Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model Finding in the EMF Ecosystem

The EMF framework is the main meta-modelling framework used nowadays. It has a rich ecosystem of plug-ins and tools built with and for it, including the option of enriching meta-models with OCL constraints. However, the EMF ecosystem lacks usable model ﬁnding approaches. Given a meta-model, a model ﬁnder automatically searches for models that satisfy a given set of formulas (e.g., OCL constraints). This feature can be used for a number of purposes, including model veriﬁcation and model synthesis. In this paper, we present an approach to support model ﬁnding in the EMF ecosystem that is designed to realize several scenarios including model consistency, example generation, partial solution completion and scrolling. Moreover, it allows several OCL variants to be plugged-in via an intermediate representation. This approach has been realized in a tool called EFinder. We have assessed the usability of the approach by implementing three advanced application scenarios and evaluated its veriﬁcation capabilities by analyzing OCL constraints from an external OCL dataset containing about 300 valid EMF/OCL speciﬁcations. Our model ﬁnder is able to process about 65% of these EMF/OCL models.
AIDS in bisexual men in the United States: epidemiology and transmission to women.

BACKGROUND Homosexual and bisexual men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) differ, and bisexual men play an important role in the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to women. METHODS To describe AIDS in these groups, we examined AIDS cases reported nationally through June 1990. RESULTS Among 65 389 men who reported having had sex with men since 1977, 26% were bisexual. More Black (41%) and Hispanic men (31%) than White men (21%) reported bisexual behavior. Bisexual men were twice as likely to report intravenous drug use (20%) as were homosexual men (9%), regardless of race or ethnicity. Among 3555 women with heterosexually acquired AIDS, 11% reported sexual contact with a bisexual man and no other risk factor, although in some states approximately half reported such contact. In 1989, the AIDS rate due to sex with a bisexual man was three and five times higher among Hispanic and Black women, respectively, than among White women. CONCLUSIONS Differences between bisexual and homosexual men with AIDS and the relative importance of AIDS in women due to sexual contact with bisexual men should be considered in the development of HIV prevention programs.
Minimum superlattice thermal conductivity from molecular dynamics

The dependence of superlattice thermal conductivity on period length is investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. For perfectly lattice matched superlattices, a minimum is observed when the period length is of the order of the effective phonon mean free path. As temperature decreases and interatomic potential strength increases, the position of the minimum shifts to larger period lengths. The depth of the minimum is strongly enhanced as mass and interatomic potential ratios of the constituent materials increase. The simulation results are consistent with phonon transmission coefficient calculations, which indicate increased stop bandwidth and thus strongly enhanced Bragg scattering for the same conditions under which strong reductions in thermal conductivity are found. When nonideal interfaces are created by introducing a 4% lattice mismatch, the minimum disappears and thermal conductivity increases monotonically with period length. This result may explain why minimum thermal conductivity has not been observed in a large number of experimental studies.
Modulation of Motor Excitability by Metricality of Tone Sequences

When listening to music, humans tend to synchronize their movements with the perceived beat (e.g., foot-tapping). Brain areas associated with motor function have been closely linked to the perception of beat and rhythm, but the mechanism of this temporal auditory–motor coupling is not fully understood. To investigate how auditory rhythms affect movement, we applied single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to primary motor cortex, eliciting motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in ankle-driving muscles of the lower leg, while participants (N = 4) listened to metrically strong or weak tone sequences or music. When TMS pulses were delivered synchronously with perceptible beats in the metrically strong tone sequences, MEPs had greater amplitude than for metrically weak sequences. In contrast, for music that gave a strong or weak sense of the underlying beat, there were no differences in MEP amplitude. These results demonstrate that the pure metrical structure of an auditory rhythm presented as generic parametrically varied tone sequences can influence motor excitability but that the picture may be more complex for real recordings of musical pieces. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)
Endothelin‐1 stimulates the translocation and upregulation of both glucose transporter and hexokinase in astrocytes: relationship with gap junctional communication

