Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure and Performance of PP Porous Membrane Prepared with Adipic Acid and NA-40 as Nucleating Agent via TIPS

Polypropylene (PP) membranes were respectively prepared using adipic acid (APA) and Sorbitol (NA-40) as nucleating agent via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method. The effects of nucleating agent content and cooling temperature on the structure and performance of membrane were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). WAXD spectrogram indicates that three kinds of α, β and γ-form crystal were formed in this preparation process and the relative content of β-form crystal in membrane prepared by NA-40 system is higher than that of membrane formed by adipic acid. SEM images show that porous structure and cellular structure were observed on the surface and cross-section of membrane. The water flux, tensile strength and elongation increase with the addition of nucleating agent content and decrease with cooling temperature rising. This paper aims to choose proper nucleating agent NA-40 and coagulation temperature to improve the properties of PP membranes.
Achieving Spatial Scalability for Coded Caching over Wireless Networks

The coded caching scheme proposed by Maddah-Ali and Niesen considers the delivery of files in a given content library to users through a deterministic error-free network where a common multicast message is sent to all users at a fixed rate, independent of the number of users. In order to apply this paradigm to a wireless network, it is important to make sure that the common multicast rate does not vanish as the number of users increases. This paper focuses on a variant of coded caching successively proposed for the so-called combination network, where the multicast message is further encoded by a Maximum Distance Separable (MDS) code and the MDS-coded blocks are simultaneously transmitted from different Edge Nodes (ENs) (e.g., base stations or access points). Each user is equipped with multiple antennas and can select to decode a desired number of EN transmissions, while either nulling of treating as noise the others, depending on their strength. The system is reminiscent of the so-called evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS), in the sense that the fundamental underlying transmission mechanism is multipoint multicasting, where each user can independently and individually (in a user-centric manner) decide which EN to decode, without any explicit association of users to ENs. We study the performance of the proposed system when users and ENs are distributed according to homogeneous Poisson Point Processes in the plane and the propagation is affected by Rayleigh fading and distance dependent pathloss. Our analysis allows the system optimization with respect to the MDS coding rate. Also, we show that the proposed system is fully scalable, in the sense that it can support an arbitrarily large number of users, while maintaining a non-vanishing per-user delivery rate.
Bi-clustering with Similarity Regularization

Clustering analysis of multi-typed objects in heterogeneous information network (HINs) is an important and challenging problem. Nonnegative Matrix Tri-Factorization (NMTF) is a popular bi-clustering algorithm on document data and relational data. However, few algorithms utilize this method for clustering in HINs. In this paper, we propose a novel bi-clustering algorithm, BMFClus, for HIN based on NMTF. BMFClus not only simultaneously generates clusters for two types of objects but also takes rich heterogeneous information into account by using a similarity regularization. Experiments on both synthetic and real-world datasets demonstrate that BMFClus outperforms the stateof-the-art methods.
ALTERNATE SENSORY CHANNELS AND MODALITY REPLACEMENT FOR THE TOTALLY BLIND

1Computer Science Department, University of Geneva, Battelle Campus, 7 Route de Drize, 1227 Carouge (Geneva), Switzerland 2Computer Science Department, University of Applied Studies (HES-SO), 4 Rue de la Prairie, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland 3Center for Research and Technology Hellas (ITI/CERTH), Informatics and Telematics Institute, 1st Km Thermi-Panorama Road, P.O. Box 361, 57001 Thermi-Thessaloniki, Greece
Multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) for nonlinear systems with nonlinear parameterization

A novel dwell-time-switching based multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) scheme is proposed for the state feedback stabilization problem of a class of general nonlinear systems with nonlinear parameterization. One major contribution is that it has advanced Morse's dwell-time-switching from linear systems to a class of nonlinear systems. Another significant contribution is that it combines the idea of monitoring the adequacy of candidate models (in terms of their estimation performances) in most MMAC schemes with the idea of monitoring the performance of candidate controllers in unfalsified control. Moreover, sufficient conditions for closed-loop stability are established for the proposed dwell-time-switching based MMAC scheme when applied to the considered class of nonlinear systems. To fulfil those sufficient conditions, emphasis has been put on the design of multiple estimators, candidate controllers and monitoring signals. The carefully designed estimators, candidate controllers, and monitoring signals enable us to derive a finite time switching result and provide a characterization on the maximum number of switchings for the dwell-time-switching algorithm proposed. In order to show how the general design of our dwell-time-switching based MMAC scheme can be applied to a particular nonlinear system, a constructive design based on back-stepping is provided for the adaptive control problem for a special class of nonlinearly parameterized systems, which can satisfy all the sufficient conditions to ensure closed-loop stability.
A novel polysaccharide from the Sarcodon aspratus triggers apoptosis in Hela cells via induction of mitochondrial dysfunction

