Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accelerated aging of fast thermal cycle effects on the behavior of space charge in polyimide

The spacecraft often interacts with plasma, high energy particles and magnetic fields on orbit. It causes the charge injected in the insulation materials and forms a high electric field. The discharge phenomenon will happen when the internal electric field reaches the discharge voltage threshold. The insulation material is a key component of electrical equipment on the spacecraft, its electrical properties affects the reliability and lifetime of the whole spacecraft. The insulation material on spacecraft withstands fast thermal cycle during operation on orbit, which causes internal thermal stress in it. The accumulation of internal thermal stress changes the material molecular structure and depolarization characteristics, thus affecting the behavior of the space charge inside the insulation material. In this paper, the temperature environment was achieved by contact heating plant and liquid nitrogen immersion to do accelerated aging test based on the temperature of operating spacecraft. By the mean of this method, 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 times of the fast thermal cycle was carried out. The molecular structure characteristics, the thermally stimulated current characteristics and the space charge characteristics of the samples with different cycling times were studied through the methods including XPS, XRD, TSC and PEA. The results show that with the increase of fast thermal cycling times, the relative content of the C-N and C=O bonds increase and it also increases the shallow energy level charges. The charges are more easily to move inside the sample. Fast thermal cycle also increases the degree of crystallinity, thus the interface between crystalline region and amorphous region expands. It also increases the charge of deep energy level, which increased the amount of space charge injected in the sample.
LTE-Advanced Relaying for Outdoor Range Extension

Future cellular wireless networks based on MIMO- OFDM enable high data rates in outdoor scenarios. Limitations in coverage, especially at cell-edge, might be overcome by transmission over relays, which is therefore widely discussed for LTE-Advanced networks. Here, a multi-hop relay node is placed at the cell-edge or in a coverage hole in order to compensate for the penetration path loss caused by buildings. Relay nodes can be deployed in two modes, either as amplify and forward or as decode and forward relay. The later system may benefit from independent link adaptation which is a key concept especially under fading conditions in outdoor broadband wireless. This paper reports on first multi-hop relaying field trials in the LTE downlink. These field trials were carried out in a single-cell, single sector urban outdoor environment within the Berlin LTE- Advanced Testbed. Results show that outdoor relaying is a key concept to deliver high data rates to the cell edge. Furthermore, results show that rates above 60 Mbps are achievable and outdoor relaying yields for a 300 m range extension. In addition, results show that multi-hop relaying provides cell-edge users with a minimum data rate of at least 20 Mbps which is mandatory, especially if QoS constraints have to be met.
A new procedure for race analysis in swimming based on individual distance measurements

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a new application based on the “individual distances” method to analyse swimming races, and to compare it with the traditional “fixed distances” method. One hundred and seventy-nine national level 100 m (four strokes) performances obtained from the 2008 “Open Comunidad de Madrid” (Spain) were analysed using a two-dimensional Direct Linear Transformation (2D-DLT) video analysis system. Average velocities in all race segments (P < 0.001) were faster using the “individual distances” method than when employing the “fixed distances” method. Specifically, start and turn times were shorter (P < 0.001) while free swimming times were longer (P < 0.001) when using the “individual distances” method. Correlations between methods were moderate to high, but several gender and stroke groups showed poor to no correlation, especially during the start and turn segments. Differences between methods were higher in some groups (female swimmers and freestyle stroke) where the start and turn distances were shorter. Measurements with the 2D-DLT technique provide distances and times employed during the race segments, which do not completely agree with times at fixed distances. Therefore, when evaluating swimming races, a combination of the individual and fixed distances methods should be used.
The role of COBRA in cellulose synthesis

