Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why Small, Cold and Quiet DC-DC Conversion is Impossible

Using the first law of thermodynamics and the Parseval-Plancheral theorem, it is shown that every DC-DC converter must trade-off size, heat and conducted electromagnetic noise. It is therefore fundamentally impossible to simultaneously reduce all three of these characteristics to their respective theoretical minimum values. A figure of merit is introduced which holistically captures the performance of an arbitrary DC-DC converter, this is called the converter's non-ideality and it has a target value of zero. It is derived using the first law of thermodynamics and is shown to be dependent on the efficiency and the root-mean-squared total harmonic distortion of the output voltage. Interestingly, it is also shown that: boost conversion is impossible without energy storage; ideal rectifiers convert all of the input power spectral density into DC (and introduces more noise in the process); the input current of any DC-DC converter scales with the gain of the device squared. Using an arbitrary DC-DC converter, the culprit of this inherent trade-off is shown to be the act of switching itself. Switching creates harmonics which need to be filtered or transformed into heat in order to get a pure DC voltage at the output of the converter. Even with ideal sub-systems, whether or not resonant conversion is employed, the result stands. The conclusion is that spreading of the switching noise is a primary goal in attempting to reach the impossible.
SDSS data management and photometric quality assessment

We summarize the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data acquisition and processing steps, and describe runQA, a pipeline designed for automated data quality assessment. In particular, we show how the position of the stellar locus in color-color diagrams can be used to estimate the accuracy of photometric zeropoint calibration to better than 0.01 mag in 0.03 deg2 patches. Using this method, we estimate that typical photometric zeropoint calibration errors for SDSS imaging data are not larger than ∼0.01 mag in the g, r, and i bands, 0.02 mag in the z band, and 0.03 mag in the u band (root-mean-scatter for zeropoint offsets). (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A robust search paradigm with Enhanced Vine Creeping Optimization

In order to overcome a worst case scenario for a generalized evolutionary search, which is realized by assuming that conservation of information (COI) holds true, a robust search paradigm is explored building ideas based upon the Enhanced Vine Creeping Optimization (EVCO) algorithm. The proposed algorithm is a modular framework encompassing an archive, a global search and a local search module. The modular structure enables EVCO to serve not only as a stand-alone global optimization algorithm, but importantly as a framework which provides feedback metrics from the performance of a particular combination of search heuristics on different classes of problems. It is this feature of EVCO that provides the foundation of the proposed robust search paradigm. The new algorithm shows significantly better performance than its predecessor, VCO, and eight state-of-the-art evolutionary algorithms placing first or equal first in 10 out of 14 benchmark tests, while naturally providing metric information to assist in tackling the algorithm selection problem.
RESOLUTION AND NOISE PROPERTIES OF THE GODDARD HIGH RESOLUTION SPECTROGRAPH

The Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) provides an unprecedented capability for ultraviolet spectroscopy of a wide range of astronomical targets. The combination of high resolution (to R 100,000), good sensitivity (maximum total system quantum efficiency of 1%), low background noise (order 0.01 counts s-1 diode-1), coupled with the fast photon counting detector system makes the GHRS a very flexible instrument. Unfortunately, the presence of spherical abberation in the primary mirror of HST complicated issues of both observing strategy and data analysis procedures, since the throughput and resolving power losses of the two available GHRS apertures are often off-setting. We discuss several characteristics of GHRS observations, and data analysis procedures, including deconvolution, with a particular emphasis on the detection of weak absorption lines in low signal-to-noise observations. We find that observations with the GHRS large aperture generally provide greater sensitivity for the detection of weak, isolated spectral features than does use of the small aperture for equal observing times. At low signal-to-noise levels a Poisson distribution well represents the noise characteristics. Analysis of the UV spectrum of 3C 273 serves as the motivation for this study. Deconvolution of small aperture first order grating spectra taken at high signal to noise may be preferred to less efficient echelle spectra in some cases. We argue that GHRS observations should be routinely structured with use of comb-addition, quarter-substepping, FP-SPLITS, and multiple repeats to allow proper discrimination against noise events that may mimic spectral features.
Correlation of spiritual health and depression among young adults in a state university in Southern Philippines

