Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Combination of MR Elastography and Proton Density Fat Fraction Improves Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide. It is subdivided into nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and the more aggressive form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which carries a higher risk of developing fibrosis and cirrhosis. There is currently no reliable non‐invasive method for differentiating NASH from NAFL.
External Mechanical Work in Runners With Unilateral Transfemoral Amputation

Carbon-fiber running-specific prostheses have enabled individuals with lower extremity amputation to run by providing a spring-like leg function in their affected limb. When individuals without amputation run at a constant speed on level ground, the net external mechanical work is zero at each step to maintain a symmetrical bouncing gait. Although the spring-like “bouncing step” using running-specific prostheses is considered a prerequisite for running, little is known about the underlying mechanisms for unilateral transfemoral amputees. The aim of this study was to investigate external mechanical work at different running speeds for unilateral transfemoral amputees wearing running-specific prostheses. Eight unilateral transfemoral amputees ran on a force-instrumented treadmill at a range of speeds (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% of the average speed of their 100-m personal records). We calculated the mechanical energy of the body center of mass (COM) by conducting a time-integration of the ground reaction forces in the sagittal plane. Then, the net external mechanical work was calculated as the difference between the mechanical energy at the initial and end of the stance phase. We found that the net external work in the affected limb tended to be greater than that in the unaffected limb across the six running speeds. Moreover, the net external work of the affected limb was found to be positive, while that of the unaffected limb was negative across the range of speeds. These results suggest that the COM of unilateral transfemoral amputees would be accelerated in the affected limb’s step and decelerated in the unaffected limb’s step at each bouncing step across different constant speeds. Therefore, unilateral transfemoral amputees with passive prostheses maintain their bouncing steps using a limb-specific strategy during running.
Genetic and Environmental Architecture of Five Factor Model and Super-Factors: An Italian Twin Study

Abstract No previous research explored the genetic and environmental structure of Big Five dimensions of personality and higher-order factors in a single twin study, except, in part, for just one study. We used the twin design to estimate the effects of genes and environment on both Five Factor model and related second- and third-order factors (i.e., Alpha [stability], Beta [plasticity], and GFP [general factor of personality]). We analyzed data from 314 adult twins (157 pairs: 83 monozygotic, 74 dizygotic; mean age: 52 years) enrolled in the Italian Twin Register. Participants underwent clinical and instrumental evaluations, and completed a 25-adjective list drawn from the Short Adjectives Checklist to Measure Big Five (SACBIF). We applied quantitative genetic models to unravel the sources of variation and covariation for the Big Five and higher-order factors. We found a similar etiological architecture across the different levels of analysis, with moderate to substantial non-additive genetic and unique environmental influences on all the personality traits, and no shared environmental contribution for any of them. We also detected significant genetic correlations for the Big Five dimensions and the Alpha and Beta super-factors. With some limitations, our results suggest that the etiological architecture of personality may be invariant to the factor level of analysis.
Adaptive multi-sensor biomimetics for unsupervised submarine hunt (AMBUSH): Early results

Underwater surveillance is inherently difficult because acoustic wave propagation and transmission are limited and unpredictable when targets and sensors move around in the communication-opaque undersea environment. Today's Navy underwater sensors enable the collection of a massive amount of data, often analyzed offtine. The Navy of tomorrow will dominate by making sense of that data in real-time. DRDC's AMBUSH project proposes a new undersea-surveillance network paradigm that will enable such a real-time operation. Nature abounds with examples of collaborative tasks taking place despite limited communication and computational capabilities. This publication describes a year's worth of research efforts finding inspiration in Nature's collaborative tasks such as wolves hunting in packs. This project proposes the utilization of a heterogeneous network combining both static and mobile network nodes. The military objective is to enable an unsupervised surveillance capability while maximizing target localization performance and endurance. The scientific objective is to develop the necessary technology to acoustically and passively localize a noise-source of interest in shallow waters. The project fulfills these objectives via distributed computing and adaptation to changing undersea conditions. Specific research interests discussed here relate to approaches for performing: (a) network self-discovery, (b) network connectivity self-assessment, (c) opportunistic network routing, (d) distributed data-aggregation, and (e) simulation of underwater acoustic propagation. We present early results then followed by a discussion about future work.
A Delphi study to explore the adoption of servitization in UK companies

