Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rheological Behaviour of Polypropylene Through Extrusion and Capillary Rheometry

For the past decade, polypropylene (PP) has become one of the most widely use polyolefin especially for intensive activities in research, product development and commercialization. The factor is strongly contributed by the high demands and usage predominantly in food packaging, automotive industries, fabrication of electric and electronic components and currently its utilization in building structural component for civil needs. Despite their variety in terms of its applications, PP has to be brought into melted stage first before it can be transformed into desired shapes. PP possesses relatively high melting point, low density, high tensile modulus and it is relatively low-priced compared to other thermoplastics. In addition, commercial PP consists of generally linear molecular structure thus it can provide low melt strength and exhibits no strain hardening behaviour in the melted stage. This suggests that PP is suitable for injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion processing techniques (Rahima et al., 2011).
Performance evaluation of 2-element arrays of circular patch antennas in indoor clustered MIMO channels

In this paper we present a computationally efficient method to evaluate the performance of circular patch arrays (CPAs) in clustered MIMO channel models. The proposed method is based on bounds to the eigenvalues of the spatial correlation matrix that are shown to depend only on the channel angle spread. From these bounds, we derive a closed-form expression of the MIMO ergodic capacity as a function of the angle spread, which is used to estimate the performance of CPAs in different propagation environments. This method yields dramatic reduction in computational complexity due to the reduced number of channel parameters required for performance evaluation of CPAs. Simulation results show that through this method it is possible to predict the performance of CPAs, with negligible capacity loss (below 2%), for the most practical channel scenarios
Environmental shaping of codon usage and functional adaptation across microbial communities

Microbial communities represent the largest portion of the Earth’s biomass. Metagenomics projects use high-throughput sequencing to survey these communities and shed light on genetic capabilities that enable microbes to inhabit every corner of the biosphere. Metagenome studies are generally based on (i) classifying and ranking functions of identified genes; and (ii) estimating the phyletic distribution of constituent microbial species. To understand microbial communities at the systems level, it is necessary to extend these studies beyond the species’ boundaries and capture higher levels of metabolic complexity. We evaluated 11 metagenome samples and demonstrated that microbes inhabiting the same ecological niche share common preferences for synonymous codons, regardless of their phylogeny. By exploring concepts of translational optimization through codon usage adaptation, we demonstrated that community-wide bias in codon usage can be used as a prediction tool for lifestyle-specific genes across the entire microbial community, effectively considering microbial communities as meta-genomes. These findings set up a ‘functional metagenomics’ platform for the identification of genes relevant for adaptations of entire microbial communities to environments. Our results provide valuable arguments in defining the concept of microbial species through the context of their interactions within the community.
Thirty Meter Telescope Site Testing I: Overview

As part of the conceptual and preliminary design processes of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), the TMT site-testing team has spent the last five years measuring the atmospheric properties of five candidate mountains in North and South America with an unprecedented array of instrumentation. The site-testing period was preceded by several years of analyses selecting the five candidates: Cerros Tolar, Armazones and Tolonchar in northern Chile; San Pedro Mártir in Baja California, Mexico; and the 13 North (13N) site on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Site testing was concluded by the selection of two remaining sites for further consideration, Armazones and Mauna Kea 13N. It showed that all five candidates are excellent sites for an extremely large astronomical observatory and that none of the sites stands out as the obvious and only logical choice based on its combined properties. This is the first article in a series discussing the TMT site-testing project.
Selenoprotein biosynthesis defect causes progressive encephalopathy with elevated lactate

Objective: We aimed to decipher the molecular genetic basis of disease in a cohort of children with a uniform clinical presentation of neonatal irritability, spastic or dystonic quadriplegia, virtually absent psychomotor development, axonal neuropathy, and elevated blood/CSF lactate. Methods: We performed whole-exome sequencing of blood DNA from the index patients. Detected compound heterozygous mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Structural predictions and a bacterial activity assay were performed to evaluate the functional consequences of the mutations. Mass spectrometry, Western blotting, and protein oxidation detection were used to analyze the effects of selenoprotein deficiency. Results: Neuropathology indicated laminar necrosis and severe loss of myelin, with neuron loss and astrogliosis. In 3 families, we identified a missense (p.Thr325Ser) and a nonsense (p.Tyr429*) mutation in SEPSECS, encoding the O-phosphoseryl-tRNA:selenocysteinyl-tRNA synthase, which was previously associated with progressive cerebellocerebral atrophy. We show that the mutations do not completely abolish the activity of SEPSECS, but lead to decreased selenoprotein levels, with demonstrated increase in oxidative protein damage in the patient brain. Conclusions: These results extend the phenotypes caused by defective selenocysteine biosynthesis, and suggest SEPSECS as a candidate gene for progressive encephalopathies with lactate elevation.
Handling structural divergences and recovering dropped arguments in a Korean/English machine translation system