Introduction: Much of the study on the link between spirituality and mental health has focused on depression because of its prevalence in the Philippine population especially among the younger generation. This study assessed the respondents' demographic characteristics, their spiritual health as measured by the Spiritual Well-being Scale (SWBS), and their level of depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Methods: The study employed a descriptive-correlational quantitative research design and non-probability convenience sampling to acquire 200 respondents who are undergraduate students aged 18-25 enrolled in a state university in Southern Philippines. The data were examined using frequency distribution, percentage distribution, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Results: The data indicated that respondents' average religious well-being score was 55.28, indicating a favorable sense of one's relationship with God. The existential well-being score had a mean of 44.56, indicating a moderate level of life fulfillment and meaning. Furthermore, the total score for all depressed symptoms was 23.32, indicating that people who took part in the survey during the pandemic suffered moderate to severe depression. Correlation analysis found a negative correlation between spiritual health and the level of depression (r=-.458, p=0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that spiritual health, as expressed through existential well-being and religious well- being, is a separate component that lends explanatory power to mental well-being prediction. The study advises heads of health sectors in various institutions to intensify their fight against depression. Additional research is also strongly encouraged. Keywords Spiritual health, existential well-being, religious well-being, depression, mental health, quantitative research
Quantum critical probing and simulation of colored quantum noise

We propose a protocol to simulate the evolution of a non-Markovian open quantum system by considering a collisional process with a many-body system, which plays the role of an environment. As a result of our protocol, the environment spatial correlations are mapped into the time correlations of a noise that drives the dynamics of the open system. Considering the weak coupling limit, the open system can also be considered as a probe of the environment properties. In this regard, when preparing the environment in its ground state, a measurement of the dynamics of the open system allows to determine the length of the environment spatial correlations and therefore its critical properties. To illustrate our proposal we simulate the full system dynamics with matrix-product-states and compare this to the reduced dynamics obtained with an approximated variational master equation.
New seismological results on the G0 IV eta Bootis

Several attempts have been made to detect solar-like oscillations in the G0 IV star η Boo. We present here new observations on this star simultaneously conducted with two spectrographs: Coralie mounted on the 1.2-m Swiss telescope at the ESO La Silla Observatory (Chile) and Elodie based on the 1.93-m telescope at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (France). In total, 1239 spectra were collected over 13 nights. The power spectrum of the high precision velocity time series clearly presents several identifiable peaks between 0.4 and 1.0 mHz showing regularity with a large and small separation of $\Delta\nu$ = 39.9 μ Hz and $\delta\nu_{02}$ = 3.95 μ Hz respectively. Twenty-two individual frequencies have been identified. Detailed models based on these measurements and non–asteroseismic observables were computed using the Geneva evolution code including shellular rotation and atomic diffusion. By combining these seismological data with non–asteroseismic observations, we determine the following global parameters for η Boo: a mass of $1.57 \pm 0.07$ $M_{\odot}$, an age $t=2.67 \pm 0.10$ Gyr and an initial metallicity $(Z/X)_{\mathrm{i}}=0.0391 \pm 0.0070$. We also show that the mass of η Boo is very sensitive to the choice of the observed metallicity, while the age of η Boo depends on the input physics used. Indeed, a higher metallicity favours a higher mass, while non-rotating models without overshooting predict a smaller age.
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Vibrio natriegens—Infecting Phage and Its Potential Therapeutic Application in Abalone Aquaculture

