Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The way to a healthy future for National Forest ecosystems in the West : what role can silviculture and prescribed fire play?

The 1994 wildfires in the U.S. West have highlighted a problem of forest health and fuel buildups that has been increasing for decades. In many Western forest ecosystems, forest biomass per acre has risen substantially since the 1940s and many forests have dense, fire-prone understories. If current trends continue, there will be: 1) increasing risks to National Forest ecosystems from insects, disease, and conflagration events, 2) a rising toll of loss and degradation of watershed values and wildlife habitats from abnormally intense wildfires, as well as continued losses in the biological diversity of vegetation types that were historically characterized by frequent, low intensity, fires, 3) increased risks to the human communities located in forested areas and to the fire fighters sent in to protect them, and 4) significant and increasing losses to taxpayers in fire suppression costs and resource values. Major barriers to taking the management actions needed to effectively address forest ecosystem health include: 1) erroneous public perceptions about the nature of American forests prior to European settlement, 2) piecemeal and uncoordinated implementation of federal environmental laws, 3) focusing on the shortterm environmental impacts of projects, while ignoring the long-term risks of failure to take the actions necessary to restore forest health, and 4) lack of consistent, reliable information on the specific extent of forest health problems, and on the treatment measures needed to address them.
Regional observability of Caputo semilinear fractional systems

This article studies the problem of regional observability of an important class of time‐fractional evolution systems involving the Caputo time‐fractional derivative. The main goal here is to check the regional observability of the considered system in the desired subregion, ω$$ \omega $$ , of the evolution domain, Ω$$ \Omega $$ . We assume that the linear part of the studied system is approximately regionally observable in the desired subregion ω$$ \omega $$ , and we add some reasonable hypotheses on the system's dynamic, A$$ A $$ , as well as on the nonlinear operator N$$ N $$ . Then, with the help of all these assumptions, we attempt to reconstruct the initial state of our system in the desired subregion ω$$ \omega $$ . To do that, we propose an extension of the Hilbert uniqueness method (HUM) to semilinear fractional systems. The main advantage of the HUM approach is that it transforms the reconstruction problem into a solvability one, which is more practical. We also present an algorithm for reconstructing the initial state in ω$$ \omega $$ , which leads to some successful numerical simulations.
i-Profiler: Towards Multi-Objective Autonomous VNF Profiling with Reinforcement Learning

The intelligent orchestration of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) requires understanding and profiling the impact of VNF resource consumption on its performance. Recent efforts focus on ML model-based profiling methods to discover and manage optimal trade-offs between cost-efficient resource combinations for VNFs and the latter's performance. To this end, the current paper poses a novel effort towards an intelligent VNF profiling by targeting multiple resource and performance optimisation objectives, thus suiting real-world applications. Our approach is based on adapted Reinforcement Learning (RL) considering three types of resources: CPU, memory, and network link capacity, as well as the output load and performance of VNFs. Our current results show how we can improve the VNF performance while at the same time optimising the consumption of multiple resources in contrast to single-objective solutions in the literature. We investigate a VNF type via exhaustive resource and performance profiling against our intelligent adapted RL approach. In addition, as a benchmark model to RL, we compare our model with a Supervised Learning (SL) model. Our results denote successful profiling decisions with greater resource prediction accuracy, paving the way for future research.
on People search for meaning when they approach a new decade in chronological age

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A Wideband Low Phase Noise Harmonic Shaping Class-F23 Oscillator in 65 nm CMOS Technology

This paper presents a novel wideband low phase-noise harmonic-shaping $\text{Class}-\mathrm{F}_{23}$ voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The utilization of a discrete high-quality-factor $(Q)$ multi{###} $LC$ tank in the VCO results in multiple impedance peaks under both differential mode (DM) and common mode (CM), allowing harmonic components to shape the output waveform over the wide tuning range, without the need of manual tuning. As a result, the phase noise performance can be significantly improved. For demonstration, an oscillator is implemented in TSMC 65-nm CMOS. The tuning range of the oscillator is from 6.52 GHz to 8.52 GHz with phase noise (PN) lower than -120.1 dBc/Hz and the figure of merit (FoM) higher than 190.3 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz frequency offset.
Migration and Development: How to make migration work for poverty reduction

The costs and benefits of migration are distributed, unevenly, between and within countries and social groups. The balance and distribution of costs and benefits depends upon the nature of the migration in question, and on the links which migration establishes between places of origin and destination. This report shows how governments and others could - by shaping the nature of migration and the distribution of its costs and benefits - make migration work for the poor. But first it is necessary to deal with some of the myths which surround the subject e.g. migration and migrants are problems to be dealt with; there is a "tidal wave" of migrants about to crash our shores; migrationn is primarily about people moving from developing countries to developed countries"; it is the poorest, most desperate people who migrate; migration harms the prospects of developing countries by causing brain-drain.
Peer-to-peer guanxi and unethical practices: a dynamic examination based on cultural change in China

