Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Effect of Temperature on the Creep Behavior of Neat and Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK and Epoxy Resin

Schapery's nonlinear formulation for viscoelastic materials has been successfully used by many investigators at room temperature [1-3]. Little work has been presented in the literature where the above approach is applied to viscoelastic materials at elevated temperature. In the present work, Schapery's constitutive equation is used to study the nonlinear viscoelastic creep response of neat and carbon fiber-reinforced Polyether-etherketone (PEEK) and epoxy resin at different temperatures. As reinforced materials, the laminates [904] s and [±454] s were investigated. Series of 10-hour isothermal tensile creep tests were conducted on each laminate at four temperatures (up to 140°C for the epoxy system and up to 120°C for the PEEK system) and different stress levels. For comparison reasons the same type of experiments was conducted on the respective neat polymers. Schapery's approach was used to characterize the nonlinear viscoelastic response of the above materials. The stress and temperature dependence of the nonlinearity factors was evaluated using a numerical procedure based on least squares techniques. The results show that the linear viscoelastic limit is shifted to lower values with increasing temperature. This was observed for both neat polymers as well as for the [±454] s laminates investigated. On the other hand, for the [904] s laminates the influence of the temperature on the linear viscoelastic limit seems to be relatively restricted. Moreover, for all resins and laminates studied it is shown that the influence of temperature on the nonlinearity of the instantaneous material response is significantly lower than that on the transient nonlinearity. For the investigated temperature range it can therefore be assumed that the instantaneous creep response is linear and independent of temperature over a stress range relevant in practical applications. On the other hand, the influence of temperature on the transient creep response was found to be nonlinear. The transient creep response of the composite materials subjected to intralaminar shear stress showed higher temperature sensitivity than that under normal stress.
FIBER FRAMEWORK REINFORCED COMPOSITE RESIN BRIDGE APPLICATIONS AS AN ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE TO CLASSIC PROSTHODONTIC TREATMENTS: FOUR CASE REPORTS

In some situations like, economic failure, general health problems or patient’s fear to other more invasive operations, fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) resin bridge applications may be an alternative treatment method in single tooth missed cases. A variety of treatment modalities, from implants to conventional Maryland bridges, can be used for replacing missed single tooth. In this article the purpose was to report FRC bridge restorations of missed single tooth in four cases (who did not want expensive treatment options or have health problems) and to evaluate the short-term clinical performance of such applications. In four different patients with maxillar bilateral canine teeth absence, maxillar left second premolar tooth absence, maxillar left central incisor tooth absence and mandibular left central incisor absence the FRC adhesive bridges were designed and performed. The restorations have provided important benefits aesthetically, phonational and functional. These procedures were very effective in terms of patient satisfaction because of the fact that they were minimal invasive, conservative and economic. There were no clinical problem and patient dissatisfaction in any case after one year of follow-up
Value Creation from Application Service Provisioning: Lessons from Four Vendor Firms

This paper embraces the electronic business model concept as the unit of analysis for investigating application service providers (ASPs). It develops three constructs fundamental to the ASP business model: strategic positioning, product/service portfolio, and customer value proposition. Four short case study examples of different ASP business models are discussed. The findings suggest that, despite firm efforts to strategically differentiate their ASP business model from their rivals, each failed to provide the customer with an attractive value proposition to achieve a sustainable competitive position.
Centrifugation shearing exposes filamentous networks in cortical regions of crane-fly spermatocytes

Spermatocytes of the crane-fly, Nephrotoma suturalis, were attached to electron microscope grids and then sheared by applying centrifugal force. Transmission electron microscopy of exposed regions of the cell cortex revealed networks containing arrays of filamentous structures. Networks were present in sheared spermatocytes at all stages of meiosis. The networks of dividing spermatocytes (meta- through telophase) were denser and appeared to contain more aggregated material then networks of prophase cells. The appearance of networks in spermatocytes resembled actin-containing networks of sheared and detergent-extracted human erythrocytes. Networks treated with myosin subfragment 1 under conditions in which muscle F-actin was clearly decorated were not distinguishable from those of untreated cells. Exposure to deoxyribonuclease-1 caused the disruption of networks in sheared spermatocytes as well as in erythrocytes. The results of deoxyribonuclease experiments are interpreted as an indication that actin is a component of the cell cortex in crane-fly spermatocytes.
Comparative Studies of Dielectric Properties of Ca0.25Cu0.75TiO3 Ceramics Produced by Mechanochemical Synthesis and in the Way of High-Temperature Treatment

The paper presents a comparative study of Ca0.25Cu0. 75TiO3 (CCTO) electrical properties produced by two methods - mechanochemical synthesis and high temperature treatment. Products differ significantly in terms of grain morphology and the degree of defects in structure. This is the reason why electrical properties are different.
MRASTA and PLP in automatic speech recognition

This work explores different methods for combining estimated posterior probabilities from Multi-RASTA (MRASTA) and Perceptual Linear Prediction (PLP) features for Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). The improved performance by the ASR system indicates the complementary nature of information present in MRASTA and PLP. Among the different combining methods explored, product gives best performance
REDUCING PMTCT ATTRITION: PERSPECTIVES OF HIV+ WOMEN ON THE PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD HIV SERVICES IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.

