Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytical model for the forward current of Al implanted 4H-SiC p-i-n diodes in a wide range of temperatures

The forward J-V characteristics of 4H-SiC p-i-n diodes are investigated in a wide range of currents and temperatures by means of an analytical model which describes in detail the role of the various physical parameters, such as bandgap narrowing effect, incomplete doping activation and doping-dependent mobility. In order to analyze the influence of the SiC properties at different injection regimes, the total diode current is expressed in terms of the minority current contributions in the various device regions. The accuracy of the model is verified by comparisons with numerical simulations and experimental data reported in the literature. The analysis shows that the proposed model can turn useful for a better understanding of the device behavior and for implementation in circuit simulators.
Morphologic and Immunohistochemical Characterization of the Hepatic Lesions Associated with European Brown Hare Syndrome

Liver lesions were studied in 40 free-living adult European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and varying hares (Lepus timidus) of both sexes that had died in Sweden with the viral infection European brown hare syndrome (EBHS). The lesions were characterized by their histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings. Periportal to massive coagulation necrosis was a distinctive feature of EBHS. Lytic necrosis, inflammation, fatty degeneration, and cholangitis occurred variably. Accumulation of basophilic granules in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes was commonly observed; these lesions corresponded ultrastructurally to mitochondrial calcification. Viral antigen was revealed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of hepatocytes and in the cytoplasm of macrophages.
Multilocus Sequence Types Associated with Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Sepsis and Meningitis in Canada

ABSTRACT Group B streptococci (GBS), a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis, are transferred to neonates from colonized mothers during childbirth. Prior studies using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) have found specific GBS clones (e.g., sequence type 17 [ST-17]) to be associated with neonatal disease in several geographic locations. Few population-based studies, however, have been conducted to determine the frequency of disease caused by specific GBS clones. MLST was used to assess the genetic diversity of 192 GBS strains from neonates and young children identified by population-based surveillance in Alberta, Canada, from 1993 to 2002. Comparisons were made to 232 GBS strains collected from colonized pregnant women, and all strains were characterized for one of nine capsule (cps) genotypes. A total of 47 STs were identified, and more than 80% of GBS strains were represented by 7 STs that have been shown to predominate in other populations. ST-17 and ST-19 were more prevalent in strains causing early onset disease (EOD) and late onset disease (LOD) than from pregnant women, whereas STs 1, 12, and 23 were more common in pregnant women. In addition, ST-17 strains and close relatives more frequently caused meningitis than sepsis and LOD versus EOD in this population of neonates. Further research is required to better understand why strains belonging to the ST-17 phylogenetic lineage are more likely to cause both LOD and meningitis and may provide clues into the pathogenesis of these conditions.
Lower Facial Rejuvenation Using Absorbable Casting Barbed Thread.

Over the last few decades, one of the main treatments ofwrinkles has been conventional superficialmusculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelifts. However, the conventional method has several limitations. Therefore, we introduce a minimally invasive lifting method using absorbable barbed thread made by casting methods. The objective of this study is to analyze the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive nonsurgical thread (MINT LIFT) for lower facial rejuvenation and improving deep nasolabial folds.
Effects of ageing on the cardiopulmonary receptor reflex in normotensive humans

This study examined the effects of ageing on the cardiopulmonary receptor regulation of vasomotor tone in skeletal muscle and renin release by the kidney. To this end, the changes in forearm vascular resistance (mean arterial pressure divided by plethysmographically measured forearm blood flow), plasma noradrenaline concentration and plasma renin activity were measured in eight young (23 ± 2 years, mean s.e.m.) and seven elderly healthy subjects (69 ± 2 years) during manoeuvres which altered cardiopulmonary receptor activity. The cardiopulmonary receptors were stimulated by increasing central venous pressure through passive leg-raising and deactivated by reducing central venous pressure through non-hypotensive (-15 mmHg) and hypotensive (-40 mmHg) levels of lower body negative pressure. During either manoeuvre, central venous pressure changed by the same amount in both groups, but the reflex changes in forearm vascular resistance, plasma noradrenaline and plasma renin activity were significantly less in elderly subjects. Since the increase in forearm vascular resistance induced by a cold pressor test was comparable in young and elderly subjects, a non-specific depression of cardiovascular responsiveness to neural stimuli can be excluded. Thus, healthy normotensive elderly subjects show an impairment of both vascular and neurohumoral influences exerted by cardiopulmonary receptors. This may be involved in the decreased ability of the elderly to cope with gravity challenges.
The Impact of IT Governance on Organizational Performance

