Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison and choice of a fault tolerant inverter topology for the traction drive of an electrical helicopter

This paper presents the results of a system analysis of different options for electric inverters for the traction drive of an electrical helicopter. The article explains the optimal choice, in terms of the design requirements and future operation conditions, and the type and topology of electric inverter, to supply the traction permanent magnet synchronous motor from the batteries. The main focus has been given to the study of reliability and fault tolerance of the electric energy inverter. In order to estimate these parameters, the Markov models of the multi-state system reliability evaluation were used.
Magnetic resonance and kinetic studies on the manganese activated arginine kinase reaction.

Proton relaxation rate studies have been used to study the interaction between arginine kinase from two sources, Homarus vulgaris and Homarus americanus, and manganous ion, MnADP- and MnATP2-, respectively. There was negligible interaction between Mn2+ and the H. vulgaris enzyme but a small effect with the H. americanus enzyme. In both cases, a large enhancement of the proton relaxation rate was seen on the addition of ADP or ATP to a solution containing Mn2+ and enzyme. It was concluded that the enzyme combines with MnADP− or MnATP2- rather than with Mn2+. Enhancements of the proton relaxation rate of the ternary complexes, MnADP-E (45), Mn2′-dADP-E (28) and MnATP-E (17), were obtained with the H. vulgaris arginine kinase and Mn3′-dADP− and Mn2′-dATP2- were also demonstrated to form ternary complexes with this enzyme. For arginine kinase from H. americanus, values for MnADP-E (17), Mn2′-dADP-E (approx. 12) and MnATP-E (approx. 8) were determined. A comparative kinetic study demonstrated reasonable agreement between the kinetically determined Km values and dissociation constants from the proton relaxation rate data. It was also found that for both enzymes, there was a correlation between the enhancement and maximum velocity values, ADP > 2′-dADP and ATP > 2′-dATP which could be interpreted as indicative of a graded degree of substrate induced conformational change. The proton relaxation rate and kinetic studies indicated small but probably significant differences in the properties of the two enzymes. Proton relaxation rate studies provided evidence for a second substrate induced conformational change on the addition of l-arginine to the ternary MnADP-enzyme complex. No significant effect was observed with d-arginine, which is a competitive inhibitor with respect to l-arginine.
The ‘glial’ glutamate transporter, EAAT2 (Glt‐1) accounts for high affinity glutamate uptake into adult rodent nerve endings

The excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT) removes neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate from the synaptic cleft. Most CNS glutamate uptake is mediated by EAAT2 into glia, though nerve terminals show evidence for uptake, through an unknown transporter. Reverse‐transcriptase PCR identified the expression of EAAT1, EAAT2, EAAT3 and EAAT4 mRNAs in primary cultures of mouse cortical or striatal neurones. We have used synaptosomes and glial plasmalemmal vesicles (GPV) from adult mouse and rat CNS to identify the nerve terminal transporter. Western blotting showed detectable levels of the transporters EAAT1 (GLAST) and EAAT2 (Glt‐1) in both synaptosomes and GPVs. Uptake of [3H]D‐aspartate or [3H]L‐glutamate into these preparations revealed sodium‐dependent uptake in GPV and synaptosomes which was inhibited by a range of EAAT blockers: dihydrokainate, serine‐o‐sulfate, l‐trans‐2,4‐pyrrolidine dicarboxylate (PDC) (+/–)‐threo‐3‐methylglutamate and (2S,4R )‐4‐methylglutamate. The IC50 values found for these compounds suggested functional expression of the ‘glial, transporter, EAAT2 in nerve terminals. Additionally blockade of the majority EAAT2 uptake sites with 100 µm dihydrokainate, failed to unmask any functional non‐EAAT2 uptake sites. The data presented in this study indicate that EAAT2 is the predominant nerve terminal glutamate transporter in the adult rodent CNS.
The test of significance in psychological research.