BACKGROUND Only 41% of eligible Ethiopian women completed (PMTCT) therapy in 2012, with MTCT rate of 20%. OBJECTIVE This study elicited the perspectives of HIV positive mothers on the situation and the unique beliefs, attitudes, cultural norms and individuals who have influence over them during their pregnancy. METHODS The mixed-methods parent study included community level surveys, focus groups and in-depth individual interviews of HIV positive women with a child at least one year of age in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: only focus group and interview data are presented here. All tools were completed in Amharic with English translation. RESULTS 23 women completed in-depth interviews; 27 participated within 4 focus groups. The greatest barriers to PMTCT completion were: feelings of hopelessness and carelessness, lack of understanding of the efficacy of ARV, and negative religious influences. The advice to improve PMTCT adherence most frequently offered included increasing PLWHIV peer support and improving and extending current HIV educational efforts. Participants recommended that PLWHIV mothers be utilized in all PMTCT planning and interventions in the future. CONCLUSION Maintaining the motivation to adhere to the entire PMTCT cascade requires that a PLWHIV mother understands the validity of the steps she is taking and receives support for the many challenges she faces. Engaging PLWHIV peers as active members of the health care workforce and expanding their use as educators and counselors is important. Health officials can consider these findings to develop innovative and effective PMTCT interventions.
Typical performance of approximation algorithms for NP-hard problems

Typical performance of approximation algorithms is studied for randomized minimum vertex cover problems. A wide class of random graph ensembles characterized by an arbitrary degree distribution is discussed with the presentation of a theoretical framework. Herein, three approximation algorithms are examined: linear-programming relaxation, loopy-belief propagation, and the leaf-removal algorithm. The former two algorithms are analyzed using a statistical–mechanical technique, whereas the average-case analysis of the last one is conducted using the generating function method. These algorithms have a threshold in the typical performance with increasing average degree of the random graph, below which they find true optimal solutions with high probability. Our study reveals that there exist only three cases, determined by the order of the typical performance thresholds. In addition, we provide some conditions for classification of the graph ensembles and demonstrate explicitly some examples for the difference in thresholds.
Role of tumor–host interactions in interstitial diffusion of macromolecules: Cranial vs. subcutaneous tumors

The large size of many novel therapeutics impairs their transport through the tumor extracellular matrix and thus limits their therapeutic effectiveness. We propose that extracellular matrix composition, structure, and distribution determine the transport properties in tumors. Furthermore, because the characteristics of the extracellular matrix largely depend on the tumor–host interactions, we postulate that diffusion of macromolecules will vary with tumor type as well as anatomical location. Diffusion coefficients of macromolecules and liposomes in tumors growing in cranial windows (CWs) and dorsal chambers (DCs) were measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. For the same tumor types, diffusion of large molecules was significantly faster in CW than in DC tumors. The greater diffusional hindrance in DC tumors was correlated with higher levels of collagen type I and its organization into fibrils. For molecules with diameters comparable to the interfibrillar space the diffusion was 5- to 10-fold slower in DC than in CW tumors. The slower diffusion in DC tumors was associated with a higher density of host stromal cells that synthesize and organize collagen type I. Our results point to the necessity of developing site-specific drug carriers to improve the delivery of molecular medicine to solid tumors.
Roles and functions of robots in human society: implications from research in autism therapy

This paper discusses robots that are operational within a human-inhabited environment. Specifically, we identify different roles that such robots can adopt, reflecting different human-robot relationships. We discuss three different roles of robots in a project where we develop a robot as a therapeutic tool for children with autism: the robot as a therapeutic playmate, the robot as a social mediator, and the robot as a model social agent. Implications of these roles that go beyond this particular project are discussed.
Evolutionary inference from QST

Q ST is a commonly used metric of the degree of genetic differentiation among populations displayed by quantitative traits. Typically, QST is compared to FST measured on putatively neutral loci; if QST=FST, this is taken as evidence of spatially heterogeneous and diversifying selection. This paper reviews the uses, assumptions and statistics of QST and FST comparisons. Unfortunately, QST/FST comparisons are statistically challenging. For a single trait, QST must be compared not to the mean FST but to the distribution of FST values. The sources of biases and sampling error for QST are reviewed, and a new method for comparing QST and FST is suggested. Simulation results suggest that the distribution of neutral FST and QST values are little affected by various deviations from the island model. Consequently, the distributions of QST and FST are well approximated by the Lewontin–Krakauer prediction, even with realistic deviations from the island‐model assumptions.
Action-coordinating prosody

This paper is an initial exploration of how prosody helps coordinate action, based on examination of speech and motion in a two-player maze game where the players run and jump to avoid obstacles, and coordinate movements to solve problems. We use an unsupervised method, Principal Component Analysis applied to a large set of time-spread features, to discover patterns of behavior involving both prosodic features and game actions. These patterns include prosodic constructions involved in assessing, planning, inhibiting, cuing, and synchronizing actions.
Asteroid 1986 DA: Radar Evidence for a Metallic Composition

Echoes from the near-Earth object 1986 DA show it to be significantly more reflective than other radar-detected asteroids. This result supports the hypothesis that 1986 DA is a piece of NiFe metal derived from the interior of a much larger object that melted, differentiated, cooled, and subsequently was disrupted in a catastrophic collision. This 2-kilometer asteroid, which appears smooth at centimeter to meter scales but extremely irregular at 10- to 100-meter scales, might be (or have been a part of the parent body of some iron meteorites.
Integration of cytogenetic assays with toxicology studies

This report is a summary of presentations on the topic of integration of cytogenetics assays with toxicology studies; these presentations were given at a workshop on in vivo cytogenetics at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Environmental Mutagen Society on May 8, 1994. The purpose of these topical presentations was to evaluate the need for in vivo cytogenetics data for safety assessment of chemical entities and to assess the extent to which available technology permits such data to be3 obtained as part of the routine toxicological evaluation of chemicals in laboratory animals and in human clinical or epidemiology studies. 68 refs., 2 figs.
Apophysomyces elegans: Epidemiology, Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Typing, and In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern

ABSTRACT Apophysomyces elegans is an emerging pathogen in India. We planned the present study to analyze the clinical pattern of the disease, to perform molecular strain typing, and to determine the in vitro activities of eight antifungal drugs against A. elegans. A total of 16 clinical and two environmental A. elegans isolates were included in the study. The clinical histories of the patients were noted. MICs or minimum effective concentrations (MECs) were determined for antifungal drugs by microdilution testing in accordance with CLSI standard M38-A2 guidelines. Of 16 patients, seven had rhino-cerebral, five had cutaneous, and three had renal zygomycosis. One patient had osteomyelitis. Uncontrolled diabetes was observed in 63% of the patients. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis divided the strains into two clearly different clades. The fingerprints of the environmental strains (including the type strain) were clearly different from those of the clinical strains. The MIC50s and MIC90s for amphotericin B, itraconazole, posaconazole, and isavuconazole were 2 and 4, 1 and 2, 0.5 and 1, and 2 and 4 μg/ml, respectively. The strains had high MICs for fluconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins. The study indicates a possible change in the clinical pattern of zygomycosis due to A. elegans in India. The fungus caused not only cutaneous or subcutaneous infection but also other deep-seated infections, and the disease is commonly associated with uncontrolled diabetes. The AFLP patterns show a clear difference between environmental and clinical strains. Posaconazole is the most active drug against the isolates, followed by itraconazole. The MICs of amphotericin B against A. elegans were higher than those of the other drugs.
Cervical cancer control and prevention in Malawi: need for policy improvement

Introduction Malawi has the highest incidents of cervical cancer followed by Mozambique and Comoros thus according to the 2014 Africa cervical cancer multi indicator incidence and mortality score card. Despite having an established cervical cancer prevention program, there is low screening coverage. Studies have been carried out to determine socio-cultural and economical barriers to cervical cancer prevention services utilization and very few have concentrated on health system and policy related barriers to cervical cancer prevention and control. The paper presents finding on a qualitative study which carried out to determine the suitability of the national sexual and reproductive health and rights [SRHR] in mitigating challenges in cervical cancer control and prevention. Methods a desk review of the Malawi National Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights [SRHR] policy 2009 was done with an aim of understanding its context, goal and objectives. Analysis of the policy history provided insight into the conditions that led to the policy. Policies from countries within the region were referred in the review. Government officials were interviewed to solicit information on the policy. Results Malawi does not have a standalone policy on cervical cancer; however, cervical cancer is covered under reproductive cancer theme in the SRHR. Unlike some policies within the region, the Malawian SRHR policy does not mention the age at which the women should be screened, the frequency and who is to do the screening. The policy does not stipulate policy implications on the ministry of health, the SRH programs and health service providers on cervical cancer. Furthermore the policy does not include HPV vaccination as a key component of cervical cancer control and prevention. Conclusion the policy does not reflect fairly the best attempt to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer as such we recommend that the Reproductive Health Directorate to consider developing a standalone policy on cervical cancer control and prevention.
Adaptive zero reaction motion control for free-floating space manipulators

