Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
POWER BEAMING LEAKAGE RADIATION AS A SETI OBSERVABLE

The most observable leakage radiation from an advanced civilization may well be from the use of power beaming to transfer energy and accelerate spacecraft. Applications suggested for power beaming involve launching spacecraft to orbit, raising satellites to a higher orbit, and interplanetary concepts involving space-to-space transfers of cargo or passengers. We also quantify beam-driven launch to the outer solar system, interstellar precursors, and ultimately starships. We estimate the principal observable parameters of power beaming leakage. Extraterrestrial civilizations would know their power beams could be observed, and so could put a message on the power beam and broadcast it for our receipt at little additional energy or cost. By observing leakage from power beams we may find a message embedded on the beam. Recent observations of the anomalous star KIC 8462852 by the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) set some limits on extraterrestrial power beaming in that system. We show that most power beaming applications commensurate with those suggested for our solar system would be detectable if using the frequency range monitored by the ATA, and so the lack of detection is a meaningful, if modest, constraint on extraterrestrial power beaming in that system. Until more extensive observations are made, the limited observation time and frequency coverage are not sufficiently broad in frequency and duration to produce firm conclusions. Such beams would be visible over large interstellar distances. This implies a new approach to the SETI search: instead of focusing on narrowband beacon transmissions generated by another civilization, look for more powerful beams with much wider bandwidth. This requires a new approach for their discovery by telescopes on Earth. Further studies of power beaming applications should be performed, potentially broadening the parameter space of the observable features that we have discussed here.
DR-SLAM: drift rejection SLAM with Manhattan regularity for indoor environments

In this paper, a drift rejection SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) method is proposed targeting indoor scenarios, where SLAM generates large drifts due to the lack of reliable features. To provide sufficient features, we leverage multiple feature primitives and geometric restraints (parallel or perpendicular) restraint in man-made environments. Under some satisfy Manhattan World (MW) assumption scene, such as corridors, we can get absolute and drift-free rotation estimation using a Gaussian sphere. By fully utilizing drift-free rotation estimation under MW assumption and the local stability of purely track restricted by point, line, and plane features, our drift rejection SLAM method becomes more accurate and robust. Additionally, by exploiting the constraint of planar motion on ground robot, we propose an ingenious strategy to reduce translation drift by eliminating vertical movement in the Manhattan world. Advantages of our method over other state-of-the-art algorithms are validated on public datasets and real-world experiments. The code is released at https://github.com/WangWen-Believer/DR-SLAM. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
VAT gap determinants in the European Union and Poland

Motivation: VAT revenues constitute a significant part of the budgets of EU countries and Poland. Both the EU and Poland are taking steps to reduce the VAT gap. To define the areas influencing the size of the VAT gap, its determinants should be indicated. Aim: The study aims to identify the determinants of the VAT gap in the EU and Poland. By comparing the impact of individual determinants on the VAT Gap in the EU and Poland, it will be possible to identify common factors shaping the VAT gap in the EU and Poland. Results: Based on the econometric study, it was indicated that growth, trade, consumption, and corruption are significant determinants of the VAT gap in the EU and Poland. However, it has been shown that the impact of consumption and corruption on the VAT gap in Poland is different from that in the EU.
Hybrid reconstruction using shearlets and deep learning for sparse x-ray computed tomography

In sparse X-ray Computed Tomography, the radiation dose to the patient is lowered by measuring fewer projection views compared to a standard protocol. In this work we investigate a hybrid approach combining shearlet representation with deep learning for reconstruction of sparse-view X-ray computed tomography. The proposed method is hybrid in that it reconstructs the parts that can provably be retrieved by utilizing a model-based approach, and it in-paints the parts that provably cannot through a learning-based approach. In doing so, we attempt to benefit from the best aspects of model- and learning-based methods. We demonstrate first promising results on publicly available data.
Mitigating Mortality Anxiety: Identifying Heritage Tourism’s Role in Terror Management

Although terror management theory has been widely studied, little research has empirically examined whether travel functions as a terror management mechanism. Thus, the present research investigated the influence of mortality anxiety on heritage tourism preference and heritage protection intention through two studies. Study 1 shows that as individuals’ general mortality anxiety increases, their tendency to search for meaning in life increases, which fosters their heritage travel preference and heritage protection intention. Study 2, using an experimental method, reveals a causal relationship where incidentally increasing mortality anxiety increases heritage travel preference and heritage protection intention. In addition, this causal relationship is prominent for people with higher legacy beliefs. These findings shed light on the critical roles of the search for meaning in life and legacy belief in the links between mortality anxiety and heritage-related behavior.
Relationship Between a Reflective-Formative Model of Team Brand Associations and Behavioral Intentions: The Mediating Effect of Fan Identification

