Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diffusion Combustion in a Micro Heat-Recirculating Combustor Using Porous Media

A micro heat-recirculating combustor using porous media plates is designed,and experimental investiga-tion is performed to study its diffusion combustion characteristics,including variations of combustion efficiency,exhaust gas temperature and wall temperature,heat loss ratio with combustion thermal power and excess air ratio.It is shown that higher combustion efficiency and exhaust temperature can be obtained within a wider combustion opera-tion range.Moreover,wall temperature and heat loss ratio decrease with the increase of combustion thermal power and excess air ratio.It is confirmed that by adopting the special structure of regenerative jacket and opposite direction inlet mode of reaction gas through porous media plates,flow direction of reaction gas is opposite to that of heat loss.Hence,heat loss is efficiently recuperated into the micro combustor,and both thermal efficiency and exhaust gas temperature are obviously raised.The micro heat-recirculating combustor has a very important application value in developing the micro gas turbine power generation system.
The threshold for conscious report: Signal loss and response bias in visual and frontal cortex

Setting conscious perception alight What are the neuronal mechanisms that enable conscious perception? Why do some images remain subliminal? Van Vugt et al. trained monkeys to detect low-contrast images and compared neuronal activity in brain areas V1, V4, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Some stimuli made it into consciousness, and others were subliminal depending on their propagation, which can be variable for weak stimuli (see the Perspective by Mashour). Strongly propagated stimuli initiated a state in the higher brain areas called “ignition” that caused information about a brief stimulus to become sustained and broadcasted back through recurrent interactions between many brain areas. Science, this issue p. 537; see also p. 493 Weak stimuli reach conscious perception only if they are propagated well enough to cross a threshold in higher cortical areas. Why are some visual stimuli consciously detected, whereas others remain subliminal? We investigated the fate of weak visual stimuli in the visual and frontal cortex of awake monkeys trained to report stimulus presence. Reported stimuli were associated with strong sustained activity in the frontal cortex, and frontal activity was weaker and quickly decayed for unreported stimuli. Information about weak stimuli could be lost at successive stages en route from the visual to the frontal cortex, and these propagation failures were confirmed through microstimulation of area V1. Fluctuations in response bias and sensitivity during perception of identical stimuli were traced back to prestimulus brain-state markers. A model in which stimuli become consciously reportable when they elicit a nonlinear ignition process in higher cortical areas explained our results.
Pornography , Relationship Alternatives , and Intimate Extradyadic Behavior Andrea

Two studies tested the hypothesis that exposure to pornography among romantically committed individuals would increase the likelihood of intimate extradyadic behavior and that this effect would be mediated by heightened perceptions of romantic alternatives. Study 1 (n1⁄4 74) found that participants primed with sexually explicit material reported having higher quality romantic alternatives. Study 2 (n 1⁄4 291) showed that initial pornography consumption predicted intimate extradyadic behavior 12 weeks later even after controlling for initial extradyadic behavior, sociosexuality, relationship length, baseline relationship satisfaction, social desirability, and participant gender and race. The relationship between pornography and intimate extradyadic behavior was mediated by perceptions of the quality of romantic alternatives. These results suggest that sexually explicit material can provoke intimate extradyadic behavior via its effect on perceptions of alternative partners.
Effects of Refrigerant Charge in the Output of a CO2 Heat Pump

Many of the refrigerants currently being used in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems have high global warming potential. One potential, environmentally friendly replacement refrigerant is carbon dioxide (CO2). In this study, a CO2 trans-critical water to water test bed was used to study the performance of a typical heat pump by varying the amount of refrigerant charge. Initial experimental results and thermo-physical properties were analysed by NIST REFROP and plotted in a temperature-entropy (T-S). The heat energy output in the gas cooler was compared to the mechanical work input in the compressor to obtain the efficiency of the system in terms of coefficient of performance (COP). It was observed that the refrigerant charge has a great effect on the heat output and efficiency of the system. Furthermore, the maximum amount of charge the system can take is not necessarily the optimum amount of charge. This was related to the effect of the charge amount on the equipment involved and flow process variables like pressure loss and friction which affect the heat transfer process.
EVALUATION OF AUTHORING FOR ADAPTATION AND DELIVERY VIA LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Adaptive Hypermedia content offers personalization. However, (re-)using such material with regular Learning Management Systems is not yet straightforward. Ideally, materials created once should be usable anywhere. One such vehicle for reusability is represented by e-learning standards. Thus, here we describe the extension and evaluation of My Online Teacher (MOT), an adaptive hypermedia authoring system, to which compatibility with IMS Question and Test Interoperability (QTI) and IMS Content Packaging (CP) was added. This way, MOT authors can use materials dedicated to learning process adaptation on any standards-compatible LMS. In this paper we evaluate the converters from MOT to IMS CP and IMS QTI via both qualitative and quantitative analyses. This paper reports our hypothetical findings, their implementations, and the joint results of the evaluations of the converters.
Effect of implant curets on titanium implant surfaces.

