Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An efficient impedance matrix calculation using the spline-type divided-difference interpolation technique

In this work, a spline-type divided-difference interpolation scheme is proposed to evaluate the impedance matrix elements in the method of moments (MoM) efficiently. This method is combined with the fast computational method of the basis-expanded and tested Green's functions introduced in a recent literature. The proposed method is applied to analyze the characteristics of a microstrip gap discontinuity and an aperture coupled patch antenna. Numerical results obtained by using this approach are in good agreement with those of other approaches.
Effective Evidence-Informed Policy: A Partnership among Government, Implementers, and Researchers

Evidence matters for the effectiveness of public policies,but important informational frictions—that is, resistanceto obtaining or using information on the subject at hand—sometimes prevent it from shaping policy decisions.Hjort et al. (2021) showed that reducing those frictionscan change not only political leaders’ beliefs but alsothe policies they implement. One-way information, fromresearch to policy, may sometimes be insufficient, though.Policymakers may be agnostic about the effectiveness ofan intervention, or they may not know which of its featuresrequire adjustment. A process of policy experimentationmay be needed (Duflo 2017), in which policies arerigorously evaluated at a small scale, the findings of those evaluations inform the policy design, and a new evaluation determines the effectiveness of a fine-tuned version of the intervention, with the assessment continuing until the program is ready to be scaled up. This process requires very close collaboration among government, implementers, and researchers. The means by which evidence is produced is also important. A frequent criticism of researcher-designed interventions is that results may not be relevant. One reason is that pilot programme’s participants or circumstances may be atypical, with the result that the experimental treatment, even if implemented with fidelity, may not achieve similar outcomes in other settings (Al Ubaydli et al. 2017; Vivalt 2017). A second reason is that governments may lack the capability to implement with fidelity interventions tested in randomized control trials. A partnership between policymakers and researchers can help attenuate these concerns. A recent experience in Colombia provides a good example of such a partnership at work. “Let’s All Learn to Read” is an ambitious programme to improve literacy skills among elementary schoolchildren (Grades K–5). Spearheaded by the Luker Foundation, a local nongovernmental organisation, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education of Manizales (Colombia), the programme began with a systematic data collection effort in the municipality’s public primary schools to understand why students were failing to acquire the most basic academic skills. This led to several interventions over many years during which multidisciplinary teams of researchers working in close collaboration with local stakeholders and policymakers designed and evaluated different features of the programme.
Burden of cancer attributable to air pollution in Japan in 2015

: PM 2.5 is a major environmental health problem and a risk factor for lung cancer. Exposure to PM 2.5 has attracted growing public concern nationwide. Here, we aimed to estimate the cancer in 2015 attributable to PM 2.5 in Japan. Ambient air pollution level due to excess concentration of PM 2.5 was estimated using geophysically based satellite-derived PM 2.5 concentrations in 2005, with a spatial resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° longitude-latitude, and population data presented in a 1 km by 1 km grid. We used the WHO guideline value for PM 2.5 exposure (≤ 10 μg/m 3 ) as the optimal level of PM 2.5 exposure. By using relative risk from a large-scale cohort study in Japan, we estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) for lung cancer, which is positively associated with PM 2.5 , and aggregated the results to obtain the PAF among total cancer incidence and mortality. Population-weighted mean PM 2.5 level in 2005 was 14.9 μg/m 3 . Approximately 95.7% of the population was exposed to levels above the WHO guideline value. Lung cancer attributable to PM 2.5 exposure corresponded to 11,922 cases and 7,264 deaths, which accounted for 9.7% and 9.8% of total lung cancer incidence and mortality, respectively, and 1.2% and 2.0% of total cancer incidence and mortality, respectively. Substantial geographic variation in PM 2.5 -attributable incidence and mortality fractions was found, with cities in western Japan and metropolitan areas having a higher PAF than other municipalities. This study provides useful information to aid policy-makers and public health agencies in the efficient establishment of environmental cancer prevention policies.
Micromechanical Modeling Approach to Predict Compressive Dynamic Moduli of Asphalt Mixtures Using the Distinct Element Method

