Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advancement in Ultrasonic Vibration and Magnetic Field Assisted Micro-EDM Process: An Overview

Micro-machining of components has been emerged as a peak demand in the world of micro-manufacturing. Micro-EDM is proved to be the most suitable for micro drilling purposes. It is very essential to fabricate micro holes as well as features with very high dimensional accuracy and precision. The major drawbacks in micro-EDM processes are the low metal removal, tool wear and surface roughness. Researchers have carried out several investigations to compensate the various machining problems in the micro EDM process. So, there evolves a need for development of more sophisticated machining features in micro-EDM process combining with additional techniques. This paper presents a brief review on the latest advancement in ultrasonic vibration and magnetic field assisted techniques to improve machining efficiency and surface qualities of machined features in micro-EDM process. Latest industrial applications of micro EDM have been presented.
Preprocessing for Iterative ML-Detection in Frequency-Selective MIMO Channels

We investigate the use of the minimum mean-squared- error decision-feedback-equalizer (MMSE-DFE) as a preprocessor to reduce the computational complexity of symbol detection in frequency-selective multiple- input multiple-output (MIMO) channels. The preprocessor delays and focuses the received signal energy which reduces the effects of inter-symbol- interference and multiple-access-interference. This property of the MMSE-DFE preprocessor is exploited to order and to reduce the number of symbol candidates considered by an iterative maximum- likelihood (ML) detector. Simulations show that the proposed detection scheme can achieve lower bit- error-rates than existing reduced-complexity algorithms in overdetermined and underdetermined receive scenarios. Near-optimum performance is achieved when the number of symbol candidates is increased.
The effect of pH on the LCST of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAAm-co-AAc)) hydrogels are synthesized by irradiating the aqueous solutions of NIPAAm and NIPAAm/AAc with 60Co γ-ray. The effects of pH on the swelling ratio and on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) are studied by determining the dependence of swelling ratio on temperature in different pH butter solutions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is applied in determination of the LCST of the hydrogels. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry is used in the comparison of hydrogels swelled in various pH conditions. As a result, PNIPAAm was found to be a pH-sensitive hydrogel and the LCST of the PNIPAAm and P(NIPAAm-co-AAc) hydrogels are influenced by pH.
Species-Specific Plasmid Sequences for PCR Identification of the Three Species of Borrelia burgdorferiSensu Lato Involved in Lyme Disease

ABSTRACT Species-specific sequences were shown to be carried by plasmids of the three main species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato involved in Lyme disease. Libraries of the 16-, 33-, and 25-kb plasmids of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia afzelii, respectively, were then built and used to isolate species-specific sequences. After sequencing of the cloned inserts, three sets of primers were designed. They were shown to determine species-specific PCR amplification products. The sensitivities of the PCR assay with these primers were 100 spirochetes for B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and 1,000 spirochetes for B. garinii and B. afzelii. The usefulness of these primers for the identification of species in biological samples (tick, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid samples) was ascertained.
A comparative numerical study of a geosynthetic-reinforced soil wall using three different constitutive soil models

In this paper, three different soil constitutive models for granular soils were implemented in the numerical simulation of a full-scale reinforced soil segmental wall in order to predict the wall response during construction. The soil constitutive models in the order of complexity are: linear elastic-perfectly plastic Mohr-Coulomb, Duncan-Chang hyperbolic, and a nonlinear elastic-plastic hardening model. The latter, which can be regarded as a modified version of the Mohr-Coulomb model, captures the nonlinear stress-dependent soil response. The nonlinear model can consider soil dilative behavior. In this regard, it keeps the simplicity in the formulation together with the accuracy in the prediction of soil response. By comparing the results, in general, there is good and acceptable accordance between numerical simulations and field measurements. It is seen that using a simple soil model can acceptably predict the performance of reinforced walls. However, the disadvantage relates to poorness in the prediction of wall facing displacement, which is sensitive to proper consideration of deformation parameters in a soil model. The accuracy of the prediction can be augmented by adopting reasonable functions for elastic (stiffness) and plastic (dilatancy) parameters with respect to the stress condition within the soil backfill. Keywords– Soil constitutive models, reinforced soil wall, response prediction, numerical analysis, geosynthetic reinforcements, soil dilatancy
Accurate Eigenvalues and SVDs of Totally Nonnegative Matrices

