Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting the Failure Probability of Device Features in MEMS

In the MEMS industry today, device reliability is commonly evaluated by simulating the loads applied to a device using finite element (FE) analysis and setting a threshold for the allowable first principal stress (S1). This is a potentially misleading practice for the analysis of brittle structures, but it is used because better reliability tools have not been validated and adopted for MEMS design. In this paper, we detail and validate pragmatic FE-based MEMS analysis capabilities: local (device feature) failure probability prediction and surface-specific failure probability intensity (FPI, μm-2) plotting, which quantitatively identify the most probable locations of fracture on a MEMS device and provide a more meaningful and higher contrast visualization versus corresponding plots of S1. To validate prediction effectiveness, fractographic analysis was completed on micromirrors (a representative MEMS device) loaded in two distinct complex stress states (primarily, tension or torsion) until failure, thus determining the locations of fracture initiation and their relative probabilities. Our method improves the simulation-driven design of brittle microstructures by providing not only the failure probability of the total structure but also probable failure locations as a function of load, all of which are essential for intelligent design iteration.
One parallel UAN architecture for monitoring free span of deep-water subsea pipelines

One parallel underwater acoustic network (UAN) is designed to monitor the vortex induced vibration (VIV) of free span of subsea infield pipeline in the harsh deep water environment. The architecture consist of one mater node and several source node which one kind of dense network. One underwater Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (UOFDMA) scheme is proposed to meet with the multiple access. It is solved as one optimizing problem for uplink performance of parallel UAN related to power control, frequency allocation, multiple access and fairness. The numerical simulation demonstrates that the method proposed in this paper can achieve one good performance.
Does Operative Fixation of an Osteochondritis Dissecans Loose Body Result in Healing and Long-Term Maintenance of Knee Function?

Background Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) can progress to loose body formation, resulting in a grade IV defect. The decision to fix versus excise the loose body is controversial. Published operative fixation outcomes are small case series with short follow-up. Hypothesis Operative fixation (ORIF) of the loose body into the grade IV defect will heal and approximate “normal” knee function at long-term follow-up. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Twelve patients were identified who underwent ORIF of a knee OCD loose body into the grade IV osteochondral defects ranging in size from 2.0 to 8.0 cm 2 (mean, 3.5 cm2). After 12 weeks, hardware was removed, and healing was assessed. Long-term outcomes were assessed with a Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and a Marx activity score. Results Arthroscopy for screw removal revealed stable healing in 92% (11 of 12) of patients. No patients required subsequent surgery for a loose body. At an average of 9.2 years’ follow-up (range, 3.8-15.8 years), 83% (10 of 12) of patients completed the KOOS. The KOOS subscale scores for pain (mean, 87.8; range, 67-100), other symptoms (mean, 81.8; range, 61-96), function in activities of daily living (mean, 93.1; range, 72-100), and sports and recreation function (mean, 74.0; range, 40-100) were not significantly lower than those of published age-matched controls. However the KOOS subscale score for knee-related quality of life (mean, 61.9; range, 31-88) was significantly lower (P = .003). Conclusion Operative fixation of grade IV OCD loose bodies results in stable fixation. At an average 9 years after surgery, patients did not have symptoms of osteoarthritis pain and had normal function in activities of daily life. However, patients reported significantly lower knee-related quality of life. Operative fixation of OCD loose bodies is a better alternative to lesion excision.
Vertebral fragility and structural redundancy

The mechanisms of age‐related vertebral fragility remain unclear, but may be related to the degree of “structural redundancy” of the vertebra; ie, its ability to safely redistribute stress internally after local trabecular failure from an isolated mechanical overload. To better understand this issue, we performed biomechanical testing and nonlinear micro‐CT–based finite element analysis on 12 elderly human thoracic ninth vertebral bodies (age 76.9 ± 10.8 years). After experimentally overloading the vertebrae to measure strength, we used nonlinear finite element analysis to estimate the amount of failed tissue and understand the failure mechanisms. We found that the amount of failed tissue per unit bone mass decreased with decreasing bone volume fraction (r2 = 0.66, p < 0.01). Thus, for the weak vertebrae with low bone volume fraction, overall failure of the vertebra occurred after failure of just a tiny proportion of the bone tissue (<5%). This small proportion of failed tissue had two sources: the existence of fewer vertically oriented load paths to which load could be redistributed from failed trabeculae; and the vulnerability of the trabeculae in these few load paths to undergo bending‐type failure mechanisms, which further weaken the bone. Taken together, these characteristics suggest that diminished structural redundancy may be an important aspect of age‐related vertebral fragility: vertebrae with low bone volume fraction are highly susceptible to collapse because so few trabeculae are available for load redistribution if the external loads cause any trabeculae to fail. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Blind predictions of protein interfaces by docking calculations in CAPRI

