Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‐Range Tunneling Processes across Ferritin‐Based Junctions

The mechanism of long-range charge transport across tunneling junctions with monolayers of ferritin is investigated. It is shown that the mechanism can be switched between coherent tunneling, sequential tunneling, and hopping by changing the iron content inside the ferritin. This study shows that ferritins are an interesting class of biomolecules to control charge transport.
Treatment of social phobia: randomised trial of internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy with telephone support

Background Although effective therapies for social phobia exist, many individuals refrain from seeking treatment owing to the embarrassment associated with help-seeking. Internet-based cognitive-behavioural self-help can be an alternative, but adherence is a problem. Aims To evaluate a 9-week programme of internet-based therapy designed to increase treatment adherence by the addition of short weekly telephone calls, nine in all, with a total duration of 95 min. Method In a randomised controlled trial the effects of internet-based cognitive– behavioural therapy in the treatment group (n=29) were compared with a waiting-list control group (n=28). Results Compared with the control group the treated participants experienced greater reductions on measures of general and social anxiety avoidance and depression. Adherence to treatment was high, with 93% finishing the complete treatment package. One year later all improvements were maintained. Conclusions This study provides evidence to support the use of internet-based treatment supplemented by short, weekly telephone calls.
Computational model for time development of the EM field in pulsed laser systems

A computational model, which describes EM field formation in a pulsed laser from a randomly generated initial spontaneous field inside the laser cavity has been developed. The model is based on a two-dimensional fast Fourier transform and describes a real laser system taking into account a lensing and a diaphragm effect of the laser rod. The laser cavity is described by five effective planes, which represent different laser cavity elements-the back and the front mirror, the Q-switch element and the laser rod. At each plane the EM field is calculated in real space and propagation between the planes is achieved in Fourier space by multiplication with an appropriate phase factor. The computational time needed for simulation of a realistic pulse formation is in order of minutes. The model can predict the shape and the integral energy of the pulse, its transverse profile at different distances from the front mirror (including near and far field) and beam divergence. The results of the model were found to be in good agreement with measured parameters for a Q-switched ruby laser system running in stable as well as unstable cavity configurations. The temporal shape of a laser pulse was measured and calculated not only for the ruby laser, but also for a Nd:YAG laser. It was found that FWHM of a pulse produced by ruby laser is three times longer than FWHM of a pulse produced by Nd:YAG laser.
Self Scaled Regularized Robust Regression

Linear Robust Regression (LRR) seeks to find the parameters of a linear mapping from noisy data corrupted from outliers, such that the number of inliers (i.e. pairs of points where the fitting error of the model is less than a given bound) is maximized. While this problem is known to be NP hard, several tractable relaxations have been recently proposed along with theoretical conditions guaranteeing exact recovery of the parameters of the model. However, these relaxations may perform poorly in cases where the fitting error for the outliers is large. In addition, these approaches cannot exploit available a-priori information, such as cooccurrences. To circumvent these difficulties, in this paper we present an alternative approach to robust regression. Our main result shows that this approach is equivalent to a “self-scaled” ℓ1 regularized robust regression problem, where the cost function is automatically scaled, with scalings that depend on the a-priori information. Thus, the proposed approach achieves substantially better performance than traditional regularized approaches in cases where the outliers are far from the linear manifold spanned by the inliers, while at the same time exhibits the same theoretical recovery properties. These results are illustrated with several application examples using both synthetic and real data.
Single Cell Electrical Characterization Techniques

Electrical properties of living cells have been proven to play significant roles in understanding of various biological activities including disease progression both at the cellular and molecular levels. Since two decades ago, many researchers have developed tools to analyze the cell’s electrical states especially in single cell analysis (SCA). In depth analysis and more fully described activities of cell differentiation and cancer can only be accomplished with single cell analysis. This growing interest was supported by the emergence of various microfluidic techniques to fulfill high precisions screening, reduced equipment cost and low analysis time for characterization of the single cell’s electrical properties, as compared to classical bulky technique. This paper presents a historical review of single cell electrical properties analysis development from classical techniques to recent advances in microfluidic techniques. Technical details of the different microfluidic techniques are highlighted, and the advantages and limitations of various microfluidic devices are discussed.
A bi-phase model for concrete subject to sulfate attack.

