Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Air penetration enhances fragmentation of entering meteoroids

The entry and subsequent breakup of the ~17–20 m diameter Chelyabinsk meteoroid deposited approximately 500 kT of TNT equivalent energy to the atmosphere, causing extensive damage that underscored the hazard from small asteroid impacts. The breakup of the meteoroid was characterized by intense fragmentation that dispersed most of the original mass. In models of the entry process, the apparent mechanical strength of the meteoroid during fragmentation, ~1–5 MPa, is two orders of magnitude lower than the mechanical strength of the surviving meteorites, ~330 MPa. We implement a two‐material computer code that allows us to fully simulate the exchange of energy and momentum between the entering meteoroid and the interacting atmospheric air. Our simulations reveal a previously unrecognized process in which the penetration of high‐pressure air into the body of the meteoroid greatly enhances the deformation and facilitates the breakup of meteoroids similar to the size of Chelyabinsk. We discuss the mechanism of air penetration that accounts for the bulk fragmentation of an entering meteoroid under conditions similar to those at Chelyabinsk, to explain the surprisingly low values of the apparent strength of the meteoroid during breakup.
Workplace bullying and subsequent psychotropic medication: a cohort study with register linkages

Objectives We aimed to examine longitudinally whether workplace bullying was associated with subsequent psychotropic medication among women and men. Design A cohort study. Setting Helsinki, Finland. Participants Employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n=6606, 80% women), 40–60 years at baseline in 2000–2002, and a register-based follow-up on medication. Primary and secondary outcome measures Workplace bullying comprised questions about current and earlier bullying as well as observing bullying. The Finnish Social Insurance Institution's register data on purchases of prescribed reimbursed psychotropic medication were linked with the survey data. All psychotropic medication 3 years prior to and 5 years after the baseline survey was included. Covariates included age, prior psychotropic medication, childhood bullying, occupational class, and body mass index. Cox proportional hazard models (HR, 95% CI) were fitted and days until the first purchase of prescribed psychotropic medication after baseline were used as the time axis. Results Workplace bullying was associated with subsequent psychotropic medication after adjusting for age and prior medication among both women (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.93) and men (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.41). Also observing bullying was associated with subsequent psychotropic medication among women (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.88) and men (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.99). The associations only modestly attenuated after full adjustment. Conclusions Our findings highlight the significance of workplace bullying to subsequent psychotropic medication reflecting medically confirmed mental problems. Tackling workplace bullying likely helps prevent mental problems among employees.
A SPICE-Compatible Model of MOS-Type Graphene Nano-Ribbon Field-Effect Transistors Enabling Gate- and Circuit-Level Delay and Power Analysis Under Process Variation

This paper presents the first parameterized SPICE-compatible compact model of a graphene nano-ribbon field-effect transistor (GNRFET) with doped reservoirs, also known as MOS-type GNRFET. The current and charge models closely match numerical TCAD simulations. In addition, process variation in transistor dimension, line edge roughness, and doping level in the reservoirs are accurately modeled. Our model provides a means to analyze delay and power of graphene-based circuits under process variation, and offers design and fabrication insights for graphene circuits in the future. We show that line edge roughness severely degrades the advantages of GNRFET circuits; however, GNRFET is still a good candidate for low-power applications.
Aromatase Inhibitors and Plasma Lipid Changes in Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Women are typically diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer around the postmenopausal period when declining estrogen levels initiate changes in lipid profiles. Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are used to prevent the progression of cancer; however, a further reduction in estrogen levels may have detrimental effects on lipid levels, which was our working hypothesis. Methods: Our meta-analysis was conducted on the lipid profiles of postmenopausal breast cancer patients at baseline and at different treatment time points. Results: We identified 15 studies, including 1708 patients. Studies using anastrozole (ANA), exemestane (EXE), letrozole (LET), and tamoxifen (TMX) were involved. Subgroup analyses revealed that 3- and 12-month administrations of LET and EXE lead to negative changes in lipid profiles that tend to alter the lipid profile undesirably, unlike ANA and TMX. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, despite statistically significant results, EXE and LET may not be sufficient to cause severe dyslipidemia in patients without cardiovascular comorbidities according to the AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. However, the results may raise the question of monitoring the effects of AIs in patients, especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia.
A new partial volume segmentation approach to extract bladder wall for computer-aided detection in virtual cystoscopy

We propose a new partial volume (PV) segmentation scheme to extract bladder wall for computer aided detection (CAD) of bladder lesions using multispectral MR images. Compared with CT images, MR images provide not only a better tissue contrast between bladder wall and bladder lumen, but also the multispectral information. As multispectral images are spatially registered over three-dimensional space, information extracted from them is more valuable than that extracted from each image individually. Furthermore, the intrinsic T1 and T2 contrast of the urine against the bladder wall eliminates the invasive air insufflation procedure. Because the earliest stages of bladder lesion growth tend to develop gradually and migrate slowly from the mucosa into the bladder wall, our proposed PV algorithm quantifies images as percentages of tissues inside each voxel. It preserves both morphology and texture information and provides tissue growth tendency in addition to the anatomical structure. Our CAD system utilizes a multi-scan protocol on dual (full and empty of urine) states of the bladder to extract both geometrical and texture information. Moreover, multi-scan of transverse and coronal MR images eliminates motion artifacts. Experimental results indicate that the presented scheme is feasible towards mass screening and lesion detection for virtual cystoscopy (VC).
USP6 oncogene promotes Wnt signaling by deubiquitylating Frizzleds

Significance Ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) is a deubiquitylase that is overexpressed by chromosome translocation in two human neoplasms, aneurysmal bone cyst and nodular fasciitis. The relevant substrates of this ubiquitin-specific protease are not clear. Here, we identify the Wnt receptor Frizzled (Fzd) as a key target of the USP6 oncogene. Increased expression of USP6 increases the membrane abundance of Fzd, and hence increases cellular sensitivity to Wnts. USP6 opposes the activity of the ubiquitin ligase and tumor suppressor ring finger protein 43 (RNF43). This study identifies a new mechanism for pathological Wnt pathway activation in human disease and suggests a new approach to regulate Wnt activity therapeutically. The Wnt signaling pathways play pivotal roles in carcinogenesis. Modulation of the cell-surface abundance of Wnt receptors is emerging as an important mechanism for regulating sensitivity to Wnt ligands. Endocytosis and degradation of the Wnt receptors Frizzled (Fzd) and lipoprotein-related protein 6 (LRP6) are regulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligases zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) and ring finger protein 43 (RNF43), which are disrupted in cancer. In a genome-wide small interfering RNA screen, we identified the deubiquitylase ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) as a potent activator of Wnt signaling. USP6 enhances Wnt signaling by deubiquitylating Fzds, thereby increasing their cell-surface abundance. Chromosomal translocations in nodular fasciitis result in USP6 overexpression, leading to transcriptional activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Inhibition of Wnt signaling using Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) or a Porcupine (PORCN) inhibitor significantly decreased the growth of USP6-driven xenograft tumors, indicating that Wnt signaling is a key target of USP6 during tumorigenesis. Our study defines an additional route to ectopic Wnt pathway activation in human disease, and identifies a potential approach to modulate Wnt signaling for therapeutic benefit.
How Does the Micro-Groove Proﬁle Inﬂuence the Mechanics of Taper Junction in Hip Implants? A Finite Element Study

: This study aims to investigate the effect of ridged (micro-grooved) surface ﬁnish over the trunnion surface on the mechanics (stress, strain, and deformation) of the head–neck taper interface in hip implants. Using ﬁnite element modelling, the study focused on the geometric parameters of such micro-grooves to study how they would mechanically affect stress and deformation ﬁelds after the assembly procedure. As such, ﬁve different 2D models with varying micro-groove height and spacing were produced and assembled under an impaction assembly force of 4 kN in a 32 mm CoCrMo head engaged with a 12/14 Ti-6Al-4V neck. The results showed that lower von Mises stresses could be induced by either an increase or decrease in spacing against the base model (Model 1), which probably signiﬁes that the relationship between the ridge spacing and stress may depend on the level of spacing. It was concluded that the geometrical parameters of the ridges (and their non-linear interactions) impact not only the stress and strain ﬁelds but also the assembly loading time at which the maximal stress and plastic deformation occur.
Reactive, generative, and stratified models of probabilistic processes

Reactive, generative, and stratified models are considered within the framework of PCCS, a specification language for probabilistic processes. A structural operational semantics of PCCS, given as a set of inference rules for each of the models, a notion of bisimulation semantics, and some conference proofs are presented. <<ETX>>
Benefits of Improved Cook Stoves: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh

Reduction of biomass fuel consumption, improved health outcomes of household members and time savings for households are the key intended benefits of Improved Cook Stove (ICS). This paper attempts an empirical verification of these targeted benefits of the ICS, named Bondhu Chula, in ruralBangladesh. Propensity score matching (PSM), a quasi-experimenteconometric method, has been applied using the 2018 household survey data of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) that collected information from 600 users of Bondhu Chula and 396 users of traditional cook stoves. The analysis reveals that the use of Bondhu Chula on the averagesaves about 50 kg of biomass fuel consumption per month per household, i.e. 30-37 per cent of biomass fuel consumption compared to households using traditional cook stoves. Bondhu Chula was also found to have provided improved health outcomes by reducing indoor air pollution and led to reduced household cooking time. Despite the observed benefits of the use of ICS, the progress towards the adoption of ICS across the country is not satisfactory and there is a large opportunity to scale-up the use of ICS. The evidence provides justification for such a policy move.
Linear Codes for Broadcasting with Noisy Side Information: Bounds and Code Constructions

We consider the problem of communicating over noise free broadcast channels where each receiver possesses an erroneous version of the message symbols that it demands from the transmitter as side information, and the number of errors in this side information is upper bounded by a constant. This communication problem, which we refer to as broadcasting with noisy side information (BNSI), has applications in the retransmission phase of downlink networks, and to the best of our knowledge, has no known coding schemes available in the literature. In a BNSI network the transmitter can exploit the noisy side information at the receivers to reduce the number of uses of the broadcast channel. In this paper, using a known code design criterion, we analyze and construct linear coding schemes for BNSI networks. Using a representation of BNSI problems in terms of undirected bipartite graphs, we first derive lower bounds on the optimal codelength of linear codes for these problems. We then utilize the parity-check matrices of appropriately chosen linear error correcting codes to construct valid encoder matrices for BNSI problems. We further optimize this technique by partitioning a BNSI problem into multiple subproblems and applying independent linear encoders for each of these subproblems. Finally, we show that BNSI problems form a strict subset of index coding problems by proving that any given linear BNSI problem is equivalent to a scalar linear index coding problem, albeit with a considerably larger number of receivers than the given BNSI problem.
Analyzing the use of dynamic weights in legal case based system

This paper presents a case-based system to retrieve legal statements of Brazilian High Courts that emphasizes the use of theoretical structures to represent cases. AlphaThemis system has the characteristics from other case-based systems. The major innovation is to allow the user modify the weights used to determine the importance of each feature in similarity measure. This innovation is called dynamic weights. Their objective is to improve the retrieval accuracy in systems that have a human expert supporting the case base creation. In this paper, we analyze the recall and usefulness of dynamic weights, suggesting a new calibration of attribute relevance to achieve the their total efficiency.
The Production of Nominal and Verbal Inflection in an Agglutinative Language: Evidence from Hungarian

The contrast between regular and irregular inflectional morphology has been useful in investigating the functional and neural architecture of language. However, most studies have examined the regular/irregular distinction in non-agglutinative Indo-European languages (primarily English) with relatively simple morphology. Additionally, the majority of research has focused on verbal rather than nominal inflectional morphology. The present study attempts to address these gaps by introducing both plural and past tense production tasks in Hungarian, an agglutinative non-Indo-European language with complex morphology. Here we report results on these tasks from healthy Hungarian native-speaking adults, in whom we examine regular and irregular nominal and verbal inflection in a within-subjects design. Regular and irregular nouns and verbs were stem on frequency, word length, and phonological structure, and both accuracy and response times were acquired. The results revealed that the regular/irregular contrast yields similar patterns in Hungarian, for both nominal and verbal inflection, as in previous studies of non-agglutinative Indo-European languages: the production of irregular inflected forms was both less accurate and slower than of regular forms, both for plural and past-tense inflection. The results replicate and extend previous findings to an agglutinative language with complex morphology. Together with previous studies, the evidence suggests that the regular/irregular distinction yields a basic behavioral pattern that holds across language families and linguistic typologies. Finally, the study sets the stage for further research examining the neurocognitive substrates of regular and irregular morphology in an agglutinative non-Indo-European language.
MODE-LD+SS: A novel Differential Evolution algorithm incorporating local dominance and scalar selection mechanisms for multi-objective optimization

In this paper, we present a novel Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) called MODE-LD+SS, which combines Differential Evolution with local dominance and a scalar selection mechanism for improving both its convergence rate and its distribution of solutions along the Pareto front. In order to assess the performance of the proposed approach, we use a set of standard test functions and performance measures taken from the specialized literature. Results are compared with respect to three MOEAs representative of the state-of-the-art in the area: NSGA-II, SPEA2, and MOEA/D.
Image Caption with Synchronous Cross-Attention

The image caption aims to translate images into descriptive sentences, involving both visual and textual resources. The Deep Neural Network (DNN) based models are widely applied to solve this task, due to their impressive performance in the computer vision and natural language processing. Specifically, the attention mechanism is proposed to allow the models to focus on the essential parts of images. However, the previous models ignore both the correlation between the attention at different time, and the supervision of words on attention selection. This paper proposes an Image Caption model with Synchronous Cross-Attention (IC-SCA), which captures a visual sequence of attention with the information of words. Our IC-SCA model has two stages, visual and textual, which jointly model the multimodal information to generate the descriptions. This model is evaluated on one of the largest datasets for image caption, namely the MS-COCO dataset. Experimental results on BLEU-1~4, METEOR and CIDEr metrics demonstrate that our IC-SCA model outperforms the benchmarks. By attention visualization, the effectiveness of our proposed mechanism is also verified.
Inharmonicity of Sounds from Electric Guitars: Physical Flaw or Musical Asset?

Because of bending waves, strings of electric guitars produce (slightly) inharmonic spectra. One aim of the study was to find out also in view of synthesized musical instruments whether sounds of electric guitars should preferably produce strictly harmonic or slightly inharmonic spectra. Inharmonicities of typical sounds from electric guitars were analyzed and studied in psychoacoustic experiments. Strictly harmonic as well as slightly inharmonic spectra were realized and evaluated with respect to audibility of beats, possible differences in pitch height, and overall preference. Strictly harmonic as well as slightly inharmonic spectra produce essentially the same pitch height. Depending on the magnitude of the inharmonicity, beats are clearly audible. Low, wound strings (e.g. E2, A2) usually produce larger inharmonicities than high strings (e.g. E4), and hence beats of low notes are easily detected. The inharmonicity increases with the diameter of the respective string's kernel. Therefore, an unwound G3 string can show larger inharmonicity and more prominent beats than a wound D3 string. In a musical context, i.e. when playing short melodies with synthesized strictly harmonic versus slightly inharmonic string sounds, the latter are somewhat preferred, in particular by players of string instruments. The slight inharmonicity of sounds from electric guitars is not a physical flaw which should be avoided by synthesizing perfectly harmonic sounds, but can be regarded as a musical asset.
Using wireless sensor networks for energy-aware homes in smart grids

Smart grids aim to integrate recent advances in communications and information technologies to renovate the existing power grid. In smart grids, consumers can generate energy and sell it to the utilities. Moreover, they can avoid consumption during peak hours which helps reducing the peak load on the grid. Energy-aware homes can aid consumers to manage their demand and supply profile. In this paper, we propose Appliance Coordination with Feed In (ACORD-FI) scheme for such energy-aware smart homes. We show that ACORD-FI decreases the cost of energy consumption of home appliances, significantly.
The Influence of Carbon-Carbon Multiple Bonds on the Solvolyses of Tertiary Alkyl Halides: a Grunwald-Winstein Analysis

The influence of carbon-carbon multiple bonds on the solvolyses of 3-chloro-3-methylbutyne (1), 2-chloro-2-phenylpropane (2), 2-bromo-2-methyl-1-phenylpropane (3), 4-chloro-4-methyl-2-pentyne (4) and 2-chloro-2-methylbutane (5) is critically evaluated through the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation. Substrates 1, 3 and 5 lead to correlations with unexpected negative sensitivity, h, to changes in the aromatic ring parameter, I. It is claimed that I is not a pure parameter, reflecting also some solvent nucleophilicity, NOTs, character. In substrates 2 and 4 the possibility of rearside solvation is reduced due to steric hindrance and/or cation stabilization and the best found correlations involve only the solvent ionizing power, Y, and I.
Mini-med school for Aboriginal youth: experiential science outreach to tackle systemic barriers

Introduction Addressing systemic barriers experienced by low-income and minority students to accessing medical school, the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine has spearheaded a year-round, mini-med school outreach initiative for Aboriginal students. Method Junior and senior high school youth generally attend the half-day program in classes or camps of 15–25, breaking into small groups for multisession activities. Undergraduate medical education students mentor the youth in stations offering experiential lessons in physical examination, reading x-rays, and anatomy. All resources from the medical school are offered in-kind, including a pizza lunch at midday, whereas community partners organize transportation for the attendees. Results Opening the medical school and its resources to the community offers great benefits to resource-constrained schools often limited in terms of science education resources. The model is also an effort to address challenges among the medical professions around attracting and retaining students from underserved populations. Conclusion The prospect of increasing admission rates and successful completion of medical education among students from marginalized communities poses a real, though difficult-to-measure, possibility of increasing the workforce most likely to return to and work in such challenging contexts. A mini-medical school for Aboriginal youth highlights mutual, long-term benefit for diverse partners, encouraging medical educators and community-based science educators to explore the possibilities for deepening partnerships in their own regions.