Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monolithic Cylindrical Fused Silica Resonators with High Q Factors

The cylindrical resonator gyroscope (CRG) is a typical Coriolis vibratory gyroscope whose performance is determined by the Q factor and frequency mismatch of the cylindrical resonator. Enhancing the Q factor is crucial for improving the rate sensitivity and noise performance of the CRG. In this paper, for the first time, a monolithic cylindrical fused silica resonator with a Q factor approaching 8 × 105 (ring-down time over 1 min) is reported. The resonator is made of fused silica with low internal friction and high isotropy, with a diameter of 25 mm and a center frequency of 3974.35 Hz. The structure of the resonator is first briefly introduced, and then the experimental non-contact characterization method is presented. In addition, the post-fabrication experimental procedure of Q factor improvement, including chemical and thermal treatment, is demonstrated. The Q factor improvement by both treatments is compared and the primary loss mechanism is analyzed. To the best of our knowledge, the work presented in this paper represents the highest reported Q factor for a cylindrical resonator. The proposed monolithic cylindrical fused silica resonator may enable high performance inertial sensing with standard manufacturing process and simple post-fabrication treatment.
Measuring aggressive driving behavior using signals from drive recorders

In this paper, we propose a method of measuring aggressive driving behavior using driving signals from drive recorders. Drivers are assigned aggressiveness scores for four vehicle operation behaviors, i.e., steering, acceleration, deceleration, and alternation between acceleration and deceleration. A driver's overall aggressiveness score is then estimated by integrating these behaviors using multiple linear regression. We assess the driving behavior of 78 drivers and compare our assessments to the aggressiveness scores assigned by a risk consulting expert. The proposed method achieves a rank correlation coefficient of 0.74 with the evaluations of the risk consulting expert.
On the practical design of a sliding mode voltage controlled buck converter

This paper presents a simple and systematic approach to the design of a practical sliding mode voltage controller for buck converters operating in continuous conduction mode. Various aspects of the design, including the associated practical problems and the proposed solutions, are detailed. A simple and easy-to-follow design procedure is also described. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the design procedure.
The Cold Gaseous Halo of NGC 891

We present H I observations of the edge-on galaxy NGC 891. These are among the deepest ever performed on an external galaxy. They reveal a huge gaseous halo, much more extended than seen previously and containing almost 30% of the H I. This H I halo shows structures on various scales. On one side, there is a filament extending (in projection) up to 22 kpc vertically from the disk. Small (M ≳ 106 M⊙) halo clouds, some with forbidden (apparently counterrotating) velocities, are also detected. The overall kinematics of the halo gas is characterized by differential rotation lagging with respect to that of the disk. The lag, more pronounced at small radii, increases with height from the plane. There is evidence that a significant fraction of the halo is due to a galactic fountain. Accretion from intergalactic space may also play a role in building up the halo and providing the low angular momentum material needed to account for the observed rotation lag. The long H I filament and the counterrotating clouds may be direct evidence of such accretion.
Stellar Hydrodynamics in Radiative Regions

We present an analysis of the response of a radiative region to waves generated by a convective region of the star; this wave treatment of the classical problem of "overshooting" gives extra mixing relative to the treatment traditionally used in stellar evolutionary codes. The interface between convectively stable and unstable regions is dynamic and nonspherical, so that the nonturbulent material is driven into motion, even in the absence of "penetrative overshoot. " These motions may be described by the theory of nonspherical stellar pulsations and are related to motion measured by helioseismology. Multidimensional numerical simulations of convective flow show puzzling features, which we explain by this simplified physical model. Gravity waves generated at the interface are dissipated, resulting in slow circulation and mixing seen outside the formal convection zone. The approach may be extended to deal with rotation and composition gradients ("semiconvection"). Tests of this description in the stellar evolution code TYCHO produce carbon stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB), an isochrone age for the Hyades and three young clusters with lithium depletion ages from brown dwarfs, and lithium and beryllium depletion consistent with observations of the Hyades and Pleiades, all without tuning parameters. The potential insight into the different contributions of rotational and hydrodynamic mixing processes could have important implications for realistic simulation of supernovae and other questions in stellar evolution.
Homogenized Green's Functions for an Aperiodic Line Source Over Planar Densely Periodic Artificial Impedance Surfaces

