Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimized Greedy Detection for OFDM-IM Systems

Recently, a new transmission method has been proposed for power-efficient wireless communication systems called Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing with Index Modulation (OFDM-IM). This method offers high spectral efficiency with good error performance. The greedy detection (GD) scheme of subcarrier indices is often used to reduce the complexity of the OFDM-IM system in comparison to other relevant detectors. In this letter, an optimized greedy detection (OGD) scheme is proposed. The received subblock is divided into mini-subblocks to decrease the risk of error. The Total Symbol Error Probability (TSEP) is derived using a closed-form expression to evaluate the performance. Simulation and analytic results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed detector.
Associations of Type 2 Diabetes, Body Composition, and Insulin Resistance with Bone Parameters: The Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be associated with increased risk of fractures, despite preserved bone mineral density (BMD). Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) may have separate effects on bone turnover and bone strength, which contribute to skeletal fragility. We characterized and assessed the relative associations of obesity, body composition, IR, and T2D on bone turnover markers (BTMs), BMD, and advanced hip analysis (AHA). In this cross‐sectional analysis of Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study, 525 (61.3% women) participants were grouped according to T2D, IR (homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance [HOMA‐IR]
Jizerka Gemstone Placer—Possible Links to the Timing of Cenozoic Alkali Basalt Volcanism in Jizera Mountains, Czech Republic

The Jizerka Quaternary alluvial placer in the Czech Republic has been a well-known source of gemstones since the 16th century, and the only one in Europe that has yielded a significant amount of jewel-quality sapphire. Besides Mg-rich ilmenite (“iserine”), which is the most common heavy mineral at the locality, some other minerals have been mined for jewellery purposes. These are corundum (sapphire and ruby varieties), zircon (“hyacinth” gemstone variety) and spinel. Here, we present a detailed petrological and geochronological investigation of the enigmatic relationship between the sapphires and their supposed host rocks, supporting their xenogenetic link. Our hypothesis is based on thermal resetting of the U–Pb isotopic age of the zircon inclusion found inside Jizerka blue sapphire to the estimated time of the anticipated host alkaline basalt intrusion. The host rocks of the gemstones (sapphire and zircon) and Mg-rich ilmenite are not yet known, but could be related to the Cenozoic volcanism located near the Jizerka gem placer (Bukovec diatreme volcano, Pytlácká jáma Pit diatreme and Hruškovy skály basalt pipe). The transport of sapphire, zircon and Mg-rich ilmenite to the surface was connected with serial volcanic events, likely the fast ascent of alkali basalts and formation of multi-explosive diatreme maar structures with later deposition of volcanoclastic material in eluvial and alluvial sediments in nearby areas. All mineral xenocrysts usually show traces of magmatic corrosion textures, indicating disequilibrium with the transporting alkali basalt magma. In order to constrain the provenance and age of the Jizerka placer heavy mineral assemblage, zircon inclusion and associated phases (niobian rutile, baddeleyite and silicate melts) in the blue sapphire have been studied using LA–ICP–MS (laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry) geochemistry and U–Pb in situ dating. Modification of the zircon inclusion into baddeleyite by exposure to temperature above 1400 °C in a basaltic melt is accompanied by zircon U–Pb age resetting. A zircon inclusion in a Jizerka sapphire was dated at 31.2 ± 0.4 Ma, and its baddeleyite rim at 31 ± 16 Ma. The composition of the melt inclusions in sapphire and incorporated niobian rutile suggests that the parental rock of the sapphire was alkali syenite. The Eocene to late Miocene (Messinian) ages of Jizerka zircon are new findings within the Eger Graben structure, as well as among the other sapphire–zircon occurrences within the European Variscides. Jizerka blue sapphire mineral inclusions indicate a provenience of this gemstone mineral assemblage from different parental rocks of unknown age and unknown levels of the upper crust or lithospheric mantle.
Adaptive Secure Practical Fault-Tolerant Output Regulation of Multiagent Systems With DoS Attacks by Asynchronous Communications

