Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a small scale hydrogen production-storage system of hydrogen applications

The successful introduction of hydrogen for transportation, consumer and military applications will require the simultaneous introduction of small scale hydrogen production-storage and distribution systems for central depot and residential use. These systems will have to be flexible, safe and economical. An integrated photovoltaic-electrolyzer-metal hydride system will meet these requirements. The system makes use of high efficiency, low cost amorphous silicon photovoltaic panels coupled to alkaline electrolysis cell stacks. The produced hydrogen is in turn stored as a metal hydride. The system can be scaled from a few watts to several kilowatts and installed in virtually any location. Metal hydride hydrogen storage is an inherently safe, low-pressure storage method. The system can be designed to be coupled directly to the application device or used to refill other storage containers. It will therefore be applicable to virtually all hydrogen applications such as fuel cells, combustion and chemical processes. The development of economical, small-scale hydrogen production-storage systems, especially utilizing renewable energy sources, will enable the successful introduction of hydrogen applications in the marketplace. This paper addresses the conceptual design, integration and sizing of the system components.
Quality of Context Evaluating Approach in AAL Environment Using IoT Technology

This paper presents an approach to the evaluation of Quality of Context (QoC) parameters in a ubiquitous Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) e-Health platform, supporting the care of people with special needs (elderly or with health problems) thus improving their quality of life. The proposal is initially verified with the Siafu simulator in an AAL scenario where the users health is monitored with information about blood pressure and body temperature. The research proceeded with the use of IoT technology, the e-Health Sensor Platform, a differentiated real environment. The experiment used the sensors: pulse and oxygen in blood, body temperature, blood pressure, patients position and falls. Just as in the simulation, and with the QoC evaluation, the completed real experiment confirmed instances of insufficient QoC and its possible causes, in addition to alerts to potential health problems. Results indicates the relevance of the QoC approach for AAL applications.
Role of donor and recipient sex in platelet transfusion

H‐Y proteins are ubiquitously expressed Y chromosome‐encoded minor histocompatibility antigens, which are relevant in the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCT) and solid organs. No studies have so far analyzed whether H‐Y incompatibility influences the outcome of platelet (PLT) transfusion.
Computational Strategies for Dissecting the High-Dimensional Complexity of Adaptive Immune Repertoires

The adaptive immune system recognizes antigens via an immense array of antigen-binding antibodies and T-cell receptors, the immune repertoire. The interrogation of immune repertoires is of high relevance for understanding the adaptive immune response in disease and infection (e.g., autoimmunity, cancer, HIV). Adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) has driven the quantitative and molecular-level profiling of immune repertoires, thereby revealing the high-dimensional complexity of the immune receptor sequence landscape. Several methods for the computational and statistical analysis of large-scale AIRR-seq data have been developed to resolve immune repertoire complexity and to understand the dynamics of adaptive immunity. Here, we review the current research on (i) diversity, (ii) clustering and network, (iii) phylogenetic, and (iv) machine learning methods applied to dissect, quantify, and compare the architecture, evolution, and specificity of immune repertoires. We summarize outstanding questions in computational immunology and propose future directions for systems immunology toward coupling AIRR-seq with the computational discovery of immunotherapeutics, vaccines, and immunodiagnostics.
Slot antenna array for anticollision radar with low sidelobe

A low profile, high gain 16 × 32-slot antenna array with low sidelobe levels is designed for anticollision radar application in this paper. The amplitude responses of Taylor distributions at the single-ridge waveguide feeding network output ports are adopted in both longitudinal and transverse directions to optimize the radiation patterns. For demonstration, a prototype applied to anticollision radar at 76–77 GHz is designed. The desired amplitude distribution of the feeding network output ports is realized by utilizing a Taylor synthesis of Nbar = 4. Simulation results indicate that low sidelobe characteristics of more than — 20 dB and — 25 dB at the first sidelobes are achieved in E- and H-plane, respectively. Besides, the antenna array gain of more than 40.5 dBi and the cross-polarization of less than — 69.6 dB are obtained over the desired frequency range.
Leveraging Long and Short-Term Information in Content-Aware Movie Recommendation via Adversarial Training

Movie recommendation systems provide users with ranked lists of movies based on individual’s preferences and constraints. Two types of models are commonly used to generate ranking results: 1) long-term models and 2) session-based models. The long-term-based models represent the interactions between users and movies that are supposed to change slowly across time, while the session-based models encode the information of users’ interests and changing dynamics of movies’ attributes in short terms. In this paper, we propose the LSIC model, leveraging long and short-term information for content-aware movie recommendation using adversarial training. In the adversarial process, we train a generator as an agent of reinforcement learning which recommends the next movie to a user sequentially. We also train a discriminator which attempts to distinguish the generated list of movies from the real records. The poster information of movies is integrated to further improve the performance of movie recommendation, which is specifically essential when few ratings are available. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed model has robust superiority over competitors and achieves the state-of-the-art results.
Tracking Occluded Objects and Recovering Incomplete Trajectories by Reasoning About Containment Relations and Human Actions

