Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Alternative Methods for Modeling Joint Activity Participation

This study represents a research effort to capture explicitly the intrahousehold interactions involved in the decision to participate in a joint activity. Joint activity participation is a lesser-explored step in activity-based travel demand modeling, since enlisting all possible subsets of household members in a large household results in many alternatives. For example, the number of possible subsets of members out of 10 persons is 210 = 1,024. After the exclusion of one empty subset and 10 subsets with a single member, 1,013 distinct subsets should be considered with two or more members for joint activity participation. Even more important, a joint choice model formulation is behaviorally unappealing and would require the formulation of a complicated utility function for each possible subset. Additionally, different subsets would have a highly different degree of similarity that would require a sophisticated error structure. This paper analyzes three methods to model joint activity participation that are relatively easy to estimate and implement for households of any size. In all three methods, the travel party is constructed on the basis of the individual and pairwise propensities of the household members to be engaged in a joint activity. These propensities are statistically estimated on survey data in the form of relatively simple binary choice models. The travel party emerges in the process of microsimulation as a result of the reconciliation of the decisions of different household members. This approach is an example of the use of the agent-based modeling paradigm to frame an intrahousehold decision-making mechanism in addition to econometric models.
18.2 A 1.2V 20nm 307GB/s HBM DRAM with at-speed wafer-level I/O test scheme and adaptive refresh considering temperature distribution

Demand for higher bandwidth DRAM continues to increase, especially in high-performance computing and graphics applications. However, conventional DRAM devices such as DDR4 DIMM and GDDR5 cannot satisfy these needs since they are bandwidth limited to less than 30GB/s. Also, if multiple GDDR DRAMs are used simultaneously for higher bandwidth, then high power consumption and routing congestion on PCBs become a big concern. In order to overcome these limitations, the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) DRAM was recently introduced[1]. HBM-DRAM uses TSV and interposer technologies enabling multiple chip stacks and wide I/Os between the processor and memory: providing high capacity, low power and high bandwidth. This paper proposes the 2nd generation HBM to double the bandwidth from 128GB/s to more than 256GB/s and support pseudo-channel mode and 8H stacks [2]. In the pseudo-channel mode, a legacy channel is divided into two pseudo channels and the two pseudo channels share the command-address pins. Thus, one HBM has 16 pseudo channels instead of 8 legacy channels. To support various stack configurations including 8H stacks, a new architecture is adopted for flexible density ranging from 16Gb to 64Gb maintaining the same bandwidth. Finally, the bandwidth increase requires an active thermal solution to manage hotspots that develop from highly concentrated power consumption; we propose an adaptive refresh considering temperature distribution (ART) scheme as a solution.
Good manufacturing practices production of natural killer cells for immunotherapy: a six‐year single‐institution experience

BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cells, a subset of lymphocytes and part of the innate immune system, play a crucial role in defense against cancer and viral infection. Herein is a report on the experience of clinical‐scale, good manufacturing practices (GMPs) production of NK cells to treat advanced cancer.
Triple repetition time saturation transfer (TRiST) 31P spectroscopy for measuring human creatine kinase reaction kinetics

Human cardiac phosphorus MR saturation transfer experiments to quantify creatine kinase forward rate constants (kf) have previously been performed at 1.5 T. Such experiments could benefit from increased signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution at 3 T. At 1.5 T, the four‐angle saturation transfer method was applied with low‐angle adiabatic pulses and surface coils. However, low‐angle adiabatic pulses are potentially problematic above 1.5 T due to bandwidth limitations, power requirements, power deposition, and intrapulse spin‐spin relaxation. For localized metabolite spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1) measurements, a dual repetition time approach with adiabatic half‐passage pulses was recently introduced to solve these problems at 3 T. Because the saturation transfer experiment requires a T1 measurement performed while one reacting moiety is saturated, we adapt the dual repetition time approach to measure kf using a triple repetition time saturation transfer (TRiST) method. A new pulsed saturation scheme with reduced sensitivity to static magnetic field inhomogeneity and compatibility with cardiac triggering is also presented. TRiST measurements of kf are validated in human calf muscle against conventional saturation transfer and found to agree within 3%. The first 3‐T TRiST measurements of creatine kinase kf in the human calf (n = 6), chest muscle, and heart (n = 8) are 0.26 ± 0.04 s−1, 0.23 ± 0.03 s−1, and 0.32 ± 0.07 s−1, respectively, consistent with prior 1.5 T values. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2 (AAV2) Capsid-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Eliminate Only Vector-Transduced Cells Coexpressing the AAV2 Capsid In Vivo

