parathyroid carcinoma and assess its management considering the recent relevant literature. Materials and Methods: From January 2012 to November 2022, 650 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing dialysis were treated at our academic Department of General Surgery and only two cases of parathyroid carcinoma were diagnosed on histopathological examination. Results: All patients presented with symptomatic hypercalcemia, with no clinical or imaging suspicion of malignant disease and were surgically treated by total parathyroidectomy. Histopathological examination revealed morphologic aspects of parathyroid carcinoma in two cases and immunostaining of Ki-67 was performed for diagnostic confirmation. Postoperative follow-up showed no signs of recurrence and no oncological adjuvant treatment or surgical reinterventions were needed. Conclusions: Parathyroid neoplasia is a particularly rare disease, that remains a challenge when it comes to diagnosis and proper management. Surgical approach is the only valid treatment to remove the malignant tissue and thus improve the patient’s prognosis. Medical and oncologic treatment may be beneficial to control hypercalcemia in case of tumor recurrence.
Safety and Feasibility of Analgosedation for Electrochemotherapy of Liver Lesions

Interventional Oncology treatments grant low-risk mini-invasive alternatives to surgery for cancer patients. Percutaneous ablative therapies represent a cornerstone for treatment of liver cancer patients. Among these, a newly emerging one is represented by electrochemotherapy. Improvements in analgesia and sedation can nowadays offer optimal support for ablative procedures, serving as a valid alternative to general anesthesia. The intention of this retrospective monocentric study is to report our preliminary experience on feasibility and safety of electrochemotherapy for treatment of complex liver tumors unfit for thermal ablation, using analgosedation instead of general anesthesia. Five patients were enrolled in the study, undergoing electrochemotherapy under analgosedation. Mean procedural time and hospitalization time were recorded. Immediate post-procedural cone-beam CT showed complete coverage of the lesion without complications. One-month CT examination showed an overall response rate of 100% (four complete responses, one partial response). Electrochemotherapy under analgosedation seems to be a safe, feasible, and effective option for liver cancer patients not amenable to other ablative techniques.
Thickness-dependent electrical characteristics of lead zirconate titanate thin films

Ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate thin films of morphotropic phase boundary composition were fabricated through the sol‐gel spin‐on technique to study the thickness dependence of electrical characteristics. At saturation, the films exhibited a dielectric constant of 1300, dissipation factor of 0.03, Curie temperature of 366 °C, remanent polarization of 36 μC/cm2, coercivity of around 30 kV/cm, and dielectric breakdown strength of over 1 MV/cm. The temperature dependence of permittivity showed an anomalous behavior with annealing temperature. The high temperature dielectric behavior of the films were distinguished by smeared and stunted dielectric maximum.
Temperature Distribution in a Counterflow Moving Bed Under a Thermal Nonequilibrium Condition

This work investigates the influence of physical properties on heat transfer between solid and fluid phases in a moving porous bed, in which the working fluid flows in the opposite direction with respect to the permeable medium. A two-energy equation model is applied in addition to a macroscopic mechanical model for laminar flow. Transport equations are discretized using the control-volume method and the system of algebraic equations is relaxed via the SIMPLE algorithm. The effects on inter-phase heat transfer due to variation of Reynolds number, solid-to-fluid velocity ratio, solid-to-fluid thermal capacity ratio, permeability, porosity, and solid-to-fluid thermal conductivity ratio are analyzed. Results for a counterflow moving bed indicate that motion of solid material, contrary to the direction of the fluid, enhances heat transfer between phases. The same effect was observed for smaller Darcy numbers and porosity, as well as for higher solid-to-fluid thermal capacity and thermal conductivity ratios.
Epitaxial c-axis oriented BaTiO3 thin films on SrTiO3-buffered Si(001) by atomic layer deposition

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of epitaxial c-axis oriented BaTiO3 (BTO) on Si(001) using a thin (1.6 nm) buffer layer of SrTiO3 (STO) grown by molecular beam epitaxy is reported. The ALD growth of crystalline BTO films at 225 °C used barium bis(triisopropylcyclopentadienyl), titanium tetraisopropoxide, and water as co-reactants. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals a high degree of crystallinity and c-axis orientation of as-deposited BTO films. Crystallinity is improved after vacuum annealing at 600 °C. Two-dimensional XRD confirms the tetragonal structure and orientation of 7–20-nm thick films. The effect of the annealing process on the BTO structure is discussed. A clean STO/Si interface is found using in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and confirmed by cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy. The capacitance-voltage characteristics of 7–20 nm-thick BTO films are examined and show an effective dielectric constant of ∼660 for the heterostructure.
An analytical model of effective electrical conductivity of carbon nanotube composites

