Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacterial cellulose as a potential meniscus implant

Traumatic or degenerative meniscal lesions are a frequent problem. The meniscus cannot regenerate after resection. These lesions often progress and lead to osteoarthritis. Collagen meniscal implants have been used in clinical practice to regenerate meniscal tissue after partial meniscectomy. The mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) gel were compared with a collagen material and the pig meniscus. BC was grown statically in corn steep liquid medium, as described elsewhere. Pig meniscus was harvested from pigs. The collagen implant was packed in sterile conditions until use. The different materials were evaluated under tensile and compression load, using an Instron 5542 with a 500 N load cell. The feasibility for implantation was explored using a pig model. The Young's modulus of bacterial cellulose was measured to be 1 MPa, 100 times less for the collagen material, 0.01 MPa in tensile load. The Young's modulus of bacterial cellulose and meniscus are similar in magnitude under a compression load of 2 kPa and with five times better mechanical properties than the collagen material. At higher compression strain, however, the pig meniscus is clearly stronger. These differences are clearly due to a more ordered and arranged structure of the collagen fibrils in the meniscus. The combination of the facts that BC is inexpensive, can be produced in a meniscus shape, and promotes cell migration makes it an attractive material for consideration as a meniscus implant. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of nucleobase interactions in RNA structure and dynamics

The intricate network of interactions observed in RNA three-dimensional structures is often described in terms of a multitude of geometrical properties, including helical parameters, base pairing/stacking, hydrogen bonding and backbone conformation. We show that a simple molecular representation consisting in one oriented bead per nucleotide can account for the fundamental structural properties of RNA. In this framework, canonical Watson-Crick, non-Watson-Crick base-pairing and base-stacking interactions can be unambiguously identified within a well-defined interaction shell. We validate this representation by performing two independent, complementary tests. First, we use it to construct a sequence-independent, knowledge-based scoring function for RNA structural prediction, which compares favorably to fully atomistic, state-of-the-art techniques. Second, we define a metric to measure deviation between RNA structures that directly reports on the differences in the base–base interaction network. The effectiveness of this metric is tested with respect to the ability to discriminate between structurally and kinetically distant RNA conformations, performing better compared to standard techniques. Taken together, our results suggest that this minimalist, nucleobase-centric representation captures the main interactions that are relevant for describing RNA structure and dynamics.
Yawat: Yet Another Word Alignment Tool

Yawat is a tool for the visualization and manipulation of word- and phrase-level alignments of parallel text. Unlike most other tools for manual word alignment, it relies on dynamic markup to visualize alignment relations, that is, markup is shown and hidden depending on the current mouse position. This reduces the visual complexity of the visualization and allows the annotator to focus on one item at a time. For a bird's-eye view of alignment patterns within a sentence, the tool is also able to display alignments as alignment matrices. In addition, it allows for manual labeling of alignment relations with customizable tag sets. Different text colors are used to indicate which words in a given sentence pair have already been aligned, and which ones still need to be aligned. Tag sets and color schemes can easily be adapted to the needs of specific annotation projects through configuration files. The tool is implemented in JavaScript and designed to run as a web application.
Passivity based control of PM axial flux machine with non-sinusoidal back-EMF applied to electrical vehicles

The aim of this work is to control a permanent magnetic axial flux machine with non-sinusoidal back-emf, meant for electric vehicles, by applying a passivity based control strategy. Although, the drive is equipped with Hall Effect sensors, the performance of the system is improved by introducing a linear position observer. The control system consist in a nested current loop, designed using Passivity based control, and the outer loop is designed based on a standard linear controller. The equations of the machine are obtained using Euler-Lagrange equation in dq0 coordinates, then a damping is introduced to ensure the stability. The PI controller for outer loop is obtained by regulate the perturbation rejection and the filtering of harmonics coming from the linear observer. The control system is tested via simulation and experimentation.
PARSEC: hardware profiling of emerging workloads for CMP design

The PARSEC benchmark suite [1] attempts to represent both current and emerging workloads for multiprocessing hardware, and is intended to help drive CMP research in both industry and academia. For this tool to help guide future designs, users must understand which hardware resources are most important for desired system behavior. Studying application behavior on existing systems representative of current design trends is a good starting point for developing this understanding. We therefore evaluate the PARSEC applications on a range of current CMPs. We investigate several aspects of current CMPs: memory speeds, SMT performance, out-of-order execution, and performance scaling with increasing numbers of threads. We also examine current microarchitectural resource bottlenecks.
Myeloid cell-specific inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase type I knockout mice impair bacteria clearance in a murine peritonitis model

