Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting the Response of the Bubble Detector BD-100 and a Comparison of its Response to CR-39

The BD-100 is a bubble detector available commercially from Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, Canada for neutron dosimetry. According to the manufac- turer, the BD-100 detects neutrons over an energy range of 100 keV to 14 MeV and the dose equivalent response is independent of energy. The sensitivity of the detector is dependent upon its temperature at the time of irradiation. The sensitized detector self-nucleates upon sharp impact and when heated to temperatures of 48OC or greater. The BD-100 is insensitive to low energy gamma rays but responds to 6 MeV photons. The sensitivity (bubbles/pSv) -of the BD-100 was found to be energy dependent when exposed to standard neutron sources with average energies ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 MeV. The bubbles formed upon irradiation continued to grow in size with time. The response of eledrochemically etched CR-39 to the same neutron sources is also reported for comparison.
The influence of statistical variations on image quality

For more than thirty years imaging scientists have constructed metrics to predict psychovisually perceived image quality. Such metrics are based on a set of objectively measurable basis functions such as Noise Power Spectrum (NPS), Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), and characteristic curves of tone and color reproduction. Although these basis functions constitute a set of primitives that fully describe an imaging system from the standpoint of information theory, we found that in practical imaging systems the basis functions themselves are determined by system-specific primitives, i.e. technology parameters. In the example of a printer, MTF and NPS are largely determined by dot structure. In addition MTF is determined by color registration, and NPS by streaking and banding. Since any given imaging system is only a single representation of a class of more or less identical systems, the family of imaging systems and the single system are not described by a unique set of image primitives. For an image produced by a given imaging system, the set of image primitives describing that particular image will be a singular instantiation of the underlying statistical distribution of that primitive. If we know precisely the set of imaging primitives that describe the given image we should be able to predict its image quality. Since only the distributions are known, we can only predict the distribution in image quality for a given image as produced by the larger class of 'identical systems'. We will demonstrate the combinatorial effect of the underlying statistical variations in the image primitives on the objectively measured image quality of a population of printers as well as on the perceived image quality of a set of test images. We also will discuss the choice of test image sets and impact of scene content on the distribution of perceived image quality.
Unsteady Flow Analysis in a Fired Briggs-Stratton Internal Combustion Engine

Unsteady velocity measurements made near the spark-plug location of a fired Briggs and Stratton IC engine using a single-component LDV fiber-optic spark-plug LDV probe are reported. An off-the shelf engine was first equipped with an IMPCO carburetor adapter to allow the engine run using methane gas. Velocity data obtained during the engine start and the engine run were analyzed using high-pass filtering, wavelet decomposition, proper orthogonal decomposition, and wavelet decomposition together with proper orthogonal decomposition techniques to separate the mean and fluctuating velocity components. Data was further analyzed to determine the standard deviation of the fluctuating velocity signal and the cross correlation between the pressure and velocity signals. Results show that mean velocity delayed by 0.034 seconds show a high correlation with the pressure signal.
A Novel Symbiotic Formulation Reduces Obesity and Concomitant Metabolic Syndrome in Rats by Raising the Relative Abundance of Blautia

Obesity is regarded as an abnormal or excessive buildup of fat that may be bad for health and is influenced by a combination of intestinal flora, genetic background, physical activity level and environment. Symbiotic supplementation may be a realistic and easy therapy for the reversal of obesity and associated metabolic problems. In this study, we chose two Bifidobacterium species, three Lactobacilli species and four prebiotics to make a new symbiotic formulation. High or low doses of the symbiotic were administered to rats, and biochemical indicators were recorded to assess the biological effects in a high-fat-diet-induced rat model. The underlying mechanisms were explored by integrating 16S rRNA sequencing with an extensively targeted metabolome. High-dose symbiotic supplementation was effective in reducing obesity and concomitant metabolic syndrome. The high-dose symbiotic also significantly increased the abundance of Blautia, which was negatively correlated with taurocholic acid and the main differential metabolites involved in amino acid and bile acid metabolism. While the low-dose symbiotic had some therapeutic effects, they were not as strong as those at the high dose, demonstrating that the effects were dose-dependent. Overall, our novel symbiotic combination improved plasma glucose and lipid levels, shrunk adipocyte size, restored liver function, increased the abundance of Blautia and adjusted bile acid and amino acid metabolism.
Gadolinium-doped whitlockite/chitosan composite scaffolds with osteogenic activity for bone defect treatment: In vitro and in vivo evaluations

