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Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are emerging as a promising evolution in neural network paradigms, offering an alternative to conventional convolutional neural networks (CNNs). One of the most effective methods for SNN development is the CNN-to-SNN conversion process. However, existing conversion techniques are hindered by long temporal durations or inference latencies, which negatively impact the accuracy of the converted networks. Additionally, the application of SNNs in object detection tasks remains largely under-explored. In this study, we propose a novel approach utilizing a bistable integrate-and-fire (BIF) neuron model integrated with a single-shot multibox detector (SSD) as the detection head. Leveraging the proposed BIF neuron framework, we convert the widely used ResNet architecture into an SNN. We validate the effectiveness of our approach through object detection tasks on the MS-COCO and Automotive GEN1 datasets. Experimental results show that our conversion technique facilitates object detection with reduced temporal steps and significant enhancements in mean average precision (mAP), achieving mAP@0.5 scores of 0.476 and 0.591 for the MS-COCO and Automotive GEN1 datasets, respectively. This research marks the first application of BIF neurons to object detection, presenting a novel advancement in the field.

Wastewater contains diverse microbes, and regular microbiological screening at wastewater treatment plants is essential for monitoring the wastewater treatment and protecting environmental health. In this study, a metagenomic approach was used to characterize the microbial communities in the influent and effluent of a conventional domestic sewage treatment plant in the metropolitan city of Jeddah. Bacteria were the prevalent type of microbe in both the influent and effluent, whereas archaea and viruses were each detected at <1% abundance. Greater diversity was observed in effluent bacterial populations compared with influent, despite containing similar major taxa. These taxa consisted primarily of Proteobacteria, followed by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Metagenomic analysis provided broad profiles of 87 pathogenic/opportunistic bacteria belonging to 47 distinct genera in the domestic sewage samples, with most having <1% abundance. The archaea community included 20 methanogenic genera. The virus-associated sequences were classified mainly into the families Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, and Podoviridae. Genes related to resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds, gram-negative cell wall components, and flagellar motility in prokaryotes identified in metagenomes from both types of samples. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of microbial communities in influent and effluent samples of a conventional domestic sewage treatment plant and suggests that metagenomic analysis is a feasible approach for microbiological monitoring of wastewater treatment.

In this study for the first-time microbial communities in the caves located in the mountain range of Hindu Kush were evaluated. The samples were analyzed using culture-independent (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) and culture-dependent methods. The amplicon sequencing results revealed a broad taxonomic diversity, including 21 phyla and 20 candidate phyla. Proteobacteria were dominant in both caves, followed by Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, and the archaeal phylum Euryarchaeota. Representative operational taxonomic units from Koat Maqbari Ghaar and Smasse-Rawo Ghaar were grouped into 235 and 445 different genera, respectively. Comparative analysis of the cultured bacterial isolates revealed distinct bacterial taxonomic profiles in the studied caves dominated by Proteobacteria in Koat Maqbari Ghaar and Firmicutes in Smasse-Rawo Ghaar. Majority of those isolates were associated with the genera Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Thirty strains among the identified isolates from both caves showed antimicrobial activity. Overall, the present study gave insight into the great bacterial taxonomic diversity and antimicrobial potential of the isolates from the previously uncharacterized caves located in the world's highest mountains range in the Indian sub-continent.

In developing countries, one of the most severe modern-day dilemmas is the management of industrial wastewater. In these countries, industrial wastewater effluents are directly discharged into the natural drain, a sewer system, an internal septic tank or a nearby field. Some of these industrial wastewater effluents are inadequately treated or untreated before being discharged. In recent years, in developing countries, urbanization and industrial activities have led to environmental deterioration. This paper was designed to review the health and environmental impacts of inadequately treated or untreated industrial wastewater effluents in Pakistan. The quality of industrial wastewater effluents is responsible for the degradation of the receiving water bodies. This is due to the reason that inadequately treated or untreated industrial wastewater effluents may cause eutrophication in the receiving water bodies and also form a favorable condition for toxin-producing waterborne pathogens. In order to comply with the wastewater guidelines and legislations, there is a need for proper treatment before discharge. In order to minimize the risk to the environment and public health, there is a need for proper treatment processes for industrial wastewater effluents. To achieve unpolluted discharge of industrial wastewater into the receiving water bodies, regular monitoring, proper and suitable treatment, careful planning and appropriate legislation are recommended.

The installation of photovoltaic (PV) system for electrical power generation has gained a substantial interest in the power system for clean and green energy. However, having the intermittent characteristics of photovoltaic, its integration with the power system may cause certain uncertainties (voltage fluctuations, harmonics in output waveforms, etc.) leading towards reliability and stability issues. In PV systems, the power electronics play a significant role in energy harvesting and integration of grid-friendly power systems. Therefore, the reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of power converters are of main concern in the system design and are mainly dependent on the applied control strategy. This review article presents a comprehensive review on the grid-connected PV systems. A wide spectrum of different classifications and configurations of grid-connected inverters is presented. Different multi-level inverter topologies along with the modulation techniques are classified into many types and are elaborated in detail. Moreover, different control reference frames used in inverters are presented. In addition, different control strategies applied to inverters are discussed and a concise summary of the related literature review is presented in tabulated form. Finally, the scope of the research is briefly discussed.

