Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experiments in turbulence induced super-resolution in surveillance imagery

Surveillance imaging from long-range requires use of telescopic optics, and fast electro-optic sensors. The intervening air introduces distortion of the imagery and its spatial frequency content, and does so such that regions of the image suffer dissimilar distortion, visible in the first instance as a time varying geometrical warp, and then as region specific blurring or "speckle". The severity of this, and hence the reduction in size of regions exhibiting similar distortion, is a function of the field of view of the telescope, the height above ground of the imaging path, the range to the target, and climatic conditions. Image processing algorithms must be run on the sequence of imagery to correct these distortions, on the assumption that exposure time has effectively "frozen" the turbulence. These are absent of knowledge of the actual scene under investigation. Successful algorithms do manage to correct the apparent warping, and in doing so they yield both information on the bulk turbulent medium, and allow for reconstruction of spatial frequency content of the scene that would have been lost by the capability of the optics had their been no turbulence. This is known as turbulence-induced super-resolution. To confirm the success of algorithms in both correction and reconstruction of such super-resolution we have devised a field experiment where the truth image is known and which uses other methods to evaluate the turbulence for collaboration of the results. We report here a new algorithm, which has proved successful in satellite remote sensing, for restoring this imagery to quality beyond the diffraction limits set by the optics.
Development of Biocompatible 3D-Printed Artificial Blood Vessels through Multidimensional Approaches

Within the human body, the intricate network of blood vessels plays a pivotal role in transporting nutrients and oxygen and maintaining homeostasis. Bioprinting is an innovative technology with the potential to revolutionize this field by constructing complex multicellular structures. This technique offers the advantage of depositing individual cells, growth factors, and biochemical signals, thereby facilitating the growth of functional blood vessels. Despite the challenges in fabricating vascularized constructs, bioprinting has emerged as an advance in organ engineering. The continuous evolution of bioprinting technology and biomaterial knowledge provides an avenue to overcome the hurdles associated with vascularized tissue fabrication. This article provides an overview of the biofabrication process used to create vascular and vascularized constructs. It delves into the various techniques used in vascular engineering, including extrusion-, droplet-, and laser-based bioprinting methods. Integrating these techniques offers the prospect of crafting artificial blood vessels with remarkable precision and functionality. Therefore, the potential impact of bioprinting in vascular engineering is significant. With technological advances, it holds promise in revolutionizing organ transplantation, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. By mimicking the natural complexity of blood vessels, bioprinting brings us one step closer to engineering organs with functional vasculature, ushering in a new era of medical advancement.
Back-Analysis Approach for the Design of Drainage Systems

The geotechnical design of drainage or dewatering systems requires a free surface seepage analysis to evaluate the water flux that corresponds to the sought lowering of the water table. It is observed in practice that sometimes the calculated flux is not sufficient to reach the predicted result, even when the hydraulic conductivity of the soil mass has been properly determined. This prevents the initiation of the in situ works (e.g., excavation) with a relevant economical loss. The possible causes of this problem are investigated through a series of two- and three-dimensional unconfined seepage analyses. They show that the numerical results strongly depend on the characteristics of the numerical model and that, consequently, the computed fluxes and lowering of the water table do not necessarily correspond to the field conditions. To overcome this drawback a back-analysis approach is suggested for calibrating the numerical model adopted in design. An application of this technique to an actual field problem.
Fast Calculation Method of Bi-Direction Coupling Between Electromagnetic-Thermal Field for FSPM Motor

This article aims to study the calculation method of the bi-direction coupling of electromagnetic (EM)-thermal field, focusing on the data transfer method between different types of mesh elements in different physical fields. First, a complete EM-thermal field bi-directional coupling analysis model is established, based on which the changing rule between the EM losses of different components of the motor and their temperature rise curves is studied. Although the complete bi-direction EM-thermal field coupling analysis method is closest to the actual operation of the motor, this method is computationally intensive and takes a long time to calculate. For this reason, this article also proposes an improved EM-thermal field bi-directional coupling calculation method based on the changing rule between the EM losses of different components of the motor and their temperature rise curves, significantly reducing the calculation time. The innovation of this article is to realize the data transfer between different types of mesh elements in different physical fields, find the changing rule between EM loss and temperature rise curve, and establish a fast calculation method of bi-direction coupling of EM-thermal field. Finally, an experimental platform is built, and the experimental results verify the accuracy of the proposed methods.
Atterberg Limits and Remolded Shear Strength—Water Content Relationships

