Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalized Technique for Cumulative Damage Modeling of Composite Laminates

This article introduces an iterative model to predict the fatigue behavior of fiber reinforced laminated composites under general loading conditions. The model simulates the damage progress and subsequent material property degradation of composite laminates and predicts their fatigue life by using a three-stage procedure. In the first stage, state of stresses in the whole component is specified. Then, multi-axial stresses of each element are utilized to damage assessment by using a newly developed damage estimation technique. Considering each element as an orthotropic material, stiffness degradation due to the induced damage is calculated based on two sets of material property degradation rules. For this aim, a generalized approach is used for gradual and sudden material property degradation. In order to evaluate the model, a macro program is developed that simulates the fatigue behavior of unidirectional and multidirectional composite laminates. The results of the model are consistent with available experimental data. Using this program, some fatigue life predictions are also accomplished for laminates with arbitrary stacking sequences.
Effect of Oral Snus and Medicinal Nicotine in Smokers on Toxicant Exposure and Withdrawal Symptoms: A Feasibility Study

Background: Smokeless, spitless tobacco products are being introduced and marketed as cigarette substitutes. Data are needed regarding how smokers interested in cessation would use these products, the levels of resultant toxicant exposure, and the feasibility of using these products as aids for tobacco cessation. Methods: Smokers were randomized to receive Camel Snus (n = 51), Taboka (n = 52), or medicinal nicotine (n = 27) and required to quit smoking for 4 weeks. Measures of toxicant exposure and symptoms of craving and withdrawal were assessed prior to and during product use. Results: Concentrations of exhaled carbon monoxide, urinary cotinine, urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and its glucuronides (total NNAL), and urinary N′-nitrosonornicotine and its glucuronide (total NNN) were significantly (P values <0.05) lower at the end of treatment in each group except for total NNN in those receiving Camel Snus (P = 0.066). A significant group × time effect was observed for total NNAL concentrations (P = 0.002) with the decrease greatest in the medicinal nicotine group and smallest decrease in the Camel Snus group. No significant differences between groups were found in craving and withdrawal symptoms. Conclusions: Enrolling smokers into a cessation study utilizing newer smokeless tobacco products is feasible. Camel Snus and Taboka use was not found to be superior to medicinal nicotine in reducing withdrawal symptoms but decreases in NNAL were smaller in users of Camel Snus. Impact: This study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a smoking cessation study utilizing these newer tobacco products. An appropriately powered study is needed to assess smoking cessation rates using these newer products compared with established, safer products such as medicinal nicotine. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(1); 91–100. ©2011 AACR.
Trends in multiple births conceived using assisted reproductive technology, United States, 1997-2000.

OBJECTIVE To examine trends in multiple births conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the United States between 1997 and 2000 and to estimate the proportion of all US multiple births attributable to ART use. METHODS We analyzed population-based data of 109 519 live-born infants who were conceived in the United States using ART and born between 1997 and 2000 and population-based data of 15 856 809 live-born infants who were delivered in the United States between 1997 and 2000. Multiple birth rates (the number of live-born infants delivered in multiple gestation pregnancies per 1000 live births) and the proportion of all US multiple births attributable to ART were evaluated. RESULTS The twin rate for ART patients increased between 1997 and 2000, reaching 444.7 per 1000 live births in 2000, whereas the triplet/+ rate declined substantially from 134.3 to 98.7 per 1000 live births from 1997-2000. From 1997-2000, the proportion of multiple births in the United States attributable to ART increased from 11.2% to 13.6%, whereas the proportion attributable to natural conception decreased from 69.9% to 64.5%. In 2000, the proportion of triplet/+ births attributable to ART and to natural conception was 42.5% and 17.7%, respectively. The contribution of ART to multiple births increased substantially with maternal age, from 11.6% for triplet/+ infants born to women aged 20 to 24 to 92.8% for women aged 45 to 49 years. CONCLUSIONS The contribution of ART to twin birth rates continues to increase, but the contribution of ART to triplet/+ birth rates has declined.
Cellular dissection of the spinal cord motor column by BAC transgenesis and gene trapping in zebrafish

