Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Cost-Effective Low-Permeability Ceramic and Refractory Components for Aluminum Melting and Casting

The primary goal of this project was to develop and validate new classes of cost-effective low-permeability ceramic and refractory components for handling molten aluminum in both melting and casting environments. Three approaches were employed with partial to full success to achieve this goal: (1) Develop materials and methods for sealing surface porosity in thermal-shock-resistant ceramic refractories; (2) Develop new ceramic coatings for extreme service in molten aluminum operations, with particular emphasis on coatings based on highly stable oxide phases; and (3) Develop new monolithic refractories designed for lower-permeability applications using controlled porosity gradients and particle size distributions. The results of the research work and the field tests performed utilizing these three approaches are listed below: (1) It was demonstrated that high-density IR heating could be a tool for altering and sealing the surface porosity of fused silica. However, the process was not very cost-effective. (2) A low-cost glaze composition having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to that of a DFS tube was identified and was successfully tested for its integrity and adherence to DFS. Although the glaze acted as a barrier between the molten aluminum and the DFS, persistent porosity and crazing within the glaze affected its performancemore » during the reactivity tests, thus acting as an obstacle in scaling up production of this glaze. (3) Pyrotek's XL glaze showed great success in improving the life of the DFS tubes. Pyrotek has reported an increasing market demand for the XL-coated DFS tubes, which exhibit useful lifetimes three times better than those of uncoated tubes. (4) A computer model to optimize particle size distribution for reduced permeability was developed and successfully applied to casting formulations. Silica riser tubes produced using these new formulations have been tested in a commercial aluminum casting facility and have been reported to increase the life of the DFS tubes by 700%. (5) If all the DFS riser tubes used in LPD casting of aluminum automotive components are replaced with the better, longer-lasting castable riser tubes, the potential national energy savings is estimated to be 206 billion Btu/year. « less
Nitric oxide, a key signaling molecule in the murine early embryonic heart

Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to play an important role as a signaling molecule in embryonic and adult cardiomyocytes; however, its involvement in muscarinic signaling is still unclear. The aim of the present work was to analyze the muscarinic modulation of the L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa) in early‐ and late‐stage embryonic ventricular cardiomyocytes. Muscarinic stimulation depressed basal ICa by 30.1 ± 3.2% (n=27) in early‐stage cardiomyocytes. Pharmacological evidence suggested that the muscarinic modulation was mediated through generation of NO, activation of cGMP‐dependent phosphodiesterase (PDE) 2, and ensuing lowering of cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) levels. Conversely, in late‐stage cardiomyocytes, muscarinic regulation of ICa occurred in a NO‐independent manner via inhibition of prestimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC). To unequivocally prove the involvement of NO and to identify the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoform(s), we analyzed muscarinic signaling in embryonic ventricular cardiomyocytes of NOS2 (–/–) and NOS3 (–/–) mice. The early‐stage NOS3 (–/–) cardiomyocytes lacked muscarinic modulation, whereas it was preserved in NOS2 (–/–) cells. Moreover, at the late embryonic stage, muscarinic modulation of ICa was intact in both strains. Thus, NO is the key regulator of muscarinic signaling in the early embryonic ventricle, whereas at later stages, signaling occurs through a NO‐independent pathway.
Evaluation of CrAlN multilayered coatings deposited by PVD magnetron sputtering