The test of significance does not provide the information concerning psychological phenomena characteristically attributed to it; and a great deal of mischief has been associated with its use. The basic logic associated with the test of significance is reviewed. The null hypothesis is characteristically false under any circumstances. Publication practices foster the reporting of small effects in populations. Psychologists have "adjusted" by misinterpretation, taking the p value as a "measure," assuming that the test of significance provides automaticity of inference, and confusing the aggregate with the general. The difficulties are illuminated by bringing to bear the contributions from the decision-theory school on the Fisher approach. The Bayesian approach is suggested.
Non-Invasive Management of Fetal Goiter during Maternal Treatment of Hyperthyroidism in Grave’s Disease

There is an increased risk of fetal goiter in patients who have a history of Grave’s disease and undergo propylthiouracil (PTU) treatment during pregnancy. In this report, we describe a case of a fetal goiter detected by antenatal ultrasound at the 26th week of gestation in a mother treated with PTU for Grave’s disease. A 32 × 38 × 20 mm fetal goiter was detected, each lobe measured 30 × 18 × 18 mm and estimated volume was 10 cm3. Subsequently, fetal thyroid function was assessed by umbilical fetal blood sampling. Cord blood showed elevated serum TSH (40.2 mU/l) and normal concentrations of free T4 (9.5 pmol/l) and free T3 (2.6 pmol/l). There were no other ultrasonographic signs of fetal hypothyroidism. Based on the above findings, the mother’s PTU dosage was reduced to 50 mg daily from a total of 150 mg and weekly ultrasonographic examinations were performed. Six weeks after the initial ultrasound, a complete regression of the fetal goiter was noted. At the 34th week of gestation, the patient was delivered due to intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios and gave birth to a male, weighing 1,920 g. The newborn thyroid was not palpable and thyroid ultrasonography was normal. Cord blood TSH was normal (8.4 mU/l) and free T4 was within lower normal limit (9.03 pmol/l). Ten days later, newborn thyroid function was normal and the baby did well afterwards. In conclusion, after the evaluation of fetal thyroid status, selected cases with fetal goiter can be initially managed without intrauterine treatment.
Effects of Reversible Watermarking on Iris Recognition Performance

Fragile watermarking has been proposed as a means of adding additional security or functionality to biometric systems, particularly for authentication and tamper detection. In this paper we describe an experimental study on the effect of watermarking iris images with a particular class of fragile algorithm, reversible algorithms, and the ability to correctly perform iris recognition. We investigate two scenarios, matching watermarked images to unmodified images, and matching watermarked images to watermarked images. We show that different watermarking schemes give very different results for a given capacity, highlighting the importance of investigation. At high embedding rates most algorithms cause significant reduction in recognition performance. However, in many cases, for low embedding rates, recognition accuracy is improved by the watermarking process. Keywords—Biometrics, iris recognition, reversible watermarking.
Capacity and feedback rate in closed-loop MIMO wireless systems

Lower and upper bounds of feedback rate are presented for closed-loop pilot-aided multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless systems. We validate the bounds of the wireless systems through simulations. The presented bounds and numerical results for various system configurations can be applied to evaluate the closed-loop MIMO wireless systems and are used as a benchmark for advanced systems
Complementary value of traditional bedside teaching and structured clinical teaching in introductory surgical studies

Summary. A prospective randomized trial was conducted to see if student performance in a combined multiple choice and objective structured clinical examination was better following a period of structured clinical teaching compared with traditional bedside teaching. Student groups were crossed over in a second phase of the experiment to allow the two teaching techniques to be compared sequentially in the same group. There was no significant difference between the two teaching techniques as measured by performance in a criterion‐referenced examination. The results of the study led to modification of the curriculum for third‐year introductory surgical studies to incorporate both teaching strategies, which are regarded as complementary in value.
Transport of malic acid and other dicarboxylic acids in the yeast Hansenula anomala

