Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF SURFACE HETEROGENEITY ON WETTABILITY OF POROUS THREE DIMENSIONAL (3-D) SCAFFOLDS OF POLY(3-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID) (PHB) AND POLY(3-HYDROXYBUTYRIC-CO-3-HYDROXYVALERIC ACID) (PHBV)

Biopolymers such as poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxybutyric-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) are preferred ingredients for the manufacture of materials especially in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine application because they are biocompatible, biodegradable and do not possess any environmental problems associated with their production, fabrication, use and disposal. For that reason, studies have been initiated to produce a 3-D biomimetic scaffolds with an improved thickness greater than 1 mm as an alternative material to synthetic polymers in tissue engineering application. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physico-chemical surface properties of these polymeric 3-D structures and its corresponding thin films prior to be used as biomimetic materials. To measure the surface free energy (wettability), a Cassie-Baxter contact angle correction for heterogeneous wetting of two liquids (water and methylene iodide) were utilized. To verify its wettability, surface free energies were used to estimate the interfacial energy, work of adhesion and spreading coefficient. The results indicate that the calculated Cassie-Baxter contact angle correction method have proven to exhibit one dominant factor that cause a huge deviation from the true contact angles of its corresponding thin films which is surface heterogeneity. This material characteristic would possibly give a side effect (e.g., low cell attachment and proliferation) against cell-biomaterial affinity as highly hydrophobic material are most likely to be unfavorable for the absorption of essential extracellular matrix proteins (compounds that give a signal to cell to attach on the solid surface).
FantasyA and SenToy

FantasyA is a role-playing game where emotions are part of the game logic. SenToy is a tangible interface device [2], used to influence emotional behaviour in FantasyA. Players in the game FantasyA have to master SenToy and exhibit a particular set of emotions and perform a set of actions in order to evolve in the game [3]. A study was undertaken to gauge the success of the overall gaming experience, as well as the individual components, the FantasyA game with its emotional content and the SenToy control device with its gestural input.
A GPGPU-based Simulator for Prism: Statistical Verification of Results of PMC (extended abstract)

We describe a GPGPU–based Monte Carlo simulator integrated with Prism . It supports Markov chains with discrete or continuous time and a subset of properties expressible in PCTL, CSL and their variants extended with rewards. The simulator allows an automated statistical veriﬁcation of results obtained us-ing Prism ’s formal methods.
The Must-Have in Robotic Heart Surgery: Haptic Feedback

The minimally invasive endoscopic surgery was introduced in the late 1980s in the abdominal surgery as revolutionary surgical technique (Voges et al., 1997). Surgeons no longer needed to physically place their hands within the body to perform an operation. In minimal invasive surgery, instruments and viewing equipments are inserted into the body through small incisions. Long manipulators are used to perform operations under manual guidance. This does not only minimize the collateral surgical trauma of an access incision but results also in quicker recovery. In heart surgery the introduction of endoscopic techniques were promising, but not satisfying like the application of robots in other surgical disciplines (Bholat et al., 1999; Gutt et al., 2004; Mitsuishi et al., 2000). Complex cardiac surgery had to be performed by long instruments without tremor filter or adequate freedom of movement, so satisfactory results were missing. In heart surgery pure endoscopic techniques have not established since the demanded high precision in this speciality did not reached with endoscopic instruments only. The promise of telemanipulated endoscopic assistance was to eliminate many of the beginning impediments, with the concurrent enhancements of motion scaling, tremor filtration, 3-dimensional vision and fulcrum effect. The surgeon could now operate with a surgical mechatronic assist system in a comfortable, dextrous and intuitive manner. The solution for the initial problems was the implementation of telemanipulators that offer with the endoscopic instruments as much degrees of freedom in movement as the hand of the surgeon in conventional open surgery performing 6 degrees of freedom instead of four in conventional endoscopic instruments. Furthermore the telemanipulator had to dispose of 3D-optic and a filter of tremor (Suematsu & Del Nido, 2004). The new system has been a telesystem controlled remotely by the surgeon. The implementation of totally endoscopic heart surgery was realised ten years later with the telemanipulator Da Vinci® (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) after introducing endoscopic surgery in abdominal surgery. Nevertheless technical limitations still exist that limit the application in special heart diseases and surgical indications in expert medical centres only. O pe n A cc es s D at ab as e w w w . ite ch on lin e. co m
The analysis and identification of homologizer/moderator variables when the moderator is continuous: An illustration with anthropometric data

