Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbon degradation in agricultural soils flooded with seawater after managed coastal realignment

Abstract. Permanent flooding of low-lying coastal areas is a growing threat due to climate change and related sea-level rise. An increasingly common solution to protect coastal areas lying below sea level is intentional flooding by "managed coastal realignment". However, the biogeochemical implications of flooding agricultural soils with seawater are still not well understood. We conducted a 1-year mesocosm experiment to investigate microbial carbon degradation processes in soils flooded with seawater. Agricultural soils were sampled on the northern coast of the island Fyn (Denmark) at Gyldensteen Strand, an area that was subsequently flooded in a coastal realignment project. We found rapid carbon degradation to TCO2 1 day after experimental flooding and onwards and microbial sulfate reduction established quickly as an important mineralization pathway. Nevertheless, no free sulfide was observed as it precipitated as Fe–S compounds with Fe acting as a natural buffer, preventing toxic effects of free sulfide in soils flooded with seawater. Organic carbon degradation decreased significantly after 6 months, indicating that most of the soil organic carbon was refractory towards microbial degradation under the anoxic conditions created in the soil after flooding. During the experiment only 6–7 % of the initial soil organic carbon pools were degraded. On this basis we suggest that most of the organic carbon present in coastal soils exposed to flooding through sea-level rise or managed coastal realignment will be permanently preserved.
Finite-Time Bipartite Consensus For Multiagent Systems Under Detail-Balanced Antagonistic Interactions

Significant attention has been paid to the bipartite consensus (BC) problem of multiagent systems (MASs) with antagonistic interactions. In many practical applications, the convergence speed is very important. In this article, we focus on the finite-time BC (FTBC) problems of MASs with detail-balanced antagonistic interactions. First, two FTBC protocols are designed and expressed in a unified form. Then, by taking advantage of some recent findings on network stability, we obtain theoretical results to guarantee that the states of all agents reach agreement in finite time under our proposed protocols. Finally, the effectiveness and validity of the main theoretical results are demonstrated via two numerical examples.
BiOI nanosheets with dominated (001) facet and its photocatalytic performances

Abstract We synthesized BiOI(001)/cocatalysts composites, selective deposition of cocatalysts were demonstrated to be an effective method to improve their photocatalytic performance. Ag nanoparticles were grown on the surfaces of the pre-synthesized BiOI(001) nanosheets through a photodeposited process. The work demonstrates that the as-synthesized sample is a promising photocatalyst for the treatment of MO. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the charge transfer from BiOI(001) to the attached Ag nanoparticles.
Nueva versión reducida del test de denominación de Boston para mayores de 65 años:: aproximación desde la teoría de respuesta al ítem

Introduccion. Uno de los tests mas utilizados para la evaluacion de la afasia en la practica clinica es el test de denominacion de Boston (BNT), una prueba clasica en la que se presentan 60 laminas con dibujos en blanco y negro que valoran la capacidad de los sujetos para denominar dichos dibujos. Pese a su bondad psicometrica, resulta necesario reducir el numero de items de la prueba con el fin de disminuir su tiempo de aplicacion. Sujetos y metodos. Se recluto una muestra de 547 sujetos mayores de 65 anos a los que se les aplico un protocolo de evaluacion neuropsicologica, que incluia el BNT, para determinar sus estados cognitivos; 405 sujetos no presentaron alteraciones cognitivas relevantes, frente a 142 sujetos que fueron diagnosticados de deterioro cognitivo leve. Resultados. La reduccion del numero de items se realizo de acuerdo con los supuestos de la teoria de respuesta al item. Puesto que tanto la edad como el nivel educativo mostraron un efecto significativo en el rendimiento de la prueba, ambas variables fueron utilizadas para hallar los puntos de corte de la nueva version reducida. Esta presento una adecuada fiabilidad (alfa = 0,765) y una elevada correlacion con la prueba original (r = 0,876). Conclusiones. La nueva version reducida consta de 15 items ordenados en funcion de su dificultad. Se trata de una tarea con un elevado poder discriminativo de utilidad en la clinica diaria para la deteccion de alteraciones del lenguaje en personas mayores.
Étude multicentrique, contrôlée, en double aveugle, de l'efficacité et de la tolérance de Vectrine (erdosteine) versus placebo dans le traitement de la bronchite chronique hypersecrétante stabilisée

