Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Framework for a Modal Logic Programming

In this paper we present a framework for developing modal extensions of logic programming,which are parametric with respect to the properties chosen for the modalities and which allow sequences of modalities of the form [t], where t is a term of the language, to occur in front of clauses, goals and clause heads. The properties of modalities are speci(cid:12)ed by a set A of inclusion axioms of the form [t1]:::[tn](cid:11) (cid:27) [s1]:::[sm](cid:11). The language can deal with many of the well-known modal systems and several examples are provided. Due to its features, it is particularly suitable for performing epistemic reasoning, de(cid:12)ning parametric and nested modules, describing inheritance in a hierarchy of classes and reasoning about actions. A goal directed proof procedure of the language is presented, which is modular with respect to the properties of modalities. Moreover, we de(cid:12)ne a (cid:12)xpoint semantics, by generalizing the standard construction for Horn clauses, which is used to prove soundness and completeness of the operational semantics with respect to model theoretic semantics, and it works for the whole class of logics identi(cid:12)ed by the inclusion axioms.
Algebraic Characterizations for Universal Fragments of Logic

In this paper we address our efforts to extend the well‐known connection in equational logic between equational theories and fully invariant congruences to other–possibly infinitary–logics. In the special case of algebras, this problem has been formerly treated by H. J. Hoehnke [10] and R. W. Quackenbush [14]. Here we show that the connection extends at least up to the universal fragment of logic. Namely, we establish that the concept of (infinitary) universal theory matches the abstract notion of fully invariant system. We also prove that, inside this wide group of theories, the ones which are strict universal Horn correspond to fully invariant closure systems, whereas those which are universal atomic can be characterized as principal fully invariant systems.
The Role of Retained Austenite and Its Carbon Concentration on Elongation of Low Temperature Bainitic Steels at Different Austenitising Temperature

The influence of austenitising temperature on the tensile properties of low temperature bainitic steel was investigated. With the increasing austenitising temperature, a significant change of elongation was found between 850 and 950 °C, which was changed from 1.0 ± 0.5 to 10.7 ± 2.0%; while there was a slight increase between 950 to 1050 °C (11.2 ± 1.5%). By characterising the retained austenite at necking and matrix, we found that the elongation is obviously correlated with the retained austenite content, and also determined by the volume change of retained austenite during the tensile test. The transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect, which contributes to the improve elongation, almost did not occur at 850 °C due to the relatively low volume percentage of retained austenite and its high carbon concentration, which resulted in a very low martensite transformation temperature. With the austenitising, the temperature was increased up to 950 and 1050 °C, and a large volume percentage of retained austenite was observed in the matrix. Meanwhile, a considerable amount of retained austenite has occurred by the TRIP effect because of a moderate carbon content.
Education, Earnings, and Fixed-Term Contracts.

We explore the relationship between education, earnings and fixed-term contracts using data from the 1997 British Social Attitudes Survey and the 1997 International Social Survey Programme . We find that workers employed under such contracts earn significantly lower wages than their ‘permanent’ contract counterparts, even after controlling for a plethora of personal and job characteristics. This may be indicative of wage discrimination against fixed-term contract employees. On the other hand, our results also highlight some benefits to fixed-term employment such workers are relatively less likely to find work stressful and to return home from work exhausted. In addition, our results allude to possible asymmetries in the relationship between education and earnings across this two-tier system, with educational attainment playing a more prominent signaling role in the case of ‘permanent’ contract employees.
Performance of magnetic resonance elastography in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Liver stiffness (LS) measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is emerging as an important biomarker in chronic liver diseases. We examined the diagnostic performance of MRE, factors associated with an increased LS and the prognostic value of LS as measured by MRE among patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Multiple Sclerosis; Is there Any Association?

Background: Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) deficiency can result in some clinical and paraclinical characteristics similar to what is seen in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the controversial association between vitamin B12 deficiency and MS. Methods: We measured serum vitamin B12 in 60 patients with MS and 38 healthy controls. Clinical disability was evaluated according to the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Serum B12 concentration was measured with Radioimmunoassay Dual Isotope method. The cutoff value for low serum vitamin B12 concentrations was 75 pg/mL. Patients were in remission at the time of blood draw. Results: There were 13 (21.6%) MS patients and 10 (26.3%) controls with low serum B12 concentration with no significant difference between the groups; P>0.05. The mean serum vitamin B12 concentration in MS patients (108.9±45.3 pg/mL) was not significantly different compared with controls (98.9±44.4 pg/mL); P=0.284. Likewise, there was no correlation between the concentration of serum vitamin B12 and disease’ age of onset, duration, subtypes, or disability status. Conclusions: In contrast to some previous reports, our findings did not support any association between B12 deficiency and MS.
Acquisition of Antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites and Malaria Immunity in Young Children and the Influence of Age, Force of Infection, and Magnitude of Response

