Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of receiver equalization using first-order and second-order Continuous-Time Linear Equalizer in 45 nm process technology

The gap between on-chip and off-chip communication speed has become wider as the IC process technology continues to shrink in order to increase the chip performance. The speed of on-chip circuit has outperformed the off-chip communication speed. Therefore, the performance threshold of a system which consists of multiple IC's is limited by the off-chip communication speed. I/O interfaces such as PCI-Express, USB 3.0, and DDR3 are designed to bridge the gap by introducing high-speed transceiver system which typically operates at Giga-Hertz range. However, legacy copper interconnect on a motherboard backplane cannot support data rate. As a result, integrity of the signal is impaired with nonideal effects introduced by the channel. Continuous-Time Linear Equalizer (CTLE) is used at the receiver front-end to compensate the high-frequency losses introduced by the channel. The implementation of CTLE is normally limited to first-order. Second-order CTLE offers the advantage of incremental peaking gain when dealing with channel of high losses. Therefore, in this paper, the characteristics and theoretical circuit analysis of first-order and second-order CTLEs are presented. Both equalizers are designed to address a 5-Gb/s data rate transmission. An arbitrary 20-inch channel is used as test bench to compare the performance of the two equalizers. Simulation results show improvement in receive eye voltage opening and insertion loss for second-order CTLE but with degradation in terms of receive eye time opening, jitter, and amplitude noise.
“What’s his is his and what’s mine is his”: Financial power and economic abuse in Aotearoa

AIM: This study aimed to understand the experiences and effects of economic abuse for women in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly in relation to methods of coercive control, with the intention of developing risk matrices to be used by practitioners. METHODS: We conducted a survey with 448 respondents—with 398 the focus of analysis for this article. The survey contained a combination of scaling and open-ended questions. FINDINGS: Abusers employed a range of abusive methods to restrict victims’ freedom and exercise domination. These abusive behaviours seemed to follow traditional hegemonic construction of masculinity as synonymous with “provider” in that many of these methods relied on the reproduction of gendered stereotypes which subjugate women to a subordinate position in the household. Women experienced a range of adverse emotional impacts as a result of this abuse.
Motivational factors for on-line distance learning an empirical investigation

Today, with the rapid social and financial changes is an increasing demand for distance and online learning. This study is part of a wider research project aims to propose a framework for understanding motivators, barriers, and enablers for successful online distance education program application. This paper shed some light on identifying the main motivational factors for choosing a distance and online learning program. Moreover, it will investigate how these factors relate to age, gender and parenthood. The results are based on a questionnaire, conducted amongst beginner students enrolled in the distance-learning program provided by E-learning and Distance Education Deanship at Al-Imam Muhammad bin Saud University during the summer semester of 2013. The survey aims to determine students' motives besides their background characteristics.
Monitoring Academic and Social Skills in Elementary School

Numerous well-validated academic progress monitoring tools are used in schools, but there are fewer behavioral progress monitoring measures available. Some brief behavior rating scales have been shown to be effective in monitoring students’ progress, but most focus only on students’ social skills and do not address critical academic-related behaviors. We conducted a quasi-replication of a study by Brady, Evans, Berlin, Bunford, and Kern examining the Classroom Performance Survey (CPS) by using a multi-step analytic strategy, including confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis. Over a period of 3 years, 160 elementary schoolteachers in 19 schools across three states completed a modified CPS on 356 elementary students identified as at-risk for emotional and behavioral disorders. The modified CPS was found to be comprised of two factors (Academic Competence and Interpersonal Competence) and showed evidence of reliability and validity. These results suggest that the CPS shows promise as a brief behavior rating scale for progress monitoring in elementary schools.
Obesity and malnutrition among Hispanic children in the United States: double burden on health inequities.

OBJECTIVE To examine important micronutrient deficiencies related to child health and growth outcomes for all weight statuses to 1) better understand other potential nutritional problems and inequities that may be masked by focusing solely on BMI percentiles and overweight/obesity, and 2) draw attention to the need for more studies focused on the nutritional well-being of children at all weight statuses, including healthy weight. METHODS A sample of children (ages 2-19 years) old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2010 was analyzed. Prevalence of stunting, folate, vitamin D, iron, iodine, and anemia, was considered. Comparisons were conducted between non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics, and within Hispanics, based on socio-demographic and economic characteristics. RESULTS Hispanic children experienced significantly higher prevalence of stunting (6.1% versus 2.6%), and the prevalence of stunted Hispanic children in the healthy weight category was higher than those in the overweight/obese category. Comparable percentages were observed by ethnicity for most analyzed micronutrients, although girls had consistently higher prevalence of nutritional deficiencies than boys, especially girls reaching reproductive age. CONCLUSIONS The results of this article draw attention to the need for more specific and differentiated analyses of child obesity and nutritional status among and within ethnic, sex, and age groups. Appropriate public health interventions need to consider the entire range of weight statuses and micronutrient deficiencies to eliminate inequities among minority children, especially girls.
Bounds on approximate steepest descent for likelihood maximization in exponential families

