Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Twitter data clustering and visualization

We present a system for the acquisition, analysis and visualisation of Twitter data. Twitter messages are harvested and stored in a distributed cluster, and the data is processed using algorithms implemented in a MapReduce framework. We present a clustering algorithm capable of identifying the main topics of interest in a tweet data set. Also, we designed a visualization method which allows to follow the intensity of Twitter activity at a given geographical location.
A Generalized Greibach Normal Form for Definite Clause Grammars

An arbitrary definite clause grammar can be transformed into a so-called Generalized Greibach Normal Form (GGNF), a generalization of the classical Greibach Normal Form (GNF) for context-free grammars.The normalized definite clause grammar is declaratively equivalent to the original definite clause grammar, that is, it assigns the same analyses to the same strings. Offline-parsability of the original grammar is reflected in an elementary textual property of the transformed grammar. When this property holds, a direct (top-down) Prolog implementation of the normalized grammar solves the parsing problem: all solutions are enumerated on backtracking and execution terminates.When specialized to the simpler case of context-free grammars, the GGNF provides a variant to the GNF, where the transformed context-free grammar not only generates the same strings as the original grammar, but also preserves their degrees of ambiguity (this last property does not hold for the GNF). The GGNF seems to be the first normal form result for DCGs. It provides an explicit factorization of the potential sources of undecidability for the parsing problem, and offers valuable insights on the computational structure of unification grammars in general.
Radiologic placement of tunneled hemodialysis catheters in occluded neck, chest, or small thyrocervical collateral veins in central venous occlusion.

PURPOSE To evaluate interventional radiologic placement of tunneled hemodialysis catheters in small thyrocervical collateral veins or in occluded veins in the neck or chest in patients with limited venous access. MATERIALS AND METHODS A femoral venous approach was used to recanalize occluded veins or catheterize small collateral veins in 24 patients in whom all major central veins were occluded. A loop snare or catheter was used as a target for antegrade puncture. Metallic stents were deployed if necessary. Once antegrade access was secured, catheters were placed in a conventional fashion. RESULTS Technical success was achieved in 22 (88%) of 25 procedures (one patient underwent two procedures). All catheters functioned immediately after placement. There were two procedural complications: a vasovagal episode requiring intravenously administered atropine sulfate and an episode of respiratory distress requiring intubation. There were no instances of pneumothorax, nerve injury, or bleeding complications. Catheter malfunction requiring exchange occurred at a rate of 0.67 per 100 catheter days. Infection requiring catheter removal occurred at a rate of 0.06 per 100 catheter days. Primary patency was 90% at 1 month, 71% at 6 months, and 25% at 12 months. Secondary patency was 100% at 6 months and 70% at 12 months. CONCLUSION In patients undergoing hemodialysis in whom conventional venous access sites have been exhausted, interventional radiologic venous recanalization for the placement of permanent catheters is safe and effective. Catheters placed in recanalized veins or small collateral veins have shorter primary patency rates compared with those of conventionally placed catheters, but the former can be maintained for relatively long periods.
Measurement of the Adhesion of a Viscoelastic Sphere to a Flat Non-Compliant Substrate

Abstract The adhesion between a single polystyrene bead (radius, 27 μm) and a flat silica surface has been measured with an atomic force microscope as a function of two variables: (a) The maximum applied load and, (b) the loading time at a constant maximum applied load. Analysis of the results indicates significant plastic deformation of the bead under the action of the load forces. There is also evidence for time-dependent viscoelastic effects as a load is exerted on the bead. The contact zone of the polystyrene bead used for these experiments was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The microscope images revealed a surface covered in small polymer beads with a radius of only 115 nm. In the contact zone these beads had undergone substantial and permanent deformation as a function of the applied load. Basic geometric analysis reveals that the large sphere is not contacting the flat surface under any load. The results presented here indicate the value of being able to measure adhesion using an atomic force microscope. The importance of being able to characterise the contact zone accurately is also highlighted.
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASCa) is a rare subtype of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with what to the authors' knowledge are limited cytologic descriptions. In the current study, the authors describe their experience with the fine‐aspiration biopsy (FNAB) diagnosis of ASCa and characterize cytologic features in 14 cases.
Tropical chronic pancreatitis

Tropical chronic pancreatitis (TCP) is a juvenile form of chronic calcific non-alcoholic pancreatitis, seen almost exclusively in the developing countries of the tropical world. The classical triad of TCP consists of abdominal pain, steatorrhoea, and diabetes. When diabetes is present, the condition is called fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) which is thus a later stage of TCP. Some of the distinctive features of TCP are younger age at onset, presence of large intraductal calculi, more aggressive course of the disease, and a high susceptibility to pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic calculi are the hallmark for the diagnosis of TCP and in non-calcific cases ductal dilation on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, computed tomography, or ultrasound helps to identify the disease. Diabetes is usually quite severe and of the insulin requiring type, but ketosis is rare. Microvascular complications of diabetes occur as frequently as in type 2 diabetes but macrovascular complications are uncommon. Pancreatic enzyme supplements are used for relief of abdominal pain and reducing the symptoms related to steatorrhoea. Early diagnosis and better control of the endocrine and exocrine dysfunction could help to ensure better survival and improve the prognosis and quality of life of TCP patients.
Characterization of accessibility for affine connection control systems at some points with nonzero velocity

Affine connection control systems are mechanical control systems that model a wide range of real systems such as robotic legs, hovercrafts, planar rigid bodies, rolling pennies, snakeboards and so on. In 1997 the accessibility and a particular notion of controllability was intrinsically described by A. D. Lewis and R. Murray at points of zero velocity. Here, we present a novel generalization of the description of accessibility algebra for those systems at some points with nonzero velocity as long as the affine connection restricts to the distribution given by the symmetric closure. The results are used to describe the accessibility algebra of different mechanical control systems.
Invasive Primary Colonic Aspergillosis in the Immunocompetent Host without Classical Risk Factors

Invasive aspergillosis (IA), generally considered an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised hosts, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. IA commonly occurs in the respiratory tract with isolated reports of aspergillosis infection in the nasal sinuses, central nervous system, skin, liver, and urinary tract. Extra-pulmonary aspergillosis is usually observed in disseminated disease. To date, there are a few studies regarding primary and disseminated gastrointestinal (GI) aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts. Only a few cases of primary GI aspergillosis in non-immunocompromised hosts have been reported; of these, almost all of them involved the upper GI tract. We describe a very rare case of IA involving the lower GI tract in the patient without classical risk factors that presented as multiple colon perforations and was successfully treated by surgery and antifungal treatment. We also review related literature and discuss the characteristics and risk factors of IA in the immunocompetent hosts without classical risk factors. This case that shows IA should be considered in critically ill patients, and that primary lower GI aspergillosis may also occur in the immunocompetent hosts without classical risk factors.
Treatment of HCC with pravastatin, octreotide, or gemcitabine--a critical evaluation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS New perspectives in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinomas have recently been inaugurated with the application of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors i.e. pravastatin, the somatostatin analogue octreotide, or the cytidine analogue gemcitabine. The present study aimed to evaluate these substances in patients with progressive tumor growth. METHODOLOGY A total of 58 patients either received 3 x 200 microg/day octreotide for 2 months followed by 20mg octreotide LAR every 4 weeks (n=30) or 40-80 mg pravastatin (n=20) or 80-90 mg/m2 gemcitabine over 24 hours weekly in cycles of 4 weeks (n=8). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test were used for univariate comparison of sur vival. RESULTS The median overall survival of patients receiving octreotide was 5 months, of patients receiving pravastatin 7.2 months and of patients receiving gemcitabine 3.5 months. The difference between the pravastatin and the gemcitabine groups was significant. No WHO grade 3 or 4 side effects were seen in either group of patients. CONCLUSIONS These results do not confirm those of former studies. Neither pravastatin, nor octreotide, nor gemcitabine did prolong the patients' median overall survival as compared to control groups reported by other authors. New therapeutic strategies have to be found for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinomas.
Pituitary-adrenal responses to repeated small hemorrhage in conscious dogs.

Potentiated pituitary-adrenocortical responses to the second of two identical small hemorrhages, spaced 24 h apart, are seen in the pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized dog. To investigate the role of pentobarbital anesthesia in these results and to better define the range of the effect, we studied awake trained dogs with chronic adrenal venous catheters. Each dog was bled an amount between 8.7 and 21.8% of measured blood volume [131I] (MBV) over 3 min, and peripheral and adrenal blood were sampled. Blood was reinfused 1 h later, and the dogs were fed. The same hemorrhage and experimental protocol were repeated 24 h later. Steroids were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Secretory rates of cortisol were calculated using measured adrenal blood flow rates. Maximal secretion of cortisol was determined after injection of 100 mU ACTH following each experiment. Dogs whose day 1 cortisol secretion after hemorrhage was submaximal (hem volume = 14.8 +/- 3.7% MBV; n = 7) showed a greater cortisol secretory response to the same hemorrhage on day 2 (P less than 0.005). This increased cortisol response on day 2 was accompanied by an increased ACTH presentation rate (APR) (P less than 0.025) and by increased adrenal sensitivity to ACTH (P less than 0.025). The increased APR was caused by both an increased venous ACTH and by an increased adrenal blood flow. If posthemorrhage cortisol secretion was maximal on day 1, ACTH, APR, and ABF were not different on the 2 days. No hemodynamic differences were seen to explain these findings. These results confirm and extend our previous results. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A −0.5V-input voltage booster circuit for on-chip solar cells in 0.18µm CMOS technology

In this paper, we design and fabricate a voltage booster circuit, aiming at the realization of a monolithic system LSI that utilize on-chip solar cell to eliminate the need for external voltage supply. Since the voltage that can be obtained from an on-chip solar cell is about -0.5V, we need an efficient voltage booster to obtain voltage around +4.0V if we need to program a non-volatile memory on the same chip. First, it is confirmed by circuit simulation that a 10-stage cross-coupled charge pump circuit using 0. 18μm process technology can generate +4.0V from -0.5V input. A ring oscillator using current starved inverters with 2R-1T bias circuit is developed, whose frequency is successfully compensated within ±10% for supply voltage ranging between 0.45V and 0.60V. From measurement of the test chip of proposed circuits using Rohm 0. 18μm CMOS process technology, it is confirmed that the voltage booster TEG with 2-stage cross-coupled charge pump circuit generates voltage beyond +0.8V from -0.5V input voltage with about 40% efficiency even at a bright environment of 6.1klux illumination. In addition, it is demonstrated that by implementing an on-chip solar cell, the voltage booster, and a standard-cell-based digital circuit in a single chip, an external piezoelectric diaphragm makes a sound only by the power from on-chip solar cell.
Application of PCSK 9 Inhibitors in Practice Challenges and Opportunities

Although the discovery of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and development of therapeutic antagonists represent a major triumph of modern clinical medicine, efforts to implement PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) in patient care have been sobering. This practical guide examines the barriers and opportunities for the successful application of pharmacological inhibition of PCSK9 in clinical practice through introduction of a new model of care delivery—the PCSK9i clinic.
Automated Legal Assessment in OWL 2

Container testing apparatuses and methods for detecting leaks in containers such as at the rims of the container. Preferred apparatus have opposing testing heads with receptacles for receiving ends of a container. Each testing head has two seals. A first or end seal is preferably adapted to seal at the end wall of the container. The second or perimetric seal is expandable against the sidewall of the container. The perimetric seal has an internal expansion chamber which is pressurized to expand the seal into sealing engagement with the container. A differentially pressurized testing fluid is transmitting to a chamber formed between the seals and the container. A detector selectively senses changes in the container associated with the existence of a leak through which the differential pressure of the testing fluid is communicated.
Modelling the degradation of thermal transport in a CMC material due to three different classes of porosity

A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) plain weave composite material (DLR-XT) has been studied for its thermal transport behaviour. Three micro Unit Cell models have been developed for three different classes of manufacturing porosities, previously identified and quantified for the material, that take into account the thermal properties of the constituent materials. A finite element thermal analysis has been performed on each model to estimate the effect of each of the three types of porosity on thermal transport. The analyses have resulted in a cumulative set of spatial values of thermal conductivity, k, which can be used in a macro Unit Cell of DLR-XT composite material.
The Role of Software in Recent Catastrophic Accidents

We review fifteen recent catastrophic accidents, and evaluate the causative roles that software might have played in the accidents. We note that software may not be the sole cause of all accidents reported in this article, and quite often the causes are a combination of both software and human error. Nevertheless, the focus of this article is still on how faulty software, either directly or indirectly, led to the accidents. We also discuss the lessons that might be learned from the accidents, and the wisdom that we might take away from them. Our list of accidents is in no way complete. The article however aims to be as extensive and detailed as is possible. The accidents were chosen based on the scale of the damage, and on how large a role was played by software, as well as other criteria. 2. RECENT CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS Shutdown of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport [4]
The character strengths of class clowns

Class clowns traditionally were studied as a type concept and identified via sociometric procedures. In the present study a variable-centered approach was favored and class clown behaviors were studied in the context of character strengths, orientations to happiness and satisfaction with life. A sample of 672 Swiss children and adolescents filled in an 18 item self-report instrument depicting class clown behaviors. A hierarchical model of class clown behaviors was developed distinguishing a general factor and the four positively correlated dimensions of “identified as a class clown,” “comic talent,” “disruptive rule-breaker,” and “subversive joker. ” Analysis of the general factor showed that class clowns were primarily male, and tended to be seen as class clowns by the teacher. Analyses of the 24 character strengths of the VIA-Youth (Park and Peterson, 2006) showed that class clowns were high in humor and leadership, and low in strengths like prudence, self-regulation, modesty, honesty, fairness, perseverance, and love of learning. An inspection of signature strengths revealed that 75% of class clowns had humor as a signature strength. Furthermore, class clown behaviors were generally shown by students indulging in a life of pleasure, but low life of engagement. The four dimensions yielded different character strengths profiles. While all dimensions of class clowns behaviors were low in temperance strengths, the factors “identified as the class clown” and “comic talent” were correlated with leadership strengths and the two negative factors (“disruptive rule-breaker,” “subversive joker”) were low in other directed strengths. The disruptive rule breaking class clown was additionally low in intellectual strengths. While humor predicted life satisfaction, class clowning tended to go along with diminished satisfaction with life. It is concluded that different types of class clowns need to be kept apart and need different attention by teachers.
Road detection using segmentation by weighted aggregation based on visual information and a posteriori probability of road regions

In this paper, a road detection method based on an image segmentation algorithm is presented. Road detection process is a key issue for an autonomous driving system in urban environment. Image-based road detection algorithm is applied on sources of visual information recorded by cameras when our car is running on road. Our method combines a posteriori probability and visual information for image segmentation. The method is composed of two steps. Firstly, a road identifier is trained with supervised learning algorithm. Secondly, road regions are detected by combining a posteriori probability and visual information using image segmentation algorithm. Experimental results are presented for road images in actual driving video acquired in urban areas.
Surface Integrity of Machined Structural Components

Abstract : A program has been run to evaluate the effects of different metal removal methods and variations of these methods on surface integrity. Three alloys were studied: beta rolled Ti-6Al-4V; AISI 4340, quenched and tempered, 50 Rc; and Inconel 718, solution treated and aged. Various grinding procedures caused the titanium alloy to exhibit a fatigue strength range of 13 to 62 ksi. The fatigue strength of 4340 due to grinding variables ranged from 62 to 102 ksi, while Inconel 718 showed a range of 24 to 60 ksi. Abusive grinding conditions always resulted in fatigue strengths at the minimum of these ranges. Milling variables exhibited a fatigue strength range of 32 to 72 ksi in the beta rolled titanium alloy. EDM and ECM on Inconel 718 yielded 22 and 39 ksi, respectively, compared to 60 ksi for gentle grinding. Guidelines for processing aerospace hardware considering surface integrity requirements are presented in the report.
Optimization of x-ray imaging geometry (with specific application to flat-panel cone-beam computed tomography).

A theoretical method is presented that allows identification of optimal x-ray imaging geometry, considering the effects of x-ray source distribution, imaging task, x-ray scatter, and imager detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Each of these factors is incorporated into the ICRU-recommended figure of merit for image quality, the detectability index, which is maximized to determine the optimal system configuration. Cascaded systems analysis of flat-panel imagers (FPIs) is extended to incorporate the effects of x-ray scatter directly in the DQE, showing that x-ray scatter degrades DQE as an additive noise source. Optimal magnification is computed for FPI configurations appropriate to (but not limited to) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The sensitivity of the results is examined as a function of focal spot size, imaging task (e.g., ideal observer detection or discrimination tasks), x-ray scatter fraction, detector resolution, and additive noise. Nominal conditions for FPI-CBCT result in optimal magnification of approximately 1.4-1.6, depending primarily on the magnitude of the x-ray scatter fraction. The methodology is sufficiently general that examination of optimal geometry for other FPI applications (e.g., chest radiography, fluoroscopy, and mammography) is possible. The degree to which increased exposure can be used to compensate for x-ray scatter degradation is quantified.
Factors impacting the adoption and use of ICT in the Malaysian SME sector

A review of extant literature reveals that little attention has been given to research into the level of ICT infrastructure among SMEs, as well as examining the factors that limit the use of ICT in these organizations. Earlier studies have mainly focused on the services sector. Hence, there is a need to conduct further empirical research across area range of industry sectors to better understand the challenges confronting SMEs that hinder the adoption and use of ICT. The aim of this paper is to conduct an empirical investigation to identify the barriers that limit the adoption of Information and Communication technology (ICT) among (SMEs), in Malaysia This investigation is conducted using a sample of 100 Malaysian firms. Despite the current government effort in regard to ICT incentives and grants, results reveal that the major hindrance for using ICT among Malaysian SME businesses include finance, employee education including ICT skills, high cost of ICT infrastructure and shortage of skilled human capital. This paper suggests, based on the empirical results that more work needs to be undertaken by government and policy makers to encourage ICT adoption among SMEs as competition from other countries, especially China and India is rising and this could be seen as a threat to Malaysian SMEs.