Science Case Research Articles

CREDIT CARD FRAUD DETECTION

It is important that credit card companies are able to recognize fraudulent credit card transactions so that customers are not charged for items that they did not purchase. In an era where digital transactions have become ubiquitous, the security of financial transactions is of paramount importance. The advent of machine learning and data science techniques offers promising avenues for enhancing fraud detection mechanisms. Analysing a dataset is a critical step in obtaining relevant insights from massive amounts of data. This research paper delves into the use case of Data science & Machine Learning and its applications for our major project. It goes into the use of Python as a powerful tool for data analysis, emphasizing its importance in dealing with complex datasets. Furthermore, the project investigates the many Python libraries used in data science and machine learning applications, the significance of data visualization with Libraries such as Seaborn and Matplotlib, etc. After which it goes on with the main work. This project of ours delves into the realm of credit card fraud detection, leveraging Python and its powerful libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Seaborn, TensorFlow, and Matplotlib for comprehensive data analysis and visualization. Employing a host of machine learning algorithms including K-Nearest Neighbors, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Decision Tree, and LDA, the project aims to tackle the challenge posed by highly unbalanced datasets, specifically transactions made by European cardholders in September 2013. By discerning fraudulent transactions accurately, this endeavour seeks to bolster the integrity of financial systems, safeguarding both customers and institutions from potential losses. Keywords: Python, pandas, seaborn, data science, machine learning.

Into the red: An M-band study of the chemistry and rotation of β Pictoris b at high spectral resolution

Abstract High-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy (HRCCS) combined with adaptive optics has been enormously successful in advancing our knowledge of exoplanet atmospheres, from chemistry to rotation and atmospheric dynamics. This powerful technique now drives major science cases for ELT instrumentation including METIS/ELT, GMTNIRS/GMT and MICHI/TMT, targeting biosignatures on rocky planets at 3–5 μm, but remains untested beyond 3.5 μm where the sky thermal background begins to provide the dominant contribution to the noise. We present 3.51–5.21 μm M-band CRIRES+/VLT observations of the archetypal young directly imaged gas giant β Pictoris b, detecting CO absorption at S/N = 6.6 at 4.73 μm and H2O at S/N = 5.7, and thus extending the use of HRCCS into the thermal background noise dominated infrared. Using this novel spectral range to search for more diverse chemistry we report marginal evidence of SiO at S/N = 4.3, potentially indicative that previously proposed magnesium-silicate clouds in the atmosphere are either patchy, transparent at M-band wavelengths, or possibly absent on the planetary hemisphere observed. The molecular detections are rotationally broadened by the spin of β Pic b, and we infer a planetary rotation velocity of vsin(i) = 22 ± 2 km s−1 from the cross-correlation with the H2O model template, consistent with previous K-band studies. We discuss the observational challenges posed by the thermal background and telluric contamination in the M-band, the custom analysis procedures required to mitigate these issues, and the opportunities to exploit this new infrared window for HRCCS using existing and next-generation instrumentation.

A bibliometric analysis of the literature on goat breeding

Background Bibliometric analysis plays an essential role in scientific research. However, some research areas still have several gaps. This is also the case in the animal sciences. Therefore, the status of current studies can be analyzed to provide guidance for future research through scientific studies that will be conducted. The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of goat breeding to evaluate current trends, gaps in knowledge, and future perspectives. Methods A large dataset was extracted from the Web of Science (WoS), a popular database for scientific studies. According to the WoS, we used 1000 scientific papers (1991–2023) that contained articles, book chapters, data papers, proceedings papers, meeting abstracts, and notes. All bibliometric analyses were performed using the bibliometrix package. Results and Conclusions In 2023, there were 34 studies available. Average citations per year showed that the highest average citation count occurred in 2006 (31.35). In total, 265 scientific journals in the WoS database have published goat breeding studies. Small Ruminant Research led to the remaining 145 articles. In conclusion, scientific studies on goat breeding have become popular in recent years. The authors may gravitate towards popular journals in the future.