Reliable prediction of the amino acid residues involved in protein–protein interfaces can provide valuable insight into protein function, and inform mutagenesis studies, and drug design applications. A fast‐growing number of methods are being proposed for predicting protein interfaces, using structural information, energetic criteria, or sequence conservation or by integrating multiple criteria and approaches. Overall however, their performance remains limited, especially when applied to nonobligate protein complexes, where the individual components are also stable on their own. Here, we evaluate interface predictions derived from protein–protein docking calculations. To this end we measure the overlap between the interfaces in models of protein complexes submitted by 76 participants in CAPRI (Critical Assessment of Predicted Interactions) and those of 46 observed interfaces in 20 CAPRI targets corresponding to nonobligate complexes. Our evaluation considers multiple models for each target interface, submitted by different participants, using a variety of docking methods. Although this results in a substantial variability in the prediction performance across participants and targets, clear trends emerge. Docking methods that perform best in our evaluation predict interfaces with average recall and precision levels of about 60%, for a small majority (60%) of the analyzed interfaces. These levels are significantly higher than those obtained for nonobligate complexes by most extant interface prediction methods. We find furthermore that a sizable fraction (24%) of the interfaces in models ranked as incorrect in the CAPRI assessment are actually correctly predicted (recall and precision ≥50%), and that these models contribute to 70% of the correct docking‐based interface predictions overall. Our analysis proves that docking methods are much more successful in identifying interfaces than in predicting complexes, and suggests that these methods have an excellent potential of addressing the interface prediction challenge. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cross validation-based novelty detection of bridge group

Novelty detection based on cross validation was proposed to detect the damage of the cluster of medium and minor bridges under the effect of environmental factors. The effectiveness of this method was tested through the numerical example of one bridge group that was composed of five similar bridges. Meanwhile, advantages and disadvantages of this method were discussed by comparing the effectiveness between proposed method and traditional novelty detection method. The numerical results showed that the cross validation-based novelty detection of bridge group method effectively mitigated the influence of environmental factors on damage detection.
Wide area forest height mapping using Tandem-X standard mode data

In this paper we report results of a study aimed at assessing the potential for using the standard mode of TanDEM-X (single polarization HH, single baseline and single-pass radar interferometry) to estimate forest canopy heights over two Canadian forest test sites, where supporting LIDAR data is available for validation. We first apply two coherence correction factors to TanDEM-X data, one for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on noise statistics from TanDEM-X metadata and the other on a system correction based on bare surface reference scattering. We then use coherence amplitude of the interferogram and interferometric wavenumber kz to estimate forest canopy heights. The radar heights are validated against a LIDAR CHM (Canopy Height Model) reference. A simple linear scaling of the TanDEM-X height products based on a relatively small LIDAR calibration patch is used to extend the canopy height products over a mosaic of multiple swaths for very wide area forest height mapping using radar coherence.
Assessment of protein expression by means of 2-D gel electrophoresis with and without mass spectrometry.

Careful examination of current literature, particularly over the last 5 years, reveals a wide range of approaches for the relative quantification of protein expression in cells, tissues, and body fluids. In view of such an observation, it is reasonable to ask whether researchers need new methods, or whether it is more productive to optimize and tune already existing ones. It is generally agreed that none of the existing methodologies on its own can give a full account of protein expression in a complex medium; this limitation, however, has not prevented the use of existing methods to provide valuable information on a wide range of proteins, where their expression has been correlated to certain pathologies and/or to pharmacological, genetic, or environmental factors. In the present work, an attempt is made to review the application of one of these methodologies, namely two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on its own or in conjunction with mass spectrometry, to assess protein expression, particularly when such expression can be correlated to certain pathologies.
SYNTHESIS OF FLEXIBLE HEAT EXCHANGER NETWORKS FOR MJLTIPERIOD OPERATION

This paper addresses the problem of synthesizing heat exchanger networks that have the of with multiperiod version of the mixed model is presented which accounts for the requirement at each tjme period. Using this model as a basis, a systematic procedure is proposed for synthesizing network configurations that require minimum utility cost for each period of operation and involve the fewest number of units. Application of this synthesis procedure is illustrated with two example problems.
Noncoherent Equalizer for DECT System

Digital European Cordless Telecommunication (DECT), as a standard for cordless indoor wireless communication in Europe, is widely used in hospitals, offices and factories. But its performance can be constrained by channel dispersion, and this can limit the use of DECT system in reflective environments. In this master thesis project, non-coherent equalization schemes are investigated. Different equalization algorithms are simulated in Matlab and a least mean square (LMS) algorithm based baseband equalizer is implemented in a field programmable gate array (FPGA). But this method is proved insufficient to solve the severe multipath fading problem. Another type of equalizer called passband equalizer is stated afterwards, and a required bit error rate (BER) can be achieved in multipath fading channels up to 500 ns delay spread. This project includes both simulation and hardware implementation. In this thesis, simulations of two types of equalization methods (LMS baseband and passband equalizer) and implementation of the LMS baseband equalizer in FPGA are introduced. The challenge of future work and its possible refinement are also analyzed.
Menstrual cycle abnormalities and subclinical eating disorders: a preliminary report.

