Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Masses of long-period comets derived from non-gravitational effects – analysis of the computed results and the consistency and reliability of the non-gravitational parameters

We estimate masses for a selected sample of long-period comets (LPCs) (with orbital periods P > 1000 yr and perihelion distances q < 2 au), with good photometric visual light curves and known non-gravitational parameters. We follow a procedure similar to that developed by Szutowicz et al. to estimate the masses of comets C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp) and C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake). The method also requires the knowledge of the water production rates Q, for which we find a new correlation between Q and the visual total heliocentric magnitude mh of LPCs, which can be expressed as log10Q= 30.53 − 0.234mh. The computed masses are in the range [0.5, 10]× 1012 kg. From these masses, and by assuming a cometary bulk density ρ of 0.4 g cm−3, we estimate the effective nuclear radii RN for the studied LPCs to be in the range [0.7, 1.8] km. From the computed values of RN, we find that the active surface areas are (in most cases) greater than the geometric ones (fractions f ranging from 0.8 to 2.4). We argue that this could be understood as a state of hyperactivity, which can be explained if a significant fraction of the sublimated water molecules come from the sublimation of icy grains in the coma. Hyperactivity would make LPC nuclei smaller (i.e. less massive) than expected from their coma brightness. Other effects, like extremely low densities or overestimated non-gravitational parameters, might also contribute to the rather high computed value of f. For comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp), we find a seeming inconsistency between some size estimates and some computed non-gravitational parameters. We analyse some alternatives to this apparent paradox. We also compute absolute total magnitudes and photometric indices for the studied sample of LPCs and find a new correlation between masses and absolute total visual magnitudes H. By assuming ρ= 0.4 g cm−3, we can convert masses to diameters D, leading to a relation log10D(km) = 1.5 − 0.13H.
Continuous-time Value-Iteration-Based Learning for Constrained-Input Nonlinear Nonzero-Sum Game

A continuous-time value iteration based learning method is proposed for constrained-input nonlinear nonzero-sum game in this paper. Most existing studies were based on policy iteration, and thus they require an initial admissible control policy as the initial condition or some proper control policy to make the states satisfy the persistent excitation (PE) condition. However, no mater the initial admissible control policy nor a PE satisfied control policy, they can not be derived by a general feasible way. Such difficulty of choosing control policy may limit the actual application. The proposed method is developed based on value iteration and the requirement of choosing proper control policy can be avoided. Moreover, since the control signal should always be designed within limits in practice, the constrained-input property is taken into consideration. Simulation results are displayed to show the effectiveness.
On the Complexity of Matrix Balancing

An $n \times n$ matrix with nonnegative entries is said to be $balanced$ if for each $i=1,\dots,n$ the sum of the entries of its $i$th row is equal to the sum of the entries of its $i$th column. An $n \times n$ matrix $A$ with nonnegative entries is said to be $balancable$ $via$ $diagonal$ $similarity$ $scaling$ if there exists a diagonal matrix $X$ with positive diagonal entries such that $XAX^{-1}$ is balanced. We give upper and lower bounds on the entries of $X$ and prove the necessary sensitivity analysis in the required accuracy of the minimization of an associated convex programming problem. These results are used to prove the polynomial-time solvability of computing $X$ to any prescribed accuracy.
Generalized Portmanteau Statistics and Tests of Randomness

Ce Texte Considere le Probleme Qui Consiste a Tester le Caractere Aleatoire de Series Chronologiques Guassiennes et Non-Gaussiennes. Nous Definissons une Classe Generale de Statistiques "Portemanteau" Qui Inclut la Statistique de Box-Pierce et Celle de Ljung-Box. Utilisant les Premiers et Seconds Moments Exacts des Autocorrelations Echantillonnales Pour le Cas D'observations I.I. D. Normales, Nous Derivons L'esperance Mathematique Exacte de Toute Statistique Portemanteau Dans Ce Cas. Nous Etudions Deux Nouvelles Statistiques Portemanteau Qui Exploitent les Moments Exacts des Autocorrelations Echantillonnales. Pour le Cas Non-Gaussien, Nous Introduisons une Statistique Portemanteau de Rang. Cette Derniere a la Meme Distribution Pour Toutes les Series de Variables Aleatoires Interchangeables et Utilise les Moments Exacts des Autocorrelations de Rang. Nous Demontrons Que la Distribution Asymptotique de Cette Statistique Est Chi-Carre. Nous Presentons des Resultats de Simulation Qui Indiquent Que les Nouvelles Statistiques Portemanteau Ont des Distributions Qui Sont Mieux Approximees Par la Distribution Chi-Carre Asymptotique Que la Statistique de Ljung-Box. Nous Avons Obtenu Plusieurs de Nos Resultats Analytiques En Utilisant un Logiciel de Manipulation Symbolique.
Decentralized Output Feedback Protocol for Consensus Control of a Class of Nonlinear Dynamics Networks

