Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Finishing of polypropylene fibers with cyclodextrins and polyacrylic acid as a crosslinking agent

The present paper deals with the functionalization of polypropylene (PP) fibers with cyclodextrins (CDs) in the presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) as a crosslinking agent. Evidence of modification was proved via the formation of a crosslinked polymer formed between PAA and CDs. This polymer physically adhered to the fiber network and was resistant to hot water washings. The influence of parameters involved in this specific textile processing, such as the curing conditions (temperature, time) and the CDs dilution of the impregnating bath were investigated. The PAA was then compared, in terms of functionalizing rate, to the citric acid (CTR) and the 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid, which are known as crosslinking agents. Fibers modified by PAA and four types of CDs were characterized by evaluating the contact angle with a polar liquid and by studying the hysteresis of damping of PP fibers (Cahn balance) with various functionalization rates. Infrared spectroscopy and morphological studies confirm the presence of the crosslinked CD polymer that coated on the fibers, and allowed us to evaluate the chemical heterogeneity of the functionalized surfaces. The mechanical characterization of the PP fabrics functionalized with various proportions of CDs revealed that the functionalization reaction does not affect the mechanical properties of the native fabric.
AWeight Function for Zr-2.5Nb Pressure Tube Burst Test Specimens

Based on a literature review, the weight function for an axial through-wall crack in a cylinder has not been reported in the open literature. A weight function for an axial through-wall crack in a cylinder that is applicable to the pressure tube burst test specimens has been developed and is described in this paper. Three-dimensional finite element analyses were performed to calculate the stress intensity factors corresponding to line loads on the crack face. The calculated stress intensity factors were used to develop a weight function for the pressure tube burst test specimens based on regression analysis and engineering judgment.
Unbalanced FIFO sorting for FPGA-based systems

Sorting is an important operation in a myriad of applications. It can contribute substantially to the overall execution time of an application. Dedicated sorting architectures can be used to accelerate applications and/or to reduce energy consumption. In this paper, we propose an efficient sorting unit aiming at accelerating the sort operation in FPGA-based embedded systems. The proposed sorting unit, named Unbalanced FIFO Merge Sorting Unit, is based on a FIFO merger implementation and is easily scalable to handle different data-set sizes. We show results of the proposed sorting unit when isolated and when integrated in a software/hardware solution. When using a Xilinx Virtex-5 SX50T FPGA device, the logic resources for a 32 K-word machine is lower than 1%, and the block RAM usage is about 22%. When compared to a quicksort pure software implementation, our Sorting Unit provides speed-ups from 1.2x to 50x and about 20x when isolated and when integrated in a software/hardware solution, respectively.
Analysis of amylin cleavage products provides new insights into the amyloidogenic region of human amylin.

Human amylin is the primary component of amyloid deposits found in the pancreatic beta-cells of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recently, two fragments of amylin have been identified in vivo. One fragment contains residues 17 to 37 of human amylin (AMYLIN17-37) and the other contains residues 24 to 37 (AMYLIN24-37). The secondary structure and amyloid forming ability of each peptide was determined at pH 5.5(+/-0.3) and pH 7.4(+/-0.3). Results at these two values of pH were very similar. Both peptides are predominantly unstructured in solution (CD) but adopt a significant amount of beta-sheet secondary structure upon aggregation (FTIR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the presence of amyloid fibrils. AMYLIN24-37 was further dissected by studying peptides corresponding to residues 24 to 29 and 30 to 37. The AMYLIN30-37 peptide forms amyloid deposits. Samples of the 24 to 29 fragment which had TFA as the associated counterion formed ordered deposits but samples associated with HCl did not. Residues 20 to 29 are traditionally thought to be the amyloidogenic region of amylin, but this study demonstrates that peptides derived from other regions of amylin are capable of forming amyloid, and hence indicates that these regions of amylin can play a role in amyloid formation.
Protein and Digestible Threonine Levels in Pre Starter Diets for Broiler Chicks

