Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ancillary Ultrasonic Rangefinder for Autonomous Vehicles

The latest fatal accidents of autonomous vehicle happened because of undetected peer vehicles or persons. These fatal accidents call attention to the rangefinder devices which are a very significant component of every autonomous vehicle. The rangefinder is the starting point for the decision whether the vehicle should continue to go, to stop, or bypassing an object. In this paper an ultrasonic based rangefinder device for autonomous vehicles is presented. The device can be used as an ancillary system in addition to standard LIDAR system used by almost all the autonomous vehicles, with the aim of overcoming the obstructions of conventional LIDAR systems.
Entrepreneurship, College, and Credit: The Golden Triangle

We develop a model to evaluate the aggregate impact of college finance in an environment with entrepreneurship. The calibrated model captures the stylized fact that entrepreneurs with college are more common and more profitable in the United States. The calibration indicates this is mainly because higher labor earnings allow college‐educated agents to ameliorate credit constraints if and when they eventually become entrepreneurs. Changes in financing constraints on entrepreneurs can thus affect college attendance, and changes in financing constraints on college can affect entrepreneurship rates as well.
A Review on Recommender Systems for University Admissions

: Data mining is the process of exploring and discovering patterns in large datasets. It involves analyzing a data set from different aspects and summarizing it into usable and useful information which can be used to minimize costs and increase efficiency. Students are unaware of the best institute suited for them due to insufficient information. A large number of students apply to universities for admissions in various streams. This paper explores the various recommender mechanisms that use data mining and neural networks to tackle university admission problems.
The Long-Term Consequences of Short-Term Incentives

This paper shows that short-term stock price concerns induce CEOs to take value-reducing actions. Vesting equity, our measure of short-term concerns, is positively associated with the probability of a firm repurchasing shares, the amount of shares repurchased, and the probability of the firm announcing a merger and acquisition (M&A). When vesting equity increases, stock returns are more positive in the two quarters surrounding both repurchases and M&A, but more negative in the two years following repurchases and four years following M&A. These results are inconsistent with CEOs buying underpriced stocks or companies to maximize long-run shareholder value, but consistent with these actions being used to boost the short-term stock price and improve the conditions for equity sales. Overall, by identifying actions that carry clear value implications, this paper documents the long-term negative consequences of short-term incentives.
Characterization of marginal zone-like B cells and lymphomas believed to originate from marginal zone B cells.

In this study we have examined the mutation status of genes involved in the NFB signaling pathway. DNA sequence analysis of four genes was performed: CD79A, CD79B, CARD11 and MYD88 that are activated through BCR signaling or Toll-like and interleukin signaling. A single point mutation was detected in the CD79B gene (Y196H) in one of ten SMZL cases. Additionally, one point mutation was identified in the MYD88 gene (L265P) in another SMZL case. No mutations were revealed in CD79A or CARD11 genes in these SMZL cases. Neither were mutations detected in these four genes studied in 13 control MZL samples. Interestingly, the two cases with mutations of CD79B and MYD88 showed increased numbers of immunoblasts spread among the smaller and typical marginal zone lymphoma cells. Although SMZL shows few mutations of NFB signaling genes, our results indicate that the presence of these mutations is associated with a higher histological grade.
A Novel Power Efficient Clustering Technique with a Fault Tolerance Mechanism based on Type -2 Fuzzy Logic, in a Multi-hop WSN

The main concern of this research paper is to improve lifetime and energy efficiency in wireless sensor network. There is a problem statement that when we increase the network lifetime by using type-2 fuzzy logic for selection scheme of cluster head. After the CH fails, there are problem in existing scheme is chained transmission of data packets and CH dependency on each other for transmission of data. Thus, when one sensor node fails, the whole sensor network will die. In this paper, to observe the problem we use fault tolerance schema. In starting of each round CH receives acknowledged packet if in a preset time slot this packet is not receiving than a fault alleged to occur at the CH.
Human rhinovirus spatial-temporal epidemiology in rural coastal Kenya, 2015-2016, observed through outpatient surveillance

