Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detective quantum efficiency of a double-layered detector for dual-energy x-ray imaging

A sandwich-like double-layered detector can perform dual-energy imaging (DEI) using a single x-ray exposure without object motion artifacts. The energy separation between measurements obtained from the front and rear-detector layers can be tuned by introducing an x-ray beam-attenuating material between them. However, the design of the interdetector filter significantly influences dose efficiency by altering the number of x-ray photons reaching the rear-detector layer within the sandwich detector. Since the sandwich detector typically incorporates phosphors of differing thicknesses for its two detector layers, it exhibits a unique spatial resolution characteristic in the reconstructed dual-energy (DE) images. To comprehensively assess detector performance in terms of design (filter) and operation (reconstruction), we established a framework that describes the dual-energy detective quantum efficiency (DE-DQE) using linear-systems theory. The developed DE-DQE model was validated through comparison with measurements. The agreement between the modulation-transfer functions was reasonable, and the correspondence between noise-power spectra was excellent. This proposed DE-DQE concept is universally applicable to any linearly operating DE system and holds a significant value in enhancing the performance of sandwich detectors or ensuring their optimal operation.
Improving the Lifespan of LDACS Air-To-Air Multi-Hop Connections by Heading Direction

The current capacity of aeronautical datalinks is reaching its limits, especially in the European airspace, and hindering the growth of global civil aviation. To modernize the Air Traffic Management (ATM) and digitize aeronautical communications, research, and deployment of successor technologies are underway. The planned successor for the En-Route (ENR) domain in European continental air traffic is the L-band Digital Aeronautical Communications System (LDACS) Air-Ground (A/G) terrestrial communications system. LDACS is planned to be expanded by an Air-Air (A/A) communication mode called LDACS A/A in the future. This long-distance multi-hop A/A communication can expand LDACS ground station coverage to oceanic and remote areas, thus enhancing the terrestrial infrastructure. While LDACS A/G incorporates robust cybersecurity measures, the development of cybersecurity for the LDACS A/A extension is in its early stages. This paper examines the stability of multi-hop connections over continental Europe based on historical flight data from the OpenSky Network and suggests that taking into consideration the heading of an aircraft can extend the lifetime of these connections. This increased connection lifetime makes the resource-demanding process of secure connection establishment worthwhile.
An Edge Detection Based Method for Extraction of Loess Shoulder-Line from Grid DEM

We propose a new method for extracting loess shoulder-lines from grid DEM.The morphological characteristics of loess shoulder-lines are investigated firstly.By applying the edge detection approach,a new method for extracting loess shoulder-line candidate points is proposed based on the prominent height variation of the points.The algorithm then connects the candidate points to small line segments by morphological methods.Finally,precise,systematic loess shoulder-lines are extracted after refining the line segments.Experiments in the loess hill area show that the extracted lines from gradient based operators,such as Sobel,Roberts and Prewitt,have relatively poor results on both integration and matching precision with manually extracted loess shoulder-lines,while loess shoulder-lines extracted by LOG operator has very good matching ratio to the manually extracted loess shoulder-lines.So LOG is an ideal loess shoulder-lines extraction operator and can be used to extract loess shoulder-lines effectively and automatically.
Farmers and conservation programs: Explaining differences in Environmental Quality Incentives Program applications between states

Despite its economic and social benefits, agriculture is now a leading source of water pollution in the United States. While significant research effort has attempted to understand adoption of conservation practices on agricultural lands, relatively little research has explored the operation of specific agri-environmental policies in the United States. This research attempts to gain an understanding of how differing agricultural and sociopolitical contexts across the United States influence attempted participation in national agricultural conservation programs. Application rates in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) differ across the 50 states, indicating potentially important differences in state setting that influence behavior of individual farm operators. A variety of agricultural and sociopolitical measures were included in a fractional logit model to assess factors contributing to varying rates of application to EQIP. Significant explanatory variables included high sales farm prevalence, tenancy rates, and views on federal environmental spending. There also appears to be a large regional effect, with states in the Southeast, Mountain West, and Northeast having higher application rates than those in the Corn Belt. The results of this analysis indicate that certain types of farmers are more likely to seek participation in this large agricultural conservation program. Further research is needed to assess the role of government agencies (federal, state, and local) in influencing participation rates and what role individual political opinion may play in decisions related to federal cost share programs.
Algorithms for Selection and Combination of Sliding Intervals for Identification Based on Large Volumes of Flight Data

