Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Static and Dynamic Differences in Fixation Stability between a Spacer Plate and a Small Stature Plate Fixator Used for High Tibial Osteotomies: A Biomechanical Bone Composite Study

Background. The objective of the present study was to compare mechanical strength and stability of the newly designed spacer plate with the gold standard plate for the treatment of medial knee joint osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods. Ten fourth-generation tibial bone composites underwent a medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) according to standard techniques, using five TomoFix plates and five Contour Lock plates. Static compression load to failure and load-controlled cyclical fatigue failure tests were performed. Forces and horizontal displacements were measured; plastic deformations and dynamic stiffness were determined. Results and Discussion. In all samples, rotation of the tibial head and fracture of the opposite cortex were observed. Behaviors of the specimens under static loading were comparable between groups. Cyclic testing revealed lateral significant higher stiffness until failure for the Contour Lock compared to the TomoFix plate. No visible implant failure was observed in any group. Conclusion. Considering the static analysis, both plates offered sufficient stability under physiologic loads of up to 3000 N. The Contour Lock plate-fixated specimens showed a higher stability during the cyclic testing, supposedly due to the wider distance between the fixation screws.
Circadian Rhythms of Sense and Antisense Transcription in Sugarcane, a Highly Polyploid Crop

Commercial sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid) is a highly polyploid and aneuploid grass that stores large amounts of sucrose in its stem. We have measured circadian rhythms of sense and antisense transcription in a commercial cultivar (RB855453) using a custom oligoarray with 14,521 probes that hybridize to sense transcripts (SS) and 7,380 probes that hybridize to antisense transcripts (AS). We estimated that 32% of SS probes and 22% AS probes were rhythmic. This is a higher proportion of rhythmic probes than the usually found in similar experiments in other plant species. Orthologs and inparalogs of Arabidopsis thaliana, sugarcane, rice, maize and sorghum were grouped in ortholog clusters. When ortholog clusters were used to compare probes among different datasets, sugarcane also showed a higher proportion of rhythmic elements than the other species. Thus, it is possible that a higher proportion of transcripts are regulated by the sugarcane circadian clock. Thirty-six percent of the identified AS/SS pairs had significant correlated time courses and 64% had uncorrelated expression patterns. The clustering of transcripts with similar function, the anticipation of daily environmental changes and the temporal compartmentation of metabolic processes were some properties identified in the circadian sugarcane transcriptome. During the day, there was a dominance of transcripts associated with photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, including sucrose and starch synthesis. During the night, there was dominance of transcripts associated with genetic processing, such as histone regulation and RNA polymerase, ribosome and protein synthesis. Finally, the circadian clock also regulated hormone signalling pathways: a large proportion of auxin and ABA signalling components were regulated by the circadian clock in an unusual biphasic distribution.
Patterns of care study of brachytherapy in New South Wales: cervical cancer treatment quality depends on caseload

Purpose We previously conducted modelling and a patterns of care study (POCS) that showed gynaecological brachytherapy (BT) was underutilized in New South Wales (NSW), the USA and Western Europe. The aim of the current study was to assess the quality of cervical BT in NSW, and to determine if caseload affects quality of treatment delivery. Material and methods All nine NSW radiation oncology departments that treated patients with cervical BT in 2003 were visited. Patient, tumour and treatment related data were collected. Quality of BT was assessed using published quality benchmarks. Higher and lower caseload departments were compared. Results The four higher cervical BT caseload departments treated 11-15 NSW residents in 2003, compared to 1-8 patients for the lower caseload departments. Cervix cancer patients treated at the higher caseload departments were more likely to be treated to a point A dose ≥ 80 Gy (58% vs. 14%, p = 0.001), and to have treatment completed within 8 weeks (66% vs. 35%, p = 0.02). Despite higher point A doses, there was no significant difference in proportions achieving lower than recommended rectal or bladder doses, implying better BT insertions in higher caseload departments. Conclusions Cervical BT in NSW was dispersed amongst a large number of departments and was frequently of sub-optimal quality. Higher quality BT was achieved in departments treating at least 10 patients per year. It is likely that improved outcomes will be achievable if at least 10 patients are treated per department per year.
A magnetoencephalographic study of face processing: M170, gamma‐band oscillations and source localization

