Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms and processes of arc propagation over an ice-covered surface

The general objective of this paper is to investigate the physical mechanisms and processes involved in the propagation of arc over the surface of ice. In the present research work, high-speed imaging and optical emission spectroscopy techniques were synchronized with the electrical measurements to study the various parameters of arc on an ice surface, i.e. channel radius, propagation velocities, arc column temperature and electron density. These results, together with observation of the propagation patterns and arc foot geometries, calculation of arc energy and the examination of the state of thermal equilibrium provide background information for understanding the ice-covered insulator flashover phenomenon. Arc root structure, current profile, propagation pattern and velocity were investigated under different type of applied voltage and different polarities. Water film conductivity and thickness, relative air humidity and the direction of arc propagation were also analyzed as influencing parameters of arc propagation. The effects of different possible mechanisms, e.g. collision and thermal ionization, buoyancy force and electrostatic force, on different stages of arc propagation has been discussed.
Note on stratified two-stage sampling under precision constraints

Formulas for optimum cost allocation that minimizes total survey cost under precision constraints under stratified two-stage sampling are presented in the paper. Two designs are considered, namely a self-weighting design in strata and a design with fixed sample size of secondary sampling units from primary sampling units in strata. In addition, stratification problems under these two designs are introduced.
A provably correct feature extractor for parts with cylindrical and planar surfaces

Feature extraction from boundary descriptions of solid models allows for concise representation of parts, automatic process phtnning md inspection planning for CAD/CAM integration, and model-baaed interpretation of 2-D and 3-D images by feature matching. A requirement (for machining) of a feature interpretation of a part is that, machining the feature volumes comprising the interpretation resuhs in the desired par~ (correctness). Most of the existing feature extractors are not always correct (some parts are interpreted incorrectly).
Data-driven 2 D Effects Animation

Making plausible, high quality visual effects, like water splashes or fire, in traditional 2D animation pipelines require an animator to draw many frames of phenomena that are very difficult to recreate manually. We present a technique that uses a database of video clips of such phenomena to assist the animator. The animator has to only input sample sketched frames of the phenomena at particular time instants. These are matched to frames of the video clips and a plausible sequence of frames is generated from these clips that contain the animator drawn frames as constraints. The colour style of the hand-drawn frames is used to render the generated frames, thus resulting in a 2D animation that follows the style and intent of the 2D animator. Our system can also create multi-layered effects animation, allowing the animator to draw interacting mixed phenomena, like water being poured on fire.
Experimental/Analytical Evaluation of the Effect of Tip Mass on Atomic Force Microscope Calibration.

Quantitative studies of material properties and interfaces using the atomic force microscope (AFM) have important applications in engineering, biotechnology and chemistry. Emerging studies require an estimate of the stiffness of the probe so that the forces exerted on a sample can be determined from the measured displacements. Numerous methods for determining the spring constant of AFM cantilevers have been proposed, yet none accounts for the effect of the mass of the probe tip on the calibration procedure. This work demonstrates that the probe tip does have a significant effect on the dynamic response of an AFM cantilever by experimentally measuring the first few modes of a commercial AFM probe and comparing them with those of a theoretical model for a cantilever probe that does not have a tip. The mass and inertia of an AFM probe tip are estimated from scanning electron microscope images and a simple model for the probe is derived and tuned to match the first few modes of the actual probe. Analysis suggests that both the method of Sader and the thermal tune method of Hutter and Bechhoefer give erroneous predictions of the area density or the effective mass of the probe. However, both methods do accurately predict the static stiffness of the AFM probe due to the fact that the mass terms cancel so long as the mode shape of the AFM probe does not deviate from the theoretical model. The calibration errors that would be induced due to differences between mode shapes measured in this study and the theoretical ones are estimated.
Bile Salt Hydrolase of Bifidobacterium longum—Biochemical and Genetic Characterization

ABSTRACT A bile salt hydrolase (BSH) was isolated from Bifidobacterium longum SBT2928, purified, and characterized. Furthermore, we describe for the first time cloning and analysis of the gene encoding BSH (bsh) in a member of the genusBifidobacterium. The enzyme has a native molecular weight of 125,000 to 130,000 and a subunit molecular weight of 35,024, as determined from the deduced amino acid sequence, indicating that the enzyme is a tetramer. The pH optimum of B. longum BSH is between 5 and 7, and the temperature optimum is 40°C. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by thiol enzyme inhibitors, indicating that a Cys residue is likely to be involved in the catalytic reaction. The BSH ofB. longum can hydrolyze all six major human bile salts and at least two animal bile salts. A slight preference for glycine-conjugated bile acids was detected based on both the specificity and the Km values. The nucleotide sequence of bsh was determined and used for homology studies, transcript analysis, and construction and analysis of various mutants. The levels of homology with BSH of other bacteria and with penicillin V acylase (PVA) of Bacillus sphaericus were high. On the basis of the similarity of BSH and PVA, whose crystal structure has been elucidated, BSH can be classified as an N-terminal nucleophile hydrolase with Cys as the N-terminal amino acid. This classification was confirmed by the fact that a Cys1Ala exchange by site-directed mutagenesis resulted in an inactive protein. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments revealed that bsh is part of an operon containing at least two genes, bsh andglnE (GlnE is glutamine synthetase adenylyltransferase). Two UV-induced BSH-negative mutants and one spontaneous BSH-negative mutant were isolated from B. longum SBT2928 cultures and characterized. These mutants had point mutations that inactivatedbsh by premature termination, frameshift, or amino acid exchange.
On the Significance of a Carbon-Rich Background in Plasma-Based Graphene Oxide Reduction

