Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vibration suppression beyond Nyquist frequency in hard disk drives

In conventional hard disk drives, a control system compensates for the vibration in which frequency is higher than the Nyquist frequency by using a multi-rate filter that can decrease the gain above the Nyquist frequency. However, such a control system can only avoid instability that results from mechanical vibrations and cannot suppress the vibrations. In response to these problems, we proposed a design method for a sampled-data control system that decreases vibrations in which frequencies are higher than the Nyquist frequency. Our method can easily design a control system and can calculate the norm of the sensitivity function in a sampled-data system by using frequency responses of a controlled object. When the method was applied to the head-positioning system of a hard disk drive, we found that the control system can suppress the disturbance in which the frequency was higher than the Nyquist frequency
The Jitter Margin and Its Application in the Design of Real-Time Control Systems

Based on recent advances in control theory, we propose the notion of jitter margin for periodic control tasks. The jitter margin is defi ned as a function of the amount of constant delay in the control loop, and it describes how much additional time-varying delay can be tolerated before the loop goes unstable. Combined with scheduling theory, the jitter margin can be used to guarantee the stability and performance of the controller in the target system. It can also be used as a tool for assigning meaningful deadlines to control tasks. We discuss the need for best-case response-time analysis in this context, and propose a simple lower bound under EDF scheduling. Finally, a control- scheduling codesign procedure is given, where periods are assigned iteratively to yield the same relative performance degradation for each control task.
Environmentally Benign Halloysite Nanotube Multilayer Assembly Significantly Reduces Polyurethane Flammability

In an effort to develop a more environmentally benign flame retardant for polyurethane foam (PUF), layers of halloysite clay nanotubes (HNT) stabilized by branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) or poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) are deposited from aqueous suspensions to create multilayered nanocomposite coatings. PUF is very flammable and widely used in upholstered furniture throughout the world. Foam treated with five BPEI‐HNT/PAA‐HNT bilayers, deposited using layer‐by‐layer assembly, is rendered self‐extinguishing in open flame testing. Cone calorimetry reveals that this coating reduces the peak heat release rate (pkHRR) by 62%. Due to the tubular morphology of HNT, small volatile gasses given off during combustion are trapped, so total smoke release (TSR) is reduced by 60%. Infrared spectroscopy suggests this multilayer film survives during combustion, forming an HNT‐rich barrier that prevents mass and energy transfer during open flame testing and calorimetry. The significant reductions in pkHRR and TSR, along with the self‐extinguishing behavior, indicate that these halloysite‐based multilayer films have the potential to greatly improve PUF fire safety. The low cost and natural abundance of HNT makes this technology especially amenable to widespread use.
uPA deficiency exacerbates muscular dystrophy in MDX mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal and incurable muscle degenerative disorder. We identify a function of the protease urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in mdx mice, a mouse model of DMD. The expression of uPA is induced in mdx dystrophic muscle, and the genetic loss of uPA in mdx mice exacerbated muscle dystrophy and reduced muscular function. Bone marrow (BM) transplantation experiments revealed a critical function for BM-derived uPA in mdx muscle repair via three mechanisms: (1) by promoting the infiltration of BM-derived inflammatory cells; (2) by preventing the excessive deposition of fibrin; and (3) by promoting myoblast migration. Interestingly, genetic loss of the uPA receptor in mdx mice did not exacerbate muscular dystrophy in mdx mice, suggesting that uPA exerts its effects independently of its receptor. These findings underscore the importance of uPA in muscular dystrophy.
Pinhole imaging of gamma rays.

