Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On-Site Observations of Spine Angle Data During Prolonged Office Sitting While Performing Computer-Aided Drafting Work: A Case Study

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine angles were recorded from five office workers in their workplace to evaluate how individuals normally sit during a workday and to observe movement patterns. Postural data were collected continuously for 2 hours, and the development of pain/discomfort was documented concurrently. Within participants, mean spine angles varied by less than 13° over the measurement period. One initially asymptomatic participant developed discomfort in the mid-back region, and further analysis showed a distinctly different posture in the thoracic region compared to the other participants. Thus, there may be associations between differences in spine region movement and localized areas of pain development. This also highlights the potential importance of individual variations associated with pain development, accentuates the potential negative effects of remaining in an unchanged posture for a prolonged period of time, and reinforces the notion that frequent breaks or postural adjustments may be beneficial.
Data-Driven Analysis of Fluorination of Ligands of Aminergic G Protein Coupled Receptors

Currently, G protein-coupled receptors are the targets with the highest number of drugs in many therapeutic areas. Fluorination has become a common strategy in designing highly active biological compounds, as evidenced by the steadily increasing number of newly approved fluorine-containing drugs. Herein, we identified in the ChEMBL database and analysed 1554 target-based FSAR sets (non-fluorinated compounds and their fluorinated analogues) comprising 966 unique non-fluorinated and 2457 unique fluorinated compounds active against 33 different aminergic GPCRs. Although a relatively small number of activity cliffs (defined as a pair of structurally similar compounds showing significant differences of activity −ΔpPot > 1.7) was found in FSAR sets, it is clear that appropriately introduced fluorine can increase ligand potency more than 50-fold. The analysis of matched molecular pairs (MMPs) networks indicated that the fluorination of the aromatic ring showed no clear trend towards a positive or negative effect on affinity; however, a favourable site for a positive potency effect of fluorination was the ortho position. Fluorination of aliphatic fragments more often led to a decrease in biological activity. The results may constitute the rules of thumb for fluorination of aminergic receptor ligands and provide insights into the role of fluorine substitutions in medicinal chemistry.
Services for Juveniles With Emotional Disturbances in Secure-Care Settings: An Exploratory Analysis of Racial Disparities and Recidivism

This study examines associations between recidivism rates and groups/programs for legally mandated education, behavioral, and mental health services that court-ordered juvenile youth (“juveniles”) with identified emotional disturbance or related conditions receive in secure-care juvenile facilities. Using statewide agency data in Minnesota, this exploratory analysis investigates whether there are racial/ethnic and county disparities in residential placements or secure-care settings via programs and groups for court-ordered juveniles (N = 1,092). The study also considers whether program and group placements contribute to racial/ethnic patterns of recidivism. This study finds that recidivism rate differences by program/group level are largely attributed to differences in racial/ethnic compositions. Findings suggest placements lack strong effects on recidivism, and assignments may perpetuate inequalities. In addition, from this exploratory analysis examination, this article offers considerations for future research-to-practice partnerships to strengthen legally and policy-mandated program and service delivery with practices that increase training to juvenile justice system professionals, access to secure-care setting services, and transition services for juveniles.
Analogue IC design : the current-mode approach

* Chapter 1: Introduction * Chapter 2: Current-mode Circuits From A Translinear Viewpoint: A Tutorial * Chapter 3: Current Conveyor Theory And Practice * Chapter 4: Universal Current-Mode Analogue Amplifiers * Chapter 5: High Frequency CMOS Transconductors * Chapter 6: Bipolar Current Mirrors * Chapter 7: Dynamic Current Mirrors * Chapter 8: Gallium Arsenide Analogue Integrated Circuit Design Techniques * Chapter 9: Continuous-Time Filters * Chapter 10: Continuous-time and Switched Capacitor Monolithic Filters Based on LCR Filter Simulation using Current and Charge Variables * Chapter 11: Switched-Current Filters * Chapter 12: Analog Interface Circuits For VLSI * Chapter 13: Current Mode A/D and D/A Converters * Chapter 14: Applications of current-copier circuits * Chapter 15: Integrated Current Conveyor * Chapter 16: Applying 'Current Feedback' to Voltage Amplifiers * Chapter 17: Neural Network Building Blocks for Analog MOS VLSI * Chapter 18: Future of Analogue Integrated Circuit Design
Hybrid Prediction Method of Aviation Unsafe Events Based on Grey Catastrophe and Regression Analysis

