Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulations of Policy Responses During the COVID-19 Crisis in Argentina: Effects on Socioeconomic Indicators

This paper simulates the effects of policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on household income and employment in Argentina, using household survey data and administrative data on employment and wages by economic sectors. The paper also includes a gender and age group analysis. The results indicate that during the COVID-19 crisis, household income decreased. This welfare loss was nonlinear along the income distribution, with the lowest income earners suffering the most due to relatively higher informality at the bottom of the income distribution. The policy responses seem to ameliorate by around one-third what the average drop in household income, and prevented major increases in poverty and inequality © 2022, Martinez-Correa et al
Conditioned Media from Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines and Serum Samples from Head and Neck Cancer Patients Drive Catabolic Pathways in Cultured Muscle Cells

Simple Summary Cancer cachexia in head and neck cancer (HNC) is mainly due to a decrease in food intake, but other causal mechanisms could also be involved. The role of secreted factors from the tumor cells in driving cancer cachexia and especially muscle loss is unknown. In this way, we wanted to study both the action of secreted factors from HNC cell lines and circulating factors in HNC patients on skeletal muscle protein catabolism. We used a conditioned media model and mix of sera from cancer patients to analyze the in vitro metabolic response with primary myotubes. The same metabolic response was obtained with tumor-conditioned media and mix of sera from cancer patients. Patient plasma compounds produced specifically by the tumor seemed to have this effect. Our results indicated that the atrophy observed in HNC patients cannot be solely explained by a deficit in food intake. Abstract Background: The role of secreted factors from the tumor cells in driving cancer cachexia and especially muscle loss is unknown. We wanted to study both the action of secreted factors from head and neck cancer (HNC) cell lines and circulating factors in HNC patients on skeletal muscle protein catabolism. Methods: Conditioned media (CM) made from head and neck cancer cell lines and mix of sera from head and neck cancer (HNC) patients were incubated for 48 h with human myotubes. The atrophy and the catabolic pathway were monitored in myotubes. The patients were classified regarding their skeletal muscle loss observed at the outset of management. Results: Tumor CM (TCM) was able to produce atrophy on myotubes as compared with control CM (CCM). However, a mix of sera from HNC patients was not able to produce atrophy in myotubes. Despite this discrepancy on atrophy, we observed a similar regulation of the catabolic pathways by the tumor-conditioned media and mix of sera from cancer patients. The catabolic response after incubation with the mix of sera seemed to depend on the muscle loss seen in patients. Conclusion: This study found evidence that the atrophy observed in HNC patients cannot be solely explained by a deficit in food intake.
Heterologous 1,3-Propanediol Production Using Different Recombinant Clostridium beijerinckii DSM 6423 Strains

1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) is a valuable basic chemical, especially in the polymer industry to produce polytrimethylene terephthalate. Unfortunately, the production of 1,3-PDO mainly depends on petroleum products as precursors. Furthermore, the chemical routes have significant disadvantages, such as environmental issues. An alternative is the biobased fermentation of 1,3-PDO from cheap glycerol. Clostridium beijerinckii DSM 6423 was originally reported to produce 1,3-PDO. However, this could not be confirmed, and a genome analysis revealed the loss of an essential gene. Thus, 1,3-PDO production was genetically reinstalled. Genes for 1,3-PDO production from Clostridium pasteurianum DSM 525 and Clostridium beijerinckii DSM 15410 (formerly Clostridium diolis) were introduced into C. beijerinckii DSM 6423 to enable 1,3-PDO production from glycerol. 1,3-PDO production by recombinant C. beijerinckii strains were investigated under different growth conditions. 1,3-PDO production was only observed for C. beijerinckii [pMTL83251_Ppta-ack_1,3-PDO.diolis], which harbors the genes of C. beijerinckii DSM 15410. By buffering the growth medium, production could be increased by 74%. Furthermore, the effect of four different promoters was analyzed. The use of the constitutive thlA promoter from Clostridium acetobutylicum led to a 167% increase in 1,3-PDO production compared to the initial recombinant approach.
Rao-Blackwellisation of sampling schemes

