Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Doppler effect in flexible and expandable light waveguide and development of new fiber-optic vibration/acoustic sensor

New principle and a geometrical arrangement of an optical fiber for a vibration/acoustic measurement are proposed in the present paper. The sensor is based on a new finding that a frequency of light wave transmitted through a bent optical fiber is shifted by vibration at the bent region. The phenomenon can be explained as Doppler's effect in flexible and expandable light waveguide. Several configurations of the sensor have been designed, and very high sensitivity is achieved in the extremely wide frequency range. Principle, sensor configuration and theoretical sensitivity, measurement system, and some experimental consideration are described in the present paper. The sensor sensitivity was examined experimentally in the low and middle frequency range, and the detectability was confirmed experimentally in the frequency range of acoustic emission signals.
Reference Path Generation and Obstacle Avoidance for Autonomous Vehicles Based on Waypoints, Dubins Curves and Virtual Force Field Method

In this study, reference path generation based on waypoints, Dubins curves and obstacle avoidance are focused. The motion of a wheeled robot vehicle is modeled by following the principles of point mass approach. While motion planning is performed, the importance of obtaining the shortest distance between two target points is illustrated. Dubins curves and waypoints are used to construct an optimum path generation strategy. Path planning algorithm developed is combined with an obstacle avoidance approach, known as the virtual force field method. The whole system was tested for different scenarios. In the first scenario, the path generation was tested for the case where obstacles, start and finish points of the reference path, and initial and final robot vehicle orientations were defined. In this case, waypoints were not specified. In the second scenario, the performance of the algorithm was tested for generating a complete reference path. Waypoints were specified and the shortest path between the start and end points of the desired path was generated. Successful results were obtained and presented in this paper.
Effects of glycerol concentration, equilibration time and temperature of glycerol addition on post-thaw viability of boar spermatozoa frozen in straws.

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of glycerol concentration, equilibration time and temperature of glycerol addition on post-thaw viability of boar spermatozoa after cryopreservation in straws. Semen (split ejaculate) in maxi-straws (6 mm o.d.) was frozen using a programmable freezing chamber. Three methods for in vitro sperm evaluation were used: motility (MOT), acrosome integrity (NAR) and flow cytometric analysis of sperm treated with carboxyfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide to assess sperm plasma membrane integrity (PMI). No interactions were found among the three variables evaluated. Length of prefreeze exposure to glycerol, ranging from . 5 min to 75 min, had no effect on post-thaw sperm viability. Exposure of sperm to a glycerol-containing extender medium at 5 degrees C gave improved post-thaw viability over that exposed at 0 degree C (P less than .05). Glycerol at a concentration of 3 or 4% resulted in maximum post-thaw MOT. Acrosome integrity values were greatest for 2 and 3% glycerol, whereas PMI was greatest when glycerol concentration was 4 to 6%. The primary cryoprotective effect of glycerol on boar semen may be extracellular. It is concluded that 3 or 4% glycerol gives maximum viability of frozen-thawed spermatozoa when the present methods are employed.
Incidence and risk factors for myelofibrotic transformation among 272 Chinese patients with JAK2‐mutated polycythemia vera

Post‐polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (post‐PV MF) is a critical hematologic evolution of polycythemia vera (PV). The main purpose of the present study was to identify the possible risk factors for the occurrence and prognosis of post‐PV MF in Chinese patients with PV. A cohort of 272 Chinese PV patients with JAK2V617F or exon12 mutation was retrospectively analyzed. Of the 272 patients with PV, 63 developed post‐PV MF. Platelet count >550 × 109/L and splenomegaly were identified as independent risk factors for post‐PV MF. The median duration of survival for post‐PV MF patients was 8 years. Anemia and age >65 years at diagnosis of post‐PV MF were identified as significant predictors for the poor prognosis of post‐PV MF. In conclusion, platelet counts and splenomegaly were significant predictors for the transformation to post‐PV MF, while anemia (hemoglobin levels <100 g/L) and age>65 years were significant predictors for poor prognosis of post‐PV MF in Chinese PV patients with JAK2V617F or exon12 mutation. Am. J. Hematol. 90:1116–1121, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
k-Shot Learning for Action Recognition

In the problem of k-shot learning, a model must learn to reliably classify an example having seen only k previous instances of examples of the same class. With recent success in using memory in neural networks to perform kshot learning, we propose a technique that uses MemoryAugmented Neural Networks to perform k-shot learning for action recognition in videos. We believe the use of memory will help learn encoded generalizable representations of actions that can be used for classification. We use the Memory-Augmented Neural Network framework to evaluate k-shot learning for the Kinetics Dataset of action clips taken from YouTube videos. Our approach works well for this domain, achieving results close to 78% accuracy in the 9-shot learning case.
A 2124 BENJAMIN PEHERSTORFER AND KAREN WILLCOX

