Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Re-contextualizing the notion of comfort

To what extent can the urgency of climate change and an evolving concept of agency (at the individual and social levels of building users) create a new context for rethinking the notion of comfort? A new, emerging notion of comfort is explored that embraces engagement with new conditions, new experiences, and new types of interactions between inhabitants and building systems and unfamiliar technologies. The emphasis is on communication and dialogue as two dynamic and adaptive processes necessary to achieve optimal building performance while valuing and responding to inhabitant knowledge and agency, and enhancing indoor environmental quality from the standpoint of the inhabitants. A primary conclusion is that the goal of shifting into a lower carbon society has created a new context for comfort, from its conventional emphasis as automated, uniform and predictable, to a broader notion that takes into consideration dynamic, integrated, and participatory aspects. The key dimensions of this emergent broader view of comfort are examined and the relationships between them revealed. Dans quelle mesure l'urgence du changement climatique et un concept évolutif d'agence (au niveau individuel et social des utilisateurs de bâtiments) créent-t-ils un nouveau contexte où revoir la notion de confort? L'auteur explore une nouvelle notion de confort qui englobe l'engagement avec de nouvelles conditions, de nouvelles expériences et de nouveaux types d'interactions entre les habitants, les systèmes de construction et des technologies nouvelles. L'accent est mis sur la communication et le dialogue comme étant deux processus dynamiques et adaptatifs nécessaire pour obtenir des performances de construction optimales tout en donnant sa valeur et en répondant à la connaissance des habitants et à l'agence et en améliorant la qualité de l'environnement intérieur du point de vue des habitants. Selon une conclusion majeure, l'objectif visé qui est de passer à une société émettant moins de carbone a donné naissance à un nouveau contexte de confort, en passant de l'accent classique sur l'automatisation, l'uniformité et la prévisibilité à une notion plus large qui prend en considération des aspects dynamiques, intégrés et participatifs. L'auteur analyse les dimensions principales de cette idée émergente et élargie de confort ainsi que les relations entre elles. Mots cle´s: comportement adaptatif, agence, changement climatique, confort, communication, dialogue, demande d'énergie, qualité de l'environnement intérieur, habitant, occupant, interactions sociales, développement durable, lieu de travail
A Novel Fake Detection System for Biometric Modalities

The development of novel and proficient security measures is required for the real occurrence of a legitimate behaviour in comparison to a fake self-manufactured synthetic or reconstructed sample which is a major dilemma in biometric authentication. A new fake detection method that can be used in multiple biometric systems to detect different types of fraudulent access attempts is described in this paper. The goal of the suggested system is to improve the safety measures of biometric identification frameworks, by adding liveness assessment in a fast, user- friendly, and non-intrusive way, through the use of image quality assessment. In order to differentiate between legitimate and impostor samples, the suggested approach is simple and makes it appropriate for real-time applications, using 30 general image quality features extracted from a single image. It can be concluded that the proposed method is very much competitive when compared to other state-of-the-art approaches from the experimental results obtained on the available data sets of fingerprint, iris, hand palm and 2D face. The study of the general image quality of real biometric samples gives very important information which can be proficiently used to distinguish them from fake behaviour.
miR-1227 Targets SEC23A to Regulate the Shedding of Large Extracellular Vesicles

Simple Summary Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogenous in size, cargo, and mechanism of biogenesis. While the mechanism of formation of small EVs, such as exosomes, has been widely investigated, little is known about the pathobiology of large EVs. We identify here a microRNA that alters cellular vesicologenesis increasing shedding of large EVs and slightly reducing shedding of small EVs. We also demonstrate that this microRNA, miR1227, targets SEC23A to promote this phenotype. Importantly, large EVs are released by cells undergoing a mesenchymal-amoeboid transition that functionally translates into a more metastatic phenotype. Abstract Cancer cells shed a heterogenous mixture of extracellular vesicles (EVs), differing in both size and composition, which likely influence physiological processes in different manners. However, how cells differentially control the shedding of these EV populations is poorly understood. Here, we show that miR-1227, which is enriched in prostate cancer EVs, compared to the cell of origin, but not in EVs derived from prostate benign epithelial cells, induces the shedding of large EVs (such as large oncosomes), while inhibiting the shedding of small EVs (such as exosomes). RNA sequencing from cells stably expressing miR-1227, a modified RISCTRAP assay that stabilizes and purifies mRNA-miR-1227 complexes for RNA sequencing, and in silico target prediction tools were used to identify miR-1227 targets that may mediate this alteration in EV shedding. The COPII vesicle protein SEC23A emerged and was validated by qPCR, WBlot, and luciferase assays as a direct target of miR-1227. The inhibition of SEC23A was sufficient to induce the shedding of large EVs. These results identify a novel mechanism of EV shedding, by which the inhibition of SEC23A by miR-1227 induces a shift in EV shedding, favoring the shedding of large EV over small EV.
Modeling Beam-Column Joints in Fragility Assessment of Gravity Load Designed Reinforced Concrete Frames