This current study was conducted in order to develop a digital innovation model based on the digital organizational culture, digital capability, and organizational readiness. This study explores how the organizational readiness plays a mediating role between the digital capabilities and digital innovation and between the digital organizational culture and digital innovation. For data collection, the survey instrument was used to collect data from 227 SMEs of ICT industry in Pakistan. The findings have revealed a significant connection of the digital organizational culture and digital capabilities with the digital innovation. Second, the organizational readiness mediates between the digital capabilities, digital organizational culture, and digital innovation. The study has empirically confirmed how to flourish a mechanism of the digital innovation in the SMEs. Moreover, the findings suggest some substantial implications for the management by focusing on the digital capabilities and digital organizational culture as a fundamental predictor for the digital innovation via organizational readiness.

Despite their clonal origins, tumors eventually develop into complex communities made up of phenotypically different cell subpopulations, according to mounting evidence. Tumor cell-intrinsic programming and signals from geographically and temporally changing microenvironments both contribute to this variability. Furthermore, the mutational load is typically lacking in childhood malignancies of adult cancers, and they still exhibit high cellular heterogeneity levels largely mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Ewing sarcomas represent highly aggressive malignancies affecting both bone and soft tissue, primarily afflicting adolescents. Unfortunately, the outlook for patients facing relapsed or metastatic disease is grim. These tumors are primarily fueled by a distinctive fusion event involving an FET protein and an ETS family transcription factor, with the most prevalent fusion being EWS/FLI1. Despite originating from a common driver mutation, Ewing sarcoma cells display significant variations in transcriptional activity, both within and among tumors. Recent research has pinpointed distinct fusion protein activities as a principal source of this heterogeneity, resulting in markedly diverse cellular phenotypes. In this review, we aim to characterize the role of the EWS/FLI fusion protein in Ewing sarcoma by exploring its general mechanism of activation and elucidating its implications for tumor heterogeneity. Additionally, we delve into potential therapeutic opportunities to target this aberrant fusion protein in the context of Ewing sarcoma treatment.

Graphene is a unique 2D material that provides exceptional mechanical properties, ultra-high carrier mobility, and dynamically adjustable surface conductivity, making it an excellent choice for microwave devices. However, the dynamic manipulation of amplitude and phase in substrate integrated waveguides based on multilayered graphene has not been experimentally proven. In this paper, we propose a novel multilayered graphene based half mode SIW attenuator and phase shifter for the manipulation of amplitude and phase at microwave frequencies. The amplitude and phase are controlled by applying a bias voltage to graphene. The applied voltage is increased from 0 to 6.2 V, and the sheet resistance (Ω/□) of graphene can be tuned between 1302 and 60 Ω/□, depending on the gap size for deposition of graphene. The simulated and measured results of the proposed attenuator and phase shifter demonstrate the manipulation of microwave signals. The dynamic range achieved for amplitude is 13dB, and that of phase is 45 degrees. The proposed technique proves that the amplitude and phase of microwave signals can be tuned in SIW based devices without any localized surface mounted devices (SMD) or complex realization techniques.

Hybrid nanofluids have gained too much attention due to their enhanced thermophysical properties and practical applications. In comparison to conventional nanofluids, their capacity to enhance heat transport is impressive. The simultaneous numerical calculations of hybrid and mono nanofluids across an exponentially shrinking surface in a porous medium are taken into consideration here. The analysis of the thermal energy distribution is carried out by using the convective boundary conditions. Shrinking, permeability, and magnetohydrodynamic controlled the motion of the flow. The objective of this research is to conduct stability analysis and identify the existence of dual solutions in the presence of heat source/sink and nonlinear Roseland thermal radiation. The technique, bvp4c, a collocation method is used to achieve numerical results. It is noted that the energy transport is enhanced immensely due to the presence of a mixture of nanoparticles (hybrid) in comparison to mono nanofluids. The stability analysis shows that the solutions for the upper branch were stable, while the solutions for the lower branch were unstable. Moreover, shrinking parameter contributes significantly to exhibit the dual nature of the solutions. Due to the increment in the heat generation/absorption and temperature ratio, the kinetic energy is inclined, which causes the temperature distribution to rise for both branches. For stable branches, an increase in wall stress values is evident as a result of permeability and stretching of sheet, whereas unstable branches show the opposite trend.

PurposeFollowing “AMO” framework and resource-based theory (RBT), the current study empirically examines the relationships between high-involvement human resource management (HI HRM) practices, employee functional flexibility (FF) and innovative work behavior (IWB). Furthermore, the mediating effect of FF has also been tested.Design/methodology/approachDescriptive statistics, correlation, hierarchical regression analysis, baron and Kenny, PROCESS Macro and Sobel Test approach were used on a sample of 894 employees of manufacturing concerns.FindingsFindings revealed a direct effect of HI HRM practices on FF and IWB. In addition, the results confirm that FF positively mediates between HI HRM practices and IWB. Furthermore, three dimensions of HI HRM practices, i.e. ability-enhancing (AE), motivation-enhancing (ME) and opportunity-enhancing (OE) HRM practices also predicted FF and IWB.Practical implicationsThis study not only offers the empirical evidence to validate the findings of past researchers, but also provide insight how HI HRM practices flourish the mechanism of FF in manufacturing concerns. Furthermore, this study highlighted some interesting facts that should be meaningful options for HR managers to enhance the level of employees' FF and IWB.Originality/valueAlthough the empirical evidence is well established that HI HRM practices have a substantial contribution for organizational performance, however, there is lack of studies that empirically examine the associations among HI HRM practices, employee's competencies and behaviors, as well as the mechanism through which HI HRM practices affect work related innovative behavior. Finally, in distinguishing from the past studies, this study explores HI HRM practices as an important predictor of FF in addressing the IWB.