Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlling Prototype Development Through Risk Analysis

This article presents a new approach to the management of evolutionary prototyping projects. The prototyping approach to systems development emphasizes learning and facilitates meaningful communication between systems developers and users. These benefits are important for rapid creation of flexible, usable information resources that are well-tuned to present and future business needs. The main unsolved problem in prototyping is the difficulty in controlling such projects. This problem severely limits the range of practical projects in which prototyping can be used. The new approach suggested in this article uses an explicit risk mitigation model and management process that energizes and enhances the value of prototyping in technology delivery. An action research effort validates this risk analysis approach as one that focuses management attention on consequences and priorities inherent in a prototyping situation. This approach enables appropriate risk resolution strategies to be placed in effect before the prototyping process breaks down. It facilitates consensus building through collaborative decision making and is consistent with a high degree of user involvement.
Spatially heterogeneous dynamics investigated via a time-dependent four-point density correlation function

Relaxation in supercooled liquids above their glass transition and below the onset temperature of “slow” dynamics involves the correlated motion of neighboring particles. This correlated motion results in the appearance of spatially heterogeneous dynamics or “dynamical heterogeneity. ” Traditional two-point time-dependent density correlation functions, while providing information about the transient “caging” of particles on cooling, are unable to provide sufficiently detailed information about correlated motion and dynamical heterogeneity. Here, we study a four-point, time-dependent density correlation function g4(r,t) and corresponding “structure factor” S4(q,t) which measure the spatial correlations between the local liquid density at two points in space, each at two different times, and so are sensitive to dynamical heterogeneity. We study g4(r,t) and S4(q,t) via molecular dynamics simulations of a binary Lennard-Jones mixture approaching the mode coupling temperature from above. We find that the correl.
SERIAL 5 DOF MANIPULATORS : WORKSPACE , VOID , AND VOLUME DETERMINATION

Algorithms for identifying closed form surface patches on the boundary of 5DOF manipulator workspaces are developed and illustrated. Numerical algorithms for the determination of three-and four-DOF manipulator workspaces are available, but formulations for determining equations of surface patches bounding the workspace of five-DOF manipulators were never presented. In this work, constant singular sets in terms of the generalized variables are determined. When substituted into the vector function yield hyperentities that exist internal and external to the workspace envelope. The appearance of surfaces parametrized in three variables within the workspace requires further analysis pertaining to a coupled singular behavior and is also addressed. Previous results pertaining to bifurcation points that were unexplained are now addressed and clarified. Numerous examples are presented. I. INTRODUCTION Numerical methods for determining boundaries of workspaces of mechanisms and manipulators have been developed by a number of authors in recent years. These studies have also extended to the field of computer-aided design (Abdel-Malek and Yeh 1997a) where the computation of the swept volume is important to solid modeling. Similarly, in manufacturing, the NC verification of machining processes requires the computation of the workspace generated by the
Analysis of the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene in patients with renal cancer

The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) contains an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, with the DD genotype associated with benign renal diseases. The distribution frequencies of the D and I alleles, and the DD, DI and II genotypes were determined in DNA extracted from kidney tissues of 58 renal cancer patients. The observed frequencies in patients who develop renal cancer was not significantly different than the normal population. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
High-Q active resonators using amplifiers and their applications to low phase-noise free-running and voltage-controlled oscillators

This paper presents a new technique to design high-Q active resonators. The active resonators are then used in the design of low phase-noise oscillators. The proposed new technique uses an amplifier to generate a negative resistance, which compensates for the resonator losses and increases the Q factor. The active resonator using this technique shows a high loaded Q factor of 548.62 from measurement at the fixed 10-GHz resonant frequency. Considerations to design a voltage tunable active resonator is given and measurements show that the loaded Q factors exceed 500 with a 120-MHz tuning range. A low phase-noise free-running and voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) were designed as an application of the proposed active resonators. The phase noise of the free-running oscillator using the active resonator is -114.36 dBc/Hz at 100-kHz offset, which is 14 dB lower than the phase noise of the passive resonator oscillator. In the case of a VCO using the active resonator, the phase-noise performance is below -110 dBc/Hz over the whole tuning range, which is lower 13 dB compared to the passive resonator VCO. The total dc power consumptions are approximately 500 mW.
Helper B Cells Promote Cytotoxic T Cell Survival and Proliferation Independently of Antigen Presentation through CD27/CD70 Interactions1

