Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetite/Polypyrrole Hybrid Nanocomposites as a Promising Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Material

We have prepared magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4_NPs) almost spherical in shape with average particle size of 10 nm and successfully encapsulated them in an envelope of polypyrrole (PPY) chains via an emulsion polymerization route using sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant. The resulting PPY-coated Fe3O4_NPs (Fe3O4_NPs/PPY) suspensions were stable with particles exhibiting a triangular prismatic morphology and an average diameter below 100 nm. In fact, all colloidal solutions were stable in aqueous media with typical ζ-surface potential values of −33.9 mV (Fe3O4_NPs) and −20.0 mV (Fe3O4_NPs/PPY). Although X-ray diffraction studies revealed the presence of a magnetic phase Fe3O4, the identified diffraction peaks are consistent with the presence of a spinel structure of magnetite. A ferromagnetic behavior, such as lower coercive force (Hc = 0.065 T), was observed for all magnetic nanoparticles examined. The 1H NMR relaxation times T1 and T2 of selected Fe3O4_NPs/PPY samples were also measured and their relaxivities r1 (1.1 s−1 mM−1) and r2 (61.9 s−1 mM−1) compare favorably to those of contrast agents commercially used in human examinations. We suggest that the present results indicate that these hybrid nanocomposites are promising materials for the development of a platform of specialized contrast agents for 1H Magnetic Resonance Imaging. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
The need for real time consistency management in P2P mobile gaming environments

The introduction of more powerful, feature rich, portable handsets is enabling more engaging mobile multimedia entertainment. Improvements in wireless technology infrastructure are enabling access to ubiquitous, always-on data networks. We believe that based on the popularity of multiplayer games over IP networks, there will be significant demand for mobile multiplayer games. Based upon our early trials, we also believe that the current trend for using centralised client/server models will not offer the most suitable architecture to enable them. To support our research we have built a novel augmented reality real time game as a requirements gatherer for gaming in a wireless environment. In this paper we indicate why a centralised approach will not be suitable for real-time interactions. As an alternative we propose a decentralised approach which includes support for consistency and interest management over heterogeneous networked wireless environments.
Tracking and recognizing rigid and non-rigid facial motions using local parametric models of image motion

This paper explores the use of local parametrized models of image motion for recovering and recognizing the non-rigid and articulated motion of human faces. Parametric flow models (for example affine) are popular for estimating motion in rigid scenes. We observe that within local regions in space and time, such models not only accurately model non-rigid facial motions but also provide a concise description of the motion in terms of a small number of parameters. These parameters are intuitively related to the motion of facial features during facial expressions and we show how expressions such as anger, happiness, surprise, fear, disgust and sadness can be recognized from the local parametric motions in the presence of significant head motion. The motion tracking and expression recognition approach performs with high accuracy in extensive laboratory experiments involving 40 subjects as well as in television and movie sequences. <<ETX>>
The characterization of copper oxide with different molar concentration using sol-gel spin coating

The objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of different molar concentration of the copper oxide (CuO) thin films deposited using spin-coating technique. The CuO thin films were deposited on 500μm quartz substrates. The molar concentration of CuO solutions used were 0.3M, 0.35M, 0.4M, 0.45M and 0.5M were prepared using sol-gel method. These solutions were formed by dissolving copper acetate powder into isopropanol, diethanolamine and polyethylene glycol. All samples were annealed at 600°C for 1 hour in a furnace. The electrical properties were measured by two point probe to check thin film resistivity. The electrical measurements showed that current increased with the concentration. The thicknesses were performed using the surface profiler while the surfaces morphology were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The films surfaces were smooth with uniformly distributed grains. The optical transmittances were measured using UV-Vis spectrometer and the reading decreased with concentration.
[Effects of water stress on the growth of Lonicera japonica and quality of honeysuckle].

