Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oil Palm Fiber Vinylester Composite; Effect of Bleaching Treatment

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of chemical treatment on the flexural properties of the composite. Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fibers (OPEFB) reinforced Vinylester composite were prepared in this study. Soxhlet extraction together with sodium hypochlorite bleaching methods was used for chemical treatment. The diameter of fibers was reduced from a range of 250-350 μm to 10-15 μm by treatment. Shape and texture of the fibers transformed from solid brown colored strings into a white gel. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) test was carried to investigate the effect of treatment on the thermal properties of natural fibers. Vinylester composites were fabricated using untreated and bleached OPEFB fibers. The bending test results showed the bleached fibers displayed greater flexural properties compared to untreated fibers, where the time of bleaching was an important factor in the treatment process.
Tidal flat evolution at the central Jiangsu coast, China

A schematized process-based model of tidal flat evolution was constructed with dimensions similar to the tidal flats near the Wanggang Mouth at the central coast of Jiangsu, China. The simulated flow patterns agree qualitatively with field observations from literature, i.e. involving tidal asymmetry, current directions and tidal wave features. The analysis of the sediment fluxes depicts that deposition occurs from spring tide to neap tide and erosion from neap tide to spring tide. A sensitivity analysis test of the morphological acceleration factor shows that the ideal value is only 1, implying no acceleration factor. The long-term mudflat evolution has been simulated starting from an initial sand seabed. The simulated morphological characteristics, including the convex cross-shore profiles with steeper slope and the southern prograding coastline with slight higher accretion rate compared with the north side, are qualitatively consistent with reality. Most importantly, the creek patterns are roughly reproduced.
What is all that thrombin for?

Summary. The hemostatic process initiated by the exposure of tissue factor to blood is a threshold limited reaction which occurs in two distinct phases. During an initiationphase, small amounts of factor (F)Xa, FIXa and thrombin are generated. The latter activates the procofactors FV and FVIII to the activated cofactors which together with their companion serine proteases form the intrinsic FX activator (FVIIIa‐FIXa) and prothrombinase (FVa‐FXa) which generate the bulk of FXa and thrombin during a propagation phase. The clotting process (fibrin formation) occurs at the inception of the propagation phase when only 5‐10 nM thrombin has been produced. Consequently, the vast majority (greater than 95%) of thrombin is produced after clotting during the propagation phase of thrombin generation. The blood of individuals with either hemophilia A or hemophilia B has no ability to generate the intrinsic FXase, and hence is unable to support the propagation phase of the reaction. Since clot based assays conclude before the propagation phase they are not sensitive to hemophilia A and B. The inception and magnitude of the propagation phase of thrombin generation is influenced by genetic polymorphisms associated with thrombotic and hemorrhagic disease, by the natural abundance of pro‐ and anticoagulants in healthy individuals and by pharmacologic interventions which influence thrombotic pathology. Therefore, it is our suspicion that the performance of the entire process of thrombin generation from initiation through propagation and termination phases of the reaction are relevant with respect to both hemorrhagic and thrombotic pathology.
Performance analysis of a parallel interference canceller on Rayleigh fading channels

An exact bit error rate (BER) expression, in closed-form, for parallel interference cancellation (PIC) with decorrelator-based initial data estimates has been derived by S. Verdu (see "Multiuser Detection", Cambridge University Press, 1998), for non-fading channels. We extend this work to Rayleigh fading channels. Specifically, we derive an exact BER expression for a PIC with decorrelator-based initial data estimates on flat Rayleigh fading channels. The BER expression is obtained in terms of the elliptic integral of the third kind. It is noted that this BER expression is one of the rare closed-form expressions one can obtain for the BER of a nonlinear multiuser detector.
Choice under Conflict: The Dynamics of Deferred Decision

Choice often produces conflict. This notion, however, plays no role in classical decision theory, in which each alternative is assigned a value, and the decision maker selects from every choice set the option with the highest value. We contrast this principle of value maximization with the hypothesis that the option to delay choice or seek new alternatives is more likely to be selected when conflict is high than when it is low. This hypothesis is supported by several studies showing that the tendency to defer decision, search for new alternatives, or choose the default option can be increased when the offered set is enlarged or improved, contrary to the principle of value maximization.
Are Very Large N-Best Lists Useful for SMT?