SUMMARY This paper proposes a post-simulation improvement for two common Monte Carlo methods, the Accept-Reject and Metropolis algorithms. The improvement is based on a Rao-Blackwellisation method that integrates over the uniform random variables involved in the algorithms, and thus post-processes the standard estimators. We show how the Rao-Blackwellised versions of these algorithms can be implemented and, through examples, illustrate the improvement in variance brought by these new procedures. We also compare the improved version of the Metropolis algorithm with ordinary and Rao-Blackwellised importance sampling procedures for independent and general Metropolis set-ups.
The electron transport properties of pure liquid metals

Abstract Progress in the theory of the electrical conductivity and other ordinary transport properties of liquid metals since 1961 is reviewed. After a brief account of the basic nearly-free-electron diffraction formula, the quantitative comparison of this formula with experiment is discussed. For the alkali metals, the agreement is adequate, given the uncertainty of the pseudopotentials, although there is controversy about the calculation of the temperature coefficient of ρ L. To explain the observed volume dependence of ρ L, and the thermoelectric power, it also seems necessary to allow for the variation of the pseudopotential with the positions of the Fermi level and the core levels relative to the bottom of the conduction band. Quantitative results for the noble and polyvalent metals are meagre, and although calculations of ρ L for Al and Zn are in excellent agreement with experiment there may be other cases where the basic formula is not adequate. The general question of the structure and convergence.
Zeros and Asymptotics of Holonomic Sequences

viii List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used . ix Acknowledgements . xvii Chapter
A Spectrally Resolved Motional Stark Effect Diagnostic for the TJ‐II Stellarator

A spectrally resolved motional stark effect (MSE) diagnostic has been implemented for the TJ‐II stellarator to quantify the magnitude and pitch of components of the magnetic field created in this magnetic confinement device. The system includes a compact diagnostic neutral beam injector (DNBI) that provides a short pulse of accelerated neutral hydrogen atoms with an e–1 beam radius of 2.1 cm to stimulate the Doppler‐displaced Balmer Hαs emissions, which are the basis for this diagnostic. Measurement of the wavelength separation of the Stark splitting of the Hα spectrum, as well as of the relative line intensities of its components, allow the local magnitude and direction of the internal magnetic field components to be measured at 10 positions across the plasma. The use of a DNBI extends such measurements to the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) heated phases of plasmas while also overcoming the need for the complicated inversion techniques that are required when such measurements are performed with a heating neutral beam injector (NBI). Moreover, the use of the shot‐to‐shot technique with reproducible discharges further simplifies fits to the MSE spectra as nearby impurity spectral emission lines can be eliminated or significantly reduced. After outlining the principles of this technique and the diagnostic set‐up, magnetic field measurements made during ECR or NBI heating phases are reported for a range of magnetic configurations and are compared with vacuum magnetic field estimates in order to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of this diagnostic for the TJ‐II. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Telephone Versus Face-to-Face Interviews

Usually, semistructured interviews are conducted face-to-face, and because of the importance of personal contact in qualitative interviews, telephone interviews are often discounted. Missing visual communication can make a telephone conversation appear less personal and more anonymous but can also help prevent some distortions and place the power imbalance between adult interviewer and (child) respondent into perspective. In this article telephone and face-to-face interviews are compared in order to analyse the general applicability of telephone interviews and their peculiarities when researching children. The data consists of 112 semistructured interviews with 56 children aged 5, 7, 9 and 11, conducted in Germany. Each child was interviewed twice; once on the telephone and once face-to-face. By triangulating qualitative and quantitative analytical steps, both interview modes are compared from a number of perspectives. The results showed very little difference between the two modes of interview and therefore challenge the reluctance to conduct semistructured telephone interviews, both in qualitative research and with children. Dependent on the research question, relevant distinctions could be the lower interviewer involvement, the lower number of opinions and suggestions stated by respondents and fewer signs of tension and tension release in telephone interviews.
Development of terahertz quantum-cascade lasers as sources for heterodyne receivers

