Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquor Outlet Concentrations and Alcohol-related Neighbourhood Problems

This bulletin presents the results of research investigating the relationship between the concentration of licensed premises in a given area and perceptions of alcohol-related problems in that locale. For this purpose, a secondary analysis of the National Crime and Safety Survey (2002) was conducted using data from survey participants who resided in NSW. This investigation examined three outcomes: (1) reported problems with drunkenness in the neighbourhood, (2) reported problems with property damage in the neighbourhood and (3) assault victimisation in the home. Two measures of alcohol outlet concentration were constructed for this analysis and included as independent variables: (1) liquor outlet accessibility and (2) liquor outlet density. Multilevel modelling of these data showed that respondents who lived closer to liquor outlets were more likely to report problems in their neighbourhood from drunkenness and property damage, controlling for socio-demographic factors. The analysis also showed that respondents who lived in areas with a higher density of licensed premises were more likely to report problems in their neighbourhood from drunkenness, again controlling for socio-demographic factors. It was not possible to apply multilevel modelling to assess the relationship between domestic assault victimisation and either of the alcohol outlet concentration measures due to the relatively low number of assaults in the sample which were reported as having occurred at home. The implications of these findings for liquor licensing policy in NSW are discussed.
INVESTIGATING DIFFERENCES IN OZONE PRODUCTION FROM CB05 AND CBMIV VERSIONS OF THE NAQFC

The NOAA National Air Quality Forecasting Capability (NAQFC) is based on the National Center for Environmental Prediction’s North American Mesoscale model, the Non-hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM), and the U. S. EPA’s Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system. The operational NAQFC utilizes a modified version of the Carbon Bond Mechanism version IV (CBMIV, Gery et al., 1989) as the gasphase chemical mechanism to provide ozone (O3) forecasts for the conterminous U. S. (CONUS) domain. An experimental version of the NAQFC is run in parallel with the operational track which uses identical input emissions base inventories, meteorological datasets and initial and boundary conditions, but differs only in that the updated 2005 version of the Carbon Bond Mechanism (CB05, Yarwood et al., 2005) is used rather than CBMIV. Parallel runs of the operational and experimental NAQFC have been observed to produce significantly different ozone distributions (Figure 1). The CB05 version of CMAQ consistently produces higher values of O3 across most of the CONUS domain than occurs in the equivalent simulation using CBMIV and produces larger positive biases as compared to surface O3 measurements. Sensitivity simulations of simple box model versions of each mechanism were performed to investigate the mechanistic reasons underlying the observed differences in O3 distributions.
An Efficient Expression and Purification Protocol for SpCas9 Nuclease and Evaluation of Different Delivery Methods of Ribonucleoprotein

The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system is a revolutionary tool for precise genome editing across various cell types. Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), encompassing the Cas9 protein and guide RNA (gRNA), have emerged as a promising technique due to their increased specificity and reduced off-target effects. This method eliminates the need for plasmid DNA introduction, thereby preventing potential integration of foreign DNA into the target cell genome. Given the requirement for large quantities of highly purified protein in various Cas9 studies, we present an efficient and simple method for the preparation of recombinant Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) protein. This method leverages the Small Ubiquitin Like Modifier(SUMO) tag system, which includes metal-affinity chromatography followed by anion-exchange chromatography purification. Furthermore, we compare two methods of CRISPR-Cas9 system delivery into cells: transfection with plasmid DNA encoding the CRISPR-Cas9 system and RNP transfection with the Cas9-gRNA complex. We estimate the efficiency of genomic editing and protein lifespan post-transfection. Intriguingly, we found that RNP treatment of cells, even in the absence of a transfection system, is a relatively efficient method for RNP delivery into cell culture. This discovery is particularly promising as it can significantly reduce cytotoxicity, which is crucial for certain cell cultures such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
The Recent Progress of the Cellulose-Based Antibacterial Hydrogel

Cellulose-based antibacterial hydrogel has good biocompatibility, antibacterial performance, biodegradability, and other characteristics. It can be very compatible with human tissues and degradation, while its good water absorption and moisturizing properties can effectively absorb wound exudates, keep the wound moist, and promote wound healing. In this paper, the structural properties, and physical and chemical cross-linking preparation methods of cellulose-based antibacterial hydrogels were discussed in detail, and the application of cellulose-based hydrogels in the antibacterial field was deeply studied. In general, cellulose-based antibacterial hydrogels, as a new type of biomaterial, have shown good potential in antimicrobial properties and have been widely used. However, there are still some challenges, such as optimizing the preparation process and performance parameters, improving the antibacterial and physical properties, broadening the application range, and evaluating safety. However, with the deepening of research and technological progress, it is believed that cellulose-based antibacterial hydrogels will be applied and developed in more fields in the future.
GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF Daphnia carinata IN LOW AND HIGH DENSITY CULTURE UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

