Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ofatumumab versus placebo in relapsing multiple sclerosis patients from Japan and Russia: Phase 2 APOLITOS study

Background: Ofatumumab, the first fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been developed as a treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) which can be self-administered at home. Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab in RMS patients from Japan and Russia. Methods: APOLITOS included a 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled core-part followed by an open-label extension-part. Patients were randomized (2:1) to subcutaneous ofatumumab 20 mg or placebo. Primary outcome was the number of gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) T1 lesions per scan over 24 weeks. Results: Sixty-four patients were randomized (ofatumumab, n = 43; placebo, n = 21). Primary endpoint was met; ofatumumab reduced Gd + T1 lesions versus placebo by 93.6% (p < 0.001) and the results were consistent across regions (Japan/Russia). Ofatumumab reduced annualized T2 lesion and relapse rate versus placebo by week 24. Both groups showed benefit from ofatumumab in the extension-part. Incidence of adverse events was lower with ofatumumab versus placebo (69.8% vs 81.0%); injection-related reactions were most common. No deaths, opportunistic infections, or malignancies were reported. Conclusion: Ofatumumab demonstrated superior efficacy versus placebo, with sustained effect through 48 weeks in RMS patients from Japan/Russia. Switching to ofatumumab after 24 weeks led to rapid radiological and clinical benefits. Safety findings were consistent with pivotal trials.
Designing and evaluation procedures for interdisciplinary building information modelling use—an explorative study

Building information modelling (BIM) tools are increasingly present in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. This software tool chain requires not only new knowledge on the level of technology, but also people with knowledge related to skills and re-configuration of the process. There is hope that BIM tools will increase the degree of process integration and support the multidisciplinary planning practice. In order to test this assumption and gain first insights in multidisciplinary collaborative planning process using various BIM tools, an experimental study in a university course on multidisciplinary design was carried out. The results of our analyses indicate that BIM software is perceived as highly useful but not interoperable. The lack of interoperability and resulting problems are also the main topic of focus group discussions conducted after the course. Architects are less satisfied with the interdisciplinary planning process. Early coordination, concerning organization and softw.
Comments on "Transmission-Line Transformation Between Arbitrary Impedances" [Letters]

The solution given by the author of the above letter, for the characteristic impedance of the line transformer, has been given before (see H. Jasik, Antenna Engineering Handbook, McGraw-Hill, 1961, paragraph 31.3, p. 9). Jasik also gives the correct length of the transformer whereas Milligan and also apparently Day (IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., vol. MTT-23, p. 772, 1975) give the distance between load and source impedance along the impedance circle, which is not the length of the desired transformer since the transformer should produce at the source the conjugate of the source impedance if matching, which presumably means power matching is desired. Thus in the expression given by Milligan for length, X/sub 2/should be given as -X/sub 2/, which will now agree with Jasik's expression.
Extraction of crystalline nanocellulose from palm tree date seeds (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Abstract The environmentally friendly nature of natural cellulose, as well as its excellent crystallinity and mechanical properties, have piqued researchers' interest. In this study, date palm seeds as agricultural waste generated abundantly every year in the Gulf region were used as a raw material to extract crystalline nanocellulose. Dewaxing, alkali treatment, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis were used in a stepwise treatment approach to remove nanocellulose from seeds. The amorphous phase of the biopolymer had been successfully removed, according to the FT-IR analysis of the obtained cellulose. Sodium chlorite bleaching provided the highest degree of crystallinity, with a crystallinity index of 72.49%. The nanocellulose exhibited a bimodal distribution at 43–78 nm and 190-458 nm using particle size analysis. An agglomerated and irregular semi-spherical crystalline cellulose structure was revealed by SEM analysis. Nano spheres of 20–100 nm dispersed within the amorphous matrix of the cellulose was observed in one of the samples using TEM analysis. The extractable crystalline cellulose displayed good thermal stability. Date-derived crystalline nanocellulose has promising properties and could be used in several industrial and domestic applications.
Peer Scaffolding During EFL Reading Activities: A Sociocultural Perspective

The purpose of this study was to identify the types of peer scaffolding used by Thai EFL students while completing reading activities. Pre-test, post-test and reading test procedures were implemented to measure the impact of peer scaffolding on students’ reading comprehension. The peer scaffolding checklist was employed to identify the types of peer scaffolding the EFL students used in the reading classroom. This study found that the EFL students gained higher post-test mean scores after engaging in reading activities along with peer scaffolding strategies. The beginner and elementary EFL students mostly used procedural assistance, whereas the intermediate EFL students frequently used sharing and questing as peer scaffolding. These findings may provide sociocultural theoretical and pedagogical implications for EFL teachers when supporting peer scaffolding and assisting EFL students to develop reading comprehension.
Effect of sowing date and time of harvesting on the yield and yield contributing characters of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed.

