Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Settling characteristics of sediments in moving Bingham fluid

This paper investigates the effect of velocity on the settling characteristics of coarse particles in a moving Bingham fluid. The experiments conducted in a recirculating pipeline show that the thickness of the deposited coarse particles contained in the Bingham fluid increases when the flow starts to move. The increase continues until a critical velocity, beyond which the thickness of deposition decreases. When the velocity is further increased to another critical value, all the particles in the flow are suspended. Further analysis of the concentration distribution of coarse particles shows that the Bingham structure is affected by the flow condition. For fluids with a low fine particle concentration, a small velocity (turbulence) increases the Bingham yield stress, resulting in a reduction of the settling velocity of the coarse particles. A high velocity (turbulence) destroys the Bingham structure of the fluid and increases coarse particle settlement. For flows with higher fine sediment concentration, the velocity (turbulence) weakens or destroys the Bingham structure and the settling velocity of coarse particles increases.
Stochastic ground motion simulation of the 12 October 1992 Dahshour earthquake

The stochastic method for finite faults is applied to simulate the ground motion of the 12 October 1992, mb = 5.9, Dahshour earthquake. The method includes discritization of the fault plane into certain number of subfaults, and a ω-squared spectrum is assigned to each of them. Contributions from all subfaults are then empirically attenuated to the observation sites, where they are summed to produce the synthetic acceleration time-history. The method is first tested against its ability of reproducing the recording at Kottamya station. The calibrated model is then applied to calculate the synthetics at a large number of grid points covering the area around the fault plane. Simulated peak values are subsequently used to produce the synthetic peak horizontal acceleration map for the area.We compare the peak horizontal acceleration with the attenuation laws proposed for Egypt as well as the macroseismic intensity map of the 1992 Dahshour earthquake. The peak horizontal acceleration contours estimated using the calibrated model are mostly consistent with the observed intensity values and evidences of strong ground motions. Our results encourage the application of the approach as a supplementary tool for site-specific strong ground motion prediction.
Raman Spectroscopy of Blood and Blood Components

Blood is a bodily fluid that is vital for a number of life functions in animals. To a first approximation, blood is a mildly alkaline aqueous fluid (plasma) in which a large number of free-floating red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leucocytes), and platelets are suspended. The primary function of blood is to transport oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body and move carbon dioxide in the return direction after it is produced by the cells’ metabolism. Blood also carries nutrients to the cells and brings waste products to the liver and kidneys. Measured levels of oxygen, nutrients, waste, and electrolytes in blood are often used for clinical assessment of human health. Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical technique that uses the inelastic scattering of light to provide information on chemical composition, and hence has a potential role in this clinical assessment process. Raman spectroscopic probing of blood components and of whole blood has been on-going for more than four decades and has proven useful in applications ranging from the understanding of hemoglobin oxygenation, to the discrimination of cancerous cells from healthy lymphocytes, and the forensic investigation of crime scenes. In this paper, we review the literature in the field, collate the published Raman spectroscopy studies of erythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets, plasma, and whole blood, and attempt to draw general conclusions on the state of the field.
The Interrelations among the Perception of Parental Styles and Psychological Well-Being in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study

Background This longitudinal study aims to examine the relationships between the perception of parental style, hope, self-esteem and Eysenck’s psychoticism dimension throughout the span of four years. Methods: The sample was composed of 884 students from the Wollongong Youth Study, which commenced when students entered high school. During the course of the 4 years of the study, each participant completed the test booklets each time data was collected. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA, Post-hoc test, Repeated Measurement, Pearson and Partial Correlation and General Linear Model in order to provide the aims of the study. Results: The mean score of hope and self-esteem among adolescents from authoritative parents were higher from permissive and authoritarian families while the hope with a permissive perception were lower than those with authoritarian, and self-esteem was lower in the authoritarian group compared to the permissive group. Children with a permissive perception reported higher psychoticism compared to the two other. Significant correlations were found between authoritative perception and hope, self-esteem and psychoticism. Finally, hope, self-esteem and psychoticism showed a significant inter correlation in all of the parental styles. Conclusion: Adolescents with the perception of each kind of parental style showed significant between group differences in psychological well-being throughout the four years of the study.
Crack detection by the topological gradient method

Abstract: The topological sensitivity analysis consists in studying the behavior of a shape functional when modifying the topology of the domain. In general, the perturbation under consideration is the creation of a small hole. In this paper, the topological asymptotic expansion is obtained for the Laplace equation with respect to the insertion of a short crack inside a plane domain. This result is illustrated by some numerical experiments in the context of crack detection.
A complete analytical solution to the inverse kinematics of the Pioneer 2 robotic arm

For robotic manipulators that are redundant or with high degrees of freedom (dof), an analytical solution to the inverse kinematics is very difficult or impossible. Pioneer 2 robotic arm (P2Arm) is a recently developed and widely used 5-dof manipulator. There is no effective solution to its inverse kinematics to date. This paper presents a first complete analytical solution to the inverse kinematics of the P2Arm, which makes it possible to control the arm to any reachable position in an unstructured environment. The strategies developed in this paper could also be useful for solving the inverse kinematics problem of other types of robotic arms.
Reproducing DNS 10Gbps flooding attacks with commodity-hardware

Being DNS an essential service for Internet reliability, it is an attractive target for malicious users. The constantly increasing Internet traffic rate challenges DNS services and their attack detection methods to handle actual queries while being flooded by tens of millions of malicious requests per second. Moreover, state of the art on hostile actions evolve fast. DNS administrators continuously face new kinds of attacks and they regularly need to evaluate their detection systems. We have studied different approaches to develop a tool able to reproduce state-of-the-art attacks, aiming to make it easy to evaluate countermeasure strategies. We have focused on commodity-hardware, DPDK and MoonGen to build a flexible flood query generator. The described tool can saturate a 10Gbps link, sending more than 12 million attack-like random DNS requests per second.
Emergency duties and deaths from heart disease among firefighters in the United States.

BACKGROUND Heart disease causes 45% of the deaths that occur among U.S. firefighters while they are on duty. We examined duty-specific risks of death from coronary heart disease among on-duty U.S. firefighters from 1994 to 2004. METHODS We reviewed summaries provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the deaths of all on-duty firefighters between 1994 and 2004, except for deaths associated with the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Estimates of the proportions of time spent by firefighters each year performing various duties were obtained from a municipal fire department, from 17 large metropolitan fire departments, and from a national database. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for death from coronary heart disease during specific duties were calculated from the ratios of the observed odds to the expected odds, with nonemergency duties as the reference category. RESULTS Deaths from coronary heart disease were associated with suppressing a fire (32.1% of all such deaths), responding to an alarm (13.4%), returning from an alarm (17.4%), engaging in physical training (12.5%), responding to nonfire emergencies (9.4%), and performing nonemergency duties (15.4%). As compared with the odds of death from coronary heart disease during nonemergency duties, the odds were 12.1 to 136 times as high during fire suppression, 2.8 to 14.1 times as high during alarm response, 2.2 to 10.5 times as high during alarm return, and 2.9 to 6.6 times as high during physical training. These odds were based on three estimates of the time that firefighters spend on their duties. CONCLUSIONS Certain emergency firefighting duties were associated with a risk of death from coronary heart disease that was markedly higher than the risk associated with nonemergency duties. Fire suppression was associated with the highest risk, which was approximately 10 to 100 times as high as that for nonemergency duties.
Effects of Non-Collagenous Proteins, TGF-β1, and PDGF-BB on Viability and Proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

ABSTRACT Objectives The dentin matrix servers as a reservoir of growth factors, sequestered during dentinogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the viability and proliferation of dental pulp stem cells in the presence of dentin matrix-derived non-collagenous proteins and two growth factors; platelet-derived growth factor BB and transforming growth factor beta 1. Material and Methods The dental pulp cells were isolated and cultured. The dentin proteins were extracted and purified. The MTT assay was performed for assessment of cell viability and proliferation in the presence of different concentrations of dentin proteins and growth factors during 24 - 72 h post-treatment. Results The cells treated with 250 ng/mL dentin proteins had the best viability and proliferation ability in comparison with other concentrations (P < 0.05). The MTT assay demonstrated that cells cultured with 5 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor BB had the highest viability at each time point as compared to other groups (P < 0.05). However, in presence of platelet-derived growth factor BB alone and in combination with transforming growth factor beta 1 and dentin proteins (10 ng/mL), significant higher viability was seen at all time points (P < 0.05). The least viability and proliferation at each growth factor concentration was seen in cells treated with combination of transforming growth factor beta 1 and dentin proteins at 72 h (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results indicated that the triple combination of growth factors and matrix-derived non-collagenous proteins (especially at 10 ng/mL concentration) has mitogenic effect on dental pulp stem cells.
ID 392:TERSEO + T2T3 Transducer. A systems for Recognizing and Normalizing TIMEX3

The system described in this paper has participated in the Tempeval 2 competition, specifically in the Task A, which aim is to determine the extent of the time expressions in a text as defined by the TimeML TIMEX3 tag, and the value of the features type and val. For this purpose, a combination of TERSEO system and the T2T3 Transducer was used. TERSEO system is able to annotate text with TIDES TIMEX2 tags, and T2T3 transducer performs the translation from this TIMEX2 tags to TIMEX3 tags.
Accuracy of Near-Singularity Cancellation Quadrature Schemes for the Dynamic MoM Kernel

Near-singularity cancellation quadrature schemes are used for certain surface integrals in the method of moments (MoM). Schemes are typically derived for the static kernel, but then applied to the dynamic kernel in practice. In this letter, the effect upon quadrature error of adding the complex exponential factor to the integrand is evaluated for various schemes. Both theoretical and numerical results are presented. Integration of a weakly near-singular test kernel over a triangular surface is considered. It is found that a number of schemes can handle the dynamic factor well. The Radial-Angular-R1-Sqrt scheme is found to be the most efficient for the weak near-singularity. Results also show that for weak near-singularities, schemes tailored to strong near-singularities are less efficient.
The genus Nacobbus Thorne & Allen, 1944 in Argentina. 1. Study of a population of N. aberrans (Thorne, 1935) Thorne & Allen, 1944 on Chenopodium album L. from Rio Cuarto, Province of Córdoba.

SUMMARY A population of the plant - parasitic nematode Nacobus aberrans (Thorne, 1935) Thorne & Allen, 1944 from the province of Cordoba, Argentina, and naturally associated to the weed Chenopodium album L. is characterized on the basis of the analysis of its morphometric characteristics, and morphology as determined with the SEM. The variability or morphometric characteristics was evaluated. The taxonornic position of this species is considered.
Production of Mouse Embryoid Bodies with Hepatic Differentiation Potential by Stirred Tank Bioreactor

Embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into functional hepatic lineage cells, which can potentially be used in biomedicine. To obtain hepatic lineage cells from ES cells, embryoid bodies (EBs) must be formed. In this study, we developed an EB formation system using a spinner flask for mass production of EBs. ES cells were inoculated into the spinner flask, where they formed EBs within 4 d. The EBs were then transferred into an attached culture for hepatic differentiation. To verify the hepatic lineage cells, albumin secretion and hepatic-specific gene expression were examined. We found that EBs formed by either the spinner flask or hanging drops exhibited similar albumin secretion potential and hepatic-specific gene expression. We conclude that the spinner flask method can be used to produce mouse EBs that can be used to mass produce hepatic lineage cells for use in biomedicine.
Progressive-Stepping-Based Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm for Multi-Objective Optimization

This paper demonstrates two approaches to achieve faster convergence and a better spread of Pareto solutions in fewer numbers of generations, compared to a few existing algorithms, including NSGA-II and SPEA2 to solve multi-objective optimization problems MOP's. Two algorithms are proposed based on progressive stepping mechanism, which is obtained by the hybridization of existing Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II NSGA-II with novel guided search schemes, and modified chromosome selection and replacement mechanisms. Progressive Stepping Non-dominated Sorting based on Local search PSNS-L controls the step size, and Progressive Stepping Non-dominated Sorting based on Utopia point PSNS-U method controls the number of divisions to generate better chromosomes in each generation to achieve faster convergence. Four multi-objective evolutionary algorithms EA's are compared for different benchmark functions and PSNS outperforms them in most cases based on various performance metric values. Finally a mechanical design problem has been solved with PSNS algorithms.
Measuring Patterns of Self-Disclosure in Intercultural Friendship: Adjusting Differential Item Functioning Using Multiple-Indicators, Multiple-Causes Models

This study examined how friendship types, levels of friendship, and cultural backgrounds affected breadth of self-disclosure (BSD). BSD was measured with six self-disclosure topic items—in which higher scores indicated greater willingness to engage in conversations about various topics—from three groups with varying experiences with intercultural friendships. Confirmatory factor analysis was used with Multiple-Indicators, Multiple-Causes models to control for the influence of differential item functioning (DIF, groups responding differently to particular items). Findings in this study found significant evidence of DIF. These findings highlight the complex role of cultural backgrounds in the social penetration processes in intercultural friendships.
Erythrocyte glutathione deficiency in symptom-free HIV infection is associated with decreased synthesis rate

FAROOK JAHOOR,1 ALAN JACKSON,2 BRIAN GAZZARD,3 GARY PHILIPS,2 DANNY SHARPSTONE,3 MARGARET E. FRAZER,1 AND WILLIAM HEIRD1 1United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Station Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030; 2Institute of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton, Southampton S016 6YD; and 3Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9TH, United Kingdom
Design and Validation of a Morphing Myoelectric Hand Posture Controller Based on Principal Component Analysis of Human Grasping

An ideal myoelectric prosthetic hand should have the ability to continuously morph between any posture like an anatomical hand. This paper describes the design and validation of a morphing myoelectric hand controller based on principal component analysis of human grasping. The controller commands continuously morphing hand postures including functional grasps using between two and four surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes pairs. Four unique maps were developed to transform the EMG control signals in the principal component domain. A preliminary validation experiment was performed by 10 nonamputee subjects to determine the map with highest performance. The subjects used the myoelectric controller to morph a virtual hand between functional grasps in a series of randomized trials. The number of joints controlled accurately was evaluated to characterize the performance of each map. Additional metrics were studied including completion rate, time to completion, and path efficiency. The highest performing map controlled over 13 out of 15 joints accurately.
Development of an accident detection system for care service users by image and motion analysis

In the field of nursing care for the elderly or handicapped people, few service users to 1 care givers as legal standards of personnel positioning at every establishment in Japan. However, there is some lax attention caused by repititive job routine. The program is focused on the specific time and situation, which is guiding the service users to the dining room from each room and waiting for them until everybody is ready to eat. The program will watch each service users' face with a couple of observation points. One is to indentify a pain facial expression which is the main point and the other one is head motion. Both evaluations are analyzed one in different ways. In this study, firstly, a pain stimulation test where healthy adult subjects dipped their hands into ice water was carried out. A strong correlation between pain face factor calculated from the facial expressions digitized by the system and sensory evaluation shown by a pain score, VAS (visual analog scale) value, was observed for young adults. It indicates the validity of this system for the estimation of pain intensity. Secondly, a specific position and motion pattern was regarded as a critical region in each person was decided according to range of motion which was measured in each service user's head by an OT (occupational therapist) and a BS (bornsetter), in order to tell care givers when the service users' head moved in to a critical region or shifted unnaturally. Because there is a grat variation from individual to individual, the motion analysis requires an initial setting for each person. The study indicates the capability of the system by head traking accuracy.
In-Space Propulsion Technology products for NASA's future science and exploration missions

Since 2001, the In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) project has been developing and delivering in-space propulsion technologies that will enable or enhance NASA robotic science missions. These in-space propulsion technologies are applicable, and potentially enabling, for future NASA flagship and sample return missions currently being considered, as well as having broad applicability to future competed mission solicitations. The high-temperature Advanced Material Bipropellant Rocket (AMBR) engine providing higher performance for lower cost was completed in 2009. Two other ISPT technologies are nearing completion of their technology development phase: 1) NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) ion propulsion system, a 0.6–7 kW throttle-able gridded ion system; and 2) Aerocapture technology development with investments in a family of thermal protection system (TPS) materials and structures; guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) models of blunt-body rigid aeroshells; aerothermal effect models: and atmospheric models for Earth, Titan, Mars and Venus. This paper provides status of the technology development, applicability, and availability of in-space propulsion technologies that have recently completed their technology development and will be ready for infusion into NASA's Discovery, New Frontiers, Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Flagship, and Exploration technology demonstration missions.12
Initial results in power system identification from injected probing signals using a subspace method

In this paper, the authors use the Numerical algorithm for Subspace State Space System IDentification (N4SID) to extract dynamic parameters from phasor measurements collected on the western North American Power Grid. The data were obtained during tests on June 7, 2000, and they represent wide area response to several kinds of probing signals, including low-level pseudo-random noise (LLPRN) and single-mode square wave (SMSW) injected at the Celilo terminal of the Pacific HVDC Intertie (PDCI). An identified model is validated using a cross validation method. Also, the obtained electromechanical modes are compared with the results from Prony analysis of a ringdown and with signal analysis of ambient data measured under similar operating conditions. The consistent results show that methods in this class can be highly effective, even when the probing signal is small
Loss analysis of vehicle-to-grid operation

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability is becoming increasingly popular and can be expected to deploy in a large scale. According to the estimation of PHEV penetration degree and the charging characteristics, the modeling of distribution grid with extra load of PHEV charging is formulated first. The PHEVs plugged into the grid, when aggregated in a considerable number, constitute a new load. The impacts of this extra load on the grid are analyzed by power flow simulation in terms of power losses and voltage variation. Uncontrolled charging and optimal charging scenarios are compared in the 33-bus test system. The results indicate the possible problem caused by charging PHEVs and the necessity of building a new control scheme to schedule the generation and the charging profile in the grid. Thus the optimization algorithm is designed to minimize the power losses, and enhance the power quality of the grid as well. The improved model with further constraints for practical application of V2G is discussed. In this model, the ability to schedule both charging and discharging of PHEVs with V2G technology is presented.