Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Density Polyethylene/Micro Calcium Carbonate Composites: A Study of the Morphological, Thermal, and Viscoelastic Properties

High density polyethylene (HDPE) with micro calcium carbonate (CaCO3) masterbatch was pelletized by using a twin screw extruder and different ASTM specimens were molded by an injection molding machine. The morphology of the composites was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Image Analysis software. The dispersion and interfacial interaction between CaCO3 and the polymer matrix were also investigated by SEM. The thermal properties of HDPE and its composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystallization process of the composites samples was found to be slightly different than that of the neat HDPE. Otherwise, the presence of CaCO3 did not have a considerable effect on the melting behavior of the composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the composites had better thermal stability than the neat HDPE resin as indicated by a higher temperature of 50% weight loss (T50%) for the composites as compared to that of the neat resin. The viscoelastic properties of the composites and HDPE were also investigated via torsional and rotational techniques. The presence of CaCO3 increased the shear modulus at low frequency of the composites at 80°C over that of the neat resin. However, at higher frequencies, the difference between the neat resin and the composites' shear modulus was less than that at low frequencies. The complex viscosity of the composite increased upon the addition of CaCO3. However, the shear sensitivities of the neat resin and the microcomposite were similar. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Filoviruses Utilize Glycosaminoglycans for Their Attachment to Target Cells

ABSTRACT Filoviruses are the cause of severe hemorrhagic fever in human and nonhuman primates. The envelope glycoprotein (GP), responsible for both receptor binding and fusion of the virus envelope with the host cell membrane, has been demonstrated to interact with multiple molecules in order to enhance entry into host cells. Here we have demonstrated that filoviruses utilize glycosaminoglycans, and more specifically heparan sulfate proteoglycans, for their attachment to host cells. This interaction is mediated by GP and does not require the presence of the mucin domain. Both the degree of sulfation and the structure of the carbohydrate backbone play a role in the interaction with filovirus GPs. This new step of filovirus interaction with host cells can potentially be a new target for antiviral strategies. As such, we were able to inhibit filovirus GP-mediated infection using carrageenan, a broad-spectrum microbicide that mimics heparin, and also using the antiviral dendrimeric peptide SB105-A10, which interacts with heparan sulfate, antagonizing the binding of the virus to cells.
Twelve tongues, one voice: An evaluation of European political cooperation

Traditional integration theories disagree over the scope of the main foreign policy instrument of the European Union (EU), the so-called European Political Cooperation (EPC). While intergovernmentalism suggests that EPC actions are weak, neofunctionalism maintains that cooperation within the EPC framework is characterised by strong measures. In this article, we present a game-theoretic and statistical analysis of these conflicting propositions and show that European foreign policy making is much more diversified than predicted by the predominating theoretical approaches. A signalling game demonstrates that the exploitation of uncertainty by a possible profit-seeker outside the organisation can cause inadequate EPC decisions. The formal model also explores the extent to which joint interest in closer foreign policy coordination can help to overcome diverging national policy preferences. The empirical test of some game-theoretic hypotheses shows that European foreign policy making has become more intensive. The increasing number of declarations is, however, also a sign of the proliferation of non-committing statements. Logit regressions reveal a close relationship between the economic salience of an EPC target nation to the European Union and the intensity of an EPC reaction.
Interactivity and Multimodality in the IMIX Demonstrator

It is generally acknowledged that many experts and almost all laypersons have difficulty in formulating requests for information in such a manner that conventional off-line information extraction systems can find optimal answers. Therefore, it is increasingly evident that there is a need for an interactive dialog between information seekers and information extraction systems. In this paper, we describe the demonstrator of an interactive and multimodal information extraction system that is under construction in the NWO funded research program IMIX
Multiscale Image Blind Denoising

Arguably several thousands papers are dedicated to image denoising. Most papers assume a fixed noise model, mainly white Gaussian or Poissonian. This assumption is only valid for raw images. Yet, in most images handled by the public and even by scientists, the noise model is imperfectly known or unknown. End users only dispose the result of a complex image processing chain effectuated by uncontrolled hardware and software (and sometimes by chemical means). For such images, recent progress in noise estimation permits to estimate from a single image a noise model, which is simultaneously signal and frequency dependent. We propose here a multiscale denoising algorithm adapted to this broad noise model. This leads to a blind denoising algorithm which we demonstrate on real JPEG images and on scans of old photographs for which the formation model is unknown. The consistency of this algorithm is also verified on simulated distorted images. This algorithm is finally compared with the unique state of the art previous blind denoising method.
On the Importance of the Interclump Medium for Superionization: O VI Formation in the Wind of ζ Puppis

