Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Radar Simulator for High-Resolution Nonhydrostatic Models

A full radar simulator for high-resolution (1–5 km) nonhydrostatic models has been developed within the research nonhydrostatic mesoscale atmospheric (Meso-NH) model. This simulator is made up of building blocks, each of which describes a particular physical process (scattering, beam bending, etc.). For each of these blocks, several formulations have been implemented. For instance, the radar simulator offers the possibility to choose among Rayleigh, Rayleigh–Gans, Mie, or T-matrix scattering methods, and beam bending can be derived from an effective earth radius or can depend on the vertical gradient of the refractive index of air. Moreover, the radar simulator is fully consistent with the microphysical parameterizations used by the atmospheric numerical model. Sensitivity experiments were carried out using different configurations for the simulator. They permitted the specification of an observation operator for assimilation of radar reflectivities by high-resolution nonhydrostatic numerical weather prediction systems, as well as for their validation. A study of the flash flood of 8–9 September 2002 in southeastern France, which was well documented with volumetric data from an S-band radar, serves to illustrate the capabilities of the radar simulator as a validation tool for a mesoscale model.
Interactions of Tropopause Depressions with an Ex–Tropical Cyclone and Sensitivity of Forecasts to Analysis Errors

Abstract This paper focuses on the coupling between an ex–tropical cyclone and two preexisting mesoscale tropopause depressions (TDs). The TDs approached the cyclone from widely separated sources after becoming cut off from different upper-level troughs upstream. The first part of the paper combines Meteosat imagery with products from the limited-area version of the operational U.K. Meteorological Office Unified Model to reveal the 3D structure and evolution of the mesoscale features. Each TD was a potential vorticity (PV) maximum characterized by dry-intrusion air descending slantwise beneath an upper-level jet streak. Each TD generated its own cloud head and each is believed to have contributed to the deepening of the surface cyclone. Later parts of the paper identify errors in model forecasts and attribute them to analysis errors in the position of one of the TDs. Two methods are used to locate the analysis errors. Both are capable of being used in real time. The first is the identification via satelli.
Assessing the Design of Interactive Radial Data Visualizations for Mobile Devices

The growing use of mobile devices in daily life has led to an increased demand for the display of large amounts of data. In response, radial visualizations have emerged as a popular type of visualization in mobile applications due to their visual appeal. However, previous research has highlighted issues with these visualizations, namely misinterpretation due to their column length and angles. This study aims to provide guidelines for designing interactive visualizations on mobile devices and new evaluation methods based on the results of an empirical study. The perception of four types of circular visualizations on mobile devices was assessed through user interaction. All four types of circular visualizations were found to be suitable for use within mobile activity tracking applications, with no statistically significant difference in responses by type of visualization or interaction. However, distinguishing characteristics of each visualization type were revealed depending on the category that is in focus (memorability, readability, understanding, enjoyment, and engagement). The research outcomes provide guidelines for designing interactive radial visualizations on mobile devices, enhance the user experience, and introduce new evaluation methods. The study’s results have significant implications for the design of visualizations on mobile devices, particularly in activity tracking applications.
Articulated legs allow energy optimization across different speeds for legged robots with elastically suspended loads

Legged robots are a promising technology whose use is limited by their high energy consumption. Biological and biomechanical studies have shown that the vibration generated by elastically suspended masses provides an energy advantage over rigidly carrying the same load. The robotic validation of these findings has only scarcely been explored in the dynamic walking case. In this context, a relationship has emerged between the design parameters and the actuation that generates the optimal gait. Although very relevant, these studies lack a generalizable analysis of different locomotion modes and a possible strategy to obtain optimal locomotion at different speeds. To this end, we propose the use of articulated legs in an extended Spring-Loaded Inverted Pendulum (SLIP) model with an elastically suspended mass. Thanks to this model, we show how stiffness and damping can be modulated through articulated legs by selecting the knee angle at touch-down. Therefore, by choosing different body postures, it is possible to vary the control parameters and reach different energetically optimal speeds. At the same time, this modeling allows the study of the stability of the defined system. The results show how suitable control choices reduce energy expenditure by 16% at the limit cycle at a chosen speed. The demonstrated strategy could be used in the design and control of legged robots where energy consumption would be dynamically optimal and usage time would be significantly increased.
xVMP: An LLVM-based Code Virtualization Obfuscator

