Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural Networks as Globally Optimal Multilayer Convolution Architectures for Learning Fluid Flows

In this work we explore the advantages of end-to-end learning of multilayer maps offered by feed forward neural-networks (FFNN) for learning and predicting dynamics from transient fluid flow data.While machine learning in general depends on data quality and quantity relative to the underlying dynamics of the system, it is important for a given learning architecture to make the most of this available information. To this end, we focus on data-driven problems where there is a need to predict over reasonable time into the future with limited data availability. Such function approximation or time series prediction is in contrast to many applications of machine learning such as pattern recognition and parameter estimation that leverage vast datasets. In this study, we interpret the suite of recently popular data-driven learning approaches that approximate the dynamics as Markov linear model in a higher-dimensional feature space as a multilayer architecture similar to neural networks.
Gamification in Education: What, How, Why Bother?

Today's schools face major problems around student motivation and engagement. Gamification, or the incorporation of game elements into non-game settings, provides an opportunity to help schools solve these difficult problems. However, if gamification is to be of use to schools, we must better understand what gamification is, how it functions, and why it might be useful. This article addresses all three questions – what, how, and why bother? – while exploring both the potential benefits and pitfalls of gamification.
Effect of copper chloride in vitro and in vivo on the hepatic erod activity in the fish Dicentrarchus labrax

The effect of copper chloride was studied on the hepatic microsomal 7‐ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) activity of the fish Dicentrarchus labrax intraperitoneally injected with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). In vitro experiments showed that copper significantly decreased EROD activity, and IC50 was estimated at 50 μg Cu/L. The apparent Michaelis constant (Km) of cytochrome P4501A was constant, whereas maximum velocity (Vmax) decreased as a function of copper added to the incubation medium. (Km) of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NADPH]‐cytochrome P450 reductase increased as a function of copper concentration, whereas Vmax remained constant. Absorption spectra showed that the amount of cytochrome P420s increased as a function of copper concentrations added to the medium at the expense of cytochrome P450s. The injection of copper and BaP (in vivo experiments) to fish decreased EROD activity compared with the injection of BaP alone. An increase of immunoquantified CYP1A content measured by Western blotting (intense band of 55–60 kDa molecular weight) was noted in microsomes of fish injected with BaP compared with controls. In the case of fish treated with copper and BaP, the band was less intense and accompanied by another band of lower molecular weight. The destruction of the native P450s spectrophotometrically measured in the presence of copper implied that the catalytic activity would be diminished. This was confirmed by decreased EROD activity after either in vitro additions or in vivo treatment with copper. Moreover, immunodetection experiments suggested that the decrease of the catalytic activity resulted more from cytochrome P450s loss than from direct inhibition of EROD activity by copper.
Growth comparisons of a supernodulating soybean (Glycine max) mutant and its wild-type parent

The growth of a supernodulating, nitrate-tolerant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] mutant nts382 (nitrate-tolerant symbiosis) was compared to that of its wild-type parent, cv. Bragg, over the first 50 days after sowing. Plants were grown either inoculated in the absence of an external nitrogen source or uninoculated in the presence of 5 mM KNO3. For both treatments, nts382 growth up to 13 days after planting was faster than that of cv. Bragg. Thereafter, supernodulation of inoculated nts382 occurred and growth of cv. Bragg was faster; shoot and root dry weight increments and leaf area were greater in cv. Bragg, but the N content of nts382 was higher. Relative growth and net assimilation rates were lower in nts382, which had faster shoot and root respiration rates. Shoot growth of uninoculated plants was similar for both mutant and wild-type but roots of nts382 were slightly smaller than those of cv. Bragg. Total plant N content was similar in uninoculated cv. Bragg and nts382 but the latter had a higher leaf N content. Early lateral root formation (prior to nodule emergence) was greater in nts382 regardless of whether rhizobia or KJNO3 were present. We conclude that nts382 has some inherent differences from its parent but that supernodulation significantly retards plant growth.
Biodiversity in helminths and nematodes as a field of study: an overview

Despite their potential negative effects, parasites may be used as targets for biological conservation and studies on the evolutionary and ecological impact of parasitism. These purposes serve to increase our knowledge on the species diversity of parasites. In the present paper we try to precisely define the composite zoological group currently designated as 'helminths' and to address the question of how many known species there are in the different clades of parasitic worms, as compared with the other major groups described in the Animalia. The relationships between helminthology and nematology are discussed. Finally, the question of how to improve the organisation of research in these different fields of study is briefly considered. The Nematoda seems to be the group which needs the greatest effort in the future. This supposes that specialists in nematode taxonomy are numerous enough to maintain a substantial effort. The necessary taxonomical effort is weakened by the distribution of the fields of study between helminthology and nematology, something which is inadequate from a zoological, as well as from a logical, point of view. The study of nematode zoology would certainly improve if nematology could emerge as an undivided speciality. One of the prior goals in such a unified field of study would be an exhaustive inventory of the nominal living species. A cooperative effort will also be needed to found the basis of a general classification of the phylum Nematoda. Finally, a clarification and a standardisation of the terminology is also needed.
Optimizing the Sequence of Chemotherapy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma with Clinically Positive Regional Lymph Nodes.

PURPOSE Upper tract urothelial carcinoma with clinically positive regional lymph nodes is an aggressive disease state with a high propensity for metastasis and death. The current literature is limited regarding national practice patterns and outcomes in this patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified 1,658 patients in the NCDB (National Cancer Database) who had cN+M0 upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Patients were stratified into treatment groups. We compared baseline patient and tumor characteristics between the groups, and completed survival analysis using a multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS There were 1,658 patients in the final study population. Preoperative chemotherapy was the least performed treatment. That group comprised 6.8% of the overall population and was associated with the highest median overall survival of 36 months compared to 21 months for adjuvant chemotherapy, 14 for chemotherapy only, 10 for surgery without perioperative chemotherapy and 5 for no treatment. On multivariate analysis preoperative chemotherapy was associated with improved median overall survival compared to that in the adjuvant chemotherapy group (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.87). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the chemotherapy only and the surgery only groups. Of patients in the preoperative chemotherapy group 34.6% achieved pN0 status compared to 10.3% of those who underwent surgery as initial therapy. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative chemotherapy was the least performed treatment strategy in the management of cN+M0 upper tract urothelial carcinoma but it was associated with the highest median overall survival. There was no difference in survival between the chemotherapy only and the surgery only groups. Overall these results suggest that initial chemotherapy is appropriate in this population when feasible.
A Novel EagerDT Complexity Approach to Deal with Missing Values in Decision Trees

Incomplete data in decision trees affect classification accuracy. ‘Lazy’ approaches avoid missing values at testing by considering only attributes whose values are known and hence provide the best accuracy. We propose EagerDT, a variant of Eager Decision Tree, to build a single classification model at training considering the possibility of unknown values at every node in the tree. This removes the problem of missing values like lazy strategy. The biggest advantage of EagerDT over the lazy approach is that it creates a single tree at training. We describe the complexity of EagerDT algorithm and compare it with regular decision trees. We propose various novel approaches to reduce the complexity.
Sound Source Localization Method Based on Densely Connected Convolutional Neural Network

Beamforming and deconvolution techniques play a significant role in identifying sound sources. However, it is commonly known that conventional beamforming (CBF) is difficult to identify sound sources accurately due to its inherent drawbacks, including low spatial resolution and small dynamic ranges, while deconvolution methods are burdened with huge computational costs and fail to provide reliable results. Aiming to overcome the restrictions of conventional beamforming and deconvolution methods, a novel sound source localization method combining conventional beamforming with a deep learning method is proposed. In this paper, the sound source localization task is framed as an image prediction task. Firstly, conventional beamforming (CBF) is utilized for obtaining the initial sound source spatial distribution maps. Secondly, a target map is designed as the ground truth label for training. Then a densely connected convolutional neural network (DCFCN) with an encoder-decoder structure is established for extracting features from CBF maps and predicting the spatial distribution of a single sound source. Finally, the position of a single sound source can be retrieved from the predicted maps generated by DCFCN. Simulations are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing it with several traditional sound source localization methods. Results suggest that the proposed method can not only significantly improve the spatial resolution and dynamic range of CBF but also achieve accurate localization with high computational efficiency.
SIMULATION AND CONTROL OF A QUADROTOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

OF THESIS SIMULATION AND CONTROL OF A QUADROTOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE The ANGEL project (Aerial Network Guided Electronic Lookout) takes a systems engineering approach to the design, development, testing and implementation of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle. Many current research endeavors into the field of quadrotors for use as unmanned vehicles do not utilize the broad systems approach to design and implementation. These other projects use pre-fabricated quadrotor platforms and a series of external sensors in a mock environment that is unfeasible for real world use. The ANGEL system was designed specifically for use in a combat theater where robustness and ease of control are paramount. A complete simulation model of the ANGEL system dynamics was developed and used to tune a custom controller in MATLAB and Simulink®. This controller was then implemented in hardware and paired with the necessary subsystems to complete the ANGEL platform. Preliminary tests show successful operation of the craft, although more development is required before it is deployed in field. A custom high-level controller for the craft was written with the intention that troops should be able to send commands to the platform without having a dedicated pilot. A second craft that exhibits detachable limbs for greatly enhanced transportation efficiency is also in development.
Geometric morphometric analysis of wings variation between two populations of the Scythris obscurella species-group: geographic or interspecific differences? (Lepidoptera: Scythrididae)