The remolded undrained shear strength (sur) is of importance in many geotechnical applications. This paper uses published regression analyses for strength variation with water content (w) to draw some generalized conclusions on soil strength behavior, including values of sur mobilized for the Casagrande liquid limit (LL) and plastic limit (PL) conditions and, hence, the shear strength variation occurring over the plastic range. Reported methods of deducing strengths from measured values of water content (w) at the Atterberg limits are reviewed, many of which assume a strength variation of 100 over the plastic range. Regression analysis of reported log w: log sur correlations for 14 mineral soils and four organic sediments indicated that the strength variation is generally not 100 and can vary significantly between soils. Hence, a new approach is proposed for predicting values of remolded undrained strength mobilized for different water contents. Whereas existing formulations are based on empirical sur values associated with the Atterberg limits, the proposed approach is based on direct strength measurements along with water contents for two test specimens.
The Calibration of the IRB Supervisory Formula – A Case Study

The level of capital requirement generated by the IRB approach depends crucially on the asset correlation, a parameter that enters the regulatory risk weight formula and is determined by the Regulators. Several studies have estimated the asset correlations and found that the empirical values are materially lower than the regulatory calibration included in the Basel framework. However, the simple comparison between different estimates of this parameter does not easily translates into a clear economic interpretation. In this paper, we use detailed data from Italian banks to show how to extract from the regulatory risk measures easily interpretable figures i.e. the Worst-Case Default Rate (WCDR) and the Worst-Case Loss (WCL) and we show how the asset correlation influences these measures. We then provide a rationale for the regulatory calibration in terms of corrections to well-known limits of the underlying models like the assumption of perfect granularity. We claim that our approach can provide a better understating of the IRB risk measures fostering their transparency and reliability but also simplifying the comparison among different banks. We apply the proposed approach exploiting some data sources (publicly available and proprietary). As the data used is mainly referred to the Italian system and, in particular, to only two banks, the empirical results obtained are meant just to provide a practical example.
Velocity determination from offset vertical seismic profiling data

Two methods of computing interval velocities from offset vertical seismic profiles are developed based on a horizontally layered earth model. The first method is a simple iteration procedure by which layer velocities are sequentially computed. For any given layer, the take-off angle for the ray arriving at the geophone at the bottom of the layer is varied until the velocity computed from travel time differs from the velocity obtained from Snell's law by less than some specified value. This is similar to the “shooting method” in ray tracing. This method requires as many layers as geophone locations. The second method is more general, and the only requirements are that the number of layers be equal to or smaller than the number of geophone locations and that the rays arrive at the geophones from above. This method is based on the iterative solution of a linearized problem obtained by expanding travel times and horizontal distances in Taylor series as functions of velocities and p-parameters up to first order in dv's and dp's (perturbations in velocities and p-parameters, respectively) and assuming initial estimates vo's and po's close to the optimum solution. The resulting linear system is solved using a simplified version of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Due to the simple structure of the ensuing matrix of derivatives, for each iteration the problem reduces to the solution of an inverse problem for the velocities alone plus the solution of a vector equation for the p-parameters. This method is fast, and convergence is attained even in the case of poor initial estimates.
Data Balancing and Aggregation Strategy to Predict Yield in Hard Disk Drive Manufacturing

Hard disk drive manufacturing is complicated and involves several steps of assembling and testing. Poor yield in one step can result in fail product of the whole lot. Accurate yield prediction is thus important to product monitoring and management. This paper presents a novel idea of data preparation and modeling to predict yield in the process of hard disk drive production. Data balancing technique based on clustering and re-sampling is introduced to make the proportion of the pass and fail products comparable. Then, we propose a strategy to aggregate manufacturing data to be in a reasonable group size and efficient for the subsequent step of yield predictive model creation. Experimental results reveal that grouping data into a constant size of 10,000 records can lead to the more accurate yield prediction as compared to the intuitive idea of weekly grouping.
Allergens and Other Harmful Substances in Hydroalcoholic Gels: Compliance with Current Regulation

Hydroalcoholic gels or hand sanitisers have become essential products to prevent and mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. Depending on their use, they can be classified as cosmetics (cleaning the skin) or biocides (with antimicrobial effects). The aim of this work was to determine sixty personal care products frequently found in cosmetic formulations, including fragrance allergens, synthetic musks, preservatives and plasticisers, in hydroalcoholic gels and evaluate their compliance with the current regulation. A simple and fast analytical methodology based on solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS/MS) was validated and applied to 67 real samples. Among the 60 target compounds, 47 of them were found in the analysed hand sanitisers, highlighting the high number of fragrance allergens (up to 23) at concentrations of up to 32,458 μg g−1. Most of the samples did not comply with the labelling requirements of the EU Regulation No 1223/2009, and some of them even contained compounds banned in cosmetic products such as plasticisers. Method sustainability was also evaluated using the metric tool AGREEPrep, demonstrating its greenness.
Synthesis of TiO2-(B) Nanobelts for Acetone Sensing