We have previously shown that endothelin‐1 increases glucose uptake in astrocytes. In the present work we investigate the mechanism through which endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) increases glucose uptake. Our results show that ET‐1 activates a short‐term and a long‐term mechanism. Thus, ET‐1 induced a rapid change in the localization of both GLUT‐1 and type I hexokinase. These changes are probably aimed at rapidly increasing the entry and phosphorylation of glucose. In addition, ET‐1 upregulated GLUT‐1 and type I hexokinase and induced the expression of isoforms not normally expressed in astrocytes, such as GLUT‐3 and type II hexokinase. These changes provide astrocytes with the machinery required to sustain a high rate of glucose uptake for a longer period of time. Our previous work had suggested that the effect of ET‐1 on glucose uptake was associated with the inhibition of gap junctions. In this work, we compare the effect of ET‐1 with that of carbenoxolone, a classical inhibitor of gap junction communication. Carbenoxolone increased glucose uptake to the same extent as ET‐1 following the same mechanisms. Thus, carbenoxolone induced a rapid change in the localization of both GLUT‐1 and type I hexokinase, upregulated GLUT‐1 and type I hexokinase and induced the expression of GLUT‐3 and type II hexokinase. When the inhibition of gap junction was prevented by tolbutamide, neither ET‐1 nor carbenoxolone were able to increase the levels of GLUT‐1, GLUT‐3, type I hexokinase or type II hexokinase, indicating that these events are closely related to gap junctions.
Modelisation mathematique et numerique d'un probleme de propagation en acoustique sous-marine : prise en compte d'un environnement variable tridimensionnel

Dans des cas realistes d'environnements oceaniques tridimensionnels, les variations brutales suivant la distance et l'azimut de la celerite du son et les interactions avec le fond de l'eau peuvent avoir des effets significatifs sur la propagation sonore, necessitant l'utilisation de modeles tridimensionnels. Nous proposons un modele de propagation tridimensionnel base sur une approximation paraxiale de l'equation d'helmholtz en l'absence de symetrie cylindrique sur la geometrie du domaine. Une caracteristique importante de notre modele reside en une paraxialisation des conditions aux limites consistante avec l'approximation paraxiale utilise sur l'equation d'helmholtz. Cette etape est essentielle dans l'obtention d'un probleme aux limites avec condition initiale mathematiquement bien-pose et de proprietes d'energie correctes. Nous transformons le domaine physique en un domaine de calcul plus simple par utilisation d'un changement de variables (ce qui ne necessite aucune approximation des fonds pentus par marches d'escalier). La geometrie des fonds est ainsi prise en compte directement au niveau de l'equation. Nous discretisons le probleme continu par elements finis en immersion et en azimut et par un schema d'integration en distance de type implicite. Notre schema preserve la propriete d'energie du probleme continu. Nous effectuons une etude de convergence du schema. Nous resolvons le probleme discret par utilisation d'une methode iterative preconditionnee. Nous presentons des simulations numeriques sur plusieurs cas tests (propagations en presence d'un plan incline et d'un fond rugueux) et pour differentes frequences d'emission (source ponctuelle ou champs initiaux de type modal). Les resultats permettent de mettre en evidence des effets de refraction horizontale non predits par des modeles bidimensionnels. Une attention particuliere est consacree a la convergence de la solution numerique par rapport a la discretisation azimutale.
Establish innovative learning environment by virtual lab concept: An exploratory research in higher education

In the innovative learning environment, during the learning process supported by LMS systems has already evolved new learning and communication forms, which has led to different forms of collaboration. The inclusion of virtuality into the education also requires special education methodology and planning, there is a great emphasis on cooperative work, and also on the dynamic application of connectivism in pedagogy. Our exploratory research focuses on the information gathering habits of new generation. First, what are the characteristics of the new generation in the information gathering, learning, learning environment and community dimensions. On the other hand, the aim is to explore that how receptive are today's students about the new learning space and what kind of expectations they have about the activities in the virtual space, and how well-informed are they of the pros and cons related with the virtual learning space.
An Experimental and Numerical Study of Normal Particle Collisions in a Viscous Liquid

When two solid bodies collide in a liquid environment, the collision process is influenced by viscous effects and the increased pressure in the interstitial liquid layer between the two solid boundaries. A normal collision process is investigated for a range of impact Stokes numbers using both experimental and numerical methods. Experiments of a steel sphere falling under gravity and colliding with a Zerodur wall with Stokes number ranging from 5 to 100 are performed, which complement previous investigations of immersed particle-wall collision processes. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically to predict the coupled motion of the falling particle and the surrounding fluid as the particle impacts and rebounds from the planar wall. The numerical method is validated by comparing the numerical simulations of a settling sphere with experimental measurements of the sphere trajectory and the accompanying flow-field. A contact model of the liquid-solid and solid-solid interaction is developed that incorporates the elasticity of the solids to permit the rebound trajectory to be simulated accurately. The contact model is applied when the particle is sufficiently close to the wall that it becomes difficult to resolve the thin lubrication layer. The model is calibrated with measured particle trajectories and is found to represent well the observed coefficient of restitution over a range of impact Stokes numbers from 1 to 1000. In addition, the model is modified to simulate the normal collision of two spheres. The effective coefficient of restitution obtained from the simulation shows a strong dependence on the binary Stokes number accordant with other researcher’s experimental results. The unique behaviors of the two spheres at low binary Stokes number including target motion prior to contact and group motion after collision are simulated by the current work.
Production and Characterization ofa Reconstituted High Density Lipoprotein for Therapeutic Applications