The secure practical fault-tolerant output regulation of multiagent systems (MASs) with denial-of-service (DoS) attacks is considered in this article. Different from most existing output regulation problems: 1) The leader matrix is only known to a part of followers; 2) The communication networks are unreliable and there exist DoS attacks; 3) Actuator faults exist in the MASs. Firstly, to overcome the impact of DoS attacks, the adaptive edge-event-triggered observer is designed to estimate the leader's matrix and state. The novel edge-event-triggered mechanism enables asynchronous intermittent communication between agents, and the adaptive learning rate makes the observer design independent of the global information for the communication topology. Secondly, in order to compensate for the impact of actuator faults on system stability, a novel resilient adaptive event-triggered fault-tolerant controller is designed, and it has zero-order holder (ZOH) characteristics and avoids chattering phenomenon. Finally, two simulation examples well show the effectiveness of our developed methods.
A microscopic description of elastic scattering from unstable nuclei within a relativistic framework

A Microscopic Description of Elastic Scattering from Unstable Nuclei within a Relativistic Framework W. A. Yahya Department of Physics, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Dissertation: PhD November 2017 In this dissertation, a microscopic study of proton elastic scattering from unstable nuclei at intermediate energies using relativistic formalisms is presented. We have employed both the original relativistic impulse approximation (IA1) and the generalised relativistic impulse approximation (IA2) formalisms to calculate the relativistic optical potentials, with target densities derived from relativistic mean field (RMF) theory using the QHD-II, NL3, and FSUGold parameter sets. Comparisons between the optical potentials computed using both IA1 and IA2 formalisms, and the different RMF Lagrangians are presented for both stable and unstable targets. The comparisons are required to study the effect of using IA1 versus IA2 optical potentials, with different RMF parameter sets, on elastic scattering observables for unstable targets at intermediate energies. We also study the effect of full-folding versus factorized form of the optical potentials on elastic scattering observables. As with the case for stable nuclei, we found that the use of full-folding optical potential improves the scattering observables (especially spin observables) at low intermediate energy (e.g. 200MeV). No discernible difference is found at projectile incident energy of 500 MeV. To check the validity of using localized optical potential, we calculate the scattering observables using non-local potentials by solving the momentum space Dirac equation. The Dirac equation is transformed to two coupled Lippmann-Schwinger equations, which are then numerically solved to obtain the elastic scattering observables. The results are discussed and compared to calculations involving local coordinate-space optical potentials. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Effectiveness of corticosteroid therapy in patients with moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019: a retrospective study

Introduction: Ne An acute respiratory infection started in Wuhan city of China in December 2019. The pathogen was discovered as a novel coronavirus from the Coronaviridae family and called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). According to clinical symptoms and laboratory tests, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are categorized as asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe and critical state. Suggested therapies used in moderate to severe COVID-19 disease include corticosteroids, anticoagulation and antiviral drugs (e.g., remdesivir). Objectives: We reviewed the clinical outcomes associated with corticosteroid treatment for COVID-19. Patients and Methods: We planned a retrospective study with 859 patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection who were under treatment at Khorshid hospital affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (from February to May 2020). Results: A total of 859 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 63.33±15.45 years of which 43.8% (n=376) were women. We subcategorized corticosteroids by dose prescribed in smaller groups to show better results. The secondary outcome including the rate of intensive care units (ICUs) admission and death was less with corticosteroid prescription. This study showed, mortality and ICU admission were fewer in patients with ≥51 mg/d and ≥201 mg/d of methylprednisolone therapy, respectively. Conclusion: Based on this study, corticosteroid treatment can reduce both the need for ICU admission and mortality in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. However, clinical trials are needed to investigate the effect of corticosteroid therapy on the need to mechanically ventilate a patient.
The influence of tax transparency on sales tax evasion among Jordanian SMEs: The moderating role of moral obligation

