Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Trade Analysis

This book, drawn from the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP), aims to help readers conduct quantitative analysis of international trade issues in an economy-wide framework. In addition to providing a succinct introduction to the GTAP modelling framework and data base, this book contains seven of the most refined GTAP applications undertaken to date, covering topics ranging from trade policy to the global implications of environmental policies, factor accumulation and technological change. The authors of the applications are representative of the broader group of GTAP users. Some are academics, while others are professional economists in national and international agencies. All of their studies can be independently replicated by the reader through accessing software and files via the Internet. Readers can also explore the sensitivity of results to varying assumptions and use the applications to launch independent research projects.
Synergy between compost and cover crops in a Mediterranean row crop system leads to increased subsoil carbon storage

Abstract. Subsoil carbon (C) stocks are a prime target for efforts to increase soil C storage for climate change mitigation. However, subsoil C dynamics are not well understood, especially in soils under long-term intensive agricultural management. We compared subsoil C storage and soil organic matter (SOM) composition in tomato–corn rotations after 25 years of differing C and nutrient management in the California Central Valley: CONV (mineral fertilizer), CONV+WCC (mineral fertilizer and cover crops), and ORG (composted poultry manure and cover crops). The cover crop mix used in these systems is a mix of oat (Avena sativa L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth). Our results showed a ∼19 Mg ha−1 increase in soil organic C (SOC) stocks down to 1 m under ORG systems, no significant SOC increases under CONV+WCC or CONV systems, and an increased abundance of carboxyl-rich C in the subsoil (60–100 cm) horizons of ORG and CONV+WCC systems. Our results show the potential for increased subsoil C storage with compost and cover crop amendments in tilled agricultural systems and identify potential pathways for increasing C transport and storage in subsoil layers.
Pretreatment Normal WM Magnetization Transfer Ratio Predicts Risk of Radiation Necrosis in Patients with Medulloblastoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiation necrosis, for which abnormal WM enhancement is a hallmark, is an uncommon complication of craniospinal irradiation in children with medulloblastoma. The magnetization transfer ratio measures macromolecular content, dominated by myelin in the WM. We investigated whether the pretreatment supratentorial (nonsurgical) WM magnetization transfer ratio could predict patients at risk for radiation necrosis after radiation therapy for medulloblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five eligible patients with medulloblastoma (41% female; mean age, 11.0 [SD, 5.4] years) had baseline balanced steady-state free precession MR imaging before proton or photon radiation therapy. Associations among baseline supratentorial magnetization transfer ratio, radiation necrosis (spontaneously resolving/improving parenchymal enhancement within the radiation field)3, age, and the presence of visible brain metastases were explored by logistic regression and parametric/nonparametric techniques as appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-three of 95 (24.2%) children (44% female; mean age, 10.7 [SD, 6.7] years) developed radiation necrosis after radiation therapy (19 infratentorial, 1 supratentorial, 3 both). The mean pretreatment supratentorial WM magnetization transfer ratio was significantly lower in these children (43.18 versus 43.50, P = .03). There was no association between the supratentorial WM magnetization transfer ratio and age, sex, risk/treatment stratum, or the presence of visible brain metastases. CONCLUSIONS: A lower baseline supratentorial WM magnetization transfer ratio may indicate underlying structural WM susceptibility to radiation necrosis and may identify children at risk for developing radiation necrosis after craniospinal irradiation for medulloblastoma.
Approach to coordinate driving torque of redundant actuated parallel manipulator based on weighted matrix

Taking over-actuated parallel manipulator with planar 3-DOF as subject investigated,it's kinematics equation was presented.Based on virtual work principle and Equivalent force theory,the dynamic model was built.Thereafter,the feature of redundant actuated parallel manipulator inverse solution was analyzed.To extend the system life,a new optimization objective was brought forward for force allocation coordinating,which is named minimum weighted norm approach.Moreover,the rule of weight coefficient selecting was deduced on the basis of the difference between rated torque and real value.With the partial or global rule selected,the output of corresponding actuator can be adjusted accordingly.Thus torque of each joint was balanced and over output was avoided.Therefore the overall performance will be improved.Data calculating and analysis indicate this approach can better prevent the overloading of partial actuators and greatly ensure the system stability.
Detection method for single-phase single order harmonic current without PLL

The harmonic current detection is an important part for an active power filter( APF). A single order harmonic current detection and decomposition method for single-phase system without the phaselocked loop( PLL) is proposed. The detection errors caused by low pass filters are analyzed. An improved method,with the sliding average filter,has been proposed which can increase the detection accuracy and response speed. This method can detect a single order harmonic current and decompose it in different situations. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show the validity and superiority of the proposed method.
Bi-level programming location strategy of logistics distribution center based on hierarchical particle swarm algorithm

Based on the interests of both customers and logistics network macroeconomic policy-making departments,the bi-level programming location model of logistics distribution center was built up.Most of these problems are of non-convex optimization.Existing algorithms are either complex or inefficient to solve these problems.Based on the multi-objective optimization evolutionary game theory and the idea of non-dominated sorting,a hierarchical particle swarm algorithm was designed and the distribution center location problem was solved by means of interactive iteration between two particle swarm algorithms.The effectiveness of the algorithm was verified by the result of computational example testing.
Heart rate variability and heart rate monitoring of nurses using PPG and ECG signals during working condition: A pilot study

The use of wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) technology for estimating heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) in the health care system is gaining attention in recent years. However, the performance of these devices remains questionable in their ability to collect data in real working conditions for long‐term monitoring. The present study aimed to examine the data collected from nurses during working hours by PPG and electrocardiography (ECG) devices. Twenty‐two nurses underwent a 60‐minute work protocol during the normal working conditions while wearing a PPG device and an ECG device. HR, low‐frequency component (LF) and high‐frequency component (HF), LF/HF ratio, and percent LF distribution in total spectral power, and steps were examined. Pearson's correlation analysis and Bland‐Altman method was performed to examine the relationships between the two devices based on HR and HRV indices. The results found strong positive correlations between HR estimates of both devices, and moderate correlations between LF/HF ratio and percent LF indices estimates, respectively. Moreover, the Bland‐Altman analysis showed a small mean bias in general between the captured data of both devices. This pilot study suggested that the PPG device appears to demonstrate good overall reliability in measuring HR, LF/HF ratio, and percent LF. A further large‐scale study is required to investigate the feasibility and practicality for HR and HRV analysis in nurses during real working conditions using PPG devices.
Transcriptome Reveals Roles of Lignin-Modifying Enzymes and Abscisic Acid in the Symbiosis of Mycena and Gastrodia elata

Gastrodia elata is a well-known medicinal and heterotrophic orchid. Its germination, limited by the impermeability of seed coat lignin and inhibition by abscisic acid (ABA), is triggered by symbiosis with fungi such as Mycena spp. However, the molecular mechanisms of lignin degradation by Mycena and ABA biosynthesis and signaling in G. elata remain unclear. In order to gain insights into these two processes, this study analyzed the transcriptomes of these organisms during their dynamic symbiosis. Among the 25 lignin-modifying enzyme genes in Mycena, two ligninolytic class II peroxidases and two laccases were significantly upregulated, most likely enabling Mycena hyphae to break through the lignin seed coats of G. elata. Genes related to reduced virulence and loss of pathogenicity in Mycena accounted for more than half of annotated genes, presumably contributing to symbiosis. After coculture, upregulated genes outnumbered downregulated genes in G. elata seeds, suggesting slightly increased biological activity, while Mycena hyphae had fewer upregulated than downregulated genes, indicating decreased biological activity. ABA biosynthesis in G. elata was reduced by the downregulated expression of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED-2), and ABA signaling was blocked by the downregulated expression of a receptor protein (PYL12-like). This is the first report to describe the role of NCED-2 and PYL12-like in breaking G. elata seed dormancy by reducing the synthesis and blocking the signaling of the germination inhibitor ABA. This study provides a theoretical basis for screening germination fungi to identify effective symbionts and for reducing ABA inhibition of G. elata seed germination.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ONTARIO BRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Development of the Ontario Bridge Management System (OBMS) began in 1998 and proceeded into the first steps of implementation in 2000. Implementation began with the bridge inspection and data management features, which are used heavily by inspectors in ministry regional offices as well as by consultants. Analytical features of the software, to be used by headquarters and regional offices, were completed in 2002, and their implementation is now under way. OBMS was designed with equal priority given to project-level and network-level functionality, but the implementation process has tended to favor the project level so far. Innovative features for navigating the data about each bridge, including photos, documents, and commentary, were completed first and have been well received in conjunction with a new element-level bridge inspection manual. The inventory is fully populated (except for smaller culverts) with a first round of inspections. The system's project-level decision support features have very flexible scoping rules, Markovian deterioration models, and a costing procedure based on the ministry's highway cost estimation system. Engineers can modify the scope and cost of a project, and predicted performance measures will be updated automatically. The OBMS network level is a graphical tradeoff analysis in which the manager can experiment with funding levels and performance targets and view immediate answers to such questions as: how much does it cost to achieve a given standard of performance, or how much performance can be purchased for a given investment?
Pipeline acoustic propagation features and recognition of typical damage sounds

