Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bit-Depth Reduction And Audio Signal Classification

In recent years, the fields of audio signal classification and speech recognition have made huge progress. Voice assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa have convinced us of the potential of speech recognition and processing technologies. With the ushering era of IoT devices, tinier than ever computing devices, and an increasing need for real time processing at the edge, it has become a need of the hour to be able to make these speech recognition systems and techniques as efficient as possible while preserving their robustness. This is especially important on the smaller client-side devices which have lower memory and networking capabilities. One way to tackle these increasing constraints on the hardware is to use a more compressed version of the audio signal. Bit-depth reduction consists of limiting the total number of possible states a digital signal can be represented in and thus leads to a reduction of both storage space and network bandwidth required to process audio. In this paper, we conduct some experiments to understand the rate of decay in classification accuracy with a decrease in the quantization levels of the audio samples. Our results hint that, in most cases, it may be possible to shrink the bit depth of the audio data at the cost of very little classification/recognition accuracy.
ADA-CMM: A Capability Maturity Model for Advanced Data Analytics

Despite the rising importance of advanced data analytics, there is limited guidance on how organizations should leverage it. The benefits that an organization can gain through advanced data analytics depends on the organization’s ability to gain and use relevant capabilities. This study introduces a capability maturity model (ADA-CMM) for advanced data analytics to help organizations assess their current state of capabilities for managing advanced data analytics. We used the Delphi method to develop the maturity model and performed a survey to evaluate its validity. The results confirm that the maturity level of the advanced data analytics capabilities of organizations is positively related to the business value that they can capture from their use, which in turn found positively related to organizational performance. ADA-CMM can be used by organizations as a self-assessment tool and to create a roadmap for improving their relevant capabilities.
Effect of the edible coating containing cinnamon oil nanoemulsion on storage life and quality of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) fruits

Tomato is one of the fruit vegetables that had perishable properties so that it needs good postharvest handling to increase their shelf life. One of among other technologies, surface coating of tomatoes with edible ingredients added with natural antimicrobials is potential to be applied. Currently, nanotechnology represents an important area and an efficient option for extending the shelf life of foods. The research aimed to investigate the effect of edible coating, containing cinnamon oil nanoemulsion, to extend the storage life and quality of tomato fruits. Treatments given were (a) dipping time in the edible coating formula (1 and 3 minutes), and the storage period of tomatoes, namely 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days at room temperature (27°C). As a control treatment, the inspection was also applied on non-coated tomatoes. The results showed that coating treatment was significantly able to delay changes in the quality attributes of tomatoes and longer shelf life compared to fruit that was not coated with an edible coating. Tomato edible coating has better in maintaining physicochemical characteristics (weight loss of 1.83%, TSS 0.34 Brix, vitamin C 59.8 mg/100g and total plate count of 7.88 × 106 CFU/g) than control throughout the storage period. The study concludes that cinnamon oil nanoemulsion coating could be a good alternative to preserve the quality and extend the storage life of tomatoes.
Establishment of Callus Cultures of Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema × grandiflorum) var. ‘Zembla yellow’

Dendranthema x grandiflorum is an important species of the genus Dendranthema, and for the development of callus cultures. In this study, explants such as leaves and internodes were used to evaluate the effects of different types of explants, plant growth regulating agents in various concentrations on callus production. The results showed that, the leaf explant was significantly enhanced callus production than internode explant according to the percentage of callus formation, fresh and dry weight parameters. MS supplemented with 0.2 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D yielded the highest efficiency of callus formation after 2 month of culture. The BAP 0.2 mg/l was significantly enhanced callus production in the both fresh and dry weight parameters than BAP 0.1 mg/l. The use of 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D excelled all other treatments for fresh weight although, there is no significant differences from the 1 mg/l 2,4-D treatment, the high 2,4-D concentrations 2 mg/l also performed better than the lower concentrations for dry weight. Similarly, the least fresh and dry weight were obtained from the control which was devoid of 2,4-D. Using 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D leaf explant excelled all other treatments for fresh weight than internode explant, but using 2 mg/l 2,4-D leaf explant excelled all other treatments for dry weight than internode explant. Similarly, the control of leaf and internode explant in the both concentrations (0 and 0.5 mg/l) yielded the lowest fresh weight, but in dry weight the least was obtained from the control of leaf explant. Using 0.1 mg/l BAP with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.2 mg/l BAP with (0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/l) 2,4-D excelled all other treatments for fresh weight, but the best is using 0.1 mg/l BAP with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D. The least fresh weight was obtained from the control which devoids of plant growth regulators. Using 0.1 mg/l BAP with 2 mg/l 2,4-D leaf explant excelled all other treatments with espect to dry weight. The least dry weight was obtained from the control which devoids of plant growth regulators.
Molecular marker analysis tools as a cornerstone for the phylogenetic analysis of Hibiscus species in Egypt