OBJECTIVE Effects of water stress on the growth of Lonicera japonica and quality of honeysuckle were studied. METHODS Different extent water stress treatment imposed to potted plants before the first florescence of honeysuckle, and the growth and related physiological indexes of Lonicera japonica were determined. RESULTS Shoot grow slowly as well as the increases of specific weight of leaf and the decrease of the yield of honeysuckle under water stress. The contents of chlorophyl in the leaves treated water stress all increased, and the content of soluble suger had a rising stream. The content of soluble protein in leaves of plant imposed by minor stress treatment was obviously higher than that of CK and severe stress treatment. As the stress was hard, the content of proline in leaves increased significantly. With water stress severing, the content of chlorogenic acid in the flower bud decreased very significantly than CK. CONCLUSION Water condition was a important factor affected the growth and development of shoots, leaves and flower buds as well as the quality of honeysuckle. In the cultivation of Loniccra japonica, irrigation timing and certain irrigation condition was necessary.
Classification of epileptic and non-epileptic EEG events

In this paper, the classification of epileptic and non-epileptic events from multi-channel EEG data is investigated using a large number of time and frequency domain features. In contrast to most of the evaluations found in the literature, in this paper the non-epileptic class consists of two types of paroxysmal episodes of loss of consciousness namely the psychogenic non epileptic seizure (PNES) and the vasovagal syncope (VVS). For the classification, several classification algorithms were explored. The classification models were evaluated on EEG epochs from 11 subjects in an inter-subject cross-validation setting and the best among them achieved classification accuracies of 86% (Bayesian Network), 83% (Random Committee) and 74% (Random Forest).
Metformin Causes Reduction of Food Intake and Body Weight Gain and Improvement of Glucose Intolerance in Combination with Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitor in Zucker fa/fa Rats

An incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), has been shown to lower plasma glucose via glucose-dependent insulin secretion and to reduce appetite. We previously found that the biguanide metformin, an antidiabetic agent, causes a significant increase of plasma active GLP-1 level in the presence of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) inhibitor in normal rats. This finding suggested that the combination treatment might produce a greater antidiabetic and anorectic effect, based on enhanced GLP-1 action. In this study, we assessed the effects of subchronic treatment with metformin and a DPPIV inhibitor, valine-pyrrolidide (val-pyr), on glycemic control, food intake, and weight gain using Zucker fa/fa rats, a model of obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. The combination treatment caused a significant increase of GLP-1 level in Zucker fa/fa rats. In a subchronic study, val-pyr, metformin, or both compounds were administered orally b.i. d. for 14 days. The combination treatment significantly decreased food intake and body weight gain, although neither metformin nor val-pyr treatment alone had any effect. In an oral glucose tolerance test on day 1, the coadministration caused a greater improvement of glucose tolerance and a prominent increase of plasma active GLP-1 without marked insulin secretion. The 14-day combination treatment produced a potent reduction of fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels. These results demonstrate that the combination therapy of metformin with DPPIV inhibitor leads to reduced food intake and body weight gain, most likely through the significant increase of plasma GLP-1 level. The combination therapy seems to be a good candidate for treatment of type 2 diabetes with obesity.
Semidefinite Programming vs. LP Relaxations for Polynomial Programming

We consider the global minimization of a multivariate polynomial on a semi-algebraic set O defined with polynomial inequalities. We then compare two hierarchies of relaxations, namely, LP relaxations based on products of the original constraints, in the spirit of the RLT procedure of Sherali and Adams (1990), and recent semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxations introduced by the author. The comparison is analyzed in light of recent results in real algebraic geometry on various representations of polynomials, positive on a compact semi-algebraic set.
M ar 2 00 2 Beyond the tree level in the AdS / CFT Correspondence

The loop expansion of the effective action is used to evaluate quantum corrections to a scalar field theory (massive φ model) on AdSn+1 . We evaluate one loop corrections and show that they preserve conformal invariance of the boundary theory as conjectured by AdS/CFT correspondence. ∗email : jona@df.unipi. it 1
Microstructuring with femtosecond lasers

Using ultrashort laser pluses can cause the ablation of nearly all kinds of materials, leading to very precise machining results with minimal damage. This includes even the machining of delicate materials with high heat conductivities or comparatively low melting temperatures, such as metals, as well as optical transparent and organic materials. The best results are obtained using pulses with sub-picosecond duration. This report summarizes recent progress in ultrashort pulse laser machining. Several promising applications in microstructuring, nanotechnology and medicine are highlighted.
Left ventricular pacing improves haemodynamic variables in patients with heart failure with a normal QRS duration

