Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Flux-Mnemonic Dual-Magnet Brushless Machine

This paper presents a new flux-mnemonic dual-magnet brushless machine which incorporates both the neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) and aluminum-nickel-cobalt (AlNiCo) permanent magnets (PMs) for hybrid excitation. By applying a temporary current pulse in a small magnetizing winding to online tune the magnetization of AlNiCo PMs, the proposed machine can provide flexible air-gap flux control, thus achieving high efficiency at different speeds and loads. By newly using a parallelogram to model the AlNiCo PM hysteresis loop and then incorporating into the finite element field equation, the performance of the proposed machine is analyzed. Finally, experimental results are given to verify the simulation, confirming the validity of the proposed machine and its analysis.
A new species of sponge-dwelling Oukuriella (Chironomidae) from Brazil.

Oukuriella Epler, 1986 is an exclusively Neotropical genus that comprises two well supported clades: inhabitants of freshwater sponges and inhabitants of immersed wood (saproxylophilic). In this work, males of a new chironomid species, Oukuriella froehlichi sp. n. , are described and illustrated. Specimens were collected near stream in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Phylogenetic analyses performed in this study show that the newly discovered species belongs in the clade of freshwater sponge inhabitants.
The Yeast Mitochondrial Proteome, a Study of Fermentative and Respiratory Growth*

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is able to switch from fermentation to respiration (diauxic shift) with major changes in metabolic activity. This phenomenon has been previously studied on the transcriptional level. Here we present a parallel analysis of the yeast mitochondrial proteome and the corresponding transcriptional activity in cells grown on glucose (fermentation) and glycerol (respiration). A two-dimensional reference gel for this organelle proteome was established (available at www.biochem.oulu.fi/proteomics/), which contains about 800 intense spots. From 459 spots 253 individual proteins were identified, among them low abundant and hydrophobic proteins, and 37 proteins previously deemed hypothetical, with partially unknown cellular localization. After the diauxic shift, mitochondrial levels of only 18 proteins were changed (17 increased, with 1 decreased), among them proteins involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (Sdh1p, Sdh2p, and Sdh4p) and the respiratory chain (Cox4p, Cyb2p, and Qcr7p), proteins contributing to other respiratory pathways (Ach1p, Adh2p, Ald4p, Cat2p, Icl2p, and Pdh1p), and two proteins with unknown function (Om45p and Ybr230p). Apart from an overall increase in mitochondrial protein mass, the mitochondrial proteome remains remarkably constant, even in a major metabolic adaptation. This seemingly disagrees with results of the DNA microarray analyses, where a rather heterogenous up- or down-regulation of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins implies large changes in the proteome. We propose that the discrepancy between proteome and transcriptional regulation, apart from different translation efficiency, indicates a changed turnover rate of proteins in different physiological conditions.
The Study of the Controllable Parameters on the Hyperthermia Efficiency (A Numerical Study)

The aim of this article is to propose a useful scheme, to achieve ideal hyperthermia using spatial heating sources. To do this, the effect of the variation of some of the controllable parameters such as the heating source power, the heating duration, the heating source type, and the cooling system parameters, upon the temperature distribution was investigated. The tissue under treatment is a superficial cancerous tissue with no significant blood vessel. So the Pennes bioheat transfer equation was used to simulate the treatment phenomena. Fully implicit control volume method was used to solve the transient one dimensional Pennes equation. The results show that by selecting appropriate values for controllable parameters, hyperthermia treatment could be done ideally. Keywords-Bioheat trasnfer; control volume; Hyperthrmia; Numerical Method; Pennes
Understanding the optical and electronic properties of organic semiconductors using high pressure

