Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using emulators to approximate predicted performance indicators of complex microsimulation and multiagent models of travel demand

Abstract The very high run times associated with microsimulation and agent based models of travel demand preclude their application in real time policy development sessions in which discussions require fast turnaround times of model simulation results. This paper suggests and explores the use of emulators to increase the possibilities of using large scale simulation models in real time policy development sessions. An emulator is a statistical approximation of a large scale model, depicting the relationship between a set of input variables and an output variable of a large scale model. To illustrate the approach, an emulator is built for the Albatross model system with special reference to its daily distance traveled per person performance indicator. Results are satisfactory and show that simple main effects plus first order interaction effects of regression model can approximate daily distance traveled per person, simulated by the considerably more complex large scale Albatross model system, very accurately. The paper also examines the impact of the number of simulation runs on the performance of the emulator. Results suggest that the accuracy of the emulator improves, albeit in a non-linear fashion, with an increasing number of simulation runs. Implications and avenues of future research are discussed.
Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Simvastatin Combined to Chemotherapy in Osteosarcoma

Simple Summary Osteosarcoma is the most common form of primary solid bone malignancy, with the highest incidence in adolescence. The therapeutic management includes surgical resection combined with adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens. Despite this multimodal combination, about two patients out of five are still not cured (5-year overall survival rate at 60%). Complementary therapeutic approaches are required to overcome the frequent resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential benefit of statins as an adjuvant to chemotherapy. We show that simvastatin synergizes with conventional chemotherapy drugs in terms of cell viability, tumor growth, and dissemination and represents valuable alternative adjuvant therapy that needs further investigation in clinical trials. Abstract Context: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary solid malignancy of the bone, mainly affecting pediatric patients. The main clinical issues are chemoresistance and metastatic spread, leading to a survival rate stagnating around 60% for four decades. Purpose: Here, we investigated the effect of simvastatin as adjuvant therapy on chemotherapy. Methods: Cell viability was assessed by the MTT test, and a combination index was evaluated by an isobologram approach. Cell motility was assessed by wound-healing assay. Cell-derived xenograft models were established in mice. FFPE tumor samples were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: In vitro experiments indicate that simvastatin synergized the conventional chemotherapy drugs’ inhibitory effect on cell viability. Functional assays reveal that simvastatin supplementation favored the anticancer mechanism of action of the tested chemotherapy drugs, such as DNA damage through intercalation or direct alkylation and disorganization of microtubules. Additionally, we show that even though simvastatin alone did not modify tumor behavior, it potentiated the inhibitory effect of doxorubicin on primary tumor growth (+50%, p < 0.05) and metastatic spread (+50%, p < 0.05). Our results provide evidence that simvastatin exerted an anti-tumor effect combined with chemotherapy in the preclinical murine model and represents valuable alternative adjuvant therapy that needs further investigation in clinical trials.
Adaptive critic designs for decentralised robust control of nonlinear interconnected systems via event-triggering mechanism

In this article, a novel decentralised event-triggered control scheme is developed for the robust stabilisation of interconnected systems. The existing literature about decentralised robust control by adaptive critic designs (ACDs) is mostly time-triggered which requires extensive communication and computation. To extend the ACD framework and save the communication and computational resources, the event-triggered decentralised control using ACDs is investigated. First, we utilise a series of auxiliary subsystems to restructure the interconnected systems in a distributed way, so as to transform the robust control problem into the corresponding optimal control problem. Then, adaptive critic designs with event-triggering mechanism are investigated to solve the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations via local policy iteration algorithm. The single-critic networks are employed to achieve the approximation of optimal value functions. The Lyapunov stability proof ensures the asymptotic stability of the whole system and the uniform ultimate boundedness of the critic neural networks. Finally, an interconnected plant is employed to demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed method.
Measurement of particle deposition rates in a commercial aircraft cabin

