Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A NONLOCAL MICROPLANE MODEL FOR FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE

In this work an extension of the over-nonlocal microplane model M4 [1] which takes into account the presence of a low steel fiber content is presented. The effect of the fibers has been introduced in the local constitutive law, by adding stresses on the microplane level which reproduce the fiber effects over the considered plane in the material. As in the microplane model M4, all the inelastic behavior due to the fibers is characterized by the stress-strain boundaries. The proposed model has been implemented into an explicit finite element program and applied to the simulations of a recent experimental investigation on four-point-bending tests (performed at CTGItalcementi Group [2]).
Survey of Different Task Scheduling Algorithms in Cloud Environment

Cloud-Computing is a dynamical as well as an ascendible model of distributed computing which gives effective accessibility to distant resources. Cloud-Computing is made up of Cloud and Computing. Cloud is a big network of huge structure which consists of applications, hardware, and system software deliverable to the end users with minimum maintenance, high accessibility and at lessened cost. Computing is done when cloud resources are pooled by enormous number of clients and those clients allot their jobs or tasks to the cloud. Task Scheduling is the process to schedule those tasks in the cloud. The aim of task scheduling associated with distributed systems, is to allot the tasks among processors, increasing resource utilization and decreasing the overall task execution time as well. In this paper we described the comparative analysis of various task scheduling algorithms and find their limitations regarding cloud environment. We highlighted and evaluate the recent research trends in this area.
Growth and Nutrition in Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) feature significant challenges to the maintenance of adequate nutrition and linear growth. Moreover, the impaired nutritional state contributes directly to poor growth. Therefore, it is necessary to consider nutritional status in the assessment of etiology and treatment of sub-optimal linear growth. The major causes of poor linear growth including dysregulation of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis, nutritional deficiency, metabolic acidosis, anemia, renal osteodystrophy/bone mineral disease, and inflammation. This review summarizes the causes and assessment tools of growth and nutrition while providing a summary of state of the art therapies for these co-morbidities of pediatric CKD.
An Improved Reciprocally Convex Inequality and Application to Stability Analysis of Time-Delay Systems Based on Delay Partition Approach

In this paper, the problem of stability analysis for linear continuous-time systems with constant discrete and distributed delays is investigated. First, an improved reciprocally convex lemma is presented, which is a generalization of the existing reciprocally convex inequalities and can be directly applied in the case that of the delay interval is divided into $N\geq 2$ subintervals. Second, combining this with the auxiliary functions-based integral inequalities and the delay partition approach, a novel stability criterion of delay systems is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, three numerical examples are given and their results are compared with the existing results. The comparison shows that the stability criterion proposed in this paper can provide larger upper bounds of delay than the other ones.
Plexiform fibromyxoma of the stomach: Fine needle aspiration cytology and histological correlation

Plexiform fibromyxoma of the stomach is a very rare mesenchymal tumor found exclusively in the antrum or pylorus and characterized by plexiform growth pattern and abundant myxoid/fibromyxoid stroma. We present both cytological and histological features of gastric plexiform fibromyxoma in a 47-year-old woman. Cytological smears revealed moderate cellularity with loose clusters consisted of spindle cells, which were arranged in no specific pattern, abundant myxoid stroma as well as thin-walled blood vessels. The spindle cells revealed minimal pleomorphism and had scant cytoplasm and slender nuclei with fine chromatin and indistinct nucleoli. There was no cytological atypia, mitotic figures or necrosis. Based on the cytological findings, plexiform fibromyxoma should be distinguished from other gastric tumors composed of spindle cells and myxoid stroma. Resected specimen revealed a 2.5x2 cm mass with glistening cut surface. The mass showed an intramural, plexiform, multinodular growth that contained numerous thin-walled blood vessels in the abundant myxoid/fibromyxoid matrix. Tumor cells showed indistinct cytoplasm and mildly enlarged, spindle- or oval- shaped nucleus with fine chromatin and a delicate nucleolus. Tumor cells were immunoreactive for smooth muscle actin, CD10 and desmin, but were negative for c-KIT, DOG1, CD34 and S100 protein. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
SCHOOLING, EARNINGS AND RISK A research agenda and some references

In this paper, we reflect on the impact of uncertainty on standard issues in the theory of human capital: demand for education and returns to education. We also reflect on implications for an altogether ignored issue, the optimal design of school systems or curricula. The conclusions are summed up as a research agenda. Part of this note was written while I was a Visiting Scholar at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, march 2002. It served as a background for lectures on Human Capital in Mannheim Summer School, May 15-17 2002.
A Novel LC System Embeds Analytes in Pre-formed Gradients for Rapid, Ultra-robust Proteomics*