This experiment was carried out in experimental poultry facilities of University of Goias to estimate digestible threonine (Thr) requirement for broiler from 1 to 21 days of age. 384 AgRoss-508 broiler chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement, with two protein levels (205 and 221 g/kg) and four digestible threonine levels (6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 g/kg) with four replications of 12 birds each. The performance, nutrient digestibility and morfometrical index were evaluated. The polynomial regression and linear response plateau (LRP) model was used to estimate digestible, had been the Minimum Square of Deviations (MSD) utilized for choice criterion. Used polynomial regression, the results showed that a quadratic effect (p<0.05) for mean body weight at seven and 21 days of age (seven days - Y = -31.41 + 455.28x - 285.62x /21 days - Y = 510.08 + 508.91x - 324.61x ) which estimates a 7.9 and 7.1 g/kg 2 2 of digestible Thr, but LRP model showed low MSD and smaller estimates for digestible Thr levels (7.7 and 6.7 g/kg in seven and 21 days, respectively). The results showed a tendency if lower levels of digestible Thr (below to 7.1 g/kg) reduced intestinal length. The digestible Thr levels recommended for pre-starter phase vary from 7.7 at 6.7 g/kg, estimated by LRP model and 7.9 at 7.1 g/kg estimated by polynomial regression for mean body weight at seven and 21 days of age, respectively, but the LRP values presented smaller minimum square of deviations.
Parity Logging Overcoming The Small Write Problem In Redundant Disk Arrays

Parity encoded redundant disk arrays provide highly reliable, cost effective secondary storage with high performance for read accesses and large write accesses. Their performance on small writes, however, is much worse than mirrored disks—the traditional, highly reliable, but expensive organization for secondary storage. Unfortunately, small writes are a substantial portion of the I/O workload of many important, demanding applications such as on-line transaction processing. This paper presents parity logging, a novel solution to the small write problem for redundant disk arrays. Parity logging applies journalling techniques to substantially reduce the cost of small writes. We provide a detailed analysis of parity logging and competing schemes—mirroring, floating storage, and RAID level 5— and verify these models by simulation. Parity logging provides performance competitive with mirroring, the best of the alternative single failure tolerating disk array organizations. However, its overhead cost is close to the minimum offered by RAID level 5. Finally, parity logging can exploit data caching much more effectively than all three alternative approaches.
Real-Time EMG Driven Lower Limb Actuated Orthosis for Assistance As Needed Movement Strategy

This paper presents a new approach to control a wearable knee joint exoskeleton driven through the wearer's intention. A realistic bio-inspired musculoskeletal knee joint model is used to control the exoskeleton. This model takes into account changes in muscle length and joint moment arms as well as the dynamics of muscle activation and muscle contraction during lower limb movements. Identification of the model parameters is done through an unconstrained optimization problem formulation. A control law strategy based on the principle of assistance as needed is proposed. This approach guarantees asymptotic stability of the knee joint orthosis and adaptation to human-orthosis interaction. Moreover, the proposed control law is robust with respect to external disturbances. Experimental validations are conducted online on a healthy subject during flexion and extenion of their knee joint. The proposed control strategy has shown satisfactory performances in terms of tracking trajectory and adaptation to human tasks completion.
Sparse Signal Reconstruction via Iterative Support Detection

We present a novel sparse signal reconstruction method, iterative support detection (ISD), aiming to achieve fast reconstruction and a reduced requirement on the number of measurements compared to the classical $\ell_1$ minimization approach. ISD addresses failed reconstructions of $\ell_1$ minimization due to insufficient measurements. It estimates a support set $I$ from a current reconstruction and obtains a new reconstruction by solving the minimization problem $\min\{\sum_{i\notin I}|x_i|:Ax=b\}$, and it iterates these two steps for a small number of times. ISD differs from the orthogonal matching pursuit method, as well as its variants, because (i) the index set $I$ in ISD is not necessarily nested or increasing, and (ii) the minimization problem above updates all the components of $x$ at the same time. We generalize the null space property to the truncated null space property and present our analysis of ISD based on the latter. We introduce an efficient implementation of ISD, called threshold-ISD, for recovering signals with fast decaying distributions of nonzeros from compressive sensing measurements. Numerical experiments show that threshold-ISD has significant advantages over the classical $\ell_1$ minimization approach, as well as two state-of-the-art algorithms: the iterative reweighted $\ell_1$ minimization algorithm (IRL1) and the iterative reweighted least-squares algorithm (IRLS). MATLAB code is available for download from http://www.caam. rice.edu/ optimization/L1/ISD/.
The effect and correction of aerosol forward scattering on retrieval of aerosol optical depth from Sun photometer measurements

The Sun photometer is widely used to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD). In this study, the effect of atmospheric forward scattering on the measurement of direct solar irradiance is analyzed. In most cases, this effect can be safely neglected. However, in the case of heavy dust loading, errors in AOD derived from Sun photometer measurements can be significant which warrants a correction of the forward scattering to derive accurate values of AOD. An algorithm is presented for such a correction.
Identifying Consumer’s Needs of Health Information Technology through an Innovative Participatory Design Approach among English- and Spanish-speaking Urban Older Adults

Summary Objectives: We describe an innovative community-centered participatory design approach, Consumer-centered Participatory Design (C2PD), and the results of applying C2PD to design and develop a web-based fall prevention system. Methods: We conducted focus groups and design sessions with English- and Spanish-speaking community-dwelling older adults. Focus group data were summarized and used to inform the context of the design sessions. Descriptive content analysis methods were used to develop categorical descriptions of design session informant’s needs related to information technology. Results: The C2PD approach enabled the assessment and identification of informant’s needs of health information technology (HIT) that informed the development of a falls prevention system. We learned that our informants needed a system that provides variation in functions/content; differentiates between actionable/non-actionable information/structures; and contains sensory cues that support wide-ranging and complex tasks in a varied, simple, and clear interface to facilitate self-management. Conclusions: The C2PD approach provides community-based organizations, academic researchers, and commercial entities with a systematic theoretically informed approach to develop HIT innovations. Our community-centered participatory design approach focuses on consumer’s technology needs while taking into account core public health functions. Citation: Lucero RJ, Sheehan B, Yen P-Y, Velez O, Nobile-Hernandez DL, Tiase VL. Identifying consumer’s needs of health hnformation technology through an innovative participatory design approach among English-and Spanish-speaking urban older adults. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 943–957 http://dx.doi. org/10.4338/ACI-2014-07-RA-0058
GEOMETRY FACTORS IN CORROSION FATIGUE CRACK PROPAGATION

— Fatigue crack growth rates for a steel in saltwater at different but constant stress intensity factor ranges have been evaluated as a function of the crack length (as measured from the notch root) for cracks longer than so-called “short” cracks. Equations describing the crack growth rate as a function of both the crack length and the stress intensity factor range have been obtained, and the effect of simulated infinite thickness of the specimens is discussed. The equations satisfactorily describe the numerous literature data for different steels, different specimens and different test conditions.
Energy intake and expenditure of Indian schoolboys

1. Sixteen Indian schoolboys, aged 12–14 years resident in Singapore, were tested for the determination of energy cost, pulmonary ventilation (PV) and oxygen consumption at rest and at various daily activities; their height, body-weight, pulse and blood pressure were also measured. An energy balance study was made by estimating from a diary of measured activities the 24 h energy intake and output. 2. PV and O2 consumption during running showed positive correlations(r = 0.4 and r =0.3 respectively) with mean post-exercise recovery pulse, O2 consumption and PV. 3. The daily mean calorie intake and output of the subjects were found to be 2108 kcal (8.85 MJ) and 1811 kcal (7.60 MJ) respectively. 4. The boys gained an average of 2.2 kg in weight and 0.7 cm in height in 2 months. They did not suffer from any mental retardation, they were physically fit, free from disease and did their daily routine work satisfactorily.
Study on the Mechanical Properties of Jute/Carbon Hybrid Composites

Carbon fibers were used to lay lengthways into three lays in jute fiber needled mat and the same fiber volume content of jute fiber needled mat were fabricated. Those two mats and the lengthways carbon fibers reinforced vinyl resin composites were made by VARTM. We made a comparison of the hybrid reinforced composites between the test value and the theoretical value which was predicted by establishing tensile and bending math-model and their mechanical properties were analyzed. The results show that there was a certain line between the theoretical value and the test value of the hybrid composites, so we can establish the mixing ratio between jute fiber and carbon fiber during the engineering application. Although the use of carbon fibers had greatly enhanced the tensile properties of hybrid composite, whose tensile strength and tensile modulus increased by 85.94% and 30.99% respectively than that without carbons, the bending model can’t be changed a lot.
Use of a telerobotic arm to perform ultrasound guidance during renal biopsy in transplant recipients: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND Renal biopsies are usually performed by a nephrologist and require ultrasound guidance from an expert. This procedure can be time-consuming and expensive. PATIENTS AND METHODS We propose using a robotic arm, controlled from a remote location, to perform ultrasound guidance during renal biopsies in postrenal transplant patients. The procedure would be performed under ultrasound guidance from a radiologist, controlling a robotic arm from one institution, while the nephrologist would perform the biopsy at another. This would allow biopsies to be performed under the guidance of an expert in ultrasonography, without requiring him to leave his institution. RESULTS Four patients underwent teleoperated renal biopsy. None of the patients had any postbiopsy complication. Total time used to perform the renal biopsies was significantly increased when compared with conventional biopsy technique. Compared with conventional ultrasound guidance, the nephrologists performing the biopsies reported discomfort with the robotic arm carrying out the ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated the feasibility of teleoperated ultrasound-guided renal biopsies. This technique can be used to compensate for the absence of an ultrasonography expert and save time. Additional invasive urologic procedures using the ESTELE robot arm, including renal punctures before percutaneous nephrolithotomy and prostate biopsies, are planned.
Organic Light Emitting Devices on Polymer Substrates.

We have developed an organic light emitting device fabricated on polymer film substrate (F-OLED). This device has thin film multi-layered structure; substrate/gas barrier film/transparent anode/organic emitting layers/metal cathode/passivation film, and also has a lot of attractive features, approx.0. 2mm thickness, approx. 1gr weight (including driving IC), slightly bendable and so on. It utilizes silicone oxynitride (SiON) on the substrate side as gas barrier film and silicone nitride (SiNx) as passivation film on the device side, so it makes possible to keep a good luminance after 500 hours storage test under 60deg.C. 95%RH.
Application of oblique plane microscopy to high speed live cell imaging

Oblique Plane Microscopy (OPM) is a light sheet microscopy technique that combines oblique illumination with correction optics that tilt the focal plane of the collection system. OPM can be used to image conventionally mounted specimens on coverslips or tissue culture dishes and has low out-of-plane photobleaching and phototoxicity. No moving parts are required to achieve an optically sectioned image and so high speed optically sectioned imaging is possible. We present high speed 2D and 3D optically sectioned OPM imaging of live cells using a high NA water immersion lens.
Human-to-robot skill transfer using the SPORE approximation

We propose a framework for programming robotic tasks using human-to-robot skill transfer. We assume that there exists a human expert who can accomplish a task in an unstructured environment by using various sensor displays and controls. The human expert performs the desired task a number of times while his/her input/output pairs are being recorded by the robot. The robot then uses this recorded data to construct a mapping between these sensor inputs and actuator outputs. This mapping must be general enough to allow the robot to accomplish the same task, in similar but not identical, dynamic, unstructured environments. This paper presents a testbed for human-to-robot skill transfer which is based on the teleoperated control of a small mobile robot working in an unstructured environment. The skill which is transferred from human-to-robot is loosely based on the tree tending task, a task which was chosen for its inherently unstructured nature. The SPORE approximation is proposed as a means for creating the robot's mapping from sensor inputs to actuator outputs.
Three Dimensional Face Recognition Using SVM Classifier

In this paper, we presented a novel approach for automated 3D face recognition using range data. An object recognition system generally consists of two main parts: data registration and data comparison. In first step, the nose tip was used as the reference point and 3D face shape was normalized to standard image size. The 2DPCA was applied to the resultant range data and the corresponding principal images were used as the feature vectors. Classification was carried out by calculating the similarity score between the feature vectors. The SVM classifier was used in choosing the closest match. Recognition rate of 97% rank-four was achieved.
he effect of the new traffic law on drinking and driving in São Paulo , Brazil aldir

Objective: To present data on drinking and driving in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and the effects of the new traffic law (Law 11,705) introduced in 2008. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a questionnaire and passive breath test data to study the prevalence of drinking and driving and the association of drinking and driving with background characteristics and drinking patterns on two separate occasions. The data were gathered from 2007 to 2009 through roadside surveys conducted on busy public roads. Four thousand two-hundred thirtyfour (4234) drivers were approached, before and after prohibition, from the south, north, east, and west regions of the city of São Paulo, located in southeastern Brazil, including cars, motorcycles, and utility vehicles. A total of 3854 (91%) consented to participate in the survey and answered the questionnaire. Out of this group, 3229 (84%) agreed to take the passive breathalyzer test. Results: Logistic regression analyses controlling for gender and age was used to predict a positive breath test (above 0.2 g/l) and the impact of the new law. These analyses indicated that, after the passage of the new traffic law, there was a 45% decrease in driver behavior with positive breathalyzer results. Having a pattern of alcohol consumption of at least once a week and the habit of drinking and driving are risks for a positive breathalyzer. Conclusions: Despite the decline in the frequency of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol, traffic-related injuries and deaths, after the new law, other measures for a public policy related to alcohol should be considered based on scientific evidence, consistency of action, clear goals, community support, and greater reliability in the laws.
Compilation of small ribosomal subunit RNA sequences.

Table 1 lists data on 455 small ribosomal subunit RNA (further abbreviated as srRNA) sequences (references 1 —452) that have been published or submitted to the EMBL or GenBank nucleotide sequence libraries and that are presently stored in aligned form in our data base. The number identifying each sequence in the first column of Table 1 corresponds with the literature reference. If two or more closely related species share the same sequence, they bear the same number, followed by a different lower case character, and the common sequence is listed only once in our alignment. The set of 452 different sequences consists of 97 eukaryotic cytoplasmic, 19 archaebacterial, 276 eubacterial, 16 plastidial, and 44 mitochondrial srRNAs. It comprises all sequences that to our knowledge had been published or were available from the sequence library file servers as of December 1, 1990, and that are either complete or cover a minimum of about 70% of the complete sequence. Partial sequences are included because some of the methods now frequently used for srRNA sequencing preclude the determination of the structure at one or both of the termini. One such method consists of reverse transcription of the srRNA by means of primers complementary to conserved areas in the primary structure (453). In this case the 3'-terminal sequence cannot be found. Another approach (55, 328) involves amplification of the rDNA by means of the polymerase chain reaction (454), using primers binding to conserved areas near the termini, but within the sequence coding for the mature small subunit RNA. In this case both terminal sequences remain unknown. Both methods allow to establish a continuous sequence covering more than 95% of the structure, provided that a sufficient number of primers complementary to internal conserved areas is used. Some authors (e.g. 455), however, use a more limited set of primers and publish sequences that are not only partial but also discontinuous.