Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and Economic Evaluation of Therapeutic Nordic Walking in Patients with Psychosomatic Disorders: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

The effects of exercise therapy in patients with psychosomatic disorders are modest. Therapeutic Nordic walking (tNW) might be a clinically meaningful and cost-effective additional treatment modality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a tNW program on improving coping ability, compared to the usual care in highly disabled patients with diverse psychosomatic disorders in a hospital setting, and the willingness-to-pay for this treatment modality. Primary outcomes were self-efficacy, readiness to change health behavior, physical performance and attitude to walking. Economic evaluation was conducted with the willingness-to-pay questionnaire. Cohens’ d and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for baseline, discharge and three month follow up using intention-to-treat analysis. Differences between groups were tested by t-test or nonparametric ANOVA. A total of 150 patients were included in this study. Results show no significant differences between the experimental and control group for any of the outcomes. Ratings of stages of change within the transtheoretical model were made by therapists or patients, they showed small effects within both groups (precontemplation: 0.2-0.4 points; preparation: 0.1-0.2; action: 0.4-1.1; maintenance: 0.4 for every comparison). There was no additional effect of the tNW program compared to the standard program in the outcome willingness-to-pay for tNW. However, since clinical experience and treatment expectancy of both patients and health care providers with this treatment modality play an important role in the treatment process, tNW might be a low-budget treatment option for some patients.
Simulation Study of Prostate Tissue Ablation by Pulsed Nd:YAG, Ho:YAG and Thulium Fiber Surgical Lasers with Minimum Carbonization Effect

The laser-tissue interaction and its thermal effects depend on the parameters of both of the tissue and the used laser. In this paper the laser ablation efficiency of prostate tissue has been studied theoretically by using pulsed Nd:YAG, Ho:YAG and Thulium fiber surgical lasers. Different levels of energies were considered for these lasers, which operate in 20 and 40 Hz pulse repetition frequencies (prf) to evaluate the prostate tissue temperature rise up to the required ablation state. The Gambit program was used first to simulate the geometrical shape of the treated prostate tissue, then the radiative transfer equation (RTE) of the ANSYS Fluent program was applied to simulate and solve the ablation process equations. The results showed that the low rates of repetition frequencies and low laser energies increase the allowed time for safe ablation operation before reaching the carbonization state. It was found also that although the Ho:YAG laser vaporizes prostate tissue faster than the Thulium fiber laser did, the pulsed Thulium fiber laser produced much lower temperature side effects like coagulation, hyperthermia and carbonization of the rest of the prostate tissue, which is surrounding the ablated zone for the same applied average powers by the other two lasers.Keywords: ; ; ; ; ; .
A New Off-Line Intrusion Detection System

The problem of intrusion detection is studied extensively in computer security. The development of security mechanisms, like Intrusion Detection Systems, is of great importance in order to preserve the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data stored in computers. Off-line intrusion detection can be accomplished by searching audit trail logs of user activities for matches to patterns of events required for known attacks. This is a combinatorial optimization problem, the NP- complete. Metaheuristics offer an alternative to solve this type of problems as databases of events and attacks grow. This paper presents an approach using an evolutionary algorithm, Harmony Search metaheuristic, to detect intrusions. Experiments are performed to show its effectiveness to detect the unseen intrusion attacks with high detection rate and recognize normal network traffic with low false alarm rate. Furthermore, comparisons with a "Biogeography" inspired intrusion detection approach are made. The results confirm the good behavior of our new approach.
ENGIN-X: a third-generation neutron strain scanner

ENGIN-X, a new time-of-flight (TOF) neutron diffractometer optimized to measure elastic strains at precise locations in bulky specimens recently commissioned at the ISIS Facility in the Rutherford Laboratory, UK, is described. Fast counting times, together with a flexible and accurate definition of the instrumental gauge volume are the main requirements of neutron strain scanning and have been addressed on ENGIN-X through the design of a novel TOF diffractometer with a tuneable resolution and interchangeable radial collimators. Further, the routine operation of the instrument has been optimized by creating a virtual instrument, i.e. a three-dimensional computer representation of the diffractometer and samples, which assists in the planning and execution of experiments. On comparing ENGIN-X with its predecessor ENGIN, a 25× gain in performance is found, which has allowed the determination of stresses up to 60 mm deep in steel specimens. For comparison with constant-wavelength diffractometers, special attention has been paid to the absolute number of counts recorded during the experiments. A simple expression is presented for the estimation of counting times in TOF neutron strain scanning experiments.
Sequential Multiple Structural Damage Detection and Localization: A Distributed Approach

