Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing a prototype inductive power coupling for an electric highway system

A Dual Mode Electric Transportation (DMET) system is under development in which energy is electromagnetically transferred from a powered roadway to moving vehicles without mechanical contact. Energy from the roadway can be used for high-speed, long range travel, and for replenishing energy stored in the vehicle in batteries or flywheels. The stored energy is then availble for short-range travel off the powered highway network. A static prototype of the inductive power coupling has been built and tested. Power transfer was demonstrated to conform to the models developed in an earlier phase of the project. The prototype was used to study the power of coupling mechanism and resulting design improvements are incorporated. Tests of properties of the coupling included electrical characterization of the prototype equipment, measurements of the magnetic force between power source and pickup, measurements of coupled power versus pickup airgap and offset, measurements of magnetic flux in and around the prototype, and measurements of thermal effects induced by coupled power. The tests resulted in several design improvements which were incorporated into the coupling design. Results from the power coupling study were used to aid in the design of the dynamic prototype, in which a fifty meter powered test track and electric car with power pickup will be tested.
Antigenicity of a synthetic peptide from glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus mutans in humans

Human salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) and serum IgG antibodies to the Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) and to a synthetic peptide of 19 amino acids from a conserved region in the Gtfs (residues 435 to 453) were determined in young adults by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Varying levels of antibody to Gtfs were detected in saliva or serum, with significantly higher levels of antibody to GtfD than to GtfB/C or GtfC. Anti-Gtf IgA levels in saliva did not correlate with those of IgG in serum. Caries-free (CF) volunteers exhibited significantly higher salivary IgA antibody levels to the peptide and to GtfB/C or GtfC than did the caries-active (CA) subjects. Preincubation of CF saliva and serum with the peptide inhibited the antibodies to the Gtfs in a dose-dependent manner, whereas preincubation of the samples from the CA group resulted in only partial inhibition. Our results indicated that this 19-amino-acid peptide includes one of the major B-cell epitopes of Gtfs and that CF individuals have higher titers of antibodies than CA subjects.
The characterization of a base-width neutral step as the first step for balance recovery in moderate Parkinson's disease

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to characterize the base-width neutral step (BNS) as the first step in a compensatory step response in persons with moderate Parkinson's disease (PD), and its effect on balance recovery. Materials and Methods: Ten PD and 10 healthy controls (HCs) responded to a posterior waist pull. A BNS was defined if the first step was less than 50 mm. The length, height, duration and velocity of the BNS and its effect on balance recovery time and center of mass location at recovery were compared to the first step within other stepping strategies (single step (SS), multiple step (MS)). A linear mixed model was used to compare across strategies. Results: Six of ten persons with PD compared to zero HC used a BNS. The BNS was shorter in length and duration compared to MS responses in HC, and shorter in duration compared to MS responses in PD. The BNS was slower in velocity compared to every other strategy. BNS use resulted in a longer recovery time compared to all strategies in HC and SS responses in PD, and trended toward a longer recovery time compared to MS responses in PD. Conclusions: The BNS as the first step in a MS response may be an unreported strategy for compensatory stepping in PD. This study suggests that the cost of utilizing the BNS may be a longer time for recovery, but further work is necessary to understand the progression of the BNS as PD severity increases.
EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF MATERNAL CONSUMPTION OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF HYBANTHUS ENNEASPERMUS ON PREGNANCY IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS

The impact of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus (HEaq) on pregnancy factors and litter survival was investigated in Sprague Dawley (SD) rat. Control group received distilled water while the test group received 2g/kg body weight of HEaq orally. Blood samples were collected on days one and twenty of pregnancy for total blood count, serum thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) assay. Half the number of rats in each group was sacrificed on day nineteen of pregnancy and the placenta and foetus were removed and weighed. The second half carried their pregnancy to term. Number and weights of litter were recorded at birth and the litter were also subjected to righting reflex test. Post-natal survival rate was determined for each group while effect of HEaq was also examined in-vivo on the activities of pregnant myometrial muscle. HEaq significantly decreased (p<0.05) foetal weight, placenta weight, foetal growth and survival, number and weights of litter at birth, maternal serum triiodotyroxine T3 and TSH level. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count and lipid profile were significantly increased (P<0.05). HEaq increased the frequency and percentage contraction of gravid myometrial muscle in a dose dependent manner. Maternal consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus adversely affected pregnancy and development of the foetus, as it precipitated resorption of developing foetus and reduced size and weight of litter at term.
Simultaneous Frame-rate Up-conversion of Image and Optical Flow Sequences

We develop a variational method for the frame-rate up-conve rsion of optical flow fields, in which we combine motion coherency in an image sequence and the smoothness of t he temporal flow field. Since optical flow vectors define the motion of each point in an image, we can cons truct interframe images from low frame-rate image sequences using flow field vectors. The algorithm produ ces both interframe images and optical flow fields from a set of successive images in a sequence.
Fatty Acid and Glycerol Kinetics in Septic Patients and in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer: The Response to Glucose Infusion and Parenteral Feeding

The rates of glycerol and free fatty acid (FFA) kinetics in normal volunteers (VOL), non-weight-losing (NWL) gastrointestinal cancer patients, weight-losing (WL) gastrointestinal cancer patients, and in severely septic patients, using constant infusions of d-glycerol and 1-13C palmitic acid; were determined. Rates of FFA oxidation have also been quantitated. Measurements were made in the basal state, during glucose infusion (4 mg/kg/min), and during total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Rates of glycerol and FFA appearance (Ra) in volunteers and NWL cancer patients were similar, and in both groups there was a significant suppression after glucose infusion. The basal Ra values for glycerol and FFA were 2.4 ± 0.2 and 6.5 ± 0.8 μmol/kg/min, respectively, in the volunteers, and in the NWL cancer patients the corresponding values were 2.7 ± 0.4 and 7.1 ±1.1 /umol/kg/min (not significantly different). Compared with the volunteers, the rates of glycerol and FFA turnover were significantly elevated in both septic patients and WL cancer patients. The values for glycerol and FFA Ra were 6.3 ± 1.1 and 13.1 ± 3.0 /imol/kg/min, respectively, in the septic patients. The corresponding values were 4.1 ± 0.4 and 11.7 ± 1.6 μmol/kg/min in the WL cancer patients. In contrast to the response seen in the volunteers and NWL cancer patients, glucose infusion did not suppress lipolysis in either the septic or WL cancer patients. In all groups studied, glucose infusion resulted in an increase in FFA recycling. Despite the fact that the WL cancer patients had an increased FFA availability, they were significantly less able to oxidize either endogenous FFA or infused lipid when compared with NWL cancer patients (the basal % of FFA uptake oxidized in WL cancer patients was 10 ± 2% vs. 18 ± 3% in NWL cancer patients). In contrast, the septic patients had an enhanced capacity to oxidize either endogenous FFA or infused lipid (the basal % of FFA uptake oxidized was 40 ± 8%, and during TPN this increased in 65 ± 10%). From these studies the following was concluded: (1) in terms of lipid kinetics, NWL cancer patients are not significantly different from volunteers; (2) WL cancer patients and septic patients have elevated rates of lipolysis, and in contrast to what was seen in NWL cancer patients and in volunteers, glucose infusion in WL cancer patients and in septic patients does not result in a significant inhibition of lipolysis; and (3) WL cancer patients have an impaired capacity to oxidize either endogenous FFA or infused lipid. In contrast, septic patients have an enhanced capacity to oxidize both endogenous and exogenous fat. In addition, septic patients have enhanced rates of FFA futile recycling.
Evaluation of grain corn grown in New Brunswick for dairy cows.