Understanding fans’ perceived associations with their favorite teams is crucial for the successful management of sport teams. In the current study, team brand associations are measured as a reflective-formative construct to examine the role of the fan identification on the relationship between team brand associations and behavioral intentions. Data from professional soccer spectators (n = 101) were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results indicated that the reflective-formative construct of team brand associations and fan identification influence behavioral intention, whilst fan identification was found to mediate the relationship between team brand associations and behavioral intentions. Managerial implications include strategic marketing how sport team managers can alter their team brand associations to foster the relationship between fans and teams.
THE ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOUR OF THE SAMPLE AUTOCOVARIANCE FUNCTION FOR AN AUTOREGRESSIVE INTEGRATED MOVING AVERAGE PROCESS

generated from an autoregressive integrated moving average process are obtained. Some authors dealt with the parameter estimation problem for once integrated proces ses (e.g., see White [12], Fuller [4], Rao [10], Dickey and Fuller [3]). Hasza and Fuller [5] considered this problem for an autoregressive twice integrated process. Kawashima [8] studied the least square parameter estimation of autoregressive integrated moving average
Without an army: How ICC indictments reduce atrocities

Do International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments reduce atrocities? The ICC convicting only ten perpetrators since its founding in 2002 has generated skepticism of the court’s ability to prevent attacks against civilians. Drawing on the criminal violence literature, this article applies the concept of assurance to explain how the ICC reduces atrocities despite its limited capacity. As with criminal organizations facing domestic indictments, armed groups affiliated with ICC indictees often (mis)perceive that the indictments come with assurance: that is, inductee-affiliated groups believe that they can alleviate the costs imposed by indictments if they refrain from further attacks. I test the effect of ICC indictments on violence using the weighted regression method generalized synthetic control to mitigate empirical challenges posed by endogeneity and data unreliability. The results indicate that indictments lead to a substantial initial decline in attacks against civilians by armed groups affiliated with indictees, but the attacks return to pre-indictment levels when indictees face sustained punishment from the court. Descriptive cases of ICC indictments against alleged perpetrators in Uganda and Kenya are used to illustrate the role of assurance. These findings imply that the ICC might reduce violence by engaging in plea bargains and other negotiated settlements – tools commonly employed by domestic prosecutors fighting criminal organizations.
Money versus Kudos: The Impact of Incentivizing Local Politicians in India

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.
The Emerging Role of Extracellular Vesicles from Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Macrophages in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Insights into miRNA Delivery

Pulmonary fibrosis is a type of chronic, progressive, fibrotic lung disease of unclear cause with few treatment options. Cell therapy is emerging as a promising novel modality for facilitating lung repair. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based and macrophage-based cell therapies are regarded as promising strategies to promote lung repair, due to incredible regenerative potential and typical immunomodulatory function, respectively. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are cell-derived lipid-bilayer membrane vesicles that are secreted from virtually every cell and are involved in intercellular communication by delivering expansive biological cargos to recipients. This review provides a deep insight into the recent research progress concerning the effects of MSC and macrophage-associated EVs on the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In addition to discussing their respective vital roles, we summarize the importance of cross-talk, as macrophages are vital for MSCs to exert their protective effects through two major patterns, including attenuating macrophage activation and M1 phenotype macrophage polarization. Moreover, miRNAs are selectively enriched into EVs as essential components, and consideration is given to the particular effects of EV-associated miRNAs.
Just noticeable differences in sound intensity of piano tones in non-musicians and experienced pianists

Changes in sound intensity are important components of piano performance. Previous research in this area has largely focused on perception of changes in pitch and timing, with little investigation of sound intensity. The present study used Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) technology to algorithmically control the key velocity, and thereby sound intensity, of consecutive piano tones. Non-musicians (n = 20) and experienced pianists (n = 30) played pairs of consecutive piano tones with 0–15 arbitrary units (a.u.) of change in key velocity, indicating whether they perceived the first, second, or neither tone as louder. All participants completed the test with C4, and a subset (n = 24) with pitches C2 and C6 also. The mean just noticeable difference (JND) ranged from 2.71 to 4.48 a.u. , corresponding to 0.68–1.22 dBC on the Yamaha Disklavier used to produce the stimuli. Experienced pianists demonstrated lower JND, which the authors theorize may be linked to listener motivation. When two tones were played with the same key velocity, participants tended to perceive the first tone as louder. The authors discuss a number of factors that may be relevant considerations for application of the findings in music and psychoacoustics research. These findings hold insight for music performance researchers, psychoacoustics researchers, and pedagogues.
Virtual non-metal network for metal artifact reduction in the sinogram domain

