Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Education for energy efficiency through an educational game

This paper presents an assessment of an educational game for teaching the efficient use of electricity. Developed with Adobe Flash®, it is a virtual board game where participants choose a car that starts the path and reaches the same final goal, going through a number of track steps defined in terms of a dice that each player rolls in turn. The car moves if the participant is able to correctly answer a question that is randomly generated by the software. The objective of the game is to answer questions related to energy efficiency promoting a healthy and attractive learning process for participants on concepts related to energy efficiency such as: the rational use of energy, the basic concepts of forms of energy generation, among others. The main objective of this paper is to assess the impact of the application of this virtual game in the teaching and learning process of high school students. Therefore, the game was applied in the discipline of physics in a class of junior high public school in the state of São Paulo. Initially, the class that had 43 students was divided into 10 groups of 4 students, and 1 group of 3 students. Each student group competed with one another. The idea was that each of them should indicate a student who was the representative of this group until only 4 group leaders were selected for the finals. At this stage, each student could interact with a group of up to ten students that acted as advisers. The adopted assessment process is based on the model proposed by Savi [7]. Then, at the end of the game, the students answered a prepared questionnaire based on the model proposed by Savi. According to Savi, although there are significant studies that show the importance of educational games for the process of cognitive development and learning concepts of students, there are few papers that present forms of assessing the potential of these resources. Thus, the assessment criteria proposed by Savi are based on the model of training evaluation by Kirkpatrick [3], taken as a reference to measure the efficiency of processes of continuing education courses for professionals. The authors assert that the metric of the evaluation proposed to assess the game is based on the first level of the model proposed by Kirkpatrick.
Joint base station operation and user association in cloud based HCNs with hybrid energy sources

This paper formulates a joint base station operation and user association optimization problem in the cloud based heterogeneous cellular networks with hybrid energy sources, where all the base stations are connected to the cloud computing center and powered by both on-grid power and renewable energy. The combinatorial optimization problem is decomposed into two subproblems based on the time scale separation. For the base station operation problem, a simple algorithm is designed to determine the active base stations using a Lagrange multiplier as the threshold, which is inspired by the submodularity maximization problem. For the user association problem, an iterative algorithm implemented by the user and base station side is proposed to achieve load balancing. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can reduce energy consumption, and enable a flexible tradeoff between energy consumption and load balancing.
An adaptive multiple-input multiple-output analog-to-digital converter for high density neuroprosthetic electrode arrays

On chip signal compression is one of the key technologies driving development of energy efficient biotelemetry devices. In this paper, we describe a novel architecture for analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion that combines sigma delta conversion with the spatial data compression in a single module. The architecture called multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) sigma-delta is based on a min-max gradient descent optimization of a regularized cost function that naturally leads to an A/D formulation. Experimental results with simulated and recorded multichannel data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed architecture to eliminate cross-channel redundancy in high density microelectrode data, thus superceding the performance of parallel independent data converters in terms of its energy efficiency
On n-phase Barker sequences

An n-phase Barker sequence can be easily distinguished from the time-shifted versions of itself. This property is important for such applications as radar systems, synchronization systems, and spread-spectrum communications systems. The authors study some transformations on n-phase Barker sequences. Also, they give an efficient algorithm for finding sextic Barker sequences. Through an exhaustive computer search, numerical data for n-phase Barker sequences are given. Specifically, they extend the list of known n-phase Barker sequences to length L=19. >
Low turn-on and uniform field emission from structurally engineered carbon nanotube arrays through growth on metal wire mesh substrates

A simple and novel approach to improve the field emission properties from carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays is presented through the direct growth of CNTs onto metal wire mesh substrates. We utilized the curvilinear profiles of the wires to create a cleaved CNT array structure, which was uniformly distributed throughout the entire emitter array area. Investigation of the factors governing the emission properties showed that increased wire diameter, increased CNT array height, and decreased catalyst thickness led to decreased turn-on fields (TOFs) within our experimental range. In addition, we found that the underlying mechanism explaining these empirical results stemmed from the creation of sharp edges which were sufficiently spaced and homogeneously distributed throughout the emitter array. Through this method, a low TOF of ~0.95 V µm−1 for a 10 µA cm−2 emission current density was achieved, which is among the lowest values reported for field emission arrays.
Effect of naproxen and acetaminophen on blood pressure lowering by ramipril, valsartan and aliskiren in hypertensive patients

