Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identify Obstacles of Different Types in the Path of UGV Using Region Based Image Segmentation

Unmanned ground vehicle is a smart autonomous vehicle that is mainly capable to do tasks without the need of human operator. An automated vehicle work during off road navigation and mainly used in military operation such as detecting bombs, border patroling.These types of automated vehicles are required even in driving road vehicles where human errors cause major fatal loss of life and property. For this purpose the functionality of unmanned ground vehicle can be enhanced by using region based image segmentation which will help to identify the obstacles that come in the path of UGV.In this paper, Region based image segmentation algorithm is proposed to identify obstacles (car, human, tree etc). This method is compared with edge based image segmentation method based on three parameters (angle of projection, angle of disjunction and angle of disjunction). Based on comparisons, region based image segmentation algorithm is capable of producing more accurate results as compared to edge based segmentation algorithm.
Explaining Variation in the Value of Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Using Internal Meta-analysis

This study conducts a meta-analysis of the value of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay derived from separate hedonic property value estimates in 14 Maryland counties. The meta-analysis allows us to: 1) investigate heterogeneity of estimates of the value of water clarity across counties based on socioeconomic and ecological factors, 2) understand the implication of econometric specification choices made in the original hedonic equations for benefit estimates, and 3) transfer the benefits out-of-sample to Bayfront counties in Washington, DC, Delaware, Virginia, and four additional counties in Maryland. We also investigate the in-sample and out-of-sample predictive power of different transfer strategies and find that a simpler unit value transfer can outperform more complex function transfers. The results illustrate both the usefulness of meta-analysis and the challenges of benefit transfer even when estimates being transferred represent a common geographic area, environmental attribute, and policy instrument.
A note on the effect of simple topography on seismic SH waves

Finite difference calculations for SH-motion, as well as field observations, show that topography can have significant effects on seismic waves when the incident wavelengths are comparable to the size of the topographic features and the topographic slopes are relatively steep. These effects are frequency-dependent and can range from amplification to deamplification at a given site. For the models considered in this paper, amplifications of 75 per cent as compared to motions produced in regions of no topography were found. A qualitative discussion of the strong-motion accelerogram recorded at Pacoima Dam from the San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971, suggests that the recorded accelerations could, at any period, be expected to differ by 25 to 50 per cent from those that would have been recorded if no topographic features were present. The complex terrain precludes a prediction of the actual magnitude or sign of the difference. The present results are probably most significant from the viewpoint of engineering seismology, for the conditions required for a significant topographic effect are most likely to occur in the period range of engineering interest.
Studying the Impact of Continuous Delivery Adoption on Atoms of Confusion Rate in Open-Source Projects

Atoms of Confusion (AoC) are indivisible code patterns that may cause confusion for developers when trying to understand them, and that have less confusing equivalent patterns. Previous works suggest it is a good practice to avoid them. While there are studies on AoC relating them to bugs, there is not much about their relationship with the practices of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD). Since CI/CD is generally praised as a group of good practices, related to better code being released reliably and faster to clients, there’s a possibility that the presence of CI/CD would also impact the presence of AoC, possibly making them less prevalent since they can be problematic to development processes. To clarify this relationship, we analyzed 10 open-source long-lived Java libraries and 10 open-source Java projects for Android, to see if there was any difference in the AoC rate before and after the implementation of CI/CD. Our results show the AoC rate changed for all projects, but we could not find a statistically relevant relationship between these changes and CI/CD.
Cryptococcal Meningitis Presenting as Chronic Headache in an Apparently Immunocompetent Patient

Cryptococcal meningitis, a severe fungal infection, usually afflicts immunocompromised individuals, mainly those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, rarely, immunocompetent individuals can develop the infection too. Here, we present a case of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative individual without known immunocompromised states. This patient suffered from chronic headaches for five years before presenting to us, with multiple past consultations resulting in misdiagnoses of migraines and tension-type headaches (TTH). The patient had developed new-onset warning signs in the last month after which neuroimaging was done, which showed features of increased intracranial pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. The patient received amphotericin B alongside flucytosine, and he underwent three therapeutic lumbar punctures (LP) to relieve symptoms from raised intracranial pressure. Within two weeks, he showed significant improvement in headaches and was discharged in a healthy state. The patient was doing fine two months post discharge. This case emphasizes the necessity of ruling out red flag signs before diagnosing primary headaches. In clinical practice, if any patient shows poor response to medications despite adequate compliance, a thorough evaluation is required to rule out serious causes of headache, with a low threshold for neuroimaging.
Comparison of Effectiveness of Visual and Sign Motivation on the Oral Hygiene of Students