ABSTRACT Individuals in areas of Plasmodium falciparum endemicity develop immunity to malaria after repeated exposure. Knowledge of the acquisition and nature of protective immune responses to P. falciparum is presently limited, particularly for young children. We examined antibodies (IgM, IgG, and IgG subclasses) to merozoite antigens and their relationship to the prospective risk of malaria in children 1 to 4 years of age in a region of malaria endemicity in Papua New Guinea. IgG, IgG1, and IgG3 responses generally increased with age, were higher in children with active infection, and reflected geographic heterogeneity in malaria transmission. Antigenic properties, rather than host factors, appeared to be the main determinant of the type of IgG subclass produced. High antibody levels were not associated with protection from malaria; in contrast, they were typically associated with an increased risk of malaria. Adjustment for malaria exposure, using a novel molecular measure of the force of infection by P. falciparum, accounted for much of the increased risk, suggesting that the antibodies were markers of higher exposure to P. falciparum. Comparisons between antibodies in this cohort of young children and in a longitudinal cohort of older children suggested that the lack of protective association was explained by lower antibody levels among young children and that there is a threshold level of antibodies required for protection from malaria. Our results suggest that in populations with low immunity, such as young children, antibodies to merozoite antigens may act as biomarkers of malaria exposure and that, with increasing exposure and responses of higher magnitude, antibodies may act as biomarkers of protective immunity.
Preconditioners for the discretized time‐harmonic Maxwell equations in mixed form

We introduce a new preconditioning technique for iteratively solving linear systems arising from finite element discretization of the mixed formulation of the time‐harmonic Maxwell equations. The preconditioners are motivated by spectral equivalence properties of the discrete operators, but are augmentation free and Schur complement free. We provide a complete spectral analysis, and show that the eigenvalues of the preconditioned saddle point matrix are strongly clustered. The analytical observations are accompanied by numerical results that demonstrate the scalability of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Heat Treatment Condition on the Characteristics of MnO2 Added-Fe2TiO5 Ceramics for NTC Thermistors Using Local Iron Oxide

A study on the effect of heat treatment condition on the characteristics of MnO2 added-Fe2TiO5 ceramics for NTC thermistor has been carried out. The ceramics were produced by pressing an homogenous mixture of Fe2O3 (local/ yarosite), TiO2 and MnO2 (2.0 mole %) powders in appropriate proportions to produce Fe2TiO5 based ceramics and sintering the pressed powder at 1050 °C for 3 hours in oxygen gas. Some sintered pellets were heat treated by heating them at 300 °C for 5, 15 and 25 minutes in Ar + 7% H2 gas. The XRD analyses showed that the Fe2TiO5 ceramics with and without heat treatment time had orthorhombic structure. No peak from second phase was observed from the XRD profiles. From the electrical characteristics data, it was known that the heat treatment could change the electrical characteristics of the Fe2TiO5 based-thermistor. The thermistor constant (B) and room temperature resistivity (ρRT) decreased with the increasing of heat treatment time. All ceramics made had thermistor characteristics namely B = 3459-7596 K and ρRT = 1.056-6936.062 MΩcm. Thermistor constant of the ceramics was relatively big, indicated that ceramics made from local iron oxide in this work fit the market requirement for NTC thermistor.
Extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma and aggressive NK cell leukaemia: evidence for their origin on CD56+bright CD16−/+dim NK cells

Summary Mature natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms are classified by the World Health Organization into extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) and aggressive NK cell leukaemia (ANKL). In order to propose their normal NK cell counterparts, we reviewed the literature on the phenotype of the neoplastic NK cells from five series of patients with ENKTL (n = 411) and seven series of patients with ANKL (n = 114) and compared with that of the normal and activated mature CD56+ NK cell subsets. The tumour NK cells usually express brightly the CD56 adhesion molecule and CD94 lectin type killer receptor, and have an activation-related (cytoplasmic CD3&egr;+, CD7−/+dim, CD45RO+, HLA-DR+) phenotype; in contrast, CD16 and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors are frequently negative, and CD57 expression is almost never observed. These phenotypic features would suggest that ENKTL and ANKL cells do represent the neoplastic counterpart of the mature CD56+bright NK cells, which undergo activation and malignant transformation after Epstein–Barr virus infection.
Second cancer incidence in primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma treated with methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin regimen with or without rituximab and mediastinal radiotherapy: Results from a monoinstitutional cohort analysis of l

Our aim is to assess the incidence of second cancer in long‐time surviving primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma (PMBCL) patients treated with combined radiochemoimmunotherapy (standard methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin with rituximab and mediastinal radiation therapy at a dose of 30 to 36 Gy). For this purpose, 92 points were evaluated. After a median overall survival of 137 months (range 76‐212), we recorded second cancer in 3 of 80 long‐surviving patients (3.75%) with cumulative incidence of 3.47% at 15 years and 11% at 17 years, with a 17‐year second cancer‐free survival of 82%. We observed 2 papillary thyroid cancers with a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 7.97 and an absolute excess risk (AER) of 17. 84 and 1 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an SIR of 66.53 and an AER of 10.05. No breast cancer occurred. Although we should take into account the limits of the proposed statistical analysis, combined modality treatment was related to a significant SIR and AER for thyroid cancer and acute myeloid leukemia.
Structural learning of dynamic Bayesian networks in speech recognition

We present a speech modeling methodology where no a priori assumption is made on the dependencies between the observed and the hidden speech processes. Rather, dependencies are learned form data. This methodology guaranties improvement in modeling fidelity compared to HMMs. In addition, it gives the user a control on the trad-off between modeling accuracy and model complexity. Furthermore, the approach is technicaly very attractive because all the computational effort is made in the traning phase.
Evaluating the buffering capacity of various soft drinks, fruit juices and tea

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to measure the initial pH of various commonly used beverages and to determine their ability to maintain a low pH by measuring their buffering capacities. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve commercially available drinks were taken and divided into four groups (preserved fruit juices, tea, mineral water and carbonated drinks. Each group comprised of three drinks. Their initial pH were measured with pH meter and their buffering capacities were measured by adding 1M NaOH in the increments of 0.2 ml into 100 ml of each drink till the pH raised to 5.5 and 7 respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The volume of NaOH required to raise the pH to 5.5 and 7 were recorded in all the groups. This data was subjected to statistical analysis using Mann- Whitney tests. RESULTS Total titratable acidity measurement shows that among all the drinks, there was no significant difference between carbonated drinks and preserved fruit juices while a significant difference was present between carbonated drinks, preserved fruit juices and tea. CONCLUSION In this in vitro study, it was found that packaged apple juice had the most buffering capacity with maximum erosive potential whereas green tea had the least.
Preoperative risk factors in total thyroidectomy of substernal goiter

The definition of substernal goiter (SG) is based on variable criteria leading to a considerable variation in the reported incidence (from 0.2% to 45%). The peri- and postoperative complications are higher in total thyroidectomy (TT) for SG than that for cervical goiter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative risk factors associated with postoperative complications. From 2002 to 2014, 142 (8.5%; 98 women and 44 men) of the 1690 patients who underwent TT had a SG. We retrospectively evaluated the following parameters: sex, age, histology, pre- and retrovascular position, recurrence, and extension beyond the carina. These parameters were then related to the postoperative complications: seroma/hematoma, transient and permanent hypocalcemia, transient and permanent laryngeal nerve palsy, and the length of surgery. The results were further compared with a control group of 120 patients operated on in the same period with TT for cervical goiter. All but two procedures were terminated via cervicotomy, where partial sternotomies were required. No perioperative mortality was observed. Results of the statistical analysis (Student’s t-test and Fisher’s exact test) indicated an association between recurrence and extension beyond the carina with all postoperative complications. The group that underwent TT of SG showed a statistically significant higher risk for transient hypocalcemia (relative risk =1.767 with 95% confidence interval: 1.131–2.7605, P=0.0124, and need to treat =7.1) and a trend toward significance for transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (relative risk =6.7806 with 95% confidence interval: 0.8577–53.2898, P=0.0696, and need to treat =20.8) compared to the group that underwent TT of cervical goiter. TT is the procedure to perform in SG even if the incidence of complications is higher than for cervical goiters. The major risk factors associated with postoperative complications are recurrence and extension beyond the carina. In the presence of these factors, greater care should be taken.
E-commerce usage and business performance in the Malaysian tourism sector: empirical analysis

Purpose – Based upon the E‐VALUE model developed, this paper aims to investigate the impact of e‐commerce usage on business performance in the tourism sector.Design/methodology/approach – A cross‐sectional survey is carried out on 165 Malaysian firms involved in the tourism sector (hotels, resorts, and hospitals engaged in health tourism) through the use of a structured questionnaire.Findings – The structural equation modeling results indicate that technology competency, firm size, firm scope, web‐technology investment, pressure intensity, and back‐end usage have significant influence on e‐commerce usage. Among these variables, back‐end integration is found to function as a mediator. E‐commerce experience (in years) is found to moderate the relationship between e‐commerce usage and business performance.Research limitations/implications – The paper focuses on the tourism sector in Malaysia and concentrates only on the management perspective of e‐commerce adoption.Practical implications – The results provid.
Interactive online learning for obstacle classification on a mobile robot

