Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gaussian-type activation function for complex-valued CNN and its application in polar-SAR image classification

Abstract. Activation functions play increasingly important roles in deep learning. The activation functions give the neural network the ability to learn complex patterns by introducing non-linearity. Complex-valued activation functions for complex-valued neural networks are extended from real-valued activation functions like sigmoid, tanh, rectified linear unit, and exponential linear unit. Recently, the most widely used complex-valued activation function is the real-imaginary-type activation function (RIAF), which applies separate real-valued activation functions on both the real and the imaginary parts of a neuron. This separate activation method ignores the internal relationship between the real and imaginary parts of the complex input and loses the integrity of activation. In this work, a complex-valued activation function called Gaussian-type activation function (GTAF) is proposed to activate the real and imaginary parts of a neuron jointly and enhance the learning ability and learning speed. GTAF consists of an ordinary real-valued activation function and a Gaussian function and is suitable for any given complex-valued neural network. Two polar-SAR image classification experiments on complex-valued convolutional neural networks show that GTAF converges faster than RIAF and has higher accuracy.
Efficacy and Safety of Experimental versus Approved CAR T-cell Therapies in Large B-cell Lymphoma Using Matching Adjusted Indirect Comparisons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

Background: Relapsed and refractory large B cell lymphomas (RR-LBCL) have a poor prognosis. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have shown considerably high response rates even in RR-LBCL patients who fail to achieve remission after multiple chemotherapy lines. Currently, three CAR T-cell treatments axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), and lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi) have been approved for adults with RR-LBCL by regulatory agencies. Non-pivotal clinical trials have independently examined different types of CAR T-cells and have demonstrated remarkable clinical benefit and safety. Yet, no comparison of the experimental and approved CAR T-cells
Dynamic FPAA-based Mixed-Signal Processing Circuit for Thin-Film CdTe/Lead-Free Perovskite Photodetectors

New photodetector structure combining thinned CdTe film with lead-free perovskite photoelectric film was produced and investigated. This setting of the CdTe thickness results in photodetector parameters’ competitiveness to the state-of-the-art in the field of advanced photoelectric materials. The device shows a promising sensitivity of ~40 μA/W, maximum responsivity of 10.6 mA/W at 460 nm, equal rise and fall times of 30 ms, and high linearity (maximum linearization error is less than 0.6 %). However, the optoelectronic performance of CdTe/lead-free perovskite structures integrated with signal processing circuit remains unexplored. For this purpose, Field Programmable Analogue Array (FPAA)-based mixed-signal processing circuit is developed for pulse width modulated electrical signal with duty cycle controlled by the illumination degree of the detecting photoelement. This novel approach guarantees a smooth change of the electrical output at a smooth change of the input illumination between the light and dark switching states and can be practically applied as a precise position detector of moving objects. The paper represents a synergistic connection between microelectronics, electronics, and signal technology.
Degradation characteristics of microcystins by isolated bacteria from Lake Kasumigaura

A microcystin degradative bacteria was isolated from natural lakes and its phylogenetic position was confirmed. The 16 s rRNA of the bacteria exhibited 98.5% homology with the 16 s rRNA of Sphingomonas stygia belonging to the alpha subdivision on proteobacteria. The bacteria could degrade microcystins as a sole carbon source, therefore the bacteria utilizes microcystin. The bacteria could degrade microcystins LR, YR and RR, and their specific degradation rates were 0.66 h−1, 1.25 h−1 and 1.90 h−1, respectively. The degradation activity and growth rate of the bacteria was decreased under alkaline pH conditions.
Can atopic eczema and psoriasis coexist? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Importance Previous studies report both coexistence and mutual exclusivity of atopic eczema (AE) and psoriasis, but these have not been appraised systematically. Knowledge of such disease association throws light on disease mechanisms and may influence therapeutic choices. Objective To summarise evidence for AE and psoriasis occurring in the same person at the same point in time. Planned primary outcome was the incidence, prevalence or risk of psoriasis or eczema. Methods Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid Embase were searched from inception to 1st February 2020. The search strategy was built around the key terms ‘atopic eczema’, ‘psoriasis’ and ‘co‐existence’. Observational studies (cohort, case‐control, cross‐sectional and case‐series) with a minimum of 10 consecutive patients were included. There were no restrictions on participants, geography or language. Studies were selected, data extracted and critically appraised by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted on the method of diagnosis: health professional (dermatologist, criteria, other), self‐reported, not specified. Study quality was assessed using validated Joanna Brigg's Institute critical appraisal tools. A random‐effects model was used to combine studies. The effect of study quality on the pooled estimate was investigated using stratification. Heterogeneity was explored by subgroup analysis. Results This review included 31 studies and 20 523 individuals with psoriasis and 1 405 911 with AE. Eight studies reported the prevalence of AE in those with psoriasis and values ranged from 0.17% to 20%: the pooled prevalence was 2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1, 3). Seven studies reported the prevalence of psoriasis in those with AE and values ranged from 0.3% to 12.6%; the pooled prevalence was 2% (95% CI: 1, 3). Ten studies were assessed as low risk of bias. Geographical area, method of diagnosis, setting and whether the assessment of diagnosis was blinded, partly contributed to the heterogeneity. Conclusions This review provides some evidence for the coexistence of AE and psoriasis. Clinicians should be aware of coexistence at diagnosis, when selecting therapies and when reviewing poor response to treatment.
Asian meteorological droughts on three time scales and different roles of sea surface temperature and soil moisture