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling has been implicated in the anti-inflammatory response in a mouse model of endotoxemia and sepsis. The present study focused on the role of inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase type I (Inpp4a), which dephosphorylates PtdIns(3,4)P2 to PtdIns(3)P, in bacterial infections. We prepared myeloid cell-specific Inpp4a-conditional knockout mice. Macrophages from these mice showed increased Akt phosphorylation and reduced production of inflammatory cytokines in response to LPS or Escherichia coli in vitro. The Inpp4a knockout mice survived for a shorter time than wild type mice after i.p. infection with E. coli, with less production of inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, E. coli clearance from blood and lung was significantly impaired in the knockout mice. A likely mechanism is that the Inpp4a-catalyzed dephosphorylation of PtdIns(3,4)P2 down-regulates Akt pathways, which, in turn, increases the production of inflammatory mediators. This mechanism at least fits the decreased E. coli clearance and short survival in the Inpp4a knockout mice.
Values in international development organisations: negotiating non-negotiables

Values are an important theme in discussions in international NGOs, helping to create the conditions for solidarity among staff. But at the same time they are also frequently a source of demoralisation and destructive conflict. This is because the prevailing perceptions of values as instruments of management or as elements in some inchoate mystical whole render the power relationship between staff and managers undiscussable. Values need not be thought of as an instrument of management, and they are above all idealisations. An alternative theory of values is that they are emergent and intensely social phenomena that arise daily between people engaged in a collective enterprise. They are idealisations, but they must be discussed in the everyday context. Conflict is inevitable, but the exploration of the nature of this conflict in daily practice is the only way of ensuring that the discussion about values is an enlivening process.
Research in the Shadows: A Critique of "On Equality, Visibility, and the Fine Arts Program in a Black Elementary School.".

I must share immediately that I undertake this critique with considerable trepidation for I have the distinct impression that what I am trying to assess here lives in the shadows. * All will not be as it may appear. To wit, when I indicate my concerns about multiple methodological shortcomings in the piece, I anticipate hearing back that the focus is not on data produced from a methodological straightjacket, but on that which emerges from inference, interpretation, and impression. Alternatively, if I ask, "Is this all there is to educational criticism? ", I suspect to hear back that, no, this is but one early example and there is much more to come. Still again, when I question the supporting evidence for the conclusions drawn in the article, I may well be told that it is not appropriate to hold educational criticism to the standards of traditional research practice when this new approach relies on intuitive analysis. And, finally, when I question whether those using educational criticism do so in order to garb personal ideological views in the respectable cloak of academic research, I will be assured that such is not the case, regardless of the rhetorical flights of ideological musings in the present article. I have considerable problems with the article. But I also must admit my problems arise because my framework for evaluating this work arises from a perspective on how to view research in general, and qualitative work in particular, that does not include criteria for something like educational criticism which stands so completely away from established qualitative practice. Consequently, if the countercharge is one of traditionalism, research myopia, and an unwillingness to accept this article as an avant-garde example of qualitative research for the 1990s, then there is little or no common ground between the author and myself. If educational criticism
The Missing Link: A Transformational View of Metaphors in Organizational Science

This article outlines the different knowledge functions of metaphors in lay and scientific discourses and proposes a methodology for the development of metaphors to yield deeper organizational scientific knowledge. It argues that the traditional dichotomy between metaphorical and literal languages has led either to an overemphasis or a depreciation of the role of metaphors in organizational science. This dichotomy is unnecessary and unproductive because metaphorical language and literal language are different but not incompatible. Drawing on Beer's suggestions about scientific modeling, this article advances a transformational view of metaphors, which attempts to outline a methodology for the development of metaphorical insights to yield literal identities.
38 GHz driver and power amplifier MMICs in surface mount packages

The first pass design and performance of two driver and power amplifiers in SMD packages for 37-40 GHz radios is presented. Both circuits were designed and fabricated using 6-inch 0.15-μm GaAs PHEMT technology. While occupying a chip area of only 1.6 mm2, the QFN 3×3 mm driver amplifier achieves a small signal gain of more than 21 dB over the 35- to 40 GHz frequency band. At 4 V and 250 mA bias, this packaged driver also has a P1dB of +18.5 dBm, +21-dBm saturated output power, and +32 dBm OIP3. To maximize the overall efficiency, the companion power amplifier has been co-designed with a custom air cavity 7×7 mm laminate package. At a bias point of 4 V and 1 A, this 4-stage packaged MMIC exhibits a small signal gain over 25 dB in the 37-40 GHz band, with a P1dB > +28-dBm and +30-dBm saturated output power. Its linearity performance is also excellent with +38-dBm OIP3. The PA also integrates an on-chip temperature compensated power detector, with a record dynamic range of more than 30 dB. For rugged and reliable operation, on-chip EOS and ESD protection is also discussed and implemented on these MMICs.
Disability stigmatization as a barrier to employment equity for legally-blind Canadians