Obfuscation techniques are widely used to protect the digital copyright and intellectual property rights of software. Among them, code virtualization is one of the most powerful obfuscation techniques, which hides both the control flow and the data flow of the code, thereby preventing code from being decompiled. However, existing code virtualization solutions are not well-resistant to de-obfuscation techniques (e.g., symbolic execution and frequency analysis), and only target limited program languages and architectures, which are challenging to integrate into the process of software development and maintenance.In this paper, We propose an LLVM-based code virtualization tool, namely xVMP to fulfill a scalable and virtualized instruction-hardened obfuscation. To mask the effects of multiple program languages and architectures, xVMP incorporates the obfuscation process of code virtualization into the compilation, and generates virtualized code based on LLVM intermediate representation (IR). After virtualization, it embeds the interpreter of virtualized code into the IR and compiles to an executable. To enhance the security, xVMP encrypts virtualized instructions in each basic block and decrypts them at runtime to enhance the security of obfuscation. In addition, it supports specified function obfuscation. xVMP identifies the function annotations marked by the developer in the source code to locate the function to protect. We implement the prototype of xVMP, and evaluate it with a microbenchmark and three real-world programs. The experimental results show that xVMP can be more difficult to crack than the state-of-the-art obfuscators, and it can support more source code types and architectures, and can be applied to real-world software. Source Code: https://github.com/GANGE666/xVMP.
A Modeling Study of the Influence of Ice Scavenging on the Chemical Composition of Liquid-Phase Precipitation of a Cumulonimbus Cloud

Abstract Evidence of the efficient removal of chemicals by ice particles has been deduced from past field experiments and laboratory studies. However, the ice phase has been poorly represented in prior cloud chemistry modeling. This paper uses a two-dimensional Eulerian cloud model to address the impact of ice-phase processes on the chemistry of precipitation in the context of a simulated cumulonimbus cloud. Riming of graupel and the freezing of supercooled rain are the main processes for the transfer of species toward graupel. Even when freezing is the main mode for this transfer, riming still plays an important role by providing a feedback effect that limits the diluting influence of rain. When riming is the only process, sulfate production is more efficient in rainwater, whereas when freezing dominates a decrease in sulfate production is observed. During the decaying stage, the precipitation (glaciated and/or liquid) has higher concentrations of the hydrogen peroxide and sulfates that originated from t.
µDetector: Automated Intrusion Detection for Microservices

The recent adoption of microservice-based applications divides an application into small independent services that communicate using lightweight mechanisms, improving flexibility and scalability in dynamic DevOps environments that leverage containers and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes. However, this growing popularity raises concerns related to their dependability and security, aggravated by several attacks and the lack of intrusion detection tools that target microservices. Thus, developing solutions that can be deployed in real-world scenarios and whose purpose is to keep applications and businesses secure is of the utmost importance. This paper presents µDetector, an intrusion detection tool for microservice-based applications. This tool uses intrusion detection techniques from previous research and automates their functioning for Kubernetes and KubeEdge deployments. The user provides a configuration file and the tool uses monitoring agents to collect system calls from the containers and transfers them over to the IDS module that performs anomaly-based intrusion detection. Anomalous activity will trigger alarms indicating a possible intrusion. The user can interact with the tool and its monitoring capabilities through a command-line interface or a web dashboard. µDetector was validated using functional testing and performance and scalability tests. Results show that µDetector performs well and does not impact the proper functioning of the microservices: in scenarios with over 100 000 system calls being collected per second, the CPU and memory usage of the worker nodes did not exceed 10% of the total resources available.The source code repository can be accessed here: https://github.com/micro-sec/detector.
Topology optimization of damping layer in structures for minimizing dynamic compliance

The optimal distribution of damping material in shell structures subjected to harmonic excitations was investigated by using the topology optimization method. Therein,an artificial damping material model with a similar form to that of the SIMP approach was suggested. In the optimization model,the dynamic compliance of the structure was to be minimized under a given volume constraint of damping material and the relative densities of damping material were taken as design variables. A system reduction procedure was performed by using the eigenmodes of the undamped system. Since the damping was non-proportional,the steady-state response and dynamic compliance of the vibrating structure were calculated by using the complex mode superposition method in a state space. The analysis of the dynamic compliance sensitivity was implemented by using the adjoint variable method. Numerical examples were presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Hyperfield - Hyperspectral small satellites for improving life on Earth

