Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
I Let Go Now! Towards a Voice-User Interface for Handovers between Robots and Users with Full and Impaired Sight

Handing over objects is a collaborative task that requires participants to synchronize their actions in terms of space and time, as well as their adherence to social standards. If one participant is a social robot and the other a visually impaired human, actions should favorably be coordinated by voice. User requirements for such a Voice-User Interface (VUI), as well as its required structure and content, are unknown so far. In our study, we applied the user-centered design process to develop a VUI for visually impaired humans and humans with full sight. Iterative development was conducted with interviews, workshops, and user tests to derive VUI requirements, dialog structure, and content. A final VUI prototype was evaluated in a standardized experiment with 60 subjects who were visually impaired or fully sighted. Results show that the VUI enabled all subjects to successfully receive objects with an error rate of only 1.8%. Likeability and accuracy were evaluated best, while habitability and speed of interaction were shown to need improvement. Qualitative feedback supported and detailed results, e.g., how to shorten some dialogs. To conclude, we recommend that inclusive VUI design for social robots should give precise information for handover processes and pay attention to social manners.
Mineralogical Factors Affecting the Dense Medium Separation of Nickel Sulfide Ores

Dense medium separation (DMS) is often used to reject a large portion of gangue material upfront to create cost and energy savings during processing. As lower-grade ores with complex mineralogy are being increasingly exploited, the properties of the gangue minerals begin to play a more important role in the upgrading of the ore. It is therefore important to understand these mineralogical factors to be able to select suitable processing routes for specific ore types. Two nickel sulfide deposits in southern Africa were chosen as case studies to understand differences in DMS efficiency when applied to different ores: Ore A and Ore B. Both ores showed nickel upgrades using DMS and the products were then characterized using QEMSCAN, with the aid of X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. Overall, particle density remains the main control on the separation, followed by sulfide texture, with massive and net-textured sulfides having larger grain sizes and therefore better liberation than disseminated sulfides. In addition to the concentration of sulfides, primary and secondary silicate minerals are separated by their density differences, which can affect the recovery of finely disseminated sulfides associated with them. Particle size is also important in DMS, with material near the cut-point density separating on size rather than density. The understanding of the mineralogical properties affecting DMS can aid in the prediction of the suitability of DMS for different ore types.
Impact of Smoking Habit on Peri-Implant Indicators following Different Therapies: A Systematic Review

Peri-implant disease and its treatment is becoming a major concern for clinicians as the number of implants placed each year is rising. Smoking is a common habit, and it is associated with an increased risk of developing peri-implant disease. The role of smoking in the response to peri-implant treatment has never been investigated. Searches were conducted in electronic databases to screen articles published until August 2021. The included studies had at least two groups of patients: peri-implant disease only or peri-implant disease and smoking status. Outcomes of interest included plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BoP), radiographic crestal bone loss (CBL), and analysis of peri-implant sulcular fluid. Seven hundred and forty-nine articles were found in the databases, only 71 articles potentially qualified. A total of seven studies with a minimum follow-up of six months were included. There is no homogeneity in the diagnosis, smoker definition and treatment proposed. All surgical and non-surgical treatment have statistically significantly different outcomes in smokers and nonsmokers. Recognizing this study’s limitations, we conclude that smoking might play a significant role on the outcome of peri-implant disease treatment. None of the proposed treatments appear to be significantly more effective.
Valorization of Pineapple Leaves Waste for the Production of Bioethanol

Being a lignocellulose-rich biomass, pineapple leaves waste (PL) could be a potential raw material for the production of biofuel, biochemicals, and other value-added products. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential of pineapple leaves in the sustainable production of bioethanol via stepwise saccharification and fermentation. For this purpose, PL was subjected to hydrothermal pretreatment in a high-pressure reactor at 150 °C for 20 min without any catalyst, resulting in a maximum reducing sugar yield of 38.1 g/L in the liquid fraction after solid-liquid separation of the pretreated hydrolysate. Inhibitors (phenolics, furans) and oligomers production were also monitored during the pretreatment in the liquid fraction of pretreated PL. Enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) of both pretreated biomass slurry and cellulose-rich solid fraction maintained at a solid loading (dry basis) of 5% wt. was performed at 50 °C and 150 rpm using commercial cellulase at an enzyme dose of 10 FPU/gds. EH resulted in a glucose yield of 13.7 and 18.4 g/L from pretreated slurry and solid fractions, respectively. Fermentation of the sugar syrup obtained by EH of pretreated slurry and the solid fraction was performed at 30 °C for 72 h using Saccharomyces cerevisiae WLP300, resulting in significant ethanol production with more than 91% fermentation efficiency. This study reveals the potential of pineapple leaves waste for biorefinery application, and the role of inhibitors in the overall efficiency of the process when using whole biomass slurry as a substrate.
RING-Net: road inference from GPS trajectories using a deep segmentation network

Accurate and rich representation of roads in a map is critical for safe and efficient navigation experience. Often, open source road data is incomplete and manually adding roads is labor intensive and consequently expensive. In this paper, we propose RING-Net, an approach for Road INference from GPS trajectories using a deep image segmentation Network. Previous work on road inference is either focused on satellite images or GPS trajectories, but they are not compatible with each other when there is a lack of high quality data from either of the source types. Even though it is primarily focused on using GPS trajectories as its input, RING-Net architecture is flexible enough to be used with multiple data sources with minimal effort. More specifically, RING-Net converts raw GPS trajectories into multi-band raster images with trip related features, and infers roads with high precision. Experiments on public data show that Ring-Net can be used to improve the completeness of a road network. Our approach is promising to bring us one step closer to fully automated map updates.
Heterogeneous spatial dynamic panels with an application to US housing data

ABSTRACT This paper proposes two models that incorporate both heterogeneity and multiple sources of spatial correlation for dynamic panels. One uses convex combinations of them to form a single weight matrix. The second one includes explicitly different spatial weight matrices to form a higher order model. We use a Bayesian scheme for model estimation by deriving the full conditional distributions of heterogeneous parameters. Our Monte Carlo experiments demonstrate their finite-sample performance relative to a baseline model. In our empirical study we find the importance of including both geographical and non-geographical information in capturing correlations in real house price growth in the United States.
Flight of Microwave‐Driven Sails: Experiments and Applications

We have observed flight of ultralight sails of carbon‐carbon microtruss material at several gees acceleration. To propel the material, we sent a 10 kW, 7 GHz beam into a 10−6 Torr vacuum chamber and onto sails of mass density 5–10 g/m2. At microwave power densities of ∼kW/cm2 we saw upward accelerations of several gees: sails so accelerated reached >2000 K from microwave absorption. Data analysis and comparison with candidate acceleration mechanisms shows that photonic pressure can account for 3 to 30% of the observed acceleration and that the remainder comes from desorption of embedded molecules. This is a useful propulsion mechanism: A microwave beam source in orbit could illuminate a sail, provoking desorption and enhancing thrust by many orders of magnitude over solar sails, shortening the escape time to weeks (compared with years for solar sails).
Multi-Session Radiosurgery for Numerous Small Brain Metastases

Objectives: Treatment of multiple brain metastases more than 10 is challenging. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is generally believed to be the first treatment choice. In order to escape from mental deterioration after WBRT, we have performed Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKS) for numerous small brain metastases. Methods: Twelve cases of numerous (more than 30) brain metastases were treated by GKS. Mean total session number was 5.42 times, ranging 2 to 17. Each tumor was treated with the margin dose between 14 to 20 Gy. The tumor number treated in whole sessions was ranged from 31 to 144 (mean, 70.8). Results: Almost all the irradiated tumors either disappeared or shrank at the patient’s death or at the last follow-up, though new metastatic tumors were subsequently developed in some cases which required an additional treatment with GKS. At the last follow-up (3 to 51 months after GKS), nine cases were alive and well and three were dead. As adverse effects, two cases demonstrated seizures by radiation brain injury and another showed a gait disturbance. No apparent mental deterioration was observed during follow-up. Conclusion: Radiosurgery for numerous small brain metastases may be preferable rather than WBRT.
Automatic Detection of Periapical Osteolytic Lesions on Cone-beam Computed Tomography Using Deep Convolutional Neuronal Networks

Introduction: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an essential diagnostic tool in oral radiology. Radiolucent periapical lesions (PALs) represent the most frequent jaw lesions. However, the description, interpretation, and documentation of radiological ﬁ ndings, especially incidental ﬁ ndings, are time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring a high degree of expertise. To improve quality, dentists may use arti ﬁ cial intelligence in the form of deep learning tools. This study was conducted to develop and validate a deep convolutional neuronal network for the automated detection of osteolytic PALs in CBCT data sets. Methods: CBCT data sets from routine clinical operations (maxilla, mandible, or both) performed from January to October 2020 were retrospectively screened and selected. A 2-step approach was used for automatic PAL detection. First, tooth localization and identi ﬁ cation were performed using the SpatialCon ﬁ guration-Net based on heatmap regression. Second, binary segmentation of lesions was performed using a modi ﬁ ed U-Net architecture. A total of 144 CBCT images were used to train and test the networks. The method was evaluated using the 4-fold cross-validation technique. Results: The success detection rate of the tooth localization network ranged between 72.6% and 97.3%, whereas the sensitivity and speci ﬁ city values of lesion detection were 97.1% and 88.0%, respectively. Conclusions: Although PALs showed variations in appearance, size, and shape in the CBCT data set and a high imbalance existed between teeth with and without PALs, the proposed fully automated method provided excellent results compared with related literature. (J Endod 2022; - :1 – 7.)
Extended Model Formulation of the Proportional Lot-Sizing and Scheduling Problem with Lost Demand Costs

We consider mixed-integer linear programming (MIP) models of production planning problems known as the small bucket lot-sizing and scheduling problems. We present an application of a class of valid inequalities to the case with lost demand (stock-out) costs. Presented results of numerical experiments made for the the Proportional Lot-sizing and Scheduling Problem (PLSP) confirm benefits of such extended model formulation.
Absorption in Aqueous MEA Solutions

China Construction Industrial & Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd., 6, Wenlan Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, 210023, China National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Deep Utilization Technology of Rock-salt Resource, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai’an 223003, China Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
INSTITUT FÜR INFORMATIK

Complex Event Recognition (CER) is concerned with detecting patterns of interest in data streams which are collections of data points with temporal order. These data streams have become ubiquitous in recent years with the advancement of global digitalization: e-Commerce and social media platforms have seen growing user bases; electronic sensors have become more affordable; vehicles and all manner of appliances are now internet connected data sources. At the heart of CER is the concept of an event which itself is based on the notion of a state . A state is a configuration of statements which can be either true or false that exists at a distinct point in time. An event is something which causes a state to change, i.e. something which causes a transition . The Event Calculus (EC) as presented by Kowalski and Sergot (1986) provides a suitable logic-based formalization and makes it possible to work with the aforementioned concepts. The declarative nature of the EC enables powerful and ergonomic expressions which is a distinctive advantage when it comes to the integration of domain expert knowledge. Implementations and dialects of the EC such as the Event Calculus for Run-Time Reasoning (RTEC) by Artikis et
Biomechanical Effects of Adding an Ankle Soft Actuation in a Unilateral Exoskeleton

Stroke disease leads to a partial or complete disability affecting muscle strength and functional mobility. Early rehabilitation sessions might induce neuroplasticity and restore the affected function or structure of the patients. Robotic rehabilitation minimizes the burden on therapists by providing repetitive and regularly monitored therapies. Commercial exoskeletons have been found to assist hip and knee motion. For instance, unilateral exoskeletons have the potential to become an effective training system for patients with hemiparesis. However, these robotic devices leave the ankle joint unassisted, essential in gait for body propulsion and weight-bearing. This article evaluates the effects of the robotic ankle orthosis T-FLEX during cooperative assistance with the AGoRA unilateral lower-limb exoskeleton (hip and knee actuation). This study involves nine subjects, measuring muscle activity and gait parameters such as stance and swing times. The results showed a reduction in muscle activity in the Biceps Femoris of 50%, Lateral Gastrocnemius of 59% and Tibialis Anterior of 35% when adding T-FLEX to the AGoRA unilateral lower-limb exoskeleton. No differences were found in gait parameters. Nevertheless, stability is preserved when comparing the two legs. Future works should focus on evaluating the devices in ground tests in healthy subjects and pathological patients.
Screening of cyanotoxin producing genes in Ecuadorian freshwater systems

Abstract: Aim This study pursued the detection of cyr and mcy genes to assess the presence of cylindrospemopsin (CN) and microcystin (MC) potential producers in Ecuadorian water bodies. Methods Environmental DNA (eDNA) was extracted from eight water bodies and one wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) from Ecuador. A nested PCR was designed to amplify mcyB, cyrE, and cyrJ genes in these environmental samples. PCR products were sequenced and blasted against GenBank database. Results Potential CN producers were found in seven water bodies and the WWTP. cyrE amplification revealed three variants belonging to Raphidopsis and Aphanizmenon species and one for cyrJ with around 90% identity with Raphidiopsis and Oscillatoria species. Four water bodies presented the same variant for mcyB similar to Microcystis panniformis with 99% of identity. Conclusions This study contributes new data on the presence of toxic cyanobacteria strains and provides new molecular tools to assess cyanotoxin hazards in Ecuadorian water bodies.
Plasma Extracellular Vesicles Play a Role in Immune System Modulation in Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is associated with changes in the immune system including an increased pro-inflammatory environment and altered differentiation of CD4+ T lymphocytes. The mechanisms remain unknown. Changes in extracellular vesicle (EV) cargo including proteins and miRNAs could play a main role as mediators of immune system changes associated with MHE. The aim was to assess whether plasma EVs from MHE patients played a role in inducing the pro-inflammatory environment and altered differentiation of CD4+ T lymphocyte subtypes in MHE patients. We characterized the miRNA and protein cargo of plasma EVs from 50 cirrhotic patients (27 without and 23 with MHE) and 24 controls. CD4+ T cells from the controls were cultured with plasma EVs from the three groups of study, and the cytokine release and differentiation to CD4+ T-cell subtypes were assessed. Plasma EVs from MHE patients had altered miRNA and protein contents, and were enriched in inflammatory factors compared to the controls and patients without MHE. EVs from MHE patients modulated the expression of pro-inflammatory IL-17, IL-21, and TNF-α and anti-inflammatory TGF-β in cultured CD4+ T lymphocytes, and increased the proportion of Th follicular and Treg cells and the activation of Th17 cells. In conclusion, plasma EVs could play an important role in the induction of immune changes observed in MHE.
Educational performance and conduct problem trajectories from childhood to adolescence: Observational and genetic associations in a Brazilian birth cohort

Abstract Background Educational difficulties are an important potential influence on both the onset and course of children's conduct problems. This study evaluated the association between school failure and children's conduct problems in Brazil, a context with high rates of both conditions, using both observational and genetic approaches. Methods Prospective, population‐based, birth cohort study in Pelotas city, Brazil. Parents reported on conduct problems four times between ages 4–15 years, and group‐based trajectory analysis was used to classify 3469 children into trajectories of childhood‐limited, early‐onset persistent, adolescence‐onset, or low conduct problems. School failure was measured as having repeated a school grade up to age 11, and a polygenic risk score (PRS) predicting educational attainment was calculated. Multinomial adjusted regression models were used to estimate the association between school failure (observational measure and the PRS) and conduct problem trajectories. To consider possible variation in effects of school failure by social context, interactions were tested with family income and school environment (using both observational and PRS methods). Results Children repeating a school grade had increased odds of being on to childhood‐limited (OR: 1.57; 95% CI 1.21; 2.03), adolescence‐onset (OR: 1.96; 95% CI 1.39; 2.75), or early‐onset persistent trajectory (OR: 2.99; 95% CI 1.85; 4.83), compared to the low conduct problem trajectory. School failure also predicted increased risk for early‐onset persistent problems versus the childhood‐limited problems (OR: 1.91; 95% CI 1.17; 3.09). Using a genetic PRS approach, similar findings were observed. Associations varied according to the school environment: school failure had larger effects on children in better school environments. Conclusion School performance, whether measured in terms of repeating school grades or genetic susceptibility, was consistently associated with trajectories of child conduct problems into mid‐adolescence. We also found a larger association for children in better school environments.
Animal waste powder utilization for Al6061/SiC composite using friction stir processing with scroll shoulder hexagonal tool

Nowadays, a lot of animal waste is available in the world. To reduce the number of animal waste particles, it is used as reinforcement, reducing the cost of reinforcement without affecting the present qualities. In this research, AA6061 is used because of its lower weight-to-strength ratio whereas to reduce the cost of reinforcement, chicken bone powder (CBP) with varying percentages (2%, 4%, and 6%) and 2% SiC is used. A hexagonal tool with a scroll shoulder is used for the fabrication of AA6061/SiC/CBP hybrid composite. Microstructural analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fractography analysis, tool analysis, tensile strength, and hardness are used for the analysis of AA6061/SiC/CBP hybrid composite. Microstructural analysis shows that the grain size of SiC and CBP particles is reduced from 40 to 4.6 μm. Homogenous distribution of the reinforcement with no agglomeration is observed in SEM analysis. Fractography shows the presence of dimples and micro-dimples which indicates that tensile strength increases whereas XRD analysis investigates that there are no unwanted contaminants present in the AA6061/SiC/CBP hybrid composite which can be harmful during machining. Tensile strength and hardness of AA6061/SiC/CBP hybrid composite increase up to 29.28% and 18.22%, respectively, on increasing the percentage of chicken bone powder in reinforcement.
The Power of Discrete Quantum Theories

We explore the implications of restricting the framework of quantum theory and quantum computation to finite fields. The simplest proposed theory is defined over arbitrary finite fields and loses the notion of unitaries. This makes such theories unnaturally strong, permitting the search of unstructured databases faster than asymptotically possible in conventional quantum computing. The next most general approach chooses finite fields with no solution to x^2+1=0, and thus permits an elegant complex-like representation of the extended field by adjoining i=sqrt(-1). Quantum theories over these fields retain the notion of unitaries and --- for particular problem sizes --- allow the same algorithms as conventional quantum theory. These theories, however, still support unnaturally strong computations for certain problem sizes, but the possibility of such phenomena decreases as the size of the field increases.