Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new wiggly technique for ultra‐wideband two‐line directional couplers

In this letter, a new wiggly structure of two‐line directional couplers is presented in which the coupling part of the coupler has a saw‐tooth with rectangular edges. It has been shown that this method can offer advantages of both saw‐tooth and rectangular counterparts with phase velocity compensation over a wider frequency range and a lower possibility of deformations. To evaluate the proposed approach, a 21 dB directional coupler at the frequency range of 4–8 GHz is designed and fabricated on a RO4003C board.
*Striving to Excel in STEM: Insights From Underrepresented, Minoritized Graduate Students With High Academic Ability

Little information exists concerning underrepresented students’ talent development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This retrospective qualitative study investigated the talent development processes of five Black, seven Hispanic, and three Native American graduate students enrolled in STEM disciplines. All participants completed three individual, 1-hr interviews. Inductive thematic analysis revealed participants experienced challenges throughout their schooling, including chilly atmosphere in STEM disciplines, sense of loneliness, imposter syndrome, and pressure to prove themselves as capable. Despite these obstacles, participants benefited from academic rigor in STEM, gifted education programs, and extended support networks from families, friends, and mentors. Participants also developed a strong sense of responsibility for community service and social justice. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Exact sequences for locally convex subalgebras of Pimsner algebras with an application to Quantum Heisenberg Manifolds

We prove six-term exact sequences of Pimsner-Voiculescu type for certain subalgebras of the Cuntz-Pimsner algebras. This sequence may, in particular, be applied to smooth subalgebras of the Quantum Heisenberg Manifolds in order to compute the generators of their cyclic cohomology. Further, our results include the known results for smooth crossed products. Our proof is based on a combination of arguments from the setting of (Cuntz-)Pimsner algebras and the Toeplitz proof of Bott-periodicity.
Distributed Denial of Service Attacks Detection and Mitigation in Software Defined Mesh Networks

Networks configured in Mesh topology provide Network security in the form of redundancy of communication links. But redundancy also contributes to complexity in configuration and subsequent troubleshooting. Critical networks like Backbone Networks (used in Cloud Computing) deploy the Mesh topology which provides additional security in terms of redundancy to ensure availability of services. Distributed Denial of Service attacks are one of the most prominent attacks that cause an immense amount of loss of data as well as monetary losses to service providers. This paper proposes a method by which using SDN capabilities and sFlow-RT application, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks is detected and consequently mitigated by using REST API to implement Policy Based Flow Management through the SDN Controller which will help in ensuring uninterrupted services in scenarios of such attacks and also further simply and enhance the management of Mesh architecture-based networks.
Rates of Future Climate Change in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea: Implications for Coral Reef Ecosystems

Rising temperatures and ocean acidification due to anthropogenic climate change pose ominous threats to coral reef ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and the western Caribbean Sea. Unfortunately, the once structurally complex coral reefs in the GoM and Caribbean have dramatically declined since the 1970s; relatively few coral reefs still exhibit a mean live coral cover of >10%. Additional work is needed to characterize future climate stressors on coral reefs in the GoM and the Caribbean Sea. Here, we use climate model simulations spanning the period of 2015–2100 to partition and assess the individual impacts of climate stressors on corals in the GoM and the western Caribbean Sea. We use a top‐down modeling framework to diagnose future projected changes in thermal stress and ocean acidification and discuss its implications for coral reef ecosystems. We find that ocean temperatures increase by 2°C–3°C over the 21st century, and surpass reported regional bleaching thresholds by mid‐century. Whereas ocean acidification occurs, the rate and magnitude of temperature changes outpace and outweigh the impacts of changes in aragonite saturation state. A framework for quantifying and communicating future risks in the GoM and Caribbean using reef risk projection maps is discussed. Without substantial mitigation efforts, the combined impact of increasing ocean temperatures and acidification are likely to stress most existing corals in the GoM and the Caribbean, with widespread economic and ecological consequences.
Mechanisms involved in the formation of metaphorical classes within the framework of the class-inclusion model of metaphor comprehension

According to Glucksberg’s class-inclusion model of metaphor comprehension, metaphors are understood by the inclusion of the topic X into a metaphorical class of the vehicle Y. But what is the cognitive mechanisms through which X is included in the metaphorical class of Y? Drawing on previous literature on the roles of semantic features, metonymy, and relations in metaphor processing, this article presents a new proposal according to which every metaphorical class is defined by one of three categories of a concept’s characteristics: semantic features, metonymic aspects, or relational aspects. Each category may consist of a large set of such characteristics. One characteristic (or at most several characteristics) usually defines the metaphorical class of Y. Additionally, it is proposed that the metaphorical class is created by the suppression of metaphorically-irrelevant characteristics, consistent with ideas from Relevance Theory. The result of this process is a metaphorical class which has a higher degree of abstractness compared to the literal class of Y. Finally, it is proposed that the three categories of characteristics may be in interaction with each other. Therefore, in some cases, two or even three categories of characteristics may be involved in the formation of a metaphorical class, but one specific category plays the main role in the process.
Gankyrin-mediated interaction between cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages facilitates prostate cancer progression and androgen deprivation therapy resistance

ABSTRACT Increasing evidence reveals that the interaction between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) facilitates the progression of prostate cancer, but the related mechanisms remained unclear. This study determined how gankyrin, a component of the 19S regulatory complex of the 26S proteasome, regulates the progression and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) resistance of prostate cancer through tumor cell–TAM interactions. In vitro functional experiments and in vivo subcutaneous tumor models were used to explore the biological role and molecular mechanisms of gankyrin in prostate cancer cell–TAM interactions. 234 prostate cancer patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts to examine the prognostic value of gankyrin through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and statistical analyses, and high gankyrin expression was correlated with poor prognosis. In addition, gankyrin facilitated the progression and ADT resistance of prostate cancer. Mechanistically, gankyrin recruited and upregulated non–POU-domain–containing octamer-binding protein (NONO) expression, resulting in increased androgen receptor (AR) expression. AR then bound to the high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) promoter to trigger HMGB1 transcription, expression, and secretion. Moreover, HMGB1 was found to promote the recruitment and activation of TAMs, which secrete IL-6 to reciprocally promote prostate cancer progression, ADT resistance and gankyrin expression via STAT3, resulting in formation of a gankyrin/NONO/AR/HMGB1/IL-6/STAT3 positive feedback loop. Furthermore, targeting the interaction between tumor cells and TAMs by blocking this loop inhibited ADT resistance in a tumor xenograft model. Taken together, the data show that gankyrin serves as a reliable prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for prostate cancer patients.
Research on noncontact heart rate detection based on face tracking and BVP signal extraction

Abstract. The noncontact heart rate detection technology is very suitable for daily health monitoring due to its advantages of no contact with the human body, simple operation, and low cost. However, this technique is susceptible to ambient light variation interference and motion artifacts. In addition, most of the existing HR (real-time heart rate monitoring) detection studies based on remote photoplethysmography only focus on illumination variation interference or motion artifacts, and few studies consider both illumination variation interference and motion artifacts. First, a nonparametric skin color segmentation model and support vector machine (SVM) are used in the Cb and Cr components of the YCbCr color space to construct a joint skin color segmentation model specific to the current video sequence, to remove the skin-like background in the video frame in a coarse-to-fine manner. Subsequently, the CamShift algorithm color histogram is constructed within the Cr component and face tracking is performed. It should be noted that the use of SVM to build a skin color segmentation model is based on the following three considerations: first, the skin color segmentation algorithm based on SVM has a relatively fast running speed. Second, considering skin color and background sample information at the same time will help to improve the accuracy of skin color segmentation. Third, SVM can enhance the generalization ability of the learning machine according to the principle of structural risk minimization, which makes the skin color segmentation model based only on video standard frames can also play a better role in the segmentation of subsequent video frames. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has higher accuracy for noncontact heart rate detection than the original algorithm; compared with the tracking algorithm in recent years, it has good tracking accuracy and obvious speed advantage.
Modeling the Linkages between Bitcoin, Gold, Dollar, Crude Oil, and Stock Markets: A GARCH-EVT-Copula Approach

This paper aims to analyze and compare the ability of bitcoin, gold, and dollar to diversify the risk of traditional market such as crude oil and stock markets. Specifically, we model the linkages between bitcoin, gold, dollar, crude oil, and stock markets using the GARCH-EVT-copula approach. The results show that the gold market is in the central position among these markets, which is consistent with the status of gold as a major safe asset. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, bitcoin and the dollar also had the ability to diversify risks, although less effective than gold. However, during the COVID-19 period, gold loses its dominant position and gold, bitcoin, and dollar can no longer act as a hedge. We measure the value at risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES) of simulated portfolios constructed based on these five markets and use several backtesting methods to check the validity of the risk measures. The backtesting results show that our model can provide accurate risk measures before and within the COVID-19 period, which may help investors and risk managers construct the optimal portfolios.
Global solutions to general polynomial benchmark optimization problems