Reducing the incidence of bone defects caused by trauma and other primary diseases is an urgent task in modern society. In the present study, we developed a gadolinium-doped whitlockite/chitosan (Gd-WH/CS) scaffold and assessed its biocompatibility, osteoinductivity, and bone regeneration capacity for the treatment of calvarial defect in a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model. The Gd-WH/CS scaffolds possessed a macroporous structure, with a pore size ranging 200–300 μm, which facilitated the growth of bone precursor cells and tissues into scaffold. Results of cytological and histological biosafety experiments showed that both WH/CS and Gd-WH/CS scaffolds were non-cytotoxic to human adipose-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) and bone tissue, which demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility of Gd-WH/CS scaffolds. Results of western blotting and real-time PCR analysis provided a possible mechanism that Gd3+ ions in the Gd-WH/CS scaffolds promoted the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs through the GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway and significantly upregulated the expression of osteogenic related genes (OCN, OSX and COL1A1). Finally, in animal experiments, SD rat cranial defects were effectively treated and repaired with Gd-WH/CS scaffolds due to its appropriate degradation rate and excellent osteogenic activity. This study suggests the potential utility of the Gd-WH/CS composite scaffolds in treating bone defect disease.
Para‐flex stage for microtopographic mapping

The design and performance of a high‐precision X–Y stage which uses a unique type of flexure pivots is described. Performance achieved with a symmetrical arrangement of four arm/pivots for each axis is such that pitch, roll, and yaw is less than one arcsecond for 1×1‐mm stage motion. Vertical vibration during stage motion is less than 2.5 nm peak to valley, with the major limitation being insufficient decoupling from the drive mechanism. Also described is the application of the stage for performing microtopographic mapping with a stylus transducer.
Co-Occurring Conduct Problems and Anxiety: Implications for the Functioning and Treatment of Youth with Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Conduct problems and anxiety symptoms commonly co-occur among youths with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD); however, how these symptoms influence functioning and treatment outcomes remains unclear. This study examined subtypes based on these co-occurring symptoms in a clinical sample of 134 youths (Mage = 9.67, 36.6% female, 83.6% white) with ODD and the predictive power of these subgroups for youth functioning and psychosocial treatment outcomes. The latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify subgroups based on parent- and self-reported conduct problems and anxiety symptoms. Differences among the subgroups in clinician-, parent-, and/or self-reported accounts of symptom severity, school performance, underlying processing known to be impaired across ODD, conduct and anxiety disorders, self-concept, and psychosocial treatment outcomes were examined. Four distinct profiles were identified: (1) Low Anxiety/Moderate Conduct Problems (n = 42); (2) High Anxiety/Moderate Conduct Problems (n = 33); (3) Moderate Anxiety/Moderate Conduct Problems (n = 40); and (4) Moderate Anxiety/High Conduct Problems (n = 19). The Moderate Anxiety/High Conduct Problems group exhibited more severe behavioral problems, greater difficulties with negative emotionality, emotional self-control, and executive functioning; they also demonstrated worse long-term treatment outcomes than the other subgroups. These findings suggest more homogeneous subgroups within and across diagnostic categories may result in a deeper understanding of ODD and could inform nosological systems and intervention efforts.
The Medicinal Use of Cannabis Documented by Muslim Scientists

Clinical studies have demonstrated many therapeutic benefits of cannabis, which has been used for medicinal purposes for over 6000 years. Despite its curative properties and therapeutic advantages, Muslim-majority countries impose strict regulations due to the stigma attached to cannabis use as a medicine associated with its use as a medicine. The majority of Muslim nations forbid the use of cannabis for either recreational or therapeutic purposes and impose punishments such as imprisonment or death sentences. However, history shows that cannabis was used as a medicine in the past by Muslim scientists. Therefore, this article intends to examine the practice of Muslim scientists in using cannabis for medicinal purposes. In achieving the objective, the researchers use a qualitative method by analysing previous literature using content analysis. Findings showed that cannabis is used as a medicine for various types of illness by Muslim scientists. It is important to note that a review of pertinent scientific materials provides support for the traditional use of medical cannabis practised by Muslim medical professionals. Hopefully, this article will enlighten readers' knowledge on this topic, especially among Muslims, to correct any misconceptions and misapprehensions surrounding cannabis. It is suggested that Muslim countries embark on more research on cannabis' therapeutic benefits.
Comparative Evaluation of Ease of Dental Treatment and Clinical Efficiency of Midazolam vs Midazolam and Ketamine Combination for Sedation in Young Uncooperative Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract Aim To assess and compare the effectiveness of midazolam vs midazolam and ketamine combination in the management of young uncooperative pediatric patients. Materials and methods The research question was developed by using population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design framework. The literature search was performed using three electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost. The risk of bias of the studies was independently appraised using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Results Out of 98 preliminary records, five studies were selected for analysis. Three hundred forty-six uncooperative children were randomized through the five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a mean age of 5.8 years. Midazolam with ketamine was the most successful combination for delivering rapid and sufficient analgosedation in uncooperative children. The clinical efficiency of midazolam and ketamine combination had an overall success rate of 84% when compared to ketamine and midazolam alone. 50% of children in the midazolam and ketamine group demonstrated calm behavior, compared to 37% in the midazolam group. 44% of the children experienced modest intra and/or postoperative adverse effects that did not necessitate any special treatment. Conclusion Midazolam and ketamine combination is more efficient than midazolam alone with respect to ease of treatment and clinical efficiency. How to cite this article Rathi GV, Padawe D, Takate V, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Ease of Dental Treatment and Clinical Efficiency of Midazolam vs Midazolam and Ketamine Combination for Sedation in Young Uncooperative Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(6):680-686.
Charge-induced self-feedback optical bistable device: switching time and spatial resolution

We report extensive experimental and theoretical studies on the properties of an optical bistable device called the charge-induced self-feedback device (CSFD) which is a variation of a self electro-optic effect device (SEED). In the mechanism, a novelty: of the CSFD consists of the feedback due to field-screening, resulting in independent switchings of optical beams focused at different spots on the CSFD without the help of pixellated structures. We experimentally demonstrate independent switchings without pixellation. In addition, a spatial resolution of the CSFD on such a device operation is found to be limited by an in-plane spreading of photoexcited carriers enhanced by a lateral electric-field induced by photoexcitation. Also, it is experimentally demonstrated that shortening carrier escape times leads to an improvement on the spatial resolution in terms of the suppression of the in-plane carrier spreading. Furthermore, an investigation on dynamics of the photoexcited carriers in the device reveals that the switching time of the CSPD is on the order of nanosecond, limited mainly by the hole escape time. >
Towards an RNA/Peptides World by the Direct RNA Template Mechanism: The Emergence of Membrane-Stabilizing Peptides in RNA-Based Protocells

How functional peptides may have arisen is a significant problem for the scenario of the RNA world. An attractive idea, the direct RNA template (DRT) hypothesis, proposes that RNA molecules can bind amino acids specifically and promote the synthesis of corresponding peptides, thereby starting the RNA/peptides world. To investigate the plausibility of this idea, we modeled the emergence of a “membrane-stabilizing peptide” in RNA-based protocells—such a peptide was suggested to have appeared early in the RNA world based on experimental evidence. The computer simulation demonstrated that the protocells containing the “RNA gene” encoding this peptide may spread in the system owing to the peptide’s function. The RNA gene may either originate de novo in protocells or emerge in protocells already containing ribozymes—here we adopt a nucleotide synthetase ribozyme as an example. Furthermore, interestingly, we show that a “nucleotide synthetase peptide” encoded by RNA (also via the DRT mechanism) may substitute the nucleotide synthetase ribozyme in evolution, which may represent how “functional-takeover” in the RNA world could have occurred. Overall, we conclude that the transition from the RNA world towards an RNA/peptides world may well have been mediated by the DRT mechanism. Remarkably, the successful modeling on the emergence of membrane-stabilizing peptide in RNA-based protocells is per se significant, which may imply a “promising” way for peptides to enter the RNA world, especially considering the weak interaction between RNA and the membrane in chemistry.
Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) Alters Immune and Apoptotic Endpoints in Developing Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a broad-range bacteriostatic antibiotic widely used in animal and fish farming and is also employed in human medicine. These antibiotics can ultimately end up in the aquatic ecosystem and affect non-target organisms such as fish. To discern the effect of SMX on developing zebrafish embryos and larvae, we investigated a broad range of sub-lethal toxicity endpoints. Higher concentrations of SMX affected survivability, caused hatch delay, and induced malformations including edema of the yolk sac, pericardial effusion, bent tail, and curved spine in developing embryos. Lower levels of SMX provoked an inflammatory response in larvae at seven days post fertilization (dpf), as noted by up-regulation of interferon (ifn-γ) and interleukin 1β (il-1β). SMX also increased the expression of genes related to apoptosis, including BCL2-Associated Agonist of Cell Death (bad) and BCL2 Associated X, Apoptosis Regulator (bax) at 50 µg/L and decreased caspase 3 (casp3) expression in a dose-dependent manner. SMX induced hyperactivity in larval fish at 500 and 2500 µg/L based upon the light/dark preference test. Collectively, this study revealed that exposure to SMX can disrupt the immune system by altering host defense mechanisms as well as transcripts related to apoptosis. These data improve understanding of antibiotic chemical toxicity in aquatic organisms and serves as a baseline for in-depth environmental risk assessment of SMX and antibiotics.
The Effect of Corporate Greenwashing on Employees’ Environmental Performance: Person–Organization Values Fit Perspective

In the present study, we construct a model of greenwashing on employees’ environmental performance based on person–organization fit theory. Path analysis and hierarchical regression methods were used to examine randomly selected data collected from 269 employees in eight Chinese gas service and chemical production companies. The results of the analysis reveal that employees’ perceived person–organization values fit mediates the relationship between organizational greenwashing and employees’ environmental performance; employees’ environmental beliefs not only positively moderate the relationship between corporate greenwashing behavior and employees’ perceived person–organization values fit, but also positively moderate the indirect effect of employees’ perceived person–organization values fit between organizational greenwashing and employees’ environmental performance. We provide some theoretical contributions to organizational greenwashing, and practical implications are also offered.
The Waiting Time Process for a Generalized Correlated Queue with Exponential Demand and Service

This paper analyses the first come, first served equilibrium waiting time process for a generalization of ${M / {1 / M }}$ in which the service time S allocated to an arrival $\mathcal{A}$ is correlated with the interarrival interval T created by $\mathcal{A}$. The queue mechanism is thus generated by correlated pairs $(T,S)$ which reduce to exponentials at zero correlation. It is shown that the Laplace transform $\alpha (z)$ of the waiting time density can be expanded in a series of partial fraction terms whence return to the time domain and calculation of moments is straightforward. The analysis concentrates on investigating the poles of $\alpha (z)$ and on developing efficient computational procedures for the calculation of the corresponding coefficients. A brief table is given showing the advantage of correlation as a reduction in mean waiting time. The paper complements work of Mitchell and Paulson [Rensselaer Polytech. Inst. , Troy, NY, 1976], and of Conolly and Hadidi [J. Appl. Prob. , 1969] and [App.
Back Pain without Disease or Substantial Injury in Children and Adolescents: A Twin Family Study Investigating Genetic Influence and Associations

This twin family study first aimed to investigate the evidence for genetic factors predicting the risk of lifetime prevalence of non-specific low back pain of at least three months duration (LBP (life)) and one-month current prevalence of thoracolumbar back pain (TLBP (current)) using a study of children, adolescents, and their first-degree relatives. Secondly, the study aimed to identify associations between pain in the back with pain in other regions and also with other conditions of interest. Randomly selected families (n = 2479) with child or adolescent twin pairs and their biological parents and first siblings were approached by Twins Research Australia. There were 651 complete twin pairs aged 6–20 years (response 26%). Casewise concordance, correlation, and odds ratios were compared for monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) pairs to enable inference about the potential existence of genetic vulnerability. Multivariable random effects logistic regression was used to estimate associations between LBP (life) or TLBP (current) as an outcome with the potentially relevant condition as predictors. The MZ pairs were more similar than the DZ pairs for each of the back pain conditions (all p values < 0.02). Both back pain conditions were associated with pain in multiple sites and with primary pain and other conditions using the combined twin and sibling sample (n = 1382). Data were consistent with the existence of genetic influences on the pain measures under the equal environments assumption of the classic twin model and associations with both categories of back pain were consistent with primary pain conditions and syndromes of childhood and adolescence which has research and clinical implications.
Mean square stability criteria for stochastic feedback systems

Abstract In this paper several stability criteria are obtained for a class of stochastic feedback systems containing a multiplicative white noise element ; continuous time as well as discrete time systems are dealt with. Mean square stability properties are derived by means of Lyapunov theory ; the Lyapunov functions are generated by means of the Lyapunov equation, the path integral technique, and the Kalman-Yacoboviteh lemma. Results similar to the Routh-Hurtwitz conditions and the circle criteria for deterministic feedback systems are discussed. Different interpretations of the white noise element (Ito, Stratonovitch, etc.) are considered.
Eastward travelling waves in the southern hemisphere stratosphere during the spring of 1983

This paper presents a case study of planetary waves in the southern hemisphere stratosphere during the spring of 1983, using the global temperature and geopotential height data provided by the United States National Meteorological Center (NMC). the eastward travelling wave of zonal wavenumber 2 with a period of 9.2 days persisted from mid September to early November. It had a phase structure which showed only slight tilt with height and latitude, while the quasi-stationary wave 1 tilted westwards with increasing height and towards the equator. During the vigorous period of the eastward travelling wave 2, the amplitude of the quasi-stationary wave 1 varied with a period of about 10 days. This variation was due to a coincidence between the phases of the stationary wave 1 and the eastward travelling wave 2; when the ridges of waves 1 and 2 overlap, wave-1 amplitude reaches its maximum. the active period of the travelling wave 2 is closely related to the seasonal change in the mean zonal winds. In 1983 the eastward travelling wave 2 became vigorous after the zonal-mean westerly jet moved rapidly poleward and downward. Compared with the other 5 years for which we have data, the wind structure for the month of September 1983 was peculiar because of the stronger meridional curvature of the westerly jet.