Abstract : The reduction of oxygen concentration in graphene oxide is demonstrated using electron beam generated plasmas produced in three different gas backgrounds: Ar, Ar/H2 and Ar/CH4. Plasma diagnostics and surface characterizations are combined to determine the influence of each working gas on the chemical composition and structure of graphene oxide before and after reduction. The results suggest that argon treatment alone allows the removal of weakly bound oxygen in graphene oxide by inert ion bombardment, while the addition of hydrogen adds reactive species that enhance the removal of oxygen. However, without a carbon source, removing oxygen from graphene oxide can lead to the formation of defects and vacancies. We find that methane provides not only hydrogen but also the carbon necessary to restore the graphitic plane by healing defects generated during reduction.
Johne's disease in a herd of farmed red deer

An outbreak of Johne's disease in a herd of farmed red deer was studied for four years. Serological, histopathological and cultural techniques were used to monitor the progress of the disease, and delayed type hypersensitivity skin tests were also applied. The results of the serological tests showed that they were poor predictors of future clinical cases and did not consistently identify animals harbouring mycobacteria. The histopathological methods provided a sensitive and specific means of confirming the infection. The skin tests had a low sensitivity and the results were poorly correlated with the serological results in seropositive animals. A vaccination policy was instituted which was accompanied by a change in the pattern of disease. Although the histopathological evidence suggested that the infection was still occurring, there was a marked reduction in the incidence of clinical disease. Vaccinated animals showed a good response to the skin test.
The COPD action plan.

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common cause of medical visits, hospital admissions, and death among patients with COPD. [1][1] Frequent exacerbations result in accelerated decline in lung function. [1][1] It is therefore vital that COPD be treated
Child sexual abuse in clinical and forensic psychiatry: a review of recent literature

Purpose of review To review papers from the recent literature on child sexual abuse and to highlight the clinical and forensic issues raised and how these have been addressed. Also, to identify new demands and recommend future research. Recent findings The validity of forensic evaluations depends on the quality of the protocols used and the training of the forensic mental health practitioners involved. Diagnosis of child sexual abuse still depends mainly on the child's allegation of abuse, while anogenital examination yields minimal medical evidence of sexual abuse. The relationship between child sexual abuse and victims' mental health is increasingly being proven, underlining the importance of correct clinical and forensic diagnosis of abuse to permit preventive, therapeutic and legal measures. Sexual offences via the internet have raised new demands. Summary Forensic child and adolescent practitioners need to be very highly trained. Evaluation of sexually abused children and adolescents must be accurate to ensure legal validity and be performed with diligence so that alleged victims do not experience recurrence. Practitioners' actions must be referenced against appropriate instruments and they must be prepared for the ethical and forensic dilemmas and new demands that arise in this field.
Homology models of mu-opioid receptor with organic and inorganic cations at conserved aspartates in the second and third transmembrane domains.

