Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Classification of daily life odours with an electronic nose

With the potential development of a portable device capable and robust enough to detect different odours in mind and to help those who are not able to smell, this thesis focused on the development of a small electronic nose comprised of an array of four different sensors with dissimilar targets and sensitivities. The eletronic nose assembled contemplates an array of four gas sensors inside a gas chamber. Air is extracted from inside with an air pump. Sensor readings pass through and analog-to-digital converter and follow towards a single-board computer where they are collected and stored. Sampling methodology is controlled by the latter. A broad collection of daily life odours was selected to expose the technology to a quite complex set of odours as well as to challenge the discriminative capabilities of the electronic nose developed. Two different data scaling techniques were applied to the collected data: 0 to 1 normalization and logarithmic normalization. Dimensionality reduction was enabled by both PCA(Principal Component Analysis) and LDA(Linear Discriminant Analysis). From twenty-five samples from each odour collected, a 75-25% cross-validation methodology was applied. Twenty samples were picked randomly to serve as the training set and five as the testing set. PCA cumulative variance of the first five components is 96.50% for raw data, 98.20% for data scaled from 0 to 1 and almost 100.00% for logarithmic normalized data. Due to intrinsics of the algorithm, LDA first five discriminants amount to 99.80% of the dataset information, regardless of data status. Backpropagation Neural Network(BPNN) and Support Vector Machines(SVM) are the classifiers applied in this thesis. From the SVM results, an accuracy of 92.50% was obtained with raw data and 75.00% with data scaled 0 to 1. From PCA components, 85.00% accuracy on raw data was the best result. Logarithmic scaled data accomplished an accuracy of 34.90% for both data projection status. LDA discriminants achieved 92.50% of accuracy. Regarding BPNN accuracy results, classification with raw data achieved 40.00% and 82.50% with normalized data from 0 to 1. PCA components from raw data had an accuracy of 82.50%, 67.50% from data scaled 0 to 1 and 80.00% from logarithmic scaled data. ix
Heart rate variability and its association with mortality in prehospital trauma patients.

BACKGROUND Accurate prehospital triage of trauma patients is difficult, especially in mass casualty situations. Accordingly, the U.S. Military has initiated a program directed toward improving noninvasive prehospital triage algorithms based on available physiologic data. The purpose of this study was to assess heart rate variability and its association with mortality in prehospital trauma patients. METHODS Trauma patients without significant head injury requiring helicopter transport were identified from a retrospective research database. An equal number, unmatched sample of patients who lived were compared with those who died (n = 15 per group). All patients were transported to a single Level I urban trauma center. The primary independent variable was mortality. Patients with Abbreviated Injury Scale head scores >2 were excluded from the analysis, so that the effects seen were based on hemorrhagic shock. Age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS), blood pressure, pulse pressure, pulse, intubation rate, SpO2, mechanism of injury, transport time, and time of death after admission were recorded. R-waves from the first available 120 seconds of usable data were detected from normal electrocardiograms and heart rate variability was assessed. RESULTS Patients who died demonstrated a lower GCS (7.9 +/- 1.4 versus 14.4 +/- 0.2; p = 0.0001) and higher intubation rate (53% of patients who died versus 0% patients who lived). Pulse rate, arterial pressure, and SpO2 were not distinguishable statistically between groups (p = 0.08), but pulse pressure was lower in patients who died (39 +/- 3 versus 50 +/- 2 mm Hg; p = 0.01). Compared with patients who lived, those who died had lower normalized low-frequency (LF) power (42 +/- 6 versus 62 +/- 4 LFnu; p = 0.009), higher high-frequency (HF) power (42 +/- 3 versus 32 +/- 3 HFnu; p = 0.04) and higher HF-to-LF ratio (144 +/- 30 versus 62 +/- 11nu; p = 0.01). With absolute HF/LF adjusted for GCS, the intergroup variance accounted for by HF/LF was reduced to 6% (p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS Analysis of heart rate variability provides insight into adequacy of autonomic compensation to severe trauma. In our cohort of trauma patients, low pulse pressures coupled with relatively higher parasympathetic than sympathetic modulation characterized and separated patients who died versus patients who survived traumatic injuries when standard physiologic measurements are not different. These data do not suggest advantages of heart rate variability analysis over GCS scores, but suggest future possibilities for remote noninvasive triage of casualties when GCS scores are unattainable.
Competencies for Entry Into the Profession of Dental Hygiene (Approved by the 1999 House of Delegates)

This study was conducted to derive core and detailed competencies of dental hygienists to be utilized as educational targets to be reached by graduation as well as basic data that can be reflected in the development and improvement of dental hygiene curricula. This study analyzed publication reports from the Korean Dental Hygienists Association, the International Federation of Dental Hygienists, the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Dental Education Association. Based on the academic classification system for dental hygiene studies, the components of core and detailed competencies of dental hygiene school at the time of graduation were extracted and developed through expert panel discussions. This study defined competencies at the graduation level of dental hygiene school and derived eight core competencies and their 52 detailed competencies to serve as educational objectives from four areas: professionalism, communication, clinical practice, and community and health promotion. In the future, it will be necessary to conduct self-assessments of competencies based on those developed in this study, at time of the graduation from dental hygiene school, as well as to continuously develop competency-based curricula according to entry level, knowledge level, and graduation level. Thus, it is urgently necessary to develop a system that can evaluate the competencies of dental hygienists after graduation and put this system into practical use.
Controlling Queue Delay

Nearly three decades after it was first diagnosed, the "persistently full buffer problem" recently exposed as part of "bufferbloat", is still with us and made increasingly critical by two trends. First, cheap memory and a "more is better" mentality have led to the inflation and proliferation of buffers. Second, dynamically varying path characteristics are much more common today and are the norm at the consumer Internet edge. Reasonably sized buffers become extremely oversized when link rates and path delays fall below nominal values.
A note on air temperature and precipitation variability and extremes over Asmara: 1914–2015

Meteorological series (daily precipitation, minimum and maximum air temperature) for Asmara (Eritrea) for the last 100 years (1914–2015) are analysed. The data were quality‐controlled and homogenized using publicly available data from surrounding countries as well as newly recovered data from 12 stations in Eritrea. Overall, the Asmara data showed a consistent pattern and there were no outliers outside of four standard deviations from the corresponding reference. Climate indices were calculated using the program RClimDex. Overall, 8 indices for description of the air temperature data and 10 for precipitation data were calculated. The analyses of averages and indices reveal large climatic variations in the central highlands of Eritrea. The results indicate significant changes in air temperature since 1943, with daily minimum and maximum air temperature increasing at a similar rate of 0.22 and 0.19°C/decade, respectively. The diurnal air temperature range shows a non‐significant decreasing trend over the study period. No significant variation was found in the annual total and the seasonal precipitation over the last century. Significant trends were detected for some daily precipitation indices, although the lack of reference series prevents an evaluation of their reliability.
Geometrical effects on the thermoelectric properties of ballistic graphene antidot lattices

The thermoelectric properties of graphene-based antidot lattices are theoretically investigated. A third nearest-neighbor tight-binding model and a fourth nearest-neighbor force constant model are employed to study the electronic and phononic band structures of graphene antidot lattices with circular, rectangular, hexagonal, and triangular antidot shapes. Ballistic transport models are used to evaluate transport coefficients. Methods to reduce the thermal conductance and to increase the thermoelectric power factor of such structures are studied. Our results indicate that triangular antidot lattices have the smallest thermal conductance due to longer boundaries and the smallest distance between the neighboring antidots. Among them, iso-triangular antidot lattices have also a large power factor and as a result a large figure of merit.
Results of replantation of amputated fingertips in 450 patients.

Over a 15-year period (August, 1988 to May 2003), the authors have carried out 510 replantations of amputated fingertips distal to the nail base (zone I) in 450 patients, with a high overall survival rate (92 percent), using combinations of arterial and venous anastomoses without any alternative methods such as "pocketing. " Replantations that anastomosed only one artery (25 digits) had a success rate of 68 percent, one artery and one vein (115 digits) had a success rate of 82 percent, one artery and two veins (240 digits) had a success rate of 95 percent and more than two artery and vein anastomoses (130 digits), had a success rate of 99 percent. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 14 years and 432 patients were followed-up more than 6 months. In these latter patients, the average two-point discrimination was 7 mm.
Positive- and Negative-Sequence Current Controller With Direct Discrete-Time Pole Placement for Grid-Tied Converters With LCL Filter

Traditionally, the current control of grid-tied converters with LCL filter is based on proportional-resonant or proportional-integral controllers, which often need an additional active damping method to achieve stability. These solutions do not permit to place the closed-loop poles in convenient locations when dealing with such high-order plants. This constraint results in degraded reference-tracking and disturbance-rejection responses. On the other hand, the existing methods based on direct pole placement or other modern control strategies, do not control with zero steady-state error both positive and negative sequences of the grid current, but only the positive one. This limitation is undesirable under unbalanced grid conditions. This paper presents a current controller for grid-tied converters with LCL filters based on direct discrete-time pole placement. The proposed controller makes it possible to control both positive and negative sequences of the grid-side current with zero steady-state error. Contrarily to the classical resonant controllers, the closed-loop poles can be placed in convenient locations, yielding a fast response with negligible overshoot and low controller effort. Moreover, no additional damping methods of the resonance are necessary to achieve stable operation, regardless of the switching frequency and LCL filter used. Simulation and experimental results that validate the proposal are presented.
Impaired Clearance of Apoptotic Cells Induces the Activation of Autoreactive Anti-Sm Marginal Zone and B-1 B Cells 1

Since apoptotic cell Ags are thought to be a source of self-Ag in systemic lupus erythematosus, we have examined the role of apoptotic cells in the regulation and activation of B cells specific for Sm, a ribonucleoprotein targeted in human and murine lupus. Using Ig-transgenic mice that have a high frequency of anti-Sm B cells, we find that apoptotic cell injection induces a transient splenic B cell response, while simultaneously causing extensive splenic and peritoneal anti-Sm B cell death. In contrast, mice deficient in the clearance of apoptotic cells develop a chronic anti-Sm response beginning at 1–2 mo of age. These mice have expanded marginal zone and B-1 B cell populations and anti-Sm B cells of both types are activated to form Ab-secreting cells. This activation appears to be Ag-specific, suggesting that activation is due to increased availability of apoptotic cell Ags. Since marginal zone and B-1 cells are positively selected, these data suggest a loss of ignorance rather than a loss of tolerance.
Fear, Deposit Insurance Schemes, and Deposit Reallocation in the German Banking System

Recent regulatory initiatives such as the European Deposit Insurance Scheme propose a change in the coverage and backing of deposit insurances. An assessment of these proposals requires a thorough understanding of what drives depositors' withdrawal decisions. We show that Google searches for 'deposit insurance' and related strings reflect depositors' fears and help to predict deposit shifts in the German banking sector from private banks to fully guaranteed public banks. After the introduction of blanket state guarantees for all deposits in the German banking system this fear driven reallocation of deposits stopped. Our findings highlight that a heterogeneous insurance of deposits can lead to a sudden, fear induced reallocation of deposits endangering the stability of the banking sector even in absence of redenomination risks.
Materials in maxillofacial prosthetics.