A method is described for the large scale preparation of reconstituted high density lipoproteins (rHDL) suitable for therapeutic use. Apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) was isolated from precipitates obtained by cold ethanol fractionation of human plasma. This process includes several steps for virus removal and virus inactivation, among them pasteurization. Reconstitution of lipoprotein particles was performed by cholate dialysis using soybean phosphatidylcholine as the lipid source. An apoA‐I:lipid ratio of 1:150 (mol:mol) was obtained. Redissolved rHDLs were disc‐shaped particles resembling nascent HDL, as assessed by electron microscopy. The method was optimized for low content of free apoA‐I protein as well as the low concentration of free lipid. The product was stabilized by lyophilization in the presence of sucrose. In vitro studies show potential effects in the prevention of gram‐negative septic shock and in the inhibition of atherosclerosis.
Analysis and modeling of the polarization characteristics of diffuse scattering in indoor and outdoor radio propagation

The polarimetric properties of the radio channel, with particular reference to the Dense Multipath Components (DMC), are analyzed in the present work for different types of outdoor and indoor environments, with the aid of measurements and Ray Tracing (RT) simulations. A heuristic Diffuse Scattering model, suitable to be embedded in RT tools, is properly tuned and parameterized to reproduce the cross-polar discrimination (XPD) characteristics of the DMC extracted from measurement data in the above mentioned scenarios.
A cost comparison of travel models and behavioural telemedicine for rural, Native American populations in New Mexico

Objective The purpose of this study was to model the cost of delivering behavioural health services to rural Native American populations using telecommunications and compare these costs with the travel costs associated with providing equivalent care. Methods Behavioural telehealth costs were modelled using equipment, transmission, administrative and IT costs from an established telecommunications centre. Two types of travel models were estimated: a patient travel model and a physician travel model. These costs were modelled using the New Mexico resource geographic information system program (RGIS) and ArcGIS software and unit costs (e.g. fuel prices, vehicle depreciation, lodging, physician wages, and patient wages) that were obtained from the literature and US government agencies. Results The average per-patient cost of providing behavioural healthcare via telehealth was US$138.34, and the average per-patient travel cost was US$169.76 for physicians and US$333.52 for patients. Sensitivity analysis found these results to be rather robust to changes in imputed parameters and preliminary evidence of economies of scale was found. Conclusion Besides the obvious benefits of increased access to healthcare and reduced health disparities, providing behavioural telehealth for rural Native American populations was estimated to be less costly than modelled equivalent care provided by travelling. Additionally, as administrative and coordination costs are a major component of telehealth costs, as programmes grow to serve more patients, the relative costs of these initial infrastructure as well as overall per-patient costs should decrease.
Rhythm modelling of long-term activity data

Long-term monitoring for activity recognition opens up new possibilities for deriving characteristics from the data, such as daily activity rhythms and certain quality measures for the activity performed or for identifying similarities or differences in daily routines. This thesis investigates the detection of activities with wearable sensors and addresses two major challenges in particular: The modelling of a person’s behaviour into rhythmic patterns and the detection of high-level activities, e.g., having lunch or sleeping. To meet these challenges, this thesis makes the following contributions: First, we study different platforms that are suitable for long-term data recording: A wrist-worn sensor and mobile phones. The latter has shown different carrying behaviours for various users. This has to be considered in ubiquitous systems for accurately recognizing the user’s context. We evaluate our findings in a study with a wrist-worn accelerometer by correlating with the inertial data of a smart phone. Second, we investigate datasets that exhibit rhythmic patterns to be used for recognizing high-level activities. Such statistical information obtained over a population is collected with time use surveys which describe how often certain activities are performed by the user. From such datasets we extract features like time and location to describe which activities are detectable by making use of prior information, showing also the benefits and limits of such data. Third, in order to improve on the recognition rates of high-level activities from wearable sensor data only, we propose the use of the aforementioned prior information from time use data. In our approach we investigate the results of a common classifier for several high-level activities, after which we compare them to the outcome of a maximum-likelihood estimation on the time use survey data. In a last step, we show how these two classification approaches are fused to raise the recognition rates. In a fourth contribution we introduce a recording platform to capture sleep and sleep behaviour in the user’s common environment, enabling the unobtrusive monitoring of patterns over several weeks. We use a wrist-worn sensor to record inertial data from which we extract sleep segments. For this purpose, we present three different sleep detection approaches: A Gaussian-, generative model- and stationary segments-based algorithm are evaluated and are found to exhibit different accuracies for detecting sleep. The latter algorithm is pitted against two clinically evaluated sleep detection approaches, indicating that we are able to reach an optimum trade-off between sleep and wake segments, while the two common algorithms tend to overestimate sleep. Further, we investigate the rhythmic patterns within sleep: We classify sleep postures and detect muscle contractions with a high confidence, enabling physicians to efficiently browse through the data.
Inherited thrombocytopenias—recent advances in clinical and molecular aspects

