Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the propellant residues emitted during 105-mm Leopard tank live firing at CFB Valcartier, Canada

Abstract : Research indicates that propellant residues accumulate at firing positions and represent a concern for the environment and human health. To better understand the impacts of live firing at firing positions, a series of characterizations was conducted to measure the deposition of propellant residues from many sources. The present study was conducted three times with Leopard tanks firing 105-mm tank gun ammunition. DRDC Valcartier assessed the particles emitted, the gaseous emissions, and the particles size distribution during these live-fire events. Gases were collected in front of and inside the tank and the results from the gaseous emissions study will be described in another report. This paper describes the results obtained on the deposition of propellant residues during tank live firings. This paper describes the sampling strategy, the laboratory procedure, and the results obtained.
Implication of ERBB2 as a Predictive Tool for Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer in Histological Studies

Pancreatic cancer will be positioned by the year 2030 as the second cause of oncological death after lung cancer. The pathophysiology of the most common variety, which involves the adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, represents one of the main challenges for current oncology to explain its tumorigenesis and create a targeted treatment. The tumor microenvironment, metastatic capacity, and lack of early diagnosis lead patients to present advanced stages at the time of diagnosis. Despite numerous efforts, little progress has been made in clinical outcomes and with respect to the improved survival of these patients. For this reason, in recent years, numerous diagnostic tests, treatments, and possible approaches in the fields of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery have been developed to find a combination of methods that improves life expectancy in patients diagnosed with this disease. On the other hand, the scientific community has made numerous advances in the molecular bases of pancreatic cancer since several oncogenetic pathways have been described and the markers expressed by the tumor have proven to be useful in the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These molecular alterations allow the study of possible therapeutic targets that improve the prognosis of these patients, but even numerous tumor cell-individual interactions must be explained to understand the underlying pathophysiology causing the high mortality. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to examine the expression of markers such as EGFR, Cyclin D1, andCDK4 in order to find a relationship with the possible long-term prognostic factors of patients affected by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Our results show that there is a prognostic role for ErbB2, EGFR, beta catenin, cyclin D1, and CDK4. Of these, we highlight the clinical importance of ErbB2 in the survival rates of patients who overexpress this component.
U-Net feature fusion for multi-class semantic segmentation of urban fabrics from Sentinel-2 imagery: an application on Grand Est Region, France

ABSTRACT Urban areas are increasing since several years as a result of development of built-up areas, network infrastructure, industrial areas or other built-up areas. This urban sprawl has a considerable impact on natural areas by changing the functioning of ecosystems. Mapping and monitoring Urban Fabrics (UF) is therefore relevant for urban planning and management, risk analysis, human health or biodiversity. For this research, Sentinel-2 (level 2A) single-date images of the East of France, with a high spatial resolution (10 m), are used to assess two semantic segmentation networks (U-Net) that we combined using feature fusion between a from scratch network and a pre-trained network on ImageNet. Moreover three spectral or textural indices have been added to the both networks in order to improve the classification results. The results showed a performance gain for the fusion methods in classifying several UF. However, there is a difference in performance depending on the urbanization gradient; highly urbanized areas provide a better distinction of some UF’s classes than rural areas.
A Direct Parameter-Error Codesign Approach of Discrete-Time Saturated LPV Systems

Considering a discrete-time linear parameter-varying systems with input constraints, this article deals with the codesign of a parameter-dependent state-feedback controller and a new parameter-dependent event-triggering mechanism. Two independent event-triggering policies are introduced at the sensor node to economize the limited network resources. They indicate whether the current state or the current scheduling parameters should be transmitted to the controller or not. In this sense, the controller scheduling parameters can differ from those of the system, yielding a certain degree of robustness concerning parameter deviations. Sufficient conditions, given in terms of linear matrix inequalities, ensure the regional asymptotic stability of the closed loop. To formulated them, we use the Lyapunov theory along with the generalized sector condition. Moreover, we formulate a convex optimization procedure indirectly reducing the transmission activity over the network. The proposed methodology effectiveness is attested through numerical examples and comparisons with related works from the literature.
Large eddy simulations of single and multiple turbulent round jets

