Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between Vickers microhardness and compressive strength of functional surface geopolymers

An experimental study to investigate the relationship between Vickers microhardness and compressive strength of geopolymers made from metakaolin has been conducted. Samples were prepared by using metakaolin activated with a sodium silicate solution at a different ratio of Si to Al and Na to Al and cured at 70°C for one hour. The resulting geopolymers were stored in an open air for 28 days before conducting any measurement. Bulk density and apparent porosity of the samples were measured by using Archimedes’s method. Vickers microhardness measurements were performed on a polished surface of geopolymers with a load ranging from 0.3 – 1.0 kg. The topographic of indented samples were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compressive strength of the resulting geopolymers was measured on the cylindrical samples with a ratio of height to the diameter was 2:1. The results showed that the molar ratios of geopolymers compositions play important roles in the magnitude of bulk density, porosity, Vickers’s microhardness as well as the compressive strength. The porosity reduced exponentially the magnitude of the strength of geopolymers. It was found that the relationship between Vickers microhardness and compressive strength was linear.An experimental study to investigate the relationship between Vickers microhardness and compressive strength of geopolymers made from metakaolin has been conducted. Samples were prepared by using metakaolin activated with a sodium silicate solution at a different ratio of Si to Al and Na to Al and cured at 70°C for one hour. The resulting geopolymers were stored in an open air for 28 days before conducting any measurement. Bulk density and apparent porosity of the samples were measured by using Archimedes’s method. Vickers microhardness measurements were performed on a polished surface of geopolymers with a load ranging from 0.3 – 1.0 kg. The topographic of indented samples were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compressive strength of the resulting geopolymers was measured on the cylindrical samples with a ratio of height to the diameter was 2:1. The results showed that the molar ratios of geopolymers compositions play important roles in the magnitude of bulk density, porosity, Vicker.
Influence of Compatiblizer (PP-g-mA) on Morphology, Mechanical Behaviour of PP/ABS/CB Nano-Composite

Composite materials can be defined as a combination of two or more materials results in improved properties than those of the individual material used alone. Nano-technology has recently gained attention of scientific environment due to the solutions offered in main areas of the human activity. Polymers are more ductile but less rigid and strong in which used to replace high load bearing application. Composite materials allow designing materials that may combination of mechanical properties similar to those high load bearing materials. For advance mechanical properties of material using polypropylene (PP) as a polymer and elastomers as acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS) and as compatibilizer maleic anhydridegrafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) is used and filler material as carbon black. For characterization Analyses of morphology scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used and mechanical properties which is tensile testing, impact testing is use for characterization of polymer nanocomposites.
Ten Putative Contributors to the Obesity Epidemic

The obesity epidemic is a global issue and shows no signs of abating, while the cause of this epidemic remains unclear. Marketing practices of energy-dense foods and institutionally-driven declines in physical activity are the alleged perpetrators for the epidemic, despite a lack of solid evidence to demonstrate their causal role. While both may contribute to obesity, we call attention to their unquestioned dominance in program funding and public efforts to reduce obesity, and propose several alternative putative contributors that would benefit from equal consideration and attention. Evidence for microorganisms, epigenetics, increasing maternal age, greater fecundity among people with higher adiposity, assortative mating, sleep debt, endocrine disruptors, pharmaceutical iatrogenesis, reduction in variability of ambient temperatures, and intrauterine and intergenerational effects as contributing factors to the obesity epidemic are reviewed herein. While the evidence is strong for some contributors such as pharmaceutical-induced weight gain, it is still emerging for other reviewed factors. Considering the role of such putative etiological factors of obesity may lead to comprehensive, cause specific, and effective strategies for prevention and treatment of this global epidemic.
Unexpected Changes to the Global Methane Budget over the Past 2000 Years

