Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standardizing research methods for prognostics

Prognostics and health management (PHM) is a maturing system engineering discipline. As with most maturing disciplines, PHM does not yet have a universally accepted research methodology. As a result, most component life estimation efforts are based on ad-hoc experimental methods that lack statistical rigor. In this paper, we provide a critical review of current research methods in PHM and contrast these methods with standard research approaches in a more established discipline (medicine). We summarize the developmental steps required for PHM to reach full maturity and to generate actionable results with true business impact.
Perceptual thresholds and electrode impedance in three retinal prosthesis subjects

Three test subjects blind from retinitis pigmentosa were implanted with retinal prostheses as part of a FDA-approved clinical trial. The implant consisted of an extraocular unit that contained electronics for wireless data, power, and generation of stimulus current, and an intraocular unit that consisted of 16 platinum stimulating electrodes arranged in a 4 /spl times/ 4 pattern within a silicone rubber substrate. The array was held to the retina by a small tack. The stimulator was connected to the array by a multiwire cable and was controlled by a computer based external system that allowed precise control over each electrode. Perception thresholds and electrode impedance were obtained on each electrode from the subjects over several months of testing. The electrode distance from the retina was determined from optical coherence tomography imaging of the array and retina. Across all subjects, average thresholds ranged from 24-702 /spl mu/A (1-ms pulse). The data show that proximity to the retina played a role in determining the threshold and impedance, but only for electrodes that were greater than 0.5 mm from the retina.
Universal Graphs for Bounded-Degree Trees and Planar Graphs

How small can a graph be that contains as subgraphs all trees on n vertices with maximum degree d? In this paper, this question is answered by constructing such universal graphs that have n vertices and bounded degree (depending only on d). Universal graphs with n vertices and $O(n\log n)$ edges are also constructed that contain all bounded-degree planar graphs on n vertices as subgraphs. In general, it is shown that the minimum universal graph containing all bounded-degree graphs on n vertices with separators of size $n^\alpha $ has $O(n)$ edges if $\alpha \frac{1}{2}$.
Are Antecedents in the Adoption Stage Affecting IS Effectiveness in the Implementation Stage

Information systems (IS) effectiveness is a multidimensional construct which can be influenced by individual characteristics, individual beliefs about the system and institutional factors. Prior researchers have examined the effects of a wide range of factors on IS adoption and successful IS implementation. However, these factors are separated in IS adoption and postadoption research areas and isolated from each other in affecting IS effectiveness. This study demonstrates the relevance of these factors and organizational factors moderating the effects among the individual characteristics, beliefs about the system and IS effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to give a comprehensive picture of IS effectiveness using the multilevel analysis.
Bridging between NMA and Elastic Network Models: Preserving All-Atom Accuracy in Coarse-Grained Models

Dynamics can provide deep insights into the functional mechanisms of proteins and protein complexes. For large protein complexes such as GroEL/GroES with more than 8,000 residues, obtaining a fine-grained all-atom description of its normal mode motions can be computationally prohibitive and is often unnecessary. For this reason, coarse-grained models have been used successfully. However, most existing coarse-grained models use extremely simple potentials to represent the interactions within the coarse-grained structures and as a result, the dynamics obtained for the coarse-grained structures may not always be fully realistic. There is a gap between the quality of the dynamics of the coarse-grained structures given by all-atom models and that by coarse-grained models. In this work, we resolve an important question in protein dynamics computations—how can we efficiently construct coarse-grained models whose description of the dynamics of the coarse-grained structures remains as accurate as that given by all-atom models? Our method takes advantage of the sparseness of the Hessian matrix and achieves a high efficiency with a novel iterative matrix projection approach. The result is highly significant since it can provide descriptions of normal mode motions at an all-atom level of accuracy even for the largest biomolecular complexes. The application of our method to GroEL/GroES offers new insights into the mechanism of this biologically important chaperonin, such as that the conformational transitions of this protein complex in its functional cycle are even more strongly connected to the first few lowest frequency modes than with other coarse-grained models.
Preventive effect of agaro‐oligosaccharides on non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced small intestinal injury in mice

