Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Slow group velocity propagation of sound via defect coupling in a one-dimensional acoustic band gap array

A simple experimental system is presented in which the group velocity of acoustic wave packets traveling in an air-filled waveguide can be slowed to values much smaller than the speed of sound in air. The experiment is an acoustic analog of the much-studied optical phenomenon of slow light propagation. Slow (or even stopped) light propagation has been observed in atomic vapors in the vicinity of strong dispersion, typically associated with electromagnetically induced transparency. In the acoustic experiment described here, strong dispersion is produced by the introduction of a defect in an otherwise perfectly periodic one-dimensional acoustic band gap array. The defect produces a narrow transmission band within the forbidden acoustic band gap region resulting in strong dispersion. By tuning the carrier frequency of the acoustic wave packet to the peak transmission of the defect, the group velocity can be slowed to 0.24vs, where vs is the speed of sound in air. These results are shown to be consistent with.
Increasing dynamic range of a fibre Bragg grating edge-filtering interrogator with a proportional control loop

We present a fibre Bragg grating (FBG) interrogator that uses a microcontroller board and a tunable optical filter in a proportional control loop to increase dynamic range and achieve high strain sensitivity. It is an edge-filtering interrogator with added proportional control loop that locks the operating wavelength to the mid-reflection point on the FBG spectrum. The interrogator separates low-frequency (LF) components of strain and measures them with extended dynamic range, while at the same time measuring high-frequency (HF) strain without loss in strain sensitivity. In this paper, we describe the implementation of the interrogator and analyse the characteristics of individual components, such as the speed and voltage resolution of the microcontroller and the tunable optical filter. We measure the performance of the proportional control loop at frequencies up to 1 kHz and characterize the system using control theory. We illustrate the limitation of the conventional interrogator to measure strains greater than 40 μϵ and demonstrate successful application of the proposed interrogator for simultaneous measurement of 450 μϵ LF strain at 50 Hz superimposed with 32 kHz HF strain.
Modeling lead‐time demand for lumpy demand and variable lead time

Slow-moving items that occasionally exhibit large demand transactions are known as lumpy demand items. In modeling lumpy demand patterns, it is often assumed that the arrival of customer orders follows a Poisson process and that the order sizes are given by the geometric distribution. This gives rise to a stuttering Poisson (sP) model of lumpy demand. If lead times are constant, the result is a stuttering Poisson model of lead-time demand. Heretofore, authors such as Ward [18] and Mitchell, Rappold, and Faulkner [12] have assumed constant lead times and thus stopped at the sP model. We develop this model further by introducing the effect of lead-time variability. For illustration, we use the normal and the gamma distributions as characterizations of lead time. The resulting models of lead-time demand are referred to as the geometric Poisson normal (GPN) and the geometric Poisson gamma (GPG). For both these models, the article derives tractable expressions for calculating probabilities. Errors introduced by using the sP, constant lead-time model instead of the exact, variable lead-time model are also illustrated.
New Wavelength Determinations of Mid-Infrared Fine-structure Lines by Infrared Space Observatory Short Wavelength Spectrometer

We report accurate new wavelengths for 29 mid-infrared ionic fine-structure lines, based on observations with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) on board the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). Our results originate from observations of NGC 7027, NGC 6543, NGC 6302, the Circinus galaxy, Sgr A West, and W51 IRS 2. The obtained accuracies (λ/Δλ) range from 3 × 104 to 1 × 105, depending on instrumental mode and uncertainty in radial velocities.
Optimización robusta de portafolio empleando métodos Bayesianos

