Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A general framework for microscopically reversible processes with memory

Statistical Mechanics deals with ensembles of microstates that are compatible with fixed constraints and that on average define a thermodynamic macrostate. The evolution of a small system is normally subjected to changing constraints and involve a stochastic dependence on previous events. Here, we develop a theory for reversible processes with memory that comprises equilibrium statistics and that converges to the same physics in the limit of independent events. This framework is based on the characterization of single phase-space pathways and is used to derive ensemble-average dynamics in stochastic systems driven by a protocol in the limit of no friction. We show that the state of a system depends on its history to the extent of attaining a one-to-one correspondence between states and pathways when memory covers all the previous events. Equilibrium appears as the consequence of exploring all pathways that connect two states by all procedures. This theory is useful to interpret single-molecule experiments in Biophysics and other fields in Nanoscience and an adequate platform for a general theory of irreversible processes.
Hazard Rate Estimation

The literature on the topic of hazard rate estimation is reviewed. Most results are developed for randomly right censored sample data and the most popular estimators are of the kernel type. The choice of the smoothing parameter is an important issue. The incorporation of covariate information is also considered. Keywords: bandwidth; covariates; hazard rate; kernel estimator; right censoring
The Steiner Tree Problem: A Tour through Graphs, Algorithms, and Complexity

1 Basics I: Graphs. - 1.1 Introduction to graph theory. - 1.2 Excursion: Random graphs. - 2 Basics II: Algorithms. - 2.1 Introduction to algorithms. - 2.2 Excursion: Fibonacci heaps and amortized time. - 3 Basics III: Complexity. - 3.1 Introduction to complexity theory. - 3.2 Excursion: More NP-complete problems. - 4 Special Terminal Sets. - 4.1 The shortest path problem. - 4.2 The minimum spanning tree problem. - 4.3 Excursion: Matroids and the greedy algorithm. - 5 Exact Algorithms. - 5.1 The enumeration algorithm. - 5.2 The Dreyfus-Wagner algorithm. - 5.3 Excursion: Dynamic programming. - 6 Approximation Algorithms. - 6.1 A simple algorithm with performance ratio 2. - 6.2 Improving the time complexity. - 6.3 Excursion: Machine scheduling. - 7 More on Approximation Algorithms. - 7.1 Minimum spanning trees in hypergraphs. - 7.2 Improving the performance ratio I. - 7.3 Excursion: The complexity of optimization problems. - 8 Randomness Helps. - 8.1 Probabilistic complexity classes. - 8.2 Improving the performance ratio II. - 8.3 An almost always optimal algorithm. - 8.4 Excursion: Primality and cryptography. - 9 Limits of Approximability. - 9.1 Reducing optimization problems. - 9.2 APX-completeness. - 9.3 Excursion: Probabilistically checkable proofs. - 10 Geometric Steiner Problems. - 10.1 A characterization of rectilinear Steiner minimum trees. - 10.2 The Steiner ratios. - 10.3 An almost linear time approximation scheme. - 10.4 Excursion: The Euclidean Steiner problem. - Symbol Index.
Turbulence and Mean-Velocity Structure of Flows over Filamentous Biofilms

The growth of biofilms on ships and the walls of conduits causes drag penalties due to the increase in surface friction between the flow and the surface. Natural freshwater biofilms exist in different forms, including soft gelatinous slimes and filamentous streamers. The effect of filamentous biofilms on the physics of the flow and associated increases in drag was examined by developing an idealised biofilm consisting of artificial streamers, designed to mimic the filamentous component of naturally occurring biofilms. Changes to the flow structure were investigated using test plates inserted in a water tunnel fitted with a two-dimensional Laser Doppler Velocimetry system to obtain mean velocity and turbulence boundary layer profiles. Significant changes to the turbulence intensity and turbulent Reynolds stresses were measured over the entire boundary layer. The streamers also caused a thickening of the boundary layer, a 23% increase in local skin friction coefficient and increased wake strength.
Exploring the Perceived Feedback of Commercial Dairy Farmers about Effectiveness of Android Mobile Apps ‘Brucellosis Advisor Apps’

A myriad of mobile technologies purport to help individuals change or maintain health-related behaviours, for instance by increasing self-awareness or motivation. To disseminate the information regarding Brucellosis prevention in dairy animals a mobile application called “Brucellosis Advisor App” was developed. This paper is devoted to explore the perceived feedback of commercial dairy farmers of Haryana and Punjab state on effectiveness of android mobile application. To measure the perceived feedback of respondents a list of items seeking responses on different aspects of mobile application were prepared and administered to the respondents. Each respondent was asked to response on a three-point continuum: highly satisfied, satisfied and least satisfied with the statements, with a score of 3
SCORPIO: a deep survey of radio emission from the stellar life-cycle

