Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF FLAPPING WINGS NANO AERIAL VEHICLES

The aerodynamics of flapping wings is ultimately concerned with the relation between motion kinematics and the time-history of aerodynamic forces and moments. However, an important intermediate quantity is the evolution of the flow field – and in particular of flow separation. Nature’s solution to large time-varying pressure gradients, for example those due to aggressive motions, is to form and eventually to shed vortices. We are interested in understanding and exploiting these vortices – for example, in delaying vortex shedding to promote lift in situations where flow separation is in any case inevitable. From the engineering viewpoint, the question is to what extent closedform models and conventional numerical/analytical tools can estimate the aerodynamic force history, with an eye to eventually running large parameter studies and optimizations. Our paper contains results of water tunnel experiments on flapping wings aeromechanics. The idea of investigation is to optimize the wing trajectories, and to find methods providing stability and control. In the paper, we present, also, conception and methodology of tests. The investigation is dividing into two parts: preliminary and principal tests. The aim of initial part is to extract quasi – state characteristic for wings of different platforms shapes. This characteristic will be used to generate initial kinematics of movement of wing. It will be initial point of further tests. The purpose of the main experiment is to find the best way of movement for wing taking account all of unsteady phenomena (interaction between vortices, wing – wing interference, etc.). Finally, we want to identify efficient way of controlling nano-microelectromechanical flying insect (entomopter).
Differential gene expression analysis of HNSCC tumors deciphered tobacco dependent and independent molecular signatures

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with tobacco as the leading cause. However, it is increasing in non-tobacco users also, hence limiting our understanding of its underlying molecular mechanisms. RNA-seq analysis of cancers has proven as effective tool in understanding disease etiology. In the present study, RNA-Seq of 86 matched Tumor/Normal pairs, of tobacco smoking (TOB) and non-smokers (N-TOB) HNSCC samples analyzed, followed by validation on 375 similar datasets. Total 2194 and 2073 differentially expressed genes were identified in TOB and N-TOB tumors, respectively. GO analysis found muscle contraction as the most enriched biological process in both TOB and N-TOB tumors. Pathway analysis identified muscle contraction and salivary secretion pathways enriched in both categories, whereas calcium signaling and neuroactive ligand-receptor pathway was more enriched in TOB and N-TOB tumors respectively. Network analysis identified muscle development related genes as hub node i. e. ACTN2, MYL2 and TTN in both TOB and N-TOB tumors, whereas EGFR and MYH6, depicts specific role in TOB and N-TOB tumors. Additionally, we found enriched gene networks possibly be regulated by tumor suppressor miRNAs such as hsa-miR-29/a/b/c, hsa-miR-26b-5p etc., suggestive to be key riboswitches in regulatory cascade of HNSCC. Interestingly, three genes PKLR, CST1 and C17orf77 found to show opposite regulation in each category, hence suggested to be key genes in separating TOB from N-TOB tumors. Our investigation identified key genes involved in important pathways implicated in tobacco dependent and independent carcinogenesis hence may help in designing precise HNSCC diagnostics and therapeutics strategies.
Combining GAL4 GFP enhancer trap with split luciferase to measure spatiotemporal promoter activity in Arabidopsis

Summary In multicellular organisms different types of tissues have distinct gene expression profiles associated with specific function or structure of the cell. Quantification of gene expression in whole organs or whole organisms can give misleading information about levels or dynamics of expression in specific cell types. Tissue‐ or cell‐specific analysis of gene expression has potential to enhance our understanding of gene regulation and interactions of cell signalling networks. The Arabidopsis circadian oscillator is a gene network which orchestrates rhythmic expression across the day/night cycle. There is heterogeneity between cell and tissue types of the composition and behaviour of the oscillator. In order to better understand the spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression, flexible tools are required. By combining a Gateway®‐compatible split luciferase construct with a GAL4 GFP enhancer trap system, we describe a tissue‐specific split luciferase assay for non‐invasive detection of spatiotemporal gene expression in Arabidopsis. We demonstrate the utility of this enhancer trap‐compatible split luciferase assay (ETSLA) system to investigate tissue‐specific dynamics of circadian gene expression. We confirm spatial heterogeneity of circadian gene expression in Arabidopsis leaves and describe the resources available to investigate any gene of interest.
Achieving Synchronization in Arrays of Coupled Differential Systems with Time-Varying Couplings

We study complete synchronization of the complex dynamical networks described by linearly coupled ordinary differential equation systems (LCODEs). Here, the coupling is timevarying in both network structure and reaction dynamics. Inspired by our previous paper (Lu et al. (2007-2008)), the extended Hajnal diameter is introduced and used to measure the synchronization in a general differential system. Then we find that the Hajnal diameter of the linear system induced by the time-varying coupling matrix and the largest Lyapunov exponent of the synchronized system play the key roles in synchronization analysis of LCODEs with identity inner coupling matrix. As an application, we obtain a general sufficient condition guaranteeing directed time-varying graph to reach consensus. Example with numerical simulation is provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Do assisted reproduction outcomes differ according to aetiology of obstructive azoospermia?

Azoospermia is defined as absence of spermatozoa and may be secondary to blocked seminal ducts, known as obstructive azoospermia. Semen quality may be impaired due to factors such as sperm cell DNA fragmentation and presence of antisperm antibodies. The objective of this article was to investigate potential differences in outcomes of in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection between groups with different obstruction aetiology, as well as between the use of different techniques and sperm cells of different origins. Retrospective, multi‐centre analysis of 621 first cycles was carried out between 2008 and 2015: Group I, congenital obstruction, 45 patients and Group 2, vasectomy, 576 patients. Sperm cell retrieval was achieved in all cases. Results were similar for Group I and II fertilisation rates, 70% versus 66.85% (p = .786); pregnancy rates, 42.5% versus 41.46% (p = .896); and live birth rates, 29.73% versus 17.69% (p = .071). According to sperm cell origin (579 epididymal vs. 42 testicular), pregnancy rates, 41.47% versus 43.9% (p = .760); and live birth rates, 18.3% versus 27.78% (p = .163) had no difference. Fertilisation, pregnancy and live birth rates did not differ according to obstruction aetiology. Outcomes did not differ between groups according to sperm cell origin.
Letter to the Editor - Author Response: Re Article: The effect of hemorrhage control adjuncts on outcome in severe pelvic fracture: A multi-institutional study.

To the Editor: I will like to thank Dr Hall for elucidating this important historical vignette. As he nicely mentions, it is important for our young trauma surgeons to remember their history, as well as it is important for our master surgeons to embrace the new. Medical Anti-Shock Trousers (MAST) were first described in 1903 by surgeon G.W. Crile as he tried to augment blood pressure with a “pneumatic rubber suit” during neurosurgical procedures and not for trauma as many people erroneously describe. Medical Anti-Shock Trousers was not coined until decades later by the military during the Vietnam War where medics applied the device in the field before airlifting soldiers out of a combat zone to a hospital for definitive care. Despite a period of widespread use as described nicely by Dr Hall, MAST devices have been the subject of much debate and research. Here are some possible reasons why MAST is no longer in use: (1) Initial studies in the 1970s by my mentor Norman McSwain suggested that as much as 20% of a patient's total blood volume was autotransfused to the upper body by application of the MAST device, making it an attractive and indispensable tool in the prehospital arena. Unfortunately, subsequent studies performed later failed to demonstrate similar findings with only 5% overall autotransfusion. Further studies performed in the 1980s, however, refuted these early findings, suggesting that only 5% or less of a patient's overall blood volume was autotransfused by these devices in both human and dog models. (2) Mattox et al. enrolled in 1989 with the assistance of the Houston Fire Department a total of 201 patients randomized either to MAST application or standard care. Their results did not demonstrate an improvement inmortality rates for patientswith penetrating abdominal trauma. (3) National Association of EmergencyMedical Services Physicians published a 1997 position article citing support for
Fee Versus Royalties in General Cost functions

Which is better off for the patentee to license its technology by fixed fee or unit royalties? Kamien and Tauman [8] showed that the fixed fee scheme brings greater private value of the patent in the linear model. We extend their analysis into a general model. Then, the simple fact that the model allows a increasing marginal cost supports the unit royalties scheme. More concretely, the unit royalties scheme is superior to the fixed fee scheme when the number of firms is large.
Reaching Those at Highest Risk for Suicide: Development of a Model Using Machine Learning Methods for use With Native American Communities.

OBJECTIVE Suicide prevention is a major priority in Native American communities. We used machine learning with community-based suicide surveillance data to better identify those most at risk. METHOD This study leverages data from the Celebrating Life program operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona and in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. We examined N = 2,390 individuals with a validated suicide-related event between 2006 and 2017. Predictors included 73 variables (e.g., demographics, educational history, past mental health, and substance use). The outcome was suicide attempt 6, 12, and 24 months after an initial event. We tested four algorithmic approaches using cross-validation. RESULTS Area under the curves ranged from AUC = 0.81 (95% CI ± 0.08) for the decision tree classifiers to AUC = 0.87 (95% CI ± 0.04) for the ridge regression, results that were considerably higher than a past suicide attempt (AUC = 0.57; 95% CI ± 0.08). Selecting a cutoff value based on risk concentration plots yielded 0.88 sensitivity, 0.72 specificity, and a positive predictive value of 0.12 for detecting an attempt 24 months postindex event. CONCLUSION These models substantially improved our ability to determine who was most at risk in this community. Further work is needed including developing clinical guidance and external validation.
Prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in unresectable hepatocellular cancer patients treated with trans-arterial chemoembolization

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a useful biomarker, reflects systemic inflammation responses which are closely associated with the prognosis of various malignancies. Nevertheless, the prognostic significance of NLR in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains controversial. The study was designed to determine the prognostic value of NLR in survival outcomes of HCC patients receiving TACE by systematical review of present literature. Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane library databases were searched according to a pre-specified inclusive strategy to identify studies concerning survival in HCC patients receiving TACE with high or low pre- or post-TACE NLR. An electronic Excel table was used to extract epidemiological information, clinical pathological characteristics as well as primary outcome data. Initially, 598 relevant articles were selected, of which, 13 articles including 1,648 unresectable HCC patients undergoing TACE were ultimately enrolled. Our review and meta-analysis demonstrated that a high pre-TACE NLR reflected unfavorable overall survival (OS) [pooled hazard ratio (HR): 1.53, pooled 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–1.78, P 0.05) and tumor response (P=0.088). A high post-TACE NLR was closely associated with metastasis (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.732–3.382, P=0.246), but not with time to progression (TTP) (P=0.18) and tumor response (P=0.229), and controversial role with OS (P value: 0.001 vs . 0.342). The NLR change trend between pre-and post-TACE was not correlated with either tumor response to TACE (P=0.89) or hepatic progression (P=0.55), whereas its prognostic role with OS was also controversial (P>0.05 or <0.05). As a convenient, inexpensive and easily available inflammatory biomarker, NLR harbored its important value in prognostic prediction in patients with unresectable HCC undergoing TACE. However, the association of the changing trends of NLR and NLR at different stages with different prognostic endpoints in HCC patients undergoing TACE was still in controversy, therefore further large-scale, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Interlink between Nuclear Receptors, Posttranslational Modifications and the Biological Clock in Health and Diseases

The day and night cycle influences the body function in health and disease through the modulation of the biological clock in via the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) which in turn acts as the master clock in aligning the downstream clocks in the peripheral organs. The peripheral clocks can also be entrained independently by different factors such as external nutritional, hormonal and chemical cues that in many cases come from ligand modulation of nuclear receptors and kinase activators. Disruption of the molecular clock is associated with many diseases including cancer, immune diseases and aging. In addition, administration of toxic drugs such as anti-cancer can disturb the clock. These examples lead to changes in the sleep pattern of the patient and consequently can accelerate the manifestation of disease. This review details the function of the molecular clock in health and disease and how nuclear receptors and posttranslational modifications interact with the clock to regulate its function. In addition this review describes how chronotherapy can be applied in the clinical setting to treat cancer patients
Observation of spore germination in Physarum globuliferum

We described in detail the spore germination events in Physarum globuliferum. Observations were made using depression slides under a computer-supported video microscope. When a spore germinated, one protoplast, one myxamoeba or one swarm cell emerged; not more than one of these was observed. Under most conditions, the release of the spore protoplast was accomplished by the splitting of the spore wall into what appeared to be a V-shaped opening. Sometimes, the spores germinated through a minute pore dissolved in the spore wall and a myxamoeba or a swarm cell emerges. Under unfavorable conditions, myxamoeba may round up to form microcysts. Swarm cells are peanut-like, with one anteriorly attached flagellum. The pseudopodium of the myxamoeba is a typical lobopodium containing endoplasm only. Key words: Myxomycete, protoplast, swarm cell, myxamoeba, microcyst.
Characterisation of a novel SCCmec VI element harbouring fusC in an emerging Staphylococcus aureus strain from the Arabian Gulf region

Fusidic acid is a steroid antibiotic known since the 1960s. It is frequently used in topical preparations, i.e., ointments, for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. There is an increasing number of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains that harbour plasmid-borne fusB/far1 or fusC that is localised on SCC elements. In this study we examined a series of related CC30-MRSA isolates from the Arabian Gulf countries that presented with SCCmec elements and fusC, including a variant that—to the best of our knowledge—has not yet formally been described. It consisted of a class B mec complex and ccrA/B-4 genes. The fusidic acid resistance gene fusC was present, but contrary to the previously sequenced element of HDE288, it was not accompanied by tirS. This element was identified in CC30 MRSA from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that usually also harbour the Panton-Valentin leukocidin (PVL) genes. It was also identified in CC8 and ST834 isolates. In addition, further CC30 MRSA strains with other SCCmec VI elements harbouring fusC were found to circulate in the Arabian Gulf region. It can be assumed that MRSA strains with SCCmec elements that include fusC have a selective advantage in both hospital and community settings warranting a review of the use of topical antibiotics and indicating the necessity of reducing over-the-counter sale of antibiotics, including fusidic acid, without prescription.
A Decomposition Analysis of Capital Structure: Evidence from Pakistan’s Manufacturing Sector

This study investigates the determinants of the various components of debt—short- and long-term debt and their categories—in the case of nonfinancial listed firms in Pakistan for the period 2008–10. We make a significant distinction between these determinants depending on the components of debt issued: long-term or short-term forms of debt. Our results show that large firms are more likely to have access to long-term debt borrowing than small firms and that, due to supply constraints, small firms resort to short-term forms of debt. Firms with higher potential for growth prefer using less long-term debt as well as debt with fewer restrictive arrangements in order to become more financially flexible. Firms with sufficient fixed assets can generate external finance more easily and at lower cost by using these assets as collateral, which supports the tradeoff theory. Firms generating high levels of profit, however, may choose to finance their investments using internal resources rather than by raising debt finance, which conforms to the pecking order theory. Our results also confirm the presence of the inertia effect and industry-specific effects, and are robust to alternative estimation techniques.
Survival and Resilience of Female Street Children Experiencing Sexual Violence in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT The goal of this exploratory study was to inspect and comprehend the phenomenon of female street children who left their homes and came to the streets for survival. The study explored any violent experience (i.e., sexual violence) they had, their feedback about the support they receive from the non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It also aimed to explore their hopes, aspiration, resilience and their thoughts about their lives, despite the challenges they faced. The study utilized qualitative methodology and information was collected through open-ended questions. The study was guided by resilience theory to understand the coping strategy and resilience among these children. Twelve female children between the ages 13–14 were selected from the local NGOs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. For analysis purposes, the study utilized grounded theory and identified three themes. These themes include Reasons for moving to the streets, experience of living on the streets and hopes and aspiration: Resilience. Majority of the respondents experienced sexual violence and despite all the challenges many of these children could still dream of a pleasant future.
Tiered-ReRAM: A Low Latency and Energy Efficient TLC Crossbar ReRAM Architecture

Resistive Memory (ReRAM) is promising to be used as high density storage-class memory by employing Triple-Level Cell (TLC) and crossbar structures. However, TLC crossbar ReRAM suffers from high write latency and energy due to the IR drop issue and the iterative program-and-verify procedure. In this paper, we propose Tiered-ReRAM architecture to overcome the challenges of TLC crossbar ReRAM. The proposed Tiered-ReRAM consists of three components, namely Tiered-crossbar design, Compression-based Incomplete Data Mapping (CIDM), and Compression-based Flip Scheme (CFS). Specifically, based on the observation that the magnitude of IR drops is primarily determined by the long length of bitlines in Double-Sided Ground Biasing (DSGB) crossbar arrays, Tiered-crossbar design splits each long bitline into the near and far segments by an isolation transistor, allowing the near segment to be accessed with decreased latency and energy. Moreover, in the near segments, CIDM dynamically selects the most appropriate IDM for each cache line according to the saved space by compression, which further reduces the write latency and energy with insignificant space overhead. In addition, in the far segments, CFS dynamically selects the most appropriate flip scheme for each cache line, which ensures more high resistance cells written into crossbar arrays and effectively reduces the leakage energy. For each compressed cache line, the selected IDM or flip scheme is applied on the condition that the total encoded data size will never exceed the original cache line size. The experimental results show that, on average, Tiered-ReRAM can improve the system performance by 30.5%, reduce the write latency by 35.2%, decrease the read latency by 26.1%, and reduce the energy consumption by 35.6%, compared to an aggressive baseline.
Energy Transition, Technological Spillovers and Elasticity of Substitution

Countries such as Germany and Switzerland have included the energy transition in their policy programs, setting specific targets in terms of energy production from renewables. However, the energy transition has a cost, which so far has been partly covered by subsidizing the clean production. This has produced an adverse effect, leading to overproduction in the clean sector and negative prices in the electricity spot market. An excessive subsidy, which does not takes into account technological spillovers and the elasticity of substitution, might be the cause. We use endogenous growth theory to study how the cost of the energy transition - proxied by a subsidy - is affected by these two channels. We provide a numerical solution to the model to give an insight into the magnitude of the effect considered. The main findings are: (1) technological spillovers reduce the cost of the energy transition and the subsidy becomes negative after a threshold value of relative spillover intensities; (2) a higher elasticity of substitution between the two sectors increases the cost of the energy transition.