This work presents a nonlinear model reduction approach for systems of equations stemming from the discretization of partial differential equations with nonlinear terms. Our approach constructs a reduced system with proper orthogonal decomposition and the discrete empirical interpolation method (DEIM); however, whereas classical DEIM derives a linear approximation of the nonlinear terms in a static DEIM space generated in an offline phase, our method adapts the DEIM space as the online calculation proceeds and thus provides a nonlinear approximation. The online adaptation uses new data to produce a reduced system that accurately approximates behavior not anticipated in the offline phase. These online data are obtained by querying the full-order system during the online phase, but only at a few selected components to guarantee a computationally efficient adaptation. Compared to the classical static approach, our online adaptive and nonlinear model reduction approach achieves accuracy improvements of up to three orders of magnitude in our numerical experiments with time-dependent and steady-state nonlinear problems. The examples also demonstrate that through adaptivity, our reduced systems provide valid approximations of the full-order systems outside of the parameter domains for which they were initially built in the offline phase.
Study of deposit insurance pricing model for listed banks in China based on RV method

As Chinese financial reform is deepening, the construction of the deposit insurance system has been one of major theoretical and practical issues on the financial system reform in China. This paper adopts Ronn & Verma pricing model, and calculates the tolerance parameter of listed banks in China, which is 0.95, then constructs the deposit insurance pricing model for Chinese listed banks. The insurance rates of five Chinese listed banks are calculated in the pricing model by collecting their financial information. The result shows a greater gap between the rate of each banks and the average rate, which supports that China is appropriate to adopt the different risk-based rates system of insurance pricing rather than the single rate system.
Human papillomavirus infection and increased risk of HIV acquisition. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives:Human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the commonest sexually transmitted infections, may be a cofactor in HIV acquisition. We systematically reviewed the evidence for an association of HPV infection with HIV acquisition in women, heterosexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM). Design:Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods:Studies meeting inclusion criteria in Pubmed, Embase and conference abstracts up to 29 July 2011 were identified. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate summary hazard ratios (HR). Publication bias and statistical heterogeneity were evaluated and population attributable fractions (PAFs) calculated. Results:Eight articles were included, with previously unpublished data from five authors. Seven studies found an association between prevalent HPV and HIV acquisition. Risk of HIV acquisition in women doubled with prevalent HPV infection with any genotype [HR = 2.06 (95% CI = 1.44–2.94), I2 = 0%], although adjustment for confounders was often inadequate. The effect was similar for high-risk [HR = 1.99 (95% CI = 1.54–2.56), I2 = 8.4%] and low-risk [HR = 2.01 (95% CI = 1.27–3.20), I2 = 0%] HPV genotypes with weak evidence of publication bias (P = 0.06). Two studies in men were identified: both showed an association between HPV infection and HIV acquisition. Unpublished data from one of two studies in women indicated an association between genotypes targeted by HPV vaccines and HIV acquisition. PAFs for HIV attributable to infection with any HPV genotype ranged between 21 and 37%. Conclusion:If further studies validate the association between HPV infection and HIV acquisition, HPV vaccines may reduce HIV incidence in high HPV prevalence populations, in addition to preventing cervical cancer. HIV surveillance studies during implementation of HPV vaccine programmes are warranted.
Adults traumatized by child abuse: What survivors need from community-based mental health professionals

Aims: To understand, from the “insider” perspectives of adults abused as children, the aspects of community mental health interventions that are experienced as helpful and less helpful after discharge from inpatient trauma treatment. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 child abuse survivors, six months after discharge from a specialized trauma treatment program. Results: Participants reported difficulties managing intense feelings that surfaced after inpatient treatment, which became more problematic when they could not talk about them honestly with their community-based therapists. Therapists who were patient, understanding, and respectful of survivors' needs for a sense of control in working toward their own solutions were most helpful. Participants emphasized the need for accessible trauma-based treatment from clinicians. Conclusions: Many communities in Canada, due to lack of resources, are not providing trauma-specific services. This study indicates that community-based therapists need to become more knowledgeable about trauma issues, to increase their ability to work collaboratively with adults abused as children in assessing their therapeutic needs, and to ensure that survivors have some control in the treatment process. Declaration of interest: The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Grant # 410‐98‐0092 and the Homewood Foundation, Guelph, Ontario, provided funding for this study.
Managerial Stock and Option Holdings and Fraudulent Financial Reporting of IPO Firms

I examine whether managerial stock and options holdings influence the propensity of goingpublic firms to manipulate financial information, as measured by the incidence of shareholder class action lawsuits and discretionary accruals. Examining a sample of U.S. firms that went public during the years 1996-2006, I find some evidence that firms in which top managers receive large stock options grants prior to the IPO are more likely to face class action lawsuits and have higher issue-quarter discretionary accruals. These preliminary results suggest that more stock option grants in the pre-IPO period may encourage managers to distort financial information during the IPO process. Overall, the evidence in this paper contributes to our understanding of the relation between managerial equity incentives and actions of managers that may affect the quality of reported earnings.
Case studies and further improvements on source camera identification

