Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE MECHANICS OF HUMAN BRAIN TISSUE

Slow, large deformations of human brain tissue-accompanying cranial vault deformation induced by positional plagiocephaly, occurring during hy-drocephalus, and in the convolutional development-has surprisingly received scarce mechanical investigation. Since the effects of these deformations may be important, we performed a systematic series of in vitro experiments on human brain tissue, revealing the following features: • under uniaxial (quasi-static), cyclic loading, brain tissue exhibits a peculiar nonlinear mechanical behaviour, exhibiting hysteresis, Mullins effect and residual strain, qualitatively similar to that observed in filled elas-tomers. As a consequence, the loading and unloading uniaxial curves have been found to follow the Ogden nonlinear elastic theory of rubber (and its variants to include Mullins effect and permanent strain); • loaded up to failure, the " shape " of the stress/strain curve qualitatively changes, evidencing softening related to local failure; • uniaxial (quasi-static) strain experiments under controlled drainage conditions provide the first direct evidence that the tissue obeys consolidation theory involving fluid migration, with properties similar to fine soils, but having much smaller volumetric compressibility; • our experimental findings also support the existence of a viscous component of the solid phase deformation. Brain tissue should, therefore, be modelled as a porous, fluid-saturated, nonlinear solid with very small volumetric (drained) compressibility. 3 Sommario In patologie quali la plagiocefalia, l'idrocefalo o durante lo sviluppo fetale delle circonvoluzioni, il tessuto cerebrale risulta soggetto a pressioni di notev-ole entità e di conseguenza a grandi deformazioni che si sviluppano lentamente nel tempo. Finora lo studio meccanico di tali deformazionì e stato piuttosto trascurato, ma tenuto conto che i loro effetti possono essere di rilevante impor-tanza, sì e deciso di eseguire una campagna sperimentale in vitro su campioni di tessuto cerebrale umano. Tali esperimenti hanno permesso di mettere in evidenza le seguenti carat-teristiche: • quando sottoposto a carichi ciclici uniassiali (quasi-statici) il tessuto cerebrale presenta un comportamento non lineare, isteretico, eviden-ziando un effetto Mullins e una deformazione permanente, qualitativa-mente simile a quello che si osserva nei polimeri rinforzati. Sì e pertanto trovato che le curve di carico e scarico seguono la teoria elastica di Og-den per le gomme (e le relative variazioni che tengono conto dell'effetto Mullins e della deformazione permanente); • una volta che il campione viene caricato fino a rottura, la forma della curva di tensione/deformazione cambia qualitativamente, mettendo in evidenza il softening relativo alla rottura locale; • gli esperimenti a deformazione uniassiale (quasi-statica) a drenaggio con
Agreement between the ‘point of care’ tests for microalbuminuria and HbA1c performed in mexican family medicine units and the results of standard laboratory tests

Abstract The albumin-creatinine ratio is considered an indicator of microalbuminuria, precursor to chronic kidney disease, while HbA1c is used to measure glycemic control. Given the prevalence of diabetes-related nephropathy, spot testing of albumin has long been recommended as a preventative measure, for the timely detection of microalbuminuria. However, many countries do not have this testing available in primary care, and sometimes not even in second- and third-level care. The objective of this study was to compare agreement of the microalbuminuria and HbA1c results obtained in the laboratory with ‘gold standard’ techniques, with those obtained on site with a ‘Point of Care’ DCA Vantage™ device by Siemens. Results for the albumin–creatinine ratio and HbA1c from the Siemens DCA Vantage™ point of care device were compared with those from standard laboratory tests in 25 family medicine units in Mexico City and Toluca, State of Mexico, in patients diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Agreement between the albumin values of the 2 tests was 0.745 (CI 95% 0.655–0.812). Agreement between the two measurement techniques for HbA1c was 0.970 (CI 95% 0.966–0.973). The results obtained were sufficiently comparative (Ri= 0.74 for albumin-creatinine ratio and Ri = 0.97 for HbA1c) to justify the use of the point of care device. Given the high agreement between the point of care device and laboratory tests, this device could be used to identify chronic kidney disease and glycemic control for more adequate treatment in patients with diabetes, especially in remote areas.
Crust formation in drying colloidal suspensions

During the drying of colloidal suspensions, the desiccation process causes the suspension near the air interface to consolidate into a connected porous matrix or crust. Fluid transport in the porous medium is governed by Darcy’s law and the equations of poroelasticity, while the equations of colloid physics govern processes in the suspension. We derive new equations describing this process, including unique boundary conditions coupling the two regions, yielding a moving-boundary model of the concentration and stress profiles during drying. A solution is found for the steady-state growth of a one-dimensional crust during constant evaporation rate from the surface. The solution is used to demonstrate the importance of the system boundary conditions on stress profiles and diffusivity in a drying crust.
Performance Analysis for Channel Estimation With 1-Bit ADC and Unknown Quantization Threshold

In this work, the problem of signal parameter estimation from measurements acquired by a low-complexity analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 1-bit output resolution and an unknown quantization threshold is considered. Single-comparator ADCs are energy-efficient and can be operated at ultrahigh sampling rates. For analysis of such systems, a fixed and known quantization threshold is usually assumed. In the symmetric case, i.e., zero hard-limiting offset, it is known that in the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime the signal processing performance degrades moderately by <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${2}/{\pi }$</tex-math></inline-formula> (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$-\text{1.96}$</tex-math></inline-formula> dB) when comparing to an ideal <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula>-bit converter. Due to hardware imperfections, low-complexity 1-bit ADCs will, in practice, exhibit an unknown threshold different from zero. Therefore, we study the accuracy that can be obtained with received data processed by a hard-limiter with unknown quantization level by using asymptotically optimal channel estimation algorithms. To characterize the estimation performance of these nonlinear algorithms, we employ analytic error expressions for different setups while modeling the offset as a nuisance parameter. In the low SNR regime, we establish the necessary condition for a vanishing loss due to missing offset knowledge at the receiver. As an application, we consider the estimation of single-input single-output wireless channels with intersymbol interference and validate our analysis by comparing the analytic and experimental performance of the studied estimation algorithms. Finally, we comment on the extension to multiple-input multiple-output channel models.
Investigation on permeability and moisture management properties of different denim fabrics after repeated laundering

The physiological comfort determined by air permeability and moisture management properties of fabrics is influenced by various constructional parameters of the fabric which give woven fabric a porous structure. Evaporation of sweat during wear has the potential to cool the body besides restricting the additional weight of sweat being absorbed by the fabric. In this study, comfort characteristics of denim fabrics with different weft yarn of cotton, polyester and core spun Lycra have been discussed. Effect of enzyme washing and repeated laundering on air permeability, moisture management and drying rate has also been discussed. It was observed that air permeability and water vapour permeability of unwashed denim fabrics with cotton weft yarn are significantly higher than the fabric with polyester and Lycra cotton weft yarns. The wetting time is higher for cotton and Lycra cotton yarn fabrics. One-way transport index is highest for Lycra cotton weft fabrics and lowest for fabrics with polyester weft. Fabrics with polyester weft yarns show highest spreading rate, spreading radius and drying rate due to better wicking and hydrophobic nature of polyester fibres.
Transplantation of Autologous Adipose Stem Cells Lacks Therapeutic Efficacy in the Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model

Multiple sclerosis (MS), characterized by chronic inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage, is a complicated neurological disease of the human central nervous system. Recent interest in adipose stromal/stem cell (ASCs) for the treatment of CNS diseases has promoted further investigation in order to identify the most suitable ASCs. To investigate whether MS affects the biologic properties of ASCs and whether autologous ASCs from MS-affected sources could serve as an effective source for stem cell therapy, cells were isolated from subcutaneous inguinal fat pads of mice with established experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS. ASCs from EAE mice and their syngeneic wild-type mice were cultured, expanded, and characterized for their cell morphology, surface antigen expression, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, colony forming units, and inflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels in vitro. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of the cells was assessed in vivo by transplantation into EAE mice. The results indicated that the ASCs from EAE mice displayed a normal phenotype, typical MSC surface antigen expression, and in vitro osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity, while their osteogenic differentiation capacity was reduced in comparison with their unafflicted control mice. The ASCs from EAE mice also demonstrated increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, specifically an elevation in the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and keratin chemoattractant. In vivo, infusion of wild type ASCs significantly ameliorate the disease course, autoimmune mediated demyelination and cell infiltration through the regulation of the inflammatory responses, however, mice treated with autologous ASCs showed no therapeutic improvement on the disease progression.
Significant Improvement in Mechanical Performance for Grid-Stiffened Polymer Composites

This work studies the static mechanical properties of grid stiffened polymer composites. This developed composite is expected to have an ultra-higher mechanical performance than traditional composite structures. Static mechanical measurements show that the combination of gridding reinforcement and epoxy polymer (Diglycidyl 4,5-epoxy cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate) helps the advanced composite to possess extremely high mechanical properties, such as resistive properties in axial pressure (more than 160% improvement) and external pressure (more than 102% improvement) for comparison. Subsequently, the effects of wetting angle of reinforcement, quantity of gridding reinforcement, and type of grid on the mechanical properties of the advanced polymer composites have been studied and analyzed. Finally, the finite element model (FEM) method is employed to substantiate these experimental results. The FEM simulation results are in such great agreement with the experimental results that the standard deviations between them are strictly limited to 15%. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the FEM technology is an effective approach for predicting and optimizing structure design, as well as the mechanical behaviors.
LI, ANG. Aligned Carbon Nanotube Sheet Piezoresistive Strain Sensors. (Under the direction of Dr. Philip Bradford). With the application of advanced composites rapidly increasing into the aerospace and transportation industries, real time structural health monitoring (SHM) systems are attracting gre

LI, ANG. Aligned Carbon Nanotube Sheet Piezoresistive Strain Sensors. (Under the direction of Dr. Philip Bradford). With the application of advanced composites rapidly increasing into the aerospace and transportation industries, real time structural health monitoring (SHM) systems are attracting great attention in the composites research community. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a unique set of properties that may be used for the production of a new generation strain/damage sensing materials. This research is going to introduce a novel CNT ensemble based strain sensor. The CNT sheet strain sensors were made with aligned CNT sheets and fiberglass/epoxy prepregs in a very convenient and efficient way. To evaluate the piezoresistive performance of the sensors, various types of mechanical tests were conducted with real-time electrical data acquisition. Specimens with orthogonal CNTs orientations were tested independently to investigate the influence of CNT orientation on piezoresistive behavior. The working mechanisms during mechanical straining were also discussed accordingly. Generally, the tested sensors were found to exhibit fairly good sensing stability, linearity, sensitivity and repeatability at a useful functional strain range, which is favorable for health monitoring of advanced composite material structures. It was also demonstrated that the CNT orientations have great effect on the sensitivity of sensors, leading to other promising applications such as directional strain/stress monitoring. Finally, a pre-straining process was intentionally applied, which enhanced the linearity and long-term dynamic stability of the piezoresistive sensing performance. © Copyright 2014 by Ang Li All Rights Reserved Aligned Carbon Nanotube Sheet Piezoresistive Strain Sensors
Maternal Prenatal Mental Health and Placental 11β-HSD2 Gene Expression: Initial Findings from the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study

High intrauterine cortisol exposure can inhibit fetal growth and have programming effects for the child’s subsequent stress reactivity. Placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD2) limits the amount of maternal cortisol transferred to the fetus. However, the relationship between maternal psychopathology and 11β-HSD2 remains poorly defined. This study examined the effect of maternal depressive disorder, antidepressant use and symptoms of depression and anxiety in pregnancy on placental 11β-HSD2 gene (HSD11B2) expression. Drawing on data from the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study, placental HSD11B2 expression was compared among 33 pregnant women, who were selected based on membership of three groups; depressed (untreated), taking antidepressants and controls. Furthermore, associations between placental HSD11B2 and scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during 12–18 and 28–34 weeks gestation were examined. Findings revealed negative correlations between HSD11B2 and both the EPDS and STAI (r = −0.11 to −0.28), with associations being particularly prominent during late gestation. Depressed and antidepressant exposed groups also displayed markedly lower placental HSD11B2 expression levels than controls. These findings suggest that maternal depression and anxiety may impact on fetal programming by down-regulating HSD11B2, and antidepressant treatment alone is unlikely to protect against this effect.
Day-Ahead Hourly Forecasting of Power Generation From Photovoltaic Plants

The ability to accurately forecast power generation from renewable sources is nowadays recognized as a fundamental skill to improve the operation of power systems. Despite the general interest of the power community in this topic, it is not always simple to compare different forecasting methodologies, and infer the impact of single components in providing accurate predictions. In this paper, we extensively compare simple forecasting methodologies with more sophisticated ones over 32 photovoltaic (PV) plants of different sizes and technology over a whole year. Also, we try to evaluate the impact of weather conditions and weather forecasts on the prediction of PV power generation.
Hippocampal Ripple Oscillations and Inhibition-First Network Models: Frequency Dynamics and Response to GABA Modulators

Hippocampal ripples are involved in memory consolidation, but the mechanisms underlying their generation remain unclear. Models relying on interneuron networks in the CA1 region disagree on the predominant source of excitation to interneurons: either “direct,” via the Schaffer collaterals that provide feedforward input from CA3 to CA1, or “indirect,” via the local pyramidal cells in CA1, which are embedded in a recurrent excitatory-inhibitory network. Here, we used physiologically constrained computational models of basket-cell networks to investigate how they respond to different conditions of transient, noisy excitation. We found that direct excitation of interneurons could evoke ripples (140–220 Hz) that exhibited intraripple frequency accommodation and were frequency-insensitive to GABA modulators, as previously shown in in vitro experiments. In addition, the indirect excitation of the basket-cell network enabled the expression of intraripple frequency accommodation in the fast-gamma range (90–140 Hz), as in vivo. In our model, intraripple frequency accommodation results from a hysteresis phenomenon in which the frequency responds differentially to the rising and descending phases of the transient excitation. Such a phenomenon predicts a maximum oscillation frequency occurring several milliseconds before the peak of excitation. We confirmed this prediction for ripples in brain slices from male mice. These results suggest that ripple and fast-gamma episodes are produced by the same interneuron network that is recruited via different excitatory input pathways, which could be supported by the previously reported intralaminar connectivity bias between basket cells and functionally distinct subpopulations of pyramidal cells in CA1. Together, our findings unify competing inhibition-first models of rhythm generation in the hippocampus. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The hippocampus is a part of the brain of humans and other mammals that is critical for the acquisition and consolidation of memories. During deep sleep and resting periods, the hippocampus generates high-frequency (∼200 Hz) oscillations called ripples, which are important for memory consolidation. The mechanisms underlying ripple generation are not well understood. A prominent hypothesis holds that the ripples are generated by local recurrent networks of inhibitory neurons. Using computational models and experiments in brain slices from rodents, we show that the dynamics of interneuron networks clarify several previously unexplained characteristics of ripple oscillations, which advances our understanding of hippocampus-dependent memory consolidation.
Development of Design Criteria for RC Interior Beam-Column Joints

Synopsis: A series of research efforts, at the University of Tokyo, leading to the development of earthquake resistant design criteria for reinforced concrete interior beam-column joints are briefly summarized. The design criteria emphasize the protection of the joint to an acceptable deformation level of a frame structure during an intense earthquake. For the design against shear, shear resisting mechanism by truss and concrete compression strut, the role of joint lateral reinforcement, and the effect of transverse beams and slabs were studied experimentally. The requirement for beam bar bond was discussed on the basis of nonlinear earthquake response analysis.
Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory activity and melanogenesis inhibition of Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. extracts

Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. belongs to Moraceae family and is endemic to Western Ghats and Kerala in India. This species is found to be effective in traditional medicine for the treatment of ulcer, diarrhea and pimples. However, extensive biological evaluation on each component of this specific species rarely appears in the literature which restricts its applicability as medicinal herb. The leaf, bark and wood of Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. were separately extracted with hot ethanol. The wood extract was further fractionated to isolate major active molecule whose structure was determined from its NMR spectra and LCMS analysis. All the extracts of A. hirsutus Lam. were then studied in vitro to evaluate their potential on tyrosinase inhibition, free radical scavenging activity by 1,1-Diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Furthermore, their effects on melanogenesis inhibition were also evaluated by using murine melanoma cells. Activity guided fractionation of wood extract yielded a pure molecule that was characterized as oxyresveratrol. It was observed that antioxidant activity was higher in wood extract compared to the leaf and bark extracts. Isolated pure oxyresveratrol exhibited a significant antioxidant potential with ORAC value of 36,653±2570 μmol Trolox equivalent/g and having an IC50 of 4.3 μg/mL for DPPH free radical scavenging activity. This molecule was found to be effective for the tyrosinase inhibition with an IC50 of 0.1 μg/mL and melanogenesis inhibition in cultured melanoma cells by 44.62% at 0.2 μg/mL. Oxyresveratrol also exhibited significant inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion from J774A1 murine macrophage cell lines. This study provides substantial evidence for the presence of oxyresveratrol in the wood of A. hirsutus Lam. with promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin lightening property.
A Technique for Measuring Fibril Angle Using Polarized Light

Polarized-light microscopy has been used to measure the fibril angle of plant cell walls. To do this the polarized light must pass through only a single cell wall of a wood fiber. A simplified method has been developed to produce microscope slides of half-fibers (fibers cut in half longitudinally) by maceration of microtomed wood sections. There are certain important variations from the standard methods in mounting the half-fibers on the slides.