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used for reducing pain and other symptoms in osteoarthritis (OA). NSAIDs have been associated with an increase in blood pressure (BP) in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals and a blunting effect on various anti-hypertensive medications. Acetaminophen effects on anti-hypertensive treatment, instead, are still a matter of debate. Objectives: To assess the effect of naproxen versus acetaminophen on ramipril, valsartan and aliskiren therapy in hypertensive patients with OA in a double-blind, cross-over study, by measuring clinic, ambulatory BP and heart rate (HR). Results: One hundred seventy four patients were randomly treated with ramipril, valsartan or aliskiren for 8 weeks and 135 patients with normalized BP were randomized to receive naproxen or acetaminophen for 2 weeks. Naproxen significantly increased clinic and ambulatory systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) values in patients treated with ramipril (p < 0.01) or valsartan (p < 0.05), but did not affect aliskiren effects. Also acetaminophen slightly but significantly affected clinic and ambulatory SBP/DBP in all three groups and, surprisingly, it also produced a slight increase in HR (+3.1, +3.3 and +3.4 b/min day-time HR values, for ramipril, valsartan and aliskiren, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Both naproxen and acetaminophen can affect anti-hypertensive therapy with ramipril, valsartan or aliskiren with a different extent. When acetaminophen is chosen for OA management in subjects with hypertension, patients should be evaluated as carefully as when traditional NSAIDs are given.
Estimation of teacher practices based on text transcripts of teacher speech using a support vector machine algorithm

Teacher practice is normally assessed by observers who watch classes or videos of classes. Here, we analyse an alternative strategy that uses text transcripts and a support vector machine classifier. For each one of the 710 videos of mathematics classes from the 2005 Chilean National Teacher Assessment Programme, a single 4-minute slice was selected randomly and manually transcribed. The texts were then rated by two mathematicians and two teachers on the basis of the presence/absence of eight categories of contents and 12 categories of teacher practices. Then for each rater and category a classifier was built using a support vector machine algorithm trained with his/her ratings on a subset of texts. The agreements between the classifiers and the corresponding raters computed for texts belonging to an independent subset were better than the agreements between the raters. Next, we trained classifiers by using ratings created by raters who watched the videos rather than analysing the transcripts. Again, the agreements between classifiers and the raters were satisfactory. Given that class assessment can be an extremely slow, error prone and tedious process, the proposed automatic classifier scheme could be a promising alternative for monitoring classes and building online performance support system of teacher practices. Practitioner Notes What is already known about this topic High importance of monitoring teacher practices in order to improve teaching. , Monitoring is currently performed by trained raters, but it is an infrequent, tedious and laborious task, prone to biases and errors. , What this paper adds A vector support machine algorithm to build automatic raters with high agreement with human experts. , A systematic method to quantify contents actually covered and strategies used in class. , Tool that can be implemented in order to give continuous and immediate feedback to the teacher. , Implications for practice and/or policy Computer methods can be used to construct personal and confident auto-support performance support system for improving teacher practices, avoiding the natural fear for evaluation by third parties. , Computerised methods can be strategic tools to help improve quality of teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Dynamic Management of Computing and Network Resources with PID Control in Optical Grid Networks

In this paper, in order to manage both computing and network resources effectively in optical grid networks, we propose a dynamic management method which is implemented in a job manager. The proposed method adjusts the number of tasks which are transmitted to a computing site with PID control so that a resource manager can store a constant number of tasks, resulting in an effective utilization of computing resources. Moreover, lightpaths are established and released dynamically by comparing output signal of PID controller with the maximum number of transmitted tasks, resulting in an effective utilization of network resources. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method, and then we investigate the impact of PID parameters. In numerical examples, we show that the proposed method can manage computing and network resources at the same time more effectively than a conventional method.
Robust Hyperspectral Unmixing With Correntropy-Based Metric

Hyperspectral unmixing is one of the crucial steps for many hyperspectral applications. The problem of hyperspectral unmixing has proved to be a difficult task in unsupervised work settings where the endmembers and abundances are both unknown. In addition, this task becomes more challenging in the case that the spectral bands are degraded by noise. This paper presents a robust model for unsupervised hyperspectral unmixing. Specifically, our model is developed with the correntropy-based metric where the nonnegative constraints on both endmembers and abundances are imposed to keep physical significance. Besides, a sparsity prior is explicitly formulated to constrain the distribution of the abundances of each endmember. To solve our model, a half-quadratic optimization technique is developed to convert the original complex optimization problem into an iteratively reweighted nonnegative matrix factorization with sparsity constraints. As a result, the optimization of our model can adaptively assign small weights to noisy bands and put more emphasis on noise-free bands. In addition, with sparsity constraints, our model can naturally generate sparse abundances. Experiments on synthetic and real data demonstrate the effectiveness of our model in comparison to the related state-of-the-art unmixing models.
International Journal of Parallel, Emergent and Distributed Systems Decentralised Online Charging Scheduling for Large Populations of Electric Vehicles: a Cyber-physical System Approach Decentralised Online Charging Scheduling for Large Populations of Electric Vehicles: a Cyber-physical System Appro