The present study utilizes the standard precipitation index (SPI) to differentiate Asian summer droughts that are associated with variations of precipitation over periods of 3, 9 and 24 months (termed as short‐term, medium‐term and long‐term droughts, respectively). Then, the relationships between these droughts and atmospheric circulation, sea surface temperature (SST), and soil moisture are investigated. While the spatial and temporal characteristics of short‐term and medium‐term droughts are fairly similar, long‐term droughts display different spatial and temporal features. The leading spatial mode of short‐term and medium‐term droughts exhibits a dipole pattern with opposite loading north and south of approximately 30°N. The second spatial mode displays a tripole pattern with the same sign of loading over India and north‐northeast China–Mongolia and opposite loading in between. Temporal variations of short‐term and medium‐term droughts are dominated by interannual variabilities. For long‐term droughts, the first two spatial modes switch their order, and the long‐term trends are as important as the interannual and interdecadal variabilities. The droughts of the dipole mode are associated with SST anomalies featuring an El Niño‐like pattern in the tropical Indo‐Pacific Ocean that affect the drought variations through inducing large‐scale divergence and convergence. The interannual variability of the droughts with the dipole mode is also associated with the SST anomalies in the North Atlantic Ocean that affect the North Atlantic‐Eurasian atmospheric circulation. Local soil moisture conditions are more important for the formation of long‐term droughts than short‐term and medium‐term droughts.
Strontium Optical Lattice Clock: In Quest of the Ultimate Performance

This thesis presents the latest achievements regarding the Sr optical lattice clock experiment at LNE-SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris. After having described the general principles for optical lattice clocks and the operation of the clock in question, the emphasis is put on the features that have been added to the experiment since 2007. The most important new elements are an ultra-stable reference cavity for the clock laser, the development of a non-destructive detection technique, and the construction of a second Sr lattice clock. The ultra-stable cavity is constructed from a ULE spacer and fused silica mirrors and has shown a thermal noise floor at 6.5E-16, placing it among the best in the world. The non-destructive detection is effectuated by a phase measurement of a weak probe beam that traverses the atoms placed in one arm of a Mach-Zender interferometer. The non-destructive aspect enables a recycling of the atoms from cycle to cycle which consequently increases the duty cycle, allowing for an increase of the stability of the clock. With these new tools the frequency stability is expected to be 2.2E-16/tau^(1/2) for an optimized sequence. The most recent comparisons between the two Sr clocks reach an accuracy level of 1E-16 after about 1000 s, and this way we have been able to characterize lattice related frequency shifts with an unprecedented accuracy. The measurements ensure a control of lattice related effects at the 1E-18 level even for trap depths as large as 50 Er.
Ecological Conversion in the College Classroom

This essay describes an introductory theology course that appears to support ecological conversion. Ecological conversion is a term from Catholic Social Teaching popularized by Pope Francis in Laudato Si’; it indicates a transformation that results in ecological spirituality. The author, a Protestant theology professor at a Catholic university, makes a brief case for ecological conversion in the university and offers four reasons for the course’s impact: 1) a case study on consumerism, 2) cultivation of attentiveness, 3) a transformative pedagogy, and 4) a holistic approach. The author describes the units of the course, which are adapted from Richard Osmer’s practical theological reflection cycle, operationalized as a transformative pedagogy. The author shows how the course units track with a conversion sequence outlined by Lewis Rambo while calling for student agency and appropriation, thus supporting ecological conversion. The author details teaching practice and student engagement.
Hungry for power? Regional elites and the architecture of government

