Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Shear‐Transverse Coupling and Plasticity in the Formulation of an Elementary Ply Composites Damage Model, Part I: Model Formulation and Validation

Abstract: Continuum damage mechanics (CDM) models have been employed successfully in the literature to predict the response of laminated composite materials. Some sophisticated models can include the effects of non‐linear shear and transverse damage progression, plasticity and shear‐transverse damage coupling. However, these models require non‐standard test data for calibration that may not always be available to a modeller. In this two‐part study, we examine the effect of neglecting plasticity parameters, and also the effect of neglecting both plasticity and shear‐transverse coupling parameters in simplified CDM models for predicting monotonic tensile strength. In part I, we develop simplified versions of the CDM model and test their ability to accurately predict the failure response of angle‐ply laminates. In part II, we provide details of the experimental test series carried out to determine the input parameters for the models. It was found that neglecting plasticity requires some approximations in the damage development laws, but the resulting model can predict well the response of the angle‐ply laminates tested under monotonic loading to failure. Neglecting shear‐transverse coupling is acceptable for the some materials.
Recrystallization of hexagonal silicon carbide after gold ion irradiation and thermal annealing

Silicon carbide (SiC) single crystals with the 6H polytype structure were irradiated with 4.0-MeV Au ions at room temperature (RT) for increasing fluences ranging from 1 × 1012 to 2 × 1015 cm−2, corresponding to irradiation doses from ~0.03 to 5.3 displacements per atom (dpa). The damage build-up was studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy that shows a progressive amorphization by the decrease and broadening of 6H-SiC lattice phonon peaks and the related growth of bands assigned to Si–Si and C–C homonuclear bonds. A saturation of the lattice damage fraction deduced from Raman spectra is found for ~0.8 dpa (i.e. ion fluence of 3 × 1014 cm−2). This process is accompanied by an increase and saturation of the out-of-plane expansion (also for ~0.8 dpa), deduced from the step height at the sample surface, as measured by phase-shift interferometry. Isochronal thermal annealing experiments were then performed on partially amorphous (from 30 to 90%) and fully amorphous samples for temperatures from 200 °C up to 1500 °C under vacuum. Damage recovery and densification take place at the same annealing stage with an onset temperature of ~200 °C. Almost complete 6H polytype regrowth is found for partially amorphous samples (for doses lower than 0.8 dpa) at 1000 °C, whereas a residual damage and swelling remain for larger doses. In the latter case, these unrelaxed internal stresses give rise to an exfoliation process for higher annealing temperatures.
Spherical Random Features for Polynomial Kernels

Compact explicit feature maps provide a practical framework to scale kernel methods to large-scale learning, but deriving such maps for many types of kernels remains a challenging open problem. Among the commonly used kernels for nonlinear classification are polynomial kernels, for which low approximation error has thus far necessitated explicit feature maps of large dimensionality, especially for higher-order polynomials. Meanwhile, because polynomial kernels are unbounded, they are frequently applied to data that has been normalized to unit l2 norm. The question we address in this work is: if we know a priori that data is normalized, can we devise a more compact map? We show that a putative affirmative answer to this question based on Random Fourier Features is impossible in this setting, and introduce a new approximation paradigm, Spherical Random Fourier (SRF) features, which circumvents these issues and delivers a compact approximation to polynomial kernels for data on the unit sphere. Compared to prior work, SRF features are less rank-deficient, more compact, and achieve better kernel approximation, especially for higher-order polynomials. The resulting predictions have lower variance and typically yield better classification accuracy.
Bioinformatics of Cancer ncRNA in High Throughput Sequencing: Present State and Challenges

The numerous genome sequencing projects produced unprecedented amount of data providing significant information to the discovery of novel non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Several ncRNAs have been described to control gene expression and display important role during cell differentiation and homeostasis. In the last decade, high throughput methods in conjunction with approaches in bioinformatics have been used to identify, classify, and evaluate the expression of hundreds of ncRNA in normal and pathological states, such as cancer. Patient outcomes have been already associated with differential expression of ncRNAs in normal and tumoral tissues, providing new insights in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies in oncology. In this review, we present and discuss bioinformatics advances in the development of computational approaches to analyze and discover ncRNA data in oncology using high throughput sequencing technologies.
The Validity of Validity Claims : An Inquiry into Communication Rationality

The communicative action theory of Habermas has been discussed and used within the research community of Language Action Perspective. The concept of validity claim is considered to be an important contribution. In his theory, Habermas has formulated three validity claims to be universal in communication: The claims for truth, rightness and truthfulness. A theoretical inquiry into the validity claim concept and the three validity claims is performed in the paper. A critical analysis is pursued based on communication examples from Habermas. The concept of universal validity claims is transformed to general communication claims. The truth claim is rejected as universal. Besides the claims emanating from Habermas several other general communication claims are formulated: Descriptive correctness, addressee relevance, respectfulness, deliberation, dialogical adequacy and argumentativeness.
Genetic variability in complement activation modulates the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in children*

