Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated Accelerometer-Based Gait Event Detection During Multiple Running Conditions

The identification of the initial contact (IC) and toe off (TO) events are crucial components of running gait analyses. To evaluate running gait in real-world settings, robust gait event detection algorithms that are based on signals from wearable sensors are needed. In this study, algorithms for identifying gait events were developed for accelerometers that were placed on the foot and low back and validated against a gold standard force plate gait event detection method. These algorithms were automated to enable the processing of large quantities of data by accommodating variability in running patterns. An evaluation of the accuracy of the algorithms was done by comparing the magnitude and variability of the difference between the back and foot methods in different running conditions, including different speeds, foot strike patterns, and outdoor running surfaces. The results show the magnitude and variability of the back-foot difference was consistent across running conditions, suggesting that the gait event detection algorithms can be used in a variety of settings. As wearable technology allows for running gait analyses to move outside of the laboratory, the use of automated accelerometer-based gait event detection methods may be helpful in the real-time evaluation of running patterns in real world conditions.
Effect of the Surface Morphology of TiO2 Nanotubes on Photocatalytic Efficacy Using Electron-Transfer-Based Assays and Antimicrobial Tests

The application of titanium oxide nanotubes for the removal of contaminants from freshwater is a rapidly growing scientific interest, especially when it comes to water conservation strategies. In this study we employed four different titanium oxide nanotube surfaces, prepared by a two-electrode anodic oxidation. Two of the surfaces were synthesised in aqueous media, while the other two surfaces were synthesised in ethylene glycol. One of the arrays synthesised in the organic medium was impregnated with silver nanoparticles, while the remaining surfaces were not. The chemical reactivity of the various surfaces was assessed using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) as free electron sensitive probe molecules, in parallel with tannic acid degradation and copper ion reducing capacity. The potential antimicrobial activity of the surfaces was assessed against a panel of microorganisms composed of yeast, fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that surfaces produced in the aqueous medium had a smaller tube length and a smaller tube diameter. It was noted that one of the materials using sodium sulfate as the supporting electrolyte had the most irregular nanostructure morphology with tubes growing to the side rather than vertically. The structural variation of the surfaces directly reflected both the chemical and biological activity, with the nanotubes formed in ethylene glycol showing the fastest rates in the stabilization of DPPH and ABTS radicals, the fastest tannic acid decomposition under various pH conditions and the fastest metal reducing activity. Furthermore, the surface containing silver and its bare counterpart showed the most effective antimicrobial activity, removing approximately 82% of Gram-negative bacteria, 50% of Gram-positive bacteria, 70% of yeast and 40% of fungi, with Gram-negative bacteria being the most susceptible to these surfaces.
Modeling Spatio-Temporal App Usage for a Large User Population

With the wide adoption of mobile devices, it becomes increasingly important to understand how users use mobile apps. Knowing when and where certain apps are used is instrumental for app developers to improve app usability and for Internet service providers (ISPs) to optimize their network services. However, modeling spatio-temporal patterns of app usage has been a challenging problem due to the complicated usage behavior and the very limited personal data. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian mixture model to capture when, where and what apps are used and predict future app usage. To solve the challenge of data sparsity, we apply a hierarchical Dirichlet process to leverage the shared spatio-temporal patterns to accurately model users with insufficient data. We then evaluate our model using a large dataset of app usage traces involving 1.7 million users over 3503 apps. Our analysis shows a clear correlation between the user's location and the apps being used. Extensive evaluations show that our model can accurately predict users' future locations and app usage, outperforming the state-of-the-art algorithms by 11.7% and 11.1%, respectively. In addition, our model can be used to synthesize app usage traces that do not leak user privacy while preserving the key data statistical properties.
MRI of the Colon in the Pharmaceutical Field: The Future before us

Oral solid drug formulation is the most common route for administration and it is vital to increase knowledge of the gastrointestinal physiological environment to understand dissolution and absorption processes and to develop reliable biorelevant in vitro tools. In particular, colon targeted drug formulations have raised the attention of pharmaceutical scientists because of the great potential of colonic drug delivery. However, the distal bowel is still a relatively understudied part of the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been gaining an emerging role in studying the colon. This article provides a comprehensive; contemporary review of the literature on luminal MRI of the colonic environment of the last 15 years with specific focus on colon physiological dimensions; motility; chyme and fluids; transit and luminal flow. The work reviewed provides novel physiological insight that will have a profound impact on our understanding of the colonic environment for drug delivery and absorption and will ultimately help to raise the in vitro/in vivo relevance of computer simulations and bench models.
New Aluminum Alloys Specifically Designed for Laser Powder Bed Fusion: A Review

