Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early exposure to environmental sounds and the development of cortical auditory evoked potentials of preterm infants during the first three months of life

Objective: Preterm infants are exposed earlier than their term counterparts to unattenuated sounds from the external environment during the sensitive period of the organization of the auditory cortical circuitry. In the current study, we investigate the effect of preterm birth on the course of development of auditory cortical areas by evaluating how gestational age (GA) correlates with the latency of the P1 component of the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) of two experimental groups measured at one or three months of age. Results: Our sample consisted of 23 infants delivered at GA ranging from 31.28-41.42 weeks and separated into two groups evaluated transversally at one or three months of corrected age (CA). In the group evaluated at one-month CA, the latency of the component P1 was similar in both terms and infants classified as late-preterm (GA>32 weeks). However, in the group evaluated at three months CA, P1 latency was significantly smaller in preterms. These preliminary results suggest an acceleration of the development of auditory cortical pathways in preterms, probably due to their early exposure to socially relevant auditory stimuli from the external environment.
Knowledge of foreign-body aspiration in children among caregivers in Kano Nigeria

Background: Foreign-body aspiration (FBA) remains a life-threatening condition that is a frequent cause of accidental death in children below the age of 5 years worldwide. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge of FBA in children among caregivers and to determine the sociodemographic factors affecting their knowledge. Settings and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study design that was carried out at the pediatric outpatient department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Methodology: Institutional ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of the same hospital. Using systematic sampling technique, all data collected using a semi-structured questionnaire was analyzed with Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23 and statistical significance was set at value of P < 0.05, at 95% of confidence interval. Results: A total of 266 participants were recruited for this study. Forty percent were within the age group of 25–34 years, predominantly females (63.9%), majority (81.6%) were of the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group, most (83%) were married and 86.3% had formal education. In general, there was good knowledge (68.4%) of FBA to be more in children, but only 13.9% knew that toys and other nonfood materials as potential objects of aspiration by children and 47.4% knew that they should not give groundnuts/seeds or small toys to children <3 years. Marital status, gender, and the level of education were found to be statistically significantly (P < 0.05) associated with knowledge of FBA. Conclusion: Although there was good knowledge that FBA occurs more in children, there was very poor knowledge about potential objects of aspiration that are not food substances. Therefore, different strategies in creating awareness through proper health education on the dangers of FBA should be adequately explored.
Conceptual Modeling for Discrete-Event Simulation

Bringing together an international group of researchers involved in military, business, and health modeling and simulation, Conceptual Modeling for Discrete-Event Simulation presents a comprehensive view of the current state of the art in the field. The book addresses a host of issues, including: What is a conceptual model? How is conceptual modeling performed in general and in specific modeling domains? What is the role of established approaches in conceptual modeling? Each of the books six parts focuses on a different aspect of conceptual modeling for simulation. The first section discusses the purpose and requirements of a conceptual model. The next set of chapters provides frameworks and tools for conceptual modeling. The book then describes the use of soft systems methodology for model structuring as well as the application of software engineering methods and tools for model specification. After illustrating how conceptual modeling is adopted in the military and semiconductor manufacturing, the book concludes with a discussion on future research directions. This volume offers a broad, multifaceted account of the field by presenting diverse perspectives on what conceptual modeling entails. It also provides a basis upon which these perspectives can be compared.
Interdisciplinary product development education at MIT and RISD

This popular course has a decade-long history. Students come from a range of backgrounds and explore how teamwork and a cross-section of talents are fundamental to the product design process. Steven Eppinger and Matthew Kressy summarize the main features of their class, provide examples of student projects, and thoroughly enumerate the lessons learned in this demanding but exciting teaching exercise.
One-layer robust MPC: a multi-model approach

Abstract In this paper, an MPC that explicitly integrates the RTO structure into the dynamic control layer is presented. In particular, a robust MPC is proposed, which takes into account the uncertainties that arise from the difference between nonlinear and linear models, by means of a multi-model approach: a finite family of linear models is considered, which operate appropriately in a moderate-to-large region around a given operating point. In this way, each linear model provides an enough accurate description of the system. Feasibility and stability conditions are preserved. Moreover, the real plant converges to the optimal point that optimizes the economic cost function.
Radio Frequency Station - Beam Dynamics Interaction in Circular Accelerators

The longitudinal beam dynamics in circular accelerators is mainly defined by the interaction of the beam current with the accelerating Radio Frequency (RF) stations. For stable operation, Low Level RF (LLRF) feedback systems are employed to reduce coherent instabilities and regulate the accelerating voltage. The LLRF system design has implications for the dynamics and stability of the closed-loop RF systems as well as for the particle beam, and is very sensitive to the operating range of accelerator currents and energies. Stability of the RF loop and the beam are necessary conditions for reliable machine operation. This dissertation describes theoretical formalisms and models that determine the longitudinal beam dynamics based on the LLRF implementation, time domain simulations that capture the dynamic behavior of the RF station-beam interaction, and measurements from the Positron-Electron Project (PEP-II) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) that validate the models and simulations. These models and simulations are structured to capture the technical characteristics of the system (noise contributions, non-linear elements, and more). As such, they provide useful results and insight for the development and design of future LLRF feedback systems. They also provide the opportunity to study diverse longitudinal beam dynamics effects such as coupled-bunch impedance driven instabilities and single bunch longitudinal emittance growth. Coupled-bunch instabilities and RF station power were the performance limiting effects for PEP-II. The sensitivity of the instabilities to individual LLRF parameters, the effectiveness of alternative operational algorithms, and the possible tradeoffs between RF loop and beam stability were studied. New algorithms were implemented, with significant performance improvement leading to a world record current during the last PEP-II run of 3212 mA for the Low Energy Ring. Longitudinal beam emittance growth due to RF noise is a major concern for LHC. Simulations studies and measurements were conducted that clearly show the correlation between RF noise and longitudinal bunch emittance, identify the major LLRF noise contributions, and determine the RF component dominating this effect. With these results, LHC upgrades and alternative algorithms are evaluated to reduce longitudinal emittance growth during operations. The applications of this work are described with regard to future machines and analysis of new technical implementations, as well as to possible future work which would continue the directions of this dissertation.
Expression of insulin and GLP-1 receptors in interneurons of the cerebral cortex

The action of insulin is not restricted to peripheral organs. Insulin receptors and signal transduction pathways described in the periphery are involved in a wide array of functions in the central nervous system. It is generally accepted that insulin produced by pancreatic beta cells in physiological conditions or applied intranasally with a therapeutic purpose for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease finds its way to neurons of the cerebral cortex. The timescale of external insulin transport to the vicinity of neurons is relatively slow, consistent with long-term homeostatic regulation of neural networks. Recent work has overwhelmingly shown that insulin is also synthesised locally in the cerebral cortex. Neuron-derived insulin is capable of rapid modulation of synaptic and microcircuit mechanisms and is suggested to regulate on-demand energy homeostasis of neural networks. Our results provide evidence for functional expression of GLP-1 receptors in neurons known to release insulin in the cerebral cortex. Hyperglycemia increases the expression of GLP-1 receptors in neurogliaform cells suggesting that endogenous incretins and therapeutic GLP-1 receptor agonists might have effects on these neurons similar to that of pancreatic beta cells. We suggest that novel therapeutic strategies might include modulation of neural insulin production in the brain by GLP-1 agonists for counteracting diabetes, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent experiments in which lost pancreatic beta cells were replaced by autologous transplants of insulin-producing neural progenitor cells signal the immense therapeutic potential of this approach for diabetes.
Cellular and homeostatic network mechanisms of posttraumatic epilepsy

After penetrating cortical wounds, the brain becomes gradually hyperexcitable and generates spontaneous paroxysmal activity, but the progressive mechanisms of epileptogenesis remain virtually unknown. The guiding line of our experiments was the hypothesis that the reduced cortical activity following deafferentation triggers homeostatic mechanisms acting at cellular and network levels, leading to an increased neuronal excitability and finally generating paroxysmal activities. We tested this hypothesis either in anesthetized adult cats, or during natural sleep and wake, using the model of partially deafferented suprasylvian gyrus to induce posttraumatic epileptogenesis. We evaluated the effects of acute and chronic cortical deafferentation on the survival of neurons and glial cells and how long-term input deprivation could shape up the properties of neuronal networks and the initiation of spontaneous cortical activity. Following cortical deafferentation of the suprasylvian gyrus, the deeply laying neurons, particularly the inhibitory GABAergic ones, degenerate progressively in parallel with an increased propensity to paroxysmal activity, mainly during slow-wave sleep. The chronic input deprivation and the death of neurons activate homeostatic plasticity mechanisms, which promote a gradual increased neuronal connectivity, higher efficacy of excitatory synaptic connections and changes in intrinsic cellular properties favoring increased excitation. The spontaneous cortical activity quantified by means of firing rate augments also progressively, particularly during slow-wave sleep, characterized by periods of silent states alternating with periods of active states, which supports furthermore our hypothesis regarding the involvement of homeostatic plasticity mechanisms. The degeneration of neurons in the deep cortical layers generates important changes in the laminar distribution of neuronal activity, which is shifted from the deeper layers to the more superficial ones, in the partially deafferented part of the gyrus. This change in the depth profile distribution of firing rates modifies also the initiation of spontaneous cortical activity which, in normal cortex, and in the relatively intact part of the deafferented gyrus, is initiated in the deep cortical layers. Conversely, in late stages of the undercut, both the cortical slow oscillation and the ictal activity are initiated in the more superficial layers and
Statistical mechanics of nanotubes