, seeds capsule -l , seed yield (kg ha -l ) and stover yield (kg ha -l ) were obtained from the crop sown on 26 February. Most of these characters were statistically identical to 10th March sowing except plant height, number of branches and capsule plant -l but all of them were recorded significantly lowest in 22 March sowing compared to first sowing. The highest seed yield (251.30kg ha -l ) was obtained in 26 February sowing and thereafter reduced with delay in sowing. Harvesting time had also significantly affected plant height, number of branches plant -l , capsule branch -l , capsule plant -l , seeds capsule -l , weight of 1000 seeds, seed yield (kg ha -l ) and stover yield (kg ha -l ). The results also indicated that the sesame variety T6 produced the highest seed yield when sown on 26 February and harvested at 40 DAF.
The potential for energy self-sufficiency in the United Kingdom rendering industry

Animal by-products (ABPs) are co-products of meat production system that include on-farm fallen stock and slaughterhouse co-products that are not fit for human consumption (different types of fat, offal and bone). Slaughterhouse coproducts represent between 30 to 50% of the life weight of farm animals. In the UK, fat, offal and bone are normally handled by rendering. Rendering is a process where ABP are sized and then dried to produce rendered products: tallow and a protein meal. Depending on the category of the ABP, rendered products can be used in pet foods manufacturing, the oleochemical industry and as biofuels (with and without further processing). The UK rendering industry uses both tallow and natural gas as fuel for heat production during the drying process. A study of UK rendering plants was undertaken to determine the total tallow production and the relative proportions of tallow and natural gas used as fuels. Data on fuel and energy use was collected from five rendering plants, representing 50% of the ABP processed in the UK. The results indicate that tallow use by the UK rendering industry ranged from 15 – 100% of total heat production with the remainder being derived from natural gas. When scaled up, it can be calculated that between 2006 and 2008 the UK rendering industry required around 5.7 PJ of heat per annum. During the same period the energy potentially available from rendered tallow (usable as biofuel) was 6.7 PJ. It can be concluded that potentially the UK rendering industry could be self-sufficient in energy use. However, use of tallow as a biofuel depends on the relative cost of
BANDWIDTH ENHANCEMENT OF DIELECTRIC RESONATOR ANTENNA BY LOADING A LOW-PROFILE DIELECTRIC DISK OF VERY HIGH PERMITTIVITY

The aperture-coupled cylindrical dielectric resonator (DR) antenna loaded by a low-profile DR disk of very high permittivity is studied experimentally. By using the low-profile parasitic DR disk the antenna bandwidth can be increased from 8% bandwidth to 25%. The characteristics of the new configuration are measured and discussed.
Victims of sexual offences: aspects impacting on participation, cooperation and engagement with the interview process

The way in which police officers interview sexual offence victims is pivotal to how their cases proceed through the criminal justice system (CJS). However, such interviews have previously been found to be lacking in overall quality, with some interviewers finding them technically difficult and stressful to conduct. In addition, victims often feel disbelieved, unsafe and/or uncomfortable during their police interview. The present study provides insight into the personal experiences of five female adult rape/sexual assault victims regarding their police interviews and the aspects that encouraged them to cooperate and engage during the interview process. Following semi-structured interviews, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to identify three key themes: (i) heading into the unknown, (ii) difficulty of talking about the crime and (iii) helpful and unhelpful interviewer approaches. Implications for practice are discussed, together with the need to further our understanding of this specialist area of police work.
Dependence of electromigration noise on geometrical and structural characteristics in aluminum-based resistors

Low frequency noise measurements have been performed on Al-Si resistors, subjected to high current density (j=2/spl times/10/sup 6/ A/cm/sup 2/), in order to investigate the dependence of the electromigration noise on the structural and geometrical parameters. To this end five groups of samples have been used, each characterized by a different value of the average grain size D. The power spectral density S/sub v/ of the voltage fluctuations across the samples has been measured using test patterns with different widths /spl omega/ and lengths l. It has been found that S/sub v/ shows an exponential dependence on the grain dimension and a linear dependence on the shape factor F=l//spl omega/. The model previously proposed for noise generation has been integrated to take into account the observed dependence of S/sub v/ on D and F. >
NONLINEAR MODELING OF HYDRAULIC ENGINE MOUNTS USING COUPLED MOMENTUM EQUATIONS OF DECOUPLER AND INERTIA TRACK

