Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Major Developments in the Evolution of Tabletop Game Design

Tabletop game design is very much an incremental art. Designers build upon the ideas of previous games, often improving and combining already defined game mechanics. In this work, we look at a collection of the most impactful tabletop game designs, or games that have caused a significant shift in the tabletop game design space. This work seeks to record those shifts, and does so with the aid of empirical analysis. For each game, a brief description of the game's history and mechanics is given, followed by a discussion on its impact within tabletop game design.
A fuzzy-controlled pulse density modulation strategy for a series resonant inverter with wide load range

This paper presents a DC/AC series resonant power converter with a fuzzy logic controller that can supply power to a variable load. The converter is well suited for renewable energy sources, such as fuel cells and photovoltaic panels, and it is composed of two power stages: a DC/AC resonant converter as the input stage and an AC/AC power converter as the output stage. The input converter is operated with variable frequency control, which guarantees zero current switching for almost all the power range. This resonant converter generates a high frequency AC voltage, which is conditioned by the AC/AC converter to generate the desired low frequency output voltage. The AC/AC converter is controlled using a fuzzy logic controller and a pulse density modulation strategy. The fuzzy controller was chosen based on its characteristics of being inherently nonlinear, adaptive, robust and insensitive to parameter variations, making it a good choice for this application, especially because of the allowed load variation.
Data Augmentation Using CycleGAN for End-to-End Children ASR

Recent deep learning algorithms are known to perform better for Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) of adult speakers, however, yet remains a challenge to recognize children's speech with the similar accuracy. Due to less availability of children's speech data to train the deep neural network, data augmentation is one of the key research areas for children ASR. In this paper, voice conversion-based data augmentation using CycleGAN is explored and performance comparison with and without data augmentation is presented. ASR experiments were performed using TLT school corpus. In our experiment, CycleGAN-based 200 hours of converted adult speech showed good performance improvement with the reduction of 5.58% WER compared to the baseline system. In addition, the combination of SpecAugment, speed perturbed, and CycleGAN converted adult speech showed the highest reduction of 7.44% WER compared to baseline system 1.
Vision-Based Malware Detection: A Transfer Learning Approach Using Optimal ECOC-SVM Configuration

Currently, malicious software (malware) detection is becoming important due to the presence of various malware as well as ransomware in digital cyberspace. Advances in Deep Learning (DL) have attracted a lot of interests in applications of malware detection. The file binaries are fed into the DL neural networks for training and testing. However, we find that overfitting may occur despite applying some precautions, such as dropout layers. The limitations can also be attributed to the final classification layers. Furthermore, in a multiclass classification task, the performance can be improved by employing a final classifier layer that is more efficient at dealing with malware characteristics. In this paper, we apply transfer learning using ShuffleNet and DenseNet-201, which are two models trained on large dataset to recognize daily objects. Features embedded in all layers may be further exploited in a way that does not result in overfitting. In particular, the entire network is frozen to prevent overfitting and an Optimal Error Correction Output Coding (ECOC) ensemble configuration of Support Vector Machines (SVM) is applied as the final classification layer. Several ECOC coding matrices are applied, i.e., One vs. All (OVA), One vs. One (OVO), Dense Random (DR), and Sparse Random (SR). Each of these configurations represents varying complexity and ensemble size and, hence, a tradeoff between computation reduction and complex non-linear separation appears. Given that the continuous values of SVM parameters may take up high computation for acquiring the optimal parameter configuration, we apply discrete values combination using a grid search approach for parameter optimization. We test the proposed model on Malimg, MaleVis, virus-MNIST, and Dumpware10 datasets. The results show better/comparable accuracy compared with the existing work. The best/average accuracy values for each dataset over 10 trials are: Malimg (99.14%/98.87%), MaleVis (95.01%/93.91%), Virus-MNIST (86.36%/85.79%), Dumpware10 (96.62%/95.79%).
Ductility and Energy Dissipation Capacity of Shear-Dominated Steel Plate Walls

An experimental study was performed to investigate the potential maximum ductility and energy dissipation capacity of steel plate walls with thin infill plates. Three specimens of a three-story steel plate wall were tested. A concentrically braced frame (CBF) and a moment-resisting frame (MRF) were also tested for comparison. To maximize the ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the steel plate walls, ductile details were used. The test parameters were the aspect ratio of the infill plate and the shear strength of the column. The steel plate walls exhibited much better ductility and energy dissipation capacity as compared to the CBF and MRF. This result indicates that unlike conventional reinforced concrete walls and CBFs, shear-dominated steel plate walls with thin infill plates possess excellent ductility capacity as well as high strength and stiffness. Based on the results of previous studies and the present study, the variations in the ductility and the energy dissipation capacity of the steel plate walls according to the design parameters were investigated.
A New Macro-Model for Power Diodes Reverse Recovery