Titanium dioxide nanobelts were prepared via the alkali-hydrothermal method for application in chemical gas sensing. The formation process of TiO2-(B) nanobelts and their sensing properties were investigated in detail. FE-SEM was used to study the surface of the obtained structures. The TEM and XRD analyses show that the prepared TiO2 nanobelts are in the monoclinic phase. Furthermore, TEM shows the formation of porous-like morphology due to crystal defects in the TiO2-(B) nanobelts. The gas-sensing performance of the structure toward various concentrations of hydrogen, ethanol, acetone, nitrogen dioxide, and methane gases was studied at a temperature range between 100 and 500 °C. The fabricated sensor shows a high response toward acetone at a relatively low working temperature (150 °C), which is important for the development of low-power-consumption functional devices. Moreover, the obtained results indicate that monoclinic TiO2-B is a promising material for applications in chemo-resistive gas detectors.
Enfermedades raras y trayectorias terapéuticas de pacientes: ¿qué sabemos hoy?

Antecedentes y objetivos: Las enfermedades raras (ER) son un grupo de trastornos muy heterogéneos, definidos según su incidencia. Dada sus características singulares, las experiencias del paciente y la familia con ER son únicas. La investigación sobre trayectorias terapéuticas de pacientes (TTP) es importante para mejorar la atención médica, pero los estudios sobre TTP y ER son limitados. Nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar una síntesis narrativa de la evidencia científica para conocer la información disponible en la literatura sobre trayectorias terapéuticas de pacientes con enfermedades raras y contribuir como insumo a la creación de propuestas en el contexto del plan nacional y leyes específicas. Método(s) y resultados: Realizamos una revisión narrativa de literatura científica. La búsqueda se realizó en PubMed (2021), incluyendo estudios con TTP con ER, familiares o cuidadores, sin filtros. Identificamos seis temas principales en las TTP: diagnóstico, tratamiento, costo, calidad de vida, informante clave y aportes tecnológicos. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren que comprender las TTP podría ayudar a reconocer el tiempo efectivo para diagnósticos, tratamientos y capacidad de respuesta de los sistemas de salud. La perspectiva de pacientes y familias con ER debe incluirse como parte de la agenda de investigación y política.
Contemporary problems in studying population of Vojvodina Province

This paper identifies nine contemporary problems that hamper the population research in Vojvodina Province (northern part of Republic of Serbia) at the beginning of the twenty-first century. These problems are: postponement of census to 2002, changes of the definition of permanent population, different definitions in available data of current statistics, changes of the definition of the urban settlement term, changes in the total number of settlements, decreased number of available data of current statistics, absence of the bulletin of current statistics, absence of population register and absence of regional institution for population studies. That implies that collected data in the censuses are often not comparable due to slight changes in methodology, changes in state borders.
Sub-pixel accuracy thickness calculation of poultry fillets from scattered laser profiles

A laser range imaging system based on the triangulation method was designed and implemented for online high-resolution thickness calculation of poultry fillets. A laser pattern was projected onto the surface of the chicken fillet for calculation of the thickness of the meat. Because chicken fillets are relatively loosely-structured material, a laser light easily penetrates the meat, and scattering occurs both at and under the surface. When laser light is scattered under the surface it is reflected back and further blurs the laser line sharpness. To accurately calculate the thickness of the object, the light transportation has to be considered. In the system, the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BSSRDF) was used to model the light transportation and the light pattern reflected into the cameras. BSSRDF gives the reflectance of a target as a function of illumination geometry and viewing geometry. Based on this function, an empirical method has been developed and it has been proven that this method can be used to accurately calculate the thickness of the object from a scattered laser profile. The laser range system is designed as a sub-system that complements the X-ray bone inspection system for non-invasive detection of hazardous materials in boneless poultry meat with irregular thickness.
Weathering, erosion and landscape processes on Mars identified from recent rover imagery, and possible Earth analogues

