Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vehicular Networking

With this essential guide to vehicular networking, you’ll learn about everything from conceptual approaches and state of the art protocols to system designs and their evaluation. Covering both in-car and inter-vehicle communication, this comprehensive work outlines the foundations of vehicular networking and demonstrates its commercial applications, from improved vehicle performance to entertainment and traffic information systems. All of this is supported by in-depth case studies and detailed information on proposed protocols and solutions for access technologies and information dissemination, as well as topics on rulemaking, regulations, and standardization. Importantly, for a field that is attracting increasing commercial interest, you’ll learn about the future trends of this technology, its problems, and solutions to overcome them. Whether you are a student, a communications professional, or a researcher, this is an invaluable resource.
Age-associated differences in response to sevoflurane postconditioning in rats

Abstract Background Experimental evidence suggests that anesthetic preconditioning and postconditioning could effectively attenuate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In this study, we aimed at investigating whether there are age-associated differences in response to sevoflurane postconditioning during myocardial I/R injury in young and old rats, and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods Young and old rats were subjected to 30 min myocardial ischemia, followed by 2 h of reperfusion, with or without sevoflurane postconditioning. Results Both 1 and 2 minimal aveolar concentration (MAC) sevoflurane postconditioning reduced infarct size (IS) (34 ± 3% and 32 ± 2% vs. 58 ± 5%, p < 0.05) and apoptotic index (8 ± 1% and 7 ± 1% vs. 15 ± 2%, p < 0.05) in young rats, compared to young control group. In contrast, they could not reduce IS (45 ± 3% and 43 ± 3% vs. 47 ± 3%, p > 0.05) and apoptotic index (28 ± 3% and 25 ± 2%, vs. 26 ± 2%, p > 0.05) in old rats, compared to old control group. Mechanistically, we found that the phosphorylation of both Akt and ERK1/2 but not STAT3 was substantially enhanced after sevoflurane postconditioning in young rats, compared to young control group, but not in old rats, relative to old control group. Conclusion There are age-related differences after exposure to sevoflurane postconditioning that protects young, but not old rat hearts against I/R injury, which may be at least associated with the inability to activate Akt and ERK1/2.
Recent Progress on Advanced Materials for Solid‐Oxide Fuel Cells Operating Below 500 °C

Solid‐oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are electricity generators that can convert the chemical energy in various fuels directly to the electric power with high efficiency. Recent advances in materials and related key components for SOFCs operating at ≈500 °C are summarized here, with a focus on the materials, structures, and techniques development for low‐temperature SOFCs, including the analysis of most of the critical parameters affecting the electrochemical performance of the electrolyte, anode, and cathode. New strategies, such as thin‐film deposition, exsolution of nanoparticles from perovskites, microwave plasma heating, and finger‐like channeled electrodes, are discussed. These recent developments highlight the need for electrodes with higher activity and electrolytes with greater conductivity to generate a high electrochemical performance at lower temperatures.
From space food research and innovation to immediate advantages for Earth eating habits: An aerospace – food producer company case study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse how the food innovation strategies carried out by an Italian firm, Argotec, responsible for the development and supply of space food (SF) for European astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), can also be applied to food suitable to be eaten on Planet Earth. This study aims at showing the relationship between SF innovation and terrestrial strategies directed at implementing this kind of food also on terrestrial tables. Design/methodology/approach This research focusses on a case study. The subject of the case study under analysis is Argotec, an internationally recognised Italian aerospace engineering company, dealing with research, innovation and development in various sectors, including engineering, information technology, system integration, small satellites and “Human Space Flight and Operations”. The company produces innovative SF for European astronauts performing long-duration missions on-board the ISS. Moreover, the SF is made available also for terrestrial beings as a solution for everyday eating necessities. Findings Argotec is characterised by strong innovation in terms of products and processes. Throughout the case study, the authors focus on the relationship between SF innovation and its terrestrial applications, since this company also manufactures products, traded under the brand “ReadyToLunch”, suitable for daily meals on Earth. Innovation applied to SF can thus offer advantages also for terrestrial daily meals and therefore help the company achieve other competitive advantages: as to the authors’ knowledge, this is a unique case. Research limitations/implications This study also has some limitations, typical of the applied methodology. In relation to the interview technique, further interviews would be required in order to fully understand the end-user perspectives regarding the importance and interest of this kind of “ready-to-eat” food. Practical implications Practical implications relate to astronauts and to terrestrial consumers. For astronauts, SF is not any more intended only to satisfy humans’ basic needs, and to provide the necessary nutrients during space missions, but has become an important factor in the quality of life in space. For terrestrial consumers, SF may represent a healthy, tasty and nutritious “ready-to-eat” choice: single courses for the main meals and snacks for a break. Originality/value This research fills a gap in literature: to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper presenting a case study on a company responsible for the development and supply of SF for European astronauts on-board the ISS, as well as encouraging the consumption of SF by terrestrial beings, as an ordinary “ready-to-eat” lunch/dinner.
Linking internal service quality and casino dealer performance

ABSTRACT The job responsibilities of a casino card dealer can encompass everything from dealing cards to entertaining customers. Whilst technical cards dealing is a fundamental part of their job requirement, the nontechnical service performance of engaging with gaming customers plays a significant role in customer-related outcomes. This study examines the factors that drive dealer service performance. Data were collected at six major casinos in Macau to investigate casino internal service quality, job security, and dealer occupational commitment. Job tenure is included in the investigation as a moderating variable. The study finds that casino internal service quality has a significant influence on both job security and occupational commitment which subsequently affect dealer service performance. Occupational commitment and job security fully mediate the relationship between internal service quality and service performance. Job length also exerts a significant moderating effect on the proposed relationships. Discussion and implications are provided to conclude this paper.
The EU Falsified Medicines Directive: Key Implications for Dispensers

The EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) mandates the serialisation of prescription-only medicines using a two-dimensional (2D) barcode by pharmaceutical companies and the systematic verification of this 2D barcode in pharmacies. This European directive has ramifications for many stakeholders, including market authorization holders, wholesalers, parallel importers, and dispensers. Focusing primarily on the impact on UK dispensers, the following questions are addressed in this article: Where should the affected medicines be scanned? and who will pay for the incoming changes to practice? The role of the EU FMD in terms of drug recalls, the preparation required for EU FMD compliance, and the potential for added healthcare value are also discussed. Dispensers must prepare for the February 2019 EU FMD deadline date by choosing a point within their dispensing processes to scan medicines. Dispensers must also budget appropriately for the incoming costs associated with new hardware and processes.
Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in pediatric lung transplant recipients

Abstract: Bordetella bronchiseptica are small, pleomorphic Gram‐negative coccobacilli which are commensal organisms in the upper respiratory tract of many wild and domestic animals (‘kennel cough’ in dogs). While it is common for health care providers to ask about exposure to ill family/friends, most do not routinely inquire about the health or immunization status of household pets. We report two cases of B. bronchiseptica pneumonia in lung transplant recipients [cystic fibrosis (CF); ages 10 and 15 yr; one male] who contracted B. bronchiseptica from pet dogs. We compared their course and outcome to four children (two CF, one congenital heart disease and one Duchenne's muscular dystrophy; four males, age range 6 months to 14 yr) with B. bronchiseptica cultured from the respiratory tract. Two of the four patients also acquired their illnesses from pet dogs and two from unknown sources. One lung transplant recipient expired from progressive respiratory failure. We conclude that B. bronchiseptica can cause serious infections in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent children. We speculate that a detailed history of exposure to ill pets (particularly dogs), and the immunization status of all pets should be included in the routine evaluation of all pediatric transplant recipients.
Gene therapy of cancer by vaccines carrying inserted immunostimulatory genes.

Therapeutic strategies based on the insertion of cytokine or other immunostimulatory genes into the genome of tumour cells followed by vaccination with the resulting genetically modified, cytokine-producing, irradiated vaccines represent a new potential prospect for the treatment of cancer patients. The vaccines carrying inserted immunostimulatory genes were, for the first time, designed and successfully utilized in 1988 (Bubenik et al., 1988). Fibroblastoid RAT-1 cells were in vitro transfected with interleukin (IL)-2 cDNA using a retroviral vector. The genetically engineered RAT-1 cells constitutively producing IL-2 were capable of inhibiting human tumour xenografts transplanted in congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice (Bubenik et al., 1988) as well as Rous sarcoma virus-induced tumours transplanted in syngeneic Lewis rats (Bubenik 1989). As compared with repeated systemic high-dose IL-2 administration required for inhibition of the tumours, which frequently produces severe adverse effects, a single injection of the IL-2-producing RAT-1 cells could secure a long-lasting therapeutic IL-2 concentration in the tumour vicinity with a negligible IL-2 concentration in the peripheral blood and, therefore, with no adverse effects.
The karyotype of Alouattapigra (Primates: Platyrrhini): mitotic and meiotic analyses

We describe for the first time the karyotype of the black howler monkey, Alouatta pigra. Conventional staining, G- and C-banding, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) pantelomeric probe were performed. Eight free ranging adult individuals, four males and four females, within the natural distribution of the species presented a diploid karyotype with 2n = 58. Mitotic analyses showed an autosomal complement composed of 6 submetacentric, 3 metacentric, and 19 acrocentric chromosome pairs for females, and 6 submetacentric, 3 metacentric, and 18 acrocentric pairs for males. Meiotic analyses in males revealed 27 autosomal bivalents and a quadrivalent composed of a submetacentric X1 and acrocentric X2, Y1, and Y2. The G-banded karyotype allowed us to identify pair #17 as the autosomal pair involved in the rearrangement and the morphology of the quadrivalent components. C-banding technique in metaphase I corroborated the structure of the quadrivalent showing four C+ centromeres. FISH analysis showed telomeric signals at the terminal regions of all chromosomes. No interstitial signals were detected. DNA sequence data were in accordance with those previously published for this species.
Tenascin‐C knockout mouse has no detectable tenascin‐C protein

A recent study by Mitrovic and Schachner (J Neurosci Res 42:710–717, 1995) reported the detection of a small amount of truncated tenascin‐C (TN‐C) in the nervous system of the TN‐C knockout mice created by Saga et al. (Genes Dev 6:1821–1831, 1992). The authors suggested that the truncated protein might be responsible for the failure to detect any phenotypic abnormalities in the knockout mice. We have reexamined the knockout mice in our laboratories by Western blot and immunocytochemistry, and have not detected any full‐length or truncated TN‐C protein. In addition, we note that the construction of the knockout gene deleted the signal sequence, so if any residual truncated protein were produced it would be trapped in the cytoplasm, and therefore inaccessible to extracellular ligands or receptors. We therefore conclude that the TN‐C knockout created by Saga et al. is a valid TN‐C null. J. Neurosci. Res. 47:109–117, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DC-bus utilization and overmodulation performance of five-phase voltage source inverters using model predictive control

Model predictive control (MPC) techniques have been recently applied with success to the current control of voltage source inverters (VSIs). However, the dc-bus utilization and the overmodulation performance of the VSI using MPC techniques have not been explored and addressed yet. This work aims at filling this gap and shows for the first time the performance of a five-phase VSI both in linear and overmodulation regions for different MPC algorithms. Simulation results show that MPC achieves an excellent dc-bus utilization and VSI performance maintaining the simplicity of the original scheme.
Viral load, CMV‐specific T‐cell immune response and cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients at higher risk for cytomegalovirus infection during preemptive therapy

Despite advances in prevention, cytomegalovirus (CMV) recurrence is an important challenge in high‐risk organ recipients. The present study prospectively evaluates the impact of CMV‐specific T‐cell immune response and secondary prophylaxis on the risk of recurrence in a cohort of CMV high‐risk organ recipients and whether it is possible to determine a safe standardized viral load value below which CMV disease is unlikely. Thirty‐nine recipients were included. Thirty‐six had primary infections, and 88.9% recurred. Rate and duration of recurrent CMV infection was similar in patients with and without secondary prophylaxis: 57.9% vs. 53.6%, P = 0.770 and 16 vs. 15 days, P = 0.786, respectively. The only factor independently associated with no episodes of CMV recurrence was the acquisition of CMV‐specific T‐cell immune response (OR: 0.151, 95% CI: 0.028–0.815; P = 0.028). Cytomegalovirus diseases (N = 5) occurred in patients with CMV viral load above 1500 IU/ml who did not follow the planned monitorization schedule. Our observations suggest that episodes of recurrent CMV infection are common after preemptive therapy despite secondary prophylaxis and that CMV‐specific T‐cell immune response is associated with a decreased risk of recurrent infections. Preemptive therapy may be safe in patients at high risk for CMV infection with strict close monitoring of the CMV viral load.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Aliskiren/Hydrochlorothiazide Single‐Pill Combination Tablets and Free Combination of Aliskiren and Hydrochlorothiazide

Single‐pill combinations (SPCs) of complementary antihypertensive agents provide patients with a simple and effective treatment regimen. To ensure that the efficacy and safety of an SPC is the same as that for the individual drugs administered together (free combination), SPC and free‐combination formulations must be shown to be bioequivalent. Three open‐label, randomized studies compared the pharmacokinetics of SPC tablets of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), at doses of 150/25, 300/12.5, and 300/25 mg, with the corresponding free combinations in healthy volunteers. Data from 2 randomized, double‐blinded studies of patients with hypertension were used to assess inhibition of plasma renin activity (PRA) by the aliskiren/HCT 300/25 mg SPC and the free combination. At all dose combinations, aliskiren and HCT systemic drug exposure was similar when administered as an SPC or free combination, indicating bioequivalence. Aliskiren/HCT 300/25 mg SPC inhibited PRA to the same extent as the free combination. HCT alone increased PRA through activation of the renin‐angiotensin system; aliskiren prevented this diuretic‐induced increase to the same extent when administered as the free combination or as the SPC. In conclusion, aliskiren/HCT SPCs are pharmacokinetically and pharmacodynamically bioequivalent to aliskiren and HCT in free combination.
Impact of Electronic Service Quality on Customers Satisfaction of Islamic Banks in Jordan

The study aimed to study impact of Electronic Service Quality on Customers Satisfaction of Islamic Banks in Jordan. The Electronic Service Quality represented by (Reliability, Ease of use, Effectiveness, Web Site Design, privacy, and Responsiveness). The population of the study consisted customers of Islamic banks in the North territory of Jordan (Jordanian Islamic Bank, International Arab Islamic Bank), a random sample was taken amounted (300) participants, SPSS was used to examine the study hypotheses and achieve its objectives. The researcher found that there is statistical significant impact of the Electronic Service Quality (Ease of use, Web Site Design, privacy, and Responsiveness) on Customers Satisfaction of Islamic Banks in Jordan. Regarding the dimensions of reliability and effectiveness, the study indicates that they had insignificant impact on Customers Satisfaction. The researcher recommended the use of specialists in the field of electronic sites design in particular, because the site attractiveness needs experience sufficient experience in this area to support its attractiveness for customers, and to benefit from the experiences of the developed countries in the field of software technology control and protection of customer information, in order to strengthen current Software application to those banks.
Novel Architecture for Efficient FPGA Implementation of Elliptic Curve Cryptographic Processor Over ${\rm GF}(2^{163})$

A new and highly efficient architecture for elliptic curve scalar point multiplication is presented. To achieve the maximum architectural and timing improvements, we reorganize and reorder the critical path of the Lopez-Dahab scalar point multiplication architecture such that logic structures are implemented in parallel and operations in the critical path are diverted to noncritical paths. The results we obtained show that with G=55 our proposed design is able to compute scalar multiplication over GF(2163) in 9.6 μs with the maximum achievable frequency of 250 MHz on Xilinx Virtex-4 (XC4VLX200), where G is the digit size of the underlying digit-serial finite-field multiplier. Another implementation variant for less resource consumption is also proposed; with G=33, the design performs the same operation in 11.6 μs at 263 MHz on the same platform. The results of synthesis show that, in the first implementation, 17 929 slices or 20% of the chip area is occupied, which makes it suitable for speed-critical cryptographic applications, while in the second implementation 14203 slices or 16% of the chip area is utilized, which makes it suitable for applications that may require speed-area tradeoff.
Evaluation of maternal serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and its association with successful labour outcome among parturients undergoing spontaneous labour at term

Abstract This study evaluated maternal serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in spontaneous labour and its association with successful labour at term. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 140 parturients. Their blood samples were collected in active labour; allowed to clot, centrifuged, separated and stored at −20 °C before analysis for DHEAS was done using the ELISA method. Labour was termed successful when vaginal delivery was achieved. Serum DHEAS levels were higher among parturients with successful labour compared to women with unsuccessful outcome (p = 0.001). DHEAS level was also higher among parturients who did not require oxytocin augmentation compared with those who required it (p = .001). The odds ratio and incidence of successful labour increased significantly as DHEAS level increased above a critical value of 1.5 μg/ml (p = .001). The association between serum DHEAS level and successful labour remained significant after adjusting for other variables (p = .002).
Determinants of Citizen and Police Involvement in Community Policing, Final Report

To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this Federally-funded grant final report available electronically in addition to traditional paper copies. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Abstract The primary goal of the research was to dletermine the effects of distinct factors on citizen and police officer involvement in community policing within the City of Boston. The research is based on extensive surveys of 3,046 Boston residents and 1,383 police officers, Boston police data on calls for service and arrests, and various local and federal government institutional data on such aspects as land-use, residential mobility, neighborhood poverty level, single-parent families, and the extent of community-based organizations and recreational/educational facilities. The results indicate that specific factors are significant in determining the extent to which these two groups engage or take an active role in community policing practices. The most consistent indicators of residents' involvement relate to issues of neighborhood attachment and positive attitudes toward the police, with some notable racial distinctions. Police officer involvement is most affected by knowledge of colmmunity policing, supervisor abilities, and rank. The data also provide an empirical assessment on the extent and nature of community policing in Boston several years after the police department had transformed its operations to a community policing philosophy, and during an unprecedented period of crime reduction within the city for which its community policing philosophy received national acclaim. Such information can be used to better understand the relevant factors that are most important to the viability and stipulated goals of community policing.