The purpose of this experimental work is to evaluate the mechanical and tribological properties of chromium aluminum nitride (CrAlN) coating deposited on hypereutectic Al–Si-alloy. The microstructural, topographical analysis, and composition of CrAlN-coated substrates were examined by using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, whereas phase formation was analyzed by X-ray Diffractometer (XRD). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images were taken from the substrate surface before and after the coating. The scratch adhesion of film-to-substrate was measured by using scratch machine. In an effort to understand the critical point, loads were identified by Scratch track in terms of load vs. depth as a function of scan distance. Moreover, the critical load as the beginning of chipping or spallation of the coating was studied. The tribological properties of CrAlN coating were evaluated by pin on disc tribometer at room temperature. XRD analysis showed that CrAlN successfully deposited with a preferential orientation along the (1 1 1), (2 0 0) and (2 2 0) peaks. The AFM images of coated sample confirmed that the surface roughness was lower(Ra = 14 nm) as compared to uncoated sample (Ra = 46 nm). The hardness of coated hypereutectic Al–Si-alloy was increased about 5.8 times as compared to uncoated sample. The coefficient of friction and wear rate of coated specimen were found to be improved. The coating adhesion strength of 2341 mN was obtained with coating parameters for deposition of DC power (350 W), RF power (200 W), temperature (175 °C), and nitrogen flow rate (5%).
Measurement of inter-strand contact resistance in epoxy impregnated Nb3Sn Rutherford cables

An apparatus for the measurement, under transverse pressure, of the inter‐strand contact resistance in epoxy‐impregnated Nb3Sn Rutherford cables has been recently assembled at Fermilab. Procedures have been developed to instrument and measure samples extracted from Nb3Sn coils. Samples were extracted from coils fabricated with the Wind‐and‐React and the React‐and‐Wind technology, both presently under development at Fermilab. A ceramic binder is used to improve the insulation and to simplify the fabrication of coils using the Wind‐and‐React technology. Synthetic oil is used to prevent sintering during the heat treatment of coils to be wound after reaction. In order to evaluate the effects of the ceramic binder and of the synthetic oil on the inter‐strand resistance, measurements of samples extracted from coils were compared with measurements of cable stacks with varying characteristics. In this paper we describe the apparatus, the sample preparation, the measurement procedure, and the results of the first .
On the Performance Comparison of Non-ideal Single-Carrier and Multi-Carrier Waveforms over Wide-band HF Channels

The purpose of this paper is to quantify the effects of Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO), Symbol Timing Offset (STO) and Phase Noise in coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and coded Single Carrier Frequency Domain Equalization (SC-FDE) systems and to compare their relative sensitivities in wide-band HF channel model. In mobile communication systems where multi-path propagation occurs channel estimation and equalization is additionally necessary. Furthermore a non-ideal local oscillator generally is misaligned with the operating frequency at the receiver and this causes carrier frequency offset (CFO). Therefore in coded SC-FDE and coded OFDM systems; a very efficient, low complex frequency domain channel estimation and equalization is implemented in this paper. Also Cyclic Prefix (CP) based synchronization synchronizes the clock and carrier frequency offset. Proposed models show that, one of the most powerful code, Turbo Code, enables to utilize the full frequency diversity available in the channel. The BER performance of the computer simulations specify that non-ideal turbo coded OFDM has better performance with greater diversity than non-ideal turbo coded SC-FDE system in wide-band HF channel.
Genetics and genomics etiology of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts

Orofacial clefts (OFC) are complex birth defects. Studies using contemporary genomic techniques, bioinformatics, and statistical analyses have led to appreciable advances in identifying the causes of syndromic forms of clefts. This commentary gives an overview of the important cleft gene discoveries found using various genomic methods and tools.
Choroidal Vascularity Index in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease: An EDI-OCT Derived Tool for Monitoring Disease Progression

