Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Calculation Method for the Optimal Initial Polar Distance of Capacitive Force Sensors

For capacitive sensors, the initial polar distance of capacitors has a vital influence on the performances of capacitive sensors; however, there are few current studies on the method of calculating the initial polar distance of capacitors, leading to a lack of corresponding theoretical basis for the design of capacitive sensors. In this article, a calculation method for the optimal initial polar distance based on minimum error is proposed. The total error expression is derived from error analysis, which clarifies the complex relationship between the total error and the initial polar distance, and the optimal initial polar distance is solved by Newton’s method. A capacitive torque sensor is used in the experiment to verify the calculation method for the optimal initial polar distance, the theoretical error and experimental error of the sensor are compared, and the results show that the experimental error is consistent with the theoretical error curve. The optimal initial polar distance obtained by the calculation method is 0.8479 mm, which is within the range of 0.8–0.9 mm determined by the experiment. The theoretical minimum total error is 0.211% and the experimental minimum total error is 0.208%. The total error expression proposed in this article is accurate, and the calculation method of the initial polar distance is effective. In addition, theoretical analysis reveals that the differential parallel plate capacitor has the characteristic that any small deformation of the moving plate can be equivalent to a translation whose magnitude is the mean value of the deformation.
Impact ionization of electrons in silicon (steady state)

Monte Carlo simulations of electron impact ionization in silicon are presented which include the pseudopotential band structure as well as collision broadening and higher order effects in the electron phonon interaction. Conduction in the two lowest conduction bands of silicon is considered. We also present new results for the impact ionization probability and deformation potential constants which are obtained by comparing our theory with a variety of experimental results.
Functional time series approach for forecasting very short-term electricity demand

This empirical paper presents a number of functional modelling and forecasting methods for predicting very short-term (such as minute-by-minute) electricity demand. The proposed functional methods slice a seasonal univariate time series (TS) into a TS of curves; reduce the dimensionality of curves by applying functional principal component analysis before using a univariate TS forecasting method and regression techniques. As data points in the daily electricity demand are sequentially observed, a forecast updating method can greatly improve the accuracy of point forecasts. Moreover, we present a non-parametric bootstrap approach to construct and update prediction intervals, and compare the point and interval forecast accuracy with some naive benchmark methods. The proposed methods are illustrated by the half-hourly electricity demand from Monday to Sunday in South Australia.
Examining the Causes of Irrational Food Buying and Delaying Gratification as a Solution

Impulsive food buying resulting in waisted items and emotional regrets is regarded as biased buying behaviours through irrational decision making. Extensive previous research has brought forward projection bias, associative memory and episodic foresight, emotions and impulsivity, affective forecasting, and physical arousal as some of the contributors to the tendency to pursue immediate rewards of thrill and satiation over delayed and long-term fulfillment. The present study focuses on the causes of this phenomenon from the psychological perspective, identifying various internal and environmental factors and their relevance based on evidence of past research. It closely compares the Rational Choice Theory with actual shopping behaviours and challenges a fixed definition of objectivity and rationality in decision making. It then attempts to make connections between the cognitive causes of irrational decision making and immediate gratification, suggesting that postponing gratification may help with making more rational decisions when browsing for foods.
A Long‐Term Earthquake Catalog for the Endeavour Segment: Constraints on the Extensional Cycle and Evidence for Hydrothermal Venting Supported by Propagating Rifts

We use ocean bottom seismometer data from the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca ridge to construct a long‐term earthquake catalog for an intermediate spreading rate mid‐ocean ridge. We present >50,000 new earthquake locations for 2016–2021 from the Ocean Networks Canada NEPTUNE cabled observatory and relocate earthquakes from two autonomous networks in 1995 and 2003–2006. The catalog comprises >85,000 earthquakes located using three‐dimensional segment‐scale P and S wave velocity models from a prior tomography experiment. Despite the small footprints of networks near the segment center, locations show good agreement with geologic features at segment ends. The improved locations show that the northern Endeavour segment ruptured southwards from 48.3°N to 48.05°N during two diking events in early 2005, possibly accompanied by diking on the West Valley (WV) propagator. Persistent off‐axis seismicity near the segment center appears to be related to the WV and Cobb propagating rifts which we infer extend ∼10 km closer to the Endeavour segment center than is apparent in bathymetry. We suggest that the proximity of the propagators to the Endeavour vent fields (VFs) contributes to the localization, vigor, and longevity of the fields by focusing permeability through ongoing fracturing and by limiting extrusive magmatism through degassing of the axial magma lens. Increasing rates of seismicity beneath the VFs beginning in late 2018 and a deepening of earthquakes in 2020 indicate that the central portion of the segment may be entering the later stages of the eruptive cycle.
SN 1987A: a linear polarimetric study

