Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factor Graphs and GTSAM: A Hands-on Introduction

In this document I provide a hands-on introduction to both factor graphs and GTSAM. Factor graphs are graphical models (Koller and Friedman, 2009) that are well suited to modeling complex estimation problems, such as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) or Structure from Motion (SFM). You might be familiar with another often used graphical model, Bayes networks, which are directed acyclic graphs. A factor graph, however, is a bipartite graph consisting of factors connected to variables. The variables represent the unknown random variables in the estimation problem, whereas the factors represent probabilistic information on those variables, derived from measurements or prior knowledge. In the following sections I will show many examples from both robotics and vision. The GTSAM toolbox (GTSAM stands for “Georgia Tech Smoothing and Mapping”) toolbox is a BSD-licensed C++ library based on factor graphs, developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology by myself, many of my students, and collaborators. It provides state of the art solutions to the SLAM and SFM problems, but can also be used to model and solve both simpler and more complex estimation problems. It also provides a MATLAB interface which allows for rapid prototype development, visualization, and user interaction. GTSAM exploits sparsity to be computationally efficient. Typically measurements only provide information on the relationship between a handful of variables, and hence the resulting factor graph will be sparsely connected. This is exploited by the algorithms implemented in GTSAM to reduce computational complexity. Even when graphs are too dense to be handled efficiently by direct methods, GTSAM provides iterative methods that are quite efficient regardless. You can download the latest version of GTSAM at http://tinyurl.com/gtsam.
Ka-Band Efficient Rectifier With Enhanced Power Capability Using Power Distributing Network and High-Q Bandstop Filter

This brief presents a Ka-band rectifier that utilizes power distributing technology to enhance its power handling capability. The matching network and power distributing network are integrated to simultaneously match the diode impedance and distribute power to eight Schottky diodes. A novel bandstop filter for millimeter-wave bands is proposed, which is composed of high <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${Q}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> cylindrical cavities and a coaxial line. This filter not only effectively suppress harmonics but also exhibits low loss characteristics. The fabricated rectifier, operating at 35 GHz, shows a measured <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\unicode{0x007C}S_{11} \unicode{0x007C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of −20.3 dB and a power conversion efficiency of 61.9% at the input power of 29 dBm. Efficiencies under different loads are compared, and it is found that <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$50 \Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the best load. To the best of our knowledge, this rectifier has the highest power capability among existing works. Due to its high-power capability and efficiency, this rectifier shows potential for use in wireless power transfer systems to provide power to electronic devices.
Genome editing for engineering stem cell-derived pancreatic β cells: recent trends and future perspectives

Rapid advancements in biotechnology have enabled the development of new therapeutic modalities for refractory diseases. Among these, stem cell-derived β (SC-β) cells are emerging as next-generation therapeutics for diabetes. However, several challenges must be overcome for these cell-based therapies to enter widespread use. Current SC-β cells exhibit functional immaturity, and transplanted cells face rejection by the host’s immune system. The cells also undergo apoptosis shortly after transplantation due to insufficient oxygen supply. Additionally, the use of stem cell-derived live cells may raise safety concerns, including the risk of teratoma formation. To address these challenges, genome-editing tools, particularly clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 technologies, are being extensively explored owing to their ease of use, modularity, and robustness across diverse cell types. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the various issues in the development of cell-based therapies for diabetes and discuss how genome-editing tools can enhance this emerging therapeutic modality. We also discuss the use of genome editing with SC-β cells for modeling genetic variants in diabetic β cells and correcting pathogenic variants to enable personalized diabetes therapy. Furthermore, we propose future research directions for leveraging genome-editing tools to improve the performance of cell-based therapeutics for diabetes.
Generalized model for N2 and N2O production from nitrification and denitrification

We describe a model of N2 and N2O gas fluxes from nitrification and denitrification. The model was developed using laboratory denitrification gas flux data and field-observed N2O gas fluxes from different sites. Controls over nitrification N2O gas fluxes are soil texture, soil NH4, soil water-filled pore space, soil N turnover rate, soil pH, and soil temperature. Observed data suggest that nitrification N2O gas fluxes are proportional to soil N turnover and that soil NH4 levels only impact N2O gas fluxes with high levels of soil NH4 (>3 μg N g−1). Total denitrification (N2 plus N2O) gas fluxes are a function of soil heterotrophic respiration rates, soil NO3, soil water content, and soil texture. N2:N2O ratio is a function of soil water content, soil NO3, and soil heterotrophic respiration rates. The denitrification model was developed using laboratory data [Weier et al, 1993] where soil water content, soil NO3, and soil C availability were varied using a full factorial design. The Weier's model simulated observed N2 and N2O gas fluxes for different soils quite well with r2 equal to 0.62 and 0.75, respectively. Comparison of simulated model results with field N2O data for several validation sites shows that the model results compare well with the observed data (r2 = 0.62). Winter denitrification events were poorly simulated by the model. This problem could have been caused by spatial and temporal variations in the observed soil water data and N2O fluxes. The model results and observed data suggest that approximately 14% of the N2O fluxes for a shortgrass steppe are a result of denitrification and that this percentage ranged from 0% to 59% for different sites.
Climate and anthropogenic factors affecting alluvial fan development during the late Holocene in the central Ebro Valley, northeast Spain

