Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Bayesian Model Selection in PARAFAC via Stochastic Thermodynamic Integration

Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) is one of the most popular tensor factorization models. Even though it has proven successful in diverse application fields, the performance of PARAFAC usually hinges up on the rank of the factorization, which is typically specified manually by the practitioner. In this study, we develop a novel parallel and distributed Bayesian model selection technique for rank estimation in large-scale PARAFAC models. The proposed approach integrates ideas from the emerging field of stochastic gradient Markov Chain Monte Carlo, statistical physics, and distributed stochastic optimization. As opposed to the existing methods, which are based on some heuristics, our method has a clear mathematical interpretation, and has significantly lower computational requirements, thanks to data subsampling and parallelization. We provide formal theoretical analysis on the bias induced by the proposed approach. Our experiments on synthetic and large-scale real datasets show that our method is able to find the optimal model order while being significantly faster than the state-of-the-art.
Understanding Bystanders' Willingness to Intervene in Traditional and Cyberbullying Scenarios

Bullying incidents in traditional and online settings are a cause for concern to many parties. The goal of the current study was to explore the extent to which a bystander would intervene in a bullying incident and the degree to which this behavior is influenced by group size (the number of other witnesses), the setting (traditional or cyberbullying), and gender of the victim. Using an online survey method, participants were presented with eight bullying scenarios, each of which involved verbal bullying of a victim. Participants (N = 82) were asked to report how likely they would be to intervene in each of these scenarios. Results showed that female victims were more likely to be helped than male victims. Furthermore, female participants were more willing to intervene than the male participants in the cyberbullying scenarios. Altruism was a positive predictor of participants' willingness to intervene. The present findings suggest that certain gender differences in helping behavior may depend on the context in which bullying is observed (traditional or cyberbullying).
Effects of Cluster Sets and Rest-Redistribution on Mechanical Responses to Back Squats in Trained Men

Abstract Eight resistance-trained men completed three protocols separated by 48-96 hours. Each protocol included 36 repetitions with the same rest duration, but the frequency and length of rest periods differed. The cluster sets of four (CS4) protocol included 30 s of rest after the 4th, 8th, 16th, 20th, 28th, and 32nd repetition in addition to 120 s of rest after the 12th and 24th repetition. For the other two protocols, the total 420 s rest time of CS4 was redistributed to include nine sets of four repetitions (RR4) with 52.5 s of rest after every four repetitions, or 36 sets of single repetitions (RR1) with 12 s of rest after every repetition. Mean (MF) and peak (PF) force, velocity (MV and PV), and power output (MP and PP) were measured during 36 repetitions and were collapsed into 12 repetitions for analysis. Repeated measures ANOVA 3 (protocol) x 12 (repetition) showed a protocol x repetition interaction for PF, MV, PV, MP, and PP (p-values from <0.001 to 0.012). No interaction or main effect was present for MF. During RR1, MV, PV, MP, and PP were maintained, but decreased throughout every 4-repetition sequence during CS4 and RR4. During CS4 and RR4, PF was less following a rest period compared to subsequent repetitions, whereas PF was maintained during RR1. These data indicate that rest redistribution results in similar average kinetics and kinematics, but if total rest time is redistributed to create shorter but more frequent sets, kinetics and kinematics may remain more constant.
Effect of abscisic Acid on root hydraulic conductivity.

Reports of the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on ion and water fluxes have been contradictory. Some of the confusion seems due to the interaction of ion and water transport across membranes. In these experiments root systems were subjected to hydrostatic pressures up to 5.0 bars to enable measurement of root conductance that was independent of measurement of osmotic potentials or ion fluxes.ABA between 5 x 10(-5) molar and 2 x 10(-4) molar resulted in a decrease in the conductance of the soybean root systems as compared with the controls. ABA treatment also eliminated the discontinuity in the Arrhenius plot of total flow versus reciprocal temperature at constant pressure. The results suggest that ABA acts at the membrane that is rate-limiting to water flow directly, or by altering metabolism that in turn affects the membrane.
USING GIS FOR FACILITATING EROSION ESTIMATION

Geographic Information System (GIS) combined with soil loss models can enhance the evaluation of soil erosion estimation. ARC/INFO geographic information system with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used to estimate soil erosion on a portion of the Walnut Gulch experimental watershed in southeast Arizona. Spatial data from different sources provided input for four alternate GIS based procedures in computing the combined slope length and steepness factor in RUSLE for determining soil erosion estimates. Results of GIS based RUSLE erosion estimates from the four procedures are compared with actual sediment yield observed on the experimental watershed for the period 1973 through 1989. Results indicate GIS based RUSLE predicted soil erosion estimates are less than the observed measured sediment yield in most years. Application of a sediment delivery ratio which varies with watershed area is addressed as possible explanation for the differences in estimated erosion and measured sediment yield. GIS can be used with RUSLE to get a good estimate of soil erosion but care has to be taken in interpreting the result and comparing it to measured sediment yield. The results from this study clearly show the need for more work in using GIS and RUSLE for soil erosion estimation.
How do variations in the temporal distribution of rainfall events affect ecosystem fluxes in seasonally water-limited Northern Hemisphere shrublands and forests?

Abstract. Rainfall regimes became more extreme over the course of the 20th century, characterised by fewer and larger rainfall events. Such changes are expected to continue throughout the current century. The effect of changes in the temporal distribution of rainfall on ecosystem carbon fluxes is poorly understood, with most available information coming from experimental studies of grassland ecosystems. Here, continuous measurements of ecosystem carbon fluxes and precipitation from the worldwide FLUXNET network of eddy-covariance sites are exploited to investigate the effects of differences in rainfall distribution on the carbon balance of seasonally water-limited shrubland and forest sites. Once the strong dependence of ecosystem fluxes on total annual rainfall amount is accounted for, results show that sites with rainfall distributions characterised by fewer and larger rainfall events have significantly lower gross primary productivity, slightly lower ecosystem respiration and consequently a smaller net ecosystem productivity.
Respiratory disorders and neonatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies – our ten year experience

Objective. To compare respiratory disorders (respiratory distress syndrome, requirement for respiratory support, development of chronic lung disease), duration of hospitalization and other neonatal outcomes between newborns born from triplet pregnancies over a ten year period. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 34 triplet pregnancies delivered between 2006 and 2015 in one perinatal tertiary centre. Ninety-nine newborns from these pregnancies were divided into 2 groups: one consisted of 56 neonates (19 sets of triplets) born between 2006 and 2011 and the second contained 43 neonates delivered from 15 triplet pregnancies between 2012 and 2015. Results. There were no differences in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and chronic lung disease between group I and group II. In both groups, a similar amount of patients required respiratory support. We did not notice any significant differences in the type of ventilation (mechanical ventilation or nasal continuous positive airway pressure -nCPAP), duration of ventilation, length of hospitalization or the incidence of complications of prematurity, such as 3rd or 4th grade intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage > 2, between both groups. Conclusion. Despite important progress in perinatal care and wide use of advanced technologies in neonatal intensive care there has been no significant improvement in neonatal outcomes of triplets during the past 10 years. Multiple pregnancies still remain a risk factor for respiratory disorders and other neonatal complications in prematurely delivered newborns.
Effect of a paclitaxel-eluting metallic stent on rabbit esophagus

The use of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) is the current treatment of choice for malignant gastrointestinal obstructions. A paclitaxel-eluting metallic SEMS (PEMS) may have an antitumor effect on esophageal tissue. PEMS with 10% paclitaxel or conventional SEMS were inserted into the lower esophagus of rabbits. Following the insertion of the stents for 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed and the status of the stent insertion was examined, as well as any macroscopic or microscopic mucosal changes in the esophageal tissue. All the rabbits survived until death without any complications. No migration following stent insertion occurred. The number of cases with proximal obstruction increased in a time-dependent manner, and no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Gross histological examination showed similar tissue reaction to the stents at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and inflammatory cell infiltrating was higher in the SEMS group at 1 and 2 weeks. However, inflammatory cell infiltration was markedly higher in the PEMS group at 4 and 6 weeks. Food-intake and weight were similar in the two groups. The results of the present study demonstrated that PEMS may serve as a safe alternative treatment strategy for esophageal obstruction. Furthermore, PEMS may inhibit the tumor growth of the esophageal wall through inflammatory infiltration and targeted drug delivery. A tumor model will be required in the future for evaluating the prognosis of patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.
Antibody-Mediated Osseous Regeneration for Bone Tissue Engineering in Canine Segmental Defects

Among many applications of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), a unique approach for regenerative medicine has entailed antibody-mediated osseous regeneration (AMOR). In an effort to identify a clinically relevant model of craniofacial defect, the present study investigated the efficacy of mAb specific for bone morphogenetic protein- (BMP-) 2 to repair canine segmental mandibular continuity defect model. Accordingly, a 15 mm unilateral segmental defect was created in mandible and fixated with a titanium plate. Anorganic bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen (ABBM-C) was functionalized with 25 μg/mL of either chimeric anti-BMP-2 mAb or isotype-matched mAb (negative control). Recombinant human (rh) BMP-2 served as positive control. Morphometric analyses were performed on computed tomography (CT) and histologic images. Bone densities within healed defect sites at 12 weeks after surgery were 1360.81 ± 10.52 Hounsfield Unit (HU), 1044.27 ± 141.16 HU, and 839.45 ± 179.41 HU, in sites with implanted anti-BMP-2 mAb, rhBMP-2, and isotype mAb groups, respectively. Osteoid bone formation in anti-BMP-2 mAb (42.99% ± 8.67) and rhBMP-2 (48.97% ± 2.96) groups was not significantly different but was higher (p < 0.05) than in sites with isotype control mAb (26.8% ± 5.35). In view of the long-term objective of translational application of AMOR in humans, the results of the present study demonstrated the feasibility of AMOR in a large clinically relevant animal model.
The Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model: A Dynamic Approach for Predicting Soil Loss on Rangelands

In this study, we present the improved Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model (RHEM V2.3), a process‐based erosion prediction tool specific for rangeland application. The article provides the mathematical formulation of the model and parameter estimation equations. Model performance is assessed against data collected from 23 runoff and sediment events in a shrub‐dominated semiarid watershed in Arizona, USA. To evaluate the model, two sets of primary model parameters were determined using the RHEM V2.3 and RHEM V1.0 parameter estimation equations. Testing of the parameters indicated that RHEM V2.3 parameter estimation equations provided a 76% improvement over RHEM V1.0 parameter estimation equations. Second, the RHEM V2.3 model was calibrated to measurements from the watershed. The parameters estimated by the new equations were within the lowest and highest values of the calibrated parameter set. These results suggest that the new parameter estimation equations can be applied for this environment to predict sediment yield at the hillslope scale. Furthermore, we also applied the RHEM V2.3 to demonstrate the response of the model as a function of foliar cover and ground cover for 124 data points across Arizona and New Mexico. The dependence of average sediment yield on surface ground cover was moderately stronger than that on foliar cover. These results demonstrate that RHEM V2.3 predicts runoff volume, peak runoff, and sediment yield with sufficient accuracy for broad application to assess and manage rangeland systems.
Mixed hp-Finite Element Method for Linear Elasticity with Weakly Imposed Symmetry: Stability Analysis

Abstract The paper presents a generalization of Arnold–Falk–Winther elements to meshes with elements of variable order. The formulation is straightforward but the stability analysis involves a non-trivial modification of interpolation operators. The analysis addresses only h -convergence but the presented numerical results indicate p -convergence as well.
A data structure for dynamically maintaining rooted trees

The directed topology tree data structure is developed for maintaining binary trees dynamically. Each of a certain set of tree operations is shown to takeO(logn) time, wherenis the number of vertices in the trees. The directed topology trees are used to implement link? cut trees and dynamic expression trees. The results of experimental comparisons with the dynamic trees of Sleator and Tarjan are presented.
Phase changing nanocomposites for low temperature thermal energy storage and release

The aim of this paper is to develop new elastomeric phase change materials (PCM) for the thermal energy storage/release below room temperature. In particular, poly(cyclooctene) (PCO)/paraffin blends filled with various concen-trations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were prepared by a melt compounding process. The microstructural, thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of the resulting materials were investigated. The microstructure of these materials was characterized by the presence of paraffin domains inside the PCO, and CNTs were located only inside the paraffin domains in forms of aggregated clusters. DSC tests evidenced the existence of two distinct crystallization peaks at –10 and at 6°C, respectively associated to the paraffin and the PCO phases, indicating that both the polymeric constituents are thermally active below room temperature. Moreover, CNT addition did not substantially alter the melting/crystallization properties of the material. Noticeable improvements of the mechanical properties and of the electrical conductivity with respect to the neat PCO/paraffin blend could be obtained upon CNT addition, and also thermal con-ductivity/diffusivity values were considerably enhanced above the percolation threshold. Finite element modeling demonstrated the efficacy of the prepared nanocomposites for applications in the thermal range from –30 to 6°C.
Working memory training shows immediate and long-term effects on cognitive performance in children

Working memory is important for mental reasoning and learning processes. Several studies in adults and school-age children have shown performance improvement in cognitive tests after working memory training. Our aim was to examine not only immediate but also long-term effects of intensive working memory training on cognitive performance tests in children. Fourteen healthy male subjects between 10 and 16 years trained a visuospatial n-back task over 3 weeks (30 min daily), while 15 individuals of the same age range served as a passive control group. Significant differences in immediate (after 3 weeks of training) and long-term effects (after 2-6 months) in an auditory n-back task were observed compared to controls (2.5 fold immediate and 4.7 fold long-term increase in the training group compared to the controls). The improvement was more pronounced in subjects who improved their performance during the training. Other cognitive functions (matrices test and Stroop task) did not change when comparing the training group to the control group. We conclude that visuospatial working memory training in children boosts performance in similar memory tasks such as the auditory n-back task. The sustained performance improvement several months after the training supports the effectiveness of the training.
A cryogenic buffer-gas cooled beam of barium monohydride for laser slowing, cooling, and trapping

A cryogenic buffer-gas cooled beam of barium monohydride for laser slowing, cooling, and trapping Geoffrey Zerbinatti Iwata Ultracold molecules promise a revolutionary test bed for quantum science with applications ranging from experiments that probe the nature of our universe, to hosting new platforms for quantum computing. Cooling and trapping molecules in the ultracold regime is the first step to unlocking the wide array of proposed applications, and developing these techniques to control molecules is a key but challenging research field. In this thesis, we describe progress towards a new apparatus designed to cool and trap barium monohydride (BaH), a molecule that is amenable to laser cooling and has prospects as a precursor for ultracold atomic hydrogen. The same complexity that makes molecules interesting objects of study creates challenges for optical control. To mitigate some of these challenges, we first cool the molecules using cryogenic techniques and technologies. Our apparatus uses a cryogenic buffer gas to thermalize BaH within a contained cell. The molecules are extracted into a beam with millikelvin transverse temperature, and forward velocities <100 m/s. The BaH beam in this work is the brightest hydride beam to date, with molecule density and kinetic characteristics well suited for laser cooling and trapping. This thesis presents preliminary studies of BaH’s suitability for laser cooling, details of the design and construction of our molecular beam source, experiments that uncover the hyperfine properties of the molecules, and describes ongoing work for laser slowing, cooling, and trapping of the molecules. Finally, we discuss the possibility of using our molecules to create trapped ultracold atomic hydrogen – a long-standing goal of atomic, molecular, and optical physics.
Circadian regulation of leaf hydraulic conductance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv Margot)

The circadian regulation of leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) was investigated in Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower). Kleaf was measured with an high pressure flow meter during the light and dark period from plants growing at a photoperiod of 12 h. Kleaf was 4.0 e−4 kg s−1 m−2 MPa−1 during the light period (LL) and 30–40% less during the dark period (DL). When photoperiod was inverted and leaves were measured for Kleaf at their subjective light or dark periods, Kleaf adjusted to the new conditions requiring 48 h for increasing from dark to light values and 4 d for the opposite transition. Plants put in continuous dark showed Kleaf oscillating from light to dark values in phase with their subjective photoperiod indicating that Kleaf changes were induced by the circadian clock. Several cuts through the minor veins reduced leaf hydraulic resistance (Rleaf) of both LL and DL to the same value (1.0 e + 3 MPa m2 s kg−1) that equalled the vascular resistance (Rv). The contribution of the non-vascular leaf resistance (Rnv) to Rleaf was of 71.9% in DL and of 58.4% in LL. The dominant Rnv was shown to be reversibly modulated by mercurials, suggesting that aquaporins play a role in diurnal changes of Kleaf.
SPMS: Strand based persistent memory system

Emerging non-volatile memories enable persistent memory, which offers the opportunity to directly access persistent data structures residing in main memory. In order to keep persistent data consistent in case of system failures, most prior work relies on persist ordering constraints which incurs significant overheads. Strand persistency minimizes persist ordering constraints. However, there is still no proposed persistent memory design based on strand persistency due to its implementation complexity. In this work, we propose a novel persistent memory system based on strand persistency, called SPMS. SPMS consists of cacheline-based strand group tracking components, a volatile strand buffer and ultra-capacitors incorporated in persistent memory modules. SPMS can track each strand and guarantee its atomicity. In case of system failures, committed strands buffered in the strand buffer can be flushed back to persistent memory within the residual energy window provided by the ultra-capacitors. Our evaluations show that SPMS outperforms the state-of-the-art persistent memory system by 6.6% and has slightly better performance than the baseline without any consistency guarantee. What's more, SPMS reduces the persistent memory write traffic by 30%, with the help of the strand buffer.
Acoustic analysis of flat plate trailing edge noise

This paper presents an acoustic analysis of the noise generated at the trailing edge of a flat plate encountering low turbulence fluid flow. Experimental measurements were taken in an anechoic wind tunnel using four microphones: one mounted above the trailing edge, one below the trailing edge, one adjacent to the trailing edge and one above the leading edge. The noise spectra produced by the flat plate were recorded at the four microphone locations. Information about the strength and directivity of the trailing edge noise is determined by comparing the four signals. Subtracting the out-of-phase signals at the microphones above and below the trailing edge is shown to increase the airfoil self-noise spectra further above that of the ambient noise and is shown to be an effective signal extraction technique.
A Radio Frequency Identification System for Monitoring Coarse Sediment Particle Displacement

A radio frequency identification system was implemented to monitor the displacement of coarse particles following runoff in two upland, ephemeral channels on the USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed in southeastern Arizona. Commercially available radio frequency identification components including transponders, an antenna, a reader, and software were used to develop a system for locating particles under field conditions. During the 2003 field season, 124 particles were located following four runoff events in two ephemeral channels. The locations of 340 particle positions were measured with a real-time kinematic geopositioning system after each particle was located with the radio frequency identification system. The overall recovery rate was 96%. The passive transponder system offers the advantages of low cost, consistent results under harsh environmental conditions, and no need for a power supply in the particle. The radio frequency identification system can be used to efficiently collect data for developing sediment transport equations and improving mathematical models for simulating sediment transport under natural runoff conditions.