Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Oxidation of Carbon Fiber and its Influence on the Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced BN-Si3N4 Composites

Toray T300 PAN-based carbon fibers were surface oxidized in air at 300, 400 and 500 °C. The composition of surface was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and the monofilaments of original carbon fiber and surface oxidized carbon fibers were tensile tested at room temperature. Three-dimensional carbon fiber reinforced BN-Si3N4 matrix composites were prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis using a hybrid precursor mixed by borazine and perhydropolysilazane. With the increase of the oxidation temperature, the content of size on the surface of fiber reduces, and the tensile strength of carbon fiber declines. Carbon fiber oxidized at 400 °C has a 93% residual strength and the fiber oxidized at 500 °C is seriously decayed. The composite reinforced by original carbon fibers exhibits excellent mechanical properties, including high flexural strength (182.3 MPa) and good toughness; while the composite reinforced by 400 °C oxidized carbon fibers is weak (only 102.4 MPa) and brittle. The distinct difference of mechanical properties between the two composite is attributed to the change of the interfaces between carbon fibers and nitride matrices.
Mechanical Properties of Bulk Metallic Glasses

In the absence of dislocation-mediated crystallographic slip, room-temperature deformation in metallic glasses occurs in thin shear bands initially only ~10 nm thick. A sharp drop in viscosity (shear softening) occurs in deformed glassy matter and facilitates additional flow in existing shear bands. This further localization of plastic flow leads to shearing-off failure without any significant macroscopic plasticity. However, whereas most bulk metallic glasses fail in this manner, some undergo surprisingly extensive plastic deformation (in some cases, up to 50% or more) in compression or bending. When this occurs, the flow is “jerky,” as indicated by serrated stress–strain curves. Each serration may correspond to the emission of a shear band that then ceases to operate, at least temporarily, despite the predicted shear softening. As elastic energy is converted to heat during shear, temperatures rise sharply at or near shear bands. This heating may lead to the growth of nanocrystals that then block propagation of shear bands and cracks. The understanding of the dependence of mechanical response of metallic glasses on intrinsic (elastic constants, chemistry) and extrinsic factors (shapes, flaws) is the subject of intense current interest.
TerrorCat: a Translation Error Categorization-based MT Quality Metric

We present TerrorCat, a submission to the WMT'12 metrics shared task. TerrorCat uses frequencies of automatically obtained translation error categories as base for pairwise comparison of translation hypotheses, which is in turn used to generate a score for every translation. The metric shows high overall correlation with human judgements on the system level and more modest results on the level of individual sentences.
Impact of a Porous Si-Ca-P Monophasic Ceramic on Variation of Osteogenesis-Related Gene Expression of Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

This work evaluates in vitro the influence of a new biocompatible porous Si-Ca-P monophasic (7CaO·P2O5·2SiO2) ceramic on the cellular metabolic activity, morphology and osteogenic differentiation of adult human mesenchymal stem cells (ahMSCs) cultured in basal growth medium and under osteogenic inductive medium. Alamar Blue Assay and FESEM were carried out in order to monitor the cell proliferation and the shape of the cells growing on the Si-Ca-P monophasic ceramic during the study period. The osteogenic differentiation of ahMSCs was investigated by means of immunofluorescent staining (osteocalcin, osteopontin, heparan sulphate and collagen type I expression), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) (integrin-binding sialoprotein, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, osteonectin, runt-related transcription factor 2 and collagen type I) and expression of surface markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105). We could check osteogenic differentiation in ahMSCs growing under the influence of Si-Ca-P monophasic ceramics itself, but especially when growth medium was replaced by osteogenic medium in the culture conditions. These results allowed us to conclude that the new Si-Ca-P monophasic scaffold greatly enhanced ahMSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation; therefore, it may be considered to be employed as a new bone graft substitute or scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Tracking faces of arbitrary views for video annotation

We proposed an omni-face tracking system for video annotation in this paper, which is designed to find faces from arbitrary views in complex scenes. The face detector first locates potential faces in the input by performing skin-tone detection. The subsequent processing consists of two largely independent components, the frontal face module and the side- view face module, responsible for finding frontal-view and side-view faces, respectively. The frontal face module uses a region-based approach wherein regions of skin-tone pixels are analyzed for gross oval shape and the presence of facial features. In contrast, the side-view face module follows an edge-based approach to look for curves similar to a side-view profile. To extract the trajectories of faces, the temporal continuity between consecutive frames within the video shots is considered to speed up the tracking process. The main contribution of this work is being able to find faces irrespective of their poses, whereas contemporary systems deal with frontal-view faces only. Information regarding to human faces is encoded in XML format for semantic video content representation. The effectiveness of human face for video annotation is demonstrated in a TV program classification system that categories the input video clip into predefined types. It is shown that the classification accuracy is improved saliently by the employment of face information.
Rising incidence and prevalence of adult eosinophilic esophagitis in midwestern Spain (2007–2016)