Actual case examples and further improvements on source camera identification are shown. There are three specific topics in this paper: (a) In order to improve performance of source camera identification, the hybrid identification scheme using both dark current non-uniformity (DCNU) and photo-response non-uniformity (PRNU) is proposed. The experimental results indicated that identification performance would be improved by properly taking advantage of their features; (b) Source camera identification using non-uniform nature of the CCD charge transfer circuit is proposed. The experimental results with twenty CCD modules of the same model showed that individual camera identification for dark images was possible by the proposed method. Furthermore, it was shown that the proposed method had higher discrimination capability than the method using pixel non-uniformity when the number of recorded image was small; (c) The authors have been performed source camera identification in the five actual criminal cases, such as homicide case, and so on. The analytical procedure was a sequential examination of hot pixel coordinates validation followed by the similarity evaluation of sensor noise pattern. The authors could clearly prove that the questioned criminal scenes had been recorded by the questioned cameras in four cases of the five.
Full Chip Impact Study of Power Delivery Network Designs in Gate-Level Monolithic 3-D ICs

In this paper, we present a comprehensive study on the impact of power delivery network (PDN) on full-chip wirelength, routability, power, and thermal effects in gate-level monolithic 3-D (M3-D) ICs across different technology nodes. Our studies show that PDN worsens routing congestion more severely in M3-D ICs than in 2-D designs due to the significant reduction in resources for 3-D connections. The relative impact worsens at advanced technology nodes due to higher congestion of interconnects. The increase in signal wirelength translates into additional net switching power dissipation, which significantly contributes to total power. This in turn aggravates thermal issues further in 3-D ICs. In addition, we observe that PDN tradeoffs among wirelength, power, and thermal are more pronounced in M3-D ICs than through silicon via-based 3-D and 2-D designs because of the higher integration density and the severe competition between signal and power connections. We also compare the impact of PDN on full chip routing in M3-D ICs versus face-to-face 3-D ICs. Lastly, we use various PDN design optimization techniques for M3-D ICs at different nodes and obtain up to 13.9% signal wirelength and 17.6% total power reduction under the given IR drop budget.
Exploration , Exploitation , and Innovative Performance : Analysis of Medium , Small , and Micro Firms

A key issue in the innovation process is how firms balance their exploration and exploitation activities. Various studies on large firms have suggested that relying too heavily on exploitation reduces performance. Little is known about the trade-off between exploration and exploitation in firms of smaller size. Consequently, the dissertation aims to investigate this trade-off and its effect on innovative performance in medium, small, and micro firms. It will also examine whether a bias towards exploitative activity has the effect of displacing radical innovations with incremental innovations. Until the exploration–exploitation trade-off and its effects are analysed in these firms, an important aspect of innovation will remain a puzzle. In this dissertation, exploration and exploitation will be investigated through the analysis of knowledge recombination, economic factors (such as R&D investment) and social factors (such as a firm’s openness and collaboration); the data will come from innovation surveys and patent statistics.
Embedded non-destructive evaluation for structural health monitoring, damage detection, and failure prevention

In this paper we review the state of the art in an emerging new technology: embedded ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE). Embedded ultrasonic NDE permits active structural health monitoring, i.e. the on-demand interrogation of the structure to determine its current state of structural health. The enabling element of embedded ultrasonic NDE is the piezoelectric wafer active sensor (PWAS). We begin by reviewing the guided wave theory in plate, tube, and shell structures, with special attention to Lamb waves. The mechanisms of Lamb wave excitation and detection with embeddable PWAS transducers is presented. It is shown analytically and verified experimentally that Lamb wave mode tuning can be achieved by the judicious combination of PWAS dimensions, frequency value, and Lamb mode characteristics. Subsequently, we address in turn the use of pitch-catch, pulse-echo, and phased array ultrasonic methods for Lambwave damage detection. In each case, the conventional ultrasonic NDE results are contrasted with embedded NDE results. Detection of cracks, disbonds, delaminations, and diffuse damage in metallic and composite structures are exemplified. Other techniques, such as the time reversal method and the migration technique, are also presented. The paper ends with conclusions and suggestions for further work.
GP job satisfaction in 1987, 1990 and 1998: lessons for the future?

