Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived Sociality and Persuasion: Investigating the Effects of Social and Technical Framing on Human-Robot Interaction

This study investigated the effects of two text-based framings (‘social’ vs. ‘technical’) of a robot. We aimed to discover whether a robot framed as ‘social’ is perceived as more social and whether it is more persuasive. We used the Desert Survival Problem to create a task the robot and participant solved together. We found no significant differences in robot perception (post interaction), or compliance. Self-reported technical knowledge was not significantly correlated with social attributions to the robot. In line with our hypotheses, perceived competence, perceived helpfulness of the robot, and willingness to work with it again were positively correlated. Furthermore, perceived warmth of the robot was positively correlated with the willingness to work with the robot again.
Learning Representations from Heart Sound: A Comparative Study on Shallow and Deep Models

Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to facilitate an automatic analysis and monitoring of heart sounds has increasingly attracted tremendous efforts in the past decade. Nevertheless, lacking on standard open-access database made it difficult to maintain a sustainable and comparable research before the first release of the PhysioNet CinC Challenge Dataset. However, inconsistent standards on data collection, annotation, and partition are still restraining a fair and efficient comparison between different works. To this line, we introduced and benchmarked a first version of the Heart Sounds Shenzhen (HSS) corpus. Motivated and inspired by the previous works based on HSS, we redefined the tasks and make a comprehensive investigation on shallow and deep models in this study. First, we segmented the heart sound recording into shorter recordings (10 s), which makes it more similar to the human auscultation case. Second, we redefined the classification tasks. Besides using the 3 class categories (normal, moderate, and mild/severe) adopted in HSS, we added a binary classification task in this study, i.e., normal and abnormal. In this work, we provided detailed benchmarks based on both the classic machine learning and the state-of-the-art deep learning technologies, which are reproducible by using open-source toolkits. Last but not least, we analyzed the feature contributions of best performance achieved by the benchmark to make the results more convincing and interpretable.
Sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in post flooded soil near Afam power station, South East Niger Delta, Nigeria

Post flooded forest soil profile samples obtained near Afam power station, contiguous to Imo River were analysed for quantitative determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Relatively moderate bulk density (1.17 g/cm3), permeability (1.79 cm3/s) and macro-porosity (60%) values indicate that fluid flow through the soil profile would be unimpeded. PAHs content for the top soil horizon appeared similar to that of one of the point-source samples suggesting possible transport via flooding event on 25th April, 2008. Variation in PAHs content for the lower soil horizons may reflect a record of past PAHs deposition as a consequence of differences in Imo river current trajectory. The decreasing trends in the distribution of ∑thiophenes, ∑alkylPAHs and total PAHs (excluding perylene levels) may be associated with the sorptive character of soil organic matter (SOM) which limits transfer of PAHs deep into the soil. However, the relatively high level of perylene at the bottom soil horizon increases the likelihood of the compound to reach the shallow aquifer and contaminate the ground water. Utilization of six selected molecular ratios such as Fla/(Fla + Pyr) (0.20-0.70), Ant/(Ant + Phe) (0.22-0.41), BaA/(BaA + Chrys) (0.54-0.70), LMW/HMW (0.30-1.47), MPhe/Phe (0.72-1.59) and 1,7/(1,7 + 2,6-DMP) (0.57-0.90) enabled PAH source apportionment to be made. The results indicate a mixed source scenario with predominance of petroleum hydrocarbons input found for the top soil while the lower soil horizons were predominated by PAHs of combustion origin. Key words: Molecular ratios, natural gas, petroleum condensate, soil, Imo River.
20th-Century Glacier Fluctuations in the Tropical Cordillera Blanca, Perú

Abstract The value of glacier fluctuations as indicators of climate change detection has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Tropical glaciers are of particular interest. The Cordillera Blanca in Perú (77°30′W, 9°S) is the largest glaciated area within the tropics. Its 20th-century fluctuations have been analyzed. The total ice coverage around 1990 was obtained using optical satellite data SPOT XS. Based on the 1990 results, inventories and estimates of the glaciation during the 20th century had to be corrected. The data in this paper illustrate the general ice retreat in the tropical Cordillera Blanca: 620 km2 in 1990, 660–680 km2 in 1970, and 800–850 km2 in 1930. The 1930 value documents the extent of glaciation shortly after an intense advance in the 1920s. The Little Ice Age extent is estimated as 850–900 km2. The ice recession during the 20th century was not constant but was concentrated in two periods. Strong ice retreat occurred in the 1930s and 1940s and intermediate retreat from the mid-1970s until the end of the century. The ice coverage at the end of the 20th century is considered to be slightly below 600 km2.
The effects of object size on spatial orientation: an eye movement study

Introduction The processing of visual information in the human brain is divided into two streams, namely, the dorsal and ventral streams, object identification is related to the ventral stream and motion processing is related to the dorsal stream. Object identification is interconnected with motion processing, object size was found to affect the information processing of motion characteristics in uniform linear motion. However, whether the object size affects the spatial orientation is still unknown. Methods Thirty-eight college students were recruited to participate in an experiment based on the spatial visualization dynamic test. Eyelink 1,000 Plus was used to collect eye movement data. The final direction difference (the difference between the final moving direction of the target and the final direction of the moving target pointing to the destination point), rotation angle (the rotation angle of the knob from the start of the target movement to the moment of key pressing) and eye movement indices under conditions of different object sizes and motion velocities were compared. Results The final direction difference and rotation angle under the condition of a 2.29°-diameter moving target and a 0.76°-diameter destination point were significantly smaller than those under the other conditions (a 0.76°-diameter moving target and a 0.76°-diameter destination point; a 0.76°-diameter moving target and a 2.29°-diameter destination point). The average pupil size under the condition of a 2.29°-diameter moving target and a 0.76°-diameter destination point was significantly larger than the average pupil size under other conditions (a 0.76°-diameter moving target and a 0.76°-diameter destination point; a 0.76°-diameter moving target and a 2.29°-diameter destination point). Discussion A relatively large moving target can resist the landmark attraction effect in spatial orientation, and the influence of object size on spatial orientation may originate from differences in cognitive resource consumption. The present study enriches the interaction theory of the processing of object characteristics and motion characteristics and provides new ideas for the application of eye movement technology in the examination of spatial orientation ability.
Robot Localization and Reconstruction based on 3D Point Cloud

The 3D point cloud is widely used in robot fields because of its accurate positioning results and dense environment information. However, most of the existing methods are real-time positioning and 3D reconstruction in unknown environments. In some scenes that require multiple regular operations, such as robot patrol and maintenance, the stability of the system is slightly insufficient. At present, the methods in this field are mostly based on fixed starting points or manual positioning, with an insufficient degree of automation. In this paper, a real-time robot localization and reconstruction system based on 3D vision is proposed, which includes pose estimation, environment reconstruction, and relocalization based on a 3D point cloud. First, a more accurate pose estimation method is applied for 3D environment reconstruction, using the coordinate transformation of the point cloud and the point cloud matching of the key frames. Then, a new point cloud segmentation method is proposed for local map maintenance to realize point cloud map display and human-robot interaction under real-time network transmission. Finally, a new robot relocalization method is proposed for map updating when the mapping is interrupted or repeated. The M2DGR dataset and real robot test were used to verify the accuracy and effect of the system, where the results showed that our method had a good performance.
Expression of acetylated histones H3 and H4 and histone deacetylase enzymes HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC6 in simple mammary carcinomas of female dogs

Histone deacetylation is an important mechanism involved in human breast cancer tumorigenesis and recent veterinary oncology studies also demonstrate a similar relationship in some canine neoplasms. The use of HDAC inhibitors in vitro and in vivo has demonstrated antitumor action on several strains of human and animal cancers. The present study aims to correlate the expression of H3K9Ac, H4K12Ac, HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC6 in simple mammary carcinomas in dogs with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival time. To this end, 61 samples of simple breast carcinomas were analyzed by the immunohistochemistry technique with subsequent validation of the antibodies by the Western Blot technique. The expressions obtained via a semi-quantitative way were categorized by assigning scores and classified into high or low expressions according to the given score, except for HDAC6, when the marking percentage was considered and subdivided into high and low expressions using the median value. For statistical analysis, the chi-square test or Fisher exact test were used as univariate analysis and correspondence analysis as a multivariate test, in addition to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. In the studied samples, the highest frequencies were determined for the high expression proteins H4K12Ac (88.5%), HDAC2 (65.6%) and HDAC6 (56.7%) and the low expression proteins H3K9Ac (73.8%) and HDAC1 (54.1%). An association between the low expression of HDAC1 and the presence of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.035) was indicated by univariate analysis while the high expression of HDAC1 was associated with favorable prognostic factors, such as the absence of lymph node metastasis and low mitotic index by multivariate analysis. Also, by multivariate analysis, the low expression of HDAC6 was correlated with the low expression of Ki67, smaller tumors, and better prognosis factors as well. Protein expression was not correlated with patients’ overall survival time (p > 0.05). The high expressions of HDAC2 and HDAC6 in mammary carcinomas in female dogs may be useful information for research involving therapeutic targets with iHDACs since their inhibition favors hyperacetylation and transcription of tumor suppressor genes.
Crustal structure and high-resolution Moho topography across the Rwenzori region (Albertine rift) from P-receiver functions

Abstract The Rwenzori region, which is located between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, is part of the western branch of the East African Rift. With elevations of c. 5000 m a.s. l. , the Rwenzori Mountains are situated between the Albert Rift and the Edward Rift segments and cover an area of approximately 120 km by 50 km. In this study we investigate the Moho topography beneath the Rwenzori region based on data from a network of 33 broadband seismic stations that were operated from September 2009 until August 2011. Variations of crustal thickness are obtained from the H-κ stacking method applied to P-receiver functions. We discuss the effect of low velocity layers within the crust on the determined Moho depths, which range from 20 km up to 39 km. The lack of a crustal root beneath the Rwenzori Mountains and its location in an extensional setting are contrary to the orogenesis generated by collisions of tectonic units. Our results indicate crustal thinning and provide evidence for the alternative mechanism of crustal bending, triggered by the tensile stress and the elasticity of the crust. Supplementary material: Examples and methods for identifying crustal structures and sediment layers are available at http://www.geolsoc. org.uk/SUP18801.
Versatile Effects of GABA Oolong Tea on Improvements in Diastolic Blood Pressure, Alpha Brain Waves, and Quality of Life

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that using a new manufacturing technology to produce γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-fortified oolong (GO) tea could relieve human stress and exert versatile physiological benefits. The purpose of this human study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of daily GO tea consumption on improvements in blood pressure, relaxation-related brain waves, and quality of life (QOL) over a period of 28 consecutive days. Total polyphenols, major catechins, and free amino acids were analyzed via an HPLC assay. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, α brain waves (index of relaxation), and the eight-item QOL score were investigated on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The chemical analysis results showed that GO tea contained the most abundant amino acids and GABA, contributing to the relaxation activity. Among all study participants, the daily consumption of GO tea could reduce systolic blood pressure on day 21 and diastolic blood pressure on day 28 (p < 0.05 for both). For participants with pre-hypertension, GO tea could effectively reduce heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure on day 28 (p < 0.05). At the end of the study, incremental changes in alpha brain waves and QOL scores were also demonstrated (p < 0.05 for both). This study suggests that GO tea might potentially serve as a natural source for alternative therapy to improve blood pressure, stress relief, and QOL.
Extraction of Chest Girth and Body Length Features to Estimate Goat Weight

Measuring goat weight on a farm is carried out by two methods. The first method conventionally measures the chest girth (CG) and body length (BL), while the second is performed using a scale. This study aimed to facilitate the CG and BL measurements to estimate goat weight more efficiently through image processing. The endpoints of CG and BL were determined automatically using binary large object (BLOB) segmentation. The images of 120 goats were taken at three different shooting distances of 50 cm, 70 cm, and 90 cm. The statistical testing of the three scenarios in this study explained that the ideal distance to take pictures is the basis for determining whether or not the size of the circumference and BL is appropriate as a feature for estimating the weight of goats based on image processing. Statistical analysis showed that the features of CG and BL at a distance of 50 cm and 70 cm were not significantly different from the measurements of CG and BL of goats carried out directly (actual data). In comparison, the results of testing the feature prediction data at a distance of 90 cm are significantly different from the actual data.
Scintillometry for evapotranspiration estimation over irrigated alfalfa and dry grassland

In recent years scintillometry technology has become a recognized tool for the estimation of spatially-averaged vegetative ET rates. In particular, a Large Aperture Scintillometer (LAS) can provide estimates of the surface sensible heat flux (H) and, in combination with measurements of surface net radiation (Rn) and ground heat flux (G), can be used to solve for evaporative heat flux (λE) using the surface energy balance method. The LAS can operate over path lengths between 250 and 4500 m approximately and reports a path-averaged signal whose largest weight is at the path center. Two separate deployments of a Kipp and Zonen model LAS were considered; the first case (alfalfa deployment, site 1) during the 2010 summer over a fully irrigated alfalfa field and the second case (grassland deployment, site 2) at a dry grassland site during the 2011 summer. In each case, ancillary instrumentation was deployed for capturing necessary meteorological inputs and measurements of Rn and G. For the alfalfa deployment, a two- week subset of near-reference condition (50 cm crop height) data was processed and analyzed to derive hourly estimates of energy-balance ET from the LAS signal. The resulting H for this condition was generally less than 50 W m -2 during the morning/early afternoon periods, and negative H between 50-150 W m -2 was observed during the afternoon/evening periods, which suggests advective conditions. ET rates for the same data subset had a generally consistent daytime peak near 0.8 mm h -1 . For the grassland deployment, hourly ET rates were derived from the LAS signal for a two-week subset of data following two significant precipitation events. Daytime peak hourly ET varied from approximately 0.6-0.7 mm h -1 following the precipitation events to approximately 0.3 mm h -1 at the end of the subset. Daytime peak H for the same period ranged from 150-300 W m -2 .
Multiphysics Numerical Investigations of Hot Components in a sCO2 Power Plant Turbine

To achieve a higher energy conversion efficiency, the use of supercritical CO 2 ( sCO 2 ) in closed-loop Brayton and Rankine cycles has become relevant in the last decades due to an increased interest in its properties. sCO 2 allows a more efficient heat transfer, chemical stability, non-flammability, and greater system efficiency. The necessity of a sealing system, which creates a barrier between the high-pressure fluid in the turbine and compressor and low-pressure regions, became essential for high-efficiency preservation and plant emissions reduction. In this regard, Dry Gas Seals (DGS) become one of the substantial components for sCO 2 turbomachinery design due to lower leakage and higher efficiency than a traditional labyrinth radial seal. The high fluid pressure and density, connected to a small size sealing clearance and a high rotational speed, results in a significant friction heat, which characterizes the domain temperature distribution. The necessity for a thermal analysis of the domain becomes compelling to respect the maximum temperatures allowed in the turbomachine. When drawing up a thermal analysis, the high computational costs of a 3D simulation of the fluid domain (CFD) could be unfavourable due to the different orders of magnitude of secondary flows cavity sizes and DGS seals gaps, and the necessity to run
Bibliometric Analysis of Research Articles on Virtual Reality in the Field of Pain Medicine Published from 1993 to 2022

