Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Image Descriptors for Displays

Abstract : This report summarizes our experimental and theoretical results on the perception of displayed information. This research is concerned with four issues: (1) the effect of color on pattern recognition. (2) the measurement of statistical estimates for luminance and chrominance information in pictorial scenes, (3) the relationship between perceived changes in image sharpness resulting from changes in display modulation transfer, and (4) the development of a unified display descriptor to model the perception of both luminance and chrominance information. In this report we present the results of a series of experiments that established the relationship between our sharpness descriptor, the visual capacity, and the subjective sharpness of displayed images. The just-noticeable difference (jnd) in image sharpness was measured as a function of display bandwidth. At high spatial frequencies these measurements were found to be in excellent agreement with the assertion that display sharpness is mediated by the perceived rms gradient content of an image: a quantity proportional to the square root of the visual capacity. The addition of chrominance information to a black-and-white image was not found to appreciably affect the perception of image sharpness. Finally, the measured results on the subjective sharpness for both pictorial images and single-transition luminance edges proved to be indistinguishable. We feel that this result supports the contention that edge transitions are important in determining image sharpness in pictorial scenes.
Drug Molecular Immobilization and Photofunctionalization of Calcium Phosphates for Exploring Theranostic Functions

Theranostics (bifunction of therapeutics and diagnostics) has attracted increasing attention due to its efficiency that can reduce the physical and financial burden on patients. One of the promising materials for theranostics is calcium phosphate (CP) and it is biocompatible and can be functionalized not only with drug molecules but also with rare earth ions to show photoluminescence that is necessary for the diagnostic purpose. Such the CP-based hybrids are formed in vivo by interacting between functional groups of organic molecules and inorganic ions. It is of great importance to elucidate the interaction of CP with the photofunctional species and the drug molecules to clarify the relationship between the existing state and function. Well-designed photofunctional CPs will contribute to biomedical fields as highly-functional ormultifunctional theranostic materials at the nanoscales. In this review, we describe the hybridization between CPs and heterogeneous species, mainly focusing on europium(III) ion and methylene blue molecule as the representative photofunctional species for theranostics applications.
A Class of Convolution‐Based Models for Spatio‐Temporal Processes with Non‐Separable Covariance Structure

Abstract. In this article, we propose a new parametric family of models for real‐valued spatio‐temporal stochastic processes S(x, t) and show how low‐rank approximations can be used to overcome the computational problems that arise in fitting the proposed class of models to large datasets. Separable covariance models, in which the spatio‐temporal covariance function of S(x, t) factorizes into a product of purely spatial and purely temporal functions, are often used as a convenient working assumption but are too inflexible to cover the range of covariance structures encountered in applications. We define positive and negative non‐separability and show that in our proposed family we can capture positive, zero and negative non‐separability by varying the value of a single parameter.
Vulnerability of Denman Glacier to Ocean Heat Flux Revealed by Profiling Float Observations

Denman Glacier, which drains a marine‐based sector of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet with an ice volume equivalent to 1.5 m of global sea level rise, has accelerated and undergone grounding line retreat in recent decades. A deep trough and retrograde bed slope inward of the grounding line leave this glacier prone to marine ice sheet instability. The ocean heat flux to the ice shelf cavity is a critical factor determining the susceptibility of the glacier to unstable retreat. Profiling float observations show modified Circumpolar Deep Water as warm as −0.16°C reaches a deep trough extending beneath the Denman Ice Tongue. The ocean heat transport (0.77 ± 0.35 TW) is sufficient to drive high rates of basal melt (70.8 ± 31.5 Gt y−1), consistent with rates inferred from glaciological observations. These results suggest the Denman Glacier is potentially at risk of unstable retreat triggered by transport of warm water to the ice shelf cavity.
Thresholds in probabilistic and extremal combinatorics.