An industry review of recent graduate employee’s performance compared to workplace expectations: An environmental science case study

This study developed and tested a model of higher education environmental science program review through industry-wide surveys of environmental science graduate employers. We surveyed 62 environmental professionals who manage recent environmental science graduate employees in eastern Australia. The survey captured expectations of graduates’ skill performance compared to workplace expectations in the first 6 months of employment in both degree-specific skills and general employment skills. Graduate employee skill importance was ranked significantly higher than their actual performance in degree-specific skills including field work, formal correspondence, policy development, data analysis/interpretation, and understanding environmental legislation. Performance was also significantly lower than expectations of generic employment skills including foundation, collaborative, and employability skills. Work placement within undergraduate programs was reported as being pivotal in efficiently preparing graduates, although workplace time limitations hinder participation. This study provides new evidence for universities to adopt work placement or other work integrated learning as a core program component, embed skill awareness and skill portfolio development in curricula, and periodically undertake industry review of graduate employee performance compared to workplace expectations. The new model presented here, of higher education program review, incorporating both graduate employee performance and employer expectations, will assist universities continuing relevancy in a dynamic employment market.

GWAK: gravitational-wave anomalous knowledge with recurrent autoencoders

Matched-filtering detection techniques for gravitational-wave (GW) signals in ground-based interferometers rely on having well-modeled templates of the GW emission. Such techniques have been traditionally used in searches for compact binary coalescences (CBCs), and have been employed in all known GW detections so far. However, interesting science cases aside from compact mergers do not yet have accurate enough modeling to make matched filtering possible, including core-collapse supernovae and sources where stochasticity may be involved. Therefore the development of techniques to identify sources of these types is of significant interest. In this paper, we present a method of anomaly detection based on deep recurrent autoencoders to enhance the search region to unmodeled transients. We use a semi-supervised strategy that we name ‘Gravitational Wave Anomalous Knowledge’ (GWAK). While the semi-supervised approach to this problem entails a potential reduction in accuracy compared to fully supervised methods, it offers a generalizability advantage by enhancing the reach of experimental sensitivity beyond the constraints of pre-defined signal templates. We construct a low-dimensional embedded space using the GWAK method, capturing the physical signatures of distinct signals on each axis of the space. By introducing signal priors that capture some of the salient features of GW signals, we allow for the recovery of sensitivity even when an unmodeled anomaly is encountered. We show that regions of the GWAK space can identify CBCs, detector glitches and also a variety of unmodeled astrophysical sources.

Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST) science: Planetary and cometary atmospheres.

The study of planets and small bodies within our Solar System is fundamental for understanding the formation and evolution of the Earth and other planets. Compositional and meteorological studies of the giant planets provide a foundation for understanding the nature of the most commonly observed exoplanets, while spectroscopic observations of the atmospheres of terrestrial planets, moons, and comets provide insights into the past and present-day habitability of planetary environments, and the availability of the chemical ingredients for life. While prior and existing (sub)millimeter observations have led to major advances in these areas, progress is hindered by limitations in the dynamic range, spatial and temporal coverage, as well as sensitivity of existing telescopes and interferometers. Here, we summarize some of the key planetary science use cases that factor into the design of the Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST), a proposed 50-m class single dish facility: (1) to more fully characterize planetary wind fields and atmospheric thermal structures, (2) to measure the compositions of icy moon atmospheres and plumes, (3) to obtain detections of new, astrobiologically relevant gases and perform isotopic surveys of comets, and (4) to perform synergistic, temporally-resolved measurements in support of dedicated interplanetary space missions. The improved spatial coverage (several arcminutes), resolution (~ 1.2'' - 12''), bandwidth (several tens of GHz), dynamic range (~ 10 5) and sensitivity (~ 1 mK km s -1) required by these science cases would enable new insights into the chemistry and physics of planetary environments, the origins of prebiotic molecules and the habitability of planetary systems in general.

FarView: An in-situ manufactured lunar far side radio array concept for 21-cm Dark Ages cosmology

FarView is an early-stage concept for a large, low-frequency radio observatory, manufactured in-situ on the lunar far side using metals extracted from the lunar regolith. It consists of 100,000 dipole antennas in compact subarrays distributed over a large area but with empty space between subarrays in a core-halo structure. FarView covers a total area of ∼200 km2, has a dense core within the inner ∼36 km2, and a ∼power-law falloff of antenna density out to ∼14 km from the center. With this design, it is relatively easy to identify multiple viable build sites on the lunar far side. The science case for FarView emphasizes the unique capabilities to probe the unexplored Cosmic Dark Ages – identified by the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey as the discovery area for cosmology. FarView will deliver power spectra and tomographic maps tracing the evolution of the Universe from before the birth of the first stars to the beginning of Cosmic Dawn, and potentially provide unique insights into dark matter, early dark energy, neutrino masses, and the physics of inflation. What makes FarView feasible and affordable in the timeframe of the 2030s is that it is manufactured in-situ, utilizing space industrial technologies. This in-situ manufacturing architecture utilizes Earth-built equipment that is transported to the lunar surface to extract metals from the regolith and will use those metals to manufacture most of the array components: dipole antennas, power lines, and silicon solar cell power systems. This approach also enables a long functional lifetime, by permitting servicing and repair of the observatory. The full 100,000 dipole FarView observatory will take 4–8 years to build, depending on the realized performance of the manufacturing elements and the lunar delivery scenario.

“Konoval’naya Nauka” as cases of ancient veterinary science in the first legislative acts of Russia

The first measures of state power to prevent epizootics in Russia are considered; the regulatory legal acts issued at the end of the 17th - 18th centuries, regulating sanitary and quarantine measures, are analyzed; previously unpublished legal acts of the Russian state on combating animal diseases are published.

A Superconducting Tensor Detector for Mid-Frequency Gravitational Waves: Its Multichannel Nature and Main Astrophysical Targets

Abstract Mid-frequency band gravitational-wave detectors will be complementary to the existing Earth-based detectors (sensitive above 10 Hz or so) and the future space-based detectors such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), which will be sensitive below around 10 mHz. A ground-based superconducting omnidirectional gravitational radiation observatory (SOGRO) has recently been proposed along with several design variations for the frequency band of 0.1–10 Hz. For two conceptual designs of SOGRO (i.e. SOGRO and advanced SOGRO [aSOGRO]), we examine their multichannel natures, sensitivities, and science cases. One of the key characteristics of the SOGRO concept is its six detection channels. The response functions of each channel are calculated for all possible gravitational wave (GW) polarizations including scalar and vector modes. Combining these response functions, we also confirm the omnidirectional nature of SOGRO. Hence, even a single SOGRO detector will be able to determine the position of a source and polarizations of GWs, if detected. Taking into account SOGRO’s sensitivity and technical requirements, two main targets are most plausible: GWs from compact binaries and stochastic backgrounds. Based on assumptions we consider in this work, detection rates for intermediate-mass binary black holes (in the mass range of hundreds up to $10^{5}\, M_\odot$) are expected to be 0.0065–8.1 yr−1. In order to detect the stochastic GW background, multiple detectors are required. Two aSOGRO detector networks may be able to put limits on the stochastic background beyond the indirect limit from cosmological observations.

A new method for instrumental profile reconstruction of high-resolution spectrographs

Context. Knowledge of the spectrograph’s instrumental profile (IP) provides important information needed for wavelength calibration and for the use in scientific analyses. Aims. This work develops new methods for IP reconstruction in high-resolution spectrographs equipped with astronomical laser frequency comb (astrocomb) calibration systems and assesses the impact that assumptions on the IP shape have on achieving accurate spectroscopic measurements. Methods. Astrocombs produce ≈ 10 000 bright, unresolved emission lines with known wavelengths, making them excellent probes of the IP. New methods based on Gaussian process regression were developed to extract detailed information on the IP shape from these data. Applying them to HARPS, an extremely stable spectrograph installed on the ESO 3.6m telescope, we reconstructed its IP at 512 locations of the detector, covering 60% of the total detector area. Results. We found that the HARPS IP is asymmetric and that it varies smoothly across the detector. Empirical IP models provide a wavelength accuracy better than 10m s−1 (5m s−1) with a 92% (64%) probability. In comparison, reaching the same accuracy has a probability of only 29% (8%) when a Gaussian IP shape is assumed. Furthermore, the Gaussian assumption is associated with intra-order and inter-order distortions in the HARPS wavelength scale as large as 60 m s−1. The spatial distribution of these distortions suggests they may be related to spectrograph optics and therefore may generally appear in cross-dispersed echelle spectrographs when Gaussian IPs are used. Empirical IP models are provided as supplementary material in machine readable format. We also provide a method to correct the distortions in astrocomb calibrations made under the Gaussian IP assumption. Conclusions. Methods presented here can be applied to other instruments equipped with astrocombs, such as ESPRESSO, but also ANDES and G-CLEF in the future. The empirical IPs are crucial for obtaining objective and unbiased measurements of fundamental constants from high-resolution spectra, as well as measurements of the redshift drift, isotopic abundances, and other science cases.

176 Translational Challenges and Facilitators of Health Equity Research Integrating Social Determinants of Health with Patient- and Community-Centered Technology

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: - Illustrate findings of a translational science case study of multi-pronged research aimed at understanding of social determinants in health disparities and integrating patient-centered technology; - Illuminate translational mechanisms by analyzing and sharing research challenges, facilitators, and benefits. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Utilized novel TS evaluation methods and tools: - Translational Science Case Study protocol to examine translational path from innovation to practice, barriers and facilitators for that translational movement. - Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) Checklist for translational/research impact analysis. Triangulated diverse data sources: - Primary data: semi-structured interviews with research partners. - Secondary data: researchers’ grant applications, reports, and publications; public stories/news related to their research; scientific publications; organizational/policy documents; and interviews with research stakeholders featured in published sources. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Translational challenges include: culturally tailored education and outreach; data analysis and intervention planning; engaging community stakeholders in the development and implementation; addressing economic and resource-related challenges. Translational facilitators are: UMN CTSA funding and other support; access to data and resources; use of open-source materials; evidence-based/best practice approaches; diversity and collaboration between researchers, community organizations, healthcare providers; researchers’ drive to translate. The research contributes to community and public health, clinical/medical, and economic benefits, health equity advocacy, catalyzing further research, and public awareness. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The evaluation case study contributes to translational science by providing evidence and lessons learned related to translational benefits, challenges, and facilitators of community-based, patient-centered research bringing people, knowledge, and technology together and contributing to health equity.

Characterization of the ESPRESSO line-spread function and improvement of the wavelength calibration accuracy

ABSTRACT Achieving a truly accurate wavelength calibration of high-dispersion echelle spectrographs is a challenging task but crucially needed for certain science cases, e.g. to test for a possible variation of the fine-structure constant in quasar spectra. One of the spectrographs best suited for this mission is Very Large Telescope/Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observation (ESPRESSO). Nevertheless, previous studies have identified significant discrepancies between the classical wavelength solutions and the one derived independently from the laser frequency comb. The dominant parts of these systematics were intra-order distortions, most-likely related to a deviation of the instrumental line-spread function from the assumed Gaussian shape. Here, we therefore present a study focused on a detailed modelling of the ESPRESSO instrumental line-spread function. We demonstrate that it is strongly asymmetric, non-Gaussian, different for the two slices and fibres, and varies significantly along the spectral orders. Incorporating the determined non-parametric model in the wavelength calibration process drastically improves the wavelength calibration accuracy, reducing the discrepancies between the two independent wavelength solutions from $50\,\rm{m\,s^{-1}}$ to about $10\, \rm{m\,s^{-1}}$. The most striking success is, however, that the different fibres and slices now provide fully consistent measurements with a scatter of just a couple m s−1. This demonstrates that the instrument-related systematics can be nearly eliminated over most of the spectral range by properly taking into account the complex shape of the instrumental line-spread function and paves the way for further optimizations of the wavelength calibration process.

Aliasing from Galactic Plane Setting in Widefield Radio Interferometry

Measurements with widefield radio interferometers often include the near-infinite gradient between the sky and the horizon. This causes aliasing inherent to the measurement itself and is purely a consequence of the Fourier basis. For this reason, the horizon is often attenuated by the instrumental beam down to levels deemed inconsequential. However, this effect is enhanced via our own Galactic plane as it sets over the course of a night. We show all-sky simulations of the Galactic plane setting in a low-frequency radio interferometer in detail for the first time. We then apply these simulations to the Murchison Widefield Array to show that a beam attenuation of 0.1% is not sufficient in some precision science cases. We determine that the noise statistics of the residual data image are drastically more Gaussian with aliasing removal, and explore consequences in simulation for cataloging of extragalactic sources and 21 cm Epoch of Reionization detection via the power spectrum.

Designing a conversational agent for supporting data exploration in citizen science

Data is ubiquitous in today’s digitized society. However, access to and literacy in handling data plays a pivotal role in determining who can benefit from it and who can use—or potentially misuse—it. To combat inequalities and address issues such as misinformation, it is essential to enable citizens to effectively access and understand data within their local ecosystems. To address this challenge, we focus on the case of citizen science and propose using a conversational agent to support data exploration and lower barriers to citizen engagement in research projects. Using a design science research approach, we derive design principles and develop a prototypical artifact. Moreover, we conduct an experimental evaluation, demonstrating strong interest among citizens to participate in scientific data analysis and that conversational agents hold great potential in increasing data literacy.

Astronomy from the moon in the next decades: from exoplanets to cosmology in visible light and beyond.

