Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concentration–Response Function for Ozone and Daily Mortality: Results from Five Urban and Five Rural U.K. Populations

Background: Short-term exposure to ozone has been associated with increased daily mortality. The shape of the concentration–response relationship—and, in particular, if there is a threshold—is critical for estimating public health impacts. Objective: We investigated the concentration–response relationship between daily ozone and mortality in five urban and five rural areas in the United Kingdom from 1993 to 2006. Methods: We used Poisson regression, controlling for seasonality, temperature, and influenza, to investigate associations between daily maximum 8-hr ozone and daily all-cause mortality, assuming linear, linear-threshold, and spline models for all-year and season-specific periods. We examined sensitivity to adjustment for particles (urban areas only) and alternative temperature metrics. Results: In all-year analyses, we found clear evidence for a threshold in the concentration–response relationship between ozone and all-cause mortality in London at 65 µg/m3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 58, 83] but little evidence of a threshold in other urban or rural areas. Combined linear effect estimates for all-cause mortality were comparable for urban and rural areas: 0.48% (95% CI: 0.35, 0.60) and 0.58% (95% CI: 0.36, 0.81) per 10-µg/m3 increase in ozone concentrations, respectively. Seasonal analyses suggested thresholds in both urban and rural areas for effects of ozone during summer months. Conclusions: Our results suggest that health impacts should be estimated across the whole ambient range of ozone using both threshold and nonthreshold models, and models stratified by season. Evidence of a threshold effect in London but not in other study areas requires further investigation. The public health impacts of exposure to ozone in rural areas should not be overlooked.
Ecological and demographic correlates of cooperation from individual to budding dispersal

Identifying the ecological and demographic factors that promote the evolution of cooperation is a major challenge for evolutionary biologists. Explanations for the adaptive evolution of cooperation seek to determine which factors make reproduction in cooperative groups more favourable than independent breeding or other selfish strategies. A vast majority of the hypotheses posit that cooperative groups emerge in the context of philopatry, high costs of dispersal, high population density and environmental stability. This route to cooperation, however, fails to explain a growing body of empirical evidence in which cooperation is not associated with one or more of these predictors. We propose an alternative evolutionary path towards the emergence of cooperation that accounts for the disparities observed in the current literature. We find that when dispersal is mediated by a group mode of dispersal, commonly termed budding dispersal, our mathematical model reveals an association between cooperation and immigration, lower costs of dispersal, low population density and environmental variability. Furthermore, by studying the continuum from the individual to the partial and full budding mode of dispersal, we can explicitly explain why the correlates of cooperation change under budding. This enables us to outline a general model for the evolution of cooperation that accounts for a substantial amount of empirical evidence. Our results suggest that natural selection may have favoured two major contrasting pathways for the evolution of cooperation depending on a set of key ecological and demographic factors.
Reduction of Feasible Parameter Space of the Inverted Soil Hydraulic Parameter Sets for Kosugi Model

Abstract Effective soil hydraulic parameters of soil vegetation atmosphere transfer (SVAT) models can be derived in a cost-efficient way by inverse modeling. Nevertheless, a serious drawback of SVAT models based on Richards’ equation is that they require as many as five unexploited correlated hydraulic parameters. To reduce the feasible parameter space, we propose a method to prevent nonphysical combinations of soil hydraulic parameter sets obtained by optimization. We adopt the soil hydraulic analytical model by Kosugi because it enables the feasible parameter space to be reduced by predicting parameter &sgr; from Rm, which are the variance and mean of the log-transformed soil pore radius, respectively. To further decrease the parameter space, we derive two models to predict saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, from three or four Kosugi soil water retention parameters, respectively. These two models are based on the combination of the Hagen-Poiseuille and Darcy equations that use three semiempirical parameters (&tgr;1, &tgr;2, and &tgr;3) calibrated on large UNSODA and HYPRES databases. Our derived models are compared with a version of the Mishra and Parker (1990. Ground Water. 28:775–777) Ks model being modified to account for the parameters of Kosugi’s relationships. The results show that the uncertainties of the developed Ks model are comparable to the uncertainties of Ks measurements. Moreover, the developed Ks model outperforms the Mishra and Parker model. Therefore, the developed method will enable one to substantially reduce the feasible range of the inverted Kosugi’s hydraulic parameters.
Innovations-based priority assignment for control over CAN-like networks