This paper describes an efficient method to extract large n-best lists from a word graph produced by a statistical machine translation system. The extraction is based on the k shortest paths algorithm which is efficient even for very large k. We show that, although we can generate large amounts of distinct translation hypotheses, these numerous candidates are not able to significantly improve overall system performance. We conclude that large n-best lists would benefit from better discriminating models.
Ranking Malaria Risk Factors to Guide Malaria Control Efforts in African Highlands

Introduction Malaria is re-emerging in most of the African highlands exposing the non immune population to deadly epidemics. A better understanding of the factors impacting transmission in the highlands is crucial to improve well targeted malaria control strategies. Methods and Findings A conceptual model of potential malaria risk factors in the highlands was built based on the available literature. Furthermore, the relative importance of these factors on malaria can be estimated through “classification and regression trees”, an unexploited statistical method in the malaria field. This CART method was used to analyse the malaria risk factors in the Burundi highlands. The results showed that Anopheles density was the best predictor for high malaria prevalence. Then lower rainfall, no vector control, higher minimum temperature and houses near breeding sites were associated by order of importance to higher Anopheles density. Conclusions In Burundi highlands monitoring Anopheles densities when rainfall is low may be able to predict epidemics. The conceptual model combined with the CART analysis is a decision support tool that could provide an important contribution toward the prevention and control of malaria by identifying major risk factors.
Towards Managing Complex Data Sharing Policies with the Min Mask Sketch

More data is currently being collected and shared by software applications than ever before. In many cases, the user is asked if either all or none of their data can be shared. We hypothesize that in some cases, users would like to share data in more complex ways. In order to implement the sharing of data using more complicated privacy preferences, complex data sharing policies must be used. These complex sharing policies require more space to store than a simple "all or nothing" approach to data sharing. In this paper, we present a new probabilistic data structure, called the Min Mask Sketch, to efficiently store these complex data sharing policies. We describe an implementation for the Min Mask Sketch in PostgreSQL and analyze the practicality and feasibility of using a probabilistic data structure for storing complex data sharing policies.
Miniature Transposable Sequences Are Frequently Mobilized in the Bacterial Plant Pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola

Mobile genetic elements are widespread in Pseudomonas syringae, and often associate with virulence genes. Genome reannotation of the model bean pathogen P. syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A identified seventeen types of insertion sequences and two miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) with a biased distribution, representing 2.8% of the chromosome, 25.8% of the 132-kb virulence plasmid and 2.7% of the 52-kb plasmid. Employing an entrapment vector containing sacB, we estimated that transposition frequency oscillated between 2.6×10−5 and 1.1×10−6, depending on the clone, although it was stable for each clone after consecutive transfers in culture media. Transposition frequency was similar for bacteria grown in rich or minimal media, and from cells recovered from compatible and incompatible plant hosts, indicating that growth conditions do not influence transposition in strain 1448A. Most of the entrapped insertions contained a full-length IS801 element, with the remaining insertions corresponding to sequences smaller than any transposable element identified in strain 1448A, and collectively identified as miniature sequences. From these, fragments of 229, 360 and 679-nt of the right end of IS801 ended in a consensus tetranucleotide and likely resulted from one-ended transposition of IS801. An average 0.7% of the insertions analyzed consisted of IS801 carrying a fragment of variable size from gene PSPPH_0008/PSPPH_0017, showing that IS801 can mobilize DNA in vivo. Retrospective analysis of complete plasmids and genomes of P. syringae suggests, however, that most fragments of IS801 are likely the result of reorganizations rather than one-ended transpositions, and that this element might preferentially contribute to genome flexibility by generating homologous regions of recombination. A further miniature sequence previously found to affect host range specificity and virulence, designated MITEPsy1 (100-nt), represented an average 2.4% of the total number of insertions entrapped in sacB, demonstrating for the first time the mobilization of a MITE in bacteria.
Processing Algorithm for obtaining the Impulse Response in a MIMO Ultrasonic System

In this work a processing algorithm is presented to obtain the impulse response of the transmission channel in a MIMO ultrasonic system. In this algorithm the macro-sequences (Ms) obtained from complementary sets of M sequences are used to obtain the impulse response of the environment. The signals received by the sensorial system are demodulated and correlated to find the transmitted signals. It is possible to obtain more detailed information from the environment through the analysis carried out over the correlated signal to extract the impulse response of the environment. In order to eliminate the cross correlation among the Ms and improve the localization of the correlation peaks, a post-process algorithm is applied to the correlated signal to find them with more accurately. Finally, a matrix of impulse responses of the transmission channels can be recovered by using the correlation peaks.
Use of Probes with Fluorescence Indicator Distributed throughout the Pharmacophore to Examine the Peptide Agonist-binding Environment of the Family B G Protein-coupled Secretin Receptor*

Fluorescence techniques can provide insight into the environment of fluorescence indicators situated at distinct sites within a ligand as it is bound to its receptor. Here, we have developed a series of analogues of the 27-amino acid hormone, secretin, that incorporate a fluorescent Alexa Fluor 488 into the amino terminus, the carboxyl terminus, and positions 13 and 22. Each probe bound with high affinity and was biologically active, stimulating full cAMP responses in receptor-bearing Chinese hamster ovary-SecR cells. Treatment with 10 μm guanosine 5′-(β,γ-imido)triphosphate (GppNHp) shifted the agonist-bound receptor into a G protein-uncoupled low affinity state. Fluorescence spectra for the probes in solution and bound to the receptor demonstrated maximal emission at 521 nm after excitation at 481 nm. Collisional quenching of fluorescence with potassium iodide revealed that Alexa at the amino terminus of secretin was more accessible than at the other three positions within the probes. Of note, quenching constants for each probe were higher when bound in the active state than in the G protein-uncoupled, low affinity state of the receptor, with the most marked changes occurring for the two midregion probes. Anisotropy values and fluorescence lifetimes confirmed this, with higher anisotropy and longer lifetimes observed for position 13 and 22 probes bound to the receptor in its uncoupled state than in its active state. These observations suggest that the amino terminus of secretin as docked to the receptor is most exposed to the hydrophilic aqueous milieu, and that the major changes in conformation and exposure to the medium occur in the midregion of secretin. Photoaffinity labeling studies have demonstrated approximation of each of these ligand residues with distinct receptor residues. Combining the fluorescence data with photoaffinity labeling data provides insights into the conformation and dynamics of a natural peptide ligand docked to a Family B G protein-coupled receptor.
Economic order Quantity (EOQ) for Deteriorating Items with Non-instantaneous Receipt under Trade Credits

 This paper presents an inventory model with non-instantaneous receipt under the condition of permissible delay in payments. Certain items like volatiles deteriorate during production process. In this paper, we consider deterioration into two phases i.e. phase 1 and phase 2. The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimal replenishment policies under conditions of non-instantaneous receipt and permissible delay in payments. The replenishment rate is assumed to be greater than demand rate. Second order approximation have been used for in exponential terms for finding closed form solution of optimal order quantity, order cycle and order receipt period, so that the total profit per unit time is maximized. Some results have also been obtained. Numerical examples are presented to validate the proposed model. The sensitivity analysis of the solution with the variation of the parameters associated with the model is also discussed.
Pose estimation using both points and lines for geo-localization

This paper identifies and fills the probably last two missing items in minimal pose estimation algorithms using points and lines. Pose estimation refers to the problem of recovering the pose of a calibrated camera given known features (points or lines) in the world and their projections on the image. There are four minimal configurations using point and line features: 3 points, 2 points and 1 line, 1 point and 2 lines, 3 lines. The first and the last scenarios that depend solely on either points or lines have been studied a few decades earlier. However the mixed scenarios, which are more common in practice, have not been solved yet. In this paper we show that it is indeed possible to develop a general technique that can solve all four scenarios using the same approach and that the solutions involve computing the roots of either a 4th degree or an 8th degree equation. The centerpiece of our method is a simple and generic method that uses collinearity and coplanarity constraints for solving the pose. In addition to validating the performance of these algorithms in simulations, we also show a compelling application for geo-localization using image sequences and coarse (plane-based) 3D models of GPS-challenged urban canyons.
Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide for Persisting Cystoid Macular Edema After Penetrating Keratoplasty

Purpose: The intravitreal application of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment of long-standing, therapy-resistant cystoid macular edema after penetrating keratoplasty is reported. Methods: A 44-year-old patient showed therapy-resistant cystoid macular edema for 2 years after repeated penetrating keratoplasty was performed as treatment of keratoconus. The crystalline lens was clear. The patient received an intravitreal injection of approximately 20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. Preinjection visual acuity measured 20/80. Results: Within the first 4 weeks after the injection, dense cataract developed necessitating cataract surgery. After phakoemulsification, visual acuity improved to 20/50. Optical coherent tomography and fluorescein angiography showed an almost complete resolution of cystoid macular edema. Ten months after the injection, visual acuity remained at 20/50, and intraocular pressure measured 15 mm Hg without antiglaucomatous therapy taken. Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide may be an additional tool in the treatment of therapy-resistant cystoid macular edema after penetrating keratoplasty. After intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide, cataract may rapidly develop in eyes that have been intensively treated, topically and systemically, by corticosteroids for several years.
Secrecy Capacities for Multiterminal Channel Models

Shannon-theoretic secret key generation by several parties is considered for models in which a secure noisy channel with one input terminal and multiple output terminals and a public noiseless channel of unlimited capacity are available for accomplishing this goal. The secret key is generated for a set A of terminals of the noisy channel, with the remaining terminals (if any) cooperating in this task through their public communication. Single-letter characterizations of secrecy capacities are obtained for models in which secrecy is required from an eavesdropper that observes only the public communication and perhaps also a set of terminals disjoint from A. These capacities are shown to be achievable with noninteractive public communication, the channel input terminal sending no public message and each output terminal sending at most one public message, not using randomization. Moreover, when the input terminal belongs to the set A, it can generate the secret key at the outset and transmit it over the noisy channel, suitably encoded, whereupon the output terminals in A securely recover this key using public communication as above. For models in which the eavesdropper also possesses side information that is not available to any of the terminals cooperating in secrecy generation, an upper bound for the secrecy capacity and a sufficient condition for its tightness are given.
The Genomic Landscape of the Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors Reveals Recurrent STAG2 Mutation

The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (EFT) is a group of highly malignant small round blue cell tumors occurring in children and young adults. We report here the largest genomic survey to date of 101 EFT (65 tumors and 36 cell lines). Using a combination of whole genome sequencing and targeted sequencing approaches, we discover that EFT has a very low mutational burden (0.15 mutations/Mb) but frequent deleterious mutations in the cohesin complex subunit STAG2 (21.5% tumors, 44.4% cell lines), homozygous deletion of CDKN2A (13.8% and 50%) and mutations of TP53 (6.2% and 71.9%). We additionally note an increased prevalence of the BRCA2 K3326X polymorphism in EFT patient samples (7.3%) compared to population data (OR 7.1, p = 0.006). Using whole transcriptome sequencing, we find that 11% of tumors pathologically diagnosed as EFT lack a typical EWSR1 fusion oncogene and that these tumors do not have a characteristic Ewing sarcoma gene expression signature. We identify samples harboring novel fusion genes including FUS-NCATc2 and CIC-FOXO4 that may represent distinct small round blue cell tumor variants. In an independent EFT tissue microarray cohort, we show that STAG2 loss as detected by immunohistochemistry may be associated with more advanced disease (p = 0.15) and a modest decrease in overall survival (p = 0.10). These results significantly advance our understanding of the genomic and molecular underpinnings of Ewing sarcoma and provide a foundation towards further efforts to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and precision therapeutics testing.
Organic Molecular Thin Films: Growth, Structure and Manipulation Studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Room temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (RT-STM) has been used to observe the growth modes, morphologies and crystal structures of sub-monolayer (ML) to multilayer thin films of phthalocyanines (H2Pc and CuPc), C60 fullerenes, and CuPc:C60 composites, grown on the Cu(111) surface. In addition to imaging these films, STM has been used to manipulate the various molecules via hot tunneling electron injection. At sub-ML coverage the phthalocyanines are mobile on the Cu(111) and form a diffuse 2D gas. Molecules in this mobile phase can be immobilized on the substrate through exposure to tunneling electrons at a bias voltage exceeding a threshold value. The bias threshold value and strength of the induced molecular immobilization is dependent on the particular phthalocyanine molecule/substrate combination. At approximately one ML coverage the phthalocyanine molecules become sterically confined and lie flat on the Cu(111), forming an ordered 2D lattice. As coverage is increased beyond 1ML in the Cu(111)CuPc system, the molecule-substrate interaction diminishes in strength and the intermolecular interaction becomes dominant, causing the molecular crystal lattice parameters to evolve towards the bulk α-phase. This trend continues for the layer-by-layer growth of three complete ML, and then gives way to 3D island growth at a coverage of 4 ML. The 3D island growth mode of the pure CuPc films is dramatically suppressed by the inclusion of C60 during deposition. X-ray
Visual links across applications

The tasks carried out by modern information workers become increasingly complex and time-consuming. They often require to evaluate, interpret, and compare information from different sources presented in multiple application windows. With large, high resolution displays, multiple application windows can be arranged in a way so that a large amount of information is visible simultaneously. However, individual application windows' contents and visual representations are isolated and relations between information items contained in these windows are not explicit. Thus, relating and comparing information across applications has to be executed manually by the user, which is a tedious and error-prone task. In this paper we present visual links connecting related pieces of information across application windows and thereby guiding the user's attention to relevant information. Applications are coordinated by a management application accessible via a light-weight interface. User selections are synchronized across registered applications and visual links are rendered on top of the desktop content by a window manager. Initial user feedback was very positive and indicates that visual links improve task efficiency when analyzing information from multiple sources.
Continuous structural monitoring of oil rig sub-sea structures for flooded member detection using underwater ultrasound

An underwater ultrasound system for detecting flooding in the hollow sub-sea structures of offshore steel oil rigs is presented. A sensor, attached to a sub-sea structure and powered by seawater, transmits underwater ultrasound chirp -encoded signals to a real-time digital signal processing monitoring system at surface level. Experiments performed using a jointed steel pipe structure I ton in weight, with dimensions of 7 m x 0.5 m x 16 mm, completely immersed in seawater showed excellent performance using a central excitation frequency of 38 kHz, over distances of 100 m.