Objective: To determine the impact of genetic variability in complement activation on early development of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in general pediatric critical care. Design: Prospective, observational, cohort study. Setting: A tertiary pediatric intensive care unit in the United Kingdom. Patients: Children with at least one organ failure expected to stay in the intensive care unit >12 hrs, or an expected death within 12 hrs. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main results: A total of 299 children were genotyped for functional polymorphisms in the complement activation cascade. We identified complement factor H as an important independent genetic modifier of SIRS/sepsis. Homozygosity for the complement factor H Y402H polymorphism, which is thought to reduce complement inhibition, was associated with less frequent SIRS/sepsis (the adjusted odds ratio for the homozygous variant complement factor H Y402H [CC] carriers was 0.3, 95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.7, p = .005). We also confirmed that structural and promoter variant mannose-binding lectin genotypes are a risk factor for SIRS/sepsis in pediatric critical care (adjusted odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–5.0, p = .008). Both findings were independent of clinical characteristics and other potentially confounding genetic polymorphisms in the innate immune system. Conclusions: Functional polymorphisms in the complement activation cascade modify the risk for early SIRS/sepsis in general pediatric critical care. The complement factor H Y402H variant allele is protective, whereas the mannose-binding lectin variant polymorphisms increase risk. A genotype that permits vigorous complement activation to an infectious or inflammatory insult may offer protection from development of systemic inflammation.
Transport properties of glass-forming liquids suggest that dynamic crossover temperature is as important as the glass transition temperature

It is becoming common practice to partition glass-forming liquids into two classes based on the dependence of the shear viscosity η on temperature T. In an Arrhenius plot, ln η vs 1/T, a strong liquid shows linear behavior whereas a fragile liquid exhibits an upward curvature [super-Arrhenius (SA) behavior], a situation customarily described by using the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann law. Here we analyze existing data of the transport coefficients of 84 glass-forming liquids. We show the data are consistent, on decreasing temperature, with the onset of a well-defined dynamical crossover η×, where η× has the same value, η× ≈ 103 Poise, for all 84 liquids. The crossover temperature, T×, located well above the calorimetric glass transition temperature Tg, marks significant variations in the system thermodynamics, evidenced by the change of the SA-like T dependence above T× to Arrhenius behavior below T×. We also show that below T× the familiar Stokes–Einstein relation D/T ∼ η-1 breaks down and is replaced by a fractional form D/T ∼ η-ζ, with ζ ≈ 0.85.
TFMAP: optimizing MAP for top-n context-aware recommendation

In this paper, we tackle the problem of top-N context-aware recommendation for implicit feedback scenarios. We frame this challenge as a ranking problem in collaborative filtering (CF). Much of the past work on CF has not focused on evaluation metrics that lead to good top-N recommendation lists in designing recommendation models. In addition, previous work on context-aware recommendation has mainly focused on explicit feedback data, i.e., ratings. We propose TFMAP, a model that directly maximizes Mean Average Precision with the aim of creating an optimally ranked list of items for individual users under a given context. TFMAP uses tensor factorization to model implicit feedback data (e.g., purchases, clicks) with contextual information. The optimization of MAP in a large data collection is computationally too complex to be tractable in practice. To address this computational bottleneck, we present a fast learning algorithm that exploits several intrinsic properties of average precision to improve the learning efficiency of TFMAP, and to ensure its scalability. We experimentally verify the effectiveness of the proposed fast learning algorithm, and demonstrate that TFMAP significantly outperforms state-of-the-art recommendation approaches.
Creep and recrystallization of large polycrystalline masses. III. Continuum theory of ice sheets

This work sets forth the first thermodynamically consistent constitutive theory for ice sheets undergoing strain-induced anisotropy, polygonization and recrystallization effects. It is based on the notion of a mixture with continuous diversity, by picturing the ice sheet as a ‘mixture of lattice orientations’. The fabric (texture) is described by an orientation-dependent field of mass density which is sensitive not only to lattice spin, but also to grain boundary migration. No constraint is imposed on stress or strain of individual crystallites, aside from the assumption that basal slip is the dominant deformation mechanism on the grain scale. In spite of the fact that individual ice crystallites are regarded as micropolar media, it is inferred that couples on distinct grains counteract each other, so that the ice sheet behaves on a large scale as an ordinary (non-polar) continuum. Several concepts from materials science are translated to the language of continuum theory, like, for example, lattice distortion energy, grain boundary mobility and Schmid tensor, as well as some fabric (texture) parameters like the so-called degree of orientation and spherical aperture. After choosing suitable expressions for the stored energy and entropy of dislocations, it is shown that the driving pressure for grain boundary migration can be associated to differences in the dislocation potentials (viz. the Gibbs free energies due to dislocations) of crystallites with distinct c-axis orientations. Finally, the generic representation derived for the Cauchy stress is compared with former generalizations of Glen's flow law, namely the Svendsen–Gödert–Hutter stress law and the Azuma–Goto–Azuma flow law.
Mortality in Opioid-Maintained Patients after Release from an Addiction Clinic

Aim: To investigate the mortality rate in a cohort of 269 opioid-dependent patients and the outcome of survivors meeting DSM-IV criteria for opioid dependence. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Participants: Patients enrolled in synthetic opioid maintenance therapy during a time frame from 1998 to 1999 originally at the Addiction Clinic and then discharged to general practitioners. Methods: Structured interviews (Europ-ASI), urinalysis at time of interview as well as autopsy findings from deceased patients. Results: After six mailings, information from 147 (54.6%) patients was gained. 85 patients (31.6%) were interviewed. From these 76.5% (n = 65) were still enrolled in maintenance therapy, 18.8% (n = 16) were drug-free and 4.7% (n = 4) relapsed. From 29 fatalities, 37.9% died of intoxication with illicit substances, 34.5% related to AIDS and 27.6% of somatic complications. The Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) was 29.13 (95% CI = 19.27–44.04). A higher lifetime frequency of hospitalization, less working days and a lack of social relationships were factors associated with high mortality. Conclusions: The study confirms the high mortality rate in this patient group and supports the importance of maintenance therapy. Although great efforts were undertaken in locating patients, about 45% of the target group could not be located.
Application of impression creep data in life assessment of power plant materials at high temperatures

This paper contains a description of some recent progress on impression creep testing and its applications. Several fundamental aspects, involving the conversion relationships, typical test types, and validity of the test technique, are briefly described. Applications of the test data to assist with the life assessment of components, particularly those with service-exposed materials, using data obtained from scoop samples, are outlined. Correlations of impression data with the corresponding uniaxial data, where available, and with corresponding hardness results, are presented. These results indicate that the impression creep test method is a potential, simple, and economic life assessment technique for power plant life assessment applications. Proposals for future exploitation and for improvement of the technique are addressed.
Loss of MAP3K1 enhances proliferation and apoptosis during retinal development

Precise coordination of progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation is essential for proper organ morphogenesis and function during mammalian development. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 1 (MAP3K1) has a well-established role in anterior eyelid development, as Map3k1-knockout mice have defective embryonic eyelid closure and an `eye-open at birth' (EOB) phenotype. Here, we show that MAP3K1 is highly expressed in the posterior of the developing eye and is required for retina development. The MAP3K1-deficient mice exhibit increased proliferation and apoptosis, and Müller glial cell overproduction in the developing retinas. Consequently, the retinas of these mice show localized rosette-like arrangements in the outer nuclear layer, and develop abnormal vascularization, broken down retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptor loss and early onset of retinal degeneration. Although the retinal defect is associated with increased cyclin D1 and CDK4/6 expression, and RB phosphorylation and E2F-target gene upregulation, it is independent of the EOB phenotype and of JNK. The retinal developmental defect still occurs in knockout mice that have undergone tarsorrhaphy, but is absent in compound mutant Map3k1+/ΔKDJnk1–/– and Map3k1+/ΔKDJnk+/–Jnk2+/– mice that have EOB and reduced JNK signaling. Our results unveil a novel role for MAP3K1 in which it crosstalks with the cell cycle regulatory pathways in the prevention of retina malformation and degeneration.
Colonization and laboratory development of Otobius megnini (Acari: Argasidae).

Laboratory colonization techniques for Otobius megnini (Duges) are reported on rabbits and cattle. All life stages were held in darkness at 26 ± 1°C and 65 ± 5% RH, except unfed larvae, which were held at 85 ± 2% RH. Respective mean engorgement times for larvae and nymphs fed on cattle were 4.7 ± 2.1 and 38.2 ± 7.4 days. Molting success of larvae and nymphs was 92.1 and 98.1%, respectively. Engorged nymphs lost ca. 20% of their body weight before molting to adults. The mean female oviposition time and number of intermissions was 71.2 ± 13.5 and 12.3 ± 4.7 days, respectively. The mean number of eggs laid per female, egg incubation time, and hatch success was 789 ± 199.5, 12.4 ± 2.5 days, and 92.2 ± 7.4%, respectively. Number of eggs laid was significantly correlated with female weight, but a reproductive efficiency index and a conversion efficiency index revealed no significant correlation between the number of eggs laid per milligram female body weight and the milligram weight of eggs per milligram female body weight, respectively. Females were able to convert ca. 56% of their body weight to eggs. In addition, number of eggs laid by a female was significantly correlated with oviposition length.
Glycomics Analysis of Schistosoma mansoni Egg and Cercarial Secretions*S

The parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni is a major public health concern in many developing countries. Glycoconjugates, and in particular the carbohydrate component of these products, represent the main immunogenic challenge to the host and could therefore represent one of the crucial determinants for successful parasite establishment. Here we report a comparative glycomics analysis of the N- and O-glycans derived from glycoproteins present in S. mansoni egg (egg-secreted protein) and cercarial (0–3-h released protein) secretions by a combination of mass spectrometric techniques. Our results show that S. mansoni secrete glycoproteins with glycosylation patterns that are complex and stage-specific. Cercarial stage secretions were dominated by N-glycans that were core-xylosylated, whereas N-glycans from egg secretions were predominantly core-difucosylated. O-Glycan core structures from cercarial secretions primarily consisted of the core sequence Galβ1→3(Galβ1→6)GalNAc, whereas egg-secreted O-glycans carried the mucin-type core 1 (Galβ1→3GalNAc) and 2 (Galβ1→3(GlcNAcβ1→6)GalNAc) structures. Additionally we identified a novel O-glycan core in both secretions in which a Gal residue is linked to the protein. Terminal structures of N- and O-glycans contained high levels of fucose and include stage-specific structures. These glycan structures identified in S. mansoni secretions are potentially antigenic motifs and ligands for carbohydrate-binding proteins of the host immune system.
Ethnodiagnostic Skills of the Digo Community for Malaria: A Lead to Traditional Bioprospecting

Malaria is a major public health problem that is presently complicated by the development of resistance by Plasmodium falciparum to the mainstay drugs. Thus, new drugs with unique structures and mechanism of action are required to treat drug-resistant strains of malaria. Historically, compounds containing a novel structure from natural origin represent a major source for the discovery and development of new drugs for several diseases. This paper presents ethnophytotherapeutic remedies, ethnodiagnostic skills, and related traditional knowledge utilized by the Digo community of the Kenyan Coast to diagnose malaria as a lead to traditional bioprospecting. The current study was carried out in three Digo villages of Diani sub-location between May 2009 and December 2009. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, and open and close-ended questionnaires. A total of 60 respondents (34 men and 26 women) provided the targeted information. The results show that the indigenous knowledge of Digo community on malaria encompasses not only the symptoms of malaria but also the factors that are responsible for causing malaria, attributes favoring the breeding of mosquitoes and practices employed to guard against mosquito bites or to protect households against malaria. This knowledge is closely in harmony with scientific approaches to the treatment and control of the disease. The Digo community uses 60 medicinal plants distributed in 52 genera and 27 families to treat malaria. The most frequently mentioned symptoms were fever, joint pains, and vomiting while the most frequently mentioned practices employed to guard against mosquito bites and/or to protect households against malaria was burning of herbal plants such as Ocimum suave and ingestion of herbal decoctions and concoctions. The Digo community has abundant ethnodiagnostic skills for malaria which forms the basis of their traditional bioprospecting techniques.
Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Protein Kinases Is Associated with a Sensitized Locomotor Response to D2Dopamine Receptor Stimulation in Unilateral 6-Hydroxydopamine-Lesioned Rats

Evidence indicates that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways play a crucial role in the neurobiology of the nervous system. In the present study, dopamine receptor-mediated regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) was examined in rats in which the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway was unilaterally lesioned by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Subcutaneous injections of the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole significantly increased tyrosine-phosphorylated ERK1/2 in lesioned striatum, whereas the D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 failed to activate ERKs. Quinpirole-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was seen as early as 3 min and peaked at 15 min after the challenge. In parallel, striatal ERK kinase activity, measured by the in vitro kinase assay, was increased 2.5-fold on the lesioned side after the administration of quinpirole. Immunohistochemical examination of brain sections after quinpirole administration revealed significant increases in ERK1/2 immunostaining in perinuclear and intranuclear areas of striatal neurons. This increase was much more pronounced on the lesioned than the intact side. Furthermore, quinpirole-induced contralateral rotation was decreased by 48.7 and 50.7%, respectively, when the striatal ERK pathway was selectively inhibited by a single intrastriatal injection of the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor PD098059 or after a continuous 7 d intrastriatal infusion of ERK1/2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. The results demonstrate, for the first time, that the ERK signaling pathway is activated in denervated striatum in response to stimulation of D2 dopamine receptors and that the resulting imbalance in striatal ERK activity contributes, at least in part, to neuronal plasticity that underlies D2 dopamine receptor-mediated contralateral rotation in unilateral 6-OHDA denervated rats.