PURPOSE To compare the surface roughness produced by various implant curets on titanium implant abutment surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS Each of six titanium implants was divided into four quadrants, three experimental and an untreated control surface. The three experimental surfaces were instrumented with a gold platinum curet, an unreinforced resin curet, or a reinforced resin curet. Two implants were assigned to each of the following treatments: 128, 256 or 512 scaling strokes within a 4 mm wide area. Photographs were taken of the surfaces with a scanning electron microscope at approximately x500 magnification and classified by six investigators according to surface roughness. RESULTS The surfaces were different at 8 and 16 years with P < 0.01 and P < 0.0005, respectively. At 8 years, the surface roughness was significant between the treatments in the following ascending order: untreated, unreinforced resin curet, reinforced resin curet and gold platinum curet. Significant roughness was observed for surfaces treated by only the gold platinum curet and the reinforced resin curet at 16 years. The gold platinum curet created the roughest surface P < 0.0006.
Ambiguous loss and incomplete abduction narratives in Kosovo

Ten mothers of men and boys who were abducted and listed as missing during the war in Kosovo in 1998/1999 were interviewed in Kosovo in the spring of 2012. Although the missing are presumed dead by the authorities, the mothers continue to live in a state of emotional ambiguity where a presumption of death is balanced with the hope of being reunited. In the absence of absolute proof, finding the remains of their loved ones becomes a major preoccupation. Using a social phenomenological approach, this study explored the social and political complexities existing within the life-world of these women. The findings suggest that they live in a continual state of psychological distress, and even when remains are returned, the unknown elements of the narrative of their abduction and murder only add to their distress and force many into self-imposed emotional exile away from community and close family.
miR-216 a-5 p acts as an oncogene in renal cell carcinoma

MiR-216a-5p has been acknowledged as an oncogene and is known to be involved in the progression and metastasis of numerous cancer subtypes. However, the potential role of miR-216a-5p in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains to be elucidated. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression levels of miR-216a-5p in RCC tissues. Cell counting kit-8, MTT, wound scratch, Transwell and flow cytometric assays were performed to establish the biological functions of miR-216a-5p in RCC. Functional experiments demonstrated that the expression of miR-216a-5p was upregulated in RCC (P<0.05) and miR-216a-5p mimics promoted cellular proliferation, viability and motility, and suppressed apoptosis. Conversely, miR-216a-5p inhibitor suppressed cellular proliferation, viability, motility and induced apoptosis. Based on these findings, it was concluded that miR-216a-5p may function as an oncogene in RCC. MiR-216a-5p target genes need to be explored and the potential of miR-216a-5p to be used as a diagnostic or a prognostic biomarker for RCC needs to be validated by future research.
Tuning Of Optical Properties Of Glass By Embedding Silver Nanoparticles

In the present work, effects of annealing temperature on structural and optical properties of silver-glass nanocomposites synthesized by the combined use of ion-exchange and subsequent thermal annealing in air have been investigated using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy and Photoluminescence spectroscopy. The appearance of SPR peak characteristic of silver nanoparticle formation around 429 nm in absorption spectra of silver-glass nanocomposite samples indicates towards the formation of silver nanoparticles in glass. The size of silver nanoparticles has been found to increase with increase in annealing temperature. At an annealing temperature of 200°C the size of silver nanoparticles comes out to be 2.31 nm which increases to a value of 7.60 nm at an annealing temperature of 550°C. TEM investigation indicates that silver nanoparticles of size 6.57+1.14 nm are formed in glass matrix. UV-visible absorption and reflection data has been analyzed to ascertain optical properties such as absorption coefficient (α), refractive index (n) and dielectric constant (e). Emissions bands in the photoluminescence spectra were analyzed to investigate different oxidation states of silver present in the prepared nanocomposite samples. Formation of Ag o atoms from Ag + ions are responsible for the quenching of photoluminescence intensity at higher temperature. Such nanocomposites are expected to be promising materials for ultrafast optical switches and for sensing applications. Copyright © 2015 VBRI press.
A study of bioreactor surfaces for cell interactions and sensing