We report a 2000-year Antarctic ice-core record of stable carbon isotope measurements in atmospheric methane (δ13CH4). Large δ13CH4 variations indicate that the methane budget varied unexpectedly during the late preindustrial Holocene (circa 0 to 1700 A.D.). During the first thousand years (0 to 1000 A.D.), δ13CH4 was at least 2 per mil enriched compared to expected values, and during the following 700 years, an about 2 per mil depletion occurred. Our modeled methane source partitioning implies that biomass burning emissions were high from 0 to 1000 A.D. but reduced by almost ∼40% over the next 700 years. We suggest that both human activities and natural climate change influenced preindustrial biomass burning emissions and that these emissions have been previously understated in late preindustrial Holocene methane budget research.
Predicting text entry speed on mobile phones

We present a model for predicting expert text entry rates for several input methods on a 12-key mobile phone keypad. The model includes a movement component based on Fitts' law and a linguistic component based on digraph, or letter-pair, probabilities. Predictions are provided for one-handed thumb and two-handed index finger input. For the traditional multi-press method or the lesser-used two-key method, predicted expert rates vary from about 21 to 27 words per minute (wpm). The relatively new T9 method works with a disambiguating algorithm and inputs each character with a single key press. Predicted expert rates vary from 41 wpm for one-handed thumb input to 46 wpm for two-handed index finger input. These figures are degraded somewhat depending on the user's strategy in coping with less-than-perfect disambiguation. Analyses of these strategies are presented.
Disparities in Evaluation at Certified Primary Stroke Centers: Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke

Background and Purpose— Evaluation at primary stroke centers (PSCs) has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with stroke. We looked for differences in evaluation at Joint Commission certified PSCs by race, education, income, and geography (urban versus nonurban; Southeastern Stroke Belt versus non-Stroke Belt). Methods— Community-dwelling, black and white participants from the national Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) prospective population–based cohort were enrolled between January 2003 and October 2007. Participants were contacted at 6-month intervals for suspected stroke events. For suspected stroke events, it was determined whether the evaluating hospital was a certified PSC. Results— Of 1000 suspected strokes, 204 (20.4%) strokes were evaluated at a PSC. A smaller proportion of women than men (17.8% versus 23.0%; P=0.04), those with a previous stroke (15.1% versus 21.6%; P=0.04), those living in the Stroke Belt (14.7% versus 27.3%; P<0.001), and those in a nonurban area (9.1% versus 23.1%; P<0.001) were evaluated at a PSC. There were no differences by race, education, or income. In multivariable analysis, subjects were less likely to be evaluated at a PSC if they lived in a nonurban area (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.67) or lived in the Stroke Belt (odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.77) or had a previous stroke (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.27–0.78). Conclusions— Disparities in evaluation by PSCs are predominately related to geographic factors but not to race, education, or low income. Despite an increased burden of cerebrovascular disease in the Stroke Belt, subjects there were less likely to be evaluated at certified hospitals.
Pharmacotherapies for COPD

This review article summarizes the main treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, their mechanisms, and the key evidence from trials supporting their use. Drug classes covered were short acting beta agonists (SABA), short acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMA), long acting beta agonists (LABA), long acting antimuscarinics (LAMA), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), LABA/ ICS combinations, specific phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitors, non-specific PDE inhibitors, mucolytics, and oxygen. Non-specific therapies, such as opiates for relief of dyspnoea and therapies for smoking cessation, are also covered briefly. For each class of drug, mechanisms of action are described, key clinical trial results are reported, and available agents compared. Finally, the place of each drug in therapy is compared between current worldwide guidelines.
PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS OF CARALLUMA DIFFUSA ( WIGHT ) N . E . BR . AERIAL PART

