Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corrosion of vertical steel strips exposed in the marine tidal zone and implications for ALWC

Accelerated Low Water Corrosion (ALWC) particularly of steel sheet piling in harbors has been documented in various parts of the world. It is thought to involve microbiological influences but the precise mechanisms involved remain to be explained. This paper reports in-situ field investigations for the corrosion of long lengths of mild steel strips exposed at 10 locations on the Eastern Australian seaboard for up to 3 years. Preliminary results show that corrosion below the mean low water level was more severe for higher average concentrations of total nitrogen concentration in the bulk seawater. This is consistent with earlier findings that elevated nitrogen levels increase corrosion, an observation earlier attributed to microbiological influences. The results presented allow the prediction of the likelihood of the occurrence of long-term ALWC through short-term corrosion profile experiments or when measurements are available of bulk water nutrient concentration. It is proposed that the influence of bacteria also holds for freshwater conditions although the rate controlling nutrients are likely to be different.
Circuit Modeling of Carrier–Photon Dynamics in Composite-Resonator Vertical-Cavity Lasers

We present a circuit model for composite-resonator vertical-cavity lasers (CRVCLs) based on the standard rate equations. This model is compatible with general-purpose circuit analysis program (SPICE), and it can accurately produce the dc and modulation characteristics of the CRVCL, which is verified by comparing the calculated results with the measured experimental data. In addition, using this model we verify that CRVCL has unique abilities to engineer its modulation characteristics by varying cavity asymmetries as well as to produce multilevel amplitude modulation, both of which are consistent with our previous experimental results. We also discuss some advantages and limitations of this model.
The Tempo-Spatial Information Dissemination Properties of Mobile Opportunistic Networks with Levy Mobility

Mobile opportunistic networks make use of a new networking paradigm that takes advantage of node mobility to distribute information. Studying their inherent properties of information dissemination can provide a straightforward explanation on the potentials of mobile opportunistic networks to support emerging applications such as mobile commerce, emergency services, and so on. In this paper, we investigate the inherent properties of information dissemination using the Lévy mobility model to characterize the movement pattern of the nodes. Because Lévy mobility can closely mimic human walk, the analysis model we adopt is practical. Our analyses are taken from the perspectives of small- and large-scales. From the perspective of small-scale, the distribution of the minimum time needed by the information to spread to a given region is investigated, from the perspective of large-scale, the bounds of the probability of the earliest time at which the information arrives in a region that is sufficiently farther away are obtained. We also provide the rate that such probability approaches zero as the distance to the region increases to infinity. Finally, our main results are validated by the numerical simulations.
New superconducting phase of Bi2Te3 under pressure above 11 GPa

We have investigated the pressure dependence of superconducting transition temperature Tc of Bi2Te3 through electrical resistance measurement under high pressure up to 13 GPa. The value of zero-resistance critical-temperature Tczero is 2.7 K at 9.0 GPa. Pressurization up to 11 GPa reduces the Tczero. However the pressurization at 13 GPa causes sudden enhancement of Tczero, which is obtained to be 3.7 K. The onset temperature of superconducting transition Tconset shows the positive pressure dependence under pressure above 10 GPa. The value of Tconset is obtained to be 5.0 K at 13 GPa. The sharp increase of Tczero and the positive pressure dependence of Tconset suggest a presence of new superconducting phase.
Decoding network optimization using minimum transition error training

The discriminative optimization of decoding networks is important for minimizing speech recognition error. Recently, several methods have been reported that optimize decoding networks by extending weighted finite state transducer (WFST)-based decoding processes to a linear classification process. In this paper, we model decoding processes by using conditional random fields (CRFs). Since the maximum mutual information (MMI) training technique is straightforwardly applicable for CRF training, several sophisticated training methods proposed as the variants of MMI can be incorporated in our decoding network optimization. This paper adapts the boosted MMI and the differenced MMI methods for decoding network optimization so that state transition errors are minimized in WFST decoding. We evaluated the proposed methods by conducting large-vocabulary continuous speech recognition experiments. We confirmed that the CRF-based framework and transition error minimization are efficient for improving the accuracy of automatic speech recognizers.
Wearable tactile display of directions for pedestrian navigation: Comparative lab and field evaluations

