Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral Recalibration of NOAA HIRS Longwave CO2 Channels toward a 40+ Year Time Series for Climate Studies

The High-Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) on NOAA and MetOp A/B satellites has been observing the Earth continuously for over four decades, providing essential data for operational numerical weather prediction, retrieval of atmospheric vertical profile, and total column information on atmospheric temperature, moisture, water vapor, ozone, cloud climatology, and other geophysical parameters globally. Although the HIRS data meets the needs of the short-term weather forecast, there are inconsistencies when the long-term decadal time series is used for time series analysis. The discrepancies are caused by several factors, including spectral response differences between the HIRS models on the satellites and spectral response uncertainties and other calibration issues. Previous studies have demonstrated that significant improvements can be achieved by recalibrating some of the HIRS longwave CO2 channels (Channels 4, 5, 6, and 7), which has helped make the time series more consistent. The current study aims to extend the previous study to the remaining longwave infrared sounding channels, including Channels 1, 2, 3, and 8, using a similar approach. Similar to previous findings, the spectral shift of the HIRS bands has helped improve the consistency in the time series from NOAA-06 to MetOp-A and B for these channels. We also found that HIRS channels on MetOp-B also have bias relative to Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on the same satellite, especially Channel 4, and a spectral shift significantly reduced the bias. To bridge the observation gap in time series in the mid-1980s between NOAA-07 and NOAA-09, the global mean method has been used since no transfer radiometers between them was available for this period, and the spectral response function corrections, therefore, can be applied to the earliest satellites (NOAA-06) for these channels. The recalibration parameters have been provided to other scientists at the University of Wisconsin for improving the time series in their long-term studies using historical HIRS data and are now made available to the science community.
LINEAR TRANSCEIVERS FOR MIMO RELAYS

Relays can be used in wireless communication systems to provide cell coverage extension, reduce coverage holes and increase throughput. Full duplex (FD) relays, which transmit and receive in the same time slot, can have a higher transmission rate compared with half duplex (HD) relays. However, FD relays suffer from self interference (SI) problems, which are caused by the transmitted relay signal being received by the relay receiver. This can reduce the performance of FD relays. In the literature, the SI channel is commonly nulled and removed as it simplifies the problem considerably. In practice, complete nulling is impossible due to channel estimation errors. Therefore, in this thesis, we consider the leakage of the SI from the FD relay. Our goal is to reduce the SI and increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the relay system. Hence, we propose different precoder and weight vector designs. These designs may increase the end to end (e2e) signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) at the destination. Here, a precoder is multiplied to a signal before transmission and a weight vector is multiplied to the received signal after reception. Initially, we consider an academic example where it uses a two path FD multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) system. The analysis of the SINR with the implementation of precoders and weight vectors shows that the SI component has the same underlying signal as the source signal when a relay processing delay is not being considered. Hence, to simulate the SI problem more realistically, we alter our relay design and focus on a one path FD MIMO relay system with a relay processing delay. For the implementation of precoders and weight vectors, choosing the optimal scheme is numerically challenging. Thus, we design the precoders and weight vectors using ad-hoc and near-optimal schemes. The ad-hoc schemes for the precoders are singular value decomposition (SVD), minimising the signal to leakage plus noise ratio (SLNR) using the Rayleigh Ritz (RR) method and zero forcing (ZF). The ad-hoc schemes for the weight vectors
Engineering Mechanics of Solids

Any books that you read, no matter how you got the sentences that have been read from the books, surely they will give you goodness. But, we will show you one of recommendation of the book that you need to read. This engineering mechanics of solids is what we surely mean. We will show you the reasonable reasons why you need to read this book. This book is a kind of precious book written by an experienced author.
Risk, Privacy, and Security in Computer Networks

