Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Graphene Oxide Thin Films on Transparent Substrate via a Low - Voltage Electrodeposion Technique

A B S T R A C T Graphene oxide (GO) thin films were simply deposited on fluorine d oped tin oxide (FTO) substrate via a low - voltage electrodeposition. The GO and GO thin films were characterized by Zeta Potential, X ray diffraction, Ultraviolet - Visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X - ray spectroscopy. The results confirm existence of multi - layered graphene oxide. UV - vis spectra exhibit GO thin films possess 60 - 80% transmittance in the visible region. Calculating calculating optical band gap from UV vis spectra either for GO solution and GO thin film suggests a simultaneous reduction occurred during deposition .
Probing the symmetry of atomic wavefunctions from the point of view of strong field-driven electrons

In this paper, we analyze a new approach that was first presented by Shafir et al (2009 Nat. Phys. 5 412–6) to probe the symmetry of atomic wavefunctions via the high harmonic generation process. In this scheme, we control the two-dimensional (2D) motion of a free electron using a two-color field to probe the atoms from different angles. We present a new theoretical analysis that focuses on the spherical symmetry of atomic potentials. We analyze previously presented experimental results (Shafir et al 2009 Nat. Phys. 5 412–6) and demonstrate the ability to distinguish between spherically symmetric (s state) and non-spherically symmetric (p state) orbitals. Finally, we discuss the limitations of our approach and compare it with alternative methods.
ESync: Energy Synchronized Mobile Charging in Rechargeable Wireless Sensor Networks

Recent years have witnessed many new promising technologies to power wireless sensor networks, which motivate some fundamental topics to be revisited. Different from energy harvesting, which generates dynamic energy supply, the mobile charger is able to provide a stable and reliable energy supply for sensor nodes and, thus, enables sustainable system operations. While previous mobile charging protocols focus on either the charger travel distance or the charging delay of sensor nodes, in this work, we propose a novel energy synchronized mobile charging (ESync) protocol, which simultaneously reduces both of them. Observing the limitation of traveling salesman problem (TSP)-based solutions, when the nodes' energy consumption is diverse, we construct a set of nested TSP tours based on their energy consumption, and only nodes with low remaining energy are involved in each charging round. Furthermore, we propose the concept of energy synchronization to synchronize the charging request sequence of nodes with their sequence on the TSP tours. Experimentation and simulation demonstrate that ESync can reduce charger travel distance and nodes' charging delay by about 30% and 40%, respectively.
VisualVectora: An Interactive Visualization Tool for Cumu­ lated Gain­based Retrieval Experiments

Gain (CG) based evaluation of the results of IR ex­ periments has gained in popularity. The metrics allow to test several user scenarios regarding the assumed user persistence in scanning the rankec resul t lists and user' s preferences on docu­ ment relevance. Testing multiple scenarios both aggregated across topics and by individual topics produces masses of evalua­ tion data, which may require much persistence to analyze. We present a tool, VisualVectora, which allows one to visualize CG based evaluation results interactively on screen by topic, across topics and between experimental runs. The user may interac­ tively change the number of ranks to consider, discounting, and relevance gain weighting. This contributes to IR evaluation meth­ odology as the evaluator may easily test and see whether / which experimental runs behave interestingly under which scenarios. One may also easily identify topics which deviate from general trends, for example. The present paper describes VisualVectora and exemplifies several ways of using it in IR evaluation.
Advances in preparation, modification, and application of polypropylene membrane

Abstract Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most used polymers for microporous membrane fabrication due to its good thermal stability, chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and low cost. There have been numerous studies reporting the developments and applications of PP membranes. However, PP membrane with high performance is still a challenge. Thus, this article presents a comprehensive overview of the advances in the preparation, modification and application of PP membrane. The preparation methods of PP membrane are firstly reviewed, followed by the modification approaches of PP membrane. The modifications includes hydrophilic and superhydrophobic modification so that the PP membranes become more suitable to be applied either in aqueous applications or in non-aqueous ones. The fouling resistant of hydrophilized PP membrane and the wetting resistant of superhydrophobized PP membrane are then reviewed. Finally, special attention is given to the various potential applications and industrial outlook of the PP membranes.
Local Patch Classification Based Framework for Single Image Super-Resolution