The late Holocene in the central Ebro Depression is characterized by a number of morphodynamic stages that affected hillslopes and channels. Climate fluctuations and human activities together caused severe erosion and floods, resulting in alternating stages of accumulation and incision in the valley floors. Seven accumulation levels (N6-N0) correlated with Ebro River fluvial terraces have been identified in the secondary fluvial network of the central Ebro Depression. The main accumulation level (N3) corresponds to a long period of increased hillslope erosion and sedimentation in the valleys, from the Neolithic to the late Roman periods. The accumulation levels are evident throughout the valleys and extend to the valley mouths, where many connect with alluvial fans. The study of several sedimentological profiles, 14C AMS dating, and many archaeological remnants, have enabled detailed assessment of sedimentation characteristics in the alluvial fans and the relationship thereof to the presence of human settlements. Four sedimentation stages have been identified: (i) pre-Bronze Age (> 3800 years BP), (ii) Bronze Age/Iron Age (3800-2500 years BP), (iii) Roman/post-Roman period (2500-1500 years BP), and, (iv) the early Middle Ages, mainly during the Visigothic period (sixth century). The sedimentation dynamics of the alluvial fans are related to: (i) climate variability, (ii) human activities in the watershed, and (iii) the meandering character of the Ebro River, which has lateral displacements that change the local base level of tributaries and fans. Level N3 in the valley floors corresponds to stages i-iii of the alluvial fans, which are mostly related to human-induced transformation of characteristics of the secondary basins, coinciding with enhanced erosion under favorable (warm and humid) climatic conditions. In contrast, the Medieval stage, which corresponds to level N2 in the valleys, was caused by floods during a period of high climatic variability.
Assessing the Adherence to Antidiabetic Medications Among Patients Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ajman, UAE

Background Medication adherence plays a vital role in managing blood sugar levels and preventing complications in individuals with diabetes. Patient adherence to antidiabetic medications and the factors associated with medication adherence were assessed. Objectives To assess the medication adherence among patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. To determine the various factors influencing medication adherence. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes who were visiting the Internal Medicine Department of Thumbay University Hospital in the United Arab Emirates. A questionnaire was used to gather information about the medication adherence of a group of chosen consecutive patients. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27 (Released 2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York) was used for data analysis. A two-sided P-value <0.05 was regarded as significant when using the chi-square test to investigate the relationships between categorical variables. Results A total of 204 patients participated in the study: 112 (54.90%) males and 92 (45.09%) females. The mean age of the patients was 49 years. The adherence rates among males and females were 91% and 90%, respectively. Some of the common reasons for non-adherence to antidiabetic medications in our study included forgetfulness, unpleasant side effects, the use of multiple drugs, and long treatment duration. Conclusion Our study highlighted important factors associated with patients' non-adherence to their antidiabetic medications. Future research on methods to increase adherence rates should be taken into consideration.
Debattistiite, Ag9Hg0.5As6S12Te2, a new Te-bearing sulfosalt from Lengenbach quarry, Binn valley, Switzerland: description and crystal structure

Abstract Debattistiite, ideally Ag9Hg0.5As6S12Te2, is a new mineral (IMA-CNMNC 2011-098) from the Lengenbach quarry in the Binn Valley, Valais, Switzerland. It occurs as very rare tabular euhedral crystals up to 150 μm across in cavities in dolomitic marble, associated with realgar, rutile, trechmannite and hutchinsonite. Debattistiite is opaque with a metallic lustre and a grey streak. It is brittle; the Vickers hardness (VHN25) is 80 kg mm-2 (range: 65-94), corresponding to a Mohs hardness of 2-2½. In reflected light debattistiite is dark grey, highly bireflectant and weakly pleochroic from dark grey to a slightly greenish grey. Between crossed polars it is highly anisotropic with brownish to blue rotation tints. Internal reflections are absent. Reflectance percentages for the four COM wavelengths (Rmin and Rmax) are 27.2, 34.5 (471.1 nm), 25.5, 31.0 (548.3 nm), 22.9, 28.4 (586.6 nm), and 20.1, 25.2 (652.3 nm), respectively. Debattistiite is triclinic, space group P1̅, with a = 7.832(5), b = 8.606(4), c = 10.755(5) Å, α = 95.563(9), β = 95.880(5), γ = 116.79(4)°, V = 635.3(6) Å3 and Z = 1. The crystal structure [R1 = 0.0826 for 795 reflections with I > 2σ(I)] consists of corner-sharing AsS3 pyramids forming three-membered distorted rings linked by Ag atoms in triangular or tetrahedral coordination. The five strongest powder-diffraction lines [d in Å (I/I0) (hkl)] are as follows: 10.56 (6) (001); 3.301 (5) (2̅12); 2.991 (4) (21̅2); 2.742 (2̅1̅1) and 2.733 (10) (2̅30). A mean of nine electron microprobe analyses gave: Ag 44.88, Hg 4.49, As 20.77, S 17.72, Te 11.82; total 99.68 wt. %, which corresponds to Ag9.02Hg0. 49As6.012S11. 98Te2.01, on the basis of 29.5 atoms. The new mineral is named for Luca De Battisti, a systematic mineralogist and expert on the minerals of Lengenbach quarry.
Simulating the kinetics of recrystallization in Aluminum alloys

This contribution presents a brief overview of the simulation of recrystallization kinetics in metals. The study focuses on the annealing phenomena in a single-phase 1050 aluminum alloy of technical purity. To reveal the true nature of recrystallization, the kinetics is discussed by the well-establishes Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov (JMAK) approach, while the constants of this model are related to the energy stored during deformation, nucleation rate, velocity of grain boundary, and grain boundary energy. The listed physical quantities are derived from different models, while the performance of the combined approach was tested for the cases where the diversity of driving forces for recrystallization was ensured by different straining levels. The softening of the material during annealing was evaluated by the microhardness. It was shown that the kinetics of recrystallization is strongly influenced by the stored energy and the process can be simulated by employing the JMAK equation.
Big Data Automobile Price Prediction Based on Elastic Network Regression Model

: At present, with the continuous improvement of people's living standards, cars have become an essential travel tool for every family, and may even become the third biggest life scene. At the same time, the number of cars flowing into the used car market is growing, and the used car trading market is also growing rapidly. However, the price of used cars is affected by many different factors, and there is no uniform pricing standard. In view of this, in the used car trading market, it is very important to accurately predict the price of used cars for both sellers and buyers. In this paper, the elastic network regression model is used to establish the used car price prediction model. The RMSE value of the test data is 0.089497. Among the model coefficients, the characteristics of model and year have the greatest impact on the used car price, which are 0.87491361and -0.74483197, respectively.
Utility of Fetal Cardiac Resonance Imaging in Prenatal Clinical Practice: Current State of the Art

The field of prenatal cardiac imaging has revolutionized the way we understand and manage congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the developing fetus. In the prenatal period, cardiac imaging plays a pivotal role in the diagnostic pathway, from screening to classification and follow-up of CHD. The ability to visualize the fetal heart in utero allows healthcare professionals to detect abnormalities early, thus enabling timely interventions and informed decision-making processes for both the mother and the medical team. Early CHD detection improves preparation for delivery, postnatal care, and postnatal outcomes. Advancements in medical technology and imaging techniques have provided clinicians with insights into the fascinating workings of the fetal heart. Several imaging modalities have proven to be helpful in this field, with echocardiography undoubtedly representing the primary modality for evaluating the fetus. By providing detailed anatomical and functional information, fetal cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging contributes to better prenatal counseling and enhances the coordination of care between obstetricians, maternal–fetal medicine specialists, and pediatric cardiologists. Shortcomings of fetal CMR are due to technical concerns related to the intrauterine position of the fetus and subsequent challenges to following a standard scan protocol. The aim of this paper was to revise the current state-of-the-art in the field of fetal CMR and its clinical applications and to delve into methods, challenges, and future directions of fetal CMR in prenatal imaging.
The Return of the World Economy to a High Inflation Regime

Global inflation is one of the most significant challenges for the post-pandemic world economy. After several decades of low inflation and even elements of deflationary processes in developed countries, the danger of falling into a new period of great inflation had seemed insignificant. Dovish monetary policy during the 2009–19 period did not provoke a spike in inflation, and the slowdown of the economy during the lockdown period put the vigilance to rest. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-crisis measures it triggered, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and sanctions and anti-sanctions solidified inflationary processes around the world, both in developed and developing countries. In this article, we show the inertial nature of inflation in both the U.S. and the European Union (EU) and argue that there has been a transition to a high inflation regime, despite the decline in developed country inflation in the first quarter of 2023 mentioned in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) January report. Getting out of this high inflation regime will require much more serious and time-consuming measures than those used to manage inflation in the low inflation regime.
Close-to-carrier phase noise suppression in optoelectronic oscillator

An approach to generating local oscillation (LO) microwave signals with low close-to-carrier phase noise is proposed and experimentally demonstrated based on employing cascaded optoelectronic oscillators (OEOs). In this scheme, an actively mode-locked OEO (AML-OEO) is used as the master OEO to generate a microwave comb with low close-to-carrier phase noise. Then, the generated microwave comb is injected into the slave OEO with a well-designed loop delay to form an injection-locked OEO (IL-OEO). Owing to the different transmission frequency response curves between the two OEO loops, a single tooth is selected from the injected microwave comb and is regenerated in the slave OEO cavity, while the unselected teeth are effectively suppressed. Benefited from the injection locking effect, the low close-to-carrier phase noise characteristic of the microwave comb from the AML-OEO is transferred to the regenerated LO microwave signal from the slave OEO. In such a case, an LO microwave signal with low close-to-carrier phase noise is generated by the proposed cascaded OEOs. A proof-of-concept experiment is carried out to verify the feasibility of this scheme. In the experiment, an LO microwave signal at 10 GHz is generated, where the spurious suppression ratio and the close-to-carrier phase noise are measured to be 22 dB and -85 dBc/Hz@10 Hz, respectively. Compared to the LO microwave signal directly generated by the conventional OEO, the close-to-carrier phase noise is reduced by more than 30 dB.
A new marine ecosystem model for Baltic Sea

A new marine ecosystem model designed for the Baltic Sea. The ecosystem model consists of 11 main compartments, zooplankton, small phytoplankton, diatoms, cyanobacteria , two detrital classes, and the nutrients nitrate, ammonium, phosphate and silicate. The small phytoplankton size class is meant to represent nano- and pico-sized phytoplankton, and may be Fe-, N-, P-, and light-limited. The larger phytoplankton class is explicitly modeled as diatoms and may be limited by the above factors as well as Si. Growth rates of the cyanobacteria may be limited by Fe, P, and light. Many of the biotic and detrital compartments contain multiple elemental pools as we track carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, silicon, and calcium carbonate through the ecosystem. The marine ecosystem model is coupled to the three-dimensional, time-dependent hydrodynamical model, POPCICE for the Baltic Sea.The model output is compared with field data from different locations of the southern Baltic Sea. This work was carried out in support of grant (No NN305 111636 - the Polish state Committee of Scientific Research). The partial support for this study was also provided by the project Satellite Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Environment ‐ SatBaltyk founded by European Union through European Regional Development Fund contract no. POIG 01.01. 02-22-011/09
Interactive effect of leader ethicality and competency on Chinese customs officers’ organizational citizenship behaviors

The dual qualities of an effective leader—ethicality and competency—have long been identified but seldom empirically examined. Using survey data from 329 Chinese customs officers collected in December 2022, this study investigates whether ethical leadership influences customs officers’ organizational citizenship behaviors indirectly through work engagement and trust in leader. Following the interactive approach, we further postulate that leader competency can accentuate these indirect relationships. Mplus 8.3, SPSS 26.0 and Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS were used to conduct statistical analyses including descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, common method deviation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and regression analysis. The results reveal that work engagement and trust in leader act as mediators in the ethical leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors relationship. Moreover, these indirect relationships are stronger when customs officers perceive their leaders are more competent. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
The effect of tissue mobilization and stage of lactation on energy partitioning in lactating sows: an analysis of commercial data

The objective of this paper was to investigate how the predicted level of body energy mobilized and the stage of lactation affects performance and energy partitioning in lactating sows kept under commercial conditions. Seventy-seven lactating sows from three consecutive batches were weaned at 28 d and all measures were taken over the first 20 d. Total feed consumption was measured and sows’ live weight was registered when entering the lactation facilities and at 21 d of lactation. Blood samples were collected at farrowing and once a week thereafter. Net energy (NE) mobilization or loss was calculated by difference using the general NRC equation for ME partitioning. Compared to low mobilizers (low NE loss values), high mobilizing sows had lower feed intake and higher loss of live weight, body fat and body protein. High mobilizers also weaned more piglets and had heavier litters than low mobilizers. Energy mobilization (NE loss) was higher from day 1 to 10 of lactation compared to day 11 to 20, and the difference in mobilized energy between high and low mobilizing sows was also higher in the first than in the second half of lactation. Body weight and back fat thickness losses were significantly correlated with NE loss. A more accurate prediction of the changes in live weight or back fat thickness over lactation should help better predict total amount of energy mobilized, and more research is needed to assess the relative contribution of lean and fat to mobilized tissue.