This thesis lies in the field of probabilistic and extremal combinatorics: we study discrete structures, with a focus on thresholds, when the behaviour of a structure changes from one mode into another. From a probabilistic perspective, we consider models for a random structure depending on some parameter. The questions we study are then: When (i.e. for what values of the parameter) does the probability of a given property go from being almost 0 to being almost 1? How do the models behave as this transition occurs? From an extremal perspective, we study classes of structures depending on some parameter. We are then interested in the following questions: When (for what value of the parameter) does a particular property become unavoidable? What do the extremal structures look like? The topics covered in this this thesis are random geometric graphs, dependent percolation, extremal hypergraph theory and combinatorics in the hypercube. The work on this doctoral thesis was funded by an EPSRC PhD studentship at Queen Mary University of London. I am grateful to Queen Mary and EPSRC for their financial support, without which I could not have produced this thesis. I am deeply indebted to Mark Walters for his mathematical guidance. I have learned a great deal as his student, and invariably benefited from his advice. I would like to thank in addition my examiners, Oliver Riordan and John Talbot, for their close and patient reading of this thesis, and for their helpful comments and suggestions. I also am very grateful to Imre Leader and Béla Bollobás, whose inspiring teaching first set me on the path of combinatorics as an undergraduate, and to Emil Vaughan, with whom I enjoyed an extremely pleasant and productive collaboration. On a more practical level, I am grateful for the hospitality of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge, which I enjoyed while composing and typesetting various parts of this thesis. Finally, I would like to thank my family: my parents, without whose patient labours I would surely not be where I am today, and my wife and son, who sustained me emotionally throughout the sometimes difficult years of work that led to this thesis.
Energy Harvesting Performance of a Novel Nonlinear Quad-Stable Piezoelectric Energy Harvester with Only One External Magnet

Nonlinear multi-stable piezoelectric energy harvesters show broadband frequency spectra and excellent energy harvesting performance, owing to their high output power related to inter-well transitions. However, existing quad-stable piezoelectric energy harvesters contain too many structural parameters, which makes the systems clumsy, and increases the difficulties of dynamic analysis and structural optimization. Herein, a nonlinear quad-stable piezoelectric energy harvester, with only one external magnet, is proposed based on the magnetic force characteristics between a ring magnet and a rectangular magnet. Under selected structural parameters, as the magnet spacing increases, the stability characteristic of the harvester changes from quad-stability to bi-stability, and then to mono-stability. The transformation of the stability characteristic results from the changes in the variation rate of the vertical magnetic force. Subsequently, under the filtered Gaussian white noise within the frequency range of 0–120 Hz, the energy harvesting performance of the harvester is simulated by the classic fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. Simulation results show that the performance of the harvester under the quad-stable structural parameters is better than that under the bi-stable structural parameters, independent of whether the excitation acceleration is small or large. This result is related to the potential well characteristics under the quad-stable and bi-stable structural parameters. More specifically, the potential well depths under the quad-stable and bi-stable structural parameters are almost the same, but the distance between the two outer potential wells under the quad-stable structural parameters is larger than that under the bi-stable structural parameters. Finally, a fabricated prototype is used to measure the experimental performance of the harvester. The experimental data and the estimated data share the same trend. This study provides a new conception and technical method for the design, optimization, and application of quad-stable piezoelectric energy harvesters.
Heterotic string models on smooth Calabi-Yau threefolds

