Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Progress on Mg2Si Thermoelectric Materials

Mg2Si which is composed of less toxic and naturally abundant elements,has attracted more attention for its potential application to thermoelectric devices. In this paper, the basic performance and preparation technique of Mg2Si thermoelectric materials are introduced. reviewed the current research progress of Mg2Si thermoelectricity. And the paper points out the existing problems and the trend of study in the future.
Optimizing Shuffle in Wide-Area Data Analytics

As increasingly large volumes of raw data are generated at geographically distributed datacenters, they need to be efficiently processed by data analytic jobs spanning multiple datacenters across wide-area networks. Designed for a single datacenter, existing data processing frameworks, such as Apache Spark, are not able to deliver satisfactory performance when these wide-area analytic jobs are executed. As wide-area networks interconnecting datacenters may not be congestion free, there is a compelling need for a new system framework that is optimized for wide-area data analytics. In this paper, we design and implement a new proactive data aggregation framework based on Apache Spark, with a focus on optimizing the network traffic incurred in shuffle stages of data analytic jobs. The objective of this framework is to strategically and proactively aggregate the output data of mapper tasks to a subset of worker datacenters, as a replacement to Spark's original passive fetch mechanism across datacenters. It improves the performance of wide-area analytic jobs by avoiding repetitive data transfers, which improves the utilization of inter-datacenter links. Our extensive experimental results using standard benchmarks across six Amazon EC2 regions have shown that our proposed framework is able to reduce job completion times by up to 73%, as compared to the existing baseline implementation in Spark.
Implementing DSP Algorithms with On-Chip Networks

Many DSP algorithms are very computationally intensive. They are typically implemented using an ensemble of processing elements (PEs) operating in parallel. The results from PEs need to be communicated with other PEs, and for many applications the cost of implementing the communication between PEs is very high. Given a DSP algorithm with high communication complexity, it is natural to use a network-on-chip (NoC) to implement the communication. We address two key optimization problems that arise in this context - placement, i.e., assigning computations to PEs on the NoC, and scheduling, i.e., constructing a detailed cycle-by-cycle scheme for implementing the communication between PEs on the NoC
Biocomposites Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Chitosan/Extract of Mimosa tenuiflora composite scaffolds were fabricated by freeze-drying lyophilization and were then evaluated and compared for use as a bone regeneration scaffold through the evaluation of its bioactivity and biocompatibility. The in vitro bioactivity evaluation of the scaffolds was carried out by analyzing the apatite layers produced on them using simulated body fluid (SBF) as an incubation medium. The apatite formation was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive electron X-ray spectroscopy. The cumulative results obtained from IR spectra and SEM-EDS suggest that the developed composites might have potential applications in tissue engineering. The in vitro cell culture of Wistar rat's osteoblasts were used to evaluate the phenotype expression of cells in the scaffolds, characterizing the cellular adhesion, proliferation, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Our results, thus, show that Ch/Extracts of M. tenuiflora scaffolds are suitable for biological applications.
CTA095, a Novel Etk and Src Dual Inhibitor, Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells and Overcomes Resistance to Src Inhibitors

Etk is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, which provides a strong survival signal in human prostate cancer cells. Src, another tyrosine kinase that cross-activates with Etk, has been shown to play an important role in prostate cancer metastasis. Herein, we discovered a new class of Etk inhibitors. Within those inhibitors, CTA095 was identified as a potent Etk and Src dual inhibitor. CTA095 was found to induce autophagy as well as apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. In addition, CTA095 inhibited HUVEC cell tube formation and “wound healing” of human prostate cancer cells, implying its role in inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis of human prostate cancer. More interestingly, CTA095 could overcome Src inhibitor resistance in prostate cancer cells. It induces apoptosis in Src inhibitor resistant prostate cancer cells, likely through a mechanism of down regulation of Myc and BCL2. This finding indicates that simultaneously targeting Etk and Src could be a promising approach to overcome drug resistance in prostate cancer.
Skill clusters of ability to manage everyday technology among people with and without cognitive impairment, dementia and acquired brain injury

