Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scattering Model-Based Oil-Slick-Related Parameters Estimation From Radar Remote Sensing: Feasibility and Simulation Results

In this study, the potential of electromagnetic scattering models to retrieve quantitative parameters of sea oil spills is investigated using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach. The backscattering coefficient of a slick-covered sea surface is predicted using the advanced integral equation model augmented with the model of local balance (MLB), an effective dielectric constant model, and a composite medium model to include the effect of an oil slick. Damping ratios (DRs), predicted for different oil parameters (namely, the oil thickness and seawater volume fraction), are used to train and test a four-layer neural network. Once successfully tested, the neural network is applied to an uninhabited aerial vehicle synthetic aperture radar (UAVSAR) image collected during the DeepWater Horizon (DWH) oil spill accident to retrieve the oil slick thickness and volume fraction of seawater in the oil layer. The inversion results show that the thicker (i.e., 2–4 mm) emulsions are located in the south and west of the slick and they are surrounded by thinner (i.e., < 1 mm) oil films. In addition, the seawater volume fraction in the oil slick is found to be about 20%–30%. Results are contrasted with optical data and previous studies of the same accidental oil spill, showing qualitatively good agreement.
Game Models for Ordering and Channel Decisions of New and Differentiated Remanufactured Products in a Closed-Loop Supply Chain with Sales Efforts

Environmental responsibility and economic benefits have promoted the development of closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs), and shortages and channels are considered to be two important issues in a CLSC. This paper explores the ordering and channel decisions in a CLSC with new and differentiated remanufactured products; considers the price and sales-effort-dependent demands, as well as the proportion of emergency orders determined by emergency order costs and backorder losses; and establishes integrated and decentralized CLSC game models. We introduce a stochastic sales effort, which affects two types of products. The numerical results show that sales effort and the order quantity of new and remanufactured products exhibit concave and convex functions, respectively. The upper limit of sales effort has a greater impact on supply chain decisions. High sales efforts can serve as a means of coordinating dispersed supply chains. Moreover, in different cases, the decisions of an integrated channel are better than those of a decentralized channel. Finally, whether the supply chain adopts an emergency order strategy depends on the relative cost of emergency orders and out-of-stock costs. According to this research, some management insights are also provided.
Joint Stress Estimation and Remaining Useful Life Prediction for Collaborative Robots to Support Predictive Maintenance

Anticipating the maintenance needs of lightweight robotic manipulators at precise future instances represents a significant challenge within the automation domain. This letter introduces an innovative and comprehensive method to estimate the severity of stress imposed on a robot joint at any given time. Additionally, we present a knowledge-based predictive model aimed at approximating the End of Life (EoL) for a robotic joint, enabling the prediction of its Remaining Useful Life (RUL) with respect to the designated load case. This predictive model is rooted in a baseline derived from empirical data covering the entire Universal Robots (UR) e-series and is trained using synthetic data. Subsequently, it undergoes evaluation with a real-world dataset and is further validated in a case study. The model demonstrates a high level of accuracy, with worst-case performance reaching $\text{90.3}{\%}$ as the lower limit.
Haptic Sensing and Feedback Techniques toward Virtual Reality

Haptic interactions between human and machines are essential for information acquisition and object manipulation. In virtual reality (VR) system, the haptic sensing device can gather information to construct virtual elements, while the haptic feedback part can transfer feedbacks to human with virtual tactile sensation. Therefore, exploring high-performance haptic sensing and feedback interface imparts closed-loop haptic interaction to VR system. This review summarizes state-of-the-art VR-related haptic sensing and feedback techniques based on the hardware parts. For the haptic sensor, we focus on mechanism scope (piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric) and introduce force sensor, gesture translation, and touch identification in the functional view. In terms of the haptic feedbacks, methodologies including mechanical, electrical, and elastic actuators are surveyed. In addition, the interactive application of virtual control, immersive entertainment, and medical rehabilitation is also summarized. The challenges of virtual haptic interactions are given including the accuracy, durability, and technical conflicts of the sensing devices, bottlenecks of various feedbacks, as well as the closed-loop interaction system. Besides, the prospects are outlined in artificial intelligence of things, wise information technology of medicine, and multimedia VR areas.
Environmental aspects related to nanomaterials - A literature survey

