Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toughening in disordered brittle materials

The growth of a planar crack through a heterogeneous brittle material is investigated using a discrete cubic lattice of springs with distributed spring toughnesses and lattice Green's functions to determine crack propagation. The toughness, or stress required to grow an initial crack, is found to be a stochastic quantity and depends on the width of the distribution. For narrow distributions, the toughness is less than the thermodynamic value and is controlled by the nucleation of kinks at low toughness regions (weakest links), which then grow laterally in an unstable manner. For brood distributions, the average toughness approaches the thermodynamic value, with some specific configuration having greater values, and is controlled by high toughness regions pinning a rough crack front. The rough crack front exhibits nontrivial scaling with crack width and a ''strongest-link'' behavior that differs from the usual weak-link behavior found in weakly disordered materials. Materials with broad distributions are also less sensitive to small preexisting defects. The difference in toughness between narrow and broad distributions is only about 10%; that is much smaller than suggested by similar studies on 2d materials and demonstrates the very important role played by geometry-dimensionality in this problem. One implication of these results is that toughness in complex or heterogeneous materials does not stem from simple disorder in toughnesses; more complex and microstructure-specific mechanisms such as microcracking and grain bridging must occur.
A look at polyploidy and plant breeding

Polyploidization is a process that generates genetic variability and therefore one of the engines of biological evolution. Since polyploidization produces important changes in the phenotype, mainly an increase in the size of the organs (i.e.: flowers and fruits), it is also a very important and powerful tool for plant improvement. Despite its intense use in breeding programs for various species, very little is known so far about the nature of this phenomenon. This work presents a brief review of the results obtained by the use of this tool in plant breeding and also raises some reflections on its mechanism of action.
Explainable AI in Scene Understanding for Autonomous Vehicles in Unstructured Traffic Environments on Indian Roads Using the Inception U-Net Model with Grad-CAM Visualization

The intelligent transportation system, especially autonomous vehicles, has seen a lot of interest among researchers owing to the tremendous work in modern artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, especially deep neural learning. As a result of increased road accidents over the last few decades, significant industries are moving to design and develop autonomous vehicles. Understanding the surrounding environment is essential for understanding the behavior of nearby vehicles to enable the safe navigation of autonomous vehicles in crowded traffic environments. Several datasets are available for autonomous vehicles focusing only on structured driving environments. To develop an intelligent vehicle that drives in real-world traffic environments, which are unstructured by nature, there should be an availability of a dataset for an autonomous vehicle that focuses on unstructured traffic environments. Indian Driving Lite dataset (IDD-Lite), focused on an unstructured driving environment, was released as an online competition in NCPPRIPG 2019. This study proposed an explainable inception-based U-Net model with Grad-CAM visualization for semantic segmentation that combines an inception-based module as an encoder for automatic extraction of features and passes to a decoder for the reconstruction of the segmentation feature map. The black-box nature of deep neural networks failed to build trust within consumers. Grad-CAM is used to interpret the deep-learning-based inception U-Net model to increase consumer trust. The proposed inception U-net with Grad-CAM model achieves 0.622 intersection over union (IoU) on the Indian Driving Dataset (IDD-Lite), outperforming the state-of-the-art (SOTA) deep neural-network-based segmentation models.
Analysis of welfare levels, ecology, and animal management in Seblat Elephant Training Center, Bengkulu−Indonesia

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a large mammal protected species and categorized as endangered according to the IUCN Red List. Habitat management includes control and regulation forest vegetation, open areas, water sources, salting sites, and resting areas for good animal welfare. The Seblat Elephant Training Center (SETC) is a conservation area to protect the Sumatran Elephant from extinction and is an ecotourism destination. This study aimed to analyze the welfare level and management of the Sumatran elephant in the SETC. This research used structured interview method to determine the indicators of the animal welfare level. Calculation of feed productivity and secondary data collection were used to improve the welfare level of the Sumatran Elephant. The research result stated that the welfare level of Sumatran elephant was classified as excellent (the implementation achievement value is 74.3%). In addition, the development of observations suggests that freedom from environmental discomfort needs to be improved by providing quarantine cages and reproductive cages to support natural behavior. Environmental conditions also support the welfare level of the Sumatran elephant. In conclusion, this facility is properly conducive to the welfare of Sumatran elephants.
Risk of Viral Infectious Diseases from Live Bats, Primates, Rodents and Carnivores for Sale in Indonesian Wildlife Markets