We have studied superionization and X-ray line formation in the spectra of ζ Pup using our new stellar atmosphere code (XCMFGEN) that can be used to simultaneously analyze optical, UV, and X-ray observations. Here, we present results on the formation of the O VI λλ1032, 1038 doublet. Our simulations, supported by simple theoretical calculations, show that clumped wind models that assume void in the interclump space cannot reproduce the observed O VI profiles. However, enough O VI can be produced if the voids are filled by a low-density gas. The recombination of O VI is very efficient in the dense material, but in the tenuous interclump region an observable amount of O VI can be maintained. We also find that different UV resonance lines are sensitive to different density regimes in ζ Pup: C IV is almost exclusively formed within the densest regions, while the majority of O VI resides between clumps. N V is an intermediate case, with contributions from both the tenuous gas and clumps.
Structural and functional features of the NAD(P) dependent Gfo/Idh/MocA protein family oxidoreductases

The Gfo/Idh/MocA protein family contains a number of different proteins, which almost exclusively consist of NAD(P)‐dependent oxidoreductases that have a diverse set of substrates, typically pyranoses. In this study, to clarify common structural features that would contribute to their function, the available crystal structures of the members of this family have been analyzed. Despite a very low sequence identity, the central features of the three‐dimensional structures of the proteins are surprisingly similar. The members of the protein family have a two‐domain structure consisting of a N‐terminal nucleotide‐binding domain and a C‐terminal α/β‐domain. The C‐terminal domain contributes to the substrate binding and catalysis, and contains a βα‐motif with a central α‐helix carrying common essential amino acid residues. The β‐sheet of the α/β‐domain contributes to the oligomerization in most of the proteins in the family.
Effective searching of RDF knowledge bases

RDF data has become a vital source of information for many applications. In this thesis, we present a set of models and algorithms to effectively search large RDF knowledge bases. These knowledge bases contain a large set of subjectpredicate-object (SPO) triples where subjects and objects are entities and predicates express relationships between them. Searching such knowledge bases can be done using the W3C-endorsed SPARQL language or by similarly designed triple-pattern search. However, the exact-match semantics of triple-pattern search might fall short of satisfying the users needs by returning too many or too few results. Thus, IR-style searching and ranking techniques are crucial. This thesis develops models and algorithms to enhance triple-pattern search. We propose a keyword extension to triple-pattern search that allows users to augment triple-pattern queries with keyword conditions. To improve the recall of triple-pattern search, we present a framework to automatically reformulate triple-pattern queries in such a way that the intention of the original user query is preserved while returning a sufficient number of ranked results. For efficient query processing, we present a set of top-k query processing algorithms and for ease of use, we develop methods for plain keyword search over RDF knowledge bases. Finally, we propose a set of techniques to diversify query results and we present several methods to allow users to interactively explore RDF knowledge bases to find additional contextual information about their query results.
Volume-filling and quorum-sensing in models for chemosensitive movement

Chemotaxis is one of many mechanisms used by cells and organisms to navigate through the environment, and has been found on scales varying from the microscopic to the macroscopic. Chemotactic movement has also attracted a great deal of computational and modelling attention. Some of the continuum models are unstable in the sense that they can lead to finite time blow-up, or “overcrowding” scenarios. Cell overcrowding is unrealistic from a biological context, as it ignores the finite size of individual cells and the behaviour of cells at higher densities. We have previously presented a mathematical model of chemotaxis incorporating density dependence that precludes blow-up from occurring, [19]. In this paper, we consider a number of approaches by which such equations can arise based on biologically realistic mechanisms, including the finite size of individual cells “volume filling” and the employment of cell density sensing mechanisms “quorum-sensing”. We show the existence of nontrivial steady states and we study the traveling wave problem for these models. A comprehensive numerical exploration of the model reveals a wide variety of interesting pattern forming properties. Finally we turn our attention to the robustness of patterning under domain growth, and discuss some potential applications of the model.
Score-Informed Syllable Segmentation for A Cappella Singing Voice with Convolutional Neural Networks

