Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical Estimation of Pore Size Distribution in Cement, Mortar, and Concrete

AbstractPore size distribution is an important factor that affects the moisture diffusion and permeability properties of cement-based materials. For cement paste, it is assumed that the mesopores (100 nm–0.01 mm) and macropores (0.01 mm–1 cm) can be neglected compared to the micropores (<100 nm). Based on the surface energy theory, moisture chemical potential of pore water is introduced to explain the liquid-gas equilibrium in pores with different radius. Using chemical potential as an intermedium, a quantitative relationship between micropore size distribution and water adsorption isotherms can be established. The micropore size distribution can be treated as an explanation of the moisture adsorption behavior, and by using adsorption isotherms, the micropore size distribution can be estimated conveniently. Mortar and concrete can be regarded as a combination of cement paste and aggregates; thus, besides the micropores, the mesopores and macropores are also taken into consideration. Finally, the general .
Wigner particle theory and local quantum physics

A document image processing system includes a menu display part determining the layout of menu data on the basis of the height Ha and the width Wa of the displayable area of the display unit when the display unit is rotated to its vertical position, the height Hb and the width Wb of the displayable area when the display unit is rotated to its horizontal position and the width Wc and the height Hc of a selection item display area displaying menu data, and displaying the menu on the basis of the layout thus determined, so that the menu can be displayed with a maximum size on the displayable area of the display unit regardless of the height and width of the displayable area changing depending on the direction of rotation of the display unit and without changing the size and arrangement of the menu data in the menu display area. The size of the menu display area is selected to be capable of erected display on both the displayable area of the display unit in its vertically rotated position and that of the display unit in its horizontally rotated position, and the selection item display area is disposed in the menu display area of the above size so as to determine the menu data to be displayed, so that the determined menu data can be directly displayed on the display unit regardless of the rotating direction of the display unit.
Highlights of the DNA cutters: a short history of the restriction enzymes

In the early 1950’s, ‘host-controlled variation in bacterial viruses’ was reported as a non-hereditary phenomenon: one cycle of viral growth on certain bacterial hosts affected the ability of progeny virus to grow on other hosts by either restricting or enlarging their host range. Unlike mutation, this change was reversible, and one cycle of growth in the previous host returned the virus to its original form. These simple observations heralded the discovery of the endonuclease and methyltransferase activities of what are now termed Type I, II, III and IV DNA restriction-modification systems. The Type II restriction enzymes (e.g. EcoRI) gave rise to recombinant DNA technology that has transformed molecular biology and medicine. This review traces the discovery of restriction enzymes and their continuing impact on molecular biology and medicine.
Orbis: rescaling degree correlations to generate annotated internet topologies

Researchers involved in designing network services and protocols rely on results from simulation and emulation environments to understand their application performance and scalability. To better understand the behavior of these applications and predict their performance when deployed on the actual Internet, the generated topologies must closely match real network characteristics, not just in terms of graph structure (node interconnectivity) but also with respect to various node and link annotations. Relevant annotations include link latencies, AS membership and whether a router is a peering or internal router. Finally, it should be possible to rescale a given topology to a variety of sizes while still maintaining its essential characteristics. In this paper, we propose techniques to generate annotated, Internet router graphs of different sizes based on existing observations of Internet characteristics. We find that our generated graphs match a variety of graph properties of observed topologies for a range of target graph sizes. While the best available data of Internet topology currently remains imperfect, the quality of our generated topologies will improve with the fidelity of available measurement techniques or next generation architectures that make Internet structure more transparent.
Analysis of maternal microchimerism in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) using real-time quantitative PCR amplification of MHC polymorphisms

Although pregnancy-associated microchimerism is known to exist in humans, its clinical significance remains unclear. Fetal microchimerism has been documented in rhesus monkeys, but the trafficking and persistence of maternal cells in the monkey fetus and infant have not been fully explored. To investigate the frequency of maternal microchimerism in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy was developed and validated to target polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene sequences. Informative PCR assays were identified for 19 of 25 dams and their respective offspring. Analyses were performed on tissues (thymus, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected prenatally and postnatally in a subset of animals. Seven of 19 monkeys had detectable maternal microchimerism in at least one compartment (range: 0.001–1.9% chimeric cells). In tissues, maternal microchimerism was found in 2 of 7 fetuses and 3 of 12 juveniles (1–1.5 years of age), and most of the animals that were positive had microchimeric cells in more than one tissue. Maternal microchimerism was detected in PBMCs from all (4 of 4) fetuses. These observations suggest that maternal microchimerism occurs in the rhesus monkey fetus and can be detected in tissues in a subset of offspring after birth.
Rapid Induction of Neural Differentiation in Human Umbilical Cord Matrix Mesenchymal Stem Cells by cAMP-elevating Agents

