Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Slow crack growth behavior in transformation-toughened Al2O3-ZrO2(Y2O3) ceramics

Significant increases in the critical fracture toughness (K/sub IC/) over that of alumina are obtained by the stress-induced phase transformation in partially stabilized ZrO/sub 2/ particles which are dispersed in alumina. More importantly, improved slow crack growth resistance is observed in the alumina ceramics containing partially stabilized ZrO/sub 2/ particles when the stress-induced phase transformation occurs. Thus, increasing the contribution of the ZrO/sub 2/ phase transformation by tailoring the Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ stabilizer content not only increases the critical fracture toughness (K/sub IC/) but also the K/sub Ia/ to initiate slow crack growth. For example, crack velocities (n.mu.) greater than or equal to 10/sup -9/ m/s are obtained only at K/sub Ia/ greater than or equal to 5 MPa.m/sup 1/2/ in transformation-toughened (K/sub IC/ = 8.5 MPa.m/sup 1/2/) composites vs K/sub Ia/ greater than or equal to 2.7 MPa.m/sup 1/2/ for comparable velocities in composites where the transformation does not occur (K/sub IC/ = 4.5 MPa.m/sub 1/2/). This behavior is a result of crack-tip shielding by the dissipation of strain energy in the transformation zone surrounding the crack. The stress corrosion parameter n is lower and A greater in these fine-grained composite materials than in fine-grained aluminas. This is amore » result of the residual tensile stresses associated with larger (greater than or equal to 1 .mu.m) monoclinic ZrO/sub 2/ particles which reside along the intergranual crack path. « less
Research on Explosives Detection by Electronic Nose

Four kinds of representative explosives were measured by the gas sensor arrays,which were composed of eighteen doped nano-ZnO thick film sensors.Using static and dynamic sampling methods to exam the detection ability of the sensor arrays.Principal Component Analysis(PCA) and Cluster Analysis(CA) were used in the data analysis and pattern recognition.Static sampling method shows that the sensor arrays are sensitive to the four explosives with different concentrations.The results show that the detection concentration of NH_4NO_3,mineral explosive and picric acid are low to 3.34 μg/L and that of DNT is low to 83.3 μg/L under the laboratory conditions;Dynamic sampling method shows that all the samples can be identified completely in milligram level when extracting extremum as the feature to PCA and CA analysis.This work indicates the potential applications of the electronic nose for analyzing and identifying the explosives.
Dynamic Reverse Engineering of Graphical User Interfaces

This paper presents a dynamic reverse engineering approach and a tool, ReGUI, developed to reduce the effort of obtaining models of the structure and behaviour of a software applications Graphical User Interface (GUI). It describes, in more detail, the architecture of the REGUI tool, the process followed to extract information and the different types of models produced to represent such information. Each model describes different characteristics of the GUI. Besides graphical representations, which allow checking visually properties of the GUI, the tool also generates a textual model in Spec# to be used in the context of model based GUI testing and a Symbolic Model Verification model, which enables the verification of several properties expressed in computation tree logic. The models produced must be completed and validated in order to ensure that they faithfully describe the intended behaviour. This validation process may be performed by manually analysing the graphical models produced or automatically by proving properties, such as reachability, through model checking. A feasibility study is described to illustrate the overall approach, the tool and the results obtained.
Flexure bearing property experiment of self-compacting concrete beams

The flexure bearing properties of self-compacting concrete beams were conducted and bore cracking loads,tested flexural strength,shear strength,ductility of members,and failure forms were studied.Then,comparisons of basic properties were made between the self-compacting and normal concrete members.The results showed that the bearing capacity and failure characteristics were similar between self-compacting and normal concrete beams.Bending properties,crack resistance and deformation properties of self-compacting concrete beams were better than that of normal concrete beams.The bearing capacity of beam was improved by self-compacting concrete.
Ion-irradiation-induced solid-phase epitaxial growth

Abstract A model is proposed to explain ion-induced solid phase epitaxial growth (SPEG). The crystallization is by the adjustment of atomic positions in the vicinity of the crystalline/amorphous interface due to self-diffusion in the amorphous solid. The driving energy of SPEG is the difference in free energies between the amorphous and crystalline solids. Irradiation increases the self diffusivity of the amorphous solid by generating point defects in the amorphous solid and thus enhances the crystallization. An expression for the velocity of epitaxial growth is derived. The model explains numerous experimental facts and, at the limit of no irradiation, also gives a correct model of thermal solid-phase epitaxial growth.
Functional analysis of a nonsyndromic hearing loss-associated mutation in the transmembrane II domain of the GJC3 gene