The report sets out some basic knowledge of nanomaterials and their characteristics, general information about what is known of their environmental effects, and describes the special features, which are encountered when analysing or testing of nanomaterials. The material for this report has been assembled from the recent scientific publications and reports and summaries of various expert bodies. This publication is one result of the second work package of the FINLCA -project (Life Cycle Assessment Framework and Tools for Finnish Companies). Nanomaterials are manufactured in increasing volumes and used in more and more novel applications. Therefore, it is expected that some of them may be released into the environment during the production of nanomaterials, manufacturing of consumer products, or their use or disposal of waste. Chemical and physical properties of the engineered nanomaterials are substantially different from those of the bulk materials. Consequently, there are considerable challenges for analytical, as well as risk and safety assessment methodology. In order to give evidence as the cause of an effect, it is important to verify the presence of the material in nanosize during the experimental set-ups, and also in the environment. Generally speaking, for example in aquatic environment, most of the nanoparticles tend to form aggregates, a phenomenon resulting in drastic decrease of the nanosized particles. Nevertheless, at least some nanoparticles has been demonstrated in laboratory tests to cause adverse effects on organisms. A lot of more data and research is needed to make final conclusions of the environmental fate and effects of nanomaterials. Life cycle assessment procedures take a broader view to environmental impacts than is generally the case in safety assessment of chemicals. The use of energy and raw materials, or waste recycling and management should be considered. On the basis of the current knowledge, generalizations applying to a large group of nanomaterials or nanotechnologies are not justified, and environmental impacts need to be evaluated on a case by case approach.
Assessment of Integrative Therapeutic Methods for Improving the Quality of Life and Functioning in Cancer Patients—A Systematic Review

Background: Cancer rehabilitation represents a series of measures adopted for the recovery of psychological, emotional, social, and financial functioning in the case of cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to identify the main elements of therapeutic management in the field of medical rehabilitation, as well as integrative, complementary medicine and holistic approaches that can be performed on the oncological patient. Methods: This systematic literature review follows the methodology outlined in the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis” (“PRISMA”) statement, which is an internationally recognized and widely accepted standard. Results: Active rehabilitative therapies offer therapeutic options for improving the functioning and quality of life of oncological patients; these therapies comprehensively address both the physical and psychological aspects of the disease. This review also includes the latest novelties and nanotechnologies applied in oncological rehabilitation, for example, drugs (or supplements) inspired by nature. Conclusions: Physical and rehabilitation medicine, mostly using stimulating therapeutic methods, was recently added to the list of contraindications in the management of oncological patients, both as an approach to the pathological concept itself and as an approach to the main clinical consequences and functional aspects of oncological therapies. Integrative, complementary medicine presents an important therapeutic resource in the case of oncological patients. Advanced studies are needed in the future to further ascertain the role of these therapies.
Postbiotics in colorectal cancer: intervention mechanisms and perspectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy affecting the gastrointestinal tract worldwide. The etiology and progression of CRC are related to factors such as environmental influences, dietary structure, and genetic susceptibility. Intestinal microbiota can influence the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier and modulate intestinal immunity by secreting various metabolites. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota can affect the metabolites of the microbial, leading to the accumulation of toxic metabolites, which can trigger chronic inflammation or DNA damage and ultimately lead to cellular carcinogenesis and the development of CRC. Postbiotics are preparations of inanimate microorganisms or their components that are beneficial to the health of the host, with the main components including bacterial components (e.g., exopolysaccharides, teichoic acids, surface layer protein) and metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolite, bile acids, vitamins and enzymes). Compared with traditional probiotics, it has a more stable chemical structure and higher safety. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that postbiotics are involved in regulating intestinal microecology and improving the progression of CRC, which provides new ideas for the prevention and diagnosis of CRC. In this article, we review the changes in intestinal microbiota in different states of the gut and the mechanisms of anti-tumor activity of postbiotic-related components, and discuss the potential significance of postbiotics in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC. This reviews the changes and pathogenesis of intestinal microbiota in the development of CRC, and summarizes the relevant mechanisms of postbiotics in resisting the development of CRC in recent years, as well as the advantages and limitations of postbiotics in the treatment process of CRC.
Physical Models of Shear Zones: on the Relationship between Material Properties and Shear Zone Geometry