With an increasingly digitally connected society comes complexity, uncertainty, and risk. Network monitoring, incident management, and digital forensics is of increasing importance with the escalation of cybercrime and other network supported serious crimes. New laws and regulations governing electronic communications, cybercrime, and data retention are being proposed, continuously requiring new methods and tools.This thesis introduces a novel approach to real-time network risk assessment based on hidden Markov models to represent the likelihood of transitions between security states. The method measures risk as a composition of individual hosts, providing a precise, fine-grained model for assessing risk and providing decision support for incident response. The approach has been integrated with an existing framework for distributed, large-scale intrusion detection, and the results of the risk assessment are applied to prioritize the alerts produced by the intrusion detection sensors. Using this implementation, the approach is evaluated on both simulated and real-world data.Network monitoring can encompass large networks and process enormous amounts of data, and the practice and its ubiquity can represent a great threat to the privacy and confidentiality of network users. Existing measures for anonymization and pseudonymization are analyzed with respect to the trade-off of performing meaningful data analysis while protecting the identities of the users. The results demonstrate that most existing solutions for pseudonymization are vulnerable to a range of attacks. As a solution, some remedies for strengthening the schemes are proposed, and a method for unlinkable transaction pseudonyms is considered.Finally, a novel method for performing digital forensic reconstructions in a virtual security testbed is proposed. Based on a hypothesis of the security incident in question, the testbed is configured with the appropriate operating systems, services, and exploits. Attacks are formulated as event chains and replayed on the testbed. The effects of each event are analyzed in order to support or refute the hypothesis. The purpose of the approach is to facilitate reconstruction experiments in digital forensics. Two examples are given to demonstrate the approach; one overview example based on the Trojan defense and one detailed example of a multi-step attack. Although a reconstruction can neither prove a hypothesis with absolute certainty, nor exclude the correctness of other hypotheses, a standardized environment combined with event reconstruction and testing can lend credibility to an investigation and can be a valuable asset in court.
A Proposed Relationship between Management Practices and Safety Performance in the Oil and Gas Industry in Iraq

Occupational accidents occur are either due to lack of knowledge, training, lack of supervision, and lack of rules implementation. In addition, a human error leads to negligence, carelessness of workers, recklessness of workers and lack of monitoring and controlling.The rapid growth in the industry globally has raised concern on safety and health issues at the workplace. As a result more occupational accidents and injuries at workplace make headline news all over the globe. The aim of this paper is to review related empirical literatures and highlight the need to investigate safety performance with respect to the oil and gas industry in Iraq.This paper discusses the role of management practices that may have an impact on safety performance in the oil and gas industry.Toward the end of the paper, a conceptual model depicting the relationships between management practices and safety performance will be offered.
Cluster Approach to the Development of Youth Entrepreneurship in Classical University

Training of qualified personnel in the field of entrepreneurship is one of the conditions for economic growth in the country. Modern universities which are centers of regional innovation development set themselves the task of creating competences in the field of entrepreneurship among students. The development of competences in the field of entrepreneurship among students of all other areas of training and specialties can significantly expand the employment opportunities for students upon graduation from the university and diversify small and medium-sized businesses in the regions. This paper presents the experience of Derzhavin Tambov State University on the implementation of the educational project “Youth Entrepreneurship”, focused on teaching entrepreneurship to students of all areas of training. The project was initiated and carried out by the joint student scientific council within the framework of the institute of mentoring, as well as in cooperation with the business structures of the region. The project based on the cluster approach includes five stages: 1) the joint student scientific council program; 2) the Tambov Innovation Business Incubator program; 3) “Geometry of business” program of the center of small and medium business support; 4) start-up development, and 5) opening of small innovative enterprises. The work presents in detail the substantive content of the project and describes its stages.
Study of Anti-Ovarian Antibody, Anti-FSH and Anti-LH Antibodies Along with Their Receptors in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

A case control study was conducted to compare sixty females (polycystic ovarian syndrome patients ), thirty with high LH & FSH hormone level “Group 1 “ G1”, thirty with low LH & FSH hormone level “ Group 2 “ G2 “ and thirty healthy control groups. The average age is between (15 – 45 years). The following parameters were estimated: Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Luteinizing Hormone-Receptor (LH-R), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) , Follicle-stimulating hormone-Receptor (FSH-R), anti-LH ,anti-FSH , anti-ovarian antibody (by ELISA Technique ). Rresults showed that the average age of the patients within the first group1( G1) was 28 year, while the average age of the patients in the second group2( G2) was 36 years, also the results showed a high correlation between group1 ( G1 ) with (Anti FSH antibodies ) (93%), compared with group2 (G2) that (Anti FSH antibodies ) where it was 0% , as well a high correlation 100% between group1 (G1) with (Anti LH antibodies),compared with group2 (G2) where it was 3% . And anti-ovarian antibodies ,compared with group 2 .
FACTORS INFLUENCING MARYLAND FARMERS' ON-FARM PROCESSING LICENSE APPLICATION BEHAVIOR

