Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of coal fly-ash erosion in an induced draft fan

Induced draft fans extract coal-fired boiler exhaust gases in the form of a two-phase flow with a dispersed solid phase made of unburnt coal and fly-ash. As a consequence of the particles that comprise the fly-ash, the axial fan blades are subject to erosion resulting in material wear at the leading edge, trailing edge and blade surface. Erosion results in a loss of the blade aerodynamic profile, a reduction of blade chord and effective camber that together degrade aerodynamic performance.In this paper, the authors use a numerical study to predict the aerodynamic performance of the as-new blade and the same blade as-eroded after 9,000 hours in-service. The authors predicted fan performance and stall margin for both the as-new and as-eroded blade, and evaluated the impact for fan operation at a constant duty point. The authors calculated particle trajectories using an in-house Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) solver coupled with a particle cloud tracking model predicting solver based on an original finite element interpolation scheme. The numerical study clarifies the influence of fan aerodynamic operation to the determination of the erosion regimes and patterns. The authors also investigate the coupling between the three-dimensional flow structure at high- and low-volume flow rate and the particle motion to provide insight into the performance degradation process, and the risk that continued operation poses to the fan’s mechanical integrity. © 2012 ASME
Inelastic performance of screw-connected cold-formed steel strap-braced walls

Cold-formed steel, screw-connected strap-braced walls (15 specimens, 2.44 m × 2.44 m each), designed following a capacity-based approach, were tested to evaluate their performance in the inelastic range of behaviour. Gross cross-section yielding of the tension braces was the specified failure mode in the design procedure. Extended tracks and additional shear anchors were installed, such that inelastic deformations would be limited to tension yielding of the braces. Walls without extended tracks were able to reach their yield level; however, damage to other frame elements occurred, thus reducing the ductility level that was attained. Cyclically loaded walls (0.5 Hz) with track extensions showed that wall performance is also dependent on the strain rate experienced by the braces. An Fu / Fy ratio greater than 1.2 is necessary to limit the possibility of brace fracture under seismic loading. Preliminary force modification factors, Rd = 2.0 and Ro = 1.3, are recommended for walls designed and detailed to achi.
Race-Specific Genetic Profiles of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Multiple Cancers

Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) has been used to predict both cancer prognosis and the response to DNA-damaging therapies in many cancer types. HRD has diverse manifestations in different cancers and even in different populations. Many screening strategies have been designed for detecting the sensitivity of a patient’s HRD status to targeted therapies. However, these approaches suffer from low sensitivity, and are not specific to each cancer type and population group. Therefore, identifying race-specific and targetable HRD-related genes is of clinical importance. Here, we conducted analyses using genomic sequencing data that was generated by the Pan-Cancer Atlas. Collapsing non-synonymous variants with functional damage to HRD-related genes, we analyzed the association between these genes and race within cancer types using the optimal sequencing kernel association test (SKAT-O). We have identified race-specific mutational patterns of curated HRD-related genes across cancers. Overall, more significant mutation sites were found in ATM, BRCA2, POLE, and TOP2B in both the ‘White’ and ‘Asian’ populations, whereas PTEN, EGFG, and RIF1 mutations were observed in both the ‘White’ and ‘African American/Black’ populations. Furthermore, supported by pathogenic tendency databases and previous reports, in the ‘African American/Black’ population, several associations, including BLM with breast invasive carcinoma, ERCC5 with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, as well as PTEN with stomach adenocarcinoma, were newly described here. Although several HRD-related genes are common across cancers, many of them were found to be specific to race. Further studies, using a larger cohort of diverse populations, are necessary to identify HRD-related genes that are specific to race, for guiding gene testing methods.
First-principles calculations of elastic and optical properties of Aluminum Nitride (AlN) in cubic and hexagonal phase