Experiments on electrical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) composites have shown that addition of CNTs may greatly enhance the electrical conductivity of the matrix. It has been a key but unresolved issue for years how to develop an analytical model of effective electrical conductivity of CNT composites that takes account of not only the CNT concentration and percolation, but also CNT conductivity anisotropy, aspect ratio, and nonstraightness. Such a model is established in this letter. The model predictions agree well with the measured data available in literatures and are also extended to account the effect of the orientation distribution of CNTs.
Equatorial superrotation in a slowly rotating GCM - Implications for Titan and Venus

Abstract The maintenance of strong superrotating zonal winds in the equatorial Venus atmosphere and the possibility of a similar regime on Titan are examined with a modified version of an efficient terrestrial general circulation model (GCM). The model is simplified by removal of the hydrologic cycle, the diurnal cycle, and all seasonal and geographic variations. We describe a suite of equilibrium simulations in which rotation rate, radiative heating profile, surface drag, and stratospheric drag are varied. The key to superrotation in these experiments is the presence of an upper troposphere cloud which intercepts much of the incoming solar flux and produces a statically stable radiative equilibrium state in the lower and middle troposphere. The radiative heating profile limits the depth of boundary layer convection and detaches the upper level flow from the surface. At Titan's presumed rotation period, the cloud-covered GCM produces equatorial winds in excess of 50/100 m sec-1 with/without stratospheric drag. Superrotation extends throughout most of the atmosphere. Hadley cell interaction with quasi-barotropic eddies which transport momentum equatorward is responsible for the excess angular momentum, confirming certain aspects of proposals by Gierasch (1975) and Rossow and Williams (1979) but with relatively modest Prandtl numbers. The latitudinal profile of zonal wind resembles that for uniform absolute linear momentum. Removal of the cloud decreases static stability, increases vertical convective mixing, and almost completely eliminates equatorial superrotation. Equatorial winds >60 m sec-1 also occur at Venus' rotation period, but only near the upper boundary in the absence of stratospheric drag. In the slowly rotating regime, equatorial winds increase as surface drag increases. Our calculations represent the first GCM simulation of strong superrotation without unrealistic momentum sources. The results suggest that superrotation is not inevitable on slowly rotating planets but is likely if diabatic heating produces a statically stable thermal structure.
A solution to the decentralized adaptive stabilization problem

A solution to the problem of designing a globally convergent truly decentralized adaptive controller for systems of arbitrary relative degree without any matching assumptions is presented. It is proved that using Morse's new dynamic certainty equivalent adaptive controller, it is possible to determine a class of unmodeled interconnections in the face of which regulation of the plant output to zero with internal stability is still possible. It is proved that the output regulation happens with some guaranteed transient performance bounds, that the L/sub 2/ norm of the output is uniformly bounded by the initial parameter estimation error and that, if the latter is sufficiently small, a bound for the L/sub infinity / norm of the output. <<ETX>>
A Comparison of ICU Mortality Scoring Systems Applied to COVID-19

Background Over the past three years, COVID-19 has been a major source of mortality in intensive care units around the world. Many scoring systems have been developed to estimate mortality in critically ill patients. Our intent with this study was to compare the efficacy of these systems when applied to COVID-19. Methods The was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to 16 hospitals in Texas from February 2020 to March 2022. The Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and 4C Mortality scores were calculated on the initial day of ICU admission. Primary endpoints were all-cause mortality, ICU length of stay, and hospital length of stay. Results Initially, 62,881 patient encounters were assessed, and the cohort of 292 was selected based on the inclusion of the requisite values for each of the scoring systems. The median age was 56 +/- 14.93 years and 61% of patients were male. Mortality was defined as patients who expired or were discharged to hospice and was 78%. The different scoring systems were compared using logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis to compare the accuracy of prediction of the mortality and length of stay. The multivariate analysis showed that SOFA, APACHE II, SAPS II, and 4C scores were all significant predictors of mortality. The SOFA score had the highest AUC, though the confidence intervals for all of the models overlap therefore one model could not be considered superior to any of the others. Linear regression was performed to evaluate the models’ ability to predict ICU and hospital length of stay, and none of the tested systems were found to be significant predictors of length of stay. Conclusion The SOFA, APACHE II, ISARIC 4-C, and SAPS II scores all accurately predicted mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19. The SOFA score trended to perform the best.
MAPTILE: Stata module to map a variable

maptile makes it easy to map a variable in Stata. It generates choropleth maps, where each area is shaded according to the value of the variable being plotted. By default, maptile divides the geographic units into equal-sized bins (corresponding to quantiles of the plotted variable), then colors the bins in increasing intensity. To generate any particular map, maptile uses a geography, which is a template for that map. These need to be downloaded and installed. If no geography currently exists for the region you want to map, you can create a new one.