We investigate the effect of thermal fluctuations on the mechanical properties of nanotubes by employing tools from statistical physics. For 2D sheets it was previously shown that thermal fluctuations effectively renormalize elastic moduli beyond a characteristic temperature-dependent thermal length scale (a few nanometers for graphene at room temperature), where the bending rigidity increases, while the in-plane elastic moduli reduce in a scale-dependent fashion with universal power law exponents. However, the curvature of nanotubes produces new phenomena. In nanotubes, competition between stretching and bending costs associated with radial fluctuations introduces a characteristic elastic length scale, which is proportional to the geometric mean of the radius and effective thickness. Beyond elastic length scale, we find that the in-plane elastic moduli stop renormalizing in the axial direction, while they continue to renormalize in the circumferential direction beyond the elastic length scale albeit with different universal exponents. The bending rigidity, however, stops renormalizing in the circumferential direction at the elastic length scale. These results were verified using molecular dynamics simulations.
Two years and two hurricanes later: Did the dunes recover?

In many places along the U.S. East and Gulf of Mexico coasts, barrier islands are the first line of defense against extreme weather events threatening our coastlines. The trademark of these barrier islands are sand dunes that are intricately bound, from a sedimentary perspective, to the beach. Coastal storms, such as Hurricanes Matthew (2016), Irma and Maria (2017), and Florence (2018) have devastating impacts on these environments. This study investigated the volumetric changes of an anthropogenic and controlled beach-dune system on Isle of Palms, South Carolina, for approximately one year following Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Irma (2017). This research reveals that these systems did not recover. The average loss of sand at the beach was -15.5% (nv = -0.89), whereas the dunes gained an average of 13.3% (nv = 0.79), when compared to the already diminished post-storm volumes. When considering the pre-Hurricane Irma to pre-Hurricane Florence temporal period, the recovery percentages for the anthropogenic and control dunes was -15.5% and -40.1%, respectively, suggesting a net loss of sand. Cumulative storms, such as those experienced on the coast of South Carolina and many other coasts, pose a substantial threat to the long-term viability of coastal dune systems. However, recovery at the control site in the form of incipient foredune growth is promising. This paper concludes with a list of influencing factors to dune recovery.
First Detection of Nosema ceranae Infecting Apis mellifera in India

Abstract Apis mellifera colonies were sampled for over twelve months to study the Nosema infection in different apiaries of Himachal Pradesh, India. We found that the infection incidence was highest in the winter season (48.40 %) followed by autumn and rainy months. The infection was diagnosed conventionally through the microscopic analysis detection of Nosema species spores. However, with the recent findings that both N. ceranae and N. apis affect western honey bees, more sensitive and species specific molecular techniques are required that reliably differentiate between species of microsporidia. Therefore, molecular studies were conducted to precisely differentiate between Nosema species infecting honeybee colonies in India. Species specific multiplex PCR amplification using previously reported primers derived from 16S rRNA fragments were performed in a single reaction mixture. A single diagnostic band size of only 143 bp for N. ceranae was observed in the agarose gel. Furthermore, a diagnostic band size of 252 bp was observed with primer NoS, thus reconfirming the presence of N. ceranae. This study appears to be the first to report the detect of N. ceranae species from India in samples of A. mellifera.
Packaging effects on reliability of Cu/low-k interconnects

Chip-packaging interaction is becoming a critical reliability issue for Cu/low-k chips during assembly into a plastic flip-chip package. With the traditional TEOS interlevel dielectric being replaced by much weaker low-k dielectrics, packaging induced interfacial delamination in low-k interconnects has been widely observed, raising serious reliability concerns for Cu/low-k chips. In a flip-chip package, the thermal deformation of the package can be directly coupled into the Cu/low-k interconnect structure inducing large local deformation to drive interfacial crack formation. In this paper, we summarize experimental and modeling results from studies performed in our laboratory to investigate the chip-package interaction and its impact on low-k interconnect reliability. We first review the experimental techniques for measuring thermal deformation in a flip-chip package and interfacial fracture energy for low-k interfaces. Then results from three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) based on a multilevel submodeling approach in combination with high-resolution moire/spl acute/ interferometry to investigate the chip-package interaction for low-k interconnects are discussed. Packaging induced crack driving forces for relevant interfaces in Cu/low-k structures are deduced and compared with corresponding interfaces in Cu/TEOS and Al/TEOS structures to assess the effect of ILD on packaging reliability. Our results indicate that packaging assembly can significantly impact wafer-level reliability causing interfacial delamination to become a serious reliability concern for Cu/low-k structures.
Designing manufacturing cells: A staged approach and a tabu search algorithm