Corn harvested as grain is a relatively new crop for the province of New Brunswick. The recent availability of local corn has the potential to improve the sustainability of the dairy industry in New Brunswick, but there is debate within the industry concerning the value and best use of the grain. This experiment was conducted to assess the feeding value of locally-produced corn grain stored as dry grain, ensiled high moisture corn, or ensiled as high moisture corncob meal (HMCCM, unhusked ears sometimes referred to as snaplage) relative to dry grain obtained from Ontario. Three samples of each were evaluated In Sacco. Rates and extent of digestion were similar for local and Ontario corn regardless of presentation for crude protein and starch, but acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and dry matter digestibility values were lower for HMCCM than other treatments. A 4 × 4 Latin square study was conducted with 16 Holstein cows and 28 day feeding periods. Milk production and milk protein production were higher (P
Specificity of binding of hexopyranosyl polysaccharides with fluorescent brightener.

infrared spectra were taken after thorough grinding of the polymers followed by preparation of KBr pellets as usual. In Table I are summarized the results obtained with various types of polysaccharides. When combined with the dye and irradiated with UV-light,all the hexopyranose polymers with n-configuration showed positive fluorescence,while those of a-configuration displayed only insignificant fluorescence. In order to clarify the nature of binding of the brightener on the polysaccharides,infrared spectra of brightener-treated and nontreated materials were compared.The possible sites of the dye-binding may be considered to be either hydroxyl groups or glycosidic bonds in either amorphous or crystalline region of the polymer.Infrared spectral change brought about by the binding might provide a clue (4)to the elucidation of the problems concerning the former two alternatives.In Fig.1 are shown the infrared spectra of the polymers before and after the dye-treatment.As indicated by the arrows,the dye-binding caused disappearance of the troughs in the cases of
Apolipoprotein E Promotes β-Amyloid Trafficking and Degradation by Modulating Microglial Cholesterol Levels*

Background: Intracellular Aβ degradation is enhanced in the presence of apoE. Results: Lowering cellular cholesterol levels facilitates intracellular trafficking of Aβ to lysosomes and enhances its degradation. Conversely, increasing cholesterol levels retards the delivery and inhibits degradation of Aβ. Conclusion: The cholesterol efflux function of apoE mediates its ability to promote Aβ degradation. Significance: We demonstrate a direct role for cholesterol in AD. Allelic variation in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the major risk factor of sporadic Alzheimer disease. ApoE is the primary cholesterol carrier in the brain. Previously, we demonstrated that intracellular degradation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides by microglia is dramatically enhanced in the presence of apoE. However, the molecular mechanisms subserving this effect remain unknown. This study reports a mechanistic link between apoE-regulated cholesterol homeostasis and Aβ degradation. We demonstrate that promoting intracellular Aβ degradation by microglia is a common feature of HDL apolipoproteins, including apoE and apoA-I. This effect was not dependent on the direct interaction of apoE and Aβ. Regulation of Aβ degradation was achieved by solely manipulating cellular cholesterol levels. The expression and the activity of Aβ degrading enzymes, however, were not regulated by cholesterol. We observed that reducing cellular cholesterol levels by apoE resulted in faster delivery of Aβ to lysosomes and enhanced degradation. Moreover, apoE facilitated the recycling of Rab7, a small GTPase responsible for recruiting the motor complex to late endosomes/lysosomes. These data indicate that faster endocytic trafficking of Aβ-containing vesicles in the presence of apoE resulted from efficient recycling of Rab7 from lysosomes to early endosomes. Thus, apoE-induced intracellular Aβ degradation is mediated by the cholesterol efflux function of apoE, which lowers cellular cholesterol levels and subsequently facilitates the intracellular trafficking of Aβ to lysosomes for degradation. These findings demonstrate a direct role of cholesterol in the intracellular Aβ degradation.
Variability-aware design space exploration of embedded memories