Over the past few decades, Earth observation technology has provided highly useful information for global climate change research, particularly in providing biological, physical, and chemical parameters on a global scale. Nevertheless, the low revisit rate and spectral resolution, as well as the expensive operational capacities of current spaceborne missions, make it difficult to gain rapid and accurate insights into degrading ecosystems or dissect faltering food security or carbon sinks. The Hyperfield constellation that will be launched in 2023 consists of 100 CubeSats with hyperspectral imagers operating in the visible-to-near-infrared (VIS-NIR, 450–1100 nm) and Visible-to-shortwave infrared (VIS-SWIR, 450–2500 nm) ranges and provides two to three times daily images from any location on Earth. The hyperspectral is based on a Piezo-actuated Fabry-Perot interferometer (PFPI) and a tailored camera with innovative modes of acquisition. A novel artificial intelligence (AI) processing platform will be used to provide stakeholders with high-quality, affordable data, analytical services and forecasts on a daily basis, enabling them to make informed decisions that lead to a more sustainable environment, carbon sequestration, food security, and a reduction in climate change impacts. This paper presents the first and second generations of the Hyperfield satellites. It reviews their innovative platform and detector technology, the optical modes, planned mission operations, processing architecture and services.
The Influence of Activities and Functional Social Support on Adult Cochlear Implant Outcomes

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess whether patient participation in specific activities and perceived social support correlate with speech perception following cochlear implantation. Setting: Tertiary referral hospital Methods: Adult cochlear implantation patients implanted in their poorer hearing ear between January 2019 and December 2020 completed the Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) and a modified version of the Victoria Lifestyle Study-Activities Lifestyle Questionnaire (VLS-ALQ). Demographics, FSSQ score, and individual activities were correlated with implanted ear and binaural AzBio scores. Results: Twenty-three patients completed the survey and had at least 6 months of follow-up with appropriate speech perception testing. The average age at survey completion was 71.7 (SD, 9.1). Average pure-tone average in the contralateral ear was 70.1 (SD: 20) dB. The majority (N = 21, 91.3%) wore a hearing aid in the contralateral ear following cochlear implantation. Mean AzBioQuiet score improvement was 60.6% (range: 20%–99%) in the implanted ear and 42.6% (range: −2% to 67%) binaurally. Work-related social support correlated positively with improvement in the implanted ear (Pearson’s R = 0.473; 95% CI, 0.075-0.741; P = 0.023). Improvement in the implanted ear correlated positively with creative writing (R = 0.542; 95% CI, 0.167-0.780; P = 0.008), attending films (R = 0.448; 95% CI, 0.044-0.726; P = 0.032), going out with friends (R = 0.423; 95% CI, 0.013-0.711; P = 0.044) listening to audiobooks (R = 0.433; 95% CI, 0.025-0.717; P = 0.039), and public speaking (R = 0.468; 95% CI, 0.069-0.738; P = 0.024). Gains in binaural performance correlated positively with watching TV news (R = 0.819; 95% CI, 0.509-0.941; P < 0.001) and negatively with eating at restaurants (R = −0.532; 95% CI, −0.829 to −0.002; P = 0.05). Conclusions: Activities that provide intellectual stimulation and engage auditory faculties correlate with greater speech perception testing improvements in adult cochlear implantation patients.
COVID‐19 vaccines reduce mortality in hospitalized patients with oxygen requirements: Differences between vaccine subtypes. A multicontinental cohort study

The aim of this study was to analyze whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine reduces mortality in patients with moderate or severe COVID‐19 disease requiring oxygen therapy. A retrospective cohort study, with data from 148 hospitals in both Spain (111 hospitals) and Argentina (37 hospitals), was conducted. We evaluated hospitalized patients for COVID‐19 older than 18 years with oxygen requirements. Vaccine protection against death was assessed through a multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching. We also performed a subgroup analysis according to vaccine type. The adjusted model was used to determine the population attributable risk. Between January 2020 and May 2022, we evaluated 21,479 COVID‐19 hospitalized patients with oxygen requirements. Of these, 338 (1.5%) patients received a single dose of the COVID‐19 vaccine and 379 (1.8%) were fully vaccinated. In vaccinated patients, mortality was 20.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.9–24), compared to 19.5% (95% CI: 19–20) in unvaccinated patients, resulting in a crude odds ratio (OR) of 1.07 (95% CI: 0.89–1.29; p = 0.41). However, after considering the multiple comorbidities in the vaccinated group, the adjusted OR was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.56–0.95; p = 0.02) with a population attributable risk reduction of 4.3% (95% CI: 1–5). The higher risk reduction for mortality was with messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer) (OR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.23–0.59; p < 0.01), ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 (AstraZeneca) (OR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20–0.86; p = 0.02), and mRNA‐1273 (Moderna) (OR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.41–1.12; p = 0.13), and lower with Gam‐COVID‐Vac (Sputnik) (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.6–1.45; p = 0.76). COVID‐19 vaccines significantly reduce the probability of death in patients suffering from a moderate or severe disease (oxygen therapy).
Spherical TPC development and trends

