Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Low-Power Multifunctional CMOS Sensor Node for an Electronic Facade

In this paper, a low-power, multifunctional CMOS smart sensor node is designed for an electronic facade, which provides an alternative solution to the concept of energy-efficient responsive buildings. Various sensing capabilities, including light intensity sensing, temperature sensing, motion tracking, and compressive image acquisition, are implemented on the sensor node. An 80 × 80 image pixel array is employed for motion tracking and compressive image acquisition. Various operational modes are realized, including: 1) event generation mode; 2) motion tracking mode; and 3) video output mode in full-resolution or compressed by the region of interest (ROI). A low-power, high-throughput motion detection algorithm is proposed in this paper. The power consumption of the proposed work is modeled, analyzed, and compared with traditional motion detection methods. According to numerical analysis, the throughput can be increased by 45% while using the proposed design instead of traditional temporal differential motion tracking methods with simislar power consumption. The proposed algorithm is realized by a pixel-level focal-plane motion detection unit, consisting of switched-capacitor circuit, analog memory, and dual-threshold comparator. The proposed design was fabricated in 0.5 μm 3M2P standard CMOS technology, occupying 3×3 mm2 silicon area. The total power consumption is 17 μW, while the pixel array is performing motion tracking with a frame rate of 30 fps and a supply voltage of 3.3 V.
Effects of Leaching Behavior of Calcium Ions on Compression and Durability of Cement-Based Materials with Mineral Admixtures

Leaching of calcium ions increases the porosity of cement-based materials, consequently resulting in a negative effect on durability since it provides an entry for aggressive harmful ions, causing reinforcing steel corrosion. This study investigates the effects of leaching behavior of calcium ions on the compression and durability of cement-based materials. Since the parameters influencing the leaching behavior of cement-based materials are unclear and diverse, this paper focuses on the influence of added mineral admixtures (fly ash, slag and silica fume) on the leaching behavior of calcium ions regarding compression and durability of cemented-based materials. Ammonium nitrate solution was used to accelerate the leaching process in this study. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to analyze and compare the cement-based material compositions prior to and after calcium ion leaching. The experimental results show that the mineral admixtures reduce calcium hydroxide quantity and refine pore structure through pozzolanic reaction, thus enhancing the compressive strength and durability of cement-based materials.
Morphology and properties of polystyrene/agave fiber composites and foams

In this work, agave fibers were blended with polystyrene to produce foamed and unfoamed composites. The effect of fiber size and density reduction on the morphological, thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties, as well as crystallinity and water absorption kinetics of the composites was assessed. The results show that Young's modulus and tensile strength increased with increasing fiber content, but decreased with density reduction. Increasing fiber content and decreasing the size of the fibers both increased crystallinity of the composites. Finally, water uptake and diffusion coefficient were found to increase with increasing fiber content for all sizes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Hybrid multiobjective estimation of distribution algorithm by local linear embedding and an immune inspired algorithm

A novel hybrid multiobjective estimation of distribution algorithm is proposed in this study. It combines an estimation of distribution algorithm based on local linear embedding and an immune inspired algorithm. Pareto set to the continuous multiobjective optimization problems, in the decision space, is a piecewise continuous (m-1)-dimensional manifold, where m is the number of objectives. By this regularity, a local linear embedding based manifold algorithm is introduced to build the distribution model of promising solutions. Besides, for enhancing local search ability of the EDA, an immune inspired sparse individual clone algorithm (SICA) is introduced and combined with the EDA. The novel hybrid multiobjective algorithm, named HMEDA, is proposed accordingly. Compared with three other state-of-the-art multiobjective algorithms, this hybrid algorithm achieves comparable results in terms of convergence and diversity. Besides, the tradeoff proportions of EDA to SICA in HMEDA are studied. Finally, the scalability to the number of decision variables of HMEDA is investigated too.
Mid-ocean ridge eruptive vent morphology and substructure:Evidence for dike widths, eruption rates, and evolution of eruptions and axial volcanic ridges

High-resolution side scan sonar data of Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) inner valley floor axial volcanic ridges reveal details of their architectural elements. We develop quantitative models for basaltic eruptions from dikes and compare the predicted products of these eruptions with the observed morphologic features. Inhibition of gas exsolution, lack of magma disruption, and hydrothermal effects combine to decrease the rise speed of magma in submarine dikes and enhance cooling, leading to more rapid centralization of eruptions along the widest places in the dike. Dikes are predicted to initially feed eruptions from fissure vents, producing lines of hummocky ridges; centralization of activity to several adjacent vents produces chains of hummocky bulbous mounds and can enhance the effusion rate at a single vent to produce small seamounts. The widest dikes are predicted to produce smooth flows up to several kilometers in length, which should pond in adjacent lows. Edifice sizes predicted on the basis of volume fluxes, and flow lengths implied by the widths of dikes observed on the seafloor, in Iceland and in ophiolite complexes, are in quantitative agreement with the dimensions of observed features. Each ridge is made up of the products of a variety of these individual dike-emplacement and extrusive events involving various dike widths, cooling times, and eruption durations. On the basis of typical MAR spreading rates, about one dike emplacement event would be expected every 40 years; since not all dikes reach the surface, the actual mean interval between eruptions will exceed this. MAR dikes should solidify between average dike emplacement events. Dike emplacement events are more frequent on the East Pacific Rise (EPR) and thus new dikes are more likely to reoccupy the sites of incompletely solidified older dikes. Differences between the morphology of the MAR axial volcanic ridge and the sheet flow dominated EPR are attributed to on average wider dikes erupting with greater frequency along the EPR.
Effect of increasing Fe intake on the Fe and Cu content of tissues in grazing sheep.

265 Twelve Romney wetberlambs, average weight 28 kg, were randomly divided into two groups, namely an untreated control and an Fe treated group. All animals were grazed together on a ryegrass/white clover pasture for 12 weeks. The Fe intake of the control animals was estimated to be 247 mg/day while that for the treated animals was 827 mg/day with the extra Fe (FeS0,.7HzO) given orally in a gelatin capsule. Increasing the Fe intake had no effect on DM intake or growth rates but significantly (FVO.05) increased the Fe content of the lungs, spleen and digestive tract. No other changes in Fe concentrations were found in the other soft tissues or bone. There was a marked decrease [5O%] in the Cu content of the liver (a major storage organ for Cu) when the Fe treated lambs were compared with the control animals. ‘The fact that a moderate increase in the intake of Fe can markedly reduce the Cu status of lambs may be a m&e important finding than has been previously realised.
Direct B cell stimulation by dendritic cells in a mouse model of lupus.

OBJECTIVE Dendritic cells (DCs) play a major role in regulating lymphocytes, including B cells, and defective DC functions have been implicated in lupus. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of DCs to B cell hyperactivity in the B6.Sle1. Sle2.Sle3 (B6.TC) murine lupus model. METHODS We compared the effects of B6 and B6.TC bone marrow-derived DCs on naive B cells cocultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), anti-CD40, or anti-IgM. We measured the proliferation, antibody production, and expression of activation markers and chemokine receptors for the B cells, as well as DC cytokine production. B cell proliferation was also assessed in Transwell experiments and in response to activated DC supernatants or exosomes. The role of DC-produced cytokines was evaluated with blocking antibodies and transgenic mice. RESULTS LPS-stimulated or anti-CD40-stimulated DCs from B6.TC mice increased B cell proliferation, antibody production, and chemokine receptor expression as compared with DCs from B6 mice. Cell-to-cell contact was not necessary for the augmented effect of the lupus-prone DCs. Anti-CD40 treatment induced a higher production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in B6.TC DCs. Blocking these individual cytokines, however, did not abrogate the effects of B6.TC DCs. Additional experiments also ruled out involvement of BAFF, IL-12, and interferon-alpha. CONCLUSION Activated DCs from B6.TC mice directly increase B cell effector functions. This effect depends on soluble factors released by activated DCs, but none of the single major DC-produced cytokines known to affect B cells are necessary. Increased sIL-6R production suggests that increased sensitivity to IL-6 may be involved.
Research Challenges of Emerging Technologies Supporting Life-Long Health and Wellbeing

In this article, we identify and discuss challenges imposed on technological research by emerging developments in health and wellbeing. We see an increasing importance of digital health literacy, the convergence of medicine and daily life, a shift from individual health to community care, a growth of personalized medicine, and the impact of internet of things on health. These developments mean challenges for technical research, such as the need, but also difficulties of interdisciplinarity, or the need to translate personal health data into medical information. Today's research approaches are not always best suited to deal with the challenges, e.g. of conducting real long term intervention studies, or taking into account regulatory issues. We propose a joint campaign by HCI, AI, UX and machine learning researchers, engineers, clinicians, regulatory bodies and all other interested parties in these subjects.
Involvement of Actin Microfilaments in the Replication of Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 3

ABSTRACT Several studies indicate that paramyxoviruses require a specific cellular factor(s) for transcription of their genomic RNAs. We previously reported that the cellular cytoskeletal protein actin, in its polymeric form, participates in the transcription of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the role of the polymeric form of actin, i.e., the actin microfilaments of the cytoskeletal framework, in the reproduction of HPIV3 in vivo. Pulse-chase labeling analyses indicate that the viral nucleocapsid-associated proteins, NP and P, are present predominantly in the cytoskeletal framework during infection. By in situ hybridization, we found that viral mRNAs and genomic RNA were synthesized from the nucleocapsids that were bound to the cytoskeletal framework. Double immunofluorescent labeling and confocal microscopy of the cytoarchitecture revealed that the viral nucleocapsids are specifically localized on the actin microfilaments. Treatment of cells with the actin-depolymerizing agent, cytochalasin D, resulted in the inhibition of viral RNA synthesis and ribonucleoprotein accumulation. These results strongly suggest that actin microfilaments play an important role in the replication of HPIV3.
Alcohol and the human brain: a systematic review of different neuroimaging methods.

BACKGROUND Imaging techniques have been in widespread use in the scientific community for more than 3 decades. They facilitate noninvasive, in vivo studies of the human brain in both healthy and diseased persons. These brain-imaging techniques have contributed significantly to our understanding of the effects of alcohol abuse and dependence on structural and functional changes in the human brain. A systematic review summarizing these contributions has not previously been conducted, and this is the goal of the current paper. METHODS The databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and PSYNDEX were searched using central key words. Fulfilling the inclusion criteria were 140 functional and structural imaging studies, together comprising data from more than 7,000 patients and controls. The structural imaging techniques we considered were cranial computerized tomography and various magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques, including voxel-based morphometry, deformation-based morphometry, diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The functional methods considered were magnetic resonance spectroscopy, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Results from studies using structural imaging techniques have revealed that chronic alcohol use is accompanied by volume reductions of gray and white matter, as well as microstructural disruption of various white matter tracts. These changes are partially reversible following abstinence. Results from functional imaging methods have revealed metabolic changes in the brain, lower glucose metabolism, and disruptions of the balance of neurotransmitter systems. Additionally, functional imaging methods have revealed increased brain activity in the mesocorticolimbic system in response to alcohol-themed pictures relative to nondrug-associated stimuli, which might be of predictive value with regard to relapse. CONCLUSIONS There has been tremendous progress in the development of imaging technologies. Use of these technologies has clearly demonstrated the structural and functional brain abnormalities that can occur with chronic alcohol use. The study of the alcoholic brain provides an heuristic model which furthers our understanding of neurodegenerative changes in general, as well as their partial reversibility with sustained abstinence. Additionally, functional imaging is poised to become an important tool for generating predictions about individual brain functioning, which can then be used as a basis for personalized medicine.
Gesture recognition using evolution strategy neural network

A new approach to interact with an industrial robot using hand gestures is presented. System proposed here can learn a first time userpsilas hand gestures rapidly. This improves product usability and acceptability. Artificial neural networks trained with the evolution strategy technique are found to be suited for this problem. The gesture recognition system is an integrated part of a larger project for addressing intelligent human-robot interaction using a novel multi-modal paradigm. The goal of the overall project is to address complexity issues related to robot programming by providing a multi-modal user friendly interacting system that can be used by SMEs.
Influence of eserine on the learning and memory facilitating effect of central stimulants.

In experiments with albino rats trained and tested for memory in a multi-chamber maze using various motor tasks it has been found that eserine in a dose of 0.50 mg/kg, applied 20 min before training, improves learning, whereas in doses of 0.30 and 0.50 mg/kg, applied before or immediately after training, it improves retention in the experimental animals. The central stimulants: caffeine 5 mg/kg, strychnine 1 mg/kg and amphetamine 1 mg/kg, administered i.p. before training, improve learning and retention. Caffeine (20 mg/kg), strychnine 1 mg/kg and amphetamine 1 mg/kg, applied after training, improve the retention of the experimental animals. The central stimulants, applied on the background of 0.10 mg/kg eserine before training or 0.30 mg/kg immediately after training, significantly potentiate their learning and/or memory-facilitating effect. It is assumed that eserine potentiates the positive effects of the stimulants on retention, activating moderately the cerebral cholinergic structures. This probably facilitates the interaction of the stimulants with the mechanisms regulating the memory processes.
Mechanical and thermal behaviours of polyetheretherketone-based multi-scale composites

In this study, polyetheretherketone composites were compounded using a two-screw extruder followed by injection moulding. The effects of multi-fillers on the mechanical properties and crystallization performances were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that the addition of fillers slightly increases the crystallization temperature and crystallinity. Compared to neat polyetheretherketone, the incorporation of inorganic filler leads to a significant improvement in matrix hardness, matrix stiffness and a slight increase in tensile strength. However, the material ductility, the impact strength and the fracture toughness of polyetheretherketone composites decrease. Fractography analyses show that the addition of fillers restraints the ductile deformation of polymers, which is responsible for the reduction of material ductility, impact strength as well as fracture toughness of polyetheretherketone composites.
Using satisfaction to measure the quality of palliative care: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND The advent of clinical governance in British health policy has placed increased demands on health care providers and practitioners to ascertain the quality of their services. Traditional indicators of quality of health care, such as death or recovery rates, are not appropriate in palliative care. Thus, it is important to establish alternative approaches to measuring the quality of palliative care services and interventions. AIMS Satisfaction levels have been used widely in palliative care to assess quality. A literature review was conducted which aimed to explore the strengths and weaknesses of using satisfaction as an indicator of the quality of palliative care services. It also aimed to provide a solid basis upon which further work could be built. METHODS Five electronic databases were searched using key words and phrases and key authors. Hand searches were conducted of four journals that contributed significantly to the concept of satisfaction, and reference lists of reviewed papers were scrutinized. Relevant papers were reviewed, data were extracted and these data were thematically analysed. FINDINGS There are a number of important unresolved issues in the literature with regard to using satisfaction as an indicator of the quality of palliative care services. First, few alternatives to satisfaction are available. Secondly, satisfaction is under-theorized and no widely accepted definition exists. Thirdly, there are methodological inconsistencies across studies. It is important to take into account these findings when planning and implementing change following service evaluation using satisfaction as a measure. CONCLUSIONS Relying on findings of satisfaction surveys to determine clinical and policy amendments in palliative care may not result in improvements in overall quality of care. Using satisfaction as a method of assessing the quality of health care services is particularly problematic and requires further investigation in both practical and conceptual terms.
Association between symptom dimensions and categorical diagnoses of psychosis: a cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation.

CONTEXT Cross-sectional studies of the signs and symptoms of psychosis yield dimensional phenotypes. However, the validity and clinical utility of such dimensions remain debated. This study investigated the structure of psychotic symptomatology, the stability of the structure over time, and the concordance between symptom dimensions and categorical diagnoses. METHODS Sample consisted of 500 first-episode psychotic patients. A cross-sectional study (N = 500) investigated the organizational structure of symptom dimensions at the onset of psychosis and its concordance with categorical diagnoses; next, a nested longitudinal study (N = 100) examined the stability of the symptom dimensions structure after 5-10 years of follow-up. RESULTS Factor analyses identified 6 first-order factors (mania, negative, disorganization, depression, hallucinations, and delusions) and 2 high-order factors (affective and nonaffective psychoses). Cumulative variance accounted for by the first and high-order factors was 63%: 31% by the first-order factors and 32% by the high-order factors. The factorial structure of psychotic symptoms during first episode remained stable after 5-10 years of follow-up. The overall concordance between 4 categorical diagnostic groups (schizophrenia, mania with psychosis, psychotic depression and schizoaffective disorder) and dimensional symptom ranged from 62.2% to 73.1% (when the schizoaffective group was excluded). CONCLUSIONS Symptoms of psychosis assume a multidimensional hierarchical structure. This hierarchical model was stable over time and showed good concordance with categorical diagnoses. The combined use of dimensional and categorical approach to psychotic disorders would be of clinical and research utility.
A 2 MS/s 10A Hall current sensor SoC with digital compressive sensing encoder in 0.16 µm BCD

Wide-bandwidth lossless current sensors are critical in numerous applications, from current monitoring in DC-DC converters to non-invasive load monitoring. CMOS Hall sensor is a low-cost solution for current sensing and can be easily integrated as part of mixed-signal system-on-chips (SoCs). State-of-the-art CMOS Hall sensors offer only limited acquisition bandwidths of a few hundred kHz. This paper presents a 1 MHz Hall current sensor SoC integrating a broadband CMOS Hall sensor, two 2 MS/s ADCs and a multi-mode digital compressive sensing encoder for data rate reduction. The complete SoC is implemented in a STM 0.16 μm BCD technology, and occupies 16 mm2 while consuming less than 94 mW at 1.8 V.