ABSTRACT A recent clinical trial has suggested that recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector transduction in humans induces a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against the AAV2 capsid. To directly address the ability of AAV capsid-specific CTLs to eliminate rAAV-transduced cells in vitro and in vivo in mice, we first demonstrated that AAV2 capsid-specific CTLs could be induced by dendritic cells with endogenous AAV2 capsid expression or pulsed with AAV2 vectors. These CTLs were able to kill a cell line stable for capsid expression in vitro and also in a mouse tumor xenograft model in vivo. Parent colon carcinoma (CT26) cells transduced with a large amount of AAV2 vectors in vitro were also destroyed by these CTLs. To determine the effect of CTLs on the elimination of target cells transduced by AAV2 vectors in vivo, we carried out adoptive transfer experiments. CTLs eliminated liver cells with endogenous AAV2 capsid expression but not liver cells transduced by AAV2 vectors, regardless of the reporter genes. Similar results were obtained for rAAV2 transduction in muscle. Our data strongly suggest that AAV vector-transduced cells are rarely eliminated by AAV2 capsid-specific CTLs in vivo, even though the AAV capsid can induce a CTL response. In conclusion, AAV capsid-specific CTLs do not appear to play a role in elimination of rAAV-transduced cells in a mouse model. In addition, our data suggest that the mouse model may not mimic the immune response noted in humans and additional modification to AAV vectors may be required for further study in order to elicit a similar cellular immune response.
Integrating privacy and trust in voting advice applications

Due to the privacy risks that citizens are exposed to while using online platforms, this research focuses on privacy and trust issues in the field of e-Democracy, particularly in voting advice applications (VAAs). After a literature review, a VAA profile privacy framework will be introduced. Within this framework each citizen will be able to manage her/his political profile's privacy settings according to her/his personal preferences regarding information disclosure. By conducting an experiment based on real data collected from an online survey, the data sensitivity and visibility inherent to the VAA will be identified. Additionally, the privacy preferences of citizens have been clustered and classified according to their degree of openness. Moreover, as the core of the VAA, a recommender engine will be proposed to embed a trust network and privacy preferences in the recommendation process. This will preserve the VAA from unreliable users, as well as take into account citizens wishes related to personal privacy within the platform. Furthermore, conclusions and outlook for the future work will be discussed.
Machine fault diagnosis based on Frequency-Domain Blind Deconvolution

On the basis of introducing the model of Frequency-Domain Blind Deconvolution (FDBD), key techniques in mechanical signal extraction were comprehensively related and analyzed in this paper, which include the methods of suppressing the difference between circular and partial convolution by coordinating the relationship between FFT size and length of each frequency bin or Modified Discrete Fourier Transform, the methods of removing the permutation indeterminacy (methods based on consistency of filter coefficients, DOA methods, Split Spectrum methods, methods based on Nonlinear Function, etc.), the applications of Complex-Domain Blind Separation Algorithms which based on explicit tensor eigenvalue decomposition and nonlinear functions. Aimed at vibration and acoustic signal feature extraction in complex environment and equipment with complex mechanical structures, the application values of FDBD and its research status in machinery condition monitoring and fault diagnosis were reviewed and summarized. Finally, the main problems which need to be studied further in this area were pointed out.
Multifrequency and Dual-Mode Patch Antennas Partially Filled With Left-Handed Structures

Multifrequency microstrip patch antennas partially filled with left-handed (LH) structures are presented. The presence of LH structures also enables miniaturized antennas. Thus, multifrequency, dual-mode, and miniaturized antennas based on single patches partially filled with LH structures have been obtained. First, multiple operation over several band frequencies is proven from the transmission-line theory. Then, an implementation based on microstrip patches partially filled with mushroom-like structures is proposed. Two multifrequency patch antennas have been designed, built, and measured. The first one shows two dipolar (patch like) modes at 1.06 GHz and 2.16 GHz and a monopolar mode (null at broadside) at 1.45 GHz. The ratio between the resonant frequencies of both dipolar modes can be arbitrarily chosen (by means of a proper design of the patch and the LH structures) and, in this case, is 2.04. The second antenna is designed to work at closer frequencies. In this case, the frequency ratio is dramatically reduced to produce a dual dipolar antenna working at 1.81 GHz and 2.20 GHz (giving a ratio of 1.21).
In Vivo Induction of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Transfer in Enterococcus faecalis Mediated by the Sex Pheromone-Sensing System of pCF10

