Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Viscosity and Friction Factor of Aluminum Oxide-Water Nanofluid Flow in Circular Tubes

Experiments have been conducted to characterize the viscosity and friction factor of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticle dispersions at 6% vol. in water. Rheological characterization of the Al2O3 nanofluid has shown that it exhibits a Newtonian fluid behavior for the shear rate range of 6 to 122 s−1 between 6 and 75°C. Friction factor results of the nanofluid flowing through circular tubes of 1 m in length with different inner tube diameters (2.97 and 4.45 mm) were experimentally measured in the laminar and the onset of transition regions. The experimental results from this study indicate that, when the nanofluid properties are properly characterized, the friction factors of the Al2O3 nanofluid are largely in agreement with classical friction factor theory for single-phase flow.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The Urbanet Revolution: Sensor Power to the People!

With mobile devices becoming ubiquitous, the time is ripe to bring sensor data out of close-loop networks into the center of daily urban life. The Internet has become a great success because its applications appeal to regular people. This isn't the case with sensor networks, which are generally perceived as "something" remote in the forest or on the battlefield. With few exceptions, first-generation sensor networks address application-specific, static-sensor deployments to accurately monitor the sensed environment in real time.
Bipolar disorder risk alleles in adult ADHD patients

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has an estimated prevalence of 3–5% in adults. Genome‐wide association (GWA) studies have not been performed in adults with ADHD and studies in children have so far been inconclusive, possibly because of the small sample sizes. Larger GWA studies have been performed on bipolar disorder (BD) and BD symptoms, and several potential risk genes have been reported. ADHD and BD share many clinical features and comorbidity between these two disorders is common. We therefore wanted to examine whether the reported BD genetic variants in CACNA1C, ANK3, MYO5B, TSPAN8 and ZNF804A loci are associated with ADHD or with scores on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), a commonly used screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorders. We studied 561 adult Norwegian ADHD patients and 711 controls from the general population. No significant associations or trends were found between any of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) studied and ADHD [odds ratios (ORs) ≤ 1.05]. However, a weak association was found between rs1344706 in ZNF804A (OR = 1.25; P = 0.05) and MDQ. In conclusion, it seems unlikely that these six SNPs with strong evidence of association in BD GWA studies are shared risk variants between ADHD and BD.
Complex Motor Function in Humans: Validating and Extending the Postulates of Alexandr R. Luria

ObjectiveWe used functional brain imaging to reevaluate Luria's postulates and to elaborate the neural circuitry underlying performance of complex motor tasks. BackgroundThe anatomic organization and physiologic functioning of the normal human motor system have great significance for understanding motor dysfunction and remediation in neurology. Working with victims of penetrating head injuries, noted Russian neuropsychologist Aleksandr R. Luria designed several tests of fine motor control to understand their difficulties with complex voluntary movements. This led to his postulates that such function involves the premotor cortices and their interaction with the parietal lobe. MethodSix healthy young adults performed the hand imitation, fist-scissors-gun, and piano key tasks during blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T. ResultsAll 3 tasks revealed activation of both premotor and parietal cortices. Furthermore, while hand Imitation relied more on the ventral premotor area and right parietal lobe, fist-scissors-gun and piano key relied more on the supplementary motor cortex. ConclusionsWe postulate that differences in task-dependent activations across these tasks relate to degrees of sequential movement, pacing, and imitation. These results uphold Luria's original hypotheses, and extend that work by providing a further characterization of the motor areas involved in complex motor behaviors.
Design of a free-form single-element head-worn display

Compact and lightweight optical designs achieving visually acceptable image quality, field of view, eye clearance, eye box diameter and operating across the visible spectrum, are the key to the success of next generation head-worn displays. There have been several approaches in the design of head-worn displays including holographic optical elements and laser scanner systems. For example, Minolta has pursued a monochromatic display (green) with a 3 mm exit pupil realized by a 3.4 mm thick light guide with a holographic optical element to achieve an eyeglass form-factor head-worn display [1]. Our approach in this paper is to investigate the field of view, eyebox diameter, and the performance limit of a single element magnifier comprised of freeform surfaces. The surface shape is a major variable in such a constrained system with respect to the optimization degrees of freedom. Typical optical surfaces are functions mapping vectors in R2 to real numbers representing the sag of the surface. A majority of optical designs to-date have relied on conic sections to which are added polynomials as the functions of choice. The choice of conic sections is easily justified, since conic sections are stigmatic surfaces under certain imaging geometries. The choice of polynomials from an image quality analysis point of view is understood since the wavefront aberration function is typically expanded in terms of polynomials. Therefore, a polynomial surface description may link a designer's understanding of the wavefront aberrations and the surface shape. However, from the point of view of shape optimization and representation, polynomial shape descriptions can be challenged. In Section 2, we briefly describe the radial basis function approach to represent freeform optical surfaces. In Section 3, we apply the RBF to design a single element see-through compatible head-worn display.
Recent advances in epithelium-derived cytokines (IL-33, IL-25, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin) and allergic inflammation