This thesis presents the development and optimization of terahertz quantumcascade lasers (THz QCLs) as sources for heterodyne receivers. A particular focus is on single-mode emitters for the heterodyne detection of the important astronomic oxygen (OI) line at 4.75 THz. Various active-region designs are investigated. High-output-power THz QCLs with low operating voltages and emission around 3 THz are obtained for an active region, which involves phonon-assisted intersubband transitions. While these QCLs are based on a GaAs/AlxGa1−xAs heterostructure with x = 0.15, similar heterostructures with x = 0.25 allowed for very low threshold current densities. By successive modifications of the active-region design, THz QCLs have been optimized toward the desired frequency at 4.75 THz. To obtain single-mode operation, first-order lateral distributed-feedback (DFB) gratings are investigated. It shows that such gratings allow for single-mode operation in combination with high continuous-wave (cw) output powers. A general method is presented to calculate the coupling coefficients of lateral gratings. In conjunction with this method, the lasers are well described by the coupled-mode theory of DFB lasers with two reflective end facets. Single-mode operation within the specified frequency bands at 4.75 THz is demonstrated. Stable operation of THz QCLs is often in conflict with the occurrence of a negative differential resistance (NDR) regime at elevated field strengths and the formation of electric-field domains (EFDs). Stationary EFDs are shown to be related to discontinuities in the cw light-current-voltage characteristics, while non-stationary EFDs are related to current self-oscillations and cause a temporal modulation of the output power. To model such effects, the nonlinear transport equations of weakly coupled superlattices are adopted for QCLs by introducing an effective drift velocity-field relation.
Three-Dimensional Tracking Method of Tissue Motion with Biplane Images

For real-time three-dimensional tissue motion detection using biplane ultrasound images, we investigated the efficiency of a correlation method in which each region of interest (ROI) is divided into sub-regions so small that the deformation in each subregion can be ignored when estimating its motion in and perpendicular to the image planes. The allowed range of displacement perpendicular to the image planes in sensitively estimating tissue motion by cross-correlation was analyzed. In vitro results with a phantom revealed that the velocity component in the image plane could be detected when the perpendicular displacement between two consecutive frames was as small as 0.4 mm. Moreover it was also revealed that the subregion size must be larger than the speckle size. We also performed in vivo experiments on human liver and found that the tissue motion induced by systole was detectable by our cross-correlation method. The obtained results demonstrated the potential usefulness of the proposed method in medical applications, such as an image guide for minimally invasive therapy.
Biomarkers of fibrosis, kidney tissue injury and inflammation may predict severity and outcome of renal ANCA – associated vasculitis

Background Activity and chronicity of kidney involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) can be currently reliably evaluated only by kidney biopsy. In this study, we measured a panel of serum and urinary biomarkers collected at the time of kidney biopsy and hypothesized that they could reflect specific histopathological parameters in the biopsy and help to predict prognosis. Methods We examined a cohort of 45 patients with AAV and 10 healthy controls. Biomarker levels (DKK-3, CD163, EGF, PRO-C6 and C3M) were measured in this study by ELISA. Biopsies were scored with a scoring system for AAV (focal x crescentic x sclerotic x mixed class) and interstitial fibrosis was quantified. Results Levels of urinary DKK-3, CD163, EGF, PRO-C6 and C3M significantly differed among biopsy classes in AAV, with urinary DKK-3 and PRO-C6 levels being highest in the sclerotic class and lowest in the focal class, urinary CD163 levels highest in the crescentic class and urinary C3M levels highest in the focal class. Moreover, the urinary biomarkers were able to discriminate focal biopsy class from the other classes. Urinary DKK-3, EGF, PRO-C6 and C3M levels measured at the time of biopsy were also significantly related to the extent of fibrosis and to the final kidney function at the end of follow-up. Conclusions This small pilot study suggests that selected urinary biomarkers of fibrosis and inflammation may reflect changes in the kidney biopsy and be prognostic of kidney outcome in patients with AAV.
A novel method for the identification of a model for the nonlinear characteristic of a bolted lap-joint