The effect of population density on the Daphnia carinata individuals were investigated at two different densities with similar foodmedium. There is no difference in age at first reproduction, low-significant changes in carpace length and the number of neonates produced after 15 days to AFR, however, egg diapauses only visible in high density cultures. These findings suggest that high population density depresses both growth in adult instars and parthenogenesis to induce ephippial egg under enriched culture medium.
Two Improved Algorithms Based on DQN

DQN (Deep Q-Network) is a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, proposed by DeepMind researchers in 2013, which is a value function-based reinforcement learning method designed to solve reinforcement learning problems with high-dimensional state spaces and discrete action spaces. So far, many research teams have made improvements to the DQN algorithm, in this paper, on the basis of four existing improved algorithms, two groups of them are selected for integration, which we call NDP_DQN and NDP51_DQN, respectively. We have conducted experiments with the DQN as a baseline and the two improved algorithms as a comparison on Atari 2600, an important experimental platform in the field of Deep Reinforcement Learning, and the experiments show that both algorithms exhibit higher performance over the original DQN algorithm on an arcade game in the Atari 2600.
Review of Research on Mechanical Direct Current Circuit Breakers

Mechanical direct current circuit breakers with good economic effectiveness and high breaking reliability are one of the main technical routes for fault clearing in DC power grids, and have broad application prospects in DC transmission and distribution systems. According to the difference in breaking principles, the present mechanical DC circuit breakers predominantly involve air type DC circuit breakers, current injection DC circuit breakers, and magnetic coupling DC circuit breakers. This paper provides an overview of three forms of mechanical DC circuit breakers, analyzing the corresponding DC current breaking topology, working principles, and breaking methods, introducing the latest research results of related technologies in terms of the field of MVDC and HVDC current breaking. Air type DC circuit breakers are widely applied to low-voltage DC systems, forcing the current zero through sufficiently high arc voltage generated between the opening contacts and completing the opening, which have the advantages of high working reliability and large short-circuit current breaking capacity. The current injection DC circuit breaker utilizes capacitors or inductors of the transfer branch to generate reverse current, then injecting the reverse current into the mechanical switch and achieving zero crossing and breaking of current, which can be applied into medium voltage DC and high voltage DC systems. Magnetic coupling DC circuit breaker is a novel DC breaking technology, simplifying pre-charging capacitor’s the high voltage charging module by isolating the high and low voltage sides, reducing the costs and increasing the breaking reliability, which also has the relevant research in the medium voltage and high voltage field. This article also elaborates on the key technological development and challenges of mechanical DC circuit breakers, summarizing critical issues of mechanical DC circuit breaker from aspects of establishment of arc mathematical model, improvement of commutation branch, design of energy consuming branch, development of fast operating mechanism, and research on arc extinguishing unit of mechanical switch.
An aesthetics of resilience: design and agency in contemporary coral restoration

Abstract If the Anthropocene points to how human action can destabilise earth’s systems, then it also implies that human agency can refurbish and redesign those same systems in the name of mutual survival. On Koh Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, a cohort of tourists and conservationists collect, cultivate, and propagate coral species on artificial reef structures. Koh Tao's economy is dependent on its local reefs to support scuba tourism, but only the New Heaven Restoration and Conservation Program (NHRCP) maintains conservation efforts to support reef resilience and the island’s economic health. Its students and instructors re-form their relationship to global climate change as doubly active agents in the Anthropocene: first, claiming responsibility for the ecological impacts of anthropogenic climate change; second, reforming the life-path of coral fragments under new scientific and aesthetic paradigms. As scientists, participants prioritise coral species’ genetic diversity and ecological needs. As conservationists, they create narratives that perpetuate investment in resilience. From coral nurseries to underwater sculptures, NHRCP’s participants rework their relationship to global climate change and their own sense of agency made manifest through ecological design. They imagine new livelihoods by fashioning resilient, genetically diverse coral species. Their choices become an aesthetic of resilience.
The Simulations and Observations of the Cosmic Dust

