Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep Semisupervised Teacher–Student Model Based on Label Propagation for Sea Ice Classification

In this article, we propose a novelteacher–student-based label propagation deep semisupervised learning (TSLP-SSL) method for sea ice classification based on Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar data. For sea ice classification, labeling the data precisely is very time consuming and requires expert knowledge. Our method efficiently learns sea ice characteristics from a limited number of labeled samples and a relatively large number of unlabeled samples. Therefore, our method addresses the key challenge of using a limited number of precisely labeled samples to achieve generalization capability by discovering the underlying sea ice characteristics also from unlabeled data. We perform experimental analysis considering a standard dataset consisting of properly labeled sea ice data spanning over different time slots of the year. Both qualitative and quantitative results obtained on this dataset show that our proposed TSLP-SSL method outperforms deep supervised and semisupervised reference methods.
Mental toughness in sport: Developments in research and theory

The pursuit of excellence in sport depends on four key facets of performance, namely physical, technical, tactical and mental skills. However, when physical, technical and tactical skills are evenly matched, a common occurrence at elite level, it is the performer with greater levels of mental toughness that seems to prevail most often. This book brings together the world’s leading researchers and practitioners working on mental toughness to discuss this vital ingredient of performance excellence in sport, to survey the latest research and to present cutting-edge developments in theory and professional practice. [from publisher's website]
On variability and reliability of poly-Si thin-film transistors

Ho, Chih-Hsiang Ph.D., Purdue University, December 2014. On Variability and Reliability of Poly-Si Thin-film Transistors . Major Professor: Kaushik Roy. In contrast to conventional bulk-silicon technology, polysilicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) can be implanted in flexible substrate and can have low process temperature. These attributes make poly-Si TFT technology more attractive for new applications, such as flexible displays, biosensors, and smart clothing. However, due to the random nature of grain boundaries (GBs) in poly-Si film and self-heating enhanced negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) , the variability and reliability of poly-Si TFTs are the main obstacles that impede the application of poly-Si TFTs in high-performance circuits. The primary focus of this dissertation is to develop new design methodologies and modeling techniques for facilitating new applications of poly-Si TFT technology. In order to do that, a physical model is first presented to characterize the GB-induced transistor threshold voltage (Vth) variations considering not only the number but also the position and orientation of each GB in 3-D space. The fast computation time of the proposed model makes it suitable for evaluation of GB-induced transistor Vth variation in the early design phase. Furthermore, a self-consistent electro-thermal model that considers the effects of device geometry, substrate material, and stress conditions on NBTI is proposed. With the proposed modeling methodology, the significant impacts of device geometry, substrate, and supply voltage on NBTI in poly-Si TFTs are shown. From a circuit design perspective, a voltage programming pixel circuit is developed for active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) displays for compensating the shift of Vth and mobility in driver TFTs as well as compensating the supply voltage degradation. In addition, a self-repair design methodology is proposed to compensate the GB-induced variations
Deep Transfer Learning for Pancreatic Cancer Detection

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths. At later stages, it is impossible to cure. However, if the early symptoms of cancer are identified using diagnostic methods, there is a possibility of treatment and gradual cure. In order to aid in the diagnosis of cancer of the pancreas, the application of Artificial Intelligence was viewed as a solution. Initially, various machine learning algorithms like Support Vector Machines, Twin Support Vector Machines and RadSTM-ER were used, yielding encouraging results. However, the arduous process of feature extraction and manual feature selection resulted in researchers turning towards deep learning methods. This research work uses ultrasound images of the pancreas obtained from an open sourced database by the gastroenterology unit of National University of Colombia. The implementation was carried out using transfer learning on Densely Connected Convolutional Neural Networks (DenseNets). DenseNet201 using pretrained weights of ImageNet was fine-tuned on 26469 pancreatic ultrasound images consisting of three categories: cancer, healthy and pancreatitis. Additionally, cross validation on 2940 images yielded an accuracy of 99.87 %. Apart from this, 9804 images of the same distribution were used to test the performance. The DenseNet201 model was able to yield an accuracy of 99.877 %, a sensitivity of 0.9987, a specificity of 0.99931 and a positive prediction value of 0.99877, with only 12 out of 9804 misclassified examples. The ability of deep transfer learning on DenseNet201 to generalize exceedingly well encourages its beta testing on real time data and subsequent deployment.
Mathematical Modeling of the Muscle Effects on the Human Body Responses under Transient Loads - Example of the Head-Neck Complex