We present an innovations-based prioritization mechanism to efficiently use network resources for data gathering, without compromising the real-time decision making capability of the control systems. In the envisioned protocol, each sensor assigns the Value of Information (VoI) contained in its current observations for the network as the priority. Tournaments are used to compare priorities and assign transmission slots, like in the CAN bus protocol. By using a rollout strategy, we derive feasible algorithms for computing the VoI-based priorities for the case of coupled and decoupled systems. In the case of decoupled systems, performance guarantees with regard to the control cost of the VoI-based strategy are identified. We illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach on a platooning example in which the vehicles receive measurements from multiple sensors.
An Improved Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm Based on Route Optimization and Its Applications in Travelling Salesman Problem

In this paper, we introduce two improvements on ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm: route optimization and individual variation. The first is an optimized implementation of ACO, by which the running time of ants routing is largely reduced. The results of the simulated experiments show that the improved algorithm not only reduces the number of routing in the ACO but also surpasses existing algorithms in performance in solving large-scale TSP problems. In the second improvement, we introduce individual variation to ACO, by which the ants have different routing strategies. Simulation results show that the speed of convergence of ACO algorithm could be enhanced greatly.
A review on quality control in additive manufacturing

The usage of additive manufacturing (AM) technology in industries has reached up to 50 per cent as prototype or end-product. However, for AM products to be directly used as final products, AM product should be produced through advanced quality control process, which has a capability to be able to prove and reach their desire repeatability, reproducibility, reliability and preciseness. Therefore, there is a need to review quality-related research in terms of AM technology and guide AM industry in the future direction of AM development. ,This paper overviews research progress regarding the QC in AM technology. The focus of the study is on manufacturing quality issues and needs that are to be developed and optimized, and further suggests ideas and directions toward the quality improvement for future AM technology. This paper is organized as follows. Section 2 starts by conducting a comprehensive review of the literature studies on progress of quality control, issues and challenges regarding quality improvement in seven different AM techniques. Next, Section 3 provides classification of the research findings, and lastly, Section 4 discusses the challenges and future trends. ,This paper presents a review on quality control in seven different techniques in AM technology and provides detailed discussions in each quality process stage. Most of the AM techniques have a trend using in-situ sensors and cameras to acquire process data for real-time monitoring and quality analysis. Procedures such as extrusion-based processes (EBP) have further advanced in data analytics and predictive algorithms-based research regarding mechanical properties and optimal printing parameters. Moreover, compared to others, the material jetting progresses technique has advanced in a system integrated with closed-feedback loop, machine vision and image processing to minimize quality issues during printing process. ,This paper is limited to reviewing of only seven techniques of AM technology, which includes photopolymer vat processes, material jetting processes, binder jetting processes, extrusion-based processes, powder bed fusion processes, directed energy deposition processes and sheet lamination processes. This paper would impact on the improvement of quality control in AM industries such as industrial, automotive, medical, aerospace and military production. ,Additive manufacturing technology, in terms of quality control has yet to be reviewed.
Cyber Effects Analysis Using VCSE Promoting Control System Reliability

This report describes the Virtual Control System Environment (VCSE) technology— developed at Sandia National Laboratories—to investigate Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) vulnerabilities associated with energy systems; and it describes a set of experiments with findings from using that environment. The report explains how VCSE can be used to analyze and develop an understanding of cyber attacks. Specific analyses in this report focus on unencrypted, unsecured data channels on Internet protocol (IP)-routed computer networks within electric power systems. Cyber Effects Analysis Using VCSE: Promoting Control System Reliability
Combined Effect of TLR2 Gene Polymorphism and Early Life Stress on the Age at Onset of Bipolar Disorders

Immune dysfunction is thought to be animportant pathway underlying the association of childhood traumatic events withearly-onset of bipolar disorder (BD). The study of gene-environmentinteractions are important to better understand the genetics of resilience orsusceptibility to this severe subform of BD. We thus explored the potentialinteraction of genetic variants of TLR2 and TLR4, major triggers of inflammatoryresponses in presence of pathogens, and the presence of childhood trauma on theage at onset of BD. TLR2 and TLR4 risk genotype carrier state and history of childhood emotional, physical and sexual abuses were analyzed in relation to age at onset of BD in531 BD patients genotyped for TLR2 rs4696480and rs3804099 and TLR4 rs1927914 and rs11536891, 329 of which completed the Childhood TraumaQuestionnaire. We report a combined effect of TLR2 rs3804099TT genotype and reported sexual abuse on determining an earlier age at onset of BD by means of a Kaplan-Meier survival curve (p= 0.02). Regression analysis was non-significant for the TLR2-CTQ sexual abuse interaction term. The pathological effect of childhood adversity may be of greater importance in patients with an immuno-genetic susceptibility background. Further exploration of clinical characteristics of severity and immune phenotypes in BD may allow the development of innovative therapeutic interventions.
Optimized tDCS for Targeting Multiple Brain Regions: An Integrated Implementation

