Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors' Factors of Nutritional Status of Male Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic disease that leads to weight loss and muscle dysfunction resulting in an increase in mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of malnutrition and nutritional status and also factors associated with nutritional status. A total of 149 subjects were involved in the cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at two medical centers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The results of the study showed that malnutrition was more prevalent (52.4%) in the subjects with severe stages of COPD as compared to mild and moderate COPD stages (26.2%) (P < 0.05). Fat-free mass depletion as assessed using fat-free mass index (FFMI) affected 41.9% of the subjects. Plasma vitamin A, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and handgrip were the predictors for body mass index (BMI) (R 2 = 0.190, P < 0.001). Plasma vitamin A and force expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were the predictors of FFMI (R 2 = 0.082, P = 0.007). BMI was the predictor of respiratory factors, that is, FEV1% predicted (R 2 = 0.052, P = 0.011). It can be concluded that there is a need to identify malnourished COPD patients for an appropriate nutrition intervention.
Bubbles and Experience: An Experiment on Speculation

We investigate experimentally how the share of experienced traders in doubleauction asset markets affects trading, in particular the occurrence of bubble-crash pricing patterns. In each session, six subjects trade in three successive market rounds and gain experience. In a fourth round, depending on the treatment, two or four experienced subjects are replaced by inexperienced subjects. The results are compared to earlier findings when all traders were either inexperienced or experienced. We explore what can be learned by analogy between these laboratory findings and the performance of naturally occurring markets.
Fractal Analysis and the Diagnostic Usefulness of Silver Staining Nucleolar Organizer Regions in Prostate Adenocarcinoma

Pathological diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma often requires complementary methods. On prostate biopsy tissue from 39 patients including benign nodular hyperplasia (BNH), atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), and adenocarcinomas, we have performed combined histochemical-immunohistochemical stainings for argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) and glandular basal cells. After ascertaining the pathology, we have analyzed the number, roundness, area, and fractal dimension of individual AgNORs or of their skeleton-filtered maps. We have optimized here for the first time a combination of AgNOR morphological denominators that would reflect best the differences between these pathologies. The analysis of AgNORs' roundness, averaged from large composite images, revealed clear-cut lower values in adenocarcinomas compared to benign and atypical lesions but with no differences between different Gleason scores. Fractal dimension (FD) of AgNOR silhouettes not only revealed significant lower values for global cancer images compared to AAH and BNH images, but was also able to differentiate between Gleason pattern 2 and Gleason patterns 3–5 adenocarcinomas. Plotting the frequency distribution of the FDs for different pathologies showed clear differences between all Gleason patterns and BNH. Together with existing morphological classifiers, AgNOR analysis might contribute to a faster and more reliable machine-assisted screening of prostatic adenocarcinoma, as an essential aid for pathologists.
Effect of PUVA, narrow‐band UVB and cyclosporin on inflammatory cells of the psoriatic plaque

Background: Because antigen presenting is necessary for T‐cell activation, antigen‐presenting cells should be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In this study, our purpose was to evaluate and compare effects of PUVA, cyclosporine A and narrow‐band UVB on dendritic cells and activated lymphocytes in the psoriatic lesions.
Long Run Simulations With GTAP: Illustrative Results from APEC Trade Liberalisation

In static applied general equilibrium models, the exogenous/endogenous split between variables (or closure) is used to infer the time frame over which the effects of a shock are simulated. This paper introduces a long-run closure for the GTAP model (Hertel and Tsigas, 1997) and uses this closure to simulate and compare the short-run and long-run effects of Asia-Pacific trade liberalisation. The approach explored here incorporates some relatively minor changes to existing GTAP theory in order to define a steady state in which growth rates of all real variables are uniform. Such uniformity must apply in the initial database (as well as in the post-shock solution). So to implement the new long run in GTAP a new initial database must first be created. Details concerning the creation of the new database are given, and results under the new approach are compared with those obtained under the old. The emphasis of this paper is on the development of a long-run closure in which the percentage change form equations of the model and the relationships between the levels variables in the GTAP database are consistent. Further research is required into these types of long-run closures to incorporate changes in ownership of capital to ensure that changes in welfare are adequately modelled. In the results reported here, GDP is not a useful guide to national welfare. The long-run closures introduced here are also compared with another comparative static long-run closure developed for GTAP by Francois, MacDonald and Nordström (1996). Technical Paper Number 9 can be downloaded in PDF format. To print this you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader. For those interested in replicating the results in this technical paper, an associated zip file can be downloaded. The zip file includes a readme file with detailed instructions.
Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, executive functioning, and autobiographical remembering in individuals with HIV and in carers of those with HIV in Iran