The goal of this study was to develop and apply a method that overcomes limitations of the currently available solutions for finite-element modeling of skeletal muscles and their effects on dynamic responses of the human body under transient loads. One of such limitations is that finite element codes commercially available in the field impact biomechanics do not contain any specific procedures for simulation of skeletal muscles.Therefore,a new type of finite element for such simulation was developed and implemented in the PAM-SAFE code in this thesis.In this implementation a concept of Hill-type multi-bar muscle element was invented.This concept exhibited sufficient accuracy and numerical stability in the prediction of muscle force under transient loads. Therefore,it was applied in the investigation of the muscle effects on dynamic responses of the head-neck complex in frontal and rear-end impacts. The results of the investigation of the muscle effects on the kinematics of the head- neck complex in a frontal impact at an acceleration of around 140 m/s 2 (15 g)suggest the following. When the cervical muscles are activated at around 25-50 ms after the start of such an impact,they are likely to appreciably reduce the peak values of the displacement and acceleration of the head-gravity center. When the activation of cervical muscles is assumed to start at around 100 ms or later,their effects seem to be negligible. The modeling of the muscle effects on the cervical spine responses in rear-end impacts at low speed improved the understanding of the mechanisms of injury to cervical facet joints. The results suggest that the action of the cervical muscles may limit the stretch of the capsules of such joints,which is a protective effect. The reflex times of the cervical muscles,which constitute the necessary input data for modeling of the muscle effects on the head-neck complex responses under transient loads, were obtained from electromyographic signals (EMG)of these muscles. The present method for determination of the reflex times complemented the EMG analyses conducted so far in the field of impact biomechanics. Its application yielded a reflex time of the sternocleidomastoid muscle of around 80 ms in a rear-end impact at a speed of 6 km/h.
Thermal and mechanical properties of gypsum boards and their influences on fire resistance of gypsum board based systems

Gypsum board assemblies are now widely used in buildings, as fire resistant walls or ceilings, to provide passive fire protection. The fire resistance of such systems is fundamentally due to the desirable thermal properties of gypsum. Yet there is wide variability in reported values of thermal properties of gypsum at high temperatures and a lack of understanding of its integrity in fire. To evaluate the fire protection performance of gypsum board assemblies, it is essential to quantify its thermal properties and obtain information on its mechanical properties at high temperatures. Gypsum boards shrink and crack at high temperatures, and this leads to collapse of parts of the gypsum boards in fire. Fall-off of gypsum in fire affects the fire resistance of the assembly considerably, and cannot be overlooked when evaluating the fire resistance of gypsum board assemblies.The current research proposes a model to define the temperature-dependent thermal properties of gypsum boards at high temperatures. Thermal conductivity of gypsum is considered as the most influential parameter in conduction of heat through gypsum, and a hybrid numerical-experimental method is presented for extracting thermal conductivity of various gypsum board products at elevated temperatures. This method incorporates a validated one-dimensional Finite Difference heat conduction program and high temperature test results on small samples of gypsum boards. Moreover, high temperature mechanical tests have been performed on different gypsum board products; thermal shrinkage, strength and stress-strain relationships of gypsum products at elevated temperatures are extracted for use in numerical mechanical analysis. To simulate the structural performance of gypsum boards in fire, a two-dimensional Finite Element model has been developed in ABAQUS. This model successfully predicts the complete opening of a through-thickness crack in gypsum, and is validated against medium-scale fire tests designed and conducted as part of this research. Gypsum fall-off in fire is a complex phenomenon; however, it is believed that delaying the formation of through-thickness cracking will delay falling off of gypsum in fire, and hence improve the fire resistance of gypsum board assemblies. Finally, a study has been performed on the effects of various detailing parameters in gypsum board wall assemblies, and recommendations are offered for improving the fire resistance of such systems.
Four Quadrant Dynamic Model of the AUV II Thruster

Abstract : The dynamic behavior of the AUV II thruster was mathematically modeled by a four quadrant mapping of the propeller blade lift/drag coefficients as a function of fluid effective angle of attack. The model was validated with experimental transient response test tank data of the actual AUV II thruster, yielding improved predicted results with respect to previous thruster models. An open loop static mapping control law was formulated, simulated, and evaluated utilizing the new model.
A Bioorthogonally Synthesized and Disulfide-Containing Fluorescence Turn-On Chemical Probe for Measurements of Butyrylcholinesterase Activity and Inhibition in the Presence of Physiological Glutathione