Because of low throughput and limited robustness, nano-scale liquid chromatography has been a bottleneck for advancing proteomics in biomedical research. Here, we developed and evaluated two new LC concepts—“pre-formed gradients” and “offset gradients for peptide re-focusing”—that are both implemented in the Evosep One instrument. We evaluated robustness with more than 2000 HeLa runs, demonstrated absence of cross-contamination with crude plasma samples, high proteome coverage by fractionated HeLa and routinely measuring more than 5000 proteins/sample in just 21 minutes. Graphical Abstract Highlights Pre-formed and offset gradients for high throughput, robustness and peptide re-focusing. Minimal cross-contamination by disposable trap columns and partial elution. Single shot DIA measurements achieve >5000 proteins in 21 min. To further integrate mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics into biomedical research and especially into clinical settings, high throughput and robustness are essential requirements. They are largely met in high-flow rate chromatographic systems for small molecules but these are not sufficiently sensitive for proteomics applications. Here we describe a new concept that delivers on these requirements while maintaining the sensitivity of current nano-flow LC systems. Low-pressure pumps elute the sample from a disposable trap column, simultaneously forming a chromatographic gradient that is stored in a long storage loop. An auxiliary gradient creates an offset, ensuring the re-focusing of the peptides before the separation on the analytical column by a single high-pressure pump. This simplified design enables robust operation over thousands of sample injections. Furthermore, the steps between injections are performed in parallel, reducing overhead time to a few minutes and allowing analysis of more than 200 samples per day. From fractionated HeLa cell lysates, deep proteomes covering more than 130,000 sequence unique peptides and close to 10,000 proteins were rapidly acquired. Using this data as a library, we demonstrate quantitation of 5200 proteins in only 21 min. Thus, the new system - termed Evosep One - analyzes samples in an extremely robust and high throughput manner, without sacrificing in depth proteomics coverage.
Demonstration of 28GHz Band Pass Filter Toward 5G Using Ultra Low Loss and High Accuracy Through Quartz Vias

Synthetic fused quartz is an ideal material for devices in millimeter wave (mm-wave) band, particularly suited for devices and infrastructure in the 5G arena due to its excellent low loss, ultra low roughness, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. To realize such devices utilizing synthetic fused quartz, the accurate micromachining technology specialized for the material coupled with the material technology is essential. This paper discusses the dielectric characteristics of synthetic fused quartz and the high accuracy through quartz glass via formation (TQV) technology. The metallization technology for synthetic fused quartz is also discussed, which is also a key technology to make optimum use of the material. Finally, to validate the superiority of the ultra-low loss synthetic fused quartz and high accuracy TQVs, a 28 GHz band pass filter based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is demonstrated and characterized. The measurement results corroborated well with the simulated results and showed extremely high efficiency, proving that AGC's material and the TQV formation technology are extremely useful for the 5G devices.
A review on acid and enzymatic hydrolyses of sago starch

This paper reviews reported studies on the hydrolysis of starch especially sago via acid and enzyme. The review begins with overview of sago palm and the starch industry, followed by process of extracting the starch from sago pith. Physicochemical properties of sago starch were tabulated for better understanding of hydrolysis process. Factors or process condition influencing hydrolysis process is discussed based on results from previous researches. Advantages and disadvantages of each hydrolysis is also discussed. Generally, there are very few researches dedicated on sago starch as compared to other starches. It can be concluded that, enzyme hydrolysis gives higher yield at milder process conditions. However, the reaction rate of enzyme hydrolysis is still low compared to acid hydrolysis.
Floorplanning in Graphene Nanoribbon (GNR) Based Circuits

In this paper, we propose a technique for floorplanning in case of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) based circuits. Graphene nanoribbon based devices and interconnects are now found to be better alternatives over traditional CMOS based devices and interconnects. Logic blocks of GNR can be assumed to be hexagonal in shape. Due to special geometric structure in GNR, the interconnects can be bent only in 0°, 60° and 120° angles. Hence routing grids are aligned to these angles only. The concept of floorplanning in traditional VLSI design is extended first time for GNR based circuits in this paper.
Utilization of Shrimp Shell Substitute Soybean for Hybrid Catfish ( Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus ) Diet

The objective was to investigate the effects of shrimp shell-powder inclusion and treatment on growth of Hybrid Catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus). The 225 individuals Hybrid Catfish (11.19 +0.38 cm body length and 8.36 + 0.61g body weight) were fed with five practical diets containing 39% of crude protein for 45 days. Diet 1 was a control diet containing 100% soybean meal. Diet 2 -5 contained 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% shrimp shell powder substituted to soybean meal. Post experiment, fish growth (weight gain, length gain and average daily gain) did not show any significant differences (p>0.05) between the treatments. Meanwhile, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival rate also showed the non-significant differences (p>0.05) among treatments. The present study indicates that shrimp shell powder may be included in the hybrid catfish diet, up to 75% as a substitute for soybean meal without detrimental effects.
Analysis on Sensing Yield of Voltage Latched Sense Amplifier for Low Power DRAM

