Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Undispersed agglomerates and the strength of microsilica concrete

Material specification C1240 of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) requires wet-sieved microsilica to pass the #325 sieve with no more than 10% retained and advises that care be exercised ‘to avoid retaining agglomerations of extremely fine material’. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has found that densified microsilica samples that are submitted sometimes do not meet this specification when subjected to test method ASTM C430, apparently because wet-sieving is not capable of breaking the agglomerations. In this study, the possible repercussions of densification of microsilica into larger particle sizes on the mechanical and other engineering properties of the resulting concrete mix are examined. Results of microsilica tests conducted suggest that ASTM C430 is not an appropriate test for assessing the suitability of microsilica for use in concrete. Tests conducted on concrete specimens indicate that those made with undensified microsilica show higher flexural and compressive strengths than concrete made with densified microsilica and with microsilica abused by prolonged exposure to moisture, for both natural and crushed aggregates. Trends observed in almost all mixes with respect to increase in strength with age, microsilica type, aggregate type and specimen size were as expected. The strength increased with age and strength increase was more rapid in the initial ages than during later ages. Both large and small cylinders attained compressive strengths of more than 34.5 MPa after 28 days of curing. Therefore, densified microsilica concrete can be used in the construction of pavements and bridges by ODOT.
Mechano-Active Cartilage Tissue Engineering: The Effect of Dynamic Compressive Stimulation

Mechano-active scaffolds were fabricated from very elastic poly(lactide-co-carprolactone) by a gel-pressing method. The scaffolds were seeded with bone marrow stromal cells and the continuous compressive deformation was applied to cell-polymer constructs in the chondrogenic media. Then, they were implanted in nude mice subcutaneously to evaluate for the effect of dynamic compression for regeneration of cartilage. From the biochemical analyses, chondrogenic differentiation was sustained and enhanced significantly and chondral extracellular matrix was increased through mechanical stimulation. Histological analyses showed that implants stimulated mechanically formed mature and well-developed cartilaginous tissue, as evidenced by bone marrow derived chondrocytes within lacunae. Consequently, the periodic application of dynamic compression can encourage bone marrow stromal cells to differentiation to chondrogenic lineage and to maintain their phenotypes.
An Evaluation of Constitutive Laws and their Ability to Predict Flow Stress over Large Variations in Temperature, Strain, and Strain Rate Characteristic of Friction Stir Welding