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures customarily have been designed in regions of low-to-moderate seismicity with little or no consideration of their seismic resistance. The move toward performance-based seismic engineering requires accurate reliability-based structural analysis models of gravity load designed (GLD) RC frames for predicting their behavior under seismic effects and for developing seismic fragilities that can be used as a basis for risk-informed decision-making. This analytical approach requires particular attention to the modeling of beam-column joints, where GLD frames differ significantly from their counterparts in high-seismic areas. This article focuses on modeling shear and bond-slip behavior of beam-column joints for purposes of seismic fragility analysis of GLD RC frames. The joint panel constitutive parameters are defined to replicate the experimental joint shear stress-strain relationships, while the effect of bond-slip is taken into account through a reduced envelope for the joint shear stress-strain relationship. The joint model is validated using two full-scale experimental RC beam-column joint test series. A fragility assessment of an existing three-story GLD RC frame reveals the importance of modeling shear, anchorage, and bond-slip in joints of GLD frames accurately when performing seismic risk assessments of buildings.
Entanglement and coherence in a hybrid Laguerre–Gaussian rotating cavity optomechanical system with two-level atoms

We theoretically investigate quantum entanglement and coherence in a hybrid Laguerre–Gaussian rotating cavity optomechanical system with two-level atoms, where cavity and mechanical modes are coupled through the exchange of orbital angular momentum. Our study shows that the injection of atoms with a suitable choice of the physical parameters can significantly improve the degree of optomechanical entanglement in all aspects. In the study of quantum coherence research, we show more comprehensively the negative and positive effects of atoms on the coherence. The result obtained is that only when the atom is significantly off-resonant to driving field, the coupling strength in between the atoms and light field increases and the quantum coherence can be enhanced, otherwise it will reduce quantum coherence. In addition, the atomic decay suppresses quantum coherence phenomenon.
Systematic Investigation of Variability due to Random Simulation Error in an Activity-Based Microsimulation Forecasting Model

A key difference between stochastic microsimulation models and more traditional forms of travel demand forecasting models is that micro-simulation-based forecasts change each time the sequence of random numbers used to simulate choices is varied. To address practitioners’ concerns about this variation, a common approach is to run the microsimulation model several times and average the results. The question then becomes: What is the minimum number of runs required to reach a true average state for a given set of model results? This issue was investigated by means of a systematic experiment with the San Francisco model, a microsimulation model system used in actual planning applications since 2000. The system contains models of vehicle availability, day pattern choice, tour time-of-day choice, destination choice, and mode choice. To investigate the variability of the forecasts of this system due to random simulation error, the model system was run 100 times, each time changing only the sequence of random numbers used to simulate individual choices from the logit model probabilities. The extent of random variability in the model results is reported as a function of two factors: (a) the type of model (vehicle availability, tour generation, destination choice, or mode choice); and (b) the level of geographic detail—transit at the analysis zone level, neighborhood level, or countywide level. For each combination of these factors, it is shown graphically how quickly the mean values of key output variables converge toward a stable value as the number of simulation runs increases.
Forecasting high‐frequency excess stock returns via data analytics and machine learning

Borsa Istanbul introduced data analytics to present additional information about its market conditions. We examine whether this product can be utilized via various machine learning methods to predict intraday excess returns. Accordingly, these analytics provide significant prediction ratios above 50% with ideal profit ratios that can reach up to 33%. Among all the methods considered, XGBoost (logistic regression) performs better in predicting excess returns in the long-term analysis (short-term analysis). Results provide evidence for the benefits of both the analytics and the machine learning methods and raise further discussion on the semi-strong market efficiency.
Energy consumption in networks on chip: efficiency and scaling

Computer architecture design is in a new era where performance is increased by replicating processing cores on a chip rather than making CPUs larger and faster. This design strategy is motivated by the superior energy efficiency of the multi-core architecture compared to the traditional monolithic CPU. If the trend continues as expected, the number of cores on a chip is predicted to grow exponentially over time as the density of transistors on a die increases. A major challenge to the efficiency of multi-core chips is the energy used for communication among cores over a Network on Chip (NoC). As the number of cores increases, this energy also increases, imposing serious constraints on design and performance of both applications and architectures. Therefore, understanding the impact of different design choices on NoC power and energy consumption is crucial to the success of the multi- and many-core designs. This dissertation proposes methods for modeling and optimizing energy consumption in multi- and many-core chips, with special focus on the energy used for communication on the NoC. We present a number of tools and models to optimize energy consumption and model its scaling behavior as the number of cores increases. We use synthetic traffic patterns and full system simulations to test and validate our methods. Finally, we take a step back and look at the evolution of computer hardware in the last 40 years and, using a scaling theory from biology, present a predictive theory for power-performance scaling in microprocessor systems.
A Kind of Minitype 2D Vector Hydrophone

A special designed 2D accelerometer was successfully used in the design of the minitype 2D vector hydrophone. The theory, design and experiment test data of both the accelerometer and the vector hydrophone was presented in this paper. The accelerometer based on cantilever beam mode and used PZT tube to substitute the PZT plate which was traditional used, this substitution enhanced the mechanical strength of the accelerometer, which resulted to the high performance of the 2D vector hydrophone in its natural frequency and sensitivity. The outside electrode of the PZT tube was divided into four equivalent parts, and each opposite part was wiring connected into one accelerometer channel, thus the two orthotropic accelerometer channels was integrate into one 2D cantilever beam mode accelerometer. The minitype vector hydrophone was designed based on this compact 2D accelerometer, and it’s high performace makes it possible to be used in under water sonar transducer arrays.
RFID for the extended lean enterprise

Purpose – In the traditional sense, information technology has often been viewed as a contributor to waste within lean production. However, as the business world changes and competition from low‐cost countries increases, new models must be developed which deliver competitive advantage by combining contemporary technological advances with the lean paradigm. The purpose of this paper is therefore to contribute within this area, and it aims to evaluate the supporting role of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in the context of lean thinking. The paper also aims to consider the application of RFID in order to revolutionize the lean paradigm, and to propose a framework for the use of RFID in order to create the extended lean enterprise, which the authors suggest can improve the competitiveness of manufacturing supply chains.Design/methodology/approach – The paper's applied research methodology is case study. Having first explored the relevant literature surrounding the topic, the paper presents a.
Safety and Efficacy of Combination Maintenance Therapy with Ixazomib and Lenalidomide in Patients with Posttransplant Myeloma

Abstract Purpose: In this study, the addition of ixazomib to lenalidomide maintenance post-autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in 64 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma was evaluated on the basis of the observed benefit of lenalidomide-only maintenance in prior studies. Patients and Methods: Patients were started on maintenance therapy with lenalidomide and ixazomib within 60–180 days of stem cell infusion. Results: Response rates deepened over time from baseline post-ASCT for 39 patients. The complete response (CR)/stringent CR rate was 43% and median overall survival was not reached with a median follow-up of 62 months (range, 25–82 months). Median PFS (mPFS) for all patients was 73 months and has not been reached for those with International Staging System (ISS) stage 1 disease. mPFS in 9 patients who had ISS stage 3 disease and 14 patients who had high-risk cytogenetics was 34 and 25 months, respectively. Twenty-two patients had progressive disease, while 19 patients continue to receive dual maintenance. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events included neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, lung infections, diarrhea, and maculopapular rash. Second primary malignancies occurred in 9 patients. Toxicity led to dose reductions in ixazomib and lenalidomide in 20 and 31 patients, respectively. Discontinuation of ixazomib due to toxicity occurred in 4 patients. Grade 1/2 neuropathy occurred in 22 patients and led to reduction or discontinuation of ixazomib in 2 patients. Conclusions: The addition of ixazomib to lenalidomide maintenance demonstrated a better than expected PFS compared with historical data using lenalidomide alone and was safe and tolerable.
Investigation on Optimization Strategies for the Hydrodynamic Design of DTMB 5415

