Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impedance Spectroscopy of (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–BaTiO3 Ceramics Modified with (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3

The electrical and dielectric properties of (1 − x)(0.94Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3–0.06BaTiO3)–x(K0.5Na0.5NbO3) with x = 0, 0.03, 0.09, 0.18 have been investigated by impedance spectroscopy over a wide temperature range. The dc conductivity of the ceramics follows the Arrhenius law with an activation energy ranging from ~1.20 to 1.50 eV. Measurements under different atmospheres show the materials exhibit n-type semiconducting behavior at elevated temperatures. The presence of a highly polarizable phase for all compositions is revealed by electric modulus (M″) spectra. The Burns temperature decreases with increasing KNN content. The change in temperature-dependent permittivity with composition is explained by the difference in thermal evolution of polar nanoregions induced by the addition of KNN.
The Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-blocking Agent Infliximab Inhibits Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-6 Gene Expression in Human Osteoblastic Cells

Objective. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of several rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), associated with systemic bone loss and subchondral bone erosions. TNF-α-blocking agents such as infliximab have been successful in treatment of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-resistant rheumatic diseases. Infliximab therapy in RA also had beneficial effects on local bone destruction and bone mineral density. We assessed effects of infliximab treatment on the bone tissue compartment and cytokine profile expression in vitro. Methods. Osteoblast-like cells were exposed for 24 h to sera of RA patients collected at baseline and after 1 month (T1) and 3 years (T2) of infliximab treatment. Total RNA was extracted, and expression of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) was measured by RT-PCR. Results. IL-1ß gene expression was significantly reduced by the T1 serum, and the same decrease was elicited by the T2 serum. IL-6 downregulation was evident with the T2 serum. OPG was unaffected. Conclusion. The finding of downregulation of inflammatory cytokines was interesting, particularly IL-6, which plays a crucial role in arthritis-related bone loss due to its involvement in osteoclast recruitment and activation. These results may represent a biological explanation and a link for the clinical observation of the beneficial effects of anti-TNF-α agents on the progression of rheumatic diseases at the bone level.
Apatite Deposition on NaOH‐Treated PEEK and UHMWPE Films for Sclera Materials in Artificial Cornea Implants

Cornea implants consist of a clear optic portion with a surrounding ring known as the skirt, which needs to integrate with the sclera. However, currently used skirt materials lead to poor tissue integration. Improvements in this respect may be achieved by using a bioactive skirt material that adapts to the metabolic activity of the cornea. Polyether etherketone (PEEK) and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) might provide interesting alternatives, if they can be rendered bioactive. We, therefore, investigated the potential of surface‐modifying PEEK and UHMWPE films through the use of a two‐step treatment. This process involved a suitable chemical surface modification (via immersion in NaOH), with subsequent formation of apatite layers on the polymers' surfaces through exposure to supersaturated simulated body fluid (1.5 SBF). In the present work the effect of 5 and 10 M NaOH on formation of the apatite layer has been investigated with regard to wettability and topography features. In addition, the chemical stability of the apatite layer formed has been analyzed. Our data demonstrate that with an increase in NaOH concentration the wettability of the polymer increased, whilst some changes to the polymer film topography (increase/decrease in roughness) were observed. Most beneficially, the apatite layer that subsequently was grown on pre‐treated PEEK and UHMWPE films through immersion in 1.5 SBF contained phosphate and carbonate ions, in similar ratios to those found in the apatite in dentine, thus, promising good in vivo bioactivity of these polymer films—a necessity if they are to be integrated into artificial cornea.
Improvements in the representation of PV buses on three-phase distribution power flow

This letter describes a new voltage controlled bus (PV bus) representation in connection with the three-phase current injection method-TCIM of power flow analysis. This representation requires an augmented system of linearized equations to incorporate the reactive power as a dependent variable. Tests and comparisons between the former and the new approach are described and the improved stiffness of this new proposition is demonstrated.
Small mammal communities associated with pine plantation management of pocosins

To assess how habitat alterations can affect community structure, we compared small mammal populations in undisturbed pocosins with those in pocosins managed as pine (Pinus spp.) plantations. We used snap traps and pitfalls to sample small mammals in 3 pine plantations and 2 undisturbed pocosin habitat types in eastern North Carolina from May 1991 to May 1992. Small mammal community composition differed (P 0.05) an effect of plantation management on species associated with pocosins (short-tailed shrew [Blarina brevicauda], southeastern shrew [Sorex longirostris], cotton mouse [Peromyscus gossypinus], golden mouse [Ochrotomys nuttalli], white-footed mouse [P. leucopus]), possibly because pocosin-like habitat persisted in managed stands. Alternatively, the study design may have lacked statistical power to detect negative responses to disturbance evident in capture trends for these species. We hypothesize that management-related disturbance causes short-term declines or local extinctions of some small mammals, associated with pocosins, which later recover or recolonize. To minimize small mammal community changes associated with disturbance, we recommend managing habitat structure in pine plantations to emulate habitat of undisturbed pocosins.
Towards Automated Risk Assessment and Mitigation of Mobile Applications