Various Hibiscus species such as Hibiscus rosa sinensis linn, Hibiscus malvaviscus arboreus, Althaea rosea, Hibiscus rosasinensis sp. , Hibiscus schizopetalus, Hibiscus china rosa, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Hibiscus cannabinus L. (kenaf) were collected from Antoniades Gardens in Egypt. These species were very similar in the morphology of the flowers and leaves, thus morphological markers traits use to identify these different Hibiscus species is limited and less accurate because they are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Therefore, using molecular markers of DNA for plants is considered to be more accurate than morphological markers. In this study we used eight primers from (RAPD), five (ISSR) primers, and four (SSR) primers for the analysis on these species of Hibiscus. The results showed for all primers were as follows; the total number of the polymorphic fragments of RAPD, ISSR and SSR were 89, 72, and 15; respectively, with an average polymorphism about 97.75%, 98.61%, and 100%, respectively. Moreover, the dendrogram for the phylogenetic tree analysis of RAPD was divided into two main clusters, the first cluster has C7 (Hibiscus sabdariffa L), and the second cluster comprised the other species. For ISSR phylogenetic analysis, the dendrogram was divided into two main major clusters, the first cluster had C3 (Althea rosea), C7 (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), and C8 (Hibiscus cannabinus) and the second cluster comprised the other species. Whereas for SSR phylogenetic analysis, the dendrogram was divided into two main major clusters, the first cluster had C2 (Hibiscus malvaviscus arboreus), and the second group comprised the other species.
Effect of fresh chopped leaves of certain plants as biofumigants for management Meloidogyne spp. on tomato plants

In this research four plants i.e. Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Cabbage (Brassica aleracea), Cassia (Cassia nodosa) and Chinaberry (Melia azedaroch) were mixed, at three levels 1, 2 and 4% of soil weight to manag root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. under greenhouse conditions. Results revealed that chapped leaves of the four evaluated plants significantly, reduced all related nematode parameters i.e. number of galls, egg masses, females and developmental stages / root system, eggs / egg mass and number of juveniles / 250 g soil, in comparing with nematode alone. The highest significant reduction in galls, egg masses and J2 / 250 g soil (93, 92.8 and 89.6%, respectively) obtained with moringa at 4% of soil weight, followed by cabbage chapped leaves at 4% (90.8, 88.9 and 85.8%, respectively), whereas the lowest one observed with cassia chapped leaves at 1%. Generally, the effective dose was 4% regardless the plant species and the effective plant was moringa regardless the rate significantly enhanced all vegetative plant growth parameters i.e. fresh shoot and root weight (g), dry shoot weight (g), plant height and root length (g). Results showed also all treatments significant increase antioxidant enzymes activity i.e. peroxidase and phenoloxidase, total sugars, total phenols and proline concentration. Membrane leakage showed also highly significant decrease with all treatment compared with the plant treated with nematode alone.
Impact of NiO2 Nanoparticles and Curcumin on Testis Torsion/Detorsion Injury: Role of miR-34 and circRNA 0001518

Background: Testicular torsion is one cause of infertility without proper treatment. In this study, we investigate the effects of NiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and curcumin on sperm parameters in rats and the expressions of genes involved in the apoptotic pathway, as well as expressions of miR-34 and circRNA 0001518. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control (healthy rats), control rats that received NiO2-NPs, healthy rats that received curcumin, rats that received simultaneous NiO2-NPs and curcumin, untreated testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rats, testicular I/R rats that received NiO2-NPs, testicular I/R rats that received curcumin, and testicular I/R rats that received NiO2-NPs and curcumin. Then, sperms were extracted from the rats’ epididymides to analyze concentration, viability, morphology, and motility. The cellular apoptosis level was studied using flow cytometry. Also, Bad and Bcl-X gene expressions, as well as miR-34 and circRNA 0001518 levels were measured. Results: We observed improved sperm parameters in the testicular I/R) rats that received curcumin and NiO2-NPs. Administration of NiO2-NPs to healthy rats increased both apoptosis and the Bad/Bcl-X expression ratio. However, its administration to testicular I/R rats alone or in combination with curcumin decreased apoptosis and the Bad/Bcl-X expression ratio and increased expressions of miR-34 and circRNA 0001518. Conclusion: Administration of NiO2-NPs and curcumin, alone or in combination, can have therapeutic effects in testicular I/R conditions by altering the expressions of genes in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and their regulatory elements.
RESEARCH ON A NOVEL INVERTER OUTPUT PASSIVE FILTER