BACKGROUND Job satisfaction is an important determinant of physician retention and turnover, and may also affect performance. Objective. Our aim was to investigate changes in GP job satisfaction from 1987 to 1998, covering a period of major change in the organization of British general practice. METHODS Postal surveys of random national samples of GPs were carried out by separate groups of investigators in 1987, 1990 and 1998. In each survey, the questionnaire contained a standardized job satisfaction scale and a list of 14 job stressors. The final samples consisted of 1817 GPs in 1987 (response rate 45%), 917 GPs in 1990 (response rate 61%) and 1828 GPs in 1998 (response rate 49%). RESULTS For both men and women, overall job satisfaction declined from 1987 to 1990 and then improved from 1990 to 1998, although satisfaction in 1998 remained below that in 1987. Women tended to report higher levels of satisfaction than men in all 3 years. Satisfaction with nine specific aspects of work showed dissimilar patterns of change over time. From 1987 to 1990, reported levels of stress increased for eight of 14 job stressors. Of these, three subsequently declined in 1998, two remained unchanged and three continued to increase. Of the six job stressors which showed no change from 1987 to 1990, five subsequently increased as sources of stress. Men and women differed in their sources of stress, but the differences were not consistent over time. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that GP job satisfaction has improved significantly from the low point reached following the introduction of the 1990/1991 NHS reforms, although reported levels of stress in relation to many aspects of work have continued to increase. The changes are discussed within the context of wider research into the determinants of GP job satisfaction in order to anticipate the likely effects on GPs of future organizational reforms.
Novel uniplanar synthesized coplanar waveguide and the application to miniaturized rat-race coupler

By utilizing quasi-lumped components, we propose a novel slow-wave uniplanar synthesized coplanar waveguide (USCPW) in this paper. The physical length of a 90-degree uniplanar synthesized coplanar waveguide (USCPW) is less than one-twentieth of a guided wavelength. A lumped equivalent circuit model is proposed to explain the complicated behavior of the synthesized line. The design concept, propagation characteristics, equivalent circuit model, and simulated and measured results are carefully studied. Based on the new synthesized coplanar waveguide, a novel miniaturized rat-race coupler is demonstrated. The proposed design is merely 7.2% the size of a conventional coupler, which is the smallest one ever reported in coplanar waveguide form using printed circuit board technology. The response of the miniaturized coupler is experimentally verified in this paper.
Improving theranostics in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most deadly cancer in the United States, and is expected to be the second most deadly by 2030. The major difficulty in treating pancreatic cancer is the late onset of symptoms. Generally, patients show metastatic disease by the time of diagnosis, with a survival rate of 5% beyond 5 years. In patients without metastatic disease, surgical resection increases 5 year survival rate to 25%. The remaining 75% succumb to undetected metastases. Clearly, improvements to both detection, surgical intervention, and therapeutic strategies will be needed to improve patient outcome in pancreatic cancer.
Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in Veterans with Schizophrenia

The metabolic syndrome has become a focus of clinical attention due to its high prevalence in the United States (23%) and impact on cardiovascular risk, yet limited data exist on the prevalence of this syndrome among U.S. veterans with schizophrenia. Methods: A convenience sample of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was obtained from inpatient units and outpatient clinics at Veterans Affairs medical centers in San Diego and Los Angeles. Results: In this predominantly male (92.5%) sample of 80 veterans, with mean age of 49.0 years, the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 51.2%, more than twice the age-adjusted prevalence in the general U.S. population. The female cohort was small (n = 6), but had a greater mean body mass index and higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome than the male subjects. Conclusions: The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in this sample of patients with schizophrenia and represents an enormous source of cardiovascular disease risk. Clinicians who treat patients with schizophrenia should monitor for the parameters that define the metabolic syndrome as part of the ongoing management of patients treated with antipsychotics.
lULTIPLEXED LASER INDUCED FLUORESCEI NON-EQUILIBRIUM PROCESSES IN ARCJ

For the past five years there has been an ongoing experimental and analytical program at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) to improve our understanding of arcjet physics. A computational model that assumed local thermodynamic equilibrium was first used to simulate arcjet thrusters operating on ammonia, hydrogen, and argon. The UTSI arcjet code was later extended to include a two temperature, finite rate kinetic model for hydrogen plasma. Recently, this code has been used to simulate a radiation-cooled arcjet (MARC thruster) experiment and a water-cooled arcjet (TT1 thruster) experiment performed at The Universität Stuttgart Institut fur Raumfahrtsysteme. The results of these simulations are presented along with a review of UTSI arcjet computation code development. A two-beam multiplexed laser induced fluorescence (LIF) technique was developed at UTSI to provide detailed measurements of arcjet flows near the nozzle exit plane. Comparison of detailed flowfield measurements with predictions of the computation model were used to provide insight into the physical models used in the arcjet code. The method was first demonstrated using a small, 300 W, water-cooled arcjet operated with argon propellant. The method was then applied to a 1 kW arcjet operated with hydrogen and nitrogen propellant mixtures using the Balmer alpha line of hydrogen. Recently, the method has been extended to use an excited state line in nitrogen. The results of this most recent research are presented.