Objectives Epidemiologic studies on eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are scarce and patient responders to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy have usually been excluded. We aimed to evaluate population-based incidence rates, prevalence and trends in adult EoE over the past decade, including responders to PPI therapy. Methods We conducted an analysis of a prospectively established case registry in the health area of Cáceres, located in midwestern Spain. From the first EoE case diagnosed in 2007, endoscopy and pathology reports up to December 2016 were manually reviewed. A baseline diagnosis of EoE was confirmed upon symptoms of esophageal dysfunction (dysphagia/food impaction) and esophageal eosinophilia ≥ 15 eos/HPF. All patients were re-evaluated on PPI therapy during follow-up. Results A total of 137 patients were diagnosed with EoE during the study period, of whom 63 (46%) achieved clinicohistologic remission on PPI therapy. The prevalence of autoimmune disorders was low. Mean incidence rate was 8.09 new cases/100,000 inhabitants/year, increasing to 9.95 during the last lustrum and peaking in 2016 with 13.7. This trend coincided with late declining of esophageal biopsies rate. Overall prevalence in 2016 was 81.73 patients/100,000 inhabitants, with the highest prevalence in males between age 35 and 44 years (273 cases/100,000). No seasonal variation was observed in the diagnosis of EoE (53% during pollen season vs. 47%, p = 0.4). Conclusions In midwestern Spain, incidence (13.7 cases/100,000 inhabitants/year) and prevalence (81.73 patients/100,000 inhabitants) in 2016 have grown remarkably in just one decade, coming closer to those figures recently reported for Crohn’s disease in Spain.
Surface smoothing, decimation, and their effects on 3D biological specimens.

OBJECTIVE Smoothing and decimation filters are commonly used to restore the realistic appearance of virtual biological specimens, but they can cause a loss of topological information of unknown extent. In this study, we analyzed the effect of smoothing and decimation on a 3D mesh to highlight the consequences of an inappropriate use of these filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Topological noise was simulated on four anatomical regions of the virtual reconstruction of an orangutan cranium. Sequential levels of smoothing and decimation were applied, and their effects were analyzed on the overall topology of the 3D mesh and on linear and volumetric measurements. RESULTS Different smoothing algorithms affected mesh topology and measurements differently, although the influence on the latter was generally low. Decimation always produced detrimental effects on both topology and measurements. The application of smoothing and decimation, both separate and combined, is capable of recovering topological information. CONCLUSION Based on the results, objective guidelines are provided to minimize information loss when using smoothing and decimation on 3D meshes.
A Formal Model of Provenance in Distributed Systems

We present a formalism for provenance in distributed systems based on the π-calculus. Its main feature is that all data products are annotated with metadata representing their provenance. The calculus is given a provenance tracking semantics, which ensures that data provenance is updated as the computation proceeds. The calculus also enjoys a pattern-restricted input primitive which allows processes to decide what data to receive and what branch of computation to proceed with based on the provenance information of data. We give examples to illustrate the use of the calculus and discuss some of the semantic properties of our provenance notion. We conclude by reviewing related work and discussing directions for future research.
Polyol formation in cell lines of rat retinal capillary pericytes and endothelial cells (TR-rPCT and TR-iBRB).

PURPOSE The two most widely investigated animal models for diabetic retinopathy (DR) are the rat and dog. In dogs, aldose reductase (AR) is present only in retinal capillary pericytes and their destruction has been linked to polyol accumulation and resulting apoptosis. Since both rat capillary pericytes and endothelial cells have been reported to contain AR, the role of polyol pathway activity in capillary cell destruction has been investigated in rat retinal capillary pericyte (TR-rPCT) and endothelial (TR-iBRB) cells. METHODS TR-rPCT and TR-iBRB cell lines were recloned and their identities were reconfirmed by characteristic immunostaining. Cells were cultured up to 72 h in media containing 50 mM glucose or galactose with/without the AR inhibitors or a sorbitol dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDI) or with 30 mM 3-fluoro-3-deoxyglucose. Polyol levels were determined by HPLC or (19)F-NMR. Apoptosis was detected with TUNEL/DAPI staining. RESULTS Smooth muscle actin is present only in pericytes while only endothelial cells stain for von Willebrand factor and accumulate acetylated low-density lipoprotein. AR is present in both cells but AR levels are lower in endothelial cells. Aldehyde reductase is also present in both cells. Cells cultured in 50 mM glucose or galactose show significant polyol accumulation in pericytes but endothelial cells show little accumulation of galactitol and no accumulation of sorbitol. Sorbitol accumulation in pericytes resulted in increased cellular permeability and increased TUNEL staining, which was reduced by AR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Although both rat retinal pericytes and endothelial cells contain AR, sorbitol accumulation and TUNEL staining primarily occur in pericytes and are inhibited by AR inhibitors.
Efficient Resource Placement in Hypercubes Using Multiple-Adjacency Codes

