Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Periodic Blink Measures Using Dynamic Windowing

Artificial neural network (ANN) models are a common tool for cognitive state assessment. It is best if the inputs to the model are periodic. Typically, these inputs are extracted from physiological signals such as the electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electrooculogram (EOG), and others. Spectral measures derived from EEG data are periodic due to the signal processing. Features based on heart activity and respiration are quasi-periodic by nature. Features extracted from EOG, such as blink rate, can be especially non-periodic and can contain outliers. One approach to deal with this problem is to use static windows to compute average blink rate. This approach has some shortcomings. A new approach that uses dynamic windowing, filtering, and sampling is presented here. This new approach produces periodic data that are dynamic, adaptive to the individual, and well suited for ANN model use.
Optimizing animal models of autoimmune encephalitis using active immunization

Background and objectives Encephalitis is a devastating neurologic disorder with high morbidity and mortality. Autoimmune causes are roughly as common as infectious ones. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis (NMDARE), characterized by serum and/or spinal fluid NMDAR antibodies, is the most common form of autoimmune encephalitis (AE). A translational rodent NMDARE model would allow for pathophysiologic studies of AE, leading to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder. The main objective of this work was to identify optimal active immunization conditions for NMDARE in mice. Methods Female C57BL/6J mice aged 8 weeks old were injected subcutaneously with an emulsion of complete Freund’s adjuvant, killed and dessicated Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and a 30 amino acid peptide flanking the NMDAR GluN1 subunit N368/G369 residue targeted by NMDARE patients’ antibodies. Three different induction methods were examined using subcutaneous injection of the peptide emulsion mixture into mice in 1) the ventral surface, 2) the dorsal surface, or 3) the dorsal surface with reimmunization at 4 and 8 weeks (boosted). Mice were bled biweekly and sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 14 weeks. Serum and CSF NMDAR antibody titer, mouse behavior, hippocampal cell surface and postsynaptic NMDAR cluster density, and brain immune cell entry and cytokine content were examined. Results All immunized mice produced serum and CSF NMDAR antibodies, which peaked at 6 weeks in the serum and at 6 (ventral and dorsal boosted) or 8 weeks (dorsal unboosted) post-immunization in the CSF, and demonstrated decreased hippocampal NMDAR cluster density by 6 weeks post-immunization. In contrast to dorsally-immunized mice, ventrally-induced mice displayed a translationally-relevant phenotype including memory deficits and depressive behavior, changes in cerebral cytokines, and entry of T-cells into the brain at the 4-week timepoint. A similar phenotype of memory dysfunction and anxiety was seen in dorsally-immunized mice only when they were serially boosted, which also resulted in higher antibody titers. Discussion Our study revealed induction method-dependent differences in active immunization mouse models of NMDARE disease. A novel ventrally-induced NMDARE model demonstrated characteristics of AE earlier compared to dorsally-induced animals and is likely suitable for most short-term studies. However, boosting and improving the durability of the immune response might be preferred in prolonged longitudinal studies.
Means matter, but variance matter too: Decomposing response latency influences on variance heterogeneity in stated preference experiments

Response time latencies have been shown to influence consumer's choice behaviour in choice-based-conjoint studies. The literature has shown that response time latencies affect the mean outputs of parameter estimates derived from models of discrete choice. In this paper, we add further insight into the influences response time latencies have on such models by modelling latent response information asso- ciated with the variance of random parameter distributions through parameterisation of variance heterogeneity (or heteroskedasticity). We demonstrate that response time latencies influence not only the means of random parameter distributions, but also the variances, and that failure to account for both may result in incorrect model inferences being drawn.
DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL EXPLOSIVE CHARGES FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF UNSTABLE DAMAGED BUILDINGS

Buildings or properties seriously damaged due to detonation of explosives, gas explosions, technological accidents, and other emergency’s threaten their surroundings with their instability. Their damage is usually so significant that no repair or reconstruction is ever considered, demolition is inevitable. In such hazardous situations, use of special charges could be the possible solution for a safe disposal of damaged and statically unstable structures. Use of this emergency pyrotechnic instrument could eliminate or considerably reduce the possibility of health hazards of intervening people, rescue equipment and surrounding properties during the disposal process of extremely damaged buildings in a very short time, mainly in neighbourhoods. A System of special sequentially timed charges use the increase of efficiency of external charges and cover with water-bags together with the increase of efficiency of the whole system due to their timing. Developed charges increase the operability and safety of rescue units of IRS (Integrated Rescue System).
Peningkatan Prestasi Belajar Matematika dengan Model Problem Based Learning

Hasil rata-rata prestasi belajar masih rendah. Hal tersebut diakibatkan karena dalam pembelajaran tersebut guru masih menggunakan metode ceramah yang membuat peserta didik bosan dan mengantuk. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis peningkatan prestasi belajar matematika dengan model Problem Based Learning. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK) dengan 4 tahapan yaitu: perencanaan (Planning), pelaksanaan (Acting), pengamatan (Observing), dan refleksi (Reflecting). Pengumpulan datanya melalui tes, yang selanjutnya dianalisis dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif kuantitatif. Subjek dalam penelitian yang terdiri dari 13 siswa perempuan dan 21 siswa laki-laki di SMA. Data disajikan dalam bentuk persentase ketuntasan belajar dan prestasi belajar matematika. Hasil yang diperoleh dari penelitian ini adalah adanya perkembangan hasil yang sangat positif. Pada awalnya ketuntasan belajar sebesar 44,12% dengan rata-rata 56,72, selanjutnya setelah pelaksanaan siklus I ketuntasan belajar meningkat menjadi 64,71% dan rata-rata 62,34 kemudian ketuntasan belajar 76,47% dengan rata-rata 78,64 pada siklus II. Dari siklus I ke siklus II terjadi juga peningkatan, maka kesimpulan yang diperoleh dari penelitian ini adalah model Problem Based Learning dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar matematika pada kelas X MIPA 1 SMA.
An accurate surface topography restoration algorithm for white light interferometry

As an important measuring technique, white light interferometry can realize fast and non-contact measurement, thus it is now widely used in the field of ultra-precision engineering. However, the traditional recovery algorithms of surface topographies have flaws and limits. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm to solve these problems. It is a combination of Fourier transform and improved polynomial fitting method. Because the white light interference signal is usually expressed as a cosine signal whose amplitude is modulated by a Gaussian function, its fringe visibility is not constant and varies with different scanning positions. The interference signal is processed first by Fourier transform, then the positive frequency part is selected and moved back to the center of the amplitude-frequency curve. In order to restore the surface morphology, a polynomial fitting method is used to fit the amplitude curve after inverse Fourier transform and obtain the corresponding topography information. The new method is then compared to the traditional algorithms. It is proved that the aforementioned drawbacks can be effectively overcome. The relative error is less than 0.8%.
Energy separation in transient and steady-state flow across the cylinder

Energy separation is a spontaneous energy redistribution within a fluid flow. As a consequence, there are places with higher and lower val- ues of total temperature in the fluid flow. It is characteristic for many flow geometries. This paper deals with the energy separation in a cylinder wake. Two flow conditions are being considered–transient and steady-state flow in the wake. Two different solvers from the open source package OpenFOAM are used in order to capture the phenomenon of energy separation. One of these solvers is modified for the purpose of calculation in a particular case of the vortex street flow. The energy equation based on the internal energy present in this solver is replaced by the energy equation written in the form of a total enthalpy. The other solver has been previously tested in the vortex tube flow, and can also capture the energy separation in the steady-state wake flow of the cylinder. In both cylinder wake flow conditions, a two-dimensional computational domain is used. Standard 𝑘 − 𝜀 model is used for computations. It is proved that OpenFOAM is capable of capturing the energy separation phenomenon in a proper way in both of the wake flow cases. Good agreement between the experimental results and the ones from computations is obtained in the case of steady-state flow in the wake. Previous research findings are also confirmed in the case of vortex street flow.
Automated Detection and Segmentation of Exudates for the Screening of Background Retinopathy

Exudate, an asymptomatic yellow deposit on retina, is among the primary characteristics of background diabetic retinopathy. Background diabetic retinopathy is a retinopathy related to high blood sugar levels which slowly affects all the organs of the body. The early detection of exudates aids doctors in screening the patients suffering from background diabetic retinopathy. A computer-aided method proposed in the present work detects and then segments the exudates in the images of retina acquired using a digital fundus camera by (i) gradient method to trace the contour of exudates, (ii) marking the connected candidate pixels to remove false exudates pixels, and (iii) linking the edge pixels for the boundary extraction of exudates. The method is tested on 1307 retinal fundus images with varying characteristics. Six hundred and forty-nine images were acquired from hospital and the remaining 658 from open-source benchmark databases, namely, STARE, DRIVE MESSIDOR, DiaretDB1, and e-Ophtha. The exudates segmentation method proposed in this research work results in the retinal fundus image-based (i) accuracy of 98.04%, (ii) sensitivity of 95.345%, and (iii) specificity of 98.63%. The segmentation results for a number of exudates-based evaluations depict the average (i) accuracy of 95.68%, (ii) sensitivity of 93.44%, and (iii) specificity of 97.22%. The substantial combined performance at image and exudates-based evaluations proves the contribution of the proposed method in mass screening as well as treatment process of background diabetic retinopathy.
English teachers’ perceptions of Task-Based Instruction in Risaralda, Colombia.

This paper reports the findings of the bilingualism macro-project developed in the department of Risaralda which was aimed at determining English teachers’ perceptions after the implementation of Task-Based Instruction (TBI) in this department. This project used a qualitative paradigm with a narrative inquiry orientation to analyse the experiences of 12 English language teachers implementing TBI. Classroom observations, questionnaires and interviews were the instruments used to collect data from English teachers. The results indicated that English language educators in Risaralda find this methodology helpful to improve students’ English language skills as well as their engagement toward the English class, but they also manifest that implementing classes with TBI is time consuming and requires the design and adaptation of culture-sensitive materials. The results also report that English teachers experienced a methodological shift in their classes, changing from a structural approach to a more communicative one.
Validation of the CHIRPS satellite rainfall estimates over eastern Africa

Long and temporally consistent rainfall time series are essential in climate analyses and applications. Rainfall data from station observations are inadequate over many parts of the world due to sparse or non‐existent observation networks, or limited reporting of gauge observations. As a result, satellite rainfall estimates have been used as an alternative or as a supplement to station observations. However, many satellite‐based rainfall products with long time series suffer from coarse spatial and temporal resolutions and inhomogeneities caused by variations in satellite inputs. There are some satellite rainfall products with reasonably consistent time series, but they are often limited to specific geographic areas. The Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation (CHIRP) and CHIRP combined with station observations (CHIRPS) are recently produced satellite‐based rainfall products with relatively high spatial and temporal resolutions and quasi‐global coverage. In this study, CHIRP and CHIRPS were evaluated over East Africa at daily, dekadal (10‐day) and monthly time‐scales. The evaluation was done by comparing the satellite products with rain‐gauge data from about 1,200 stations. The CHIRP and CHIRPS products were also compared with two similar operational satellite rainfall products: the African Rainfall Climatology version 2 (ARC2) and the Tropical Applications of Meteorology using Satellite data (TAMSAT). The results show that both CHIRP and CHIRPS products are significantly better than ARC2 with higher skill and low or no bias. These products were also found to be slightly better than the latest version of the TAMSAT product at dekadal and monthly time‐scales, while TAMSAT performed better at the daily time‐scale. The performance of the different satellite products exhibits high spatial variability with weak performances over coastal and mountainous regions.
Polarization dependence of graphene transient optical response: interplay between incident direction and anisotropic distribution of nonequilibrium carriers

The transient optical properties of graphene on a dielectric substrate rely on both the direction of light incidence and anisotropic distribution of excited carriers in graphene. Here, we experimentally and theoretically studied the polarization dependence of transient optical reflection and transmission caused by the interplay between the above two factors. The interplay between the two factors resulted in diverse polarization dependence characteristics and could shift the converting incident angle for inverse polarization dependence in transient optical response. For large angles of incidence, transient optical transmission exhibited a stronger polarization dependence and no sign reversal, compared with transient optical reflection. Our findings can be useful for designing high-speed photonic devices with controllable transient optical response of graphene.
Muscle Activity During Ergometer Rowing

This article takes upon basic principles of recording and defining intervals of muscle activity during rowing on rowing ergometer (Concept 2 model C). Recording was done on the sample of four rowers and for purpose of this work only three specific muscles were observed (Biceps Brachii, Vastus Medialis and Gastrocnemius Caput Mediale). In order to obtain which muscle has been active in particular rowing phase, 2D kinematics analysis of the rowing stroke in sagittal plane was done simultaneously. After EMG data aquisition we approched their processing, which included noise removing with the wavelet method and defining moments of muscle activity and inactivity on an average envelope of rectified signal using the threshold method.
BioKnit: development of mycelium paste for use with permanent textile formwork

This paper presents significant advances in mycelium biofabrication using permanent knitted textile formwork and a new substrate formulation to dramatically improve the mechanical properties of mycelium-textile biocomposites suitable for large-scale components for use in construction. The paper outlines the biofabrication process, detailing the composition of mycocrete, a viscous mycelium substrate developed for use with permanent knitted formwork, and the injection process required to regulate the filling of slender tubes of fabric with mycocrete. The use of a permanent integrated knitted formwork shows promise as a composite system for use with mycelium to improve mechanical performance and enable complex shapes to be fabricated for lightweight construction. Results of mechanical testing show dramatic improvements in tensile, compressive and flexural strength and stiffness compared to conventional mycelium composites. The testing demonstrates the importance of both the mycocrete paste recipe and the knitted textile formwork. In addition, the paper highlights the advantages of the proposed biofabrication system with reference to the BioKnit prototype: a 1.8 m high freestanding arched dome composed of very slender biohybrid knit-mycelium tubes. This prototype demonstrates the opportunity to utilize the potential for lightweight construction and complex form offered by a textile formwork with low environmental impact mycelium biomaterials. The combination of textiles and mycelium present a compelling new class of textile biohybrid composite materials for new applications within the construction sector.
The Enzymatic Activity of Sour Cherry Fruits During Storage when Treated with a Carrageenan Solution

The article is devoted to the effect of pretreatment with a solution of carrageenan on the enzymatic activity of cherry fruits in the period of storage. For the purpose of research between 2019-2020, the fruits of the Alpha and Pamiat of Artemenko cherry varieties of the same color were selected, sorted, washed, and dried, covered with a solution that included carrageenan (1−2 g/100 ml of solution), glycerin (0.6 g/100 ml of solution) according to the options: without treatment (control) and treated with carrageenan solutions of 1% and 2% concentration. Cherry fruits were immersed in a pre-prepared solution, kept for 1-2 minutes, removed, allowed to drain, and dried at the flow of air created artificially by a fan. Experimental and control samples of fruits were placed in boxes and stored at a temperature of 1.0±0.5° C and relative humidity of 95.0±1.0%. The most effective was the treatment of cherry fruits with a 2% solution of carrageenan, which made it possible to reduce the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase by 38.5–35.7% and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 9.5−11.1%. Between the antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, APX) of cherry fruit, close correlations (r = 0.86, r = 0.82) were established and the regression equation was derived.
Evaluation of the Vibration Signal during Milling Vertical Thin-Walled Structures from Aerospace Materials

The main functions of thin-walled structures—widely used in several industries—are to reduce the weight of the finished product and to increase the rigidity of the structure. A popular method for machining such components, often with complex shapes, is using milling. However, milling involves undesirable phenomena. One of them is the occurrence of vibrations caused by the operation of moving parts. Vibrations strongly affect surface quality and also have a significant impact on tool wear. Cutting parameters, machining strategies and tools used in milling constitute some of the factors that influence the occurrence of vibrations. An additional difficulty in milling thin-walled structures is the reduced rigidity of the workpiece—which also affects vibration during machining. We have compared the vibration signal for different approaches to machining thin-walled components with vertical walls made of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy and Inconel 625 nickel alloy. A general-purpose cutting tool for machining any type of material was used along with tools for high-performance machining and high-speed machining adapted for titanium and nickel alloys. A comparison of results was made for a constant material removal rate. The Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) method provided the acceleration vibration spectrograms for individual samples.
A Novel and Highly Stable 840 MHz Repetition Rate Femtosecond Fiber Laser

We demonstrate a novel and highly stable femtosecond fiber laser at a repetition rate of 840 MHz. Because the laser components are bonded on a silica glass, the repetition rate of the free running laser drifts within 1 kHz over 12 hrs. The timing jitter of the pulses measured by the balanced optical cross-correlation is 130 as for the integration range of 10 kHz to 1 MHz.
Cytoprotective effects of atmospheric-pressure plasmas against hypoxia-induced neuronal injuries

Atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) has recently been the focus of cytoprotective research due to the physiological roles of ROS and RNS. In the current study, we investigated the effect of APPJ treatment on the hypoxia (1% oxygen) induced cell injuries. SH-SY5Y cells were treated by APPJ for different duration and incubated in normoxic condition (20% oxygen) for 5 h followed by 24 h hypoxia treatment. Cell viability was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and further monitored using the electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) system after APPJ treatment. Results showed that APPJ could reduce cell injuries after 24 h hypoxia, which was consistent with the ECIS results. Furthermore, extracellular NO and H2O2 production was significantly increased with the APPJ treatment. It was also interesting to find that APPJ treatment reduced SH-SY5Y cells proliferation in the hypoxic microenvironment during the first 20 h of hypoxia. Although more work was still need to clarify whether the cell viability maintenance was related to the cell proliferation during hypoxia, our results provide the first evidence of real-time cell viability changes after APPJ treatment under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, which could provide evidence for the neuroprotective applications of APPJ.
State-of-the-Art 800 V Electric Drive Systems: Inverter–Machine Codesign for Energy Efficiency Optimization

This paper introduces a state-of-the-art inverter–machine codesign methodology for achieving an energy-efficient electric drive system. The methodology is applied in an optimal design case study with the context of the latest trend in the 800 V system. To reduce the voltage rating, a three-level active neutral point clamped topology is utilized in the inverter design, incorporating silicon carbide technology for high-speed operation. This combination allows for efficient power conversion with reduced losses. In the machine design, the increased number of poles that can be achieved in the design phase, along with the utilization of high-speed switching frequencies, enables the development of more efficient machines. Based on the design of the experiment method, by optimizing the parameters of both the inverter and machine simultaneously, using a cosimulation model, the 7.7% of total energy loss during drive cycle operation can be improved.