Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SpikeNAS: A Fast Memory-Aware Neural Architecture Search Framework for Spiking Neural Network Systems

Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) offer a promising solution to achieve ultra low-power/energy computation for solving machine learning tasks. Currently, most of the SNN architectures are derived from Artificial Neural Networks whose neurons' architectures and operations are different from SNNs, or developed without considering memory budgets from the underlying processing hardware. These limitations hinder the SNNs from reaching their full potential in accuracy and efficiency. Towards this, we propose SpikeNAS, a novel memory-aware neural architecture search (NAS) framework for SNNs that can quickly find an appropriate SNN architecture with high accuracy under the given memory budgets. To do this, our SpikeNAS employs several key steps: analyzing the impacts of network operations on the accuracy, enhancing the network architecture to improve the learning quality, and developing a fast memory-aware search algorithm. The experimental results show that our SpikeNAS improves the searching time and maintains high accuracy as compared to state-of-the-art while meeting the given memory budgets (e.g., 4.4x faster search with 1.3% accuracy improvement for CIFAR100, using an Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada GPU machine), thereby quickly providing the appropriate SNN architecture for memory-constrained SNN-based systems.
Informative and non-informative decomposition of turbulent flow fields

Not all the information in a turbulent field is relevant for understanding particular regions or components of the flow. Here, we present a method for decomposing a source field into its informative $\mathbf{\Phi}_{I}(\mathbf{x},t)$ and residual $\mathbf{\Phi}_R(\mathbf{x},t)$ components relative to another target field. The method is referred to as informative and non-informative decomposition (IND). All the necessary information for physical understanding, reduced-order modeling, and control of the target variable is contained in $\mathbf{\Phi}_{I}(\mathbf{x},t)$ whereas $\mathbf{\Phi}_R(\mathbf{x},t)$ offers no substantial utility in these contexts. The decomposition is formulated as an optimization problem that seeks to maximize the time lagged mutual information of the source variable with the target variable while minimizing the mutual information of its non-informative component. The method is applied to extract the informative and non-informative components of the velocity field in a turbulent channel flow, using the wall shear stress as the target variable. We demonstrate the utility of IND in three scenarios: (i) understanding the effect of the velocity fluctuations on the wall-shear stress, (ii) predicting the wall-shear stress using velocities far from the wall, and (iii) developing control strategies for drag reduction in opposition control.
Thinking Outside the Black Box: Insights from a Digital Exhibition in the Humanities

One of the main goals of Open Science is to make research more reproducible. There is no consensus, however, on what exactly"reproducibility"is, as opposed for example to"replicability", and how it applies to different research fields. After a short review of the literature on reproducibility/replicability with a focus on the humanities, we describe how the creation of the digital twin of the temporary exhibition"The Other Renaissance"has been documented throughout, with different methods, but with constant attention to research transparency, openness and accountability. A careful documentation of the study design, data collection and analysis techniques helps reflect and make all possible influencing factors explicit, and is a fundamental tool for reliability and rigour and for opening the"black box"of research.
Semi-supervised Medical Image Segmentation Method Based on Cross-pseudo Labeling Leveraging Strong and Weak Data Augmentation Strategies

Traditional supervised learning methods have historically encountered certain constraints in medical image segmentation due to the challenging collection process, high labeling cost, low signal-to-noise ratio, and complex features characterizing biomedical images. This paper proposes a semi-supervised model, DFCPS, which innovatively incorporates the Fixmatch concept. This significantly enhances the model's performance and generalizability through data augmentation processing, employing varied strategies for unlabeled data. Concurrently, the model design gives appropriate emphasis to the generation, filtration, and refinement processes of pseudo-labels. The novel concept of cross-pseudo-supervision is introduced, integrating consistency learning with self-training. This enables the model to fully leverage pseudo-labels from multiple perspectives, thereby enhancing training diversity. The DFCPS model is compared with both baseline and advanced models using the publicly accessible Kvasir-SEG dataset. Across all four subdivisions containing different proportions of unlabeled data, our model consistently exhibits superior performance. Our source code is available at https://github.com/JustlfC03/DFCPS.
Communication-Efficient Distributed Learning with Local Immediate Error Compensation

