Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laser-machined substrate technology (LMST) for Q-band applications

A three-steps laser micro-machined manufacturing technology (LMST) based in low-loss Alumina substrates is introduced and studied. As a consequence of this analysis, fabrication constraints are identified and design rules introduced in order to assist the conception of millimeter-wave passive devices for Q-band applications. Quality factor around 690 is measured at 42 GHz in resonators fabricated with this technology. Moreover, diverse devices are designed with the design rules proposed. Manufactured devices show good repeatability and balance between performance and size.
Progress in Poverty Reduction in Mongolia: Did Poverty Decline between 2002/3 and 2007/8?

Recently, policy makers and the donor community in Mongolia have shared concerns about growth without poverty reduction between 2002/3 and 2007/8 since official numbers suggested only marginal changes in poverty over this period. These concerns motivated further exploration of the data by the World Bank team. The team studied various key macro and micro indicators for possible explanations, as well as revisited measures of poverty using household surveys conducted in 2002/3 and 2007/8. 1 Official poverty numbers for these two years were estimated using inconsistent poverty lines and, therefore, do not allow assessment of poverty trends. This note discusses recent macro trends, methods for measuring poverty over time and presents the results of World Bank analysis that uses comparable measures of poverty in Mongolia.
Estimating Productivity of Public Infrastructure Investment

This paper develops a model of endogenous productivity to examine the impact of public infrastructure investment on output. It matches rm-level production data with province-level infrastructure data to address a set of wellknown identi cation issues in the literature, and employs a structural estimation to distinguish the long-run productivity e¤ect from the short-run Keynesian demand e¤ect of public infrastructure investment. The estimated rates of return of infrastructure are 9.2% and 2.5%, respectively, for revenue-based and quantitybased total factor productivity. The returns almost triple once maximal spillover e¤ects are taken into account. Firm-level evidences are consistent with a mechanism in which public infrastructure investment functions as a catalyst in facilitating resource reallocation from less productive rms to more productive rms. JEL Classi cation: O47, H54, D24, C23, F15
Predation-driven biotic resistance fails to restrict the spread of a sessile rocky shore invader

The invasive barnacle Balanus glandula has progressively spread along the South African west coast. We used multiple approaches to assess the role of predation by indigenous whelks in regulating this expansion. B. glandula abundance and distribution were monitored annually while field observations and laboratory experiments assessed the relative predation pressure on B. glandula and the native barnacle Notomegabalanus algicola. In the mid-shore, the whelks Trochia cingulata and Burnupena lagenaria fed on N. algicola most often despite the alien B. glandula covering a mean of 86% of the shore at this site. Lower on the shore, the same feeding pattern was evident, although N. algicola was spatially dominant. Feeding experiments revealed that small (mean ± SD shell length: 13.9 ± 0.3 mm) and large (19.6 ± 0.5 mm) T. cingulata consumed up to 70% more N. algicola than B. glandula, displaying a significant avoidance of the alien. While small (15.5 ± 0.5 mm) B. lagenaria displayed the same pattern, large individuals (27.7 ± 0.4 mm) consumed equal numbers of the 2 barnacles. The avoidance of B. glandula may be explained by this species possessing thicker shell and opercular plates than N. algicola, while a narrow margin of vulnerable soft tissue around the circumference of the opercular plates makes the native an attractive prey choice. This study demonstrates that predation-driven biotic resistance has not contained the expansion of B. glandula along the South African coast.
Spectral Characterization, Radiative Forcing, and Pigment Content
of Coastal Antarctic Snow Algae: Approaches to Spectrally
Discriminate Red and Green Communities and Their Impact on
Snowmelt

Here, we present radiative forcing (RF) estimates by snow algae in the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) region from multi-year measurements of solar radiation and groundbased hyperspectral characterization of red and green snow algae collected during a brief field expedition in austral summer 2018. Our analysis includes pigment content from samples at three bloom sites. Algal biomass in the snow and albedo reduction are well-correlated across the visible spectrum. Relative to clean snow, visibly green patches reduce snow albedo by ∼ 40 % and red patches by ∼ 20 %. However, red communities absorb considerably more light per milligram of pigment compared to green communities, particularly in green wavelengths. Based on our study results, it should be possible to differentiate red and green algae using Sentinel-2 bands in blue, green and red wavelengths. Instantaneous RF averages were double for green (180 Wm−2) vs. red communities (88 Wm−2), with a maximum of 228 Wm−2. Based on multi-year solar radiation measurements at Palmer Station, this translated to a mean daily RF of ∼ 26 W m−2 (green) and ∼ 13 Wm−2 (red) during peak growing season – on par with midlatitude dust attributions capable of advancing snowmelt. This results in ∼ 2522 m3 of snow melted by green-colored algae and ∼ 1218 m3 of snow melted by red-colored algae annually over the summer, suggesting snow algae play a significant role in snowmelt in the AP regions where they occur. We suggest impacts of RF by snow algae on snowmelt be accounted for in future estimates of Antarctic ice-free expansion in the AP region.
The development process of the right team in early stage start-ups

