666 research outputs found
ICMJE Disclosures
No full textSupplemental material, FAI753160-ICMJE for Strain Distribution in the Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament, Posterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament, and Interosseous Membrane Using Digital Image Correlation by Daorong Xu, Yibei Wang, Chunyu Jiang, Maoqing Fu, Shiqi Li, Lei Qian, Peidong Sun and Jun Ouyang in Foot & Ankle International</p
Fig. 7 in An Oligocene giant rhino provides insights into Paraceratherium evolution
No full textFig. 7 Distribution and dispersal of Paraceratherium. Localities of the early Oligocene species were marked by the yellow color, and the red indicates the late Oligocene species. Dispersals of Paraceratherium between South Asia and other localities have to pass the Tibetan region, because most part of Central Asia, including southeastern Kazakhstan, Turpan Basin, and Tarim Basin was covered by the Tethys Ocean during the Oligocene. Paleogeography map is modified from Deep Time Maps (https://deeptimemaps.com) with license and a recent study51.Published as part of Deng, Tao, Lu, Xiaokang, Wang, Shiqi, Flynn, Lawrence J., Sun, Danhui, He, Wen & Chen, Shanqin, 2021, An Oligocene giant rhino provides insights into Paraceratherium evolution, pp. 1-10 in Communications Biology 639 (1) on page 7, DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02170-6, http://zenodo.org/record/501364
U-DARTS: Uniform-space differentiable architecture search
No full textDifferentiable architecture search (DARTS) is an effective neural architecture search algorithm based on gradient descent. However, there are two limitations in DARTS. First, a small proxy search space is exploited due to memory and computational resource constraints. Second, too many simple operations are preferred, which leads to the network deterioration. In this paper, we propose a uniform-space differentiable architecture search, named U-DARTS, to address the above problems. In one hand, the search space is redesigned to enable the search and evaluation of the architectures in the same space, and the new search space couples with a sampling and parameter sharing strategy to reduce resource overheads. This means that various cell structures are explored directly rather than cells with same structure are stacked to compose the network. In another hand, a regularization method, which takes the depth and the complexity of the operations into account, is proposed to prevent network deterioration. Our experiments show that U-DARTS is able to find excellent architectures. Specifically, we achieve an error rate of 2.59% with 3.3M parameters on CIFAR-10. The code is released in https://github.com/Sun-Shiqi/U-DARTS
An Algebraic Approach to Parameterised Loop Decomposition
Full text linkTitle: An Algebraic Approach to Parameterised Loop Decomposition, Author: Shiqi Cao, Location: ThodeLoop scheduling is to explore more possible parallelism by re-organizing the
loop body without changing its semantics; it results in more efficient utilization
of the underlying hardware. Recently, research has been shifting from well studied
instruction level parallelism to thread level parallelism (TLP) in order
to follow the trends of CPU design; parts of the COCONUT project are moving
in this direction as well. Loops are usually represented in graph-like structures,
which, without algebraic properties, can make formal verification very difficult. In this thesis, a new representation of a loop, called an extensible loop
specification, is proposed, based on the code graph and loop specification concepts
already used in the COCONUT code generator. Extensible loop specifications
are intended to be used by TLP loop scheduling algorithms; their
algebraic properties derive from those of loop specifications and code graphs. During the process of discovering a new loop representation, we use a
relational model to verify some transformations of control flow graphs where
transitions are labeled with code graphs.ThesisMaster of Science (MS
ADDING ADAPTABLE TOE STIFFNESS AFFECTS ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY AND DYNAMIC BEHAVIORS OF LIMIT CYCLE WALKING
No full textThis paper presents a limit cycle walking model with segmented feet. We add adaptable ankle and joint stiffness to a limit cycle walker based on previous biological studies to further understand the effects of segmented feet on walking performance. The equilibrium position and stiffness of the toe joints vary during one step depending on the current walking phase. Both the walking phase sequence and the toe joint behavior show a great resemblance to human normal walking. Experimental results show the effects of toe parameters on walking speed, step length, energetic efficiency and the net works of ankle and toe joints, which could provide us a better understanding of segmented-foot limit cycle walkers and help in building a physical robot with toe joints.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000342693100043&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Automation & Control SystemsEngineering, Electrical & ElectronicRoboticsCPCI-S(ISTP)
Optimized design and fabrication of polymer/silica thermo-optic switch with low power consumption
No full textAntimicrobial and rheological properties of benzoyl peroxide formulated polycarbophil/carbomer 934P hydrogel
