Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tunable Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Plasmonic System and Its Application in Nanosensor and Spectral Splitting

A compact structure is proposed to achieve electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) response, which consists of a side-coupled cavity and a ring resonator. Novel structures and the transmission characteristics are studied in several different situations. The plasmonic device can be used as a high-sensitivity refractive sensor with a sensitivity of 1200 nm/RIU. In addition, multi-EIT-like peaks appear in the original broadband spectrum by adding another side-coupled cavity or ring resonator, and the physical mechanism is presented. The system paves a new way toward highly integrated optical circuits and networks, particularly for nanosensor, spectral splitter, and nonlinear devices.
Optimisation stochastique et adaptative pour surveillance coopérative par une équipe de micro-véhicules aériens. (Adaptive stochastic optimization for cooperative coverage with a swarm of Micro Air Vehicles)

L'utilisation d'equipes de robots a pris de l'ampleur ces dernieres annees. Cela est du aux avantages que peut offrir une equipe de robot par rapport a un robot seul pour la realisation d'une meme tâche. Cela s'explique aussi par le fait que ce type de plates-formes deviennent de plus en plus abordables et fiables. Ainsi, l'utilisation d'une equipe de vehicules aeriens devient une alternative viable. Cette these se concentre sur le probleme du deploiement d'une equipe de Micro-Vehicules Aeriens (MAV) pour effectuer des missions de surveillance sur un terrain inconnu de morphologie arbitraire. Puisque la morphologie du terrain est inconnue et peut etre complexe et non-convexe, les algorithmes standards ne sont pas applicables au probleme particulier traite dans cette these. Pour y remedier, une nouvelle approche basee sur un algorithme d'optimisation cognitive et adaptatif (CAO) est proposee et evaluee. Une propriete fondamentale de cette approche est qu'elle partage les memes caracteristiques de convergence que les algorithmes de descente de gradient avec contraintes qui exigent une connaissance parfaite de la morphologie du terrain pour optimiser la couverture. Il est egalement propose une formulation differente du probleme afin d'obtenir une solution distribuee, ce qui nous permet de surmonter les inconvenients d'une approche centralisee et d'envisager egalement des capacites de communication limitees. De rigoureux arguments mathematiques et des simulations etendues etablissent que l'approche proposee fournit une methodologie evolutive et efficace qui integre toutes les contraintes physiques particulieres et est capable de guider les robots vers un arrangement qui optimise localement la surveillance. Finalement, la methode proposee est mise en œuvre sur une equipe de MAV reels pour realiser la surveillance d'un environnement exterieur complexe.
Learning Task-Specific Sensing, Control and Memory Policies

AI agents and robots that can adapt and handle multiple tasks in real time promise to be a powerful tool. To address the control challenges involved in such systems, the underlying control approach has to take into account the important sensory information. Modern sensors, however, can generate huge amounts of data, rendering the processing and representation of all sensor data in real time computationally intractable. This issue can be addressed by developing task-specific focus of attention strategies that limit the sensory data that is processed at any point in time to the data relevant for the given task. Alone, however, this mechanism is not adequate for solving complex tasks since the robot also has to maintain selected pieces of past information. This necessitates AI agents and robots to have the capability to remember significant past events that are required for task completion. This paper presents an approach that considers focus of attention as a problem of selecting controller and feature pairs to be processed at any given point in time to optimize system performance. This approach is further extended by incorporating short term memory and a learned memory management policy. The result is a system that learns control, sensing, and memory policies that are task-specific and adaptable to real world situations using feedback from the world in a reinforcement learning framework. The approach is illustrated using table cleaning, sorting, stacking, and copying tasks in the blocks world domain.
Determination of pyrazinamide MICs for Mycobacterium tuberculosis at different pHs by the radiometric method

