Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can pulsating PG 1159 stars place constraints on the occurrence of core overshooting

The present letter is aimed at exploring the influence of overshooting during the central helium burning in pre-white dwarf progenitors on the pulsational properties of PG 1159 stars. To this end we follow the complete evolution an intermediate- mass white dwarf progenitor from the zero age main sequence through the thermally pulsing and born-again phases to the domain of the PG 1159 stars. Our results suggest that the presence of mode-trapping features in the period spacings of these hot pulsating stars could result from structure in the carbon-oxygen core. We find in particular that in order to get enough core structure consistent with observational demands, the occurrence of overshoot episodes during the central helium burning is needed. This conclusion is valid for thick helium envelopes like those predicted by our detailed evolutionary calculations. If the envelope thickness were substantially smaller, then the occurrence of core overshooting would be more difficult to disentangle from the effects related to the envelope transition zones.
Caregiving frequency and physical function: the Women's Health Initiative.

BACKGROUND Informal caregiving is common for older women and can negatively affect health, but its impact on physical function remains unclear. Using inverse probability weighting methods, we quantified the association of caregiving with physical function over 6 years. METHODS Study participants were 5,649 women aged 65 years and older at baseline of the Woman's Health Initiative Clinical Trial (multicenter recruitment, 1993-1998) with complete caregiving data and function at baseline and at least one follow-up. Caregiving was self-reported (low-frequency if ≤2 times per week and high-frequency if ≥3 times per week). Performance-based measures of physical function including timed walk (meters/second), grip strength (kilograms), and chair stands (number) were measured at baseline and years 1, 3, and 6. Associations and 95% confidence intervals of baseline caregiving with physical function were estimated by generalized estimating equations with inverse probability weighting by propensity and attrition scores, calculated by logistic regression of baseline health and demographic characteristics. RESULTS Over follow-up, low-frequency caregivers had higher grip strength when compared with noncaregivers (mean difference = 0.63kg, confidence interval: 0.24, 1.01). There were no observed differences between high-frequency caregivers and noncaregivers on grip strength or for either caregiver group when compared with noncaregivers on walk speed or chair stands. Rates of change in physical function measures did not differ by caregiving status. CONCLUSIONS Caregiving was not associated with poorer physical function in this sample of older women. Low-frequency caregiving was associated with better grip strength at baseline which persisted through follow-up. This study supports the concept that informal caregiving may not have universally negative health consequences.
Side chain burial and hydrophobic core packing in protein folding transition states

A critical step in the folding pathway of globular proteins is the formation of a tightly packed hydrophobic core. Several mutational studies have addressed the question of whether tight packing interactions are present during the rate‐limiting step of folding. In some of these investigations, substituted side chains have been assumed to form native‐like interactions in the transition state when the folding rates of mutant proteins correlate with their native‐state stabilities. Alternatively, it has been argued that side chains participate in nonspecific hydrophobic collapse when the folding rates of mutant proteins correlate with side‐chain hydrophobicity. In a reanalysis of published data, we have found that folding rates often correlate similarly well, or poorly, with both native‐state stability and side‐chain hydrophobicity, and it is therefore not possible to select an appropriate transition state model based on these one‐parameter correlations. We show that this ambiguity can be resolved using a two‐parameter model in which side chain burial and the formation of all other native‐like interactions can occur asynchronously. Notably, the model agrees well with experimental data, even for positions where the one‐parameter correlations are poor. We find that many side chains experience a previously unrecognized type of transition state environment in which specific, native‐like interactions are formed, but hydrophobic burial dominates. Implications of these results to the design and analysis of protein folding studies are discussed.
A decentralized object impedance controller for object/robot-team systems: theory and experiments

This paper derives a decentralized object impedance controller (DOIC) especially suited for use by a team of robots and/or multiple manipulators. In contrast to the original object impedance controller (OIC), a separate DOIC operates on each robot to provide local computation of the manipulator force commands, thus removing the need for expensive high-bandwidth communication of force signals between the robots. The key advance of the DOIC that provides this benefit is a decentralized algorithm for estimating the external force on the object. This paper derives the DOIC, provides stability analysis, and verifies the theory with definitive physical experiments.
Fuzzy-Logic-Based Switching State Selection for Direct Power Control of Three-Phase PWM Rectifier

