Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental Investigation of Hydrodynamic Response of an Ocean Uranium Extraction Machine Attached to a Floating Wind Turbine

Developing methods to cost-e ﬀ ectively harvest uranium from seawater, which is estimated to contain 1000 times more uranium than on land, are crucial to the continued viability of nuclear power generation given that conventional sources of uranium are forecast to be depleted within a century. Studies have shown that coupling a uranium harvester system with an existing o ﬀ shore structure, such as a wind turbine, could greatly reduce the cost of harvesting uranium from seawater as it eliminates the need for dedicated moorings and increases the overall energy-gathering ability of an o ﬀ shore wind farm. This paper explores the hydrodynamic e ﬀ ects of adding a uranium harvester to an o ﬀ shore ﬂoating wind turbine. The experimentally determined hydrodynamic responses of two designs of a Symbiotic Machine for Ocean uRanium Extraction (SMORE) are compared with that of an unmodiﬁed ﬂoating wind turbine (FWT). Both SMORE designs utilize adsorbent ﬁlament that is enclosed in a hard permeable shell to decouple the mechanical and chemical requirements of the device. It was found that both SMORE designs do not signiﬁcantly shift the resonant peaks of the FWT.
Colloquium: Artificial gauge potentials for neutral atoms

When a neutral atom moves in a properly designed laser field, its center-of-mass motion may mimic the dynamics of a charged particle in a magnetic field, with the emergence of a Lorentz-like force. In this Colloquium the physical principles at the basis of this artificial (synthetic) magnetism are presented. The corresponding Aharonov-Bohm phase is related to the Berry's phase that emerges when the atom adiabatically follows one of the dressed states of the atom-laser interaction. Some manifestations of artificial magnetism for a cold quantum gas, in particular, in terms of vortex nucleation are discussed. The analysis is then generalized to the simulation of non-Abelian gauge potentials and some striking consequences are presented, such as the emergence of an effective spin-orbit coupling. Both the cases of bulk gases and discrete systems, where atoms are trapped in an optical lattice, are addressed.
Multi-label 4-chamber segmentation of echocardiograms using Fully Convolutional Network

Precise segmentation of the heart is crucial for reliable calculation of clinical indices such as chambers’ volumes and ejection fraction (EF). Currently, in echocardiography, cardiac segmentation is manually performed through a tedious and time-consuming process. More importantly, this process is prone to interand intrauser variability. Motivated by current methods limitations, we have employed Fully Convolutional Networks to semantically segment heart chambers. Our model was trained with more than 900 images from 70 subjects and tested on 449 images from 30 patients. Further, it was evaluated using multiple evaluation metrics including Dice similarity coefficient and Hausdorff distance. The proposed model has shown robust and good accuracy.
Departure and Conflict Management in Multi-Robot Path Coordination

This paper addresses the problem of multi-robot path coordination, considering specific features that arise in applications such as automatic aircraft taxiing or driver-less cars coordination. The first feature is departure events: when robots arrive at their destinations (e.g. the runway for takeoff), they can be removed from the coordination diagram. The second feature is the “no-backward-movement” constraint: the robots can only move forward on their assigned paths. These features can interact to give rise to complex conflict situations, which existing planners are unable to solve in practical time. We propose a set of algorithms to efficiently account for these features and validate these algorithms on a realistic model of Charles de Gaulle airport.
ntervention fidelity of Getting Ready for School : Associations with lassroom and teacher characteristics and preschooler ’ s school eadiness skills

Getting Ready for School (GRS) is a new school readiness intervention for teachers and parents, designed to help children develop early literacy, math, and self-regulation skills. GRS was implemented in 19 Head Start classrooms. In the present study we examined variability in different aspects of intervention fidelity including dosage, adherence, and child engagement. In addition, we studied the association among classroom, teacher and student characteristics and fidelity, and whether measures of fidelity were associated with children’s growth in math, early literacy, and self-regulation skills across the preschool year. Findings indicate that on average teachers reported completing almost 80% of the activities assigned, and that they were observed to adhere fairly well to the lessons. Child engagement was observed to be moderate to high across classrooms. Classroom quality, as measured by the CLASS, and age of children were positively associated with adherence. Teachers that had participated in GRS for two years were more likely to complete more activities. Different components of fidelity were associated with child outcomes. Percentage completion of math and literacy activities were positively associated with growth in math and literacy skills. Children in classrooms in which teachers adhered more faithfully to the curriculum made significantly greater gains in literacy, math, and self-regulation skills. Child engagement was positively associated with a measure of executive function. Results highlight the importance of examining implementation fidelity. Implications for preschool teachers are discussed. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
THERMAL PROPERTIES OF CHEDDAR CHEESE: EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELING

Thermal properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and heat capacity) of Cheddar cheese were measured as a function of cheese age and composition. The composition ranged from 30–60% moisture, 8–37% fat, and 22–36% protein (wet basis). The thermal conductivity and heat capacity ranged from 0.354–0.481 W/m °C and from 2.444–3.096 kJ/kg °C. Both thermal conductivity and heat capacity increased with moisture and protein content and decreased with fat content. The thermal diffusivity ranged from 1.07×10−7 − 1.53 × 10−7 m2/s. There was no significant relationship between thermal diffusivity and moisture, fat and protein content of cheese. No statistically significant effect (at the 10% level) of age (0 to 28 wk) on thermal properties was observed. Models predicting thermal properties as a function of cheese composition were developed and their predictive ability was compared with that of empirical models available in the literature. In addition, several theoretical thermal conductivity models were evaluated for their usefulness with Cheddar cheese. Published thermal conductivity models cannot accurately predict (mean error was from 3.4 to 42%) the thermal conductivity of Cheddar cheese.
Interaction of hematopoietic CD34+ CD45+ stem cells and cancer cells stimulated by TGF-β1 in a model of glioblastoma in vitro

The majority of modern treatment methods for malignant brain tumors are not sufficiently effective, with a median survival time varying between 9 and 14 months. Metastatic and invasive processes are the principal characteristics of malignant tumors. The most important pathogenic mechanism is epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which causes epithelial cells to become more mobile, and capable of invading the surrounding tissues and migrating to distant organs. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) serves a key role in EMT-inducing mechanisms. The current study presented the interaction between hematopoietic stem cells and glioblastoma cells stimulated by TGF-β1 in vitro. The materials for the study were hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and U87 glioblastoma cells. Cell culture methods, automated monitoring of cell-cell interactions, confocal laser microscopy, flow cytometry and electron microscopy were used. It was demonstrated that U87 cells have a complex communication system, including adhesive intercellular contacts, areas of interdigitation with dissolution of the cytoplasm, cell fusion, communication microtubes and microvesicles. TGF-β1 affected glioblastoma cells by modifying the cell shape and intensifying their exocrine function. HSCs migrated to glioblastoma cells, interacted with them and exchanged fluorescent tags. Stimulation of cancer cells with TGF-β1 weakened the ability of glioblastoma cells to attract HSCs and exchange a fluorescent tag. This process stimulated cancer cell proliferation, which is an indication of the ability of HSCs to ‘switch’ the proliferation and invasion processes in glioblastoma cells.
Hybrid Incompatibility in Drosophila : An Updated Genetic and Evolutionary Analysis

Negative interactions between independently evolved genes in two species are responsible of incompatibility of their hybrid, manifested by sterility and inviability. The heterogametic sex (XY males in Drosophila) is the most affected and the X chromosome has the largest effect on hybrid incompatibility (HI). These rules of speciation depend on the genetic architecture of HI. Albeit some speciation genes have a major effect, this architecture shows a complex polygenic structure of multiple interactions. HI genes are frequently associated to genetic factors that evolved selfishly by favouring their preferential transmission. Genetic analyses show signatures of positive selection in speciation genes that may favour the role of adaptive evolution. Whether these signatures are compatible with evolution of selfish factors – an idea that is gaining support – still remains a contentious issue. Finally, there is also a current upsurge of evidences in favour of the importance of genetic regulation in the evolution of hybrid incompatibilities.
Economic Growth and CO2 Emissions for OECD Countries

Following the 19th century Energy became an important and indispensable input for production and consumption activities all over the world. In the mean time, Energy has become a very determinant factor for growth for national economies. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between economic growth and CO2 emission for OECD countries. Panel data method and cointegration tests will be employed to analyze OECD member countries over the period 1960-2014. GDP per capita will be the Proxy for the economic growth and CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) will be taken for CO2 emission on yearly basis.
Influence of Coal Particle Size on Coal Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics

Accurate testing coal isotherm can play a significant role in the areas of coal seam gas drainage, outburst control, CO 2 geo-sequestration, coalbed methane (CBM) and enhanced coalbed methane recovery (ECBM) etc. The effect of particle size on the CO 2 and CH 4 sorption capacity of bituminous coal from Illawarra, Australia was investigated at 35°C and at pressure up to 4 MPa. A unique indirect gravimetric apparatus was used to measure the gas adsorption and desorption isotherms of coal of different particle sizes ranging from around 150 μm to 16 mm. Langmuir model was used to analysis the experimental results of all gases. Coal particle size was found to have an apparent effect on the coal ash content and helium density results. Coal with larger particle size had higher ash content and higher helium density. The sorption isotherm was found to be highly sensitive with helium density of coal which was determined in the procedure of testing the void volume of sample cell. Hence, coal particle size had a significant influence on the coal sorption characteristics including sorption capacity and desorption hysteresis for CO 2 and CH 4 , especially calculated with dry basis of coal. In this study, the 150-212 μm (150 μm) coal samples achieved higher sorption capacity and followed by 2.36-3.35 mm (2.4 mm), 8-9.5 mm (8 mm) and 16-19 mm (16 mm) particle size samples. However, the differences between different coal particles were getting smaller when the sorption isotherms are calculated with dry ash free basis. Test with 150 μm coal samples were also found to have relatively smaller desorption hysteresis compared with the other larger particle size samples. The different results including adsorption/desorption isotherm, Langmuir parameters and coal hysteresis were all analysed with the CO 2 and CH 4 gases.
Tacrolimus for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: are broad-based immunosuppressants still valid?