Mutations in the Arabidopsis COBRA gene lead to defects in cellulose synthesis but the function of COBRA is unknown. Here we present evidence that COBRA localizes to discrete particles in the plasma membrane and is sensitive to inhibitors of cellulose synthesis, suggesting that COBRA and the cellulose synthase complex reside in close proximity on the plasma membrane. Live-cell imaging of cellulose synthesis indicated that, once initiated, cellulose synthesis appeared to proceed normally in the cobra mutant. Using isothermal calorimetry, COBRA was found to bind individual β-1,4-linked glucan chains with a KA of 3.2M. Competition assays suggests that COBRA binds individual β-1,4-linked glucan chains with higher affinity than crystalline cellulose. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) studies of the cell wall of the cobra mutant also indicated that, in addition to decreases in cellulose amount, the properties of the cellulose fibrils and other cell wall polymers differed from wild type by being less crystalline and having an increased number of reducing ends. We interpret the available evidence as suggesting that COBRA facilitates cellulose crystallization from the emerging β-1,4 glucan chains by acting as a “polysaccharide chaperone”.
Critical frequency estimates for thermowells covered under ASME PTC 19.3

The ASME Performance Test Code, PTC 19.3, establishes the velocity ratings of thermowells in terms of a simplified resonant frequency estimate. The theoretical basis for this is examined and compared with discrete element methods. It is found that the code calculation fails to guarantee conservative velocity ratings for shorter thermowells. The implications of this finding and possible remedies are discussed.
Prevalence of Neospora antibodies in beef cattle in New Zealand

Abstract dAim:To estimate the prevalence of Neospora infection in a sample of New Zealand beef cattle. dMethods: The prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in New Zealand beef cattle was estimated by collecting blood at slaughter from 499 beef cattle from 40 different farms at 2 slaughter plants in the North Island and 1 in the lower South Island. Sera were tested using an ELISA against Neospora tachyzoite antigen. dResults: The prevalence of seropositive cattle was 2.5% (n=120), 3.6% (n=166) and 2.3% (n=213) at the plants surveyed, the overall prevalence being 2.8%. The serologically positive cattle came from 9 farms, 3 of which had more than 1 positive animal. The highest prevalence recorded amongst animals from 1 farm was 4/13 (31%), in a group of young steers. dConclusion: Neosporosis appears to be present at a lower level in the New Zealand beef cattle population than in the New Zealand dairy cattle population. Nevertheless, from the high seroprevalence evident amongst young cattle on 1 farm, we suggest that Neospora may be a cause of infertility in beef cattle in this country.
Neuropsychological Predictors of the Attainment of Treatment Objectives in Substance Abuse Patients

This study examined the contribution of neuropsychological functioning to the attainment of treatment objectives in substance abuse patients. Subjects were 85 patients enrolled in comprehensive, inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment at a VA Medical Center. Most subjects were diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence or Abuse, and nearly half were seeking treatment for Cocaine Dependence or Abuse. After acute detoxification, but before beginning individualized treatment, subjects were administered a neuropsychological screening battery to assess cognitive functioning and affective status. They then attended a variety of daily group therapies. Each therapy group had its own set of specific treatment objectives; on each treatment day, group therapists rated each patient's attainment of the specific objectives for their group. Groups included Assertiveness Training (Levels I and II), Stress Management (Levels I and II), Social Skills Training, Job Skills, Relapse Prevention (Levels I and II), Leisure Planning, Leisure Skills, Occupational Therapy, and 12-Step Study. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that the best predictors of overall objective attainment were better attention (WMS-R Digits Backwards) and less depressive symptomatology (Beck Depression Inventory). These results suggest that attention and mood have a modest yet significant impact on the success of treatment interventions for substance abuse patients. Thus, evaluation of cognitive as well as affective factors in substance abuse patients might be helpful in designing and implementing specialized interventions to maximize the likelihood of treatment success.
Comparison of Hedges in Women Writings