In a previous study, we identified a novel missense mutation, p.W77S, in the GJC3 gene encoding connexin30.2/connexin31.3 (CX30.2/CX31.3) from patients with hearing loss. The functional alteration of CX30.2/CX31.3 caused by the p.W77S mutant of GJC3 gene, however, remains unclear. In the current study, our result indicated that the p.W77 is localized at the second membrane-spanning segments (TM2) and near border of the E1 domain of the CX30.2/CX31.3 protein and highly conserved (Conseq score = 8~9) in all species. The p.W77S missense mutation proteins in the intracellular distribution are different CX30.2/CX31.3WT and an accumulation of the mutant protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the HeLa cell. Furthermore, co-expression of WT and p.W77S mutant chimerae proteins showed that the heteromeric connexon accumulated in the cytoplasm, thereby impairing the WT proteins' expression in the cell membranes. In addition, we found that CX30.2/CX31.3W77S missense mutant proteins were degraded by lysosomes and proteosomes in the transfected HeLa cell. Based on these findings, we suggest that p.W77S mutant has a dominant negative effect on the formation and function of the gap junction. These results give a novel molecular elucidation for the mutation of GJC3 in the development of hearing loss.
Advanced Maternal Age and the Risk of Low Birth Weight and Preterm Delivery: a Within-Family Analysis Using Finnish Population Registers

Abstract Advanced maternal age at birth is considered a major risk factor for birth outcomes. It is unclear to what extent this association is confounded by maternal characteristics. To test whether advanced maternal age at birth independently increases the risk of low birth weight (<2,500 g) and preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation), we compared between-family models (children born to different mothers at different ages) with within-family models (children born to the same mother at different ages). The latter procedure reduces confounding by unobserved parental characteristics that are shared by siblings. We used Finnish population registers, including 124,098 children born during 1987–2000. When compared with maternal ages 25–29 years in between-family models, maternal ages of 35–39 years and ≥40 years were associated with percentage increases of 1.1 points (95% confidence intervals: 0.8, 1.4) and 2.2 points (95% confidence intervals: 1.4, 2.9), respectively, in the probability of low birth weight. The associations are similar for the risk of preterm delivery. In within-family models, the relationship between advanced maternal age and low birth weight or preterm birth is statistically and substantively negligible. In Finland, advanced maternal age is not independently associated with the risk of low birth weight or preterm delivery among mothers who have had at least 2 live births.
Temperature and pressure dependence of resonance in multi-layer microcantilevers

The resonance frequency of the fundamental and four higher order modes of a silicon dioxide microcantilever is measured. The effect on these modes of depositing a 400 nm gold coating is investigated theoretically and experimentally. We derive an analytical solution to the eigenmodes of a multi-layered cantilever and verify its validity by comparison to finite-element analysis as well as the experimentally obtained results. The temperature and pressure dependence of the resonance frequencies is investigated experimentally and found to be in good agreement with theoretical models. An experimentally obtained value for the temperature dependence of Young's modulus of elasticity for thermally grown SiO2 is presented.
High plasticity liner material of W-Cu-Zr amorphous alloy

In order to obtain high performance liner material,W-Cu-Zr amorphous alloys with six elements were prepared by copper-formed mold water quenching method. W-Cu-Zr amorphous alloy was based on Cu-Zr-Ni amorphous alloy,adding tungsten,tantalum,boron,zirconium,nickel and other elements. The best combination ratio was determined on the atomic radius of each element,density,melting point,boiling point. Cylindrical specimen ? 10 mm×50 mm was made of the obtained material,the tensile strength,elongation and the fracture strength is 1 820 MPa,16.5% and 2 030 MPa,respectively. The liner with this material can improve the penetration ability,due to its superior comprehensive performance.
Challenges in Using the Randomized Trial Design to Examine the Influence of Treatment Preferences

The overall purpose of this methodological study was to investigate the strengths and limitations of the randomized clinical trial design in examining the influence of treatment preferences on outcomes. The study was a secondary analysis of data obtained in two randomized clinical trials that evaluated behavioral therapies for insomnia. In both trials, the same design and methods were used to assess participants’ treatment preferences and outcomes, however, the treatments differed. The results illustrated the challenges encountered in using the randomized clinical trial design. The challenges were related to the unbalanced distribution of participants with preferences for the study treatments, non-comparability of the subgroups with treatments matched or mismatched to their preferences, differential attrition, which compromised the sample size and composition of the subgroups and limited the use of the planned statistical analyses. Whether these challenges occur in trials of other types of treatments and target populations should be explored in future research. Some strategies were proposed and should be evaluated for their utility in addressing these challenges.
Notch is required for the formation of all nephron segments and primes nephron progenitors for differentiation

Notch signaling plays important roles during mammalian nephrogenesis. To investigate whether Notch regulates nephron segmentation, we performed Notch loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies in developing nephrons in mice. Contrary to the previous notion that Notch signaling promotes the formation of proximal tubules and represses the formation of distal tubules in the mammalian nephron, we show that inhibition of Notch blocks the formation of all nephron segments and that constitutive activation of Notch in developing nephrons does not promote or repress the formation of a specific segment. Cells lacking Notch fail to form the S-shaped body and show reduced expression of Lhx1 and Hnf1b. Consistent with this, we find that constitutive activation of Notch in mesenchymal nephron progenitors causes ectopic expression of Lhx1 and Hnf1b and that these cells eventually form a heterogeneous population that includes proximal tubules and other types of cells. Our data suggest that Notch signaling is required for the formation of all nephron segments and that it primes nephron progenitors for differentiation rather than directing their cell fates into a specific nephron segment. Summary: Contrary to a previous model, Notch signaling does not promote or repress the formation of a specific nephron segment in mammals. Instead, it promotes nephrogenesis by upregulating Lhx1 and Hnf1b.
2018 EHRA expert consensus statement on lead extraction: recommendations on definitions, endpoints, research trial design, and data collection requirements for clinical scientific studies and registries endorsed by APHRS/HRS/LAHRS

The number of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantations has increased over recent years. Transvenous lead extraction (TLE), as a part of an overall lead management strategy, has also been increasing, not only as a consequence of this growth, but also because of increasing rates of infection, lead failure, awareness of indications for lead management, and development of extraction tools. Clinical research is essential for understanding efficacy and risks of TLE.
Microstructure and fatigue strength in a low-carbon martensitic stainless steel remelted by plasma torch

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of surface remelting by a plasma torch on fatigue resistance of a soft martensitic stainless steel used in the manufacture of hydraulic turbine rotors. The remelting was performed on the surface of this type of steel using direct and pulsed current with the fatigue tests performed by bending at four points at 750, 850 and 1000 MPa stresses. It was found better performance of the remelted condition in relation to cast material without this treatment and no significant differences in fatigue performance between the two remelted processes. The presence of compressive residual stresses resulting from the martensitic transformation partly explains the better performance of the remelted condition. Microscopic analysis further revealed that the lower the fatigue performance of the base material was also associated with the presence of defects (microshrinkage) from the casting process, which promoted the nucleation of fatigue cracks next to them. The presence of delta ferrite together with martensite laths oriented at 45° to the loading direction promoted fatigue crack nucleation in specimens with surface remelted treatment.
Formulation and Characterization of Novel Solid Dispersions of Hydrochlorothiazide bySolvent Evaporation Technique

The term solid dispersion refers to a group of solid products consisting of at least two different components, generally a hydrophilic matrix and a hydrophobic drug. In addition to bioavailability enhancement, much recent research on solid dispersion systems was directed towards the development of extended-release dosage forms. Knowledge about behavior of solid dispersions during preparation, storage and dissolution can help to tackle these problems. A thorough understanding of processes that occurs place on the molecular level is a prerequisite for rational and more efficient design of solid dispersions. However, development of solid dispersions has often been a trial-and-error approach. Solid dispersion prepared by solvent evaporation method were subjected to x ray diffraction study, dissolution study, In the present study, a 32 full factorial design was employed containing 2 factors evaluated at 3 levels and experimental trials were performed at all 9 possible combinations. Two independent variables selected were HPMC E5 and PVP K30. The objective achieved and these findings suggested that the above-mentioned technique can be employed successfully for improvement of solubility profile and stability of Solid dispersions of poorly water soluble drugs.
Reduced Search Space for Rapid Bicycle Detection

This paper describes a solution to the application of rapid detection of bicycles in low resolution video. In particular, the application addressed is from video recorded in a live environment. The future aim from the results in this paper is to investigate a full year of video data. Hence, processing speed is of great concern. The proposed solution involves the use of an object detector and a search space reduction method based on prior knowledge regarding the application at hand. The method using prior knowledge utilizes random sample consensus, and additional statistical analysis on detection outputs, in order to define a reduced search space. It is experimentally shown that, in the application addressed, it is possible to reduce the full search space by 62% with the proposed methodology. This approach, which employs a full detector in combination with the design of a simple and fast model that can capture prior knowledge for a specific application, leads to a reduced search space and thereby a significantly improved processing speed. (Less)
Pivotal Functions of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Systemic Autoimmune Pathogenesis

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were initially identified as the prominent natural type I interferon-producing cells during viral infection. Over the past decade, the aberrant production of interferon α/β by pDCs in response to self-derived molecular entities has been critically implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and recognized as a general feature underlying other autoimmune diseases. On top of imperative studies on human pDCs, the functional involvement and mechanism by which the pDC-interferon α/β pathway facilitates the progression of autoimmunity have been unraveled recently from investigations with several experimental lupus models. This article reviews correlating information obtained from human in vitro characterization and murine in vivo studies and highlights the fundamental and multifaceted contribution of pDCs to the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune manifestation.
Allergen immunotherapy for the treatment of respiratory allergies in the elderly

Purpose of review Respiratory allergies, including asthma and allergic rhinitis can also occur in the elderly. Allergen immunotherapy for allergic diseases is the only disease-modifying treatment for patients with allergies available thus far. Here, we review current evidence supporting the use of allergen immunotherapy in the elderly and discuss its efficacy and utility for the treatment of respiratory allergic diseases in this setting. Recent findings Subcutaneous and/or sublingual immunotherapy are effective therapeutic options in not only young but also older patients. Allergen immunotherapy reduces medication and symptom scores in the elderly and can thus be safely prescribed in this population. Summary Elderly individuals with proven, clinically relevant immunoglobulin E sensitization to inhalant allergens may benefit from allergen immunotherapy for respiratory allergic diseases. Older patients without contraindications should therefore be considered for treatment, with the additional benefit of reduced medication and symptom scores.
Regenerated cellulose films from NaOH/urea aqueous solution by coagulating with sulfuric acid

A series of novel regenerated cellulose (RC) films was prepared from cotton linters in 6 wt% NaOH/4 wt% urea aqueous solution by coagulating with 1–20 wt% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) aqueous for 1–20 min. Dependences of structure, morphology, light transmittance, mechanical properties, and water permeability of the films on the H2SO4 concentration and the coagulation time were investigated by using IR, UV–Vis, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron micrograph, tensile testing, membrane osmometry, etc. All of the films exhibited homogeneous porous structure on the surface, but different inner architectures for the various coagulation conditions. The tensile strength and breaking elongation of the films decreased with increasing H2SO4 concentration and the coagulation time, and the highest tensile strength (97 MPa) of the films was obtained by coagulating with 5 wt% H2SO4 for 2 min. The H2SO4 concentrations have significantly more influence on the structure and properties of the films than the coagulation time. The novel RC films displayed larger pore size and higher water permeability than those of RC films prepared from cellulose cuoxam, and the pore sizes could be adjusted by changing the H2SO4 concentration. This work provided an optimal coagulation condition for preparing RC films in the solvent system and scientific information for controlling the properties and pore sizes of the films.
Toward a Metric-Based Scan Matching Algorithm for Displacement Estimation in 3D Workspaces

This paper addresses the scan matching problem in three dimensional workspaces. The novel concept is to modify the metric used in the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) framework. The new distance compensates sensor translation and rotation simultaneously. The contribution here is the development of all the mathematical tools required to formulate the ICP with this new metric. Furthermore, we show preliminary results of 3D scan alignment to validate the development.
A Lateral Directional Flight Control System for the MOB Blended Wing Body Planform

Abstract: In this work, analysis and design of a lateral directional flight control system for a Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft is considered. The BWB configuration chosen for this purpose is the European MOB (Multidisciplinary Optimization Blended Wing Body) planform. The MOB configuration does not have vertical control surfaces for directional stability, instead small winglets with rudders are used. The lateral directional behavior of the baseline MOB configuration is analyzed and the inherent deficiencies both in terms of directional stability and control power are highlighted. A modification to this configuration is then proposed in which two vertical rudders are placed at the trailing edge of the center body. The improvement gained in the stability and directional stiffness is compared with the baseline configuration. The open loop analysis is followed by the design of a flight control system and verification of the results through non-linear simulations. It is concluded that the MOB configuration with winglet rudders does not have enough trim/control authority especially under asymmetric thrust conditions. Rudder control needs to be modified in order to make this a practical design.