Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquid in situ analytical TEM : technique development and applications to austenitic stainless steel

12 DECLARATION. 13 COPYRIGHT . 14 ACKNOWLEDGMENT . 15 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 16 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 19 2.1 Classification of Austenitic stainless steels . 19 2.1. 1 Composition . 19 2.1. 2 Microstructure . 21  Inclusions . 22  Phase Stability: Martensite . 23  Carbide Precipitation . 24 2.2 Environmentally-Assisted Cracking and Stress Corrosion Cracking . 26 2.2.1 Mechanisms of SCC . 28  Slip Dissolution Model (SD) . 28  Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) . 29 2.3 Overview of Light Water Reactors and EAC/SCC . 30 2.3. 1 Factors affecting PWSCC (Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking) of Cold Worked Material 31  Effect of MnS Inclusion Dissolution in Primary Water . 31  Effect of Planar Slip on SCC . 33  Effect of Temperature . 33  Effect of Environment . 34 2.4 Electrochemical Analysis Techniques . 35 2.4. 1 Conventional Potentiodynamic Polarisation Behaviour . 35 2.4. 2 Factors which influence the electrochemical reaction . 37
Comparison of the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equations: prevalence of and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in CKD in the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether reclassification of CKD stages based on glomerular filtration rate estimated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation versus the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation modifies estimates of prevalent risk factors across stages is unknown. METHODS This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), a community-based health screening program targeting individuals 18 years and older with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease. Of 109,055 participants, 68.2% were women and 31.8% were African American. Mean age was 55.3 ± 0.05 years. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were collected from August 2000 through December 2009. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the CKD-EPI and MDRD Study equations. RESULTS CKD was present in 25.6% and 23.5% of the study population using the MDRD Study and CKD-EPI equations, respectively. Diabetes was present in 42.4% and 43.8% of participants with CKD, respectively. Prevalent risk factors for diabetes included obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m(2)), 44.0%; hypertension, 80.5%; cardiovascular disease, 23.2%; family history of diabetes, 55.9%; and dyslipidemia, 43.0%. In a logistic regression model after adjusting for age and other risk factors, odds for diabetes increased significantly compared with no CKD with each CKD stage based on the CKD-EPI equation and similarly with stages based on the MDRD Study equation. Using a CKD-EPI-adjusted model, ORs were: stage 1, 2.08 (95% CI, 1.90-2.27); stage 2, 1.86 (95% CI, 1.72-2.02); stage 3, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.17-1.30); stage 4, 1.69 (95% CI, 1.42-2.03); and stage 5, 2.46 (95% CI, 1.46-4.14). CONCLUSIONS Using the CKD-EPI equation led to a lower prevalence of CKD but to similar diabetes prevalence rates associated with CKD across all stages compared with the MDRD Study equation. Diabetes and other CKD risk factor prevalence was increased compared with the non-CKD population.
Dealing with Non-Functional Requirements in Model-Driven Development

The impact of non-functional requirements (NFRs) over software systems has been widely documented. Consequently, cost-effective software production method shall provide means to integrate this type of requirements into the development process. In this vision paper we analyze this assumption over a particular type of software production paradigm: model-driven development (MDD). We report first the current state of MDD approaches with respect to NFRs and remark that, in general, NFRs are not addressed in MDD methods and processes, and we discuss the effects of this situation. Next, we outline a general framework that integrates NFRs into the core of the MDD process and provide a detailed comparison among all the MDD approaches considered. Last, we identify some research issues related to this framework.
Photonic Networks-on-Chip for Future Generations of Chip Multiprocessors

The design and performance of next-generation chip multiprocessors (CMPs) will be bound by the limited amount of power that can be dissipated on a single die. We present photonic networks-on-chip (NoC) as a solution to reduce the impact of intra-chip and off-chip communication on the overall power budget. A photonic interconnection network can deliver higher bandwidth and lower latencies with significantly lower power dissipation. We explain why on-chip photonic communication has recently become a feasible opportunity and explore the challenges that need to be addressed to realize its implementation. We introduce a novel hybrid micro-architecture for NoCs combining a broadband photonic circuit-switched network with an electronic overlay packet-switched control network. We address the critical design issues including: topology, routing algorithms, deadlock avoidance, and path-setup/tear-down procedures. We present experimental results obtained with POINTS, an event-driven simulator specifically developed to analyze the proposed idea, as well as a comparative power analysis of a photonic versus an electronic NoC. Overall, these results confirm the unique benefits for future generations of CMPs that can be achieved by bringing optics into the chip in the form of photonic NoCs.
Dynamic Epistemic Semirings

This paper proposes a semiring formulation for reasoning about an agent’s changing beliefs: a dynamic epistemic semiring ( DES ). A DES is a modal semiring extended with a revision operator. The revision operator is given a relational interpretation and a basic calculus is developed – based on the revision operator a contraction operator is also deﬁned. A DES only models actions on an agent’s beliefs, whereas the real dynamic epistemic semirings also introduced in this paper facilitate actions on the world as well. To allow for iterated action both structures are extended with the Kleene star.
Properties and environment of radio-emitting galaxies in the VLA-zCOSMOS survey

Aims. We investigate the properties and the environment of radio sources with optical counterparts from the combined VLA-COSMOS and zCOSMOS samples. The advantage of this sample is the availability of optical spectroscopic informations, high quality redshifts, and accurate density determination. Methods. By comparing the star formation rates estimated from the optical spectral energy distribution with those based on the radio luminosity, we divide the radio sources in to three families passive AGN, non-passive AGN, and star-forming galaxies. These families occupy specific regions of the 8.0−4.5 μm infrared color- specific star-formation plane, from which we extract the corresponding control samples. Results. Only the passive AGN have a significantly different environmental distribution from their control sample. The fraction of radio-loud passive AGN increases from ~2% in underdense regions to ~15% for overdensities (1 + δ) greater than 10. This trend is also present as a function of richness of the groups hosting the radio sources. Passive AGN in overdensities tend to have higher radio luminosities than those in lower density environments. Since the black hole mass distribution is similar in both environments, we speculate that, for low radio luminosities, the radio emission is controlled (by fuel availability or confinement of the radio jet by local gas pressure) by the interstellar medium of the host galaxy, while in other cases it is determined by the structure (group or cluster) in which the galaxy resides.
Studying the influence of the InfiniBand packet size to guarantee QoS

InfiniBand (IBA) has been proposed as an industry-standard architecture both for I/O server and interprocessor communication. IBA employs a switched point-to-point network, instead of using a shared bus. IBA is being developed by the InfiniBand/sub SM/ Trade Association to provide present and future server systems with the required levels of reliability, availability, performance, scalability, and quality of service (QoS). In previous papers we have proposed an effective strategy for configuring the IBA networks to provide users with the required levels of QoS. This strategy is based on the proper configuration of the mechanisms IBA carries to support QoS. Specifically, our methodology configures the InfiniBand arbitration tables and uses the different service levels and virtual lanes that are available, in order to segregate the different traffic flows. Thus, each flow receives the treatment it has previously requested. Moreover, by using our methodology, applications can be assured that their requirements will be satisfied. In this paper, we review the basis of our methodology and we study the influence of the packet size on the QoS guaranteed to the applications.
Efficient Delaunay triangulation using rational arithmetic

Many fundamental tests performed by geometric algorithms can be formulated in terms of finding the sign of a determinant. When these tests are implemented using fixed precision arithmetic such as floating point, they can produce incorrect answers; when they are implemented using arbitrary-precision arithmetic, they are expensive to compute. We present adaptive-precision algorithms for finding the signs of determinants of matrices with integer and rational elements. These algorithms were developed and tested by integrating them into the Guibas-Stolfi Delaunay triangulation algorithm. Through a combination of algorithm design and careful engineering of the implementation, the resulting program can triangulate a set of random rational points in the unit circle only four to five times slower than can a floating-point implementation of the algorithm. The algorithms, engineering process, and software tools developed are described.
A new approach for binary feature selection and combining classifiers

This paper explores feature selection and combining classifiers when binary features are used. The concept of Non-Reducible Descriptors (NRDs) for binary features is introduced. NRDs are descriptors of patterns that do not contain any redundant information. The underlying mathematical model for the present approach is based on learning Boolean formulas which are used to represent NRDs as conjunctions. Starting with a description of a computational procedure for the construction of all NRDs for a pattern, a two-step solution method is presented for the feature selection problem. The method computes weights of features during the construction of NRDs in the first step. The second step in the method then updates these weights based on repeated occurrences of features in the constructed NRDs. The paper then proceeds to present a new procedure for combining classifiers based on the votes computed for different classifiers. This procedure uses three different approaches for obtaining the single combined classifier, using majority, averaging, and randomized vote.
Direction Diiusion

In a number of disciplines, directional data provides a fundamental source of information. A novel framework for isotropic and anisotropic diiusion of directions is presented in this paper. The framework can be applied both to regularize directional data and to obtain multiscale representations of it. The basic idea is to apply and extend results from the theory of harmonic maps in liquid crystals. This theory deals with the regularization of vectorial data, while satisfying the unit norm constraint of directional data. We show the corresponding variational and partial diier-ential equations formulations for isotropic diiusion, obtained from an L 2 norm, and edge preserving diffusion , obtained from an L 1 norm. In contrast with previous approaches, the framework is valid for directions in any dimensions, supports non-smooth data, and gives both isotropic and anisotropic formulations. We present a number of theoretical results, open questions , and examples for gradient vectors, optical ow, and color images.
ARTMAP: supervised real-time learning and classification of nonstationary data by a self-organizing neural network

Summary form only given. The authors introduced a neural network architecture, called ARTMAP, that autonomously learns to classify arbitrarily many, arbitrarily ordered vectors into recognition categories based on predictive success. This supervised learning system is built up from a pair of adaptive resonance theory modules (ART/sub a/ and ART/sub b/) that are capable of self-organizing stable recognition categories in response to arbitrary sequences of input patterns. Tested on a benchmark machine learning database in both online and offline simulations, the ARTMAP system learns orders of magnitude more quickly, efficiently, and accurately than alternative algorithms, and achieves 100% accuracy after training on less than half of the input patterns in the database. <<ETX>>
Assessment of the Performance of Bifacial Solar Panels

In this work, a double-sided solar panel (bifacial solar cell configuration) comprising of two silicon PV panels attached back-to-back was investigated. The module was fixed on an adjustable ground mounted frame and the tilt angle was varied to be (30o, 45o, 60o, and 90o). For each angle, temperature and irradiance were monitored in a sunny day at noon in the mid of July in Baghdad city. The photovoltaic performance of each individual panel shows a remarkable variation with tilt angle which attributed to the impact of irradiance and surface temperature of each panel. This impact was anticipated based on Shockley and Queisser principle and Burech equation. The results revealed that the rear panel is performing better than the front panel. Despite that the rear panel was exposed to a lower illumination, it supplied higher power conversion efficiency than this of the front panel except for the case of 90o tilt angle. Bifacial characteristics were studied on the bases of series and parallel connections. The series connection produced lower gain in power than that of the parallel connection.
Glomerular and Tubular Damage Markers Are Elevated in Patients With Diabetes

OBJECTIVE We investigated in a cross-sectional study the levels of serum and urinary damage markers in diabetic patients (n = 94) and nondiabetic control subjects (n = 45) to study the association of glomerular (IgG), proximal tubular (kidney injury molecule [KIM]-1, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase [NAG], neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin [NGAL], and cystatin C), and distal tubular (heart fatty acid–binding protein [H-FABP]) damage markers with kidney disease severity, as assessed by albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Damage markers were measured in triplicate in fresh morning urine samples and in plasma. RESULTS Of the diabetic patients, 41 were normoalbuminuric, 41 were microalbuminuric, and 12 were macroalbuminuric. Urinary NAG (ninefold), NGAL (1.5-fold), and H-FABP (3.5-fold) were significantly elevated in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic control subjects. Urinary concentrations of all markers increased per albuminuria stratum, except KIM-1. All urinary damage markers, except KIM-1, were significantly associated with albuminuria, independent of age, sex, and plasma concentrations of the corresponding biomarker (standard βs between 0.35 and 0.87; all P ≤ 0.001). All urinary damage markers, except KIM-1, were significantly associated with the eGFR in univariate models (standard βs between −0.38 and −0.21; all P < 0.04). After adjusting for age, sex, plasma concentration of the corresponding damage marker, and albuminuria, only the association of H-FABP with eGFR remained significant (standard β −0.26; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS Glomerular and tubular markers are associated with albuminuria, independently of eGFR, suggesting that albuminuria reflects both glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage. Only urinary H-FABP is associated with eGFR independently of albuminuria and, therefore, may be a promising urinary damage marker to assess diabetic kidney disease.
From Pathwidth to Connected Pathwidth

It is proven that the connected pathwidth of any graph $G$ is at most $2\cdot\textup{pw}(G)+1$, where $\textup{pw}(G)$ is the pathwidth of $G$. The method is constructive, i.e., it yields an efficient algorithm that for a given path decomposition of width $k$ computes a connected path decomposition of width at most $2k+1$. The running time of the algorithm is $O(dk^2)$, where $d$ is the number of “bags” in the input path decomposition. The motivation for studying connected path decompositions comes from the connection between the pathwidth and the search number of a graph. One of the advantages of the above bound for connected pathwidth is an inequality $\textup{\texttt{cs}}(G)\leq 2\textup{\texttt{s}}(G)+3$, where $\textup{\texttt{cs}}(G)$ and $\textup{\texttt{s}}(G)$ are the connected search number and the search number of $G$, respectively. Moreover, the algorithm presented in this work can be used to convert a given search strategy using $k$ searchers into a (monotone) connected one using $2k+3$ searc.
A Study of Extracting Information from Neuronal Ensemble Activity and Sending Information to the Brain Using Microstimulation in Two Experimental Models: Bipedal Locomotion in Rhesus Macaques and Instructed Reaching Movements in Owl Monkeys

A Study of Extracting Information from Neuronal Ensemble Activity and Sending Information to the Brain Using Microstimulation in Two Experimental Models: Bipedal Locomotion in Rhesus Macaques and Instructed Reaching Movements in Owl Monkeys by Nathan Andrew Fitzsimmons Department of Neurobiology Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Sidney A. Simon, Committee Chair ___________________________ Miguel A. L. Nicolelis, Advisor ___________________________ Michael L. Platt ___________________________ Craig S. Henriquez An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Neurobiology in the Graduate School of Duke University 2009 Copyright by Nathan Andrew Fitzsimmons 2009 iv Abstract The loss of the ability to walk as the result of neurological injury or disease critically impacts the mobility and everyday lifestyle of millions. The World Heath Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 1% of the world’s population needs the use of a wheelchair to assist their personal mobility. Advances in the field of brainmachine interfaces (BMIs) have recently demonstrated the feasibility of using neuroprosthetics to extract motor information from cortical ensembles for more effective control of upper-limb replacements. However, the promise of BMIs has not yet been brought to bear on the challenge of restoring the ability to walk. A future neuroprosthesis designed to restore walking would need two streams of information flowing between the user’s brain and the device. First, the motor control signals would have to be extracted from the brain, allowing the robotic prosthesis to behave in the manner intended by the user. Second, and equally important would be the flow of sensory and proprioceptive information back to the user from the neuroprosthesis. Here, I contribute to the foundation of such a bi-directional brain machine interface for the restoration of walking in a series of experiments in two animal models, designed to show the feasibility of (1) extracting locomotor information from neuronal ensemble activity and (2) sending information back into the brain via cortical microstimulation.
Integrating speech with keypad input for automatic entry of spelling and pronunciation of new words

This paper describes research whose ultimate aim is to support automatic entry of new words into a spoken dialogue system through interaction with a user. This research demonstrates an important step towards this goal, through a procedure which integrates information made available via the telephone keypad with a spoken instance of the target word, to produce a candidate spelling and pronunciation for the word. Through the use of a parsing mechanism applied to a 73,000 word proper name lexicon [4], we have been able to create a finite-state transducer (FST) that maps phonetics to graphemics, which can be composed with an FST derived from the keypad input to greatly reduce the search space. Experiments conducted on both the OGI name corpus [2] and a set of enrollment data obtained from our Mercury system [5] validate the procedure.
A novel CHHC Zn-finger domain found in spliceosomal proteins and tRNA modifying enzymes

Summary: We report a previously uncharacterized CHHC Zn-finger domain identified in spliceosomal U11-48K proteins, tRNA methyl-transferases TRM13 and gametocyte specific factors. We show that this domain behaves as an independent folding unit and that it stoichiometrically binds zinc in a one-to-one ratio. Based on the conserved sequence features we predict that this domain may function as a RNA recognition and binding module. Contact: tony@mrc-lmb.cam. ac.uk Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available on Bioinformatics online.
Effectiveness of PLP-based phonetic segmentation for speech synthesis

In this paper, use of Viterbi-based algorithm and spectral transition measure (STM)-based algorithm for the task of speech data labeling is being attempted. In the STM framework, we propose use of several spectral features such as recently proposed cochlear filter cepstral coefficients (CFCC), perceptual linear prediction cepstral coefficients (PLPCC) and RelAtive SpecTrAl (RASTA)-based PLPCC in addition to Mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) for phonetic segmentation task. To evaluate effectiveness of these segmentation algorithms, we require manual accurate phoneme-level labeled data which is not available for low resourced languages such as Gujarati (one of the official languages of India). In order to measure effectiveness of various segmentation algorithms, HMM-based speech synthesis system (HTS) for Gujarati has been built. From the subjective and objective evaluations, it is observed that Viterbi-based and STM with PLPCC-based segmentation algorithms work better than other algorithms.
Validation of three dimensions of schizophrenic symptoms in a large unselected sample of patients

Synopsis A principal components analysis was conducted upon current symptoms and signs rated in a sample of 329 essentially unselected patients with schizophrenia. Three dimensions emerged clearly and closely resembled those previously described in smaller, more selected samples. The clearly defined psychotic dimensions were related in turn to: (i) other mental state variables; (ii) physical treatments administered; (iii) movement disorder; (iv) demographic and historical features; and (v) cognitive function. The correlates of the three dimensions were very different. The clarity of separation achieved in this investigation provides strong support for the view that the three psychotic dimensions of ‘poverty’, ‘hallucinations and delusions’ and ‘disorganization’ are valid and may well have different underlying pathophysiologies.