Abstract The present work is an attempt to develop a database of hedges to study the usage and effects of hedges in women writings. ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’, a work of eighteenth century British-feminist Mary Wollstonecraft is compared with a 1970 book ‘The Female Eunuch’ by Germaine Greer. To exploit the functions of linguistic devices of hedges, frequently used hedges in most cited articles are categorized on the basis of the paradigms proposed by Hyland and Yu. Frequencies of various hedges are counted through a computer program written in ‘C’ language. Every hedge category is given a weight and the highest weight category is identified through the program in the selected corpus. The research further points out the validation of the usage of hedges in the works of non-fictional literature.
Toward a Unified Framework for the Study of Between-Person and Within-Person Structures: Building a Bridge Between Two Research Paradigms

The vast majority of empirical research in the behavioral sciences is based on the analysis of between-person variation. In contrast, much of applied psychology is concerned with the analysis of variation within individuals. Furthermore, the mechanisms specified by psychological theories generally operate within, rather than across, individuals. This disconnect between research practice, applied demands, and psychological theories constitutes a major threat to the conceptual integrity of the field. Following groundbreaking earlier work, we propose a conceptual framework that distinguishes within-person (WP) and between-person (BP) sources of variation in psychological constructs. By simultaneously considering both sources of variation, it is shown how to identify possible reasons for nonequivalence of BP and WP structures as well as establishing areas of convergence. For this purpose, we first introduce the concept of conditional equivalence as a way to study partial structural equivalence of BP and WP structures in the presence of unconditional nonequivalence. Second, we demonstrate the construction of likelihood planes to explore the causes of structural nonequivalence. Third, we examine 4 common causes for unconditional nonequivalence—autoregression, subgroup differences, linear trends, and cyclic trends—and demonstrate how to account for them. Fourth, we provide an empirical example on BP and WP differences in attentiveness.
SCHIZOPHRENIA AND POLYMORPHIC CAG REPEATS ARRAY OF CALCIUM-ACTIVATED POTASSIUM CHANNEL (KCNN3) GENE IN SERBIAN POPULATION

KCNN3 might be a candidate gene for schizophrenia. The KCNN3 cDNA sequence contains two stretches of CAG trinucleotide repeats encoding two separate polyglutamine segments near the N-terminus of this channel protein. The second CAG repeat is highly polymorphic in the Caucasian population from both Europe and United States. The authors carried out a study to compare the allelic frequency distribution of the CAG repeat in KCNN3 gene in 55 Serbian schizophrenic patients and 46 controls. The data indicate a significant association between longer CAG repeats in second polymorphic KCNN3 region and schizophrenia in the Serbian population.
Structural degradation of acrylic bone cements due to in vivo and simulated aging.

Acrylic bone cement is the primary load-bearing material used for the attachment of orthopedic devices to adjoining bone. Degradation of acrylic-based cements in vivo results in a loss of structural integrity of the bone-cement-prosthesis interface and limits the longevity of cemented orthopedic implants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of in vivo aging on the structure of the acrylic bone cement and to develop an in vitro artificial aging protocol that mimics the observed degradation. Three sets of retrievals are examined in this study: Palacos brand cement retrieved from hip replacements, and Simplex brand cement retrieved from both hip and knee replacement surgeries. In vitro aging is performed using oxidative and acidic environments on three acrylic-based cements: Palacos, Simplex, and CORE. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are used to examine the evolution of molecular weight and chemical species within the acrylic cements due to both in vivo and simulated aging. GPC analysis indicates that molecular weight is degraded in the hip retrievals but not in the knee retrievals. Artificial aging in an oxidative environment best reproduces this degradation mechanism. FTIR analysis indicates that there exists a chemical evolution within the cement due to in vivo and in vitro aging. These findings are consistent with scission-based degradation schemes in the cement. Based on the results of this study, a pathway for structural degradation of acrylic bone cement is proposed. The findings from this investigation have broad applicability to acrylic-based cements and may provide guidance for the development of new bone cements that resist degradation in the body.
Cephalosporin MIC Distribution of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase- and pAmpC-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Species