Metal ions affect ligand binding to G-protein-coupled receptors by as yet unknown mechanisms. In particular, Na(+) increases the affinity for antagonists but decreases it for agonists. We had modeled the mu-opioid receptor (muR) based on the low-resolution structure of rhodopsin by G. F. X. Schertler, C. Villa, and R. Henderson (1993, Nature 362, 770-772) and proposed that metal ions may be directly involved in the binding of ligands and receptor activation (B. S. Zhorov and V. S. Ananthanarayanan, 1998, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 15, 631-637). Developing this concept further, we present here homology models of muR using as templates the structure of rhodopsin elaborated by I. D. Pogozheva, A. L. Lomize, and H. I. Mosberg (1997, Biophys. J. 70, 1963-1985) and J. M. Baldwin, G. F. X. Schertler, and V. M. Unger (1997, J. Mol. Biol., 272, 144-164). Using the Monte Carlo minimization (MCM) method, we docked the Na(+)-bound forms of muR ligands: naloxone, bremazocine, and carfentanyl. The resultant low-energy complexes showed that the two positive charges in the protonated metal-bound ligands interact with the two negative charges at Asp(3.32) and Asp(2.50) (for notations, see J. A. Ballesteros and H. Weinstein, 1995, Methods Neurosci. 25, 366-426). MCM computation on morphine docked inside the model of muR by I. D. Pogozheva, A. L. Lomize, and H. I. Mosberg (1998, Biophys. J. 75, 612-634) yielded two binding modes with the ligand's ammonium group salt-bridged either to Asp(3.32) (generally regarded as the ligand recognition site) or to Asp(2.50). The latter is the presumed site for Na(+) ion, which is known to modulate ligand binding. Assuming that in the low-dielectric transmembrane region of muR, organic and inorganic cations would compete for Asp(3.32) and Asp(2.50), we propose that ligand binding, as visualized in the above models, would first displace Na(+) from Asp(3.32). A subsequent progress of the ligand toward Asp(2.50) would result in either the retention of Na(+) at Asp(2.50) in the case of antagonists or the displacement of Na(+) from Asp(2.50) in the case of agonists. The displaced Na(+) would move toward the salt-bridged Asp(3.49)-Arg(3.50) and disengage the salt bridge. This, in turn, would result in conformational changes at the cytoplasmic face of the receptor that facilitate the interaction with the G-protein.
Machine Intelligence for Accurate X-ray Screening and Read-out Prioritization : PICC line Detection Study

A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a thin, flexible plastic tube that provides medium-term intravenous access for medicine, fluid, and chemotherapy administration. These are inserted into arm veins and threaded into the patient until the catheter tip reaches a large vein near the heart. As malpositioned PICCs can have potentially, serious complications, final position of all PICCs are always confirmed with a chest radiograph immediately after insertion. This radiograph requires timely and accurate interpretation by a highly-trained domain expert in medical imaging interpretation – a Radiologist. Although the error rate for radiologists misinterpreting PICC location is likely extremely low, delays in interpretation can be substantial—particularly when this radiograph is one of many to be interpreted with imaging studies from many different modalities and different patients also requiring diagnostic attention. However, machine intelligence techniques can help prioritize and triage the review of radiographs to the top of a radiologist’s queue, improving workflow and turn-around-time (TAT). Such prioritization does not require high specificity, but rather high sensitivity; they should alert the radiologist to all potentially important radiographs requiring immediate attention with a low false negative rate.
Expression of iNOS and NF-κB in melasma: an immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the pathogenesis of melasma through their immunohistochemical (IHC) co-localization in skin of melasma and to correlate their expression with the clinical and the histopathological data. STUDY DESIGN This prospective case-control study was conducted on 34 female patients with melasma and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects as a control group for evaluation of IHC expression of iNOS and NF-κB in melasma. RESULTS There were significant differences between lesional and perilesional skin regarding iNOS intensity, iNOS histo-score (H-score), NF-κB intensity, and NF-κB H-score (p < 0.001 for all). There were significant associations between the higher values of H-scores for both iNOS and NF-κB and positive family history (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively) and very severe melasma areas and severity index score (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between H-score values of both iNOS and NF-κB (r = +0.604 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The IHC co-localization and direct correlation of both iNOS and NF-κB in melasma could provide evidence about their role as co-players in melanogenesis and might provide new targets for a more efficient treatment for melasma.
Impulse noise removal of LRF for 3D map building using a hybrid median filter

In this paper, a single LRF has been used to produce a 3D map for the mobile robot navigation. The 2D laser scanners are used for mobile robots navigation, where the laser scanner is applied to detect a certain level of area by the straight beam. Therefore, it is limited to the usages of 2D obstacle detection and avoidance. In this research, it is designed to complement a mobile robot system to move up and down a single LRF along the yaw axis. During the up and down motion, the 2D data is stacked and manipulated to build a 3D map. Often a single LRF data is mixed with Gaussian and impulse noises. The impulse noises are removed out by the hybrid median filter designed in this research. The 2D data which are improved by deleting the impulse noises are layered to build the 3D map. To remove impulse noises while preserving the boundary is a main advantage of the hybrid median filter which has been used widely to improve the quality of images. The effectiveness of this hybrid median filter for rejecting the impulse noises has been verified through the real experiments. The performance of the hybrid median filter is evaluated in terms of PSNR (peak signal to noise ratio) and the processing time.
Table 2 . ComparIsons of Resolution and Recovery

I have evaluated electrophoretic, ion-exchange, kinetic, selective activation, and immunological methods of fractionating creatine kinase isoenzymes for diagnostic purposes. The last three were unsuitable. Electrophoretic methods had superior resolution and reliability, but were relatively insensitive when conventional film-drying techniques were used. With elution from the film, sensitivity was comparable to that of the ion-exchange methods. Electrophoretic methods require more skill than the other methods. Ion-exchange methods had acceptable resolution and reliability with potentially superior sensitivity; they require less skill than electrophoresis, but require about as much time. Batch operation of ion-exchange yielded superior efficiency and sensitivity, and was otherwise comparable to column operation.
Structural changes during transmitter release at synapses in the frog sympathetic ganglion

