Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IoT for Playful Intergenerational Learning about Cultural Heritage: The LOCUS Approach

LOCUS is a three-year multidisciplinary project with the goal of co-design, develop and evaluate an IoT system and understand its potential to support playful intergenerational engagement in creating and exploring cultural contents and learning about cultural heritage of rural territories from the Centre Region of Portugal, namely Amiais village, in Sever do Vouga. By implementing a playful and immersive cultural heritage tourism approach to foster Amiais' cultural and socioeconomic development, LOCUS will allow visitors to have immersive gamified experiences, by using a wearable device (bracelet) and their smartphones to interact with augmented everyday things around the village and to collaboratively learn about Amiais' culture and produce and share multimedia georeferenced contents.
The Livelihood Effects of Industrialization on Displaced Households: Evidence from Falta Special Economic Zone, West Bengal

Much of the debate on industrialization and displacement has, so far, focused on the optimum compensation for affected households. Our recently concluded study, comprising of a sample of 1017 households including 630 affected (displaced and land acquired) and 387 unaffected households, looks at the long-term livelihood effects of the Falta Special Economic Zone in West Bengal, India. The main findings indicate a lower labour market participation rate among affected household members. However, members of displaced households show the highest work participation rate in the industrial zone but with a lower return to education than others. Women earn about 17 percentage points less compared to men after controlling for education and experience and this gap is 5 to 10 percentage points higher for FSEZ employees; but this gap is narrowing over time likewise the gender education gap.
Pattern-based Method for Anomaly Detection in Sensor Networks

The detection of anomalies in real fluid distribution applications is a difficult task, especially, when we seek to accurately detect different types of anomalies and possible sensor failures. Resolving this problem is increasingly important in building management and supervision applications for analysis and supervision. In this paper we introduce CoRP ”Composition of Remarkable Points” a configurable approach based on pattern modelling, for the simultaneous detection of multiple anomalies. CoRP evaluates a set of patterns that are defined by users, in order to tag the remarkable points using labels, then detects among them the anomalies by composition of labels. By comparing with literature algorithms, our approach appears more robust and accurate to detect all types of anomalies observed in real deployments. Our experiments are based on real world data and data from the literature.
A Demonstrator for Impedance Matching Systems in Transmission Lines With Time and Frequency Simulation [Education Corner]

This article describes a software tool developed to demonstrate several impedance-matching systems using at least one section of transmission line. The tool is intended for use in the classroom as a teaching resource and by students to verify the solutions of homework exercises, prepare for examinations, assist with laboratory work, and consolidate concepts in transmission-line theory. The implementation allows a very flexible and realistic load impedance definition, calculates the frequency response, and performs the animation of the traveling waves through all line sections of the matching system. The frequency response invites the students to have a more critical view of the physical circuit and improves their general skills in distributed and concentrated radio-frequency (RF) circuits. The time simulation offers a more detailed view of what is occurring inside the matching system, highlighting a few interesting conclusions. The tool is available online to be freely used, modified, or improved by the education community.
Modulation of Kv4-encoded K+ Currents in the Mammalian Myocardium by Neuronal Calcium Sensor-1*

Voltage-gated K+ channels are multimeric proteins, consisting of four pore-forming α-subunits alone or in association with accessory subunits. Recently, for example, it was shown that the accessory Kv channel interacting proteins form complexes with Kv4 α-subunits and modulate Kv4 channel activity. The experiments reported here demonstrate that the neuronal calcium sensor protein-1 (NCS-1), another member of the recoverin-neuronal calcium sensor superfamily, is expressed in adult mouse ventricles and that NCS-1 co-immunoprecipitates with Kv4.3 from (adult mouse) ventricular extracts. In addition, co-expression studies in HEK-293 cells reveal that NCS-1 increases membrane expression of Kv4 α-subunits and functional Kv4-encoded K+ current densities. Co-expression of NCS-1 also decreases the rate of inactivation of Kv4 α-subunit-encoded K+ currents. In contrast to the pronounced effects of Kv channel interacting proteins on Kv4 channel gating, however, NCS-1 co-expression does not measurably affect the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation or the rate of recovery from inactivation of Kv4-encoded K+ currents. Taken together, these results suggest that NCS-1 is an accessory subunit of Kv4-encoded Ito,f channels that functions to regulate Ito,f density in the mammalian myocardium.
The Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies as a Substitute for Reading and to Support and Enhance the Authoring of Scientific Review Articles