Purpose We assessed the application of the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in the follow-up of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) patients derived from image binarization of enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images with Fiji software. Our secondary objective was to derive the retinochoroidal vascularity index based on en face fundus fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (FFA and ICGA). Methods In this retrospective cohort study, EDI-OCT scans of 18 eyes of 9 patients with VKH were obtained at baseline within 2 weeks of acute presentation, and again at 6 to 12 months. Images with poor quality were excluded. Choroidal thickness (CT) and CVI were analyzed and compared to 13 eyes of 13 healthy controls. En face FFA and ICGA obtained from 12 eyes of 7 patients were segmented to derive retinochoroidal vascularity index. Results There was no statistical difference in age or sex between the study group and controls. Choroidal thickness of patients with VKH was 359.23 ± 57.63 μm at baseline, compared to 274.09 ± 56.98 μm in controls (P = 0.003). Follow-up CT in VKH patients was 282.62 ± 42.51 μm, which was significantly decreased from baseline (P = 0.0001). Choroidal vascularity index in VKH patients was 70.03 ± 1.93% at baseline, compared to 64.63 ± 1.92% in controls (P < 0.001). Choroidal vascularity index was 66.94 ± 1.82% at follow-up, significantly reduced from baseline (P < 0.0001). Fundus fluorescein angiography and ICGA retinochoroidal vascularity indices at baseline were 70.67 ± 2.65% and 66.42 ± 2.16%, respectively. Conclusions In this small series of VKH patients, EDI-OCT–derived CVI had a statistically significant reduction over time, similar to CT. We propose that OCT, FFA, and ICGA-derived vascularity indices may be potential novel supportive tools in monitoring disease progression in VKH. Translational Relevance Choroidal vascularity index can be used potentially to study and analyze the structural changes in choroid. It can be a useful tool to explain the changes in the CT in different retinochoroidal disorders. Choroidal vascularity index also can be used for longitudinal follow-up in patients with VKH disease and other inflammatory disease involving the choroid.
Drug effectiveness reporting and monitoring systems: discussion and prototype development

While tracking systems have been developed to decrease occurrences and consequences of medication errors in healthcare facilities, there is a growing need for similar systems to monitor drugs that have just entered the market with unknown adverse events. Between 1997 and 2005, the FDA’s MedWatch system successfully identified 15 drugs with toxic side-effects; it took an average of 5.9 years for identification and removal of such drugs. We propose an online surveying system, coupled with continuous monitoring by participating pharmacists, that could significantly reduce the identification time and the removal time. Further, we analyse the potential for leveraging advances in semantic web and ontology development to populate the database of the proposed system.
Effects of exercise on postexercise ventricular–arterial coupling and pulsatile efficiency in patients with systolic dysfunction

A suboptimal ventricular–arterial (VA) interaction may have a prolonged depressing effect on the failing heart after functional reserves forced to their limits under stress conditions such as exercise. The continuation of excessive load in the postexercise period may be more important than the load during exercise, because the sum of postexercise periods generally exceeds exercise time itself. We sought that exercise‐induced changes in postexercise VA coupling and pulsatile efficiency in patients with heart failure (HF).
REVIEW OF MODELLING THE MECHANICAL PARAMETERS OF ASPHALT MATERIAL

In the determination of the mechanical parameters (Young's, shear, bulk modulus and Poisson's ratio) one should account for the visco- elastic nature of asphalt materials. In this paper, attention is paid to the various models that can be used to do so. It is proposed that, for material characterisation purposes, the visco-elastic behaviour of Young's modulus and ofthe shear modulus is described by a Burgers' model (also called a Voight-Kelvin model). The other two material parameters can be derived from these. This way, ambiguous determination of these important material parameters is prevented. In road design, using linear elastic multilayer programs, one cannot account for the viscous effects and thus one has to use 'effective elastic parameters'. It is suggested that these can be derived fromthe more generally valid, visco-elastic ones by applying a frequency of 8Hz. Furthermore, simple test set-ups to determine the parameters experimentally are described. (a) For the covering abstract of this conference see IRRD abstract no. 861222.
Effect of cavitation for electrochemical characteristics in seawater for austenitic 304 stainless steel