Multicolor linear polarimetric observations of SN 1987A have been obtained between February 28 and April 29, 1987. The intrinsic polarization was shown to decrease at a constant position angle of 27 deg during the first month after the explosion, and 30 days after the explosion the polarization began to grown in the V, R, and I filters at a different position angle. A model to interpret this behavior is proposed. Results are presented for the expansion of the outer layers of the SN and the evolution of the photospheric density. 28 references.
Application of remote sensing-based spectral variability hypothesis to improve tree diversity estimation of seasonal tropical forest considering phenological variations

Abstract Global decline in biodiversity warrants its systematic monitoring in space and time. Remote sensing derived Rao’s Q index has been proposed as a proxy for species diversity yet its scope for seasonal tropical forest is untested. The study assessed the influence of phenology on Rao’s Q index derived using multi-date Sentinel-2 NDVI to estimate tree diversity. Plot level vegetation inventory data (n = 61) was used to estimate tree diversity (Shannon-Wiener index (H')) of Nandhaur landscape in North-West Himalayan foothills. Rao’s Q index and H' showed lower correlation at the landscape level than individual forest types. Rao’s Q index based on NDVI observed higher correlation with H', especially during the leaf flushing period. NDVI-based multi-dimensional Rao’s Q index offered better performance for dry deciduous (R2 =0.69) followed by moist deciduous forest. The present approach can be used for estimating tree diversity, especially in seasonal tropical forests.
Serious Games and Gamification in Healthcare: A Meta-Review

A serious game is a type of game that is designed for a primary purpose other than entertainment. Instead, serious games are intended to achieve specific goals, such as education, training, or health promotion. The goal of serious games is to engage players in a way that is both enjoyable and effective in achieving the intended learning or behavior change outcomes. Recently, several systematic reviews on the development and application of serious games and on the application of gamification techniques have been published, which indicate high activity and ongoing progress in this area of research. Such an extensive body of review papers raises the need to analyze and extract the current state and the prevailing trends of the serious games and gamification (SGG) domain by analyzing and summarizing the systematic review articles. This study presents a systematic meta-review, i.e., a review of the 53 survey papers on the domain of serious games and gamification. The systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines, while constructive and cross-sectional methods are used to analyze and present the results. Finally, this study identifies the future trends and challenges for the domain. As a result, the meta-review helps the reader to quickly assess the present status of SGG and serves as a reference for finding further information on each technology utilized in SGG. Using the criterion of the citations, the meta-review analysis provides insight into the quantity and academic relevance of the published SGG articles. Moreover, 53 articles published in journals were selected as important surveys in the research field. The study found that serious games and gamification techniques are increasingly being used for a wide range of health conditions and the focus is shifting towards the use of mobile and digital platforms, virtual reality, and machine learning to personalize and adapt interventions. The existing research gaps include the lack of standardization in development and evaluation, insufficient understanding of underlying mechanisms of action, limited understanding of integration into existing healthcare systems, limited understanding of specific game mechanics and design elements for promoting health behaviors, and limited research on scalability, adoption, and long-term effects. These research gaps highlight the need for further research to fully understand the potential and limitations of serious games and gamification for health and how to effectively apply them.
On the Use of FFH-MFSK for Ultra-Low Power Communications in a Jamming Environment

We are interested in a communication system that operates in the presence of an intelligent jammer, under stringent power constraints, but with flexible bandwidth constraints. We optimize some of the key elements in the transceiver design for low power consumption, and thus high complexity components of the system, such as matched filters (MF), forward error correction (FEC) that employs iterative decoders, coherent demodulators, and bandwidth-efficient modulation formats, are not feasible for this research. Rather, our system is designed using M-ary frequency shift keying (MFSK) with non-coherent detection and fast frequency hopping (FFH), optimized two-pole bandpass filters (BPF), and Reed-Solomon (RS) codes with hard-decision decoding. Among other things, we show that by properly optimizing the key parameters of the BPFs and RS codes, we can design the system to be significantly less complex than the MF system with a performance loss of less than 1.4 dB for most scenarios that we considered. Further, the 2-pole BPF system can actually outperform the corresponding MF system by up to 2.4 dB in the presence of multi-tone jamming.
Plasma dispersion in a layered electron gas: A determination in GaAs-(AlGa) As heterostructures

The dispersion of theplasma frequency of layered electron gases in GaAs-(AlGa)As heterostructures was determined by inelastic light scattering. The measured dispersions differ from that in two- and three-dimensional plasmas. They are linear in the in-plane component of the wave vector. This observation confirms predictions of theoretical models.
NAD+-Consuming Enzymes in Stem Cell Homeostasis

