Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-located triangulation for damage position identification from a single SHM node

A fundamental limitation for current Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems is the need for distributed synchronous sensors to determine precise damage location using traditional triangulation methods. Accuracy is dictated by sensor density (quantity and proximity), which drives complexity, weight and cost to resolve reliable position. This paper introduces a patent-pending real-time method to predict accurate damage location from a single SHM node. This co-located triangulation method consists of novel sensors, algorithms and hardware to achieve a significantly more efficient means of localizing damage. Results are presented for proof-of-concept experiments on an aluminum plate using guided waves, as well as theoretical accuracy and limitations for the method. Finally, a description of a prototype under development is presented. SHM technology will be critical to reducing the overall cost of ownership for air and spacecraft, and the present research could play an important role in implementing such a system feasibly, practically and efficiently.
Health Effects of Managed Care Among the Near-Elderly

Objectives: The authors evaluate whether enrolling in a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) affects the health of adults ages 55 to 64, relative to fee-for-service plans. Methods: A nationwide random sample of 4,044 adults with employer-sponsored health insurance is drawn from the 1994 to 2000 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Multinomial logit regressions are estimated for self-reported general health status, first using a sample of all near-elders, then using subsamples of near-elders with and without longstanding chronic health conditions. The possibility of selection bias into managed care plans is considered and explicitly addressed in model estimation. Results: We find no ill effects of HMOs on health status, and older adults with a history of chronic health conditions actually fare better upon enrolling in these plans. Discussion: More research is needed to understand the reasons for the observed beneficial effects of managed care.
Casein Hydrolysate Containing the Antihypertensive Tripeptides Val-Pro-Pro and Ile-Pro-Pro Improves Vascular Endothelial Function Independent of Blood Pressure–Lowering Effects: Contribution of the Inhibitory Action of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme

Accumulating evidence shows that deterioration of vascular endothelial function underlies the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases following lifestyle-related diseases. Both Val-Pro-Pro (VPP) and Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP), which are tripeptides derived from proteolytic hydrolysate of milk casein, inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), suggesting that both VPP and IPP may improve vascular endothelial function, because many ACE inhibitors are known to improve endothelial function. We investigated the effects of ACE-inhibitory food component in humans with mild hypertension, since there has been no report on such effects. The study was conducted by the placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover method in 25 male subjects with mild hypertension. After casein hydrolysate containing both VPP and IPP were administered for 1 week, reactive hyperemia of the left upper forearm was measured using plethysmography as an index of vascular endothelial function. Since one subject dropped out, we analyzed the data of 24 subjects. The reactive hyperemia of the left upper forearm was produced by a 5 min occlusion using inflation of a cuff. The maximum blood flow during reactive hyperemia was 20.8±6.7 mL/min/100 mL tissue in the placebo group, whereas it increased remarkably to 30.0±10.4 mL/min/100 mL tissue in the group administered casein hydrolysate containing both VPP and IPP (p<0.001). There was no change in systemic blood pressure, indicating that the improvement of the vascular endothelial function attributable to VPP and IPP is independent of hemodynamic changes. We conclude that casein hydrolysate containing VPP and IPP improves the vascular endothelial dysfunction in subjects with mild hypertension. The continuous intake of VPP and IPP could help to prevent cardiovascular diseases in hypertensive subjects.
Research on Automatic Parking Systems Based on Parking Scene Recognition

As a key component of intelligent vehicle technology, automatic parking technology has become a popular research topic. Automatic parking technology can complete parking operations safely and quickly without a driver and can improve driving comfort, while greatly reducing the probability of parking accidents. An automatic parking system based on parking scene recognition is proposed in this paper to resolve the following issues with existing automatic parking systems: parking scene recognition methods are less intelligent, vehicle control has a low degree of automation, and the research scope is limited to traditional fuel vehicles. To increase the utilization of parking spaces and parking convenience, machine vision and pattern recognition techniques are introduced to intelligently recognize a vertical parking scenario, plan a reasonable parking path, develop a path tracking control strategy to improve the vehicle control automation, and explore a highly intelligent automatic parking technology roadmap. This paper gives three key aspects of system solutions for an automatic parking system based on parking scene recognition: parking scene recognition, parking path planning, and path tracking and control.
Finite sets in homotopy type theory