With scaling of process technologies and worsening of process variations, embedded memories are susceptible to a large number of failure mechanisms making it hard to achieve high yield. In this paper, by bringing together architecture and circuit-level exploration tools, we analyse the impact of process variations on static random access memory (SRAM) cell stability and determine the impact of SRAM failures on memory functional yield. We then detail the importance of repair mechanisms such as error correcting codes (ECC) and redundancy on improving yield subject to constraints set on power and area. Finally, we show that a design paradigm orthogonal to traditional repair mechanisms involving redefinition of the yield criterion by accepting memories with failures is a promising candidate for improving yield without incurring additional overheads.
Interband cascade laser emitting >1 photon per injected electron

A 22-stage interband cascade laser with a "W" active region for enhanced gain has exhibited lasing at /spl lambda/=3.0 /spl mu/m. Threshold current densities are lower than the best reported intersubband quantum cascade laser results at all T up to the maximum lasing temperature of 225 K. At 100 K, output powers up to 430 mW are observed, and the slope of 274 mW/A per facet for high injection levels corresponds to a quantum efficiency of 1.3 photons emitted for every injected electron.
APIs in Software Platform: Implications for Innovation and Imitation

APIs are the foundation of digital platform ecosystems. Based on APIs, platforms can explore growth opportunities to expand the scope of ecosystem at an unprecedented scale. Although APIs can facilitate the app development, there is also a resulting dilemma between innovation and imitation, suggested by the resource deployment perspective and the modularity perspective. Motivated by the tension between the effects of APIs on innovation and imitation, we examine the impacts of APIs on both innovation and imitation, and how these impacts may be dependent on market conditions and product complexity. We will conduct an empirical study using a unique dataset about a web browser platform: Firefox. We will employ the release of SDK APIs in platform as a quasi experimental setting, and use a difference-in-difference (DID) approach to identify the impact of APIs on app innovation and imitation. We will generate important theoretical and practical implications about digital platform ecosystems.
Ionic imbalance, in addition to molecular crowding, abates cytoskeletal dynamics and vesicle motility during hypertonic stress

Significance Maintenance of cell volume and ionic homeostasis are fundamental to cell function. Cells shrink when extracellular osmolality is increased, and although mechanisms controlling cell volume recovery are well documented, the mechanisms underlying changes in membrane trafficking that occur during adaptation to high osmolality are not well understood. Molecular crowding arising from cell shrinkage can alter protein structure and has been proposed to provoke changes in trafficking events. However, cell volume recovery involves a rapid influx of ions, and the effects of ionic imbalance on trafficking dynamics in living cells remain largely unexplored. We found that high levels of chloride and loss of ATP, in addition to molecular crowding, contribute to altered cytoskeletal and vesicular dynamics during hypertonic stress. Cell volume homeostasis is vital for the maintenance of optimal protein density and cellular function. Numerous mammalian cell types are routinely exposed to acute hypertonic challenge and shrink. Molecular crowding modifies biochemical reaction rates and decreases macromolecule diffusion. Cell volume is restored rapidly by ion influx but at the expense of elevated intracellular sodium and chloride levels that persist long after challenge. Although recent studies have highlighted the role of molecular crowding on the effects of hypertonicity, the effects of ionic imbalance on cellular trafficking dynamics in living cells are largely unexplored. By tracking distinct fluorescently labeled endosome/vesicle populations by live-cell imaging, we show that vesicle motility is reduced dramatically in a variety of cell types at the onset of hypertonic challenge. Live-cell imaging of actin and tubulin revealed similar arrested microfilament motility upon challenge. Vesicle motility recovered long after cell volume, a process that required functional regulatory volume increase and was accelerated by a return of extracellular osmolality to isosmotic levels. This delay suggests that, although volume-induced molecular crowding contributes to trafficking defects, it alone cannot explain the observed effects. Using fluorescent indicators and FRET-based probes, we found that intracellular ATP abundance and mitochondrial potential were reduced by hypertonicity and recovered after longer periods of time. Similar to the effects of osmotic challenge, isovolumetric elevation of intracellular chloride concentration by ionophores transiently decreased ATP production by mitochondria and abated microfilament and vesicle motility. These data illustrate how perturbed ionic balance, in addition to molecular crowding, affects membrane trafficking.
Community stakeholders’ perspectives on the impact of the minority AIDS initiative in strengthening HIV prevention capacity in four communities

