Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasmonic fluorescence enhancement of poly(3-hexylthiophene) for organic solar cell applications

Solar cells are becoming an attractive alternative energy source considering the need to lessen dependence on nonrenewable energy sources such as fossil fuels. Organic photovoltaics (PVs) are inexpensive to produce, flexible, and eliminate many potential environmental hazards. However, organic solar cells are greatly limited in their capacity to efficiently convert sunlight into usable energy. Herein, an approach to increase the efficiency of exciton formation of poly(3- hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a common polymer used in organic solar cell devices, is described. This enhancement occurred by adding silver nanoparticles to the polymer surface. The metal nanoparticles cause an increased exciton excitation rate within the polymer through a mechanism known as surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF). Specifically, P3HT fluorescence is increased when molecules are within the near fields of a metallic nanoparticle under plasmon resonance conditions. Theoretically, the enhancement of polymer exciton formation should correlate to heightened efficiency when utilized within a PV device. Silver nanoparticles are an attractive choice for SEF, as these particles possess strongly scattering local fields, a highly-polarizing, non-radiative field that extends deep into the particles' environment, and a plasmon resonance that overlaps well with both the absorption of P3HT and the solar spectrum maximum. In this study, silver nanoparticles with diameters of 15-153 nm have been synthesized in order to optimize the fluorescence enhancement factor of P3HT films of comparable thickness to those used in organic solar cells. Another aspect of this work was the development of a basic and reliable methodology for the preparation and analysis of P3HT/silver films. This standard protocol allows for the future application of our findings into actual devices and is vital considering the lack of current literature reporting studies of fluorescence effects produced from particles in this size range. It was determined that the addition of silver nanoparticles to the P3HT surface produced a significant increase in fluorescence. Also observed were higher enhancement factors associated with increasing nanoparticle diameter due to the scattering properties associated with larger particles. The enhancement associated with increasing particle size occurred independently of spin-coating speed of the polymer or silver nanoparticle concentration, though additional studies in the future are required for better methods of P3HT film deposition and the accurate measurement of particles underneath the polymer layer. Once enhancement parameters are optimized, studies will also include the incorporation of these particles into a device.
Confidence estimation methods for neural networks : a practical comparison

Feedforward neural networks, particularly multilayer perceptrons, are widely used in regression and classification tasks. A reliable and practical measure of prediction confidence is essential. In this work three alternative approaches to prediction confidence estimation are presented and compared. The three methods are the maximum likelihood, approximate Bayesian, and the bootstrap technique. We consider prediction uncertainty owing to both data noise and model parameter misspecification. The methods are tested on a number of controlled artificial problems and a real, industrial regression application, the prediction of paper "curl". Confidence estimation performance is assessed by calculating the mean and standard deviation of the prediction interval coverage probability. We show that treating data noise variance as a function of the inputs is appropriate for the curl prediction task. Moreover, we show that the mean coverage probability can only gauge confidence estimation performance as an average over the input space, i.e., global performance and that the standard deviation of the coverage is unreliable as a measure of local performance. The approximate Bayesian approach is found to perform better in terms of global performance.
Quantitative analysis of probabilistic pushdown automata: expectations and variances

Probabilistic pushdown automata (pPDA) have been identified as a natural model for probabilistic programs with recursive procedure calls. Previous works considered the decidability and complexity of the model-checking problem for pPDA and various probabilistic temporal logics. In this paper we concentrate on computing the expected values and variances of various random variables defined over runs of a given probabilistic pushdown automaton. In particular, we show how to compute the expected accumulated reward and the expected gain for certain classes of reward functions. Using these results, we show how to analyze various quantitative properties of pPDA that are not expressible in conventional probabilistic temporal logics.
Service-oriented architecture and business process choreography in an order management scenario: rationale, concepts, lessons learned