The goal of this paper is to solve a class of high-order polynomial benchmark optimization problems, including the Goldstein-Price problem and the Three Hump Camel Back problem. By using a generalized canonical duality theory, we are able to transform the nonconvex primal problems to concave dual problems over convex domain(without duality gap), which can be solved easily to obtain global solutions.
Understanding Effective Use of Big Data: Challenges and Capabilities (A Management Perspective)

While prior research has provided insights into challenges and capabilities related to effective Big Data use, much of this contribution has been conceptual in nature. The aim of this study is to explore such challenges and capabilities through an empirical approach. Accordingly, this paper reports on a multiple case study approach, involving eight organizations from the private and public sectors. The study provides empirical support for capabilities and challenges identified through prior research and identifies additional insights viz. problem-driven approach, time to value, data readiness, data literacy, data misuse, operational agility, and organizational maturity assessment.
Advances in the Rising Bubble Technique for discharge measurement

Already in the 19th century, d’Auria described a discharge measurement technique that applies floats to find the depth-integrated velocity (d’Auria, 1882). The basis of this technique was that the horizontal distance that the float travels on its way to the surface is the image of the integrated velocity profile over depth. Viol and Semenov (1964) improved this method by using air bubbles as floats, but still distances were measured manually until Sargent (1981) introduced a technique that could derive the distances from two photographs simultaneously taken from each side of the river bank. Recently, modern image processing techniques proved to further improve the applicability of the method (Hilgersom and Luxemburg, 2012). In the 2012 article, controlling and determining the rising velocity of an air bubble still appeared a major challenge for the application of this method. Ever since, laboratory experiments with different nozzle and tube sizes lead to advances in our self-made equipment enabling us to produce individual air bubbles with a more constant rising velocity. Also, we introduced an underwater camera to on-site determine the rising velocity, which is dependent on the water temperature and contamination, and therefore is site-specific. Camera measurements of the rising velocity proved successful in a laboratory and field setting, although some improvements to the setup are necessary to capture the air bubbles also at depths where little daylight penetrates.
Dual-band substrate integrated waveguide bandpass filter utilising complementary split-ring resonators

A novel dual-band substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) bandpass filter (BPF) based on complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs) is proposed. It consists of an SIW dual-mode cavity loaded by two additional CSRRs on its top layer. Both TE 102 and TE 201 modes in the cavity can be excited by the proper positions of the feeding lines. Two additional CSRRs are etched on the top layer coupled with the TE 102 and TE 201 modes, respectively, to achieve the dual-frequency operation. Four transmission zeros are generated in the vicinity of the passbands to improve the selectivity. To validate the design concept, a dual-band SIW BPF operating at 7.89 and 8.89 GHz is designed, simulated and measured. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulations.
Ecosystem services dynamics towards SDGs in the Belt and Road Initiative cities

In the unprecedented global changes, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a common beacon for all countries’ development worldwide. Systemic analysis of the ecosystem services (ESs) changes during rapid urbanization can provide helpful information for ecosystem management toward the 2030 SDGs. However, existing research seldom focuses on simulating future scenarios of SDG-oriented urbanization and associated ESs changes. We proposed three 2030 SDGs-related urbanization scenarios: the baseline development scenario (BDS), ecological protection scenario (EPS), and rapid urbanization scenario (RUS). We further evaluated the three ESs component changes and synergies, including habitat quality (HQ), carbon storage (CS), and water yield (WY) till 2030, using the cases of 67 capital cities in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Region. Results reveal that most cities will face ESs loss from 2020 to 2030. EPS can effectively alleviate the ESs loss and assist the ESs increment. The correlations between ESs components vary in the degree among the three scenarios. HQ and CS have a robust synergetic relationship in most cities. The correlations between CS and WY, and HQ and WY are mostly synergetic except for a few western Asian cities. The EPS can stabilize the ecosystem structure and facilitate SDG-oriented development. The findings help achieve sustainable urbanization by conserving ESs guided by the SDGs.
Women’s Intrasexual Competitiveness and Jealousy Across the Ovulatory Cycle: A Hormone-Based Study

Research on social status competition among women suggests that underlying hormonal shifts associated with the ovulatory cycle systematically drive alterations in preferences and behavior. Specifically, it is proposed that the fertile window, marked by heightened estradiol and lower progesterone levels, is related to increased psychological motivation for intrasexual social comparison, leading to increasing competitiveness and jealousy. In this pre-registered, longitudinal study, 257 women provided saliva samples for hormone assays, rated the attractiveness of other women, and self-reported intrasexual competitiveness and jealousy across four testing sessions. Multilevel analyses revealed no compelling evidence for (hormone-related) cycle shifts in intrasexual competitiveness, attractiveness ratings, or jealousy. Rather, women higher in intrasexual competitiveness seem to rate other women as more attractive in general. We discuss how our results contribute to a growing body of literature suggesting that women’s social attitudes and preferences are more stable and less hormonally influenced than previously assumed.
Post cholecystectomy bile duct injury: a surgeon’s nightmare

