Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated optical readout for miniaturization of cantilever-based sensor system

The authors present the fabrication and characterization of an integrated optical readout scheme based on single-mode waveguides for cantilever-based sensors. The cantilever bending is read out by monitoring changes in the optical intensity of light transmitted through the cantilever that also acts as a waveguide. The complete system is fabricated in the photosensitive polymer SU-8. They show theoretical calculations on the expected sensitivity both when operated in air and liquid and compare these with experimental characterization of the system in air where the cantilever is deflected mechanically. The experimental results compare well with the results obtained from the theoretical calculations.
AN ANKLE SPRAIN RECOGNITION SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING ANKLE SPRAIN MOTION FROM OTHER NORMAL MOTION USING MOTION SENSOR

The purpose of this study was to develop an ankle sprain recognition system which identifies ankle sprain motions from other normal motions. Six healthy male subjects performed a total of 600 simulated ankle sprain motions and normal sports motions. Eight motion sensors were attached to cover the whole foot segment to monitor the linear velocity and angular accelerations of the segment. The data obtained from the motion sensor at the medial calcaneus selected to train up the Support Vector Machine (SVM). The trained SVM model was then verified by another 600 trials from other six healthy male subjects. Among the 300 sprain trials, 291 (97.0%) of them were identified correctly. However, there was still a 14.3% false alarm which normal trials being identified as sprain trails. In general, a good accuracy of 91.3% was achieved.
Discussion Paper New Series When Is Dynamic Pricing Profitable for a Seller in the Presence of Strategic Consumers ?

Pricing policy and inventory decision are essential for retailers that sell products whose demand is uncertain in advance, and whose value decreases rapidly. Studies on newsvendor model have tackled this topic over the ages. In recent years, the literature has an interest in a dynamic model where consumers strategically choose their purchase timing, and a retailer decides its prices at multiple periods. Many papers analyzing such models show that restricting markdown pricing is beneficial for a retailer in the presence of strategic consumers, while Cachon and Swinney (2009) assert that it is better for a seller to mark down optimally even in the presence of strategic consumers. In this paper, we reexamine the validity of their assertion by simplifying their model, and find that their results depend on the value of consumer surplus at the full price period which is exogenous in their paper. Thus, their claim is applicable to the case that consumers obtain large surplus from their purchase at the full price period.
Detrital zircon U‐Pb ages and Hf isotopic constraints on the terrigenous sediments of the Western Alps and their paleogeographic implications

Detrital zircons from Cretaceous micaschist, late Eocene‐earliest Oligocene sandstone and early Oligocene siltstone of the Western Alps fall into three main separable age clusters at 610–540 Ma, 490–430 Ma, and 340–280 Ma that correspond to the Cadomian (Neoproterozoic), Ordovician, and Variscan (Carboniferous) events widespread in western and central Europe. Hf isotopic results indicate that these three magmatic and tectonic episodes did not give rise to significant production of juvenile crust. A distinguishable group of Triassic zircons, around 250–200 Ma which is considered to derive from the Southern Alps, has been detected in the early Oligocene “Schistes à Blocs” formation and the Briançonnais “Flysch Noir”. In contrast, this age group is absent in late Eocene to earliest Oligocene sandstones. In agreement with sedimentological studies, our results show that the main source areas of the Eocene sandstone were probably located in the European continent. The arrival of detritus from the Internal Zone occurred in early Oligocene, coeval with the tectonic rotation from northwestward to westward in the propagation of allochthonous units. Based on previous studies and our new data, we argue that the Briançonnais Zone was likely a paleorelief since the middle Eocene that accounts for the lack of detritus from the Adriatic units. Contemporary sediments were accumulated in the foredeep of the Adriatic plate. From Oligocene time onward, the blockage was cut through after a regional uplifting, and thus, the Internal Zone started to provide detritus into the western flexural basins.
Generalised additive multiscale wavelet models constructedusing particle swarm optimisation and mutual informationfor spatio-temporal evolutionary system representation

A new class of generalised additive multiscale wavelet models (GAMWMs) is introduced for high dimensional spatio-temporal evolutionary (STE) system identification. A novel two-stage hybrid learning scheme is developed for constructing such an additive wavelet model. In the first stage, a new orthogonal projection pursuit (OPP) method, implemented using a particle swarm optimisation(PSO) algorithm, is proposed for successively augmenting an initial coarse wavelet model, where relevant parameters of the associated wavelets are optimised using a particle swarm optimiser. The resultant network model, obtained in the first stage, may however be a redundant model. In the second stage, a forward orthogonal regression (FOR) algorithm, implemented using a mutual information method, is then applied to refine and improve the initially constructed wavelet model. The proposed two-stage hybrid method can generally produce a parsimonious wavelet model, where a ranked list of wavelet functions, according to the capability of each wavelet to represent the total variance in the desired system output signal is produced. The proposed new modelling framework is applied to real observed images, relative to a chemical reaction exhibiting a spatio-temporal evolutionary behaviour, and the associated identification results show that the new modelling framework is applicable and effective for handling high dimensional identification problems of spatio-temporal evolution sytems.
Mechanical Fault Diagnosis Method Based on LMD Shannon Entropy and Improved Fuzzy C-means Clustering

