Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical study of neighbourhood rough sets based band selection techniques for classification of hyperspectral images

Hyperspectral images are acquired in hundreds of spectral channels that contain rich spectral information of different land-cover objects but at the same time they have high dimensionality with ample redundancy which rises curse of dimensionality and computational issues for classification. To mitigate such issues, band selection that reduces the dimensionality of hyperspectral data is a well-known approach widely used in the literature. Neighbourhood rough set, a variant of rough set capable of analysing continuous values, is a robust mathematical tool for handling uncertain and vague data. In this study, the authors have presented an empirical study of four forward greedy hyperspectral band selection algorithms implemented using the neighbourhood rough set, the variable precision neighbourhood rough set, the consistency measure of neighbourhood rough set and the granulation knowledge-based neighbourhood rough set. The effectiveness of these techniques is compared in terms of average classification accuracy, kappa accuracy and standard deviation obtained by using support vector machine classifier on three real hyperspectral data sets. From the experiments, it is found that the variable precision neighbourhood rough set and the consistency measure of neighbourhood rough set are more robust for selecting informative bands compared to the others. The effectiveness of these techniques is also validated by comparing with some state-of-the-art techniques.
Influence of the summer marine layer on maritime chaparral and implications for conservation policy in the California coastal zone

Influence of the Summer Marine Layer on Maritime Chaparral and Implications for Conservation Policy in the California Coastal ZoneMichael C. VaseyThe California coast is renowned for its exceptional diversity of local endemic species, particularly in evergreen, sclerophyllous shrubland known as maritime chaparral. This species rich, fire-adapted shrubland is typical of other regions in the world with Mediterranean-type climates characterized by cool, wet winters and long, dry summers. The dry season in California, however, is moderated by a persistent layer of fog and low cloud cover that hugs the coast during much of the summer (summer marine layer). I investigated the potential influence of the summer marine layer on shrub water relations along a coast-to-interior climate gradient in the central California region. I also tested the possible impact the summer marine layer might have on chaparral species diversity patterns in this region. Finally, since maritime chaparral is a legally protected natural community under Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) policy, I investigated the origin and implementation of ESHA policy to determine if natural science insights might help to inform the conservation of this globally rare vegetation. Using water potentials, stable carbon isotope ratios, and xylem vulnerability analysis of Arctostaphylos shrubs, we found evidence that plant water relations in coastal chaparral are more favorable than in interior chaparral. Dry season climate variables associated with evaporative demand were found to dominate the environmental variance of the 87 plots investigated; however, for upland coastal (transition) plots, there was significantly more winter rain than coastal lowlands or interior uplands. I found high levels of beta diversity in both coastal uplands and coastal lowlands compared to low beta diversity in interior chaparral. Since maritime chaparral has legal status under ESHA policy, I propose that the designation of maritime chaparral in most cases should include both coastal lowland and coastal upland chaparral. I found that the mandatory language of ESHA policy, its focus on habitat rather than species, and its grounding in local land use planning is a powerful combination for biodiversity conservation that provides an interesting model for landscape scale conservation strategies.
Phonon-limited carrier mobility and temperature-dependent scattering mechanism of 
3C
-SiC from first principles

Electron-phonon coupling is at the core of various regimes of material-based science and technology. Taking 3C-silicon carbide (3C-SiC) as an example, despite its very wide application in high temperature and high power devices, the transport properties of 3C-SiC are not yet fully understood at the microscopic level because of inadequate knowledge in electron-phonon coupling. In this work, with electron-phonon coupling matrix elements calculated from ﬁrst principles, the phonon limited carrier mobility of 3C-SiC is quantiﬁed by solving the Boltzmann transport equation. The calculated mobilities for both holes and electrons are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Unlike other polar semiconductors such as GaAs, where the polar-longitudinal-optical-phonon interactions are the dominant scattering mechanism, the mobilities of electrons and holes are dominated by the intravalley longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon scattering at 300 K due to the low occupation number of high-frequency polar longitudinal optical (LO) phonons in 3C-SiC. The dominant scattering mechanism in 3C-SiC varies with temperature. At high temperature (800 K ), LO phonons govern the scattering instead. The maximum mean free paths of electrons and holes at room temperature are found to be 40 nm and 15 nm, respectively.
Elevational distribution and seasonal dynamics of alpine soil prokaryotic communities