Joints are the main source of nonlinearity and energy dissipation in large assembled structures which could be otherwise considered as linear. Consequently, modeling and parameter identification of joints play a significant role in any successful design and finite element (FE) modeling of structures. In the present research, an identification procedure is proposed for the modeling of the nonlinear behavior of a bolted joint. The main emphasis are placed on the simplicity of the experimental procedures involved as well as ease of incorporation of the identified model in the FE model of the structure. Using the concept of the optimum equivalent linear frequency response function, structure was excited by two levels of random force, at two bolt preload levels, and then the eigen values of the nonlinear structure and the inverse eigen-sensitivity identification technique are used, in order to identify the nonlinear properties of bolted joints. The results of implementing the method are promising and indicative of the fact that, in contrast to static Iwan’s model of a bolted joint, the equivalent dynamic characteristics of a bolted joint may be frequency dependent, as the different modes will affect the interface zone of the jointed structures in a different manner.
Switched affine systems control design with application to DCߝDC converters

This study presents a novel procedure for switched affine systems control design specially developed to deal with switched converters where the main goal is to attain a set of equilibrium points. The main contribution is on the determination of a switching function, which assures global stability and minimises a guaranteed quadratic cost. The implementation of the switching function taking into account only partial information is analysed and discussed with particular interest. The theoretical results are applied to buck, boost and buck-boost converters control design. Several simulations show the usefulness of the methodology and its favourable impact in a class of real-world control design problems.
Effect of Flavoring with Rosemary, Lemon and Orange on the Quality, Composition and Biological Properties of Olive Oil: Comparative Study of Extraction Processes

The goal of this work was to investigate the impact of the flavoring of some aromatic plants/spices, including rosemary (R), lemon (L) and orange (O) at the concentration of 5% and 35% (w/w) added by 2 methods (conventional maceration and direct flavoring), on quality attributes, chemical changes and oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Six flavored oils were obtained (EVOO + O, O + O, EVOO + R, O + R, EVOO + L and O + L). The physicochemical parameters (water content, refractive index, acidity and peroxide value, extinction coefficient, fatty acids, volatile aroma profiles, Rancimat test, phenols and pigments composition) of the flavored oils were investigated. Based on the results obtained, it was observed that flavoring with a conventional process provided increased oxidative stability to the flavored oils, especially with rosemary (19.38 ± 0.26 h), compared to that of unflavored oil. The volatile profiles of the different flavored oils revealed the presence of 34 compounds with the dominance of Limonene. The fatty acid composition showed an abundance of mono-unsaturated fatty acids followed by poly-unsaturated ones. Moreover, a high antioxidant activity, a significant peripheral analgesic effect (77.7% of writhing inhibition) and an interesting gastroprotective action (96.59% of ulcer inhibition) have been observed for the rosemary-flavored oil. Indeed, the flavored olive oils of this study could be used as new functional foods, leading to new customers and further markets.
Silencing of the Transmembrane Transporter (swnT) Gene of the Fungus Slafractonia leguminicola Results in a Reduction of Mycotoxin Transport

Slafractonia leguminicola infects red clover and other legumes, causing black patch disease. This pathogenic fungus also produces two mycotoxins, slaframine and swainsonine, that are toxic to livestock grazing on clover hay or pasture infested with S. leguminicola. Swainsonine toxicosis causes locoism, while slaframine causes slobbers syndrome. The mechanism of toxin secretion by S. leguminicola is poorly understood. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of a putative transmembrane transporter, SwnT, in mycotoxin transport. The swnT gene was silenced by RNA interference using the silencing vector Psilent1, which included inverted repeat transgenes of swnT. This resulted in a significant reduction of swnT transcript levels compared with the controls. Silencing caused a decline in the active efflux of toxins from the mycelia to the media, as shown by LC–MS analysis. Transformants in which swnT was silenced showed higher concentrations of both toxins in the mycelia compared with the concentrations in the media. These transformants exhibited a visibly distinct phenotype with much thicker and shorter mycelia than in the wild type. These transformants were also unable to infect detached clover leaves, unlike the controls, suggesting that SwnT function may play an important role in pathogenesis in addition to mycotoxin transport. This research demonstrates the importance of this transporter to the secretion of mycotoxins for this phytopathogenic fungus.
Dynamics of magnetic nanoparticle in a viscous liquid: Application to magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia

It is shown that the magnetic dynamics of an assembly of nanoparticles dispersed in a viscous liquid differs significantly from the behavior of the same assembly of nanoparticles immobilized in a solid matrix. For an assembly of magnetic nanoparticles in a liquid two characteristic mode for stationary magnetization oscillations are found that can be called the viscous and magnetic modes, respectively. In the viscous mode, which occurs for small amplitude of the alternating magnetic field H0 as compared to the particle anisotropy field Hk, the particle rotates in the liquid as a whole. In a stationary motion the unit magnetization vector and the director, describing the spatial orientation of the particle, move in unison, but the phase of oscillations of these vectors is shifted relative to that of the alternating magnetic field. Therefore, for the viscous mode the energy absorption is mainly due to viscous losses associated with the particle rotation in the liquid. In the opposite regime, H0 ≥ Hk, the dir.
Interpretation of Multiwavelength-Retrieved Droplet Effective Radii for Warm Water Clouds in Terms of In-Cloud Vertical Inhomogeneity by Using a Spectral Bin Microphysics Cloud Model

AbstractThis study examines the impact of in-cloud vertical inhomogeneity on cloud droplet effective radii (CDERs) of water-phase cloud retrieved from 1.6-, 2.1-, and 3.7-μm-band measurements (denoted by r1.6, r2.1, and r3.7, respectively). Discrepancies between r1.6, r2.1, and r3.7 due to in-cloud vertical inhomogeneity are simulated by using a spectral bin microphysics cloud model and one-dimensional (1D) remote sensing simulator under assumptions that cloud properties at the subpixel scale have horizontal homogeneity and 3D radiative transfer effects can be ignored. Two-dimensional weighting functions for the retrieved CDERs with respect to cloud optical depth and droplet size are introduced and estimated by least squares fitting to the relation between the model-simulated droplet size distribution functions and the retrieved CDERs. The results show that the 2D weighting functions can explain CDER discrepancies due to in-cloud vertical inhomogeneity and size spectrum characteristics. The difference bet.
Portal Vein Variations, Clinical Correlation, and Embryological Explanation: A Review Article

Portal vein (PV) is a large vein that collects blood from the abdominal part of gall bladder, pancreas, alimentary tract, and spleen and transports to the liver. One of the parts of the extraembryonic venous system, the vitelline veins, is where PV starts. In about five weeks of gestation, a venous plexus is formed, and variations in this plexus lead to portal variance. The junction of superior mesenteric and splenic veins is typically where the vein begins to network. There are five types of branching patterns of the right PV: conventional branching, trifurcation branching, early branching, separate segment 7 branching, and separate segment 6 branching. To perform pancreatic, duodenal, and liver surgeries, knowledge of variations in PV formation is important. For surgical and interventional operations to be accurate, it is crucial to understand the architecture of the PV and its anomalies. As distinct regions of the brain connect with one another, portal architecture is frequently observed in imaging investigations. Portal hypertension is characterized as an increase in blood pressure in the portal venous system (PVS) in the context of severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Non-invasive methods for examining the anatomy and anomalies of the PV include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR). There are many abnormalities of PVS that have been discussed in the articles such as Congenital PV Absence; PV Branches Congenitally Grow in Structure; Hypoplasia, Atresia, and Stenosis of the PV; and Portosystemic Shunts.