Various types of sense amplifiers are widely used in memory products. In this paper, we have studied on the optimization of a voltage latched sense amplifier (VLSA) with 65nm CMOS process for low-power DRAM. In particular, we have classified sensing failure into the offset failure and the latch-delay failure, and have found that the latch-delay failure becomes even worse at low supply voltages below 1.0V. We also found that conventional NMOS-driven sensing operation was no longer effective on VLSA for low supply voltage, and investigated various methods to decrease the latch-delay failure probability.
Interpretable Time Series Classification using All-Subsequence Learning and Symbolic Representations in Time and Frequency Domains

The time series classification literature has expanded rapidly over the last decade, with many new classification approaches published each year. The research focus has mostly been on improving the accuracy and efficiency of classifiers, while their interpretability has been somewhat neglected. Classifier interpretability has become a critical constraint for many application domains and the introduction of the 'right to explanation' GDPR EU legislation in May 2018 is likely to further emphasize the importance of explainable learning algorithms. In this work we analyse the state-of-the-art for time series classification, and propose new algorithms that aim to maintain the classifier accuracy and efficiency, but keep interpretability as a key design constraint. We present new time series classification algorithms that advance the state-of-the-art by implementing the following three key ideas: (1) Multiple resolutions of symbolic approximations: we combine symbolic representations obtained using different parameters; (2) Multiple domain representations: we combine symbolic approximations in time (e.g., SAX) and frequency (e.g., SFA) domains; (3) Efficient navigation of a huge symbolic-words space: we adapt a symbolic sequence classifier named SEQL, to make it work with multiple domain representations (e.g., SAX-SEQL, SFA-SEQL), and use its greedy feature selection strategy to effectively filter the best features for each representation. We show that a multi-resolution multi-domain linear classifier, SAX-SFA-SEQL, achieves a similar accuracy to the state-of-the-art COTE ensemble, and to a recent deep learning method (FCN), but uses a fraction of the time required by either COTE or FCN. We discuss the accuracy, efficiency and interpretability of our proposed algorithms. To further analyse the interpretability aspect of our classifiers, we present a case study on an ecology benchmark.
Structural Characterization and Corrosion Performance of Super Hard Composite Coating : An Overview

This study is focused on super hard materials in terms of their characteristics assessment, super-hardness coating techniques and super-hardness coatings as corrosion inhibitors. However, plasma cladding showed good and effective technique for surface performance enhancement. Taper abrasion tests revealed enhanced good mechanical wear resistivity of the coatings which was the result of applying the magnetron sputtering technique. Also the study showed the importance of super-hard coatings techniques as corrosion inhibitors in roofing materials in protecting the roofing sheet from corrosion or rust due to the influence of moisture content of the air as well as rainfall.
Conceptualization and Validation of a Novel Protocol for Investigating the Uncanny Valley

Loosely based on principles of similarity-attraction, robots intended for social contexts are being designed with increasing human similarity to facilitate their reception by and communication with human interactants. However, the observation of an uncanny valley - the phenomenon in which certain humanlike entities provoke dislike instead of liking - has lead some to caution against this practice. Substantial evidence supports both of these contrasting perspectives on the design of social technologies. Yet, owing to both empirical and theoretical inconsistencies, the relationship between anthropomorphic design and people's liking of the technology remains poorly understood. Here we present three studies which investigate people's explicit ratings of and behavior towards a large sample of real-world robots. The results show a profound "valley effect" on people's \emph{willingness} to interact with humanlike robots, thus highlighting the formidable design challenge the uncanny valley poses for social robotics. In addition to advancing uncanny valley theory, Studies 2 and 3 contribute and validate a novel laboratory task for objectively measuring people's perceptions of humanlike robots.
Immature Platelet Fraction as a Thrombopoietic Index in Donor ’ s Plateletpheresis

The purpose of this study was to examine the activity of thrombocytopoiesis in repeat donating platelets for the preparation of platelet concentrates (PC). The work was based on a retrospective analysis of databases. Donors undergoing plateletpheresis by differential centrifugation for the first time (Group 2, n= 24) and repeat donors donating both by differential centrifugation (Group 3, n= 44) and by apheresis (Group 4, n= 121) every other week for 2–5 years were compared to healthy volunteers (Group 1, n= 87). The platelet count (PLTs), percentage of immature platelets fraction (IPF%) and their absolute values (A-IPF) was performed with the automated analyzer Sysmex XE-2100 (Sysmex, Cobe, Japan). The parameter IPF was chosen by us as a thrombopoietic index. There was not a significant difference in the PLTs for donors before the procedures and the control. Using the IPF obtained in Group 1 we found a significantly higher level in the donor’s blood before the collection of the second buffy coat (BC) bag both in Group 2 and in Group 3. Moreover, in Groups 3 and 4 the IPFs shown have elevated levels before the start of procedures. In donors of Group 4, the A-IPF after apheresis decreased. Both in Group 2 and in Group 3, thrombocytopenia (TCP) occurred before the collection of the second BC bag and increase at the end of the procedure. In Group 4 a TCP was more pronounced. By day 14, donor’s PLTs recovered to baseline. Thus, thrombocytopoiesis reacts quickly to depletion of platelets. However, apheresis platelet donation might lead to “a tension of thrombopoiesis”, as evidenced by the low levels of A-IPF. Further investigation of IPF may be of critical clinical importance for the practice of platelet transfusion.
Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Present in Endotracheal Tubes by Poly-l-Lysine

