Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HANDWRITTEN BENGALI CHARACTER RECOGNITION THROUGH GEOMETRY BASED FEATURE EXTRACTION

Unlike English characters, one of the major drawbacks in recognizing handwritten Bengali script is the massive amount of characters in Bengali language and their complex shapes. There are 50 complex shaped characters in Bengali alphabet set and working with this huge amount of characters with an appropriate set of feature is a tough problem to solve. Moreover, the ambiguity and precision error are common in handwritten words. In addition, among the huge amount of complex shaped characters, some are very similar in shape those possess severe difficulty to recognize handwritten Bengali characters. Bearing in mind the complexity of the problem, an efficient approach for recognizing handwritten Bengali alphabet is proposed in this work. This proposed approach for identifying Bengali characters is based on character geometry-oriented feature extraction for different handwritten characters. In this paper, different image processing steps are used including image acquisition, digitization , preprocessing, segmentation and feature extraction for tackling the difficulty. Most importantly, the geometry based feature extraction method has been employed to extract the effective features from the Bengali characters for the classification purposes. Then, the classification result was measured for SVM and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based classifiers on self-generated training and testing data sets which contain 2500 different samples of 50 characters in the Bengali character-set. The proposed technique produces an average recognition rate of 84.56% using SVM and 74.47% using ANN.
From NPR to VR: tracking ocular behavior in immersive virtual reality

<p align="JUSTIFY"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>In this work, we present a research about ocular behavior during immersion in virtual reality. To enhance our comprehension of human behavior in immersive conditions, we will focus on vision and </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">its</span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span> reactivity to non-photorealistic rendering and cinematic procedures. Using physiological data collected in real time with an eye tracker, we compare attentional and pupillary response in order to describe the visual immersion experienced by the user. This proposal could be useful to identify physical sickness produced by perceptual mismatches and to evaluate the cognitive efficiency of virtual reality experiences in different fields of applications, giving feedback to content producers about user´s ocular behavior. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Accessibility index for urban walkable spaces

Considering the importance of technical accessibility parameters to the adequacy of urban areas for all people, this study aimed to develop a quantification method of pedestrian accessibility based on the technical standardization. The Accessibility of Walkable Spaces index (AWS) is composed of seven measurable indicators according to standards of accessibility, ranging from 0 (Inaccessibility) to 1 (Accessibility). After an audit of 570 sidewalk stretches in São Tomé, State of Paraná, Brazil, the Inaccessible situation was verified as the most recurrent (60.3% of the sidewalk stretches). The best conditions were found in the more consolidated urban central area, as demonstrated by the KruskalWallis and Dunn tests (p < 0.05). The method showed adequate applicability. So, municipalities can use AWS index as a useful planning tool to prioritize interventions and provide inclusive and more sustainable environments to its citizens.
androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa), but the effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of action of OPD' in androgen-dependent PCa were unclear. In the present study, OPD' induced significant necroptosis in androgen‐dependent LNCaP cancer cells by activating receptor-interacting serine/t

Ophiopogonin D' (OPD') is a natural compound extracted from Ophiopogon japonicus, which is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. Our previous study has indicated that OPD' exhibits antitumor activity against androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa), but the effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of action of OPD' in androgen-dependent PCa were unclear. In the present study, OPD' induced significant necroptosis in androgen‐dependent LNCaP cancer cells by activating receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1). Exposure to OPD' also increased Fas ligand (FasL)-dependent RIPK1 protein expression. The OPD'-induced necroptosis was inhibited by a RIPK1 inhibitor necrostatin-1, further supporting a role for RIPK1 in the effects of OPD . ́ The antitumor effects of OPD' were also inhibited by a mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) inhibitor necrosulfonamide. Following treatment with inhibitors of RIPK1 and MLKL, the effects of OPD' on LNCaP cells were inhibited in an additive manner. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that OPD' induced RIPK3 upregulation, leading to the assembly of a RIPK3-MLKL complex, which was independent of RIPK1. Furthermore, OPD' increased the expression of Fas-associated death domain, which is required to induce necroptosis in LNCaP cells. OPD' also regulated the expression levels of FasL, androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen in a RIPK1-dependent manner. These results suggested that OPD' may exhibit potential as an anti-PCa agent by inducing RIPK1and MLKL-dependent necroptosis.
Governing supply relationships: Evidence from the automotive sector∗