Investigation of elastic and optical properties of AlN in rock salt, zinc blende, and wurtzite phase is done under the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT) with modified Becke Johnson Generalised Gradient Approximation (mBJ-GGA) as exchange-correlation functional. Elastic properties conclude the bonding nature of the AlN in the rock salt phase is covalent and stiffest, while the bonding nature in the zinc blende and wurtzite phase is found to be ionic and less stiff. The ratio of bulk modulus to shear modulus indicates AlN is brittle in all three phases. The calculated Debye temperature in all three phases is in good agreement with the available theoretical and experimental works. The optical properties calculation shows the AlN is transparent in the low energy range and it has the metallic behavior in the energy range 7.5eV to 10 eV. At the same time, the compound loses its transparency at the high energy range. Our calculated value of the refractive index of AlN in the rock salt, zinc blende, and wurtzite phases is in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical works.
Electro-optical backplane demonstrator with integrated multimode gradient-index thin glass waveguide panel

Optical interconnects for data transmission at board level offer increased energy efficiency, system density, and bandwidth scalability compared to purely copper driven systems. We present recent results on manufacturing of electrooptical printed circuit board (PCB) with integrated planar glass waveguides. The graded index multi-mode waveguides are patterned inside commercially available thin-glass panels by performing a specific ion-exchange process. The glass waveguide panel is embedded within the layer stack-up of a PCB using proven industrial processes. This paper describes the design, manufacture, assembly and characterization of the first electro-optical backplane demonstrator based on integrated planar glass waveguides. The electro-optical backplane in question is created by laminating the glass waveguide panel into a conventional multi-layer electronic printed circuit board stack-up. High precision ferrule mounts are automatically assembled, which will enable MT compliant connectors to be plugged accurately to the embedded waveguide interfaces on the glass panel edges. The demonstration platform comprises a standardized sub-rack chassis and five pluggable test cards each housing optical engines and pluggable optical connectors. The test cards support a variety of different data interfaces and can support data rates of up to 32 Gb/s per channel.
Design procedures for combined shear and patch loading of plate girders

A series of tests has been conducted on twelve short-span slender-plate girders to investigate their ultimate resistance to shear loading, patch loading and combined shear and patch loading. Theoretical predictions of ultimate shear and patch resistance, based on existing ultimate-limit-state theories, show reasonably close correlation with the test data presented herein. However, existing interaction formulae, based on tests on trapezoidal beams and plate girders with corrugated webs, appear either unduly conservative or unsafe, while design recommendations in codes of practice appear inconsistent and very conservative. An improved design procedure for slender plate girders subjected to combined shear and patch loading is presented, the results of which show satisfactory correlation with the available test data.
Super low noise AlGaAs/GaAs HEMT with one tenth micron gate

Low-noise AlGaAs/GaAs HEMTs (high-electron-mobility transistors) with a 0.1- mu m gate length have been developed. State-of-the-art low noise figures of 0.51 dB and 1.9 dB were obtained at 18 GHz and 40 GHz at room temperature, with associated gains of 10.8 dB and 5.3 dB, respectively. This performance has been achieved by shortening the gate length to 0.1 mu m and also by lowering the gate resistance drastically with a T-shaped gate structure. The effects of gate length and gate resistance on microwave performance are experimentally shown. <<ETX>>
Differences in the Composition of Gut Microbiota between Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Healthy Controls: A Cohort Study

Gut microbiome and colonic inflammation can be associated with the predisposition and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The presented study aimed to compare gastrointestinal microbiota composition between patients diagnosed with PD and treated only with Levodopa to healthy controls. In this prospective study, patients were recruited in 1 academic hospital from July 2019 to July 2020. The detailed demographic data and medical history were collected using a set of questionnaires. Fecal samples were obtained from all participants. Next-Generation Sequencing was used to assess the microbiota composition. The endpoint was the difference in composition of the gut microbiota. In this study, we enrolled 27 hospitalized PD patients with well-controlled symptoms. The control group included 44 healthy subjects matched for age. Among PD patients, our results presented a higher abundance of Bacteroides phylum, class Corynebacteria among phylum Actinobacteria, class Deltaproteobacteria among phylum Proteobacteria, and genera such as Butyricimonas, Robinsoniella, and Flavonifractor. The species Akkermansia muciniphila, Eubacterium biforme, and Parabacteroides merdae were identified as more common in the gut microbiota of PD patients. In conclusion, the patients diagnosed with PD have significantly different gut microbiota profiles in comparison with healthy controls.
Critical summer foraging tradeoffs in a subarctic ungulate

