Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Absorbing Aerosol Optical Depth From OMI/TROPOMI Based on the GBRT Algorithm and AERONET Data in Asia

Quantifying the concentration of absorbing aerosol is essential for pollution tracking and calculation of atmospheric radiative forcing. To quickly obtain absorbing aerosol optical depth (AAOD) with high-resolution and high-accuracy, the gradient boosted regression trees (GBRT) method based on the joint data from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (MODIS), and AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) is used for TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI). Compared with the ground-based data, the correlation coefficient of the results is greater than 0.6 and the difference is generally within ±0.04. Compared with OMI data, the underestimation has been greatly improved. By further restricting the impact factors, three valid conclusions can be drawn: 1) the model with more spatial difference information achieves better results than the model with more temporal difference information; 2) the training dataset with a high cloud fraction (0.1–0.4) can partly improve the performance of GBRT results; and 3) when aerosol optical depth (AOD) is less than 0.3, the perform of retrieved AAODs is still good by comparing with ground-based measurements. The novel finding is expected to contribute to regional and even urban anthropogenic pollution research.
Two-dimensional diffraction of plasma, thermal, and elastic waves generated by an infrared laser pulse in semiconductors

When a $1064\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ laser pulse is focused at the surface of silicon, it has been observed that the material contracts whereas heating should produce expansion. In addition to the usual thermal acoustic source, a nonthermal sound generation results of photoexcitation of electron-hole pairs. To describe the optoacoustic effect in semiconductors, it is thus necessary to account for thermoelastic and other deformation sources simultaneously. The acoustic signal is then strongly dependent on the nature of the space-time evolution of both the photoexcited charge carriers and temperature. In this paper, assuming line focusing of the laser pulses, a model is implemented that accounts for the two-dimensional (2D) character of charge carrier motion and heat conduction. Relevant differential equations are coupled together and with the wave motion equation to describe acoustic diffraction. Three sets of equations are linearized in a 2D Fourier domain and solutions are found with an appeal to convenient boundary conditions. The conditions for 2D diffraction of plasma, thermal, and elastic waves are analyzed. Experiments are performed on a $5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mm}$ thick silicon plate with a Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser that delivers $20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ pulses. Signals are measured for epicenter and off epicenter positions. Very good agreement is obtained with calculated signals for both positions demonstrating that both sound generation mechanism and anisotropy are accurately taken into account. In addition to the expected material contraction accompanying quasilongitudinal bulk acoustic waves, the other remarkable feature is the change in the shape of the signals observed for a same angle, but for two laser energies. The results emphasize the nonlinear photoacoustic response of the material, with respect to the laser energy. It is accurately represented by the calculations, assuming prevailing of Auger electron-hole recombination process and nonlinear dependency of charge carrier lifetime with respect to its density.
Evaluating Seed Dressing and Soil Application of Vermicompost on Pea (Pisum sativum) Growth and Development

The experiment was conducted in 2022 at the research farm of Dicle University of Agricultural Faculty, Diyarbakir, Turkey. The study is to examine the effect of vermicompost, which is an industrial product of organic origin, on the growth of peas. The soil was treated with liquid vermicompost 10 t ha−1 with sown. Seed dressing of vermicompost was applied to the seed coat. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete-block design with three blocks. After 45 days after emergence, plant samples were harvested six times every ten days. Observations were on plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, stipule, tendrils plant-1, stem, and leaf dry weight. The effect of vermicompost treatments on seed and soil was significant for plant height, the number of leaves and tendrils per plant, leaf area, and dry stem weight. Vermicompost application on seeds and soil was higher than a control for all traits. Vermicompost application to the soil had a slight advantage over the vermicompost application to the seed.
The SiH vibrational stretch as an indicator of the chemical state of interstellar grains

The infrared spectra of amorphous silicate grains and films formed in a variety of laboratory experiments have been measured. It is found that the frequency of the SiH fundamental stretch is extremely sensitive to the chemical environment of the grain in which the silicon is bound and varies from 2270/cm in oxidized grains to 2110/cm in a reducing environment. It is proposed that features previously observed in W33A could be due to -SiH groups in amorphous silica, partially reduced silica, silicon nitride or slightly oxidized silicon carbide. It is predicted that observations at 2270/cm will reveal a feature due to -SiH groups in highly oxidized interstelar and circumstellar grains. Such a feature might also appear in the spectra of comets. 23 refs.
Anti tumor necrosis factor induced focal myositis