Recent learning-based super-resolution (SR) methods often focus on the dictionary learning or network training. In this paper, we detailedly discuss a new SR framework based on local classification instead of traditional dictionary learning. The proposed efficient and extendible SR framework is named as local patch classification (LPC) based framework. The LPC framework consists of a learning stage and a reconstructing stage. In the learning stage, image patches are classified into different classes by means of the proposed local patch encoding (LPE), and then a projection matrix is computed for each class by utilizing a simple constraint. In the reconstructing stage, an input LR patch can be simply reconstructed by computing its LPE code and then multiplying corresponding projection matrix. Furthermore, we establish the relationship between the proposed method and the anchored neighborhood regression based methods; and we also analyze the extendibility of the proposed framework. The experimental results on several image sets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Toward profit-seeking virtual network embedding algorithm via global resource capacity

In this paper, after proposing a novel metric, i.e., global resource capacity (GRC), to quantify the embedding potential of each substrate node, we propose an efficient heuristic virtual network embedding (VNE) algorithm, called as GRC-VNE. The proposed algorithm aims to maximize the revenue and to minimize the cost of the infrastructure provider (InP). Based on GRC, the proposed algorithm applies a greedy load-balance manner to embed each virtual node sequentially, and then adopts the shortest path routing to embed each virtual link. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed GRC-VNE algorithm achieves lower request blocking probability and higher revenue due to the more appropriate consideration of the resource distribution of the entire network, when compared to the two lastest VNE algorithms that also consider the resources of entire substrate network. Then, we introduce a classical reserved cloud revenue model, which consists of fixed revenue and variable one. Based on this revenue model, we design a novel admission control policy selectively accepting the VNR with high revenue-to-cost ratio to maximize the InP's profit based on an empirical threshold. Through extensive simulations, we observe that the optimal empirical threshold is proportional to the ratio of variable revenue to the fixed one.
Wood and Wood Based Materials. Fracture Analysis of Wood in Moment-Resisting Joints with Four Drift-Pins Using Digital Image Correlation Method(DIC).

The deformation behaviour of wood around moment-resisting joints was analysed using digital image correlation method (DIC) and finite element method (FEM). The joints were consisted of four drift-pins. The distribution of the strain perpendicular to grain and the shear strain parallel to the grain were examined around each drift-pin to evaluate the large deformed area and the location of initial failure. Results were as follows. Areas of large compression strain perpendicular to the grain and large shear strain were observed in the predicted loading area of each drift-pin. Large tensile strain perpendicular to the grain was observed at the area close to the loading (contacting) area of the drift-pins, and the tension area was partly overlapped with the area of large shear strain. The overlapped area coincided with the location of initial cracks propagated parallel to the grain. This coincidence suggested that the cracks occurred by mixed-mode fracture in this joints. The numerical results by finite element analysis were compared with the experimental results obtained with DIC and they gave good agreement with each other.
A DROPLET TRAPPING MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR THE STUDY OF MASS-TRANSPORT ACROSS DROPLET INTERFACE BILAYERS

In this study, a novel effective droplet microfluidic platform for the generation, guiding and storage of different sized droplet interface bilayers is reported. A microfluidic platform is designed which allows the generation and packing of picoliter lipid coated aqueous droplets. Generated droplets are generated flattened by hydrodynamic focusing and sorted according to their size using surface energy effects. This strategy technology facilitates not only the fine control of droplet interface bilayer size production and location but also the study of molecular communications across the interface which is vital to the application of DIBs to the construction of biological networks on-chip.
Aphasia in acute stroke: Incidence, determinants, and recovery

Knowledge of the frequency and remission of aphasia is essential for the rehabilitation of stroke patients and provides insight into the brain organization of language. We studied prospectively and consecutively an unselected and community‐based sample of 881 patients with acute stroke. Assessment of aphasia was done at admission, weekly during the hospital stay, and at a 6‐months follow‐up using the aphasia score of the Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Thirty‐eight percent had aphasia at the time of admission; at discharge 18% had aphasia. Sex was not a determinant of aphasia in stroke, and no sex difference in the anterior‐posterior distribution of lesions was found. The remission curve was steep: Stationary language function in 95% was reached within 2 weeks in those with initial mild aphasia, within 6 weeks in those with moderate, and within 10 weeks in those with severe aphasia. A valid prognosis of aphasia could be made within 1 to 4 weeks after the stroke depending on the initial severity of aphasia. Initial severity of aphasia was the only clinically relevant predictor of aphasia outcome. Sex, handedness, and side of stroke lesion were not independent outcome predictors, and the influence of age was minimal.
Hormones and health.