Canada has expressed a strong commitment to the rights of its citizens against discrimination, including those with disabilities. A question remains whether Canadians with disabilities are able to practice these rights. Our mixed-methods study sheds light on the situation of one important sub-group of people with disabilities – those who are legally blind. Our survey results show that the labour-force participation rate for this population is very low compared with those without disabilities, and also lower than the rate for persons with other disabilities. Legally-blind working-age Canadians have significantly higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, and perceive major barriers to employment. In-person interviews reveal the negative impact of one major barrier – disability stigmatization – on accessing meaningful employment and other societal assets. We discuss the implications of these findings and suggest policy directions.
Improved Generation of Germline‐Competent Embryonic Stem Cell Lines from Inbred Mouse Strains

Genetically altered mice may exhibit highly variable phenotypes due to the variation in genetic background, which can only be circumvented by generation of inbred, isogenic gene‐targeted and control mice. Here we report that an embryonic stem (ES) cell culture medium conditioned by a rabbit fibroblast cell line transduced with genomic rabbit leukemia inhibitory factor allows efficient derivation and maintenance of ES cell lines from all of 10 inbred mouse strains tested, including some that were presumed to be nonpermissive for ES cell derivation (129/SvEv, 129/SvJ, C57BL/6N, C57BL/6JOla, CBA/CaOla, DBA/2N, DBA/1Ola, C3H/HeN, BALB/c, and FVB/N). Germline transmission was established by blastocyst injection of established ES cell lines after 10 or more passages from all of seven strains tested (129/SvJ, C57BL/6N, C57BL/6JOla, DBA/2N, DBA/1Ola, BALB/c, and FVB/N), by diploid aggregation of ES cell lines from all of four strains tested (129/SvEv, C57BL/6N, CBA/ CaOla, and FVB/N), or by tetraploid aggregation of ES cell lines from all of three strains tested (129/SvEv, C57BL/6N, and CBA/CaOla). Thus, these inbred ES cell lines may constitute useful tools to derive gene‐targeted mice and isogenic controls in selected genetic backgrounds.
Nonsmoothable group actions on spin 4–manifolds

We show that every closed, simply connected, spin topological 4-manifold except $S^4$ and $S^2\times S^2$ admits a homologically trivial, pseudofree, locally linear action of $\mathbb{Z}_p$ for any sufficiently large prime number $p$ which is nonsmoothable for any possible smooth structure.
A survey of primary tooth pulp therapy as taught in US dental schools and practiced by diplomates of the American Board Of Pediatric Dentistry.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to repeat a 1997 survey of current pulp therapy practice. METHODS The directors of dental school predoctoral pediatric dentistry programs (N=56) and board certified pediatric dentists (N=1200) were surveyed in 2005. RESULTS More dental schools (83%) taught indirect pulp therapy (IPT) compared to 1997. Significantly more used glass ionomer for IPT with most dental schools and diplomates not re-entering a tooth after IPT. Over 30% of schools and diplomates do direct pulp cops using glass ionomer. For pulpotomy, diluted formocresol usage decreased in dental schools (54%) while ferric sulfate significantly increased (24%) and full strength remained at 22%. Shorter placement of pulpotomy medication was noted and ZOE alone the preferred base. Pulpectomy was advocated by 85% of 2005 schools and diplomates with ZOE filler use decreasing while iodoform/calcium hydroxide filler use increasing. CONCLUSIONS More pediatric dentists are using glass ionomer for IPT and direct pulp capping, and there was a trend away from the use of 1:5 diluted formocresol with more using ferric sulfate for pulpotomy. For pulpectomy, most use ZOE but iodoform pastes and calcium hydroxide have increased in usage since 1997 Disagreements continue concerning when to use certain pulp therapies and some directors and diplomates did not follow the AAPD guidelines.
Characterization and Detection of ϵ-Berge-Zhukovskii Equilibria

The Berge-Zhukovskii equilibrium is an alternate solution concept in non-cooperative game theory that formalizes cooperation in a noncooperative setting. In this paper, the ϵ-Berge-Zhukovskii equilibrium is introduced and characterized by using a generative relation. The generative relation also provides a solution to the problem of computing the ϵ-Berge-Zhukovskii equilibrium for large games, by using evolutionary algorithms. Numerical examples illustrate the approach and provide a possible application for this equilibrium concept.
Tales from the playground: transforming the context of recess through collaborative action research

This research is focused on a topic that has received little attention: the context of recess and its potential cumulative influence on children's social interactions and developmental trajectories. We present a qualitative analysis of a collaborative action research project focused on transforming the recess environment in four southern Ontario elementary schools. We describe the strategies we used and the rationale underlying our actions in order to highlight connections among context, socialization patterns, and developmental outcomes. Descriptions are drawn from iterative participation and reflection of students, administrators, teachers, university researchers, and university student volunteers. Four themes emerged from our analysis: children (1) are active and engaged, (2) take advantage of opportunities to develop responsibility and empathic relationships, (3) feel safe and accepted, and (4) are provided with opportunities to develop positive interactions and friendships. Collectively, the findings suggest that the supported context allowed children to feel connected to their peers during recess, which catalyzed playful, prosocial relationships. We discuss the potential implications of these findings on children's developmental and academic trajectories.
Rga5p is a specific Rho1p GTPase‐activating protein that regulates cell integrity in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rho1p regulates (1,3)β‐ d ‐glucan synthesis and is required for cell integrity maintenance and actin cytoskeleton organization, but nothing is known about the regulation of this protein. At least nine different S. pombe genes code for proteins predicted to act as Rho GTPase‐activating proteins (GAPs). The results shown in this paper demonstrate that the protein encoded by the gene named rga5 + is a GAP specific for Rho1p. rga5 + overexpression is lethal and causes morphological alterations similar to those reported for Rho1p inactivation. rga5 + deletion is not lethal and causes a mild general increase in cell wall biosynthesis and morphological alterations when cells are grown at 37°C. Upon mild overexpression, Rga5p localizes to growth areas and possesses both in vivo and in vitro GAP activity specific for Rho1p. Overexpression of rho1 + in rga5Δ cells is lethal, with a morphological phenotype resembling that of the overexpression of the constitutively active allele rho1G15V. In addition (1,3)β‐ d ‐glucan synthase activity, regulated by Rho1p, is increased in rga5Δ cells and decreased in rga5 ‐overexpressing cells. Moreover, the increase in (1,3)β‐ d ‐glucan synthase activity caused by rho1 + overexpression is considerably higher in rga5Δ than in wild‐type cells. Genetic interactions suggest that Rga5p is also important for the regulation of the other known Rho1p effectors, Pck1p and Pck2p.
A Wideband CPS Bandpass Filter with Ultra-wide Upper Stopband Using Stepped-Impedance Rat-Race Hybrid Couplers

A wideband coplanar strip (CPS) bandpass filter using two 3-dB stepped-impedance rat-race hybrid couplers is proposed in this paper. The stepped-impedance structure results in both ultra-wide upper stopband and size reduction. The low impedance and high impedance CPS lines are realized using the interdigital structure for low impedance and conventional structure for high impedance, respectively. The ideal phase inverter has been implemented with hybrid CPS/interdigital CPS structure. Experimental results show that this 2-GHz fifth order filter depicts a 10-dB return loss bandwidth of 100% and upper stopband rejection levels of better than -40dB up to 17.5 GHz. This proposed filter achieves wide passband and ultra-wide stopband performance simultaneously. This filter is fabricated using CPS on 15-mil Al2O3 substrate with a dielectric constant of 9.8. The measured results agree well with the simulated results.
Parenting on Shifting Sands: The Transfer of Responsibility for Safely Managing Danger

This article discusses the concept of danger in childhood and adolescence, from the perspectives of Eriksonian and attachment theory. Three questions are considered: (i) where is the danger in a young person’s environment; (ii) is the young person able to identify it; and (iii) does the parental protection provided safely support development and the growing maturity of adolescence? Such questions should provide a framework to inform clinical assessment, add insight to intervention, and ultimately facilitate the safe transfer of responsibility, for the identification and best management of danger, from parent to emerging young adult.
Research on AC output characteristic of a multiphase permanent magnet generator with rectified load

The inherent voltage regulation (IVR) is crucial to the voltage regulation performance of multiphase permanent magnet (PM) generator with rectified load, in which voltage is regulated by auxiliary electric field windings or controlled rectifier. Appropriate parameters of multiphase PM generator can reduce the IVR. This paper discusses the relationship between AC output characteristic and parameters of PM generator based on the AC steady-state voltage equation. A finite element model and a prototype of twelve-phase PM generator with phase shift controlled rectifier are built to validate the theoretical analysis.
Effect of Ethnic Identity on Attitudes, Feelings, and Behaviors Toward Food

Abstract A nationwide study examined differences in attitudes, feelings, and behaviors of African-American and White female college students toward food. The study also explored the relationship between eating disorder symptoms and ethnic identity among the two groups. All subjects completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), a demographic questionnaire, and the Multi-Group Ethnic Identity Scale (MGEI). Analyses of variance and unpaired t-test revealed that White women exhibited significantly greater disordered eating behaviors and attitudes than African-American women. After controlling for degree of overweight, differences in disordered eating symptomology between the two groups became even greater. In contrast to White women, African-American women's dissatisfaction with body weight and shape was related to actual weight problems. Furthermore, degree of ethnic identity was greater among African-American women. Nonetheless, regression analysis revealed that ethnic identity was a predictor of drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction for White but not African-American women.