Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Evidence for Myogenie Autoregulation of the Renal Microcirculation in the Hamster

We transplanted neonatal hamster renal tissue into a hamster cheek pouch chamber and subjected the renal tissue to increases and decreases in extravascular pressure. A decrease in extra-vascular pressure decreased, and an increase in extravascular pressure increased, the diameter of preglomerular arterioles. Thus, the change in preglomerular arteriolar diameter was directly related to alterations in extravascular pressure. Neither saralasin nor indomethacin affected these changes, whereas papaverin prevented them. The efferent arterioles responded passively to changes in extra vascular pressure; i.e., the changes in their diameter were inversely related to changes in extravascular myogenic autoregulation of preglomerular vessels. CircRes 47: 226-230, 1980
From Reassembly to Object Completion: A Complete Systems Pipeline

The problem of the restoration of broken artifacts, where large parts could be missing, is of high importance in archaeology. The typical manual restoration can become a tedious and error-prone process, which also does not scale well. In recent years, many methods have been proposed for assisting the process, most of which target specialized object types or operate under very strict constraints. We propose a digital shape restoration pipeline consisting of proven, robust methods for automatic fragment reassembly and shape completion of generic three-dimensional objects of arbitrary type. In this pipeline, first we introduce a novel unified approach for handling the reassembly of objects from heavily damaged fragments by exploiting both fracture surfaces and salient features on the intact sides of fragments, when available. Second, we propose an object completion procedure based on generalized symmetries and a complementary part extraction process that is suitable for driving the fabrication of missing geometry. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach using real-world fractured objects and software implemented as part of the European Union--funded PRESIOUS project, which is also available for download from the project site.
Sensitivity analysis for non-ignorable dropout of marginal treatment effect in longitudinal trials for G-computation based estimators

We specify identifying assumptions under which linear increments (LI) estimator can be used to estimate unconditional expectation for longitudinal data from a clinical trial in the presence of dropout. We show that these are analog conditions under which extended linear SWEEP estimator achieves unbiased estimation of the identical parameter in the same setting. Within a class of linear autoregressive models we specify how strategies implemented in LI and extended SWEEP relate to each other w.r. t. the conditional expectation of increments and outcomes respectively. We utilize conceptual overlap of these two methods to define a sensitivity analysis for both of them in presence of non-ignorable dropout. Interdependency of these two approaches offers a natural solution to a prominent problem of asynchronous association between outcome and dropout inevitably encountered in sensitivity analysis for dropout in longitudinal data. Validation of our approach is done on the data coming from a randomized, longitudinal trial of behavioral economic interventions to reduce CVD risk. We subsequently show that our approach to sensitivity analysis can be perceived as extension of the pattern mixture method defined by Daniels and Hogan in 2007. to longer sequences of observations. For T=3 we give the explicit expression for bias of our approach w.r. t. mentioned pattern mixture approach. We further show on a subset of the data from the same study that this bias does not invalidate our sensitivity analysis for LI when it comes to evaluating the robustness of findings under increasingly less ignorable dropout. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Epidemiology & Biostatistics First Advisor Andrea B. Troxel
3D printed soft gripper for automatic lunch box packing

In this paper, we proposed a 3D printed soft robot gripper with modular design for lunch box packing. The gripper consists of a rigid base and three soft fingers. A snap-lock mechanism was designed for easy attach-detach assembly of the gripper without using screws. All components were 3D printed and the soft finger structure is based on the principle of fluidic elastomer actuator. Three finger designs, and soft gripper grasping and lifting deformable objects were investigated through finite element (FE) analysis and experiments. Results suggested that different finger designs yielded different curvature along the finger and generated different stress distribution once pressurized. The proposed gripper could grasp and lift objects with variable shapes and softnesses.
Extra-ordinary aid and its shadows: The work of gratitude in Nicaraguan humanitarian healthcare