We look at what astronomy from the Moon might be like over the next few decades. The Moon offers the possibility of installing large telescopes or interferometers with instruments larger than those on orbiting telescopes. We first present examples of ambitious science cases, in particular ideas that cannot be implemented from Earth. After a general review of observational approaches, from photometry to high contrast and high angular resolution imaging, we propose as a first step a 1-metre-class precursor and explore what science can be done with it. We add a proposal to use the Earth-Moon system to test the quantum physics theory. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades (part 2)'.

SciNapse 2023-2024 Undergraduate Science Case Competition: The Mysterious World of Fungi

SciNapse 2023-2024 Undergraduate Science Case Competition: The Mysterious World of Fungi

Water damage and mould growth in buildings : Causes, detection, identification, remediation and health implications

This paper is about water damage in buildings and the resulting mould infestation, its causes, detection, identification, remediation and health Implications. The author believes based on science, practical experience and successful case studies over the last 37 years that by proper understanding of the causes, much misdiagnosis, misidentification and mistreatment can be avoided, and correct testing, identification and enumeration of the moulds is the vital key to successful remediation measures. All moulds are not equally destructive, toxic or pathogenic. It is important to determine the type and extent of both visible and non-visible mould and hidden moulds in floor voids, wall voids and other confined spaces.

First deep search of tidal tails in the Milky Way globular cluster NGC 6362

I present results of the analysis of a set of images obtained in the field of the Milky Way globular cluster NGC 6362 using the Dark Energy Camera, which is mounted in the 4.0 m Victor Blanco telescope of the Cerro-Tololo Interamerican Observatory. The cluster was selected as a science case for deep high-quality photometry because of the controversial observational findings and theoretical predictions on the existence of cluster tidal tails. The collected data allowed me to build an unprecedented deep cluster field color-magnitude diagram, from which I filtered stars to produce a stellar density map, to trace the stellar density variation as a function of the position angle for different concentric annuli centered on the cluster, and to construct a cluster stellar density radial profile. I also built a stellar density map from a synthetic color-magnitude diagram generated from a model of the stellar population distribution in the Milky Way. The entire analysis approach converged toward a relatively smooth stellar density between 1 and ∼3.8 cluster Jacobi radii, with a slight difference smaller than two times the background stellar density fluctuation between the mean stellar density of the southeastern hemisphere and that of the northwestern one, with the latter being higher. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the recently claimed tidal tail stars agrees well not only with the observed composite star field distribution, but also with the region least affected by interstellar absorption. Nevertheless, I detected a low stellar density excess around the cluster’s Jacobi radius, from which I conclude that NGC 6362 presents a thin extra tidal halo.

Scientific Impact of Novel Instrumentation: The Case of MUSE

In the process of transforming science cases into a viable and affordable design for a novel instrument, there is the problem of how to gauge their scientific impact, especially when they end up in competing top level requirements that can be incompatible with each other. This research note presents a case study for scientific impact of the integral field spectrograph MUSE in terms of number of refereed publications from 2014 to 2024 as a figure of merit, broken down by different research areas. The analysis is based on the Basic ESO Publication Statistics service and NASA's Astrophysics Data System.

Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE). XII. The Detectability of Capstone Biosignatures in the Mid-infrared—Sniffing Exoplanetary Laughing Gas and Methylated Halogens

This study aims to identify exemplary science cases for observing N2O, CH3Cl, and CH3Br in exoplanet atmospheres at abundances consistent with biogenic production using a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometric observatory, such as the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) mission concept. We use a set of scenarios derived from chemical kinetics models that simulate the atmospheric response of varied levels of biogenic production of N2O, CH3Cl, and CH3Br in O2-rich terrestrial planet atmospheres to produce forward models for our LIFEsim observation simulator software. In addition, we demonstrate the connection to retrievals for selected cases. We use the results to derive observation times needed for the detection of these scenarios and apply them to define science requirements for the mission. Our analysis shows that in order to detect relevant abundances with a mission like LIFE in its current baseline setup, we require: (i) only a few days of observation time for certain very nearby “golden target” scenarios, which also motivate future studies of “spectral-temporal” observations (ii) ∼10 days in certain standard scenarios such as temperate, terrestrial planets around M star hosts at 5 pc, (iii) ∼50–100 days in the most challenging but still feasible cases, such as an Earth twin at 5 pc. A few cases with very low fluxes around specific host stars are not detectable. In summary, the abundances of these capstone biosignatures are detectable at plausible biological production fluxes for most cases examined and for a significant number of potential targets.