Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Strong Dependence of Polarization Fatigue on Poling-Voltage Conditions in Ferroelectric Vinylidene Fluoride and Trifluoroethylene Copolymer Films

Recently, polarization fatigue in ferroelectric polymers has attracted much attention due to their potentials in nonvolatile memory devices, although the mechanism behind is still an open question. In this letter, we report the strong dependence of polarization fatigue on poling voltages, which indicates that the application of a poling electric field slightly below the coercive field can greatly degrade the fatigue endurance. This phenomenon may be directly related to the fatigue mechanism, and its origin is discussed based on the understanding of the injection and redistribution of space charges in ferroelectric films.
Utility of Spine Surgery: A Comparison of Common Elective Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures

Study Design. A 1-year prospective observational cohort study. Objective. To compare the utility before and 1 year after elective spine surgery with some other common orthopaedic surgical procedures. Summary of Background Data. By using global measures like EQ-5D and SF-36 for the determination of the utility, the changes in quality of life, quality of life (QoL) after an intervention different diagnoses, and treatments can be compared. Total hip replacement (THR) has become almost golden standard in this respect. Methods. Seven hundred seventy-seven subjects with different common orthopaedic diagnoses scheduled for elective surgery were just before surgery and 1 year after surgery answering both EQ-5D and SF-36. Four groups with different spine diagnoses and procedures were formed and compared with 8 other diagnoses and treatment groups. Results. Before surgery, subjects with spine diagnoses reported the lowest QoL of all diagnoses compared. Surgery for spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and instability meant the largest improvement of all surgical interventions. Surgery for NHP gave a moderately good improvement, whereas surgery for CLBP only marginally improved those operated. Particularly THR but also TKR more or less completely normalized QoL but made it from a relatively high preoperative level. The greatest improvements after spine surgery, other surgical procedures, and different diagnoses were in the pain/discomfort domain. Conclusion. Spinal surgery in spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and instability had in comparison to other types of elective orthopaedic surgery an outstanding better ability to improve the operated subject’s health-related quality of life than other types of elective orthopaedic surgery. The utility of HNP surgery was somewhat lower and was rather marginal for those operated for nonspecific CLBP.
Active contours algorithm with an adaptive gaussian distribution fitting energies and its application to industrial CT image segmentation

In image segmentation, Local binary fitting model (LBF) is widely used to cope with intensity inhomogeneity. It is insensitive to the initial contour with a large scale parameter and it can make the active c ontours become smooth and close to the object of the real border with the reduction of scale parameters. For the purpose of enhancing the quality of intensity inhomogeneity image segmentation, we advance a new a daptive rule to obtain the scale parameter. Experimental results on industrial CT image demonstrate that our method is insensitive to the initial contour and accurate for extracting the object.
Update on HLAMatchmaker: a Molecularly Based Algorithm for Histocompatibility Determination at the Epitope Level

A previous issue of the ASHI Quarterly introduced HLAMatchmaker as a matching program that considers the structural basis of epitopes on class I HLA antigens. Each HLA antigen can be viewed as a string of short sequences (triplets) involving polymorphic amino acid residues in antibodyaccessible positions; the triplets are considered key elements of epitopes that can induce the formation of specific antibodies. The patient’s own HLA antigens represent the repertoire of self-triplets to which no antibodies can be made and HLAMatchmaker determines, for each mismatched donor HLA antigen, which triplets in corresponding sequence positions are different. The HLA phenotype of the recipient determines the degree of structural compatibility of a mismatched HLA antigen. For certain HLA phenotypes, a given mismatch has no or few mismatched triplets, while for other phenotypes, the same HLA antigen has many mismatched triplets and is, therefore, structurally highly incompatible.
Photoemission from activated gallium arsenide. II. Spin polarization versus kinetic energy analysis.

La polarisation de spin des electrons emis par une photocathode en GaAs sous excitation par une lumiere a polarisation circulaire, est etudiee en fonction de l'energie cinetique des electrons. L'etude est faite a tres haute resolution (20 meV), a 300 et 120 K, sous excitation par un laser a Kr + localise (energie des photons comprise entre 1,55 et 2,60 eV). Analyse des performances de photocathodes a GaAs en tant que sources d'electrons monochromatiques et polarises
Configuration of Autonomous Walkers for Extreme Terrain

Robots that can competently, efficiently, and autonomously operate in extreme terrain do not exist. Although walking locomotion offers unique advantages, existing walking mech anisms are not suited to the comprehensive requirements of extreme terrain autonomy. This work synthesizes and ana lyzes candidate walker configurations, implements and tests a walker of unprecedented capability and design, and devel ops insights regarding walker configuration and the class of orthogonal-legged walking robots. Three orthogonal-legged walker configurations are described and compared in a variety of terrain situations. Two of the configurations-circulating and weaving-are unique, as they place recovering feet ahead of supporting feet and are specifically notable for their long stride. The third uses a traditional follow-the-leader gait. The Ambler is a fully operable autonomous walking robot built in part to further investigate the benefits of the orthogonal leg and circulating gait configuration. The orthogonal leg appears to be well suited to autonomous walking in extreme terrain. A circulating walker's advantages—as demonstrated by the Am bler-notwithstanding, a follow-the-leader orthogonal-legged walker appears to have superior overall mobility and stability (the crucial capabilities in extreme terrain).
Faster O2 uptake kinetics in canine skeletal muscle in situ after acute creatine kinase inhibition

The ability to sustain skeletal muscle contractions is dependent on the conversion of chemical to mechanical energy – a process fueled by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The link between two of the major mechanisms for ATP provision, phosphocreatine (PCr) breakdown and oxidative phosphorylation, was investigated in canine muscle. Infusion of a drug to prevent PCr breakdown (via inhibition of the enzyme creatine kinase; CK) caused (among other effects) a faster adjustment of energy provision from oxidation upon the onset of contractions. Thus, in mammalian skeletal muscle the CK enzyme slows the signal responsible for the activation of oxidative phosphorylation. Sudden increases in the demands for energy at the onset of exercise are met by PCr breakdown, but this process is functionally related, presumably through the levels of some of its metabolites, to the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation, the most important pathway for ATP resynthesis.
Distribution of Drimane Sesquiterpenoids and Tocopherols in Liverworts, Ferns and Higher Plants: Polygonaceae, Canellaceae and Winteraceae Species

The liverwort, Porella vernicosa complex produces a very hot tasting polygodial, a drimane-type sesquiterpene dialdehyde. The same compound has been isolated from two ferns, Thelypteris hispidula and Blechnum fluviatile, as well as from the higher plants Polygonum hydropiper, P. hydropiper f purpurascens (Polygonaceae), Cinnamosma, Caspicodendron, Canella and Warburgia species (Canellaceae), and Pseudowintera colorata, Tasmannia lanceolata, Drimys and Zygogynum species (Winteraceae). In addition, the liverworts and higher plants which elaborate polygodial and its related pungent drimane dials contain a small amount of α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol or δ-tocotrienol. The present paper gives the results of a comparative study on the drimane-type sesquiterpenoids in some liverworts, ferns and higher plants, and the role of tocopherols in these plant groups.
Single-Switch DC–DC Converter With Fault-Tolerant Capability Under Open- and Short-Circuit Switch Failures

This paper proposes fault-tolerant (FT) operation of a single-switch dc-dc converter under a switch failure. In order to improve the reliability in critical applications, FT operation is mandatory to guarantee service continuity. The FT operation of a power system can be performed in three steps: fault diagnosis (detection and identification) and remedial actions. In the case of a switch failure, suitable fault detection is essential to avoid its propagation to the whole system. This study is based on a fast and efficient open- and short-circuit switch fault diagnosis. Both types of switch failure can be detected, identified, and handled in real time by implementing fault diagnosis and reconfiguration strategies on a field-programmable gate array target. No additional sensor is required to perform the fault detection. A redundant switch and a bidirectional switch are needed for converter reconfiguration in postfault operation. The results of hardware-in-the-loop and experimental tests, which all confirm the good performances of the proposed approach, are presented and discussed.
Spectral efficiency optimisation in amplify and forward relay network with diversity using adaptive rate and adaptive power transmission

In this study, new transmission schemes are designed for the spectral efficiency optimisation in the amplify and forward relay network with diversity. The proposed schemes utilise both adaptive rate and adaptive power transmission with individual average power constraints for the relay and the transmitter. To obtain an analytical insight into the network performance, schemes with continuous rate adaptation are designed at first. Next, transmission schemes with discrete rate and power adaptation are developed for practical systems. An amplify–forward relaying scenario with diversity is considered in which signals at the destination are received from both the transmitter and the relay. Albeit, the schemes could be simplified for the network without diversity in which there is no path for the signal from the transmitter to the receiver. Schemes with constant power transmission are also designed and analysed. Numerical evaluations show that there is a considerable performance gain in using adaptive power transmission compared to the constant power scheme at the cost of a reasonable complexity increase.
Survival of Prions in Class B Biosolids

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are a group of neurological prion diseases of mammals caused by infectious prion proteins. Prions may be present in raw wastewater through the discharge, animal rendering and meat processing operations that may process BSE-contaminated cattle or scrapie infected sheep. Recently, a cell culture method was developed to detect the infectivity of prions in animal tissues. This study developed a method for extracting prion proteins from Class B biosolids and evaluated the survival of mouse scrapie prion proteins in Class B biosolids at 37°C and 60°C using an enzyme linked immunospot assay. A method was developed using 4 M urea (held at 80 o C for 10 minutes)to extract the prions from the biosolids followed by reduction of the urea concentration using membrane centrifugation. The efficiency of recovery of infectious prions from the biosolids was 17.2%. A 2.43-log10 reduction in prion infectivity was observed under mesophilic (37°C) temperatures after 15 days and a 3.41-log10 reduction after 10 days under thermophilic conditions (60°C). Reduction was greater in the biosolids than controls in phosphate buffered saline, suggesting factors other than temperature were also playing a role in the loss of infectivity of the prions in the biosolids.
Status of β-casein ( CSN 2 ) Polymorphism in Frieswal ( HF X Sahiwal Crossbred ) Cattle

Cow milk is a rich source of protein and selected micronutrients such as calcium. Recently, a relationship between disease risk and consumption of a specific bovine β-casein fraction either A1 or A2 genetic variants has been identified. Polymorphism at codon 67 of the beta-casein gene: CCT→CAT causes a substitution of amino acid proline (in A2 variant) by histidine (in A1 variant). The presence of histidine residue at codon 67 makes A1 variants exclusively vulnerable to gastrointestinal proteolysis digestion to release bioactive peptide, beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) which has been implicated in potential risk of human cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, atherosclerosis and sudden infant death syndrome. Furthermore, consumption of milk with A2 variant may be associated with less severe symptoms of autism and schizophrenia. Besides, A2 variant has also been reported to have positive relationship with milk production traits especially protein and milk yield. Considering the importance of CSN2 polymorphism with health promoting properties and milk production traits, the present investigation was undertaken to explore A1/A2 polymorphism in crossbred, Frieswal (HF X Sahiwal; N=172) cattle population using allele-specific PCR. All the three possible genotypes (viz., A1A1, A1A2, and A2A2) were identified in Frieswal population. The sequences, specific to A1 and A2 allele, were submitted to GenBank (JQ408387 and JQ408386). The distribution of three genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium [χ test (P>0.05)]. 250 Indrajit Ganguly et al Overall frequency of A2 allele in the population observed to be 0.65. Gene heterozygosity, gene homozygosity, fixation index, polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated. The observed heterozygosity (0.41) and PIC value (0.351) pointed towards the existence of medium genetic variability in the tested population. Present value of fixation index (0.110) revealed that random mating is being practiced in the population. In view of healthfulness of A2 milk as well as positive relationship of A2 allelic variant with milk performance traits in different cattle breeds, the existing variability of β-casein (A1/A2) locus in Frieswal population may be exploited near future for genetic selection once detail associations study of A1/A2 polymorphism with milk production traits in large number of Frieswal cattle is available.
Competing Speech Perception in Older and Younger Adults: Behavioral and Eye-Movement Evidence

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine eye-movement patterns in older and younger adults to identify differences in how they respond to both to-be-attended and to-be-ignored speech. Design: The study described in this article used an eye-tracking paradigm to provide insight into the factors underlying competing speech understanding in older (n = 23) and younger (n = 22) listeners. Participants attended to a sentence presented in one ear and were instructed to click on a visually displayed word that was heard in that ear while their eye movements were monitored. A foil word also was shown on the screen. Either no sound, steady state noise, or competing speech was presented to the other ear. Results: Comparisons between younger and older listeners on all three types of indicators measured in this study (percent correct, response time, and eye movement patterns) demonstrated that older adults were more greatly affected by competing speech than were younger adults. Differences between the groups could not be attributed to the presence of hearing loss in the older participants, as performance for all subjects was at ceiling in quiet and none of the performance metrics was significantly associated with degree of hearing loss. Conclusions: Results of this study support the idea that age-related changes other than lack of audibility or susceptibility to energetic masking negatively affect the ability to understand speech in the presence of a competing message.
A Framework of the Factors Affecting the Adoption of ICT for Physical Education

Physical education (PE) is still neglected in schools despite its academic, social, psychological, and health benefits. Based on the assumption that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can contribute to the development of PE in schools, this study aims to design a model of the factors affecting the adoption of ICTs for PE in schools. The proposed model is based on a sound theoretical framework. It was designed following a literature review of technology adoption theories and of ICT adoption factors for physical education. The technology adoption model that fitted to the best all ICT adoption factors was then chosen as the basis for the proposed model. It was found that the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is the most adequate theoretical framework for the modeling of ICT adoption factors for physical education. Keywords—Adoption factors, basic education, physical education, technology adoption theories.
A routing optimization technology based on neural networks in MANET

DSR is one of the most important routing protocols in MANET. Because of the mobility of MANET, DSR routing is only one available route rather than an optimal situation, in this paper, Continuous Hopfield Neural Network is used to optimize the route to find an optimal or nearly-optimal route, which can improve the usability and survivability of MANET. The simulation results show that CHNN-DSR is more important than DSR in the measurement of throughput, end-to-end average delay and control overhead, have a clear advantage.
Constrained least-squares restoration of nuclear medicine images: selecting the coarseness function.

Image restoration using the constrained least-squares (CLS) method theoretically adapts to the image being processed. In addition, it only requires knowing the modulation transfer function of the imaging system when applied to nuclear medicine images. Prompted by these observations, a systematic evaluation of the effects of the form of the "coarseness function" [C(f)] used by the CLS method has been conducted. Nine C(f)'s are evaluated using an observer preference and a normalized mean-squared error (NMSE) criterion. This evaluation is conducted for three modulation transfer functions and a wide range of count levels. The results of the subjective studies support using the form of C(f) which has been most widely employed in previous studies, i.e., the form designed to minimize the energy in the second derivative of the restored image. A different form of C(f) is generally found to be optimal by the mean-squared error criterion. The CLS method is then compared to: (1) no processing, (2) count-dependent smoothing, and (3) count-dependent Metz restoration. When evaluated using objective measurements of error and contrast, the CLS method is found to be slightly inferior to the best method, Metz restoration. However, CLS restoration is found to be equal to or better than the other methods when judged by the results of observer preference studies.
A minimalist one-determinant tuning power scheme in wireless sensor networks

Transmission power control to save energy has been described in many studies to capture their efficiency. These previous methods, however, are too complicated, costing much communication, calculation, and require special hardware. Our simple method uses only one flooding to complete setting of all the nodes. The power is decided according to the hops from every node to the sink. The nodes with the same hops set equal power and they follow a tuning pattern. In this method there might exist the problem of unlinkedness for the sensor nodes. However, the problem of unlinkedness can be endured in WSNs. We explore the pattern to fit different simulated environments. The study shows that better results can be obtained if the hill and descending pattern with not too large slope are adopted.
Camera2Caption: A real-time image caption generator

The recent advances in Deep Learning based Machine Translation and Computer Vision have led to excellent Image Captioning models using advanced techniques like Deep Reinforcement Learning. While these models are very accurate, these often rely on the use of expensive computation hardware making it difficult to apply these models in realtime scenarios, where their actual applications can be realised. In this paper, we carefully follow some of the core concepts of Image Captioning and its common approaches and present our simplistic encoder and decoder based implementation with significant modifications and optimizations which enable us to run these models on low-end hardware of hand-held devices. We also compare our results evaluated using various metrics with state-of-the-art models and analyze why and where our model trained on MSCOCO dataset lacks due to the trade-off between computation speed and quality. Using the state-of-the-art TensorFlow framework by Google, we also implement a first of its kind Android application to demonstrate the realtime applicability and optimizations of our approach.
An approach for assessing and managing inter-unit interdependence.

The article discusses a conceptual framework for evaluating interdependence in inter-organizational and intra-organizational relations. The method includes: a referent system common to both relational contexts; six dimensions that define interdependence; and five variables that influence the perception of interdependence. Interdependence occurs when the action of one unit affects the action or work outcome of another unit. Six dimensions in a transactional approach to interdependence include the number of different resources involved, the frequency of transactions per unit of time, and the composite value of the resource.
Understanding human perceptual experience in unstructured data on the web

Computing for human experience has become more important for understanding all of aspects of any interaction of human beings in the cyber, physical, and social environments. In particular, artificial intelligent technologies based on big data enable to understand natural language, enhance day to day human experience, and make a better decision. In this paper, we propose a method to classify unstructured text data on the Web into the five types of sensation features: sight (ophthalmoception), hearing (audioception), touch (tactioception), smell (olfacception), and taste (gustaoception). Even though sensation is the first process of human experience against the environments, the study of sensation information extraction is neglected due to lack of sensory expression and knowledge comparing with the sentimental analysis or opinion mining. We first define the sensation measurement that is assigned to each feature. Then, we identify which sensation feature has a strong influence on human perceptual experience in a specific topic of corpus. Finally, we evaluate our method by comparing with several baselines in terms of the accuracy.