Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of controlled interfaces in the thermal management of copper–carbon composites

The increase in both power and packing densities in power electronic devices has led to an increase in the market demand for effective heat-dissipating materials, with high thermal conductivity and thermal- expansion coefficient compatible with chip materials still ensuring the reliability of the power modules. In this context, metal matrix composites: carbon fibers, carbon nano fibers and diamond-reinforced copper matrix composites among them are considered very promising as a next generation of thermal-management materials in power electronic packages. These composites exhibit enhanced thermal properties compared to pure copper combined with lower density. This article presents the fabrication techniques of copper/carbon composite films by powder metallurgy and tape casting and hot pressing; these films promise to be efficient heat-dissipation layers for power electronic modules. The thermal analyses clearly indicate that interfacial treatments are required in these composites to achieve high thermomech.
Electrical characterizations of smart hydrogel based on chitosan/poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) in NaCl solutions

Temperature- and pH-responsive semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) hydrogels, constructed with chitosan (CS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), were studied. The characterizations of the IPN hydrogels were investigated by swelling tests and bending experiments, under various conditions. When the swollen IPN hydrogel was placed between a pair of electrodes it exhibited bending behavior on the application of an electric field, which showed stepwise bending behavior depending on the magnitude of the electrical stimulus. In order to clarify the relationship between the equilibrium swelling ratio and bending behavior of the SIPN hydrogels, the state of water in the SIPN hydrogel was also investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Laser stabilisation of arc cathode spots in titanium welding

Abstract Cathode spot formation is very pronounced during arc welding of titanium and titanium alloys. The dynamic behaviour of these spots was observed to interfere with metal transfer during welding, this interference being a fundamental cause of poor weld quality in these alloys. In the present work, stabilisation of the arc cathode spot with a focused Nd–YAG laser beam during pulsed gas metal arc welding of titanium was investigated. The laser beam was focused near the leading edge of the weld pool and the laser power and focus spot size were varied to determine the values required to confine the cathode spot to the laser focus position. The results showed that, for fixed welding conditions, the laser power required to prevent cathode spot motion varied as a function of focus spot size. The required laser power was minimised at 200 W for a spot size of 0.6 mm. The laser stabilised arcs had lower voltage but approximately the same current density as stabilised arcs. Increased welding speeds required marginally higher laser powers to stabilise the spot, but the minimum power was still attained with a 0.6 mm focus spot diameter. The laser power density required for stabilisation decreased as spot size was increased, varying from almost 106 W cm−2 at the smallest spot size to approximately 104 W cm−2 at the largest. Cathode spot stabilisation improved weld quality by reducing spatter generation and weld bead irregularity.
Why favor large incumbents ?

3 Introduction . 4 Decision-makers . 5 Incumbent firms.7 Lessons for Russia? 9 Concluding remarks.11 References . 12 Laura Solanko Why favor large incumbents? A note on lobbying in transition Bank of Finland / Institute for Economies in Transition BOFIT Online 6/2003 www.bof. fi/bofit 3 Laura Solanko Why favor large incumbents? A note on lobbying in transition
CRUSTACEAN ISSUES ] 3 II % . m Decapod Crustacean Phylogenetics

We do not have stem forms in the fossil record for Decapoda, unlike what we have for some groups of crustaceans. Thus, we currently lack a clear understanding concerning the origin of the decapods based on concrete data. Furthermore, several problem areas present themselves: 1) lack of consensus on the sister group to Decapoda, 2) the advanced nature of known Paleozoic decapods, 3) a restricted paleobiogeographic and paleoecologic distribution of these fossils, and 4) possibly incorrect assumptions about what a decapod ancestor should look like. For now the situation seems hopeless, although new data, new lines of evidence, and new perspectives might provide better insight some time in the future.
MicroRNAs 146a and 147b Biomarkers for Colorectal Tumor's Localization

The recently identified class of microRNAs (miRs) provided a new insight into cancer research, since abnormalities of members of microRNAs family have been found in various types of cancer. However, the relationship between five miRNAs (miR146a, miR155, miR21, miR135a, and miR147b) and colorectal cancer remains unclear. In the present study, we examined expression of these miRNAs in 25 pair-matched colon cancer tissues and normal colon mucosa. The expression levels of miR146a, miR155, miR21, miR135a, and miR147b were quantified by real-time PCR. We found that miR21, miR146a, and miR135a were all expressed at higher levels in colon tumors. On the other hand, miR146a and miR147b expressions are significantly higher in left colon compared to right colon. These two miRs, especially miR146a, seemed to be markers for the left colon tumors. Moreover, significant proportional and inverse correlations were found between miR expressions in tumor and healthy tissue, and the correlations profiles were different depending on cancer localization. Taken together, these results lead us to suggest the presence of different mechanisms regulating miRs expression and consequently their target genes in left and right colon. So the pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis would be different according to the site of the tumor.
Executive Working Memory Deficits in Abstinent Ecstasy/MDMA Users: A Critical Review

Aims: This review examined studies of executive functioning in abstinent ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) users on tasks which had been empirically mapped onto updating, shifting, inhibition and accessing long-term memory executive processes. Studies of some aspects of visuospatial memory performance were also included because of the investment of executive resources in such tasks. Methods:Thirty-three studies were identified for the review following searches of the Psychinfo and Medline databases. Inclusion criteria were the reporting of new empirical findings from participants drug free at the time of testing, in peer-reviewed journals in the English language. Results:Evidence for ecstasy-related performance deficits was strongest for the updating of verbal material, and for visuospatial memory tasks requiring additional processing beyond storage and retrieval. Such processing suggested that the overall level of executive demand was an important consideration. Executive shifting showed little evidence of ecstasy-related impairment, whilst examination of inhibition and long-term memory access presented an unclear picture. Conclusions: All but one of the studies had a cross-sectional design. Although this is a potential weakness with regard to confounds, the necessity of such designs was acknowledged. Studies were generally aware of the need to control for potential confounds, especially the effects of other drugs, through a mixture of group designs and statistical techniques. It was recommended that future studies of executive functioning in ecstasy users should detail the relationship of the tasks and dependent variables reported to specific executive processes and consider the level of executive demand imposed by such tasks.
A Cognitive Model of Social Influence

We describe two different cognitive process models of a well known experiment on social influence (Salganik, Dodds, & Watts, 2006). One model, the social influence model, reproduced the choices that participants took by modeling both the cognitive processes the participant engaged in and the social influences that the participant saw. The second model, the pure cognitive model, used only cognitive capabilities and did not model any social influences that the participant saw. Somewhat surprisingly, the two models showed no difference in quality of fit (the pure cognitive model actually fit slightly better than the social influence model), suggesting that social influence models should take cognitive functions into account in their theories.
The effect of neural adaptation of population coding accuracy

Most neurons in the primary visual cortex initially respond vigorously when a preferred stimulus is presented, but adapt as stimulation continues. The functional consequences of adaptation are unclear. Typically a reduction of firing rate would reduce single neuron accuracy as less spikes are available for decoding, but it has been suggested that on the population level, adaptation increases coding accuracy. This question requires careful analysis as adaptation not only changes the firing rates of neurons, but also the neural variability and correlations between neurons, which affect coding accuracy as well. We calculate the coding accuracy using a computational model that implements two forms of adaptation: spike frequency adaptation and synaptic adaptation in the form of short-term synaptic plasticity. We find that the net effect of adaptation is subtle and heterogeneous. Depending on adaptation mechanism and test stimulus, adaptation can either increase or decrease coding accuracy. We discuss the neurophysiological and psychophysical implications of the findings and relate it to published experimental data.
Prediction of Equivalent Steady-State Chloride Diffusion Coefficients

This paper presents an approach for determining the chloride migration rate of hardened concrete by applying fundamental electrochemistry for different cementitious mixtures using the measurements from the chloride-ion penetration test (CIPT) data following ASTM C1202 specifications. The steady-state condition is verified by comparing the numerical values of chloride migration rates during 5, 30, and 360 minutes of testing. Three different theoretical approaches—Nernst-Plank, Nernst-Einstein, and the Zhang-Gjorv method—were applied to obtain the equivalent steady-state diffusion coefficients for different cementitious materials. These results are compared with the diffusion coefficients obtained from Berke’s empirical equation using CIPT data. These methods for the computation of diffusion coefficients include both the joule effect and temperature dependency and eliminate the need for other extended migration tests to obtain the steady-state conditions. Overall, this research presents a reliable method of determining the chloride migration rate for diffusion coefficient prediction.
Cured Shape of Cross-Ply Composite Thin Shells

For a composite laminated plate, it has been found that classical laminate theory (CLT) can not always predict the final cured shape correctly and geometric nonlinearity must be considered. For composite laminated shells, experiments show that the cured shape depends on stacking sequence, radius, thickness, and size. This paper investigates the cured shape of several cross-ply composite shells. The cured shape of a cross-ply shell is generally cylindrical. A model is established to predict the cured shape. The model is based on the Rayleigh-Ritz energy method and considers geometric nonlinearity. Modeling and experiment show that, for certain stacking sequences, the generator of the cured shape may be orthogonal to the original generator, while other stacking sequences can lead to deeper or shallower cured shapes. The predictions of the model are very close to the results of FEM analysis and experiment. This model can be used as a guide in the manufacture of unsymmetric cross-ply laminates.
Alteration of somatostatin receptor 2 expression in canine mammary gland tumor

Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is a negative regulator of cell proliferation in human breast cancer. Since there is little information about SSTR2 in canine mammary gland tumor (MGT), we clarified its distribution and expression level in normal mammary gland, benign MGT and malignant MGT. SSTR2 expression determined by immunohistochemical staining was observed in the cytoplasm of luminal epithelial cells. The intensity was negatively correlated with malignancy: normal tissues and some of the benign tumors had the highest levels, while the malignant tumors had little or no SSTR2 expression. As for the Western blotting, SSTR2 protein level in benign tumors was significantly lower than the normal mammary gland. On the other hand, SSTR2 protein levels in two of three malignant tumors were higher than the other groups. These results suggest that SSTR2 expression alters according to the malignancy of canine MGT.
Architectural constraints are a major factor reducing path integration accuracy in the rat head direction cell system

Head direction cells fire to signal the direction in which an animal's head is pointing. They are able to track head direction using only internally-derived information (path integration)In this simulation study we investigate the factors that affect path integration accuracy. Specifically, two major limiting factors are identified: rise time, the time after stimulation it takes for a neuron to start firing, and the presence of symmetric non-offset within-layer recurrent collateral connectivity. On the basis of the latter, the important prediction is made that head direction cell regions directly involved in path integration will not contain this type of connectivity; giving a theoretical explanation for architectural observations. Increased neuronal rise time is found to slow path integration, and the slowing effect for a given rise time is found to be more severe in the context of short conduction delays. Further work is suggested on the basis of our findings, which represent a valuable contribution to understanding of the head direction cell system.
Genetic structure of brown trout (Salmo trutta, L.) populations from south‐western France: data from mitochondrial control region variability

The genetic relationships between several French Atlantic populations of brown trout were analysed using polymerase chain reaction–single‐strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing of two parts of the mitochondrial control region. Ten mitochondrial haplotypes were identified, separated by a small number of mutations. The distribution of these haplotypes confirmed our hypothesis of the existence of two genetically well‐differentiated groups of populations in this area, which has already been suggested using nuclear markers. Nuclear and mitochondrial markers, however, show different patterns of genetic differentiation: some populations which belong to one group according to allozyme results appear to be part of the other when using mitochondrial DNA. The origin of these different forms is discussed; they seem to belong to the Atlantic grouping. Nevertheless, the hypothesis of an ancestral and a modern form suggested for northern populations does not appear valid in this particular case.
Cerebral Perfusional Effects of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Alzheimer Disease

Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors improve or stabilize cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the regional metabolic and perfusion correlates of treatment with ChE inhibitors are not fully known. Twenty-four patients with mild to moderate AD were evaluated with 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) single-photon-emission CT scanning (SPECT), before and after 4.3 ± 1.1 months of treatment with ChE inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine). Clinical evaluations included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as well as the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Inclusion criterion was a clear favorable response to therapy with ChE inhibitors (MMSE improvement of at least 2 points; total NPI improvement of at least 4 points). SPECT data were analyzed by Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM 99, Wellcome, Department of Cognitive Neurology, London, UK). SPM analysis showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) of regional cerebral perfusion (rCBF) after short-term ChE inhibitor therapy with respect to baseline in the right anterior cingulate, the dorsolateral prefrontal, and the temporoparietal areas bilaterally. These data suggest that cognitive or behavioral benefits after ChE inhibitor therapy are related to a clear increase of rCBF in crucial areas specifically involved in the attentional and limbic networks.
Definitions and measurement of chronic health conditions in childhood: a systematic review.

CONTEXT Changes in the prevalence of chronic health conditions in childhood have considerable societal consequences for health care planning and for employment. To obtain valid and reliable estimates of the prevalence of chronic health conditions, a clear definition is needed. OBJECTIVE To present an overview of all definitions and operationalizations that have been applied to measure the prevalence of chronic health conditions in childhood. DATA SOURCES PubMed and the Web of Science were searched for articles published up to December 2006. Also, references were searched by hand for related articles. STUDY SELECTION Non-English- and non-Dutch-language articles were excluded. Of 7252 articles found, 64 articles that stated a conceptual definition and/or operationalization of chronic health conditions in children (aged 0-18 years) were included. DATA EXTRACTION Data on the (1) definition; (2) operationalization in terms of source of information, method of information retrieval, and study population; and (3) resulting prevalence rate were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. DATA SYNTHESIS A large range of definitions were in use, of which 4 were cited by many authors. Various operationalizations of the concepts that were measured were identified. Chronic health conditions in childhood prevalence estimates ranged from 0.22% to 44%, depending on these operationalizations. CONCLUSIONS The wide variability in reported prevalence rates of chronic health conditions in childhood can be explained by considerable diversity in the concepts and operationalizations used. International consensus about the conceptual definition of chronic health conditions in childhood is needed.
How Wide Should Margins Be for Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast?

The surgical management of phyllodes tumors (PTs) is still controversial. Some studies have suggested surgical margins ≥1 cm, but recent studies suggested that negative margins could be appropriate regardless of their width. To evaluate recurrence rates of PTs following surgery according to margins. Retrospective study of women who attended a tertiary breast cancer reference center between 1998 and 2010: 142 patients with a PT diagnosis, either at minimally invasive breast biopsy or at surgery, were identified. Clinical, pathologic and follow‐up characteristics were assessed. Among 140 patients who underwent surgery, 64.3% of biopsies accurately predicted the final PT diagnosis at surgery. Forty‐two (42/87, 48.3%) PTs had positive margins. Twenty‐one (21/42, 50.0%) patients had a surgical revision of margins. Only one (1/42, 2.4%) had margins greater or equal to 1 cm. After a median follow‐up of 1.29 years in benign PTs, 4.99 years in borderline PTs, and 5.42 years in malignant PTs, there were five local recurrences, three in originally benign PTs and two in borderline PTs. All were managed with surgery. Four had initial margins ≤1 mm. One patient with borderline PT had a local recurrence and later progressed to regional recurrence and metastasis. Free surgical margins are necessary to treat PT, and margins of at least 1 mm might be sufficient to prevent recurrence. Core needle biopsy might not be the best diagnostic tool for PTs.
Flow of Viscoelastic Wormlike Micelle Solutions through a Periodic Array of Cylinders

Solutions of self‐assembled wormlike micelles are used with ever increasing frequency in a multitude of consumer products ranging from cosmetic to industrial applications. Owing to the wide range of applications, flows of interest are often complex in nature; exhibiting both extensional and shear regions that can make modeling and prediction both challenging and valuable. Adding to the complexity, the micellear dynamics are continually changing, resulting in a number of interesting phenomena, such as shear banding and extensional flow instabilities. In this paper, we present the results of our investigation into the flow fields generated by a controllable and idealized semi‐porous media: a periodic array of cylinders (PAC). Our test channel geometry consists of six equally spaced cylinders, arranged perpendicular to the flow. By systematically varying the Deborah number, the flow kinematics, stability and pressure drop were measured. We present evidence of the onset of shear banding above a critical Debor.
Noncoherent Demodulator for PPM-UWB Radios

Low-duty-cycle ultra-wideband (UWB) radios have the potential to provide low-probability of detection (LPD) communications with low-power and low-complexity implementation. Pulse position modulation (PPM) is a prevalent scheme for UWB radios since it can further lower the transmitter complexity by avoiding pulse negation. However, the position shifts of impulse-like UWB waveforms, together with the severe frequency-selectivity of the propagation channels, aggravate the difficulty and complexity of timing synchronization and channel estimation. To circumvent both of these challenging tasks, we develop a differential encoder and its corresponding noncoherent demodulator for PPM-UWB signals. Relying on integrate-and-dump operations of "dirty" templates, our designs are operational when the timing offset and channel information both remain unknown
Evidence of Hepatitis A Virus Person-to-Person Transmission in Household Outbreaks

The person-to-person transmission of the hepatitis A virus primarily occurs in enclosed spaces, particularly in the presence of inadequate hygiene conditions and a high proportion of susceptible individuals. Thus, intimate family contact stands out as a risk factor for HAV infection dissemination. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of household HAV transmission. Blood samples were collected from patients with hepatitis A (index cases) and their family members (contacts) that were referred to an ambulatory care clinic specializing in viral hepatitis. A total of 97 samples were collected from 30 families with a confirmed hepatitis A case (index case). Serological and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of hepatitis A were conducted on all samples. HAV infection (anti-HAV IgM + and/or HAV RNA +) was detected in 34.3% (23/67) of the contacts; 34.3% (23/67) of the contacts were immune to HAV, and 31.4% (21/67) were susceptible. In the household contacts, HAV immunity was significantly associated with older age; susceptibility to infection and HAV infection were associated with younger age. Household outbreaks were detected in 16/30 families studied. Co-circulation of subgenotypes IA and IB was found in the household outbreaks, and person-to-person transmission was evidenced in six of the household outbreaks, with 100% homology between the index case and contact strains. The results demonstrated the relevance of HAV household transmission, reaffirming the need for hepatitis A vaccine administration in susceptible contacts and effective infection control procedures to prevent the extension of household outbreaks.