The power diode is one of the most important elements of the power electronics circuits, because of its role in different converters. The objective of this paper is to find a model for power diode reverse recovery, which can be used in circuit simulation. A simple macro-model for reverse recovery in power diode, that is the most important dynamic effect for power circuit, is developed. Then in order to verify the accuracy of the model, PSPICE simulation and benchmark test results of a power diode in a DC/DC boost converter are given. The simulation and experimental results demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed power diode models. Finally, calculation of the diode power losses due to the diode reverse recovery is given and is compared with simulation and experimental results.
P-type Cu2O Thin Film Transistors for Active Matrix Displays: Physical Modeling and Numerical Simulation

In this paper, we present the physical modeling and numerical simulations of p-type Cu2O TFT for the design and development of active matrix displays. In Cu2O, the carrier transport is through copper and oxygen vacancies (VCu and VO) which are prominent defects due to their low formation energies. These defects were modeled with acceptor-like and donor-like Gaussian states. From the simulations, it was observed that the VCu significantly controls the OFF current and threshold voltage (Vth), while VO degrades the ON current. For the analysis of device stability, both positive and negative bias stress (PBS and NBS) on Cu2O TFT was investigated with dielectric/channel interface traps in simulations. Under NBS, a significant negative shift in the Vth was observed due to hole trapping from channel to dielectrics. On the contrary, during PBS, a small shift in Vth was observed with significant degradation in sub-threshold swing (SS) due to the deficiency of free electron and the presence of additional defects generated in Cu2O channel as stress time increase. In addition to this effect of increase in Cu2O channel thickness were studied where a significant amount of shift in Vth from -7.1 V to -6.1 V was observed as the thickness increased from 45 nm to 65 nm. Finally, the dynamic performance of Cu2O was evaluated and found to be better for higher channel thickness in terms of holding of the output voltage. From these observations, the p-type Cu2O TFT shall be considered for the stable and efficient pixel circuit of active matrix displays such as AMLCD.
Statistical models for shear strength of RC beam‐column joints using machine‐learning techniques

This paper proposes a new set of probabilistic joint shear strength models using the conventional multiple linear regression method, and advanced machine‐learning methods of multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and symbolic regression (SR). In order to achieve high‐fidelity regression models with reduced model errors and bias, this study constructs extensive experimental databases for reinforced and unreinforced concrete joints by collecting existing beam‐column joint subassemblage tests from multiple sources. Various influential parameters that affect joint shear strength such as material properties, design parameters, and joint configuration are investigated through tests of statistical significance. After performing a set of regression analyses, the comparison of simulation results indicates that MARS approach is the best estimation method. Moreover, the accuracy of analytical predictions of the derived MARS model is compared with that of existing joint shear strength relationships. The comparison results show that the proposed model is more accurate compared to existing relationships. This joint shear strength prediction model can be readily implemented into joint response models for evaluation of earthquake performance and inelastic responses of building frames. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and Parameter Extraction for the Series Resistance in Thin-Film Transistors

A new parameter extraction method is proposed for the series resistance of thin-film transistors (TFTs). By analyzing the gate-source overlap region of staggered structure TFTs, the model for the series resistance is derived and utilized for the parameter extraction. To verify the extraction method, the characteristics of amorphous silicon TFTs obtained from TCAD simulation are used. For the devices with different overlap lengths, the extracted parameters are identical to each other, although the series resistances are different due to the narrow overlap length. When the actual channel length is different from the mask-specified length, the offset length can be effectively corrected by the new method, so that accurate parameters can be obtained. Because the new method has several advantages such as the accuracy and generality over the conventional method, it can be used for further analysis of TFT characteristics.
Novel Tet(L) Efflux Pump Variants Conferring Resistance to Tigecycline and Eravacycline in Staphylococcus Spp.

