Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Dynamic Algorithm for Submodular Maximization with a Knapsack Constraint

Submodular maximization is a fundamental problem in computer science theory, as well as occupies a significant place in machine learning and data mining applications, including influence maximization in social networks, recommendation systems, exemplar-based clustering, viral marketing, and data summarization. In this paper, we study this classic problem under a knapsack constraint in a fully dynamic setting. Given a stream of arbitrary interleaved element insertions and deletions, the dynamic setting requires a solution quickly after each update. By adopting repeated sampling, threshold greedy and filtering technique, our algorithm achieves an approximation ratio of 1/3 for monotone submodular objective function, with polylogarithmic amortized update time. We extensively evaluate the performance of our algorithm against the existing work in two applications including maximum coverage and movie recommendation. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our algorithm.
An Empirical Study of Factors Influencing the Intention to Use Robo-Advisors

Artificial intelligence-based investment services (robo-advisors) are becoming increasingly commercialized. Robo-advisors are expected to expand further due to the enhancement of accessibility to investment for general investors through customized portfolio selection and automated transactions established upon the artificial intelligence-based algorithm. This study comprehensively investigates factors that influence acceptance intention of and resistance to robo-advisors using a combined model of technology acceptance model and innovation resistance model. The model was examined through conducting a choice-based conjoint analysis of 158 users with investment experience and age ranging from 20s to 60s. The independent variables of the research for robo-advisors are transparency, customization, social presence, and user control. The effects of the independent variables on acceptance intention and innovation resistance are analyzed, respectively, through mediator variables of perceived usefulness, perceived complexity, and perceived safety. This study indicates the fundamental factors for the promotion of the domestic robo-advisor market based on the analysis of further advanced overseas robo-advisor markets. The significance of this study derives from providing implications on the direction of development for companies or financial institutions in the sphere of robo-advisors.
Silver nanoparticles–deposited sub-micro sized BaTiO3/PVDF composites: greatly increased enhanced constant and effectively suppressed dielectric loss

Abstract Silver (Ag) nanoparticles deposited sub–micro sized BaTiO3 particles (µBT) were fabricated as hybrid particles (Ag@µBT) to promote the dielectric response in a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The dielectric constant (ε′) of the Ag@µBT/PVDF composites continuously increased as the volume fraction (f Ag@ µ BT) increased, while the loss tangent (tanδ) was effectively suppressed. The ε′∼173.49 was obtained in the composite with f Ag@ µ BT=0.49, while a low tanδ was achieved (0.024), which was close to 0.021 for the PVDF. The Ag@µBT hybrid particles played essential roles in increased ε′ and inhibited conductive pathways, resulting in a low tanδ. The ε′ increased slightly, whereas tanδ changed significantly over the measured temperature range. Furthermore, ε′ was fitted with the effective medium percolation theory model. Therefore, the significantly improved dielectric properties were attributed to the high ε′ value of the µBT phase and interfacial polarization between the conductive Ag and insulating phases (i.e. µBT and PVDF). Graphical Abstract
Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of Cigar Craving and Addiction among Young Adult Black Cigar Smokers

Black young adults have the highest prevalence of cigar smoking in the U.S. Little is known about how this population perceives addiction to cigar smoking, which may influence long-term smoking and cessation outcomes. This study used semi-structured in-depth interviews to understand cravings, triggers, and perceived addiction from cigar smoking among a purposive sample of Black young adult cigar smokers (N = 40; 21–29 years). An iterative process was used to develop the codebook, and thematic analysis was used to capture findings based on the products predominantly used: cigarillos, large cigars, or blunts. Results suggest that while participants may share similar types of cravings and triggers (e.g., stress) across the use of these products, predominant blunt smokers reported more unique triggers related to relieving physical discomforts. While most participants reported cigars could be addictive to people in general, only a few perceived that they themselves were addicted. Participants who predominantly smoked cigarillos reported high perceived addiction to cigars, while those who predominantly smoked blunts reported low addiction. Education messages are needed to inform young Black adult cigar smokers about the risks and health symptoms of cigar addiction. These efforts may help increase cigar cessation seeking and reduce cigar addiction-related health consequences and disparities among Black populations.
Optical Inline-Sagnac Current Sensor, Part I: Theory

