Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vascular and Inflammatory Factors in the Pathophysiology of Blast-Induced Brain Injury

Blast-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) has received much recent attention because of its frequency in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This renewed interest has led to a rapid expansion of clinical and animal studies related to blast. In humans, high-level blast exposure is associated with a prominent hemorrhagic component. In animal models, blast exerts a variety of effects on the nervous system including vascular and inflammatory effects that can be seen with even low-level blast exposures which produce minimal or no neuronal pathology. Acutely, blast exposure in animals causes prominent vasospasm and decreased cerebral blood flow along with blood-brain barrier breakdown and increased vascular permeability. Besides direct effects on the central nervous system, evidence supports a role for a thoracically mediated effect of blast; whereby, pressure waves transmitted through the systemic circulation damage the brain. Chronically, a vascular pathology has been observed that is associated with alterations of the vascular extracellular matrix. Sustained microglial and astroglial reactions occur after blast exposure. Markers of a central and peripheral inflammatory response are found for sustained periods after blast injury and include elevation of inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. At low levels of blast exposure, a microvascular pathology has been observed in the presence of an otherwise normal brain parenchyma, suggesting that the vasculature may be selectively vulnerable to blast injury. Chronic immune activation in brain following vascular injury may lead to neurobehavioral changes in the absence of direct neuronal pathology. Strategies aimed at preventing or reversing vascular damage or modulating the immune response may improve the chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with blast-related TBI.
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance National early warning score ( NEWS ) – evaluation in surgery

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate staff opinion on the impact of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) system on surgical wards. In 2012, the NEWS system was introduced to Irish hospitals on a phased basis as part of a national clinical programme in acute care. Design/methodology/approach – A modified established questionnaire was given to surgical nursing staff, surgical registrars, surgical senior house officers and surgical interns for completion six months following the introduction of the NEWS system into an Irish university hospital. Findings – Amongst the registrars, 89 per cent were unsure if the NEWS system would improve patient care. Less than half of staff felt consultants and surgical registrars supported the NEWS system. Staff felt the NEWS did not correlate well clinically with patients within the first 24 hours (Day zero) post-operatively. Furthermore, 78-85 per cent of nurses and registrars felt a rapid response team should be part of the escalation protocol. Research limitations/implications – Senior medical staff were not convinced that the NEWS system may improve patient care. Appropriate audit proving a beneficial impact of the NEWS system on patient outcome may be essential in gaining support from senior doctors. Deficiencies with the system were also observed including the absence of a rapid response team as part of the escalation protocol and a lack of concordance of the NEWS in patients Day zero post-operatively. These issues should be addressed moving forward. Originality/value – Appropriate audit of the impact of the NEWS system on patient outcome may be pertinent to obtain the support from senior doctors. Deficiencies with the system were also observed including the absence of a rapid response team as part of the escalation protocol and a lack of concordance of the NEWS in patients Day zero post-operatively. These issues should be addressed moving forward.
A Dynamic and Ecological Approach to the Artistic Creative Process of Arts Students: An Empirical Contribution

The creative process in artistic work is examined. The creative process has often been considered in terms of a sequence of stages that leads to a creative product. A dynamic approach to the artistic creative process, including an affective component is proposed. Two studies with art students were conducted. Results support our hypothesis that the creative artistic process is not exclusively sequential and linear. Moreover, students' affects tended to vary at each phase of the creative process.
Training an application-dependent prosodic model corpus, model and evaluation

A model of intonation is trained here in order to capture stylistic factors for an application: reading of telephone directory listings. The system was designed to carry out one of the evaluation tasks of the 3rd International Workshop on Speech Synthesis in Jenolan-Australia and the input to the system conforms to the format of the listings defined there. The resulting synthetic prosody is fed into the ICP concatenative synthesis system and compared to natural prosody and prosody obtained from text reading material.
Quantum optomechanics with a high-frequency dilational mode in thin dielectric membranes

The interaction between a high-frequency dilational mode of a thin dielectric film and an optical cavity field is studied theoretically in the membrane-in-the-middle setup. A derivation from first principles leads to a multi-mode optomechanical Hamiltonian where multiple cavity modes are coupled by the thickness variation of the membrane. For membrane thicknesses of the order of 1 μm, the frequency of this dilational mode is in the GHz range. This can be matched to the free spectral range of the optical cavity, such that the mechanical oscillator will resonantly couple cavity modes at different frequencies. Furthermore, such a large mechanical frequency also means that the quantum ground state of motion can be reached with conventional refrigeration techniques. Estimation of the coupling strength with realistic parameters suggests that optomechanical effects can be observable with this dilational mode. It is shown how this system can be used as a quantum limited optical amplifier. The dilational motion can also lead to quantum correlations between cavity modes at different frequencies, which is quantified with an experimentally accessible two-mode squeezing spectrum. Finally, an explicit signature of radiation pressure shot noise in this system is identified.
Time- and Event-Driven Communication Process for Networked Control Systems: A Survey