I present physical shear-box experiments investigating the relationship between geometrical properties of shear zones and mechanical properties of deformed rocks. Experimental methodology is also examined critically and new materials for analogue modelling of shear localization are presented. First, I tested experimentally whether meaningful rheological information can be deduced from finite geometrical shear zone data. The results predict characteristic geometrical responses for certain end-member materials. However, it will be difficult to constrain such responses in the field. In the second part physical controls on deformation in the shear box are analysed for Newtonian and power-law fluids and an elastoviscoplastic strain-softening material. Since models always represent simplifications of the natural problem, it is essential to understand fully the physics of a given simulation. I show that displacement boundary conditions, model geometry, and rheology control shear
Regional Extreme Precipitation Events: Robust Inference From Credibly Simulated GCM Variables

General circulation models (GCMs) have been demonstrated to produce estimates of precipitation, including the frequency of extreme precipitation, with substantial bias and uncertainty relative to their representation of other fields. Thus, while theory predicts changes in the hydrologic cycle under anthropogenic warming, there is generally low confidence in future projections of extreme precipitation frequency for specific river basins. In this paper, we explore whether a GCM simulates large‐scale atmospheric circulation indices that are associated with regional extreme precipitation (REP) days more accurately than it simulates REP days themselves, and thus whether conditional simulation of the precipitation events based on the circulation indices may improve the simulation of REP events. We show that a coupled Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory GCM simulates too many springtime REP days in the Ohio River Basin in historical (1950–2005) simulations. The GCM, however, does credibly simulate the distributional and persistence properties of several indices (which represent the large‐scale atmospheric pressure features, local atmospheric moisture content, and local vertical velocity) that are shown to modulate the likelihood of REP occurrence in the reanalysis/observational record. We show that simulation of REP events based on the GCM‐based atmospheric indices greatly reduces the bias of GCM REP frequency relative to the observed record. The simulation is conducted via a Bayesian regression model by imposing the empirical relationship between observed REP occurrence and the reanalysis‐based atmospheric indices. Application of this model to future (2006–2100) representative concentration pathway 8.5 scenario suggests an increasing trend in springtime REP incidence in the study region. The proposed approach of simulating precipitation events of interest, particularly those poorly represented in GCMs, with a statistical model based on climate indices that are reasonably simulated by GCMs could be applied to subseasonal to seasonal forecasts as well as future projections.
Sea ice physical processes and biological linkages within the North Water polynya during 1998

Sea ice is a major component of the Earth's climate system and is believed to be a sensitive indicator of climate change. The North Water (NOW) refers to a region of anomalous sea ice conditions at the northern end of Baffin Bay. The dynamic sea ice cover is due to the presence of the NOW polynya. An explanation for the polynya's occurrence has yet to be confirrned. In this thesis I studied the spatial and temporal patterns of sea ice cover within the North Water (NOW) in the context of polynya formation and maintenance mechanisrns. Further, biological implications of the NOW's sea ice cover patterns were examined. To accomplish this I developed a sea ice classification scheme for RADARSAT-1 ScanSAR imagery obtained throughout f 998. 1 extracted sea ice type and concentration and constructed a Geographic Information System (GIS) database for analysis of spatial and temporal trends in sea ice cover over this annual cycle. Spatially, the results identified a clear and consistent pattern of sea ice cover throughout 1998. Areas of increased ice deformation (evidenced by the presence of compressive deforrned ice types) along the east coast of Canada with a fesser degree of deformation towards Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago were inferred. Temporally. the polynya opened southward along the Canadian coast and eastward towards the Greenland coast. Subsequently. the polynya appeared to be largely controlled by the latent heat mechanism with the exception of the west Greenland coast. There were some areas of lower ice deformation along the coast of Greenland that could also be explained, at least in part, through sensible heat inputs (i.e., both oceanic and atmospheric). These areas of lesser ice deformation also corresponded to the occurrence of shallow mixed layer depths earlier than surrounding areas. Consequently, these areas have the potential to accommodate an earlier primary production bloom. This thesis represents an advancement in the developrnent of our understanding of ocean-sea ice-atmosphere processes that occur within the North Water and its polynya. Links between the polynya's sea ice cover, phys id mechanisms, biological production and climate variability and change were made. Further analysis within the NOW Study research network will examine these links in more detail.
Decreased skin colonization with Malassezia spp. and increased skin colonization with Candida spp. in patients with severe atopic dermatitis