The MICs of pyrazinamide (PZA) were determined for Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultivated under different pH conditions in 7H12 liquid medium. Mycobacterial growth was monitored by the radiometric method (BACTEC system; Johnston Laboratories, Inc., Towson, Md.). We observed a predictable eightfold difference between the MICs determined at pH 5.5 and those determined at pH 5.95. The highest MICs for 21 susceptible strains were 50.0 micrograms/ml at pH 5.5 and 400 micrograms/ml at pH 5.95. This eightfold difference enabled us to predict MICs at pH 5.5 from the values observed at pH 5.95. The use of 7H12 broth at pH 5.95 simplified the radiometric PZA susceptibility test by avoiding the addition of acid solutions in the course of cultivation, which was required when the test was performed at pH 5.5. An additional benefit of using pH 5.95 instead of pH 5.5 was that all tested strains grew at pH 5.95, while some of them, especially PZA-resistant strains, did not grow at pH 5.5.
Chronic Administration of Levosulpiride and Glycemic Control in IDDM Patients With Gastroparesis

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of chronic administration of levosulpiride, a prokinetic drug that is a selective antagonist for D2 dopamine receptors, on the glycemic control of IDDM subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The study was performed on 40 long-standing IDDM subjects with clinical signs of autonomic neuropathy and delayed gastric emptying. Gastric emptying time and glycemic parameters (diurnal glycemic profile and HbA1c) were checked under double-blind conditions before and after the administration of levosulpiride at the dosage of 25 mg t.i. d. orally for 6 months, or placebo. RESULTS No significant differences were noted in the glycemic and HbA1c values before and after 6 months of placebo administration. In contrast, after 6 months of levosulpiride, glycemic control had improved (HbA1c 6.7 ± 0.4 and 5.7 ± 0.3%, P < 0.01; mean daily glycemia 10.9 ± 0.8 and 8.8 ± 0.4 mmol/l, P < 0.05, at the start and at the end of the study), while the dosage of injected insulin (0.65 ± 0.02 IU · kg−1 · day−1) and the number of severe hypoglycemic episodes remained unchanged. After 6 months of levosulpiride therapy, the time of gastric emptying was significantly reduced from 321 ± 14 to 261 ± 9 min (P < 0.001) and dyspeptic symptoms had improved. CONCLUSIONS Our results show the importance of gastric emptying in the maintenance of glycemic control and the usefulness of chronic administration of levosulpiride in diabetic subjects with gastroparesis.
Cessação tabágica e ganho ponderal: linhas de orientação

Fumar e a primeira causa evitavel de doenca, incapacidade e morte prematura nos paises desenvolvidos, estando associada a seis das oito primeiras causas de morte a nivel mundial. Em2010, o consumo de tabaco foi responsavel, em Portugal, pela morte de cerca de 11 000 pessoas fumadoras ou ex-fumadoras, causadas por doencas respiratorias, cancro ou doencas doaparelho cardiovascular. Os individuos que cessam os habitos tabagicos antes dos 50 anos tem metade do risco de morrer nos 15 anos seguintes. Deixar de fumar diminui o risco de desenvolver doencas cardiovasculares e doencas respiratorias, bem como inumeros tipos de cancro.Ao longo do processo da cessacao tabagica, cujo sucesso passa pelo acompanhamento de uma equipa multidisciplinar, a vontade de comer e de ingerir alimentos particularmente ricos em energia e frequente, bem como o aumento de peso. Este ultimo e citado frequentemente como o principal motivo para a relutância em parar de fumar e recaida depois da cessacao,especialmente nos fumadores que apresentam preocupacoes com o seu peso. Contudo, e hoje consensual que os beneficios da cessacao do consumo de tabaco superam eventuais riscos que esta possa apresentar.De forma a promover um consumo alimentar adequado durante a cessacao tabagica, fazem-se diversas recomendacoes, baseadas na evidencia cientifica mais recente, facilitando a adesao terapeutica e a continuacao do processo e reduzindo o risco do aumento de peso corporal.
Haemophore functions revisited