DL-Malic acid-grown cells of the yeast Hansenula anomala formed a saturable transport system that mediated accumulative transport of L-malic acid with the following kinetic parameters at pH 5.0: Vmax, 0.20 nmol.s-1.mg (dry weight)-1; Km, 0.076 mM L-malate. Uptake of malic acid was accompanied by proton disappearance from the external medium with rates that followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics as a function of malic acid concentration. Fumaric acid, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, oxaloacetic acid, D-malic acid, and L-malic acid were competitive inhibitors of succinic acid transport, and all induced proton movements that followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, suggesting that all of these dicarboxylates used the same transport system. Maleic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, and L-(+)-tartaric acid, as well as other Krebs cycle acids such as citric and isocitric acids, were not accepted by the malate transport system. Km measurements as a function of pH suggested that the anionic forms of the acids were transported by an accumulative dicarboxylate proton symporter. The accumulation ratio at pH 5.0 was about 40. The malate system was inducible and was subject to glucose repression. Undissociated succinic acid entered the cells slowly by simple diffusion. The permeability of the cells by undissociated acid increased with pH, with the diffusion constant increasing 100-fold between pH 3.0 and 6.0.
High‐frequency intracellular invasion of epithelial cells by serotype M1 group A streptococci: M1 protein‐mediated invasion and cytoskeletal rearrangements

A clonal variant of serotype M1 group A streptococcus (designated M1inv+) has been linked to severe and invasive infections, including sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock. High frequency internalization of cultured epithelial cells by the M1inv+ strain 90‐226 is dependent upon the M1 protein. Invasion of HeLa cells was blocked by an anti‐M1 antibody, invasion by an M1− strain (90‐226 emm1::km) was greatly reduced, and latex beads bound to M1 protein were readily internalized by HeLa cells. Beads coated with a truncated M1 protein were internalized far less frequently. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that streptococci invade by a zipper‐like mechanism, that may be mediated by interactions with host cell microvilli. Initially, internalized streptococci and streptococci undergoing endocytosis are associated with polymerized actin. Later in the internalization process, streptococcal‐containing vacuoles are associated with the lysosomal membrane glycoprotein, LAMP‐1.
Suicidal behaviours in vulnerable adolescents

Background Suicide rates have increased over the past three decades, especially in young men. Depression, conduct disorder, crime and substance misuse have also increased. This study tested hypotheses on the possible links between the secular increase in the rates of these behaviours. Method A data set on 6091 subjects aged 8–18 years (58.4% boys) referred to psychiatric services over & 21-year period (1970–1990) was used. & detailed analysis of & random sample of 80 case notes was conducted. Results Suicidal behaviours increased significantly among pubertal male adolescents only (n=1313). In this sub-sample, substance misuse accounted for the increase over time. The rates of both suicidal behaviours and of substance misuse almost doubled between 1979 and 1990 in this patient group. The case note analysis showed that solvent and alcohol misuse had also increased over the study period. Moreover, among the subjects misusing substances, alcohol was the only substance with & strong and positive association with suicidal behaviours. Substance misuse pre-dated suicidal behaviours in most patients. Conclusions A link has been found between the increase over time of suicidal behaviours in adolescent boys and & contemporaneous increase in substance misuse. The strength and direction of the association suggests that alcohol misuse is the causal factor.
A reevaluation of early amniote phylogeny

Abstract A new phylogenetic analysis of early amniotes based on 124 characters and 13 taxa (including three outgroups) indicates that synapsids are the sister-group of all other known amniotes. The sister-group of Synapsida is Sauropsida, including Mesosauridae and Reptilia as its two main subdivisions. Reptilia is divided into Parareptilia and Eureptilia. Parareptilia includes Testudines and its fossil relatives (Procolophonidae, Pareiasauria and Millerettidae), while Eureptilia includes Diapsida and its fossil relatives (Paleothyrisand Captorhinidae). Parts of the phylogeny are robust, such as the sister-group relationship between procolophonids and testudines, and between pareiasaurs and the testudinomorphs (the clade including procolophonids and testudines). Other parts of the new tree are not so firmly established, such as the position of mesosaurs as the sister-group of reptiles. The new phylogeny indicates that three major clades of amniotes extend from the present to the Palaeozoic. These three clades are the Synapsida (including Mammalia), Parareptilia (including Testudines), and Eureptilia (including Sauria). In addition, the Procolophonidae, a group of Triassic parareptiles, are the sister-group of Testudines.
Acute effects of peritoneal dialysis solutions on appetite in non-uremic rats.

