Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How far can simulation be used to improve inter-team dynamics between emergency teams?

Due to a small population in Iceland first responder teams in different areas must often work together in challenging and hazardous situations. Therefore, responders must know and trust each other’s abilities and strengths. Various responders have different: leadership, culture, structure and more due to being full-time professionals, part-time professionals or volunteers. Different responder teams must make an effort to gain insight to the other teams, and therefore the teams must practice working together. Real-life simulations and another kind of learning methods are a good way for teams to learn how other teams operate and communicate. To investigate this the research question “How far can simulation be used to improve inter-team dynamics between emergency teams in Iceland? ” To inquire into this first, there was held a large car crash simulation with over 200 responders from 7 different responder teams. A questionnaire was handed out which responders answered and returned the simulation. Secondly, to widen the perspective eight leaders from various responder teams were interviewed. Much data was collected through these interviews which gave a good insight on how the situation is today and how it has improved through the years. Research shows that simulations and other learning methods are valuable and useful to improve relations between responder teams. It also showed that other things like culture, structure, procurement amongst other things would also have to be looked at and should be investigated further.
Establishing Pertinence between Sorting Algorithms Prevailing in n log(n) time

Data is the new fuel. With the expansion of global technology, the increasing living standards, and modernization, data values have caught great height. Nowadays, nearly all top MNCs feed on data. Now, storing all this data is a prime concern for all of them, which is relieved by the Data Structures, the systematic way of storing data. Now, once these data are stored and charged in secure vaults, it’s time to utilize them most efficiently. Now, many operations need to be performed on these massive chunks of data, like searching, sorting, inserting, deleting, merging, and so more. In this paper, we would be comparing all the major sorting algorithms, that have prevailed to date. Further, work has been done and inequality in the dimension of time between the three Sorting algorithms, operational in n log(n) time, Merge, Quick, and Heap, that have been discussed in the paper have been proposed.
Challenges in the fabrication of fibre Bragg gratings in silica and polymer microstructured optical fibres

This paper reviews the state‐of‐the‐art of grating fabrication in silica and polymer microstructured optical fibres. It focuses on the difficulties and challenges encountered during photo‐inscription of such gratings and more specifically on the effect of the air hole lattice microstructure in the cladding of the fibre on the transverse coupling of the coherent writing light to the core region of the fibre. Experimental and computational quantities introduced thus far to assess the influence of the photonic crystal lattice on grating writing efficiency are reviewed as well, together with techniques that have been proposed to mitigate this influence. Finally, early proposals to adapt the microstructure in view of possibly enhancing multi‐photon grating fabrication efficiency are discussed.
Sliding‐mode observer based sensorless vector control of LFSPM motor for long‐distance drive system

A new series of linear flux-switching permanent magnet (LFSPM) motors has elicited considerable attention. This series incorporates the merits of the high efficiency of permanent magnet linear motors and the low cost of linear switched reluctance motors for a long-distance drive system. However, the vector control of the LFSPM motor requires an expensive and unreliable linear encoder, which must be as long as the entire railway (or at least the whole linear motor). Such a large encoder will lead to extra costs and will even weaken the benefit of the motor performance. Thus, developing its sensorless control for engineering applications is necessary. Sliding-mode sensorless control has the advantage of strong robustness to parameter variations and external disturbances, as well as high dynamic performance, which is important for long-distance drive systems. The proposed algorithms can extend the minimum operating speed, thereby enabling the motor to work at a lower speed. Both simulation and experimental results are provided for verification.
The principle of maximum entropy production in a simple model of a convection cell

A simple, discrete, two-dimensional, computer model of a convection cell is described that is qualitatively accurate, but not designed to be quantitatively accurate. The model can be used to simulate relaxation to equilibrium as well as steady-state processes. A principle of maximum entropy production is formulated for non-equilibrium statistical systems: close to a bifurcation, the stable branch is the one on which the system produces entropy at the greatest rate. In order to test this principle, the model is used to simulate convection and to simulate the relaxation to equilibrium of a fluid with a non-uniform initial heat distribution. The following results are found: Close to the bifurcation from conduction-dominated to mixing-dominated behaviour, a fluid in a gravitational field with non-uniform heat distribution relaxes to equilibrium by the path that maximizes entropy production: the mixing-dominated path. Close to every investigated bifurcation in the behaviour of the simulated convection cell, the stable mode is the available steadystate mode that maximizes entropy production. Thesis Supervisor: Michel Baranger Title: Professor of Physics
Quantifying electron scattering by electrostatic solitary waves in the Earth's bow shock