Tigecycline and eravacycline are both important last-resort broad spectrum antimicrobial agents. The presence of novel Tet(L) efflux pump variants conferring the resistance to tigecycline and eravacycline in Staphylococcus spp. and its potential transmission to S. aureus will compromise the efficacy of tigecycline and eravacycline treatment for S. aureus associated infection in vivo and may lead to clinical treatment failure. ABSTRACT Tigecycline is regarded as one of the few important last-resort antibiotics to treat complicated skin and intra-abdominal infections. Members of the genus Staphylococcus are zoonotic pathogens and pose a serious threat to public health. Tigecycline resistance in this species appears to be a rare phenomenon, and the mechanisms underlying tigecycline resistance have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report two novel variants of the tet(L) gene in Staphylococcus spp. from swine in China, designed as tet(L)F58L and tet(L)A117V. The tet(L)F58L was located within a 18,720 bp chromosomal multidrug resistance gene cluster flanked by two copies of IS257 in Staphylococcus cohnii 11-B-312, while the tet(L)A117V was located on a 6,292 bp plasmid in S. haemolyticus 11-B-93, which could be transferred to S. aureus by electrotransformation. Cloning of each of the two tet(L) variants into S. aureus RN4220 showed 16- or 8-fold increases in the minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs), which can fully confer the resistance to tigecycline (MICs from 0.125 to 2 mg/liter) and eravacycline (MICs from 0.125 to 1 or 2 mg/liter), but no increase in the MICs of omadacycline, compared with the MICs of the recipient strain S. aureus RN4220. In the in vivo murine sepsis and in the murine pneumonia models, an increase in CFU of S. aureus 29213_pT93 carrying the tet(L)A117V was seen despite tigecycline treatment. This observation suggests that the tet(L)A117V and its associated gene product compromise the efficacy of tigecycline treatment in vivo and may lead to clinical treatment failure. Our finding, that novel Tet(L) efflux pump variants which confer tigecycline and eravacycline resistance have been identified in Staphylococcus spp. , requires urgent attention. IMPORTANCE Tigecycline and eravacycline are both important last-resort broad spectrum antimicrobial agents. The presence of novel Tet(L) efflux pump variants conferring the resistance to tigecycline and eravacycline in Staphylococcus spp. and its potential transmission to S. aureus will compromise the efficacy of tigecycline and eravacycline treatment for S. aureus associated infection in vivo and may lead to clinical treatment failure.
Occurrence and diversity of anaerobic gut fungi in wild forest elephants and buffaloes inhabiting two separated forest ecosystems in Central West Africa

Abstract. Anaerobic gut fungi of the class Neocallimastigomycetes are of great importance for herbivorous animals. Their immediate colonization and mechanical breakdown of plant particles pave the way for highly efficient enzymatic fermentation of complex plant polysaccharides. Neocallimastigomycetes are found in a variety of herbivores, yet so far studies almost exclusively investigated domestic or captive animals. Here, the occurrence and diversity of Neocallimastigomycetes in two different populations of sympatric, wild African forest elephants and forest buffaloes were determined. In both hosts together, a total of 16 species-equivalent Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) (0.05 cut-off level) were generated. Buffaloes harboured four and elephants five anaerobic fungi genera or genus-equivalent taxa, respectively, with four genera occurring in both hosts. In elephants the majority of gut fungi group within a cluster of yet unknown Neocallimastigomycetes. Similarly, some anaerobic fungi found in buffaloes form a genus-equivalent cluster with likewise undescribed gut fungi. Sequences grouping in these two clusters could potentially qualify as representatives of new anaerobic fungi genera. Further, three sequences have not yet been encountered in any study and cannot be assigned to any genus or genus-equivalent Neocallimastigomycetes taxon. Whether these sequences also represent putative new lineages needs further investigation.
Effect of fluoride on bone and growth plate cartilage

Abstract The use of fluoride (F) for therapeutic purposes is controversial and its toxicity is a health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of F on endochondral ossification in growing rats. Twenty-four rats of 21 days were divided into 4 groups which received 0, 20, 40 or 80 μmol F/100 g body weight/day for 30 days, through an orogastric tube. Histological evaluation of growth plate cartilage (GPC) and primary and secondary bone were analyzed on sections of the metaphysis of tibias. Total thickness of the GPC (GPC.Th), thickness of resting zone (RZ.Th), proliferative zone (PZ.Th) and hypertrophic zone (HZ.Th); bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and apoptosis by the TUNEL were measured. A hyperplasia of the proliferative zone and a significant increase in PZ.Th with 40 and 80 μmol F without changes in GPC.Th were found. In the secondary trabecular bone, presence of immature trabeculae, peritrabecular inflammatory foci and sinusoidal dilatation were observed. A significant decrease in BV/TV was also found due to a decrease in Tb.Th and a progressive increase was observed in the number of apoptotic nuclei as the dose of F increased. In conclusion, results suggest that prolonged administration (30 days) of F negatively affect the endochondral ossification with increased chondrocyte proliferation and delayed maturity of new bone, causing inflammatory damage, edema, and increased apoptotic bone cells.
High precision electrostatic actuator with novel electrode design