Aluminum alloys are key materials in additive manufacturing (AM) technologies thanks to their low density that, coupled with the possibility to create complex geometries of these innovative processes, can be exploited for several applications in aerospace and automotive fields. The AM process of these alloys had to face many challenges because, due to their low laser absorption, high thermal conductivity and reduced powder flowability, they are characterized by poor processability. Nowadays mainly Al-Si alloys are processed, however, in recent years many efforts have been carried out in developing new compositions specifically designed for laser based powder bed AM processes. This paper reviews the state of the art of the aluminum alloys used in the laser powder bed fusion process, together with the microstructural and mechanical characterizations.
Does environmental diversity affect hymenopteran galling insects and their natural enemies on Caryocar brasiliense trees (Caryocaraceae)?

Caryocar brasiliense (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) trees, protected by Brazilian federal laws, are the main income source in many communities. The transformation of the Cerrado (savanna biome) into grazing or agricultural areas has been isolating these trees species in an agro-urban landscape. We studied the effects of environmental diversity on the abundance of galling insect communities inhabiting C. brasiliense trees in three different environments: Cerrado, pasture, and an urban area. Eurytoma sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) adults and their galls, its parasitoid Sycophila sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) and the predator Zelus armillatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) were present in larger numbers on the C. brasiliense leaflets in the urban area. The percentages of totally galled leaflets (exhibiting all kinds of galls) and the number of trees were negatively correlated. Greater habitat diversity favored that of galling insect species and their natural enemies.
SLMAP3 isoform modulates cardiac gene expression and function

The sarcolemmal membrane associated proteins (SLMAPs) belong to the super family of tail anchored membrane proteins which serve diverse roles in biology including cell growth, protein trafficking and ion channel regulation. Mutations in human SLMAP have been linked to Brugada syndrome with putative deficits in trafficking of the sodium channel (Nav1.5) to the cell membrane resulting in aberrant electrical activity and heart function. Three main SLMAP isoforms (SLMAP1 (35 kDa), SLMAP2 (45 kDa), and SLMAP3 (91 kDa)) are expressed in myocardium but their precise role remains to be defined. Here we generated transgenic (Tg) mice with cardiac-specific expression of the SLMAP3 isoform during postnatal development which present with a significant decrease (20%) in fractional shortening and (11%) in cardiac output at 5 weeks of age. There was a lack of any notable cardiac remodeling (hypertrophy, fibrosis or fetal gene activation) in Tg hearts but the electrocardiogram indicated a significant increase (14%) in the PR interval and a decrease (43%) in the R amplitude. Western blot analysis indicated a selective and significant decrease (55%) in protein levels of Nav1.5 while 45% drop in its transcript levels were detectable by qRT-PCR. Significant decreases in the protein and transcript levels of the calcium transport system of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2a/PLN) were also evident in Tg hearts. These data reveal a novel role for SLMAP3 in the selective regulation of important ion transport proteins at the level of gene expression and suggest that it may be a unique target in cardiovascular function and disease.
Time-domain fluorescence mammography using early-time reflected signals: finite element approach

Optical spectroscopy based on the use of fluorescent contrast agents has become an interesting tool to detect and localize diseased tissues from healthy structures in a harmless way. Herein, we present a numerical model based on the finite element method that allows to simulate time-resolved reflectance signals from a realistic compartmented two-dimensional model of a breast bearing a small-sized fluorescent inclusion. Results show that the depth location of the inclusion can be well inferred from the observation of the time to reach the half maximum intensity of the reflected signals. Improvements may be obtained if depth localization is provided by a dimensionless indicator based on a twoway reflectance determination.
Spatio-temporal pattern analysis of forest fire event in South Kalimantan using integration remote sensing data and GIS for forest fire disaster mitigation

Forest fire is one disaster that can paralyze various human activities, both in land and air, which can reach hundreds of hectares and is routine in Indonesia. Mitigation is important to reduce the number of fires and the impact will not damage the ecosystem. Spatio-temporal analysis can be used to know the pattern of an event in a certain period. This makes it possible to identify the factors of events that affected by time and see the changes that occur on the surface of the earth. Data that are used include remote sensing data of rainfall, peatland, palm oil plantation, land cover, hotspot in certain period that is processed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The methods used include extraction of forest fire event parameter, mapping of hotspot and forest fire parameter, spatio-temporal analysis, forest fire mitigation identification. The extraction result obtained influential parameters, such as land cover, land use, rainfall, climate, river, and road. Structural mitigation such as the construction of canals and ditches can anticipate the spread of fires. Canals can also be used as a control factor for hydrology. Meanwhile, non-structural mitigation can be done through policy planning based on hotspot distribution modelling.
Frequency and intensity of pain symptoms detected during classic massage sessions of selected body parts in purebred Arabian racing horses