Abstract Background: In order to develop supporting interventions for people demonstrating problems ET use, a detailed level of description of strengths and deficits is needed. Aims: To explore clusters of specific performance skill required when using ET, and to evaluate if and in what way such clusters are associated with age, gender, diagnosis, and types of ETs managed. Materials and methods: A secondary analysis of 661 data records from 203 heterogeneous samples of participants using the Management of Everyday Technology Assessment (META) was used. Ward’s method and a hierarchical tree cluster analysis were used to determine and define the skill clusters. Results: Four distinct clusters of performance skill item profiles were found, across the 661 data records. These were then, based on each individuals’ cluster profiles in managing ET, categorized into two groups. The two groups were associated with, diagnosis and type of ETs managed. Conclusions and significance: The findings support a more dyadic person-ET approach in evaluation of ET management. The information from the skill clusters can be used to develop targeted intervention guides for occupational therapy and healthcare.
Experiences of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health problem characterized by persistent obsessions and compulsions. This article provides insights into experiences of OCD through a qualitative, thematic analysis performed on a set of interviews with people with OCD. Four themes were found as central in the participants’ descriptions of OCD episodes: (a) space, (b) the body, (c) objects, and (d) interactions. The findings also show that episodes of OCD can be grouped into three broad categories: (a) activity episodes, which revolve around everyday tasks; (b) state episodes, which are concerned with the self and identity; and (c) object episodes, which are concerned with the effects of objects on the self. The relationship of this three-way classification of OCD episodes to existing cognitive models of OCD is discussed. The study also demonstrates the value of categorizing episodes, rather than people, into subtypes of OCD so that intra-participant variation can be highlighted.
Can personality close the intention-behavior gap for healthy eating? An examination with the HEXACO personality traits

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive and moderating effects of HEXACO personality factors, in addition to theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables, on fruit and vegetable consumption. American college students (N = 1036) from 24 institutions were administered the TPB, HEXACO and a self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption measure. The TPB predicted 11–17% of variance in fruit and vegetable consumption, with greater variance accounted for in healthy weight compared to overweight individuals. Personality did not significantly improve the prediction of behavior above TPB constructs; however, conscientiousness was a significant incremental predictor of intention in both healthy weight and overweight/obese groups. While support was found for the TPB as an important predictor of fruit and vegetable consumption in students, little support was found for personality factors. Such findings have implications for interventions designed to target students at risk of chronic disease.
Correlation and capacity of MIMO systems and mutual coupling, radiation efficiency, and diversity gain of their antennas: simulations and measurements in a reverberation chamber

MIMO systems are characterized by their maximum available capacity, which is reduced if there is correlation between the signals on different channels. The correlation is primarily caused by mutual coupling between the elements of the antenna arrays on both the receiving and transmitting sides. Similarly, diversity antennas can be characterized by a diversity gain that also is affected by mutual coupling between the antennas. We explain how such MIMO and diversity antennas with mutual coupling can be analyzed by classical embedded element patterns that can be computed by standard computer codes. In the MIMO example under investigation, the mutual coupling reduces both correlation, which increases the capacity, and radiation efficiency, which decreases it, and the combined effect is a net capacity reduction. We also explain how the radiation efficiency, diversity gain, correlation, and channel capacity can be measured in a reverberation chamber. The measurements show good agreement with simulations.
Observing the Observer: experiences with contextual inquiry to design a horse rider assessment interface

Current approaches to the postural assessment of horse riders is highly subjective, with a lack of consistency between practitioners. A technology-based solution would remove the human perspective and enable a more consistent, accurate and objective assessment to be carried out. This paper provides preliminary insights on the use of a customised method based on contextual inquiry for gathering contextual data in an unusual, in the wild context. This will be used to determine a standardised data collection protocol and context-specific interface design for an inertial motion sensor based rider assessment tool.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Identifies In Vivo Acquisition of a blaCTX-M-27-Carrying IncFII Transmissible Plasmid as the Cause of Ceftriaxone Treatment Failure for an Invasive Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection

ABSTRACT We report a case of ceftriaxone treatment failure for bacteremia caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, due to the in vivo acquisition of a blaCTX-M-27-encoding IncFII group transmissible plasmid. The original β-lactamase-susceptible isolate ST882S was replaced by the resistant isolate ST931R during ceftriaxone treatment. After relapse, treatment was changed to ciprofloxacin, and the patient recovered. Isolate ST931R could transfer resistance to Escherichia coli at 37°C. We used whole-genome sequencing of ST882S and ST931R, the E. coli transconjugant, and isolated plasmid DNA to unequivocally show that ST882S and ST931R had identical chromosomes, both having 206 identical single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) versus S. Typhimurium 14028s. We assembled a complete circular genome for ST931R, to which ST882S reads mapped with no SNPs. ST882S and ST931R were isogenic except for the presence of three additional plasmids in ST931R. ST931R and the E. coli transconjugant were ceftriaxone resistant due to the presence of a 60.5-kb IS26-flanked, blaCTX-M-27-encoding IncFII plasmid. Compared to 14082s, ST931R has almost identical Gifsy-1, Gifsy-2, and ST64B prophages, lacks Gifsy-3, and instead carries a unique Fels-2 prophage related to that found in LT2. ST882S and ST931R both had a 94-kb virulence plasmid showing >99% identity with pSLT14028s and a cryptic 3,904-bp replicon; ST931R also has cryptic 93-kb IncI1 and 62-kb IncI2 group plasmids. To the best of our knowledge, in vivo acquisition of extended-spectrum β-lactamase resistance by S. Typhimurium and blaCTX-M-27 genes in U.S. isolates of Salmonella have not previously been reported.
Rejuvenation of the male scalp using 1,927 nm non‐ablative fractional thulium fiber laser