Southeast Asia is considered a global hotspot of emerging zoonotic diseases. There, wildlife is commonly traded under poor sanitary conditions in open markets; these markets have been considered ‘the perfect storm’ for zoonotic disease transmission. We assessed the potential of wildlife trade in spreading viral diseases by quantifying the number of wild animals of four mammalian orders (Rodentia, Chiroptera, Carnivora and Primates) on sale in 14 Indonesian wildlife markets and identifying zoonotic viruses potentially hosted by these animals. We constructed a network analysis to visualize the animals that are traded alongside each other that may carry similar viruses. We recorded 6725 wild animals of at least 15 species on sale. Cities and markets with larger human population and number of stalls, respectively, offered more individuals for sale. Eight out of 15 animal taxa recorded are hosts of 17 zoonotic virus species, nine of which can infect more than one species as a host. The network analysis showed that long-tailed macaque has the greatest potential for spreading viral diseases, since it is simultaneously the most traded species, sold in 13/14 markets, and a potential host for nine viruses. It is traded alongside pig-tailed macaques in three markets, with which it shares six viruses in common (Cowpox, Dengue, Hepatitis E, Herpes B, Simian foamy, and Simian retrovirus type D). Short-nosed fruit bats and large flying foxes are potential hosts of Nipah virus and are also sold in large quantities in 10/14 markets. This study highlights the need for better surveillance and sanitary conditions to avoid the negative health impacts of unregulated wildlife markets.
Blockchain Design and Implementation Techniques, Considerations and Challenges in the Banking Sector: A Systematic Literature Review

Blockchain is transforming the banking sector and offering opportunities for significant cost reduction and efficient banking services. However, implementing blockchain is a challenge due to lack of adequate knowledge and skills on how to implement the technology. As a result, there are very few market-ready blockchain banking products and organisations are unable to realise the promised value. This paper presents an overview of the banking sector’s blockchain use cases, design and implementation considerations and techniques. The aim is to offer an evidence-based primer to guide researchers and practitioners. The study relies on the systematic literature review method and reviews a total of 45 papers comprising 26 peer-reviewed scholarly articles and 19 technical reports from the banking industry. Leximancer software is used to support the thematic data analysis. The results show for the banking sector an increase in experimentation efforts geared towards the development of payment systems. The results also indicate key considerations from a technological, organisational and environmental perspective. The study highlights that platform selection, scalability and resilience are some of the critical technical considerations for implementing blockchain banking systems. Organisational considerations include collaboration and governance-related challenges. From an environmental perspective, the study notes several legal and regulatory considerations. This study contributes to the existing literature on blockchain adoption in banking, which is still in the nascent stage. The study also offers a research agenda for further understanding of blockchain implementation in the banking sector. Opportunities for further research are noted in the areas of interoperability, governance, security and privacy .
Nonlinear long-wavelength torsional Alfvén waves

Aims. We investigate the nonlinear phenomena accompanying long-wavelength torsional waves in solar and stellar coronae. Methods. The second order thin flux-tube approximation is used to determine perturbations of a straight untwisted and non-rotating magnetic flux-tube, nonlinearly induced by long-wavelength axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic waves of small, but finite amplitude. Results. Propagating torsional waves induce compressible perturbations oscillating with double the frequency of the torsional waves. In contrast with plane shear Alfven waves, the amplitude of compressible perturbations is independent of the plasma-β and is proportional to the torsional wave amplitude squared. Standing torsional waves induce compressible perturbations of two kinds, that grow with the characteristic time inversely proportional to the sound speed, and that oscillate at double the frequency of the inducing torsional wave. The growing density perturbation saturates at the level, inversely proportional to the sound speed.
The Evolution of a Severe Mesoscale Convective System: Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Location and Storm Structure

Abstract Cloud-to-ground lightning-location data are correlated with the Doppler-radar-observed structure of the evolution of a severe mesoscale convective system in Oklahoma on 23 May 1981. While many of the results are not new, this study is unique in that the evolution of electrical activity in a severe storm is compared to storm structure for most of the storm's life. The, first storm formed ahead of a mesoscale low pressure area located at the intersection of a front and a dryline, and developed into a tornadic supercell in an environment of locally enhanced vertical shear. Ordinary cells subsequently formed both to the southwest and northeast of the supercell along the dryline and the front, respectively, and merged with the supercell to form a squall line having a trailing stratiform precipitation region with midlevel rear inflow. It is shown that the cloud-to-ground flash rate in the convective region is related to the apparent strength of the updraft. Before the storm became a supercell, the ligh.
Improving the Performance of Mass-Consistent Numerical Models Using Optimization Techniques

Abstract This paper describes a technique of using a mass-consistent model to derive wind speeds over a microscale region (about 4 km2) of complex terrain. A serious limitation of these numerical models is that the calculated wind field is highly sensitive to certain input parameters, such as that used to simulate the atmospheric stability. Because accurate values for these parameters are not usually known, confidence in the calculated winds is low. However, values for these parameters can be found by tuning the model to existing wind observations within a microscale area. This tuning is accomplished with an optimization procedure that adjusts the unknown parameters so that the discrepancy between the observed winds and model calculations of these winds is minimized. The model was verified with eight sets of hourly averaged wind data. These data were obtained from measurements made at 28 sites covering a windfarm development in the Altamont Pass area of California. When the model was tuned to a small subs.
Velocity space ring‐plasma instability, magnetized, Part II: Simulation