Background Polysaccharides extracted from fungus that have been used widely in the food and drugs industries due to biological activities. Objective The objective of the present study was to investigate the tumor-suppressive activity and mechanism of a novel polysaccharide (SAP) extracted from Sarcodon aspratus. Methods The SAP was extracted and purified using Sepharose CL-4B gel from S. aspratus. The cytotoxicity of SAP on cell lines was determined by MTT method. Cellular migration assays were implemented by using transwell plates. The apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) of Hela cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The western blot was used to determine the protein expression of Hela cells. Results The results showed that SAP with a molecular weight of 9.01×105 Da could significantly inhibit the growth of Hela cells in vitro. Three-dimensional cell culture (3D) and transwell assays showed that SAP restrained the multi-cellular spheroids growth and cell migration. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SAP induced a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Western blot assays indicated that SAP promoted the release of cytochrome c, increased Bax expression, down-regulated of Bcl-2 expression and activated of caspase-3 expression. Conclusion This study suggested that SAP induced Hela cells apoptosis via mitochondrial dysfunction that are critical in events of caspase apoptotic pathways. The anti-tumor (Hela cells) activity of SAP recommended that S. aspratus could be used as a powerful medicinal mushroom against cancer.
Complications associated with injectable soft-tissue fillers: a 5-year retrospective review.

IMPORTANCE Even when administered by experienced hands, injectable soft-tissue fillers can cause various unintended reactions, ranging from minor and self-limited responses to severe complications requiring prompt treatment and close follow-up. OBJECTIVES To review the complications associated with injectable soft-tissue filler treatments administered in the Williams Rejuva Center during a 5-year period and to discuss their management. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective medical record review in a private practice setting. PARTICIPANTS Patients receiving injectable soft-tissue fillers and having a treatment-related complication. INTERVENTIONS Injectable soft-tissue filler treatments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A retrospective medical record review was conducted of patients undergoing treatment with injectable soft-tissue fillers between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2011, and identified as having a treatment-related complication. RESULTS A total of 2089 injectable soft-tissue filler treatments were performed during the study period, including 1047 with hyaluronic acid, 811 with poly-L-lactic acid, and 231 with calcium hydroxylapatite. Fourteen complications were identified. The most common complication was nodule or granuloma formation. Treatment with calcium hydroxylapatite had the highest complication rate. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Complications are rare following treatment with injectable soft-tissue fillers. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the spectrum of potential adverse sequelae and to be comfortable with their proper management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.
Mentalization mediates the relation between early traumatic experiences and aggressive behavior in adolescence

The aim of the study was to examine whether mentalization serves as a protective factor against aggressive behavior in adolescence in the context of early traumatization. We present data from a non-clinical sample of adolescents from Germany (n=97) and calculate a mediation model to test the link between early traumatic experiences and aggressive behavior with mentalizing skills as a mediator. Mentalization was assessed with the Reflective Functioning Scale on the Adult-Attachment-Interview and aggressive behavior was measured with the Reactive-Proactive-Aggression-Questionnaire. Traumatic experience was operationalized as physical and/or sexual abuse as reported in the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. Results show a complete mediation for Reflective Functioning on the relationship between early abuse and aggressive behavior. Thus, the findings of the study support an understanding of mentalizing as a protective factor for the relationship between early abusive experience and the development of aggressive behavior. Clinical implications are discussed.
AREAL 50 MeV Electron Accelerator Project for THz and Middle IR FEL

Advanced Research Electron Accelerator Laboratory (AREAL) is an electron accelerator project based on photocathode RF gun. The first phase of the facility is a 5 MeV energy RF phototgun, which is currently under operation. The facility developments imply energy upgrade to 50 MeV with further delivery of the electron beam to the undulator sections for Free Electron Laser and coherent undulator radiation in MIR and THz frequency ranges, respectively. In this report the design study of AREAL 50 MeV facility main systems along with the beam dynamics and characteristics of expected radiation are presented.
CLUZH at VarDial GDI 2017: Testing a Variety of Machine Learning Tools for the Classification of Swiss German Dialects

Our submissions for the GDI 2017 Shared Task are the results from three different types of classifiers: Naïve Bayes, Conditional Random Fields (CRF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Our CRF-based run achieves a weighted F1 score of 65% (third rank) being beaten by the best system by 0.9%. Measured by classification accuracy, our ensemble run (Naïve Bayes, CRF, SVM) reaches 67% (second rank) being 1% lower than the best system. We also describe our experiments with Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) architectures. Since they performed worse than our non-neural approaches we did not include them in the submission.
Alternative Graphical Causal Models and the Identification of Direct E!ects