Purpose of reviewAllergic diseases are thought to be driven by aberrant immune responses. Epithelium responds to various environmental factors by releasing key cytokines, such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), IL-33, and IL-25. Although there are important differences among these cytokines, there are also similarities which confound a clear understanding of the exact roles of these cytokines. The purpose of this review is to analyze the advances in biology and functions of these cytokines over recent years, elucidate their differences and similarities, and provide new conceptual understanding as to their roles in allergic diseases. Recent findingsThere are distinct differences in the timing, onset, and kinetics of the responses and perhaps in the potency of action of TSLP, IL-33, and IL-25. Newer roles of these cytokines have been described, including airway remodeling and fibrosis-related functions (TSLP, IL-33, and IL-25), fetal–maternal interface (IL-33 and TSLP), T-cell biology (TSLP), group 2 innate lymphoid cell biology (TSLP, IL-33, and IL-25), and mast cell–neutrophil axis (IL-33). Novel roles of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and asthma have also been described. SummaryTSLP, IL-25, and IL-33 are increasingly recognized to play important roles in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases. More clear recognition of the differences and similarities of the immunological pathways mediated by these cytokines would help optimize the treatment for allergic diseases.
Generalized Hybrid Constructive Learning Algorithm for Multioutput RBF Networks

An efficient generalized hybrid constructive (GHC) learning algorithm for multioutput radial basis function (RBF) networks is proposed to obtain a compact network with good generalization capability. By this algorithm, one can train the adjustable parameters and determine the optimal network structure simultaneously. First, an initialization method based on the growing and pruning algorithm is utilized to select the important initial hidden neurons and candidate ones. Then, by introducing a generalized hidden matrix, a structured parameter optimization algorithm is presented to train multioutput RBF network with fixed size, which combines Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm with least-square method together. Beginning from an appropriate number of hidden neurons, new neurons chosen from the candidates are added one by one each time when the training entraps into local minima. By incorporating an improved incremental constructive scheme, the training is built on previous results after adding new neurons such that the GHC learning algorithm avoids a trial-and-error procedure. Furthermore, based on the improved computation for LM training, the memory limitation problem is solved. The computational complexity analysis and experimental results demonstrate that better performance is efficiently achieved by this algorithm.
From local representation to global face hallucination: A novel super-resolution method by nonnegative feature transformation

Most of global face hallucination methods treat the face as a whole, ignoring the fact that the face is composed by part-based organs. Therefore, the results obtained by these methods always lack of detailed information. Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) based face hallucination method is properly used to enhance the detailed information. Usually, NMF basis is only learnt from high-resolution (HR) samples, leading to over-smooth output and lack of high frequency details. In order to solve this problem, we propose a simple but novel face hallucination method using nonnegative feature transformation by two-step framework. In particular, we learn the NMF basis from low-resolution (LR) and HR samples separately, and then transform the local representation feature of input into the global representation subspaces, keeping the weights into the HR samples space for output. Furthermore, the maximum a posteriori (MAP) method is used to estimate a better output. Experiments show that the hallucinated face of the proposed method is not only more high-frequency details, but also has better performance than many state-of-art algorithms.
Multi-stage approach to travel-mode segmentation and classification of gps traces

Abstract. This paper presents a multi-stage approach toward the robust classification of travel-modes from GPS traces. Due to the fact that GPS traces are often composed of more than one travel-mode, they are segmented to find sub-traces characterized as an individual travel-mode. This is conducted by finding individual movement segments by identifying stops. In the first stage of classification three main travel-mode classes are identified: pedestrian, bicycle, and motorized vehicles; this is achieved based on the identified segments using speed, acceleration and heading related parameters. Then, segments are linked up to form sub-traces of individual travel-mode. After the first stage is achieved, a breakdown classification of the motorized vehicles class is implemented based on sub-traces of individual travel-mode of cars, buses, trams and trains using Support Vector Machines (SVMs) method. This paper presents a qualitative classification of travel-modes, thus introducing new robust and precise capabilities for the problem at hand.
Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species on Tubular Transport along the Nephron

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are oxygen-containing molecules naturally occurring in both inorganic and biological chemical systems. Due to their high reactivity and potentially damaging effects to biomolecules, cells express a battery of enzymes to rapidly metabolize them to innocuous intermediaries. Initially, ROS were considered by biologists as dangerous byproducts of respiration capable of causing oxidative stress, a condition in which overproduction of ROS leads to a reduction in protective molecules and enzymes and consequent damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. In fact, ROS are used by immune systems to kill virus and bacteria, causing inflammation and local tissue damage. Today, we know that the functions of ROS are not so limited, and that they also act as signaling molecules mediating processes as diverse as gene expression, mechanosensation, and epithelial transport. In the kidney, ROS such as nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (O2−), and their derivative molecules hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxynitrite (ONO2−) regulate solute and water reabsorption, which is vital to maintain electrolyte homeostasis and extracellular fluid volume. This article reviews the effects of NO, O2−, ONO2−, and H2O2 on water and electrolyte reabsorption in proximal tubules, thick ascending limbs, and collecting ducts, and the effects of NO and O2− in the macula densa on tubuloglomerular feedback.
Alfalfa Cellulose Synthase Gene Expression under Abiotic Stress: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to RT-qPCR Normalization

Abiotic stress represents a serious threat affecting both plant fitness and productivity. One of the promptest responses that plants trigger following abiotic stress is the differential expression of key genes, which enable to face the adverse conditions. It is accepted and shown that the cell wall senses and broadcasts the stress signal to the interior of the cell, by triggering a cascade of reactions leading to resistance. Therefore the study of wall-related genes is particularly relevant to understand the metabolic remodeling triggered by plants in response to exogenous stresses. Despite the agricultural and economical relevance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), no study, to our knowledge, has addressed specifically the wall-related gene expression changes in response to exogenous stresses in this important crop, by monitoring the dynamics of wall biosynthetic gene expression. We here identify and analyze the expression profiles of nine cellulose synthases, together with other wall-related genes, in stems of alfalfa plants subjected to different abiotic stresses (cold, heat, salt stress) at various time points (e.g. 0, 24, 72 and 96 h). We identify 2 main responses for specific groups of genes, i.e. a salt/heat-induced and a cold/heat-repressed group of genes. Prior to this analysis we identified appropriate reference genes for expression analyses in alfalfa, by evaluating the stability of 10 candidates across different tissues (namely leaves, stems, roots), under the different abiotic stresses and time points chosen. The results obtained confirm an active role played by the cell wall in response to exogenous stimuli and constitute a step forward in delineating the complex pathways regulating the response of plants to abiotic stresses.
Production of Temporally Consistent Gridded Precipitation and Temperature Fields for the Continental United States

Abstract The availability of long-term gridded datasets of precipitation, temperature, and other surface meteorological variables offers the potential for deriving a range of land surface conditions that have not been directly observed. These include, for instance, soil moisture, snow water equivalent, evapotranspiration, runoff, and subsurface moisture transport. However, gridding procedures can themselves introduce artificial trends due to incorporation of stations with different record lengths and locations. Hence, existing gridded datasets are in general not appropriate for estimation of long-term trends. Methods are described here for adjustment of gridded daily precipitation and temperature maxima and minima over the continental United States based on newly available (in electronic form) U.S. Cooperative Observer station data archived at the National Climatic Data Center from the early 1900s on. The intent is to produce gridded meteorological datasets that can be used, in conjunction with hydrologic.
Neonatal Exposure to Antigen Induces a Defective CD40 Ligand Expression that Undermines Both IL-12 Production by APC and IL-2 Receptor Up-Regulation on Splenic T Cells and Perpetuates IFN-γ-Dependent T Cell Anergy1

T cell deletion and/or inactivation were considered the leading mechanisms for neonatal tolerance. However, recent investigations have indicated that immunity develops at the neonatal stage but evolves to guide later T cell responses to display defective and/or biased effector functions. Although neonatal-induced T cell modulation provides a useful approach to suppress autoimmunity, the mechanism underlying the biased function of the T cells remains unclear. In prior studies, we found that exposure of newborn mice to Ig-PLP1, a chimera expressing the encephalitogenic proteolipid protein (PLP) sequence 139–151, induced deviated Th2 lymph node cells producing IL-4 instead of IL-2 and anergic splenic T cells that failed to proliferate or produce IFN-γ yet secreted significant amounts of IL-2. However, if assisted with IFN-γ or IL-12, these anergic splenic T cells regained full responsiveness. The consequence of such biased/defective T cells responses was protection of the mice against experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. In this study, investigations were performed to delineate the mechanism underlying the novel form of IFN-γ-dependent splenic anergy. Our findings indicate that CD40 ligand expression on these splenic T cells is defective, leading to noneffective cooperation between T lymphocytes and APCs and a lack of IL-12 production. More striking, this cellular system revealed a requirement for IL-2R expression for CD40 ligand-initiated, IL-12-driven progression of T cells into IFN-γ production.
The Evolving Role of Medical Scribe: Variation and Implications for Organizational Effectiveness and Safety

Increasing use of medical scribes is an unintended consequence of electronic health record adoption in the U.S. The role of scribe is not universally defined, leading to variations in scribe training and operations, as well as questions about scribe efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. Studies published since 2009 have primarily focused on the financial aspects of scribe use, but no published studies have taken an organizational view of this phenomenon. This paper describes stakeholder perspectives on scribes working in outpatient settings within an urban tertiary academic medical center. It places factors associated with of scribe systems within an eight-dimension sociotechnical framework for evaluating health information technology, and discusses key aspects of those perspectives.
Multimedia Learning in Advanced Computer-based Contexts: `Discovering Trier'

Edutainment is a neologism that expresses the marriage of education and entertainment. In particular edutainment is a form of entertainment designed to educate as well as to amuse and typically seeks to instruct or socialize its audience by embedding lessons in some familiar form of entertainment: television programs, computer and video games, films, music, websites or multimedia software. On the other hand, the design and the implementation of not boring or repetitive edutainment are not trivial or easy tasks. In this paper we propose a new approach for the design of an edutainment. The proposed environment "translates" the storyboards of the games in a Dynamic Bayesian Networks that are the extension of Bayesian Networks for modelling times-series data. The Bayesian approach allows a dynamic adaptation of the game to the user's profile and the establishment of several paths in the same game. We furnish some results obtained by the use of a first prototype of our tool in real academic courses.
Production indices prediction model of ore dressing process based on PCA-GA-BP neural network

In order to determine the global production indices' real-time completion situation after plan's layer upon layer's decomposition and transmition to working procedure and work team. A neural network model based on PCA-GA-BP was proposed to reasonable modify the production plan. The principle component analysis(PCA) was used to select the most relevant process features and to eliminate the correlations of the input variables; back-propagation(BP) neural network was used to characterize the nonlinearity and accuracy; genetic algorithm(GA) was employed to optimize the parameters and structure of the BP neural network by improving GA' fitness function. Carried on prediction to weak magnetic concentrate taste and weak magnetic tailings taste according to actual production data. The Simulation results show that the proposed method provides promising prediction reliability and accuracy.
Connecting within-host dynamics to the rate of viral molecular evolution

Viruses evolve rapidly, providing a unique system for understanding the processes that influence rates of molecular evolution. Neutral theory posits that the evolutionary rate increases linearly with the mutation rate. The occurrence of deleterious mutations causes this relationship to break down at high mutation rates. Previous studies have identified this as an important phenomenon, particularly for RNA viruses which can mutate at rates near the extinction threshold. We propose that in addition to mutation dynamics, viral within-host dynamics can also affect the between-host evolutionary rate. We present an analytical model that predicts the neutral evolution rate for viruses as a function of both within-host parameters and deleterious mutations. To examine the effect of more detailed aspects of the virus life cycle, we also present a computational model that simulates acute virus evolution using target cell-limited dynamics. Using influenza A virus as a case study, we find that our simulation model can predict empirical rates of evolution better than a model lacking within-host details. The analytical model does not perform as well as the simulation model but shows how the within-host basic reproductive number influences evolutionary rates. These findings lend support to the idea that the mutation rate alone is not sufficient to predict the evolutionary rate in viruses, instead calling for improved models that account for viral within-host dynamics.
International Field Trials of Pyrethroid-Treated Wood Exposed to Coptotermes acinaciformis in Australia and Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in China and the United States

ABSTRACT Coptotermes Wasmann is one of the most important genera of wood-destroying insect pests, both in its native and introduced countries. Pyrethroids are among the most widely used insecticides in wood preservation around the world. Consequently, they have often been evaluated against different species of Coptotermes. However, because various test methods have been used between countries, comparing results is problematic. These field trials, using a single aboveground method of exposure, assessed a range of retentions of two pyrethroids (bifenthrin and permethrin) in Pinus radiata D. Don sapwood against two species of Coptotermes in three countries to provide directly comparable results. Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) in Australia consumed the most nontreated wood, followed by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in China, then C formosanus in the United States, although these data were not significantly different. Both termite species demonstrated a dose-response to wood treated with the two pyrethroids; less wood was consumed as retention increased. Overall, C. acinaciformis consumed relatively little of the treated wood. In comparison, C. formosanus consumed 20–90% of the wood treated at the lowest retentions of the pyrethroids evaluated. Results indicated that C. acinaciformis was more sensitive to pyrethroid toxicity/ repellency compared with C. formosanus. Factors that may have influenced the results are discussed. However, using a single aboveground method of exposure across three countries, that suited both species of Coptotermes, made it possible to determine unambiguously the actual differences between the species in their tolerances to the two pyrethroid insecticides.