The ring‐plasma instability arising due to two‐energy component ions of a homogeneous plasma in a uniform magnetic field is studied through use of electrostatic and electromagnetic simulations, treating the ring ions as particles and the target plasma (ions and electrons) as linearized fluids. Simulation results verify very closely the predictions of the linear Vlasov theory and provide extensive information on nonlinear features such as beam spreading, slowing down, and saturation, some of which are in agreement with analytic explanations. This nonlinear evolution occurs before Coulomb collisions take place, and may be considered as the initial condition for Fokker–Planck calculations. The justification for using a linearized fluid is also discussed.
Cooccurring Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Autoimmune Thyroiditis in a Girl with Craniofrontonasal Syndrome: Are EFNB1 Variants Associated with Autoimmunity?

Craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS), also known as craniofrontonasal dysplasia, is an X-linked inherited developmental malformation caused by mutations in the ephrin B1 (EFNB1) gene. The main phenotypic features of the syndrome are coronal synostosis, hypertelorism, bifid nasal tip, dry and curly hair, and longitudinal splitting of nails. A 9-year-and-11-month-old girl with CFNS was admitted due to polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and abdominal pain. On physical examination, she had the classical phenotypical features of CFNS. Genetic tests revealed a c. 429_430insT (p.Gly144TrpfsTer31) heterozygote variant in the EFNB1 coding region. The patient was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and autoimmune thyroiditis based on laboratory findings and symptoms. The mother of the patient, who had the same CFNS phenotype and EFNB1 variant, was screened for autoimmune diseases and was also with autoimmune thyroiditis. This is the first report describing the association of CFNS with T1DM and autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with EFNB1 mutation.
Mobility Induced Multi-Hop LEACH Protocol in Heterogeneous Mobile Network

Heterogeneous mobile networks are a vital cue for Internet of Things (IoT) networks and their applications. Therefore, an optimal routing protocol is essential for the heterogeneous network to realize energy efficiency and robustness. However, designing an optimal routing protocol is more complex due to uneven energy depletion and dynamic event generation. The complexity further increases with the node mobility. In this context, the multi-hop routing approach with a controlled mobility pattern provides an energy efficient network by improving memory and storage utilization. This work proposes a new energy-efficient model for heterogeneous network, considering the effect of mobility and residual energy of nodes for cluster head selection in multi-hop-LEACH (M-LEACH). The performance of the proposed mobility induced multi-hop LEACH (Mob M-LEACH) protocol is further compared with existing baseline methods. The robustness of the network is evaluated considering static and dynamic environments for multiple network technologies. The simulation results show that the proposed method reduces network latency by 25% and enhances the throughput by 75%, improving energy consumption and network lifetime when compared with the state-of-art methods.
Power estimation for testing normal means

We examine the validity of the observed power using the estimation approach. Under a robust Bayesian framework, we show that the observed power for testing normal means overestimates the power for significant data yet underestimates the power for insignificant data. This phenomenon persists for one-sided and two-sided problems. Some misinterpretations of the observed power are discussed.
Intra- and inter-annual variation in body mass of two species of weavers in an Afrotropical environment

ABSTRACT Capsule We describe the effects of sex, daily rainfall and temperature, seasonality, and breeding stage on body mass variation in two species of weaver in a tropical African environment. Aims To investigate the effects of sex, weather conditions, seasonality, and breeding stage on body mass of the Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus in Amurum Forest Reserve, Central Nigeria. Methods Biometric data were extracted from a Constant Effort Sites database of over 15 years and daily rainfall and temperature data were obtained from Jos Metrological Center. We used a general linear mixed model to determine the effects of sex, rainfall, temperature, and season on body mass variation of the two species within and across years, and differences in body mass of females of the two species within and across years with daily rainfall and temperature, and season during the different incubation stages. Results The body mass of males was higher than that of females in both species. Daily rainfall and mean temperature were negatively related to body mass in Village Weavers, while in Northern Red Bishops rainfall was positively related to body mass. In both species, female body mass varied according to brood patch status: female Village Weavers were heavier during the egg-laying stage compared to the non-breeding season; female Northern Red Bishops weighed more at incubation or brooding stages and less during the chick rearing stage when compared to the non-breeding season. The body mass of females did not correlate with daily rainfall and temperature, or season. Conclusions Our results showed the effect of sex on body mass in both species of weaver. The variation in body mass of these species during breeding, and with local weather conditions, suggests how the species manage body mass within a tropical African environment.
A Study of the Condition of Morality and Ethics as a Teacher in the 21st Century and the Public Mind of Student Teachers

