Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the influence of bone mineralization and remodeling on the structure of bone

Bone material structure is the result of the interplay of two dynamic processes known as remodeling and mineralization. Remodeling is the process during which existing bone is replaced by new, initially soft material. Mineralization on the other hand is the process during which stiff mineral particles are incorporated into the soft material. The complex interplay between these processes influences the performance of bone throughout life and results in a heterogeneous material. This interplay can be perturbed by bone diseases, which can lead to material failure. However, it remains unclear to which degree each of these two processes contributes during diseases. Additionally, while the remodeling process is known to be mechanically controlled, it is unclear how mechanical stimuli affect the mineralization process. The heterogeneous mineral distribution in trabecular bone is the result of the complex interplay between the mineralization and the remodeling process and is called bone mineralization density distribution (BMDD). The BMDD is similar for all healthy adult humans. A deviation from this healthy distribution is indicative of bone diseases. The influence of the measuring process on the distribution is first quantified by deconvolution of the BMDD, revealing a narrower distribution. Subsequently, a mathematical model is modified in such a way that the influence of an increased or decreased mineralization kinetics on the BMDD can be characterized. In the simulations, it is demonstrated that a shift of the mineral distribution to lower mineral contents can be achieved not only by an increase in the remodeling process, but also by a reduction in the mineralization kinetics. In the steady state, the resulting distributions are almost indistinguishable while differences occur during the transition phase. For a shift to higher mineral contents, the situation is reversed. The time evolution of the distributions has a very similar behavior, whereas the final steady state is different. The influence of mechanical stimuli on the mineralization is investigated by a novel three-dimensional analysis of in vivo micro-computed tomography images (microCT) of the vertebra in a mouse tail. It was shown that mechanical stimulation accelerates mineralization in the non-remodeled bone and it is possible to quantify the rapid mineralization of newly formed bone compared to non-remodeled bone. For the first time it could be shown that the bone is demineralized before it is completely resorbed. An algorithm was developed to understand how the remodeling process can be influenced in the compact bone of horses. This algorithm produces images which are gradually filled with specific building blocks. The image is evaluated by calculating the autocorrelation function, which is then compared to the experimental data. The arrangement of the building blocks could be described when such a block could only be placed within a defined zone of another building block. This zone could be best
Integration of micro flow sensor and flexible substrate as GDL in micro fuel cell

The production of useable energy is today a global issue and the search for alternative energy sources is very challenging. Therefore, scientists have' tried hard to identify new alternative energy sources. Fuel cells have potential as an indispensable source of electrical power. However, the mass production of fuel cells encounters various problems, which are yet to be solved, such as determining the fuel flow rate inside fuel cells. The product of the chemical reaction that proceeds in a fuel cell is water, which lowers the working efficiency of the cell and affects the fuel flow rate. No study of the fuel flow rate within a micro fuel cell has yet been published. Hence, in this work, micro flow sensors are fabricated on a flexible substrate as the gas diffusion layer (GDL) using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) within the micro fuel cell. The fundamental concept of the micro flow sensor is the use of two sets of micro temperature sensors plus and a set of heaters. The temperature difference between the two sensors is measured. The heater is also used to increase the working temperature of the fuel cell when the actual temperature is not favorable. The experimental results show an accuracy and sensitivity of the micro temperature sensor of 0.5°C and 1. 31Ω/°C, respectively.
Embodied Collaborative Referring Expression Generation in Situated Human-Robot Interaction

To facilitate referential communication between humans and robots and mediate their differences in representing the shared environment, we are exploring embodied collaborative mod-els for referring expression generation (REG). Instead of a single minimum description to describe a target object, episodes of expressions are generated based on human feed-back during human-robot interaction. We particularly investigate the role of embodiment such as robot gesture behaviors ($\mathrm {i}.\mathrm {e}.$, pointing to an object) and human's gaze feed-back ($\mathrm {i}.\mathrm {e}.$, looking at a particular object) in the collaborative process. This paper examines different strategies of incorporating embodiment and collaboration in REG and discusses their possibilities and challenges in enabling human-robot referential communication. Categories and Subject Descriptors: H.5. 2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]:User Interfaces General Terms: Algorithms, Experimentation
Beryllium-induced C-N bond activation and ring opening of an N-heterocyclic carbene.