Aiming to diagnosis the mechanical fault precisely, the current research is proposing a method based on the local mean decomposition (LMD) Shannon entropy and improved fuzzy f-means ﬂustering (IFCM). The features are ﬁrst extracted by using the time-frequency domain method LMD and the Shannon entropy is used to process the original separated product functions (PF) so as to extract the original features. However, the extracted original features are still with high dimensional and include superﬂuous information. The nonlinear multi-features fusion technique LTSA is used to merge the features and reduce the dimension. Then, based on the extracted features, the IFCM model is used to achieve the mechanical fault diagnosis. In this model, a feature cluster determine function is established to achieve the weighted factor to achieve a better category effect. Case of a bearing test was analyzed and the results proved the effectiveness of the methodology.
The Effect of Debt on Cognitive Functioning and Decision Making in the Poor *

We study how changes in indebtedness and resources affect human functioning. Highly indebted low-income households in Singapore benefited from a one-off, unanticipated debt relief program that delivered a financial shock equivalent to several months’ household income. We measured household finances, anxiety, cognitive functioning, and economic decision making preand postdebt relief. Debt relief significantly improved cognitive functioning and reduced anxiety, risk aversion, and present bias. However, we do not find evidence that relief-driven changes in cognitive functioning are linked to changes in economic decision making. A key mechanism explaining why debt relief improves cognitive functioning is that indebted households are burdened by financial management. Targeting cognitive resource constraints, such as through eliminating debt accounts, could be more effective at alleviating poverty than providing untargeted transfers. * Preliminary; revisions expected soon. Please do not circulate, but kindly refer interested parties to the corresponding author. We apologize in advance to the many parties who have contributed to our project for not including acknowledgements in this draft. ** Corresponding Author: Qiyan Ong, Social Service Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Ventus, 8 Kent Ridge Drive, #03-01, S(119246), Tel. : +65 66013430. Email: qiyanong@gmail.com
At the Center of the Metabolism and Cancer Web: AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK)

Copyright: © 2013 Buac D, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. That cancer cells display an altered metabolism was first recognized almost a century ago by Otto Warburg who noted that tumors display a shift in glucose metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis [1]. Since then, many reports have documented the importance of glycolysis in supplying much of the energy, proteins, and nucleotides required to fuel the largely metabolically demanding process at the core of all cancer causation: uncontrolled cell division [2-4]. Therefore, the importance of targeting cellular metabolism for cancer therapy has attracted much attention over the last decade and much of the research has primarily focused on three areas: i) metabolic and growth signaling pathways, ii) metabolic enzymes, and iii) diet and exercise. It was not until recently, however, that the major cellular energy sensor, Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), emerged in the spotlight as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of various cancer types. AMPK is a ubiquitously expressed tumor suppressor protein, which functions as a heterotrimeric enzyme and is activated in response to a variety of stress signals defined by a drop in the cellular ATP: AMP ratio [5,6]. Upon activation, energy consuming processes are shut down, while energy producing processes are turned up. In this way AMPK serves as a unique target for therapeutic intervention in a cancer setting as it integrates cellular growth factor signaling pathways with cellular metabolism.
Determination of blood pressure and hemodynamics from oscillometric waveforms

An experimental system (Carditor) for noninvasive determination of blood pressures and hemodynamics is presented. The system consists of a wrist cuff, a battery powered module with pneumatic and electronic circuits, and a notebook computer. The computer controls cuff inflation, deflation and data acquisition functions during gradual cuff deflation. Proprietary software is used to analyze oscillometric waveforms obtained from radial artery. Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures and stroke volume are computed first. Stroke volume is then adjusted for body area and the adjusted value is used to compute cardiac output. Total peripheral resistance and systemic arterial compliance are computed from arterial pressures, cardiac output and stroke volume. The computed hemodynamic variables are displayed on the computer screen in a "quadrant" graphic form. Preliminary hemodynamic data from from a group of 41 men and women (age 17-76) were used for qualitative comparison with published data (deSimone, n=544). Carditor results: stroke volume=76 ml, heart rate=70 bpm, cardiac output=5.3 l/min. DeSimone results: stroke volume=81 ml, heart rate=68 bpm, cardiac output=5.5 l/min. Examples of test results and clinical applications of the system are discussed.
Finite-dimensional simple graded algebras