(2012): Decentralised online charging scheduling for large populations of electric vehicles: a cyber-physical This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) grows, their electricity demands may have significant detrimental impacts on electric power grid when not scheduled properly. In this paper, we model an EV charging system as a cyber-physical system, and design a decentralised online EV charging scheduling algorithm for large populations of EVs, where the EVs can be highly heterogeneous and may join the charging system dynamically. The algorithm couples a clustering-based strategy that dynamically classifies heterogeneous EVs into multiple groups and a sliding-window iterative approach that schedules the charging demand for the EVs in each group in real time. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that our approach provides near-optimal solutions at significantly reduced complexity and communication overhead. It flattens the aggregated load on the power grid and reduces the costs of both the users and the utility. 1. Introduction An increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs), including plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) and plug-in EVs (PEVs), are emerging in the automobile market. While the EVs can incorporate multiple renewable energy sources, avoid the pollution of exhaust and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, their charging demand may also bring detrimental impacts on the power grid, especially when it is not managed properly. It has been reported that with battery capacities varying from 15 to 50 KWh, EVs are expected to double the average household load during charging time [14]. Hence, a major challenge is how to design a charging system that supports the EVs without causing much stress to the traditional power generation and transmission systems. A straightforward way to optimise EV charging is through a centralised approach where a central controller collects the information of all the …
Citrus fruit and fabacea secondary metabolites potently and selectively block TRPM3

The melastatin‐related transient receptor potential TRPM3 is a calcium‐permeable nonselective cation channel that can be activated by the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulphate (PregS) and heat. TRPM3‐deficient mice show an impaired perception of noxious heat. Hence, drugs inhibiting TRPM3 possibly get in focus of analgesic therapy.
The genetic structure of Nautilus pompilius populations surrounding Australia and the Philippines

Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity in exploited species is fundamental to successful conservation. Genetic structure and the degree of gene flow among populations must be assessed to design appropriate strategies to prevent the loss of distinct populations. The cephalopod Nautilus pompilius is fished unsustainably in the Philippines for the ornamental shell trade and has limited legislative protection, despite the species' recent dramatic decline in the region. Here, we use 14 microsatellite markers to evaluate the population structure of N. pompilius around Australia and the Philippines. Despite their relative geographical proximity, Great Barrier Reef individuals are genetically isolated from Osprey Reef and Shark Reef in the Coral Sea (FST = 0.312, 0.229, respectively). Conversely, despite the larger geographical distances between the Philippines and west Australian reefs, samples display a small degree of genetic structure (FST = 0.015). Demographic scenarios modelled using approximate Bayesian computation analysis indicate that this limited divergence is not due to contemporary gene flow between the Philippines and west Australia. Instead, present‐day genetic similarity can be explained by very limited genetic drift that has occurred due to large average effective population sizes that persisted at both locations following their separation. The lack of connectivity among populations suggests that immigrants from west Australia would not facilitate natural recolonization if Philippine populations were fished to extinction. These data help to rectify the paucity of information on the species' biology currently inhibiting their conservation classification. Understanding population structure can allow us to facilitate sustainable harvesting, thereby preserving the diversity of genetically distinct stocks.
Regulation and biological function of a flagellar glucose transporter in Leishmania mexicana: a potential glucose sensor

In Leishmania mexicana parasites, a unique glucose transporter, LmxGT1, is selectively targeted to the flagellar membrane, suggesting a possible sensory role that is often associated with ciliary membrane proteins. Expression of LmxGT1 is down‐regulated ~20‐fold by increasing cell density but is up‐regulated ~50‐fold by depleting glucose from the medium, and the permease is strongly down‐regulated when flagellated insect‐stage promastigotes invade mammalian macrophages and transform into intracellular amastigotes. Regulation of LmxGT1 expression by glucose and during the lifecycle operates at the level of protein stability. Significantly, a Δlmxgt1 null mutant, grown in abundant glucose, undergoes catastrophic loss of viability when parasites deplete glucose from the medium, a property not exhibited by wild‐type or add‐back lines. These results suggest that LmxGT1 may function as a glucose sensor that allows parasites to enter the stationary phase when they deplete glucose and that in the absence of this sensor, parasites do not maintain viability when they run out of glucose. However, alternate roles for LmxGT1 in monitoring glucose availability are considered. The absence of known sensory receptors with defined ligands and biologic functions in Leishmania and related kinetoplastid parasites underscores the potential significance of these observations. ‐Rodriguez‐Contreras, D. , Aslan, H. , Feng, X. , Tran, K. , Yates, P. A. , Kamhawi, S. , Landfear, S. M. Regulation and biological function of a flagellar glucose transporter in Leishmania mexicana: a potential glucose sensor. FASEB J. 29, 11–24 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Reduced CMRO2 and cerebrovascular reserve in patients with severe intracranial arterial stenosis: A combined multiparametric qBOLD oxygenation and BOLD fMRI study

Multiparametric quantitative blood oxygenation level dependent (mqBOLD) magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) approach allows mapping tissular oxygen saturation (StO2) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2). To identify hemodynamic alteration related to severe intracranial arterial stenosis (SIAS), functional MRI of cerebrovascular reserve (CVR BOLD fMRI) to hypercapnia has been proposed. Diffusion imaging suggests chronic low grade ischemia in patients with impaired CVR. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how oxygen parameters (StO2 and CMRO2), assessed with mqBOLD approach, correlate with CVR in patients (n = 12) with SIAS and without arterial occlusion. The perfusion (dynamic susceptibility contrast), oxygenation, and CVR were compared. The MRI protocol conducted at 3T lasted approximately 1 h. Regions of interest measures on maps were delineated on segmented gray matter (GM) of middle cerebral artery territories. We have shown that decreased CVR is spatially associated with decreased CMRO2 in GM of patients with SIAS. Further, the degree of ipsilateral CVR reduction was well‐correlated with the amplitude of the CMRO2 deficit. The altered CMRO2 suggests the presence of a moderate ischemia explained by both a decrease in perfusion and in CVR. CVR and mqBOLD method may be helpful in the selection of patients with SIAS to advocate for medical therapy or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty‐stenting. Hum Brain Mapp 36:695–706, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generational jeopardy? Parents' marital transitions and the provision of financial transfers to adult children.

OBJECTIVES Transitions into and out of marriage are becoming more commonplace among persons in middle and later life. We assess the extent to which parental marital transitions influence inter vivos financial transfers to adult children at the family level. METHODS Panel data from 6,017 households with adult children in the 1992-1998 waves of the Health and Retirement Study are analyzed in this study. RESULTS Net of familial characteristics, those families experiencing a parental marriage were less likely than stably married households to make a financial transfer to an adult child. The effects of divorce or widowhood were modest. Divorce was associated with a slight increase in the probability of providing a transfer. Widowhood was associated with a slight increase in the total amount transferred to children. DISCUSSION The study adds weight to the growing argument that marital transitions may alter intergenerational exchanges. The results prompt us to further question how broader demographic and marriage patterns will influence relationships between parents and children in aging societies.
Rectifier properties of canine papillary muscle.

1. The membrane properties of canine papillary muscle were investigated using a sucrose gap and glass microelectrodes.2. Replacement of chloride by large anions had little effect on the resting potential but reduced the resting membrane conductance by 30%. It was suggested that the chloride permeability remained almost unchanged when the membrane was hyperpolarized.3. When a constant hyperpolarizing current was passed across the membrane, the membrane conductance fell slowly to a certain level, and returned to its initial level in a few seconds after the end of the current.4. Similar changes in conductance during hyperpolarization were also observed in chloride-deficient or sodium-deficient solution.5. Conditioning hyperpolarization greatly affected the magnitude and the time course of the electrotonic potential produced by the second pulse of hyperpolarizing current, whereas conditioning depolarization had little effect.6. The region of high resistance in the current-voltage relation extended to more negative potentials in 1.34mm [K] 0 than in 2.68mm [K] 0.7. The current-voltage relations both in 0.27mm [K] 0 and in glycerolhypertonic solution showed persistently high resistance at any membrane potential investigated (from-50mV to-150mV). The slow potential change during hyperpolarization disappeared in these solutions.8. The results are interpreted as indicating that:(a) A delayed rectifier system for potassium current exists in the potential region more negative than the resting potential. (b) The potassium permeability of canine papillary muscle rises when potassium ions move inward across the membrane and falls when they move outward (anomalous rectification).