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme used in redox reactions, energy metabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis. NAD+ is also required as a cofactor by nonredox NAD+-dependent enzymes. Hundreds of enzymes that consume NAD+ have been identified. The NAD+-consuming enzymes are involved in a variety of cellular processes such as signal transduction, DNA repair, cellular senescence, and stem cell (SC) homeostasis. In this review, we discussed how different types of NAD+-consuming enzymes regulate SC functions and summarized current research on the roles of the NAD+ consumers in SC homeostasis. We hope to provide a more global and integrative insight to the mechanism and intervention of SC homeostasis via the regulation of the NAD+-consuming enzymes.
Design of Sierpinski Gasket using Circular Patch for Multiband

antenna with micro strip feed line for multiband. The proposed multiband antenna design is based on the triangular geometry. This geometry is called sierpinski gasket. The dual band and triplestructures have been realized on FR4 substrate with circular patch. Multiband sierpinski gasket with circular micro-strip antennas offers increase in bandwidth and the size of antenna gets reduced. For operational frequency band are 2.1-2.4 GHZ, 3.1-3.5GHZ and 5.1-5.4 GHZ. Keywords— Fractal antenna, Sierpinski gasket, monopole antenna, microstrip feed line.
Thermodynamics of canonical ensemble of an ideal gas in presence of Planck-scale effects

This paper investigates the influence of the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) on the thermodynamics of the canonical ensemble of an ideal gas. The partition function is obtained by usingquantum and classical approaches. In the quantum procedure, we use the modified energy spectrum of a particle confined in a three-dimensional well in the presence of GUP. In the classical procedure, the phase space mechanism is employed to obtain the desired partition function. In particular, first-order corrections to the thermodynamical characteristics, such as the mean energy, the entropy, and the density of states, are obtained. Although the induced improvements manifest themselves at very high temperatures, if one applies the predicted observational bound on the GUP deformation parameter, the modifications become more observable even at intermediate temperatures.
Probing the Promises of Noninvasive Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Boosting Mental Performance in Sports

While the importance of physical abilities is noncontested to perform in elite sport, more focus has recently been turned toward cognitive processes involved in sport performance. Practicing any sport requires a high demand of cognitive functioning including, but not limited to, decision-making, processing speed, working memory, perceptual processing, motor functioning, and attention. Noninvasive transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has recently attracted considerable scientific interest due to its ability to modulate brain functioning. Neuromodulation apparently improves cognitive functions engaged in sports performance. This opinion manuscript aimed to reveal that tES is likely an adjunct ergogenic resource for improving cognitive processes, counteracting mental fatigue, and managing anxiety in elite athletes. Nevertheless, the first evidence is insufficient to guarantee its real effectiveness and benefits. All tES techniques could be add-ons to make performance-related cognitive functions more efficient and obtain better results. Modulating inhibitory control through tES over the frontal cortex might largely contribute to the improvement of mental performance. Nevertheless, studies in elite athletes are required to assess the long-term effects of tES application as an ergogenic aid in conjunction with other training methods (e.g., neurofeedback, mental imagery) where cognitive abilities are trainable.
Adverse Neonatal Outcomes and Associated Antenatal Risk Factors – A Matched Case-Control Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital, South India

Introduction: The incidence of neonatal mortality has declined over the past few decades, but it remains a major concern. Identifying risk factors associated with adverse outcomes may help prevent and manage neonatal morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to explore the associated antenatal risk factors among pregnant women delivering in a tertiary care hospital in South India with adverse neonatal outcomes. Material and Methods: This was a hospital-based, matched case-control study among pregnant women belonging to Puducherry and admitted for delivery. Cases were pregnant women who gave birth to adverse neonatal outcomes, while controls were pregnant women who gave birth to alive and healthy babies. Data was collected from various sources, primarily from medical records, and triangulated. Results: Adverse neonatal outcomes were ten times more if pregnant women had placental complications and seven times more for intrauterine growth restriction noted during pregnancy. Pregnant women referred from peripheral care centers had 1.6 times more risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Prior hospital admission during the present pregnancy had a protective effect in the final adjusted analysis. Conclusion: Risk factors should be routinely monitored in all health centers. Women with high-risk pregnancies should be identified earlier, and appropriate care should be provided.
The Effect of UV Irradiation on Rearing Water Quality, Growth, and Survival of European Lobster (Homarus gammarus, L.) Larvae

