Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engaging High School Students in Computer Science Through Music Remixing: An EarSketch-based Pilot Competition and Evaluation

: There is a strong demand for diverse computer scientists in the United States. In order to build interest and excitement around computing, there is a need for free, accessible computing experiences for K-12 students. As part of broader efforts to build a pipeline into computer science, scholars at Georgia Institute of Technology teamed up with Amazon Future Engineer, a division of Amazon, Inc. focused on building a diverse pipeline into computer science, to build a coding competition centered around remixing music from popular celebrity musicians using the EarSketch platform, developed at Georgia Tech. In this paper, we present a description of the competition elements and infrastructure and the results of a program evaluation which engaged participating students, teachers, and judges. Program offerings included a 3-day competition-specific curriculum, judging rubric and process, submission guidelines, celebrity promotion and participation, and awards. The competition engaged over 20,000 new EarSketch users during the 2019-20 school year and resulted in 1200 competition submissions from all over the United States. A formative evaluation design was utilized, including online surveys with judge, teacher, and student participants. The purpose of the evaluation was to collect formative data regarding participants’ experiences during the pilot year of the competition to inform future iterations of this program. The online surveys contained questions about logistical aspects of participants’ experiences, as well as items on the extent to which they enjoyed and valued various aspects of the competition and allowed for suggestions for improvement. Quantitative Likert scale responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative, open-ended responses were analyzed for themes and illustrative quotes. Participants in all three participant groups provided largely positive feedback about their experiences in and perceptions of the competition. Judges reported that the judging experience was enjoyable, clear, and not overly time consuming. Teachers felt the competition provided a variety of benefits to their students, including perceived interest in computing, music technology, and creative expression. Students valued the opportunity to create music through coding, and some expressed interest in taking additional computing courses.
Improving Soil Phosphorus Availability and Its Influence on Faba Bean performance: Exploring Mineral, Bio and Organic Fertilization with Foliar application of Iron and Zinc

OLLABORATIVE efforts among researchers and farmers are essential for implementing these solutions effectively and sustainably to address phosphorus availability challenges in Egyptian agriculture. Additionally, ongoing research and innovation in the field of nutrition can lead to the development of novel approaches to further enhance phosphorus availability and optimize nutrient management practices. So, a field trial was conducted for two successive winter seasons, i.e. 2020/21 and 2021/2022 following a split-plot experimental design. The main objective was to enhance soil phosphorus availability and improve faba bean growth through bio and organic fertilization, alongside foliar feeding with iron and zinc. The main plot in the experiment involved soil additions to increase P availability in soil, including control (no additions, negative control), calcium superphosphate added at a rate of. 72 kg P 2 O 5 per hectare (positive control), compost (7.2 tons per hectare), citric acid (7.2 kg per hectare), phosphorine (at rate of 10 g inoculant per 1.0 kg seeds), and a combined treatment of compost and citric acid (7.2 tons per hectare +7.2 kg per hectare, respectively). The sub-plot includes foliar application of microelements, with options being no application, iron application (2.4 kg per hectare) and zinc application (2.4 kg per hectare). Various parameters, such as nutrient availability (N, P, K, mgkg -1 ) in soil and organic matter (%) were determined at the harvest stage. Additionally, chemical constituents (N, P, K %) in straw and seeds, along with iron and zinc concentrations (mg kg -1 ) and protein (%) in seeds, were assessed at harvest. Yield-related components, including the number of pods plant -1 , weight of seed pod -1 (g), weight of 100 seed (g), seed yield (ardb fed -1 ) and straw yield (ton fed -1 ),were also measured. The results indicated that all soil additions significantly increased soil phosphorus availability as well as other nutrient availability compared to the control treatment, with the combined treatment (compost + citric) showing superior effects on both soil nutrient availability. The impact of foliar applications of iron and zinc on soil properties was not clearly discernible. In terms of plant-related parameters and yield components, the combined treatment (compost + citric) exhibited the highest values, followed by compost, calcium superphosphate, citric acid, phosphorine, and the control treatments, respectively. Regarding foliar application, iron treatment demonstrated the most substantial increase in chemical traits and yield parameters, followed by zinc treatment, while the control treatment realized the lowest values. These findings underscore the potential of specific soil additions and foliar applications in mitigating phosphorus-related challenges and enhancing faba bean growth in alkaline Egyptian soils.
Comment on “Geophysical evidence for a large impact structure on the Falkland (Malvinas) Plateau”