In recent years, theoretical and practical research topics on networked control systems (NCSs) have gained an increasing interest from many researchers in a variety of disciplines owing to the extensive applications of NCSs in practice. In particular, an urgent need has arisen to understand the effects of communication processes on system performances. Sampling and protocol are two fundamental aspects of a communication process which have attracted a great deal of research attention. Most research focus has been on the analysis and control of dynamical behaviors under certain sampling procedures and communication protocols. In this paper, we aim to survey some recent advances on the analysis and synthesis issues of NCSs with different sampling procedures (time- and event-driven sampling) and protocols (static and dynamic protocols). First, these sampling procedures and protocols are introduced in detail according to their engineering backgrounds as well as dynamic natures. Then, the developments of the stabilization, control, and filtering problems are systematically reviewed and discussed in great detail. Finally, we conclude the paper by outlining future research challenges for analysis and synthesis problems of NCSs with different communication processes.
Bisexual Practices

ABSTRACT Recent studies indicate that bisexually active Latino and African-American men are at significantly higher risk for HIV/AIDS than exclusively homosexually active men and exclusively heterosexually active men. This two-year ethnographic study was conducted to examine the sexual practices and factors that shape the sexual negotiations of a sample of bisexually active Latino men in order to contribute to the development of more relevant and effective prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections for this target group. Data collection methods involved ethnographic observations and detailed sexual histories of eighteen bisexually active Latino men in the metropolitan New York City area. For the men in this study, tensions between sexual and gender identities, interconnections of power and sexual activity, importance of the family context, and silences produced within social and sexual environments based on notions of “appropriate” masculinity and sexuality were identified as the critical factors influencing the processes of negotiating sexual practices and HIV/STI risk. Based on these findings, we believe masculinity could serve as an effective tool with which to build new and innovative HIV/STI prevention efforts for bisexually active Latino men.
Denoising with greedy-like pursuit algorithms

This paper provides theoretical guarantees for denoising performance of greedy-like methods. Those include Compressive Sampling Matching Pursuit (CoSaMP), Subspace Pursuit (SP), and Iterative Hard Thresholding (IHT). Our results show that the denoising obtained with these algorithms is a constant and a log-factor away from the oracle's performance, if the signal's representation is sufficiently sparse. Turning to practice, we show how to convert these algorithms to work without knowing the target cardinality, and instead constrain the solution to an error-budget. Denoising tests on synthetic data and image patches show the potential in this stagewise technique as a replacement of the classical OMP.
Flow Cytometry and Solid Organ Transplantation: A Perfect Match

In the field of transplantation, flow cytometry serves a well-established role in pre-transplant crossmatching and monitoring immune reconstitution following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The capabilities of flow cytometers have continuously expanded and this combined with more detailed knowledge of the constituents of the immune system, their function and interaction and newly developed reagents to study these parameters have led to additional utility of flow cytometry-based analyses, particularly in the post-transplant setting. This review discusses the impact of flow cytometry on managing alloantigen reactions, monitoring opportunistic infections and graft rejection and gauging immunosuppression in the context of solid organ transplantation.
Stimulation of subterritories of the subthalamic nucleus reveals its role in the integration of the emotional and motor aspects of behavior

Two parkinsonian patients who experienced transient hypomanic states when the subthalamic nucleus (STN) was stimulated during postoperative adjustment of the electrical parameters for antiparkinsonian therapy agreed to have the mood disorder reproduced, in conjunction with motor, cognitive, and behavioral evaluations and concomitant functional neuroimaging. During the experiment, STN stimulation again induced a hypomanic state concomitant with activation of cortical and thalamic regions known to process limbic and associative information. This observation suggests that the STN plays a role in the control of a complex behavior that includes emotional as well as cognitive and motor components. The localization of the four contacts of the quadripolar electrode was determined precisely with an interactive brain atlas. The results showed that (i) the hypomanic state was caused only by stimulation through one contact localized in the anteromedial STN; (ii) both this contact and the contact immediately dorsal to it improved the parkinsonian motor state; (iii) the most dorsal and ventral contacts, located at the boundaries of the STN, neither induced the behavioral disorder nor improved motor performance. Detailed analysis of these data led us to consider a model in which the three functional modalities, emotional, cognitive, and motor, are not processed in a segregated manner but can be subtly combined in the small volume of the STN. This nucleus would thus serve as a nexus that integrates the motor, cognitive, and emotional components of behavior and might consequently be an effective target for the treatment of behavioral disorders that combine emotional, cognitive, and motor impairment.
A multi-theoretical framework to explain same-sex intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization: a test of social learning, strain, and self-control

Abstract Criminological theories used to explain intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization in heterosexual relationships have rarely been extended to same-sex intimate partner violence (SSIPV). As such, this study examines the predictability of social learning, general strain, and self-control to SSIPV perpetration and victimization. Using a sample of college students from two large public universities, results indicate that variables derived from general strain theory better predicted SSIPV perpetration than any other criminological theory (social learning and selfcontrol). Only one variable (depression) was significant in predicting victimization. Implications for SSIPV research and future directions are discussed.
The BOX-LASSO with application to GSSK modulation in massive MIMO systems

The BOX-LASSO is a variant of the popular LASSO that includes an additional box-constraint. We propose its use as a decoder in modern Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication systems with modulation methods such as the Generalized Space Shift Keying (GSSK) modulation, which produces constellation vectors that are inherently sparse and with bounded elements. In that direction, we prove novel explicit asymptotic characterizations of the squared-error and of the per-element error rate of the BOX-LASSO, under iid Gaussian measurements. In particular, the theoretical predictions can be used to quantify the improved performance of the BOX-LASSO, when compared to the previously used standard LASSO. We include simulation results that validate both these premises and our theoretical predictions.
A theoretical framework to evaluate different margin‐setting methodologies

The margin system is the first line of defense against the default risk of a clearinghouse. From the perspectives of a clearinghouse, the utmost concern is to have a prudential system to control the default exposure. Once the level of prudentiality is set, the next concern will be the opportunity cost of the investors, because high opportunity cost discourages people from hedging futures, and thus defeats the function of a futures market. In this article, we first develop different measures of prudentiality and opportunity cost. We then formulate a statistical framework to evaluate different margin‐setting methodologies, all of which strike a balance between prudentiality and opportunity cost. Three margin‐setting methodologies, namely, (1) using simple moving averages; (2) using exponentially weighted moving averages; (3) using a GARCH approach, are applied to the Hang Seng Index futures. Keeping the same prudentiality level, it is shown that the one using a GARCH approach by and large gives the lowest average overcharge. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:117–145, 2004
A qualitative analysis of strategies employed in efficient and inefficient memorization

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a strategic difference in memorization between musicians who memorized quickly and those requiring more time. After memorizing a 36 measure exercise, eight university instrumentalists were chosen for an in depth analysis ofthe memorization process. Subjects were chosen based on speed of memorization with four representing the fastest memorizers (8.66to 17 minutes) and four slower memorizers (66.83 to 100 minutes). A qualitative analysis of the practice was performed using a graphic analysis of the practice session, frequency distributions of starts, stops, pauses, and errors, transcriptions of a interviews, and markings in the notation. Four strategies emerged from the dato: Segmental, Holistic, Additive, and Serial (which is characterized by a return to the beginning following an error or memory lapse). Thefaster memorizers tended to favor the Holistic or Additive strategies and the slower memorizers favored the Segmental and Serial strategies.
The Heme-Based Oxygen-Sensor Phosphodiesterase Ec DOS (DosP): Structure-Function Relationships

Escherichia coli Direct Oxygen Sensor (Ec DOS, also known as Ec DosP) is a heme-based O2-sensing phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli that catalyzes the conversion of cyclic-di-GMP to linear di-GMP. Cyclic-di-GMP is an important second messenger in bacteria, highlighting the importance of understanding structure-function relationships of Ec DOS. Ec DOS is composed of an N-terminal heme-bound O2-sensing PAS domain and a C-terminal phosphodiesterase catalytic domain. Notably, its activity is markedly enhanced by O2 binding to the heme Fe(II) complex in the PAS sensor domain. X-ray crystal structures and spectroscopic and catalytic characterization of the wild-type and mutant proteins have provided important structural and functional clues to understanding the molecular mechanism of intramolecular catalytic regulation by O2 binding. This review summarizes the intriguing findings that have obtained for Ec DOS.
On the Importance of Time Variability in Higher Moments for Asset Allocation

It is well known that strategies that allow investors to allocate their wealth using return and volatility forecasts, the use of which are termed market and volatility timing, are of significant value. In this paper, we show that distribution timing, defined here as the ability to use forecasts for moments up to the fourth one, yields significant incremental economic value. By considering the weekly asset allocation among the five largest international stock markets, we find that distribution timing yields a gain of around 140 basis points per year over the last decade. To control for the parameter uncertainty of the model, we cast the model into a Bayesian setting. We also consider alternative preference structures and model specifications. In all cases, the value of distribution timing remains economically significant.
Early Events in Photodynamic Therapy: Chemical and Physical Changes in a POPC:Cholesterol Bilayer due to Hematoporphyrin IX‐mediated Photosensitization

We studied the interaction of hematoporphyrin IX (HpIX) with bilayers of 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (POPC) containing cholesterol at a molar fraction between 0 and 0.5. The membrane‐associated fraction of HpIX decreases significantly over a period of hours, for porphyrin concentrations in the aqueous phase above 50 nm. This was attributed to self‐aggregation of HpIX and was well described by a dimerization process. A model was developed to correct for aggregation and obtain the true partition coefficient which is dependent on the molar fraction of cholesterol with a maximum at 20 mol%. The chemical and physical effects on the lipid bilayer upon irradiation of HpIX were studied for lipid bilayers with POPC:Chol 1:1. Exposure of these bilayers to visible light in the presence of HpIX leads to several cholesterol oxidation products that were identified using GC‐MS. A dramatic increase in the membrane leakiness was also observed, even for short irradiation times and small light intensities, as evaluated from the rate of pH equilibration and dithionite permeability. The relevance of these results for the mechanism of photodynamic therapy is discussed.
Porcine LH levels during the estrous cycle, gestation, parturition and early lactation.

Thirty-five sows were used in a study of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations during the estrous cycle, including first and second estrus postweaning, during gestation, at parturition and during the first 5 d of lactation. After cannulation of the anterior vena cava via the cephalic vein, blood samples were collected four times daily for 2 d before estrus, during estrus and for 3 d after estrus and once daily at 1100 h throughout the rest of the estrous cycle. One sample was collected from each sow on alternate days (1100 h) during the gestation period. Four daily samples were obtained on d 60 through 68 of gestation and for 5 d after parturition. Preovulatory surges of LH occurred 8 to 32 h before standing estrus in four of seven sows during first estrus and in three of seven sows during second estrus. The mean preovulatory LH surge during the first estrus postweaning (3.00 +/- .46 ng/ml) was lower than that during second estrus (4.24 +/- .60 ng/ml). Throughout the first 12 d of gestation, LH concentrations were relatively high and variable, ranging from 1.2 to 2 ng/ml. They then decreased to a range of . 42 to . 62 ng/ml after d 24. Similar LH concentrations were noted throughout the remainder of gestation except for some slight fluctuations. Higher concentrations (P less than .05) were noted with evening collections (1900 h, 1:17 +/- .09 ng/ml) than in daytime collections (0700 h, .64 +/- .08: 1100 h, .61 +/- .06; 1500 h, .72 +/- .06 ng/ml) during d 60 to 68 of gestation. Low plasma concentrations of LH (.3 to .5 ng/ml) were observed for the 5 d before and during parturition. After parturition, considerable variation of LH occurred, with rising concentrations observed on d 5 postpartum. Results of this study illustrate the occurrence of LH surges before behavioral estrus with increased plasma LH during implantation.
Susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) to Permethrin, Deltamethrin and Bendiocarb in Ibadan City, Southwest Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the resistance/susceptibility level of An. gambiae s.l, a major malaria vector in Ibadan metropolis, south west Nigeria, to two classes of insecticides approved by World Health Organization (WHO) for vector control. Anopheles larvae were collected from two communities (Ojoo and Bodija) within the metropolis and reared to adults. Two to three-day old, non-engorged female mosquitoes were exposed to discriminating dosages of 0.05% deltamethrin, 0.75% permethrin and 0.1% bendiocarb using WHO protocols and susceptibility test kits. Knockdown effect was recorded every 10 min and mortality scored 24 h after exposure. Species identification was by morphological characteristics only. The study revealed that the major malaria vector in Nigeria, An. gambiae s.l, were susceptible (mortality rate of 98.8%) to deltamethrin in Ojoo community, while Bodija recorded marginal susceptibility (87.5%). Both sites showed reduced susceptibility to permethrin and resistance to bendiocarb with 24 h post exposure mortalities ranging from 83.5 to 87.7% and 70.0 and 52.5%, respectively. The median Knockdown Time (KDT50) from 22-44.2 min for the pyrethroids (permethrin and deltamethrin), while that of carbamates (bendiocarb) range from 35.2 to 49.5 min. Resistance recorded in the field populations of An. gambiae s.l in Ibadan to bendiocarb was not observed in same population exposed to the pyrethroids (deltamethrin and permethrin) but with differential susceptibility. Therefore Bendiocarb may not be suitable as alternatives to mitigate pyrethroid resistance. A rationalised use of these insecticides coupled with regular monitoring of resistance status is essential to improve and evaluate the efficacy of the current vector control tools (ITN and IRS).