Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A VANISHING VISCOSITY APPROACH TO FRACTURE GROWTH IN A COHESIVE ZONE MODEL WITH PRESCRIBED CRACK PATH

The existence of crack evolutions based on critical points of the energy functional is proved, in the case of a cohesive zone model with prescribed crack path. It turns out that evolutions of this type satisfy a maximum stress criterion for the crack initiation. With an explicit example, it is shown that evolutions based on the absolute minimization of the energy functional do not enjoy this property.
ABUNDANCES AND ISOTOPE RATIOS IN THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS: THE STAR-FORMING ENVIRONMENT OF N 113

With the goal of deriving the physical and chemical conditions of star-forming regions in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a spectral line survey of the prominent star-forming region N 113 is presented. The observations cover parts of the frequency range from 85 GHz to 357 GHz and include 63 molecular transitions from a total of 16 species, among them are the spectra of rare isotopologues. Maps of selected molecular lines as well as the 1.2 mm continuum distribution are also presented. Molecular abundances in the core of the complex are consistent with a photon-dominated region in a nitrogen deficient environment. While carbon monoxide (CO) shows optical depths of the order of τ ∼ 10, 13CO is optically thin. The most prominent lines of carbon monosulfide (CS), HCN, and HCO+show signs of weak saturation (τ ∼ 0.5). Densities range from 5 × 103 cm−3 for CO to almost 106 for CS, HCN, and a few other species, indicating that only the densest regions provide sufficient shielding, even for some of the most common species. An ortho- to para-formaldehyde (H2CO) ratio of ∼ 3 hints at H2CO formation in a warm (≳ 40 K) environment. Isotope ratios are 12C/13C ∼ 49 ± 5, 16O/18O ∼2000 ± 250, 18O/17O ∼ 1.7 ± 0.2, and 32S/34S ∼ 15. Agreement with data from other star-forming clouds shows that the gas is well mixed in the LMC. The isotope ratios not only differ from those seen in the Galaxy, they also do not form a continuation of the trends observed with decreasing metallicity from the inner to the outer Galaxy. This implies that the outer Galaxy, even though showing an intermediate metallicity, is not providing a transition zone between the inner Galaxy and the metal-poor environment of the Magellanic Clouds. A part of this discrepancy is likely caused by differences in the age of the stellar populations in the outer Galaxy and the LMC. While, however, this scenario readily explains measured carbon and oxygen isotope ratios, nitrogen and sulfur still lack a self-consistent interpretation.
Long-term potentiation in hippocampal oriens interneurons: postsynaptic induction, presynaptic expression and evaluation of candidate retrograde factors

Several types of hippocampal interneurons exhibit a form of long-term potentiation (LTP) that depends on Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors. Several sources of evidence point to a presynaptic locus of LTP maintenance. The retrograde factor that triggers the expression of LTP remains unidentified. Here, we show that trains of action potentials in putative oriens-lacunosum-moleculare interneurons of the mouse CA1 region can induce long-lasting potentiation of stimulus-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents that mimics LTP elicited by high-frequency afferent stimulation. We further report that blockers of nitric oxide production or TRPV1 receptors failed to prevent LTP induction. The present results add to the evidence that retrograde signalling underlies N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-independent LTP in oriens interneurons, mediated by an unidentified factor.
A Study on the Impact of Quality Perception and Innovativeness of Cleaning Robot Users on Perceived Usefulness and Repurchase Intention

The production of cleaning robots is increasing annually in spite of customer dissatisfaction. Most previous studies on cleaning robots focused on initial acceptance. This paper examined the factors on repurchase intention of cleaning robot on the basis of the theory on post adoption behavior of new technology. The Expectation-Confirmation Model in IS was adopted in this paper as the theoretical background. The results suggested that the perceived usefulness of the cleaning robot was determined by subjective norms, product quality and confirmation between expectations before and experiences after using it. It also found that user satisfaction was determined by the perceived usefulness and the confirmation. Finally the satisfaction impacted the users’ repurchase intention. All the hypothesized paths were moderated by the individual innovativeness of the users.
Accurate Garment Prototyping and Simulation

AbstractDespite numerous methods available for cloth simulation, virtual garment prototyping has yet to find its way toward the garment industry, the main issues being simulation accuracy and the potentiality for reproducing the complex behavior of complex garment models. These goals can only be reached through an optimal combination of modeling techniques and numerical methods that combines high computation efficiency with the versatility required for simulating intricate garment designs. We here describe optimal choices illustrated by their integration in a design and simulation tool that allow interactive prototyping of garments along drape motion and comfortability tests on animated postures.
Fitts' Law as a Research and Design Tool in Human-Computer Interaction