This paper explores and rationalises the process of servitization adoption across manufacturing firms. A Delphi research methodology has been applied to capture evidence and opinion from 33 senior executives, in 28 different sized organisations, from a cross section of British industry. The findings focus on five areas: (1) servitization and advanced services, (2) transformation: stimulus, drivers and organisational change, (3) impact on the customer and manufacturer, (4) enablers and inhibitors and (5) potential for business and the economy. Six findings are presented and collectively these contribute to our understanding of the broader change management processes that transform manufacturers to compete through advanced services.
Research on the System for Coal Mine Disasters Prevention Based on Modularization Heterogeneous Multi-Robot

A novel system based on the technology of Modularization Heterogeneous Multi-robot System(MHMRS)is advanced to meet the needs of the coal mine disasters prevention. The multi-robot system consists of a lot of member robots which are made up of basic modules with known function by the means of modularization. The characteristics of the new system are that: simple configuration, small volume and various structures of modules. The rule to utilize the robots to monitor the equipment integrity and the on-site unsafely behaviors is put forward, and emergency temporary network is adopted to decrease the risk of the existing manual rescue and increase the ability of the rescue system.
A Geometric Approach to Strapdown Magnetometer Calibration in Sensor Frame

Abstract In this work a new algorithm is derived for the onboard calibration of three-axis strapdown magnetometers. The proposed calibration method is written in the sensor frame, and compensates for the combined effect of all linear time-invariant distortions, namely soft iron, hard iron, sensor non-orthogonality, bias, among others. A Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) is formulated to iteratively find the optimal calibration parameters that best fit to the onboard sensor readings, without requiring external attitude references. It is shown that the proposed calibration technique is equivalent to the estimation of an ellipsoidal surface, and that the sensor alignment matrix is given by the solution of the orthogonal Procrustes problem. Good initial conditions for the iterative algorithm are obtained by a suboptimal batch least squares computation. Simulation and experimental results with low-cost sensors data are presented, supporting the application of the algorithm to autonomous vehicles and other robotic platforms.
The Application of Sequential Pattern Mining Techniques on MIMIC-IV

The paper studies the application of sequential pattern mining techniques to medical data from MIMIC-IV, a large healthcare dataset. Sequences of prescribed drugs to a large number of patients are analyzed in order to find out if there are patterns or temporal relationships which are general or specific to a particular disease. The PrefixSpan and Spade algorithms were applied to mine sequential patterns on all sequences or on a subset of them. The extracted patterns could be used to suggest the next prescribed drug. The experimental results show that the predictions obtained have a good accuracy for some diagnoses.
CELL CULTURE IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL LATTICES OF HYDRATED COLLAGEN FIBRILS − ITS PROGRESS AND PERSPECTIVES

Cell culture methodology has been utilized as a powerful tool to characterize cells with a presupposition that the cells in culture faithfully reproduce their in vivo phenotypes. However, it is generally recognized that the cells cultured currently by the most commonly utilized two-dimensional (2D) monolayer technology exhibit different phenotypes from those in living tissues. Cultivation of cells in three-dimensional (3D) lattices of collagen fibrils (collagen gel culture) has been thought to overcome the shortages of 2D cell culture such that the cells behave as in vivo by interacting with not only nearby other cells but also by surrounding extracellular matrices. A remarkable outcome of studies on collagen gel culture was a demonstration of contractile nature of the cells. One of the not-fully appreciated issues about the 3D cell culture is the effect of fluid flow through the collagen gels on cells’ phenotypes. In this review, we make a short overview of historical and current studies of the collagen gel culture from a viewpoint of ‘how we can more correctly extract the cell-related phenomena in living tissues/organs by in vitro culture technology, placing an emphasis on the importance of stimuli caused by flow of cell culture medium. ’
Prediction of successful performance from fielding indicators in cricket: Champions League T20 tournament

The aim of this study was to examine the association between fielding indicators and successful performance in cricket. Ten teams qualified for competition in the Champions League T20 (2012, South Africa), which was observed and analysed. Looking at three fielding indicators including ground fielding, catching and return throw within the two different areas (inside and outside the 30yd circle). The Sportscode (Sportstec Ltd 3.5.3, Australia) software was used for data collection. A step-wise discriminant analysis was used for prediction of successful performance (winning and losing a match) from fielding indicators. The results showed that fielding indicators were significant predictors (χ2 = 10.60, df = 2, p < 0.01) of the match outcome. The results of a follow-up test showed that catches inside the 30yd circle (r = 0.81) and outside the 30yd circle (r = 0.85) were significant predictors of match outcome. In conclusion, the successful execution of the catching skill during a game, regardless of the location, could facilitate the team performance at the elite level. Implications of these findings for coaches include showing the importance of the catching skill to predict match outcome, therefore this should be focussed upon throughout the age groups to elite level in training.
TOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF SYNTHETIC CHALCONES WITH ANTILEISHMANIAL POTENTIAL IN BALB/c MICE

