Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and Performance of a “Squirrel-Cage” Dynamo-Type HTS Flux Pump

Dynamo-type high-temperature superconductor (HTS) flux pumps are fully superconducting dc current sources for HTS magnet coils, which eliminate the need for external current leads. Previous work has focussed on dynamos employing a single-coated conductor stator wire, and the maximum output current is found to be limited by the effective internal resistance of the stator wire. It is expected that adding additional stator wires in parallel will increase the maximum output current. However, there have been few experimental reports of this effect, nor of the influence of the rotor magnet configuration in a multiply parallel stator arrangement. In this paper, we report on the design and experimental characterization of an HTS dynamo employing eight parallel HTS stator wires, which are arranged in a cylindrical geometry and excited by an axially concentric rotor carrying one or more permanent Nd–Fe–B magnets. We investigate the effect of changing the number of rotor magnets, and find that the maximum output current is achieved when the number of rotor magnets is less than half the number of stator wires. We have demonstrated output currents of up to 700 A from this device. This is the highest reported output to date from a flux pump operating at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Furthermore, our results indicate that the squirrel-cage architecture used here is capable of achieving a maximum output current of ∼ 1.3 kA. At present, the heat load associated with a kA+ conduction cooled current leads prevents such large currents being injected into present-day cryo-cooled HTS magnets. Our results now indicate that this issue could be circumvented through employing an HTS dynamo, opening up new opportunities to consider novel designs of very high-current cryo-cooled HTS magnets.
The Influence of Modularity on Cranial Morphological Disparity in Carnivora and Primates (Mammalia)

Background Although variation provides the raw material for natural selection and evolution, few empirical data exist about the factors controlling morphological variation. Because developmental constraints on variation are expected to act by influencing trait correlations, studies of modularity offer promising approaches that quantify and summarize patterns of trait relationships. Modules, highly-correlated and semi-autonomous sets of traits, are observed at many levels of biological organization, from genes to colonies. The evolutionary significance of modularity is considerable, with potential effects including constraining the variation of individual traits, circumventing pleiotropy and canalization, and facilitating the transformation of functional structures. Despite these important consequences, there has been little empirical study of how modularity influences morphological evolution on a macroevolutionary scale. Here, we conduct the first morphometric analysis of modularity and disparity in two clades of placental mammals, Primates and Carnivora, and test if trait integration within modules constrains or facilitates morphological evolution. Principal Findings We used both randomization methods and direct comparisons of landmark variance to compare disparity in the six cranial modules identified in previous studies. The cranial base, a highly-integrated module, showed significantly low disparity in Primates and low landmark variance in both Primates and Carnivora. The vault, zygomatic-pterygoid and orbit modules, characterized by low trait integration, displayed significantly high disparity within Carnivora. 14 of 24 results from analyses of disparity show no significant relationship between module integration and morphological disparity. Of the ten significant or marginally significant results, eight support the hypothesis that integration within modules constrains morphological evolution in the placental skull. Only the molar module, a highly-integrated and functionally important module, showed significantly high disparity in Carnivora, in support of the facilitation hypothesis. Conclusions This analysis of within-module disparity suggested that strong integration of traits had little influence on morphological evolution over large time scales. However, where significant results were found, the primary effect of strong integration of traits was to constrain morphological variation. Thus, within Primates and Carnivora, there was some support for the hypothesis that integration of traits within cranial modules limits morphological evolution, presumably by limiting the variation of individual traits.
Effect of anti‐TNF and conventional synthetic disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug treatment on work disability and clinical outcome in a multicentre observational cohort study of psoriatic arthritis

Objective. To determine the effect of medical treatment on work disability in patients with active PsA in a real‐world setting. Methods. Four hundred patients with active PsA commencing or switching to anti‐TNF or conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD) were recruited to a multicentre UK prospective observational cohort study. Work disability was measured using the work productivity and activity‐specific health problem instrument and peripheral joint activity was measured with the disease activity in PsA composite measure. Results. Four hundred patients were recruited, of whom 229 (57.25%) were working (of any age). Sixty‐two patients of working age (24%) were unemployed. At 6 months there was a 10% improvement in presenteeism (P = 0.007) and a 15% improvement in work productivity (P = 0.001) among working patients commenced on csDMARDs (n = 164) vs a larger and more rapid 30% improvement in presenteeism (P < 0.001) and 40% improvement in work productivity (P < 0.001) among those commenced on anti‐TNF therapy (n = 65). Clinical response was poor among patients commenced on a csDMARD (n = 272), with an 8.4 point improvement in disease activity in PsA (P < 0.001) vs those commenced on anti‐TNF therapy (n = 121), who had a 36.8 point improvement (P < 0.001). Conclusion. We report significant and clinically meaningful improvements in both work disability and clinical outcomes after commencement of anti‐TNF therapy in a real‐world setting. Improvements in all outcomes among those commencing csDMARDs were slower and of a smaller magnitude.
Second Generation Sequencing of the Mesothelioma Tumor Genome