According to Fitts' law, human movement can be modeled by analogy to the transmission of information. Fitts' popular model has been widely adopted in numerous research areas, including kinematics, human factors, and (recently) human-computer interaction (HCI). The present study provides a historical and theoretical context for the model, including an analysis of problems that have emerged through the systematic deviation of observations from predictions. Refinements to the model are described, including a formulation for the index of task difficulty that is claimed to be more theoretically sound than Fitts' original formulation. The model's utility in predicting the time to position a cursor and select a target is explored through a review of six Fitts' law studies employing devices such as the mouse, trackball, joystick, touchpad, helmet-mounted sight, and eye tracker. An analysis of the performance measures reveals tremendous inconsistencies, making across-study comparisons difficult. Sources of experimental variation are identified to reconcile these differences.
Community structure of modules in the Apache project

The relationships among modules in a software project of a certain size can give us much information about its internal organization and a way to control and monitor development activities and evolution of large libre software projects. In this paper, we show how information available in CVS repositories can be used to study the structure of the modules in a project when they are related by the people working in them, and how techniques taken from the social networks fields can be used to highlight the characteristics of that structure. As a case example, we also show some results of applying this methodology to the Apache project in several points in time. Among other facts, it is shown how the project evolves and is self-structuring, with developer communities of modules corresponding to semantically related families of modules.
POET: a portable approach to minimizing energy under soft real-time constraints

Embedded real-time systems must meet timing constraints while minimizing energy consumption. To this end, many energy optimizations are introduced for specific platforms or specific applications. These solutions are not portable, however, and when the application or the platform change, these solutions must be redesigned. Portable techniques are hard to develop due to the varying tradeoffs experienced with different application/platform configurations. This paper addresses the problem of finding and exploiting general tradeoffs, using control theory and mathematical optimization to achieve energy minimization under soft real-time application constraints. The paper presents POET, an open-source C library and runtime system that takes a specification of the platform resources and optimizes the application execution. We test POET's ability to portably deliver predictable timing and energy reduction on two embedded systems with different tradeoff spaces - the first with a mobile Intel Haswell processor, and the second with an ARM big.LITTLE System on Chip. POET achieves the desired latency goals with small error while consuming, on average, only 1.3% more energy than the dynamic optimal oracle on the Haswell and 2.9% more on the ARM. We believe this open-source, library-based approach to resource management will simplify the process of writing portable, energy-efficient code for embedded systems.
Les orientations envers l’achat d’occasion, le rôle du risque perçu et de l’expertise : quelles implications pour la distribution ?

La compréhension des orientations envers l’achat d’occasion est un enjeu important pour les distributeurs, compte tenu des développements récents mais importants de ce marché. Une analyse en profondeur d’entretiens réalisés avec des individus familiers de ce mode d’achat fait apparaître deux types d’orientations – économiques et expérientielles. Un troisième champ de discours révèle pour certains l’importance du risque perçu et de l’expertise acquise dans cette pratique, variables modératrices de la relation entre orientations et produits/circuits possibles. La mise à jour de ces motivations permet ensuite d’examiner les réponses possibles des distributeurs face à ces nouvelles tendances de consommation .
Model for investigating snorers with suspected sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND: Overnight polysomnography is expensive and time consuming. An approach based on a logistic regression model and overnight pulse oximetry has been developed to determine which of the snorers referred to our sleep laboratory need polysomnography. METHODS: The variables entered in the regression model were derived from questionnaires completed by 95 habitual snorers and 89 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. The resulting regression equation included weight, height, sex, witnessed episodes of apnoea, and reports of falling asleep when reading. This prediction equation was applied to a sample of 116 consecutive patients referred for investigation of heavy snoring. Pulse oximetry data on the 116 test subjects were obtained during polysomnography and analysed separately. Pulse oximetry was judged to indicate obstructive sleep apnoea when it showed cyclic oscillations of oxyhaemoglobin saturation or heart rate, or both, for more than 30 minutes during the study night. RESULTS: A cut off probability of 0.31 gave the prediction model a sensitivity of 94% to predict an apnoea-hypopnoea index above 10, with a specificity of 45%. When this cutoff point was used to predict an apnoea-hypopnoea index of over 20 sensitivity was 95% and specificity 41%. Combined with oximetry our regression model had a sensitivity of 100% for predicting an apnoea-hypopnoea index of more than 10. On the other hand, all patients with negative results from oximetry and a probability value below 0.31 had an apnoea-hypopnoea index lower than 10 according to polysomnography. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that snorers with negative results from oximetry classified as not having obstructive sleep apnoea according to this model do not need polysomnography.
Probing the impact of chromatin conformation on genome editing tools