As a matter of fact, researches in cosmic dust are useful to astronomy observations and the analysis of the history of the galaxies due to its optical properties and grains’ structure. Thanks to the theoretical development as well as the upgrade of the state-of-art detectors, various novel results have been obtained. With this in mind, this study will systematically analyze the known special properties of cosmic dust as well as the observations based on the advanced facilities and simulations methods based on the state-of-art models of it. To be specific, the simulation principle and recent observations will be demonstrated. According to the analysis, this study will present the evaluations for limitations as well as clear up the researches process and propose future outlooks about the use of the results of the observations and simulations of the cosmic dust. Overall, these results shed light on guiding further exploration of analysis of cosmic dust.
The History and Prediction of Prebiotics and Postbiotics: A Patent Analysis

Prebiotics and postbiotics have gained attention as functional food additives due to their substantial influence on the gut microbiome and potential implications for human health on a broader scale. In addition, the number of patents for these additives has also increased, yet their functional classification has been problematic. In this study, we classified 2215 patents granted from 2001 to 2020 by functionality to enable predictions of future development directions. These patents encompassed subjects as diverse as feed supplementation, regulation of intestinal homeostasis, prevention of gastrointestinal ailments, targeted drug administration and augmentation of drug potency. The progression of patents issued during this time frame could be divided into three phases: occasional accounts prior to 2001, a period from 2001 to 2013 during which an average of 42 patents were issued annually, followed by a surge exceeding 140 patents annually after 2013. The latter increase has indicated that pre- and post-biotics have been recognized as biologically relevant. Patent mining therefore can enable forecasts of the future trajectory of these biologics and provide insights to evaluate their advancement. Moreover, this research is the first attempt to generalize and predict the directions of prebiotics and postbiotics using patent information and offers a comprehensive perspective for the potential utilization of prebiotics and postbiotics across a wide variety of fields.
Brain-eNet: Towards an Enabling Technology for BCI-IoT Systems

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems have recently been amalgamated to create BCIoT. Most of the early applications have focused on the healthcare sector, and more recently, in education, virtual reality, smart homes, and smart vehicles, amongst others. While there are many transversal developing stages that can be satisfied by a single system, no common enabling technology or standards exist. These challenges are address in the proposed platform, Brain-eNet. This technology was developed considering the constraints-space defined by BCIoT real-time mobile applications. This is expected to enable the development of BCIoT systems by providing modular hardware and software resources. Two instances of this platform implementation are provided, a motor intent detection for rehabilitation and an emotion recognition system.
Optimized Counter Design for Accelerated Summation in Digital Signal Processing Systems

Efficient summation of multiple operands in parallel is crucial in various digital signal processing units. Accelerating this summation process requires high compression ratio counters and compressors. This study introduces a novel approach to fast saturated binary counters and exact/approximate (4:2) compressors utilizing sorting networks. The counter's inputs are asymmetrically divided into two groups and processed through sorting networks to produce reordered sequences, efficiently represented by one-hot code sequences. By establishing three special Boolean equations between the reordered sequence and the one-hot code sequence, the output boolean expressions of the counter are significantly simplified. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over conventional approaches in terms of performance.
Pengukuran Kinerja Sistem Informasi pada Universitas Serambi Mekkah Menggunakan Metode IT Balanced Scorecard

The development of information technology is very rapid impact on people's lives, both individuals and organizations that the task of monitoring the performance of information technology / information system becomes important. Sistem Informasi Akademik (SIAKAD) Universitas Serambi Mekkah (USM) is used to accommodate the needs of the academic administration. However, along with the importance of the role of SIAKAD, performance system measurement has not been done. This study was conducted to obtain performance information ofn systems that contribute to the effectiveness of academic administrative services through measurements using methods of IT Balanced Scorecard (IT BSC), this method is a framework that is balanced provide performance information of systems in four perspectives : the contribution of organizations, user orientation, improving operations and future orientation where the necessary conditions to carry out the development and continuous improvement. Framework IT BSC can define the realization of the strategy of the organization, its implementation is based on the choice of performance indicators derived from the strategic plan of the institution, therefore this research oriented system performance for the effectiveness of academic services in accordance with the strategic objectives of the institution. This study mainly emphasizes the use of IT BSC perspective in performance measurement. The measurement results are shown on the performance level of academic information system based on of the is the perspective of the organization's contribution amounts to 15,74%, user satisfaction amounting to 16,60%, operational improvement amounted to 16,69% and the future orientation amounts to 7,50%. The final result of the calculation of the IT BSC amounted to 56.52%.
The role of grit in inclusive education: a study of motivation and achievement among preservice physical education teachers