The purpose of the paper is to create grounded theory to reveal the problems of the right team development process of the early stage start-ups and to explain how the main challenges of the process are being solved. A structured grounded theory (GT) has been chosen based on the combination of deductive and inductive approaches, revealing a contextual epistemological view, which is important when explaining the phenomenon through the experience of the research participants. GT helped to reveal concepts and their relations, relevant to the understanding of a right team of start-ups. The concept of the right team of an early stage start-up includes primary founders having the right competences, having a team leader and other team members having the right competences. The competences of the right team include knowledge, experience and characteristics that influence the development process and help successfully overcome the challenges of an early stage start-up.
A framework for sensorless identification of needle-tissue interaction forces in robot-assisted biopsies

During teleoperated robot-assisted biopsies, force and visual feedback are fundamental to guarantee accuracy and safety in executing the task. To allow seamless introduction of the robot in the clinical flow, it is desirable to measure interaction forces without relying on dedicated, additional sensors. On the other hand, typical imaging systems do not offer a realtime 3D view of the remote site at the operator-side. In this document, we extend a previous work with two contributions: i) a sensorless needle-tissue interaction model identification algorithm; ii) a modular framework, interfaced with a virtual environment, offering a complete visualization of the procedure at the operator-side. The identification algorithm is validated on an isinglass-based phantom, while the framework is tested through the CoppeliaSim (former V-REP) software.
Active Contours with Term of Smoothing: Application in Medical Imaging

The segmentation of images is to group the different pixels of the image into classes, each classgrouping similar pixels in the sense of a given criteria. The segmentation of images is, in general, verydifficult to achieve because the natural images are various, complex and the way of perceiving them variesaccording to the individuals. Because of this difficulty, several approaches have been proposed. Theapproach addressed in this article is the technique of active contours. We focus on implicit active contours;we propose an improvement for the model of Chan&Vese. The application of our method on medicalimages shown they can be a tool for the image segmentation, and thus provide an aid to diagnosis for thepractitioner.
Change Detection of Remote Sensing Images Based on Attention Mechanism

In recent years, image processing methods based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have achieved very good results. At the same time, many branch techniques have been proposed to improve accuracy. Aiming at the change detection task of remote sensing images, we propose a new network based on U-Net in this paper. The attention mechanism is cleverly applied in the change detection task, and the data-dependent upsampling (DUpsampling) method is used at the same time, so that the network shows improvement in accuracy, and the calculation amount is greatly reduced. The experimental results show that, in the two-phase images of Yinchuan City, the proposed network has a better antinoise ability and can avoid false detection to a certain extent.
OFDM for High Speed Wireless Networks

A comparison is made between the implementation complexity of an OFDM modem and a comparable single carrier system for high speed (>20 Mbps) wireless networks. It is demonstrated that OFDM has a significant lower complexity than a single carrier system with an equalizer. Further, OFDM can achieve a significantly better spectral efficiency than a constant envelope modulation technique like GMSK. It is shown that OFDM needs only a small training overhead. Regarding the power amplifier, the required
Predicting the future distribution of antibiotic resistance using time series forecasting and geospatial modelling

Background: Increasing antibiotic resistance in a location may be mitigated by changes in treatment policy, or interventions to limit transmission of resistant bacteria. Therefore, accurate forecasting of the distribution of antibiotic resistance could be advantageous. Two previously published studies addressed this, but neither study compared alternative forecasting algorithms or considered spatial patterns of resistance spread. Methods: We analysed data describing the annual prevalence of antibiotic resistance per country in Europe from 2012 – 2016, and the quarterly prevalence of antibiotic resistance per clinical commissioning group in England from 2015 – 2018. We combined these with data on rates of possible covariates of resistance. These data were used to compare the previously published forecasting models, with other commonly used forecasting models, including one geospatial model. Covariates were incorporated into the geospatial model to assess their relationship with antibiotic resistance. Results: For the European data, which was recorded on a coarse spatiotemporal scale, a naive forecasting model was consistently the most accurate of any of the forecasting models tested. The geospatial model did not improve on this accuracy. However, it did provide some evidence that antibiotic consumption can partially explain the distribution of resistance. The English data were aggregated at a finer scale, and expected-trend-seasonal (ETS) forecasts were the most accurate. The geospatial model did not significantly improve upon the median accuracy of the ETS model, but it appeared to be less sensitive to noise in the data, and provided evidence that rates of antibiotic prescription and bacteraemia are correlated with resistance. Conclusion: Annual, national-level surveillance data appears to be insufficient for fitting accurate antibiotic resistance forecasting models, but there is evidence that data collected at a finer spatiotemporal scale could be used to improve forecast accuracy. Additionally, incorporating antibiotic prescription or consumption data into the model could improve the predictive accuracy.
Gender Attitudes in the Judiciary: Evidence from U.S. Circuit Courts