A study is made of the optical inline-Sagnac interferometer current sensor/transducer with active phase modulation and with spun polarization maintaining fiber. A brief review of the common sensor types is made to give context to the discussion of the optical inline-Sagnac current sensor theory. A new discussion is made of the limitations of the optical inline-Sagnac interferometer current sensor caused by the spun polarization maintaining fiber, the polarizing fiber design, and the temperature effects of each type of fiber. These combined temperature effects limit the sensor to a practical scale factor temperature sensitivity range of about 80 to 200 ppm/°C. The fiber component optical-wavelength effects require a broad-band light source to have a wavelength stability of <0.65 nm to achieve a ±0.1% sensor scale factor stability. The opto-mechanical effects from available spun polarization maintaining fibers limit the measurement head to diameters >30 mm. The transit-time of the light through the sensor is the ultimate bandwidth limit for the device. However, most practical sensors have −3 dB bandwidths >20 kHz. In utility applications the isolation of the sensor to nearby currents is estimated to be −96 dB.
Time-Varying Hemodynamic Characteristics Simulation using Computerized Mock Circulatory Loop System with Servo Flow Regulator

A mock circulatory loop system has been developed to construct a simulator for trainees in cardiopulmonary bypass systems or to simulate a test environment for cardiac-assist devices. This paper proposes a computerized mock circulatory loop system whose node is modularized by using a servo control flow regulator to simulate dynamic change of the hemodynamic status. To observe the effect of time-varying resistance, one with hemodynamic properties, the proposed system replicates the planned cross-sectional areas of the outlet of a ventricular assist device in terms of voltage input of a servo valve. The experiment is performed (1) for steady-input commands of selected area sizes and (2) for dynamic commands such as monotonous increase and decrease, and oscillatory functions of the voltage input, and a computer program based on LabVIEW (National Instruments, Austin, USA) processes every measured data and control command to the servo valve. The results show that the pressure and flow at the target points with respect to time-varying resistance match intuitive estimation: the pressure at the outlet and the pressure drop between both sides of the valve increased and the flow at the outlet decreased for increased resistance.
Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase from Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 13259

1. The Gram-positive bacterium Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB13259 is able to grow on styrene, which it assimilates via a meta-cleavage pathway. This bacterium also contains a catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase that carries out intradiol-cleavage of aromatic substrates. 2. A rapid and reliable method for the purification of catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase was developed which involved chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel and phenyl- Sepharose. This procedure yielded at least 10 mg of protein from 15-20 g (wet weight) of cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of the final preparation showed that catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase was virtually homogeneous. The enzyme was stable and could be stored at -20°C with little loss in activity. 3. The enzyme was crystallised using 15% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 4 000, 0.33 M CaCl2, 0.25 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5, using sitting drop vapour diffusion. A microseeding technique was then used to obtain single, diffraction quality rectangular plates, which reached a size of 0.5 mm down the longest axis. A preliminary X-ray crystallographic characterisation showed that the crystals are in space group C2 with unit cell dimensions (A) a=111.9, b=78.1, c=134.6, ? =100°, with four subunits in the asymmetric unit. 4. A subunit Mr value of 39 800 was obtained with SDS-PAGE, which is approximately 20% more than the value of 31 558 which was obtained with electrospray mass spectroscopy. Similar overestimates by SDS-PAGE have also been obtained for other catechol 1, 2-dioxygenases. The native Mr value of 120 0(X) obtained by gel-peimeation chromatography indicated that catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase is a tetramer, however, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase which had been chemically cross- linked, showed only two bands upon analysis with PAGE, indicating that the enzyme is a dimer, with a calculated native Mr value of 63 000. Considerable evidence accrued by other workers with several non-haem intradiol-cleavage enzymes, indicates that the overestimate could be due to the catechol 1,2- dioxygenase being more elliptical than the protein standards, causing it to move anomolously through gels. 5. The absorbance spectrum of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase had maxima at 220 and 280 nm. At higher concentrations of the enzyme another maximum at 426 nm was also evident. This is good evidence that the Rhodococcus enzyme is iron dependent, since in several non-haem iron intradiol-cleavage enzymes a broad absorption band at about 440 nm is due to an Fe3+ cofactor. 6. Iron quantitation using colorimetry and atomic absolution spectroscopy found significantly less than the expected one mole of iron per subunit (0.60-0.85 atoms per subunit). 7. The activity and stability of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase as a function of pH were investigated. Enzyme activity increased approximately four-fold from pH 5 and reached an optimum value at approximately pH 9. Incubation of the enzyme for 30 min in solutions which ranged from pH 5 to 9, resulted in no significant loss of activity. At pH 11.2 however, the enzyme was rapidly inactivated. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).
DEVELOPMENT OF MAGNET FIELD MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR FLUX CONCENTRATOR (2)