We study different formalizations of finite sets in homotopy type theory to obtain a general definition that exhibits both the computational facilities and the proof principles expected from finite sets. We use higher inductive types to define the type K(A) of "finite sets over type A" à la Kuratowski without assuming that K(A) has decidable equality. We show how to define basic functions and prove basic properties after which we give two applications of our definition. On the foundational side, we use K to define the notions of "Kuratowski-finite type" and "Kuratowski-finite subobject", which we contrast with established notions, e.g. Bishop-finite types and enumerated types. We argue that Kuratowski-finiteness is the most general and flexible one of those and we define the usual operations on finite types and subobjects. From the computational perspective, we show how to use K(A) for an abstract interface for well-known finite set implementations such as tree- and list-like data structures. This implies that a function defined on a concrete finite sets implementation can be obtained from a function defined on the abstract finite sets K(A) and that correctness properties are inherited. Hence, HoTT is the ideal setting for data refinement. Beside this, we define bounded quantification, which lifts a decidable property on A to one on K(A).
Integrating the perspectives of individuals with spinal cord injuries, their family caregivers and healthcare professionals from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration: protocol for a scoping study on SCI needs

Introduction There is fragmented information about the different needs following a spinal cord injury (SCI). Expressed SCI needs can be met or unmet, they change along the rehabilitation continuum (eg, acute, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community) and can be different for traumatic and non traumatic SCI. The general objective of this scoping study is to evaluate and integrate the needs of individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI, their family caregivers and those reported by rehabilitation professionals from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration. The specific objectives are to: (A) synthesise the needs of individuals with SCI as perceived by themselves, their family caregivers and rehabilitation professionals using two theoretical models, (B) classify needs as met and unmet, (C) explore the evolution of met/unmet needs from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration and (D) provide recommendations to improve SCI care. Methods and analysis (A) identifying the most frequent met and unmet needs reported by adults with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI, their family caregivers and their rehabilitation professionals from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration; (B) identifying relevant studies with a search in electronic databases; (C) charting the data based on categories refined and adjusted with a stakeholder group; (D) collating, summarising and reporting the results using two analytical frameworks (Maslow's hierarchical model of human needs and the Ferrans et al's model of health-related quality of life) and (E) a stakeholder consultation phase. Ethics and dissemination The results of this scoping study will allow understanding SCI needs from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration from the perspective of different stakeholders. An integrated master report combining the needs of individuals with SCI from the perspectives of different stakeholders from the time of rehabilitation admission to community reintegration will follow the consultation meetings.
Measurement of Erythropoiesis using 52Fe

Summary A method for determining erythropoiesis quantitatively with 52Fe has been applied to 25 patients with anaemia. The data were derived from quantitative scanning of the erythropoietic areas and the measurement of the plasma iron turnover. We have assessed this 52Fe measurement of erythropoiesis by comparing it with total marrow iron turnover studies. Both methods give similar estimates of erythropoiesis except in patients with severe ineffective erythropoiesis and in a patient with significant peripheral haemolysis, when erythropoiesis as measured with the 52Fe technique gave higher results. In these conditions, the estimate of total erythropoiesis might be more reliable using the 52Fe quantitative scanning technique. However, the measurement of erythropoiesis with 52Fe does not distinguish effective from ineffective erythropoiesis and cannot be applied to patients with extramedullary erythropoiesis.
Non-performing loans and bank efficiencies: an application of the input distance function approach

Abstract This study tries to investigate how non-performing loans (NPL) affect Taiwanese commercial banks. We employ the input distance function approach to find the frontier of production possibility set and then apply the envelope theorem to calculate the shadow prices of NPL. The shadow price of NPL is the marginal cost of reducing NPL when banks are operating on the production frontier. Empirical results show that public banks have to spend more resources than private banks to cut NPL and both types of banks follow the similar trend through time. Compared to those established before deregulation, banks established after deregulation need almost 2.5 times more resources to reduce one unit of NPL. The marginal costs of reducing NPL for banks established before and after deregulation appear reverse trends during 1999–2001. Furthermore, Taiwanese commercial banks in average could increase their technical efficiencies by 34.57 percent provided that all banks operated on the production frontier.
( AISeL ) All Sprouts Content Sprouts 1130-2009 A Design Process for Process-based Knowledge Management Systems

In order to gain sustainable competitive advantage in todayâs knowledge economy, organizations are looking beyond routine transactional workflow processes to support knowledge-intensive processes. Traditional business process management systems are effective in providing coordination support, but are not geared towards providing relevant knowledge support as well. Also, knowledge management systems are used in an ad hoc manner without explicitly linking them to the underlying organizational processes. Process-based knowledge management (PKM) systems have emerged as a potential solution to support knowledge-intensive processes. However, design guidelines for developing PKM systems are minimal. This paper highlights this research problem, identifies kernel theories governing the design and development of PKM systems, and synthesizes various kernel theories to propose a comprehensive design theory for PKM systems. Feasibility and a comparative evaluation of the proposed design theory are also discussed.
Corporate marketing: apocalypse, advent and epiphany