This paper focuses on the development of a complete nonlinear model of a hydraulic engine mount. The model is capable of capturing both the lowand high-frequency behaviour of hydraulic mounts. The results presented here provide a significant improvement over existing models by considering all nonlinear aspects of a hydraulic engine mount. Current laboratory findings have been used to evaluate nonlinear parameters and hyper-elastic modelling in ANSYS has been used to find complex stiffness. Also switching mechanism of decoupler has been applied. The comprehensive transfer function of linear system has been obtained, by a simultaneous defining of state parameters, scalar output variable and state space matrices. Results indicate two zones of unsatisfactory in system behaviour which correspond to the real system performance and experimental data. The measured responses of the mounts to loading at various frequencies and amplitudes are compared to the predictions of the mathematical model. The comparisons generally show a very good agreement, which corroborate the nonlinear model of the mount. It is felt that this work will help engineers in reducing mount design time, by providing insight into the effects of various parameters within the mount.
Fundamental Studies on the Use of Distributed Fibre Optical Sensing on Concrete and Reinforcing Bars

Distributed fibre optical sensing (DFOS) allows for quasi-continuous strain measurement in a broad range of gauge lengths and measurement frequencies. In particular, Rayleigh backscatter-based coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry has recently registered a significant application increase in structural concrete research and monitoring thanks to its numerous merits, such as high resolution and low invasiveness. However, it is not a plug-and-play technique. The quality of the acquired data depends highly on the choice of the fibre optical sensor and the methods of instrumentation and post-processing. Furthermore, its unprecedented resolution and sensitivity allow capturing local effects not well documented so far. This paper analyses the suitability of DFOS based on Rayleigh backscatter for reliably measuring strains and discusses the origin and structural relevance of local variations in the results. A series of experimental investigations are presented, comprising tensile tests on bare reinforcing bars and concrete compression tests. A critical analysis of the results leads to a best practice for applying DFOS to reinforcing bars and concrete, which establishes a basis for reliable, accurate measurements in structural concrete applications with bonded reinforcement.
Mechanisms of CP190 Interaction with Architectural Proteins in Drosophila Melanogaster

Most of the known Drosophila architectural proteins interact with an important cofactor, CP190, that contains three domains (BTB, M, and D) that are involved in protein–protein interactions. The highly conserved N-terminal CP190 BTB domain forms a stable homodimer that interacts with unstructured regions in the three best-characterized architectural proteins: dCTCF, Su(Hw), and Pita. Here, we identified two new CP190 partners, CG4730 and CG31365, that interact with the BTB domain. The CP190 BTB resembles the previously characterized human BCL6 BTB domain, which uses its hydrophobic groove to specifically associate with unstructured regions of several transcriptional repressors. Using GST pull-down and yeast two-hybrid assays, we demonstrated that mutations in the hydrophobic groove strongly affect the affinity of CP190 BTB for the architectural proteins. In the yeast two-hybrid assay, we found that architectural proteins use various mechanisms to improve the efficiency of interaction with CP190. Pita and Su(Hw) have two unstructured regions that appear to simultaneously interact with hydrophobic grooves in the BTB dimer. In dCTCF and CG31365, two adjacent regions interact simultaneously with the hydrophobic groove of the BTB and the M domain of CP190. Finally, CG4730 interacts with the BTB, M, and D domains of CP190 simultaneously. These results suggest that architectural proteins use different mechanisms to increase the efficiency of interaction with CP190.
Electroelastic fields in a layered piezoelectric cylindrical shell under dynamic load

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate layerwise theory for the analysis of thick laminated piezoelectric shell structures. A general finite element formulation using the layerwise theory is developed for a laminated cylindrical shell with piezoelectric layers, subjected to dynamic loads. The quadratic approximation of the displacement and electric potential in the thickness direction is considered. The governing equations are reduced to two-dimensional (2D) differential equations. The three-dimensional (3D) elasticity solution is also presented. The resulting equations are solved by a proper finite element method. The numerical results for static loading are compared with exact solutions of benchmark problems. Numerical examples of the dynamic problem are presented. The convergence is studied, as is the influence of the electromechanical coupling on the axisymmetric free-vibration characteristics of a thick cylinder.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Human Endogenous Retroviruses HERV-K (HML.2) from Teratocarcinoma Cell Lines and Detection of Viral Cargo in Microvesicles