Title of Document: FACTORS INFLUENCING MARYLAND FARMERS’ ON-FARM PROCESSING LICENSE APPLICATION BEHAVIOR Meryl Brooke Lubran, Doctor of Philosophy, 2010 Directed By: Dr. Mark Kantor Department of Nutrition and Food Science A 2005 regulation adopted by Maryland’s state health department allowed farmers to sell foods processed in their home kitchen provided they complete an 8-hour food safety education course and apply for an on-farm processing license. Although more than 100 farmers completed the course, only 25 farmers applied for and received a license. The number of licenses granted has not met expectations and the health department is continually looking for ways to improve the program. The objective of this study was to identify factors that may influence Maryland farmers’ intentions to apply for a license as well as their actual license application behavior using a model which combines two dominant theoretical paradigms – the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior. To test the proposed model, a mail survey was administered to farmers who completed the training, farmers who have an onfarm license, and to a systematic random sample of other Maryland farmers (n = 745). To explore reasons why the courses may not have encouraged more farmers to apply, a content analysis of the training presentations was conducted by two trained coders. The usable survey response rate was 15% (n = 110). Using structural equation modeling, the proposed model, predicting farmers’ intentions to apply for a license, was found to have marginal fit. Significant direct relationships were found between farmers’ attitudes, subjective norms, and their intentions. Significant indirect relationships were found between farmers’ beliefs of perceived benefits and barriers and their attitudes. Using rare events logistic regression to predict license obtainment, and a multiple regression and two correlation analyses to test the proposed indirect relationships, the same relationships were found to predict actual behavior as behavioral intentions. An additional significant relationship was found between perceived behavioral control and behavior. Few differences were found between mean responses of farmers who did and did not attend the training. The content analysis of training materials revealed few persuasive strategies were utilized during training. These findings provide insight into factors affecting farmers’ decisions to apply for an on-farm license, and suggest relevant factors, concerns, and issues to address in future educational outreach efforts. FACTORS INFLUENCING MARYLAND FARMERS’ ON-FARM PROCESSING LICENSE APPLICATION BEHAVIOR
Transoral Robotic Surgery Versus Chemoradiation Treatment in Oropharyngeal Cancer: Case-matched Comparison of Survival and Swallowing Outcomes

Background As the incidence of HPV/p16-positve oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) continues to rise, a large population of survivors with treatment related morbidity is emerging. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an excellent surgical option for p16-positive OPSCC but data comparing both survival and swallowing outcomes of this treatment versus radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (RT/CRT) remains limited. Methods Data was prospectively collected (05/2014 - 02/2019) in a tertiary care referral center from OPSCC patients treated with curative intent by TORS (+/-post-operative RT/CRT) or RT/CRT. Surgical and non-surgical treatment groups were case-matched for smoking status, T-stage, and N-stage based on AJCC 8th edition staging. Patients who were treated with curative intent by TORS (+/-post-operative RT/CRT) or RT/CRT for OPSCC were included. Overall survival, recurrence free survival, aspiration free survival and gastrostomy tube outcomes were compared using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Results A total of 82 patients treated with TORS were case-matched with 61 patients who received RT/CRT. TORS patients demonstrated a significantly (p=0.02) higher overall survival (OS) at 3 years (OS=93.2%) compared to RT/CRT patients (OS=78.9%). No statistically significant difference was seen in recurrence free survival when comparing the two groups. TORS patients demonstrated an aspiration free survival (AFS) of 64.7% compared to 26.1% in RT/CRT patients (p=0.02 Log-Rank, 0.018 Breslow). TORS patients also had significantly (p < 0.01) lower gastrostomy tube placement (13.4%) compared to RT/CRT (22.9%) at any point during treatment. Conclusion Patients undergoing treatment by TORS may have comparable survival and improved swallowing outcomes when compared to those undergoing RT/CRT for HPV-OPSCC.
The Oxford Handbook of Languages of the Caucasus

This Handbook offers an introduction to the linguistically diverse languages of the Caucasus, spoken in southern Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Three indigenous language families of the area include Nakh-Dagestanian, Northwest Caucasian (also known as Abkhaz-Adyghe), and South Caucasian (also known as Kartvelian). Languages of the Caucasus display a number of cross-linguistically unusual features rarely found elsewhere. The Handbook presents descriptions of language families of the area and individual languages within these families, with the linguistic profiles enriched by demographic and sociolinguistic research. In addition, the Handbook delves more deeply into theoretical analyses of linguistic features, such as sound systems, agreement, ellipsis, and discourse properties, which are found in some languages of the Caucasus.
Enhancing the Role of Zakat Institutions Through Good Corporate Governance for Economic Sustainability: A Case from Majlis Agama Islam Melaka & Pusat Zakat Melaka

