Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A High-Throughput Hardware Design for the AV1 Decoder Intraprediction

The Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) (AV1) was released in 2018 as a royalty-free and open-source video codec. AV1 was developed by the AOMedia that is composed of many leading tech companies. AV1 has the goal to process ultrahigh definition (UHD) 8K (7680 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times4320$ </tex-math></inline-formula> pixels) and 4K videos (3840 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times2160$ </tex-math></inline-formula> pixels) and to achieve high coding efficiency, which leads to increased complexity when compared to other codecs in the market, such as VP9, HEVC, and H.264. This article presents the AV1 intraprediction decoder (AVID), a dedicated high-throughput hardware design for the AV1 decoder intraprediction supporting the AV1 68 prediction modes and 19 block sizes. The proposed architecture can decode UHD 4K videos at 120 frames/s in the worst case, requiring an operation frequency of 279.93 MHz and demanding a total area of 234.45 kgates with a power dissipation of 27.74 mW. The comparison with related works showed that AVID reached the smallest area and very competitive power results. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first article detailing the hardware design of a complete decoder for intraprediction targeting the AV1 codec.
Photoinduced anisotropic response of azobenzene chromophore functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Azobenzene chromophore covalently functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (AZO-MWCNT) were synthesized and their optical properties were investigated by ultraviolet-visible absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The polarized absorption of the AZO-MWCNT film was measured by cross-polarized light along the directions parallel and perpendicular to the incident light under the irradiation of polarized ultraviolet light. Photoinduced optical anisotropy of the AZO-MWCNT film was dominated by the enhanced dipole transition of the nanotube axis parallel to the incident light and the decreased transition perpendicular to light. The unique anisotropy induced by the photo-orientation of azobenzene chromophore provides insight into the polarized optical properties of carbon nanotubes.
On the mean-square approximation of a diffusion process in a bounded domain

The problem of simulating phase trajectories of a diffusion process in a bounded domain is considered. For systems with zero drift the next approximate point on the phase trajectory is found as a solution of the system with coefficients frozen at the previous point by a random walk over the boundary of a small ellipsoid. Theorems on mean-square order of accuracy for such an approximation are proved. An algorithm for approximate construction of exit points from the bounded domain is given.
Topology breaking of the vortex in multiferroic Y0.67Lu0.33MnO3

Although topological defects, such as domain walls (DWs) or vortices, are naturally protected by topological invariance, yet, we discover an exception that the six-state topology of the vortex with Z2 × Z3 symmetry is broken by a partial edge dislocation (PED) in hexagonal Y0.67Lu0. 33MnO3, where the topologies of the four-state vortex or closed DWs emerges. Using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, we found that the PED plays an important role in changing the phase of translation domain. The PED at the vortex core leads to the formation of the four-state vortex, while the ones at closed DWs connect different types of DWs, both corresponding to continuous phase changes. These results indicate that PEDs can change the topology of translation-related domain vortices and more vortices with even domains can be expected.
Limit Theorems for Branching Processes in a Random Environment

In this paper, growth of branching processes in random environment is considered. In particular it is shown that this process either "explodes" at an exponential rate or else becomes extinct w.p. 1. A classification theorem outlining the cases of "explosion or extinction" is given. To prove these theorems, the associated branching process (the process conditioned on each particle having infinite descent) and the reduced branching process (the particles of the process having infinite descent) are introduced. The method of proof used, in general, is direct probabilistic computation, in contrast with the classical functional iteration method.
Impact of Governance Structure of Rural Collective Economic Organizations on Trading Efficiency of Collective Construction Land of China

In order to enable urban economic development, the use of the right value and asset value of rural collective construction land (RCCL) is increasingly becoming apparent and this market is experiencing rapid development. However, the arrangement of the governance structure of rural shareholding cooperatives (RSCs) can seriously affect the efficiency of collective construction land market transactions, since the governance of RSCs is related to the interests of farmers. Protecting the rights and interests of farmers while improving the governance efficiency of RSCs is a considerable challenge worldwide. To better deal with this challenge, this study used a field survey in Nanhai District, Guangdong Province, China, to estimate how the governance structure of RSCs affect the efficiency of RCCL market transactions. Tobit models were constructed, and the results show that (1) most of the governance functions of RSCs were not separate from the administrative management of the village committees, which leads to low efficiency of RSCs’ governance; (2) leaders of rural collective economic organizations played a key role in governance efficiency; (3) from the perspective of collective land property rights, most village shareholders did not have decision-making power or supervisory authority in the RCCL transfers because they could not complete access to transaction information. Furthermore, most villagers felt that the amount of income distributed was unreasonable, and the rights and interests of farmers and village shareholders were not guaranteed by the RSCs. Therefore, we suggest that the Chinese authorities should strengthen their current efforts to construct a more open and fair governance structure of the RSCs and thus improve their market transaction efficiency. Our work provides some insights into ways to improve the governance structure and market transaction efficiency of RSCs, which can further contribute to the development of the RCCL market in other areas of China and worldwide.
A practical method for the deformation of long‐stroke hydraulic manipulators in grasping‐handling tasks