We present a new type of gaseous detectors, the spherical proportional counter. It consists of a small metallic ball, 16 mm in diameter, located at the centre of curvature of a large spherical vessel, acting as a proportional amplification structure. It allows high gas gains to be reached and operates from low to high gas pressure. This simple and robust structure allows large volumes to be read out with a single electronic channel. The detector performance presently achieved is already close to fulfil the demands of many challenging projects from low energy neutrino physics to dark matter detection with applications in neutron, alpha, gamma spectroscopy. Preliminary results of neutron flux measurements currently going on in underground laboratory will be presented.
Impact Assessment of Daily Satellite-Derived Surface Albedo in a Limited-Area NWP Model

AbstractThis study examines the impact of daily satellite-derived albedos on short-range forecasts in a limited-area numerical weather prediction (NWP) model over Europe. Contrary to previous studies in which satellite products were used to derive monthly “climatologies,” a daily surface (snow free) albedo is analyzed by a Kalman filter. The filter combines optimally a satellite product derived from the Meteosat Second Generation geostationary satellite [and produced by the Land Surface Analyses–Satellite Application Facility of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)], an albedo climatology, and a priori information given by “persistence. ” The surface albedo analyzed for a given day is used as boundary conditions of the NWP model to run forecasts starting the following day. Results from short-range forecasts over a 1-yr period reveal the capacity of satellite information to reduce model biases and RMSE in screen-level temperature (during daytime and intermed.
Giving Voice to People With Dementia and Their Carers: The Impact of Communication Difficulties on Everyday Conversations

People living with dementia are an under-served group, whose voices are often excluded from research studies due to their speech, language and communication difficulties. As part of a larger study into language processing in dementia, we invited five people with dementia and their carers to tell us about how dementia impacts on their everyday conversations. We also wanted to gain insights into their views on communication strategies to circumvent these difficulties. Aware of the limitations of a standard focus group methodology for this population, we adapted this approach to provide people with dementia the opportunity to be active research participants. To amplify their voices and to enable carers to be as open as possible we ran the groups separately. Each was facilitated by a speech and language therapist. Both groups used communication accessible materials, to create an inclusive environment that valued contributions from all participants. The topic guide remained the same for all participants, ensuring equity in posing the same core questions. Focus groups were video recorded and transcribed. Reflexive thematic analysis was selected as the most appropriate method to ensure overarching themes identified were based in the data. In our analysis the main theme was sense-making; participants experienced and tried to make sense of dementia through the lens of interaction. Four subthemes were also identified, 1. It’s a journey, 2. You have to make the most of things, 3. Ask the right questions and it just flows-strategies in conversation, and 4. Dealing with people. Multimodal adaptations to a focus group methodology have given voice to people with dementia as well as their carers. They characterise dementia and identify useful strategies based on observations of what changes for them in everyday conversations.
Nasopharyngeal Ventilation Compared to Facemask Ventilation: A Prospective, Randomized, Crossover Trial in Two Different Elective Cohorts

Background: Facemask ventilation is routinely used to preoxygenate patients before endotracheal intubation during anesthesia induction or to secure ventilation in patients with respiratory insufficiency. Occasionally, facemask ventilation cannot be performed adequately. The placement of a regular endotracheal tube through the nose into the hypopharynx may be a valid alternative to improve ventilation and oxygenation before endotracheal intubation (nasopharyngeal ventilation). We tested the hypothesis that nasopharyngeal ventilation is superior in its efficacy compared to traditional facemask ventilation. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, crossover trial, we enrolled surgical patients requiring either nasal intubation (cohort #1, n = 20) or patients who met “difficult to mask ventilate” criteria (cohort #2, n = 20). Patients in each cohort were randomly assigned to receive pressure-controlled facemask ventilation followed by nasopharyngeal ventilation or vice versa. The ventilation settings were kept constant. The primary outcome was tidal volume. The secondary outcome was the difficulty of ventilation, measured using the Warters grading scale. Results: Tidal volume was significantly increased by nasopharyngeal ventilation in cohort #1 (597 ± 156 ml vs.462 ± 220 ml, p = 0.019) and cohort #2 (525 ± 157 ml vs.259 ± 151 ml, p < 0.01). Warters grading scale for mask ventilation was 0.6 ± 1.4 in cohort #1, and 2.6 ± 1.5 in cohort #2. Conclusion: Patients at risk for difficult facemask ventilation may benefit from nasopharyngeal ventilation to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation before endotracheal intubation. This ventilation mode may offer another option for ventilation at induction of anesthesia and during the management of respiratory insufficiency, especially in the setting of “unexpected” ventilation difficulty.