An approximate steepest descent strategy is described, converging in families of regular exponential densities to maximum likelihood estimates of density functions. These density estimates are also obtained by an application of the principle of minimum relative entropy subject to empirical constraints. We prove tight bounds on the increase of the log-likelihood at each iteration of our strategy for families of exponential densities whose log-densities are spanned by a set of bounded basis functions. >
NR4A1 is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a common disorder characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. In the present study, the expression levels of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) and the correlation with inflammatory cytokine production and free fatty acids (FFAs) in patients with T2D and healthy participants were investigated. NR4A1 expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with T2D (n=30) and healthy controls (n=34) were analyzed. In addition, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting plasma insulin (FIN), FFAs, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were analyzed, and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to estimate the insulin resistance (IR). Additionally, PBMCs from healthy subjects were cultured with or without 250 μM palmitic acid (PA). Levels of NR4A1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the PBMCs were also analyzed. The basal expression levels of NR4A1, TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in the T2D patients when compared with the controls. In addition, the levels of FFAs, TG and LDL-C, as well as the HOMA-IR, were higher in T2D patients. Furthermore, NR4A1 expression was demonstrated to positively correlate with the HOMA-IR and the levels of FFAs, TNF-α, IL-6, FIN and FBG. Furthermore, 250 μM PA stimulation was shown to increase NR4A1 expression and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in the cultured PBMCs. Therefore, increased NR4A1 expression levels are correlated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state and the disorder of lipid metabolism in patients with T2D.
Sparse channel estimation including the impact of the transceiver filters with application to OFDM

Traditionally, the dictionary matrices used in sparse wireless channel estimation have been based on the discrete Fourier transform, following the assumption that the channel frequency response (CFR) can be approximated as a linear combination of a small number of multipath components, each one being contributed by a specific propagation path. In practical communication systems, however, the channel response experienced by the receiver includes additional effects to those induced by the propagation channel. This composite channel embodies, in particular, the impact of the transmit (shaping) and receive (demodulation) filters. Hence, the assumption of the CFR being sparse in the canonical Fourier dictionary may no longer hold. In this work, we derive a signal model and subsequently a novel dictionary matrix for sparse estimation that account for the impact of transceiver filters. Numerical results obtained in an OFDM transmission scenario demonstrate the superior accuracy of a sparse estimator that uses our proposed dictionary rather than the classical Fourier dictionary, and its robustness against a mismatch in the assumed transmit filter characteristics.
Bayesian Calibration of Simultaneity in Audiovisual Temporal Order Judgments

After repeated exposures to two successive audiovisual stimuli presented in one frequent order, participants eventually perceive a pair separated by some lag time in the same order as occurring simultaneously (lag adaptation). In contrast, we previously found that perceptual changes occurred in the opposite direction in response to tactile stimuli, conforming to Bayesian integration theory (Bayesian calibration). We further showed, in theory, that the effect of Bayesian calibration cannot be observed when the lag adaptation was fully operational. This led to the hypothesis that Bayesian calibration affects judgments regarding the order of audiovisual stimuli, but that this effect is concealed behind the lag adaptation mechanism. In the present study, we showed that lag adaptation is pitch-insensitive using two sounds at 1046 and 1480 Hz. This enabled us to cancel lag adaptation by associating one pitch with sound-first stimuli and the other with light-first stimuli. When we presented each type of stimulus (high- or low-tone) in a different block, the point of simultaneity shifted to “sound-first” for the pitch associated with sound-first stimuli, and to “light-first” for the pitch associated with light-first stimuli. These results are consistent with lag adaptation. In contrast, when we delivered each type of stimulus in a randomized order, the point of simultaneity shifted to “light-first” for the pitch associated with sound-first stimuli, and to “sound-first” for the pitch associated with light-first stimuli. The results clearly show that Bayesian calibration is pitch-specific and is at work behind pitch-insensitive lag adaptation during temporal order judgment of audiovisual stimuli.
Surface Shortwave Net Radiation Estimation from FengYun-3 MERSI Data