An approximate calculation is made of the effective area of pinhole collimators allowing for penetration of the metal by gamma -rays of two energies (364 and 140 keV). The particular case of normally-incident rays is treated without approximation. At 364 keV the performance even of heavy alloy (90% tungsten) collimators is dominated by penetration. The effective radius may approach twice the nominal value. These calculations are in fair agreement with experimental data. The sensitivity of a thin NaI(Tl) crystal used with such a collimator is approximately proportional to see zeta , where zeta is the angle of incidence. Allowing for this and the penetration effects, the cos3 zeta law describing the sensitivity becomes modified, for three commercially-available pinholes of 1/16, 3/32 and 1/8 in. radius, to cos5.8 zeta , cos 4.6 zeta and cos4 zeta respectively.
Distribution of Quorum-Sensing Genes in the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

ABSTRACT The distribution of quorum-sensing genes among strains from seven genomovars of the Burkholderia cepaciacomplex was examined by PCR. cepR and cepI were amplified from B. cepacia genomovars I and III, B. stabilis, and B. vietnamiensis. cepR was also amplified from B. multivorans and B. cepacia genomovar VI. bviIR were amplified from B. vietnamiensis. All genomovars producedN-octanoyl-l-homoserine lactone andN-hexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone.B. vietnamiensis and B. cepacia genomovar VII produced additional N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones.
Dielectric function of TiO2 nanoparticles under laser pumping

Non-linear properties of titania nanoparticles were studied using the closed aperture z-scanning with the simultaneous measurements of the intensity of Rayleigh scattering. Pulsed laser light at 355 nm was applied as the probe radiation. The intensity of probe beam in the waist plane of a focusing lens was varied in the range from 5⋅106 W/cm2 to 1.1⋅1011 W/cm2. Water suspensions of 25 nm titania nanoparticles were used as the studied samples. The obtained values of nonlinear extinction and scattering intensity were used to retrieve the real and imaginary parts of the effective dielectric function of nanoparticles in the dependence on the pumping intensity. It was found that the real part of the effective dielectric function becomes negative at the pumping intensities exceeding ≈ 7⋅108 W/cm2. However, the effect of resonance excitation of localized surface modes does not occur due to very high values of the imaginary part in this case.
Semantic interference and its control: A functional neuroimaging and connectivity study

During picture naming, the ease with which humans generate words is dependent upon the context in which they are named. For instances, naming previously presented items results in facilitation. Instead, naming a picture semantically related to previous items displays persistent interference effects (i.e., cumulative semantic interference, CSI). The neural correlates of CSI are still unclear and it is a matter of debate whether semantic control, or cognitive control more in general, is necessary for the resolution of CSI. We carried out an event‐related fMRI experiment to assess the neural underpinnings of the CSI effect and the involvement and nature of semantic control. Both left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and the left caudate nucleus (LCN) showed a linear increase of BOLD response positively associated with the consecutive number of presentations of semantically related pictures independently of task‐load. The generalized psychophysiological interaction analysis showed that LIFG demonstrated a quantitative neural connectivity difference with the left supramarginal and angular gyri for increases of task‐load and with the fusiform gyri for linear CSI increases. Furthermore, seed‐to‐voxel functional connectivity showed that LIFG activity coupled with different regions involved in cognitive control and lexicosemantic processing when semantic interference was elicited to a minimum or maximum degree. Our results are consistent with the lexical‐competitive nature of the CSI effect, and we provide novel evidence that semantic control lies upon a more general cognitive control network (i.e., LIFG and LCN) responsible for resolving interference between competing semantically related items through connectivity with different brain areas in order to guarantee the correct response. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4179–4196, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Brown Adipose Tissue Activation Is Inversely Related to Central Obesity and Metabolic Parameters in Adult Human