Objective. The Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) was launched in 1998 to address the disproportionate rates of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted an evaluation to assess the influence of MAI in four communities, and the extent to which these communities increased their capacity to meet the HIV prevention needs of racial and ethnic minorities. Design. Retrospective data were collected annually through individual interviews over three years. Individual interviews were conducted with community stakeholders across the three waves of data collection. Data were analyzed using standardized qualitative methods including codebook development, coding, inter-coder agreement assessments, and data interpretation. This paper will highlight one area of inquiry—community stakeholders’ perceptions of the impact of MAI in their communities. Results. Community stakeholders reported that MAI increased capacity to respond to the HIV epidemic and provide services to racial and ethnic minorities. Specifically, MAI was perceived to have increased community empowerment, involvement, and awareness of HIV/AIDS; expanded HIV-related services and organizational self-sufficiency; and improved collaboration and the coordination of services in the community. Although recognizing MAI gave national focus to the impact of the epidemic on minority communities, respondents raised concerns about the implementation process and the lack of sustainability planning. Conclusion. MAI represented an initial national attempt to address the disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS among racial and ethnic minorities. However, other strategies are also needed to address these significant health disparities. At CDC, steps are currently underway to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent and reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS among racial and ethnic minorities. As community stakeholders are critical partners in the effort to prevent the spread of HIV, strengthening their capacity and promoting their involvement can help combat the epidemic.
Representing Realistic Pavement Blocks

The depiction of the irregularity in nature is crucial for the realistic representation of the real world. For example, real pavement blocks are not always paved evenly, but partially sink over time. Many games or virtual reality systems however represent the pavement too neatly with perfectly flattened surface and clean texture images. In this paper, we suggest a method for representing realistic pavement blocks by adding irregularity to blocks. We create uneven surfaces by placing pavement blocks on the randomly generated terrain. Our method is applicable to real-time rendering systems such as games and virtual reality systems.
Design of a UWB phase shifter using shunt λ/4 stubs

In this paper a novel phase shifter covering the whole UWB frequency range with small phase error is presented. The proposed topology employs a single layer substrate and is easy to fabricate. The phase shifter uses shunt quarter wavelength stubs in the resonator branches and transmission lines (TLs) in the reference branches to achieve phase shifts ranging from 20° to 70° while keeping the return loss above 10 dB. The shunt stubs are used to control the phase response. An additional half wavelength TL is inserted in the large phase shifts to improve the return loss. As examples 22.5° and 45° phase bits are designed and fabricated. Theoretical phase errors of ±2° and ±3° are obtained for the 22.5° and 45° phase bits respectively. The measured phase shifts of the two phase bits are 23.6°±2.7°and 45.8°±4.5° with return losses better than 11 dB and 13.4 dB from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz respectively. The measured amplitude imbalances are less than 0.3 dB.
SPEECH ENHANCEMENT USING MINIMUMMEANSQUARE MINIMUMMEANSQUARE MINIMUMMEANSQUARE ERROR ESTIMATION AND A POSTFILTER POSTFILTER POSTFILTER DERIVED FROM VECTOR QUANTIZATION OF CLEAN SPEECH

In this paper, a novel post-filtering method applied after the logSTSA filter is proposed. Since the post-filter is derived from vector quantization of clean speech database, it has an equivalent effect of imposing clean source spectral constraints on the enhanced speech. When combined with the logSTSA filter, the additional filter can noticeably suppress residual artifacts by effectively lowering the residual white noise of decision-directed estimation as well as reducing the musical noise of maximum likelihood estimation. Compared to the logSTSA enhanced speech, the overall enhanced speech is able to raise the PESQ score by nearly half a point.