In order to improve the prediction of aviation unsafe events, a hybrid prediction method of aviation unsafe events based on grey catastrophe and regression analysis method is proposed. At first, the catastrophe points (date) are found from original unsafe events data to establish the grey catastrophe model for predicting the future catastrophe points, and then the grey prediction model for these catastrophe points is built to calculate the catastrophe value corresponding to future catastrophe points. For non-catastrophe points, the appropriate regression analysis model needs to be established. Example validates its effectiveness.
MEMS Technology for Optical Switching

Over the last ten years, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices have received attention in many application areas such microwave, wireless, and optical networks. Especially in optical networks, MEMS technology is employed to provide the advantages of large switch matrix size with low loss at an optimum cost [1,2]. Therefore, optical switches based MEMS technology are now widely used and are considered a good option for optical switching networks. Moreover, they also provide wavelength insensitivity, polarization insensitivity, scalability, and very low crosstalk [3-5]. MEMS optical switches provide fast switching speeds ranging from milliseconds to several hundred microseconds. In this article, MEMS-based optical switches are reviewed including their advantages and disadvantages.
Study on Water Transport Mechanisms of the PEMFC Based on a Visualization Platform and Water Balance Model

It is widely acknowledged that the water balance issue is extremely important for improving the performance and durability of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. In the presented paper, the visualization platform of the single fuel cell and the water balance model were built to investigate the water transport mechanisms. A transparent 25 cm2 single fuel cell with serpentine flow channels was adopted. Based on the experimental data, firstly, the change rate of water content in the fuel cell was calculated quantitatively and the reliability of the water balance model was rigorously validated. Then, the water state in the fuel cell as the qualitative finding was observed online to assist the research of water transport mechanisms. Finally, the effects of inlet gas temperature, inlet gas humidity, and hydrogen/air stoichiometry on the EIS, the voltage, and the water content in the fuel cell were studied quantitatively, respectively. The corresponding relationship between the performance and the water content in the fuel cell was obtained.
Pleiotropic Roles of NOTCH1 Signaling in the Loss of Maturational Arrest of Human Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes

Notch signaling has been identified as a critical regulator of cartilage development and homeostasis. Its pivotal role was established by both several joint specific Notch signaling loss of function mouse models and transient or sustained overexpression. NOTCH1 is the most abundantly expressed NOTCH receptors in normal cartilage and its expression increases in osteoarthritis (OA), when chondrocytes exit from their healthy “maturation arrested state” and resume their natural route of proliferation, hypertrophy, and terminal differentiation. The latter are hallmarks of OA that are easily evaluated in vitro in 2-D or 3-D culture models. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of NOTCH1 knockdown on proliferation (cell count and Picogreen mediated DNA quantification), cell cycle (flow cytometry), hypertrophy (gene and protein expression of key markers such as RUNX2 and MMP-13), and terminal differentiation (viability measured in 3-D cultures by luminescence assay) of human OA chondrocytes. NOTCH1 silencing of OA chondrocytes yielded a healthier phenotype in both 2-D (reduced proliferation) and 3-D with evidence of decreased hypertrophy (reduced expression of RUNX2 and MMP-13) and terminal differentiation (increased viability). This demonstrates that NOTCH1 is a convenient therapeutic target to attenuate OA progression.
Facile and Green Synthesis of Silver Quantum Dots Immobilized onto a Polymeric CTS–PEO Blend for the Photocatalytic Degradation of p-Nitrophenol

Immobilization of inorganic metal quantum dots (especially, noble transition metals) onto organic polymers to synthesize nanometal–polymer composites (NMPCs) has attracted considerable attention because of their advanced optical, electrical, catalytic/photocatalytic, and biological properties. Herein, novel, highly efficient, stable, and visible light-active NMPC photocatalysts consisting of silver quantum dots (Ag QDs) immobilized onto polymeric chitosan–polyethylene oxide (CTS–PEO) blend sheets have been successfully prepared by an in situ self-assembly facile casting method as a facile and green approach. The CTS–PEO blend polymer acts as a reducing and a stabilizing agent for Ag QDs which does not generate any environmental chemical pollutant. The prepared x wt % Ag QDs/CTS–PEO composites were fully characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and UV/visible spectroscopy. The characterization results indicated the successful synthesis of the Ag QDs/CTS–PEO composites by the interactions and complexation between x wt % Ag QDs and CTS–PEO blend sheets. TEM images revealed small granules randomly distributed onto the CTS–PEO blend sheets, indicating the immobilization of Ag QDs onto CTS–PEO composites. The presence of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band and the shifting of the absorption edge toward higher wavelengths in the UV/vis spectra indicated the formation of x wt % Ag QDs/CTS–PEO composites. The Ag QDs in the polymeric blend matrix led to remarkable enhancement in the optical, thermal, electrical, and photocatalytic properties of x wt % Ag QDs/CTS–PEO composites. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared composites was evaluated by the photodegradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) under simulated sunlight. The maximum photocatalytic degradation reached 91.1% efficiency within 3 h for the 12.0 wt % Ag QDs/CTS–PEO photocatalyst. Generally, the Ag QDs immobilized onto CTS–PEO blend composites significantly enhance the SPR effect and the synergistic effect and reduce the band gap, leading to a high photocatalytic activity.
The influence of straight-fin heatsink on noise susceptibility of IC-capacitive coupling