This paper studies a challenging problem of tracking severely occluded objects in long video sequences. The proposed method reasons about the containment relations and human actions, thus infers and recovers occluded objects identities while contained or blocked by others. There are two conditions that lead to incomplete trajectories: i) Contained. The occlusion is caused by a containment relation formed between two objects, e.g., an unobserved laptop inside a backpack forms containment relation between the laptop and the backpack. ii) Blocked. The occlusion is caused by other objects blocking the view from certain locations, during which the containment relation does not change. By explicitly distinguishing these two causes of occlusions, the proposed algorithm formulates tracking problem as a network flow representation encoding containment relations and their changes. By assuming all the occlusions are not spontaneously happened but only triggered by human actions, an MAP inference is applied to jointly interpret the trajectory of an object by detection in space and human actions in time. To quantitatively evaluate our algorithm, we collect a new occluded object dataset captured by Kinect sensor, including a set of RGB-D videos and human skeletons with multiple actors, various objects, and different changes of containment relations. In the experiments, we show that the proposed method demonstrates better performance on tracking occluded objects compared with baseline methods.
Attempt to Rescue Sex-Reversal by Transgenic Expression of the PISRT1 Gene in XX PIS–/– Goats

The Polled Intersex Syndrome (PIS mutation) in goats leads to an absence of horn and to an early sex-reversal of the XX gonads. This mutation is a deletion of an 11.7-kb DNA fragment showing a tissue-specific regulatory activity. Indeed, in XX PIS–/– gonads the deletion of PIS leads to the transcriptional extinction of at least 3 neighboring genes, FOXL2, PFOXic and PISRT1. Among them, only FOXL2 is a ‘classical’ gene, encoding a highly conserved transcription factor. On the other hand, knock-out of Foxl2 in mice results in an early blocking of follicle formation without sex-reversal. This phenotype discrepancy leads to two hypotheses, either FOXL2 is responsible for XX sex-reversal in goat assuming distinct functions of its protein during ovarian differentiation in different mammals, or other PIS-regulated genes are involved. To assess the second possibility, PISRT1 expression was constitutively restored in XX PIS–/– gonads. Six transgenic fetuses were obtained by nuclear transfer and studied at 2 developmental stages, 41 and 46 days post-reconstruction. The gonads of these fetuses appear phenotypically identical to those of cloned non-transgenic controls. Conclusively, this result argues for FOXL2 being responsible for the PIS gonad-associated phenotype. Its invalidation in goat will help to better understand this complex syndrome.
Human Langerhans Cells with Pro-inflammatory Features Relocate within Psoriasis Lesions

Psoriasis is a common skin disease that presents with well-demarcated patches of inflammation. Recurrent disease in fixed areas of the skin indicates a localized disease memory that is preserved in resolved lesions. In line with such concept, the involvement of tissue-resident immune cells in psoriasis pathology is increasingly appreciated. Langerhans cells (LCs) are perfectly placed to steer resident T cells and local tissue responses in psoriasis. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge of LCs in human psoriasis, including findings that highlight pro-inflammatory features of LCs in psoriasis lesions. We also review the literature on conflicting data regarding LC localization and functionality in psoriasis. Our review highlights that further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that drive LCs functionality in inflammatory diseases.
Magnetic resonance urography in pediatric urology

Purpose of review Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) has evolved into an effective imaging tool for the evaluation of the urinary tract in children. The goal of this article is to describe current techniques and applications of MRU and to review recent advances. Recent findings MRU is most commonly applied to the evaluation of hydronephrosis and provides valuable insight into a wide range of obstructive uropathies. MRU was shown to be superior to renal scintigraphy for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis and renal scarring. The use of MRU for the assessment of urolithiasis, vesicoureteral reflux, renal trauma, and fetal urinary tract abnormalities is limited and technical refinements are required. Judicious use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients at risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis was recently shown to avoid new occurrences. Potential future applications include virtual endoscopy and MRU-guided procedures. Summary MRU has the potential to revolutionize imaging of the urinary tract in children. It integrates exquisite anatomical information with a variety of functional data and avoids ionizing radiation. MRU is increasingly employed as a problem solver when conventional imaging studies remain inconclusive and its growing application will likely improve availability and cost in the future.
Faecal microbiota in dogs with multicentric lymphoma

Malignant lymphoma B-cell type is the most common canine haematopoietic malignancy. Changes in intestinal microbiota have been implicated in few types of cancer in humans. The aim of this prospective and case-control study was to determine differences in faecal microbiota between healthy control dogs and dogs with multicentric lymphoma. Twelve dogs affected by multicentric, B-cell, stage III-IV lymphoma, and 21 healthy dogs were enrolled in the study. For each dog, faecal samples were analysed by Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for selected bacterial groups. Alpha diversity was significant lower in lymphoma dogs. Principal coordinate analysis plots showed different microbial clustering (P = .001) and linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed 28 differentially abundant bacterial groups in lymphoma and control dogs. The qPCR analysis showed significant lower abundance of Faecalibacterium spp. (q < .001), Fusobacterium spp. (q = .032), and Turicibacter spp. (q = .043) in dogs with lymphoma compared with control dogs. On the contrary, Streptococcus spp. was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma (q = .041). The dysbiosis index was significantly higher (P < .0001) in dogs with lymphoma. In conclusion, both sequencing and qPCR analyses provided a global overview of faecal microbial communities and showed significant differences in the microbial communities of dogs presenting with multicentric lymphoma compared with healthy control dogs.
Cooperation driven coherence: Brains working hard together

The current study aims to look at the difference in coupling of EEG activity of participant pairs while they perform a cooperative, concurrent, independent yet different task at high and low difficulty levels. Participants performed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) designed Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB-II) task which simulates a pilot and copilot operating an aircraft. Each participant in the pair was responsible for 2 out of 4 subtasks which were independent and different from one another while all tasks occurs concurrently in real time with difficulty levels being the frequency that adjustments are required for each subtask. We found that as the task become more difficult, there was more coupling between the pilot and copilot.
A cannabigerol-rich Cannabis sativa extract, devoid of [INCREMENT]9-tetrahydrocannabinol, elicits hyperphagia in rats

Nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoids (pCBs) from Cannabis sativa may represent novel therapeutic options for cachexia because of their pleiotropic pharmacological activities, including appetite stimulation. We have recently shown that purified cannabigerol (CBG) is a novel appetite stimulant in rats. As standardized extracts from Cannabis chemotypes dominant in one pCB [botanical drug substances (BDSs)] often show greater efficacy and/or potency than purified pCBs, we investigated the effects of a CBG-rich BDS, devoid of psychoactive [INCREMENT]9-tetrahydrocannabinol, on feeding behaviour. Following a 2 h prefeed satiation procedure, 16 male Lister-hooded rats were administered CBG-BDS (at 30–240 mg/kg) or vehicle. Food intake, meal pattern microstructure and locomotor activity were recorded over 2 h. The total food intake was increased by 120 and 240 mg/kg CBG-BDS (1.53 and 1.36 g, respectively, vs. 0.56 g in vehicle-treated animals). Latency to feeding onset was dose dependently decreased at all doses, and 120 and 240 mg/kg doses increased both the number of meals consumed and the cumulative size of the first two meals. No significant effect was observed on ambulatory activity or rearing behaviour. CBG-BDS is a novel appetite stimulant, which may have greater potency than purified CBG, despite the absence of [INCREMENT]9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the extract.
Temperature‐Gradient‐Driven Diffusion in Rapid‐Rate Sintering

The vacancy diffusion flux, driven by the neck growth curvature (1 /ρ) which contributes to conventional sintering of a powder compact, is theoretically compared with that arising from thermal diffusion, driven by the temperature gradient (grad T/T) during the final stage of sintering. Under conditions experienced in ultrarapid sintering, the thermally driven vacancy flux can exceed the curvature-driven flux by a factor of 1000. This effect may explain the phenomenon of enhanced densification rates observed in plasma sintering.
Assessment of Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Susceptibility to Neuraminidase Inhibitors in Three Enzyme Activity Inhibition Assays

ABSTRACT The neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) zanamivir and oseltamivir are currently the only antiviral drugs effective for the treatment and prophylaxis of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infections. The proven potential of these viruses to acquire NAI resistance during treatment emphasizes the need to assess their NAI susceptibility. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) are known to vary depending on the neuraminidase inhibition (NI) test used; however, few side-by-side comparisons of different NI assays have been done. In the present study, a panel of 11 isolates representing 2009 seasonal and pandemic influenza H1N1 viruses, including oseltamivir-resistant H275Y variants, were tested in three functional NI assays: chemiluminescent (CL), fluorescent (FL), and colorimetric (CM). The sensitivities of the viruses to zanamivir, oseltamivir, and three investigational NAIs (peramivir, R-125489, and A-315675) were assessed. All isolates with the exception of H275Y variants were sensitive to all five NAIs by all three NI assays. The H275Y variants showed substantially elevated IC50s against oseltamivir and peramivir. The three NI assays generally yielded consistent results; thus, the choice of NI assay does not appear to affect conclusions based on drug susceptibility surveillance. Each assay, however, offers certain advantages compared to the others: the CL assay required less virus volume and the FL assay provided the greatest difference in the IC50s between the wild type and the variants, whereas the IC50s obtained from the CM assay may be the most predictive of the drug concentrations needed to inhibit enzyme activity in humans. It would be desirable to develop an NI assay which combines the advantages of all three currently available assays but which lacks their shortcomings.
Natural Bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis Keng) Fiber Identification Using FT-IR and 2D-IR Correlation Spectroscopy

The objective of this study as to identify natural bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis Keng) fiber through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), second derivative IR spectra, and two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy (2D-IR). Textile plant fibers, including natural bamboo, jute, and flax fibers, were collected, and isolated by hydrogen peroxide and glacial acetic acid becoming single fibers to avoid uncontrolled influence. All the chemically treated plant fibers showed generally similar IR spectral profiles. However, different numbers of peaks in the range of 1,300–1,200/cm and the variation in peak intensity at around 1,059/cm were observed for bamboo fiber differentiation. A few differences in their second derivative IR spectra between bamboo fiber and the other plant fibers also provided information for differentiation. Furthermore, the characteristic features of bamboo fiber were presented in 2D-IR correlation synchronous spectra in the range of 800–1,200/cm and 1,425–1,750/cm, which were obviously distinguished from other investigated fibers. In addition, the results showed that the distinction between bamboo fiber and bamboo pulp fiber could be easily carried out using FT-IR and 2D-IR spectroscopy because of their different chemical compositions and crystal lattice types of cellulose (I, II). Therefore, it is demonstrated that FT-IR combined with 2D-IR correlation spectroscopy can become a new approach for natural bamboo fiber identification.
Elevated tissue Cr levels, increased plasma oxidative markers, and global hypomethylation of blood DNA in male Sprague‐Dawley rats exposed to potassium dichromate in drinking water

Hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] is prevalent in ground water in some areas, but evidence on the toxic effects of Cr (VI) via ingestion through drinking water remains insufficient. The aims of our study were to investigate the toxic effects of Cr (VI) through oral water ingestion on oxidative stress and DNA methylation. Thirty‐two Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, and exposed to porassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7; 0, 30, 100, and 300 mg/L) in drinking water for 4 weeks. Mean body weight gain, mean water consumption, clinical chemistry determinations, and oxidative stress levels in plasma were measured. Global DNA methylation changes and DNA methylation status at the promoter of p16 gene were also detected. After 4 weeks, mild anemic effects and increased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels occurred in rats exposed to 100 mg/L or 300 mg/L of Cr (VI). Plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity decreased in all exposed groups. Global DNA methylation levels were reduced in 100 mg/L and 300 mg/L exposure groups. However, DNA methylation status at the promoter of P16 gene remained unchanged in all K2Cr2O7‐treated groups. The correlation analysis indicated that increased MDA levels were closely correlated to global DNA hypomethylation. Our results indicated that oral ingestion of Cr (VI) through drinking water caused not only oxidative stress in plasma, but also global DNA hypomethylation in blood cells from male rats, and a good correlation was found between increased MDA levels and reduced global DNA methylation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1080–1090, 2016.
High Temperature Corrosion of Engineering Alloys

This extensive materials selection and application book is the first of its kind. It describes a comprehensive treatment of all forms of high temperature corrosion problems encountered in industry, especially gas turbine and aerospace, heat treating, mineral and metallurgical processing, ceramic, electronic and glass manufacturing, automotive pulp and paper waste incineration fossil fuel power generation coal gasification nuclear. Materials problems discussed include those due to oxidation, carburization and metal dusting nitridation, halogen corrosion, sulfidation, ash/salt deposit corrosion (e.g. hot corrosion, fuel ash corrosion, etc.), molten salt corrosion and molten metal corrosion. This single source contains an exhaustive corrosion database with a total of 101 tables and 169 figures, eliminating the need for conducting a time-consuming literature search. This book is a must for solving high temperature corrosion problems and learning about corrosion reactions of various high temperature corrosion modes. Contents: Methods of Testing and Evaluation Oxidation Carburization and Metal Dusting Nitridation Corrosion by Halogen Sulfidation Ash/Salt Deposit Corrosion - Molten Salt Corrosion Molten Metal Corrosion.