Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient attention-based deep encoder and decoder for automatic crack segmentation

Recently, crack segmentation studies have been investigated using deep convolutional neural networks. However, significant deficiencies remain in the preparation of ground truth data, consideration of complex scenes, development of an object-specific network for crack segmentation, and use of an evaluation method, among other issues. In this paper, a novel semantic transformer representation network (STRNet) is developed for crack segmentation at the pixel level in complex scenes in a real-time manner. STRNet is composed of a squeeze and excitation attention-based encoder, a multi head attention-based decoder, coarse upsampling, a focal-Tversky loss function, and a learnable swish activation function to design the network concisely by keeping its fast-processing speed. A method for evaluating the level of complexity of image scenes was also proposed. The proposed network is trained with 1203 images with further extensive synthesis-based augmentation, and it is investigated with 545 testing images (1280 × 720, 1024 × 512); it achieves 91.7%, 92.7%, 92.2%, and 92.6% in terms of precision, recall, F1 score, and mIoU (mean intersection over union), respectively. Its performance is compared with those of recently developed advanced networks (Attention U-net, CrackSegNet, Deeplab V3+, FPHBN, and Unet++), with STRNet showing the best performance in the evaluation metrics-it achieves the fastest processing at 49.2 frames per second.
Bell's palsy and hemi facial spasm in idiopathic facial paralysis: A retrospective preliminary study

Background: Despite various management strategies available for managing idiopathic facial paralysis, recurrence of nearly 7-12% has been seen by various studies. The recurrence can be contralateral or ipsilateral compared to the side of the first episode. Recurrence of episodes more than thrice is very rare. Long-term complication presenting as hemifacial spasm is reported in nearly 5% of the cases. Aim: The present retrospective clinical study was conducted to assess the recurrence of hemifacial spasm and facial palsy. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the data was done for 50 subjects having idiopathic facial paralysis. Among included 50 subjects of the study, recurrence of two episodes was in 7 study subjects, three episodes were seen in 2 subjects, one subject had a rare fourth-time recurrence. In the included 50 subjects, a hemifacial spasm was observed. Persistence in one subject was seen even after 34 years. Suitable investigations were carried out and results were formed. Results: Recurrence in the idiopathic facial paralysis in 20% (n = 10) study subjects. Recurrence number as assessed in the study subjects was once in 80% (n = 40) study subjects, twice recurrence was seen in 14% (n = 7) study subjects, thrice in 2% (n = 4) study subjects, and more than thrice (four times) in 1 (2%) study subject. Time interval of 1-2 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years, and more than 10 years were seen in 60% (n = 6), 20% (n = 2), 10% (n = 1), and 10% (n = 1) study subjects. Conclusion: The present study concludes that there was a significant incidence of idiopathic facial paralysis in the present study which was more common in females and the first two years following the first episode.
The use of the Taguchi design of experiment method in optimizing splicing conditions for a Nylon 66 yarn

Abstract Yarn splicing joins two yarns by applying a blast of compressed air into a profiled device called a splicing chamber. Splicing is a mature technology, but there is little published work on its fundamental principles. The current research program addresses these principles. However, the research confronts many variables such as yarn count and construction. The Taguchi design of experiment method can simplify the research, by reducing the amount of testing. This article presents a record of controlled testing to establish the validity of the Taguchi method in this context. The tests were performed using an industry-standard synthetic yarn as a base line for the research. The article reports on the Taguchi analysis of results and its effectiveness in optimizing splicer parameters to produce a strong splice with minimum variation. Later, articles will apply the technique to results of work on different yarns, assessing splice aesthetics, yarn characteristics, and splicing chamber geometry with the objective of yielding a mathematical model for the splicing process.
Isometric, Eccentric, and Concentric Strength in Trained and Untrained Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Background: Despite an overall decrease in muscular strength, older adults maintain eccentric (ECC) strength in greater proportions compared to isometric (ISO) and concentric (CON) strength. While resistance training is promoted for older adults, the impact of resistance training on ISO, ECC, and CON strength is relatively unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare peak ISO, ECC and CON knee extensor moments between trained and untrained older individuals. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a two-group comparison, ex post facto, was conducted. Twenty older adults (8 females, 69.6 ± 6.1 years, 80.5 ± 16.4 kg, 1.7 ± 0.1 m) were allocated to two groups, one undergoing resistance training (n =10) and one not (n = 10). An isokinetic dynamometer measured ISO, ECC, and CON knee extensor moments. Peak knee extensor moments (Nm) and ECC: ISO ratio were analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 0.05). Spearman Rank-Order Correlations were run on paired combinations of peak ISO, ECC, and CON moments for both groups. Results: The trained group had significantly greater peak ISO moment (183.8 vs 137.1 Nm, p = 0.013, d = 1.3) but significantly lower ECC: ISO ratio (p = 0.028, d = 1.1). The trained group exhibited stronger correlations for ECC-ISO (rs = 0.79 vs. 0.65), ECC-CON (rs = 0.93 vs. 0.59), and CON-ISO (rs = 0.93 vs. 0.78) compared to the untrained group. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate older adults maintain eccentric and concentric strength, regardless of training status. However, trained participants had a more balanced ECC: ISO ratio, due to their increased peak ISO strength possibly due to their resistance training.
INTEGRATED COMPUTER MODEL TO ESTIMATE MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE EFFECTS BENEATH PAVEMENTS