This article considers approaches to processing large volumes of flight data using parametric identification methods. The problem is studied from the point of view of selecting informative areas based on a preliminary assessment of identification errors. The paper offers algorithms for combining estimates of pro-cessing intervals for the problem of signal recovery while ensuring its continuity. Their performance is presented by the processing of data obtained at a simulation bench.
The Structural and Macroeconomic Determinants of Manufacturing Export-Value Performance in ASEAN Countries

This study aims to scrutinize the determinants of manufacturing exports in several ASEAN countries, specifically: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam. It adopts a panel data regression using the random effects model to predict manufacturing export value using structural (economic complexity and human capital) and macroeconomic (real effective exchange rate, foreign direct investment, and inflation) variables. The research finds that foreign direct investment, human capital, real effective exchange rate, and inflation are positive and statistically significant predictors of manufacturing exports in these ASEAN countries. However, the positive correlation between the real effective exchange rate and manufacturing exports is against previous literature arguing that a currency’s depreciation drives export competitiveness. The findings suggest that currency appreciation can enhance a country’s export performance as exports’ input products are cheaper than before. Additionally, the positive influence of inflation on exports can be explained by the subsequent increase in consumption from foreign countries. Therefore, in addition to managing their exchange rates, countries must develop their human capital and attract more foreign investments to enhance their export performance.
Exploring Viral Metagenomics in Pediatric Patients with Acute Respiratory Infections: Unveiling Pathogens beyond SARS-CoV-2

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent pandemic have prompted extensive diagnostic and clinical efforts to mitigate viral spread. However, these strategies have largely overlooked the presence of other respiratory viruses. Acute respiratory diseases in pediatric patients can be caused by a diverse range of viral agents, and metagenomics represents a powerful tool for their characterization. This study aimed to investigate the viral abundance in pediatric patients with acute respiratory symptoms who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron pandemic wave. To achieve this, viral metagenomics and next-generation sequencing were employed on 96 nasopharyngeal swab samples, which were organized into 12 pools, with each pool consisting of eight individual samples. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the most prevalent viruses associated with acute disease in pediatric patients were respiratory syncytial virus (detected in all pools) and enteroviruses, which are known to cause significant morbidity and mortality in children. Additionally, clinically significant viruses such as mumps orthorubulavirus, human metapneumovirus, influenza A, and a wide array of human herpesviruses (1, 3–7) were identified. These findings highlight the extensive potential of viral metagenomics in identifying viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 that contribute to acute infections in children. Consequently, this methodology should garner clinical attention in terms of differential diagnosis and the development of public policies to address such conditions in the global pediatric population.
Control of Source‐To‐Sink Processes on the Dispersal, Fractionation, and Deposition of Magnetic Minerals in a Tropical Mesotidal Estuarine System

This study aims to elucidate the control of source‐to‐sink processes on the sediment dynamics of a complex mesotidal tropical estuarine system using rock magnetic, sedimentological, mineralogical, and geochemical methods. Integration of multiproxy data of catchment rocks, riverbank and hinterland soils, and bedload sediments from various depositional environment of Mandovi estuary revealed a marked change in the magnetic mineral composition and accumulation pattern. The magnetic mineralogy mainly comprised ferri‐ (magnetite, titanomagnetite) and antiferromagnetic (hematite, goethite) minerals. Higher accumulation of coarser magnetic particles in the catchment area followed by a systematic trend of progressive fining of magnetic grain size in the down reaches of the estuary can be attributed to the decrease in transport energy. Enhanced accumulation of coarser magnetic particles in the estuarine region can be reconciled with the strong tidal and wave‐induced bottom currents, which preferentially favored mineral‐density selective fractionation resulting in higher deposition of heavy (magnetic) particles. A clear trend of loss of fluvial‐derived fine silt‐size clastic sediments and selective retention of coarser and heavy magnetic particles within the estuary can be attributed to the hydrodynamic driven sediment partitioning regime, which inhibited the permanent settling of fine sediment fraction and are therefore frequently flushed out to the sea. A marked drop in S‐ratio in different zones of the estuary can be linked to the increased input of high coercive magnetic particles derived from pedogenic soils along eroding riverbanks. We further demonstrate that the S‐ratio is an effective parameter to track the riverbank erosion in an estuarine system.
The Matrilineal System of the Minangkabau and its Persistence Throughout History: A Structural Perspective

The matrilineal society of the Minangkabau has fascinated numerous researchers from around the world. The co-existence of a matrilineal family structure and system of inheritance on one side and an Islamic way of life on the other side has intrigued these researchers. However most of the research has been descriptive or focused on a special element of the Minangkabau way of life. Two outstanding researchers namely Taufik Abdullah and Frederick Errington tried to offer theoretical approaches, and this paper will examine these approaches. Moreover it will also attempt to look at the historical developments from a structural point of view. It will be argued that the historical development and its structural analysis will help to understand the society in West Sumatra. Such a structural perspective could also be useful for the research of other societies in order to understand the inherent elements of a specific culture.
A new species of sponge-inhabiting amphipod, Leucothoe jimi sp. n. (Amphilochidea: Leucothoidae) from Gujarat state, India