&NA; Menstrual dysfunction is a common concomitant of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Initial investigations emphasized the role of weight loss and lean/fat ratio in amenorrhea. Subsequent studies suggest a more complex interaction between eating disorders and menstrual status. However, in past investigations, menstrual abnormalities have been confounded with low weight. We conducted two studies to ascertain the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities in a group of women with subclinical eating pathology versus an age‐, education‐, and weight‐matched group of normal controls. In Study I, 93.4% of the subclinical subjects reported a history of menstrual abnormality as compared to 11.7% of the normal controls. In Study II, 100% of the subclinical subjects, versus 15.0% of the controls, reported an abnormal menstrual history. These data suggest that menstrual dysfunction often occurs in women with abnormal eating attitudes but without weight loss or diagnosable eating pathology. Several hypotheses for this finding are proposed.
Multilayer effects on cavity-backed slot antennas

A hybrid technique of the finite-element method and the method of moments (FEM/ MoM) is used to analyze the effects of multilayered superstrates on cavity-backed slot (CBS) antennas. The spectral-domain approach is used to compute the MoM admittance matrix. An asymptotic extraction technique is applied to improve the computational efficiency of the convolution integrals. Effects on the input impedance, efficiency, gain, and radiation patterns are presented for different antennas. The numerical results are validated with measurements and published data.
Cell death and apoptosis‐related proteins in muscle biopsies of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polyneuropathy

To investigate disease‐related differences of cell death and apoptosis in human denervation atrophy, we studied DNA fragmentation by the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method in 38 biopsies of clinically nonaffected and affected muscles from patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS), in 13 muscle biopsies from patients with chronic peripheral neuropathies, and in 8 biopsies from control subjects. In addition, expression of apoptosis‐related proteins, bax, bcl‐2, and Fas, was studied in 20 biopsies of sALS and 10 chronic peripheral neuropathies. We identified DNA cleavage in 10% of myofibers of patients and in up to 1.5% of control samples. In clinically affected muscles of ALS, a larger amount of TUNEL‐positive myofibers (mean 10.5 ± 5.9%) was detected, similar to chronic peripheral neuropathies (mean 10.0 ± 7.4%). Atrophic myofibers were immunopositive for bax, bcl‐2, and, to a weaker extent, for Fas. However, bax‐, bcl‐2‐, or Fas‐positive atrophic myofibers did not reveal consecutive DNA cleavage. Differences between sALS subgroups and chronic peripheral neuropathies were not found. In human denervation atrophy the bcl‐2/bax and the FasL/Fas systems are apparently active independently of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. DNA fragmentation thus displays an additional reaction that is not disease‐specific at chronic stages of human denervation processes, probably recapitulating events like skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in embryonic skeletal tissue development. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1083–1089, 2001
Using a Handheld Device for Patient Data Collection: A Pilot for Medical Countermeasures Surveillance

Medical countermeasures (MCMs) are medical products used during public health emergencies. This study, conducted within the Mini-Sentinel Initiative, sought to develop the patient identification and matching processes necessary to assess safety outcomes for MCMs. A handheld device was used to collect identifying information (e.g., name, birthdate, and sex) from the driver's licenses of 421 individuals presenting for routine care at their primary care medical office. Overall, 374 individuals (88.8%) could be linked to their electronic health data using driver's license information. The device was also pilot-tested at a seasonal influenza immunization clinic: detailed vaccine information (e.g., lot number and manufacturer) was captured with a high degree of accuracy. This investigation demonstrated that a handheld device is a feasible means of collecting patient identity and medical product receipt data. This capacity should be useful for safety surveillance of MCMs, particularly when dispensed in settings outside the traditional health-care delivery system.
Increased Pathogenicity and Shedding in Chickens of a Wild Bird–Origin Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus of the H7N3 Subtype Following Multiple In Vivo Passages in Quail and Turkey