Human biological data often contain homologizers, that is, variables which moderate the strength rather than the form of the relationship between two other variables. Current methods for the identification and analysis of continuous homologizer variables [Z] (variables which moderate the strength rather than the form of a relationship between other variables [X,Y]) recommend dividing the sample into subgroups on the basis of the homologizer variable (Z) and testing whether correlations (X,Y) are significantly different among subgroups. We propose an alternative strategy which avoids the use of subgroups and which offers greater power to detect homologizer effects. In addition, it allows the identification of homologizer effects in data sets where multiplicative as well as additive terms are included in the model. The proposed strategy is validated through Monte Carlo simulations and an example of its application to a set of anthropometric data is given. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two "Hot Issues" in Cooperative Robotics: Network Robot Systems, and Formal Models and Methods for Cooperation

Executive Summary This white paper on two currently hot areas on Cooperative Robotics research (Network Robot Systems and Formal Models and Methods) aims to: (1) survey the state of the art for the two areas, (2) list in a justified manner their expected advances in the upcoming ten years, (3) identify the application topics of interest for Europe so as to keep its research competitive at the international level, and (4) recommend lines of action for the support of EU research in Cooperative Robotics in the future. For each of the areas, this document discusses several key research aspects to achieve cooperative intelligent behavior, spanning the current landscape of research in this field. Applications where multi-robot systems interact in a natural way with humans at home, inside factories, and in hazardous environments are identified as the most promising domains where the EU may build a body of expertise which makes it the leader in the area of Cooperative Robotics. The intersection of the requirements for such applications with the expected research advances in future years and the current expertise at the EU level provides a list of recommendations for research priorities for Europe.
Sub-Wavelength Texturing for Solar Cells Using Interferometric Lithography

We have employed Interferometric Lithography (IL) for sub-wavelength surface texturing on large area silicon substrates. Low defect density Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) processes have been developed to transfer the pattern into the silicon using SF 6 plasma. Reflection measurements on the sub-wavelength textured surface have been carried out and show a substantial reduction from ~30% to below 4% over the spectrum range from 400nm to 1200nm. IL is a mask-less lithography technique which is used to define periodic patterns. The theoretical limit of the pitch size of the structure is half of the wavelength of the light source. Hence, the sub-wavelength patterns can be achieved easily. Moreover, sub-wavelength texturing requires short RIE processes; most of the plasma-induced damage on the silicon surface can be avoided.
Historical development of geometrical modelling of textiles reinforcements for polymer composites: A review

Mechanical behaviour of fibre reinforced polymer composites is geared by the geometrical structure of the textile reinforcements. Consistent permeability, predictable impregnation and even distribution of resin are key factors in reaching targeted mechanical performance, whereas these parameters and others are functions of the geometrical composition. Hence numerous analytical geometrical models have been described in literature covering most of the conventional commonly used weave reinforcements. However, no current model can be broadly generalized to address, for instance, manufacturing deformation of fibres cross-section, periodic variability caused by stitching in 2.5D non-crimp stitched fabrics or arbitrary fibre orientation featuring some recently developed three-dimensional textiles reinforcements. Given that the latter structures can potentially provide more favourable mechanical behaviour in terms of bending stiffness, impact resistance and through-thickness properties, it is worthwhile attempting to adapt the available geometrical modelling concepts so as to address versatile structures. This review aims to trace the physical concepts used for modelling the geometrical structures of textile reinforcements at the mesoscale and compare applicability of various analytical and numerical models to types and geometrical dimensionality of woven textile structures.
Designing the Multiphase Microstructure of Steel for Optimal TRIP Effect: A Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm Based Approach

A genetic algorithm-based analysis for the primary microstructural requirements of optimal transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) behavior of the multiphase steel is attempted. Design of primary multiphase microstructure of steel for maximum TRIP effect is perhaps the most important job in TRIP-aided steel design. The quantitative and qualitative control over the complex composite behavior of the different constituent phases present in these steels such as polygonal ferrite, bainitic ferrite, and martensite–austenite constituent is still a challenging task. In this work, the tensile behavior of the steel has been simulated using pertinent models proposed earlier. Necessary assumptions are made using domain knowledge to generalize the tensile model for the considered realm of the problem. Based upon the conflicting nature of the tensile strength and ductility of the steel, the problem is considered here as multiobjective optimization problem. The optimization constraints are inherently taken care by the typical formulation of the problem. The Pareto front results are found quite convincing for TRIP-aided steel design.
Corner detection on hexagonal pixel based images

Corner detection is used in many computer vision applications that require fast and efficient feature matching. In addition, hexagonal pixel based images have been recently investigated for image capture and processing due to their ability to represent curved structures that are common in real images better than traditional rectangular pixel based images. Therefore, we present an approach to corner detection on hexagonal images and demonstrate that accuracy is comparable to well-known existing corner detectors applied to rectangular pixel based images.
NEGATIVE VOLTAGE ELECTROSPINNING AND POSITIVE VOLTAGE ELECTROSPINNING OF TISSUE ENGINEERING SCAFFOLDS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY AND CHARGE RETENTION ON SCAFFOLDS