This paper describes an approach for handling structural divergences and recovering dropped arguments in an implemented Korean to English machine translation system. The approach relies on canonical predicate-argument structures (or dependency structures), which provide a suitable pivot representation for the handling of structural divergences and the recovery of dropped arguments. It can also be converted to and from the interface representations of many off-the-shelf parsers and generators.
The New UK Monetary Arrangements: A View from the Literature

This paper considers the likely operating characteristics of the new UK monetary arrangements introduced in May 1997. The paper first argues that the time inconsistency of policy is not an issue provided the Bank of England is properly independent. However, the current inflation remit from the Chancellor to the Bank specifies a numerical target for the inflation rate, but does not specify how quickly deviations from the target are to be corrected. It is thus an incomplete contract, and there is a danger that the Bank may choose to stabilize inflation at the cost of excessively volatile movements in output, or vice versa. The author estimates the optimal policy frontier for the UK economy and show that in practice it is close to rectangular. Consequently all the Bank needs to assume is that the government's preferences are 'reasonable' in order to know approximately where to locate on this frontier; the incompleteness of the remit therefore need not be a cause for concern.
Counting dimensions of L-harmonic functions

In this article, we will consider second order uniformly elliptic operators of divergence form defined on lRi with measurable coefficients. Mainly, we will give estimates on the dimension of space of solutions that grow at most polynomially of degree d. More precisely, in terms of a rectangular coordinate system {xi,. , n}, a second order uniformly elliptic operator of divergence form, L, acting on a function f E H c((RIn) is given by
Incidental Radiologic Findings in the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a common genetic microdeletion syndrome that results in cognitive delays and an increased risk of several psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia. The current study investigates the prevalence of incidental neuroradiologic findings within this population and their relationships with psychiatric conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brain MR imaging from 58 individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome was reviewed by board-certified radiologists by using standard clinical procedures. Intracranial incidental findings were classified into 8 categories and compared with a large typically developing cohort. RESULTS: The rate of incidental findings was significantly higher (P < .0001) in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome compared with typically developing individuals, driven by a high prevalence of cavum septum pellucidum (19.0%) and white matter abnormalities (10.3%). Both of these findings were associated with psychosis in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Cavum septum pellucidum and white matter hyperintensities are significantly more prevalent in patients with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and may represent biomarkers for psychosis.
Testing the three- and four-factor models of the Korean version PCL-R as predictors of two antisocial outcomes – recidivism and risk

ABSTRACT Psychopathy has consistently been associated with antisocial outcomes. The three- and four-factor models have been best fitted to data relating to Korean serious offenders (N = 451), offering construct validity of the Korean Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). However, no study has yet tested the predictive power of the Korean PCL-R to explain two different types of antisocial outcomes: (1) risk of inmates measured by correctional officers during incarceration and (2) recidivism after release. By exploring these two forms of antisociality, here we sought to establish the predictive and construct validities of the Korean version of PCL-R. We found that the deviant lifestyle (Factor 3) performed best for predicting both antisocial forms (risk and recidivism) and that the deficits in interpersonal (Factor 1) and affective (Factor 2) abilities also uniquely predicted one subtype of risk, which suggests the three-factor model is better than the four-factor model in predictions. These findings will be useful for criminal justice experts and practitioners in Korea.
Measuring Real-World Data Availability

This paper examines how server marketing claims of high reliability (e.g., 99.999%) stack up against real world data measurements. Our goals were to: measure discretionary NFS data availability, compare data availability between standalone and clustered systems, and draw some conclusions about best practices for customers.We explain our methodology for measuring, filtering, and categorizing availability-related data. Through careful data and error analysis, we arrive at discretionary NFS data availability estimates for NetApp filers in the real world. We conclude that NetApp clusters provide over four-nines availability in the field.
The impact of the digital divide on e-government use

In ternet use has been growIng steadIly for the past decade. In a recent report, the Pew Internet & American Life Project survey found that 75% of American adults use the Internet.7 As more citizens turn to the Internet as a medium for communication and commerce, the importance of e-government is rising. According to a 2004 report published by the same organization 77% of Internet users, utilized an e-government service in 2003; a 50% growth rate from 2002. Of those who access government information online, 77% search for information on tourism or recreation, 70% perform research for work or school, 63% download forms, and 62% retrieve information on policies or issues. Agencies are responding to the increase in demand by offering citizens more opportunities to interact with the government online. According to Pulliam, agency spending on e-government initiatives is expected to grow 6.9% annually to $5.8 billion by 2009. Defense Department agencies are expected to spend $152 million in 2009 on e-government efforts, up from $115 million in 2004. Further, civilian agencies are predicted to spend $114 million in 2009, up from $86 million in 2004. Proponents of e-government argue that online services offer constituents numerous benefits, including the improved responsiveness, efficiency and transparency of the public sector. Unfortunately, as a result of the digital divide, the entire population may not realize these benefits.
The Gm-equivariant Motivic Cohomology of Stiefel Varieties

We derive a version of the Rothenberg-Steenrod, fiber-to-base, spectral sequence for cohomology theories represented in model categories of simplicial presheaves. We then apply this spectral sequence to calculate the equivariant motivic cohomology of the general linear group with a general Gm-action, this coincides with the equivariant higher Chow groups. Some of the equivariant motivic cohomology of a Stiefel variety with a general Gm-action is deduced as a corollary.
DEGRADATION OF ATRAZINE BY ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESSES

Advanced oxidation processes like ozonation (O3) and ultrasonic irradiation (US) can be employed for the removal of recalcitrant compounds from water matrices. Atrazine is a pesticide which has been banned in the EU countries, since it is toxic and potentially carcinogenic even in very small concentrations. After their use in agricultural areas, the pesticides tend to leave residuals on the soil and in the surface waters or the groundwaters. The degradation of atrazine was studied by scientists before, but they could not get very high removal rates with the conventional wastewater treatment techniques. This study includes the investigation of the efficiency of O3 and US and also of their combined application (US + O3) for the degradation and potential mineralization of atrazine in water. Under the conditions applied, all three systems proved to be effective in inducing atrazine oxidation, leading to 95% removal for O3 and 78% for US after 90 min of treatment. The synergy observed in the combined schemes, mainly due to the effects of US in enhancing the O3 decomposition, led to higher removal (100%) for 20 min treatment. The synergy was so efficient that the results showed significantly higher removal level for shorter treatment duration.
The Impact of Electronic Word of Mouth on Consumers' Purchasing Decisions

substantial growth in online social networks has vastly expanded the potential impact of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on consumer purchasing decisions. A critical literature review exposed that there is limited research on the impact of online consumer reviews on online purchasing decisions of Saudi Arabian consumers. This research reports on results of a study on the effects of online reviews on Saudi citizens' online purchasing decisions. The results show that Saudi Internet shoppers are very much influenced by eWOM, and that a larger percentage of them are dependent on such online forums when making decisions to purchase products through the Internet. General Terms E-commerce, online shopping reviews. Keywordsword of mouth; eWOM; online WOM; online consumer reviews; Saudi Arabia.
Using Statistics to Search and Annotate Pictures: an Evaluation of Semantic Image Annotation and Retrieval on Large Databases

We present the results of an extensive experimental evaluation of the supervised multi-class labeling (SML) model for semantic image annotation proposed by [16]. We test the robustness of this model to various parameters, and its scalability in both database and vocabulary size. The results of this study complement previous evaluations by [12], and [16], which were limited to smaller databases and vocabularies. We further compare the performance of SML to that of a model that explicitly trades off retrieval performance for scalability: the supervised category-based labeling (SCBL) model of [14]. This establishes a unifying view of the performance of two classes of labeling and retrieval systems that were previously only evaluated under different experimental protocols. This unification simplifies the evaluation of future proposals for semantic labeling and retrieval.
Acute effects of alcohol on inhibition

This thesis set out to investigate whether individual differences in concentrations of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) could predict the extent of alcohol induced impairment to measures of behavioural inhibition. However, investigations in to the reliability of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods to measure GABA, and of the stop signal reaction time (SSRT) demonstrated that neither measure was sufficiently reliable to be used in correlational research. Instead, this thesis first investigated the effects of alcohol on neuronal oscillations measured by magnetoencephalography (MEG) in the gamma frequency band that are associated with GABA. In response to a visual stimulus alcohol was found to increase gamma power and decrease gamma frequency in the visual cortex. In response to a motor stimulus increases in gamma power were also observed over the motor cortex whilst intoxicated. During resting state recordings alcohol was found to increase power in central, parietal and occipital areas across a number of frequency bands and also to alter activity across functional resting state networks including the fronto-parietal, visual and motor networks. Secondly, alcohol was found to impair behavioural inhibition in line with previous literature. However, this effect was smaller than expected and did not extend from the manual response domain to saccadic responses. It was also found that the stop signal task was not exclusively measuring behavioural inhibition where alcohol also affected action-updating abilities. In the saccadic version of the stop signal task it was found that a saccadic inhibition effect was also present indicating top-down behavioural inhibition is aided by bottom-up automatic inhibition. Altogether this body of work provides a basis for future research wishing to investigate the relationship between acute effects of alcohol on GABAergic functioning and impulsivity in order to better inform intervention and prevention treatments.
Right and left heart pressures in acute myocardial infarction.