This paper introduces a new score-informed method for the segmentation of jingju a cappella singing phrase into syllables. The proposed method estimates the most likely sequence of syllable boundaries given the estimated syllable onset detection function (ODF) and its score. Throughout the paper, we first examine the jingju syllables structure and propose a definition of the term "syllable onset". Then, we identify which are the challenges that jingju a cappella singing poses. Further, we investigate how to improve the syllable ODF estimation with convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We propose a novel CNN architecture that allows to efficiently capture different time-frequency scales for estimating syllable onsets. In addition, we propose using a score-informed Viterbi algorithm -instead of thresholding the onset function-, because the available musical knowledge we have (the score) can be used to inform the Viterbi algorithm in order to overcome the identified challenges. The proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art in syllable segmentation for jingju a cappella singing. We further provide an analysis of the segmentation errors which points possible research directions.
Synthesis and Size Control of Monodisperse Silica Sol Nanospheres via a Modified Stöber Method

An effective and optimized method for synthesis silica sol nanospheres by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of aqueous alcohol solution with ammonia as catalyst was described. Under this experiment condition, monodisperse and uniform-size silica sol spheres with average diameters from 38-95nm were obtained. Here, we successfully controlled the size and shape of silica sol by fine adjusting the reaction parameters such as concentration of TEOS, value of R (H2O/TEOS) and ammonia concentration. On the basis of the experiment results, it was found that sphere size declined as the concentration of TEOS decreased. Also with the increment of ammonia concentration, the diameter of silica sol decreased slightly. However, higher R (H2O/TEOS) value would lead to larger sphere size in the range of 62-95nm. The resulting silica sol was determined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR).
Microcontact Printing of Uniform Nanoparticle Arrays

Uniform, close-packed monolayer and bilayer arrays of alkanethiol-coated gold nanoparticles have been used as “ink” for microcontact printing (μCP) following the technique of Xia and Whitesides (see Xia, Y.; Whitesides, G. M. Polym. Mater. Sci. Eng. 1997, 77, 596). The process is accomplished in two steps. First, a uniform monolayer of the nanoparticles is self-assembled on a water surface and is transferred intact to a patterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp pad by the Langmuir−Schaefer (LS) method. In the case of multilayer printing, this “inking” step is repeated as many times as desired. Because multilayer arrays are assembled on the stamp pad layer-by-layer, adjacent layers may be made up of the same or different particles. The nanoparticles are transferred to a solid substrate by conformal contact of the stamp pad and the substrate. The technique has been used to print patterned monolayer and bilayer arrays on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substrates. The quality of the transferred arrays h.
Repair of Composite Laminates

Abstract : The effectiveness of repair of damaged fiber reinforced composite laminates was investigated; the effectiveness of repair being assessed by the tensile failure load of the repaired laminate. First, tests were conducted measuring the failure loads of laminates repaired either by the scarf, the uniform lap, or the stepped lap technique. Data were generated with the following parameters having been varied: type of material of the damaged laminate, type of repair material, scarf angle and number of external plies in scarf repair, length and number of repair plies in uniform and stepped lap repair, moisture content of the laminate prior to repair, moisture content of the laminate after repair, test temperature, roughness of grinding tool used in preparing the repair surface, and the temperature applied during the cure of the repair patch. The aforementioned parameters were varied over wide ranges, and provided systematic sets of data which shed light on the influence each of these parameters on the effectiveness of the repair. Second, models were developed for calculating the failure loads of composite laminates repaired by scarf and uniform lap techniques. The models take into account anisotropy of each ply in the laminate and in the repair ply and nonelastic behavior of the adhesive or resin interlayer between the laminate and the repair patch. On the basis of the models, two computer codes were written for generating numerical values of the failure loads. The first code is for calculating the failure loads of laminates repaired by the uniform lap technique, the second for calculating the failure loads of laminates repaired by the scarf technique. Failure loads calculated by the models and the corresponding computer codes were compared with data and good agreement was found between the results of the analysis and the tests.
Economical evaluation of ecological benefits of the demand side management

Environmental pollution and over-exploitation of non-renewable sources to find energy are current topics for the modern world that is now at having to deal with several issues such as the greenhouse effect, acid rain and climate change. In this study, the economical estimate of the savings in carbon dioxide obtained with a careful management of electrical loads is presented. Four particular scenarios are designed as case studies: Italy, France, United Kingdom and Germany. A comparison is presented with a similar study, made in 2007, when green energies were not yet very developed.
Multimedia components for the visualization of dynamic behavior in computer architectures

Understanding modern processors requires a good knowledge of the dynamic behavior of processors. Traditional media like books use text for describing the dynamic behavior of processors. Visualization of this behavior, however, is impossible, due to the static nature of books. In this paper, we describe multimedia components for visualizing the dynamic behavior of hardware structures, called RaVi (abbreviation for the German equivalent of "computer architecture visualization"). Available RaVi components1 include models of a microcoded MIPS architecture, of a MIPS pipeline, of scoreboarding, Tomasulo's algorithm and the MESI multiprocessor cache protocol.
Modeling dependent yearly claim totals including zero claims in private health insurance

In insurance applications yearly claim totals of different coverage fields are often dependent. In many cases there are numerous claim totals which are zero. A marginal claim distribution will have an additional point mass at zero, hence this probability function (pf) will not be continuous at zero and the cumulative distribution functions will not be uniform. Therefore using a copula approach to model dependency is not straightforward. We will illustrate how to express the joint pf by copulas with discrete and continuous margins. A pair-copula construction will be used for the fit of the continuous copula allowing to choose appropriate copulas for each pair of margins.
Identification of five chromosomal regions involved in predisposition to melanoma by genome‐wide scan in the MeLiM swine model

In human familial melanoma, 3 risk susceptibility genes are already known, CDKN2A, CDK4 and MC1R. However, various observations suggest that other melanoma susceptibility genes have not yet been identified. To search for new susceptibility loci, we used the MeLiM swine as an animal model of hereditary melanoma to perform a genome scan for linkage to melanoma. Founders of the affected MeLiM stock were crossed with each other and with healthy Duroc pigs, generating MeLiM, F1 and backcross families. As we had previously excluded the MeLiM CDKN2A gene, we paid special attention to CDK4 and MC1R, as well as to other candidates such as BRAF and the SLA complex, mapping them on the swine radiation hybrid map and/or isolating close microsatellite markers to introduce them into the genome scan. The results revealed, first, that swine melanoma was inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance, preferably in black animals. Second, 4 chromosomal regions potentially involved in melanoma susceptibility were identified on Sus Scrofa chromosomes (SSC) 1, 2, 7 and 8, respectively, in intervals 44–103, 1.9–18, 59–73 and 47–62 cM. A fifth region close to MC1R was revealed on SSC 6 by analyzing an individual marker located at position 7.5 cM. Lastly, CDK4 and BRAF were unlikely to be melanoma susceptibility genes in the MeLiM swine model. The 3 regions on SSC 1, 6 and 7, respectively, have counterparts on human chromosomes (HSA) 9p, 16q and 6p, harboring melanoma candidate loci. The 2 others, on SSC 2 and 8, have counterparts on HSA 11 and 4, which might therefore be of interest for human studies. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Path: page access tracking to improve memory management

Traditionally, operating systems use a coarse approximation of memory accesses to implement memory management algorithms by monitoring page faults or scanning page table entries. With finer-grained memory access information, however, the operating system can manage memory muchmore effectively. Previous work has proposed the use of a software mechanism based on virtual page protection and soft faults to track page accesses at finer granularity. In this paper, we show that while this approach is effective for some applications, for many others it results in an unacceptably high overhead. We propose simple Page Access Tracking Hardware (PATH)to provide accurate page access information to the operating system. The suggested hardware support is generic andcan be used by various memory management algorithms. In this paper, we show how the information generated by PATH can be used to implement (i) adaptive page replacement policies, (ii) smart process memory allocation to improve performance or to provide isolation and better process prioritization, and (iii) effectively prefetch virtual memory pages when applications have non-trivial memory access patterns. Our simulation results show that these algorithms can dramatically improve performance (up to 500%) with PATH-provided information, especially when the system is under memory pressure. We show that the software overhead of processing PATH information is less than 6% acrossthe applications we examined (less than 3% in all but two applications), which is at least an order of magni.
Letras: an architecture and framework for ubiquitous pen-and-paper interaction

Paper remains a prevalent medium in mobile usage contexts due to its inherent flexibility and robustness. Mobile computing solutions begin to provide powerful and convenient functionality, while the gap between paper documents and digital applications remains unbridged in mobile settings. Current toolkits do not offer adequate support for development of mobile pen-and-paper based applications, as they lack support for important mobile characteristics of real paper: user mobility and document mobility. To overcome their limitations, we present a novel generic architecture, along with its reference implementation Letras, a light-weight, freely available infrastructure to develop pen-and-paper based applications in mobile settings.
Multiple stress aging of high voltage polymeric insulation

Four polymeric materials for HV outdoor application have been aged under climatic, mechanical and electrical stress factors. Two machines have been used to age these materials under UV. Synergistic effects have been found to exist when the mechanical aging factor and the UV stress are applied simultaneously. No such effects were measured when the electric stress was combined with the other aging factors. It has also been established that the aging under UV light is more efficiently performed with a xenon-arc lamp. >