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a biomarker in human blood. Aberrant BChE activity has been associated with human diseases. Here we developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) chemical probe to specifically quantify BChE activity in serum, while simultaneously discriminating against glutathione (GSH). The FRET chemical probe 11 was synthesized from a key trifunctional bicyclononyne exo-6 and derivatives of 5-(2-aminoethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (EDANS) and 4-[4-(dimethylamino)phenylazo]benzoic acid (DABCYL). EDANS fluorescence visualization and kinetic analysis of 11 in the presence of diverse compounds confirmed the outstanding reactivity and specificity of 11 with thiols. The thiol-dependent fluorescence turn-on property of 11 was attributed to a general base-catalyzed SN2 nucleophilic substitution mechanism and independent of metal ions. Moreover, all thiols, except GSH, reacted swiftly with 11. Kinetic studies of 11 in the presence of covalently modified GSH derivatives corroborated that the steric hindrance of 11 imposing on GSH was the likely cause of the distinguished reactivity. Since GSH commonly interferes in assays measuring BChE activity in blood samples, the 11-based fluorescent assay was employed to directly quantify BChE activity without GSH interference, and delivered a linear range of 4.3–182.2 U L−1 for BChE activity with detection limit of 4.3 U L−1, and accurately quantified serum BChE activity in the presence of 10 μM GSH. Finally, the 11-based assay was exploited to determine Ki of 5 nM for tacrine inhibition on BChE catalysis. We are harnessing the modulated characteristics of 6 to synthesize advanced chemical probes able to more sensitively screen for BChE inhibitors and quantify BChE activity in serum.
Exploring experiential learning through blogging

Technological development has spawned new opportunities for the construction and dissemination of news and information by lowering or eliminating the obstacles to the production and distribution of media content. Changes brought about by this development pose challenges to journalism educators who now have to produce graduates who can perform efficiently in hybridised and multi-faceted newsrooms. One example of the impact of technological development is the evolution of blogging, which began as individualistic recording of opinion, into a reputable journalistic activity. Journalism graduates are finding work where blogging is central to their role, for example in traditional newsrooms where they are expected to facilitate interaction with audiences through web-based communication, in PR through the use of social media platforms, and as viable freelance enterprise bloggers. This paper discusses how blog spaces offer a virtual learning environment where students can acquire and hone journalistic and relevant technical skills. It argues that blogging can provide opportunities for experiential learning through the development and maintenance of an online journalistic presence, facilitate the expansion of transferable skills and graduate attributes, and enhance awareness of lifelong learning and professional development.
A Survey on Role of Machine Learning and NLP in Fake News Detection on Social Media

Due to the enormous and exponential advancement in the online social network, the triad of Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp posed a great challenge in the form of fake news in front of us. In recent years many events like false propaganda of the ‘US presidential election’, opinion spamming in ‘Brexit referendum’, and long-tail series of viral rumors after many natural calamities around the world, created a lot of chaos and law and order problem. Simultaneously, this rapid explosion of fake news also attracted the attention of different researchers to investigate the real cause of it and thus to developed some tools and techniques to relieve and discover the Rumors across online media as soon as possible. In this regard, the Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms emerged as the remarkably vital and essential tool to detect fake news in the current age. NLP when aided with machine learning produced many remarkable results that were possible just by manual fact-checking or by normal text detection process. We have systematically discussed the role of NLP and machine learning in the fake news detection process, and various detection techniques based on these. Basic terminology of NLP and machine learning too explained in brief. At last, we gave light on the future trends, open issues, challenges, and potential research oriented toward NLP and ML-based approaches.
2. Ways of knowing with data visualizations

Data visualizations combine numeric data with visual representation, and these modes allow them to express certain kinds of knowledge more easily than others. This chapter uses examples of historical data visualizations in order to examine what ways of knowing they privilege. What is the difference between the spatial organization of tools in prehistoric homes and a photograph or bar chart showing information about the same tools, in terms of the kinds of knowledge they enable? How do the systems for gathering and visualizing data during the 18 th and 19 th centuries shape our understanding of the world? How do data visualizations make us feel that they are objective? How do they shape our ideas of what is possible?
Solid-State Transformers of Smart High-Power Battery Charger for Electric Vehicles

There is no doubt that society will not turn back: most thermal vehicles will switch to electric ones, not only for cars but also for bigger vehicles. Fast chargers will become more and more essential parts of the global system, they will provide a charge control of batteries and galvanic insulation from the grid. At the present times, compact realizations are based on Solid-State Transformers (SSTs) operating at high frequencies with their well-known advantages and disadvantages, including power limits and reasonably high costs. The authors propose a medium-frequency transformer (MFT) structure using Grain Oriented Electrical Steel (GOES) wound cores and aluminum foil windings. Thanks to this solution, the cost of the device can be reduced. GOES has losses that increase with frequency but decrease with temperature; therefore, the authors propose a transformer structure allowing a hot core inside coils at usual temperatures. This idea is applied to a 400-kW compact battery charger connected to a DC smart grid.
Fully developed laminar natural convection in a vertical parallel plate channel with symmetric uniform wall temperature

