Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combustion quality analysis of briquettes from variety of agricultural waste as source of alternative fuels

The increasing in world population and the industrial sector led to increased demand for energy sources. To do this by utilizing the agricultural waste as a fuel source of alternative energy in the form of bio briquette. The aim at this study was to obtain data onto the characteristics of a wide variety of biomass briquettes from waste agricultural industry. The basic ingredients used are biomass waste from coconut husks, sawdust, rice husks and coffee husks. Each of these biomass residues are dried, crushed, then mixed with starch adhesives. This mixture is molded and dried using sunlight. Each type of briquettes was characterized and analyzed the physical-chemical properties, including calorific value, water content, fixed carbon content and the results were compared with charcoal and coal that was used as fuel in public. The results showed that bio briquettes from coconut husks get the highest calorific value of 4,451 cal/g.
The colour of fossil feathers

Feathers are complex integumentary appendages of birds and some other theropod dinosaurs. They are frequently coloured and function in camouflage and display. Previous investigations have concluded that fossil feathers are preserved as carbonized traces composed of feather-degrading bacteria. Here, an investigation of a colour-banded feather from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil revealed that the dark bands are preserved as elongate, oblate carbonaceous bodies 1–2 μm long, whereas the light bands retain only relief traces on the rock matrix. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed that the dark bands preserve a substantial amount of carbon, whereas the light bands show no carbon residue. Comparison of these oblate fossil bodies with the structure of black feathers from a living bird indicates that they are the eumelanin-containing melanosomes. We conclude that most fossil feathers are preserved as melanosomes, and that the distribution of these structures in fossil feathers can preserve the colour pattern in the original feather. The discovery of preserved melanosomes opens up the possibility of interpreting the colour of extinct birds and other dinosaurs.
Resistance assessment of beam-to-column joints with different blind bolt systems

Blind bolted connections enable simple joining of various beams to tubular columns. In the parametric analysis several different blind bolts systems were compared through the example of I-beam-to-hollow section column joint with extended endplate. 1155 combinations of parameters defining behaviour of considered joint type were analysed. The size of a bolthole or more precisely blind bolt geometry has major effect on joint resistance. The most common failure mode is bending of the column flange. In the cases where the thickness of the endplate is lower than or equal to the thickness of the column wall, endplate most frequently fails by bending. Obviously the use of an elliptical yield line mechanism and appreciation of the membrane action effect increase the joint resistance. It is suggested to investigate further the membrane action effect with the use of elliptical yield line mechanism especially in the region where the failure mode changes.
Network Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease: Refining the Disconnection Hypothesis

Much effort in recent years has focused on understanding the effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on neural function. This effort has resulted in an enormous number of papers describing different facets of the functional derangement seen in AD. A particularly important tool for these investigations has been resting-state functional connectivity. Attempts to comprehensively synthesize resting-state functional connectivity results have focused on the potential utility of functional connectivity as a biomarker for disease risk, disease staging, or prognosis. While these are all appropriate uses of this technique, the purpose of this review is to examine how functional connectivity disruptions inform our understanding of AD pathophysiology. Here, we examine the rationale and methodological considerations behind functional connectivity studies and then provide a critical review of the existing literature. In conclusion, we propose a hypothesis regarding the development and spread of functional connectivity deficits seen in AD.
Kinematic Analysis of Healthy Hips during Weight-Bearing Activities by 3D-to-2D Model-to-Image Registration Technique

Dynamic hip kinematics during weight-bearing activities were analyzed for six healthy subjects. Continuous X-ray images of gait, chair-rising, squatting, and twisting were taken using a flat panel X-ray detector. Digitally reconstructed radiographic images were used for 3D-to-2D model-to-image registration technique. The root-mean-square errors associated with tracking the pelvis and femur were less than 0.3 mm and 0.3° for translations and rotations. For gait, chair-rising, and squatting, the maximum hip flexion angles averaged 29.6°, 81.3°, and 102.4°, respectively. The pelvis was tilted anteriorly around 4.4° on average during full gait cycle. For chair-rising and squatting, the maximum absolute value of anterior/posterior pelvic tilt averaged 12.4°/11.7° and 10.7°/10.8°, respectively. Hip flexion peaked on the way of movement due to further anterior pelvic tilt during both chair-rising and squatting. For twisting, the maximum absolute value of hip internal/external rotation averaged 29.2°/30.7°. This study revealed activity dependent kinematics of healthy hip joints with coordinated pelvic and femoral dynamic movements. Kinematics' data during activities of daily living may provide important insight as to the evaluating kinematics of pathological and reconstructed hips.
A computer vision based vehicle detection and counting system

