Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shear resistance of beams based on the effective shear depth

Despite extensive experimental and theoretical studies the shear resistance of beams with longitudinal reinforcement is described by empirical expressions. A reliable empirical formula is derived by Rafla [10]. This formula is based on 442 experimental results. In this report no experiments are described. It is endeavoured to make a new contribution to the theoretical study of shear strength. The model presented in this report is based on the idea that apart from the effective depth of the compressive zone there is an effective shear depth. The model developed is compared with empirical expressions defined by Rafla and other investigators. The results are promising. With the model the time-dependent behaviour of the shear resistance, the strength criterion and the durability are discussed. For beams with web reinforcement it is explained which mechanism causes the almost constant contribution of the 'compressive zone' to the shear resistance in spite of the increasing deformations. According to the model derived, a formula is presented for lightweight concrete by substitution of the proper material properties into the general expressions for the shear resistance. This formula is in good agreement with the experinents reported by other investigators. Due to the complex internal equilibrium in the case of (partially) prestressed concrete the influence of a normal force on the shear strength is not discussed in detail. The general principle is presented and an example is given. The observed experimental behaviour can be explained with the model derived.
Proteomic profiling of cancer stem cells derived from primary tumors of HER2/Neu transgenic mice

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression leads to mammary tumorigenesis and its elevated levels lead to increase in cancer stem cells (CSCs), invasion, and metastasis. CSCs are resistant to radiation/chemotherapeutic drugs and are believed to be responsible for recurrence/relapse of cancer. CSCs are isolated using flow cytometry based sorting, although reliable, this technology hinders the convenient identification of molecular targets of CSCs. Therefore to understand the molecular players of increased CSC through HER2 overexpression and to develop meaningful targets for combination therapy, we isolated and characterized breast CSCs through convenient tumorsphere culture. We identified the altered protein expression in CSC as compared to non‐CSC using LC‐MS/MS and confirmed those results using qRT‐PCR and Western blotting. Ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) was identified as a candidate gene, which is involved in iron metabolism and iron depletion significantly decreased the self‐renewal of CSCs. We further performed in silico analysis of altered genes in tumorsphere and identified a set of genes (PTMA, S100A4, S100A6, TNXRD1, COX‐1, COX‐2, KRT14, and FTH1), representing possible molecular targets, which in combination showed a promise to be used as prognostic markers for breast cancer.
Residual Stresses Induced by Laser Peening of Thin Aluminium Plates

Laser shock peening offers potential advantages over conventional peen technologies in terms of the depth of the residual stresses that can be induced, and improvements in surface roughness. In this study the application of laser peening to thin aluminium plates such as are used in aerospace applications is investigated. Peening of thin plates presents challenges in balancing the peen intensity to prevent overpeening that will actually lower the stress field. Strain profiles for different laser peening parameters were obtained using synchrotron X-ray diffraction at the ESRF, France. Results are presented and discussed of the residual strain profiles in terms of the laser power density and the number of peen passes. When the power density and number of passes are increased the compressive strain magnitudes are also increased, as has been observed in previous studies. However, the strain components longitudinal and transverse to the peen line are not identical to each other, with the transverse component being much less compressive.
Are Participants in a Street-Based HIV Testing Program Able to Perform Their Own Rapid Test and Interpret the Results?

Objective Availability of over-the-counter rapid HIV tests could improve access to testing those reluctant or unable to use current services. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of HIV self-testing using a finger-stick whole-blood rapid test (Determine™ HIV Combo) to detect both antigen and antibody. Methods Before being tested, 313 participants in a street-based testing program were given adapted instructions and a test kit, and performed the self-test without supervision. These participants, together with another 207 who performed supervised self-testing, received additional instructions on how to interpret the test results shown in six colour photos and filled out a questionnaire. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used in the statistical analysis. Results About 8.0% (95%CI:4.8%–11.2%) obtained an invalid self-test. An invalid result was inversely associated with male participants who had sex with men (OR = 0.3;95%CI:0.1–1.0). Of the 3111 photos interpreted,4.9% (95%CI:4.1–5.7) were incorrect. Only 1.1% (95%CI:0.3–1.8) of the positive results were interpreted as negative. Age 30 or older (OR = 2.1; 95%CI:1.2–3.7), having been born in Latin America (OR = 1.6; 95%CI:1.1–2.2),and not having university education (OR = 2.1;95%CI:1.2–3.7) were associated with misinterpreting test results in the GEE. Participant's perceptions of both their proficiency when conducting the test and interpretation were related with actual outcomes. Most participants (83.9%) were more motivated than before to use the self-test in the future, and 51.7% would pay >10 Euros for the test if it was sold in pharmacies. Conclusions This is the first study showing that blood-based self-testing with current technology is feasible in HIV-negative participants demanding the test and without prior training or supervision. Bearing in mind that it was conducted under difficult weather conditions and using a complex kit, over-the-counter tests could be a feasible option to complement current diagnostic strategies. More studies are needed to accommodate technology, minimise interpretation mistakes and provide on-line support.
Consistent and Durable Data Structures for Non-Volatile Byte-Addressable Memory