ABSTRACT This conceptual paper takes a dynamic view of culture to re-examine the tradeoffs between positive and negative aspects of guanxi in China. Because of cross-border collaboration and the wide use of the internet, Chinese employees are now exposed to more diverse values. Considering this cultural shift, the current paper discusses how the widely publicized negative aspect of guanxi relations in Chinese organizations can be mitigated. We suggest that employees are likely to withdraw from peer-to-peer guanxi relations that involve ethical concerns, and the likelihood and speed of this relation change would vary in part on the focal party’s heritage of Confucian cultural values. This paper contributes to the literature by offering a dynamic approach to reconcile the controversy about peer-to-peer guanxi’s role in Chinese organizations. This dynamic examination can invite further research on the complicated evolution of guanxi.
D-Trace estimation of a precision matrix with eigenvalue control

Abstract The estimation of a precision matrix has an important role in several research fields. In high dimensional settings, one of the most prominent approaches to estimate the precision matrix is the Lasso norm penalized convex optimization. This framework guarantees the sparsity of the estimated precision matrix. However, it does not control the eigenspectrum of the obtained estimator. Moreover, Lasso penalization shrinks the largest eigenvalues of the estimated precision matrix. In this article, we focus on D-trace estimation methodology of a precision matrix. We propose imposing a negative trace penalization on the objective function of the D-trace approach, aimed to control the eigenvalues of the estimated precision matrix. Through extensive numerical analysis, using simulated and real datasets, we show the advantageous performance of our proposed methodology.
Technology Accepted Model (TAM): Applications in Accounting Systems

Objective: This research was conducted to measure how the adoption of accounting information systems affects startups. The researchers used perceived usefulness, perceved ease of use and added percected strategic value factors to the technology acceptance model, whether these factors could predict related intentions to adopt technology in the context of the startup company. Method: The approach used in this research uses a quantitative approach, while for the analysis of research data, researchers use SEM-PLS. The survey respondent was a company with a sample size of 109. The data is collected using random probability sampling. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceved strategic value have a significant positive impact on the adoption of accounting information systems. Result: Bekasi, Indonesia. This can negatively affect the generalization of results. Furthermore, the study focuses entirely on the user perspective of the company, while the researchers have not yet looked at this issue from the service provider’s perspective. Therefore, future research should look at such challenges from a service provider’s perspective. As well, the researchers also believe that many other important factors are related to the company’s behavior in determining the use of technology as a strategic step. Conclusion: This study can provide contributions related to the determining factors for the company in planning to adopt technology. Therefore, the study has successfully formulated important aspects of perceived strategic value as a factor proposed in the technology acceptance model. It also helps provide practical guidance for companies in considering and predicting whether to adopt a technology.
Just Patronage? Familiarity and the Diplomatic Value of Non-Career Ambassadors

Career diplomats have expertise. Why, then, do U.S. presidents appoint relative novices to key diplomatic posts? Conventional wisdom points to patronage. Yet this explanation overlooks the benefits of a diplomat’s familiarity with political superiors. Inherent in delegated diplomacy is uncertainty over diplomats' ability to “deliver” on understandings reached at the negotiating table. Non-career diplomats often speak more credibly for political superiors, creating an incentive for foreign counterparts to engage in diplomacy. I theorize a tradeoff between familiarity and expertise to generate empirically testable prediction. Counterintuitively, I expect that presidents often sacrifice professional expertise to delegate important diplomatic assignments to relative amateurs, even accounting for the patronage value of the post. I find empirical support for the argument using a novel dataset on U.S. ambassadorial appointments from the Reagan through Trump administrations.
Ultra-High-Resolution Electrocardiography Enables Earlier Detection of Transmural and Subendocardial Myocardial Ischemia Compared to Conventional Electrocardiography

The sensitivity of exercise ECG is marginally sufficient for the detection of mild reduction of coronary blood flow in patients with early coronary atherosclerosis. Here, we describe the application of a new technique of ECG registration/analysis—ultra-high-resolution ECG (UHR ECG)—for early detection of myocardial ischemia (MIS). The utility of UHR ECG vs. conventional ECG (C ECG) was tested in anesthetized rats and pigs. Transmural MIS was induced in rats by the ligation of the left coronary artery (CA). In pigs, subendocardial ischemia of a variable extent was produced by stepwise inflation of a balloon within the right CA, causing a 25–100% reduction of its lumen. In rats, a reduction in power spectral density (PSD) in the high-frequency (HF) channel of UHR ECG was registered at 60 s after ischemia (power 0.81 ± 0.14 vs. 1.25 ± 0.12 mW at baseline, p < 0.01). This was not accompanied by any ST segment elevation on C ECG. In pigs, PSD in the HF channel of UHR ECG was significantly decreased at a 25% reduction of CA lumen, while the ST segment on C ECG remained unchanged. In conclusion, UHR ECG enabled earlier detection of transmural MIS compared to C ECG. PSD in the HF channel of UHR ECG demonstrated greater sensitivity in the settings of subendocardial ischemia.
Lyapunov-Function Based Control Technique for a Single-Phase Grid-Connected Five-Level Active Neutral Point Clamped Flying Capacitor Inverter with LCL Filter