In the present paper we focus on the numerical simulation of degradation in concrete due to the development of secondary ettringite in the hardened material (delayed ettringite formation or DEF). This chemical reaction, causing expansion and microcracking of the material, can occur due to an external or internal sulfate attack. A chemical-diffusion model allows for the computation of the amount of expansive products of the reaction. The concrete affected by DEF is then represented as a two-phase material made of a solid skeleton and an expanding phase, which exerts a pressure capable of damaging the concrete surrounding the reactive sites. The model is validated on the basis of experimental data on cement mortar specimens reported in the literature.
Investigating a training supporting shared decision making ( IT ’ S SDM 2011 ) : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Shared Decision Making (SDM) is regarded as the best practice model for the communicative challenge of decision making about treatment or diagnostic options. However, randomized controlled trials focusing the effectiveness of SDM trainings are rare and existing measures of SDM are increasingly challenged by the latest research findings. This study will 1) evaluate a new physicians’ communication training regarding patient involvement in terms of SDM, 2) validate SDMMASS, a new compound measure of SDM, and 3) evaluate the effects of SDM on the perceived quality of the decision process and on the elaboration of the decision.
Optimization of Material Properties Using Genetic Algorithms

The genetic algorithm method was used in the present work as an alternative to classical calculation methods. It can be used in the situations where we search an optimal solution and a problem has many variable parameters. In this work the genetic algorithm method was applied in order to decompose the texture function into ideal components and also to optimize elastic constants by an appropriate choice of texture function. These example applications of genetic algorithm method show its potential in the field of material engineering.
Three-Dimensional Bilateral Symmetry Plane Estimation in the Phase Domain

We show that bilateral symmetry plane estimation for three-dimensional (3-D) shapes may be carried out accurately, and efficiently, in the spherical harmonic domain. Our methods are valuable for applications where spherical harmonic expansion is already employed, such as 3-D shape registration, morphometry, and retrieval. We show that the presence of bilateral symmetry in the 3-D shape is equivalent to a linear phase structure in the corresponding spherical harmonic coefficients, and provide algorithms for estimating the orientation of the symmetry plane. The benefit of using spherical harmonic phase is that symmetry estimation reduces to matching a compact set of descriptors, without the need to solve a correspondence problem. Our methods work on point clouds as well as large-scale mesh models of 3-D shapes.
Sparse Estimation of Spectral Lines: Grid Selection Problems and Their Solutions

Grid selection for sparse estimation of spectral-line parameters is a critical problem that was in need of a satisfactory solution: assuming the usual case of a uniform spectral grid how should one select the number of grid points, K? We first present a simple practical rule for choosing an initial value (or initial values) of it in a given situation. Then, we go on to explain how the estimation results corresponding to different values of K can be compared with one another and therefore how to select the "best" value of K among those considered. Furthermore, we introduce a method for detecting when a grid is "too rough" and for obtaining refined parameter estimates in such a case.
Improving bug tracking systems

It is important that information provided in bug reports is relevant and complete in order to help resolve bugs quickly. However, often such information trickles to developers after several iterations of communication between developers and reporters. Poorly designed bug tracking systems are partly to blame for this exchange of information being stretched over time. Our paper addresses the concerns of bug tracking systems by proposing four broad directions for enhancements. As a proof-of-concept, we also demonstrate a prototype interactive bug tracking system that gathers relevant information from the user and identifies files that need to be fixed to resolve the bug.
An application of “Neuro-Logit” new modeling tool in corporate financial distress diagnostic

During the last decades and recession of 2007-2009 witnessed many global financial crises. Consequently, this research represents a proactive study via introducing new modeling tool; in order to diagnose the financial distress and assess its probability of occurrence. The Neuro-Logit is a new approach for diagnosis, prediction and forecasting corporate financial distress. This tool acts as Logit (Logistic Regression Analysis), but the equations are built based on the basic algorithm of ANN (Artificial Neural Network). ANN and Logit are widely used as modeling tools in many business applications; Neuro-Logit model reduces most of ANN and Logit limitations. The sample in this research has been drawn from the available financial statements (Financial Ratio-Based Model) that are belonged to most active non-financial firms in Egyptian stock markets. The observations are quarterly basis observations, covering six-year time period (2004-2009). The overall results show that Neuro-Logit model has superior outcome comparing to legacy Logit model, where the overall classification accuracy rate almost 86% with Type I Error 10.13%, 85.33% harmonic mean between Recall and Precision values and also good Kappa coefficient (0.7169) and Matthew Correlation Coefficient (0.7217). The paper revolves the diagnosing the financial health of the firms, and is an extension for the latest Egyptian model in 2007 which concerns with six-year span 2000-2005. The time span of the paper for model building is three-year (2005-2007) which is covering prior-recession time. The paper can be considered as second trial of supervised financial distress prediction model and the fourth Egyptian model with superior outcome supporting to be recommended in corporate financial failure assessment and diagnosis. Also the research is presenting empirically an innovative modeling approach, where the ANN is used as statistical tool.
The transcriptome of cervical ripening in human pregnancy before the onset of labor at term: Identification of novel molecular functions involved in this process

Objective. The aim of this study was to identify changes in the cervical transcriptome in the human uterine cervix as a function of ripening before the onset of labor. Study Design. Human cervical tissue was obtained from women at term not in labor with ripe (n = 11) and unripe (n = 11) cervices and profiled using Affymetrix GeneChip® HGU133Plus2.0 arrays. Gene expression was analyzed using a moderated t-test (False Discovery Rate 5%). Gene ontology and pathway analysis were performed. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used for confirmation of selected differentially expressed genes. Results. (1) Ninety-one genes were differentially expressed between ripe and unripe groups. (2) Cervical ripening was associated with enrichment of specific biological processes (e.g. cell adhesion, regulation of anatomical structure), pathways and 11 molecular functions (e.g. extracelluar matrix (ECM)-structural constituent, protein binding, glycosaminoglycan binding). (3) qRT-PCR confirmed that 9 of 11 tested differentially expressed genes (determined by microarray) were upregulated in a ripe cervix (e.g. MYOCD, VCAN, THBS1, COL5A1). (4) Twenty-three additional genes related to ECM metabolism and adhesion molecules were differentially regulated (by qRT-PCR) in ripe cervices. Conclusion. (1) This is the first description of the changes in the human cervical transcriptome with ripening before the onset of labor. (2) Biological processes, pathways and molecular functions were identified with the use of this unbiased approach. (3) In contrast to cervical dilation after term labor, inflammation-related genes did not emerge as differentially regulated with cervical ripening. (4) Myocardin was identified as a novel gene upregulated in human cervical ripening.
Temporal trends in adolescents’ self-reported psychosomatic health complaints from 1980-2016: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective There is increasing concern that mental health may be deteriorating in recent generations of adolescents. It is unclear whether this is the case for self-reported psychosomatic health complaints (PSHC). Method We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published primary studies on PSHC in the general adolescent population over time. The primary databases were MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO, which were searched from inception to November 2016. Studies were included if they involved an observational design, presented self-reported data from participants aged 10–19 years and included data from at least two time points, five years apart. Inclusion and study quality were assessed by two independent reviewers. Results Twenty-one studies were included; 18 reported trends on the prevalence of PSHC in a single country, while three studies reported on multiple countries. In total, over seven million adolescents from 36 countries in Europe, North America, Israel and New Zealand were represented, covering the period 1982–2013. In the descriptive analysis, 10 studies indicated a trend of increasing PSHC, eight showed a stable trend and three showed a decreasing trend at certain points in time. The results from the meta-analysis showed a mean odds ratio (OR) of 1.04 (K = 139, 95% CI 1.01–1.08) for PSHC from 1982 to 2013, thus indicating a minor increase in general. In the subgroup analysis, this minor increase was observed mainly between the 1980s and 2000s, while the trend appeared to be more stable between the 2000s and 2010s. Some differences were also found between multinational subregions. Findings from subgroup analysis, however, only supported a significant increasing trend in Northern Europe. Conclusion There may have been a minor increasing trend in adolescent self-rated PSHC between the 1980 and 2000s, but has become more stable since the 2010s, from a multinational perspective. Northern Europe was the only region to show a clearly significant minor increasing trend, without being the region with the highest total prevalence of PSHC at the present time. The discrepant trends regarding PSHC between regions and the reliance on self-reported data may reflect true changes in the occurrence of PSHC in the adolescent population. However, they may also reflect changes in how adolescents perceive and report health complaints. Other PROSPERO registration 2016: CRD42016048300.
The curved relationship between subjective well-being and age

This article is concerned with a body of work on happiness and age represented by important papers such as Mroczek and Kolarz (1998) and Mroczek and Spiro (2005). Using a large British data set, the paper presents new longitudinal evidence. It also points out that, perhaps unknown to many psychologists, a parallel literature on this topic exists in economics journals. The paper shows that subjective well-being follows a U-shape through the life course. We argue that eventually the two literatures will have to be made consistent with one another, and suggest that, although it is not easy to live in both worlds, with their different styles and conventions, economists and psychologists still have much to learn from one another.
Health capital depreciation effects on development: theory and measurement

Relationships between health and economic prosperity or economic growth are difficult to assess. The direction of the causality is often questioned and the subject of a vigorous debate. For some authors, diseases or poor health had contributed to poor growth performances especially in low-income countries. For other authors, the effect of health on growth is relatively small, even if one considers that human capital accumulation needs also health investments. It is argued in this paper that commonly used health indicators in macroeconomic studies (e. g. life expectancy, infant mortality or prevalence rates for specific diseases such as malaria or HIV/AIDS) imperfectly represent the global health status of population. Health is rather a complex notion and includes several dimensions which concern fatal (deaths) and non-fatal issues (prevalence and severity of cases) of illness. The reported effects of health on economic growth vary accordingly with health indicators and countries included in existing analyses. The purpose of the paper is to assess the effect of health on growth. The augmented Solow model is modified so as to account for human capital depreciation. It is argued that the latter is measured by the so-called disability-adjusted life year (DALY) that was proposed by the World Bank and the WHO in 1993. Income regressions are run on 129 countries over the 2000-2004's period, where the potential endogeneity of the health indicator is dealt for. The negative effect of poor health on development is not rejected thus reinforcing the importance of achieving MDGs.
Ontology-based approach to provide personalized search results for handicraft woman

Nowadays, Internet users are actually bombarded with huge amounts of data, which makes it impossible at times to reach what they exactly look for and what they need. That is astounding, so it's no wonder that we're now dealing with the issue of information overload. Personalization and recommender systems are now available to help users enhance their experience in trying to search and process relevant information easily and quickly. Web personalization techniques and services are very promising when it comes to alleviating the problem of information overload. We aim to propose, in this paper, an ontology-based approach to provide personalized search results for handicraft woman in which we extract knowledge about her such as personal information, preferences and interests then we represent the user profile model. Added to that, we enrich our contribution by exposing some implementation figures that present the applicability of our approach.
Data Freshness Aware Content-Centric Networking in WSNs

The Content-Centric Networking (CCN) concept is a significant approach of several future Internet research activities. CCN in Wireless Sensor Networks present a promised technique that may ensure data routing based on content. In this paper, we focus on the lifetime of the Content Object exchanged in the network and we explain the idea of its integration in CCN for WSNs to better highlight the relevance of its exploitation. To this end, we implement DFCCN-WSNs ‘Data Freshness aware Content-Centric Networking in Wireless Sensor Networks’ a protocol that implements the data lifetime. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that DFCCN-WSNs outperforms traditional CCN in terms of end-to-end delay.
Clonal Isolation of Muscle-Derived Cells Capable of Enhancing Muscle Regeneration and Bone Healing

Several recent studies suggest the isolation of stem cells in skeletal muscle, but the functional properties of these muscle-derived stem cells is still unclear. In the present study, we report the purification of muscle-derived stem cells from the mdx mouse, an animal model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We show that enrichment of desmin+ cells using the preplate technique from mouse primary muscle cell culture also enriches a cell population expressing CD34 and Bcl-2. The CD34+ cells and Bcl-2+ cells were found to reside within the basal lamina, where satellite cells are normally found. Clonal isolation and characterization from this CD34+Bcl-2+ enriched population yielded a putative muscle-derived stem cell, mc13, that is capable of differentiating into both myogenic and osteogenic lineage in vitro and in vivo. The mc13 cells are c-kit and CD45 negative and express: desmin, c-met and MNF, three markers expressed in early myogenic progenitors; Flk-1, a mouse homologue of KDR recently identified in humans as a key marker in hematopoietic cells with stem cell-like characteristics; and Sca-1, a marker for both skeletal muscle and hematopoietic stem cells. Intramuscular, and more importantly, intravenous injection of mc13 cells result in muscle regeneration and partial restoration of dystrophin in mdx mice. Transplantation of mc13 cells engineered to secrete osteogenic protein differentiate in osteogenic lineage and accelerate healing of a skull defect in SCID mice. Taken together, these results suggest the isolation of a population of muscle-derived stem cells capable of improving both muscle regeneration and bone healing.
Joint emitter detection and tracking using distributed Random Exchange Diffusion Particle Filtering

We introduce in this paper a new fully distributed particle filter (PF) algorithm based on random information diffusion that is capable of performing joint multi-frame detection and tracking of a single moving emitter using a cooperative network of multiple received-signal-strength (RSS) sensors. Unlike previous consensus-based distributed PF schemes, the proposed Random Exchange Diffusion Particle Filter (ReDif-PF) does not require multiple iterative inter-node communication in the time interval between the arrival of two consecutive sensor measurements. Inter-node communication cost is further reduced by suitable parametric approximations.
Oxidation induced void formation in TEM specimens of Al–Cu–Li alloy

Abstract A TEM study has revealed, for the first time, the presence of small (∼3 nm in diameter) voids attached to T1 (Al2CuLi) precipitates present in an artificially aged Al–Cu–Li alloy (Al–2·90Cu–1·63Li–0·29Mg–0·28Ag–0·13Zr). These voids do not form from quenched in excess vacancies but are nucleated at the T1 phase/alloy interface from excess vacancies generated during oxidation of the TEM sample. It is concluded that these voids result from the Kirkendall effect with rapid oxidation of the TEM metal surface occurring by molecular oxygen migration through a highly defective surface oxide layer.