A clustered distinct element method (DEM) approach is presented as a research tool for modeling asphalt concrete microstructure. The approach involves the processing of high-resolution optical images to create a synthetic, reconstructed mechanical model that appears to capture many important features of the complex morphology of asphalt concrete. Uniaxial compression tests in the laboratory were employed to measure the dynamic modulus of sand mastic (a very fine sand–asphalt mixture) and asphalt mixtures at three temperatures and four loading frequencies. For a coarse mixture considered in this study, it was found that a two-dimensional (2-D) clustered DEM provided good estimates of mixture dynamic modulus across a range of loading temperatures and frequencies without calibration. However, for a fine-grained mixture, the uncalibrated predictions of the 2-D model were found to reside near the lower theoretical bounds and well below experimentally determined moduli, most likely because of current limitations in scanning and modeling resolution and the nature of the 2-D microstructural description. Work is under way to extend the model to three dimensions and to consider linear viscoelastic behavior in the mastic. That notwithstanding, the current modeling approach was successfully implemented in recent follow-up studies to portray bulk material behavior in conjunction with fracture models to study crack behavior in hot-mix asphalt.
Does Charter School Mission Affect Survival and Growth? An Addendum to White and Huang’s Census of Charter School Foci and Models 1

ABSTRACT In the prior article, White and Huangoffer the most developed work extant categorizing charter school foci, to encourage further research regarding charter school effectiveness. In this research note, we test whether having a focus affects school survival and growth. Recognizing Arizona as an early adapter of charter schooling, we analyze whether the reported founding missions (foci) of the state’s first two charter cohorts opening in 1995–96 (n = 54) affected long-term survival and growth. We found charter schools with defined missions were more likely to survive and to grow more quickly, with findings attaining statistical significance despite the small n of cases.
Professors’ views of content transformation in students’ paraphrasing

This study explores how paraphrasing transforms and integrates meaning from reading into writing. Findings are based on interviews with 27 professors who commented on 8 paraphrases written by graduate students. Both student writers and professors were selected from across cultural (Chinese and North American) and disciplinary (soft and hard) contexts. Results indicate that the participating professors tended to accept paraphrases that involved a selection or interpretation of the original source that accurately represented the source text, rather than those that contained a misunderstanding or additional ideas. The professors also suggested that students could add an explanation for the content transformation so the paraphrase would be transparent for readers. The study highlights how important it is for student paraphrasers to provide guidance for readers so they can follow student content transformations. It also suggests that paraphrasing should be taught explicitly at the graduate level by responding to students’ writing while it is in process.
Assessing the Transportation Needs of Low-Mobility Individuals: Case Study of a Small Urban Community in Utah

Older adults, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities are generally considered "low-mobility" individuals, having less access to transportation options and often marginalized in the social environment of the community. This study assessed the transportation needs of low-mobility individuals using three dimensions: (1) travel characteristics, (2) social strength in terms of trans- portation assistance received from their social networks, and (3) accessibility to public transportation. A mixed survey method combining an in-person interview at the collaborating organizations and a mail-back survey were used. Results showed that older adults remain mobile and make more frequent short trips. The results also showed a much higher reliance on private vehicles among older adults and individuals with low income, whereas a much higher reliance on public transportation and much lower reliance on private transportation was found among individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities were still active, as almost half of them travel to work frequently. However, the number of nonwork trips made by individuals with disabilities was significantly low. These findings indicated a positive relationship between transportation mode choices and social dependence with family and friends. Individuals with stronger family social ties were more likely to receive adequate help meeting their transportation needs. The accessibility analysis revealed that low-mobility individuals in Cache County, Utah, have difficulties accessing transit due to the long walking distances from their residences. These findings may be used to guide policy for improving public transportation and paratransit services to meet low-mobility individuals' needs. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444 . 0000142. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Human factors; Handicapped persons; Social factors; Case studies; Utah; Urban development; Transportation management.
Comparison of consensus in different multi-agent networks with diverse time-delays

This paper presents the consensus control with diverse time-delays on multi-agent systems. Depending on the comparison among the performances (the speed of convergence, robustness, and synchronization) of different graphs on the consensus problem without the mathematical analysis of algebraic connectivity, the current study aims to emphasize the importance of the structure of networks, comprising nodes and edges, in control engineering. This research is based on three typical complex networks (Balanced digraph, Regular Lattice-Type Nearest-Neighbor Graph, and Small-World Network) whose initial state, number of nodes (NV = 10), and edges (NE = 20) are consistent. The most significant difference among networks is the degree of graphs. The simulation results of the consensus control with different time-delays on these graphs with single integrator dynamics agents are collected to find the relationship between the degree of network and time-delays. The communication time delays are chosen from τ = [0,0.1,0.2,0.23,0.3,0.4]. Finally, it is found that graphs with bigger degree have better robustness to time-delays. And there is a general trade-off between convergence speed and robustness to time-delay, though slight time-delay may benefit the consensus. What’s more, it is proved in this study that the degree of graphs is not sufficient to determine the accurate maximum of time-delays.
LncRNA ADAMTS9-AS1 knockdown suppresses cell proliferation and migration in glioma through downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