Gradient compression with error compensation has attracted significant attention with the target of reducing the heavy communication overhead in distributed learning. However, existing compression methods either perform only unidirectional compression in one iteration with higher communication cost, or bidirectional compression with slower convergence rate. In this work, we propose the Local Immediate Error Compensated SGD (LIEC-SGD) optimization algorithm to break the above bottlenecks based on bidirectional compression and carefully designed compensation approaches. Specifically, the bidirectional compression technique is to reduce the communication cost, and the compensation technique compensates the local compression error to the model update immediately while only maintaining the global error variable on the server throughout the iterations to boost its efficacy. Theoretically, we prove that LIEC-SGD is superior to previous works in either the convergence rate or the communication cost, which indicates that LIEC-SGD could inherit the dual advantages from unidirectional compression and bidirectional compression. Finally, experiments of training deep neural networks validate the effectiveness of the proposed LIEC-SGD algorithm.
Mammalian RAD51 paralogs protect nascent DNA at stalled forks and mediate replication restart

Mammalian RAD51 paralogs are implicated in the repair of collapsed replication forks by homologous recombination. However, their physiological roles in replication fork maintenance prior to fork collapse remain obscure. Here, we report on the role of RAD51 paralogs in short-term replicative stress devoid of DSBs. We show that RAD51 paralogs localize to nascent DNA and common fragile sites upon replication fork stalling. Strikingly, RAD51 paralogs deficient cells exhibit elevated levels of 53BP1 nuclear bodies and increased DSB formation, the latter being attributed to extensive degradation of nascent DNA at stalled forks. RAD51C and XRCC3 promote the restart of stalled replication in an ATP hydrolysis dependent manner by disengaging RAD51 and other RAD51 paralogs from the halted forks. Notably, we find that Fanconi anemia (FA)-like disorder and breast and ovarian cancer patient derived mutations of RAD51C fails to protect replication fork, exhibit under-replicated genomic regions and elevated micro-nucleation. Taken together, RAD51 paralogs prevent degradation of stalled forks and promote the restart of halted replication to avoid replication fork collapse, thereby maintaining genomic integrity and suppressing tumorigenesis.
Comparison between Protective Effects of Resveratrol and Atorvastatin against Atherogenic Dyslipidemia in Rats

Background: Dyslipidemia puts patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases, which are the most cause of premature deaths worldwide. This study determined protective effects of resveratrol (RVL) and atorvastatin (ATV) in rats fed with a high-fat/high-fructose (HFHF) diet were compared for e treatment of atherogenic dyslipidemia
Edinburgh Research Explorer Kalirin and CHD7

Despite of the great advances in anti-hypertensive therapies, many patients under Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS) suppression develop albuminuria, which is a clear indicator of therapeutic inefficiency. Hence, indicators of vascular function are needed to assess patients’ condition and help deciding future therapies. Proteomic analysis of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) showed two proteins, kalirin and chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7), increased in albuminuric patients. A positive correlation of both with the expression of the endothelial activation marker E-selectin was found in EVs. In vitro analysis using TNFα-treated adult human endothelial cells proved their involvement in endothelial cell activation. Hence, we propose protein levels of kalirin and CHD7 in circulating EVs as novel endothelial dysfunction markers to monitor vascular condition in hypertensive patients with albuminuria.
ScholarWorks@BGSU ScholarWorks@BGSU

This study examined the “Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology” (UTAUT) in the context of tablet devices across multiple generations. We tested the four UTAUT determinants, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions, to determine their contributions for predicting behavioral intention to use tablets with age, gender, and user experience as moderators. 899 respondents aged 19-99 completed the survey. We found consistent generational differences in UTAUT determinants, most frequently between the oldest and youngest generations. Effort expectancy and facilitating conditions were the only determinants that positively predicted tablet use intentions after controlling for age, gender, and tablet use. We also discuss the implications of ageism and gender discrimination of technology adoption. Finally, we argue that our findings can be extended to create effective training programs for the teaching, learning, and adoption of new technologies in a variety of organizational settings.
EXPLORING ACADEMIC MOTIVATION AND ACHIEVEMENT OF A DEAF STUDENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION USING SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY

This paper explored the academic motivation and achievement demonstrated by a deaf student participating in higher education. This study adopted a qualitative case study methodology and semi-structured interviews as primary data-gathering tools. Grounded in the self-determination theory (SDT), this study aimed to interpret and relate the findings to the existing literature. Five significant themes emerged from the analysed data that embody distinct aspects of our participant’s academic motivation and achievement: academic achievement and recognition, motivational factors, learning preferences and strategies, help-seeking behaviour, and future aspirations. This study may broaden our knowledge concerning how deaf students interpret their experiences, perceptions, and the significance attached to them, along with influential contextual elements shaping academic motivation and achievement. The research underscored both strong points manifested by the participant during his educational pursuit and encountered obstacles and the implications for his future goals. The paper discussed the study’s limitations and suggested some directions for future research. Keywords: deaf student, academic motivation, academic achievement, self-determination theory, higher education.
Gait Variability and its Relationship to Functional Mobility in Hemiparetic Stroke