Purpose This study aims to analyze global and regional (China, Japan, and South Korea) research on virtual reality (VR) in the field of pain medicine over the past 30 years. Specifically, we quantify VR-related publications, examine the distribution of research topics on chronic and acute pain, and identify trends and future directions. Methods The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was used for bibliometric analysis. This study included articles written in English between 1993 and 2022. The search strategy used predefined terms related to VR and pain. Based on the articles’ titles and abstracts, two pain physicians independently reviewed and classified them as acute or chronic pain. Quantitative data on countries, institutions, journals, and research categories were analyzed. VOSviewer software was used for keyword mapping and clustering. Results We analyzed 808 VR-related articles on pain medicine. Over the past three decades, the number of publications in this field has increased steadily. The United States of America (n = 259) had the highest number of publications. Moreover, China (n = 42), Japan (n = 18), and South Korea (n = 24) also contributed continuously. Acute and chronic pain research accounted for 44.2% and 37.9% of the articles, respectively. The most common acute pain topic was procedure-related (n = 129, 16.0%), whereas the most common chronic pain topic was neuropathic (n = 104, 12.9%). Keywords clustered around neuroscience, pediatric pain management, and chronic pain management. Conclusion Our study revealed academic achievements and growing interest in VR-related research in pain medicine. Researchers worldwide have shown balanced interest in applying VR technology to acute and chronic pain, with specific contributions from China, Japan, and South Korea. Harnessing VR technology is promising for improving pain management and enhancing patients’ quality of life in the field of pain medicine.
Development of Statistically Optimized Piperine-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer: In Vitro Evaluation and Cell Culture Studies

Piperine (PPN) is a natural alkaloid derived from black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and has garnered substantial attention for its potential in breast cancer therapy due to its diverse pharmacological properties. However, its highly lipophilic characteristics and poor dissolution in biological fluids limit its clinical application. Therefore, to overcome this limitation, we formulate and evaluate PPN-encapsulated polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (PPN-PCL-NPs). The nanoparticles were prepared by a single-step nanoprecipitation method and further optimized by a formulation design approach. The influence of selected independent variables PCL (X1), poloxamer 188 (P-188; X2), and stirring speed (SS; X3) were investigated on the particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and % encapsulation efficiency (EE). The selected optimized nanoparticles were further assessed for stability, in vitro release, and in vitro antibreast cancer activity in the MCF-7 cancer cell line. The PS, PDI, zeta potential, and % EE of the optimized PPN-PCL-NPs were observed to be 107.61 ± 5.28 nm, 0.136 ± 0.011, −20.42 ± 1.82 mV, and 79.53 ± 5.22%, respectively. The developed PPN-PCL-NPs were stable under different temperature conditions with insignificant changes in their pharmaceutical attributes. The optimized PPN-PCL-NPs showed a burst release for the first 6 h and later showed sustained release for 48 h. The PPN-PCL-NPs exhibit exceptional cytotoxic effects in MCF-7 breast tumor cells in comparison with the native PPN. Thus, the formulation of PPN-loaded PCL-NPs can be a promising approach for better therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer.
Millimeter‐wave measurements of chlorine monoxide at the Jungfraujoch Alpine Station

During the European Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Experiment (EASOE) in winter 91/92, first measurements with a new 204GHz radiometer were performed at the Jungfraujoch Alpine Station (7°59′E 46°33′N) in the Swiss Alps. The altitude of this site (3570m) allows detection of weak spectral lines like the ones of the chlorine monoxide J 11/2→9/2 rotational transition. At the end of January 1992, a large amount of ClO in the lower stratosphere was measured, indicating that highly perturbed airmasses had been transported towards mid latitudes. The maximum value of the ClO volume mixing ratio was about 1ppbv +/−0.4 ppbv in heights of 15–25km.