ABSTRACT The acquisition of β-lactamases in members of the Enterobacteriaceae family poses a challenge to antimicrobial susceptibility testing in the clinical laboratory. We correlated the distribution of the MICs for Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli with the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase (pAmpC) genes. A total of 264 isolates were subjected to cefazolin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, and aztreonam agar dilution MIC determination; ESBL screening and confirmatory testing by the methods of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI); and for isolates for which the MICs of extended-spectrum cephalosporins were ≥1 μg/ml or the MICs of cefpodoxime were >4 μg/ml, PCR amplification and sequencing of the ESBL and pAmpC genes. PCR was positive for 73/81 isolates (45 isolates with an ESBL gene alone, 24 isolates with a pAmpC gene alone, with 4 isolates with both genes). Compared to PCR, confirmatory testing by the CLSI method yielded a sensitivity and a specificity of 98.0 and 96.3%, respectively; there were six false-positive results and one false-negative result. No distinction in the MIC distribution was apparent between isolates with the ESBL gene and isolates with the pAmpC gene. A substantial percentage of the isolates with PCR-confirmed ESBL and/or pAmpC genes fell within the current CLSI susceptible category. For a ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, or cefotaxime MIC of ≥2 μg/ml, a dichotomy existed between isolates with and without ESBL and pAmpC genes in most cases. This suggests that the presence of the ESBL and the pAmpC enzymes may yield similar MICs of extended-spectrum cephalosporins, many of which fall within the current nonresistant categories. Lowering of the current CLSI breakpoints for cephalosporins appears to be warranted.
An open-label trial of citalopram for major depression in patients with hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C affects nearly 4 million Americans. Depression is a common comorbid condition in this population and may be induced by interferon alfa, an approved treatment for hepatitis C. Depression is a major indicator for discontinuation of interferon therapy. This open-label study examines the effect of citalopram on measures of depression and quality of life and tests of liver function in subjects with hepatitis C and major depressive disorder. METHOD Subjects were recruited by advertisement; those with DSM-IV major depressive disorder were included in the study. Subjects received citalopram for 8 weeks starting at 20 mg/day. Dosage adjustments were made as the physicians deemed clinically necessary. No dosages were increased prior to week 4 of the study. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores, Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale (CGI-S) scores, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) ratings, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) scores, and liver function tests were obtained at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. RESULTS A total of 15 patients (10 men, 5 women) participated in this study. The mean daily dose of citalopram at endpoint was 26.67 mg. Mean HAM-D scores decreased significantly with treatment (F = 36.3, df = 2,42; p = .0001). Thirteen of the 15 subjects demonstrated a clinical response, defined as a 50% or greater reduction in HAM-D scores. CGI-Severity of Illness scores also improved significantly (p = .0001). Subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p < .05) on all of the SF-36 subscales. Statistically significant improvements (p < .05) were also demonstrated on all subscales of the SCL-90-R. Tests of liver function showed no significant worsening of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase levels. CONCLUSION These results suggest that depression in patients with hepatitis C may be effectively and safely treated with citalopram.
Co-infections with Chikungunya and Dengue Viruses, Guatemala, 2015

We screened serum samples referred to the national reference laboratory in Guatemala that were positive for chikungunya or dengue viruses in June 2015. Co-infection with both viruses was detected by reverse transcription PCR in 46 (32%) of 144 samples. Specimens should be tested for both arboviruses to detect co-infections.
Cortical Activation Shortly after Cochlear Implantation

We evaluated the cortical activations in postlingually deaf cochlear implant (CI) users in the early period (0–2 months) of CI usage. The subjects were 8 early CI users and 8 normal subjects. With tone burst stimuli (1 kHz) delivered to the right side, strong and broad activation of the ipsilateral (right) primary auditory cortex with 2 peaks and weaker activation of the contralateral (left) temporal lobe were observed in early CI users, in a clear contrast with the normal subjects in whom activation was observed in a small area of the contralateral (left) primary cortex. With word stimuli, activation of the superior frontomedian cortex presumably including the supplementary motor area and the neighboring cingulate gyri was observed in early CI users, which was absent in normal subjects. The activation in the immediate association cortices near the primary area was lower in early CI users, while the periphery of the association cortex seemed to be more mobilized.
[Expression and clinical significance of Ku70, Ku80 and DNA-PKcs proteins in patients with stageI-II non-small cell lung cancer by tissue microarray].

