Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of thermal conductivity of SiC-filled emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber composites by finite element method

A finite element method was developed to predict the thermal conductivity of emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber composites filled with silicon carbide (SiC). Two-dimensional finite element method models, which involved the effects of aspect ratio, shape, particle size and mass ratio of silicon carbide, were used to simulate the microstructure of emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber composites. An increase in thermal conductivity of the composites with increasing aspect ratio values was predicted by the finite element method models. The shape and particle size of silicon carbide affected the thermal conductivity as predicted by the finite element method models. At silicon carbide loadings of 100 and 200 phr, the thermal conductivity of the composites filled with two kinds of silicon carbide at mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited the highest thermal conductivity as predicted by rectangular particle filler finite element method models. Rectangular particle filler finite element method models (aspect ratio of 4 for SiC 1# and aspect ratio of 5 for SiC 2#) are better than other finite element method models for accurately predicting the thermal conductivity of silicon carbide/emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber composites. The thermal conductivities predicted by the rectangular particle filler finite element method models were compared with the experimental results. The trend and particular values of thermal conductivity predicted by the rectangular particle filler finite element method models agreed with the experimental data considerably. Compared with the experimental data, the biggest difference of predicted values is not more than 5%. The proposed finite element method models would provide theoretical foundations and practical methods for tailoring emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber composites with specific thermal conductivity.
Association between menstrual cycle irregularities and endocrine and metabolic characteristics of the polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Insulin resistance (IR) is frequent in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and contributes to the increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease of this population. Several markers of IR are used but most are expensive or have limited sensitivity and specificity. Preliminary data suggest that the menstrual cycle pattern correlates with IR in PCOS but existing studies are small. We aimed to assess the relationship between the type of menstrual cycle irregularities and IR in PCOS. DESIGN Prospective study. METHODS We studied 1285 women with PCOS, divided according to the menstrual cycle pattern. RESULTS Patients with isolated secondary amenorrhea and those with secondary amenorrhea alternating with regular menstrual cycles were more insulin resistant than patients with regular cycles (Group D). Patients with isolated oligomenorrhea were also more insulin resistant than Group D. However, patients with oligomenorrhea alternating with regular cycles, secondary amenorrhea, or polymenorrhea had comparable levels of markers of IR with Group D. Moreover, patients with oligomenorrhea alternating with regular cycles were less insulin resistant than patients with secondary amenorrhea alternating with regular cycles. Finally, patients with isolated polymenorrhea and those with polymenorrhea alternating with regular cycles had comparable levels of markers of IR with Group D. CONCLUSIONS Amenorrhea is associated with more pronounced IR in PCOS, and oligomenorrhea portends a less excessive risk for IR than amenorrhea whereas polymenorrhea appears to be even more benign metabolically. Therefore, the type of menstrual cycle abnormality appears to represent a useful tool for identifying a more adverse metabolic profile in PCOS.
Interspecies antigenic determinants of the reverse transcriptases and p30 proteins of mammalian type C viruses

The major internal structural proteins (p30) of type C viruses isolated from several mammalian species were studied by radioimmunoprecipitation and competitive radioimmunoassays. Three antigenically distinguishable sets of interspecies determinants could be demonstrated by both methods. One set of determinants shared by viruses of rodent origin (mouse and rat) can be detected readily in feline leukemia viruses but not in other type C viral groups. The p30 proteins of murine viruses also contain a second discrete set of antigenic determinants related to those in infectious primate viruses and endogenous porcine viruses, but not detected in the feline leukemia virus group. The p30 proteins of endogenous viruses of baboons and domestic cats share yet a third set of cross-reactive determinants not detected in type C viruses isolated from other species of animals. Enzyme inhibition studies performed with antisera raised toward the reverse transcriptases of these same groups of type C viruses showed the same patterns of immunological cross-reactions as observed with p30 proteins. The antigenic cross-reactions between the homologous proteins of type C virus isolated from genetically distant animals may reflect transmission of type C viruses across species barriers.
Hypnotics' association with mortality or cancer: a matched cohort study