Radio emission has been detected in a broad variety of stellar objects from all stages of stellar evolution. However, most of our knowledge originates from targeted observations of small samples, which are strongly biased to sources which are peculiar at other wavelengths. In order to tackle this problem we have conducted a deep 1.4 GHz survey by using the Australian Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), following the same observing setup as that used for the Australia Telescope Large Area Survey (ATLAS) project, this time choosing a region more appropriate for stellar work. In this paper, the SCORPIO project is presented as well as results from the pilot experiment. The achieved rms is about 30 /uJy and the angular resolution ~10 arcsec. About six hundred of point-like sources have been extracted just from the pilot field. A very small percentage of them are classified in SIMBAD or the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED). About 80 % of the extracted sources are reported in one of the inspected catalogues and 50 % of them appears to belong to a reddened stellar/galactic population. The evaluation of extragalactic contaminants is very difficult without further investigations. Interesting results have been obtained for extended radio sources that fall in the SCORPIO field. Many bubble-like structures have been found, some of which are classified at other wavelengths. However, for all of these sources, our project has provided us with images of unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution at 2.1 GHz.
Exploring lattice effects on transport properties in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/Al2O3 superlattices

Superlattice modulation and interfacial dilatation in manganite/alumina multilayers were used to explore lattice effects on transport behaviour. Epitaxial growth and high quality of stacking as well as structural coherency were confirmed by x-ray measurements. As the measure of lattice distortion, the average lattice spacing, structural coherency length, Curie temperature, magnetization, coercive field Hc as well as resistance are found to be functions of the interface fraction. Accordingly, we divided each manganite layer into two parts, i.e., weakly distorted ‘innermost’ atomic layers and strongly dilated interfacial atomic layers, as is well clarified by observation of two component magnetization loops and huge variation in resistance measured with current in and perpendicular to plane (i.e. CIP and CPP). The low-resistive innermost part with a ‘bulk’-like soft magnetic behaviour functions as a conductance channel for the CIP case, whereas the high-resistive interfacial part rules the CPP data, leading to a low-magnetotunnelling effect at 4.2 K and an enhanced colossal magnetoresistance at the relevant transition temperature.
Exchange on dynamic encounter networks allows plant mitochondria to collect complete sets of mitochondrial DNA products despite their incomplete genomes

Abstract Abstract Mitochondria in plant cells usually contain less than a full copy of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome. Here, we asked whether mitochondrial dynamics may allow individual mitochondria to ‘collect’ a full set of mtDNA-encoded gene products over time, by facilitating exchange between individuals akin to trade on a social network. We characterise the collective dynamics of mitochondria in Arabidopsis hypocotyl cells using a recent approach combining single-cell time-lapse microscopy, video analysis and network science. We use a quantitative model to predict the capacity for sharing genetic information and gene products through the networks of encounters between mitochondria. We find that biological encounter networks support the emergence of gene product sets over time more readily than a range of other possible network structures. Using results from combinatorics, we identify the network statistics that determine this propensity, and discuss how features of mitochondrial dynamics observed in biology facilitate the collection of mtDNA-encoded gene products.
Catching up in two races: Applying technology design approaches to design technology research

I appreciate White et al. ’ s (2022) recommendation for industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists to approach technology research in a more active ( “ action, exploration, creation ” ) and collective ( “ collaborate, disseminate ” ) way. However, I doubt whether White et al. ’ s (and many I-O psychologists ’ ) idea to conceptualize technology as a boundary condition for psychological theories and human action is an appropriate basis for timely theorizing, examining
Too early to call: What we do (not) know about the validity of cybervetting

There is no doubt: Cybervetting is now recruiters’ everyday routine (Berkelaar & Buzzanell, 2015; Hartwell & Campion, 2020). Thus, we could not agree more with Wilcox et al. (2022) that it is important to address the considerable gap between cybervetting practice and research, especially concerning its validity. Their article is a wake-up call that most questions in this issue are still unanswered. We see the point of their distinct skepticism and agree that the validity of cybervetting is unproven. Nonetheless, we argue that this chapter needs a closer look before cybervetting is said to have “dubious effectiveness” (Wilcox et al., 2022, p. X), leads to “dampened productivity” (p. X), and “limits freedom of expression” (p. X). Although there is good reason to be cautious, we put into question whether cybervetting is an “unreflective activity undertaken by individual hiring agents within organizations that alternately ignore or encourage it” (p. X). Many researchers have warned about the risks of cybervetting early on (e.g., Brown & Vaughn, 2011; Caers & Castelyns, 2011; Davison et al., 2011); job candidates report intentions to withdraw applications (Schneider et al., 2015; Suen, 2018) and sue organizations (Stoughton et al., 2015) if cybervetting is used. Recruiters also report ambiguity about this practice (e.g., Hoek et al., 2016; McDonald et al., 2021; Pike et al., 2018). Rather than stakeholders “uncritically” (Wilcox et al., 2022, p. X) accepting cybervetting, we see a vivid debate. Social media (SM) platforms might be a modern, easily available, less faked, and economic source for first impressions of applicants’ traits, replacing traditional resumés (Davison et al., 2011; Landers & Schmidt, 2016)—if there is evidence for its validity. The debate started when Davison et al. (2011), Roth et al. (2016), and Landers and Schmidt (2016) provided mixed conclusions about cybervetting validity. Following, we shine a light on previous findings regarding cybervetting’s validity, deepen the still unknowns, and call for further action.
Investigating the Effectiveness of Personalized Content in the Form of Videos When Promoting a TOR Browser