ABSTRACT Enterococcus faecalis has become one of the most notable nosocomial pathogens in the last decade. Aggregation substance (AS) on the sex pheromone plasmids of E. faecalis has been implicated as a virulence factor in several model systems. We investigated the AS-encoding plasmid pCF10 for its ability to increase virulence in a rabbit endocarditis model. Cells containing pCF10 increased the virulence in the model significantly, as assessed by an increase in aortic valve vegetation size. The results confirmed in vivo induction of the normally tightly controlled AS. In addition to the expression of AS when E. faecalis cells were in contact with plasma, plasmid transfer of the tetracycline resistance-carrying plasmid was also activated in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, plasmid transfer reached remarkable frequencies of 8 × 10−2 to 9 × 10−2. These values are comparable to the highest frequencies ever observed in vitro. Cells harboring pCF10 had a significant survival advantage over plasmid-free cells indicated by pCF10 present in two-thirds of the recipient population. Plasma induction was dependent on the presence of the plasmid-encoded PrgZ protein, indicating the requirement of the pheromone-sensing system in the induction process. The data suggested that the mechanism of in vivo induction may involve interference of plasma with the normal function of the pheromone peptide and its inhibitor.
Evaluation of a latex agglutination kit for the detection of human antibodies to the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli O157, following infection with verocytotoxin‐producing E. coli O157

A total of 150 human sera was used to evaluate a commercial latex agglutination kit for detecting antibodies to the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli O157. A comparison of the kit with SDS–PAGE and immunoblotting showed that the kit had a sensitivity of 94·12%, a specificity of 99·15%, a positive predictive value of 96·97% and a negative predictive value of 99·15%.
Spatially weighted mutual information image registration for image guided radiation therapy.

PURPOSE To develop a new metric for image registration that incorporates the (sub)pixelwise differential importance along spatial location and to demonstrate its application for image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). METHODS It is well known that rigid-body image registration with mutual information is dependent on the size and location of the image subset on which the alignment analysis is based [the designated region of interest (ROI)]. Therefore, careful review and manual adjustments of the resulting registration are frequently necessary. Although there were some investigations of weighted mutual information (WMI), these efforts could not apply the differential importance to a particular spatial location since WMI only applies the weight to the joint histogram space. The authors developed the spatially weighted mutual information (SWMI) metric by incorporating an adaptable weight function with spatial localization into mutual information. SWMI enables the user to apply the selected transform to medically "important" areas such as tumors and critical structures, so SWMI is neither dominated by, nor neglects the neighboring structures. Since SWMI can be utilized with any weight function form, the authors presented two examples of weight functions for IGRT application: A Gaussian-shaped weight function (GW) applied to a user-defined location and a structures-of-interest (SOI) based weight function. An image registration example using a synthesized 2D image is presented to illustrate the efficacy of SWMI. The convergence and feasibility of the registration method as applied to clinical imaging is illustrated by fusing a prostate treatment planning CT with a clinical cone beam CT (CBCT) image set acquired for patient alignment. Forty-one trials are run to test the speed of convergence. The authors also applied SWMI registration using two types of weight functions to two head and neck cases and a prostate case with clinically acquired CBCT/ MVCT image sets. The SWMI registration with a Gaussian weight function (SWMI-GW) was tested between two different imaging modalities: CT and MRI image sets. RESULTS SWMI-GW converges 10% faster than registration using mutual information with an ROI. SWMI-GW as well as SWMI with SOI-based weight function (SWMI-SOI) shows better compensation of the target organ's deformation and neighboring critical organs' deformation. SWMI-GW was also used to successfully fuse MRI and CT images. CONCLUSIONS Rigid-body image registration using our SWMI-GW and SWMI-SOI as cost functions can achieve better registration results in (a) designated image region(s) as well as faster convergence. With the theoretical foundation established, we believe SWMI could be extended to larger clinical testing.
A computationally efficient iron loss model for brushless AC machines that caters for rated flux and field weakened operation

This paper presents a simple and computationally efficient approach for predicting iron loss within a field orientated controlled brushless AC permanent magnet machine which can cater for both rated flux and field weakened operation. The proposed method is readily incorporated as part of the design process and is based on two discrete time step 2D magnetostatic finite element field solutions describing the open circuit and short circuit operation of the machine. Parameters obtained from these analyses are used alongside the standard d-q equivalent circuit to generate a map for the iron loss across the entire machine working envelope. Test results taken from a concentrated wound brushless AC traction motor are used to validate the technique.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHENOTYPE, MATING BEHAVIOR, AND FITNESS OF QUEENS IN THE ANT LASIUS NIGER