Zakat institutions play a crucial role within the Islamic financial system to maintain the prosperity in Muslim communities. However, inefficient zakat management and low zakat payment compliance identified as main obstacle faced by the institutions. Thus, good governance implementation is noteworthy to alleviate the problems for long-term economic sustainability. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the implementation of good governance framework in zakat institution which comprise of their accountable board and leadership (in zakat administration), information transparency (in zakat institution website), disclosure practices (in financial reporting) and stakeholder management (in zakat distribution practices) of Majlis Agama Islam Melaka (MAIM). This study uses content analysis and descriptive method by analysing information disclosed in MAIM’s 2015 to 2019 annual report and Pusat Zakat Me laka (PZM) website. The result of this study shows that both institutions generally embraced good governance practices but not at their optimum level. There are deficiencies in zakat information on website to demonstrate their validity in ensuring effective and efficient zakat management and distribution. The implication of this study could deliver positive impact in zakat institutions when good governance is being practiced at optimum level and enhance higher zakat compliance in alleviating poverty among Muslim society.
Segmentations of the intraretinal surfaces, optic disc and retinal blood vessels in 3D-OCT scans

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a safe and non-invasive imaging technique providing high axial resolution. A spectral-domain OCT scanner capable of acquiring volumetric data of the retina is becoming an increasingly important modality in ophthalmology for the diagnosis and management of a variety of retinal diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration (AMD) which are major causes of a loss of vision. To analyze and track these ocular diseases, developments of the automated methods for detecting intraretinal layers, optic discs and retinal blood vessels from spectral-domain OCT scans are highly required recently. The major contributions of this thesis include: 1) developing a fast method that can automatically segment ten intraretinal layers in the spectral-domain macular OCT scan for the layer thickness analysis, 2) developing a method that can automatically segment the optic disc cup and neuroretinal rim in the spectral-domain OCT scan centered at the optic nerve head (ONH) to measure the cup-to-disc ratio, an important structural indicator for the progression of glaucoma, and 3) developing a method that can automatically segment the 3-D retinal blood vessels in the spectral-domain ONH-centered OCT scan to extract 3-D features of the vessels for the diagnosis of retinal vascular diseases.
Current Use, Patterns of Use and Factors Affecting Use of the Army Training Extension Course (TEC) Program

Abstract : The Army's Training Extension Course (TEC) Program consists of a large number of performance-oriented self-paced lessons (mainly audiovisual) designed to provide individual instruction for enlisted men in Army units. This report describes a research survey designed to determine the extent of use, patterns of use and factors affecting use of the TEC lessons.
Key components for an effective filtration and pressurization system for mobile mining equipment

A.B. Cecala, J.A. Organiscak, members SME, and J.D. Noll are mining engineer, mining engineer, research chemist, and J.P. Rider, member SME, is acting team leader at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA. Paper number TP-12-067. Original manuscript submitted November 2012. Revised manuscript accepted for publication August 2013. Discussion of this peer-reviewed and approved paper is invited and must be submitted to SME Publications by April 30, 2014. Abstract n Enclosed cabs have been used for many years to isolate workers on mobile equipment in the mining industry for health and safety reasons. These enclosed cabs create a microenvironment for workers where they can be either more protected or more vulnerable to contaminants. Over the past decade, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has performed substantial research efforts to improve the air quality inside enclosed cabs of underground and surface mobile mining equipment. In these efforts, NIOSH has partnered with mining companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and manufacturers of filtration and pressurization systems in a synergistic effort to reduce respirable dust and improve the air quality inside these enclosed cabs. Various field studies over this time have shown an array of results ranging from very minor to very significant reductions (protection factor: 3-89) in respirable dust levels inside these enclosed cabs. In addition to and concurrent with the field work, NIOSH also performed a comprehensive laboratory study to evaluate all the factors involved in cab filtration and pressurization systems and identified those factors that were most significant for an effective system. From this comprehensive research effort, the key components for an effective filtration and pressurization system have been identified in an effort to provide the best air quality to equipment operators inside of enclosed cabs of mobile mining equipment, thus minimizing respirable dust exposure.
Eigenspace Design of Helicopter Flight Control Systems

Abstract : An eigenstructure based design methodology for helicopter flight control systems is developed and evaluated in this report. The report provides a detailed review of the application of multivariable design techniques to helicopter flight control systems, a review of applicable handling quality specifications, a description of the mathematical models used, a presentation of the theory of eigenstructure design, application of the theory to a helicopter design problem, and evaluation of the performance and robustness properties of the resulting control laws.