ABSTRACT A new species of sponge-inhabiting amphipod belonging to the family Leucothoidae Dana, 1852 is described from Gujarat, India. Leucothoe jimi sp. n. can be differentiated from two closely related species, L. denticulata Costa, 1851 and L. spinicarpa Abildgaard, 1789, by the presence of two marginal robust setae on the outer plate of maxilla 1, in having a straight and short mediofacial setal row on the propodus of gnathopod 2 and in having a different shape and number of setae of the epimera. A total of five species of Leucothoe Leach, 1814 are now reported from India. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:86E747D5-65A5-49F6-85DF-3BF2A72B60DC
GaN Monolithic PWM Generator With Dynamic Offset Compensation

The first fully integrated GaN pulse width modulation (PWM) generator for power conversion applications is presented in this paper. The solution is implemented in a 0.5- $\mu \text{m}$ technology, avoiding additional pins and external capacitors for sawtooth signal generation while providing high accuracy. Indeed, the large GaN process spreads are addressed through an innovative dynamic offset compensation approach whose clock signal takes advantage of the PWM signal itself. The proposed PWM generator adopts a 6-V power supply and includes a 25 digital divider to set the PWM frequency at 500 kHz and the minimum and maximum duty cycles at 6% and 94%, respectively. Experimental results on integrated prototypes validated the correct circuit functionality over the temperature range from −40°C to 120°C. As a main achievement, this work demonstrates effective all-GaN integration of complex mixed analog and digital circuits, thus representing a significant advancement in the approaches to overcome the main limitations of GaN devices and enable fully integrated signal processing implementation.
Fish as bioindicators of habitat degradation in coastal lagoons of Ghana

Abstract. Eugenia BB, Armah AK, Dankwa HR. 2018. Fish as bioindicators of habitat degradation in coastal lagoons of Ghana. Bonorowo Wetlands 2: 9-26. Lagoons habitat forms an integral part of the marine fishing industry and provides essential spawning and nursery grounds for many fishes. Fish act as biological indicators of water quality and changes by summarizing information regarding their environment. Two lagoons, Laloi and Oyibi in the and Greater Accra and Central Regions of Ghana were studied to determine the ecological status using the Estuarine Fish Community Index (EFCI). Metrics assigned were the species diversity, nursery function, trophic integrity, and species abundance and composition. Water samples were obtained at the riverine, middle, and seaward portions during both high and low tides at each site. Fisherfolks were hired to fish at each of the sites. There are no significant differences between sites as measured by diversity indices. Multivariate analysis showed a considerable similarity between sites regarding species composition. This study identified eighteen species, including both finfish and shellfish. Two most abundant species during the study was the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and the black-chinned tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron). Mugil cephalus dominated catches in the Laloi lagoon, whereas Sarotherodon melanotheron were dominant in the Oyibi Lagoon. The most dominant species collected for the Laloi lagoon were S. melanotheron, Lutjanus fulgens, and Eucinostomus melanopterus. Caranx hippos, L. fulgens, and M. cephalus constituted a significant part of fishes caught in the Oyibi lagoon. The carangid, Caranx hippos contributed primarily of the biomass of fishes collected for both lagoons. In the rainy season, total fish abundance was higher than the dry season. Chlorophyll-a concentrations and condition factor of S. melanotheron were highest at both lagoons. Total organic carbon was high in the Oyibi lagoon; hence, the high numbers of S. melanotheron recorded. Tides were an essential factor affecting physicochemical parameters. Oyibi displayed a moderate site rating, suggesting that it was under mild stress with some stress factors identified were garbage dumping, defecation, land-use changes, and increased human pressure. Meanwhile, Laloi Lagoon had a poor site rating, suggesting that it was under severe stress. The principal strains identified were overfishing, garbage dumping, mangrove degradation, and increased human settlements along the sides of the lagoon. The multi-metric index described served an effective method which reflects the status of lagoon fish communities and the overall ecosystem conditions.
Sweet-Tasting Natural Proteins Brazzein and Monellin: Safe Sugar Substitutes for the Food Industry