Abstract Two studies examined autobiographical remembering in those with HIV (Study 1) and in carers of those with HIV (Study 2) in Iran. Study 1 investigated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms, executive control, and autobiographical remembering in those with HIV. Individuals with HIV (n = 34) and healthy controls (n = 34) completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Beck's Depression Inventory-II, Beck's Anxiety Inventory, Autobiographical Memory Interview, Autobiographical Memory Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Tower of London. The results indicated higher PTSD and depression symptoms among the HIV group. The findings also showed that those with HIV had lower levels of executive functioning, deficits in autobiographical remembering (semantic and episodic) and retrieved less specific autobiographical memories than the control group. Study 2 examined depression, executive functioning, and autobiographical memory performance among carers of those with HIV (n = 26) and healthy controls (n = 26). The same measures were completed as in Study 1. The results indicated higher depression among the carers group but the groups did not differ in terms of executive functioning or semantic recollection. The carers had lower episodic recall scores and less specific memories than the control group. The findings are discussed in terms of the processes involved in nonspecific retrieval of autobiographical material in relation to HIV.
RUNAWAY AND HYPERVELOCITY STARS IN THE GALACTIC HALO: BINARY REJUVENATION AND TRIPLE DISRUPTION

Young stars observed in the distant Galactic halo are usually thought to have formed elsewhere, either in the Galactic disk or perhaps the Galactic center (GC), and subsequently ejected at high velocities to their current position. However, some of these stars have apparent lifetimes shorter than the required flight time from the Galactic disk/GC. We suggest that such stars have evolved in close runaway or hypervelocity binaries. Stellar evolution of such binaries can drive them into mass transfer configurations and even mergers. Such evolution could then rejuvenate them (e.g., blue stragglers) and extend their lifetime after their ejection. The extended lifetimes of such stars could then be reconciled with their flight times to the Galactic halo. We study the possibilities of binary runaway and hypervelocity stars (HVSs) and show that such binaries could have been ejected in triple disruptions and other dynamical interactions with stars or with massive black holes (MBHs). We show that currently observed “too young” star in the halo could have been ejected from the Galactic disk or the GC and be observable in their current position if they were ejected as binaries. Specifically, it is shown that the HVS HE 0437−5439 could be such a rejuvenated star. Other suggestions for its ejection from the Large Magellanic Cloud are found to be highly unlikely. Moreover, it is shown that its observed metallicity is most consistent with a Galactic origin and a GC origin cannot currently be ruled out. In addition, we suggest that triple disruptions by the MBH in the GC could also capture binaries in close orbits near the MBH, some of which may later evolve to become more massive rejuvenated stars.
Passive margins getting squeezed in the mantle convection vice

Passive margins often exhibit uplift, exhumation, and tectonic inversion. We speculate that the compression in the lithosphere gradually increased during the Cenozoic, as seen in the number of mountain belts found at active margins during that period. Less clear is how that compression increase affects passive margins. In order to address this issue, we design a 2‐D viscous numerical model wherein a lithospheric plate rests above a weaker mantle. It is driven by a mantle conveyor belt, alternatively excited by a lateral downwelling on one side, an upwelling on the other side, or both simultaneously. The lateral edges of the plate are either free or fixed, representing the cases of free convergence, and collision (or slab anchoring), respectively. This distinction changes the upper mechanical boundary condition for mantle circulation and thus, the stress field. Between these two regimes, the flow pattern transiently evolves from a free‐slip convection mode toward a no‐slip boundary condition above the upper mantle. In the second case, the lithosphere is highly stressed horizontally and deforms. For a constant total driving force, compression increases drastically at passive margins if upwellings are active. Conversely, if downwellings alone are activated, compression occurs at short distances from the trench and extension prevails elsewhere. These results are supported by Earth‐like models that reveal the same pattern, where active upwellings are required to excite passive margins compression. Our results substantiate the idea that compression at passive margins is in response to the underlying mantle flow that is increasingly resisted by the Cenozoic collisions.
Modeling of a solid fuel combustion chamber of a ramjet using a multi-block domain decomposition technique