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with hemiplegia being one of the most common outcomes, significantly impairing gait and functional mobility. The integration of sensory stimulation techniques into rehabilitation practices offers a promising avenue for enhancing recovery outcomes in hemiplegic stroke survivors. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of auditory and visual sensory stimulation on improving gait parameters and functional mobility in hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods: Conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, this analytical cross-sectional study involved 24 stroke survivors with hemiplegia, randomly assigned to two intervention groups. Inclusion criteria included a Modified Ashworth Scale score of 1 to 1+ and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of ≥25. One group received auditory feedback gait training (AFGT) with smart insoles, while the other engaged in sit-to-stand training with visual feedback using a Wii Balance Board, alongside conventional rehabilitation therapies. The interventions lasted four weeks, with assessments conducted pre and post-intervention. Outcome measures included the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), and various gait parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results: Post-intervention, the study observed significant improvements in DGI (mean increase: 3.5 points, p<0.01), FMA-LE scores (mean increase: 10 points, p<0.01), and enhanced gait parameters including step length and stride length (p<0.05). The group receiving AFGT with smart insoles showed notable improvements in spatiotemporal gait parameters and balance compared to the control group, indicating the efficacy of sensory feedback in rehabilitation. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that incorporating auditory and visual feedback into rehabilitation regimens can significantly improve gait dynamics and functional mobility in hemiplegic stroke patients. These findings suggest the potential for sensory stimulation techniques to enhance the effectiveness of stroke rehabilitation, advocating for their integration into standard care practices.
A new armored dinosaur with double cheek horns from the early Late Cretaceous of southeastern China

Ankylosaurines are the iconic armoured dinosaurs that characterize terrestrial vertebrate faunas in the Late Cretaceous of Asia and Laramidia (western North America). The earliest members of this clade are known from the early Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Santonian) times of Asia, but little consensus has emerged as to how they are related to the anatomically derived and chronologically younger forms. In southeastern China, the Cretaceous red sand beds crop out across basins from Zhejiang to Guandong provinces. However, the horizons corresponding to the early Late Cretaceous stages remain poorly sampled. Here, we report the first definitive vertebrate skeleton ¾ let alone that of an armoured dinosaur ¾ from the Coniacian/Turonian Ganzhou Formation, Datai yinliangis gen. et sp. nov. Despite the immature ontogenetic status of the type materials, D. yingliangis can be diagnosed with autapomorphic traits in the cranial caputegulae (such as double horns on the quadratojugal) and extensive gular osteoderms. Morphologically, it is intermediate between the chronologically older ankylosaurids from Asia (e.g., Crichtonpelta and Jinyunpelta) and derived post-Cenomanian ankylosaurines (e.g., Pinacosaurus). Phylogenetic analyses broadly corroborate this assessment. The new taxon either falls in the grade of Asian ankylosaurines proximal to the lineages of derived forms or forms a sister lineage to Pinacosaurus. Based on these insights, Datai makes a significant addition to the early Late Cretaceous vertebrate fauna from southeastern China and highlights the future potential in this region for improved understanding of the origin and early evolution of ankylosaurines.
Navigating the economic consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict: A focus on Iceland’s response and opportunities for long-term stability and growth

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the economic repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the global economy, with a specific emphasis on its impact on Iceland. The study examines the disruptions in international trade, escalation in raw material prices, and the implications for various sectors and nations worldwide. The report also evaluates the effectiveness of the Icelandic government's response, including targeted financial aid packages, tax relief measures, and investments in renewable energy projects. Furthermore, it highlights the critical factors that will determine the success of these measures, such as diversification of trade partners, fiscal sustainability, and the uncertain trajectory of external developments. The paper underscores the necessity for continuous evaluation, adaptation of policies based on emerging data, and strategic planning focused on long-term economic stability and growth to navigate the economic consequences of the conflict and emerge stronger
Second Trimester Uterine Artery Doppler Velocimetry and Serum Lipids for Prediction of Pre-Eclampsia

