Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved techniques for measuring x-ray mass attenuation coefficients

We have applied the x-ray extended-range technique (XERT) to measure mass attenuation coefficients over one order of magnitude more accurately than previously reported in the literature. We describe here the application of the XERT to the investigation of a number of systematic effects which has enabled us to ensure that these recent measurements are free from systematic error. In particular we describe our techniques for quantifying the effects of harmonic components in the x-ray beam, scattering and fluorescence from the absorbing sample, the bandwidth of the x-ray beam, and thickness variations across the absorber.
AGGRESSIVE NONMELANOMATOUS SKIN CANCER OF THE HEAD AND NECK Panel on Radiation Oncology–Head

Introduction/Background Although the overwhelming majority of nonmelanomatous and non-Merkel cell skin cancer (NMSC) of the head and neck, specifically basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), is easily cured with surgical removal, superficial radiation therapy (RT), and/or ablation alone, there is a subset of these tumors— either due to neglect or unfavorable biological features—that exhibit aggressive clinical behavior. This subset also includes patients who present with locoregionally advanced disease and experience substantial rates of cancer recurrence and cancer-related morbidity and mortality. The incidence of these cancers is rising, most prominently among the immunosuppressed population. These patients commonly require multimodality therapy and frequently present therapeutic challenges as there is a paucity of high-quality clinical trials to guide clinical decision making. RT plays an important role in the management of these tumors, both in the postoperative and definitive settings.
Limit Theorems in (l)-Groups with Respect to (D)-Convergence

Some Schur, Vitali-Hahn-Saks and Nikodým convergence theorems for (l)-group-valued measures are given in the context of (D)-convergence. We consider both the σ-additive and the finitely additive case. Here the notions of strong boundedness, countable additivity and absolute continuity are formulated not necessarily with respect to a same regulator, while the pointwise convergence of the measures is intended relatively to a common (D)-sequence. Among the tools, we use the Fremlin lemma, which allows us to replace a countable family of (D)-sequence with one regulator, and the Maeda-Ogasawara-Vulikh representation theorem for Archimedean lattice groups.
The genus of generalized random and quasirandom graphs

The genus of a graph G is the minimum integer h such that G has an embedding in some surface (closed compact 2-manifold) Sh of genus h. In this thesis, we will discuss the genus of generalized random and quasirandom graphs. First, by developing a general notion of random graphs, we determine the genus of generalized random graphs. Next, we approximate the genus of dense generalized quasirandom graphs. Based on analysis of minimum genus embeddings of quasirandom graphs, we provide an Efficient Polynomial-Time Approximation Scheme (EPTAS) for approximating the genus (and non-orientable genus) of dense graphs. More precisely, we provide an algorithm that for a given (dense) graph G of order n and given ε > 0, returns an integer g such that G has an embedding into a surface of genus g, and this is ε-close to a minimum genus embedding in the sense that the minimum genus g(G) of G satisfies: g(G) ≤ g ≤ (1 + ε)g(G). The running time of the algorithm is O(f(ε)n2), where f(·) is an explicit function. Next, we extend this algorithm to also output an embedding (rotation system) of genus g. This second algorithm is an Efficient Polynomial-time Randomized Approximation Scheme (EPRAS) and runs in time O(f1(ε)n). The last part of the thesis studies the genus of complete 3-uniform hypergraphs, which is a special case of genus of random bipartite graphs, and also a natural generalization of Ringel–Youngs Theorem. Embeddings of a hypergraph H are defined as the embeddings of its associated Levi graph LH with vertex set V (H) t E(H), in which v ∈ V (H) and e ∈ E(H) are adjacent if and only if v and e are incident in H. The construction in the proof may be of independent interest as a design-type problem.
Materials and Fabrication Processes for Transient and Bioresorbable High‐Performance Electronics

Materials and fabrication procedures are described for bioresorbable transistors and simple integrated circuits, in which the key processing steps occur on silicon wafer substrates, in schemes compatible with methods used in conventional microelectronics. The approach relies on an unusual type of silicon on insulator wafer to yield devices that exploit ultrathin sheets of monocrystalline silicon for the semiconductor, thin films of magnesium for the electrodes and interconnects, silicon dioxide and magnesium oxide for the dielectrics, and silk for the substrates. A range of component examples with detailed measurements of their electrical characteristics and dissolution properties illustrate the capabilities. In vivo toxicity tests demonstrate biocompatibility in sub‐dermal implants. The results have significance for broad classes of water‐soluble, “transient” electronic devices.
Autism and Lead: Is There a Possible Connection?

Background: Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, also by restricted and stereotyped behavior. Lead poisoning has been suggested as a possible risk factor for autism. Aim: Investigate the relation between blood lead levels and autism in a sample of Egyptian autistic children, and to correlate these levels with severity of the disease. Patients and methods: This case-control study was conducted on 51 participants, 31 autistic patients diagnosed based on DSM-IV criteria recruited from child and adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Children Hospital, Ain Shams University and 20 controls. Blood Lead level was measured by for the whole studied population. Results: Mean blood lead levels in autistic children were higher than in controls but with no statistical significant difference. A negative correlation between patient's age, IQ and blood lead levels were found, although there were no statistical significance as regarding patients' sex, mother use of dental filling, anti-partum Anti-D injection, maternal heavy fish consumption, mode of delivery, postpartum complications between patients and controls. Conclusion: Although autistic children had normal blood lead level but they may be susceptible to its effect as children with autism may be poor detoxifiers. Also, blood lead level does not represent the total burden as lead can be stored in bones.
Root Growth in 2D Wet Granular Media Modified by Intrusions

Root elongation is vital for plant growth. It is strongly influenced by changes in water distribution. In the context of water management, several methods have been used to improve soil water retention, such as additives in the form of superabsorbent hydrogels. However, little has been understood particularly on the direct relation of these additives to root growth. Improving the efficiency of these additives requires better understanding of water distribution in soil. Using a controlled visual setup of a 2D model system consisting of glass beads, we characterize evaporation as a function of wettability. Results suggest an optimum additive is a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic components. Furthermore, experimental investigation has also been undertaken on root growth subject to various treatment conditions. Preliminary results suggest that roots respond to areas of relatively higher water content induced by an intrusion inserted in the medium as evidenced from greater root lengths in presence of the intrusion. These results are a first step to understanding root behavior under certain soil treatments and could potentially inspire techniques that will improve root growth. Manuscript received November 23, 2012; accepted for publication October 29, 2013; published online May 16, 2014. CNRS Complex Assemblies of Soft Matter (COMPASS), CNRS-Solvay-Univ. of Pennsylvania UMI3254, Bristol, PA, 19007 United States of America. Solvay Research and Innovation Centre (RIC)—Aubervilliers, 93306 Aubervilliers Cedex, France. CNRS Physico-Chimie des Polymères et des Milieux Dispersés (PPMD) UMR7615, Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielle (ESPCI), 75005 Paris, France. ASTM 33rd Symposium on Pesticide Formulation and Delivery Systems: “Sustainability: Contributions from Formulation Technology” on October 23–25, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. Copyright VC 2014 by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. PESTICIDE FORMULATION AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS: 33RD VOLUME, “SUSTAINABILITY: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FORMULATION TECHNOLOGY” 118 STP 1569, 2014 / available online at www.astm. org / doi: 10.1520/STP156920120180 Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Tue Nov 4 16:51:37 EST 2014 Downloaded/printed by NULL pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
Effect of anisotropies on the magnetization dynamics

We report a systematic investigation of the magnetic anisotropy effects observed in the deterministic spin dynamics of a magnetic particle in the presence of a time-dependent magnetic field. The system is modeled by the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation and the magnetic field consists of two terms, a constant term and a term involving a harmonic time modulation. We consider a general quadratic anisotropic energy with three different preferential axes. The dynamical behavior of the system is represented in Lyapunov phase diagrams, and by calculating bifurcation diagrams, Poincare sections and Fourier spectra. We find an intricate distribution of shrimp-shaped regular island embedded in wide chaotic phases. Anisotropy effects are found to play a key role in defining the symmetries of regular and chaotic stability phases.
The biogeography of the Prosopistomatidae , with a particular emphasis on Southern African species

The mayfly family Prosopistomatidae consists of the single genus Prosopistoma Latreille. Its known distribution includes species from Africa, Madagascar, the Comores, Europe, the Levant, India, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and northern Australia. A tropical Gondwanaland origin of the family has been suggested. No species are currently known from the Neotropical or Nearctic regions, though the family may yet be discovered in northeastern South America, since this region separated from West Africa only c.120 mya. Focussing on southern Africa, several undescribed species have recently been discovered, with interesting implications to the biogeography on a more localised scale. In the western Cape, a prosopistomatid species has been collected in the Olifants River, extending the distribution of this family further south into a more temperate region. Geological evidence indicates that the Olifants River was connected to the Orange River during the Tertiary period. Prosopistomatidae are known from the Orange River today, and the presence of the family in the Olifants River in the western Cape supports the geological evidence of the historical link between these two rivers. Another unexpected discovery was from the Buffalo River in the eastern Cape, at 33oS. A subtropical zone extends along the east coast of South Africa as a result of the warm Agulhas current offshore, allowing the southerly extension of the distribution of more tropical species.
Deposition of Ultrafine Particles with Various Shapes in the Human Alveoli – A Model Approach

he present study deals with the theoretical modeling of ultrafine particle deposition in the alveoli of the human lungs. Respective deposition computations were conducted by assuming particle geometries ranging from ideal spheres to aggregates, which consisted of variable numbers of spherical components. For the simulation of pulmonary particle transport a stochastic lung structure characterized by high intra-subject variability of the airway morphometry was used. Besides total alveolar deposition also alveolar deposition in airway generations 12-25 was computed to obtain a more detailed insight into the deposition behavior of ultrafine particles. As clearly underlined by the model predictions, alveolar deposition depends on particle size, particle shape, and the mode of breathing. Highest deposition values may be attested for particles with aerodynamic diameters of about 10 nm. Smaller particles are subject to a highly effective filtering process in the extrathoracic region and upper bronchi, whereas larger particles are less affected by specific deposition forces and, thus, exhibit enhanced concentrations in the exhaled air. Deposition efficiency positively correlates with the inhalation flow rate or, in other words, ultrafine particles inhaled during sitting breathing are less effectively deposited in the alveoli than particles inspired during heavy-work breathing. Alveolar deposition of ultrafine particles may be regarded as serious criterion for the development of various lung diseases. Thereby, residence time of particles in the alveoli, particle biosolubility, and particle shape represent highly essential predictive parameters.
Rhyme and analogy in beginning reading: Conceptual and methodological issues

Goswami and Bryant (1990) proposed a theory of reading development based on three causal connections. One of these causal connections was based on the relationship between rhyming skills and reading development found in English. To explain this connection, they suggested that young readers of English used analogies based on rimes as one means of deciphering the alphabetic code. This proposal has recently become the subject of some debate. The most serious critique has been advanced by Seymour and his colleagues (Duncan, Seymour, & Hill, 1997; Seymour & Duncan, 1997; Seymour & Evans, 1994). These authors reported a series of studies with Scottish schoolchildren which, they claim, show that progression in normal reading acquisition is from a small unit (phonemic) approach in the initial stage to a large unit (rime-based) approach at a later stage. Two experiments are presented which replicate those conducted by Seymour and his group with samples of English schoolchildren. Different results are found. It is argued that methodological and instructional factors may be very important for the conceptual interpretation of studies attempting to pit “small” units (phonemes) against “large” units (onsets and rimes) in reading. In particular, it is necessary to consider whether a given phonological awareness task requires the recognition of shared phonological segments (“epilinguistic” processing) or the identification and production of shared phonological segments (metalinguistic processing). It is also important to take into account the nature of the literacy instruction being implemented in participating schools. If the phonological aspects of this tuition focus solely on phonemes (small units), then poor rime-level (large unit) performance may be found in metalinguistic tasks.
Speaker Verification in Mismatched Conditions with Frustratingly Easy Domain Adaptation

The 2016 edition of the NIST speaker recognition evaluation tests the ability of speaker veriﬁcation systems to deal with domain mismatch between development and test data. In order to adapt to new languages, a small amount of unlabeled, in-domain data was provided - warranting the need for an unsupervised approach to learn from this data. In this work we adapt a simple domain adaptation strategy to the speaker veriﬁcation problem. We test our approach using two types of speaker embeddings - i-vectors and neural network based x-vectors. Despite the simplicity of our method, we show that it outperforms a competitive PLDA domain-adaptation approach in the i-vector domain (12.11% vs 12.68% EER), and works as well in the x-vector domain (8.93% vs 8.91% EER) when the dimension of x-vectors is reduced to 150 by using LDA. Finally, as our approach adapts the speaker embeddings, we combined our adapted embeddings with the PLDA adaptation approach. We achieved our best result (8.23% EER) using this strategy with x-vector embeddings.
Chapter 7 Macroporous Silicon : Technology and Applications

Macroporous silicon (MPS) is a versatile material that since its origin in the early 1990s has seen intense research and has found applications in many fields. MPS is a key technology in photonic crystals research, and optic and photonic applications are its main applications. However, this chapter is devoted to several of the non-photonic uses of MPS. In particular, new electronic and MEMS devices and applications will be described. Furthermore, in this chapter, the technology of MPS fabrication will be presented.
Machine Translation: Phrase-Based, Rule-Based and Neural Approaches with Linguistic Evaluation

Abstract In this article we present a novel linguistically driven evaluation method and apply it to the main approaches of Machine Translation (Rule-based, Phrase-based, Neural) to gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses in much more detail than provided by current evaluation schemes. Translating between two languages requires substantial modelling of knowledge about the two languages, about translation, and about the world. Using English-German IT-domain translation as a case-study, we also enhance the Phrase-based system by exploiting parallel treebanks for syntax-aware phrase extraction and by interfacing with Linked Open Data (LOD) for extracting named entity translations in a post decoding framework.
Multiple Linear Regressions for Predicting Rainfall for Bangladesh

Agricultural economy is largely based upon crop productivity and rainfall. For analyzing the crop productivity, rainfall prediction is require and necessary to all farmers. Rainfall Prediction is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere. It is important to exactly determine the rainfall for effective use of water resources, crop productivity and pre planning of water structures. Data mining might be used to make precise predictions for rainfalls. Most widely used techniques for rainfall is clustering, artificial neural networks, linear regression etc. In this article multiple linear regressions used for predicting rainfall in Bangladesh.
AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF POMENGRATE PEEL WATER EXTRACT AGAINST FOLIC ACID-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS

Recent studies indicate that free radicals are important mediators of renal damage induced by high dose folic acid injection. Pomengrate peel was reported as a potent antioxidant. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of pomengrate peel water extract in folic acid induced renal failure. For this purpose, thirty adult male albino rats were assigned into 5 groups. group1: normal control group, group 2: experimentally induced renal failure injected with folic acid (250mg/Kg body weight), group 3, 4 and 5 experimentally induced renal failure injected with folic acid followed by oral administration of pomengrate peel water extract( 0.5 ml,1ml and 1.5 ml /day, respectively). The results of this study demonstrated that injection with folic acid (250mg/Kg body weight) impaired renal function judged by a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, and uric compared with normal control (p<0.05). Oral administration of pomengrate peel water extract significantly attenuated nephrotoxicity induced by folic acid resulting in a significant decrease in serum urea, creatinine and uric acid (p<0.05). The results also showed a significant increase in folic acid injection induced oxidative stress reflected in a significant increase in serum Malondialdehyde ( MDA) levels. Also, renal MDA significantly increased with a significant decrease in renal catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities (p<0.05). Oral administration of pomengrate peel water extract restored normal levels of malondialdehyde and retained control activities of renal antioxidant enzymes. Qualitative phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of natural antioxidants as flavonoid,tannin,saponin and sterols.Therefore,pomengrate peel extract have a more potential as health supplement and nephroprotective agent rich in natural antioxidant.
A virtual pathway reduced the need for physical review in patients with a suspected scaphoid fracture

Objectives: Suspected scaphoid fractures are a common reason for referral from the emergency department to fracture clinics. Few patients actually have a fracture. Cross sectional imaging has the potential to improve early diagnosis and reduce unneccessary immobilisation. The aim of this audit was to investigate the effectiveness of a virtual pathway, incorporating early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, for suspected scaphoid fractures. The secondary aim was to investigate whether the accuracy of other clinical signs, such as anatomical snuffbox pain on wrist ulnar deviation, was sufficient to reduce the number of patients requiring a MRI scan. Methods: A prospective audit was undertaken of 123 patients in an emergency department and associated minor injuries unit. These patients were managed with an early MRI scan. Where no significant injury was found, they were discharged after a phone call from a virtual fracture clinic nurse. Results: There were 16 (13%) true scaphoid fractures. MRI scanning showed other injuries including significant soft tissue injuries (13%), other carpal fractures (17%) and fractures of the distal radius (19.5%). The number of clinical appointments required was 0.42 per patient. Eighty patients did not have any face-to-face review. Other clinical examination techniques, such as anatomical snuff box pain on ulnar deviation of the wrist were not sufficiently sensitive or specific to reduce the need for MRI scanning or review. Conclusions: A virtual fracture clinic pathway and early MRI scanning reduced face-to-face reviews and unneccesary immobilisation. Clinical examination techniques are not sufficiently sensitive to reduce the need for scanning.
Influence of Sediment Presence on Freshwater Mussel Thermal Tolerance

Abstract: Median lethal temperature (LT50) data from water-only exposures with the early life stages of freshwater mussels suggest that some species may be living near their upper thermal tolerances. However, evaluation of thermal sensitivity has never been conducted in sediment. Mussels live most of their lives burrowed in sediment, so understanding the effect of sediment on thermal sensitivity is a necessary step in evaluating the effectiveness of the water-only standard method, on which the regulatory framework for potential thermal criteria currently is based, as a test of thermal sensitivity. We developed a method for testing thermal sensitivity of juvenile mussels in sediment and used the method to assess thermal tolerance of 4 species across a range of temperatures common during summer. Stream beds may provide a thermal refuge in the wild, but we hypothesized that the presence of sediment alone does not alter thermal sensitivity. We also evaluated the effects of 2 temperature acclimation levels (22 and 27°C) and 2 water levels (watered and dewatered treatments). We then compared results from the sediment tests to those conducted using the water-only standard methods. We also conducted water-only LT tests with mussel larvae (glochidia) for comparison with the juvenile life stage. We found few consistent differences in thermal tolerance between sediment and water-only treatments, between acclimation temperatures, between waterlevel treatments, among species, or between juvenile and glochidial life stages (LT50 range = 33.3–37.2°C; mean = 35.6°C), supporting our hypothesis that the presence of sediment alone does not alter thermal sensitivity. The method we developed has potential for evaluating the role of other stressors (e.g., contaminants) in a more natural and complex environment.