The predicted shift to non-volatile, byte-addressable memory (e.g., Phase Change Memory and Memristor), the growth of "big data", and the subsequent emergence of frameworks such as memcached and NoSQL systems require us to rethink the design of data stores. To derive the maximum performance from these new memory technologies, this paper proposes the use of single-level data stores. For these systems, where no distinction is made between a volatile and a persistent copy of data, we present Consistent and Durable Data Structures (CDDSs) that, on current hardware, allows programmers to safely exploit the low-latency and non-volatile aspects of new memory technologies. CDDSs use versioning to allow atomic updates without requiring logging. The same versioning scheme also enables rollback for failure recovery. When compared to a memory-backed Berkeley DB B-Tree, our prototype-based results show that a CDDS B-Tree can increase put and get throughput by 74% and 138%. When compared to Cassandra, a two-level data store, Tembo, a CDDS B-Tree enabled distributed Key-Value system, increases throughput by up to 250%-286%.
Regulates b-Catenin Transcriptional Activity Downstream of Growth Factor Receptor Signaling

Increased b-catenin transcriptional activity downstream of the Wnt/Wingless signaling pathway has been observed in many human tumors, most notably colorectal carcinomas. However, b-catenin activation is also observed in many human malignancies with no observable Wnt activity. Wnt-independent pathways that activate b-catenin remain undefined, yet have the potential to play a significant role during tumorigenesis. Here, we report that phosphotidylinositol phosphate kinase Ig (PIPKIg), an enzyme that generates phosphoinositide messengers in vivo, directly associates with b-catenin and increases b-catenin activity downstream of growth factor stimulation. PIPKIg expression and kinase activity enhance b-catenin phosphorylation on residues that promote nuclear importation and transcriptional activity. Lastly, we show that b-catenin is required for PIPKIgdependent increased cell proliferation. These results reveal a novel mechanism in which PIPKIg expression and catalytic activity enhance b-catenin nuclear translocation and expression of its target genes to promote tumorigenic phenotypes. Cancer Res; 71(4); 1282–91. 2011 AACR.
The effect of contamination on selected physical and chemical characteristics of mineral trioxide aggregate

Summary Aim: To evaluate the effect of various environmental (clinical) conditions on the physical and chemical characteristics of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). Methodology: Initially preparation of specimens was standardised. Moreover, a novel mixing technique, trituration of encapsulated MTA, was developed. The effects of acid and blood contamination on various characteristics of MTA including compressive strength, surface microhardness, push-out bond strength and total porosity were then evaluated. Furthermore, by using X-ray diffraction analysis the hydration process of blood contaminated MTA was studied. In addition, the microstructure of contaminated MTA specimens was compared with control groups. Results: Methods of mixing and placing MTA significantly affected the hydration process and consequently the physical properties of the material. The lowest and greatest compressive strength, Vickers surface microhardness, and push-out strength values of MTA were found after exposure to pH levels of 4.4 and 7.4, respectively. In addition, scanning electron microscopy revealed a lack of needle-like crystals when the material was in contact with more acidic solutions. The hydration state of specimens partially mixed with blood was more complete than those mixed entirely with blood and less than specimens that were hydrated only with water. Conclusion: In experimental investigations, use of controlled mixing and placement techniques when using MTA is essential in order to standardise specimen preparation. Delaying the placement of the final coronal restoration in clinical situations when MTA is contaminated is recommended so that the material can acquire sufficient physical properties to withstand the acid-etch procedure and the condensation pressures that occur during the placement of a restoration and/or produced through indirect masticatory forces.
Value of the dynamic and delayed MR sequence with Gd-DTPA in the T-staging of stomach cancer: correlation with the histopathology

AbstractBackground: To evaluate the usefulness of dynamic and delayed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the T-staging of stomach cancer and to compare the enhancement pattern of the cancerous lesion and the normal wall. Methods: We performed MR imaging in 46 patients with stomach cancer (including four early gastric cancers and 42 advanced gastric cancers). Axial, sagittal, or coronal two-dimensional fast low-angle shot) MR images for the water-distended stomach were obtained with dynamic protocol, including precontrast images and images obtained 30, 60, 90, and 240–300 s after intravenous injection of the 0.1 mM Gd-DTPA/kg solution. We evaluated the thickness, interruption (or not) of the low signal intensity bands, and enhancement pattern of the cancerous wall and normal gastric wall. We prospectively evaluated the depth of cancer invasion, perigastric infiltration (extraserosal invasion), perigastric organ invasion, and regional lymph nodes and determined tumor staging on MR images. These MR evaluations including MR-determined staging were correlated with the surgicopathologic findings. Results: Stomach cancer was shown as having a thickened wall with a rapid enhancing pattern after intravenous Gd-DTPA administration. The mucosa (and/or submucosa) affected by stomach cancer showed an early enhancement pattern (30–90 s after Gd-DTPA administration) in 43 of 46 patients (93%). The normal gastric mucosa demonstrated a delayed peak enhancement pattern (>90 s after Gd-DTPA administration) in 29 of 46 patients (63%) and variable enhancement pattern in 17 of 46 patients (37%). An interrupted low signal intensity band or highly enhanced tumorous lesion penetrating through the gastric wall was seen in 17 of 19 pT3 patients (90%). Consistency between MR-determined staging and surgicopathologic staging occurred in three of four pT1 tumors (75%), 10 of 13 pT2 tumors (77%), 17 of 19 pT3 tumors (90%), and eight of 10 pT4 tumors (80%); overall accuracy was 83%. Overall accuracy of regional lymph node involvement, as determined by enhanced MR, was 52%; 24 of 46 node groups were positive. Conclusions: Dynamic and delayed MR imaging can be useful for predicting depth of cancer invasion, perigastric infiltration (extraserosal invasion), and perigastric organ invasion by gastric cancer.
Non-axisymmetric guided waves in a composite cylinder with transversely isotropic core

SUMMARY Ultrasonic guided waves in a composite cylinder have been studied by using a Rayleigh-Ritz-type finite-element representation. Although the method can be applied to general anisotropic cylinders, the analysis has been confined here to the case of a narrow transversely isotropic solid cylindrical core surrounded by a thick coaxial isotropic cylinder. Numerical results are presented for the dispersion of the first two modes when the circumferential wavenumber n = 1 and 3. It is found that, for the particular case of a graphite core in a magnesium cylinder, the two modal branches approach very closely (pinch) at the Rayleigh wave speed of magnesium. In the presence of a soft interface material, the pinch frequency is found to shift downwards. The effect of this interface material on the dispersion is also discussed.
Balanced Octree for Tetrahedral Mesh Generation

Nowadays, with the advances of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) packages, some of the engineering and design problems such as stress or thermal deformation can be successfully solved. These are convenient for better incorporating the design constraints of various tasks such as injection molded parts, or rapid prototyping and tooling. Mesh generation is the major step of finite element method for numerical computation. Common types of mesh include triangulation or tetrahedralization. During the mesh generation process, we always find difficulty in the formation of a uniform, non-conformal mesh. The undesirable mesh will adversely influence the accuracy and meshing time of the model. This paper will, thus, propose an effective approach to extend to threedimensional (3D) mesh generation by octree balancing method so as to adjust the mesh pattern. In this paper, the implementation of octree balancing will be explained and illustrated with real life example. The proposed method includes three main steps. Problematic unbalanced octants will be detected and Steiner points will be added as appropriate before the tetrahedral mesh generation. The balanced octree will form good tetrahedral meshes for further analysis. Then the balanced and unbalanced meshes will be compared for efficiency and accuracy for mesh generation.
Segmenting by Latent Heterogeneity

Segmentation methods used in marketing literature range from those based on demographic variables to those relying on more sophisticated clustering techniques. Grouping consumers into relatively homogeneous classes is of great importance for marketers since it enables them to develop specific products and marketing strategies to better cater these segments. A new segmentation method based on the heterogeneity among consumers' perceptions of underlying product-related factors, is proposed. Specifically, variation of factor loadings, coupled with a highly intensive computer technique (bootstrap) is used to classify consumers into homogeneous groups. The validity of this segmentation scheme is compared to those of traditional segmentation methods, by examining the forecasting abilities of a choice model under these different scenarios.
Automatic recognition of wideband telephone speech with limited amount of matched training data

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) for wideband (WB) telephone speech services must cope with a lack of matching speech databases for acoustic model training. This paper investigates the impact of mixing insufficient WB and additional narrowband (NB) speech training data. It turns out that decimation and interpolation techniques, reducing the bandwidth mismatch between the NB speech material in training and the WB speech data to be recognized, do not succeed in outperforming the pure NB ASR baseline. However, true WB ASR training supported by artificial bandwidth extension (ABE) reveals a performance gain. A new ABE approach that makes use of robust dynamic features and a Viterbi path decoder exploiting phonetic a priori knowledge proves to be superior. It yields a reduction of 1.9 % word error rate relative to the NB ASR baseline and 9.3 % relative to a WB ASR experiment trained on only a limited amount of WB speech data.
A Review of Aerosol Nanoparticle Formation from Ions

Ion-induced nucleation (IIN) mechanism has been widely accepted as an efficient source of new particle formation in the middle and upper troposphere. However, there have been debates on its contribution to the nucleation events observed in the boundary layer. To reveal the current understanding of IINs, we here summarise investigations on microphysical mechanisms of aerosol formation from ions, i.e., ion induced homogeneous nucleation (HN). The basic formation steps of ion-induced HN include primary ion production, charged cluster formation from ions, and stable nanoparticle formation from clusters. Two essential controlling processes (ion generation and formation of condensable species) are emphasized in the viewpoint of plasma performance for three case studies, i.e., galactic cosmic ray travelling in the troposphere, lightning discharges, and charging processes by aerosol chargers. The first two cases result in IINs due to the simultaneous generation of ions and condensable species (such as H2SO4 and oxidized organic vapours) from oxidizing trace atmospheric molecules. The third case leads to ion-induced clustering or nucleation in aerosol chargers. Due to a relatively short residence time in chargers (normally less than 1 minute), big charged clusters often exist in the outgoing aerosol flows.
XRCE Participation in CLEF 2002

In this paper, we describe the methods we used for the Cross-Lingual Evaluation Forum CLEF 2002, and more specifically for the GIRT Task. The methods are based on (1) the extraction of two bilingual lexicons, one from parallel corpora and the other one from comparable corpora, (2) the optimal combination of these bilingual lexicons in Cross-Language Information Retrieval and (3) the combination with monolingual IR on parallel corpora. While our original submission to CLEF2002 was restricted to short queries (using only the title field), we present here the results extended to complete queries.
Distributed Function Computation with Confidentiality

A set of terminals observe correlated data and seek to compute functions of the data using interactive public communication. At the same time, it is required that the value of a private function of the data remains concealed from an eavesdropper observing this communication. In general, the private function and the functions computed by the nodes can be all different. We show that a class of functions are securely computable if and only if the conditional entropy of data given the value of private function is greater than the least rate of interactive communication required for a related multiterminal source-coding task. A single-letter formula is provided for this rate in special cases.
Optimal Artiﬁcial Curiosity, Creativity, Music, and the Fine Arts

Even in absence of external reward, babies and scientists and others explore their world. Using some sort of adaptive predictive world model, they improve their ability to answer questions such as: what happens if I do this or that? They lose interest in both the predictable things and those predicted to remain unpredictable despite some effort. We can design curious robots that do the same. The author’s basic idea for doing so (1990, 1991): a reinforcement learning (RL) controller is rewarded for action sequences that improve the predictor. Here we revisit this idea in the context of recent results on optimal predictors and optimal RL machines, proposing several new variants of the basic principle. Finally we point out how the ﬁne arts can be formally understood as a consequence of the principle: given some subjective observer, great works of art and music yield observation histories exhibiting more novel, previously unknown compressibility / regularity / predictability (with respect to the observer’s particular learning al-gorithm) than lesser works, thus deepening the observer’s understanding of the world and what’s possible in it.
Combining task- and data parallelism to speed up protein folding on a desktop grid platform

The steady increase of computing power at lower and lower cost enables molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the process of protein folding with an explicit treatment of water molecules. Such simulations are typically done with well known computational chemistry codes like CHARMM. Desktop grids such as the United Devices MetaProcessor are highly attractive platforms, since scavenging for unused machines on Intra- and Internet delivers compute power that is almost free. However, the predominant programming paradigm for current desktop grids is pure task parallelism and might not fit the needs for protein folding simulations with explicit water molecules. A short overall turn-around time of a simulation remains highly important for research productivity, but the need for an accurate model and long simulation time-scales leads to tasks that are too large for optimal scheduling on a desktop grid. To address this problem, we introduce a combination of task- and data parallelism as a well suitable computing paradigm for protein folding investigations on grid platforms. As a proof of concept, we design and implement a simple system for protein folding simulations based on the notion of combined task and data parallelism with clustered workers. Clustered workers are machines grouped into small clusters according to network and CPU performance criteria and act as super-nodes within a desktop grid, permitting the utilization of data parallelism in addition to the task parallelism. We integrate our new paradigm into the existing software environment of the United Devices MetaProcessor. For a test protein, we reach a better quality of the folding calculations than we reached using just task parallelism on distributed systems.
An analytic hierarchy process approach to fixed income market portfolio — The case of South Korean bond market

This paper proposes a Korea fixed income portfolio by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). We find that each criterion plays an important role in the portfolio. Nevertheless, the effect of the AHP-portfolio on the total returns is trivial. Therefore, we determine that the decision maker prefers the government bond to the others. We also determine that the portfolio generated by AHP accords with the decision maker's preference.