We developed a magnetic field measurement system for a pulse solenoid magnet as reported last year [1] . This system has been used for a field distribution measurement of a flux concentrator. For this measurement, we introduce a new pickup-coil which enables a simultaneous measurement of the longitudinal and transverse field components and an improved control software. In this paper, we report these improvements in the measurement system.
Performance Comparison of A New Non-RSSI Based Wireless Transmission Power Control Protocol with RSSI Based Methods:Experimentation with Real World Data

In this paper, simulations with MATLAB are used to compare the performance of a RSSI-based output power control with non-RSSI based adaptive power in terms of saving energy and extending the lifetime of battery powered wireless sensor nodes. This non-RSSI (received signal strength indicator) based adaptive power control algorithm does not use RSSI side information to estimate the link quality. The non-RSSI based approach has a unique methodology to choose the appropriate power level. It has drop-off algorithm that enables it to come back from a higher to a lower power level when deemed necessary. The performance parameters are compared with the RSSI-based adaptive power control algorithm and fixed power transmission. In order to evaluate the protocols in the real world scenarios, RSSI data from different indoor radio environments are collected. In simulation, these RSSI values are used as an input to the RSSI based power control algorithm to calculate the packet success rates and the energy expenditures. In this paper we present extensive analysis of the simulation results to find out the advantages and limitations of the non-RSSI based adaptive power control algorithm under different channel conditions.
A Fault-Tolerant and Secure Architecture for Key Management in LoRaWAN based on Permissioned Blockchain

Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) is a new type of wireless technology that offers long range communication for devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) and LoRaWAN is one of the main technologies currently available to enable LPWAN environments. In the LoRaWAN architecture, the Join Server is a key component and is responsible for security tasks, such as authentication and key management. However, the Join Server acts as a Single Point of Failure (SPOF) since all encryption keys are stored centrally. Then, this paper presents a secure and fault-tolerant architecture to increase the levels of security and availability in LoRaWAN. A permissioned blockchain and smart contracts are used to replace the Join Server and solve the SPOF problem. A working prototype was created using open-source tools in order to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed architecture. Additionally, the performance of a blockchain network was analyzed in a cloud environment under multiple workloads and fault-tolerance experiments were performed to evaluate the impact of network failures. The results show a trade-off between availability and performance when choosing the number of blockchain peers in small scenarios. However, this behavior is reversed in large scenarios where the performance of multiple peers is best suited.
Cyclic tests on two novel welded flange plate connections in precast concrete moment resisting frames