L'efficacite clinique de vectrine® (erdosteine) dans le traitement de l'hypersecretion bronchique de patients bronchitiques chroniques a ete evaluee lors d'un essai clinique controle portant sur 170 patients. Pour etre inclus, les patients bronchitiques devaient etre stables (pas de poussee aigue depuis au moins trois mois). Les patients ont recu en double aveugle soit vectrine (r) a raison de une gelule dosee a 300 mg × 2/jour soit du placebo a raison d'une gelule dosee a 300 mg × 2/jour pendant 21 jours. Les resultats portant sur le critere principal, l'indice global d'efficacite (frequence de la toux + severite de la toux + gene thoracique + dyspnee) ainsi que sur la toux (frequence et severite) ont montre une difference statistiquement significative en faveur de vectrine (r) . La tolerance du traitement a ete excellente.
Environmental sensitivity of flash flood hazard using geospatial techniques

Flash flood has been increasing in the Khartoum area, Sudan due to geographical conditions and climatic change as heavy rainfall and high temperature, therefore the present work tried to estimate the sensitivity of flash flood. The present work proposes an advanced technique of flood sensitivity mapping using the method of analytical hierarchy process. Ten factors as elevation, slope, distance from the network, land use, density of the drainage, flow accumulation, surface roughness, stream power index, topographic wetness index and curvature of the topography were digitized and then contributed in the mapping of Flash flood. Remote sensing data were integrated with analytical hierarchy process to determine the flood sensitive area in Sudan. The model was applied and completed as the consistency ratio was mostly reasonable (< 0.1). Based on the proposed model, about 75.56 Km2 (12.26 %), 156.14 Km2 (25.33%), 169.89 Km2 (27.56 %), 141.40 Km2 (22.94 %) and 73.50 Km2 (11.92 %); were classified as no susceptible, low susceptible, high susceptible, moderate susceptible and very highly susceptible to flooding. The present study showed a high variation in flood sensitivity due to climatic change and geographic condition. This index can be modified and applied in areas of the same characteristics of climatic conditions as one of the main recommendation in the study area. The study showed that poor infrastructure and lack of preparedness were the main causes of the disaster of flood in Sudan. This study merely demonstrated the critical analysis of geospatial mapping in proper mitigating, sustainable development and great monitoring the negative effects of flooding along the Khartoum region to reduce hazards of flood.
Pollution Characteristics of Sb, As, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Zn in Soils from Different Zones of Xikuangshan Antimony Mine

Major sources of pollution during the antimony (Sb) mining and processing are mining waste rock, smelting waste, tailings dam, and underground tunnel wastewater. The aim of the present study was to assess magnitude of pollution from Sb mine by taking four types of samples: soil in the mining waste rock zone, soil in the smelting zone, soil in tailings zone, and soil in underground tunnel wastewater zone. Sixty soil samples from the four zones were taken for experimental work, and the contents and morphological characteristics of the six potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as Sb, As, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Zn in the soil samples were measured by using a hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometer (AFS-9700). The results show that the soil of the mine area is seriously polluted. The average contents of Sb, As, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Zn in the soil reach 1267.20 mg·kg−1, 94.44 mg·kg−1, 1.46 mg·kg−1, 184.19 mg·kg−1, 8.54 mg·kg−1, and 1054.11 mg·kg−1, respectively. There exists good correlation between the PTEs in the soil, with Sb strongly positively correlated with As, Hg, Pb, and Zn. The intensity of pollution is highest in the antimony-smelting zone, where the potential ecological risk index is over 15,000, followed by the tailings zone and mining waste rock zone, with the underground tunnel wastewater zone being the lowest. Using sequential chemical extraction, the elements are associated with the residual fraction, followed by organic-sulfide fraction, and smaller portions in the Fe-Mn oxide, carbonate, and exchangeable fractions. There are great differences in the speciation content of different elements in different sampling zones. The study implicates that Sb-smelting zone is the potential source of PTEs and maximum metals are associated with residual phase, out of which significant portion is associated with mobile fraction or phase.
Jaringan Saraf Tiruan Backpropagation Untuk Menentukan Tingkat Pencemaran Air

