Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Universal Accretion Growth Using Sandpile Models

Abstract The Bak Tang Weisenfeld (BTW) sandpile process is a model of a complex dynamical system with a large collection of particles or grains in a node that sheds load to their neighbours when they reach capacity. The cascades move around the system till it reaches stability with a critical point as an attractor. The BTW growth process shows self-organized criticality (SOC) with power- law distribution in cascade sizes having slope -5/3. This self-similarity of structure is synonymous with the fractal structure found in molecular clouds of Kolmogorov dimension 1.67 and by treating cascades as waves, scaling functions are found to be analogous to those observed for velocity structure functions in fluid turbulence. In this paper, we show that this is a naturally occuring universal process giving rise to scale - free structures with size limited only by the number of infalling grains. We also compare the BTW process with other sandpile models such as the Manna and Zhang processes. We find that the BTW sandpile model can be applied to a wide range of objects including molecular clouds, accretion disks and perhaps galaxies.
Domain Specific Situated Planning (Student Abstract)

Traditionally when planning we assume that we receive the problem instance as input, then formulate a plan, then the clock begins and the agent executes the plan. Sometimes we are forced to consider time passing as we plan, which is known as situated planning. In my dissertation I explore situated planning in three domains: grid based path planning, the orienteering problem and opportunistic science.
Stability strategies of manufacturing-inventory systems with unknown time-varying demand

For a manufacturing-inventory system, its stability and robustness are of particular important. In the literature, most manufacturing-inventory models are constructed based on deterministic demand assumption. However, demands for many real-world manufacturing-inventory systems are non-deterministic. To minimize the gap between theory and practice, we construct two models for the inventory control problem involving multi-machine and multi-product manufacturing-inventory systems with uncertain time-varying demand, where physical decay rate and shelf life are accounted for in the models. We then design state feedback control strategies to stabilize such systems. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, sufficient conditions for robust stability, stabilization and control are derived in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Numerical examples are presented to show the potential applications of the proposed models.
Dual Quaternions Robotics: A) The 3R Planar Manipulator

Kinematics analysis studies the relative motions, such as, first of all, the displacement in space of the end effector of a given robot, and thus its velocity and acceleration, associated with the links of the given robot that is usually designed so that it can position its end-effector with a three degree-of-freedom of translation and three degree-of-freedom of orientation within its workspace. This chapter presents mainly, on the light of both main concepts; the first being the screw motion or/ and dual quaternions kinematics while the second concerns the classical ‘Denavit and Hartenberg parameters method’ the direct kinematics of a planar manipulator. First of all, examples of basic solid movements such as rotations, translations, their combinations and general screw motions are studied using both (4x4) matrices rigid body transformations and dual quaternions so that the reader could compare and note the similarity of the results obtained using one or the other method. Both dual quaternions technique as well as its counterpart the classical ‘Denavit and Hartenberg parameters method’ are finally applied to a three degree of freedom (RRR) planar manipulator. Finally, we and the reader, can observe that the two methods confirm exactly one another by giving us the same results for each of the examples and applications considered, while noting that the fastest, simplest more straightforward and easiest to apply method, is undoubtedly the one using dual quaternions. As a result this work may as well act as a beginners guide to the practicality of using dual-quaternions to represent the rotations and translations ie: or any rigid motion in character-based hierarchies. We must emphasize the fact that the use of Matlab software and quaternions and / or dual quaternions in the processing of 3D rotations and/or screw movements is and will always be the most efficient, fast and accurate first choice. Dual quaternion direct kinematics method could be generalised, in the future, to more complicated spatial and/ or industrial robots as well as to articulated and multibody systems
Emotional brand communication on social media to foster financial well-being

Through the lens of the emotional contagion theory, it is argued in this paper that retail banks’ brand communication strategies must enhance customers’ financial well-being in a bid to foster more engagement and create more trust. Financial well-being is even more important when customers experience hard economic times, as was the case during the period under review. To engage emotionally with customers in a digital environment devoid of real interaction, retail banks must be more aware of their emotional tone on social media by implementing a brand communication strategy that is more empathetic. Adopting an inductive qualitative research approach, this study assessed the emotional tone most evident in the Twitter corpora of seven South African retail banks’ social media brand communication during a pandemic, from a financial content marketing perspective. These banks were selected because they supply banking services to the general public, as opposed to corporations or other banks. In doing so, several data analysis tools were used to understand the context and the emotional tone characteristics embedded in the corpus, namely linguistic inquiry and word count, NVivo, and the social media analytics tool, Mention. While the retail banks’ financial content marketing initiatives focused on educating consumers about the banks’ products and services and how these may assist them to accomplish their financial objectives, the banks did so with an empathic approach and a positive emotional tone. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the need for financial brands, particularly retail banks, to focus on a positive emotional tone in their social media brand communication strategies to enhance customers’ financial well-being, especially in developing countries. The findings also accentuate importance of understanding emotional contagion for effective financial content marketing.
Flexible Finger-Shaped Active Dry EEG Electrode With a Configurable Application-Specific Integrated Circuit and Embedded Leadoff Detection