Background: Meningococcal meningitis (MM) represents an important public health problem especially in the "meningitis belt" in Africa. Although seasonality of epidemics is well known with outbreaks usually starting in the dry season, pluri-annual cycles are still less understood and even studied. In this context, we aimed at study MM cases time series across 9 sahelo-sudanian countries to detect pluri-annual periodicity and determine or not synchrony between dynamics. This global and comparative approach allows a better understanding of MM evolution in time and space in the long-term. Results: We used the most adapted mathematical tool to time series analyses, the wavelet method. We showed that, despite a strong consensus on the existence of a global pluri-annual cycle of MM epidemics, it is not the case. Indeed, even if a clear cycle is detected in all countries, these cycles are not as permanent and regular as generally admitted since many years. Moreover, no global synchrony was detected although many countries seemed correlated. Conclusion: These results of the first large-scale study of MM dynamics highlight the strong interest and the necessity of a global survey of MM in order to be able to predict and prevent large epidemics by adapted vaccination strategy. International cooperation in Public Health and crossdisciplines studies are highly recommended to hope controlling this infectious disease. Background Recent insights into epidemiology of infectious diseases have clearly shown the interest of associating empirical with theoretical studies in order to better describe and understand the mechanisms of disease transmission and epidemics emergence, therefore enabling better control of their impact on human health [1-5]. An important evolution in this field, directly coming from ecology, is to develop the comparative analysis of different data sets to obtain a whole picture of disease behaviour in both time Published: 10 July 2007 International Journal of Health Geographics 2007, 6:29 doi:10.1186/1476-072X-6-29 Received: 30 March 2007 Accepted: 10 July 2007 This article is available from: http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/6/1/29 © 2007 Broutin et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Sleep Quality among Hispanics of Mexican Descent and Non-Hispanic Whites: Results from the Sleep Health and Knowledge in US Hispanics Study

Objectives: To investigate differences in sleep quality between Hispanics of Mexican descent (HMD) and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and evaluate the effect of acculturation to the US lifestyle in sleep health. We hypothesize that the detrimental effect of acculturation on health outcomes will impact sleep quality among HMD. Design: We performed a population-based random digit dialing telephone survey to determine sleep quality in HMD and NHW. We collected from 3667 subjects, demographics, previous diagnosis of depression or anxiety, past treatment for sleep disorders, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. Results: The prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was 64.4% for HMD and 64.3% for NHW (p = 0.93). A prior diagnosis of depression or anxiety was an independent predictor of poor sleep quality in both groups (OR 3.4 and 2.7 for HMD and NHW. Ethnicity was not a predictor of poor sleep quality in HMD or NHW. Acculturation was not a predictor of poor sleep quality in HMD. However, highly acculturated young HMD males had significantly more prevalence of poor sleep quality compared to NHW (64.8% vs. 49.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The absence of sleep quality differences in a large sample of HMD and NHW living in San Diego County is contrary to current data of having poorer sleep quality among Latinos. We found that neither ethnicity nor acculturation were predictors of poor sleep quality in HMD. However, we demonstrated a highly prevalent poor sleep quality among the two ethnic groups. The finding of significantly lower sleep quality in young highly acculturated HMD men may represent the heterogeneity of ethnicity related to sleep. Programs to improve sleep quality in subjects with depression and/or anxiety, and in young highly-acculturated HMD seems warranted.
A NEW METHOD FOR MEASURING KINETICS AND KINEMATICS IN FIELD RESISTED RUNNING: COMPARISON TO LABORATORY TETHERED RUNNING

The current investigation compared results of a resisted sprint device to measure running kinetics and kinematics in the field with those measured by tethered running on a treadmill. Ten male students underwent two sessions comprising two 35m tethered sprints in laboratory or track. Step length and frequency, velocity, force and power were measured for each stride and averaged at each 5m interval. Variables reliability was attested by significant ICC-A between test-retest (between 0.60 and 0.88). Kinematic variables did not present a significant difference (P between 0.09 and 0.72). Despite force and power were systematically higher in laboratory condition (P < 0.001), track condition presented higher correlations between force and velocity at each stride. Track tethered running may be a useful to monitor kinetics and kinematics in track resisted running drills.
Object recognition by a laser scanner using multimodal information

This paper presents a new object recognition technique using multimodal information by a laser scanner. A ToF laser scanner captures a three dimensional (3D) shape of a target object precisely by measuring the round-trip time of a laser pulse. In addition, a laser scanner also collects the strength of the reflected laser (reflectivity) as side-product of range measurement. Focusing on the fact that the reflectivity contains rich appearance information of the target object, the proposed technique utilizes not only range but also reflectance information to improve the recognition performance. To evaluate the validity of the proposed technique, we applied it for the classification of moving objects on a road as a traffic census application.
Group-Living Herbivores Weigh Up Food Availability and Dominance Status when Making Patch-Joining Decisions

