Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long bed waves in tidal seas: an idealized model

An idealized model is proposed to explain the appearance of the long bed waves that have been recently observed in shallow tidal seas. The model assumes that these bedforms grow due to tide–topography interaction. The water motion is described by means of the depth-averaged shallow water equations and the bottom evolution is governed by conservation of sediment mass. The sediment transport formulation includes a critical bottom stress below which no sediment moves. Also, anisotropic sediment transport, due to local bottom slopes in the longitudinal and transverse directions, is taken into account. A linear stability analysis of the flat bottom configuration reveals that different bottom patterns can emerge. In accordance with previous analyses, for strong tidal currents, the fastest growing modes are sand banks. However, if the tidal currents are elliptical and the maximum bottom stress is just above its threshold value for the initiation of sediment motion, the model shows the presence of further growing modes which resemble the long bed waves observed in the field.
Health Status and Activity Discomfort among Elderly Drivers: Reality of Health Awareness

As the number of elderly drivers rapidly increases worldwide, interest in the dangers of driving is growing as accidents rise. The purpose of this study was to conduct a statistical analysis of the driving risk factors of elderly drivers. In this analysis, data from the government organization’s open data were used for the secondary processing of 10,097 people. Of the 9990 respondents, 2168 were current drivers, 1552 were past drivers but were not driving presently, and 6270 did not have a driver’s license; the participants were divided into groups accordingly. The elderly drivers who were current drivers had a better subjective health status than those who were not. Visual and hearing aids were used in the current driving group, and their depression symptoms reduced as they drove. The elderly who were current drivers experienced difficulties while driving in terms of decreased vision, hearing loss, reduced arm/leg reaction speed, decreased judgment of the road conditions such as signals and intersections, and a decreased sense of speed. The results suggest that elderly drivers are unaware of the medical conditions that can negatively affect their driving. This study contributes to the safety management of elderly drivers by understanding their mental and physical status.
Deep longitudinal multi-omics analysis of Bordetella pertussis cultivated in bioreactors highlights medium starvations and transitory metabolisms, associated to vaccine antigen biosynthesis variations and global virulence regulation

Bordetella pertussis is the bacterial causative agent of whooping cough, a serious respiratory illness. An extensive knowledge on its virulence regulation and metabolism is a key factor to ensure pertussis vaccine manufacturing process robustness. The aim of this study was to refine our comprehension of B. pertussis physiology during in vitro cultures in bioreactors. A longitudinal multi-omics analysis was carried out over 26 h small-scale cultures of B. pertussis. Cultures were performed in batch mode and under culture conditions intending to mimic industrial processes. Putative cysteine and proline starvations were, respectively, observed at the beginning of the exponential phase (from 4 to 8 h) and during the exponential phase (18 h 45 min). As revealed by multi-omics analyses, the proline starvation induced major molecular changes, including a transient metabolism with internal stock consumption. In the meantime, growth and specific total PT, PRN, and Fim2 antigen productions were negatively affected. Interestingly, the master virulence-regulating two-component system of B. pertussis (BvgASR) was not evidenced as the sole virulence regulator in this in vitro growth condition. Indeed, novel intermediate regulators were identified as putatively involved in the expression of some virulence-activated genes (vags). Such longitudinal multi-omics analysis applied to B. pertussis culture process emerges as a powerful tool for characterization and incremental optimization of vaccine antigen production.
Simulation study of cone beam CT for visualizing cell clusters in breast biopsies

The feasibility of cone beam CT (CBCT) for differentiating normal epithelium from invasive carcinoma is investigated via a simulation study. The phantom consisted of a 5 mm long 5mm diameter cylinder of a 50:50 mixture of fibrous and fatty tissue. Normal epithelium and invasive carcinoma were each modeled as epithelium and connective tissue compartments with respective cross-sectional dimensions of 158 by 161 μm and 131 by 161 μm . For normal epithelium, 125 cells were placed in the compartments with a higher concentration in the basal layer. For the invasive carcinoma, 314 cells were spread out sporadically. Cells were modeled as 5.67 μm diameter spheres. The attenuation coefficients used in the simulation were those of fat for epithelium, 80:20 mixture of fibrous and fat for the connective tissue and water for cells. A point source and 50 μm detector pixels were assumed. Scatter from the phantom is negligible and was neglected. Three hundred projections were acquired at magnification 10 in vacuum using a 26 kV spectrum. The preliminary study suggest a potential application of CBCT for visualizing cell clusters. The contrast was slightly improved by using a 5 to 10 keV uniform spectrum.
Degree of pharyngeal deformation caused by pharyngeal endoscopic submucosal dissection is associated with the incidence of aspiration pneumonia

