Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decoherence of ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of solid-state spin decoherence in an electronic spin bath, focusing specifically on ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond and the associated substitutional nitrogen spin bath. We perform measurements of NV spin free-induction decay (FID) times ${T}_{2}^{*}$ and spin-echo coherence times ${T}_{2}$ in 25 diamond samples with nitrogen concentrations [N] ranging from 0.01 to 300 ppm. We introduce a microscopic model and perform numerical simulations to quantitatively explain the degradation of both ${T}_{2}^{*}$ and ${T}_{2}$ over four orders of magnitude in [N]. Our analysis enables us to describe the NV ensemble spin coherence decay shapes as emerging consistently from the contribution of many individual NV centers.
A persistent abnormal repetitive behaviour in a false water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas)

Stereotypies (a subset of Abnormal Repetitive Behaviour [ARB]) are characterised by an unchanging pattern of behaviour and in captive animals can be associated with poor welfare. Although well known in certain taxa, little is known about both welfare and ARBs in reptiles, especially snakes. We document an instance of an ARB in a captive snake species (Hydrodynastes gigas), set it in the context of husbandry in zoos, and assess efforts to reduce it. The stereotypy consisted of a fixed pattern of movement against the enclosure’s viewing window. Ethographic data were used to focally sample the animal’s behaviour over several months in the context of different enrichment interventions. Modified Spread of Participation Indices (mSPIs) were also calculated to quantify the evenness of enclosure use. The snake spent considerable portions of time (47% of observations) performing a behaviour that fulfils the criteria for stereotypy. mSPI data suggested a possible welfare impact of the behaviour on the snake. Zoos holding this species globally were surveyed about observations of similar behaviour and one other institution reported similar behaviour. Standard husbandry practice (A) was used alternately in an ABAC format with prey scent trails (B) and modified feeding schedules (C), representing enrichment types based on species’ natural history. Neither stereotyping frequency nor mSPI was found to be significantly affected by any of the enrichments. Our results, interpretation of which is limited by the paucity of data on snakes, uncover stereotypies in snakes and suggest that, as with other taxa, ARBs may be resistant to strategies employed to reduce them.
SiC-Based Power Electronic Traction Transformer (PETT) for 3 kV DC Rail Traction

The design of rolling stock plays a key role in the attractiveness of the rail transport. Train design must strictly meet the requirements of rail operators to ensure high quality and cost-effective services. Semiconductor power devices made from silicon carbide (SiC) have reached a level of technology enabling their widespread use in traction power converters. SiC transistors offering energy savings, quieter operation, improved reliability and reduced maintenance costs have become the choice for the next-generation railway power converters and are quickly replacing the IGBT technology which has been used for decades. The paper describes the design and development of a novel SiC-based DC power electronic traction transformer (PETT) intended for electric multiple units (EMUs) operated in 3 kV DC rail traction. The details related to the 0.5 MVA peak power medium voltage prototype, including the electrical design of the main building blocks are presented in the first part of the paper. The second part deals with the implementation of the developed SiC-based DC PETT into a regional train operating on a 3 kV DC traction system. The experimental results obtained during the testing are presented to demonstrate the performance of the developed 3 kV DC PETT prototype.
Optimizing N Fertilizer Use for Sesame Under Rain Fed and Irrigation Conditions

Inappropriate use of fertilizers is one of the major production constraints in sesame. Studies to optimize the use of N fertilizer on sesame were conducted at Humera Agricultural Research Center (HuARC) under rain fed and irrigation conditions. Thirteen (13) N doses were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) during 2016, 2017 and 2018. In the rain fed condition; results showed higher number of days to 50% flowering on the higher N application. The 31-121.5 kg N ha-1 have scored higher seed yield, where the lower (18 kg N ha-1) and higher (156 kg N ha-1) N doses scored lower seed yield. In the irrigation condition; higher N application rate prolonged the flowering time to some extent and days to 90% maturity was reduced as N rate increased. Heavier seed weights and maximum seed yield were recorded on 64 and 75 kg N ha-1 and the lower N doses scored low seed yield. Agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer (N-AE) was higher on 64 kg N ha-1 under both growing conditions. The partial budget analysis revealed that 64 kg N ha-1 (rain fed) and 75 kg N ha-1 (irrigation) had the higher net profit, MRR and residual ranking. Therefore, for the greater sesame productivity 64 kg N ha-1 has to be recommended for rain fed and 64 to 75 kg N ha-1 for the irrigated sesame.
Quantitative stability of two-stage stochastic linear variational inequality problems with fixed recourse

ABSTRACT This paper focus on the quantitative stability of a class of two-stage stochastic linear variational inequality problems whose second stage problems are stochastic linear complementarity problems with fixed recourse matrix. Firstly, we discuss the existence of solutions to this two-stage stochastic problems and its perturbed problems. Then, by using the corresponding residual function, we derive the quantitative stability of this two-stage stochastic problem under Fortet-Mourier metric. Finally, we study the sample average approximation problem, and obtain the convergence of optimal solution sets under moderate assumptions.
Estimation of aerodynamic parameters near stall using maximum likelihood and extreme learning machine-based methods

ABSTRACT The stability and control derivatives are essential parameters in the flight operation of aircraft, and their determination is a routine task using classical parameter estimation methods based on maximum likelihood and least-squares principles. At high angle-of-attack, the unsteady aerodynamics may pose difficulty in aerodynamic structure determination, hence data-driven methods based on artificial neural networks could be an alternative choice for building models to characterise the behaviour of the system based on the measured motion and control variables. This research paper investigates the feasibility of using a recurrent neural model based on an extreme learning machine network in the modelling of the aircraft dynamics in a restricted sense for identification of the aerodynamic parameters. The recurrent extreme learning machine network is combined with the Gauss–Newton method to optimise the unknowns of the postulated aerodynamic model. The efficacy of the proposed estimation algorithm is studied using real flight data from a quasi-steady stall manoeuvre. Furthermore, the estimates are validated against the parameters estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The standard deviations of the estimates demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Finally, the quantities regenerated using the estimates present good agreement with their corresponding measured values, confirming that a qualitative estimation can be obtained using the proposed estimation algorithm.
Reconfiguration of Radial Distribution Systems: An Efficient Mathematical Model

For a few decades, researchers try to reach a better solution by proposing new models or methods for distribution system reconfiguration (DSR) problem. This paper presents an efficient model for reconfiguration of radial distribution systems, aiming loss minimization. The proposed model can be easily solved by every commercial solvers and software. The proposed mixed-integer second-order cone programming (MISOCP) model was tested on 16-, 33-, 69-, 70-, 119-, and 136-bus test systems as well as Taiwan power company network (TPC). The results show high efficiency of the proposed model for reconfiguration of radial distribution systems.
Estimating Survival in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Brain Metastases: A Verification of the Graded Prognostic Assessment for Lung Cancer Using Molecular Markers (Lung-molGPA)

Purpose A new tool based on clinical characteristics and molecular factors (Lung-molGPA) was developed to predict the survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer but was has not been validated. This study aims to validate the feasibility of the Lung-molGPA in NSCLC. Patients and Methods Patients diagnosed NSCLC between Feb 2012 and July 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and scored using the Lung-molGPA tool to compare clinical outcomes. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by Cox regression analyses. Results A total of 618 patients (524 adenocarcinoma [ADC], 94 non-adenocarcinoma [non-ADC]) were collected. For all patients, the median survival time (MST) was 33.0 months (33.6 and 28 months in the ADC and non-ADC groups, respectively; p = 0.21). In the ADC group, the MST for patients with a Lung-molGPA score of 3.5 to 4 was more than 4 years, while the MST was only 25 months in patients scoring 0–1, 30.0 months in patients scoring 1.5–2, and 35.0 months for scores of 2.5–3 (p = 0.048). For the non-ADC group, the MST for scores 0–1, 1.5–2, 2.5–3, and 3.5–4 were 12.0, 20.2, 29.0, and 33.0 months, respectively (p = 0.017). Conclusion Our findings provided evidence validating the Lung-molGPA score as a useful tool to determine treatment strategies and to predict prognosis. The model is still exploratory and needs to be evaluated further in combination with additional prognostic markers.
Design and Implementation of an Accelerated Error Convergence Criterion for Norm Optimal Iterative Learning Controller

Designing an optimal iterative learning control is a huge challenge for linear and nonlinear dynamic systems. For such complex systems, standard Norm optimal iterative learning control (NOILC) is an important consideration. This paper presents a novel NOILC error convergence technique for a discrete-time method. The primary effort of the controller is to converge the error efficiently and quickly in an optimally successful way. A new iterative learning algorithm based on feedback based on reliability against input disruption was proposed in this paper. The illustration of the simulations authenticates the process suggested. The numerical example simulated on MATLAB@2019 and the mollified results affirm the validation of the designed algorithm.
Genetic mixing for population management: From genetic rescue to provenancing

Animal and plant species around the world are being challenged by the deleterious effects of inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, and maladaptation due to widespread habitat destruction and rapid climate change. In many cases, interventions will likely be needed to safeguard populations and species and to maintain functioning ecosystems. Strategies aimed at initiating, reinstating, or enhancing patterns of gene flow via the deliberate movement of genotypes around the environment are generating growing interest with broad applications in conservation and environmental management. These diverse strategies go by various names ranging from genetic or evolutionary rescue to provenancing and genetic resurrection. Our aim here is to provide some clarification around terminology and to how these strategies are connected and linked to underlying genetic processes. We draw on case studies from the literature and outline mechanisms that underlie how the various strategies aim to increase species fitness and impact the wider community. We argue that understanding mechanisms leading to species decline and community impact is a key to successful implementation of these strategies. We emphasize the need to consider the nature of source and recipient populations, as well as associated risks and trade‐offs for the various strategies. This overview highlights where strategies are likely to have potential at population, species, and ecosystem scales, but also where they should probably not be attempted depending on the overall aims of the intervention. We advocate an approach where short‐ and long‐term strategies are integrated into a decision framework that also considers nongenetic aspects of management.
Visualizing the Intellectual Structure and Evolution of Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Systematic Analysis of Research Themes and Trends

According to the United Nations, 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. This growth will be reflected in the demand for better services that should be adjusted to the collective and individual needs of the population. Governments and organizations are working on defining and implementing strategies that will enable them to respond to these challenges. The main challenges are related to transport and its management, considering transportation as a core issue in the economy, sustainability, and development of the regions. In this way, the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) play a key role in the response to these scenarios, being that they are the framework where the new hardware and software tools are integrated, allowing an efficient development of transportation systems management, attending to aspects such as: traffic management, communications between vehicles and infrastructures, and security, among others. Nevertheless, the concept of ITS evolves rapidly so it is necessary to understand its evolution. To do that, the current research develops a thematic analysis of ITS in literature, evaluating the intellectual structure and its evolution using SciMAT, quantifying the main bibliometric performance indicators, and identifying the main research areas, authors, journals, and countries. To this purpose, the publications related to ITS from 1993 to 2019 available in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection were retrieved (7649 publications) and analyzed. Finally, one of the main results is the latest research themes map of ITS, considering its intellectual structure, evolution, and relationship. It assists in the definition and implementation of strategies, the identification of the scientific, academic, and business opportunities, and future research lines to consolidate the role of ITS in the new city models.
Overexpression of MicroRNA-9 inhibits proliferation of human breast cancer cells by targeting STAT3

Purpose: To study the role and therapeutic potential of miR-9 in the treatment of breast cancer.Methods: The expression of miR-9 was evaluated in breast cancer cell lines using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while cell migration was assessed by wound healing assay. Transfections were performed with Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. Overexpression of miR-9 was performed by transfecting breast cancer cells with miR-9 mimics, and suppression of STAT3 was done with Si-RNA construct. Target identification was carried out using target scan, while protein expression was determined with immunoblotting.Results: The results revealed that miR-9 was significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in the breast cancer cell lines. Overexpression of miR-9 significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the proliferation of the breast cancer cells by initiation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, MiR-9 overexpression inhibited the migration of the breast cancer cells. TargetScan analysis showed that STAT3 was the potential target of miR-9: it was significantly downregulated in breast cancer cells overexpressing miR-9. Silencing of STAT3 exerted inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells similar to that of miR-9 overexpression.Conclusion: MiR-9 regulates the proliferation of human breast cancer by targeting STAT3. Hence, miR-9 can be potentially applied as a therapeutic agent for the management of breast cancer.Keywords: Breast cancer, MicroRNA-9, STAT3, Apoptosis, Bioinformatic analysis
Spirometry Assessment and Correlation With Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Objective To observe spirometry and its correlation with postoperative pulmonary complications in cardiac surgery patients. Study design Prospective observational study Place and duration of the study Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology (CPEIC) Multan, from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020 Methodology Written informed consent was taken from 357 patients. Spirometry was performed in all the patients using the conventional method. Baseline data, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), living area, smoking history, known lung illness, six-minute walk distance, predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) %, predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) %, and type of the procedure such as aortic valve replacement (AVR), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), double-valve replacement (DVR), and mitral valve replacement (MVR) were documented for all the patients. Outcome data included postoperative ICU length of stay (LOS), respiratory failure, respiratory infection, atelectasis, and mortality. Results The most common procedure was CABG and MVR proceeded by n=254 (71.1%) and n=83 (23.2%) patients, respectively. Postoperative complications, such as respiratory failure, respiratory infection, and atelectasis, was noted in n=29 (8.1%), n=28 (7.8 %), and n=127 (35.6 %) patients, respectively, while n=5 (1.4%) patients died. Conclusion Deranged pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are associated with poor prognosis following elective cardiac surgery in terms of postoperative pulmonary complications such as pulmonary infection, respiratory failure, and atelectasis. There is a significant difference in percentage predicted of FVC and FEV1 in patients who developed atelectasis and respiratory tract infection.
Who is Teleworking and Where from? Exploring the Main Determinants of Telework in Europe

Telework and ICT-based mobile work (TICTM) arrangements have emerged in response to technological changes driven by digitalisation, increasing flexibility within the labour market, and globalisation. As telework becomes more widespread, these flexible models of work are rapidly expanding to new categories of employees, changing the factors traditionally found to be important for telework eligibility. The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of new profiles of teleworkers, examining main factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of different TICTM arrangements. We apply multinomial logistic regression models to a sample of more than 20,000 workers from the 6th European Working Conditions Survey. Our findings confirm the heterogeneity in the profiles of teleworkers, particularly distinguishing by TICTM arrangement. Occasional teleworkers are usually male managers or professionals, but a relevant percentage of highly mobile teleworkers are technicians and associate professionals, while clerical support workers amount to a large group of home-based teleworkers. The majority of occasional and highly mobile teleworkers are still men, but this can no longer be said of home-based teleworkers. The correlations between telework and permanent contracts, full-time jobs, and living in urban areas are weak, showing that TICTM is spreading into more precarious, temporary, and lower-paid jobs, especially among home-based teleworkers and highly mobile teleworkers.
Anxiety Therapeutic Interventions of β-Caryophyllene: A Laboratory-Based Study

The bicyclic sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene (BCP) has diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and analgesic effects. This study evaluates anxiolytic, toxicity, and antioxidant effects of BCP using in vitro and in vivo test models. The anxiolytic effects were tested in Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) by applying the elevated plus-maze, rota-rod, light and dark, and hiding sphere models, while the toxicity was evaluated by brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality bioassay. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity was tested by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid hydroxyl radical scavenging, and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae test model. The results suggest that BCP exerted a dose-dependent anxiolytic-like effect on the experimental animals. It did not show toxicity in A. salina at 24 hours. BCP showed a concentration-dependent free-radical-scavenging capacity, similar to the standard antioxidant Trolox. It also showed protective and repair capacities against hydrogen peroxide-induced damaging effects in isogenic and wild-type S. cerevisiae strains. Taken together, BCP exerted antioxidant and protective effects, which can be targeted to treat neurological diseases and disorders such as anxiety.
Chemical warfare in freshwater, allelopathic effects of macrophytes on phytoplankton

Aquatic macrophytes can excrete chemical substances into their enviroment and these compounds may inhibit the growth of phytoplankton. This process is defined as allelopathy: one organism has effects on another via the excretion of a (mixture of) chemical substance(s). With laboratory and field experiments we studied the allelopathic effects of the aquatic macrophytes, Chara and Stratiotes. Laboratory experiments showed that the aquatic macrophytes had allelopathic effects. Phytoplankton growth was inhibited, some green algae started to form colonies, and algae that received less light were more sensitive to allelopathic substances. Furthermore, differences in the sensitivity of phytoplankton species to allelopathic substances were observed. This may influence the density and composition of (natural) phytoplankton populations. Changes in de dominance of phytoplankton species can also cause changes at higher trophic levels in the food web. The field experiments also gave indications of allelopathy under natural conditions. Phytoplankton (and filamentous algae) densities close to the aquatic macrophytes were often much lower than densities further away from the plants. These observations could not (only) be explained by differences in nutrient concentrations, light intensity and/or grazing. Allelopathy could still have played a role. Field experiments gave indications of allelopathy, but the mystery is not completely solved yet. We need more (field) experiments that show the importance of allelopathy in natural aquatic ecosystems. Another way to study the importance of allelopathy in the field is simulation via a mathematical model. Our model showed that allelopathy may be more important for Stratiotes than it is for Chara. Finally we attempted to chemically identify allelopathic substances from Stratiotes. This identification showed that the substance(s) is/are moderately lipophylic and probably not phenolic.