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug that is approved and currently used primarily for the prophylaxis of liver, heart and kidney allograft rejection. Recently, oral tacrolimus 1.5–3 mg/day has been approved in Japan and Canada for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in patients who respond insufficiently to other therapies. Tacrolimus potently inhibits calcineurin and, consequently, T-cell activation and proliferation with a mechanism similar to that of cyclosporine. Clinical studies of the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus as monotherapy and in combination with methotrexate have shown it to be less effective than many of the biologics, but similar to cyclosporine for symptomatic relief. Unlike the biologics and other immunosuppressants, it has not been shown to retard progression of joint damage on x-ray. However, clinical response, when it does occur, can be robust and appears to be maintained for at least 18 months. Longer-term safety and efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis have not been studied. In.
A NML-HDL Snake Clock Based QCA Architecture 1

The international technology roadmap of semiconductors suggests that quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) technology might be possible CMOS substitute [4]. MQCA are attractive due to their compactness and extremely small power dissipation. This led to focus on nanomagnetic logic (NML). The nature of these circuits is much different from that of CMOS circuits [1]. In this paper we studied a VHDL behavioral model for NML circuits, which allows the evaluation of not only the logic behavior but also its power dissipation. It is based on technology solution called “Snake-clock. ”
Production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by benthic diatoms: effect of irradiance and temperature

An axenic culture of Cylindrotheca closterium and a natural community of benthic diatoms were used to study the effect of temperature and irradiance on the production of extracellu- lar polymeric substances (EPS). In the culture, results depended on the growth stage of the algae and on whether absolute values or biomass-related values were considered. The highest amount of EPS (standing stock) was produced at 15 and 25°C during early stationary growth phase. When EPS con- centrations were normalized to chlorophyll a (chl a), maximum values were measured at 4 and 10°C. Independent of temperature the ratios (EPS:chl a) decreased with increasing age of the culture. Addi- tionally, differences between the investigated temperatures were less pronounced in older cultures. A field sample of benthic diatoms was used to study: (1) the combined effect of temperature and irra- diance on primary production and excretion of EPS; and (2) the partitioning of photosynthetically fixed carbon (C) into different fractions of intracellular and extracellular C pools by using a short- term 14 C incorporation. Again highest values of primary production and EPS (production rates) were measured at 25°C. At lower irradiances, the temperature of 35°C had an inhibitory effect on the pro- duction rates of all fractions. In the culture as well as in the natural sample, the fraction of EPS that was closely bound to the cells (attached EPS) and the soluble fraction (colloidal EPS) were produced in different amounts at the different temperatures. This suggested that the production of the 2 oper- ationally defined fractions of EPS might serve different functions, e.g. for migration or for storage of reserve products.
Biogenic synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Silver nanoparticle using exopolysaccharides from Lactic Acid bacteria

Nanotechnology provides the ability to engineer the properties of materials by controlling their size, and this has driven research toward a multitude of potential uses for nanomaterials. This study aimed at biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using exopolysaccharides (EPS) of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the antimicrobial potential of the biosynthesized SNPs against some pathogenic bacteria. EPS production by the EPS- producing Lactobacillus casei (LPW2E) and Lactobacillus fermentum (LPF6) using submerged fermentation ranged from 256 - 640.9 mg/L. The EPS produced by the two LABs were used for the biosynthesis of SNPs. The SNPs were characterized by colour changes from colourless to yellowish brown and deep brown after 24hrs of incubation. The UV-visible spectrophotometer was further used to characterize the SNPs. The SNPs had strong surface plasmon resonance band at 500nm. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed that the SNPs varied in shape and were partially aggregated. The particle size ranged from 0.2–10nm and 0.0–10nm. The FTIR analysis indicated the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, ester, aldehydes among others which may be responsible for the reduction, capping, and stabilization of the SNPs. The SNPs had antibacterial activity against the test pathogens and the zones of inhibition ranged between 12 - 26mm. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that EPS could be used for the production of stable SNPs with antibacterial activity.
Source sector and region contributions to BC and PM2.5 in Central Asia

Particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations, seasonal cycles, source sector, and source region contributions in Central Asia (CA) are analyzed for the period April 2008-July 2009 using the Sulfur Transport and dEposition Model (STEM) chemical transport model and modeled meteorology from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Predicted aerosol optical depth (AOD) values (annual mean value ~0.2) in CA vary seasonally, with lowest values in the winter. Surface PM2.5 concentrations (annual mean value ~10 μg m&3) also exhibit a seasonal cycle, with peak values and largest variability in the spring/summer, and lowest values and variability in the winter (hourly values from 2 to 90 μg m&3). Surface concentrations of black carbon (BC) (mean value ~0.1 μg m&3) show peak values in the winter. The simulated values are compared to surface measurements of AOD as well as PM2.5, PM10, BC, and organic carbon (OC) mass concentrations at two regional sites in Kyrgyzstan (Lidar Station Teplokluchenka (LST) and Bishkek). The predicted values of AOD and PM mass concentrations and their seasonal cycles are fairly well captured. The carbonaceous aerosols are underpredicted in winter, and analysis suggests that the winter heating emissions are underestimated in the current inventory. Dust, from sources within and outside CA, is a significant component of the PM mass and drives the seasonal cycles of PM and AOD. On an annual basis, the power and industrial sectors are found to be the most important contributors to the anthropogenic portion of PM2.5. Residential combustion and transportation are shown to be the most important sectors for BC. Biomass burning within and outside the region also contributes to elevated PM and BC concentrations. The analysis of the transport pathways and the variations in particulate matter mass and composition in CA demonstrates that this region is strategically located to characterize regional and intercontinental transport of pollutants. Aerosols at these sites are shown to reflect dust, biomass burning, and anthropogenic sources from Europe; South, East, and Central Asia; and Russia depending on the time period. Simulations for a reference 2030 emission scenario based on pollution abatement measures already committed to in current legislation show that PM2.5 and BC concentrations in the region increase, with BC growing more than PM2.5 on a relative basis. This suggests that both the health impacts and the climate warming associated with these particles may increase over the next decades unless additional control measures are taken. The importance of observations in CA to help characterize the changes that are rapidly taking place in the region are discussed. © 2015 Atmos. Chem. Phys.
The Effects of Paravertebral Buipivacaine-Dexmedetomidine Versus Bupivacaine-Fentanyl in Unilateral Open Renal Surgeries

Study Objective: This trial was designed to test the benefits of adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine if compared with the bupivacainefentanyl mixture in paravertebral block for different renal surgeries. Design: Prospective randomized and double-blinded study. Setting: Operative room and postoperative recovery area. Patients: Fifty patients, ASA physical status I and II, aged above 20 years, scheduled for elective open unilateral renal surgeries (nephrectomy, pyelolithotomy and pyeloplasty). Intervention: Patients were randomly allocated by the computer generated list into 2 equal groups (each group had 25patient). Bupivacaine – dexmedetomidine (BD) group received paravertebral bupivacaine 0.2% + dexmedetomidine 1μ/kg for patient below 65 years and 0. 5μ/kg for patient above 65 years in a total volume of 20 ml. Bupivacaine fentanyl (BF) group received paravertebral bupivacaine 0.2% + fentanyl 1μ/kg for patient below 65 years and fentanyl 0. 5μ/kg for patient above 65 years in a total volume of 20 ml. Measurements: Pain assessed by VAS, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, Spo2, postoperative sedation, postoperative adverse effects, total requirement of opioid and first request for analgesia. Main Results: Post-operative visual analogue score and post– operative sedation score were significantly different between both groups in favor of BD group. No satistical difference between both groups as regard HR mean blood pressure and oxygen saturation. No postoperative adverse effects were recorded. Conclusions: The addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in paravertebral block provides prolonged postoperative analgesia and better sedation score. Also, the addition of dexmedetomidine leads to a reduction in the usage of postoperative opioid.
Characterization of Information Automation on the Flight Deck

This paper summarizes the results of analyses to identify characteristics of flight deck information automation systems which can lead to potential human factors issues. Information automation systems are responsible for the collection, processing, analysis, and presentation of information to the flightcrew. Information automation systems can pose human factors issues and challenges particular to this type of automation. This paper presents a formal definition of information automation and identifies characteristics and associated human factors issues in the domain of aircraft flight deck systems. A method was developed to identify a set of consistent and independent characteristics of information automation. Characteristics, a set of properties or attributes which describe its operation or behavior, can be used to identify and assess potential human factors issues. This effort lays the groundwork for providing data to support the development of recommendations specific to different characteristics of information automation.