Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic Cone Mapping

This paper presents a more efficient and accurate method for inverse displacement mapping, methods which attempt to render effects offered by displacement mapping, motion parallax, self-occlusion, self-shadowing and silhouette, without actually perturbing the surface geometry. We first propose an extension to cone step mapping. The extension, Anisotropic Cone Mapping (ACM), provides a more efficient and accurate way for calculating intersections. Anisotropic cones are used as the bounding volume for the empty space above texels, allowing faster convergence and rendering speed. Experiments show that ACM has better rendering quality and convergence speed than previous methods. In addition, we propose a hierarchical adaptive preprocessing method that is around 10 times faster than conventional methods, allowing our space leaping approach to be used for rendering dynamic displacement maps. The proposed method is suited for many real-time 3D applications because of their low memory cost and good performance in both rendering quality and speed.
Goings‐on inside a worm: functional hypotheses derived from sexual conflict thinking

Different interests between mating partners regarding the fate of their gametes can lead to sexual conflicts in many species. Although these conflicts can sometimes be dealt with pre-copulatorily (e.g. by choosing with which partners to mate), they often extend beyond copulation. Post-copulatory sexual conflicts are expected to be particularly strong in simultaneous hermaphrodites because an individual may have to accept sperm in order to obtain an opportunity to donate sperm, reducing the effectiveness of pre-copulatory conflict resolution. The present study investigates the post-copulatory interactions between male and female sexual traits of a highly promiscuous simultaneous hermaphrodite, the free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano. Using light and electron microscopy, we show the different levels of complexity of the sperm and the genitalia, and derive hypotheses about how the different traits may represent evolutionary responses to such sexual conflicts. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 99, 370–383.
Universal quantum computation in the surface code using non-Abelian islands

The surface code is currently the primary proposed method for performing quantum error correction. However, despite its many advantages, it has no native method to fault-tolerantly apply non-Clifford gates. Additional techniques are therefore required to achieve universal quantum computation. Here we propose a new method, using small islands of a qudit variant of the surface code. This allows the non-trivial action of the non-Abelian anyons in the latter to process information stored in the former. Specifically, we show that a non-stabilizer state can be prepared, which allows universality to be achieved.
A BASIS FOR A MATHEMATICAL THEORY OF COMPUTATION 1)

Computation is sure to become one of the most important of the sciences. This is because it is the science of how machines can be made to carry out intellectual processes. We know that any intellectual process that can be carried out mechanically can be performed by a general purpose digital computer. Moreover, the limitations on what we have been able to make computers do so far clearly come far more from our weakness as programmers than from the intrinsic limitations of the machines. We hope that these limitations can be greatly reduced by developing a mathematical science of computation. There are three established directions of mathematical research relevant to a science of computation. The first and oldest of these is numerical analysis. Unfortunately, its subject matter is too narrow to be of much help in forming a general theory, and it has only recently begun to be affected by the existence of automatic computation. The second relevant direction of research is the theory of computability as a branch of recursive function theory. The results of the basic work in this theory, including the existence of universal machines and the existence of unsolvable problems, have established a framework in which any theory of computation must fit. Unfortunately, the general trend of research in this field has been to establish more and better unsolvability theorems, and there has been very little attention paid to positive results and none to establishing the properties of the kinds of algorithms that are actually used. Perhaps for this reason the formalisms for describing algorithms are too cumbersome to be used to describe actual algorithms. The third direction of mathematical research is the theory of finite automata. Results which use the finiteness of the number of states tend not to be very useful in dealing with present computers which have so
Quantifying bed roughness beneath contemporary and palaeo-ice streams

ABSTRACT Bed roughness is an important control on ice-stream location and dynamics. The majority of previous bed roughness studies have been based on data derived from radio-echo sounding (RES) transects across Antarctica and Greenland. However, the wide spacing of RES transects means that the links between roughness and flow are poorly constrained. Here, we use Digital Terrain Model/bathymetry data from a well-preserved palaeo-ice stream to investigate basal controls on the behaviour of contemporary ice streams. Artificial transects were set up across the Minch Palaeo-Ice Stream (NW Scotland) to mimic RES flight lines over Institute and Möller Ice Streams (Antarctica). We then explored how different data-resolution, transect orientation and spacing, and different methods, impact roughness measurements. Our results show that fast palaeo-ice flow can occur over a rough, hard bed, not just a smooth, soft bed, as previous work has suggested. Smooth areas of the bed occur over both bedrock and sediment covered regions. Similar trends in bed roughness values were found using Fast Fourier Transform analysis and standard deviation methods. Smoothing of bed roughness results can hide important details. We propose that the typical spacing of RES transects is too wide to capture different landform assemblages and that transect orientation influences bed roughness measurements in both contemporary and palaeo-ice-stream setting.
ASSESSMENT OF SMALLHOLDER FARMER ’ S VULNERABILITY DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN ARID AREAS OF PAKISTAN