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease in which patients are sensitized towards a plethora of allergens. The hosts fungal microbiota, the mycobiota, that is believed to be altered in patients suffering from AD acts as such an allergen. The correlation context of specific sensitization, changes in mycobiota and its impact on disease severity however remains poorly understood. Objectives We aim to enhance the understanding of the specific sensitization towards the mycobiota in AD patients in relation to their fungal skin colonization. Methods Sensitization pattern towards the Malassezia spp. and Candida albicans of 16 AD patients and 14 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed with the newly developed multiplex-assay ALEX2® and the established singleplex-assay ImmunoCAP®. We compared these findings with the fungal skin colonization analyzed by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1). Results Sensitization in general and towards Malassezia spp. and C. albicans is increased in AD patients compared to HC with a quantitative difference in severe AD when compared to mild to moderate AD. Further we saw an association between sensitization towards and skin colonization with Candida spp. yet a negative correlation between sensitization towards and skin colonization with Malassezia spp. Conclusion We conclude that AD in general and severe AD in particular is associated with increased sensitization towards the hosts own mycobiota. There is positive correlation in Candida spp. skin colonization and negative in Malassezia spp. skin colonization when compared to AD, AD severity as well as to specific sensitization patterns.
Optimal Photovoltaic Array Configuration under Non-Uniform Laser Beam Conditions for Laser Wireless Power Transmission

In a long-distance wireless power transmission system with a non-uniform distribution of laser irradiation, it will significantly reduce the output power of the photovoltaic array, resulting in a large amount of power loss in the system and a decrease in conversion efficiency. This paper proposes an efficient and reliable optimal circuit connection algorithm for the 5 × 5 scale photovoltaic array. Under the laser illumination of 300 W, a 20 m wireless power transmission experiment was performed on four 5 × 5 scale photovoltaic arrays. The results show a 56.49% increase in the maximum output power of the 5 × 5 scale photovoltaic array.
Relationship of grade level and gender towards science literacy abilities in islamic senior high students

Science literacy is one of the abilities that every individual student must have and is also a prerequisite for 21st-century life skills through integrated education, starting from family, school, and to society. This research aims to determine science literacy abilities and to determine the relationship between gender and class-level science literacy abilities in students in grades X, XI, and XII at Islamic Senior High School (ISHS) of Batu City. The research design used is quantitative research using descriptive methods (quantitative descriptive). The location of this research is at ISHS of Batu City. Purposive sampling was in the sampling process, which involved selecting a sample based on specific attributes, such as gender. There are 20 male and female students at the class level, and the results of ability in science literacy are X=46% and XI=60%. Based on this data, if it is based on the criteria for classes X, the results obtained for the gender aspect show that there is no significant interaction with the results of students' science literacy abilities. It can be concluded that there is a significant interaction between students’ science literacy skill and grade level.
The potential impact of aquaculture on the genetic diversity and conservation of wild fish in sub‐Saharan Africa

An increasing focus on aquaculture using introduced strains or species poses a serious threat to native wild species in sub‐Saharan Africa, yet almost no policies have been enacted or regulations put in place to address this environmental challenge. Aquaculture in these regions has traditionally been conducted on a relatively small scale but is currently expanding rapidly and is projected to continue increasing in the coming decades, with increasing use of genetically improved strains. This expansion is occurring in a region known for its high biodiversity, creating challenges for increasing fish production without damaging wild fish populations. However, few studies have yet assessed the impacts of changes in aquaculture practice on the genetic composition and diversity of wild populations. The use of non‐native improved strains for aquaculture could cause competition, gene introgression when there is interbreeding with native populations or species, displacement of species and possible extinction of the native wild populations. After providing historical context on African aquaculture, this review describes the current methods of fish breeding and genetic improvement programmes for the main species of cultured fishes, focusing on the potential conservation impacts of the use of introduced (and selectively bred) farmed species. Existing aquaculture policies, legislation and regulations regarding the import and farming of fish are then compared across the main fish‐producing countries. We recommend a regional policy framework considering fish introduction, risk analysis and risk management, human resources development and genetic monitoring that could be drafted into the existing policies to strengthen conservation efforts. We conclude by making recommendations for refining existing regulations and for future research aimed at minimizing the impacts of aquaculture on wild fish populations in sub‐Saharan Africa. Aquaculture in this region needs implementation of responsible guidelines to avoid genetic impacts on native populations of high conservation value.