Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Public Spaces to Public Sphere

This study examines how journalists and technologists are re-imagining the construction of networked, dynamic spaces for online news discussion through a qualitative study of 126 idea submissions to a popular news innovation contest. We consider these submissions in the light of the concept of the public sphere, with a specific focus on how these submissions might address shortcomings identified in the literature about the ability of the internet, but of news commenting forums in particular, to serve as an extension of the public sphere. Four main themes emerged in the submissions: a need to (1) better organize content, (2) moderate content more effectively, (3) unite disjointed discourse, and (4) increase participation while promoting diversity. We find in these proposed solutions the possibility for relatively low-cost, easy-to-build systems that could moderate comments more efficiently while also facilitating more civil, cohesive, and diverse discourse; however, we also find the lingering danger of designing new systems that could perpetuate old problems such as fragmentation, filter bubbles, and homogenization. Ultimately, it remains to be seen how technological innovations might help or hinder the ability of the internet, and of news commenting spaces in particular, to serve as an extension of the public sphere. More broadly, by studying how these innovation-contest submissions sought to transform the discursive systems of news websites, we can begin to grasp how the evolution of digital journalism, technologically, might facilitate a broader rethinking about how news institutions could better serve the ideals of deliberation in a changing media environment.
Energy Efficient Data Dissemination in WSN with Mobile Sink

With the advancements in the MEMS technology, wireless communication, there has been a growing need for the development of techniques and design methodologies that result in the efficient communication. In WSN the sensor nodes are typically energy constrained and most of the energy expenditure is attributed to communication and the nodes that are closer to the mobile sink, generally get depleted of their energy, resulting in the dead nodes and hence the network connectivity is affected causing the throughput to be reduced. We discuss in this paper a network infrastructure, based on the mobility of the sink, building an unequal cluster structure along with data dissemination nodes introduced. The proposed protocol aims at enhancing the efficient energy consumption and prolonging the network lifetime of the WSN. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of our proposed approach against as well as its performance gain over alternative methods.
Imatinib for secondary Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia induces response in concomitant GBM.

Imatinib is an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase currently employed for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and inoperable gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Several trials [1, 2] have been conducted recently with imatinib as monotherapy for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and preliminar results suggest a good level of efficacy in this setting. According to these observations, Dresemann [3] has reported a series of 30 patients with grade IV progressive GBM refractory to chemoand radiotherapy treated with a combination of imatinib 400 mg once daily and hydroxyurea 500 mg twice daily. The response rate in these patients was 20%, including complete and partial responses. Clinical benefit rate was 57% and median time to progression was 10 weeks, with a median overall survival of 19 weeks. We here report the case of a a 40-year-old man affected since June 2004 by grade IV GBM. He was treated with surgical resection of a left parietal lesion and from August 2004 he started a combination treatment with radiotherapy and temozolomide. Temozolomide was administered orally at 140 mg/daily (70 mg/m/daily) for five consecutive days every week, for 6 weeks. Simultaneously radiotherapy was administered at a whole dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions of
Immunohistochemical localization of GAD67‐expressing neurons and processes in the rat brainstem: Subregional distribution in the nucleus tractus solitarius

The role of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in homeostatic control in the brainstem, in particular, in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), is well established. However, to date, there is no detailed description of the distribution of GABAergic neurons within the NTS. The goal of the current study was to reexamine the efficacy of immunohistochemical localization of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) protein, specifically the 67‐kDa isoform (GAD67), as a marker for GABAergic neurons in the medulla and to provide a detailed map of GAD67‐immunoreactive (‐ir) cells within rat NTS by using a recently developed mouse monoclonal antibody. We describe a distribution of GAD67‐ir cells in the medulla similar to that reported previously from in situ hybridization study. GAD67‐ir cells were localized in regions known to contain high GABA content, including the ventrolateral medulla, raphe nuclei, and area postrema, but were absent from all motor nuclei, although dense terminal labeling was discerned in these regions. In the NTS, GAD67‐ir was localized in all subregions. Semiquantitative analysis of the GAD67‐ir distribution in the NTS revealed greater numbers of GAD67‐ir cells medial to the solitary tract. Finally, dense GAD67 terminal labeling was found in the medial, central, intermediate, commissural, and subpostremal subregions, whereas sparse labeling was observed in the ventral subregion. Our findings support the use of immunohistochemistry for GAD67 as a marker for the localization of GABAergic cells and terminal processes in the rat brainstem. Furthermore, the reported heterogeneous distribution of GAD67‐ir in the NTS suggests differential inhibitory modulation of sensory processing. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:274–290, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alkali-Activated Fly Ash Foams – Synthesis, Chemo-Physical Properties and Microstructure Modeling

Inorganic foams offer several unique properties such as low thermal conductivity, fire resistance, or UV stability. Inorganic foam specimens were synthesized from fly ash and aluminium powder through an alkali-activation process. Depending on mix proportions, bulk densities ranged between 400 and 800 kg/m3. Thermal treatment at 80°C for 12 hours accelerated curing process. Compressive strength was found in the range 4.5-9.0 MPa, flexural strength 0.6-1.7 MPa, Young's modulus 0.6-1.1 GPa, thermal conductivity 0.14-0.16 W/m/K and thermal capacity around 1100 J/kg/K. Exposing the foams to temperature 800°C led to a small decrease of compressive strength while exposure to 1100°C sintered the foam to higher strength of 13 MPa. Volumetric shrinkage 20% occurred at 1100°C without further disintegration. Residual compressive strength was determined after exposure to NaCl, HCl, Na2SO4, MgSO4, H2SO4. The highest reduction to 20% occured in both acids with pH=2 after one year of exposition. Digitized microstructures entered finite element analysis to validate a stress-strain diagram.
A multi-objective neuro-evolutionary optimization approach to intelligent game AI synthesis

Numerous traditional board games such as Backgammon, Chess, Tic-Tac-Toc, Othello, Checkers, and Go have been used as research test-beds for assessing the performance of myriad computational intelligence systems including evolutionary algorithms (EAs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Approaches included building intelligent search algorithms to find the required solutions in such board games by searching through the solutions space stochastically. Recently, one particular type of search algorithm has been receiving a lot of interest in solving such kinds of game problems, which is the multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs). Unlike single-objective optimization based search algorithms, MOEAs are able to find a set of non-dominated solutions which trades-off among all the conflicting objectives. In this study, the utilization of a multi-objective approach in evolving ANNs for Go game is investigated. A simple three layered feed-forward ANN is used and evolved with Pareto Archived Evolution Strategies (PAES) for computer players to learn and play the small board Go games.
Physical Modeling for Programming of TANOS Memories in the Fowler–Nordheim Regime

This paper presents a physics-based model that is able to describe the TANOS memory programming transients in the Fowler-Nordheim uniform tunneling regime across the bottom-oxide layer. The model carefully takes into consideration the trapping/detrapping processes in the nitride, the limited number of traps available for charge storage, and their spatial and energetic distribution. Results are in good agreement with experimental data on TANOS devices with different gate-stack compositions, considering a quite extended range of gate biases and times. The reduced gate-bias sensitivity of the programming transients with respect to the floating-gate cell is explained in terms of a finite number of nitride traps and a thinner extension of the nitride trapping region as the gate bias is increased. The model represents a valid contribution for the investigation of the achievable performances of the TANOS technology.
Predictability in International Asset Returns: A Reexamination

This paper argues that inferring long-horizon asset-return predictability from the properties of vector autoregressive (VAR) models on relatively short spans of data is potentially unreliable. We illustrate the problems that can arise by re-examining the findings of Bekaert and Hodrick (1992), who detected evidence of in-sample predictability in international equity and foreign exchange markets using VAR methodology for a variety of countries over the period 1981-1989. The VAR predictions are significantly biased in most out-of-sample forecasts and are conclusively outperformed by a simple benchmark model at horizons of up to six months. This remains true even after corrections for small sample bias and the introduction of Bayesian parameter restrictions. A Monte Carlo analysis indicates that the data are unlikely to have been generated by a stable VAR. This conclusion is supported by an examination of structural break statistics. Implied long-horizon statistics calculated from the VAR parameter estimates are shown to be very unreliable.
The Definition of Dietary Fiber 1

1 " Dietary fiber is the edible parts of plants or analogous carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine. Dietary fiber includes polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, lignin, and associated plant substances. Dietary fibers promote beneficial physiological effects including laxation, and/or blood cholesterol attenuation, and/or blood glucose attenuation. " EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Establishing a definition for dietary fiber has historically been a balance between nutrition knowledge and analytical method capabilities. While the physiologically based definitions most widely accepted have generally been accurate in defining the dietary fiber in foods, scientists and regulators have tended, in fact, to rely on analytical procedures as the definitional basis in fact. As a result, incongruencies between theory and practice have resulted in confusion regarding the components that make up dietary fiber. In November 1998, the president of the American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) appointed a scientific review committee and charged it with the task of reviewing, and if necessary, updating the definition of dietary fiber. The committee was further charged with assessing the state of analytical methodology and making recommendations relevant to the updated definition. Over the course of the next year, the committee held three workshops (two of them public forums), accepting input and debate from scientists who could be present in person. In addition, an international website, available to all web users worldwide, was set up to receive comments from scientists. Results of the workshops were reported in a timely fashion in CEREAL FOODS WORLD (1–9) and on the website to assure that all interested parties were provided with additional opportunity for comment. After due deliberation, an updated definition of dietary fiber was delivered to the AACC Board of Directors for consideration and adoption. The updated definition includes the same food components as the historical working definition used for almost 30 years (a very important point, considering that most of the research of the past 30 years delineating the positive health effects of dietary fiber are based on that working definition). But the updated definition more clearly delineates the makeup of dietary fiber and its physiological func-tionality. As a result relatively few changes will be necessary in analytical methodology. will continue to be sufficient and used for most foods. A small number of additional methods will be necessary to quantitate the dietary fiber levels in foods containing fibers such as …
Interference control in time-windowed OFDM systems with realistic power amplifiers for cognitive radio applications

