Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliable Piezoelectricity in Bilayer WSe2 for Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

Recently, piezoelectricity has been observed in 2D atomically thin materials, such as hexagonal‐boron nitride, graphene, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Specifically, exfoliated monolayer MoS2 exhibits a high piezoelectricity that is comparable to that of traditional piezoelectric materials. However, monolayer TMD materials are not regarded as suitable for actual piezoelectric devices due to their insufficient mechanical durability for sustained operation while Bernal‐stacked bilayer TMD materials lose noncentrosymmetry and consequently piezoelectricity. Here, it is shown that WSe2 bilayers fabricated via turbostratic stacking have reliable piezoelectric properties that cannot be obtained from a mechanically exfoliated WSe2 bilayer with Bernal stacking. Turbostratic stacking refers to the transfer of each chemical vapor deposition (CVD)‐grown WSe2 monolayer to allow for an increase in degrees of freedom in the bilayer symmetry, leading to noncentrosymmetry in the bilayers. In contrast, CVD‐grown WSe2 bilayers exhibit very weak piezoelectricity because of the energetics and crystallographic orientation. The flexible piezoelectric WSe2 bilayers exhibit a prominent mechanical durability of up to 0.95% of strain as well as reliable energy harvesting performance, which is adequate to drive a small liquid crystal display without external energy sources, in contrast to monolayer WSe2 for which the device performance becomes degraded above a strain of 0.63%.
Are non-expert usability evaluations valuable ?

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of having non-expert evaluators evaluating an interactive web service independently in a remote location without recording or control conducted by the researchers. The results show that the non-experts were capable of reporting usability problems on the interface but had difficulties in reporting usability problems related to interactivity with the system. The non-expert evaluators give designers valuable information about users’ individual reactions to the service while working in their own environment and they could be used as an additional resource in usability evaluations.
Optimizing large knowledge networks in spatial computers

Abstract This paper presents a novel concept of a Spatially Aware Graph Store, which realizes a Graph Store on top of a spatial computer architecture to manage graphs in one, two or three physical dimensions. In this environment, the physical distance between graph nodes strongly affects graph traversal performance. Consequently, a Spatially Aware Graph Store needs to minimize these distances to operate efficiently. We show that this minimization can be achieved in two ways. First, by increasing the dimensionality of the spatial computer and second by applying optimization methods. For the latter, this work introduces a novel Mid Point Optimization method to quickly optimize large real-world knowledge networks by rearranging nodes in a way that distances between linked nodes are reduced. In addition, a Local Optimization method is subsequently applied to refine the result. Finally, the Node Decomposition method is presented that splits nodes with many edges into several smaller nodes to achieve a further reduction of distances between linked nodes. Our results show that the overall distances between nodes can be reduced by three orders of magnitude for 3D in comparison to one-dimensional (1D) Spatially Aware Graph Stores. The suggested Mid Point Optimization method achieves a reduction by another order of magnitude. In a 3D spatial computer, Local Optimization is capable of reducing distances by another 20%. However, in 1D and 2D spatial computers it becomes a prohibitive time consuming method. Finally, the Node Decomposition enables an additional distance reduction by 40% in Scale Free Graph Data sets.
DNA methylation and histone modifications cause silencing of Wnt antagonist gene in human renal cell carcinoma cell lines

Secreted frizzled‐related protein 2 (sFRP2) is a negative modulator of the Wingless‐type (Wnt) signaling pathway, and shown to be inactivated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the molecular mechanism of silencing of sFRP2 is not fully understood. Our study was designed to elucidate the silencing mechanism of sFRP2 in RCC. Expression of sFRP2 was examined in 20 pairs of primary cancers by immunohistochemistry. Kidney cell lines (HK‐2, Caki‐1, Caki‐2, A‐498 and ACHN) were analyzed for sFRP2 expression using real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting. The methylation status at 46 CpG sites of the 2 CpG islands in the sFRP2 promoter was characterized by bisulfite DNA sequencing. Histone modifications were assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay using antibodies against AcH3, AcH4, H3K4 and H3K9. sFRP2 was frequently repressed in primary cancers and in RCC cells. The majority of sFRP2 negative cells had a methylated promoter. Meanwhile, sFRP2 expression was repressed by a hypomethylated promoter in Caki‐1 cells, and these cells had a repressive histone modification at the promoter. In Caki‐1 cells, sFRP2 was reactivated by trichostatin A (TSA). Repressive histone modifications were also observed in RCC cells with hypermethylated promoters, but sFRP2 was reactivated only by 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (DAC) and not by TSA. However, the activation of the silenced sFRP2 gene could be achieved in all cells using a combination of DAC and TSA. This is the first report indicating that aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications work together to silence the sFRP2 gene in RCC cells. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Model for Creativity in Creature Generation

