Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solar-Scintillation Measurements*

The twinkling of stars produced by atmospheric turbulence is familiar to even the casual observer. The fact that the sun also twinkles, however, is not so widely known. This paper describes a series of experiments aimed at determining the statistical characteristics of solar scintillation. Measurements were made of the fractional scintillation, the spatial correlation of the irradiance fluctuations, the amplitude distribution of the irradiance, and the frequency spectrum of the fluctuations. The fractional scintillation of the sun was found to be of the order of 5×10−4. The spatial-correlation function of the solar irradiance fluctuations was found to be a very rapidly decreasing function of the separation between detectors. The correlation decreased to 50% for a spatial separation of only 7 mm. The probability distribution of the irradiance is very accurately described by a gaussian distribution, and the major portion of the frequency spectrum of the fluctuations lies below about 100 Hz.
Study on the Effectiveness of Two Biopolymer Coagulants on Turbidity and Chemical Oxygen Demand Removal in Urban Wastewater

The present study investigated the effectiveness of two biopolymer coagulants on turbidity and chemical oxygen demand removal in urban wastewater. The biopolymers were produced from vegetal biomass using the mucilage extracted from Opuntia robusta cladodes, and Uncaria tomentosa leaves. Opuntia robusta is an abundant species in Mexico, which is not edible. Uncaria tomentosa is an exotic invasive species in Mexico and other countries, which negatively affects the ecosystems where it is introduced. A combined experimental design of mixture–process was selected to evaluate the effectiveness of both biopolymer coagulants regarding aluminum sulfate (conventional chemical coagulant). Results showed turbidity and chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies of 42.3% and 69.6% for Opuntia robusta and 17.2% and 39.4% for Uncaria tomentosa biopolymer coagulant, respectively, at a dose of 200 mg/L. Furthermore, optimum conditions from the experimental design to reach the maximum turbidity and chemical oxygen demand removal were obtained at an Opuntia robusta biopolymer coagulant concentration of 10 mg/L, showing removal efficiencies of 68.7 ± 1.7% and 86.1 ± 1.4%, respectively. These results support using Opuntia robusta as an alternative biopolymer coagulant in urban wastewater treatment.
An update on the coronary calcium score: a review for clinicians

The clinical manifestation of coronary artery atherosclerosis is coronary artery disease (CAD) with symptoms ranging from exertional chest pain due to reduction of coronary flow reserve to acute coronary syndrome due to rupture of usually a nonobstructive plaque with abrupt coronary blood flow reduction. CAD is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, identifying asymptomatic people at risk of CAD is pivotal to guide decision-making for primary prevention. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a hallmark of coronary artery atherosclerosis. It can be detected using cardiac computed tomography and quantified by the Agatston method. CAC examination is a cheap, fast and low radiation dose test, without injecting a contrast agent. It provides prognostic information over other traditional cardiovascular risk markers and established scoring systems, especially for low-risk subgroups such as women and younger adults, and indicates the appropriate moment to implement primary prevention, including acetylsalicylic acid and statins. In this review, we discuss the methods of CAC evaluation, the meaning of a zero CAC score (CACS), its conversion to CACS > 0 and the impact of this fact on cardiovascular risk, the effect of statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor on CAC progression, interpretation of CACS results, and CACS prognostic value in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.
A Fundamental Harmonic Analysis-Based Optimized Scheme for DAB Converters With Lower RMS Current and Wider ZVS Range

To improve the efficiency of the dual active bridge (DAB) converter working in the low- and medium-power ranges, this article proposes a new triple-phase shift (TPS) modulation scheme based on frequency-domain fundamental harmonic analysis (FDFHA) with lower root mean square (rms) current and wider zero-voltage switching (ZVS) range. The DAB converter’s Fourier decomposition expression under TPS is generated, and the FDFHA expression is created using fundamental harmonic analysis (FHA). With the rms current as the optimization target, the operating point with the smallest rms current is found by solving for it using the extended global optimum condition (EGOC) that applies to the FDFHA expression. Based on this, a control strategy with a simple controller structure is established, which has excellent dynamic performance. In addition, when comparing the proposed scheme to other optimized schemes, the results show that the proposed scheme can drastically lower the rms current in the low- and medium-power ranges and achieve a wider ZVS range, notably in the low-power range to enable all switches to achieve ZVS. Finally, an experimental prototype with a peak efficiency of 95.95% was built to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Portable Automated Mesonet II