This article presents the results of a comprehensive toxicity assessment of brazzein and monellin, yeast-produced recombinant sweet-tasting proteins. Excessive sugar consumption is one of the leading dietary and nutritional problems in the world, resulting in health complications such as obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Although artificial small-molecule sweeteners widely replace sugar in food, their safety and long-term health effects remain debatable. Many sweet-tasting proteins, including thaumatin, miraculin, pentadin, curculin, mabinlin, brazzein, and monellin have been found in tropical plants. These proteins, such as brazzein and monellin, are thousands-fold sweeter than sucrose. Multiple reports have presented preparations of recombinant sweet-tasting proteins. A thorough and comprehensive assessment of their toxicity and safety is necessary to introduce and apply sweet-tasting proteins in the food industry. We experimentally assessed acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity effects, as well as allergenic and mutagenic properties of recombinant brazzein and monellin. Our study was performed on three mammalian species (mice, rats, and guinea pigs). Assessment of animals’ physiological, biochemical, hematological, morphological, and behavioral indices allows us to assert that monellin and brazzein are safe and nontoxic for the mammalian organism, which opens vast opportunities for their application in the food industry as sugar alternatives.
Population Density Estimation for Dynamic Ground Risk Assessment of Drone Operations

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, have promising potential for integration into intelligent transportation systems to facilitate enhanced cargo and passenger flow. The escalating prevalence of UAS operations raises concerns regarding third-party ground risks, particularly within densely populated urban landscapes. Current mitigation strategies propose avoiding areas of high population density; however, these methodologies predominantly operate under the assumption that population density within specific locations remains static, which overlooks critical spatial-temporal population dynamics. This study introduces a prediction method with random forest regression to enhance the accuracy of population density estimations integral to risk assessment models. Obtained results were integrated into a gravity model to diffuse the predicted population volume at various time intervals, thereby generating dynamic risk maps. Finally, a graphic user interface is developed with backend computations to facilitate the decision makings for: 1) regulatory bodies to determine if a flight plan can be approved based on its risk cost and the target level of safety, and 2) UAS operators (e.g., drone delivery companies) to evaluate the overall risk level of their fleet by compute the risk cost of each flight plan. This work also contributes to the safety risk management of urban air mobility (UAM) in time-dependent ground risk mitigation.
Digital learning in Sciences education: A literature review

Abstract This study looked at 8760 Web of scientific research publications about digital learning in scientific education. The researchers discovered seven clusters with 59 affiliations, 36 keywords, and 135 authors from 28 countries using bibliometric and text analysis approaches. The study provides useful insights into the present status of digital learning literature, providing recommendations to scholars and educators in this sector. The research highlighted the use of technology to improve scientific teaching by evaluating the data. The findings have consequences for academics, educators, and policymakers, allowing them to better understand current research and propose prospective topics for future study in digital learning in scientific education.
The informal carer experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: mental health, loneliness, and financial (in)-security

Informal caring is associated with many negative outcomes. COVID-19 caused societal disruption, which may have disproportionately impacted carers. Reducing inequalities requires knowing whether, and how, carers were impacted. COVID-19 Understanding Society survey participants who were informal household carers (IHCs) were matched with a non-IHC comparison group. Differences between the groups were assessed for mental health (measured using General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12), loneliness, subjective financial security, whether behind with mortgage/rent payments or bills, household wealth changes, and whether receiving universal credit (UC). A total of 1617 IHCs were matched with 6684 comparators. IHCs’ GHQ-12 scores were 0.613 points higher; they experienced greater loneliness and worse subjective financial security. IHCs were significantly more likely to experience decreased household wealth and receive UC, but not to be behind with bills. IHC outcomes remained worse than comparators in September 2021. Spending longer caring, caring for a partner, and not being employed were associated with worse outcomes.
Predicting facial eczema risks in a changing New Zealand climate

Facial eczema is a major concern for New Zealand farmers due to its economic impact and animal welfare implications. The disease occurs when animals ingest sporidesmin, a mycotoxin produced by spores of the fungus Pseudopithomyces chartarum. Spore production is related to weather conditions; thus the incidence and severity of facial eczema varies between years, with thedisease commonly occurring from late summer through autumn in the North Island. We developed a simple model to estimate climatic suitability for P. chartarum sporulation and ran it using climate data for 2008-2021 to compare its estimates with spore counts from the same years. Model climatic suitability estimates had significant linear correlations with an index of exposure to spores derived from spore counts at both national and local scales. Model results were also consistent with a documented outbreak of facial eczema. Using predicted future climate data from the Hadley Centre Global Environment Model version 2 and two emissionsscenarios, the model suggested climatic suitability for P. chartarum sporulation will increase with time in many New Zealand regions, particularly in the southern North Island and eastern parts of the South Island. However, it could remain relatively static in some other areas, thus the degree of change in climatic suitability for P. chartarum sporulation is predicted to vary between New Zealand regions.