Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The von Mises Graphical Model: Structure Learning (CMU-CS-11-108 / CMU-CB-11-100)

The von Mises distribution is a continuous probability distribution on the circle used in directional statistics. In this paper, we introduce the undirected von Mises Graphical model and present an algorithm for structure learning using L1 regularization. We show that the learning algorithm is both consistent and efficient. We also introduce a simple inference algorithm based on Gibbs sampling. We compare and contrast the von Mises Graphical Model (VGM) with a Gaussian Graphical Model (GGM) on both synthetic data and on data from protein structures and demonstrate that the VGM achieves higher accuracy than the GGM.
An arts-based learning model: Synergies of artist mentorship, ePortfolio and discovering ‘possible self’

A successful learning model was adopted in a middle years' school in regional Australia, where Aboriginal artists are employed to work with students in a mentoring capacity creating original artworks and imparting knowledge of cultural heritage, symbols and techniques. ePortfolio thinking through reflective narratives was added to the art making/learning process assisting students to establish a sense of possible self, both cultural and future thinking. Described here is school-based applied research where the learning model emerged as researchers collected qualitative data to measure the impact of webpages (the ePortfolio) to the art making. Data include interviews with key stakeholders, classroom observations, student art works/stories, and webpages accompanying the culminating exhibition. Results showed that student engagement improved and cultural awareness was raised. Implications for pedagogy and practice include transferring the model to music, dance, media arts.
Scale Invariance + Unitarity => Conformal Invariance?

We revisit the long-standing conjecture that in unitary field theories, scale invariance implies conformality. We explain why the Zamolodchikov-Polchinski proof in D=2 does not work in higher dimensions. We speculate which new ideas might be helpful in a future proof. We also search for possible counterexamples. We consider a general multi-field scalar-fermion theory with quartic and Yukawa interactions. We show that there are no counterexamples among fixed points of such models in 4-epsilon dimensions. We also discuss fake counterexamples, which exist among theories without a stress tensor.
In-Vitro Degradation Behaviors of Composite Scaffolds Based on Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide-co-ε-Caprolactone), 1,4-Butanediamine Modified Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide) and Bioceramics

Abstract In this work a novel type of composite scaffolds based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLLGC), 1,4-butanediamine modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (BMPLGA), nanobioactive glass (NBAG) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were fabricated by using a thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method. The in-vitro degradation behaviors were investigated by immersing the scaffolds in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH = 7.27) solution at 37 °C for 40 days. The properties, including the PBS pH value change and the water uptake, mass loss and morphology changes of the composite scaffolds, were investigated by comparing with pure PLLGC/BMPLGA scaffolds. The introduction of NBAG and β-TCP nanoparticles decreased the degradation rate of the PLLGC/BMPLGA matrix and improved the wetting behavior. The decrease in the degradation rate of the composite scaffolds correlated well with the results obtained from mass loss, water uptake and pH measurements. The degradation rate of the PLLGC/BMPLGA polymer in the composite scaffolds decreased as a result of the alkaline effect of the NBAG and β-TCP particles, with the OH- ions formed neutralizing acidic polymeric degradation products and binding the H+ ions from the tissue fluids.
Set-Theoretic Dependence

In this paper, we explore the idea that sets depend on, or are grounded in, their members. It is said that a set depends on each of its members, and not vice versa. Members do not depend on the sets that they belong to. We show that the intuitive modal truth conditions for dependence, given in terms of possible worlds, do not accurately capture asymmetric dependence relations between sets and their members. We extend the modal truth conditions to include impossible worlds and give a more satisfactory account of the dependence of a set on its members. Focusing on the case of singletons, we articulate a logical framework in which to evaluate set-theoretic dependence claims, using a normal first-order modal logic. We show that on this framework the dependence of a singleton on its single members follows from logic alone. However, the converse does not hold.
A Note on a Theorem of Parry

A well-known result of Bill Parry shows that a topologically transitive continuous piecewise monotone mapping with positive topological entropy is conjugate to a uniformly piecewise linear mapping with slope determined by the entropy. In this note we generalise Parry's result somewhat to what we call the class of essentially transitive mappings. This generalisation is of some interest in as much as for mappings with one turning point the converse also holds, i.e., a uniformly piecewise linear mapping with one turning point and with slope greater than 1 is essentially transitive.
Technological and Energetic Aspects of Multi-Component Co-Digestion of the Beverage Industry Wastes and Municipal Sewage Sludge