Abstract The Portable Automated Mesonet II (PAM II) system was developed by NCAR to provide surface mesoscale data for the research needs of the atmospheric science community. The PAM system has 60 remote stations with planned growth to 300. In such a distributed system, data communication is a vital subsystem and, since it dictates some key system constraints, deserves special attention. The NOAA/NESDIS satellite, GOES, is used to link the remote stations to the base stations. This provides very wide areas coverage but limits the data rate. Special attention was given to the design of the sensor subsystems to minimize the possibility for human error and to maintain the calibration in field conditions while using interchangeable modules. This was achieved by using a dedicated microprocessor in the psychrometer and the barometer. The microprocessor in the sensor modules controls the sensors, applies the individual calibration coefficients, and transmits the sensor data to the master data acquisition module.
Factors Influencing Physician Prognosis: A Scoping Review

Introduction. Prognosis is an essential component of informed consent for medical decision making. Research shows that physicians display discrepancies in their prognostication, leading to variable, inaccurate, optimistic, or pessimistic prognosis. Factors driving these discrepancies and the supporting evidence have not been reviewed systematically. Methods. We undertook a scoping review to explore the literature on the factors leading to discrepancies in medical prognosis. We searched Medline (Ovid) and Embase (Ovid) databases for peer-reviewed articles from 1970 to 2017. We included articles that discussed prognosis variation or discrepancy and where factors influencing prognosis were evaluated. We extracted data outlining the participants, methodology, and prognosis discrepancy information and measured factors influencing prognosis. Results. Of 4,723 articles, 73 were included in the final analysis. There was significant variability in research methodologies. Most articles showed that physicians were pessimistic regarding patient outcomes, particularly in early trainees and acute care specialties. Accuracy rates were similar across all time periods. Factors influencing prognosis were clustered in 4 categories: patient-related factors (such as age, gender, race, diagnosis), physician-related factors (such as age, race, gender, specialty, training and experience, attitudes and values), clinical situation-related factors (such as physician-patient relationship, patient location, and clinical context), and environmental-related factors (such as country or hospital size). Discussion. Obtaining accurate prognostic information is one of the highest priorities for seriously ill patients. The literature shows trends toward pessimism, especially in early trainees and acute care specialties. While some factors may prove difficult to change, the physician’s personality and psychology influence prognosis accuracy and could be tackled using debiasing strategies. Exposure to long-term patient outcomes and a multidisciplinary practice setting are environmental debiasing strategies that may warrant further research. Highlights Literature on discrepancies in physician’s prognostication is heterogeneous and sparse. Literature shows that physicians are mostly pessimistic regarding patient outcomes. Literature shows that a physician’s personality and psychology influence prognostic accuracy and could be improved with evidence-based debiasing strategies. Medical specialty strongly influences prognosis, with specialties exposed to acutely ill patients being more pessimistic, whereas specialties following patients longitudinally being more optimistic. Physicians early in their training were more pessimist than more experienced physicians. Graphical Abstract This is a visual representation of the abstract.
Multifocal electroretinography: structural pattern analysis and early glaucoma detection

Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is probably one of the most prevalent chronic ophthalmologic diseases, affecting more than 5% of the population over 60 years of age. Early-stage glaucoma may be detected by studying local responses from many different areas of the retina, obtained by means of multifocal electroretinography (multifocal ERG), a new functional diagnostic technique. The described multifocal ERG waveform analysis, involved extracting waveform identity patterns and a neural network classifier, and allows detection of early glaucoma visual field defects.
Production and Characterization of Wild Sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) Biochar for Atrazine Adsorption in Aqueous Media

Wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) is an invasive plant species in the Central American region. Due to its low nutrient and water requirements, it can grow fast and displace native species. Therefore, its biomass is considered a waste to prevent the further distribution of the specie. This study investigates the production and characterization of wild sugarcane biochar to provide a use for its waste. The produced biochar was used for atrazine adsorption in aqueous solutions to provide a possible application of this biochar near the water bodies that were often detected to be contaminated with atrazine. The biochar was produced via top-lit updraft gasification with airflow rates between 8 to 20 L/min, achieving yields ranging from 22.9 to 27.5%. Batch experiments revealed that biochar made at 12 L/min presented the best removal efficiency (37.71–100%) and the maximum adsorption capacity (qm = 0.42 mg/g). Langmuir (R2 = 0.94–0.96) and Freundlich (R2 = 0.89–0.97) described the experimental data appropriately. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that atrazine removal in wild sugarcane biochar could be mainly due to carboxylic functional groups. In addition, the biochar organic carbon composition contributed to a higher removal capacity in biochar produced at different airflow rates.
Materials investigation for thermally-assisted magnetic random access memory robust against 400 °C temperatures

