Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Deep Learning-based Radar and Camera Sensor Fusion Architecture for Object Detection

Object detection in camera images, using deep learning has been proven successfully in recent years. Rising detection rates and computationally efficient network structures are pushing this technique towards application in production vehicles. Nevertheless, the sensor quality of the camera is limited in severe weather conditions and through increased sensor noise in sparsely lit areas and at night. Our approach enhances current 2D object detection networks by fusing camera data and projected sparse radar data in the network layers. The proposed CameraRadarFusion Net (CRF-Net) automatically learns at which level the fusion of the sensor data is most beneficial for the detection result. Additionally, we introduce BlackIn, a training strategy inspired by Dropout, which focuses the learning on a specific sensor type. We show that the fusion network is able to outperform a state-of-the-art image-only network for two different datasets. The code for this research will be made available to the public at: https://github.com/TUMFTM/CameraRadarFusionNet
The missing boys: Understanding the unbalanced sex ratio in South Africa, 1894–2011

ABSTRACT At the beginning of the twentieth century in South Africa, the sex ratio for black children under five years was one of the lowest ever recorded. Sex ratios also differed markedly by racial group. Those for white children remained almost invariable, with more boys than girls, while black children had a clear majority of girls, a situation that the literature has almost completely overlooked. The reasons are still not completely clear. Although sex ratios at birth show more births of boys than girls, boys’ mortality was higher than girls’ mortality. Why boys’ mortality was so high and why, as a consequence, the twentieth-century under-five sex ratio for black children was so skewed towards girls, a ratio much lower, for example, than the sex ratios of pre-industrial European countries, remains unanswered. We suggest several possible explanations. The most likely explanation, we argue, was a preference for girls.
Between hard and soft HRM: human resource management in the construction industry

The rapid change in the economic environment has not resulted in the development of sophisticated human resource management practices in the UK construction industry. There are similarities between personnel practice in construction and ‘hard’ models of HRM, particularly in relation to manual workers, but non-manual employment resembles more the conditions where ‘soft’ HRM might be expected. Focusing on the HRM levers developed by John Storey, HRM practices are examined in relation to the role of personnel departments, line management responsibility, performance management, and values and beliefs of personnel managers. The survey results suggest few signs of fundamental or far-reaching innovation in human resource management practice in the construction industry despite the changing shape of construction companies. There are some, though limited, signs of change in respect to expectations of training and employee development in the future.
A unified common fixed point theorem for a family of mappings

The main objective of the paper is to prove some unified common fixed point theorems for a family of mappings under a minimal set of sufficient conditions. Our results subsume and improve a host of common fixed point theorems for contractive type mappings available in the literature of the metric fixed point theory. Simultaneously, we provide some new answers in a general framework to the problem posed by Rhoades (Contemp Math 72, 233-245, 1988) regarding the existence of a contractive definition which is strong enough to generate a fixed point, but which does not force the mapping to be continuous at the fixed point. Concrete examples are also given to illustrate the applicability of our proved results.
Foliar application of Zn and Mn fertilizers on yield and yield components of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars

Agronomic practices management is important for increase of oilseeds yield. Uses micronutrients can be raises quality or quantity yield. Therefore, the effect of foliar application of Zn and Mn was conducted on yield and yield components of safflower at Education Complex of Jahad - Agriculture of Hamedan in 2012. This study carried out in factorial experiments based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Factors were foliar application with four levels (control (water spraying), Zn spraying, Mn spraying and Zn + Mn spraying) and three cultivars of safflower (Sina, Sofeh and Li111). Spraying was done at 50% flowering. Results showed that in the cultivars, there was significant difference (p<0.01) for 1000 -grain weight, stem diameter, number of seeds per plant, number of bolls, plant height and harvest index. Sofeh had stem diameter and plant height higher than other cultivars and the minimum number of boll per plant. It seems that in Sofeh reduced capability of boll production, because of assimilates using for more thickness stem and plant height. The highest harvest index obtained in Li111 (44.05%). Sofeh had more number of seeds per plant than other cultivars. Sina had more 1000- seeds weight (48.28 g) than others. Mn spraying and Zn + Mn spraying had maximum grain yield, biological yield, 1000- seeds weight, stem diameter, number of seeds per plant and plant height.
Analysis of sine-triangle and zero-sequence injection modulation schemes for split-phase induction motor drive