As essential components of the modern urban system, the health conditions of civil structures are the foundation of urban system sustainability and need to be continuously monitored. In Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), many existing works will have limited performance in the sequential damage diagnosis process because 1) the damage events needs to be reported with short delay, 2) multiple damage locations have to be identified simultaneously, and 3) the computational complexity is intractable in large-scale wireless sensor networks (WSNs). To address these drawbacks, we propose a new damage identification approach that utilizes the time-series of damage sensitive features extracted from multiple sensors' measurements and the optimal change point detection theory to find damage occurrence time and identify the number of damage locations. As the existing change point detection methods require to centralize the sensor data, which is impracticable in many applications, we use the probabilistic graphical model to formulate WSNs and the targeting structure and propose a distributed algorithm for structural damage identification. Validation results show highly accurate damage identification in a shake table experiment and American Society of Civil Engineers benchmark structure. Also, we demonstrate that the detection delay is reduced significantly by utilizing multiple sensors' data.
A survey on optimization of Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the causative agent of anthracnose disease of many tropical, subtropical and temperate fruits, and a microbial source of the anticancer drug, Taxol. Here, we introduce an optimized Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) protocol for genetic manipulation of this fungus using hph and gfp-tagged hph genes as selection markers. Results showed that falcate spores can be easily used instead of protoplasts for transformation. Several experimental parameters were shown to affect transformation efficiencies, among which the length of co-cultivation, the ratio of fungal conidia to bacterium during co-cultivation, the kind of membrane during co-cultivation, and the kind of fungal growth medium during transformants selection, showed the highest influences on ATMT frequencies. Results indicated that the optimal ATMT of C. gloeosporioides was achived after 3 days of co-cultivation, at 10 7 per ml fungal conidia, via the use of Fabriano 808 filter paper and Czapek's culture medium. Successive subculturing of transformants on selective and non-selective media demonstrated the stable expression of transgens, and subsequent PCR based analyses of transformants revealed the presence (100%) of transferred genes. Flourescence microscopy analyses showed a punctuate pattern for localization of an expressed Gfptagged Hph protein inside fungal hyphae. The optimized ATMT protocol generated mutants that showed different phenotypes based on their vegetation and pigmentation. This suggests the possible applicability of this technique for functional genetics studies in C. gloeosporioides, through insertional mutagenesis.
Growth, Spectral, Optical and Nonlinear Optical Characterization of R- Mandelic Acid Single Crystals

In this work, single crystals of R-Mandelic Acid (RMA) are developed by low temperature solvent evaporation method. These crystals were characterized using several techniques. The lattice parameters were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy were employed to analyses the vibrations of functional groups. The cut-off wavelength and transmission region were measured by UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Thermal behavior of the crystal was investigated by TG/DTA study. FT-NMR analysis was carried out to establish the molecular structure. Green light emission confirms the second harmonic generation of RMA. Negative nonlinearity and saturable absorption property of RMA were revealed by Z-scan test.
Effects of social-economic and institutional factors on boys' performance in Kenya certificate of secondary education in Subukia District, Kenya

To understand the causes of the evident declining performance of boys in secondary schools, the study sought to establish institutional and social economic factors that affect the boy students' achievement in Subukia District, Nakuru County. The study had four objectives namely; to assess the performance of boys in Kenya Certificate of secondary Education in Subukia District; to analyze the social-economic factors affecting the performance of boys in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Subukia District; to evaluate institutional factors affecting performance of boys in Kenya Certificate of secondary Education in Subukia District: and to assess the mechanisms adopted by secondary schools in Subukia District to help boys improve their performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. The study adopted a survey design where questionnaires and interviews were administered to the participants. The target population ofthe study was 7,943 consisting of7,886 boy students and 57 principals. Using purposive sampling technique, the study drew a sample of 429 consisting of 372 students and 57 principals The data collection instruments included a questionnaire and an interview. The questionnaire was used to collect data from the students while the interview was used to collect qualitative data from the principals. The quantitative data obtained was analyzed using SPSS to generate mean, percentages frequency. The data was presented using pie charts, graphs and frequency tables. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis where themes were identified and interpreted. Further, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to establish the extent to which the social-economic and institutional factors affected the performance of the boys in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education In Subukia Districts. Among the findings of the study was that parents' income and education levels positively correlated to the boys' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. Syllabus coverage and motivation by teachers are also positively correlated to boys' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Subukia District. According to the principals, the specific problems that affect boys' performance negatively were truancy and coupling especially in mixed schools. The study concluded that as boys progress within the school system their performance declines due to institutional and social economic factors such as lack of fees and indiscipline. This study recommends that secondary schools should consider fully operational guidance and counseling departments to mitigate on the effects of social-economic and institutional factors effecting the boys performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Subukia District.
STATUS OF THE EXPLORATION OF AN ALTERNATIVE CLIC FIRST ENERGY STAGE BASED ON KLYSTRONS