Objectives: To assess whether patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and a normal QRS duration can benefit from left ventricular (VDD-LV) pacing. Design: Cardiac resynchronisation is reserved for patients with a broad QRS duration on the premise that systolic resynchronisation is the mechanism of benefit, yet improvement from pacing correlates poorly with QRS duration. In CHF patients with a broad QRS duration, those with a high resting pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) > 15 mm Hg benefit. In this acute haemodynamic VDD-LV pacing study, patients with CHF with a normal QRS duration were divided into two groups—patients with a resting PCWP > 15 mm Hg and patients with a resting PCWP < 15 mm Hg—to determine whether benefit is predicted by a high resting PCWP. Patients: 20 patients with CHF, New York Heart Association functional class IIb–IV, all with a normal QRS duration (⩽ 120 ms). Interventions: Temporary pacing wires were positioned to enable VDD-LV pacing and a pulmonary artery catheter was inserted for measurement of PCWP, right atrial pressure, and cardiac output. Results: In patients with a PCWP > 15 mm Hg (n = 10), cardiac output increased from 3.9 (1.5) to 4.5 (1.65) l/min (p < 0.01), despite a fall in PCWP from 24.7 (7.1) to 21.0 (6.2) mm Hg (p < 0.001). In patients with a PCWP < 15 mm Hg there was no change in PCWP or cardiac output. Combined data showed that PCWP decreased from 17.0 (9.1) to 15.3 (7.7) mm Hg during VDD-LV pacing (p < 0.014) and cardiac output increased non-significantly from 4.7 (1.5) to 4.9 (1.5) (p = 0.125). Conclusions: Patients with CHF with a normal QRS duration and PCWP > 15 mm Hg derive acute haemodynamic benefit from VDD-LV pacing.
A Relation Between Dynamic Strength and Manual Materials-Handling Strategy Affected by Knowledge of Strength

Objective: We studied the relation between dynamic (isokinetic) strength and the batch-assorting strategy to initiate a manual materials-handling task and the effect of knowledge of strength on that relation. Background: The debated, complex relationship between muscular strength and the risk of injury can be better understood from a behavioral perspective by examining performance strategies in physical acts such as lifting. Methods: Thirty-two participants (16 men and 16 women) were first tested for their isokinetic strengths of trunk extension, knee extension, shoulder extension, and shoulder abduction. The participants were then divided into two groups, one provided with knowledge feedback of their strength testing results and the other not provided with such feedback. Participants subsequently performed the same load-handling task in which they carried batches of various weight plates while allowed to assort batches of more than one plate into any combination. Results: Dynamic strength, as represented by a total isokinetic strength score, and knowledge feedback both had significant effects on measures quantifying the batch-assorting strategy. Conclusion: Individuals with greater strength tended to adopt a strategy corresponding to a heavier load per carry and fewer carries per batch. Receiving knowledge feedback evoked a tendency toward handling a heavier load, and this tendency was more salient in the weaker individuals. Application: Potential applications include the use of strength testing in worker selection and training as well as in job design to promote better strategies of balancing productivity and injury prevention.
Mechanische Eigenschaften von Lithiumionen Batterieelektrodenmaterialien bei verschiedenen Ladezuständen

Due to significant volume changes of lithium ion battery electrode materials under operation, it is essential to understand the mechanical behavior of these materials. On the one hand there still are open questions about the mechanical behavior of commercially available materials. On the other hand, it has been shown, that mechanical degradation during cycling is the bottleneck for a successful introduction of new materials, which exhibit excellent characteristics otherwise. In this work, the change in mechanical properties of ordered (HOPG/graphite) and non-ordered (Glassy Carbon) carbon, silicon and aluminum has been evaluated. For this purpose a self-designed experimental setup has been constructed. It allows for the electrochemical manipulation of the sample and combines a synchronized quantitative measurement of the mechanical properties of small volumes on the µm-scale in a MTS G200 XP nanoindenter for the first time. Young’s modulus, hardness and strength of the electrode materials can be measured quantitatively at different states of charge. Moreover, the setup enables a novel experimental investigation of the coupling of mechanical stress and the electrochemical potential of lithium in the material. Silicon showed a clear decrease in elastic modulus and hardness during formation of amorphous LixSi. Reliable values for the modulus and hardness of LixSi have been obtained, which are in good agreement with literature values. Also additional aspects of electrochemical lithiation have been revealed. In the early stages of lithiation, separated amorphous islands were found and a model for heterogeneous nucleation has been proposed. An intermediate reaction step prior to lithiation has been identified as well. At the same time, this intermediate reaction step prevented a proper analysis of the coupling between mechanical stress and the electrochemical potential of the lithium. For fast lithium intercalation and conditions close to application, graphite (HOPG) exhibited a significant reduction in strength, which was unknown so far. Non-ordered carbon (Glassy Carbon) also showed a reduction in strength and modulus after lithium intercalation. With respect to application, high relevance of these results is assumed. During electrochemical lithiation, aluminium exhibited a reduction of elastic modulus and hardness as well. So far, comparable results for this material are not known from the literature. Results that were obtained in this work represent an important gain of knowledge in the light of improvement of already used materials and a successful introduction of new electrode materials for lithium ion batteries. Thus, this work assists the route towards a significant raise of energy and power densities for this type of energy storage.
Avulsion of the anomalous facial nerve at stapedectomy

Injury to the facial nerve in an anomalous location overlying the oval window at the time of stapedectomy has rarely been reported. The authors recently have encountered three patients with such injuries. The facial nerve was found at the time of reexploration to run directly over the oval window. A fourth patient was explored primarily for a conductive hearing loss and the same anomalous course was discovered. The purpose of this report is to alert the otologic surgeon to this rare but potentially catastrophic anomaly and to review the pertinent embryology and management of these malformations.
Regularized Interlingual Projections: Evaluation on Multilingual Transliteration

In this paper, we address the problem of building a multilingual transliteration system using an interlingual representation. Our approach uses international phonetic alphabet (IPA) to learn the interlingual representation and thus allows us to use any word and its IPA representation as a training example. Thus, our approach requires only monolingual resources: a phoneme dictionary that lists words and their IPA representations. By adding a phoneme dictionary of a new language, we can readily build a transliteration system into any of the existing previous languages, without the expense of all-pairs data or computation. We also propose a regularization framework for learning the interlingual representation, which accounts for language specific phonemic variability, and thus it can find better mappings between languages. Experimental results on the name transliteration task in five diverse languages show a maximum improvement of 29% accuracy and an average improvement of 17% accuracy compared to a state-of-the-art baseline system.
Completeness of queries over incomplete databases

Data completeness is an important aspect of data quality as in many scenarios it is crucial to guarantee completeness of query answers. We develop techniques to conclude the completeness of query answers from information about the completeness of parts of a generally incomplete database. In our framework, completeness of a database can be described in two ways: by table completeness (TC) statements, which say that certain parts of a relation are complete, and by query completeness (QC) statements, which say that the set of answers of a query is complete. We identify as core problem to decide whether table completeness entails query completeness (TC-QC). We develop decision procedures and assess the complexity of TC-QC inferences depending on the languages of the TC and QC statements. We show that in important cases weakest preconditions for query completeness can be expressed in terms of table completeness statements, which means that these statements identify precisely the parts of a database that are critical for the completeness of a query. For the related problem of QC-QC entailment, we discuss its connection to query determinacy. Moreover, we show how to use the concrete state of a database to enable further completeness inferences.
Concepts for hybrid CMOS-molecular non-volatile memories

Two types of hybrid CMOS-molecular memories with large scaling potential are discussed; resistive memories based on functional molecular layers and charge trapping devices with integrated nanotubes. For the first type, the resistive memory, crossbar cell and transistor cell architectures are compared. In the crossbar geometry the advantage of a dense cell geometry comes at the cost of more complex circuitry and complicated process technology, whereas the transistor cell has, in general, a lower area density, but enhanced read? write performance and reduced disturbance. However, using a specially designed vertical transistor architecture a cell size similar to that in the crossbar cell can be realized. The other concept for a highly scalable non-volatile memory is based on the integration of nanowires or nanotubes into standard silicon technology. In this memory cell, charges in the trapping layer shift the threshold voltages of nanotube-based transistors, while controlling and readout can be done by conventional CMOS electronics.
A practical noise parameter measurement method of packaged Low noise transistor

The key issue of packaged Low noise transistor noise parameter characterization is test fixture, this paper describes how to design test fixture and TRL cal standard based on PCB in detail, and also comprehensive verification of test fixture and TRL cal standard in frequency domain and time domain. What's more, this paper takes advantage of a new ultra-fast noise parameter measurement method with more simplicity, less test time and also more measurement accuracy.
Square-root H2 and H∞ synthesis algorithms for sequentially semi-separable systems

We consider the problem of designing H2 and H∞ linear estimators for time-varying spatially interconnected systems distributed in one spatial dimension. In general, numerical implementation of the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) solution for such systems is a complex and computationally expensive operation. However, the spatially interconnected systems can be described by state-space models whose matrices have a special structure, called “sequentially semi-separable” (SSS). Using only efficient and structure-preserving arithmetic operations, the H2 and H∞ estimation problems are solved by means of square-root array algorithms. Our solution has thus, linear computational complexity and is a viable approach for large scale systems.