Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of factor analysis to measure social capital in Slovak districts

Factor analysis is a technique particularly suitable for analysing the patterns of complex, multidimensional relationships. Given the multidimensional nature of social capital, a plethora of indicators is often utilized for measurement purposes. In this paper, we utilize factor analysis to explore patterns of social capital and to identify spatial differentiation in the level of social capital at the level of Slovak districts. Three factors have been extracted. The first factor represents low level of bridging social capital, the second factor represents activities of associations and the third factor represents low level of bonding social capital. Factor scores of extracted factors have been visualized in order to explore spatial differentiation of social capital. Visualisation shows significant differences in the levels of individual forms of social capital in Slovak districts.
Thermal and Electrical Reliability Tests of Air-Gap Through-Silicon Vias

Through-silicon vias (TSVs) with air gaps as the isolators have been developed to reduce the TSV capacitance and to solve the reliability problems associated with thermomechanical stresses. This paper reports the reliability assessment of the air-gap TSVs by measuring the C-V, I-V, and resistance of the TSVs in terms of thermal and electrical stresses with a focus on thermal shock, temperature variations, and voltage ramps. Thermal shock tests are performed to evaluate the insulation capability and the thermomechanical stability of the air gaps. Temperature variations are implemented to investigate the influences of high temperatures on the electrical characteristics of the air-gap TSVs. Voltage ramp tests are carried out, and the time-dependent dielectric breakdown is obtained to evaluate the integrity of the air gaps and the intrinsic barrier capability. The preliminary results show that the air-gap TSVs have good thermal stability, excellent dielectric property, and satisfactory structure and barrier stability.
Disruption of somitogenesis by a novel dominant allele of Lfng suggests important roles for protein processing and secretion

Vertebrate somitogenesis is regulated by a segmentation clock. Clock-linked genes exhibit cyclic expression, with a periodicity matching the rate of somite production. In mice, lunatic fringe (Lfng) expression oscillates, and LFNG protein contributes to periodic repression of Notch signaling. We hypothesized that rapid LFNG turnover could be regulated by protein processing and secretion. Here, we describe a novel Lfng allele (LfngRLFNG), replacing the N-terminal sequences of LFNG, which allow for protein processing and secretion, with the N-terminus of radical fringe (a Golgi-resident protein). This allele is predicted to prevent protein secretion without altering the activity of LFNG, thus increasing the intracellular half-life of the protein. This allele causes dominant skeletal and somite abnormalities that are distinct from those seen in Lfng loss-of-function embryos. Expression of clock-linked genes is perturbed and mature Hes7 transcripts are stabilized in the presomitic mesoderm of mutant mice, suggesting that both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of clock components are perturbed by RLFNG expression. Contrasting phenotypes in the segmentation clock and somite patterning of mutant mice suggest that LFNG protein may have context-dependent effects on Notch activity. Summary: A radical/lunatic fringe chimeric allele predicted to affect protein secretion disrupts segmentation clock function and somite patterning with context-dependent effects.
Assessment of Satisfaction Level of Edentulous Patients Rehabilitated with Implant-Supported Prostheses.

PURPOSE Edentulism usually leads to esthetic, functional, and emotional discomfort resulting in a loss of self-esteem and a decrease of the patient's quality of life. Dental implants provide new possibilities to ensure the comfort and efficacy of prosthetic rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction level of patients rehabilitated using the Brånemark protocol or overdenture implant-supported prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two patients were rehabilitated using the Brånemark protocol and 23 using overdenture prostheses. Then, an adapted oral health-related quality of life questionnaire was administered in addition to a clinical exam to determine the condition of the dental implants and prostheses. The results for treatment expectation, understanding of the type of treatment, phonetic function, chewing comfort, pain, and self-esteem improvement were analyzed with Fisher exact test (P ≤ .05). RESULTS Both treatments presented satisfaction of above 87%, with no statistical difference between them. Eighty-two percent of patients treated with overdenture prostheses and 80.8% of those treated with the Brånemark protocol had no complaint of pain (P = .087). CONCLUSION The treatments analyzed in this study were highly satisfactory with regard to functional and esthetic factors, resulting in an increase in self-esteem and quality of life. The psychological factor is a complex variable in patient satisfaction that directly influences quality of life. Considering the desires of patients in choosing the type of prosthesis is critical to treatment success.
Neutron imaging of lithium concentration in battery pouch cells