An Evaluation of Constitutive Laws and their Ability to Predict Flow Stress Over Large Variations in Temperature, Strain, and Strain Rate Characteristic of Friction Stir Welding Katherine Kuykendall Department of Mechanical Engineering, BYU Doctor of Philosophy Constitutive laws commonly used to model friction stir welding have been evaluated, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and a new application of a constitutive law which can be extended to materials commonly used in FSW is presented. Existing constitutive laws have been classified as path-dependent or path-independent. Path-independent laws have been further classified according to the physical phenomena they capture: strain hardening, strain rate hardening, and/or thermal softening. Path-dependent laws can track gradients in temperature and strain rate characteristic to friction stir welding; however, path-independent laws cannot. None of the path-independent constitutive laws evaluated has been validated over the full range of strain, strain rate, and temperature in friction stir welding. Holding all parameters other than constitutive law constant in a friction stir weld model resulted in temperature differences of up to 21%. Varying locations for maximum temperature difference indicate that the constitutive laws resulted in different temperature profiles. The Sheppard and Wright law is capable of capturing saturation but incapable of capturing strain hardening with errors as large as 57% near yield. The Johnson-Cook law is capable of capturing strain hardening; however, its inability to capture saturation causes overpredictions of stress at large strains with errors as large as 37% near saturation. The Kocks and Mecking model is capable of capturing strain hardening and saturation with errors less than 5% over the entire range of plastic strain. The Sheppard and Wright and Johnson-Cook laws are incapable of capturing transients characteristic of material behavior under interrupted temperature or strain rate. The use of a state variable in the Kocks and Mecking law allows it to predict such transients. Constants for the Kocks and Mecking model for AA 5083, AA 3004, and Inconel 600 were determined from Atlas of Formability data. Constants for AA 5083 and AA 3004 were determined with the traditional Kocks and Mecking model; however, constants for Inconel 600 could not be determined without modification to the model. The temperature and strain rate combinations for Inconel 600 fell into two hardening domains: low temperatures and high strain rates exhibited twinning while high temperatures and low strain rates exhibited slip. An additional master curve was added to the Kocks and Mecking model to account for two hardening mechanisms. The errors for the Kocks and Mecking model predictions are generally within 10% for all materials analyzed.
Meroterpenoids and a Naphthoquinone from Arnebia euchroma and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Abstract Four new meroterpenoids, arnebinols A–D (1–4), and one new prenylated naphthoquinone, 5,8-O-dimethyl-11-deoxyalkannin (5), together with seven known meroterpenoids (6–12) were isolated from the roots of Arnebia euchroma. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated unambiguously by spectroscopic data analysis, as well as X-ray-single crystal diffraction analysis. Arnebinol A (1) and B (2) are rare meroterpenoids possessing a 6/10/5 tricyclic ring system. Compounds 1–12 were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against MG-63 and SNU387 human cancer cell lines. Compound 5 exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 values of 2.69 µM and 6.08 µM, respectively.
Comparison of the Next-Generation Xpert MRSA/SA BC Assay and the GeneOhm StaphSR Assay to Routine Culture for Identification of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus in Positive-Blood-Culture Broths

ABSTRACT A bloodstream infection with Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is a serious condition that carries a high mortality rate and is also associated with significant hospital costs. The rapid and accurate identification and differentiation of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA directly from positive blood cultures has demonstrated benefits in both patient outcome and cost-of-care metrics. We compare the next-generation Xpert MRSA/SA BC (Xpert) assay to the GeneOhm StaphSR (GeneOhm) assay for the identification and detection of S. aureus and methicillin resistance in prospectively collected blood culture broths containing Gram-positive cocci. All results were compared to routine bacterial culture as the gold standard. Across 8 collection and test sites, the Xpert assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 99.6% (range, 96.4% to 100%) and a specificity of 99.5% (range, 98.0% to 100%) for identifying S. aureus, as well as a sensitivity of 98.1% (range, 87.5% to 100%) and a specificity of 99.6% (range, 98.3% to 100%) for identifying MRSA. In comparison, the GeneOhm assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 99.2% (range, 95.2% to 100%) and a specificity of 96.5% (range, 89.2% to 100%) for identifying S. aureus, as well as a sensitivity of 94.3% (range, 87.5% to 100%) and a specificity of 97.8% (range, 96.1% to 100%) for identifying MRSA. Five of six cultures falsely reported as negative for MRSA by the GeneOhm assay were correctly identified as positive by the Xpert assay, while one culture falsely reported as negative for MRSA by the Xpert assay was correctly reported as positive by the GeneOhm assay.
Predictive Modeling of Estrogen Receptor Binding Agents Using Advanced Cheminformatics Tools and Massive Public Data

Estrogen receptors (ERα) are a critical target for drug design as well as a potential source of toxicity when activated unintentionally. Thus, evaluating potential ERα binding agents is critical in both drug discovery and chemical toxicity areas. Using computational tools, e.g., Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, can predict potential ERα binding agents before chemical synthesis. The purpose of this project was to develop enhanced predictive models of ERα binding agents by utilizing advanced cheminformatics tools that can integrate publicly available bioassay data. The initial ERα binding agent data set, consisting of 446 binders and 8307 non-binders, was obtained from the Tox21 Challenge project organized by the NIH Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC). After removing the duplicates and inorganic compounds, this data set was used to create a training set (259 binders and 259 non-binders). This training set was used to develop QSAR models using chemical descriptors. The resulting models were then used to predict the binding activity of 264 external compounds, which were available to us after the models were developed. The cross-validation results of training set [Correct Classification Rate (CCR) = 0.72] were much higher than the external predictivity of the unknown compounds (CCR = 0.59). To improve the conventional QSAR models, all compounds in the training set were used to search PubChem and generate a profile of their biological responses across thousands of bioassays. The most important bioassays were prioritized to generate a similarity index that was used to calculate the biosimilarity score between each two compounds. The nearest neighbors for each compound within the set were then identified and its ERα binding potential was predicted by its nearest neighbors in the training set. The hybrid model performance (CCR = 0.94 for cross validation; CCR = 0.68 for external prediction) showed significant improvement over the original QSAR models, particularly for the activity cliffs that induce prediction errors. The results of this study indicate that the response profile of chemicals from public data provides useful information for modeling and evaluation purposes. The public big data resources should be considered along with chemical structure information when predicting new compounds, such as unknown ERα binding agents.
Protected Areas in South Asia Have Not Prevented Habitat Loss: A Study Using Historical Models of Land-Use Change

Habitat loss imperils species both locally and globally, so protection of intact habitat is critical for slowing the rate of biodiversity decline. Globally, more than 150,000 protected areas have been designated with a goal of protecting species and ecosystems, but whether they can continue to achieve this goal as human impacts escalate is unknown. Here we show that in South Asia, one of the world's major growth epicentres, the trajectory of habitat conversion rates inside protected areas is indistinguishable from that on unprotected lands, and habitat conversion rates do not decline following gazettement of a protected area. Moreover, a quarter of the land inside South Asia's protected areas is now classified as human modified. If the global community is to make significant progress towards the Convention on Biological Diversity's Aichi Target on protected areas, there is an urgent need both to substantially enhance management of these protected areas and to develop systematic conservation outside the formal protected area system.
Administration of conophylline and betacellulin-δ4 increases the β-cell mass in neonatal streptozotocin-treated rats

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of administration of conophylline (CnP) and betacellulindelta4 (BTCdelta4) on the beta-cell mass in neonatal streptozotocin-treated rats (neonatal STZ rats). STZ (100 microg/g) was injected into neonatal rats, and then CnP (2 microg/g) and/or BTCdelta4 (200 pmol/g) were administered to neonatal STZ rats for 1 week. The plasma glucose concentration was monitored, and an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (ipGTT) was performed on day 8 and at 8 weeks after the STZ injection. In neonatal STZ rats treated with control solution (S group), the plasma glucose concentration increased for several days after the STZ injection, returned to nearly normal levels, and then increased gradually after six weeks of age. Eight weeks after the STZ-injection, the plasma glucose concentration was increased significantly compared to that of normal rats. The glucose response to ipGTT was significantly reduced in neonatal STZ rats treated with CnP (CnP group), BTCdelta4 (delta4 group) and CnP+BTCdelta4 (CnP+delta4 group). The beta-cell mass and the insulin content of the pancreas were significantly increased in the CnP group and delta4 group. The effect of CnP+delta4 was greater than that of CnP alone or BTCdelta4 alone. CnP+BTCdelta4 significantly increased the number of PDX-1-positive ductal cells and the number of insulin/BrdU double-positive ductal cells. These results indicate the efficacy of CnP and BTCdelta4 in increasing the beta-cells mass of neonatal STZ-treated rats.
PiLoT: A Precise IMU Based Localization Technique for Smart Phone Users

Pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) schemes typically rely on inertial measurement unit (IMU) of smart- phones to estimate position of the user. However, the performance of IMU based schemes depends on the placement of the IMU on the user and is affected by error accumulation over time. In this paper, we propose and implement PILoT, a Precise IMU based Localization Technique to overcome these shortcomings without compromising the accuracy of the system. It employs a novel wavelet based filtering technique to i) remove noise from the accelerometer readings and ii) deal with the positional changes of the device on the user. Heading is estimated using magnetometer and gyroscope. These techniques are then used in conjunction with a novel map awareness algorithm which eliminates the accumulated error based on the turn events. The proposed scheme achieves sub meter accuracy with a mean error of $0.52$ meters.
Acidification and recovery of aquatic ecosystems in south central Ontario, Canada: regional application of the MAGIC model

Abstract. The dynamic model MAGIC was applied to 25 lakes in south-central Ontario, Canada using a regional modelling methodology. Soil and lake water chemistry for each lake catchment was simulated for the period 1850–2050. Sulphate (SO 4 2– ) deposition forecasts were derived from recently proposed emission reductions, which correspond roughly to a 50% reduction in SO 4 2– deposition by 2010 from the 2000 baseline. Changes in SO 4 2– deposition had a significant impact on lake chemistry. Simulated lake water chemistry showed a recovery potential under the current deposition scenario; by 2050 concentration levels recovered to values predicted for the early 1900s. Moreover, simulated future lake water chemistry showed significant recovery compared to 1975 levels. However, although regional simulations predict that base cation losses have decreased in recent years, soils in the region will continue to acidify with Ca 2+ losses dominating depletion of the exchangeable pool. Base cation losses from the exchangeable pool are currently buffering lakes against the impacts of acid deposition; ultimately base cation inputs into the lakes will decrease as exchangeable base cation pools become depleted. Further emission reductions are necessary to ensure continued recovery from acidification. Keywords: regional dynamic model, sulphate, acid neutralising capacity, critical loads, lake chemistry, soil base saturation
Parasitic chytrids sustain zooplankton growth during inedible algal bloom

This study assesses the quantitative impact of parasitic chytrids on the planktonic food web of two contrasting freshwater lakes during different algal bloom situations. Carbon-based food web models were used to investigate the effects of chytrids during the spring diatom bloom in Lake Pavin (oligo-mesotrophic) and the autumn cyanobacteria bloom in Lake Aydat (eutrophic). Linear inverse modeling was employed to estimate undetermined flows in both lakes. The Monte Carlo Markov chain linear inverse modeling procedure provided estimates of the ranges of model-derived fluxes. Model results confirm recent theories on the impact of parasites on food web function through grazers and recyclers. During blooms of “inedible” algae (unexploited by planktonic herbivores), the epidemic growth of chytrids channeled 19–20% of the primary production in both lakes through the production of grazer exploitable zoospores. The parasitic throughput represented 50% and 57% of the zooplankton diet, respectively, in the oligo-mesotrophic and in the eutrophic lakes. Parasites also affected ecological network properties such as longer carbon path lengths and loop strength, and contributed to increase the stability of the aquatic food web, notably in the oligo-mesotrophic Lake Pavin.
Evaluation of the stability, appearance and performance of resins for the adhesion of flaking paint on ethnographic objects

AbstractA series of resins, mainly water-based, was tested to identify suitable materials for the adhesion of flaking, porous paint on ethnographic objects. Tests of tensile strength, colour, pH, flexibility, adhesion, dust retention, working properties and solubility were used to assess the stability, appearance and performance of unaged and aged resins. Facsimiles of painted objects were used in tests wherever possible to simulate the behaviour of resins on museum objects. Of the 19 resins tested, Plextol® B500, an acrylic dispersion, performed best and was selected for use in the Australian Museum Conservation Laboratory.
OPTIMIZING A WAVELET-BASED DICTIONARY FOR TRANSIENT MODELLING WITH APPLICATION TO PARAMETRIC AUDIO CODING

ABSTRACTIn this paper we intend to optimize a wavelet-based dic-tionary for transient modelling with application to para-metric audio coding. Transient modelling is performed bymatching pursuit with an overcomplete dictionary com-posed of orthonormal wavelet functions that implement awavelet-packet ﬁlter bank. We try to ﬁnd the prototypeﬁlter length, the decomposition depth and the orthogonalwavelet family that lead to the best balance between meansquared error and computational cost. We are also inter-ested in the structure of the wavelet decomposition tree.In such sense, comparison between the wavelet transformand the full wavelet-packet transform is performed. Fi-nally, comparative analysis between wavelets and expo-nentially damped sinusoids is shown in experimental re-sults. The proposed transient modelling method is suitableto be integrated into a parametric audio coder based onthe three-part model of Sines, Transients and Noise (STNmodel). 1. INTRODUCTIONParametric audio coding is a promising technique for char-acterization, compression and modiﬁcation of the audiosignal. Parametric audio coders utilize a signal model incombination with a perception model, and are able to ob-tain a high audio quality at bit-rates lower than 40 kbits/s.The parametric representation allows independent pitchand time-scale modiﬁcation by the decoder in a straight-forward manner. In contrast to waveform coders, para-metric audio coders do not necessarily strive to code thewaveform of the audio signal, and very little, if any, re-duction in bandwidth is applied.HILN (Harmonic Individual Line and Noise) was theﬁrst parametric audio coder accepted within the MPEG-4 standard. It operates at a rate ranging from 6 to 16kbits/s mono [1]. More recently, the parametric audiocoder developed by Philips Research in Eindhoven [2] hasbeen submitted in reaction to the MPEG call-for-proposalsmade in 2001 [3]. This coder, referred to as PPC (PhilipsParametric Coder), operates at 24 kbits/s mono, and pro-duces higher audio quality than AAC at the same binaryrate [2]. On December 2003, an improved version of PPC,
Kinetics of Thermal Oxidation of TA2

Thermal oxidation treatment is a convenient and environmental friendly technique that can be used to harden the surface of titanium alloys, and hence improve the poor properties of the materials. The aim of the paper is to study the oxidizing kinetics of the process at different temperatures. With this purpose, pure titanium TA2 was subjected to thermal oxidation (TO) treatment in a conventional muffle furnace at 500°C~1050°C for 20mins~930mins under air atmosphere and cooled in the air. The surface morphology of the oxide layer at various temperatures was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The weight gain after oxidation treatment under different testing condition was measured and calculated. It is concluded that the oxidizing kinetics at 600°C～750°C followed parabolic law, and the parabola rate constant of Kp was investigated. The oxide layer formed at temperatures lower than 800°C is dense and protectable, while it is getting very loose at temperatures higher than 800°C.
Diagnostic yield and reliability of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP), find factors predictive of a positive EUS finding in these patients and investigate whether these etiological findings are maintained during follow-up. Material and methods. We performed EUS in patients with IAP between July 2004 and August 2007. We recorded epidemiological data, the number and severity of previous bouts of pancreatitis and gallbladder status. Results. A total of 44 patients were included in the study. EUS was normal in seven patients (16%). In the remaining 37 patients (84%) we found cholelithiasis (n = 3), microlithiasis (n = 20), chronic pancreatitis (n = 14), pancreas divisum (n = 3), pancreatic mass (n = 1), apudoma (n = 1), cystic tumor of the pancreas (n = 2) and choledocholithiasis (n = 2). Positive EUS findings were not influenced by sex, severity of pancreatitis or recurrent disease. Patients aged < 65 years (age > or < 65 years: 73.9% versus 95.2%; P = 0.097) and patients with gallbladder in situ (cholecystectomy versus non-cholecystectomy: 63.6% versus 90.9%; P = 0.054) showed a tendency to have positive EUS findings. Mean follow-up was 28.95 ± 10.86 months (range 12–64 months; median 28 months). During follow-up the etiological diagnosis was changed in two patients, lowering the diagnostic yield to 79%. Conclusions. EUS identified the cause of IAP in 79% of patients. Patients with gallbladder in situ and patients aged < 65 years showed a tendency to have positive EUS findings. The majority of the diagnoses provided by EUS are maintained during follow-up and seem to be reliable.