Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Organizations Can Use High Performance Work Practices To Augment Employees’ Performance Oriented Behaviors?

We examine the relationship between high performance work practices and employee performance mediated by employee involvement, motivation, and satisfaction. We collected data on adapted scales from 292 heads of departments of various public and private sector institutions from Pakistan. The results indicated a positive and significant impact of high performance work practices on employee involvement, motivation, satisfaction, and performance. Besides, results also supported the mediation of employee involvement and motivation. However, the relationship between employee satisfaction and performance was not found significant and similarly, its mediation was also not established as we expected. The study is first of its kind, where a composite model of high performance work practices was tested for its employee-related outcomes. Moreover, the mediation of employee involvement and employee motivation in the relationship between high performance work practices and employee performance is also a noteworthy contribution of the current research in the Pakistani context. The results are generalizable to public and private sector higher education institutions of Pakistan but can also be used in other organizations with caution.
Mode Characteristics of Photonic Crystal Fiber

The mode characteristics of the photonic crystal fiber(PCF) are investigated in detail using the orthogonal functions,including the propagation constant,mode-field distribution,effective power confinement factor.The result shows that the big effective area of PCF used in transmitting the high power and manufacturing fiber-optic laser can be designed by changing the PCF structure parameter.The larger difference of refractive index between the fiber core and cladding layer is used to make the light power limited effectively in the fiber core to be beneficial to research the nonlinear effect.
Inulin obtained from Jerusalem artichoke using microwave-assisted extraction and its metabolic influence

Introduction. L’inuline a un fort potentiel en tant que complément pour l’alimentation, l’industrie pharmaceutique et l’utilisation médicale et constitue un intérêt accru pour l’obtention de produits de haute qualité. L’objectif de l’étude était d’étudier l’impact physiologique de l’administration d’inuline obtenue par hydro diffusion micro-ondes et gravité (HMG). Matériaux et méthodes. Helianthus tuberosus a été utilisé comme matière première à partir de sources commerciales. L’inuline a été extraite à l’aide de HMG, suivie d’une séparation. La méthode d’extraction a été optimisée par méthodologie de réponse de surface (SRM). L’inuline obtenue a été administrée à des animaux de laboratoire. L’influence de l’administration d’inuline standard (INS), d’inuline obtenue par HMG (INE) et d’inuline obtenue par HMG en association avec la quercétine (INE+Q) a été évaluée, pendant 12 ABSTRACT
The Proliferation of Lesson Study for English Language Teachers: A Meta-Synthesis Study

Despite studies on the lesson study experiences of English teachers have increased in Turkey in recent years, there is a need for further studies on how to integrate the model into the context. In this study, the qualitative research on the lesson study conducted with English teachers in Turkey was examined, and it was aimed to reach a synthesis to ensure the proliferation of the model. The common databases were searched with keywords, and specific inclusion criteria were used. Selected studies were scored with a checklist to be evaluated in terms of quality, and eight studies (six articles and two doctoral dissertations) that received the required score were included in the research. In the analysis, the steps of developing the first and second-order themes, interpreting, and synthesizing were followed. The common findings in the studies show that the lesson study provides significant contributions to English teachers despite the difficulties in the process. The synthesis includes the initiatives at the individual and institutional dimensions. It is concluded that the pedagogical design capacity and collaboration skills of English teachers should be strengthened at the individual dimension while administrator, mentor / facilitator support should be provided, and policy changes should be made in teacher education at the institutional dimension. We also recommended examining how the model can be adapted to Turkey's cultural-educational context, teacher autonomy, and identity.
Method for Determination of Reinforcement Parameters of Fiber Glass Anchor Bar for Tunnel Face

In line with the basic concepts and core idea of NITM,the method to determine the reinforcing density,reinforcing length and reinforcing region of anchor bars was put forward.The mohr-coulomb yield criterion was used to explain the mechanical principle of two types of advance measures,and the applicable conditions of the two types of advance measures were proposed.By combining theoretical analysis and numerical simulation,the reinforcing density of the anchor bar was defined by the balance between the restraint force on the clay body of the tunnel face and the anchoring force of the anchor bar,and the local anchoring force of a singular anchor bar.The reinforcing length of the anchor bar was defined by the instability mechanism of the tunnel face and the depth of the breaking cross-section.The applicable conditions for the core protection measures and core reinforcement measures were illustrated by the process of stabling the unstable tunnel face.These results provide significant reference to reinforcement parameters to be decided in tunnel construction.
Gridding Graphic Graticules

Certain classes of images find disparate use amongst members of the ITK community for such purposes as visualization, simulation, testing, etc. Currently there exists two derived classes from the ImageSource class used for generating specific images for various applications, viz. RandomImageSource and GaussianImageSource. We propose to add to this set with the class GridImageSource which, obviously enough, produces a grid image. Such images are useful for visualizing deformation when used in conjunction with the WarpImageFilter, simulating magnetic resonance tagging images, or creating optical illusions with which to amaze your friends.
An entrepreneurial countryside? Imagining competitive futures in the architectural contests of Finland's periphery

Architecture and urban design are central selling points in globalized models of urban development, advocated by city strategies to boost competitiveness. In particular, architectural competitions are frequently leveraged as a tool for public engagement and design innovation in complex urban projects. While competitiveness has been framed as an apparent quality of successful cities, the mobilization of spatial design in the pursuit of competitive advantage is not limited to metropolitan sites. Even provincial towns and declining municipalities engage in design competitions to improve their status. Nevertheless, the competitive aspirations of these peripheries have rarely received scholarly attention. Examining documents from recent architectural competitions in the stagnant and declining regions of Finland, this study explored how peripheral localities approached architecture and urban design in pursuing their urban aspirations. The analysis of competition documents focused on the ideas and meanings of competitiveness evoked in the competition briefs, architectural proposals, as well as the juries’ evaluations, with a particular focus on the winning projects. Rather than innovative designs or iconic buildings, the peripheral design competitions conveyed more subtle development aspirations. Moreover, contradictions emerged between the mainstream solutions put forward by participating architects and juries’ ideas of what was appropriate in the design context. The emphasis on modest improvements rather than growth points towards alternative imaginations of urban futures. The findings offer a distinct contribution to the ongoing debates on urban competitiveness and the role of design by reinserting the periphery into the picture. The outcomes invite further inquiries on design strategies beyond the hegemonic models and sites of urban production.
Sliding mode control of a dc-dc dual active bridge using the generalized space-state averaging description

This paper presents a sliding mode control strategy for a dc-dc dual active bridge converter. The controller is based on a truncated model obtained using the generalized state space averaging method that transforms the mixed dc-ac dynamics of the converter into a regulation problem. The proposed controller, that uses a dynamic extension to overcome the structural problem of the non-affine control input, provides good results in terms of performance and robustness. Numerical simulations are included to validate the proposed modelling methodology and the control design.
Parameterization Approach of the Frenet Transformation for Model Predictive Control of Autonomous Vehicles

Model predictive control (MPC) and nonlinear optimization-based planning for autonomous vehicles are often formulated in a transformed coordinate frame, namely the curvilinear Frenet frame. Mostly the center line of the road is used as a transformation curve, but the choice of the transformation curve might have properties which make the optimization problem hard or even infeasible to solve in the whole search space. This paper proposes an optimization-based parameterization approach to establish an alternative transformation curve which yields favorable numerical properties for the consecutive use of numerical optimization approaches such as MPC. The optimization objective minimizes the change of curvature and pushes the evolute (i.e. singular region) of the transformation curve outside the feasible region. The convergence improvement of the proposed parameterization approach in terms of integrator precision, optimization time and iteration counts is compared in simulation examples, using a time-optimal nonlinear optimization formulation.
Bearing Capacity Behaviors of Inclined Pile Under Vertical Load

For the globally inclined piles without initial bending stress,the bearing capacity behaviors of inclined piles with different inclinations under vertical load were studied with the model tests.The test results show that when the degree of inclination of pile is not larger than 4%,the settlement of the inclined pile is smaller than that of the vertical pile under the same vertical load,and the bearing capacity of the inclined pile is not smaller than that of the vertical pile.However,when the degree of inclination of pile reaches 8%,the settlement of the inclined pile is larger than that of the vertical pile under the same vertical load and the loading has to be stopped due to the bending failure of pile.The similar results were obtained by performing numerical analysis.Further numerical analysis indicates that there are two thresholds,namely settlement threshold and failure mode threshold,of degree of inclination of pile in terms of settlement and failure mode,respectively.When the degree of inclination of pile is larger than settlement threshold,the settlement of the inclined pile is larger than that of the vertical pile under the same vertical load.When the degree of inclination of pile is not larger than failure mode threshold,the bearing capacity of inclined pile ismainly determined by lateral resistance and tip resistance of pile.When the degree of inclination of pile is larger thanfailure mode threshold,pile will be subjected to bending failure due to excessive bending moment yielded in pile.The soil conditions,bending stiffness and strength of the inclined pile,constraint conditions at pile top,etc,can all affect the value of thresholds.
How “Subclinical” is Subclinical Tuberculosis? An Analysis of National Prevalence Survey Data from Zambia

Abstract Background Pulmonary tuberculosis infection can manifest in different states, including subclinical tuberculosis. It is commonly defined as confirmed tuberculosis without the classic symptoms (commonly, persistent cough for ≥2 weeks). This narrow definition likely poses limitations for surveillance and control measures. The aims of the current study were to characterize the clinical presentation of tuberculosis; estimate the prevalence of subclinical tuberculosis among individuals with bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis, using various definitions; and investigate risk factors for subclinical as opposed to clinical tuberculosis in a population-based survey. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative tuberculosis prevalence survey from Zambia in 2013–2014, in which participants were screened for tuberculosis based on chest radiographic findings and symptoms. Tuberculosis was defined as culture-positive or GeneXpert MTB/RIF test–positive sputum. Risk factors for subclinical tuberculosis were assessed by means of multivariable logistic regression. Results Of 257 participants with confirmed tuberculosis, 104 (40.5%) were without cough persisting ≥2 weeks. Only 23 (22.1%) of these did not present with any other common symptoms. Those without cough persisting ≥2 weeks frequently reported other symptoms, particularly chest pain (46.2%) and weight loss (38.5%); 36 (34.6%) reported experiencing other symptoms persisting ≥4 weeks. Female subjects were more likely to report no cough persisting ≥2 weeks, as were relatively wealthier individuals. Conclusions The commonly used definition of subclinical tuberculosis includes a large proportion of individuals who have other tuberculosis-suggestive symptoms. Requiring cough ≥2 weeks for tuberculosis diagnosis likely misses many active tuberculosis infections and allows a large reservoir of likely transmissible tuberculosis to remain undetected.
Tractable Boolean and Arithmetic Circuits

Tractable Boolean and arithmetic circuits have been studied extensively in AI for over two decades now. These circuits were initially proposed as"compiled objects,"meant to facilitate logical and probabilistic reasoning, as they permit various types of inference to be performed in linear-time and a feed-forward fashion like neural networks. In more recent years, the role of tractable circuits has significantly expanded as they became a computational and semantical backbone for some approaches that aim to integrate knowledge, reasoning and learning. In this article, we review the foundations of tractable circuits and some associated milestones, while focusing on their core properties and techniques that make them particularly useful for the broad aims of neuro-symbolic AI.
Compositions of dissolved organic matter in the ice-covered waters above the Aurora hydrothermal vent system, Gakkel Ridge, Arctic Ocean

Abstract. Hydrothermal vents modify and displace subsurface dissolved organic matter (DOM) into the ocean. Once in the ocean, this DOM is transported together with elements, particles, dissolved gases, and biomass along with the neutrally buoyant plume layer. Considering the number and extent of actively venting hydrothermal sites in the oceans, their contribution to the oceanic DOM pool may be substantial. Here, we investigate the dynamics of DOM in relation to hydrothermal venting and related processes at the as-yet unexplored Aurora hydrothermal vent field within the ultraslow spreading Gakkel Ridge in the Arctic Ocean at 82.9° N. We examined the vertical distribution of DOM composition from sea ice to deep waters at six hydrocast stations distal to the active vent and its neutrally buoyant plume layer. In comparison to background seawater, we found that the DOM in waters directly affected by the hydrothermal plume was composed of lower numbers of molecular formulas and 5–10 % less abundant compositions associated with the molecular categories related to lipid and protein-like compounds. Samples that were not directly affected by the plume, on the other hand, were chemically more diverse and had a higher percentage of chemical formulas associated with the carbohydrate-like category. We suggest, therefore, that hydrothermal processes at Aurora may influence the DOM distribution in the bathypelagic ocean by spreading more thermally and/or chemically induced compositions, while DOM compositions in epipelagic and mesopelagic layers are mainly governed by the microbial carbon pump dynamics, and sea ice surface water interactions.
Suppression of glycerol biosynthesis‐related genes decreases the effect of rapid cold hardening in Helicoverpa assulta

Insects acquire cold hardiness for survival during the winter by increasing cryoprotectants concentration such as glycerol and trehalose after induction of rapid cold hardening (RCH). The oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta, is a freeze‐tolerant species which increases glycerol level in the hemolymph after RCH induction. In this study, we identified two glycerol biosynthesis‐related genes, glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (Has‐GPDH) and glycerol kinase (Has‐GK) in the fat body of H. assulta larvae. Has‐GPDH harbored a conserved NAD+‐dependent glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase signature sequence, and Has‐GK harbored two conserved FGGY carbohydrate kinase signature sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed both Has‐GPDH and Has‐GK were relatively close to those of Helicoverpa armigera. The expression levels of Has‐GPDH and Has‐GK were increased after RCH induction at 4°C for 6 h. After suppression of Has‐GPDH and Has‐GK by RNA interference, the survival rate of H. assulta at −10°C was much lower than the control after RCH induction. These results suggest that glycerol biosynthesized by Has‐GPDH and Has‐GK plays a crucial role in RCH‐induced cold tolerance in H. assulta.
Graph Cuts, Caveat Utilitor, and Euler's Bridges of Konigsberg

Graph-based algorithms have enjoyed renewed interest for solving computer vision problems. These algorithms have been the subject of intense interest and research. In order to maintain the ITK library au courant, we developed a framework for graph-based methods of energy minimization in ITK which employ energy functions derived within a Markov Random Field (MRF) context. This required not only the implementation of the energy minimization methodology but also the more general requirement of introducing graph-related data structures into ITK which can be used for other graph-based algorithms pertinent to future extensions of the ITK library.Please note that some of the algorithms described in this paper may be covered by patents and, as such, it is incumbent upon the user to seek licenses before building the binaries which utilize this code. Also note that “research use” is not exempt from acquiring such licenses. The only exemption from patent restrictions is “. amusement, to satisfy idle curiosity, or for strictly philosophical inquiry. ”
Vessel Enhancing Diffusion Filter

This paper describes vessel enhancing diffusion (VED) filters implemented using the Insight Toolkit (ITK). The filters are implementation of the VED algorithm developed by Manniesing et al . The VED algorithm follows a multiscale approach to enhance vessels using anisotropic diffusion scheme guided by vesselness measure at a pixel level. Vesselness is determined by geometrical analysis of the Eigen system of the Hessian matrix. For this purpose, a smoothed version of the Frangi’s vesselness function is formulated. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the VED filters in enhancing vessels in lung CT scan.
Efforts to Improve Learning Motivation and Understanding in Early Children Through Serial Picture And Hand Puppet

The learning process that occurs at this time is not optimal. The provision of stimulation to improve children's development is carried out in a straightforward, general way, without enjoyable media stimulation. Students tend to be left to play alone in the schoolyard. It causes students to feel bored in following the lesson. This study aims to develop hand puppets and serial pictures as stimulation media for early childhood. This type of research is development. The research design used research development (R&D) about Borg and Gall with modified stages. The product test subjects studied were kindergarten students individually. The research data was collected using a questionnaire method, then the data collected was analyzed descriptively qualitatively concerning the theory of Miles and Huberman. The results of the media expert test on the five components/indicators rated for serial image media 89.2%, hand puppets 97.2%. The results of the material expert test on five elements/valuable indicators of hand puppets are 100%, and the picture series is 100%. Design expert test results obtained 93% for hand puppets and 80% for serial images. The percentage received shows that both media are feasible to be used to stimulate the growth and development of early childhood language skills. This research implies that teachers can apply the media of hand puppets and serial pictures to increase motivation and learning outcomes of early childhood.
A noise less-sensing semi-implicit discretization of a homogeneous differentiator: principle and application

Based on the projector introduced in recent Euler semi-implicit methods, the main contribution of this paper is the reduction of the effect of noise on the sliding surface of the discretized homogeneous differentiator. For that, an adaptation law according to the magnitude of the high frequency noise is proposed to modify the behavior of the projector when the discretized differentiator remains on the sliding surface. Experimental results are shown in order to highlight the well founded of the contribution.
Object Pose Estimation for Gripping Ability of Planar Parallel Robot using Vision-based Sensor

Abstract - Assistive social robot is a robot system that is created to helping a medical patient in recovery and rehabilitation phase. This medical patient has a movement restrictiveness such as taking food and beverages. In this situation, a robot arm in planar parallel robot form with gripper is needed. Object pose estimation is an important step to use robot arm with vision-based sensor. Pose estimation is a result from the estimation of object position in 3D area, using 2D surface. This research is directed to compare two algorithm methods that are used to looking for the position of the object. It can become as set point of the gripper movement to reach that object. The strategy that used to finding the position of the object surface area in this research is blob detection and contour detection methods. Each of the methods will observe the movement response of the robot arm to reach the target of the object position. Based on the experiment that has been done, the result is the two algorithm can be applied as pose estimation in robot arm with vision-based sensor in 5-25 cm.
A new principle and control method of maximum power point tracing

Proposed a control method of MPPT(Maximum Power Point Tracing)based on neural network algorithm,by the analysis of photovoltaic power system's characteristics and maximum power point tracing principle.It took PV(photovoltaic)module and Cuk converter as a whole.It directly detected voltage and current of curcit and controlled the duty of the Cuk converter by the neural network algorithm.The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can track MPP quickly,exactly and steadily,irrespective the large scale change of irradiation intensity and circumstance temperature.