We present results from three large eddy simulations (LES). The first two were those of a single jet at a Reynolds number of 11000 with different cell density distributions. The simulation results are validated with earlier experimental and computational studies at the same Reynolds number and almost the same boundary conditions. We establish the repeatability and reproducibility of the characterisation of a single axisymmetric jet. Additionally, we performed an LES of five round jets using the same discretisation schemes and boundary conditions. The five jets were placed in a cross or plus configuration, with a central jet surrounded by four outer jets. The mass flux, momentum flux and the Reynolds number of the five jet configuration were set to be equal to those of the single jet. Further, we analyse the near-field development of the multiple jets, along with entrainment and symmetry characteristics as the jet evolves. LES's ability to provide information about large-scale motions was used to compute conditional statistics. We, then, present details of an initial attempt to characterise the turbulent non-turbulent interface boundary and the coherent structures in the core of the jet in a unified manner using helicity density as the detector variable.
Exposure to Tobacco Smoking in Vehicles, Indoor, and Outdoor Settings in Germany: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Little is known on whether secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in vehicles, indoor, and outdoor settings is similarly patterned in terms of different socio-epidemiological indicators in Germany. This study aims to estimate the current national-level prevalence and associated socio-epidemiological indicators of SHS exposure in vehicles, indoor, and outdoor settings in the German population, using current data from a representative household survey. We used cross-sectional data (N = 3928 respondents aged 14–99 years) from two waves of the DEBRA survey (German Study on Tobacco Use), conducted between January and March 2020. The reported prevalence of SHS exposure during the last seven days was 19% in vehicles, 25% in indoor settings, and 43% in outdoor settings. We found that younger age and current smoking were consistently associated with higher SHS exposure. Furthermore, people with low education were more likely to be exposed to SHS in vehicles and indoor settings than people with high education. This study found that the prevalence of SHS exposure in vehicles, indoor, and outdoor settings is a relevant feature of everyday life in Germany, especially for younger people and people with lower education, leading to potentially persistent socioeconomic and tobacco-attributable inequalities in morbidity and mortality.
Profiling of Bacillus cereus enterotoxigenic genes from retailed foods and detection of the nhe and hbl toxins with immunological assay

Bacillus cereus produces pore-forming toxins responsible for diarrhoea; therefore, rapidly detecting these toxins in food retailed for consumption is needed. The genomic DNA of 100 B. cereus isolates recovered from some retailed foods was extracted and used as a template for enterotoxin detection. The detection of genes of non-haemolyticnonhemolytic enterotoxin (nheA, nheB, nheC), hemolysin BL (hblA, hblC, hblD), entFM, cytK and bceT by the isolates was carried out with PCR using primers specific for the targeted genes, while the production of Nhe and Hbl enterotoxins in fifty of the randomly chosen isolates was detected with a Duopath Cereus Enterotoxin kit. Ninety-five percent of the isolates carried one or more components of the NHE complex, while 56% had one or more components of HBL. Sixteen out of the 100 isolates carried all the genes for NHE and HBL complex genes. The entFM, cytK and bceT genes were detected in 85%, 74% and 60% of B. cereus isolates, respectively. Starchy foods had the highest incidence of the HBL complex, while nheA and nheC occurred mostly in protein foods with 90% and 87% incidence, respectively. The immunological kit was able to detect the production of nonhemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe) in all the B. cereus isolates, while 28 B. cereus isolates produced hemolysin (hbl). Nineteen isolates that carried one or more genes encoding hbl did not produce the toxin. This study clearly showed that retailed foods sold in Ogun State, Nigeria, harbor B. cereus enterotoxigenic genes responsible for diarrhoea. These toxins can be rapidly detected in foods using both molecular and immunological methods.
Declining Trend of Transapical Access for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Aortic Stenosis

Introduction The last decade has witnessed major evolution and shifts in the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). Included among the shifts has been the advent of alternative access sites for TAVR. Consequently, transapical access (TA) has become significantly less common. This study analyzes in detail the trend of TA access for TAVR over the course of 7 years. Methods The national inpatient sample database was reviewed from 2011–2017 and patients with AS were identified by using validated ICD 9-CM and ICD 10-CM codes. Patients who underwent TAVR through TA access were classified as TA-TAVR, and any procedure other than TA access was classified as non-TA-TAVR. We compared the yearly trends of TA-TAVR to those of non-TA-TAVR as the primary outcome. Results A total of 3,693,231 patients were identified with a diagnosis of AS. 129,821 patients underwent TAVR, of which 10,158 (7.8%) underwent TA-TAVR and 119,663 (92.2%) underwent non-TA-TAVR. After peaking in 2013 at 27.7%, the volume of TA-TAVR declined to 1.92% in 2017 (p < 0.0001). Non-TA-TAVR started in 2013 at 72.2% and consistently increased to 98.1% in 2017. In-patient mortality decreased from a peak of 5.53% in 2014 to 3.18 in 2017 (p=0.6) in the TA-TAVR group and from a peak of 4.51% in 2013 to 1.24% in 2017 (p=0.0001) in the non-TA-TAVR group. Conclusion This study highlights a steady decline in TA access for TAVR, higher inpatient mortality, increased length of stay, and higher costs compared to non-TA-TAVR.
The Welfare Cost of Late-life Depression