EEG studies suggested that the N170 ERP and Gamma‐band responses to faces reflect early and later stages of a multiple‐level face‐perception mechanism, respectively. However, these conclusions should be considered cautiously because EEG‐recorded Gamma may be contaminated by noncephalic activity such as microsaccades. Moreover, EEG studies of Gamma cannot easily reveal its intracranial sources. Here we recorded MEG rather than EEG, assessed the sources of the M170 and Gamma oscillations using beamformer, and explored the sensitivity of these neural manifestations to global, featural and configural information in faces. The M170 was larger in response to faces and face components than in response to watches. Scrambling the configuration of the inner components of the face even if presented without the face contour reduced and delayed the M170. The amplitude of MEG Gamma oscillations (30–70 Hz) was higher than baseline during an epoch between 230–570 ms from stimulus onset and was particularly sensitive to the configuration of the stimuli, regardless of their category. However, in the lower part of this frequency range (30–40 Hz) only physiognomic stimuli elevated the MEG above baseline. Both the M170 and Gamma were generated in a posterior‐ventral network including the fusiform, inferior‐occipital and lingual gyri, all in the right hemisphere. The generation of Gamma involved additional sources in the visual system, bilaterally. We suggest that the evoked M170 manifests a face‐perception mechanism based on the global characteristics of face, whereas the induced Gamma oscillations are associated with the integration of visual input into a pre‐existent coherent perceptual representation. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Youth Vote in 2008

Estimates from the Census Current Population Survey November Supplement suggest that the voter turnout rate among young people in 2008 was one of highest recorded. The increase suggests that the confluence of extensive voter outreach efforts, a close election, and high levels of interest in the 2008 campaign all worked to drive voter turnout among young people to levels not seen since 1992. The increase is a continuation of the trend observed in the 2004 and 2006 elections. While young people increased their turnout significantly, older adults voted at lower rates than in 2004 and only slightly above their 2000 level.
Beneficial Effects of THSG on Acetic Acid-Induced Experimental Colitis: Involvement of Upregulation of PPAR-γ and Inhibition of the Nf-Κb Inflammatory Pathway

The polyphenolic compound 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (THSG) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we examined the effects of THSG on experimental mice with colitis induced by acetic acid and whether the underlying mechanisms were associated with the PPAR-γ and NF-κB pathways. Mice were randomized into six equal groups: normal, colitis model, THSG (10, 30, 60 mg·kg−1) and mesalazine. The mice were administered 10, 30, 60 mg·kg−1 THSG or 100 mg·kg−1 mesalazine or saline once daily by intragastric administration for 7 days after induction of colitis by acetic acid irrigation. THSG dramatically attenuated acetic acid-induced colon lesions, including reversing the body weight loss and improving histopathological changes. THSG apparently decreased the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) which is a marker of lipid peroxidation. THSG appears to exert its beneficial effects on acetic acid-induced experimental colitis through upregulation of PPAR-γ mRNA and protein levels and inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, which in turn decreases the protein overexpression of the downstream inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6 and COX-2. The effect of THSG 60 mg·kg−1 on PPAR-γ mRNA expression was higher than that of mesalazine. THSG may thus be a promising new candidate or lead compound for the treatment of IBD.
Students at a Chinese radio and television university: Reasons for participation, and perceptions of their status as students and the quality of their learning

The purpose o f this case study was to investigate students' participation in distance education and perceptions of their status as students and the learning achieved within the context o f a radio and television university in the North of China. This study focused on the students who had completed a two-year college program and been promoted to a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Data was collected and analyzed from observations, interviews and document reviews. Results of the study identified many reasons for students’ participation at the radio and television university to pursue their higher education. The primary reason for most was their inability to choose other universities due to the fact that they could not meet the minimum score requirements for admission after the national college entrance examinations. Other reasons included the location of the city, desire to have a fresh start, and the courage to carry on. Overall, students perceived their learning achieved at the university as valuable. However, the value o f the learning achieved appeared to depend heavily on the type o f job they could find after graduation. With competition against the increased number of graduates from traditional universities each year in the job market, graduates from this university were at disadvantage in seeking well-paid employment within their city. The results of the study suggested several directions for further research. Ideas for future research included (a) replicating this study within this university and at other radio and television universities in less developed areas, at distance learning institutions among various groups of students, as well as at traditional higher education institutions; R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. (b) follow-up studies on graduates from radio and television universities; (c) more indepth studies on employers’ perceptions of their employees who graduated from distance learning programs in comparison with graduates from traditional universities; and (d) studies on the motives and barriers affecting students’ participation in higher education offered through distance education institutions. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation first to my late parents who held on to the dream of their daughter becoming a Doctor for years; and to my two lovely children whose thirst for learning and confidence in their mom’s capabilities is great; and to my husband, whose attention to my toils and pain has brought life to my heart, and who has accompanied me through this challenging journey. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission.
The Contribution of R&D to Productivity Growth.

