Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Investigation and Structural Optimization of Single‐Electrode Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerators (SETENGs) significantly expand the application of triboelectric nanogenerators in various circumstances, such as touch‐pad technologies. In this work, a theoretical model of SETENGs is presented with in‐depth interpretation and analysis of their working principle. Electrostatic shield effect from the primary electrode is the main consideration in the design of such SETENGs. On the basis of this analysis, the impacts of two important structural parameters, that is, the electrode gap distance and the area size, on the output performance are theoretically investigated. An optimized electrode gap distance and an optimized area size are observed to provide a maximum transit output power. Parallel connection of multiple SETENGs with micro‐scale size and relatively larger spacing should be utilized as the scaling‐up strategy. The discussion of the basic working principle and the influence of structural parameters on the whole performance of the device can serve as an important guidance for rational design of the device structure towards the optimum output in specific applications.
The Module of Rebar Modeling for Chinese Building Standard Detailing Drawings by BIM-based Methods

Reinforcement engineering is one of the most important parts in projects of large reinforced concrete structures. Its quality directly affects the quality of the whole structure. As a matter of fact, many difficulties in rebar engineering remain to be solved, owing to its complexity and variability. Fortunately, the emerging BIM technology can overcome most of the difficulties. To efficiently build up a rebar model of a structure based on the Revit @ software, this study carried out a module for rebar modeling using the Revit @ API and the C# programming language. This module can establish the rebar part of structural elements, according to two-dimensional drawings of a structure. In addition, the module can provide an interface that is easy to be used for those who are not familiar with the standard detailing drawings. Simultaneously, this module generates a database regarding the rebar modeling, which can be further utilized in a future.
The Impact of a Short Conservation Education Workshop on Argentinean Students' Knowledge about and Attitudes towards Species.

This study investigated the impact of a one-day conservation education workshop on knowledge about and attitudes towards species of 88 students from Valle Fertil, Argentina. Immediately before and after the workshop and one year later, students (aged 12 to 16) had to identify native and introduced exotic plant and animal species as well as artificial ones ("Simpsons") on flashcards, to point out those "species" they considered most beautiful and useful, and to name adaptations of local species to arid conditions. Immediately after the workshop, students strongly increased their knowledge about plants and adaptations. One year later, this was still the case for those plant species students had been already somewhat familiar with in the pretest. The workshop hardly changed attitudes.
Preparation of 5-Fluorouracil/β-Cyclodextrin Complex Intercalated in Layered Double Hydroxide and the Controlled Drug Release Properties

Hydrophobic anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been included in the carboxymethyl modified β-cyclodextrin (CMCD), and the inclusion complex (5-FU/CMCD) was further intercalated into galleries of a zinc aluminum layered double hydroxide (ZnAl−LDH) by the ion-exchange method. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and UV−vis spectroscopy indicate a successful intercalation of 5-FU/CMCD into the LDH gallery. The release behavior of 5-FU from drug/CMCD−LDH composite at different pH values was studied. It was found that 5-FU was released faster in pH 7.2 than in the acidic mediums (pH 4.8), and the released amount was higher. The introduction of CMCD into the LDH matrix could prolong the drug release time in comparison to that from LDH without CMCD, which can be attributed to the inclusion of 5-FU by the CMCD cavity. Studies on mathematical modeling of drug release show that the release of 5-FU from the drug/CMCD−LDH composite follows the Korsmeyer−Peppas equation very well .
Necessity of CBCT – examination in assessment of the surgical approach for the extraction of impacted lower third molars

Aim: The aim of this research is to demonstrate the necessity of CBCT – examination for evaluation of the surgical approach of high risk impacted lower third molars. As “high risk” we defined lower third molars which have signs of proximity to the mandibular canal seen on standard panoramic radiography. Material and methods: All patients who had undergone a CT examination between september 2015 and october 2016 were reviewed. We included images from conical-beam computed tomograph made in the Department of radiologic diagnose, University medical and dental centre of the Medical university of Varna. The device used is Planmeca ProMax 3D Max with software for images Planmeca Romexis. We chose 100 images randomly. From these images we selected 39 images with high-risk lower third molars. We examined different signs with which we defined the exact position to the mandibular canal of 60 wisdom teeth and we managed to asses the risk of damaging the IAN during a classical odontectomy of these teeth. In the research we included the panoramic radiographs of 20 patients from these 39 cases. Results: From the examination of the CBCT images we found: 28 lower third molars where the mandibular canal runs apical and have contact; 11 where the mandibular canal runs apical in contact with the tooth and it’s seen penetration of the apices of the tooth; 10 where the mandibular canal runs buccal with contact; 8 where the mandibular canal runs lingual with contact; 3 where the mandibular canal runs between the roots touching one/both of them. In three of the cases we found severe deviation of the root apices. From the examination of the panoramic radiographs we found: 5 cases with darkening of roots in the apical area; 8 with interruption of white line (lamina dura) of the mandibular canal; 1 with diversion of the mandibular canal with/without narrowing of the mandibular canal; 6 without any of these three signs. Conclusion: The development and rapid commercialization of new technologies like CBCT allows us to have precise images and exact diagnosis of the diseases in the oral and maxillofacial area. Our study confirmed the high diagnostic value of CBCT regarding to precise the position of the lower third molars to the mandibular canal and IAN. This gives the clinician the opportunity to determine which lower third molars are “high risk” teeth and to choose the best method for surgical treatment.
Measuring Vascular Recovery Rate After Exercise