The search for evidence of water on Mars has been a principal objective during NASA's current 2003 – 2004 series of Mars Exploration Rover (MER) missions. The missions were designed to explore the Martian surface for signs, past or present, of liquid water. However, some attention has also been given to other erosional and landscape processes that may be inferred from the abundance of images now available. On Earth, the main physical weathering processes are frost weathering, salt weathering, and wetting and drying. These processes commonly result in exfoliation, spalling, and granular disintegration. Some of the forms present on the Martian surface also suggest that chemical weathering has taken place. There are also diverse aeolian processes that, in addition to dune forms, result in small abrasion forms on exposed rocks. NASA's recent MER missions imaged numerous micro- and meso-scale features on the surface of the planet, many resembling the results of these terrestrial processes. Using imagery collected by NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers, we describe and categorise features using a basic geomorphic classification and compare a number of these features with possible Earth analogues. Our comparisons show that many of the features on the surface of Mars could be formed by processes common on Earth. We conclude that in most cases it is not necessary to seek complex or exotic processes to explain Martian geomorphology.
Effect of pioglitazone on oxidative stress of skeletal muscle in the insulin resistance rat model induced by high sucrose diet

Background: Metabolic syndrome is associated with some medical disorders such as central obesity, being overweight, insulin resistance and hypertension. This study was designed to determine the effect of pioglitazone on oxidative stress in the insulin resistance rat model.Methods: In this study, the model was induced by high sucrose (935 mm) diet for 20 weeks. Three groups were used in the experiment. Control group received standard laboratory diet and drinking water. Metabolic syndrome induced group received 32% sucrose containing drinking water for 20 weeks. Pioglitazone-treated metabolic syndrome group has received pioglitazone treatment (30 mg/kg/day, via oral gavage) for two weeks at the end of the 18th week of metabolic syndrome group. After experimental period, skeletal muscle tissues were homogenized to measure important enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and as the marker of oxidative stress; total-antioxidant-status, total-oxidant-status and malondialdehyde. Western blot technique was used to determine protein level of thioredoxin1.Results: Aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels increased in metabolic syndrome group but pioglitazone treatment decreased these levels. In metabolic syndrome group the oxidative stress status increased but the treatment of pioglitazone decreased the level of oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle. In addition, thioredoxin1 decreased in metabolic syndrome group but administration of pioglitazone increased this level.Conclusions: There was an elevated effect of oxidative stress in high sucrose fed rats but the treatment of pioglitazone improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Effectiveness of Toothbrushing Technique for Biofilm Removal and Postoperative Infection Control after Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Retrospective Study

This retrospective study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of using a toothbrush, which is commonly used in our daily life, for biofilm removal and infection control in the treatment of spinal infections occurring after spinal fusion surgery. Currently, a biofilm is thought to form on the surface of the metal inserted during spine fusion surgery. We aim to determine the differences in clinical outcomes between using and not using a toothbrush to remove biofilm while performing conventional drainage, curettage, and debridement. A total of 1081 patients who underwent anterior or posterior spinal fusion surgery between November 2018 and October 2022 were screened. The study included 60 patients who developed surgical site infection and underwent incision and drainage surgery either with a toothbrush (n = 20) or without a toothbrush (n = 40). Failure of infection control that requires revision surgery occurred in 2 patients (10%) in the Toothbrush group and in 14 patients (35%) in the No-Toothbrush group (p = 0.039). Thus, the rate of additional surgery was significantly lower in the Toothbrush group. Additionally, normalization of c-reactive protein levels occurred significantly faster in the Toothbrush group (p = 0.044). Therefore, using a toothbrush to treat spinal infections following spinal fusion surgery appears to have beneficial mechanical debridement effects, resulting in improved clinical results, which were also confirmed based on the electron microscopic images.
ESCHERICHIA COLI SURVIVAL IN MANTLED KARST SPRINGS AND STREAMS, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS OZARKS, USA 1

Recent studies indicate fecal coliform bacterial concentrations, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), characteristically vary by several orders of magnitude, depending on the hydrology of storm recharge and discharge. E. coli concentrations in spring water increase rapidly during the rising limb of a storm hydrograph, peak prior to or coincident with the peak of the storm pulse, and decline rapidly, well before the recession of the storm hydrograph. This suggests E. coli are associated with resuspension of sediment during the onset of turbulent flow, and indicates viable bacteria reside within the spring and stream sediments. E. coli inoculated chambers were placed in spring and stream environments within the mantled karst of northwest Arkansas to assess long term (> 75 days) E. coli viability. During the 75‐day study, a 4‐log die‐off of E. coli was observed for chambers placed in the Illinois River, and a 5‐log die‐off for chambers placed in Copperhead Spring. Extrapolation of the regression line for each environment indicates E. coli concentration would reach 1 most probable number (MPN)/100 g sediment at Copperhead Spring in about 105 days, and about 135 days in the Illinois River, based on a starting inoculation of 2.5 × 107 MPN E. coli/100 g of sediment. These in situ observations indicate it is possible for E. coli to survive in these environments for at least four months with no fresh external inputs.