Magnetic materials are investigated in order to enable a new type of Thermally Assisted Magnetic Random Access Memory (TAS-MRAM). A TAS-MRAM materials stack that is robust against the 400 °C process temperatures required for embedded integration with complementary metal oxide silicon processes is demonstrated. In unpatterned sheet film stacks, a stable resistance-area product, tunneling magnetoresistance (MR) > 100%, and temperature-dependent exchange bias of 1500 Oe after 400 °C anneal are shown for this stack. It is further shown that by doping the sense and storage layers with Ta using thin laminations of Ta/CoFeB, the moment of each layer can be reduced by more than 40% without a major reduction in MR. In patterned nanopillar devices, it is shown that by reducing the moment of the sense and storage layers with laminations of Ta, and by adding a second MgO barrier, the resistance versus applied field loop quality is maintained, while the read field is reduced by more than 40% and devices survive 108 wr.
Conceptual paper: Malaysian youth’s perception and consumption behaviour of
roasted chicken products towards a better quality of life

Malaysian youth have a limited understanding of how to choose nutritious foods. Chicken products, both fried and roasted, are popular among Malaysians but fried chicken is consumed at a higher rate compared to roasted chicken. When purchasing ready-to-eat chicken products, youth must be prudent to choose healthier cooking method such as roasting method over chicken prepared with deep-fried cooking method. Many articles have been written regarding the health benefits of eating chicken cooked with moist heat method. However, in Malaysia, the health benefits of roasted chicken have not been thoroughly investigated. As a result, the purpose of this study was to look at consumer perception, which includes both internal and external aspects, as it relates to youth's use of roasted chicken goods to improve their quality of life. Aside from that, it was highlighted in the literature that there is currently insufficient empirical evidence in describing how young's perception and consumption of roasted chicken products will help youth enhance their quality of life. This study's participants will be young people who buy roasted chicken products often, at least 5 times per week. Prior to the interview, screening questions will be used to determine the youth's purchase preferences for roasted chicken goods. This study's data will be analysed utilizing a mixed-methods approach that includes both interviews and surveys. According to prior research, respondents' internal factors, such as personal and psychological factors, as well as exterior factors, such as cultural and societal factors, will influence their purchase decisions. In addition, roasted chicken products would improve youth’ quality of life because they are cooked at a lower temperature, use less oil, contain fewer saturated fatty acids, and have a higher protein content than fried chicken products. These findings are expected to encourage people to choose healthier diets over fried dishes. Perhaps Malaysians' health will improve, and their quality of life will increase as a result.
Morphological effects on the field emission of ZnO nanorod arrays

The field-emission properties of ordered ZnO nanorod arrays with different morphologies were investigated in detail. After comparison of three different morphologies, it was found that the morphology of the ZnO nanorods has considerable effect on their field emission properties, especially the turn-on field and the emission current density. Among them, the ZnO nanoneedle arrays have the lowest turn-on field, highest current density, and the largest emission efficiency, which is ascribed to the small emitter radius on the nanoscale. On the other hand, high nanorod density remarkably reduces the local field at the emitters owing to the screening effect, which is related to the density of the emitters. The analysis results could be valuable for the application of field-emission-based devices using ZnO nanorod arrays as cathode materials.
Combinatorial solution of certain systems of linear equations involving (0,1) matrices

Abstract If m and n are natural numbers satisfying 1 ≦ m < n let denote the least integer k such that the statement: ‘Every (0,1) matrix with n columns, with constant row-sum m, and with at least k distinct rows, has rank n’ is true. Then = +1 for m ≧ 2, n ≧ m2 + 2. Further, for 1 ≦ m < n.
Use of periodic and monotonic activation functions in multilayer feedforward neural networks trained by extended Kalman filter algorithm

The authors investigate the convergence and pruning performance of multilayer feedforward neural networks with different types of neuronal activation functions in solving various problems. Three types of activation functions are adopted in the network, namely, the traditional sigmoid function, the sinusoidal function and a periodic function that can be considered as a combination of the first two functions. To speed up the learning, as well as to reduce the network size, the extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm conjunct with a pruning method is used to train the network. The corresponding networks are applied to solve five typical problems, namely, 4-point XOR logic function, parity generation, handwritten digit recognition, piecewise linear function approximation and sunspot series prediction. Simulation results show that periodic activation functions perform better than monotonic ones in solving multicluster classification problems. Moreover, the combined periodic activation function is found to possess the fast convergence and multicluster classification capabilities of the sinusoidal activation function while keeping the robustness property of the sigmoid function required in the modelling of unknown systems.
Visualizing Influential Observations in Dependent Data

