Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hot Consolidation of Aluminium and Aluminium nano-MMC Powders by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

In this work novel routes for consolidating aluminum powders via Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) are investigated. Furthermore, parameters were optimized for consolidating aluminium reinforced with nanoparticles (n-SiC) and nanofibers (Carbon nanotubes). Consolidating commercial purity aluminum powder with ECAP, approximately 60 % rise in hardness and strength were achieved compared to materials compacted by well established direct extrusion, at the same time losing about 2 times in ductility. Al-1 vol. % nano-SiC composites showed increase in hardness compared to composites consolidated by conventional methods. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.ms.18.3. 2431
Learning Bayesian Networks with Restricted Causal Interactions

A major problem for the learning of Bayesian networks (BNs) is the exponential number of parameters needed for conditional probability tables. Recent research reduces this complexity by modeling local structure in the probability tables. We examine the use of log-linear local models. While log-linear models in this context are not new (Whittaker, 1990; Buntine, 1991; Neal, 1992; Heckerman and Meek, 1997), it is generally subsumed under a naive Bayes model. We describe an alternative using a Minimum Message Length (MML) (Wallace and Freeman, 1987) metric for the selection of local models with causal independence, which we term a first-order model (FOM). We also combine FOMs and full conditional models on a node-by-node basis.
Metal Oxide-Coated Polymer Nanofibers

We report the fabrication of novel metal oxide-coated polymeric nanofibers using the electrospinning technique. Polyacrylonitrile fibers were electrospun into a nonwoven fiber membrane. The membranes were subsequently immersed in an aqueous solution of metal halide salts and halogen scavengers at room temperature to apply the metal oxide coating. Tin dioxide and titanium dioxide were both successfully coated by this method. Coated fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Glass slides were coated with metal oxides by the same technique and were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine the metal oxide surface composition. Fiber diameters were on the order of 100 nm, and the observed coating thickness ranged from about 20 to 80 nm.
IIS at ImageCLEF 2015: Multi-label Classification Task

We propose an image decomposition technique that captures the structure of a scene. An image is decomposed into a matrix that represents the adjacency between the elements of the image and their distance. Images decomposed this way are then classied using a max- imum margin regression (MMR) approach where the normal vector of the separating hyperplane maps the input feature vectors into the out- puts vectors. Multiclass and multilabel classication are native to MMR, unlike other more classical maximum margin approaches, like SVM. We have tested our approach with the ImageCLEF 2015 multi-label classi- cation task, obtaining high rankings at that task.
Versatility of 7-Substituted Coumarin Molecules as Antimycobacterial Agents, Neuronal Enzyme Inhibitors and Neuroprotective Agents

A medium-throughput screen using Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was employed to screen an in-house library of structurally diverse compounds for antimycobacterial activity. In this initial screen, eleven 7-substituted coumarin derivatives with confirmed monoamine oxidase-B and cholinesterase inhibitory activities, demonstrated growth inhibition of more than 50% at 50 µM. This prompted further exploration of all the 7-substituted coumarins in our library. Four compounds showed promising MIC99 values of 8.31–29.70 µM and 44.15–57.17 µM on M. tuberculosis H37Rv in independent assays using GAST-Fe and 7H9+OADC media, respectively. These compounds were found to bind to albumin, which may explain the variations in MIC between the two assays. Preliminary data showed that they were able to maintain their activity in fluoroquinolone resistant mycobacteria. Structure-activity relationships indicated that structural modification on position 4 and/or 7 of the coumarin scaffold could direct the selectivity towards either the inhibition of neuronal enzymes or the antimycobacterial effect. Moderate cytotoxicities were observed for these compounds and slight selectivity towards mycobacteria was indicated. Further neuroprotective assays showed significant neuroprotection for selected compounds irrespective of their neuronal enzyme inhibitory properties. These coumarin molecules are thus interesting lead compounds that may provide insight into the design of new antimicrobacterial and neuroprotective agents.
Inverter Harmonic Elimination Through a Colony of Continuously Exploring Ants

In this paper, the authors have developed a novel algorithm for selective harmonic elimination in a pulsewidth-modulated inverter based on the foraging behavior of a colony of ants. The problem of selective harmonic elimination, together with output voltage regulation, is redrafted as an optimization problem, and the solution is sought through the novel concept. The proposed scheme has several advantages, such as computational simplicity, derivative-free operation, and guaranteed near-optimal convergence with random initial guess. It is shown that a newly introduced parameter in the algorithm- quantum of the step movement of ants- largely influences the speed of convergence of the algorithm. Theoretical and practical results are included. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm is compared with the conventional Newton-Raphson method and genetic algorithm, and conclusions are presented.
A new simplified model of the dynamics of the current-fed parallel resonant inverter