The rate at which an individual recovers from exercise is known to be indicative of cardiovascular risk. It has been widely shown that the reduction in heart rate immediately after exercise is predictive of mortality. However, little research has been conducted into whether the time taken for the blood vessels to return to normal is also indicative of risk. In this study, we present a novel approach to assess vascular recovery rate (VRR) using the photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal, which is monitored by smart wearables. The VORTAL dataset (http://peterhcharlton.github.io/RRest/) was used for this study, containing PPG signals from 39 healthy subjects before (baseline) and after exercise. 31 VRR indices were extracted from the PPG pulse wave shape, as well as heart rate for comparison. The rate at which indices returned to baseline after exercise was quantified, and the consistency of changes between subjects was assessed statistically. Many VRR indices exhibited changes after exercise which were consistent between subjects. Indices derived from the timings and second derivative of pulse waves were identified as candidates for future work. The rate at which the indices returned to baseline differed between indices and subjects, indicating that they may provide additional information beyond that of heart rate, and that they may be useful for stratifying subjects. This study demonstrated the feasibility of assessing VRR after exercise from the PPG. Future studies should investigate whether VRR indices are associated with cardiovascular fitness, and the potential utility of incorporating the indices into wearable sensors.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Title Magnetic bead purification of labeled DNA fragments for high-throughput capillary electrophoresis sequencing Permalink

We have developed an automated purification method for terminator sequencing products based on a magnetic bead technology. This 384well protocol generates labeled DNA fragments that are essentially free of contaminates for less than $0.005 per reaction. In comparison to laborious ethanol precipitation protocols, this method increases the phred20 read length by forty bases with various DNA templates such as PCR fragments, Plasmids, Cosmids and RCA products. Our method eliminates centrifugation and is compatible with both the MegaBACE 1000 and ABI Prism 3700 capillary instruments. As of September 2001, this method has produced over 1.6 million samples with 93% averaging 620 phred20 bases as part of Joint Genome Institutes Production Process.
Complete genetic organization and functional aspects of the Escherichia coli S fimbrial adhesin determinant : nucleotide sequence of the genes sfa

Schmoll, T. (Institut für Genetik und Mikrobiologie, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, 0';'8700, Würzburg, Germany), J. Morschhäuser, M. Ott, B. Ludwig, I. van Die and J. Hacker. Complete genetic organization, and functional aspects of the Escherichia coli S fimbrial adhesin determinant: nucleotide sequence of the genes sfa B, C, D, E, F. Microbial Pathogenesis 1990; 9: 331-343. The S fimbrial adhesin (sfa) determinant of E. co/i comprises nine genes situated on a stretch of 7.9 kilobases (kb) DNA. Here the nucleotide sequence of the genes sfa B and sfaC situated proximal to the main structural gene sfaA is described. Sfa-LacZ fusions show that the two genes are transcribed in opposite directions. The isolation of mutants in the proximal region of the sfa gene cluster, the construction of sfa-phoA gene fusions and subsequent transcomplementation sturlies indicated that the genes sfaB and sfaC play a role in regulation of the sfa determinant. ln addition the nucleotide sequence of the genes sfa D, sfa E and sfa F situated between the genes sfaA and sfaG responsible for S subunit proteins, were determined. lt is suggested that these genes are involved in transport and assembly of fimbrial subunits. Thus the entire genetic organization of the sfa determinant is presented and compared with the gene clusters coding for P fimbriae (pap), F1 C fimbriae (foc) and type I fimbriae ( fim). The evolutionary relationship of fimbrial adhesin determinants is discussed.
Predictions of flavonoid solubility in ionic liquids by COSMO-RS: experimental verification, structural elucidation, and solvation characterization