BACKGROUND Ku70, Ku80 and DNA-PKcs proteins take part in the repairment of DNA double-strand breaks as regulatory subunits of DNA-dependent protein kinase. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression and clinical significance of Ku70, Ku80 and DNA-PKcs proteins in patients with stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS A total of 86 patients with stage I-II NSCLC who received adjuvant chemotherapy after radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The expression of Ku70, Ku80 and DNA-PKcs proteins was detected by tissue microarray technique and immunohistochemical two-step method. RESULTS The positive rate of Ku70, Ku80 and DNA-PKcs in lung cancer tissues was 68.6%, 72.1% and 87.2%, respectively. Their expression was not related to histological classification (P > 0.05). The patients with worse prognosis seemed to have higher expression of Ku70, Ku80 and DNA-PKcs proteins, however there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ku70, Ku80 and DNA-PKcs are overexpressed in stage I-II lung cancer without prior chemotherapy. They may be not good for guidance of postoperative chemotherapy in completely resected stageI-II NSCLC.
Essential fatty acid depletion in children with inflammatory bowel disease

Objective Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from malabsorption and malnutrition and therefore may be at risk of developing polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate PUFA status in children with IBD and the possible relationship to disease activity and nutritional status. Material and methods We assessed the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids (%wt/wt) of 21 children aged 5.5–18 years with IBD (ulcerative colitis, 15; Crohn's disease, 6) with mild or moderate disease activity. The clinical symptoms and biochemical indices of disease activity and nutritional status (lean and fat body mass, Hb, albumin serum conc.) were also determined. Results The patients had lower phospholipid PUFAs than 13 healthy, aged-matched controls (25.8±5.2 versus 34.2±5.7, M±SD, p<0.001), mainly due to lower values of linoleic acid (18:2n−6, 14.0±3.8 versus 18.3±4.3, p<0.01) and its major metabolite arachidonic acid (20:4n−6, 5.3±2.0 versus 9.3±1.9, p<0.0001). There were also higher values of α-linolenic acid (18:3n−3, 0.3±0.4 versus 0.2±0.1, p<0.01) while the long-chain n−3 PUFA-eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were normal. Total n−6 PUFA correlated inversely to erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.01), seromucoid (p<0.05) and positively to Hb concentration (p<0.01). Conclusions Children with inflammatory bowel disease have a high risk of n−6 PUFA depletion, which is related to disease activity.
Impending conservation crisis for Southeast Asian amphibians

With an understudied amphibian fauna, the highest deforestation rate on the planet and high harvesting pressures, Southeast Asian amphibians are facing a conservation crisis. Owing to the overriding threat of habitat loss, the most critical conservation action required is the identification and strict protection of habitat assessed as having high amphibian species diversity and/or representing distinctive regional amphibian faunas. Long-term population monitoring, enhanced survey efforts, collection of basic biological and ecological information, continued taxonomic research and evaluation of the impact of commercial trade for food, medicine and pets are also needed. Strong involvement of regional stakeholders, students and professionals is essential to accomplish these actions.
Pumping Lemmas for Weighted Automata

We present pumping lemmas for five classes of functions definable by fragments of weighted automata over the min-plus semiring, the max-plus semiring and the semiring of natural numbers. As a corollary we show that the hierarchy of functions definable by unambiguous, finitely-ambiguous, polynomially-ambiguous weighted automata, and the full class of weighted automata is strict for the min-plus and max-plus semirings.