Abstract Since the beginning of the century, our knowledge of inherited thrombocytopenias greatly advanced, and we presently know 30 forms with well-defined genetic defects. This great advancement changed our view of these disorders, as we realized that most patients have only mild thrombocytopenia with inconspicuous bleeding or no bleeding tendency at all. However, better knowledge of inherited thrombocytopenias also revealed that some of the most prevalent forms expose to the risk of acquiring during infancy or adulthood additional disorders that endanger the life of patients much more than hemorrhages. Thus, inherited thrombocytopenias are complex disorders with quite different clinical features and prognosis. Identification of novel genes whose mutations result in low platelet count greatly advanced also our knowledge of the megakaryocyte biology and proved beyond any doubt that the defective proteins play an essential role in platelet biogenesis or survival in humans. Based on the study of inherited thrombocytopenias, we better understood the sequence of molecular events regulating megakaryocyte differentiation, maturation, and platelet release. Since nearly 50% of patients have as yet unidentified genetic or molecular mechanisms underlying their inherited thrombocytopenia, further studies are expected to reveal new clinical entities and new molecular mechanisms of platelet production.
Effect of Mobile Phone Short Text Messages on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Mobile phone text messaging has rapidly become a socially popular form of communication. Several studies showed that mobile phone might offer a useful means of providing information between clinic visits and might increase adherence to diabetes therapy regimens. Objectives: We conducted a study to evaluate the effect of mobile phone short message service (SMS) on glycemic control in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients (mean age, 41 ± 9.5 years) were selected at the Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and provided with daily educational, reminding SMS messages for four months. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, frequency of hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic attacks, and compliance with blood glucose monitoring were recorded before and after the trial. Results: In addition to significant improvement in patients’ knowledge, mean fasting blood glucose level improved from 8.60 ± 3.16 to 7.77 ± 3.11 mmol/L and mean HbA1c decreased from 9.9% ± 1.8% to 9.5% ± 1.7%. Conclusions: Mobile phone text messaging increased adherence to diabetes therapy and improved the clinical outcome in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes.
Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes in low-income women.

BACKGROUND Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects an estimated 1.5 million U.S. women annually. IPV impacts maternal and neonatal health with higher rates of depression and low birth weight (LBW). Less studied is experiencing IPV and delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) baby. SGA neonates are at increased risk of developmental and behavioral problems. The negative sequelae persist into adulthood with increased rates of diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. METHODS In a sample of 239 pregnant women experiencing IPV, in urban and rural settings, we examined cross-sectional associations of severity of IPV and neonatal outcomes (i.e., birth weight and gestational age). Severity of IPV was measured by the Conflict Tactics Scale 2 and neonatal outcomes were collected at the time of delivery. RESULTS Outcomes were collected on 194 neonates; 14.9% (n=29) were classified as LBW, 19.1% (n=37) classified as SGA, and 9.8% (n=19) as LBW and SGA. Women reporting higher severity of IPV during pregnancy had a greater likelihood of delivering an SGA neonate (odds ratio [OR] 4.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.86-12.47), and LBW neonate (OR 4.20; 95% CI 1.46-12.10). CONCLUSIONS In a sample of pregnant women experiencing perinatal IPV, women experiencing greater severities of IPV were more likely to deliver a neonate with an adverse outcome. Early recognition and intervention of IPV is essential to reduce disparities in birth outcomes and long-term health outcomes for these neonates.
Application of the Apn2/MAT locus to improve the systematics of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides complex: an example from coffee (Coffea spp.) hosts

To improve phylogenetic resolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex we developed and tested the performance of a new set of primers for the Apn2/MAT locus with a case study of 22 isolates. These were isolated mainly from coffee plants and represent six divergent and well characterized species within the C. gloeosporioides complex. Following previous studies on this locus, we have generated sequence data from an expanded region (> 4600 bp), revealing increased phylogenetic informativeness when compared to other commonly used markers such as ITS, β-tub2 and GS. Within the Apn2/MAT locus the ApMAT marker alone was almost as informative in terms of phylogenetic resolution as a seven-gene concatenated dataset. Our results further revealed that gene-tree discordance may come to be a common issue in resolving evolutionary relationships in the C. gloeosporioides complex, highlighting the importance of multilocus approaches. The use of state-of-the-art data analysis techniques and a highly informative dataset as employed here may abate this issue and hopefully assist in disentangling the C. gloeosporioides complex.