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) aims to deliver weak electric current into the brain to modulate neural activities. Based on the volume conductor model of the head, optimization algorithm can be used to determine a specific montage of high-definition electrodes on the scalp to achieve targeted stimulation. However, simultaneous targeting for multiple disconnected regions can rarely be found in the literature. Here we attempted to provide an integrated solution for optimized tDCS to target multiple brain regions (either a single point or brain structures). By improving the “maxintensity” routine previously published in [1], we are able to target two regions of interest (ROI) in the brain simultaneously.For ROIs more than two, we show that the “max-focality” algorithm using weighted least-square in [1] can be further improved by putting the L1-norm constraint on the stimulation current as apenalty term into the cost function. Up to five ROIs can be targeted at the same time without violating the safety criteria. Further analysis shows that, for multiple targets, a trade-off exists between targeting accuracy and the number of electrodes needed. We implemented all these algorithms in Soterix software HD-TargetsTM.
In Situ Metal-Free Synthesis of Polylactide Enantiomers Grafted from Nanoclays of High Thermostability

Renewable origin, controlled synthesis, good mechanical properties, and inherent biocompatibility make Polylactide (PLA) the most interesting renewable polymers for broad applications. For this reason, several strategies are carried out to span the range of applications for PLA and overcome its intrinsic drawbacks such as a low crystallization rate, thermal resistance and the use of metal-based catalysis for its synthesis. Adding nanosized fillers are among them the most studied and applied approach to enhance the performance of PLA-based materials. In order to achieve an enhanced interfacial adhesion and fine filler dispersion with the surrounding matrix, in situ polymerization constitutes the most viable and promising way to overcome this issue. In addition, stereocomplexation as well as organocatalysis make part of the emerging challenges to further improve the performance and extend the range of applications of the PLA-based materials such as in biomedical realm. In this chapter, the metal-free synthesis of enantiomeric PLA/clay nanohybrids through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide is investigated, with the aim to produce stereocomplexed bionanocomposites with enhanced thermal properties. Different techniques to quench the polymerization reaction were thereby studied in order to overcome the main drawback related to the organocatalysis used for ROP of
Mechanisms underlying recovery of motor function after stroke

Neurological damage, and stroke in particular, is the leading cause of long term disability worldwide. There is growing interest in the part that central nervous system reorganisation plays in recovery of function. Techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation permit the non-invasive study of the working human brain, and suggest that functionally relevant adaptive changes occur in the human brain after focal damage. An understanding of how these changes are related to recovery will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic techniques that are based on neurobiological principles and that are designed to minimise impairment in appropriately targeted patients suffering from stroke.
Fast, Energy Efficient Scan inside Flash Memory

Today, an SSD (Solid State Drive) is essentially a block device attached to a legacy host interface. As a result, the system I/O bus remains a bottleneck, and the abundant flash memory bandwidth as well as the computing capabilities inside SSD is largely untapped. In this paper, we motivate an efficient in-storage computing approach where (part of) data-intensive processing is moved from the host CPU to inside flash SSDs, close to the data source itself (“in-storage processing”). Especially, we focus on accelerating a key database operation, scan. To realize the idea in a cost-effective manner, we deploy special-purpose computing modules using the System-on-Chip technology. While data from flash memory are transferred, a target database operation is applied to the data stream on the fly without any delay. This reduces the amount of data to transfer to the host drastically, and in turn, ensures all components along the data path in an SSD are utilized in a balanced way. Our experimental results show that instorage processing outperforms conventional CPU based processing by over 13 times for scan operation. It also turns out that in-storage processing can offer sizable energy savings of up to 7×. This drastic performance improvement is mainly attributable to the parallelism inside single flash SSD, while the similar existing hard disk based approaches have not been such successful because of the limited I/O bandwidth provided by conventional hard disk.
Diet Quality Indices for Nutrition Assessment: Types and Applications

