Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inclusion of graphene oxide in cementitious composites: state-of-the-art review

Abstract During the last few years, incorporating of nanomaterials in cementitious matrix has been considered as a leading approach in research work. This paper reviews the effects of including graphene oxide (GO) in the cementitious materials, as GO represents one of the well-known inclusion nanomaterials in the cementitious matrix during the last few years. This study describes in one way the improvements in the performance of the cementitious composites and in the other way the new properties that can be shaped. These two paths of improvements are largely dependent on the functionalisation behaviour of GO which results in upgrading the properties of the host matrix. Besides presenting the well-reported effect of GO on enhancing mechanical strengths, this paper emphasises on reporting the influence of GO on durability enhancement of the cementitious composites. Furthermore, it shows promising findings of using GO in fabricating new construction material. However, considerable advancement of adopting GO in scientific fields such as materials technology has achieved significant levels. Applications such as drug delivery, solar cells and super capacitors made remarkable progress through inclusion of GO. Hence, more extensive research work is essential for achieving similar progress in the construction materials which represents a considerable future challenge.
Load Profile Identification Interface for Consumer Online Monitoring Purposes in Smart Grids

This paper presents a method for the identification of consumer load profiles in a totally automatic way. The main objective was to develop an interface between utilities and consumers in order to obtain data from smart meters and identify the load profile. To this end, client/server software interfaces capable of transmitting and receiving data through TCP/IP sockets were developed. In this case, the consumer and utility were represented by client and server software, respectively. However, in order to be able to consider all the stages of this methodology, a database was created to store data related to consumers (meter readings, electricity bills and personal data). From this database, the utility software was able to furnish each consumer's load profiles and to use this information to make decisions. Moreover, the software sends the electricity bill to the consumer by e-mail each month. Experimental and simulation results were obtained to validate the methodology and to show some benefits that can be achieved with the introduction of smart meters into power distribution systems in the context of load profile identification.
Hyperspectral wide gap second derivative analysis for in vivo detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract. Hyperspectral reflectance imaging technique has been used for in vivo detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. However, the clinical outcome of this technique is suboptimal owing to multiple limitations such as nonuniform illumination, high-cost and bulky setup, and time-consuming data acquisition and processing. To overcome these limitations, we acquired the hyperspectral data cube in a wavelength ranging from 600 to 800 nm and processed it by a wide gap second derivative analysis method. This method effectively reduced the image artifacts caused by nonuniform illumination and background absorption. Furthermore, with second derivative analysis, only three specific wavelengths (620, 696, and 772 nm) are needed for tissue classification with optimal separability. Clinical feasibility of the proposed image analysis and classification method was tested in a clinical trial where cervical hyperspectral images from three patients were used for classification analysis. Our proposed method successfully classified the cervix tissue into three categories of normal, inflammation and high-grade lesion. These classification results were coincident with those by an experienced gynecology oncologist after applying acetic acid. Our preliminary clinical study has demonstrated the technical feasibility for in vivo and noninvasive detection of cervical neoplasia without acetic acid. Further clinical research is needed in order to establish a large-scale diagnostic database and optimize the tissue classification technique.
Drone Detection Based on an Audio-Assisted Camera Array

In recent years, small, inexpensive UAV - also known as drone - has made great progress, which brings privacy and security issues. Drone detection is one of the important methods to solve these problems. The main challenges of drone detection are: (1) A drone is very confusing with other flying objects such as a bird, (2) the low-flying UAV occlusion happens very frequent, and (3) the existing surveillance coverage is limited. Camera array can be used for large-scale airspace observation. In this paper, we propose a modular camera array system with audio assistance, which consists of dozens of high-definition cameras and multiple microphones, to monitor drones. It can be mounted on a carrier after reducing the size. The system captures the image and audio information of the surroundings in various directions. The system can integrate the information of multiple sensors, and identify the characteristics of the drone to achieve higher efficiency of drone monitoring.
The effect of ethnicity on the prevalence of diabetes and associated chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND The effect of ethnicity on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown. AIM To establish the impact of ethnicity on the prevalence and severity of diabetes mellitus and associated CKD. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of 34 359 adult diabetic patients in three primary care trusts in the UK. METHODS Read coded data from general practice computers was used to analyse the relationship between ethnicity, DM and CKD. RESULTS The prevalence of DM was 3.5% for Whites, 11% for South Asians and 8% for Black groups. The prevalence of CKD (stages 3-5) among diabetics was 18%. CKD stage 3 was more prevalent in Whites compared to South Asians--OR 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.87) and Blacks--OR 0.49 (95% CI: 0.43-0.57). Among all CKD patients severity (CKD stages 4, 5) was associated with Black (OR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.06-1.81) and South Asian (OR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.26-1.88) ethnicity compared to Whites. Less than 50% of diabetics with CKD met the target blood pressure (BP) of 130/80 mmHg. The prevalence of a blood pressure > 150/90 mmHg in diabetics with CKD was South Asian 15.6%, White 13.9%, Black 21.8% (P < 0.001). Proteinuria was present in 8.6% of all diabetic patients. However, this increased to 18.6% in patients with CKD, and was more frequent in Black (22.6%) and South Asian (21%) patients compared to White patients (14.1%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Significant disparities exist between the major ethnic groups in both disease prevalence and management. Future studies examining the management of CKD need to take variation by ethnicity into account.
Review on Material Processing Through Microwave Energy