We consider four classes of graphical causal models: the Finest Fully Randomized Causally Interpretable Structured Tree Graph (FFRCISTG) of Robins (1986), the agnostic causal model of Spirtes et al. (1993), the Non-Parametric Structural Equation Model (NPSEM) of Pearl (2000), and the Minimal Counterfactual Model (MCM) which we introduce. The latter is referred to as ‘minimal’ because it imposes the minimal counterfactual independence assumptions required to identify those causal contrasts representing the effect of an ideal intervention on any subset of the variables in the graph. The causal contrasts identified by an MCM are, in general, a strict subset of those identified by a NPSEM associated with the same graph. We analyze various measures of the ‘direct’ causal effect, focussing on the pure direct effect (PDE), also called the ‘natural direct effect’. We show the PDE is a parameter that may be identified in a DAG viewed as a NPSEM, but not as an MCM. In spite of this, Pearl has given a scenario in which the PDE corresponds to the intent-to-treat parameter of a randomized experiment. We resolve this apparent paradox by showing that implicit within Pearl’s account is an extended causal DAG with additional variables in which there is a causal contrast that equals the pure direct effect of Pearl’s original NPSEM. Further, this contrast is identified from observational data on the original variables. Finally we relate our results to the work of Avin et al. (2005) on path-specific causal effects. This paper will appear in Causality and psychopathology: finding the determinants of disorders and their cures, P. Shrout, Editor.
Control of insulin granule formation and function by the ABC transporters ABCG1 and ABCA1 and by oxysterol binding protein OSBP

In pancreatic β-cells, insulin granule membranes are enriched in cholesterol and are both recycled and newly generated. Cholesterol’s role in supporting granule membrane formation and function is poorly understood. ATP binding cassette transporters ABCG1 and ABCA1 regulate intracellular cholesterol and are important for insulin secretion. RNAi interference–induced depletion in cultured pancreatic β-cells shows that ABCG1 is needed to stabilize newly made insulin granules against lysosomal degradation; ABCA1 is also involved but to a lesser extent. Both transporters are also required for optimum glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, likely via complementary roles. Exogenous cholesterol addition rescues knockdown-induced granule loss (ABCG1) and reduced secretion (both transporters). Another cholesterol transport protein, oxysterol binding protein (OSBP), appears to act proximally as a source of endogenous cholesterol for granule formation. Its knockdown caused similar defective stability of young granules and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, neither of which were rescued with exogenous cholesterol. Dual knockdowns of OSBP and ABC transporters support their serial function in supplying and concentrating cholesterol for granule formation. OSBP knockdown also decreased proinsulin synthesis consistent with a proximal endoplasmic reticulum defect. Thus, membrane cholesterol distribution contributes to insulin homeostasis at production, packaging, and export levels through the actions of OSBP and ABCs G1 and A1.
Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of Mouse Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI)

Summary Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) acts to regulate the initiation of coagulation by first inhibiting factor Xa. The complex of factor Xa/ TFPI then inhibits the factor VIIa/tissue factor complex. The cDNA sequences of TFPI from several different species have been previously reported. A high level of similarity is present among TFPIs at the molecular level (DNA and protein sequences) as well as in biochemical function (inhibition of factor Xa, VIIa/tissue factor). In this report, we used a PCR-based screening method to clone cDNA for full length TFPI from a mouse macrophage cDNA library. Both cDNA and predicted protein sequences show significant homology to the other reported TFPI sequences, especially to that of rat. Mouse TFPI has a signal peptide of 28 amino acid residues followed by the mature protein (in which the signal peptide is removed) which has 278 amino acid residues. Mouse TFPI, like that of other species, consists of three tandem Kunitz type domains. Recombinant mouse TFPI was expressed in the human kidney cell line 293 and purified for functional assays. When using human clotting factors to investigate the inhibition spectrum of mouse TFPI, it was shown that, in addition to human factor Xa, mouse TFPI inhibits human factors VIIa, IXa, as well as factor XIa. Cloning and expression of the mouse TFPI gene will offer useful information and material for coagulation studies performed in a mouse model system.
Mobile based pedestrian detection with accurate tracking

This paper presents an innovative smartphone application which takes advantage of the availability of smartphone technologies to develop a highly accurate pedestrian detection and tracking application, based on monocular camera and embedded sensors. Monocular pedestrian detection is performed based on well-known vision approaches, later pose estimation is used to correct the location of the pedestrian, based on the information provided by the mobile device, and finally movement is estimated by means of a Kalman Filter. The information from the internal sensors corrects the distance given by the pin-hole model. Test performed proved the viability of the system as well as its accuracy.
Measuring the engagement level of children for multiple intelligence test using Kinect

In this paper, we present an affect recognition system for measuring the engagement level of children using the Kinect while performing a multiple intelligence test on a computer. First of all, we recorded 12 children while solving the test and manually created a ground truth data for the engagement levels of each child. For a feature extraction, Kinect for Windows SDK provides support for a user segmentation and skeleton tracking so that we can get 3D joint positions of an upper-body skeleton of a child. After analyzing movement of children, the engagement level of children’s responses is classified into two classes: High or Low. We present the classification results using the proposed features and identify the significant features in measuring the engagement.
Microfluidic device for unidirectional axon growth

In order to better understand the communication and connectivity development of neuron networks, we designed microfluidic devices with several chambers for growing dissociated neuronal cultures from mice fetal hippocampus (E18). The chambers were connected with microchannels providing unidirectional axonal growth between “Source” and “Target” neural sub-networks. Experiments were performed in a hippocampal cultures plated in a poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chip, aligned with a 60 microelectrode array (MEA). Axonal growth through microchannels was observed with brightfield, phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy, and after 7 days in vitro electrical activity was recorded. Visual inspection and spike propagation analysis showed the predominant axonal growth in microchannels in a direction from “Source” to “Target”.
Establishment of trophectoderm and inner cell mass lineages in the mouse embryo

The first cell lineage specification in mouse embryo development is the formation of trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) of the blastocyst. This article is to review and discuss the current knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this particular event. Several transcription factors have been identified as the critical regulators of the formation or maintenance of the two cell lineages. The establishment of TE manifests as the formation of epithelium, and is dependent on many structural and regulatory components that are commonly found and that function in many epithelial tissues. Distinct epithelial features start to emerge at the late 8‐cell stage, but the fates of blastomeres are not fixed as TE or ICM until around 32‐cell stage. The location of blastomeres at this stage, that is, external or internal of the embryo, in effect defines the commitment towards the TE or ICM lineage, respectively. Some studies implicate the presence of a developmental bias among blastomeres at 2‐ or 4‐cell stage, although it is unlikely to play a decisive role in the establishment of TE and ICM. The unique mode of cell lineage specification in the mouse embryo is further discussed in comparison with the formation of initial cell lineages, namely the three germ layers, in non‐mammalian embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 1019–1032, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Why Have Multiple Plastic Responses? Interactions between Color Change and Heat Avoidance Behavior in Battus philenor Larvae

Having multiple plastic responses to a change in the environment, such as increased temperature, can be adaptive for two major reasons: synergy (the plastic responses perform better when expressed simultaneously) or complementarity (each plastic response provides a greater net benefit in a different environmental context). We investigated these hypotheses for two forms of temperature-induced plasticity of Battus philenor caterpillars in southern Arizona populations: color change (from black to red at high temperatures) and heat avoidance behavior (movement from host to elevated refuges at high host temperatures). Field assays using aluminum models showed that the cooling effect of the red color is greatly reduced in a refuge position relative to that on a host. Field assays with live caterpillars demonstrated that refuge seeking is much more important for survival under hot conditions than coloration; however, in those assays, red coloration reduced the need to seek refuges. Our results support the complementarity hypothesis: refuge seeking facilitates survival during daily temperature peaks, while color change reduces the need to leave the host over longer warm periods. We propose that combinations of rapid but costly short-term behavioral responses and slow but efficient long-term morphological responses may be common when coping with temperature change.
Modelling and Optimization of Organization of Workplaces in a Foundry

The paper presents a practical example of improvement of foundry production systems in terms of post-finishing of nodular iron castings produced in the conditions of bulk production for automotive industry. The attention was paid to high labour-intensive efforts, which are difficult to be subjected to mechanization and automation. The times of actions related to grinding processing of castings in three grinding positions connected with a belt conveyor were estimated with the use of a time study method. A bottleneck as well as limiting factors were specified in a system. A number of improvements were proposed, aimed at improving work organization on the castings post-finishing line. An analysis of work ergonomics at the workplace was made in order to eliminate unnecessary and onerous for the employee actions. A model of production system using the Arena software, on which a simulation experiment was conducted, was drawn up in order to visualize the analysed phenomena. The effects of the project were shown on graphs comparing times, costs, work ergonomics and overall efficiency of production equipment indicator.