A split-phase induction motor is fed from two three-phase voltage source inverters for speed control. This study analyses carrier-comparison based pulse width modulation (PWM) schemes for a split-phase motor drive, from a space-vector perspective. Sine-triangle PWM, one zero-sequence injection PWM where the same zero-sequence signal is used for both the inverters, and another zero-sequence injection PWM where different zero-sequence signals are employed for the two inverters are considered. The set of voltage vectors applied, the sequence in which the voltage vectors are applied, and the resulting current ripple vector are analysed for all the PWM methods. Besides all the PWM methods are compared in terms of dc bus utilisation. For the same three-phase sine reference, the PWM method with different zero-sequence signals for the two inverters is found to employ a set of vectors different from the other methods. Both analysis and experimental results show that this method results in lower total harmonic distortion and higher dc bus utilisation than the other two PWM methods.
Wideband subwavelength-profile circularly polarised array antenna using anisotropic metasurface

A cost-effective solution for the performance enhancement of circularly polarised array antennas by using a thin metasurface is proposed. The array is considered as reconfigurable, where an antenna engineer can arbitrarily add the metasurface onto the original array according to application requirements. Once added, the new array forms a subwavelength cavity having a compact form factor of 1. 63λ o × 1. 63λ o × 0. 07λ o at 2.45 GHz. The array antenna is demonstrated to have remarkable enhancement on its performance metrics including boresight gain (12.8 dBic), axial-ratio bandwidth (46.5%) and 10 dBic gain bandwidth (24.4%). More interestingly, a sidelobe suppression level of 4.4 dB is achieved.
Socio-Economic Status and Inequalities in Children's IQ and Economic Preferences

This paper explores inequalities in IQ and economic preferences between children from high and low socio-economic status (SES) families. We document that children from high SES families are more intelligent, patient and altruistic, as well as less risk-seeking. To understand the underlying causes and mechanisms, we propose a framework of how parental investments as well as maternal IQ and economic preferences influence a child’s IQ and preferences. Within this framework, we allow SES to influence both the level of parental time and parenting style investments, as well as the productivity of the investment process. Our results indicate that disparities in the level of parental investments hold substantial importance for SES gaps in economic preferences and, to a lesser extent, IQ. In light of the importance of IQ and preferences for behaviors and outcomes, our findings offer an explanation for social immobility.
Perspectives of Mäori fishing history and techniques. Ngä ähua me ngä püräkau me ngä hangarau ika o te Mäori

To pre-European Maori, fishing was a significant component of subsistence, and the abundant coastal fish stocks provided a rich and readily available resource. However, interpreting early Maori fishing activities using indirect sources of information, including oral traditions, archaeological evidence and historical accounts, may reflect regional, localised and chronological variation, and also be subject to cultural interpreta- tion. Pre-European Maori fishing provided the main source of sustenance, with methods of procuring fish based on the careful observations of generations of fishermen. Fish were taken with nets (some over a mile/1.6 km in length), traps, spears and hook-and-line. Fishhooks made of wood, stone, bone, ivory or shell, based on designs developed over many thousands of years, were used as lures (pa kahawai, pohau manga) or suspended hooks (matau). Maori use of traditional materials to make hooks rapidly declined in favour of metals after European contact, although the demand for Maori artefacts by curio hunters in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries led to the manufacture of large numbers of replica traditional hooks for trade. Early explorers, historians and archaeologists have commented that they considered the Maori hooks to be 'ill made' or 'impossible looking', and were unable to decide how the hooks actually caught fish. Matau were made to a 'circle' design and function in a different manner to modern J-shaped steel fishhooks to catch fish. Recently, many commercial long-line fisheries have readopted the traditional hook shape in recognition of its advantages and improved catch rates.
The Effect of a Functional Strength Training Intervention on Movement Quality and Physical Fitness in Adolescents

This study compared a 12 week Functional Strength Training (FST) program on functional movement and physical performance to typical physical education (PE) classes for middle school (MS) and high school (HS) students. We randomly assigned 266 participants (M age = 14.35, SD = 0.57 years; M height = 164.82, SD = 6.13 cm; M mass = 55.09, SD = 12.19 kg; M BMI = 20.11, SD = 3.54 kg/m2) into an FST or control group. The FST group trained in flexibility and stability, functional movement patterns, and health-related functional strength. The control group continued regular physical education (PE) classes. Each group trained three-times/week in 45 minute sessions for 12 weeks. Outcome measures included the Functional Movement Screen protocol and seven physical performance tests, assessed every four weeks over a 12 week period. We employed a mixed model ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests to examine differences between and within groups. Compared to the control group, the FST group significantly (p < 0.01) improved Functional Movement Screen total scores (25.7%), curl-ups (70.4%), pull-ups (281.6%), and flexibility (83.6%). We suggest including the FST program in the MS and HS PE curriculum.
The Influence of IVIS Distractions on Tactical and Control Levels of Driving Performance

Computer, software, telecommunications, and automotive companies have begun to develop In-Vehicle Information System (IVIS) functions despite the potential for these devices to distract drivers. A simulator study examined how the demands of an IVIS affected driver response in tactical and control braking conditions. The IVIS demands were manipulated according to multiple resource theory dimensions of processing code and stage. Drivers listened to and answered questions about messages containing information about restaurants. The findings show that verbal and spatial coding had little effect on driving performance, but responding to the messages degraded reaction time in the tactical braking conditions. These results suggest that particular consideration should be given to IVIS tasks that demand a response from the driver and that tactical rather than simply control driving performance merits attention in IVIS evaluation.
Using smartphone technology to improve prospective memory functioning: A randomized controlled trial

A decline in the ability to perform daily intentions—known as prospective memory—is a key driver of everyday functional impairment in dementia. In the absence of effective pharmacological treatments, there is a need for developing, testing, and optimizing behavioral interventions that can bolster daily prospective memory functioning. We investigated the feasibility and efficacy of smartphone‐based strategies for prospective memory in persons with cognitive impairment.
Big data and the dairy cow: factors affecting fertility in UK herds

Routinely collected herd management data in a variety of formats were collated from 468 dairy herds, and novel objective measures of data recording quality were developed and applied. This revealed that there was a substantial amount of variation in data quality between herds, and the vast majority of herds failed to meet the threshold level for at least one of the data quality measures used. Analysis of trends in reproductive performance across the herds with good quality fertility event recording suggested that their fertility was generally declining through the first half of the 2000s, but there was some evidence that improvements in submission rate were beginning to reverse this decline in the later years studied (up to 2007). Associations between reproduction and two endemic diseases common in dairy cattle (mastitis and lameness) were explored using multilevel discrete time survival modelling, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) used to contextualise and illustrate the results. In both cases, statistical modelling revealed significant and sizeable associations between disease events and reproductive outcomes at lactation level. However, simulation and application of PSA showed that a herd’s incidence rate of either disease was highly unlikely to influence its overall reproductive performance to a clinically relevant degree when other inputs to herd fertility were also considered. Factors associated with the proportion of serves leading to a pregnancy (pregnancy rate) were explored using multilevel logistic regression modelling. This revealed that relatively little of the variation in herd pregnancy rate is explainable by routinely recorded milk recording data (including constituent concentration in early lactation as well as daily and lactation yields). A large amount of the unexplained variation was revealed to be at herd level and very little at cow level, suggesting that investigation of herd management practices associated with pregnancy rate would be rewarding.
Understanding transport-related social exclusion through the lens of capabilities approach

ABSTRACT The paper builds on the transport-related social exclusion (TRSE) literature and investigates how the insights provided by the Capability Approach can help to inform inclusive transport planning. To address the literature lack of conceptual clarity, we provided a framework that considers how individuals may be prevented from travelling and accessing valued opportunities and how this may lead to TRSE. Ten different dimensions of TRSE that individuals may experience are suggested. Although some dimensions were already proposed in past work, we contributed to this framework by expanding their scope and proposing a new dimension. The paper concludes that policies aimed at reducing TRSE should be concerned with increasing the capabilities of those in accessibility poverty to a sufficient level that enables individuals’ participation in key opportunities of the society. We identified that not every accessibility measure is suitable for assessing TRSE, and the selection of measures must pay attention to their alignment with the idea of accessibility as a human capability. We recommend that conducting an aggregated analysis may be helpful to identify a suitable accessibility measure and to identify regions at risk of TRSE; however, to have a deep understanding of an individual’s TRSE risk factors, a bottom-up analysis is necessary.
IMPACT OF FAMILY STIGMA AND CAREGIVER BURDEN ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG WIVES OF PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOL AND OPIOID USE DISORDER

Objectives: Spouses of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) suffer from burden, stigma, and low quality of life (QoL). The present study assessed the impact of stigma and burden on QoL among wives of patients with AUD and OUD. Methods: 90 wives of in-patients with severe AUD (n=54) and OUD (n=36) as per DSM-5 were assessed using socio-demographic pro forma, WHO QoL Bref Hindi, Hindi family stigma scale and Family Burden Interview Schedule. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Inc., Chicago, IL, version 25.0 for Windows was used for analysis. Appropriate statistical tests including Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests of normality, Mann–Whitney test, and Kruskal–Wallis test were used. To see the relationship between two variables Pearson Correlation coefficient was calculated. All statistical tests were two-sided and performed at a significance level of α=. 05. Results: Majority of the wives were more than 30 years old, literate and belonged to rural areas. Higher financial burden reduced overall QoL (p=0.001**), satisfaction with physical health (0.006**), psychological health (p=0.032*), and environment (p=0.001**). There was a negative correlation of satisfaction with environment with disruption of family interaction (p=0.003**), burden on mental health (p=0.001**), overall burden (p=0.000**), and discrimination (p=0.032*). Conclusion: QoL of spouses of patients with AUD and OUD reduces significantly due to stigma and burden. Enhancing QoL of spouses should be a part of management of AUD and OUD.
Laparoscopic Intervention to Pancreatic Pseudocyst Confers Short-Term Benefits: A Meta-Analysis

Background Surgical interventions for pancreatic pseudocyst (PP) are traditionally managed by an open surgical approach. With the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques, a laparoscopic surgical approach for PPs has been conducted increasingly with comparable outcomes. The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of surgical intervention for PPs between the laparoscopic approach and the open approach. Methods Databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE were searched to identify studies that compared the safety and efficacy of surgical intervention for PPs between the laparoscopic approach and the open approach (until Aug 1st 2020). Results A total of 6 studies were eligible in qualitative synthesis. The laparoscopic approach was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (MD = −69.97; 95% CI: −95.14 to −44.70, P < 0.00001; P=0.86 for heterogeneity) and shorter operating time (MD = −33.12; 95% CI: −62.24 to −4.00, P=0.03; P < 0.00001 for heterogeneity). There was no significant difference found between the two approaches regarding the success rate and the recurrence rate. The postoperative complications and mortality rates were comparable between the two approaches. Conclusions The laparoscopic approach for the surgical intervention of PPs is safe and efficacious with shorter-term benefits.
Solar Panel Anomaly Detection and Classification

The number of solar panels deployed worldwide has rapidly increased. Solar panels are often placed in areas not easily accessible. It is also difficult for panel owners to be aware of their operating condition. Many environmental factors have negative effects on the efficiency of solar panels. To reduce the power lost caused by environmental factors, it is necessary to detect and classify the anomalous events occurring on the surface of solar panels. This thesis designs and studies a device to continuously measure the voltage output of solar panels and to transmit the time series data back to a personal computer using wireless communication. A program was developed to store and model this time series data. It also detected the existence of anomalies and classified the anomalies by modeling the data. In total, ten types of anomalies were considered. These anomaly types include temporary shading, permanent shading, fallen leaves, accumulating snow and melting snow among others. Previous time series anomaly detection algorithms do not perform well for real-life situations and are only capable of dealing with at most four different types of anomalies. In this work, a general mathematical model is proposed to give better performance in reallife test cases and to cover more than four types of anomalies. We note that the models can be generalized to detect and to classify anomalies for general time series data which is not necessarily generated from solar panels. We compared several techniques to detect and to classify anomalies including the auto-regressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA), neural networks, support vector machines and k-nearest-neighbors classification. We found that anomaly classification using the k-nearest-neighbors classification was able to accurately detect and classify 97% of the anomalies in our test set. The devices and algorithms have been tested with two small 12-volt solar panels.
On the prediction of non‐linear creep strains

Abstract In the short term, the Euorocode‐based techniques will be implemented as the main design specifications for structural engineers from the member‐states of the European Union instead of the national standards. Therefore, it is of primary importance draw attention to the observed inaccuracies, particularly, in predicting non‐linear creep strains according to EC‐2. The analysis performed was mainly focused on an inconsistency elimination observed in the original EC‐2 approach, when transition from the linear to non‐linear creep laws for a constant compressive stress is required. A recent CEN corrigendum eliminating the observed inconsistency was also discussed in detail. In this context, similar techniques which were reported in the literature for predicting the creep non‐linearity function were analysed to account for the results obtained. It was particularly demonstrated that the recent CEN amendment results in an extremely enhanced creep strain for low strength concrete. A comparison of the creep.
Cascade-multi-cell multilevel converter with reduced number of switches

Recently applications of multilevel converters have been pointed out because of some advantages include high-quality output waveform, reduced harmonic distortion and lower electromagnetic interference. However, some drawbacks such as increased number of components like switches and dc power supplies and complex pulse width modulation control method are associated with these converters. In this study, a new cascade multilevel converter is introduced named `cascade-multi-cell' converter. First, the basic constitutive of the proposed multilevel converter has been explained. Then, symmetric and asymmetric configurations are presented. The number of switches and gate driver circuits in the proposed structure are less than the conventional cascade converter. Therefore its output voltage levels will be increased. Also, the number of on-state switches is reduced in presented topology, and so the conductive losses will be reduced. The peak inverse voltage of the proposed converter is equal with the traditional cascade converter. Finally, simulation and experimental results are presented. The presented results show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed multilevel structure.