Precast concrete moment resistant beam-to-column connections, usually designed in form of semi-monolithic connections which require in-situ concrete casting leading to a complicated assembling process. Additionally, using concrete with different ages in a connection causes cold joints and shrinkage problems. To overcome these issues, in this study, two steel beam-to-column connections (SBCs) were proposed and designed for precast concrete moment resisting frames. Compared to the semi-monolithic connections, proposed connections exclude protruding bars, resulting in a facile and rapid installation. Regarding the inverse T shape, these connections provide a better condition for installing the precast slabs and consequently reduce structural floor thickness. To evaluate the connections, two precast and one in-situ specimens were made and tested on a 2/3 scale and a cyclic load pattern was used to evaluate their performance. Test results indicate that the proposed SBCs have a maximum resistance and ductility until 1.5 and 0.9 times the in-situ concrete beam-to-column connection (ICBC), respectively. ACI374.1-05 criteria including strength and stiffness degradation ratio as well as energy dissipation ratio at drift 4% were employed to evaluate the qualification of the proposed connections. One of the proposed connections met all seismic requirements of ACI374.1-05. The plastic hinge locations were estimated by measuring the strains of rebars and steel parts of the connections. Results revealed that on the contrary to ICBC, the plastic hinge formation in proposed SBCs developed out of the beam-column joint which coincides with the strong-column and weak-beam principle in precast frames and postpones the total fracture mechanism of structure.
Characteristic Mode Inspired Single-Plate Unidirectional Antenna Using Complementary Characteristic Radiation

Based on characteristic mode theory (CMT), a novel single-plate complementary antenna with a unidirectional radiation pattern is proposed in this communication. The proposed antenna is composed of an isosceles right triangular conductive slab (IRTCS), three inductive coupling elements (ICEs), and a feeding network. By exciting two complementary current modes of the IRTCS simultaneously, the radiation of the IRTCS can be tailored. More specifically, the ICEs can stimulate the electric-dipole and magnetic-dipole current modes of the IRTCS concurrently through appropriate excitation, thereby realizing an endfire radiation pattern by combing the two complementary characteristic fields with suitable modal weighting coefficients (MWC). For proof of concept, a prototype is fabricated and the measured results demonstrate that a good unidirectional radiation pattern is achieved with a front-to-back ratio larger than 20 dB, which verifies the feasibility and reliability of the proposed method. Compared with conventional complementary antennas or Huygens source antennas which need two different radiating sources to realize the electric and magnetic dipole radiations individually, the proposed method reuses the radiating aperture and achieves the unidirectional radiation by a single radiating aperture.
Energy transition and environmental quality prospects in leading emerging economies: The role of environmental‐related technological innovation

The world has witnessed a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions since the end of the 20th century as several economies begin to emerge into industrial hubs and manufacturing giants across the globe. Thus, in the wake of global interest in clean energy development and campaign for sustainable climate and ecosystem, the role of the emerging countries in the debate is unarguably vital and demanding. Importantly, this study seeks to examine the commitment of the leading emerging countries (E7) of Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey to energy transition and carbon-neutral 2050. We employ the cross-sectionally augmented auto-regressive distributed lag approach that accounts for potential country-specific factors to examine the role of environmental-related technological innovations (ERT) in achieving climate neutrality in the E7 over the period from 1992 to 2018. Notably, the findings revealed that a 1 percent increase in ERT yields (cid:1) 0.33% (short-run) and (cid:1) 0.17% (long-run) reductions in carbon emission, thus suggesting that the E7 economies could be heading toward environmental sustainability with the application of ERT. Additionally, the result revealed that the application of ERT in the energy utilization profile significantly reduced the undesirable impact of primary energy utilization. However, the result showed that such an impact is not enough to trigger a transition to environmentally desirable cleaner energy that could mitigate carbon emissions. This is because the larger share of the E7 countries' primary energy utilization is from conventional and/or non-renewable energy sources. The environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis is also validated.
Antagonization of Ghrelin Suppresses Muscle Protein Deposition by Altering Gut Microbiota and Serum Amino Acid Composition in a Pig Model