Purpose – Corporate marketing is a marketing and management paradigm which synthesises practical and theoretical insights from corporate image and reputation, corporate identity, corporate communications and corporate branding, among other corporate‐level constructs. The purpose of this paper is to explain the nature and relevance of corporate marketing and to detail the antecedents of the territory.Design/methodology/approach – Via the adoption of a quadrivium; a traditional classical approach to the acquisition of knowledge, the paper shows how organisations can be faced by Apocalyptical scenarios through a failure to accord sufficient attention to one or more dimensions of the corporate marketing mix; explains why the emergence of corporate level constructs such as corporate image, identity, branding communications and reputation represents, both individually and collectively, the Advent of corporate marketing; details the various integrative initiatives in corporate design, corporate communications an.
A low-cost WDM source with an ASE injected Fabry-Perot semiconductor laser

We propose and demonstrate a novel wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) source employing an uncooled and unisolated Fabry-Perot semiconductor laser diode (F-P SLD). The output wavelength of F-P SLD is locked to the externally injected narrow-band amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). The measured side-mode suppression ratio of the wavelength-locked F-P SLD is larger than 29 dB, when the extinction ratio of the directly modulated light output is above 13 dB. We achieved error-free transmission of 155-Mb/s data over 120 km of nondispersion-shifted fiber. We also propose a cost-effective WDM passive optical network architecture based on the proposed light sources.
QUANTUM COMPUTATION AND SWARM INTELIGENCE APPLIED IN THE OPTIMIZATION OF IDENTIFICATION OF ACCIDENTS IN A PWR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

This work presents the results of a performance evaluation study of the quantum based algorithms, QEA (Quantum Inspired Evolutionary Algorithm) and QSE (Quantum Swarm Evolutionary), when applied to the transient identification optimization problem of a nuclear power station operating at 100% of full power. For the sake of evaluation of the algorithms 3 benchmark functions were used. When compared to other similar optimization methods QEA showed that it can be an efficient optimization tool, not only for combinatorial problems but also for numerical problems, particularly for complex problems as the identification of transients in a nuclear power station.
Physical Activities Monitoring Using Wearable Acceleration Sensors Attached to the Body

Monitoring physical activities by using wireless sensors is helpful for identifying postural orientation and movements in the real-life environment. A simple and robust method based on time domain features to identify the physical activities is proposed in this paper; it uses sensors placed on the subjects’ wrist, chest and ankle. A feature set based on time domain characteristics of the acceleration signal recorded by acceleration sensors is proposed for the classification of twelve physical activities. Nine subjects performed twelve different types of physical activities, including sitting, standing, walking, running, cycling, Nordic walking, ascending stairs, descending stairs, vacuum cleaning, ironing clothes and jumping rope, and lying down (resting state). Their ages were 27.2 ± 3.3 years and their body mass index (BMI) is 25.11 ± 2.6 Kg/m2. Classification results demonstrated a high validity showing precision (a positive predictive value) and recall (sensitivity) of more than 95% for all physical activities. The overall classification accuracy for a combined feature set of three sensors is 98%. The proposed framework can be used to monitor the physical activities of a subject that can be very useful for the health professional to assess the physical activity of healthy individuals as well as patients.
An analysis of special education teachers' overall sense of efficacy beliefs and attitudes toward co-taught classrooms

For more than two decades, teacher efficacy has been identified as being crucial for improving educational reform, teacher education, teachers' teaching behaviors, and teachers' attitudes toward inclusive schooling. This study utilized the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001), the Scale of Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusive Classrooms (STATIC) (Cochran, 1998) and demographic information to investigate the levels of teacher efficacy beliefs and attitudes toward inclusion of 123 special education teachers involved in co-taught education classrooms in 10 school districts across North Carolina. School levels and several predictor variables were examined to determine the influence they had on teacher efficacy beliefs and teachers' attitudes toward inclusion. Results revealed that (a) there was no significant difference between school levels and TSES and STATIC overall scores; (b) the number of hours of professional development in inclusive practices was a significant predictor for TSES and STATIC overall scores and four subscale scores (instructional strategies, classroom management, professional issues and logistical concerns); and (c) years experience teaching in co-taught classes was a significant predictor of classroom management. Additional analyses revealed the strength of relationship between the TSES and STATIC overall scores were stronger for special education teachers who had 0-3 years and more than 10 years of experience co-teaching. The relationship between the TSES and STATIC overall scores were weaker for special education teachers who had 4-10 years of teaching experience in co-taught classrooms. Overall results indicate a strong sense of efficacy and attitudes toward inclusive classes among North Carolina special education teachers involved in co-teaching.
The application of bionic wavelet transform to speech signal processing in cochlear implants using neural network simulations