Abstract Globally, taxes is a crucial source of income for various governments. However, in spite of the numerous importance of taxes for the socioeconomic growth of developed and developing countries, Jordan as a developing country faces challenges of tax evasion. It is pivotal in this regard to reduce tax evasion among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study aimed to examine the relation between tax transparency and sales tax evasion among Jordanian SMEs considering the role of moral obligation as the moderating factor between the endogenous and exogenous variables. Using a quantitative approach, this study surveyed 400 SMEs owners/managers. Only 45% of these surveys were valid for further analysis. For hypothesis testing and data analysis, the partial least squares structural equational modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used. The results revealed that tax transparency had negative and significant influence on sales tax evasion. This study also provides evidence that the model’s ability to explain tax evasion and the influence of tax transparency on sales tax evasion are both greatly strengthened by the integration of moderating role of moral obligation. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on this subject and can help scholars and practitioners investigate the effects of tax transparency and moral obligation on sales tax evasion among SMEs. Hence, tax authorities, and policymakers should incorporate these factors to formulate effective strategies to combat tax evasion in Jordan, which could lead to an overall improvement in the country’s revenue collection.
Diversity of endophytic fungi of rice plants in Padang City, Indonesia, entomopathogenic to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens)

Abstract. Trizelia, Rahma H, Syahrawati M. 2023. Diversity of endophytic fungi of rice plants in Padang City, Indonesia, entomopathogenic to brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). Biodiversitas 24: 2384-2392. Various endophytic fungi can live in plant tissues for all or part of their life cycle without causing damage or disease in their host. Several genera of endophytic fungi have been reported to be entomopathogenic and can be used to control insect pests. This study aimed to determine the diversity of endophytic fungi from rice stems that were entomopathogenic against Nilaparvata lugens (Stål, 1854) or Brown Planthopper (BPH). Endophytic fungi were isolated from rice stems of IR42 and Cisokan varieties grown in Padang City, West Sumatra Indonesia. Isolated fungi were first evaluated for their pathogenicity against Tenebrio molitor larvae. Subsequently high pathogenicity showed isolates were tested on nymphs and adults of BPH. The results showed that the entomopathogenic fungi isolated from IR 42 and Cisokan were the members of genus Aspergillus, Trichoderma, and Beauveria. The entomopathogenic fungi from IR 42 were more diverse than Cisokan, and Beauveria sp. was the most common isolate and had a better ability to kill the BPH. The highest mortality of BPH was found in PIR 1.3 isolate, but the mortality was still relatively low (53.33% nymphs and 34.99% adults). Further study is needed to increase the effectiveness of these endophytic fungi against BPH directly or indirectly by inducing resistance.
Bioinspired In‐Sensor Reservoir Computing for Self‐Adaptive Visual Recognition with Two‐Dimensional Dual‐Mode Phototransistors

Artificial visual systems that dynamically process spatiotemporal optoelectronic signals under complex real‐life environments bear a wide spectrum of edge applications. Despite significant progress in optoelectronic sensors and neuromorphic computing algorithms, developing visual systems that can adapt to a broad illumination range while retaining high performance, high efficiency, and low training costs remains a challenge. Here, this work reports a bioinspired in‐sensor reservoir computing (RC) for self‐adaptive visual recognition. By leveraging voltage‐tunable photoresponses of the MoS2‐based phototransistor array, the RC system demonstrates both scotopic and photopic adaptation functions and maintains a recognition accuracy of 91%. The horizontal modulation (HM) block enables the reservoir to adapt automatically in real‐time under changing illumination conditions, yielding a 90.64% recognition accuracy (14.21% improvement over conventional RC systems). These results pave the way for the emergence of a reconfigurable in‐sensor RC system with broad applications and enhanced performance for an efficient artificial vision system at the edge.
A Novel Cruciform TE10/TE20 Dual-Mode Power Divider Based on Groove Gap Waveguides