Thousands of people travel by air every day. In 2011, 730 million people traveled on commercial aircraft domestically (BTS 2012). These passengers are confined to a very high-occupant density space for extended periods of time, sometimes over 15 h or more, for international flights. This large volume of travelers, combined with their time spent in close proximity of each other, during flights increases the potential for transmitting diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), tuberculosis, swine influenza (H1N1), and avian influenza (H5N1). Consequently, a common concern during commercial flight is disease transfer among passengers. Airborne pathogens travel throughout aircraft cabins much as airborne particles would. To study how these airborne diseases travel, particles were released into a Boeing 767 aircraft cabin mockup, and the particle deposition rates over a variety of locations were measured. In addition to varying the location of measurements, the surface orientation for measurements was changed between horizontal and vertical configurations. The number of particles that deposited onto a clear tape for each location was optically counted using a photographic type microscope. The microscope limited the particle detection size to particles with diameters greater than 3.0 μm. The particle deposition measurements were then compared to previous air concentration measurements taken in the same mockup aircraft cabin. It was found that the surface orientation played a significant role in particle deposition. Nearly a factor of ten differences in particle counts was observed between the vertical and horizontal surface orientations. In addition, the deposition trend in the mockup cabin, left to right for horizontal orientation, reversed when the surface orientation was changed.
Thermodynamic Constraints on Electromicrobial Protein Production

Global consumption of protein is projected to double by the middle of the 21st century1. However, protein production is one of the most energy intensive and environmentally damaging parts of the food supply system today. Electromicrobial production technologies that combine renewable electricity and CO2-fixing microbial metabolism could dramatically increase the energy efficiency of commodity chemical production2–5. Here we present a molecular-scale model that sets an upper limit on the performance of any organism performing electromicrobial protein production. We show that engineered microbes that fix CO2 and N2 using reducing equivalents produced by H2-oxidation or extracellular electron uptake could produce amino acids with energy inputs as low as 64 MJ kg-1. This work provides a roadmap for development of engineered microbes that could significantly expand access to proteins produced with a low environmental footprint.
Assessment of trophic state of lakes: a case of Mansi Ganga Lake in India.

Due to rapid growth of population coupled with urbanization, the water bodies, especially, rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs etc are deteriorating due to heavy pollutational stresses resulting in the scarcity of drinking water resources. The present paper attempts to review the work done on the development of TSI for assessment of trophic state of lakes and applicability of most important TSI methods for Indian lakes. The paper also deals with the revival of Mansi Ganga Lake in Mathura, especially, assessment of its trophic state based on the data collected for 2006-09. The results indicated that the lake was oligotrophic during 2006 which has become mesotrophic in the year 2008 showing increase in pollution. After the chemical treatment for the removal of algae, the lake water was drained and results of sampling done in 2009 (pre-monsoon) indicated it to be eutrophic. These calls for its immediate revival and accordingly, the conservation measure are suggested. Key words: Eutrophication; Trophic State Index (TSI); Total Phosphorus (TP); Secchi depth (SD); Chlorophyll ‘a’ (Chl’a’) DOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0. 4198 Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. 6, January 2010 Page: 65-72 Uploaded Date: 24 January, 2011
Size dependent droplet actuation in digital microfluidic systems

Digital microfluidic systems (DMFS) manipulate liquid droplets with volumes in submicroliter range in two dimensional arrays of cells. Among possible droplet actuation mechanisms, Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) actuation has been found to be most feasible and advantageous because of low power consumption, ease of signal generation and basic device fabrication. In EWOD based DMFS, droplets are actuated by applying an electric field and thus increasing the wettability on one side of the droplet. In this paper, we show that the EWOD actuation of a droplet can be modeled as a closed loop system having unity feedback of position. Electrode, dielectric and droplet are modeled as a capacitor with variable area as the droplet, considered as a conductor, moves over the dielectric layer. The EWOD force depends on the rate of change of droplet area over the actuated electrode, which in turn depends on the direction of motion and the position of the droplet between the actuated and previous electrode. Thus, EWOD actuation intrinsically utilizes the droplet position to generate sufficient force to accelerate the droplet. When the droplet approaches the final position, the magnitude of force reduces automatically so the droplet decelerates. In case the droplet has sufficient momentum to exceed the final position, the EWOD force, according to the model, will act on the opposite side of the droplet in order to bring it back to the desired position. The dynamic response has been characterized using the proposed model for different droplet sizes, actuation voltages, dielectric thicknesses and electrode sizes.
Activity patterns of medium and large mammals in two savanna ecosystems in the Colombian Llanos