approved: A. Murry Kanury Described in this thesis is an investigation of the fully developed natural convection heat transfer in a vertical channel formed by two infinitely wide parallel plates maintained at a uniform wall temperature. Closed-form solutions for the velocity and temperature profiles are developed along with local and averaged Nusselt numbers. The local Nusselt number based on bulk temperature is found to be 3.77. This result is an analog corresponding to 7.60 for fully developed laminar forced convection in a parallel plate channel with uniform wall temperature boundary condition. The local Nusselt number based on the ambient temperature is deduced as a function of flowwise location. Results are compared with existing numerical and experimental data to find good agreement. Redacted for Privacy ©Copyright by Robert H. Willie June 7, 1996 All Rights Reserved Fully Developed Laminar Natural Convection In A Vertical Parallel Plate Channel With Symmetric Uniform Wall Temperature by Robert H. Willie A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Presented June 7, 1996 Commencement June 1997 Master of Science thesis of Robert H. Willie presented on June 7, 1996
Analytical and experimental investigation of the effects of the machining processes on the mechanical behaviour of carbon epoxy composite laminates

To join various components, drilling is the most frequently used machining process for carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. However, it induces various defects such as microcracks, resin degradation and fiber pull-out. In order to eliminate these problems, an appropriate machining process must be employed. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to conduct an analytical and experimental study to investigate the influence of the machining process on the mechanical behaviour of a CFRP structural component and assembly drilled with conventional (CM) and abrasive water-jet machining (AWJM) processes. All CFRP composite laminates did not demonstrate any prominent change in the mechanical properties during static tests. However, fatigue tests showed that the damage accumulation in conventional machining was higher than that in AWJM specimens. Thus, in the case of CM specimens the endurance limit was less than AWJM specimens. The difference in the mechanical behaviour of the composite laminates can be related to the initial surface integrity induced by the difference in the mechanism of material removal of each machining process. This difference in surface texture was responsible for the initiation of stress concentration sites as evident from infrared thermographic stress and thermal analysis. The heat dissipated from all laminates was also correlated to the damage accumulation. It was identified that the surface roughness criterion (Ra) used for the characterization of the surface roughness for metals was not suitable for composites as roughness values of all specimens were same, however different mechanical behaviour was observed. An IR thermographic damage criterion (TDC) was developed which related the temperature threshold area with damage evolution. TDC further confirms the superiority of AWJM compared to CM process. Further it was identified that AWJM process was less sensitive to the composite's stacking sequence compared to conventional machining. The main conclusion of this research is that the failure modes of composite structure parts and assembly are highly affected by the choice of the machining process. This study therefore confirms that the machining process has an important contribution for the design of composite parts and assembly in order to improve the service life of the machined composite structures.
Management of Community Perception Issues to Ceiling and Floating Rates on Islamic Home Financing Based on Maqasid Shariah Concept

Community Perception Ceiling and Rates on Home Based Abstract The purpose of this paper is to study the method of profit-taking from the perspective of maqasid al-Shariah (objectives of Islamic law). Then, this study will analyse the practice of profit- taking in Islamic housing financing products based on bay’ bitham an ajil (BBA) and tawarruq munazzam contracts in selected banks. This study is important to implement is to manage the perception of Islamic banking customers on the issue of ceiling and floating rates. The methodology of this study is qualitative, where the data is collected through library research and field study. Library research is done by examining fiqh muamalat books, related articles, and circulars. Meanwhile, the field study was conducted in an unstructured interview method with two Shariah officers from two banks offering Islamic housing financing products based on BBA and tawarruq munazzam contracts. The results show that the imposition of two rates in Islamic housing financing based on BBA and tawarruq munazzam contracts has led to confusion in the community. Indirectly, it has given rise to a negative perception of Islamic banking which imposes high and oppressive prices. Also, there are some records from the court cases as well as the weakness of the bank's SOP (standard operating procedure) in giving rebates that led to the endless public's negative perception of Islamic banking. However, Malaysian National Bank has implemented some crucial initiatives to curb confusion by requiring Islamic banks to include ibra’ (rebate) clauses and complete ca lculations into contracts which were previously applied at the discretion of the bank. Thus, this study suggests the imposition of ceiling prices to be improved based on the amortisation formula in accordance with the concepts of maqasid al-Shariah, wasatiyyah and ihsan, so that the perception of society can be managed well. This study has a limit that only focuses on the practice of taking profit on two Islamic housing financing products and obtaining field data from two respondents and two banks. For future study, it is suggested for researcher to focus on public’s perspectives and their perceptions of profit -taking by Islamic banks.