Objective: To evaluate the toxicity of three synthetic chalcones administered intraperitoneally to BALB/c mice. Materials and methods: The median lethal dose (LD50) was estimated by Dixon’s Up-and-Down method. Subchronic toxicity of chalcones was evaluated at 20 and 40 mg/kg for 21 days. Behavioral, physiological, biochemical, and histological toxic effects were evaluated. Results: Chalcone 43 produced mucus in feces, visceral damage (liver) and alterations in organ coefficient (kidney, p = 0.037 and brain, p = 0.008) when compared to the control group. In addition, histological analysis showed that this chalcone produced edema, inflammation and necrosis in the evaluated organs, although there was no significant difference with the control. None of the biochemical parameters differed significantly between the treatment groups at 40 mg/kg dose and the control. Conclusions: The LD50 for all three chalcones was greater than 550 mg/kg of body weight. Chalcones 40 and 42 were found to be relatively non-toxic. Both can be considered safe for intraperitoneal application in BALB/c mice and, consequently, are potential candidates for use in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
Effects of ventilation flushout on indoor air quality in a newly constructed office building

Abstract Washington State building specifications require that all newly constructed public buildings be flushed out with fresh air at ambient temperature for 90 days prior to occupancy in an attempt to reduce air contaminants thought to be associated with construction materials and new furnishings. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of such a flushout in a new office building. Biweekly environmental measurements were taken to examine trends over the 90-day period. Air sampling stations were established at four locations in a new office building; each station was equipped to measure simultaneously selected aldehydes and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, particulates, temperature, and humidity. Aldehydes and other VOCs measured were reduced midway through the flushout, but increased to the end of the flushout once furniture was installed. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that this flushout procedure offers only minimal potential as a means to reduce a.
Resonant silicon sensors

This paper is a review of the design and fabrication of resonant sensors that are based on resonating silicon structures. Some of the design aspects that control the performance of the resonator sensor are analysed. The most important aspects are: resonator materials, fabrication technology, type of resonator, mode of vibration, quality of vibration and temperature stability. Q-factor-reducing damping factors are discussed and the different techniques that are available for excitation and detection of the vibration of the resonator are described. Descriptions of published resonant silicon sensors are presented.
An Automated Conflict Alert System and Its Impact on the Air Traffic Controller - an Explorative Field Study

This study aims at investigating the impact of a recently implemented short term conflict alert system in Swedish air traffic control. The main issue is whether controllers have changed their way of working after the introduction of the new system and to look for potential risk factors. Observations, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect information from working controllers. Results show no change in work procedures except for the fact that controllers have increased the amount of information given to pilots. A tendency was found for experienced controllers to look more often at alerts in other sectors than less experienced controllers did, which might be a potential risk factor.
Lining pressure for circular tunnels in two layered clay with anisotropic undrained shear strength

ABSTRACT In this paper, the required limiting pressure to be offered by the lining of circular tunnels formed in clay overlain by another clay layer under undrained condition has been computed. Both the layers are anisotropic in nature from the shear strength point of view. The upper layer is considered relatively either weaker or stronger than the lower layer i.e. undrained anisotropic shear strength of upper layer is relatively either smaller or greater than that of lower layer. Lower bound limit analysis coupled with finite element formulation and second order cone programming has been employed to perform the analysis. For different thickness of upper layer above crown of tunnel, the limiting lining pressure to maintain stability of tunnel has been obtained by varying thickness of lower clay layer, anisotropic parameters, normalised overburden pressure, undrained cohesion and unit weight of upper layer relative to lower layer. The solutions obtained from this analysis reveal that anisotropy in shear strength has significant effect on the required lining pressure to keep tunnel in stable condition.
Modeling and experimental validation of the performance of a silicon XY-microstage driven by PZT actuators

In this paper, the design and evaluation of silicon-based PbZrTiO3 (PZT) driven XY-microstages with total dimensions of 20 × 20 × 0.4 mm3 are presented. The PZT actuator has the advantage of having high accuracy and high intrinsic resonance frequency. However, its displacement is very small; thus Moonie amplification mechanisms are integrated to magnify the displacement. Finite element method simulation is carried out to obtain the microstage performance and identify its design parameters. It is demonstrated that an amplification factor of up to 18 times is possible using the silicon Moonie amplification mechanism, resulting in displacements of 82 µm and 60 µm at an applied voltage of 70 V for the X and Y directions, respectively. Furthermore, this microstage produces resonance frequencies of 261 Hz and 642 Hz in the X and Y directions, respectively.
Determination of Weave Type in Woven Fabric by Digital Image Processing