Maxillofacial prosthetic materials are classified in two main groups: extraoral and intraoral prosthetic materials. Among extraoral prosthetic materials vinyl chloride polymers, poly (methyl methacrylate), silicone, and polyurethane are discussed for use in facial prosthetics. At present silicones and polyurethane materials are considered most desirable for their strength, even though both are somewhat difficult to color. Intraoral prosthetic materials include silicones, poly (methyl methacrylate), Tantalum, Ticonium, Vitallium, and Titanium mesh materials. Here again, silicone is particularly valued for its tissue tolerability. Metallic mesh materials have the advantage of permitting granulated tissue to migrate through the mesh. The criteria for ideal materials in maxillofacial prosthetics are as follows: extraoral prostheses should not irritate the surrounding tissues, yet it should be strong enough about the periphery to endure. It should be translucent, light weight, easy to process, and easy to manipulate prior to processing. It should be resistant to various chemicals such as ether, oil and to sunlight, heat, and cold. Implantable prosthetic materials must not be physically modified by the soft tissue; must not be capable of inciting inflammatory or foreign body reaction; must be chemically inert, noncarcinogenic, capable of resisting strain, easy to construct, and easy to sterilize. Progress toward meeting these criteria depends upon cooperation between laboratory and clinical researchers.
Hydrodynamic Performance of the Flippers of Large-bodied Cetaceans in Relation to Locomotor Ecology

Cetaceans evolved flippers that are unique in both size and shape probably due to selection pressures associated with foraging and body size. Flippers function as control surfaces for maneuverability and stability. Flippers of cetaceans and engineered hydrofoils are similar with streamlined cross-sections and wing-like planforms, which affect lift, drag and hydrodynamic efficiency. Scale models of the flippers from large-bodied (body length >6 m) cetaceans (fin whale, killer whale, sperm whale) were constructed from computed tomography (CT) scans of flippers. Flipper planforms were highly tapered for the fin whale, a rounded, paddle-like design for the killer whale, and a square geometry for the sperm whale. Hydrodynamic properties of the models at varying angles of attack (–40o to 40 o ) were determined in a water tunnel with a multi-axis load cell. The flippers were found to have hydrodynamic characteristics similar to engineered wings. Differences in flipper morphology of large-bodied cetaceans and their hydrodynamic performance are associated with the requirements of aquatic locomotion involved with ecology of the whales. The flippers of the killer whale provided the greatest maneuverability, whereas the flippers of the fin whale had low drag for lunging and the flippers of the sperm whale provided lift for diving. Cetaceans are characterized by a number of common features that are associated with hydrodynamic performance for swimming. These features include a streamlined, elongate body, propulsion by oscillation of wing-like caudal flukes, lack of external hindlimbs, and forelimbs that have been modified into flippers (Fish 1998b, 2004; Thewissen 1998; Reeves et al. 2002; Woodward et al. 2006; Sanchez and Berta 2010). The flippers function hydrodynamically as control surfaces that manipulate flow to generate forces for maneuverability, stability and maintenance of trim (Fish
A novel approach of RF MEMS resistive series switch for reconfigurable antenna

This paper gives the optimization approach for radio frequency microelectromechanical (RF MEMS) resistive series switch. The RF MEMS switches are used to reconfigure the RF circuits. There will be need to obtain the best value of switch parameters, which play an important role in electromagnetic circuitry. Further, this paper provides a novel parametric variation method by varying the physical dimensions to optimize the switch performance. The proposed switch exhibit pull-in response of 18 V. The insertion loss performance of switch is in the range of -0.1496 dB to -0.5172 dB at closed position and isolation is in the range of -73.9119 dB to -33.7987 dB at open position. The switch offer outstanding performance from 0.1 to 10 GHz frequency. The final designed resistive switch is then integrating on planar antenna to reconfigurable it at different frequencies, which supports wireless and mobile communication.
Hypermethylation of the non-imprinted maternal MEG3 and paternal MEST alleles is highly variable among normal individuals