IT governance, as a subset of corporate governance, consists of organizational structures and processes that ensure the organization’s IT can sustain and extend the organization’s strategies and objectives. In previous research, different types of IT governance have been proposed. However, it is not clear how different governance types affect firm performance and what are the theories underlying the causal relationships. Drawing from strategic alignment and coordination theories, a research model is proposed for investigating how intra-organizational coordination could help build goal congruence through strategic alignment and hence achieve higher organizational performance. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between IT governance, strategic alignment, and organizational performance. Data collected from 167 Taiwanese firms were used to empirically evaluate the theoretical relationships proposed in the research model, and the results show that strategic alignment is a major factor that mediates the effect of IT governance on firm performance.
Distributional Thesauri for Information Retrieval and vice versa

Distributional thesauri are useful in many tasks of Natural Language Processing. In this paper, we address the problem of building and evaluating such thesauri with the help of Information Retrieval (IR) concepts. Two main contributions are proposed. First, following the work of [8], we show how IR tools and concepts can be used with success to build a thesaurus. Through several experiments and by evaluating directly the results with reference lexicons, we show that some IR models outperform state-of-the-art systems. Secondly, we use IR as an applicative framework to indirectly evaluate the generated thesaurus. Here again, this task-based evaluation validates the IR approach used to build the thesaurus. Moreover, it allows us to compare these results with those from the direct evaluation framework used in the literature. The observed differences bring these evaluation habits into question.
Prediction of Vertebral Strength Under Loading Conditions Occurring in Activities of Daily Living Using a Computed Tomography-Based Nonlinear Finite Element Method

Study Design. A clinical study on osteoporotic vertebral strength in daily living using a computed tomography (CT)-based nonlinear finite element (FE) model. Objective. To evaluate the differences in predicted fracture strength of osteoporotic vertebral bodies among the different loading conditions that are occurring in the activities of daily living. Summary of Background Data. FE model has been reported to predict vertebral strength in uniaxial loading, but forward bending load plays an important role in osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Methods. Strengths of the second lumbar vertebra in 41 female patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis were analyzed using a nonlinear CT-based FE method. Three different loading conditions were adopted uniaxial compression, forward bending, and erect standing. The same boundary condition was used for all loading conditions. Predicted strengths under forward bending and erect standing were compared with that under uniaxial compression and differences in strength were statistically analyzed. Results. The regression equation relating strength under uniaxial compression to that under erect standing was expressed as y = 0.8912x + 19.332 (R = 0.9522), whereas the equation relating uniaxial compression to forward bending was y = 0.7033x + 55.071 (R = 0.8342). Both relationships were significant, but the correlation between forward bending and uniaxial compression was not strong, while strength was lower under forward bending than under uniaxial compression according to the Friedman multiple comparison test (P = 0.00017). Conclusion. Strength under forward bending correlated significantly to that under uniaxial compression, but the correlation was not strong. Therefore, in osteoporotic patients, both uniaxial compression and forward bending should be assessed to evaluate fracture risk in daily living using a CT-based FE method.
The pharmacokinetics of losartan in renal insufficiency

Aim: To determine the effect of renal insufficiency on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of losartan (MK-954) and its metabolite E3174 Patients and methods: A two-center, unblinded trial was performed in 18 patients (age range 31–63 years) with various degrees of renal function grouped according to the renal clearance of creatinine: group I, creatinine clearance >75 ml/min; group II, creatinine clearance 30–74 ml/min; group III, creatinine clearance 10–29 ml/min (n=6 in all groups). Losartan (100mg/day) was administered under supervised conditions for seven consecutive days. Plasma samples were taken for up to 60 h and 24-h urine collections were made following the final dose of losartan (on day 7) to determine losartan and E 3174 concentrations, with simultaneous measurements of blood pressure and the pulse rate Results: The pharmacokinetic parameters for losartan and E3174 changed inconsequentially across the range of renal insufficiency. For losartan, renal clearance decreased from 50± 19 ml/min in group I to 2.3 ±0.9 ml/min in group III (P<0.05). For E31 74, although the renal clearance decreased from 16±4.1 ml/min in group I to 1.3 ±0.8 ml/min in group III (P<0.05), the area under the plasma concentration curve did not change Conclusions: The steady-state areas under the curve of losartan and E3174 are not significantly changed with renal impairment. The renal clearance of losartan decreases with renal impairment but since only a small percentage of the dose is ordinarily eliminated by the kidney, the demonstrated reduction in clearance is clinically irrelevant. The renal clearance of E3174 also decreases with renal impairment, but the steady-state area under the curve does not increase with increasing degrees of renal insufficiency. These pharmacokinetic alterations do not warrant dose adjustment in the face of renal insufficiency
Improved identification of the electrocardio-signal for pulsatile ventricular assist devices

Abstract We introduce and investigate a method to identify the feature point of an electrocardiogram (ECG) to provide real-time and accurate trigger signals for pulsatile ventricular assist devices (PVADs). An important part of this method is an improved data processing algorithm, in which a differential calculator and another a low-pass filtering were added to avoid drift in the original signal and systematically delay caused by physical devices. The method was systematically illustrated in this article and a test-setup was built based on the LabVIEW program development environment. Both simulations and experiments were carried out to demonstrate the merits of the method. Simulated results based on four typical pathological ECG signals confirm the robustness and adaptability of this method. Experimental results verified the benefits of this method with regard to increased accuracy that can pick up the interested signal accurately in a degree of larger than 99%. This improved technology proposed in this research will be greatly beneficial to simultaneous triggering in VADs and eventually to the heart failure recovery.
OSTEOLATHYRISM IN THE RAT; AN X-RAY DIFFRACTION STUDY OF COLLAGEN FROM NORMAL AND LATHYRITIC RATS.

Lathyrism is a complex disorder produced by the ingestion of an excess of the seeds of certain legumes, mostly of the genus Lathyrus. This genus includes the common flowering sweet pea. Two distinct forms of the condition are recognized, osteolathyrism and neurolathyrism. Neurolathyrism is the naturally occurring form of the disorder which has been observed in man since antiquity. Its basic feature is a spastic paralysis of the legs. It was first described by Hippocrates (1), who observed this paralysis following the inclusion of sweet peas in the diet during a famine. References to it appear in documents and literary works through the Middle Ages. As early as 1690, a clear description of the disease in man and its relation to the sweet pea was published in the medical literature (2). Sporadic epidemics have been reported, particularly in India, up to modern times (3–5). Despite this long history, very little experimental work has been undertaken on the disorder (6), and it was not until 1961 that the “ne.
Guidelines for the Management of Vitiligo

and Introduction Abstract The aetiopathogenic mechanisms of vitiligo are still poorly understood, and this has held back progress in diagnosis and treatment. Up until now, treatment guidelines have existed at national levels, but no common European viewpoint has emerged. This guideline for the treatment of segmental and nonsegmental vitiligo has been developed by the members of the Vitiligo European Task Force and other colleagues. It summarizes evidence-based and expert-based recommendations (S1 level). Introduction Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder affecting 0! 5% of the world population, without sex or racial differences. It affects all age groups. [1,2] According to the consensus definition given to generalized/vulgaris or nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) by the Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF)[1]'vitiligo vulgaris/NSV is an acquired chronic pigmentation disorder characterized by white patches, often symmetrical, which usually increase in size with time, corresponding to a substantial loss of functioning epidermal and sometimes hair follicle melanocytes'; however, this is not specific enough. It needs to be completed by a list of disorders (the acquired generalized hypomelanoses) which may clinically overlap with NSV, but which are clearly attributable to known aetiological factors. In cases of uncertain diagnosis, additional noninvasive and invasive procedures may be needed (). Table 1. Recommended diagnostic procedures in vitiligo If diagnosis is certain If diagnosis is uncertain Anti-TPO, antithyroglobulin antibodies Punch biopsy from lesional and nonlesional skin TSH and other tests if needed to assess thyroid function or diagnosis (e.g. anti-TSHR antibodies if Graves disease) Other tests if needed (mycology, molecular biology to detect lymphoma cells, etc.) Additional autoantibodies (only if patient's history, family history and/or laboratory parameters point to a strong risk of additional autoimmune disease), endocrinologist/immunologist advice if multiple autoimmune syndrome detected TPO, thyroid peroxidase; TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSHR, TSH receptor. Segmental vitiligo (SV) is defined descriptively as for NSV except for a unilateral distribution (asymmetric Guidelines for the Management of Vitiligo A. Taieb, A. Alomar, M. Böhm, M.L. Dell'Anna, A. De Pase, V. Eleftheriadou, K. Ezzedine, Y. Gauthier, D.J. Gawkrodger, T. Jouary, G. Leone, S. Moretti, L. Nieuweboer-Krobotova, M.J. Olsson, D. Parsad, T. Passeron, A. Tanew, W. van der Veen, N. van Geel, M. Whitton, A. Wolkerstorfer, M. Picardo The British Journal of Dermatology. 2013;168(1):5-19.
A Framework for Robust Measurement of Implied Correlation

In this paper we consider the problem of deriving correlation estimates from observed option data. An implied correlation estimate arises when we match the observed index option price with a corresponding model price. The underlying model assumes that stock prices can be described using a lognormal distribution, while a Gaussian copula describes the dependence structure. Within this multivariate stock price model, the index option price is not given in closed form and has to be approximated. Different methods exist and each choice leads to another implied correlation estimate. We show that the traditional approach for determining implied correlations is a member of our more general framework. It turns out that the traditional implied correlation underestimates the real correlation. This error is more pronounced when some stock volatilities are large compared to the other volatility levels. We propose a new approach to measure implied correlation which does not has this drawback. However, our numerical illustrations show that determining implied correlations with the traditional approach may be justified for strike prices which are close to the at-the-money strike price. We also show that implied correlation estimates can be used to define an index, called the Implied Correlation Index (ICX), which reflects the market's perception about future (short term) co-movement between stock prices. Using a volatility index together with the ICX gives an accurate description of the future level of market fear.
Social status, status inconsistency and psychological stress.

(eds.), Empirical Democratic Theory. Chicago: Markham. Paukert, Felix 1973 "Income distribution at different levels of development: a survey of evidence. " International Labor Review 108: 97-125. Rubinson, Richard 1976 "The world-economy and the distribution of income within states: a cross-national study. " American Sociological Review 41:638-59. Rummel, Rudolph J. 1966 "The dimensionality of Nations Project. " Pp. 109-30 in Richard Merritt and Stein Rokkan (eds.), Comparing Nations: The Use of Quantitative Data in Cross-National Research. New Haven, Ct. : Yale University Press. Soboul, Albert 1975 The French Revolution 1787-1799. New York: Vintage. Taylor, Charles L. and Michael C. Hudson 1972 World Handbook of Social and Political Indicators. New Haven, Ct. : Yale University Press. Van de Geer, John P. 197
he supplementation of spatial information improves coordination

Vision plays an important role in allowing the development of coordinated movements and often acts as the dominant perceptual modality for every day movements. This visual information is often presented in the spatio-temporal domain but the specific role of spatio-temporal information has not been specifically assessed in the literature. This experiment used two visual stimuli to assess the reliance on spatio-temporal integration and the effect of supplementing spatial information to a temporal stimulus eywords: patio-temporal isual information oordination
Cities in Bad Shape: Urban Geometry in India

Cities are valuable to the extent they bring people (and jobs) together. To what extent is this value a¤ected by the di¢ culty of commuting from various points in the city to others? While many factors can a¤ect commuting length, this paper investigates one determining factor of urban commuting e¢ ciency, previously highlighted by urban planners but overlooked by economists: city shape. A satellite-derived dataset of nighttime lights is combined with historic maps to retrieve the geometric properties of urban footprints in India over time. I propose an instrument for urban shape that combines geography with a mechanical model for city expansion: in essence, cities are predicted to expand in circles of increasing sizes, and actual city shape is predicted by obstacles within each circle. With this instrument in hand, I investigate how city shape a¤ects the location choices of consumers, in a spatial equilibrium framework à la Roback-Rosen. Cities with more compact shapes are characterized by larger population, lower wages, and higher housing rents, consistent with compact shape being a consumption amenity. The implied welfare cost of deteriorating city shape is estimated to be sizeable. I also attempt to shed light on policy responses to deteriorating shape. The adverse e¤ects of unfavorable topography appear to be exacerbated by building height restrictions, and mitigated by road infrastructure. I am grateful to my advisers Esther Duo, Ben Olken, and Dave Donaldson for their invaluable help throughout this project. I also thank Alex Bartik, Jie Bai, Nathaniel Baum-Snow, Alain Bertaud, Melissa Dell, John Firth, Ludovica Gazzè, Michael Greenstone, Gabriel Kreindler, Matthew Lowe, Rachael Meager, Yuhei Miyauchi, Hoai-Luu Nguyen, Paul Novosad, Arianna Ornaghi, Bimal Patel, Tommaso Porzio, Champaka Rajagopal, Otis Ried, Adam Sacarny, Albert Saiz, Ashish Shenoy, Chris Small, Kala Sridhar, WilliamWheaton, and participants at the MIT Development Lunch, MIT Applied Micro Lunch, and NEUDC for helpful comments and discussions at various stages of this work. yharari@mit.edu. Website: http://economics.mit.edu/grad/harari/research.
Serum amyloid A activates NF‐κB and proinflammatory gene expression in human and murine intestinal epithelial cells

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute‐phase protein whose levels positively correlate with disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases. In this study we investigated the impact of SAA on NF‐κB signaling and proinflammatory gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Human HT‐29 and Caco‐2 monolayers were stimulated with recombinant SAA and NF‐κB activation/NF‐κB‐dependent gene expression measured. Adenoviral dominant negative mutants IκB‐α (Ad5IκBAA) were utilized to determine the contribution of NF‐κB signaling pathway to SAA‐dependent gene expression. Intestinal explant and primary IEC derived from κB‐EGFP transgenic mice were exposed to SAA and NF‐κB‐dependent enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fluorescence measured. SAA induced IκB‐α degradation, RelA serine 536 (S536) phosphorylation, NF‐κB transcriptional activity, RelA recruitment to the IL‐8 gene promoter and endogenous gene expression (IL‐8, COX‐2) in HT‐29 cells. Further, Ad5IκBAA abrogated SAA‐induced RelA nuclear translocation, NF‐κB transcriptional activity and IL‐8 gene expression. SAA‐dependent IL‐8 gene expression required activation of the MAPK ERK, p38 and JNK in HT‐29 cells. Finally, SAA induced EGFP expression in intestinal explants isolated from κB‐EGFP transgenic mice and enhanced RelA and IκBα phosphorylation in primary IEC. This indicates that SAA potentially participate in the inflammatory process by virtue of its ability to activate proinflammatory signaling in IEC.