While a certain resource in the hypercube may be shared by cube nodes to lower the cost, multiple copies of a shared resource often exist in the hypercube to reduce contention, and thus the potential delay, in fetching any shared copy. It is desirable that one employs as few resource copies as possible to ensure that every node is able to reach the resource in a given number of hops, achieving efficient resource placement. This placement method also keeps system performance degradation minimal after one resource copy becomes unavailable due to a fault. First, we consider placing multiple copies of a certain resource in a way that every cube node without the resource is adjacent to a specified number of resource copies. The use of our developed perfect and quasiperfect multiple-adjacency codes makes it possible to arrive at efficient solutions to this placement problem in a simple and systematic manner for an arbitrary hypercube. We then deal with the generalized resource placement in the hypercube such that every node without the resource can reach no less than a specified number of resource copies in no more than a certain number of hops, using as few resource copies as possible. Our placement results yield lowest potential access contention for a given number of resource copies (i.e., cost), particularly useful for large-scale hypercubes. >
DSGE Models in a Data-Rich Environment

Standard practice for the estimation of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models maintains the assumption that economic variables are properly measured by a single indicator, and that all relevant information for the estimation is adequately summarized by a small number of data series, whether or not measurement error is allowed for. However, recent empirical research on factor models has shown that information contained in large data sets is relevant for the evolution of important macroeconomic series. This suggests that conventional model estimates and inference based on estimated DSGE models are likely to be distorted. In this paper, we propose an empirical framework for the estimation of DSGE models that exploits the relevant information from a data-rich environment. This framework provides an interpretation of all information contained in a large data set through the lenses of a DSGE model. The estimation involves Bayesian Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) methods extended so that the estimates can, in some cases, inherit the properties of classical maximum likelihood estimation. We apply this estimation approach to a state-of-the-art DSGE monetary model. Treating theoretical concepts of the model --- such as output, inflation and employment --- as partially observed, we show that the information from a large set of macroeconomic indicators is important for accurate estimation of the model. It also allows us to improve the forecasts of important economic variables
Analysis of drilling vibrations: A time-delay system approach

The main purpose of this study is the description of the qualitative dynamical response of a rotary drilling system with a drag bit, using a model that takes into consideration the axial and the torsional vibration modes of the bit. The studied model, based on the interface bit-rock, contains a couple of wave equations with boundary conditions consisting of the angular speed and the axial speed at the top additionally to the angular and axial acceleration at the bit whose contain a realistic frictional torque. Our analysis is based on the center manifold Theorem and Normal forms theory whose allow us to simplify the model.
Low-affinity cation transporter (OsLCT1) regulates cadmium transport into rice grains

Accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains poses a potential health problem, especially in Asia. Most Cd in rice grains accumulates through phloem transport, but the molecular mechanism of this transport has not been revealed. In this study, we identified a rice Cd transporter, OsLCT1, involved in Cd transport to the grains. OsLCT1-GFP was localized at the plasma membrane in plant cells, and OsLCT1 showed Cd efflux activity in yeast. In rice plants, strong OsLCT1 expression was observed in leaf blades and nodes during the reproductive stage. In the uppermost node, OsLCT1 transcripts were detected around large vascular bundles and in diffuse vascular bundles. RNAi-mediated knockdown of OsLCT1 did not affect xylem-mediated Cd transport but reduced phloem-mediated Cd transport. The knockdown plants of OsLCT1 accumulated approximately half as much Cd in the grains as did the control plants. The content of other metals in rice grains and plant growth were not negatively affected by OsLCT1 suppression. These results suggest that OsLCT1 functions at the nodes in Cd transport into grains and that in a standard japonica cultivar, the regulation of OsLCT1 enables the generation of “low-Cd rice” without negative effects on agronomical traits. These findings identify a transporter gene for phloem Cd transport in plants.
Laser-assisted nanopatterning of aluminium using particle-induced near-field optical enhancement and nanoimprinting