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenesis and gene/enhancer trapping are effective approaches for identification of genetically defined neuronal populations in the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we applied these techniques to zebrafish (Danio rerio) in order to obtain insights into the cellular architecture of the axial motor column in vertebrates. First, by using the BAC for the Mnx class homeodomain protein gene mnr2b/mnx2b, we established the mnGFF7 transgenic line expressing the Gal4FF transcriptional activator in a large part of the motor column. Single cell labeling of Gal4FF-expressing cells in the mnGFF7 line enabled a detailed investigation of the morphological characteristics of individual spinal motoneurons, as well as the overall organization of the motor column in a spinal segment. Secondly, from a large-scale gene trap screen, we identified transgenic lines that marked discrete subpopulations of spinal motoneurons with Gal4FF. Molecular characterization of these lines led to the identification of the ADAMTS3 gene, which encodes an evolutionarily conserved ADAMTS family of peptidases and is dynamically expressed in the ventral spinal cord. The transgenic fish established here, along with the identified gene, should facilitate an understanding of the cellular and molecular architecture of the spinal cord motor column and its connection to muscles in vertebrates.
Design and Implementation of the NetTraveler Middleware System based on Web Services

We present NetTraveler, a database middleware system for WANs that is designed to efficiently run queries over sites that are either mobile clients or enterprise servers. NetTraveler is designed to cope with dynamic WANs where data sources go off-line, change location, have limited power capabilities, and form ad-hoc federations of sites. We present how NetTraveler can continue running a query when the client posing the query leaves, and then delivers the query results when the client returns. We present an implementation experience of NetTraveler using Web services. We validate our design and implementation choices with a preliminary performance study of NetTraveler. This study shows that NetTraveler can complete more queries per unit of time than middleware systems that cannot gracefully recover from contingencies during query execution caused by a client leaving the system. This study also shows that NetTraveler can handle a larger query load than solutions based on previous approaches.
LIQUID CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Liquid crystaline system is a thermodynamically stable phase which is characterized by anisotropy. LC’s are also termed as mesophase as they exhibit isotropic properties and fluid-like behavior under some conditions (change in temperature). LC’S are influenced by number of factors such as concentration, temperature, pH, and presence of salt. Liquid crystals are divided on the basis of shape of the molecules into two groups one is calmitic and other is discotic. The various liquid-crystal phases (called mesophases) can be characterized by the type of ordering. The ordering of liquid crystalline phases is extensive on the molecular scale. The Liquid Crystals are the only holistic representations of the mineral kingdom and most potent form of crystalline energy on earth. Liquid crystal technology has had a major effect many areas of science pharmacy and engineering, as well as device technology. Liquid crystals have a multitude of other uses. They are used for non destructive mechanical testing of materials under stress. As new properties and types of liquid crystals are investigated and researched, these materials are sure to gain increasing importance in industrial and scientific applications such as optical imaging. Keywords: Liquid crystalline system, crystal technology, mesophase and optical imaging
The human oncoprotein MDM2 induces replication stress eliciting early intra-S-phase checkpoint response and inhibition of DNA replication origin firing

Conventional paradigm ascribes the cell proliferative function of the human oncoprotein mouse double minute2 (MDM2) primarily to its ability to degrade p53. Here we report that in the absence of p53, MDM2 induces replication stress eliciting an early S-phase checkpoint response to inhibit further firing of DNA replication origins. Partially synchronized lung cells cultured from p53−/−:MDM2 transgenic mice enter S phase and induce S-phase checkpoint response earlier than lung cells from p53−/− mice and inhibit firing of DNA replication origins. MDM2 activates chk1 phosphorylation, elevates mixed lineage lymphoma histone methyl transferase levels and promotes checkpoint-dependent tri-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 4, known to prevent firing of late replication origins at the early S phase. In the absence of p53, a condition that disables inhibition of cyclin A expression by MDM2, MDM2 increases expression of cyclin D2 and A and hastens S-phase entry of cells. Consistently, inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases, known to activate DNA replication origins during firing, inhibits MDM2-mediated induction of chk1 phosphorylation indicating the requirement of this activity in MDM2-mediated chk1 phosphorylation. Our data reveal a novel pathway, defended by the intra-S-phase checkpoint, by which MDM2 induces unscheduled origin firing and accelerates S-phase entry of cells in the absence of p53.
Counting Hidden Neural Networks

We apply combinatorial tools, including Pólya’s theorem, to enumerate all possible networks for which (1) the network contains distinguishable input and output nodes as well as partially distinguishable intermediate nodes; (2) all connections are directed and for each pair of nodes, there are at most two connections, that is, at most one connection per direction; (3) input nodes send connections but don’t receive any, while output nodes receive connections but don’t send any; (4) every intermediate node receives a path from an input node and sends a path to at least one output node; and (5) input nodes don’t send direct connections to output nodes. We first obtain the generating function for the number of such networks, and then use it to obtain precise estimates for the number of networks. Finally, we develop a computer algorithm that allows us to generate these networks. This work could become useful in the field of neuroscience, in which the problem of deciphering the structure of hidden networks is of the utmost importance, since there are several instances in which the activity of input and output neurons can be directly measured, while no direct access to the intermediate network is possible. Our results can also be used to count the number of finite automata in which each cell plays a relevant role.
A Novel Range Compression Algorithm for Resolution Enhancement in GNSS-SARs

In this paper, a novel range compression algorithm for enhancing range resolutions of a passive Global Navigation Satellite System-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (GNSS-SAR) is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, within each azimuth bin, firstly range compression is carried out by correlating a reflected GNSS intermediate frequency (IF) signal with a synchronized direct GNSS base-band signal in the range domain. Thereafter, spectrum equalization is applied to the compressed results for suppressing side lobes to obtain a final range-compressed signal. Both theoretical analysis and simulation results have demonstrated that significant range resolution improvement in GNSS-SAR images can be achieved by the proposed range compression algorithm, compared to the conventional range compression algorithm.
Distribution of Insertion Sequence-Like Element IS1272 and Its Position Relative to Methicillin Resistance Genes in Clinically Important Staphylococci

ABSTRACT The distribution of insertion sequence-like element IS1272 was analyzed for clinical isolates ofStaphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. In each of the staphylococcal species, IS1272 was detected in both methicillin-resistant (MR) and methicillin-susceptible strains of different genetic types. In MR isolates, IS1272 was generally located downstream of the truncated mecR1 gene (ΔmecR1), with an identical junction sequence occurring between ΔmecR1 and IS1272, although insertion of an additional gene sequence in the junction sequence was detected in one S. epidermidis isolate. These findings suggest that themec element with the rearranged form of mecR1(ΔmecR1-IS1272) has been transmitted to multiple clones of staphylococci.
Activation of Arabidopsis Seed Hair Development by Cotton Fiber-Related Genes

Each cotton fiber is a single-celled seed trichome or hair, and over 20,000 fibers may develop semi-synchronously on each seed. The molecular basis for seed hair development is unknown but is likely to share many similarities with leaf trichome development in Arabidopsis. Leaf trichome initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana is activated by GLABROUS1 (GL1) that is negatively regulated by TRIPTYCHON (TRY). Using laser capture microdissection and microarray analysis, we found that many putative MYB transcription factor and structural protein genes were differentially expressed in fiber and non-fiber tissues. Gossypium hirsutum MYB2 (GhMYB2), a putative GL1 homolog, and its downstream gene, GhRDL1, were highly expressed during fiber cell initiation. GhRDL1, a fiber-related gene with unknown function, was predominately localized around cell walls in stems, sepals, seed coats, and pollen grains. GFP:GhRDL1 and GhMYB2:YFP were co-localized in the nuclei of ectopic trichomes in siliques. Overexpressing GhRDL1 or GhMYB2 in A. thaliana Columbia-0 (Col-0) activated fiber-like hair production in 4–6% of seeds and had on obvious effects on trichome development in leaves or siliques. Co-overexpressing GhRDL1 and GhMYB2 in A. thaliana Col-0 plants increased hair formation in ∼8% of seeds. Overexpressing both GhRDL1 and GhMYB2 in A. thaliana Col-0 try mutant plants produced seed hair in ∼10% of seeds as well as dense trichomes inside and outside siliques, suggesting synergistic effects of GhRDL1 and GhMYB2 with try on development of trichomes inside and outside of siliques and seed hair in A. thaliana. These data suggest that a different combination of factors is required for the full development of trichomes (hairs) in leaves, siliques, and seeds. A. thaliana can be developed as a model a system for discovering additional genes that control seed hair development in general and cotton fiber in particular.
Drugs and vitamin B12 and folate metabolism.

Deficiency of either folic acid or vitamin B12 may interfere with DNA synthesis and result in megaloblastic anemia or other conditions. These 2 vitamins have dissimilar molecular structures and are present in different foods; they are also absorbed and metabolized differently. In 201 consecutive cases of megaloblastic anemia, for 90% the cause was alcoholism and poor diet; 0.5% (1 case) was related to oral contraceptives (OCs). Megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency has occasionally been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and has been attributed to poor diet, impaired absorption, and increased tissue utilization of folate. Sulfasalazine, a compound containing a sulfa drug and a salicylate that is broken down to its active components by the gut flora, is widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and has been shown to impair the absorption of folic acid, polyglutamyl folate, and methyl-tetrahydrofolic acid in patients with these disorders. There is also evidence suggesting an interaction between anticonvulsant drugs and folate balance. A number of cases of megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency have been reported in women taking OCs. While in some cases no apparent cause for the megaloblastic anemia other than contraceptive therapy was demonstrated, in many patients other underlying disorders that were likely to disturb folate balance such as celiac disease, decreased dietary vitamin intake, and the administration of other drugs known to affect folate status have also been present. There is no convincing evidence that sex steroids affect folate absorption; about 20% of women taking OCs were found to have mild megaloblastic changes on Papanicolaou smears. These changes disappered after folic acid therapy, suggesting that OCs may cause an increased demand for folate limited to the reproductive system. Another finding is of low serum cobalamin levels in women using OCs; this appears however to be a laboratory abnormality of uncertain cause and of no clinical significance.
An adaptive MAC and idrectional routing protocol for ad hoc wireless network using ESPAR antenna