Long‐stroke hydraulic manipulators are utilized in various grasping‐handling tasks, and the flexible deformation of these manipulators is the primary obstacle that affects precise position control of the end‐effectors in Cartesian space. This deformation is manifested in the following three aspects: joint deformation, structural deformation and clearance variation. Due to deformation uncertainty, methods that model the hydraulic manipulator as a combination of flexible multibody systems and hydraulic actuators are unsuitable. In this article, we propose an incremental inverse kinematics model (IIKM) as a new approach to solving the above deformation difficulties. The projection method is used to obtain the inverse kinematic analytical solution of long‐stroke hydraulic manipulators, which is based on the manipulator deformation in the current configuration (current configuration refers to the arrangement of the manipulator links when the manipulator starts to move to the target position). The proposed method avoids complex flexible multibody modeling and parameter identification, allowing long‐stroke hydraulic manipulators to be accurately controlled within a certain neighborhood. An evaluation coefficient is proposed to analyze the calculation accuracy of the IIKM in combination with the success rate obtained from 190 grasping experiments. Through these experiments, we determine the optimal calculation height range of the IIKM in the vertical direction and the optimal calculation position area in the horizontal direction and prove that the IIKM result can guarantee the success of grasping‐handling tasks when the end‐effector is within the optimal calculation height range.
Catalytic performance and kinetic modeling of n-hexane isomerization over phosphomolybdic acid (HPMo) combining palladium and platinum supported on metal-organic framework MIL-101(HPW)

Abstract A metal-organic framework MIL-101(HPW) was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction, and phosphomolybdic acid (HPMo) was synthesized by its precursor solution. Then (Pd + Pt)/HPMo/MIL-101(HPW) with different wt% were prepared by the impregnation method. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, NH3-TPD, N2 adsorption, FESEM, and TGA, and their performances were investigated in n-hexane isomerization. Under the optimized operating conditions (temperature of 180 °C, H2/nC6 molar ratio of 2, and WHSV of 3 h−1), the appropriate yield for the nC6 isomerization was provided. The (0.2%Pd + 0.3%Pt)/50%HPMo/MIL-101(HPW) sample showed a lifetime of 720 min with 92.5% iC6 selectivity and 75.3% nC6 conversion. Kinetic modeling of the n-hexane isomerization reaction was also performed, in which the classical bifunctional mechanism was used to calculate the kinetic parameters. The validity of the bifunctional behavior was proved by the high value of the statistical correlation coefficient of this model. The apparent activation energy of this mechanism was calculated at 42.5 kJ mol−1.
Geometry–Dependent Magnetoelectric and Exchange Bias Effects of the Nano L–T Mode Bar Structure Magnetoelectric Sensor

The geometry–dependent magnetoelectric (ME) and exchange bias (EB) effects of the nano ME sensor were investigated. The sensor consisted of the Longitudinal–Transverse (L–T) mode bi–layer bar structure comprising the ferromagnetic (FM) and ferroelectric (FE) materials and the anti–ferromagnetic (AFM) material. The bi–layer ME coefficient was derived from constitutive equations and Newton’s second law. The trade–off between peak ME coefficient and optimal thickness ratio was realized. At the frequency × structure length = 0.1 and 1200, minimum and maximum peak ME coefficients of the Terfenol–D/PZT bi-layer were around 1756 and 5617 mV/Oe·cm, respectively, with 0.43 and 0.19 optimal thickness ratios, respectively. Unfortunately, the bi-layer could not distinguish the opposite magnetic field directions due to their similar output voltages. PtMn and Cr2O3, the AFM, were introduced to produce the EB effect. The simulation results showed the exchange field starting at a minimum PtMn thickness of 6 nm. Nevertheless, Cr2O3 did not induce the exchange field due to its low anisotropy constant. The tri–layer ME sensor consisting of PZT (4.22 nm)/Terfenol–D (18 nm)/PtMn (6 nm) was demonstrated in sensing 2 Tbit/in2 magnetic bits. The average exchange field of 5100 Oe produced the output voltage difference of 12.96 mV, sufficient for most nanoscale magnetic sensing applications.
Transmission mode and assembly of seed fungal endophyte communities in wheat and wheat wild relatives