Abstract Aim The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of visual and sign motivation on the oral hygiene of students with hearing and speech impairment studying in special schools of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 students. The sample was divided into two groups. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Data were collected at three points of time–at baseline, 1st and 3rd month. Results In the age-group, 8–13 years, on intergroup comparison of mean oral hygiene index (OHI) score, no significant difference was observed on the first visit (p-value of 0.351) and second visit, respectively (p-value of 0.687), but on comparing the mean simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) score on third visit significant difference was observed (p-value of 0.03) and in the age 14–18 years, on intergroup comparison of mean OHI-S score no significant difference was observed on first visit (p-value of 0.593) and second visit, respectively (p-value of 0.404), but on comparing the mean OHI-S score on third visit, significant difference was observed (p-value of 0.018) Both the groups have shown that there was the positive impact of reinforcement on the oral hygiene of students in this age-group as well. Conclusion There was a significant improvement in oral hygiene status and a significant improvement in participant satisfaction toward oral health in both groups. Sign language video playback is not as effective and efficient in improving the maintenance of oral health in hearing and speech-impaired children as compared to sign language. Clinical significance This study has helped in the better understanding of different methods of maintaining good oral hygiene of hearing and speech-impaired children. How to cite this article Singh R, Saraf BG, Sheoran N, et al. Comparison of Effectiveness of Visual and Sign Motivation on the Oral Hygiene of Students. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(5):671–677.
Histopathological alteration in the liver of Sardinella longiceps as a biomarker of heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystem.

The discharge of heavy metals from industrial effluents into aquatic ecosystems is a major cause of serious aquatic pollution. The bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals in aquatic species can lead to their transmission to the food chain, posing serious public health risks. Present study was done to assess heavy metal accumulation and histopathological analysis in the liver of Sardinella longiceps collected from Sassoon dock during the rainy season between 2019 to 2022. It was found that amongst studied heavy metals Cu, Cr, and Mn concentration was beyond the permissible limit of WHO and FAO guidelines. Histopathological analysis of liver tissues during the studied period showed various architectural alteration which could be due to the accumulation of heavy metals found in it.
Ultrasound‐modified whey protein‐enriched instant noodles: Enhancement in functional, rheological, cooking, and structural attributes

Abstract Instant noodles enriched with ultrasound‐modified whey protein (WP) were characterized for physical, technological, rheological, cooking, thermal, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), morphological, and sensory attributes to access the compatibility of ultrasound for actual food matrix. Semolina with sonicated WP (SWP) showed significantly (p < .05) higher water absorption capacity (1.586 g/g) than semolina with raw WP (1.512 g/g). Semolina with SWP also showed a significantly higher water solubility index, oil binding, and firmer gel, even at 5% concentration. The addition of SWP positively impacted pasting properties and improved dough handling, as also supported by the constantly increasing storage (G′) and loss (G″) modulus. SWP significantly decreased the cooking loss (7.48%) and considerably increased cooking weight (13.80%), water uptake ratio (14.35%), noodle diameter, expansion (4.47%), hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness of instant noodles. Thus, the instant noodles containing SWP imparted high resistance to tear and wear to noodle strands. The improved thermal, IVPD (90.46%), and acceptability with excellent structural (morphology) integrity authenticate SWP as a quality protein source for enrichment.
Module Power Balancing Mechanism for a Single-Phase Single-Stage Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter

This article presents a grid support-based module power balancing strategy for a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system fed with a modular cascaded H-bridge inverter. Power imbalance occurs in the PV system because of partial shading, aging effect, damage, and dusting of panels, etc., and results in overmodulation of the H-bridge modules (HBM). Overmodulation of HBM increases the distortion in grid current. The majority of the solutions in literature to handle the power imbalance are limited by the need for a modulation index more than $4/\pi$. Therefore, a methodology for utilizing a part of the grid power to take care of the severe power imbalance in the system through a supportive H-bridge module is presented in this article. The proposed method is validated with simulation and experimental studies on PV panels.
Review of some ethnomedicinal remedies for Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcer is described as the deep destruction of the stomach and/or duodenal mucosa, extending past the muscularis mucosa, which occurs when the mucosal defences including prostaglandins, mucus, and sufficient blood flow are altered. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are the two primary causatives linked with the etiology of peptic ulcer disease. Other causative agents are smoking, ischemia, hydrochloric acid, and alcohol. Drugs used in the treatment include histamine-2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors which have been discovered to possess adverse effects. Medicinal plants, however, are beneficial and effective in the prevention, management, and treatment of various ailments. Therefore, this review highlights common medicinal plants and their mechanisms of action in preventing or treating peptic ulcers. ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched for relevant articles published between 2019-2023 using the keywords “medicinal plants and peptic ulcer”, “medicinal plants and gastric ulcer”. According to the research articles, some of the mechanisms of action include lowered gastric index, inflammation, and gastric lesions, increased gastric pH, protective index, antioxidant levels. However, more studies should be carried out to determine the active compounds in these plants. More clinical trials are also needed to validate the safety and efficacy of these medicinal plants since most of the studies enumerated in this review are animal-based studies.Keywords: Peptic ulcer, medicinal plants, Helicobacter pylori
The Role of Agricultural Input Credit on Production of Maize: A Case Study in Shebedneo District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

: Smallholder farmers’ inability to procure agricultural input is one of the main causes of low agricultural productivity and production. But in recent years, the government and NGOs have tried their level best to access credits to farmers both in cash and agricultural inputs, especially fertilizers. In this study, an attempt is made to examine the role of agricultural input credit on the production of maize from a single-visit survey of the case study in Shebedino District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. More than ever, the study tried to find out the sources of input credit for rural farmers. The major problems that hinder the use, repayment, provision, and collection of input credit for farmers and from farmers. The importance of input credit on maize production and the trends in input credit provision and repayment in Shebedino District. Hence, primary data was collected from 91 farm households drawn from three kebeles using purposive and simple random sampling. Secondary data was collected from the Shebedino District agricultural and OMO microfinance offices and different written documents. The data was analyzed using both the descriptive and econometric analysis methods. OLS models were employed to examine the role of agricultural input credit in the production of maize. The survey findings showed that there is a direct relationship between agricultural input credit and maize output performance. Loan provision in Shebedino District was increasing but the rate was not regular through the years and the repayment rate in the district was decreasing through the years. The finding also showed that educational level and savings have a positive or direct relationship with the usage and repayment of input credit among the farmers. As the findings revealed, the problems that can affect the provision and collection of agricultural inputs credit or taking and repaying the loan are low agricultural productivity, low infrastructural faculties, and low extension service. low saving and attitude of rural farmers towards the input credit service for these, providing more extensional services and infrastructural facilities side by side with credit service to rural farmers is better for increasing their productivity and it is also better if more educated people invest in agricultural activity and increase saving behavior among rural farmers to increase their income and country development.
A systems analysis of biomass densification process

Pelletizing is a method of densifying biomass. Pellets have low moisture content (about 8% wet basis) for safe storage and a high bulk density (more than 500 kg/m) for efficient transport. Biomass pellets that are usually up to 6 mm in diameter and 12 mm long, are uniform in moisture content. They can be handled, transported and fed to boilers and furnaces easily. Manufacturing of pellets involves energy intensive drying, grinding, and pelleting processes. In a typical operation, manufacturing one ton of dried pellets may use 300-3500 MJ for drying, 100-180 MJ for grinding, and 100-300 MJ for densification. The present study investigates the entire densification process using the systems analysis approach and on finding out the best alternative fuel source for biomass drying application with the lowest cost, emissions and energy consumptions. In this study, biomass drying, size reduction and compaction were studied in detail theoretically and experimentally. Drying of biomass is performed in a direct contact, co-current type rotary drum dryer. Single and triple pass rotary dryers were modeled using the lumped parameter approach. The developed models predicted the temperature and moisture profiles of hot flue gas and biomass particles and the results were in agreement with commercial rotary dryer outlet conditions. Five heating fuel sources for the dryer were compared: natural gas, coal, wet sawdust, dry sawdust and wood pellets. The combustion of fuels was modeled to predict the hot flue gas compositions and fuel requirement for the given dryer inlet conditions. A series of experiments were conducted where biomass samples were ground using a laboratory hammer mill at different screen sizes and moisture contents. Specific energy consumption of grinding biomass was estimated and used to develop the relationship between hammer mill screen size and specific grinding energy data. The laboratory hammer mill energy data were compared with commercial hammer mill data. The ground samples were analysed for particle size distribution, geometric mean particle size, bulk density and particle density. Biomass grinds' were compacted into pellets using a single pelleter unit. Compression data from the experiment were analyzed using several compaction models. Particle rearrangement and elastic and plastic deformation were the predominant compaction mechanisms during the pelleting process. Particle interlocking or local
Solution of Nonlinear Fractional Differential ‎Equations containing Caputo Derivative