In order to protect pipeline transportation and prevent manmade damages of shemaking hole to steal oil,it is very important to carry out such researches as active protecting and accurate positioning.By analyzing the features of pipelines including wave-guiding and typical acoustic spectrum of manmade damages,a model composed of characters of acoustic wave was established.The results show that acoustic wave in pipeline propagates as plane wave with little falloff.A typical damage acoustic wave is able to propagate for a long distance.The typical acoustic spectrum can be picked up and recognized by the algorithms of hidden Markov model(HMM) and artifical neural network(ANN),which provides a new method for the prevention of theft in pipeline transportation system.
The Capacity to Secrete Insulin Is Dose-Dependent to Extremely High Glucose Concentrations: A Key Role for Adenylyl Cyclase

Insulin secretion is widely thought to be maximally stimulated in glucose concentrations of 16.7-to-30 mM (300-to-540 mg/dL). However, insulin secretion is seldom tested in hyperglycemia exceeding these levels despite the Guinness World Record being 147.6 mM (2656 mg/dL). We investigated how islets respond to 1-h exposure to glucose approaching this record. Insulin secretion from human islets at 12 mM glucose intervals dose-dependently increased until at least 72 mM glucose. Murine islets in 84 mM glucose secreted nearly double the insulin as in 24 mM (p < 0.001). Intracellular calcium was maximally stimulated in 24 mM glucose despite a further doubling of insulin secretion in higher glucose, implying that insulin secretion above 24 mM occurs through amplifying pathway(s). Increased osmolarity of 425-mOsm had no effect on insulin secretion (1-h exposure) or viability (48-h exposure) in murine islets. Murine islets in 24 mM glucose treated with a glucokinase activator secreted as much insulin as islets in 84 mM glucose, indicating that glycolytic capacity exists above 24 mM. Using an incretin mimetic and an adenylyl cyclase activator in 24 mM glucose enhanced insulin secretion above that observed in 84 mM glucose while adenylyl cyclase inhibitor reduced stimulatory effects. These results highlight the underestimated ability of islets to secrete insulin proportionally to extreme hyperglycemia through adenylyl cyclase activity.
Treating oil wastewater with pulse electro-coagulation flotation technology ∗

Pulse electro-coagulation flotation was used to treat oil wastewater of high oil content. Different operational conditions were examined, including current density, reactive time, electrode distance, pH and pole switching time. Orthogonal tests were carried out to identify the optimal operational conditions for this technique. Considering the treatment cost and efficiency together, the optimal operational conditions were an electrode distance of 3.3 cm, pH of 4, current density of 49.38 mA/cm 2 , reaction time of 15 min and pole switching time of 10 s. The removal efficiency of oil wastewater under normal conditions reached up to 96.21%. The influences of different factors on removal efficiency were in the following decreasing sequence: pH> current density > pole switching time > reactive time > board distance.
Women in technology-oriented fields

This study focuses on investigating the main elements that have an effect on women’s decisions to enter a career in technology-oriented fields, and more specifically, to discover whether studying crafts, especially technical work, during basic education affects their decisions in this context. The study was carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the data consist of the responses from 12 female technology education teachers and 12 female engineering students. A qualitative theory oriented content analysis was carried out through identifying, coding, analysing and reporting the patterns within the data. The findings revealed that the most influential career anchor identified by all these women was a technical or functional competence. Secondly, their familiarity with the field was a relatively important element. These findings suggest some positive perspectives on women’s interests in technology-oriented career paths, and indicating that supportive interventions can be implemented.
Intelligent Sensing Technologies for the Diagnosis, Monitoring and Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

Alzheimer’s disease is a lifelong progressive neurological disorder. It is associated with high disease management and caregiver costs. Intelligent sensing systems have the capability to provide context-aware adaptive feedback. These can assist Alzheimer’s patients with, continuous monitoring, functional support and timely therapeutic interventions for whom these are of paramount importance. This review aims to present a summary of such systems reported in the extant literature for the management of Alzheimer’s disease. Four databases were searched, and 253 English language articles were identified published between the years 2015 to 2020. Through a series of filtering mechanisms, 20 articles were found suitable to be included in this review. This study gives an overview of the depth and breadth of the efficacy as well as the limitations of these intelligent systems proposed for Alzheimer’s. Results indicate two broad categories of intelligent technologies, distributed systems and self-contained devices. Distributed systems base their outcomes mostly on long-term monitoring activity patterns of individuals whereas handheld devices give quick assessments through touch, vision and voice. The review concludes by discussing the potential of these intelligent technologies for clinical practice while highlighting future considerations for improvements in the design of these solutions for Alzheimer’s disease.
Let Me See: Correlation between 5-ALA Fluorescence and Molecular Pathways in Glioblastoma: A Single Center Experience

Background: Despite the aggressiveness of multimodal treatment, glioblastoma (GBM) is still a challenge for neurosurgeons, neurooncologists, and radiotherapists. A surgical approach is still a cornerstone in GBM therapeutic management, as the extent of resection is strongly related both to overall survival and progression-free survival. From this perspective, the use of photodynamic molecules could represent an interesting tool to achieve maximal and safe resection. Being able to trace the lesion’s edges, indeed, could allow to improve the extent of resection and to minimize residual tumor while sparing normal tissue. The use of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) as a photodynamic tracer is well established due to its strict correlation both with cellularity and metabolic activity of the GBM cell clones. Objective: Our study aims to define whether a different molecular asset of GBM (especially investigating IDH 1/2 mutation, proliferation index, and MGMT promoter methylation) results in different fluorescence expression, possibly because of differences in metabolic pathways due to different genotypes. Methods: Patients undergoing surgery for GBM removal at our Institute (Dep. Of Neurosurgery, Ospedale Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Italy) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with histological diagnosis confirmation and to whom 5-ALA was given before surgery were included. The whole surgical procedure was recorded and then analyzed by three different people (a medical student, a resident, and a senior surgeon with an interest in neurooncology and experience in using 5-ALA) and a score was assigned to the different degrees of intraoperative fluorescence. The degree of fluorescence was then matched with the genotype. Results: A trend of grade 2 fluorescence (i.e., ”strong”) was observed in the IDH 1/2 wild-type (WT) genotype, suggesting a more intense metabolic activity in this particular subgroup, while, no or weak fluorescence was observed more often in the IDH 1/2 mutated tumors, suggesting a lower metabolic activity. No relations were found between fluorescence grade and MGMT promoter methylation or, interestingly, cellularity. As a secondary analysis, more epileptogenicity of the IDH 1/2 mutated GBM was noticed, similarly to other recent literature. Conclusion: Our results do not support the use of 5-ALA as a diagnostic tool, or a way to substitute the molecular profiling, but confirm 5-ALA as a powerful metabolic tracer, able to easily detect the pathological cells, especially in the IDH WT genotype, and in this perspective, further studies will be necessary to better describe the metabolic activity of GBM cells.
Domination topological properties of polyhydroxybutyrate and polycaprolactone with QSPR analysis

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolymers, which are stored inside cells as energy storage materials by various microorganisms. PHAs are plastic materials that have a positive environmental impact when compared to regular plastics in terms of production methods and recyclabillity. In addition, PHAs are characterized by biocompatibility, biodegradability and thus have a wide range of applications such as biomedicine, surgery, etc. The most common PHAs are Polyhydroxybutyrate, Polyhydroxyvalerate, and copolymer. In this paper, we calculate the domination topological indices of these polymers; also, we discuss the quantitative structure property relationships (QSPR) analysis of these domination topological indices. Further, we show that the characteristics have a good correlation with the physico-chemical characteristics of polymers.
Life Prognostics for Aero-generator Based on Genetic Algorithm and ARMA Model

To improve the aero-generator life prediction accuracy,an optimized auto-regressive and moving average(ARMA) model based on the genetic algorithm(GA) is presented.A specific experimental platform is used to perform long-term life prediction experiments on a certain type of aero-generator and collect the related test data.After a thorough analysis of these test data,a corresponding ARMA model is designed,and the genetic algorithm is used to carry on the exponent number optimization of the model.Then the original and the optimized ARMA models are used respectively to conduct life prediction research on the service life of the aero-generator.The result shows that these two models can realize the function of predicting the service life of an aero-generator.The average relative prognostic error of the ARMA model after the optimization is 2.26%,which is less than 4.33%,the error of the original model without optimization.Thus a conclusion can be drawn that the optimized ARMA model can predict the service life of an aero-generator more accurately and this model may find wide application in engineering practice.
Particle filter-based fault diagnosis for inertial navigation system of mobile robot

A particle filter-based approach for fault diagnosis of inertial sensor of wheeled mobile robots was proposed, in which the rule-based inference and multiple particle filters were integrated. The rule-based inference method was employed to determine the movement states of the robot. Each movement state was monitored by a particle filter. This approach overcomes some shortcomings of particle filter such as weak logic inference capability, decreases particle number, increases efficiency and accuracy of each particle filter. The results of monitoring 8 kinds of operation mode of inertial navigation system (INS) of 5 kinds of movement states of mobile robot in a plane show that the approach presented can diagnose one or more hard faults of intertial navigation system sensors of mobile robots.