Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation of Highly Ductile Fiber-Reinforced Cement-Based Composite Components Under Cyclic Loading

This research investigates ductile fiber-reinforced cement-based composites (DFRCCs) for new design as well as retrofitting of structures in seismic regions. DFRCC is highly ductile and is characterized by strain-hardening in tension to strains over 3% and by unique cycling loading behavior. In order to accurately predict the structural performance of DFRCC components under cyclic and seismic loading, a robust constitutive model is needed for structural-scale simulations. In this paper, a constitutive model based on total strain is proposed and applied to simulate structural component tests. The model in particular captures DFRCC's unique reversed cyclic loading behavior. Simulation results show that the implemented model is robust and reasonably accurate in simulating DFRCC structural components reinforced with steel and fiber-reinforced polymer bars.
Single‐cell study of motor cortex projections to the barrel field in rats

In freely moving rats, whisking is associated with a slow modulation of neuronal excitability in the primary somatosensory cortex. Because it persists after the blockade of vibrissa input, it was suggested that the slow modulation might be mediated by motor–sensory corticocortical connections and perhaps result from the corollary discharges of corticofugal cells. In the present study, we identified motor cortical cells that project to the barrel field and reconstructed their axonal projections after juxtacellularly staining single cells with a biotinylated tracer. On the basis of the final destination of main axons, two groups of neurons contribute to motor–sensory projections: callosal cells (87.5%) and corticofugal cells (12.5%). Axon collaterals of callosal cells arborize in layers five to six of the granular and dysgranular zones and give off several branches that ascend between the barrels to ramify in the molecular layer. In contrast, the axon collaterals of corticofugal cells do not ramify in the infragranular layers but in layer 1. The origin of the majority of motor sensory projections from callosally projecting cells does not support the notion that the slow modulation results from the corollary discharges of corticofugal axons. It would rather originate from a separate population of cells, which could output the slow signal to the barrel field in parallel with the corticofugal commands to a brainstem pattern generator. As free whisking is characterized by bilateral concerted movements of the vibrissae, the transcallosal contribution of motor–sensory axons represents a substrate for synchronizing the slow modulation across both hemispheres. J. Comp. Neurol. 464:98–103, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The quadruplex r(CGG)n destabilizing cationic porphyrin TMPyP4 cooperates with hnRNPs to increase the translation efficiency of fragile X premutation mRNA

The 5′ untranslated region of the FMR1 gene which normally includes 4–55 d(CGG) repeats expands to > 55–200 repeats in carriers of fragile X syndrome premutation. Although the levels of premutation FMR1 mRNA in carrier cells are 5–10-fold higher than normal, the amount of the product FMR protein is unchanged or reduced. We demonstrated previously that premutation r(CGG)n tracts formed quadruplex structures that impeded translation and lowered the efficiency of protein synthesis. Normal translation could be restored in vivo by the quadruplex r(CGG)n destabilizing action of CBF-A and hnRNP A2 proteins. Here we report that the quadruplex-interacting cationic porphyrin TMPyP4 by itself and in cooperation with CBF-A or hnRNP A2 also unfolded quadruplex r(CGG)n and increased the efficiency of translation of 5′-(CGG)99 containing reporter firefly (FL) mRNA. TMPyP4 destabilized in vitro a (CGG)33 intramolecular quadruplex structure and enhanced the translation of 5′-(CGG)99-FL mRNA in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate and in HEK293 cells. The efficiency of translation of (CGG)99-FL mRNA was additively increased in cells exposed to TMPyP4 together with CBF-A. Whereas low doses of TMPyP4, CBF-A or hnRNP A2 by themselves did not affect the in vivo utilization of (CGG)99-FL mRNA, introduction of TMPyP4 together with either protein synergistically augmented its translation efficiency.
Image denoising with multi-layer perceptrons, part 2: training trade-offs and analysis of their mechanisms

Image denoising can be described as the problem of mapping from a noisy image to a noise-free image. In Burger et al. (2012), we show that multi-layer perceptrons can achieve outstanding image denoising performance for various types of noise (additive white Gaussian noise, mixed Poisson-Gaussian noise, JPEG artifacts, salt-and-pepper noise and noise resembling stripes). In this work we discuss in detail which trade-os have to be considered during the training procedure. We will show how to achieve good results and which pitfalls to avoid. By analysing the activation patterns of the hidden units we are able to make observations regarding the functioning principle of multi-layer perceptrons trained for image denoising.
Differentiation Theory and the Global South as a Metageography of International Relations

In this article, I argue that while the Global South has replaced the Third World as the prevalent term for describing structural global inequalities in International Relations, little research is directed at its theoretical implications. I discuss the conceptual evolution of the term from the Third World narrative, interpreting the literature as an implicit rejection of myopic ontologies relying on economic, cultural, or political hierarchies. I then suggest connecting the terminology to the theory of functional differentiation. By avoiding forms inherited from classical social theory, the Global South can be conceptualized in a more productive way that is better attuned to contemporary theoretical discussions.
Merging Innovation into Antitrust Agency Enforcement of the Clayton Act

The treatment of innovation within the merger context by U.S. Antitrust Agencies continues to evolve, with regard to both general statements of enforcement policy and specific enforcement decisions. The respective merger guidelines issued by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission did not consider potential impacts on innovation or research and development until 1982, and then only in passing. By contrast, their joint 2010 Horizontal Merger Guidelines devote an entire section to innovation issues. This Essay examines both the frequency and manner with which the Antitrust Agencies invoke innovation-based concerns within their respective merger challenges from 2004-2014. It finds that both the DOJ and FTC allege adverse innovation effects in a very large fraction of their respective merger challenges in high-R&D-intensity industries. After exploring possible explanations, the Essay recommends that the Agencies describe their innovation concerns with greater specificity when merger challenges allege harm to innovation.
Immune Status of Cohort of Children Vaccinated against Hepatitis B Virus in Ekiti State over Ten Years after Incorporation into National Program on Immunization

Background: Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced in Nigeria for over a decade now, yet, data on sero-conversion status of the immunized cohort in the population are scarce. Such data are important for objective evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of the HBV vaccination program. This study therefore aims at determining the sero-conversion status and the prevalence of HBV infection among immunized cohort of children in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted across the three senatorial districts of Ekiti state, between October and December, 2017. A total of 441 children consisting of 226 males and 215 females (Male to female ratio= 1.1:1). Immunization was confirmed by immunization cards. Multistage sampling technique was used. Questionaire were administered after caregiver’s consent and assent from subjects, 2 to 5 mls of blood samples were then collected and tested for the various hepatitis B viral markers (HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb, HBsAb and HBsAg) using Hepatitis B combo kit manufactured by Innovita Biological Technology. Very low levels antibody titres which may not be detectable by qualitative detection method used is a limitation to this study. Results: Subjects were between 5 to 10 years. All subjects had 3 full doses of hepatitis B vaccination before the age of 1 year and all subjects were negative for HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAB and HBcAb. However, only 47 (10.7%) had detectable HBsAb. Among HBsAb positive patients 22 were males while 25 were females. Our findings showed zero prevalence of hepatitis B but minimal seroconversion rate among vaccinated children in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Conclusion: Hepatitis B vaccination protects children against HBV in the study population. However, seroconversion rate showed that majority of the children may be at risk of HBV infection at a later age. We recommend a booster dose of HBV vaccination.
Use of Non-Circular Gears in Pressing Machine Driving Systems

The paper describes a new approach in non-circular gears design, based on the mathematical description of the meshing progress. The teeth profiles are generated by numerical integration of a differential equation, which describes the contact point displacement, along the line of action, as a function of the pitch lines shape and of the pressure angle. In the typical arrangement, a pair of non-circular gears is used to drive a slider-crank mechanism, whose cursor follows a prescribed law of motion, thus working as a function generator. A procedure of inverse kinematics is illustrated, to determine the variable transmission ratio and then the pitch curves, once given the geometry of the slider-crank mechanism and the distance between the gears centres of rotation. An application of the method is described, where the ram of a mechanical press is driven according to a cinematically optimized law of motion. First step is the pitch lines synthesis, starting from the prescribed output curve. The teeth profiles are then generated on the primitives previously determined. A virtual analysis is performed to validate the method. Key-Words: Non-Circular Gears, Pitch Line Synthesis, Function Generator, Mechanical Presses, Virtual Prototyping
The mass-velocity and intensity-velocity relations in jet-driven molecular outflows

We use numerical simulations to examine the mass-velocity and intensity-velocity relations in the CO J = 2-1 and H 2 S(1)1-0 lines for jet-driven molecular outflows. Contrary to previous expectations, we find that the mass-velocity relation for the swept-up gas is a single power-law, with a shallow slope ≃-1.5 and no break to a steeper slope at high velocities. An analytic bowshock model with no post-shock mixing is shown to reproduce this behaviour very well. We show that molecular dissociation and the temperature dependence of the line emissivity are both critical in defining the shape of the line profiles at velocities above ∼20 kms - 1 . In particular, the simulated CO J = 2-1 intensity-velocity relation does show a break in slope, even though the underlying mass distribution does not. These predicted CO profiles are found to compare remarkably well with observations of molecular outflows, both in terms of the slopes at low and high velocities and in terms of the range of break velocities at which the change in slope occurs. Shallower slopes are predicted at high velocity in higher excitation lines, such as H 2 S(1)1-0. This work indicates that, in jet-driven outflows, the CO J = 2-1 intensity profile reflects the slope of the underlying mass-velocity distribution only at velocities ≤20km s - 1 , and that higher temperature tracers are required to probe the mass distribution at higher speed.
Non-Unique Factorization of Polynomials Over Residue Class Rings of the Integers

We investigate non-unique factorization of polynomials in ℤ p n [x] into irreducibles. As a Noetherian ring whose zero-divisors are contained in the Jacobson radical, ℤ p n [x] is atomic. We reduce the question of factoring arbitrary nonzero polynomials into irreducibles to the problem of factoring monic polynomials into monic irreducibles. The multiplicative monoid of monic polynomials of ℤ p n [x] is a direct sum of monoids corresponding to irreducible polynomials in ℤ p [x], and we show that each of these monoids has infinite elasticity. Moreover, for every m ∈ ℕ, there exists in each of these monoids a product of 2 irreducibles that can also be represented as a product of m irreducibles.
The Influence of Social Media Influencers: Understanding Online Vaping Communities and Parasocial Interaction through the Lens of Taylor’s Six-Segment Strategy Wheel

Abstract The purpose of this research is to increase understanding of Taylor’s six-segment strategy wheel (SSSW) by exploring how message strategy makes use of commenters’ parasocial interactions (PSIs) with social media influencers (SMIs). Recent research findings have concluded that younger viewers often consider PSIs/parasocial relationships (PSRs) to be highly similar to their social interactions/relationships. To understand this phenomenon, the research explores the dynamics of the vaping community, because SMIs are a primary means of product information. Vaping companies use SMIs who are known only to the collective group of like-minded peers to create a loyal audience. The present study uses research from the SSSW and PSIs to understand persuasive cues while watching a video featuring an SMI.
BIAS ASPECT IN DECISION MAKING FOR BUYING LIFE INSURANCE IN INDONESIA

This research aims to learn about the irrationality in Indonesian society when making purchase decision related to life insurance. This irrationality caused by the multiple aspects such as excessive optimism, representativeness bias, overconfidence, herding effect, availability, confirmation bias and framing effects. This study will describe how the life insurance purchase decisions are seen from seven aspects of bias. This research is positivism basic research in quantitative and descriptive. This research data obtained by survey method where this method using questionnaires. The number of samples in this study was 160 people. The results of this description will be used to address the main problem of this research. Aspects of representativeness bias are not used in this study because the respondent data reliability is very low. Descriptive statistical test results from this study indicate that only availability bias and framing effects contained in life insurance purchase decision. Aspects of availability bias are a dominant aspect of life insurance purchase decision. In addition, this study also indicates that there are differences between men and women. The aspect of availability bias and framing effect occurred on men, but for women only framing bias effect occurred. This study also indicates that there is difference bias result in terms of different age of respondent and the duration of life insurance ownership. Overall, this study shows that there is no bias aspect in the life insurance purchase decision.
Hormonal influences on neuroimmune responses in the CNS of females

Particular reproductive stages such as lactation impose demands on the female. To cope with these demands, her physiology goes through numerous adaptations, for example, attenuation of immune and stress responses. Hormonal fluctuation during lactation exerts a strong influence, inducing neuroplasticity in the hypothalamus and extrahypothalamic regions, and diminishing the stress and inflammatory responses. Thus, hormones confer decreased vulnerability to the female brain. This mini-review focuses on the adaptations of the immune and stress response during maternity, and on the neuroprotective actions of progesterone and prolactin and their effects on inflammation. The importance of pregnancy and lactation as experimental models to study immune responses and disease is also highlighted.
An evolutionary algorithm with guided mutation for the maximum clique problem

Estimation of distribution algorithms sample new solutions (offspring) from a probability model which characterizes the distribution of promising solutions in the search space at each generation. The location information of solutions found so far (i.e., the actual positions of these solutions in the search space) is not directly used for generating offspring in most existing estimation of distribution algorithms. This paper introduces a new operator, called guided mutation. Guided mutation generates offspring through combination of global statistical information and the location information of solutions found so far. An evolutionary algorithm with guided mutation (EA/G) for the maximum clique problem is proposed in this paper. Besides guided mutation, EA/G adopts a strategy for searching different search areas in different search phases. Marchiori's heuristic is applied to each new solution to produce a maximal clique in EA/G. Experimental results show that EA/G outperforms the heuristic genetic algorithm of Marchiori (the best evolutionary algorithm reported so far) and a MIMIC algorithm on DIMACS benchmark graphs.
Risk premia and financial modelling without measure transformation

This paper describes a financial market modelling framework that exploits the notion of a deflator . The denominations of the deflator measured in units of primary assets form a minimal set of basic financial quantities that completely specify the overall market dynamics, where deflated asset prices appear as martingales. A specific form for the risk premia is obtained as a natural consequence of the approach. Contingent claim prices are computed under the real world measure both in the case of complete and incomplete markets avoiding the use of an equivalent risk neutral measure transformation.
Relationship between progression-free survival and overall survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a literature-based analysis.

BACKGROUND The endpoints of progression-free survival (pfs) and time-to-progression (ttp) are frequently used to evaluate the clinical benefit of anticancer drugs. However, the surrogacy of those endpoints for overall survival (os) is not validated in all cancer settings. In the present study, we used a trial-based approach to assess the relationship between median pfs or ttp and median os in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (cll). METHODS The pico (population, interventions, comparators, outcomes) method was used to conduct a systematic review of the literature. The population consisted of patients with cll; the interventions and comparators were standard therapies for cll; and the outcomes were median pfs, ttp, and os. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full papers for eligibility and then extracted data from selected studies. Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between median pfs or ttp and median os. Subgroup correlation analyses were also conducted according to the characteristics of the selected studies (such as line of treatment and type of treatment under investigation). RESULTS Of the 1263 potentially relevant articles identified during the literature search, twenty-three were included. On average, median pfs or ttp was 16.0 months (standard deviation: 12.4 months) and median os was 43.5 months (standard deviation: 31.2 months). Results of the correlation analysis indicated that median pfs or ttp is highly correlated with median os (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.813; p ≤ 0.001). A significant correlation between median pfs or ttp and median os was observed in second- and subsequent-line therapies, but not in the first-line setting. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates a strong correlation between median pfs or ttp and median os in previously treated cll, which reinforce the hypothesis that pfs and ttp could be adequate surrogate endpoints for os in this cancer setting.
INDOLEAMINE 2,3-DIOXYGENASE AND IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE DURING PREGNANCY

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme involved in the catabolism of tryptophan, is expressed by a variety of cells and tissues such as macrophages, dendritic cells, cells of the endocrine system and by the placenta. IFN- γ is the main inducer of this enzyme. IDO acts as an important defense mechanism of innate immunity against pathogens. It also has tumor suppressive activity and prolongs the survival of allograft. One of the interesting functions of IDO is prevention of the allogenic fetus rejection during pregnancy by inhibiting alloreactive T cells. It was shown that inhibition of IDO activity by IDO inhibitor, 1-methyl tryptophan, during mouse pregnancy causes fetal rejection. The main mechanism by which IDO protects fetus is through reducing the tryptophan level and suppressing the T cell activity in the feto-maternal interface. In this review the biological functions of IDO with emphasis on its role in allogeneic fetus protection have been discussed.
Turning a denoiser into a super-resolver using plug and play priors

Denoising and Super-Resolution are two inverse problems that have been extensively studied. Over the years, these two tasks were treated as two distinct problems that deserve a different algorithmic solution. In this paper we wish to exploit the recently introduced Plug-and-Play Prior (PPP) approach to connect between the two. Using the PPP, we turn leading denoisers into super-resolution solvers. As a case-study we demonstrate this on the NCSR algorithm, which has two variants: one for denoising and one for superresolution. We show that by using the NCSR denoiser, one can get equal or even better results when compared with the NCSR super-resolution.
GROEBNER BASES AND THE COHOMOLOGY OF GRASSMANN MANIFOLDS WITH APPLICATION TO IMMERSION

Let Gk;n be the Grassmann manifold of k-planes in R n+k : Borel showed that H ¤ (Gk;n;Z2 )= Z2 (w1;:::;wk)=Ik;n where Ik;n is the ideal generated by the dual Stiefel-Whitney classes wn+1;:::;wn+k: We compute Groebner bases for the ideals I2;2ii3 and I2;2ii4 and use these results along with the theory of modi- …ed Postnikov towers to prove immersion results, namely that G2;2ii3 immerses in R 2 i+2 i15 : As a bene…t of the Groebner basis theory we also obtain a simple descrip- tion of H ¤ i G2;2ii3;Z2 ¢ and H ¤ i G2;2ii4;Z2 ¢ and use these results to give a simple proof of some non-immersion results of Oproui.
Universität Des Saarlandes Fachrichtung 6.1 – Mathematik Numerical Algorithms for Perspective Shape from Shading Numerical Algorithms for Perspective Shape from Shading

The Shape-From-Shading (SFS) problem is a fundamental and classic problem in computer vision. It amounts to compute the 3-D depth of objects in a single given 2-D image. This is done by exploiting information about the illumination and the image brightness. We deal with a recent model for Perspective SFS (PSFS) for Lambertian surfaces. It is defined by a Hamilton-Jacobi equation and complemented by state constraints boundary conditions. In this paper we investigate and compare three state-of-the-art numerical approaches. We begin with a presentation of the methods. Then we discuss the use of some acceleration techniques, including cascading multigrid, for all the tested algorithms. The main goal of our paper is to analyze and compare recent solvers for the PSFS problem proposed in the literature.