The endotracheal tube (ETT) is an essential interface between the patient and ventilator in mechanically ventilated patients. However, a microbial biofilm is formed gradually on this tube and is associated with the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia. ABSTRACT The endotracheal tube (ETT) is an essential interface between the patient and ventilator in mechanically ventilated patients. However, a microbial biofilm is formed gradually on this tube and is associated with the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia. The bacteria present in the biofilm are more resistant to antibiotics, and current medical practices do not make it possible to eliminate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading pathogens that cause biofilm infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Poly-l-lysine (pLK) is a cationic polypeptide possessing antibacterial properties and mucolytic activity by compacting DNA. Here, we explored the antibiofilm activity of pLK to treat P. aeruginosa biofilms on ETTs while taking into consideration the necessary constraints for clinical translation in our experimental designs. First, we showed that pLK eradicates a P. aeruginosa biofilm formed in vitro on 96-well microplates. We further demonstrated that pLK alters bacterial membrane integrity, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, and eventually eradicates biofilm formed either by reference or clinical strains of P. aeruginosa biofilms generated in vitro on ETTs. Second, we collected the ETT from patients with P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia. We observed that a single dose of pLK is able to immediately disrupt the biofilm structure and kills more than 90% of bacteria present in the biofilm. Additionally, we did not observe any lung tolerance issue when the pLK solution was instilled into the ETT of ventilated pigs, an animal model particularly relevant to mimic invasive mechanical ventilation in humans. In conclusion, pLK appears as an innovative antibiofilm molecule, which could be applied in the ETT of mechanically ventilated patients.
Integrated Multi-wavelength Laser Source for Sensing

A compact three-laser source for optical sensing is presented. It is based on a low-noise implementation of the Pound-Drever-Hall method and comprises high-bandwidth optical phase-locked loops. The outputs from three semiconductor distributed feedback lasers, mounted on thermo-electric coolers (TEC), are coupled with micro-lenses into a silicon photonics (SiP) chip that performs beat note detection and several other functions. The chip comprises phase modulators, variable optical attenuators, multi-mode-interference couplers, variable ratio tap couplers, integrated photodiodes and optical fiber butt-couplers. Electrical connections between a metallized ceramic and the TECs, lasers and SiP chip are achieved by wirebonds. All these components stand within a 35 mm by 35 mm package which is interfaced with 90 electrical pins and two fiber pigtails. One pigtail carries the signals from a master and slave lasers, while another carries that from a second slave laser. The pins are soldered to a printed circuit board featuring a micro-processor that controls and monitors the system to ensure stable operation over fluctuating environmental conditions. This highly adaptable multi-laser source can address various sensing applications requiring the tracking of up to three narrow spectral features with a high bandwidth. It is used to sense a fiber-based ring resonator emulating a resonant fiber optics gyroscope. The master laser is locked to the resonator with a loop bandwidth greater than 1 MHz. The slave lasers are offset frequency locked to the master laser with loop bandwidths greater than 100 MHz. This high performance source is compact, automated, robust, and remains locked for days.
Desenvolvimento de antenas de microfita de padrão elíptico e retangular em 28 GHz aplicadas ao 5G

Resumo— Este artigo apresenta o desenvolvimento, análise e comparação das antenas de microfita de patch retangular e elı́ptico para aplicação na nova tecnologia de quinta geração de comunicação sem fio, na frequência de 28 GHz, em ambiente indoor. O software High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) foi utilizado na simulação e o desempenho foi analisado através do ganho, perda de retorno, perda de inserção e diagrama de irradiação das antenas. As antenas foram fabricadas com a placa RT/Duroid 5880LZ que apresenta o menor valor de constante dielétrica disponı́vel no mercado, igual a 1,96. Os protótipos desenvolvidos mostraram boa adequabilidade dos resultados medidos com a simulação, apresentando perda de retorno igual a 24,78 dB para a antena de microfita de patch retangular e 15,75 dB para a elı́ptica, ambas em torno de 28 GHz.