ABSTRACT We analysed the frequency of symptoms and degree of muscle pain in selected body parts of racing horses assessed during classic massage sessions. The influence of horse’s sex on obtained results was considered. The potential for the early determination of pain in horses by analysing their behaviour and cardiac parameters during a massage session was also evaluated. The study was conducted on 20 three-year-old purebred Arabian horses during one racing season. In the racing season, cyclic classic massage sessions [. ]
Tuning Multiple Fano Resonances for On-Chip Sensors in a Plasmonic System

This paper proposed a plasmonic resonator system, consisting of a metal-insulator-metal structure and two stubs, and a Fano resonance arose in its transmittance, which resulted from the coupling between the two stubs. On the basis of the proposed structure, a circle and a ring cavity are separately added above the stubs to create different coupled plasmonic structures, providing triple and quadruple Fano resonances, respectively. Additionally, by adjusting the geometric parameters of the system, multiple Fano Resonances obtained can be tuned. The proposed structure can be served as a high efficient refractive index sensor, yielding a sensitivity of 2000 nm/RIU and figure of merit (FOM) of 4.05×104 and performing better than most of the similar structures. It is believed that the proposed structure may support substantial applications for on-chip sensors, slow light and nonlinear devices in highly integrated photonic circuits.
Adiponectin—Consideration for its Role in Skeletal Muscle Health

Adiponectin regulates metabolism through blood glucose control and fatty acid oxidation, partly mediated by downstream effects of adiponectin signaling in skeletal muscle. More recently, skeletal muscle has been identified as a source of adiponectin expression, fueling interest in the role of adiponectin as both a circulating adipokine and a locally expressed paracrine/autocrine factor. In addition to being metabolically responsive, skeletal muscle functional capacity, calcium handling, growth and maintenance, regenerative capacity, and susceptibility to chronic inflammation are all strongly influenced by adiponectin stimulation. Furthermore, physical exercise has clear links to adiponectin expression and circulating concentrations in healthy and diseased populations. Greater physical activity is generally related to higher adiponectin expression while lower adiponectin levels are found in inactive obese, pre-diabetic, and diabetic populations. Exercise training typically restores plasma adiponectin and is associated with improved insulin sensitivity. Thus, the role of adiponectin signaling in skeletal muscle has expanded beyond that of a metabolic regulator to include several aspects of skeletal muscle function and maintenance critical to muscle health, many of which are responsive to, and mediated by, physical exercise.
Home Smoke Exposure and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Acute Respiratory Illness

OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess whether secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure has an impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with acute respiratory illness (ARI). METHODS This study was nested within a multicenter, prospective cohort study of children (two weeks to 16 years) with ARI (emergency department visits for croup and hospitalizations for croup, asthma, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia) between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2016. Subjects were surveyed upon enrollment for sociodemographics, healthcare utilization, home SHS exposure (0 or ≥1 smoker in the home), and child HRQOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Physical Functioning Scale) for both baseline health (preceding illness) and acute illness (on admission). Data on insurance status and medical complexity were collected from the Pediatric Hospital Information System database. Multivariable linear mixed regression models examined associations between SHS exposure and HRQOL. RESULTS Home SHS exposure was reported in 728 (32%) of the 2,309 included children. Compared with nonexposed children, SHS-exposed children had significantly lower HRQOL scores for baseline health (mean difference −3.04 [95% CI −4.34, −1.74]) and acute illness (−2.16 [−4.22, −0.10]). Associations were strongest among children living with two or more smokers. HRQOL scores were lower among SHS-exposed children for all four conditions but only significant at baseline for bronchiolitis (−2.94 [−5.0, −0.89]) and pneumonia (−4.13 [−6.82, −1.44]) and on admission for croup (−5.71 [−10.67, −0.75]). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates an association between regular SHS exposure and decreased HRQOL with a dose-dependent response for children with ARI, providing further evidence of the negative impact of SHS.
Map Registration of Lidar-based 2D NDT Map and Vision-based 3D NDT Map with Known Initial Robot Poses