Neotropical savannas have undergone continuous processes of landscape transformation (e.g., agriculture, oil, gas, and hydrocarbon industry) and very little is known about the ecology and natural history of key biological groups such as terrestrial mammals while the information on behavioral aspects of mammalian species in these ecosystems is very scarce. Here, we aimed to describe the activity patterns of medium and large mammals in two savanna ecosystems in the Colombian Llanos. A set of 60 camera traps was installed in the two ecosystems for 35 days (2100 camera days). We described the activity patterns of nine predominantly nocturnal species. We found no difference in circadian distributions of mammals between ecosystems. Cuniculus paca Linnaeus 1758 and Dasyprocta fuliginosa Wagler 1832 showed patterns of exclusion probably due to competition whereas other species like Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus1758 and Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus 1758 displayed similar activity patterns. We highlight the importance of savannas for the conservation of these species and discuss the relevance of studies on activity patterns for mammal ecology and conservation in Neotropical savannas.
Reconstruction of False and Missing Data with First-Order Traffic Flow Model

In previous studies, two traffic data-cleaning algorithms were developed at the Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports on the basis of filtering techniques and statistical approaches. Because of their mathematical structure (linearity of the process), both algorithms present a high level of inaccuracy in the case of nonhomogeneous traffic conditions at the location of the measurement stations (for example, free flow upstream and congestion downstream, or vice versa). A new algorithm for solving the traffic data-cleaning problem on the basis of real-time application of a dynamic first-order modeling approach was devised to take into account the nonlinearity of the traffic phenomenon. The developed algorithm, named PROPAGE, was tested using real data measurements, including a wide spectrum of traffic conditions. Compared with results from previous algorithms, the results obtained were more accurate.
Real Estate Market Response to Coastal Flood Hazards

This study estimates the effects of flood hazard on residential property values using a hedonic property price method. We utilize digital flood maps coupled with extensive residential property sales records between September 2000 and September 2004 from Carteret County, North Carolina. Carteret County is a coastal county that contains numerous floodplains including areas subject to wave action. Our results indicate that on average property values are 5–10% lower if located within a flood zone that is not subject to wave action. However, location within a flood zone that is vulnerable to wave action is associated with higher property values. We find that, in most inland areas, price differentials for flood risk are roughly equivalent to the capitalized value of flood insurance premiums. However, the risk of coastal flooding seems inconsequential in determining property values due to the substantial premiums that appear to be associated with proximity to coastal water.
X-band low-phase noise oscillator employing substrate integrated waveguide dual-mode filter

A novel low-phase noise oscillator employing a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) dual-mode bandpass filter as a frequency stabilisation element within its feedback loop is proposed. The SIW dual-mode filter is implemented based on the use of the two degenerate modes (TE102 and TE201) and has a larger group delay peak than the conventional SIW cavity resonator. By taking advantage of the large group delay peak, the phase noise of the oscillator has significant improvement. An X-band oscillator with a GaAs HEMT packaged transistor has been designed and measured. At an oscillation frequency of 9.04 GHz, the measured phase noise is −111.9 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset. The output power is 6.1 dBm and the figure of merit is −198 dBc/Hz.
Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy on the Motor Ability of Post Stroke Patients: Systematic Review

