Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Chronically Elevated Glucose Levels on the Functional Properties of Rat Pancreatic β-Cells

This study examines the effects of chronically elevated glucose levels on the survival and function of purified rat β-cells. Prolonged exposure (9 days) of β-cell aggregates to 20 mmol/l glucose did not lead to cell losses, but reduced the amount of insulin secreted in response to glucose. This decrease was not caused by cellular desensitization but resulted from the lower cellular insulin content after a prolonged imbalance between stimulated rates of insulin synthesis and release. Virtually all β-cells exhibited a state of metabolic and biosynthetic activation, which was maintained for at least 2 h in glucose-depleted media. Their rates of protein and insulin synthesis were amplified by glucose, reaching (half-) maximal stimulation at lower glucose concentrations (2 and 5 mmol/l, respectively) than control cells cultured at 10 mmol/l glucose (5 and 10 mmol/l, respectively). As for insulin release, the net glucose effect on insulin synthesis was markedly reduced as compared with that in control cells. This was also the case after culture at 6 mmol/l glucose. In the latter condition, the lower glucose-inducible activities were caused by cellular desensitization, with 50% of the β-cells unresponsive to glucose and the other 50% responding with a lower sensitivity (half-maximal stimulation at 7 mmol/l glucose). Comparison of β-cells cultured at the three glucose concentrations indicated that prolonged exposure to elevated glucose levels increases the number of degranulated cells, of cells with a high proportion of immature insulin granules, and of cells with glycogen deposition-morphologic features previously described in conditions of hyperglycemia. It is concluded that chronic exposure (9 days) of rat β-cells to elevated glucose levels induces a prolonged state of β-cell activation and glucose hypersensitivity rather than a glucotoxicity or glucose desensitization. This shift in the functional state of the β-cell population is responsible for a reduced insulin release in response to glucose, as observed in other conditions of prolonged exposure to high glucose levels.
Age differences in visual search for information on web pages

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Patients' Responsibilities in Medical Ethics

Patients have not been entirely ignored in medical ethics. There has been a shift from the general presumption that 'doctor knows best' to a heightened respect for patient autonomy. Medical ethics remains one-sided, however. It tends (incorrectly) to interpret patient autonomy as mere participation in decisions, rather than a willingness to take the consequences. In this respect, medical ethics remains largely paternalistic, requiring doctors to protect patients from the consequences of their decisions. This is reflected in a one-sided account of duties in medical ethics. Duties fall mainly on doctors and only exceptionally on patients. Medical ethics may exempt patient from obligations because they are the weaker or more vulnerable party in the doctor-patient relationship. We argue that vulnerability does not exclude obligation. We also look at other ways in which patient responsibilities flow from general ethics: for instance, from responsibilities to others and to the self, from duties of citizens, and from the responsibilities of those who solicit advice. Finally, we argue that certain duties of patients counterbalance an otherwise unfair capacity of doctors as helpers.
Scheduling OLTP transactions via learned abort prediction

Current main memory database system architectures are still challenged by high contention workloads and this challenge will continue to grow as the number of cores in processors continues to increase [23]. These systems schedule transactions randomly across cores to maximize concurrency and to produce a uniform load across cores. Scheduling never considers potential conflicts. Performance could be improved if scheduling balanced between concurrency to maximize throughput and scheduling transactions linearly to avoid conflicts. In this paper, we present the design of several intelligent transaction scheduling algorithms that consider both potential transaction conflicts and concurrency. To incorporate reasoning about transaction conflicts, we develop a supervised machine learning model that estimates the probability of conflict. This model is incorporated into several scheduling algorithms. In addition, we integrate an unsupervised machine learning algorithm into an intelligent scheduling algorithm. We then empirically measure the performance impact of different scheduling algorithms on OLTP and social networking workloads. Our results show that, with appropriate settings, intelligent scheduling can increase throughput by 54% and reduce abort rate by 80% on a 20-core machine, relative to random scheduling. In summary, the paper provides preliminary evidence that intelligent scheduling significantly improves DBMS performance.
Flexibility Due to Abstraction and Decomposition

Flexibility is a major concern in engineering design. This paper examines two complementary approaches to designing flexibility into engineering systems. One approach, based on system decomposition, emphasizes a one‐to‐one mapping between form and function, as in modular designs. The second approach decouples form from function, enabling a many‐to‐many mapping, as in layered designs. These approaches need not be mutually exclusive; rather, they can be synergistic. These claims are examined using simulated intermodal freight shipping networks. Results show that systems relying on decomposition are especially sensitive to disruptions. In contrast, systems relying on abstraction are less sensitive to disruption as long as rates of change in the environment are low; however, they are also less able to respond to unmet demand. Given enough resources, systems using both approaches can respond both to disruptions and unmet demand. Implications for system design are discussed.
Water Sanitation and Hygiene Standards for Schools in Low-cost Settings

The international policy environment increasingly reflects these issues. Providing adequate levels of water supply, sanitation and hygiene in schools is of direct relevance to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and reducing child mortality. It is also supportive of other goals, especially those on major diseases and infant mortality. Every additional year of schooling for girls reduces both the under-five mortality rate and the maternal mortality rate.
Study and Reduction of the Mutual Coupling Between Two Mobile Phone PIFAs Operating in the DCS1800 and UMTS Bands

Several solutions are presented to reduce the mutual coupling between two planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs) working in close radiocommunication standards and positioned on a finite-sized ground plane modeling the printed circuit board (PCB) of a typical mobile phone. First, the two PIFAs are designed on separate PCBs to, respectively, operate in the DCS1800 and UMTS bands. In a second step, they are associated on the top edge of the same PCB. Realistic arrangements are then theoretically and experimentally studied. Finally, several solutions are investigated to maximize the isolation. They consist in inserting a suspended line between the PIFAs' feedings and/or shorting points. All along this paper, several prototypes are fabricated and their performances measured to validate the obtained IE3D moment method-based simulation results
Adaptive motion coordination with an unknown reference velocity

We study a motion coordination problem where a group of agents is required to reach consensus while tracking a leader's sinusoidal reference velocity. We assume that the frequency of the reference velocity is available only to the leader. Building on an existing passivity-based internal model control design, we develop a decentralized two-time-scale adaptive control that estimates the unknown frequency information and achieves consensus of the group. We establish uniform asymptotic stability of the adaptive design using a two-time-scale averaging theory. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control.
Selective Replication of Coronavirus Genomes That Express Nucleocapsid Protein

ABSTRACT The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is a structural protein that forms a ribonucleoprotein complex with genomic RNA. In addition to its structural role, it has been described as an RNA-binding protein that might be involved in coronavirus RNA synthesis. Here, we report a reverse genetic approach to elucidate the role of N in coronavirus replication and transcription. We found that human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) vector RNAs that lack the N gene were greatly impaired in their ability to replicate, whereas the transcription of subgenomic mRNA from these vectors was easily detectable. In contrast, vector RNAs encoding a functional N protein were able to carry out both replication and transcription. Furthermore, modification of the transcription signal required for the synthesis of N protein mRNAs in the HCoV-229E genome resulted in the selective replication of genomes that are able to express the N protein. This genetic evidence leads us to conclude that at least one coronavirus structural protein, the N protein, is involved in coronavirus replication.
Serial cardiac MRIs in adult Fontan patients detect progressive hepatic enlargement and congestion

BACKGROUND The progression of hepatic disease in adult Fontan patients is not well understood. They reviewed the experience with serial cardiac MRIs (CMR) in adult Fontan patients to determine if hepatic anatomic markers of prolonged Fontan exposure were present and if clinical predictors of progressive hepatic congestion could be identified. METHODS AND RESULTS A retrospective cohort study of all adult Fontan patients who had undergone at least two CMRs was performed. Hepatic dimensions, inferior vena cava (IVC) size, right hepatic vein (RHV) size and spleen diameter were determined from images acquired at the time of clinically guided CMR. Two radiologists with expertise in hepatic imaging graded congestion and liver size independently using post-gadolinium contrast sequences. Twenty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Over a mean time of 5.1 years between CMRs, there was a significant increase in mean lateral-medial hepatic dimension (P = .005), mean RHV diameter (P = .004), and mean splenic diameter (P = .001). Serial post-gadolinium imaging was available in 25/27 (93%) patients of which 15/27 (55%) showed evidence of progressive hepatic congestion across serial studies. Progressive hepatic congestion was associated with single ventricle ejection fraction (SVEF) less than 50% (P = .008), and larger indexed end-diastolic (EDVI) and end-systolic volume (ESVI). RHV diameter was the only anatomic variable significantly correlated with time from Fontan completion (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS Serial CMRs detected progressive liver and hepatic vein enlargement in our cohort of adult Fontan patients over a mean time of 5.2 years. Progressive hepatic congestion occurs in a significant number of adult Fontan patients and may be associated with ventricular enlargement and decreased ventricular function by CMR.
Serum influence on in-vitro gene delivery using microbubble-assisted ultrasound

Abstract Background: Plasmid DNA (pDNA) is attractive molecule for gene therapy. pDNA-targeted delivery by efficient and safe methods is required to enhance its intra-tissue bioavailability. Among non-viral methods, sonoporation has become a promising method for in-vitro and in-vivo pDNA delivery. The efficiency of non-viral delivery methods of pDNA is generally limited by the presence of serum. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of serum on in-vitro pDNA delivery using microbubble-assisted ultrasound. Methods: The effects of a range of serum concentrations (0–50%) on efficiency of in-vitro pDNA delivery by sonoporation were determined on human glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, the influence of the serum on cell viability, membrane permeabilization, microbubble destruction, and pDNA topology were also assessed. Results: In-vitro results showed that a low serum concentration (i.e. ≤1%) induced a significant increase in transfection level through an increase in cell viability. However, a high serum concentration (i.e. ≥5%) resulted in a significant decrease in cell transfection, which was not associated with a decrease in membrane permeabilization or loss in cell viability. This decrease in transfection level was in fact positively correlated to changes in pDNA topology. Conclusion: Serum influences the efficiency of in-vitro pDNA delivery by sonoporation through change in pDNA topology.
A new model for simulating electrochemical sensors array

In this paper, we are presenting a new model for electrochemical sensor array. We present here the options that we have to choose from, advantages and disadvantages for each solution. The array is composed by 64 cells that can work as 128 sensors, each cell functioning as bioluminescent and electrochemical sensor. The equivalent electronic matrix was designed to substitute an 8×8 array of electrochemical sensors. We also present a few theoretical concepts about potentiostatic devices models and a short review about the command circuit that link the matrix to the signal conditioning system
Negative Interest Rates under the Quantitative Monetary Easing Policy in Japan: The Mechanism of Negative Yen Funding Costs in the FX Swap Market

This paper aims to reconsider the mechanism of the negative yen funding costs for foreign banks in the foreign exchange (FX) swap market, almost constantly observed since the adoption of the quantitative monetary easing policy in March 2001. Our main findings are as follows. First, if the no-arbitrage conditions for both domestic and foreign banks' foreign currency funding costs between the foreign currency market and the FX swap market hold, then the yen funding costs for foreign banks in the FX swap market can be written as the sum of (i) the yen risk- free interest rate, (ii) the credit risk premium for foreign banks, and (iii) the difference in the credit-risk premium for domestic banks between the yen and the U.S. dollar markets. Second, the recent negative yen funding costs for foreign banks result from the fact that the credit-risk premium for domestic banks is higher in the U.S. dollar market than in the yen market. Third, the difference in credit-risk premium between the yen and the U.S. dollar markets has existed at least since the beginning of the 1990s. As the yen risk-free interest rate has declined under the quantitative monetary easing policy, however, the difference in credit-risk premium has become marked, yielding the negative funding costs. Finally, the yen funding costs are expected to return to zero percent if foreign banks could invest in the risk-free Bank of Japan's current account balances without limits. In reality, however, the yen funding costs have remained below zero percent since foreign banks face credit lines, which limit the holdings of the current account balances.
British Pakistani lesbians existing within the confines of the closet

Abstract This study explores the complex interaction between ethnicity, gender and [homo]sexuality and how this creates a framework of stigma that compels some British Pakistani lesbians to remain within the closet. The ‘closet’ here is a metaphor that describes the concealment of one’s homosexual identity and the outward ‘performance’ of heterosexuality. British Pakistani lesbians precariously inhabit a sociocultural environment that constrains the expression of female sexuality. Women who oppose and contravene heteronormative values and ideals unsettle comfortable assumptions of heterosexuality. Being in the closet keeps lesbians isolated and marginalised from their ethnic and cultural communities. Drawing on findings from online interviews with seven British Pakistani lesbians, the study explores what shapes their decision to stay within the closet and how doing so influences their self-perception. Being in the closet is a source of considerable conflict, strain and anxiety, which has an impact on the women’s readiness to embrace individual choice, freedom and desire. Findings orientate the reader toward an understanding of the multiple, interlocking systems of social relations within which British Pakistani lesbians are marginalised as the result of their gender, sexuality and ethnic identity.
S100B and Neuron-Specific Enolase as mortality predictors in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Objective: To determine temporal profile and prognostic ability of S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) for prediction of short/long-term mortality in patients suffering from severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). Methods: Ninety-nine patients with sTBI were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn on admission and on subsequent 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Results: 15.2% of patients died in NeuroCritical Care Unit, and 19.2% died within 6 months of the accident. S100B concentrations were significantly higher in patients who died compared to survivors. NSE levels were different between groups just at 48 h. In the survival group, S100B levels decreased from 1st to 5th sample (p < 0.001); NSE just from 1st to 3rd (p < 0.001) and then stabilized. Values of S100B and NSE in non-survival patients did not significantly vary over the four days post sTBI. ROC-analysis showed that all S100B samples were useful tools for predicting mortality, the best the 72 h sample (AUC 0.848 for discharge mortality, 0.855 for six-month mortality). NSE ROC-analysis indicated that just the 48-h sample predicted mortality (AUC 0.733 for discharge mortality, 0.720 for six-month mortality). Conclusion: S100B protein showed higher prognostic capacity than NSE to predict short/long-term mortality in sTBI patients.
Neural Networks and Statistical Techniques in Marketing Research

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have many potential applications virtually in wide areas ranging from engineering to management. Recently, a great deal of interest (and effort) has been directed towards using ANNs in business practice. In particular, they have been used in areas which were once reserved for multivariate statistical analysis. Owing to this they are often considered to be statistical methods. Marketing researchers and managers who are not aware of the conceptual differences between these two methods cannot use this new “cutting‐edge” technology effectively. Discusses the conceptual differences and similarities between the two methods, having in mind market researchers and managers who are looking for new tools to support their decision making.
Molecular Characterization of a Cryptosporidium Isolate From a Black Bear

To further validate the observation of the existence of host-adapted strains of Cryptosporidium parvum, we genetically characterized an isolate of Cryptosporidium parasite from a black bear. Sequence analysis of the ribosomal RNA small subunit and the 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) showed that this parasite represents a new genotype of C. parvum and is related to the C. parvum dog genotype. This finding is helpful for clarifying Cryptosporidium taxonomy.
Alpha IVBO - Construction of a Scale to Measure the Illusion of Virtual Body Ownership

In this paper, we present a scale construction and its initial test as a step towards a standardized measure of the illusion of virtual body ownership (IVBO) in virtual simulations. The IVBO describes the effect of users partly or fully perceiving a virtual body as their own. We analyzed components for a scale we call "Alpha IVBO" by using data from a fake mirror scenario study. Users saw their movements mapped in real-time to a virtual avatar rendered on 3D display placed in front of them. The principal component analysis of our sample data resulted in three factors: "acceptance", "control" and "change".
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES DISEQUILIBRIUM DYNAMICS WITH INVENTORIES AND ANTICIPATORY PRICE-SETTING

This paper studies the sequence of short-run quantity-constrained equilibria of a model with a single storable output, labor and money. The durability of output gives rise to inventory fluctuations which influence the course of the equilibria attained. One special feature of interest is the assumption that prices are not at the level which would equilibrate all markets if there were no stochastic shocks to the economy. With prices frozen at this level, the nature of the realized shocks determines the type of disequilibrium realized and the unintended component of inventory change. The analysis concentrates on two questions: What is the statistical nature' of the process governing the real wage, output, employment and inventories? And is it possible to test this model against the alternative hypothesis that prices are continually flexible even after the shocks have disturbed the system? We find although these theories are similar in their qualititive structure, tests can be developed. We also show how the frequencies of different types of quantity-constrained equilibria vary with the stochastic specification. This may shed some insight on why it is commonly believed that some types 9f disequilibrium phenomena have not
Study on adaptive delay schedule algorithm based on progress control of Hadoop

The existing Hadoop job scheduling algorithms may improve the performance of MapReduce in many ways. But they seldom guarantee good data locality which is very import to performance by minimizing the network cost. To address the problem above, in this paper, an adaptive delay-scheduling algorithm based on progress control is proposed to maximize the performance of the data locality from the point of view of optimizing delay scheduling. It can not only calculate the appropriate dynamic delay for job in various network condition, cluster state, but also control the delay of future tasks based on the job progress and delay comparison analysis, which can avoid some extreme cases happen like some job may wait overtime sometimes due to a probable forecast deviation. The results of experiment demonstrate that the algorithm is effective.
A dynamic theory of leadership development

Purpose – This paper aims to offer a dynamic theory of leadership development.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines selected leadership literature through the lens of theory building‐blocks. It identifies the role of the ideal goal in leadership and its importance in developing the psychological aspect of leadership.Findings – The paper posits that leadership is a developmental process, which is based on the type of choice a leader makes. While choice implies that two good options are always available from which to select, one should make choices in accordance with the leader's worldview, looking for affiliation (i.e. the Theta worldview), or looking for achievement (i.e. the Lambda worldview). Consequently, leaders need to recognise that the choices they make for organisational activities have to fit their own worldview. Pursuing the fit between one's worldview and planned organisational activities ensures that leaders continuously improve their ethical behaviour. The paper concludes with the .