Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Static Electrification of Filaments

In order to study the generation of charge on fibrous materials, an apparatus was constructed in which a fiber is held fixed while a second is rubbed across it under con trolled mechanical and ambient conditions. It was found that the reproducibility was usually within ± 5% when the same two fibers were rubbed repeatedly; that the charge generated was dependent on the manner in which the materials were rubbed; and that the magnitude of the charge generated was directly proportional to the length of material rubbed and to the normal force between the fibers (although in some cases a limiting maximum value was reached), but was independent of the apparent area of contact between the fibers and of the tension on the fibers. The effects produced by changes in velocity are more complicated to describe. Charge transfer was found to be independent of velocity when insulators (except Teflon) were rubbed together. For metals on insulators other than Teflon, the charge generated was found to increase linearly with velocity until a limiting value was reached, and then to remain constant. When Teflon and metals were rubbed together, the charge increased linearly with velocity without reaching a maximum. When Teflon was rubbed with insulators, the charge increased linearly with velocity in some cases but remained constant in others. A study of the dependence of the sign and amount of charge transferred on the nature of the materials rubbed was undertaken, and a triboelectric series was established. For metals on insulators, the amount of charge generated was found to be related to the work function of the metal and the position of the insulator in the triboelectric series. For insulators rubbed on insulators, the amount of charge transferred appeared to be independent of the positions of the insulators in the series.
Speaker Role Recognition on TV Broadcast Documents

In this paper, we present the results obtained by a state-ofthe-art system for Speaker Role Recognition (SRR) on the TV broadcast documents issued from the REPERE Multimedia Challenge. This SRR system is based on the assumption that cues about speaker roles may be extracted from a set of 36 low level features issued from the outputs of a Speaker Diarization process. Starting from manually annotated speaker segments, we first evaluate the performance of the SRR system, formerly evaluated on Broadcast radio recordings, on this heterogeneous set of TV shows. Consequently, we propose a new classification strategy, by observing how building show-dependent models improves SRR. The system is then applied on some speaker segmentation outputs issued from an automatic system, enabling us to investigate the influence of the errors introduced by this front-end process on Role Recognition. In these different contexts, the system is able to correctly classify 86.9% of speaker roles while being applied on manual speaker segmentations and 74.5% on automatic Speaker Diarization outputs.
Investigation of the Biosynthetic Potential of Endophytes in Traditional Chinese Anticancer Herbs

Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses a rich empirical knowledge of the use of plants for the treatment of disease. In addition, the microorganisms associated with medicinal plants are also of interest as the producers of the compounds responsible for the observed plant bioactivity. The present study has pioneered the use of genetic screening to assess the potential of endophytes to synthesize bioactive compounds, as indicated by the presence of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) genes. The total DNA extracts of 30 traditional Chinese herbs, were screened for functional genes involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds. The four PCR screens were successful in targeting four bacterial PKS, six bacterial NRPS, ten fungal PKS and three fungal NRPS gene fragments. Analysis of the detected endophyte gene fragments afforded consideration of the possible bioactivity of the natural products produced by endophytes in medicinal herbs. This investigation describes a rapid method for the initial screening of medicinal herbs and has highlighted a subset of those plants that host endophytes with biosynthetic potential. These selected plants can be the focus of more comprehensive endophyte isolation and natural product studies.
Effect of Binder Composition on WC Grain Growth in Cemented Carbides

In this work, the effects of cobalt content and C/W ratio on grain growth are studied, in order to better understand the mechanisms. Powder compacts were sintered at 1410°C for 1 and 5 h. The relative contribution of carbide dissolution in the binder and grain growth for the evolution of the size distribution is discussed. Grain size measurements were made with the Electron BackScattered Diffraction technique. The distribution of 2D equivalent disk diameters was converted in a distribution of 3D equivalent sphere diameters, with the Saltykov method. High cobalt content favors grain growth in W-rich samples whereas it has a slight influence on C-rich samples. But still grain growth is significantly faster in C-rich samples. Variation in the D90/D10 ratio indicates a tendency to abnormal growth, with a broadening of the size distribution between 1 and 5 h, favored by high binder content.
Understanding Earnings Dynamics: Identifying and Estimating the Changing Roles of Unobserved Ability, Permanent and Transitory Shocks