Predictions of the solubility of flavonoids in a large variety of ionic liquids (ILs) with over 1800 available structures were examined based on COSMO-RS computation. The results show that the solubilities of flavonoids are strongly anion-dependent. Experimental measurement of the solubilities of esculin and rutin in 12 ILs with varying anions and cations show that predicted and experimental results generally have a good agreement. Based on the sound physical basis of COSMO-RS, the solubility changes of flavonoids were quantitatively associated with solvation interactions and structural characteristics of ILs. COSMO-RS derived parameters, i.e. misfit, H-bonding and van der Waals interaction energy, are shown to be capable of characterizing the complicated multiple interactions in the IL system effectively. H-bonding interaction is the most dominant interaction for ILs (followed by misfit and van der Waals interactions) to determine the solubility of flavonoids, and the anionic part has greater effect on the overall H-bonding capability of the IL. Based on basicity of anions, ILs were categorized into 3 groups, corresponding to the classification of the solubility of flavonoid. COSMO sigma-moment descriptors, which roughly denote the characteristic properties of the ILs, might be of general value to have a fast estimation for the solubilities of flavonoids as well as those compounds with massive moieties as H-bonding donors. The results obtained in this work may be important for achieving an improved understanding of IL solvations and the tailoring of the desired structures of ILs used as the media for efficient enzymatic esterification of flavonoids.
Restricted Likelihood Ratio Tests in Predictive Regression

Chen and Deo (2009a) proposed procedures based on restricted maximum likelihood (REML) for estimation and inference in the context of predictive regression. Their method achieves bias reduction in both estimation and inference which assists in overcoming size distortion in predictive hypothesis testing. This paper provides extensions of the REML approach to more general cases which allow for drift in the predictive regressor and multiple regressors. It is shown that without modification the REML approach is seriously oversized and can have unit rejection probability in the limit under the null when the drift in the regressor is dominant. A limit theory for the modified REML test is given under a localized drift specification that accommodates predictors with varying degrees of persistence. The extension is useful in empirical work where predictors typically involve stochastic trends with drift and where there are multiple regressors. Simulations show that with these modifications, the good performance of the restricted likelihood ratio test (RLRT) is preserved and that RLRT outperforms other predictive tests in terms of size and power even when there is no drift in the regressor.
Spectral imaging of the Central Molecular Zone in multiple 3-mm molecular lines

We have mapped 20 spectral lines in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) around the Galactic Centre, emitting from 85.3 to 93.3 GHz. This work used the 22-m Mopra radio telescope in Australia, equipped with the 8-GHz bandwidth University of New South Wales-Mopra Spectrometer (UNSW-MOPS) digital filter bank, obtaining ∼2 km s−1 spectral and ∼40 arcsec spatial resolution. The lines measured include emission from the c-C3H2, CH3CCH, HOCO+, SO, H13CN, H13CO+, SO, H13NC, C2H, HNCO, HCN, HCO+, HNC, HC3N, 13CS and N2H+ molecules. The area covered is Galactic longitude −0bsl000647 to 1bsl000648 and latitude −0bsl000643 to 0bsl000642, including the bright dust cores around Sgr A, Sgr B2, Sgr C and G1.6−0.025. We present images from this study and conduct a principal component analysis on the integrated emission from the brightest eight lines. This is dominated by the first component, showing that the large-scale distribution of all molecules is very similar. We examine the line ratios and optical depths in selected apertures around the bright dust cores, as well as for the complete mapped region of the CMZ. We highlight the behaviour of the bright HCN, HNC and HCO+ line emission, together with that from the 13C isotopologues of these species, and compare the behaviour with that found in extragalactic sources where the emission is unresolved spatially. We also find that the isotopologue line ratios (e.g. HCO+/H13CO+) rise significantly with increasing redshifted velocity in some locations. Line luminosities are also calculated and compared to that of CO, as well as to line luminosities determined for external galaxies.
Distinct expression patterns of β-1,3-glucanases and chitinases during the germination of Solanaceous seeds

Abstract The expression patterns of β-1,3-glucanases (βGlu) and chitinases (Chn) were investigated during the seed germination of members of the Cestroideae (three Nicotiana species, Petunia hybrida) and the Solanoideae (Capsicum annuum, Physalis peruviana) subgroups of Solanaceous species. Rupture of the micropylar testa (seed coat) and rupture of the micropylar endosperm, i.e. radicle emergence, were distinct and temporally separate events during the germination of Cestroideae-type seeds. βGlu accumulation in imbibed Cestroideae-type seeds, occurring after testa rupture but prior to endosperm rupture, was inhibited by abscisic acid (ABA) and promoted by gibberellins (GA) and light, in strict association with germination, and appeared to be caused by transcriptional regulation of the class I βGlu genes. The micropylar cap of Solanoideae-type seeds does not allow a distinction between testa and endosperm rupture, but βGlu accumulation occurred prior to radicle emergence of pepper and P. peruviana seeds. ABA inhibited endosperm rupture and βGlu accumulation in the micropylar cap of pepper seeds. In contrast to tomato, βGlu accumulation in pepper seeds was not only confined to the micropylar cap, was due to distinct, tissue-specific βGlu isoforms, and was not accompanied by Chn accumulation. In conclusion, ABA inhibition of germination and βGlu accumulation in the micropylar endosperm appears to be a widespread event during the seed germination of Solanaceous species. In contrast, accumulation of Chn and distinct βGlu isoforms in the embryo, prior to germination, appears to be a species-specific phenomenon within the Solanaceae. In addition, a post-germination co-induction of βGlu and Chn in the root of the emerged seedling was found in endospermic and non-endospermic species and could represent an evolutionarily conserved event during dicot seedling development.
The Presence of Something or the Absence of Nothing: Increasing Theoretical Precision in Management Research