This paper focuses on the multi-robot mapping, especially the collaboration of vision- and 2D lidar-mounted robots with known initial poses. Since the scale of the map built by a single vision sensor is hardly the same to the real world scale, the scale should be estimated to register the 2D map built by 2D lidar and 3D map built by a vision sensor. In this paper, we propose a method of converting maps into NDT maps to rapidly register the two maps in multiple resolutions based on minimizing the modified objective function of distribution-to-distribution normal distributions transform (NDT-D2D). Instead of scaling the 3D map, the proposed method updates the 2D map within optimization. In the experiment, we showed the registration of 2D NDT map built by gmapping with 2D lidar and 3D NDT map built by direct sparse odometry (DSO) with vision sensor. As a result, the runtime was 0.041 second, and the error of the estimated scale was 18.0%.
Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis by Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein-Derived Peptide (TN13)

Overactivated osteoclasts lead to many bone diseases, including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The p38 MAPK (p38) is an essential regulator of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclastogenesis and bone loss. We previously reported TAT conjugated thioredoxin-interacting protein-derived peptide (TAT-TN13) as an inhibitor of p38 in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Here, we examined the role of TAT-TN13 in the differentiation and function of osteoclasts. TAT-TN13 significantly suppressed RANKL-mediated differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) into osteoclasts. TAT-TN13 also inhibited the RANKL-induced activation of NF-κB and nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), leading to the decreased expression of osteoclast-specific genes, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and Cathepsin K. Additionally, TAT-TN13 treatment protected bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Taken together, these results suggest that TAT-TN13 inhibits osteoclast differentiation by regulating the p38 and NF-κB signaling pathway; thus, it may be a useful agent for preventing or treating osteoporosis.
Review of the cellular automata models for reproducing synchronized traffic flow

Cellular automaton (CA) approach is an important theoretical framework for studying complex system behavior and has been widely applied in various research field. CA traffic flow models have the advantage of flexible evolution rules and high computation efficiency. Therefore, CA develops very quickly and has been widely applied in transportation field. In recent two decades, traffic flow study quickly developed, among which 'synchronized flow' is perhaps one of the most important concepts and findings. Many new CA models have been proposed in this direction. This paper makes a review of the development of CA models, concerning their ability to reproduce synchronized flow as well as traffic breakdown from free flow to synchronized flow. Finally, future directions have been discussed.
Influence of PMMA on All-Inorganic Halide Perovskite CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots Combined with Polymer Matrix

The poor stability of CsPbX3 quantum dots (QDs-CsPbX3) under wet conditions is still considered to be a key issue. In order to overcome this problem, this study presents a high molecular weight polymer matrix (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA) incorporated into the QDs-CsPbBr3 to improve its stability and maintain its excellent optical properties. In this study, the Cs2CO3, PbO, Tetrabutylammonium Bromide (TOAB) powder, oleic acid, and toluene solvent were uniformly mixed and purified to prepare high-quality QDs powders. Then, hexane was used as a dispersing agent for the QD powder to complete the perovskite QDs-CsPbBr3 solution. Finally, a solution with different proportions of quantum dots CsPbBr3 and PMMA was prepared and discussed. In the preparation of thin films, firstly, a thin film with the structure of glass/QD-CsPbBr3/PMMA was fabricated in a glove box using a well-developed QDs-CsPbBr3 solution by changing the ratio of CsPbBr3:PMMA. The material analysis of QDs-CsPbBr3 thin films was performed with photoluminescence (PL), transmittance, absorbance, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structures and morphologies were further examined to study the effect of doped PMMA on perovskite QDs-CsPbBr3.
Terahertz Inspection of Buildings and Architectural Art

We present a broad literature review on the uses of terahertz radiation for the inspection architectural art, as well as building structures. As an example of the uses of terahertz in this field, we also include original results on a non-destructive assessment of a conservation intervention on murals of the Konstantinbasilika in Trier, Germany while using terahertz time-of-flight spectroscopy.
Novel β-keto-enol Pyrazolic Compounds as Potent Antifungal Agents. Design, Synthesis, Crystal Structure, DFT, Homology Modeling, and Docking Studies

A new family of promising inhibitors bearing β-keto-enol functionality with greatly improved pharmacophore properties has been prepared. Herein, a series of novel derivatives of β-keto-enol group embedded with pyrazolic moiety has been designed and synthesized via a one-step procedure using mixed Claisen condensation in the attempt to develop potential antifungal agents. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ESI/LC-MS, and 1H and 13C NMR. In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was used to determine the single crystal structure of compound 10. All of the new compounds have been evaluated for their in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activities. Interestingly, the results indicate that most of the compounds display notable antifungal activity close to that of the benomyl fungicide taken as the standard drug. For the most active compound and for benomyl, a correlation has been evidenced between the experimental antifungal activity and the theoretical predictions by DFT calculations and molecular docking against Fgb1 protein.