In this paper, we investigate the problem of controlling the interference in holes generated inside an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) spectrum, for applications related to cognitive radio (coexistence of narrow-band high-priority signals with broadband OFDM low-priorityx cognitive signals). Due to its simplicity, the time-windowing technique is selected in order to obtain interference reduction in the out-band region and inside the spectral hole. As an added value over the existing literature, we discuss how to choose system parameters (number of guard subcarriers, window type, and extended guard interval duration) in the presence of a nonlinear power amplifier, whose generated interference is of paramount importance in assessing the real gain provided by the OFDM technique.
Metabolic cost as a unifying principle governing neuronal biophysics

The brain contains an astonishing diversity of neurons, each expressing only one set of ion channels out of the billions of potential channel combinations. Simple organizing principles are required for us to make sense of this abundance of possibilities and wealth of related data. We suggest that energy minimization subject to functional constraints may be one such unifying principle. We compared the energy needed to produce action potentials singly and in trains for a wide range of channel densities and kinetic parameters and examined which combinations of parameters maximized spiking function while minimizing energetic cost. We confirmed these results for sodium channels using a dynamic current clamp in neocortical fast spiking interneurons. We find further evidence supporting this hypothesis in a wide range of other neurons from several species and conclude that the ion channels in these neurons minimize energy expenditure in their normal range of spiking.
Efficient maximum-likelihood decoding of spherical lattice space-time codes

This paper develops a framework for the efficient maximum-likelihood decoding of lattice codes. Specifically we apply it to the spherical Lattice Space-Time (LAST) codes recently put forward by El Gamal et al. that have been proven to achieve the optimal diversity-multiplexing tradeoff of MIMO channels. Our solution addresses the so-called boundary control problem within the same search tree structure as existing suboptimal LAST decoders. We demonstrate its performance and complexity by applying two of the most efficient tree-based ML detectors currently reported in the literature to the spherical LAST code proposed for the 2 × 2 MIMO channel of block length 2. Our optimal decoders exhibit improved performance over the naive lattice decoder with MMSE-GDFE pre-processing at a comparable complexity.
Recent developments in flexor tendon repair techniques and factors influencing strength of the tendon repair

Over the last decade, both basic researchers and surgeons have sought to identify the most appropriate techniques to be applied in flexor tendon repairs. Recent developments in experimental tendon repairs and clinical outcomes of newer repair techniques have been reviewed in an attempt to comprehensively summarize the most critical mechanical factors affecting the performance of tendon repairs and the surgical factors influencing clinical outcomes. Among them, attention to annular pulleys, the purchase and tension of the core suture, and the direction and curvature of the path of tendon motion have been found to be determining factors in the results of tendon repair.
Laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion before cervical curettage in cervical ectopic pregnancy: Safe and effective for preventing massive bleeding

Cervical ectopic pregnancy is associated with high risk for massive bleeding conditions. Cervical ectopic pregnancy can usually be treated by methotrexate injection or surgery. We present 4 cases of cervical ectopic pregnancy that were treated successfully with different uterine-conserving methods. By comparing our experience of 4 cases managed in different ways, we found that laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion before cervical curettage is more effective method for preventing massive bleeding.
Towards optimal CMOS lifetime via unified reliability modeling and multi-objective optimization

Reliability of CMOS devices emerges as a vital design constraint, evidenced by several CMOS failure mechanisms. Such mechanisms have traditionally been modeled independently, using statistical approximation techniques to estimate Mean-Time-to-Failure (MTTF) rates. This paper proposes a unified framework that integrates the existing failure models into a multi-objective optimization engine, in an attempt to provide a pareto-optimal solution indicating the suggested operating conditions of a system for a given technology and size (in transistors), in an effort to maximize its lifetime reliability. In addition to the existing failure mechanisms, the framework also considers a proposed system-level leakage power estimation model, as leakage is interdependent on temperature, and as such impacts system reliability. The framework can be used in several design scenarios, such as thermal-aware task scheduling.
Automatic registration method for mobile LiDAR data

Abstract. We present an automatic mutual information (MI) registration method for mobile LiDAR and panoramas collected from a driving vehicle. The suitability of MI for registration of aerial LiDAR and aerial oblique images has been demonstrated under an assumption that minimization of joint entropy (JE) is a sufficient approximation of maximization of MI. We show that this assumption is invalid for the ground-level data. The entropy of a LiDAR image cannot be regarded as approximately constant for small perturbations. Instead of minimizing the JE, we directly maximize MI to estimate corrections of camera poses. Our method automatically registers mobile LiDAR with spherical panoramas over an approximate 4-km drive, and is the first example we are aware of that tests MI registration in a large-scale context.
Three-dimensional self-organizing maps for classification of image properties

The importance of analysing moving scenes within the wide area of digital image processing is increasingly high. Although a simple detection of object velocity by biological models has been considered in previously published papers (A. Tsukamoto et al., 1993; S. Wimbauer et al., 1994; J. Hogden et al., 1993), an implementation of artificial neural networks using a priori information for motion analysis is still quite rare. The paper shows the benefits from artificial neural networks and from using a priori information about the contents of the history in the image sequence to improve accuracy and speed of estimating motion parameters in the cases of distorted or overlapped objects. Firstly, it introduces 3 dimensional self organizing maps (SOM) with 2 dimensional input layers.
Large integration of wind power: the Spanish experience

There are over 11000 MW of installed wind power in the Spanish Electrical System. This amount of installed power, compared with a load peak around 43700 MW, has a big impact on system operation. The already collected real-time experience and the events experienced have created an interesting background for the integration of wind energy without jeopardising the actual levels of quality and allowing the achievement of the national and European environmental targets. This paper describes the actual situation of the integration of wind power in Spain and reports the experience and the developments put in place for a harmonized integration of wind energy.
Production of Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides from Peanut Meal Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Facilitated with Protease

The aim of this study was to develop a simpler and cheaper technique using a combination of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) fermentation and protease hydrolysis to accelerate the production of bioactive peptides in peanut meal. Firstly, peanut meal was fermented with a total of 14 LAB strains to assay in vitro Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and Degree of Hydrolysis (DH). Among the strains used, Lactobacillus plantarum Lp6 was selected for further studies because of its highest ACE inhibitory activity (47.83±4.92%) and DH of protein (2.29±0.51%). The addition of protease during the fermentation could highly improve the soluble protein, DH and ACE inhibitory activity of peanut meal. Molecular weight distribution analysis revealed the Extracts from Fermented Peanut Meal (EFPM) was mainly composed of oligopeptides. The ACE inhibitory activity of EFPM remained stable after pepsin and pancreatin treatments simulating an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Furthermore, the EFPM exerted potent antihypertensive effect in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) after oral administrations at a dose of 200 or 500 mg/kg body weight. In conclusion, the peanut meal fermented with L. plantarum Lp6 and facilitated with protease could serve as a useful antihypertensive product in the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
MODIFIKASI PATI SINGKONG PREGELATIN SEBAGAI BAHAN PEMBAWA CETAK LANGSUNG

The influence of L-HPC LH 11 in Pregelatin Cassava starch as a coprocess material have been investigated to create a new tablet excipient. The suspension of Pregelatin Cassava starch was prepared in condition 55°C for 70 minutes. The length of the heating time was determined by optimising upon sol iod reaction. The colour intensity was measured by spectrophotometer UV-Vis. The concentrations of L-HPC LH 11 were 0% (PP1), 5% (PP2) and 10% (PP3) respectively. Particles reduction was using oscillating granulator with speed of 20 rpm mesh 28. X-Ray diffraction showed declining of crystalline peak of pregelatin cassava starch. Physical characteristics of Granules has also been determined to know whether it has fulfilled the standard requirements or not to produce good tablets. The tests consist of moisture content (MC) test, particle size determination, fluidity, repose angle, appearance and taped density and compressibility. The MC test result is 9,81% - 10,28%. The percentage of fines particle are 5,10% (PP1); 14,10% (PP2) and 27,90% (PP3) respectively. For fluidity test, the results are 14,63 g/s (PP1); 8,86% g/s (PP2) and 10,29% (PP3). Repose angle results are 29,27 (PP1); 31,76 (PP2) and 30,93 (PP3). For compressibility test, the results are 11,48% (PP1); 16,33% (PP2) and 22,30% (PP3). In addition, compactibility test showed that the more higher the percentage of L-HPC LH 11, the harder the tablets produced. The dilution potency test which was using parasetamol as drug model, showed that the tablet hardness reduced with the higher concentration of parasetamol. But, the friability was increased with the higher concentration of parasetamol, and from the experiment, it can be concluded that the vehicle could load parasetamol up to 30%.