The electrostatic fluctuations are always present in the Earth's bow shock at frequencies above about 100 Hz, but the effects of this wave activity on electron dynamics have not been quantified yet. In this paper, we quantify electron pitch-angle scattering by electrostatic solitary waves, which make up a substantial part of the electrostatic fluctuations in the Earth's bow shock and were recently shown to be predominantly ion holes. We present analytical estimates and test-particle simulations of electron pitch-angle scattering by ion holes typical of the Earth's bow shock and conclude that this scattering can be rather well quantified within the quasi-linear theory. We use the observed distributions of ion hole parameters to estimate pitch-angle scattering rates by the ensemble of ion holes typical of the Earth's bow shock. We use the recently proposed theory of stochastic shock drift acceleration to show that pitch-angle scattering of electrons by the electrostatic fluctuations can keep electrons in the shock transition region long enough to support acceleration of thermal electrons by a factor of a few tens, that is up to a few hundred eV. Importantly, the electrostatic fluctuations can be more efficient in pitch-angle scattering of [Formula: see text] keV electrons, than typically observed whistler waves.
Clustering with an N-dimensional extension of Gielis superformula

Clustering is the task which allows us to identify groups, distributions or patterns over a set of data. To achieve it we must, first, adopt a measure of likelihood which allows us to group elements of similar characteristics into two or more such clusters. Presently there are several clustering algorithms which appeal to various metrics among which there outstand the ones based on Minkowski's and Mahalanobis' distances. In general this approach yields hyperspherical forms which restrict the fact that some clusters may be represented by irregular N-dimensional bodies. In this paper we use a formula originally developed by Johan Gielis which has been called the "superformula". It allows the generation of N-dimensional bodies of arbitrary shape by modifying certain parameters. This approach allows us to represent a cluster as the set of data contained in a given body without resorting to a metric of distance. Therefore, we replace the idea of nearness by one of membership. To determine the more adequate values of the parameters in the superformula we applied a Genetic Algorithm (GA); the so called Vasconcelos" GA.
Modelagem numérica do comportamento sísmico da barragem de rejeitos Otapara, Peru

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o comportamento dinâmico de uma barragem de rejeitos, localizada em Arequipa, Peru, para três sismos de projeto ajustados ao espectro de resposta obtido de estudo de ameaça sísmica. Os resultados da análise numérica pelo método dos elementos finitos foram comparados com valores do fator de segurança contra liquefação determinado por método empírico. Na modelagem numérica, o comportamento mecânico dos rejeitos foi simulado com o modelo constitutivo elastoplástico UBC3D-PLM, capaz de estimar o potencial de liquefação dinâmica de materiais granulares submetidos a carregamentos cíclicos. ABSTRACT: This work aims to evaluate the dynamic behavior of a tailings dam, located in Arequipa, Peru, for three earthquakes adjusted to the response spectrum obtained from a seismic hazard investigation. The results of the numerical analysis by the finite element method were compared with values of the safety factor against liquefaction determined by an empirical method. In the numerical model the mechanical behavior of the tailings was simulated with the UBC3D-PLM elastoplastic constitutive model, capable of estimating the dynamic liquefaction potential of granular materials subjected to cyclic loads. The main aspects analyzed in the research were the displacement fields, history and final distribution of the poropressure parameter (ru), spectral accelerations and the history of vertical displacements. Safety factors for static, pseudo-static and post-earthquake conditions were also determined. The numerical model allowed to identify the areas with potential for dynamic liquefaction and to assess the stability of the dam for the three earthquakes considered in this research.
A Survey of Feature Set Reduction Approaches for Predictive Analytics Models in the Connected Manufacturing Enterprise

The broad context of this literature review is the connected manufacturing enterprise, characterized by a data environment such that the size, structure and variety of information strain the capability of traditional software and database tools to effectively capture, store, manage and analyze it. This paper surveys and discusses representative examples of existing research into approaches for feature set reduction in the big data environment, focusing on three contexts: general industrial applications; specific industrial applications such as fault detection or fault prediction; and data reduction. The conclusion from this review is that there is room for research into frameworks or approaches to feature filtration and prioritization, specifically with respect to providing quantitative or qualitative information about the individual features in the dataset that can be used to rank features against each other. A byproduct of this gap is a tendency for analysts not to holistically generalize results beyond the specific problem of interest, and, related, for manufacturers to possess only limited knowledge of the relative value of smart manufacturing data collected.
Performance analysis of multiple input converter for standalone photovoltaic system