This thesis contributes with a number of topics to the subject of string compactifications. In the first half of the work, I discuss the Hodge plot of Calabi-Yau threefolds realised as hypersurfaces in toric varieties. The intricate structure of this plot is explained by the existence of certain webs of elliptic-K3 fibrations. Such manifolds arise from reflexive polytopes that can be cut into two parts along K3 slices. Any two half-polytopes over a given slice can be combined into a reflexive polytope. This fact, together with a remarkable relation on the additivity of Hodge numbers, give to the Hodge plot the appearance of a fractal. Moving on, I discuss a different type of web by looking at smooth $\mathbb{Z}_3$-quotients of complete intersection Calabi-Yau threefolds in products of projective spaces. In the second half of the work, I explore an algorithmic approach to constructing heterotic compactifications with holomorphic and polystable sums of line bundles over complete intersection Calabi-Yau threefolds that admit freely acting discrete symmetries. Such abelian bundles lead to $N=1$ GUT theories with gauge group $SU(5)\times U(4)$. The extra $U(1)$ symmetries are generically Green-Schwarz anomalous and survive in the low energy theory as global symmetries that constrain the allowed operators. The line bundle construction allows for a systematic computer search resulting in a plethora of models with one or more pairs of Higgs doublets and no exotic fields charged under the Standard Model group. In the last part of the thesis I focus on the case study of the tetraquadric threefold and address the question of the finiteness of the class of consistent and physically viable line bundle models on this manifold. Line bundle sums provide an accessible window into the moduli space of non-abelian bundles. I explore this moduli space around the abelian locus using monad bundles.
Creencias de estudiantes universitarios sobre responsabilidad: implicaciones para la intervención social

Se investiga cómo las creencias de futuros profesionales del ámbito sociosanitario acerca de los prototipos de persona responsable y persona irresponsable pueden impactar en sus actitudes y conductas respecto a la inclusión social de sujetos vulnerables. Para la investigación, 520 estudiantes universitarios citaron espontáneamente cuatro adjetivos descriptores de los prototipos y luego los ordenaron según su adecuación a cada prototipo. Como resultado se obtuvo que la persona responsable se describe en relación con los términos constante, aplicado, cuidadoso, centrado y trabajador. La persona irresponsable se describe destacando los términos vago, imprudente e inconstante. Los prototipos tienden a describirse según diadas de términos antagónicos: constante-inconstante, cuidadoso-descuidado, organizado-desorganizado, maduro-inmaduro, puntual-impuntual, prudente-imprudente y consciente-inconsciente. Se concluye que la perseverancia, la libertad individual y el desempeño aparecen como tres criterios de inclusión-exclusión relacionados con las creencias sobre la responsabilidad y la irresponsabilidad. Se sugiere que estas creencias son congruentes con actitudes profesionales que busquen más la integración sociolaboral que la inclusión social y el desarrollo personal desde la diversidad.
Trustworthiness of Process Monitoring in IIoT Based on Self-Weighted Dictionary Learning

Process monitoring, a typical application of industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), is crucial to ensure the reliable operation of the industrial system. In practice, due to the harsh environment and unreliable sensors and actuators, it is often difficult for IIoT to collect enough tagged and highly reliable data, which further degrades the process monitoring performance and makes the monitoring results not trustworthy. In order to reduce the negative impact of these unreliable factors, a self-weighted dictionary learning process monitoring method is proposed. In particular, a label propagation classifier is implemented from the labeled data to unlabeled data to obtain a credible label prediction. Subsequently, considering the interference of low-quality data and label information, we reweight the classification loss and label-consistency constraints to enhance the trustworthiness of feature extraction. Finally, a novel iterative optimization algorithm that combines the block coordinate descent method with the alternating direction multiplier method is developed to ensure the convergence speed of the learned classifier and dictionary. Extensive experiments indicate that the proposed method can guarantee the trustworthiness of the process monitoring results.
Accuracy Assessment of the 2D-FFT Method Based on Peak Detection of the Spectrum Magnitude at the Particular Frequencies Using the Lamb Wave Signals