To gain a comprehensive overview of new scientific findings with the enormous, ever-increasing amount of published information, we apply a new combinatorial approach that complements the process of reading scientific articles by supplementing artificial intelligence technologies. We present a combinatorial approach, which we illustrate in the form of a “double funnel of artificial intelligence. ” Our approach suggests to largely increase the amount of data at the beginning of the data collection process and to subsequently clean and enrich the data set in order to gain much more knowledge at the end of the procedure compared to a “classical” literature review. We use natural language processing and text visualization techniques to uncover findings that are generally unbeknown to the human reader due to the inability to process very large amounts of text. By illustrating the individual steps using practical examples taken from use cases, we demonstrate the merits of our approach. With our methodology, we are able to reproduce findings from “regular” review papers; however, we discover additional and new findings in different fields, such as data science or medicine. We also point out the limitations of our approach. Finally, we make suggestions as to how the methodology could be further developed.
Optimal inventory control policy for a hospital case

This paper deals with an inventory management problem. We focus on developing a methodology to identify a near-optimal replenishment policy for a global stock within a hospital. We present an inventory mathematical model with an objective function to minimize the total cost under a set of constraints related to the lack of storage space, the order frequency, and the required service level. The model considers a stochastic demand, reorder-point order up-to level replenishment policy. An iterative procedure based on Monte Carlo simulation is developed to evaluate the performance of the inventory control policy. We use a real case of a university hospital to test the effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed framework.
IL-1 upregulates keratinocyte growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor mRNA and protein production by cultured stromal fibroblast cells: interleukin-1 beta expression in the cornea.

PURPOSE To determine whether interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were expressed in corneal cells and to examine the effects of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta on the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) mRNAs and proteins in corneal stromal fibroblasts. METHODS IL-1 beta mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IL-1 beta protein was detected by immunohistologic tests. Changes in the expression of HGF and KGF mRNAs and proteins in response to stimulation of cultured corneal stromal fibroblasts with IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were monitored by Northern and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS IL-1 beta mRNA is expressed in human primary cultured corneal epithelial, stromal fibroblast, and endothelial cells. IL-1 beta protein was detected in epithelium and endothelium in fresh frozen human and rabbit corneal tissue. Little, if any, IL-1 beta was detected in the unwounded corneal stroma. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta at 10 ng/ml upregulated the levels of HGF and KGF mRNAs and proteins in cultured human corneal fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta may serve as key modulators in an epithelial-stromal regulatory loop in the cornea. These data and previously published observations support the hypothesis that corneal epithelial wounding releases IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta from epithelial cells; these cytokines in turn upregulate HGF and KGF mRNA and protein levels in keratocytes, and HGF and KGF released by the keratocytes modulate healing of the wounded corneal epithelial cells by regulating proliferation, motility, and differentiation.
Some Ideas about Engineering Dielectrics Researches

Nanometric dielectrics have always been a focus of engineering dielectrics. Researchers have deepened the understanding of nanometric dielectrics through multi-angle studies. In this paper, we put forward some ideas about engineering dielectrics researches. It is proposed that the name nanodielectric composites should be more precise according to low dimensional physics. For space charge limited current (SCLC), it is considered that SCLC is not solely determined by carriers which are the same as injected carriers in the transition from ohmic region to high field region. In view of pulse related space charge measurement methods, especially pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) method has been mainly adopted, its advantages and disadvantages are described. At last, experimental results of trap-related breakdown and flashover phenomenon, functionalized groups related interfacial compatibility, and classified effects of nanofillers on short-term breakdown and long-term failure are presented to inspire further discussion.
Effect of Silica Modification on Charge Trapping Behavior of PP blend/Silica Nanocomposites

Various dielectric nanocomposite materials are studied in the frame of the European Commission funded project GRIDABLE. This project has the aim to develop DC cable extruded insulation and medium and low voltage DC capacitor films exhibiting enhanced performance with respect to presently used materials. The nanocomposites intended for cable applications are based on polypropylene (PP) blends filled with surface modified nano-silica particles. The surface modification is carried out via the state-of-the-art solution method using a polar silane as the modifying agent. Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Current (TSDC) measurements were carried out in order to study the charge trapping behavior of the nanocomposite samples. TSDC results indicate that the addition of the treated nano-silica, for most cases, reduces the density of the deep traps significantly. While more detailed studies are necessary, these results imply that the depth and the density of the deep trap states is profoundly influenced by the level of the silica modification i.e. the amount of the grafted silane on the silica surface.
Investigation of the Role of AT2 Receptors in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii of Normotensive Rats in Blood Pressure Control

