Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Stored Energy Evolution during Batch Annealing Process of Cold Rolled HSLA Steels

Stored energy in deformed metals plays an important role during the annealing process by providing the initial driving force for recovery and recrystallization. Many direct or indirect measurement and calculation methods have been used to evaluate the amount and distribution of the stored energy in the past decades. The advent of relatively new analytical techniques such as Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) has permitted the development of mathematical models such as Sub-grain Method, Image Quality (IQ) Method and Taylor Factor Method etc., these new techniques have permitted a much better understanding of the annealing behavior of cold rolled steels. The sub-grain method based on the level of sub-grain structure is used in our study to quantify the stored energy distribution prior to and its evolution during the batch annealing process of cold rolled HSLA steels. Orientation dependent stored energy distribution maps at different annealing stages have been constructed and analyzed. The results of this study show that the stored energy increases with cold rolling reduction ratio and its distribution through the thickness of the steel sample is not uniform due to the inherit inhomogeneous deformation process. The stored energy was continuously consumed during annealing. The amount of γ-fiber was relatively lower than the α-fiber in the specific steel sample, which can have a strong effect on the available driving force for recovery and recrystallization. Hence other structural factors such as precipitation and/or solute drag might become more important in controlling the kinetic behavior of the steel during annealing.
Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Northwest African populations reveals genetic exchanges with European, Near‐Eastern, and sub‐Saharan populations

Genetic studies have emphasized the contrast between North African and sub‐Saharan populations, but the particular affinities of the North African mtDNA pool to that of Europe, the Near East, and sub‐Saharan Africa have not previously been investigated. We have analysed 268 mtDNA control‐region sequences from various Northwest African populations including several Senegalese groups and compared these with the mtDNA database. We have identified a few mitochondrial motifs that are geographically specific and likely predate the distribution and diversification of modern language families in North and West Africa. A certain mtDNA motif (16172C, 16219G), previously found in Algerian Berbers at high frequency, is apparently omnipresent in Northwest Africa and may reflect regional continuity of more than 20000 years. The majority of the maternal ancestors of the Berbers must have come from Europe and the Near East since the Neolithic. The Mauritanians and West‐Saharans, in contrast, bear substantial though not dominant mtDNA affinity with sub‐Saharans.
Placas cerâmicas obtidas por colagem de fita

Placas cerâmicas densas, com espessuras variando entre 10 µm e ~ 1 mm, podem ser obtidas pela tecnica de colagem fita que e uma tecnica de conformacao cerâmica, de custo relativamente baixo. A etapa mais critica deste processo de conformacao e a preparacao de suspensoes com elevado teor de solidos, ~ 30% em massa, e, tambem, elevado teor de aditivos orgânicos, tais como ligante e plastificante. Dentre os varios produtos cerâmicos que podem ser produzidos pela tecnica de colagem de fita, substratos eletronicos e eletrolitos planares para pilhas a combustivel de oxido solido (PaCOS) destacam-se pelo elevado consumo e pelo valor agregado, respectivamente. Neste trabalho, a quantidade apropriada de aditivos em suspensoes de alumina e suspensoes de zirconia estabilizada com itria (8 e 10% em mol) foi determinada atraves da avaliacao do comportamento reologico das suspensoes. Embora exista semelhanca no tamanho medio de particulas das materias primas, foi determinado que cada materia prima necessita de quantidade especifica de aditivos orgânicos para conferir as suspensoes o comportamento pseudoplastico. Placas obtidas pela colagem das suspensoes foram analisadas antes e apos a sinterizacao. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a densidade, o tamanho de grao e a distribuicao de poros sao sensiveis ao teor de ligante. O tamanho de grao das placas e menor que os graos desenvolvidos em pecas obtidas por prensagem e, por consequencia, a incidencia de poros intragranulares tambem e muito menor.
InferLoc: Calibration Free Based Location Inference for Temporal and Spatial Fine-Granularity Magnitude

Location is the most important information in the field of context-aware computing. Normally, one location represented as absolute physical coordinate is less understandable than semantically meaningful place like "home", "office", etc. This paper proposes a novel calibration free based algorithm called Infer Loc to infer user's daily significant locations using Wi-Fi signals obtained from mobile phone. Infer Loc contains three main steps: 1) Stop point detection based on trajectory segmentation through similarity calculation between neighbor sampling windows, 2) Location discovery through density based clustering and 3) Semantically significant location inference through matching clustered locations and recorded places in personal diary. Furthermore, we implement and validate Infer Loc algorithm on realistic data collected from real-world wireless environment. Experimental results show that Infer Loc can recognize visiting locations both in temporal and spatial fine-granularity magnitude under short response delay.
DFA-G: A Unified Programming Model for Vertex-Centric Parallel Graph Processing

Many systems have been built for vertex-centric parallel graph processing. Based on the Bulk Synchronous Parallel (BSP) model, they execute user-defined operations at vertices iteratively and exchange information between vertices by messages. Even though the native BSP systems (e.g. Pregel and Giraph) execute the operations on vertices synchronously within an iteration, many other platforms (e.g. Grace, Blogel and GraphHP) have proposed asynchronous execution for improved efficiency. However, they also bring about an undesirable side effect: a program designed for synchronous platforms may not run properly on asynchronous platforms. In this demo, we present DFA-G(Deterministic F inite A utomaton for G raph processing), a unified programming model for vertex-centric parallel graph processing. Built on DFA, DFA-G expresses the computation at a vertex as a process of message-driven state transition. A program modeled after DFA-G can run properly on both synchronous and asynchronous platforms. We demonstrate how to build DFA-G models using a graphical user interface and also how to automatically translate them into BSP programs.
The Game Analysis on Risks of Logistics Enterprises Participate in Logistics Finance

Although the financial crisis is seemly over, but its impact on the global economy is still spreading, and also make people pay more attention to the improvement and operation of the economic and financial system, the development of the logistics industry in this financial crisis has also been confronted with great challenge, in this case, the concept of logistics finance is more widely known by people. While logistics finance provides a good opportunity to the development of logistics industry, it also involves enormous risk. As the financial supervision system is incomplete, enterprise credit evaluation and supervision system is not perfected, risks of the logistics enterprises participate in the logistics finance are more obvious, and researches of this aspect will appear more valuable. Therefore, this paper established a game theory tripartite game model of logistics financial participants, on the base, risks of logistics enterprises participate in the logistics financial business were analyzed, and show the corresponding conclusions and recommendations.
Scaling up Detection Rates and Reducing False Positives in Intrusion Detection using NBTree

In this paper, we present a new learning algorithm for anomaly based network intrusion detection using improved self adaptive naive Bayesian tree (NBTree), which induces a hybrid of decision tree and naive Bayesian classifier. The proposed approach scales up the balance detections for different attack types and keeps the false positives at acceptable level in intrusion detection. In complex and dynamic large intrusion detection dataset, the detection accuracy of naive Bayesian classifier does not scale up as well as decision tree. It has been successfully tested in other problem domains that naive Bayesian tree improves the classification rates in large dataset. In naive Bayesian tree nodes contain and split as regular decision-trees, but the leaves contain naive Bayesian classifiers. The experimental results on KDD99 benchmark network intrusion detection dataset demonstrate that this new approach scales up the detection rates for different attack types and reduces false positives in network intrusion detection.
Surface Fatigue of Al-Metal Matrix Composites at Impact Loading

Aluminium 6061 has proven to be a suitable alloy as a basis for producing metal matrix composites (MMC). These MMCs have a low specific weight combined with a relatively good specific stiffness and high specific strength. The hardness and compressive strength of Al composites can be increased by reinforcing bulk material with nano particles. However the ductility of such alloys is relatively low, therefore one of the applications for such light alloys could be wear applications. In many wear conditions such as erosive or abrasive wear at normal impact angles the surface wear resistance plays a significant role. The surface fatigue properties have not been widely studied for such nanoparticle reinforced aluminium composites. The nano-reinforced composite materials were produced by means of high-energy milling (HEM) of nano-sized reinforcement particles together with a metallic matrix powder, followed by hot pressing. By utilizing up to 6 wt% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as reinforcement the hardness of Al6061 MMC has been increased from 45 HV10 up to 317 HV10, compressive yield strength from 58 MPa up to 660 MPa and indentation modulus from 60 GPa up to 90 GPa compared to hot pressed Al6061. Surface fatigue tests were conducted at impact (dynamic) loading conditions using a hardened steel sphere as indenter. The Wöhler-like curves are plotted to estimate the surface fatigue. The surface fatigue indents were photographed by the aid of light optical microscopy (LOM) and analysed by image analysis software and optical profilometry (OP).
Multi-connection selection scheme in heterogeneous wireless networks

In heterogeneous wireless environments which change dynamically, the optimal network selection problem is one of the key issues. This paper proposes a network selection scheme based on the required bandwidth, which estimates the bandwidth required to satisfy the quality of service (QoS) requirements of the target service. Required bandwidth can be estimated from the signal strength of each access path and the QoS requirements such as delay, packet loss, burst size, etc. The proposed scheme can also support multiple network selection by considering diversity gain and multiplexing gain. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can achieve higher throughput or lower cost or lower power consumption according to the user preference, which outperforms the signal strength based network selection schemes.
Periodontal health and its relationship with salivary factors among different age groups in a Saudi population.

PURPOSE This study aimed to describe the periodontal condition of children, adolescents and young Saudi adults and to investigate its relationship with salivary variables and oral hygiene status. MATERIALS AND METHODS A sample of 114 children, 99 adolescents and 99 young adults were randomly selected from patients attending dental clinics at the school of dentistry. Clinical examination of oral health status included using WHO Community Periodontal Index and Green and Vermillion oral hygiene index. In addition, salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and microbial flora were measured. RESULTS A healthy periodontal condition was found in 6.7% of the sample. Calculus was the most frequently encountered periodontal disease. Children had better periodontal condition than adolescents and adults. Males had higher plaque and gingival scores than females. The salivary flow rate and pH were significantly higher in individuals with good periodontal condition. The salivary level of fluoride and buffering capacity was not related to the periodontal condition. Yeast was the only microorganism related to periodontal condition. The relationship between poor periodontal condition and high plaque score was highly significant. CONCLUSIONS Periodontal disease increased with age and was strongly related to salivary flow rate, pH value and yeast level, as well as plaque accumulation. Preventive efforts must be increased in order to achieve the WHO goal for the year 2010 of no more than one sextant showing bleeding or calculus at the age of 15.
Adaptive joint trajectory generator based on a chaotic recurrent neural network

The aim of this paper is to introduce a scalable and adaptable joint trajectory generator based on a recurrent neural network. As main application we target highly redundant kinematic structures like humanoid and multi-legged robotic systems. The network architecture consists of a set of leak integrators which outputs are limited by sigmoidal activation functions. The neural circuit exhibits very rich dynamics and is capable to generate complex periodic signals without the direct excitation of external inputs. Spontaneous internal activity is possible thanks to the presence of recurrent connections and a source of Gaussian noise that is overlapped with the signals. By modulating the internal chaotic level of the network it is possible to make the system exploring high-dimensional spaces and therefore to learn very complex time sequences. A preliminary set of simulations demonstrated how a relatively small network composed of hundred units is capable to generate different motor paths which can be triggered by exteroceptive sensory signals.
Preparation of Electrospun Barium Titanate – Polyvinylidene Fluoride Piezoelectric Membranes

Piezoelectric fibrous membranes of barium titanate (BTO) – polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites were studied. BTO nanoparticles of about 40 nm were synthesized by the sol-gel method and mixed in PVDF–dimethyl formamide solutions at 0, 0.1, 1 and 3 wt. % relative to the polymer weight. The suspensions were electrospun using a horizontal set-up with an applied voltage of 15 kV. The samples were heat treated for 24 hours at 100°C in air to increase the crystallinity of the polymer. The heat treatment induced a phase transformation from α to β phase in the pure polymer sample, while the nanocomposite membranes did not undergo such phase transformation. It was found that the addition of nanoparticles affected not only the morphology and diameter of the fibers, but also the content of beta phase of the polymer. In order to pursue the crystallization of β phase, additional samples were prepared by surface modification of the BTO nanoparticles and the addition of tetraisopentyl ammonium chloride. The best results were obtained with the last additive, which lead to the crystallization of only β phase and a homogeneous fibrous morphology. All these aspects were strongly correlated and consequently, governed the ferroelectric behavior of the samples.
Versatile Roles of K63-Linked Ubiquitin Chains in Trafficking

Modification by Lys63-linked ubiquitin (UbK63) chains is the second most abundant form of ubiquitylation. In addition to their role in DNA repair or kinase activation, UbK63 chains interfere with multiple steps of intracellular trafficking. UbK63 chains decorate many plasma membrane proteins, providing a signal that is often, but not always, required for their internalization. In yeast, plants, worms and mammals, this same modification appears to be critical for efficient sorting to multivesicular bodies and subsequent lysosomal degradation. UbK63 chains are also one of the modifications involved in various forms of autophagy (mitophagy, xenophagy, or aggrephagy). Here, in the context of trafficking, we report recent structural studies investigating UbK63 chains assembly by various E2/E3 pairs, disassembly by deubiquitylases, and specifically recognition as sorting signals by receptors carrying Ub-binding domains, often acting in tandem. In addition, we address emerging and unanticipated roles of UbK63 chains in various recycling pathways that function by activating nucleators required for actin polymerization, as well as in the transient recruitment of signaling molecules at the plasma or ER membrane. In this review, we describe recent advances that converge to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the wealth of trafficking functions of UbK63 chains.
Nanoimaging in cardiovascular diseases: Current state of the art

Nanotechnology has been integrated into healthcare system in terms of diagnosis as well as therapy. The massive impact of imaging nanotechnology has a deeper intervention in cardiology i.e. as contrast agents, to target vulnerable plaques with site specificity and in a theranostic approach to treat these plaques, stem cell delivery in necrotic myocardium, etc. Thus cardiovascular nanoimaging is not limited to simple diagnosis but also can help real time tracking during therapy as well as surgery. The present review provides a comprehensive description of the molecular imaging techniques for cardiovascular diseases with the help of nanotechnology and the potential clinical implications of nanotechnology for future applications.
Perceptual coding-based Informed Source Separation

Informed Source Separation (ISS) techniques enable manipulation of the source signals that compose an audio mixture, based on a coder-decoder configuration. Provided the source signals are known at the encoder, a low-bitrate side-information is sent to the decoder and permits to achieve efficient source separation. Recent research has focused on a Coding-based ISS framework, which has an advantage to encode the desired audio objects, while exploiting their mixture in an information-theoretic framework. Here, we show how the perceptual quality of the separated sources can be improved by inserting perceptual source coding techniques in this framework, achieving a continuum of optimal bitrate-perceptual distortion trade-offs.
Effects of leg blood flow restriction during walking on cardiovascular function.

INTRODUCTION Exercise with limb blood flow restriction (BFR) is a very popular exercise modality in Japan and is spreading widely to the rest of the world. The underlying principle of this training modality is that under the conditions of restricted blood flow, even low-intensity exercise can provide significant muscle strength and hypertrophy. One concern, however, is that BFR during exercise may place unnecessary burden on those with compromised cardiac function. METHODS We determined the impact of leg BFR during walking on cardiovascular function in 17 young (26 ± 1 yr) healthy volunteers. Each subject underwent five bouts of 2-min treadmill walking at 2 miles·h(-1) with 1-min interval either with or without tourniquet cuffs inflated on both thighs. RESULTS Heart rate increased more during the BFR session, whereas stroke volume decreased greater during the BFR session. Blood pressure increased significantly and substantially during the BFR session. Consequently, an increase in double product, an index of myocardial oxygen demand, was more than threefold higher in the BFR condition. Systemic arterial compliance evaluated by stroke volume/pulse pressure ratio significantly increased during the control session by 14% but reduced during the BFR condition by 19%. Popliteal artery flow-mediated vasodilation decreased significantly after the exercise with BFR but not after the control session. CONCLUSIONS Even at low intensity, the aerobic exercise with BFR requires a greater cardiac work and decreases endothelial function. Limb BFR during exercise may need to be more cautiously prescribed to those with compromised cardiac conditions.
Editorial: Microorganisms for Functional Food

Notwithstanding the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) did not approve any health claims for probiotic foods [including terms such as “probiotic,” “active bacteria”; European Commission (EC), 2007], most of the research studies in the field of microorganisms used for obtaining functional food deal with (putatively) probiotic bacteria. Probiotics may positively affect human/animal health in several ways, such as by inhibiting gut pathogenic microorganisms (Delgado et al.), modulating immune response, lowering concentration of cholesterol in blood (Damodharan et al.), and exerting antioxidant activity. The mechanisms underlying the health effects of probiotic bacteria raise great interest among researchers. Modulation of the host gut microbiome represents an intriguing mechanism and is the subject of two research articles (Yang et al.; Senan et al.) published in this Research Topic. In detail, reutericyclin, a broad spectrum antimicrobial compound produced by Lactobacillus reuteri during feed fermentation, increased the abundance of Dialister and Mitsuokella, two Firmicutes genera that are gut commensals in weanling pigs (Yang et al.). Senan et al. reported that differences in gut microbiome composition (especially for Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Eubacterium, Blautia, Shigella, Escherichia, Burkholderia, and Campylobacter) affected the response of geriatric individuals to Lassi, a fermented milk containing a cholesterol-lowering strain of Lactobacillus helveticus. Evaluation assays of probiotic potential are traditionally classified in two groups: “in vitro” and “in vivo. ” The use of omics approaches is going to flank the traditional assays, thus probably speeding up research progress in the field of probiotics in the near future. For instance, sequencing of genomes will allow to rapidly detect and discard candidate probiotic microorganisms possessing genes coding for antibiotic resistance or virulence factors (Papadimitriou et al.). In this regard, an excellent example is provided in this Research Topic by Balzaretti et al. which performed comparative genome analysis of four strains of Lactobacillus paracasei in order to select the two best probiotic strains for oral usage. Anyway, in vivo approaches will keep on being unreplaceable, given the variability of host response to probiotics as affected by genotype, age, diet, variations in human environmental exposure, and composition of gut microbiome (Turnbaugh et al., 2009; Senan et al.). Besides the understanding of the mechanisms underlying probiotic activities and studies dealing with interactions between probiotic microorganisms and gut microbiome, other future perspectives about microorganisms for functional food are: (i) novel putative probiotic bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (Varankovich et al.); (ii) non-dairy food items (e.g., table olives) as carriers of probiotic bacteria (Rodriguez-Gomez et al.; Arroyo-Lopez et al.); (iii) health effects of microbial metabolites (Yu et al.; Garrote et al.); and (iv) probiotic interventions on livestock indirectly benefiting human health (Yang et al.).