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) can trigger autoantibody formation and, in a small proportion of patients, result in symptomatic autoimmune diseases, including polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Focal myositis presents with localized muscle pain and is diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG) and muscle histopathology. We report the first case of TNFi-induced focal myositis in the left thigh of a patient with ulcerative colitis on infliximab. A 30-year-old lady presented with left thigh pain with no other systemic manifestation or muscle weakness. The immunology profile showed positivity of antinuclear antibody (ANA), high titre of anti-ds-DNA, and anti-Mi-2 without any features of systemic lupus erythematosus or dermatomyositis. Discontinuation of the TNFi and commencement of glucocorticoids resulted in the resolution of the myositis.
VLF signatures of ionospheric heating by HIPAS

The amplitude and phase of subionospherically propagating VLF signals are known to be sensitive indicators of the electron density and temperature at D region altitudes. In this paper we present new observations at a station in Alaska positioned to provide measurements of VLF signals that have propagated beneath the ionospheric region heated by the high-power auroral stimulation (HIPAS) HF heating facility near Fairbanks, Alaska. Analysis of data from HIPAS campaigns conducted in fall 1992 and spring 1993 has shown that in roughly 60% of the cases analyzed, the amplitude of the 23.4-kHz signal from the NPM transmitter in Hawaii as observed in Fort Yukon, Alaska, exhibited a measurable change in amplitude with the same on/off modulation pattern as that of the HIPAS HF transmissions at 2.85 MHz. In almost 70% of the cases analyzed, the same signal exhibited similar measurable changes in phase. The amplitude changes ranged from −0.2 dB to +0.5 dB, and the sensitivity of the measurement was approximately ± 0.02 dB. The phase changes ranged from −4.5° to −0.3°, and the sensitivity of the measurement was typically ± 0.4°. It is demonstrated that the phase and amplitude changes can be used as diagnostic tools to determine characteristics of the ambient electron density profile above the HIPAS facility.
New solutions for assessing insolvency risk in comercial organizations

In the context of continuous crises that have occurred in the last decade, effective solutions to reduce risks and introduce effective controls into the financial management process in commercial organizations are extremely important. In order to give a new impetus to sustainable economic growth, it is necessary to prioritize the implementation of large-scale reforms, the difficult fiscal situation in a large number of countries, the problems associated with a decrease in the solvency of commercial organizations in the real sector of the economy also require a comprehensive regulatory solution. The main purpose of this article is to offer solutions for controlling financial risks, in particular, for predicting the risk of insolvency, in the context of new ideas of financial management. Alternative methods for assessing the financial condition of commercial organizations, which also include the assessment of solvency, are based on more complex calculations, algorithms and the principle of joint application of a number of methods. From this point of view, a number of researchers in modern conditions prefer cluster analysis. A new approach to assessing and predicting insolvency risks, proposed as a scientific innovation, provides an opportunity to implement new progressive ideas of financial management in commercial organizations.
Selecting methods of agricultural extension to support diverse adoption pathways: a review and case studies

This paper presents results from a review of methods of agricultural extension, including the evidence for the effectiveness of methods in supporting farm practice change, how they affect the change process, and the critical success factors involved. Agricultural scientists face challenges in aligning their research outputs to the change process on farm. These challenges are exacerbated by the funding environment for research, development, and extension (RD&E), the complexity of the adoption process and the privatisation and commercialisation of advisory and extension services. To assist scientists in navigating these challenges, a structured literature review of extension methods was conducted, examining the following: group-learning/peer-to-peer; technology development; training; information provision; one-on-one advice/coaching; e-extension; co-innovation; best management practice; and social marketing. In addition, two case studies outlining the application of combinations of extension methods in the context of feeding system challenges in the Australian dairy industry, and their effects, are described. While the evidence across the studies reviewed was strongest for the effect on adoption of small group-learning and one to one consulting, it was combinations of methods that resulted in larger effects (for example, in practice change or pro ﬁ tability), which was credited to how they addressed the human and social dimensions of the adoption process. Case studies of adoption in the dairy sector found that scientists in ﬂ uenced adoption by collaborating with the private sector, being directly involved with on-farm trials and demonstrations, and supporting group-learning approaches to help the adoption of past research. This role for scientists in adoption was enabled by investment in programs of RD&E rather than discreet research experiments, and research designs and methods that incorporated the social dimensions of adoption. This synthesis demonstrates the need for scientists to be proactive in providing guidance for farmers on where to access and source information related to their work, engage with a broad range of advisor types associated with their research ﬁ eld, champion in-ﬁ eld trials and/or demonstrations and be active participants in collaborative approaches to RD&E.
BlockSense: Towards Trustworthy Mobile Crowdsensing via Proof-of-Data Blockchain