Positive voltage electrospinning (PVES) has been mainly used for forming fibrous polymer scaffolds for different applications including tissue engineering. There is virtually no report on negative voltage electrospinning (NVES) of tissue engineering scaffolds. In this study, NVES of four biopolymers, namely, gelatin, chitosan, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), to form nanofibrous membranes was systematically investigated. For comparisons, PVES of these polymers was also conducted. It was found that chitosan fibers could not be produced using NVES. Under NVES or PVES, the fiber diameter of electrospun scaffolds generally increased with increasing needle inner diameter and polymer solution concentration but decreased with increasing working distance for all four polymers. Neither NVES nor PVES altered the chemical structure of gelatin, PLGA, and PBT. PVES and NVES resulted in fibrous membranes bearing positive charges and negative charges, respectively. PLGA and PBT fibrous membranes retained around 30% and 50%, respectively, of the initial charge one week after electrospinning. Charges on gelatin and chitosan fibrous membranes were almost completely dissipated within 60 min of electrospinning. For all four polymers, under either PVES or NVES, the retained charges on fibrous membranes increased with increasing applied electrospinning voltage. This study explored a new approach for forming fibrous scaffolds by using NVES and has opened a new area for developing negatively charged fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
Explore the Effects of Magnetic Field Intensity Change on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Growth and Magnetism

All the times we study a lot about Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A.f) in mineral leaching, but when it is discovered that it can synthesize magnetosomes(Ms) in its body, researchers start to pay attention to its synthesis mechanism of Ms, while there is still few studies about the influence to A.f by external environment change. This article mainly aims at exploring the influence on A.f growth and magnetism under the outside magnetic field strength change. The findings show that not all A.f can synthesize magnetic substance. Under the most primary culture, there are few thalli can synthesize Ms; magnetic field at about 5mT, 10mT may promote thalli growth (quantity); magnetic field at about 25mT and 30mT may be harmful or beneficial to thalli response to time length; magnetic field at about 15mT, 20mT, 35mT, 40mT, 50mT may restrain thalli growth and reduce thalli activeness.
Manipulation and Compositing of MC-DCT Compressed Video

Many advanced video applications require manipulations of compressed video signals. Popular video manipulation functions include overlap (opaque or semitransparent), translation, scaling, linear filtering, rotation, and pixel multiplication. We propose algorithms to manipulate compressed video in the compressed domain. Specifically, we focus on compression algorithms using the discrete cosine transform (DCT) with or without motion compensation (MC). Such compression systems include JPEG, motion JPEG, MPEG, and H.261. We derive a complete set of algorithms for all aforementioned manipulation functions in the transform domain, in which video signals are represented by quantized transform coefficients. Due to a much lower data rate and the elimination of decompression/compression conversion, the transform-domain approach has great potential in reducing the computational complexity. The actual computational speedup depends on the specific manipulation functions and the compression characteristics of the input video, such as the compression rate and the nonzero motion vector percentage. The proposed techniques can be applied to general orthogonal transforms, such as the discrete trigonometric transform. For compression systems incorporating MC (such as MPEG), we propose a new decoding algorithm to reconstruct the video in the transform domain and then perform the desired manipulations in the transform domain. The same technique can be applied to efficient video transcoding (e.g., from MPEG to JPEG) with minimal decoding. >
Poor Baseline Immune Function Predicts an Incomplete Immune Response to Combination Antiretroviral Treatment Despite Sustained Viral Suppression

Objectives:To determine the prevalence and predictors of an incomplete immune response in patients with sustained viral suppression after starting their first or second combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) regimen. Methods:All patients were recruited to the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD) by March 2006. Data were analyzed to assess the prevalence of an incomplete immune response (<350 cells/μL) in the 12-24 months after starting the first or second cART regimen. Factors associated with an incomplete immune response were assessed using logistic regression and time to AIDS/death was assessed using survival analysis. Results:Of the 2493 patients recruited to AHOD by March 2006, 590 were eligible for the analysis. Twenty-eight percent of patients with a baseline CD4 count <350 cells per microliter had an incomplete immune response 12-24 months after starting their first or second cART regimen. Lower baseline CD4 count before starting the cART regimen was predictive of an incomplete immune response. There was a nonsignificant trend toward faster AIDS or death in incomplete immune responders. Conclusions:An incomplete immune response in patients with sustained viral suppression is associated with poorer immune function before starting cART. Type of cART or individual antiretroviral drug was not associated with an incomplete immune response.
Magnetocaloric Properties and Magnetic Anisotropy by Tailoring Phase Transitions in NiMnGa Alloys

The giant magnetocaloric properties of NiMnGa alloys can be enhanced by suitable composition changes that make structural and magnetic transition temperatures to coincide. In this paper we report results on critical temperatures, magnetic anisotropy, and magnetocaloric effect in Ni- and Mn-rich alloys as a function of composition. A phenomenological phase diagram, useful for the identification by thermomagnetic analysis of magnetic and structural transitions in the vicinity of their coincidence, is proposed. Particular emphasis is given to the discussion of giant magnetocaloric effect of those alloys showing a first order magnetostructural transition, the method of its determination, and the potentialities for applications in the field of magnetic refrigeration.
Age-Related Resistance in Arabidopsis Is a Developmentally Regulated Defense Response to Pseudomonas syringae Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.010481.

