Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fabrication, mechanical, thermal, and electrical characterization of epoxy/silica composites for high-voltage insulation

Abstract For improved performance of epoxy, its composites were studied for high-voltage insulation. Epoxy composites may offer several advantages over neat epoxy and ceramic materials. We fabricated nano- and microepoxy/silica composites with 5 wt% nanosilica and 20 wt% microsilica, respectively. The composites and neat epoxy were studied for thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. A thermogravimetric analyzer was used for analyzing wt% loss with temperature. Tensile and hardness tests were performed according to DIN 53504/ASTM D412 and DIN 53505/ASTM D2240 standards, respectively. Electrical properties such as dielectric strength and resistivity were tested according to IEC-60243-1 and ASTM D257/IEC 60093 standards, respectively. Neat epoxy, microcomposite, and nanocomposite showed 50% weight loss at 392°C, 410°C, and 421°C, respectively. At 550°C, nanocomposite remained at 20% of its initial weight whereas neat epoxy and microcomposite remained at 10% of their initial weights. Microcomposite and nanocomposite showed tensile strengths of 65.7 Mpa and 69.3 Mpa, respectively. Enhancements of 8% and 19% in dielectric strength were recorded for microcomposites and nanocomposites, respectively. Nanosilica greatly improved surface and volume resistivity whereas microsilica showed negligible effect on resistivity.
Double Scaling Limit in Random Matrix Models and a Nonlinear Hierarchy of Differential Equations

We study the critical behaviour of a random Hermitian one-matrix model with nonsymmetric interaction at a critical point, in which the eigenvalue density function has a zero of degree 2m, m ≥ 1, inside a cut. We prove that in the generic case, m = 1, the model exhibits a third-order phase transition in temperature. We formulate an ansatz for the double scaling limit of recurrence coefficients, which is consistent with the quasiperiodic asymptotics of recurrence coefficients in the low temperature region, and from this ansatz we derive the Painleve II hierarchy of ordinary differential equations for the recurrence coefficients. In addition, we derive an integral kernel which governs the double scaling limit of correlation functions.
Taxonomic classification of the reef coral family Lobophylliidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia)

For comments on taxonomy, we thank S. D. Cairns, B. W. Hoeksema, and B. R. Rosen. We appreciate the following for assistance with museum loans, cataloguing information, and specimen photographs: T. S. Adrain (SUI), K. S. Chua and S. K. Tan (ZRC), A. J. Baldinger (MCZ), A. Andouche and P. Lozouet (MNHN), C. C. Wallace, B. J. Done, and P. R. Muir (MTQ), J. G. Darrell, K. G. Johnson, N. Santodomingo, and H. Taylor (NHMUK), G. Paulay (UF), W. Y. Licuanan and K. S. Luzon (UP), S. D. Cairns, T. Coffer, and T. C. Walter (USNM), Z. T. Richards (WAM), C. Lueter, K. Loch, and W. Loch (ZMB), and M. V. Sorensen and M. T. Tottrup (ZMUC). We also thank M. L. Berumen (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) for samples from the Red Sea, E. Karsenti (European Molecular Biology Laboratory), E. Bourgois (Tara Oceans Expeditions), and the OCEANS consortium for sampling in Gambier Island and Djibouti during the Tara Oceans Expeditions, A. H. Baird and M. O. Hoogenboom (James Cook University) for specimens from Australia, C. Payri and B. Dreyfus (IRD) for collections in New Caledonia, and the Niugini Biodiversity Expedition and P. Bouchet (MNHN) for specimens from Papua New Guinea, as well as E. Dutrieux (CREOCEAN) and C. H. Chaineau (Total SA) for samples from Yemen. M. Wortel of the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences Petrographic Facilities at the University of Iowa prepared thin sections. Scanning electron microscopy was performed at the University of Iowa Central Microscopy Research Facility, and also at USNM aided by Caitlin Baker. Y. X. Tee helped to verify the references. Funds were provided by the US National Science Foundation Grants DEB-1145043, 1331980, as well as the National University of Singapore Start-up Grant R-154-000-671-133. Data reported here are available as Supporting Information and in the Corallosphere database.
Designing a mobile system for lifelong learning on the move

