Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chondrocyte survival in cryopreserved osteochondral articular cartilage

Fluorescent staining techniques were used in combination with confocal and conventional fluorescent microscopy to determine the location of viable chondrocytes in frozen and thawed osteochondral articular cartilage. The results showed that cell survival was confined to the superficial layer of the cartilage matrix. The addition of a cryopreservative agent (dimethyl sulfoxide) increased chondrocyte survival but only in the same layer. There was no evidence of cell survival in the middle or deep layers of the cartilage with or without the use of dimethyl sulfoxide. Under the conditions employed in this study, chondrocyte survival in a cryopreserved osteochondral allograft appears to be limited to the superficial layer of the articula cartilage.
A Compact, Broadband Spiral Antenna With Unidirectional Circularly Polarized Radiation Patterns

A low-profile, compact spiral antenna with a broadband circularly polarized (CP) response is presented. The antenna is backed by a ground plane and has unidirectional radiation patterns over its entire frequency band of operation. This antenna is a multilayer structure composed of a center-fed modified Archimedean spiral that exploits a novel loading structure, a ring-shaped absorber, and a feed network, which includes a 180° power splitter. The loading structure possesses both inductive and capacitive characteristics, which increase the equivalent electrical length of the antenna while maintaining its maximum dimensions. The Archimedean spiral is integrated into the multilayer dielectric structure along with its differential feed network. An optimized ring-shaped absorber is used on the periphery of the antenna to reduce the ground effects on the antenna performance. The proposed antenna occupies a volume that is 89% smaller than that occupied by a conventional ground-plane-backed Archimedean spiral antenna. At its lowest frequency of operation, the antenna has electrical dimensions of 0. 21λmin × 0. 21λmin × 0. 09λmin, where λmin is the free-space wavelength at the lowest frequency of operation (0.5 GHz). Over the frequency range from 0.5 to 1.4 GHz (2.8:1), the antenna has a VSWR of 2.4:1, and it has a CP radiation pattern with an axial ratio better than 1.2 dB. Within this frequency range, the antenna has minimum and maximum realized gain values of -5.0 dBiC and 3.1 dBiC, respectively.
Anatomy of the seaward steps and seaward termination of the Brent clastic wedge

The northward and seaward outbuilding of the Middle Jurassic Brent delta in the Northern North Sea, comprising from the base and upwards Rannoch, Etive and Lower–Middle Ness Formations, displays a stacking pattern of coastal facies tracts described as ‘steps and rises’. Each ‘step and rise’ is formed in response to stratigraphic base‐level (A/S ratio) changes and defines high‐frequency cycles within the Brent Group. During a decreasing A/S ratio regime shoreface progradation dominated and formed the wave–storm‐dominated Rannoch facies tract with a rather flat shoreface trajectory curve resembling a step. A succeeding change to an increasing A/S ratio regime led to a transgression and stratigraphic rise (step‐up) due to aggradation of tidal bay and lagoonal–barrier complexes (Etive facies tract) on top of the previous deposited shoreface. This pattern was formed both due to sediment volume partitioning comprising spatial displacement of depocentres through time and facies differentiation involving changes in coastal geomorphology and dominant deposited facies tract. In the northern areas, where the Brent seaward stepping and the entire Brent clastic wedge terminates seaward, a vertical stack of Etive and Rannoch facies tracts occurs. The Rannoch facies tract has the northernmost extension and the termination of the Brent clastic wedge comprises a vertical stack of shoreface and shelf deposits. The aggradational nature of the tidal bay–barrier sandstone complex of the Etive facies tract explains the seaward thinning from 30 to 40 m to zero sandstone thickness within a short distance (a few kilometres). Facies tract mapping, architectural relationships and mass balance considerations do not indicate that the Etive facies tract was formed due to ‘forced regression’ or ‘lowstand’ developments. Instead, the basal surface of the Etive facies tract was probably formed by transgressive erosion. The embayments created by the transgression were filled by aggradational tidal bay and barrier complex deposition of the Etive facies tract.
Population Genetic Structure and Demographic History of Atrina pectinata Based on Mitochondrial DNA and Microsatellite Markers