Multiple-input converters (MICs) are receiving significant popularity in hybridisation of energy sources especially for renewable energy integration and vehicular electrification. In the last decade, several MIC topologies have been proposed; however, application-oriented implementation and its in-depth analysis in terms of reliability, stability, sensitivity, efficiency and voltage-current stress along with fault tolerant operation has been ignored. Thus, intensive investigation in terms of different performance attributes is crucial for the selection of application-oriented MIC topology. Therefore, in this study, comprehensive investigation of an MIC for providing a clear picture of the landscape of various performances attributes has been carried out for photovoltaic application considering source dynamics in addition to source and load end intermittencies. The presented system offers a modular structure, flexible control and reliable operation with a simple and compact design. The proposed work examines the stability of the presented converter besides investigating reliability profile, and also focuses on determining the effect on load voltage with respect to input and output perturbations along with loss distribution analysis for determining the efficiency of the converter. The controller designed has been experimentally validated with the solar emulator and dSPACE 1103 real-time digital controller. Furthermore, the topology has been compared with recently published topologies qualitatively and quantitatively.
Nanotechnologies in Obstetrics and Cancer during Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Nanotechnology, the art of engineering structures on a molecular level, offers the opportunity to implement new strategies for the diagnosis and management of pregnancy-related disorders. This review aims to summarize the current state of nanotechnology in obstetrics and cancer in pregnancy, focusing on existing and potential applications, and provides insights on safety and future directions. A systematic and comprehensive literature assessment was performed, querying the following databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Endbase. The databases were searched from their inception to 22 March 2022. Five independent reviewers screened the items and extracted those which were more pertinent within the scope of this review. Although nanotechnology has been on the bench for many years, most of the studies in obstetrics are preclinical. Ongoing research spans from the development of diagnostic tools, including optimized strategies to selectively confine contrast agents in the maternal bloodstream and approaches to improve diagnostics tests to be used in obstetrics, to the synthesis of innovative delivery nanosystems for therapeutic interventions. Using nanotechnology to achieve spatial and temporal control over the delivery of therapeutic agents (e.g., commonly used drugs, more recently defined formulations, or gene therapy-based approaches) offers significant advantages, including the possibility to target specific cells/tissues of interest (e.g., the maternal bloodstream, uterus wall, or fetal compartment). This characteristic of nanotechnology-driven therapy reduces side effects and the amount of therapeutic agent used. However, nanotoxicology appears to be a significant obstacle to adopting these technologies in clinical therapeutic praxis. Further research is needed in order to improve these techniques, as they have tremendous potential to improve the accuracy of the tests applied in clinical praxis. This review showed the increasing interest in nanotechnology applications in obstetrics disorders and pregnancy-related pathologies to improve the diagnostic algorithms, monitor pregnancy-related diseases, and implement new treatment strategies.
High Predictive Value of the Soluble ZEBRA Antigen (Epstein-Barr Virus Trans-Activator Zta) in Transplant Patients with PTLD

The ZEBRA (Z EBV replication activator) protein is the major transcription factor of EBV, expressed upon EBV lytic cycle activation. An increasing body of studies have highlighted the critical role of EBV lytic infection as a risk factor for lymphoproliferative disorders, such as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). We studied 108 transplanted patients (17 PTLD and 91 controls), retrospectively selected from different hospitals in France and in the Netherlands. The majority of PTLD were EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, five patients experienced atypical PTLD forms (EBV-negative lymphomas, Hodgkin’s lymphomas, and T-cell lymphomas). Fourteen patients among the seventeen who developed a pathologically confirmed PTLD were sZEBRA positive (soluble ZEBRA, plasma level above 20 ng/mL, measured by an ELISA test). The specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of the sZEBRA detection in plasma were 98% and 85%, respectively. Considering a positivity threshold of 20 ng/mL, the sensitivity of the sZEBRA was 82.35% and the specificity was 94.51%. The mean of the sZEBRA values in the PTLD cases were significantly higher than in the controls (p < 0.0001). The relevance of the lytic cycle and, particularly, the role of ZEBRA in lymphomagenesis is a new paradigm pertaining to the prevention and treatment strategies for PTLD. Given the high-specificity and the predictive values of this test, it now appears relevant to investigate the lytic EBV infection in transplanted patients as a prognostic biomarker.
A 0.7-mW LC Voltage-Controlled Oscillator Leveraging Switched Biasing Technique for Low Phase Noise