Haem is the major iron source for bacteria that develop in higher organisms. In these hosts, bacteria have to cope with nutritional immunity imposed by the host, since haem and iron are tightly bound to carrier and storage proteins. Siderophores were the first recognized fighters in the battle for iron between bacteria and host. They are non‐proteinaceus organic molecules having an extremely high affinity for Fe3+ and able to extract it from host proteins. Haemophores, that display functional analogy with siderophores, were more recently discovered. They are a class of secreted proteins with a high affinity for haem; they are able to extract haem from host haemoproteins and deliver it to specific receptors that internalize haem. In the past few years, a wealth of data has accumulated on haem acquisition systems that are dependent on surface exposed/secreted bacterial proteins. They promote haem transfer from its initial source (in most cases, a eukaryotic haem binding protein) to the transporter that carries out the membrane crossing step. Here we review recent discoveries in this field, with particular emphasis on similar and dissimilar mechanisms in haemophores and siderophores, from the initial host source to the binding protein/receptor at the cell surface.
Proximity coupled vital sign sensor based on phase locked loop under injection

In this paper, a phase locked oscillator under injection is designed with proximity coupled vital sign sensor at 2.4 GHz. The proposed system is composed of a sensor oscillator with a planar resonator, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a phase locked loop (PLL) synthesizer. The planar resonator functions not only as a series feedback component to an oscillator but also as a detector which measures respiration and heartbeat signal. The input impedance of the planar resonator varies with the distance between the human body and the planar resonator. This impedance variation changes the oscillation frequency of the sensor oscillator. The sensor oscillator injects its output into the VCO so that the VCO is locked to the sensor oscillator's frequency. Then the PLL applies the control voltage to the VCO to prevent frequency shifting by vital signs. Therefore, the VCO control voltage reflects vital signs. Measurement results prove that this sensor can detect vital sign up to 40 mm away from a subject.
Gender differences in nutritional intake and status in healthy free-living elderly

Malnourishment in the older population is reported to be a consequence of inadequate food intake, underlying diseases, with females being at higher risk and economically more vulnerable. The objective of this study were to determine the patterns of gender differences in nutritional intake and status among free-living elderly in the Jakarta urban area. A cross sectional design was performed on free-living elderly people aged 60 years and older in South Jakarta. A total of 298 free-living elderly were interviewed on demography and social economic status, and assessed on anthropometric measures, two-day nonconsecutive dietary recall and biochemical indices using fasting blood samples. This study showed that most significant gender differences were in daily energy and nutrient intakes. Males had more energy intake 1246.6 kcal compared to female 1043.1 kcal and consumed more carbohydrate 168.1 g, protein 39.7 g, total vitamin A 12229.7 mg, vitamin C 22.3 mg, iron 6.87 mg, and zinc 4.9 mg food sources. Older males had better status indices for anemia than did older females (p=0.009). Older persons who co-resided with family had better dietary nutrient intakes than those living in nuclear families, except for protein, total vitamin A and zinc food sources. There are gender differences in energy, dietary nutrient intake, nutritional status and health status in free-living elderly. Both genders were deficient in all macronutrients and selected micronutrients, especially iron and zinc.
A molecular dynamics study on thermal conductivity of armchair graphene nanoribbon

Following the recent studies and progress for proper characterization of thermal transport in low dimensional carbon based materials, in this paper we investigate the thermal conductivity of nanostructured armchair graphene nanoribbon (GNR). Equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations using 2nd generation Reactive Empirical Bond Order (REBO) potential has been performed to explore the dependence of thermal conductivity on temperature, length and width for armchair configured GNRs. Thermal conductivity of armchair GNRs is found to decrease monotonically with the increase of temperature. However, it has been found that, thermal conductivity increases with the increase in both length and width for armchair GNRs. Furthermore, we have analyzed the edge shape dependence of thermal conductivity for GNRs. Thermal conductivity variation for armchair GNRs depicted in this study is qualitatively similar with those of zigzag edged GNRs. But, quantitatively thermal conductivity for GNRs with armchair edges computed in this study is 30–50% smaller than its zigzag counterpart which has been further analyzed.
Introducing Context-Awareness to MOOC Systems