The alpine grassland ecosystem is a biodiversity hotspot of plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, where rapid climate change is altering the patterns of plant biodiversity along elevational and seasonal gradients of environments. However, how belowground microbial biodiversity changes along elevational gradient during the growing season is not well understood yet. Here, we investigated the elevational distribution of soil prokaryotic communities by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing along an elevational gradient between 3,200 and 4,200 m, and a seasonal gradient between June and September in the Qinghai-Tibetan alpine grasslands. First, we found soil prokaryotic diversity and community composition significantly shifted along the elevational gradient, mainly driven by soil temperature and moisture. Species richness did not show consistent elevational trends, while those of evenness declined with elevation. Copiotrophs and symbiotic diazotrophs declined with elevation, while oligotrophs and AOB increased, affected by temperature. Anaerobic or facultatively anaerobic bacteria and AOA were hump-shaped, mainly influenced by moisture. Second, seasonal patterns of community composition were mainly driven by aboveground biomass, precipitation, and soil temperature. The seasonal dynamics of community composition indicated that soil prokaryotic community, particularly Actinobacteria, was sensitive to short-term climate change, such as the monthly precipitation variation. At last, dispersal limitation consistently dominated the assembly process of soil prokaryotic communities along both elevational and seasonal gradients, especially for those of rare species, while the deterministic process of abundant species was relatively higher at drier sites and in drier July. The balance between deterministic and stochastic processes in abundant subcommunities might be strongly influenced by water conditions (precipitation/moisture). Our findings suggest that both elevation and season can alter the patterns of soil prokaryotic biodiversity in alpine grassland ecosystem of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, which is a biodiversity hotspot and is experiencing rapid climate change. This work provides new insights into the response of soil prokaryotic communities to changes in elevation and season, and helps us understand the temporal and spatial variations in such climate change-sensitive regions.
Determination of Petrophysical Parameters of Ilam Formation in Abteimoor Oilfield

Abstract. In this study, petrophysical parameters of Ilam Formation have been studied using well logs, two selected wells from Aabteimoor oil field and specialized GEOLOG 6.7 software with probability statistics method (Probabilistic). Petrophysical parameters were determined from well log diagrams. Accordingly, there are appropriate porosity and water saturation in this horizon, such that the average effective porosity and water saturation are 21.2 and 30.2 %, respectively. Based on Neutron- density cross-plot, it is determined that Ilam Formation lithology is composed of limestone, dolomite and in some intervals, shale. Also shale volume is low according to CGR charts so that its mean value is 0.65%.
A Mobile Health Application Using Geolocation for Behavioral Activity Tracking

The increasing popularity of mHealth presents an opportunity for collecting rich datasets using mobile phone applications (apps). Our health-monitoring mobile application uses motion detection to track an individual’s physical activity and location. The data collected are used to improve health outcomes, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles through analyzing physical activity patterns. Using smartphone motion detection sensors and GPS receivers, we implemented an energy-efficient tracking algorithm that captures user locations whenever they are in motion. To ensure security and efficiency in data collection and storage, encryption algorithms are used with serverless and scalable cloud storage design. The database schema is designed around Mobile Advertising ID (MAID) as a unique identifier for each device, allowing for accurate tracking and high data quality. Our application uses Google’s Activity Recognition Application Programming Interface (API) on Android OS or geofencing and motion sensors on iOS to track most smartphones available. In addition, our app leverages blockchain and traditional payments to streamline the compensations and has an intuitive user interface to encourage participation in research. The mobile tracking app was tested for 20 days on an iPhone 14 Pro Max, finding that it accurately captured location during movement and promptly resumed tracking after inactivity periods, while consuming a low percentage of battery life while running in the background.
High Speed and Low Leakage Power Voltage Level Shifter using Regulated Cross-Coupled Network

This concise presents a power efficient level shifter using regulated cross-coupled network with split inverter. With the use of regulated cross-coupled network, power dissipation of the pull-up region drastically decreases. Level shifters convert the voltage levels which are below the threshold voltage to the acceptable voltage levels by decreasing the transistor size. A Split inverter is used at the output to decrease the short circuit current. Modified Split inverter along with the load capacitor at the output is used to increase the speed and to decrease the power consumption. This LS can save 31% power compared to other techniques. The proposed level shifter works effectively at high speed and consumes less power. For simulation, LT spice tool of 50 nm technology and 90 nm technology is used.
Nanocomposite Hydrogels and Extracellular Matrix—Advantages and Associated Risks

Hydrogels can be considered as mimics of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Through integrins, the cytoskeleton is connected to the ECM, and cytoskeleton tension depends on ECM stiffness. A number of age-related diseases depend on cellular processes related to cytoskeleton function. Some examples of cancer initiation and progression and heart disease in relation to ECM stiffness have been analyzed. The incorporation of rigid particles into the ECM can increase ECM stiffness and promote the formation of internal residual stresses. Water migration, changes in water binding energy to biomactomolecules, and changes in the state of water from tightly bound water to free and loosely bound water lead to changes in the stiffness of the ECM. Cardiac tissue engineering, ECM stiffness and cancer, the equivalence of ECM stiffness, oxidative stress, inflammation, multi-layer polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels and bioprinting, residual internal stresses, viscoelastic hydrogels, hydrogel nanocomposites, and the effect of water have been reported. Special attention has been paid to the role of bound water and internal stresses in ECM stiffness. The risks related to rigid particle incorporation into the ECM have been discussed. The potential effect of polyphenols, chitosan, and chitosan oligosaccharide on ECM stiffness and the potential for anti-TNF-α and anti-NF-κB therapies have been discussed.
Simulation of flow past a squirmer confined in a channel at low Reynolds numbers

The two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method was employed to numerically investigate the flow around a circular squirmer in a channel at low Reynolds numbers. The study thoroughly examined the impact of various factors on flow structures and drag coefficients (C d) of the squirmer, such as the Reynolds number (Re), self-propelled strength (α), squirmer-type factor (β), blockage ratio (B), and orientation angle (θ). Notably, despite the low Reynolds numbers, a change in the orientation angle θ resulted in a lift in the squirmer, consequently affecting its lift coefficient (C l). The simulation findings underscored that a pair of up-down backflow regions are generated on the squirmer’s surface. Interestingly, the locations of these backflow regions varied significantly between the pusher type (β< 0), the neutral squirmer (β= 0), and the puller type (β> 0). These variations were closely tied to the pressure and velocity distributions on the surfaces of the respective squirmers. Furthermore, an increase in α might induce the formation of a new pair of backflow regions near the channel walls and subsequently elevate the C d . On the other hand, alterations in Re did not affect the flow structures but created a negative correlation with C d. Overall, the study unveiled unique dynamic characteristics, offering a contrast to the extensively investigated case of flow past a cylinder.
Research on coal gangue recognition method based on XBS-YOLOv5s

Aiming at the problems of misdetection, omission and low recognition accuracy of coal gangue recognition due to the harsh environmental factors such as low illumination, motion blur and large quantities of coal gangue mixing in coal mines, a coal gangue recognition method based on XBS-YOLOv5s is proposed. Simulate the actual underground production environment to build a machine vision platform, construct a coal gangue image data set, and provide a test environment for various target detection algorithms. In this paper, we construct a real-time detection model of coal gangue in the complex environment of coal mine by fusing SimAM parameter-free attention mechanism, BiFPN feature fusion network and XIoU loss function in YOLOv5s, so as to improve the model’s ability of extracting, fusing and localizing key features of the target. The experimental results show that the recognition accuracy of XBS-YOLOv5s algorithm for coal gangue in the complex environment of low illumination, motion blur and large quantities of coal gangue mixed are effectively improved. Its mean average precision reaches 96%, which is 4.3% higher than the original YOLOv5s algorithm, meanwhile, compared with other YOLO series algorithms, it has the best comprehensive detection performance, which can provide technical support for intelligent and efficient sorting of coal gangue.
Miniaturized Quad-Port Conformal Multi-Band (QPC-MB) MIMO Antenna for On-Body Wireless Systems in Microwave-Millimeter Bands

In this endeavor, miniaturized quad-port MIMOMB (multiple-input-multiple-output multi-band) antenna with an overall area of 400 mm2 offering wider-impedance-bandwidth of 8.31GHz-36.14GHz is reported which covers multiple bands including X-band (8.00-12.0 GHz), Ku-band (12.0-18.0 GHz), K-band (18.0-27.0 GHz), partial Ka-band (27.0-40.0 GHz), FR2: n257 (26.50-29.50 GHz), n258 (24.25-27.50) and n261 (27.50-28.35 GHz) is reported for wideband infrastructure. The proposed antenna radiating EM energy is printed on very thin Rogers RTDuroid5880 substrate with thickness 0.254mm. The radiating EM wave patch consists of hexagonal geometry which is etched with a circular-rectangular slot and partial-ground etched by a beveled shape patch for matching of impedance. The conformal capability of the proposed antenna is verified by S-for single-port, dual-port, and proposed four-port antenna. The time-domain analysis confirms the faithful reception of transmitted signals in far-field regions. The diversity performance including ECCMB, DGMB, TARCMB, CCL $_{\mathrm {MB,}}$ and MEGMB is below permissible standard values with a maximum peak gain of 7.17dBi with stable 2-D radiation patterns in principal planes. The Specific-Absorption-RateMB (SAR) analysis is carried out at different operating frequencies in Microwave-Millimeter wave bands with SAR $\le 1.60\text{W}$ /Kg in human phantom tissue and makes it suitable for on-body wireless applications.
Calming the Storm: How Non-Negative Messages From Fellow Consumers Can Dispel Negativity in a Social Media Firestorm

This research explores the potential of non-negative consumer messages to counteract negativity in social media firestorms through emotional contagion. 1,186 tweets were examined in response to a McDonald’s Japan service issue, revealing that non-negative messages tend to align emotionally with preceding messages. This suggests a temporary mitigation of negativity. Investigating emotional contagion within social media firestorms challenged the prevailing notion of negativity bias, indicating a focus on maintaining a positive affective state. Practical implications suggest organizations should monitor and acknowledge non-negative messages during crises to identify advocates and gain insights into subnetwork impact. Incorporating elements from contagious non-negative posts in responses can help mitigate reputational damage. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of emotional contagion dynamics in social media firestorms, aiding organizations in managing their online reputation during crises.
E. coli production of a multi-disulfide bonded SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 RBD exhibiting native-like biochemical and biophysical properties

Low-cost bacterial production of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike protein holds significant potential in expediting the development of therapeutics against COVID-19. However, RBD contains eight cysteines forming four disulfide bonds, and expression in E. coli using standard protocols produces insoluble RBD forming non-native disulfide bonds. Here, we expressed RBD in E. coli T7 SHuffle with high aeration, which enhanced disulfide formation in the cytoplasm and reshuffling of non-native disulfide bonds, and at a low temperature of 16°C, which stabilized the native conformation and thus the formation of the native disulfide bonds. The yield of RBD was as high as 3 mg per 200 mL culture. We analyzed the conformational and biophysical properties of our E. coli-expressed RBD. First, the RP-HPLC elution profile indicated a single peak, suggesting that RBD was folded with a single disulfide bond pairing pattern. Next, circular dichroism analysis indicated a secondary structure content very close to that computed from the crystal structure. RBD’s thermal denaturation monitored by CD was cooperative, strongly indicating a well-folded protein structure. Moreover, limited proteolysis showed that RBD was nearly as stable as RNase A, and the formation of native disulfide bonds was confirmed by LC-MS analysis. Furthermore, BLI analysis indicated a strong binding of RBD with the hACE2 with a dissociation constant of 0.83 nM, confirming the folded nature of RBD. Altogether, these results demonstrate that our E. coli-expression system can provide a large amount of highly purified RBD with correct disulfide bonds and native-like biochemical and biophysical properties.
Effects of Eimeria maxima infection doses on growth performance and gut health in dual-infection model of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the different doses of Eimeria maxima (EM) oocysts on growth performance and intestinal health in broiler chickens challenged with a dual infection model of necrotic enteritis (NE) using EM and NetB+ Clostridium perfringens (CP). A total of 432 fourteen-d-old male Cobb 500 broiler chickens were divided into 6 groups with 6 replicates each. The six different groups were as follows: Control, non-challenged; T0+, challenged with CP at 1 × 109 colony forming unit; T5K+, T0+ + 5,000 EM oocysts; T10K+, T0+ + 10,000 EM oocysts; T20K+; T0+ + 20,000 EM oocysts; and T40K+; T0+ + 40,000 EM oocysts. The challenge groups were orally inoculated with EM strain 41A on d 14, followed by NetB+ CP strain Del-1 on 4 days post inoculation (dpi). Increasing EM oocysts decreased d 21 body weight, body weight gain, feed intake (linear and quadratic, p < 0.001), and feed efficiency (linear, p < 0.001) from 0 to 7 dpi. Increasing EM oocysts increased jejunal NE lesion score and intestinal permeability on 5, 6, and 7 dpi (linear, p < 0.05). On 7 dpi, increasing the infection doses of EM oocysts increased jejunal CP colony counts (linear, p < 0.05) and increased fecal EM oocyst output (linear and quadratic, p < 0.001). Furthermore, increasing the infection doses of EM oocysts decreased the villus height to crypt depth ratios and the goblet cell counts (linear, p < 0.05) on 6 dpi. Increasing EM oocysts downregulated the expression of MUC2, B0AT, B0,+AT, PepT1, GLUT2, AvBD3 and 9, LEAP2, and TLR4, while upregulating CLDN1, CATHL3, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNFSF15, TNF-α, IL-10, and Gam56 and 82 on 6 dpi (linear, p < 0.05). Additionally, increasing EM oocysts decreased Pielou’s evenness and Shannon’s entropy (linear, p < 0.01). In conclusion, increasing the infection doses of EM significantly aggravated the severity of NE and exerted negative impact on intestinal health from 5 to 7 dpi.