We consider a general framework to study the evolution of wage and earnings residuals that incorporates features highlighted by two inf uential but distinct literatures in economics: (i) unobserved skills with changing non-linear pricing functions and (ii) idiosyncratic shocks with both permanent and transitory components. We first provide nonparametric identification conditions for the distribution of unobserved skills, all unobserved skill pricing functions, and (nearly) all distributions for both permanent and transitory shocks. We then discuss identification and estimation using a moment-based approach, restricting unobserved skill pricing functions to be polynomial functions. Using data on log earnings for men ages 30-59 in the PSID, we estimate the evolution of unobserved skill pricing functions and the distributions of unobserved skills, transitory, and permanent shocks from 1970 to 2008. We highlight five main findings: (i) The returns to unobserved skill rose over the 1970s and early 1980s, fell over the late 1980s and early 1990s, and then remained quite stable through the end of our sample period. Since the mid-1990s, we observe some evidence of polarization: the returns to unobserved skill declined at the bottom of the distribution while they remained relatively constant over the top half. (ii) The variance of unobserved skill changed very little across most cohorts in our sample (those born between 1925 and 1955). (iii) The variance of transitory shocks jumped up considerably in the early 1980s but shows little long-run trend otherwise over the more than thirty year period we study. (iv) The variance of permanent shocks declined very slightly over the 1970s, then rose systematically through the end of our sample by 15 to 20 log points. The increase in this variance over the 1980s and 1990s was strongest for workers with low unobserved ability. (v) In most years, the distribution of unobserved skill pricing functions is positively skewed, while the distributions of permanent and (especially) transitory shocks are negatively skewed.
Complementary Role of CD4+ T Cells and Secondary Lymphoid Tissues for Cross-presentation of Tumor Antigen to CD8+ T Cells

MHC class I-restricted tumor antigens can be presented to CD8+ T cells by two distinct pathways: via direct and indirect presentation. The relative contribution of these two pathways toward the initial activation of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and their subsequent tumor rejection is still vigorously debated. Using a tumor model able to dissect the relative contributions of direct and indirect presentation, we show unequivocally the inefficiency of direct presentation and the essential requirement of indirect presentation for the priming of naive tumor antigen-specific T cells leading to tumor rejection. Moreover, we characterize the essential environment under which indirect presentation occurs, and find efficient cross-priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the complete absence of secondary lymphoid tissues. The independence of this process from local lymph nodes is compromised, however, in the absence of CD4+ T cell help. Therefore, our paper demonstrates that effective immune protection against tumors requires the cross-priming of CD8+ T cells under conditions that require either CD4+ T cell help, or draining lymph nodes.
Neuroengineering Original Research Article

For these metallic electrodes, the total stimulation current is signifi cantly increased by a faradaic charge transfer from the electrode to the electrolyte solution in addition to the capacitive current. However, the cell membrane can be depolarized for both kinds of electrodes by stimulation pulses until voltage-gated sodium channels in the membrane open and allow the infl ux of sodium ions for a self-amplifying depolariza-tion, fi nally leading to an action potential (Schoen and Fromherz, 2007, 2008). In order to achieve a reliable cell-electrode interface, it is important to use an electrode material that can deliver a high amount of charge into the electrolyte solution underneath the cell. At the same time, cell and device damage must be prevented by using electrode voltages within the safe electrochemical window, where no irreversible electrochemical reactions such as gas evolution occur (Brummer et al.
Suppression of pancreatic tumor growth by combination chemotherapy with sulindac and LC-1 is associated with cyclin D1 inhibition in vivo

The design of novel targeted or combination therapies may improve treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Two targets of recent interest are nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase (COX), known to be activated or overexpressed, respectively, in pancreatic cancer. We have previously shown that parthenolide, a proapoptotic drug associated with NF-κB inhibition, enhanced the growth suppression of pancreatic cancer cells by the COX inhibitor sulindac in vitro. In the present study, a bioavailable analogue of parthenolide, LC-1, and sulindac were evaluated in vivo using a xenograft model of human pancreatic cancer. Treatment groups included placebo, low-dose/high-dose LC-1 (20 and 40 mg/kg), low-dose/high-dose sulindac (20 and 60 mg/kg), and low-dose combination LC-1/sulindac (20 mg/kg each). In MiaPaCa-2 xenografts, tumor growth was inhibited by either high-dose sulindac or LC-1. In BxPC-3 xenografts, tumor size was significantly reduced by treatment with the low-dose LC-1/sulindac combination or high-dose sulindac alone (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry of BxPC-3 tumors revealed a significant decrease in Ki-67 and CD31 staining by high-dose sulindac, with no significant changes in COX-1/COX-2 levels or activity in any of the treatment groups. NF-κB DNA-binding activity was significantly decreased by high-dose LC-1. Cyclin D1 protein levels were reduced by the low-dose LC-1/sulindac combination or high-dose sulindac alone, correlating with BxPC-3 tumor suppression. These results suggest that LC-1 and sulindac may mediate their antitumor effects, in part, by altering cyclin D1 levels. Furthermore, this study provides preclinical evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of these agents. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(6):1736–44]
Diffusion of ISO 9000 Standards and International Trade

Investigating the link between ISO 9000 standards and bilateral exports, this paper contributes to the literature on standardization and international trade. A debate exists as to how ISO 9000 impacts trade. First, it has been argued that ISO 9000 is a "common language" that lowers information asymmetries between firms, thus, allowing more efficient organization of inter-firm trade. Second, ISO 9000 has been criticized as a means of introducing market-entry barriers and a tariff on international trade. To assess the actual impact we estimate a gravity equation for bilateral exports incorporating ISO 9000 adoptions in each country as factors affecting bilateral trade barriers. Endogeneity issues are carefully addressed. To obtain additional insights, we separately estimate an ISO 9000 international diffusion equation. In general, our results support the "common language" hypothesis, i.e., the empirical tests find both domestic and foreign ISO 9000 adoptions to benefit bilateral exports. Moreover, we find evidence for a substitution effect, as ISO 9000 certified firms tend to trade with each other more than with uncertified firms. Consequently, the positive impact of these standards on trade is more pronounced among ISO 9000 abundant countries.
The Escape of Cancer from T Cell-Mediated Immune Surveillance: HLA Class I Loss and Tumor Tissue Architecture

Tumor immune escape is associated with the loss of tumor HLA class I (HLA-I) expression commonly found in malignant cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that the efficacy of immunotherapy depends on the expression levels of HLA class I molecules on tumors cells. It also depends on the molecular mechanism underlying the loss of HLA expression, which could be reversible/“soft” or irreversible/“hard” due to genetic alterations in HLA, β2-microglobulin or IFN genes. Immune selection of HLA-I negative tumor cells harboring structural/irreversible alterations has been demonstrated after immunotherapy in cancer patients and in experimental cancer models. Here, we summarize recent findings indicating that tumor HLA-I loss also correlates with a reduced intra-tumor T cell infiltration and with a specific reorganization of tumor tissue. T cell immune selection of HLA-I negative tumors results in a clear separation between the stroma and the tumor parenchyma with leucocytes, macrophages and other mononuclear cells restrained outside the tumor mass. Better understanding of the structural and functional changes taking place in the tumor microenvironment may help to overcome cancer immune escape and improve the efficacy of different immunotherapeutic strategies. We also underline the urgent need for designing strategies to enhance tumor HLA class I expression that could improve tumor rejection by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL).
The application of the NIPC method and the FSV method on the validation of EM simulation under HIRF environment

Predicting the High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) coupling in complex system is highly required in the aeronautic industry, which can be performed by electromagnetic simulation. But the validation of electromagnetic simulation is a difficult issue which needs proper flowchart and validation methods. In this paper, the numerical simulation by the parallel Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method is validated on a simplify model of a metallic case with apertures under the HIRF environment. Concretely, the uncertainty quantification analysis on the input parameter of incident angles is carried out for the electric field in the center of the model with the method of nonintrusive polynomial chaos (NIPC). Based on this, the feature selective validation (FSV) is performed to quantify the comparison of the experimental data and the best simulation estimate. And the results obtained from the FSV method provide a high reliability for the numerical simulation.
Hospital utilization and out of pocket expenditure in public and private sectors under the universal government health insurance scheme in Chhattisgarh State, India: Lessons for universal health coverage

Research on impact of publicly financed health insurance has paid relatively little attention to the nature of healthcare provision the schemes engage. India’s National Health Insurance Scheme or RSBY was made universal by Chhattisgarh State in 2012. In the State, public and private sectors provide hospital services in a context of extensive gender, social, economic and geographical inequities. This study examined enrolment, utilization (public and private) and out of pocket (OOP) expenditure for the insured and uninsured, in Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh State Central sample (n = 6026 members) of the 2014 National Sample Survey (71st Round) on Health was extracted and analyzed. Variables of enrolment, hospitalization, out of pocket (OOP) expenditure and catastrophic expenditure were descriptively analyzed. Multivariate analyses of factors associated with enrolment, hospitalization (by sector) and OOP expenditure were conducted, taking into account gender, socio-economic status, residence, type of facility and ailment. Insurance coverage was 38.8%. Rates of hospitalization were 33/1000 population among the insured and 29/1000 among the uninsured. Of those insured and hospitalized, 67.2% utilized the public sector. Women, rural residents, Scheduled Tribes and poorer groups were more likely to utilize the public sector for hospitalizations. Although the insured were less likely to incur out of pocket (OOP) expenditure, 95.1% of insured private sector users and 66.0% of insured public sector users, still incurred costs. Median OOP payments in the private sector were eight times those in the public sector. Of households with at least one member hospitalized, 35.5% experienced catastrophic health expenditures (>10% monthly household consumption expenditure). The study finds that despite insurance coverage, the majority still incurred OOP expenditure. The public sector was nevertheless less expensive, and catered to the more vulnerable groups. It suggests the need to further examine the roles of public and private sectors in financial risk protection through government health insurance.
Comorbidity of insomnia detected by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index with anxiety, depression and personality disorders.

BACKGROUND The comorbidity of insomnia with various psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depressive and some personality disorders has been repeatedly shown in previous studies, although research investigating these disorders together is scarce. METHOD Two hundred and sixty five patients were interviewed individually. Two hundred and twelve of them completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. They were also given the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI 1 and 2), the Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Scale of DSM II R, and the Structured Clinical Interview of DSM II R for Personality Disorders (SCIDII) Personality Questionnaire. RESULTS There were no significant correlations between the patients insomnia scores and their gender, marital status, education, depression and trait anxiety scores, and stress levels. There were, however, significant associations of patients PSQI scores with their ages and STAI 1 scores. CONCLUSIONS When age, BDI scores, STAI 1 and 2 scores, education and stress level during the last year are accepted as factors that may have an impact on PSQI scores, it appears that a patients age and STAI 1 score best estimates his or her PSQI scores.
DHeating: Dispersed heating repair for self-healing NAND flash memory

Short lifetimes are becoming a critical issue in NAND flash memory with the advent of multi-level cell and triple-level cell flash memory. Researchers at Macronix have recently discovered that heating can cause worn-out NAND flash cells to become reusable and greatly prolong the lifetime of flash memory cells. However, the heating process consumes a substantial amount of power. This means that some fundamental changes are required if existing NAND flash management techniques are to be applied in self-healing NAND flash memory. In particular, all existing wear-leveling techniques are based on the principle of evenly distributing writes and erases. This causes NAND flash cells tend to wear out in a short time period. Moreover, healing these cells in a concentrated manner may cause power outages in mobile devices. In this paper, we propose for the first time a new wear-leveling scheme called DHeating (Dispersed Heating) to solve the concentrated heating problem in self-healing flash memory. In DHeating, rather than evenly distributing writes and erases over a time period, write and erase operations are concentrated on a small portion of flash memory cells, so that these cells can be worn-out and healed by heating first. In this way, we can disperse healing to avoid the problem of concentrated power usage caused by heating. Furthermore, with the very long lifetime that results from self-healing, we can sacrifice lifetime for reliability. Therefore, we propose an early heating strategy to solve the reliability problem caused by concentrated heating. The idea is to start the healing process earlier by heating NAND flash cells before their expected endurance. We evaluate our scheme based on a real embedded platform. The experimental results show that our scheme can effectively solve the concentrated heating problem.
Automatic border detection identifies subclinical anthracycline cardiotoxicity in children with malignancy.

BACKGROUND Anthracycline drugs for cancer therapy often cause functional myocardial impairment even in relatively low doses. We investigated the left ventricular function in asymptomatic anthracycline-treated children by automatic border detection (ABD) to assess its clinical usefulness for unmasking latent anthracycline-induced myocardial damage. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-four children (0.7 to 17.6 years old) during or after anthracycline chemotherapy (26 to 1100 mg/m2) for malignancy (Chemo group) were studied, and 40 children (2.8 to 15.6 years old) without cardiac involvement served as normal control subjects (Control group). All patients underwent complete echocardiographic examination, including M-mode, Doppler, and ABD. Conventional echocardiography disclosed no difference between groups with regard to ejection fraction and the ratio of early to late transmitral flow velocity. In marked contrast, an investigation using ABD revealed that the Chemo group appeared to have some anthracycline-induced myocardial damage. In the apical 4-chamber view, peak filling rate in the Chemo group [2.3+/-0.4 end-diastolic area (EDA)/s] was significantly lower than that in the Control group (3.1+/-0.5 EDA/s) (P<0.0001), and time to peak filling rate in the Chemo group (106+/-31 ms) was clearly prolonged compared with that in the Control group (74+/-22 ms) (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Echocardiographic ABD may be a sensitive and useful noninvasive approach for evaluating subclinical anthracycline cardiotoxicity.