Simple Summary This study investigated the effects of the antagonization of ghrelin on muscle protein deposition, eating patterns and gut microbiota in pigs by injecting ghrelin antagonist ([D-Lys3]-GHRP-6) in a short term. We found that the antagonization of ghrelin affected the eating patterns of animals, which resulted in changes in the absorption of amino acids and gut microbiota, and it reduced protein deposition in muscles. We emphasize the important role of ghrelin in promoting muscle protein deposition and provide new clues for future research on improving muscle loss. Abstract Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone that can increase food intake and has been reported to prevent muscle loss; however, the mechanism is not yet fully understood. In this study, [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (GHRP) was used to investigate the effects of the antagonization of ghrelin on muscle protein deposition, eating patterns and gut microbiota in a pig model. We found that the growth performance and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of pigs treated with GHRP were significantly reduced compared with the control (CON) group. Moreover, the levels of serum isoleucine, methionine, arginine and tyrosine in the GHRP group were lower than that of the CON group. The abundance of acetate-producing bacteria (Oscillospiraceae UCG-005, Parabacteroides and Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group) and acetate concentration in the colons of pigs treated with GHRP were significantly reduced. In addition, the injection of GHRP down-regulated the mRNA expression of MCT-1 and mTOR, and it up-regulated the mRNA expression of HDAC1, FOXO1 and Beclin-1. In summary, the antagonization of ghrelin reduced the concentration of important signal molecules (Arg, Met and Ile) that activate the mTOR pathway, concurrently reduce the concentration of HDAC inhibitors (acetate), promote autophagy and finally reduce protein deposition in muscles.
Human-Robot Interaction Torque Estimation Methods for a Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robotic System with Uncertainties

Lower limb rehabilitation robot (LLRR) users, to successfully conduct isotonic exercises, require real-time feedback on the torque they exert on the robot to meet the goal of the treatment. Still, direct torque measuring is expensive, and indirect encoder-based estimation strategies, such as inverse dynamics (ID) and Nonlinear Disturbance Observers (NDO), are sensitive to Body Segment Inertial Parameters (BSIPs) uncertainties. We envision a way to minimize such parametric uncertainties. This paper proposes two human–robot interaction torque estimation methods: the Identified ID-based method (IID) and the Identified NDO-based method (INDO). Evaluating in simulation the proposal to apply, in each rehabilitation session, a sequential two-phase method: (1) An initial calibration phase will use an online parameter estimation to reduce sensitivity to BSIPs uncertainties. (2) The torque estimation phase uses the estimated parameters to obtain a better result. We conducted simulations under signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) = 40 dB and 20% BSIPs uncertainties. In addition, we compared the effectiveness with two of the best methods reported in the literature via simulation. Both proposed methods obtained the best Coefficient of Correlation, Mean Absolute Error, and Root Mean Squared Error compared to the benchmarks. Moreover, the IID and INDO fulfilled more than 72.2% and 88.9% of the requirements, respectively. In contrast, both methods reported in the literature only accomplish 27.8% and 33.3% of the requirements when using simulations under noise and BSIPs uncertainties. Therefore, this paper extends two methods reported in the literature and copes with BSIPs uncertainties without using additional sensors.
Adaptive Multi-Path SnF Scheduling Method for Delay-Sensitive Transfers Across Inter-Datacenter Optical Networks

Traffic fluctuations make conventional end-to-end delay-sensitive (DS) transfers difficult to fully utilize the residual bandwidth in the inter-datacenter networks. In this paper, we introduce datacenter storage and multi-path routing into DS transfers, and present a scheduling method. On one hand, it can split data into shorter segments and route them through multiple paths. On the other hand, it leverages temporary storage at intermediate sites to segment each path into sub-paths when provisioning the end-to-end lightpath fails. Studies show that compared with the state-of-the-art scheduling methods, the proposed method can accommodate more DS transfers, shorten delivery time and accelerate DS transfers efficiently.