A 0.8-V low-phase-noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) by using 0.18- ${\mu }\text{m}$ CMOS process was proposed for a 2-GHz sliding-IF receiver. A noise filtering technique is utilized to reduce the thermal noise. Moreover, a switched biasing technique with gate voltage controlling is introduced for further lowering the phase noise and power consumption. By using a 3-bit binary-weighted switched capacitor array, the proposed VCO can achieve wide frequency tuning range. The measured results show the phase noise at 1 MHz offset frequency from the carrier signal is −123 dBc/Hz. The frequency tuning range is from 1.28 to 1.53 GHz. The power consumption is lower than 0.7 mW. The figure of merit is −193 dB.
How Does Added Mass Affect the Gait of Middle-Aged Adults? An Assessment Using Statistical Parametric Mapping

To improve exoskeleton designs, it is crucial to understand the effects of the placement of such added mass on a broad spectrum of users. Most prior studies on the effects of added mass on gait have analyzed young adults using discrete point analysis. This study quantifies the changes in gait characteristics of young and middle-aged adults in response to added mass across the whole gait cycle using statistical parametric mapping. Fourteen middle-aged and fourteen younger adults walked during 60 s treadmill trials under nine different loading conditions. The conditions represented full-factorial combinations of low (+3.6 lb), medium (+5.4 lb), and high (+10.8 lb) mass amounts at the thighs and pelvis. Joint kinematics, kinetics and muscle activations were evaluated. The young and middle-aged adults had different responses to added mass. Under pelvis loading, middle-aged adults did not adopt the same kinematic responses as younger adults. With thigh loading, middle-aged adults generally increased knee joint muscle activity around heel strike, which could have a negative impact on joint loading. Overall, as age may impact the user’s response to an exoskeleton, designers should aim to include sensors to directly monitor user response and adaptive control approaches that account for these differences.
Assessment of the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of etazolate in cultured human lymphocytes

Etazolate is a pyrazolopyridine compound that exhibits a range of pharmacological mechanisms, including inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 activity and modulation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling pathway. Etazolate has shown promising results in treating depression, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease in animal models and clinical trials. However, limited information is available regarding its genotoxicity and cytotoxicity to human cells. Therefore, the current study aims at testing the effect of etazolate on the genetic material using two genotoxicity assays. In addition, the study aims to evaluate the effect of etazolate on the mitotic index (MI) of cultured human lymphocytes. Different concentrations of etazolate (0.01, 1, 10, and 50 µM) were used. Genotoxicity was assessed using the chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay, and oxidative DNA damage was assessed using the 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) assay, while cytotoxicity was assessed using the MI assay. Treatment of cultured human lymphocytes with etazolate did not induce CAs at all concentrations examined ( p > 0.05). In addition, the normal level of 8-OHdG detected in the control group was not affected by etazolate treatment ( p > 0.05). Furthermore, no effect was observed for etazolate on the MI ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, current results indicate that etazolate is neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic to cultured human lymphocytes using the indicated assays at the examined concentrations.
RAPID COMMUNICATION: NMR microscopy of dynamic displacements: k-space and q-space imaging

The superposition of pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) and NMR imaging experiments results in a spin density image which is phase and amplitude modulated according to the local self-correlation function for nuclear spin displacements over the time between the PGSE gradient pulses. It is shown that such an experiment can image both static and dynamic spin displacements, the reciprocal space for these image spaces being termed k-space and q-space respectively. Simultaneous imaging of diffusion and flow at microscopic resolution is demonstrated and the Poiseuille velocity distribution agrees well with the velocity map obtained for the motion of water in a 0.7 mm capillary tube.
Nonevaporable getter-MEMS for generating UHV conditions in small volumina

The industrial use of quantum sensors requires further miniaturization of the experimental peripherals, i.e., the high vacuum chamber, laser technology, and control electronics. A central part of the high vacuum chamber is the maintenance of vacuum conditions. For this purpose, a prototype of a compact, i.e., miniaturized, ultrahigh vacuum pump in the form of a nonevaporable getter (NEG) pump at a wafer level (MEMS), is developed within the scope of this work. With regard to the basic conditions of the functionality of the NEG, a miniaturized heating plate with temperature sensors is analytically and numerically developed, constructed, and characterized in an ultrahigh vacuum test stand. This is followed by the integration of the NEG into the existing system, which, in connection with the characterization of material-specific parameters, enables a first correlation of heat input and pumping power. Thus, performance data of the getter-MEMS under high-vacuum confinement confirm its usability for quantum sensors. In addition, optimization potentials are shown with regard to all partial aspects of the MEMS.