Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiscale quantification of thermal expansion of concrete and thermal stresses of concrete structures

: The mechanical behavior of concrete structures subjected to temperature changes is sig- nificantly influenced by hygro-thermal processes occurring at the nanoscopic material scale. In order to quantify this relation exemplarily, a multiscale structural analysis of a simply supported concrete beam subjected to sudden cooling at its top surface is carried out. The overall analysis is organized in three steps. The first step refers to upscaling of thermoelastic properties of concrete by means of a multiscale model. It uses measured “hygrothermic coefficients” as input. They quantify the change of the internal relative humidity resulting from a temperature change. The multiscale model links temperature-induced changes of effective pore pressures in nanoscopic gel and capillary pores to the macroscopic thermal expansion behavior of the cement paste and the concrete. In the present contribution, this upscaling approach is validated by comparing model-predicted thermal expansion coefficients of cement paste with measured counterparts. The second step of the overall analysis consists of a macroscopic thermoelastic Finite Ele- ment analysis of the aforementioned concrete beam. These simulations are based on the homogenized elastic stiffness and the homogenized thermal expansion coefficient of concrete obtained in the first step. The simulations deliver distributions of the temperature and of the macroscopic stresses inside the ana-lyzed concrete beam. In the third step, the obtained macroscopic stresses of concrete and the corre- sponding temperature changes are downscaled to average stress states of the cement paste matrix and of the aggregate inclusions, respectively. This way, it is shown that the significant mismatch of the thermal expansion coefficients of cement paste and aggregates results in microscopic tensile stresses of cement paste, which are significantly larger than the macroscopic tensile experienced by concrete.
Design High Efficiency Intelligent Robust Back stepping Controller

The increasing demand for multi-degree-offreedom (DOF) continuum robot in presence of highly nonlinear dynamic parameters in a number of industries has motivated a flurry of research in the development of soft computing nonlinear methodology. This research contributes to the on-going research effort by exploring alternate methods for controlling the continuum robot manipulator. This research addresses two basic issues related to the control of a continuum robots; (1) a more accurate representation of the dynamic model of an existing prototype, and (2) the design of a robust feedback controller. The robust back stepping controller proposed in this research is used to further demonstrate the appealing features exhibited by the continuum robot. Robust feedback controller is used to position control of continuum robot in presence of uncertainties. Using Lyapunov type stability arguments, a robust back stepping controller is designed to achieve this objective. The controller developed in this research is designed into two steps. Firstly, a robust stabilizing torque is designed for the nominal continuum robot dynamics derived using the constrained Lagrangian formulation. Next, the fuzzy logic methodology applied to it to solution uncertainty problem. The fuzzy model free problem is formulated to minimize the nonlinear formulation of continuum robot. The eventual stability of the controller depends on the torque generating capabilities of the continuum robots. Index Term — Back stepping control methodology, fuzzy inference system, continuum robot manipulator, robust control.
Tianeptine in the combined treatment of combat related posttraumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tianeptine, an antidepressant that acts by increasing serotonin reuptake, in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and to compare the effects of tianeptine and fluoxetine, an antidepressant from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors class. SUBJECTS AND METHODS 43 war veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder were included in the study. During the 5.5 months of treatment 21 patients were receiving tianeptine and 22 were receiving fluoxetine. In addition, all patients took part in intensive trauma specific group psychotherapy. The effects of the two antidepressants on symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety after 5.5 months of treatment were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, STAI and the List of Drug Use and Side Effects. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups regarding their effect on symptoms and severity of depression. The level of anxiety was the same in the first measurement but the difference became significant in other three measurements in favor of tianeptine. The anxiolytics and other co-prescribed drugs remain the same in both groups, the use of analgesics significantly increase in fluoxetine group during the course of treatment. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated that tianeptine is as effective as fluoxetine in the treatment of PTSD, with even stronger effect on anxiety and equal tolerance.
The neuroendocrinology of love

Romantic love could be considered as a collection of activities associated with the acquisition and retention of emotions needed to survive and reproduce. These emotions change the individual's behavioural strategies in a way that will increase the likelihood of achieving these goals. Love may be defined as an emergent property of an ancient cocktail of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. It appears that lust, attachment and attraction appear to be distinct but intertwined processes in the brain each mediated by its own neurotransmitters and circuits. These circuits feed on and reinforce each other. Sexual craving is mediated by testosterone and oestrogen and has the amygdala as an important centre. Attraction is mediated by hormones of stress and reward including dopamine, norepinephrine cortisol and the serotinergic system and has the nucleus accumbens the ventral tegmental area as key mediators.
Network-based vs. distributed speech recognition in adaptive multi-rate wireless systems