Let R be a finite-dimensional algebra over an algebraically closed field F graded by an arbitrary group G. In the paper it is proved that if the characteristic of F is zero or does not divide the order of any finite subgroup of G, then R is graded simple if and only if it is isomorphic to a matrix algebra over a finite-dimensional graded skew field.Bibliography: 24 titles.
Core Cross-linked Star Polymers for Temperature/pH Controlled Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil

RAFT polymerization with cross-linking was used to prepare core cross-linked star polymers bearing temperature sensitive arms. The arms consisted of a diblock copolymer containing N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and 4-methacryloyloxy benzoic acid (4MBA) in the temperature sensitive block and poly(hexyl acrylate) forming the second hydrophobic block, while ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate was used to form the core. The acid comonomer provides pH sensitivity to the arms and also increases the transition temperature of polyNIPAAm to values in the range of 40 to 46°C. Light scattering and atomic force microscopy studies suggest that loose core star polymers were obtained. The star polymers were loaded with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer agent, in values of up to 30 w/w%. In vitro release experiments were performed at different temperatures and pH values, as well as with heating and cooling temperature cycles. Faster drug release was obtained at 42°C or pH 6, compared to normal physiological conditions (37°C, pH 7.4). The drug carriers prepared acted as nanopumps changing the release kinetics of 5-FU when temperatures cycles were applied, in contrast with release rates at a constant temperature. The prepared core cross-linked star polymers represent advanced drug delivery vehicles optimized for 5-FU with potential application in cancer treatment.
HILDA - A Health Interaction Log Data Analysis Workflow to Aid Understanding of Usage Patterns and Behaviours

Health and wellbeing products and services for individuals are becoming increasingly popular as people realise the benefits provided by lifelogging or quantified-self platforms in such areas as exercise, diet management and mood. However, in addition to the data that users record using these platforms, all user interactions and events can be elusively logged to represent usage. Such user interaction or event logs provide rich and large datasets that can fuel applied artificial intelligence. As products and services based on these digital interaction technologies are taken up across public healthcare provision, should healthcare policy and practice take more cognisance of the opportunities and risks in gathering interaction data? Is ‘healthcare’ ignorant that there is knowledge in such data? Are there differences between event logging in healthcare and other areas such as commerce, media and industry? In order to realise benefits in analysing such data, methods that help ensure consistency, accuracy, data protection, as well as reproducibility of knowledge derived from log data need to be examined. This paper presents methods to explore usage log data and a process workflow followed by a presentation of two real world case studies. The workflow has been coined Health Interaction Log Data Analysis (HILDA) and focuses on data prospecting and machine learning stages to show the opportunities realisable in analysing interactional or event data automatically recorded by digital healthcare services.
A flood episode in northern Italy: multi-model and single-model mesoscale meteorological ensembles for hydrological predictions

Numerical weather prediction models can be cou- pled with hydrological models to generate streamflow fore- casts. Several ensemble approaches have been recently de- veloped in order to take into account the different sources of errors and provide probabilistic forecasts feeding a flood forecasting system. Within this framework, the present study aims at comparing two high-resolution limited-area meteo- rological ensembles, covering short and medium range, ob- tained via different methodologies, but implemented with similar number of members, horizontal resolution (about 7 km), and driving global ensemble prediction system. The former is a multi-model ensemble, based on three mesoscale models (BOLAM, COSMO, and WRF), while the latter, fol- lowing a single-model approach, is the operational ensem- ble forecasting system developed within the COSMO con- sortium, COSMO-LEPS (limited-area ensemble prediction system). The meteorological models are coupled with a distributed rainfall-runoff model (TOPKAPI) to simulate the discharge of the Reno River (northern Italy), for a recent severe weather episode affecting northern Apennines. The evaluation of the ensemble systems is performed both from a meteorologi- cal perspective over northern Italy and in terms of discharge prediction over the Reno River basin during two periods of heavy precipitation between 29 November and 2 Decem- ber 2008. For each period, ensemble performance has been compared at two different forecast ranges. It is found that, for the intercomparison undertaken in this specific study, both mesoscale model ensembles outperform the global ensemble for application at basin scale. Horizontal resolution is found to play a relevant role in modulating the precipitation distribution. Moreover, the multi-model ensem- ble provides a better indication concerning the occurrence, intensity and timing of the two observed discharge peaks, with respect to COSMO-LEPS. This seems to be ascrib- able to the different behaviour of the involved meteorological models. Finally, a different behaviour comes out at different fore- cast ranges. For short ranges, the impact of boundary con- ditions is weaker and the spread can be mainly attributed to the different characteristics of the models. At longer forecast ranges, the similar behaviour of the multi-model members forced by the same large-scale conditions indicates that the systems are governed mainly by the boundary conditions, al- though the different limited area models' characteristics may still have a non-negligible impact.
Estimation of the Potential Adoption of Aflasafe Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Lower Eastern Kenya