In this article, a class of novel power divider (PD) with TE10/TE20 dual-mode operation characteristic is proposed and demonstrated for the first time. The PD is based on low-loss groove gap waveguides with half-height pins and is shaped into a cruciform <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$E$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-plane coplanar magic-T, which has four coplanar waveguide arms. Unlike all conventional magic-Ts, its <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$E$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-plane waveguide dominates TE20 mode, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-plane waveguide dominates TE10 mode. Herein, compact waveguide transformers, waveguide steps, and cuboid waveguide ridges are employed to achieve broadband impedance matching, efficient mode conversion, and compact dimension. Therefore, the input power can be equally divided whether TE20 mode is excited at the difference port or TE10 mode is excited at the sum port. Conversely, TE10 and TE20 modes with equal power can be obtained by exciting TE20 mode at any output port. In either case, the free port helps improve the isolation. Moreover, a broadband TE10–TE20 mode converter is designed and fabricated to facilitate the measurement. The proposed prototypes are verified in the WR-4 band, and the measured results are excellent and in good agreement with the simulated results within the desired 180–250 GHz.
EXPLORING TOURIST RESPONSE TO FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND PERCEIVED VALUE ON TOURIST VISITATION INTENTION OF ADULT-CHILDREN TRAVELING WITH THEIR PARENTS

The purpose of this study is to explore the travel decision-making of a specific type of traveler, adultchildren, and their aged parents. The study examines the impact of an age-friendly environment and perceived value on the tourist’s travel intention. The results show that in addition to the significant impact of perceived value on tourism intentions, age-friendly environmental design has also been confirmed to play a mediating role between the above two dimensions. This phenomenon indicates that good age-friendly environmental design is indeed a key factor in adult-child and parent travel decision-making.
The Adaptive Control of Nonlinear Systems Using the T-S-K Fuzzy Logic

Fuzzy adaptive tracking controllers for a class of uncertain nonlinear dynamical systems are proposed and analyzed. The controller consists of adaptive and robustifying components whose role is to nullify the effect of uncertainties and achieve a desired tracking performance. The interactions between the two components have been investigated. We use the Takagi-Sugeno-Kang type of the fuzzy logic system to approximate the controller. It is proved that the closed-loop system using this adaptive fuzzy controller is globally stable in the sense that all signals involved are bounded. Finally, we apply the method of direct adaptive fuzzy controllers to control an inverted pendulum and the simulation results are included.
Neural Network Model-Based Reinforcement Learning Control for AUV 3-D Path Following

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have become important tools in the ocean exploration and have drawn considerable attention. Precise control for AUVs is the prerequisite to effectively execute underwater tasks. However, the classical control methods such as model predictive control (MPC) rely heavily on the dynamics model of the controlled system which is difficult to obtain for AUVs. To address this issue, a new reinforcement learning (RL) framework for AUV path-following control is proposed in this article. Specifically, we propose a novel actor-model-critic (AMC) architecture integrating a neural network model with the traditional actor-critic architecture. The neural network model is designed to learn the state transition function to explore the spatio-temporal change patterns of the AUV as well as the surrounding environment. Based on the AMC architecture, a RL-based controller agent named ModelPPO is constructed to control the AUV. With the required sailing speed achieved by a traditional proportional-integral (PI) controller, ModelPPO can control the rudder and elevator fins so that the AUV follows the desired path. Finally, a simulation platform is built to evaluate the performance of the proposed method that is compared with MPC and other RL-based methods. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve better performance than other methods, which demonstrate the great potential of the advanced artificial intelligence methods in solving the traditional motion control problems for intelligent vehicles.
Sub-Simulation-Free Upper Bounds for Bermudan Derivatives

In this paper, we propose a new regression-based sub-simulation-free upper bound. The method is based on approximating the martingale component of the lower bound process. The convergence and tightness of this upper bound are analyzed. In addition, the implementation details and enhancement techniques are discussed as well. Overall, our methods make a good trade-off between the time-efficiency of algorithms and the tightness of upper bounds. For a 20 rates Bermudan swaption, the distance between upper bounds with power enhancements and lower bounds is smaller than 10 basis points.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Functions by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Coronary Slow-Flow Phenomenon.