The male scalp undergoes extensive photodamage due to a high prevalence of androgenic alopecia and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This photodamage presents as solar lentigines, fine rhytides, and keratosis, and can prematurely age a patient. In this study, we demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the fractionated 1,927 nm thulium fiber laser using high density and high energy settings to achieve rejuvenation of the male scalp after a single treatment session.
Comparison of East and West Survival Nomograms in Turkish Gastric Cancer Patients Who Underwent Radical Surgery

Background and Aim: The clinicopathological demonstrations of gastric cancer vary widely between Eastern and Western countries. Turkey is situated in Europe and Middle East which acts as a bridge between east and west. We aimed to validate the two popular nomograms of east and west origin by means of patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer in our country. Material and Methods: Of the 202 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer between the years 2006 and 2013, 145 of these patients whose data were sufficient were included in the study. For all patients, demographic, laboratory, operative, and pathologic findings were documented. For each patient, prognostic factors were incorporated into the nomograms for estimating 5-year survival probability. Results: For a Turkish cohort, the western nomogram showed a better discriminative capacity (AUC = 0.721, 95% confidence interval 0.637–0.806) and was better calibrated (the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test p = 0.323), as compared to the eastern nomogram with AUC = 0.615, 95% confidence interval 0.522–0.708, and p = 0.077, respectively. Conclusion: Western nomogram was found to be more effective than eastern nomogram in prediction of estimating 5-year survival probability in patients with resectable gastric cancer in Turkish population.
Cost-Aware Learning and Optimization for Opportunistic Spectrum Access

In this paper, we investigate cost-aware joint learning and optimization for multi-channel opportunistic spectrum access in a cognitive radio system. We investigate a discrete-time model where the time axis is partitioned into frames. Each frame consists of a sensing phase, followed by a transmission phase. During the sensing phase, the user is able to sense a subset of channels sequentially before it decides to use one of them in the following transmission phase. We assume the channel states alternate between <italic>busy</italic> and <italic>idle</italic> according to independent Bernoulli random processes from frame to frame. To capture the <italic>inherent uncertainty</italic> in channel sensing, we assume the reward of each transmission when the channel is idle is a random variable. We also associate <italic>random costs</italic> with sensing and transmission actions. Our objective is to understand how the costs and reward of the actions would affect the optimal behavior of the user in both offline and online settings, and design the corresponding opportunistic spectrum access strategies to maximize the expected cumulative net reward (i.e., reward-minus-cost). We start with an offline setting where the statistics of the channel status, costs, and reward are known beforehand. We show that the optimal policy exhibits a recursive double-threshold structure, and the user needs to compare the channel statistics with those thresholds sequentially in order to decide its actions. With such insights, we then study the online setting, where the statistical information of the channels, costs and reward are unknown <italic>a priori</italic>. We judiciously balance exploration and exploitation, and show that the cumulative regret scales in <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${O}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>(log <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${T}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). We also establish a matched lower bound, which implies that our online algorithm is order-optimal. Simulation results corroborate our theoretical analysis.
Interference of HTLV-1 Tax Protein with Cell Polarity Regulators: Defining the Subcellular Localization of the Tax-DLG1 Interaction

Human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-1 Tax (Tax) protein is very important in viral replication and cell transformation. Tax localizes in the nucleus and cytoplasm in association with organelles. Some activities of Tax depend on interactions with PDZ (PSD-95/Discs Large/Z0-1) domain–containing proteins such as Discs large protein 1 (DLG1) which is involved in cell polarity and proliferation. The DLG1 interaction results in a cytoplasmic co-localization pattern resembling vesicular aggregates, the nature of which is still unknown. To further explore the role of PDZ proteins in HTLV-1 cell transformation, we deeply investigated the Tax-DLG1 association. By fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), we detected, for the first time, the direct binding of Tax to DLG1 within the cell. We showed that the interaction specifically affects the cellular distribution of not only DLG1, but also Tax. After studying different cell structures, we demonstrated that the aggregates distribute into the Golgi apparatus in spatial association with the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). This study contributes to understand the biological significance of Tax-PDZ interactions.
The Study of Ctp:Glycerol 3-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase (Tard) From Staphylococcus Aureas

The CTP:glycerol3-phosphate cytidylyltransferase (TarD) from Staphylococcus aureus catalyzes the formation of the nucleotide activated form of glycerol 3-phosphate (CDP-glycerol) used in the construction ofteichoic acid, a structure shown to be essential in Bacillis subtilis 168. The CTP:glycerol 3-phosphate cytidylyltransferase from B. subtilis 168 (TagD) involved in teichioc acid biosynthesis has high sequence identity (69 %) and similarity (86 %) to TarD and its characterization has been well documented. In these studies, TagD was shown to carry out the CTP:glycerol 3-phosphate cytidylyltransferase reaction via a random mechanism where there is negative cooperativity in the binding of substrates but not in catalysis. The work described here illustrates that the kinetic reaction mechanism for TarD is vastly different from TagD in spite of their high sequence similarity. Recombinant TarD was over-expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Steady state hi-substrate experiments were performed utilizing a high-performance liquid chromatography assay in order to deduce the kinetic mechanism for TarD. In this analysis, data were globally best fit to the model that describes the formation of a ternary complex of substrates (CTP and glycerol 3phosphate) and enzyme before catalysis. This examination yielded Km values for CTP and glycerol 3-phosphate of 21 ± 4.1 ). lM and 36 ± 5.8 ). lM respectively, while the kcat was measured to be 2.6 ± 0.2 s -I. From the pattern observed in product inhibition studies, a classic ordered Bi Bi reaction mechanism was inferred where glycerol 3-phosphate is the initial substrate to bind followed by CTP and the release ofCDP-glycerol precedes
Elicitor and nitrogen applications to Garnacha, Graciano and Tempranillo vines: effect on grape amino acid composition.

BACKGROUND Elicitors and nitrogen foliar applications to vineyards could regulate grape nitrogen composition, which has an important effect on grape and wine quality. Thus the aim of this research was to study the effect of foliar elicitor treatments, methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and yeast extract (YE), and foliar nitrogen applications, urea (Ur) and phenylalanine (Phe), to Garnacha, Graciano and Tempranillo vines on grape amino acid composition. RESULTS The results showed that elicitor and nitrogen foliar applications to Garnacha and Tempranillo grapevines decreased the must amino acid concentration. However, Phe application to these two grapevines increased the must Phe content. The treatments applied to Graciano grapevines barely effected the grape amino acid content. According to the percentage of variance attributable, the variety had a higher impact on the must amino acid composition than the treatments and their interaction, except in certain amino acids such as Phe. CONCLUSION The influence of elicitor and nitrogen foliar applications to grapevines on grape amino acid concentration was strongly conditioned by the variety. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Matrix effect in a view of lc-ms/ms: an overview

Despite their enormous utility and diffusion, atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry techniques are subjected to relevant drawbacks called matrix effects (ME). These effects could be summarized in matrix-dependent signal suppression or enhancement that could lead to erroneous quantitative results. The most important method parameters as well as linearity, precision, and accuracy could be modified due to interfering compounds present in the matrix. No validation methods could be accepted without a thorough evaluation of ME and possible strategies to minimize or to correct their influence should be addressed. Matrix effects result from co-eluting residual matrix components affecting the ionization efficiency of target analytes and can lead to erroneous results. Matrix effects, i.e. ion suppression or ion enhancement, are well known phenomena in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). They can be caused by compounds of various origins. Since matrix effects may exert a negative effect on important method performance parameters, they have to be tested for and evaluated during method development/validation. This can either be done by the method of postcolumn infusion or by comparison of signals from neat standards and blank sample extracts spiked with analyte. Wherever possible, matrix effects should be reduced or eliminated by the optimization of chromatographic conditions, improving sample clean-up and/or by changing the type of ionization employed. In the present article, we have concentrated on detailed description of matrix effects in a view of LC-MS/MS.
4 – Flow-induced alignment in injection molding of fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Publisher Summary The orientation patterns observed in injection molded fiber-reinforced composites are the result of the response of the fibers to the flow in the cavity during filling and, to a lesser extent, the result of subsequent orientation during packing. Features of the filling flow affecting fiber orientation include: first, the shearing flow across the cavity thickness, second, the convective flow along the plane of the cavity, which is mainly determined by the geometry of the part, and third, the fountain flow near the advancing free surface. Among geometrical factors, the gating arrangement plays a significant role by determining the amount of extension the fiber-loaded melt experiences upon entry into the cavity, as do inserts or contractions/expansions by altering the fiber orientation locally. This chapter presents a critical review of available experimental and computational studies in the area and it also gives a review of experimental observations of fiber orientation in injection-molded parts. There is a brief overview of the injection molding process and of the modeling of its filling stage. The main characteristics of the flow patterns during filling that are of relevance to fiber orientation are also presented in the chapter.