Due to increasing trend of data collection by websites, the use of privacy-enhancing technologies is becoming more and more important in our digital age. However, widespread adoption of tools that provide strongest protection, such as a TOR browser, has been low. Instead of using a “one-size-fits-all” approach when promoting privacy-enhancing technologies as users often vary widely in their perceptions and ways to be persuaded, this study investigated whether using “personalized” content in the form of videos based on decision-making style (GDMS scale) and the level of IT expertise would lead to a higher adoption rate of a TOR browser. Towards that, we designed a study (n = 186) with control and treatment groups. While participants in the control group were randomly given a video raising awareness of the TOR browser, participants in the treatment group were given one of four personalized versions of these videos based on their scores on IT expertise questions and the GDMS scale measuring social influence. Two follow-up surveys, each a week apart, were conducted to determine if the participants installed a TOR browser. We found that only a small percentage of participants started using a TOR browser, and the personalized group did not significantly differ from the control in terms of adoption rate. Though personalized videos did not increase the adoption rate, this study showed that other factors contributed to the low adoption rate and provided insights and recommendations for designing personalized effective videos promoting the TOR browser or similar privacy-enhancing technologies.
Privacy, Permissions, and the Health App Ecosystem: A Stack Overflow Exploration

Health data is considered to be sensitive and personal; both governments and software platforms have enacted specific measures to protect it. Consumer apps that collect health data are becoming more popular, but raise new privacy concerns as they collect unnecessary data, share it with third parties, and track users. However, developers of these apps are not necessarily knowingly endangering users’ privacy; some may simply face challenges working with health features. To scope these challenges, we qualitatively analyzed 269 privacy-related posts on Stack Overflow by developers of health apps for Android- and iOS-based systems. We found that health-specific access control structures (e.g., enhanced requirements for permissions and authentication) underlie several privacy-related challenges developers face. The specific nature of problems often differed between the platforms, for example additional verification steps for Android developers, or confusing feedback about incorrectly formulated permission scopes for iOS. Developers also face problems introduced by third-party libraries. Official documentation plays a key part in understanding privacy requirements, but in some cases, may itself cause confusion. We discuss implications of our findings and propose ways to improve developers’ experience of working with health-related features—and consequently to improve the privacy of their apps’ end users.
Caring About IoT-Security – An Interview Study in the Healthcare Sector

The number of medical IoT devices is increasing rapidly: CT scanners, ECG devices, insulin pumps and other devices, which previously operated independently, are being interconnected with other devices, now sharing patient data and/or uploading them to the cloud. Medical IoT devices can create privacy and security risks for patients, healthcare professionals, and the institutions that deploy them. Previous security research has focused on software vulnerabilities in IoT devices, and how they could be exploited. This study takes a broader security perspective, looking at security issues that arise in the life cycle of IoT devices deployed in healthcare environments. We performed in-depth online interviews lasting over 1 hour (12 hours in total) with n = 8 experts responsible for the security of medical IoT devices in hospitals. They had on average 20 years of industry experience (IT and/or security), and spoke from the experience of either in-hospital specialist, or as external consultants that advise multiple hospitals on IT security. Our findings suggest that medical IoT devices are a security time bomb: the inability to easily patch devices due to certification regulations, the requirements of manufacturers to enable remote maintenance, and the lack of qualified personnel and resources result in low levels of security, even compared to general IT systems in hospitals (which have been found to be vulnerable due to age and lack of security expertise). More encouragingly, most participants reported that awareness of hospital managers & manufacturers of these issues has improved, following new legislation on IT security in hospitals in Germany and the EU over the last two years. We conclude that the security and privacy risks of medical IoT devices is currently underestimated, and that a collaborative effort with manufacturers and primary users (medical staff) will be required to create effective processes for securing them.
Feeds of animal origin in rabbit nutrition – a review