En este artículo se implementa un modelo de optimización robusta bayesiana para la selección óptima de un portafolio de inversión. Para ello, se extiende el modelo desarrollado por Meucci, que consiste en la incorporación del enfoque bayesiano al modelo de portafolio robusto para definir el conjunto de incerti­dumbre de tipo elipsoidal, bajo una distribución Wishart inversa. De esta for­ma, se incorpora la incertidumbre de los parámetros estimados para crear la contraparte robusta en el modelo de portafolio. El modelo propuesto utiliza una función de distribución Gamma, como generalización de la función Wishart. Los resultados confirman las conclusiones de Meucci y corroboran las propiedades atribuidas a este tipo de portafolios.
A revised reverse gated-diode technique for determining generation parameters in thin-film silicon-on-insulator devices and its application at high temperatures

In this paper the reverse gated-diode technique is examined for determining the carrier generation lifetime and surface generation velocities in thin-film silicon-on-insulator (SOI) devices. Using the modeling of the gate-controlled volume and surface generation components, SOI-specific aspects of the technique are highlighted. A reliable approach for extracting generation parameters in thin-film SOI devices from reverse gated-diode measurements is proposed and validated for high temperatures. The technique is demonstrated on the devices fabricated on two different SOI materials (zone-melt recrystallized and Unibond(R)), as examples of volume- and surface-dominated generation current behaviors. Finally, the technique is applied to characterize Unibond(R) SOI devices operating in the temperature range 100-300 degrees C to demonstrate the model and technique applicability at high temperatures. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.
The Cytokine and Bone Protein Expression by Ellagic Acid-Hydroxyapatite in Bone Remodelling Model

Objective Ellagic acid, a phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory potential, can be used to accelerate the bone healing process and affect human health, while hydroxyapatite is the most commonly used bone graft material. Using a combination of the two materials results in reduced inflammation and increased osteogenesis. This study aimed to determine the effects of combining ellagic acid and hydroxyapatite in bone marker remodelling by analysing the expression of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 10 (IL-10), bone morphogenetic 4 protein (BMP-4), and osteopontin (OPN). Methods Thirty Wistar rats were used in the study. A defect was created in each animal's femur using a low-speed diamond bur. In the control group, the bone was then treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). In one of the other groups, the bone was treated with hydroxyapatite, and in the other, with ellagic acid-hydroxyapatite. The femur was biopsied 7 days after the procedure and again 14 days after the procedure, and an indirect immunohistochemical (IHC) examination was performed for TNF-α, IL-10, BMP-4, and OPN expression. Results The ellagic acid-hydroxyapatite decreased TNF-α expression in the bone tissue after 7 days and again after 14 days (p < 0.05). On the other hand, it increased IL-10, BMP-4, and OPN expression (p < 0.05) during the same time periods. Conclusion Ellagic acid-hydroxyapatite plays a role in bone marker remodelling by decreasing the expression of TNF-α and increasing the expression of IL-10, BMP-4, and OPN. This hydroxyapatite combination can therefore be recommended for use as bone graft material.
An Alternative Simple Proof of a Result Useful in Reliability Shock Models

In this paper, we present a simple proof of a result, which has useful applications in the context of shock models that are important in reliability theory. Though the result can be easily proved using properties of totally positive functions, we introduce a new idea which enables us to provide a proof that utilizes only elementary techniques of real variable calculus.
Families of carbon nanotubes: Graphyne-based nanotubes

New families of carbon single-walled nanotubes are proposed and their electronic structures are investigated. These nanotubes, called graphynes, result from the elongation of covalent interconnections of graphite-based nanotubes by the introduction of yne groups. Analogously to ordinary nanotubes, armchair, zigzag, and chiral graphyne nanotubes are possible. We here predict the electronic proquerties of these unusual nanotubes using tight-binding and ab initio density functional methods. Of the three graphyne nanotube families analyzed here, two provide metallic behavior for armchair tubes and either metallic or semiconducting behavior for zigzag nanotubes. A diameter- and chirality-independent band gap is predicted for the other investigated graphyne family, as well as an oscillatory dependence of the effective mass on nanotube diameter.
Crack Segmentation on Earthen Heritage Site Surfaces