A novel electrode design of electrostatic surface drives, which can reduce the drives' force ripple considerably, is described in this paper. Actuators with large travel and highly precise motion control are required for many micro mechanical systems. Electrostatic surface drives are promising, since their structures are very simple and they easily possess large travel. However, surface drives often have large force ripple that prevents precise motion control. To suppress the force ripple, we propose to utilize skew technique for their electrodes. The analytical results show that utilizing the new electrode design can reduce force ripple by 75%, without a remarkable lowering of thrust. Reducing force ripple leads to smooth slider motions, higher driving efficiency, more quietness, and higher controllability which is experimentally confirmed using a newly fabricated prototype drive.
Possibilities and complexities of decolonising higher education: critical perspectives on praxis

In our original call for a Special Issue in Teaching in Higher Education on the above title, we claimed that, despite high levels of interest in the ‘decolonial turn’, ‘little has been written in higher education journals on how and to what extent the supremacy of Western modernity is actually being challenged in knowledge production in different disciplines, curricula, pedagogic, cultural and linguistic practices on the ground in university policy and practice’. We were proved wrong – for we were overwhelmed by well over a hundred responses to our call – hence the need for a bumper-sized special issue that discusses the possibilities and complexities of practical efforts to decolonise higher education. We are excited to be curating this rich collection of papers that includes approaches, research, narratives and voices that historically have not featured much in publications devoted to higher education based in the global North such as this one. We attribute this opening up of scholarship beyond the constraints of Eurocentric/ Northern control not only to the take-up of decolonial theory, conceptualised and popularised by Latin American scholars since the 1980s, but also to the urgency around the decolonisation project created by student protests and grass-roots activist groups in higher education during the past decade. Furthermore, as Mbembe (2021) points out, there has been more generally a ‘redrawing of the global intellectual map’ so that ‘the world can now be studied from everywhere and anywhere’ (Mbembe 2021, 21). Indeed, it was Southern decolonial theorists, and from Latin America in particular, who stretched the concept of decolonisation to apply it to epistemology and knowledge production beyond its original meaning of political and cultural emancipation from colonial domination. The decolonial theory now involves contesting the hegemony, legacy and limitations of Eurocentric epistemologies, Northern control of knowledge production, the ‘coloniality’ of the cultures, languages and disciplines of institutions of higher education and interrogating whose interests are served by this knowledge and its practices (Mignolo and Escobar 2010). When referring to ‘coloniality’ in this editorial, we adopt prominent theorist of decoloniality, Maldonado-Torres’s definition which conceptualises coloniality as:
Aroma Profile and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oil of Mentha spicata Leaves

Abstract Mentha spicata Linn. abundantly growing in the Kurdistan Region, and traditionally used as a flavouring agent in foods, and medicinally utilized in the treatment of stomach discomfort specifically in dyspepsia and indigestion, also used in the treatment of a common cold. The present study aims to characterize the aroma profile of essential oil obtained from leaves of M. spicata, and also determine its α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in an in-vitro model. The aroma profile of essential oil was determined by gas-chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC/ MS), and the analysis resulted in the identification of twenty-nine constituents in the essential oil of M. spicata leaves. Menthol (32.81 %), carvone (19.67 %), 1,8-cineol (15.62 %), isomenthone (7.14 %), neomenthol (6.71 %), and β-pinene (3.39 %) were found as major chemical compounds in the essential oil of M. spicata leaves. The essential oil of M. spicata produces concentration-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme with IC50 value 681.19±16.81 μg/mL. The present study successfully explores the aroma profile of M. spicata essential oil, and in-vitro α-glucosidase assay provides a scientific basis for its possible use in the treatment of diabetes.
Relative dispersion with finite inertial ranges

Abstract Relative dispersion experiments are often analysed using theoretical predictions from two- and three-dimensional turbulence. These apply to infinite inertial ranges, assuming the same dispersive behaviour over all scales. With finite inertial ranges, the metrics are less conclusive. We examine this using pair separation probability density functions (PDFs), obtained by integrating a Fokker–Planck equation with different diffusivity profiles. We consider time-based metrics, such as the relative dispersion, and separation-based metrics, such as the finite scale Lyapunov exponent (FSLE). As the latter cannot be calculated from a PDF, we introduce a new measure, the cumulative inverse separation time (CIST), which can. This behaves like the FSLE, but advantageously has analytical solutions in the inertial ranges. This allows the establishment of consistency between the time- and space-based metrics, something which has been lacking previously. We focus on three dispersion regimes: non-local spreading (as in a two-dimensional enstrophy inertial range), Richardson dispersion (as in an energy inertial range) and diffusion (for uncorrelated pair motion). The time-based metrics are more successful with non-local dispersion, as the corresponding PDF applies from the initial time. Richardson dispersion is barely observed, because the self-similar PDF applies only asymptotically in time. In contrast, the separation-based CIST correctly captures the dependencies, even with a short (one decade) inertial range, and is superior to the traditional FSLE at large scales. Nevertheless, it is advantageous to use all measures together, to seek consistent indications of the dispersion.