This paper studies the consensus control for multi‐agent systems with nonlinear functions satisfying the sector condition. To achieve consensus, we design a distributed output feedback protocol with an undetermined system matrix, and derive some conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to guarantee consensus of all agents' states. Furthermore, by solving three LMIs, the system matrix of the output feedback protocol is designed. Finally, we provide a simulation to show the effectiveness of the proposed consensus protocol.
Loot box purchasing is associated with gambling and problem gambling when controlling for known psychological risk factors of gambling

Abstract Background A robust literature has found that loot box purchasing is associated with gambling and problem gambling. However, it remains unclear whether this association is merely an artifact of known psychological risk factors for gambling. The present study thus examined associations of loot box purchasing with gambling and problem gambling while controlling for potential psychological confounders. Methods Current gamers, recruited from five Canadian universities (N = 1189) and Academic Prolific and Reddit (N = 499), reported on loot box engagement, gambling engagement, and psychological characteristics. In each sample, binomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between past-year loot box purchasing and likelihood of past-year gambling. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations of each of past-year loot box purchasing and risky loot box engagement with problem gambling severity. Results In both samples, having purchased loot boxes in the past year was significantly associated with increased likelihood of having gambled in the past year and greater problem gambling severity. In the student sample, greater risky loot box engagement was significantly associated with increased problem gambling severity. Conclusions Consistent with previous research, there exist associations between loot box purchasing and gambling. Results suggest that these associations are robust to known psychological risk factors for gambling, reducing plausibility of the notion that the association between loot box purchasing and gambling exists only due to shared psychological vulnerabilities. Loot box purchasing represents an important marker of risk for gambling and problem gambling among people who play video games.
Numerical study of the effects of the breaking intensity on wave breaking flows

The flow generated by the breaking of free-surface waves of different initial steepnesses is simulated numerically. The aim is to investigate the role played by the breaking intensity on the resulting flow. The study, which assumes a two-dimensional flow, makes use of a two-fluids Navier–Stokes solver combined with a Level-Set technique for the interface capturing. The evolution of periodic wavetrains is considered. Depending on the initial steepness ϵ, the wavetrain remains regular or develops a breaking, which can be either of spilling or plunging type. From the analysis of the local strain fields it is shown that, in the most energetic phase of plunging breaking, dissipation is mainly localized about the small air bubbles generated by the fragmentation of the air cavity entrapped by the plunging of the jet. The downward transfer of the horizontal momentum is evaluated by integrating the flux of momentum through horizontal planes lying at different depths beneath the still water level. From weak to moderate breaking, increase in the breaking intensity results in growing transfer of horizontal momentum, as well as thickening of the surface layer. Beyond a certain breaking intensity, the larger amount of air entrapped causes a reduction in the momentum transferred and the shrinkage of the layer. Quantitative estimates of the amount of air entrapped by the breaking and of the degassing process are provided. A scaling dependence of the amount of air entrapped by the first plunging event on the initial steepness is found. A careful analysis of the circulation induced in water by the breaking process is carried out. It is seen that in the plunging regime the primary circulation induced by the breaking process scales with the velocity jump between the crest and the trough of the wave. The limits of the main assumptions of the numerical calculations are analysed. It is shown that up to half-wave period after the breaking onset, the Reynolds number of the simulation does not significantly affect the solution. In order to further support the findings, an estimate of the uncertainty of the numerical results is derived through several repetitions of the numerical simulation with small perturbations of the initial conditions.
Stability analysis for a VAV test rig

A stability analysis for a simple VAV test rig is presented. The test rig is described by a series of non-linear mathematical models. For this system, the well-known stability analysis for linear systems cannot be applied directly. As a result, this paper presents two new approaches for the analysis of the closed-loop stability of the non-linear VAV test rig. The first approach is based on a non-linear empirical model simulation. In this approach, different operating points of the supply fan PI control are applied and the stable regions of the model are obtained and compared with the results from experiments. The boundary lines of the stability region are given in terms of the proportional gain k p and the integral gain k i of the PI controller. The results are reasonably accurate. The second approach uses a linearised model with Lyapunov's method for non-linear systems, and the stability is analysed at selected fan operating points. Again, a stability region is obtained in terms of k p and k i. This region can be used for the selection of stable control and can help in commissioning. Although the linear model with Lyapunov's method gives results that are less accurate than those of the non-linear model, the former is more flexible and quicker in use, despite being more complex in derivation. Further refinement of the linear model in the future may well yield more accurate results.
Potential Health Risks of Lead Exposure from Early Life through Later Life: Implications for Public Health Education