Distributed speech recognition (DSR) is motivated by the fact that codecs used in speech transmission usually reveal a degrading voice quality below some channel quality (carrier-to-interferer ratio C/I), which justiﬁes eﬃcient coding of features with an appropriate channel coding in the mobile terminal. The Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) speech codec standardized for GSM and UMTS however delivers an acceptable speech quality way down to C/I ratios of about 4 dB in the GSM full-rate speech channel. In this paper we investigate network-based speech recognition (NSR) using a conventional speech channel with AMR coding as an alternative to a DSR system. This approach is natural and attractive since information services usually require a duplex channel for conversation anyway, furthermore no change to existing mobiles is required. For a GSM full-rate channel it turns out that an NSR system based on AMR coding indeed is comparable to DSR approaches.
Skeletal muscle mitochondria in insulin resistance: differences in intermyofibrillar versus subsarcolemmal subpopulations and relationship to metabolic flexibility.

CONTEXT Insulin resistance is accompanied by lower lipid oxidation during fasting and metabolic inflexibility. Whether these abnormalities correlate with mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle is unknown. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate whether decreased fasting lipid oxidation, metabolic inflexibility, and impaired glucose disposal correlate with reduced mitochondrial content in intermyofibrillar vs. subsarcolemmal (SS) subpopulations. DESIGN Forty sedentary adults with a wide spectrum of insulin sensitivity were studied: insulin-sensitive lean subjects, insulin-resistant nondiabetic subjects, and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Glucose disposal was measured by euglycemic clamp and [6,6-D(2)]-glucose methodology. Fuel oxidation and metabolic flexibility (during clamps) were assessed by indirect calorimetry. Maximum aerobic capacity was assessed by treadmill testing. Intermyofibrillar and SS mitochondrial content were measured by quantitative electron microscopy of muscle biopsy samples. RESULTS Intermyofibrillar mitochondrial content was lower in the insulin-resistant nondiabetic subjects and type 2 diabetes mellitus groups, significantly correlating with glucose disposal in both men (R = 0.72, P < 0.01) and women (R = 0.53, P < 0.01). In contrast, SS mitochondrial content was similar among groups. Lower intermyofibrillar mitochondrial content was not explained by mitochondrial size, altered fiber-type distribution, or differences in maximum aerobic capacity. Intermyofibrillar mitochondrial content was significantly correlated with fasting respiratory quotient (R = -0.46, P = 0.003) and metabolic flexibility (R = 0.38, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS In obese-insulin-resistant subjects with or without diabetes, intermyofibrillar mitochondrial content is decreased. This is not entirely explained by fitness status or fiber-type composition. SS mitochondrial content is unaffected, suggesting independent mitochondrial pool regulation. Lower mitochondrial content correlates with lower fasting lipid oxidation and metabolic inflexibility, suggesting it may be intrinsically linked to abnormal fuel utilization patterns of obesity-associated insulin resistance.
The development of novel silver brazing alloys

This research was primarily focussed on finding novel silver brazing alloys. The first alloy development method used to achieve this goal was a CALPHAD-based approach. This was used to predict melting temperatures and the intermetallic content of alloys. The method was developed and then applied to a commonly used silver brazing alloy. An alternative method was developed based on High Entropy Alloys (HEAs).
Polymorphic variation of CYP11B2 predicts postoperative resolution of hypertension in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for aldosterone‐producing adenomas

Objectives: The surgical cure rate of patients with aldosterone‐producing adenoma varies widely, and causes of persistent hypertension are not completely established. The objective of this study was to assess the blood pressure outcome in patients after retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy, and to analyze the CYP11B2 344 C/T polymorphism and any factors associated with the outcome.
Efficient All-Polymer Solar Cells based on a New Polymer Acceptor Achieving 10.3% Power Conversion Efficiency

Here we demonstrate efficient all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) based on a polymer acceptor named PFBDT-IDTIC. By combining PFBDT-IDTIC with a fluorinated donor polymer (PM6), a high power conversion efficiency of 10.3% can be achieved, which is the highest value reported to date for single-junction all-PSCs. This performance can be attributed to its good absorption property (absorption coefficient: 2.74 × 105 cm–1) and high electron mobility of PFBDT-IDTIC. It is also found that the choice of donor polymer has major impacts on the performance of the cell. By replacing PBDB-T with its fluorinated counterpart, PM6, the VOC, JSC, and FF of the devices were all improved, which can be attributed to the deeper HOMO level of PM6 and more crystalline and pure domains of the active layer blends. Our study provides a promising polymer acceptor for all-PSCs and also shows that selecting a matching donor polymer is important in achieving the optimal all-PSC performance.
User authentication scheme preserving anonymity for ubiquitous devices

With the evolution of information technologies, mobile devices e.g., cell phone, personal digital assistant, and notebook PC have swamped all domains of the active life. At anytime and anywhere, they are in research of service to satisfy their immediate needs. The services are remotely provided and implemented in sites that verify the legitimacy of the user over an insecure communication channel. The mechanism that authenticates remote user and allows legitimate users to access network services over insecure communication network is known by remote user authentication. Smart card-based authentication is one of the most widely used and practical solutions to remote user authentication. In this paper, we propose a smart card-based authentication scheme that aims to provide more functionality to resist well-known attacks. It provides both user anonymity and mutual authentication in simple and efficient mechanism that can be applicable to limited resources. This mechanism can be suitable to ubiquitous computing environments in which a variety of wireless mobile devices with limited power and computation capacity are deployed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal Ordering Policies For The Inventory System With Fixed Lifetime 1

This paper deals with the problem of computing optimal ordering policies for a single product with fixed lifetime of exactly m periods. We presents a proposed cost function for the inventory system with fixed lifetime. The necessary condition for a minimum was derived. Decisions regarding when to order or not is investigated under some conditions. Guidelines for managing a real fixed lifetime perishable inventory system are given.
Mobilizing agents enhance fungal degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and affect diversity of indigenous bacteria in soil

The impact of several mobilizing agents (MAs) (i.e., soybean oil, Tween‐20, Tween‐80, olive‐oil mill wastewaters, and randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrins) on the degradation performances of the white‐rot fungi Irpex lacteus and Pleurotus ostreatus was comparatively assessed in a soil spiked with a mixture of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Among the different MAs, soybean oil best supported the growth of both fungi that was twice that observed in soil in the absence of MAs. In addition, soybean oil positively affected PAH degradation by both fungi. In this case, the total weight of organic contaminants (TWOC) was lower than that in the absence of MAs (57.7 vs. 201.3 and 26.3 vs. 160.4 mg kg−1 with I. lacteus and P. ostreatus, respectively). On the other hand, the number of cultivable heterotrophic bacteria was significantly lower in the soil with soybean oil augmented with either one of the two fungi (5.21 vs. 8.71 and 0.22 vs. 0.51 × 107 CFU g−1 soil with I. lacteus and P. ostreatus, respectively). The effect of soybean oil was confirmed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of PCR‐amplified 16S rRNA genes that showed a general decrease in biodiversity. The impact of the other MAs on bacterial diversity was either slightly negative or positive in incubation controls. Both richness and Shannon‐Weaver index decreased upon treatment with P. ostreatus. Moreover, with this fungus the composition of the indigenous bacteria was not significantly affected by the type of MA used. By contrast, both indices increased in soil with I. lacteus in the presence of randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrins (39 vs. 33 and 1.43 vs. 1.26, respectively) and soybean oil (19 vs. 5 and 1.01 vs. 0.65, respectively). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 273–285. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship between the CYP2C9 IVS8-109A>T polymorphism and high losartan hydroxylation in healthy Ecuadorian volunteers.

AIM The CYP2C9 IVS8-109T allele was recently found to be more frequent among Swedish individuals, who have the highest losartan metabolic ratio (MR; losartan:E-3174). Thus, the influence of the CYP2C9 IVS8-109A>T polymorphism on the losartan MR was evaluated among healthy Ecuadorians. In addition, the frequency of the CYP2C9 IVS8-109A>T polymorphism was determined. RESULTS Among CYP2C9-homozygous wild-types, those with the CYP2C9 IVS8-109T/T versus A/A genotypes had a lower MR (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the frequency of the CYP2C9 IVS8-109T variant was lower in Ecuadorians (21.4%; p < 0.001) than in populations from Sweden or Asia (ranging from 32 to 46%). CONCLUSION In this Ecuadorian population, the CYP2C9 IVS8-109T allele was associated with an increased CYP2C9 hydroxylation capacity. Further investigation needs to be carried out in order to clarify the relevance of the SNP of CYP2C9 IVS8-109A>T on losartan hydroxylation across populations and its potential implications in CYP2C9 activity.
The Proline-rich N-terminal Domain of G18 Exhibits a Novel G Protein Regulatory Function*

The protein G18 (also known as AGS4 or GPSM3) contains three conserved GoLoco/GPR domains in its central and C-terminal regions that bind to inactive Gαi, whereas the N-terminal region has not been previously characterized. We investigated whether this domain might itself regulate G protein activity by assessing the abilities of G18 and mutants thereof to modulate the nucleotide binding and hydrolytic properties of Gαi1 and Gαo. Surprisingly, in the presence of fluoroaluminate (AlF4−) both G proteins bound strongly to full-length G18 (G18wt) and to its isolated N-terminal domain (G18ΔC) but not to its GoLoco region (ΔNG18). Thus, it appears that its N-terminal domain promotes G18 binding to fluoroaluminate-activated Gαi/o. Neither G18wt nor any G18 mutant affected the GTPase activity of Gαi1 or Gαo. In contrast, complex effects were noted with respect to nucleotide binding. As inferred by the binding of [35S]GTPγS (guanosine 5′-O-[γ-thio]triphosphate) to Gαi1, the isolated GoLoco region as expected acted as a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor, whereas the N-terminal region exhibited a previously unknown guanine nucleotide exchange factor effect on this G protein. On the other hand, the N terminus inhibited [35S]GTPγS binding to Gαo, albeit to a lesser extent than the effect of the GoLoco region on Gαi1. Taken together, our results identify the N-terminal region of G18 as a novel G protein-interacting domain that may have distinct regulatory effects within the Gi/o subfamily, and thus, it could potentially play a role in differentiating signals between these related G proteins.
‘Old' and ‘new' drugs for the treatment of cancer pain

Introduction: More than 20 years ago the World Health Organization (WHO) published the booklet ‘Cancer Pain Relief', including the fundamentals and clear principles, which was summarized in five simple sentences: ‘by mouth', ‘by the clock', ‘by the ladder', ‘for the individual' and ‘attention to detail'. Over the years, several modifications to the analgesic ladder have been proposed, as the addition of two further steps, related to the switch of opioid and/or non-invasive route of administration, and to the use of invasive approaches, or again the skip of the second step; nevertheless the educational value and benefits related to the worldwide dissemination are of paramount importance. Areas covered: To date, all the guidelines are inspired by the strategy of WHO; below some of the most important international guidelines published in the last two years are compared, particularly as regards the criteria of choice of opioids for moderate/severe pain. Expert opinion: The discussion on the role of the second step of the WHO analgesic ladder is still open. The challenge for new formulations of ‘old' opioids will be to better manage cancer pain, with more tailored efficacy and possibly less side effects.
Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Borreliosis, Rural Senegal

Detecting spirochetes remains challenging in cases of African tick-borne relapsing fever. Using real-time PCR specific for the 16S rRNA Borrelia gene, we found 27 (13%) of 206 samples from febrile patients in rural Senegal to be positive, whereas thick blood smear examinations conducted at dispensaries identified only 4 (2%) as positive.
H5N1 Outbreaks and Enzootic Influenza

Abstract Ongoing outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in migratory waterfowl, domestic poultry, and humans in Asia during the summer of 2005 present a continuing, protean pandemic threat. We review the zoonotic source of highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses and their genesis from their natural reservoirs. The acquisition of novel traits, including lethality to waterfowl, ferrets, felids, and humans, indicates an expanding host range. The natural selection of nonpathogenic viruses from heterogeneous subpopulations cocirculating in ducks contributes to the spread of H5N1 in Asia. Transmission of highly pathogenic H5N1 from domestic poultry back to migratory waterfowl in western China has increased the geographic spread. The spread of H5N1 and its likely reintroduction to domestic poultry increase the need for good agricultural vaccines. In fact, the root cause of the continuing H5N1 pandemic threat may be the way the pathogenicity of H5N1 viruses is masked by cocirculating influenza viruses or bad agricultural vaccines.
Test Effort Estimation Using Neural Network

In software industry the major problem encountered during project scheduling is in deciding what proportion of the resources has allocated to the testing phase. In general it has been observed that about 40%-50% of the resources need to be allocated to the testing phase. However it is very difficult to predict the exact amount of effort required to be allocated to testing phase. As a result the project planning goes haywire. The project which has not been tested sufficiently can cause huge losses to the organization. This research paper focuses on finding a method which gives a measure of the effort to be spent on the testing phase. This paper provides effort estimates during pre-coding and post-coding phases using neural network to predict more accurately.
Thermal image, partial discharge and leakage current correlation of ceramic insulator under different contamination level

This paper reports correlation on leakage current and thermograph infrared (IR) images of the ceramic outdoor insulator for the condition based monitoring purposes. In this work, laboratory pollution performance test using sodium chloride was performed according to the IEC 60507 standard with applied ac voltage from 12 kV to 18 kV. The severity level of pollution were controlled and represented by ESDD values of 0.00 to 0.25. Also, relative humidity conditions were controlled on the range between 60% to 100%. Statistical parameter of infrared images were evaluated to assess the severity level of contaminated ceramic insulator. The output IR images of the insulator were categorized as safe state, necessary maintenance and dangerous based on the level of contamination severity. The results showed that the severity of the pollution can be identified based on the analysis of infrared images, where each severity level of leakage current was correlated with a particular colour. Also, it was found that the phase difference between the leakage current to the reference voltage decreased along with the increase in the severity level of pollution.