The pen shell, Atrina pectinata, is one of the commercial bivalves in East Asia and thought to be recently affected by anthropogenic pressure (habitat destruction and/or fishing pressure). Information on its population genetic structure is crucial for the conservation of A. pectinata. Considering its long pelagic larval duration and iteroparity with high fecundity, the genetic structure for A. pectinata could be expected to be weak at a fine scale. However, the unusual oceanography in the coasts of China and Korea suggests potential for restricted dispersal of pelagic larvae and geographical differentiation. In addition, environmental changes associated with Pleistocene sea level fluctuations on the East China Sea continental shelf may also have strongly influenced historical population demography and genetic diversity of marine organisms. Here, partial sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and seven microsatellite loci were used to estimate population genetic structure and demographic history of seven samples from Northern China coast and one sample from North Korea coast. Despite high levels of genetic diversity within samples, there was no genetic differentiation among samples from Northern China coast and low but significant genetic differentiation between some of the Chinese samples and the North Korean sample. A late Pleistocene population expansion, probably after the Last Glacial Maximum, was also demonstrated for A. pectinata samples. No recent genetic bottleneck was detected in any of the eight samples. We concluded that both historical recolonization (through population range expansion and demographic expansion in the late Pleistocene) and current gene flow (through larval dispersal) were responsible for the weak level of genetic structure detected in A. pectinata.
E-business for Nations: A Study of National Level E-business Adoption Factors Using Country Characteristics-Business-Technology-Government Framework

Earlier studies on e-business adoption factors have been conducted from a firm level perspective or from a single country level perspective. In this study, we propose a framework entitled country characteristicsbusiness-technology-government model that addresses a theoretical perspective on e-business adoption factors required for a nation level e-business development. The major goal of this study is four-fold: (i) to review existing key literature on e-business across the countries and identify key factors affecting e-business adoption, (ii) to propose a research model based on the identified factors, (iii) to test the proposed model empirically using the national level macro economic data from secondary sources, and (iv) to provide insightful discussions for country administrators, policy makers, and academics. The limitations and future directions of the study are also discussed.
A new numerical approach to the study of the interaction between wave motion and roubble mound breakwaters

Until recently, physical models were the only way to investigate into the details of breakwaters behavior under wave attack. From the numerical point of view, the complexity of the fluid dynamic processes involved has so far hindered the direct application of Navier-Stokes equations within the armour blocks, due to the complex geometry and the presence of strongly non stationary flows, free boundaries and turbulence. In the present work the most recent CFD technology is used to provide a new and more reliable approach to the design analysis of breakwaters, especially in connection with run-up and reflection. The solid structure is simulated within the numerical domain by overlapping individual virtual elements to form the empty spaces delimited by the blocks. Thus, by defining a fine computational grid, an adequate number of nodes is located within the interstices and a complete solution of the full hydrodynamic equations is carried out. In the work presented here the numerical simulations are carried out by integrating the three-dimensional Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes Equations coupled with the RNG turbulence model and a Volume of Fluid Method used to handle the dynamics of the free surface. The aim is to investigate the reliability of this approach as a design tool. Therefore, for the results' validation, the numerical run-up and reflection effects on virtual breakwater (Armour in Accropode , Core-loc, Tetrapode or Xbloc , toe protection and filter layer in stones) were compared with some empirical formulas and some similar laboratory tests. Key-Words: Numerical model, VOF, RANS equations, CFD, roubble mound breakwater, run up, reflection.
Reversal of COPD-associated weight loss using the anabolic agent oxandrolone.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Weight loss is a common complication of COPD, associated with negative outcomes. Weight restoration has been associated with improved outcomes. The effects of oxandrolone, an adjunct to help restore weight, were evaluated in patients with COPD. DESIGN Prospective, open-label, 4-month clinical trial. SETTING Twenty-five community-based pulmonary practices throughout the United States. PATIENTS A primary pulmonary diagnosis of moderate-to-severe COPD as defined by FEV1 < 50% of predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7, along with significant involuntary weight loss (weight < or = 90% ideal body weight). INTERVENTIONS Oral oxandrolone, 10 mg bid. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Body weight, body composition (bioelectric impedance analysis), spirometry, and 6-min walking distance were measured. Data for 82 patients at 2 months and 55 patients at 4 months are presented. At month 2, 88% of patients had gained a mean +/- SD of 6.0 +/- 4.36 lb (p < 0.05) and 12% had lost a mean of 1.7 +/- 2.15 lb (not statistically significant [NS]). At month 4, 84% had gained a mean of 6.0 +/- 5.83 lb (p < 0.05) and 16% had lost a mean of 1.8 +/- 1.74 lb (NS). Month 4 bioelectric impedance analysis showed the weight to be primarily lean tissue, with a mean increase in body cell mass of 3 +/- 2.6 lb (p < 0.05), and a mean increase in fat of 1.2 +/- 4.6 lb (NS). CONCLUSIONS Oxandrolone is an effective adjunct to facilitate weight restoration in patients with COPD-associated weight loss. Weight gain is primarily lean body mass. Oxandrolone was relatively well tolerated and, therefore, should be a consideration in the comprehensive management of patients with COPD and weight loss.
Haemin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide requirements of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae.

Summary Fifty strains of Haemophilus influenzae and 30 strains of H. parainfluenzae were clearly differentiated by the requirement of H. influenzae strains for haemin on a proteose-peptone basal medium and with an inoculum of 1-20 cells. No evidence was obtained for a wide range in haemin requirements; 10 strains of H. influenzae examined in detail required 2-10 pg haemin per ml. The two species were dissimilar also in the amount of NAD required; the strains of H. influenzae grew well in the presence of NAD 0·2-1·0pg per ml, whereas most strains of H.parainfluenzae required 1·0-5-0pg per ml and three strains required NAD 25 pg per ml for optimal colony size. Nitrate was essential for the anaerobic growth of H. parainfluenzae but not of H. influenzae.
Routine sucrose analgesia during the first week of life in neonates younger than 31 weeks' postconceptional age.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of sucrose analgesia for procedural pain during the first week of life in preterm neonates in neonatal intensive care units on enhancing later clinical outcomes. METHODS A total of 107 preterm neonates who were born at <31 weeks' postconceptional age (PCA) entered this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial within 48 hours of birth at 3 level III university-affiliated neonatal intensive care units in Canada, and 103 completed the study. Sucrose (0.1 mL of 24%) or sterile water was administered orally up to 3 times, 2 minutes apart, for every invasive procedure during a 7-day period. Motor development and vigor, and alertness and orientation components of the Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant were measured at 32, 36, and 40 weeks' PCA; Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology was measured on the last day of intervention; and Neuro-Biological Risk Score (NBRS) was measured at 2 weeks of age and at discharge. Primary analyses of covariance were applied for each outcome to compare group differences followed by secondary analyses using standard linear regression within each group to determine predictors of outcomes. RESULTS Although there were no differences between the groups on any outcomes, there were significant dose-related effects within each group. In the sucrose group only, higher number of doses of sucrose predicted lower scores on motor development and vigor, and alertness and orientation at 36 weeks', lower motor development and vigor at 40 weeks', and higher NBRS at 2 weeks' postnatal age. Higher number of invasive procedures was predictive of higher NBRS both times in the water group. CONCLUSIONS Repeated use of sucrose analgesia in infants <31 weeks' PCA may put infants at risk for poorer neurobehavioral development and physiologic outcomes. Additional study is needed to determine the most appropriate age and duration of sucrose analgesia in preterm infants.
High Energy Phosphate Stores and Lactate Levels in Different Layers of the Canine Left Ventricle during Reactive Hyperemia

To study postischemic recovery of myocardial energy metabolism in relation to the reactive hyperemic response, the tissue levels of creatine phosphate (CP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and lactate were estimated in the outer, middle, and inner layers of the left ventricle before, during, and at several times after a 20-second bilateral coronary arterial occlusion in the open-chest dog. The reactive hyperemic response was characterized by monitoring blood flow in the cannulated coronary sinus in a separate group of dogs. Substantial changes in myocardial CP and lactate, but not ATP, were produced by the occlusion, and reciprocal transmural gradients in CP and lactate occurred such that CP was lowest and lactate was highest in the inner layer. Recovery of high energy phosphate stores (CP + ATP) occurred long before blood flow returned to the preocclusion level, this being achieved in two of the three layers after completion of only 29% of the reactive hyperemic response when the blood flow debt repayment was 151%. Lactate returned to control levels during the response, but recovery times in the different layers were delayed compared to those for the high energy phosphate stores. A transmural lactate gradient was maintained as the regional levels declined, and recovery times were different for each of the three layers, being longest in the inner layer. The results suggest that during the reactive hyperemic response (1) kinetlcally different processes are involved in the repletion of energy stores and the removal of anaerobically produced metabolites, and (2) metabolic vasodilation of coronary vessels probably is more pronounced and sustained longer in the inner than in the outer ventricular layer. Ore Ren 44: 788-795, 1979
Distribution of Polymorphic and Non-Polymorphic Microsatellite Repeats in Xenopus tropicalis

The results of our bioinformatics analysis have found over 91,000 di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide microsatellites in our survey of 25% of the X. tropicalis genome, suggesting there may be over 360,000 within the entire genome. Within the X. tropicalis genome, dinucleotide (78.7%) microsatellites vastly out numbered tri- and tetranucleotide microsatellites. Similarly, AT-rich repeats are overwhelmingly dominant. The four AT-only motifs (AT, AAT, AAAT, and AATT) account for 51,858 out of 91,304 microsatellites found. Individually, AT microsatellites were the most common repeat found, representing over half of all di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide microsatellites. This contrasts with data from other studies, which show that AC is the most frequent microsatellite in vertebrate genomes (Toth et al. 2000). In addition, we have determined the rate of polymorphism for 5,128 non-redundant microsatellites, embedded in unique sequences. Interestingly, this subgroup of microsatellites was determined to have significantly longer repeats than genomic microsatellites as a whole. In addition, microsatellite loci with tandem repeat lengths more than 30 bp exhibited a significantly higher degree of polymorphism than other loci. Pairwise comparisons show that tetranucleotide microsatellites have the highest polymorphic rates. In addition, AAT and ATC showed significant higher polymorphism than other trinucleotide microsatellites, while AGAT and AAAG were significantly more polymorphic than other tetranucleotide microsatellites.
Physiochemical Properties of Sweet Potato and Mung Bean Starch and Their Blends for Noodle Production

Physiochemical properties of four types of sweet potato starch (SPS) and mung bean starch (MBS), and their blends for noodle production were accessed. The results indicated that MBS was significantly higher in amylose content (40.69%), gel hardness, hot paste stability and cold paste viscosity; but substantially lower in protein, lipid, ash content, and gel stickiness than those of all sweet potato starches. Among all sweet potato varieties, the white skin and yellow-red flesh color sweet potato variety (SP1_W_YR) was the most suitable for noodle production due to its the highest starch yield (17%) and starch purity as well as the best starch color. The MBS noodle quality was superior to SPS noodle quality, and blending SPS with MBS for noodle production resulted in markedly reducing quality. However, the quality of noodles made from mixture of 20% SPS and 80% MBS was not significant difference to that of MBS noodles. The increase of solid content of starch slurry resulted in considerable increasing in cooking time, cooking loss, rehydration and tensile of noodles while aging time only markedly affected cooking loss and tensile. For noodles prepared from mixture of 20% SPS and 80% MBS, the most suitable initial solid content of starch slurry and aging time at 4 o C were 35% and 10-20 hrs respectively.
Minimally invasive endoscopic‐assisted resection of benign tumors in the accessory parotid gland: 5 case studies

A modified Blair's incision or standard facelift incision is recommended to remove tumors in the accessory parotid gland. These incisions frequently result in long and visible scars. Therefore, the authors have introduced an endoscopic approach via a small preauricular incision to achieve excision of benign tumors in the accessory parotid gland.
PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF A SUSTAINED-RELEASE DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT FOR CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA IN QUIESCENT UVEITIS

Purpose: To investigate dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant; OZURDEX, Allergan, Inc) in the treatment of uveitic cystoid macular edema that had persisted in the absence of intraocular inflammation. Methods: In this prospective interventional case series, 10 patients with uveitic cystoid macular edema and quiescent uveitis were treated with dexamethasone intravitreal implant at baseline and evaluated monthly for one year. Patients were retreated whenever cystoid macular edema recurred. The primary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at day 90. Results: At day 90, mean improvement from baseline BCVA was 14.4 letters (P = 0.0003), 70% of patients had a ≥10 letter BCVA improvement, 50% of patients had a ≥15 letter BCVA improvement, and the mean decrease from baseline central subfield retinal thickness was 140 &mgr;m (P = 0.008). Improvements were maintained through day 360 with retreatment as needed. At day 360, mean improvement in BCVA was 16.5 letters (P = 0.006) and the mean decrease in central subfield retinal thickness was 158 &mgr;m (P = 0.002). One patient experienced intraocular pressure >25 mmHg (managed with topical medication). Two phakic patients (2/8; 25%) had worsening of lens opacity requiring cataract extraction. Conclusion: Dexamethasone intravitreal implant may be an effective treatment for patients with persistent cystoid macular edema in quiescent uveitis.
Default Risk and Equity Returns: A Comparison of the Bank-Based German and the U.S. Financial System

In this paper, we address the question whether the impact of default risk on equity returns depends on the financial system firms operate in. Using an implementation of Merton's option-pricing model for the value of equity to estimate firms' default risk, we construct a factor that measures the excess return of firms with low default risk over firms with high default risk. We then compare results from asset pricing tests for the German and the U.S. stock markets. Since Germany is the prime example of a bank-based financial system, where debt is supposedly a major instrument of corporate governance, we expect that a systematic default risk effect on equity returns should be more pronounced for German rather than U.S. firms. Our evidence suggests that a higher firm default risk systematically leads to lower returns in both capital markets. This contradicts some previous results for the U.S. by Vassalou/Xing (2004), but we show that their default risk factor looses its explanatory power if one includes a default risk factor measured as a factor mimicking portfolio. It further turns out that the composition of corporate debt affects equity returns in Germany. Firms' default risk sensitivities are attenuated the more a firm depends on bank debt financing.
Repository August 2017 Essays on Entertainment Analytics

This thesis explores live entertainment analytics and revenue management allocation strategies for live entertainment. In Chapter two, we look at empirical factors that effect the success of Broadway shows. How well-known actors (stars) effect film revenues has been a recurring question of entertainment producers and academics. Because a film cannot be disentangled from a star involved, researchers have long struggled to rule out “reverse-causality” that stars have access to higher quality movies. Using a novel data set that includes Broadway show revenues and actor usage, we provide a fixed-effects regression and case studies. We find across multiple specifications that increases in star power in a show improve revenue. Motivated by social grouping and the associated operational challenges, in Chapter three we formulate and study extensions to the Dynamic Stochastic Knapsack Problem (DSKP). We compartmentalize the knapsack according to predefined reward-to-weight ratios, and incorporate a stochastic interaction between the offered set of open compartments and the item placement. Using a specific interaction function inspired by customer choice in the entertainment industry, we provide an algorithm to determine the optimal solution and obtain insights into structural properties. Given the computational complexity of the dynamic program we also propose and analyze via simulation a heuristic algorithm. In Chapter four, in a large sequence of simulations, we propose and study practical heuristic algorithms on which seats should be offered to requests. We propose an algorithm that offers revenue improvements from a “naive” policy on the order of 5-10%. Throughout, we aim for managerial relevance, providing implications to current techniques both in strategy as well as operations.