Jaringan Saraf Tiruan merupakan salah satu aplikasi kecerdasan buatan yang mampu menyelesaikan masalah yang tidak terstruktur dan rumit serta mampu mengolah data-data input tanpa harus memiliki target. Salah satu modelnya adalah jaringan BackPropagation. Model jaringan ini yang kemudian digunakan untuk menentukan tingkat pencemaran air dengan menggunakan 4 variabel data seperti, pH, COD, BOD dan DO. Selanjutnya dibentuk beberapa arsitektur jaringannya dan dilanjutkan dengan melakukan pelatihan menggunakan data training dan pengujian menggunakan data testing pada setiap arsitektur. Dari hasil proses pelatihan dan pengujian maka diperoleh arsitektur jaringan yang terbaik dengan gradien error terendah. Hasil akhir menunjukkan bahwa Jaringan Saraf Tiruan model BackPropagation dapat mengenali pola data yang diberikan dengan menggunakan arsitektur yang dibangun.
Stratégie de couplage expérimentation/modélisation dans les matériaux hétérogènes. Identification de propriétés mécaniques locales

Le developpement de methodes d’identification de parametres de lois de comportement de materiaux est devenu primordial pour avoir acces a la connaissance complete du comportement. En effet, les methodes de mesure optiques, comme la Correlation d’Images Numeriques, permettent d’obtenir les quantites cinematiques de la relation de comportement sous forme de champs de vecteurs. En revanche, les contraintes ne sont generalement pas mesurables et il est necessaire d’identifier les parametres de la loi de comportement du materiau considere pour y avoir acces. Plusieurs methodes ont vu le jour et permettent de repondre a cette problematique mais la plupart d’entre elles supposent une homogeneite du materiau. Ce memoire traite de l’application de certaines de ces methodes, notamment la methode de l’ecart a l’equilibre (MEQ) et la methode de recalage de modele elements finis (MREF), dans des materiaux heterogenes a microstructure complexe ou les proprietes mecaniques evoluent spatialement dans le volume. L’objectif est d’identifier ces proprietes mecaniques locales qui regissent la cinematique mesuree de tels materiaux dans le cadre de l’elasticite lineaire isotrope. Dans un premier temps, les deux methodes citees sont decrites, implementees et comparees sur des cas simules en 2D. La MREF est preferee a la MEQ car plus robuste vis-a-vis des incertitudes de mesure. Basee sur un formalisme iteratif, une parallelisation de l’algorithme a ete operee pour diminuer le cout en temps de la methode. Des experimentations dans le plan sur des eprouvettes en polyurethane ou les heterogeneites sont maitrisees ont permis de valider la methode. Enfin, deux applications en 3D sur un materiau en mousse polyurethane et un composite a base de fibres de bois demontrent l’interet d’une telle methode pour l’identification de proprietes mecaniques locales. La mise en evidence d’une relation entre les proprietes locales identifiees et les proprietes locales de la microstructure de ces materiaux est effectuee.
Modeling three-dimensional transmission of a NOLM in continuous-wave and pulsed regimes for optical communications

In this numerical work, we present some cases of transmission behavior in a power-symmetric, polarization-imbalanced nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) through a three-dimensional (3D) analysis. The study has been implemented using the Jones matrices for inputs at linear and circular polarization and varying the length in the loop. The results show control over the switching power and the maximal transmission, which let us see more easily the graph visualization at the output of a scheme. However, we can determine the characteristics of the experimental operation (fiber loop, input power, angles of the retarder plates, critical power, and input polarization). These results can be used to establish regions for potential applications in optical communications such as ultrafast optical signals processing, optical switching, demultiplexing, filtering, logic gates, and pulse compression.
Automatic Detection of a Standard Line for Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Deep Learning

Recently, deep learning technology has been applied to medical images. This study aimed to create a detector able to automatically detect an anatomical structure presented in a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to draw a standard line. A total of 1200 brain sagittal MRI scans were used for training and validation. Two sizes of regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on each anatomical structure measuring 64 × 64 pixels and 32 × 32 pixels, respectively. Data augmentation was applied to these ROIs. The faster region-based convolutional neural network was used as the network model for training. The detectors created were validated to evaluate the precision of detection. Anatomical structures detected by the model created were processed to draw the standard line. The average precision of anatomical detection, detection rate of the standard line, and accuracy rate of achieving a correct drawing were evaluated. For the 64 × 64-pixel ROI, the mean average precision achieved a result of 0.76 ± 0.04, which was higher than the outcome achieved with the 32 × 32-pixel ROI. Moreover, the detection and accuracy rates of the angle of difference at 10 degrees for the orbitomeatal line were 93.3 ± 5.2 and 76.7 ± 11.0, respectively. The automatic detection of a reference line for brain MRI can help technologists improve this examination.
Grounded Coplanar Waveguide-fed Compact MIMO Antenna for Wireless Portable Applications

A multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna with high isolation capability is proposed in this paper. The proposed MIMO antenna configuration is composed of two monopole antennas, each of them consists of a single rectangular grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) feed line, a radiation patch with two arms, two conductive elements on both sides of the feed line, and a simple ground plane on substrate backside. The overall size of the proposed MIMO antenna is 44 × 20 mm on 1.6 mm thick FR4 substrate which is more compact than many of the previously designed structures. The arrangement of two monopole antennas in the form of a MIMO antenna topology yields a dual-band operation in which the first bandwidth is in 3.06–3.89 GHz with the central frequency at 3.5 GHz for WiMAX applications, and 5.14–5.93 GHz with central frequency of 5.5 GHz for WLAN applications. Interestingly the obtained isolation level is better than –20 dB over the operating bandwidths. Simulation and measured results confirm the antenna outperformance in WiMAX and WLAN frequency range in wireless portable applications. Small size, simple structure, and high isolation without any decoupling elements are some of the advantages of the proposed design.
Measurement Invariance (Time, Samples, Contexts)

Communication researchers regularly conduct comparisons between populations and comparisons over time. Typically, the objects of a comparison are relationships between constructs, such as media effects, or the means of constructs, such as average media use. Importantly, comparisons of relationships and means are based on the assumption that the involved constructs are measured the same way across populations or over time. If this assumption holds, the measurements are invariant across populations or over time. However, most comparative studies do not explicitly test for measurement invariance. This is problematic because results of comparisons can be biased when invariance assumptions are violated. Measurement invariance must thus be tested in all comparative communication studies. This entry discusses the different forms of measurement invariance for continuous data and how they can be tested in multigroup confirmatory factor analyses. Furthermore, partial measurement invariance, and invariance tests for ordinal data and for formative measurement models are discussed.
Concrete crack detection with handwriting script interferences using faster region‐based convolutional neural network

The current bridge maintenance practice generally involves manual visual inspection, which is highly subjective and unreliable. A technique that can automatically detect defects, for example, surface cracks, is essential so that early warnings can be triggered to prevent disaster due to structural failure. In this study, to permit automatic identification of concrete cracks, an ad‐hoc faster region‐based convolutional neural network (faster R‐CNN) was applied to contaminated real‐world images taken from concrete bridges with complex backgrounds, including handwriting. A dataset of 5,009 cropped images was generated and labeled for two different objects, cracks and handwriting. The proposed network was then trained and tested using the generated image dataset. Four full‐scale images that contained complex disturbance information were used to assess the performance of the trained network. The results of this study demonstrate that faster R‐CNN can automatically locate crack from raw images, even with the presence of handwriting scripts. For comparative study, the proposed network is also compared with You Only Look Once v2 detection technique.
Microscopic characterization, TLC fingerprinting and determination of total phenol and flavonoid of different population of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea) compared to a standard sample

With respect to the importance and high consumption of this drink, assessment of various brands and populations are needed to reach to high quality samples. Low-quality or fake samples may cause many unwanted effects. Therefore, comparative study of various samples will be beneficial to select a high quality sample. This study aimed to assess evaluate the quality of fourteen green tea samples based on microscopic characterization and pharmacognostical properties. Fourteen green tea samples were purchased from markets (Iran), both internal and external brands. Also a sample was collected from Lahijan (North of Iran) as a control. The methanol extracts of all samples were subjected to microscopic characterization as well as determination of total phenol and flavonoid content using current related methods. In addition, thin layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprint was performed on all respected extracts using HPTLC technique. Microscopic characterization showed calcium oxalate crystal, trichomes, idioblasts, stroma in high quality samples. Total phenol content of Chinese teabag methanol extract was at highest (288.4±12.03 mg GAE/g extract) and the lowest phenol content was related to the Chinese bulk sample (144.76±4.32 mg GAE/g extract). On the other hand, highest and lowest flavonoid content was found in Pakistan (19.77±0.68 mg QE/ g extract) and Lahijan (4.5±0.02 mg QE/ g extract) bulk samples, respectively. TLC chromatogram fingerprint indicated the presence of phenolic compounds with related intensity. Current study represented that these assessments are well functional and beneficial to be consider for the screening and quality control evaluation of various tea samples from different origins.
Contribution à l’évaluation du niveau de fertilité des sols dans les systèmes de culture à base du coton au Bénin

Le coton est la principale culture de rente au Benin. L’accroissement continu des superficies cultivees a entraine la sedentarisation des cultures avec pour corollaire la degradation des sols et la baisse des rendements. L’objectif de l’etude est d’evaluer le niveau de fertilite des sols des bassins cotonniers du Benin. Ainsi, 30 echantillons de sol ont ete preleves aupres de 30 producteurs de coton. Les resultats ont montre des sols sablo-limoneux avec un taux d’argile de 7,38 a 12,65%. La teneur en azote varie de 0,055 a 0,076% avec un pH de 5,7 a 6,5. Le taux de matiere organique est compris entre 1,20 a 1,52%. La somme des cations echangeables varie de 3,98 a 6,98 cmol+ /kg et la capacite d’echange cationique (CEC) entre 5,35 a 7,91 cmol+ /kg. Le phosphore assimilable est compris entre 5 et 13 cmol+ /kg. En definitive, les sols presentent de bonnes proprietes physiques, de pietres caracteristiques chimiques et par consequent un faible niveau de fertilite, ce qui compromet la durabilite du systeme de production. L’application des amendements organiques et mineraux est donc indispensable pour le relevement du pH et de la teneur en matiere organique de ces sols. Mots cles : Sedentarisation agricole, fertilite des sols, matiere organique. English Title: Contribution to soil fertility level assessment in cotton-based cropping systems in Benin Cotton is the main cash crop cultivated in Benin. The continuous increase in cultivated areas has led to more sedentary agricultural system, followed by soil degradation and crop yield decline. This study aimed to assess soil fertility grade in the cotton belt of Benin. Thirty soil samples were collected, each from a cotton farm, for thorough physical and chemical analyses. Results showed that soil texture is mostly sandy-loam, with only 7.38-12.65% clay. Sand percentage ranged from 60 to 80%. Nitrogen (N) content varied from 0.055 to 0.076%, while soil pH was about 5.7-6.5. Soil Organic Matter (SOM) content was between 1.20 and 1.52%. The sum of the exchangeable cations ranged from 3.98 to 6.98 cmol+ / kg and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from 5.35 to 7.91 cmol+ / kg. Available Phosphorus (P) content was estimated at 5-13 cmol+ /kg. By and large, the soils surveyed showed good physical properties, but they were chemically poor. Therefore, the inherent fertility level was low, which put their sustainable use at risk. The main target is to raise the pH and SOM content, through organic and mineral amendments. Keywords : Sedentary agriculture, soil fertility, organic matter.