The purpose of this survey research was to learn more about public attitudes of student teachers as well as the morals and ethics of instructors in the twenty-first century. There is 160 second-year students in the population and 115 of them make up the sample group. The method involves looking at morality, twenty-first-century teaching ethics, and public opinion. Questionnaires that were examined by frequency distribution, percentage, and mean ( ) were the instruments utilized to gather the data, as well as and standard deviation (S.D.). The results of a study on the condition of morality and ethics of teachers in the 21st century and the public mind of student teachers from the questionnaire, it was found that the basic information of the respondents when classified by gender, in this regard 36.52% were males, and 63.48% were females. In this regard, 56.53% were in English, and 43.47% were in early childhood education. As for the experience of self-improvement in moral, ethical and public mind development, 17.40 percent of students had participated in the activities, and 82.60 percent had never participated. It was found that the student-teacher's morality and ethics of being a teacher in the 21st century and the overall public mind of student teachers were at a moderate level ( = 3.40, S.D =. 0.75).
A two-dimensional locally regularized strain estimation technique: preliminary clinical results for the assessment of benign and malignant breast lesions

We previously developed a 2D locally regularized strain estimation technique that was already validated with ex vivo tissues. In this study, our technique is assessed with in vivo data, by examining breast abnormalities in clinical conditions. Method reliability is analyzed as well as tissue strain fields according to the benign or malignant character of the lesion. Ultrasound RF data were acquired in two centers on ten lesions, five being classified as fibroadenomas, the other five being classified as malignant tumors, mainly ductal carcinomas from grades I to III. The estimation procedure we developed involves maximizing a similarity criterion (the normalized correlation coefficient or NCC) between pre- and post-compression images, the deformation effects being considered. The probability of correct strain estimation is higher if this coefficient is closer to 1. Results demonstrated the ability of our technique to provide good-quality strain images with clinical data. For all lesions, movies of tissue strain during compression were obtained, with strains that can reach 15%. The NCC averaged over each movie was computed, leading for the ten cases to a mean value of 0.93, a minimum value of 0.87 and a maximum value of 0.98. These high NCC values confirm the reliability of the strain estimation. Moreover, lesions were clearly identified for the ten cases investigated. Finally, we have observed with malignant lesions that compared to ultrasound data, strain images can put in relief a more important lesion size, and can help in evaluating the lesion invasive character.
LAS MULTINACIONALES Y LA PANDEMIA COVID – 19 ¿PIERDEN O GANAN?

En marzo de dos mil veinte la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), declaró el virus COVID–19 como una pandemia. Desde entonces el mundo entero ha tenido que enfrentar la difícil tarea de retomar la vida cotidiana adecuándose a las nuevas condiciones que el virus trae consigo, así como a estabilizar el sistema de salud a nivel mundial y reactivar la economía. Este rol ha recaído en los Estados, las Organizaciones Internacionales y los grandes actores del sector privado con capacidad para influir en las decisiones de estos dos primeros, como las grandes empresas multinacionales. Las multinacionales, grandes actores del sector privado de todos los Estados y del comercio internacional, demostraron en su mayoría la carencia de concordancia entre los principios proindividuo, y humanidad que proclaman tener, y las acciones que tomaron para enfrentar esta pandemia, mostrando como han venido utilizando este estado de emergencia sanitaria para favorecer sus intereses únicamente, o simplemente devolviendo lo mínimo posible a miles de empleados que han sido su mano de obra por décadas y que los han llevado a donde hoy se encuentran, dejando de lado el papel que ante los medios y redes sociales han simulado tener en este último milenio. El presente documento aborda de manera crítica el rol asumido por las empresas multinacionales durante el curso de la pandemia causada por el virus COVID-19, relatando en orden cronológico el desarrollo de la misma y señalando los actores involucrados y las acciones realizadas por estos para hacerle frente a esta emergencia sanitaria.
Highly sensitive interdigitated thermistor based on PEDOT:PSS for human body temperature monitoring

This work introduces a wearable, highly sensitive human body temperature sensor. The proposed thermistor sensor employs a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as a temperature sensing layer and interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) from Silver nanoparticles deposited on Polyimide (PI) and Epson glossy paper substrates. The IDEs were patterned using inkjet printer Drop-on-demand PiXDRO LP50. The PEDOT:PSS layer was added by drop casting technique. The sensitivity of fabricated sensors was tested for different IDE number of fingers to investigate their response to the temperature range of 28–50 °C. The sensors performed linearly in the tested temperature range. Repeatability has been verified for five temperature measurement cycles. The achieved sensitivities are −1.462% /°C and −3.202%/°C for Epson paper and PI substrates, respectively. The sensor bendability results highlight the capability of the proposed sensor to be utilized for the wearable human body temperature reading.