The incidence of stroke is increased, and more than 50% of stroke patients suffer from upper limb disability, and 87% of motor damage to the upper limb occurs in the acute stage. About 30-60% of stroke patients never regain the motor function of the hands affected by a stroke, which can cause post-stroke patients difficulty in daily living activities. The purpose of this study is to systematically review research on the effectiveness of Mirror Therapy as a motor rehabilitation intervention in improving motor skills in post-stroke patients. A search strategy was applied to the Proquest and Science Direct database. The search results are then selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only studies using quantitative methods were chosen of 155 articles found, 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were reviewed using an experimental design of 9 articles from 9 studies examined to prove that Mirror Therapy can improve motor function, especially upper extremity. In enhancing further research, it is necessary to determine the optimal training intensity and duration of improvement to survive and generalize to other functional domains. It also needs to pay attention to the number and homogeneity of the subject (age, sex, level of disability, and the onset of stroke) so as not to bias the research results.
Visual SLAM and Surface Reconstruction for Abdominal Minimally Invasive Surgery

viii CHAPTER 1 MOTIVATION AND CHALLENGES 1 1.1 Background and Motivation 1 1.2 Challenges 2 1.3 Summary 3 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 4 2.1 Note to Reader 4 2.2 Motivation and MIS Datasets 4 2.3 Feature Detection and Feature Tracking 6 2.3. 1 Feature Detection 7 2.3. 2 Feature Tracking 8 2.3. 3 Discussion 10 2.4 Reconstruction without Camera Motion 11 2.4. 1 Stereo Cue 11 2.4. 2 Active Methods 12 2.4. 3 Shading and Shadow Cue 13 2.4. 4 Discussion 14 2.5 Rigid MIS-VSLAM 14 2.5. 1 Monocular Camera 16 2.5. 2 Stereo Cameras 19 2.5. 3 Discussion 20 2.6 Dynamic MIS-VSLAM 20 2.6. 1 State-of-the-art DSSFM 21 2.6. 1.1 DSSFM with Monocular Cameras 21 2.6. 1.2 DSSFM with Stereo Cameras 23 2.6. 2 DSSFM in MIS Environment 24 2.6. 3 Moving Instrument Tracking 26 2.6. 4 Discussion 27
Design of Crop Environmental Monitoring System Based on ZigBee

A large number of sensors have been used in the system to form a monitoring network through ZigBee protocol. The system can obtain the information through these sensors, and according to the information the position in question will be accurately located. The sensors connect to the monitoring network through a wireless module, and upload monitoring information in real time. The gateway is responsible for receiving the wireless sensor nodes to data storage, display and management, to achieve all base test point access to information, management, dynamic display and analysis and processing. This information will be display to the user with charts and text prompt manner in the monitoring software and it provides a variety of sound and light alarm information and message alarm information.
Core Microbiome of Slovak Holstein Friesian Breeding Bulls’ Semen

Simple Summary The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial profile of semen collected from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls via a high-throughput sequencing approach for a 16S rRNA gene variability analysis. A total of 55 fresh semen samples of sexually mature breeding bulls were used in the study. They were gathered from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls at Slovak Biological Services in Nitra, Slovak Republic. To amplify the V4 region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene, universal primers 515F and 806R enhanced by a 6 bp barcode identification sequence were used. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing strategy was used. Two microbial clusters were identified among the analyzed samples—the first cluster was based on Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, while the second cluster contained a high prevalence of Fusobacteria. Abstract Bacterial contamination of semen is an important factor connected to the health status of bulls that may significantly affect semen quality for artificial insemination. Moreover, some important bovine diseases may be transmitted through semen. Up to now, only a very limited number of complex studies describing the semen microbiome of bulls have been published, as many bacteria are hard to cultivate using traditional techniques. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing strategy allows for the reliable identification of bacterial profiles of bovine semen together with the detection of noncultivable bacterial species. Fresh samples from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls (n = 55) were examined for the natural variability in the present bacteria. Semen doses were selected randomly from Slovak Biological Services in Nitra, Slovak Republic. The most predominant phyla within the whole dataset were Firmicutes (31%), Proteobacteria (22%), Fusobacteria (18%), Actinobacteria (13%) and Bacteroidetes (12%). Samples of semen were divided into two separate clusters according to their microbiome compositions using a cording partition around a medoids analysis. Microbiomes of the first cluster (CL1) of samples (n = 20) were based on Actinobacteria (CL1 average = 25%; CL = 28%) and Firmicutes (CL1 = 38%; CL2 = 27%), while the second cluster (CL2; n = 35) contained samples characterized by a high prevalence of Fusobacteria (CL1 = 4%; CL2 = 26%). Some important indicator microbial groups were differentially distributed between the clusters.
Researching performance measurement system implementation: the dynamics of success and failure