Many empirical studies analyze a rm's make-or-buy decision in an incomplete contracting framework. Transaction Cost Economics has highlighted the role of asset speci city, while the Property Rights Theory stresses the role of the contracting rms' relative marginal contribution to joint surplus creation. We show that proxies for both explanatory factors can also be used to distinguish between di erent ways of organizing an outsourcing relationship. Making the link with the literature on Global Value Chains, our framework predicts that the choice among ve possible governance modes depends on three key variables: the complexity of the transaction, its codi ability, and the capability of the supplier. Our evidence using contract information from the automotive industry suggests that not all `buy' relationships are alike and that the predictive value of our variables goes beyond the make-or-buy distinction.
The impact of global interaction on international portfolio investment

This paper aims to examine the relationship between tourism flows across countries and foreign portfolio investment by using an extended gravity model. While international tourism is the flow of human from one country to another, such a flow is also proxied for face-to-face personal contact across country or global interaction. This may help investors reduce information asymmetries regarding foreign assets and build social networks with local people. Based on bilateral portfolio investment from IMF CPIS and bilateral tourism flows from UNWTO over the period from 2001 to 2014, our empirical result reveal that foreign portfolio investment in destination country is positively related to both directions of tourism flows, i.e., outward tourism from originating country to destination country and inward tourism from destination country to originating country. Meanwhile, decisions in foreign equity holding are remarkably influenced by different channel of tourism flows depending on whether financial markets, either originating or destination, are emerging market.
Vaginal flora of Iraqi sheep and goats during different reproductive stages

The recent study was carried on 26 ewes and 21 does in the Animal farm of Veterinary Medicine College in Baghdad University during 2007. Bacterial swabs were taken from the female vagina in different reproductive status. The results revealed that there were significant differences in the multiparturient and postparturient animals comparing with the ewe lamb and pregnant ewes, while in the does there were no significant differences between these stages. The highest bacterial isolation in the sheep was the Enterobacter species 29.6% and Escherichia coli 18.5%. In the goat, the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus faecalis was 21.8%. The investigation showed that there was a possibility of isolation of 12 different types of bacteria from the reproductive tract and the probability of presence of more than one type of bacteria in the same swabs. In this study the bacteria isolated appears to be affected by the reproductive status in the ewes. This finding not observed in the does which might be more resistant to infection. همل ةیشیاعتلا میثارجلا ا لب ا لسانتلل ةفلتخملا لحارملا للاخ ةیقارعلا زعاملاو مانغلأ
A Reconsideration of Innovation Failure: Evidence from the Korea Innovation Survey

This study aims to reconsider the perception of firms’ innovation failure. In an environment that constantly demands innovation, firms will experience various types of failure. However, failure for a firm is not always negative. The tactical knowledge and know-how accumulated from the experience of failure will lead to better innovation, which can have a positive impact on management performance. This study empirically analyzes Korean Innovation Survey (KIS) 2016 data. The results showed that firms that had experienced failure had better performances than those that did not. In addition, the key reason for failure was a lack of core competencies. Therefore, efforts should be made to build discriminative capabilities with experiences of failure as a lesson. Furthermore, it is necessary to use the synergy of the complementary role of nontechnological innovation to overcome innovation trauma and improve performance.
Changing the conception of teaching from teacher-centred to student-centred learning among engineering lecturers

Engineering education has moved towards a student-centred learning (SCL) approach, which has been proven to be more effective when compared to the teacher-centre approach, especially for acquiring 21st Century skills. However, many engineering lecturers are reluctant to change their teaching paradigm and approach to SCL, although they have received training. This study aims to explore the factors that can change the conception of teaching among engineering lecturers. This phenomenological study followed two engineering lecturers for one semester through classroom observations and interviews at a university in Malaysia, after they underwent SCL training. The thematic analysis showed that both lecturers started with the teacher-centred paradigm before the training, due to their previous learning experience under the teacher-centred approach by their lecturers. After the training, they showed an inclination to adopt SCL in their classes. However, due to unsupportive colleagues and department, and poor management, one lecturer failed to make the transition. The other lecturer successfully embraced the SCL paradigm after she saw the positive impacts on her students, and her colleagues did not discourage her to change. This study demonstrated that the conception of teaching influenced the implementation of SCL, and the factors that bring successful change are training, support and appraisal.
Traffic Information Detection

In this paper we built a model which contains two submodules: lane detection and vehicle detection. Our lane detection model is based on a heuristic approach to detect lanes. It can be broken down into three steps: Image preprocess, Lane edge points identification, and lane cure generation. As for the vehicle detection, we applied YOLO series algorithms which are fast, accurate and can be used in real-time detection.
The roles of dynamic capabilities, innovation, organizational agility and knowledge management on competitive performance in telecommunication industry