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly used in clinical medicine, cause erosion, ulcers, and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. No effective agent for the prevention and treatment of small intestinal injury by NSAIDs has been established. This study investigates the effects of agaro‐oligosaccharides (AGOs) on NSAID‐induced small intestinal injury in mice.
Prognostic index for clinical Stage I cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Thirteen variables were evaluated for their significance in predicting the survival of 148 patients in a retrospective study with clinical Stage I cutaneous malignant melanoma. The variables studied were histological type, tumor thickness, level of invasion, mitotic activity, pigmentation type, existence of ulceration, presence of lymphocytic infiltration, cell type, sex and age of the patient, site of melanoma, and wide local excision preceded or not by contact radiotherapy and associated or not with lymphadenectomy. When these variables were individualized, only seven were significantly related to survival: histological type; tumor thickness; level of invasion; mitotic activity; pigmentation type; existence of ulceration; and sex of the patient. Multivariate analysis based on Breslow's version of the Cox proportional-hazards model was performed on a group of 110 patients. This analysis demonstrated that 5 of the original 13 variables (i.e., mitotic activity, tumor thickness, sex, lymphadenectomy, and site of primary melanoma) could be used to develop a prognostic model. A Gompertz distribution which provided for an appropriate smoothing of the Breslow model estimates was used to derive a simple prognostic index and to predict the survival of individual patients. Fifty-four patients in a prospective study were subsequently evaluated with the Gompertz model in order to test the prognostic accuracy of the model for the five variables.
Regional alterations in RGS4 protein in schizophrenia

The regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) molecules are a class of proteins that modulate the signaling activity of G‐protein coupled receptors. Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) is of particular interest in schizophrenia since it is associated with the dopamine (DA) receptor, its expression is altered in affected CNS tissue, and polymorphisms in the RGS4 gene are being examined as risk factors for the disease (Morris et al. 2004 , Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 125:50–53; Prasad et al. 2005 , Mol Psychiatry 10:213–219; Williams et al. 2004 , Biol Psychiatry 55:192–195). To further test for the involvement of RGS4 expression in schizophrenia, we examined a selection of different cortical and subcortical regions in human brain for alterations in RGS4 mRNA and protein expression. To evaluate the effect of antipsychotic medication on RGS4 expression levels, we compared a subset of treated and untreated cases that were off antipsychotic medication for at least 3 months prior to death. We report a significant decrease in RGS4 mRNA levels in the cingulate gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and the insular cortex of all schizophrenia cases when compared with controls. A decrease in RGS4 mRNA was also observed in the caudate, but only in the medicated schizophrenia cases. Measurement of protein levels using Western blot demonstrated that RGS4 protein is decreased in the frontal cortex of schizophrenia cases. Synapse 59:472–479, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatio-Temporal Transcript Pro fi ling of Rice Roots and Shoots in Response to Phosphate Starvation and Recovery

DavidSecco,a,1MehdiJabnoune,bHaydenWalker,aHuixiaShou,c,dPingWu,c,dYvesPoirier,b andJamesWhelana,d,e a Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia b Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Biophore Building, University of Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland c State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China d Joint Research Laboratory in Genomics and Nutriomics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China eDepartment of Botany, School of Life Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Victoria, Australia
Subwavelength grating waveguide devices in silicon photonics

We review recent progress on developing passive subwavelength grating (SWG) waveguide devices in silicon photonics (SiP), including optical filters based on Bragg structures, ring resonators, and contra-directional couplers. We also discuss how to use SWG structures to implement an index variable optical true time delay line based on spatial diversity with an equal length waveguide array. These components expand significantly the SiP SWG waveguide ‘toolbox’ thereby enabling the design and implementation of more complex devices for advanced signal processing and filtering.
Mechanical and thermo-mechanical response of a lead-core bearing device subjected to different loading conditions

The contribution is focused on the numerical modelling, simulation and analysis of a lead-core bearing device for passive seismic isolation. An accurate finite element model of a lead-core bearing device is presented. The model is designed to analyse both mechanical and thermo-mechanical responses of the seismic isolator to different loading conditions. Specifically, the mechanical behaviour in a typical identification test is simulated. The response of the lead-core bearing device to circular sinusoidal paths is analysed. The obtained shear displacement – shear force relationship is compared to experimental data found in literature sources. The hypothesis that heating of the lead-core during cyclic loading affects the degrading phenomena in the bearing device is taken into account. Constitutive laws are defined for each material: lead, rubber and steel. Both predefined constitutive laws (in the used general–purpose finite element code) and semi-analytical procedures aimed at a more accurate modelling of the constitutive relations are tested. The results obtained by finite element analysis are to be further used to calibrate a macroscopic model of the lead-core bearing device seen as a single-degree-of-freedom mechanical system.
A fast intra-prediction decision algorithm in inter-frame based on a novel feature of HEVC

With the quad-tree based coding structure and more flexible intramodes, the coding efficiency provided by intra-technique in interframes of HEVC is much higher than the preceding standard H.264/AVC. However, the computing complexity is also significantly increased. Although only a few CUs are encoded as intra-mode in inter-frames finally, almost all CUs need to be checked all the intra-options to obtain the optimal mode, which may be in fact unnecessary. Unlike most existing fast algorithms, which focus on accelerating intra-prediction itself, we propose a novel feature to quantitatively estimate the possibilities of doing intra-prediction for CUs. Based on this feature, we further design a fast intra-prediction decision algorithm to determine whether a CU needs to be checked the intra-prediction. The experimental results show that our algorithm can reduce more than 60% computing resources with a negligible loss in rate-distortion performance for intra-module in all inter-frames. Besides, our method can be compatible with all other existing fast algorithms.
A 5–11 GHz wideband low noise amplifier using transformer feedback technique