We quantify the welfare cost of depression among older Americans by estimating a panel VAR model of mental and physical health, labor supply, and consumption using data from the Health and Retirement Study. We use the estimated model and age sixty joint distribution of outcomes to simulate life-cycle paths with and without prevalence of depressive symptoms after age sixty. We estimate that the prevalence of late-life depression costs an average of between 0.85 and 2.1 years in quality-adjusted life expectancy per person. Moreover, depression may result in an average loss of labor supply of up to 1.1 months and lifetime consumption of up to $16,000. Combining into a single compensating variation welfare metric, we estimate a bound on the average welfare cost of depression of 8-15% of annual consumption after age sixty. On aggregate, this amounts to roughly $180-360 billion annually. We also project that while the average welfare cost of late-life depression is declining slightly over birth cohorts, the welfare burden is becoming significantly more unequal. final plot shows the response of (unconditional a contrast, when examining expected zero large rise over time, differences more than 50% nineties. These plots again highlight the small loss in potential to an
A mixed methods study on choice of media influence on construction industry communication

de Cresce El Debs, Luciana Ph.D., Purdue University, August 2016. A Mixed Methods Study on Choice of Media Influence on Construction Industry Communication. Major Professor: Mark Shaurette. This study focuses on the use of different communication media for solving problems in the construction industry. The focus of this research is on design-problems containing spatial information and are informally reported between site supervision and design professionals. Due to the fragmented nature of the construction industry, miscommunication is a well-known and common problem. Yet, this fragmented nature is necessary in order to build a complex product involving many different types of professionals. To better understand the issue, this study uses previous literature, such as those published on media richness theory, problem-solving strategy, and construction specific communications, in a three-phased sequential mixed-methods approach. The phases included an online survey with industry professionals (phase 1), interviews with industry professionals (phase 2), and a quasi-experiment (phase 3). Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed depending on the phase. Results indicate that construction industry communication relies strongly on face-to-face interaction, and telephone and email communications. The need for a ‘paper trail’ is an important factor driving communication patterns. Finally, phase 3 suggested that communication media that allow for immediate feedback and visual cues are more helpful in solving design-problems containing spatial information. Based on these results, guidelines for effective use of different types of media in the construction industry were then developed as a final product of this study. These guidelines seek to improve awareness about the importance of effective communication in the construction industry.
Enhancing Counselor Education and Supervision through Deliberate Practice

Professional and student counselors must develop and maintain their counseling skills in order to engage in ethical and effective counseling. Recent research suggests that graduate education and supervision has little effect on client outcomes. Investigations of expertise development have given rise to deliberate practice, a framework which structures skill development research and instruction. Deliberate practice involves individualized coaching, repetition, and solo practice in development of optimal performance. This conceptual article introduces deliberate practice as a framework for enhancing effectiveness of counselor education and supervision practices. Applications of deliberate practice to teaching and supervision and suggestions for future research are provided. What is the public significance of this article? : Counseling pedagogy uses a variety of methods in classrooms and supervision to help novice counselors develop key skills for their work. Deliberate Practice may be an effective method to help counselors develop more effective skills for working with their clients. Deliberate Practice provides a unified framework to help integrate common methods across teaching and supervision, and emphasizes the use of repetitive practice and individualized feedback.
UHF radar system tested on the bridge of Yangtze river

This paper presents a field test of UHF radar system on the bridge of Yangtze river in China. Recently a set of UHF radar system has been developed for vessel surveillance and estimation of surface velocity profile across the river. The radar operates at 300 MHz to match the dimension of water wavelengths. Another aim of ship surveillance is to protect the pier against ship collision. The transmit power of the radar is under 5 W and the maximum range is 2 km. This paper gives the design methods and waveform parameters of the system, some results of field test are also presented. (5 pages)
Fracture Toughness of Different Locations in API X80 Pipeline Steel on Low Constraint SENT Specimens

With the considerable use of high-grade pipeline steel in onshore and offshore project, welded joints are recognized as the weak link in pipeline because of the non-uniform microstructural regions induced by welding heat input. At first, the microstructural of different regions in API X80 pipeline welded joints was characterized and quantified by SEM, which indicate that the pipeline steel is a typical acicular ferrite steel. In this paper we investigated the J-integral resistance curve (J-R curve) in different locations of API X80 pipeline welded joints through low constraint SENT specimens with side grooves at room temperature. The effect of notch orientation (longitudinal-radial (L-R) and transverse-radial (T-R)) on resistance curve were investigated in base metal, which reveal the orientation almost have no effect on resistance curve. As the welded joints adopted in this study is two-pass steel arc welds, so the J-R curves of the inner surface, the outer surface and through-thickness surface notches specimens in the weld metal were investigated. The inner surface sample have the highest toughness through three samples because of the effect of second pass welding process. The effect of constraint on resistance curve was conduct between low constraint SENT specimen and high constraint SENB specimen, which found that the lower constraint corresponding to the higher resistance curve. After finishing the test, crack advancing plan of different positions were etched and observed by OM to demonstrate that the crack path always in the region which we would like to test.
Analysis of Steady Vortex Rings Using Contour Dynamics Method for Fluid Velocity

A water-jet can be used as one of the propulsion systems for ships and marine life. When a jet is injected to obtain thrust, a vortex ring is formed at a nozzle and then propagated downstream (Krueger et al., 2008). Furthermore, a vortex ring is generated due to volcanic eruption or nuclear explosion (Akhmetov, 2009). The flow of a vortex ring is formulated with the Helmholtz vorticity equation in inviscid and incompressible fluids (Batchelor, 1967). A steady vortex ring was first reported by Helmholtz (1867) who examined a vortex ring of an small circular cross section, while a spherical vortex was first analyzed by Hill (1894). Norbury (1973) analyzed a vortex ring in a steady state for general circumstances, which is referred to as the Norbury–Fraenkel family (N-F family) of vortex rings. A dynamic analysis is required for analyzing the instability due to the disturbance or interaction between vortex rings. A contour dynamics (CD) method for fluid velocity is used for analyzing the complex evolution of the contour of a vortex core. The CD method is a two-dimensional or axisymmetric flow analysis method due to the isolated vorticity in an inviscid, incompressible, and irrotational flow field (Pullin, 1992; Smith et al., 2018). The CD method can drastically reduce the burden of computations because the computation is performed in the form of line integrals on the boundary contour of the vorticity region. The fluid velocity on the contour is calculated using the CD method and then applied with time integrals to estimate the dynamic changes in the shape of the vortex core. Zabusky et al. (1979) introduced the CD method in dynamic analysis of two-dimensional vortex patches. Various examples of dynamic analysis for threedimensional axisymmetric vortex rings are provided in the study by Shariff et al. (1989). In this study, the CD method was applied to the analysis of the N-F family of vortex rings which are flows in steady state. Choi (2020) combined the CD method for a stream function (Shariff et al., 1989) and the direct shape-calculation method, and thus obtained results that were superior that those reported by Norbury (1973) wherein surface integrals and Fourier analysis were used. As a follow-up study to Choi (2020), in this study, we analyzed the N-F family of vortex rings using the CD method for fluid velocity examined in studies by Shariff et al. (1989) and Shariff et al. (2008). A stream function has been mostly used for analyzing a vortex ring in a steady state (Batchelor, 1967; Fraenkel, 1970; Fraenkel, 1972; Norbury 1973). In this study, we examined whether the CD method for fluid velocity, which is used in dynamic analysis, can also be applied to the analysis of a vortex ring in Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology [ARTICLE IN PRESS] https://doi.org/10.26748/KSOE.2021. 070 pISSN 1225-0767 eISSN 2287-6715
Freshness Evaluation of Fish by Quality Index Method (QIM) and Instrumental Method at Veraval Fish Landing Centre

Fisheries has always been the main industries in the Veraval (Gujarat) and are dominated by the Fisherman. Veraval is home to a large number of fish processing factories in G.I. D.C. which export prime quality seafood to USA, Japan, SE Asian, Gulf and EU Countries. For that it required a very fresh quality raw material. Freshness makes a major contribution to the quality of fish or fishery products. For all kinds of products, freshness is essential for the quality of the final product. In this study freshness evaluation of selected fish species from single and multi-day fishing carried out at Veraval fish landing centre. Quality Index Method (QIM) and Distell Fish Freshness Meter (Model Torrymeter) are the most accurate and widely used methods to evaluate the fish freshness. The parameter for the basic of these are skin, smell, eyes, gills, colour and general appearance.
PASSport to the Cloud – Results of a Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) Online Pilot Program

Deakin University’s online study environment continues to grow with over 12,000 students now studying in the Cloud. It is important to provide these students not only academic support, but also a sense of inclusion and community. This will improve their social engagement and from there, they will more likely succeed. In 2015, the Division of Student Life ran an online pilot based on their successful Peer-Assisted Study Sessions program. Results from the pilot were positive. Students reported greater connection with the subject and with their fellow students. The program will be expanded in 2016 based on this pilot.