Massive open online courses (MOOC) are shaping the future of education, moving studies outside class rooms, and changing the way people attain knowledge. It provide options to both universities and students. It enables students to have access to high quality courses offered by prestigious universities and top ranked professors for free or for affordable prices. At the same time, it enables universities to widen their scope and get access to worldwide prospect students. This brings in challenges to both universities and students. Universities need to address a full range of students, from different backgrounds, education levels, and specializations. Also, due to competition and variety of other MOOC service providers, universities need to establish effective techniques to persuade students to join and get engaged in its provided courses. On the other hand, students are faced with various options of universities and courses. This paper aims to tackle the challenges of 1) marketing courses for massive target audience, and 2) engaging students into the depth of the provided courses to attain effective, high quality education. We apply context-awareness techniques and principles to address these challenges. Context-Aware systems are becoming ubiquitous. These systems comprise mechanisms to acquire knowledge about the surrounding environment and adapt its behavior and service provision accordingly. Context defines the characteristics and settings of an object or event. It provides insight about the surrounding environment. In this paper, we provide a software architecture for MOOC systems which comprises context-awareness. The architecture includes two context models: one for marketing and the second for effective student engagement in the educational process. Adding context-awareness to MOOC systems helps regulate and restrict service provision to ensure effective wider reach (marketing) and better quality of education (student engagement).
Toward a free inertial pedestrian navigation reference system

As free inertial pedestrian navigation systems with foot mounted inertial mobile unit mature, it becomes feasible to conceive a sufficiently accurate derived solution for assessing other indoor navigation systems and assisting research activities. The design of this reference solution and the remaining challenges are at the heart of this paper. A new filter with a quaternion based state vector exploits signals (acceleration and magnetic field) and motions of opportunity for estimating the navigation solution. Quasi Static Field (QSF) updates, Magnetic Angular Rate Updates (MARU) and Angular Gradient Update (AGU) are frequently applied for mitigating the low-cost inertial sensors errors. Experimental tests performed using a post-processed GPS differential solution as reference show an average accuracy of 1.2 m over 500 m walking path: 0.5 %. Discussions about the data acquisition protocol for meeting a 1 meter horizontal accuracy within two standard deviations of the mean (95.45%) is conducted.
Approche multiéchelle de la fatigue polycyclique prenant en compte un couplage plasticité-endommagement

Une approche micro-macro de la fatigue multiaxiale en endurance illimitee est proposee. Elle s’attache a rendre compte des mecanismes de plasticite et d’endommagement qui surviennent le long des bandes de Glissement Persistantes (BGP). L’endommagement, qui est couple avec la plasticite, est modelise comme la consequence de la croissance de microcavites le long des BGP. Le critere de fatigue macroscopique propose correspond a une condition de nucleation d’une fissure a l’interface BGP/matrice, et est obtenu le schema d’homogeneisation de Kroner. On montre le role significatif d’une contrainte moyenne et de la pression hydrostatique en fatigue a grand nombre de cycles. Cette dependance est ici liee a la prise en compte des micromecanismes d’endommagement. Enfin on presente des illustrations dans le cas particulier des trajets de chargement affines. Des comparaisons du critere obtenu avec des resultats experimentaux montre la pertinence de l’approche micromecanique.
Hypothalamic Pro-Opiomelanocortin mRNA Is Reduced By Fasting in ob/ob and db/db Mice, but Is Stimulated by Leptin