In management research, theory testing confronts a paradox described by Meehl in which designing studies with greater methodological rigor puts theories at less risk of falsification. This paradox exists because most management theories make predictions that are merely directional, such as stating that two variables will be positively or negatively related. As methodological rigor increases, the probability that an estimated effect will differ from zero likewise increases, and the likelihood of finding support for a directional prediction boils down to a coin toss. This paradox can be resolved by developing theories with greater precision, such that their propositions predict something more meaningful than deviations from zero. This article evaluates the precision of theories in management research, offers guidelines for making theories more precise, and discusses ways to overcome barriers to the pursuit of theoretical precision.
The Pro 12 Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-γ gene is not associated with the polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance is a key factor in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) has been implicated in insulin resistance and adiposity. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible involvement of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-γ gene in the pathogenesis of PCOS. DESIGN: We studied 180 women with PCOS and 140 healthy controls. Body mass index (BMI) was recorded. Blood samples were drawn after overnight fasting and serum glucose, insulin, lipid and hormonal profiles were determined. The fasting glucose/insulin ratio and HOMA index were calculated. Moreover, 100 women with PCOS underwent a 75g oral glucose tolerance test and the area under the curve for insulin and glucose was estimated. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes and the Pro12Ala polymorphism was genotyped. RESULTS: The PPAR-γ genotypes were found to be in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both study groups. No difference was found in the distribution of the Pro12Ala polymorphism between PCOS and controls. Insulin resistance indices and lipid and hormonal profile were not different among the various genotypes of the Pro12Ala polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-γ gene is not involved in the pathogenesis or the phenotypic expression of PCOS.
Multiphase CFD Modeling of Developed and Supercavitating Flows

Abstract : Engineering interest in natural and ventilated cavities about submerged bodies and in turbomachinery has led researchers to study and attempt to model large scale cavitation for decades. Comparatively simple analytical methods have been used widely and successfully to model developed cavitation, since the hydrodynamics of these flows are often dominated by irrotational and rotational inviscid effects. However, a range of more complex physical phenomena are often associated with such cavities, including viscous effects, unsteadiness, mass transfer, three-dimensionality and compressibility. Though some of these complicating physics can be accommodated in simpler physical models, the ongoing maturation and increased generality of multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methods has motivated recent research by a number of groups in the application of these methods for developed cavitation analysis. This paper focuses on the authors' recent research activities in this area. The authors have developed an implicit algorithm for the computation of viscous two-phase flows. The baseline differential equation system is the multi-phase Navier-Stokes equations, comprised of the mixture volume, mixture momentum and constituent volume fraction equations. Though further generalization is straightforward, a three-species formulation is pursued here, which separately accounts for the liquid and vapor (which exchange mass) as well as a non-condensable gas field. The implicit method developed employs a dual-time, preconditioned, three-dimensional algorithm, with muti-block and parallel execution capabilities. Time-derivative preconditioning is employed to ensure well-conditioned eigenvalues, which is important for the computational efficiency of the method.
FEASIBILITY OF MICRODOSIMETRY FOR CARBON BEAMS USING MINI TISSUE-EQUIVALENT PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS

Introduction: Carbon therapy is increasing worldwide for treating some radio-resistant tumours due to its more advantageous depth dose deposition, less lateral spread and better sparing of healthy tissues close to the irradiated target as compared to photon or electron beams. Besides these favourable physical properties, ion beams offer potential biological advantages over protons making them even more suitable for the treatment. The enhancement of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of fast carbon ions is due to the ionization density enhancement along the penetration depth. Furthermore, the ion interaction with tissue causes the fragmentation of the projectile and of the target along the penetration path, which results in a complex radiation field [1]. Therefore the radiation quality (i.e. charges and velocities of radiation field particles) varies significantly with depth of the irradiated volume. A characterization of the radiation biological effectiveness of the clinical beam in terms of measurable physical quantities at the subcellular scale could be useful for optimizing treatment plans. Microdosimetry can be useful for this purpose, because it studies the probability distributions of the imparted energy when a single ionizing particle crosses a micrometre sized site (the size of a chromosome).