Use of directional antenna in the context of ad hoc wireless networks can largely reduce radio interference, thereby improving the utilization of wireless medium. To achieve this, we have proposed an adaptive MAC protocol, where each node keeps certain neighborhood information dynamically so that each node can avoid interference by keeping track of other communicating nodes at the instant of time. Moreover, appropriate mechanism for null steering of directional antennas in user terminals can help exchanging the neighborhood information in presence of on-going communication and can drastically improve the medium utilization through overlapping communications in different directions. Subsequently, we have proposed a modified link-state based table-driven routing protocol that captures the approximate network status periodically without generating lot of control traffic. It uses the directional capability of adaptive antenna for capturing, disseminating and using the network information for direction routing
T-BLAST for wireless communications: first experimental results

In earlier papers , we described a novel multitransmit, multireceive (MTMR) antenna system for wireless communications. This new system, turbo Bell-Labs layered space-time (T-BLAST) architecture, combines the benefits of layered space-time coding concepts and turbo principles in the multitransmit, multireceive antenna system design. In particular, the random layered space-time codes designed by using a set of block convolutional codes and random space-time interleavers and the space-time turbo-like decoding operation allow T-BLAST to realize the benefits of MTMR systems in a computationally feasible manner. The goal of this paper is to present experimental results of T-BLAST based on real-life data collected using the Bell-Labs experimental multiple antenna system with eight transmit and five and six receive antennas. The experimental results show the practical virtues of T-BLAST.
Ultra-low power data storage for sensor networks

Local storage is required in many sensor network applications, both for archival of detailed event information, as well as to overcome sensor platform memory constraints. While extensive measurement studies have been performed to highlight the trade-off between computation and communication in sensor networks, the role of storage has received little attention. The storage subsystems on currently available sensor platforms have not exploited technology trends, and consequently the energy cost of storage on these platforms is as high as that of communication. Current flash memories, however, offer a low-priced, high-capacity and extremely energy-efficient storage solution. In this paper, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of the active and sleep-mode energy consumption of available flash-based storage options for sensor platforms. Our results demonstrate more than a 100-fold decrease in per-byte energy consumption for surface-mount parallel NAND flash in comparison with the MicaZ on-board serial flash. In addition, this dramatically reduces storage energy costs relative to communication, introducing a new dimension in traditional computation vs communication trade-offs. Our results have significant ramifications on the design of sensor platforms as well as on the energy consumption of sensing applications. We quantify the potential energy gains for two commonly used sensor network services: communication and in-network data aggregation. Our measurements show significant improvements in each service: 50-fold and up to 10-fold reductions in energy for communication and data aggregation respectively
A New Characteristic Nonconforming Mixed Finite Element Scheme for Convection-Dominated Diffusion Problem

A characteristic nonconforming mixed finite element method (MFEM) is proposed for the convection-dominated diffusion problem based on a new mixed variational formulation. The optimal order error estimates for both the original variable and the auxiliary variable with respect to the space are obtained by employing some typical characters of the interpolation operator instead of the mixed (or expanded mixed) elliptic projection which is an indispensable tool in the traditional MFEM analysis. At last, we give some numerical results to confirm the theoretical analysis.
Scalability of Model Transformations: Position Paper and Benchmark Set

As model transformations are often considered the “heart and soul” of Model-Driven Engineering (MDE), the scalability of model transformations is vital for the scalability of MDE approaches as a whole. The existing research on scalable transformations has largely focused on performance behavior as the involved input models grow in size. In this work, we address a second key dimension for the practical scalability of model transformations: The effect as the transformation specification itself grows larger. We outline a number of challenges related to the quality concerns of maintainability and performance. We then introduce three model transformation benchmarks and discuss how they are affected by these challenges. Our objective is to establish a community benchmark set to compare model transformation approaches with respect to the aforementioned quality concerns.