According to the World Health Organization, the proportion of noncommunicable dis- eases (NCD) burden is foreseen to increase to 57% in 2020. Consumption patterns have a positive effect on healthy growth and development during childhood and adolescence, and on health problems in adulthood. Diet quality indices are mathematical algorithms used for nutritional epidemiology, aimed at quantifying the degree of adequacy between actual intakes of nutrients or food groups within a population and the reference intakes, which are established based on scientific facts assuring an optimal state of health while preventing consumers from chronic diseases. Similarly, indexes allow to analyse dietary pattern of target population and its consumption trends. In general the terms, DQI (Diet Quality Index), HDI (Healthy Diet Indicator) and MDS (Mediterranean Diet Score), are referred to three internationally recognized diet indexes, which several indices have been adapted from. This chapter includes an extensive review of existing diet indexes, 1) providing a brief description of the most relevant ones, 2) highlighting the weaknesses and strengths and 3) defining the suitable scope of application of each index.
Tracking Second Thoughts: Continuous and Discrete Revision Processes during Visual Lexical Decision

We studied the dynamics of lexical decisions by asking participants to categorize lexical and nonlexical stimuli and recording their mouse movements toward response buttons during the choice. In a previous report we revealed greater trajectory curvature and attraction to competitors for Low Frequency words and Pseudowords. This analysis did not clarify whether the trajectory curvature in the two conditions was due to a continuous dynamic competition between the response alternatives or if a discrete revision process (a "change of mind") took place during the choice from an initially selected response to the opposite one. To disentangle these two possibilities, here we analyse the velocity and acceleration profiles of mouse movements during the choice. Pseudowords' peak movement velocity occurred with 100ms delay with respect to words and Letters Strings. Acceleration profile for High and Low Frequency words and Letters Strings exhibited a butterfly plot with one acceleration peak at 400ms and one deceleration peak at 650ms. Differently, Pseudowords' acceleration profile had double positive peaks (at 400 and 600ms) followed by movement deceleration, in correspondence with changes in the decision from lexical to nonlexical response buttons. These results speak to different online processes during the categorization of Low Frequency words and Pseudowords, with a continuous competition process for the former and a discrete revision process for the latter.
INTEGRATING LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT AND HYDROLOGIC MODELING FOR LAND COVER CHANGE ANALYSIS 1

ABSTRACT: Significant land cover changes have occurred in the watersheds that contribute runoff to the upper San Pedro River in Sonora, Mexico, and southeast Arizona. These changes, observed using a series of remotely sensed images taken in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, have been implicated in the alteration of the basin hydrologic response. The Cannonsville subwatershed, located in the Catskill/Delaware watershed complex that delivers water to New York City, provides a contrast in land cover change. In this region, the Cannonsville watershed condition has improved over a comparable time period. A landscape assessment tool using a geographic information system (GIS) has been developed that automates the parameterization of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and KINEmatic Runoff and EROSion (KINEROS) hydrologic models. The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) tool was used to prepare parameter input files for the Upper San Pedro Basin, a subwatershed within the San Pedro undergoing significant changes, and the Cannonsville watershed using historical land cover data. Runoff and sediment yield were simulated using these models. In the Cannonsville watershed, land cover change had a beneficial impact on modeled watershed response due to the transition from agriculture to forest land cover. Simulation results for the San Pedro indicate that increasing urban and agricultural areas and the simultaneous invasion of woody plants and decline of grasslands resulted in increased annual and event runoff volumes, flashier flood response, and decreased water quality due to sediment loading. These results demonstrate the usefulness of integrating remote sensing and distributed hydrologic models through the use of GIS for assessing watershed condition and the relative impacts of land cover transitions on hydrologic response.
A Low Cost Partial Scan Approach Based on Balanced Sequential Graph Transformation

This paper proposes a new partial scan approach in which the problem of selecting flip-flops in partial scan designs is converted to the balanced graph transformation problem based on an integer linear programming formulation. The complexity of the problem is analyzed and a scalable approach is proposed to deal with complicated circuits. Experimental results on a set of benchmark circuits show that on average the proposed approach reduces the area overhead by 25% compared with the full scan approach and by 17.8% compared with the existing balanced structure-based partial scan approach.
Characterization of power-law creep in the solid-acid CsHSO_4 via nanoindentation

A high-temperature nanoindentation system was used to examine the steady state indentation creep behavior of CsHSO_4. This high proton conductivity solid-acid material is a candidate for use as a solid-state electrolyte in intermediate temperature fuel cells. Constant strain rate indentation creep tests yielded a stress exponent and a creep activation energy in close agreement with results obtained from previous uniaxial compression testing. The large penetration depths reached during creep testing necessitated validating an indenter area function well beyond depths measurable in fused silica. The developed methodology is material agnostic meaning it can be used for indentation creep measurements in other high creep rate materials. In addition, it is shown how an analysis developed by Bower et al. ( Proc. Royal Soc. 441 , 97–124, 1993) can be successfully used to convert the indentation creep parameters into the more common material parameters measured in uniaxial creep tests.