A vehicle detection and counting system plays an important role in an intelligent transportation system, especially for traffic management. This paper proposes a video-based method for vehicle detection and counting system based on computer vision technology. The proposed method uses background subtraction technique to find foreground objects in a video sequence. In order to detect moving vehicles more accurately, several computer vision techniques, including thresholding, hole filling and adaptive morphology operations, are then applied. Finally, vehicle counting is done by using a virtual detection zone. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed vehicle counting system is around 96%.
Surrogate solutions of Fredholm equations by feedforward networks

Surrogate solutions of Fredholm integral equations by feedforward neural networks are investigated theoretically. Convergence of surrogate solutions computable by networks with increasing numbers of computational units to theoretically optimal solutions is proven and upper bounds on rates of convergence are derived. The results hold for a variety of computational units, they are illustrated by examples of perceptrons and Gaussian radial units.
Functional dissection of two Arabidopsis PsbO proteins

PsbO protein is an extrinsic subunit of photosystem II (PSII) and has been proposed to play a central role in stabilization of the catalytic manganese cluster. Arabidopsis thaliana has two psbO genes that express two PsbO proteins; PsbO1 and PsbO2. We reported previously that a mutant plant that lacked PsbO1 (psbo1) showed considerable growth retardation despite the presence of PsbO2 [Murakami, R. , Ifuku, K. , Takabayashi, A. , Shikanai, T. , Endo, T. , and Sato, F. (2002) FEBS Lett523, 138–142]. In the present study, we characterized the functional differences between PsbO1 and PsbO2. We found that PsbO1 is the major isoform in the wild‐type, and the amount of PsbO2 in psbo1 was significantly less than the total amount of PsbO in the wild‐type. The amount of PsbO as well as the efficiency of PSII in psbo1 increased as the plants grew; howeVER, it neVER reached the total PsbO level observed in the wild‐type, suggesting that the poor activity of PSII in psbo1 was caused by a shortage of PsbO. In addition, an in vitro reconstitution experiment using recombinant PsbOs and urea‐washed PSII particles showed that oxygen evolution was better recoVERed by PsbO1 than by PsbO2. Further analysis using chimeric and mutated PsbOs suggested that the amino acid changes Val186→Ser, Leu246→Ile, and Val204→Ile could explain the functional difference between the two PsbOs. Therefore we concluded that both the lower expression level and the inferior functionality of PsbO2 are responsible for the phenotype observed in psbo1.
An analysis of measures of effect size by age of onset in cancer genomewide association studies

Many of the genetic variants identified via genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) appear to have larger parameter estimates for younger onset cancers compared with adult onset cancers. We used data from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHRGI) Catalog of Published GWAS to test the hypothesis that the magnitude of the parameter estimates is larger in younger onset compared to adult onset cancers. We found that the odds ratios in individuals categorized as childhood or young adult cancers were significantly higher than the odds ratios in individuals with adult cancers. The presence of larger effect sizes may mean that the variants associated with younger onset cancers explain a greater proportion of the population attributable risk estimates than the SNPs associated with adult onset cancers, which could improve early detection, treatment, and/or prevention. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fragile and Enduring Positive Affect: Implications for Adaptive Aging

There is robust evidence linking interindividual differences in positive affect (PA) with adaptive psychological and physical health outcomes. However, recent research has suggested that intraindividual variability or fluctuations in PA states over time may also be an important predictor of individual health outcomes. Here, we report on research that focuses on PA level and various forms of PA dynamics (variability, instability, inertia, and reactivity) in relation to health. PA level refers to the average level of positive feelings. In contrast, PA dynamics refer to short-term changes in PA that unfold over time. We discuss how consideration of both PA level and PA dynamics can provide a framework for reconciling when high PA is conducive or detrimental to health. We conclude that more work on PA dynamics is needed, especially in combination with PA level, and suggest productive questions for future inquiry in this area.
A Stellar Population Gradient in VII Zw 403: Implications for the Formation of Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies

We present evidence for the existence of an old stellar halo in the blue compact dwarf galaxy VII Zw 403. VII Zw 403 is the first blue compact dwarf galaxy for which a clear spatial segregation of the resolved stellar content into a core-halo structure is detected. Multicolor Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 (HST/WFPC2) observations indicate that active star formation occurs in the central region, but is strikingly absent at large radii. Instead, a globular-cluster-like red giant branch suggests the presence of an old (>10 Gyr) and metal-poor ( = -1.92) stellar population in the halo. While the vast majority of blue compact dwarf galaxies have been recognized to possess halos of red color in ground-based surface photometry, our observations of VII Zw 403 establish for the first time a direct correspondence between a red halo color and the presence of old, red giant stars. If the halos of blue compact dwarf galaxies are all home to such ancient stellar populations, then the fossil record conflicts with delayed-formation scenarios for dwarfs.
Error Metrics for Business Process Models