Background: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is a medical challenge, especially regarding its diagnosis. The use of speckle tracking seems to provide a clue for diagnosis. However, its role is not well addressed. Aim of the work: To assess the value of the left ventricle's global longitudinal strain by 2D speckle tracking to detect subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with the slow coronary flow. Patients and methods: This study was performed between May and September 2020 at the cardiology department, Al-Azhar University Hospital (New Damietta). Thirty patients are known to have slow coronary flow based on a previous coronary angiographic examination, and 30 healthy participants with the same demographic match (age and sex) as a control group were included. Patients were classified into two groups: Group (A): Included 30 patients with a coronary slow flow. Group (B): Included 30 normal healthy adult persons served as a control group. All were assessed clinically and by radiological investigations. In addition, speckle tracking echocardiography was done for all patients. Results: In Doppler flow measures, E wave and E/A ratio showed significantly lower values in CSFP when compared with the control group (p= 0.02, 0.003 respectively). According to tissue velocity imaging (TVI), there is a similarity between both groups without any significant difference. Speckle tracking measurements demonstrate significantly lower value in patients with CSFP than the control group (p=0.003). Conclusion: In patients with CSF, LV systolic function detected during both conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic examinations was not affected, but 2D longitudinal strain demonstrated that LV systolic function was impaired. CSFP could impair LV diastolic function.
Constrained multi-objective optimization using constrained non-dominated sorting combined with an improved hybrid multi-objective evolutionary algorithm

ABSTRACT Constrained multi-objective optimization problems (cMOPs) are complex because the optimizer should balance not only between exploration and exploitation, but also between feasibility and optimality. This article suggests a parameter-free constraint handling approach called constrained non-dominated sorting (CNS). In CNS, each solution in a population is assigned a constrained non-dominated rank based on its constraint violation degree and Pareto rank. An improved hybrid multi-objective optimization algorithm called cMOEA/H for solving cMOPs is proposed. Additionally, a dynamic resource allocation mechanism is adopted by cMOEA/H to spare more computational efforts for those relatively hard sub-problems. cMOEA/H is first compared with the baseline algorithm using an existing constraint handling mechanism, verifying the advantages of the proposed constraint handling mechanism. Then cMOEA/H is compared with some classic constrained multi-objective optimizers, experimental results indicating that cMOEA/H could be a competitive alternative for solving cMOPs. Finally, the characteristics of cMOEA/H are studied.
New therapeutic approaches with biological drugs for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multiorganic syndrome that affects the cardiovascular, neurologic, renal, and gastrointestinal systems with an incidence ranging from 0 case to 67 cases per one million person-years, and its pathophysiology remains unknown. It is believed that genetic factors, the environment, and changes in immune system function contribute to the development of EGPA, overlapping the immune mechanisms of vasculitides and the pathologic mechanisms in eosinophilic syndromes. This disease is commonly divided into two phenotypes depending on the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). ANCA-positive patients usually have more vasculitic manifestations like peripheral neuropathy, purpura, renal involvement, and biopsy-proven vasculitis. The keystone of EGPA therapy is systemic corticosteroids (CS) as monotherapy or in combination with other immunosuppressive treatments, and recently the efficacy of eosinophil-targeted biotherapy, anti-interleukin-5 (IL-5), has been shown to be efficacious in EGPA. Although this phenotype/phase distinction has not yet had an impact on the current treatment strategies, emerging targeted biotherapies under evaluation could lead to a phenotype-based approach and personalised treatment regimens for EGPA patients. The present review describes the new therapeutical approaches with biological drugs for EGPA.