Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Properties of Yield Distributions in Random Yield Problems: Conditions, Class of Distributions and Relevant Applications

In this study, we propose two technical assumptions to ensure the unimodality of the objective functions in two classes of price and quantity decision problems with one procurement opportunity under supply random yield and deterministic demand in a price‐setting environment. The first class of problems involves a decentralized supply chain/assembly system under different configurations, and the second class focuses on a single firm's price and quantity decisions under different contracts, payment schemes and supplier portfolios. We provide appealing economic interpretations and easy‐to‐verify sufficient conditions for our proposed technical assumptions. We show that both assumptions are preserved under truncation and positive scale, and satisfied by most commonly used continuous yield distributions. Moreover, similar to the role that the increasing generalized failure rate (IGFR) property plays in analyzing operations problems with demand uncertainty, our Assumption 1 plays a fundamental role in regulating the behaviors of the objective functions for both classes of random yield problems. Assumption 2 is more general than both Assumption 1 and the IGFR property and is used to analyze the second class of problems. Finally, we discuss the difference between random yield and random demand problems, and explain the rationale for the need of different technical assumptions.
Measuring population fluctuation of jatropha stem-borer [Cophes notaticeps (Marshall)] in the Brazilian Cerrado using a new trap

Abstract This study aimed to monitor the population fluctuation of Cophes notaticeps (Marshall) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in a jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) plantation in the Federal District, Brazil, through the use of a new trap, combined with different attractive lures and trap colors. The study was conducted at Embrapa Cerrados (Planaltina/DF) in a field trial with 720 plants. The new trap, named CPAC16, was made with PVC pipes (100 mm in diameter) of about 40 cm in length, with a window (8 × 10 cm2) in its center to enable insect access. A lure compartment was fixed on the inside of the trap`s top, and a pot, containing water and detergent, was placed at its bottom to collect the insects. The traps were painted in red, yellow, blue and green. Molasses, ethanol and pineapple were used as attractive lures. The traps were in the field trial area between May 2013 and April 2014 and the insects were collected weekly. The incidence of plants presenting damage caused by C. notaticeps was evaluated in the beginning and at the end of the study. The CPAC16 trap proved efficient in monitoring C. notaticeps. About 3494 of C. notaticeps adults were collected during the study. There were no significant differences among traps painted with different colors. The most attractive lure was molasses collecting 75.2% (n = 2627) of the specimens. Although the population peak occurred in December (n = 1162), C. notaticeps were collected throughout the year. The incidence of plants attacked by C. notaticeps ranged from 66.4% (start) to 100% (end).
Sex‐ and strain‐specific expression of cytochrome P450s in Ochratoxin A‐induced genotoxicity and carcinogenicity in rats

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a nephrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, is implicated in the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), a chronic disease affecting populations in the Balkans. Patients suffering from Balkan endemic nephropathy, urinary‐tract tumors, or both are more frequently extensive metabolizers of debrisoquine than persons unaffected by these conditions. As shown previously (Castegnaro et al., Int J Cancer, 77:70–75, 1998), OTA induction of renal tumors is markedly sex‐ and strain‐specific in Dark Agouti (DA) and Lewis rats, with DA males being most responsive and DA females being resistant; only DA females were phenotyped as slow debrisoquine metabolizers. Formation of OTA‐related DNA adducts in the kidney was closely correlated with renal carcinogenicity. To elucidate the critical biotransformation enzymes involved in OTA genotoxicity and carcinogenicity, the expression of cytochrome P450s (CYPs) 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 3A in the kidney and liver microsomes of untreated and OTA‐treated DA and Lewis rats (both sexes) was determined by western blot analysis. Chronic OTA treatment was found to modify CYP expression in kidney and liver. In the animals most susceptible to renal OTA carcinogenicity and DNA adduct formation, the OTA‐toxifying isoforms (CYPs 2C11, 1A2, and 3A) were highly expressed in the liver, and little of the OTA‐detoxifying isoforms (CYPs 1A1 and 2A) was detected. CYP2D was not expressed in DA rats and therefore is not involved in these phenomena. Our results confirm that the strain‐ and sex‐specific genotoxic response of OTA is controlled, in part, by CYP‐mediated metabolic reactions that convert OTA into DNA‐reactive intermediates. Mol. Carcinog. 23:76–85, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of illness perceptions and disease severity on quality of life in congenital heart disease