The long non-coding RNA antisense 1 ADAMTS9-AS1 has been reported to serve as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in several tumors, including colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nevertheless, the clinical significance and biological behaviors of ADAMTS9-AS1 in glioma still remain unclear. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the functional roles and potential mechanisms of ADAMTS9-AS1 in glioma cells. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, we found that ADAMTS9-AS1 was upregulated in glioma tissues and cells in comparison to corresponding controls. ADAMTS9-AS1 expression level was correlated to tumor size (p = 0.005) and the World Health Organization grade (p = 0.002). Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox multivariate analysis showed that ADAMTS9-AS1 could serve as an independent prognostic factor affecting the overall survival of glioma patients. Functionally, depletion of ADAMTS9-AS1 significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion in glioma cell lines (U251 and U87), as shown through cell counting kit-8 assay, Edu corporation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. Furthermore, we demonstrated that knockdown of ADAMTS9-AS1 suppressed Wnt1, β-catenin, c-myc, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, while upregulating E-cadherin expression. In conclusion, our data revealed that ADAMTS9-AS1 confers oncogenic function in the progression of glioma, thus targeting ADAMTS9-AS1 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for this disease.
Characterization of the Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Binary Mixtures of Mu Opioid Receptor Agonists in Rats Discriminating Fentanyl

Drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, have risen dramatically over the past decade and are currently the driving force of the opioid epidemic in the United States. Fentanyl analogs with greater potency than fentanyl (e.g., carfentanil) pose serious risk to public health. Although fentanyl analogs are primarily encountered by humans as constituents of a mixture of drugs, research has primarily evaluated the effects of these drugs alone. The present study characterized interactions between mu opioid receptor agonists in seven male Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate 10 μg/kg fentanyl from saline while responding under a fixed-ratio 10 schedule of food presentation. Dose-effect curves were determined for each drug alone and in binary mixtures (fentanyl:heroin, fentanyl:carfentanil, and heroin:carfentanil) at fixed-dose ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 relative to the ED50 for each drug when given alone. Dose addition analyses were used to determine the nature of the drug-drug interaction for each mixture. Additive interactions were observed for all binary mixtures at each fixed dose ratio, except the 1:3 fentanyl:carfentanil mixture, which exhibited supra-additive effects at the 80% effect level. These results suggest a lack of a significant interaction between the discriminative stimulus effects of these mu opioid receptor agonists at the doses tested in this study. Future studies expanding these findings to the respiratory depressant effects of these drugs are of significant importance to rule out possible interactions directly relevant to opioid overdose that occur at doses much larger than those tested in this study. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In the United States, drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyls including superpotent fentanyl analogs (e.g., carfentanil), have increased 12-fold over the past decade. Although previous studies have evaluated the effects of carfentanil alone, fentanyl analogs are encountered by humans as a mixture with other drugs; this study determined the effects of mixtures of carfentanil and other opioids (fentanyl and heroin) to characterize interactions between these drugs that might contribute to their apparent increased lethality in humans.
Perspectives on education, experience of hearing loss, and well-being among Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their parents

ABSTRACT This paper reports a questionnaire study about education, the experience of hearing loss, and well-being among 77 Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) adolescents aged 11–16 and 208 parents of DHH children. It is one of few studies that explore the subjective perspectives and experiences of DHH children and their parents. The study found that adolescents had a more negative perspective on hearing loss than parents reported: they were more likely to consider their hearing loss a disability, to report performing below average at school, and to report trying to conceal their cochlear implant. The study also found that parents of adolescents were more likely than parents of younger children to report concerns about their child's performance at school and their future prospects. The paper discusses findings in relation to previous research showing the particular struggles of DHH adolescents and highlights the need for focused support for communication, social and educational challenges.
A novel scheme for reception using an active microstrip antenna

An unique aspect of the injection-locked active microstrip antenna incorporating a Gunn diode, i.e., the variation of the device current within the lock band, is exploited for the demodulation of an FM microwave signal. A simple experimental arrangement has been presented to demonstrate the demodulation performance of the receiver even in a multichannel environment. Using two such separate antennas as transmitter and receiver, a two-way short-range communication system has been demonstrated that may be suited for certain commercial and military applications.
Safety and Danger Considerations of Novel Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis in Context of Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas

The impact of new and emerging therapies on the microenvironment of primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) has been recently raised in the literature. Concomitantly, novel treatments are already used or registered (dupilumab, upadacitinib) and others seem to be added to the armamentarium against atopic dermatitis. Our aim was to review the literature on interleukins 4, 13, 22, and 31, and JAK/STAT pathways in PCLs to elucidate the safety of using biologics (dupilumab, tralokinumab, fezakinumab, nemolizumab) and small molecule inhibitors (upadacitinib, baricitinib, abrocitinib, ruxolitinib, tofacitinib) in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. We summarized the current state of knowledge on this topic based on the search of the PubMed database and related references published before 21 October 2021. Our analysis suggests that some of the mentioned agents (dupilumab, ruxolitinib) and others may have a direct impact on the progression of cutaneous lymphomas. This issue requires further study and meticulous monitoring of patients receiving these drugs to ensure their safety, especially in light of the FDA warning on tofacitinib. In conclusion, in the case of the rapid progression of atopic dermatitis/eczema, especially in patients older than 40 years old, there is a necessity to perform a biopsy followed by a very careful pathological examination.
Field Tests of a Large-Span Metal Culvert

Full-scale field tests were conducted on a 9.5-m (31-ft 2-in.) span low-profile arch culvert to provide input for development of improved large-span culvert load and resistance factor design specifications. The test structure was constructed of 5.5-mm (0.215-in.) thick black steel plate with 152 × 51 mm (6 × 2 in.) corrugations. No supplemental circumferential or longitudinal stiffeners were added. Two tests were conducted with SW backfill material, one each compacted to 87 and 92 percent of maximum standard Proctor density. Live-load tests were conducted with a truck with tandem axles loaded to 156 kN (35,000 lb) per axle at depths of fill of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 m (1, 2, and 3 ft). Measurements were made of culvert deformation, culvert strain, culvert-soil interface pressure, soil density, soil strain, foundation movement, and temperature. Thrusts and moments were determined from the culvert strain.
Dual biological role of glycoside hydrolase family fifty-seven glycogen branching enzymes

Glycogen, a typical branched glucopyranose polymer, acts as carbon and energy reservoir in living cells. Glycogen is biosynthesized by a simultaneous action of glycogen synthase (GSE) (EC 2.4.1.11), which introduces α(1→4) O -glycosidic bonds and glycogen branching enzyme (GBE) (EC 2.4.1.18), which creates branches via α(1→6) O -glycosidic bonds. GBEs from glycoside hydrolase family 57 (GH57) display a large variation in sequence identity and branching activity towards amylose. Some GH57 GBEs, including the one of Mycobacterium tuberculo sis H37Rv, show no activity to the non-natural substrate amylose. In order to investigate the performance of GH57 GBEs towards growing α-glucans, which are the natural substrates of GBEs, the Petrotoga mobilis glycogen synthase was combined with maltotetraose as primer and uridine 5′-diphospho-α-d-glucopyranose (UDPG) as glucopyranose donor. The Meiothermus sp. and Thermus thermophilus GH57 GBE had a higher activity on growing α-glucan chains than on amylose. Both GBEs produced branched polydisperse α-glucans. On the contrary, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv GBE, which is not active on amylose, also was not active on growing α-glucan chains. This supports the earlier reported postulation that the M. tuberculosis GH57 GBE is not involved in glycogen formation.
Inelastic Behavior of Concrete Masonry Shear Walls

The seismic resistance of story-height reinforced masonry shear walls has been evaluated experimentally to examine the influence of the applied axial stress and the amount of vertical and horizontal reinforcement on the lateral resistance, failure mechanism, ductility, and energy-dissipation capability of a wall panel. The results obtained from 16 concrete masonry specimens are summarized in this paper. It has been shown that the flexural strength increases with the applied axial stress and the amount of the vertical reinforcement present. The shear strength dominated by diagonal cracking increases with the amount of vertical and horizontal steel, as well as with the tensile strength of masonry and the applied axial stress. However, the axial stress has a more significant influence on the flexural strength than on the shear strength. Furthermore, increasing the amount of vertical and horizontal reinforcement can substantially improve the postcracked ductility and energy-dissipation capability of a shear-dominated specimen.