The Integrated Model, developed for highway engineers involved in pavement design and management, provides a computer simulation of climatic effects on the behavior of pavement materials and subgrade conditions or characteristics over several years of operation of either asphaltic concrete or portland cement pavements. The results indicate that reasonable predictions of moisture and temperature conditions, frost penetration and heave, thaw weakening, and the accompanying effect on pavement moduli can be achieved. An overview of the model is provided and some typical results for two climatic regions in the United States are presented. The input variables were reduced to a minimum number and were assembled so that they were input in a free format on input user screens that appear sequentially in the course of data entry. Climatic data have been assembled and processed within the files of the program so that users are relieved of obtaining and entering large quantities of this information. At the same time, users can enter their own data if available. Carefully selected default options that are representative of material properties of many typical highway pavement structures may be used, or a compendium of alternative data for a variety of soils based on texture and index properties is provided in the User's Manual. Deep ground temperatures and moisture conditions can be estimated from regional maps supplied in the Manual. These features should make the Integrated Model attractive to most highway design offices. The results of this simulation procedure will provide an important contribution to the complex process of assessing climatic effects on pavement design and management.
Efficiency improvement for SR forward converters with LC snubber

A novel circuit is proposed to alleviate the problems associated with using synchronous rectifiers in forward converters. The proposed circuit employed an LC snubber in the primary side of the converter as opposed to conventional schemes of employing an additional active switch to improve the efficiency. For the proposed forward converter with 40 W output, 91% efficiency at 3.3 V and 4 A output is obtained. In this paper, the circuit operation of this converter is described with the aid of simulation waveforms and the design criteria are also established.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SAP FLOW MEASUREMENTS TO ESTIMATE ACTUAL WATER USE OF MESKI OLIVE TREES UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION REGIMES IN TUNISIA

Improvement in irrigation techniques has led to an expansion of the irrigated olive area in Tunisia and consequently a rise in agricultural water consumption. Here, the actual water use of Olea europaea L. ‘Meski’ as estimated by thermal dissipation probe measurements was compared for different irrigation regimes: three plots with irrigation doses based on Penman–Monteith crop evapotranspiration (ETc), 0.33 × ETc and the local grower's experience (about 0.6 × ETc), respectively. The scaling up of sap flux densities proved to be difficult given the azimuthal and radial sap flux density variability and the conductive surface area asymmetry. Moreover, natural thermal gradients may lead to inaccurate use of standard sap flow formulas. Depending on the manner of upscaling, differences in water use of more than 50 l day‐1 per tree were obtained (up to 0.7 × ETc irrigation dose). Despite these difficulties, sap flow calculations seem crucial to accurately determine the water needs of the orchard under investigation, as they corresponded closely to the lowest irrigation dose which was considered sufficiently high as no significant differences in drought stress variables were detected between the plots. Therefore, irrigation based solely on ETc leads to wasting of water; hence, careful application of both meteorological and sap flow methods is desirable in irrigation scheduling. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association Between the Anti-Aging Protein Klotho and Sleep Duration in General Population

Purpose Sleep duration is associated with aging. However, the relationship between sleep duration and the concentration of the protein klotho in the serum remains unknown in the general population of the United States. Hence, this study aimed at exploring the association between them. Methods Participants whose data included klotho protein and sleep duration variables in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 to 2016 were utilized for this analysis. Results Sleep duration was non-linearly associated with the level of klotho protein in the serum, with a negative association between sleep duration and serum klotho concentration after adjusting for confounding variables (β = −7.6; 95% CI: −11.3, −4.0; P < 0.001). The conversion of the sleep duration from a continuous variable to a categorical variable (tertile: T1: <5.5 hours; T2: 5.5–7.5 hours; T3: >7.5 hours) revealed that the serum klotho of the participants in the highest tertile (>7.5 hours) was 21.9 pg/mL lower (95% CI: −38.6, −5.2; P = 0.01) than those in the lowest tertile (<5.5 hours). Conclusion Our results revealed that people who sleep more than 7.5 hours per night have decreased levels of the anti-aging protein klotho in their serum, thus being more at risk of aging-related syndromes.
MODELING THE EFFECTS OF THE ELECTRODES POSITION ON THE SURFACE EMG CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract — The uterine electromyogram (EMG) or electrohysterogram (EHG) could be used to detect a potential risk of preterm delivery in woman by analyzing its frequency content. In this study, we explore the effects of electrodes position, in terms of inactive tissues depth below the recording site and distance of electrodes to the potentials source, on the spectral characteristics of recorded signals. To explore these effects on skeletal muscle EMG and EHG, we used two numerical models but also real EHG. We have been able to notice specific effects in each situation but also cumulative effects. On real EHG, we could see that the main effect concerns the attenuation of high frequencies. Thus, the standardization of the electrode position during recording is a factor of importance.
Therapeutic Effectiveness of Cefoperazone for Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Associated Factors in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Vietnam

Purpose: This study aimed to (i) identify the pathogenic bacterial profile and Cefoperazone (CPZ) sensitivity; (ii) assess the therapeutic effectiveness of CPZ and (iii) determine factors associating with the treatment success. Patients and methods: The retrospective study was conducted in Kien Giang hospital, Vietnam. Sample size was 210 medical records of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients admitted to the hospital from January to December 2018. The Chi square and Fisher’s exact test were used to determine factors associating with the treatment success such as age, gender, comorbidities, levels of CAP severity respiratory rate, PaO2, and laboratory findings of blood tests. Statistical significance was at level α = 0.05. Results: The main pathogenic bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.1%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (26.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%), and were highly susceptible to CPZ. Mean duration of obtaining clinical stability was 3.01 days. The obtainment of clinical stability through CPZ monotherapy on the third, fifth and seventh day of treatment process accounted for 78.9%, 87.6% and 100% of total cases, respectively. CPZ achieved a highly successful rate in the monotherapy (79.07%) if the treatment was guided by antibiotic sensitivity testing results. The association between the treatment success and factors such as age, respiratory rate, and severity category of CAP were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Minimizing CPZ resistance, and CPZ overuse during CAP therapy is necessary. The factors associating with the success of therapy are useful in predicting the prognosis of CAP patients, planning the sequential therapy, and determining hospital discharge.
Soil Properties Variability Under Various Agroecosystems In Ultisols Of Bengkulu

Understanding the relation of agroecosystem types, ages, and soil properties are vital in maintaining good quality soil. This study aims to explore the variation of selected soil properties with agroecosystem types and ages. The research has been conducted in North Bengkulu, Indonesia. Soil properties on agroecosystems of 5-yr, 10-yr, 15-yr oil palm plantation, 5-yr, 10-yr, 15-yr rubber plantation, food cropland, and scrubland were evaluated. The study found that soil in oil palm and rubber plantations of any age have a similar texture, bulk density (BD), and actual soil moisture (ASM). All plantation agroecosystems and scrubland have higher clay and lower silt content than that in food cropland. In addition, the scrubland has the highest ASM content among the agroecosystems. On the other hand, both agroecosystems enhances soil chemical properties than food cropland and scrubland as indicated by the improvement of organic-C, total-N, available P, exchangeable K and CEC of Ultisols. Older plantation also provides higher soil chemical improvement than younger one. This finding is significant for management of sub optimal soil mainly Ultisols for oil palm and rubber plantation.
Dynamic modelling of corporate credit ratings and defaults

In this article, we propose a longitudinal multivariate model for binary and ordinal outcomes to describe the dynamic relationship among firm defaults and credit ratings from various raters. The latent probability of default is modelled as a dynamic process which contains additive firm-specific effects, a latent systematic factor representing the business cycle and idiosyncratic observed and unobserved factors. The joint set-up also facilitates the estimation of a bias for each rater which captures changes in the rating standards of the rating agencies. Bayesian estimation techniques are employed to estimate the parameters of interest. Several models are compared based on their out-of-sample prediction ability and we find that the proposed model outperforms simpler specifications. The joint framework is illustrated on a sample of publicly traded US corporates which are rated by at least one of the credit rating agencies S&P, Moody's and Fitch during the period 1995–2014.
Two-stage opening switch for inductive energy storage systems

A two-stage opening switch comprising of a vacuum switch as the first stage and a high voltage fuse in series with a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) as the second stage is presented. The switch offers low resistance of 20 /spl mu//spl Omega/ during charge intervals of several hundred milliseconds, controlled time to opening, minimal fuse size, and a relatively fast opening of 0.25-0.7 ms. It serves as a closing switch as well. In a series of experiments, the current of 30-40 kA was commutated routinely from a 0.13 mH inductor into a resistive load at a voltage of 3000 V. Various quenching media were examined. The liquids were found to yield maximum inductively generated voltage and transfer efficiency. A strong correlation exists between the fuse performance and the pressure generated in the fuse. This dependence is used as a guideline in fuse design. It was found that a 2-3 ms fuse conduction time suffices for the recovery of the vacuum switch. A PSpice circuit simulation using an action-dependent fuse model is in good agreement with experimental results. A semi-empirical fuse model based on electron-ion recombination mechanism of the fuse resistance change is proposed. This model is integrated into PSpice circuit simulation. The calculations are in fairly good agreement with experimental results.
Overlapping stimulons arising in response to divergent stresses in Escherichia coli

Cellular responses to stress can cause a similar change in some facets of fitness even if the stresses are different. Lactose as a sole carbon source for Escherichia coli is an established example: too little causes starvation while excessive lactose import causes toxicity as a side-effect. In an E. coli strain that is robust to osmotic and ionic differences in growth media, B REL606, the rate of antibiotic-tolerant persister formation is elevated in both starvation-inducing and toxicity-inducing concentrations of lactose in comparison to less stressful intermediate concentrations. Such similarities between starvation and toxification raise the question of how much the global stress response stimulon differs between them. We hypothesized that a common stress response is conserved between the two conditions, but that a previously shown threshold driving growth rate heterogeneity in a lactose-toxifying medium would reveal that the growing fraction of cells in that medium to be missing key stress responses that curb growth. To test this, we performed RNA-seq in three representative conditions for differential expression analysis. In comparison to nominally unstressed cultures, both stress conditions showed global shifts in gene expression, with informative similarities and differences. Functional analysis of pathways, gene ontology terms, and clusters of orthogonal groups revealed signatures of overflow metabolism, membrane component shifts, and altered cytosolic and periplasmic contents in toxified cultures. Starving cultures showed an increased tendency toward stringent response-like regulatory signatures. Along with other emerging evidence, our results show multiple possible pathways to stress responses, persistence, and possibly other phenotypes. These results suggest a set of overlapping responses that drives emergence of stress-tolerant phenotypes in diverse conditions.
Remember to Stay Positive: Affect and Prospective Memory in Everyday Life

The present study aimed to investigate the affect-cognition interplay in young and older adults by studying prospective memory (PM), the realisation of delayed intentions. While most previous studies on the topic were conducted in the laboratory, we examined the influence of naturally occurring affect on PM tasks carried out in participants' everyday lives. For seven consecutive days, participants were asked to rate their affective state nine times per day and send text messages either at specific times (time-based PM) or when a particular event occurred (event-based PM). Results showed that within-participants changes in valence from more positive to more negative affect were associated with decreased PM performance. This was similarly true for young and older adults. The design used allowed linkage of within-participants fluctuations of affect and cognitive functions, constituting a methodological advance-ment. Results suggest that positive affect has the potential to improve cognitive functioning in everyday life.
Nondestructive Pavement Evaluation Using ILLI-PAVE Based Artificial Neural Network Models

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used in this paper to develop an improved and more accurate approach for backcalculating pavement layer moduli from Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test data collected in the field. For this purpose, critical pavement responses were computed by the ILLI-PAVE finite element program widely used and proven to be effective for the analysis of flexible pavement systems with the considerations of the nonlinear aggregate base and subgrade soil behavior. The ANN models were then trained to map the nonlinear functional relationships between the FWD deflections, layer properties, and the critical pavement responses.
Pulse generation in fiber lasers with frequency shifted feedback

Lasers with frequency shifted feedback may spontaneously generate periodic trains of short optical pulses. Frequency shifts as small as several kilohertz per roundtrip are shown to sustain pulsing at the cavity fundamental frequency in Er/sup 3+/- and Nd/sup 3+/-fiber lasers with intracavity acousto-optic frequency shifters. A numerical model based on the split step Fourier method suggests that this pulse mode of operation may be attributed to the Kerr-type nonlinearity of the optical fiber. >