Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Force response characteristics and mechanical properties of friction stir welded AA2024 sheets

Process force and tensile properties in friction stir welding of AA2024 sheets were studied. Results show that the forces present a periodic variation with the same periodicity which is nearly equal to the time of one tool rotation, and thus it only depends on rotation speed. With increasing welding speed the forces increase gradually, while with increasing rotation speed the forces first decrease and then increase. Joints with superior strength-ductility synergy are produced at 900 rev min−1–300 mm min−1 and 1000 rev min−1–350 mm min−1. These joints experience nearly the same peak temperature and axial force. As heat input increases the failure initiates from the interface between nugget zone (NZ) and thermo-mechanically affected zone to heat-affected zone continuing to NZ.
Meta-Analyses of the Effect of Hormone Treatment on Cognitive Function in Postmenopausal Women

As we age, most of us experience a certain degree of cognitive decline. In most cases, this decline is gradual. However, in some cases, cognitive impairment is so severe that it can be classified as dementia and this impacts greatly on activities of daily living. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, has been linked to the reduction in estrogen levels that comes with aging. More specifically, many researchers have hypothesized that estrogen, and hence estrogen replacement via hormone therapy, could protect against cognitive decline in women. However, recent randomized, controlled trials did not reflect this. In fact, some reports showed that hormone therapy could have detrimental effects on cognitive function in older postmenopausal women. The most publicized of these has been the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. Studies have thus yielded conflicting results and conclusions. The reasons for this may be due to a number of factors, such as the age of participants, the time of hormone therapy onset (‘window of opportunity’ theory), type of treatment, type of menopause (surgical or natural) and, possibly, genetic risk factors. We performed quantitative and qualitative meta-analyses and reviewed each of these factors in detail. The future may lie in combining these factors in order to fully understand the potential mechanisms behind estrogen and its effect on cognition.
Accuracy of CHIRPS Satellite-Rainfall Products over Mainland China

Precipitation is the main component of global water cycle. At present, satellite quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) are widely applied in the scientific community. However, the evaluations of satellite QPEs have some limitations in terms of the deficiency in observation, evaluation methodology, the selection of time windows for evaluation and short periods for evaluation. The objective of this work is to make some improvements by evaluating the spatio-temporal pattern of the long-terms Climate Hazard Group InfraRed Precipitation Satellite’s (CHIRPS’s) QPEs over mainland China. In this study, we compared the daily precipitation estimates from CHIRPS with 2480 rain gauges across China and gridded observation using several statistical metrics in the long-term period of 1981–2014. The results show that there is significant difference between point evaluation and grid evaluation for CHIRPS. CHIRPS has better performance for a large amount of precipitation than it does for arid and semi-arid land. The change in good performance zones has strong relationship with monsoon’s movement. Therefore, CHIRPS performs better in river basins of southern China and exhibits poor performance in river basins in northwestern and northern China. Moreover, CHIRPS exhibits better in warm season than in Winter, owing to its limited ability to detect snowfall. Nevertheless, CHIRPS is moderately sensitive to the precipitation from typhoon weather systems. The limitations for CHIRPS result from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 estimates’ accuracy and valid spatial coverage.
On the Computational Power of Simple Dynamics

This work presents a set of analytical results regarding some elementary randomized protocols, called \emph{dynamics}, for solving some fundamental computational problems. New techniques for analyzing the processes that arise from such dynamics are presented, together with concrete examples on how to build efficient and robust distributed algorithms for some important tasks using these processes as a black-box. More specifically, we analyze several dynamics such as the 3-Majority, the Averaging and the Undecided-State ones, and we show how to use them to solve fundamental problems such as plurality consensus, community detection (including the reconstruction problem in the stochastic block model), and bit dissemination (rumor spreading). We focus mainly on unstructured and random interaction models, and we also deal with scenarios in which the communication is affected by noise or when a self-stabilizing protocol is required.
The Orthogonal Estimator (OE): An Alternative to the Intrinsic Estimator (IE) for Estimating Age-Period-Cohort Effects

Over the past decade the Intrinsic Estimator (IE) has become a popular way to model ageperiod-cohort (APC) trends in sociology, demography, epidemiology, and other fields. However, confusion exists over the fundamental properties of the IE and its proper use in applied research. In this paper we clarify the meaning of the IE, examine its strengths and weaknesses, and propose an alternative estimator. Despite some desirable statistical properties, the IE will give differing results depending on the number of age, period, and cohort groups as well as the size and direction of the nonlinearities in the data. Moreover, to achieve identification the IE uses a mathematical constraint that lacks a clear substantive interpretation. To overcome the limitations of the IE, we introduce the orthogonal estimator (OE), which uses a coding scheme that separately estimates the linear and nonlinear effects, unlike the IE’s sum-to-zero effect (or deviation) coding. The OE has the same desirable statistical properties as the IE. However, in contrast to the IE, the OE clarifies the nature of the identification problem and provides a set of estimates that are invariant to the number of APC groups as well as the size and sign of the nonlinearities. Moreover, the OE can be interpreted as the simple average of three zerolinear-trend (ZLT) models, unlike the IE, which is the average of a rotated set of ZLT models. Like the IE, the OE in general will not recover the true data generating parameters.
Inflammatory Macrophage Expansion in Pulmonary Hypertension Depends upon Mobilization of Blood-Borne Monocytes

Pulmonary inflammation, which is characterized by the presence of perivascular macrophages, has been proposed as a key pathogenic driver of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a vascular disease with increasing global significance. However, the mechanisms of expansion of lung macrophages and the role of blood-borne monocytes in PH are poorly understood. Using multicolor flow cytometric analysis of blood in mouse and rat models of PH and patients with PH, an increase in blood monocytes was observed. In parallel, lung tissue displayed increased chemokine transcript expression, including those responsible for monocyte recruitment, such as Ccl2 and Cx3cl1, accompanied by an expansion of interstitial lung macrophages. These data indicate that blood monocytes are recruited to lung perivascular spaces and differentiate into inflammatory macrophages. Correspondingly, parabiosis between congenically different hypoxic mice demonstrated that most interstitial macrophages originated from blood monocytes. To define the actions of these cells in PH in vivo, we reduced blood monocyte numbers via genetic deficiency of cx3cr1 or ccr2 in chronically hypoxic male mice and by pharmacologic inhibition of Cx3cl1 in monocrotaline-exposed rats. Both models exhibited decreased inflammatory blood monocytes, as well as interstitial macrophages, leading to a substantial decrease in arteriolar remodeling but with a less robust hemodynamic effect. This study defines a direct mechanism by which interstitial macrophages expand in PH. It also demonstrates a pathway for pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH that depends upon interstitial macrophage-dependent inflammation yet is dissociated, at least in part, from hemodynamic consequences, thus offering guidance on future anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies in this disease.
PointNetVLAD: Deep Point Cloud Based Retrieval for Large-Scale Place Recognition

Unlike its image based counterpart, point cloud based retrieval for place recognition has remained as an unexplored and unsolved problem. This is largely due to the difficulty in extracting local feature descriptors from a point cloud that can subsequently be encoded into a global descriptor for the retrieval task. In this paper, we propose the PointNetVLAD where we leverage on the recent success of deep networks to solve point cloud based retrieval for place recognition. Specifically, our PointNetVLAD is a combination/modification of the existing PointNet and NetVLAD, which allows end-to-end training and inference to extract the global descriptor from a given 3D point cloud. Furthermore, we propose the "lazy triplet and quadruplet" loss functions that can achieve more discriminative and generalizable global descriptors to tackle the retrieval task. We create benchmark datasets for point cloud based retrieval for place recognition, and the experimental results on these datasets show the feasibility of our PointNetVLAD. Our code and datasets are publicly available on the project website1.
Biglycan-mediated upregulation of MHC class I expression in HER-2/neu-transformed cells

ABSTRACT The extracellular matrix protein biglycan (BGN) has oncogenic or tumor suppressive potential depending on the cellular origin. HER-2/neu overexpression in murine fibroblasts and human model systems is inversely correlated with BGN expression. Upon its restoration BGNhigh HER-2/neu+ fibroblasts were less tumorigenic in immune competent mice when compared to BGNlow/neg HER-2/neu+ cells, which was associated with enhanced immune cell responses and higher frequencies of immune effector cells in tumors and peripheral blood. The increased immunogenicity of BGNhigh HER-2/neu+ fibroblasts appears to be due to upregulated MHC class I surface antigens and reduced expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoforms and the TGF-β receptor 1 suggesting a link between BGN, TGF-β pathway and HER-2/neu-mediated downregulation of MHC class I antigens. Treatment of BGNlow/neg HER-2/neu+ cells with recombinant BGN or an inhibitor of TGF-β enhanced MHC class I surface antigens in BGNlow/neg HER-2/neu-overexpressing murine fibroblasts, which was mediated by a transcriptional upregulation of major MHC class I antigen processing components. Furthermore, BGN expression in HER-2/neu+ cells was accompanied by an increased expression of the proteoglycan decorin (DCN). Since recombinant DCN also elevated MHC class I surface expression in BGNlow/neg HER-2/neu+ cells, both proteoglycans might act synergistically. This was in accordance with in silico analyses of mRNA data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset available for breast cancer (BC) patients. Thus, our data provide for the first time evidence that proteoglycan signatures are modulated by HER-2/neu and linked to MHC class I-mediated immune escape associated with an altered TGF-β pathway.
Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis of Polymer Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers

ABSTRACT The preparation of high performance materials using renewable resources is a prime goal in materials science. Composites are amply recognized as an effective route to achieve a new portfolio of advanced materials with high performance. The comprehensive understanding of the structure/properties relationships is crucial to achieve such goal. Therefore, the detailed characterization of the viscoelastic properties of composites is an essential step in the development process. This review describes the use of Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) in the viscoelastic characterization of composites, and a brief description about the utility of the DMTA in the study of their structure/properties relationships is given. The paper is focused on the discussion of the most relevant publications in the area.
Stapled side-to-side anastomosis might be benefit in intestinal resection for Crohn's disease

Background and aim: Intestinal anastomosis is an essential step in the intestinal resection in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Anastomotic configuration such as handsewn end-to-end anastomosis (HEEA), stapled side-to-side anastomosis (SSSA) and so on may be a predictor of prognosis for postoperative CD patients. However, the association between anastomotic types and surgical outcomes are controversial. The aim of this review is to identify the optimal anastomosis for intestinal resection in patients with CD. Methods: Clinical trials comparing anastomosis after intestinal resection in patients with CD were searched in the database of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Outcomes such as postoperative hospital stay, complications, mortality, recurrence, and reoperation were evaluated. Pairwise treatment effects were estimated through a random-effects network meta-analysis based on the frequency framework by using the STATA software and reported as the estimated summary effect for each comparison between the 2 treatments in the network with a 95% credible interval. Results: A total of 1113 patients in 11 trials were included. In pair-wise comparisons between groups, for overall postoperative complications, SSSA showed a more probability of superiority to HEEA; for complications other than anastomotic leak, anastomotic leak, wound infection, postoperative hospital stay and mortality, there were no significant difference between groups; for clinical recurrence, SSSA showed a more probability of superiority to HEEA; for reoperation, SSSA showed a more probability of superiority to HEEA. The number of eligible randomized controlled trails (RCTs) was small, and more than half of the included trials were retrospective studies; selection bias may lead to a less power in this assessment; follow-up time between different groups was different, which may possibly have affected the interpretation of the analysis of long-term outcome. Conclusion: By comprehensive analyzing all the postoperative outcomes, SSSA appeared to be the optimal anastomotic strategy after intestinal resection for patients with CD.
Feasibility of Laparoscopic Resection of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Stomach.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Complete surgical resection of localized GISTs is the only chance of cure for patients. Laparoscopic resections (LAP) have been widely accepted as a reasonable approach to treat gastric GISTs. The current study compares operative outcomes of laparoscopic and open resection of gastric GISTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with primary gastric GISTs who underwent surgical resection between 2003 and 2015. RESULTS Of a total of 89 patients, 24 (27%) patients underwent open resection (OPEN), and 65 (73%) underwent LAP. LAP or OPEN did not differ with respect to gender, body mass index, and age. Median blood loss was significantly lower in LAP than in OPEN resection (32.5 mL versus 100 mL, P < .01). Both tumor location and median operative time were comparable between LAP and OPEN (108 versus 108 min, P = .93). Median tumor size in OPEN was significantly larger than LAP tumors (6.5 versus 3.8 cm, P < .01). LAP resection yielded a shorter hospital stay (3.0 versus 6.0 days P < .01) and lower 30-day readmission rate (17% versus 0%; P < .01). Complication rates were 9% after LAP and 12% after OPEN (P = .652). Two patients in each group died during the study period. Kaplan-Meier analysis for overall survival showed no significant difference between LAP and OPEN (P = .23). CONCLUSIONS LAP of gastric GISTs resulted in similar operative time and survival rate, but shorter hospital stay compared with open resection. Consequently, whenever possible, the laparoscopic approach should be preferably used for treatment of gastric GISTs. However, advanced tumor stage might dictate the need for open procedure with expected worse results.
Diagnosis of asynchronous discrete event systems, a net unfolding approach

This paper studies the diagnosis of asynchronous discrete event systems. We follow a so-called true concurrency approach, in which neither the global state nor global time are available. Instead, we use only local states in combination with a partial order model of time; our basic mathematical tool is that of Petri net unfoldings. This study was motivated by the problem of event correlation in telecommunications network management.
From W7-X to a HELIAS fusion power plant: motivation and options for an intermediate-step burning-plasma stellarator

As a starting point for a more in-depth discussion of a research strategy leading from Wendelstein 7-X to a HELIAS power plant, the respective steps in physics and engineering are considered from different vantage points. The first approach discusses the direct extrapolation of selected physics and engineering parameters. This is followed by an examination of advancing the understanding of stellarator optimisation. Finally, combining a dimensionless parameter approach with an empirical energy confinement time scaling, the necessary development steps are highlighted. From this analysis it is concluded that an intermediate-step burning-plasma stellarator is the most prudent approach to bridge the gap between W7-X and a HELIAS power plant. Using a systems code approach in combination with transport simulations, a range of possible conceptual designs is analysed. This range is exemplified by two bounding cases, a fast-track, cost-efficient device with low magnetic field and without a blanket and a device similar to a demonstration power plant with blanket and net electricity power production.
OPTIMAL CONTROL OF NIPAH VIRUS (NIV) INFECTIONS: A BANGLADESH SCENARIO

Nipah virus (NiV) is a newly detected highly pathogenic virus with ability to cause devastating morbidity and mortality (an estimated 100% in some cases) rate among the human populations. This emerging infectious disease has become one of the most alarming threats of the public healths in Bangladesh mainly due to its periodic outbreaks (as it strikes almost every year) and the highly devastating mortality rate. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model describing the host-pathogen interactions in terms of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The main aim is to investigate the disease propagation and control strategy of NiV infections. The behaviour of the dynamics of NiV infections has been illustrated by the numerical simulations.
THE EFFECT OF PROJECTION ON DERIVED MASS–SIZE AND LINEWIDTH–SIZE RELATIONSHIPS

Power-law mass–size and linewidth–size correlations, two of “Larson's laws,” are often studied to assess the dynamical state of clumps within molecular clouds. Using the result of a hydrodynamic simulation of a molecular cloud, we investigate how geometric projection may affect the derived Larson relationships. We find that large-scale structures in the column density map have similar masses and sizes to those in the three-dimensional simulation (position–position–position, PPP). Smaller scale clumps in the column density map are measured to be more massive than the PPP clumps, due to the projection of all emitting gas along lines of sight. Further, due to projection effects, structures in a synthetic spectral observation (position–position–velocity, PPV) may not necessarily correlate with physical structures in the simulation. In considering the turbulent velocities only, the linewidth–size relationship in the PPV cube is appreciably different from that measured from the simulation. Including thermal pressure in the simulated line widths imposes a minimum line width, which results in a better agreement in the slopes of the linewidth–size relationships, though there are still discrepancies in the offsets, as well as considerable scatter. Employing commonly used assumptions in a virial analysis, we find similarities in the computed virial parameters of the structures in the PPV and PPP cubes. However, due to the discrepancies in the linewidth–size and mass–size relationships in the PPP and PPV cubes, we caution that applying a virial analysis to observed clouds may be misleading due to geometric projection effects. We speculate that consideration of physical processes beyond kinetic and gravitational pressure would be required for accurately assessing whether complex clouds, such as those with highly filamentary structure, are bound.
Effects of population densities of Meloidogyne hapla on growth and yield of tomato.

Growth and yield of 'Veebrite' tomato were studied in 20-cm (i.d.) clay-tile microplots containing initially 260, 1,840, 6,120, or 27,950 Meloidogyne hapla larvae/kg of soil. Low nematode numbers stimulated, and the highest nematode population suppressed, vegetative plant growth. More tomatoes, with a higher total weight, were harvested from plants infested with 260 and 1,840 nematode larvae at planting than from those with initial densities of 6,120 and 27,950 larvae. At the two highest densities, the cumulative fruit production (weight) was suppressed by 10% and 40%, respectively. The increase in growth and yield at the lower densities appeared to be due to an increase in the size of the root systent. However, at the higher densities, yield was no longer directly related to root weight. The reproduction factor of M. hapla was negatively correlated with initial density; for the lowest and highest initial densities, it was 96X and 7X at midseason, and 354X and 3X at harvest, respectively. The equilibrium density was 63,000 larvae/kg of soil; initial densities larger than 2,000 larvae/kg of soil may require control.