Introduction Grit, a combination of enduring effort and persistent interest, is key to long-term goals. The training of preservice physical education (PE) teachers is vital for child development, emphasizing the need to assess their resilience and commitment. However, research is limited regarding how grit influences motivation and achievement goals in PE. The purpose of this study was to explore how the grit dimensions of preservice PE teachers impact their motivation and achievement goals, which may subsequently shape their future career intentions of becoming PE teachers. Methods A total of 279 preservice physical education (PE) teachers (69.5% males; 26.9% PE graduate program) from five South Korean universities participated in the study. They completed validated questionnaires measuring grit, motivation, achievement goal orientations, and career intentions. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine variable relationships and test the hypothesis model. Results Correlation analysis indicated a spectrum of relationships between facets of grit (perseverance of effort and consistency of interests), motivational parameters, and career intention, with both positive and negative correlations ranging from weak to moderate (r ranging from 0.119 to 0.425, p < 0.05–0.01). SEM confirmed the model’s goodness-of-fit (χ2/df = 1.928, RMSEA = 0.058, IFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.91, CFI = 0.92). Path analysis showed that both perseverance of effort and consistency of interests significantly influenced motivational mechanisms (β ranging from −0.34 to 0.57, p < 0.05–0.01), both directly and indirectly, which then notably impacted career intentions (β = 0.10, p < 0.05). Notably, both grit dimensions significantly impacted mastery approach goals (β ranging from 0.49 to 0.56, p < 0.01). Mastery approach goals, in turn, had a substantial impact on intrinsic motivation (β = 0.27, p < 0.01), which subsequently significantly influenced career intentions (β = 0.32, p < 0.01). Conclusion The study illuminated the complex relationships between grit dimensions, motivation, achievement goals, and career intentions of future PE teachers. SEM validation confirmed grit’s direct and indirect influence on goal orientations and motivation, underscoring the importance of incorporating grit-building strategies alongside mastery approach goals in preservice PE programs to enhance resilience, dedication, and long-term career commitment.
A Secure Network Coding based Image Communications in Two-Hop Wireless Relay Networks

This paper investigates the image communications in two-hop wireless relay networks (TH-WRNs) where a source node sends images to a destination node with the assistance of a relay node via two hops, i.e. source-to-relay and relay-to-destination links. Due to the broadcast nature of wireless media, there exists an eavesdropper who tries to overhear and recover the images. Aiming to enhance the security and also to save transmission bandwidth of the image communications, we propose a secure relaying transmission (SRT) protocol by exploiting both random linear network coding (RLNC) and image super-resolution (ISR) techniques. In the proposed protocol, the original high-resolution (HR) images are downscaled at the source node and the RLNC is employed at both the source and relay nodes to conceal the original images from the eavesdropper. The RLNC decoding and ISR are adopted at the destination node to decode and recover the HR images, while the eavesdropper cannot decode the images due to the unawareness of the coefficient matrices and the reference images in the RLNC. It is shown that the proposed SRT protocol achieves a significantly higher performance at the destination than at the eavesdropper. Furthermore, with high-quality relaying hops, the SRT protocol outperforms the secure direct transmission (SDT) protocol with only a direct link between the source and the destination nodes. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the findings.
Evaluation of long‐term surface‐retrieved cloud droplet number concentration with in situ aircraft observations

A new operational retrieval of cloud droplet number concentration (ND) at cloud base has been produced from surface remote sensors at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains site for 13 years from January 1998 to January 2011. The retrieval is based on surface radiometer measurements of cloud optical depth from the multifilter rotating shadow band radiometer and liquid water path from the microwave radiometer (MWR). It is only applicable for single‐layered overcast warm (stratus or stratocumulus) clouds. Evaluation with in situ aircraft measurements during the extended‐term aircraft field campaign, Routine ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) Clouds with Low Optical Water Depths (CLOWD) Optical Radiative Observations (RACORO), shows that the retrieved ND robustly reproduces the primary mode of the in situ measured probability density function (PDF) but produces too wide a distribution, primarily caused by frequent high cloud droplet number concentration. Our analysis shows that the error in the MWR retrievals at low liquid water paths is one possible reason for this deficiency. Modification through the diagnosed liquid water path from the coordinate solution improves not only the PDF of the retrieved ND but also the relationship between the cloud droplet number concentration and cloud droplet effective radius. Consideration of entrainment effects rather than assuming an adiabatic cloud improves the values of the ND retrieval by reducing the magnitude of cloud droplet number concentration. Aircraft measurements and retrieval comparisons suggest that retrieving the vertical distribution of cloud droplet number concentration and effective radius is feasible with an improvement of the parameter representing the mixing effects between environment and clouds and with a better understanding of the effect of mixing degree on cloud properties.