This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/ter.12285 This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. DR. DAVE MCCARTHY (Orcid ID : 0000-0002-0677-773X)
Design of a traceability system for a coffee supply chain based on blockchain and machine learning

Purpose: This paper aims to develop a coffee supply chain traceability system based on Blockchain (BC) and Machine Learning (ML) with the aim of ensuring the quality of coffee beans production. BC functions to ensure supply chain performance, while the ML model ensures product quality.Design/methodology/approach: Smart Contracts will be built on the Ethereum Virtual Machine BC network based on Ethereum. The ML model to identify good and bad green coffee beans will be built using different YOLO algorithms, which will go through training and validation stages, namely using the k-fold cross validation method. The ML model algorithm is based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) using YOLOv5m, YOLOv6m and YOLOv7. The best model will be chosen based on the results of cross-validation with test data in the form of coffee image data that the model has never seen (unseen data). The whole process of building the ML model is done on the Google Collab Pro+ Virtual Machine.Findings: YOLOv5m outperformed the other models in both non-augmented and augmented training datasets, highlighting the proficiency of YOLOv5m in managing compact datasets and its resilience in the face of data augmentation, positioning it as a prime selection for quality discernment tasks within the realm of green coffee beans. The smart contracts offer an all-encompassing approach for user management, monitoring product status, and presenting traceability data within the framework of coffee plantation administration.Originality/value: This research contributes to the development of blockchain network as a solution to implement traceability systems along coffee supply chains in Indonesia. Moreover, it shows that while blockchain can ensure the process of production along the coffee supply to follow certain guidelines, machine learning can verify whether the product that was produced by utilizing BC is of high quality/acceptable.
On the design of trust and mobility based evaluation for intelligent collaborative UAVs assisted VANETs

In recent days, vehicles usage and speed are highly increased that leads to an increase in energy consumption, delay, and overhead in the network. In this paper, a novel trajectory is introduced to achieve maximum reliability namely trust and mobility-based evaluation for intelligent collaborative (TMIC)-UAVs assisted VANETs. Reactive multipath greedy routing protocol (RMGR) is the hybrid routing protocol and it is the combination of ad hoc on-demand multipath distance vector (AOMDV) with greedy geographic forwarding (GGF) which is used for routing in frequently changeable network topology. To protect the network from malfunctions, effective trust evaluation (ETE) is performed by calculating the direct trust and indirect trust. Finally, to achieve effective communication among the UAVs, hybrid optimization is performed which is the combination of the genetic algorithm (GA) and the crow swarm optimization (CSO) algorithm. For validation network simulator (NS3) is used and the results show that this approach achieves high energy efficiency, delivery ratio, and reduction in delay when compared with the earlier research.
On a new structure of multi-term Hilfer fractional impulsive neutral Levin-Nohel integrodifferential system with variable time delay

The Levin-Nohel equations play key roles in the interpretation of real phenomena and have interesting applications in engineering and science areas, such as mathematical physics, mathematical biology, image processing, and numerical analyses. This article investigates a new structure for the delay neutral Levin-Nohel integrodifferential (NLNID) system via a Hilfer fractional derivative and is supplemented by initial and instantaneous impulse conditions. A fractional integral equation corresponding to the proposed system is derived and used to prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution with the help of the Banach contraction principle. Additionally, the Ulam-Hyers-Mittag-Leffler (UHML) stability is studied by utilizing the generalized Gronwall's inequality and nonlinear analysis issues. As a consequence, the Ulam-Hyers (UH) stability and generalized UH are also deduced. Furthermore, the Riemann-Liouville ($ \mathcal{R.L.} $) and Caputo fractional versions of the proposed system are discussed. Finally, numerical applications supported with tables and graphics are provided to test the exactitude of the findings.
Effects of processing parameters on the leakage current of silicone rubber insulator

Silicone rubber (SiR) is known for its exceptional electrical insulation properties. The performance of SiR could be affected by many factors, including processing parameters, particularly mixing speed and time. While these parameters are crucial for ensuring the homogeneity of blended polymeric materials, their electrical impact remains relatively unexplored. This research investigates the effect of varying processing parameters on SiR samples during rapid aging under the incline plane tracking (IPT) test. The study unfolds in three phases, with the final IPT stage revealing the significant influence of different mixing speeds and times on the recorded leakage current (LC) values for each sample. Sample 2, subjected to 70 rpm mixing speed and 10 minutes of mixing time, exhibited great resistance to tracking and erosion. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted on the samples before and after the IPT test to further analyze the impact of the varying processing parameters. Once again, sample 2 displayed notable resilience, demonstrating lower reductions in absorbance values for key functional groups. In conclusion, the specific processing parameters of 70 rpm and 10 minutes have been shown to positively influence the performance of SiR, enhancing their resistance to tracking and erosion during rapid aging.
Do Continuous Rotating Endodontic Instruments Extrude Fewer Apical Debris Than Reciprocating Instruments in Non-Surgical Endodontic Retreatments? A Systematic Review