Do gender attitudes influence interactions with female judges in US circuit courts? In this paper , we propose a judge-specific measure of gender attitudes based on use of gender-stereotyped language in the judge’s authored opinions. Exploiting quasi-random assignment of judges to cases and conditioning on judges’ characteristics , we validate the measure showing that higher-slant judges vote more conservatively in gender-related cases. Higher-slant judges interact differently with female colleagues: they are more likely to reverse lower court decisions if the lower court judge is a woman than a man , are less likely to assign opinions to female judges , and cite fewer female-authored opinions. ( JEL D91, J16, K41 )
on 1-Gbit/s Packet Signal Transmission Experiments toward Broadband Packet Radio Access Configuration and Performances of Implemented Experimental Equipment

We implemented experimental broadband packet radio access equipment that adopts a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmission method to achieve very high frequency efficiency of 10 bit/s/Hz [1][2]. Here, we describe the configuration of the experimental 1-Gbit/s packet signal transmission equipment, which adopts MIMO multiplexing with Variable Spreading Factor (VSF)-Spread Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) radio access using a 100-MHz bandwidth in the downlink [3][4]. We also present the results of laboratory experiments using multipath fading simulators. Special Articles on 1-Gbit/s Packet Signal Transmission Experiments toward Broadband Packet Radio Access
Effect of Feeding Different Levels of Dietary Protein and Addition of Baker's Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on Rumen Fermentation Characteristics of Awassi Male Lambs

Twenty four individually fed Awassi male lambs were used in factorial experiment to investigate their responses to feeding concentrate diets containing three levels of dietary crude protein (CP) each was offered without or with baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) at rate of 0.5% (on DM basis). Concentrates were offered at rate of 3% of live body weight with free choice of barley straw. Rumen liquids were withdrawn before feeding (0 time), 3 and 6 hrs post feeding, Results revealed that higher ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentration (P<0.05) were observed in rumen liquid withdrawn from group of lambs fed the higher level of CP. Results also revealed that the molar proportion of both acetic and butyric acids were not affected by increasing level of CP. Results also revealed that addition of SC increased ruminal pH (P<0.01) and both TVFA concentration and molar proportion of propionic acid (P<0.05), while it decreased (P<0.01) ruminal NH3-N concentration. In conclusion Interaction effect showed that lower ammonia N in the rumen liquid was detected in samples withdrawn from lambs fed diet containing medium level of CP and addition of SC. Higher TVFA and propionic concentrations (P<0.05) accompanied with lower (P<0.05) acetate: propionate ratio.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children: a prospective multicentre cohort study

Background Studies based on molecular testing of oral/nasal swabs underestimate SARS-CoV-2 infection due to issues with test sensitivity, test timing and selection bias. The objective of this study was to report the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, consistent with previous infection. Design This multicentre observational cohort study, conducted between 16 April to 3 July 2020 at 5 UK sites, recruited children of healthcare workers, aged 2–15 years. Participants provided blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing and data were gathered regarding unwell contacts and symptoms. Results 1007 participants were enrolled, and 992 were included in the final analysis. The median age of participants was 10·1 years. There were 68 (6.9%) participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests indicative of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of these, 34/68 (50%) reported no symptoms prior to testing. The presence of antibodies and the mean antibody titre was not influenced by age. Following multivariable analysis four independent variables were identified as significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: known infected household contact OR=10.9 (95% CI 6.1 to 19.6); fatigue OR=16.8 (95% CI 5.5 to 51.9); gastrointestinal symptoms OR=6.6 (95% CI 3.0 to 13.8); and changes in sense of smell or taste OR=10.0 (95% CI 2.4 to 11.4). Discussion Children demonstrated similar antibody titres in response to SARS-CoV-2 irrespective of age. Fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and changes in sense of smell or taste were the symptoms most strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity. Trial registration number NCT0434740.
Motor and cognitive outcomes of low birth weight neonates born in a limited resource country: a systematic review