This paper proposes a three-stage approach for the manufacturing cells design problem and a tabu search scheme for its solution. The proposed approach is based on the observation that almost all computationally complex aspects can be incorporated in a middle stage optimization model. A preliminary parts grouping stage precedes and a stage eliminating remaining intercellular traffic follows. The tabu search scheme that solves the middle stage problem integrates proper short- and long-term memory structures and an overall search strategy for their use. At the code-development phase, special care has been taken to enhance the explorative capability of the algorithm by correlating search statistics with the values of the search parameters. The resulting algorithm is robust and produces more than promising results with negligible computational effort. In the absence of known optimal solutions for larger dimensions (more than 30 machines), datasets from mathematically similar areas were used. Tests with problems of size up to 50 also give encouraging results.
Structure-function analysis of ZAR1 immune receptor reveals key molecular interactions for activity

NLR (Nucleotide-binding [NB] Leucine-rich repeat [LRR] Receptor) proteins are critical for inducing immune responses in response to pathogen proteins, and must be tightly regulated to prevent spurious activation in the absence of a pathogen. The ZAR1 NLR recognizes diverse effector proteins from Pseudomonas syringae, including HopZ1a, and Xanthomonas species. Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) such as ZED1, interact with ZAR1 and provide specificity for different effector proteins, such as HopZ1a. We previously developed a transient expression system in Nicotiana benthamiana, that allowed us to demonstrate ZAR1 function is conserved from the Brassicaceae to the Solanaceae. Here, we combined structural modeling of ZAR1, with molecular and functional assays in our transient system, to show that multiple intramolecular and intermolecular interactions regulate ZAR1 activity. We identified new determinants required for the formation of the ZARCC dimer and its activity. Lastly, we characterized new intramolecular interactions between ZAR1 subdomains that participate in keeping ZAR1 immune complexes inactive. This work identifies molecular constraints on immune receptor function and activation. One sentence-summary Structure-informed analyses reveal multiple finely-tuned intramolecular interactions that regulate the activity of the immune receptor ZAR1. Funding Research on plant immunity in the Lewis laboratory was supported by the USDA ARS 2030-21000-046-00D and 2030-21000-050-00D (JDL), and the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences IOS-1557661 (JDL). ECM and AJP acknowledge financial support from UEFISCDI grant PN-III-ID-PCE-2016-0650 and the Romanian Academy programs 1 & 2 of IBAR.
Planning guidelines for metro–bus interchanges by means of a pedestrian microsimulation model

The big paradigm for cities nowadays is to study the movement of pedestrians at the interface between metro and bus systems – metro–bus interchanges. When these interchanges are not well designed, walking is inefficient and can be unsafe for pedestrians. This paper analyses, by means of a pedestrian microsimulation model, metro–bus interchange spaces in order to propose planning guidelines for the city of Santiago de Chile. Specific objectives are (1) to identify the variables that provide efficiency and safety in those spaces; (2) to simulate different scenarios using the pedestrian simulation model LEGION; (3) to propose planning and design guidelines for pedestrian spaces at metro–bus interchanges; and (4) to contrast the recommendations in the recently opened terminal station on Line 1 of Metro de Santiago: Los Dominicos Station.
The development of connectives in Cantonese-speaking pre- school children

The present study aimed to explore the development of connectives in Cantonese-speaking pre-school children in Hong Kong. By using the corpus of Cantonese-HKU, conversational speech sample of 70 local Cantonese-speaking preschool children age from 2;06 to 5;06 were examined and evaluated. Results indicated that 50% of the children from 2;06 started to use connectives. Different types of connectives and their frequency increased from age 2;06 to 5;06. A total of 16 different connectives were used by these children to encode various types of semantic relations. Age and mean length utterance were shown as significant predictors accounting for substantial portion of variances of connectives. Limitations of the study were discussed.
Branded Entertainment: Product Placement & Brand Strategy in the Entertainment Business

"Branded Entertainment" explains how product placement, a long-time phenomenon in films, has gone beyond this to now embrace all media. Citing examples from film to music video, to computer games, the author explains the: history and development of product placement; advantages of this form of brand advertising; and, methods employed by different brands. Most importantly, "Branded Entertainment" discusses the future possibilities for using this form of promotion to recreate an emotional connection with customers and exploiting the opportunities afforded by advances in technology to spread the message across multimedia channels.