Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Satellite Precipitation Products: IMERG and GSMaP with Rain Gauge Observations in Northern China

Extreme precipitation events have increasingly happened at global and regional scales as the global climate has changed in recent decades. Accurate quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) plays an important role in the warning of extreme precipitation events. With hourly rain gauge observations as a reference, this study compares the performance of Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission (IMERG) and Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) products over Northern China in 2021. The Probability of Detection (POD), Relative Bias (RB), Root-Mean-Squared Error (RMSE), and Fractional Standard Error (FSE) are among the assessment metrics, as are the Probability of Detection (POD), False Alarm Ratio (FAR), and Critical Success Index (CSI). We examined the spatial distribution of cumulative precipitation and the temporal distribution of hourly average precipitation for three severe precipitation occurrences using these assessment metrics. The IMERG products capture strong precipitation centers that are compatible with the gauge observations, especially in extreme precipitation events in areas with relatively flat terrain and low-altitude (≤1000 m). Both IMERG(National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA) and GSMaP(Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA) satellite-based QPE products have precipitation peaks in advance (2–4 h) and generally underestimate (overestimate) precipitation when the actual precipitation is heavy (light). The satellite-based QPE products generally overestimate the heavy rainfall caused by non-typhoons and underestimate the heavy rainfall caused by typhoons. The GSMaP products may have the capacity to detect short-term rainstorm events. The accuracy of satellite-based QPE products may be influenced by precipitation intensity, sensors, terrain, and other variables. Therefore, in accordance with our recommendations, more ground rainfall stations should be used to collect actual precipitation data in regions with high levels of spatial heterogeneity and complex topography. The data programmers should strengthen the weights computation retrieval technique and fully utilize infrared (IR)-based data. Furthermore, this study is expected to give helpful feedback to the algorithm developers of IMERG and GSMaP products, as well as those researchers into the use of IMERG and GSMaP satellite-based QPE products in applications.
The impact of board diversity on financial reporting quality in the GCC listed firms: the role of family and royal directors

The present study examines the impact of board diversity on financial reporting quality with special consideration of the extent to which family and royal directors influence financial reporting quality (FRQ). The study utilises a sample of 181 listed GCC firms over the period from 2010 to 2016. Board personal attributes, including board expertise, age, gender, and nationality are investigated along with some other board issues such as; board size, meetings, and independence. Panel data analysis with fixed and random effect models are conducted to estimate the results. The results reveal that companies with large board size and greater age have less FRQ. Further, the results report that institutional founders, higher board independence, and expertise associate with greater levels of FRQ. The results also find that board meetings and family founders negatively influence FRQ. However, female directors, foreign directors, and royal board members setting in the board did not contribute to the levels of FRQ in the sampled companies. Finally, the results indicate that companies with a CEO royal member have higher levels of FRQ however, companies with chair board royals have less levels of FRQ. This research has valuable implications for investors, board of directors, analysts, academicians, and policymakers.
Light Diffusing Optical Fiber Sensor for Distributed Optical Absorption Spectroscopy and Chemical Sensing

An optical fiber sensor system for distributed optical absorption spectroscopy based on light diffusing optical fiber is proposed and evaluated. The sensor is composed by two light-diffusing glass fibers radiatively coupled. The light from a pulsed laser diode (PLD) propagates along the first fiber and is locally diffused out into the medium between the fibers. The light transmitted by the medium is partially collected by the second fiber and detected at the end of the fiber by an optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) detection scheme. The system permits distributed measurements of the optical absorption properties of the sample medium between the fibers. The experimental results confirm the possibility of distributed measurements with a spatial resolution of about 17 cm over 4 m of measurement range. Distributed chemical sensing has also been evaluated by measuring the absorption of water solutions containing copper ions. A limit of detection (LOD) of 710 ppm has been achieved.
Relativistic Quantum Noninvasive Measurements

Quantum weak, noninvasive measurements are defined in the framework of relativity. Invariance with respect to reference frame transformations of the results in different models is discussed. Surprisingly, the bare results of noninvasive measurements are invariant for certain class of models, but not the detection error. Consequently, any stationary quantum realism based on noninvasive measurements will break, at least spontaneously, relativistic invariance and correspondence principle at zero temperature.
Differentiated Consistency for Worldwide Gossips