Lead (Pb) exposure has been a serious environmental and public health problem throughout the world over the years. The major sources of lead in the past were paint and gasoline before they were phased out due to its toxicity. Meanwhile, people continue to be exposed to lead from time to time through many other sources such as water, food, soil and air. Lead exposure from these sources could have detrimental effects on human health, especially in children. UNICEF reported that approximately 800 million children have blood lead levels (BLLs) at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) globally. This paper reports on the potential risks of lead exposure from early life through later life. The articles used in this study were searched from databases such as Springer, Science Direct, Hindawi, MDPI, Google Scholar, PubMed and other academic databases. The levels of lead exposure in low income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs) were reported, with the former being more affected. The intake of certain nutrients could play an essential role in reducing (e.g., calcium and iron) or increasing (e.g., high fat foods) lead absorption in children. Elevated blood lead levels may disturb the cells’ biological metabolism by replacing beneficial ions in the body such as calcium, magnesium, iron and sodium. Once these ions are replaced by lead, they can lead to brain disorders, resulting in reduced IQ, learning difficulties, reduced attention span and some behavioral problems. Exposure to lead at an early age may lead to the development of more critical problems later in life. This is because exposure to this metal can be harmful even at low exposure levels and may have a lasting and irreversible effect on humans. Precautionary measures should be put in place to prevent future exposure. These will go a long way in safeguarding the health of everyone, most especially the young ones.
Stability of Traveling Wave Fronts for Nonlocal Delayed Reaction Diffusion Systems

This paper is concerned with the stability of traveling wave fronts for nonlocal delayed reaction diffusion system. The stability of traveling wave front is proved in some exponentially weighted L∞-spaces, when the difference between initial data and traveling wave front decays exponentially as x→ −∞, but the initial data can be arbitrary large in other locations. Moreover, the time decay rates are obtained by weighted energy estimates.
A time varying hidden Markov model with latent information

The time varying hidden Markov models are based on the use of some observable variables, which we suppose to drive the transition probabilities. The estimation of the model is conditional on the availability of this information, which is not obvious. In this paper we propose a time varying hidden Markov model with the transition probabilities driven by a latent variable subject to the same Markovian changes of the dependent variable. The model has a state-space form and the latent variable is estimated using a modified Kim filter, so that this information is always available; furthermore, the estimation of this latent variable is useful to forecast the changes in the state. We show the practical characteristics of this model through an example in which the latent variable is the business cycle.
The Enlightenment of the Modern Function Analysis of Trademarks by EU to the Judgment of Trademark Use in China

The research on the functions of the trademark varies from country to country. The EU has recognized three modern functions in judicial cases, namely, the functions of communicating, advertising, and investment, and then applied them to the legal issue of judging the use of the trademark. In China's judicial practice, the use of the trademark is a precondition for trademark infringement judgment, and the judgment of trademark use depends on the judgment of whether the origin function is damaged. This paper first analyzes the modern function of the trademark recognized by EU, and then discusses its impact on the judgment of trade use. Finally, this paper tries to put forward some enlightenment to the judgment of trade use.
NITROGEN AND SULFUR IN IRREGULAR GALAXIES

A study of nitrogen and sulfur in giant H II regions located within low-abundance irregular galaxies is presented. Both observations and theoretical models are used in combination to examine variations in the abundances of nitrogen and sulfur relative to oxygen in these galaxies. A CCD spectrometer was used to observe the 9069 Â and 9532 Â emission lines of [S ill]. These observations yield greatly improved measurements of the abundance of S +2 and, consequently, the total sulfur abundance. Numerical models of the ionization structure of H II regions indicate that S +3 can be important in the high-ionization nebulae seen in irregular galaxies but also indicate that the fraction of sulfur in the form of S +3 can be estimated straightforwardly if one knows the 0 + fraction. Contrary to claims, it that S/O does not increase as O/H decreases. The difference is primarily to two problems the earlier studies: inadequate observations and the use of incorrect ionization correction schemes. It is concluded, after reanalysis the earlier observations, that there is no evidence at present that S/O varies systematically as a function of the oxygen abundance. Simple models for the evolution of sulfur and oxygen abundances are computed to examine the consequences of variations in the stellar initial mass function. Nitrogen abundances were studied through high-resolution observations of [N n] and the use of low spectral main in reported discrepancies in nitrogen abundances. Photoionization models low-abundance nebulae the N + /0 + ratio an accurate estimator of N/O. The detection of [N n] in the extreme metal-poor galaxy I the lowest observed metallicities
miRNA Pathway Alteration in Response to Non-Coding RNA Delivery in Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is widely used to treat incurable disorders and has become a routine procedure in clinical practice. Since viruses can exhibit specific tropisms, effectively penetrate the cell, and are easy to use, most gene therapy approaches are based on viral delivery of genetic material. However, viral vectors have some disadvantages, such as immune response and cytotoxicity induced by a disturbance of cell metabolism, including miRNA pathways that are an important part of transcription regulation. Therefore, any viral-based gene therapy approach involves the evaluation of side effects and safety. It is possible for such effects to be caused either by the viral vectors themselves or by the delivered genetic material. Many gene therapy techniques use non-coding RNA delivery as an effective agent for gene expression regulation, with the risk of cellular miRNA pathways being affected due to the nature of the non-coding RNAs. This review describes the effect of viral vector entry and non-coding RNA delivery by these vectors on miRNA signaling pathways.
H2S Enhanced the Tolerance of Malus hupehensis to Alkaline Salt Stress through the Expression of Genes Related to Sulfur-Containing Compounds and the Cell Wall in Roots