A computer code aimed at the simulation of the physical phenomena occuring in the solid fuel combustion chamber of a ramjet was extended to accommodate multi-block grids. The mathematical model is based on the numerical solution of the governing equations for mass, momentum, energy and transport equations for scalar quantities. The IC-E model and the conserved scalar/prescribed probability density function formalism are employed. Heat and mass transfer at the walls are calculated using the wall functions of Chieng and Launder modified to account for porous walls. The multi-block method allows discontinuous grid lines along the interblock boundaries and transfer of data between neighbouring blocks satisfies flux conservation. The implementation of the multi-block domain decomposition technique is demonstrated for a turbulent isothermal flow through a pipe with a sudden expansion and for a solid fuel combustion chamber of a ramjet. In this case, the evolution of the local regression rate along the wall is in good qualitative agreement with the data, but quantitative disagreement was found, mainly due to the shortcomings of the turbulence model employed. 0 Elsevier, Paris
Agent-based protection scheme for distribution networks with distributed generators

This paper describes a novel protection scheme for a distribution network with distributed generators. The network is divided into several segments to facilitate fault isolation. Relay agents protecting the system are installed at points of interconnection between different network segments. These relay agents communicate with the neighboring agents through an asynchronous communication network. A wavelet transform coefficients based technique is proposed to identify the direction of a fault with respect to a node in the network by measuring the transient currents in the branches connected to the node. Relay agents, which use this technique to determine the fault directions with respect to their locations, then collaboratively determine the faulted zone. Simulation studies using PSCAD/EMTDC reveals that this scheme is capable of identifying and locating faults with very high accuracy even for high impedence faults
It's Not Factor Accumulation: Stylized Facts and Growth Models

We document five stylized facts of economic growth. (1) The "residual" rather than factor accumulation accounts for most of the income and growth differences across nations. (2) Income diverges over the long run. (3) Factor accumulation is persistent while growth is not persistent and the growth path of countries exhibits remarkable variation across countries. (4) Economic activity is highly concentrated, with all factors of production flowing to the richest areas. (5) National policies closely associated with long-run economic growth rates. We argue that these facts do not support models with diminishing returns, constant returns to scale, some fixed factor of production, and that highlight the role of factor accumulation. Empirical work, however, does not yet decisively distinguish among the different theoretical conceptions of "total factor productivity growth. " Economists should devote more effort towards modeling and quantifying total factor productivity.
Silicon CMOS Detectors and Focal-Plane Arrays for THz radiation

The application of field-effect transistors for the detection of terahertz radiation (submillimeter-wave radiation), which for a long time has only been a subject of academic study, is currently in the process of becoming a viable technology for the realization of focal-plane arrays of room-temperature-operated imaging systems, and has the potential to be of interest also for other applications such as data communications. This development has been triggered on one hand by the fact that the detectors can be implemented entirely in silicon CMOS process technology, with all the advantages of cost-effectiveness, high yield and high reliability, and ease of integration of additional functions, for which CMOS technology stands. The second decisive factor is that the relevant figures of merit the responsivity and the noise-equivalent power – are comparable to, if not better than, those of other well-established terahertz detectors operated at room temperature. This paper presents a summary of recent results which demonstrate the capability of the technology.
April 2018 Employment Protection and Firm Relocation : Theory and Evidence

We examine the determinants of the decision to relocate activities abroad for firms located in OECD countries. We argue that particular firm‐specific features play a crucial role for the link between employment protection and relocation. Stricter employment protection laws in the current production location discourage firms’ relocation abroad. While larger, more productive firms and firms with higher labour intensities have, ceteris paribus, higher propensities to relocate, they also face higher exit barriers if the country from which they consider relocating has strict employment protection laws. Our predictions are supported empirically, using firm level data for 28 OECD
Short circuit tests to derive the buckling strength of Continuously Transposed Cable for power transformers under the influence of the paper insulation thickness

Continuously Transposed Cable (CTC) are stranded multiple conductors which often are utilized in power transformers. It is assumed that the paper insulation around CTCs enhances their mechanical strength and thereby also influences the short circuit withstand capability of power transformers. This paper presents testing results from short circuit tests with CTC's in order to evaluate their mechanical buckling strength depending on the insulation thickness. A special test setup is used to generate the necessary electromagnetic forces on the CTC under test. Therefore, two test windings around an iron core are connected in series with opposite current direction. During the short circuit tests the CTC deformation is recorded by a high-speed camera. The force acting on the conductors is evaluated from the current time history and a FEA simulation model for the test setup. Several short circuit tests are conducted for every CTC by increasing the testing current between the steps, until the inner CTC winding buckles. Results from factory new CTCs with varying paper insulation thicknesses but identical copper dimensions are proposed. The investigations show that the paper insulation enhances the CTC stiffness in linear elastic load situations and increases the critical load for the beginning of buckling.
Exploring Telematics Big Data for Truck Platooning Opportunities