Simple Summary Vibrio bacteria are ubiquitous and abundant in coastal waters and sediments, and some species are pathogens to humans and marine organisms, leading to foodborne diseases and pandemic infections in humans and mass mortality and economic losses in marine aquaculture. However, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in marine aquacultural settings and adjacent coastal environments. Bacterial pathogens may also acquire antibiotic resistance via gene mutations and horizontal gene transfers in such environments, making bacterial infectious diseases extremely difficult or even impossible to treat using conventional antibiotic-based therapies. Consequently, phage therapy has received increasing attention in recent years. This study describes the characterization of phage vB_VnaS-L3 from Vibrio natriegens, and explores its potential application as a biocontrol agent to replace antibiotics against pathogenic V. natriegens in juvenile Pacific abalones aquaculture. Our findings showed that phage vB_VnaS-L3 could be a potential alternate biocontrol and prophylactic agent that could effectively inhibit the growth of pathogenic V. natriegens, significantly reduce the mortality of juvenile abalones, and maintain abalone feeding capacity. Abstract Phage-based pathogen control (i.e., phage therapy) has received increasing scientific attention to reduce and prevent the emergence, transmission, and detrimental effects of antibiotic resistance. In the current study, multidrug-resistant Vibrio natriegens strain AbY-1805 was isolated and tentatively identified as a pathogen causing the death of juvenile Pacific abalones (Haliotis discus hannai Ino). In order to apply phage therapy, instead of antibiotics, to treat and control V. natriegens infections in marine aquaculture environments, a lytic phage, vB_VnaS-L3, was isolated. It could effectively infect V. natriegens AbY-1805 with a short latent period (40 min) and high burst size (~890 PFU/cell). Treatment with vB_VnaS-L3 significantly reduced the mortality of juvenile abalones and maintained abalone feeding capacity over a 40-day V. natriegens challenge experiment. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses suggested that vB_VnaS-L3 was a novel marine Siphoviridae-family phage. Furthermore, vB_VnaS-L3 had a narrow host range, possibly specific to the pathogenic V. natriegens strains. It also exhibited viability at a wide range of pH, temperature, and salinity. The short latent period, large burst size, high host specificity, and broad environmental adaptation suggest that phage vB_VnaS-L3 could potentially be developed as an alternative antimicrobial for the control and prevention of marine animal infections caused by pathogenic V. natriegens.
LCINDEP: a novel technique for leakage reduction in FinFET based circuits

Due to the continuous downsizing of metal oxide semi-conductor field effect transistor devices, power dissipation is one of the vital issues for the integrated circuit design. As a result of voltage scaling at lower technology nodes, threshold voltage decreases which results in increase in leakage current, hence leads to increase in leakage power dissipation. In this paper, a novel low leakage technique called LCINDEP (leakage control input DEPendent) is proposed for nano-scaled circuits. The device characteristics and hence overall performance gets affected due to increased power dissipation. Proposed LCINDEP technique is extensively demonstrated for low power operation and reliability analysis. Various short gate (SG) fin type field effect transistor (FinFET) logic circuits are simulated using LCINDEP technique and comparative analysis is performed with the already available leakage reduction techniques. The proposed LCINDEP technique provides reduced leakage power by 89.71% and 91.92% in LCINDEP SG FinFET NAND and NOR gates respectively with respect to the conventional SG FinFET NAND and NOR gates. Besides this benchmark circuits like ring oscillator and ISCAS-85 C17 show decrease in power dissipation by 24.75% and 35.5% respectively with LCINDEP technique in respect to the conventional FinFET circuits. Reliability analysis in terms of process voltage and temperature variations is performed using Monte Carlo Approach for 5000 samples, which also depicts that proposed LCINDEP technique is more reliable than the available low power techniques. The normalized standard deviations (σ/µ)% is improved by 54.68% and 43.93% for power delay product metric in the proposed technique compared to the conventional one for SG FinFET NAND and NOR gates respectively. All the simulations are performed at 16 nm technology node for FinFET logic devices using predictive technology model multigate based on BSIM-CMG on HSPICE tool.
Spot evolution in the eclipsing binary CoRoT 105895502