Abstract Summer diets are crucial for large herbivores in the subarctic and are affected by weather, harassment from insects and a variety of environmental changes linked to climate. Yet, understanding foraging behavior and diet of large herbivores is challenging in the subarctic because of their remote ranges. We used GPS video‐camera collars to observe behaviors and summer diets of the migratory Fortymile Caribou Herd (Rangifer tarandus granti) across Alaska, USA and the Yukon, Canada. First, we characterized caribou behavior. Second, we tested if videos could be used to quantify changes in the probability of eating events. Third, we estimated summer diets at the finest taxonomic resolution possible through videos. Finally, we compared summer diet estimates from video collars to microhistological analysis of fecal pellets. We classified 18,134 videos from 30 female caribou over two summers (2018 and 2019). Caribou behaviors included eating (mean = 43.5%), ruminating (25.6%), travelling (14.0%), stationary awake (11.3%) and napping (5.1%). Eating was restricted by insect harassment. We classified forage(s) consumed in 5,549 videos where diet composition (monthly) highlighted a strong tradeoff between lichens and shrubs; shrubs dominated diets in June and July when lichen use declined. We identified 63 species, 70 genus and 33 family groups of summer forages from videos. After adjusting for digestibility, monthly estimates of diet composition were strongly correlated at the scale of the forage functional type (i.e., forage groups composed of forbs, graminoids, mosses, shrubs and lichens; r = 0.79, p < .01). Using video collars, we identified (1) a pronounced tradeoff in summer foraging between lichens and shrubs and (2) the costs of insect harassment on eating. Understanding caribou foraging ecology is needed to plan for their long‐term conservation across the circumpolar north, and video collars can provide a powerful approach across remote regions.
Ellagic acid protects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in streptozotocin-diabetic rats by activating AMPK

Abstract Context Ellagic acid (EA) is used in traditional medicine to treated hyperlipidaemia. Objective This study examined if AMPK mediates the anti-steatotic effect of ellagic acid (EA) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats. Materials and methods Adult male Wistar rats (130 ± 10 g) were divided into 6 groups (n = 8 rats/group) as control, control + EA, control + EA + CC an AMPK inhibitor), T1DM, T1DM + EA, and T1DM + EA + CC. The treatments with EA (50 mg/kg/orally) and CC (200 ng/rat/i.p.) were given the desired groups for 12 weeks, daily. Results In T1DM-rats, EA reduced fasting glucose levels (44.8%), increased fasting insulin levels (92.8%), prevented hepatic lipid accumulation, and decreased hepatic and serum levels of total triglycerides (54% & 61%), cholesterol (57% & 48%), and free fatty acids (40% & 37%). It also reduced hepatic levels of ROS (62%), MDA (52%), TNF-α (62%), and IL-6 (57.2%) and the nuclear activity of NF-κB p65 (54%) but increased the nuclear activity of Nrf-2 (4-fold) and levels of GSH (107%) and SOD (87%). Besides, EA reduced downregulated SREBP1 (35%), SREBP2 (34%), ACC-1 (36%), FAS (38%), and HMG-CoAR (49%) but stimulated mRNA levels of PPARα (1.7-fold) and CPT1a (1.8-fold), CPT1b (2.9-fold), and p-AMPK (4-fold). All these events were prevented by the co-administration of CC. Discussion and conclusions These findings encourage the use of EA to treat hepatic disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Further in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to validate its potential in clinical medicine.
Redesign and cost estimation of rapid manufactured plastic parts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight how rapid manufacturing (RM) of plastic parts combined with part redesign could have positive repercussion on cost saving.Design/methodology/approach – Comparison between two different technologies for plastic part production, the traditional injection molding (IM) and the emergent RM, is done with consideration of both the geometric possibilities of RM and the economic aspect. From an extended literature review, the redesign guidelines and the cost model are identified and then applied to a component selected for its shape complexity. It is an assembly that was redesigned for RM purpose, in order to take advantage of additive manufacturing potentialities. The geometric and economic differences between IM and RM are discussed.Findings – This research evidences that currently in Western Europe RM combined with redesign can be economically convenient and competitive to IM for medium volume production of plastic parts. Consequently, this is a great opportun.
COVID-19 versus Seasonal Influenza: Comparison of Profiles of Older Adults Hospitalized in a Short-Term Geriatric Ward in France