In this paper, the transient analysis of a current-fed parallel inverter, widely used in industrial applications (such as for the heating and melting of metals), is performed. A high-inductance smoothing inductor is usually connected in the input of the inverter and its load may be represented by a parallel resonant circuit characterized by high quality factor Q. To simplify the dynamic analysis of such an inverter, approximating it by a second-order switchless continuous dynamic link (i.e., RLC circuit) is suggested. The comparative analysis of the inverter and approximating circuit, whose parameters are properly chosen, shows the permissibility of such an approximation. It also shows how to assure desired aperiodic dynamic behavior. Then, by analyzing the approximating circuit, the expressions for inverter parameters are found. With these expressions, the values of a smoothing inductor, a compensating capacitance and a voltage factor, in order to ensure the aperiodic behavior of the inverter, can be calculated. The results of the proposed analysis were checked on laboratory and industrial prototypes of the above inverter. The theoretical and experimental results are in good agreement.
Detection of heterozygous deletions and duplications in the MECP2 gene in Rett syndrome by Robust Dosage PCR (RD‐PCR)

Fifty to eighty percent of Rett syndrome (RTT) cases have point mutations in the gene encoding methyl‐CpG‐binding protein‐2 (MECP2). A fraction of MECP2 negative classical RTT patients has large heterozygous deletions. Robust Dosage PCR (RD‐PCR) assays were developed as a rapid, convenient and accurate method to detect large heterozygous deletions and duplications. A blinded analysis was performed for 65 RTT cases from Portugal by RD‐PCR in the coding exons 2‐4 of the MECP2 gene. Neither the patients with point mutations nor the non‐classical RTT patients without point mutation had a deletion or duplication. One of remaining eight female patients with classical RTT without point mutation had a heterozygous deletion. This is the first report of a deletion spanning the entire MECP2 gene. The deletion was confirmed by Southern blotting analysis and the deletion junction was localized 37kb upstream from exon 1 and 18kb downstream from exon 4. No duplications were detected. Our results suggest that RD‐PCR is an accurate and convenient molecular diagnostic method. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Active Data Selection for Sensor Networks with Faults and Changepoints

We describe a Bayesian formalism for the intelligent selection of observations from sensor networks that may intermittently undergo faults or changepoints. Such active data selection is performed with the goal of taking as few observations as necessary in order to maintain a reasonable level of uncertainty about the variables of interest. The presence of faults/changepoints is not always obvious and therefore our algorithm must first detect their occurrence. Having done so, our selection of observations must be appropriately altered. Faults corrupt our observations, reducing their impact; changepoints (abrupt changes in the characteristics of data) may require the transition to an entirely different sampling schedule. Our solution is to employ a Gaussian process formalism that allows for sequential time-series prediction about variables of interest along with a decision theoretic approach to the problem of selecting observations.
Polymer Nanocomposites - Materials for Sensor Technology

Polymer nanocomposites are now a days an area of increasing scientific as well as technical interest. The addition of variable percents of nano sized materials creates change in their property (ies). Polymer nanocomposites exhibit superior properties as compared to micro- or macrocomposites. The improved combinations of electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites have resulted in major interest in various electronic applications. Polymer nanocomposites can be synthesized for various applications by proper selection of matrix, nano reinforcement material, synthesis method and surface modification of either the reinforcement or polymer (if required). Many polymer nanocomposites based products have been commercialized. This chapter has tried to highlight various types of polymer nanocomposites, their unique properties, various electronic applications for sensors with some specific examples. Though it is not a comprehensive one, this chapter could give a basic idea about polymer nanocomposites for sensor technology to a beginner.
An Electromagnetic Sensor with a Metamaterial Lens for Nondestructive Evaluation of Composite Materials

This paper proposes the study and implementation of a sensor with a metamaterial (MM) lens in electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation (eNDE). Thus, the use of a new type of MM, named Conical Swiss Rolls (CSR) has been proposed. These structures can serve as electromagnetic flux concentrators in the radiofrequency range. As a direct application, plates of composite materials with carbon fibers woven as reinforcement and polyphenylene sulphide as matrix with delaminations due to low energy impacts were examined. The evaluation method is based on the appearance of evanescent modes in the space between carbon fibers when the sample is excited with a transversal magnetic along z axis (TMz) polarized electromagnetic field. The MM lens allows the transmission and intensification of evanescent waves. The characteristics of carbon fibers woven structure became visible and delaminations are clearly emphasized. The flaws can be localized with spatial resolution better than λ/2000.
Graphene as a flexible electrode: review of fabrication approaches

In recent years, the technological advancement of supercapacitors has been increasing exponentially due to the high demand in electronic consumer products. As so, researchers have found a way to meet that demand by fabricating graphene. As developments are made toward the future, two big advancements to be made are large-scale fabrication of graphene and fabricating graphene as a flexible electrode. This would allow for use in larger products and for manipulation of the unique properties of graphene to accommodate superior design alternatives. While large scale production is still mentioned, this review is specifically focusing on different methods used to fabricate graphene as a flexible electrode. Various fabrication methods, such as Hummers' method, chemical vapor deposition, epitaxial growth, and exfoliation of graphite oxide, used to fabricate graphene in such a way that allows flexibility and utilization of graphene's mechanical and electrical properties are discussed. Additionally, a section on environmentally friendly fabrication approaches is presented and discussed.
Mitochondrial DNA from 4-cell stages of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been isolated from 4-cell stages of Ascaris lumbricoides . This DNA amounts to about 40% of the total quantity of 4-cell-stage DNA. Its buoyant density in neutral CsCl gradients is 1.686 g cm -3 . Electron microscopy of mtDNA demonstrated the presence of circular molecules with an average contour length of 4.64 µm. About 15% of these molecules are supercoiled, covalently closed circles, whereas some 2% consist of double-forked circular molecules. The form and size of these branched molecules suggest that they are replicative intermediates.
Mechanism Design for Fair Division

We revisit the classic problem of fair division from a mechanism design perspective, using {\em Proportional Fairness} as a benchmark. In particular, we aim to allocate a collection of divisible items to a set of agents while incentivizing the agents to be truthful in reporting their valuations. For the very large class of homogeneous valuations, we design a truthful mechanism that provides {\em every agent} with at least a $1/e\approx 0.368$ fraction of her Proportionally Fair valuation. To complement this result, we show that no truthful mechanism can guarantee more than a $0.5$ fraction, even for the restricted class of additive linear valuations. We also propose another mechanism for additive linear valuations that works really well when every item is highly demanded. To guarantee truthfulness, our mechanisms discard a carefully chosen fraction of the allocated resources; we conclude by uncovering interesting connections between our mechanisms and known mechanisms that use money instead.
Pre-existing minority drug-resistant HIV-1 variants, adherence, and risk of antiretroviral treatment failure.

BACKGROUND The clinical relevance of detecting minority drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) variants is uncertain. METHODS To determine the effect of pre-existing minority nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-resistant variants on the risk of virologic failure, we reanalyzed a case-cohort substudy of efavirenz recipients in AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol A5095. Minority K103N or Y181C populations were determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction in subjects without NNRTI resistance by population sequencing. Weighted Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for recent treatment adherence estimated the relative risk of virologic failure in the presence of NNRTI-resistant minority variants. RESULTS The evaluable case-cohort sample included 195 subjects from the randomly selected subcohort (51 with virologic failure, 144 without virologic failure), plus 127 of the remaining subjects who experienced virologic failure. Presence of minority K103N or Y181C mutations, or both, was detected in 8 (4.4%), 54 (29.5%), and 11 (6%), respectively, of 183 evaluable subjects in the random subcohort. Detection of minority Y181C mutants was associated with an increased risk of virologic failure in the setting of recent treatment adherence (hazard ratio, 3.45 [95% confidence interval, 1.90-6.26]) but not in nonadherent subjects (hazard ratio, 1.39 [95% confidence interval, 0.58-3.29]). Of note, 70% of subjects with minority Y181C variants achieved long-term viral suppression. CONCLUSIONS In adherent patients, pre-existing minority Y181C mutants more than tripled the risk of virologic failure of first-line efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT00013520.
Bluetooth Scatternets: Criteria, Models and Classification

Bluetooth ad hoc networks are constrained by a master/slave configuration, in which one device is the master and controls the communication with the slave devices. The master and up to seven active slave devices can form a small Bluetooth network called a piconet. In order to build larger network topologies, called scatternets, the piconets must be interconnected. Scatternets are formed by allowing certain piconet members to participate in several piconets by periodically switching between them. Due to the fact that there is no scatternet formation procedure in the Bluetooth specification, numerous different approaches have been proposed. We discuss criteria for different types of scatternets and establish general models of scatternet topologies. Then we review the state-of-the-art approaches with respect to Bluetooth scatternet formation and compare and contrast them.
Otitis Media Caused by V. cholerae O100: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Infections due to Vibrio cholerae are rarely documented in Israel. Here we report a case of recurrent otitis media in a young male, caused by V. cholerae non-O1/O139. This extra-intestinal infection was caused by V. cholerae O100 and has been associated with freshwater exposure and travel. Symptoms of chronic periodic earaches along with purulent exudate began about one week after the patient suffered a water skiing accident on a river in Australia. The condition lasted for three years, until his ear exudate was examined in a clinical laboratory, diagnosed and treated. Five bacterial isolates were identified as V. cholerae O100. The isolates were screened for genetic characteristics and were found positive for the presence of hapA, hlyA, and ompU virulence genes. All isolates were negative for the presence of ctxA. Based on antibiogram susceptibility testing, ciprofloxacin ear drops were used until the patient’s symptoms disappeared. This case demonstrates that exposure to freshwater can cause otitis media by V. cholerae non-O1/O139 in young and otherwise healthy humans.
Supervised learning with organic memristor devices and prospects for neural crossbar arrays

The integration of memristive nanodevices within transistor-based electronic systems offers the potential for computing structures smaller, lower power and cheaper than traditional high-performance systems. Among emerging memristive technologies, a novel device based on organic materials distinguishes itself, in that it can feature several threshold voltages on the same die, and possesses unipolar behavior. In this work, we highlight that these two features can be beneficial for neural network-inspired learning systems. An on-chip supervised learning method for hybrid memristors / CMOS systems - an analogue synaptic array paired with a hybrid learning cell - is extended to the case of this novel organic memristor device. The organic device can be trained with only one pulse per row (two for the entire array) per presentation of input - as compared to four for a bipolar memristor array. The device also works universally- in both the synaptic grid as well as learning cell-paving the way to single die integration. The proposed scheme learns successfully, even while incorporating non-ideal circuit phenomena such as a wide range of parasitic wire resistances and associated sneak paths. These encouraging first results suggest that these multi-threshold, unipolar organic memristive devices are a useful species for inclusion in adaptive next generation electronic systems.
Low-power CMOS digital design

Motivated by emerging battery-operated applications that demand intensive computation in portable environments, techniques are investigated which reduce power consumption in CMOS digital circuits while maintaining computational throughput. Techniques for low-power operation are shown which use the lowest possible supply voltage coupled with architectural, logic style, circuit, and technology optimizations. An architecturally based scaling strategy is presented which indicates that the optimum voltage is much lower than that determined by other scaling considerations. This optimum is achieved by trading increased silicon area for reduced power consumption. >
Retinal photoreceptor arrangement, SWS1 and LWS opsin sequence, and electroretinography in the South American marsupial Thylamys elegans (Waterhouse, 1839)

We studied the retinal photoreceptors in the mouse opossum Thylamys elegans, a nocturnal South American marsupial. A variety of photoreceptor properties and color vision capabilities have been documented in Australian marsupials, and we were interested to establish what similarities and differences this American marsupial showed. Thylamys opsin gene sequencing revealed two cone opsins, a longwave‐sensitive (LWS) opsin and a shortwave‐sensitive (SWS1) opsin with deduced peak sensitivities at 560 nm and 360 nm (ultraviolet), respectively. Immunocytochemistry located these opsins to separate cone populations, a majority of LWS cones (density range 1,600–5,600/mm2) and a minority of SWS1 cones (density range 100–690/mm2). With rod densities of 440,000–590,000/mm2, the cones constituted 0.4–1.2% of the photoreceptors. This is a suitable adaptation to nocturnal vision. Cone densities peaked in a horizontally elongated region ventral to the optic nerve head. In ventral—but not dorsal—retina, roughly 40% of the LWS opsin‐expressing cones occurred as close pairs (double cones), and one member of each double cone contained a colorless oil droplet. The corneal electroretinogram (ERG) showed a high scotopic sensitivity with a rod peak sensitivity at 505 nm. At mesopic light levels, the spectral ERG revealed the contributions of a UV‐sensitive SWS1 cone mechanism and an LWS cone mechanism with peak sensitivities at 365 nm and 555 nm, respectively, confirming the tuning predictions from the cone opsin sequences. The two spectral cone types provide the basis for dichromatic color vision, or trichromacy if the rods contribute to color processing at mesopic light levels. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:1589–1602, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Randomized Model Generation for Performance Testing of Model Transformations

Mode transformation is the key to model-based software engineering. When the model transformation is applied to industrial developments, its scalability becomes an important issue, since the model to be transformed may have a large size. To test the performance of model transformations, this paper proposes a randomized approach to generating large models as test inputs. First, the paper discusses the basic requirements and constraints for performance test input generation of the model transformation. Then, the paper presents our model generation algorithm. It can generate a model having a large size randomly and correctly within a reasonable time, according to the metamodel and user-defined constraints. Finally, an evaluation is also presented. And the result shows that our approach is more suitable for generating performance test inputs compared with existing model generation approaches.
Erratum to “Why Has U.S. Inflation Become Harder to Forecast?”

The article (Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking, Supplement to Vol. 39, No. 1 (February 2007)) contains errors in Figures 2–4 and Tables 4–5, associated with a coding error in our program for estimating the UC-SV model. We thank Ling Hu of Platinum Grove Asset Management for finding this error and bringing it to our attention. The corrected UC-SV rows for Tables 4 and 5 are given below. Corrected versions of Figures 2–4 and corrected replication files can be found at http://www.princeton. edu/∼mwatson.