Many observers believe that research and development (R&D) conducted in U.S . industry is an important ingredient in the Nation's productivity improvement . ' The Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently conducted work aimed at establishing the contribution of R&D to productivity growth . 2 The study proceeded along much the same lines as prior BLS analysis of the contribution of the physical capital stock to productivity . ' This work calculated real annual investment in research and development and estimated the R&D stock to determine the annual and long-term productivity effects of research spending in the private nonfarm business sector . This article summarizes the main conclusions which have emerged from that analysis . Between 1948 and 1982, U.S . multifactor productivity growth-the increase in output beyond the contribution of labor and capital inputs-was 1 . 2 percent per year . However, the long-term productivity trend for the postwar period reflects very different developments during two distinct subperiods . Multifactor productivity increased at an annual rate of 1 . 7 percent from 1948 to 1973, but then decreased by 0.2 percent per year through 1982 . The results reported below indicate that the R&D stock contributed 0 . 1-0.2 per-
Monetary policy shocks in a DSGE model with a shadow banking system" (Cef.up Working Paper nº. 2011-01, February 2011)

This paper is motivated by the recent financial crisis and addresses whether a “too low for too long” interest rate policy may generate a boom-bust cycle. We suggest a model in which a microfounded shadow banking sector is included in an otherwise state-of-the-art DSGE model. When faced with perverse incentives, financial intermediaries within the shadow banking sector can divert a fraction of stockholders’ profits for their own benefits and extend credit at a discounted rate. The model predicts that long periods of accommodative monetary policy do create the preconditions for, but do not cause per se, a boom-bust cycle. Rather, it is the combination of a persistent monetary ease with microeconomic distortions in the financial system that causes a boom-bust.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Gravitational wave detection using electromagnetic modes in a resonance cavity

We present a proposal for a gravitational wave detector, based on the excitation of an electromagnetic mode in a resonance cavity. The mode is excited due to the interaction between a large amplitude electromagnetic mode and a quasi-monochromatic gravitational wave. The minimum metric perturbation needed for detection is estimated to be of the order 7 × 10−23 using current data on superconducting niobium cavities. Using this value together with different standard models predicting the occurrence of merging neutron star or black-hole binaries, the corresponding detection rate is estimated to be 1–20 events per year, with a 'table top' cavity of a few metres length.
The LINPACK Benchmark on a Multi-Core Multi-FPGA System

The LINPACK Benchmark on a Multi-Core Multi-FPGA System Emanuel Caldeira Ramalho Masters of Applied Science Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2008 The LINPACK Benchmark is used to rank the most powerful compute rs in the world. This thesis is an implementation of the benchmark on a multi-FPGA system to see how the performance compares to the processor-based implementation. TMD -MPI is the MPI implementation used to parallelize the software portion of the algorit hm while the TMD-MPE provides the same functionality for the hardware engines. Results show th at, when using small sets of data, one FPGA can provide a speedup of 1.94 over a high-end process or running the LINPACK Benchmark with Level 1 BLAS. However, there is still opportuni ty to do better, especially when scaling to larger systems.
Scaling limit for trap models on $\mathbb{Z}^d$

We give the ``quenched'' scaling limit of Bouchaud's trap model in ${d\ge 2}$. This scaling limit is the fractional-kinetics process, that is the time change of a $d$-dimensional Brownian motion by the inverse of an independent $\alpha$-stable subordinator.
Broadcasting when Receivers Know Some Messages A Priori

A new broadcasting problem that generalizes the conventional broadcast channel is formulated. This new problem models that a receiver may know some messages destined for other receivers a priori. Such scenarios can naturally arise in a practical wireless network. For the case when there are two receivers and the channel is additive white Gaussian, the capacity region of this generalized broadcasting problem is determined.
THE STAR FORMATION RATE IN THE REIONIZATION ERA AS INDICATED BY GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

High-redshift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) offer an extraordinary opportunity to study aspects of the early universe, including the cosmic star formation rate (SFR). Motivated by the two recent highest-z GRBs, GRB 080913 at z ≃ 6.7 and GRB 090423 at z ≃ 8.1, and more than four years of Swift observations, we first confirm that the GRB rate does not trace the SFR in an unbiased way. Correcting for this, we find that the implied SFR to beyond z = 8 is consistent with Lyman Break Galaxy-based measurements after accounting for unseen galaxies at the faint end of the UV luminosity function. We show that this provides support for the integrated star formation in the range 6 ≲ z ≲ 8 to have been alone sufficient to reionize the universe.
On the detection of LRD phenomena

A new model-testing paradigm is introduced. The proposed method uses the structure of the autocorrelation function of the model that we would like to fit the data to. We start by estimating the autocorrelation function of the data, and then apply a curve-fitting criterion, which we call the optimization method. If the resultant error is high, then the given process fails the test and may not be considered to follow that particular model. Otherwise, the process is assumed to be long-range dependent following the assumed model with the parameter as estimated. The criteria that we followed to decide whether the error is large or not is the probability of false alarm. For a wide range of the parameter, we develop a relation between the the probability of false alarm and the cutoff to decide how large the error can be. This paradigm is illustrated through the Second-Order Self-Similar (SOSS) model which is an example of a Long-Range Dependent (LRD) model. We perform an empirical study using artificial SOSS data to make a proper decision on the cutoff and to obtain empirical confidence intervals and bias. To better evaluate this proposed method, we tested the method on two sets of real data that are known to be LRD, and on artificial and real data that is known not to be LRD. Although we focus on processes that are LRD, the new method is readily generalizable to other processes. In other words, the new method can be used as a tool to check the validity of a model in characterizing certain process.
On the Strategic Use of Focal Points in Bargaining Situations

This paper argues that the notion of focal points is important in understanding bargaining processes. Recent literature confines a discussion of the usefulness of the notion to coordination problems and when bargaining experiments result in outcomes that are inconsistent with a straightforward interpretation of economic theory, some notion of ‘fairness’ is invoked. This paper uses symmetry requirements to formalize the notion of focal points. By doing so, it explains the focality of equal split division and it re-interprets recent experimental evidence in bargaining games. Experimental economists should try to empirically disentangle the importance of focal points from other explanatory factors (such as fairness). One way to do so, would be to study modal (instead of average) responses more systematically. Future theoretical research should focus on the strategic implications of proposing a frame (focal point) to conceive of the bargaining problem.
A Development Platform for Integrating Wireless Devices and Sensors into Ambient Intelligence Systems

The HYDRA project develops middleware for networked embedded systems that allow developers to create ambient intelligence (AmI) applications based on wireless devices and sensors. Through its unique combination of Service-oriented Architecture (SoA) and a semantic-based Model-Driven Architecture, HYDRA will enable the development of generic services based on open standards.
Genetic analysis of several root hair mutants of barley

The mutagenic treatment of barley varieties ‘Rudzik’, ‘Dema’, ‘Krona’, ‘Diva’, ‘Karat’, and ‘Delisa’ was performed with the use of N-methylo-N-nitroso-urea (MNU) and sodium azide. To generate high frequency of gene mutations, the combined treatment with both mutagenes (Szarejko and Maluszynski, 1999) or double treatment of MNU was applied. The doses for treatment of Rudzik and Dema varieties were as follows: 1.5 mM NaN3/3h – inter-incubation germination/6h – 0.75 mM MNU/3h and for variety Krona: 1.75 mM NaN3/3h – inter-incubation germination/6h – 0.9 mM MNU/3h. For the varieties Diva, Karat and Delisa double treatment of MNU was used: 0.7 mM MNH/3h. - inter-incubation germination/6h - 0.7 mM MNH/3h. The selection of root hair mutants was performed in the M2 or M3 generations. Subsequent generations (M4-M6) were used to perform homozygosity test and multiply seeds of homozygous lines with mutated root hair phenotype. The observations of root hair zone were done for plants growing in aeroponic conditions (Fig.1). The inheritance of the root hair phenotypes was analyzed in the F1 and F2 generations from the crosses between mutants and their parent varieties. Allelism test between mutants was performed. Results
GLASS TRANSITION IN SELF-ORGANIZING CELLULAR PATTERNS

We have considered the dynamical evolution of cellular patterns controlled by a stochastic Glauber process determined by the deviations of local cell topology from that of a crystalline structure. Above a critical temperature evolution is towards a common equilibrium state from any initial configuration, but beneath this temperature there is a dynamical phase transition, with a start from a quasi-random state leading to non-equilibrium glassy freezing whereas an ordered start rests almost unchanged. A temporal persistence function decays exponentially in the high-temperature equilibrating state but has a characteristic slow non-equilibrium ageing-like behaviour in the low-temperature glassy phase.
Does Growth Generate Jobs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia?

In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the link from growth to jobs was tenuous in the first decade of the transition, giving rise to the notion of jobless growth. Yet, European countries suffered large job losses during the recent recession, suggesting that jobs and growth are closely entwined. This study takes a new look at this issue. It provides a cross-country analysis of the employment intensity of growth over the last decade and a half in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which includes the 11 Central and Eastern European countries that joined the EU since 2004, the countries of former Yugoslavia, the Countries of Independent States and Turkey. The authors compare these findings with other regions in the world. The paper shows that the responsiveness of employment to output increased in the second decade of the transition. It also finds that in some instances employment growth increases with reforms of labor and product markets, stronger macroeconomic policy frameworks, better governance, and more economic integration and diversification.