With the industrial acceleration in a lot of countries of the world, the demand for anti-corrosion and anti-abrasion material increases continuously. Particularly, stainless steel with the fine surface and excellent corrosion resistance is widely used in various industrial fields including ship, offshore structures tidal power plant, and etc. In marine environment, however, it is easy to generate by the corrosion damage by ion and cavitation damage due to high rotation speed on stainless steel. Therefore, in this research, the cavitation erosion-corrosion test (Hybrid test) was performed for 304 stainless steel specimen used in the high flow rate seawater environment. And the cavitation damage behavior in the corrosive environment was analyzed overall. The high hardness was shown due to the formation of compressive residual stress by the water cavitation peening effect in cavitation condition. However, high current density in the potentiodynamic polarization experiment presented with the breakdown of the passive film caused by physical impact. Therefore, both electrochemical characteristics and mechanical properties must be taken into account to improve the cavitation resistance in seawater.
Optimization of double spiral metamaterial for wireless power transfer

Metamaterials (MMs) have been proposed to improve the performance of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. However, optimization of WPT systems with MM using complex electromagnetic analytical methods and slow finite element simulation methods have become increasingly tedious. A simple analytical approach using equivalent circuit method to optimize WPT systems with MMs is proposed in this paper. A Double spiral metamaterial (DSM) is introduced and analyzed using the proposed approach. Furthermore, a detailed optimization process is presented considering system level performance indices (efficiency and transferred power) and application level requirements (transfer distance, maximum misalignment and probability of alignment). A novel figure-of-merit is introduced to achieve better compromise between system level performance indices and application level requirements. The proposed optimization strategy is validated with the experimental results.
Moisture and Fungal Durability of Wood-Plastic Composites Made With Chemically Modified and Treated Wood Flour

Evaluating the fungal durability of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) is complicated by the influence of slow moisture sorption. Recently, the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Standard Method E10, Testing Wood Preservatives by Laboratory Soil-Block Cultures, was modified to incorporate not only solid wood, but also wood-based composites and WPCs. To simulate long term WPC performance, conditioning of the specimens is now required prior to fungal exposure to increase the moisture content of the specimens. The moisture and fungal durability, as well as the mechanical properties, of two different WPCs were investigated in the laboratory following this new AWPA E10-12 Standard. Wood flour was modified with acetic anhydride and then extruded with high density polyethylene (HDPE). Wood flour was treated with an isothiazolone-based solution and then injected molded with polypropylene (PP). WPCs were conditioned by water soaking either 2 weeks at 22 ˚C or 5 days at 70 ˚C. Weight and moisture content of the WPCs were monitored. Results showed that the acetylation decreased the moisture sorption of the WPCs and showed no mass losses due to decay. The WPC with an isothiazolone-based solution did not show any mass losses due to fungal decay.
A generalized self‐consistent mori‐tanaka scheme for prediction of the effective elastic moduli of hybrid multiphase particulate composites

A generalized self-consistent Mori-Tanaka method (GSCMTM) is developed in this paper. The method starts with the formulation of the problem of heterogeneous elasticity proposed by Dederichs and Zeller and incorporates the strain equivalence condition of Christensen's generalized self-consistent method (GSCM) and Hill's interfacial operator theory into the evaluation of the strain concentration tensors of constituents. For a two-phase composite with spherical inclusions, the effective moduli predicted by GSCMTM coincide with those predicted by the Mori-Tanaka method (MTM). By a two-step homogenization technique, GSCMTM was successfully extended to multiphase composites. The effective moduli predicted by GSCMTM for multiphase hybrid particulate composites agree well with the existing theoretical and experimental results and can be expressed in a simple explicit form.
Rapid diagnosis in varicella and herpes zoster: re‐evaluation of direct smear (Tzanck test) and electron microscopy including colloidal gold immuno‐electron microscopy in comparison with virus isolation