This paper presents Lyapunov-function based control technique for a grid-connected five-level active neutral point clamped flying capacitor (ANPC-FC) inverter with LCL filter. The control technique used in this study ensures global stability of the closed-loop system and almost zero steady-state error in the grid current. A proportional resonant (PR) controller is also employed in the control scheme to generate the required reference value for the inverter current. In addition, a simple phase shift pulse width modulation (PSPWM) technique is used for resolving voltage imbalances between dc-link capacitors and floating capacitors without the use of complicated circuitry or sensors. Simulation results validate the performance of the proposed system. Studies conducted at steady state and in dynamic mode demonstrate excellent results.
Design Procedure and Implementation of Inductor Using Litz Wires for Induction Heating

Induction heating (IH) is applied to convert electricity into thermal energy with a high frequency (HF) current flowing through an inductor. Litz wires help mitigate the power loss at the inductor winding in HF applications by reducing eddy currents. This work presents a detailed approach to designing a power inductor using Litz wires for IH using an inductor-inductor-capacitor (LLC) resonant tank. In comparison to a single solid or stranded wire with the same requirements, the developed formulas in this paper show that the size of the Litz wire inductor is approximately 15% smaller. The step-by-step design procedure is presented with all required formulas and associated information. The feasibility of the proposed design process is illustrated and verified through an experiment on a 2 kW, 100 kHz LLC IH system.
HPV Testing and its Role in Cervical Cancer Screening

The recognition that persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical precancer and cancer has led to the introduction of HPV testing into cervical cancer screening, either as a primary screening test or in conjunction with cervical cytology (i.e., co-testing). HPV testing has much higher sensitivity for detection of cervical precancer and provides greater long-term reassurance if negative compared to cytology. However, most HPV infections are transient, and do not progress to invasive cancer, thus triage tests are required to identify individuals who should be referred to colposcopy for diagnostic evaluation. This chapter begins with a description of the biology, natural history, and epidemiology of HPV as a foundation for understanding the role of HPV in cervical carcinogenesis. This section is followed by a detailed discussion regarding the introduction of HPV-based testing and triage into cervical cancer screening and management. Summarized triage tests include cervical cytology, HPV genotyping, p16/Ki-67 dual stain, and HPV and cellular methylation markers. The final section of this chapter includes an important discussion on cervical cancer disparities, particularly within the United States, followed by concluding remarks.
Subduction in the Indo‐Burma Region: Is it still active?

The Indo‐Burma region (which includes longitude 92°–96°E, latitude 20°–26°N) is a subduction zone where the Indian plate underthrusts the South‐Eastern Asian plate. But the nature of subduction is complex. I examine here the distribution of the P, T and B axes of 37 earthquakes (the time period 1977–1995, depths 0–153 km and magnitudes mb 4.8–6.8) with respect to the geometry of the Wadati‐Benioif Zone. The analysis shows that the T axes are clustered close to the down‐dip direction of the subducting slab implying a predominant down‐dip tensional stress regime within the slab, which is typical of intermediate depth seismicity of active subduction zones. These results suggest that the subduction in the Indo‐Burma region is possibly active.
Neural Network Approach Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Control for Path-Tracking of Autonomous Vehicles

This paper proposes a neural network approach adaptive super-twisting sliding mode control algorithm for autonomous vehicles. An adaptive and robust control algorithm in autonomous vehicles is needed to compensate for disturbance and parametric uncertainty from the variable environment and vehicle conditions. The sliding mode control (SMC) is a robust controller that compensates for robust and reasonable control performance against disturbance and parametric uncertainty. However, the inherent limitation of the sliding mode control, namely the chattering phenomenon, has a negative effect on the system. Additionally, when the disturbance exceeds the defined boundaries, the control stability is compromised. To overcome these limitations, this study incorporates the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and Lyapunov function to estimate disturbance and parametric uncertainty. The estimated disturbance is reflected in the super-twisting sliding mode control (STSMC) to reduce the chattering phenomenon and achieve enhanced robust performance. The performance evaluation of the proposed neural network approach control algorithm is conducted using the double lane change (DLC) scenario and rapid path-tracking (RPT) scenario, implemented in the CarMaker and Matlab/Simulink environments, respectively.
Leveraging Model and Data-Driven Methods in Medical Imaging

This workshop aimed at gathering researchers with complementary expertise from applied mathematics, engineering and computer science to examine the impact of learning-based methods in medical image problems and discuss the most recent contributions about the integration of model-and data-driven methods for such applications. As deep learning is revolutionizing the field of image and data analysis, including medical imaging, this workshop provided an exciting and timely venue to bring together world-experts from different areas of mathematics, engineering and computer science to critically discuss state-of-the-art research in this area, present new results, identify fundamental questions and strategies to address those while engaging in open discussion and starting new collaborations.
Ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator (US-FLI): a reliable biomarker for non-invasive NAFLD stratification

Here, we comment on a recent article supporting the use of the ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator (US-FLI) as a point-of-care biomarker to be used in the community to rule out nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). To this end, we discuss definitions and characteristics of US-FLI, and we critically summarize the principal studies published from 2012 to 2023. We conclude that US-FLI exhibits high reproducibility. It finds utility across both the pediatric population and the point-of-care settings. Furthermore, it demonstrates a robust correlation with metabolic derangements, and also serves as a predictive tool for varying grades of hepatic steatosis and important liver histology endpoints. Notably, it excels in its capacity to differentiate between bland steatosis and true NASH. However, US-FLI reportedly exhibits limited accuracy among patient populations with obesity. Finally, we propose a detailed agenda to advance research on US-FLI.
Dual-Circularly-Polarized Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna

Dual-circularly-polarized magneto-electric(ME) dipole for satellite system is proposed in the paper. The results indicate the design has the excellent results. The impedance bandwidth of the antenna is 10.7-14.9GHz, and the antenna's axial ratio bandwidth is about 32.8%. The results indicate that both polars have similar performance. The antenna has a size of 10.3mm*10.3mm*3.4mm, which is suitable for implementations in phased array. In order to improve performance of the antenna, the wide-angle impedance matching(WAIM) layer is used. Air hole is punched all around the WAIM in order to improve isolation between elements in the array.
ML Democracy: An Enhanced Voting Algorithm for Model Selection for Efficient EEG Data Assessment

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology has created solutions to assist and augment human cognitive or sensory motor functions through several communication channels between the brain and external devices. BCI operates by processing temporal features extracted from neurological data such as EEG due to its relatively inexpensive and non-intrusive nature. However, EEG data can be very difficult to classify with machine learning and statistical methods due to its high signal-to-noise ratio as well as non-linear and non-stationary characteristics of data. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel approach to algorithm selection for complicated data such as EEG by creating a voting algorithm, `ML Democracy’. ML Democracy combines multiple machine learning algorithms through bootstrap aggregating, which is also known as bagging and model stacking. Three weighting methods will be presented in this paper including (i) distance from randomness, (ii) distance from perfect accuracy, and (iii) learned weights by a neural network. Several algorithms including neural network and ensemble learning methods are considered. The efficacy of proposed approach is demonstrated using a Physionet motor-imagery EEG data set [17].
Zirconia-Toughened Alumina (ZTA) Nanoceramics with a Gradient Microstructure: A Comparative Study of ZTA Ceramics with Fibrous and Granular Morphology

ZrO2-toughened Al2O3 (ZTA) ceramic composites with a porosity gradient and with improved mechanical properties have a wide range of possible applications. We fabricated nanofibrous and nanogranular Y-ZTA and Ce-ZTA composites with a gradient microstructure by creating a temperature gradient during SPS sintering, with the use of asymmetric graphite tool arrangement (ASY). In this study, we examined the morphology effect of the starting materials on the sintering process and on the final microstructure, as well as the mechanical properties of the composites. A large temperature difference was established for both the granular and fibrous samples fabricated in the ASY configuration, which resulted in gradient porosity along the ceramics bodies: the upper part of the ceramics showed a highly porous fine microstructure, while the opposite side was highly densified. The final microstructure of the composites can be tailored by varying the morphology of the starting ceramics or the graphite configuration. A highly porous skeleton-like structure was formed by sintering fibres in the ASY configuration, whereas the granular precursors resulted in a much less porous composite. The microstructure affected the mechanical properties of the composite. Improved hardness and more than 50% higher compression strength were obtained for the granular Ce-ZTA samples as compared to the fibrous sample. Gradient porosity with fibrous or granular morphology promotes the penetration of bioactive nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp) into the pore structure. Fibrous ZTA absorbs HAp more effectively due to its higher porosity as well as its bimodal pore structure.