There is a growing literature concerned with the design and implementation of performance measurement systems but few studies of success and failure. This paper describes three phases of research into design and implementation of performance measurement systems involving 16 different businesses. The conclusion from the research is that senior management commitment is a key driver of success, but the paper will also describe the main factors which influence and change this commitment over the life of a performance measurement implementation project.
DETERMINANTS OF VEHICLE CHOICE IN METRO MANILA: CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR LOW EMISSION VEHICLES (LEVs)

報告番号: ; 学位授与年月日: 2012-09-27 ; 学位の種別: 修士 ; 学位の種類: 修士(サステイナビリティ学) ; 学位記番号: 修創域第4524号 ; 研究科・専攻: 新領域創成科学研究科環境学研究系サステイナビリティ学教育プログラム
Single-chip A/D converter for digital microphones with on-chip preamplifier and time-domain noise isolation

A 1-bit sigma-delta modulator (SigmaDeltaM) with an on-chip preamplifier for digital electret microphones has been implemented. A differential gm-opamp-RC preamplifier eliminates the traditional single-ended JFET interface and is integrated with an on-chip SigmaDeltaM by removing all external components. The proposed time-domain noise isolation technique preserves circuit performance under a single power supply condition. The prototype implemented in a 0.18 mum CMOS technology achieves a 78 dB dynamic range and 62 dB peak signal-to-noise+distortion ratio (both A-weighted) with a current consumption of 450 muA under a 1.8 V supply.
Miocene high elevation in the Central Alps

Abstract. Reconstructing Oligocene–Miocene paleoelevation contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary history of the European Alps and sheds light on geodynamic and Earth surface processes involved in the development of Alpine topography. Despite being one of the most intensively explored mountain ranges worldwide, constraints on the elevation history of the European Alps remain scarce. Here we present stable and clumped isotope measurements to provide a new paleoelevation estimate for the mid-Miocene (∼14.5 Ma) European Central Alps. We apply stable isotope δ–δ paleoaltimetry to near-sea-level pedogenic carbonate oxygen isotope (δ18O) records from the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin (Swiss Molasse Basin) and high-Alpine phyllosilicate hydrogen isotope (δD) records from the Simplon Fault Zone (Swiss Alps). We further explore Miocene paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental conditions in the Swiss Molasse Basin through carbonate stable (δ18O, δ13C) and clumped (Δ47) isotope data from three foreland basin sections in different alluvial megafan settings (proximal, mid-fan, and distal). Combined pedogenic carbonate δ18O values and Δ47 temperatures (30±5 ∘C) yield a near-sea-level precipitation δ18Ow value of -5.8±1.2 ‰ and, in conjunction with the high-Alpine phyllosilicate δD value of -14.6±0.3 ‰, suggest that the region surrounding the Simplon Fault Zone attained surface elevations of >4000 m no later than the mid-Miocene. Our near-sea-level δ18Ow estimate is supported by paleoclimate (iGCM ECHAM5-wiso) modeled δ18O values, which vary between −4.2 ‰ and −7.6 ‰ for the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin.