Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
P‐168: Reflective Type Polarizer‐Free Flexible Displays Using Dye‐Doped Nematic Liquid Crystal Gels

A polarizer‐free flexible display using a dye‐doped nematic liquid crystal (LC) gel is demonstrated in reflective mode and transmissive mode. By mimicking the display principle of a paper, combing both scattering and absorption, such a bendable and trim‐able LCD exhibits∼55% reflectance, ∼450:1 contrast ratio in reflective mode, ∼20:1 contrast ratio in transmisive mode, and 15 ms response time. A single pixel flexible reflective display using such dye‐doped LC gels is also demonstrated under bending and cutting. The minimal bending radius of curvature is ∼21mm.
The Remineralizing Effect of Carbonate-Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals on Dentine

The use of specific remineralizing agents in toothpastes may help to prevent caries and treat dentinal sensitivity. In this study, applied nanotechnologies were used to develop a filler for toothpastes with remineralizing properties. Carbonate hydroxyapatite nanocrystals, with size, morphology, chemical composition and crystallinity comparable with that of dentine, were synthesized in mild condition. The remineralizing effect was studied with a scanning electron microscopy putting materials onto the slices of dentine previously demineralized with ortophosphoric acid. The application of the materials showed the progressive closure of the tubular openings of the dentine with plugs within 10 minutes and a regeneration of a surface mineral layer within 6 hours. This rates of remineralization seems to be compatible with the development of toothpastes with remineralizing effect.
Studies on Proportioning of Self-Compacting Concrete and Evaluation of its Strength and Durability Related Characterisitics

This paper describes how Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) has high deformability and passes freely through congested reinforcement. Therefore, compaction occurs without any vibration and segregation. SCC requires careful proportioning of its ingredients. A study made to develop SCC mixes is reported in this paper. Mineral admixtures (fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, silica fume, metakaolin and limestone powder) and chemical admixtures (carboxylated ether based super plastisizer and viscosity modifying agent) were uses. Crushed granite (maximum size 200mm) and sand formed the aggregate system. A typical SCC mix with the compressive strength of 70 N/mm(2), was evaluated in fresh stage using Slump Cone, L-Box, U-Box and V-funnel. Properties of this SCC were compared with Conventionally Vibrated Cement Concrete (CVCC) of same strength. The stress-strain characteristics under compression were studied using a servo controlled UTM under an actuator movement of 0.2mm/minute. The test data showed that even though both CVCC and SCC had comparable mechanical properties, SCC had superior durability related characteristics.
Diffusion alterations in corpus callosum of patients with HIV.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diffusion alterations have been identified in the corpus callosum and frontal white matter of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), though the relevance of these findings to cognitive deterioration has not yet been determined. This study tested the hypothesis that diffusion tensor imaging can detect tissue status alterations in these regions in cognitively impaired patients infected with HIV and the acquired measurements correlate with the severity of cognitive impairment. METHODS Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were determined for corpus callosum (genu and splenium) and frontal white matter (FWM). The DTI measurements were compared in 11 HIV and 11 control participants. Patterns of relationship were examined with cognitive status measures from concurrent neurologic and neuropsychologic evaluations. RESULTS FA values for the splenium were significantly reduced in the patients infected with HIV and correlated with dementia severity and deficits in motor speed. MD values for the splenium were significantly increased in the patients infected with HIV and correlated with deficits in motor speed. FA measurements were also significantly correlated with performance on visual memory (genu), visuoconstruction (FWM), and verbal memory (FWM) tasks. CONCLUSION Diffusion abnormalities were identified in the splenium of the corpus callosum in patients infected with HIV, and these alterations were associated with dementia severity and motor speed losses. In vivo assessment of callosal integrity by using quantitative neuroimaging may have potential utility as a marker of brain injury in patients infected with HIV.
A Common Network Architecture Efficiently Implements a Variety of Sparsity-Based Inference Problems

The sparse coding hypothesis has generated significant interest in the computational and theoretical neuroscience communities, but there remain open questions about the exact quantitative form of the sparsity penalty and the implementation of such a coding rule in neurally plausible architectures. The main contribution of this work is to show that a wide variety of sparsity-based probabilistic inference problems proposed in the signal processing and statistics literatures can be implemented exactly in the common network architecture known as the locally competitive algorithm (LCA). Among the cost functions we examine are approximate norms (), modified -norms, block- norms, and reweighted algorithms. Of particular interest is that we show significantly increased performance in reweighted algorithms by inferring all parameters jointly in a dynamical system rather than using an iterative approach native to digital computational architectures.
A rapidly activating type of outward rectifier K+ current and A‐current in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus neurones.

1. The properties of calcium‐independent (i.e. persisting in the absence of external calcium) depolarization‐activated potassium currents in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurones (n = 75) were studied under voltage‐clamp conditions with whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings in rat hypothalamic slices (150‐175 microns). 2. Two distinct types of potassium currents were found. One was a rapidly activating and slowly inactivating type of outward rectifier (named IK(FR) for fast rectifier potassium current), similar to a potassium current described in cardiac muscle, and the other was a transient A‐current (IA). 3. The rates of activation and deactivation of IK(FR) were voltage dependent. Time constants of activation fitted to n4 kinetics and declined from 3.5 ms (at ‐20 mV) to 1.1 ms (at 60 mV). Inactivation had a biexponential time course with voltage‐independent time constants of 0.3 s (minor component) and 3.0 s (major component) between 10 and 50 mV. IK(FR) was activated above ‐40 mV with a V1/2 (membrane potential at half‐maximal activation) of 14 +/‐ 2 mV and slope factor of ‐17 +/‐ 1 mV reaching a conductance (not maximal) of 10.8 +/‐ 1.7 nS at 60 mV. Steady‐state inactivation had a slope factor of 11 +/‐ 1 mV. 4. IK(FR) was highly selective for K+ (PNa/PK = 0.002). Tetraethylammonium (TEA) reduced IK(FR) reversibly (IC50 = 20 mM), while 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) at 10 mM had little effect. The remaining current in 30 mM TEA was similar to that in control conditions, indicating that TEA reduced IK(FR) rather than revealed an additional TEA‐resistant current. 5. The rate of IA activation was voltage dependent with time to peak declining from 8.5 ms (at ‐40 mV) to 3.6 ms (at 60 mV). Inactivation had a biexponential time course with voltage‐dependent and voltage‐independent time constants. The two components were similar in amplitude. IA was activated above ‐60 mV, reaching a maximal conductance of 3.6 +/‐ 0.4 nS at above 20 mV. Steady‐state inactivation was complete above ‐10 mV. Rates of onset of inactivation (at ‐40 mV) and recovery from inactivation (at ‐100 mV) were similar with time constants of 39 +/‐ 5 and 41 +/‐ 9 ms, respectively. 6. IK(FR) and IA were found in every neurone tested in the SCN and in all locations throughout the nucleus. The possible function of these currents is discussed, particularly in relation to the circadian rhythm of firing rate in the SCN.
Effect of positive end expiratory pressure on functional residual capacity and compliance in surfactant-treated preterm infants

Abstract Positive end expiratory pressure is routinely used when ventilating preterm infants. Elevation of PEEP increases lung volume, as does surfactant treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various levels of PEEP within the range of 0.2 to 0.4 kPa on lung volume, compliance and gas exchange. We measured functional residual capacity, compliance of the respiratory system and arterial blood gases in 20 infants (median birth weight 1240 g, range 660–1690 g; median gestational age 28 weeks, range 24–32 weeks; postnatal age 3–4 days). The infants were studied at 72 hours after their last dose of natural surfactant. At this time the patients were routinely nursed at 0.3 kPa of PEEP, the PEEP level was lowered to 0.2 kPa or raised to 0.4 kPa in random order. The PEEP level was then changed to the third level 0.4 kPa or 0.2 kPa. Each new setting was maintained for 20 min before FRC, compliance and blood gases were measured. FRC was assessed using SF6 washout technique. Increasing PEEP from 0.2 to 0.3 to 0.4 kPa resulted in increases in FRC (p < 0.01) and oxygenation (ns) in all infants. In 16 infants compliance decreased and paCO2 increased with elevation of PEEP. Only in 4 infants compliance increased and CO2 fell. Conclusion: In the majority of our infants reduction of PEEP from 0.4 to 0.2 kPa resulted in increases in compliance and CO2 reduction. Our results might suggest that relatively low levels of PEEP < 0.3 kPa may be appropriate at 72 hours after surfactant replacement. Furthermore, these results underline the importance of PEEP test in clinical practice.
Immediate nonfunctional loading of single-tooth implants in the anterior maxilla following augmentation with freeze-dried cancellous block allograft: a case series.

PURPOSE To assess the clinical effectiveness of immediate nonfunctional loading for single-tooth implants placed in the anterior maxilla following augmentation with cancellous freeze-dried block graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical outcomes of immediately nonfunctionally loaded implants up to 18 months after placement in the anterior maxilla were evaluated in 11 consecutive patients. Implants were immediately restored with unsplinted acrylic resin provisional crowns. Follow-up was monthly, and intraoral radiographs were obtained immediately after implant placement and at 6, 12, and 18 months. Survival rate and radiographic marginal bone loss were evaluated at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months. In the anterior maxilla, 12 implants were placed. RESULTS Marginal bone loss did not extend beyond the first thread up to 18 months follow-up, and the survival rate was 100%. CONCLUSION Within the limits of the present study, immediate nonfunctional loading for single-tooth implants placed in the anterior maxilla following augmentation with cancellous freeze-dried block graft seems a promising treatment alternative.
Towards a unified fault-detection benchmark

Developing a unified benchmark to compare and contrast ways to detect faults is an important aspect for the future of fault detection. In this paper, we explore benchmarks used in the evaluation of popular static analysis tools in order to raise awareness for the community to work towards a unified benchmark. Additionally, we introduce an initial design for a bottom-up repository to integrate benchmarks directly with the web interface of the accessible fault taxonomy, the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE). The repository would be dynamically linked directly into the evolving CWE. It would reflect new faults, new fault attributes, new test cases and test case attributes. The repository could be dynamically used to aggregate, compare, improve and store information about benchmarks.
Unusual Pattern of Nucleotide Sequence Variation at the OS-E and OS-F Genomic Regions of Drosophila simulans

Nucleotide variation at the genomic region encompassing the odorant-binding protein genes OS-E and OS-F (OS region) was surveyed in two populations of Drosophila simulans, one from Europe and the other from Africa. We found that the European population shows an atypical and large haplotype structure, which extends throughout the ∼5-kb surveyed genomic region. This structure is depicted by two major haplotype groups segregating at intermediate frequency in the sample, one haplogroup with nearly no variation, and the other at levels more typical for this species. This pattern of variation was incompatible with neutral predictions for a population at a stationary equilibrium. Nevertheless, neutrality tests contrasting polymorphism and divergence data fail to detect any departure from the standard neutral model in this species, whereas they confirm the non-neutral behavior previously observed at the OS-E gene in D. melanogaster. Although positive Darwinian selection may have been responsible for the observed unusual nucleotide variation structure, coalescent simulation results do not allow rejecting the hypothesis that the pattern was generated by a recent bottleneck in the history of European populations of D. simulans.
Passive mechanical models of fish caudal fins: effects of shape and stiffness on self-propulsion

Fishes are found in a great variety of body forms with tail shapes that vary from forked tuna-like tails to the square-shaped tails found in some deep-bodied species. Hydrodynamic theory suggests that a fish’s body and tail shape affects undulatory swimming performance. For example, a narrow caudal peduncle is believed to reduce drag, and a tuna-like tail to increase thrust. Despite the prevalence of these assertions, there is no experimental verification of the hydrodynamic mechanisms that may confer advantages on specific forms. Here, we use a mechanically-actuated flapping foil model to study how two aspects of shape, caudal peduncle depth and presence or absence of a forked caudal fin, may affect different aspects of swimming performance. Four different foil shapes were each made of plastics of three different flexural stiffnesses, permitting us to study how shape might interact with stiffness to produce swimming performance. For each foil, we measured the self-propelling swimming speed. In addition, we measured the forces, torques, cost of transport and power coefficient of each foil swimming at its self-propelling speed. There was no single ‘optimal’ foil exhibiting the highest performance in all metrics, and for almost all measures of swimming performance, foil shape and flexural stiffness interacted in complicated ways. Particle image velocimetry of several foils suggested that stiffness might affect the relative phasing of the body trailing edge and the caudal fin leading edge, changing the flow incident to the tail, and affecting hydrodynamics of the entire foil. The results of this study of a simplified model of fish body and tail morphology suggest that considerable caution should be used when inferring a swimming performance advantage from body and tail shape alone.
Interaction between anti-DNA and anti-DNA-binding protein autoantibodies in cryoglobulins from sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

We have previously shown that sera from some patients with SLE and related disorders contain autoantibodies to a DNA-binding protein complex designated p70/p80. The present study shows that anti-p70/p80 autoantibodies are frequently accompanied by anti-DNA antibodies and cryoglobulins. When the cryoglobulins were isolated, they were found to be specifically enriched in both anti-p70/p80 and anti-DNA activities. The anti-p70/p80 and anti-DNA antibodies were found to be distinct populations of autoantibodies rather than a single crossreactive species, since they could be separated from one another by chromatography on DNA-cellulose. Certain human anti-DNA mAbs could inhibit the binding of autoimmune polyclonal anti-p70/p80 antibodies to p70/p80, suggesting that anti-DNA antibodies might also associate with the variable regions of some anti-p70/p80 antibodies in the cryoglobulins. Binding of one murine anti-p70/p80 mAb (111-12) also was inhibited by certain human anti-DNA mAbs, but the binding of another murine mAb (162-11) to a different epitope of p70/p80 was not. These studies suggest that certain anti-DNA antibodies may interact with the variable regions of a population of anti-p70/p80 antibodies. The cryoglobulins found in the sera containing both anti-p70/p80 and anti- DNA antibodies may represent immune complexes consisting, in part, of idiotype and antiidiotype.
Comparison between flint glass fiber and twisted/bent single-mode fiber as a Faraday element in an interferometric fiber optic current sensor

In this paper, we demonstrate, for the first time, an interferometric fiber-optic current sensor employing the flint glass fiber. Performance in the proposed system are discussed. The scale factor of the interferometric sensor with a twisted/bent single mode fiber is analyzed considering both the intrinsic birefringence and the bend- induced birefringence. It is shown that the system with the fling glass fiber has more stable scale factor compared with the ordinally system with the twisted/bent fiber. Experimental results are also shown.
OPTN/SRTR 2016 Annual Data Report: Liver

Data on adult liver transplants performed in the US in 2016 are no‐table for (1) the largest total number of transplants performed (7841); (2) the shortest median waiting time in recent history (11.3 months); (3) continued reduction in waitlist registrations and transplants for hepatitis C‐related indications; (4) increasing numbers of patients whose clinical profiles are consistent with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease; and (5) equilibration of transplant rates in patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the increase in the number of available organs, waitlist mortality remained an important concern. Graft survival rates continued to improve. In 2016, 723 new active candidates were added to the pediatric liver transplant waiting list, down from a peak of 826 in 2005. The number of prevalent candidates (on the list on December 31 of the given year) was stable, 408 active and 169 inactive. The number of pediatric living donor liver transplants decreased from a peak of 79 in 2015 to 62 in 2016, with most from donors closely related to the recipients. Graft survival continued to improve over the past decade among recipients of deceased donor and living donor livers.
Study on rough‐surface biaxially oriented polypropylene film. V. Analysis and control of roughness

In the previous papers, the roughening of biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOP) by utilizing β-form crystals in a successively stretching tenter method has been studied, and BOPs with various roughness have been obtained. In the present paper, the results obtained in the previous studies have been summarized. The roughness can quantitatively be represented by average roughness Ra (depth of roughness) and roughness period L (density of roughness). Ra and L can largely be changed by changing machine direction (MD)-stretching temperature and the melt flow index (MFI) of base polypropylene (PP), respectively. Furthermore, a BOP with a low roughness period (high density of roughness) can be obtained by adding crystal nucleators to the base PP.
Early blood pressure level as a mark of familial aggregation of metabolic cardiovascular risk factors – the Rio de Janeiro Study

Objective To investigate the familial aggregation of metabolic risk factors (RF) according to blood pressure (BP) percentile of children and adolescents. Design and methods Normal BP was established in 3906 children and adolescents in 1987. From this population two groups of target individuals were separated: group A (n = 327) with systolic and/or diastolic BP percentile > 95 and group B (n = 327) with systolic and diastolic BP percentile ≤ 50. Ten years later, familial aggregation of metabolic RF was evaluated using clinical and laboratorial data from 785 individuals, divided into two groups: group 1 with 135 target individuals (BP percentile > 95), 181 parents, 100 siblings and 16 grandparents; and group 2: 106 target individuals (BP percentile ≤ 50), 145 parents, 84 siblings and 18 grandparents. Results (1) The longitudinal study 10 years later (tracking effect) showed that 34.8% of target individuals of group 1 and 90.5% of group 2 remained at the same BP percentile. (2) Comparing the two groups of target individuals, group 1 had higher weight and body mass index (BMI), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and heart rate (HR) (P < 0.001) and lower HDL (P < 0.003). (3) Comparing target individuals’ and their relatives’ measurements together, group 1 had higher BMI, HR, SBP, DBP (P < 0.03) and lower HDL (P < 0.001). (4) SBP and DBP showed significant correlation with all metabolic variables even when BMI was controlled in a multiple regression analysis (P < 0.04). Conclusion BP level in children and adolescents was a good marker for familial aggregation of metabolic RF, suggesting an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Primary intervention should be carried out in early stages of life.
Feature extraction from noisy face image using self-quotient e-filter

This paper proposes self-quotient ε-filter and presents its application to feature extraction from noisy facial image. Self-quotient filter (SQF) is a simple filter defined as the ratio of the input image and its smoothed versions. It is light invariant, and can clearly extract the outline of the object from the image independent of shadow region. However, when the image includes not only signal but also noise, SQF cannot extract the feature clearly. To solve the problems, we look to ε-filter and design self-quotient ε-filter. By defining self-quotient ε-filter as the ratio of two different ε-filters, we can extract the feature not only from facial images without noise but also facial images with noise. Experimental results show that the proposed method can clearly extract face features such as eyes, nose and mouth from noisy facial images.
Referring as Requesting

The essence of the argument is as follows: First, I consider Searle's definition of the propositional act of referring {which I term the PAA, for Propositional Act Account). This definition is found inadequate to deal with various ut terances in discourse used for the sole purpose of referring. Although the relevance of such ut terances to the propositional act has been defined away by Searle, it is clear tha t any comprehensive account of referring should t reat them. l develop an account of their use in terms of a speaker 's requesting the act of referent identification, which is to be understood in a perceptual sense. This itlocutionary act analysis (IAA) is shown to satisfy Searle's conditions for referring yet captures ut terances tha t the PAA cannot. The converse positif)n is then examined: Can the IAA capture the same uses of referring expressions as the PAA? If one extends the perceptuallybased notion of referent identification to include Searle's concept of identification, then by associating a complex propositional a t t i tude to one use of the definite determiner, a request can be derived. The ]AA thus handles the referring use of definite noun phrases with independently motivated rules. Referring becomes a kind of requesting. llence, the propositional act of referring is unnecessary.