Malus is an economically important plant that is widely cultivated worldwide, but it often encounters saline–alkali stress. The composition of saline–alkali land is a variety of salt and alkali mixed with the formation of alkaline salt. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been reported to have positive effects on plant responses to abiotic stresses. Our previous study showed that H2S pretreatment alleviated the damage caused by alkaline salt stress to Malus hupehensis Rehd. var. pingyiensis Jiang (Pingyi Tiancha, PYTC) roots by regulating Na+/K+ homeostasis and oxidative stress. In this study, transcriptome analysis was used to investigate the overall mechanism through which H2S alleviates alkaline salt stress in PYTC roots. Simultaneously, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were explored. Transcriptional profiling of the Control-H2S, Control-AS, Control-H2S + AS, and AS-H2S + AS comparison groups identified 1618, 18,652, 16,575, and 4314 DEGs, respectively. Further analysis revealed that H2S could alleviate alkaline salt stress by increasing the energy maintenance capacity and cell wall integrity of M. hupehensis roots and by enhancing the capacity for reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism because more upregulated genes involved in ROS metabolism and sulfur-containing compounds were identified in M. hupehensis roots after H2S pretreatment. qRT-PCR analysis of H2S-induced and alkaline salt-response genes showed that these genes were consistent with the RNA-seq analysis results, which indicated that H2S alleviation of alkaline salt stress involves the genes of the cell wall and sulfur-containing compounds in PYTC roots.
Object detection in the presence of clutter using Gabor filters

In this paper the problem of detecting objects in the presence of clutter is studied. The images considered are obtained from both visual and infrared sensors. A feature-based segmentation approach to the object detection problem is pursued, where the features used are computed over multiple spatial orientations, and frequencies. The method proceeds as follows: A given image is passed through a bank of even-symmetric Gabor filters. A selection of these filtered images is made and each (selected) filtered image is subjected to a nonlinear (sigmoidal like) transformation. Then, a measure of texture `energy' is computed in a window around each transformed image pixel. The texture `energy' features, and their spatial locations, are inputted to a least squared error based clustering algorithm. This clustering algorithm yields a segmentation of the original image -- it assigns to each pixel in the image a cluster label that identifies the amount of mean local energy the pixel possesses across the different spatial orientations, and frequencies. This method is applied on a number of visual and infrared images, every one of which contains one or more objects. The region corresponding to the object is usually segmented correctly, and a unique set of texture `energy' features is typically associated with the segment containing the object(s) of interest.
A NEW TEST FOR EQUALITY OF VARIANCES FOR k NORMAL POPULATIONS

ABSTRACT A simple test based on Gini's mean difference is proposed to test the hypothesis of equality of population variances. Using 2000 replicated samples and empirical distributions, we show that the test compares favourably with Bartlett's and Levene's test for the normal population. Also, it is more powerful than Bartlett's and Levene's tests for some alternative hypotheses for some non-normal distributions and more robust than the other two tests for large sample sizes under some alternative hypotheses. We also give an approximate distribution to the test statistic to enable one to calculate the nominal levels and P-values.
Convergence of cascade algorithm for individual initial function and arbitrary refinement masks

The cascade algorithm plays an important role in computer graphics and wavelet analysis. For any initial function σ0, a cascade sequence (σn)∞ n=1 is constructed by the iteration σn = Caσn-1,n = 1, 2, …, where C a is defined by $$C_a g = \sum\limits_{\alpha \in \mathbb{Z}} {a(\alpha )g(2 \cdot - \alpha ), g \in L_p (\mathbb{R}). } $$ . In this paper, we characterize the convergence of a cascade sequence in terms of a sequence of functions and in terms of joint spectral radius. As a consequence, it is proved that any convergent cascade sequence has a convergence rate of geometry, i.e., ‖φ n+1-φ n ‖L p (ℝ)= O(ϱ n ) for some ϱ ∈ (0,1). The condition of sum rules for the mask is not required. Finally, an example is presented to illustrate our theory.