Effective and affordable business-to-business process integration is a key success factor in the telecommunications industry. A large telecommunication wholesaler, supplying its services to more than 150 different service retailers, enhanced the process integration capabilities of its core order management system through widespread use of SOA, business process choreography and Web services concepts. This core order management system processes 120 different complex order types.On this project, challenging requirements such as complexity of business process models and multi-channel accessibility turned out to be true proof points for the applied SOA concepts, tools, and runtime environments. To implement an automated and secured business-to-business Web services channel and to introduce a process choreography layer into a large existing application were two of the key requirements that had to be addressed. The solution complies with the Web Services Interoperability Basic Profile 1.0 and makes use of executable business process models defined in the Business Process Execution Language (BPEL). This paper discusses the rationale behind the decision for SOA, process choreography, and Web services, and gives an overview of the BPEL-centric process choreography architecture. Furthermore, it features lessons learned and best practices identified during design, implementation, and rollout of the solution.
Modulation of gene expression via overlapping binding sites exerted by ZNF143, Notch1 and THAP11

ZNF143 is a zinc-finger protein involved in the transcriptional regulation of both coding and non-coding genes from polymerase II and III promoters. Our study deciphers the genome-wide regulatory role of ZNF143 in relation with the two previously unrelated transcription factors Notch1/ICN1 and thanatos-associated protein 11 (THAP11) in several human and murine cells. We show that two distinct motifs, SBS1 and SBS2, are associated to ZNF143-binding events in promoters of >3000 genes. Without co-occupation, these sites are also bound by Notch1/ICN1 in T-lymphoblastic leukaemia cells as well as by THAP11, a factor involved in self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. We present evidence that ICN1 binding overlaps with ZNF143 binding events at the SBS1 and SBS2 motifs, whereas the overlap occurs only at SBS2 for THAP11. We demonstrate that the three factors modulate expression of common target genes through the mutually exclusive occupation of overlapping binding sites. The model we propose predicts that the binding competition between the three factors controls biological processes such as rapid cell growth of both neoplastic and stem cells. Overall, our study establishes a novel relationship between ZNF143, THAP11 and ICN1 and reveals important insights into ZNF143-mediated gene regulation.
The effect of magnesium supplementation on high and low dietary magnesium intake on resting, during and recovering from exercise on blood pressure, performance and serum levels of magnesium (Mg2+).

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine if there is a significant effect on blood pressure, serum levels of magnesium and sports performance including 1RM and 10 kilometre running time trial following Magnesium (Mg) supplementation over a five week intervention period in recreationally active athletes when compared to a 5 week placebo intervention. Methods: Subjects participated in a 14 week protocol which employed a randomized blind cross over controlled design. Fifteen subjects were initially screened and accepted for participation. During the protocol two subjects dropped out, failing to complete. This left nine male and four female subjects who were successful in completing the protocol (Age: 24.85 ± 6.49 years, Height: 175cm ± 10.34 cm, Weight: 71.9 Kg ± 11.46 Kg). Results: Statistically significant differences were observed (P < 0.05) in the running time trial, blood pressure readings pre and post 10 kilometre running trial (systolic and diastolic) and in heart rate (HR) recorded at 10 minute intervals during the running trial following Mg supplementation. Following the Mg intervention there was an average decrease in 10K completion time of exactly 1 minute (1.77%) (P=0.001). A significant decrease in HR by 2.58 BPM (2.58%) (P=0.03). Diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced both pre and post completion of the 10 kilometre run by 10.23 mmHg (13.85%) (P=0.03) and 5.38 mmHg (7.38%) (P=0.008) respectively. Whilst a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure was only seen following the 10 kilometre run 8.23 mmHg (6.17%) (P=0.05). As Mg is a co-factor in over 325 enzymatic reactions (Newhouse & Finstad, 2000), it‟s importance as a mineral is clear and warrants research to improve scientific knowledge into its role within health and sports performance, as Mg deficiency can also be detrimental to
Anti-de Sitter / CFT correspondence in three-dimensional supergravity