The Compact Linear Collider is based on a two-beam scheme to accelerate the main, colliding beams. This scheme allows very high centre-of-mass energies to be reached. At low collision energies the main beams could be accelerated by powering the X-band accelerating structures with klystrons instead of the two-beam scheme. We explore this option and indicate the parameters such a machine might have and present the outline of a design.
Classification of News Images Using Captions and a Visual Vocabulary

A recent technique for automatic image classification that does not rely on associated text data is to employ a vocabulary of visual features. We investigate here a combined approach, using both textual and image-feature information in the construction of the vocabulary. Our method allows the classification of novel images into text-derived categories using only image data. As an initial application, we report the promising results of a series of tests conducted in the setting of person recognition.
GIT Constructions of Moduli Spaces of Stable Curves and Maps

This largely expository paper first gives an introduction to Hilbert stability and its use in Gieseker's GIT construction of $\overline{M}_g$. Then I review recent work in this area--variants for unpointed curves that arise in Hassett's log minimal model program, starting with Schubert's moduli space of pseudostable curves, and constructions for weighted pointed stable curves and for pointed stable maps due to Swinarski and to Baldwin and Swinarski respectively. The focus is on the steps at which new ideas are needed. Finally, I list open problems in the area, particularly some arising in the log minimal model program that seem inaccessible to current techniques.
Potential Design and Transport Property of 0 . 1m MOSFET with Asymmetric Channel Profile

This paper describes potential design and transport property of a 0.1m n-MOSFET with asymmetric channel profile, which is formed by the tilt-angle ion-implantation after gate electrode formation. The relation between device performance and transport property of the asymmetric 0.1m device is explored by Monte Carlo simulations and measured electrical characteristics. The self-consistent Monte Carlo device simulation coupled with a process simulator reveals higher electron velocity at the source end of the channel and velocity overshoot at the source side of the channel, and the smaller high-energy tail of the distribution in the drain. This transport property creates high drain current, large transconductance, and low substrate current of the 0.1m n-MOSFET with asymmetric channel profile.
Simulating Apoptosis Using Discrete Methods: a Membrane System and a Stochastic Approach

Membrane Systems provide an intriguing method for modeling biological systems at a molecular level. The hierarchical structure of Membrane Systems lends itself readily to mimic the nature and behavior of cells. We have refined a technique for modeling the type I and type II FAS-induced apoptosis signalling cascade. Improvements over our previous modeling work on apoptosis include increased efficiency for storing and sorting waiting times of reactions, a nondeterministic approach for handling reactions competing over limited reactants and improvements, and refinements of the model reactions. The modular nature of our systems provides flexibility with respect to future discoveries on the signal cascade. We provide a breakdown of our algorithms and explanations on improvements we have implemented. We also give an exhaustive comparison to an established ordinary differential equations technique. Based on the results of our simulations, we conclude that Membrane Systems are a useful simulation tool in Systems Biology that could provide new insight into the subcellular processes, and provide also the argument that Membrane Systems may outperform ordinary differential equation simulations when simulating cascades of reactions (as they are observed in cells).
Recursive Subspace Identification of AUV Dynamic Model under General Noise Assumption

A recursive subspace identification algorithm for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is proposed in this paper. Due to the advantages at handling nonlinearities and couplings, the AUV model investigated here is for the first time constructed as a Hammerstein model with nonlinear feedback in the linear part. To better take the environment and sensor noises into consideration, the identification problem is concerned as an errors-in-variables (EIV) one which means that the identification procedure is under general noise assumption. In order to make the algorithm recursively, propagator method (PM) based subspace approach is extended into EIV framework to form the recursive identification method called PM-EIV algorithm. With several identification experiments carried out by the AUV simulation platform, the proposed algorithm demonstrates its effectiveness and feasibility.
Design and Simulation of Quantum Cellular Automata Based XOR Gate With Optimize Complexity and Cell Count

— Quantum dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is a recent and potentially attractive technology to implement computing architectures at the nano scale. The basic primitive in QCA is the majority gate. The QCA cells have features on the very low nanometer scale, much smaller than the present state of art size of the smallest transistor. In this paper we present a novel implementations for XOR gate using QCA cells with minimum complexity, minimization of clock require for getting output and cell count in comparison with the already proposed designs. The proposed circuit was varied using simulation from QCA-designer tool. The proposed QCA implementation is useful for building more complex circuits.
Possible use of television broadcasting signals for wind meas- urements by the meteor radiolocation method - main theoretical as- pects and results of first experiments