Background: Reliable markers for prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsia to reduce its associated maternal and perinatal morbidity are lacking. Aim and objectives: To evaluate uterine artery doppler velocimetry and serum lipids in second trimester of pregnancy for prediction of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Methods: One hundred healthy and normotensive women were enrolled in 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Presence of notching in uterine artery doppler on USG and serum lipid levels were recorded. All women were followed till term/delivery to see development of pre-eclampsia / gestational hypertension later. Results: Absence of diastolic notch in 2nd trimester USG, serum triglycerides levels of <150 mg/dL and serum LDL levels of <100 mg/dL in 2nd trimester of pregnancy were found to have a good negative predictive value of 96.6%, 96.3%, 92.7% for later development of GH/PE. Conclusion: Absent diastolic notch, serum triglycerides <150mg/dL and LDL <100 mg/dL in 2nd trimester of pregnancy can be used to stratify women with low risk pregnancy.
Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis: Anesthetic Challenge

Temporomandibular joint ankylosis cases serve as a challenge for both surgeons and anesthesiologists possibly due to the unavailability of resources in remote locations. Distressing issues brought on by its ankylosis include functional as well as esthetic issues such as considerable difficulties in managing the airway, especially in children because of the physiology and structure of their airways being different. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) has a well-established role in patients with difficult airways, but it is especially challenging in pediatric patients because of their lack of cooperation and diminished lung reserve. Techniques used to secure airways in adults may not be ideal for children and sometimes dedicated equipment may not be available. Here we present a case of a 14-year-old boy with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. This study aimed to describe the difficulties experienced in managing his airway.
Evaluating the Predictive Efficacy of Dipstick Urinalysis for Detecting Urinary Tract Infections in Febrile Children Under Five Years of Age at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

This study aimed to assess the predictive efficacy of dipstick urinalysis in detecting urinary tract infections (UTI) among febrile children under five years of age at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The research involved a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study, analyzing the diagnostic performance of nitrite and leucocyte esterase tests on urine dipsticks. The results revealed low sensitivity but high specificity for both tests, suggesting their potential role in excluding UTI. The findings emphasize the importance of combining dipstick urinalysis with urine culture for accurate diagnosis in febrile children. Keywords: Urinary tract infections, Dipstick urinalysis, Febrile children, Nitrite, Leucocyte esterase, Diagnostic efficacy, Nigeria.
Exploring the impact of green human resource management on pro-environmental behaviors: a study in Afghanistan's industrial sector

Green human resource management, or GHRM, is a relatively new idea but is already thought to be an essential tool for fostering sustainable behavior in businesses. We intended to find out how GHRM affects worker pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) by using worker engagement (WENG) and the green psychological climate (GPC) as mediators. The study tested and analyzed the suggested model using the PLS-SEM technique via SmartPLS 4. To gather data from 324 valid respondents—HR managers and employees—we used a quantitative study approach. These participants were chosen randomly from three industrial parks in Afghanistan. The analysis's findings demonstrated that GHRM possessed a positive impact on employees' PEBs. Furthermore, the employees' pro-environmental behaviors PEBs are fostered by the green psychological climate GPC and worker engagement WENG. The study presents new findings indicating that, in the Afghanistan industrial context, GHRM both directly and indirectly affects employees' PEBs through the partially mediating effects of GPC and WENG. The present research is significant because it fills in the gaps in the literature and offers new perspectives on GHRM. Notably, there aren't many GHRM studies that focus on Afghanistan's industrial sector. Furthermore, in analyzing these connections and evaluating the mediation effects, this study contributes to the body of knowledge currently available on PEBs. Additionally, this study makes a practical contribution to the industrial sector by offering guidance on how to improve managers' understanding of GHRM policies, enhance employee PEBs at work, and foster an environmentally friendly organizational culture.
The dark side of law enforcement: A dispositional-situational analysis of workplace bullying

This study explores the complex interplay of dispositional and situational factors in the context of workplace bullying among police officers in South Africa, with relevance to the broader understanding of bullying behavior. Both dispositional and situational factors have been recognized as significant contributors to workplace stress and demands, particularly evident during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Even professions known for their demanding work environments, such as law enforcement, have not been immune to these pressures. The research conducted a quantitative analysis, surveying 208 employees of the South African Police Services. The study incorporated self-administered questionnaires, employing statistical methods like correlation, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. This multifaceted approach assessed the relationships between workplace bullying, situational factors, dispositional factors, and demographics (including gender, age, qualifications, and years of service). The study’s findings highlighted a substantial and positive link between dispositional characteristics and workplace bullying, similarly, noting a favorable association between situational conditions and bullying. Consequently, the research underscores the importance of considering both dispositional and situational factors in comprehending workplace bullying among police officers. This South African study offers valuable insights by bridging a significant knowledge gap on workplace bullying among law enforcement personnel. It emphasizes the relevance of examining the interplay between dispositional and situational factors in understanding and addressing workplace bullying in diverse contexts.