This paper proposes a novel and simple direct power control (DPC) scheme of a three-phase pulsewidth-modulated rectifier without the use of a predefined switching table. The converter switching state selection is based on fuzzy logic rules, using the instantaneous active and reactive power tracking errors as fuzzy logic variables. The basic idea of fuzzy rules synthesis is based on the knowledge of the instantaneous variation of active and reactive power. According to the input fuzzy variables and in a specific moment, the best switching state of the converter is chosen to restrict the instantaneous active and reactive power tracking errors simultaneously, for maintaining the DC-bus voltage close to the reference value and guarantying the unity-power-factor operation. The main advantages of the proposed DPC scheme, compared to the classical one, are that it is not necessary to use hysteresis comparators, and smooth control of active and reactive power is obtained during all sectors. Finally, the developed DPC was tested both in simulations and experimentally, and illustrative results are presented here. Results have proven excellent performance, and verify the validity of the proposed DPC scheme which is much better than the classical DPC.
Identifying candidate gene effects by restricting search space in a multivariate genetic analysis of white matter microstructure

Several genetic variants are thought to influence white matter (WM) integrity, measured with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Voxel based methods can test genetic associations, but heavy multiple comparisons corrections are required to adjust for searching the whole brain and for all genetic variants analyzed. Thus, genetic associations are hard to detect even in large studies. Using a recently developed multi-SNP analysis, we examined the joint predictive power of a group of 18 cholesterol-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on WM integrity, measured by fractional anisotropy. To boost power, we limited the analysis to brain voxels that showed significant associations with total serum cholesterol levels. From this space, we identified two genes with effects that replicated in individual voxel-wise analyses of the whole brain. Multivariate analyses of genetic variants on a reduced anatomical search space may help to identify SNPs with strongest effects on the brain from a broad panel of genes.
Final results of a phase II study of S-1 in patients with cytokine-refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE A planned primary analysis of a Phase II study of S-1 demonstrated that the drug was active and tolerable in Japanese patients with cytokine-refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Furthermore, pharmacogenomic analysis suggested that low expression of thymidylate synthase mRNA may have been associated with clinical outcome in terms of overall response rate and progression-free survival. Here, we report the results of the final analysis assessing the efficacy and safety of S-1 including overall survival. METHODS Patients with renal cell carcinoma were eligible if they had had at least one regimen of cytokine for metastatic disease. S-1 was orally administered on Days 1-28 of a 42-day cycle until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate, and the secondary endpoint included progression-free survival, overall survival and safety. RESULTS A total of 45 patients were treated with S-1 and were fully assessable for efficacy and safety. At the final analysis, a response was seen in 11 patients (overall response rate, 24.4%; 95% confidence interval: 12.9-39.5%), including two patients who achieved a complete response. The final median progression-free and overall survival were 9.2 and 42.8 months, respectively. The safety profile of S-1 was favorable. It was suggested that there was no relation between overall survival and the expression level of thymidylate synthase. CONCLUSION This final analysis confirms that S-1 treatment is effective and safe in patients with cytokine-refractory renal cell carcinoma.
Adaptive Asynchronous Sleep Scheduling Protocols for Delay Tolerant Networks

In this paper, we focus on power management for Delay/Disruption Tolerant Network (DTN), and propose two asynchronous clock-based sleep scheduling protocols that are distributed, adaptive, and energy efficient. Moreover, the sleep schedules can be constructed using simple systematic algorithms. We also discuss how the proposed protocols can be implemented in mobile devices for adapting to dynamic network conditions in DTN. Theoretical analysis is given to demonstrate the energy efficiency and scalability of the proposed protocols. Simulation results show that the proposed protocols reduce the energy consumption in the idle listening mode up to 35 percent in comparison with other existing asynchronous clock-based sleep scheduling protocols, and more than 90 percent compared with the protocol without power management, while maintaining comparable packet delivery delay and delivery ratio.
A low-complexity 2-D DOA estimation algorithm for massive MIMO systems

In this paper, we research the problem of two-dimensional (2-D) direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation in massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems and propose a 2-D DOA estimation algorithm for massive MIMO systems based on a large-scale uniform rectangular array (URA). In our algorithm, the large-scale URA is firstly divided into four smaller subarrays, including two pairs of shifted URAs. The proposed algorithm exploits the rotational invariance relations of two pairs of shifted URAs to estimate the 2-D DOAs of multiple signals. Our algorithm has a much lower computational complexity than the 2-D MUSIC algorithm, especially when the number of antennas is large. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm provides an excellent performance that is very close to that of the 2-D MUSIC algorithm.
Deficiency of Dgcr8, a gene disrupted by the 22q11.2 microdeletion, results in altered short-term plasticity in the prefrontal cortex

Individuals with 22q11.2 microdeletions have cognitive and behavioral impairments and the highest known genetic risk for developing schizophrenia. One gene disrupted by the 22q11.2 microdeletion is DGCR8, a component of the “microprocessor” complex that is essential for microRNA production, resulting in abnormal processing of specific brain miRNAs and working memory deficits. Here, we determine the effect of Dgcr8 deficiency on the structure and function of cortical circuits by assessing their laminar organization, as well as the neuronal morphology, and intrinsic and synaptic properties of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of Dgcr8+/− mutant mice. We found that heterozygous Dgcr8 mutant mice have slightly fewer cortical layer 2/4 neurons and that the basal dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons have slightly smaller spines. In addition to the modest structural changes, field potential and whole-cell electrophysiological recordings performed in layer 5 of the prefrontal cortex revealed greater short-term synaptic depression during brief stimulation trains applied at 50 Hz to superficial cortical layers. This finding was accompanied by a decrease in the initial phase of synaptic potentiation. Our results identify altered short-term plasticity as a neural substrate underlying the cognitive dysfunction and the increased risk for schizophrenia associated with the 22q11.2 microdeletions.
Protocol variations in arm position influence the magnitude of waist girth

Abstract Waist girth is recognised as a better predictor of obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, compared to other measures. Although several protocols for waist girth exist, arm position is either ignored, or not specified in unambiguous terms. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if arm position influenced anthropometric waist girth measurement. Waist girth was measured in 92 adults (19 males, 73 females) with arms relaxed, abducted, horizontal, folded across the chest (three variations) and raised vertically. Duplicate measures, in all positions, were recorded by a single International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)-trained technician to a precision of 0.2% technical error of measurement (TEM). Arm position had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on waist girth. Male participants had greater waist girth than females (P < 0.001) and the waist girth differences across the varying arm positions exhibited a significant position-by-gender interaction (P < 0.001). The arm position-by-body mass index (BMI) category interaction was also significant (P = 0.016) with greater differences observed at higher BMI. These findings suggest caution in comparing results of different studies where arm position is not specified and indicate that the arm position corresponding to the ISAK protocol has the lowest error and is therefore recommended.
Recent industrial applications of VDM in Japan

This paper describes the industrial use of the Vienna Development Method (VDM and VDM++) technology in Japan since the acquisition of VDMTools by CSK Systems in 2003. This acquisition followed a very successful application of VDM++ in the development of two subsystems of the TradeOne back office system for securities trading. Subsequently, FeliCa Networks has also successfully applied VDM++ in the development of a new generation IC chip for use as an electronic purse which can be embedded in a cellular telephone. This paper provides a short overview of some of the most important industrial applications of VDM in Japan in recent years. It also reports about the main lessons learned, particularly regarding quality and cost. Finally, the future prospects for this kind of technology in Japan are considered.
Efficient method dispatch in PCL

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The Statistical Optimization of Indirect Electrochemical Oxidation Process for the Treatment of Dye from Simulated Textile Discharge

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in finding innovative solutions for the effective removal of contaminants. The presence of dyes, pesticides, detergents, drugs, oil and, soap in the effluent causing water contamination [1]. Moreover textile industries consume extensive volume of water is discharges [2]. The mechanical and wet processes in textile industry uses water, solvent and liquefied ammonia. Whereas the dyes and supporting electrolytes are the main ingredients in textile industries and the discharges of such industrial wastewater contain dyes and electrolytes. It was reported that the primary water consumption about (80–100 m3/ton of finished textile) and waste water discharge contain (115–175 kg of COD/ton of finished textile [3]. Whereas the textile effluent bearing different compositions in term of color and chemicals [4,5]. The main components of textile effluent come from dyeing and culminating processes and the composition of discharge has different nature they contain high suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, heat, colour, acidity, and other soluble substances [6]. So the high level demand of textile products has caused a major problem of pollution. The textile discharge due to color prevents the so it is harmful for aquatic bio ecosystem [7]. Azo dyes are the major pollutants in textile wastewater (Figure 1).
Commercial fishing vessels, automatic acoustic logging systems and 3D data visualization