This paper shows how the principle of neutron radiography can be used to quantify the critical physical state of lithium concentration across battery electrodes at steady-state conditions (after a long relaxation time or small load) as a first step in this important effort to measure in-situ battery physical states and validate electrochemical battery models. A model of the expected loss in beam intensity after passing through the different layers of a battery pouch cell is constructed based on the material densities and dimensions. This model is augmented with simulation of the neutron transmission behavior, including optical effects due to the geometric unsharpness and the detector response. The resulting model provides the basis for a comprehensive simulation of the in-situ metrology of lithium concentration in Li-ion batteries, and comparison with experimental results. This work was also presented as a poster at the 27th Annual Army Science Conference [1].
Results of Remedial Continuing Medical Education in Dyscompetent Physicians

Purpose Noticing that moderately to severely incompetent physicians (as measured by a standardized assessment of physician competence) did not improve after traditional remedial continuing medical education (CME), the authors investigated the effects of a polyvalent, intensive, prolonged educational intervention on five physicians' competence. Method The five physicians participated in a CME program that lasted three years and consisted of individualized review, ongoing small-group and evidence-based discussions, simulated patients and role playing, formal chart review, and peer review. At the end of the program, the physicians were reassessed. Results Only one physician improved; another remained the same, and three deteriorated. Conclusion Successful remediation of severely incompetent physicians is uncertain at best, even with prolonged, intensive CME that incorporates modalities thought to be effective in changing physicians' behaviors. Alternative educational techniques may need to be developed for this select population. Conversely, there may be reasons that preclude improvement even with optimal techniques.
Improved function in women with persistent pregnancy-related pelvic pain after a single corticosteroid injection to the ischiadic spine: A randomized double-blind controlled trial

Background: Pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain is a worldwide problem. A large proportion of women still experience disabling daily back pain 2 years after childbirth, resulting in major changes in activities and general well-being. In spite of this, the source of pain and effective treatment are uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the short-term effects on function of a single corticosteroid injection treatment to the ischiadic spine in women with persistent pregnancy-related pelvic pain (PPPP). Methods: Thirty-six women were allocated to injection treatment with slow-release triamcinolone and lidocain or saline and lidocain, given once at the sacrospinous ligament insertion on the ischiadic spine bilaterally with follow-up at 4 weeks. Outcome measures were Disability Rating Index (DRI), self-rated functional health (SF-36), gait speed and endurance (6MWT), and strength and endurance of trunk muscles (isometric trunk extensor and flexor tests). Results: Women in the triamcinolone group showed significantly improved DRI (p = 0.046), 6MWT (p = 0.016), and isometric trunk extensor tests (p = 0.004), as compared with the saline group. Close co-variation was shown between improved function and reduced pain intensity. Conclusions: Improved function was achieved among women with PPPP after a single injection treatment with slow-release corticosteroid. The effect was positively correlated to the reduced pain intensity.
The chemical constituents of Piper kadsura and their cytotoxic and anti-neuroinflammtaory activities

The n-hexane and CHCl3 soluble fractions of the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Piper kadsura were found to potently inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-activated BV-2 cells, a microglial cell line. From the active fractions, a new stereoisomer of guaiane sesquiterpene, 1α,5β-guai-4(15)-ene-6β,10β-diol, kadsuguain A (1) and a new cyclohexadienone, kadsuketanone A (2), together with twelve known compounds (3–14) were isolated. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive NMR spectral studies. The absolute configuration of 2 was determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Compounds 2, 6, and 11–14 significantly inhibited both nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in the LPS-activated microglia cells. In addition, compounds 4, 6, and 11–14 exhibited cytotoxicity against the A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, and HCT15 human tumour cells.
A Study of the System's Hierarchical Structure Through Integration of Dematel and ISM

To ensure the hierarchical structure of complex system illustrative and reasonable, the new method is presented to build and adjust hierarchical structure of complex system through integration of decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) models. First of all, the rationale and procedures of integrating DEMATEL and ISM are analyzed; then the method to perfect system's hierarchical structure with dummy nodes is proposed, which can be viewed as the images of the original nodes in system's hierarchical structure; at last, a material example is given to verify the methods mentioned above
A Randomized Study of Involved-Field Irradiation Versus Elective Nodal Irradiation in Combination With Concurrent Chemotherapy for Inoperable Stage III Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Background:Radiation dose escalation is limited by the high incidence of pulmonary and esophageal toxicity, leading to calls for the omission of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) and the willingness to use involved-field irradiation (IFI) in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials:A total of 200 eligible patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and randomized into either an IFI or ENI arm. A total of 4 to 6 cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy were delivered, and concurrent radiotherapy was started after the second cycle of chemotherapy. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy was delivered in once-daily fractions of 1.8 to 2 Gy to 68 to 74 Gy for IFI or 60 to 64 Gy for ENI. Results:Patients in the IFI arm achieved better overall response rate (90% vs. 79%, P = 0.032) and better 5-years local control rate (51% vs.36%, P = 0.032) than those in the ENI arm. The radiation pneumonitis rate in patients with IFI was lower than in patients with ENI (17% vs. 29%, P = 0.044), and similar trends appeared in the radiation esophagitis, myelosuppression, and radiation pericarditis between 2 study arms, although not significantly. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates were 60.4%, 25.6%, and 18.3% for the ENI arm and 69.9%, 39.4%, and 25.1% for the IFI arm, respectively. Only the 2-year survival rates were statistically significant (P = 0.048). Conclusion:IFI arm achieved better overall response and local control than ENI arm, and it allowed a dose of 68 to 74 Gy to be safely administered to patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC. Outcome improvement can be expected by conformal IFI combined with chemotherapy for stage III NSCLC.
A Hybrid Analog-to-Digital Conversion Algorithm With Sub-Radix and Multiple Quantization Thresholds