The wings of scythridids of two population from Valle d’Aosta and Maritime Alps were examined through geometric morphometrics analysis. All the specimens belong to the the“Scythris obscurella group”. Currently, 10 species are assigned to the group, and the uncertain identification of many specimens is due mainly to their marked similarity in external features. Aim of the work is to evaluate the overall shape variation, and thence to test if the specimens could be divided at population level, or at specific level employing both the pairs of wings. Size and shape variation of each wing were examined separately through GPA. The left-right asymmetry of scythridids wings was examined by t-test, and the shape variation of forewings was compared to the one of hindwings. For each wing, shape variation was correlated to size variation.
Relationships among the basal lineages of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea) based on eight gene regions

In this study, we clarify the relationships between the basal lineages in the moth family Noctuidae using DNA sequence data from eight independent gene regions. Data matrices (6.4 kbp) are analysed using parsimony and model‐based methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference). Our results support the family Noctuidae as a monophyletic group in which most subfamilies have hindwing vein M2 reduced or absent. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that in the Noctuidae, the plesiomorphic condition is that in which vein M2 arises about one‐third of the way up the discocellular vein between the origins of M1 and M3, mainly parallel to M3, and is of thickness similar to vein M3. Most Noctuidae lineages possess an apomorphic (derived) condition in which hindwing vein M2 is markedly reduced or totally absent, so that the cubital vein appears to be three‐branched and these lineages are hence referred to as ‘trifine’. However, Noctuidae also include a number of lineages in which vein M2 is unreduced, or only slightly reduced, and these are more problematic for morphological association with the family Noctuidae. Our results also show that the subfamily Acronictinae is not closely related to Pantheinae, but instead shows a closer association with Amphipyrinae. Among the major lineages of Noctuidae, we postulate a general trend, with numerous exceptions, in larval host plants from woody plants in the basal groups towards herb feeding in derived groups. Similarly, the major radiations of monocot‐feeding groups within the family Noctuidae are in the higher trifines. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Thiacidinae, syn. nov., a junior synonym of Pantheinae, and Dyopsinae, stat. nov., are reinstated as a subfamily.
Towards a rational use of loading and unloading areas in urban environments

Despite the efforts of the authorities, that promote the use of alternative transportation systems, the traffic still increases in European cities, leading not only to traffic jams but also to pollution episodes. Delivery vehicles are part of both problems, because of their intensive use, the advent of e-commerce, the limited number and sizes of loading and unloading areas in many ancient European cities, and the difficulties associated to keep track of the correct use of these spaces. In this work we propose an holistic solution to the management of delivery vehicles in urban environments. Our solution, called RYDER, is based on the use of BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) devices that should be provided by the local authority to delivery vehicles, as part of their authorization to use the loading and unloading areas. With the help of low-cost, low-power antennas with Bluetooth and 4G capabilities installed next to each loading/unloading area, the authorities are able to know in real time (a) the use of these areas by delivery vehicles, (b) the paths of the vehicles while they travel across the city, (c) the time spent in each area by each one of them, and (d) with the help of a mobile/tablet App, the local Police can check in seconds the permissions of each vehicle using these public spaces. Moreover, the use of a GIS-based platform allows the Traffic Department to track online each particular vehicle, based on the loading/unloading spaces being used, and to infer the most representative paths they follow, an information that may guide the decision about where these spaces are really necessary and whether each particular vehicle follows their associated usage rules. The deployment of RYDER low-cost antennas can also serve for other purposes, such as to track the routes followed by public loan bicycles, or by other fleets of public vehicles. With the help of low-cost sensors, antennas can also return an estimation of pollution values, such as levels of ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide, among others. This information may in turn drive the installation of certified pollution detectors.
Creative industries innovation using galois group theory

To address creative industries’ challenges with an innovative Fuzzy Logic approach. A robust methodological structure using Galois Group Theory and an intuitive application for decision making under uncertain conditions is proposed. Results conclude that products with different characteristics, properties and peculiarities can be grouped with a high confidence level through an intuitive fuzzy methodological approach. The present study pretends to shed light in grouping methodologies, attending challenges in which traditional grouping methods, which are mainly driven by trial and error efforts have not succeed before. The methodology is applied in order to group a specific city’s tourism products; the attempt is to achieve an effective decision making process. The originality of the study relies on the capacity and flexibility of the model to analyze different characteristics of diverse products under subjective and uncertain conditions and the implementation of solid theories from a fuzzy logic standpoint.
Ethical perceptions: Do they differentiate in respect to demographics, impact satisfaction and subsequent word of mouth?

Competitive advantage and longstanding survival of the banking sector do not depend only on market oriented service production but also on winning public confidence. The crucial condition of winning public confidence is to comply with ethical standards. In this respect, the main aim of this study is to determine the perceived ethical quality of commercial banks from the viewpoint of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Cyprus. As a summary of the research, 21 ethical principles used in the research have been grouped into three factors for which perceived ethical behaviors were not satisfactory. Furthermore, regression analysis reveals that three ethical factors named “procedural justice”, “assurance” and “sensitivity” have an explanatory effect on their bank satisfaction while SMEs’ bank satisfaction have an explanatory effect on their word of mouth. Findings also indicated that only one of the demographA±c characteristics, “education” yielded significant differences at the 0.01 level for “procedural justice” and 0.05 levels for “assurance” in disparity of perceived ethical factors. Key words: Northern Cyprus, ethical quality, SMEs, bank satisfaction, word of mouth.
NHS WannaCry Ransomware Attack: Technical Explanation of The Vulnerability, Exploitation, and Countermeasures

To ascertain the consequences of the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack on the National Health Service (NHS), a systematic investigation of Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data was conducted to identify the missed appointments, fatalities, and financial expenses linked to the WannaCry ransomware attack. Outpatient appointment cancellations, hospital emergency and elective admissions, visits to accident and emergency (A&E), and deaths in A&E were the key output tracked. During the week of the ransomware incident, there was no appreciable difference in overall activity between all trusts compared to the baseline. Trusts had 1% fewer accident and emergency visits a day than at baseline, and 1% more admission to the emergency departments. Although there were much fewer elective and emergency admissions in hospitals that had been directly infected by the ransomware, there was nevertheless a daily drop in admissions of roughly 6%, with 4% fewer emergency departments visits, and 9% fewer elective admissions. There was no discernible mortality difference. The reduced activity at the affected trusts over this time had a total economic impact of £5.9 million, which included £0.6 million in lost accident and emergency activity, £1.3 million in lost outpatient consultations, and £4 million in missed inpatient admissions. There was a considerable drop in attendance and admissions among hospitals targeted and affected by the WannaCry ransomware attack, resulting to a loss of hospital activity of £5.9 million. Even though this is a rudimentary indicator of patient damage, there was no documented increase in mortality. To fully understand how a cyberattack or IT problems may affect patient safety and care delivery, more research is required.
Hypoglycemic and glucose tolerance activity of standardized extracts Ficus deltoidea varieties in normal rats

Ficus deltoidea or its local Malaysian name “Mas Cotek” is a popular herbal plant with a long history of the use among the Malays to control blood sugar levels. Assessment of the seven different varieties of F. deltoidea available in the Peninsular Malaysia for in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory has revealed different levels of activity warranting further in vivo studies. The acute toxicity test showed no signs of morbidity or mortality and the median lethal dose (LD50) of the extracts for all varieties was higher than 2000 mg/kg body weight. Histopathological assessments of the kidney and liver did not show any abnormalities. Administration of the extracts at two different doses, 250 and 500 mg/kg in normal rats indicate F. deltoidea did not produce severe hypoglycemia. However, in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the leaves extracts showed significant reduction in plasma glucose level after 30 minutes, albeit to different levels with the most effective being F. deltoidea var. intermedia.
Central Banking in the Twentieth Century: Reputations at stake: financial deregulation and instability

Central banks are powerful but poorly understood organisations. In 1900 the Bank of Japan was the only central bank to exist outside Europe but over the past century central banking has proliferated. John Singleton here explains how central banks and the profession of central banking have evolved and spread across the globe during this period. He shows that the central banking world has experienced two revolutions in thinking and practice, the first after the depression of the early 1930s, and the second in response to the high inflation of the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, the central banking profession has changed radically. In 1900 the professional central banker was a specialised type of banker, whereas today he or she must also be a sophisticated economist and a public official. Understanding these changes is essential to explaining the role of central banks during the recent global financial crisis.