The 2D-FFT is described as a traditional method for signal processing and analysis. Due to the possibility to determine the time and frequency (t,f) domains, such a method has a wide application in various industrial fields. Using that method, the obtained results are presented in images only; thus, for the extraction of quantitative values of phase velocities, additional algorithms should be used. In this work, the 2D-FFT method is presented, which is based on peak detection of the spectrum magnitude at particular frequencies for obtaining the quantitative expressions. The radiofrequency signals of ULWs (ultrasonic Lamb waves) were used for the accuracy evaluation of the method. An uncertainty evaluation was conducted to guarantee the metrological traceability of measurement results and ensure that they are accurate and reliable. Mathematical and experimental verifications were conducted by using signals of Lamb waves propagating in the aluminum plate. The obtained mean relative error of 0.12% for the A0 mode (160 kHz) and 0.05% for the S0 mode (700 kHz) during the mathematical verification indicated that the proposed method is particularly suitable for evaluating the phase-velocity dispersion in clearly expressed dispersion zones. The uncertainty analysis showed that the plate thickness, the mathematical modeling, and the step of the scanner have a significant impact on the estimated uncertainty of the phase velocity for the A0 mode. Those components of uncertainty prevail and make about ~92% of the total standard uncertainty in a clearly expressed dispersion range. The S0 mode analysis in the non-dispersion zone indicates that the repeatability of velocity variations, fluctuations of the frequency of Lamb waves, and the scanning step of the scanner influence significantly the combined uncertainty and represent 98% of the total uncertainty.
Are Rural Primary Care Providers Able to Competently Manage Common Illnesses? A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Sichuan, Western China

Background: Strengthening primary care is a key focus of the latest healthcare reforms in China. However, many challenges, including the workforce competence, still exist. This study aimed to evaluate the common disease management competency of rural primary care providers in Sichuan Province, western China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 9 township health centers and 86 village clinics in 3 counties. Diarrhea and respiratory infection were selected as the evaluation cases. General partitioners were assessed through their abilities to (1) take history; (2) make diagnoses; (3) propose treatment; and (4) deal with clinical cases. Results: In total, 362 healthcare workers were surveyed, and 130 general practitioners were enrolled into our study. On average, rural primary care providers could only answer 46.4% of questions absolutely correctly, with 29.7% partly correctly and 23.8% incorrectly. Conclusion: We suggest strengthening training to improve rural primary care providers’ competencies, especially their capacities of history taking. Policy action is also needed to address regional disparities.
Interplay among cell migration, shaping, and traction force on a matrix with cell-scale stiffness heterogeneity

In living tissues where cells migrate, the spatial distribution of mechanical properties, especially matrix stiffness, is generally heterogeneous, with cell scales ranging from 10 to 1000 μm. Since cell migration in the body plays a critical role in morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis, it is essential to understand the migratory dynamics on the matrix with cell-scale stiffness heterogeneity. In general, cell migration is driven by the extension and contraction of the cell body owing to the force from actin polymerization and myosin motors in the actomyosin cytoskeleton. When a cell is placed on a matrix with a simple stiffness gradient, directional migration called durotaxis emerges because of the asymmetric extension and contraction of the pseudopodia, which is accompanied by the asymmetric distribution of focal adhesions. Similarly, to determine cell migration on a matrix with cell-scale stiffness heterogeneity, the interaction between cell-scale stiffness heterogeneity and cellular responses, such as the dynamics of the cell-matrix adhesion site, intracellular prestress, and cell shape, should play a key role. In this review, we summarize systematic studies on the dynamics of cell migration, shaping, and traction force on a matrix with cell-scale stiffness heterogeneity using micro-elastically patterned hydrogels. We also outline the cell migration model based on cell-shaping dynamics that explains the general durotaxis induced by cell-scale stiffness heterogeneity. This review article is an extended version of the Japanese article, Dynamics of Cell Shaping and Migration on the Matrix with Cell-scale Stiffness-heterogeneity, published in SEIBUTSU BUTSURI Vol. 61, p. 152–156 (2021).
PHYSICS OF SOLID-STATE LASER MATERIALS*