Eventual consistency is a consistency model that favors liveness over safety. It is often used in large-scale distributed systems where models ensuring a stronger safety incur performance that are too low to be deemed practical. Eventual consistency tends to be uniformly applied within a system, but we argue a demand exists for differentiated eventual consistency, e.g. in blockchain systems. We propose update-query consistency with primaries and secondaries (UPS) to address this demand. UPS is a novel consistency mechanism that works in pair with our novel two-phase epidemic broadcast protocol gossip primary-secondary (GPS) to offer differentiated eventual consistency and delivery speed. We propose two complementary analyses of the broadcast protocol: a continuous analysis and a discrete analysis based on compartmental models used in epidemiology. Additionally, we propose the formal definition of a scalable consistency metric to measure the consistency trade-off at runtime. We evaluate UPS in two simulated worldwide settings: a one-million-node network and a network emulating that of the Ethereum blockchain. In both settings, UPS reduces inconsistencies experienced by a majority of the nodes and reduces the average message latency for the remaining nodes.
Can Clinical Skill Laboratories (CSLs) be Online?

Clinical skill laboratories (CSLs) are integrated community, objective, and outcome-based learning processes that integrate basic knowledge with clinical skills. CSLs are hospital or medical school-based teaching which includes self-directed, student-centred and problem-based learning. CSLs can be taught in the procedural room, out-patient department, primary healthcare centre, casualty department, and simulation settings (Al-Elq, 2007). Experienced clinician, a small group of self-motivated students, cooperative patients, adequate and reliable instruments, enough time to practice, and a comfortable room with adequate ventilation are factors for effective CSLs (Ramani & Leinster, 2008). The teaching activities and learning can be face-to-face or blended learning, e-learning and online learning. Nowadays, blended and online learning is gaining more popularity. Blended learning combines face-to-face and online learning that supports creative, critical thinking skills (Garrison & Kanuka, 2004). Synchronous and asynchronous learning is the part of online learning where teachers use video and audio technologies (Gormley et al., 2009).
Is crushed concrete carbonation significant enough to be considered as a carbon mitigation strategy?

When addressing concrete carbonation as a carbon mitigation option, studies leave out the effect that a temporal difference between the CO2 emissions and uptake happening throughout concrete’s life cycle have on climate change. In this study, the role played by carbonation on concrete’s carbon mitigation potential is investigated through a dynamic life cycle assessment, to properly position CO2 uptake and release. The carbon balance in concrete structures built and demolished from 2018 to 2050 is modelled as a case study. The potential uptake due to crushed concrete carbonation is over 9% of the cumulative global warming effect of concrete manufacturing. It is comparable to the reduction potential of the most promising strategy, namely replacing clinker, totaling 12%. If stimulated in a wide scale, crushed concrete carbonation can push the industry towards meeting carbon mitigation targets faster. Future environmental impact assessments should rely on dynamic models to increasingly consider this phenomenon.
Charge conservation and Equivalence principle

The $TH\epsilon\mu$ formalism was developed to study nonmetric theories of gravitation. In this letter we show that theories that violate Local Lorentz Invariance (LLI) or Local Position Invariance (LPI) also violate charge conservation. Using upper bounds on this violation we can put very stringent limits to violations of Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP). These limits, in turn, severely restrict string-based models of low energy physics.
The influencing factors of health hazards of benzo[a]pyrene in cigarette mainstream smoke: The example of one brand in Beijing

INTRODUCTION The study focused on the influence of tar concentrations, smoking regimen, and smoking behavior, on benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) emission from cigarette mainstream smoke and related health hazards to determine the key factors influencing B[a]P reduction and protection of the smoker’s health. METHODS A locally popular brand of cigarettes in Beijing was selected with tar concentrations of 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 11 mg/cigarette. Two different machine smoking regimens, the Canada Intense (HCI) regimen and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) regimen, were adopted to collect the cigarette mainstream smoke. The B[a]P emission concentrations were then measured by gas chromatography and mass spectrum. RESULTS The average B[a]P emission was 8.14–17.6 ng/cigarette for the HCI regimen and 0.92–3.46 ng/cigarette for the ISO regimen. As expected, the tar concentrations and B[a]P emissions exhibited a positive relation in both the HCI and ISO regimens, the cancer risk and non-cancer risk increased with an increase in tar concentrations for both the ISO and HCI regimens, and the smoking behavior also affected the B[a]P emissions with a tendency of VB (ventilation blocking) > HVB (half ventilation blocking) > DP (deep puff), under the same smoking regimen. Under the same conditions, the cancer risk and non-cancer risk in men were 1.19 and 1.11 times, respectively, higher than in women. CONCLUSIONS The smoking regimen influences the B[a]P emission relatively more than the cigarette tar concentration and smoking behavior. The cancer risk and non-cancer risk are higher in men than in women that possibly due to longer smoking duration and greater smoking intensity.
The Effect of Limb Muscle Explosive Power, Flexibility, and Achievement Motivation on Sickle Kick Performance in Pencak Silat Learning