Background Recent studies have shown that adult human possess active brown adipose tissue (BAT), which might be important in affecting obesity. However, the supporting evidence on the relationship between BAT and central obesity and metabolic profile in large population based studies is sparse. Methodology/Principal Findings We studied 4011 (2688 males and 1323 females) tumor-free Chinese adults aged 18-89 for BAT activities, visceral/subcutaneous fat areas (VFA/SFA), waist circumferences (WC) and metabolic parameters. We found that the prevalence of BAT was around 2.7% in our study participants, with a significant sexual difference (5.5% in the females vs. 1.3% in the males; p<0.0001). BAT detection was increased in low temperature and declined in elderly subjects. The BAT positive subjects had lower BMI (P<0.0001), less SFA (P<0.01), VFA (P<0.0001), WC (P<0.0001), lower fasting glucose and triglyceride levels (both P<0.01) and increased HDL cholesterol concentrations (P<0.0001), compared with the BAT negative subjects. Robust logistic regression revealed that after adjustment for covariates (including age, sex, BMI, VFA, SFA and WC), age and BMI in the males (0.92 [95%CI, 0.88-0.96] and 0.84 [95% CI, 0.75-0.96], both P ≤0.008) while age and VFA in the females (0.87 [95%CI, 0.83-0.91] and 0.98 [95%CI, 0.97-0.99], respectively, P<0.05) were independently associated with detectable BAT. Conclusions/Significance Our data suggest that decreased amount of active BAT might be associated with accumulation of visceral fat content and unfavorable metabolic outcomes.
The influence of emotions on cognitive control: feelings and beliefs—where do they meet?

The influence of emotion on higher-order cognitive functions, such as attention allocation, planning, and decision-making, is a growing area of research with important clinical applications. In this review, we provide a computational framework to conceptualize emotional influences on inhibitory control, an important building block of executive functioning. We first summarize current neuro-cognitive models of inhibitory control and show how Bayesian ideal observer models can help reframe inhibitory control as a dynamic decision-making process. Finally, we propose a Bayesian framework to study emotional influences on inhibitory control, providing several hypotheses that may be useful to conceptualize inhibitory control biases in mental illness such as depression and anxiety. To do so, we consider the neurocognitive literature pertaining to how affective states can bias inhibitory control, with particular attention to how valence and arousal may independently impact inhibitory control by biasing probabilistic representations of information (i.e., beliefs) and valuation processes (e.g., speed-error tradeoffs).
Inhomogeneous Force-Directed Layout Algorithms in the Visualisation Pipeline: From Layouts to Visualisations

The visualisation pipeline approach is a flexible and extensible technique for generating visualisations. The basic pipeline functions involve the capture and representation of data, the computation of geometry and the presentation of visual output. Data is represented in XML at each stage and is successively transformed, typically by XSLT transformations, as it moves through the pipeline. A force-directed layout engine, ANGLE is one of the major components in the computation of 2D and 3D geometry. In this paper, we describe inhomogeneous force models and their implementation in ANGLE. These allow a richer variety of properties and relationships of the underlying graph and application domain to be included in the visualisation. We present examples from our software visualisation research.
ガラス繊維強化ポリプロピレンの成形と物性に関する研究 その１ 機械的性質に及ぼす表面処理の影響について;ガラス繊維強化ポリプロピレンの成形と物性に関する研究 その１ 機械的性質に及ぼす表面処理の影響について;Fabrication of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylenes and their Physical Properties. 1. Influence of Surface Treatment of the Mechanical Properties.

The influence of surface treatment on the mechanical properties of long glass fiber reinforced polypropylenes were investigated. Surface treatment by different kinds of silane coupling agents (aminosilane, diaminosilane, epoxysilane and acrylsilane) with different concentrations was performed on glass fibers. Glass fiber and polypropylene fiber mixed mats were prepared by a mixing machine which is called “Fiber separating/flying machine” and then compression molded. Various mechanical tests were carried out, and the result were compared with those of short glass fiber reinforced polypropylenes. It was found that tensile and flexural properties were improved by surface treatment of fibers, but the influence of concentration of silane coupling agents were complex and varies fiber contents. Impact and fracture properties were significantly improved by surface treatment of fibers. These properties generally improved with increasing concentration of coupling agents. Comparing with those of short fiber filled systems, surface treatment of fibers remarkably affects on long fiber filled systems.
Flexural Behavior of Functionally Graded Sandwich Composite

During World War II, the british made a bomber De Havilland Mosquito which served in Europe, Middle and Far East and on the Russian front. Designed as a bomber, it excelled not only in this field but also as a fighter aircraft, mine layer, path finder in military transport and photo reconnaissence. It was constructed during the Battle of Britain and the first prototype made its maiden flight in november 1940, less than a year after the design project is started. From an engineering viewpoint, it has one spectacular feature the fuselage is made of a molded plywood-balsa sandwich material, which is strong and yet lightweight and equally important in times of war, its components are readily available unlike aluminium ones. The importance of the Mosquito in the war effort proved the value of the new sandwich materials [1]. Sandwich composites are popular due to high specific strength and stiffness. The concept of sandwiches came in as early as the year 1849 AD but their potential realized mainly during Second World War as mentioned earlier. Sandwiches are composed of two stiff, strong and thin faces (skins) bonded to a light, thick weaker core. Faces sustain in-plane and bending loads, while the core resist transverse shear forces and keep the facings in place. These provide increased flexural rigidity and strength by virtue of their geometry. The high specific strength and stiffness make them ideal in structural design [2-3]. Developments in aviation posed requirement of lightweight, high strength and highly damage tolerant materials. Sandwich composites, fulfilling these requirements became the first choice for many applications including ground transport and marine vessels [4].
Analysis, design, and optimization of a secondary-side resonant converter operating in the discontinuous capacitor voltage mode

A high-frequency link parallel resonant DC-DC converter (PRC) operating in the lagging power factor mode with the resonating capacitor on the secondary side of the high-frequency transformer is analyzed for the operation in the discontinuous capacitor voltage mode (DCVM) using the state-space approach. Converter equations are solved for operation under steady-state condition. Based on the analysis, design curves are obtained for DCVM operation. A method for obtaining the optimum operating point under certain constraints for DCVM operation is developed and is used to present a simple design procedure. Experimental results obtained with a MOSFET-based 1 kW PRC is presented to support the theory. <<ETX>>
Analysis of Bitcoin Network Dataset for Fraud

Bitcoin uses peer-to-peer technology to operate with no central authority or banks; managing transactions and the issuing of bitcoins is carried out collectively by the network. Bitcoin is open-source; its design is public, nobody owns or controls Bitcoin and everyone can take part [1]. Time and again Bitcoin users have reported their Bitcoin wallets being compromised [2]. Ready availability of all transaction information in Bitcoin network makes it easy to trace the flow of money from compromised accounts in the wake of reported heist or robbery. This project aims to identify peculiar properties of users carrying out such heists which make them stand out.
Predicting and Improving Academic Success and Student Retention: An Action Research

This participatory action research aims to demonstrate how information systems scholars, practitioners, and administrators of higher education collaborate to develop, implement, and evaluate effective predictive models and in turn create and adopt policies and procedures that improve student academic success and retention in a business college. This research takes a novel perspective by focusing on predicting student success and retention, informed by activity theory as the fundamental theoretical framework to understand the interactions among various stakeholders in the communities.
Using Raman Spectroscopy to Improve Hyperpolarized Noble Gas Production for Clinical Lung Imaging Techniques

Spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) can be used to “hyperpolarize” Xe for human lung MRI. SEOP involves transfer of angular momentum from light to an alkali metal (Rb) vapor, and then onto Xe nuclear spins during collisions; collisions between excited Rb and N2 ensure that incident optical energy is nonradiatively converted into heat. However, because variables that govern SEOP are temperature-dependent, the excess heat can complicate efforts to maximize spin polarization—particularly at high laser fluxes and xenon densities. Ultra-low frequency Raman spectroscopy may be used to perform in situ gas temperature measurements to investigate the interplay of energy thermalization and SEOP dynamics. Experimental configurations include an “orthogonal” pump-and-probe design and a newer “inline” design (with source and detector on the same axis) that has provided a >20-fold improvement in SNR. The relationship between Xe polarization and the spatiotemporal distribution of N2 rotational temperatures has been investigated as a function of incident laser flux, exterior cell temperature, and gas composition. Significantly elevated gas temperatures have been observed —hundreds of degrees hotter than exterior cell surfaces—and variances with position and time can indicate underlying energy transport, convection, and Rb mass-transport processes that, if not controlled, can negatively impact Xe hyperpolarization.
Papain-Catalyzed Synthesis of Polyglutamate Containing a Nylon Monomer Unit

Peptides have the potential to serve as an alternative for petroleum-based polymers to support a sustainable society. However, they lack thermoplasticity, owing to their strong intermolecular interactions. In contrast, nylon is famous for its thermoplasticity and chemical resistance. Here, we synthesized peptides containing a nylon unit to modify their thermal properties by using papain-catalyzed chemoenzymatic polymerization. We used l-glutamic acid alkyl ester as the amino acid monomer and nylon 1, 3, 4, and 6 alkyl esters as the nylon unit. Papain catalyzed the copolymerization of glutamic acid with nylon 3, 4, and 6 alkyl esters, whereas the nylon 1 unit could not be copolymerized. Other proteases used in this study, namely, bromelain, proteinase K, and Candida antarctica lipase (CALB), were not able to copolymerize with any nylon units. The broad substrate specificity of papain enabled the copolymerization of l-glutamic acid with a nylon unit. The peptides with nylon units demonstrated different thermal profiles from that of oligo(l-glutamic acid). Therefore, the resultant peptides with various nylon units are expected to form fewer intermolecular hydrogen bonds, thus altering their thermal properties. This finding is expected to broaden the applications of peptide materials and chemoenzymatic polymerization.
In Preeclampsia, Maternal Third Trimester Subcutaneous Adipocyte Lipolysis Is More Resistant to Suppression by Insulin Than in Healthy Pregnancy

Obesity increases preeclampsia risk, and maternal dyslipidemia may result from exaggerated adipocyte lipolysis. We compared adipocyte function in preeclampsia with healthy pregnancy to establish whether there is increased lipolysis. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue biopsies were collected at caesarean section from healthy (n=31) and preeclampsia (n=13) mothers. Lipolysis in response to isoproterenol (200 nmol/L) and insulin (10 nmol/L) was assessed. In healthy pregnancy, subcutaneous adipocytes had higher diameter than visceral adipocytes (P<0.001). Subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte mean diameter in preeclampsia was similar to that in healthy pregnant controls, but cell distribution was shifted toward smaller cell diameter in preeclampsia. Total lipolysis rates under all conditions were lower in healthy visceral than subcutaneous adipocytes but did not differ after normalization for cell diameter. Visceral adipocyte insulin sensitivity was lower than subcutaneous in healthy pregnancy and inversely correlated with plasma triglyceride (r=−0.50; P=0.004). Visceral adipose tissue had lower ADRB3, LPL, and leptin and higher insulin receptor messenger RNA expression than subcutaneous adipose tissue. There was no difference in subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis rates between preeclampsia and healthy controls, but subcutaneous adipocytes had lower sensitivity to insulin in preeclampsia, independent of cell diameter (P<0.05). In preeclampsia, visceral adipose tissue had higher LPL messenger RNA expression than subcutaneous. In conclusion, in healthy pregnancy, the larger total mass of subcutaneous adipose tissue may release more fatty acids into the circulation than visceral adipose tissue. Reduced insulin suppression of subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis may increase the burden of plasma fatty acids that the mother has to process in preeclampsia.
JUDOCA: JUnction Detection Operator Based on Circumferential Anchors

In this paper, we propose an edge-based junction detector. In addition to detecting the locations of junctions, this operator specifies their orientations as well. In this respect, a junction is defined as a meeting point of two or more ridges in the gradient domain into which an image can be transformed through Gaussian derivative filters. To accelerate the detection process, two binary edge maps are produced; a thick-edge map is obtained by imposing a threshold on the gradient magnitude image, and another thin-edge map is obtained by calculating the local maxima. Circular masks are centered at putative junctions in the thick-edge map, and the so-called circumferential anchors or CA points are detected in the thin map. Radial lines are scanned to determine the presence of junctions. Comparisons are made with other well-known detectors. This paper proposes a new formula for measuring the detection accuracy. In addition, the so-called junction coordinate systems are introduced. Our operator has been successfully used to solve many problems such as wide-baseline matching, 3-D reconstruction, camera parameter enhancing, and indoor and obstacle localization.