We present an architecture for incremental online learning in high-dimensional feature spaces and apply it on a mobile robot. The model is based on learning vector quantization, approaching the stability-plasticity problem of incremental learning by adaptive insertions of representative vectors. We employ a cost-function-based learning vector quantization approach and introduce a new insertion strategy optimizing a cost-function based on a subset of samples. We demonstrate this model within a real-time application for a mobile robot scenario, where we perform interactive real-time learning of visual categories.
Hemispheric asymmetry in human lateral prefrontal cortex during cognitive set shifting

Functional organization of human cerebral hemispheres is asymmetrically specialized, most typically along a verbal/nonverbal axis. In this event-related functional MRI study, we report another example of the asymmetrical specialization. Set-shifting paradigms derived from the Wisconsin card sorting test were used, where subjects update one behavior to another on the basis of environmental feedback. The cognitive requirements constituting the paradigms were decomposed into two components according to temporal stages of task events. Double dissociation of the component brain activity was found in the three bilateral pairs of regions in the lateral frontal cortex, the right regions being activated during exposure to negative feedback and the corresponding left regions being activated during updating of behavior, to suggest that both hemispheres contribute to cognitive set shifting but in different ways. The asymmetrical hemispheric specialization within the same paradigms further implies an interhemispheric interaction of these task components that achieve a common goal.
Retinal tau pathology in human glaucomas.

BACKGROUND Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein critical to neuron structure and integrity. The abnormal hyperphosphorylated tau protein AT8 disrupts microtubules, interferes with axonal transport, and is associated with neuron injury in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of tau protein and abnormal tau protein AT8 in human glaucomas and to determine whether abnormal tau protein plays a role in glaucomatous neural degeneration. METHODS Sections from 11 surgical eye specimens with glaucoma from elevated intraocular pressure causes and 10 age-matched control eye specimens were immunostained for normal tau protein (BT2) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein (AT8). Postmortem specimens with incidental open-angle glaucoma (n = 6) were compared with controls (n = 3). Measurements of immunofluorescence intensity in glaucoma retinas were compared with those in control retinas. Abnormal tau AT8 and parvalbumin, a horizontal cell-specific marker, were studied with double-immunofluorescence techniques to determine colocalization. RESULTS In surgical glaucoma specimens, normal tau protein was decreased in both the optic nerve and retina compared with age-matched controls. Abnormal tau AT8 was evident within the posterior retina, predominantly at the outer border of the inner nuclear layer in surgical glaucoma specimens, and this was not observed in controls or incidental glaucoma cases. Quantitative immunofluorescence techniques demonstrated significantly increased abnormal tau AT8 in surgical glaucoma specimens compared with controls. Abnormal tau AT8 colocalized with parvalbumin in horizontal cells of the retina. INTERPRETATION Abnormal tau AT8, a marker of injury in various neurological diseases, is present in human glaucomas with uncontrolled intraocular pressure. The finding of abnormal tau protein in retinal horizontal cells may relate to elevated intraocular pressure and (or) neural degeneration in glaucoma. Tau protein abnormality in glaucoma underscores shared pathways with other neurodegenerative diseases.
Influence of microwave power on mechanical properties of microwave-cured polyethylene/coir composites

ABSTRACT The present work deals with investigating the influence of microwave power on mechanical properties of 20 wt. % coir reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Chopped coir/HDPE composites were fabricated using various microwave power levels (360 W, 540 W, 720 W and 900 W). The XRD analysis of the specimens reveals that crystallinity index in various specimens was in the range of 79.54% to 84.59%. The specimen cured at 360 W exhibited a maximum tensile strength of 29.5 ± 1.5 MPa, which is 28.26% greater than composite cured at 900 W (23 ± 1.5 MPa). Flexural strength of specimen cured at 360 W was maximum (37.74 ± 2 MPa).
City-as-a-Platform: The Rise of Participatory Innovation Platforms in Finnish Cities

This article discusses the idea of city as a platform. The analysis focuses on the forms and implications of citizen involvement in publicly-supported participatory innovation platforms that facilitate urban economic development in the welfare society context. The discussion opens with a review of the smart city discourse, which in the context of economic development policy translates into cities’ need to support innovativeness by creating smart environments. Participatory innovation platform is a prime example of such an environment. The empirical section discusses three cases, those of the Finnish cities of Helsinki, Tampere, and Oulu. The analysis shows that platformization in the first half of the 2010s became a strategic focal area supported by national and EU programs. Platforms are used to support both urban revitalization and economic development, of which the former is based on representative and the latter on instrumental modes of participation. Platforms are well integrated with city governments, even though they vary greatly in terms of organizational forms and scopes. Democratic culture, welfarism, and redistributive policy provide contextual support for platformization by strengthening social inclusion, taming the growth machine, and easing the tensions between pro-growth and anti-growth coalitions.