Summary The possibility of using terrestrial television (TV ) broadcast signals (TVBS) as sounding signals for mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) wind measurements by the radio meteor method is investigated. Such approach allows t o use external TV transmitters as sounding signal sources and consequently to reduce costs of measurements. It is shown that meteor trails in the area above the receiver s hould be selected to eliminate MLT wind measurement ambiguity. Results of experimental observations are presented. Validation of the results has been performed using datasets fr om the Thermosphere-IonosphereMesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite and a SKiYMET meteor radar (Collm Observatory, Germany). It is shown that the obtained experimental results and TIMED mean winds are correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.58 (significance level 0.95 according to a t-test). The measurements show for the first time that terrestrial television broadcast signals can be used for MLT wi nd measurements and that the developed technique may be used for MLT wind monitoring on the base of the existing terrestrial TV broadcasting network. Zusammenfassung Es wird untersucht, inwieweit terrestrischer Fernse hsignale zur Sondierung des Windes in der Mesosphare und unteren Thermosphare genutzt werden konnen. Ein solcher Ansatz erlaubt es, externe Sender als Quelle zu verwenden und damit Kosten zu sparen. Es wird gezeigt, dass Meteorsignale im Raum uber dem Empfanger genutzt werden konnen, welches die Uneindeutigkeit der Windsignale verringert . Ergebnisse eines Experiments werden gezeigt und anhand von TIMED-Satellitendaten und VHF-Radarmessungen validiert. Die Messungen zeigen zum ersten Mal die Moglichkeit einer Windmessung in der unteren Thermosphare auf der Basis terrestrischer Ferns ehsignale.
Feasible Development of a Carbon-Based MEMS Using a MEMS Fabrication Process

We aimed to develop a process technology for constructing a carbon-based micro-electromechanical system that does not require a high-temperature and high-energy process. A HOPG (highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) crystal microsheet was prepared by exfoliation. Cantilevers and doubly clamped beams were patterned using a photoresist. The HOPG microsheet was attached by using a tantalum layer. We fabricated cantilevers and a doubly clamped beam by controlling the thickness of the HOPG microsheet and then measured the first resonance frequency. The measurements suggest a need to improve the stiffness of the beam.
Optimization and Improvement of Test Processes on a Production Line

Abstract The paper deals with increasing processes efficiency at a production line of cylinder heads of engines in a production company operating in the automotive industry. The goal is to achieve improvement and optimization of test processes on a production line. It analyzes options for improving capacity, availability and productivity of processes of an output test by using modern technology available on the market. We have focused on analysis of operation times before and after optimization of test processes at specific production sections. By analyzing measured results we have determined differences in time before and after improvement of the process. We have determined a coefficient of efficiency OEE and by comparing outputs we have confirmed real improvement of the process of the output test of cylinder heads.
Analyzing the Roles of scl and gata3 in Zebrafish Spinal Cord Interneuron Specification and Function

My project focuses on the V2 cells of the zebrafish spinal cord. The V2 cells are an unusual class of spinal cells because they all originate from molecularly indistinguishable p2 progenitor cells in the spinal cord. However, as these cells become post-mitotic and differentiate, they start to express different transcription factor genes that allow them to initially develop into two sets of molecularly distinct cells. As differentiation continues, at least one more class of molecularly distinct cells develops. Just as in other vertebrates, in zebrafish the V2 cells differentiate into at least two functionally distinct classes of cells, specifically, the vsx1 (also called chx10) and vsx2 expressing V2a cells and the gata2, gata3, and scl expressing V2b cells. The V2a and V2b cells in turn differentiate into excitatory Circumferential Descending interneurons (CiDs) and inhibitory Ventral Lateral Descending interneurons (VeLDs) respectively. Work on other model organisms also suggests that V2b cells may subdivide into V2b and V2c cells. Previous work by other authors suggests that two genes specifically expressed by V2c cells are sox1 and foxn4. My research has investigated whether transcription factor genes scl and/or gata3 are necessary for proper V2b cell development. I have used scl and gata3 mutants and GFP transgenic lines, to start to determine if the loss of function of scl and gata3 affects: • The expression of genes downstream of scl and gata3 • The morphology of VeLDs • The number of V2b cells in the spinal cord Additionally, I have investigated whether sox1a, sox1b and foxn4 are: • Expressed in the V2 domain • Affected by the loss of scl or gata3 function