Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of ZSM-5 zeolite on pyrolysis of polystyrene: from stabilizing to catalyzing

Nonisothermal pyrolysis measurements of polystyrene (PS)/ZSM-5 zeolite hybrids are conducted in N2 and thermogravimetric results have been kinetically analyzed with different isoconversional methods. Experimental results show that the addition of 5 and 10 wt. % ZSM-5 zeolite has increased the initial pyrolysis temperature of PS while the addition of 20 and 30 wt. % ZSM-5 zeolite can significantly decrease the initial pyrolysis temperature of PS. Elevated activation energy is resulted by adding low zeolite amount whereas reduced activation energy is obtained by adding high ZSM-5 amounts. The effect of zeolite ZSM-5 on PS pyrolysis can thus be observed to transfer from stabilizing to catalyzing. Furthermore, the pyrolysis mechanism functions of PS/zeolite hybrids are determined by integrating the master plots method with a new compensation effect method, and the most appropriate reaction models are found to be F0.92, F0.85, F0.56 and A1.32 for describing the pyrolysis of the PS/ZSM-5 hybrids with a zeolite loading of 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt. %, respectively. With the kinetic parameters thus available, the temperature-dependent mass conversion curves have been recast, leading to satisfactory simulations for PS/ZSM-5 hybrids.
Strain Improvement by UV Mutagenesis for Protease Overproduction from Bacillus subtilis E6-5 and Nutritional Optimization

The purpose of the present study was to enhance the protease production of the parental type Bacillus subtilis E6-5 by UV irradiation. The parental type was subjected to UV irradiation at different distances (5-15 cm) for different time intervals ( 1-120 min). After each treatment, total 400 mutants were obtained. The mutants were screened on skim milk agar plates for the selection of best proteolytic mutant. Among mutants, the mutant MET39, which obtained at 15 cm distance and irradiation time 5 min of exposure, was selected as best mutant produced 1.5 fold more enzyme over the parent strain. The effects of nutritional factors (various carbon, nitrogen sources and metal ions) on the protease production from MET39 mutant strain were studied. The best carbon source was found as glycerol. Among the inorganic nitrogen sources, the highest enzyme production was obtained in the presence of tryptone. The metal ions did not indicate significant effect on enzyme production. In order to enhance the yield, new modified medium was obtained by combining the best carbon and nitrogen sources. In this medium, enzyme yield was enhanced 88% compared to basal medium. MET39 mutant strain might have a great potential for protease production at industrial scale.
RoboAgent: Generalization and Efficiency in Robot Manipulation via Semantic Augmentations and Action Chunking

The grand aim of having a single robot that can manipulate arbitrary objects in diverse settings is at odds with the paucity of robotics datasets. Acquiring and growing such datasets is strenuous due to manual efforts, operational costs, and safety challenges. A path toward such an universal agent would require a structured framework capable of wide generalization but trained within a reasonable data budget. In this paper, we develop an efficient system (RoboAgent) for training universal agents capable of multi-task manipulation skills using (a) semantic augmentations that can rapidly multiply existing datasets and (b) action representations that can extract performant policies with small yet diverse multi-modal datasets without overfitting. In addition, reliable task conditioning and an expressive policy architecture enable our agent to exhibit a diverse repertoire of skills in novel situations specified using language commands. Using merely 7500 demonstrations, we are able to train a single agent capable of 12 unique skills, and demonstrate its generalization over 38 tasks spread across common daily activities in diverse kitchen scenes. On average, RoboAgent outperforms prior methods by over 40% in unseen situations while being more sample efficient and being amenable to capability improvements and extensions through fine-tuning. Videos at https://robopen.github. io/
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Family Needs Studies: Relationships with Parent, Family and Child Functioning

Findings from a research synthesis of the relationships between family needs and parent, family, and child functioning are reported. The synthesis included 31 studies conducted in 12 different countries. The studies were conducted between 1987 and 2021 and included 4,543 participants. Eight different family needs scales or adaptations of the scales were completed by the study participants (mothers, fathers, or grandmothers of children with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or medical conditions). The outcome measures included caregiver psychological health, parenting stress, parenting burden, parenting beliefs, family coping strategies, family functioning, family support, and child functioning. The correlations between family needs and the outcome measures were used as the sizes of effects for evaluating the strength of the relationships between measures. Results showed that unmet family needs were associated with more negative and less positive family and family member functioning and fewer unmet family needs were associated with more positive and less negative family and family member functioning. The sizes of effect for parenting stress and burden were larger than were the sizes of effects for each of the other outcome measures. Child condition and study quality moderated the relationship between family needs and parenting stress and burden but not the other outcome measures. The results are discussed in terms of one component of family systems intervention models.
Regional Seismic Focal Depth Estimation in Complex Tectonic Environments

Abstract : The accurate estimation of the depth of small, regionally recorded events continues to be an important and difficult monitoring research problem. In our previous work we developed a combined regional depth estimate, which represents a weighted average of multiple independent measurements of event depths. Our combined measurement includes focal depths found through assisted array processing of early P-wave coda, surface-wave amplitude inversions, and hypocenters estimated from regional travel times. We performed an initial validation of our methodology by applying it to moderate-sized events located within regional distances of the KSAR (Wonju, South Korea) teleseismic array. Our study in Korea showed that the new method produced accurate and consistent depth estimates using regional data. We also found that the IASPEI91 global reference velocity model was appropriate for the relatively simple tectonic region within regional distances of the KSAR array. In this study we further investigate the validity of our regional depth estimator in a more tectonically complex area, specifically in the region around the array in Turkey (Keskin; BRAR/BRTR). The region surrounding the BRAR/BRTR array is dominated by the continental collision between the Eurasian, African and Arabian plates. In a complicated tectonic zone such as this, a global reference velocity model may not adequately predict the regional travel times and amplitudes of observed regional phases, which can potentially lead to poor focal depth estimates. To address this issue we have examined the sensitivity of the depth estimator to the velocity model used in the analyses. We have applied the depth estimator to regional data from well-located events in the Middle East for the IASPEI91 reference and two regional velocity models.
Lithospheric-Scale Stresses and Shear Localization Induced by Density-Driven Instabilities

The initiation of subduction requires the formation of lithospheric plates which mostly deform at their edges. Shear heating is a possible candidate for producing such localized deformation. In this thesis we employ a 2D model of the mantle with a visco-elasto-plastic rheology and enabled shear heating. We are able to create a shear heating instability both in a constant strain rate and a constant stress boundary condition setup. For the rst case, localized deformation in our specic setup is found for strain rates of 10-15 1/s and mantle temperatures of 1300°C. For constant stress boundaries, the conditions for a setup to localize are more restrictive. Mantle motion is induced by large cold and hot temperature perturbations. Lithospheric stresses scale with the size of these perturbations; maximum stresses are on the order of the yield stress (1 GPa). Adding topography or large inhomogeneities does not result in lithospheric-scale fracture in our model. However, localized deformation does occur for a restricted parameter choice presented in this thesis. The perturbation size has little effect on the occurrence of localization, but large perturbations shorten its onset time.
Mean-Field Games: Theory, Numerics and Applications

In dynamical systems with a large number of agents, competitive, and cooperative phenomenaoccur in a broad range of designed and natural settings. Such as communications, environmental,biological, transportation, trading, and energy systems, and they underlie mucheconomic and financial behavior. Analysis of such systems is intractable using the classicalfinite N-players game theoretic methods is often intractable. The mean-field games (MFG)framework was developed to study these large systems, modeling them as a continuum ofrational agents that interact in a non-cooperative way.In this thesis, we address some theoretical aspects and propose a definition of relaxedsolution for MFG that allows establishing uniqueness under minimal regularity hypothesis.We also propose a price impact model, that is a modification of the Merton’s portfolio problemwhere we consider that assets’ transactions influence their prices.We also study numerical methods for continuous time finite-state MFG that satisfy amonotonicity condition, and for time-dependent first-order nonlocal MFG. MFG is determinedby a system of differential equations with initial and terminal boundary conditions. Thesenon-standard conditions make the numerical approximation of MFG difficult. Using themonotonicity condition, we build a flow that is a contraction and whose fixed points solveboth for stationary and time-dependent MFG.We also develop Fourier approximation methods for the solutions of first-order nonlocalmean-field games (MFG) systems. Using Fourier expansion techniques, we approximate agiven MFG system by a simpler one that is equivalent to a convex optimization problem overa finite-dimensional subspace of continuous curves. We solve this problem using a variant ofa primal-dual hybrid gradient method.Finally, we introduce a price-formation model where a large number of small players canstore and trade electricity. Our model is a constrained MFG where the price is a Lagrangemultiplier for the supply versus demand balance condition. We establish the existence of aunique solution using a fixed-point argument. Then, we study linear-quadratic models thathold specific solutions, and we find that the dynamic price depends linearly on the instantaggregated consumption.
Diagnostic Significance of Cytokeratin 20 and p53 as Adjunct Immunocytological Markers in Urine Cytology to Detect Urothelial Carcinomas: A Systematic Review Study

The progression and recurrence of urothelial carcinoma (UC) are correlated with carcinoma in situ and urothelial dysplasia. It is frequently challenging to distinguish dysplasia and carcinoma in situ from reactive atypia only based on histological characteristics. In daily practices, 2 of the adjunct immunohistochemistry markers (cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and p53) are used in addition to the histology to diagnose carcinoma in situ. This is accomplished by combining histological research results with immunohistochemistry. This systematic review summarizes the current findings on the diagnostic significance of p53 and CK20 as adjunct markers to urine cytology in the detection of UC. A systematic search of the relevant literature was conducted using PubMed, Wiley Online Library, and ScienceDirect databases. After screening for the eligibility criteria, a total of 14 selected articles were reviewed. Data extraction included a total number of samples, specimen samples, type of cells, and outcome parameters (mainly sensitivity and specificity). Urine cytology alone had a sensitivity of 75%-85% and specificity of 66%-95%. CK20 with urine cytology staining showed improved sensitivity and specificity in the range of 77%-94% and 71%-100%, respectively; p53 immunostaining with urine cytology showed a sensitivity of 52%-86% and specificity of 80%-98%. The dual staining in combination with urine cytology showed comparatively higher sensitivity and specificity in the range of 70%-90% and 74%-100%, respectively. This was more evident for high-grade UC (HGUC). Overall, single or dual staining combined with urine cytology was effective in this detection and can be applied as an adjunct marker in urine cytology.
Bacterial etiology, antimicrobial resistance and factors associated with community acquired pneumonia among adult hospitalized patients in Southwest Ethiopia

Background and Objectives: Antibiotic resistance is a significant problem that restricts the options for treating bacterial pneumonia. This research aimed to determine the bacterial causes of pneumonia and antibiotic resistance among hospitalized patients in southwest Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: We collected and analyzed 150 sputum samples from individuals with community-acquired pneumonia from April 1st to October 30th, 2019. Standard bacteriological procedures were used to identify the bacteria. Kirby Bauer’s disk diffusion method was used to assess the bacteria’s susceptibility patterns. Production of carbapenemase and extended-spectrum-lactamase were confirmed phenotypically. Odds ratios and the chi-square test were computed. Results: On the whole, bacterial pathogens were verified in 50% of the sputum samples. The predominant bacterial isolates were Klebsiella species, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. About 77.5% of isolates were multidrug resistant. Moreover, 40.5% and 10.8% of the isolates were ESBL and carbapenemase producers, respectively. Aging, tobacco smoking, previous history of pneumonia, heart disease, and chronic respiratory disease had association with sputum culture-positivity. Conclusion: As a result, it is important to regularly monitor the bacterial etiologies and their patterns of resistance. Additionally, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics should all be taken into account while managing patients with pneumonia empirically in this context.
Creative Thinking Skill Indicators in PjBL-based Reaction Rate Student Worksheets

This study aims to dig up informations about the suitability of creative thinking skill indicators in PjBL student worksheets on reaction rate material in the context of making liquid organic fertilizer from banana peels. The method used in this study is design research at the preliminary research stage and the development or prototyping stage. The preliminary research consisted of analysis of the literature review about project-based learning, creative thinking skills, and liquid organic fertilizer from banana peels. The development of prototyping stage consisted designing project-based student worksheets that designs to develop creative thinking skills and validation process or expert judgement by the validator about the designed worksheets. The results showed that there was a very good suitability (100%) bertween project-based stages and creative thinking skill indicators. There are three indicators of creative thinking skills that can be found in this worksheets, which is fluency thinking, flexibility thinking, and elaboration thinking. This shows that creative thinking skill indicators can be well formulated into project-based student worksheets on reaction rate material
Study of clinical profile of acute limb cellulitis patients in tertiary care center

Background: This high volume, single centre study investigated the clinical profile of acute limb cellulitis patients in terms of prevalence, etiological factors, bacterial epidemiology, responsiveness to antibiotic therapy and outcome of different treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study in our tertiary care hospital. Total 100 cases of limb cellulitis were evaluated from 2020 to 2023. Data about the selected cases collected to provide demographics, cellulitis grading, symptoms, complications, cultures
IN SILICO COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SARS-COV-2 MUTATIONS IN BRAZIL

SARS-CoV-2 é um novo coronavírus que surgiu no fim de 2019 na China. Ele causa Covid-19, uma doença que se tornou pandemia semanas depois do primeiro caso e é responsável por infectar e matar milhões de pessoas ao redor do mundo. Desde o primeiro surto, a comunidade científica tem procurado medidas terapêuticas e profiláticas contra a Covid-19. O objetivo desta pesquisa é trazer discussões que possam contribuir para o entendimento do vírus e o desenvolvimento de tratamentos e prevenções contra a doença, além de validar uma metodologia que possa ajudar no entendimento e controle de outros surtos virais. Para este propósito, 5016 amostras de SARS-CoV-2 coletadas no Brasil foram analisadas através de recursos computacionais. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da árvore filogenética, entropia da informação do genoma e gráficos e tabelas mostrando informações sobre as mutações do SARS-CoV-2 no Brasil. Com base nesses resultados, evidenciou-se a importância da proteína espícula para a alta transmissibilidade do vírus.
Variational methods for shape reconstruction in computer vision

This dissertation addresses the problem of inferring the three-dimensional shape and radiance of a scene from a collection of calibrated images taken from different viewpoints. The problem is known as “multi-view stereo” and has been studied extensively in the Computer Vision literature. Most existing multi-view stereo algorithms rely on identification of corresponding points or regions among images. They work effectively only when scenes are Lambertian and have textured radiances, because lack of Lambertianity or absence of texture in the radiance leads to an ill-posed correspondence problem. Targeting scenes with more complex photometric properties, we propose a framework of comparing the images with a model of the scene, which avoids the ill-posed correspondence problem. The model is comprised of a component for shape and a component for radiance. We model the shape as a collection of smooth surfaces and model the radiance based on the underlying reflectance properties. Within this framework, we present two stereo reconstruction algorithms, one for non-Lambertian scenes and the other for Lambertian scenes with smooth radiances. In addressing non-Lambertian scenes, we propose a novel model for the radiance. At the core of the model lies a rank constraint of the radiance tensor field and a discrepancy function that measures how well the image data satisfy the constraint. We exploit this model to reconstruct both the shape and radiance. The latter can be used to generate novel images that preserve the non-Lambertian appearance of the scene. In addressing Lambertian scenes with smooth radiances, we propose to model the radiance as a smooth function defined on an unknown surface. We then estimate both the shape and radiance by optimizing a cost functional which combines a geometric prior on shape, a smoothness prior on radiance and a data fitness score. Our algorithm jointly segments images in a region-based fashion. This scheme does not require computing image gradients and therefore is robust to image noise.
Comparative Assessment of Reliability and Accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Over Direct Surgical Measurement for Periodontal Bone Loss: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Assessing bone condition holds significant value in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosing the periodontal disease; its importance is undeniable. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of alveolar bone measurements due to periodontal disease using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), by comparing with surgical measurements, considered as the gold standard. Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study included a sample of 40 individuals diagnosed with chronic periodontitis who required periodontal surgery. A total of 202 sites were assessed for vertical and horizontal bone loss in the anterior (76 sites) and posterior (126 sites) teeth. Bone loss was measured using CBCT and a UNC 15 periodontal probe during the surgical intervention, and then compared. The statistical analysis involved employing a Student's t-test to compare measurements. Unpaired t-tests and correlation analyses were conducted using Pearson's correlation coefficient test. To establish statistical significance, a threshold of p<0.05 was considered appropriate. Results: The statistical analysis carried out on the mean values of CBCT and direct surgical measurements for vertical bone loss demonstrated a significant difference (p<0.01). However, the values obtained for horizontal bone loss did not display statistical significance. A strong correlation of 0.94-0.99 existed between surgical and CBCT measurements. A statistically significant distinction was observed between the two methods in measuring bone loss at the distal and palatal sites of the anterior teeth. Conclusion: Both CBCT and direct surgical measurement exhibit comparable accuracy potential in assessing alveolar bone loss. CBCT provides an accessibility advantage by enhancing visual access to challenging sites during surgical interventions, including palatal and distal areas of the teeth.
On Minimal Pumping Constants for Regular Languages

The study of the operational complexity of minimal pumping constants started in [J. DASSOW and I. JECKER. Operational complexity and pumping lemmas. Acta Inform. , 59:337-355, 2022], where an almost complete picture of the operational complexity of minimal pumping constants for two different variants of pumping lemmata from the literature was given. We continue this research by considering a pumping lemma for regular languages that allows pumping of sub-words at any position of the considered word, if the sub-word is long enough [S. J. SAVITCH. Abstract Machines and Grammars. 1982]. First we improve on the simultaneous regulation of minimal pumping constants induced by different pumping lemmata including Savitch's pumping lemma. In this way we are able to simultaneously regulate four different minimal pumping constants. This is a novel result in the field of descriptional complexity. Moreover, for Savitch's pumping lemma we are able to completely classify the range of the minimal pumping constant for the operations Kleene star, reversal, complement, prefix- and suffix-closure, union, set-subtraction, concatenation, intersection, and symmetric difference. In this way, we also solve some of the open problems from the paper that initiated the study of the operational complexity of minimal pumping constants mentioned above.