The Life-long Learning Initiative seeks to fulfil a variety of learning needs for Shanghai citizens. Given the popularity of mobile devices in Shanghai, the ability to provide learning in informal settings through mobile devices is a key objective and challenge of the Initiative. In order to learn how to develop usable learning content for lifelong learners on the move, a set of design principles from both pedagogical and usability concerns was identified. Next, a pilot system, based on the design principles, was developed to implement two prototype lessons. Fivesubjectswererecruitedtotesteachprototypelessonusingaheuristicwalkthroughmethod and a focus group meeting. Users’ feedback showed that both the practical and the micro principles were valued as a method of integrating learning activity into informal settings in their dailylives.Audiowaspreferredaswell. Technicalusabilityconcernswhichareconsistentwith previous web experience were also identified. This research builds new knowledge about design principles for lifelong learning on the move and is a milestone in the development of the future learning resource bank for Shanghai citizens.
Rational imitation for robots: the cost difference model

Infants imitate behaviour flexibly. Depending on the circumstances, they copy both actions and their effects or only reproduce the demonstrator’s intended goals. In view of this selective imitation, infants have been called rational imitators. The ability to selectively and adaptively imitate behaviour would be a beneficial capacity for robots. Indeed, selecting what to imitate is an outstanding unsolved problem in the field of robotic imitation. In this paper, we first present a formalized model of rational imitation suited for robotic applications. Next, we test and demonstrate it using two humanoid robots.
Scalability and satisfiability of quality-of-information in wireless networks

Quality of Information (QoI) provides a context-dependent measure of the utility that a network delivers to its users by incorporating non-traditional information attributes. Quickly and easily predicting performance and limitations of a network using QoI metrics is a valuable tool for network design. Even more useful is an understanding of how network components like topology, bandwidth, protocols, etc. impact these limitations. In this paper, we develop a QoI-based framework that can provide this understanding of limitations and impact by modeling the various contributors to delay in the network, including channel rate and contention, competing traffic flows, and multi-hop propagation effects, and relating them to QoI requirements, especially completeness and timeliness. Analysis shows that large tradeoffs exist between network parameters, such as QoI requirements, topology, and network size. Simulation results also provide evidence that the developed framework can estimate network limits with high accuracy. Finally, this work also introduces scalably feasible QoI regions, which provide upper bounds on QoI requirements that can be supported for certain network applications.
Pattern of Circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains in Sri Lanka

Historically tuberculosis (TB) has been and today it remains the leading cause of mortality in adults due to an infectious agent, and with the increasing prevalence of TB‘s resistance to the drugs of choice the problem posed by TB to public health should not be underestimated. The strain classification or sub typing is important epidemiologically for recognizing outbreaks of infection, detecting the cross transmission of nosocomial pathogens, determining the source of infection, recognizing the particularly virulent strains of organisms and in monitoring vaccination programs (Olive and Bean, 1999). Sub typing has been accomplished by a number of different approaches, and if the method to be successful it has to satisfy several criteria. Mainly all the organisms within a species must be type able by the method used and secondly, it must have high differentiation power and the methodologies should be reproducible (Olive and Bean, 1999).
Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-22 Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in Keratinocytes via Inhibitor of Nuclear Factor κB Kinase-α Expression

Background The pathogenesis of psoriasis may involve the interleukin (IL)-23 and Th17-mediated immune responses. Th17 cells secret IL-17 and IL-22, which mediates dermal inflammation and acanthosis. Objective As inhibitor of nuclear factor κB kinase-α (IKKα) has been previously identified as a primary regulator of keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, we proposed that IL-17 and IL-22 might affect keratinocyte differentiation by changing the expression of IKKα. Methods We employed HaCaT cells maintained culture medium at a low calcium concentration (0.06 mM) and induced differentiation by switching to the high concentration (2.8 mM) media with IL-17 or IL-22, then compared the IKKα expression and the cell cycle. We employed reconstituted human epidermal skin (Neoderm) and mice ears for the in vivo studies. Results Elevated calcium concentration induced IKKα expression and terminal differentiation with cell cycle arrest in HaCaT cell cultures. Moreover, IL-17 and IL-22 treatment also induced IKKα in HaCaT cells and reconstituted human epidermis. IKKα induction was also noted, following the injection of IL-17 and IL-22 into mice ears. Conclusion Although the induction of IKKα was accompanied by keratinocyte differentiation, IL-17 and IL-22 did not affect calcium-mediated differentiation or the cell cycle. Rather, IL-17 and IL-22 appear to contribute to the inflammation occurring via the induction of IKKα from keratinocytes or skin layers.
Interlaboratory comparison of methodologies for the measurement of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine

Urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) is widely used as a marker of oxidative stress. Here we report the comparison of two, distinct chromatographic assays with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The chromatographic assays displayed good agreement (r =:0.89, p < 0.0001), whereas there was markedly worse, albeit still significant, agreement with the ELISA (high-pressure liquid chromatography followed by gas chromatography (HPLC-GC/MS), r = 0.43; HPLC with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC), r = 0.56; p < 0.0001). Mean values differed significantly between the chromatographic assays and the ELISA (HPLC-GC/MS 3.86, HPLC-EC 4.20, ELISA 18.70 ng mg−1 creatinine; p < 0.0001). While it is reassuring to note good agreement between chromatographic assays, this study reveals significant short-comings in the ELISA, which brings into question its continued use in its present form.
Talent Management and Competitive Advantage: The Moderating Effect of Knowledge Integration

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effect of talent management on competitive advantage. The study also aimed at analyzing the role of knowledge integration, as a moderator, in the correlation between talent management and competitive advantage. Data was collected through questionnaires from a sample of 235 employees working in top 10 firms in Jordan. Descriptive statistics, correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Findings showed that competitive advantage was significantly related to talent management and also to knowledge integration. Furthermore, the study revealed that knowledge integration was a significant moderator in the correlation between the talent management and competitive advantage.
Surrogate Antigen Processing Mediated by TAP-dependent Antigenic Peptide Secretion

MHC class I proteins assemble with peptides in the ER. The peptides are predominantly generated from cytoplasmic proteins, probably by the action of the proteasome, a multicatalytic proteinase complex. Peptides are translocated into the ER by the transporters associated with antigen processing (TAP), and bind to the MHC class I molecules before transport to the cell surface. Here, we use a new functional assay to demonstrate that peptides derived from vesicular stomatitis virus nucleoprotein (VSV-N) antigen are actively secreted from cells. This secretion pathway is dependent on the expression of TAP transporters, but is independent of the MHC genotype of the donor cells. Furthermore, the expression and transport of MHC class I molecules is not required. This novel pathway is sensitive to the protein secretion inhibitors brefeldin A (BFA) and a temperature block at 21°C, and is also inhibited by the metabolic poison, azide, and the protein synthesis inhibitor, emetine. These data support the existence of a novel form of peptide secretion that uses the TAP transporters, as opposed to the ER translocon, to gain access to the secretion pathway. Finally, we suggest that this release of peptides in the vicinity of uninfected cells, which we term surrogate antigen processing, could contribute to various immune and secretory phenomena.
Genotype MTBDR plus assay for molecular detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

AIM This study was performed for the rapid identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and its resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid, directly from the sputum samples of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A commercially available genotype MTBDR plus assay was used for the identification and detection of mutations in Mycobacterial isolates. A total of 100 sputum samples of pulmonary tuberculosis patients were analyzed by using the genotype MTBDR plus assay. The MTBDR plus assay is designed to detect the mutations in the hotspot region of rpoB gene, katG and regulatory region of inhA gene. RESULTS The genotype MTBDR plus assay detected 22% multidrug resistant (MDR), 2% rifampicin (RMP) monoresistant and 1% isoniazid (INH) monoresistant isolates. In 22 MDR isolates, the codons most frequently involved in RMP-associated mutations were codon 531 (54.55%), 516 (31.82%) and 526 (13.63%), and 90.90% of MDR isolates showed KatG S315T mutations and 9.1% showed inhA C-15T mutations associated with INH resistance. CONCLUSION The new genotype MTBDR plus assay represents a rapid, reliable tool for the detection of MDR-TB, wherein results are obtained in 5 h allowing early and appropriate treatment, which is essential to cut the transmission path and reduce the spread of MDR-TB. The genotype MTBDR plus assay can readily be included in a routine laboratory work for the early diagnosis and control of MDR-TB.
FRICTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LUBRICANTS FORMULATED WITH NON-CONVENTIONAL BASE STOCKS

Use of high-quality basestocks is increasing to produce high-performance lubricants. However, their tribological characteristics have not been understood clearly yet. In this study, a newly developed basestock from a fuel hydrocracker and a poly-alpha-olefin are selected and investigated on the properties of lubricants formulated with them. The Lubricants are prepared by blending the basestocks with typical additives such as a zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, a dispersant, a detergent and a dispersant-inhibitor package. Frictional and wear-preventing properties are investigated using an oscillating-type wear-testing machine. The contact is a ball-on-disk mode and the testing temperature is varied from room temperature to 200$^{\circ}$C. The results show that their frictional property is varied significantly and that the non-conventional oils result in lower friction and lower wear compared with conventional lubricants, especially at the higher temperatures.
Stochastic modelling of non Markovian Dynamics in Biochemical Reactions

Biochemical reactions are often modelled as discrete-state continuous- time stochastic processes evolving as memoryless Markov processes. However, in some cases, biochemical systems exhibit non-Markovian dynamics. We propose a methodology for building stochastic simulation algorithms which model accu- rately non-Markovian processes in some specific situations. Our methodology is based on and implemented in Concurrent Constraint Programming (CCP). Our technique allows us to randomly sample waiting times from probability density functions (PDFs) not necessarily distributed according to a negative exponen- tial function. In this context, we discuss an important case-study in which the PDF for waiting times is inferred from single-molecule experiments. We show that, by relying on our methodology, it is possible to obtain accurate models of enzymatic reactions that, in specific cases, fit experimental data better than the corresponding markovian models.
Structural Changes in Bacteriorhodopsin in Purple Membranes Induced by Irreversible Photobleaching with Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Stability

Kinetic studies of irreversible photobleaching of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) in purple membrane (PM) at neutral pH have previously indicated the existence of two kinds of species which differ in their structural stability. bR was shown to have kinetically slow‐ and fast‐decayed components with the faster one increasing with changes in intra‐ and intermolecular structures in darkness. However, our recent work reported that photobleaching kinetics above pH 10 were characterized by a single‐decay component. In order to elucidate the factors responsible for the heterogeneous or homogeneous stability of photobleaching, we conducted investigations into the structural changes in bR in PM induced by photobleaching at pH 7 and 11 by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. ATR‐FTIR spectra of bR photobleached at pH 7 and 11 showed that an increase in IR peak intensity at 1656 cm−1 occurred simultaneously with decreases at 1666 cm−1, indicating an αII‐to‐αI transition in transmembrane helices during photobleaching. The most significant change in IR spectra occurred at 1626 cm−1 for samples photobleached at pH 7, and was attributed to structures formed between adjacent molecules. The origin of the heterogeneity of photobleaching is discussed on the basis of structural characteristics found in the bleached membranes.
Nuclear Factor-&kgr;B Activation Contributes to Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction via Oxidative Stress in Overweight/Obese Middle-Aged and Older Humans

Background— We tested the hypothesis that nuclear factor-&kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B) activity contributes to vascular endothelial dysfunction with aging and obesity in humans. Methods and Results— We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 14 nondiabetic overweight or obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) middle-aged and older (age 52 to 68 years) adults. Salsalate (nonacetylated salicylate, 4500 mg/d), a compound that inhibits NF-&kgr;B activity, or placebo was administered for 4-day periods. Plasma salicylate concentrations reached the midtherapeutic range (21.8±1.1 mg/100 mL, P≤0.0001 versus placebo) by day 4 of salsalate treatment. Salsalate increased expression of the inhibitor of NF-&kgr;B and reduced total and nuclear expression of NF-&kgr;B in endothelial cells obtained from the subjects (all P<0.05). Salsalate increased brachial artery flow-mediated dilation by 74% (from 4.0±0.4% to 6.6±0.5%, P<0.001) but did not affect endothelium-independent dilation (P=0.83). The change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation with salsalate was inversely related to baseline flow-mediated dilation (r=−0.77, P<0.01). Infusion of vitamin C increased brachial artery flow-mediated dilation during placebo (P<0.001) but not after salsalate (P=0.23). Salsalate reduced nitrotyrosine (P=0.06) and expression of NADPH oxidase p47phox (P<0.05) in endothelial cells obtained from the subjects but did not influence circulating or endothelial cell inflammatory proteins. Conclusions— Our findings provide the first direct evidence that NF-&kgr;B, in part via stimulation of oxidative stress, plays an important role in mediating vascular endothelial dysfunction in overweight and obese middle-aged and older humans.
Many sparse cuts via higher eigenvalues

Cheeger's fundamental inequality states that any edge-weighted graph has a vertex subset S such that its expansion (a.k.a. conductance) is bounded as follows: [ φ(S) def= (w(S,bar{S}))/(min set(w(S), w(bar(S)))) ≤ √(2 λ2) ] where w is the total edge weight of a subset or a cut and λ2 is the second smallest eigenvalue of the normalized Laplacian of the graph. Here we prove the following natural generalization: for any integer k ∈ [n], there exist ck disjoint subsets S1, . , Sck, such that [ maxi φ(Si) ≤ C √(λk log k) ] where λk is the kth smallest eigenvalue of the normalized Laplacian and c<1,C>0 are suitable absolute constants. Our proof is via a polynomial-time algorithm to find such subsets, consisting of a spectral projection and a randomized rounding. As a consequence, we get the same upper bound for the small set expansion problem, namely for any k, there is a subset S whose weight is at most a O(1/k) fraction of the total weight and φ(S) ≤ C √(λk log k). Both results are the best possible up to constant factors. The underlying algorithmic problem, namely finding k subsets such that the maximum expansion is minimized, besides extending sparse cuts to more than one subset, appears to be a natural clustering problem in its own right.
Microstructured materials for biological and medical application

We create photonic crystal optical fiber having the photonic band gap in visible range of spectrum. This fiber consists of concentric layers of air holes of variable diameter with hollow cores. We carried out researches of their spectra of transmission. We display influence of geometrical parameters of structure on size of the photonic band gap and its arrangement in a visible range of wavelength. It is established, that variations of geometrical structure of fiber allow operating size of the photonic band gap that gives unlimited opportunities guides of light.
Proximal Neuropathic Lesions in Distal Symmetric Diabetic Polyneuropathy

OBJECTIVE This study investigated high-resolution magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) in distal symmetric diabetic polyneuropathy (dPNP). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS MRN comprised high-resolution transaxial imaging of peripheral nerves of the lower limbs in 20 patients with type 2 diabetes (10 with dPNP, type 2/dPNP[+], and 10 without dPNP, type 2/dPNP[−]), seven patients with type 1 diabetes (two with dPNP, type 1/dPNP[+], five without dPNP, type 1/dPNP[−]), and 10 nondiabetic control subjects. Intraneural T2 lesions, as the main diagnostic criterion of MRN, were detected visually by two independent observers and quantitatively by analysis of T2 contrast ratios. RESULTS Multifocal fascicular, symmetric intraneural T2 lesions occurred in the proximal trunks of sciatic nerves in four patients (three with type 2/dPNP[+] and one with type 1/dPNP[+]) but not in control subjects (type 2/dPNP[−], type 1/dPNP[−], nondiabetic control subjects), which was confirmed by quantitative analysis. Clinical severity was higher in patients with T2 lesions (neuropathy deficit score: 10 vs. 7.8; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS For the first time, proximal neuropathic lesions of dPNP are reported in vivo. This supports that accumulation of proximal, multifocal fascicular injury may be important in disease progression.