We aim to contribute to the development of tactile-based pedestrian navigation systems that help users to navigate urban environments with minimal attention to the user-device interface. This paper describes the design and evaluation of a prototype and reports findings from (i) a lab-based study that directly compared features of two widely researched forms of tactile display: a waist belt and a back array; and (ii) a field evaluation which compared our prototype tactile-based navigation system (TactNav) with a visual mobile maps application (Nokia Maps™). Lab results indicated that the waist belt afforded significantly better performance than the back array across a wide range of metrics. Field results indicated that users' performance with the tactile-based system was equivalent to that with the visual-based system in terms of accuracy while route completion time was significantly faster with the tactile-based directional display.
A Reference System Architecture for the Energy–Water Nexus

The energy-water nexus has been studied predominantly through discussions of policy options supported by data surveys and technology considerations. As the degree of coupling between the energy and water systems is affected by the design and operation of various engineered system components, our understanding of the nexus and ability to tackle its associated challenges would be enhanced by a system-of-systems engineering model. Such a model, however, requires, first, the development of an appropriate system architecture that clearly identifies the relevant flows of matter and energy and the defining system parameters. This paper presents a reference system architecture for this purpose developed and presented with the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). Once instantiated, this architecture can serve three purposes. First, the presented graphical models can serve qualitative discussions on where and how the supply and demand of water and energy are interdependent. Second, within the operations timescale, the SysML models can support the development of automated information technology and control solutions that integrate energy and water management. Finally, at a planning timescale, the models can inform quantitative decisions on how to best grow and reconfigure the water, wastewater, and energy infrastructure.
Fabrication, characterization and in-vitro cytotoxicity of magnetic nanocomposite polymeric film for multi-functional medical application

Cancer comprehensive treatment has been fully acknowledged as it can provide an effective multimodality approach for fighting cancers. In this study, various innovative technologies for cancer treatment including cancer nanotechnology, chemotherapy by sustainable release, as well as magnetic induction hyperthermia (MIH) have been integrated for the purpose of cancer comprehensive treatment. Briefly, such kind of treatment can be realized by applying of the tailored magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) composite polymeric film. Fe3O4 MNPs acting as the agent for MIH, and anti-cancer drug docetaxel as chemotherapeutic agent were incorporated within the biodegradable polymeric film. Physiochemical characterizations on MNPs and the film have been systematically carried out by various instrumental analyses. Our results demonstrated that the film has been successfully fabricated by the solvent cast method. Hyperthermia could be induced by stimulating the nanocomposite film under an alternative magnetic field (AMF). The incorporation of MNPs, as well as hyperthermia would facilitate the drug release from the polymeric film. The in-vitro cytotoxicity results indicated the bi-modal cancer treatment approach for combined MIH and chemotherapy is more effective than the mono-modal treatment by docetaxel treatment. The magnetic nanocomposite film can realize cancer comprehensive treatment thus has great potential in clinical application.
Stability of Maternal Reports of Lexical Comprehension in Very Young Children With Developmental Delays

The MacArthur Communication Development Inventory: Infant Scale (CDI/I) is among the strongest measures of early lexical comprehension (Fenson et al., 1994). The present study examined the stability of CDI/I results over a 2-week period in a sample of 17 mothers of children with developmental delays. Test-retest stability was computed for total number of words understood (i.e., summary-level stability) and for word-by-word agreement (i.e., item-by-item stability) across a 2-week interval. Results indicated that although there was excellent summary level stability, there was, in many cases, inadequate item-by-item agreement between the two testing occasions. The degree to which mothers were consistent on an item-by-item basis varied as a function of the types of words they were reporting on, the occupational status and educational level of the mothers, and the extent to which mothers confidently interpret nonlinguistic child behavior. These data illustrate that the CDI/I can be used to identify overall voc.
Contribution of Microalloying to the Strength of Hot-Rolled Steels

Although the principles of microalloying are well established, the complexity of thermomechanical processing is such that it is difficult to deconvolute the contribution to strength of the microalloying additions as a function of the many variables involved. We report in this article the analysis of a large database on hot-rolled steels to create a neural network model which estimates the strength as a function of chemical composition and process variables. This model is then used to make comparisons against equivalent data in order to realize the role of minute additions of carbide formers in changing the properties of steels.
Phytomelanin in Compositae

Phytomelanin is a hard, black and resistant layer found in the pericarp of the plants belonging to the tribes Eupatorieae and Heliantheae of the sunflower family. In immature achenes the layer is pliable and soft, but it becomes dense and rigid during fruit maturation. Phytomelanin has no physical structure of its own, but assumes its layer morphology as it fills intercellular spaces in the pericarp between the hypodermis and sclerenchyma. The layer acts as a deterrent to insect predation, especially to the larvae of the sunflower moth (Homoesoma species). Physical hardness as well as toxicity play a role in its resistance against insect predation. Inheritance of the layer is controlled by a single pair of genes; dominant allele determining its presence and the recessive its absence. There is a distinct possibility to create transgenic crops by transferring phytomelanin gene to other economically important crops. Phytomelanin plays an important role in the protection of the embryo and in the process of seed germination and thus is of physiological interest. The phytomelanin has been found to be useful in tribal and subtribal classifications and to have evolutionary significance. Despite its immense economic potential, its chemical nature is not clear and many aspects related to its structure and function remain to be worked out.
Extraction and Evaluation of Nutraceutical Molecules in Wastes of Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables wastes not only have no commercial value, but also require expensive operations of removal and disposal, representing a significant cost for the manufacturers of plant products. However, this material may represent an important resource of commercially worth phyto-molecules endowed with various nutraceutical properties. In the present work, we have verified the possibility of using fruit and vegetable waste materials as a source of bioactive compounds. Several nutraceutical compounds of high economic interest were extracted and quantified from various waste plant materials deriving from the production phase (“first-gamma products”) or discarded during the preparation of fresh ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat packaged products (“fourth-gamma products”). Obtained results showed that, despite the precarious and uncontrolled conditions which plant wastes products are subjected, the levels of the examined bioactive compounds are present in relevant amount, also in the parts of the plant that are discarded during the preparation of the ready-to-eat/cook products. *Corresponding author: Enrico Doria, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Italy, Tel: 00390382986468; E-mail: enrico.doria@unipv.it Received Date: May 18, 2017 Accepted Date: July 10, 2017 Published Date: July 17, 2017
A Deeply Branching Thermophilic Bacterium with an Ancient Acetyl-CoA Pathway Dominates a Subsurface Ecosystem

A nearly complete genome sequence of Candidatus ‘Acetothermum autotrophicum’, a presently uncultivated bacterium in candidate division OP1, was revealed by metagenomic analysis of a subsurface thermophilic microbial mat community. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of proteins common among 367 prokaryotes suggests that Ca. ‘A. autotrophicum’ is one of the earliest diverging bacterial lineages. It possesses a folate-dependent Wood-Ljungdahl (acetyl-CoA) pathway of CO2 fixation, is predicted to have an acetogenic lifestyle, and possesses the newly discovered archaeal-autotrophic type of bifunctional fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase/phosphatase. A phylogenetic analysis of the core gene cluster of the acethyl-CoA pathway, shared by acetogens, methanogens, some sulfur- and iron-reducers and dechlorinators, supports the hypothesis that the core gene cluster of Ca. ‘A. autotrophicum’ is a particularly ancient bacterial pathway. The habitat, physiology and phylogenetic position of Ca. ‘A. autotrophicum’ support the view that the first bacterial and archaeal lineages were H2-dependent acetogens and methanogenes living in hydrothermal environments.
Spatial stochastic modelling of the Hes1 gene regulatory network: intrinsic noise can explain heterogeneity in embryonic stem cell differentiation

Individual mouse embryonic stem cells have been found to exhibit highly variable differentiation responses under the same environmental conditions. The noisy cyclic expression of Hes1 and its downstream genes are known to be responsible for this, but the mechanism underlying this variability in expression is not well understood. In this paper, we show that the observed experimental data and diverse differentiation responses can be explained by a spatial stochastic model of the Hes1 gene regulatory network. We also propose experiments to control the precise differentiation response using drug treatment.
An aerosol inhalation apparatus for human single breath deposition studies.

Single breath studies designed to measure deposition of monodisperse aerosols in human subjects required specialized apparatus for the measurement of inhaled and exhaled aerosol. An apparatus was constructed consisting of a three-way valve system and anesthesia bags to contain aerosol before inhalation and after exhalation. The bags were enclosed in boxes which were connected to a spirometer which recorded volumes. The entire system was automated so that the subject inhaled (mouth breathing) a preset volume of aerosol and exhaled a preset, larger volume of air from his lungs. Volumes were controlled by a rider on the spirometer wire which activated a group of solenoid driven valves. Quantities of aerosol in the bags were determined by integrating the photocurrent from an aerosol photometer when a bag was emptied through the photometer.
Predicting mammography stage of adoption among Iranian women

Objective: Despite evidence that screening for breast cancer is effective, adherence with screening recommendations in Iranian women is low. The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the associations between individual characteristics, related health beliefs, and stages of mammography behavior and (2) examine the socio-demographic factors and the health beliefs that predicate stages of mammography behavior. Design: All health care centers were considered as clusters and 30 women were randomly selected from each of them. A sample of 689 Iranian women completed a questionnaire. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire used was based on Champion's revised Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess differences in the outcome variables (perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, and barriers) across the stages. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to test multivariate relationships. Results: The percentage of participants in each stage was: 40.1% in pre-contemplation, 34.7 in contemplation, 7.5% in relapse, 12% in action, and 5.7% in maintenance stage of mammography adoption. Older women were most likely to be in the pre-contemplation stage and action stage, and the youngest women were most likely to be in the relapse stage. Differences across stages of change were found for related beliefs for all participants except those in the relapse stage. Conclusion: Iranian women are less likely to be in maintenance and action stages than ot er Asian women and this study identifies constructs that may be targeted in interventions.
CD4+ T-Cell Expansion Predicts Neutralizing Antibody Responses to Monovalent, Inactivated 2009 Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Virus Subtype H1N1 Vaccine

Abstract Background. The ability of influenza vaccines to elicit CD4+ T cells and the relationship between induction of CD4+ T cells and vaccine-induced neutralizing antibody responses has been controversial. The emergence of swine-origin 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A[H1N1]pdm09) provided a unique opportunity to examine responses to an influenza vaccine composed of both novel and previously encountered antigens and to probe the relationship between B-cell and T-cell responses to vaccination. Methods. We tracked CD4+ T-cell and antibody responses of human subjects vaccinated with monovalent subunit A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine. The specificity and magnitude of the CD4+ T-cell response was evaluated using cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assays in conjugation with peptide pools representing distinct influenza virus proteins. Results. Our studies revealed that vaccination induced readily detectable CD4+ T cells specific for conserved portions of hemagglutinin (HA) and the internal viral proteins. Interestingly, expansion of HA-specific CD4+ T cells was most tightly correlated with the antibody response. Conclusions. These results indicate that CD4+ T-cell expansion may be a limiting factor in development of neutralizing antibody responses to pandemic influenza vaccines and suggest that approaches to facilitate CD4+ T-cell recruitment may increase the neutralizing antibody produced in response to vaccines against novel influenza strains.
Adaptive controller for non-holonomic mobile robots with matched uncertainties

This paper deals with the backstepping approach for the design of adaptive discontinuous time-invariant controllers for the point-stabilization of mobile robots with matched uncertainties. First of all, we derive a control law in the disturbance-free case guaranteeing exponential convergence for a unicycle-like mobile robot. Furthermore, an adaptive version of the previous control law is proposed when the mobile robot is subjected to input disturbances. Finally, simulation results are presented.
The use of satellite SAR imagery to crop classification in Ukraine within JECAM project

In this paper, we focus on the application of satellite synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images for discriminating summer crops in Ukraine within the JECAM project. Both optical (EO-1/ALI) and SAR (RADARSAT-2) images are used in order to assess impact adding SAR images for classification purposes. Three different classifiers, in particular neural networks, support vector machine and decision trees, are applied with neural networks giving the best overall accuracy. It is found that major impact of using SAR images is for sunflower and sugar beet classes while there was no gain for other crops (maize and soybeans).
High-bandwidth designs for voltage regulators with peak-current control

In the multiphase interleaving buck converters with peak-current control, the sample-hold effect limits the bandwidth of the voltage-regulation loop. For higher bandwidth and better transient performances, this paper presents two methods to reduce this limitation. To decrease the quality factor of the sample-hold related double poles, external ramps are inserted to the modulators. To increase the effective sampling frequency, the phase inductor currents are coupled, either through feedback control or by the coupled-inductor structure. In addition, a small-signal model including the sample-hold effect is derived for the coupled-inductor buck to explain the improvement. High-bandwidth designs are verified by the simulation and experimental results.
Microsatellite Mutation Rate during Allohexaploidization of Newly Resynthesized Wheat

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs, also known as microsatellites) are known to be mutational hotspots in genomes. DNA rearrangements have also been reported to accompany allopolyploidization. A study of the effect of allopolyploidization on SSR mutation is therefore important for understanding the origin and evolutionary dynamics of SSRs in allopolyploids. Three synthesized double haploid (SynDH) populations were made from 241 interspecific F1 haploid hybrids between Triticum turgidum L. and Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) through spontaneous chromosome doubling via unreduced gametes. Mutation events were studied at 160 SSR loci in the S1 generation (the first generation after chromosome doubling) of the three SynDH populations. Of the 148260 SSR alleles investigated in S1 generation, only one mutation (changed number of repeats) was confirmed with a mutation rate of 6.74 × 10−6. This mutation most likely occurred in the respective F1 hybrid. In comparison with previously reported data, our results suggested that allohexaploidization of wheat did not increase SSR mutation rate.