Study Purpose. This study background is that the performance of the sickle kick in Pencak Silat learning is very important to improve the athlete’s performance during the match, both when attacking and defending. The objective is to analyze the performance of the Pencak Silat sickle kick in terms of the quality of physical conditions (such as leg muscle explosive power and flexibility), and psychological elements (such as achievement motivation). Materials and methods. This study involved Pencak Silat athletes of Tangan Mas College, Padang, Indonesia. The participants who became the study sample were 30 male athletes aged 14–17 (athletes in the adolescent category). The sample selection was based on the sample criteria providing that participants had participated in regional level competitions and had attended training for at least 2 years. Data were obtained from several tests and measurements: leg muscle explosive power was measured using the Vertical Jump Test and then processed by the Lewis formula (nomogram). Flexibility was measured using the Side Split Test, achievement motivation was assessed using a questionnaire validated by experts, and a sickle kick performance was tested. The data obtained were analyzed using simple regression analysis and multiple regression analysis, followed by path analysis to calculate the coefficient value of each variable. Results. The data obtained were analyzed using structural model path analysis. Results: (1) there is an effect of leg muscle explosive power on the sickle kick performance by 21.59%; (2) there is an effect of flexibility on the sickle kick performance by 6.94%; (3) there is an effect of achievement motivation on the sickle kick performance by 9.74%; (4) there is an effect of leg muscle explosive power through achievement motivation on the sickle kick performance by 38.14%; (5) there is an effect of flexibility through achievement motivation on the sickle kick performance by 13.51%; and (6) there is a simultaneous effect of these variables by 51,41%. Conclusions. Based on the analysis of the three factors above, it was concluded that leg muscle explosive power is the dominant factor and needs to be taught and trained seriously. However, the other factors are no less important. Future studies are urgently needed to include other variables that affect the results of this study, as well as a wider number of samples to validate the results of this study.
ON THE CUSPIDALITY OF MAASS-GRITSENKO AND MIXED LEVEL LIFTS

Representation theoretic results of Schmidt suggest that one should be able to construct a Saito-Kurokawa lifting that has mixed level, i.e., the level is paramodular at some places and congruence level at other places. Adapting Schmidt’s proof we show that indeed one can construct such a lifting using representation theory. The goal then becomes to construct such a lifting classically as the more explicit nature of such a construction lends itself nicely to arithmetic applications. To this end we obtain half of the classical construction by giving the cuspidal lifting GM : Jc κ,t(Γ0(M)) → Sκ(ΓM [t]), generalizing the cuspidal lifting of Ibukiyama and the cuspidal lifting of Gritsenko.
Letter to the Editor: Acupuncture Based on Regulating Autonomic Nerves for the Prevention of Migraine without Aura: A Prospective, Double-Dummy, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial [Response to Letter]

1Department of Acupuncture, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Tuina, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, the Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Theoretical study of δ-5 boron monolayer as an anode material for Li- and non-Li-ion batteries

We have studied the electrochemical performance of the δ-5 boron monolayer as an anode material for alkali metal (AM) and alkaline earth metal (AEM) ion batteries using density-functional theory simulations. The electronic properties, adsorption, diffusion rate, and storage behavior of various metal atoms (M) in the δ-5 boron monolayer are explored. Our study shows that the δ-5 boron monolayer possesses high electrical conductivity and a low activation barrier for electron and metal-ion transit (0.493–1.117 eV), indicating a fast charge/discharge rate. Furthermore, the theoretical capacities of the δ-5 boron monolayer for Li, Na, and K are found to be greater than those of commercial graphite. The average open-circuit voltage for AM and AEM is reasonably low and in the range of 0.34–1.30 V. Our results show that δ-5 boron monolayer could be a promising anode material in lithium-ion and non-lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Graphical abstract
Spacetime Topology, Conserved Charges, and the Splitting of Classical Multiplets

We examine consequences of non-trivial topology in background spacetimes and super-spacetimes: It is shown how the semi-invariance of a brane Lagrangian under supertranslations gives rise to topological extensions of the Noether charge algebra carried by D-branes. We investigate how isometry groups of lightlike compactified spacetimes admit an extension to a semigroup. It is shown how the splitting of classical multiplets caused by multiply-connectedness of a phase space can be described in the framework of Symplectic Geometry, based on the concept of symplectic covering spaces and local moment maps.
Effects of Physiotherapy on Rehabilitation and Quality of Life in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Review of Findings from Key Studies Published 2020–2022