ABSTRACT. The objective was to compare the profile and outcomes of older adults admitted to a geriatric short-stay unit for COVID-19, to those of older adults admitted to the same unit for seasonal influenza infection. This was an observational study performed in a General Hospital in France. Patients ≥ 70 years admitted to a geriatric short-stay unit for COVID-19 between March 18 and November 15, 2020 were included. They were compared with patients of the same age group, admitted to the same geriatric short-stay unit for seasonal influenza infection over the periods January to March 2019 and January to March 2020. Data collection included demographic information, medical history, clinical signs and symptoms, outcomes, and hospital discharge patterns. Descriptive and intergroup comparison analyses were performed. In total, 153 patients were included in the study, 82 in the seasonal influenza group, and 71 in the COVID-19 group. The average age was 87.6 ± 4.8 and 87.6 ± 6.5 years in the COVID-19 and seasonal influenza groups, respectively. There was no difference between groups regarding the Charlson comorbidity index (3.4 ± 3.0 versus 3.4 ± 2.8). The seasonal influenza group more often had fever, cough, sputum, and renal failure, whereas the COVID-19 group more often experienced diarrhea, and death. The COVID-19 group was frequently living in collective housing. The profile at admission of older adults hospitalized for COVID-19 or seasonal influenza infection was similar. Although fever and respiratory signs were less common in the COVID-19 group, these patients experienced more complications (such as renal failure or oxygen therapy requirement) and higher mortality.
An AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMT modulator driver IC with low power dissipation for 10 Gb/s optical transmission systems

An optical modulator driver IC has been developed for 10 Gb/s optical communication systems. In order to realize both high frequency operation and low power dissipation, 0.2-/spl mu/m T-shaped gate AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMTs, which give large transconductance, g/sub m/, of 610 mS/mm and high cut-off frequency, f/sub T/, of 67.5 GHz, have been employed. In addition, by using a current mirror circuit with cascode configuration as high impedance current source, power dissipation of 1.1 W is achieved at a 10 Gb/s NRZ signal output with 3 V/sub p-p/. This dissipation is the lowest value ever reported. As an additional function, the output voltage swing can be controlled from 2 to 3.3 V/sub p-p/ by the current mirror circuit in order to adjust the duty factor of optical output signal through an optical modulator.
Patterned Staining of Rendered Facades: Hygro-Thermal Analysis as a Means for Diagnosis

Pathological phenomena in physical performance of buildings, such as façade staining, require accurate diagnosis and understanding of causative mechanisms in order to suggest effective remedial means. Lately, rendered façades of newly built residential buildings in Israel have developed patterned staining revealing the underlying structure. Samples from stained areas indicated selective growth of microorganisms. Typical finishes proved to support fungi growth under optimal growth conditions. However, this could not explain selective growth. Only advanced hygro-thermal analysis could explain in detail substrate-dependent surface moisture content evolutions. It showed that significantly larger moisture contents are obtained above thermally insulated parts, even in the absence of surface condensation and rain, and that decreasing the rendering's moisture diffusivity enhances these differences.
Self-tuning control scheme for stability enhancement of multimachine power systems