Bile duct injury constitutes a major proportion of morbidity associated with cholecystectomy (laparoscopic>open). It has a lot of impact on patient health and subsequent medico-legal repercussions. Anatomical aberrations in the Calot's triangle anatomy is more common than meets the eye. A thorough understanding of anatomy, identification of the variant structures, Use of intraoperative cholangiogram and low threshold for conversion to open procedure could prove life-saving in many cases. Optimal timing of intervention has to be planned once the type of injury is identified. Minor leaks are usually managed with endoscopic interventions. More proximal leaks and complete transaction of bile duct usually require Roux En Y hepaticojejunostomy. The principal is to ensure complete drainage of all segments and prevention of sepsis. More grave scenarios like concomitant vascular injury, segmental atrophy and secondary biliary cirrhosis require referral to a tertiary centre and subsequent multidisciplinary approach. The aim of the study was to establish the true incidence, classification and management of bile duct injuries that could be life - saving in a few cases and career- saving in many others.
Comparison of clinical characteristics in adult patients under 65 years of age with and without Covid-19 pneumonia

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause asymptomatic, mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and pneumonia in young persons. How the disease will progress in each patient is still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prognostic markers of the development of pneumonia and the clinical characteristics of patients under 65 years with COVID-19 confirmed by a positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 271 patients admitted in our unit were included. The patients were divided into two groups, those who did and those who did not develop pneumonia. Their clinical features, treatment protocols, and laboratory parameters were recorded retrospectively. Results: Pneumonia developed in 67.9% (n = 184) of the cases. The age in the pneumonia group was higher than that in the non-pneumonia group (p < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, the symptom and co-morbidity status were examined according to the presence of pneumonia; hypertension (HT) (OR: 4525, 95% CL: 1,494–13,708) was the most important risk factor for pneumonia. When age and laboratory values were examined according to the presence of pneumonia, advanced age (OR: 1.042, 95% CL: 1.01–1.073), low albumin (OR: 0.917, 95% CL: 0.854–0.986), and high troponin (OR: 1.291, 95% CL: 1.044–1.596) were identified as risk factors for pneumonia. Conclusion: In this article, HT (22.3%, P < 0.001) has been considered as an important risk factor, whereas association of diabetes mellitus (21.2%, P 0.029) and smoking (25.0%, P 0.038) was also significant. The median age of the group was 51 (41.5–58) in the group developing pneumonia and 41 (30–48) in the non-developing group. Young patients with these predictive factors should be more carefully evaluated by further diagnostic procedures, such as thoracic computed tomography.
Therapeutic efficacy of oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airway and the lung to noxious particles or gases. Sputum production is a cardinal feature in COPD. Airway clearance techniques have been the mainstay of management. Oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) devices are handheld devices that provide a combination of positive expiratory pressure (PEP) with high frequency oscillations which involve exhaling against a resistance that is fluctuating. It encourages airflow within secretions, whereas oscillations induce vibrations within airway wall to displace secretions into airway lumen and help in expectoration. Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted at the department of pulmonary medicine, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, in which 50 patients with stable COPD were enrolled for one- and- half years. After taking proper history, they were subjected to spirometry, six- minute walk test, and were asked to fill the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT). These patients were randomized into group A (intervention group) and group B (control group), where group A was prescribed Aerobika OPEP device for daily use for a period of three months. After three months of use of device, the patients were again subjected to assessment parameters and inquired about any exacerbation within the three- month period. Results: At the end of three months were compared with baseline results. The median change in FEV1, FVC, 6MWD from baseline in group A was significantly more as compared to group B (FEV1: P < 0.001; FVC: P < 0.001; 6MWD: P = 0.08), whereas SGRQ score showed a significant improvement in both the intervention and control groups (P < 0.001) and CAT score showed significant improvement in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). The median change in 6MWD and CAT from baseline in group A was significantly more as compared to group B (SGRQ: P < 0.001; CAT: P < 0.001), whereas it was not significant in case of SGRQ (P = 0.233). There was no significant difference in the incidence of exacerbation in the two groups (P = 0.19). The device did not help in controlling the rate of exacerbation in the present study at three months. Conclusion: Stable COPD patients who were given OPEP therapy as an adjunct to the standard drug therapy showed improvement in the spirometry parameters, exercise capacity and symptom burden in comparison to the drug only group.