Two key factors that influence the foraging behaviour of group-living herbivores are food availability and individual dominance status. Yet, how the combination of these factors influences the patch-joining decisions of individuals foraging within groups has scarcely been explored. To address this, we focused on the patch-joining decisions of group-living domestic goats (Capra hircus). When individuals were tested against the top four ranked goats of the herd, we found that at patches with low food availability they avoided these dominant patch-holders and only joined subordinates (i.e. costs outweighed benefits). However, as the amount of food increased, the avoidance of the top ranked individuals declined. Specifically, goats shifted and joined the patch of an individual one dominance rank higher than the previous dominant patch holder when the initial quantity of food in the new patch was twice that of the lower ranking individual’s patch (i.e. benefits outweighed costs). In contrast, when individuals chose between patches held by dominant goats, other than the top four ranked goats, and subordinate individuals, we found that they equally joined the dominant and subordinate patch-holders. This joining was irrespective of the dominance gap, absolute rank of the dominant patch-holder, sex or food availability (i.e. benefits outweighed costs). Ultimately, our results highlight that herbivores weigh up the costs and benefits of both food availability and patch-holder dominance status when making patch-joining decisions. Furthermore, as the initial quantity of food increases, food availability becomes more important than dominance with regard to influencing patch-joining decisions.
Optimization of formability parameters of alpha–beta-processed titanium alloy at elevated temperature

A material’s inherent ability of strain distribution decides forming limits and affects the overall formability. In the present work, aero space grade titanium alloy – Titan 31 developed by MIDHANI India is selected. The material is hot rolled under alpha–beta-rolling process and heat treated at different temperatures and subjected to various cooling rates in the alpha plus beta regime to obtain a fine equiaxed alpha–beta microstructure that ensures high formability . Taguchi’s design of experiments approach is used to optimize the processing parameters (temperature, crosshead speed and angle-to-rolling direction specimen tested) to maximize formability depending on intrinsic material properties. Percentage contributions of these parameters towards maximizing the formability are also determined using analysis of variance. The optimal combination of parameters is evaluated as a temperature of 998 K, a crosshead speed of 1.25 × 10−5m/sec and an angle of testing the specimen from rolling direction 45°, among all the parameters selected in the study.
Electrochemical Monitoring of Hydrogen Sulfide Release from Single Cells

Real-time and in-situ monitoring of H2S in biological system has become crucial but faces big challenge since H2S was identified as an important endogenous gas signaling molecule. Herein we prepare a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) modified nanoporous gold (NPG) microelectrode for electrochemical detection of H2S. NPG framework possesses excellent conductivity, 3D porous structure and large specific area. PEDOT sensing film effectively retards the electrode fouling during detection, which ensures a stable response towards H2S over the range of interest. The synergetic properties of NPG scaffold and PEDOT sensing films endow the microelectrode with high sensitivity and fast response, thus allowing monitoring of H2S release from single cells. This work represents the first step toward real-time electrochemical monitoring of H2S from single cells, therefore potentially facilitate future studies to better understand the function of H2S in biological and pathological processes.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Encodes a Viral Deubiquitinase

ABSTRACT Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is etiologically linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphomas, and multicentric Castleman's disease. Like other herpesviruses, KSHV can exist in either a lytic or a latent phase during its life cycle. We report that the lytic protein encoded by KSHV open reading frame 64 (Orf64) is a viral deubiquitinase (DUB) enzyme capable of deubiquitinating cellular proteins in vitro and in vivo. Orf64 DUB activity is effective against lysine 48 (K48)- and lysine 63 (K63)-linked ubiquitin chains. Thus, KSHV Orf64 is a viral DUB that does not show specificity toward K48 or K63 ubiquitin linkages. Orf64 DUB activity lies within the first 205 residues of the protein, and deubiquitination is dependent on a cysteine at position 29, since mutation of this residue ablated this activity. Cell fractionation studies revealed that the N terminus and the full-length protein localized to both the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. The function of Orf64 was tested by short interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown studies on latently infected cells that were induced into lytic replication. We found that depletion of Orf64 by siRNA resulted in decreased viral lytic transcription and lytic protein expression. These experiments indicate that Orf64 plays a role in KSHV lytic replication.