How can we better understand the architecture of government? Governmental structures are regularly altered by the dispersion of power upward and downward to supranational and subnational bodies. The preferences of citizens and élites in this regard are well documented at the national and EU levels. However, the preferences of regional élites remain somewhat of a black box. What are their preferences when it comes to the distribution of competences across the regional-national-EU triptych? This article pits three explanations against one another. They concern scale, identity, and institutional effects. These explanations are evalu-ated against a database containing information on over 1,300 regional élites in 68 regions and 12 countries. Overall, while scale and institutional logics do play a role, identity logics prevail. These findings support a strand of literature stressing the importance of community and attachment in shaping the structure of government beyond what scale and institutional logics predict.
Improved Dynamic Optimized Kernel Partial Least Squares for Nonlinear Process Fault Detection

We suggest in this article a dynamic reduced algorithm in order to enhance the monitoring abilities of nonlinear processes. Dynamic fault detection using data-driven methods is among the key technologies, which shows its ability to improve the performance of dynamic systems. Among the data-driven techniques, we find the kernel partial least squares (KPLS) which is presented as an interesting method for fault detection and monitoring in industrial systems. The dynamic reduced KPLS method is proposed for the fault detection procedure in order to use the advantages of the reduced KPLS models in online mode. Furthermore, the suggested method is developed to monitor the time-varying dynamic system and also update the model of reduced reference. The reduced model is used to minimize the computational cost and time and also to choose a reduced set of kernel functions. Indeed, the dynamic reduced KPLS allows adaptation of the reduced model, observation by observation, without the risk of losing or deleting important information. For each observation, the update of the model is available if and only if a further normal observation that contains new pertinent information is present. The general principle is to take only the normal and the important new observation in the feature space. Then the reduced set is built for the fault detection in the online phase based on a quadratic prediction error chart. Thereafter, the Tennessee Eastman process and air quality are used to precise the performances of the suggested methods. The simulation results of the dynamic reduced KPLS method are compared with the standard one.
Spectrum bias in algorithms derived by artificial intelligence: a case study in detecting aortic stenosis using electrocardiograms

Abstract Aims Spectrum bias can arise when a diagnostic test is derived from study populations with different disease spectra than the target population, resulting in poor generalizability. We used a real-world artificial intelligence (AI)-derived algorithm to detect severe aortic stenosis (AS) to experimentally assess the effect of spectrum bias on test performance. Methods and results All adult patients at the Mayo Clinic between 1 January 1989 and 30 September 2019 with transthoracic echocardiograms within 180 days after electrocardiogram (ECG) were identified. Two models were developed from two distinct patient cohorts: a whole-spectrum cohort comparing severe AS to any non-severe AS and an extreme-spectrum cohort comparing severe AS to no AS at all. Model performance was assessed. Overall, 258 607 patients had valid ECG and echocardiograms pairs. The area under the receiver operator curve was 0.87 and 0.91 for the whole-spectrum and extreme-spectrum models, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for the whole-spectrum model was 80% and 81%, respectively, while for the extreme-spectrum model it was 84% and 84%, respectively. When applying the AI-ECG derived from the extreme-spectrum cohort to patients in the whole-spectrum cohort, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve dropped to 83%, 73%, and 0.86, respectively. Conclusion While the algorithm performed robustly in identifying severe AS, this study shows that limiting datasets to clearly positive or negative labels leads to overestimation of test performance when testing an AI algorithm in the setting of classifying severe AS using ECG data. While the effect of the bias may be modest in this example, clinicians should be aware of the existence of such a bias in AI-derived algorithms.
Antioxidant and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activities from bovine serum albumin.