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and RNA-guided nucleases derived from clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 systems have become ubiquitous genome editing tools. Despite this, the impact that distinct high-order chromatin conformations have on these sequence-specific designer nucleases is, presently, ill-defined. The same applies to the relative performance of TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases at isogenic target sequences subjected to different epigenetic modifications. Here, to address these gaps in our knowledge, we have implemented quantitative cellular systems based on genetic reporters in which the euchromatic and heterochromatic statuses of designer nuclease target sites are stringently controlled by small-molecule drug availability. By using these systems, we demonstrate that TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases are both significantly affected by the high-order epigenetic context of their target sequences. In addition, this outcome could also be ascertained for S. pyogenes CRISPR/Cas9 complexes harbouring Cas9 variants whose DNA cleaving specificities are superior to that of the wild-type Cas9 protein. Thus, the herein investigated cellular models will serve as valuable functional readouts for screening and assessing the role of chromatin on designer nucleases based on different platforms or with different architectures or compositions.
A passive UHF tag for RFID-based train axle temperature measurement system

A fully integrated passive UHF RFID tag with embedded temperature sensor, compatible with the ISO/IEC 18000 type 6C protocol, is developed in a standard 0. 18µm CMOS process, which is designed to measure the axle temperature of a running train. The consumption of RF/analog front-end circuits is 1. 556µA@1.0V, and power dissipation of digital part is 5µA@1.0V. The CMOS temperature sensor exhibits a conversion time under 2 ms, less than 7 µW power dissipation, resolution of 0.31°C/LSB and error of +2.3/−1.1°C with a 1.8 V power supply for range from −35°C to 105°C. Measured sensitivity of tag is −5dBm at room temperature.
Microbial Diversity in Deep-sea Methane Seep Sediments Presented by SSU rRNA Gene Tag Sequencing

Microbial community structures in methane seep sediments in the Nankai Trough were analyzed by tag-sequencing analysis for the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene using a newly developed primer set. The dominant members of Archaea were Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vent Euryarchaeotic Group 6 (DHVEG 6), Marine Group I (MGI) and Deep Sea Archaeal Group (DSAG), and those in Bacteria were Alpha-, Gamma-, Delta- and Epsilonproteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes and Acidobacteria. Diversity and richness were examined by 8,709 and 7,690 tag-sequences from sediments at 5 and 25 cm below the seafloor (cmbsf), respectively. The estimated diversity and richness in the methane seep sediment are as high as those in soil and deep-sea hydrothermal environments, although the tag-sequences obtained in this study were not sufficient to show whole microbial diversity in this analysis. We also compared the diversity and richness of each taxon/division between the sediments from the two depths, and found that the diversity and richness of some taxa/divisions varied significantly along with the depth.
Teachers’ dispositions towards the role of digital devices in play-based pedagogy in early childhood education

Abstract A body of research is emerging on early childhood education teachers’ views on the integration of digital technologies in their practice. Despite evidence of the digitalisation of homes in affluent societies and children’s interactions in highly mediated digital environments, few teachers so far have integrated digital devices into a play-based pedagogy. Thus, this project aimed to examine the attitudes and aptitudes towards digital devices of teachers in their personal lives and professional practice in five countries (England, Luxemburg, Malta, Greece and Kuwait). An online survey designed to collect broad-scale data was followed by focus group interviews. The findings demonstrated that although teachers are digitally competent in their personal lives, there is a dominant ideology regarding the nature of play-based pedagogy that hinders the integration of digital devices into their practice.
A comparative analysis of China and India’s manufacturing sectors

China’s manufacturing sector led by labour intensive manufactures has grown much faster than that of India both in terms of production and exports. It is often argued that India’s manufacturing sector that is relatively capital intensive must now follow China’s example and promote labour intensive manufactures. This is said to be essential if India were to promote growth and employment that are both essential for reducing the relatively high levels of poverty in the country. This paper argues that it may not be feasible for India to follow China’s growth strategy based on exports of labour intensive manufactures. India may have missed the boat and in any case it has failed to implement a strategy for agriculture of the sort that China put in place to provide its manufacturing sector with low wages and low cost raw materials. India, however, should utilise its services sector, mostly the IT services, to promote its nascent non- farm manufacturing sector in the rural areas. There may be lessons here from China’s town and village enterprises TVEs) programme.
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Stereoisomers in U.S. Food from Dallas, Texas

Background: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant used in polystyrene foams in thermal insulation and electrical equipment. The HBCD commercial mixture consists mainly of α, β, and γ stereoisomers. Health concerns of HBCD exposure include alterations in immune and reproductive systems, neurotoxic effects, and endocrine disruption. Stereoisomer-specific levels of HBCD have not been measured previously in U.S. food. Objectives: We measured HBCD stereoisomer levels in U.S. foods from Dallas, Texas, supermarkets. Methods: Convenience samples of commonly consumed foods were purchased from supermarkets in Dallas in 2009–2010. Food samples included a wide variety of lipid-rich foods: fish, peanut butter, poultry, pork, and beef. Thirty-six individual food samples were collected in 2010 and analyzed for α-, β-, and γ-HBCD stereoisomers using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Ten pooled food samples previously collected in 2009 for a study of total HBCD levels using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), were reanalyzed for α-, β-, and γ-HBCD stereoisomers using LC-MS/MS. Results: Of the 36 measured individual foods, 15 (42%) had detectable levels of HBCD. Median (ranges) of α- and γ-HBCD concentrations were 0.003 (< 0.005–1.307) and 0.005 (< 0.010–0.143) ng/g wet weight (ww), respectively; β-HBCD was present in three samples with a median (range) of 0.003 (< 0.005–0.019) ng/g ww. Median levels (range) for α-, β-, and γ-HBCD, in pooled samples were 0.077 (0.010–0.310), 0.008 (< 0.002–0.070), and 0.024 (0.012–0.170) ng/g ww, respectively. Conclusions: α-HBCD was detected most frequently and at highest concentrations, followed by γ-, and then β-HBCD, in food samples from Dallas, Texas. Food may be a substantial contributor to the elevated α-HBCD levels observed in humans. These data suggest that larger and more representative sampling should be conducted.
Consumer Sleep Tracking Devices: A Critical Review

Consumer sleep tracking devices are widely advertised as effective means to monitor and manage sleep quality and to provide positive effects on overall heath. However objective evidence supporting these claims is not always readily available. The goal of this study was to perform a comprehensive review of available information on six representative sleep tracking devices: BodyMedia FIT, Fitbit Flex, Jawbone UP, Basis Band, Innovative Sleep Solutions SleepTracker, and Zeo Sleep Manager Pro. The review was conducted along the following dimensions: output metrics, theoretical frameworks, systematic evaluation, and FDA clearance. The review identified a critical lack of basic information about the devices: five out of six devices provided no supporting information on their sensor accuracy and four out of six devices provided no information on their output metrics accuracy. Only three devices were found to have related peer-reviewed articles. However in these articles wake detection accuracy was revealed to be quite low and to vary widely (BodyMedia, 49.9±3.6%; Fitbit, 19.8%; Zeo, 78.9% to 83.5%). No supporting evidence on how well tracking devices can help mitigate sleep loss and manage sleep disturbances in practical life was provided.
Two-Stage Multi-objective Unit Commitment Optimization under Future Load Uncertainty

The unit commitment problem is to reduce the total generation cost as much as possible while satisfying future power demands. Therefore, optimization must be performed based on correct predictions of future demands. However, various uncertain factors affect these loads making an exact forecasting unsuccessful. This study mitigates this difficulty by applying fuzzy set theory and the objective is to build a two-stage multi-objective fuzzy programming model. to define the supply reliability effectively, we propose a new concept of maximal blackout time based on the fuzzy credibility theory. in addition, an improved two-layer multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm is designed as the solution. Finally, the performance of this study is discussed in comparison with experimental results from several test systems.
Leader beliefs and CSR for employees: the case of telework provision

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of top leaders beliefs in the importance of work-family balance as a key determinant in explaining the adoption of social practices oriented toward internal stakeholders, focussing on home telework as one of these practices. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 2,388 top executive officers reported the senior leaders belief favoring work-family balance by completing a new scale developed for this purpose asking how much key decision makers were convinced of the value to employees of supportive family-friendly HR practices, modeled how to balance work and family life, and felt a personal commitment to implement family-friendly practices. They also reported the firm’s provision of telework and organizational characteristics such as industry, multinational status, and firm size. Findings – Regression analyses revealed that firm’s provision of telework is more pervasive when its top leaders believe in the importance of work-family balance, ev.
Cyclic GMP-AMP Displays Mucosal Adjuvant Activity in Mice

The recently discovered mammalian enzyme cyclic GMP-AMP synthase produces cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) after being activated by pathogen-derived cytosolic double stranded DNA. The product can stimulate STING-dependent interferon type I signaling. Here, we explore the efficacy of cGAMP as a mucosal adjuvant in mice. We show that cGAMP can enhance the adaptive immune response to the model antigen ovalbumin. It promotes antigen specific IgG and a balanced Th1/Th2 lymphocyte response in immunized mice. A characteristic of the cGAMP-induced immune response is the slightly reduced induction of interleukin-17 as a hallmark of Th17 activity – a distinct feature that is not observed with other cyclic di-nucleotide adjuvants. We further characterize the innate immune stimulation activity in vitro on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and human dendritic cells. The observed results suggest the consideration of cGAMP as a candidate mucosal adjuvant for human vaccines.