Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trigger Performance Simulation of a High Speed ADC-Based TOF-PET Read-Out System

Monte Carlo simulations of a time-of-flight Positron Emission Tomography front end readout system (TOF-PET) are performed to investigate obtainable timing resolution at different ADC sample times using LYSO scintillators. Results from simulations with different combinations of ADC sample times and analog filter time constants are presented. To determine the coincidence resolving time (CRT), a trigger system based on a digital constant fraction zero crossing discriminator (CFD) is investigated. Such a trigger system would be suitable for running real time in a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). It is seen that below a certain sample time, the time resolution is limited by the scintillator and MPPC combination, and not the readout system.
Desire for death in the terminally ill.

OBJECTIVE Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide have become prominent medical and social issues. This study investigated the prevalence of the desire for death in terminally ill patients, the stability of this desire over time, and its association with psychiatric disorders. METHOD Two hundred terminally ill inpatients were given semistructured interviews that assessed their desire for death and evaluated them for major and minor depressive episodes according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria. Each patient also completed a short form of the Beck Depression Inventory and provided ratings of pain and social support. When possible, patients who expressed a desire for death received a follow-up interview after a 2-week interval. RESULTS Although occasional wishes that death would come soon were common (reported by 44.5% of the patients), only 17 (8.5%) of these individuals acknowledged a serious and pervasive desire to die. The desire for death was correlated with ratings of pain and low family support but most significantly with measures of depression. The prevalence of diagnosed depressive syndromes was 58.8% among patients with a desire to die and 7.7% among patients without such a desire. Follow-up interviews were conducted with six patients; in four cases, the desire to die had decreased during the 2-week interval. CONCLUSIONS The desire for death in terminally ill patients is closely associated with clinical depression--a potentially treatable condition--and can also decrease over time. Informed debate about euthanasia should recognize the importance of psychiatric considerations, as well as the inherent transience of many patients' expressed desire to die.
Analyzing Information Dynamics within Trading Companies: Evidence from Indian Market

The motive of the research is to assess the practices adopted by investors to counter total risk and profit with the criteria for the investment decision and to know that if insider information is providing better returns from investments. The research is a cross-sectional study of descriptive nature. Moreover, it is a causal research because of various causative influences being studied among the variables. In our study, there are often deeper psychological considerations (such as; profit earning capacity, forecasting capabilities, risk bearing attitude and several others) that even the respondent (brokers) may not be aware of. The researcher has consulted 767 share brokers, investors, and transfer agents of the equity shares. After applying content analysis over the feedback provided by them, the study has originated a questionnaire based on their interviews. The 382 respondents filled the final constructed instruments, and further were analyzed with the help of the Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to measure the model. The model suggests that the insider information always depends upon the profit earning capacity, forecasting capabilities, risk bearing attitude and investment decisions. The results assimilated with the theory of efficient market hypothesis (Fama; 1965) which suggests that no investor will be able to beat the market with either public or private information if the market is in the strong form of efficiency. The outcome complied after the survey did propose the same concept that insider information very soon converts into the public information.
Safety Assessment of Ethers and Esters of Ascorbic Acid as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 7 ethers and esters of ascorbic acid, which collectively function as antioxidants, skin-conditioning agents, skin protectants, fragrance ingredients, and skin bleaching agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients, and concluded that the ethers and esters of ascorbic acid are safe in the present practices of use and concentration, as described in this safety assessment.
Comparison of Photoelectrochemical Current in Amorphous and Crystalline Anodized TiO2 Nanotube Electrodes

The interest in TiO2 nanotubes has resulted in a lot of studies including the effects of various parameters on the properties and performance for different applications. This study investigated the effect of anodization at a low temperature on the properties and photoelectrochemical performance. The effects of varied anodization settings on morphology, crystallinity, and PEC response were studied. Low-temperature anodization resulted in smaller pore diameter and shorter tube length. Annealing temperature affected the presence of varied phases of TiO2 such as the prominence of anatase and amounts of rutile and amorphous TiO2 at 125°C. To observe photoelectrochemical response, annealing at 450°C is necessary. However, a cathodic response was observed for TiO2 nanotubes synthesized with low voltage at low temperature. Hence, amorphous titania nanotubes annealed at 125°C with thickness achieved in the anodization can be a potential material used for photocatalytic applications due to its determined cathodic photoelectrochemical response.
EXTERNAL DEBT, FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEBT MANAGEMENT: THE NIGERIA

The study examined the External Debt, Foreign Exchange and Sustainable Debt Managementthe Nigeria Experience, 1980 2017. The main objective of the study is to examine the effect of External Debt and Foreign Exchange on Sustainable Debt Management within the Nigerian context; the work which selected Nigeria as its sample, covered a period of 37 years. The model developed for the research has sustainable debt management (SDM) as dependent variable and independent variables were; External Debt (ED) and foreign exchange (EXCHR). Secondary data used were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics. The techniques used for analysis are the Ordinary Least Square Techniques, the Augmented Dickey Fuller Unit Root Test Techniques and the Cointegration Test. The econometric techniques of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) results show that EXCHR had significant relationship with SDM in both short and long run periods while ED showed positive but insignificant relationship with SDM in both periods. The study concludes that while there is a significant relationship between EXCHR and SDM in both short-run and long-run periods, there is however, an insignificant relationship between ED and SDM in both periods. The study recommends amongst others appropriate pricing of external debt by the government and the engagement of such debt only for reproductive assets while diversifying the export base to earn sustainable foreign exchange, as these will assist in ensuring the attainment of sustainable debt management. Key word: Debt Management, External Debt, Foreign Exchange, Sustainable Debt Management GSJ: Volume 6, Issue 9, September 2018 ISSN 2320-9186 548 GSJ© 2018 www.globalscientificjournal. com
Propositional density in mild cognitive impairment Propositional density in spoken and written language of Czech-speaking patients with mild cognitive impairment

Purpose: Propositional density (PD) is a measure of content richness in language production that declines in normal aging and more profoundly in dementia. The present study aimed to develop a propositional density scoring system for Czech and use it to compare propositional density in language productions of older people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and control participants matched on age, gender, and education. Method: Groups of aMCI patients and cognitively healthy controls (N=20 each) provided short spoken and written language samples. Two samples were elicited for each modality, one describing recent events and one childhood memories. A series of neuropsychological tests were administered. The groups were compared using t-tests, the relations between measures using correlation coefficients. Results: PD was lower in spoken productions of patients with aMCI, compared to controls, but only in language samples based on remote memories. PD in these samples was related to verbal fluency and education, but not working memory. PD in written samples did not differ in participants with aMCI and controls. Conclusions: PD in spoken language reflects the cognitive decline in aMCI, but the effect is relatively mild. The results support the existing findings that PD is related to verbal fluency.
Moderating effect of top management support on relationship between transformational leadership and project success

Project success has remained the center of project management since long time. Continuous efforts are being indulged by various academicians and practitioners to find out the factors that contribute significantly toward project success. The authors edify the importance of project managers as transformational leaders in presence of top management support. This document investigates the interacting effect of top management support on relationship between project managers’ transformational leadership and project success. The study covers a total of 125 project managers selected through systematic sampling technique by using mail survey method. PLS-SEM has been utilized to analyze the study data. The study concludes that project success can be enhanced through unfolding the relationships between project managers’ transformational leadership and top management support. The study is pioneer to discuss these relationships particularly in a developing country. However, the study findings only rely on the higher education sector of Pakistan.
Predictors of Success Following Müller's Muscle-Conjunctival Resection.

PURPOSE This study aims to describe Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection surgery in terms of outcomes and potential factors that may predict final positions. METHODS This cross-sectional cohort study included patients undergoing Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection surgery for involutional ptosis over a 15-year period. Success was defined in 2 ways: 1) final marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) ≥2.5 mm (MRD1 success) and 2) final difference in MRD1 ≤1 mm between eyelids (symmetry success). Percentages of patients achieving both outcomes were calculated. Predictors of outcome were assessed using bivariate analysis and multivariate models. RESULTS The final sample included 315 eyes in 192 patients. The mean age (standard deviation) was 67.9 (11.9) years, and 60.0% were female. MRD1 ≥2.5 mm was achieved in 65.7% of the sample. Symmetry within 1 mm was achieved in 82.9% of the sample. Significant (p < 0.05) predictors of MRD1 success were female sex, concurrent lower eyelid blepharoplasty, and higher preoperative MRD1 in bivariate analysis; preoperative MRD1 and female sex in the multivariate model; and preoperative MRD1 in the a priori model. Significant (p < 0.05) predictors of symmetry success were female sex, previous lower eyelid blepharoplasty, concurrent lateral canthoplasty, preoperative symmetry, and older age in bivariate analysis; only female sex in the multivariate model. DISCUSSION Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection is effective for elevating the eyelid in ptosis and may be more effective for achieving symmetry than absolute elevation over 2.5 mm. The results remain difficult to predict based clinical, surgical, or demographic factors.
Effect of equisetum arvense extract on bone mineral density in Wistar rats via digital radiography

Background: Osteoporosis is a common disease of old age. The present study used digital radiography to determine the effects of equisetum arvense extract on the bone mineral density (BMD) of experimental rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 25 male and 25 female Wistar rats, aged three weeks old and weighing 100 grams, were randomly divided into five groups: (1) control group, (2) calcium/vitamin D group, (3) 60 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract group, (4) 90 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract group and (5) 120 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract group. Rats received these diets for 30 days. The spongy bone density was measured in the maxilla and mandible using digital radiography and the serum levels of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus were measured at baseline and after 30 days. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: There was no significant difference between serum calcium and phosphorus levels in the five groups before and after 30 days. The serum vitamin D in the group receiving calcium and vitamin D was significantly higher than in the other groups (with average values of 24.7, 61.7, 23.47, 23.95 and 39.16 in the male groups 1 to 5 and 29.0, 85.07, 31.58, 42.34 and 18.83 in the female groups 1 to 5, respectively (p<0.001). Moreover, the increased mandibular BMD in the 120 mg/kg equisetum arvense group was significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.01). Conclusion: A diet containing 120 mg/kg equisetum arvense extract resulted in increased mandibular bone mineral density.
Role of Differentiated Listening Instruction via Attending to Learners ‟ Multiple Intelligences in Enhancing Listening Performance of Iranian Learners

One efficient way through which learners‟ differences can be tapped and learning outcomes improved is implementing individualized strategies by adopting differentiated instruction (DI). Though many researchers, thus far, have addressed different benefits of differentiation, the possible role of DI in bringing about listening enhancement is still among the underresearched areas. Mainly aimed at finding the would-be effect of multiple-intelligences-based differentiation on students‟ listening comprehension enhancement, we embarked on a study with 80 participants from a language school. The students were all adult learners (both males and females) and had taken an IELTS-preparation course. Using Mckenzie‟s (1999) MI inventory three dominant intelligences (verbal-linguistic, logicalmathematical and spatial) were identified. The learners possessing other less frequent intelligence types were assigned to control group. After running IELTS listening pretest, the treatment was conducted for a matter of 14 sessions for each group differently in accordance with the characteristics of each intelligence type. The control group, however, went through the normal instruction. After running the posttest, the data were analyzed through Kruskal-Wallis test and a significant difference was observed among the groups which could be assigned to the practice of differentiated instruction. The implications are discussed throughout the paper.
Effects of vitamin B 12 adjuvant therapy on neural recovery after replantation of severed fingers

Objective: To investigate the effects of vitamin B12 adjuvant therapy on neural recovery after replantation of severed fingers. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 227 patients admitted to our hospital for replantation of severed fingers. We performed the following tests on all patients 8 weeks after treatment: Return of finger pulp pressure sensation (25 g), touch sensation (4 g), pain sensation (4 g), and discrimination sensation (>5 mm). Results: A week after treatment, 7.6%, 15.1%, 32.8% and 44.5% of patients from the test group showed excellent, good, fair, and poor recovery, respectively. In contrast, 0.9%, 6.5%, 16.7% and 75.0% of patients from the control group showed excellent, good, fair, and poor recovery, respectively, (P<0.05). Three weeks after treatment, 18.5% of patients in the test vs. 8.3% of patients in the control group showed excellent recovery (P<0.05). Five weeks after treatment, 71.4% of patients in the test vs. 44.4% of patients in the control group showed excellent or good recovery (P<0.05). Eight weeks after treatment, neurological testing showed that in comparison of the test and the control group, return of pressure sensation was observed in 80.7% vs. 48.1% of patients, respectively; return of touch sensation was observed in 70.6% vs. 39.8% of patients, respectively; and return of pain sensation in 60.5% vs. 39.8% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: Vitamin B12 adjuvant therapy effectively improved the recovery of neurological function in fingers after replantation of severed fingers and should be promoted in clinical practice.
Stock Market Mis-valuation and REITs : Evidence from a Decomposition of the Market-to-Book Ratio

Using a method in existing literature to decompose stock market mis-valuation into shortrun firm specific mispricing, short-run sector-wide error, and long-run value-to-book -, this study investigates the characteristics of the mis-valuation components of REITs. It’s found that shortrun mis-valuation of REITs is dominated by sector-wide mispricing. The size of firm-specific mis-valuation is relatively small with a mean (median) of only one percent (seven percent) over the 17-year sample period. Long-run value mis-valuation exceeds fifty percent of the annual total mis-valuation and investors persistently overvalue the component. Regarding the factors affecting REIT mis-valuation, it’s found that firm-specific and sector-wide mis-pricings are not explainable by asymmetric information arguments. Instead, the results suggest that the short-run mis-valuation components of REITs are related to irrational behavior and extrapolation errors of investors. In sharp contrast, the long-run value mis-valuation component is explainable by asymmetric information arguments but unrelated to irrational investor behavior.
Gradient auxiliary selection at the syntax-lexicon interface

The so-called “Charlemagne Sprachbund” was proposed by Johan van der Auwera (1998) to account for the large number of similar features to be found in French, German, Dutch, and northern Italian—the original territory ruled by Charlemagne. The perfects of the Romance and Germanic languages provide considerable support for the existence of this linguistic area: the borders of the Carolingian realm correspond almost perfectly to the borders of the HAVE / BE dichotomy in the perfects of western Europe. As a result of the political and social ties established during the time of Charlemagne, innovative strengthening of the dyadic relationship between HAVE and BE tended to occur in the core area, with BE periphrastics undergoing considerable growth. Evidence from Carolingian documents demonstrates that this expanded use of BE periphrastics is closely
Impact of Age on Emotional Intelligence and Its Components

The present study involves the analysis of Emotional Intelligence(EI) for different age-groups ranging from 1760years. The age taken as continuous statistic for every respondent and clustered as:Young-Adulthood(17-23 years), Middle-age(24-34 years) and Mature-age(35-60) for analysis. EI and its components:Emotional-Competency, EmotionalSensitivity and Emotional-Maturity were measured for 186 respondents. The results indicated significant impact of age on the EI and its components. Total EI increased with age. Emotional-Competency decreased from young adulthood to middle age and then increased for mature age. Maturity was maximum for mature age, whereas competency and sensitivity were maximum for middle age.
Isolation and characterization of a Chinese hamster ovary mutant cell line with altered sensitivity to vaccinia virus killing

The Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line is nonpermissive for vaccinia virus, and translation of viral intermediate genes was reported to be blocked (A. Ramsey-Ewing and B. Moss, Virology 206:984-993, 1995). However, cells are readily killed by vaccinia virus. A vaccinia virus-resistant CHO mutant, VV5-4, was isolated by retroviral insertional mutagenesis. Parental CHO cells, upon infection with vaccinia virus, die within 2 to 3 days, whereas VV5-4 cells preferentially survive this cytotoxic effect. The survival phenotype of VV5-4 is partial and in inverse correlation with the multiplicity of infection used. In addition, viral infection fails to shut off host protein synthesis in VV5-4. VV5-4 was used to study the relationship of progression of the virus life cycle and cell fate. We found that in parental CHO cells, vaccinia virus proceeds through expression of viral early genes, uncoating, viral DNA replication, and expression of intermediate and late promoters. In contrast, we detect only expression of early genes and uncoating in VV5-4 cells, whereas viral DNA replication appears to be blocked. Consistent with the cascade regulation model of viral gene expression, we detect little intermediate- and late-gene expression in VV5-4 cells. Since vaccinia virus is known to be cytolytic, isolation of this mutant therefore demonstrates a new mode of the cellular microenvironment that affects progression of the virus life cycle, resulting in a different cell fate. This process appears to be mediated by a general mechanism, since VV5-4 is also resistant to Shope fibroma virus and myxoma virus killing. On the other hand, VV5-4 remains sensitive to cowpox virus killing. To examine the mechanism of VV5-4 survival, we investigated whether apoptosis is involved. DNA laddering and staining of apoptotic nuclei with Hoechst 33258 were observed in both CHO and VV5-4 cells infected with vaccinia virus. We concluded that the cellular pathway, which blocks viral DNA replication and allows VV5-4 to survive, is independent of apoptosis. This mutant also provides evidence that an inductive signal for apoptosis upon vaccinia virus infection occurs prior to viral DNA replication.
proposed aging management program for alkali silica reactions in a uclear power plant ictor

Drawing from publicly available information, this paper addresses the alkali silica reaction management of Seabrook nuclear power plant. The essence of the reaction is first examined, followed by a summary of findings, current and planned work. Then, the authors draw on their experience in ASR to first comment on the current work, and then complete the paper with what they would recommend. An important observation is that ASR constitutes a major challenge to the nuclear industry, and a thorough understanding of the State of the Art is essential before a holistic approach is undertaken. It is neither a simple nor an inexpensive challenge, yet a most critical one that industry and regulators must confront. This paper is only a breach into such an effort. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Using TOEFL iBT® Scores for Determining English Proficiency of International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)

English-language proficiency is one among several important factors to consider when determining whether or not international graduate students are prepared to accomplish the various tasks associated with teaching at U.S. universities. The TOEFL iBT® test provides a trustworthy indication of a test taker’s English-language proficiency in each of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It was developed and validated specifically in relation to language use that is typical of university academic settings. As such, the TOEFL iBT test may serve as an appropriate tool for screening a teaching candidate’s English-language abilities, and many U.S. universities use the test in this way.