The estimated percentage of individuals with COVID-19 due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 in need of hospitalization mostly increases proportionally with age, reaching almost 10% for those older than 60 years. Among hospitalized patients, one-fifth require treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan failure, or hypoxemic respiratory insufficiency. Patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 who were hospitalized during the early stages of the pandemic and who continue to be hospitalized report fatigue, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, reduced mobility, increased risk of falls, and impaired quality of life. Physiotherapy is recognized to be important in the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. The current physiotherapy guidelines and recommendations for individuals with COVID-19, which include treatment methods and outcome measures for evaluation of the effects on respiratory and physical function and quality of life, are those established from the pre-COVID-19 era. The available extant scientific literature mainly reported the effect of physiotherapy in patients with COVID-19 in the acute, hospitalization courses of the disease, while there is a lack of quality primary, experimental studies on the effects of physiotherapy in rehabilitation of post-COVID-19 patients after hospitalization. This review aims to present an update on the effects of physiotherapy on rehabilitation and quality of life in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and the findings from key studies published between 2020 and 2022.
Multiwavelength constraints on the inflationary consistency relation

We present the first attempt to use a combination of CMB, LIGO, and PPTA data to constrain both the tilt and the running of primordial tensor power spectrum through constraints on the gravitational wave energy density generated in the early universe. Combining measurements at different cosmological scales highlights how complementary data can be used to test the predictions of early universe models including the inflationary consistency relation. Current data prefers a slightly positive tilt ($n_t = 0.06^{+0.63}_{-0.89}$) and a negative running ($n_{t, {\rm run}} <-0.22$) for the tensor power spectrum spectrum. Interestingly, the addition of direct gravitational wave detector data alone puts strong bounds on the tensor-to-scalar ratio $r <0.2$ since the large positive tensor tilt preferred by the \textit{Planck} temperature power spectrum is no longer allowed. Adding the recently released BICEP2/KECK and Planck 353 GHz Polarization cross correlation data puts an even stronger bound $r
Increased Stress Levels in Caged Honeybee (Apis mellifera) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Workers

Honeybees, Apis mellifera, usually live in large colonies consisting of thousands of individuals. Within the colony, workers interact with their social environment frequently. The large workforce, division of labour, and other features may promote the ecological success of honeybees. For decades, artificial mini colonies in cages within the laboratory have become the gold standard, especially in experiments related to toxicology, effects of pesticides and pathogens. Experiments using caged bees and full-sized colonies yielded contradictory results. Here, the effect of cage experiments on the stress level of individual bees is analysed. Two different stress response were targeted, the heat shock response and the mobilization of energetic resources. While no differences were found for varying group sizes of bees, very strong effects emerged by comparing caged workers with bees from natural colonies. Caged workers showed increased levels of hsp expression and reduced haemolymph titres for trehalose, the energy storage sugar. These results reveal that the lack of the social environment (e.g., lack of queen, lack of sufficient group size) induce stress in caged bees, which might act synergistically when bees are challenged by additional stressors (e.g., pesticides, pathogens) resulting in higher mortality than observed under field conditions.
Greater Ultra-Processed Food Intake during Pregnancy and Postpartum Is Associated with Multiple Aspects of Lower Diet Quality

Low diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum is associated with numerous adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. This study examined relations of ultra-processed food intake with diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum. Using data from 24-h recalls, ultra-processed food intake was operationalized as percent energy intake from NOVA-classified ultra-processed foods; diet quality was measured using Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI) total and component scores. Pearson correlations examined associations of ultra-processed food intake with HEI total and component scores, and food group intake was compared across four levels of ultra-processed food intake. On average, ultra-processed food comprised 52.6 ± 15.1% (mean ± SD) of energy intake in pregnancy and 50.6 ± 16.6% in postpartum. Ultra-processed food intake was inversely correlated with HEI total and 8 of 13 component scores. Compared to participants with the highest ultra-processed food intake (≥60% energy), those with the lowest ultra-processed food intake (<40% energy) had a 17.6-point higher HEI total score and consumed 2–3 times more fruit, vegetables, and seafood and plant proteins, and 1½ times more total protein. Additionally, they consumed 2/3 as much refined grains and 1/2 as much added sugar. Greater ultra-processed food intake was associated with lower diet quality across most HEI components. Reducing ultra-processed food intake may broadly improve adherence to dietary guidelines in pregnant and postpartum populations.