Abstract Background Despite an increasing prevalence of adults living with a CHD, little is known about the psychosocial impact of CHD. We sought to investigate the relative impact of disease severity and patients’ perceptions about their condition on depression, anxiety, and quality of life over a period of a year. Methods A total of 110 patients aged over 16 years completed an initial questionnaire containing measures for anxiety, depression, quality of life, and illness perceptions when they attended the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinic. Cardiologists rated the patients’ disease severity and illness course. A year later, patients were invited to complete the same measures. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relative impact of illness perceptions and disease severity on psychological outcomes a year later. Results At baseline, 23% of the study population had depressive symptoms and 30% had elevated trait anxiety. After controlling for associations with disease-related variables, illness perceptions explained 28% of the variance in depression, 40% anxiety, and 27% overall quality of life at baseline. Baseline illness perceptions bivariately predicted quality of life, cardiac anxiety, and depression 1 year later, and regression analyses controlling for other factors showed that they were significant predictors of outcomes 1 year later. Conclusion Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common among adults with CHD. Patients’ illness perceptions are related to psychological outcomes, especially cross-sectionally. Future research could investigate whether an intervention to discuss patients’ perceptions about their CHD can improve mental health and quality of life.
Evaluation of mathematic models to assess platelet kinetics.

Twelve mathematic methods used to calculate the mean platelet survival time were compared by determining the "goodness of fit" of the models to the platelet survival curves of 15 reference subjects and 54 patients. Platelets were labeled with [111In]oxine. The linear (LN), exponential, weighted mean, multiple hit (MH), Dornhorst (DH), Meuleman (ML), alpha order (AO), and polynomial (PO) mathematic models were investigated. The goodness of fit for the exponential model was determined by the nonlinear least squares method (EP), and also by the linear least squares method on logarithmically transformed data (EX) as is recommended. The modified weighted mean (MWM) and the usual weighted mean method (WM) obtained with these exponential models were tested. The Dornhorst (DH10) and Meuleman (ML10) models, where the potential age-dependent platelet survival times were kept constant at 10 days, were also evaluated. The goodness of fit results, expressed as % s.d. indicated that the LN (5.2%), EX (5.0%), EP (4.4%), WM (3.7%), DH10 (3.7%), and ML10 (3.7%) models all fitted the data significantly worse than the MWM, MH, DH, ML, AO, and PO models (range 3.2-3.3%). The mean platelet survival time determined with the MH model differed significantly from the results with the DH, ML, and AO models. The results of mean platelet survival time calculated with different mathematic models cannot, therefore, be compared directly. The models that fitted the platelet survival curve well varied slightly in sensitivity to noise as is indicated by the coefficient of variation of the mean platelet survival time estimates for the reference subjects (range 7.9-12.0%). Fitting data to at least two mathematic models has definite advantages. Data on which the calculations are based are probably invalid if the following are true: (a) if the mean platelet survival time estimated with the alpha order model is shorter than that estimated with the EP, MWM, or MH models, or (b) the mean platelet survival time estimated with either the DH, ML, AO, or PO models, is longer than the LN, MWM, or MH estimate of the mean platelet survival time. We conclude that the mean platelet survival time can be reliably estimated by fitting the data to either the MWM method (if limited computing facilities are available) or the MH model. Confidence in the result will be increased if considered in conjunction with the finding obtained with one other model; in those cases where the platelet survival time is very short, the alpha order model is recommended. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Reclamation of zero discharge system with CDTS technology

