Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Gain Grating Antenna With Surface Wave Launcher Array

In this letter, a high-gain grating antenna operated at 11.5 GHz is presented. Planar surface wave launcher (SWL) array is adopted to feed the grating antenna. Compared with spherical-like waves generated by single SWL structure, SWL array generates planar-like waves, which can concentrate the energy. With SWL array as the launcher, metallic straight strips are employed to achieve leaky-wave radiation. By using the theory of miniaturization of grating, the length of strips is optimized. The peak gain of main beam is as high as 20.3 dBi. Theoretical and optimization process is given to explain the principle. An example is fabricated and measured. A good agreement between simulated and measured results evidently validates the proposed grating antenna.
Psychological and behavioral barriers to ART adherence among PLWH in China: role of self-efficacy

ABSTRACT Globally, optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is insufficient despite it is critical for maximum clinical benefits and treatment success among people living with HIV (PLWH). Many factors have been evidenced to influence medication adherence, including perceived barriers and self-efficacy. However, limited data are available regarding to psychological and behavioral barriers to ART adherence in China. Moreover, few studies have examined the mechanism of these two factors underlying HIV medication adherence. The aim of the current study is to examine the mediating role of adherence self-efficacy between perceived barriers and ART adherence among PLWH. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 2095 PLWH in Guangxi China who provided data on ART adherence. Participants reported their medication adherence, self-efficacy, barriers to ART adherence, as well as background characteristics. Results indicated a significant indirect effect from perceived barriers to medication adherence through adherence self-efficacy. Higher perceived psychological and behavioral barriers to ART adherence were related to lower adherence self-efficacy, which in turn was related to lower ART adherence. Self-efficacy could buffer the negative effects of perceived barriers on ART adherence. Future interventions to promote HIV medication adherence are recommended to focus on eliminating psychological and behavioral barriers, as well as increasing adherence self-efficacy.
gVolante for standardizing completeness assessment of genome and transcriptome assemblies

Motivation Along with the increasing accessibility to comprehensive sequence information, such as whole genomes and transcriptomes, the demand for assessing their quality has been multiplied. To this end, metrics based on sequence lengths, such as N50, have become a standard, but they only evaluate one aspect of assembly quality. Conversely, analyzing the coverage of pre‐selected reference protein‐coding genes provides essential content‐based quality assessment, but the currently available pipelines for this purpose, CEGMA and BUSCO, do not have a user‐friendly interface to serve as a uniform environment for assembly completeness assessment. Results Here, we introduce a brand‐new web server, gVolante, which provides an online tool for (i) on‐demand completeness assessment of sequence sets by means of the previously developed pipelines CEGMA and BUSCO and (ii) browsing pre‐computed completeness scores for publicly available data in its database section. Completeness assessments performed on gVolante report scores based on not just the coverage of reference genes but also on sequence lengths (e.g. N50 scaffold length), allowing quality control in multiple aspects. Using gVolante, one can compare the quality of original assemblies between their multiple versions (obtained through program choice and parameter tweaking, for example) and evaluate them in comparison to the scores of public resources found in the database section. Availability and implementation gVoalte is freely available at https://gvolante.riken.jp/. Contact shigehiro.kuraku@riken.jp
ERP: An Efficient and Reliable Protocol for Emergency Message Dissemination in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Many safety-related applications in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks require fast and reliable emergency message dissemination through multi-hop broadcast. However, the conventional broadcast mechanism is neither efficient nor reliable because it results in serious contention and collisions, which is usually referred to as the broadcast storm problem. In this paper, we propose ERP, a two-phase broadcast protocol that improves both efficiency and reliability. The first phase, a “fast-propagation phase”, is designed to improve efficiency. We explicitly designate forwarders to relay the message and thus ensure both collisionfree and quick propagation. The second phase, a “lossrecovery phase”, enhances reliability. In this phase, nodes overhear the message and repeatedly broadcast it for the benefit of nodes which have not received the message in the first phase. We analytically show that using a density-aware power control mechanism in the second phase can efficiently improve the recovery rate. We also demonstrate how to find the optimal transmission power. Simulation results illustrate that our protocol outperforms probabilistic forwarding, which is currently the most widely studied solution, by a factor of 2 to 3.
Liraglutide Activates the Nrf2/HO-1 Antioxidant Pathway and Protects Brain Nerve Cells against Cerebral Ischemia in Diabetic Rats

