Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Common-mode feedback circuit with differential-difference amplifier

A common-mode feedback circuit suitable for fully balanced analog MOS structure realization is discussed. A novel scheme of differential-difference amplifier, the concept of which can be employed in CMFB system, is proposed. A transconductance amplifier is shown as an application example. SPICE simulation is used to verify the theory. >
EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF PATCH BASED IMAGE CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUE USING HIGH RESOLUTION WORLDVIEW-2 IMAGE

Abstract. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the performance of patch-based classification technique in land use/land cover classification and to investigate the effect of patch size in thematic map accuracy. To reach desired goal, recently proposed ensemble learning classifiers (i.e., XGBoost and CatBoost) were utilized to classify produced image patches obtained from high-resolution WorldView-2 (WV-2) satellite image. In order to analyse the effect of varying patch size on classification accuracy, three different window sizes (i.e., 3 × 3, 7 × 7 and 11 × 11) were applied to WV-2 imagery for extracting image patches. Constructed image patches were classified using XGBoost and CatBoost ensemble learning classifiers and thematic maps were constructed for varying patch sizes. Results showed that while XGBoost and CatBoost showed similar classification performances for varying patch size and the estimated highest overall accuracy were %68, %82 and %92 for 11x11, 7 × 7 and 11 × 11 patch sizes, respectively. These findings confirmed that defining class boundaries on the high-resolution image using smaller patches increases the accuracy of thematic maps. In addition, results of patch-based classification were compared the results of LULC maps produced by same classifiers using pixel-based classification method. Overall accuracy of pixel-by-pixel classification of WV-2 image reached to about %94. Furthermore, CatBoost showed superior classification performance in all time compared to XGBoost. All in all, pixel-based CatBoost was found to be more successful in LULC mapping of fine resolution image.
Different patterns of tibial plateau fractures associated with hyperextension injuries of the knee with or without varus/valgus component

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract This study aims to introduce a morphological classification of hyperextension tibial plateau fractures based on CT scans and to reveal the correlation between the anterior compression and posterior tension fractures. From January 2015 to January 2019, 37 patients with hyperextension tibial plateau fractures were studied retrospectively. Based on this classification, the fractures were divided into 2 groups: group A had anterolateral or anteromedial compression fractures while group B had both. Three observers classified the fractures and recorded the morphology and incidences of posterior plateau fractures and proximal fibular fractures. All 37 fractures were allocated to group A (n = 15; 40%) and B (n = 22; 60%). Of the posterior tibial plateau fractures, 10 (27%) fractures were defined as partial and 27 (73%) as total. Of the 37 fractures, 18 (49%) proximal fibular avulsion fractures were observed. There was a significant difference between groups A and B regarding the incidence of total posterior tibial plateau fractures (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference between the incidence of proximal fibular avulsion fractures in the 2 groups or the combined and non-combined type fractures in group B (P > .05). Hyperextension tibial plateau fractures with a decreased posterior slope angle always involve both the anteromedial and anterolateral plateaus. This CT-based classification may improve the understanding of fracture features and is helpful for planning treatment.
Thinned arrays using genetic algorithms

It is shown how to apply genetic algorithms (GAs) to arrive at an optimally thinned array. Consistent GA results from five array thinning optimizations for a 50-element linear array of isotropic point sources are shown. All of the runs are within 0.8dB of one another. A sample far-field pattern for the 50-element array resulting from the GA optimization is shown. The array patterns are optimized for the lowest maximum sidelobe level. It is concluded that a GA is ideal for optimizing the thinning of an array. The bits in a gene correspond to turning the element on or off. Although a GA is slow, it can handle very large problems involving many antenna elements. <<ETX>>
LATE PLANTING SHORTENS THE FLOWERING PERIOD AND REDUCES FECUNDITY IN LASTHENIA CALIFORNICA

Abstract Modifications in the timing of life-history events can alter the biotic and abiotic environments experienced during an organism's lifetime. In plants, germination timing plays a critical role in relation to seasonal environmental conditions, pollinator availability, competitive dynamics, etc. Individuals can compensate for a change in timing of germination by modifying their growth and flowering time. However, biotic and abiotic factors may affect these compensatory responses. In this study we assess how biotic and abiotic differences due to planting date influence the timing of flowering, survival, and reproduction. To do this we manipulated germination timing of the annual California Goldfields (Lasthenia californica DC. ex Lindl., Asteraceae) in a serpentine grassland in northern California, by seeding three times during the growing season (November, January, and March). Neighbor removal plots were compared with control plots to examine influences of close neighbors and seasonal priority effects (due to early individuals pre-empting resources) on flowering time and duration, growth, and reproductive success (survival to reproduction and inflorescence production). Both planting date and neighbor removal treatments significantly impacted flowering time and duration, growth, and reproduction in this species. Later planting dates did delay flowering time, but this delay was minimal as flowering time was constrained within set biotic and abiotic boundaries. In addition, we find that a mixture of planting times and levels of neighbor removal can extend the duration of flowering on the landscape. Inflorescence production and survival declined with later planting dates, but neighbor removal counteracted this decline. We find that L. californica exhibits graded growth allocation, as well as plasticity in flowering time in response to planting date. This study has implications for the timing of restoration projects, as planting time influences both the timing of flowering as well as the overall reproductive success of planted individuals. Our results suggest that practitioners should aim to plant earlier in the season, but that neighbor removal may counteract some of the costs of late planting.
Catulin Based Reporter System to Track and Characterize the Population of Invasive Cancer Cells in the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and loco-regional metastasis. Partial or more complete epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a role in tumor progression; however, it remains a challenge to observe the EMT in vivo, due to its transient nature. Here, we developed a novel catulin promoter-based reporter system that allows us to isolate and characterize in vivo a small fraction of invasive cancer cells. The analyses of tumors revealed that Catulin-green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive cells were enriched in clusters of cells at the tumor invasion front. A functional genomic study unveiled genes involved in cellular movement and invasion providing a molecular profile of HNSCC invasive cells. This profile overlapped partially with the expression of signature genes related to the partial EMT available from the single cell analysis of human HNSCC specimens, highlighting the relevance of our data to the clinical disease progression state. Interestingly, we also observed upregulations of genes involved in axonal guidance—L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), neuropilin-1, semaphorins, and ephrins, indicating potential interactions of cancer cells and neuronal components of the stroma. Taken together, our data indicated that the catulin reporter system marked a population of invasive HNSCC cells with a molecular profile associated with cancer invasion.
Safe Driving Envelopes for Shared Control of Ground Vehicles

Abstract Leveraging new technology in vehicle actuation and sensing, the authors present a control framework for obstacle avoidance and stability control using safe driving envelopes. One of these envelopes is defined by the vehicle handling limits and the other is based on spatial limitations imposed by the environment. A Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme determines at each time step if the current driver command allows for a safe vehicle trajectory within these two envelopes, intervening only when such a trajectory does not exist. In this way, the controller shares control with the driver in a minimally invasive manner while allowing the driver access to the full capabilities of the vehicle.
Evaluating RAP Mixtures using the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide Level 3 Analysis

The main objective of this study is to assess the sensitivity of assumed binder grade on performance prediction of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) mixtures. This is achieved by utilizing the Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide (MEPDG) software to predict the performance of a specific flexible pavement structure with a RAP modified hot mix asphalt (HMA) surface layer. Different design runs are conducted for which all the pavement properties and conditions are held constant except for the properties of the surface layer. Specifically, a near-full factorial experiment is performed where RAP content and effective binder PG grade are the main variables. Comparison of the predicted performance of the various runs reveals important findings on the extent and manner that those two properties affect pavement distresses and performance. The influence of the assumed PG binder grade, particularly the high temperature grade, for the RAP mixtures has a significant influence on the predicted amount of thermal cracking and rutting for the given structure. The predicted performance is especially sensitive to changes in assumed PG grade in the range where the true effective PG grade is expected to fall; the difference from one PG grade to another can be the difference between a well performing mixture and one that requires redesign. The results emphasize the importance of determining the effective binder grade of RAP mixtures. An added benefit of conducting the numerous MEPDG software runs is the identification of issues that need to be considered when incorporating RAP mixtures in pavement design using the software.
Long-term outcomes of combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation versus RFA monotherapy for single hepatocellular carcinoma ≤3 cm: emphasis on local tumor progression

Abstract Purpose To compare the long-term outcomes of combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation (TACE-RFA) with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) monotherapy for small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods A total of 248 patients with 329 HCC nodules who underwent TACE-RFA or RFA monotherapy as the only first-line treatment between January 2009 and December 2020 were included in this study. The technical success, complications, survival rate, and local tumor progression (LTP) rate were compared between the two treatments. Results The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were similar between the two groups (98.7%, 93.0% and 75.9% vs 97.4%, 88.0% and 77.4%; p = 0.444). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative LTP rates were significantly lower in the TACE-RFA group than in the RFA monotherapy group (2.9%, 9.2%, and 13.8% vs. 5.2%, 17.0%, and 21.0%; p = 0.043). Subgroup analyses suggested that TACE-RFA showed significantly lower LTP rates than RFA monotherapy for small HCC with tumor size>2cm (p = 0.008), subphrenic location (p = 0.021), and perivessel (p = 0.030). Furthermore, HCC with well-defined lipiodol deposition in the TACE-RFA group showed better local tumor control than the small HCC in the RFA monotherapy group (p = 0.013). There was no significant difference in the technical success rates (p = 0.064) and complication rates (p = 0.952) between the two groups. Conclusions TACE-RFA is superior to RFA monotherapy in providing local tumor control for small HCC with tumor size 2–3 cm in diameter, subphrenic location, perivessel and HCCs with well-defined lipiodol deposition by TACE before RFA.
Biochemical markers in crop and forest species: a systematic review

Proteins and enzymes are informative biochemical markers frequently used in plant studies. The objective of this work was to present the studies with enzymes and proteins used as biochemical markers in crops and forest species—the articles prospected in the Scopus and Web of Science scientific databases in December 2020. The keywords were a combination of "agricultural" or "forest" with the Boolean operator and the enzymes' name: alcohol dehydrogenase/ADH, malate dehydrogenase/MDH, alpha-amylase/AMS, peroxiredoxin/PERX, and LEA proteins. Eighty-two articles addressed enzymes in agricultural or forest species were included in the analysis. The articles were published from 1976 to 2020, with an average annual publication of 12.2. Three hundred thirty-seven authors developed the annual percentage growth rate of 2.52% and articles. The most studied crops are Oryza sativa L. , Glycine max L. , Zea mays L. , Hordeum vulgare L. , specimens of the genera Triticum and Brassica. The forest species were Pinus, Picea, Nothofagus, Quercus, and Sorbus, and Fagus sylvatica L. The main tissues used for extraction are leaves, seeds, buds, and roots. The studies mainly deal with enzymes or proteins as markers associated with abiotic stresses and the structure or genetic diversity.
Effect of Mental Activity on Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability and Respiratory Rate in Healthy Volunteers

Introduction: The link between mental stress and cardiac autonomic regulation plays a significant role in the patho physiological process of cardio neural feedback loop. This study assessed the effect of mental arithmetic and silent reading on heart rate variability, heart rate and respiratory rate in young healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: R-R intervals were recorded for five minutes in ten healthy volunteers aged 22-24 years of either sex while resting, doing mental arithmetic, and silent reading in a sitting position. Time and frequency domain approaches were used to measure heart rate variability (HRV). In them, heart rate and respiratory rate were also calculated. Using the paired ‘t' test, mean differences in values were evaluated between resting and mental arithmetic; resting and quiet reading conditions. Results: Heart rate and respiratory rate were significantly higher during mental arithmetic (p = 0.012, p<0.0001 respectively) and silent reading compared to resting state (p=0.005, p=0.0002 respectively). There was no significant change in HRV during mental arithmetic and silent reading compared to resting state. Conclusion: Mental arithmetic and silent reading primarily evoke a rise in respiratory rate and heart rate.
On black hole area quantization and echoes

In this work we argue that black hole (BH) area quantization of Bekenstein and Mukhanov should not give rise to measurable effects in terms of so-called gravitational wave echoes during BH mergers. We outline that the quantum spectrum of a BH should be washed out during and after BH mergers, and hence one should not expect echoes in this scenario. The extreme broadening of the spectrum is due to the large particle emission rate during ringdown. Our results question key assumptions being made in recent literature on this topic.
A new overmodulation strategy for traction drive

This paper proposes a new overmodulation strategy to give a better voltage utilization by tracking the voltage vector along the hexagon sides of traction motor drives. This strategy enables the inverter to control both the magnitude and angle of current. Therefore, vector control using this strategy can lead to better output torque dynamics compared to the conventional slip frequency control with six-step voltage, which is widely used in traction drives. In this strategy, the d-axis output voltage of a current controller to control the flux is conserved and the q-axis output voltage to control the torque is controlled to place the voltage vector on the hexagon boundary in case of overmodulation. The limited q-axis voltage is used for anti-windup of q-axis current controller. This paper also presents a new field weakening scheme which incorporates the proposed overmodulation strategy. In this scheme, the flux level is selected by both required current limit and the available maximum voltage along hexagon sides. The validity of the proposed overall scheme is confirmed by computer simulation and experiments with a prototype setup.
Land Tenure and Cotton Farmers’ Land Improvement: Evidence from State-Owned Farms in Xinjiang, China

The land system of state-owned farms in China is different from that in rural areas. Whether the land tenure of state-owned farms can play a role in protecting cultivated land is an important issue for the high-quality development of state-owned agriculture in China. This article develops a dynamic model to examine how land tenure influences farmers’ decisions on land improvement. It then analyzes this relationship based on cotton farmers’ household-level data from state-owned farms of Xinjiang in China. We applied methods that take into account the possible endogeneity of the land tenure. The results reveal that the stability of land tenure in the past will not affect the current behavior of farmers for they have a relatively stable expectation of current land tenure and a high degree of trust in the government and its policies. The intergenerational transfer of land tenure is not the key factor that affects farmers’ land conservation, and the relatively long-term duration of land tenure (possibly five years or more) during their careers is more important. Our findings also reveal that non-property factors, such as government intervention (e.g., technology promotion) that alleviates the limited rationality of farmers, cannot be ignored because they played a crucial role in past land improvement when land tenure was less stable.
Employee’s Sustainable Performance Process: Developing a Model for Sustaining Employees performance by Managing Age Diversity

Sustaining employees performance is a critical process. Employee sustainability is crucial for achieving organizational sustainability. For an organization, it's important to understand the individual employees perspective based on their age differences. Needs and resources are different for young employees and old employees. This paper proposes a model of sustaining employees performance of diverse age groups of employees by considering individual employee’s based on Herzberg two factor theory, the motivational theory of lifespan development, and transformational leadership theory. This is a conceptual paper in nature and has successfully developed a model. The proposed model has covered important areas which can create employees satisfaction to retain them in the organization. Employee retention has been proposed as a mediator which is a strong component to build employee’s sustainable performance. For the researcher and practitioners, it will be recommended to test this model to identify its impact on employees and employers.
Sapphire optical fiber-based interferometer for high temperature environmental applications

Describes the development and testing of an extrinsic sapphire fiber-based sensor design intended for use in high-temperature environments, including the processing environments of advanced high-temperature materials and the in-situ operational environments of high-temperature adaptive materials and structures. In this sensor, a length of uncoated, unclad, single-crystal optical-quality multimode sapphire fiber is fusion-spliced to a single-mode silica fiber. Another sapphire fiber is placed end-to-end with the first sapphire fiber, so that the two adjacent end-faces of the sapphire fibers form a low-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity. This sensor is demonstrated to be useful for both strain and temperature measurement, with a 10-microstrain resolution over a range of 0-1150 microstrain, and a 3.5 degrees C temperature resolution over a range from 150 to 650 degrees C.
Fracture Resistance of Monolithic High-Translucency Crowns Versus Porcelain-Veneered Zirconia Crowns After Artificial Aging: An In Vitro Study

Purpose To evaluate the fracture resistance and fracture mode of high-translucency monolithic zirconia (HTZ) crowns and porcelain-veneered zirconia (PVZ) crowns. Material and methods A master die was scanned to design and fabricate the HTZ group (n = 10) and PVZ group (n = 10). Both groups were artificially aged before loaded to fracture. The means of fracture loads of the two groups were compared using an independent t-test at a significance level of 0.05. The mode of fracture was determined using a digital magnifier. Results The mean fracture strength for the HTZ group (4,425 ± 177 newtons (N)) was significantly higher than in the PVZ group (1,798 ± 30.9 N) (p-value < 0.001). All crowns in the HTZ group presented core fracture mode. However, crowns in the PVZ group showed both a core and adhesive fracture mode of 60% and 40%, respectively. Conclusion The fracture strength of HTZ crowns is superior to PVZ crowns. The fracture strength of both types surpassed the maximum bite force in the posterior region, which may be deemed clinically adequate.
Factors Influencing Teaching Quality of English Language at High School Level in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

The purpose of the study is to explore the factors influencing the quality of English LL as a foreign language in secondary education. A questionnaire was constructed and applied to cover the main objectives of the current research. A survey method using a five-point Likert-type questionnaire was applied to collect the data from 67 teachers teaching the English language at the school level in the schools of southern Punjab, Pakistan. Collected data were entered in SPSS (Statistical Package for social science). The data was analyzed by using related statistical Testes i.e. descriptive statistics, T-test ANOVA, etc. Findings of the study support appointment of non-qualified teachers, teaching English through science teachers, lack of proper teaching aids through proper and effective English language teaching methodology, lack of proper teachers' professional training, and overcrowded classrooms. On the basis of findings, proper English teachers with appropriate use of teaching methodology to the apt size of the class is recommended.