In the present study, the co-digestion effectiveness of the selected beverage wastes and municipal sewage sludge in two- and three-component mixtures was evaluated. Orange peels and orange pulp, as well as brewery spent grain were applied as co-substrates to sewage sludge at the following doses: 1.5 and 3.0 g of orange peels, 2.5 and 5 g of orange pulp, and 1.5 g brewery spent grain. Mono-digestion of sewage sludge was used as a control. The experiments were performed under mesophilic conditions in batch reactors. As compared to the control, only in the presence of the highest dose of pulp, brewery spent grain and sewage sludge was the increased methane production of 395 mL CH4 g−1 VS accompanying an additional energy profit of 82% observed. Moreover, in this case, the enhanced volatile solids removal and lower accumulation of p-cymene were found. These results were despite the increased limonene and phenol content in the feedstock, confirming a synergistic effect at the highest dose of pulp, brewery spent grain and sewage sludge.
Use of community engagement interventions to improve child immunisation in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To support evidence informed decision-making, we systematically examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community engagement interventions on routine childhood immunisation outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and identify contextual, design and implementation features associated with effectiveness. Design Mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources 21 databases of academic and grey literature and 12 additional websites were searched in May 2019 and May 2020. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies We included experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluations of community engagement interventions considering outcomes related to routine child immunisation in LMICs. No language, publication type, or date restrictions were imposed. Data extraction and synthesis Two independent researchers extracted summary data from published reports and appraised quantitative risk of bias using adapted Cochrane tools. Random effects meta-analysis was used to examine effects on the primary outcome, full immunisation coverage. Results Our search identified over 43 000 studies and 61 were eligible for analysis. The average pooled effect of community engagement interventions on full immunisation coverage was standardised mean difference 0.14 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.23, I2=94.46). The most common source of risk to the quality of evidence (risk of bias) was outcome reporting bias: most studies used caregiver-reported measures of vaccinations received by a child in the absence or incompleteness of immunisation cards. Reasons consistently cited for intervention success include appropriate intervention design, including building in community engagement features; addressing common contextual barriers of immunisation and leveraging facilitators; and accounting for existing implementation constraints. The median intervention cost per treated child per vaccine dose (excluding the cost of vaccines) to increase absolute immunisation coverage by one percent was US$3.68. Conclusion Community engagement interventions are successful in improving outcomes related to routine child immunisation. The findings are robust to exclusion of studies assessed as high risk of bias.
On the hypothetical utilization of atmospheric potential energy

Atmospheric potential energy is typically divided into an available and a nonavailable part. In this article a hypothetical utilization of a fraction of the nonavailable potential energy is described. This part stems from the water vapor that can be converted into the liquid phase. An energy gain results when the potential energy of the condensate relative to a reference height exceeds the energy necessary to condensate the water vapor. It is shown that this can be the case in a saturated atmosphere without convective available potential energy. Finally, simulations with the numerical cloud model HURMOD are performed to estimate the usability of the device in practice. Indeed, a positive energy output results in a simulation with immediate gathering of the condensate. On the contrary, potential energy gained falls significantly short of the necessary energy for forming the condensate when a realistic cloud microphysical scheme allowing re-evaporation of condensate is applied. Taken together it can be concluded that, a utilization of atmospheric potential energy ishypothetically possible but the practical realization is probably not feasible.
Comparative study of attenuation properties of some ternary borate glass systems

Some borate-based systems doped with sodium, zinc and lead are chosen to study gamma ray mass attenuation properties. Different parameters like mass attenuation, half value layer and mean free path have been analyzed at different photon energies. The values of molar volume have been estimated from density values to get idea regarding the compactness of the network structure. XCOM computer software has been employed to estimate mass attenuation coefficient at various energies. Further the values of HVL for the studied systems are compared with standard radiation shielding materials like concrete.
Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of early colorectal cancer

Early colorectal cancer refers to cancer in the colorectum that is confined to the mucosa or submucosa and does not invade the muscularis propria, irrespective of lymph node or distant metastasis. As the number of persons undergoing screening colonoscopy increases, the proportion of patients diagnosed with precancerous colorectal lesions and early colorectal cancer also increases. In the last decade, innovative optical technologies for endoscopic diagnosis have been introduced and endoscopic treatment techniques such as endoscopic submucosal dissection have provided major breakthroughs in the management of early colorectal cancer. With these remarkable developments, endoscopic treatment has established itself as an alternative to surgical resection in the treatment of early colorectal cancer. This review will discuss the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of early colorectal cancer. Furthermore, the unmet needs in this field and the latest research addressing those issues will be summarized.
An Island Drain Double-Gate DeMOS With Self-Aligned Sub-Gate to Achieve Multifold Transient Frequency Enhancement

Shallow trench isolation drain extended MOS (STI-DeMOS) devices, known for their superior gate oxide reliability under high drain voltages, are widely used for the integration of CMOS-compatible high-voltage devices. However, they offer moderate high-frequency performance that limits the use of these devices even in mid-band 5G applications. A novel island drain and a double-gate drain-extended MOS (IDDG DeMOS) device with improved high-frequency performance is proposed in this work. The proposed device has a core MOSFET and an STI-DeMOS with a self-aligned pocket well, both feature a shorter channel length than a typical STI-DeMOS device. The shorter gate length enhances the proposed device’s RF performance without degrading the breakdown voltage. We have performed simulations using a well-calibrated deck in the Sentaurus TCAD environment. We have shown an increase in the transit frequency from 25 GHz in STI-DeNMOS to 53 GHz in the proposed IDDG DeNMOS device, and from 11 to 31 GHz for a p-type device at a 65-nm technology node. This work also presents the well edge variation immunity of the proposed device. All these features are achieved in the mainstream SoC-compatible CMOS process flow without any additional fabrication mask or process complexity.
Social environment exposure to electronic cigarettes and its association with e-cigarette use among adolescents in Shanghai, China

Objective This study investigated adolescents' social-environmental exposure to e-cigarettes in association with e-cigarette use in Shanghai, China. We also explored these differences by gender and school type. Methods Sixteen thousand one hundred twenty-three students were included by a stratified random cluster sampling, and the number was weighted according to selection probability. Association between social environment exposure and e-cigarette use was examined by multivariate logistic regressions. Results There were 35.07, 63.49, 75.19, 9.44, and 18.99% students exposed to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol (SHA), e-cigarette sales, e-cigarette information, parents' and friends' e-cigarette use. Students exposed to SHA (aOR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.40–2.14), e-cigarette sales from ≥2 sources (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.18–2.03), e-cigarette information exposure from ≥2 sources (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.05–1.83), and having a social e-smoking environment (friends' e-cigarette use: aOR = 2.56, 95% CI 2.07–3.16; parents' e-cigarette use: aOR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.17–2.02) were significantly associated with their intention to use e-cigarettes. More girls were exposed to e-cigarette sales in the malls, e-cigarette information at points of sale and on social media (P < 0.01), and exposure to sales from ≥2 sources were associated with girls' intention to use e-cigarettes (aOR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.22–2.78). However, boys were more likely to be exposed to friends' e-cigarette use (P < 0.001), and having friends using e-cigarettes was associated with greater intention to use them in boys (aOR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.97–3.55). Less vocational high school students were exposed to parents' e-cigarette use (P < 0.001), but they were more likely to use e-cigarettes in the future after being exposed (aOR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.50–3.43). A similar phenomenon was observed between junior high students and their exposure to SHA. Conclusions This study reported adolescents' high exposure rates to the social environment of e-cigarettes. Exposure to SHA, e-cigarette sales from ≥2 sources, e-cigarette information from ≥2 sources and having a social e-smoking environment were related to adolescents' intention to use e-cigarettes. Differences in gender and school type were observed. More attention should be paid to girls, and different interventions should be designed for different types of school students. Additionally, comprehensive tobacco control policies are needed.
Correlation of femoral version measurements between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies in patients presenting with a femoroacetabular impingement-related complaint

ABSTRACT Computed tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard for femoral version measurement. However, recent data have shown magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as another modality to measure femoral version. This study aimed to correlate MRI and CT femoral version measurements in patients presenting with a femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)-related complaint. Patients (18–35 years old) who presented to the hip preservation clinic and radiology department with a suspected FAI diagnosis from 26 December 2018 to 4 March 2020 were included. All patients had a CT and MRI of the hip, with images including both hips and knees, as per our institution’s protocol for possible hip preservation surgery. Patients were excluded if they were missing views of the knees, or if they had a history or imaging appearance of any condition affecting femoral version at the femoral head (e.g. slipped capital femoral epiphysis). Femoral version was measured by three reviewers. Fifty-eight patients were included, and 36 (62%) were female. Femoral version averaged 6.1° ± 11.8° on CT and 6.5° ± 10.8° on MRI. A strong positive correlation was reported between the two imaging modalities (r: 0.81; P < 0.001). Inter-rater reliability among the three reviewers was excellent and statistically significant for measurements on both MRI [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.95; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.99; P < 0.001] and CT (ICC: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.99; P < 0.001). Our finding suggests that MRI is a sufficient method for measuring femoral version to determine disease etiology and treatment progression. To avoid exposing patients to ionizing radiation, physicians should not obtain CT scans to evaluate femoral version.
Multifunctional chitosan/gelatin@tannic acid cryogels decorated with in situ reduced silver nanoparticles for wound healing

Abstract Background Most traditional wound dressings only partially meet the needs of wound healing because of their single function. Patients usually suffer from the increasing cost of treatment and pain resulting from the frequent changing of wound dressings. Herein, we have developed a mutifunctional cryogel to promote bacterial infected wound healing based on a biocompatible polysaccharide. Methods The multifunctional cryogel is made up of a compositive scaffold of chitosan (CS), gelatin (Gel) and tannic acid (TA) and in situ formed silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). A liver bleeding rat model was used to evaluate the dynamic hemostasis performance of the various cryogels. In order to evaluate the antibacterial properties of the prepared cryogels, gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) were cultured with the cryogels for 12 h. Meanwhile, S. aureus was introduced to cause bacterial infection in vivo. After treatment for 2 days, the exudates from wound sites were dipped for bacterial colony culture. Subsequently, the anti-inflammatory effect of the various cryogels was evaluated by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, full-thickness skin defect models on the back of SD rats were established to assess the wound healing performances of the cryogels. Results Due to its porous structure, the multifunctional cryogel showed fast liver hemostasis. The introduced Ag NPs endowed the cryogel with an antibacterial efficiency of >99.9% against both S. aureus and E. coli. Benefited from the polyphenol groups of TA, the cryogel could inhibit nuclear factor-κB nuclear translocation and down-regulate inflammatory cytokines for an anti-inflammatory effect. Meanwhile, excessive reactive oxygen species could also be scavenged effectively. Despite the presence of Ag NPs, the cryogel did not show cytotoxicity and hemolysis. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that the biocompatible cryogel displayed effective bacterial disinfection and accelerated wound healing. Conclusions The multifunctional cryogel, with fast hemostasis, antibacterial and anti-inflammation properties and the ability to promote cell proliferation could be widely applied as a wound dressing for bacterial infected wound healing.
Hydrodynamic synchronisation of optically driven rotors

Hydrodynamic coupling is thought to play a role in the coordinated beating of cilia and flagella, and may inform the future design of artificial swimmers and pumps. In this study, optical tweezers are used to investigate the hydrodynamic coupling between a pair of driven oscillators. The theoretical model of Lenz and Ryskin [P. Lenz and A. Ryskin, Phys. Biol. 3, 285{294 (2006)] is experimentally recreated, in which each oscillator consists of a sphere driven in a circular trajectory. The optical trap position is maintained ahead of the sphere to provide a tangential driving force. The trap is also moved radially to harmonically constrain the sphere to the circular trajectory. Analytically, it has been shown that two oscillators of this type are able to synchronise or phase-lock under certain conditions. We explore the interplay between synchronisation mechanisms and find good agreement between experiment, theory and Brownian dynamics simulations.
Memory forensics tools: a comparative analysis

ABSTRACT As part of the incident response process, the memory forensics tools extract forensic artifacts and display them. Many memory forensics analysis tools are being developed to address the challenges of modern cybercrimes. Investigations are successful when they have an accurate analysis provided by a memory forensics tool that consumes resources reasonably. This paper presents a comparative analysis of three dominant memory forensics tools: Volatility, Autopsy, and Redline. We consider three malware behaviour scenarios and evaluate the forensics capabilities of these tools in each. We also experimentally measure the CPU and memory consumption of each for memory analysis in other operational states. We find that Volatility provides the most accurate memory analysis. Our measurements show that Redline consumes more CPU resources, and Autopsy needs more memory resources to analyze a memory image file. The results of our investigation will hopefully lead to tool improvement and more informed choices by users.
Choice Architecture for Healthier Insurance Decisions: Ordering and Partitioning Together Can Improve Consumer Choice

Making good health insurance decisions is important for health outcomes and longevity, but consumers’ errors are well documented. The authors examine whether targeted choice architecture interventions can reduce these mistakes. The article examines the interaction of two choice architecture tools on improved consumer insurance decisions in online health care exchanges: (1) ordering the options from best to worst based on a high-quality user model and (2) partitioning the total set of options. Although ordering and partitioning do not always improve choices separately, the authors use one field study and three experiments to identify the conditions that allow the combination to greatly improve health insurance decisions. Findings indicate that when options are ordered such that the best options appear at the beginning of the presented list, partitioning nudges consumers to focus on the best options. However, if the best options are not at the top of the list, partitioning discourages search and can impair consumers’ discovery of the best options. Process data show that these effects are achieved by focusing consumers’ limited attention on higher-quality options. These results suggest that wise choice architecture interventions need to consider the joint effect of choice architecture tools as well as the quality of the firm's user model.