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) of aerial part extract of Caralluma diffusa. Methods: Powdered sample (125 g) was extracted with 500 ml of solvent (petroleum ether, acetone and methanol) using soxhlet apparatus. The aqueous extract was prepared with 10 g of powder in 100 ml of distilled water and stirred for 12 h. Then it was filtered and dried under reduced pressure. All these extracts subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening and methanol extract was taken for GC-MS analysis. Results: Among these four extracts, the methanolic extract showed positive results for alkaloid, carbohydrate, saponin, flavonoid, glycoside, steroids, phenols, terpenoids and cardiac glycoside. As these major bioactive compounds were present in methanolic extracts, further screening by GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 18 bioactive compounds. The results of GC-MS revealed that Caralluma diffusa contains mainly 2Furancarboxaldehyde 5-(hydroxymethyl)-(28.67 %), 1, 5-Anhydro-6-Deoxyhexo-2, 3-Diulose (17.19%) and 1, 3-Propanediol, 2-ethyl-2(hydroxymethyl)(11.89 %) were identified based on percentage of peak area. Conclusions: The results of the present study enhance the traditional usage of C.diffusa which possesses several bioactive compounds. By isolation, identification, and develop the structure for biomolecules which can be used as drugs and further investigation may lead to the development of drug formation. On the basis of the medicinal potential of these bioactive compounds further research may be done on toxicological aspects to develop safe drugs.
A Random Mutagenesis Approach to Isolate Dominant-Negative Yeast sec1 Mutants Reveals a Functional Role for Domain 3a in Yeast and Mammalian Sec1/Munc18 Proteins

SNAP receptor (SNARE) and Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins are required for all intracellular membrane fusion events. SNAREs are widely believed to drive the fusion process, but the function of SM proteins remains unclear. To shed light on this, we screened for dominant-negative mutants of yeast Sec1 by random mutagenesis of a GAL1-regulated SEC1 plasmid. Mutants were identified on the basis of galactose-inducible growth arrest and inhibition of invertase secretion. This effect of dominant-negative sec1 was suppressed by overexpression of the vesicle (v)-SNAREs, Snc1 and Snc2, but not the target (t)-SNAREs, Sec9 and Sso2. The mutations isolated in Sec1 clustered in a hotspot within domain 3a, with F361 mutated in four different mutants. To test if this region was generally involved in SM protein function, the F361-equivalent residue in mammalian Munc18-1 (Y337) was mutated. Overexpression of the Munc18-1 Y337L mutant in bovine chromaffin cells inhibited the release kinetics of individual exocytosis events. The Y337L mutation impaired binding of Munc18-1 to the neuronal SNARE complex, but did not affect its binary interaction with syntaxin1a. Taken together, these data suggest that domain 3a of SM proteins has a functionally important role in membrane fusion. Furthermore, this approach of screening for dominant-negative mutants in yeast may be useful for other conserved proteins, to identify functionally important domains in their mammalian homologs.
Text Line for Historical Document Images

In this paper we present a new approach for text line segmentation that works directly on gray-scale document images. Our algorithm constructs distance transform directly on the gray-scale images, which is used to compute two types of seams: medial seams and separating seams. A medial seam is a chain of pixels that crosses the text area of a text line and a separating seam is a path that passes between two consecutive rows. The medial seam determines a text line and the separating seams define the upper and lower boundaries of the text line. The medial and separating seams propagate according to energy maps, which are defined based on the constructed distance transform. We have performed various experimental results on different datasets and received encouraging results.
Prevention of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws secondary to tooth extractions. A systematic review

Background A study was made to identify the most effective protocol for reducing the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) following tooth extraction in patients subjected to treatment with antiresorptive or antiangiogenic drugs. Material and Methods A MEDLINE and SCOPUS search (January 2003 - March 2015) was made with the purpose of conducting a systematic literature review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All articles contributing information on tooth extractions in patients treated with oral or intravenous antiresorptive or antiangiogenic drugs were included. Results Only 13 of the 380 selected articles were finally included in the review: 11 and 5 of them offered data on patients treated with intravenous and oral bisphosphonates, respectively. No randomized controlled trials were found – all publications corresponding to case series or cohort studies. The prevalence of ONJ in the patients treated with intravenous and oral bisphosphonates was 6,9% (range 0-34.7%) and 0.47% (range 0-2.5%), respectively. The main preventive measures comprised local and systemic infection control. Conclusions No conclusive scientific evidence is available to date on the efficacy of ONJ prevention protocols in patients treated with antiresorptive or antiangiogenic drugs subjected to tooth extraction. Key words:Bisphosphonates, angiogenesis inhibitors, antiresorptive drugs, extraction, osteonecrosis.
Multispectral photoacoustic tomography for detection of small tumors inside biological tissues

Visualization of small tumors inside biological tissue is important in cancer treatment because that promotes accurate surgical resection and enables therapeutic effect monitoring. For sensitive detection of tumor, we have been developing photoacoustic (PA) imaging technique to visualize tumor-specific contrast agents, and have already succeeded to image a subcutaneous tumor of a mouse using the contrast agents. To image tumors inside biological tissues, extension of imaging depth and improvement of sensitivity were required. In this study, to extend imaging depth, we developed a PA tomography (PAT) system that can image entire cross section of mice. To improve sensitivity, we discussed the use of the P(VDF-TrFE) linear array acoustic sensor that can detect PA signals with wide ranges of frequencies. Because PA signals produced from low absorbance optical absorbers shifts to low frequency, we hypothesized that the detection of low frequency PA signals improves sensitivity to low absorbance optical absorbers. We developed a PAT system with both a PZT linear array acoustic sensor and the P(VDF-TrFE) sensor, and performed experiment using tissue-mimicking phantoms to evaluate lower detection limits of absorbance. As a result, PAT images calculated from low frequency components of PA signals detected by the P(VDF-TrFE) sensor could visualize optical absorbers with lower absorbance.
Phenotype of a Homozygous CADASIL Patient in Comparison to 9 Age-Matched Heterozygous Patients With the Same R133C Notch3 Mutation

Background and Purpose— CADASIL is an autosomal dominant arteriopathy, characterized by multiple brain infarcts, cognitive decline, and finally dementia, which is caused by mutations in Notch3 gene encoding a Notch3 receptor protein. We describe the clinical, neuropsychological, imaging, genetic, and skin biopsy findings in a CADASIL patient homozygous for the C475T mutation resulting in R133C amino acid substitution, in comparison to 9 age-matched heterozygous patients with the same mutation. Methods— The patients were examined clinically and neuropsychologically and with MRI and positron emission tomography for assessment of cerebral blood flow. The gene defect was analyzed by sequencing the products of polymerase chain reaction of exons 3 and 4 of the Notch3 gene. Dermal arteries were analyzed electron microscopically. Results— The homozygous patient had his first-ever stroke at age 28 years. This is markedly earlier than the average, but the patient’s heterozygous son had his first transient ischemic attack–like episode at the same age and another heterozygous patient had his first-ever stroke when only 2 years older. He was neuropsychologically more severely deteriorated than all but 1 of the heterozygous patients. These 2 patients had the most severe (confluent grade D) white matter MRI changes. Positron emission tomography showed markedly reduced cerebral blood flow. Skin biopsy revealed profuse deposits of granular osmiophilic material. The progression of disease in the homozygous case was, however, slower than in the most severely affected heterozygous patient. Conclusions— Our homozygous patient’s phenotype is within the clinical spectrum of CADASIL, although at its severe end. Thus, CADASIL may follow the classic definition of a dominant disease, according to which the heterozygous and homozygous patients are clinically indistinguishable.
Analysis of Post-Liver Transplant Hepatitis C Virus Recurrence Using Serial Cluster of Differentiation Antibody Microarrays

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection of the liver allograft after transplantation is universal, with some individuals suffering severe disease recurrence. Predictive markers of recurrent disease severity are urgently needed. In this study, we used a cluster of differentiation (CD) microarray to predict the severity of HCV recurrence after transplantation. Methods The CD antibody microarray assays of live leukocytes were performed on peripheral blood taken in the first year after transplantation. The results were grouped into phases defined as; Pre-transplant (day 0), Early (day 3 to week 2), Mid (week 4 to week 10), and Late (week 12 to week 26). Hepatitis C virus severity was based on fibrosis stages in the first 2 years (F0-1 mild and F2-4 severe). Results Serial blood samples from 16 patients were taken before and after liver transplantation. A total of 98 assays were performed. Follow-up was 3 years or longer. Comparing recurrence severity, significantly greater numbers of CD antigens were differentially expressed on the pretransplant samples compared to any posttransplant timepoints. Five differentially expressed CD antigens before transplantation (CD27 PH, CD182, CD260, CD41, and CD34) were significantly expressed comparing severe to mild recurrence, whereas expression of only CD152 was significant in the late phase after transplantation. No relationship was observed between the donor or recipient interleukin-28B genotypes and HCV recurrence severity. Conclusions This study shows that circulating leukocyte CD antigen expression has utility in assessing recurrent HCV disease severity after liver transplantation and serves as a proof of principle. Importantly, pretransplant CD antigen expression is most predictive of disease outcome.
Online Submission ID : 0 Orion : A System for Modeling , Transformation and Visualization of Multidimensional Heterogeneous Networks

The study of complex activities such as scientific production and software development often require modeling connections among heterogeneous entities including people, institutions and artifacts. Despite advances in algorithms and visualization techniques for understanding such social networks, the process of constructing network models and performing exploratory analysis remains difficult and time-consuming. In this paper we present Orion, a system for interactive modeling, transformation and visualization of network data. Orion’s interface enables the rapid manipulation of large graphs — including the specification of complex linking relationships — using simple drag-and-drop operations with desired node types. Orion maps these user interactions to statements in a declarative workflow language that incorporates both relational operators (e.g., selection, aggregation and joins) and network analytics (e.g., centrality measures). We demonstrate how these features enable analysts to flexibly construct and compare networks in domains such as online health communities, electronic medical records, academic collaboration and distributed software development.
A New Highly Bioactive Composite for Scaffold Applications: A Feasibility Study

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been widely investigated as scaffolding material for bone tissue engineering, mainly for its excellent biocompatibility. Presently, there is an increasing interest in the composites of hydroxyapatite with bioactive glasses, with the aim to obtain systems with improved bioactivity or mechanical properties. Moreover, modifying the ratio between bioactive glass and hydroxyapatite results in the possibility of controlling the reaction rate of the composite scaffold in the human body. However, high temperature treatments are usually required in order to sinter HA-based composites, causing the bioactive glass to crystallize into a glass-ceramic, with possible negative effects on its bioactivity. In the present research work, a glass composition belonging to the Na2O-CaO-P2O5-SiO2 system, with a reduced tendency to crystallize, is applied to realize HA-based composites. The novel samples can be sintered at a relative low temperature (750 °C) compared to the widely studied HA/45S5 Bioglass® composites. This fact greatly helps to preserve the amorphous nature of the glass, with excellent effects in terms of bioactivity, according to in vitro tests. As a first application, the obtained composites are also tested to realize highly porous scaffolds by means of the standard burning out method.
A Time Misalignment Tolerant 2D-Memory Polynomials Predistorter for Concurrent Dual-Band Power Amplifiers

This letter proposes a modified 2-D memory polynomial predistorter for concurrent dual band power amplifiers, which is tolerant to the time misalignment between the two bands. The new model is derived from the prior 2-D DPD model by substituting the interpolation expression into it. For performance validation, the proposed method is applied to a dual-band transmitter. In the presence of 4.87 samples time-misalignment existing between the two input signals, the proposed method achieves normalized mean square error of -40 dB and adjacent channel power ratio improvement of about 15 dB in the dual bands. Further experiment shows the proposed 2-D predistorter outperforms 2D-GMP in terms of complexity and signal quality.