The current paradigm for elucidating the molecular etiology of cancers relies on the interrogation of small numbers of genes, which limits the scope of investigation. Emerging second-generation massively parallel DNA sequencing technologies have enabled more precise definition of the cancer genome on a global scale. We examined the genome of a human primary malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) tumor and matched normal tissue by using a combination of sequencing-by-synthesis and pyrosequencing methodologies to a 9.6X depth of coverage. Read density analysis uncovered significant aneuploidy and numerous rearrangements. Method-dependent informatics rules, which combined the results of different sequencing platforms, were developed to identify and validate candidate mutations of multiple types. Many more tumor-specific rearrangements than point mutations were uncovered at this depth of sequencing, resulting in novel, large-scale, inter- and intra-chromosomal deletions, inversions, and translocations. Nearly all candidate point mutations appeared to be previously unknown SNPs. Thirty tumor-specific fusions/translocations were independently validated with PCR and Sanger sequencing. Of these, 15 represented disrupted gene-encoding regions, including kinases, transcription factors, and growth factors. One large deletion in DPP10 resulted in altered transcription and expression of DPP10 transcripts in a set of 53 additional MPM tumors correlated with survival. Additionally, three point mutations were observed in the coding regions of NKX6-2, a transcription regulator, and NFRKB, a DNA-binding protein involved in modulating NFKB1. Several regions containing genes such as PCBD2 and DHFR, which are involved in growth factor signaling and nucleotide synthesis, respectively, were selectively amplified in the tumor. Second-generation sequencing uncovered all types of mutations in this MPM tumor, with DNA rearrangements representing the dominant type.
Robotic perineal radical prostatectomy and robotic pelvic lymph node dissection via a perineal approach: The Tugcu Bakirkoy Technique.

Objective To describe The Tugcu Bakirkoy robotic perineal radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection technique, and present the results of seven patients. Material and methods We performed seven robotic perineal radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection operation using Da Vinci Xi HD Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, California, USA) on single Gel-port platform. The operation is completed in 4 stages: stage 1 open perineal dissection and gel port placement, stage 2 robotic perineal radical prostatectomy, stage 3 robotic pelvic lymph node dissection, stage 4 vesico-urethral anastomosis. In addition to describing the operation technique step by step, we aimed to present the perioperative and postoperative findings of the seven patients who underwent The Tugcu Bakirkoy Technique. Results All operations were successfully completed without any complications in fully the robotic procedure by a single surgeon. Demographic data of the patients were as follows: Mean age (62.1±8 years), mean body mass index (28.2±0.7 kg/m2), mean prostate specific antigen value (10.7±3 ng/mL), and mean prostate volume (64.2±15.3 cc). Mean operative time (184.1±20.2 mins), blood loss (64.2±15.3 cc), hospitalization time (2.1±0.6 days), and time to withdrawal of the urethral catheter (7.8±0.8 days) were also estimated. According to the pathology results, lymph node metastasis was detected in 3 patients while the surgical margin was positive in one. Conclusion We demonstrated for the first time that a new The Tugcu Bakirkoy robotic perineal radical prostatectomy technique which was previously tested in a cadaveric model, can be safely applied for the first time in vivo, and presented our results. On the basis of this, for problems that can not be overcome by traditional methods, this method is a good alternative as a way out. In this regard, it is necessary to carry out advanced studies so that this method can be applied to daily practice.
Preablation neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an independent prognostic factor in locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients following radiofrequency ablation