Background: All endodontic treatment techniques are associated with the extrusion of debris into periradicular tissues through the apex. The extrusion of apical debris can lead to delayed healing or even therapy failure. It is possible to reduce the extrusion into periapical tissues through various approaches. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate whether, in cases of non-surgical endodontic retreatment, reciprocating instruments cause greater extrusion of debris compared to instruments with continuous rotation. Methods: A search was conducted on PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and the Web of Science. The inclusion criterion was in vitro studies comparing apical extrusion in endodontically treated elements using continuously rotating and reciprocating files. Results: The search on scientific databases yielded 164 results, out of which only 16 were eligible for evaluation after screening. Conclusions: The authors of the research included in this review do not agree on the results obtained. Based on the articles analyzed in this systematic review, it remains unclear whether continuous rotation or reciprocating movement of the endodontic instrument can lead to significant differences in apical debris extrusion; it is not possible to provide a clear clinical recommendation regarding the choice of instrument movement for endodontic procedures.
Grass lignin: biosynthesis, biological roles, and industrial applications

Lignin is a phenolic heteropolymer found in most terrestrial plants that contributes an essential role in plant growth, abiotic stress tolerance, and biotic stress resistance. Recent research in grass lignin biosynthesis has found differences compared to dicots such as Arabidopsis thaliana. For example, the prolific incorporation of hydroxycinnamic acids into grass secondary cell walls improve the structural integrity of vascular and structural elements via covalent crosslinking. Conversely, fundamental monolignol chemistry conserves the mechanisms of monolignol translocation and polymerization across the plant phylum. Emerging evidence suggests grass lignin compositions contribute to abiotic stress tolerance, and periods of biotic stress often alter cereal lignin compositions to hinder pathogenesis. This same recalcitrance also inhibits industrial valorization of plant biomass, making lignin alterations and reductions a prolific field of research. This review presents an update of grass lignin biosynthesis, translocation, and polymerization, highlights how lignified grass cell walls contribute to plant development and stress responses, and briefly addresses genetic engineering strategies that may benefit industrial applications.
Effect of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor Output Parasitic Capacitance on Efficiency in Full-Bridge LLC DC/DC Converters

This study analyzed the efficiency impact of a MOSFET output parasitic capacitance (Coss) on a full-bridge LLC DC/DC converter. The core of the converter was the control chip for a half-bridge LLC DC/DC converter, and the output signal of the chip controlled the first-arm power transistors of the primary side of the converter. The coupling transformer reversed the output signal to control the primary side of the second arm of the power transistor. The full-bridge converter comprises a half-bridge control chip that converts the high-voltage DC power supply to a low-voltage DC power supply, which is then synchronously rectified and supplied to the load. The primary side of the power transistor achieves a zero-voltage switching (ZVS) state through the resonance of the LLC converter. This design gives the converter high power density and a simple structure. Furthermore, to determine the appropriate output parasitic capacitance for improving converter efficiency, this study analyzed the effect of the output parasitic capacitance on the switching loss and conduction loss of the power transistor on the basis of the output parasitic capacitance of the primary-side power transistor. A 1200 W converter prototype was fabricated in this study, and when the output was 300 W, efficiency increased from 92.603% to 93.462%, a 0.859% increase. The empirical results verified the feasibility of the proposed theory.
Victims of Corruption Suffer Personal and Collective Loss: A Qualitative Study of Public Perceptions