Bioactive peptides represent an important source of health promoting food. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the in vitro antioxidant and ACE inhibitory peptides derived from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and to characterise them after further purification. To achieve this objective, BSA was hydrolyzed with pepsin enzyme, fractionated by ultrafiltration using a 10 kDa molecular weight cut off membrane, and purified by gel filtration chromatography prior to characterisation. The total antioxidant activity was evaluated in a linoleic acid model system using the ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) methods. The results indicated that gel filtration fraction number 18 exhibited the highest FTC antioxidant activity (65.4 %) compared to the (< 10 kDa) ultrafiltration fraction (44.8 %) and BSA hydrolysate (34.9 %) using a concentration of 1mg peptide/ml. However, the peptide activities were lower than those of 0.01 % butylated hydroxyanisole (69.9 %) and 0.01 % trolox (78.5 %) (P ≤ 0.05). Likewise, TBARS inhibition values were 42.8, 54.8, 76.7 and 84.4 % for BSA hydrolysate, < 10 kDa, BHA and trolox, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the (Mw < 10 kDa) peptide was demonstrated by strong free radical scavenging using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), hydroxyl (OH•) and superoxide anion (O2-•); ferric (Fe3+) reducing and ferrous (Fe2+) metal ion chelating capacity and reducing power activity. A second gel filtration fraction number 22 exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity (79.5%) compared to the (10 kDa) ultrafiltration fraction (44.7%) and BSA hydrolysate (33.2 %) at a concentration of 10 mg/ml, with corresponding low IC50 values of 0.32, 0.56 and 0.75 mg/ml respectively compared to captopril (88.5%, P ≤ 0.05). The peptide (GF 18) at 1 mg/ml had no cytotoxic effect in epithelial caco-2 cells. Moreover, the presence of the peptide showed high cell viability (99.7%) and reduced malondialdehyde formation (27.7 µg/ml) compared with cells treated with 3mM t-BHP alone, which showed low cell viability (54.6%) and high MDA (30.3 µg/ml) (P < 0.01). BSA peptides protected t-BHP treated cells from caspase-dependent apoptosis; inhibited intracellular ROS production and increased glutathione level and SOD activity. Similarly, the GF 22 peptides (1 mg/ml) protected the endothelial EA.hy 926 against 3mM t-BHP damage and showed reduced mROS production by both lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and the DHE fluorescence techniques. Additionally, the peptides reduced nitrite concentration and inhibited the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme in a dose dependent manner. This study reports novel findings showing that BSA peptides have antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities that could potentially be used as food supplements and pharmaceutical agents.
Rapid Assessment of Tree Damage Resulting from a 2020 Windstorm in Iowa, USA

A need to quantify the impact of a particular wind disturbance on forest resources may require rapid yet reliable estimates of damage. We present an approach for combining pre-disturbance forest inventory data with post-disturbance aerial survey data to produce design-based estimates of affected forest area and number and volume of trees damaged or killed. The approach borrows strength from an indirect estimator to adjust estimates from a direct estimator when post-disturbance remeasurement data are unavailable. We demonstrate this approach with an example application from a recent windstorm, known as the 2020 Midwest Derecho, which struck Iowa, USA, and adjacent states on 10–11 August 2020, delivering catastrophic damage to structures, crops, and trees. We estimate that 2.67 million trees and 1.67 million m3 of sound bole volume were damaged or killed on 23 thousand ha of Iowa forest land affected by the 2020 derecho. Damage rates for volume were slightly higher than for number of trees, and damage on live trees due to stem breakage was more prevalent than branch breakage, both likely due to higher damage probability in the dominant canopy of larger trees. The absence of post-storm observations in the damage zone limited direct estimation of storm impacts. Further analysis of forest inventory data will improve understanding of tree damage susceptibility under varying levels of storm severity. We recommend approaches for improving estimates, including increasing spatial or temporal extents of reference data used for indirect estimation, and incorporating ancillary satellite image-based products.
Bank efficiency and practice of earnings management: a study on listed commercial banks of Bangladesh

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between bank efficiency in terms of corporate governance guidelines and the extent of practice of earnings management (EM). Design/methodology/approachArchival data of listed private commercial banks of Dhaka Stock Exchange over the period of 2007–2016 relating to corporate governance and earnings management are collected and analyzed using parametric and non-parametric methods (efficiency analysis) and applying panel regression analysis.FindingsThe same distribution pattern and have low degree of the correlation (0.248) among them. It is found that private commercial banks of Bangladesh, on average, display efficiency level of 80.84%. The average value of discretionary loan loss provision (i.e. measure of earnings management) is 0.4249 and this indicates the presence of earnings management. The relation between earnings management and efficiency score in both cases of two-step system generalized methods of moments (GMMs) and difference GMM are found to be negative. The negative coefficients (−0.7969 and −0.57) indicate that as the efficiency increases, the practice of earnings management by the private commercial bank reduces. By estimating efficiency based on corporate governance guidelines and detecting the existence of EM, the major contribution of the study is establishing the relationship between bank efficiency based on compliance with corporate governance guidelines and managerial practice of earnings management in Bangladesh. Empirical results of the study have also established the fact that the more efficient the management of the banks are, the less likely it will practice earnings management under the compliance of corporate governance guidelines in Bangladesh.Research limitations/implicationsThis research study has some limitations. Only conventional banks are considered for the study, with the exception of Islamic banks. Comparison between conventional banks and Islamic banks could have been done.Practical implicationsBased on the literature study, the effectiveness of corporate governance aligns with decreasing agency conflict, protection of shareholders' interests and restrain management from self-serving activities (i.e. practice of earnings management). The empirical results of the study established these facts. Regulators should give more emphasis on effective implementation of good governance.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this may be the first to empirically determine the relationship between efficiency estimation based on corporate governance and earnings management in case of listed commercial banks of Bangladesh.