Aim The nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) densely expresses angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2R), which are mainly located on inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. Central AT2R stimulation reduces blood pressure, and AT2R stimulation in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), mediates a hypotensive response through a GABAergic mechanism. We aimed to test the hypothesis that an AT2R mediated inhibition of the GABA release within the NTS might be involved in this hypotensive response, by assessing possible alterations in blood pressure and heart rate, as well as in GABA levels in normotensive Wistar rats. Methods In vivo microdialysis was used for measurement of extracellular GABA levels and for perfusion of the selective AT2R agonist, Compound 21, within the NTS. Our set-up allowed to determine simultaneously the excitatory glutamate dialysate levels. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate responses were monitored with a pressure transducer. Results Local perfusion of Compound 21 into the NTS did not modify blood pressure and heart rate, nor glutamate and GABA levels compared to baseline concentrations. A putative effect was also not unmasked by concomitant angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade with candesartan. Positive control experiments confirmed that the experimental set up had enough sensitivity to detect a reduction in GABA dialysate levels and blood pressure. Conclusion The results did not provide evidence for a role of the AT2R within the NTS in the control of blood pressure, nor for an interaction with local GABAergic signaling in normotensive rats.
Direct Digital Modulation and RFDAC for Generation of Frequency Ramps in FMCW Radar

The frequency chirps applied in frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radars are typically generated using a PLL imposing trade-offs between noise and modulation accuracy. We are removing this compromise by employing a fixed frequency PLL, direct digital chirps generation and up-conversion to RF using an RFDAC. With a simplified PLL requirement and better exploitation of nm-scale CMOS digital performance, we achieve lower noise, less chip area, and frequency error, and remove the issues with frequency ramp non-linearities in conventional FMCW architectures.
Body Mass Index and Prognosis in Ischemic Stroke Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Overweight contributes to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) development. Although the obesity paradox has been suggested in many vascular diseases, little information is available about stroke patients with T2DM. We investigated whether body mass index (BMI) has a differential impact on the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with ischemic stroke and T2DM. Methods: This retrospective study used a prospective cohort of patients with acute ischemic stroke and included consecutive patients with T2DM after excluding those with active cancer or who died within 1 month of an index stroke. We investigated the long-term risk of MACE (stroke, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, coronary revascularization procedure, and death) according to BMI. Results: Among the 1,338 patients, MACE occurred in 415 patients (31.1%) during a median follow-up of 3.6 years. Compared to the normal weight group, MACE occurred more frequently in the underweight group [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–2.38], but less frequently in the overweight group (adjusted HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.70–1.08) and obese group (adjusted HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41–0.86) group. In analyses of association between BMI and each component of MACE, stroke and cardiovascular mortality indicated an L- and a U-shaped pattern, respectively. However, fatal or non-fatal stroke showed an inverse pattern, and fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events showed a reversed J-shaped pattern. Discussions: This study showed the overall presence of the obesity paradox in stroke patients with T2DM. However, obese patients had different risks of cardiovascular events and stroke.
Altered Whole-Brain Functional Topological Organization and Cognitive Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cognitive dysfunction and may even progress to dementia. However, the underlying mechanism of altered functional topological organization and cognitive impairments remains unclear. This study explored the topological properties of functional whole brain networks in T2DM patients with graph theoretical analysis using a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) technique. Thirty T2DM patients (aged 51.77 ± 1.42 years) and 30 sex-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) (aged 48.87 ± 0.98 years) underwent resting-state functional imaging in a 3.0 T MR scanner in addition to detailed neuropsychological and laboratory tests. Then, graph theoretical network analysis was performed to explore the global and nodal topological alterations in the functional whole brain networks of the T2DM patients. Finally, correlation analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between the altered topological parameters, cognitive performances and clinical variables. Compared to HCs, we found that T2DM patients displayed worse performances in general cognitive function and several cognitive domains, including episodic memory, attention and executive function. In addition, T2DM patients showed a higher small-worldness (σ), a higher normalized clustering coefficient (γ) and a higher local efficiency (Eloc). Moreover, decreased nodal topological properties were mainly distributed in the occipital lobes, frontal lobes, left median cingulate and paracingulate gyri, and left amygdala, while increased nodal topological properties were mainly distributed in the right gyrus rectus, right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri, right posterior cingulate gyrus, bilateral caudate nucleus, bilateral cerebellum 3, bilateral cerebellum crus 1, vermis (1, 2) and vermis 3. Some disrupted nodal topological properties were correlated with cognitive performance and HbA1c levels in T2DM patients. This study shows altered functional topological organization in T2DM patients, mainly suggesting a compensation mechanism of the functional whole brain network in the relatively early stage to counteract cognitive impairments.
Aging control of power amplifier using power detector