Anti-de Sitter supergravity models are considered in three dimensions. Precise asymptotic conditions involving a chiral projection are given on the Rarita-Schwinger fields. Together with the known boundary conditions on the bosonic fields, these ensure that the asymptotic symmetry algebra is the superconformal algebra. The classical central charge is computed and found to be equal to the one of pure gravity. It is also indicated that the asymptotic degrees of freedom are described by 2D "induced supergravity" and that the boundary conditions "transmute" the non-vanishing components of the WZW supercurrent into the supercharges.
Identifying Task Engagement: Towards Personalised Interactions with Educational Robots

The focus of this project is to design, develop and evaluate a new computational model for automatically detecting change in task engagement. This work will be applied to robotic tutors to enhance and support the learning experience, enabling timely pedagogical and empathic intervention. This work is intended to forward the current state of the art by 1) exploring how to automatically detect engagement with a learning task, 2) designing and developing new approaches to machine learning for adaptive platform-independent modelling and 3) evaluation of its effectiveness for building and maintaining learner engagement across different tutor embodiments, for example a physical and virtual embodiment.
Neuropilin-2 regulates α6β1 integrin in the formation of focal adhesions and signaling

The neuropilins (NRPs) contribute to the function of cancer cells in their capacity as VEGF receptors. Given that NRP2 is induced in breast cancer and correlates with aggressive disease, we examined the role of NRP2 in regulating the interaction of breast cancer cells with the ECM. Using epithelial cells from breast tumors, we defined NRP2high and NRP2low populations that differed in integrin expression and adhesion to laminin. Specifically, the NRP2high population adhered more avidly to laminin and expressed high levels of the α6β1 integrin than the NRP2low population. The NRP2high population formed numerous focal adhesions on laminin that were not seen in the NRP2low population. These results were substantiated using breast carcinoma cell lines that express NRP2 and α6β1 integrin. Depletion experiments revealed that adhesive strength on laminin but not collagen is dependent on NRP2, and that VEGF is needed for adhesion on laminin. A specific interaction between NRP2 and α6β1 integrin was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. NRP2 is necessary for focal adhesion formation on laminin and for the association of α6β1 integrin with the cytoskeleton. NRP2 also facilitates α6β1-integrin-mediated activation of FAK and Src. Unexpectedly, we discovered that NRP2 is located in focal adhesions on laminin. The mechanism by which NRP2 regulates the interaction of α6β1 integrin with laminin to form focal adhesions involves PKC activation. Together, our data reveal a new VEGF–NRP2 signaling pathway that activates the α6β1 integrin and enables it to form focal adhesions and signal. This pathway is important in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.
TerraSAR-X Data in Cut Slope Soil Stability Monitoring in Malaysia