This study describes the simulated and experimental results about the influence of straight-fin heatsink on the noise susceptibility of an IC. It is concluded that the simulated results obtained by the FEM and the authors' proposed approximation method used to reduce the computation time are in good agreement with the experimental results to within 2 dB, and the noise susceptibility of the IC increases (immunity degrades) by equipping the IC with a heatsink, but the susceptibility decreases in a narrow range near the resonant frequency of the circuits.
Factors Related to Women’s Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Two-Wave Longitudinal Study

Background. A growing body of research has highlighted the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s mental health. Previous studies showed that women have higher levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD, and worse psychological adjustment than men, which also persisted after the earlier phase of the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate changes in women’s psychological distress during the pandemic and to evaluate the factors that have a more significant impact in predicting women’s psychological distress. Methods. This two-wave longitudinal study (T1 = Italian first lockdown, and T2 = second phase, when the restrictive measures were eased) involved 893 women (Mage = 36.45, SD = 14.48). Participants provided demographic and health data as well as measures of psychological distress, emotion regulation processes, and ability to tolerate uncertainty. Results. No significant changes were found in women’s psychological distress between T1 and T2, i.e., during and after the first lockdown. Lower social stability status and higher maladaptive emotional coping predicted high psychological distress. Conclusions. Results showed that modifiable psychological variables play a central role in predicting distress and indicated that emotion regulation interventions might be helpful in increasing psychological resilience and mitigating the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic within the female population.
The impact of innovation capability on the performance of manufacturing companies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide additional evidence of the impact of innovation on three dimensions of a firm’s performance, namely product quality, operational performance and financial performance. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis includes an initial exploratory factor analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling, in order to investigate the relations between the constructs of the proposed model. A sample of 233 Greek manufacturing firms is used for this purpose. Findings – According to the study findings, “innovation capability” directly contributes to product quality and operational performance. Although it has no direct impact on manufacturing firms’ financial performance, it has an indirect impact through the moderator of operational performance. Thus, innovation is an opportunity for a manufacturing firm to improve its performance. Research limitations/implications – The sample of the responding manufacturing companies is limited t.
Metaheuristic Search as a Cryptological Tool

Cryptology is a thriving research area of great practical importance. It is a fundamental building block of communications security. Metaheuristic optimisation techniques such as simulated annealing and genetic algorithms have found successful application in a huge number of fields. However, their application to leading edge industrial-strength cryptology has been slight. The power of metaheuristic search is, however, greatly under-estimated. The research reported here shows how a range of modern-day cryptological problems can be attacked successfully using metaheuristic search. Along the way, the work provides the cryptological researcher with many new approaches to applying metaheuristic search techniques.
Distributed maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic applications: active bypass DC/DC converter

An active bypass structure is proposed to maximize the power production in photovoltaic modules under mismatched conditions. Its efficiency is compared with single and distributed maximum power point tracking solutions based on conventional DC/DC structures. The analysis and simulations performed under realistic assumptions demonstrate the benefts of the novel active bypass converter over solutions based on Boost, Buck or Buck-Boost converters.
Performance Improvement of a Single Stage GM Cryocooler at 25 K

To meet the cooling demand of some HTS devices, Cryomech, Inc. has redesigned and improved a single stage GM cryocooler to have a maximum capacity at 25K. The losses in a rotary valve and a low temperature regenerator have been reduced. The improved GM cryocooler provides a cooling capacity of 109 W at 25 K with an input power of 10.4 kW while running with the 50Hz electrical source.
Semi-Distributed Power and Subcarrier Allocation in LTE Hetnet System