CD8-expressing cytotoxic T cell (CTL) interactions with APCs and helper T cells determine their function and ability to survive. In this study, we describe a novel interaction independent of Ag presentation between activated CTLs and bystander CD19-expressing B lymphocytes. Ag-stimulated CTLs serially engage autologous B lymphocytes through CD27/CD70 contact that promotes their survival and proliferation. Moreover, these interactions induce the release of proinflammatory cytokines that follows two general patterns: 1) an epitope-dependent enhancement of cytokine release, and 2) a previously undiscovered coordinate release of cytokines independent of epitope exposure. The latter includes chemoattractants targeting activated T cells. As a result, activated T cells are attracted to B cells, which exert a “helper” role in lymphatic organs or in areas of inflammation. This observation provides a mechanistic explanation to previously reported experimental observations suggesting that B cells are required for T cell priming in vivo.
Tumescent non-tumescent technique for split thickness skin graft harvesting

Background: Split-thickness skin graft failures can be attributed to flaws in the recipient bed which has to be well prepared. Tissues with limited blood supply such as bone, tendons, cartilage or sites with necrotic tissue or infection do not accept skin grafts. Adrenaline is used to harvest skin grafts due to its vasoconstriction effect which limits blood loss. The aim of our study was to determine skin graft take after tumescent technique compared to a non-tumescent technique for harvesting.Methods: Two treatment groups of patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned. Forty patients underwent split-thickness skin graft harvesting with tumescent technique and forty patients underwent non-tumescent split-thickness skin graft harvesting. The recipient site was opened in both groups on the fifth day after surgery and take rate assessed. The donor site was assessed on day ten and if not healed, followed up for three weeks.Results: There was a statistically significant association between skin graft take rate and skin grafting technique (p=0.011). The mean graft take rate was 2.5% higher in the tumescent group compared to the non-tumescent group (96.3% compared to 94%). On day 10, there was no difference in percentage healing of donor sites between the tumescent and non-tumescent groups, p=0.562. Conclusions: Tumescent technique significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss. It is safe, inexpensive and easy to use. The subdermal adrenaline/saline injection creates a smooth, dense surface which assists debridement and donor harvesting.
Effect of stage of lactation, stage of pregnancy, milk yield and herd management on seasonal variation in spontaneous lipolysis in bovine milk

Summary The free fatty acid (FFA) levels after milking (initial FFA) and after 22 h storage at 4°C (FFA-22) were determined in milk from 57 cows every 2 weeks for one year. FFA levels which were higher in summer than in winter were explained by later stages of lactation occurring in summer. Initial FFA content increased regularly during lactation. FFA-22 content increased after 12 weeks, and further after 32 weeks of lactation. The first increase was due to stage of lactation. The second increase, which appeared in late lactation, was essentially due to the stage of pregnancy combined with the effect of milk yield. FFA-22 content increased in the second part of pregnancy, chiefly after 24 weeks. A low milk yield (≼ 5 kg) further increased lipolysis, but only after 16 weeks of pregnancy. The effect of stage of pregnancy may have been enhanced by management factors such as feeding conditions. In this investigation, the seasonal FFA variation in bulk tank milk could be explained entirely by physiological factors.
Toll-Like Receptor Expression and Responsiveness of Distinct Murine Splenic and Mucosal B-Cell Subsets

Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns and trigger innate immunity leading to initiation of adaptive immunity. TLR-mediated activation of dendritic cells (DCs) is known to be a critical event in the initiation of cellular and humoral immune responses. Recent work however suggests that B cells also express TLRs, and that they can be activated via TLR ligands. However, whether such B cell activation occurs only on memory B cells, or whether it can also occur on truly naïve B cells remains controversial. Furthermore, the expression and functional relevance of TLRs on distinct subsets of B cells, which are known to play differential roles in humoral responses is not known. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of different TLRs in distinct subsets of murine B cells (naïve, memory, follicular, marginal zone, B-1 and peyer's patch). In contrast to the reported restricted expression pattern of TLRs in human peripheral blood naïve B cells, murine splenic naïve B cells express a variety of TLRs with the exception of TLR5 and 8. Consistent with this relatively broad expression pattern, murine naive B cells proliferate and secrete antibody to a variety of TLR agonists in vitro, in the absence of B-cell receptor cross-linking. In addition, we observed subtle differences in the antibody secretion pattern of follicular, marginal zone, B-1 and peyer's patch B-cell subsets. Conclusions/Significance Thus various B cell subsets, including truly naïve B cells, express multiple TLRs, and signaling via such TLRs results in their robust proliferation and antibody secretion, even in the absence of dendritic cell activation, or T-cell help.
Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk.

Breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition. Given the documented shortand long-term medical and neurodevelopmental advantages of breastfeeding, infant nutrition should be considered a public health issue and not only a lifestyle choice. The American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant. Medical contraindications to breastfeeding are rare. Infant growth should be monitored with the World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Curve Standards to avoid mislabeling infants as underweight or failing to thrive. Hospital routines to encourage and support the initiation and sustaining of exclusive breastfeeding should be based on the American Academy of Pediatrics-endorsed WHO/UNICEF “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. ” National strategies supported by the US Surgeon General’s Call to Action, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and The Joint Commission are involved to facilitate breastfeeding practices in US hospitals and communities. Pediatricians play a critical role in their practices and communities as advocates of breastfeeding and thus should be knowledgeable about the health risks of not breastfeeding, the economic benefits to society of breastfeeding, and the techniques for managing and supporting the breastfeeding dyad. The “Business Case for Breastfeeding” details how mothers can maintain lactation in the workplace and the benefits to employers who facilitate this practice. Pediatrics 2012;129:e827–e841
Hibernacula Selection by Townsend's Big-Eared Bat in Southwestern Colorado

ABSTRACT In western United States, both mine reclamations and renewed mining at previously abandoned mines have increased substantially in the last decade. This increased activity may adversely impact bats that use these mines for roosting. Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) is a species of conservation concern that may be impacted by ongoing mine reclamation and renewed mineral extraction. To help inform wildlife management decisions related to bat use of abandoned mine sites, we used logistic regression, Akaike's information criterion, and multi-model inference to investigate hibernacula use by Townsend's big-eared bats using 9 years of data from surveys inside abandoned mines in southwestern Colorado. Townsend's big-eared bats were found in 38 of 133 mines surveyed (29%), and occupied mines averaged 2.6 individuals per mine. The model explaining the most variability in our data included number of openings and portal temperature at abandoned mines. In southwestern Colorado, we found that abandoned mine sites with more than one opening and portal temperatures near 0°C were more likely to contain hibernating Townsend's big-eared bats. However, mines with only one opening and portal temperatures of ≥10°C were occasionally occupied by Townsend's big-eared bat. Understanding mine use by Townsend's big-eared bat can help guide decisions regarding allocation of resources and placement of bat-compatible closures at mine sites scheduled for reclamation. When feasible we believe that surveys should be conducted inside all abandoned mines in a reclamation project at least once during winter prior to making closure and reclamation recommendations.
Hemodynamically important right ventricular infarction: follow-up evaluation of right ventricular systolic function at rest and during exercise with radionuclide ventriculography and respiratory gas exchange.

The prognosis and recovery of right ventricular systolic function in patients with hemodynamically documented right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) is unclear. Therefore 27 patients who met hemodynamic criteria for RVMI were followed for at least 1 year. Four patients died within 1 year and 23 survived. Postmortem examination performed in three of the four patients showed extensive infarction of the right and left ventricles. Survivors underwent early and late follow-up resting radionuclide ventriculograms and late exercise studies. During long-term follow-up (1 to 4 years) resting radionuclide ventriculography demonstrated a significant improvement in right ventricular ejection fraction (30 +/- 7% to 43 +/- 8%; p less than .001) and right ventricular wall motion index (2.2 +/- 0.4 to 1.5 +/- 0.5; p less than .001) in 18 patients who survived longer than 1 year. Fourteen of these patients underwent upright bicycle exercise while off beta-blocking drugs and peak radionuclide ejection fraction was acquired after anaerobic threshold was achieved. Right ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly from 41 +/- 10% to 47 +/- 12% (p less than .001), as did the left ventricular ejection fraction (55 +/- 15% to 60 +/- 12%; p less than .05). The direction and magnitude of change of the right ventricular ejection fraction correlated significantly with the left ventricular ejection fraction (r = .82, p less than .02). Deviations from this correlation occurred in patients who had a decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and an abnormal ventilatory reserve during exercise. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reading aloud and arithmetic calculation improve frontal function of people with dementia.

BACKGROUND Recent findings of neuroimaging studies indicate that reading aloud and arithmetic calculation activate bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of humans. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of reading aloud and arithmetic calculation, by elderly people who were clinically diagnosed with dementia Alzheimer type, on their brain functions and activities of daily living. METHODS Sixteen experimental and 16 age- and Mini-Mental State Examination score-matched control subjects participated. The participants in the experimental group were asked to perform a training program using learning tasks in reading and arithmetic for 2-6 days a week. The function of the frontal cortex of the subjects was assessed by FAB at bedside (Frontal Assessment Battery). RESULTS After 6 months of training, the FAB score of the experimental group showed a statistically significant improvement. The FAB score of the control group decreased slightly over the 6-month period, and the difference between the scores of the experimental and control groups was statistically significant. We also observed the restoration of communication and independence in the experimental group. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that learning tasks of reading aloud and arithmetic calculation can be used for cognitive rehabilitation of dementia patients.
Decentralized replicated-object protocols

We describe a new replicated-object protocol designed for use in mobile and weakly-connected environments. The protocol differs from previous protocols in combining epidemic information propagation with voting, and in using fixed per-object currencies for voting. The advantage of epidemic protocols is that data movement only requires pairwise communication. Hence, there is no need for a majority quorum to be available and simultaneously connected at any single time. The protocols increase availability by using voting, rather than primary copy or primary commit schemes. Finally, the use of per-object voting currencies allows votes to take place in an entirely decentralized fashion, without any server having complete knowledge of group membership. We show that currency allocation can be used to implement diverse policies. For example, uniform currency distributions emulate traditional dynamic voting schemes, while allocating all currency to a single server emulates a primary-copy scheme. We present simulation results showing both schemes, as well as the performance advantages of using currency proxies to temporarily reallocate currency during planned disconnections.
Traditional uses of wild medicinal plants and their management practices in Nepal-A study in Makawanpur district.

Nepal is an important source of wild medicinal plants in the world. Nepalese especially rural people have a long tradition of folk practices for utilization of medicinal plants for various purposes. This paper examines the traditio n- al uses and management practices of such plants in the locality. Therefore, a case study was conducted during March - April 2012 in Daman Village Development Committee (VDC) of Makawanpur district in Nepal. Both social science and natural science methods such as questionnaires, semi -structured interviews, participatory rural appraisal, focus group discussion and plants specimens' collection and identification were applied to collect data from the field. The results of study shows that total 76 species of medi cinal plants were mentioned which used local people for treatments of various physical ailments in the study area. Among the listed plants Swertia chirayita, Astilbe rivularis, Bergenia ciliata, Acorus calamus, Nardostachys grandiflora, Valeriana jatamansiiwere respectively the most preferred and frequently used m e- dicinal species in the locality. Results also shows that the management practices of medicinal plants are being effectively applied in the study area even though there are some problems like illegal collection and overharvesting. The rules are effective because the users' community takes part in defining the rules and the users have the full authority to manage and collect the forest products from the respective community forest. Therefore, it ind icates that the local people have a vast knowledge on wild medicinal plants including their traditional uses and management which helps to preserves the indigenous knowledge as well as conserves the biodiversity.
Noncoherent receivers for differential space-time modulation

In this paper, noncoherent receivers for differential space-time modulation (DSTM) are investigated. It is shown that the performance of the previously proposed conventional differential detection (DD) receiver is satisfactory only for very slow flat fading channels. However, conventional DD suffers from a considerable loss in performance even for moderately fast fading. In order to overcome this problem, multiple-symbol detection (MSD) and low-complexity decision-feedback differential detection (DF-DD) receivers are derived.
On Achievable Rates for Long-Haul Fiber-Optic Communications

Lower bounds on mutual information (MI) of long-haul optical fiber systems for hard-decision and soft-decision decoding are studied. Ready-to-use expressions to calculate the MI are presented. Extensive numerical simulations are used to quantify how changes in the optical transmitter, receiver, and channel affect the achievable transmission rates of the system. Special emphasis is put to the use of different quadrature amplitude modulation formats, channel spacings, digital back-propagation schemes and probabilistic shaping. The advantages of using MI over the prevailing Q-factor as a figure of merit of coded optical systems are also highlighted.
Molecular matching of red blood cells is superior to serological matching in sickle cell disease patients

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of DNA methods to provide a means to precisely genotypically match donor blood units for the antigen-negative type of 35 sickle cell disease patients. Methods Red blood cell units were investigated for ABO, D, C, c, E, e, K, Fya, Fyb, Jka, Jkb, S, s, Dia and RH variants by performing a molecular array (Human Erythrocyte Antigen BeadChipTM, BioArray Solutions), polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of patient samples and donor units that had been serologically matched based on the ABO, Rh and K phenotypes and the presence of antibodies. Results Matches for 21 of 35 sickle cell disease patients presented discrepancies or mismatches for multiple antigens between the genotype profile and the antigen profile of their serologically-matched blood units. The main discrepancies or mismatches occurred in the RH, FY, JK and MNS systems. Eight Rh alloimmunized patients presented RHD and RHCE variants that had not been serologically identified. According to these results better matches were found for the patients with genotyped units and the patients benefited as shown by better in vivo red blood cell survival. Conclusion Molecular matching is superior to serological matching in sickle cell disease patients, decreasing the risk of transfusion reactions, especially delayed transfusion reactions to existing alloantibodies and preventing alloimmunization.