II Acknowledgements IV Table of Content VI List of Figures XIV List of Tables XX List of Symbols and Abbreviations XXI CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.1 Background and motivation 2 1.2 Organisation of thesis 5 CHAPTER 2: Literature review 2.1 Cell surface interactions 7 2.1.1 Basic membrane properties 7 2.1.2 Membrane surface properties 8 2.2 Biointerface and cell adhesion 9 2.2.1 Integrin 10 2.2.2 B50 cell line 13 2.3 Biomimetic surfaces 14 2.3. 1 Hydrogels 14 2.3. 2 Immobilisation of cells on hydrogels 15 2.3. 2.1 Adhesion 16 2.3. 2.2 Matrix entrapment 17 2.3. 2.3 Microencapsulation 18
The capacity of multi-channel multi-interface wireless networks with multi-packet reception and directional antenna

The capacity of wireless networks can be improved by the use of multi-channel multi-interface MCMI, multi-packet reception MPR, and directional antenna DA. MCMI can provide the concurrent transmission in different channels for each node with multiple interfaces; MPR offers an increased number of concurrent transmissions on the same channel; DA can be more effective than omni-DA by reducing interference and increasing spatial reuse. This paper explores the capacity of wireless networks that integrate MCMI, MPR, and DA technologies. Unlike some previous research, which only employed one or two of the aforementioned technologies to improve the capacity of networks, this research captures the capacity bound of the networks with all the aforementioned technologies in arbitrary and random wireless networks. The research shows that such three-technology networks can achieve at most 2πi¾? k capacity gain in arbitrary networks and 2πi¾? 2k capacity gain in random networks compared with MCMI wireless networks without DA and MPR. The paper also explored and analyzed the impact on the network capacity gain with different cm, i¾? , and k-MPR ability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in Dorsal Root Ganglion Gene Expression in Response to Spinal Cord Stimulation

Background and Objectives Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been shown to influence pain-related genes in the spinal cord directly under the stimulating electrodes. There is limited information regarding changes occurring at the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). This study evaluates gene expression in the DRG in response to SCS therapy. Methods Rats were randomized into experimental or control groups (n = 6 per group). Experimental animals underwent spared-nerve injury, implantation of lead, and continuous SCS (72 hours). Behavioral assessment for mechanical hyperalgesia was conducted to compare responses after injury and treatment. Ipsilateral DRG tissue was collected, and gene expression quantified for interleukin 1b (IL-1b), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor &agr; (TNF-&agr;), GABA B receptor 1 (GABAbr1), substance P (subP), Integrin alpha M (ITGAM), sodium/potassium ATP-ase (Na/K ATPase), fos proto-oncogene (cFOS), serotonin receptor 3A (5HT3r), galanin (Gal), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NpY), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Statistical significance was established using analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent t tests, and Pearson correlation tests. Results Expression of IL-1b and IL-6 was reversed following SCS therapy relative to the increase caused by the injury model. Both GABAbr1 and Na/K ATPase were significantly up-regulated upon implantation of the lead, and SCS therapy reversed their expression to within control levels. Pearson correlation analyses reveal that GABAbr1 and Na/K ATPase expression was dependent on the stimulating current intensity. Conclusions Spinal cord stimulation modulates expression of key pain-related genes in the DRG. Specifically, SCS led to reversal of IL-1b and IL-6 expression induced by injury. Interleukin 6 expression was still significantly larger than in sham animals, which may correlate to residual sensitivity following continuous SCS treatment. In addition, expression of GABAbr1 and Na/K ATPase was down-regulated to within control levels following SCS and correlates with applied current.
Effects of nitrogen enrichment, plant litter removal and cutting on a species‐rich Mediterranean calcareous grassland

Abstract Semi‐natural calcareous grasslands are of great interest in conservation because of their high species richness, but presently they are threatened by both land abandonment and nitrogen eutrophication. The paper reports on a three‐year field experiment conducted in a species‐rich Mediterranean grassland to study the effects of nitrogen application coupled with removal of plant litter and artificial cutting on plant species diversity. Vegetation treatments were applied both to abandoned and adjacent long‐term mowed grassland, to evaluate their restoration value and impact of management abandonment. Cutting significantly increased species diversity in the abandoned area by positively affecting the cover of almost all annual and biennial species and several perennial forbs. Cutting strongly reduced the dominance of perennial grasses. Litter removal had similar effects to cutting, although it was far less effective in increasing species diversity. In the mowed area, cutting abandonment did not reduce species diversity, although the perennial grasses started to increase their cover, while several rare species reduced their abundance. Surprisingly, nitrogen enrichment did not affect species diversity both in the abandoned and mowed area. Our results provided evidence that, within three years, annual cutting can partially restore the species diversity of abandoned grasslands.
A feature-oriented forward–backward diffusion model for intensity image restoration based on level set motion

In this paper, a new enhancing and smoothing partial differential equation coupled with time-delay regularization is presented, which is based on local geometric properties desired for image restoration. To reverse the process of image deterioration, a newly defined shock filter for edge enhancing is combined with a level set motion-based regularization equation. The balance between the backward process and the forward process is carried out by a weighting function coupled with time-delay regularization helping to identify boundary areas and homogeneous regions in a given image. The proposed model is well-posed in terms of viscosity solutions – the existence and uniqueness of periodic viscosity solution to the initial value problem of the equation is established. Numerical results for some kinds of grey-level images are demonstrated to confirm our anticipation.
Chondrichthyes species in deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea

Data collected during the DESEAS survey carried out in three areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Balearic Sea, western and eastern Ionian Sea) were used to describe the distribution and abundance of chondrichthyes species at depths between 600 and 4000 m. A total of 8 chondrichthyes species were recorded, 5 of them in the Balearic Sea, 4 in the western Ionian and 6 in the eastern Ionian. A decrease in abundance with depth was observed in each species with the exception of Centroscymnuscoelolepis . The most abundant species were Galeus melastomus and Etmopterusspinax . The depth range of some species was updated. G. melastomus was caught down to 1500 m, exhibiting a smaller-deeper pattern in females, while E.spinax was captured down to 2200 m with a bigger-deeper trend. Mature females of these two sharks were found between 600 and 1500 m. A wide size-range was shown in both species. C.coelolepis was only collected in the Balearic Sea down to 2800 m. The presence of a pregnant female was sampled from a depth of 1500 m. The distribution of the species is discussed in the context of the present knowledge of the Mediterranean ichthyofauna.
Polyaniline Modified CTAB-Graphene Oxide-Sulfur Nanocomposites with Enhanced Performance for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Conductive polymer coating could boost power storage capacity for lithium-sulfur batteries. We report here on the design and preparation, by combining a facile and green chemical deposition method with an oxidative polymerization approach, of polyaniline (PANI) modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-graphene oxide (GO)-sulfur (S) nanocomposite with significantly enhanced performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. Such conductive polymer modified CTAB-GO-S nanocomposites as sulfur cathode can deliver high specific discharge capacities and long-term cycling performance, i.e. ~970 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C and ~715 mAh g-1 after 300 cycles, ~820 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C and ~670 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles, ~770 mAh g-1 at 1 C and ~570 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles. The capacity decay was as low as 0.036% per cycle at 0.5 C, and 0.051% per cycle at 1 C. Under the same condition, batteries using PANI modified CTAB-GO-S as cathodes exhibited higher specific capacity and higher average coulombic efficiency compared with those of CTAB decorated GO-S and GO-S nanocomposites. The improved performance could be attributed to the lower charge transfer resistance and the alleviated dissolution of polysulfides in the PANI modified CTAB-GO-S cathodes.
New methods for modification of a biomaterial surface to improve its osseointegration

Medical implants used in oral and orthopaedic surgery are mainly produced from titanium. Their biological behaviour, e.g. osseointegration, essentially depends on both the chemical composition and the morphology of the surface. Modifications achieved by excimer laser irradiation of titanium samples were investigated in order to improve their surface characteristics so as to facilitate biointegration. To enlarge the effective interfacial area of bone-implant contact, holes were ablated by laser pulses of ns or sub-ps length. During ns ablation, crown-like projecting rims formed around the borders of the holes. Ultra-short (0.5 ps) KrF excimer laser pulses were successfully applied to avoid these undesirable formations. Since a smooth dental implant surface is necessary to maintain a healthy connection with the soft tissues, laser polishing of samples was investigated, too. Irradiation with a series of ns laser pulses resulted in effective smoothing, as measured with atomic force microscope. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the laser-polished titanium surface revealed that laser treatment led to a decrease of the surface contamination and in thickening of the oxide layer. X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrated that the original a-titanium crystal structure was preserved. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Large-Scale 3 D Chips : Challenges and Solutions for Design Automation , Testing , and Trustworthy Integration

Three-dimensional (3D) integration of electronic chips has been advocated by both industry and academia for many years. It is acknowledged as one of the most promising approaches to meet ever-increasing demands on performance, functionality, and power consumption. Furthermore, 3D integration has been shown to be most effective and efficient once large-scale integration is targeted for. However, a multitude of challenges has thus far obstructed the mainstream transition from “classical 2D chips” to such large-scale 3D chips. In this paper, we survey all popular 3D integration options available and advocate that using an interposer as system-level integration backbone would be the most practical for large-scale industrial applications and design reuse. We review major design (automation) challenges and related promising solutions for interposer-based 3D chips in particular, among the other 3D options. Thereby we outline (i) the need for a unified workflow, especially once full-custom design is considered, (ii) the current design-automation solutions and future prospects for both classical (digital) and advanced (heterogeneous) interposer stacks, (iii) the state-of-art and open challenges for testing of 3D chips, and (iv) the challenges of securing hardware in general and the prospects for large-scale and trustworthy 3D chips in particular.