In present day scenario, conventional flush type toilet system is being deployed by the railway department in passenger coaches. The major disadvantage of which is the direct discharge of human waste on railway track and water bodies continuously throughout its journey. This discharge waste does not only corrode the railway tracks, but also result in contamination of atmosphere. Since very long, Indian Railway has been trying to overcome this problem, by implanting CDTS (Controlled Discharge Toilet system - developed by DRDO and IR engineers) and ZDTS (zero discharge toilet system developed by RDSO, Lucknow and IIT Kanpur). In CDTS technology the human waste is being discharged on railway tracks itself, once the train attains a speed of approximately 30km/hour and more till then it is being stored in inbuilt retention tanks present underneath the toilets. This technology only reduces the amount of discharged waste on tracks only to some extent and not completely. CDTS toilets are very expensive and even incapable to prevent the corrosion on tracks. While in ZDTS, toilet system remains the same, only the discharge parameters and location is different. Here, instead of directly discharging the waste on tracks, it is being collected in retention tanks and converted into fertilizers first with the addition of anaerobic bacteria. Then it is dumped onto barren lands. But ZDTS technology has its own limitations such as on being used by a large number of passengers at a time and discharge of non-biodegradable waste in the toilets due to which system will get jammed, because in such situations bacteria cannot convert non-biodegradable waste and human waste into organic manure. Therefore, we proposed a new technique to overcome these types of problem generated by CDTS and Zero discharge system.
Versatile Approach to Probabilistic Modeling of Hokuyo UTM-30LX

The objective of this paper was to analyze several approaches to the probabilistic modeling of Hokuyo-type laser rangefinder (LRF). These models, which reflect mostly the mixed pixels, beam width, signal, and impulse noise, were compared mutually. Motivation for creating these models was the failure of existing LRF models to faithfully represent the features of sensed environment. Moreover, the characteristics of each particular model were highlighted, and their suitability for various applications was determined. This paper also dealt with data fusion by selected model and its representation in the occupancy grid. This was based on the classical Bayes' rule, which was adapted for the desired characteristics of data fusion. Finally, in order to improve data from the sensor, data pre-processing was proposed. Mentioned data pre-processing was proposed with the emphasis on the elimination of impulsive noise. The overall concept of data processing from the LRF can be regarded as versatile and robust.
Consensus Building for Development of Outpatient Adverse Drug Event Triggers

Objectives: Adverse drug event (ADE) detection is an important priority of patient safety research. Trigger tools have been developed to help identify ADEs. As part of a larger study, we developed complex and specific trigger algorithms intended for concurrent use with clinical care to detect outpatient ADEs. This article assesses the use of a modified Delphi process to obtain expert consensus on the value of these triggers. Methods: We selected a panel of distinguished clinical and research experts to participate in the modified Delphi process. We created a set of outpatient ADE triggers based on literature review, clinical input, and methodological expertise. The importance of the targeted ADEs, associated drug classes, and trigger logic was used to rate each trigger. Specific criteria were developed to establish consensus. Results: The modified Delphi process established consensus on 6 outpatient ADE triggers to test with patient-level data based on high ratings of utility for patient-level interventions. These triggers focused on detecting ADEs caused by the following drugs or drug classes: bone marrow toxins, potassium raisers, potassium reducers, creatinine, warfarin, and sedative hypnotics. Participants reported including all aspects of the trigger in their ratings, despite our efforts to separate evaluation of clinical need and trigger logic. Participants' expertise affected the evaluation of trigger rules, leading to contradictory feedback on how to improve trigger design. Conclusions: The efficiency of the modified Delphi method could be improved by allowing participants to produce an overall summary score that incorporates both the clinical value and the general logic of the trigger. Revising and improving trigger design should be conducted in a separate process limited only to trigger experts.
Enhancement of hepatic autophagy increases ureagenesis and protects against hyperammonemia