No full textBACKGROUND: The human vagina is colonized by a variety of indigenous microflora; in healthy individuals Lactobacillus is a predominant bacterial genus while those with bacterial vaginosis (BV) carry a variety of anaerobic bacteria. The disruption of healthy microflora and shift to primarily facultative anaerobic bacteria leads to microbial disease. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is chosen as a new antimicrobial agent since it is listed as safe for use in bleaching in food product and as an active ingredient of acne topical treatments. Polycarbophil/Carbomer 934P are chosen to be the network polymers of the hydrogel to encapsulate BPO, due to their good muco-adhesion. EXPERIMENTS: In this study, the antimicrobial activity of BPO against Gardnerella vaginalis, one of the primary causative agent of BV, and their safety for vaginal lactobacilli such as L. acidophilus, L. gasseri, L. plantarum, and L. vaginalis is evaluated using a well diffusion assay, direct contact assay and diffusible agent assay. The rheological properties of the formulations are measured using an oscillation frequency sweep, an oscillation shear stress sweep and a flow shear rate experimental design. RESULTS: It is shown that in the well diffusion assay G. vaginalis is inhibited at 0.01% (w/w) hydrogel-encapuslated BPO and that the tested Lactobacillus spp. are inhibited at 2.5%. In direct contact assays (cells grown in a liquid culture containing hydrogel, hydrogel containing 1.0% BPO or BPO particles), hydrogels loaded with 1.0% BPO caused 6-log reduction of G. vaginalis. Conversely, three of the lactobacilli spp. are not inhibited while L. acidophilus growth is delayed. Encapsulation of BPO into polycarbophil/Carbomer 934P hydrogel improves its antimicrobial activity against G. vaginalis. The rheological properties of the hydrogel formulation are not greatly compromised by encapsulation of 1.0% BPO. The new formulation still possesses a solid-like behavior, with a low yield stress and a high viscosity after diluted. CONCLUSION: Hydrogel containing BPO can be a new drug in BV treatment based on its antimicrobial activity on BV-associated pathogen/not on healthy vaginal lactobacilli when it is encapsulated into polycarbophil/Carbomer 934P hydrogel, and its good rheological properties.M.S.Includes bibliographical referencesby Shiqi X
Paraceratherium linxiaense Deng & Lu & Wang & Flynn & Sun & He & Chen 2021, sp. nov.
No full textParaceratherium linxiaense sp. nov. Type specimens. Acomplete skull and mandible with the associated atlas (holotype, HMV 2006, Fig. 1), and an axis and two thoracic vertebrae of another individual (paratype, HMV 2007, Fig. 2), which are preserved at the Hezheng Paleozoological Museum in Hezheng County, Gansu Province, China. HMV 2006 represents a full adult individual. The specific name, linxiaense, refers to the geographical location of the discovery in the Linxia Basin (Fig. 3). Type locality and horizon. IVPP locality LX1808 (N35°35’05.16”, E103°18’51.02”; 1983 m above sea level, Fig. 4) is near the village of Wangjiachuan, 10.8 km southwest of the town of Dongxiang County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China (Fig. 3). HMV 2006 and 2007 are from the sandstones in the lower part of the Jiaozigou Formation (Fig. 5, Supplementary Note 1). Age. IVPP locality LX1808 is faunally and paleomagnetically dated to the middle of chron C8r with an estimated age of 26.5 million years ago (Ma) in the late Oligocene (Fig. 5). Diagnosis. Paraceratherium linxiaense possesses features that characterize the genus, such as a giant body size, long premaxillae with anterior ends extending downward, separated parietal crests, high condyle compared to the height of nuchal surface, lower inferior border of the posttympanic process than the condyle, roughly horizontal anterior part of symphysis, and downward turning cone-shaped I1. It is more derived than other species within this genus in having a larger body size, deeper nasal notch above M2, much higher occipital part and posterior end of zygomatic arch, and smaller upper incisor I1. The lower margin of the horizontal mandibular ramus is concave under the diastema, and small i1 extends anteriorly and horizontally. The dental formula is 1.0.3.3/1.0.3.3. P2 is semimolarized, while P3 and P4 are submolarized. The metaconule connects with the ectoloph and the anterior point of the hypocone in moderate wear; the antecrochet is moderate; the lingual border of the protocone is rounded on molars; and the ecto-posterior corner of the protolophid is angular on p3 and p4. The atlas has an expanded transverse foramen and a dumb-bell shaped vertebral fossa. Comparative description. The new species differs from other species of Paraceratherium (P. grangeri, P. huangheense, P. asiaticum, P. bugtiense, and P. lepidum) in having a deeper nasal notch whose bottom is located above the middle of M2, proportionally larger height of the condyle (43.9%) compared to height of the occipital surface (Supplementary Table 2), short muzzle bones and diastema anterior to cheek teeth, highly raised occiput, and high zygomatic arch with a prominent posterior end (Fig. 1). The nasals of P. linxiaense are flat and straight, and the nasal notch is very deep above the middle of M2 with a short distance from the orbit (15.3% of the basal cranial length) (Supplementary Table 2), much deeper than those of other species of Paraceratherium except P. lepidum, indicating a short prehensile nose trunk. The dorsal surface of the skull is shallowly depressed, different from the domed skull of P. grangeri 13 or the flat one of P. lepidum 7. The distance between the parietal crests is narrow and smaller than that of P. lepidum. The infraorbital foramen is situated above the P4/M1 boundary, and the anterior margin of the orbit is located above the M2/M3 boundary. Both characters are similar to those of P. lepidum and more posteriorly positioned than those of P. grangeri above the P3/P4 boundary and the middle of M2 respectively. The position of the zygomatic arch is high, posteriorly flush with the upper margin of the orbit like those of P. grangeri and P. lepidum, and much higher than that of P. bugtiense 14. The postorbital process is absent. The space between the posttympanic and postglenoid processes is moderate as in P. lepidum, wider than in P. grangeri and narrower than in P. bugtiense. The posttympanic process has no transverse