Over the past five years we have investigated and used commercial fishing vessels and their associated acoustic hardware as platforms for acoustic surveying and data collection. During this period we developed an automated acoustic logging system that will simultaneously record data from the ship's existing sounder, sonar, and navigation systems. The system was designed to be self contained and easy to activate. Once calibrated, the vessel's vertical echo sounder can be used for quantitative fish biomass estimates in a manner similar to a scientific echo sounder. Sonar data are collected in the form of digital images with a navigation file header. Post processing, editing, and visualization tools were developed to scale the sonar images according to range setting and tilt angle. Thereafter, both the sounder and sonar data are combined into a 3D visualization package for presentation, observation, and school area estimates. Industry based acoustic surveys of herring spawning grounds have been used to estimate spawning stock biomass and for near real-time decisions regarding harvest levels in NAFO Statistical Division 4WX since 1997. Currently, there are eight systems deployed on commercial purse seiners within the region. For the past four years data from structured surveys and fishing excursions have played a key role in the assessment of herring spawning stock biomass. While the application of the technology has been driven by a stock assessment mandate, its potential use is more far reaching. The spatial nature the data means that detailed and quantitative studies of fish behaviour, vessel avoidance, fish distribution, and target area can be undertaken from commercial fishing vessels with the addition of minimal equipment. However, quantification of sonar images is restricted to area/volume estimates as no digital amplitude data are available from the commercial fishing units.
Overview of thin film deposition techniques

Surface properties of the material can affect the efficiency and behavior of the material when in service. Modifying and tuning these surface properties to meet the specific demand for better performance is feasible and has been vastly employed in a different aspect of life. This can be achieved by coating the surface via deposition of the thin film. This study provides a review of the existing literature of different deposition techniques used for surface modification and coating. The two major areas of interest discussed are physical and chemical vapor deposition techniques, and the area of applications of surface coating was briefly highlighted in this report.
Estimation of hit number.

SUMMARY When serial dilutions of a suspension of virus particles are plated onto susceptible cell sheets, plaques of altered cells develop. Plaque formation is initiated by the attachment of a specific number of virus particles to a single cell (the hit number, h). In this paper, several estimators of h are derived based on the numbers of plaques counted on the series of cell sheets.
Two motifs within the tau microtubule‐binding domain mediate its association with the hsc70 molecular chaperone

Tau, a microtubule‐associated protein with multiple phosphorylation sites, forms aggregates that correlate with neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases, termed tauopathies. Hsc70 is a highly expressed constitutive chaperone that can drive conformational change in proteins, prevent the aggregation of its substrates, recognize misfolded substrates, and facilitate their degradation. Here, we show that hsc70 binds to the microtubule‐binding domain of tau in vitro and in vivo, without an absolute requirement for tau phosphorylation. Binding requires a carboxy‐terminal region of hsc70 comprising its peptide‐binding and variable domains. We have identified two hsc70 binding sites on tau and hydrophobic amino acids crucial for hsc70 binding. Interestingly, these hsc70 binding sites correspond to the β‐structure elements that have been previously reported to facilitate tau aggregation. Thus, it is possible that hsc70 binding might directly inhibit tau–tau interactions that precede tau oligomerization and aggregation. Our results provide an important stimulus for research into how the hsc70–tau interaction might affect tau fate in normal cells and in disease. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis for Heterogeneous Coverage Problem in Multimedia Sensor Networks

Multimedia sensor networks (MSNs), which allow capturing acoustic and visual information, provide an unprecedented opportunity for variety of applications. This paper investigates the heterogeneous coverage problem in MSNs, i.e., how many multimedia sensors should be deployed to guarantee that each point in the monitored region is covered by multiple types of heterogeneous sensors. It is different from the coverage problem in conventional homogeneous sensor networks, mainly because that it is based on a heterogeneous sensing model, which is a hybrid of the omni-sensing model and the directional-sensing model. We propose a mathematical model to describe the relationships among the number of multimedia sensors, the sensing radius of the acoustic collection module, the sensing radius and the sensing angle of the visual collection module and the heterogeneous coverage rate. Our simulation results show that deploying our model in practical scenarios is effective.