Mobile crowdsensing (MCS) can promote data acquisition and sharing among mobile devices. Traditional MCS platforms are based on a triangular structure consisting of three roles: data requester, worker (i.e., sensory data provider) and MCS platform. However, this centralized architecture suffers from poor reliability and difficulties in guaranteeing data quality and privacy, even provides unfair incentives for users. In this article, we propose a blockchain-based MCS platform, namely BlockSense, to replace the traditional triangular architecture of MCS models by a decentralized paradigm. To achieve the goal of trustworthiness of BlockSense, we present a novel consensus protocol, namely Proof-of-Data (PoD), which leverages miners to conduct useful data quality validation work instead of “useless” hash calculation. Meanwhile, in order to preserve the privacy of the sensory data, we design a homomorphic data perturbation scheme, through which miners can verify data quality without knowing the contents of the data. We have implemented a prototype of BlockSense and conducted case studies on campus, collecting over 7,000 data from workers’ mobile phones. Both simulations and real-world experiments show that BlockSense can not only improve system security, preserve data privacy and guarantee incentives fairness, but also achieve at least 5.6x faster than Ethereum smart contracts in verification efficiency.
A New Method of Panoramic Image Mosaic Based on SIFT

When using the traditional SIFT algorithm extracts feature points, whose characteristics are rotation and scale scaling invariance, the problems are that the feature point extracted by the algorithm is too small and the shortages of real time and robustness. This article proposes a new method called Panoramic Image. This method can define the transformation parameters between the images by using the distances between cities to measure the similarity and using RANSAC with SPRT to diminish the mismatching. The consequence of the experiments demonstrates that this method can shorten the time of registration and prompt the matching feature points.
Structure stability, fracture, and tuning mechanism of CdSe nanobelts

High pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies have been conducted to explore the structural stability, phase transformation, and resulting mechanisms of CdSe nanobelts. 25-nm-thick wurtzite CdSe nanobelts transform to a rocksalt structure with in situ fracture at 4.0GPa; this is greater than the transition pressure of 2.5GPa in bulk and 25nm nanoparticle. Decompression results in the formation of wurtzite and sphalerite at 1.2GPa. Total Gibbs free energy calculations demonstrate that the low surface energy ±{21¯0} facets are fully responsible for the enhancement of structure stability. A strongest particle size for the rocksalt phase was determined ∼12nm, providing a significant constraint for the fracture of nanobelts and size-tuned enhancement of mechanical properties.
Zcf24, a zinc‐finger transcription factor, is required for lactate catabolism and inhibits commensalism in Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a normal resident of humans and also a prevalent fungal pathogen. Lactate, a nonfermentative carbon source available in numerous anatomical niches, can be used by C. albicans as a carbon source. However, the key regulator(s) involved in this process remain unknown. Here, through a genetic screen, we report the identification of a transcription factor Zcf24 that is specifically required for lactate utilization in C. albicans. Zcf24 is responsible for the induction of CYB2, a gene encoding lactate dehydrogenase that is essential for lactate catabolism, in response to lactate. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed a significantly higher signal of Zcf24 on the CYB2 promoter in lactate‐grown cells than that in glucose‐grown cells. Genome‐wide transcription profiling indicates that, in addition to CYB2, Zcf24 regulates genes involved in the β‐oxidation of fatty acids, iron transport, and drug transport. Surprisingly, deleting ZCF24 confers enhanced commensal fitness. This could be attributed to Crz1‐activated β‐glucan masking in the zcf24 mutant. The orthologs of Zcf24 are distributed in species most closely to C. albicans and some filamentous fungal species. Altogether, Zcf24 is the first transcription factor identified to date that regulates lactate catabolism in C. albicans and it is also involved in the regulation of commensalism.
Curating the Widerstandsaviso: three cases of ethnographic intravention in R&D consortia

ABSTRACT Aligning technological innovation with societal needs is a key concern for knowledge economies. Integrating ethical, legal, and social inquiry into research and development consortia that drive innovation processes has thus become common practice. Ethnographic research in consortia is one such practice. Here, these cover three cases of open ethnographic engagement within R&D consortia in the field of medical and rehabilitation technology. Rather than executing a preconfigured plan, these ethnographic intraventions explored emerging frictions that arose from observant participation within the fast science of dominant workflows in technological R&D. Curating these emerging frictions within the consortia produced what Ludwig Fleck called ‘Widerstandsavisos’, or signals of resistance. Widerstandsavisos disrupt dominant workflows by introducing methodological openness, fostering critical reflection on sampling approaches, placing the focus on actual practices, and engaging in anthropological concept work. The curation of Widerstandsavisos fosters reflexive awareness among members of consortia and opens a space for mutual learning: to produce new knowledge, alter problem framings, and reshape devices. Advancing ongoing discussions on midstream modulation, situated interventions and multimodal anthropology, such ethnographic intraventions present a different means of generating the capacity to address societal needs as well as responsibilities and relevance from within such consortia rather than as strategic interventions from the outside. Intraventions are, however, a risky practice as they produce ethnographic excess that is not easily controlled or directed within the bounds of R&D consortia. This uncertainty is a form of creativity that should be encouraged.
The Welfare Effects of Mandatory Reemployment Programs: Combining a Structural Model and Experimental Data