The paper contributes to the field of ship design by investigating the applicability of formal strategies to the optimization of a ship’s hydrodynamic performance. A study on the geometric modeling, hydrodynamic analysis, design evaluation and shape variation of a DTMB5415 is presented. Optimization Algorithm is utilized to explore the design space and to improve the hull shape. The hydrodynamic design process is implemented: An advanced parametric modeling kernel is applied for efficient form generation and variation. The hydrodynamic performance is analyzed by state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes for calm water resistance. A commercial optimization system is used to integrate the various CAD and CFD tools and to carry out the optimization.
A focused system model for strategic quality management

Describes the current industrial scenario which is marked by the proliferation of theoretical ideas and concepts on total quality management (TQM) proclaimed by numerous quality management and engineering experts. Insists on the need to streamline these ideas and concepts so that TQM programmes in manufacturing firms are focused effectively towards quality enhancement strategies. Calls for replacing the traditional terminology, TQM, with that of strategic quality management (SQM) with an updated definition. Presents the main results of investigations made during a long research carried out in this direction which began with the identification of a TQM framework of reference on the basis of the old single manufacturer model and culminated in the evolution of a focused SQM system model. Concludes by briefing the major findings of the research and mentions the possibility of exploiting artificial intelligence techniques like expert systems for carrying out SQM practices more effectively.
Development of Wire-Connected Mechanism for Precise Positioning

Micro/nano positioning is one of important techniques to operate bio-cell and micro assembly. For realizing the precise positioning, the various piezo-driven stages have been already proposed and micro/nano scale resolution has been achieved. However, it is pointed out that the existing precision positioning tools are too large compared to operating area. Their devices are too difficult to combine other devices and use in tight environment like under microscope. In this paper, a precise positioning method with wire connected mechanism under microscope is proposed. The proposed positioning system is simply composed actuators including piezoelectric element and super extra-fine wires. By applying wire connected mechanism, the saving of larger work environment compared to traditional devices is hoped.
Effect of a non-uniform magnetic field on two ion species plasma-wall transition

Fluid theory has been employed to investigate the magnetized plasma-wall transition properties for two ion species plasmas with a uniform background of neutral gas density in the presence of an external magnetic field. The external applied magnetic field is parallel to the surface and its magnitude varies in the direction perpendicular to the surface. The governing equations of ion and electron fluids include ionization and collision with neutral atoms. A comparative study of transition parameters for non-uniform and uniform magnetic fields is performed at equal values of the magnetic flux density at x = 0. This study shows that the sheath region shrinks for the non-uniform magnetic field case, essentially in reason of the lower value of the average magnetic field intensity in the plasma-wall transition region. We introduce a figure of merit to quantify the nonuniformity of the magnetic field (Bmax−Bmin)/Bmax , and show that for its value 0.21 it is possible to model the plasma-wall transition region considering the magnetic field as uniform and equal to its average value. Furthermore, we find that the density distribution of electrons close to the surface deviates from the Boltzmann distribution due to the influence of a strong magnetic field.
Low-cost, non-contact displacement sensor based on plastic fiber bundle

The article presents the state-of-the-art realization of a low-cost, non-contact displacement sensor based on plastic optical fibers. The sensor head makes use of 7 fibers, arranged in a bundle configuration, to detect small displacements on a moving target; the sensing systems can compensate variations to target reflectivity. Two advanced features have been implemented: an optimization of the fiber bundle enables to improve the accuracy up to 2.7 times, and a Monte Carlo simulation provides a detailed description of the system and enables surface mapping. Experimental result show an accuracy of 7.5 μm on a range of 2.5 mm with reflectivity compensation, and of 2.4 μm on a range of 5 mm without compensation.
A Crack Mouth Opening Displacement Gauge Made With Passive UHF RFID Technology

In structural health monitoring crack detection and its width measurement are important monitored parameters. The Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD) is a good indicator of fracture properties. A new kind of CMOD gauge is shown in the paper, it is a wireless sensor tag based on off-the-shelf Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The sensor measures the opening of the crack as a variation of the phase of the signal backscattered from an RFID tag connected to a load sensible to the change of the crack width. The novelty of the sensor design relies on an electromagnetic method that permits to enhance both the communication stability and the sensitivity of the RFID tag. The paper shows the electromagnetic theory underlying the design procedure, the method for dimensioning the sensor tag, the realization of a prototype and its experimental measurements. Theoretical and experimental results show that the sensor has a tunable sensitivity with minimum value 16°/mm, a maximum range of 5 mm, a nominal resolution better than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$187 ~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and a measurement uncertainty less than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pm 250 ~\mu m$ </tex-math></inline-formula> while it allows a reading distance longer than 1.5 meters.