Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends and Composition of Pre-School Education of ICDS in India: A State-wise Analysis

: There is a strong evidence that the care a child enjoys in his/her early years in both qualitative and quantitive terms would have a positive impact on his/her brain development. Considering the significance of early years for the holistic development of children, Pre-School Education (PSE) to children of the age group of 3-6 years has been imparted through Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in India. Non-formal PSE is treated as one of the key elements of the package of services envisaged under ICDS scheme as it lays foundation for adequate physical, social and cognitive development of children. It aids children in achieving improved results in both primary education and later learning stages. With this background, the present study makes a modest attempt to understand the genesis and development of PSE in India. Further, it throws light into different policies supporting PSE in the country. It concludes with a state-wise analysis of the functioning of PSE component of ICDS in the context of India.
Two Structural Designs of Broadband, Low-Loss, and Compact TM Magneto-Optical Isolator Based on GaAs-on-Insulator

Integrated optical isolators are important building blocks for photonic integrated chips. Despite significant advances in isolators integrated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platforms, integrated isolators on GaAs-on-insulator platforms are rarely reported. In this paper, two structural designs of optical isolators based on the TM basic mode of GaAs-on-insulator are proposed. The non-reciprocal phase shift (NRPS) of GaAs/Ce:YIG waveguides with different geometric structures are calculated using numerical simulation. The isolators achieve 35 dB isolation bandwidths greater than 53.5 nm and 70 nm at 1550 nm, with total insertion losses of 2.59 dB and 2.25 dB, respectively. A multi-mode interferometric (MMI) coupler suitable for these two structures is proposed. In addition, suitable manufacturing processes are discussed based on the simulated process tolerances.
The importance of grain size to mantle dynamics and seismological observations

Grain size plays a key role in controlling the mechanical properties of the Earth's mantle, affecting both long‐time‐scale flow patterns and anelasticity on the time scales of seismic wave propagation. However, dynamic models of Earth's convecting mantle usually implement flow laws with constant grain size, stress‐independent viscosity, and a limited treatment of changes in mineral assemblage. We study grain size evolution, its interplay with stress and strain rate in the convecting mantle, and its influence on seismic velocities and attenuation. Our geodynamic models include the simultaneous and competing effects of dynamic recrystallization resulting from dislocation creep, grain growth in multiphase assemblages, and recrystallization at phase transitions. They show that grain size evolution drastically affects the dynamics of mantle convection and the rheology of the mantle, leading to lateral viscosity variations of 6 orders of magnitude due to grain size alone, and controlling the shape of upwellings and downwellings. Using laboratory‐derived scaling relationships, we convert model output to seismologically observable parameters (velocity and attenuation) facilitating comparison to Earth structure. Reproducing the fundamental features of the Earth's attenuation profile requires reduced activation volume and relaxed shear moduli in the lower mantle compared to the upper mantle, in agreement with geodynamic constraints. Faster lower mantle grain growth yields best fit to seismic observations, consistent with our reexamination of high‐pressure grain growth parameters. We also show that ignoring grain size in interpretations of seismic anomalies may underestimate the Earth's true temperature variations.
Nonlinear Effects in NOMA Systems Using Single Carrier Modulations: Performance Evaluation and Receiver Design

Non orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) systems are very important for future communications which allows a huge increase in capacity gains when comparing to conventional orthogonal multiple access (OMA) techniques. On the other hand, the power consumption at the access point (AP) should be as low as possible, making single-carrier (SC) schemes, such as single carrier with frequency-domain equalization (SC-FDE), particularly interesting. In this paper, we consider power-efficient NOMA systems employing SC-FDE signals and present a generalized framework to characterize the signals at the output of a nonlinear device. We develop an accurate estimation of the power spectral density (PSD) of the signal associated to each user, showing that the nonlinear distortion effects on some users can be very high. Therefore, we introduce a joint iterative receiver for distortion compensation and interference cancellation based on SC-FDE characterized by low-complexity suitable for scenarios with strong nonlinear effects. Our performance results indicate that the proposed technique is able to reduce considerably the degradation associated to a high power amplifier (HPA) modeled as a memoryless polynomial and allow complexity improvements when compared to conventional schemes, especially when operating at low input back-off (IBO).
Impact of the Threshold Dispersity Evolution on the Current Sharing of Parallel SiC MOSFETs