This paper investigates adaptive zero reaction motion control for free-floating space manipulators with uncertain kinematics and dynamics. The challenge in deriving the adaptive reaction null-space (RNS)-based control scheme is that it is difficult to obtain a linear expression, which is the basis of the adaptive control. The main contribution of this paper is that we skillfully obtain such a linear expression, based on which, an adaptive version of the RNS-based controller (referred to as the adaptive zero reaction motion controller in the sequel) is developed at the velocity level, taking into account both the kinematic and dynamic uncertainties. It is shown that the proposed controller achieves both the spacecraft attitude regulation and end-effector trajectory tracking. The performance of the proposed adaptive controller is shown by numerical simulations with a planar three-degree-of-freedom space manipulator.
Performance of concrete columns strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer composite sheets

The performance of concrete columns externally wrapped with carbon, glass, and aramid fiber reinforced polymer composite sheets is presented in this paper. The confined and unconfined (control) specimens were loaded in uniaxial compression. Axial load and axial and lateral strains were obtained in order to evaluate stress-strain behavior, ultimate strength, stiffness, and ductility of the wrapped specimens. Results show that external confinement of concrete by FRP composite sheets can significantly enhance strength, ductility and energy absorption capacity. An analytical model to predict the entire stress-strain relationship of concrete specimens wrapped with FRP composite sheets was developed. Comparison between the experimental results and those of analytical indicates that the model provides satisfactory predictions of the stress-strain response. The paper also presents the performance of the wrapped concrete specimens subjected to wet-dry environments. The specimens were exposed to 300 cycles of wetting and drying using salt water. Results show that the specimens wrapped with carbon and aramid fibers experienced no reduction in strength due to wet/dry exposure, whereas those wrapped with glass fiber experienced a significant reduction in strength.
Optimization of magnetizing reduction and magnetic separation of iron ores by experimental design

An experimental design of magnetizing reduction and magnetic separation of Egyptian low grade iron ore has been conducted using a data developed from applying the conventional single-factor experimentation in order to get the real optimum conditions of the processing. A model has been developed for magnetizing reduction to describe the relationship between the extent of reduction and the reduction temperature, time and reducing gas flow rate, whereas another model for magnetic separation process was deduced correlating the ore size and reduction time to the iron recovery in the magnetic concentrate.
Multi-dimensional Index on Hadoop Distributed File System

In this paper, we present an approach to construct a built-in block-based hierarchical index structures, like R-tree, to organize data sets in one, two, or higher dimensional space and improve the query performance towards the common query types (e.g., point query, range query) on Hadoop distributed file system (HDFS). The query response time for data sets that are stored in HDFS can be significantly reduced by avoiding exhaustive search on the corresponding data sets in the presence of index structures. The basic idea is to adopt the conventional hierarchical structure to HDFS, and several issues, including index organization, index node size, buffer management, and data transfer protocol, are considered to reduce the query response time and data transfer overhead through network. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the built-in index structure can efficiently improve query performance, and serve as cornerstones for structured or semi-structured data management.
2-{(E)-4-[4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]but-2-enyloxy}phenyl N-methylcarbamate

In the title compound, C19H18F3NO4, which was designed and synthesized as a dual-site inhibitor of insect AChE (acetylcholinesterase), the dihedral angle between the methylcarbamate group and the benzene ring is 72.47 (6)°. In the crystal, inversion dimers are linked by pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Activated Carbon–Filled Epoxy Nanocomposites

Nano-activated carbons obtained from oil palm empty fiber bunch (AC-EFB), bamboo stem (AC-BS), and coconut shells (AC-CNS) were reinforced in epoxy matrix to fabricate epoxy nanocomposites. The dynamic mechanical analysis of epoxy nanocomposites was carried out, and 5% AC-CNS treated with KOH-filled epoxy composites displayed the highest storage modulus of all the activated carbon–filled epoxy composites. The incorporation of a small amount of AC-BS, AC-EFB, and AC-CNS to the epoxy matrix enhanced the damping characteristics of the epoxy nanocomposites. The 5% AC-EFB treated with H3PO4 filled epoxy composites showed the highest glass transition temperature (Tg) in all temperature ranges.