This paper brings a proposal and general specification of a new project that aims to apply Conceptual Blending (Fauconnier and Turner 1998) as a process of creature generation in games. The project we describe is based on Divago (Pereira and Cardoso, 2003 and should be able to bring novelty among creatures that populate a game. Moreover, it is expected to extend these capabilities to other objects in a game, towards a very dynamic environment. Since this is a work in progress, we provide the first preliminary results or experimental examples and try to provide the reader with a clear image of the framework to be followed.
New video shot change detection algorithm based on accurate motion and illumination estimation

Temporal segmentation of a video sequence into different shots is fundamental to a number of video retrieval and analysis applications. Motion estimation has been wildly used in many applications of video processing, since it provides the most essential information for an image sequence. In this paper, we explore the possibility to exploit motion and illumination estimation in a video sequence to detect various types of shot changes. Optical flow is the motion vector computed at each pixel in an image sequence from intensity variation. Traditionally, optical flow computational algorithms were derived from the brightness constancy assumption. In this paper, we employ a generalized optical flow constraint that includes an illumination parameter to model local illumination changes. An iterative optical flow and illumination estimation algorithm is developed in this paper to refine the generalized optical flow constraints step by step, thus leading to a very accurate estimation of the optical flow and illumination parameters. Two robust measures are defined from the mean and standard deviation of the estimated intensity compensation values for all the blocks in the same image. Either of these two measures corresponds significantly to various types of shot changes. We show the usefulness of these two measures through experiments.
Computational modeling of electrically conductive networks formed by graphene nanoplatelet–carbon nanotube hybrid particles

One strategy to ensure that nanofiller networks in a polymer composite percolate at low volume fractions is to promote segregation. In a segregated structure, the concentration of nanofillers is kept low in some regions of the sample. In turn, the concentration in the remaining regions is much higher than the average concentration of the sample. This selective placement of the nanofillers ensures percolation at low average concentration. One original strategy to promote segregation is by tuning the shape of the nanofillers. We use a computational approach to study the conductive networks formed by hybrid particles obtained by growing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The objective of this study is (1) to show that the higher electrical conductivity of these composites is due to the hybrid particles forming a segregated structure and (2) to understand which parameters defining the hybrid particles determine the efficiency of the segregation. We construct a microstructure to observe the conducting paths and determine whether a segregated structure has indeed been formed inside the composite. A measure of efficiency is presented based on the fraction of nanofillers that contribute to the conductive network. Then, the efficiency of the hybrid-particle networks is compared to those of three other networks of carbon-based nanofillers in which no hybrid particles are used: only CNTs, only GNPs, and a mix of CNTs and GNPs. Finally, some parameters of the hybrid particle are studied: the CNT density on the GNPs, and the CNT and GNP geometries. We also present recommendations for the further improvement of a composite’s conductivity based on these parameters.
Power Control for Distributed MAC Protocols in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

In centralized wireless networks, reducing the transmission power normally leads to higher network transport throughput. In this paper, we investigate power control in a different scenario, where the network adopts distributed MAC layer coordination mechanisms. We first consider widely adopted RTS/CTS based MAC protocols. We show that an optimal power control protocol should use higher transmission power than the "just enough" power in order to improve spatial utilization. The optimal protocol has a minimal transmission floor area of Theta(dijdmax), where dmax is the maximal transmission range and dij is the link length. This surprisingly implies that if a long link is broken into several short links, then the sum of the transmission floors reserved by the short links is still comparable to that reserved by the long link. Thus, using short links does not necessarily lead to higher throughput. Another consequence of this is that, with the optimal RTS/CTS based MAC, rate control can at best provide a factor of 2 improvement in transport throughput. We then extend our results to other distributed MAC protocols which uses physical carrier sensing or busy-tone as the control signal. Our simulation results show that the optimal power controlled scheme outperforms other popular MAC layer power control protocols.
Hydrogen-rich saline protects spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis in irradiated BALB/c mice

Summary Background Recent studies show that molecular hydrogen (dihydrogen, H2) has potential as an effective and safe radioprotective agent through reducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether H2 is able to protect spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis from radiation-induced injuries. Material/Methods H2 was dissolved in physiological saline using an apparatus produced by our department. 60Co-gamma rays in the irradiation centre were used for irradiation. Spermatid head counts and histological analysis were used to evaluate spermatogenesis. Endogenous hematopoietic spleen colony formation (endoCFUs), bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) and peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes were used to evaluate hemopoiesis. Results This study demonstrates that treating mice with H2 before ionizing radiation (IR) can increase the spermatid head count and protect seminiferous epithelium from IR. This study also demonstrates that H2 could significantly increase the number of endoCFUs, BMNC and PB leukocyte. Conclusions This study suggests that hydrogen-rich saline could partially protect spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis in irradiated mice.
Gulf war syndrome may be post-conflict dysfunction