expansion, and its lateral margin is almost flush with the postglenoid process. The posttympanic and paraoccipital processes fuse to become a wide and thick plate. For P. linxiaense, the posterior border of the mandibular symphysis is situated at the p4/m1 boundary, and the posterior margin of the ascending ramus is anteriorly inclined, different from vertical situation in P. bugtiense and P. lepidum. The vascular notch of lower margin of the mandible is deep but more anterior than that of P. lepidum. The mandibular diastema has a straight and slowly declining upper margin like in P. grangeri, while strongly declined in P. asiaticum and P. lepidum, and convex in P. huangheense and P. bugtiense. The mental foramen is situated under the p3/p4 boundary, more posteriorly than in P. asiaticum, P. bugtiense, and P. lepidum where is under p2. (2021) 4:639 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02170-6 | www.nature.com/commsbio The distance between the anterior margins of I1 and P2 is 164 mm. DP1 is absent like in most species of Paraceratherium, but present in P. grangeri. The paracone rib is absent from P2 to M1, weak in M2, and marked in M3, which is the common character of the genus Paraceratherium, much different from the strong paracone rib of the primitive giant rhino Forstercooperia 15. The occlusal surface of P2 is triangular in P. linxiaense, different from the trapezium outline in P. grangeri and P. asiaticum. There is an obvious separating groove between the protocone and hypocone of P3 and P4. The hypocone of P4 is situated behind the metaconule as in P. grangeri and P. lepidum, and it is expanded and rounded, while that of P. lepidum is square. The antecrochet on upper molars is larger than those of P. grangeri and P. asiaticum. M3 is triangular in occlusal outline, similar to those of P. bugtiense and P. lepidum, but different from the rectangular outline in P. grangeri and P. asiaticum. P. linxiaense has more reduced i1. The p2 is small and singlerooted, but large and double-rooted in P. grangeri. The p3 and p4 have a rudimentary entolophid, while the entoconid of P. asiaticum is an isolated cusp. The entolophid of m3 is nearly transverse. Additional descriptions, measurements and comparisons, such as information of the postcranial bones, are provided in Supplementary Note 2 and Supplementary Tables 1–6.Published as part of Deng, Tao, Lu, Xiaokang, Wang, Shiqi, Flynn, Lawrence J., Sun, Danhui, He, Wen & Chen, Shanqin, 2021, An Oligocene giant rhino provides insights into Paraceratherium evolution, pp. 1-10 in Communications Biology 639 (1) on pages 2-3, DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02170-6, http://zenodo.org/record/501364
Continuous Decoding of Movement Onset and Offset of Sustained Movements from Cortical Activities
No full textDetection of movement intention from neural signals combined with assistant device provides an effective tool for neurorehabilitation. Since sustained movements are often required in motor rehabilitation therapies, it is important to monitor the onset and offset of the movement to ensure the participation of patients. In this study, we compared the movement-related cortical potentials (MRCPs) and event-related (de) synchronization (ERD/ERS) between different duration sustained movements. For mid and long duration movements, there are obvious MRCP and ERD around movement offset and the amplitude of MRCP increases as the duration increases. Besides, we built a pseudo-online detection system to detect the onset and offset of the movement. The average true positive rate (TPR) of onset detection is 85.2%. Compared to the onset, the offset is more difficult to detect, whose average TPR is 65.3%. This study could help us further understand the neural mechanism during sustained movements and provide guidance to build brain computer interface (BCI) for close-loop rehabilitation.National Program for Support of Top-notch Young Professionals; Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Project [Z151100003715001, Z151100000915073]; Beijing Disabled Persons' Federation; Beijing Nova Program [Z141101001814001]CPCI-S(ISTP)809-81
The Determinants of Capital Structure of Listed Companies in Developed and Developing Countries: Evidence from Eight Countries
Full text linkThis research will discuss the determinants that contribute to capital structure from both the external and internal perspective. Most empirical capital structure determinants are concluded based on data from developed countries. To test whether these factors are generally suitable for different countries, this dissertation chooses 4 developed countries (Australia, Japan, the UK and the USA) and 4 developing countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, generally known as BRIC block) as research objects. This dissertation will use the panel model to verify the relationship between capital structure and potential determinants.
The results show that profitability has the strongest relationship with leverage ratio as it is significant in 6 out of 8 countries., which also indicates the same trend in both non-BRIC and BRIC countries. Size is believed to be the second related variable to leverage as it also has the 6 countries who show reliable relationship of it as profitability. Though the correlation is not identical in these countries, it still has relatively high consistency in BRIC. Consistency of variables in non-BRIC and BRIC can also be found in tangibility and liquidity, whereas the former shows strong positive relationship with the dependent variable and the latter indicates strong negative correlation to leverage ratio. However, the correlation to leverage for growth opportunity is different for non-BRIC and BRIC, it is highly negative in BRIC and less strong but positive in the UK, which is the only related country in non-BRIC
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