In developing countries, such as Pakistan, the food and financial security of smallholder farmers are increasingly threatened by climate change, contributing to considerable increases in input costs and market price volatility for agricultural commodities. This study aimed to identify and investigate factors contributing to smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to climate changes and to develop vulnerability indices in Punjab province, Pakistan. Three different composite indices were used to assess the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate changes: Livelihood Vulnerability Index, Livelihood Vulnerability Index-Intergovernmental Penal on Climate Change, and Livelihood Effect Index. The weakness of social networks in Rawalpindi district is majorly important to enable the adoption of appropriate mitigating strategies. For both districts, lack of education had the highest effect on social vulnerability. Adoption of strategies towards mitigation of climate changes seems to be possible by the respondents in Chakwal district, with higher illiteracy rate, higher dependency ratio, and greater financial vulnerability. The natural and financial capital had the highest impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in both districts. Ultimately, this research can provide a scientific basis for the decision-making process and risk analysis of climate change impacts in developing countries, where most of the smallholder farmers, as a major social group worldwide, are located.
Depolarization In Nanowires, Tribo–chemistry, And Negative Electrocaloric Effect

This thesis contains investigations about several technologically--important scientific problems: depolarization process in BaTiO$_3$ nanowires, tribopolymer formation on metal surfaces, and negative electrocaloric effect in prototype ferroelectrics. Spontaneous electric polarization makes perovskite--based oxides of great interest for application to nonvolatile memory devices. However, the polarization of ferroelectric materials may not be infinitely stable. For successful technology application, the depolarization processes of nanoscale ferroelectric oxides must be better understood. Here, we report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the depolarization process of single--crystalline BaTiO$_3$ nanowires. By building an Modified Schottky emission model, we explain the both temperature and nanowire thickness dependent polarization decay rates successfully. Besides, Micro--electro--mechanical system and nano--electro--mechanical system (MEMS and NEMS) transistors are considered promising for size-reducing and power--maximizing electronic devices. However, the tribopolymer which forms due to the mechanical load to the surface contacts affects the conductivity between the contacts dramatically. This is one of the challenging problems that prevent widespread practical use of these otherwise promising devices. Here, we use density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the mechanisms of tribopolymer formation, including normal mechanical loading, the catalytic effect, as well as the electrochemical effect of the metal contacts. Our study illustrates the underlying mechanisms of tribopolymer formation clearly, which has great significance in designing tribopolymerization--suppressing strategies. The last work is about electrocaloric effect. The electrocaloric effect (ECE) refers to the phenomenon in which the temperature of a material changes reversibly under the application and removal of electric field. Here, we point out that negative unusual electrocaloric effect (uECE) with a fast cooling rate ($\approx$10$^{11}$ K/s) can be achieved by driving solid crystals to a high--temperature phase with a properly designed electric field pulse. We acquire and analyze these results by clarifying the mechanism of ECE. Our work offers a more general framework to understand the ECE and highlights the opportunities of electric--field engineering for controlled design of fast and efficient cooling technology. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Chemistry First Advisor Andrew M. Rappe This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/2986 Subject Categories Physical Chemistry This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/2986 DEPOLARIZATION IN NANOWIRES, TRIBO–CHEMISTRY, AND NEGATIVE ELECTROCALORIC EFFECT
Sulphur-bearing species in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko

Several sulphur-bearing species have already been observed in different families of comets. However, the knowledge on the minor sulphur species is still limited. The comet's sulphur inventory is closely linked to the pre-solar cloud and holds important clues to the degree of reprocessing of the material in the solar nebula and during comet accretion. Sulphur in pre-solar clouds is highly depleted, which is quite puzzling as the S/O ratio in the diffuse interstellar medium is cosmic. This work focuses on the abundance of the previously known species H 2 S, OCS, SO, S 2 , SO 2 and CS 2 in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko measured by Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis/Double Focusing Mass Spectrometer between equinox and perihelion 2015. Furthermore, we present the first detection of S 3 , S 4 , CH 3 SH and C 2 H 6 S in a comet, and we determine the elemental abundance of S/O in the bulk ice of (1.47 ± 0.05) × 10 −2 . We show that SO is present in the coma originating from the nucleus, but not CS in the case of 67P, and for the first time establish that S 2 is present in a volatile and a refractory phase. The derived total elemental sulphur abundance of 67P is in agreement with solar photospheric elemental abundances and shows no sulphur depletion as reported for dense interstellar clouds. Also the presence of S 2 at heliocentric distances larger than 3 au indicates that sulphur-bearing species have been processed by radiolysis in the pre-solar cloud and that at least some of the ice from this cloud has survived in comets up the present.
Estimation of Labour Supply Models for Four Separate Groups in the Australian Population

This paper estimates discrete choice models of labour supply for couples, single men, single women and sole parents in Australia using the Income and Housing Costs Survey of 1994/1995, 1995/1996, 1996/1997 and 1997/1998. These models are estimated to serve as input in a microsimulation model, where they generate the behavioural responses to policy changes. The results are according to expectations, with preferences for work being higher for people with higher education, who are in their thirties. Furthermore, for women the presence of young children decreases the preference for work. Expected labour supply, predicted by using the estimated models, results in values close to the observed averages.
COMPARISON OF CONTINUOUS MONITOR (TEOM) AND GRAVIMETRIC SAMPLER PARTICULATE MATTER CONCENTRATIONS

Tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) samplers may offer significant advantages to state air pollution regulatory agencies and air quality researchers in terms of reduced labor and data processing requirements through an automated particulate matter (PM) monitoring system. However, previous research has shown that TEOM samplers may not report accurate PM concentrations due to the operating characteristics of the automated system. This article presents the results of a multiyear study using collocated TEOM and gravimetric samplers configured to measure TSP concentrations from a Texas cattle feedlot. The objective of this work was to define the relationship between PM concentrations measured by TEOM and gravimetric samplers and characterize the influence of concentration intensity and particle size on that relationship. The results show that there was a significant positive linear relationship between the concentrations measured by the TEOM and gravimetric TSP samplers (p-values < 0.001). It was observed that in general, the TEOM samplers reported lower TSP concentrations than the collocated gravimetric TSP sampler. Further investigation into these results indicated that the difference in the concentration measured by the TEOM sampler versus the gravimetric TSP sampler (known as the TEOM measurement error) is correlated with the concentration measured by the gravimetric TSP sampler, but the nature of that relationship varies by location. However, linear relationships were observed between the measurement error of the TEOM samplers and the mass median diameter and geometric standard deviation of the collocated gravimetric TSP sample.
Is Glyphosate a Key Factor in Mesoamerican Nephropathy

Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN), also known as chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), is an unusual form of kidney disease not associated with diabetes, hypertension, or glomerular nephritis. It has a number of known risk factors, none of which adequately explain the skyrocketing prevalence of the disease among sugarcane workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua. In this paper, we narrow the research focus from agricultural chemicals, in general, to glyphosate, in particular, an herbicide routinely used on sugarcane. We explain how glyphosate compellingly contributes to CKDu, by reviewing the evidence for glyphosate’s direct toxicity to kidneys and showing how the herbicide amplifies the damage to kidneys from other known risk factors. Using standard web search on index words and phrases, we gathered and perused a large collection of papers describing the pathology of MeN and associated metrics, on the one hand, and the mechanisms of toxicity of glyphosate in humans, animals and in in vitro studies, on the other hand. We show that glyphosate is used on sugarcane in three distinct ways, with exposure greatest when the herbicide is used as a ripener near harvest time. We identify several pathologies associated with MeN that have been found to be implicated in papers on glyphosate exposure, such as enhancing the growth of Clostridia species and fungus, promoting arsenic toxicity, suppressing the synthesis of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), disrupting fructose metabolism, and promoting dehydration and high serum urate. A companion paper explains how glyphosate’s substitution for glycine could cause additional renal damage. Together, these two papers strongly suggest that glyphosate is a causative agent in CKDu. Overall, the research literature provides compelling evidence that glyphosate exposure is a significant factor in MeN. Glyphosate usage on crops should be curtailed in order to protect the agricultural worker population from this devastating and life-threatening disease.
E-Government Adoption in Saudi Arabia: The Moderation Effect of Wastta

This paper presents an investigation of the moderation effect of the Saudi culture referred to as Wastta on the adoption of e-government in Saudi Arabia from the perspective of citizens. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis is conducted on the data collected through the survey of Saudi citizens. The study shows that Wastta influences the adoption of egovernment through its moderating effect on the perceived ease of use and the perceived usefulness of e-government. This study contributes to the e-government research by highlighting the moderation effect of Wastta on e-government adoption in a developing country context.
Solar disinfection of viruses: role of carbonate radicals

Lack of improved drinking water sources contributes a lot to many waterborne diseases caused by pathogens which include viruses, protozoa, bacteria or worms. It is essential to develop and promote treatment methods in order to provide pathogen-free safe drinking water. Sunlight plays an important role in disinfection of viruses through direct photolysis or indirect photolysis through reactive transient species such carbonate radical. This study demonstrated that carbonate radical can be generated using 4-carboxylbenzophenone (CBBP) as sensitizer to react with carbonate/bicarbonate ions. The steady state concentration of carbonate radical was determined by measuring the degradation of probe compounds using HPLC. 4-nitroaniline proved to be an appropriate probe compound to be used in this method. CBBP concentration was varied in order to generate different carbonate radical concentrations and subsequently vary the inactivation rate. The measured carbonate radical concentration varied from 10-14 to 10-12 M which corresponded to the values obtained from previous studies. The resultant inactivation kinetics showed that the reaction order of carbonate radical was 0.13±0.064 which may be due to the surface reaction or the interference of 4-NA. The pseudo-first order inactivation rate constant of Phi-X174 bacteriophage was 5 times smaller than that of MS2 while bacteriophage GA had similar inactivation rate constant with MS2.
Planned versus Unplanned and Orthogonal versus Nonorthogonal Contrasts: The Neo-Classical Perspective.

The use of multiple comparisons in analysis of variance (ANOVA) is discussed. It is argued that experimentwise Type I error rate inflation can be serious and that its influences are often unnoticed in ANOVA applications. Both classical balanced omnibus and orthogonal planned contrast tests inflate experimentwise error to an identifiable maximum. Significance test results are overinterpreted in contemporary analytic practice, and researchers must consider effect sizes and replicability or invariance analyses when formulating interpretations. To guide analytic practice, it is suggested that omnibus hypotheses that are not of interest or which cannot be interpreted should not be tested, since such tests can distort hypothesis tests that are of interest. Orthogonal contrasts should be preferred over non-orthogonal contrasts. The use of planned contrasts is suggested in place of omnibus or unplanned hypothesis tests. Use of planned comparisons tends to result in more thoughtful research with greater power against Type II error. Small data sets and examples support the discussion, and nine tables illustrate these examples. A 73-item list of references is included. (SLD) *******************A*************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************
Spectrum of Lyapunov exponents in non-smooth systems evaluated using orthogonal perturbation vectors

This paper covers application of the novel method of Lyapunov exponents (LEs) spectrum estimation in non smooth mechanical systems. In the presented method, LEs are obtained from a Poincare map. By analysing the map instead of the full trajectory, problems with transition of perturbations through discontinuities can be avoided. However, the explicit formula of the map is usually not known. Therefore, the Jacobi matrix of the map is estimated using small perturbations of the initial point. In such a manner, direct calculation of the Jacobi matrix can be avoided. The article provides a detailed description of the method accompanied by clear schemes. The algorithm of Jacobi matrix estimation is elaborated and an example is given. Efficiency of the method is confirmed by a numerical experiment. The mechanical oscillator with impact has been simulated. Bifurcation diagrams and Lyapunov exponents graphs have been generated. It has been shown that the method provides values of the whole Lyapunov exponents spectrum with high accuracy.
Assessment of chromium bioaccumulation in Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindak by the Central Composite Design (CCD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

The effects of chromium bioaccumulation in Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata were evaluated by Central Composite Design (CCD), factorial 2 2 and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). All the models of regression generated by CCD were highly significant, with R 2 between 77 and 88%, which is the percentual variability in the response that the model can account for. This is indicative of a satisfactory representation of the process models whose data can be used for simulations of response. The maximum shrinkage biovolume presented 28–69% reduction compared to controls. Results from this study suggest that the smaller algal cells amplify metal binding sites, leading to an increased bioaccumulation and a consequential increased capacity to accumulate chromium. Nevertheless, the absorption capacity decreases for more elevated chromium concentrations and for longer exposure. Keywords : Algae, Biovolume, Central Composite Design, Metal, Selenastrum capricornutum .