Mobile operating systems, such as Apple's iOS and Google's Android, have supported a ballooning market of feature-rich mobile applications. However, helping users understand and mitigate security risks of mobile applications is still an ongoing challenge. While recent work has developed various techniques to reveal suspicious behaviors of mobile applications, there exists little work to answer the following question: are those behaviors necessarily inappropriate? In this paper, we seek an approach to cope with such a challenge and present a continuous and automated risk assessment framework called RiskMon that uses machine-learned ranking to assess risks incurred by users' mobile applications, especially Android applications. RiskMon combines users' coarse expectations and runtime behaviors of trusted applications to generate a risk assessment baseline that captures appropriate behaviors of applications. With the baseline, RiskMon assigns a risk score on every access attempt on sensitive information and ranks applications by their cumulative risk scores. Furthermore, we demonstrate how RiskMon supports risk mitigation with automated permission revocation. We also discuss a proof-of-concept implementation of RiskMon as an extension of the Android mobile platform and provide both system evaluation and usability study of our methodology.
Global versus local optimality in feedback-controlled qubit purification: new insights from minimizing Rényi entropies

It was first shown by Jacobs, in 2003, that the process of qubit state purification by continuous measurement of one observable can be enhanced, on average, by unitary feedback control. Here, we quantify this by the reduction in any one of the family of Rényi entropies S &agr; ? > , with 0 < &agr; < ∞ ? > , at some terminal time, revealing the rich structure of stochastic quantum control even for this simple problem. We generalize Jacobs’ original argument, which was for the (unique) impurity measure with a linear evolution map under his protocol, by replacing linearity with convexity, thereby making it applicable to Rényi entropies S &agr; ? > for α in a finite interval about one. Even with this generalization, Jacobs’ argument fails to identify the surprising fact, which we prove by Bellmanʼs principle of dynamic programming, that his protocol is globally optimal for all Rényi entropies whose decrease is locally maximized by that protocol. Also surprisingly, even though there is a range of Rényi entropies whose decrease is always locally maximized by the null-control protocol, that null-control protocol cannot be shown to be globally optimal in any instance. These results highlight the non-intuitive relation between local and global optimality in stochastic quantum control.
Adaptive automatic tracking, learning and detection of any real time object in the video stream

Surveillance is important in most of the sensitive areas for crime detection. Tracking, learning and detection of any real time object in the video stream is an essential part of surveillance. Researchers have designed the object tracking systems for better efficiency but these systems sometime fails due to loss of information caused by complex shapes, rapid motion, illumination changes, scaling and projection of 3D world on 2D image. Apart from these system does not perform well for objects such as foot travelers. This paper proposes a modified PN learning algorithm for enhancing the performance of system. In this algorithm, object is to be tracked as P-Type object and background is divided into a numbers of equal size N-Type objects. It achieves performance improvement by reducing the detector errors. Proposed modified PN learning algorithms achieves performance to increase the frame processing by adding background subtraction technique for any real time object detection. Special feature used in this techniques is Region of Interest (ROI) which minimizes the searching region. Proposed system compares the result using benchmark data set. ROI and background subtraction technique used in this approach minimizes delay for frame processing, increases number of successfully tracked frames, matching percentage and learning index value.
Probability occupancy maps for occluded depth images

We propose a novel approach to computing the probabilities of presence of multiple and potentially occluding objects in a scene from a single depth map. To this end, we use a generative model that predicts the distribution of depth images that would be produced if the probabilities of presence were known and then to optimize them so that this distribution explains observed evidence as closely as possible. This allows us to exploit very effectively the available evidence and outperform state-of-the-art methods without requiring large amounts of data, or without using the RGB signal that modern RGB-D sensors also provide.
Formalizing correctness criteria of dynamic updates derived from specification changes

Modern software-intensive systems often have to be updated to adapt to unpredicted changes in their environments or to satisfy unpredicted requirement changes. Many systems, however, cannot be easily shut down or are expected to run continuously. Therefore, they must be updated dynamically, at run-time. Especially for critical systems, dynamic updates must be safe and performed as soon as possible. We recently studied the relationship between specification changes and dynamic updates and defined a criterion for when a system can safely disregard its current obligations and how it should change its behavior to satisfy the new specification. In this paper, we study further examples that show that stronger and weaker variants of our original criterion are relevant when engineering dynamically updating software. We formalize these criteria and discuss their safety. Moreover, we provide a tool for synthesizing dynamically updating controllers from changes in scenario-based specifications that respect the new criteria.
Quantitating the lateral skin stiffness by a new and versatile electro‐mechanical instrument. Preliminary studies

A new electro‐mechanical device for measuring the lateral stiffness of the skin is now available. It basically allows to recording the forces that the skin opposes to a lateral displacement (1–2 mm) of a pinching type movement. Preliminary assays of this device to various skin sites and an artificial substrate aimed at defining its major characteristics (sensitivity, reproducibility, variations according to skin site).
Effects of the SpoVT Regulatory Protein on the Germination and Germination Protein Levels of Spores of Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT Bacillus subtilis isolates lacking the SpoVT protein, which regulates gene expression in developing forespores, gave spores that released their dipicolinic acid (DPA) via germinant receptor (GR)-dependent germination more rapidly than wild-type spores. Non-GR-dependent germination via dodecylamine was more rapid with spoVT spores, but germination via Ca-DPA was slower. The effects of a spoVT mutation on spore germination were seen with spores made in rich and poor media, and levels of SpoVT-LacZ were elevated 2-fold in poor-medium spores; however, elevated SpoVT levels were not the only cause of the slower GR-dependent germination of poor-medium spores. The spoVT spores had ≥5-fold higher GerA GR levels, ∼2-fold elevated GerB GR levels, wild-type levels of a GerK GR subunit and the GerD protein required for normal GR-dependent germination, ∼2.5-fold lower levels of the SpoVAD protein involved in DPA release in spore germination, and 30% lower levels of DNA protective α/β-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins. With one exception, the effects on protein levels in spoVT spores are consistent with the effects of SpoVT on forespore transcription. The spoVT spores were also more sensitive to UV radiation and outgrew slowly. While spoVT spores' elevated GR levels were consistent with their more rapid GR-dependent germination, detailed analysis of the results suggested that there is another gene product crucial for GR-dependent spore germination that is upregulated in the absence of SpoVT. Overall, these results indicate that SpoVT levels during spore formation have a major impact on the germination and the resistance of the resultant spores.
Effects of low doses of hydrochloride tetracycline on bone metabolism and uterus in ovariectomized rats.

AIM To study the effects of low doses of hydrochloride tetracycline (Tc) on bone metabolism and uterus in the ovariectomized (Ova) rats. METHODS Forty 3-month-old rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham group, Ova group, Tc1 group (1.2 mg/kg/d), Tc2 group (4.8 mg/kg/d), and estrone group (1.48 mg/kg/d), oral fed for 3 months. The proximal tibia metaphyses were processed undecalcified for quantitative bone histomorphometry and the soft tissues were processed in paraffin for pathological observation. RESULTS Placebo-treated (lactose) Ova rats were characterized by trabecular area (TA) decreasing and their architecture worsening compared with sham controls, and bone resorption was over formation with high bone turnover. The uteri were atrophy. (2) In estrone-treated group, TA and trabecular numbers were significantly increased and the trabecular separation decreased vs Ova group. Estrone slowed down Ova-inducing bone high turnover. But the size, weight, and the endometrium of the uteri in this group were increased vs Ova group. (3) TA was increased in both Tc1 and Tc2 groups compared with Ova rats. Tc maintained bone formation indices almost at Ova level, and only decreased mineral apposition rate (MAR) in Tc1 group, and declined bone resorption perimeter. The uteri and the cell of liver and kidney almost maintained at Ova level; Tc2 decreased labeling perimeter and increased MAR in comparison with Tc1 group. The uteri were atrophy, whose size maintained at Ova level; yellow labeling was not found in bone with these doses of Tc, while yellow labeling could be seen with the doses of 30 mg/kg/d of Tc for bone marker. CONCLUSION The two doses of Tc have similar effects on preventing bone loss in Ova rats while the bone formation and uterus are not affected. However, Tc2 does not have more effects on increasing bone mass, Tc2 causes less mild damages to the liver and kidneys.
Lower levels of human milk adiponectin predict offspring weight for age: a study in a lean population of Filipinos.

Prior studies have reported a significant, inverse association between adiponectin in human milk and offspring growth velocity. Less is known about this association in populations characterised by a loss of weight for age z-scores (WAZs) in early life. We investigated the association between maternal body composition and milk adiponectin in a sample of Filipino mothers. We then tested for an association between milk adiponectin and size for age in their infants. A total of 117 Filipino mothers nursing infants from 0 to 24 months were recruited from Cebu, Philippines. Anthropometrics, interviews and milk samples were collected and analysed using standard protocols. Mean milk adiponectin in this sample was 7.47 ± 5.75 ng mL(-1) . Mean infant WAZ and weight for length (WLZ) decreased with age. Maternal body composition was not associated with milk adiponectin content. Milk adiponectin had a significant, positive association with infant WAZ and WLZ. Prior reports have found an inverse association between milk adiponectin and infant WAZ. Here, we report that in lean populations with lower milk adiponectin, there is a positive association with infant WAZ, possibly reflecting pleiotropic biological functions of adiponectin for post-natal growth. This study increases the understanding of normal biological variation in milk adiponectin and the consequences of low levels of milk adiponectin for offspring growth.
Power-performance study of block-level monolithic 3D-ICs considering inter-tier performance variations

In this paper we study the power vs. performance tradeoff in block-level monolithic 3D IC designs. Our study shows that we can close the power-performance gap between 2D and a theoretical lower bound by up to 50%. We model the inter-tier performance variations caused by a low temperature manufacturing process on the non-bottom tiers. We also model an alternate manufacturing process, where highly resistive tungsten interconnects are used on the bottom tier to withstand a high temperature process on the non bottom tiers. We propose a variation-aware floorplanning technique that makes our design more tolerant to these variations. We demonstrate that our design methods can help us obtain high quality designs even under inter-tier performance variations.
Combined effects of energy density and portion size on energy intake in women.

BACKGROUND Increases in both the portion size and energy density of food have both been shown to increase energy intake, but the combined effects of such increases have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the combined effects of energy density and portion size on energy intake in women. DESIGN This study used a within-subjects design. Once a week for 6 wk, 39 women were served breakfast, lunch, and dinner ad libitum. The main entrée at lunch was formulated in 2 versions that varied in energy density (5.23 or 7.32 kJ/g), each of which was served in 3 different portion sizes (500, 700, or 900 g). The 2 versions were matched for macronutrient composition and palatability. Breakfast and dinner were standard meals. RESULTS Increases in portion size and energy density led to independent and additive increases in energy intake (P <0.0001). Subjects consumed 56% more energy (925 kJ) when served the largest portion of the higher energy-dense entrée than when served the smallest portion of the lower energy-dense entrée. Subjects did not compensate for the additional intake by eating less at the subsequent meal. Despite substantial differences in energy intake, no systematic differences in ratings of hunger and fullness across conditions were observed. CONCLUSIONS The energy density and the portion size of a food act independently to affect energy intake. The findings indicate that large portions of foods with a high energy density may facilitate the overconsumption of energy.
Stimulated percussions: method to control human for learning music by using electrical muscle stimulation

In musical performances, it is important to produce rhythms correctly. However, when beginners play musical instruments, it can be difficult for them to understand rhythms using only visual and auditory rhythm information. To solve this problem, we propose the Stimulated Percussions (SP) system, which generates rhythms on a computer and transfers them to a user's muscles. In this study, we control the user's arms and legs using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). We attach electrodes near certain arm and leg muscles, and provide stimulation in a manner that allows users to reproduce the correct movement when they play instruments. Our system enables a single player or multiple players to correctly reproduce generated rhythms. Experimental results show that our system is useful for beginners learning musical instruments, because it allows accurate rhythms to be mastered through bodily sensations.
Uncovering the co-evolutionary network among prokaryotic genes

Motivation: Correlated events of gains and losses enable inference of co-evolution relations. The reconstruction of the co-evolutionary interactions network in prokaryotic species may elucidate functional associations among genes. Results: We developed a novel probabilistic methodology for the detection of co-evolutionary interactions between pairs of genes. Using this method we inferred the co-evolutionary network among 4593 Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COGs). The number of co-evolutionary interactions substantially differed among COGs. Over 40% were found to co-evolve with at least one partner. We partitioned the network of co-evolutionary relations into clusters and uncovered multiple modular assemblies of genes with clearly defined functions. Finally, we measured the extent to which co-evolutionary relations coincide with other cellular relations such as genomic proximity, gene fusion propensity, co-expression, protein–protein interactions and metabolic connections. Our results show that co-evolutionary relations only partially overlap with these other types of networks. Our results suggest that the inferred co-evolutionary network in prokaryotes is highly informative towards revealing functional relations among genes, often showing signals that cannot be extracted from other network types. Availability and implementation: Available under GPL license as open source. Contact: talp@post.tau. ac.il. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.