The microwave heating is a new approach to manufacturing technology. The microwave has electronic and magnetic properties which can be operated in the specific frequency range under the specific time. The microwave is gaining more importance because the process helps in equal heating throughout the material from the molecular level. The main advantage of the microwave is reducing the cost of the production and production time. This review paper presents the Microwave research and its application carried out in recent years in the field of material processing such as material cladding, material joining, microwave curing, material drilling and microwave sintering. The present scope is processing of a composite material such as PMC, MMC, CMC. This focuses on the global development of microwaves and its application in the relative fields.
Effect of high-protein or normal-protein diet on weight loss, body composition, hormone, and metabolic profile in southern Brazilian women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized study

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a high protein (HP) and a normal protein (NP) diet on patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and body mass index-matched controls in a sample of southern Brazilian women. This 8-week randomized trial was carried out at a university gynecological endocrinology clinic and included 18 patients with PCOS and 22 controls. Changes in weight, body composition, hormone, and metabolic profile were analyzed in women randomized to receive HP (30% protein, 40% carbohydrate, and 30% lipid) or NP (15% protein, 55% carbohydrate, and 30% lipid). The energy content was estimated for each participant at 20–25 kcal/kg current weight/day. Physical activity, blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, and fasting and 2-h glucose and insulin remained stable during the intervention in PCOS and controls, even in the presence of weight loss. There were no changes in lipid profile in either group. In contrast, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, percent of body fat, and sum of trunk skinfolds decreased significantly after both diets in both groups. Total testosterone also decreased in PCOS and controls regardless of diet. In conclusion, calorie reduction, rather than protein content, seemed to affect body composition and hormonal profile in this short-term study. These findings emphasize the role of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce weight and ameliorate the anthropometric and clinical phenotype in PCOS.
A Highly Stretchable, Sensitive, and Transparent Strain Sensor Based on Binary Hybrid Network Consisting of Hierarchical Multiscale Metal Nanowires

How to balance the relationship between stretchability, sensitivity, and optical transmittance remains an obstacle for the realization of high‐performance wearable strain sensors. Here, a highly stretchable, sensitive, and transparent strain sensor is presented by using a binary hybrid network consisting of hierarchical multiscale metal nanowires. Small‐sized silver nanaowire (AgNW) network is demonstrated to have considerable sensitivity but very limited sensing range. The introduction of the highly continuous gold nanowire backbone network can not only improve the stretchability by bridging the detached AgNW regions, but also provide excellent sensitivity in large strain range. As a result, the rationally designed hybrid network based strain sensor demonstrates a wide sensing range up to 90%, high gauge factor values from 12 at 5% to 2370 at 70%, high transmittance of 86%, and prominent cyclical stability (1000 times). The highly flexible strain sensor can be conformally attached to human body and succeeds in detecting a series of activities. Both of the outstanding sensing and optical performance endow the hybrid network based sensor great potential as invisible human‐monitoring device.
Intracardiac septation requires hedgehog-dependent cellular contributions from outside the heart

Septation of the mammalian heart into four chambers requires the orchestration of multiple tissue progenitors. Abnormalities in this process can result in potentially fatal atrioventricular septation defects (AVSD). The contribution of extracardiac cells to atrial septation has recently been recognized. Here, we use a genetic marker and novel magnetic resonance microscopy techniques to demonstrate the origins of the dorsal mesenchymal protrusion in the dorsal mesocardium, and its substantial contribution to atrioventricular septation. We explore the functional significance of this tissue to atrioventricular septation through study of the previously uncharacterized AVSD phenotype of Shh-/- mutant mouse embryos. We demonstrate that Shh signaling is required within the dorsal mesocardium for its contribution to the atria. Failure of this addition results in severe AVSD. These studies demonstrate that AVSD can result from a primary defect in dorsal mesocardium, providing a new paradigm for the understanding of human AVSD.
Conflict-Driven Answer Set Solving

We introduce a new approach to computing answer sets of logic programs, based on concepts from constraint processing (CSP) and satisfiability checking (SAT). The idea is to view inferences in answer set programming (ASP) as unit propagation on no-goods. This provides us with a uniform constraint-based framework for the different kinds of inferences in ASP. It also allows us to apply advanced techniques from the areas of CSP and SAT. We have implemented our approach in the new ASP solver clasp. Our experiments show that the approach is competitive with state-of-the-art ASP solvers.
Nicotine Increases Cerebellar Activity during Finger Tapping

Nicotine improves performance on several cognitive and sensorimotor tasks. The neuronal mechanisms associated with these changes in performance are, however, largely unknown. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine the effect of nicotine on neuronal response in nineteen healthy subjects while they performed an auditory-paced finger tapping task. Subjects performed the task, after receiving either a nicotine patch or placebo treatment, in a single blind, crossover design. Compared to placebo, nicotine treatment increased response in the cerebellar vermis. Increased vermal activity, in the absence of changes in other task-related regions suggests specificity in nicotine’s effects.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a rapidly evolving strategy for therapy of aortic stenosis. We describe the effect of the learning curve from the first 270 high‐risk patients in Vancouver, Canada. Methods: Patients underwent TAVI by transfemoral (63%) or transapical (37%) routes using balloon expandable valves. The experience was divided into the first half (FH, patients 1–135) and second half (SH, patients 136–270). Results: The mean age was 83.2 ± 8 years (FH 83 ± 12 vs. SH 81 ± 7 years, P = 0.12). The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Score (STS) was 9.5% ± 5.2%‐ FH 10.5 vs. SH 8.5% (P = 0.01). The overall procedural success rate in the FH was 92.6%, improving to 97.8% in the SH (P = 0.05). The transfemoral procedural success improved—FH 89.3% to SH 98.8% (P = 0.01). The transapical procedural success remained high—FH 98.0% to SH 96.1% (P = 0.53). The overall 30‐day mortality was 9.6%, improving from FH 13.3% to SH 5.9% (P = 0.04). In the transfemoral cases, 30‐day mortality decreased by 56% [10.7–4.7%, P = 0.14], and similarly in transapical cases [17.6–7.8%, P = 0.14]. In‐hospital stroke occurred in 3.3% (FH 3.7% vs. SH 2.9%, P = 0.74). The overall need for a new permanent pacemaker was 5.9% (FH 5.9% vs. SH 5.9%, P = 1). The overall major vascular injury rate was 6.7% (FH 8.1% vs. SH 5.2%, P = 0.33). The overall incidence of coronary vessel occlusion was 1.1% (FH 1.5 % vs. SH 0.7%, P = 0.56). Device embolization or failure to cross the valve was rare and largely seen in the FH only. Procedural experience (>135 procedures) was an independent predictor of 30‐day survival (HR: 6.7, 95% CI: 1.2–18.1, P = 0.03). Conclusion: TAVI outcomes improve with experience and device development. While overall complication rates are low, scope remains to further reduce procedural adverse events. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of eye blinking reveals subjective perceptions of stimulus salience

Spontaneous eye blinking serves a critical physiological function, but it also interrupts incoming visual information. This tradeoff suggests that the inhibition of eye blinks might constitute an adaptive reaction to minimize the loss of visual information, particularly information that a viewer perceives to be important. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether the timing of blink inhibition, during natural viewing, is modulated between as well as within tasks, and also whether the timing of blink inhibition varies as a function of viewer engagement and stimulus event type. While viewing video scenes, we measured the timing of blinks and blink inhibition, as well as visual scanning, in a group of typical two-year-olds, and in a group of two-year-olds known for attenuated reactivity to affective stimuli: toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Although both groups dynamically adjusted the timing of their blink inhibition at levels greater than expected by chance, they inhibited their blinking and shifted visual fixation differentially with respect to salient onscreen events. Moreover, typical toddlers inhibited their blinking earlier than toddlers with ASD, indicating active anticipation of the unfolding of those events. These findings indicate that measures of blink inhibition can serve as temporally precise markers of perceived stimulus salience and are useful quantifiers of atypical processing of social affective signals in toddlers with ASD.
NICT@WMT09: Model Adaptation and Transliteration for Spanish-English SMT

This paper describes the NICT statistical machine translation (SMT) system used for the WMT 2009 Shared Task (WMT09) evaluation. We participated in the Spanish-English translation task. The focus of this year's participation was to investigate model adaptation and transliteration techniques in order to improve the translation quality of the baseline phrase-based SMT system.
Objects and views

Object-oriented databases have been introduced primarily to ease the development of database applications. However, the difficulties encountered when, for instance, trying to restructure data or integrate databases demonstrate that the models being used still lack flexibility. We claim that the natural way to overcome these shortcomings is to introduce a sophisticated view mechanism. This paper presents such a mechanism, one which allows a programmer to restructure the class hierarchy and modify the behavior and structure of objects. The mechanism allows a programmer to specify attribute values implicitly, rather than storing them. It also allows him to introduce new classes into the class hierarchy. These virtual classes are populated by selecting existing objects from other classes and by creating new objects. Fixing the identify of new objects during database updates introduces subtle issues into view design. Our presentation, mostly informal, leans on a number of illustrative examples meant to emphasize the simplicity of our mechanism.
Monoacylglycerol Lipases Act as Evolutionarily Conserved Regulators of Non-oxidative Ethanol Metabolism*

Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are non-oxidative metabolites of ethanol that accumulate in human tissues upon ethanol intake. Although FAEEs are considered as toxic metabolites causing cellular dysfunction and tissue damage, the enzymology of FAEE metabolism remains poorly understood. In this study, we used a biochemical screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify and characterize putative hydrolases involved in FAEE catabolism. We found that Yju3p, the functional orthologue of mammalian monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), contributes >90% of cellular FAEE hydrolase activity, and its loss leads to the accumulation of FAEE. Heterologous expression of mammalian MGL in yju3Δ mutants restored cellular FAEE hydrolase activity and FAEE catabolism. Moreover, overexpression or pharmacological inhibition of MGL in mouse AML-12 hepatocytes decreased or increased FAEE levels, respectively. FAEEs were transiently incorporated into lipid droplets (LDs) and both Yju3p and MGL co-localized with these organelles. We conclude that the storage of FAEE in inert LDs and their mobilization by LD-resident FAEE hydrolases facilitate a controlled metabolism of these potentially toxic lipid metabolites.
SIMULATION TESTS OF PELLETING PROCESS IN ASPECT OF OBTAINED STRESSES, CONTACT PRESSURE AND FATIGUE STRENGTH FOR GRANULATOR FLAT DIE

: Paper presents simulation studies of the pelleting process in aspect of obtained pressures in the contact zone of pelletized material and die. This is an important issue from the point of view of the die construction (to determine the durability of the dies) as well as for the operation process (minimization of the machine's power). In this work, the Finite Element Method and implicit methods for integrating the object motion equation have been used to modelling the pelleting process. Results obtained from the simulation should be treated as an aid in the process of constructing pellet dies.
Elastomagnetic nanofiber wires by magnetic field assisted electrospinning

Magnetic field assisted electrospinning is supplemented by conductive sheets that envelop the magnets and have the same potential as the deposition electrode. By optimizing the experimental conditions, it is possible to produce wires made of polymer nanofibers that incorporate longitudinally oriented magnetic particles. The morphological and magnetic characterizations confirm the preferential orientations. The new nanofiber wires are easily aligned along the maximum intensity line of the applied magnetic field. Moreover, the nanostructured wires have high longitudinal elastomagnetic strain and high transversal deflection as a response to magnetic field stimuli. Therefore, these new threadlike aggregates of magnetic nanofibers could be very appealing for application in all microelectronic or biomedical devices whose functionality requires orientation or deformation.
Mining User Reviews: from Specification to Summarization

This paper proposes a method to extract product features from user reviews and generate a review summary. This method only relies on product specifications, which usually are easy to obtain. Other resources like segmenter, POS tagger or parser are not required. At feature extraction stage, multiple specifications are clustered to extend the vocabulary of product features. Hierarchy structure information and unit of measurement information are mined from the specification to improve the accuracy of feature extraction. At summary generation stage, hierarchy information in specifications is used to provide a natural conceptual view of product features.
Club Summary and discussion of “ Joint Analysis of SNP and Gene Expression Data in Genetic Association Studies of Complex Diseases ”

Abstract Technological platforms have advanced to a stage where many biological entities, e.g., genes, transcripts, and proteins, can be measured on the whole genome scale, yielding massive high-throughput ’omics data, such as genetic, genomic, epigenetic, protemic, and metabolomic data. The ’omics era provides and unprecedented promise of understanding common complex diseases, developing strategies for disease risk assessment, early detection, and prevention and intervention, and personalized therapies. In genetical genomics studies, it is important to jointly analyze gene expression data and genetic variants in exploring their associations with complex traits. This is for the discussion of the paper (Huang et al., 2014).
The Formal Specification and Design of a Distributed fElectronic Funds-Transfer System

The design of an electronic funds-transfer (EFT) system, using the UNITY parallel programming methodology, is presented. The process begins with a high-level specification that captures the essence of transaction processing in the system. In a series of refinement steps, this specification is transformed into one that leads directly to a program suitable for execution on the distributed architecture of the EFT system. Each refinement step involves replacing a data structure by a distributed version that can be implemented efficiently on the target architecture. By defining a correspondence between the replaced data structure and its distributed counterpart, it can be demonstrated formally that each refinement step preserves the intent of the original specification. >