Seeds acquire fungal endophytes either from the environment or from their progenitors. These transmission modes are central in shaping the microbiome as they affect species composition and balance. We studied fungal endophyte communities (FEC) in three plant species: bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum dicoccoides), and wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum). We conducted two experiments to test seed-to-seed transmission: (i) we compared FECs in stems and seeds collected from agricultural and natural habitats, and (ii) we grew plants under greenhouse conditions to isolate the effect of vertical transmission on the plant FECs. The analysis of seed communities revealed differences in FEC composition and diversity among plant species; however, Alternaria infectoria dominated FECs in all plant species. In field-collected plants, the number of taxa in the seeds was less than half the number in stems, and close to 90% of the seed taxa were found in stems. The FECs from stems and seeds of greenhouse-grown plants were more diverse than the FECs of original seeds; they lacked a single dominant taxon, and new seeds FECs had a similar richness and diversity to stems FECs, with only 40% overlap. The controlled environment experiment confirmed vertical transmission of certain species but also showed that external infection of the seeds is the main source for specific taxa. Our results show that many taxa can reach the seeds internally, albeit in different abundance, that both infection sources affect seed FECs composition, and that external conditions the balance between FECs within the plant.
Ultraviolet Radiation inside Interstellar Grain Aggregates. II. Field Depolarization

We study the polarization of the UV light within the cavities of interstellar grain aggregates modeled as homogeneous spheres containing several spherical voids. The incident field is a linearly polarized plane wave. We found that field depolarization occurs in all examined cases so that the field within the cavities has the features of an elliptically polarized wave. The depolarization of the field does not depend on the material of the grains but on the geometry of the problem only. The implications of this result for the interstellar photochemistry are briefly discussed.
Emodin Regulates lncRNA XIST/miR-217 Axis to Protect Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Purpose This study is aimed at investigating the effect of emodin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and mechanism. Methods Eighty healthy adult male SD rats (weighing 230-250 g) were utilized to establish I/R model, which were randomly divided into five groups (16 rats in each group): sham operation group, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury group (I/R group), emodin group, emodin +NC group, and emodin +XIST group. The contents of CK, CK-MB, LDH, and HBDH in serum were determined by ELISA kit. LDH was detected by ELISA assay, SOD was detected by the xanthine oxidase method, and MDA was detected by the thiobarbituric acid method. The relative expression of XIST and miR-217 was evaluated by RT-qPCR. Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression. Flow cytometry was applied to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Results Myocardial infarction area was obviously increased in I/R model rats, while emodin decreased the myocardial infarction in I/R model rats. In addition, cardiac enzymes (CK, CK-MB, LDH, and HBDH) and apoptosis were obviously increased in MIRI model rats, while emodin obviously decreased cardiac enzymes and apoptosis. The ROS and MDA levels were raised while the activities of SOD were declined in the I/R model group. The ROS and MDA levels were decreased while the activities of SOD were raised in the emodin group. The XIST expression was markedly raised in the I/R model group while decreased in the emodin group, and the overexpression of XIST reversed the protective effect of emodin on myocardial infarction, oxidative stress, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In addition, XIST directly regulated the expression of miR-217, and si-XIST inhibited H/R-induced oxidative damage of cardiomyocytes via inhibiting miR-217. Conclusion Emodin protected MIRI both in vitro and in vivo via inhibiting lncRNA XIST to upregulate miR-217.
Influence of Process Parameters on the Characteristics of Additively Manufactured Parts Made from Advanced Biopolymers

Over the past few decades, additive manufacturing (AM) has become a reliable tool for prototyping and low-volume production. In recent years, the market share of such products has increased rapidly as these manufacturing concepts allow for greater part complexity compared to conventional manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, as recyclability and biocompatibility have become more important in material selection, biopolymers have also become widely used in AM. This article provides an overview of AM with advanced biopolymers in fields from medicine to food packaging. Various AM technologies are presented, focusing on the biopolymers used, selected part fabrication strategies, and influential parameters of the technologies presented. It should be emphasized that inkjet bioprinting, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, extrusion-based bioprinting, and scaffold-free printing are the most commonly used AM technologies for the production of parts from advanced biopolymers. Achievable part complexity will be discussed with emphasis on manufacturable features, layer thickness, production accuracy, materials applied, and part strength in correlation with key AM technologies and their parameters crucial for producing representative examples, anatomical models, specialized medical instruments, medical implants, time-dependent prosthetic features, etc. Future trends of advanced biopolymers focused on establishing target-time-dependent part properties through 4D additive manufacturing are also discussed.
Helioseismic inferences on subsurface solar convection