Landslides in Malaysia, and other tropical countries where heavy monsoon rains are common, form a risk to people, buildings, and roads. In particular, steep slopes that have been cut to accommodate road lines are prone to landslides. The objective of the study was to develop algorithms and methods that can be used to alert on increased risk of landslides through detecting small signs of slope instability with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image analysis. A time series of 19 scenes from the TerraSAR-X satellite was analyzed in study site Gunung Pass. Amplitude image analysis and interferometric techniques were applied to study soil movements. Two terrace fragments were measured to have slid 2.5 and 4.9 m in two amplitude images. The phase of topography-flattened coherence images was used to map small movements in a slope-failure area. The highest movement that was detected with interferometric techniques was 1.71 cm while the corresponding movement in ground data was 2.65 cm. High soil movements (over 16 cm) in the slope failure area prevented the use of phase data because fringes disappeared.
Efficacy and safety of fluoxetine in preschool children with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in preschool children. METHOD Six preschool children (age range 40-61 months; mean 51.5 +/- 8.8 months) with severe, distressing symptoms of OCD were treated with an initial 5 mg/day oral dose of fluoxetine by mouth. Baseline and end-point symptom severity was assessed using the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) scale. The data for this study were collected by reviewing medical records of the subjects. RESULTS CGI-S baseline scores were 6-7 (mean 6.66 +/- 0.5) and end-point scores were 3-7 (mean 4 +/- 1.54). The Wilcoxon nonparametric paired t-test revealed a significant difference between baseline and end-point CGI-S scores (Z = -2.121; p = 0.034). The range of fluoxetine dosage was 5-15 mg/day (mean 10 +/- 3.16). Fluoxetine was effective in treating OCD in this sample. Four subjects showed much and 1 subject showed very much improvement in OCD symptoms. One subject, who discontinued medication after 4 weeks due to side effects, did not show any improvement with 5 mg/day fluoxetine. Two subjects developed significant symptoms of behavioral disinhibition (SBD) that required dose reduction and addition of 0.25-0.5 mg/day risperidone in 1 subject and discontinuation of medication in the second subject. Side effects were mild to moderate in severity and did not require medication discontinuation or dosage reduction in the remaining three subjects. One subject did not report any side effects. Overall the most frequently reported side effects were SBD, decreased appetite and weight loss (n = 3; range: 0-1200 grams; mean, 466 +/- 546.5 grams), sleep disturbance, headache, and abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS Fluoxetine may be effective in the treatment of OCD in preschool children. However side effects, particularly SBD, remain an important concern.
Stable carbon isotopes in exhaled breath as tracers for dietary information in birds and mammals

SUMMARY The stable carbon isotope ratio of exhaled CO2 (δ13Cbreath) reflects the isotopic signature of the combusted substrate and is, therefore, suitable for the non-invasive collection of dietary information from free-ranging animals. However,δ 13Cbreath is sensitive to changes in ingested food items and the mixed combustion of exogenous and endogenous substrates. Therefore, experiments under controlled conditions are pivotal for the correct interpretation of δ13Cbreath of free-ranging animals. We measured δ13Cbreath in fasted and recently fed insectivorous Myotis myotis (Chiroptera) to assess the residence time of carbon isotopes in the pool of metabolized substrate, and whether δ13Cbreath in satiated individuals levels off at values similar to the dietary isotope signature (δ13Cdiet) in insect-feeding mammals. Meanδ 13Cbreath of fasted individuals was depleted by– 5.8‰ (N=6) in relation toδ 13Cdiet. After feeding on insects, bats exchanged 50% of carbon atoms in the pool of metabolized substrates within 21.6±10.5 min, which was slower than bats ingesting simple carbohydrates. After 2 h, δ13Cbreath of satiated bats levelled off at –2.6‰ belowδ 13Cdiet, suggesting that bats combusted both exogenous and endogenous substrate at this time. A literature survey revealed that small birds and mammals metabolize complex macronutrients at slower rates than simple macronutrients. On average, δ13Cbreath of fasting birds and mammals was depleted in 13C by– 3.2±2.0‰ in relation toδ 13Cdiet. δ13Cbreath of satiated animals differed by –0.6±2.3‰ fromδ 13Cdiet when endogenous substrates were not in isotopic equilibrium with exogenous substrates and by +0.5±1.8‰ (N=6 species) after endogenous substrates were in isotopic equilibrium with exogenous substrates.
A lightweight SLAM algorithm using Orthogonal planes for indoor mobile robotics

Simple, fast and lightweight SLAM algorithms are necessary in many embedded robotic systems which soon will be used in houses and offices in order to do various service tasks. In this paper the Orthogonal SLAM algorithm is presented as an answer to this need. In continuation of our previous work, the algorithm is extended to generate 3D maps and empirically validated by mapping the long corridor of our lab with the accuracy comparable with hand measured ground truth. The main contribution resides in the idea of reducing the complexity by using orthogonality constraint in indoor environments. This is done by mapping only planes that are parallel or perpendicular to each other which represent the main structure of most indoor environments. Having this assumption, we use an inclined sensor setup (fixed 2D SICK laser range finders) to generate 3D orthogonal maps. The algorithm is extremely fast since in each step it just processes one line of laser measurements.
Improved Recursive Geodesic Distance Computation for Edge Preserving Filter

