Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radio-Wave Communication With Chaos

Chaotic signals require very wide bandwidth to be transmitted in a practical channel, which is difficult for the practical transducer or antenna to convert such a broadband signal. To address this problem, in this work, Chaotic Shape-forming Filter (CSF) is used to obtain the baseband signal, and the corresponding matched filter is used at the receiver to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. At the same time, the symbol judgment threshold determined by the chaos properties is used to reduce the Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI) effect. Simulations and virtual channel experiments show that the radio-wave communication system using chaos is inferior to the conventional radio-wave communication system using Square Root Raised Cosine (SRRC) shape-forming filter in a single path channel. This is because SRRC eliminates ISI in single path, but CSF does not. However, the chaos-based communication with anti-multipath decoding algorithm shows significantly better Bit Error Rate (BER) performance than the traditional communication system using SRRC and a minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel equalization in a multipath channel. This work shows the potential application prospect of chaos-based communication in future 5G or 6G engineering communication systems.
Primary Breast Lymphoma Masquerading As Lobular Carcinoma Breast on Fluid Cytology- An Interesting Case

Primary lymphoma of breast is an uncommon tumour that constitutes 0.04% to 0.5% of malignant breast neoplasms [1]. Here, we present an interesting case of a 28 years old lady who presented with ascites alongwith past history of lumpectomy breast. Her ascitic fluid cytology showed monomorphic malignant tumour cells of poorly preserved morphology. Being suspicious of tumour type, we reviewed the clinical details and past histopathology records of the patient.
Regional efficiency disparities in rural and community banks in Ghana: A data envelopment analysis

This study measured the level of rural and community banks’ (RCBs) efficiency in Ghana to ascertain whether there were regional disparities in the levels of efficiency using Charnes-Cooper-Rhodes (CCR) and Barker-Charnes-Cooper (BCC) models. We collected data from 127 banks over a 4-year period from 2014 to 2017 (86.11% RCBs). For the data analysis, we employed ANOVA to compare efficiency scores for disparities based on the banks’ Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Consistent with DEA predictions, we found technical and scales inefficiency disparities across the regions. For rural growth enhancing finance, tailored policies for asset selection should be enacted to protect the banks from risks associated with selecting too many bad assets. Also, the employment of cutting-edge technologies and intra-regional information sharing would protect the banks against regional-specific risks, and thus enhance efficiency.
What about research and evidence? Teachers’ perceptions and uses of education research to inform STEM teaching

Abstract The use of research evidence to inform practice has become an expectation of those working in many professions. There is a dearth of research on teacher use of scholarship to inform their practice. While there is an abundance of research that can be used to inform teacher practice, there are unknowns about how much teachers seek, access, read, apply and share evidence from research to inform their teaching. We address this gap in the literature by surveying inservice teachers about their perceptions and practices for using education research. In our analysis of the data collected from 452 teachers, we found teachers are interested in research and perceive value in research to inform their work. However, we also found that teachers struggle to identify sources of quality research and how to translate research to inform their teaching. Our findings have implications for school administrators seeking to promote teacher engagement in evidence-based practice and educational researchers hoping to have their research translated into K-12 teacher practice.
β-mCoPc/Cu-BDC composites for oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde

Abstract A composite β-mCoPc/Cu-BDC is developed by decorating Cu-BDC with β-m-phthalocyanine cobalt (β-mCoPc) and systematically investigated by a series of combined analyses of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), N2 physisorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmittance scanning electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Due to the desirable properties of Cu-BDC and β-mCoPc, such as the conjugated MOFs skeleton, the acidity of the central ion and large specific surface area and porosity of the materials, etc., β-mCoPc/Cu-BDC is successfully applied as the catalyst for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. Significantly, an enhanced catalytic performance especially with a best conversion rate of 61% at an optimal molar ratio of 0.24:1 of β-mCoPc:Cu-BDC can be confirmed for β-mCoPc/Cu-BDC composites catalyst in comparison with catalysis by only β-mCoPc and Cu-BDC. Our work provides an effective strategy via preparing a MOF based composite catalyst to realize the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. Graphical Abstract
A new tissue essential to necrophylactic periderm formation in the bark of four conifers

Impermeability to OSO4 of periderm-free zones around the feeding sites of balsam woolly aphid (BWA), Adelges piceae, in the bark of Abies, was caused by a non-suberized impervious tissue (NIT). NIT developed at mechanical injuries in living bark of Abies grandis, Abies amabilis, Tsuga heterophylla, and Thuja plicata in 3 to 4 weeks during summer. It was found at healed injuries regardless of the cause, biotic or abiotic, at abscission scars, and at old resin blisters and rhytidome. It is concluded that NIT precedes formation of necrophylactic periderms (NP), may provide environment necessary for NP formation in tissues internally abutting NIT, and is a marker for distinguishing NP from exophylactic periderms. The imperviousness of NIT to water resulted neither from suberin (seven tests) nor from callose (three tests), and was detected by an F–F test, which is based on penetration of 2% FeCl3 followed by 4% K3Fe(CN)6 through the bark for 3 days each. The formation of NIT in the absence, e.g. rhytidome, as .
Redefining, relooking, redesigning, and reincorporating HRD in the post Covid 19 context and thereafter

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several challenges to the way organizations were functioning globally. Considering the case of India, this is a time of complete work transformation for the entire workforce across all sectors of work. As the work from home scenario has never been a part of the functioning of Indian organizations, whether public or private, there are serious concerns of managing the same particularly in time of this crisis. Thus, the present article provides an insight into the response of Indian organizations in combating the repercussions that the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn with it as well as the challenges being faced. In line with the same, we propose the adoption of a 4-R Crisis-Normalcy Model of HRD that can be used by the HRD professionals to redefine, relook, redesign, and reincorporate the HRD interventions in the COVID-19 context. This model not only provides the basis for managing the COVID-19 pandemic aligned to organizational functioning but is a way forward to dealing with any type of crisis situation that may affect an organization.
The Child Focused Injury Risk Screening Tool (ChildFIRST) for 8-12-year-old Children: A Validation Study Using A Modified Delphi Method

ABSTRACT The purpose of this Delphi-study was to establish the face and content validity of 10 movement skills, each with four evaluation criteria, to create the Children Focused Injury Risk Screening Tool (ChildFIRST) for 8–12-year-old children. We asked an international expert panel (n = 22) to validate a series of movement skills and evaluation criteria. This Delphi-process consisted of three rounds. In the first two rounds, the experts scored the movement skills and evaluation criteria using 5-point Likert scales. Consensus on validating an item was achieved when 75% or more of the experts scored “Agree” or “Strongly Agree. ” In the third-round, the experts ranked and established the final list with the validated movement skills and evaluation criteria. This study provided preliminary validity evidence for 10 movement skills, each with four evaluation criteria, to create the ChildFIRST. The ChildFIRST is designed to be used to evaluate movement competence and risk of musculoskeletal injury.
Evaluation of the longitudinal restraint, uplift resistance, and long-term performance of high-density polyethylene crosstie rail support system using static and cyclic loading

Rail track longevity is a primary concern for the railroad industry in the US. Therefore, it is important to study the rail support system in detail. This includes understanding the interactions between the rail, the different fastening components, and the crosstie. Then evaluate the support system’s long-term performance. Over the past several years, the railroad industry in the US has been leaning toward implementing alternative solutions to the traditional hardwood timber crossties. Recycled plastic composite crossties present an appealing and effective solution due to their sustainably, environmental benefits, durability, and ease of installation. Several US manufacturers are currently offering commercial crosstie solutions using different recycled plastic composite materials. Thousands of composite plastic crossties are currently in service in a wide variety of railroad tracks. Researchers have investigated this material in the past; however, additional research is still needed to fully understand the rail support system and its long-term behavior. This paper presents an experimental investigation aiming to understand and assess the performance of the full rail support system: the rail section, fastening assembly, and recycled high-density polyethylene crossties. The study encompassed a comprehensive experimental investigation using static and cyclic test methods recommended by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association manual. The static tests addressed the performance of the rail support system when subjected to uplift forces and longitudinal loading in the direction of the rail track, e.g. breaking and traction forces. The dynamic test evaluated the long-term behavior of the rail support system while being subjected to repeated loading for three million fatigue cycles. The outcomes of this study showed great results; the crossties survived the fatigue loading with normal wear and minimal degradation, which highlights the potential of these materials if properly optimized and engineered.
Effect of Oxytocin Receptor Blockade on Rat Myometrial Responsiveness to Prostaglandin F2α1

Abstract In the present study we have shown that the genetic expression of prostaglandin (PG)F2α receptor (R) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 increases in laboring rat myometrium. This finding was associated with a relatively weak contractile in vitro response (Emax) of isolated uterine strips when challenged with PGF2α. Five days postpartum PGF2α-R mRNA values exceeded those during labor while COX-2 mRNA was reduced to preparturient values. Maximal contractility of isolated strips stimulated with PGF2α at this time was enhanced and EC50 decreased. Oxytocin treatment of estrogen-primed nonpregnant rats down-regulated uterine contractile responsiveness to PGF2α, leaving mRNA values for this receptor unchanged, whereas oxytocin receptor blockade with atosiban (an oxytocin receptor antagonist) left Emax unaltered. In contrast, atosiban treatment of pregnant rats resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in Emax and a considerably reduced EC50 during labor when compared to untreated delivering rats. The increased contractile ability was associated with a threefold increase in PGF2α-R mRNA production, indicating that the regulation by atosiban of the PGF2α-induced response is exerted at the genetic level. Based on the present data we suggest that 1) PGF2α-R stimulation may not primarily exert a contracting role in the normally delivering myometrium, and 2) the presence of the PGF2α-R system in rat myometrium may explain the apparent functional redundancy of the oxytocinergic system during the process of birth in animals lacking oxytocin or where the oxytocin receptor is blocked. In this context PGF2α receptor stimulation may, in the absence of oxytocin receptor stimulation, exert the contractile forces needed for proper propulsion of the fetus.
Object-Based Image Analysis Using Harmonic Analysis on A High-Spatial Resolution Satellite Image

ABSTRACT The ability to extract biophysical and structural properties of features in digital images is an important goal in remote sensing. Delineating the boundaries of image features, and building meaningful numerical descriptors of them based on their geometric shape, are both challenging tasks that are necessary to identify shape pattern in image data. This study seeks to evaluate and compare the performance of Fourier harmonic descriptors against dimensionless ratios of image-object shape for characterizing objects in image classification training samples. We took 150 random samples of three different object types – forest canopies, residential houses, and buildings (50 samples each) – from a high spatial-resolution satellite image (WorldView-2) covering a portion of the southern end of California’s Great Central Valley. To identify patterns in object shapes and perform object classification, we followed three steps. First, we performed image segmentation through an object-based image analysis (OBIA) method based on the Watershed Transform. We then carried out shape characterization using Fourier harmonics to measure variation in the silhouette of different object types. Finally, we compared and evaluated the performance of dimensionless ratios with Fourier descriptors by classifying different object shapes and assessing the accuracy of each method. Multinomial regression models were fitted to compare the accuracy and error of the two methods. Classification accuracy assessment was addressed utilizing hypothesis tests and significance of the likelihood ratio (LR) test and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC). Dimensionless ratios and Fourier harmonics had similar, moderate accuracy of 70% and 73.33%, respectively, but only four harmonics were required to achieve the best model fit, and six were needed for dimensionless ratios. Harmonic analysis provides quantitative descriptions of object shapes allowing pattern characterizations that can improve a supervised classification.
Testing a structural model for study demands and resources, study engagement and well-being of first-year university students

This study investigated the relationships between study demands, study resources, engagement, and subjective well-being (including social-, emotional- and psychological well-being) for first-year university students. The students (n = 773; females = 65.7%; black = 60.7%; mean age = 20.24, SD = 2.71) completed the following measures: the Student-Stress Questionnaire (SSQ), an adapted version of the Questionnaire on the Experience and Assessment of Work (QEAW), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Survey (UWES-S) and the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). Structural equation modelling analysis of the data showed students who perceived higher academic demands also self-reported a lower sense of engagement with their studies. Those who perceived to be supported by lecturers and with a high sense of autonomy, self-reported higher engagement with their studies. Students who self-perceived personal relationship problems or high personal relationship demands also self-reported lower social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Students who perceived social support from friends and family and who self-reported high levels of autonomy, had psychological well-being. Engagement mediated the relationship between study demands, study resources and well-being. Perceived study demands and study resources by students are important to student counselling and development services to assist students’ quality of life at university.
Noisy parallel hybrid model of NBGRU and NCNN architectures for remaining useful life estimation

Abstract Accurate and robust estimation of Remaining Useful life (RUL) is of paramount importance for development of advanced smart and predictive maintenance strategies. To this aim, the paper proposes a new hybrid framework, referred to as the NPBGRU, developed by integration of three fully noisy deep learning architectures. Noisy CNN (NCNN) and Noisy Bi-directional GRU (NBGRU) paths are designed in parallel and their concatenated output is fed into the Noisy fusion center (NFC). Adopting the proposed noisy layers enhances the robustness and generalization behavior of the proposed model. The proposed NPBGRU framework is validated using NASA’s C-MAPSS dataset, illustrating state-of-the-art results.
The information detection for the generalized additive model

ABSTRACT Many non-linear models such as the additive models or varying models are often used to fit the complex data. However, how to select a simplified model in the prediction problem or data interpretation is necessary and challenged. In this work, the concerned regression model consists of many unknown group regressor functions, and some of them can be irrelevant for the response variable. To find an adequate and simplified model, an algorithm is developed to search the important regressor functions and their related structures through the introduction of basis functions with the Lasso-type penalized scheme. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated under simulation studies and real data analyses.
An Epidemiological Study showing Prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis in endemic & non-endemic regions

Introduction: Filariasis is a public health problem of considerable magnitude. It is estimated that at least 6 million attacks of acute filarial diseases occur per year and at least 15 million persons currently have one or more common filarial lesions. Material & Method: The present study was undertaken with the aim to assess the prevalence of filariasis in different regions of Uttar Pradesh and Union Territor of Delhi, as there is no reliable data available particularly from western parts of the said region. Observation & Result: Prevalence of filariasis in different regions of UP as assessed by clinical examination, MF demonstration & FST is 20.76%, 28.26% and 60.96% respectively. Conclusion: The disease is not fatal yet is responsible for considerable morbidity and social stigma and many avoidable surgical interventions.
The Life-Cycle of Cladocera, with Remarks on the Physiology of Growth and Reproduction in Crustacea

In a paper on the life-cycle of Moina rectirosiris , published in 1913 (5), it was shown by the late Mr. G. H. Grosvenor and myself that it was possible to inhibit entirely the production of the sexual forms by isolating the parthenogenetic parents soon after birth, and keeping them at a constant high temperature of 25-30° C. It was proved that for a succession of eight generations the isolated parents at this temperature gave no males or ephippial females, while parents of the same generations kept crowded at a temperature of about 14° C. or 5° C. gave about 50 per cent, males. We were unable to determine how the effect of isolation and crowding of the parthenogenetic parents influenced the production of the sexual forms, but two alternative suggestions were made, either that in the crowded glasses the animals were unable to obtain sufficient nutriment and were partially starved, or else that some excretory matter accumulated in the crowded glasses which influenced the production of males and sexual females. In order to confirm the above results and to throw some light on the processes involved, breeding experiments have been carried on for some time with another species of Claclocera, the common Daphnia pulex. Mr. Robert Gurney very kindly gave me some dried mud from a pond winch was known to contain the resting eggs of these animals, and, on placing the mud in a bowl of water, after some weeks some young Daphnia hatched out. One of these was kept until it had produced young, and the offspring of these young ones were used to start the first experimental generation.
Age Invariant Face Recognition using Convolutional Neural Network

In the recent years, face recognition across aging has become very popular and challenging task in the area of face recognition. Many researchers have contributed in this area, but still there is a significant gap to fill in. Selection of feature extraction and classification algorithms plays an important role in this area. Deep Learning with Convolutional Neural Networks provides us a combination of feature extraction and classification in a single structure. In this paper, we have presented a novel idea of 7-Layer CNN architecture for solving the problem of aging for recognizing facial images across aging. We have done extensive experimentations to test the performance of the proposed system using two standard datasets FGNET and MORPH(Album II). Rank-1 recognition accuracy of our proposed system is 76.6% on FGNET and 92.5% on MORPH(Album II). Experimental results show the significant improvement over available state-of- the-arts with the proposed CNN architecture and the classifier.
Mystery unveiled: Diacanthodes Singer – a lineage within the core polyporoid clade

Diacanthodes (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) is a fungal genus with stipitate basidiomata and a combination of ornamented and dextrinoid basidiospores that is unique among the poroid fungi. Although some hypotheses based on morphological features speculated about the phylogenetic relationships of the taxon, they have never been tested based on molecular data. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses including specimens of Diacanthodes from the Neotropics and Africa using the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and the D1–D2 domains of the 28S gene of the nuclear rDNA regions, as well as the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) protein-coding gene. Our study revealed Diacanthodes as a member of the ‘core polyporoid’ clade within the Polyporales. Two new species from South America: Diacanthodes cerebriporoides and D. neotropicalis, a new combination D. coffeae from Africa and notes on the other Diacanthodes species are presented. Basidiospore morphology in Diacanthodes and related genera is discussed in the phylogenetic context.