Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adapting Polyphonic pickup Technology for Spatial Music Performance

This paper describes how polyphonic pickup technology can be adapted for the spatialization of electric stringed instruments such as the violin, cello and guitar. It is proposed that mapping the individual strings to different spatial locations integrates the spatial diffusion process with the standard musical gestures of the performer. The development of polyphonic guitar processing is discussed and a method of adapting MIDI guitar technology for this purpose is presented. The compositional and technical stratagies used with various augmented instruments is presented along with an analysis of three compositions by the author for spatialized hexaphonic guitar.
High Cesarean Section Rate: A New Perspective

Cesarean section rates in the United States have increased dramatically in recent years, whereas perinatal mortality rates have fallen. To investigate the hypothesis that these two events are not necessarily causally related, a prospective attempt to modify obstetric management directed at minimizing the rate of abdominal delivery while preserving excellent perinatal survival was done at a university-affiliated hospital in the Denver metropolitan area. Unselected patients who were admitted to separate services at the hospital were used for comparison, with one group subject to the specific management criteria. Corrected mortality rates and low five-minute Apgar scores on the two services were not significantly different after two years. The total cesarean section rate on the first service was 5.7%, and the total cesarean section rate on the comparison service was 17.6%. Analysis of the data showed major differences in indications for cesarean section in the areas of repeat cesarean section, cephalopelvic disproportion, breech presentation, fetal distress, and genital herpes. These data support the contention that excellent perinatal outcome can be achieved with modest abdominal delivery rates. (Obstet Gynecol 65:307, 1985)
Effect of bacillus Calmette-Guérin and/or methylcholanthrene on the antibody-forming cells measured at the cellular level by a hemolytic plaque test.

Summary The number of antibody-forming cells was assayed at the cellular level in vitro . BCG 2 increased and methylcholanthrene depressed the number of plaque-forming spleen cells in the Jerne anti-sheep red cell system. BCG was able to antagonize the immunodepressive effect of MCA.
Multi-watt electric power from a microfabricated permanent-magnet generator

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of permanent magnet (PM) generators for use in microscale power generation systems. The generators are three phase, axial flux, synchronous machines, each consisting of a multipole surface wound stator and PM rotor. The microfabricated windings, with small interconductor gaps and variable width geometry, are the key enabler for high power density. At a rotational speed of 120,000 rpm, one such generator demonstrates 2.6 W of mechanical-to-electrical power conversion and, coupled to a transformer and rectifier, delivers 1.1 W of DC electrical power to a resistive load. This Watt-scale electrical power generation demonstrates the viability of scaled PM machines for practical applications.
Correlates of Use of Health Care Services by Children and Adolescents From 11 European Countries

Objective:To examine the association between use of health care services and health status, sociodemographic, and health care system characteristics in children and adolescents from 11 European countries. Research Design:Cross-sectional surveys in representative samples included using phone or school-based sampling. Subjects:Children and adolescents aged 8–18 years and their parents. Questionnaires were administered in households or at schools in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Main Outcome Measures:Any visit to (“access”) and number of visits (“intensity of use”) to health care professionals during the previous 12 months. Results:The study included 16,210 parent-child pairs. In a multivariate analysis, variables statistically associated with access included the following: health status (more disability days, more chronic conditions), sociodemographic characteristics (being younger, being female, having a higher socioeconomic status, or higher parental educational level), and health system variables (higher percentage of public health expenditure, widespread private health care coverage, pediatrician-led system). The strongest association was with disability days [odds ratio (OR) = 6.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.24–9.14 for 5–15 days]. In the “intensity of use” model, sociodemographic (being younger, strong social support) and health status (chronic conditions, disability days, psychiatric disorders, psychosomatic complaints, poor health-related quality of life) characteristics were associated with greater intensity of use. Health system variables were not significant in this model. Conclusions:The likelihood of contacting the health services is a function of health status, socioeconomic factors, and health system characteristics. Intensity of use among those having made contact is associated with health status and sociodemographic characteristics but not with health system characteristics.
Wolbachia infection and the expression of cytoplasmic incompatibility in sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Egypt

Abstract A PCR-based method was used to screen four laboratory colonies of sandflies for Wolbachia infection. The colonies — one of Phlebotomus langeroni, one of P. bergeroti and two of P. papatasi — were all derived from sandflies collected in Egypt. Only one of the colonies, derived from P. papatasi collected in Sinai, was found infected. The sequence of the PCR product for this colony was identical to that previously reported for the Wolbachia in P. papatasi from Israel. The induction with tetracycline of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in flies from the P. papatasi (Sinai) colony was then investigated, through reciprocal crosses between treated and untreated P. papatasi siblings. Partial CI expression was attained in the crosses involving antibiotic-treated (i.e. uninfected) females, whether the males used were infected with Wolbachia or had also been cleared of Wolbachia by antibiotic treatment. Most (75%) of the eggs oviposited by uninfected females that had been crossed with infected males, and most (58%) of those laid by uninfected females that had been crossed with uninfected males, failed to hatch. These results provide the first published evidence showing that Wolbachia infection in sandflies is advantageous to the insects. The failure to detect Wolbachia in one of the colonies derived from Egyptian P. papatasi or in the colonies derived from Egyptian P. bergeroti and P. langeroni may indicate that the inter- and intra-specific spread of Wolbachia is discontinuous, even within one country.
Ion transport in a human lens epithelial cell line exposed to hyposmotic and apoptotic stress

Membrane transport changes in human lens epithelial (HLE‐B3) cells under hyposmotic and apoptotic stress were compared. Cell potassium content, Ki, uptake of the K congener rubidium, Rbi, and water content were measured after hyposmotic stress induced by hypotonicity, and apoptotic stress by the protein‐kinase inhibitor staurosporine (STP). Cell water increased in hyposmotic (150 mOsm) as compared to isosmotic (300 mOsm) balanced salt solution (BSS) by >2‐fold at 5 min and decreased within 15 min to baseline values accompanied by a 40% Ki loss commensurate with cell swelling and subsequent cell shrinkage likely due to regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Loss of Ki, and accompanying water, and Rbi uptake in hyposmotic BSS were prevented by clotrimazole (CTZ) suggesting water shifts associated with K and Rb flux via intermediate conductance K (IK) channels, also detected at the mRNA and protein level. In contrast, 2 h after 2 µM STP exposure, the cells lost ∼40% water and ∼60% Ki, respectively, consistent with apoptotic volume decrease (AVD). Indeed, water and Ki loss was at least fivefold greater after hyposmotic than after apoptotic stress. High extracellular K and 2 mM 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) but not CTZ significantly reduced apoptosis. Annexin labeling phosphatidylserine (PS) at 15 min suggested loss of lipid asymmetry. Quantitative PCR revealed significant IK channel expression during prolonged hyposmotic stress. Results suggest in HLE‐B3 cells, IK channels likely partook in and were down regulated after RVD, whereas pro‐apoptotic STP‐activation of 4‐AP‐sensitive voltage‐gated K channels preceded or accompanied PS externalization before subsequent apoptosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 110–122, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linking Magazine Exposure to Social Appearance Anxiety: The Role of Appearance Norms in Early Adolescence

Early adolescents (N = 1,591; Mage = 11.698; SD = 0.892) participated in a two-wave panel study (6-month interval) to examine the longitudinal association between appearance-focused magazine exposure and social appearance anxiety. We revealed that magazine exposure positively correlated with the internalization of appearance ideals and the attribution of social rewards to attractiveness which, in turn, related to social appearance anxiety. Internalization and attribution of social rewards formed a reinforcing spiral; once internalized, early adolescents associate positive things with appearance ideals (e.g., peer acceptance) and the perception of rewards increases early adolescents' inclination to internalize ideals. Given the adverse consequences of social appearance anxiety, the findings warrant research on the role of media in the occurrence of social appearance anxiety.
Linear Damping Seat to Reduce Whiplash Injury in Rear-end Collision

Neck injuries caused by rear end collisions have become a major problem in traffic safety over the last two decades. This situation calls for more research in the field. One area of interest is a damping seat slide to reduce neck injury. To reduce neck injury (Whiplash), based upon new biomechanical research, the motion between head and torso should be reduced. In case of a rear end impact new seat will slide backwards during the impact which allows the motion to damp. Working Model software was used first to simulate and analyse the behaviour of the new system, also a test rig was developed for experimental purposes. The results show occupant protection increases with the new damping seat slide by reducing the NIC 35%.
Contribution of endovascular therapy to the management of poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Clinical and angiographic outcomes.

OBJECT Treatment of patients presenting with poor-grade (Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is controversial. Endovascular coil embolization has been considered a valuable therapeutic alternative to surgical clip placement for this kind of patient. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immediate and long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with poor-grade SAH treated by endovascular embolization. METHODS One hundred eleven patients with Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V SAH were treated with endovascular embolization at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center between October 1990 and December 2004. Eighty patients harbored Grade IV hemorrhages and 31 patients had Grade V ones. Immediate and long-term anatomical and clinical outcomes were evaluated in all patients. Long-term clinical outcome assessments were based on follow-up data obtained over an average of 32 months posttherapy. Technical complications occurred in 15 patients (13.5%). Immediate complete aneurysm occlusion was observed in 51.4% of aneurysms. Angiographic, long-term follow-up review revealed aneurysm recanalization in 16.2% of cases. Thirty-nine patients (35.1%) demonstrated a favorable long-term clinical outcome. The overall mortality rate in this patient series was 32.4%. The mortality rate associated with vasospasm was significantly higher in patients with Grade IV SAHs than in those with Grade V hemorrhages. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate a valuable contribution of endovascular therapy of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients with Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V SAH. This technique was successful in decreasing repeated aneurysm rupture and in enabling aggressive medical management during the acute phase of SAH. This is particularly important in patients with Grade IV SAH because of their potential for obtaining higher physical and functional recoveries.
The Use of Female Commercial Sex Workers’ Services by Latino Day Laborers

This article reports the characteristics of Latino day laborers who have sex with female commercial sex workers (CSWs). A sample of 450 day laborers in Los Angeles was used. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association of independent variables with the likelihood of having sex with a CSW. Overall, 26% of the 450 day laborers reported having had sex with a CSW in the previous 12 months. A lower likelihood of having sex with a CSW was found for those with more than 6 years of education and for those who were married and living with their spouses. A higher likelihood of having sex with a CSW was found for those who met the criteria for harmful drinking or drug dependence. Commercial sex work has been associated with sexually transmitted infections and other problems among clients of CSWs and warrants further attention by providers working with day laborers.
Short-Term Absenteeism and Health Care Utilization Due to Lower Extremity Injuries Among Novice Runners: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective:To describe absenteeism and health care utilization (HCU) within 6 weeks after occurrence of running-related injuries (RRIs) among novice runners and to explore differences relating to injury and personal characteristics. Design:Prospective cohort study. Setting:Primary care. Participants:One thousand six hundred ninety-six novice runners (18-65 years) participating in a 6-week running program (“Start-to-Run”). Main Outcome Measures:Injury characteristics were assessed by weekly training logs and personal characteristics by a baseline questionnaire. Data on absenteeism and HCU were collected using questionnaires at 2 and 6 weeks after the RRI occurred. Results:A total of 185 novice runners (11%) reported an RRI during the 6-week program. Of these injured novice runners, 78% reported absence from sports, whereas only 4% reported absence from work. Fifty-one percent of the injured novice runners visited a health care professional, mostly physical therapists (PTs) rather than physicians. Absenteeism was more common among women than men and was also more common with acute RRIs than gradual-onset RRIs. As regards HCU, both the variety of professionals visited and the number of PT visits were higher among runners with muscle–tendon injuries in the ankle/foot region than among those with other RRIs. Conclusions:Among novice runners sustaining an RRI during a 6-week running program, over three quarters reported short-term absence from sports, whereas absence from work was very limited, and over half used professional health care. Both absence and HCU are associated with injury characteristics. Clinical Relevance:In future running promotion programs (eg in Start-to-Run programs), specific attention should be paid to acute injuries and to muscle–tendon injuries in the ankle/foot region.
A 1.04 mm2, low-power front-end circuit of receiver in 0.18μm CMOS for IEEE 802.11a application

An integrated CMOS front-end circuit of receiver according to the IEEE 802.11a standard is presented in this paper. The front-end circuit comprises low noise amplifier (LNA), active balun, voltage control oscillator (VCO), and source pumped mixer. The proposed source pumped mixer can achieve high linearity and high gain performances. When integrated in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology, the front-end circuit exhibits an area of only 1.04 mm2. The proposed front-end circuit achieves measured conversion gain of 19dB, input third-order intercept point (IIP3) of -11 dBm, VCO tuning range of 780 MHz and a phase noise of -108 dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset frequency under consuming power of 24.5 mW from 1.8V supply voltage.
Combined BRAF and MEK Inhibition with Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib for Patients with Advanced Melanoma

A cquired resistance is the most common cause of BRAF inhibitor monotherapy treatment failure, with the majority of patients experiencing disease progression with a median progression-free survival of 6-8 months. As such, there has been considerable focus on combined therapy with dual BRAF and MEK inhibition as a means to improve outcomes compared with monotherapy. In the COMBI-d and COMBI-v trials, combined dabrafenib and trametinib was associated with significant improvements in outcomes compared with dabrafenib or vemurafenib monotherapy, in patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma. The combination of vemurafenib and cobimetinib has also been investigated. In the phase III CoBRIM study in patients with unresectable stage III-IV BRAF-mutant melanoma, treatment with vemurafenib and cobimetinib resulted in significantly longer progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) compared with vemurafenib alone. One-year OS was 74.5% in the vemurafenib and cobimetinib group and 63.8% in the vemurafenib group, while 2-year OS rates were 48.3% and 38.0%, respectively. The combination was also well tolerated, with a lower incidence of cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma compared with monotherapy. Dual inhibition of both MEK and BRAF appears to provide a more potent and durable anti-tumour effect than BRAF monotherapy, helping to prevent acquired resistance as well as decreasing adverse events related to BRAF inhibitor-induced activation of the MAPK-pathway. Combined BRAF and MEK inhibition is the standard of care in patients with advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma.
Effects of audience anxiety on pupil size.

Pupillary activity was continually monitored while 28 female Ss performed a short-term memory task and a digit-transformation task. The Ss were selected according to their scores on the Audience Sensitivity Inventory (ASI) and the Otis Quick-Scoring Mental Ability Test (IQ), so as to yield four groups: low ASI and high ASI (equated on IQ); and low IQ and high IQ (equated on ASI). Results showed significantly more pupillary dilation to the transformation than to the memory task for all groups and this finding was consistent with previous studies. There were no main effects nor interactions involving IQ groups. The effects involving audience anxiety were specific, that is, a larger pupil size occurred in the high ASI group than in the low ASI group. In addition, there was a decrease in pupil size in the low ASI group prior to repeating the digits, but no such decrease occurred in the high ASI group. These findings were interpreted in terms of anxiety related to apprehension about evaluation.
Historical and political perspectives on Sámi and inclusive school systems in Norway

The aim of this chapter is to introduce Norway’s inclusive education policies for two separate school systems: the national Norwegian and the Sámi systems. This chapter is based on research done in Norway on its national and Sámi schools and their curricula. Norway is an interesting example when it comes to indigenous education and national schools, as state policies on diversity and minority and indigenous issues have been consciously implemented in both school systems. The evolution of these guidelines, as written in education curricula and as implemented in practice, is the core focus of this article. This chapter aims to describe and contemplate the overarching and general tendencies of Sámi schools and issues in Norway, which have received little scholarly attention. We build on and add to the existing research by combining issues related to the national, or mainstream, school systems with issues related to the Sámi school systems. We will present
Synaptic Drosophila UNC-13 is regulated by antagonistic G-protein pathways via a proteasome-dependent degradation mechanism.

UNC-13 is a highly conserved plasma membrane-associated synaptic protein implicated in the regulation of neurotransmitter release through the direct modulation of the SNARE exocytosis complex. Previously, we characterized the Drosophila homologue (DUNC-13) and showed it to be essential for neurotransmitter release immediately upstream of vesicular fusion ("priming") at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Here, we show that the abundance of DUNC-13 in NMJ synaptic boutons is regulated downstream of GalphaS and Galphaq pathways, which have inhibitory and facilitatory roles, respectively. Both cAMP modulation and PKA function are required for DUNC-13 synaptic up-regulation, suggesting that the cAMP pathway enhances synaptic efficacy via DUNC-13. Similarly, PLC function and DAG modulation also regulate the synaptic levels of DUNC-13, through a mechanism that appears independent of PKC. Our results suggest that proteasome-mediated protein degradation is the primary mechanism regulating DUNC-13 levels at the synapse. Both PLC- and PKA-mediated pathways appear to regulate synaptic levels of DUNC-13 through controlling the rate of proteasome-dependent DUNC-13 degradation. We conclude that the functional abundance of DUNC-13 at the synapse, a key determinant of synaptic vesicle priming and neurotransmitter release probability, is primarily regulated by the rate of protein degradation, rather than translocation or transport, convergently controlled via both cAMP and DAG signal transduction pathways.
Evaluation of the third solvent clusters fitting procedure for the prediction of protein–protein interactions based on the results at the CAPRI blind docking study

To predict protein–protein interactions, rough or coarse handling for the induced fit problem is proposed. Our method involves the overlap of two hydrophobic interactions as “third solvent clusters fitting. ” Predictions for binding sites and geometric centers were acceptable, but those of the binding axes were poor. In this study, only the largest benzene cluster was used for the third solvent clusters fitting. For the next CAPRI targets, we must perform protein–protein interaction analyses, which include other smaller benzene clusters. Proteins 2003;52:15–18. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secure Delegation-Based Authentication Protocol for Wireless Roaming Service

Portable devices, with wireless communication capability, are used widely in everyday life. Preventing personal sensitive information from being revealed to an adversary through insecure wireless communication channels has therefore become a serious concern. This study proposes a novel ECC-based authentication protocol for portable communication systems. The proposed protocol resists DoS attacks and requires less computation cost when authenticating a communication session. In addition, the proposed protocol provides user unlinkability.