Weave types of commercial woven fabrics were determined by analysing the two-dimensional Fourier transformation patterns of the reflected images. Data collection and data analysis were done by image processing system based on a microcomputer. The relationships between the structural units of weave types and the Fourier power spectra are summarized as follows: (1) structural unit is observed in the unit cell defined by the neighboring two warp yarns and two filling yarns in Fourier space, (2) weave harrness is obtained by counting the number of power spectra inside the unit cell, (3) structural unit is equivalent to the Fourier power spectrum arrangement of the reflected image rotated by 90 degree. A woven fabric made of the cross combination of the warp and filling yarns has a two-dimensional lattice structure. To study the fabric structure, it is useful to observe the periodic arrangement of the surface contours associated with the yam faces or the geometrical intersticies enclosed by neighboring two yams. They have an effect on the optical and mechanical properties of the fabric. In practice, the quality of the woven product is related to the geometrical shape of the lattice structure and their irregularity distribution, and the visual and handling properties are also related to the surface contours of the fabric. The fabric analysis is made to determine the fabric structure. The real time data processing and the automatical method for the detection and discrimination are required in place of the manual measurement. We have mainly studied an optical image evaluation on the periodic arrangement of the fabric structure by observing the optical diffraction pattern. In the previous papers, we have described the detection of fabric defects l'21, the discrimination among fabric defects131, and the local irregularity under uniaxial extension~41 In these above analysis, the two-dimensional arrangement defined by yam intersticies have been investigated. The surface contour pattern is also one of the periodic arrangement defined by the structral unit arrangement, i.e. weave type. The weave type of a woven fabric is constructed by the repetition in space of a structural unit defined by the warp and filling faces. The theoretical studies of the construction for the complete design have been made by several investigators~s-71 Numerical method for constructing the complete weaves has
Improvement of Transductive Support Vector Machine and its Application to Enhance Antifreeze Heat Transfer Capability in Ground Source Heat Pump System

To solve the problem of enhancing the heat transfer capability of antifreeze mixture in a ground source heat pump system, the existing Transductive Support Vector Machine (TSVM) model was updated into an improved TSVM model. Also, a new method of mixed antifreeze heat transfer capability classification was given in the paper by analyzing antifreeze [1] heat transfer capability of the ground source heat pump system and applying the improved TSVM model.
Unified approach to developing single-stage power converters

A unified approach to developing single-stage power converters which can fulfil multiple functions is presented. Four synchronous switches corresponding to the four common node types of two active switches are introduced. The approach is then to replace the active switches in multistage converters (in cascade or cascode connection) with one or several of the synchronous switches and their degenerated versions to form a single-stage converter. Illustrations of using these switches to develop single-stage converters are presented. These are started with the development of the well-known single-stage switch-mode converters (SMCs), buck-boost, Cuk, sepic, and Zeta (also named dual sepic), from the basic converters, buck and boost. Then, synthesis and applications of other single-stage converters are addressed. Due to increased component stresses, the developed single-stage converters are primarily suitable for applications with moderate power levels.
Just‐in‐time implementation in the Scottish electronics industry

Central Scotland has been successful in replacing many of its traditional industries with a network of over 300 electronics manufacturers and suppliers creating the area popularly known as “Silicon Glen”. Silicon Glen appears to be a very suitable site for the implementation of just‐in‐time (JIT) production systems with both electronics manufacturers and suppliers concentrated in the same geographical area. Contrasts the theory and practice of JIT implementation in “Silicon Glen” and assesses its success in six companies currently operating JIT production systems. The main conclusion is that JIT has been implemented in a variety of forms, with companies selecting the aspects of JIT that are most suitable for their manufacturing process and competitive strategy. JIT is proving highly successful and is bringing substantial gains in quality and efficiency.
Dual-frequency slotted rectangular microstrip antenna

By embedding a pair of properly-bent narrow slots close to the non-radiating edges of a rectangular microstrip patch, a novel dual-frequency operation of microstrip antennas using a single probe feed is proposed and experimentally studied. The two operating frequencies have parallel polarisation planes and similar broadside radiation patterns, and the frequency ratio of the two frequencies is controlled by the bent angle of the embedded slots. Details of the obtained dual-frequency performance are presented and discussed.