Abstract In order to investigate viral adaptation mechanisms to poultry, we performed serial in vivo passages of a wild bird low pathogenicity avian influenza isolate of the H7N3 subtype (A/mallard/Italy/33/01) in three different domestic species (chicken, turkey, and Japanese quail). The virus under study was administered via natural routes at the dose of 106 egg infective dose50/0.1 ml to chickens, turkeys, and quails in order to investigate the clinical susceptibility and the shedding levels after infection. Multiple in vivo passages of the virus were performed by serially infecting groups of five naïve birds of each species, with samples collected from a previously infected group. Quails and turkeys were susceptible to infection for 10 serial passages, whereas chickens were susceptible to two cycles of infection only. Infection of chicken with the quail- and turkey-adapted viruses showed an increased pathogenicity and/or shedding, causing more severe clinical signs and/or higher levels of viral excretion compared to the original strain. The data obtained herein suggest that infection of selected avian species may facilitate the adaptation of avian influenza viruses originating from the wild bird reservoir to chicken. This is the first time turkey has been shown to act as a species in which a virus from the wild reservoir can increase its replication activity in other domestic species.
Effect of pleometrosis and brood transplantation on colony growth of the black garden ant, Lasius niger

In response to intra- and interspecific competition, ant colonies have evolved mechanisms to maximize early colony growth. Through the analysis of photographic images, this study describes the individual effect of two different strategies, pleometrosis and pupae transplantation, on the growth of Lasius niger colonies. Results showed that both methods had an overall positive effect on colony production, albeit the magnitude at which pupae transplantation boosted colony growth was much larger than pleometrosis. After six weeks, colonies with two and three queens contained, respectively, 26% and 83% more brood than control colonies with only one queen. Queen association also led to overall decreased queen fecundity and death of all resident queens in over 60% of the colonies due to queen fights. After eight weeks, colonies that received 30 or 60 foreign pupae had produced on average 256% more brood than controls and nanitic workers that were 7% longer than those from colonies that did not receive transplanted pupae.
The aetiology of B‐cell lymphoid malignancies with a focus on chronic inflammation and infections

B‐cell malignancies are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders with different molecular characteristics and clinical course. It is increasingly recognized that the group displays considerable heterogeneity also regarding aetiologic factors. Here, we summarize the latest developments in the aetiology of B‐cell lymphoid malignancy subtypes focusing on immune perturbation. Severe immune suppression constitutes a strong and well‐established risk factor for aggressive subtypes (e.g. diffuse large B‐cell and Burkitt lymphoma), but appears unrelated to risk of common low‐grade subtypes (e.g. follicular and mantle cell lymphoma). Inflammation and infections are known co‐factors amongst the immunosuppressed; however, immune stimulation is now recognized as a crucial determinant of lymphomagenesis also amongst immunocompetent individuals. This is best exemplified in marginal zone lymphomas where local chronic inflammation and infection in the stomach, ocular adnexa and salivary glands have been directly linked with the development of oligoclonal and monoclonal malignant B‐cell populations. Aggressive subtypes (e.g. diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma) are increasingly linked with features of systemic immune stimulation including autoimmune/inflammatory disease and subclinical cytokine elevations. Lifestyle factors (e.g. high body mass index, cigarette smoking) are associated with risk of diffuse large B‐cell and follicular lymphoma, respectively, possibly mediated through inflammation. Recent genome‐wide association studies further underline the importance of immune function by linking several subtypes to variations in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class genes. In the future, improved knowledge of mechanistic pathways of inflammation/infections in lymphoma development may translate to active measures of prevention or treatment, as is already the case for some low‐grade lymphoma subtypes.
The effect of nitrous oxide diffusion on laryngeal mask airway cuff inflation in children

We studied the effect of nitrous oxide (N2O) diffusion on size 2 LMA cuff inflation in 52 children, 38±21 months of age. LMA cuffs were inflated with air (Group A) or 65% N2O, oxygen and halothane (Group B). Cuffs were inflated in a stepwise manner, achieving a cuff leak pressure of 17±4 cm H2O for all patients. Cuff volume and intracuff pressure increased in Group A (8.5±1.0 ml to 10.8±1.4 ml and 101±36 mmHg to 152±42 mmHg, respectively) and decreased in Group B (8.9±1.0 ml to 6.6±1.5 ml and 90±30 mmHg to 53±37 mmHg, respectively). Cuff leak pressure did not change significantly in either group. We conclude that cuff inflation with a mixture of N2O/oxygen prevents N2O diffusion into the cuff, avoiding cuff overinflation without compromising LMA function.
Homozygosity mapping of depressive disorder in a large family from Pakistan: Significant linkage on chromosome 6 and 9

A large family with a high prevalence of recurrent major depression and high average inbreeding coefficient was ascertained from rural Pakistan. Subjects were interviewed and diagnosed by a trained psychiatrist, 370 microsatellite markers were genotyped and the program FEstim was used for homozygosity mapping. Significant linkage was found on Chromosome 9 and Chromosome 6 after fine mapping. These regions on Chromosome 6 and 9 may harbor genes which predispose to depression. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.