The Tzanck test and electron microscopy with the technique of colloidal gold labelling in varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) infections were compared with virus isolation in 54 patients with clinically suspected varicella or herpes zoster infection. The Tzanck test and direct electron microscopy can determine whether or not an eruption is herpetic but cannot distinguish between herpes simplex virus (HSV) and VZV infection. However, colloidal gold immuno‐electron microscopy, using monoclonal antibodies against HSV and anti‐VZV IgG, can distinguish between these two herpes viruses. This achieves the same specificity as virus isolation followed by virus neutralization or virus typing using immunofluorescence techniques. The Tzanck test was positive in 91%, virus isolation, under optimal conditions of sampling and transportation, in 80%, direct electron microscopy (negative staining) in 80%, and colloidal gold immuno‐electron microscopy after a virus concentration procedure in 95% of the cases. The colloidal gold technique offers a rapid diagnosis in patients with suspected VZV infection.
Analysis of tailing pond contamination in Galicia using generalized linear spatial models

We statistically analysed the chemical components present in waste water from mines in Galicia (NW Spain). These elements pose a risk to public health and the environment, most particularly in the event of a failure in the containment structure of a pond or dam. The statistical processing of the data, which started with an analysis of the typical contaminants present in mining ponds and dams, pointed to the potential limitations of using non-spatial models for spatially structured data. Our results indicate the greater potential of the generalized linear spatial model over the generalized linear model for analysis of spatially structured data. We also show how a misspecification of the model for analysing spatial data can lead to misleading conclusions, which might lead, in turn, to poorly designed protective or corrective measures.
Mechanical properties of mica-filled PBT/ABAS composites

Tensile properties and Izod impact strength of mica-filled composites of poly(butylene terephthlate) (PBT)/polyacrylonitrile-butyl acrylate-styrene (ABAS) were studied at mica concentration range 0 to 0.14 volume fraction, (ϕf). Tensile properties such as tensile modulus, strength, and breaking strain were normalized by dividing the data with the crystallinity (%) of the major component PBT in the composites and the matrix blends. The normalized relative tensile properties were compared with simple models to evaluate the interphase interactions between the matrix (i.e. PBT/ABAS blend) and the dispersed phase mica. Mica reinforced the blend increasing the tensile modulus and strength with mica concentration while the strain-at-break was increased marginally up to ϕf = 0.04 and decreased beyond this ϕf. The impact strength, however, decreased with increase in ϕf due to enhanced matrix stiffening and lack of plastic deformation of the matrix. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed good dispersion of mica in the composites. The effect of surface treatment with a zirconate coupling agent, NZ-97, on the above properties has also been examined. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Overcoming Ideological Bias in Elections

We study a model in which voters choose between two candidates on the basis of both ideology and competence. While the ideology of the candidates is commonly known, voters are imperfectly informed about competence. Voter preferences, however, are such that ideology alone determines voting. When voting is compulsory, the candidate of the majority ideology prevails, and this may not be optimal from a social perspective. However, when voting is voluntary and costly, we show that turnout adjusts endogenously so that the outcome of a large election is always first-best.
A literature review to explore integrated care for older people

Abstract Purpose This paper reports on some of the findings of a literature review commissioned to explore integrated care for older people. Methods The process of revising included finding and selecting literature from multidisciplinary sources, and encompassed both published papers and ‘grey’ literature, i.e. material which had not been reviewed for publication. Results The study found that thinking has moved on from a focus on the problems of accessing services to exploring ways in which they may function in an integrated way. Conclusions The study shows how thinking on integrated care for older people has developed, and knowledge of micro, mezzo and macro strategies is now more available.
Which rules for the robust parsing of spoken utterances with Lexicalized Tree Adjoining Grammars?

In the context of spoken dialogue systems, we investigated a bottom-up robust parsing for LTAG (Lexicalized Tree Adjoining Grammars)that interleaves a syntactic and a semantic structure. When the regular syntactic composition rules fail, the syntactic islands and the corresponding partial semantic structures are combinedthanks to additional local rules. We supply some descriptive limits of the grammar with these rules which depend on the immediate syntactic context of the islands. In this paper, we focus on their application to few spoken phenomena.