All known recursive filters based on the geodesic distance affinity are realized by two 1D recursions applied in two orthogonal directions of the image plane. The 2D extension of the filter is not valid and has theoretically drawbacks, which lead to known artifacts. In this paper, a maximum influence propagation method is proposed to approximate the 2D extension for the geodesic distance-based recursive filter. The method allows to partially overcome the drawbacks of the 1D recursion approach. We show that our improved recursion better approximates the true geodesic distance filter, and the application of this improved filter for image denoising outperforms the existing recursive implementation of the geodesic distance. As an application, we consider a geodesic distance-based filter for image denoising. Experimental evaluation of our denoising method demonstrates comparable and for several test images better results, than state-of-the-art approaches, while our algorithm is considerably faster with computational complexity O(8P).
Recursive Gaussian process regression

For large data sets, performing Gaussian process regression is computationally demanding or even intractable. If data can be processed sequentially, the recursive regression method proposed in this paper allows incorporating new data with constant computation time. For this purpose two operations are performed alternating on a fixed set of so-called basis vectors used for estimating the latent function: First, inference of the latent function at the new inputs. Second, utilization of the new data for updating the estimate. Numerical simulations show that the proposed approach significantly reduces the computation time and at the same time provides more accurate estimates compared to existing on-line and/or sparse Gaussian process regression approaches.
Gallstones, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis: Cross-Sectional and 2-year data from the Swedish obese subjects (SOS) and SOS reference studies

OBJECTIVES:Obesity and weight loss have been associated with gallstone disease. There is also an association between gallstones and pancreatitis. We investigated cross-sectional relationships between body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, and prevalence of gallstones, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis in men and women. Furthermore, 2-yr incidences of these disorders were examined in relation to changes in weight and body fat distribution after surgical and conventional obesity treatment.METHODS:Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess biliary and pancreatic disease. In the cross-sectional investigation, 6328 obese patients and 1135 randomly selected reference individuals were used. Longitudinally, 1422 operated and 1260 conventionally treated patients were examined.RESULTS:Obese subjects had significantly higher prevalence of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholecystectomies, and pancreatitis as compared with the reference population. In women, BMI and waist–hip ratio (WHR) were independently related to an increased biliary disease prevalence. In men, only BMI was independently associated with biliary disease. Compared with conventional treatment, obesity surgery significantly increased the incidence of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and cholecystectomies in men. There was no incidence difference among women. In both genders, weight loss, but not change in WHR, was related to an increased incidence of biliary disease.CONCLUSIONS:This study showed an increased prevalence of gallstones, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis in the obese. Biliary disease was related to BMI and WHR in women, but only to BMI in men. Weight loss, but not change in WHR, increased the risk of biliary disease in both genders.
A Rate Adaptive Admission Control Protocol for Multimedia Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) have become immensely popular these days. In order to satisfy user service requirements, multimedia applications need quality of service (QoS) support. Since the mesh routers are usually stationary in WMNs, a better performance is expected in WMNs as compared to ad hoc networks. But sustaining QoS in wireless mesh networks still remains a challenging task. A fundamental management function in WMNs for backing up multimedia applications is to have admission control. In this paper, we propose a protocol called Rate Adaptive Routing on Cliques Admission Control (RA-RCAC) that provides rate adaptive admission control such that the network layer provides feedback in case of network congestion at the application layer. By simulations, RA-RCAC is compared against MARIA [1] and RCAC [2], showing its superiority in terms of throughput, end-to-end delay, packet delivery ratio and loss ratio, chosen as performance metrics.