This paper presents an analog-to-digital (A-to-D) conversion algorithm to break through the speed limitation of the analog-to-digital converters in advanced technology. The proposed A-to-D conversion algorithm utilizes the benefits of the speed-up techniques of sub-radix and multi-bit per cycle. We model the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_\textbf{in}-V_{q}$</tex-math></inline-formula> transfer curves into linear equations with hardware-like parameters for in-depth analysis. The design constraints, guidelines, tradeoffs, and figure of merit (FoM) are provided for architecture optimization.
Study of oxidation and hydrolysis of oil impregnated paper insulation for transformers using a microcalorimeter

An isothermal microcalorimeter has been used to study ageing of oil impregnated kraft paper. Under the assumption that the heat flow is proportional to the ageing rate of paper it is found that activation energy seems to be lower for oxidation than for hydrolysis. This observation corresponds well with results obtained by traditional ageing methods. The results have also been confirmed by measuring the changes in DP of the samples used in the calorimetric measurements. Comparing degradation of aged and unaged oil impregnated paper in air gave a higher heat flow for the unaged paper, but the activation energy for the processes remained the same. The process was also studied with another cellulosic material and in addition varying size of the sample holder of the calorimeter, giving similar results. Hence, since the microcalorimeter appears to give the same qualitative ageing characteristics for oxidation and hydrolysis as more time consuming methods, calorimeter could be a useful tool for quick ageing investigations.
Prokaryotic and viral diversity patterns in marine plankton

Prokaryotes and viruses play critical roles in marine ecosystems, where they are both highly abundant and active. Although early work on both prokaryotes and viruses revealed little of their diversity, molecular biological approaches now allow us to break apart these ‘black boxes. ’ The most revealing methods have been cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, community fingerprinting (such as terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism; TRFLP), and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Viral diversity can now be analyzed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of viral genomes. The present paper summarizes recent advances in bacterial and virus diversity studies, and presents examples of measurements from polar, tropical, and temperate marine waters. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism shows that many of the same operationally defined prokaryotic taxa are present in polar and tropical waters, but there are also some unique to each environment. By one measure, a sample from over a Philippine coral reef had about 100 operationally defined taxa, whereas one from the open tropical Atlantic had about 50 and from the icy Weddell Sea, about 60. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis of two depth profiles, to 500 m, from Southern California, measured 2 months apart, shows striking similarities in viral genome length diversity over time, and some distinct differences with depth. The euphotic zone samples had extremely similar apparent diversity, but samples from 150 m and 500 m were different. An obvious next step is to compare the bacterial and viral diversity patterns, because theory tells us they should be related.
Domestic financial instability and foreign reserves accumulation in China

Using a time series analysis, this paper argues that domestic financial instability, which increases the potential for resident‐based capital flight from the domestic currency, provides an incentive for China to hold more foreign reserves in the short run. To measure its domestic financial conditions, we construct a monthly Chinese financial stress index, which is used as a proxy for the possibility of capital flight. The empirical results show that this index is a significant determinant of the movements of China's foreign reserves around its trend and that using M2 as a proxy for domestic financial instability as suggested by previous studies is not a valid strategy for China. It is suggested that greater attention should be given to the role of domestic financial conditions in explaining China's short‐run demand for foreign reserves.
Evaluation of Near-Infrared Pasteurization in Controlling Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-To-Eat Sliced Ham

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of near-infrared (NIR) heating to reduce Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) sliced ham compared to conventional convective heating, and the effect of NIR heating on quality was determined by measuring the color and texture change. A cocktail of three pathogens was inoculated on the exposed or protected surfaces of ham slices, followed by NIR or conventional heating at 1.8 kW. NIR heating for 50 s achieved 4.1-, 4.19-, and 3.38-log reductions in surface-inoculated S. Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes, respectively, whereas convective heating needed 180 s to attain comparable reductions for each pathogen. There were no statistically significant (P > 0.05) differences in reduction between surface- and internally inoculated pathogens at the end of NIR treatment (50 s). However, when treated with conventional convective heating, significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed at the final stages of the treatment (150 and 180 s). Color values and texture parameters of NIR-treated (50-s treatment) ham slices were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from those of nontreated samples. These results suggest that NIR heating can be applied to control internalized pathogens as well as surface-adhering pathogens in RTE sliced meats without affecting product quality.
Healing process induced by three composite prostheses in the repair of abdominal wall defects.