Nicaragua has the lowest per capita spending on health in Central America. Public clinics lack medications for chronic disease management; many citizens obtain prescriptions but cannot afford to get these filled; poorly equipped and under-staffed operating theatres function part-time while waiting lists swell. This is the context within which dozens of international healthcare missions travel to Nicaragua every year to provide surgical and primary care to the country’s poor. This article is based on research conducted in 2013 on Nicaraguan encounters with and moral framings of foreign surgical and primary care missions working in their communities. It draws on critical humanitarian studies and queer affect theory in attending to and analyzing references to gratitude within these accounts, asking what local and trans-national relations Nicaraguan narratives of gratitude toward medical aid help form, limit, and enable.
Validation of insulin resistance indexes in a stable renal transplant population.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of established insulin resistance indexes, based on fasting blood parameters, in a stable renal transplant population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and McAuley's index were assessed for correlation and agreement with whole-body glucose uptake (M value) divided by prevailing serum insulin concentrations (I value) assessed during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in 51 stable renal transplant recipients, who were at a median of 7.5 years after transplant. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine independent risk factors for insulin resistance. RESULTS The M/I value correlated with fasting insulin concentration (r = -0.56), HOMA (r = -0.53), QUICKI (r = 0.52), and McAuley's index (r = 0.61) (all P < 0.01). Linear regression showed agreement between all indexes and insulin resistance. However, McAuley's index showed the strongest agreement irrespective of age, sex, renal allograft function, and obesity. In multivariate analysis, fasting insulin concentration (beta = -0.59, P = 0.002), fasting triglyceride concentration (beta = -0.33, P = 0.04), and BMI (beta = -1.22, P = 0.05) were independently associated with the M/I value. CONCLUSIONS All investigated insulin resistance indexes were valid estimates of insulin resistance in the long-term stable renal transplant population. However, correlation and agreement were strongest for McAuley's index. In addition to fasting insulin and triglyceride concentrations, of which McAuley's index is composed, only BMI seemed to be independently associated with insulin resistance in this population.
Measuring the Costs of Retail Payment Methods

In the last two decades, retail payments have experienced a dramatic shift from paper-based payment methods to electronic methods. Accurate cost information for the two types of methods would help central banks decide how hard to push for a complete transition to electronic methods and which methods to promote. ; To obtain such information, a number of central banks have recently conducted comprehensive studies of the costs of retail payment methods. Differences in the results of these studies suggest a need for each central bank to conduct its own study. ; Hayashi and Keeton, however, find that central banks wishing to conduct their own cost studies need not start from scratch. Central banks can learn many lessons from previous cost studies about how to measure and interpret costs and what kind of information to collect.
Advances in Argumentation-Based Negotiation

Argumentation-based negotiation (ABN) is a prevailing approach for automated negotiation. It is based on the exchange of arguments that allow an agent to acquire additional information about the other agents and the particular circumstances of the negotiation, and can be used for attacking or justifying offers. This is an important element in resolving conflicts that very often are due to the assumptions agents have made when making decisions and which may be found to be false in the course of the negotiation. Argumentation-based negotiation can be characterized in terms of three main topics, namely a) the reasoning mechanisms the agents use for negotiating and which are based on argumentation, b) the protocols the agents use for conveying arguments and offers and, c) the strategies that determine their choices at each step of the negotiation. This chapter presents argumentation- based negotiation by discussing representative works dealing with these three topics.
An exploration of emotional distress in adults with acne

Rationale: Current empirical yet atheoretical psychodermatological literature demonstrates the importance of demographic and psychodermatological factors in the distress experienced in adult acne. Objectification Theory (OT) provides a promising approach to understand distress, which has not previously been explored for relevance in this group. OT emphasises the roles of body surveillance and body shame. The potential relevance of both general and acne-specific OT constructs to further understanding of distress in adult acne has been demonstrated. The study’s aim was to explore the relevance of demographic, psychodermatological and OT factors in predicting distress in this population. Method: A cross-sectional design was used to examine relationships between age, psychodermatological factors (acne severity, visibility, duration), general OT factors (body surveillance, body shame), acne-specific OT factors (acne surveillance, acne shame) and emotional distress variables (low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, appearance-distress). 116 adults receiving acne treatment completed a series of questionnaires online examining the study variables. Four hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results: Age and the psychodermatological set of variables contributed a relatively limited proportion of the variance in predicting distress, and only significantly predicted appearance-distress. The general OT set of variables contributed the greatest proportion of the variance, followed by the acne-specific set. Both sets significantly predicted each distress variable. Acne shame was the most important individual predictor. Overall, the relationship patterns between the OT and distress variables provided some tentative support for the OT framework. Conclusion: The findings question the relative utility of demographic and psychodermatological variables in understanding emotional distress in adult acne, and reveal the importance of OT factors. They demonstrate the relevance of both general and acne-specific OT constructs in predicting distress and therefore the potential utility of OT in this area. The findings also demonstrate the possible promise of applying the OT framework to understand distress in this population.
An ALMA survey of sub-millimetre Galaxies in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South: the far-infrared properties of SMGs