BACKGROUND Standard peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions may contribute to anorexia in PD patients due to the peritoneal absorption of glucose from the dialysate, abdominal discomfort and other factors. New PD solutions containing alternative osmotic agents, neutral pH and bicarbonate as buffer were recently developed. To test the effect of these solutions on appetite, we investigated how intraoral (IO) intake of sucrose via an IO cannula was influenced by intraperitoneal (IP) infusion of different PD solutions in an appetite model in rats. METHODS The IO intake was measured in male Wistar rats after an IP dwell of 30 and 120 minutes with the following PD solutions: 1.36%, 2.27% and 3.86% glucose based and lactate buffered solutions (D); 1.36%, 2.27% and 3.86% glucose based and bicarbonate/lactate buffered solutions (P); 7.5% icodextrin based solution (E); 1.1% amino acid-based solution (N); and, 2.5% glucose-based lactate-buffered solution (GB), using sham injection (injection without infusion) as control. Prior to the tests, rats were provided with an IO cannula, and were trained for two weeks until the rate of IO intake had stabilized. RESULTS The D and N solutions inhibited IO intake. For the D solutions, the degree of appetite suppression was higher with the higher concentration of glucose. P 3.86%, but not P 1.36% and P 2.27% solutions, inhibited the IO intake. However, a comparison of the degree of appetite inhibition between D and P showed less inhibition with P 1.36%, 2.27% and 3.86% solutions than with corresponding D solutions. The E solution did not seem to suppress appetite. Finally, no significant difference in IO intake was found between rats given GB 2.5% and D 2.27%. CONCLUSIONS In this appetite model in rats, the measurement of IO intake after the IP infusion of different dialysis solutions showed that (1) N and D solutions may reduce appetite, and for the D solutions the degree of appetite inhibition was related to the dialysate concentrations of glucose; (2) the P solutions had less impact on appetite than the D solutions; (3) the E solution had no impact on appetite during the short dwells of 30 and 120 minutes. The demonstrated differences between the different solutions appear to be due to different concentrations, and type, of nutrients used as osmotic agent (glucose, amino acids, icodextrin) or buffer (lactate), although differences in dialysate pH, tonicity and concentration of glucose degradation products also may be important. The present studies suggest a possible positive effect on appetite by using bicarbonate/lactate buffered solutions instead of lactate buffered solutions.
To Be Seen or to Hide: Visual Characteristics of Body Patterns for Camouflage and Communication in the Australian Giant Cuttlefish Sepia apama

It might seem obvious that a camouflaged animal must generally match its background whereas to be conspicuous an organism must differ from the background. However, the image parameters (or statistics) that evaluate the conspicuousness of patterns and textures are seldom well defined, and animal coloration patterns are rarely compared quantitatively with their respective backgrounds. Here we examine this issue in the Australian giant cuttlefish Sepia apama. We confine our analysis to the best-known and simplest image statistic, the correlation in intensity between neighboring pixels. Sepia apama can rapidly change their body patterns from assumed conspicuous signaling to assumed camouflage, thus providing an excellent and unique opportunity to investigate how such patterns differ in a single visual habitat. We describe the intensity variance and spatial frequency power spectra of these differing body patterns and compare these patterns with the backgrounds against which they are viewed. The measured image statistics of camouflaged animals closely resemble their backgrounds, while signaling animals differ significantly from their backgrounds. Our findings may provide the basis for a set of general rules for crypsis and signals. Furthermore, our methods may be widely applicable to the quantitative study of animal coloration.
Burden of Teenage Pregnancies in Hilly Area of Eastern Region of Nepal

Teenage pregnancy, which is detrimental to the health of mother and child, is a common public health problem worldwide. It is a problem that affects nearly every society- developed and developing alike. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and its impact on birth outcome. The cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of Dhankuta municipality where 246 households were taken as subjects. Chi-square test was applied to find out the significant difference between socio demographic characteristics and outcome variable i.e. birth outcome & age of 1st pregnancy. About 34.6% of respondents were pregnant at below 20 years of age. The teenage pregnancies decreases as education level increases (p<0.001). Furthermore, economic variable shows stronger association with teenage pregnancies (p<0.001). Fetal complication was significantly higher among below 20 years of age (81%) than women with 20 years and above (19%). The proportion of low birth weight (<2.5 kg) babies was also significantly higher in women with teenage pregnancy (78.3%) than women with 20 years and above (21.7%). We conclude that the problem of teenage pregnancy is common and has become a key public health concern for all. The teenage pregnancy was not favorable condition for baby outcome. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/jonmc.v3i1. 12231 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol. 3, No.1 Issue 6, 2014, Page: 13-19
Both LRP 5 and LRP 6 Receptors Are Required to Respond to Physiological Wnt Ligands in Mammary Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts *

Background: Mammary stem cells require a specific Wnt signaling receptor, LRP5, despite co-expression of the (better studied) LRP6 receptor. Results: Both LRP5 and LRP6 are required for mammary epithelial cell responsiveness to Wnt1/9b/10b (but not Wnt3a). Conclusion: LRP5 co-expression with LRP6 can confer active Wnt signaling where either receptor alone cannot. Significance: This explains aspects of stem cell regulation and tumorigenesis.
Assessing the Knowledge Transfer of IS Research to Practice

For many years, researchers have been debating whether the Information Systems discipline is generating knowledge, which is actually transferred to practice. Still, empirical studies, which could confirm or reject assertions about missing practical relevance in the rigor vs. relevance debate are lacking. We followed the research call of MIS Quarterly’s editors of 2011 and address the issue by analyzing two academicpractitioner journals, MISQ Executive and Sloan Management Review, which are potential channels for knowledge transfer to practice. Following a scientometric approach we performed a comprehensive quantitative citation analysis on journal-level. By this, we identified core knowledge sources of academicpractitioner journals and found a respectable amount of scientific publications referenced in such outlets with a mixed audience. Our research extends the scarce scientometric studies about knowledge transfer and practical relevance in terms of a comprehensive citation database and the performed categorization.
Risk Factors of Familial Pancreatic Cancer in Japan: Current Smoking and Recent Onset of Diabetes

Objectives: In western countries, 7% to 10% of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) have a familial predisposition to their disease. The aim of this study was to determine the familial susceptibility to PC in Japan. Methods: Five hundred seventy-seven patients with PC and 577 age- and gender-matched controls were analyzed for cancer history in their first-degree relative(s) (FDRs) and demographic factors. Results: The patients with PC were more likely to have an FDR with PC (6.9%) than the controls (2.9%; odds ratio [OR], 2.5; P = 0.02). Three patients (0.5%), but none of the controls, had a family history of PC in multiple FDRs. Smoking, especially current smoking (OR, 1.5; P = 0.005), and diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.7, P = 0.001) were also associated with PC. The odds increased up to 10-fold if the patients were positive for these 3 factors. The patients with familial PC were more likely to be current smokers (40%) and to have diabetes mellitus (32.5%) than the sporadic cases (30.1% and 20.1%; OR, 1.6 and 1.9). Conclusions: A family history of PC is a risk of PC in Japan (6.9%) as is a personal history of diabetes and smoking. It is prudent to inform the kindred of patients with familiar PC of the risk of smoking and to follow carefully if they develop diabetes.Abbreviations: PC - pancreatic cancer, FDR - first-degree relative, OR - odds ratio, FPC - familial pancreatic cancer, DM - diabetes mellitus, SIR - standardized incidence rate, IPMN - intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, MDCT - multidetector computed tomography, US - ultrasound, NFPTR - National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry