Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conceptual Modeling for a Web of Knowledge

The current web is a web of linked pages. Frustrated users search for facts by guessing which keywords or keyword phrases might lead them to pages where they can find facts. Can we make it possible for users to search directly for facts? Equivalently, can we turn the web into a web of facts (instead of a web of pages containing facts)? Ultimately, can the web be a knowledgebase—a web of knowledge—that can provide direct answers to factual questions and also provide the confidence necessary to make those answers believable? We answer these questions by showing how to superimpose a web of data over the web of pages, resulting in a web of knowledge. Our solution, which is based on conceptual modeling, calls for turning raw symbols contained in web pages into knowledge and making this knowledge accessible via the web. Links back to the web pages containing the facts provides provenance and thus supports confidence in the results. The particulars of our solution show ways to overcome three challenges: (1) automatic (or near automatic) creation of ontologies, (2) automatic (or near automatic) annotation of web pages with respect to these ontologies, and (3) simple but accurate query specification, usable without specialized training. Meeting these basic challenges can simplify knowledge-web content creation and access to the point that the vision of a web of knowledge can become a reality. Throughout, we show that conceptual modeling plays a key role in actualizing these ideas.
Childhood Absence Epilepsy - A Review of Treatment Strategies and Perspectives for the Future

Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is one of the most common forms of paediatric epilepsy. However, there is still a gap between the prevalence of CAE in paediatric epilepsies and the paucity of available data regarding its therapeutic management. Only nine randomised controlled trials have been published in the field over the past four decades, with many suffering from major methodological limitations. A recent large randomised double-blind controlled trial reported that ethosuximide and sodium valproate are the most effective anti-epileptic dugs in CAE and that cognitive performance appears to be better with ethosuximide than with sodium valproate. Although lamotrigine also demonstrated anti-absence properties in the same trial, it proved to be significantly less efficacious than ethosuximide or sodium valproate. Despite these recent advances, several questions, including long-term outcomes, management of refractory CAE and treatment duration, remain unanswered and further studies are required to refine therapeutic decisions.
Fiber Optic Sensor Embedment Study for Multi-Parameter Strain Sensing

The fiber optic sensors (FOSs) are commonly used for large-scale structure monitoring systems for their small size, noise free and low electrical risk characteristics. Embedded fiber optic sensors (FOSs) lead to micro-damage in composite structures. This damage generation threshold is based on the coating material of the FOSs and their diameter. In addition, embedded FOSs are aligned parallel to reinforcement fibers to avoid micro-damage creation. This linear positioning of distributed FOS fails to provide all strain parameters. We suggest novel sinusoidal sensor positioning to overcome this issue. This method tends to provide multi-parameter strains in a large surface area. The effectiveness of sinusoidal FOS positioning over linear FOS positioning is studied under both numerical and experimental methods. This study proves the advantages of the sinusoidal positioning method for FOS in composite material’s bonding.
Healthcare workers and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) status: how worried should we be about further outbreaks?

SUMMARY Recently, a number of outbreaks of measles and mumps have occurred within the UK and Europe. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting and transmitting disease to patients and staff. To examine this risk at the point of entry to healthcare, we assessed the serological results of new HCWs presenting for pre-placement clearance without evidence of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunity between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2012. Overall rates of serological positivity to MMR across all age groups were 88·2%, 68·8% and 93·9%, respectively. With regard to measles and mumps, there were statistically significant decreases in the percentage of HCWs born after 1980 that had positive serology (P < 0·05). No such differences were seen between healthcare groups. Most seronegative HCWs accepted MMR vaccination. Despite our entry-level findings, the ongoing risk of a MMR outbreak within this cohort of HCWs appears low.
Potential Complementary Effect of Zinc and Alkalihalobacillus clausii on Gut Health and Immunity: A Narrative Review

A balanced microbiota—microorganisms that live in the gut—is crucial in the early years of a child’s life, while dysbiosis—altered microbiota—has been linked to the development of various diseases. Probiotics, such as Alkalihalobacillus clausii, are commonly used to restore the balance of gut microbiota and have shown additional antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Intake of micronutrients can affect the structure and function of the gut barrier and of the microbiota by having multiple effects on cellular metabolism (e.g., immunomodulation, gene expression, and support structure proteins). An inadequate zinc intake increases the risk of deficiency and associated immune dysfunctions; it is responsible for an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory infections, and stunting. Paediatric zinc deficiency is a public health concern in many countries, especially in low-income areas. Currently, zinc supplementation is used to treat childhood diarrhoea. This review examines how combining A. clausii and zinc could improve dysbiosis, gut health, and immunity. It suggests that this combination could be used to prevent and treat infectious diseases and diarrhoea in children up to adolescence.
Gamma-Ray Sterilization Effects in Silica Nanoparticles/γ-APTES Nanocomposite-Based pH-Sensitive Polysilicon Wire Sensors

In this paper, we report the γ-ray sterilization effects in pH-sensitive polysilicon wire (PSW) sensors using a mixture of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (γ-APTES) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-treated hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles (NPs) as a sensing membrane. pH analyses showed that the γ-ray irradiation-induced sensitivity degradation of the PSW pH sensor covered with γ-APTES/silica NPs nanocomposite (γ-APTES+NPs) could be restored to a condition even better than prior to γ-ray irradiation by 40-min of post-sterilization room-temperature UV annealing. We found that the trapping charges caused by γ-ray sterilization primarily concentrated in the native oxide layer for the pH sensor covered with γ-APTES, but accumulated in the γ-APTES+NPs layer for the γ-APTES+NPs-covered sensor. It is believed that mixing the PDMS-treated silica NPs into γ-APTES provides many γ-APTES/SiO2 interfaces for the accumulation of trapping charges and for post-sterilization UV oxidation, thus restoring γ-ray-induced sensor degradation. The PDMS-treated silica NPs not only enhance the sensitivity of the pH-sensitive PSW sensors but are also able to withstand the two-step sterilization resulting from γ-ray and UV irradiations. This investigation suggests γ-ray irradiation could be used as a highly-efficient sterilization method for γ-APTES-based pH-sensitive biosensors.
Energy Harvesting Thermoelectric Generators Manufactured Using the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Process

This paper presents the fabrication and characterization of energy harvesting thermoelectric micro generators using the commercial complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The micro generator consists of 33 thermocouples in series. Thermocouple materials are p-type and n-type polysilicon since they have a large Seebeck coefficient difference. The output power of the micro generator depends on the temperature difference in the hot and cold parts of the thermocouples. In order to increase this temperature difference, the hot part of the thermocouples is suspended to reduce heat-sinking. The micro generator needs a post-CMOS process to release the suspended structures of hot part, which the post-process includes an anisotropic dry etching to etch the sacrificial oxide layer and an isotropic dry etching to remove the silicon substrate. Experiments show that the output power of the micro generator is 9.4 μW at a temperature difference of 15 K.
Mine, Yours... Ours? Designing for Principal-Agent Collaboration in Interactive Value Creation

The paper introduces a theoretically-grounded conceptual framework for the design of collaborative systems which support expert-mediated interactive value creation involving end-users as active participants in the creation of products and services in principal-agent settings. We show how the problems of information asymmetry and burden of choice in interactive value creation can be addressed by integrating the principal-agent perspective with CSCW models of collaboration between heterogeneous actors. Results of a preliminary application and evaluation through the design of a concrete system for cooperative travel advisory in a real-world setting suggest its usefulness and illustrate how it can inform design practice. Abstract The paper introduces a theoretically-grounded conceptual framework for the design of collaborative systems which support expert-mediated interactive value creation involving end-users as active participants in the creation of products and services in principal-agent settings. We show how the problems of information asymmetry and burden of choice in interactive value creation can be addressed by integrating the principal-agent perspective with CSCW models of collaboration between heterogeneous actors. Results of a preliminary application and evaluation through the design of a concrete system for cooperative travel advisory in a real-world setting suggest its usefulness and illustrate how it can inform design practice.
Graphical applications of L-systems

A new method for generating pictures is presented and illustrated with examples. The idea is to generate a string of symbols using an L−system, and to interpret this string as a sequence of commands which control a "turtle". Suitable generalizations of the notions of the L−system and of a turtle are introduced. The resulting mathematical model can be used to create a variety of (finite approximations of) fractal curves, ranging from Koch curves, to classic space−filling curves, to relatively realistic−looking pictures of plants and trees. All these pictures are defined in a uniform and compact way.
Upper Mantle Earth Structure in Africa From Full‐Wave Ambient Noise Tomography

Our understanding of the tectonic development of the African continent and the interplay between its geological provinces is hindered by unevenly distributed seismic instrumentation. In order to better understand the continent, we used long‐period ambient noise full‐waveform tomography on data collected from 186 broadband seismic stations throughout Africa and surrounding regions to better image the upper mantle structure. We extracted empirical Green's functions from ambient seismic noise using a frequency‐time normalization method and retrieved coherent signal at periods of 7–340 s. We simulated wave propagation through a heterogeneous Earth using a spherical finite‐difference approach to obtain synthetic waveforms, measured the misfit as phase delay between the data and synthetics, calculated numerical sensitivity kernels using the scattering integral approach, and iteratively inverted for structure. The resulting images of isotropic, shear wave speed for the continent reveal segmented, low‐velocity upper mantle beneath the highly magmatic northern and eastern sections of the East African Rift System (EARS). In the southern and western sections, high‐velocity upper mantle dominates, and distinct, low‐velocity anomalies are restricted to regions of current volcanism. At deeper depths, the southern and western EARS transition to low velocities. In addition to the EARS, several low‐velocity anomalies are scattered through the shallow upper mantle beneath Angola and North Africa, and some of these low‐velocity anomalies may be connected to a deeper feature. Distinct upper mantle high‐velocity anomalies are imaged throughout the continent and suggest multiple cratonic roots within the Congo region and possible cratonic roots within the Sahara Metacraton.
Image Processing: Flows under Min/Max Curvature and Mean Curvature

We present a class of PDE-based algorithms suitable for image denoising and enhancement. The techniques are applicable to both salt-and-pepper gray-scale noise and full-image continuous noise present in black and white images, gray-scale images, texture images, and color images. At the core, the techniques rely on two fundamental ideas. First, a level set formulation is used for evolving curves; use of this technique to flow isointensity contours under curvature is known to remove noise and enhance images. Second, the particular form of the curvature flow is governed by a min/max switch which selects a range of denoising dependent on the size of switching window. Our approach has several virtues. First, it contains only one enhancement parameter, which in most cases is automatically chosen. Second, the scheme automatically stops smoothing at a point which depends on the switching window size; continued application of the scheme produces no further change. Third, the method is one of the fastest possible schemes based on a curvature-controlled approach.
The Advantages of Dynamic Factor Models as Techniques for Forecasting: Evidence from Taiwanese Macroeconomic Data

This study applies an approximate dynamic factor model to forecast three macroeconomic variables of Taiwan – inflation based on consumer price index, unemployment rate, and industrial production growth rate. Our data contain 95 macroeconomic variables of Taiwan and 89 international time series during 1981Q1-2006Q4. We perform out-of-sample forecasting from a rolling-window estimation scheme and compare our models with a univariate autoregressive model and a vector autoregressive model. We find that our dynamic factor model has superior performance in predicting inflation for all forecasting horizons. However, limited superior performance is found in the application to industrial production growth rate and unemployment rate. Moreover, we do not find that including international variables help to improve the performance of a dynamic factor model in our application.
Leaf Water Relations, Soil-to-leaf Resistance, and Drought Stress in Pecan Seedlings

Leaf water relations and soil-to-leaf resistance were studied in 3-month-old pecan [Carya illinoenis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] seedlings as soil dried progressively to minimum water potentials of −0.3, −0.6, and −1.1 MPa in three separate tests. Leaf conductance, transpiration, and predawn leaf water potential declined with increasing soil water deficits, and only predawn leaf water potential fully returned to pre-stress levels after rewatering. Reduced levels of leaf conductance following water stress were apparently caused by internal factors other than leaf water potential. Leaf conductance of well-watered seedlings decreased logarithmically and with increasing leaf-to-air vapor pressure gradient. Soil-to-leaf resistance to water flow varied diurnally and generally increased following water stress at minimum soil water potentials of −0.6 and −1.1 MPa. Osmotic adjustment and changes in the distribution of water between the apoplast and symplast in leaves did not occur in response to soil water potentials of −0.6 MPa.
Detection of peanut allergens in breast milk of lactating women.

CONTEXT Most individuals who react to peanuts do so on their first known exposure. A potential but unproven route of occult exposure resulting in sensitization to peanut is via breast milk during lactation. OBJECTIVE To investigate the ability of maternal dietary peanut protein to pass into breast milk during lactation. DESIGN AND SETTING Clinical investigation conducted at 2 North American hospitals from March 1999 to October 2000. PATIENTS Twenty-three healthy, lactating women aged 21 to 35 years. INTERVENTION Each woman consumed 50 g of dry roasted peanuts, after which breast milk samples were collected at hourly intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presence in breast milk of total peanut protein, analyzed by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and 2 major peanut allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, detected by immunoblot analysis. RESULTS Peanut protein was detected in 11 of 23 subjects. It was detected in 10 subjects within 2 hours of ingestion and in 1 subject within 6 hours. The median peak peanut protein concentration in breast milk was 200 ng/mL (mean, 222 ng/mL; range, 120-430 ng/mL). Both major peanut allergens Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 were detected. CONCLUSIONS Peanut protein is secreted into breast milk of lactating women following maternal dietary ingestion. Exposure to peanut protein during breastfeeding is a route of occult exposure that may result in sensitization of at-risk infants.
Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) in normal human trabecular meshwork

Purpose To identify the genes expressed in normal human trabecular meshwork tissue, a tissue critical to the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Methods Total RNA was extracted from human trabecular meshwork (HTM) harvested from 3 different donors. Extracted RNA was used to synthesize individual SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) libraries using the I-SAGE Long kit from Invitrogen. Libraries were analyzed using SAGE 2000 software to extract the 17 base pair sequence tags. The extracted sequence tags were mapped to the genome using SAGE Genie map. Results A total of 298,834 SAGE tags were identified from all HTM libraries (96,842, 88,126, and 113,866 tags, respectively). Collectively, there were 107,325 unique tags. There were 10,329 unique tags with a minimum of 2 counts from a single library. These tags were mapped to known unique Unigene clusters. Approximately 29% of the tags (orphan tags) did not map to a known Unigene cluster. Thirteen percent of the tags mapped to at least 2 Unigene clusters. Sequence tags from many glaucoma-related genes, including myocilin, optineurin, and WD repeat domain 36, were identified. Conclusions This is the first time SAGE analysis has been used to characterize the gene expression profile in normal HTM. SAGE analysis provides an unbiased sampling of gene expression of the target tissue. These data will provide new and valuable information to improve understanding of the biology of human aqueous outflow.
Effects of ionizing radiation on respiratory function tests and blood parameters in radiology staff.