Parallel connection of silicon carbide (SiC) metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (mosfets) is an efficient solution for high-capacity power converters. However, a more or less dispersity of the parallel chip parameters is inevitable, which may lead to the current imbalance. Due to the existence of dynamic threshold voltage drift, the dispersity of the threshold voltage of the parallel devices during the whole life is vital for the long-term reliability. This article aims to investigate how dispersity evolves and how it affects the current sharing. It is found that the threshold voltage dispersity indeed does not keep constant during the operation, but on the opposite, it increases with gate stress time, especially at elevated temperatures. This leads to the deterioration of the current sharing of parallel devices. A boost converter with two devices paralleled was built and tested, which validated that the threshold voltage dispersity and current imbalance ratio increase with stress time. Finally, a classification method is proposed to suppress the increase in threshold voltage dispersity and current imbalance ratio. These findings are believed to be useful to improve the performance of SiC mosfets in parallel applications.
Critical Discourse Analysis of Internet Comments from the Perspective of Attitude System—Taking the "Pink Hair" Incident as an Example

Based on a small corpus of netizen’s comments, this study analyzes the discourse of internet comments from the perspective of the attitude system of evaluation theory. According to the analysis, netizens' comments contain traces of mainstream ideology, and the ostensibly objective and unbiased opinions are mingled with the discourse participants' interests, women are always in a subordinate position, and their roles are undervalued. Therefore, it provides a reference for the analysis internet comments discourse.
Prospects for the introduction and application of an automated information-measurement system for commercial electricity metering in Uzbekistan

In order to eliminate the problems arising in the processes of production, transmission and distribution of electricity during the transition to a market economy to date, scientific research has been conducted on the prospects for the introduction and application of an automated information-measurement system for commercial electricity metering in Uzbekistan. In this new system, the processes of obtaining data from modern electric meters, collecting and storing them, and then transferring the collected data to the information processing centers through communication channels (PLC, GSM, Radio channel) were analyzed. The main features, rules, hierarchy and the classical scheme of the system are presented in this automated information-measurement system.
Dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover Change Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case Study of Debre Tabor Town, South Gondar, Ethiopia

The importance of accurate and timely information describing the nature and extent of land resources and changes over time is increasing, especially in fast-growing urban areas. We have developed a methodology to detect changes in land cover using satellite images for the years 1997, 2002, 2012 and 2017. The categories of five-class classification in the study area were built up area, plantation, waterbody, agricultural land and pastureland. The maps showed that between 1997 and 2017, the amount of urban or developed land increased from 8.12% to 52.4% of the total area, while agriculture land, plantation, waterbody and pastureland decreased from the 91.88% to 47.6% from the entire study area. The results showed that the urban (highly built-up) area increased dramatically. Inversely, pastureland, agricultural land, waterbody, and plantation decreased obviously from the period of 1997 to 2017. The remote sensing and GIS technique used in this study proved to be efficient; the time was shortened for the analysis of the city extension; and it was discovered that it was a useful tool to evaluate the effects of urbanization on the basis of the satellite image of the given years. The results quantify land use, coverage change patterns in Debre Tabor Town and demonstrate the potential of remote sensing, and GIS tools provide an accurate and cost-effective means to track land cover changes along time that can be used as management decisions and guidelines.
Wastewater irrigation: past, present, and future

With population growth and social and economic development, water shortage is becoming a serious issue worldwide. As a key alternative water resource, wastewater can be used in agriculture to compensate for water shortages. Wastewater irrigation has a long development history and has undergone different phases in developing and developed countries. Untreated wastewater irrigation can come with numerous environmental problems. Strong management practices, such as the application of suitable treated and irrigated technologies, can be used to reap substantial benefits while minimizing risks. We discussed the major challenges associated with wastewater irrigation and its future use to help improve wastewater irrigation practices around the world.
Deconstructing an Ediacaran frond: three-dimensional preservation of Arborea from Ediacara, South Australia

Abstract. Exquisitely preserved three-dimensional examples of the classic Ediacaran (late Neoproterozoic; 570–541 Ma) frond Charniodiscus arboreus Jenkins and Gehling, 1978 (herein referred to as Arborea arborea Glaessner in Glaessner and Daily, 1959) are reported from the Ediacara Member, Rawnsley Quartzite of South Australia, and allow for a detailed reinterpretation of its functional morphology and taxonomy. New specimens cast in three dimensions within sandy event beds showcase detailed branching morphology that highlights possible internal features that are strikingly different from rangeomorph and erniettomorph fronds. Combined with dozens of well-preserved two-dimensional impressions from the Flinders Ranges of South Australia, morphological variations within the traditional Arborea morphotype are interpreted as representing various stages of external molding. In rare cases, taphomorphs (morphological variants attributable to preservation) represent composite molding of internal features consisting of structural supports or anchoring sites for branching structures. Each primary branch consists of a central primary branching stalk from which emerge several oval secondary branches, which likely correspond to similar structures found in rare two-dimensional specimens. Considering this new evidence, previous synonymies within the Arboreomorpha are no longer justified, and we suggest that the taxonomy of the group be revised.
Multidirectional Bending Soft Pneumatic Actuator With Fishbone-Like Strain-Limiting Layer for Dexterous Manipulation

Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs), due to their compliance and adaptiveness, are promising solutions for manipulation. However, most SPAs have only simple motion modes and cannot perform the compound motion required for complex manipulation. In this letter, we propose a parallel-chamber actuator capable of multidirectional compound bending, short for CBPCA, to provide compound motion. The key component of the actuator is the specially trimmed fishbone-like strain-limiting layer. By differentially limiting the strain on the CBPCA surface, the layer induces the main bending while allowing lateral bending to enable multidirectional compound bending of CBPCA. Further, the layer is designable to tune the motion and mechanical properties of CBPCA. We develop a kinematic model based on constant curvature assumptions to analyze and forecast the motion of CBPCA. Further, we characterize the manipulation-related indicators of CBPCA, including workspace, passive stiffness, and blocked force. The proposed CBPCA can achieve a wide-range kite-shaped spatial workspace with a motion range of 80.5$\%$ and 76.9$\%$ actuator length in main and lateral bending directions, respectively. To verify the manipulation capability of CBPCA, we developed two typical forms of manipulators: a four-finger gripper and a three-finger anthropomorphic hand to conduct experiments. The results show that CBPCA performs effectively in dexterous manipulation where basic motion primitives and complex manipulation in activities of daily living, such as setting workpieces and installing bulbs, are well-completed.
Statistical Modelling of Mosquito Abundance and West Nile Virus Risk with Weather Conditions

Weather affects the abundance of mosquito vectors of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as West Nile virus (WNv). Study and prediction of these effects could be used to develop disease forecasting methods. In this dissertation, we analyzed the frequency distribution of mosquito surveillance data and built the statistical forecasting models to predict the West Nile virus risk. In the first part, using mosquito data from the surveillance program in Peel Region, Ontario, we studied the distribution properties of Culex mosquito abundance data for the period from 2004 to 2012. We first employed statistical clustering method to identify two clusters of mosquito traps. The validation against landuse data supported the hypothesis that the clustering result successfully captured the influence of geographic variation in habitat effects on mosquito abundance. Accounting for the occurrence of these clusters, distribution analysis showed that Culex mosquito abundance in Peel Region followed a gamma distribution. Further analysis showed that summer mean temperature has a significant effect on mosquito distribution properties. We defined a normal weather ii threshold under which the mosquito abundance followed a gamma distribution and abnormal weather conditions under which the mosquito abundance deviated from a gamma distribution. A predictive statistical model by clusters to forecast mosquito abundance in Peel Region using weather conditions was developed. In the second part, we developed forecasting models to predict the Culex mosquito abundance, the WNv risk and human incidence in Great Toronto Area (GTA) under weather changes by model selection. The predictions were in a good agreement with the observations for the period from 2002 to 2012. The model selection was demonstrated to be an effective way to compare different models. In the final part, finite mixture model and Markov regression models were combined to develop model-based clustering with generalized linear regression to cluster time series. Quasi-likelihood approach was adopted to deal with the Markov chain in the data generating process and Estimation-Expectation algorithm was used to estimate the parameters. The proposed algorithm was tested on simulated data and applied to mosquito surveillance data in Peel Region.
Research on earth surface potential distribution and amendment for soil resistivity horizontal hierarchical model in current inflow test

ABSTRACT An accurate soil resistivity horizontal hierarchical model (SRHHM) is critical to selecting the site of the DC ground electrode. In order to build an relatively accurate model, current inflow test is carried out to test the accuracy of the initial SRHHM. However, there is no existing unified method to guide how to amend the initial model through current inflow test. Therefore, based on practical cases, this paper establishes a two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element model for current inflow test by using the ANSYS software, and studies the effect of each layer soil resistivity on the Earth surface potential (ESP) distribution. Based on these studies, some basic rules of amendment for SRHHM are proposed. Furthermore, the proposed rules are applied to the current inflow test of the actual project in Yi’an Chong, Hunan. The results show that the amended soil resistivity horizontal hierarchical model is better in fitting the ESP distribution obtained from the current inflow test.
Relationship between Prediction of Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio and Atrial Fibrillation in Perioperative Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) could be a convenient method to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) likelihood and, in turn, to determine the patients' postoperative trajectory. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effect of pre-intervention PLR in predicting the occurrence of AF after surgery. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched for available papers published up to October 2023. The primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR) of numerical PLR in the model predicting AF occurrence. The random-effects model was used in all analyses. Results: Six studies were included. There were 1197 patients with AF and 1998 patients without AF. The combined analysis of all six studies showed that PLR was associated with AF after surgery (OR = 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00–1.01, p = 0.000; I2 = 43.4%, pheterogeneity = 0.116). Three studies examined PLR before coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and the meta-analysis showed that PLR was associated with AF after CABG (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02, p = 0.002; I2 = 0.0%, pheterogeneity = 0.894). The sensitivity analysis showed that the results were not robust. There was no obvious publication bias. Conclusions: Pre-intervention PLR was significantly associated with post-intervention AF in patients who underwent CABG or other surgeries. Elevated PLR is a risk factor for postoperative atrial fibrillation.
High‐Temperature Extreme Events Over Africa Under 1.5 and 2 °C of Global Warming