Cochlear implants (CIs) restore partial hearing to people with severe to profound sensorineural deafness; but there is still a marked performance gap in speech recognition between those who have received cochlear implant and people with a normal hearing capability. One of the factors that may lead to this performance gap is the inadequate signal processing method used in CIs. This paper investigates the application of an improved signal-processing method called bionic wavelet transform (BWT). This method is based upon the auditory Model,and. allows for signal processing. Comparing the neural network simulations on the same experimental materials processed by wavelet transform (WT) and BWT, the application of BWT to speech signal processing in CI has a number of advantages, including: improvement in recognition rates for both consonants and vowels, reduction of the number of required channels, reduction of the average stimulation duration for words, and high noise tolerance. Consonant recognition results in 15 normal hearing subjects show that the BWT produces significantly better performance than the WT (t=-4.36276, p=0.00065). The BWT has great potential to reduce the performance gap between CI listeners and people with a normal hearing capability in the future.
Current Account Solvency and the Feldstein--Horioka Puzzle

In this paper, the authors suggest an alternative explanation of the high cross-section association between shares of saving and investment in GDP which M. Feldstein and C. Horioka (1980) interpret as evidence of low capital mobility. In OECD countries, saving and investment shares appear to be integrated of order one. The authors show that a solvency constraint implies that the current balance is stationary and, thus, that saving and investment cointegrate with a unit coefficient irrespective of the degree of capital mobility. It is this long-run relation that the Feldstein-Horioka cross-section regression captures. Econometric results for twenty-three OECD countries over the 1960-92 period are consistent with this explanation. Copyright 1996 by Royal Economic Society.
Deregulated LAP2α expression in cervical cancer associates with aberrant E2F and p53 activities

Lamina‐associated polypeptide 2 alpha (LAP2α) plays a role in maintaining nuclear structure, in nuclear assembly/disassembly, and in transcriptional regulation. Elevated LAP2α mRNA expression has been previously reported to associate with certain cancer types. The aim of this study was to investigate LAP2α expression in cervical cancer and transformed cells and to identify factors that associate with its differential expression. LAP2α expression was found to be elevated in cervical cancer tissue by microarray, qRT‐PCR, and immunofluorescence analyses. LAP2α also showed elevated expression in cervical cancer cell lines and in transformed fibroblasts compared with normal cells. To determine factors associated with elevated LAP2α in cervical cancer, the effect of inhibiting HPV E7 and E6 oncoproteins was investigated. E7 inhibition resulted in a decrease in phosphorylated Rb and an associated decrease in LAP2α, suggesting a role for E2F in regulating LAP2α expression. This finding was confirmed by inhibiting DP1, a co‐activator of E2F, which resulted in decreased LAP2α levels. Inhibition of E6 resulted in elevated p53 and an associated decrease in LAP2α, suggesting that p53 associates with the negative regulation of LAP2α expression. This hypothesis was tested by inhibiting p53 in normal cells, and a resultant increase in LAP2α expression was observed. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for elevated LAP2α expression in cervical cancer and suggests that E2F and p53 activities associate with the positive and negative regulation of LAP2α expression, respectively. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(11): 1018–1026, 2011
The preparation of specific immune sera against type 3 poliovirus D-antigen and C-antigen and the demonstration of two C-antigenic components in vaccine strain populations.

Animals were immunized with purified D-antigen or C-antigen of type 3 poliovirus to produce specific antisera which were used to analyse the antigenic characteristics of the progeny virus in harvests from poliovirus type 3-infected cells. An examination of the virus progeny present at 24 h p.i. of cells with Sabin type 3 vaccine strain virus revealed a large population of particles sedimenting at a slightly lower rate (130S) than infectious virus (155S) in addition to slowly sedimenting (80S) empty capsids. Such 130S particles were not detected in the progeny from cells infected with strains genetically unrelated to the Sabin vaccine strains. They were non-infectious, contained RNA in an RNase-resistant form unless heated, and lacked the virion protein VP4. They expressed C-antigen rather than the D-antigen of infectious virus, and, therefore, had the properties previously described for poliovirus particles eluted from cells. The amount of incorporation of radio-isotope into the proteins or nucleic acids of such particles varied from 15 to 20% to 300% of the amount incorporated into infectious virus depending on the cells and virus strains studied. Virus strains genetically related to Sabin type 3 vaccine virus which were isolated from cases of paralytic poliomyelitis produced the particles in either low or undetectable quantities.