Article history: Received: November 4, 2019 Received in revised format: November 29 2019 Accepted: December 12, 2019 Available online: December 12, 2019 The turbulent and highly competitive business environment has influenced telecommunications, recently. The purpose of this study, using the survey data from 70 firms in the telecommunication industry in Nigeria, is to examine the relationships among dynamic capabilities, innovation, organizational agility and knowledge management in achieving maximum performance in the telecommunication industry. Out of 430 questionnaires distributed, 341 were returned. Partial Least Square approach of Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the research hypothesis. The research results suggest that dynamic capabilities were positively related to both organizational agility and competitive performance. Organizational agility was positively related to competitive performance. Knowledge management was also associated with dynamic capabilities, competitive performance and innovation. Innovation was insignificantly related to competitive performance. The findings from this study should assist telecommunication industries in Nigeria to cope with unwanted changes in the business environment and also help managers make better decisions to improve performance. © 2020 by the authors; licensee Growing Science, Canada
Scotland's Rural College Importance of health claims in the adoption of new breakfast cereal products in the UK Costa-Font, Montserrat; Revoredo-Giha, Cesar

Regular breakfast consumption has the potential to prevent the prevalence of NCDs and to improve the nutritional profile of diets. Given consumers’ interest in improving their diets, food suppliers are interested in introducing new cereal products making different health claims to capture consumers’ attention. The purpose of this study is threefold: first, it aims to understand whether UK food suppliers are working to increase the availability of breakfast cereals with healthy and nutritious attributes; second, it explores which companies are leading the launch of these products; and third, it assesses to what extent health and nutrition claims made by breakfast cereals have an impact on their market success. The study employs an assembled database combining data from Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) and Kantar Worldpanel Dataset (KWDS) for the UK. A hazard-based duration model was used to analyse the success of the new products launched in the UK market in 2011 following them up to 2015. Our results reveal that UK suppliers broadened the number of breakfast cereals on offer in the period 2000 to 2018, with a particular focus on multigrain cereals, porridge and granola. Health and nutrition claims were added to 27% of these products. Although consumers welcome healthy alternatives such as muesli, the impact of positional claims on the success of newly developed breakfast cereals is claim-specific. No clear pattern regarding the impact of health and nutrition claims is identified. However, other elements such as celiac-friendly ingredients and UK origin do have a positive impact on the success of breakfast cereals.
Point-by-point responses to the reviews

We have designed a method for testing the quality of multidecadal analyses of SST in regional seas by using a set of high-quality local SST observations. In recognizing that local data may reflect local effects, we focus on dominant EOFs of the local data and of the localized data of the gridded SST analyses. We examine the patterns, variability as well as trends of the principal components. This method is applied to examine three different SST analyses, i.e., HadISST1, ERSST and COBE SST. They have been assessed using a newly constructed high-quality data set of SST at 26 coastal stations along the Chinese coast in 1960–2015 which underwent careful examination with respect to quality, and a number of corrections of inhomogeneities. The three gridded analyses perform by and large well from 1960 to 2015, in particular since 1980. However, for the pre-satellite period, prior to 1980s, the analyses differ among each other and show some inconsistencies with the local data, such as artificial break points, periods of bias and differences in trends. We conclude that gridded SST-analyses need improvement in the pre-satellite period (prior to 1980s), by re-examining in detail archives of local quality-controlled SST data in many data-sparse regions of the world. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: ly_nmdis@163.com
Inverse Estimation of the Model Parameters in a PM2.5 Transport Adjoint Model

