Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
δ25 Crack opening displacement parameter in cohesive zone models: experiments and simulations in asphalt concrete

Recent work with fracture characterization of asphalt concrete has shown that a cohesive zone model (CZM) provides insight into the fracture process of the materials. However, a current approach to estimate fracture energy, i.e., in terms of area of force versus crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD), for asphalt concrete overpredicts its magnitude. Therefore, the δ 25 parameter, which was inspired by the δ 5 concept of Schwalbe and co-workers, is proposed as an operational definition of a crack tip opening displacement (CTOD). The δ 25 measurement is incorporated into an experimental study of validation of its usefulness with asphalt concrete, and is utilized to estimate fracture energy. The work presented herein validates the δ 25 parameter for asphalt concrete, describes the experimental techniques for utilizing the δ 25 parameter, and presents three-dimensional (3D) CZM simulations with a specially tailored cohesive relation. The integration of the δ 25 parameter and new cohesive model has provided further insight into the fracture process of asphalt concrete with relatively good agreement between experimental results and numerical simulations.
Finding Similar Mobile Consumers with a Privacy-Friendly Geosocial Design

This paper focuses on finding the same and similar users based on location-visitation data in a mobile environment. We propose a new design that uses consumer-location data from mobile devices smartphones, smart pads, laptops, etc. to build a "geosimilarity network" among users. The geosimilarity network GSN could be used for a variety of analytics-driven applications, such as targeting advertisements to the same user on different devices or to users with similar tastes, and to improve online interactions by selecting users with similar tastes. The basic idea is that two devices are similar, and thereby connected in the GSN, when they share at least one visited location. They are more similar as they visit more shared locations and as the locations they share are visited by fewer people. This paper first introduces the main ideas and ties them to theory and related work. It next introduces a specific design for selecting entities with similar location distributions, the results of which are shown using real mobile location data across seven ad exchanges. We focus on two high-level questions: 1 Does geosimilarity allow us to find different entities corresponding to the same individual, for example, as seen through different bidding systems? And 2 do entities linked by similarities in local mobile behavior show similar interests, as measured by visits to particular publishers? The results show positive results for both. Specifically, for 1, even with the data sample's limited observability, 70%-80% of the time the same individual is connected to herself in the GSN. For 2, the GSN neighbors of visitors to a wide variety of publishers are substantially more likely also to visit those same publishers. Highly similar GSN neighbors show very substantial lift.
On the Role of Time and Sessions in Diversifying Recommendation Results

Intent-aware approaches to diversification have been proposed in the last years to provide the user with a list of recommendations covering different aspects of her behavior. In this paper, we present two diversification methods taking into account temporal aspects of the user profile: in the first one, in order to emphasize the importance of more recent items, we adopt a temporal decay function while in the second one we take into account temporal sessions. The two proposed methods have been implemented as temporal variants of the well-known xQuAD framework and tested against the Netflix 100M dataset.
A Herschel resolved far-infrared dust ring around HD 207129

Context. Dusty debris discs around main sequence stars are thought to be the result of continuous collisional grinding of planetesimals in the system. The majority of these systems are unresolved and analysis of the dust properties is limited by the lack of information regarding the dust location. Aims. The Herschel DUNES key program is observing 133 nearby, Sun-like stars (<20 pc, FGK spectral type) in a volume limited survey to constrain the absolute incidence of cold dust around these stars by detection of far infrared excess emission at flux levels comparable to the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt (EKB). Methods. We have observed the Sun-like star HD 207129 with Herschel PACS and SPIRE. In all three PACS bands we resolve a ring-like structure consistent with scattered light observations. Using α Bootis as a reference point spread function (PSF), we deconvolved the images, clearly resolving the inner gap in the disc at both 70 and 100 μm. Results. We have resolved the dust-producing planetesimal belt of a debris disc at 100 μm for the first time. We measure the radial profile and fractional luminosity of the disc, and compare the values to those of discs around stars of similar age and/or spectral type, placing this disc in context of other resolved discs observed by Herschel/DUNES.
Clinical application and technique of 64-slice spiral CT subtraction angiography in head and neck.

BACKGROUND To discuss the technique of 64-slice spiral CT subtraction angiography (64-SCTSA) in head and neck, and evaluate its clinical application. PATIENTS AND METHODS 84 patients suspected of head-neck vascular diseases were examined with 64-SCTSA. The examination techniques, image quality and clinical application were retrospectively analyzed, and the diagnoses of 64-SCTSA were compared with those of surgery or DSA. RESULTS Eighty-four subjects were successfully examined with 64-SCTSA, whose scanning and imaging parameters are effective. Image quality was excellent in 51 cases (60.7 %), good in 29 (34.5 %) and acceptable in 4 (4.8 %). In the 84 subjects, 79 cases were found abnormal in blood vessel (58 in head and 21 in neck), of which 57 were confirmed by surgical operation or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). CONCLUSIONS 64-SCTSA is a feasible technique with satisfactory image quality and has the advantages of showing the lesions of vasculature without shelter from bone. It can improve the diagnostic accuracy in head-neck vascular diseases.
The Road Ahead for Metamaterials

Metamaterials enable us to design our own “atoms” and thus create materials with new properties and functions. Metamaterials are artificial media structured on a size scale smaller than the wavelength of external stimuli. Whereas conventional materials derive their electromagnetic characteristics from the properties of atoms and molecules, metamaterials enable us to design our own “atoms” and thus access new functionalities, such as invisibility and imaging, with unlimited resolution.
Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Phytoextraction by Corn (Zea mays) of Lead-Contaminated Soil

ABSTRACT The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in lead (Pb) uptake by corn (Zea mays) grown in soil supplemented with Pb was examined. Plants were subjected to four Pb levels: 0 (control); 10 (low); 100 (medium); and 500 mg L−1 (high). At each Pb level, plants were grown in soil without and with fungicide (benomyl) (20 mg kg−1) to suppress AMF activity. Benomyl significantly reduced AMF colonization at high, medium, and zero Pb exposures. Benomyl application resulted in significantly lower concentrations of phosphorus in leaves at low and medium Pb exposures. The benomyl-treated plants had higher Pb and manganese concentrations in leaves than plants not treated with benomyl. In addition, benomyl-treated plants had generally lower concentrations of zinc and copper in leaves than plants not treated with benomyl. These results suggest that the role of AMF in heavy metal uptake is metal specific. Based on this work, the use of benomyl on soils contaminated with Pb can be recommended in phytoextraction.
Numerical TRL calibration technique for parameter extraction of planar integrated discontinuities in a deterministic MoM algorithm

In this letter, a thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibration procedure is applied and integrated with a full-wave method-of-moments (MoM) simulator for the parameter extraction of planar discontinuities and circuits. Three TRL calibration standards are numerically formulated and consistently characterized by the MoM simulator. An equivalent circuit model of a circuit discontinuity of interest can then be extracted by calibrating out the erroneous effect of port discontinuity in the deterministic MoM algorithm. As an example, a microstrip open-end circuit is comparatively studied in terms of its equivalent fringing capacitance, and effectiveness of the proposed technique is verified.
Highly effective sequencing whole chloroplast genomes of angiosperms by nine novel universal primer pairs

Chloroplast genomes supply indispensable information that helps improve the phylogenetic resolution and even as organelle‐scale barcodes. Next‐generation sequencing technologies have helped promote sequencing of complete chloroplast genomes, but compared with the number of angiosperms, relatively few chloroplast genomes have been sequenced. There are two major reasons for the paucity of completely sequenced chloroplast genomes: (i) massive amounts of fresh leaves are needed for chloroplast sequencing and (ii) there are considerable gaps in the sequenced chloroplast genomes of many plants because of the difficulty of isolating high‐quality chloroplast DNA, preventing complete chloroplast genomes from being assembled. To overcome these obstacles, all known angiosperm chloroplast genomes available to date were analysed, and then we designed nine universal primer pairs corresponding to the highly conserved regions. Using these primers, angiosperm whole chloroplast genomes can be amplified using long‐range PCR and sequenced using next‐generation sequencing methods. The primers showed high universality, which was tested using 24 species representing major clades of angiosperms. To validate the functionality of the primers, eight species representing major groups of angiosperms, that is, early‐diverging angiosperms, magnoliids, monocots, Saxifragales, fabids, malvids and asterids, were sequenced and assembled their complete chloroplast genomes. In our trials, only 100 mg of fresh leaves was used. The results show that the universal primer set provided an easy, effective and feasible approach for sequencing whole chloroplast genomes in angiosperms. The designed universal primer pairs provide a possibility to accelerate genome‐scale data acquisition and will therefore magnify the phylogenetic resolution and species identification in angiosperms.
A Mathematical Approach for Evaluating Markov Models in Continuous Time without Discrete-Event Simulation

Markov models are a simple and powerful tool for analyzing the health and economic effects of health care interventions. These models are usually evaluated in discrete time using cohort analysis. The use of discrete time assumes that changes in health states occur only at the end of a cycle period. Discrete-time Markov models only approximate the process of disease progression, as clinical events typically occur in continuous time. The approximation can yield biased cost-effectiveness estimates for Markov models with long cycle periods and if no half-cycle correction is made. The purpose of this article is to present an overview of methods for evaluating Markov models in continuous time. These methods use mathematical results from stochastic process theory and control theory. The methods are illustrated using an applied example on the cost-effectiveness of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B. The main result is a mathematical solution for the expected time spent in each state in a continuous-time Markov model. It is shown how this solution can account for age-dependent transition rates and discounting of costs and health effects, and how the concept of tunnel states can be used to account for transition rates that depend on the time spent in a state. The applied example shows that the continuous-time model yields more accurate results than the discrete-time model but does not require much computation time and is easily implemented. In conclusion, continuous-time Markov models are a feasible alternative to cohort analysis and can offer several theoretical and practical advantages.
Study of the Yellow Organic Light Emitting Diodes using ZnS / Metal / ZnS Multilayer Anodes and Investigation of the Effect of BCP on Electroluminescent Spectra of the Devices

The effects of ZnS/Metal/ZnS multilayer anodes, including ZnS/Au/ZnS (ZAuZ), ZnS/Ag/ZnS (ZAgZ) and ZnS/Cu/ZnS (ZCuZ) on device performance in organic light emitting diodes based on rubrene were investigated systematically. The device with ZAuZ as anode gave an improved performance comparable with ITO based devices. A low driving voltage of 5.61 V and a high luminance of 1836 cd/m were obtained in the ZAuZ based device. Then the effect of BCP as hole blacking layer on emissive spectra of ZAuZ based OLEDs was investigated and white spectra with (0.32,0.31) colour coordinates was obtained for ZAuZ/PEDOT:PSS/TPD/BCP/Rubrene/BCP/BPhen/LiF/Al multilayer structure.
An Early Infectious Disease Outbreak Detection Mechanism Based on Self-Recorded Data from People with Diabetes

People with diabetes experience elevated blood glucose (BG) levels at the time of an infection. We propose to utilize patient-gathered information in an Electronic Disease Surveillance Monitoring Network (EDMON), which may support the identification of a cluster of infected people with elevated BG levels on a spatiotemporal basis. The system incorporates data gathered from diabetes apps, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, and other appropriate physiological indicators from people with type 1 diabetes. This paper presents a novel approach towards modeling of the individual's BG dynamics, a mechanism to track and detect deviations of elevated BG readings. The models were developed and validated using self-recorded data in the non-infection status using Dexcom CGM devices, from two type 1 diabetes individuals over a 1-month period. The models were also tested using simulated datasets, which resemble the individual's BG evolution during infections. The models accurately simulated the individual's normal BG fluctuations and further detected statistically significant BG elevations.
STAT1 in Peripheral Tissue Differentially Regulates Homing of Antigen-Specific Th1 and Th2 Cells1

Th1 and Th2 effector CD4+ T cells orchestrate distinct counterregulatory biological responses. To deliver effective tissue Th1- and Th2-type responses, Th1 and Th2 cell recruitment into tissue must be differentially regulated. We show that tissue-derived STAT1 controls the trafficking of adoptively transferred, Ag-specific, wild-type Th1 cells into the lung. Trafficking of Th1 and Th2 cells is differentially regulated as STAT6, which regulates Th2 cell trafficking, had no effect on the trafficking of Th1 cells and STAT1 deficiency did not alter Th2 cell trafficking. We demonstrate that STAT1 control of Th1 cell trafficking is not mediated through T-bet. STAT1 controls the recruitment of Th1cells through the induction of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL16, whose expression levels in the lung were markedly decreased in STAT1−/− mice. CXCL10 replacement partially restored Th1 cell trafficking in STAT1-deficient mice in vivo, and deficiency in CXCR3, the receptor for CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, impaired the trafficking of adoptively transferred Th1 cells in wild-type mice. Our work identifies that STAT1 in peripheral tissue regulates the homing of Ag-specific Th1 cells through the induction of a distinct subset of chemokines and establishes that Th1 and Th2 cell trafficking is differentially controlled in vivo by STAT1 and STAT6, respectively.
Gestalt Couples Therapy in the Field of Trauma

The field of Gestalt therapy has long had a troubled relationship with mainstream psychotherapy. The decades long assent of cognitive-behavioral and other, more objectively oriented therapies moved Gestalt even further from common acceptance as a valid alternative for treatment. Couple’s therapy, in particular, has not commonly been seen as a natural “fit” for Gestalt practice. The author’s view is that the recent rise of integrated therapy and the need for Evidence-Based Treatment separate from issues of allegiance to a particular school of therapy has created a new opportunity to reconsider Gestalt therapy theory and practice in couple’s work. It is particularly relevant for work with couples in which one or both have been traumatized. Recent developments in Gestalt practice offers a fresh approach for such work, especially in regard to its focus on resolving underlying shame and the need for the couple to develop mutual acceptance at a deep level. Both these therapeutic tasks are vital in work with traumatized clients. These Gestalt tasks can easily be integrated with other, more mainstream models of working with trauma and working couples. An example of this integrated approach is offered to explore the ramifications of the theoretical assertion.
Magnesium homeostasis and hypomagnesemia in children with malignancy

Hypomagnesemia is not uncommon among children with malignancies. It is especially seen in association with certain medications and can be further complicated by the presence of diarrhea and malnutrition. Severe hypomagnesemia may cause disturbances in the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems. All patients with hypomagnesemia should be supplemented with the mineral, and urgent treatment is indicated when serum magnesium decreases below 1.0 mg/dl, a level under which symptoms may develop. This review addresses the essentials of magnesium physiology, and pathophysiology of hypomagnesemia, its etiologies, clinical manifestations and ways to treat it, with an emphasis on the child with hematologic/oncologic disorders. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 734–740. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multilevel approximate model predictive control and its application to autonomous vehicle active steering

An innovative approximate explicit model predictive control strategy is proposed. A multilevel approximation scheme for state space partitioning is applied, which relies on an adaptive domain decomposition strategy using multidimensional tree techniques. Polytopes are generated from such state space partitioning, for which equivalent state feedback gains are computed such that approximate explicit controls can be simply computed. The proposed scheme requires no online optimization and thus computing control using pre-computed control gains is extremely fast. Through an application to autonomous vehicle lateral control, it is shown that the proposed method can achieve a significant improvement of computation time and approximation quality over other approximate predictive control methods.
Caractérisation et stabilité de la matière organique du sol en contexte montagnard calcaire : proposition d'indicateurs pour le suivi de la qualité des sols à l'échelle du paysage

Les sols de montagne representent d'importants reservoirs de carbone (C) potentiellement vulnerables aux changements climatiques et changements d'usage qui les affectent de maniere amplifiee. Or la grande variabilite de ces milieux, leur faible accessibilite ainsi que le manque d'outils de mesure appropries limitent nos connaissances qui restent aujourd'hui tres fragmentaires en ce qui concerne les stocks, la chimie et la reactivite du carbone organique des sols (COS). Ces informations sont pourtant necessaires pour apprehender l'evolution de ces sols et de leur C dans ce contexte de changements globaux. Les objectifs de ce travail de these etaient (i) d'acceder a une meilleure comprehension de la nature, de la stabilite et de la vulnerabilite du COS dans une mosaique d'ecosystemes des Prealpes calcaires (massif du Vercors), (ii) de rechercher des outils de caracterisation rapides et fiables adaptes a l'etude et au suivi du COS a l'echelle du paysage, et enfin (iii) de proposer des indices pour l'evaluation et le suivi de la qualite des sols en milieu de montagne. Dans un premier temps, nous avons teste l'application de la pyrolyse Rock-Eval pour l'etude du COS a grande echelle sur un ensemble d'unites ecosystemiques. Nous avons ensuite compare la pyrolyse Rock-Eval a deux techniques classiques d'etude de la matiere organique du sol (MOS) : le fractionnement granulodensimetrique de la MOS et la spectroscopie moyen infrarouge. Ces approches analytiques couplees nous ont permis de quantifier les stocks de C a l'echelle de la zone d'etude et d'expliquer la stabilite et la vulnerabilite du COS sous des angles varies. Les facteurs responsables des patrons observes dans les differentes unites ecosystemiques sont discutes. Ce travail a egalement confirme la pertinence de l'outil Rock-Eval pour repondre aux objectifs fixes. Parallelement, des approches biologiques nous ont permis d'evaluer l'importance de la composante microbienne dans ces sols. Enfin, des indices evaluant le statut organique des sols (stockage de COS, fertilite des sols, vulnerabilite du COS) sont proposes pour constituer des outils de gestion et d'aide a la decision.
Impact of Transmission Parameters of Propagation Environment on the Power Azimuth Spectrum

The paper is devoted to the problem of assessing the intensity of the angular power spectrum phenomenon of the received signals as a function of the propagation conditions in environment. To assess the impact of environment on the angular power spectrum, the multi-elliptical propagation model is used. Evaluation of angular power spectrum is shown as a function of the type propagation environment, direction signal transmission, and distance between transmitter/receiver. Here, the impact of the propagation environment type on the PAS shape and rms angle spread value is presented. For this purpose, the authors use the PDP or PDS on the basis of standard models, e.g., COST 207, WINNER, SMC.
Habermas and education: knowledge, communication, discourse

Abstract In this article, the author examines the inherent potential of the critical social theory suggested by the Institute for Social Research (the so-called ‘Frankfurt School’) as a means of conceptualising the problems of education at the present time. In particular, the author concentrates on the work of critical theory's most important contemporary exponent, Jurgen Habermas, with particular regard to ideas of knowledge and of the importance of linguistic communication as a means to reach agreement on significant issues, such as education, through informed discourse in a revitalised sphere of public debate. Such a progression from absolute knowledge by way of communication to political will-formation seems to the author to indicate the means by which critical theory may become praxis.