Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The structure of random ellipsoid packings

Disordered packings of ellipsoidal particles are an important model for disordered granular matter and can shed light on geometric features and structural transitions in granular matter. In this thesis, the structure of experimental ellipsoid packings is analyzed in terms of contact numbers and measures from mathematical morphometry to characterize of Voronoi cell shapes. Jammed ellipsoid packings are prepared by vertical shaking of loose configurations in a cylindrical container. For approximately 50 realizations with packing fractions between 0.54 and 0.70 and aspect ratios from 0.40 to 0.97, tomographic images are recorded, from which positions and orientations of the ellipsoids are reconstructed. Contact numbers as well as discrete approximations of generalized Voronoi diagrams are extracted. The shape of the Voronoi cells is quantified by isotropy indexes β ν based on Minkowski tensors. In terms of the Voronoi cells, the behavior for jammed ellipsoids differs from that of spheres; the Voronoi Cells of spheres become isotropic with increasing packing fraction, whereas the shape of the Voronoi Cells of ellipsoids with high aspect ratio remains approximately constant. Contact numbers are discussed in the context of the jamming paradigm and it is found that the frictional ellipsoid packings are hyperstatic, i.e. have more contacts than are required for mechanical stability. It is observed, that the contact numbers of jammed ellipsoid packings predominantly depend on the packing fraction, but also a weaker dependence on the aspect ratio and the friction coefficient is found. The achieved packing fractions in the experiments lie within upper and lower limits expected from DEM simulations of jammed ellipsoid packings. Finally, the results are compared to Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics data of unjammed equilibrium ellipsoid ensembles. The Voronoi cell shapes of equilibrium ensembles of ellipsoidal particles with a low aspect ratio become more anisotropic by increasing the packing fraction, while the cell shape of particles with large aspect ratios does the opposite. The experimental jammed packings are always more anisotropic than the corresponding densest equilibrium configuration.
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS IN WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE (15-49 YEARS) ATTENDING FAUJI FOUNDATION HOSPITAL RAWALPINDI -

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge on symptoms, risk factors, preventive measures and treatment options for regarding osteoporosis in healthy women of child bearing age (15-49 years) accompanying patients, in Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH) Rawalpindi. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in FFH Rawalpindi from February 2015 to October 2015. Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted using a validated questionnaire i.e. OKAT (Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool) from 385 women attending OPDs of Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, for a period of Feb-August 2015. The data was analyzed using SPSS (version 21). Mean knowledge scores were calculated and compared with socio demographic variables. Results: Total knowledge score mean was 8 (total max score achieved 14). Mean scores were found for knowledge regarding symptoms 0.85 (total score 2), and treatment options were 0.82 (total score 2) for the disease. Comparison of knowledge scores between respondents of different age, residential status (p≤0.009), and educational status (p≤0.056) was found statistically significant. Conclusion: Women lacked knowledge regarding osteoporosis, especially older uneducated ones, belonging to lower socioeconomic class residing in villages. Community based educational interventional programs targeting this population can help reduce the knowledge gap and contribute towards disease prevention.
A Passivated Rear Contact for High-Efficiency n-Type Si Solar Cells Enabling High Voc's and FF>82 %

Due to the improvements in material quality and surface passivation, high-efficiency solar cells are often limited by the recombination at the metal semiconductor contacts. As a solution to this problem, Swanson proposed “to put a heterojunction with a band-gap larger than silicon between the metal and silicon”[1] also known as passivated contact. In this work, a tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) structure allowing both an excellent surface passivation and an effective carrier transport is presented. High-efficiency n-type solar cells featuring this novel passivated rear contact instead of a point contact structure at the rear side yield a maximum efficiency of 23.7 %, a FF of 82.2 % and a Voc of 703 mV.
Allosteric Inhibition of the IRE 1 a RNase Preserves Cell Viability and Function during Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Rajarshi Ghosh,1,2,5,6,7,12 Likun Wang,1,5,6,7,12 Eric S. Wang,2,12 B. Gayani K. Perera,8 Aeid Igbaria,1,5,6,7 Shuhei Morita,1,5,6,7 Kris Prado,1,5,6,7 Maike Thamsen,1,5,6,7 Deborah Caswell,2 Hector Macias,1,5 Kurt F. Weiberth,1,5,6,7 Micah J. Gliedt,1,6 Marcel V. Alavi,3 Sanjay B. Hari,8 Arinjay K. Mitra,8 Barun Bhhatarai,10 Stephan C. Schürer,9,10 Erik L. Snapp,11 Douglas B. Gould,3,4 Michael S. German,1,5 Bradley J. Backes,1,6 Dustin J. Maly,8 Scott A. Oakes,2,5,* and Feroz R. Papa1,5,6,7,* 1Department of Medicine 2Department of Pathology 3Department of Ophthalmology 4Department of Anatomy 5Diabetes Center 6Lung Biology Center 7California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA 8Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA 9Center for Computational Science 10Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, FL 33136, USA 11Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA 12Co-first author *Correspondence: scott.oakes@ucsf.edu (S.A.O.), frpapa@medicine.ucsf.edu (F.R.P.) http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.cell. 2014.07. 002
Regulation of MHC Class II Expression and Antigen Processing in Murine and Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells by IFN-γ, TGF-β, and Cell Density1

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) possess immunosuppressive properties, yet when treated with IFN-γ they acquire APC functions. To gain insight into MSC immune plasticity, we explored signaling pathways induced by IFN-γ required for MHC class II (MHC II)-dependent Ag presentation. IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression in mouse MSC was enhanced by high cell density or serum deprivation and suppressed by TGF-β. This process was regulated by the activity of the type IV CIITA promoter independently of STAT1 activation and the induction of the IFN regulatory factor 1-dependent B7H1/PD-L1 encoding gene. The absence of direct correlation with the cell cycle suggested that cellular connectivity modulates IFN-γ responsiveness for MHC II expression in mouse MSC. TGF-β signaling in mouse MSC involved ALK5 and ALK1 TGF-βRI, leading to the phosphorylation of Smad2/Smad3 and Smad1/Smad5/Smad8. An opposite effect was observed in human MSC where IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression occurred at the highest levels in low-density cultures; however, TGF-β reduced IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression and its signaling was similar as in mouse MSC. This suggests that the IFN-γ-induced APC features of MSC can be modulated by TGF-β, serum factors, and cell density in vitro, although not in the same way in mouse and human MSC, via their convergent effects on CIITA expression.
On universal central extensions of Hom-Lie algebras

We develop a theory of universal central extensions of Hom-Lie algebras. Classical results of universal central extensions of Lie algebras cannot be completely extended to Hom-Lie algebras setting, because of the composition of two central extensions is not central. This fact leads to introduce the notion of universal $\alpha$-central extension. Classical results as the existence of a universal central extension of a perfect Hom-Lie algebra remains true, but others as the central extensions of the middle term of a universal central extension is split only holds for $\alpha$-central extensions. A homological characterization of universal ($\alpha$)-central extensions is given.
A Review of Item Exposure Control Strategies for Computerized Adaptive Testing Developed from 1983 to 2005

Since researchers acknowledged the several advantages of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) over traditional linear test administration, the issue of item exposure control has received increased attention. Due to CAT’s underlying philosophy, particular items in the item pool may be presented too often and become overexposed, while other items are rarely selected by the CAT algorithm and thus become underexposed. Several item exposure control strategies have been presented in the literature aiming to prevent overexposure of some items and to increase the use rate of rarely or never selected items. This paper reviews such strategies that appeared in the relevant literature from 1983 to 2005. The focus of this paper is on studies that have been conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of item exposure control strategies for dichotomous scoring, polytomous scoring and testlet-based CAT systems. In addition, the paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each strategy group using examples from simulation studies. No new research is presented but rather a compendium of models is reviewed with an overall objective of providing researchers of this field, especially newcomers, a wide view of item exposure control strategies.
Effects of probiotics on growth performance, blood parameters, and antibody stimulation in piglets

The study investigated the effects of probiotic bacteria ( Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ625, Lactobacillus reuteri VB4, Lactobacillus salivarius ZJ614, and Streptococcus salivarius NBRC13956) administered as direct-fed microorganisms on growth performance and blood parameters of weaned piglets. Forty-five weaned piglets were divided into five treatments: antibiotic (PC), no antibiotic and no probiotic (NC), probiotic (P1), probiotic (P2), and combination of probiotics (P3). Fecal and ileum samples were collected for microbial count analysis. Blood samples were also collected from the animals at the end of the trial for the hematological and biochemical analysis and the ability of the probiotics to stimulate immunoglobulin G (IgG). Supplementation of probiotics had no effect on feed intake (FI). However, average daily weight gained (ADG) in the P3 treatment was higher than in other treatments and lowered the value of feed conversion ratio (FCR) of weaned piglets. Microbial count of fecal samples did not differ in all the treatments while ileum samples had lower enteric bacteria in P3 treatment when compared to other treatments. Concentration of albumin, globulin, neutrophils and basophils were higher in the NC treatment when compared to other treatment groups. The IgG concentration was highest in P3 compared to other treatments. Results suggested that probiotics have beneficial effects on growth performances, blood parameters, and IgG stimulation of weaned piglets. This advocates that probiotics will offer a significant benefit in pig farming by reducing the risk of post weaning diarrheal syndromes, and therefore enhance pig industry’s economy. Keywords : Blood chemistry, feed conversion ratio, immunoglobulin G, post-weaning diarrheal syndromes, probiotics
The Predictive Content of Sectoral Stock Prices: A US-Euro Area Comparison

This paper examines the out-of-sample forecast performance of sectoral stock market indicators for real GDP, private consumption and investment growth up to 4 quarters ahead in the US and the euro area. Our findings are that the predictive content of sectoral stock market indicators: i) is potentially strong, particularly for the financial sector, and is stronger than that of financial spreads; ii) varies over time, with a substantial improvement after 1999 for the euro area; iii) is stronger for investment than for private consumption; and iv) is stronger in the euro area than in the United States. JEL Classification: C53, E37, G12
Expression Analysis of Glucocorticoid Hormone During Early Developmental Stage of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) its Therapeutic Implications

Glucocorticoid is prescribed for the treatment of many human diseases. The work was performed to investigate the role of glucocorticoid hormone on the gene expression during zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryogenesis. Microarray hybridization technique was used to analyse dys-regulation of different gene expression at 12 hours post fertilization (hpf) when single cell fertilized eggs were treated with glucocorticoid hormone. The expression of 149 genes were affected, with 143 up-regulated and 6 down-regulated. The results suggest that glucocorticoid may be also used in therapeutic approach to change genetic expression at early developmental stage. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bpj.v17i1. 22316 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 17 (1): 55-61, 2014
INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF SWISS NEEDLE CAST IN THE COASTAL FOREST OF WESTERN WASHINGTON: EXAMINING CLIMATIC CORRELATION by

Incidence and Severity of Swiss Needle Cast in the Coast Forest of Western Washington: Examining Climatic Correlation Michele Boderck The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is experiencing an epidemic of Swiss needle cast (SNC), a foliage disease that affects Douglas-fir exclusively and is caused by the fungus, Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii. Symptoms include chlorotic (yellow) needles, decreased foliage retention, and reductions in growth. Although tree mortality is rare, because there are few tools to combat SNC other than tree species substitution, the epidemic is a major concern for the region’s timber industry, economy, and general forest health. SNC is native to the PNW, but emerged as an epidemic in coastal Washington and Oregon in the 1970s and has steadily increased since then. The causes are not entirely understood, however, the extensive planting of Douglas-fir stands in the coastal forest where this species is naturally rare, as well as the warm, wet climate of the coast that is conducive to fungal growth, are likely contributing factors. This research sought to answer the questions of: What is the incidence and severity of SNC in western Washington? What climate variables are most correlated with its growth? Needle samples were collected in the spring of 2015 from 47 sites throughout western Washington and examined for pseudothecia (fungal fruiting body) abundance. Results indicated a colonization index of 5.3 for one-year-old needles and 22.5 for two-year-old needles. This demonstrates an increase in disease severity from ground surveys conducted in 2011 and 2012. Additionally, correlations between colonization indices and various climate variables calculated with Climate WNA software at the monthly, seasonal, and annual scale were examined using a linear regression analysis. No correlation between climate and disease severity was found in this study, however, literature suggests that climate is playing some role in disease severity: other factors may be making the relationship less clear in this study. Due to the effects that growth loss from SNC can have on the economy of Washington State and forest health in general, further research into the cause of SNC spread and how climate conditions affect the disease are recommended.
Foster, Neil and Richards, Luke and Higgins, John and Kanellos, Theo and Barrow, Paul (2016) Oral vaccination with a rough attenuated mutant of S. Infantis increases post-wean weight gain and prevents clinical signs of salmonellosis in S. Typhimurium challenged

We show that oral inoculation of 5 day old conventional piglets with a rough. attenuated S. Infantis 1326/28Ф (serogroup C1), 24h prior to oral challenge with S. Typhimurium 4/74 (serogroup B), resulted in significant weight gain (~10%) measured at 14 days post-weaning (38 days of age). Two days after challenge the S. Typhimurium induced stunting and, in some cases loss, of villi but this was prevented by pre-inoculation with the S. Infantis strain. The clinical signs of disease associated with S. Typhimurium 4/74 challenge and faecal shedding were also significantly (P <0.05) reduced by pre-inoculation with the S. Infantis mutant. Preinoculation of pigs with the S. Infantis mutant also increased weight gain in pigs challenged with Escherichia coli, whereas Mycobacterium bovis BCG, as an unrelated intracellular bacterium, did not protect against challenge with S. Typhimurium 4/74.
Flood damage assessment – Literature review and recommended procedure

(24/12/2018) Flood damage assessment – Literature review and recommended procedure The assessment of flood risk is an essential tool in evaluating the potential consequences of a flood. The analysis of the risk can be applied as part of the flood plain management, but can also be used in a cost-benefit analysis, when comparing different adaption strategies. This analysis is therefore important when assessing flood disaster mitigation options and economical optimizations of possible measures. A common definition is that the flood risk is found with the use of a flood hazard assessment and a flood vulnerability assessment (Apel, Merz and Thieken, 2008).
A study of Leprosy cases : Correlation of and demonstration of Lepra

Introduction: The clinical manifestations of leprosy are too vari ed and diverse and can mimic variety of unrelated diseases. In patients of lepro sy the treatment plan differs depending on histopathological subtype and bacillar y oad. incidence of various histopathological subtypes of leprosy and to subtyping of all suspected cases of leprosy, with t heir histopathological subtyping &findings of modified Fite Faraco staining to demonstrate Lepra bacilli. present study was conducted at Department of Gujarat, for the period of 2 years from August 2014 to Sept 2016.Skinbiopsies from all patients clinically suspected as leprosy were studi ed to confirm the diagnosis, histopathologically, and to know bacillary load by Fite histopathological features and Fite 182 Biopsies from suspected cases of leprosy histopathology. Peak incidence was in 21 1.75:1.Maximum number [24.7 clinicopathological parity in various types of lepr osy was observed in 67.4% of cases. Modified Fite Faraco stain positivity was ob still prevalent in the region of study, Lepromatous Leprosy being the commonest. Proper histopathological diagnosis with subtyping and demo nstration of lepra bacilli on tissue sections are very important in cli
TOXICITY OF SIO2, TIO2 AND CEO2 NANOPARTICLES EVALUATED USING THE BIOLUMINESCENCE ASSAY

The development of technology and industry has made available a variety of different nanomaterials. Particularly popular in practical use have been silicon dioxide nanoparticles and titanium and cerium dioxides. However, it is necessary to evaluate the biological activity of nanoparticles from the point of view of toxicology. Despite the active use of nanoparticles of silicon dioxide and dioxides of titanium and cerium, little is known about their toxic effects on living organisms. This work presents a study of three various nanoparticles of silicon dioxide and dioxides of titanium and cerium. For investigations of nanoparticles morphology and their contact with E. coli K12 TG1 cells, suspensions alone or previously mixed with nanoparticles, were applied to freshly prepared mica. To assess the activity of the nanoparticles against E. coli K12 TG1 cells, we used a previously described version of bioluminescent analysis. TiO2 particles having smaller dimensions were characterized by a higher toxicity compared to SiO2. These results characterized TiO2 (I) as toxic and confirm the statement that size matters. Metal particles of CeO2 in the studied concentrations of 0.1–0.000195 M did not cause changes in the dynamics of bacterial bioluminescence. The results were confirmed by studies carried out using lux-biosensors: E. coli K12 MG1655 pkatG'::lux (for the detection of peroxide of hydrogen) and E. coli K12 MG1655 psoxS'::lux ( for the detection of superoxide anion)) for the assessment of oxidative damage.
Validity of the Brief Child and Family Phone Interview by comparison with Longitudinal Expert All Data diagnoses in outpatients

Abstract Background: The Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) is a standardized intake and follow-up interview used in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Although it has shown good validity compared with other measures using parent reports, it has not yet been compared with diagnoses derived from a Longitudinal Expert All Data (LEAD) procedure, which includes information from separate diagnostic interviews with parent(s) and child. The aim was to compare the BCFPI evaluation in an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry setting with an evaluation derived from a LEAD procedure. Methods: At four Swedish outpatient CAMHS, 267 patients were interviewed at intake with the BCFPI. Within six weeks, patients and parents were interviewed separately with the 2009 version of the semi-structured Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-age Children, Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). LEAD diagnoses were subsequently determined by two senior clinicians based on 1.2 years of clinical records including the K-SADS-PL and ensuing information from further assessments, psychological tests, information from teachers and other informants as well as treatment outcome. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders subscales from the CBCL and the subscales from the BCFPI were compared with LEAD diagnoses. These measured symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. Results: The criterion validity for BCFPI versus LEAD diagnoses was fair for oppositional defiant disorder (area under curve, 0.73), generalized anxiety disorder (0.73) and major depressive disorder (0.78), good for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (0.81) and conduct disorder (0.83), and excellent for separation anxiety disorder (0.90). The screening properties of BCFPI and CBCL were similar. Conclusion: The BCFPI is a concise and valid tool, performed along with the larger and more established CBCL, in screening for major psychiatric disorders. It is well suited as an intake interview in CAMHS.
Assessing ice-cliff backwasting and its contribution to total ablation of debris-covered Miage glacier, Mont Blanc massif, Italy

Abstract Continuous surface debris cover strongly reduces the ablation of glaciers, but high melt rates may occur at ice cliffs that are too steep to hold debris. This study assesses the contribution of ice-cliff backwasting to total ablation of Miage glacier, Mont Blanc massif, Italy, in 2010 and 2011, based on field measurements, physical melt models and mapping of ice cliffs using a high-resolution (1 m) digital elevation model (DEM). Short-term model calculations closely match the measured melt rates. A model sensitivity analysis indicates that the effects of cliff slope and albedo are more important for ablation than enhanced longwave incidence from sun-warmed debris or reduced turbulent fluxes at sheltered cliff bases. Analysis of the DEM indicates that ice cliffs account for at most 1.3% of the 1 m pixels in the glacier’s debris-covered zone, but application of a distributed model indicates that ice cliffs account for ~7.4% of total ablation. We conclude that ice cliffs make an important contribution to the ablation of debris-covered glaciers, even when their spatial extent is very small.