In order to provide the large coverage and high data rate in future system, more and more low power nodes (LPNs) e.g., pico nodes, relay nodes, etc., are introduced into the LTE heterogeneous network (HetNet). The resource allocation and optimization scheme is the key issue in Hetnet system since the interference environment is quite complicated compared with the traditional homogenous networks. In this paper, the semi-distributed power and subcarrier allocation scheme is proposed, which aims to achieve the good performance tradeoff between the macro eNBs and the pico nodes. One novel utility function is investigated taking both macro edge UEs and pico edge UEs into account based on limited average data rate information exchanges between macro eNB and pico eNBs. The interference for the edge UEs can be coordinated efficiently due to the dynamic power and subcarrier allocations. Compared with the proportional fairness (PF) scheduling algorithm, the simulation results show that the proposed semi-distributed scheme can achieve about 8% throughput gain in average cell throughput. Furthermore, the pico edge UEs, and macro edge UEs of the proposed scheme can achieve 17%, 12% capacity gain, respectively.
Pre‐service teachers' reader profiles: stability and change throughout teacher education

Background: Considering (1) that reading pro ﬁ ciency is fundamental for educational success, (2) the reciprocal relationship between affective aspects of reading (e.g., reading attitude and motivation) and reading behaviour and ability, (3) the alarming decline in students ’ reading attitude throughout primary and secondary education and (4) the rather large group of pre-service teachers starting teacher education with a negative reading attitude, this study used a person-centred approach to examine the development of pre-service teachers ’ reading attitude throughout teacher education and how it relates to their perceived reading ability and reading behaviour. Methods: In a sample of 128 pre-service teachers, cluster (movement) analysis was executed at the start of teacher education and near graduation to identify different reading attitude clusters and possible changes throughout teacher education. A distinction between purpose (recreational vs academic) and context (personally vs socially oriented) was made when assessing reading attitude components. Results: Three reading attitude pro ﬁ les (i.e., personally oriented, socially oriented and low attitude) were corroborated at both measurement occasions. Cluster movement analysis identi ﬁ ed that the majority remained in the same pro ﬁ le over time (53 – 62%). When pre-service teachers did switch pro ﬁ le, they most likely evolved towards the personally-or socially-oriented pro ﬁ le (reading as a mere personal activity vs willing to interact about reading, respectively). Convergent validity evidence was found in that pre-service teachers in the low-attitude pro ﬁ le (24%) were least likely to read and perceived themselves as least competent in reading. They further appeared to be least
Walking Gait Learning for “T-FLoW” Humanoid Robot Using Rule-Based Learning

This work presents a fast and simple learning algorithm for humanoid robot walking gait cases. The standard method of reinforcement learning takes too much time to learn a stable walking gait. Thus, we propose a rule-based learning method that has never been used in this kind of walking gait learning case. We implement our method in a simplified TFLoW humanoid robot model in simulation software CoppeliaSim. The result shows by using our proposed method, T-FLoW humanoid robot can walk for 200 steps after taking the learning process for about 800 episodes and has a better walking performance than the classical pattern generation for planning a walking gait motion.
Circuit models of multiconductor shielded cables: incident plane wave effect

The present study examines the variation effects of incident plane wave on multiconductor shielded cables in frequency domains using Branin's method, which is referred to as the method of characteristics. The model operates in frequency and time domains with linear and nonlinear loads, respectively, which allows it to be easily introduced into circuit simulators, such as SPICE, Sabar, and ESACAP. Two examples are studied: coaxial shielded cables and shielded cables with two parallel wires (i.e., twinax cables), and they are both excited by an incident plane wave. The results obtained by this method are in agreement with those obtained by other methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact risk assessment for the ATV using ESABASE/DEBRIS

The European Space Agency ESA participates in the International Space Station with various programs, one of them being the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). The ATV is an unmanned servicing and logistics vehicle launched on Ariane 5 and designed to fulfil different roles like cargo transport, re-supply of fuel and consumables and orbit re-boost of the International Space Station (ISS). For this reason it is important that the risks imposed on these modules by meteoroids and orbital debris are calculated accurately. Following such calculations the Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Protection System (M/ODPS) can be optimised.
Modelling coolMOS transistors in SPICE

The paper deals with the problem of investigating the temperature influence on the CoolMOS transistor characteristics. The Infineon Technologies electrothermal model attached to SPICE is analysed in detail. The model has been verified experimentally for SPP11N60C2, at different cooling conditions of the transistor. Some modifications of the model in addition to the changes of its parameter values are also proposed in the paper. The results of simulations and measurements are presented too.
An improved control strategy for a 50-kHz auxiliary resonant commutated pole converter

The auxiliary resonant commutated pole (ARCP) is a zero-voltage switching topology that appears to be well suited for high-power DC/AC applications. Experience gained through the design, implementation, and testing of a three-phase, 50-kHz converter using this topology has revealed several issues and limitations of practical importance. One of the most important issues is the robustness of the basic control strategy to variations in circuit parameters and operating conditions. Several different variations are identified with a remedy in the form of an improved control strategy presented. The performance of this new control strategy is demonstrated through simulation and experimental results.