Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling long-term water quality impact of structural BMPs

Structural best management practices (BMPs) that reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses have been recommended and installed on agricultural land for years. A structural BMP is expected to be fully functional only for a limited period after installation, after which degradation of the BMP is likely to lead to a reduction in the water quality improvement provided by the BMP. Assessing the impact of BMPs on water quality is of widespread interest, but no standard methods exist to determine the water quality impact of structural BMPs, particularly as the impact changes through time. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term (~20 year) impact of structural BMPs in two subwatersheds of Black Creek on sediment and phosphorus loads using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The BMPs were represented by modifying SWAT parameters to reflect the impact the practice has on the processes simulated within SWAT, both when practices are fully functional and as their condition deteriorates. The current condition of the BMPs was determined using field evaluation results from a previously developed BMP condition evaluation tool. Based on simulations in the two subwatersheds, BMPs in good condition reduced the average annual sediment yield by 16% to 32% and the average annual phosphorus yield by 10% to 24%. BMPs in their current condition reduced sediment yield by only 7% to 10% and phosphorus yield by 7% to 17%.
A Broadband Low-Profile Circular-Polarized Antenna on an AMC Reflector

A broadband low-profile circular-polarized (CP) antenna on an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) reflector is proposed in this letter. The basic wideband circular polarization radiation characteristic of the antenna is achieved by feeding broadband crossed dipole through a 90° phase shifter. An AMC reflector is further introduced to realize a broadband low-profile CP antenna. The impedance bandwidth (VSWR < 2) of the present CP antenna is about 1.19–2.37 GHz (66.3%), and the axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth (AR < 3 dB) is about 1.25–1.97 GHz (44.7%). The antenna has a low profile of 20.1 mm (about 0.12 λ0 at the center frequency of 1.78 GHz). The simulated and measured results show that the proposed CP antenna has wide impedance and AR bandwidth in the condition of low profile.
The Real Story Behind Story Problems: Effects of Representations on Quantitative Reasoning

This article explores how differences in problem representations change both the performance and underlying cognitive processes of beginning algebra students engaged in quantitative reasoning. Contrary to beliefs held by practitioners and researchers in mathematics education, students were more successful solving simple algebra story problems than solving mathematically equivalent equations. Contrary to some views of situated cognition, this result is not simply a consequence of situated world knowledge facilitating problem-solving performance, but rather a consequence of student difficulties with comprehending the formal symbolic representation of quantitative relations. We draw on analyses of students' strategies and errors as the basis for a cognitive process explanation of when, why, and how differences in problem representation affect problem solving. We conclude that differences in external representations can affect performance and learning when one representation is easier to comprehend than another or when one representation elicits more reliable and meaningful solution strategies than another.
Heterogeneity of HIV Prevalence Among the Sexual Networks of Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men in Atlanta: Illuminating a Mechanism for Increased HIV Risk for Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men

Background Studying the heterogeneity and correlates of HIV risk in the sexual networks of black and white men who have sex with men (MSM) may help explain racial disparities in HIV-infection. Methods Black and white MSM were recruited as seeds using venue-based time sampling and provided data regarding their recent sex partners. We used chain referral methods to enroll seeds' recent sex partners; newly enrolled partners in turn provided data on their recent sex partners, some of whom later enrolled. Data about unenrolled recent sex partners obtained from seeds and enrolled participants were also analyzed. We estimated the prevalence of HIV in sexual networks of MSM and assessed differential patterns of network HIV risk by the race of the seed. Results The mean network prevalence of HIV in sexual networks of black MSM (n = 117) was 36% compared with 4% in networks of white MSM (n = 78; P < 0.0001). Sexual networks of unemployed black MSM had a higher prevalence of HIV than their employed counterparts (51% vs. 29%, P = 0.007). The networks of HIV-negative black MSM seeds aged 18 to 24 years had a network prevalence of 9% compared with 2% among those aged 30 years or older. In networks originating from a black HIV-positive seed, the prevalence ranged from 63% among those aged 18 to 24 years to 80% among those 30 years or older. Conclusions The high prevalence of HIV in the networks of HIV-negative young black MSM demonstrates a mechanism for the increased HIV incidence observed in this age group. More research is needed into how age and socioeconomic factors shape sexual networks and HIV risk.
Improving CBIR accuracy using convolutional neural network for feature extraction

Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) becomes a very challenging taks due to the rapid growth in multimedia content and its visual complexity. From query by image to retrieval of relevant images, CBIR has different phases. However, features extraction of images is one of the important phases. Recently Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) shows good results in the field of computer vision due to the ability of extraction features from the images. This paper introduces CNN for features extraction from images, in CBIR system. Euclidean distance is used for association among query and stored images using the extracted features. Performance of the proposed work is evaluated using precision. The proposed work shows improved results as compared to the existing works.
TRANSNASAL ENDOSCOPIC APPROACH FOR SINONASAL INVERTED PAPILLOMA

Inverted papillomas of the nose and paranasal sinuses are uncommon neoplasms, characterized by their tendency to occur and by their association with malignancy. In the past decade there has been a trend toward the use of endoscopic surgical techniques in the management of these tumors. This article presents the results of a prospective study of 24 patients with inverted papilloma resected by the endoscopic approach. 21 patients had unilateral disease and three patients had bilateral involvement. None of the patients had orbital or cranial extension. No association with malignancy was seen. Following endoscopic surgery, four patients had recurrences that required surgery. No complication occured in any of the patients. The results of endoscopic surgery for inverted papilloma is much better than nonendoscopic transnasal approaches and compares favorably with radical extranasal approaches. Endoscopic surgery is an effective surgical option for inverted papilloma removal. MJIRI, Vol. 18, No. 2, 127-130, 2004.
An ultrasound elastography method for examining the anterior cruciate ligament

We introduce an ultrasound elastography method for examining the ACL. It consisted of imaging the distal ACL while applying a drawer test and analyzing the resulting displacement and strain maps, where a map refers to how a variable is distributed spatially throughout an image. Our method was applied to healthy knees of cadaveric sheep to determine whether 1) our method can consistently generate displacements and strain maps in healthy ACLs; 2) displacement and strain maps are repeatable; and 3) healthy ACLs experience similar maps. We found that our method could consistently provide displacements and strain maps of the distal ACL region. Moreover, these ACLs experienced displacement and strain maps that were positively-correlated between trials, knees, and specimens. This correlation was statistically significant between pairs of trials and between left and right knees (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the maps are indeed repeatable and similar for healthy ACLs.
Using Video Prompting and Constant Time Delay to Teach an Internet Search Basic Skill to Students with Intellectual Disabilities

We evaluated a video prompting and a constant time delay procedure for teaching three primary school students with moderate intellectual disabilities to access the Internet and download pictures related to participation in a classroom History project. Video clips were used as an antecedent prompt and as an error correction technique within a constant time delay (CTD) procedure. Training, using a 29-step task analysis, was conducted in the students’ special education classrooms. The prompting procedure was introduced in a multiple baseline across subjects design. Video prompting was effective in promoting rapid acquisition of the task for all three students. Following acquisition, observations suggested that the new skill was further generalized to another trainer, novel materials, and to another setting. In a final phase then, video prompting was removed and maintenance in the absence of video prompting was assessed at 1, 3, and 18 weeks. Performance decreased at the last follow-up session, but stabilized at 82.7–89.6% correct. These data suggest that video prompting may be an effective instructional strategy for teaching Internet skills to students with moderate intellectual disabilities.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Two Methods of Humeral Shaft Fixation

This study compared the biomechanical performance of 4.5-mm limited-contact dynamic compression plates and 3.5-mm locking compression plates for the fixation of unstable humeral shaft fractures. Composite humeri were divided into two groups: 3.5mm LC and 4.5-mm LCDC plates. Osteotomy gaps of 5-mm, simulating diaphyseal comminution, were created. Stiffness tests were performed in anterior-posterior bending, medial-lateral bending, torsion, and axial compression. Results showed that while construct stiffnesses in ML bending and torsional loading are significantly higher for 4.5 LCDC plates (p < 0.05), no statistically significant differences were observed in AP bending or axial compression. Fatigue characteristics under cyclic AP bending conditions were also evaluated, although no failures occurred. Data from the literature suggest that stiffness results for the LC plate constructs perhaps afford sufficient fixation strength capable of supporting the physiologic loads most commonly applied during postoperative rehabilitation. However, results indicate that the 4.5 LCDC plating system is mechanically advantageous for stabilizing diaphyseal comminuted fractures.
Upregulated HOXA9 expression is associated with lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer

Homeobox A (HOXA) cluster genes, members of the HOX family, perform an important role in normal organ development. It has previously been reported that HOXA gene expression in various types of cancer is associated with poor patient outcomes. However, the role of HOXA genes, as well as their expression, in colorectal cancers (CRC) remains unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated HOXA gene expression in patients with CRC and revealed that HOXA9 expression was significantly increased in tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues. Additionally, the functional role of HOXA9 was assessed by knocking down the HOXA9 gene in CRC cells and by evaluating cell growth. Regarding gene expression, cases with positive HOXA9 expression (as detected by immunohistochemical staining) were significantly associated with higher TNM stage and positive lymph node metastasis, although no association was observed between increased HOXA9 levels and the rate of overall survival in the present cohort. Regarding the functional role, HOXA9 expression was demonstrated to be upregulated in patients with CRC and was associated with lymph node metastasis.
The role of discharge variability in determining alluvial stratigraphy

We illustrate the potential for using physics-based modeling to link alluvial stratigraphy to large river morphology and dynamics. Model simulations, validated using ground penetrating radar data from the Rio Parana, Argentina, demonstrate a strong relationship between bar-scale set thickness and channel depth, which applies across a wide range of river patterns and bar types. We show that hydrologic regime, indexed by discharge variability and flood duration, exerts a first-order influence on morphodynamics and hence bar set thickness, and that planform morphology alone may be a misleading variable for interpreting deposits. Indeed, our results illustrate that rivers evolving under contrasting hydrologic regimes may have very similar morphology, yet be characterized by marked differences in stratigraphy. This realization represents an important limitation on the application of established theory that links river topography to alluvial deposits, and highlights the need to obtain field evidence of discharge variability when developing paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Model simulations demonstrate the potential for deriving such evidence using metrics of paleocurrent variance.
Multi-sensor PHD and CPHD filters

We study various multi-sensor PHD and CPHD filters and their implementations. 1 Problem Statement The state of the system is the collection of individual target states xk,i ∈ Rx and is denoted by the random finite set Xk = {xk,1, . xk,nk} where nk ≥ 0 is number of targets present at time k. We assume that the individual target dynamics are specified according to the Markovian model of the form xk+1,i = fk+1∣k(xk,i,uk) where uk is the noise. Information about the state of the system is available from sensors 1, . , s. These sensors make independent measurements and we denote Zk,j to be the measurement set of the j-th sensor at timestep k. Let mk,j = ∣Zk,j ∣. Let Z[k],j be the sequence of measurement sets at the j-th sensor, i.e. Z1,j , Z2,j , . , Zk,j . Denote by hk,j(z∣x) the likelihood function at timestep k for sensor j for an individual measurement z and target state x. Let the probability of detection be pd,j(x). Denote by ck,j(z) the clutter spatial distribution of the j-th sensor, and let Ck,j(z) be the probability generating function (p.g.f.) of the cardinality distribution of the clutter process. 2 Product CPHD Filter For deriving the approximate product multisensor CPHD filter we make the following modeling assumptions:  fk∣k−1(X) and fk∣k(X ∣Zk,j) are the distributions of i.i. d. cluster processes.  The sensor clutter processes are i.i. d. cluster processes.  Each target generates at most one measurement per sensor.  Each measurement is either associated with one target or is generated by clutter.
COUPLING TURBULENCE IN HYBRID LES-RANS TECHNIQUES

A formulation is proposed for hybrid LES-RANS computations that permits accurate computations during resolution changes, so that resolution may be changed at will in order to employ only as much resolution in each subdomain as is required by the physics. The two components of this formulation, establishing the accuracy of a hybrid model at constant resolutions throughout the RANS-to-LES range and maintaining that accuracy when resolution is varied, are demonstrated for decaying, homogeneous, isotropic turbulence.
Influence of Emotional Intelligence , Sense of Coherence and Self-Concept on Attitudes towards Help-Seeking Behaviour among Secondary School Adolescents in Ibadan Metropolis

The study investigated emotional intelligence, sense of coherence and self -concept as predictors of attitudes towards help-seeking behaviour among adolescents in Ibadan metropolis. The study adopted a descriptive research design for the purpose of the study. Two hundred secondary school adolescents with their age range 10 22 years and mean age 16.0 were randomly selected for the study. Some research instrument consisting of demographic information, emotional intelligence, sense of coherence, self -concept and attitudes towards help-seeking behaviour scales were used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that there was significant relationship between each of emotional intelligence, sense of coherence, self-concept and attitudes towards help-seeking behaviour. Self-concept (β = 0.517, p<0.05), sense of coherence (β = 0.337, p<0.05) and emotional intelligence (β = -0.174, p<0.05) had significant contribution to attitude towards help-seeking behaviour. The results further revealed that 58.6% (Adj R =0.586) of the 2 variance in the students attitudes towards help-seeking behaviour was accounted for by the independent variables. Based on these findings, it was recommended that parents should play their guidance roles in ensuring that adolescents put on positive attitudes towards help-seeking. Professional counsellors should identify adolescents who are maladjusted and mount intervention strategies to assist them.
Iterative receiver in multiuser relaying systems with fast frequency-hopping modulation

In this thesis, a novel iterative receiver and its improved version are proposed for relay-assisted multiuser communications, in which multiple users transmit to a destination with the help of a relay and using fast frequency-hopping modulation. Each user employs a channel encoder to protect its information and facilitate interference cancellation at the receiver. The signal received at the relay is either amplified, or partially decoded with a simple energy detector, before being forwarded to the destination. Under flat Rayleigh fading channels, the receiver at the destination can be implemented non-coherently, i.e., it does not require the instantaneous channel information to demodulate the users’ transmitted signals. The proposed iterative algorithm at the destination exploits the soft outputs of the channel decoders to successively extract the maximum likelihood symbols of the users and perform interference cancellation. The iterative method is successfully applied for both cases of amplify-and-forward and partial decode-and-forward relaying. The error performance of the proposed iterative receiver is investigated by computer simulation. Under the same spectral efficiency, simulation results demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed receiver when compared to the performance of decoding without interference cancellation as well as the performance of the maximum likelihood multiuser detection previously developed for uncoded transmission. Simulation results also suggest that a proper selection of channel coding schemes can help to support significant more users without consuming extra system resources. In addition, to further enhance the receiver’s performance in terms of the bit error rate, an improved version of the iterative receiver is presented. Such an improved receiver invokes inner-loop iterations between the channel decoders and the demappers in such a way that the soft outputs of the channel decoders are also used to refine the outputs of the demappers for every outer-loop iteration. Simulation results indicate a performance gain of about 2.5dB by using the two-loop receiver when compared to the performance of the first proposed receiver.
Improved Throughput Coverage in Natural Disasters: Unmanned Aerial Base Stations for Public-Safety Communications

Communications play an important role during public-safety operations. Because the current communication technologies heavily rely on the backbone network, the failure of base stations (BSs) due to natural disasters or malevolent attacks causes communication difficulties for public-safety and emergency communications. Recently, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as quadcopters and gliders, has gained attention in publicsafety communications (PSCs). They can be operated as unmanned aerial BSs (UABSs), which can be deployed rapidly as a part of the heterogeneous-network (HetNet) architecture. However, due to their mobile characteristics, interference management in the network becomes challenging.
Electron Impact Ionization

It is perhaps surprising that a process which was one of the first to be studied on an atomic scale, and a process which first received attention over seven decades ago, continues to be the object of diverse and intense research efforts. Such is the case with the (seemingly) conceptually simple and familiar mechanism of electron impact ionization of atoms, molecules, and ions. Not only has the multi-body nature of the collision given ground to theoretical effort only grudgingly, but also the variety and subtlety of processes contributing to ionization have helped insure that progress has come only with commensurate work: no pain - no gain. Modern experimental methods have made it possible to effectively measure and explore threshold laws, differential cross sections, partial cross sections, inner-shell ionization, and the ionization of unstable species such as radicals and ions. In most instances the availability of experimental data has provided impetus and guidance for further theoretical progress. "
Aftereffects of Saccades Explored in a Dynamic Neural Field Model of the Superior Colliculus

When viewing a scene or searching for a target, an observer usually makes a series of saccades that quickly shift the orientation of the eyes. The present study explored how one saccade affects subsequent saccades within a dynamic neural field model of the superior colliculus (SC). The SC contains an oculocentric motor map that encodes the vector of saccades and remaps to the new fixation location after each saccade. Our simulations demonstrated that the observation that saccades which reverse their vectors are slower to initiate than those which repeat vectors can be explained by the afore-mentioned remapping process and the internal dynamics of the SC. How this finding connects to the study of inhibition of return is discussed and suggestions for future studies are presented.