The Medium-Resolution Spectral Imager (MERSI) is one of the major payloads of China’s second-generation polar-orbiting meteorological satellite, FengYun-3 (FY-3), and it is similar to the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The MERSI data are suitable for mapping terrestrial, atmospheric and oceanographic variables at continental to global scales. This study presents a direct-estimation method to retrieve surface shortwave net radiation (SSNR) data from MERSI top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance and cloud mask products. This study is the first attempt to use the MERSI to retrieve SSNR data. Several critical issues concerning remote sensing of SSNR were investigated, including scale effects in validating SSNR data, impacts of the MERSI calibration update on the estimation of SSNR and the dependency of the retrieval accuracy of SSNR data on view geometry. We also incorporated data from twin MODIS sensors to assess how time and the number of satellite overpasses affect the retrieval of SSNR data. Validation against one-year data over seven Surface Radiation Budget Network (SURFRAD) stations showed that the presented algorithm estimated daily SSNR at the original resolution of the MERSI with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 41.9 W/m2 and a bias of −1.6 W/m2. Aggregated to a spatial resolution of 161 km, the RMSE of MERSI retrievals can be reduced by approximately 10 W/m2. Combined with MODIS data, the RMSE of daily SSNR estimation can be further reduced to 22.2 W/m2. Compared with that of daily SSNR, estimation of monthly SSNR is less affected by the number of satellite overpasses per day. The RMSE of monthly SSNR from a single MERSI sensor is as small as 13.5 W/m2.
Research practice partnerships: a strategy for promoting evidence-based decision-making in education

Abstract Background: In the United States, an emphasis on evidence-based decision-making in education has received renewed interest with the recent passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act. However, how best, in practice, to support the use of evidence in educational decision-making remains unclear. Research Practice Partnerships (RPPs) are a popular strategy for cultivating evidence-based decision-making among educators, but understanding the ways in which partnerships can influence educators’ use of research evidence in their decision-making is limited. Purpose: This paper explores the influence that Research Practice Partnerships can have on educators’ evidence-based decision-making. Sources of evidence: A framework is offered for examining the impact of Research Practice Partnerships on behaviours such as educators’ evidence-based decision-making, in the context of school and district improvement efforts. The framework suggests a host of intermediary and long-term outputs: for example, the ‘mindsets’ of researchers and practitioners which are most conducive to enabling evidence-based decision-making among those engaged in Research Practice Partnerships. We explore this framework through short illustrations of the experiences of three Research Practice Partnerships, contextualising the ideas within the literature, and presenting the process of our design and pilot of a survey instrument used to examine the perceived impact of Research Practice Partnerships. Main argument: We argue that participants’ self-reported behaviours and perceptions are important elements in examining the influence of Research Practice Partnerships on educators’ evidence-based decision-making. Additionally, this paper examines the potential benefits and challenges of attempting to measure the outputs and outcomes of a Research Practice Partnership using a survey measure. Conclusions: The process of developing the pilot survey suggests that certain conditions in Research Practice Partnerships may be more conducive to the development among educators of behaviours, mindsets and perceptions associated with evidence-based decision-making.
Witnessing of Cheating-in-Exams Behavior and Factors Sustaining Integrity.

This-study is a-fraction of a-larger-research on cheating, at the-School of Engineering (SOE). The study-design used a-descriptive-survey-approach and a-document-analysis. A-designed-confidential self-report-questioner was used as the main-instrument, for this-study, with the-sample-size of 100-subjects and response-rate of 95%. The-tool was pre-tested, to-ensure its-validity and reliability. The-study focused on the-Classical-Test-Theory and on the-Theory of Reasoned-Action. The-data collection-instrument was subjected to the-statistical-analysis to-determine its-reliability via Cronbach’s alpha-coefficient, and found high inter-item consistency ( a > 0.9). The-results of the-survey revealed that only 18% of the-respondents admitted that they-have-never cheated; however, they have-witnessed an-array of cheating-techniques used by their-classmates, which illustrates, that students are exceedingly-inventive and opportunistic, in-nature, and they are ready-to-use any-method, to-achieve their-ultimate-goals (mainly, good-grades). 22% of those never-cheated, confessed that they-were-afraid of being caught by the-invigilators; while only 6% stated that ‘I was afraid of being reported by my fellow-classmates’. The-absence of ‘risk’ (fear of penalties), is above all, attention-grabbing, to this-study, as it implies that SOE’ students do-not bothered-much about getting-caught cheating. Recommendations on-measures, to-be applied, to-fight cheating-menace, were presented, in-conjunction-with suggestions, for further-research, in this-area. In-synopsis, the-maintenance of academic-integrity, by all-stakeholders, is a-continuing and enduring-task, which will bring-in rewards, but only if attentively-managed. Keywords: academic misconduct, engineering undergraduate, students, questioner, peer-pressure.
On Application of Ontology and Consensus Theory to Human-Centric IoT: An Emergency Management Case Study