Earthen heritage sites are historical relics left by ancient human activity, with earthen as the primary building material, and have significant historical, scientific, and artistic value. However, many sites have experienced extensive deterioration caused by environmental forces and human factors. A crack is a kind of typical damage to the walls of earthen heritage sites. Studies of the crack-formation process can effectively predict trends in damage, which will play a critical role in the maintenance of earthen heritage sites. This study is the first of its kind to propose a deep learning method to study the cracks on earthen heritage sites at the pixel-level, adopt the idea of transfer learning, and employ a mixed-crack image dataset for training three deep learning models. The precision, recall, IoU, and F1 metrics were used to evaluate the performance of the trained models. The experimental results showed that FPN-vgg16 appeared to have the highest level of applicability to detect cracks on earthen heritage sites among all networks, due to the highest F1 score of 84.40% and the highest IoU score of 73.11%. The results illustrated that the proposed method in this paper can effectively be used to analyze the rammed earth surface crack images, with great potential in related research fields.
Quantifying and modeling the acoustic effects of compression on speech in noise

In this presentation a method is proposed that is able to separate a speech signal out of a noise signal after processing of the signal through wide‐dynamic‐range compression (WDRC). This technique reconstructs the speech signal and noise signal sample by sample separately using the gain factor of the WDRC, and can be used to quantify the acoustic effects of WDRC in noise. It will be shown that this technique is more accurate than a frequently used inversion technique, because the method is not affected by phase shifts that introduce distortion products in the reconstructed speech signal. As a result, the acoustic effects of WDRC can be measured more accurately. In addition, this reconstruction method allows modeling the speech intelligibility after non‐linear signal processing in the Speech Intelligibility Index. With the aid of Speech Reception Threshold data it will be shown that this approach can give a good account for most existing data.
Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of some Indigenous Plants in Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

Twenty four ethanol leaf and stem bark extracts of 17 indigenous plants were examined for their phytochemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Phytochemical compositions were analysed with GC-MS while antimicrobial activities on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated by the agar well diffusion method. The antioxidant activities were determined with Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC) and 2, 2,-dihenyl-1-picryhydazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The antibacterial activity was more towards the gram positive S. aureus than the gram negative P. aeruginosa for all the plant extracts. A wide range of phenolic concentrations among the aqueous plant extracts which varied from 28.04 to 500.26mg GAE per gram were observed. Inhibition percentages of DPPH ranged from 19.13 to 95.77% showing effectiveness in radical scavenging. GC-MS characterization of the plant extracts showed a total of 18 components including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, steroids and glycosides. Irvingia gabonensis leaf (IGL) extract and Tamarind stem bark (TSB) exhibited excellent ferric reducing abilities of 2.11 and 1.56 respectively while Voucanga Africana leaf (VCA) extract indicated the lowest ferric reducing power of 0.50. Extracts of IGL and TSB exhibited the highest antioxidant capacities and therefore could be the main sources of natural antioxidant. An important relationship between total phenolic content was observed showing that the major contributor to the antioxidant properties were phenolic compounds.
Size, seasonal weight change and growth in Platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Monotremata: Ornithorhynchidae), from rivers and lakes of New South Wales.

Platypuses captured in various water bodies in New South Wales were weighed and measured. There was considerable variation in both weights and lengths of animals measured from the different localities, with those from the Murrumbidgee River being larger than those from any other area. Mean lengths of adult males ranged between 53.3 ± 4.0 cm for individuals from Childowla on the Murrumbidgee River to 46.4 ± 0.5 cm for individuals from the Barnard River, while adult female mean lengths ranged between 47.6 ± 0.4 cm to 40.1 ± 0.2 cm for animals from the same localities. In some areas there was significant variation in weights with seasons, with either males or females losing weight in winter and gaining it during the following summer and early autumn. The highest mean weights for both males and females were again those for animals from Childowla (in February), being 2115 ± 95.7 g and 1398 ± 34.8 g respectively. Juvenile Platypuses emerged from nesting burrows around February in the Shoalhaven River at 81-88% of adult length, and 56-67% of adult weight for that month. After an initial spurt between February and April, growth was retarded in these animals during winter. Juvenile females grew rapidly during their first spring and reached adult size by the following January. Juvenile males also grew during this period but did not reach full adult size by this month. They were still recognisable as subadults using spur morphology. Possible reasons for the observed differences in size between areas are discussed.
Laboratory measurements of amorphous silicate smokes and the infrared spectra of oxygen-rich stars