Little research has been conducted so far on causes for errors in business process models. In this paper we investigate on how mainly domain independent factors such as the size or complexity of models influence errors observed in a wide range of existing business process models. In particular, we provide a set of six metrics presumably related to the comprehensibility of both the process model structure and the process state space, and discuss their capability to predict errors in the SAP reference model. The results show that already the three metrics size, separability, and structuredness suffice to achieve a high Nagelkerke R value of 0.853 demonstrating a good predictive efficacy.
Assessment and classification of never operated and recurrent cryptoglandular fistulas‐in‐ano using hydrogen peroxide enhanced transanal ultrasound

Classification and visualization of fistula‐in ano is used to determine surgical treatment according to the type of fistula, predict the recurrence rate and incontinence risk and compare the results of treatment published in literature. Hydrogen peroxide enhanced transanal ultrasound (HPUS) with the peroxide introduced through the external opening of the fistula gives a clear and accurate visualization of the track in relation to the sphincters. The aim of this study was to review never operated and recurrent cryptoglandular fistulas‐in‐ano visualized with the aid of HPUS in order to establish the anatomical differences.
Awaking Blood Pressure Surge and Progression to Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Normotensive Diabetic Patients

Background. We investigated the predictive value of morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) on the development of microalbuminuria in normotensive adults with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Methods. Prospective assessments of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and urinary albumin excretion were performed in 377 adult patients. Multivariate-adjusted Cox regression models were used to assess hazard ratios (HRs) between baseline and changes over follow-up in MBPS and the risk of microalbuminuria. The MBPS was calculated as follows: mean systolic BP during the 2 hours after awakening minus mean systolic BP during the 1 hour that included the lowest sleep BP. Results. After a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, microalbuminuria developed in 102 patients. An increase in MBPB during follow-up was associated with an increased risk of microalbuminuria. Compared to individuals in the lowest tertile (−0.67 ± 1.10 mmHg), the HR and 95% CI for microalbuminuria in those in the highest tertile of change (24.86 ± 6.92 mmHg) during follow-up were 17.41 (95% CI 6.26–48.42); p for trend <0.001. Mean SD MBPS significantly increased in those who developed microalbuminuria from a mean [SD] of 10.6 [1.4] to 36.8 [7.1], p < 0.001. Conclusion. An increase in MBPS is associated with the risk of microalbuminuria in normotensive adult patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cluster based Statistical Anomaly Intrusion Detection for Varied Attack Intensities

In today's Internet paradigm, the type of intrusion attacks becomes crucial in presenting effective improvement to anomaly intrusion attacks. Anomaly Traffic hacker attacks combined with traditional network intruders was a serious threat to network security. The existing work on intrusion detection and prevention of traffic attacks take much time, before which the intruder is spread across the network. The sensing mechanism in addition to rejection of an attack against intruders and keeps no record of the cause of the attack and its effects. In same time the actual happening of the attack detection method was left over unnoticing. This motivates to develop an effective attack mechanism of the cluster based anomaly intrusion detection.
Chandra Detections of SCUBA Galaxies around High-z Radio Sources

The most massive galaxies in the present-day universe are the giant elliptical galaxies found in the centers of rich clusters. These have old, coeval stellar populations, suggesting they formed at high redshift, and are expected to host supermassive black holes (SMBHs). The recent detection of several high-redshift radio galaxies (HzRGs) at submillimeter wavelengths confirms that some massive galaxies may indeed have formed the bulk of their stellar populations in spectacular dust-enshrouded starbursts at high redshift. In this paper we compare sensitive Chandra X-ray images—which identify actively fueled SMBHs—and submillimeter observations—capable of detecting obscured activity in luminous galaxies at high redshift—of the environments of three HzRGs. These observations exhibit overdensities of X-ray sources in all three fields and a close correspondence between the Chandra and submillimeter populations. This suggests that both substantial star formation and nuclear activity may be occurring in these regions. We identify possible pairs of Chandra sources with each of two submillimeter sources, suggesting that their ultraluminous activity may be triggered by the interaction of two massive galaxies, each of which hosts an accreting SMBH. The presence of two SMBHs in the resulting remnant is predicted to produce a flattened stellar core in the galaxy, a morphological signature frequently seen in luminous cluster elliptical galaxies. Hence, the confirmation of pairs of Chandra sources within individual, luminous submillimeter galaxies would provide additional evidence that these galaxies at z ~ 2-4 are the progenitors of the giant elliptical galaxies found in clusters at the present day.
Interface Structure of Diblock Copolymer Brushes and Surface Dynamics of Homopolymer Brushes and Bilayers of Untethered Chains on Brushes