We introduce the hair-plot to visualize influential observations in dependent data. It consists of all trajectories of the value of an estimator when each observation is modified in turn by an additive perturbation. We define two measures of influence: the local influence which describes the rate of departure from the original estimate due to a small perturbation of each observation; and the asymptotic influence which indicates the influence on the original estimate of the most extreme contamination for each observation. The cases of estimators defined as quadratic forms or ratios of quadratic forms are investigated in detail. Sample autocovariances, covariograms, and variograms belong to the first case. Sample autocorrelations, correlograms, and indices of spatial autocorrelation such as Moran’s I belong to the second case. We illustrate our approach on various datasets from time series analysis and spatial statistics. This article has supplementary material online.
Perspectives on Emergency Remote Teaching during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Greek Undergraduate Students: The Role of Self-Image

Emergency remote teaching replaced the in-person education in academic institutions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students with different personality traits experienced this abrupt change to distance learning in different ways. Thus, this research aims to examine the interplay between several facets of the students’ experience of emergency remote teaching, such as concerns about, tiredness with, and lack of communication during the first Greek lockdown, and their self-image through their core self-evaluations. The study sample consisted of 341 undergraduate students derived from 13 Greek universities, that completed a self-report questionnaire concerning students’ experiences with distance education, as well as the Core Self-Evaluation Scale measuring self-image components. A cross-section design was used and multiple regression and mediation analyses were applied. The results showed that self-image has an effect on students’ feeling of tiredness with distance learning, while female students demonstrated higher tiredness with distance learning and lack of communication. Moreover, except for gender and disability, all other variables along with self-image significantly predicted perspectives on distance learning. On the other hand, only gender, concerns about, and lack of communication significantly predicted students’ e-attendance of theoretical courses. In this transformative era, it is a challenge for universities to create effective online courses concerning students’ self-image. Finally, limitations and future directions are discussed.
From Children to Adults: How Binaural Cues and Ear Canal Impedances Grow

In this thesis the growth dependency of head-related transfer functions and their resulting parameters (interaural time and level differences) are analyzed as well as ear canal impedances. Differences in the anatomy of children and adults thus result in different binaural cues. The individual anthropometric parameters, however, affect the binaural cues to a varying extent. In this thesis the most important anthropometric parameter with regard to their influence on binaural cues, is determined. Ear canal impedances are undergoing certain changes as well while children are growing up and finally reach adulthood. This thesis presents, for the first time, the age-related development of data that is most decisive for the impedances. These new findings open up new possibilities to develop artificial child heads and couplers for hearing aids that are suitable for children. Thus, improvements in certain fields of applications, such as the development and fitting of hearing aids for children, are now possible, and measurement techniques that are used for classroom acoustics can now be optimized significantly as well. Moreover, these new findings are vital when it comes to re-evaluating standardized artificial heads. Publisher: Logos Verlag Berlin, 2008; ISBN: 978-3-8325-1855-4.
Incorporation of Threshold Phenomena in Three-body Coulomb Continuum Wavefunctions

In this work a three-body Coulomb wavefunction for the description of two continuum electrons moving in the field of a nucleus is constructed such that the Wannier threshold law for double escape is reproduced and the asymptotic Coulomb boundary conditions as well as the Kato cusp conditions are satisfied. It is shown that the absolute value of the total cross section, as well as the spin asymmetry, are well described by the present approach. Further, the excess-energy sharing between the two escaping electrons is calculated and analysed in light of the Wannier theory predictions. This is the first time an analytical three-body wavefunction is presented which is asymptotically exact and capable of describing threshold phenomena.
Microwave and X-ray observations of a major confined solar flare

Une eruption X4 a ete observee le 19 mai 1984 a 6 et 20 cm par VLA et par les instruments RX a bord du satellite SMM. La structure de la region active et les parametres du plasma sont retournes a leurs conditions pre-eruptives plusieurs heures apres l'evenement, indiquant que cette eruption n'avait pas d'effet permanent sur la couronne inferieure. Les resultats des observations suggerent que cette eruption etait confinee par les champs magnetiques sur-jacents. L'energie thermique de l'eruption etait elevee. Une composante du plasma thermique etait superchaude avec une temperature electronique d'environ 33 × 10 6 K.
Ultrasonic field modeling for arbitrary non-contact transducer source

We present a model for transient ultrasonic wave generation by Electromagnetic Acoustical Transducers (EMATs). Analytical solutions are currently available only for few kinds of sources and our model combines these analytical solutions and numerical computation to predict the ultrasonic field generated by arbitrary sources. This model can be used to calculate bulk waves within samples as well as surface waves on sample surfaces with the advantages of explicit physical meaning and quick processing speed over pure numerical calculations such as the Finite Element Method (FEM). We use the model to explain how static and dynamic magnetic fields generate ultrasonic waves in a sample. We wish to characterize the EMAT source in detail in order to tailor sources for optimal configuration for specific NDE applications. A Michelson laser interferometer is used to measure out of plane surface displacement of sample, and results agree well with the modelling simulation. The modelling can be used for arbitrary source.