A decentralised self-tuning control scheme for the stability enhancement of multimachine power systems is presented. The dynamic performance of each machine in the study multimachine sytem is described by a discrete-time model for the purpose of stabiliser design. The parameters of this model are estimated once every sample, depending on the measured input-output data of the local machine. Each stabiliser is designed using this discrete-time model and a performance index which enhances the damping characteristic of the overall multimachine system is defined. Nonlinear simulation tests show that the proposed self-tuning control scheme is suitable for the stability enhancement of two multimachine power systems, both for small and large disturbances and for different operating conditions. It is also demonstrated that the proposed self- tuning stabiliser can effectively co-operate with the conventional fixed parameter stabiliser, to improve the system stability.
Re-Recognizing the Cellular Origin of the Primary Epithelial Tumors of the Liver

Abstract The primary epithelial tumors of the liver (PETL) are composed of a series of heterogeneous tumors. Although the classification of PETLs has been updated several times by the World Health Organization, the cellular origins of some tumors in this family remain to be precisely depicted. In addition, certain tumors in different categories have similar histology, molecular phenotypes and biological characteristics, suggesting that they may have the same cellular origin. In this work, a narrative review method was adopted to review the relevant papers. By comparing the expression profiles of biomarkers of liver epithelium at different lineages and stages of differentiation, the cells-of-origin of some major members of the PETL family were reassessed. We propose that 1) hepatic adenomas, hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and pure fetal hepatoblastomas (HBs) share the same spectrum in their cellular origin including the hepatocytic-committed progenitors (HCP) and their differentiated descendants. 2) Bile duct adenomas, peribiliary cysts and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (ICCs) can share the same spectrum in their cellular origin including the cholangiocytic-committed progenitors (CCP) and their differentiated descendants. 3) The cells-of-origin of embryonal HBs include liver stem cells (LSCs), hepatoblasts, and transitional cells between them. Embryonal HB with small cell element, small cell undifferentiated HB and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver can have the same or similar cells-of-origin from LSC. Embryonal HB lacking the small cell component of the LSC phenotype and presenting both hepatocytic and bile duct/ductule components may originate from actual hepatoblasts/hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) as the combined HCC-ICC does. 4) Teratoid hepatoblastoma and mixed epithelial/mesenchymal HBs can be derived from the LSCs or even less committed extrahepatic pluripotent stem cell. 5) Many members of the PETLs family, including those derived from LSCs, hepatoblasts/HPCs, early HCPs and CCPs, have neuroendocrine potentiality. Except for those primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (PHNET) exhibit hepatocytic and/or cholangiocytic phenotypes, other PHNETs subtype may be derived from the descendants of LSC that differentiate towards the upper digestive tract, pancreas or other lineages.
Criteria for the diagnostic of polluted ceramic insulators based on the leakage current monitoring technique

Ceramic insulators installed in a 400 kV line located in a semidesertic area in Monterrey, Mexico have registered flashover caused during critical pollution (high amount of low solubility material) and wetting conditions (dense fog). In previous studies, the contaminant deposited on these insulators was chemically and electrically reproduced in the laboratory and the wetting conditions needed to cause the flashover at nominal voltage were also determined. To get more information, five different profiles of glass and porcelain insulators and several on-line leakage current monitors were installed in this line to determine the pollution accumulation process. Pollution tests were carried out in laboratory using the same insulator profiles in order to determine the leakage current patterns during critical conditions. The obtained values are being used to compare the performance of the insulators installed in the field with the purpose of providing preventive maintenance indicators. The maximum leakage current levels have been defined for the different profiles and a tighten relation between ESDD and leakage current has been obtained. The current levels have been used as a sign of alarm for the maintenance of this line during several years.