Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle size distributions by laser diffraction: sensitivity of granular matter strength to analytical operating procedures

Abstract. We tested laser diffraction particle size analysis in poorly coherent carbonate platform cataclastic breccias and unfaulted quartz-rich eolian sands, representing low- and high-strength granular materials, respectively. We used two different instruments with different sample dispersion and pumping systems and several wet analytical procedures that included different pump speeds, measurement precision tests with and without sample ultrasonication, and different dispersant liquids. Results of our work indicate that high strength material is not strongly affected by analytical operating procedures, whereas low strength materials are very sensitive to the pump speed, ultrasonication intensity, and measurement run time. To reduce such a data variability, we propose a workflow of analytical tests preliminary to the set up of the most appropriate SOP.
Original paper The leukemogenic role of (iASPP) in acute leukemia

Introduction: The ASPP family (apoptosis – stimulating proteins of p53) comprises three proteins, ASPP1, ASPP2 and iASPP, that interact with and modulate the behavior of p53. ASPP1 and ASPP2 enhance the ability of p53 to induce apoptosis by causing p53 to up regulate the expression of proapoptotic genes specifically rather than genes involved in cell cycle arrest. Inhibitory member of the ASPP family (iASPP) acts as inhibitor for the p53, it was originally identified as a nuclear protein that interacts with and inhibits NFκβ p56 RelA and inhibits p53-mediated cell death as well. Material and methods: To examine the role of iASPP in acute leukemic patients, we analyzed iASPP mRNA expression in acute leukemia by semi quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The results showed that the median level of iASPP in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia patients was significantly higher than those in cells from normal donors (p=0.04). The expression of iASPP in ALL and AML patients was not associated with age, gender, hemoglobin, platelets; blasts count in bone marrow, treatment outcome but was associated with blasts count in peripheral blood and total leucocytic count in AL patients. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that iASPP may play a role in leukemogenesis and/or disease progression of acute leukemia.
Traumatic Brain Injury: Consequences and Family Needs

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the most common injuries resulting from external causes and constitutes a global public health problem of great significance. TBI is mainly caused by traffic accidents, violence and falls, with a strong impact on the population’s morbidity and mortality. TBI is a complex injury caused by a cascade of changes in the brain and throughout the body. Its consequences, especially neuropsychiatric ones, do not appear immediately, a characteristic of a silent epidemic (Hampton, 2011). It is considered to be a chronic disease process, according to the World Health Organization, presenting one or more of the following characteristics: permanent, caused by nonreversible pathological alterations, requires special treatment to rehabilitate the patient, or a long period of observation, supervision and care (Masel & DeWitt, 2010). It affects people of all ages, with a higher incidence among those who are 15 to 24 years old and 75 years old or older. It occurs twice as frequently in men as in women, half of all cases are associated with alcohol and can result in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial disability. Due to the large number of cases with disabilities, prevention is of great importance (National Institutes Health [NIH], 1999). There is a worldwide concern to promote widespread awareness, warning people of all classes and ages about how serious a problem TBI is becoming. Good education, knowledge of risk factors and prevention reduces the incidence of trauma and its consequences.
1 Annotation : More Than Just a Scheme

Creating linguistic annotations requires more than just a reliable annotation scheme. Annotation can be a complex endeavour potentially involving many people, stages, and tools. This chapter outlines the process of creating end-to-end linguistic annotations, identifying specific tasks that researchers often perform. Because tool support is so central to achieving high quality, reusable annotations with low cost, the focus is on identifying capabilities that are necessary or useful for annotation tools, as well as common problems these tools present that reduce their utility. Although examples of specific tools are provided in many cases, this chapter concentrates more on abstract capabilities and problems because new tools appear continuously, while old tools disappear into disuse or disrepair. The two core capabilities tools must have are support for the chosen annotation scheme and the ability to work on the language under study. Additional capabilities are organized into three categories: those that are widely provided; those that often useful but found in only a few tools; and those that have as yet little or no available tool support.
Enabling Probabilistic Differential Privacy Protection for Location Recommendations

The sequential pattern in the human movement is one of the most important aspects for location recommendations in geosocial networks. Existing location recommenders have to access users’ raw check-in data to mine their sequential patterns that raises serious location privacy breaches. In this paper, we propose a new <italic>P</italic>rivacy-preserving <italic>LO</italic>cation <italic>RE</italic>commendation framework (PLORE) to address this privacy challenge. First, we employ the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>n</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="zhang-ieq1-2810890.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>th-order additive Markov chain to exploit users’ sequential patterns for location recommendations. Further, we contrive the probabilistic differential privacy mechanism to reach a good trade-off between high recommendation accuracy and strict location privacy protection. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments to evaluate the performance of PLORE using three large-scale real-world data sets. Extensive experimental results show that PLORE provides efficient and highly accurate location recommendations, and guarantees strict privacy protection for user check-in data in geosocial networks.
The impacts of image resolution on permeability simulation of gas diffusion layer using lattice Boltzmann method

The effect of image resolution on gas permeability through the x-ray reconstructed carbon paper gas diffusion layer (GDL) of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) was examined in this paper. The 3D models of the GDL at 6 different resolutions were obtained by the x-ray computed tomography imaging technique. Each GDL image was then characterized its gas permeability through the lattice Boltzmann (LB) numerical method. The results suggest that the image resolution has a great impact on gas permeability in both principal and off-principal flow directions. The coarser resolutions can contribute to significant changes in the resulting permeability. However, it can reduce calculation time to a great extent. The results also indicate that the GDL image at the resolution of 2.72 m provides a good compromise between computation time and accuracy.
Non-destructive phase contrast hard x-ray imaging to reveal the three-dimensional microstructure of soft and hard tissues

X-ray imaging in the absorption contrast mode is an established method of visualising calciﬁed tissues such as bone and teeth. Physically soft tissues such as brain or muscle are often imaged using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the spatial resolution of MRI is insuﬃcient for identifying individual biological cells within three-dimensional tissue. X-ray grating interferometry (XGI) has advantages for the investigation of soft tissues or the simultaneous three-dimensional visualisation of soft and hard tissues. Since laboratory microtomography (μCT) systems have better accessibility than tomography set-ups at synchrotron radiation facilities, a great deal of eﬀort has been invested in optimising XGI set-ups for conventional μCT systems. In this conference proceeding, we present how a two-grating interferometer is incorporated into a commercially available nanotom m (GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies GmbH) μCT system to extend its capabilities toward phase contrast. We intend to demonstrate superior contrast in spiders (Hogna radiata (Fam. Lycosidae) and Xysticus erraticus (Fam. Thomisidae)), as well as the simultaneous visualisation of hard and soft tissues. XGI is an imaging modality that provides quantitative data, and visualisation is an important part of biomimetics; consequently, hard X-ray imaging provides a sound basis for bioinspiration, bioreplication and biomimetics and allows for the quantitative comparison of biofabricated products with their natural counterparts.
Towards Automatically Aligning German Compounds with English Word Groups in an Example-Based Translation System.

As part of the development of a completely sub-symbolic machine translation system, a method for automatically identifying German compounds was developed. Given a parallel bilingual corpus, German compounds are identified along with their English word groupings by statistical processing alone. The underlying principles and the design process are described here. Design began with small-scale word-alignment experiments, using 2,543 English words and 1,898 German words that yielded unique loxical items in each language. A technique for decreasing reliance on one-to-one word correspondences was then applied, resulting in a distinct ability to capture relationships between compounds and non-compounded expressions. Statistical analysis of these relationships provides data on which to base machine translation operations. It is concluded that the method used is effective on identifying cross-language lexical fertility to establish translation units for re-combination within the example-based translation
New applications of a biogenic silica deposition fluorophore in the study of oceanic diatoms

Silicon (Si) availability is known to be one of the main factors controlling the productivity and distribution of diatoms (Dugdale et al. 1995), but current chemical and microscopic methods do not allow discrimination of the key species responsible for Si biomineralization in mixed natural diatom assemblages. In 2001, new insights into biological silicification became available when studies with diatom cultures established that PDMPO [2‐(4‐pyridyl)‐5{[4‐dimethylaminoethyl‐aminocarbamoyl)‐methoxy]phenyl}oxazole] selectively binds to polymerizing silica and emits an intense fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) excitation wherever newly formed Si is deposited (Shimizu et al. 2001). Here, we focus on adapting the PDMPO method to the study of Si use in natural diatom communities, including identification of individual cells carrying out new Si deposition. Experiments determined a simple and reproducible way to label actively silicifying diatoms, to preserve stained samples and identified the best optical tools to visualize the fluorescence properties of Si‐bound PDMPO. The application of confocal multiphoton microscopy to the PDMPO method revealed unprecedented high‐resolution three‐dimensional (3D) imaging of new Si deposition within diatom cells, which can be used to study biogenic silica deposition in relation to the cell cycle. The quantitative aspects of this method were further explored and resulted in a protocol allowing simultaneous measurement of newly deposited biogenic silica and PDMPO incorporation in the same sample. This aspect was successfully tested on both cultures and field samples. Toxicity assays were also run on a mixed natural diatom community to ensure that the probe presented no deleterious effect on diatom growth, biogenic silica deposition, or silicic acid uptake rates over 24 h incubations and at the recommended concentration. There is also great potential for a better understanding of the biogeochemistry of Si in diatoms through coupling of this method to other quantifying tools, such as UV flow cytometry and image analysis.
How can awareness in civil society and in governance be raised? Reducing risks from coastal hazards

: Risks to human life, the economy and the environment are increasing globally in coastal areas. There is therefore a strong need to implement holistic and highly developed flood risk management systems which incorporate both risk mitigation and climate change adaptation. Based on the implementation of the EU Floods Directive and of municipal level climate adaptation plans in Denmark, we explore shortcomings in the ways we coordinate disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) between scientists, decision- and policymakers, and the public in relation to coastal flooding and erosion. From top-down approaches to law enforcement at European and national levels on DRM and CCA, respectively, to the local bottom-up approaches and actual implementation of plans, we investigate and pinpoint areas where major improvement is needed to deal with current and future risks and vulnerabilities in the coastal zone. Major topics are: i) No political and financial links between DRM, where budgets are reduced for preparedness etc, and CCA where there is only a vague political opinion on how to proceed; ii) The gap must be closed between academia based provision of tools and maps, and the needs of decision makers and the public; iii) Lack of knowledge and awareness about risk and risk reduction in the public; iv) Lack of transdisciplinary work especially between natural and social sciences; v) Timing of actions for coastal protection and DRM/CCA. Although legislative frameworks and capacity building efforts are different to those in Australia, many of the Danish coastal challenges are comparable in relation to future as well as acute risks to coastal communities and individual property owners.
Happy Companion : A System of Multimodal Human-Computer Affective Interaction

Emotion is one of the most important aspects in the intelligent human computer inter-actions. The concept of “Affective Computing” refers to the “computing that relates to, arises from, or deliberately influences emotion or other affective phenomena”. The research on realization of emotion comprehension and expression has been a hot topic. In this paper, we proposed a novel human-computer affective interaction system, called “Happy Companion”. We adopt the PAD model with three dimensional: pleasure (i.e. valence, evaluation), arousal (i.e. activation, activity), and dominance (i.e. power, potency), as the description of human’s emotional states. By integrating relevant technologies, such as PAD quantification and annotation, emotion detection and analysis from speech and video, 2D/3D facial expression synthesis, et al., the happy companion presents a virtual guider who can detect your emotional states and respond expressively through audiovisual interface in real time. Under her guide, you can participate four basic tasks to regulate your emotions, including Breathing Relaxation, Muscle Relaxation, Facial Expression Learning, Joke and Game. The design and study of “happy companion” have made a try to create a system of multimodal human-computer affective interaction.
Low-Wage Jobs – Stepping Stone or Poverty Trap?

We examine whether low-paid jobs have an effect on the occupational advancement probability of unemployed persons to obtain better-paid jobs in the future (stepping-stone effect). We make use of data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and apply a dynamic random-effects probit model. Our results suggest that low-wage jobs can act as stepping stones to better-paid work. The improvement of the chance to obtain a high-wage job by accepting low-paid work is particularly large for less-skilled persons and for individuals with longer unemployment experiences. Low-paid work is less beneficial if the job is also associated with a low social status.
Review: Climate-induced hydrological changes and the ecology of tropical freshwater biota

Sunardi, Wiegleb G. 2016. Climate-induced hydrological changes and the ecology of tropical freshwater biota. BiodiversitasÂ 17: 322-331. Climate change is believed to pose adverse effects to biodiversity of aquatic systems, with no exception of those in tropicalÂ areas. However, next few decades species extinction is suggested as dark future as we lack researches uncovering how climate changeÂ threats the aquatic biota. Unluckily, the tropical freshwater systems are expected to suffer more severe impacts of climate change, fromÂ heavy floods or extended drought than do the boreal areas. A comprehensive understanding of biotaâ€™ performance in face of climaticÂ pressures, will guide the further necessary researches. This paper presents a review on the available researches addressing ecologicalÂ effects of the most influential climatic parameter in tropic area, the hydrological regime, on freshwater biota. The research reveal thatÂ the extreme water fluctuations induced by climate change have negatively affected the performance of freshwater biota. In the next fewÂ decades, climate change seems to remain as one of the main threats for freshwater ecosystems, and is responsible for the lost of itsbiodiversity.
Automatic Brain Tumor Segmentation from MRI Images using Superpixels based Split and Merge Algorithm

: Brain tumor segmentation, an essential but challenging task, has long attracted much attention from the medical imaging community. Recently, successful applications of sparse coding and dictionary learning has emerged in various vision problems including image segmentation. In this paper, a superpixel-based framework for automated brain tumor segmentation is introduced. A reformulation of the processes that composed the split and merge technique is proposed. A recursive split process is done first; then, after the merge process, a segmentation of the image is obtained. This is possible because the merging is implemented like a growth process, so the grouping has been eliminated. The use of a complete quad tree helps to achieve the reformulation. The determination of the region uniformity in each process is carried out with a different predicate, because of the different nature of the two processes. Experiments on a blocks world image and an industrial parts image are included to show the result of applying the algorithm.
Essential fatty acid deficiency in malnourished children

Erythrocyte fatty acids and plasma vitamin E concentrations were determined in 47 grade 2 and 21 grade 3 malnourished Pakistani children (ages 4-56 months). Data were compared with those of 26 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls. Evaluation with three statistical approaches revealed that both grade 2 and grade 3 malnourished children had decreased erythrocyte ω6 fatty acids and to a lesser extent decreased ω3 fatty acids. These decreases were compensated for by increased ω9 fatty acids. Grade 2 patients had lower plasma vitamin E concentrations. We conclude that malnourished Pakistani children have low essential fatty acid status, notably those of the ω6 series. The combination of low erythrocyte 22:6ω3 and a low 22:5ω6/22:4ω6 ratio in grade 2 patients suggests low ∆4desaturation activity, which may be due to impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation.
Anaphora: lexico-textual structure, or means for utterance integration within a discourse? A critique of the functional-grammar account

This article is a critical examination of Dik’s (1997b: ch. 10) account of discourse anaphora, within the framework of the theory of Functional Grammar (but it highlights features of anaphora theory which hold more generally). I show first that Dik’s definitions of the phenomenon involve two contradictory conceptions of this discourse procedure (the anaphor refers to a mental representation of its referent within a mental model of the ongoing discourse, yet at the same time needs first to connect up with a segment of co-text - its linguistic antecedent); second, that Dik’s account of the relationship between given (pronominal) anaphor types and the “entity-order” of their potential referents is both too rigid and too narrow; and third, that his description of the underlying structure of anaphors, which includes both the referential index of their actual referent/antecedent and a variable specifying the latter’s entity-order, does not allow for the necessary flexibility and dynamic character of anaphor use and interpretation. A discursively more realistic account of discourse anaphora needs to specify the necessary interaction between ‘bottom-up’ factors of these kinds, on the one hand, and ‘top-down’ relationships involving the wider discourse context, on the other. This is what I briefly outline at the end of the article.
Macroinvertebrate community response to inter‐annual and regional river flow regime dynamics

Spatio‐temporal variability in river flow is a fundamental control on instream habitat structure and riverine ecosystem biodiversity and integrity. However, long‐term riverine ecological time‐series to test hypotheses about hydrology–ecology interactions in a broader temporal context are rare, and studies spanning multiple rivers are often limited in their temporal coverage to less than five years. To address this research gap, a unique spatio‐temporal hydroecological analysis was conducted of long‐term instream ecological responses (1990–2000) to river flow regime variability at 83 sites across England and Wales. The results demonstrate clear hydroecological associations at the national scale (all data). In addition, significant differences in ecological response are recorded between three ‘regions’ identified (RM1–3*) associated with characteristics of the flow regime. The effect of two major supra‐seasonal droughts (1990–1992 and 1996–1997) on inter‐annual (IA) variability of the LIFE scores is evident with both events showing a gradual decline before and recovery of LIFE scores after the low flow period. The instream community response to high magnitude flow regimes (1994 and 1995) is also apparent, although these associations are less striking. The results demonstrate classification of rivers into flow regime regions offers a way to help unravel complex hydroecological associations. The approach adopted herein could easily be adapted for other geographical locations, where datasets are available. Such work is imperative to understand flow regime–ecology interactions in a longer term, wider spatial context and so assess future hydroecological responses to climate change and anthropogenic modification of riverine ecosystems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.