Aflatoxin contamination in maize and maize products is a major problem in Kenya, especially in the lower eastern part, where crop losses and human fatalities have been reported. Using a pre-tested questionnaire, 480 households were surveyed in the area, which has been identified as a “hotspot” for the lethal Aspergillus flavus strain S. This study aimed to estimate the potential adoption of Aflasafe, a new aflatoxin control technology that is currently being field-tested in Kenya, Burkina Faso and Senegal. The study found an adoption potential of 82%, which suggests that Aflasafe is likely to command a large market in lower eastern Kenya. The main factors that significantly influenced (positively or negatively) farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for Aflasafe were: formal education, farmer type, household income, and county of residence in Kenya. The uptake of Aflasafe could be enhanced through extension services and short-term subsidies
Potential impact of two landfills on the near vicinity with the use of bioindicators

The research deals in complex with the issue of landfilling and with a possible use of biological indicators to assess the impact of landfill on its surroundings. The problem is topical as landfilling remains the most spread technology for the disposal of communal waste in the Czech Republic. Assessing the impact of the landfill on its environs, we based our study on the selected bioindicators present in 1995 and in 2007 – 2010. During the period of vegetation biomonitoring, we did not detect any significant impact of the landfills on the biotic composition of the environment and no symptoms of leaf area chlorosis or necrosis that would have indicated the direct impact of sanitary landfills operation on the locality. The Stěpanovice landfill and Kuchyňky landfill have a functional system of drains combined with the system of ground sealing and the system of seepage water drainage pits. It further has a sophisticated system to check fencing, fly-offs and to collect lightweight waste. Both landfills are constructed and operated in compliance with the most modern and strictest requirements and standards.
Effect of Chemical Stabilizers in Silver Nanoparticle Suspensions on Nanotoxicity

Colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been commercialized as the typically stabilized form via the addition of a variety of surfactants or polymers. Herein, to examine the effects of stabilizing AgNPs in suspension, we modified the surface of bare AgNPs with four type of surfactants (NaDDBS, SDS, TW80, CTAB) and polymers (PVP, PAA, PAH, CMC). The modified AgNPs was applied to compare suspension stability and nanotoxicity test using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a model organism. Modification of AgNPs surface using chemical stabilizer may be not related with molecular weight, but chemical structure such as ionic state and functional group of stabilizer. In this study, it is noteworthy that AgNPs modified with a cationic stabilizer (CTAB, PAH) were importantly toxic to E. coli, rather than anionic stabilizers (NaDDBS, SDS). Comparing similar anionic stabilizer, i.e., NaDDBS and SDS, the result showed that lipophilicity of chemical structure can affect on E. coli, because NaDDBS, which contains a lipophilic benzene ring, accelerated the cytotoxicity of AgNPs. Interestingly, none of the stabilizers tested, including biocompatible nonionic stabilizers (i.e., TW80 and cellulose) caused a reduction in AgNP toxicity. This showed that toxicity of AgNPs cannot be reduced using stabilizers.
Interactive comment on “ Global risk of radioactive fallout after nuclear reactor accidents ” by J . Lelieveld et al

The paper proposed by Lelieveld et al. (2011) and the large number of papers appearing after the recent Fukushima nuclear disaster (for a very gross estimate of global nuclear risks see also Butler, 2011) are a proof of the relevance of the topic and the increasing interest and concern that nuclear energy creates both to society and to the research community. However, although such an important topic requires attention, and work on it should be encouraged, this should be done rigorously and in an interdisciplinary team so that all the relevant aspects – nuclear engineering, dispersion of the radioactive releases and consequence assessment – are fully covered. This is not the case in the paper under review (Lelieveld et al., 2011) which appears to have been done in a rush and making too gross simplifications and assumptions which affect their estimate of the global nuclear risk. Such a simplified approach would only make sense when the work is the first of its kind and there are no better estimates available. However, this is not the case here: over the past decade a number of nuclear risk estimates have been published, based on better assessed data and using more sophisticated approaches (see Andreev et al., 1998; Andreev et al., 2000; Arnold et al., 2011; Baklanov and Mahura, 2001; Baklanov and Mahura, 2004; Flexrisk, 2010-2012; Hofer et al., 2000; Mahura and Baklanov, 2002, Seibert et al., 2010). The only new aspect in the present study is the global view, rather than a focus on one continent (mostly Europe), as in the previous studies. However, this global view does not provide a true risk estimate, basically, only averaged deposition values of two key radionuclide are calculated. This is not surprising, as an approach with an appropriate degree of sophistication increases the necessary research effort and computer time in a non-linear manner. Even covering one continent stretches capacities to a limit, as we observe in our own work. Nevertheless, this does not justify the simplifications and assumptions made. The fact that there is a significant global risk can easily be inferred from any of the previous studies and the numbers produced in the present study do not signify much, as is explained below.