Abstract Rabbits are classified as obligate herbivores. However, under natural conditions, some members of the family Leporidae incorporate animal products into their diets. Therefore, it seems biologically justified to supplement the diets of farmed rabbits with feeds of animal origin as sources of protein, fat and minerals. The aim of this review was to describe, from a historical perspective, the use of various feeds of animal origin in rabbit nutrition. The applicability of by-products from mammal, poultry, fish and invertebrate processing for rabbit feeding was evaluated, including the future prospects for their use. A review of the available literature revealed that various animal-based feeds can be valuable protein sources in rabbit diets, but their inclusion levels should not exceed 5-10%. Studies investigating their efficacy have been conducted since the 1970s. In some regions of the world, the use of animal-derived protein in livestock feeds was prohibited due to the risk of spreading bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). However, the interest in animal by-products as protein sources in livestock diets is likely to increase since the above ban has been lifted.
Lung cancer risk in relation to jobs held in a nationwide case–control study in Iran

Background Globally, lung cancer is the most frequent occupational cancer, but the risk associated with the occupations or occupational environment in Iran is not clear. We aimed to assess occupations with the risk of lung cancer. Methods We used the IROPICAN nationwide case–control study data including 658 incident lung cancer cases and 3477 controls. We assessed the risk of lung cancer in relation to ever working in major groups of International Standard Classification of Occupations, high-risk occupations for lung cancer and duration of employment and lung cancer subtype among construction workers and farmers while controlling for cigarette smoking and opium consumption. We used unconditional regression logistic models to estimate ORs for the association between increased lung cancer risk and occupations. Results We observed elevated ORs for lung cancer in male construction workers (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.8), petroleum industry workers (OR=3.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 9.8), female farmers (OR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.3 to 5.3) and female bakers (OR=5.5; 95% CI: 1.0 to 29.8). A positive trend by the duration of employment was observed for male construction workers (p< 0.001). Increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma was observed in male construction workers (OR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.0) and female farmers (OR=4.3; 95% CI: 1.1 to 17.2), who also experienced an increased risk of adenocarcinoma (OR=3.8; 95% CI: 1.4 to 9.9). Discussion Although we observed associations between some occupations and lung cancer consistent with the literature, further studies with larger samples focusing on exposures are needed to better understand the occupational lung cancer burden in Iran.
Drivers of individual‐based, antagonistic interaction networks during plant range expansion

Range expansion in plant populations, especially at the colonization front, can be either limited by disproportionately large effects of antagonistic interactions or facilitated by their release. How the strength of antagonistic interactions changes along successional gradients during range expansion is still poorly documented, especially when diverse assemblages of plant antagonists (rodents, invertebrates and birds) combine within interaction networks. We study the changes in individual‐based, predispersal seed–pulp predator networks along a colonization gradient in a rapidly expanding Juniperus phoenicea population in Doñana National Park (SW Spain). Additionally, we analysed the role of individual plant traits and neighbourhood attributes in network configuration by using Exponential Random Graph Models. Seven seed–pulp consumer animal species varied significantly in their frequency of interaction and prevalence. While invertebrate species were well‐established in old and intermediately mature stands, greenfinch Chloris chloris was dominant at the colonization front. Variable species roles and spread of interactions among individual plants generated changes in the configuration of interactions during plant expansion. Individual plant traits strongly determined the topology of these networks, although with differences between stands. Increasing individual crop size and seeds per cone increased the interaction odds of individual plants, while seed viability showed the opposite effect. The network topology at the colonization front appeared less driven by individual traits, possibly because of the short interaction history of this recently established area. The disproportionately large effect of C. chloris in these recently established stands, potentially resulted in large seed losses during range expansion. Synthesis. Turnover of antagonistic interactions, characterized the colonization front, resulting in more heterogeneous interaction strengths among individual plants. We found no evidence for a complete or sizeable antagonistic release of J. phoenicea at the colonization front promoting this rapid expansion. It becomes necessary to explore interactions with seed dispersers to understand how antagonistic and mutualistic plant–animal interactions balance during range expansion. Our study highlights the importance of an individual‐based approach in understanding how interactions are structured and driven in natural changing landscapes.
An Inf-Sup Stabilized Finite Element Method by Multiscale Functions for the Stokes Equations

In the paper, an inf-sup stabilized finite element method by multiscale functions for the Stokes equations is discussed. The key idea is to use a PetrovGalerkin approach based on the enrichment of the standard polynomial space for the velocity component with multiscale functions. The inf-sup condition for P1−P0 triangular element (or Q1−P0 quadrilateral element) is established. The optimal error estimates of the stabilized finite element method for the Stokes equations are obtained. AMS subject classifications: 76D05, 65N30, 35K60