Abstract Background and study aims Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is one of the most minimally invasive treatments for superficial squamous cell cancer of the pharynx. However, aspiration pneumonia (AsP) associated with postoperative deformity of the pharynx may occur. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of AsP and the degree of pharyngeal deformity after pharyngeal ESD. Patients and methods This was a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent pharyngeal ESD at Okayama University Hospital between 2006 and 2017. The degree of pharyngeal deformation was assessed using the pharyngeal deformation grade (PDG). The primary endpoint was the frequency of AsP as a long-term adverse event. Results Among the 52 patients enrolled, nine developed aspiration pneumonia, with a 3-year cumulative incidence of 9.0 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 3.3 %–22.0 %). There were 16, 18, 16, and two patients that had PDG 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Patients with a history of radiotherapy, as a treatment of head and neck cancer (44.4 % vs. 11.6 %; P = 0.02) and the high PDG group (PDG 2 and 3) (77.8 % vs. 25.6 %; P = 0.005) had a significantly higher incidence of AsP. The 3-year cumulative incidence rate of AsP after ESD in the high PDG group was significantly higher than that in the low PDG group (PDG 0 and 1) (23.9 % [95 %CI, 9.2.–49.5%] vs. 0 %; P = 0.03). Conclusions The incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the long-term course after pharyngeal ESD was revealed. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia may be associated with pharyngeal deformity, but further studies are needed.
A Family of Distributions for Modelling Non‐Elliptically Symmetric Multivariate Data

SUMMARY The paucity of distributions that can be used as an aid to modelling the structure of multivariate data is a recognized limitation. We present a relatively simple family of distributions for use in describing data which are not elliptically symmetric. Properties of the family are discussed and it is shown that multivariate Pareto, Burr and Logistic distributions are special cases. In addition, simulation methods for applications in Monte Carlo robustness studies are outlined and, finally, the fit to a data set on uranium exploration is compared to that obtained using the usual bivariate normal distribution.
Examining the roles of labour standards, economic complexity, and globalization in the biocapacity deficiency of the ASEAN countries

ABSTRACT With Singapore currently the world’s most natural capital (biocapacity) deficit alongside four other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries having varying degree of ecological deficit, i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, it then offers a clear justification for a more scrutiny of the ASEAN states’ ecological footprint dynamics. To provide more insight on the drivers of ecological footprint in the overall panel and for each of the above-mentioned countries, the roles of economic complexity, average working hours, labour productivity, labour income share, and globalization were examined by employing the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares Mean Group (DOLSMG) alongside the recently developed (non)time-variant Granger causality approaches. For the overall panel, the DOLSMG approach established that labour productivity, labour income share, and globalization reduce the biocapacity deficit by improving ecological quality while economic complexity worsen the region’s environmental quality. Additionally, in the overall panel, there is Granger causality evidence from the average working hour, labour income share, labour productivity, globalization, and economic complexity to ecological footprint. Moreover, the results of the two Granger causality approaches are unanimous in evidence. For instance, average working hours per year is a significant causal of ecological footprint in all the sampled countries at varying periods. Specifically, there are Granger causalities: from labour productivity to ecological footprint in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand; from globalization to ecological footprint in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand; from economic complexity to ecological footprint in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, all at varying times.
Form Recognition Using Moment Invariants for Three Dimensional Perspective Transformations

The invariant recognition of forms is important for many tasks. The purpose of this paper is to consider algebraic and moment invariants for perspective transformations. These are important because every lens system induces a perspective transformation. The approach consists of considering the non-linear perspective transformation in a higher dimensional, homogenous space. In homogeneous space the perspective transformation is linear and algebraic invariant theory may be used to determine absolute algebraic and moment invariants. The cross ratio is a well known perspective invariant. New moment invariants corresponding to the perspective transformation are derived. Examples are presented to demonstrate the theoretical approach. The significance of this work lies in the importance of invariant recognition for both human and machine vision.
Wavelet processing for image denoising and edge detection in automatic corrosion detection algorithms used in shipboard ballast tank video inspection systems

Over the past several years, the Naval Research Laboratory has been developing video inspection systems for assessing the coatings condition in shipboard ballast tanks. Two prototype systems have been configured and are presently being utilized to perform video inspections of dry and filled ballast tanks. These systems are described in this paper. The large size and low level lighting associated with this application results in 'noisy' imagery. A wavelet based de-noising method has been developed that removes the noise in the video imagery while maintaining other edges important to corrosion detection. Specific examples that demonstrate the efficacy of the de-noising methods are provided. Wavelet edge detection methods are then applied to the de-noised imagery to identify both regions of potential rust and the spatial distribution of rust. Additional methodologies are then utilized for final corrosion classification. The paper will provide examples of imagery collected in shipboard ballast tanks and examples of applying the automatic corrosion detection algorithms. These examples demonstrate the algorithms ability to work with 'noisy' imagery and to ignore objects in the imagery such as ladders and pipes. They also demonstrate the robustness of the developed automatic corrosion detection algorithms.
Electro-optic and electromechanical properties of poled polymer thin films

A simple interferometric technique has been developed to sequentially measure the piezoelectric and electro-optic (EO) coefficient of the poled polymer films. This technique, similar to the Michelson interferometer, is based on compensating the change of the optical path due to the piezoelectric and electric-optic effect of the poled polymer films by opposite piezoelectric effect of a quartz crystal. Our technique has advantages of simplicity, high sensitivity, and improved accuracies over the previous ones. The experimental values of the EO coefficients agree with the values predicted by the two-level model.
Spectral smoothed boundary methods: The role of external boundary conditions

The spectral smoothed boundary method (SSBM) is a recently proposed numerical method to approximate the solution of partial differential equations in irregular domains with no‐flux boundary conditions by means of Fourier spectral methods. In this article we explore the robustness and accuracy of the scheme under variations of the artificial boundary conditions that must be imposed on the boundary of the enlarged domain in which the problem is solved. As a test model, we present quantitative numerical results based on a problem of propagation of waves of electrical activity in cardiac tissue for which the method is relevant. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006
Adaptive Fault Components Extraction by Using an Optimized Weights Spectrum Based Index for Machinery Fault Diagnosis

Machinery condition monitoring and fault diagnosis has attracted much attention because it is beneficial to reducing maintenance costs and improving industrial profits. Adaptive fault components extraction (AFCE) is the most crucial step for machinery fault diagnosis, and its core is statistical indices. Existing statistical indices including kurtosis and correlated kurtosis are empirical statistical indices (ESIs), and they cannot exactly quantify fault-related information in signals and distinguish fault components from interferential components. Thus, the ESIs might be easily affected by random impulsive noise, low-frequency components, etc. To solve this problem, a new statistical index named optimized weights spectrum based index (OWSI) is proposed in this article. The OWSI satisfies two good properties to guarantee exact quantification of fault components and effectively distinguish interferential components. Moreover, a new OWSI-based methodology is proposed to realize AFCE, and it can be implemented with signal decomposition algorithms such as variational mode decomposition without needing careful parameters tuning. Bearing and gear real-world fault signals are studied to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Results show that the proposed methodology is superior to ESI-based methods including classic fast kurtogram and newly developed feature mode decomposition.
Myopia Control with Low-Dose Atropine in European Children: Six-Month Results from a Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study

The effect and safety of low-dose atropine in myopia control have not been studied in randomized, placebo-controlled trials outside Asia. We investigated the efficacy and safety of 0.1% atropine loading dose and 0.01% atropine compared with a placebo in a European population. Investigator-initiated, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, equal-allocation, multicenter study comparing 0.1% atropine loading dose (six months) followed by 0.01% atropine (18 months), 0.01% atropine (24 months), and placebo (24 months). Participants were monitored for a 12-months washout period. Outcome measures were axial length (AL), cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE), photopic and mesopic pupil size, accommodation amplitude, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and adverse reactions and events. We randomized 97 participants (mean [standard deviation] age, 9.4 [1.7] years; 55 girls (57%) and 42 boys (43%)). After six months, AL was 0.13 mm shorter (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.18 to −0.07 [adjusted p < 0.001]) with 0.1% atropine loading dose and 0.06 mm shorter (95% CI, −0.11 to −0.01 [adjusted p = 0.06]) with 0.01% atropine than in the placebo group. We observed similar dose-dependent changes in SE, pupil size, accommodation amplitude, and adverse reactions. No significant differences in visual acuity or IOP were found between groups, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. We found a dose-dependent effect of low-dose atropine in European children without adverse reactions requiring photochromatic or progressive spectacles. Our results are comparable to those observed in East Asia, indicating that results on myopia control with low-dose atropine are generalizable across populations with different racial backgrounds.
Machine contouring using minimum curvature

Machine contouring must not introduce information which is not present in the data. The one-dimensional spline fit has well defined smoothness properties. These are duplicated for two-dimensional interpolation in this paper, by solving the corresponding differential equation. Finite difference equations are deduced from a principle of minimum total curvature, and an iterative method of solution is outlined. Observations do not have to lie on a regular grid. Gravity and aeromagnetic surveys provide examples which compare favorably with the work of draftsmen.
Electromagnetic separation techniques in metal casting. II. Separation with superconducting coils

The second part of this paper is devoted to the use of dc superconducting coils for electromagnetic separation of small nonconducting inclusions in metal casting. We theoretically analyze two methods: 1) magnetohydrodynamic separation with an electric current induced by a mean flow (conical separator) and 2) electromagnetic separation with an externally injected electric current (helical separator). First, the paper develops a model of the conical separator proposed by Gillon and Pillin in 1998 and compares it with experiments. It states that the main reason for poor separation efficiency can be flow inhomogeneity and turbulence in the separation channel. Second, the paper introduces a model of the electromagnetic separator with an injected current. Such a model has a number of advantages including better performance and higher flow homogeneity. It is capable of separating of nonconducting inclusions on the order of 10 /spl mu/m in size in a magnetic field of 8 T with a flow rate of 1 kg/s. Power efficiency of the electromagnetic separation is studied with respect to the accompanying Joule's heating of molten metal. It is found that the electromagnetic separator with a superconducting coil and an injected current has the highest power coefficient, at least 100 times greater than the efficiency of conventional separation devices.
ECG Measurement System for Vehicle Implementation and Heart Disease Classification Using Machine Learning

The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) method can diagnose more cardiovascular disease than the single-lead method, but it is difficult to use in daily life because numerous electrodes must be attached to the body. As an aging society approaches, electrocardiography is expanding its use in daily life, even to the heart disease monitoring system for passengers in vehicles. This study proposes a single-lead ECG measurement system implemented in the steering wheel of the vehicle and a machine learning model to classify the driver’s heart health status. For the ECG measurement system, an algorithm to obtain stable ECG signals is proposed along with the measurement hardware. It uses the range and interval of the ECG signal to determine stability under noisy conditions caused by vehicle vibration and the driver movement. To classify four classes of heart diseases (normal, atrial fibrillation, other rhythms, noise), a two-stage machine learning structure is proposed. To train the machine learning models with an optimal feature subset, 188 features were extracted from the single-lead ECG dataset, and a sequential wrapper-type feature selection was conducted. As a result, when the naïve Bayes model using ten features was located in the first step and the support vector machine using 13 features in the second step, the proposed two-stage classification structure returned the best score ${F1}_{NAO}=0.7898$ and real-time classification performances (0.86 seconds on average).
Interaction of isotropic turbulence with shock waves: effect of shock strength

As an extension of the authors' work on isotropic vortical turbulence interacting with a shock wave (Lee, Lele & Moin 1993), direct numerical simulation and linear analysis are performed for stronger shock waves to investigate the effects of the upstream shock-normal Mach number (M1). A shock-capturing scheme is developed to accurately simulate the unsteady interaction of turbulence with shock waves. Turbulence kinetic energy is amplified across the shock wave, and this amplification tends to saturate beyond M1 = 3.0. An existing controversy between experiments and theoretical predictions on length scale change is thoroughly investigated through the shock-capturing simulation: most turbulence length scales decrease across the shock, while the dissipation length scale (ρq3/ε) increases slightly for shock waves with M1<1.65. Fluctuations in thermodynamic variables behind the shock wave are nearly isentropic for M1<1.2, and deviate significantly from isentropy for the stronger shock waves, due to the entropy fluctuation generated through the interaction.
Color, Antioxidant Capacity and Flavonoid Composition in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Cultivars

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants are mainly cultivated as ornamental plants, but they also have food and medicinal uses. In this work, 16 H. rosa-sinensis cultivars were studied to measure their colorimetric parameters and the chemical composition of hydroethanolic extracts obtained from their petals. These extracts were characterized using UHPLC-ESI+-Obitrap-MS, and their antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ORAC assay. The identified flavonoids included anthocyanins derived from cyanidin, glycosylated flavonols derived from quercetin and kaempferol, and flavan-3-ols such as catechin and epicatechin. Cyanidin-sophoroside was the anthocyanin present in extracts of lilac, pink, orange, and red flowers, but was not detected in extracts of white or yellow flowers. The total flavonol concentration in the flower extracts was inversely proportional to the total anthocyanin content. The flavonol concentration varied according to the cultivar in the following order: red < pink < orange < yellow ≈ white, with the extract from the red flower presenting the lowest flavonol concentration and the highest anthocyanin concentration. The antioxidant activity increased in proportion to the anthocyanin concentration, from 1580 µmol Trolox®/g sample (white cultivar) to 3840 µmol Trolox®/g sample (red cultivar).