Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technical Note: Validation of Odin/SMR limb observations of ozone, comparisons with OSIRIS, POAM III, ground-based and balloon-borne instruments

The Odin satellite carries two instruments capable of determining stratospheric ozone profiles by limb sounding: the Sub-Millimetre Radiometer (SMR) and the UV-visible spectrograph of the OSIRIS (Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System) instrument. A large number of ozone profiles measurements were performed during six years from November 2001 to present. This ozone dataset is here used to make quantitative comparisons with satellite measurements in order to assess the quality of the Odin/SMR ozone measurements. In a first step, we compare Swedish SMR retrievals version 2.1, French SMR ozone retrievals version 222 (both from the 501.8 GHz band), and the OSIRIS retrievals version 3.0, with the operational version 4.0 ozone product from POAM III (Polar Ozone Atmospheric Measurement). In a second step, we refine the Odin/SMR validation by comparisons with ground-based instruments and balloon-borne observations. We use observations carried out within the framework of the Network for Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) and balloon flight missions conducted by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Laboratoire de Physique et de Chimie de l'Environnement (LPCE, Orleans, France), and the Service d'Aeronomie (SA, Paris, France). Coincidence criteria were 5° in latitude x in 10° longitude, and 5 h in time in Odin/POAM III comparisons, 12 h in Odin/NDACC comparisons, and 72 h in Odin/balloons comparisons. An agreement is found with the POAM III experiment (10–60 km) within -0.3±0.2 ppmv (bias±standard deviation) for SMR (v222, v2.1) and within -0.5±0.2 ppmv for OSIRIS (v3.0). Odin ozone mixing ratio products are systematically slightly lower than the POAM III data and show an ozone maximum lower by 1–5 km in altitude. The comparisons with the NDACC data (10–34 km for ozonesonde, 10–50 km for lidar, 10–60 for microwave instruments) yield a good agreement within -0.15±0.3 ppmv for the SMR data and -0.3±0.3 ppmv for the OSIRIS data. Finally the comparisons with instruments on large balloons (10–31 km) show a good agreement, within -0.7±1 ppmv.
Phylogenetic Study of H5 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Wild Birds in Poland in 2010−2015

Abstract Introduction: The genomes of nine H5 subtypes of low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) strains identified in wild birds in Poland between 2010 and 2015 were sequenced, and their phylogenetic relationship was determined. Material and Methods: AIV genome segments were amplified by RT-PCR and the PCR products were sequenced using Sanger method. Phylogenetic trees were generated in MEGA6 software and digital genotyping approach was used to visualise the relationship between analysed strains and other AIVs. Results: High genetic diversity was found in the analysed strains as multiple subgroups were identified in phylogenetic trees. In the HA tree, Polish strains clustered in two distinct subclades. High diversity was found for PB2, PB1, PA and NP, since 5-8 sublineages could be distinguished. Each strain had a different gene constellation, although relationship of as much as six out of eight gene segments was observed between two isolates. A relationship with poultry isolates was found for at least one segment of each Polish strain. Conclusion: The genome configuration of tested strains indicates extensive reassortment, although the preference for specific gene constellation could be noticed. A significant relationship with isolates of poultry origin underlines the need for constant monitoring of the AIV gene pool circulating in the natural reservoir.
Making Sense of Consciousness as Integrated Information: Evolution and Issues of IIT

The purpose of this article is to provide an overall critical appraisal of Integrated Information Theory(IIT) of consciousness. We explore how it has evolved and what problems are involved in the theory. IIT is a hypothesis that consciousness can be explained in terms of integrated information. It argues that a number of fundamental properties of experience can be properly analyzed and explained by physical systems' informational properties. Throughout the last decade, there have been many advances in IIT's theoretical structure and mathematical model. In addition, like all hypotheses in the field of science of consciousness, IIT has given rise to several controversies and issues. In this context, a critical survey for IIT is urgently needed. To this end, we first introduce fundamental concepts of IIT and related issues. Thereafter, we discuss major transitions IIT has been through and point out related intra-model issues. Finally, in the last section, some theoretical, extra-model issues involved in IIT's principles are presented. The article concludes by suggesting that, for the sake of future development, IIT should more seriously take metacognitive accessibility to experience.
Backscatter Sensing by Inference from Randomized Transmissions

Backscatter sensors have emerged to be a promising solution for enabling Smart Cities due to their simple hardware and support of wireless power transfer. However, given limited signal processing capabilities, the sensors cannot support complex algorithms and their multiple access has to rely on the primitive ALOHA random access without any channel knowledge. Then the key challenge in designing backscatter sensor networks is to enable readers to accurately detect sensing values given random access. We tackle this challenge by proposing the novel framework of backscatter sensing featuring random encoding at sensors and statistical inference at readers. Specifically, assuming the on/off keying for backscatter transmissions, the practical random encoding scheme causes the on/off transmission of a sensor to follow a distribution parameterized by the sensing values. Given the scheme, matching statistical inference algorithms are designed to enable a reader to infer sensing values from randomized transmissions by multiple sensors. The specific design procedure involves the construction of Bayesian networks, namely deriving conditional distributions for relating unknown parameters and variables to signals observed by the reader. Then based on the Bayesian networks and the expectation-maximization principle, inference algorithms are derived to recover sensing values.
The Hamburg/ESO R-process Enhanced Star survey (HERES) - X. HE 2252−4225, one more r-process enhanced and actinide-boost halo star

Context. Studies of the r-process enhanced stars are important for understanding the nature and origin of the r-process better. Aims. We present a detailed abundance analysis of a very metal-poor giant star discovered in the HERES project, HE 2252–4225, which exhibits overabundances of the r-process elements with [r/Fe] =+ 0.80. Methods. We determined the stellar atmosphere parameters, Teff = 4710 K, log g = 1.65, and [Fe/H] = −2.63, and chemical abundances by analysing the high-quality VLT/UVES spectra. The surface gravity was calculated from the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) ionisation balance between Fe i and Fe ii. Results. Accurate abundances for a total of 38 elements, including 22 neutron-capture elements beyond Sr and up to Th, were determined in HE 2252−4225. For every chemical species, the dispersion in the single line measurements around the mean does not exceed 0.12 dex. This object is deficient in carbon, as expected for a giant star with Teff < 4800 K. The stellar Na–Zn abundances are well fitted by the yields of a single supernova of 14.4 M� . For the neutron-capture elements in the Sr–Ru, Ba–Yb, and Os–Ir regions, the abundance pattern of HE 2252−4225 is in excellent agreement with the average abundance pattern of the strongly r-process enhanced stars CS 22892-052, CS 31082-001, HE 1219-0312, and HE 1523-091. This suggests a common origin of the first, second, and third r-process peak elements in HE 2252−4225 in the classical r-process. We tested the solar r-process pattern based on the most recent s-process calculations of Bisterzo, Travaglio, Gallino, Wiescher, and Kappeler and found that elements in the range from Ba to Ir match it very well. No firm conclusion can be drawn about the relationship between the first neutron-capture peak elements, Sr to Ru, in HE 2252−4225 and the solar r-process, owing to the uncertainty in the solar r-process. The investigated star has an anomalously high Th/Eu abundance ratio, so that radioactive dating results in a stellar age of τ = 1.5 ± 1.5 Gyr that is not expected for a very metal-poor halo star.
Reflection through Inner Presence: A Sensitising Concept for Design

Although our embodied dimension has been recognised as a generative source of imagination through movement and gesture, the notion of the body as a generator of more symbolic and descriptive expressions of knowledge remains mostly unexplored in human-computer interaction (HCI). This theoretical paper introduces the sensitising concept of reflection through inner presence, in contrast to reflection in action, as a way to differentiate two modes of embodied reflection generating distinct types of materials for design ideation, inspiration, and information. The relevance of this distinction, and the recognition of inner presence in somatic-oriented design, appears as a way to fill the gap of the reported elusiveness in the description of inner experience for design use. Different than design approaches that use reflection in action, reflection through inner presence generates detailed accounts of somatic and aesthetic qualities, which can be potentially incorporated into the design of artefacts.
Low Cost broadband stacked circular microstrip antenna

A broadband circular microstrip antenna is developed using a stacked configuration to cater for 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi applications. The antenna is designed using one circular patch at the bottom and two circular patches at the top are inverted and stacked to achieve broad bandwidth. FR4 substrate is used to print top circular patches in order to keep its cost low. A metallic cavity is used to support and enclose the antenna. One bottom and two top circular patch stacked antenna configuration is simulated and results are compared for antenna without cavity and for antenna with cavity. An overall bandwidth of 36 percent from 1.8 GHz to 2.6 GHz with peak gain of 11.5 dBi with less than 0.5 dB variation over the desired band from 1.9 GHz to 2.5 GHz is obtained.
Intra Partum Resuscitation Of Fetal Distress With Low Dose Isoxsuprine Hydrochloride Infusion With Increased Drop Rate: An Observational Study

Aim: To study the efficacy of Lowdose Isoxsuprine Hydrochloride infusion with increased drop rate in the management of Intrapartum Fetal distress. Background: Hypotension and tachycardia are the commonest side effects of beta agonist drugs when used as tocolytic agents. Rapid infusion of isotonic fluids is the treatment when such hypotension develops. Low dose Isoxsuprene HCL drip with increased drop rate within the cardiovascular reserve counters hypotension and also helps to improve the uteroplacental perfusion. Methods: Twenty three women with singleton pregnancies were studied. Instead of routinely given 40mgs (4amps) of Isoxsuprine Hydrochloride in 500 ml 5% dextrose saline 40 drops/min (delivers 200 micro grms/min), we have given 10 mgs (1amp) of Isoxsuprine Hcl in 500ml dextrose saline 160 drops/min i.e. one fourth dose of the drug with 4 times increased drop rate of infusion, delivering the same dose (200 mcg /min) of the drug. Maternal pulse rate and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were recorded at 0min, 5min, and 10min and at 1hour. Results: Effective tocolysis with restoration of normal uterine activity and with rapid recovery of fetal heart abnormalities within 15min was observed in 11 women. In 12 women effective resuscitation of fetal distress but with persistent residual uterine activity was observed. There was a fall of only 3mmHg in mean SBP between 0 and 5min. After this, the mean SBP was maintained between 112 and 109 mmHg throughout the procedure. The mean pulse rate rose by 12/min between 0 and 5min. After this, the mean pulse rate was maintained between 104 and 107/min throughout the procedure. By ANOVA test no statistically significant difference was observed in both SBP (P.0.067) and pulse rate (P.0.066) between the groups and within the groups. Conclusion: This low dose Isoxsuprene hydrochloride drip with increased drop rate is safe and effective tocolytic technique and helps to resuscitate the fetus in utero. This helps the obstetrician to buy golden minutes to organize definitive measures.
Mobile Data Offloading Efficiency: A Stochastic Analytical View

In order to understand different offloading options in realistic network scenarios from a theoretical viewpoint, we develop in this paper a generic analytical framework for providing estimated gains of specific offloading regime. Simple closed-form approximations are derived to provide analytical evaluations in terms of offloading efficiency. By characterizing different offloading options in various priorities, we further propose a hierarchical mobile data offloading scheme. Such scheme allows for dynamic offloading onto alternative options, with particular concerns on priorities inherently associated to various offloading options. Numerical results further prove achievable performance gains with the enhanced mobile data offloading scheme.
A Differentially Driven Dual-Polarized High-Gain Stacked Patch Antenna

A differentially driven dual-polarized high-gain stacked patch antenna is presented in this letter. Two-layer stacked patches are adopted to increase the impedance bandwidth of the antenna. Each of the two stacked patches is inserted with four shorting posts for enhancing the antenna gain. To validate the proposed design, a prototype was meticulously fabricated and tested. The simulated and measured results of the antenna show fractional impedance bandwidths of greater than 19% for differential reflection coefficients less than −10 dB and a high isolation level between the two polarizations ($ \vert S_{dd21}\vert $ larger than 35 dB). The antenna gain of up to 11 dBi was also measured for the two ports. Furthermore, a good agreement of radiation patterns between simulation and measurement with the cross-polarization levels lower than −16 dB over the whole operating frequency band is achieved.
THE PSYCHOSOCIAL SITUATION OF ADULTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN IRAN

Background and objectives: Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are a new group of patients with a prevalence of 4 per 1000. They have evolved as a result of significant improvements in medical management during the past decades. However, adults with CHD experience various medical and social challenges that may influence their psychosocial functioning. Providing appropriate medical, rehabilitation and social care for adults with CHD, and indeed improving their well-being require the evaluation of their current psychosocial situation. This thesis aims to increase the understanding of the mental health, somatic symptoms, social support, style of coping, quality of life and life satisfaction of adults with CHD and to examine the possible contributing factors in the context of a developing country; issues not addressed in the current literature. Methods: This thesis is based on four studies. Study I recruited 347 consecutive CHD patients (18-64 years) from two heart hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The study is cross-sectional and focused on sex differences in socio-economic status, lifestyle and medical characteristics of adults with CHD. Studies II, III and IV have a cross-sectional case-control design comparing the aforementioned CHD patients with 353 non-CHD participants, matched by sex and age. Outcome variables were anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms (Study II), styles of coping (Study III), and life satisfaction/quality of life (Study IV). The data were analysed with bivariate and multivariate methods. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to scrutinize the association of demographic/socio-economic variables, social support, mental health, and medical variables with the aforementioned outcome variables among adults with CHD (Studies II, III, IV). Results: Study I showed that women with CHD were more often married and had children and were less often employed, but had healthier behaviour compared to men. Even though most of the patients received regular medical
ePHoRt project : A telerehabilitation system for reeducation after hip replacement surgery