Involving human in the loop of IoT offers numerous advantages to a wide range of applications including emergency management. However, building a collaborative system that is capable of effectively responding to an emergency in timely manner introduces a number of fundamental challenges. It requires effective discovery of crowds for a given emergency and also successful communication of information across discovered crowds of different domains. In addition, the crowds may not agree on a single solution when group decision making is required. Therefore, consensus management such that consensus is achieved in a timely manner is yet another challenge. In this research, we propose a framework that uses ontology-based discovery and data modelling and consensus theory to tackle the aforementioned issues. We demonstrate the efficiency of the discovery and consensus management approach via a case study and set of experiments, respectively.
Dissociation Of Working Memory from Decision Making within the Human Prefrontal Cortex

We tested the hypothesis that cognitive functions related to working memory (assessed with delay tasks) are distinct from those related to decision making (assessed with a gambling task), and that working memory and decision making depend in part on separate anatomical substrates. Normal controls (n = 21), subjects with lesions in the ventromedial (VM) (n = 9) or dorsolateral/high mesial (DL/M) prefrontal cortices (n = 10), performed on (1) modified delay tasks that assess working memory and (2) a gambling task designed to measure decision making. VM subjects with more anterior lesions (n = 4) performed defectively on the gambling but not the delay task. VM subjects with more posterior lesions (n = 5) were impaired on both tasks.Right DL/M subjects were impaired on the delay task but not the gambling task. Left DL/M subjects were not impaired on either task. The findings reveal a cognitive and anatomic double dissociation between deficits in decision making (anterior VM) and working memory (right DL/M). This presents the first direct evidence of such effects in humans using the lesion method and underscores the special importance of the VM prefrontal region in decision making, independent of a direct role in working memory.
Efficient coding strategy for HEVC performance improvement by exploiting motion features

The striking feature of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) Standard is emphasized by 50% bit-rate reduction compared to its predecessor H.264/AVC while keeping the same perceptual image quality. The time complexity - a congenital issue of HEVC has also increased to intensify the compression ratio. However, it is really a demanding task for the researchers to reduce the encoding time while preserving expected quality of the video sequences. Our contribution is to trim down the computational time by efficient selection of appropriate block-partitioning modes in HEVC using motion features based on phase-correlation. In this paper, we use phase-correlation between current and reference blocks to extract three motion features and combine them to determine binary motion pattern of the current block. The motion pattern is then matched against a codebook of predefined pattern templates to determine a subset of the inter-modes. Only the selected modes are exhaustively motion estimated and compensated for a coding unit. The experimental outcomes demonstrate that the average computational time can be down scaled by 30% of the HEVC while providing improved rate-distortion performance.
Road Traffic Sign Saliency Map Model

In this paper, we propose a new pre-processing method for detecting road traffic sign based on visual saliency map model. Since the road traffic sign boards have dominent color contrast against environment, we consider the color opponents information with center surround difference normalization as an input feature extraction, which is effective to reduce noise influence as well as intensify the sign board color characteristics. Also, the edge feature map is considered to reflect the shape characteristics of the traffic sign boards. The weighted sum of the color feature map and edge feature map finally constructs road traffic sign saliency map. Computational experiment results show that the proposed method can successfully reinforce a road traffic sign board and inhibit the complex background traffic environment.
IMPIPS: The Immune Protection-Inducing Protein Structure Concept in the Search for Steric-Electron and Topochemical Principles for Complete Fully-Protective Chemically Synthesised Vaccine Development

Determining immune protection-inducing protein structures (IMPIPS) involves defining the stereo-electron and topochemical characteristics which are essential in MHC-p-TCR complex formation. Modified high activity binding peptides (mHABP) were thus synthesised to produce a large panel of IMPIPS measuring 26.5 ±3. 5Å between the farthest atoms fitting into Pockets 1 to 9 of HLA-DRβ1* structures. They displayed a polyproline II-like (PPIIL) structure with their backbone O and N atoms orientated to establish H-bonds with specific residues from HLA-DRβ1*-peptide binding regions (PBR). Residues having specific charge and gauche+ orientation regarding p3χ1, p5χ2, and p7χ1 angles determined appropriate rotamer orientation for perfectly fitting into the TCR to induce an appropriate immune response. Immunological assays in Aotus monkeys involving IMPIPS mixtures led to promising results; taken together with the aforementioned physicochemical principles, non-interfering, long-lasting, protection-inducing, multi-epitope, multistage, minimal subunit-based chemically-synthesised peptides can be designed against diseases scourging humankind.