This study aimed to identify citizens’ perceptions of the effects of administrative corruption on their lives. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with 15 citizens living in Tehran, Iran, recruited through the convenience sampling method. Two main themes emerged from the data: Negative individual consequences (including “negative emotional consequences”, “negative motivational consequences”, “negative moral and behavioural consequences” and “negative economic consequences”) and Negative collective consequences (including “negative consequences related to family formation and stability” and “negative social consequences”). The study reveals that participants have experienced or perceived adverse effects in the personal, family and social spheres as a result of administrative corruption. The impacts of corruption on people's lives can be taken into consideration when explaining the importance and necessity of designing and implementing preventive measures and policies aimed at reducing corrupt behaviours in public agents.
COVID-19 Immunologic Antiviral Therapy With Omalizumab (CIAO)—a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract Background Omalizumab is an anti-immunoglobulin E monoclonal antibody used to treat moderate to severe chronic idiopathic urticaria, asthma, and nasal polyps. Recent research suggested that omalizumab may enhance the innate antiviral response and have anti-inflammatory properties. Objective We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in adults hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods This was a phase II randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing omalizumab with placebo (in addition to standard of care) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The primary endpoint was the composite of mechanical ventilation and/or death at day 14. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality at day 28, time to clinical improvement, and duration of hospitalization. Results Of 41 patients recruited, 40 were randomized (20 received the study drug and 20 placebo). The median age of the patients was 74 years and 55.0% were male. Omalizumab was associated with a 92.6% posterior probability of a reduction in mechanical ventilation and death on day 14 with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.11 (95% credible interval 0.002-2.05). Omalizumab was also associated with a 75.9% posterior probability of reduced all-cause mortality on day 28 with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.49 (95% credible interval, 0.06-3.90). No statistically significant differences were found for the time to clinical improvement and duration of hospitalization. Numerically fewer adverse events were reported in the omalizumab group and there were no drug-related serious adverse events. Conclusions These results suggest that omalizumab could prove protective against death and mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This study could also support the development of a phase III trial program investigating the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect of omalizumab for severe respiratory viral illnesses requiring hospital admission. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04720612
Self‐potential signals associated with preferential ground water flow pathways in a buried paleo‐channel

The flow of ground water in a buried permeable paleo‐channel can be observed at the ground surface through its self‐potential signature. We apply this method to delineate the Saint‐Ferréol paleo‐channel of the Rhone River located in Camargue, in the South East of France. Negative potentials, ∼−30 mV (reference taken outside the paleo‐channel), are associated with ground water flow in this major sand‐filled channel (500 m wide). Electrical resistivity is primarily controls by the salinity of the pore water. Electrical resistivity tomography and in situ sampling show the salinity of the water inside the paleo‐channel is ten times smaller by comparison with the pore water of the surrounding sediments. Combining electrical resistivity surveys, self‐potential data, and a minimum of drilling information, a 3‐D reconstruction of the architecture of the paleo‐channel is obtained showing the usefulness of this methodology for geomorphological reconstructions in this type of coastal environment.
An Adaptive Fake Permanent Scatterer Removal Algorithm Based on Direct Signal Reconstruction of Multiparameter Estimation for GNSS-InBSAR

Global navigation satellite system-based bistatic synthetic aperture radar interferometry (GNSS-InBSAR) system adopts a novel and integrated GNSS receiver, where the direct signal could be collected by the backlobe of the reflected antenna and would result in the fake permanent scatterers (PSs) in the single-channel data. Additionally, limited by the data amount, only one channel of data can be transmitted and signal processed. In this letter, an adaptive fake PS removal algorithm is proposed based on the multiparameter estimation direct signal reconstruction. First, the direct signal model considering the transmission link filter, the image offsets, the amplitude, and the phase of the image is established. Then, all these parameters are estimated based on the adaptive image information extraction. Finally, the direct signal is reconstructed to remove the fake PSs in the raw image results. The raw data of the Beidou navigation satellite is used, and the final experimental results indicated that the fake PSs in the SAR images can be completely removed, and the deformation retrieval accuracy of the interference area has improved by 63%.
Evaluation of Storage Conditions and the Effect on DNA from Forensic Evidence Objects Retrieved from Lake Water

DNA analysis of traces from commonly found objects like knives, smartphones, tapes and garbage bags related to crime in aquatic environments is challenging for forensic DNA laboratories. The amount of recovered DNA may be affected by the water environment, time in the water, method for recovery, transport and storage routines of the objects before the objects arrive in the laboratory. The present study evaluated the effect of four storage conditions on the DNA retrieved from bloodstains, touch DNA, fingerprints and hairs, initially deposited on knives, smartphones, packing tapes, duct tapes and garbage bags, and submerged in lake water for three time periods. After retrieval, the objects were stored either through air-drying at room temperature, freezing at −30 °C, in nitrogen gas or in lake water. The results showed that the submersion time strongly influenced the amount and degradation of DNA, especially after the longest submersion time (21 days). A significant variation was observed in success for STR profiling, while mtDNA profiling was less affected by the submersion time interval and storage conditions. This study illustrates that retrieval from water as soon as possible and immediate storage through air-drying or freezing before DNA analysis is beneficial for the outcome of DNA profiling in crime scene investigations.