This project aims to develop a web-based system for the remote monitoring of rehabilitation exercises in patients after hip replacement surgery. The tool intends to facilitate and enhance the motor recovery, due to the fact that the patients will be able to perform the therapeutic movements at home and at any time. As in any case of rehabilitation program, the time required to recover is significantly diminished when the individual has the opportunity to practice the exercises regularly and frequently. However, the condition of such patients prohibits transportations to and from medical centres and many of them cannot afford a private physiotherapist. Thus, low-cost technologies will be used to develop the platform, with the aim to democratize its access. For instance, the motion capture system will be based on the Kinect camera that provides a good compromise between accuracy and price. The project will be divided into four main stages. First, the architecture of the web-based system will be designed. Three different user interfaces will be necessary: (i) one to record quantitative and qualitative data from the patient, (ii) another for the therapist consulting the patient’s performance and adapting the exercises accordingly, and (iii) for the physician having a medical supervision of the recovery process. Second, it will be essential to develop a module that performs an automatic assessment and validation of the rehabilitation activities, in order to provide a real-time feedback to the patient regarding the correctness of the executed movements. Third, we also intend to make use of a serious game and affective computing approaches, with the intention of motivating the user to perform the exercises for a sustainable period of time. Finally, an ergonomic study will be carried out, in order to evaluate the usability of the system.
Characterization of Atherosclerosis Formation in a Murine Model of Type IIa Human Familial Hypercholesterolemia

A murine genetic model of LDL-cholesterol- (LDL-C-) driven atherosclerosis, based on complete deficiencies of both the LDL-receptor (Ldlr−/−) and key catalytic component of an apolipoprotein B-edisome complex (Apobec1−/−), which converts apoB-100 to apoB-48, has been extensively characterized. These gene deficiencies allow high levels of apoB-100 to be present and inefficiently cleared, thus leading to very high levels of LDL-C in mice on a normal diet. Many key features of atherosclerotic plaques observed in human familial hypercholesterolemia are found in these mice as they are allowed to age through 72 weeks. The general characteristics include the presence of high levels of LDL-C in plasma and macrophage-related fatty streak formation in the aortic tree, which progressively worsens with age. More specifically, plaque found in the aortic sinuses contains a lipid core with relatively high numbers of macrophages and a smooth muscle cell α-actin- and collagen-containing cap, which thins with age. These critical features of plaque progression suggest that the Ldlr−/−/Apobec1−/− mouse line presents a superior model of LDL-C-driven atherosclerosis.
Genetic variability in the endemic bee Anthophora pauperata among wadis in the St Katherine Protectorate

The genetic diversity and spatial genetic population structure of the solitary bee Anthophora pauperata Walker 1871, a species endemic to St Katherine Protectorate, were studied by RAPD markers in seven wadis in the St Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai, Egypt. High levels of genetic diversity were found, mostly within rather than among wadis, but there were highly significant genetic differences among sites, unrelated to geographic distances between them. Reasons for these patterns may lie in the territoriality and mating behaviour of these bees.
UWB frequency reconfigurable patch antenna for cognitive radio applications

In this paper two ultra wide band frequency reconfigurable microstrip patch antennas for cognitive radio applications were designed. The proposed antenna designs consist of a rectangular patch with microstrip feed-line, and a partial ground plane. Slots were introduced in patch and ground plane to enhance the bandwidth. The radiating element of dimension 10.5mm×14mm (L×W) was placed on FR-4 epoxy dielectric substrate with relative permittivity of 4.4. The antennas have the same patch structure but different ground plane structures. Each of the antennas can operate in UWB (3.1GHz- 10.6 GHz) range and their corresponding sub bands. Switching from UWB to sub bands is enabled by PIN diodes placed in the horizontal slot(s) in the ground plane. HFSS has been used for designing the antennas and the simulated results show that the proposed antennas have a return loss greater than 10dB over the required bandwidth of operation.
Detection and recovery from camera bump during automated inspection of automobiles on an assembly line

This thesis details the steps taken to detect and compensate for camera bumps while performing part identification using VI at the BMW manufacturing plant and on the simulation testbed. For the system presented here to work, the user is required to record a video from the camera before the camera is bumped and one after the camera has been bumped. The premise behind the method suggested here is that the transformation between the background in the preand post-bump video will be equal to the transformation in the foreground. A Background extraction program is used to generate a background image from the preand post-bump videos. Feature tracking and matching is performed on the background images to find the transformation between them. This transformation is then applied to the templates extracted from the pre-bump video. An additional manual compensation step is needed in cases where the transformation in the background is not equal to the transformation in the foreground. The resultant transformation is applied to all the templates of the pre-bump video and VI is seen to successfully identify parts with sufficient accuracy.
Quadcopter control using onboard monocular camera for enriching remote laboratory facilities

We present the implementation of a visual localization and control system of a low cost quadcopter for an application in a remote electronic laboratory. The issues addressed are: environment exploration in remote laboratories, autonomous visual inspection of planar objects, and autonomous homing and landing. The localization system is composed of two complementary visual approaches: (i) a visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) system, and (ii) a homography-based localization system. We extend the application scenarios of the first system by allowing close range inspection of a planar electrical instrument and autonomous landing. Experiments conducted in a remote laboratory workspace are presented. They prove the performance of the proposed system in terms of real-time and robustness.