Often, the artifacts caused by high-density objects degrade the quality of the image with streaks and information loss in CT imaging. In recent years, machine learning has proven itself a powerful tool to resolve some of the challenges faced in reducing metal artifacts. In this work, a novel method of metal artifact reduction (MAR) without metal segmentation by using a CNN network is proposed. The approach focuses on removing the need for the sensitive metal segmentation step to improve robustness and aims to tackle beam hardening directly in the sinogram domain. In the proposed method, we trained the network with sinogram pairs that include metal objects and those that include virtual non-metal (VNM) replacement objects. A VNM object is designed to be less dense than metal but more dense than soft tissue. The novelty of this method lies in the sinogram-to-sinogram training without the need for metal segmentation by replacing the metal object to a virtual non-metal object in the sinogram to reduce beam hardening and successfully compensate for the information loss.
Particle Image Velocimetry: A Practical Guide

Introduction. - Physical and technical background. - Mathematical background of statistical PIV evaluation. - PIV recording techniques. - Image evaluation methods for PIV. - Post-processing of PIV data. - Three-component PIV measurements on planar domains. - Examples of applications. - Bibliography. - Matrices for perspective projection. - Mathematical appendix. - List of symbols. - Index.
A Challenge toward Novel Quaternary Sulfides SrLnCuS3 (Ln = La, Nd, Tm): Unraveling Synthetic Pathways, Structures and Properties

We report on the novel heterometallic quaternary sulfides SrLnCuS3 (Ln = La, Nd, Tm), obtained as both single crystals and powdered samples. The structures of both the single crystal and powdered samples of SrLaCuS3 and SrNdCuS3 belong to the orthorhombic space group Pnma but are of different structural types, while both samples of SrTmCuS3 crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm with the structural type KZrCuS3. Three-dimensional crystal structures of SrLaCuS3 and SrNdCuS3 are formed from the (Sr/Ln)S7 capped trigonal prisms and CuS4 tetrahedra. In SrLaCuS3, alternating 2D layers are stacked, while the main backbone of the structure of SrNdCuS3 is a polymeric 3D framework [(Sr/Ln)S7]n, strengthened by 1D polymeric chains (CuS4)n with 1D channels, filled by the other Sr2+/Ln3+ cations, which, in turn, form 1D dimeric ribbons. A 3D crystal structure of SrTmCuS3 is constructed from the SrS6 trigonal prisms, TmS6 octahedra and CuS4 tetrahedra. The latter two polyhedra are packed together into 2D layers, which are separated by 1D chains (SrS6)n and 1D free channels. In both crystal structures of SrLaCuS3 obtained in this work, the crystallographic positions of strontium and lanthanum were partially mixed, while only in the structure of SrNdCuS3, solved from the powder X-ray diffraction data, were the crystallographic positions of strontium and neodymium partially mixed. Band gaps of SrLnCuS3 (Ln = La, Nd, Tm) were found to be 1.86, 1.94 and 2.57 eV, respectively. Both SrNdCuS3 and SrTmCuS3 were found to be paramagnetic at 20–300 K, with the experimental magnetic characteristics being in good agreement with the corresponding calculated parameters.
Evaluating the Optimal Electric Vehicle Location for a Hybrid Energy System Controlled with Novel Active Disturbance Rejection Controller

Power system control is an important issue with regard to power system safety, flexibility, and reliability. Over the years, various new power system control strategies have been explored, but the main disadvantage of these control strategies is their complexity in structures with respect to industrially applied PID controller. The present paper introduces a novel control strategy based on modified disturbance rejection control, which is a modification of the PID controller that not only preserves the simplicity of control design but also offers an effective control based on state observer-based control law. The proposed control strategy addresses some basic limitations of a PID controller and implements modified control law to remove these limitations. In order to prove the effective control of the proposed control strategy, a standard IEEE-39 bus power system integrated with renewable energy generations is developed, and a comparative analysis of the proposed controller is performed with respect to its ancestor controllers. The comparison is validated based on the system dynamic responses like frequency and tie-line power deviations when the power system is subjected to different disturbances. Furthermore, the power system is integrated with electric vehices (EVs) in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) mode in order to ascertain the effect of EVs when used in V2G mode. A novel study is carried out in which the optimal location of EVs in the power system is determined based on the enhancement in stability of the power system by EVs. The analyses are carried out in MATLAB Simulink software. Simulation reports reflect the optimal control action of the proposed controller with respect to already established strategies projected in the literature. Moreover, the results illustrate that EVs when connected in Area 1 and Area 3 of the power system, the system deviations and steady-state errors are much less as compared to the other cases.
A SPECTROSCOPIC AND PHOTOMETRIC EXPLORATION OF THE C/M RATIO IN THE DISK OF M31