En esta tesis se estudian las propiedades opticas de semiconductores organicos, que pueden usarse en diodos organicos de emision de luz (OLEDs; de la expresion inglesa) y celulas solares organicas (OSCs; de la expresion inglesa). Ademas se describe el estado de transferencia de carga (estado TC) en mezclas de donador/aceptor, un estado intermedio en el proceso de coleccion de cargas en OSCs. La finalidad de este trabajo es entender como mecanismos diferentes influyen en los niveles energeticos de los semiconductores organicos y las propiedades del estado TC. La parte mas importante de estos estudios consiste en la aplicacion de alta presion hidrostatica para observar los efectos de distancias intermoleculares menores sobre los niveles energeticos de polimeros conjugados y sobre las propiedades del estado TC. Se explica el corrimiento hacia energias menores en los espectros de fotoluminiscencia y absorcion a causa de la presion considerando cuatro parametros: longitud de enlaces, planaridad, interacciones intermoleculares y el ambiente dielectrico, y se estima su contribucion a dicho corrimiento. Se investigaron las propiedades opticas bajo presion hidrostatica de peliculas gruesas de poli(9,9-dioctil-fluoreno) (PFO) fabricadas mediante recubrimiento por rotacion (spin-coating). La comparacion entre una pelicula completamente amorfa y una pelicula conteniendo una fase adicional de conformacion muy plana (fase β) nos permitio estimar los efectos de planarizacion. Ademas, utilizando un metodo interferometrico, se determino por primera vez el valor absoluto del indice de refraccion de un polimero conjugado bajo alta presion hidrostatica. Se estudiaron dos tipos diferentes de poli(3-hexil tiofeno) (P3HT) en disoluciones diluidas y en peliculas finas en las cuales tambien se observaron los efectos de las altas presiones hidrostaticas. En este caso se considero especialmente el efecto de la interaccion entre cadenas polimericas sobre las propiedades opticas de la pelicula fina. Se utilizaron medidas de espectroscopia Raman para discutir la planarizacion de cadenas de P3HT en una pelicula fina bajo presion hidrostatica. Los estudios del estado TC se realizaron en peliculas finas fabricadas por spin-coating de mezclas de P3HT con derivados de fullerenos. Se obtuvieron informaciones tanto sobre la agregacion y cristalizacion de los fullerenos en la matriz amorfa del polimero como sobre sus efectos a las propiedades del estado TC. Se hallaron cambios en la energia y la intensidad de la emision del estado TC segun la concentracion de fullerenos y la presion hidrostatica aplicada, intentando determinar el origen del corrimiento hacia bajas energias observado y de la eficiencia de la disociacion del estado TC.
Proton MRS of Gadolinium‐enhancing MS Plaques and Metabolic Changes in Normal‐Appearing White Matter

Localized short echo time (TE = 20 ms), stimulated echo acquisition mode, and double spin echo (TE = 135 ms) proton spectroscopy were performed in clearly defined, acute Gadolinium (Gd)‐enhancing multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques of 22 patients with clinically definite MS. The resonances of N‐acetylated metabolites (NA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr), choline‐containing compounds (Cho), glycine/myo‐inositol (Ino), and lactate were evaluated. The ratios of NA/Cr and NA/Cho were significantly decreased, Cho/Cr increased, and Ino/Cr remained unchanged. No marker peaks or elevated lactate levels were found. The measured metabolic changes were practically independent of the relative plaque size within the volume of interest (8 ml). Thus, the spectral changes measured with 1H MRS in acute Gd‐enhancing MS plaques originate not only from the lesion as depicted by MRI, but also from the surrounding normal‐appearing white matter.
A cellular mobile telephone system with load sharing-an enhancement of directed retry

A load sharing facility, which enables subscribers in a mobile telephone system to look for free radio channels in more than one cell, is investigated with respect to blocking probability and channel utilization. Results show that a substantial improvement, compared to other channel allocation techniques, can be achieved. The positive effects are especially notable for an asymmetric traffic situation. The improvement is accomplished at the expense of an increased risk of cochannel interference between mobiles. >
Comparative analysis between RQ‐PCR and digital‐droplet‐PCR of immunoglobulin/T‐cell receptor gene rearrangements to monitor minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ‐PCR) is a standardized tool for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The applicability of this technology is limited by the need of a standard curve based on diagnostic DNA. The digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) technology has been recently applied to various medical fields, but its use in MRD monitoring is under investigation. In this study, we analysed 50 ALL cases by both methods in two phases: in the first, we established analytical parameters to investigate the applicability of this new technique; in the second, we analysed MRD levels in 141 follow‐up (FU) samples to investigate the possible use of ddPCR for MRD monitoring in ALL patients. We documented that ddPCR has sensitivity and accuracy at least comparable to those of RQ‐PCR. Overall, the two methods gave concordant results in 124 of the 141 analysed MRD samples (88%, P = 0·94). Discordant results were found in 12% borderline cases.
Orthodontic treatment need for Brazilian schoolchildren: a study using the Dental Aesthetic Index.

OBJECTIVE To determine the normative orthodontic treatment need among 12-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren, in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and compare with the need as perceived by the children themselves and their parents or caregivers, assessing putative associated sociodemographic factors. METHODS Four hundred and fifty one children without a previous history of orthodontic treatment were randomly selected from a population of 7,993 schoolchildren regularly attending the public and private educational sectors of the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. RESULTS The prevalence of normative orthodontic treatment need in 12-year-old children, assessed with the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was 65.6% (n = 155). The need perceived by the caregivers was 85.6%, and by the children was 83.8%. Only the perception by the caregivers maintained a significant correlation with the normative need of treatment when adjusted to the parents' schooling and economical level (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence (65.6%) of malocclusion requiring orthodontic treatment in 12-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren. The most prevalent malocclusions in the study were: Crowding, Class II molar relationship and increased overjet. There was no significant correlation between the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need - Aesthetic Component (IOTN-AC) related to dental aesthetic perception and the normative treatment need assessed with the DAI.
MRI evaluation of small hepatic lesions in women with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of MRI in differentiating benign and malignant causes of hepatic lesions deemed too small to characterize on CT in women with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS A list of all women with breast cancer diagnosed between January 2000 and June 2003 was cross-referenced with radiologic and medical records to identify patients who had undergone MRI of the liver and who had had a hepatic lesion too small to characterize reported on previous CT performed after the diagnosis of breast cancer. The cause reported at MRI for each hepatic lesion too small to characterize seen on CT was recorded as benign, malignant, indeterminate, or no lesion seen on MRI. Subsequent relevant imaging examinations and medical records were reviewed. RESULTS Seventy-six (1.4%) of 5,440 women underwent MRI that included the liver. In 38 (50%) of the women a hepatic lesion too small to characterize was found on CT performed before MRI. The reported MRI diagnoses of hepatic lesions too small to characterize on CT included benign lesions (n = 22 women), lesions that remained indeterminate (n = 11 women), no lesion seen on MRI corresponding to the site of a lesion too small to characterize on CT (n = 8 women), and metastatic lesions (n = 2 women). Four women had more than one reported type of hepatic lesion. Subsequent findings of imaging, biopsy, or both performed on eight of 11 women with indeterminate lesions supported benign diagnoses in all eight women. CONCLUSION In women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and no definite liver metastasis on initial CT, immediate further evaluation of hepatic lesions too small to characterize with MRI offers only marginal benefit. In only approximately 5% of such women will lesions too small to characterize be shown on MRI to represent metastasis.
Confluence‐dependent resistance in human colon cancer cells: Role of reduced drug accumulation and low intrinsic chemosensitivity of resting cells

In vitro sensitivity of HT29 human colon cancer cells to doxorubicin (DXR), vincristine (VCR), etoposide (VP16), cisplatin (CDDP), melphalan (L‐PAM) and 5‐fluorouracil (5FU) was markedly reduced when cell‐culture density increased. For some drugs, confluence‐dependent resistance (CDR) was partly due to decreased intracellular drug accumulation; the ratio of mean intracellular drug content of non confluent to confluent cells (NC/C) was 2.5 for DXR, 4.1 for VCR and 7.4 for VP16. Altered drug penetration with confluence could be related to decrease of plasma membrane fluidity as measured by the fluorescence polarization method. Reduction of drug intracellular accumulation was nil or weak for L‐PAM (NC/C = 1.0), CDDP (NC/C = 1.2) and 5 FU (NC/C = 1.8). Even if drug concentration was adjusted in culture medium to produce similar intracellular drug content in confluent and non confluent cells, higher intrinsic resistance of confluent cells was still evidenced for DXR and VP16 but not for VCR, the only agent without direct interaction with DNA. DXR‐ and VP16‐induced DNA breakage was also less important in confluent than in non‐confluent cells. CDR appeared closely related to an increased proportion of non‐cycling cells at confluence, as demonstrated by flow cytometry, expression of nuclear antigen recognized by Ki67 MAb and expression of topoisomerase II. CDR is probably a major factor in the poor sensitivity of colorectal adenocarcinomas to chemotherapy.
Power Asymmetry and Learning in Teams: The Moderating Role of Performance Feedback

Past research suggests that power asymmetry within teams can have a stifling effect on team learning and performance. We argue here that this effect is contingent on whether power advantages within a team are used to advance individual or collective interests. This study considers the moderating role of one factor that can influence the individual or collective orientation of team members---the type of performance feedback that a team receives. We propose that whereas individual feedback reinforces the negative effects of power asymmetry on team learning, group feedback fosters a collective orientation within a team that transforms power differences into a stimulus for team learning. Analysis of multisource, multimethod data obtained from 218 individuals in 46 teams provided support for these hypotheses. Results also suggested that team learning mediated the relationship between power asymmetry and team performance. These findings suggest that power asymmetry can be a resource for and not just an obstacle to team learning in power-asymmetric teams.
Evaluative Conditioning Procedures and the Resilience of Conditioned Brand Attitudes

Changing brand attitudes by pairing a brand with affectively laden stimuli such as celebrity endorsers or pleasant pictures is called evaluative conditioning. We show that this attitude change can occur in two ways, depending on how brands and affective stimuli are presented. Attitude change can result from establishing a memory link between brand and affective stimulus (indirect attitude change) or from direct “affect transfer” from affective stimulus to brand (direct attitude change). Direct attitude change is significantly more robust than indirect attitude change, for example, to changes in the valence of affective stimuli (unconditioned stimulus revaluation: e.g., endorsers falling from grace), to interference by subsequent information (e.g., advertising clutter), and to persuasion knowledge activation (e.g., consumer suspicion about being influenced). Indirect evaluative conditioning requires repeated presentations of a brand with the same affective stimulus. Direct evaluative conditioning requires simultaneous presentation of a brand with different affective stimuli.
Do grammatical–gender distinctions learned in the second language influence native-language lexical processing?

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research Questions: How does learning a second language influence native language processing? The present study examined whether knowledge of Spanish – a language that marks grammatical gender – influences lexical processing in English – a language that does not mark grammatical gender. Design/Methodology/Approach: Three groups of adult English native speakers were tested: monolinguals; emergent bilinguals with high exposure to Spanish; and emergent bilinguals with low exposure to Spanish. Participants engaged in an associative learning task in English where they learned to associate names of inanimate objects with proper names. For half of the pairs, the grammatical gender of the noun’s Spanish translation matched the gender of the proper name (e.g. corn-Patrick). For half of the pairs, the grammatical gender of the noun’s Spanish translation mismatched the gender of the proper noun (e.g. beach-William). Data and Analysis: Fifty-six participants were tested − 21 monolingual speakers of English, 18 emergent bilinguals with high exposure to Spanish, and 17 emergent bilinguals with low exposure to Spanish. Data were analyzed using mixed analyses of variance. Findings/Conclusions: High-Spanish-exposure bilinguals (but not monolinguals or low-Spanish-exposure bilinguals) were less accurate at retrieving proper names for gender-incongruent than for gender-congruent pairs. Originality: The methodological approach used in this paper is especially well-suited to testing activation of grammatical gender in languages like English, which do not grammaticize gender. Significance/Implications: The findings of this study indicate that second-language morphosyntactic information is activated during native-language lexical processing, even when the second language is acquired later in life. This is particularly significant, considering well-known limitations in explicit knowledge of grammatical gender distinctions in the late-acquired second language.
Association between Mediterranean diet adherence and dyslipidaemia in a cohort of adults living in the Mediterranean area

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and dyslipidaemia in a cohort of adults living in the Mediterranean area. The cross-sectional study comprised a total sample of 2044 men and women, aged >18 years old from southern Italy. The Mediterranean diet adherence was assessed using a validated score (MEDI-LITE score). Clinical data were investigated and anthropometric examinations were collected using standardised methods. Among included individuals, 18.4% had dyslipidaemia. The percentage of females with dyslipidaemia was higher than males (21.2% vs. 14.6%). Higher adherence to Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with dyslipidaemia (OR: 0.56, 95% Cl: 0.36, 0.86). Similar association was observed in men, but not in women. On the contrary, a positive association was found between dyslipidaemia and current smoking and higher occupational status. Our results support the potential effectiveness of this diet in the prevention of dyslipidaemia and justify future intervention studies.
Impairment of social cognition in multiple sclerosis: Amygdala atrophy is the main predictor

Background: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently reveal social behavior disturbance. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the impact of MS on social cognition, particularly theory of mind (ToM), and its neural basis. Objectives: To explore how ToM is affected in MS and its neural correlates. Methods: Enrolled 60 consecutive MS patients and 60 healthy controls (HC) matched on age, sex, and education. Participants underwent ToM testing (Eyes Test, Videos Test) and 3 T brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using Freesurfer software, cortical and subcortical gray matter (GM) volumes were calculated. Results: MS patients performed worse on Eyes Test (58.7% ± 13.8% vs 81.9% ± 10.4%, p < 0.001) and Videos Test (75.3% ± 9.3% vs 88.1% ± 7.1%, p < 0.001). Eyes Test performance in MS was positively correlated with the volume of subcortical structures (amygdala, putamen) and cortical regions (entorhinal cortex, fusiform gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, medial orbitofrontal cortex, anterior and posterior cingulate gyrus). In regression analysis, amygdala volume was the single predictor of performance (R2 change = 0.064, p = 0.031), and a mediation analysis indicated that it contributes for the differences observed between MS and HC. Conclusion: Patients with MS have impairment on social cognition. Amygdala atrophy was the main predictor probably due to its central position within the “social brain” network.
Proactive error prediction to improve storage system reliability

This paper proposes the use of machine learning techniques to make storage systems more reliable in the face of sector errors. Sector errors are partial drive failures, where individual sectors on a drive become unavailable, and occur at a high rate in both hard disk drives and solid state drives. The data in the affected sectors can only be recovered through redundancy in the system (e.g. another drive in the same RAID) and is lost if the error is encountered while the system operates in degraded mode, e.g. during RAID reconstruction. In this paper, we explore a range of different machine learning techniques and show that sector errors can be predicted ahead of time with high accuracy. Prediction is robust, even when only little training data or only training data for a different drive model is available. We also discuss a number of possible use cases for improving storage system reliability through the use of sector error predictors. We evaluate one such use case in detail: We show that the mean time to detecting errors (and hence the window of vulnerability to data loss) can be greatly reduced by adapting the speed of a scrubber based on error predictions.