Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complexities of Online Thesis Supervision during the Covid-19 Pandemic: EFL Lecturers’ Perceptions

The Covid-19 outbreak has resulted in the transformation of EFL undergraduate thesis supervision from offline to online, bringing with it its inherent complexities. Hence, this qualitative study sought to investigate the complexities associated with online EFL thesis supervision from the lecturers' perspective. The complexities in this study were conceptually categorized as problems and solutions. The participants were purposefully chosen. They were 30 lecturers from two universities in Central Java and Papua. The data were collected using interviews and analyzed using an interactive model. The findings revealed a variety of problems with online thesis supervision, such as facing difficulties in going along with the shift from offline to online thesis supervision, having ineffective interactions between lecturers and students, having less time available to constantly access online media, being hampered in the field data collection process because many schools students had targeted to collect their data held online learning, and suffering from a decrease in students' motivation. To cope with such problems, there were some solutions offered by lecturers. The lecturers asked students to remind them of the online thesis supervision schedule, making active use of communication technology, assisting students in interacting with authorized parties of students' research objects, and reorienting students' research data collection. Further research is expected to focus on a similar problem to that addressed in this study, but with a larger sample size drawn from various provinces throughout Indonesia. Such studies may be beneficial for extending our current findings and adding to the body of knowledge regarding online thesis supervision in the Indonesian context.
Staff perceptions of patient safety in the NHS ambulance services: an exploratory qualitative study

Objectives: Most research investigating staff perceptions of patient safety has been based in primary care or hospitals, with little research on emergency services. Therefore, this study aimed to explore staff perceptions of patient safety in the NHS ambulance services. Design: A stratified qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Setting: Three urban or rural ambulance service NHS trusts in England. Participants: A total of 44 participants from three organisational levels, including executives, managers and operational staff. Methods: The semi-structured interviews explored the interpretation and definition of patient safety, perceived risks, incident reporting, communication and organisational culture. The framework method of qualitative data analysis was used to analyse the interviews and NVivo software was used to manage and organise the data. Results: We identified five dominant themes: varied interpretation of patient safety; significant patient safety risks; reporting culture shift; communication; and organisational culture. The findings demonstrated that staff perceptions of patient safety ranged widely across the three organisational levels, while they remained consistent within those levels across the participating ambulance service NHS trusts in England. Conclusions: The findings suggest that participants from all organisational levels perceive that the NHS ambulance services have become much safer for patients over recent years, which signifies an awareness of the historical issues and how they have been addressed. The inclusion of three distinct ambulance service NHS trusts and organisational levels provides deepened insight into the perceptions of patient safety by staff. As the responses of participants were consistent across the three NHS trusts, the identified issues may be generic and have application in other ambulance and emergency service settings, with implications for health policy on a national basis.
Research on Drilling for Deep Overburden Layer of Aertashi River in Xinjiang

The drilling for deep overburden layer of the riverbed is one of the major engineering questions in Aertashi Hydro Project.In the feasibility study stage,the drilling is made by using such methods as single acting and half enclosing with two tubes,drilling with vegetable gelatin following the tube,timely adjusting the slurry of the sidewall and so on based on the complexity of the strata,and the great progress has been achieved in the drilling for deep overburden layer,then,the engineering question in drilling has been better solved.The analysis and study about it are made here in detail,providing references for similar projects.
World-class universities: past and future

PurposeIn recent years, though a growing body of research has emerged on world-class universities (WCUs), studies in this field remain limited. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the research gap and provide a future direction for WCU research. This paper highlights the key theoretical approaches, methods, journals, unit analyses, authors, themes, countries and papers in this field. It also outlines the antecedents and consequences of WCU status.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected all research related to WCUs published from 2004 to 2020. In total, 47 studies of the 435 found on Scopus and Web-of-Science are included in the review.FindingsThe results show that though the body of WCU literature is growing, it is fragmented in terms of theoretical frameworks, methodology, countries studied and unit analyses. This study also found that national, organisational and individual factors are among the antecedents and organisational and individual consequences of WCUs.Originality/valueThis study investigates existing gaps in the WCU literature and identifies new research directions for future research. Further, this study scrutinises existing studies to determine how universities have used a variety of methods and theories to achieve WCU status across numerous countries and settings. Finally, this study develops an antecedents and consequences WCU framework to synthesise existing studies.
Improved YOLOv4 Based on Attention Mechanism for Ship Detection in SAR Images

Ship detection in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is an important and challenging work in the field of image processing. Traditional detection algorithms usually rely on handmade features or predefined thresholds, the different performance is obtained with varying degrees of prior knowledge, and it is difficult to take advantage of big data. Recently, deep learning algorithms have found wide applications in ship detection from SAR images. However, due to the complex backgrounds and multiscale ships, it is hard for deep networks to extract representative target features, which limits the ship detection performance to a certain extent. In order to tackle the above problems, we propose an improved YOLOv4 (ImYOLOv4) based on attention mechanism. Firstly, to achieve the best trade-off between detection accuracy and speed, we adopt the off-the-shelf YOLOv4 as our basic framework because of its fast detection speed. Secondly, a thresholding attention module (TAM) is introduced to suppress the adverse effect of complex backgrounds and noises. Besides, we embed channel attention module (CAM) into improved BiFPN as the feature pyramid network (FPN) to better enhance the discrimination of the multiscale target features. Finally, the decoupled head with two parallel branches improves the performance of classification and regression. The proposed method is evaluated on public SAR dataset and the experimental results demonstrate that it has higher efficiency and feasibility than other mainstream methods, yielding the accuracy of 94.16% at intersection over union of 0.5 and 58.19% at intersection over union of 0.75.
A Widget›Based Approach for Creating Voice Applications

Voice based applications nowadays are difcult to author compared to conventional ones; yet there is an increasing need for such applications in mobile environment. A reason for this difculty is that application developers must tackle with relatively low level programming interfaces for voice based applications. This paper introduces iaudio widgetsi n a notion of higher level building blocks for such applications that ease modularizing and re-use.
Evolution of Regional Export Growth in China: A Multidimensional Decomposition of Export Dynamics

Over the past few decades, China’s exports have grown at a phenomenal pace. Using a firm–product–destination-level database from 2000 to 2016, this article analyzes the microlevel mechanisms underlying changes in the growth of China’s local export from the perspective of export relationship dynamics. To identify the impact of each kind of export dynamics, we decompose export growth into three distinct aspects: entry, incumbent, and exit. We break down China’s export growth along various dimensions and find that entry of new export relationships is the biggest force driving rapid export growth, but the quality of these entry relationships is far lower than the market average. We further analyze industrial restructuring and spatial restructuring of entry relationships. By estimating the correlation coefficient between the quality of the export relationship and the entry relationship, we demonstrate the need to increase the quality of entry relationships. The findings suggest that the entry relationship is pivotal to understanding the changing export geography, and it is imperative to change from traditional competition on quantity to nonquantity competition on quality upgrading.
Natural Language Processing and Parallel Computing for Information Retrieval from Electronic Health Records

In this paper, we review the literature to find suitable information retrieval techniques for EHealth. Also discussed NLP techniques that have been proved their capability to extract valuable information in unstructured data from EHR. One of the best NLP techniques used for searching free text is LSI, due to its capability of finding semantic terms and in rich the search results by finding the hidden relations between terms. LSI uses a mathematical model called SVD, which is not scalable for large amounts of data due to its complexity and exhausts the memory, and a review for recent applications of LSI was discussed.
A robust audio fingerprinter based on pitch class histograms: applications for ethnic music archives

In this paper we present a new acoustic fingerprinting system, based on pitch class histograms. The aim of acoustic fingerprinting is to generate a small representation of an audio signal that can be used to identify identical, or recognize similar, audio snippets in a large audio set. A robust fingerprinting system generates similar fingerprints for perceptually similar audio signals. A piece of music with a noise added should generate an almost identical fingerprint as the original. The new system, presented here, has some interesting features which makes it a valuable tool to manage ethnic music archives: the fingerprints are rather robust against pitch shift, tempo changes, several synthetic audio effects, and reversal of the audio. When only part of the audio is used to generate a fingerprint, the system keeps working but retrieval performance degrades.
Dose–Response Effect of Consuming Commercially Available Eggs on Wintertime Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Young Australian Adults: a 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency is a common health concern during winter. Eggs are one of the few rich dietary sources of vitamin D, containing cholecalciferol (vitamin D-3) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 [25(OH)D3], with the latter reported to be 5 times more potent at increasing serum 25(OH)D concentrations, the major circulating form of vitamin D. However, whether there is an optimal dose of eggs to increase or maintain 25(OH)D concentrations during wintertime is not known. Objectives To evaluate the dose–response effect of consuming 2, 7, or 12 commercially available eggs per week on serum 25(OH)D concentrations during the autumn-winter months in young adults. Secondary aims were to investigate changes in serum lipids, and the feasibility (adherence) and acceptability to consuming the eggs. Methods In a 12-wk randomized controlled trial, 51 adults aged 25–40 y were randomly assigned to consume 2 eggs/wk (control, n = 17), 7 eggs/wk (n = 17), or 12 eggs/wk (n = 17). Change in serum 25(OH)D was the primary outcome as assessed by LC/MS/MS. Serum lipids were assessed using standard techniques, and acceptability to consuming the eggs was assessed via a questionnaire. Results Forty-two (82%) participants completed the study. Mean adherence to the eggs was 83% for controls, 86% for 7 eggs/wk, and 83% for 12 eggs/wk. Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations did not change significantly in either the 7-eggs/wk (−8.3 nmol/L; 95% CI: −17.0, 0.4 nmol/L) or 12-eggs/wk (−7.2 nmol/L; 95% CI: −18.6, 4.3 nmol/L) groups, but decreased by 28.6 nmol/L (95% CI: −38.1, −18.9 nmol/L) in controls, which led to a significant (P = 0.003) between-group difference for the change after 12 wk. Serum lipids did not differ between the groups, and acceptability profiles to consuming the eggs were positive and similar for all 3 groups. Conclusions Consuming 7 commercially available eggs per week for 12 wk was effective for attenuating the wintertime decline in circulating vitamin D concentrations in young Australian adults, with 12 eggs/wk not providing any additional benefits.
Turbo space-time coding for mimo systems: designs and analyses

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems can provide high diversity, high data rate or a mix of both, for wireless communications. This dissertation combines both modes and suggests analyses and techniques that advance the state of the art of MIMO systems. Specifically, this dissertation studies turbo space-time coding schemes for MIMO systems. Before the designs of turbo space-time codes are presented, a fundamental tool to analyze and design turbo coding schemes, the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart method, is extended from the binary/nonbinary code case to coded modulation case. This extension prepares the convergence analysis for turbo space-time code. Turbo space-time codes with symbols precoded by randomly chosen unitary time variant linear transformations (TVLT) are investigated in this dissertation. It is shown that turbo codes with TVLT achieve full diversity gain and good coding gain with high probability. The probability that these design goals are not met is shown to vanish exponentially with the Hamming distance between codewords (number of different columns). Hence, exhaustive tests of the rank and the determinant criterion are not required. As an additional benefit of the application of TVLT, with the removal of the constant modulation condition, it is proved that throughput rates achieved by these codes are significantly higher than the rates achievable by conventional space-time codes. Finally, an EXIT chart analysis for turbo space-time codes with TVLT is developed, with application to predicting frame error rate (FER) performance without running full simulation. To increase the data rate of turbo-STC without exponentially increasing the decoding complexity, a multilevel turbo space-time coding scheme with TVLT is proposed. An iterative joint demapping and decoding receiver algorithm is also proposed. For MIMO systems with a large number of transmit antennas, two types of layered turbo space-time (LTST) coding schemes are studied. For systems with low order modulation, a type of LTST with a vertical encoding structure and a low complexity parallel interference cancellation (PIC) receiver is shown to achieve close to capacity performance. For high order modulation, another type of LTST with a horizontal encoding structure, TVLT, and an ordered successive interference cancellation (OSIC) receiver is shown to achieve better performance than conventional layered space-time coding schemes, where ordering is not available in the SIC detection.
Learning collective free music improvisation as a socio-communicative endeavor: Preservice teachers’ journey in a teacher preparation course in Singapore

In this exploratory case study, I examined how preservice music teachers (PMTs) developed collective free music improvisation (CFMI) competencies in a teacher training program in Singapore. Nine PMTs participated in the 6-week course, where they acquired CFMI skills following a curriculum derived from improvisation and free improvisation literature. Data obtained through video recordings of course proceedings, field notes, interviews, and surveys were analyzed through the constant comparative method of analysis. Findings revealed PMTs’ learning processes as a 3-part journey based on recurring behavioral traits in each segment. Over weeks of performances, PMTs transitioned from a conservative behavioral state to an increasingly volatile one that challenged socio-musical boundaries, finally establishing unique group identities at the end of their journey. Based on their learning experiences, I provide suggestions to scaffold CFMI training.
PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION OF PULLULANASE FROM BACILLUS CLAUSII FOR ENHANCED RESISTANT STARCH PRODUCTION IN GARRI

Resistant starch is the portion of starch which escapes digestion in the small intestine and passes into the large intestine where it is fermented by gut microflora. It is considered a functional component of food due to the health benefits it confers following its consumption. The aim of this research was to produce garri with high resistant starch using pullulanase enzyme from Bacillus clausii. The organism was isolated from different cassava processing sites in Awka and identified based on phenotypic, biochemical and molecular characteristics. Pullulanase assay was carried out using standard procedures at 540 nm. Optimum conditions for pullulanase production was determined, after which the pullulalanse enzyme was used to modify garri. The test organism with the highest pullulanase activity was identified as Bacillus clausii. Optimum pullulalanse activity was observed with an innoculum size of 3.0ml, pH 6, an incubation temperature of 35o C and incubation time of 48 hours. The resistant starch content was found to be higher for enzyme-treated garri samples (13.81%) than for the untreated garri samples with (2.69%). This research shows that pullulanase enzyme from Bacillus clausii is a very useful industrial raw material for the increased production of resistant starch in foods.
COVID‐19 special issue: Intelligent solutions for computer communication‐assisted infectious disease diagnosis

medical data, and the retained case image data are input into the constructed CNN to verify the accuracy of the neural network. The results show that the accuracy rate of the neural network model constructed in this study is 0.87, which is higher than the accuracy rate of manual detection of 0.77. It can be concluded that using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to classify multiple myeloma has a high accuracy rate. Therefore, it has been proved that the CNN model established in this paper is effective. The proposed results prove that the neural network algorithm can be applied to MRI analysis, which helps to improve the efficiency of multiple myeloma diagnosis not only in COVID-19 related studies, but many other medical fields as well.
Improving Channel Hydrological Connectivity in Coastal Hydrodynamic Models With Remotely Sensed Channel Networks

Coastal wetlands are nourished by rivers and periodical tidal flows through complex, interconnected channels. However, in hydrodynamic models, channel dimensions with respect to model grid size and uncertainties in topography preclude the correct propagation of tidal and riverine signals. It is therefore crucial to enhance channel geomorphic connectivity and simplify sub‐channel features based on remotely sensed networks for practical computational applications. Here, we utilize channel networks derived from diverse remote sensing imagery as a baseline to build a ∼10 m resolution hydrodynamic model that covers the Wax Lake Delta and adjacent wetlands (∼360 km2) in coastal Louisiana, USA. In this richly gauged system, intensive calibrations are conducted with 18 synchronous field‐observations of water levels taken in 2016, and discharge data taken in 2021. We modify channel geometry, targeting realism in channel connectivity. The results show that a minimum channel depth of 2 m and a width of four grid elements (approximatively 40 m) are required to enable a realistic tidal propagation in wetland channels. The optimal depth for tidal propagation can be determined by a simplified cost function method that evaluates the competition between flow travel time and alteration of the volume of the channels. The integration of high spatial‐resolution models and remote sensing imagery provides a general framework to improve models performance in salt marshes, mangroves, deltaic wetlands, and tidal flats.
Evaluation and Analysis of the Impact of Airport Delays

To characterize the real dynamic process of delay propagation between airports and to understand the mechanism of delay propagation from a global perspective, this paper establishes a network of delay propagation relationships between airports based on causal analysis and conducts an example analysis. First, the flight operating status data processing is used to obtain the arrival delay time series of each airport. Then, the delay propagation relationship between airports is analyzed in pairs through the causal analysis method to obtain the delay propagation relationship network between all airports. Finally, the complex network theory and related indicators are used. The network is analyzed, and these analysis results can provide theoretical support for the formulation of delay propagation mitigation measures.