A novel inverter output passive filter, which can not only reduce differential-mode dv/dt but also suppresscommon-mode voltage, is proposed. The filter consists of a LClow-pass filter and a common-mode transformer in series. Itsmain characteristics are the integration of two kinds of filteroperations and simple in structure and design. Analysis, simulation and experimental methods are used respectively toindicate that common-mode voltage are suppressed largely under the condition of satisfying the demand ofdifferential-mode dv/dt filtering which can makedifferential-mode voltage sinusoidal. All these can contribute to prolong the electric life of the motor. Common-mode equivalent circuit of the filter are also illustrated and analyzed in detail. Some design considerations are also given. The experiments with a conventional LRC filter are also done; its effects are used to compare with the proposed filter to verify the proposed filter viability and effectiveness in eliminating common-mode voltage and differential-mode dv/dt.
Analysis of performance on a modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test for the military

Purpose Current Army doctrine stresses a need for military leaders to have the capability to make flexible and adaptive decisions based on a future unknown environment, location and enemy. To assess a military decision maker’s ability in this context, this paper aims to modify the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test which assesses cognitive flexibility, into a military relevant map task. Thirty-four military officers from all service branches completed the map task. Design/methodology/approach The purpose of this study was to modify a current psychological task that measures cognitive flexibility into a military relevant task that includes the challenge of overcoming experiential bias, and understand underlying causes of individual variability in the decision-making and cognitive flexibility behavior of active duty military officers on this task. Findings Results indicated that non-perseverative errors were a strong predictor of cognitive flexibility performance on the map task. Decomposition of non-perseverative error into efficient errors and random errors revealed that participants who did not complete the map task changed their sorting strategy too soon within a series, resulting in a high quantity of random errors. Originality/value This study serves as the first step in customizing cognitive psychological tests for a military purpose and understanding why some military participants show poor cognitive flexibility.
THE USE OF CARROT SEED OIL (DAUCUS CAROTA L.) TO FORMULATE NANOEMULGELS AS AN EFFECTIVE NATURAL SUNSCREEN AND SKIN ANTI-AGING

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a nanoemulgel containing vegetable oil of carrot seed oil as an effective natural sunscreen and skin anti-aging. Methods: Nanoemulgels containing 4% carrot seed oil were formulated in three formulas with different ratios of Tween 80 and Sorbitol and prepared by using the high-energy emulsification method. The nanoemulgels were determined for the organoleptic characteristic, globule size, pH, physical stability during storage for 12 w at three different temperatures (room, high and low temperature), centrifugation, and cycling test. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value was determined by UV spectrophotometric method and the effectiveness of anti-aging was evaluated by using a skin analyzer and the results were compared with sunscreen emulgel. Results: Nanoemulgel containing 4% carrot seed oil with a ratio of Tween 80 as surfactant and Sorbitol as co-surfactant 40 and 20 resulted in the smallest mean droplet size of 338.34 nm and the sizes were increased during 12 w of storage at room temperature but still in the nano size and this nanoemulgel did not show phase separation or still stable. These nanoemulgels were also stable after the centrifugation and cycling test. The emulgel preparation was not stable or showed phase separation after the centrifugation test. The SPF value obtained from the nanoemulgel was 20.28±0.22 and these values were higher than the sunscreen emulgel (13.94±0.27). The pore size, spot, and wrinkles of the volunteer skin were reduced after using the nanoemulgel containing 4% carrot seed. Conclusion: The sunscreen and skin anti-aging activity of nanoemulgel preparation containing 4% carrot seed oil with a ratio of surfactant Tween 80 and co-surfactant Sorbitol 40 and 20 were more effective compare with emulgel preparation.
Improving Productivity of Some Bread Wheat Cultivars under Water Deficit Stress Using Endophytic Bacillus sp. NGB-WhE3

PLANT growth-promoting endophytic bacteria (PGPEB) are beneficial microbes that can be applied to improve plant responses to drought stress. In this study, seven bacterial isolates were purified from the root-endosphere of field-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Egypt. Bacterial isolates were identified and in-vitro screened for plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and water deficit stress alleviation. Then, the effect of bacterial inoculation on growth promotion and performance of wheat was investigated under full irrigation and water deficit stress in greenhouse and field experiments. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, three isolates were classified as Bacillus sp. , whereas, four isolates were identified as Enterobacter, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, and Sphingomonas sp. All isolates produced indole acetic acid, solubilized inorganic phosphate, secreted siderophore, and exhibited tolerance to osmotic stress. Under greenhouse conditions, growth, shoot-N content and leaf proline content of wheat plants inoculated with most bacterial isolates were significantly (P< 0.05) increased under both normal irrigation and water deficit stress (50% water holding capacity). Based on greenhouse results, Bacillus sp. strain NGB-WhE3 was evaluated to alleviate water deficit stress on five wheat cultivars (Giza 171, Misr 1, Misr 3, Shandaweel 1, and Sids 14) in two-year field trials. Bacterial inoculation significantly (P< 0.05) improved the agronomic traits and some physiological characteristics of wheat plants under water deficit stress than the uninoculated control. Grain yield of inoculated wheat plants showed significant (P< 0.05) increases from 5.6 to 14.6% under normal irrigation and from 3.2 to 12.5% under water deficit stress.
Optimal Placement in a Limit Order Book

Algorithmic trading refers to the automatic and rapid trading of large quantities with orders specified and implemented by an algorithm. Roughly speaking, algorithmic trading is based on two different time scales: the daily or weekly scale and a smaller (10to 100-second) time scale. These two time scales essentially reflect the two steps by which the traders slice and place orders. The first step is to optimally slice big orders into smaller ones on a daily basis with the goal to minimize the price impact and/or to maximize the expected utility; the second step is to optimally place the orders within seconds. The former is the well-known optimal execution problem, and the latter is the much less studied optimal placement problem. This paper reviews several simple models and approaches for the optimal placement problem. Several most relevant statistical issues are presented, together with a brief discussion on the key differences between the system of limit order book and the multiclass queues with reneging.
Habitat Demonstration Unit Pressurized Excursion Module Systems Integration Strategy

1 Engineer, Lunar Systems Division, Mail Code LX-M, 2 Engineer, Lunar Systems Division, Mail Code LX-M, 3 Architect, Systems Architecture and Integration Office, Mail Code EA3 4 Engineer, Exploration Missions and Systems Office, Mail Code ZS 5 Engineer, Systems Architecture and Integration Office, Mail Code EA3 6 Architect, Mission Systems Concepts, Mail Code 312E Habitat Demonstration Unit Pressurized Excursion Module Systems Integration Strategy
Whole genome analysis reveals the genomic complexity in metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a highly morbid disease requiring radical surgery and adjuvant therapy, which is associated with a poor prognosis. Yet, compared to other advanced malignancies, relatively little is known of the genomic landscape of metastatic CSCC. We have previously reported the mutational signatures and mutational patterns of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) regions in metastatic CSCC. However, many other genomic components (indel signatures, non-coding drivers, and structural variants) of metastatic CSCC have not been reported. To this end, we performed whole genome sequencing on lymph node metastases and blood DNA from 25 CSCC patients with regional metastases of the head and neck. We designed a multifaceted computational analysis at the whole genome level to provide a more comprehensive perspective of the genomic landscape of metastatic CSCC. In the non-coding genome, 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) regions of EVC (48% of specimens), PPP1R1A (48% of specimens), and ABCA4 (20% of specimens) along with the tumor-suppressing long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC01003 (64% of specimens) were significantly functionally altered (Q-value < 0.05) and represent potential non-coding biomarkers of CSCC. Recurrent copy number loss in the tumor suppressor gene PTPRD was observed. Gene amplification was much less frequent, and few genes were recurrently amplified. Single nucleotide variants driver analyses from three tools confirmed TP53 and CDKN2A as recurrently mutated genes but also identified C9 as a potential novel driver in this disease. Furthermore, indel signature analysis highlighted the dominance of ID signature 13 (ID13) followed by ID8 and ID9. ID9 has previously been shown to have no association with skin melanoma, unlike ID13 and ID8, suggesting a novel pattern of indel variation in metastatic CSCC. The enrichment analysis of various genetically altered candidates shows enrichment of “TGF-beta regulation of extracellular matrix” and “cell cycle G1 to S check points. ” These enriched terms are associated with genetic instability, cell proliferation, and migration as mechanisms of genomic drivers of metastatic CSCC.
The impact of Public Private Partnership on quality education of secondary schools in Tanzania

The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of PPPs on Quality of secondary education in the Bagamoyo district in Tanzania. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents in the field and the questionnaires were used and administered to selected respondents while purposive sampling was used to select schools. Various concepts of PPPs are analysed and models of PPPs that preferred for improving the quality of the delivery of education on secondary schools in the Bagamoyo district were clarified. The results of the empirical research support the conceptual analysis to the extent that public private partnership contributed to improving education quality through expansion of student access to schooling, delivering education to low-income families, financing school inputs and building school infrastructures and higher academic achievement. However, the running of Private schools normally depends on fees from students for offering quality education. Private schools set high fees to students that enabled them pay good salaries to teachers, building library with enough books as well as laboratories with enough chemicals, attractive working conditions for workers/teachers, example housing, electricity, water services and other allowances. Low-income families could not afford to pay the fees set by such schools. The government therefore, should set salaries and allowances for teachers to motivate, attract and improve working environment such as housing, electricity and water supply, building library with enough learning materials as well as build laboratories with enough chemicals in order to increase quality education for the children that to large extent from poor families. In addition, certain conditions for the successful implementation of PPPs such as government must remain active in directing projects and programmes in education planning rather than handing-over to the partners and the Government should establish a national policy framework that will drive PPPs in the public service delivery Through PPPs, can be made attractive and intellectually stimulating.