The accurate electromagnetic analysis of artificial periodic surfaces formed as planar layers with complicated periodic metallization patterns, having a grid period much smaller than the effective wavelength (densely periodic), is important for the design and analysis of a variety of electromagnetic structures. However, full-wave modeling can be extremely time-consuming and computationally expensive, especially for aperiodic sources in close proximity to periodic surfaces. In this paper, we describe approximate homogenized models for a Green's function that treats planar patterned screens (grids) as quasi-dynamic homogenized impedance surfaces and dielectric layers in a fully dynamic manner. The resulting Green's functions are only slightly more complicated than those for dielectric layers without metallization and can be numerically computed using standard methods for layered media. We restrict attention to line sources and compare numerical results from this method with those from a full-wave array scanning method, which is more complex analytically and much more demanding to evaluate numerically. Very good agreement is found between the two methods except for source and/or field points extremely close to the metallization layer, confirming the accuracy of the homogenized representations of periodic surfaces for near-field sources.
The Impact of Hybridization on the Volatile and Sensorial Profile of Ocimum basilicum L.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the volatile and sensorial profile of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) by quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) of the essential oil of three hybrids (“Cinnamon” × “Maria Bonita,” “Sweet Dani” × “Cinnamon,” and “Sweet Dani” × “Maria Bonita”). Twelve descriptive terms were developed by a selected panel that also generated the definition of each term and the reference samples. The data were subjected to ANOVA, Tukey's test, and principal component analysis. The hybrid “Cinnamon” × “Maria Bonita” exhibited a stronger global aroma that was less citric than the other samples. Hybridization favored the generation of novel compounds in the essential oil of the hybrid “Sweet Dani” × “Maria Bonita,” such as canfora and (E)-caryophyllene; (E)-caryophyllene also was a novel compound in the hybrid “Sweet Dani” × “Cinnamon”; this compound was not present in the essential oils of the parents.
Modeling of Gate Control Neuronal Circuitry Including Morphologies and Physiologies of Component Neurons and Fibres

Abstract In this work mathematical model of gate control theory, which explains the modulation of pain signals with tactile signals, is done. The difference of the current developed model from the previous modeling trials is that electrophysiological and morphological properties of component neurons and fibers that constitute the gate control structure are included to observe the structure-function relationship. Model of a single excitable cell is used as the main building block of the models of one unmyelinated fiber, one myelinated fiber, one interneuron and one projection neuron. The conduction velocities in the unmyelinated and myelinated fibers are found as 0.43m/s and 64.35 m/s, respectively. For both fibers input current intensity-frequency relationships are constructed. In addition, synapses between neurons are developed as two independent tanks and developed synapse model exhibits the summation and tetanization properties of real synapses while simulating the time dependency of neurotransmitter concentration in the synaptic cleft. All of the individual parts of the gate control system are connected and the whole system is simulated for different connection configurations.
Mining the User Profile from a Smartphone: a Multimodal Agent Framework

Nowadays smartphones play a significant role in gathering relevant data about their owners. Micro-devices embedded in Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) perform a continuous sensing, the phone call lists, PIM (Personal Information Manager), text messages and so on allow to collect and mine data enough for a high-level description of daily activities of a user. This paper proposes an agent able to perform an automated profile annotation by adopting Semantic Web languages. As a proof of concept, the devised agent has been tested in an Ambient Intelligence (AmI) scenario, i.e., a domotic environment where it interacts with its home counterpart to trigger services best matching the user needs. A toy example is presented as case study aiming to better clarify the proposal while an early experimental evaluation is reported to assess its effectiveness. Keywords—Ambient Intelligence; Agent-based Data Mining; Semantic Web of Things; Home and Building Automation.
Classification of smile expression using hybrid PHOG and Gabor features

Facial expressions play a critical role in human-human communications. There is currently a great need in automatic facial expression classification technology. To investigate this issue, we proposed a new smile classification method for real-world conditions. It demonstrated that the PHOG features achieve as high a classification rate as the traditional Gabor features did with lower feature dimensions and less computation time. Furthermore, experiments illustrated the effectiveness of combining the two features together for developing a better smile classifier that could achieved encouraging classification accuracy using a real world GENKI facial expression dataset.
Retrodiscal Approach of Lumbar Epidural Block

Objective To compare the technical strengths and weaknesses between retrodiscal (RD) and conventional subpedicular (SP) approaches of transforaminal epidural block (TF-EPB). Method Sixty-one patients with L5 radiculopathy who planned to undergo TF-EPB were consecutively enrolled as study subjects. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. For the RD approach, the positioning of the patient and the C-arm were similar to that for lumbar discography. We compared the pattern of dye spreads, the frequency of complications during the procedures, and the effect of the pain block 2 weeks after the procedure between the two groups. Results For the RD group (n=24), the contrast dye diffused around the L5 and S1 nerve roots in 16 cases (67%), but it diffused around only the L5 root in 27 cases (73%) in the SP group (n=37) (p<0.05). Two weeks after the procedure, the visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased by the same amount in both groups (RD group: 3.1±1.6, SP group: 3.2±2.6). Symptoms of nerve root irritation occurred in 1 case of the RD group and in 10 cases of the SD group (p<0.05). Conclusion The RD approach was as efficient as the SP approach for temporary diagnostic relief and offered considerable advantages, such as lower nerve root irritation possible lower risk of vascular injection. Thus, it could be a useful technique when a herniated disc segment is stuck or when the foraminal stenosis is severe.
Modeling the Interplay of Emotions and Plans in Multi-Agent Simulations