Age-related resistance (ARR) has been observed in a number of plant species; however, little is known about the biochemical or molecular mechanisms involved in this response. Arabidopsis becomes more resistant, or less susceptible, to virulent Pseudomonas syringae (pv tomato or maculicola) as plants mature (in planta bacterial growth reduction of 10- to 100-fold). An ARR-like response also was observed in response to certain environmental conditions that accelerate Arabidopsis development. ARR occurs in the Arabidopsis mutants pad3-1, eds7-1, npr1-1, and etr1-4, suggesting that ARR is a distinct defense response, unlike the induced systemic resistance or systemic acquired resistance responses. However, three salicylic acid (SA) accumulation-deficient plant lines, NahG, sid1, and sid2, did not exhibit ARR. A heat-stable antibacterial activity was detected in intercellular washing fluids in response to Pst inoculation in wild-type ARR-competent plants but not in NahG. These data suggest that the ability to accumulate SA is necessary for the ARR response and that SA may act as a signal for the production of the ARR-associated antimicrobial compound(s) and/or it may possess direct antibacterial activity against P. syringae.
Formal loop merging for signal transforms

A critical optimization in the domain of linear signal transforms, such as the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), is loop merging, which increases data locality and reuse and thus performance. In particular, this includes the conversion of shuffle operations into array reindexings. To date, loop merging is well understood only for the DFT, and only for Cooley-Tukey FFT based algorithms, which excludes DFT sizes divisible by large primes. In this paper, we present a formal loop merging framework for general signal transforms and its implementation within the SPIRAL code generator. The framework consists of Ε-SPL, a mathematical language to express loops and index mappings; a rewriting system to merge loops in Ε-SPL and a compiler that translates Ε-SPL into code. We apply the framework to DFT sizes that cannot be handled using only the Cooley-Tukey FFT and compare our method to FFTW 3.0. 1 and the vendor library Intel MKL 7.2. 1. Compared to FFTW our generated code is a factor of 2--4 faster under equal implementation conditions (same algorithms, same unrolling threshold). For some sizes we show a speed-up of a factor of 9 using Bluestein's algorithm. Further, we give a detailed comparison against the Intel vendor library MKL; our generated code is between 2 times faster and 4.5 times slower.
A Liquid Inorganic Electrolyte Showing an Unusually High Lithium Ion Transference Number: A Concentrated Solution of LiAlCl 4 in Sulfur Dioxide

We report on studies of an inorganic electrolyte: LiAlCl4 in liquid sulfur dioxide. Concentrated solutions show a very high conductivity when compared with typical electrolytes for lithium ion batteries that are based on organic solvents. Our investigations include conductivity measurements and measurements of transference numbers via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and by a classical direct method, Hittorf’s method. For the use of Hittorf’s method, it is necessary to measure the concentration of the electrolyte in a selected cell compartment before and after electrochemical polarization very precisely. This task was finally performed by potentiometric titration after hydrolysis of the salt. The Haven ratio was determined to estimate the association behavior of this very concentrated electrolyte solution. The measured unusually high transference number of the lithium cation of the studied most concentrated solution, a molten solvate LiAlCl4 × 1.6SO2, makes this electrolyte a promising alternative for lithium ion cells with high power ability.
DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW HEAT LEAK CFRP STAND FOR MIRI COOLER JT HEAT EXCHANGER STAGE

A low heat leak stand is being developed for the Heat exchanger Stage Assembly (HSA) of the cryocooler subsystem for the Mid Infra‐Red Instrument (MIRI) of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The HSA stand is a hexapod structure supporting the 18 K HSA in a nominal 40 K background environment. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been selected for this application to meet the stringent design requirements of a low parasitic heat leak (less than 3.8 mW including both conductive and radiative heat loads for the thermal environment defined above) and a resonance frequency above 120 Hz. A directional lay‐up of T300/polycyanate has been chosen for the construction of the hexapod struts. End fittings made of Invar 36 are bonded to the struts to provide structural interfaces. The development effort includes fabricating and testing (including cryogenic thermal cycling) six types of coupons for material characterization, determination of structural degradation due to thermal cycling, and selection of the .