Stellar activity is ubiquitous in late-type stars. The special geometry of eclipsing binary systems is particularly advantageous to study the stellar surfaces and activity. We present a detailed study of the 145 d CoRoT light curve of the short-period (2.17 d) eclipsing binary CoRoT 105895502. By means of light-curve modeling with Nightfall, we determine the orbital period, effective temperature, Roche-lobe filling factors, mass ratio, and orbital inclination of CoRoT 105895502 and analyze the temporal behavior of starspots in the system. Our analysis shows one comparably short-lived (≈40 d) starspot, remaining quasi-stationary in the binary frame, and one starspot showing prograde motion at a rate of 2.3° day−1, whose lifetime exceeds the duration of the observation. In the CoRoT band, starspots account for as much as 0.6% of the quadrature flux of CoRoT 105895502, however we cannot attribute the spots to individual binary components with certainty. Our findings can be explained by differential rotation, asynchronous stellar rotation, or systematic spot evolution.
The Mopra Southern Galactic Plane CO Survey—Data Release 3

Abstract We present observations of 50 deg2 of the Mopra carbon monoxide (CO) survey of the Southern Galactic Plane, covering Galactic longitudes l = 300–350° and latitudes |b| ⩽ 0.5°. These data have been taken at 0.6 arcmin spatial resolution and 0.1 km s−1spectral resolution, providing an unprecedented view of the molecular clouds and gas of the Southern Galactic Plane in the 109–115 GHz J = 1–0 transitions of 12CO, 13CO, C18O, and C17O. We present a series of velocity-integrated maps, spectra, and position-velocity plots that illustrate Galactic arm structures and trace masses on the order of ~106 M⊙ deg−2, and include a preliminary catalogue of C18O clumps located between l = 330–340°. Together with the information about the noise statistics of the survey, these data can be retrieved from the Mopra CO website and the PASA data store.
A comment on the colour–colour diagrams of low-mass X-ray binaries

Disc-accreting neutron stars come in two distinct varieties, atolls and Z sources, named after their differently shaped tracks on a colour–colour diagram as the source luminosity changes. Here we present analysis of three transient atoll sources showing that there is an additional branch in the colour–colour diagram of atoll sources which appears at very low luminosities. This new branch connects to the top of previously known C-shaped (atoll) path, forming a horizontal track where the average source flux decrease from right to left. This turns the C-shape into a Z. Thus both atolls and Z sources share the same topology on the colour–colour diagram and evolve in similar way, as a function of increasing averaged mass accretion rate. This strongly favours models in which the underlying geometry of these sources changes in similar ways. A possible scenario is one where the truncated disc approaches the neutron star when the accretion rate increases, but in the atolls the disc is truncated by evaporation (similarly to black holes), and in the Z sources it is truncated by the magnetic field.
Diverse COVID-19 CT Image-to-Image Translation with Stacked Residual Dropout

Machine learning models are renowned for their high dependency on a large corpus of data in solving real-world problems, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In practice, data acquisition is an onerous process, especially in medical applications, due to lack of data availability for newly emerged diseases and privacy concerns. This study introduces a data synthesization framework (sRD-GAN) that generates synthetic COVID-19 CT images using a novel stacked-residual dropout mechanism (sRD). sRD-GAN aims to alleviate the problem of data paucity by generating synthetic lung medical images that contain precise radiographic annotations. The sRD mechanism is designed using a regularization-based strategy to facilitate perceptually significant instance-level diversity without content-style attribute disentanglement. Extensive experiments show that sRD-GAN can generate exceptional perceptual realism on COVID-19 CT images examined by an experiment radiologist, with an outstanding Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) of 58.68 and Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS) of 0.1370 on the test set. In a benchmarking experiment, sRD-GAN shows superior performance compared to GAN, CycleGAN, and one-to-one CycleGAN. The encouraging results achieved by sRD-GAN in different clinical cases, such as community-acquired pneumonia CT images and COVID-19 in X-ray images, suggest that the proposed method can be easily extended to other similar image synthetization problems.
Economic feasibility of glasshouse tomato production in China — A bio-economic stochastic modelling approach

ABSTRACT Glasshouse investments are booming in China, even little is known about the economic feasibilities and uncertainties of such investments. This study employed a bio-economic model to assess the economic feasibility and uncertainties of an investment in a Venlo-type glasshouse for cherry tomato production in four regions in China: Jinshan, Langfang, Weifang, and Pingliang, with different climate and market conditions. A bio-physical model for tomato yield and energy use simulation was calibrated with the climate and production data from 2019 to 2020 of a commercial glasshouse in Shanghai, China. The average yield and energy use for each region were simulated with the temperature set points provided by a grower and 30-year climate data. The distributions of the Net Present Values (NPVs) were determined using Monte Carlo simulation which addressed uncertainty due to stochastic seasonal tomato and natural gas prices. The economic outcome of tomato glasshouse investment varies across regions, with a mean NPV ranging from −957.8 ¥ m−2 for Weifang, to 477.0 ¥ m−2 for Pingliang. A sensitivity analysis suggests that variations in natural gas prices have larger impacts on the net cash flow than tomato prices. This study contributes to the research on glasshouse modelling by introducing seasonality and uncertainties of prices in a bio-economic model of a glasshouse farm. The results of this study can inform investors of the economic outcomes and the risks of glasshouse investments. They can also aid Chinese local governments to design agricultural support policies that suit the regional climate and market conditions. Graphical abstract
Bounds on skew information and local quantum uncertainty for state conversion

We establish strict upper bounds on local quantum uncertainty (LQU) and skew information associated with state conversion via certain quantum channels. Specifically, we obtain a bound on the achievable LQU for bipartite channels whose Kraus operators commute with nondegenerate von Neumann measurements on the first subsystem, and this LQU bound is expressed in terms of the skew information for the first subsystem. Furthermore, we establish a bound on the skew information of one subsystem obtained from any initial bipartite state subject to any quantum steering channel, and this bound is expressed in terms of the LQU for the initial joint-system state. Our two claims show that state conversion has fundamental limitations relating LQU with skew information.
Small-scale cosmic microwave background polarization anisotropies due to tangled primordial magnetic fields

Tangled, primordial cosmic magnetic fields create small rotational velocity perturbations on the last scattering surface (LSS) of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR). Such perturbations can contribute significantly to the CMBR temperature and polarization anisotropies at large l > 1000 or so, like the excess power detected by the Cosmic Background Imager (CBI) experiment. The magnetic contribution can be distinguished from most conventional signals, as they lead to CMBR polarization dominated by the odd-parity, B-type signal. Experiments like the Degree Angular Scale Interferometer (DASI) and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) have detected evidence for CMBR polarization at low l. Many experiments will also probe the large l regime. Therefore we calculate the polarization signals due to primordial magnetic fields for different spectra and different cosmological parameters. A scale-invariant spectrum of tangled fields which redshifts to a present value of B0= 3 × 10−9 G produces B-type polarization anisotropies of ∼0.3–0.4 μK between l∼ 1000 and 5000. Larger signals result if the spectral index of magnetic tangles is steeper, n > −3. The peak of the signal shifts to larger l for a Λ-dominated universe or if the baryon density is larger. The signal will also have non-Gaussian statistics. We also predict the much smaller E-type polarization and T–E cross-correlations for these models.
International Conference on Space Optics—ICSO 2010 Rhodes Island, Greece Absolute distance measurement with sub-fringe resolution

A novel technique to measure absolute distances is presented. It is based on a Michelson interferometer where two tuneable lasers are superposed to create a synthetic wavelength. Relative and absolute interferometry theories are merged together. Its experimental realization allows absolute distance measurements with sub-fringe resolution. Preliminary results are presented in this work.