The goal of this research is to create general computational models of the interplay between affect, cognition and behavior. These models are being designed to support characters that act in virtual environments, make decisions, but whose behavior also suggests an underlying emotional current. We attempt to capture both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of emotion, circumscribed to the role emotions play in the performance of concrete physical tasks. We address how emotions arise from an evaluation of the relationship between environmental events and an agent’s plans and goals, as well as the impact of emotions on behavior, in particular the impact on the physical expressions of emotional state through suitable choice of gestures and body language. The approach is illustrated within a virtual reality training environment.
Measurement Delay Estimation for Kalman Filter in Networked Control Systems

Abstract This work presents a method to estimate an unknown varying delay of measurements and subsequent Kalman filtering in the networked control system (NCS) framework. The delay estimation algorithm is based on the Gaussian error model and a network delay model, either a probability distribution or a Markov-chain. This method is used to tackle the problem with varying delays in a NCS. The undelayed output of the plant is estimated with a Kalman filter and used for control. The probability of a wrong delay estimate is derived. The estimation and control performance is evaluated with simulations. From the control perspective, it has comparable performance to the case with known delays.
Matching method to paradigm in strategy research: limitations of cross‐sectional analysis and some methodological alternatives

A central focus of empirical research in strategic management has been to understand the relationships associated with the structure–strategy–performance paradigm. To examine these relationships, investigators have relied extensively on cross‐sectional methods that embody the implicit assumption that model parameters are stable across firms and over time. Yet, many of the theoretical constructs used in strategic management have clear firm‐ and time‐specific components. Hence, it might be expected that the parameters of the relationships investigated empirically will vary across firms and over time. Whereas recent research has raised concerns about the use of cross‐sectional analysis when parameters vary over time, little attention has been given to the issue of parameter variability across firms. Given the focus of strategy researchers on firm‐level effects and the predominant reliance on cross‐sectional analysis, accounting for across‐firm variability is a significant methodological issue. Failure to account for such variability can lead to biased parameter estimates and incorrect inferences. This paper argues for the adoption of alternative methods that can overcome the limitations of a cross‐sectional analysis and it offers guidance on how researchers can proceed to use these alternative methods to explicitly incorporate or test for variation in model parameters across firms or over time. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Dynamic Role for GABA Receptors on the Firing Pattern of Midbrain 1 Dopaminergic Neurons 2 3

22 Dopaminergic neurons are subject to a significant background GABAergic input 23 in vivo. The presence of this GABAergic background might be expected to inhibit 24 dopaminergic neuron firing. However, dopaminergic neurons are not all silent but instead 25 fire in single-spiking and burst firing modes. Here we present evidence that phasic 26 changes in the tonic activity of GABAergic afferents are a potential extrinsic mechanism 27 that triggers bursts and pauses in dopaminergic neurons. We find that spontaneous single28 spiking is more sensitive to activation of GABA receptors than phasic NMDA-mediated 29 burst firing in rat slices (P15-P31). Since tonic activation of GABAA receptors has 30 previously been shown to suppress burst firing in vivo, our results suggest that the 31 activity patterns seen in vivo are the result of a balance between excitatory and inhibitory 32 conductances that interact with the intrinsic pacemaking currents observed in slices. 33 Using the dynamic clamp technique, we applied balanced, constant NMDA and GABAA 34 receptor conductances into dopaminergic neurons in slices. Bursts could be produced by 35 disinhibition (phasic removal of the GABAAR conductance) and these bursts had a higher 36 frequency than bursts produced by the same NMDAR conductance alone. Phasic 37 increases in the GABAAR conductance evoked pauses in firing. In contrast to NMDAR, 38 application of constant AMPAR and GABAAR conductances caused the cell to go into 39 depolarization block. These results support a bidirectional mechanism by which 40 GABAergic inputs, in balance with NMDAR-mediated excitatory inputs, control the 41 firing pattern of dopaminergic neurons. 42
Optimization of Nanoelectronic Systems Reliability Under Massive Defect Density Using Distributed R-fold Modular Redundancy (DRMR)

The theoretical analysis of R-fold modular redundancy with distributed voters -- distributed R-fold modular redundancy, in terms of reliability is presented for the first time to the best of author's knowledge. This technique is compared in terms of resistance to massive levels of defect density expected in future nano-devices to R-fold modular redundancy with a single voter, cascaded R-fold modular redundancy and NAND multiplexing. Optimal partition size analysis and redundancy optimization of distributed R-fold modular redundancy technique has been performed for the first time in the context of a large-scale system. The optimal window of application of different fault-tolerant techniques with respect to defect density is presented as a way to find the optimum design trade-off between the reliability and power/area.
Eye–Hand Coordination in Object Manipulation

We analyzed the coordination between gaze behavior, fingertip movements, and movements of the manipulated object when subjects reached for and grasped a bar and moved it to press a target-switch. Subjects almost exclusively fixated certain landmarks critical for the control of the task. Landmarks at which contact events took place were obligatory gaze targets. These included the grasp site on the bar, the target, and the support surface where the bar was returned after target contact. Any obstacle in the direct movement path and the tip of the bar were optional landmarks. Subjects never fixated the hand or the moving bar. Gaze and hand/bar movements were linked concerning landmarks, with gaze leading. The instant that gaze exited a given landmark coincided with a kinematic event at that landmark in a manner suggesting that subjects monitored critical kinematic events for phasic verification of task progress and subgoal completion. For both the obstacle and target, subjects directed saccades and fixations to sites that were offset from the physical extension of the objects. Fixations related to an obstacle appeared to specify a location around which the extending tip of the bar should travel. We conclude that gaze supports hand movement planning by marking key positions to which the fingertips or grasped object are subsequently directed. The salience of gaze targets arises from the functional sensorimotor requirements of the task. We further suggest that gaze control contributes to the development and maintenance of sensorimotor correlation matrices that support predictive motor control in manipulation.
Delayed tumor resection in a 5-year-old child with bilateral Wilms tumor

We describe the case of a 5-year-old girl whose abdominal pain and distension were caused by Wilms tumor of the kidney. Because of the bilateral nature of her disease, she was spared biopsy or initial nephrectomy as part of her treatment course. Rather, she was treated presumptively for Wilms tumor based primarily on radiologic findings. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, dactinomycin and doxorubicin was given to facilitate nephron-sparing surgery for tumor resection. Her initial chemotherapeutic course was complicated by tumor lysis syndrome manifested by elevated serum uric acid and was treated effectively with hyperhydration and alkalization of intravenous fluids. The patient's disease responded well to chemotherapy, and she underwent successful tumor excision after 12 weeks of chemotherapy. The resected tumor was identified as anaplastic Wilms tumor, illustrating that pathologic identification of Wilms tumor is possible even after multiple cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and marked tumor shrinkage.
Open Software Platform for Robotic Services

In this paper, an efficient development environment for vertical integration of many tasks involved with robot programming, called Open software Platform for Robotic Services (OPRoS), is presented. It covers from the control of hardware (HW) devices to the execution of complicated application programs. Based on general software (SW) architecture, standardized components with design patterns, frameworks, and servers are offered for developing robot SW applications easily and efficiently. Specially, an easy and one-stop Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and simulation tools are provided to make the management and debugging easier, and to check performance in advance. For an all-level development environment, the IDE of OPRoS supports development from low-level device controls to high-level contents composition, and hence, many programs ranging from HW device programs to complicated applications can be developed and integrated in a single development environment. Additionally, OPRoS makes all modules and components undergo the proper evaluation and test, which avoids potential errors due to incomplete coding. As a comprehensive platform for robot SW applications, OPRoS provides convenient environments for all development steps from editing through verification to execution.
Epidermal Proteinase-Activated Receptor-2 Expression is Increased in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients with Pruritus: A Pilot Study

Uremic pruritus is a common problem in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. We aimed to investigate the association between severity of uremic pruritus and cutaneous serine protease activity, as well as proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) expression. Twelve ESRD patients with pruritus, 4 ESRD patients without pruritus, and 6 healthy controls were enrolled. Skin biopsies were obtained from the abdomen. Protease activity and PAR-2 expression in the epidermis were examined by in situ zymography and confocal laser microscopy, respectively. All ESRD patients presented more pronounced cutaneous protease activity compared with that in healthy controls. The skin samples from the patients with pruritus showed higher protease activity than either nonpruritic ESRD patients or healthy controls. The epidermis in all samples of ESRD patients presented higher immunoreactivity against PAR-2 versus those of healthy controls. In addition, correlation analysis between PAR-2 expression and VAS pruritus scores showed a significant positive correlation. Our data suggests that levels of serine protease and PAR-2 expression could play important roles in the pathogenesis of uremic pruritus.
A heuristic checklist for usability evaluation of Saudi government mobile applications

Usability of government mobile applications is essential for the effective use by end users. However, the lack of mobile application usability checklist tailored to the governmental sector is a problem that needs to be tackled. In this paper we report our experience in drafting a heuristic checklist, based on previous usability metrics, tailored for government mobile applications and apply it on a sample of Saudi government mobile applications.