AIM To evaluate pulmonary function tests and blood parameters and their relationship with sociodemographic data for radiology staff continuously exposed to ionizing radiation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-eight personnel from Suleyman Demirel University Training and Research Hospital, Radiology Unit, were included in this study. Sociodemographic data were evaluated by a questionnare that was developed by the researchers. Height and weight measurements were performed with a standard scale and meter. Routine blood parameters and spirometric lung function measurements of the cases were recorded. Statistical significances were determined by independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), bivariate correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS The mean age was 32.42 ± 5.5 years; 19 patients (50%) were male and 19 patients (50%) were female. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as 25.68 ± 0.47 for men and 24.58 ± 1.13 for women. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maximum mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75) showed negatively statistically significant differences between gender (p < 0.01). In addition, FEV1 and FEF25-75 also demonstrated statistically negatively significant difference with the type of task (p < 0.05). A statistically significant negative difference was found between FEF25-75 value and time to start smoking (p < 0.05). Among FVC, FEV1, PEF and FEF25-75 values and alcohol usage, statistically significant positive difference was detected (p < 0.05). Statistically significant positive difference was found among FVC, PEF and FEF25-75 values and sports activity (p < 0.05). According to BMI groups, statistically significant positive difference with FVC, FEV1 and PEF values were found (p < 0.05). Statistically significant correlations were found among FVC value and haemoglobin level (Hgb), haematocrit level (Hct) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), among FEV1 value and Hgb, MCV, among PEF value and red blood cell count (RBC), Hgb, Hct, MCV, red cell distribution width (RDW), and between FEF25-75 value and MCV. CONCLUSION Although respiratory functions of radiology staff are affected by many factors, continuous exposure to ionizing radiation is one of the important parameters. Radiology staff should be informed about factors that negatively affect the respiratory functions.
De-noising by soft-thresholding

Donoho and Johnstone (1994) proposed a method for reconstructing an unknown function f on [0,1] from noisy data d/sub i/=f(t/sub i/)+/spl sigma/z/sub i/, i=0, . , n-1,t/sub i/=i/n, where the z/sub i/ are independent and identically distributed standard Gaussian random variables. The reconstruction f/spl circ/*/sub n/ is defined in the wavelet domain by translating all the empirical wavelet coefficients of d toward 0 by an amount /spl sigma//spl middot//spl radic/(2log (n)/n). The authors prove two results about this type of estimator. [Smooth]: with high probability f/spl circ/*/sub n/ is at least as smooth as f, in any of a wide variety of smoothness measures. [Adapt]: the estimator comes nearly as close in mean square to f as any measurable estimator can come, uniformly over balls in each of two broad scales of smoothness classes. These two properties are unprecedented in several ways. The present proof of these results develops new facts about abstract statistical inference and its connection with an optimal recovery model. >
Benchmarking the Bethe–Salpeter Formalism on a Standard Organic Molecular Set

We perform benchmark calculations of the Bethe–Salpeter vertical excitation energies for the set of 28 molecules constituting the well-known Thiel’s set, complemented by a series of small molecules representative of the dye chemistry field. We show that Bethe–Salpeter calculations based on a molecular orbital energy spectrum obtained with non-self-consistent G0W0 calculations starting from semilocal DFT functionals dramatically underestimate the transition energies. Starting from the popular PBE0 hybrid functional significantly improves the results even though this leads to an average −0.59 eV redshift compared to reference calculations for Thiel’s set. It is shown, however, that a simple self-consistent scheme at the GW level, with an update of the quasiparticle energies, not only leads to a much better agreement with reference values, but also significantly reduces the impact of the starting DFT functional. On average, the Bethe–Salpeter scheme based on self-consistent GW calculations comes close to the best time-dependent DFT calculations with the PBE0 functional with a 0.98 correlation coefficient and a 0.18 (0.25) eV mean absolute deviation compared to TD-PBE0 (theoretical best estimates) with a tendency to be red-shifted. We also observe that TD-DFT and the standard adiabatic Bethe–Salpeter implementation may differ significantly for states implying a large multiple excitation character.