Dealing with the discomfort and complex setting-up of conventional wet electrodes in the electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring for personal daily healthcare, a flexible finger-shaped active dry EEG electrode is developed and tested in this article. The flexible finger-shaped dry electrodes, made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and elastic electrically conductive composite (ECC), penetrate through the hair to achieve stable contact with the scalp. To improve the quality of weak signal acquisition, a customized configurable application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is integrated using an ECC-based fabrication process, which amplifies the signal by 100 V/V, detects the leadoff states of electrodes, and communicates with the back-end (BE) electronic module for configuration and status feedback. The amplifiers have ${>}100 \text {M}\Omega $ @ 50-Hz input impedance to match the large interface impedance of dry electrodes. An inter-integrated circuit (I2C) slave controller with a dedicated wake-up oscillator is introduced for excellent configurability with a reduced number of wires and lower power consumption. Modulus of the proposed electrodes is similar to human tissue, ensuring remarkable user comfort. Besides, the process costs low, and mold casting is suitable for mass production. Overall, the easy-to-use active dry electrode could meet the requirements for daily EEG monitoring.
Classification of nonlocal rings with genus one 3-zero-divisor hypergraphs

ABSTRACT Let R be a commutative ring with identity and let Z(R,k) be the set of all k-zero-divisors in R and k>2 an integer. The k-zero-divisor hypergraph of R, denoted by ℋk(R), is a hypergraph with vertex set Z(R,k), and for distinct elements in Z(R,k), the set is an edge of ℋk(R) if and only if and the product of any (k−1) elements of is nonzero. In this paper, we characterize all finite commutative nonlocal rings R with identity whose ℋ3(R) has genus one.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of a Novel Vibrio sp. Isolated from an Ulcer Disease Event in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Ulcer diseases are a recalcitrant issue at Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture cage-sites across the North Atlantic region. Classical ulcerative outbreaks (also called winter ulcer disease) refer to a skin infection caused by Moritella viscosa. However, several bacterial species are frequently isolated from ulcer disease events, and it is unclear if other undescribed pathogens are implicated in ulcer disease in Atlantic salmon. Although different polyvalent vaccines are used against M. viscosa, ulcerative outbreaks are continuously reported in Atlantic salmon in Canada. This study analyzed the phenotypical and genomic characteristics of Vibrio sp. J383 isolated from internal organs of vaccinated farmed Atlantic salmon displaying clinical signs of ulcer disease. Infection assays conducted on vaccinated farmed Atlantic salmon and revealed that Vibrio sp. J383 causes a low level of mortalities when administered intracelomic at doses ranging from 107–108 CFU/dose. Vibrio sp. J383 persisted in the blood of infected fish for at least 8 weeks at 10 and 12 °C. Clinical signs of this disease were greatest 12 °C, but no mortality and bacteremia were observed at 16 °C. The Vibrio sp. J383 genome (5,902,734 bp) has two chromosomes of 3,633,265 bp and 2,068,312 bp, respectively, and one large plasmid of 201,166 bp. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses indicated that Vibrio sp. J383 is related to V. splendidus, with 93% identity. Furthermore, the phenotypic analysis showed that there were significant differences between Vibrio sp. J383 and other Vibrio spp, suggesting J383 is a novel Vibrio species adapted to cold temperatures.
Advancing Process Audits With Process Mining: A Systematic Review of Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

This systematic literature review focuses on the research area of process audits and explores the potential of process mining techniques for their enhancement. Traditional process audits, being manual and sample-based, heavily rely on auditors’ expertise and preferences. With the emergence of process mining (PM), there exists an opportunity to improve traditional process audits. However, prior to initiating a PM project specifically for audits, it is crucial to understand the benefits and challenges associated with the implementation. Through a systematic analysis of research articles from six reputable scholarly literature indexing databases, this review reveals how integrating PM into the auditing landscape introduces automation, transparency, and efficiency in addition to overcoming the limitations of traditional process audits. The findings of this review provide valuable insights to identify the benefits of PM-based audits and comprehend the challenges that must be addressed to fully realize the potential of PM techniques in process audits.
DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE TEST OF APPROPRIATE ON-FARM COMPOSTING PACKAGE FOR SMALL FARMERS.

Hariadi 1 , Yuli Suharnoto 1 and Arief Sabdo Yuwono 1 . Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Campus IPB Dramaga, PO Box 220 Bogor, 16002 Indonesia. Manuscript Info Abstract . Manuscript History
Absorption spectral imaging in the mid-infrared and its application in cancer diagnosis

This thesis presents work on the development of two distinct systems for the purpose of spectral imaging in the mid infrared (MIR), with particular focus on a method than can be of use in cancer diagnosis. Wavelengths are used that correspond to positions of absorbance peaks from the vibrational modes in molecules commonly found in biological tissue. Images from different wavelengths are combined to show the relative concentration of nuclei in tissue, an accepted marker of malignancy that can be seen in cancerous cells. One system, we have termed the “digistain” system, uses a thermal source with narrow bandpass filters to select the wavelength, the other uses a pulsed tuneable quantum cascade laser (QCL) unit. Both systems show results that highlight a difference between healthy epithelium and epithelium that has entered a pre-cancerous stage. The digistain system has benefits in speed over other infrared spectral imaging systems, such as a scanning Raman system or a commercial multi-channel Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) system. Before a reliable direct comparison of the quantitative results of the digistain to histological grading of the same areas can be made, a method to identify the different tissue types that are present and mixed together must be created. The QCL system was also used for diffuse reflection imaging, with the conclusion that the differing surface roughness of the samples investigated played a larger role in creating contrast between areas of different chemical composition than did absorption.
The role of negative and positive urgency in the relationship between craving and symptoms of problematic video game use

Craving and emotion-driven impulsivity dimensions (positive and negative urgency) have been suggested as factors involved in the progression of different potentially problematic behaviors. However, their role in severity of video gaming-related problems remains unclear. This study aims to assess the differential capacity of negative and positive urgency to predict craving and the number of internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms endorsed (as a proxy to severity of video gaming problems) in majoritarily non-pathological video-gamers. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 232 Spanish and 222 Ecuadorian frequent video game players. Mixed-effects generalized linear (GMLE) and mediation modeling were used to test moderation and mediation hypotheses regarding the association between urgency, craving, and endorsement of IGD symptoms. Results show that (1) craving largely overlaps with endorsement of IGD symptoms; (2) craving for video games is linked to positive urgency, but not to negative urgency, which reinforces the idea that craving, at least in mostly non-pathological gamers, is a positively valenced expectancy state; (3) positive urgency exerts an indirect effect (mediated by craving) on the number of symptoms endorsed; (4) negative urgency exerts a direct effect on the number of symptoms endorsed; and (5) urgency traits do not interact with craving to predict the number of symptoms. These findings are consistent with the proposal that craving is an emotional state, and that dysregulation of positive affect (as measured by positive urgency) influences its emergence and control. In addition, they support the idea that craving is a central feature in the emergence of IGD symptoms.
Toward a perceptual image quality assessment of color quantized images

Color image quantization is an important operation in the field of color image processing. In this paper, we consider new perceptual image quality metrics for assessment of quantized images. These types of metrics, e.g. DSCSI, MDSIs, MDSIm and HPSI achieve the highest correlation coefficients with MOS during tests on the six publicly available image databases. Research was limited to images distorted by two types of compression: JPG and JPG2K. Statistical analysis of correlation coefficients based on the Friedman test and post-hoc procedures showed that the differences between the four new perceptual metrics are not statistically significant.
COSSO-type penalized likelihood method for simultaneous nonparametric regression and model selection in exponential Families

This paper extends the component selection and smoothing operator (COSSO), a nonparametric variable selection approach recently developed in Lin and Zhang (2002), to exponential families. We propose the COSSO-type penalized likelihood method for nonparametric regression models in the framework of tensor product splines. Instead of using the roughness penalty, the COSSO imposes the reproducing kernel Hilbert space norm penalty on functional components and yields a soft-thresholding estimate. Thus the COSSO-type penalized likelihood method conducts model fitting and variable selection simultaneously. We shall prove the representer theorem, which ensures the maximum penalized likelihood estimator lies in a finite dimensional function space. The connection between the COSSOtype penalized likelihood method and standard smoothing spline ANOVA models is discussed. For computation, we develop an efficient algorithm that iterates between a reweighed smoothing spline and the constrained quadratic programming. Automatic selection of smoothing parameters via cross validation criterion is used. Bernoulli examples, with both independent and correlated covariate structures, are presented to illustrate the performances of the proposed method.
DIPLOMOV A PR ACE

This thesis focuses on testing and improving Ti-6Al-4V ELI biomaterials, which are currently one of the most used titanium alloys in biomedicine (predominantly in orthopaedics and dentistry), in cooperation with research institutions and private companies developing and producing such materials. The metallic samples were previously modified by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) with use of electrolytes of a different composition to induce development of a homogeneous TiO2 layer on its surface. In vitro interactions of human osteoblast-like cell line Saos-2 with the surface of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy samples are investigated. Initial cell attachment, spreading, morphology, cell population density, viability, calcium deposition and expression of selected osteogenic markers, e.g. collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, were evaluated on cultured cells. The cells behavior were then correlated with physicochemical properties of the material surface, such as its topography, roughness, wettability, surface layer chemical composition etc. The results are also compared with those obtained in cells cultured on control samples of untreated alloys as well as microscopic glass coverslips and bottom of standard polystyrene cell culture wells. The aim of this thesis is to select the most promising modified material for use in temporary bone implants.
Diversity and Abundance of Fish in The Bone Canal

This study aims to describe the species diversity and abundance of fish in the Gorontalo Bone Canal. This research was conducted in the Bone Canal, Bone Bolango district, Gorontalo province with a survey method. Fish identification was carried out at the Zoology Laboratory of the Biology Department, State University of Gorontalo. The sampling technique was random sampling using nets installed at four observation stations for 24 hours. Station I is the northern part of the canal (upstream), station II is in the middle of the canal, station III is in the southern part of the canal (downstream) and station IV is located at the mouth of the Bone canal. Measurements of the physical and chemical parameters of water were carried out at each station. The fish caught were identified by referring to the book: “Identification of Freshwater Fish in Western Indonesia and Sulawesi” by: Kottelat at al, (1993). Research results and conclusions: 185 individual fish were found consisting of 3 orders, 5 families and 7 species, including: Cyprinus carpio and Barbonimus goionotus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), Hypostamus sp. (Siluriformes: Loriicaridae), Oreocrhomis mosambicus and Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes: Cichlidae), Oxyeleotris marmorata (Perciformes: Eleotrididae), and Anabas testudineus (Perciformes:Anabantidae). The highest diversity index is at station IV with H’= 1.96 and the lowest is at station I with H’= 1.50. This shows that the level of diversity of fish species in the Bone canal is moderate, the productivity is sufficient, the ecosystem condition is quite balanced and the ecological pressure is moderate. Hypostamus sp. has the highest level of abundance in all stations with an average of K = 30.9%. The lowest abundance was Cyprinus carpio with an average of all stations K= 3.3%, indicating that the abundance in Bone canal was relatively moderate.
Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Escherichia coli isolated from dairy calves with diarrhoea in Akaki Kality, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Calf diarrhoea, the eighth most common cause of death in this age group, affects over 75% of newborn calves under three weeks old. Fifty calves with diarrhoea from the nine intensive dairy farms were assessed during the study period. Of these, 72% (n =36) were positive for E. coli There was a strong link between the prevalence of E. coli in calf diarrhoea and the age groups. Therefore, those under the age of one month were 1.3 more likely to be infected with E. coli than those between one and three months of age. The Antibiogram test revealed that E. coli isolated was highly responsive to the antibiotics tetracycline, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin and doxycycline, but less susceptible to the drugs amoxicillin, ceftazidime, nitrofurantoin, and kanamycin and resistant to the antibiotics cefotaxime and vancomycin. Results from interviews and regular observations in the study area indicate that young calves were more impacted by diarrhoea, which accounted for about half of all health issues in calves. The E. coli recovery rate was significantly higher in calves that were one week old. These findings supported the hypothesis that the level of calf diarrhoea was excessive and would be detrimental to dairy output.
A Global Cyber-Resilient Model for Dynamic Line Rating Forecasting Based on Deep Federated Learning

Uncertainty in renewable energy generation and energy demand reduces generation flexibility, which should be compensated by increasing flexibility on the supply grid and demand sides. Dynamic line rating (DLR) forecasting, in which the maximum current carrying capacity of overhead transmission lines is accurately forecasted, is important to enable secure grid-side flexibility. This article introduces a novel model for DLR forecasting using a federated learning (FL) approach. By generating a global model, the FL can accurately forecast the DLR values without the need for data from regions that are not available. In addition, data security protection and data protection from various types of cyberattacks are prominent features of the FL technique. In this article, the proposed federated network is trained based on data from nine different regions of Iran that have different geographical and meteorological features. The process of training and recognizing patterns in each local client from FL is based on convolutional neural networks using deep learning techniques. Based on the features extracted from each client, the federated network generates a supermodel that is able to forecast the DLR values for new and unknown regions. Generating the supermodel is performed using geographical and meteorological data from three new regions, namely Boroujen, Nahavand, and Rafsanjan, which had no effect on the construction of the supermodel. The results of the forecasts are analyzed using various performance evaluation metrics. The evaluations show that the generated global supermodel is able to forecast DLR values for the regions of Boroujen, Nahavand, and Rafsanjan, with correlation coefficients of 96%, 94%, and 97%, respectively.