The infrared spectra of smokes condensed from SiO-H2 and Mg-SiO-H2 vapors and of smoke samples annealed for various times at 1000 K and 1250 K are presented. The spectra of these materials show features in the 8-25 micron interval in addition to the well-known bands near 10 and 20 microns. It is suggested that these features may correspond to weak structures that can be seen in the infrared spectra of oxygen-rich stars. Observations are needed to determine the reality and characteristics of such weak features.
LCD-based low spatial coherence interferometer

An interferometer based on the spatial coherence detection has been developed for absolute height measurement. The location of a coherence peak resulting from the illumination of an extended quasi-monochromatic spatially incoherent light source with zone-plate-like spatial structure gives the longitudinal depth information. Besides simplifying the control of the light source structure, LCD-SLM eliminates the mechanical movement. Experiments of step height detection and profilometry of an object with a rough surface are presented that demonstrate the validity of the principle.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) Symptomatology in a High-Risk Clinical Sample

Attachment relationships are broadly considered foundational to child development as such attachment disorders, reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED), pose a severe threat to children’s safety and developmental trajectory. This study examined the prevalence of full diagnosis and symptoms of RAD and DSED in a high-risk sample of adopted children (n = 98; mean age: 46.26 months; range: 16.09 months-6.51 years). Consistent with existing literature, a full diagnosis of RAD and DSED was rare, 1% (n = 1) and 8.1% (n = 8), respectively. However, over half of the sample presented with at least one clinically concerning symptom of RAD or DSED. Given the nature of attachment disorders and the level of concern associated with symptoms, these findings emphasize the need for effective mental health screening, sensitivity beyond just a full diagnosis, and early interventions for adopted children.
Impact of Maternal and Offspring Dietary Zn Supplementation on Growth Performance and Antioxidant and Immune Function of Offspring Broilers

The current study investigated the effects of the maternal Zn source in conjunction with their offspring’s dietary Zn supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant status, Zn concentration, and immune function of the offspring. It also explored whether there is an interaction between maternal Zn and their offspring’s dietary Zn. One-day-old Lingnan Yellow-feathered broilers (n = 800) were completely randomized (n = 4) between two maternal dietary supplemental Zn sources [maternal Zn–Gly (oZn) vs. maternal ZnSO4 (iZn)] × two offspring dietary supplemental Zn doses [Zn-unsupplemented control diet (CON), the control diet + 80 mg of Zn/kg of diet as ZnSO4]. oZn increased progeny ADG and decreased offspring mortality across all periods, especially during the late periods (p < 0.05). The offspring diet supplemented with Zn significantly improved ADG and decreased offspring mortality over the whole period compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). There were significant interactions between the maternal Zn source and offspring dietary Zn with regards to progeny mortality during the late phase and across all phases as a whole (p < 0.05). Compared with the iZn group, the oZn treatment significantly increased progeny liver and serum Zn concentrations; antioxidant capacity in the liver, muscle, and serum; and the IgM concentration in serum; while also decreasing progeny serum IL-1 and TNF-α cytokine secretions (p < 0.05). Similar results were observed when the offspring diet was supplemented with Zn compared with the CON group; moreover, adding Zn to the offspring diet alleviated progeny stress by decreasing corticosterone levels in the serum when compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal Zn–Gly supplementation increased progeny performance and decreased progeny mortality and stress by increasing progeny Zn concentration, antioxidant capacity, and immune function compared with the same Zn levels from ZnSO4. Simultaneously, Zn supplementation in the progeny’s diet is necessary for the growth of broilers.
Preparation and Applications of Green Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Nanocomposites Based on Nanolignin