Berylliant! Interaction of a well-defined adduct of MeBeH and an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) with PhSiH 3 results in complete rupture of the heterocycle, and activation of the NHC through effective BeH 2 insertion into a C-N bond of the heterocycle (see scheme; Ar=2,6- diisopropylphenyl, IPr=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene).
Recovery of sparse 1-D signals from the magnitudes of their Fourier transform

The problem of signal recovery from the autocorrelation, or equivalently, the magnitudes of the Fourier transform, is of paramount importance in various fields of engineering. In this work, for one-dimensional signals, we give conditions, which when satisfied, allow unique recovery from the autocorrelation with very high probability. In particular, for sparse signals, we develop two non-iterative recovery algorithms. One of them is based on combinatorial analysis, which we prove can recover signals up to sparsity o(n1/3) with very high probability, and the other is developed using a convex optimization based framework, which numerical simulations suggest can recover signals upto sparsity o(n1/2) with very high probability.
Engineered Surfaces for Mitigation of Insect Residue Adhesion

Maintenance of laminar flow under operational flight conditions is being investigated under NASA s Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Program. Among the challenges with natural laminar flow is the accretion of residues from insect impacts incurred during takeoff or landing. Depending on air speed, temperature, and wing structure, the critical residue height for laminar flow disruption can be as low as 4 microns near the leading edge. In this study, engineered surfaces designed to minimize insect residue adhesion were examined. The coatings studied included chemical compositions containing functional groups typically associated with abhesive (non-stick) surfaces. To reduce surface contact by liquids and enhance abhesion, the engineered surfaces consisted of these coatings doped with particulate additives to generate random surface topography, as well as coatings applied to laser ablated surfaces having precision patterned topographies. Performance evaluation of these surfaces included contact angle goniometry of pristine coatings and profilometry of surfaces after insect impacts were incurred in laboratory scale tests, wind tunnel tests and flight tests. The results illustrate the complexity of designing antifouling surfaces for effective insect contamination mitigation under dynamic conditions and suggest that superhydrophobic surfaces may not be the most effective solution for preventing insect contamination on aircraft wing leading edges.
Impact of activity behaviors on physical activity identity and self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of level of physical activity and length of time of adherence to physical activity, with physical activity identity (PAI) and physical activity self-efficacy (PASE). METHODS In a cross-sectional design, 409 adults completed a survey assessing activity level and adherence, PAI and PASE. RESULTS Vigorous activity was associated with higher scores on PAI and PASE scales with activity level contributing significantly larger proportions of the variance in scores compared to adherence. CONCLUSION Effort should be invested in encouraging people when beginning an exercise regimen to set a long-term goal of vigorous activity. This approach may lead to stronger identification with and self-efficacy for physical activity leading to greater adherence.
Silicon Carbide Field Effect Transistors for Detection of Ultra-Low Concentrations of Hazardous Volatile Organic Compounds

Gas sensitive silicon carbide field effect transistors with nanostructured Ir gate layers have been used for the first time for sensitive detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at part per billion level for indoor air quality applications. Formaldehyde, naphthalene, and benzene have been used as typical VOCs in dry air and under 10% and 20% relative humidity. A single VOC was used at a time to study long-term stability, repeatability, temperature dependence, effect of relative humidity, sensitivity, response and recovery times of the sensors.
Influence of compatibiliser blends on mechanical and thermal properties of polymer–clay nanocomposites

Abstract The effects of compatibiliser molecular weight, temperature of the first mixing zone of the extruder and nanoclay loading on the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer–clay nanocomposites (PCNs) were investigated. It was found that the molecular weight of the compatibiliser, the temperature of the first mixing zone of the extruder and the nanoclay content have significant effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of the polyethylene–clay nanocomposites. The blending of the high and low molecular weight compatibilisers allowed a more efficient interface between the nanoclay and the polymer matrix. Coupling a more efficient bonding with the high shear in the first mixing zone of the extruder at a low temperature produced an intercalated/exfoliated nanoclay filler resulting in enhanced mechanical properties of the PCNs.
An Empirical Approach to VP Ellipsis

This paper reports on an empirically based system that automatically resolves VP ellipsis in the 644 examples identified in the parsed Penn Treebank. The results reported here represent the first systematic corpus-based study of VP ellipsis resolution, and the performance of the system is comparable to the best existing systems for pronoun resolution. The methodology and utilities described can be applied to other discourse-processing problems, such as other forms of ellipsis and anaphora resolution.The system determines potential antecedents for ellipsis by applying syntactic constraints, and these antecedents are ranked by combining structural and discourse preference factors such as recency, clausal relations, and parallelism. The system is evaluated by comparing its output to the choices of human coders. The system achieves a success rate of 94.8%, where success is defined as sharing of a head between the system choice and the coder choice, while a baseline recency-based scheme achieves a success rate of 75.0% by this measure. Other criteria for success are also examined. When success is defined as an exact, word-for-word match with the coder choice, the system performs with 76.0% accuracy, and the baseline approach achieves only 14.6% accuracy. Analysis of the individual components of the system shows that each of the structural and discourse constraints used are strong predictors of the antecedent of VP ellipsis.
Analysis of stiffness and fatigue resistance of cold recycled asphalt mixtures manufactured with foamed bitumen for their application to airfield pavement design

Cold recycled bound materials (CRBMs) provide an economic and environmental advantage for pavements since they decrease energy and raw material consumption. However, design methods for airfield pavements do not include key CRBM properties. In this paper an empirical-mechanistic method is used to study airfield pavement design with CRBM in order to develop design guidance. The aim of the paper is to obtain the inputs related to material properties needed for use in this method. For this purpose, CRBM containing reclaimed asphalt, with fly ash, cement and foamed bitumen as stabilising agents, was characterised. The methodology included indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) and indirect tensile fatigue tests (ITFT) in strain control mode. The inputs needed for a pavement design analysis with CRBM were then obtained. The results showed the importance of further study on CRBM fatigue to understand the behaviour of these mixes under cyclic loading.
The Effects of Kangaroo Mother Care and Swaddling on Venipuncture Pain in Premature Neonates: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Hospitalized premature babies often undergo various painful procedures. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) and swaddling are two pain reduction methods. Objectives This study was undertaken to compare the effects of swaddling and KMC on pain during venous sampling in premature neonates. Patients and Methods This study was performed as a randomized clinical trial on 90 premature neonates. The neonates were divided into three groups using a random allocation block. The three groups were group A (swaddling), group B (KMC), and group C (control). In all three groups, the heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation were measured and recorded in time intervals of 30 seconds before, during, and 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds after blood sampling. The neonate’s face was video recorded and assessed using the premature infant pain profile (PIPP) at time intervals of 30 seconds. The data was analyzed using the t-test, chi-square test, Repeated Measure analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis, Post-hoc, and Bonferroni test. Results The findings revealed that pain was reduced to a great extent in the swaddling and KMC methods compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference between KMC and swaddling (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusions The results of this study indicate that there is no meaningful difference between swaddling and KMC on physiological indexes and pain in neonates. Therefore, the swaddling method may be a good substitute for KMC.
The CoSpaces training system

The CoSpaces training system has been developed in order to organize the set of functions that work together towards the goals of training in the CoSpaces project. The system is realised around a set of principles that identify the fundamental aspects considered in its design, development and implementation, which are: dynamic training curriculum; reference training programmes; effective training implementation; methodology-based development; valuable marketing and communication; appropriate technological infrastructures; accountable training activities. System design is rooted on a well-established instructional system development model that allows the structured approach to system design in a way that is simple, reliable, supporting self-adjustment and applicable to a wide range of training needs. System governance is realised with the support of a knowledge model constructed to represent a key set of interrelated elements, allowing reasoning/inspection on training system knowledge on five key dimensions: input sources; training content; training curriculum; training programmes; and training execution.
Language as action in design meetings: from theory to practice

Quotations from the book Understanding Computers and Cognition: A new foundation for design by Winograd and Flores (W&F) [18] highlight concepts that even ten years after publication continue to be relevant for information system (IS) design. The observation that language creates reality has been a consistent influence in my own work within design meetings. I have synthesized additional concepts and theories from other sources to include aspects of partnership, speaking into commitments, reflection-in-action, and coaching. This has led me to a new appreciation of how fundamental and radical (in the sense of "returning to the root") are the W&F language/action challenges to conventional wisdom and accepted beliefs about design. The "theoretical" insights presented by W&F can have practical effects in the way we conduct our design meetings -- offering new opportunities for successful transfer of IS theory and models to practice.
Semantic Influences on Thematic Role Assignment: Evidence from Normals and Aphasics

We report two studies that examine the role of semantic influences in the assignment of thematic roles. Semantic factors were manipulated by contrasting sentences in which one noun argument was a plausible filler of only one thematic role (e.g., the painting in The artist disliked the painting) with sentences in which both noun arguments were plausible fillers of both thematic roles (e.g., The robin ate the insect). Subjects were required to make plausibility judgments to sentences presented auditorily. Experiment 1 examined RTs of normal subjects on the plausibility judgment task. In Experiment 2, the same sentences were presented to aphasic patients identified as "asyntactic" comprehenders. In Experiment 1, RTs were speeded by semantic constraints on thematic assignment, particularly when the role-constrained NP occurred early in the sentence (as in The painting was disliked by the artist). The aphasic performance patterns in Experiment 2 paralleled those of normal subjects, but in greatly exaggerated fashion. The patients exhibited high error rates on sentences where semantic constraints conflicted with the syntactically based assignments, even on sentences with canonical (S-V-O) word order (e.g., #The deer shot the hunter).
Growth factors and flap survival

Growth factors are members of a large functional group of polypeptide regulatory molecules that influence the biological activities of responsive cells. In the last decade, the use of a variety of growth factors as therapeutic agents to improve wound healing and the viability of ischemic skin flaps has aroused considerable interest. Here, we review the literature concerning the regulation of growth factors in a flap, the role of angiogenesis in flap survival, the effect of growth factors on the metabolism of a flap, and angiogenesis in flap prefabrication and maturation. The potential application of growth factors in gene therapies is also reviewed. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Applying Generalized Cμ-rule Scheduling for Resource Allocation in OFDMA Systems

We study the performance of generalized cμ-rule implementation in OFDMA systems, namely bit-based subcarrier allocation and packet-based subchannel allocation. While cμ-rule is asymptotically optimum in continuous-time server allocation, it needs to be adjusted when applied to discrete-time server allocation in OFDMA systems. Bit-based allocation considers the allocation through bit-based connectivity. Resource wastage is prevented by greedy reassignment in low traffic regime. Packet-based allocation adopts cμ-rule and allocates the servers through multiple-packet rates. The allocation is ordered from the server with lowest connectivity to the server with highest connectivity. Simulation results show that bit-based allocation outperforms packet-based allocation in queue length minimization for small number of users. With increasing number of users, the performance difference becomes smaller and at the certain limit, the packet-based allocation performs better. Furthermore, the packet-based allocation might be better in practical realization due to the lower complexity.
Self-stabilizing Balls & Bins in Batches: The Power of Leaky Bins [Extended Abstract]

A fundamental problem in distributed computing is the distribution of requests to a set of uniform servers without a centralized controller. Classically, such problems are modelled as static balls into bins processes, where m balls (tasks) are to be distributed to n bins (servers). In a seminal work, [Azar et al.; JoC'99] proposed the sequential strategy Greedy[d] for n = m. When thrown, a ball queries the load of d random bins and is allocated to a least loaded of these. [Azar et al.; JoC'99] showed that d=2 yields an exponential improvement compared to d=1. [Berenbrink et al.; JoC'06] extended this to m ⇒ n, showing that the maximal load difference is independent of m for d=2 (in contrast to d=1). We propose a new variant of an infinite balls into bins process. In each round an expected number of λ n new balls arrive and are distributed (in parallel) to the bins and each non-empty bin deletes one of its balls. This setting models a set of servers processing incoming requests, where clients can query a server's current load but receive no information about parallel requests. We study the Greedy[d] distribution scheme in this setting and show a strong self-stabilizing property: For any arrival rate λ=λ(n) < 1, the system load is time-invariant. Moreover, for any (even super-exponential) round t, the maximum system load is (w.h.p.) O(1 over 1-λ•logn over 1-λ) for d=1 and O(log n over 1-λ) for d=2. In particular, Greedy[2] has an exponentially smaller system load for high arrival rates.
Regression of microalbuminuria in type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequency of a significant reduction in urinary albumin excretion and factors affecting such reduction in patients with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria. METHODS The study included 386 patients with persistent microalbuminuria, indicated by repeated measurements of urinary albumin excretion (estimated on the basis of albumin-to-creatinine ratios) in the range of 30 to 299 microg per minute during an initial two-year evaluation period. Subsequent measurements during the next six years were grouped into two-year periods, averaged, and analyzed for regression of microalbuminuria, which was defined as a 50 percent reduction in urinary albumin excretion from one two-year period to the next. RESULTS Regression of microalbuminuria was frequent, with a six-year cumulative incidence of 58 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 52 to 64 percent). The use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors was not associated with the regression of microalbuminuria. However, microalbuminuria of short duration, salutary levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (less than 8 percent), low systolic blood pressure (less than 115 mm Hg), and low levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides (less than 198 mg per deciliter [5.12 mmol per liter] and 145 mg per deciliter [1.64 mmol per liter], respectively) were independently associated with the regression of microalbuminuria. Patients with salutary levels of all modifiable factors had a hazard ratio for regression of 3.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.5 to 6.0), as compared with patients with no salutary levels of any modifiable factor. CONCLUSIONS Frequent regression of microalbuminuria in patients with type 1 diabetes indicates that elevated urinary albumin excretion does not imply inexorably progressive nephropathy. Identification of the multiple determinants of the regression of microalbuminuria has implications for current theories about the mechanisms of early diabetic nephropathy.