Background and Aims: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as an inflammation-based marker, plays critical roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study was aimed to investigate the prognostic value of preablation NLR in locally advanced HCC patients following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and to determine an optimal cutoff value for NLR. Materials and Methods: From September 2008 to May 2017, 402 locally advanced HCC patients treated with RFA were retrospectively evaluated. Several prognostic factors including NLR was assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis. The optimal cutoff value of NLR was determined with a maximally selected log-rank test. Other prognostic factors influenced the overall survival (OS) were also evaluated. Results: Based on the univariate analysis of 16 prognostic factors for OS, the type of hepatitis, a-fetoprotein (AFP), NLR, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and serum albumin were identified as independent prognostic factors; and based on multivariate analysis of 6 prognostic factors for OS, AFP, and NLR were identified (P < 0.05). A NLR of 2.2 was determined to be the optimal cutoff value (area under the curve = 0.855, P < 0.001). In a comparison between the high NLR group and the low NLR group, there was a difference of 7 months in the median OS (24 vs. 31 months, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Preablation NLR was a valuable predictor in locally advanced HCC patients treated with RFA. NLR ≥2.2 indicated a poor prognosis. These findings suggested that preablation NLR may be a convenient, easily-obtained, low cost, and reliable biomarker with prognostic potential for HCC patients.
Identifying Propagation Sources in Networks: State-of-the-Art and Comparative Studies

It has long been a significant but difficult problem to identify propagation sources based on limited knowledge of network structures and the varying states of network nodes. In practice, real cases can be locating the sources of rumors in online social networks and finding origins of a rolling blackout in smart grids. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in source identification techniques and discusses the pros and cons of current methods in this field. Furthermore, in order to gain a quantitative understanding of current methods, we provide a series of experiments and comparisons based on various environment settings. Especially, our observation reveals considerable differences in performance by employing different network topologies, various propagation schemes, and diverse propagation probabilities. We therefore reach the following points for future work. First, current methods remain far from practice as their accuracy in terms of error distance ( ${\delta}$ ) is normally larger than three in most scenarios. Second, the majority of current methods are too time consuming to quickly locate the origins of propagation. In addition, we list five open issues of current methods exposed by the analysis, from the perspectives of topology, number of sources, number of networks, temporal dynamics, and complexity and scalability. Solutions to these open issues are of great academic and practical significance.
Perceptual and Model-Based Evaluation of Ideal Time-Frequency Noise Reduction in Hearing-Impaired Listeners

State-of-the-art hearing aids (HAs) try to overcome the deficit of poor speech intelligibility (SI) in noisy listening environments using digital noise reduction (NR) techniques. The application of time-frequency masks to the noisy sound input is a common NR technique to increase SI. The binary mask with its binary weights and the Wiener filter with continuous weights are representatives of a hard- and a soft-decision approach for time-frequency masking. In normal-hearing listeners, the ideal Wiener filter (IWF) outperforms the ideal binary mask (IBM) in terms of SI and speech quality with perfect SI even at very low signal-to-noise ratios. In this paper, both approaches were investigated for hearing-impaired (HI) listeners. Perceptual and auditory model-based measures were used for the evaluation. The IWF outperformed the IBM in terms of SI. Quality-wise, there was no overall difference between the NR algorithms perceived. Additionally, the processed signals were evaluated based on an auditory nerve model using the neurogram similarity metric (NSIM). The mean NSIM values were significantly different for intelligible and unintelligible sentences. The results suggest that a soft-mask seems to be promising for application in HAs.
Preferences for Temporal Sequences of Real Outcomes Differ Across Domains but do not Vary by Age

OBJECTIVES People's preferences for temporal sequences of events have implications for life-long health and well-being. Prior research suggests that other aspects of intertemporal choice vary by age, but evidence for age differences in sequence-preferences is limited and inconclusive. In response, the present research examined age differences in sequence-preferences for real outcomes administered in a controlled laboratory setting. METHODS A pilot study examined sequence-preferences for aversive electrodermal shocks in 30 younger and 30 older adults. The main study examined sequence-preferences for electrodermal shocks, physical effort, and monetary gambles in an adult life-span sample (N = 120). It also examined emotional and physiological responses to sequences as well as underlying mechanisms including time perception and emotion-regulation. RESULTS There were no significant age differences in sequence-preferences in either of the studies, and there were no age differences in responses to sequences in the main study. Instead, there was a domain effect with participants preferring decreasing sequences for shocks and mixed sequences for effort and money. DISCUSSION After considering potential methodological limitations, theoretical contributions and implications for real-life decisions are discussed.
The healthy Nordic diet predicts muscle strength 10 years later in old women, but not old men