IZA DP No. 14866 NOVEMBER 2021 The Welfare Effects of Mandatory Reemployment Programs: Combining a Structural Model and Experimental Data This paper estimates a structural model of job search which accounts for utility costs and benefits linked to mandatory reemployment programs. The estimation uses data from a randomized experiment which generates exogenous variation in the threat of program participation. I use the compensating variation (CV) as a measure of the impact of the experimental treatment on worker welfare, the welfare costs. I find that participants would be willing to give up 1.5–1.7 weeks of UI on average to avoid participation in the program, although the program has a positive effect on the job finding rate. Welfare costs vary across workers and are found to be larger for workers with weaker employment prospects. Overall, the analysis shows that the welfare costs are substantial and therefore necessary to take into account when evaluating the case for mandatory reemployment programs. JEL Classification: C9, I3, J64, J65, J68
Board gender diversity and the acquisition announcement on Friday: evidence from Spain

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the influence of the gender diversity in the corporate board on the decision of announcing a firm acquisition on Friday. Prior evidence found the phenomenon of investor inattention.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 252 cash-financed acquisitions conducted by listed Spanish firms from 2004 to 2018 is analysed. Probit regressions are used.FindingsFirms with greater gender diversity on the board are less likely to make acquisition announcements of listed targets on Friday, thus avoiding investor inattention. Women directors seem to provide higher quality information and are more concerned about investors.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that analyses the role of women directors in the publication of information on Friday, so it complements studies on the disclosure of quality information by listed companies. The Spanish market is an adequate scenario to analyse the impact of women's participation in business decision-making because Spain was one of the first countries to legislate on gender diversity.
Star clusters of the Large Magellanic Cloud - CCD photometry of NGC 1831

NGC 1831 is a populous, luminous star cluster located in the northern part of the Large Magellanic Cloud. In this paper, we present new Johnson BV-CCD photometry of 1800 stars in the cluster and 300 stars in a nearby field. Particular care is paid to estimate the errors in the data caused by uncertainties in the photometry and by crowding, and to isolate the portion of the cluster suffering from the least degree of incompleteness. The color-magnitude diagram (CMD) shows a well-defined main-sequence band terminating at about V=18.10, a red giant clump centered at about half of a magnitude below the termination of the main-sequence band and spanning the color range 0.8≤(B−V)≤0.9, a sprinkle of stars of the same luminosity but of bluer color scattered toward the main-sequence band, and finally a scarce population of bright red stars
Stability analysis of an additive spline model for respiratory health data by using knot removal

Summary. In many settings with possibly non‐linear influence of covariates, such as in the present application with children's respiratory health data, generalized additive models are an attractive choice. Although techniques for fitting these have been extensively investigated, there are fewer results on stability of replication, i.e. stability of fitted model components with respect to perturbations in the data. Nevertheless, this aspect is essential for judging how useful the present model is for understanding predictors of lung function. We therefore investigate existing tools for stability analysis based on bootstrap samples, such as quantities for variability and bias, for our application. Furthermore, as the focus is on models based on B‐splines, knot removal techniques are available. These can help to provide more insight into the stability of local features that are fitted in bootstrap samples. We analyse the bootstrap result matrix via log‐linear models. Specifically, the relationship with respect to local features between the influence functions of potential lung function predictors is investigated.
Multi-density models of the Broad Line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei: A comparative study with single-cloud models

Nearly ten years ago Kwan and Krolik (1979, 1981) published the firstsuccessful photoionization model of the Broad Line Region of Active Galactic Nuclei, the so-called ‘Standard Model’. Since then several efforts have been made to obtain better results using more sophisticated models. Anopen issue is that photoionization models are generally computed startingfrom the assumption that the emission line spectrum is produced by a single-slab cloud with a ‘standard’ hydrogen density nH = 109.5 cm-3, but it seems more likely that a range of densities is present in the Broad Line Region. Purpose of this paper is to review the results given by single-cloud models using the most recent photoionization code, Cloudy 84, and to investigate if the addition of one or more components with different densities does affect the line ratios. To this aim we compute the emission line ratios produced by photoionized single-slab clouds for a wide range of hydrogen densities (nH = 109.5−1013 cm−3), ionization parameters (U = 10−4− 10−0.5) and column densities (NH = 1023−1025 cm−2). Two or more populations of clouds are then combined and the resulting emission line spectrum is compared with a sample of mean observed line ratios. We find that the addition to the standard component of clouds having different densities and located at different positions from the central source introduces many changes in the line ratios, and that these changes are in the direction of a better agreement with the observed emission line ratios.