The successful establishment of European lobster (Homarus gammarus) land-based production is hampered by the high mortality rate during larval development, which can be partially explained by the proliferation of pathogens in the communal tanks commonly used for larval rearing. Therefore, disinfection water treatment could improve the low survival rates frequently recorded in H. gammarus farming. In this study, we evaluated the effect of UV irradiation on the microbial abundance and physicochemical quality of the culture water, as well as on H. gammarus larvae growth and survival reared on a flow-through system for a period of 15 days. Results showed that UV treatment significantly decreased the microbial abundance and reduced the variation in water parameters but did not improve physicochemical water quality (turbidity, ultraviolet transmission, nitrogenous compounds, biochemical, and chemical oxygen demand). Moreover, contrary to the expectations, UV irradiation did not improve but slowed down larvae growth. We initially hypothesized that UV disinfection would enhance the rearing water quality by inactivating bacteria, including potential pathogens, and hence, benefit larvae growth and survival. Our findings suggest that UV disinfection can stabilize the rearing environment but does not benefit H. gammarus larvae rearing, at least in a flow-through system set-up. This could be due to UV disinfection eliminating not only potential harmful pathogens but also other microbial groups important for the establishment of a healthy gut microbiota supporting lobster larvae growth.
Carrier-induced change in refractive index of InP, GaAs and InGaAsP

The change in refractive index Delta n produced by injection of free carriers in InP, GaAs, and InGaAsP is theoretically estimated. Bandfilling (Burstein-Moss effect), bandgap shrinkage, and free-carrier absorption (plasma effect) are included. Carrier concentrations of 10/sup 16//cm/sup 3/ to 10/sup 19//cm/sup 3/ and photon energies of 0.8 to 2.0 eV are considered. Predictions for Delta n are in reasonably good agreement with the limited experimental data available. Refractive index changes as large as 10/sup -2/ are predicted for carrier concentrations of 10/sup 8//cm/sup 3/ suggested that low-loss optical phase modulators and switches using carrier injection are feasible in these materials. >
Confocal theta microscope with three objective lenses

A microscope using three water immersion objective lenses which realizes confocal, 4Pi‐confocal and various confocal theta microscopies in fluorescence, transmission, scattered, and reflection mode is described. An argon‐ion laser is the primary light source. A pulsed titanium‐sapphire laser allows two‐photon absorption fluorescence microscopy. The instrument has a predicted resolution of 100 nm along the illumination axis and a three‐dimensional resolution of 5×106 nm3 for lenses each with a numerical aperture of 0.75. This is an improvement of an order of magnitude over a confocal fluorescence microscope using the same lens. Applications of the microscope range from observation of a sample at three different angles, to confocal theta fluorescence microscopy with multiphoton absorption. Since mounting and immersion media are identical, aberrations become negligible. The large working distance of 2 mm makes the instrument ideal for the observation of biological samples of up to 1.5 mm in diameter such as .
New algorithm for near-infrared diffuse photon imaging in human tissues

A new nonperturbative method for studying diffuse photon imaging using frequency domain continous (CW) near-infrared (NIR) light source is developed. In solving the forward problem, this new method is in principle more accurate than the simple perturbation theory. Based on this method, a new image reconstruction algorithm is developed for the inverse problem. A test of this new imaging algorithm is provided by reconstructing images of cylindrical inclusions in uniform turbid media of cross-sectional sizes comparable to realistic human brains and breasts. Preliminary images obtained represent quite well the dimensions of the actual cylindrical object cross sections, with a spatial resolution of around 0.5 cm.
Targeting Glutaminolysis Shows Efficacy in Both Prednisolone-Sensitive and in Metabolically Rewired Prednisolone-Resistant B-Cell Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Cells

The prognosis for patients with relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cALL) remains poor. The main reason for treatment failure is drug resistance, most commonly to glucocorticoids (GCs). The molecular differences between prednisolone-sensitive and -resistant lymphoblasts are not well-studied, thereby precluding the development of novel and targeted therapies. Therefore, the aim of this work was to elucidate at least some aspects of the molecular differences between matched pairs of GC-sensitive and -resistant cell lines. To address this, we carried out an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis, which revealed that lack of response to prednisolone may be underpinned by alterations in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, amino acid, pyruvate and nucleotide biosynthesis, as well as activation of mTORC1 and MYC signalling, which are also known to control cell metabolism. In an attempt to explore the potential therapeutic effect of inhibiting one of the hits from our analysis, we targeted the glutamine-glutamate-α-ketoglutarate axis by three different strategies, all of which impaired mitochondrial respiration and ATP production and induced apoptosis. Thereby, we report that prednisolone resistance may be accompanied by considerable rewiring of transcriptional and biosynthesis programs. Among other druggable targets that were identified in this study, inhibition of glutamine metabolism presents a potential therapeutic approach in GC-sensitive, but more importantly, in GC-resistant cALL cells. Lastly, these findings may be clinically relevant in the context of relapse—in publicly available datasets, we found gene expression patterns suggesting that in vivo drug resistance is characterised by similar metabolic dysregulation to what we found in our in vitro model.