Background a number of nutrients have been found to be associated with better muscle strength and mass; however, the role of the whole diet on muscle strength and mass remains still unknown. Objective to examine whether the healthy Nordic diet predicts muscle strength, and mass 10 years later among men and women. Methods about 1,072 participants belong to the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study, born 1934-44. Diet was assessed with a validated food-frequency questionnaire during 2001-04. The Nordic diet score (NDS) was calculated. The score included Nordic fruits, vegetables, cereals, ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids, low-fat milk, fish, red meat, total fat and alcohol. Higher scores indicated better adherence to the healthy Nordic diet. Hand grip strength, leg strength (knee extension) and muscle mass were measured during the follow-up, between 2011 and 2013. Results in women, each 1-unit increase in the NDS was related to 1.83 N greater leg strength (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-3.51; P = 0.034), and 1.44 N greater hand grip strength (95% CI: 0.04-2.84; P = 0.044). Women in the highest quartile of the NDS had on average 20.0 N greater knee extension results, and 14.2 N greater hand grip results than those in the lowest quartile. No such associations were observed among men. The NDS was not significantly related to muscle mass either in men or women. Conclusions adherence to the healthy Nordic diet seems to protect from weaker muscle strength in old women. Therefore, the healthy Nordic diet may help to prevent disability.
Varenicline is associated with a modest limitation in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation: a meta-analysis

Objective To assess the effect of treatment on limiting weight gain in abstainers using and not using varenicline and during the nontreatment phase. Methods The PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify relevant studies published in English or Chinese. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation between varenicline and control groups and their corresponding 95% CIs. The I2 statistic was used to measure heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's regression asymmetry test. Results A total of 10 studies were included. The WMD in weight gain in abstainers between varenicline and control groups was -0.23 kg (95% CI: -0.36 to -0.09, P < 0.05). Moreover, the result of the subgroup analysis by timepoint of weight measurement indicated that the WMD in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation between varenicline and control groups after the 12-week treatment phase was -0.23 kg (95% CI: -0.37 to -0.08, P < 0.05), and the WMD observed during the nontreatment follow-up phase was -0.69 kg (95% CI: -2.15 to 0.77, P > 0.05). In addition, the result of the subgroup analysis by type of control showed that the WMD in weight gain in abstainers from smoking between the varenicline and placebo groups was -0.29 kg (95% CI: -0.46 to -0.12, P < 0.05), and the WMD between the varenicline and other control groups was -0.20 kg (95% CI: -0.77 to 0.37, P > 0.05). Conclusion Varenicline was associated with a modest limitation in weight gain in smokers after smoking cessation; however, the impact of varenicline use was not long-term, and, in fact, no different from that of the placebo treatment.
Impact of minimally invasive extracorporeal circuits on octogenarians undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Have we been looking in the wrong direction?†

OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive extracorporeal circuits (MiECCs) aim at the preservation of physiologic reserves, the impact of which is expected to be most evident in patients in whom these are depleted. In this context, octogenarians present a subpopulation of specific interest. METHODS Based on the type of the utilized ECC, we performed a retrospective comparison between all octogenarians (n = 324) who received a primary coronary artery bypass in our institution from 2003 until 2010. RESULTS An MiECC was used in 52% of patients. Preoperative variables showed that the MiECC patients were older (83 ± 2 vs 82 ± 2 years; P = 0.001), had higher incidence of renal dysfunction (8% vs 3%; P = 0.04), moderately reduced left ventricular function (43 vs 33%; P = 0.07) and lower incidence of unstable angina (20% vs 28%; P = 0.06). To overcome these differences, a propensity score matching was performed and yielded 126 matched pairs of patients. The overall transfusion of packed red blood cells (2.3 ± 2.3 vs 3.4 ± 3.2 units per patint; P = <0.001), the rate of low cardiac output (0% vs 6%; P = 0.01) and the 30-day postoperative mortality (2.4% vs 9.5%; P = 0.02) were all in favour of the MiECC group in the matched patient population. CONCLUSIONS The MiECC concept has shown its benefits regarding both morbidity and mortality in this high-risk patient population. We believe that this beneficial effect finds its reason in a better preservation of physiologic reserves that are essential for a positive outcome in this patient group.
A global model for fault tolerance of feedforward neural networks

It is commonly assumed that neural networks have a built in fault tolerance property mainly due to their parallel structures. The international community of Neural Networks discussed these properties only until 1994 and afterwards the subject has been mostly ignored. Recently the subject was again brought to discussion due to the possibility of using neural networks in nano-electronic systems where fault tolerance and graceful degradation properties would be very important. In spite of these two periods of work there is still need for a large discussion around the fault model for artificial neural networks that should be used. One of the most used models is based on the stuck at model but applied to the weights. This model does not cover all possible faults and a more general model should be found. The present paper proposes a model for the faults in hardware implementations of feedforward neural networks that is independent of the implementation chosen and covers more faults than all the models proposed before in the literature.