This paper presents a wideband low noise amplifier (LNA) using transformer feedback topology in 0.18 μm CMOS. The first stage is a casocde topology with two-transformer feedback for wideband input and noise matching. The second stage is a resistive feedback common source amplifier. The proposed LNA presents a maximal power gain of 14.5 dB over a 3-dB bandwidth of 4.9 to 11.3 GHz. The measured minimum noise figure (NF) is 3.18 dB with a power consumption of 6.6 mW at V<inf>dd1</inf> = 1−2 V and V<inf>DD2</inf> = 0.7 V. The chip area occupies 0.83 × 0.95 mm<sup>2</sup>.
Research on Damage Identification Method of Composite Materials Based on Displacement Modal Shape Parameters

In terms of dynamic detection, in order to improve the identification effect of model parameters on damage, in this paper, a displacement modal shape processing method based on difference accumulation is proposed, and the calculated result of the accumulated difference is used as a damage characterization parameter. With regards to the damage of composite materials, Camanho-Matthews stiffness degradation criterion is introduced to simulate the stiffness degradation characteristics of four damage forms of composite materials: matrix cracking, matrix extrusion, fiber stretching and fiber compression. Taking the composite cantilever beam as the research object, the numerical simulation shows that the difference accumulation method can simultaneously identify the damage of single damage and multiple damage structures under four damage forms, and it can effectively identify the damage forms and damage locations. Moreover, the damage identification sensitivity of the difference accumulation method gradually increases with the position of the damage approaching the fixed end, which has an advantage for the damage identification of the cantilever beam approaching the fixed end.
Aspergillus fumigatus conidia induce interferon-&bgr; signalling in respiratory epithelial cells

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen of major clinical importance. However, little is known about the role of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) during A. fumigatus conidia induced inflammation. Here, we show that differentiated respiratory epithelial cells recognise inactivated resting conidia but not swollen conidia or hyphae, resulting in the induction of the interferon (IFN)-&bgr; signalling pathway and the expression of IFN-&bgr;-inducible genes, such as IFN-&ggr;-inducible protein (IP)-10. This induction was internalisation dependent. We identified double-stranded conidial RNA recognised by Toll-like receptor-3 as a factor responsible for the expression of IFN-&bgr; and IP-10. Inhibition of receptor-interacting protein-1/TANK-binding kinase-1, known to mediate IFN-&bgr; signalling, was sufficient to inhibit the induction of IFN-&bgr; and IP-10 expression by conidia. Even though conidia induced the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-&kgr;B in HBECs, IP-10 expression was only partially dependent on NF-&kgr;B signalling. These results provide evidence that respiratory cells are activated by the double-stranded RNA of resting conidia and initiate a first immune response to inhaled conidia in an IFN-&bgr;-dependent manner.
New direct oral anticoagulants – current therapeutic options and treatment recommendations for bleeding complications

Summary To date, clinical studies show that the incidence of spontaneous bleeding with new direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs) is comparable to that of established anticoagulants. However, unlike vitamin K antagonists, there are currently no clinically available antidotes or approved reversal agents for new DOAs. Restoring normal coagulation is important in many cases, such as emergency surgeries, serious bleedings, or anticoagulant overdosing. Attempts have been made to restore normal coagulation after treatment with new DOAs using compounds such as recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa), prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), or FEIBA (factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity). Limited pre-clinical data and even less clinical evidence are available on the usefulness of these methods in restoring normal coagulation for the emergency management of critical bleeding episodes. Evaluating the utility of DOAs is further complicated by the fact that it is unknown how predictive established test systems are of the bleeding risks. Clinical practice requires further evaluation of the emergency management options for the new DOAs to define the agents and the doses that are most useful. Furthermore, patients receiving long-term treatment with a DOA are likely to undergo elective surgery at some point, and there is lack of evidence regarding perioperative treatment regimens under such conditions. This review summarises potential bleeding management options and available data on the new DOAs.
VICKERS HARDNESS OF COMPOSITE RESINS CURED WITH LED AND QTH UNITS

Statement of Problem: One of the factors affecting the degree of polymerization of light-cured composites is the type of light-curing unit used. In addition, physicomechanical properties of composite resins depend on the degree of conversion and polymerization. Objectives(s): Since the type of initiator in new composite resins is not explained by manufacturers, this study is an attempt to compare the depth of hardening, with two LED and QTH light-curing units. Materials and Methods: Fifteen samples prepared from Gradia Direct and Filtek Z250, both of which being universal. All were cured with QTH (Astralis 7) and LED (Bluephase C8) light-curing units. Then, each composite resin sample was cured with both types of light-curing units. All the samples were moulded in polyester resin and cut from the middle by a disk. The hardness of the cut area was evaluated at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4-mm depth intervals and also at the same interval as the width of the sample, with Vickers hardness machine, while the samples were placed in a darkroom. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, t-test and post hoc Tukey tests with SPSS, version 16. Results: Filtek Z250 was harder than Gradia Direct at all the depth with both light-curing units. The hardness of Filtek Z250 sample cured with Astralis 7 was higher than that cured with LED, but with Gradia Direct the LED unit resulted in higher hardness. Curing depth was not significantly different between the groups (P=0.109). Conclusions: Vickers hardness number for both composites used in this study in an acceptable range for clinical implications. The composites` composition is important to be considered for selection of light unit. Based on the findings of the present study, LED did not present more curing depth compared with QTH.
Meniscus Modeling and Emission Studies of an Ionic Liquid Ferrofluid Electrospray Source Emitting from a Magneto-Electric Instability

xxi Chapter 1 Electric Spacecraft Propulsion . 1 1.1 Application of Electrospray Propulsion . 4 1.2 Electrospray Propulsion – Past and Present . 5 1.3 Performance Characterization . 6 1.4 Ionic Liquid Ferrofluid Electrospray Thrusters . 9 Chapter 2 Overview of Electrospray and Electrohydrodynamics . 13 2.1 History of Electrospray . 15 2.2 Electric Stress Tensor . 16 2.2.1 Electric Body Forces . 17
The XenoService { A Distributed Defeat for Distributed Denial of Service

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have become a serious problem since the second half of 1999. They are at heart a manifestation of what economists call the ‘tragedy of the commons’: while everyone may have an interest in protecting a shared resource (Internet security), individuals have a stronger motive to cheat (connecting insecure computers). So we doubt that some of the proposed technical countermeasures will work, as they take insu(cid:14)cient account of economic forces. In this paper, we discuss a possible remedy. The XenoService is a distributed network of web hosts that respond to an attack on any one web site by replicating it rapidly and widely. In this way, a mom-and-pop antiquarian bookstore that comes under a DDoS attack can within a few seconds acquire more network connectivity than Microsoft, so that it can absorb a packet ﬂood and continue trading. The XenoService uses Xenoservers, a technology developed at Cambridge for distributed hosting of latency-and bandwidth-critical network services. They can be deployed in such a way as to provide e(cid:11)ective economic incentives for the principals to behave properly.
Propagation of Shape Parameterisation for the Construction of a Statistical Shape Model of the Left Ventricle

Statistical Shape Models (SSMs) have been successfully applied to both segmentation and the description of the dynamic behaviour of the heart. SSMs are learned from a set of training examples, which are represented by vectors of corresponding landmarks. While the construction of a SSM is simple when a landmark representation of the training shapes is available, the extraction of corresponding landmarks from training images or meshes of different sizes is difficult. Optimisation schemes that solve this so-called correspondence problem rely on a parameter space representation of the input shapes. These optimisation schemes tend to be sensitive to the initial parameterisation of the input shapes. In this work, we present an algorithm to produce a consistent spherical parameterisation for shapes of the left ventricle. Our algorithm propagates the spherical parameterisation of a root shape within seconds to all other shapes. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by extracting a SSM from the parameterisations generated by our algorithm.
Quality Estimation Based on Regular Perception

We present a novel approach for speech-quality prediction based on the observation that perception-relevant properties may cover a wide range of different values without signiﬁcantly changing perceptual quality. To account for this nonlinear phenomenon, a semi-supervised discretization concept is proposed which is applied to temporal as well as aggregated properties as a preprocessing step prior to conventional modelling. The idea of perceptual regularization allows for integrating an assumed perceptual reference into the modelling process without neglecting the empirical cognition effects coded in the subjective test data. For the example of synthetic-speech quality we will demonstrate how the two main goals of quality estimation, namely interpretability and robustness, are addressed through the presented approach.
Contextual trace-based video recommendations

People like creating their own videos by mixing various contents. Many applications allow us to generate video clips by merging different media like videos clips, photos, text and sounds. Some of these applications enable us to combine online content with our own resources. Given the large amount of content available, the problem is to quickly find content that truly meet our needs. This is when recommender systems come in. In this paper, we propose an approach for contextual video recommendations based on a Trace-Based Reasoning approach.