Due to its high power efficiency, Class A power amplifier (PA) is a good candidate for low-cost, high integration portable communication systems, Bluetooth applications and wireless networks. It's well known that the capability of the power amplifier to deliver the output power will change in time due to the effects of Hot Carrier Injection (HCI) in CMOS transistors. In this work, investigation of power amplifier aging will be shown in the first part and compensation scheme of degraded performance using a power detector will be illustrated in the second part.
Doppler Coherent Focusing DOA Method for Efficient Radar Map Generation

Radar-based environment mapping is considered as one of the key technology for highly automated driving. This paper presents an efficient radar map generation based on newly proposed Doppler coherent focusing Direction-Of-Arrival (DOA) method. This method consists of Doppler coherent Angle-Of-Interest (AOI) prediction and DOA steering vector adaptation. The simulation shows that the proposed DOA methods outperformed the conventional approach in both computational cost and radar grid map resolution. In addition, real data obtained from a 77GHz radar sensor are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach practically.
Effects of Air Humidity and Hanging Angle on Accumulation Characteristics of Pollution Particles on Anti-icing Polymer Insulators

Pollution flashover accident is one of the main faults in various high voltage transmission lines, which affects stability and safety of electrical power systems. The accumulation of pollution particles on the insulator surface is the premise of pollution flashover accidents. In this paper, based on the actual operating conditions of polymer insulators, suspension patterns of the insulator, movement trajectory of pollution particles and the air humidity were considered to investigate the accumulation characteristics of pollution particles by using FLUENT software. Firstly, according to the actual dimension of 500 kV anti-icing polymer insulators, the insulator simulation model and air flow field were established at a ratio of 1:1. Secondly, considering the influences of gravity and fluid drag force, pollution particles were added to the air flow field to analyze the motion characteristics of particles. Thirdly, the different hanging angles of “V” type insulator (15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, −15°, −30°, −45°, −60°) and air humidity (0.01%, 0.04%, 0.07%, 0.1%) were set to study the collision rate of pollution particles. The pressure contour around the insulator, movement trajectory of pollution particles and collision rate were obtained with variation of air humidity and suspension patterns of the insulator. The obtained results show that with increasing the hanging angle of insulator, the collision rate of particles shows the increasing tendency from 0°∼30°, but shows the decreasing tendency when the angle is higher than 30°. When the hanging angle is from 0° to −60°, the changing trends of collision rate is the same with that from 0° to 60°, but the maximum collision rate is smaller than that from 0° to 60°. As the humidity increases, the water vapor in the air prevents the movement of pollution particles, resulting in the decrease in the collision rate.
Path Loss Modeling for Train-to-Train Communications in Subway Tunnels at 900/2400 MHz

Train-to-train (T2T) communications can improve the capacity and safety of railways. However, to implement these systems, it is necessary to model the propagation in the complex railway environment, where tunnels and stations are very frequent. This letter presents a detailed modeling of path loss for T2T communications, based on a measurement campaign conducted in a Madrid subway in a tunnel scenario, at two frequencies commonly used by railways signaling systems: 900 and 2400 MHz, in straight and curved tunnels and in special situations: a train passing a station or trains passing in different directions. In addition, the fast fading component is statistically analyzed, providing a complete model for T2T communications.
A Novel Semi-Soft Decision Scheme for Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks

Spectrum sensing (SS) is an essential part of cognitive radio (CR) technology, and cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) could efficiently improve the detection performance in environments with fading and shadowing effects, solving hidden terminal problems. Hard and Soft decision detection are usually employed at the fusion center (FC) to detect the presence or absence of the primary user (PU). However, soft decision detection achieves better sensing performance than hard decision detection at the expense of the local transmission band. In this paper, we propose a tradeoff scheme between the sensing performance and band cost. The sensing strategy is designed based on three modules. Firstly, a local detection module is used to detect the PU signal by energy detection (ED) and send decision results in terms of 1-bit or 2-bit information. Secondly, and most importantly, the FC estimates the received decision data through a data reconstruction module based on the statistical distribution such that the extra thresholds are not needed. Finally, a global decision module is in charge of fusing the estimated data and making a final decision. The results from a simulation show that the detection performance of the proposed scheme outperforms that of other algorithms. Moreover, savings on the transmission band cost can be made compared with soft decision detection.