We consider the class of totally nonnegative (TN) matrices---matrices all of whose minors are nonnegative. Any nonsingular TN matrix factors as a product of nonnegative bidiagonal matrices. The entries of the bidiagonal factors parameterize the set of nonsingular TN matrices. We present new O(n3) algorithms that, given the bidiagonal factors of a nonsingular TN matrix, compute its eigenvalues and SVD to high relative accuracy in floating point arithmetic, independent of the conventional condition number. All eigenvalues are guaranteed to be computed to high relative accuracy despite arbitrary nonnormality in the TN matrix. We prove that the entries of the bidiagonal factors of a TN matrix determine its eigenvalues and SVD to high relative accuracy. We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for computing the entries of the bidiagonal factors of a TN matrix to high relative accuracy, given the matrix entries. In particular, our algorithms compute all eigenvalues and the SVD of TN Cauchy, Vandermonde, Cauchy--Vandermonde, and generalized Vandermonde matrices to high relative accuracy.
Ilipinar: The faunal remains from the late Neolithic and early Chalcolithic levels

Le site d’Ilipinar sur le bord ouest du lac d’Iznik dans le Nord-Ouest de l’Anatolie offre un apercu de l’evolution d’une region situee entre l’Anatolie et les Balkans et ainsi de la diffusion de la neolithisation. Le materiel date de la fin du VIIe millenaire au milieu du VIe millenaire av. J.-C. Aussi bien les vestiges culturels que les restes fauniques illustrent le modele interessant d’une occupation pionniere apportant les innovations neolithiques (les animaux domestiques, les plantes, la ceramique) typiques de la zone du centre de l’Anatolie centrale et du developpement des potentialites locales. Ce developpement est clairement visible dans les variations de la composition de l’ensemble faunique a travers les couches. La composition faunique montre d’abord un ensemble en relation avec une origine anatolienne, puis une exploitation des zones forestieres locales, enfin une situation de pâturages ouverts. Les rapports des occupants du site dans un contexte plus etendu, au niveau regional, ne sont pas connus. Le developpement culturel, en ce qui concerne la ceramique en particulier, montre une relation nette avec la region de la Thrace et de la Bulgarie mais les vestiges de faune des sites autour de la mer de Marmara semblent indiquer un modele et des choix d’exploitation relativement locaux.
Pulmonary ventilation as an index of energy expenditure.

1. If, over a considerable range of human activity, it is possible to predict energy expenditure by measurement of ventilation alone, then field surveys can be considerably simplified by reduction of laboratory work; elimination of most of the gas analyses allows more subjects to be studied. 2. Analysis of the results from two field surveys shows that this method of prediction can be utilized with very little increase in error. 3. For each subject in these two surveys a regression line was drawn through the origin using 6 points of determined rates of ventilation and of energy expenditure to calculate the regression coefficient; these rates were reasonably far from zero, e.g. at about 7-8 kcal. /min. 4. Subsequently, prediction of energy output from ventilation alone, using these regression lines, gave an additional error of only about 5 per cent. 5. This technique is not valid when ventilation is low or high and should be restricted to the range of 15-50 1. /min. 6. The application of this procedure in field studies of energy expenditure is discussed.
Mechanisms in Neutrophil Priming: Characterization of the Oxidative Response Induced by Formylmethionyl‐Leucyl‐Phenylalanine in Human Exudated Cells

Exudate human polymorphonuclear neutrophils were isolated and investigated regarding oxidative responsiveness and priming ability. The exudate neutrophils were found to produce an increased amount of O2‐ and H2O2 when stimulated with formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP). i.e. these cells were metabolically primed. Cytochalasin B (cyl B) pretreatment affected the production of O2‐ by exudate cells, although to a lesser extent than the production by peripheral blood cells, in which a substantial increase was induced. Addition of N‐ethylmaleimide (NEM) to activated exudate and peripheral blood cells revealed no difference in oxidase in activation rate. To induce further priming, the cells were incubated in vitro with a synthetic diacylglycerol (sn‐1,2‐didecanoylglycerol: diC10), or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Results of this procedure showed significant differences between exudate and peripheral blood neutrophils: the peripheral cells expressed a primed response, which was measured as increased fMLP‐induced O2‐ production following incubation with both these substance: where a the metabolic activity of exudated cells was not affected by diC10 but was significantly primed by ionomycin (P<0.01). The exact route for diacylglycerol priming is unknown. However, our results with human neutrophils primed during exudation indicate an exhausted diC10‐priming pathway, with a retained sensitivity for priming [Ca2+]i rises.
Polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders

Polyglutamine (PolyQ)-related diseases are dominant late-onset genetic disorders that are manifested by progressive neurodegeneration, leading to behavioral and physical impairments. An increased body of evidence suggests that chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation are involved in disease pathology. PolyQ diseases often display an aberrant transcriptional regulation due to the disrupted function of histone-modifying complexes and altered interactions of the polyQ-extended proteins with chromatin-related factors. In this review we describe recent findings relating to the role of chromatin in polyQ diseases. We discuss the involvement of epigenetic-related factors and chromatin structure in genomic instability of CAG repeats; we describe changes in the expression and regulation of chromatin-related enzymes and in the levels and patterns of histone modifications in disease state; we illustrate the potential beneficial effects of different histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors for the treatment of polyQ diseases, and we end by describing the potential use of human pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated derivatives for modeling polyQ diseases in vitro. Taken together, these accumulating studies strongly suggest that disrupted chromatin regulation may be directly involved with the pathophysiology of polyQ-related diseases.
CXCR3 deficiency enhances tumor progression by promoting macrophage M2 polarization in a murine breast cancer model

Tumor associated macrophages play a vital role in determining the outcome of breast cancer. We investigated the contribution of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 to antitumor immune responses using a cxcr3 deficient mouse orthotopically injected with a PyMT breast cancer cell line. We observed that cxcr3 deficient mice displayed increased IL‐4 production and M2 polarization in the tumors and spleens compared to WT mice injected with PyMT cells. This was accompanied by larger tumor development in cxcr3−/− than in WT mice. Further, tumor‐promoting myeloid derived immune cell populations accumulated in higher proportions in the spleens of cxcr3 deficient mice. Interestingly, cxcr3−/− macrophages displayed a deficiency in up‐regulating inducible nitric oxide synthase after stimulation by either IFN‐γ or PyMT supernatants. Stimulation of bone marrow derived macrophages by PyMT supernatants also resulted in greater induction of arginase‐1 in cxcr3−/− than WT mice. Further, cxcr3−/− T cells activated with CD3/CD28 in vitro produced greater amounts of IL‐4 and IL‐10 than T cells from WT mice. Our data suggests that a greater predisposition of cxcr3 deficient macrophages towards M2 polarization contributes to an enhanced tumor promoting environment in cxcr3 deficient mice. Although CXCR3 is known to be expressed on some macrophages, this is the first report that demonstrates a role for CXCR3 in macrophage polarization and subsequent breast tumor outcomes. Targeting CXCR3 could be a potential therapeutic approach in the management of breast cancer tumors.
An empirical study on Chinese adolescents' web search behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the web search behavior of adolescents from a Chinese secondary school and the factors affecting this behavior. Design/methodology/approach – A controlled experiment was conducted to collect data on adolescents’ background and their web search behavior. A total of 48 students were asked to perform three different search tasks on the internet within a limited time, and were then interviewed by researchers. Findings – The results revealed three characteristics of Chinese adolescents’ main behavior during the search process: mental set during the search process, poor information search skills, and poor ability to process the search results. In addition, this research found that cognitive style had only minor influence on students’ use of embedded links. However, grade and task type had a significant impact on their search performance and behavior. In general, high school students performed better than middle school students, and adolescents acted differently .
Deleterious Nonsynonymous SNP Found within HLA-DRB1 Gene Involved in Allograft Rejection in Sudanese Family: Using DNA Sequencing and Bioinformatics Methods

Renal transplantation provides the best long-term treatment for chronic renal failure. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play a major role in the understanding of the genetic basis of many complex human diseases. Also, the genetics of human phenotype variation could be understood by knowing the functions of these SNPs. It is still a major challenge to identify the functional SNPs in a disease-related gene. This work explored how SNPs mutations in HLA-DRB1 gene could affect renal transplantation rejection. This study was carried out in Ahmed Gasim Hospital, Renal Dialysis Center during the period, from September 2012 to November 2013. Blood samples from five Sudanese patients (different families) with known renal transplantation rejection were collected before hemodialysis, furthermore one blood sample for control. DNA sequences results and detected SNPs were analyzed using bioinformatics tools (BLAST, SIFT, nsSNP Analyzer, PolyPhen, I-mutant, BioEdit, CPH, Chimera, Box shade and Project Hope). In addition, international databases were used for datasets [NCBI, Uniprot]. Results showed that, three SNPs were detected; two of three SNPs were predicted as tolerant or benign (rs1059575, novel) and one was deleterious (rs17885437). This study concluded that the identification of pathological SNPs could be an answer to unknown causes for a lot of organ transplantation rejection cases.
Molecular Mimicry of an HLA-B27-derived Ligand of Arthritis-linked Subtypes with Chlamydial Proteins*

HLA-B27 is strongly associated with spondyloarthropathies, including ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis. The latter disease is triggered by various Gram-negative bacteria. A dodecamer derived from the intracytoplasmic tail of HLA-B27 was a natural ligand of three disease-associated subtypes (B*2702, B*2704, and B*2705) but not of two (B*2706 and B*2709), weakly or not associated to spondyloarthropathy. This peptide was strikingly homologous to protein sequences from arthritogenic bacteria, particularly to a region of the DNA primase fromChlamydia trachomatis. A synthetic peptide with this bacterial sequence bound in vitro disease-associated subtypes equally as the natural B27-derived ligand. The chlamydial peptide was generated by the 20 S proteasome from a synthetic 28-mer with the sequence of the corresponding region of the bacterial DNA primase. Molecular modeling suggested that the B27-derived and chlamydial peptides adopt very similar conformations in complex with B*2705. The results demonstrate that an HLA-B27-derived peptide mimicking arthritogenic bacterial sequences is a natural ligand of disease-associated HLA-B27 subtypes and suggest that the homologous chlamydial peptide might be presented by HLA-B27 onChlamydia-infected cells.
European island Outermost Regions and climate change adaptation: a new role for regional planning

Some European regions are experiencing unprecedented impacts due to climate change. The islands of the Outermost Regions are also being affected by this phenomenon. When these islands have a higher level of functional complexity, climate change increases the difficulty of defining their urban and regional planning tools. A comparative analysis of the characteristics of these islands (comparing land use and demographic density) and a review of the efficacy of planning tools for incorporating climate change adaptation has been developed in order to understand the transformations produced in the regulatory frameworks. Through the case studies of Gran Canaria (Spain) and Reunion Island (France), which show high levels of urban and peri-urban land use pressure, the paper focuses on analysing the degree of mainstreaming adaptation strategies, as key elements for land use planning in a context of climate change. Results show a dysfunction between adaptation needs and the incorporation of the climatic issue in land use management. Insular planning tools do not generally consider climate change adaptation and excessive top-down management is observed in the decisionmaking process. This paper contributes new case studies to the literature, comparing two non-sovereign European islands, and reviews the regulatory framework on adaptation in insular contexts related to climate change.
Genetic Breast Cancer Susceptibility Variants and Prognosis in the Prospectively Randomized SUCCESS A Study

Abstract Large-scale genotyping studies have identified over 70 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with breast cancer (BC) risk. However, knowledge regarding genetic risk factors associated with the prognosis is limited. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the prognostic effect of nine known breast cancer risk SNPs. BC patients (n = 1687) randomly sampled in an adjuvant, randomized phase III trial (SUCCESS A study) were genotyped for nine BC risk SNPs: rs17468277(CASP8), rs2981582(FGFR2), rs13281615(8q24), rs3817198(LSP1), rs889312(MAP3K1), rs3803662(TOX3), rs13387042(2q35), rs4973768(SLC4A7), rs6504950(COX11). Cox proportional hazards models were used to test the SNPsʼ association with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Additional analyses were carried out for molecular subgroups. rs3817198 in LSP1 (lymphocyte-specific protein 1) was the only SNP that significantly influenced OS (p = 0.01) and PFS (p < 0.01) in the likelihood ratio test comparing the genetic survival model with the clinical survival model. In the molecular subgroups, triple-negative patients with two minor alleles in rs3817198 had a much better prognosis relative to OS (adjusted HR 0.03; 95% CI 0.002 – 0.279) and PFS (HR 0.09; 95% CI 0.02 – 0.36) than patients with the common alleles. The same effect on PFS was shown for patients with luminal A tumors (HR 0.19; 95% CI 0.05 – 0.84), whereas patients with luminal B tumors had a poorer PFS with two minor alleles (HR 2.13; 95% CI 1.02 – 4.40). The variant in rs3817198 has a prognostic effect particularly in the subgroup of patients with triple-negative BC, suggesting a possible link with immunomodulation and BC.
Comparison of the INNO-LiPA and PapType Assays for Detection of Human Papillomavirus in Archival Vulva Dysplasia and/or Neoplasia Tissue Biopsy Specimens

ABSTRACT INNO-LiPA and PapType human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping assays were compared for detection of HPV genotypes on archival vulvar tissue. The INNO-LiPA assay detected 49 HPV-16 infections, compared with 47 detected by the PapType assay. The INNO-LiPA assay detected amplifiable DNA in 59 (91%) biopsy specimens, compared with 57 (88%) specimens for which amplifiable DNA was detected by the PapType assay. The two genotyping assays were highly comparable.
Evaluating Error in Using the National Vegetation Classification System for Ecological Community Mapping in Northern New England , USA

5 Corresponding author: rappjm4@wfu.edu; 336-758-3967 ABSTRACT: At the landscape scale, representation of reality using ecological community maps is limited by: how well the chosen classification system represents actual vegetation community composition; how effectively aerial photography captures the distinguishing features of each mapping unit within the classification; and how well these mapping units are delineated by photo-interpreters. Three errors deriving from these factors can be defined as classification system error, photo-limitation error, and mapper error. We evaluated the relative importance of these error types for ecological community mapping in a 7283 ha area including the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (LUNWR). We used the association level of the National Vegetation Classification System (NVC) to classify and map ecological communities through combined aerial-photo interpretation and fieldwork. Map accuracy assessment using an error matrix yielded an overall map accuracy of 46 ± 9%. Fuzzy set analysis and use of a “goodness-of-fit” table showed that classification system error accounted for 25% of the error, photolimitations for 66% of the error, and mapper error for the remaining 9%. To improve map accuracy, classification system error can be reduced by: (1) refining class definitions to decrease ambiguity, (2) adding new classes to more adequately describe the complex of local vegetation patterns, or (3) using a higher level of classification within the NVC. Photo-limitation error can be reduced by: (1) defining mapping units by aggregating NVC associations into photo-interpretable groups, (2) utilizing aerial photographs with a higher resolution than the 1:15,840 scale photographs used in this study, or (3) mapping primarily using fieldwork.