Reduction in the activity of the α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) system causes obesity, and infusions of α-MSH can produce satiety, raising the possibility that α-MSH may mediate physiological satiety signals. Since α-MSH is coded for by the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene, we examined if POMC gene expression would be inhibited by fasting in normal mice or in models of obesity characterized by leptin insufficiency (ob/ob) or leptin insensitivity (db/db). In wild-type mice, hypothalamic POMC mRNA was decreased >60% after a 2-day fast and was positively correlated with leptin mRNA. Similarly, compared with controls, POMC mRNA was decreased by at least 60% in both db/db and ob/ob mice. POMC mRNA was negatively correlated with both neuropeptide Y (NPY) and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) mRNA. Finally, treatment of both male and female ob/ob mice with leptin stimulated hypothalamic POMC mRNA by about threefold. These results suggest that impairment in production, processing, or responsiveness to α-MSH may be a common feature of obesity and that hypothalamic POMC neurons, stimulated by leptin, may constitute a link between leptin and the melanocortin system.
The key role of the surface membrane in why gastropod nacre grows in towers

The nacre of gastropod molluscs is intriguingly stacked in towers. It is covered by a surface membrane, which protects the growing nacre surface from damage when the animal withdraws into its shell. The surface membrane is supplied by vesicles that adhere to it on its mantle side and secretes interlamellar membranes from the nacre side. Nacre tablets rapidly grow in height and later expand sideways; the part of the tablet formed during this initial growth phase is here called the core. During initial growth, the tips of the cores remain permanently submerged within the surface membrane. The interlamellar membranes, which otherwise separate the nacre tablet lamellae, do not extend across cores, which are aligned in stacked tablets forming the tower axis, and thus towers of nacre tablets are continuous along the central axis. We hypothesize that in gastropod nacre growth core formation precedes that of the interlamellar membrane. Once the core is complete, a new interlamellar membrane, which covers the area of the tablet outside the core, detaches from the surface membrane. In this way, the tower-like growth of gastropod nacre becomes comprehensible.
The impact of artificial vehicle sounds for pedestrians on driver stress

Electrically based vehicles have produced some concern over their lack of sound, but the impact of artificial sounds now being implemented have not been examined in respect to their effects upon the driver. The impact of two different implementations of vehicle sound on driver stress in electric vehicles was examined. A Nissan HEV running in electric vehicle mode was driven by participants in an area of congestion using three sound implementations: (1) no artificial sounds, (2) manually engaged sounds and (3) automatically engaged sounds. Physiological and self-report questionnaire measures were collected to determine stress and acceptance of the automated sound protocol. Driver stress was significantly higher in the manually activated warning condition, compared to both no artificial sounds and automatically engaged sounds. Implications for automation usage and measurement methods are discussed and future research directions suggested. Practitioner Summary: The advent of hybrid- and all-electric vehicles has created a need for artificial warning signals for pedestrian safety that place task demands on drivers. We investigated drivers’ stress differences in response to varying conditions of warning signals for pedestrians. Driver stress was lower when noises were automated.
Psychological Testing and Treatment Implications: We Can Say More

Psychologists invest considerable time and labor in psychological testing and report writing. Patients and families expose vulnerabilities and make a significant financial and time investment in the hope that testing will make a difference in treatment. Frequently, though, handling of treatment implications in reports is generic, which might not justify the time, expense, and emotional investment involved in the evaluation. As diagnosticians, we have the responsibility and potential to contribute more meaningfully to the work of our referring colleagues and the treatment of the patients we assess. I review the psychotherapy research literature to highlight evidence-based findings that can serve as guideposts in formulating treatment implications. Subsequently, I illustrate how we can use test data to make nuanced inferences about therapeutic alliance, potential resistances, likely transferences and countertransferences, and conceptualizing treatment on the supportive–expressive continuum.
A Slow-sTart Exponential and Linear Algorithm for energy saving in wireless networks

Limited battery capacity seriously restricts the usage of wireless devices in wireless communication networks. Power saving MAC layer protocols put wireless network interface into sleep mode in order to conserve energy. However, increased energy savings may sacrifice delivery performance and consequently the user perceived Quality of Service (QoS). This paper introduces Slow-sTart Exponential and Linear Algorithm (STELA), a novel battery saving mechanism which saves up to 70% energy compared with the algorithms employed by IEEE 802.11 while preventing the delivery performance from degrading significantly and consequently reducing the negative impact on user Quality of Experience (QoE).