Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microtube Laser Forming for Precision Component Alignment

A micro-actuator for precision alignment, using laser forming of a tube, is presented. Such an actuator can be used to align components after assembly. The positioning of an optical fiber with respect to a waveguide chip is used as a test case, where a submicron lateral alignment accuracy is required. A stainless steel tube with an outer diameter of 635 μm was used as a simple and compact actuator, where the fiber is mounted concentrically in the tube. An experimental setup has been developed to measure the fiber displacement in real time with a resolution better than 0.1 μm. In addition, this setup allows the axial and radial positioning of the laser spot over the surface of the tube. Several tube samples were (de)formed to move a fiber to a predefined position, using a laser with a wavelength of 1080 nm, a pulse length of 200 ms, and a power between 4 W and 10 W. On average of 18 laser pulses were required to reach the targeted position of the fiber with an accuracy of 0.1 μm. It has been found that increasing the laser power not only results in a larger bending angle but also in a larger uncertainty of this angle. The opposite is true for the radial bending direction, where the uncertainty decreases with increasing laser power.
Understanding Emotions in Online Learning: Using Emotional Design and Emotional Measurement to Unpack Complex Emotions During Collaborative Learning

Many educational researchers explore the role of emotion in learning and there are many new affordances for emotional measurement. Just as there are many options for emotional measurement there are many theories of emotion. When it comes to the measure of sentiment analysis recent findings suggest it is beneficial to online and blended learning research. The sentiment analysis technologies used for educational research are general purpose technologies suggesting that creating a measure designed for the context of learning would improve the alignment between the measure and context. In addition to aligning measure with the context, there is a need to consider how sentiment analysis relates to emotion theory to determine an appropriate method to evaluate the accuracy of sentiment analysis. In this PhD thesis I adopt the Constructed Theory of Emotion, which considers emotion as a collective intentionality indicating that consensus on emotion is the best approach toward examining accuracy. From this perspective I create a sentiment analysis measure in the context of learning to contribute to emotional learning analytics the emerging sub-field of learning analytics. The field of learning analytics acknowledges that design and measurement are intertwined. I adopt a design-based research approach by designing supports for emotional communication and examining how such a design impacts the accuracy of sentiment analysis. I then examine correlation analysis with other established measures of emotion. The results contribute to the field of emotional learning analytics by: • demonstrating promise for generating a classifier based on student perception • demonstrating benefits of supporting emotion expression in text for students • demonstrating that students’ emotion expression in text does not appear to align with their internal emotional experiences These findings provide opportunities for further research and suggest caution should be used when interpreting sentiment analysis results in the context of learning.
Associations of carotid intima media thickness with gene expression in whole blood and genetically predicted gene expression across 48 tissues.

Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) is a biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of future cardiovascular events. Identifying associations between gene expression levels and cIMT may provide insight to atherosclerosis etiology. Here, we use two approaches to identify associations between mRNA levels and cIMT: differential gene expression analysis in whole blood and S-PrediXcan. We used microarrays to measure genome-wide whole blood mRNA levels of 5647 European individuals from four studies. We examined the association of mRNA levels with cIMT adjusted for various potential confounders. Significant associations were tested for replication in three studies totaling 3943 participants. Next, we applied S-PrediXcan to summary statistics from a cIMT genome-wide association study of 71 128 individuals to estimate the association between genetically determined mRNA levels and cIMT and replicated these analyses using S-PrediXcan on an independent genome-wide association study on cIMT that included 22 179 individuals from the UK Biobank. mRNA levels of TNFAIP3, CEBPD, and METRNL were inversely associated with cIMT, but these associations were not significant in the replication analysis. S-PrediXcan identified associations between cIMT and genetically determined mRNA levels for 36 genes, of which six were significant in the replication analysis, including TLN2, which had not been previously reported for cIMT. There was weak correlation between our results using differential gene expression analysis and S-PrediXcan. Differential expression analysis and S-PrediXcan represent complementary approaches for the discovery of associations between phenotypes and gene expression. Using these approaches, we prioritize TNFAIP3, CEBPD, METRNL, and TLN2 as new candidate genes whose differential expression might modulate cIMT.
A rapid approach to estimate the rockfall energies and distances at the base of rock cliffs

ABSTRACT This paper presents a new methodology for estimating the expected energies and first impact distances at the base of a rock cliff, subject to the geometry and properties of the cliff and the representative block being known. The method is based on a sensitivity analysis, conducted by means of kinematic simulations and carried out for a large range of input parameters and their combinations, taking into account the uncertainty associated with their estimate. The proposed approach is validated by comparing predictions to experimental data and shows great potential for a quick qualitative hazard assessment.
The Effect of Service Quality Elements on Customer Satisfaction

The research objective was to determine and analyze the influence of the physical evidence of service quality, caring, responsiveness, reliability, and guaranteeing customer satisfaction at the PT. Pegadaian Watansoppeng branch. Research carried out explanatory research and survey methods. The study population is new clients served PT. Pegadaian Watansoppeng Branch Company. The samples were taken using purposive sampling and obtained 100 samples. This research's data analysis methods are descriptive analysis with Linear Regression calculation, where the independent variables consist of physical evidence, concern, responsibility, reliability, assurance, dependent variable satisfaction customer. The results of studies using multiple linear regression analysis showed that service quality dimensions significantly influence customer satisfaction. As for the t-test is known that a significant level for each variable that is physical evidence = 0.658, concern = 0.002, responsiveness = 0.338, reliability = 0.000, and assurance = 1.239. From these results, two variables can prove the second hypothesis suggesting that the physical evidence of service quality dimensions, concern, responsiveness, reliability, and guarantees the dominant influence on customer satisfaction at the PT. Pegadaian Watansoppeng branch of the variable of concern and reliability and three other variables that physical evidence, responsiveness, and assurance are support for this study hypothesis.
Care and Rearing of Institutionalized Girls in Arequipa, Peru: An Ethnographic Approach

Introduction: Institutional care for children is a global phenomenon. Despite its advantages, common threats have been described. In Peru, more than 70% of institutionalized children/adolescents have living parents who cannot take care of them. The study aims to understand the care/rearing of institutionalized girls in Arequipa, Peru. Methodology: Ethnographic design, with a sample integrated by 27 institutionalized girls. Data collected based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The analysis followed the Method of Constant Comparisons. Results: Five main themes were found: (a) The little house (foster home) is better than my house; (b) They take care of me—even when I am sick—; (c) But . ; (d) What I have lived is what I am; (e) Happiness fits in this little house. Discussion: An ethnography of care/rearing practices could be helpful for a better understanding of the dimensions of the life of institutionalized girls living in developing countries.
Compressed Air Energy Storage Capacity Configuration and Economic Evaluation Considering the Uncertainty of Wind Energy

The random nature of wind energy is an important reason for the low energy utilization rate of wind farms. The use of a compressed air energy storage system (CAES) can help reduce the random characteristics of wind power generation while also increasing the utilization rate of wind energy. However, the unreasonable capacity allocation of the CAES system results in high capital investment and a long payback period. In order to improve the economic benefits of energy storage, this paper studies the capacity configuration of compressed air energy storage systems under the condition of wind energy uncertainty. First, the typical hourly power distribution of wind power generation was obtained using historical data. Factors such as user load demand, time-of-use price of the power grid, system investment cost, power shortage cost, and power sales revenue were considered. Then, a model was built with the charging and discharging power and gas storage capacity of the CAES system as constraints, and the maximum return on investment and the minimum volume of the gas storage tank as targets. NSGA-II and TOPSIS optimal selection methods were used to solve the problem. Finally, the model was used to optimize a power operation case. The results show that in the case of an hourly load power demand of a factory using 3.2 MW, a wind farm would need to keep four wind turbines running every day, and a compressed air energy storage system with a rated power of 1 MW and a rated capacity of 7 MW would ensure the best project benefit. In this mode, 1.24 × 103 MWh of wind abandoning power could be reduced annually, 2.6 × 104 kg of carbon emissions could be reduced by increasing energy storage within the operation cycle, and the payback period of investment would only be 4.8 years.
Accounting Faculty mental health: coping strategies against stress,

ABSTRACT This study sought to investigate which coping strategies are most frequently used by accounting faculty and how they can modulate the perceived stress. The higher education academic environment is filled with events that are stressful in nature; however, little effort, especially in the area of accounting, has been employed in seeking to understand and propose guidelines that can improve well-being and pleasure in the teaching profession. A coping strategy is a behavior that protects the individual from psychological damage related to problematic social experiences; it is through these behaviors that individuals manage their day-to-day experiences, thus helping to maintain their mental health. The discussion about the use of strategies for coping with stress lacks an approach in higher education institutions (HEIs), as it indicates that various strategies are being employed ineffectively and signals that three of the statistically significant strategies belong to the dimension of those focused on dysfunctional emotions. And, more seriously, of those three strategies, two (self-reproach and denial) have further contributed to increasing the perception of stress. The Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI), composed of 26 questions with a five-point Likert scale, and the Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory), with 28 items and a four-point scale, were employed together with sociodemographic questions. An electronic questionnaire was sent to two thousand accounting faculty in Brazil. Altogether, 563 faculty members answered the questions. The analysis was conducted through association and multiple linear regression tests. It was verified that the average stress reported by the faculty members was 63% of the maximum TSI score, and the most prevalent strategies measured by the Brief COPE were planning, active coping, positive reinterpretation, use of instrumental support, self-reproach, and religion. Through linear regression estimation, it was concluded that two coping strategies (active coping and behavioral divestment) negatively moderated the faculty members’ stress, but two others (self-reproach and denial) raised their perception of stress. Moreover, it was discovered that the faculty members who were most vulnerable to stress use less adaptive coping strategies more intensely.
AMP-activated protein kinase contributes to ROS-mediated p53 activation in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE Cisplatin is a widely used anticancer drug that provokes various side effects. Nephrotoxicity is one of the well-known major side effects in the chemotherapeutic use of cisplatin. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p53 play important roles in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known to be sensitively activated by ROS and can directly activate p53. The present study investigated the role of AMPK on cisplatin-induced apoptosis in rat renal epithelial NRK-52E cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS NRK-52E cells were treated with cisplatin in the absence or presence of specific ROS scavenger and AMPK inhibitor for indicated times under the serum-free condition. The expression and phosphorylation levels of proteins were evaluated by Western blot and densitometry analysis. RESULTS Cisplatin induced apoptotic cell death through ROS-mediated p53 activation, which is associated with AMPK activation. AMPK inhibitor suppressed cisplatin-induced p53 activation, as well as AMPK activation. Interestingly, ROS scavenger also diminished cisplatin-induced p53 activation and AMPK activation. Furthermore, cisplatin induced phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), which attenuated p53 activation, but did not affect the expression levels of total p53, cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. Meanwhile, inhibition of AMPK induced premature phosphorylation of eIF2α in cisplatin-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these suggest that AMPK may be required for activation of p53 by oxidative stress in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Moreover, eIF2α phosphorylation may interrupt the AMPK-activated p53 in NRK-52E cells exposed to cisplatin, but does not critically affect cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity because AMPK activation can be disrupted eIF2α phosphorylation.
Expediting analog design retargeting by design knowledge re-use and circuit synthesis: a practical example on a Delta-Sigma modulator

ABSTRACT In the past decade or two, due to constant and rapid technology changes, analog design re-use or design retargeting to newer technologies has been brought to the table in order to expedite the design process and improve time-to-market. If properly conducted, analog design retargeting could significantly cut down design cycle compared to designs starting from the scratch. In this article, we present an empirical and general method for efficient analog design retargeting by design knowledge re-use and circuit synthesis (CS). The method first identifies circuit blocks that compose the source system and extracts the performance parameter specifications of each circuit block. Then, for each circuit block, it scales the values of design variables (DV) from the source design to derive an initial design in the target technology. Depending on the performance of this initial target design, a design space is defined for synthesis. Subsequently, each circuit block is automatically synthesised using state-of-art analog synthesis tools based on a combination of global and local optimisation techniques to achieve comparable performance specifications to those extracted from the source system. Finally, the overall system is composed of those synthesised circuit blocks in the target technology. We illustrate the method using a practical example of a complex Delta-Sigma modulator (DSM) circuit.
Research and Application of Rectified-NAdam Optimization Algorithm in Data Classification

Data classification exists in various practical applications, such as the classification of words in natural language processing, classification of meteorological conditions, classification of environmental pollution degree, and so on. Artificial neural network is a basic method of data classification. A reasonable optimization algorithm will get better results for a loss function in the neural network. The research and improvement of these optimization algorithms has been a focus in this field. Because of the various optimizers developing in building the neural networks, an improved NAdam Algorithm (RNAdam) is proposed in this paper, on the basis of discussing and comparing several Algorithms with Adam Algorithm. This algorithm not only combines the advantages of RAdam algorithm, but also keeps the convergence of NAdam algorithm. A classification experiment is carried out on the data set composed of 300 sample points generated by the Make moon function. The experimental results show that the RNAdam algorithm is better than SGDM, Adam and Nadam algorithm in terms of the loss and accuracy between the output and the actual results, when the data are classified by the three-layer neural network. Therefore, the classification effect will be improved when this algorithm is applied to neural network for various practical data classification problems.
Adaptive block backstepping control for civil structures with unknown parameters subjected to seismic excitation

This paper presents an active control scheme for structures with unknown parameters subjected to ground acceleration. It is assumed that the mass, stiffness and damping matrices are unknown to the designer, and no measurement of the ground acceleration is available. Instead, the displacement and velocity vectors are accessible for control purposes. Adaptive block backstepping is used to propose a control force vector which makes the response of the structure follow a predefined reference signal as closely as possible. The provided numerical examples in this paper show the admissible performance of the proposed closed‐form solution for the control force. The benefits and drawbacks of this approach are discussed as well. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust T cell responses in anti-CD20 treated patients following COVID-19 vaccination: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy are particularly at risk of developing severe COVID-19, however little is known regarding COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in this population. Methods This prospective observational cohort study assesses humoral and T-cell responses after vaccination with 2 doses of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines in patients treated with rituximab for rheumatic diseases or ocrelizumab for multiple sclerosis (n=37), compared to immunocompetent individuals (n=22). Results SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were detectable in only 69.4% of patients and at levels that were significantly lower compared to controls who all seroconverted. In contrast to antibodies, Spike (S)-specific CD4+ T cells were equally detected in immunocompetent and anti-CD20 treated patients (85-90%) and mostly of a Th1 phenotype. Response rates of S-specific CD8 + T cells were higher in ocrelizumab (96.2%) and rituximab-treated patients (81.8%) as compared to controls (66.7%). S-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells were polyfunctional but expressed more activation markers in patients than in controls. During follow-up, three MS patients without SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody response had a mild breakthrough infection. One of them had no detectable S-specific T cells after vaccination. Conclusions Our study suggests that patients on anti-CD20 treatment are able to mount potent T-cell responses to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, despite impaired humoral responses. This could play an important role in the reduction of complications of severe COVID-19.
Deterioration of Soil-biodegradable Mulch Films during Storage and Its Impact on Specialty Crop Production

Plastic mulch films contribute to improved crop yield and quality for vegetable and small fruit cropping systems. Although the single-season agronomic performance of conventional polyethylene mulches and soil-biodegradable mulches (BDMs) are similar, over time BDMs can begin to break down during storage and subsequently not provide season-long soil coverage. In this study, the changes in physicochemical properties of BDMs were investigated over 3 years of indoor storage (2015–18) under ideal environmental conditions in two laboratories. Mulches evaluated were black, 20–40 µm thick, suitable for annual vegetable production, and included three BDMs: two polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)-enriched mulches that are commercially available in North America, an experimental polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanote-based film, and a conventional polyethylene mulch as a control. Tensile properties, specifically peak load and elongation at maximum tensile stress, decreased during storage, particularly for the PBAT-based BDMs, indicating a loss of strength. During year 3 of storage, the tensile properties declined extensively, suggesting embrittlement. The average molecular weight of PLA and PBAT slightly increased during year 1, perhaps due to release of monomers or oligomers, and then decreased extensively during years 2 and 3 due to hydrolysis of ester bonds (confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis). The structural integrity of BDMs was assessed during years 2 and 3 of the study (2017–18) in field trials at the locations where they were stored, Knoxville, TN, and Mount Vernon, WA, for vegetable production. The degradation of the BDMs during the cropping season was higher in 2018 compared with 2017, suggesting that degradation of mechanical and chemical properties while in storage may have contributed to rapid degradation of mulches in the field. In summary, BDMs undergo degradation even under ideal storage conditions and may perform best if deployed within 2 years of their receipt date. The farmer should verify that proper storage conditions have been used before receipt and that manufacturing date precedes the receipt date by no more than 6 months.
Relaxation Dynamics of Point Vortices

We study a model describing relaxation dynamics of point vortices, from quasi-stationary state to the stationary state. It takes the form of a mean field equation of Brownian point vortices derived from Chavanis, and is formulated by our previous work as a limit equation of the patch model studied by Robert-Someria. This model is subject to the micro-canonical statistic laws; conservation of energy, that of mass, and increasing of the entropy. We study the existence and nonexistence of the global-in-time solution. It is known that this profile is controlled by a bound of the negative inverse temperature. Here we prove a rigorous result for radially symmetric case. Hence E/M2 large and small imply the global-in-time and blowup in finite time of the solution, respectively. Where E and M denote the total energy and the total mass, respectively.