With anthropogenic global warming, heat‐related extreme events are projected to increase in severity and frequency. Already vulnerable regions like Africa will be hard‐hit. Therefore, such regions could benefit from low global warming levels. Using the Community Earth System Model low warming simulations, we investigate changes in temperature extremes across Africa as a function of global mean temperature in the context of the implications of the Paris Agreement's targets. A significant warming across Africa is projected at the 1.5 °C warming world and is amplified at the 2 °C world, exceeding the mean global warming rate. Specifically, North Africa and East Africa regions are projected to have the highest and lowest temperature changes of 0.63 °C (0.60–0.67 °C) and 0.50 °C (0.47–0.54 °C), respectively, between the 1.5 and 2 °C warmer worlds. Consequently, hot events are also estimated to increase with global warming. We showed that limiting warming to 1.5 °C instead of 2 °C may lead to 29% (27–31%) to 35% (33–37%) reduction in severity of hot events and to 31% (30–33%) to 42% (39–48%) reduction in the frequency of the threshold‐based high‐temperature events across Africa. The highest reductions are projected over North Africa. Furthermore, restricting warming to 0.5 °C lower than 2 °C might also result in 28% (34–40%) to 37% (25–34%) reduction in severity of once‐in‐10/20‐year heat events across Africa with North Africa having the highest benefits than tropical regions. Thus, restricting warming to low levels may indeed translate to substantial benefits of reduced intensity and frequency of extreme heat events across Africa.
Conceptual framework to ensure water security in Ukraine

Abstract. As a result of global climate change against the background of natural water supply deterioration and river water content reductions, nowadays Ukraine is facing the problem of environmental degradation of river basins. In light of this, we suggest that achieving an acceptable level of water security in Ukraine should be defined as the strategic objective of national water policy. The state of national water security should be evaluated by its progress in certain sectors. The basic principles of the new water policy of Ukraine are supposed to be represented in Water Strategy of Ukraine. Integrated water management by the basin principle should serve as the main tool for achieving the objectives of water security.
Definite time over-current protection on transmission line using MATLAB/Simulink

This paper has investigated the application of the definite time over-current (DTOC) which reacts to protect the breaker from damage during the occurrence of over-current in the transmission lines. After a distance relay, this kind of over-current relay is utilized as backup protection. The overcurrent relay will provide a signal after a predetermined amount of time delay, and the breaker will trip if the distance relay does not detect a line failure. As a result, this over-current relay functions with a time delay that is just slightly longer than the combined working times of the distance relay and the breaker. This DTOC is tested for various types of faults which are 3- phase fault occurring at load 1, 3-phase fault occurring at load 2, a 3-phase fault occurring before primary protection, and the behaviour of voltage and current with a failed primary protection. All the results will be obtained using the MATLAB/Simulink software package.
Full‐wave effects on shear wave splitting

Seismic anisotropy in the mantle plays an important role in our understanding of the Earth's internal dynamics, and shear wave splitting has always been a key observable in the investigation of seismic anisotropy. To date the interpretation of shear wave splitting in terms of anisotropy has been largely based on ray‐theoretical modeling of a single vertically incident plane SKS or SKKS wave. In this study, we use sensitivity kernels of shear wave splitting to anisotropic parameters calculated by the normal‐mode theory to demonstrate that the interference of SKS with other phases of similar arrival times, near‐field effect, and multiple reflections in the crust lead to significant variations of SKS splitting with epicentral distance. The full‐wave kernels not only widen the possibilities in the source‐receiver geometry in making shear wave splitting measurements but also provide the capability for tomographic inversion to resolve vertical and lateral variations in the anisotropic structures.