Significance Waste nitrogen is converted into urea by the healthy liver. Systemic ammonia is elevated in patients with inherited urea-cycle disorders or acute and chronic liver diseases. Hyperammonemia is a challenging medical condition that holds high risks of mortality and irreversible brain damage. Current treatments are often inadequate. Autophagy is a lysosomal recycling pathway that plays a major role in metabolism. Here, we found that liver autophagy is involved in ammonia homeostasis in vivo and that enhancement of hepatic autophagy increases ureagenesis by providing key urea-cycle intermediates and ATP. Importantly, pharmacological enhancement of autophagy protects against hyperammonemia resulting from both inherited and acquired causes. These findings may lead to development of new drugs promoting ammonia clearance in patients with hyperammonemia. Ammonia is a potent neurotoxin that is detoxified mainly by the urea cycle in the liver. Hyperammonemia is a common complication of a wide variety of both inherited and acquired liver diseases. If not treated early and thoroughly, it results in encephalopathy and death. Here, we found that hepatic autophagy is critically involved in systemic ammonia homeostasis by providing key urea-cycle intermediates and ATP. Hepatic autophagy is triggered in vivo by hyperammonemia through an α-ketoglutarate–dependent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, and deficiency of autophagy impairs ammonia detoxification. In contrast, autophagy enhancement by means of hepatic gene transfer of the master regulator of autophagy transcription factor EB or treatments with the autophagy enhancers rapamycin and Tat-Beclin-1 increased ureagenesis and protected against hyperammonemia in a variety of acute and chronic hyperammonemia animal models, including acute liver failure and ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, the most frequent urea-cycle disorder. In conclusion, hepatic autophagy is an important mechanism for ammonia detoxification because of its support of urea synthesis, and its enhancement has potential for therapy of both primary and secondary causes of hyperammonemia.
Soluble CD14 and CD83 from Human Neonatal Antigen-Presenting Cells Are Inducible by Commensal Bacteria and Suppress Allergen-Induced Human Neonatal Th2 Differentiation

ABSTRACT CD14 is expressed on the cell surface of various antigen-presenting cells, and CD83 is a maturation marker for dendritic cells (DC). CD14 and CD83 are also present as soluble proteins, and both have immunoregulatory functions. We examined whether neonatal cord blood monocytes or DC released soluble CD14 (sCD14) or sCD83 when exposed to the commensal intestinal bacteria Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides fragilis. We found that the gram-positive bacteria C. perfringens and S. aureus, but not gram-negative bacteria, induced the release of sCD14 from monocytes. DC, on the other hand, released sCD14 in response to both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the expression of the virulence factor staphylococcal protein A seemed to be important for S. aureus-induced sCD14 production from both monocytes and DC. Soluble CD83 was released from DC, but not from monocytes, when exposed to both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Finally, to investigate whether sCD14 or sCD83 could modulate neonatal allergen-induced T-cell differentiation, DC were exposed to birch allergen alone or in the presence of sCD14 or sCD83 and then cocultured with autologous T cells. We demonstrate that sCD14 and sCD83 inhibited the birch allergen-induced Th2 differentiation by suppressing interleukin 13 production. Together, these results suggest that the commensal intestinal flora may be an important stimulus for the developing immune system by inducing the immunoregulatory proteins sCD14 and sCD83, which may be involved in preventing T-cell sensitization to allergens in infants.
RISK ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON RICE PRODUCTIVITY IN SINDH PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN

The focus of the present research was to assess the dependent variable i.e., Vector Autoregression (VAR) study model estimation with lag 2 indicated that Akaike AIC and Schwarz Sc for data using lag 2 is smaller than lag 3, lag 4 and lag 5, so the lower values Akaike AIC 17.11070 and Schwarz Sc 19.23172 for lag 2 make the model more fitted. For that reason, VAR model lag 2 in the study is more prefer-able as compared to other lag values. The ADF test showed the variables of model to be non- stationary at straight levels of significance and indicated that the first difference variables are completely stationary, which showed that all the variables are integrated of order-1, whereas water availability data is already in the stationary form. Area under rice crop is not expected to be different from the 2014-15 and the productivity is forecasted as 42.6 mds per hectare, which is a good yield but not good enough, and most probably due to the climatic uncertainty. Furthermore, the econometric results illustrated that the increase in temperatures and a decrease in precipitation tendency would cause less or more negative impact on rice productivity in up-coming years in the province of Sindh, where estimated productivity will get decreased by 7.32 percent in the short-run and 13.31 percent in the long-run with an increase in temperature by 1°C and 10 percent decrease in precipitation. Results showed decline in the productivity of the crop under study area. This might be an alarming situation and the big threats to agricultural productivity associated with rapid climate changes. A well-defined planning and sagacious policies will play sustainable productivity of the rice crop. New hybrid and climatic change resistance crop varieties may be introduced to secure the staple food crops including rice for food security.
A Low-Power 0.13- $\mu \text{m}$  CMOS IC for ZnO-Nanowire Assembly and Nanowire-Based UV Sensor Interface

This paper presents a low-power system conceived for the integration and measurement of a nanowire (NW)-based sensor array onto a 130-nm CMOS technology process. Each array element includes a dielectrophoresis (DEP) signal generator for NWs alignment and a quasi-digital read-out circuit (ROC) for impedance conversion. The two subsystems can be digitally controlled by an external microcontroller which reads the ROC output and calculates the resistance and capacitance of the NW. Measurements show that the integrated two-quadrants quasi-digital ROC covers the range 1 MΩ-1Ω G and 100 fF-1 μF with a signal-to-noise ratio ≥44.89 dB. The CMOS system can be considered a building block for the implementation of a complete NW-based sensing array and each element, including both DEP and ROC subsystems, occupies an active area of 0.008 mm2 and only consumes 14.76 μW during read-out phase. The ROC has been also validated using an off-chip nanogapbased nanodevice integrating a single ZnO-NW which has been used as ultraviolet (UV) sensor during experiments. The device has been stimulated by an external UV source providing an irradiance ≥93 μW/cm2 to the nanodevice surface. We have proved that the ROC is able to measure the ZnO-NW electrical characteristics and their variations due to the photogenerated charge carriers.
Transforming Growth Factor- (cid:1) Differentially Inhibits MyD88-dependent, but Not TRAM- and TRIF-dependent, Lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 Signaling*

Transforming growth factor- (cid:1) 1 (TGF- (cid:1) 1) is a multi-functional, potent anti-inflammatory cytokine produced by many cell types that regulates cell proliferation, apo-ptosis, and immune responses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize various pathogen-associated molecular patterns and are therefore a pivotal component of the innate immune system. In this study we show that TGF- (cid:1) 1 blocks the NF- (cid:2) B activation and cytokine release that is stimulated by ligands for TLRs 2, 4, and 5. We further show that TGF- (cid:1) 1 can specifically interfere with TLR2, -4, or -5 ligand-induced responses involving the adaptor molecule MyD88 (myeloid differentiation factor 88) but not the TRAM/TRIF signaling pathway by decreasing MyD88 protein levels in a dose- and time-de-pendent manner without altering its mRNA expression. The proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin abolished the MyD88 degradation induced by TGF- (cid:1) 1. Furthermore, TGF- (cid:1) 1 resulted in ubiquitination of MyD88 protein, suggesting that TGF- (cid:1) 1 facilitates ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of to a number of effects that would exacerbate plaque inflammation (33). Our data show that TGF- (cid:1) decreases MyD88 protein levels and inhibits TLR-dependent activation of NF- (cid:2) B-dependent proinflammatory gene targets. Inhibition of TGF- (cid:1) signaling might therefore be expected to enhance NF- (cid:2) B activation by TLR ligands. However, the validity of this notion must await the results of direct investigations.