Human umbilical cord matrix (hUCM) is considered as a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to several advantages over other tissues. The potential of neural differentiation of hUCM-MSCs is of great interest in the context of treating neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to establish in vitro conditions for improving the differentiation of hUCM-MSCs toward neuronal cells. In the present study, we evaluated the neural differentiation potential of hUCM-MSCs in the presence of cAMP-elevating agents forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). hUCM-MSCs were isolated from fetal umbilical cord and characterized by ﬂow cytometry analysis for mesenchymal specific markers. Mesodermal differentiation potential was assessed through selective media with lineage-specific induction factors. For assessment of neural differentiation, cells were cultured in the presence of cAMP-elevating agents for 8 and 24 h. The neuronal differentiated MSCs were characterized for neuronal specific markers by immunocytochemistry and western blotting. Isolated hUCM-MSCs were found positive for mesenchymal markers (CD73, CD90, and CD105) while negative for hematopoietic markers (CD34 and CD45) . Following neural induction, most cells represented neural-like cells morphology. Neural markers including β-tubulin III (Tuj-1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and nestin were expressed in treated cells with respect to control group. The astrocyte specific marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was also shown by immunofluorescence in treated cells. (These findings demonstrate that hUCM-MSCs have the ability to rapidly differentiate into neural cell types of neuron-like cells and astrocytes by cAMP-elevating agents without the presence of growth factors.
ON THE ACQUISITION OF CAUSATIVES IN JAPANESE

In studies of the acquisition of Japanese causatives, it has been reported that the morpheme –(s)ase is used at a relatively early period and at this point children can create sentences that have biclausal structures. However, if we closely look at the interpretation of the early utterances of causative sentences, we find that they are lexical causatives not syntactic causatives. Accordingly, we can posit that the lexical –(s)ase causative is acquired earlier than “regular” causatives.
Simple Training of Dependency Parsers via Structured Boosting

Recently, significant progress has been made on learning structured predictors via coordinated training algorithms such as conditional random fields and maximum margin Markov networks. Unfortunately, these techniques are based on specialized training algorithms, are complex to implement, and expensive to run. We present a much simpler approach to training structured predictors by applying a boosting-like procedure to standard supervised training methods. The idea is to learn a local predictor using standard methods, such as logistic regression or support vector machines, but then achieve improved structured classification by "boosting" the influence of misclassified components after structured prediction, re-training the local predictor, and repeating. Further improvement in structured prediction accuracy can be achieved by incorporating "dynamic" features--i.e. an extension whereby the features for one predicted component can depend on the predictions already made for some other components. We apply our techniques to the problem of learning dependency parsers from annotated natural language corpora. By using logistic regression as an efficient base classifier (for predicting dependency links between word pairs), we are able to efficiently train a dependency parsing model, via structured boosting, that achieves state of the art results in English, and surpasses state of the art in Chinese.
Searching Persuasively: Joint Event Detection and Evidence Recounting with Limited Supervision

Multimedia event detection (MED) and multimedia event recounting (MER) are fundamental tasks in managing large amounts of unconstrained web videos, and have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Most existing systems perform MER as a post-processing step on top of the MED results. In order to leverage the mutual benefits of the two tasks, we propose a joint framework that simultaneously detects high-level events and localizes the indicative concepts of the events. Our premise is that a good recounting algorithm should not only explain the detection result, but should also be able to assist detection in the first place. Coupled in a joint optimization framework, recounting improves detection by pruning irrelevant noisy concepts while detection directs recounting to the most discriminative evidences. To better utilize the powerful and interpretable semantic video representation, we segment each video into several shots and exploit the rich temporal structures at shot level. The consequent computational challenge is carefully addressed through a significant improvement of the current ADMM algorithm, which, after eliminating all inner loops and equipping novel closed-form solutions for all intermediate steps, enables us to efficiently process extremely large video corpora. We test the proposed method on the large scale TRECVID MEDTest 2014 and MEDTest 2013 datasets, and obtain very promising results for both MED and MER.
Odour tracking to a food source by the gastropod Meridolum gulosum (Gould, 1864) from New South Wales, Australia (Camaenidae : Eupulmonata : Mollusca)

Some gastropods are able to find food sources by following airborne chemical plumes using both tropotaxis and anemotaxis. This study examined odour tracking to food odours with a species of terrestrial gastropod, Meridolum gulosum (Gould, 1864), a native to rainforests in coastal south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. It was demonstrated that M. gulosum moves towards food odours (fungus) in still air, and holds its tentacles at characteristic angles when moving towards an odour source. This snail can detect odours at least 12 cm away from the source in air. M acki eri E.a
Sli15 Associates with the Ipl1 Protein Kinase to Promote Proper Chromosome Segregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The conserved Ipl1 protein kinase is essential for proper chromosome segregation and thus cell viability in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its human homologue has been implicated in the tumorigenesis of diverse forms of cancer. We show here that sister chromatids that have separated from each other are not properly segregated to opposite poles of ipl1-2 cells. Failures in chromosome segregation are often associated with abnormal distribution of the spindle pole–associated Nuf2-GFP protein, thus suggesting a link between potential spindle pole defects and chromosome missegregation in ipl1 mutant cells. A small fraction of ipl1-2 cells also appears to be defective in nuclear migration or bipolar spindle formation. Ipl1 associates, probably directly, with the novel and essential Sli15 protein in vivo, and both proteins are localized to the mitotic spindle. Conditional sli15 mutant cells have cytological phenotypes very similar to those of ipl1 cells, and the ipl1-2 mutation exhibits synthetic lethal genetic interaction with sli15 mutations. sli15 mutant phenotype, like ipl1 mutant phenotype, is partially suppressed by perturbations that reduce protein phosphatase 1 function. These genetic and biochemical studies indicate that Sli15 associates with Ipl1 to promote its function in chromosome segregation.
Prospects for the development of digital CMOL circuits

This is a preliminary analysis of prospects and options for the development of hybrid CMOS/ nanoelectronic integrated circuits, in particular those of the "CMOL" variety. We believe that CMOL technology is the most natural (and possibly the only practicable) way to extend the Moore's law to the next 10 to 15 years, well beyond the 10-nm frontier.
Magnetic Field-Induced Reverse Martensitic Transformation and Thermal Transformation Arrest Phenomenon of Ni41Co9Mn39Sb11 Alloy

In order to investigate behavior of magnetic field-induced reverse martensitic transformation for Ni-Co-Mn-Sb, magnetization experiments up to a static magnetic field of 18 T and a pulsed magnetic field of 40 T were carried out. In the thermomagnetization curves for Ni41Co9Mn39Sb11 alloy, the equilibrium transformation temperature T0 was observed to decrease with increasing applied magnetic field, μ0H, at a rate of dT0/dμ0H = 4.6 K/T. The estimated value of entropy change evaluated from the Clausius-Clapeyron relation was about 14.1 J/(K·kg), which was in good agreement with the value obtained by differential scanning calorimetric measurements. For the isothermal magnetization curves, metamagnetic behavior associated with the magnetic field-induced martensitic transformation was observed. The equilibrium magnetic field, μ0H0 = (μ0HAf + μ0HMs)/2, of the martensitic transformation tended to be saturated at lower temperature; that is, transformation arrest phenomenon was confirmed for the Ni-Co-Mn-Sb system, analogous with the Ni(Co)-Mn-Z (Z = In, Sn, Ga, Al) alloys. Temperature dependence of the magnetic field hysteresis, μ0Hhys = μ0HAf − μ0HMs, was analyzed based on the model for the plastic deformation introduced by the dislocations. The behavior can be explained by the model and the difference of the sweeping rate of the applied magnetic field was well reflected by the experimental results.
Tonotopic maps in human auditory cortex using arterial spin labeling

A tonotopic organization of the human auditory cortex (AC) has been reliably found by neuroimaging studies. However, a full characterization and parcellation of the AC is still lacking. In this study, we employed pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) to map tonotopy and voice selective regions using, for the first time, cerebral blood flow (CBF). We demonstrated the feasibility of CBF‐based tonotopy and found a good agreement with BOLD signal‐based tonotopy, despite the lower contrast‐to‐noise ratio of CBF. Quantitative perfusion mapping of baseline CBF showed a region of high perfusion centered on Heschl's gyrus and corresponding to the main high‐low‐high frequency gradients, co‐located to the presumed primary auditory core and suggesting baseline CBF as a novel marker for AC parcellation. Furthermore, susceptibility weighted imaging was employed to investigate the tissue specificity of CBF and BOLD signal and the possible venous bias of BOLD‐based tonotopy. For BOLD only active voxels, we found a higher percentage of vein contamination than for CBF only active voxels. Taken together, we demonstrated that both baseline and stimulus‐induced CBF is an alternative fMRI approach to the standard BOLD signal to study auditory processing and delineate the functional organization of the auditory cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1140–1154, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Value of adding a polyvalent mechanical bacterial lysate to therapy of COPD patients under regular treatment with salmeterol/fluticasone

Background: This study investigated the value of adding Ismigen®, a polyvalent mechanical bacterial lysate, to therapy of COPD patients (FEV1 <60% predicted) under regular treatment with salmeterol/fluticasone (SFC). Methods: 63 patients enrolled from September to December 2007 were randomly divided into two groups (A and B). All patients were treated with salmeterol/fluticasone (SFC) 50/500 μg BID. Thirty-three subjects also received Ismigen one capsule daily the first 10 days of three consecutive months (group B). This treatment was reaped three months after the end of the first course. We assessed at inclusion and at scheduled (every 2 months) or intercurrent visit: symptoms (amount and colour of sputum, severity of dyspnoea, frequency of cough, fever), diagnosis of exacerbation, concomitant medications (antibiotics and oral corticosteroids) and hospitalization. Results: During the course of the study two patients died. At the end of the observation period (12 months), another six patients could not be visited because they had withdrawn. Compared with SFC, adding on Ismigen reduced the total number of exacerbations (23 out of 30 patients in group A and 21 out of 33 patients in group B), the number (rate) of exacerbations per patient per year (18 out of 27 patients [0.67] in group A and 15 out of 28 patients [0.54] in group B), the number of exacerbations that needed treatment with oral corticosteroids (12 out of 23 [52%] in group A and 9 out of 21 [43%] in group B) and the total number (rate) of hospitalizations (4/30 [0.13] in group A and 3/33 [0.09] in group B). There were no significant differences between treatments with respect to their effect on the symptoms of exacerbations. A decrease in the need for antibiotics was also observed in group B. Conclusion: Our data suggest that COPD patients benefit from the addition of Ismigen on top of the routine maintenance treatment with SFC.
Assessing the Capability of a Regional-Scale Weather Model to Simulate Extreme Precipitation Patterns and Flooding in Central Texas

Abstract A regional-scale weather model is used to determine the potential for flood forecasting based on model-predicted rainfall. Extreme precipitation and flooding events are a significant concern in central Texas, due to both the high occurrence and severity of flooding in the area. However, many current regional prediction models do not provide sufficient accuracy at the watershed scale necessary for flood mitigation efforts. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, created with the purpose of improving upon the current fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5), is specifically designed for regional grid spacings of 1–10 km. Previous research by the authors resulted in the development of a regional-scale prediction system over the San Antonio River basin, using a geographic information system (GIS) database, a hydrologic model, and a hydraulic model. Observed precipitation drives the prediction system; the authors.
DCCII-Based Novel Lossless Grounded Inductance Simulators With No Element Matching Constrains

In 1996, the differential current conveyor (DCCII) was introduced as a versatile active element with current differencing capability. Therefore, in this study, the usefulness of the DCCII is shown on six novel lossless grounded inductance simulator circuits. Proposed circuits simultaneously employ minimum number of elements, i.e. single DCCII, one capacitor, and two resistors. No passive element matching restriction is needed and all solutions are electronically tunable in case that one of resistors is replaced by MOSFETbased voltage-controlled resistor. The internal structure of the active element has been implemented using the TSMC 0.25 μm SCN025 CMOS process BSIM3v3.1 parameters. Firstly, the performance of the selected inductor simulator is evaluated and subsequently verified in the design of 5thorder high-pass ladder and 2nd-order frequency filters. In addition, experimental results using commercially available AD844/ADs are given to verify the theoretical analysis and SPICE simulations.
Newborn Hearing Screening in Infants With Cleft Palates

Objective: The high incidence of conductive hearing loss from serous effusion in patients with cleft palate is well known. This study investigates the results and interpretation of newborn hearing screening in infants with cleft palates. Study Design: Retrospective cohort review. Patients: One hundred fourteen newborns with cleft palate, with or without cleft lip, born between 1999 and 2005 and referred to a craniofacial anomalies clinic. Intervention: Tympanostomy tubes were placed in 102 newborns, and follow-up audiograms were available for 104 infants. Main Outcome Measures: Hearing screening outcomes were collected. Sex, gestational period, type of screening performed, the presence of hearing loss after tube placement, and the presence of associated syndromes were noted. Results: Eighty-two (72%) of 114 of newborns with cleft palates passed their hearing screen. Of the 30 newborns who failed their hearing screen, and had tympanostomy tubes placed, 13 (43%) had persistent hearing loss after tube placement. Factors predicting persistent hearing loss include cleft palate alone, female infants, and the presence of an associated syndrome. Conclusion: Newborns with cleft palate are at higher risk of failing their newborn hearing screen compared with healthy neonates. Detection of sensorineural or conductive hearing loss unrelated to middle ear effusions is more difficult in this at-risk population with cleft palate because of the high prevalence of serous otitis media.