We explore the ratio (C/M) of carbon-rich to oxygen-rich thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) stars in the disk of M31 using a combination of moderate-resolution optical spectroscopy from the Spectroscopic Landscape of Andromeda’s Stellar Halo survey and six-filter Hubble Space Telescope photometry from the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury survey. Carbon stars were identified spectroscopically. Oxygen-rich M-stars were identified using three different photometric definitions designed to mimic, and thus evaluate, selection techniques common in the literature. We calculate the C/M ratio as a function of galactocentric radius, present-day gas-phase oxygen abundance, stellar metallicity, age (via proxy defined as the ratio of TP-AGB stars to red giant branch, stars), and mean star formation rate over the last 400 Myr. We find statistically significant correlations between log(C/M) and all parameters. These trends are consistent across different M-star selection methods, though the fiducial values change. Of particular note is our observed relationship between log(C/M) and stellar metallicity, which is fully consistent with the trend seen across Local Group satellite galaxies. The fact that this trend persists in stellar populations with very different star formation histories indicates that the C/M ratio is governed by stellar properties alone.
Observation of the 
p
-wave shape resonance in atom-molecule collisions

We observe a p -wave resonance in collisions between metastable neon and rovibrationally ground state HD molecules at a collision energy of k B × 22 mK. This is the ﬁrst observation of the lowest quasibound angular momentum state in molecular collisions. This measurement was enabled by the reduction of the lowest collision energy achieved without laser cooling, using the phase-space correlation in cold molecular beams. We demonstrate that contrary to higher l -state resonances, the p -wave resonance allows sensitive probing of the leading term of the van der Waals intermolecular interaction. Furthermore, the same sensitivity to the long range part of the interaction potential allows an accurate estimation of p -wave resonance lifetime using only fundamental constants and the dispersion coeﬃcient.
Determination of Confidence Limits for Experiments with Low Numbers of Counts

Two different methods, classical and Bayesian, for determining confidence intervals involving Poisson-distributed data are compared. Particular consideration is given to cases where the number of counts observed is small and is comparable to the mean number of background counts. Reasons for preferring the Bayesian over the classical method are given. Tables of confidence limits calculated by the Bayesian method are provided for quick reference. 12 refs.
Conceptual effects on agreement: A corpus study of mismatch in English copular constructions

Research on the production of subject-verb agreement has focused on the features of the subject rather than the larger construction in which subject-verb agreement is produced or how the conceptual relationship between subjects and predicates may interact in affecting subject-verb agreement patterns. This corpus study describes subject-verb number agreement mismatch in English copular constructions which take the frame of (SEMANTICALLY LIGHT) N + [REL] + COP + (SPECIFIC) PRED NOM, where the copula reflects the grammatical number of the predicate. Results suggest that speakers make use of conceptual information from the entire construction, and not just the subject, when formulating agreement morphology.
An Examination of a Cognitive Dissonance Body Image and Health Intervention for the College Classroom

Creating a positive college environment regarding body image concerns is warranted given their strong association with eating disorders (EDs) and the alarming rates of EDs on college campuses. There is also a growing need to universally diversify ED prevention programs and enhance selective prevention recruitment initiatives. This study included 132 undergraduate students in a universal and mixed-gendered setting (i.e., classrooms). Participants in the intervention condition received a single session of an adapted cognitive dissonance-based intervention aimed at reducing ED risk factors. The control condition included participants who received a general classroom lecture. Women and men in the two conditions were compared at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up timepoints on appearance-ideal internalization (thin-ideal and muscular-ideal), body image satisfaction, and behavioral intention to enroll in a selective ED prevention program, known as The Body Project (BP). Using mixed-effects modeling, results showed that women in the intervention condition significantly lowered muscular-ideal internalization scores at follow-up when compared to the control condition. There were no significant differences across all other variables, which suggests that the single session universal intervention was not effective in reducing body image dissatisfaction or triaging participants into The BP. Implications include further exploration of muscular-ideal internalization in ED development for women and the examination of other underlying dimensions of body image, such as internalized weight stigma and body functionality. Mixed-gendered settings might also benefit from cultivating conversations regarding the social injustices of beauty standards. These adjustments may help enhance the levels of cognitive dissonance experienced by participants.