Imprinted genes show parent-specific activity (functional haploidy), which makes them particularly vulnerable to epigenetic dysregulation. Here we studied the methylation profiles of oppositely imprinted genes at single DNA molecule resolution by two independent parental allele-specific deep bisulfite sequencing (DBS) techniques. Using Roche (GSJunior) next generation sequencing technology, we analyzed the maternally imprinted MEST promoter and the paternally imprinted MEG3 intergenic (IG) differentially methylated region (DMR) in fetal cord blood, adult blood, and visceral adipose tissue. Epimutations were defined as paternal or maternal alleles with >50% aberrantly (de)methylated CpG sites, showing the wrong methylation imprint. The epimutation rates (range 2–66%) of the paternal MEST and the maternal MEG3 IG DMR allele, which should be completely unmethylated, were significantly higher than those (0–15%) of the maternal MEST and paternal MEG3 alleles, which are expected to be fully methylated. This hypermethylation of the non-imprinted allele (HNA) was independent of parental origin. Very low epimutation rates in sperm suggest that HNA occurred after fertilization. DBS with Illumina (MiSeq) technology confirmed HNA for the MEST promoter and the MEG3 IG DMR, and to a lesser extent, for the paternally imprinted secondary MEG3 promoter and the maternally imprinted PEG3 promoter. HNA leads to biallelic methylation of imprinted genes in a considerable proportion of normal body cells (somatic mosaicism) and is highly variable between individuals. We propose that during development and differentiation maintenance of differential methylation at most imprinting control regions may become to some extent redundant. The accumulation of stochastic and environmentally-induced methylation errors on the non-imprinted allele may increase epigenetic diversity between cells and individuals.
SNX26, a GTPase-activating Protein for Cdc42, Interacts with PSD-95 Protein and Is Involved in Activity-dependent Dendritic Spine Formation in Mature Neurons*

Background: The role of SNX26, a brain-enriched RhoGAP, in mature neurons remains unknown. Results: SNX26 interacts with PSD-95 and regulates formation of dendritic spines. Conclusion: SNX26 has a role in the activity-dependent structural change of dendritic spines in mature neurons. Significance: Dynamic regulation of SNX26 plays a pivotal role in dendritic arborization of mature neurons. SNX26, a brain-enriched RhoGAP, plays a key role in dendritic arborization during early neuronal development in the neocortex. In mature neurons, it is localized to dendritic spines, but little is known about its role in later stages of development. Our results show that SNX26 interacts with PSD-95 in dendritic spines of cultured hippocampal neurons, and as a GTPase-activating protein for Cdc42, it decreased the F-actin content in COS-7 cells and in dendritic spines of neurons. Overexpression of SNX26 resulted in a GTPase-activating protein activity-dependent decrease in total protrusions and spine density together with dramatic inhibition of filopodia-to-spine transformations. Such effects of SNX26 were largely rescued by a constitutively active mutant of Cdc42. Consistently, an shRNA-mediated knockdown of SNX26 significantly increased total protrusions and spine density, resulting in an increase in thin or stubby type spines at the expense of the mushroom spine type. Moreover, endogenous expression of SNX26 was shown to be bi-directionally modulated by neuronal activity. Therefore, we propose that in addition to its key role in neuronal development, SNX26 also has a role in the activity-dependent structural change of dendritic spines in mature neurons.
Object recognition using shape growth pattern

This paper proposes a preprocessing stage to augment the bank of features that one can retrieve from binary images to help increase the accuracy of pattern recognition algorithms. To this end, by applying successive dilations to a given shape, we can capture a new dimension of its vital characteristics which we term hereafter: the shape growth pattern (SGP). This work investigates the feasibility of such a notion and also builds upon our prior work on structure preserving dilation using Delaunay triangulation. Experiments on two public data sets are conducted, including comparisons to existing algorithms. We deployed two renowned machine learning methods into the classification process (i.e., convolutional neural network-CNN- and random forests-RF-) since they perform well in pattern recognition tasks. The results show a clear improvement of the proposed approach's classification accuracy (especially for data sets with limited training samples) as well as robustness against noise when compared to existing methods.