Abstract Helioseismology has provided robust estimates of global properties of the solar convection zone, its depth, stratification, and revealed rotational shear layers at the boundaries. New methods of local helioseismology provide 3D maps of subsurface convective flows. In the quiet Sun regions, these maps reveal that supergranular-scale convection extends to the depth of 12–15 Mm. Analysis of evolution of the supergranular convection pattern shows evidence for a wave-like behavior which might be related to the interaction between convection and the subsurface rotational sheer layer. Helioseismology also reveals large-scale circulation flows around magnetic regions. These flows affect the evolution of the mean meridional flow during the solar cycle and, probably, the magnetic flux transport from mid-latitudes to the polar regions, a process important for solar dynamo theories. Helioseismic measurements on a smaller scale, below sunspots, give insight on how convection interacts with strong magnetic fields.
LG but Not T: Opposition to Transgender Rights Amidst Gay and Lesbian Acceptance

ABSTRACT This article draws on sociological theories of affect and ambivalence to empirically examine individuals who express support for the rights of gays and lesbians but not transgender people. Using a representative survey of Nebraska residents and quantitative and qualitative analysis of close-ended and open-ended responses, we find that the group we call “inconsistents” are more similar demographically to consistent opponents, they outnumber consistent opponents, and that they rely on two types of logics to justify their views. For nearly all who oppose employment nondiscrimination and bathroom protections for transgender people, they use an identity logic to express skepticism, and often overt hostility, toward transgender identity. For most who oppose only bathroom protections but support employment nondiscrimination, they use a setting logic that emphasizes how social context determines when definitions of gender matter (like when using public restrooms). Our analysis shows that attitudes about LGBT rights are not dichotomous or always uniform and serves as a model to understand other contentious social issues.
Helicobacter pylori eradication versus one-year maintenance therapy: effect on relapse and gastritis outcome.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine ulcer healing and H. pylori eradication rates obtained with triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin). Ulcer relapsing rate one year after eradication was also assessed. Maintenance therapy with placebo was compared with ranitidine therapy and the effect of eradication on histological variables of the gastric mucosa was studied. METHODS A prospective, double-blind parallel study was performed in 85 patients endoscopically diagnosed of duodenal ulcer H. pylori positive. Patients were randomized to a 7-days triple therapy (group A) or omeprazole plus antibiotic placebo (group B). All patients were treated only with omeprazole for the next three weeks. Patients with ulcer healing after treatment were entered in a one-year follow up phase with ranitidine placebo (group A) or ranitidine (group B). Endoscopy and biopsies were performed at baseline, after treatment (5 weeks) and after 12 months of follow-up or when relapsing symptoms appeared. RESULTS Healing rate was 90.2% in group A and 85.7% in group B. Eradication rate was 78% in group A and 0% in group B. Out of 37 healed patients in group A, eradication was achieved in 29 and only one relapse was found (3.4%). Three out of eight patients with healing but without eradication relapsed at 12 months (35%) (p < 0.05). Histopathological results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between eradicated and non eradicated patients in terms of severity of inflammation and intestinal metaplasia, but not in terms of atrophy. CONCLUSIONS H. pylori eradication is useful to prevent ulcer relapse and to improve gastric mucosa status.
The immediate effects of polyploidization of Spirodela polyrhiza change in a strain-specific way along environmental gradients

Abstract The immediate effects of plant polyploidization are well characterized and it is generally accepted that these morphological, physiological, developmental, and phenological changes contribute to polyploid establishment. Studies on the environmental dependence of the immediate effects of whole-genome duplication (WGD) are, however, scarce but suggest that these immediate effects are altered by stressful conditions. As polyploid establishment seems to be associated with environmental disturbance, the relationship between ploidy-induced phenotypical changes and environmental conditions is highly relevant. Here, we use a common garden experiment on the greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza to test whether the immediate effects of WGD can facilitate the establishment of tetraploid duckweed along gradients of two environmental stressors. Because successful polyploid establishment often depends on recurrent polyploidization events, we include four genetically diverse strains and assess whether these immediate effects are strain-specific. We find evidence that WGD can indeed confer a fitness advantage under stressful conditions and that the environment affects ploidy-induced changes in fitness and trait reaction norms in a strain-specific way.
Device characterization of correlated electron random access memories

The switching properties and characterization of correlated electron random Access Memories (CeRAMs) are described herein. High temperature retention, cycle dispersion and optimization, cycle Fatigue, and switching parameter optimization have been investigated. CeRAM’s display initially conductive or “born-ON” behavior without the need for the high electroforming voltages usually required for other transition metal oxide based resistive memories. Nonvolatile data retention at elevated temperatures up to 573 K (300 °C) in addition to a wide operating range from 4 to 423 K for CeRAM has been confirmed. CeRAMs also show exceptional read endurance with no evidence of fatigue out to 1012 cycles. Desirable scaling characteristics for high density memory application have also been shown for CeRAMs due to a widening of the read window and consistent write window as devices are scaled down.