Objective: To examine the outcomes of motor and cognitive development among neonates born with low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW). Data sources: Systematic review carried out in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science using the search strategy using combinations of the following keywords and terms: preterm birth OR prematurity OR premature Infants OR premature children AND low birth weight children OR very low birth weight children AND neurodevelopment OR cognitive development OR Motor development OR follow up AND humans. Articles searched were published from inception until July, 2019, and involved children born and evaluated in Brazil. The bias risk analysis was adapted from the STROBE scale, used to evaluate the methodology of the included studies. Data synthesis: The search identified 2,214 publications. After screening for titles and abstracts and removing duplicate entries, full texts of 38 articles were reviewed. After reading full texts, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria (articles in Portuguese and English), dated from 1998 to 2017). Endnote Version X9 software was used for data extraction. Two reviewers performed the literature search and study selection independently. Disagreements were solved by consensus or by a third reviewer. Results: it was evidenced an inferior motor development of children with LBW when compared to the control population, the standardized mean difference of [-1.15 (95% CI -1.56, -0.73), I2 80%], children with LBW have lower cognitive development according the standardized mean difference of [-0,71 (95% CI -0.99, -0.44) I2 67%]. Conclusion: Our review reinforces that impaired motor and cognitive outcome is a significant long-term outcome associated with LBW. The risk of impairment in those domains increases with decreasing gestational age. Keywords: Motor development; outcome; prematurity; preterm infants; systematic review.
Cytotoxic lymphocytes are dysregulated in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) presents with fever, inflammation and multiple organ involvement in individuals under 21 years following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. To identify genes, pathways and cell types driving MIS-C, we sequenced the blood transcriptomes of MIS-C cases, pediatric cases of coronavirus disease 2019, and healthy controls. We define a MIS-C transcriptional signature partially shared with the transcriptional response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and with the signature of Kawasaki disease, a clinically similar condition. By projecting the MIS-C signature onto a co-expression network, we identified disease gene modules and found genes downregulated in MIS-C clustered in a module enriched for the transcriptional signatures of exhausted CD8+ T-cells and CD56dimCD57+ NK cells. Bayesian network analyses revealed nine key regulators of this module, including TBX21, a central coordinator of exhausted CD8+ T-cell differentiation. Together, these findings suggest dysregulated cytotoxic lymphocyte response to SARS-Cov-2 infection in MIS-C.
An Improvement of PSNR by Wavelet based True Compression of SAR Images

- In Image Compression, the main intend is to shrink the number of bits required to represent an image by removing the spatial and spectral redundancies. The discrete wavelet transform has emerged as a popular technique for image compression. The result of the compression ratio changes as per the basis and type of wavelet used. In this paper focused on the selection of mother wavelet on the basis of nature of images, improve the quality as well as compression ratio extremely. We suggest the new technique, which is based on co-efficient thresholding. This method reduces the time complexity of wavelet packets decomposition. Our algorithm selects the sub-bands, which include significant information based on threshold entropy. The improved encoding technique of Huffman coding is suggested provides better results than existing compression methods.
Construction of merit functions for ellipsoidal cone complementarity problem

Nonsymmetric cone program and its corresponding complementarity problem have long been mysterious to optimization researchers because of no unified analysis technique to handle these cones. Nonetheless, merit function approach is a popular method to deal with general conic complementarity problem, for which the key lies on constructing appropriate merit functions. In this paper, we focus on a special class of nonsymmetric cone complementarity problem, that is, the ellipsoidal cone complementarity problem (ECCP). We not only show the readers how to construct merit functions for solving the ellipsoidal cone complementarity problem, but also we study the conditions under which the level sets of the corresponding merit functions are bounded. In addition, we assert that these merit functions provide an error bound for the ellipsoidal cone complementarity problem. All these results build up a theoretical basis for the merit function method for solving ellipsoidal cone complementarity problem.
The influence of the observational strategies of pulsar timing on the properties of pulsar clocks

Pulsars are very stable spinning stars, which have the potential to application in the work of time-keeping and autonomous navigation in deep space. For time application, an individual pulsar can be regarded as a clock. The accuracy and stability of a pulsar clock are mainly determined by various timing noises and the measurement errors; however, they would be affected by the concrete observational strategy. Taking four millisecond pulsars from the first data released by International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) as an example, we investigated the influences of different observational strategies on the properties of pulsar clocks by removing some data in various ways. We find that the long-term stabilities of pulsar clocks are nearly not affected by increasing the observational cadence with a fixed time span. It is also found that the capabilities of prediction by pulsar clocks are also hardly affected by different observational strategies, which is reflected by both the stable weighted root-mean-square (wrms) and the stability of the resulting pre-fit timing residuals, unless the data span is too short or the data period is too far from the start of prediction.