The development of bio-based materials is of great importance in the present environmental circumstances; hence, research has greatly advanced in the valorization of lignin from lignocellulosic wastes. Lignin is a natural polymer with a crosslinked structure, valuable antiradical activity, unique thermal- and UV-absorption properties, and biodegradability, which justify its use in several prospective and useful application sectors. The active functionalities of lignin promote its use as a valuable material to be adopted in the composite and nanocomposites arenas, being useful and suitable for consideration both for the synthesis of matrices and as a nanofiller. The aim of this review is to summarize, after a brief introduction on the need for alternative green solutions to petroleum-based plastics, the synthesis methods for bio-based and/or biodegradable thermoplastic and thermosetting nanocomposites, along with the application of lignin nanoparticles in all green polymeric matrices, thus generating responsiveness towards the sustainable use of this valuable product in the environment.
Possible Mechanisms of the Interplay between Drugs and Mycotoxins—Is There a Possible Impact?

Mycotoxin contamination is a global food safety issue leading to major public health concerns. Repeated exposure to multiple mycotoxins not only has repercussions on human health but could theoretically also lead to interactions with other xenobiotic substances—such as drugs—in the body by altering their pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics. The combined effects of chronic drug use and mycotoxin exposure need to be well understood in order to draw valid conclusions and, in due course, to develop guidelines. The aim of this review is to focus on food contaminants, more precisely on mycotoxins, and drugs. First, a description of relevant mycotoxins and their effects on human health and metabolism is presented. The potential for interactions of mycotoxins with drugs using in vitro and in vivo animal experiments is summarized. Predictive software tools for unraveling mycotoxin–drug interactions are proposed and future perspectives on this emerging topic are highlighted with a view to evaluate associated risks and to focus on precision medicine. In vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that mycotoxins affect CYP450 enzyme activity. An impact from drugs on mycotoxins mediated via CYP450-enzymes is plausible; however, an impact of mycotoxins on drugs is less likely considering the much smaller dose exposure to mycotoxins. Drugs that are CYP450 perpetrators and/or substrates potentially influence the metabolism of mycotoxins, metabolized via these CYP450 enzymes. To date, very little research has been conducted on this matter. The only statistically sound reports describe mycotoxins as victims and drugs as perpetrators in interactions; however, more analysis on mycotoxin–drug interactions needs to be performed.
THE SIGNIF ICANCE OF HARVEST RESIDUES IN THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF ARABLE LAND. II. HARVEST RESIDUES MANAGEMENT

Harvest residues (HR) are one of the important aspects of sustainable management in agriculture, representing a significant portion of organic matter (OM) that can be retained or removed from agro-ecosystems. There are several ways to manage plant residues: (i) burning, (ii) incorporation in soil, (iii) leaving plant residues after harvest on the soil surface in form of mulch, (iv) undersowing crops in HR and (v) baling and removing HR from the plot. Burning is the most unreasonable action in agricultural production, which is prohibited by legal regulations in force. The burning means a complete loss of OM - N and S are irretrievably lost in the air, mineral substances remain in ash, and microorganisms in the soil surface layer are destroyed. Incorporation of HR may be complete or partial, depending on the soil cultivation method applied. This HR management method has a number of soil benefits: increases content of nutrients, OM and humus; increases microbiological activity; improves soil water, air and physical properties; improves soil structure, ultimately contributing to the increase in soil fertility and plant growth. Two practical approaches that were once common, have been neglected. Namely, undersowing and mixed cultivation where various species are simultaneously grown with or between plantings of a main crop. Removal of HR indirectly leads to a decrease of the organic matter in the soil. In essence, there is a need to determine the size of acceptors and the return rates of organic residues of different quality, and to increase the efficiency of nutrient cycling from residues through various land acceptors and crops, with minimal losses from the system.