We exploit Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) 870 mu m observations of sub-millimetre sources in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South to investigate the far-infrared properties of high-redshift sub-millimetre galaxies (SMGs). Using the precisely located 870 mu m ALMA positions of 99 SMGs, together with 24 mu m and radio imaging, we deblend the Herschel/SPIRE imaging to extract their far-infrared fluxes and colours. The median redshifts for ALMA LESS (ALESS) SMGs which are detected in at least two SPIRE bands increases with wavelength of the peak in their spectral energy distributions (SEDs), with z = 2.3 +/- 0.2, 2.5 +/- 0.3 and 3.5 +/- 0.5 for the 250, 350 and 500 mu m peakers, respectively. 34 ALESS SMGs do not have a >3 sigma counterpart at 250, 350 or 500 mu m. These galaxies have a median photometric redshift derived from the rest-frame UV-mid-infrared SEDs of z = 3.3 +/- 0.5, which is higher than the full ALESS SMG sample; z = 2.5 +/- 0.2. We estimate the far-infrared luminosities and characteristic dust temperature of each SMG, deriving L-IR = (3.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(12) L-circle dot (SFR = 300 +/- 30 M-circle dot yr(-1)) and T-d = 32 +/- 1 K. The characteristic dust temperature of these high-redshift SMGs is Delta T-d = 3-5K lower than comparably luminous galaxies at z = 0, reflecting the more extended star formation in these systems. We show that the contribution of S-870 mu m >= 1 mJy SMGs to the cosmic star formation budget is 20 per cent of the total over the redshift range z similar to 1-4. Adopting an appropriate gas-to-dust ratio, we estimate a typical molecular mass of the ALESS SMGs of M-H2 = (4.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(10) M-circle dot. Finally, we show that SMGs with S-870 mu m > 1 mJy (L-IR greater than or similar to 10(12) L-circle dot) contain similar to 10 per cent of the z similar to 2 volume-averaged H-2 mass density.
Examining the role of individual differences within the experience and expression of anger

Anger is a universal emotion, existing in both state and trait dimensions, that is experienced by most people several times per day to several times per week. Anger is thought to have evolved as a means to recalibrate situations to more align with an individual’s goals or motivations. However, inappropriate or excessive anger is related to a host of severe intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences. The current thesis addresses gaps in the empirical literature and investigates how anger and the closely related constructs of hostility and aggression associate with individual differences across multiple domains. Firstly, using data from a nationally-representative US sample, the current thesis presents evidence of both direct effects of and interactions amongst core personality traits on the pathway towards trait anger and anger expression styles. Specifically, results reveal that conscientiousness moderates neuroticism’s effect on an individual’s ability to control their anger, and, in a three-way interaction, conscientiousness and agreeableness moderate neuroticism’s effect on an individual’s level of trait anger, the likelihood that anger is expressed outwardly, and the likelihood of aggression. Secondly, the current thesis presents evidence of associations between core personality traits and judgments of hostile intent, and the mediating effect of higher-order personality characteristics. Notably, results indicate that an inflated sense of self-entitlement and the social projection of one’s own traits onto others mediated honesty-humility’s relationship with a factor underlying judgments of hostile intent. Thirdly, using voxel-based morphometry the thesis presents evidence, albeit at the uncorrected level, of correlations between cortical regions’ gray matter and trait anger and anger expression style. Finally, the thesis concludes by embedding these results in the context of prior research investigating the experience of anger and contemporary models of anger and its expression.
Dietary Chemopreventive Phytochemicals: Too Little or Too Much?