Laser-assisted nanopatterning of aluminium (Al) thin films using particle-induced near-field optical enhancement and nanoimprinting has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. It is found that nano pit arrays can be created on Al surfaces by laser irradiation (KrF excimer laser, ? = 248? nm) on an Al surface on which a monolayer of silica particles has been self-assembled. The influence of particle size and laser fluence on the structuring of Al surfaces has been examined. Particles with various diameters of 0.97, 2.34 and 5.06? m were used in the experiment. Near-field optical enhancement and nanoimprinting were identified to explain the mechanisms for the formation of different structures on Al? surfaces under different laser fluences. A high frequency structure simulator? (HFSS) was used to simulate the optical field distribution in the particles attached on Al surfaces.
WT1 loss attenuates the TP53-induced DNA damage response in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Loss-of-function mutations and deletions in Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) gene are present in approximately 10% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clinically, WT1 mutations are enriched in relapsed series and are associated to inferior relapse-free survival in thymic T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases. Here we demonstrate that WT1 plays a critical role in the response to DNA damage in T-cell leukemia. WT1 loss conferred resistance to DNA damaging agents and attenuated the transcriptional activation of important apoptotic regulators downstream of TP53 in TP53-competent MOLT4 T-leukemia cells but not in TP53-mutant T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. Notably, WT1 loss positively affected the expression of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, XIAP, and genetic or chemical inhibition with embelin (a XIAP inhibitor) significantly restored sensitivity to γ-radiation in both T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines and patient-derived xenografts. These results reveal an important role for the WT1 tumor suppressor gene in the response to DNA damage, and support the view that anti-XIAP targeted therapies could have a role in the treatment of WT1-mutant T-cell leukemia.
Locomotion Control and Gait Planning of a Novel Hexapod Robot Using Biomimetic Neurons

This paper proposes a biomimetic method inspired by central pattern generator (CPG) for locomotion control and gait planning of a novel hexapod robot whose legs can radially free distributed around the robot body. The CPG network which consists of six CPG units based on the Matsuoka’s neural oscillator is used to generate oscillatory signals. The phase signals outputted by CPG network are converted to tip trajectory signals of six legs by adjustment function, and the joint angles are computed by the inverse kinematics of the robot. The relevant parameters which decide the movement of robot are tuned according to the processed feedback information. Then, some experiments are performed to verify the effectiveness of the control method. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method succeeds in enabling a hexapod robot to walk steadily on rugged terrain. The developed hexapod robot has many potential applications for its agility, stable walking, and good environmental adaptability.
“I had to change so much in my life to live with my new limitations”: Multimorbid patients’ descriptions of their most bothersome chronic conditions

Objective To characterize diseases that are described as most bothersome by individuals with multiple chronic conditions and to identify themes that characterize their experiences with their most bothersome condition. Methods In a survey of patients at an academic center and a Veterans Affairs hospital, we asked individuals with multiple chronic conditions to identify their most bothersome chronic condition and describe why it is challenging. Standard content analysis methods were used to code responses and identify themes reflecting characteristics of most bothersome conditions. Results The most commonly cited bothersome conditions were chronic pain (52%), diabetes (43%), post-traumatic stress disorder (25%), heart failure (24%), and lung problems (20%). Conditions were described as most bothersome due to: (a) impact on function and quality of life (e.g. active symptoms, activity limitations), (b) health consequences or sequelae (e.g. risk of complications), and (c) challenges associated with treatment or self-management. Patterns of theme dominance varied for conditions with different characteristics. Discussion The conditions that patients with multiple chronic conditions identify as most bothersome vary depending on individuals’ diseases and their health-related preferences and priorities. Ascertaining patients’ most bothersome conditions and associated challenges, stress, and frustrations may help ensure that management decisions are aligned with patient preferences and priorities.
Symmetric transparent and flexible supercapacitor based on bio-inspired graphene-wrapped Fe2O3 nanowire networks

Transition metal oxides with high specific capacitance materials are ideal for a new generation of high-performance transparent supercapacitors but are rarely reported. Commonly, the synthesis of the required nanostructured materials is a crucial step required to achieve the transparency of the device. In this study, a Fe2O3 nanowire network transparent film is developed simply through air–solution interface reactions and wrapped in graphene shells for use as transparent electrodes. The Fe2O3 nanowire networks surrounded by the graphene layer exhibit an effective encapsulation structure, providing rapid three-dimensional electron and ion transport pathways. The specific areal capacitance (3.3 mF cm−2 at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1) was greatly improved, which is at least one hundred times higher than that for transparent devices based on planar chemical vapor deposition graphene. Furthermore, the films have a power density of 191.3 W cm−3, which is higher than that of electrolytic capacitors, an energy density of 8 mWh cm−3, which is comparable to that of lithium thin-film batteries, and superior cycling stability.
Statistical Analysis of Gel Electrophoresis Data

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) methods such as two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE; O’Farrell (1975)) and two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE; Unlu et al. (1997)) are popular techniques for protein separation because they allow researchers to characterize quantitative protein changes on a large scale. Thus, 2-DE is frequently used as an initial screening procedure whereby results obtained generate scientific ideas for study. These technologies revolutionized the field of proteomics and biomarker discovery in their ability to detect protein changes either in differential expression or modification (Huang et al., 2006; Rai & Chan, 2004; Wulfkuhle et al., 2003; Zhou et al., 2002). Further, they are attractive because of their resolving power and sensitivity. 2-DE analyses, however, require personnel with significant wet laboratory expertise and can be time-consuming, thus potentially limiting the sample size for gels.