In dogs the effects of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on right and left heart pressure relationships were studied. Right atrial pressure was a poor predictor of left heart pressures. Pulmonary artery end-diastolic, left atrial, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures tended to equalize in normals (except with tachycardia) and after AMI. In a previously scarred left ventricle, however, after superimposed AMI and marked elevations in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, prominent atrial impact waves resulted in this being appreciably higher than the other two pressure measurements.
The Quest for Parsimony in Behavioral Economics: New Methods and Evidence on Three Fronts

Behavioral economics identifies myriad deviations from classical economic assumptions about consumer decision-making, but lacks evidence on how its diverse phenomena fit together and whether they are amenable to modeling as low-dimensional constructs. We pursue such parsimony on three fronts, with success on two and instructive failure on the third. Elicitation parsimony reduces impediments to data collection by streamlining standard methods for directly measuring a person’s behavioral tendencies. We do so for 17 potentially behavioral factors per individual in a large, nationally representative sample, and several sets of results indicate that our streamlined elicitations yield low-cost, high-quality data. Behavioral sufficient statistic parsimony aggregates information across behavioral factors, within-person, to create two new lower-dimensional, consumer-level measures of behavioral tendencies. These statistics usefully capture cross-sectional variation in behavioral tendencies, strongly and negatively correlating with a rich index of financial condition even after (over-)controlling for demographics, classical risk attitudes and patience, cognitive skills including financial literacy, and survey effort. Our quest for common factor parsimony largely fails: within-consumer correlations between behavioral factors tend to be low, and the common factor contributing to all 17 behavioral factors within-individual is weakly identified and does not help explain outcomes conditional on the other covariates. Altogether our results provide many new insights into behavioral factors: their distributions, inter-relationships, distinctions from classical factors, and links to outcomes. Our findings also support the two leading approaches to modeling behavioral factors—considering them in relative isolation, and summarizing them with reduced-form sufficient statistics—and provide data and methods for honing both approaches.
Emerging role of microRNA-21 in cancer (Review)

: MicroRNAs (miRs) are a class of single-stranded RNA molecules of 15-27 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression at the post-translational level. miR-21 is one of the earliest identified cancer-promoting 'oncomiRs', targeting numerous tumor suppressor genes associated with proliferation, apoptosis and invasion. The regulation of miR-21 and its role in carcinogenesis have been extensively investigated. Recent studies have focused on the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-21 as well as its implication in the drug resistance of human malignancies. The further use of miR-21 as a biomarker and target for cancer treatments is likely to improve the outcome for patients with cancer. The present review highlights recent findings associated with the importance of miR-21 in hematological and non-hematological malignancies.
Multi-channel lidar processing for lane detection and estimation

Lane recognition is a function which is needed for a variety of driver assistance systems. For example Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping rely on information provided by a lane estimation algorithm. One important step of the lane estimation procedure is the extraction of measurements or detections which can be used to estimate the shape of the road or lane. These detections are generated by white lane markers or the road border itself. Lane estimation has for many years been under heavy development using a gray scale camera. Passive camera based systems can be degraded on its performance under certain circumstances, e.g. at dynamic changes of ambient brightness. The fusion with an active sensor can here increase the robustness of these systems significantly. In this paper an approach is presented to detect lane marks using an active light detection and ranging device (lidar). It can be shown that high reflective lane marks can be reliably detected. A polar Lane Detector Grid is used to combine the distance and intensity measurement channel of the lidar sensor.
Case studies on testing object-oriented programs

This paper describes a new approach to testing objectoriented programs, a set of tools based on this approach, and two case studies. Test cases consist of pairs of sequences of methods, along with a tag indicating whether those sequences should put objects of the class under test into the same abstract state, Experimental prototypes of tools for test generation and test execution are described. The test generation tool requires the availability of an algebraic specification of the abstract data type being tested, but the test execution tool can be used when no formal specification is available. Case studies involving execution of a large number of test cases, with various sequence lengths, parameters, and combinations of operations were performed.