The present study compared the performance of three composite prostheses used to repair abdominal wall defects in rabbits. Two of them [Parietex Compositereg (PC) and Composixreg (CS)] are commonly used in clinical practice and one was designed by the present team (PL-PU99). At 14 and 90 days postimplant, specimens were obtained for morphological, macrophage response (RAM-11) and morphometric and biomechanical analysis. The prosthetic area covered by adhesions was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the CS group (6.83 plus minus 2.31 cm(2)) than in PC (0.11 +/- 0.02 cm(2)) or PL-PU99 (0.10 +/- 0.07 cm(2)). At 14 days, it was observed a homogeneous, organized, well-vascularized neoperitoneum that was significantly thicker (p < 0.05) in PL-PU99. Except in the CS implants, this layer was covered by a continuous mesothelium. All three composites achieved good recipient tissue integration. Highest macrophage levels were recorded at 14 days with significantly higher values in the PL-PU99 prosthesis. Biomechanical strength was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in CS at two weeks postimplant, but it was similar at 90 days. These findings suggest that the three composites show ideal integration with host tissue, along with similar biomechanical strength at 90 days, and significantly higher adhesion formation is induced by the CS prosthesis, possibly due to incomplete mesothelialization of the lower prosthetic surface.
Synchronization challenges in packet-based Cloud-RAN fronthaul for mobile networks

In this paper, we look at reusing existing packet-based network (e.g. Ethernet) to possibly decrease deployment costs of fronthaul Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) network and cost of Baseband Unit (BBU) resources. The challenge of this solution is that it requires mobile traffic (until now transmitted over synchronous protocols) to traverse the asynchronous Ethernet without losing synchronization. We analyze synchronization requirements of mobile networks and present an overview of solutions that fulfill them in traditional mobile networks. Then we elaborate on challenges that packet-based fronthaul imposes. We analyze possible contributions to frequency and phase error. We verify the feasibility of using the IEEE 1588v2 also know as Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for providing accurate phase and frequency synchronization. The study is based on simulations made in OPNET modeler. Thereby we bridge the gap between Ethernet and mobile network domains creating a comprehensive architectural analysis.
Reduction of interleukin-17-induced inhibition of chondrocyte proteoglycan synthesis in intact murine articular cartilage by interleukin-4.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 in basal and IL-1- and IL-17-mediated inhibition of chondrocyte metabolism. METHODS Cartilage explants of patellae from naive mice were incubated with IL-17 and/or IL-1 alone or were pretreated with IL-4 and IL-10. In addition, knee joints of naive mice were injected intraarticularly with IL-4 and IL-10 alone or were coinjected with IL-1. Chondrocyte proteoglycan (PG) synthesis was measured in intact murine articular cartilage. Levels of nitric oxide (NO) were measured using the Griess reagent. RESULTS IL-17, a novel cytokine secreted by CD4+ activated memory T cells, inhibited chondrocyte PG synthesis in intact murine articular cartilage, although the suppressive effect was less potent than that of IL-1. The suppressive effect of IL-17 was completely abolished in the presence of L-NIO (L-NS-[1-iminoethyl]ornithine), an inhibitor of NO metabolism, and IL-17 only slightly induced inhibition of PG synthesis in cartilage explants of patellae from iNOS (inducible NO synthase) knockout mice. This indicates that the suppressive effect of IL-17 was mediated by NO. Pretreatment with IL-4, but not IL-10, significantly reduced the inhibition of chondrocyte PG synthesis induced by IL-1 or IL-17. The IL-4-induced reduction in the inhibitory effects of IL-1 and IL-17 on chondrocyte PG synthesis was accompanied by decreased NO formation in the culture supernatants. CONCLUSION IL-17 plays a role in the inhibition of chondrocyte PG synthesis. IL-4 and IL-10 have no effect on basal chondrocyte metabolism. However, IL-4-pretreated cartilage is less sensitive to the suppressive effect of IL-1 as well as IL-17. This suggests that IL-4 is protective in T cell-driven cartilage disturbances, probably through reduction of iNOS.