About 8% of our genome is composed of sequences from Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs). The HERV-K (HML.2) family, here abbreviated HML.2, is able to produce virus particles that were detected in cell lines, malignant tumors and in autoimmune diseases. Parameters and properties of HML.2 released from teratocarcinoma cell lines GH and Tera-1 were investigated in detail. In most experiments, analyzed viruses were purified by density gradient centrifugation. HML.2 structural proteins, reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, viral RNA (vRNA) and particle morphology were analyzed. The HML.2 markers were predominantly detected in fractions with a buoyant density of 1.16 g/cm3. Deglycosylation of TM revealed truncated forms of transmembrane (TM) protein. Free virions and extracellular vesicles (presumably microvesicles—MVs) with HML.2 elements, including budding intermediates, were detected by electron microscopy. Viral elements and assembled virions captured and exported by MVs can boost specific immune responses and trigger immunomodulation in recipient cells. Sequencing of cDNA clones demonstrated exclusive presence of HERV-K108 env in HML.2 from Tera-1 cells. Not counting two recombinant variants, four known env sequences were found in HML.2 from GH cells. Obtained results shed light on parameters and morphology of HML.2. A possible mechanism of HML.2-induced diseases is discussed.
A new model for the field dependence of intrinsic and extrinsic time-dependent dielectric breakdown

The field acceleration of intrinsic and extrinsic breakdown is studied. For the intrinsic mode an exp(1/E)-acceleration law is found, while for the extrinsic mode an new exp (E)-acceleration law for Q/sub BD/ is proposed. This field acceleration model is implemented in a maximum likelihood algorithm together with a new analytical expression for fitting competing Weibull distributions. With this algorithm an extensive t/sub BD/-data set measured at different stress conditions can be fitted excellently in one single calculation. From the result, predictions of low-field oxide reliability are made and the screening conditions in order to guarantee a pre-set reliability specification are calculated.
K-band double-balanced mixer using GaAs HBT THz Schottky diodes

We report on a K-band double-balanced mixer using Schottky diodes made with our baseline (Foundry) GaAs HBT technology. The GaAs HBT MBE structure which yields a transistor f/sub max/ of 50 GHz, can also support Schottky diode structures with THz cut-off frequencies. A GaAs HBT Schottky diode double-balanced mixer achieves an upconversion loss of less than 6 dB over an RF output frequency band from 18-22 GHz, an LO frequency of 12 GHz @ +10 dBm, and an IF input frequency band from 6-10 GHz. An output IP3 of 9 dBm with an LO drive of 10 dBm was achieved. IF-RF and IF-LO isolations of >20 dB, and an LO-RF isolation of >30 dB were achieved over the broad band. In comparison to a HEMT Schottky diode implementation of the same identical design, the HBT Schottky implementation achieves lower conversion loss and higher IP3 for a given LO drive level and obtains similar isolation and intermodulation performance. <<ETX>>
Supply chain risk identification using a HAZOP‐based approach

Risk management has become imperative for today's complex supply chains. Most approaches reported in the literature have been ad-hoc and specific to certain risks; a general and comprehensive approach is lacking. To address this, we present a structured methodology for risk identification. Supply chain networks are in many ways similar to chemical plants, therefore well-established methods and concepts from chemical process risk management can be adapted to supply chains. Drawing from this analogy, we propose to represent supply chain structure and operations using flow and work-flow diagrams, equivalent to process flow diagrams (PFDs) and operating procedures. Following the HAZard and OPerability (HAZOP) analysis method common in process safety, risk identification can be performed by systematically generating deviations in different supply chain parameters and identifying their possible causes, consequences, safeguards, and mitigating actions. The application and benefits of the proposed approach are demonstrated using a refinery supply chain case study. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Comparison of long sparks in air and over an insulator surface

The breakdown characteristics of a spark gap can be influenced by the presence of an insulator between the electrodes. This experiment was conducted on a 250 mm rod-plane gap, in the presence and in the absence of a rod insulator, with the applications of both positive and negative lightning impulse voltages on the rod electrode. The affinity of the breakdown channel whether it follows the insulator surface or is repelled from it was investigated. It was observed that for negative lightning impulses, the breakdown channel followed the insulator surface in most of the cases while for the positive lightning impulses, the breakdown channel was always repelled from it. Differences were found in waveforms of breakdown voltages when the breakdown channel is following or being repelled from the insulator surface.
The Effects of Automation Reliability and Experience on Attention in a Computer Environment

Computer environments are often complex and require operators to work on multiple tasks at once. Diagnostic automation is purported to help by telling the operator when and where to look, but imperfect reliability and the question of experience with the system provide an open question to research. In this study, we asked 60 participants to interact with a multiple-task computer system representative of the demands of work to test whether experience with the automation would change the way participants allocated their attention between the tasks and efficiency in interacting with the system. We found that highly reliable automation provided not only an overall benefit but an improvement with experience. Less reliable automation provided an overall benefit but no additional gains with experience. The reliability of diagnostic automation in computer applications, then, should be designed with consideration for reliability; only at greater levels will experience with the system provide additional benefits.