In order to improve the utilization of unevenly distributed PM2.5 observations, a PM2.5 transport adjoint model is implemented to estimate the parameters and simulate PM2.5 over China. To increase the well-posedness, we use an independent point scheme (IPS) in experiments process. Twin experiments are used to test sensitive of the independent point (IP) and the observation noises to the adjoint model. The results manifest that the adjoint model can make well parameters inversion, and effectively improve the model ill-posedness caused by observation noises. In practical experiment, the simulated results can reproduce the spatio-temporal PM2.5 distributions, which supports the IPS effectiveness in the PM2.5 transport adjoint model. Introduction PM2.5 has recognized to be the major source of pollution to lead to pulmonary diseases worldwide[1]. Numerical model studies should be an important way to investigate PM2.5 in several studies. Although there are several schemes to decrease inaccuracy factors in the PM2.5 simulation process, these limitations could be effectively improved by data assimilation techniques in chemical transport models. Meanwhile, we adopt an independent point scheme (IPS) to solve the ill-posedness during the spatiotemporal parameter inversion[2-4]. In this article, we assume several IPS for the inverse estimation of the parameters and the PM2.5 concentrations are simulated across China domain. Twin and practical experiments are implemented to proof the validity of the IPS in the transport adjoint model. Independent Points and Interpolation Scheme The same PM2.5 transport adjoint model [5] is adopted in this article. The adjoint method (i.e. 4D-Var) has been a large-scale application in atmospheric studies. An IPS is developed to improve the ill-posedness problem caused by spatiotemporal model parameters in this paper. Let vpi,j be parameter values at the grid point (i, j) and vpipm,n be the parameter valuesat the independent point (m, n). In this paper the vp is the IC value or the SS value. Then we have the relationship between vp and vpip:    n m n m n m j i j i vpip vp , , , , , ,  (1) Where φi,j,m,n is the coefficient of linear interpolation defined as follow:
Task Classification of Robotic Surgical Reconstructive Procedures using Force Measurements

The development of surgical tasks and skills level classification methods and its combination with adaptive assistance strategies is a very promising approach in robotic surgery. In order to employ adaptive and time-varying shared control methods, such as virtual fixtures [1], task classification constitutes an essential step. It allows to assess surgeon skills and intentions in both training and real interventions. Our objective is to develop a reliable method for the automatic classification of surgical tasks. This procedure is often challenging if it relies only on kinematic information. Vision sensors might be employed but they usually require fine parameters tuning and a huge programming effort. Hence, we propose to adopt the interaction force measurement in the learning process. In this paper, a force-based unsupervised segmentation approach of reconstructive surgical gestures is presented. In the past, similar approaches have been investigated: Zappella et al. have proposed several methods for automatic surgical gesture classification using video and kinematic data [2]; Pierre et al. have developed a human collaborative framework for bimanual surgical tasks based on learned model where they combine active constraints and learning from demonstration [3]; in the work of Despinoy et al. the operating gesture workflow has been taken into account, in order to provide more intuitive training as well as more accurate solutions for procedural knowledge assessment [4]; in the work of Perez-DelPulgar et al. the authors address the problem of learning from demonstration trajectories that depend on contact forces instead of depending solely on time [5]. In our work, we use force and kinematic data to train a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) in order to cluster subtasks during a robotic surgical reconstructive procedure. Comparing our approach with the manual annotations of the surgical gestures, an average matching score of 88.32% is observed for the fully automated gesture recognition process.
Effectiveness of palliative chest radiotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Analysis of 1350 patients

1 Zakład Radioterapii Centrum Onkologii – Instytut im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie, Oddział w Krakowie Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Marian Reinfuss 2 Klinika Nowotworów Jamy Brzusznej Centrum Onkologii – Instytut im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie, Oddział w Krakowie Kierownik: dr n. med. Jerzy Jakubowicz 3 Klinika Chirurgii Onkologicznej Centrum Onkologii – Instytut im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie, Oddział w Krakowie Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Jerzy Mituś 4 Klinika Ginekologii Onkologicznej Centrum Onkologii – Instytut im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie, Oddział w Krakowie Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Krzysztof Urbański
Transforming a School into a Learning Community by Integrating FIRST Framework through a Professional Development Framework

This study recounts the cyclic process that one private school developed and implemented for the purpose of professional development PD of its staff during an academic year. The process consists of five stages that constitute the framework for PD. The content used to implement the PD framework was a learning framework that focuses on students’ active deep learning, FIRST. The implementation of the PD incorporated many tasks such as training, coaching, classroom observations and learning walks, all of which were delegated to teachers as a way to distribute leadership. Other tasks included formative assessment of teachers’ skills, reflection on practice, and planning for action. At the end of the year, the impact of the PD was investigated through questionnaires, classroom observations, lesson plans, and interviews with students. It was found that teachers preferred the newly adopted PD framework to preceding professional development programs and reported to have benefited more than they had previously. Classroom observations conducted by external and internal observers indicated that the teachers were integrating the majority of the newly introduced skills in their classroom performances. Finally, students, when interviewed, used much of the terminology that were elicited from the learning framework, FIRST, which constituted the content of the PD framework their teachers had undergone. In addition, they reported to have learned considerably from the newly adopted activities and practices by their teachers and enjoyed the new approaches used in their classrooms.