In this paper, Adomian decomposition method (ADM) will apply to solve nonlinear fractional differential equations (FDEs) of Caputo sense. These type of equations is very important in engineering applications. Existence and uniqueness of the solution will prove. The convergence of the series solution and the error analysis will discuss. Some numerical examples will solve to test the validity of the method and the given theorems.
Plate Tectonics and Regional Stratigraphic-Metamorphic Relations in the Southern Part of the New Zealand Geosyncline

The evolution of the New Zealand geosyncline is examined in terms of both the plate tectonics model and such geological constraints as regional metamorphic and biostratigraphic patterns and interrelations between paired sedimentary facies. A common western provenance is tentatively concluded for both major sedimentary facies belts of the geosyncline; the inner (Hokonui) belt acted as a volcanotectonic sediment trap during times of increased volcanic activity, while during periods of volcanic quiescence, quartzo-feldspathic debris from the adjacent “continental” foreland was transported across the inner belt into the outer (Torlesse) basin. In general the Torlesse rocks appear to decrease in age but increase in metamorphic grade toward the inferred western (continental) source, and it is suggested that the older (Carboniferous and Permian) rocks were never overlain by substantial thicknesses of younger strata. Development of an early extensional basin, by strike-slip displacements, in Carboniferous to Jurassic times is consistent with both this concept and with the apparently anomalous regional biostratigraphic zonation of the Torlesse rocks. Differences in geosynclinal evolution between New Zealand and California appear to be accountable in terms of the greater age of the New Zealand geosyncline and the early period of extensional growth. The Late Jurassic-Cretaceous Rangitata orogeny was an important event occurring relatively late in the depositional history of the New Zealand geosyncline, and is interpreted as representing the initiation of the present system of Pacific basin sea-floor spreading. A corresponding early extensional event is not recognized in the Jurassic-Cretaceous Coast Range geosyncline of California, the evolution of which appears to be entirely related to subduction and arc activity related to an East Pacific rise spreading axis. Differences in detailed deformational style and metamorphism between the two areas may result from differences in spreading rates and from the steeper dip of the Jurassic-Cretaceous subduction zone in New Zealand.
Primary and Recall Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Breakthrough Infection

Breakthrough infections in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated individuals are an ideal circumstance for the simultaneous exploration of both the vaccine-induced memory reaction to the spike (S) protein and the primary response to the membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins generated by natural infection. We monitored 15 healthcare workers who had been vaccinated with two doses of Pfizer BioNTech BNT162b2 and were then later infected with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1. 617.2. (Delta) variant, analysing the antiviral humoral and cellular immune responses. Natural infection determined an immediate and sharp rise in anti-RBD antibody titres and in the frequency of both S-specific antibody secreting cells (ASCs) and memory B lymphocytes. T cells responded promptly to infection by activating and expanding already at 2–5 days. S-specific memory and emerging M- and N-specific T cells both expressed high levels of activation markers and showed effector capacity with similar kinetics but with different magnitude. The results show that natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated individuals induces fully functional and rapidly expanding T and B lymphocytes in concert with the emergence of novel virus-specific T cells. This swift and punctual response also covers viral variants and captures a paradigmatic case of a healthy adaptive immune reaction to infection with a mutating virus.
Disaggregation model for synthetic stream-flow generation

To capture the complexity of a water resources system, synthetic data generation is an essential component. Frequently, the data generation is done on an annual basis and disaggregated to smaller time scales. A generalised disaggregation framework is presented to generate seasonal stream-flows from any annual autoregressive process. A new periodic disaggregation scheme is proposed for further disaggregation into sub-seasonal flows from seasonal flows generated with a periodic autoregressive (PAR) model of any order. The new model preserves the first and second moments and has been applied to the Ganges river at Farakka in India for generation of decadal (10-day) flows from monthly flows; the 10-day period being the discrete time interval identified in the Ganges Water Treaty. The results demonstrate that the proposed coupled modelling scheme works very well and provides a flexible choice in synthetic hydrology.