Interactions between synaptic vesicles and the presynaptic membrane which accompany transmitter release were examined at excitatory, cholinergic synapses in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia. Ganglia were fixed at rest or during electrical stimulation of the preganglionic axons and then were either thin-sectioned or freeze-fractured. Release of transmitter for brief periods is accompanied by selective depletion of four-fifths of the synaptic vesicles aligned at active zones, an overall loss of half of the synaptic vesicles in the terminals, and synaptic vesicle openings at active zones. These findings are consistent with the hypotheses that synaptic vesicles which are ready to be released are aligned at active zones and that these vesicles fuse with and add their membrane to the presynaptic membrane as they release transmitter. Larger vesicles with dense cores also contact and open onto the presynaptic membrane at the active zone, appearing to release their contents by exocytosis. The arrangement of intramembrane particles at fractured postsynaptic specializations resembles that at other excitatory, cholinergic synapses.
Sparse self-calibration via iterative minimization against phase synchronization mismatch for MIMO radar imaging

We address the problem of three-dimensional (3-D) imaging for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar in the presence of phase synchronization mismatch between each transmitter-receiver pair. Although usually set to the default values (zero) in the popular practice, such inevitable errors often occur owing to imperfect knowledge of the local oscillators and could seriously deteriorate the imaging result. Hence in this paper, taking the sparse priori of target into account and motivated by the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), we propose the sparse self-calibration method via iterative minimization (SSCIM) algorithm to provide better inversion performance against the phase synchronization mismatch at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and finally we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method through numerical simulations.
Transvaginal colour Doppler in patients with ovarian endometriomas and pelvic pain.

BACKGROUND The aim of this investigation was to correlate ovarian endometrioma vascularization with the presence of pelvic pain. METHODS The presence of blood flow, peak systolic velocity (PSV, cm/s) and lowest pulsatility index (PI), assessed by transvaginal colour Doppler ultrasonography and CA-125 plasma concentrations, were retrospectively analysed in 74 patients who had undergone operations for cystic ovarian endometriosis. Fifty-two patients were asymptomatic (group A) and 22 presented with pelvic pain (group B). There were 56 endometriomas in group A and 26 in group B. RESULTS Blood flow was found in 66.1 and 88.5% of endometriomas in groups A and B respectively (P = 0.036). PI was significantly lower (P = 0.009) and CA-125 concentration higher (P = 0.0004) in group B. There were no differences in PSV. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that vascularization of ovarian endometriomas in patients presenting with pelvic pain is higher than in asymptomatic patients. This could be an indicator of endometriosis activity.
Hedgehog Pathway Agonism: Therapeutic Potential and Small‐Molecule Development

The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a developmental signaling pathway that plays multiple roles during embryonic development and in adult tissues. Constitutive Hh signaling has been linked to the development and progression of several forms of cancer, and the application of small‐molecule pathway inhibitors as anticancer chemotherapeutics is well studied and clearly defined. Activation of the Hh pathway as a therapeutic strategy for a variety of degenerative or ischemic disorders has also been proposed; however, the development of small‐molecule Hh agonists has received less attention. The goal of this review is to highlight the recent evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of Hh pathway activators and to provide a comprehensive overview of small‐molecule pathway agonists.
Filling Holes in Complex Surfaces using Oriented Voxel Diffusion

Range scanning devices often yield imperfect surface sampling for real-world models with complex features. These holes in the surface are commonly filled with smooth patches conforming to the boundaries. We introduce an oriented voxel diffusion method to fill holes in complex surfaces. First, an initial field of oriented distance is measured according to the existing surface. The implicit surface of the oriented distance field coincides with the existing surface. Second, the oriented distance field diffuses inward the hole until the implicit surface converges. Particularly, the orientation information in the distance field is used to control the diffusion direction accurately. Therefore this method is able to restore the sharp features
Direct Identification of Continuous-Time LPV Input/Output Models

Controllers in the linear parameter-varying (LPV) framework are commonly designed in continuoustime (CT) requiring accurate and low-order CT models of the system. However, identification of continuous-time LPV models is largely unsolved, representing a gap between the available LPV identification methods and the needs of control synthesis. In ord er to bridge this gap, direct identification of CT LPV systems in an input-output setting is investigated, focusing on the case when the noise part of the data generating system is an additive discrete-time c olored noise process. To provide consistent model parameter estimates in this setting, a refined instrum ental variable (IV) approach is proposed and its properties are analyzed based on the prediction-error f ramework. The benefits of the introduced direct CT-IV approach over identification in the discrete-time cas e are demonstrated through a representative simulation example inspired by the Rao-Garnier benchmark.