NREL completed a temporal and geospatial analysis of telematics data to estimate the fraction of platoonable miles traveled by class 8 tractor trailers currently in operation. This paper discusses the value and limitations of very large but low time-resolution data sets, and the fuel consumption reduction opportunities from large scale adoption of platooning technology for class 8 highway vehicles in the US based on telematics data. The telematics data set consist of about 57,000 unique vehicles traveling over 210 million miles combined during a two-week period. 75% of the total fuel consumption result from vehicles operating in top gear, suggesting heavy highway utilization. The data is at a one-hour resolution, resulting in a significant fraction of data be uncategorizable, yet significant value can still be extracted from the remaining data. Multiple analysis methods to estimate platoonable miles are discussed. Results indicate that 63% of total miles driven at known hourly-average speeds happens at speeds amenable to platooning. When also considering availability of nearby partner vehicles, results indicate 55.7% of all classifiable miles driven were platoonable. Analysis also address the availability of numerous partners enabling platoons greater than 2 trucks and the percentage of trucks that would be required to be equipped with platooning equipment to realize more than 50% of the possible savings.
Compute-Forward for DMCs: Simultaneous Decoding of Multiple Combinations

Algebraic network information theory is an emerging facet of network information theory, studying the achievable rates of random code ensembles that have algebraic structure, such as random linear codes. A distinguishing feature is that linear combinations of codewords can sometimes be decoded more efficiently than codewords themselves. The present work further develops this framework by studying the simultaneous decoding of multiple messages. Specifically, consider a receiver in a multi-user network that wishes to decode several messages. Simultaneous joint typicality decoding is one of the most powerful techniques for determining the fundamental limits at which reliable decoding is possible. This technique has historically been used in conjunction with random i.i. d. codebooks to establish achievable rate regions for networks. Recently, it has been shown that, in certain scenarios, nested linear codebooks in conjunction with “single-user” or sequential decoding can yield better achievable rates. For instance, the compute–forward problem examines the scenario of recovering <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L \le K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> linear combinations of transmitted codewords over a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-user multiple-access channel (MAC), and it is well established that linear codebooks can yield higher rates. This paper develops bounds for simultaneous joint typicality decoding used in conjunction with nested linear codebooks, and applies them to obtain a larger achievable region for compute–forward over a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-user discrete memoryless MAC. The key technical challenge is that competing codeword tuples that are linearly dependent on the true codeword tuple introduce statistical dependencies, which requires careful partitioning of the associated error events.
Chiayi Shen In vitro wear of two bioactive composites and a glass ionomer cement

Materials and methods: The smart composites Activa (Pulpdent) and Cention N (Ivoclar Vivadent) and the glass ionomer cement Fuji IX (GC) were applied into aluminum sample holders, pressed against a glass plate and stored in water for 3 weeks after curing. The samples were subjected to 400,000 load cycles of 49 N in the CS4 chewing simulator (Mechatronik) against steatite antagonists and subjected to 4,440 thermocycles from 5 °C to 55 °C. Samples were evaluated with replicas after 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000, 60,000, 80,000, 100,000, 120,000, 160,000, 200,000, 240,000, 280,000, 320,000, 360,000 and 400,000 cycles with a laser scanner (LAS-20, Mechatronik) and the Geomagic software (wear volume). The data was analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test. Selected wear facets were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Systematic integration of RNA-Seq statistical algorithms for accurate detection of differential gene expression patterns

RNA-Seq is gradually becoming the standard tool for transcriptomic expression studies in biological research. Although considerable progress has been recorded in the development of statistical algorithms for the detection of differentially expressed genes using RNA-Seq data, the list of detected genes can differ significantly between algorithms. We present a new method (PANDORA) that combines multiple algorithms toward a summarized result, more efficiently reflecting true experimental outcomes. This is achieved through the systematic combination of several analysis algorithms, by weighting their outcomes according to their performance with realistically simulated data sets generated from real data. Results supported by the analysis of both simulated and real data from different organisms as well as correlation with PolII occupancy demonstrate that PANDORA improves the detection of differential expression. It accomplishes this by optimizing the tradeoff between standard performance measurements, such as precision and sensitivity.