EDITOR—We have read the results of the questionnaire based study by Chalder et al from the Gulf war research unit at King's College.1 They found that 17% of the 2961 Gulf war veterans believe themselves to be suffering from Gulf war syndrome, although the group has found no evidence to support such a syndrome.2 The veterans' belief was reinforced if they knew someone with similar symptoms. We believe that this represents post-conflict dysfunction expressed according to health beliefs prevailing at the …
Quantitative Evaluation of Simulated Enamel Demineralization and Remineralization Using Photothermal Radiometry and Modulated Luminescence

Detection modalities that can evaluate the early stages of dental caries are indispensable. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the efficacy of photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence (PTR-LUM) to non-destructively detect and quantify simulated enamel caries. Two experiments were performed based on the PTR-LUM detection mode: back-propagation or transmission-mode. Artificial demineralized lesions were created in human molars and a subset was further exposed to an artificial remineralizing solution. PTR-LUM frequency scans were performed periodically during de/re-mineralization treatments. PTR data was fitted to a theoretical model based on optical and thermal fluxes in enamel to extract opto-thermophysical parameters. Lesion validation was performed using transverse microradiography (TMR). Optical and thermal properties changed with the development and repair of the caries lesions while theory-derived thicknesses paralleled those determined microradiographically. These trends coupled with the uniqueness-of-fit of the generated parameters illustrate the efficacy of PTRLUM to non-destructively detect and quantify de/re-mineralized lesions.
QCS: A Tool for Querying, Clustering, and Summarizing Documents

The QCS information retrieval (IR) system is presented as a tool for querying, clustering, and summarizing document sets. QCS has been developed as a modular development framework, and thus facilitates the inclusion of new technologies targeting these three IR tasks. Details of the system architecture, the QCS interface, and preliminary results are presented.
The Effects of Increasing the Number of Taxa on Inferences of Molecular Convergence

Convergent evolution provides insight into the link between phenotype and genotype. Recently, large-scale comparative studies of convergent evolution have become possible, but researchers are still trying to determine the best way to design these types of analyses. One aspect of molecular convergence studies that has not yet been investigated is how taxonomic sample size affects inferences of molecular convergence. Here we show that increased sample size decreases the amount of inferred molecular convergence associated with the three convergent transitions to a marine environment in mammals. The sampling of more taxa—both with and without the convergent phenotype—reveals that alleles associated only with marine mammals in small datasets are actually more widespread, or are not shared by all marine species. The sampling of more taxa also allows finer resolution of ancestral substitutions, revealing that they are not in fact on lineages leading to solely marine species. We revisit a previous study on marine mammals and find that only 7 of the reported 43 genes with convergent substitutions still show signs of convergence with a larger number of background species. However, 4 of those 7 genes also showed signs of positive selection in the original analysis and may still be good candidates for adaptive convergence. Though our study is framed around the convergence of marine mammals, we expect our conclusions on taxonomic sampling are generalizable to any study of molecular convergence.
Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype C Associates with Dual Ganglioside Receptors to Facilitate Cell Entry*

Background: How botulinum neurotoxin serotype C (BoNT/C) enters neurons is unclear. Results: BoNT/C utilizes dual gangliosides as host cell receptors. Conclusion: BoNT/C accesses gangliosides on the plasma membrane. Significance: Plasma membrane accessibility of the dual ganglioside receptors suggests synaptic vesicle exocytosis may not be necessary to expose BoNT/C receptors. Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cleave SNARE proteins in motor neurons that inhibits synaptic vesicle (SV) exocytosis, resulting in flaccid paralysis. There are seven BoNT serotypes (A–G). In current models, BoNTs initially bind gangliosides on resting neurons and upon SV exocytosis associate with the luminal domains of SV-associated proteins as a second receptor. The entry of BoNT/C is less clear. Characterizing the heavy chain receptor binding domain (HCR), BoNT/C was shown to utilize gangliosides as dual host receptors. Crystallographic and biochemical studies showed that the two ganglioside binding sites, termed GBP2 and Sia-1, were independent and utilized unique mechanisms to bind complex gangliosides. The GBP2 binding site recognized gangliosides that contained a sia5 sialic acid, whereas the Sia-1 binding site recognized gangliosides that contained a sia7 sialic acid and sugars within the backbone of the ganglioside. Utilizing gangliosides that uniquely recognized the GBP2 and Sia-1 binding sites, HCR/C entry into Neuro-2A cells required both functional ganglioside binding sites. HCR/C entered cells differently than the HCR of tetanus toxin, which also utilizes dual gangliosides as host receptors. A point-mutated HCR/C that lacked GBP2 binding potential retained the ability to bind and enter Neuro-2A cells. This showed that ganglioside binding at the Sia-1 site was accessible on the plasma membrane, suggesting that SV exocytosis may not be required to expose BoNT/C receptors. These studies highlight the utility of BoNT HCRs as probes to study the role of gangliosides in neurotransmission.
Modeling the Electrochemical Hydrogen Oxidation and Evolution Reactions on the Basis of Density Functional Theory Calculations

Density functional theory calculations have been performed for the three elementary steps−Tafel, Heyrovsky, and Volmer−involved in the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and its reverse, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). For the Pt(111) surface a detailed model consisting of a negatively charged Pt(111) slab and solvated protons in up to three water bilayers is considered and reaction energies and activation barriers are determined by using a newly developed computational scheme where the potential can be kept constant during a charge transfer reaction. We determine the rate limiting reaction on Pt(111) to be Tafel−Volmer for HOR and Volmer−Tafel for HER. Calculated rates agree well with experimental data. Both the H adsorption energy and the energy barrier for the Tafel reaction are then calculated for a range of metal electrodes, including Au, Ag, Cu, Pt, Pd, Ni, Ir, Rh, Co, Ru, Re, W, Mo, and Nb, different facets, and step of surfaces. We compare the results for different facets of the Pt electrode.
High Plasma Levels of MCP-1 and Eotaxin Provide Evidence for an Immunological Basis of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FMS), a predominantly female (85%) syndrome, affects an estimated 2% of the US population with skeletal muscle ache, fatigue, headache, and sleep disorder. The pathogenesis of FMS is unknown and there is no laboratory test for diagnosis. In this study, plasma levels of 25 cytokines and chemokines in 92 female patients with FMS and 69 family members were measured compared to 77 controls. Trans-endothelial migration of normal leukocytes in response to FMS plasma and the cytokine profile of human myoblasts were analyzed. High levels of MCP-1 (P < 0.001) and eotaxin (P < 0.01) were found in patients and family members compared to controls. Patients (56/92) treated with the single agent guaifenesin (>3 months) had higher levels of eotaxin than those not treated (P < 0.01). Diluted plasma from patients increased the migration of normal eosinophils and monocytes, but not neutrophils, through an endothelial/Matrigel barrier only when mast cells are included in the lower wells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, myoblasts can secrete MCP-1, eotaxin, and IP-10, while treatment with MCP-1 caused secretion of IL-1β, eotaxin and IP-10. FMS is associated with inflammatory chemokines, that MCP-1 and eotaxin may contribute to the symptoms of FMS, and that similar cytokine profiles found in family members support the idea that FMS has a genetic component. Furthermore, the chemokine profile associated with FMS has direct effects on the migration of eosinophils and monocytes in the presence of mast cells, and skeletal muscle itself may secrete
(Invited) Molecular Analysis in Biological Samples by Actuator-Integrated Microfluidic Chips

BioMEMS technology using microfluidic platform integrated with actuators on chip is one of the attractive approach for a high performance and innovative devices in bio-medical application. In this paper, a high sensitive point of care devices, and a molecular analysis in single cell chip keeping with special information for single cell on 2D plane were reported and discussed.
Advances in radiology

x Rays were discovered just over 100 years ago. Since then diagnostic imaging has evolved and advanced in such a way that it has become an indispensable component of patient diagnosis, management and, in certain cases, treatment. In the field of paediatric radiology, special problems are encountered in imaging children because of their small size, their frequent inability to lie still, and the need to avoid exposure to ionising radiation wherever possible. During the last five years techniques have developed which address these important issues while providing clinicians with higher quality images, and which it is hoped will ultimately lead to better patient care. The following paper includes some of the recent advances in paediatric imaging. The concept of a filmless radiology department as part of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is now possible with the advent of digital or computed radiography, and the first filmless children’s hospital is now operational at the New Children’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Computed radiography involves radiographs being taken using reusable photostimulable phosphor plates instead of conventional film. These plates become digitised and the corresponding radiographic image can be instantly and simultaneously accessible from television monitors situated anywhere in the hospital. From the radiologist’s viewpoint computed radiography has several advantages. As images are stored on optical disk, there should be no possibility of a film being lost. Digital radiographs can have improved image quality and contain more diagnostic information compared with conventional films because the window width and level can be altered to highlight different tissues, such as soft tissues or bones, in the same way as a conventional computed tomogram image. Edge enhancement is also possible and is a useful technique for optimally visualising catheter tips; this is an important part of radiograph reporting on the special care and intensive therapy units. …