Abstract Considerable attention has focused on why females of many species mate with several males. For social hymenopteran insects, efforts have primarily concentrated on determining whether multiple mating increases colony performance due to the increased genetic diversity. Most of these studies are correlative because it is difficult or impossible to experimentally mate queens in most species. Thus, the positive associations found between multiple paternity and colony fitness in some cases may not be due to direct effects of genetic diversity but could, in theory, arise from high-quality queens having more mates. Here we show that in the ant Lasius niger variation in the number of matings covaries with queen phenotype. Young queens that were heavier at the time of the mating flight were significantly more likely to mate with several males. As a result, heavier queens stored more sperm. The initial weight of queens was significantly associated with the probability of surviving mating flights during the two years of the study, with queens of intermediate weight having the highest across-year survival. Queen initial weight was also significantly and positively associated with the quantity of brood at the time of the first worker eclosion as well as colony productivity at the time of hibernation. By contrast, there was little evidence for a positive effect of the number of matings on colony performance when the effect of mate number and queen initial weight were considered simultaneously.
THE FEASIBILITY OF HOME CARE WORKERS DELIVERING AN INTERVENTION TO DECREASE DEPRESSION AMONG HOME-DWELLING, OLDER WOMEN: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Depression is associated with poorer functioning and may even increase the risk of dying. Home-dwelling frail older women with depression often receive inadequate treatment or no treatment at all. Therapeutic life review, an intervention based on Erikson's developmental stages, delivered by home care workers (HCWs) with three hours of training, is a cost effective way to enhance mood in these women. Nine HCWs who had implemented therapeutic life review participated in one of two focus groups and reported enhanced moods among their frail older clients.
T-Cell Correlates of Vaccine Efficacy after a Heterologous Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Challenge

ABSTRACT Determining the “correlates of protection” is one of the challenges in human immunodeficiency virus vaccine design. To date, T-cell-based AIDS vaccines have been evaluated with validated techniques that measure the number of CD8+ T cells in the blood that secrete cytokines, mainly gamma interferon (IFN-γ), in response to synthetic peptides. Despite providing accurate and reproducible measurements of immunogenicity, these methods do not directly assess antiviral function and thus may not identify protective CD8+ T-cell responses. To better understand the correlates of vaccine efficacy, we analyzed the immune responses elicited by a successful T-cell-based vaccine against a heterologous simian immunodeficiency virus challenge. We searched for correlates of protection using a viral suppression assay (VSA) and an IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay. While the VSA measured in vitro suppression, it did not predict the outcome of the vaccine trial. However, we found several aspects of the vaccine-induced T-cell response that were associated with improved outcome after challenge. Of note, broad vaccine-induced prechallenge T-cell responses directed against Gag and Vif correlated with lower viral loads and higher CD4+ lymphocyte counts. These results may be relevant for the development of T-cell-based AIDS vaccines since they indicate that broad epitope-specific repertoires elicited by vaccination might serve as a correlate of vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates that certain viral proteins may be more effective than others as vaccine immunogens.
Analytical prediction of eddy-current loss in modular tubular permanent-magnet machines

The paper describes an analytical technique for predicting the eddy-current loss in the moving armature of a tubular permanent magnet machine. This loss component is usually neglected in conventional tubular permanent magnet machines since high-order time harmonics in the stator current waveform and space harmonics in the winding magnetomotive force (MMF) distribution are generally considered to be insignificant. However, a relatively new topology of tubular permanent magnet machine, sometimes referred to as "modular", has emerged in which the fundamental component of the stator MMF has fewer poles than that of the permanent-magnet armature, the thrust force being developed by the interaction between a higher order MMF harmonic and the permanent magnet field. Thus, the presence of lower and higher order space harmonics in the winding MMF distribution of a modular machine may gives rise to a significant eddy-current loss in the moving-magnet armature. An analytical model is developed to predict the eddy currents which are induced in the magnets, as well as in any electrically conducting supporting tube which may be employed, and to quantify the effectiveness of axially segmenting the magnets in reducing the eddy-current loss. The validity of the developed model, which is also applicable to conventional designs of tubular permanent-magnet machine, is verified by time-stepped transient finite-element analysis (FEA).
Partnering with homeschoolers: Collaborations between homeschoolers and public schools

This research paper focuses on the interactions between homeschoolers and public schools. A modified case study approach, the constant comparative method, was used to examine the rationale and interaction patterns of five different families. The families were interviewed as to their rationale for homeschooling, the impact homeschooling had on their families, current collaborations they had with their local public schools, the impact of these collaborations on the family and their children’s academic and social development, and interests these families may have had in additional collaborations with their local public school. The families were most interested in collaborations in which they could see an academic benefit for their children. The study demonstrated a connection between the rationales families held for homeschooling and the type of interactions in which they were involved with their public schools. The findings of this study show that interactions between public schools and homeschoolers benefit homeschooled students by providing them with broader experiences and deepening their academic knowledge. This open access graduate research paper is available at UNI ScholarWorks: http://scholarworks.uni. edu/grp/17 PARTNERING WITH HOMESCHOOLERS: COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN HOMESCHOOLERS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS A Graduate Research Paper Submitted to the Division of Literacy Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Education UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA