Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large-Scale Graph Reinforcement Learning in Wireless Control Systems

—Modern control systems routinely employ wireless networks to exchange information between spatially distributed plants, actuators and sensors. With wireless networks deﬁned by random, rapidly changing transmission conditions that challenge assumptions commonly held in the design of control systems, proper allocation of communication resources is essential to achieve reliable operation. Designing resource allocation policies, however, is challenging, motivating recent works to successfully exploit deep learning and deep reinforcement learning techniques to design resource allocation and scheduling policies for wireless control systems (WCSs). As the number of learnable parameters in a neural network grows with the size of the input signal, deep reinforcement learning may fail to scale, limiting the immediate generalization of such scheduling and resource allocation policies to large-scale systems. The interference and fading patterns among plants and controllers in the network, however, induce a time-varying graph that can be used to construct policy representations based on graph neural networks (GNNs), with the number of learnable parameters now independent of the number of plants in the network. We further establish in the context of WCSs that, due to inherent invariance to graph permutations, the GNN is able to model scalable and transferable resource allocation policies, which are subsequently trained with primal-dual reinforcement learning. Numerical experiments show that the proposed graph reinforcement learning approach yields policies that not only outperform baseline solutions and deep reinforcement learning based policies in large-scale systems, but that can also be transferred across networks of varying size.
Inference in Opinion Dynamics Under Social Pressure

We introduce a new opinion dynamics model where a group of agents holds two kinds of opinions: inherent and declared. Each agent’s inherent opinion is fixed and unobservable by the other agents. At each time step, agents broadcast their declared opinions on a social network, which are governed by the agents’ inherent opinions and social pressure. In particular, we assume that agents may declare opinions that are not aligned with their inherent opinions to conform with their neighbors. This raises the natural question: Can we estimate the agents’ inherent opinions from observations of declared opinions? For example, agents’ inherent opinions may represent their true political alliances (Democrat or Republican), while their declared opinions may model the political inclinations of tweets on social media. In this context, we may seek to predict the election results by observing voters’ tweets, which do not necessarily reflect their political support due to social pressure. We analyze this question in the special case where the underlying social network is a complete graph. We prove that, as long as the population does not include large majorities, estimation of aggregate and individual inherent opinions is possible. On the other hand, large majorities force minorities to lie over time, which makes asymptotic estimation impossible.
A contact length model for grinding wheel-workpiece contact.

Grinding efficiency and workpiece surface integrity are greatly affected by deflections that occur within the grinding contact zone. A new relationship for the contact between the grinding wheel and the surface of the workpiece is introduced by the equation 1c2 = li2 + 1g2. The orthogonal combination of the contact length due to the deformation which would occur with zero depth of cut and the contact length due to the depth of cut is a new finding that clarifies for the first time the effects of the grinding geometry, represented by lg, and the deflection due to the force, represented by lf. The contacting surfaces in abrasive machining process are far from smooth. The real contact length was therefore modelled from two approaches: (i) a roughness factor approach and (ii) a contact area ratio approach. These new models more accurately describe the mechanics of grinding contact than previous models. The analysis explains why the measured contact length is much greater than the geometric contact length. For the experimental investigation, the Applied Power Source method was used to measure contact length. The signal of the Applied Power Source method is the function of the contact area of the active grains and the number of the active grains. The measuring system also included a technique for measuring real depth of cut and a temperature measurement technique. Experimental results were correlated with theoretical predictions for a range of grinding conditions, including depth of cut, dry and wet grinding, different workpiece materials, alumina and CBN grinding wheels. The roughness factor approach was found to give the best agreement with experiment. Values of the roughness factor, Rr, were established and the sensitivity of these values was investigated based on the effect of various grinding parameters. The application of the contact length model in adaptive control was discussed. It is concluded that the new contact length model provides the first satisfactory explanation of experimental finding.
eScholarship@UMassChan eScholarship@UMassChan

PFRED a software application for the design, analysis, and visualization of antisense oligo-nucleotides and siRNA is described. The software provides an intuitive user-interface for scientists to design a library of siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides that target a specific gene of interest. Moreover, the tool facilitates the incorporation of various design criteria that have been shown to be important for stability and potency. PFRED has been made available as an open-source project so the code can be easily modified to address the future needs of the oligonucleotide research community. A compiled version is available for downloading at https://github.com/pfred/pfred-gui/releases/tag/v1.0 as a java Jar file. The source code and the links for downloading the precompiled version can be found at https://github.com/pfred.
Stress distribution and microgap formation in angulated zirconia abutments with a titanium base in narrow diameter implants: A 3D finite element analysis

This in vitro study aimed to use failure stress and implant abutment interface (IAI) microgap size to find the compromised axial angle range of angulated zirconia abutments with a titanium base in narrow diameter implants in the esthetic region. A three‐dimensional (3D) finite element model of maxillary central incisor implant prosthesis was reconstructed. Angulated zirconia abutments (0°, 15°, 30°, and − 15°) with a titanium base in narrow diameter implants (3.3 × 12 mm, Bone level, Roxolid SLActive, Straumann AG, Switzerland) were designed to simulate clinical scenarios of buccal inclination 0°, 15°, and 30°, and palatal inclination 15° of the implant long axis. Straight titanium abutment and pure titanium implant were used as two control groups. An oblique force at 30° inclination to the long axis of the crown was applied 3 mm below the incisal edge on the palatal surface of the prosthesis. Under simulated dynamic chewing force, the stress distribution of the implant components and surrounding bone were investigated. The relative micromotion displacement between the implant and abutment models at the IAI area was recorded, and the influence of tightening torque on the IAI microgap was evaluated. The angulation of the zirconia abutment could affect the stress value and IAI microgap of implant restorations. When the zirconia abutment angle increased from −15° to 30°, the stress on the central screw, titanium base, and surrounding bone tissue gradually increased by 9%, 20%, and 23%, respectively. The stress levels of the 30° zirconia abutment group showed the risk of exceeding the threshold. When the long axis of the implant was inclined in the palatal direction, the −15° angle abutment reduced the stress by 3% and reduced the strain level of the implant system by 17% and the surrounding bone tissue by 26%. Under simulated dynamic chewing load, the displacement between the implants and the abutment occurred in each group of the implant system, and the amplitude of the micromotion fluctuated with the change in the load. The horizontal displacement caused a 0.075–1.459 μm palatal microgap and 0.091–0.945 μm distal microgap in the IAI. The microgap between the lip and palate was more evident, and the vertical displacement difference was manifested as the abutment sliding down the implant. In cases of upper implant restoration with difficulties such as small gaps and axial defects in the esthetic zone, the abutment angle is highly recommended to be in a slightly palatal‐inclined direction or to not exceed 15° when the implant is inclined to the labial side to avoid mechanical damage and leakage caused by the appearance of excessively large micromotion gaps.
SCRUM - Metodologia de desenvolvimento ágil

The SCRUM is assumed as an agile and extremely flexible methodology. Its objective is to define an iterative development and incremental process that can be applied to any product or in the management of any complex activity, providing an excellent agreement among the development teams. With all this agreement and the active participation of the customers, the profit of the project increases and the requirements and request of changing is understood in a quick way. The methodologies of agile development is being outstanding each day, however these methodologies are still a few divulged in the academic atmosphere. The objective of this article, besides divulgating this subject and serving of support for future research, is to demonstrate in simple and objective way, the functioning, the characteristics, the vocabulary and the application of methodology SCRUM in a labor environment.
AutozygosityMapper: Identification of disease-mutations in consanguineous families

Abstract With the shift from SNP arrays to high-throughput sequencing, most researchers studying diseases in consanguineous families do not rely on linkage analysis any longer, but simply search for deleterious variants which are homozygous in all patients. AutozygosityMapper allows the fast and convenient identification of disease mutations in patients from consanguineous pedigrees by focussing on homozygous segments shared by all patients. Users can upload multi-sample VCF files, including WGS data, without any pre-processing. Genome-wide runs of homozygosity and the underlying genotypes are presented in graphical interfaces. AutozygosityMapper extends the functions of its predecessor, HomozygosityMapper, to the search for autozygous regions, in which all patients share the same homozygous genotype. We provide export of VCF files containing only the variants found in homozygous regions, this usually reduces the number of variants by two orders of magnitude. These regions can also directly be analysed with our disease mutation identification tool MutationDistiller. The application comes with simple and intuitive graphical interfaces for data upload, analysis, and results. We kept the structure of HomozygosityMapper so that previous users will find it easy to switch. With AutozygosityMapper, we provide a fast web-based way to identify disease mutations in consanguineous families. AutozygosityMapper is freely available at https://www.genecascade. org/AutozygosityMapper/.
A Grammar for Hypothesis-Driven Visual Analysis

— A hallmark of visual analytics is its ability to support users in translating broad, open-ended analytic questions (e.g., “is our company succeeding? ”) into veriﬁable hypotheses that can be tested from the available data (e.g., “our total revenue increased this past quarter”). However, the process of converting open-ended analytic questions into testable hypotheses is complex and often ill-deﬁned. Beyond high-level descriptions, the visual analytics literature lacks a formalization that can be operationalized for analysis and automation. In this paper, we propose a novel grammar to express hypothesis-based analytic questions for visual analysis. Drawing from prior work in science and education, our grammar deﬁnes a formal way to express sets of veriﬁable hypotheses as a “hypothesis space”. Our proposed use of hypothesis spaces contributes a new lens to unify concepts of user goals, the capabilities of a dataset, visual analysis, and testable hypotheses. As a result, we can reformulate abstract classes of visual analysis goals, such as analytic and data-related tasks, in a way that is suitable for analysis and automation. We demonstrate use cases of our grammar in real-world analytic applications including VAST challenges, Kaggle competitions, and pre-existing task taxonomies. Finally, we provide design opportunities in which our grammar can be operationalized to articulate analysis tasks, evaluate visualization systems, and support hypothesis-based reasoning in visual analytic tools.
He-Ne laser stimulation of human fibroblast proliferation and attachment in vitro

Laboratory studies of biostimulation are predominantly of Eastern Block origin and for the most part are confined to measurements of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in E. coli, yeasts and transformed mammalian cells. Few of these studies have compared the effects induced by coherent versus incoherent sources and fewer provide sufficient details of the exposure regime to enable the work to be repeated. We, like many other laboratories, found the published claims unconvincing. Given our scepticism we have undertaken a series of pilot experiments in an attempt to highlight possible sources of error in previous studies. This paper reports our results and is an attempt to promote further discussion.
Evidence-based learning: Interactive, online EBP modules for first year nursing. A case study

Deakin University Library designed a series of six modules to provide interactive, online learning for a first year nursing unit, Understanding Research Evidence. The modules were developed in response to the changing learning requirements of students in the digital age. Delivered using Smart Sparrow software, the modules were designed to assist students in the development and consolidation of their understandings of evidence-based practice (EBP). The development of the modules represents a shift from unilateral communication to interactive content. Previously, online support had largely consisted of static material that was not presented in the context of curriculum. The Library has now developed integrated content that allows for interactivity, but which may also be customised for other purposes or units across all health disciplines. Feedback and data collected from the modules indicate an encouraging degree of engagement with the content. Data also allows the Library to ensure the continuous improvement of the modules. Library staff have also reported on their improved capacity and confidence in creating learning experiences that integrate core information and digital literacy competencies with students' curriculum. Staff also report improvements in their ability to use technologies to create online learning objects.
in the Early

using optical and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that crack initiation and growth up to a few grain size occurred predominantly along the slip band. After this stage of growth, a crack route along the grain boundary was sometimes observed, especially in the specimens fatigued at high stress. Flat fracture surfaces accompanied with steps were observed just beneath the slip bands on the specimen surface. Transcrystalline fracture surfaces containing the crystallographic morphology such as parallel lamelae, however, were observed inside the specimen. Measurement of the angle between the facets suggested that the surfaces consisted of non-slip planes. Smooth surfaces containing clear and linear slip traces were found corresponding to the cracks growing along the grain boundaries just beneath the surface as well as inside the specimen. These results were not essentially different from those found in copper, and therefore, the mechanism of crack nucleation and growth in this material appeared not to be different from that in copper. (Received July 9, 1976)
Mutualism has its limits: consequences of asymmetric interactions between a well-defended plant and its herbivorous pollinator

Concern for pollinator health often focuses on social bees and their agricultural importance at the expense of other pollinators and their ecosystem services. When pollinating herbivores use the same plants as nectar sources and larval hosts, ecological conflicts emerge for both parties, as the pollinator's services are mitigated by herbivory and its larvae are harmed by plant defences. We tracked individual-level metrics of pollinator health—growth, survivorship, fecundity—across the life cycle of a pollinating herbivore, the common hawkmoth, Hyles lineata, interacting with a rare plant, Oenothera harringtonii, that is polymorphic for the common floral volatile (R)-(−)-linalool. Linalool had no impact on floral attraction, but its experimental addition suppressed oviposition on plants lacking linalool. Plants showed robust resistance against herbivory from leaf-disc to whole-plant scales, through poor larval growth and survivorship. Higher larval performance on other Oenothera species indicates that constitutive herbivore resistance by O. harringtonii is not a genus-wide trait. Leaf volatiles differed among populations of O. harringtonii but were not induced by larval herbivory. Similarly, elagitannins and other phenolics varied among plant tissues but were not herbivore-induced. Our findings highlight asymmetric plant–pollinator interactions and the importance of third parties, including alternative larval host plants, in maintaining pollinator health. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes’.
Initial Assessment of Mooring Solutions for Floating Wave Energy Converters

The present study investigates three different types of mooring systems in order to establish potential cost reductions and applicability to wave energy converters (WECs). Proposed mooring systems for three existing WECs create the basis for this study, and the study highlights areas of interest using a preliminary cost estimation and discussion of buildability issues. Using synthetic rope and variations in the mooring configuration has the potential of influencing the cost significantly. In order to quantify this potential, a simple quasi-static analysis is performed, which shows that a SALM type system can provide a paramount cost reduction compared to a traditional CALM type system with chain lines. Similarly, use of nylon ropes similarly appears to provide low cost.
A substrate integrated waveguide based dual‐band leaky‐wave antenna fed by TE10 and TE20 modes

A dual‐band leaky wave antenna (LWA) based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is presented in this paper. The radiation elements are composed of a set of periodical transverse slots and a long longitudinal slot that can radiate scanning beams at two different bands under TE10‐mode and TE20‐mode excitation, respectively. The scanning beams in the two bands both cover the forward region, and polarizations are perpendicular. Under TE10 excitation, the proposed antenna radiates scanning beams in the low band (8.2 GHz ~ 9.1 GHz) with gain varying from 10.6 to 15.9 dBi. Under TE20 excitation, the beams of the proposed antenna scan in the high band of 18.8 GHz ~ 22 GHz with gain varying in 11.7 dBi ~ 16 dBi. The measured results of the fabricated prototype confirm the design theory and simulated results.
Efficient Control of a Mesoporous Fibrillar PEDOT:PSS Aerogel Structure for Promising Thermoelectric Applications

In this study, we describe a reproducible process route to form highly mesoporous, mechanically robust and handleable aerogels based on entangled PEDOT:PSS nanofibers. The conservation of the alcogel 3D network is ensured via thorough control of the solvent exchange and drying steps. Particular consideration has been given to metrology, allowing us to fully characterize the thermoelectric properties of the aerogels. The interconnected fibrillar morphology provides good electrical conductivity and mechanical properties by forming effective pathways for both electron transfer and sustaining mechanical forces. The Seebeck coefficient does not seem to be impacted by the high porosity of the material. Finally, the positive impact of mesoporosity on thermal transport and in particular on the lattice part of the thermal conductivity (klat) is demonstrated here for the first time. Thus, this pure PEDOT:PSS aerogel exhibits very interesting structural and charge transport properties. The high power output of 2 µW, measured for a temperature gradient of 36.5 K on a single aerogel sample, highlights the possibility of integrating PEDOT:PSS aerogels into thermoelectric generators. Graphical Abstract
Abnormal Dynamic Functional Networks in Subjective Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's Disease

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is considered to be the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and has the potential for the early diagnosis and intervention of AD. It was implicated that CSF-tau, which increases very early in the disease process in AD, has a high sensitivity and specificity to differentiate AD from normal aging, and the highly connected brain regions behaved more tau burden in patients with AD. Thus, a highly connected state measured by dynamic functional connectivity may serve as the early changes of AD. In this study, forty-five normal controls (NC), thirty-six individuals with SCD, and thirty-five patients with AD were enrolled to obtain the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Sliding windows, Pearson correlation, and clustering analysis were combined to investigate the different levels of information transformation states. Three states, namely, the low state, the middle state, and the high state, were characterized based on the strength of functional connectivity between each pair of brain regions. For the global dynamic functional connectivity analysis, statistically significant differences were found among groups in the three states, and the functional connectivity in the middle state was positively correlated with cognitive scales. Furthermore, the whole brain was parcellated into four networks, namely, default mode network (DMN), cognitive control network (CCN), sensorimotor network (SMN), and occipital-cerebellum network (OCN). For the local network analysis, statistically significant differences in CCN for low state and SMN for middle state and high state were found in normal controls and patients with AD. Meanwhile, the differences were also found in normal controls and individuals with SCD. In addition, the functional connectivity in SMN for high state was positively correlated with cognitive scales. Converging results showed the changes in dynamic functional states in individuals with SCD and patients with AD. In addition, the changes were mainly in the high strength of the functional connectivity state.