This study aimed to determine the effect of liraglutide pretreatment and to elucidate the mechanism of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling after focal cerebral ischemia injury in diabetic rats model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated (S) group, diabetes mellitus ischemia (DM + MCAO) group, liraglutide pretreatment normal blood glucose ischemia (NDM+MCAO+L) group, and liraglutide pretreatment diabetes ischemia (DM + MCAO + L) group. At 48 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), neurological deficits and infarct volume of brain were measured. Oxidative stress brain tissue was determined by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities. The expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 of brain tissue were analyzed by western blotting. In the DM + MCAO + L group, neurological deficits scores and cerebral infarct volume seemed to decrease at 48 h after MCAO cerebral ischemia compared with those in DM + MCAO group (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 increased in 48 h at liraglutide pretreatment groups after MCAO cerebral ischemia if compared with those in the DM + MCAO group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the DM + MCAO + L group has no significant difference compared with the NDM + MCAO + L group (P > 0.05). To sum up, alleviating effects of liraglutide on diabetes complicated with cerebral ischemia injury rats would be related to Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Progressive fetal distress estimation by characterization of fetal heart rate decelerations response based on signal variability in cardiotocographic recordings

In the current clinical practice, Cardiotocograph (CTG) is a standard and widely used tool for fetal surveillance. However, CTG interpretation is difficult since it involves human diagnosis of different patterns in highly complex signals. Fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations and variability are known to be the most significant and difficult patterns to assess by the clinical staff. The main goal of this work is to analyze the fetal distress by tracking the evolution of the dynamical changes occurring in the CTG recording. The idea is to consider the direct input/output relationship between uterine contraction (UC) and FHR signals by the characterization of FHR decelerations in terms of their signal variability as a sign of the fetal response corresponding to a UC event. Results show that the progression of the decelerations response over time can help the observer to track fetal distress.
Towards a Business Process Formalisation Based on an Architecture Centred Approach

Nowadays, enterprises need to control their business processes and to manage more and more information. EAI Enterprise Application Integration solutions offer a partial response to these requirements. However, the lack of formalisation that characterises such solutions limits the reuse and verification of properties. This paper claims that business processes have to be formally defined using a formalism that presents certain features (representation of several abstraction levels, domain specific concepts, property expression and preservation, etc.) and proposes the use of an ADL Architecture Description Language as formalism. A case study illustrates our proposition.
Obesity, Cardiac Remodeling, and Metabolic Profile: Validation of a New Simple Index beyond Body Mass Index

Aim: The body mass index (BMI), the most used anthropometric index of obesity, has an important limitation, not taking into consideration the distribution of body fat. We developed a new simple index: the waist-corrected BMI (wBMI), calculated as waist circumference (WC) × BMI. The study aim was to assess the role of wBMI, compared to BMI, WC, and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) in predicting abnormal cardiac geometry, insulin resistance, increased arterial stiffness, and dyslipidemia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 805 patients referred to our Department of Preventive Cardiology for risk factors evaluation and treatment. Eleven echographic and laboratory parameters were determined, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were derived. Areas under ROC curves (AUC) were used to assess the accuracy of the four indexes to identify unfavorable characteristics. Results: There were 29% overweight, 59% obese, and 77% hypertensive patients. Of 11 echographic and laboratory parameters, wBMI, BMI, WHtR, and WC had the largest AUC for identifying 3, 1, 6, and 1 parameters, respectively, but with overlapping 95% confidence intervals. wBMI had the largest AUC for increased arterial stiffness and insulin resistance; also, it was superior to BMI for increased left atrial volume, relative wall thickness, and triglyceride level. Conclusions: In a large population with a high prevalence of obesity and hypertension, all four indexes were associated with unfavorable characteristics. wBMI has the theoretical advantage of taking into account simultaneously the global fat mass and distribution and might be useful for a better cardiovascular risk assessment.
Fabric compaction and infiltration during vacuum-assisted resin infusion with and without distribution medium

Vacuum infusion experiments with and without distribution medium were carried out in woven E-glass fabric preforms. The experimental set-up was carefully designed to obtain a unidimensional in-plane flow between the inlet and outlet gate, which was combined with through-the-thickness infiltration in the tests carried out with a distribution medium. The variation of the fabric thickness during the infusion experiments was measured by means of digital image correlation, whereas the fluid pressure along the strip was obtained by means of pressure gages. Finally, the in-plane fabric permeability as a function of the fiber volume fraction and the fabric compactability were measured by means of independent tests. The experimental results provided a very detailed picture of the interaction between the fluid infiltration mechanisms and the preform deformation during in-plane and through-the-thickness flow, which is very useful to understand the complex interaction between permeability and compaction during infiltration.
The Preparation of Anti-sticking Layers on Stamps of Nano-imprint Lithography Technology via Vapor Deposition Process

F_(13)-TCS film was deposited on the surface of SiO_2 stamp through vapor deposition process.The formation process and chemical mechanism of it was studied.The contents of element and valence band were characterized by XPS,the contact angle and surface energy were measured by optical contact angle measuring device,and the structure of stamp and duplicate structure of stamp were contrasted by AFM.The research results indicate that the interaction force between the stamp and polymer layers decrease greatly through F_(13)-TCS modifying the surface of SiO_2 stamp.It is favorable for shifting and replication of the stamp in nanoimprint lithography.
Real-time Detection of Precursors to Epileptic Seizures: Non-Linear Analysis of System Dynamics

We propose a novel approach for detecting precursors to epileptic seizures in intracranial electroencephalograms (iEEG), which is based on the analysis of system dynamics. In the proposed scheme, the largest Lyapunov exponent of the discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT) of the segmented EEG signals is considered as the discriminating features. Such features are processed by a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to identify whether the corresponding segment of the EEG signal contains a precursor to an epileptic seizure. When consecutive EEG segments contain such precursors, a decision is made that a precursor is in fact detected. The proposed scheme is applied to the Freiburg dataset, and the results show that seizure precursors are detected in a time frame that unlike other existing schemes is very much convenient to patients, with sensitivity of 100% and negligible false positive detection rates.
A New Approach to Microwave Rectennas Using Tightly Coupled Antennas

We present the design of a near unity electromagnetic energy harvester using a tightly coupled antenna (TCA) array. Compared with the unit cell of metamaterial surfaces used earlier, the dimension of a TCA unit cell is about five times larger, thus providing simplified channeling networks and cost-effective solutions. The TCA surface contains an array of Vivaldi shape unit cells with a diode at each cell to convert the collected electromagnetic energy to dc power. The dc power from each unit cell is channeled to one single load via series inductors. A sample of a $4\times 4$ TCA array was simulated, fabricated, and tested. Numerical simulations showed that the finite array has the potential to achieve a radiation-to-ac power conversion efficiency of 90% and a radiation-to-dc power conversion efficiency of 72%, while laboratory measurements gave a maximum radiation-to-dc power conversion efficiency of approximately 60%.
Synthesis of highly doped Nd:YAG powder by SOL-GEL method

The sol-gel method was used for synthesizing Nd:YAG powder. The process contains several steps, for example solving in acid, mixing, evaporation etc. The XRD analysis of prepared powder by sol-gel method showed that the YAG single phase is resulted by heat treatment at 900 oC for 2 hr. By SEM the homogeneity of Nd distribution in the YAG lattice was observed.
Fabrication of meso- and nano-scale structures on surfaces of chalcogenide semiconductors by surface hydrodynamic interference patterning

We observe the change of surface relief on amorphous Ge-As-Se thin films after irradiation with an electron beam. The beam softens the glass and induces various topological surface changes in the irradiated area. The film relief change depends on the film thickness, deposited charge, and film composition. Various structures are formed: Gausian-like cones, extremely sharp Taylor cones, deep craters, and craters with large spires grown on the side. Our investigation shows that these effects can be at least partially a result of electro-hydrodynamic material flow, but the observed phenomena are likely more complex. When we irradiated structural patterns formed by the electron beam with a red laser beam, we could not only fully relax the produced patterns, but also form very complex and intricate superstructures. These organized meso- and nano-scale structures are formed by a combination of photo-induced structural relaxation, light interference on structures fabricated by the e-beam, and photo-induced material flow.
PROPRIETĂŢI FIZICO - MECANICE ALE UNOR LIANŢI TERNARI SILICAT - ALUMINAT - SULFATICI PHYSICAL - MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME TERNARY BINDERS SILICATE - ALUMINATE - SULPHATE

∗Cimentul superaluminos este cunoscut aproape exclusiv, ca un liant refractar. Cercetări realizate in ultimele decenii, indeosebi in cadrul companiei Kerneos (inventatoare a cimentului Fondu, in 1908 – cunoscută sub numele Lafarge), au condus la rezultate interesante, privind utilizarea acestui liant, asociat cu ciment portland si sulfat de calciu, in lianţi complecsi, constituienţi ai unor ″mortare uscate″, destinate lucrărilor de construcţii. In astfel de mase complexe, el insusi sau prin interacţii cu ceilalţi componenţi, cimentul superaluminos imprimă ca proprietăţi specifice: priză si intărire rapidă, variaţii dimensionale controlabile, calităţi estetice (lipsa eflorescenţelor, stabilitatea culorii), rezistenţă la coroziune, rezistenţe mecanice bune, inclusiv la abraziune, diminuarea poluării (″eco-friendly″). Asemenea proprietăţi răspund cerinţelor impuse de utilizări in domenii ca: straturi autonivelante, adeziv pentru plăci ceramice si pietre naturale, mase compozite de izolare termică exterioară, cu caracteristici decorative, mortare si betoane de reparaţii, cu priză rapidă, mortare rezistente la apă. Considerând aceste informaţii, s-au iniţiat si in cadrul catedrei SIMONa din Universitatea POLITEHNICA Bucuresti, cercetări sistematice privind realizarea si caracterizarea unor mase liante ternare, in sistemul ciment portland-ciment aluminos-sulfat de calciu. Au fost realizate mase liante cu compoziţii variind in limite largi: 10-80% ciment portland, 10-60% ciment superaluminos, 5-30% sulfat de calciu (semihidrat sau anhidrit III). Prezenta lucrare aduce date privind timpul de priză si rezistenţele mecanice ale lianţilor ternari din sistemul ternar ciment portland (PC) – ciment aluminos (CAC) – sulfat de calciu (CSHx), precum si informaţii referitoare la variaţiile dimensionale in timpul intăririi. High Aluminate Cement is known almost exclusively like a refractory binder. The researches achieved in the last decades, especially in the Kerneos company (the inventor of cement Fondue, in 1908 – known under Lafarge name), have lead at interesting results, concerning the use of this binder, associated with Portland cement and calcium sulfate in complex binders, constituents of the „dry mortars”, for construction works.
Adaptive Dynamic Surface Control for Formations of Autonomous Surface Vehicles With Uncertain Dynamics

In this brief, we consider the formation control problem of underactuated autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) moving in a leader-follower formation, in the presence of uncertainties and ocean disturbances. A robust adaptive formation controller is developed by employing neural network and dynamic surface control technique. The stability of the design is proven via Lyapunov analysis where semiglobal uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop signals is guaranteed. The advantages of the proposed formation controller are that: first, the proposed method only uses the measurements of line-of-sight range and angle by local sensors, no other information about the leader is required for control implementation; second, the developed neural formation controller is able to capture the vehicle dynamics without exact information of coriolis and centripetal force, hydrodynamic damping and disturbances from the environment. Comparative analysis with a model-based approach is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Comparison of lead removal by various types of swine bone adsorbents.

The removal capacities of lead by bone adsorbents, prepared in various appropriate types, have been studied in a single component system using agitated batch sorption. The adsorbent characteristics before and after sorption were examined by electron microscopy, surface area analysis (BET), crystalline structure by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), chemical compositions by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The results showed that the main component of swine bone adsorbents is calcium hydroxyl-apatite with Ca/P ratio is 1.70; the calcium ion and the range of mesopores of the appropriate pore sizes are the important factors for the ion-exchange process and the sorption process. The effects of carbonization, activation, initial metal ion solution concentration, contact time and quantities of bone adsorbent mass were studied. The capacity removal of lead onto bone powder, bone char and activated bone char were 417, 1828 and 690 mg/g, respectively, for 10 mg/L and pH 5±0.1 of the initial lead ion solution concentration, with an agitation speed 175 rpm. The sorption isotherm was also studied and indicated that the Langmuir isotherm model closely fits the sorbtion of lead onto bone char.
Bone morphogenetic proteins and Dickkopf-1 in ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives: To determine bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and Dickkopf homologue-1 (Dkk-1) levels in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Method: Serum BMPs and Dkk-1 were measured in 72 AS patients and 30 healthy controls. For AS patients, we recorded the demographic data, disease activity, functional index, and global assessment with questionnaires, and image changes with roentgenography. We also measured human leucocyte antigen-B27 and systemic inflammatory reactants. Results: BMPs were higher but Dkk-1 was significantly lower in AS patients than in controls. Dkk-1 was higher in AS patients who received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) regularly in the past year (p = 0.001). Serum BMP-7 level and the BMP-7/Dkk-1 ratio correlated significantly with sacroiliitis severity, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI)-total, modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score, and disease duration. There were also significant positive correlations among serum levels of BMP-2, -4, and -6, BASRI-total, and disease duration (p < 0.05). However, BMP-2/Dkk-1 was only significantly correlated with disease duration. The calculated area under the standard receiver operating characteristics curve suggested that BMP-2/Dkk-1 and serum BMP-2 are good indicators to predict disease activity, functional index, and patient global assessment in AS patients. Conclusion: BMPs and BMPs/Dkk-1 were significantly correlated with disease activity, and radiological and functional indices in AS patients. Dkk-1 was lower in AS patients than in controls. Among AS patients, Dkk-1 was higher in those taking NSAIDs regularly. BMP or Dkk-1 may be taken as a biomarker for disease severity or a treatment outcome predictor in AS, but this needs further study.
Synthesis and Characterization of 2D Molybdenum Carbide (MXene)

Large scale synthesis and delamination of 2D Mo2CT x (where T is a surface termination group) has been achieved by selectively etching gallium from the recently discovered nanolaminated, ternary transition metal carbide Mo2Ga2C. Different synthesis and delamination routes result in different flake morphologies. The resistivity of free‐standing Mo2CT x films increases by an order of magnitude as the temperature is reduced from 300 to 10 K, suggesting semiconductor‐like behavior of this MXene, in contrast to Ti3C2T x which exhibits metallic behavior. At 10 K, the magnetoresistance is positive. Additionally, changes in electronic transport are observed upon annealing of the films. When 2 μm thick films are tested as electrodes in supercapacitors, capacitances as high as 700 F cm−3 in a 1 m sulfuric acid electrolyte and high capacity retention for at least 10,000 cycles at 10 A g−1 are obtained. Free‐standing Mo2CT x films, with ≈8 wt% carbon nanotubes, perform well when tested as an electrode material for Li‐ions, especially at high rates. At 20 and 131 C cycling rates, stable reversible capacities of 250 and 76 mAh g−1, respectively, are achieved for over 1000 cycles.