There is a large body of evidence that the consumption of fruit and vegetables can decrease the risk of cancer. However, the link between diet and health is extremely complex. Some dietary phytochemicals seem to offer protection in an exposure-related manner and many molecular targets and signaling pathways affected by phytochemicals have been discovered. Although in vitro studies have contributed significantly to our understanding, quite a number use concentrations orders of magnitude greater than those achievable in humans or toxic to normal tissues (exemplified by toxic concentrations of indole-3-carbinol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, curcumin, and genistein for breast cells). Such studies may produce results that are physiologically irrelevant, thus hindering predictions of efficacy. Here, we argue for careful consideration to be given to the in vitro experimental conditions under which dietary phytochemicals are investigated. Design features, such as the use of appropriate nontoxic concentrations, extended treatment times, three-dimensional cultures, primary tumor cultures, and comparison of susceptibility of various cancer subtypes, should improve our understanding of their molecular targets. This in turn would facilitate predictions as to their potential usefulness in the clinic.
Improving Forward Matrix Generation and Utilization for Time Domain Difiuse Optical Tomography

Date The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. Methods of imaging of the body through the use of diffusive near-infrared light have gained significant attention in recent years. Methods using both time and frequency domain data collection methods have been developed, and show significant clinical promise. One issue that arises through the use of time-dependant intensity measurements is the large number of data points utilized. The matrices associated with these large numbers of data points are quite large, possibly requiring hundreds or even thousands of megabytes of storage space. Explicitly calculating each value in these matrices requires days of computing time on even well equipped machines. There are two primary contributions of this thesis to the area of diffuse optical tomography. The first details a method through which redundancies present in the source-detector geometry can intelligently be exploited to eliminate excess computations during the generation of the forward matrix. This minimizes both the time required to compute the forward matrix, as well as the space required to store it. This result is presented in a generalized fashion which applies to all source-detector configurations in a slab geometry, with potential applications in other areas. The second contribution of this work is the use of a linear interpolation method to reduce both the initial forward matrix computation time, as well as the time required for each matrix-vector multiplication involved in the solution. Results are then presented for a variety of interpolation levels, with both matched and mismatched simulated models. Comparisons are made with both the absolute truth and the solutions derived from a fully computed matrix. Dana Brooks deserve many thanks for the numerous amounts of advice and guidance they have provided, as well as their helpful and insightful comments on the drafts of this thesis. I would also like to thank my friends and family for their support throughout the last two years. Finally, I'd like to thank Clara for being understanding that this isn't the end, but only a step as I head forward towards a doctorate. ix Figures Figure 2.1 Illustration of positive and negative dipoles used to satisfy boundary condition of φ(x, y, z, t) = 0 for z = {0, z d } to generate the Green's Function
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Moxi fl oxacin in Children With Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Stephanie Thee, Anthony J. Garcia-Prats, Heather R. Draper, Helen M. McIlleron, Lubbe Wiesner, Sandra Castel, H. Simon Schaaf, and Anneke C. Hesseling Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Department of Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité, Germany; and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Comparison of Perioperative Ranibizumab Injections for Diabetic Macular Edema in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery

Purpose. To compare the efficacy of perioperative ranibizumab injections on diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods. This study included 59 eyes of 59 patients. All patients had advanced cataract with DME and underwent an uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. There were 3 subgroups. The first group received intravitreal ranibizumab injection 2 weeks preoperatively, the second group received intraoperatively, and the third group received 2 weeks postoperatively. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1 week as well as at 1 and 3 months. Results. Baseline visual acuity showed a significant increase in all groups at 1 month. In group 1, compared to baseline value, foveal thickness (FT) increased significantly at 1 month and showed a significant decrease up to month 3. In group 2, FT increased at month 1 and this continued up to month 3. In group 3, FT increased at month 1 and was almost stable up to month 3. There were not any significant differences for visual acuity and FT between the groups. Conclusions. Although intrapostoperative ranibizumab injection for DME seems to be more effective than preoperative injections in patients undergoing cataract surgery, the treatment still needs to be continued following surgery.
Applying Principal Component Analysis, Genetic Algorithm and Support Vector Machine for Risk Forecasting of General Contracting

In order to evaluate and forecast the general contracting risk, a multi-resolution approach for the price determination of real estate was present in this paper. Real samples have been classified using the novel multi-classifier, namely, support vector machine among which genetic algorithm (GA) is used to determine free parameters of support vector machine. Effects of different sampling approach, kernel functions, and parameter settings used for SVM classification are thoroughly evaluated and discussed. The experimental results indicate that the SVMG method can achieve greater accuracy than grey model, artificial neural network under the circumstance of small training data. It was also found that the predictive ability of the SVM outperformed those of some traditional pattern recognition methods for the data set used here.