Background: Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the predominant cause of upper respiratory tract infections, resulting in a significant public health burden. The virus circulates as many different types (168), each generating strong homologous, but weak heterotypic, immunity. The influence of these features on transmission patterns of HRV in the community is understudied. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) at nine out-patient facilities across a Health and Demographic Surveillance System between December 2015 and November 2016. HRV was diagnosed by real-time RT-PCR, and the VP4/VP2 genomic region of the positive samples sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was used to determine the HRV types. Classification models and G-test statistic were used to investigate HRV type spatial distribution. Demographic characteristics and clinical features of ARI were also compared. Results: Of 5,744 NPS samples collected, HRV was detected in 1057 (18.4%), of which 817 (77.3%) were successfully sequenced. HRV species A, B and C were identified in 360 (44.1%), 67 (8.2%) and 390 (47.7%) samples, respectively. In total, 87 types were determined: 39, 10 and 38 occurred within species A, B and C, respectively. HRV types presented heterogeneous temporal patterns of persistence. Spatially, identical types occurred over a wide distance at similar times, but there was statistically significant evidence for clustering of types between health facilities in close proximity or linked by major road networks. Conclusion: This study records a high prevalence of HRV in out-patient presentations exhibiting high type diversity. Patterns of occurrence suggest frequent and independent community invasion of different types. Temporal differences of persistence between types may reflect variation in type-specific population immunity. Spatial patterns suggest either rapid spread or multiple invasions of the same type, but evidence of similar types amongst close health facilities, or along road systems, indicate type partitioning structured by local spread.
Two-level value function approach to non-smooth optimistic and pessimistic bilevel programs

ABSTRACT The authors' paper in Dempe et al. [Necessary optimality conditions in pessimistic bilevel programming. Optimization. 2014;63:505–533], was the first one to provide detailed optimality conditions for pessimistic bilevel optimization. The results there were based on the concept of the two-level optimal value function introduced and analysed in Dempe et al. [Sensitivity analysis for two-level value functions with applications to bilevel programming. SIAM J. Optim. 22 (2012), 1309–1343], for the case of optimistic bilevel programs. One of the basic assumptions in both of these papers is that the functions involved in the problems are at least continuously differentiable. Motivated by the fact that many real-world applications of optimization involve functions that are non-differentiable at some points of their domain, the main goal of the current paper is to extend the two-level value function approach by deriving new necessary optimality conditions for both optimistic and pessimistic versions in bilevel programming with non-smooth data.
Iron and manganese reduction in Bering Sea shelf sediments

iv Acknowledgements vi List of Tables x List of Figures xi 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Study Site 5 1.2 Hypothesis 8 2.0 Sampling and Methods 9 2.1 Shipboard Analyses 9 a. Thorium-234 9 b. Whole Core Incubations 10 c. Pore-water Oxygen Penetration Depth 11 d. Pore-water Profiles 12 e. Benthic Fauna 12 2.2 Laboratory Analyses 13 a. Porosity 13 b. Solid-phase Iron and Manganese 13 c. Soluble Iron and Manganese in Pore-water 16 2.3 Statistical Analysis 16 3.0 Results 20 3.1 Bioturbation 20 3.2 Solid-phase Iron and Manganese 24
Improving the Physical Education Experience through Activity Based Learning: The Role of the Flipped Classroom in PE215: Foundations of Physical Fitness

The instruction of physical education comes with challenges not typically experienced in a class containing more traditional material e.g., Physics or History. While these academic courses place rigorous demands on the cognitive abilities of students, physical education and lifetime physical activity courses, as taught here at West Point, place a far greater demand on the biomotor capacities and abilities of students. With a flipped classroom, students can be assessed prior to initiating in-class activities to ensure comprehension of cognitive aspects of content. Utilizing a blended environment, or in the case of West Point, the Thayer Method, instructors provide cadets a brief opportunity for questions at the beginning of class prior to assessments [1]. Providing multiple points of review beyond a simple mid- and end-of-year assessment, retention and comprehension of course content will improve relative to a more traditional, lecture-style method [1,2]. The primary intent of this review is to discuss the role of varying pedagogical strategies in the post-secondary physical education setting, specifically as it pertains to a foundations of physical fitness course, at the United States Military Academy, West Point.
Surface acoustic wave generation and detection using graphene interdigitated transducers on lithium niobate

We demonstrate the feasibility of using graphene as a conductive electrode for the generation and detection of surface acoustic waves at 100 s of MHz on a lithium niobate substrate. The graphene interdigitated transducers (IDTs) show sensitivity to doping and temperature, and the characteristics of the IDTs are discussed in the context of a lossy transmission line model.
The Role of Two New Ratios as Predictive Factors of Oncologic Outcome in Stage III Colon and IntraPeritoneal Rectal Cancer

Purpose: Aim of the study was to evaluate the role of 2 ratios as predictive factors of Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS). Methods: Stage III colon and intra-peritoneal rectal cancer patients treated from 2000 to 2010 entered the study. A statistical analysis was performed to identify variables predicting OS and DFS. The role of 2 variables was evaluated: Length-Node ratio (maximal length of the tumor divided by the lymph node ratio); Length-Node-Tumor ratio (maximal length of the tumor divided by the product of lymph node ratio and pT stage). Results: One hundred eighteen patients underwent to radical surgery. The median maximal length of the tumor was 4 cm. The most frequent pT stage was pT3 (69.4%). The median number of harvested lymph nodes and lymph node ratio was respectively 15 and 0.154. Median value of Length-Node and Length-Node-Tumor ratio was respectively 27.083 and 8.889. After a median follow-up of 48 months, the cancer recurrence rate was 33.1%. The actuarial 5-y OS and 5-y DFS were respectively 71% and 66.1%. At multivariate analysis the male sex (p: 0.002), the occurrence of post-operative complications (p: 0.002) and a value lower than median of Length-Node ratio (: 0.001) and LengthNode-Tumor ratio (p<0.001) were identified as independent factors predicting worse OS. A value lower than median of Length-Node ratio (p: 0.017) and Length-Node-Tumor ratio (p: 0.006) were identified as the only independent factors predicting worse DFS. Conclusion: Length-Node and Length-Node-Tumor ratio seem to be prognostic factors significantly related with the oncological outcome of stage III colorectal cancer.
Heat transfer effects in a Couette flow through a composite channel partly filled by a porous medium with a transverse sinusoidal injection velocity and heat source

This study theoretically analyzes the heat transfer effects in a 3-D Couette flow through a composite parallel porous plate channel partly filled by a porous me- dium. The flow is 3-D in the channel because of the application of a transverse sinusoidal injection velocity of a particular form at the lower stationary plate. The governing equations are solved using a perturbation series expansion me- thod. The effects of various flow parameters such as, Prandtl number, suc- tion/injection parameter, permeability of the porous medium, heat source para- meter, and viscosity ratio parameter, are investigated on temperature distribution in the composite channel and rate of heat transfer at the upper moving plate and at the fluid-porous medium interface, and discussed graphically.
Longitudinal shear-induced diffusion of spheres in a dilute suspension

We present a calculation of the hydrodynamic self-diffusion coefficient of a tagged particle in a dilute mono-dispersed suspension of small neutrally buoyant spheres undergoing a steady simple shearing motion. The displacement of the tagged particle parallel to the longitudinal or streamwise direction resulting from a ‘collision’ with one other particle is calculated on the assumption that inertia and Brownian motion effects are negligible. Summing over different pairs leads to a logarithmically divergent integral for the diffusivity which is rendered finite by allowing for the cutoff due to the occasional presence of another pair of particles. The longitudinal shearinduced self-diffusion coefficient is thus found to be 0. 267a2γ{cln c−1 + O(c)], where γ denotes the applied shear rate, a is the radius of the spheres and c their volume concentration.
Scenarios of Land Use and Land Cover Change and Their Multiple Impacts on Natural Capital in Tanzania

Summary Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation plus the conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) requires information on land-use and land-cover changes (LULCCs) and carbon emission trends from the past to the present and into the future. Here, we use the results of participatory scenario development in Tanzania to assess the potential interacting impacts on carbon stock, biodiversity and water yield of alternative scenarios where REDD+ is or is not effectively implemented by 2025, a green economy (GE) scenario and a business as usual (BAU) scenario, respectively. Under the BAU scenario, LULCCs will cause 296 million tonnes of carbon (MtC) national stock loss by 2025, reduce the extent of suitable habitats for endemic and rare species (mainly in encroached protected mountain forests) and change water yields. In the GE scenario, national stock loss decreases to 133 MtC. In this scenario, consistent LULCC impacts occur within small forest patches with high carbon density, water catchment capacity and biodiversity richness. Opportunities for maximizing carbon emission reductions nationally are largely related to sustainable woodland management, but also contain trade-offs with biodiversity conservation and changes in water availability.
Impact of Glass Ceiling on Women Career Development : Moderating role of Age and Legal Factors Author Details :

Glass ceiling and gender discrimination are considered as biggest barriers in the professional growth of women; holding them back from occupying executive positions in the corporate world. The present research aims to analyze the prevailing effect of glass ceiling factors on women career development by examining the moderating role of age and legal factors from Pakistani women‟s perspective within the country. The statistical cosmos of the study consisted of 300 executive level females from different educational and health institutions through simple random sampling techniques. The study was completed with an empirical survey which was thoroughly conducted through questionnaires distributed in public and private organizations in Pakistan. The findings indicated to a significant degree the acceptance of five out of six hypotheses while one hypothesis was not proven to be true. The findings reveal that individual, organizational and family factors have a significant impact on the career development of women whereas cultural factors are not seen to have any significant impact on it. Moreover, age and legal factors moderate the relationship of cultural and organizational factors on women career development. The research is limited to specific industries and country together with a limited number of moderators providing the room for future researchers.
Microbial Degradation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Current and Future

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants that have been integrated into plastics and textiles for about three decades. They have been detected in environmental samples [1-3], and human breast milk [4-6], around the world. Due to their stability, toxicity and long distance transportation, pentaand octa-BDE were listed in POPs convention in 2009, which means that pentaand octa-BDE must be prohibited from production and utilization. However, the historically PBDEs used in the product can be released into environment. Besides, deca-BDEs which can be transformed into lower brominated diphenyl ethers are still in use, which also increase the risk of exposure and environmental burden of PBDEs. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the transformation way of PBDEs in natural environment, and exploring a practical and effective elimination method for PBDEs in environment, such as microbial degradation [7,8], is very necessary and urgent.
INTRASPECIFIC PHYLOGEOGRAPHY AND ADAPTIVE DIVERGENCE IN THE WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER

Abstract This study uses mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to examine the phylogeography of the White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus), one of the least-studied woodpeckers in North America. A mismatch distribution and calculation of Tajima's D indicate that the overall phylogeographic history of the species is characterized by a recent range expansion that probably occurred after the start of the Pleistocene. In addition, a nested clade phylogeographic analysis indicates that additional processes such as allopatric fragmentation and restricted gene flow have influenced the evolutionary history of this species. Traditionally, the White-headed Woodpecker has been split into two subspecies whose distributions meet in the northern part of the Transverse Ranges in California. The two subspecies differ morphologically, with the southern subspecies having a larger bill in proportion to its body size than the northern subspecies. Geographical variation in mtDNA is concordant with a division at the Transverse Ranges that corresponds to the morphological variation seen between the two subspecies. An analysis of molecular variance indicates that 27% of the genetic variation results from differences between the northern and southern subspecies. Furthermore, birds in the northern part of the range differ from those in the southern part of the range by at least one base substitution. These results agree with the hypothesis that the larger bill of the southern subspecies is the result of recent local adaptation to feeding on the large cones of Coulter pines (Pinus coulteri).
Adult C. elegans Exhibit Physiological Abnormalities When Early Gut Development is Partially Compromised

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans displays developmental robustness, such that nearly all embryos show normal development across a range of conditions. We are investigating properties of adults derived from embryos that are partially compromised for a very early step in the specification of the intestine (gut) primordium. As the gut provides essential nutritional functions to the animal, we hypothesize that is there are any abnormalities remaining in these adults, they might be detectable through indirect measurements of characteristics that depend on normal metabolism and physiology. Here, we examine adults derived from strains in which early embryonic gut development has been partially compromised and quantify three physiological properties: resistance to oxidative stress by exposure to hydrogen peroxide, mean rate of pharyngeal pumping, and average life span. Our results show that when specification is mildly compromised, oxidative stress resistance increases by 35%, pharyngeal pumping decreases by 11%, and life span decreases by 20%. In a more severely compromised strain, oxidative stress resistance decreases by 11%, pharyngeal pumping decreases by 27%, and life span decreases by 23%. The results show that function of the intestine, and general metabolic health, are indeed affected when gut specification is compromised. We propose that in C. elegans, proper function of the adult gut requires robust early progenitor specification, and that there are limits to the ability of later gut development to compensate for early perturbations in specification.
A NEW CONTROLLING METHOD FOR MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING IN PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS S . Molaei

Due to the variable, stochastic behavior of the solar energy resource, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) of photovoltaic (PV) is required to ensure continuous operation at the maximum power point to generate the most electrical energy. Also, high cost of photovoltaic systems necessitate to get them in high efficiency utilization systems Among existing methods for maximum power point tracking (MPPT), Incremental conductance method by having a relatively high speed and accuracy is unable to make a good compromise between radiation and ambient temperature. In this paper, in addition to improving the Incremental conductance method, a new and robust method based on model predictive control (MPC) is presented to trace and extract the current, corresponding to the maximum power point. This method is real-time method so the results of simulation confirm the speed and accuracy of this method.