The main objective of the work presented in this dissertation is to understand the internal structure and surface dynamics of diblock copolymer brushes (DCBs). DCBs have garnered enormous interest in recent years due to their stimuli-responsive behavior. The characteristics of a surface of a DCB can be changed reversibly from those of one type to those of another by using a selective solvent for one block. There has not been any experimental study to prove either the dry state structure or the surface rearranged structure or the mechanism of that rearrangement. Understanding the dynamics of the brush/air interface and internal interfaces is also important to understanding the switching mechanism, and the dynamics at the air surface have further implications for wetting, friction and adhesion. Using neutron reflectivity (NR), we have resolved the internal structure of DCBs of polystyrene-b-poly(methyl acrylate) (PS-b-PMA) and PMA-b-PS. The internal brush structure depends strongly on the block sequence and the value of χN ( χ: Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, N : length of the chains). For dPS-b-PMA films, when χN ≤ 23, a model of two layers with an interfacial region of finite width provides a good description of the data. When χN is higher, a third layer must be included in the model. A third layer is consistent with the presence of a lateral ordering in the center of the brush, as evidenced by correlation peaks in grazing incidence small angle scattering (GISAXS) data from these samples. For PMA-b-dPS samples,
Loss of MCT1, MCT3, and MCT4 expression in the retinal pigment epithelium and neural retina of the 5A11/basigin-null mouse.

PURPOSE The neural retina expresses multiple monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) that are likely to play a key role in the metabolism of the outer retina. Recently, it was reported that targeting of MCT1 and -4 to the plasma membrane requires association with 5A11/basigin (CD147). In the present study, the hypothesis that reduced amplitudes in the electroretinograms in the 5A11/basigin null mouse (Bsg(-/-)) may be linked to altered expression of MCTs was studied. METHODS The expression and subcellular distribution of MCTs in Bsg(-/-) mice was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy with isoform-specific antibodies. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot analysis, and mRNA expression was examined with RT-PCR. RESULTS Immunofluorescence labeling of tissue sections from the Bsg(-/-) mice revealed a dramatic reduction in labeling with MCT antibodies. There was a loss of MCT1 labeling in the apical membrane of the RPE and in the neural retina. MCT3, which is expressed in the basolateral membrane of the RPE wild-type mouse, was expressed at very low levels in both the apical and basolateral membranes of the Bsg(-/-) mouse. There was no change in expression or distribution of the glucose transporter (GLUT)-1 in the RPE and retina of the Bsg(-/-) mouse. Western blot analysis of detergent-soluble lysates prepared from wild-type and Bsg(-/-) eyes confirmed that the levels of MCT1, MCT3, and MCT4 protein were severely reduced in Bsg(-/-) mice. RT-PCR analyses of mRNA levels from wild-type and Bsg(-/-) mice demonstrated that the MCT1 transcript was expressed at normal levels in Bsg(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS In Bsg(-/-) mice, there is a severe reduction in accumulation of the MCT1 and -3 proteins in the RPE and a concomitant reduction in MCT1 and -4 in the neural retina supporting a role for 5A11/basigin in the targeting of these transporters to the plasma membrane. Decreased expression of MCT1 and -4 on the surfaces of Müller and photoreceptor cells may compromise energy metabolism in the outer retina, leading to abnormal photoreceptor cell function and degeneration.
Evaluating stakeholder awareness and involvement in risk prevention of aquatic invasive plant species by a national code of conduct.

In 2010, Dutch stakeholders signed a code of conduct to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive plant species. This voluntary agreement between the government and horticulture sector (i.e. plant nurseries and retailers) has the objective to ban the sale of invasive species and to increase public awareness and stakeholder involvement in measures to prevent new introductions of potential invaders. Public outreach campaigns included flyers and posters displayed in stores and labelling of non-native plant species with warning logos and messages on harmful effects and appropriate disposal. We evaluated several measures issued in the Dutch code of conduct by performing ex ante a n d ex posterior surveys and interviews with relevant stakeholder groups. Compliance of retailers and producers concerning species on sale and proper labelling was monitored annually by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Interviews with aquarists and water gardeners provided the first quantitative evidence in the Netherlands that 2–3% of these hobbyists deliberately introduced non-native aquatic plants in surface water. A survey of retail professionals identified limited availability of information and lack of salesman’s knowledge on the species lists issued in the code of conduct as major impediments for their engagement. Furthermore, low frequency of meetings and lack of guidance were major obstacles identified by the partners assembled in the code of conduct. Overall, compliance to species bans showed promising results, however, problems were identified with correct labelling of species. We conclude by listing opportunities to improve voluntary regulations for preventing non-native species introductions.