Objectives An estimated 6%–10% of US adults took a hypnotic drug for poor sleep in 2010. This study extends previous reports associating hypnotics with excess mortality. Setting A large integrated health system in the USA. Design Longitudinal electronic medical records were extracted for a one-to-two matched cohort survival analysis. Subjects Subjects (mean age 54 years) were 10 529 patients who received hypnotic prescriptions and 23 676 matched controls with no hypnotic prescriptions, followed for an average of 2.5 years between January 2002 and January 2007. Main outcome measures Data were adjusted for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, ethnicity, marital status, alcohol use and prior cancer. Hazard ratios (HRs) for death were computed from Cox proportional hazards models controlled for risk factors and using up to 116 strata, which exactly matched cases and controls by 12 classes of comorbidity. Results As predicted, patients prescribed any hypnotic had substantially elevated hazards of dying compared to those prescribed no hypnotics. For groups prescribed 0.4–18, 18–132 and >132 doses/year, HRs (95% CIs) were 3.60 (2.92 to 4.44), 4.43 (3.67 to 5.36) and 5.32 (4.50 to 6.30), respectively, demonstrating a dose–response association. HRs were elevated in separate analyses for several common hypnotics, including zolpidem, temazepam, eszopiclone, zaleplon, other benzodiazepines, barbiturates and sedative antihistamines. Hypnotic use in the upper third was associated with a significant elevation of incident cancer; HR=1.35 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.55). Results were robust within groups suffering each comorbidity, indicating that the death and cancer hazards associated with hypnotic drugs were not attributable to pre-existing disease. Conclusions Receiving hypnotic prescriptions was associated with greater than threefold increased hazards of death even when prescribed <18 pills/year. This association held in separate analyses for several commonly used hypnotics and for newer shorter-acting drugs. Control of selective prescription of hypnotics for patients in poor health did not explain the observed excess mortality.
Leptin Induces Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Hypertrophy through Angiotensin II- and Endothelin-1-Dependent Mechanisms and Mediates Stretch-Induced Hypertrophy

Various cardiovascular pathologies are associated with vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy and elevated plasma leptin levels. We used the rat portal vein (RPV) cultured for three days to investigate the effect of mechanical stretch on autocrine secretion of leptin and the effect of exogenous leptin (3.1 nM) on VSMC. Stretching the RPV significantly up-regulated leptin production by greater than 100-fold and leptin receptor expression by up to 10-fold. In addition, stretch increased tissue weight by 23 ± 1.3 and 30 ± 1% (P < 0.05), respectively, in the absence or presence of leptin, although this was significantly attenuated by an antileptin antibody (166 ng/ml). Unstretched RPV weight decreased by 7.5 ± 1.8% in the absence of leptin, whereas in the presence of leptin, weight increased by 6.5 ± 1.8% (P < 0.05). VSMC size and [3H]leucine incorporation rates were significantly increased by leptin in stretched and unstretched tissues. Leptin-induced hypertrophy was associated with significant extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation as well as increased expression of angiotensinogen, the angiotensin type 1 receptor as well as preproendothelin-1, and the endothelin type A receptor, whereas ERK inhibition or inhibition of either the angiotensin II or endothelin-1 systems at both the synthesis and receptor levels blocked the hypertrophic response. The effects of leptin were also completely blocked by the cholesterol-chelating agent methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Therefore, our study demonstrates stretch-dependent leptin release and a direct hypertrophic effect of leptin on RPV, the latter likely dependent on intact cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains and locally produced paracrine factors.
Estimation in parameter-redundant models

The likelihood surface resulting from a parameter-redundant stochastic model is maximised along a completely flat ridge. This ridge may be orthogonal to some parameter axes, so that these parameters have unique maximum likelihood estimates. For exponential-family models, we show how to determine which parameter combinations are estimable. The approach requires the calculation of a derivative matrix and the determination of its null space, both of which are readily achieved in computer algebra packages. Illustrative examples are drawn from the areas of compartment modelling and ring-recovery analysis.
Angle-Based Chipless RFID Tag With High Capacity and Insensitivity to Polarization

This paper presents a novel angle-based chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with high capacity that is polarization-independent. Its scatterer is designed to be V-shaped. It encodes data using the space angle between two arms of the V-shape and is identified by measuring the scattered field in two orthogonal polarization directions. Even if it is tilted, the tag can be identified. The advantage of angle-based tag is that every element can encode three-bit data. This is helpful to get higher capacity. Also, for different codes of one element, the proposed tag uses the same spectrum. This is beneficial to improve the efficiency of the spectrum. First, the tag using the uniform impedance resonator (UIR) is designed. Then, the UIR chipless tag is reformed as stepped impedance resonator (SIR) tag to suppress the second harmonic. The realized tags operate in the frequency range 1.83-2.15 GHz and the identification errors are less than 3.9°. Every element of the realized tags can carry 3 bits of coding information.
Challenges and solutions for the modeling of linear and nonlinear dispersion effects with FDTD

A complete framework to model linear (Drude, Debye, Lorentz) and nonlinear (Kerr, Raman) dispersion effects with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in electromagnetics (EM) has been developed. Subcell smoothing for all material effects has been developed and implemented. The challenges that this poses to FDTD such as stability conditions that depend on the strength and shape of the source signals are addressed and investigated with several novel approaches and tools.
Plant Characteristics Associated with Natural Enemy Abundance at Michigan Native Plants

Abstract Habitat management is a type of conservation biological control that focuses on increasing natural enemy populations by providing them with plant resources such as pollen and nectar. Insects are known to respond to a variety of plant characteristics in their search for plant-provided resources. A better understanding of the specific characteristics used by natural enemy insects in selecting these resources could greatly improve efficiency in screening plants for habitat management. We examined 5 previously tested and widely recommended resource plants and 43 candidate plants to test whether the number and type of natural enemies and herbivores at each plant were predicted by plant characteristics including: period of peak bloom, floral area, maximum flower height, hue, chroma, and corolla size. Natural enemy abundance increased with week of peak bloom and greater floral area across all plants tested. Ordination of plant characteristics indicated that increasing floral area, period of peak bloom, maximum flower height, and decreasing corolla width grouped together into a single principal component. Both natural enemy and herbivore abundance increased significantly with the principal component for this set of characteristics, but the relationship with herbivore abundance was weaker. These results indicate that, for a given time of the season, selection of plants with the largest floral area has potential to increase natural enemy abundance in habitat management plantings and streamline plant selection for habitat management.
Understanding the Growth Hormone Therapy Adherence Paradigm: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Growth hormone (GH) therapy is used to treat a variety of growth disorders in childhood/adolescence. Its efficacy is thought to be dependent on patients' adherence to their treatment regimen. Methods: PubMed was searched using the keywords ‘growth hormone', ‘child'[Mesh], ‘adolescent'[Mesh], and ‘patient compliance'[Mesh]. Results: Most studies of adherence to paediatric GH therapy have used either issued/encashed GH prescriptions or questionnaires. Estimates of prevalence of non-adherence vary from 5-82%, depending on the methods and definitions used. Different studies have variously demonstrated an association (or lack thereof) between adherence and age, socioeconomic status, treatment duration, injection device used and injection-giver. A number of interventions have been proposed to improve adherence, including offering a choice of injection device, but none are supported by trials. Poor adherence is associated with reduced height velocity and likely increased economic costs; evidence for other effects is circumstantial. Conclusion: Adherence to paediatric GH therapy is suboptimal, which may partially explain why the mean final height attained is below that of the general population. Analysis of the causes of non-adherence is complicated by conflicting evidence from different studies. Multifactorial interventions are most likely to be successful in improving adherence. We make recommendations for further research.
Comparison of Escherichia coli uropathogenic genes (kps, usp and ireA) and enteroaggregative genes (aggR and aap) via multiplex polymerase chain reaction from suprapubic urine specimens of young children with fever

Objective. Escherichia coli is the most frequently identified microbiological agent in childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, the pathogenic role of this organism in young children remains to be clearly elucidated. So far, no studies have been conducted in which multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been applied to determine the association between childhood UTIs and E. coli and urovirulent genes. Material and methods. Altogether, 330 suprapubic urine specimens from febrile young children were cultured. In 33 of the cases, E. coli was identified; among these cases, 18 had a UTI (>104–105 cfu/ml), four had a suspected UTI (>102–103 cfu/ml) and 11 did not have UTIs (102 cfu/ml). Using multiplex PCR, three uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) genes and two enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) genes were detected. Results. In the UTI-UPEC cases, the kps gene was detected in 18 of 22 cases (82%) and the usp gene in 16 of 22 cases (73%). Among the 18 cases of children with UTIs characterized by 104–105 E. coli cfu/ml, urinary tract abnormalities were identified via dimercaptosuccinic acid scans in seven of 18 cases (39%) and via voiding cystourethrograms in four of the 18 cases (22%). Conclusions. The UPEC kps and usp genes were clearly associated with childhood UTIs, and may also be associated with kidney or urinary tract dysfunctions in young children. Escherichia coli colony count numbers in excess of 104–105 cfu/ml in the suprapubic urine were considered to be strong evidence of UTI in infants.
Influence of Added Graphite on the Mechanical Strength of Pressed Plastic Bonded Explosives.

Abstract : Composite plastic bonded explosive samples containing 80% and 85% HMX (cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine) in a polymer plastizer binder were produced by mixing, extruding, cutting, drying, and pressing. Before pressing, the extruded material was in some cases coated with a thin layer of graphite (approx. 1 micrometer) for ease in pressing. As part of a general study of these composites, the compressive strength was determined as a function of temperature, strain rate, and the amount of the graphite added. Without graphite, the compressive strength increases with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate. With graphite, this strength has the same behavior above approximately -10 deg C, but is insensitive to both temperature and strain rate below this temperature for a strain rate of 1.0/sec. In addition, the low temperature value of the compressive strength appears to decrease with increasing graphite thickness. The cracking and fracture patterns are temperature and strain rate dependent and are different with and without graphite. These results indicate that the bond produced by pressing the graphite containing material is stronger than the composite above about -10 deg C and weaker below this temperature so that failure initiates in the composite above about -10 deg C and in the bond below -10 deg C. With increasing strain rate this transition temperature increases. The results also indicate that the bond produced by pressing the material without graphite is at least as strong as the extruded material itself. (MM)
Maintenance of species boundaries despite rampant hybridization between three species of reef fishes (Hexagrammidae): implications for the role of selection

Hybridization and introgression are antagonistic to the process of speciation. If hybrids are viable and backcross, introgression will slow or prevent the evolution of reproductive isolation between populations. If species hybridize upon secondary contact, introgression will ultimately erode species boundaries. If hybridization is rampant and gene flow is high, the proportion of hybrids will approach values expected with random mating, and introgression will overcome species boundaries, homogenizing populations. Alternatively, if species are genetically distinct, the proportion of hybrids would be significantly less than expected with random mating, gene flow would be interrupted by selection against hybrids, and inviability or sterility of F1 hybrids or backcrosses would be expected. Here, we investigate a system with characteristics expected by both of these opposing scenarios. Hybridization occurs between three species of reef fishes in the genus Hexagrammos at unexpected high frequencies in a zone of distributional overlap. Backcrossed individuals are detected, indicating F1 hybrids are viable and capable of reproducing. Yet, these species are genetically distinct at multiple loci. To study this apparent paradox, we estimate the relative proportions of hybrids, patterns of symmetry, inviability, and cytonuclear disequilibria using one mitochondrial and two nuclear markers. We invoke selection against hybrids, at various life history stages, in the maintenance of species boundaries in this system. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 91, 135–147.
PAK4–6 in cancer and neuronal development

PAKs 4, 5 and 6 are members of the group B family of p21-activated kinases. Among this group, PAK4 has been most extensively studied. While it has essential roles in embryonic development, in adults high levels of PAK4 are frequently associated with cancer. PAK4 is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and the Pak4 gene is amplified in some cancers. PAK4 overexpression is sufficient to cause oncogenic transformation in cells and in mouse models. The tight connection between PAK4 and cancer make it a promising diagnostic tool as well as a potential drug target. The group B PAKs also have important developmental functions. PAK4 is important for many early developmental processes, while PAK5 and PAK6 play roles in learning and memory in mice. This chapter provides an overview of the roles of the group B PAKs in cancer as well as development, and includes a discussion of PAK mediated signaling pathways and cellular functions.
Texture Analysis Using Neural Networks and Mode Filters

This papei describes experiments in which the Laws' approach to texture analysis is augmented by artificial neural network classifiers followed by mode filters. Analysis of image classification data confirmed that averaging filters should be carefully chosen to obtain the best balance between remanent texture noise and blurring of class boundaries, smaller mask sizes being required for segmentation vis-a-vis classification. Preliminary image normalisation was found to be generally advisable, unless the training data is fully representative of the test data, while mode filters are valuable for consolidating the output images, e.g. by eliminating patches of misclassification. Indeed, mode filters seem to constitute an under-exploited technique in image analysis as a whole.
Attraction of ambrosia beetles to ethanol baited traps in a Slovakian oak forest

The attractiveness of ultra high release ethanol lures to ambrosia beetles in Slovakian oak forests was tested from 2010 to 2012. A total of 24,705 specimens were captured during this three year period with Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg, 1837) representing 49.28% (12,174 specimens) of the total. Other dominant species captured in the traps were Anisandrus dispar (F., 1792) (27.84%), Xyleborus monographus (F., 1792) (9.72%) and Trypodendron signatum (F., 1792) (6.04%). During this experiment, Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford, 1894) was detected for the first time in Slovakia with an increase in capture each year (19, 40 and 77 specimens, respectively). Flight period for ambrosia beetles in Slovakia occurs from the beginning of April through the end of September. This is the first time that ethanol baited traps were deployed in Slovakian oak forests and the lures were an effective tool for monitoring native and non-native ambrosia beetles.
Flat covers of representations of the quiver A

Rooted quivers are quivers that do not contain A∞≡⋯→•→• as a subquiver. The existence of flat covers and cotorsion envelopes for representations of these quivers have been studied by Enochs et al. The main goal of this paper is to prove that flat covers and cotorsion envelopes exist for representations of A∞. We first characterize finitely generated projective representations of A∞. We also see that there are no projective covers for representations of A∞, which adds more interest to the problem of the existence of flat covers.