Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for Wastewater Flocculation by a Novel (AlCl3-PAM) Hybrid Polymer

In this study, a novel aluminum chloride-ploy(acrylamide) hybrid polymer has been synthesized by free radical solution polymerization of acrylamide (AM) onto aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in the presence of ammonium persulphate and sodium hydrogen sulphite as polymerization’s initiators. On the other hand, the structure of hybrid polymer (AlCl3-PAM) has been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) have been applied in the flocculation process of wastewater treatment to achieve maximum removal efficiencies of total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity , and chemical oxygen demined (COD), as the other objectives of this study. The operating variables in this experiment were new hybrid polymer dose and wastewater pH. The maximum conditions have been found to be wastewater pH 7, and hybrid polymer dose 100 mg/l. Under these optimal conditions, the removal of turbidity, TSS, and COD in the effluent have been reached to 98.2%, 99.1%, and 90.6% respectively. According to these results, domestic wastewater treatment using (AlCl3-PAM) has proved to be an effective alternative in the administration of COD, TSS, and turbidity problems of municipality wastewater.
Pattern of recovery after open reduction and internal fixation of proximal phalangeal fractures in the finger: a prospective longitudinal study

The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of recovery after open reduction and internal fixation of proximal phalangeal fractures. A prospective longitudinal study of 66 patients who started rehabilitation within 1 week of fixation was undertaken. Measures of the level of impairment (range of motion, pain, strength), activity limitation (hand use) and return to work were collected at Weeks 1, 6, 12 and 26 after operation. Before starting rehabilitation, although pain was minimal, the range of motion was severely restricted and there was considerable restriction in ability to work. Most of the recovery in range of motion, pain, strength, hand use and work participation occurred by Week 6, with smaller gains by Week 12 and Week 26. Level of evidence: III
Neural Speed Reading via Skim-RNN

Inspired by the principles of speed reading, we introduce Skim-RNN, a recurrent neural network (RNN) that dynamically decides to update only a small fraction of the hidden state for relatively unimportant input tokens. Skim-RNN gives computational advantage over an RNN that always updates the entire hidden state. Skim-RNN uses the same input and output interfaces as a standard RNN and can be easily used instead of RNNs in existing models. In our experiments, we show that Skim-RNN can achieve significantly reduced computational cost without losing accuracy compared to standard RNNs across five different natural language tasks. In addition, we demonstrate that the trade-off between accuracy and speed of Skim-RNN can be dynamically controlled during inference time in a stable manner. Our analysis also shows that Skim-RNN running on a single CPU offers lower latency compared to standard RNNs on GPUs.
Model-based 3D-motion estimation with illumination compensation

We present a model-based algorithm for the estimation of three-dimensional motion parameters of an object moving in 3D-space. Photometric effects are taken into account by adding different illumination models to the virtual scene. Using the additional information from three-dimensional geometric models of the scene leads to linear algorithms for the parameter estimation of the illumination models which are all computationally efficient. Experiments show that the peak signal noise ratio (PSNR) between camera and reconstructed synthetic images can be increased by up to 7 dB compared to global illumination compensation. The average estimation error of the motion parameters is at the same time reduced by 40%.
Fluorescence imaging of dendritic spines of Golgi-Cox-stained neurons using brightening background

Abstract. We report a novel fluorescence imaging approach to imaging nonfluorescence-labeled biological tissue samples. The method was demonstrated by imaging neurons in Golgi-Cox-stained and epoxy-resin-embedded samples through the excitation of the background fluorescence of the specimens. The dark neurons stood out clearly against background fluorescence in the images, enabling the tracing of a single dendritic spine using both confocal and wide-field fluorescence microscopy. The results suggest that the reported fluorescence imaging method would provide an effective alternative solution to image nonfluorescence-labeled samples, and it allows tracing the dendritic spine structure of neurons.
Identifying Web search session patterns using cluster analysis: A comparison of three search environments

Session characteristics taken from large transaction logs of three Web search environments (academic Web site, public search engine, consumer health information portal) were modeled using cluster analysis to determine if coherent session groups emerged for each environment and whether the types of session groups are similar across the three environments. The analysis revealed three distinct clusters of session behaviors common to each environment: “hit and run” sessions on focused topics, relatively brief sessions on popular topics, and sustained sessions using obscure terms with greater query modification. The findings also revealed shifts in session characteristics over time for one of the datasets, away from “hit and run” sessions toward more popular search topics. A better understanding of session characteristics can help system designers to develop more responsive systems to support search features that cater to identifiable groups of searchers based on their search behaviors. For example, the system may identify struggling searchers based on session behaviors that match those identified in the current study to provide context sensitive help.
CPlace: A Constructive Placer for Synchronous and Asynchronous Circuits

Despite the potential benefits of asynchronous circuits compared to synchronous circuits, only small advances have been made in the adaptation of asynchronous methodologies by the electronics industry. One of the most important reasons for that, is the lack of asynchronous Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and the fact that existing EDA tools are not suitable for asynchronous implementations. Moreover, physical EDA tools, like placement algorithms, involve methodologies which are not applicable to asynchronous circuits, such as static timing analysis (STA) which cannot be performed in a cyclic circuit. In this work, we present C Place, a constructive placement algorithm which can efficiently handle asynchronous circuits. We use timing separation of events for timing analysis and maintain the quasi-delay insensitive (QDI) properties by bounding the relative delays of wires in isochronic forks. We employ absolute timing constraints for performance and relative timing constraints for QDI which are handled by an ILP formulation. Experimental results show the effectiveness of C Place in respecting QDI constraints against a synchronous, state-of-the-art industrial placer and a well-known academic placer.
High-Performance Glasses

Part 1 High-performance glasses, M. Cable: characteristic properties of glasses natural glasses the evolution of man-made glasses the development of glass technology the relation between glass composition and properties glass melting modern applications of glasses. Part 2 Glass formation from gels, I. Strawbridge and P.F. James: reaction chemistry of the sol-gel process applications conclusions. Part 3 Oxynitride glasses, D.P. Thompson: representation nitrogen incorporation characterization structure properties carbon-containing glasses nitrogen glass ceramics applications. Part 4 Coatings on glass, B.J. Kirkbride and G. Williams: deposition methods strength improvement and abrasion resistance coatings for optical systems architectural coatings automotive coatings transparent conducting coatings thin-film devices. Part 5 Glasses for flat-panel displays, W.H. Dumbaugh et al: the role of sodium sheet-forming processes glass compositions rationale for flat-panel display substrate requirements advanced technologies for flat-panel displays. Part 6 Glass ceramics, P.F. James and R.W. Jones: the formation of glass ceramics applications of glass ceramics. Part 7 Electrical glasses - ionically conducting systems, M.D. Ingram: conductivity-composition trends theoretical models for ionic conduction glassy electrolytes in advanced batteries anionic conductivity the mixed mobile-ion effect dielectric properties the glass electrode. Part 8 The bioactivity of glasses, K.H. Karlsson: bone formation silicon in tissues bioactive glasses bioactive glass ceramics materials for prostheses glossary. Part 9 Slow-release glasses, P. Knott: slow-release phosphate-glass system. Part 10 Controlling the durability of nuclear-waste glass, M.J. Plodinec: objective of waste vitrification parameters affecting glass durability vitrification processes glass formulation control of glass composition for durability glass performance in the repository the future. Part 11 Non-linear glasses, B.J. Ainslie: origin of non-linearity highly non-linear glasses semiconductor-doped glasses waveguides and device structures future prospects. Part 12 Advanced optical components, L. Ross: fundamentals of gradient-index glasses methods of producing refractive-index gradients in glasses optical elements based on GRIN structures. Part 13 Infra-red-transmitting optical fibres, J.M. Parker and A.B. Seddon: oxide-based systems chalcogenide and chalcohalide glasses halide glasses hollow-core fibres applications. Part 14 Photo-induced changes in chalcogenide glasses and their applications, P.J.S. Ewen and A.E. Owen: the classification of photo-induced effects in chalcogenide glasses reversible photo-induced effects applications of light-induced effects in chalcogenide glasses.
G-protein-coupled OX1 Orexin/hcrtr-1 Hypocretin Receptors Induce Caspase-dependent and -independent Cell Death through p38 Mitogen-/Stress-activated Protein Kinase*

We have investigated the signaling of OX1 receptors to cell death using Chinese hamster ovary cells as a model system. OX1 receptor stimulation with orexin-A caused a delayed cell death independently of cytosolic Ca2+ elevation. The classical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, ERK and p38, were strongly activated by orexin-A. p38 was essential for induction of cell death, whereas the ERK pathway appeared protective. A pathway often implicated in the p38-mediated cell death, activation of p53, did not mediate the cell death, as there was no stabilization of p53 or increase in p53-dependent transcriptional activity, and dominant-negative p53 constructs did not inhibit cell demise. Under basal conditions, orexin-A-induced cell death was associated with compact chromatin condensation and it required de novo gene transcription and protein synthesis, the classical hallmarks of programmed (apoptotic) cell death. However, though the pan-caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-(O-methyl)fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-fmk) fully inhibited the caspase activity, it did not rescue the cells from orexin-A-induced death. In the presence of Z-VAD-fmk, orexin-A-induced cell death was still dependent on p38 and de novo protein synthesis, but it no longer required gene transcription. Thus, caspase inhibition causes activation of alternative, gene transcription-independent death pathway. In summary, the present study points out mechanisms for orexin receptor-mediated cell death and adds to our general understanding of the role of G-protein-coupled receptor signaling in cell death by suggesting a pathway from G-protein-coupled receptors to cell death via p38 mitogen-/stress-activated protein kinase independent of p53 and caspase activation.
Modelling Word Meaning using Efficient Tensor Representations

Models of word meaning, built from a corpus of text, have demonstrated success in emulating human performance on a number of cognitive tasks. Many of these models use geometric representations of words to store semantic associations between words. Often word order information is not captured in these models. The lack of structural information used by these models has been raised as a weakness when performing cognitive tasks. This paper presents an efficient tensor based approach to modelling word meaning that builds on recent attempts to encode word order information, while providing flexible methods for extracting task specific semantic information.
Deformation, heating and melting of solids in high-speed friction

An experimental study has been made of the effects of frictional heating on the deformation of solids rubbing at very high speeds and at reasonably heavy loads. A new method for measuring the friction under these conditions is described. A steel ball, rapidly spinning round its vertical axis, is allowed to fall a short distance and to bounce off an inclined flat solid surface. The friction of steel on various solids in a vacuum of ca. 10-4mm Hg, at sliding speeds up to 700 m/s, is determined from the measured direction of the ball’s horizontal velocity after the impact. In addition, separate piezo-electric measurements are made of the load and the friction force. Again the coefficient of friction is found to decrease with increasing sliding speed. The general behaviour is similar to that observed at light loads but there are important differences. With heavy loads the deformation of the solids appears to be primarily plastic. Within a very short time after being brought into contact with a fast-moving surface, solids with a sufficiently low melting point melt on a large scale so that a continuous film of molten material is developed over the area of contact. The resistance to motion is determined primarily by this liquid film so that it may now increase as the speed rises. The heating due to the shearing of this film causes the solid to melt away rapidly, and as a result the wear rate of such solids usually becomes great at high sliding speeds. Certain polymers, however, exhibit a greater wear resistance than metals and other solids which possess a low viscosity in the molten state. Calculations indicate that in these polymers, owing to their high viscosity, the temperature of the sheared film may be considerably higher than the melting temperature. As a consequence, a larger proportion of the heat developed by the shearing may be absorbed in the already molten material, and less heat will be available for further melting. Gas liberated by thermal decomposition may also reduce the friction and wear.
Understanding the key performance issues with MAC protocols for multi-hop wireless networks

Summary Multi-hop wireless networks arise in the context of ad hoc networks, sensor networks, and mesh networks, and their performance depends critically on the underlying medium access control (MAC) protocol. Inspite of the large body of work devoted to MAC protocols and associated problems, the relative importance of these problems is still not well understood. This is because most of the previous work focuses on designing a protocol to solve a particular problem, or on identifying scenarios where a protocol will not work well. In addition, most of the work is also based on simplistic assumptions about the physical wireless medium, like fixed ranges for communication and interference, or concepts like capture threshold where the desired signal strength is compared with interference from a single node at a time, rather than cumulatively. Our paper seeks to address these issues. We believe it is extremely critical that (i) we develop an understanding of the relative significance of the problems affecting MAC protocols, and that (ii) we use a realistic model for the physical channel for design and performance evaluation. Towards this end, we evaluate the performance of three currently proposed MAC protocols, IEEE 802.11 [1], RI-BTMA [2], and DUCHA [3] under a realistic channel model with additive interference. Since these protocols solve or suffer from different sets of problems, our evaluation provides a differential diagnosis of the severity of these problems. Based on our observations, we propose a simple and robust two channel MAC protocol (entitled 2CM) that is based on IEEE 802.11 augmented with a busy-tone channel. The 2CM protocol (i) mitigates the hidden node problem considerably, (ii) does not waste bandwidth in terms of logical control channels, and (iii) provides a reliable link layer acknowledgment. Through extensive simulations, we show that 2CM offers a consistently high throughput performance while not sacrificing link layer reliability in a variety of scenarios, thereby vindicating our approach. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fatigue strength optimisation of friction stir welded A6005-T5 alloy sheets

In this study, the friction stir welding process is optimised to improve the fatigue strength of the joints of A6005-T5 alloy sheets. The welding speed, rotational speed and tilting angle of the tool tip are chosen as design variables. Fifteen friction stir welding experiments are performed according to the central composite design table. The regression model function is estimated using the response surface analysis method. Using the model function, sensitivity analysis is carried out and the effect of each design variable on the fatigue strength of the joint is discussed. The optimum values of design variables are determined using the sequential quadratic programming algorithm.
Commentary: A “Source” of Error: Computer Code, Criminal Defendants, and the Constitution

Chessman (2017) warns of the current trend to admit into court unchallenged the results of complex computerized calculations. He provides a number of examples and arguments claimed to demonstrate the need for open source software to remove the “black box” element. We agree with parts of this sentiment, and the topic of this special issue, that there is a danger with those using and receiving information from black box systems. Some care however is needed with simple diagnoses and prescriptions such as these. Modern probabilistic genotyping software are replacing methods previously applied manually. We have great confidence in the forensic community with regard to both integrity and dedication. The previously applied processes are usually a composite of standard operating procedure and human judgment. The difference between these and probabilistic software is largely that the processes in the software are encoded. Many disciplines are sufficiently broad that practitioners need to rely, in part, on the work of others. This is not new (for a discussion on this point see Taylor, 2016). The risk to which Chessman refers arises when the individual using the system has so little understanding that they do not know how to use the system, or when it has not worked1. Chessman provides some helpful suggestions for how breaking down black box barriers can be addressed on an individual and systemic scale. As developers of expert system STRmixTM2 (Taylor et al., 2013), we wish to address some of the alarmist points in Chessman (and echoed by others3) that gives the impression that producers of expert systems are all either incompetent or corrupt. We first wish to correct a couple of points in (Chessman, 2017). Regarding the “erroneous assumption” referenced by footnotes 49–51: This miscode, and indeed any miscode found that has been identified in STRmix development or use, was identified by examination of the program’s output and not the source code. It would be nearly impossible to identify subtle errors in code by viewing the code. The identification has always been a result of comparison of the results produced by a program to some known control4. The results of these comparisons then trigger the examination of a specific section of the code in order to discover the source of the discrepancy.
Family‐based tests for associating haplotypes with general phenotype data: Application to asthma genetics

We provide a general purpose family‐based testing strategy for associating disease phenotypes with haplotypes when phase may be ambiguous and parental genotype data may be missing. These tests for linkage and association can be used in candidate gene studies with tightly linked markers. Our proposed weighted conditional approach extends the method described in Rabinowitz and Laird [Human Heredity 504:227–233, 2000] to multiple markers. It is attractive because it provides haplotype tests for family‐based studies that are efficient and robust to population admixture, phenotype distribution specification, and ascertainment based on phenotypes. It can handle missing parental genotypes and/or missing phase in both offspring and parents. It yields either haplotype‐specific (univariate) tests or multi‐haplotype (global) tests. This extension has been implemented in the freely available software haplotype FBAT. We used the haplotype FBAT program to test for associations between asthma phenotypes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the beta‐2 adrenergic receptor gene. Whereas no single SNP showed significant association with asthma diagnosis or bronchodilator responsiveness (quantitative trait), a haplotype‐based global test found a highly significant association with asthma diagnosis (P value <0.00005) and the measure of bronchodilator responsiveness (P value =0.016). Genet Epidemiol 26:61–69, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of Endocrine Parameters as Predictor of Major Depressive Disorder

Background: The diagnosis of the disease, major depressive disorder (MDD), entirely depends on the presence of some symptoms without any biochemical parameter to support it. Depletion of dopamine though is an established feature, is not the sole causative factor of MDD. Moreover, it has very little diagnostic value due to a short half-life. Other chemical messengers like hormones have also been found to get altered due to significant over activity of hypothalamo-pituitary axis. Literature review suggests that cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin (PRL) are mostly altered in MDD, which can be utilized to diagnose the condition. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 patients suffering from MDD along with 106 age- and sex-matched controls were included in this study. Cortisol, TSH, and PRL were assayed in all the study participants by enzyme immunoassay. Student's t-test and linear discriminant analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: All the three hormones were found to be significantly high in cases with MDD. When applied for classification purpose, the errors in training group were found to be 15% and 15.74% from test set. None of the normal population was wrongly diagnosed as a patient of depression. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to evaluate multiple biochemical parameters as diagnostic marker of MDD. The study is in progress to find out a cutoff value of the responsible parameter so that they can be optimally used to diagnose a case of MDD.