Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated Geomatics Surveying and Data Management in the Investigation of Slope and Fluvial Dynamics

In mountain environments, slope and fluvial dynamics often interact, and their relationship can be investigated through an integrated methodological approach. Landslides are a source of supplying sediments into riverbeds and can interact or interrupt the water course. Water courses can trigger or re-activate slope movements. The complexity of investigating the interaction between the two dynamics needs a complementarity of methods and techniques, combining remote and proximal sensing, geotechnical in situ surveys, and repositories and catalogue datasets. This leads to a synergistic use of all the heterogeneous data from different fields and formats. The present paper provides a literature review on the approaches and surveying procedures adopted in the investigation of slope and fluvial dynamics and highlights the need to improve the integrated management of geospatial information complemented by quality information. In this regard, we outline a geodatabase structure capable of handling the variety of geoscientific data available at different spatial and temporal scales, with derived products that are useful in integrated monitoring tasks. Indeed, the future adoption of a shared physical structure would allow the merging and synergistic use of data provided by different surveyors as well as the effective storing and sharing of datasets from a monitoring perspective.
Formative assessment in accounting: student perceptions and implications of continuous assessment

ABSTRACT Research on formative assessment in accounting education examines the learning outcomes stemming from e-assessment or formative assessment within a stand-alone subject, but few studies examine the benefits and implications of continuous formative assessment or the perceptions of students who undertake formative assessment. The findings of continuous formative assessment introduced in a subject on intermediate financial accounting suggest that students benefit incrementally from multiple attempts at the formative assessment with optimal performance achieved at 7 attempts from a total of 10 opportunities. However, students also highlighted that the additional workload to participate in continuous formative assessment presented a major participatory constraint. The results of this study are consistent with the proposition that formative assessment improves students’ academic performance, but student perceptions on the benefits of formative assessment differ, particularly students with prior accounting knowledge and international students who appeared more receptive to formative assessment and feedback compared with domestic students.
Surgical Treatment of Severe Carotid Artery Stenosis in Conjunction with Coronary Artery Stenosis

Patients who suffer from atherosclerosis disease frequently experience coronary heart disease in addition to carotid atherosclerotic stenosis as a complication of their condition. It is of the utmost importance to identify a course of treatment that will optimize the benefits for patients who are suffering from both diseases at the same time and need to undergo surgical intervention. In this review, surgical treatments and perspectives on carotid artery stenosis and coronary artery stenosis were discussed in conjunction with one another.
Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Based on Spiral Plasmonic Lens Excitation

In this study, we proposed the idea of replacing the traditional objective lens in bottom-illumination mode with a plasmonic lens (PL) to achieve tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). The electric field energy of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) of the spiral PL was found to be more concentrated at the focal point without any sidelobe using the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method compared with that of a symmetry-breaking PL. This property reduces far-field background noise and increases the excitation efficiency of the near-field Raman signal. The disadvantage of only the near-field Raman scattering of samples at the center of the structure being detected when using an ordinary PL in TERS is overcome by using our proposed method of changing only the polarization of the incident light.
SYSTEM FOR DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE OBJECTS IN OPEN AREA

The subject of this research is the methods, means and systems for detecting potentially dangerous military objects in open terrain. The purpose of the study is to develop a system for the detection and identification of potentially explosive military objects using an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone), which includes a system for detecting an explosive object using a metal detector with the technology of adjusting the flight height and the detection method using a thermal imager. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were solved: a review and analysis of modern methods and systems for the detection and identification of potentially explosive military objects was carried out, the classification of identifiable explosive objects was determined, system components were selected, a structural diagram and an algorithm of the software control tool were developed system of identification of potentially explosive objects in an open area, a software tool for detection and identification of potentially explosive objects in an open area was created. The following methods are used in the work: the mathematical method of constructing cartographic grids, the method of recording infrared radiation, the method of eddy currents, methods and means of data collection and processing. The following results were obtained: the components of the system were selected, the structure, diagram and algorithm of the software tool for the identification of potentially explosive objects in the open area were developed, and the corresponding software was created. Conclusions: the application of the proposed system makes it possible to increase the accuracy of finding or the absence of a potentially explosive object in a certain area due to the use of two methods of detecting potentially explosive objects at once, and provides the opportunity to identify a sufficiently wide range of objects. The developed system is safe, as it is controlled by an operator who is at a safe distance, allows you to get special maps with terrain markings with information about the possible presence of potentially explosive objects in certain areas of the terrain and, in general, maps of metal detector and thermal imager signals.
Discovery of Planetary Systems With SIM

Abstract : We are witnessing the birth of a new observational science: the discovery and characterization of extrasolar planetary systems. In the past five years, over 70 extrasolar planets have been discovered by precision Doppler surveys, most by members of this SIM team. We are using the data base of information gleaned from our Doppler survey to choose the best targets for a new SIM planet search. In the same way that our Doppler database now serves SIM, our team will return a reconnaissance database to focus Terresrial Planet Finder (TPF) into a more productive, e cient mission. Goals: 1. Detect terrestrial planets of 1-3 M(Earth) around stars closer than 8 pc. 2. Detect 3-20 M(Earth) planets around stars at a distance of 8-30 pc. 3. Determine absolute masses of Doppler-detected planets and search for additional planets 4. Determine the degree of coplanarity in known multiple systems 5. Reconnaissance for TPF.
Identifying the 10 Most-Pressing Issues Facing Local Food Systems in the Southern Region

This study was conducted to develop a list of the most-pressing issues facing local food systems in the Southern Region. A Delphi study that surveyed key informants across the Southern Region of the U.S. was used to develop the list. In the first round, informants were asked to list the three most-pressing issues. In the second round, they ranked all of the issues, which was used to create the top 10 issues: profitability, support for local food systems, education of the public, farming practices/knowledge, marketing and promotion, accessibility and affordability, lack of farms and farmers, regulations and certifications, infrastructure, and coordination of efforts. In the third round, informants indicated their level of agreement with the inclusion of the issues in the top 10. A key element of this list of issues is their interconnected nature and understanding that addressing one issue will likely affect others, indicating the need for a systems-based approach for addressing local foods. How these issues present will be different by location, so a one-size-fits-all model of local food systems is unlikely to be successful.
Desinfección del agua: una revisión a los tratamientos convencionales y avanzados con cloro y ácido peracético

Los tratamientos convencionales de desinfección del agua han utilizado al cloro y sus derivados para la eliminación de microorganismos patógenos; sin embargo, su uso genera productos tóxicos. La contaminación producida por la industrialización y la creciente resistencia de las bacterias a antibióticos han llevado a la búsqueda de nuevos tratamientos que aseguren la buena calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica del agua, la eliminación de contaminantes emergentes y que eviten la formación de subproductos. En la presente revisión se muestra una comparación de los tratamientos convencionales de desinfección con cloro y ácido peracético, y los avanzados, entre los cuales destaca la desinfección simultánea de UV/Cl, como alternativa para el tratamiento de aguas residuales. Este último permite asegurar una mejor calidad del recurso, alta eficiencia, tiempos reducidos y costos bajos.
Effect of Alumina Particles on the Osteogenic Ability of Osteoblasts

Biomaterials are used as implants for bone and dental disabilities. However, wear particles from the implants cause osteolysis following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Ceramic implants are considered safe and elicit a minimal response to cause periprosthetic osteolysis. However, few reports have highlighted the adverse effect of ceramic particles such as alumina (Al2O3) on various cell types. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effect of Al2O3 particles on osteoprogenitors. A comparative treatment of Al2O3, Ti, and UHMWPE particles to osteoprogenitors at a similar concentration of 200 μg/mL showed that only Al2O3 particles were able to suppress the early and late differentiation markers of osteoprogenitors, including collagen synthesis, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mRNA expression of Runx2, OSX, Col1α, and OCN. Al2O3 particles even induced inflammation and activated the NFkB signaling pathway in osteoprogenitors. Moreover, bone-forming signals such as the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway were inhibited by the Al2O3 particles. Al2O3 particles were found to induce the mRNA expression of WNT/β-catenin signaling antagonists such as DKK2, WIF, and sFRP1 several times in osteoprogenitors. Taken together, this study highlights a mechanistic view of the effect of Al2O3 particles on osteoprogenitors and suggests therapeutic targets such as NFĸB and WNT signaling pathways for ceramic particle-induced osteolysis.
Incomplete Orthogonal Factorization Methods Using Givens Rotations II: Implementation and Results

We present, implement and test a series of incomplete orthogonal factorization methods based on Givens rotations for large sparse unsymmetric matrices. These methods include: column-Incomplete Givens Orthogonalization (cIGO-method), which drops entries by position only; column-Threshold Incomplete Givens Orthogonalization (cTIGO-method) which drops entries dynamically by both their magnitudes and positions and where the reduction via Givens rotations is done in a column-wise fashion; and, row-Threshold Incomplete Givens Orthogonalization (r-TIGO-method) which again drops entries dynamically, but only magnitude is now taken into account and reduction is performed in a row-wise fashion. We give comprehensive accounts of how one would code these algorithms using a high level language to ensure efficiency of computation and memory use. The methods are then applied to a variety of square systems and their performance as preconditioners is tested against standard incomplete LU factorization techniques. For rectangular matrices corresponding to least-squares problems, the resulting incomplete factorizations are applied as preconditioners for conjugate gradients for the system of normal equations. A comprehensive discussion about the uses, advantages and shortcomings of these preconditioners is given.
Gut microbiota profile in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and presumed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Background: The main composition of intestinal microbiota in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients has not yet been elucidated. In this, case-control study, we identified differences of intestinal microbiota in male patients with NAFLD, presumed NASH, and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: We compared gut microbial composition of 25 patients with NAFLD, 13 patients with presumed NASH, and 12 healthy controls. Demographic information as well as clinical, nutritional, and physical activity data was gathered. Stool and blood samples were collected to perform the laboratory analysis. The taxonomic composition of gut microbiota was assessed using V4 regions of microbial small subunit ribosomal Ribonucleic acid genes sequencing of stool samples. Results: Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the most frequently phyla in all groups. Our results revealed that Veillonella was the only genus with significantly different amounts in presumed NASH patients compared with patients with NAFLD (P = 2.76 × 10−6, q = 2.07 × 10−4, logFC = 5.52). Conclusion: This pilot study was the first study to compare gut microbial composition in patients with NAFLD and presumed NASH in the Middle East. Given the potential effects of gut microbiota on the management and prevention of NAFLD, larger, prospective studies are recommended to confirm this study's findings.
Electron Attachment to 5-Fluorouracil: The Role of Hydrogen Fluoride in Dissociation Chemistry

We investigate dissociative electron attachment to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) employing a crossed electron-molecular beam experiment and quantum chemical calculations. Upon the formation of the 5-FU− anion, 12 different fragmentation products are observed, the most probable dissociation channel being H loss. The parent anion, 5-FU−, is not stable on the experimental timescale (~140 µs), most probably due to the low electron affinity of FU; simple HF loss and F− formation are seen only with a rather weak abundance. The initial dynamics upon electron attachment seems to be governed by hydrogen atom pre-dissociation followed by either its full dissociation or roaming in the vicinity of the molecule, recombining eventually into the HF molecule. When the HF molecule is formed, the released energy might be used for various ring cleavage reactions. Our results show that higher yields of the fluorine anion are most probably prevented through both faster dissociation of an H atom and recombination of F− with a proton to form HF. Resonance calculations indicate that F− is formed upon shape as well as core-excited resonances.
Analysis of Networks in a College of Agriculture Course

Technology advances occur almost daily and how they share information is constantly evolving. Educators must understand how their students prefer communicating especially relating to coursework. By mapping social networks present in courses, it may allow educators to determine how students prefer to communicate and also determine if there are constant identities that are stable throughout the semester (Edgar, Amaral, and Edgar, 2010). For the participants in this study, contacts between students increased from the initial to the final assessment of the semester. Face-to-face communication was the preferred method of communication followed by text messaging and Facebook. Communicating for social reasons was most cited with planning and venting closely being the reasons cited for contact after social. Overall, venting increased substantially as did planning throughout the course of the semester but social kept somewhat constant. No perpetual key players were identified through this study with the exception of one from the middle to the end iteration which disagrees with previous research.
PROTOPLANETARY DISKS INCLUDING RADIATIVE FEEDBACK FROM ACCRETING PLANETS

While recent observational progress is converging on the detection of compact regions of thermal emission due to embedded protoplanets, further theoretical predictions are needed to understand the response of a protoplanetary disk to the radiative feedback from planet formation. This is particularly important to make predictions for the observability of circumplanetary regions. In this work we use 2D hydrodynamical simulations to examine the evolution of a viscous protoplanetary disk in which a luminous Jupiter-mass planet is embedded. We use an energy equation that includes the radiative heating of the planet as an additional mechanism for planet formation feedback. Several models are computed for planet luminosities ranging from 10−5 to 10−3 solar luminosities. We find that the planet radiative feedback enhances the disk’s accretion rate at the planet’s orbital radius, producing a hotter and more luminous environement around the planet, independently of the prescription used to model the disk’s turbulent viscosity. We also estimate the thermal signature of the planet feedback for our range of planet luminosities, finding that the emitted spectrum of a purely active disk, without passive heating, is appreciably modified in the infrared. We simulate the protoplanetary disk around HD 100546 where a planet companion is located at about 68 AU from the star. Assuming the planet mass is five Jupiter masses and its luminosity is ∼ 2.5 × 10 − 4 L ⊙ ? > , we find that the radiative feedback of the planet increases the luminosity of its ∼5 AU circumplanetary disk from 10 − 5 L ⊙ ? > (without feedback) to 10 − 3 L ⊙ ? > , corresponding to an emission of ∼ 1 mJy ? > in the L ′ ? > band after radiative transfer calculations, a value that is in good agreement with HD 100546b observations.
Supervised Principal Component Regression Analysis Of Multicollinear Data

This study has examined the performance of SPCR when there is presence of multicollinearity in the data. The situations where the predictor variables are correlated and when the number of predictors exceeds the number of observations were considered using both simulated and real data sets. The adequacy of SPCR model was compared with the classical principal component regression, and stepwise regression using AIC and SIC. The results obtained show that stepwise regression performed poorly in both simulated and real data sets. SPCR and classical principal component regression compete favourably to stepwise regression.
Métriques naturelles associées aux familles de variétés Kahlériennes compactes

Dans cette these nous considerons des familles $pi : cc X to S$ de varietes compactes k"ahlerinnes au-dessus d'une base lisse $S$. Nous construisons un cone de K"ahler relatif $p : cc K to S$ au-dessus de la base de deformations. Ensuite nous demontrons l'existence des metriques hermitiennes naturelles sur les espaces totals $cc K$ et $cc X times_S cc K$ qui generalisent la metrique de Weil--Petersson classiuque associee aux familles polarisees de telles varietes. Nous obtenons aussi une metrique riemannienne sur le cone de K"ahler d'une variete compacte k"ahlerienne quelconque. Nous exprimons son tenseur de courbure a l'aide d'un plongement du cone de K"ahler dans l'espace de toutes metriques hermitiennes sur la variete. Nous demontrons aussi que si les varietes en question sont de fibre canonique trivial, alors notre metrique est la forme de courbure d'un fibre en droites holomorphe. Nous donnons ensuite quelques exemples et applications.
Nanocarriers: A Reliable Tool for the Delivery of Anticancer Drugs

Nanomedicines have gained popularity due to their potential therapeutic applications, especially cancer treatment. Targeted nanoparticles can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells and enable prolonged drug release, reducing off-target toxicity and increasing therapeutic efficacy. However, translating nanomedicines from preclinical to clinical settings has been difficult. Rapid advancements in nanotechnology promise to enhance cancer therapies. Nanomedicine offers advanced targeting and multifunctionality. Nanoparticles (NPs) have several uses nowadays. They have been studied as drug transporters, tumor gene delivery agents, and imaging contrast agents. Nanomaterials based on organic, inorganic, lipid, or glycan substances and synthetic polymers have been used to enhance cancer therapies. This review focuses on polymeric nanoparticle delivery strategies for anticancer nanomedicines.
Comparative Study of Permanent Magnet, Conventional, and Advanced Induction Machines for Traction Applications

This paper investigates and compares the torque-generating capabilities and electromagnetic performance of advanced non-overlapping winding induction machines (AIM), conventional induction machines (CIM), and interior-permanent magnet (IPM) machines for electric vehicle (EV) applications. All investigated machines are designed based on the specifications of the Toyota Prius 2010 IPM machine. The steady-state and flux-weakening performance characteristics are calculated by employing the 2D finite element method and MatLab, and the obtained results are quantitatively compared. Furthermore, the torque-generating capabilities of three machines are investigated for different electric loadings, and the machine having the highest torque-generating capability is determined as AIM. Moreover, the major parameters affecting the torque-generating capability, such as magnetic saturation and magnet demagnetization, are examined in depth.
Long-Term Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet 1-Year after Completion of the MedLey Study

Mediterranean populations enjoy the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), but is it feasible to implement such a pattern beyond the Mediterranean region? The MedLey trial, a 6-month MedDiet intervention vs habitual diet in older Australians, demonstrated that the participants could maintain high adherence to a MedDiet for 6 months. The MedDiet resulted in improved systolic blood pressure (BP), endothelial dilatation, oxidative stress, and plasma triglycerides in comparison with the habitual diet. We sought to determine if 12 months after finishing the MedLey study, the participants maintained their adherence to the MedDiet principles and whether the reduction in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors that were seen in the trial were sustained. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire, and a 15-point MedDiet adherence score (MDAS; greater score = greater adherence) was calculated. Home BP was measured over 6 days, BMI was assessed, and fasting plasma triglycerides were measured. The data were analysed using intention-to-treat linear mixed effects models with a group × time interaction term, comparing data at baseline, 2, 4, and 18 months (12 months post-trial). At 18 months (12 months after finishing the MedLey study), the MedDiet group had a MDAS of 7.9 ± 0.3, compared to 9.6 ± 0.2 at 4 months (p < 0.0001), and 6.7 ± 0.2 (p < 0.0001), at baseline. The MDAS in the HabDiet group remained unchanged over the 18-month period (18 months 6.9 ± 0.3, 4 months 6.9 ± 0.2, baseline 6.7 ± 0.2). In the MedDiet group, the consumption of olive oil, legumes, fish, and vegetables remained higher (p < 0.01, compared with baseline) and discretionary food consumption remained lower (p = 0.02) at 18 months. These data show that some MedDiet principles could be adhered to for 12 months after finishing the MedLey trial. However, improvements in cardiometabolic health markers, including BP and plasma triglycerides, were not sustained. The results indicate that further dietary support for behaviour change may be beneficial to maintaining high adherence and metabolic benefits of the MedDiet.