A survey of the physical properties of solid state materials activated with d2 , d3 and d8 transition metal ions is presented in the context of tunable laser operation. An emphasis is put on common characteristics of all three systems, like a strong electron-phonon coupling and similar electronic structures. The conditions necessary to obtain a tunable operation and to avoid an overlap of the excited state absorption and emission are formulated. It is shown that the d3 configuration system has the largest range of allowed values of the crystal field parameter 10Dq. PACS numbers: 42.55Rz, 78.50. -w 78.55. —ni
How Does Orthodontic Mini-Implant Thread Minidesign Influence the Stability?—Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Background: Clinical guidelines are lacking for the use of orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) in terms of scientific evidence referring to the choice of proper mini-design. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate to what extent orthodontic mini-implant thread design influences its stability. Methods: Search was conducted in five search engines on 10 May. Quality assessment was performed using study type specific scales. Whenever possible, meta-analysis was performed. Results: The search strategy identified 118 potential articles. Twenty papers were subjected to qualitative analysis and data from 8 papers—to meta-analysis. Studies included were characterized by high or medium quality. Four studies were considered as low quality. No clinical studies considering the number of threads, threads depth, or TSF have been found in the literature. Conclusions: Minidesign of OMIs seems to influence their stability in the bone. Thread pitch seems to be of special importance for OMIs retention—the more dense thread—the better stability. Thread depth seems to be of low importance for OMIs stability. There is no clear scientific evidence for optimal thread shape factor. Studies present in the literature vary greatly in study design and results reporting. Research received no external funding. Study protocol number in PROSPERO database: CRD42022340970.
Regularity of K\"ahler-Ricci flow

In this short note we announce a regularity theorem for K\"ahler-Ricci flow on a compact Fano manifold (K\"ahler manifold with positive first Chern class) and its application to the limiting behavior of K\"ahler-Ricci flow on Fano 3-manifolds. Moreover, we also present a partial $C^0$ estimate to the K\"ahler-Ricci flow under the regularity assumption, which extends previous works on K\"ahler-Einstein metrics and shrinking K\"ahler-Ricci solitons (cf. \cite{Ti90}, \cite{DoSu12}, \cite{Ti12}, \cite{PSS12}). The detailed proof will appear in \cite{TiZh13}.
Optimization of inter-fusion rule threshold for energy-efficient cluster-based cooperative spectrum sensing over Nakagami and Rician fading channels

ABSTRACT In cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS), in order to maximise the energy efficiency (EE) of cognitive radio (CR) users, users are divided into clusters. In this paper, the optimal inter-fusion rule threshold formula for different number of clusters and users is proposed for maximum EE in cluster-based CSS (CB-CSS). Different fusion rules are investigated for this purpose over Nakagami and Rician fading channel conditions. Simulations are conducted for different number of clusters and users using AND and OR intra-fusion rules and inter-fusion rule threshold is optimised in CB-CSS over the Nakagami-m fading channel and the Rician fading channel. The obtained mathematical expression for the inter-fusion rule threshold is verified by the results. It is investigated that when number of clusters are and number of users in a cluster are , OR-AND ( , ) fusion rule achieves 2.46% more EE than AND-OR ( , ) fusion rule in case of Nakagami fading channel and 5.06% more EE than AND-OR fusion rule in case of Rician fading channel. Further, EE with respect to number of users is compared between additive white gaussian noise (AWGN) channel and Nakagami and Rician fading channels.
Anti-Bacterial Activity of Honey Based on Floral Origin

Modern research has documented the potent antimicrobial properties of honey, giving rise to the use of honey-based medical products for the topical treatment of wounds and burns. This study examined the influence of the floral origin related to the antibacterial efficacy of heat-treated honey. For each honey type of a specific floral origin, at least three geographically distinct samples were tested to determine the minimum bactericidal concentration against seven pathogenic bacterial strains. Results supported a significant degree of consistency supporting the role of the honey floral origin in affecting the antibacterial potency. Buckwheat honey performed the best, followed by avocado honey, and then manuka and blueberry honeys. These results support the role of the floral origin in determining the antimicrobial efficacy of honey and the potential therapeutic use of honey from buckwheat, avocado, and blueberry floral origins.